The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 498: Reassure Cixi
Teng Yuzao thought for a moment and said, "Well, Lianfu and Juren, you two should take some time to draft a memorial for me to the court as soon as possible. Write down all the key points I just mentioned. In particular, make it clear that I, Teng Yuzao, will use my life as a guarantee. If we negotiate peace based on my views, I can absolutely guarantee that the foreigners will not pursue the so-called culprit, and the Queen Mother will not be involved."

Teng Yuzao solemnly stressed to Yang Shixiang and Xu Shichang, "You must emphasize this. I will definitely protect the Queen Mother's words."

"In addition, I will give the foreigners another sweet date to divide and disintegrate them, especially the three most powerful countries among the eight countries: Britain, Germany and the United States."

Teng Yuzao put his hands behind his back and paced on the ground, thinking and speaking.

"I will soon publish a post-war development plan for Zhili in the newspaper."

"In order to vigorously promote foreign affairs, we plan to spend ten years and no less than 1 billion taels of silver to build dozens of large industrial and mining enterprises in Zhili, as well as railways, universities, middle schools, elementary schools, and technical training schools. We will also allow foreigners to set up joint venture factories with our merchants in Zhili."

"All equipment needed will be purchased from countries that are friendly to us. Foreigners who come to Zhili to invest and set up companies must be businessmen from countries that are friendly to us. Countries that are hostile to us will be firmly rejected."

"With this huge sweet date as an enticement, I don't believe the foreign devils will not be tempted and will remain unmoved."

Teng Yuzhao's words greatly encouraged Yang Shixiang and Xu Shichang.

If there is a construction project that costs no less than 10 billion taels of silver, it would be strange if the foreigners were not tempted.

No matter which country it is, Britain, Germany, the United States or France, they will bow their proud heads in front of this huge project.

This will make it easier for them to achieve better results in the peace talks they are participating in.

Teng Yuzao continued, "In order to reassure Li Zhongtang, you can tell him that I can still lend him a helping hand."

Teng Yuzao looked at Yang Shixiang, "I guess Li Zhongtang wants to negotiate peace with the eight countries alone, right?"

Yang Shixiang nodded in surprise and said, "The Marshal is right. This is exactly what Li Zhongtang meant. He thinks that this will make some countries less eager and they will agree soon. This will make things much easier."

Teng Yuzao shook his head and said, "Although Li Zhongtang's idea is also intended to divide and disintegrate the Eight-Nation Alliance, his approach is too direct, and the foreign devils will not agree with it."

"Tell Li Zhongtang that if the foreigners do not agree to talk alone, let Li Zhongtang contact the Americans privately, preferably the American Minister Conger."

"Have him tell Conger that I am willing to release their American prisoners privately in gratitude for President McKinley's long-standing international appeal for a peaceful settlement of our disputes with the West."

"To express my gratitude to President McKinley and my sincerity in maintaining the friendship between our two countries, I can release their prisoners of war unconditionally without any price or promise from the Americans."

"Of course, this matter must be kept strictly confidential from other powers, and the prisoners of war to be released must be limited to pure Americans from the North American continent."

"Also, let Li Zhongtang tell Kang that as long as the United States can play a positive and significant role in the peace talks again, we will give priority to cooperating with the United States under the same conditions when promoting Westernization in Zhili."

Yang Shixiang finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded with great appreciation.

"This is a brilliant move, Marshal!"

"With these benefits, we will definitely deal with the Americans. As long as the Americans stand on our side, peace talks will be much easier."

Teng Yuzao smiled and said, "It's not just the Americans. If possible, you can also let Li Zhongtang contact the German envoy privately."

"Tell the Germans that as long as the two sides can get along in a friendly manner, I also welcome German companies to set up factories in Zhili."

"After they withdraw their troops, I plan to build a large steel plant and a large arsenal. Both plants can cooperate with Germany. As long as the output of the steel plant meets the quality and variety requirements, the Zhili Governor-General's Office will underwrite it for ten years and will take whatever it can get."

"In addition, I personally express my deep sympathy for the unfortunate death of German Minister Clemens von Kettel, and I believe that the court will also make appropriate expressions of gratitude for the unfortunate experience of the German Minister."

Xu Shichang rubbed his hands and said excitedly, "Marshal, with these two factories that are guaranteed to make a profit, it will be impossible for the Germans to refuse. I think this peace talk will be successful."

Yang Shixiang also nodded and said, "Although the Marshal did not directly participate in the negotiations, everything he did was to contribute to the successful conclusion of the peace talks. Li Zhongtang will definitely be grateful to the Marshal." "Moreover, as a minister of a country encountered an unexpected event, it is not excessive for the court to make appropriate expressions. But will the Germans be satisfied?"

Teng Yuzao smiled bitterly and shook his head, "No, I have to add a little more bargaining chip and tell them that I have the French secret weapon in my hands. I can also give them two French Schneider rapid-fire cannons."

"If the Qing ambassador to Germany, Lü Haihuan, was killed by the Germans, do you think the Chinese people would easily forgive the Germans?"

Teng Yuzao shook his head and said, "Fortunately, the Germans still have some sense and did not do anything harmful to Lu Haihuan. Everything can still be turned around. Otherwise..."

Teng Yuzhao shook his head helplessly and continued.

"It may not be enough to say that these can only be implemented after the armistice. Moreover, as far as I know, the French rapid-fire guns were developed based on the Germans' own patents. The Germans will master this technology sooner or later."

"Marshal." Xu Shichang suddenly spoke.

"One billion taels of silver, are you serious, Marshal?"

Teng Yuzao smiled and said, "Of course, if we really want to make our country's Westernization Movement achieve great progress, 10 billion taels of silver may not be enough. The silver we can take out may far exceed this amount."

Teng Yuzao's words surprised the three people except Wei Jinghai.

Teng Yuzao knew what these people were thinking, and he spoke with a smile while considering it.

"You probably don't know that I opened the Aurora Bank."

Teng Yuzao's words were like a cannonball dropping in the room. Only Wei Jinghai silently picked up the wine cup and took a sip. The other three looked at each other in shock.

Teng Yuzhao sighed helplessly, this matter would need a reasonable explanation sooner or later.

Teng Yuzao smiled casually and said, "Don't be nervous. The principal of this Aurora Bank was given to me by Ning Xingpu last year. I used it to open this bank."

"Thanks to the good operation of the bank and the loans given to several profitable factories opened using my brother's patents, we are now making a lot of money."

Teng Yuzhao did not expect the people present to believe him, nor did he expect others to believe him. He just wanted to make the reason known.

In order to dispel the accusation that he embezzled military pay and even the suspicion that he embezzled donations from various places, he also planned to disclose the use of donations as soon as possible to set the record straight.

"Of course, bank loans alone are not enough. We in Zhili have to find ways to get the vast majority of the money ourselves."

Teng Yuzao looked at the stunned Xu Shichang and continued.

"I can tell you that I have a way to raise money."

Although Xu Shichang was skeptical about what Teng Yuzhao said about the silver, he decided to put the matter aside for the time being.

After all, for him now, peace talks are the most important thing, and everything else is a matter for the future.

Thinking of Teng Yuzhao's method of division and disintegration, Xu Shichang smiled.

If he could successfully divide the Americans, the possibility of a successful peace negotiation would be very high. If a good peace negotiation result was achieved, it would be of great benefit to his career.

But Teng Yuzhao's next words scared Xu Shichang again, and even Yang Shixiang, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly turned pale.

(End of this chapter)