The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 494 The Trouble Caused by Zai Yi

"As long as the British and French are unwilling to send more troops, the Germans will not dare to move."

Teng Yuzao said with certainty, "Germany's standing army now has less than 800,000 troops, and it is a long-time enemy of Britain and France. Moreover, they just beat up the French and forced them to pay them 700 million taels of silver as war reparations."

"The French still owe hundreds of millions of taels of silver to their private banks. Do you think the Germans need to be on guard against the French seeking revenge on them?"

"Faced with their French neighbors who harbor deep hatred for them, the Germans would never dare to send more troops alone."

"As for the Japanese"

Teng Yuzao took a deep puff of his cigarette and sighed.

"The Japanese people and those generals were stimulated by the huge compensation they received after defeating the Beiyang Army and Navy in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, the cession of Taiwan Island, and the occupation of the Korean Peninsula. They tasted the sweetness and thought that our army was completely vulnerable."

"They couldn't accept the fact that they lost many soldiers and generals and wasted a lot of military funds this time, so they started to clamor wildly."

Teng Yuzao smiled disdainfully, "The Japanese have been constantly militarizing in recent years and are still expanding their navy. Although the indemnity for the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 was 230 million taels of silver, it has all been used up in recent years."

"As far as I know, the Japanese used part of the indemnity to support education, setting up a large number of public universities, middle schools, and elementary schools, and sending students to study abroad."

"Most of the indemnity was used for military expansion and military expenditure. Specifically, 21.9% was used to repay the loans Japan had taken from the West during the Sino-Japanese War of 15.7-38.6; 8.3% was used to expand the army; 15.5% was used to expand the navy; % was used to replenish the navy; and the remaining % was used for other purposes."

"The military expenses for joining the Allied Forces this time were borrowed from private banks in Britain and France. The Japanese did not expect the war to last so long and suffer heavy casualties. The Japanese have borrowed again and again. It is estimated that it will be difficult for them to borrow more money."

"In a word, they have no money, unless the British and French are willing to lend them money to fight the war."

"Their cabinet and military leaders have not made any moves because they are fully aware of the situation, so they are powerless now."

"Although the Russians are shouting loudly, they have the same problem as the Japanese. Their military expenditure this time is also borrowed from Western private banks."

"The ones who want to fight the most are the Russians and the Japanese. They are both very covetous of our rich land."

"It's just that they have no money left, and it may be difficult to even borrow money."

Teng Yuzao exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "So, this time the United States, Britain, and France will not send more troops. If Britain and France do not send more troops, the Germans will certainly not dare to send more troops. Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire are watching the Germans. If the Germans do not send more troops, they will not do so either."

"The problem now is that as long as Britain and France do not increase their troops, they do not want to see other countries continue to increase their troops in the Far East, because they do not want to see other countries gain more benefits from us, or even squeeze out and damage their interests."

"In fact, it's not just Britain and France, but also the United States and Germany that have this mentality."

"Therefore, even if the Russians and Japanese still want to continue fighting, the major powers such as Britain, France, the United States and Germany will never allow it, let alone lend them money."

After Teng Yuzhao finished speaking, several people had completely agreed with the judgment that the great powers would not continue to increase their troops.

Xu Shichang let out a long sigh, "That's good. This means that there will be a ceasefire soon, and then peace talks will begin. The war will soon be over."

"will not."

Teng Yuzao took a long drag on the remaining cigarette and said disapprovingly, "Don't take it for granted, Juren. Peace talks are not war. As long as the foreign devils are still on our land, the war will not end, and the vanguard army will continue to fight."

"Even if we start peace talks, it won't be a quick outcome. The great powers will always try to blackmail us into war. They will ask for a lot of money, and we'll probably mention ceding territory and paying compensation. Unless we let the great powers do whatever they want, there won't be a quick outcome."

Yang Shixiang said hesitantly, "Marshal, I have two more things to say."

Teng Yuzao didn't think that Yang Shixiang was in a hurry to come back just for these two things, so he nodded and said, "Go on."

Yang Shixiang said, "Originally, the court had already decided that the peace talks with the foreigners would be jointly hosted by Yikuang and Li Zhongtang, but Prince Duan Zaiyi firmly opposed it, arguing that Yikuang and the Marshal had a bad relationship, and the Marshal was leading his troops to resist the coalition forces at the front line. If Yikuang hosted the peace talks, it would be inconvenient."

"Prince Duan Zai Yi's opposition was supported by Rong Zhonghua, so the Queen Mother had to change people. She only selected more than ten people, and no minister or noble was willing to participate in the peace talks with the foreigners."

Yang Shixiang said hesitantly, "Finally, Li Zhongtang proposed to the court that he wanted to ask the Marshal to be the deputy envoy for peace talks. The court asked Li Zhongtang to consult the Marshal's opinion. If the Marshal agreed, the court would issue an order after the foreigners formally proposed peace talks. I don't know, Marshal."

Yang Shixiang's words made Teng Yuzhao smile bitterly.

"Over the years, every time there was a conflict with foreigners, it was criticized, so no one dared to go."

"Fortunately, there is still a Li Zhongtang in the court who is willing to take on responsibilities and do things, so he has been criticized a lot and even secretly scolded."

"Li Zhongtang is old and has more concerns. This time is very similar to the great victory at Zhennan Pass more than ten years ago. The emotions of the people have been completely aroused. If he is not careful, he will be cursed again."

"Li Zhongtang saw this clearly. He didn't dare to take on this task alone this time, so he asked me to do it."

Teng Yuzhao sighed and said with some emotion.

"But then again, Li Zhongtang has suffered a lot over the years. What do you think about this matter? Should I get involved?"

Yang Shixiang smiled bitterly and said, "Marshal, according to reason, you are now the Minister of Commerce of the Northern Ocean and the Governor-General of Zhili, which is exactly your duty. Moreover, the war is not only mainly in Zhili, but you are also the commander of the most important military force to fight against the coalition forces of the great powers. It is appropriate for you to participate in the peace talks."

"However, this peace negotiation will obviously require concessions, and it is inevitable that people will criticize us. Therefore, Shi Xiang thinks it is best for the Marshal not to participate."

Teng Yuzao turned to look at Xu Shichang, "Juren, what do you think?"

Unconsciously, Teng Yuzhao no longer called Xu Shichang "Brother Juren", but "Juren". This change was not only noticed by Yang Shixiang, but also by Wei Jinghai and Liu Changfa.

Only Xu Shichang, who was thinking nervously, seemed to have not realized it yet.

Xu Shichang frowned and asked, "Marshal, I don't think it's appropriate."

"Don't mention what we just discussed. The court did not ask you to negotiate peace. Even the negotiation itself is a thankless task. If you fail, your reputation in the eyes of the people will be greatly reduced if you fight bloody battles. So you can't agree to this."

Wei Jinghai also said, "The Marshal cannot agree to this because he is too busy with military affairs to spare time."

Liu Changfa also said nervously, "Councilor Xu and the Chief of Staff are right. The Marshal must not go to this matter."

(End of this chapter)