Chapter 56 Eight-Power Allied Forces Enter Beijing

Western countries were very dissatisfied with Empress Dowager Cixi's suppression of the Reformation, and felt that the Empress Dowager should be resigned.As a result, Empress Dowager Cixi was also extremely dissatisfied with foreigners.The Boxer Movement broke out in vast areas in the north. The Boxers destroyed churches and killed foreigners, and the scale expanded rapidly.It was the xenophobic nature of the Boxers that made the Empress Dowager Cixi, who had the same demands, begin to use the Boxers to attack foreigners.She ordered the Qing army to stop suppressing the Boxers and use the Boxers to attack the embassies of various countries in Beijing.This ignited the anger of all countries. They formed the Eight-Nation Allied Forces and quickly captured Beijing. Empress Dowager Cixi fled to Xi'an with Emperor Guangxu.The land of China stretches from Shanhaiguan in the east to Zhangjiakou in the north, Zhengding in the southwest, and Cangzhou in the southeast. For a while, the great powers ran rampant and ravaged wantonly, and the people suffered a lot.The number of Chinese killed by the Eight-Power Allied Forces in Northeast China was hundreds of thousands of times that of foreigners killed, and the Chinese nation suffered unprecedented catastrophe.The imperial court had no countermeasures against this crisis, so it had to ask Li Hongzhang, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, to go north to ask the powers for peace and ask the powers to withdraw their troops.

Li Hongzhang was very saddened by the invasion of the Eight-Power Allied Forces. He had long felt that it would be impossible for the Empress Dowager Cixi to use the Boxer Regiment to attack foreigners.At that time, in June 1900, when Li Hongzhang ordered Zhili Governor Yulu from the Military Aircraft Department to stop suppressing the Boxers' secret imperial decree, he realized that the Queen Mother was trying to use the Boxers to fight against foreigners.On June 9, he sent a telegram to Sheng Xuanhuai saying: There is a secret decree, please do not attack Yu.The state affairs are too chaotic, and there are many political parties, what can I do?

On June 12, the coalition forces fought against the Boxers in Langfang.On the 17th, the Dagu Fort fell into the hands of the Eight-Power Allied Forces.On the 15th, the imperial court issued an order for the governor of Guangdong to act as the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, and Li Hongzhang immediately went to Beijing to be in charge of negotiating with other countries.Li Hongzhang was very reluctant. Thinking about it, he was expelled from the Military Aircraft Department and sent to the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi because he did not support the Queen Mother in launching a coup to suppress the reformists. Now he came to him when he was in trouble; The policy of negotiation is still unclear, because the Queen Mother's attitude is still wavering between peace and war.Therefore, Li Hongzhang did not go to his order, but just sat and watched the direction of the situation, and stopped with silence.

Between the 17th and the 20th, the Qing court held four imperial meetings in a row to discuss how to deal with the situation.The queen mother is determined to declare war on the outside world because she was influenced by forged notes from ministers from various countries ordering the queen mother to return to power.However, the main combat faction advocated that the boxers had magical powers that could destroy foreigners, and strongly advocated besieging embassies of various countries.Emperor Guangxu and others objected to the provocative act of besieging the embassy.The two sides couldn't argue, and finally the main combat faction insisted on going its own way, encouraging the Queen Mother to order the five ministers of the main peace to be killed, completely removing the obstacles to the war.

On the 20th, Li Hongzhang sent an urgent telegram to the Military Aircraft Office and the Prime Minister's Office, stating: All righteousness is due to self-clearing internal bandits, and there is no turning point.Although the war faction in the DPRK had the upper hand, Li Hongzhang still defined the Boxers as bandits and civil strife, and suggested that the Empress Dowager Cixi should be arbitrary, first to determine the internal strife, and then to eliminate foreign aggression.However, German Minister Klind was killed on Chongwenmen Street in Beijing that day. On the 21st, the Qing government formally declared war on all countries, ordering the provinces to convene Boxers to eliminate foreigners.At that time, the Boxers in Beijing used the slogan of killing one dragon, two tigers and three hundred sheep. Guangxu was one of the dragons. He wanted to learn from the West to carry out reforms. The two tigers refer to Li Hongzhang and Prince Qing. If he is not in Beijing, he only thinks he is a big traitor; Sanbaiyang generally refers to people who do foreign affairs, such as the prime minister's office and the customs are all foreign slaves.The Boxers believed that as long as all Chinese worshipers were killed and all foreigners were driven back to their hometowns, China would be fine.This proposition is right in the arms of Empress Dowager Cixi.

The Qing government had officially declared war on the outside world, and local officials did not know how to respond to the imperial court's policies, so they called Li Hongzhang one after another to inquire.Li Hongzhang replied very resolutely: "This is chaos, and Guangdong will not obey the edict."Li Hongzhang has been an official for many years, so he naturally knew that this move was a blatant rebellion, but the reason for taking such measures was completely after a profound and comprehensive analysis of the situation. He knew that China was not an opponent of the powerful Eight-Power Allied Forces at all. Will be overwhelmed, and in turn beg for mercy from the Eight-Power Allied Forces.Therefore, he suggested that the imperial court should not let Dong Fuxiang's army act rashly, as long as the embassy is protected, the crisis can still be saved.At the same time, he and Yuan Shikai, Zhang Zhidong and others jointly sent a telegram requesting the imperial court to protect foreign merchants, priests and embassies.Later, the self-protection of the southeast was realized, and the war was prevented from spreading to more than a dozen provinces in the south of the Yangtze River.

At this time, Sheng Xuanhuai sent a telegram to Li Hongzhang, saying: After the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, the government will be controlled by the boxing party. There may be someone who is not from the two palaces.On the 24th, Li Hongzhang replied by telegram: "On the 21st, the imperial edict will not be obeyed by Guangdong, and Ximi will send it to Liu Kunyi and Zhang Zhidong."All of a sudden, people from home and abroad invited him out of the mountain, and called him one after another to persuade him to go north.On May 30, Lu Haihuan, the Chinese Minister to Germany, went to the German Foreign Office to exchange views on the Boxer issue. The German Deputy Foreign Minister Li Hefen said that as long as Li Hongzhang came forward, there would be no problem.

Lu Haihuan: Li Zhongtang has been sent to the north. Li Hefen: I heard that Li Zhongtang insisted on staying in Guangdong Province, so I'm afraid it might not happen. Lv Haihuan: Chinese etiquette and law place the utmost importance on the emperor's order, and he will go without waiting for the summons. Li Zhongtang has no reason to stay since he obeys the internal edict.Li Zhongtang has served as Minister of Beiyang for a long time, he is most familiar with the situation in Zhili, and the people of Zhijin love him very much. This minister expects that once Li Zhongtang arrives in Beijing, the internal strife will be calmed down, and all matters can be discussed.

Li Hefen: I am afraid that Zhongtang may not be able to go to Kyoto. I heard that someone wants to harm him. Lu Haihuan: Li Zhongtang's prestige has always been established, and there is absolutely no reason for anyone to harm each other. On June 22, Liu Kunyi, the governor of Liangjiang, called Li Hongzhang: "Only the public can sustain the crisis. I pray that the festival will start as soon as possible, so that the two palaces can look forward to and the world looks up to them."Li Hongzhang called back and declined: water and land are obstructed, and it is difficult to get there quickly.Lu Haihuan also called to ask: "Thinking of the north is critical, please ask Zhongtang to go north as soon as possible to maintain the overall situation and help the people look forward to it."Li Hongzhang still declined, and called back, saying: The government still has no idea, so Hong will go by detour, to no avail.On July 1, Li Hongzhang called Liu Kunyi again, pointing out the reason why he did not want to go north: the government is so perverted, there is absolutely no way to save it, so what good is it going to do?

On July 3, the imperial court issued another edict, asking him to follow the previous edict and come to Beijing quickly without any delay.But he still didn't promise him, so Li Hongzhang still refused.His attitude finally began to take effect. On July 7th, the imperial court sent a telegram order: Li Hongzhang was ordered to come to Beijing quickly by the previous decree. Play first.On the second day, a decision was made to appoint Li Hongzhang as Governor of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang.Called again on the 9th: It is at your own discretion. If you can take a Russian letter ship to go northward from the sea under the starry night, I am especially looking forward to it. Otherwise, you can come by land and do not delay it.

On the twelfth, the Qing court made another concession, saying by telegram that they would come to Beijing regardless of land and water.Li Hongzhang saw that the imperial court had softened, so on July 17, he met Liu Kunyi, Governor of Liangjiang, Zhang Zhidong, Governor of Huguang, Kui Jun, Governor of Sichuan, Xu Yingkui, Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, General Shanlian of Fuzhou, Sheng Xuanhuai, Shaoqing of Dali Temple, and Governor of Anhui. Wang Zhichun, Governor of Zhejiang Liu Shutang, Governor of Shaanxi Duanfang, Governor of Shandong Yuan Shikai and others jointly submitted four requests: 1. Please issue an edict ordering the generals and governors of the provinces to still protect the foreign businessmen and priests in the provinces as agreed, so as to show that although the war has already started, those who do not pre-empt the war will be protected by the state, and the sage is as benevolent as heaven.Moreover, there are especially many Chinese officials, businessmen and people in foreign countries, and the preservation is especially widespread. 2. Please send an imperial decree expressly regretting the killing of the Minister of Germany, and write a letter of state to King De, so that other countries can resolve it, and please send it to Britain and France to see that China intends to be harmonious and treat everyone equally. 3. Please issue an imperial decree to follow Tianfu Yin and Zhili Governor to find out all the lives and properties of the foreign priests who were killed in this banditry except for the war, issue a list, and ask for compensation, so as to show that the imperial court is unwilling extend to innocent grace.If you don't wait for outsiders to speak, you will save a lot in the future. Fourth, please issue an edict from the Ming Dynasty to order the governors and soldiers in the Zhili territory to order that if there are bandits and soldiers who disturb the good people, burn them, kill them and loot them, order them to do their best, and to hear about them.It has always been possible to fight against the outside world if the inside is safe, and the capital must be peaceful and the people's hearts will be solid.First of all, the discipline must be strict, and the military spirit must be raised. On the 22nd, Li Hongzhang publicly expressed his views on this matter in Guangzhou: the boxers are just fools, and the cause of the incident cannot be absolved of the responsibility of the churchmen and priests.The Qing court did not prepare for war, so it cannot be considered as a declaration of war. The Qing court will punish the head, dismiss the boxers, and negotiate peace with other countries. Empress Dowager Cixi is deceived. On the 23rd, the imperial court urged Li Hongzhang to come to Beijing as soon as possible: now that the situation is getting tighter, the envoys of various countries are still in Beijing, and Li Hongzhang has been telegraphed to come to Beijing again and again, but so far there is no definite departure date.This minister has received a lot of kindness, especially not compared to other ministers, how can he sit back and watch the overall situation be difficult and dangerous?After receiving this decree, regardless of land and water, set off immediately, and the date of departure will be played electronically. After repeated urging by the court, Li Hongzhang finally agreed to go north.Before departure, Nanhai County Magistrate Pei Jingfu had a meaningful conversation with him. At that time, Li Hongzhang was wearing a blue cloth blouse, leaning on a small rattan couch, and asked Pei Jingfu: In the big city of Guangzhou, how many people can be counted on in a hurry?You can do things, win the trust of the people, and relieve the local troubles, and the governors are not as good as the states and counties.If you can curb internal strife, how can you invite foreign aggression? Encourage it! Pei Jingfu (hereinafter referred to as Pei) said: The public has transferred the direct governor. Li Hongzhang (hereinafter referred to as Li) asked: How do you know it? Pei said: "There is electricity abroad, and all the consuls celebrate it."Don't be foolish. Li said conceitedly: No one but me. Pei asked again about Li Hongzhang's views on the current situation and the destiny of the country.Li Hongzhang replied: A centipede is dead but not stiff.My pilgrimage to holiness has not lost my heart, and it is difficult to establish a capital. Although it is fundamentally shaken, fortunately Yuan Weiting (Shikai) supports Shandong, Xiangtao (Zhang Zhidong), and Xianzhuang (Liu Kunyi) have always had a certain understanding, and they will be able to contact and preserve Shanghai. , so as not to recover from a setback. Pei asked again: "What do you think of the capital?" Li said: In terms of our country's military strength, the crisis should be at the turn of August and September, but Nie Gongting (Shicheng) has been killed in battle, and the armies of Ma (Yukun) and Song (Qing) are scattered, so containment will not be effective.Japan is the fastest to mobilize troops, and Britain will help them. I am afraid that it will not be safe in July and August.Li Hongzhang couldn't help being heartbroken when he talked about the urgency, and became more excited. He couldn't help sighing: How can the civil strife be stopped? It was naturally difficult for Pei Jingfu to answer this question, and the two were silent for a long time. It was Pei who spoke first, saying: In terms of the public laws of various countries, even if the enemy soldiers enter Beijing, they cannot be rude to me. Li said: Of course!But fearing that there will be no one to preside over it, I will be shaken first. Pei asked: If the capital is not guarded, how can the public enter Beijing? Li A: I can't predict it. I can only work hard and delay the year. I don't know if it can be done?I can live for a few years. When a monk hits the clock one day, the bell stops ringing, and the monk dies.Speaking of his sadness, Li Hongzhang couldn't help crying. Pei Jingfu was about to leave, and asked what to do after the incident was settled, and said: Now that the national crisis has been resolved, the general Xi Xian? Li also felt quite difficult, but he still said: After the event was settled, the situation at home and abroad has changed again, and our country can only concentrate on finances.If the repayment is not clear, there is no country. If you seek treatment too urgently, you will end up in trouble.China has a vast land and abundant resources, and its annual income is less than half of that of the big countries of Thailand and Western countries. In the future, it is necessary to find another good way to manage money. Pei Wen: Take more and use it more, all countries are the same, take the wealth of the world and still return it to the world, go in and out of the enemy, everything is justified, why not, but the profit should not spill out! Li pointed out: The coalition forces are insufficient to destroy China, but those who worry about it may come after it is difficult to pacify. Pei said: The public worries and this is the blessing of the world. I stole a statement to make it public. China is weaker than others, but it is not weaker than the law. People make mistakes, and laws are neither new nor old. Profit and loss, although the law is old, it is also new.Not the right person, although learning from ancient and modern times, organizing Chinese and foreign, both suitable and disadvantageous. Li said: Stereotypes are old, but strategies are new; strategies are successful, but stereotypes are lost. You and I are both stereotypes, so we talk about old sayings. When Li Hongzhang arrived in Shanghai, the Eight-Power Allied Forces had occupied Tianjin and were threatening Beijing.Therefore, Li Hongzhang temporarily stayed in Shanghai to observe the development of the situation.On the 25th, he telegraphed Yuan Shikai to report to the court, saying: "I was ordered to be in danger, and I was deeply afraid of being helpless, and I will take on a huge responsibility in all difficulties."Running around in the heat of the day, suffering from colds and diarrhea, aging and frail, losing sleep and food, being unable to fly, it only increases anxiety.It is suggested that the imperial court escort envoys from various countries to Tianjin. On July 29, the Qing court sent a telegram to reply to Li Hongzhang: Now the situation is very urgent, and we still follow the previous order to come north quickly, and there is no need to delay it.On August 4th, Li Hongzhang sent a telegram to the Military Aircraft Office saying that he was ill and declined: After arriving in Shanghai, he suffered from heat and had diarrhea.Because of the urgency of thinking about the state affairs, I should be exhausted. However, for half a month, my vitality has been severely injured. I can't sleep at night, my legs are weak, and I can't walk an inch. I have tried various medicines, but they have no effect. . Later, the Eight-Power Allied Forces marched towards Tongzhou through Beicang and Yangcun, and Li Hongzhang was appointed by the court as a full-fledged minister. At the same time, the Qing government had asked all countries for an armistice.Liu Kunyi called Li Hongzhang to congratulate him, and said: Congratulations to the Minister of Plenipotentiary, turning around, the sun is shining, and the public is the only one.At this time, Li Hongzhang, Yuan Shikai and others suggested to the imperial court: I heard from various foreign newspapers and the Shanghai consul that if all the envoys are wiped out, all countries will not treat China with public law.Stealing thoughts and killing brings no benefit, but infinite harm.But the Qing government ignored it and did not order to stop attacking the embassy area. On August 15, the Eight-Power Allied Forces occupied Beijing, and the Empress Dowager fled westward with Emperor Guangxu.The Queen Mother sent a telegram to Li Hongzhang in Xuanhua, saying: Li Hongzhang, Minister Plenipotentiary: Allow him to act cheaply, and handle the matters that should be done quickly, and the court will not control them remotely.After receiving this decree, it will be repeated first to comfort the family.This will be known from Liubaili to step up the decree.