Although Li Hongzhang did not seek to benefit him, helping overseas Chinese would not cause trouble for him. Therefore, Li Hongzhang only said that he needed time to consider it, and asked Li Sanjie to go back first, and he would reply to him in a day. Li Sanjie also understood that such a major matter could not be decided in a moment. Li Hongzhang needed time to consider it, which was a reasonable requirement.

After Li Sanjie said goodbye and left, Li Hongzhang immediately recruited Zhou Fu, Sheng Xuanhuai, Li Jingfang, Zhang Peilun and other confidants to discuss how to respond to the requests of overseas Chinese.

After hearing Li Hongzhang's words, everyone fell into silence. Even Sheng Xuanhuai, who had always been disgusted with overseas Chinese, did not speak out and asked Li Hongzhang to refuse the request made by overseas Chinese.

Sheng Xuanhuai had no contact with Russia. He had a lot of contact with Britain, the United States, France and other countries. Britain and the United States both dislike Russia. Although France formed an alliance with Russia, it was out of the consideration of jointly confronting Germany. In fact, France had no good feelings for Russia. In addition, Russia has been invading China's territory, so Sheng Xuanhuai naturally would not have a good impression of Russia. Moreover, Russia took advantage of the Boxer Rebellion to launch a large number of troops to invade Northeast China, which made Sheng Xuanhuai even more hostile to Russia. But looking at China now, only overseas Chinese can fight against the Russian army. Although Sheng Xuanhuai was quite disgusted with overseas Chinese, Bi Jing was also a Chinese. At this time, he also hoped that overseas Chinese could come out to teach the Russians a lesson. Sheng Xuanhuai recognized that overseas Chinese were indeed descendants of China.

However, Sheng Xuanhuai also knew that it was a considerable political risk to persuade the guards of Shanhaiguan to open the city of Guancheng and let the People's Army enter the pass to arrange defensive positions and face the Russian army. Therefore, Sheng Xuanhuai did not dare to easily persuade Li Hongzhang to agree to the conditions of overseas Chinese.

After a while, Zhang Peilun said: "Zhongtang, Peilun thought that he should agree to the request of overseas Chinese."

Li Hongzhang glanced at Zhang Peilun, nodded, and said, "Why is the reason for Youqiao holding this proposal?"

Zhang Peilun said: "Russia has always been powerful and rude, and relying on its military power, it has a desire to peek at the northern leaders of the Qing Dynasty. It has occupied the north of Heilongjiang, south of Xing'an Mountains, and east of the Ussuri River, which is thousands of miles away. However, it is still not satisfied. This time, when the Qing Dynasty's Gengzi State Rebellion, it sent troops to occupy the three provinces outside the pass. Now it is even more willing to raise troops to advance south and invade the capital. If the Russian army is allowed to enter the pass, if the capital is in trouble, it will definitely shake the foundation of the country. Now the only Chinese who can resist Russia is the only Chinese who can rely on overseas Chinese and hold the natural danger of Shanhaiguan to resist it. Only then can they resist the Russian army and protect our Qing Dynasty from losing it."

After hearing this, Li Hongzhang nodded slowly and said, "What Youqiao said is reasonable."

Sheng Xuanhuai said: "There are indeed only overseas Chinese who can resist the Russian army now, but overseas Chinese are not subordinates of our Qing Dynasty. Shanhaiguan is still an important town in our Qing Dynasty. Zhongtang is now just a full-scale minister. Shanhaiguan is not under Zhongtang's rule. If Zhongtang comes forward to persuade the guards of Shanhaiguan, open the city of Guancheng, let the People's Army enter the pass to arrange defensive positions and fight against the Russian army. Although it is for my clean country, it is not up to the law. If the court blames it in the future, how should we deal with it?"

Zhang Peilun said: "It's better to do this. The Zhongtang doesn't have to write a letter. I will go to Shanhaiguan with overseas Chinese. I will come forward to persuade the guards of Shanhaiguan. If the court takes the court accountable in the future, I will take responsibility. Anyway, I don't have an official position now, just Bai Ding, who will punish him according to the court. Moreover, the court will also have to look at the face of the Zhongtang, and it won't make things too difficult for me."

After hearing Zhang Peilun's words, everyone was stunned. Zhang Peilun was planning to be a scattered person because he was Li Hongzhang's son-in-law. Although he was just a white lord, he could naturally represent Li Hongzhang in the eyes of others. If he came forward to persuade the commander of Shanhaiguan, there was no need for Li Hongzhang to write a letter. In the future, the Qing court would really have to hold accountable, and Li Hongzhang could indeed put all the responsibility on Zhang Peilun. Even if the Qing court knew that Zhang Peilun was born.

Li Hongzhang's instructor, but with Li Hongzhang's qualifications and weight, at most, it can only be considered a mistake for Li Hongzhang to be a mistake for his mistake, and he will not be too embarrassed by Zhang Peilun. At most, he will be a match. With Li Hongzhang's connections in the Qing court, no matter where Zhang Peilun is worthy, he will not suffer much. Therefore, what Zhang Peilun proposed is a good way. This can help overseas Chinese resist the Russian army's southward movement, and it can also make Li Hongzhang break away from the relationship.

Sheng Xuanhuai nodded and said, "Zhongtang, I think the advice of Youqiao is feasible, but I'm afraid you'll suffer in the future."

Zhang Peilun smiled and said, "If the Russians can be stopped from going south, even if I suffer some pain, I will not be able to visit."

In Li Hongzhang's team, Zhang Peilun had the best impression of overseas Chinese, because Zhang Peilun's life was in the Sino-French War in 1884, when Zhang Peilun was appointed as the meeting to handle Fujian's coastal areas and also appointed the Minister of Shipbuilding. As a result, in the Battle of Mawei, the Fujian Navy was destroyed and the Mawei Shipyard was destroyed. Zhang Peilun was also sentenced to the Qing court to serve as atonement for military service, and sent to guard Harcha Hantuohai, Zhangjiakou and other places. From then on, he would not resume his career, and this time he was tragic.

The training has always been unforgettable to Zhang Peilun and has always been vigilant about all countries. Overseas Chinese have repeatedly defeated the Eight-Nation Alliance, which is exactly what Zhang Peilun wants. At the same time, the Russian invasion of the south has also aroused Zhang Peilun's high alert, so he sincerely hopes to help overseas Chinese resist the Russian army. As for his consequences, Zhang Peilun really doesn't care much. First, he is protected by Li Hongzhang, nothing will happen; second, Zhang Peilun has experienced a match once before, and it doesn't matter if he comes again.

Zhou Fu shook his head and said, "If the overseas Chinese really defeated the Russian army, I think the court might not blame Youqiao. On the contrary, Youqiao still has the merits of the country, and maybe he can recover from the court and be able to make good overseas Chinese. It will be a killing of two birds with one stone."

Zhang Peilun smiled and said, "I have long been unwilling to do business, so it doesn't matter whether I can recover or not. I just hope that my Qing Dynasty will reform the reform from now on, enrich the country and strengthen the army, and will no longer be bullied by the great powers."

At this time, Li Hongzhang's heart moved and suddenly said, "This matter is of great importance. Just let Youqiao go to Shanhaiguan alone. I am afraid that it may not be possible to convince the guards of Shanhaiguan. I will still write a letter and take Youqiao to Shanhaiguan and submit it to the guards." After pausing, Li Hongzhang said, "Jingfang, you will also go to Shanhaiguan with Youqiao. After convinced the guards, you should not go back to Shanghai for the time being, but stay in Shanhaiguan.

After the foreign Chinese army entered Shanhaiguan, it would inevitably have some friction with the defenders, which may be unfavorable to the overall situation. You two can mediate and maintain from the left and right, and assist overseas Chinese in resisting the Russian army. If the court really blames it in the future, I will take it with all my strength and will not make you embarrassed. Moreover, I am nearly 80 years old and have not had a few years of survival. At worst, I will completely retire from the forest and no longer be in charge of the affairs."

When Li Jingfang heard this, he was also stunned. Unexpectedly, Li Hongzhang would send him and Zhang Peilun to Shanhaiguan to persuade the guards and assist overseas Chinese. Because during the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, Li Jingfang volunteered to Li Hongzhang to become the commander of the front enemy, but was blocked by Zhang Peilun. From then on, the uncle of the man became in power. At that time, there was a saying that "Little Hefei wanted to kill Zhang Rongzhai". Although the grudges between the two have faded a lot, there are still grudges. Therefore, although both of them are by Li Hongzhang, they have never worked together.

However, Li Jingfang naturally did not dare to disobey Li Hongzhang's orders. Moreover, this time he went to Shanhaiguan to assist overseas Chinese to personally visit the battlefield. This was Li Jingfang's always wish. Although Li Hongzhang intended to cultivate Li Jing in diplomacy and Li Jingfang also showed excellent diplomatic skills, from Li Jingfang's heart, he still yearned for joining the army to establish military achievements. Therefore, during the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, he asked Li Hongzhang to serve as the commander of the front enemy. However, Li Hongzhang knew how much his son was. Even without Zhang Peilun's dissuasion, Li Hongzhang would not have appointed Li Jingfang. This time he went to Shanhai and arrived was an opportunity, so the grudges with Zhang Peilun were just a small matter.

Zhang Peilun was also very surprised. He never expected that Li Hongzhang was so bold this time. However, with Li Hongzhang's letters and Li Jingfang and he went to Shanhaiguan together, it was almost certain to convince the guards of Shanhaiguan. Although Li Hongzhang's power has fallen sharply, it is not something that a small guards of Shanhaiguan can resist. At the same time, Zhang Peilun had to admire Li Hongzhang for his good thoughts. Even if he convinced the guards of Shanhaiguan, the two armies were stationed in Shanhaiguan together. Moreover, overseas Chinese are not subordinates of the Qing court, so there will inevitably be some frictions and gaps. Someone really needs to mediate and maintain them. There is no unified command.

In fact, Zhang Peilun overestimated Li Hongzhang. It turned out that Zhou Fu's words just now reminded Li Hongzhang that there was no need to be able to get along with overseas Chinese and Taoting, and not offend both, because the Qing court is now in a diminishing state, and the rise of overseas Chinese is unstoppable. In the future, it is not impossible to change the dynasty. Although Li Hongzhang was loyal to the Qing court, he did not have the determination to die for the Qing court. To be honest, this time the Boxer Rebellion made Li Hongzhang not feel that the Qing court is still saved. Overseas Chinese are obviously much better than the Qing court in terms of knowledge, vision, ability, and organizational management.
Chapter completed!