Chapter 558: Decisive Battle with the British and French Allied Forces

When the news of the fall of Dagukou reached the Forbidden City, Emperor Xianfeng was dumbfounded.

From Xianfeng's perspective, this matter was indeed very strange. Officials in Guangdong frequently reported victories to him. According to the victories reported by Ye Mingchen and others, there were at least 10,000 foreigners who died in Guangdong.

Since so many foreigners died, how could they take Dagukou at a lightning speed?

After thinking about it, Xianfeng only had one possibility left, a possibility he didn't want to believe.

That is, the two pillars of the South Gate of the Qing Dynasty, which he often praised, were deceived by his loyal ministers Ye Mingchen and Bai Gui.

Only if the victory report was false, could all this be explained.

At this juncture, Xianfeng reluctantly ordered his servant to take Liang Shaoqiong's memorial and read it carefully. After a closer look, Xianfeng suddenly realized it.

Although the foreigners suffered several defeats in Guangzhou and suffered heavy casualties, they were not seriously injured. The British army that arrived later was even more unstoppable and roamed the southeastern sea of ​​the Qing Dynasty.

It was as easy to capture cities and capture the governor as to take something out of a bag.

"Ye Mingchen! Bai Gui! You are deceiving the emperor! How dare you! These dog slaves! How dare you!"

Xianfeng angrily threw the memorial to the ground, his head buzzing, and he felt dizzy and almost fainted.

All the ministers knelt down and asked Xianfeng to calm down.

At this time, the civil and military officials in the hall had already been confused, and those who moved quickly had already sent their families out of the Forbidden City.

Calm down?

The anger in his chest could be calmed, but the iron hoofs of the foreigners would not stop.

Xianfeng had no choice but to send imperial edicts to various places to defend the king, and at the same time appoint Qiying, an old minister who had been neglected and demoted by him for failing to supervise foreign affairs, and order Qiying to go to Tianjin to negotiate with the foreigners on his behalf.

When Qiying's delegation arrived at Wuqing County, they ran into the high-profile Parkes delegation heading towards the capital city.

Foreigners coming to Beijing! How could this be possible? !

Qiying immediately used the same old tricks as in Guangzhou to appease the emotions of Parkes' delegation and stated that he was here to negotiate with the British and French envoys on orders, and that he was very sincere.

Parkes was also an old acquaintance of Qiying. Seeing Qiying's sincere attitude, Parkes agreed that Qiying would not go to the capital city for the time being and led Parkes to Tianjin to meet the British and French envoys, Earl Elgin and Earl Gros.

Unexpectedly, Elgin's attitude towards Qiying was extremely cold this time. Elgin said coldly: "Mr. Qiying, you are our old acquaintance and old friend. We have always respected you until we confiscated the Governor's Office in Guangzhou.

In the Governor's Office in Guangzhou, we found many documents written by you in your own handwriting.

It turns out that you didn't want to talk to us at all, but played us like monkeys! Test the patience of the British Empire! I can't trust someone who has been fooling us.

Mr. Qiying, please go back. I don't want to talk to you."

Elgin issued an order to expel Qiying. No matter how much Qiying talked, it was useless. Qiying had no choice but to return to the capital city.

Before leaving, the elderly Qiying repeatedly begged Elgin and others not to go west. After he returned, he would definitely ask the emperor to send a more important and sincere person to discuss the matter with the British and French envoys.

Not long after the British and French allied forces took over Dagukou and settled in Tianjin, Liang Yao also came to Tianjin under the banner of the American plenipotentiary envoy to China.

Unlike the British and French allied forces, Liang Yao did not bring a large number of troops to Tianjin, but only brought one regiment.

However, the accompanying regiment had taken off the uniforms of the Umbrella Company mercenary corps and put on the uniforms and flags of the US military.

"Sir, why are you here?"

Seeing Liang Yao arrive in Tianjin, French Navy Vice Admiral Tromelan was a little surprised. In fact, he wanted to ask Liang Yao why he dared to come.

Because Liang Yao had a title granted by Napoleon III, Tromelan still addressed him by his title out of respect and politeness.

"The British and French envoys to China can come, but I, the American envoy to China, can't come?" Liang Yao smiled faintly and asked immediately.

"Have you made any progress in your negotiations?"

Tromelan shook his head: "The Qing court sent Qiying to negotiate, but Lord Elgin was unwilling to talk to Qiying, believing that Qiying was not credible."

Qiying was indeed not credible, and it was a waste of words for Elgin to talk to Qiying, and nothing could be said.

Liang Yao had no intention of intervening in the negotiations between Britain, France and the Qing Dynasty, but was just waiting for the further development of the situation in Tianjin.

To put it another way, Qiying's negotiations were fruitless. After returning to the Forbidden City, Xianfeng was very disappointed with Qiying, and in a rage, he ordered Qiying to be executed.

Liang Shaoqiong and Pan Shicheng, two core figures of the Guangdong Yong who were stationed in Wuding Prefecture, Shandong in the name of suppressing the rebellion, rushed north into the territory of Northern Zhili and headed for the capital city after receiving the imperial edict to defend the king.

Liang Shaoqiong personally led the cavalry battalion day and night and became the first army to arrive in the capital to defend the king.

Hearing that the Guangdong Yong were coming to the capital, Xianfeng felt a little safer.

Although he had always disliked Liang Shaoqiong, a Han minister who held his own troops, Emperor Xianfeng had to admit that the Yueyong were the most capable infantry unit in the Qing Dynasty.

The foreigners were close to Tianjin, and the capital was in danger. At this critical moment, Emperor Xianfeng had no intention of investigating why the Yueyong could reach the capital so quickly.

In order to make the foreigners withdraw, Emperor Xianfeng appointed Gui Liang of the Guarjia clan and Hua Shanna, a minister of the Mongolian Zhenghuang Banner, as imperial envoys to Tianjin to negotiate peace with Britain and France.

Before Gui Liang and Hua Shanna set off, Emperor Xianfeng secretly instructed them that as long as the foreigners were willing to withdraw and did not enter Beijing, he would agree to any conditions.

Compensating military expenditures, opening more trade ports, even reducing tariffs, etc. are all easy to talk about. Think of it as the Qing Dynasty giving foreigners like them a bite of food from afar.

With the bottom line secretly granted by Emperor Xianfeng, which cannot be called the bottom line, Guiliang and Huashana finally came to terms with Elgin and Geluo.

Guiliang and Huashana happily drew up the draft of the treaty with Elgin and Geluo.

It is said to be a herbal medicine, but in fact it is the request of the British and French allied forces to withdraw their troops.

One: Ministers from Britain and France could be stationed in the capital. In accordance with international practice, Britain and France and Qing Dynasty established embassies and dispatched ministers to each other to establish formal diplomatic relations.

Second: The Qing Dynasty compensated the British military expenditure of 8 million taels of kuping silver and the French military expenditure of 3 million taels of kuping silver.

Third: Allow Britain and France to demarcate concessions in Shanghai to facilitate the residence of businessmen and people of the two countries.

Fourth: British and French Jesuit and Catholic priests could freely preach throughout the Qing Dynasty.

Fifth: British and French citizens can travel and trade in the Qing Dynasty and officials from various places cannot restrict it.

Sixth: British and French merchant ships can travel between the mouths of the Yangtze River.

Seventh: British and French foreign goods sold to the mainland or British merchants purchasing native goods from the mainland for export only pay a sub-export tax of 5%, and no extra cent tax is paid.

Eighth: Hong Kong Island matters involve the United States, and the decision will be made after discussion between the Qing Dynasty and the United States. During this period, Britain and France could temporarily settle in Zhoushan as compensation.

Forget about making peace with Britain and France and finalizing an unequal treaty, Guiliang and Huashana, two Manchu and Mongolian nobles who knew nothing about the international situation, actually tried to mediate in the name of the Russian envoy Muravyov, who had no soldiers. , in fact, under the circumstances of blackmail, an unequal treaty was signed with Russia.

Russia was allowed to park warships at five ports, Russian Orthodox priests were allowed to preach freely in the interior, the two countries re-demarcated the "undemarcated" Far Eastern border, and granted the Russians one-sided most-favored-nation status.

After drafting the draft treaty, Elgin and Geluo were very happy, Guiliang and Huashana were very happy, Muravyov was also very happy, and everyone had a bright future.

Liang Yao didn't say a word. He knew clearly that Xianfeng's son only wanted to get Britain and France to withdraw their troops at this time. After all, he was a doctor indiscriminately and could agree to any harsh conditions, but he had no intention of fulfilling the contract.

If the Qing government could really fulfill its contract, there would not be two or three dozen Dagukou in history.

The treaty draft was sent to the Forbidden City, and Xianfeng was so happy that he praised the two slaves Guiliang and Huashana for their ability to handle things.

There was just one article in the treaty draft that Xianfeng could not accept.

And this article is the most equal one in the treaty: the British and French ministers can be stationed in the capital. In accordance with international practice, the British and the Qing Dynasty, France and the Qing Dynasty established embassies and dispatched ministers to each other to establish formal diplomatic relations.

It is said to the heaven and earth that Xianfeng just does not want foreigners to enter Beijing.

Foreigners cannot bend their legs or kneel down. If a foreigner sees that he is unwilling to kneel down in the future, wouldn’t he, the emperor, be very embarrassed in front of his ministers and the people of the world?

Xianfeng asked Guiliang and Huazana, two capable servants, to continue talking to the foreigners, saying that as long as the foreigners did not come to Beijing, they could make concessions in other aspects.

Why the hell should I give in?

This made Liang Shaoqiong and other enlightened ministers who were truly proficient in foreign affairs very angry. Liang Shaoqiong said that he was willing to talk to foreigners. In addition, they only needed to sign treaties with Britain and France. Tsarist Russia and Britain and France were not countries of the same level, and they could completely ignore Tsarist Russia. An impudent request from the envoy.

Guiliang and Huazana were very proud of their success in signing contracts with foreigners. The words of Liang Shaoqiong and others completely denied their credit.

The two were immediately unhappy. Guiliang even said that the treaty was signed, and Dorai's envoy Muraviyov intervened and counterattacked. The foreigners were about to withdraw, and Liang Shaoqiong and others were determined to oppose the treaty.

Xianfeng naturally believed more in their good slaves of the Manchu and Mongolian tribes, so he let Guiliang and Huazana continue talking.

In the end, Guiliang and Huasana actually made a concession to completely exempt British and French goods from tariffs in exchange for the British and French ministers not to come to Beijing and set up the embassy in Shanghai.

Elgin and Ge Luo once wondered if there was something wrong with their ears, so they were completely exempted from tariffs? And such good things?

Faced with such generous conditions proposed by Guiliang and Huashana, Elgin and Geluo quickly agreed, fearing that Guiliang and Huashana would regret it.

Britain and France had not yet intervened in the Crimean War. When the Ottoman Empire was in its most difficult situation on the battlefield, the Ottoman authorities did not dare to offer them such generous terms!

Elgin and Grotto said that they agreed to the Qing's conditions and could withdraw their troops, but Britain and France retained the right for their envoys to enter Beijing at any time.

Guiliang and Huazana repeatedly said, OK, OK, I promise you, you should withdraw your troops quickly.

After the two parties reached an agreement and sent Guiliang and Huashana away, Elgin and Geluo complained to Liang Yao, who had gained nothing.

"Your Excellency came to Tianjin this time and found nothing. Doesn't this seem like your behavior?" Even the Russian envoy Muravyov also made fun of Liang Yao.

"Don't you think everything went too smoothly?" Liang Yao didn't care.

Among the ministers present, and even the minister's assistants, no one knew the Qing Dynasty better than him.

Returning without success was indeed not his style. He did not want to go to the Qing Dynasty again in 1860.

"People who can't eat grapes always like to say that grapes are sour." Gro said sarcastically.

"You haven't eaten the grapes yet, how do you know whether the grapes are sour or sweet?" Liang Yao smiled lightly and already had an idea in his mind.

"The Qing Dynasty did not have to abide by the alliances under the city in the past, but will the Qing Dynasty abide by the alliance under the city today? The Qing Dynasty, from the top to the emperor, is very willing to believe in the wisdom of the successor."

Eljin then thought about it, and it was right, and this kid was from the Qing Dynasty before.

Although Parkes lived in the Qing Dynasty at the age of 13 and was known as a Qing master, Parkes was not a real Qing person after all, and his thinking logic and way of doing things were still British.

"Is there any way for you to know whether grapes are sweet or sour without eating them?" Elgin walked up to Liang Yao very politely and asked humbly.

"It's very simple. In accordance with the normal procedures for signing international treaties, it is required to formally sign the contract with the Qing Dynasty in the Forbidden City, the imperial palace of the Qing Dynasty, and the venue for the exchange of treaties in the coming year will also be set in the Forbidden City.

If the Qing Dynasty is willing to conclude a treaty in the Forbidden City, it means that there will not be much resistance to your coming to Beijing in the future. Of course, you can also send a delegation to the capital first to test the attitude of the Qing monarchs and ministers. "

After Eljin thought about it carefully, he felt that Liang Yao was right. As long as he did it the first time, it would be much easier the second time.

Furthermore, if the Qing Dynasty repented and still refused to allow them to enter Beijing, wouldn't this battle have been in vain?

There is no essential difference between not allowing their ministers to enter Beijing and locating the embassy in Guangzhou and Shanghai.

Elgin then sent Parkali directly to Beijing, asking Parkali to inform the Qing side that the signing place was set in the Forbidden City.

Signing and exchanging treaties in the capital is also in line with international practice, and the Qing side has no reason to refuse.

Parkes' mission, escorted by a company of British soldiers, set off again with great fanfare to the capital city.

This time, Parkes finally got what he wanted and saw the capital city that he had longed for.

Seeing the majestic and tall city walls of the capital city, Pashali was waiting for the Qing Dynasty to send his gifts into the city.

The unsuspecting Parkesli mission was disarmed by the Qing army in Wengcheng.

Indeed, as Elgin said, although Pashali was familiar with the Qing Dynasty, he was still British in thinking.

Parkes believed that he was an envoy representing the British Empire, and the British army was close to the entrance of Takuk. He thought that the Qing army would not do anything to him. Therefore, when faced with the disarmament of the Qing army, Parkale did not order any resistance, but obediently let the accompanying soldiers British soldiers surrendered their weapons.

He thought that the Qing government just did not want foreign envoys to bring weapons into the city. This was reasonable and he could understand it.

What happened next was something that Parkes couldn't figure out even after racking his brains.

The Qing side put Parkes in jail without saying a word.

The incident of foreigners entering the city quickly caused a stir in the capital city, and there was a lot of discussion about the matter. Emperor Xianfeng Long Yan was furious when he learned of the incident.

In order to clear up the relationship and prove that he was still capable of doing things, Guiliang badmouthed Parkli in front of Xianfeng.

It is said that this person grew up in the Qing Dynasty, knew the Qing Dynasty the best, and had the most bad ideas. He must be the one who gave advice to the foreigners and had evil intentions.

Because Pashali acted as translator for Elgin and was present when the treaty was being negotiated. He could speak fluent Mandarin and was particularly active. Therefore, Guiliang, who had little knowledge, hated Pashali and believed that Pashali had given many bad ideas to foreigners. , is the think tank of the foreigners, a very important figure among the foreigners. As long as Parkes is excluded, the foreigners will be like Liu Bei losing Pang Tong.

Of course, the most important reason why Guiliang wanted to put Parkes to death was because Parkes, a foreigner, dared to come directly to the capital city, ruining his achievements and ruining his image as a capable and good slave in the heart of the emperor.

The second is the issue of face. Parkes can speak fluent Mandarin. If others know how he grovels in front of foreigners through Parkes' mouth, where will his Guiliang's face be?

Guiliang is determined to kill Pashali!

Huazana and Guiliang are grasshoppers on a rope, also fanning the flames.

Emperor Xianfeng was already young and vigorous, and this time foreigners really entered the capital and broke the rules, causing him to lose all face.

"Foreigners bully me too much!"

Emperor Xianfeng was furious and ordered the execution of Parkes and more than 100 British people who accompanied him.

During the negotiations with the foreigners, King Qin's troops from various places had arrived in the capital one after another, which also gave Xianfeng the confidence to fight a decisive battle with the British and French forces.

At present, there are the most elite infantry and cavalry in the empire near the capital city, and the number of available field troops is as high as 40,000 to 50,000. Are we still afraid of you, who have more than 10,000 Western barbarians?

Xianfeng ordered Seng Gelinqin as the commander-in-chief and the right minister of the Ministry of War as the deputy commander to command the field cavalry of the Mongolian Horqin tribe, the Eight Banners of the Chahar tribe, the Eight Banners of the Solon tribe, the Guangdong Yong, and the Eight Banners Green Battalion in the Beijing-Tianjin area to regain Tianjin and eliminate all the troops stationed in Tianjin. British and French forces in Tianjin.

Senggelinqin had only fought against the Taiping Army and the Nian Army before, but had never fought against the British and French forces.

This time, the Qing Dynasty had strong troops and strong horses, and had an absolute advantage over the foreigners in terms of military strength. Seng Gelinqin was full of confidence in this battle and believed that this was a great opportunity to make contributions.

Seng Gelinqin immediately expressed his willingness to go to war. In order to cater to his wishes, the ministers sided with Xianfeng and supported the war against foreigners.

All of a sudden, the officials were very excited.

Among the ministers, only Liang Shaoqiong and Pan Shicheng were the most sober.

They have a good understanding of foreigners' tactics and tactics, and believe that they must not easily fight with foreigners without sufficient preparation.

But no one listened to their words, and instead they were ridiculed as cowards by the officials.

Liang Shaoqiong knew that the overall situation had been decided, and he was no different from those frogs in the well who didn't even know where Britain and France were. They carefully analyzed the current situation and played the harp against others.

If he was the commander-in-chief, leading the army, with his understanding of the British and French allied forces' tactics, there would still be room for maneuver in this battle.

By appointing Senggelinqin, who knew nothing about foreigners, as the commander-in-chief, Liang Shaoqiong could already predict the outcome of the war.

It was a great honor for Emperor Xianfeng to appoint him, a Han minister, as the deputy commander-in-chief. With the war imminent, with the tolerance of the Qing emperor, it was impossible to entrust a group of elite troops in the capital to a Han Chinese.

Liang Shaoqiong had to bite the bullet and lead the decisive battle with the British and French allied forces, and find a way to preserve the main force of the Guangdong braves before plotting his own plan.