As the saying goes, “Power comes from the barrel of a gun,” or “What you can't get on the battlefield, don't even think about getting it at the negotiating table!”
The Qing army was no match for the Beiyang Army on the battlefield. To think that they could achieve their goal of crushing the Beiyang Army and suppressing the rebellion by seeking help from the Brits was pure delusion.
“Father, if the Brits want to mediate, let them. As the world's hegemon, we should give them some face. But if they are too biased towards the Qing government, then they can't blame us for not giving them face.”
“The Brits are the hegemon, but they have many enemies as well. From the ambitious Germans to the Russians who are not willing to accept defeat, and even the Americans across the ocean, everyone wants to challenge their hegemonic status.”
“Besides, the Boer War that ended a few years ago, though the Brits won, they paid a heavy price.”
“I estimate that even if we don't give them face and offend them, they will at most provide more support to the Qing government.”
“To get the Brits to personally join the war, especially deploying their land forces to fight us, that is simply impossible.”
“We still have a large number of troops under training. Once these troops finish their training, we will have an additional 200,000 elite troops, and we will naturally not be afraid of the Brits.”
“Overthrowing the Qing and restoring the Han dynasty, there will be no problems at all!”
Li Jingyuan was full of confidence.
Li Hongzhang nodded, seemingly infected by Li Jingyuan's confidence, and no longer worried as before.
“If that's the case, then let's agree to the Brits' mediation.” Li Hongzhang made the decision.
Afterwards, the Beiyang government replied to the Brits, agreeing to the mediation.
However, the negotiation would be held in Jinan.
After Sir Walmsley informed the Qing government, the court decided to send Prince Qing, Yi Kuang, along with Sir Walmsley to Jinan to negotiate with the Beiyang Army.
On October 20, 1788, Li Jingyuan, commander-in-chief of the Beiyang Army, and Prince Qing, Yi Kuang, officially began negotiations under the mediation of Sir Walmsley, the British envoy to the Qing Dynasty.
From the beginning of the negotiation, Prince Qing, Yi Kuang, did not hide his hostility towards Li Jingyuan.
His expression was as if he were about to write the words “traitor” on his forehead.
Li Jingyuan, however, remained unfazed, smiling throughout the entire process and even conversing with Sir Walmsley in fluent English, much to the latter's surprise. Sir Walmsley had not expected Li Jingyuan to be able to speak English.
This made Prince Qing, Yi Kuang, very worried. He feared that Li Jingyuan and Sir Walmsley would collude against the Qing government’s interests.
Fortunately, the Qing translator was quite capable and translated everything for Yi Kuang. Upon learning that Li Jingyuan and Sir Walmsley were simply making small talk, Yi Kuang finally relaxed.
“Commander Li, Prince Qing. The British Empire has special interests in the Far East. Your war has seriously impacted our interests.”
“Furthermore, the war has caused great losses to countless innocent people.”
“We hope that the war between the Qing Dynasty and the Beiyang Army can cease immediately. Both sides should resolve the conflict through peaceful negotiations.”
Sir Walmsley, with a demeanor of promoting peace, was practically playing the role of God.
“Li Jingyuan, your Li family has received great favor from the emperor, yet you are ungrateful and rebellious. You are utterly wicked and deserve the harshest punishment! If you and your son have even a shred of humanity, then immediately disband your army and apologize to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.”
“Perhaps, the Empress Dowager will be merciful and spare your lives.”
“Otherwise, once the Qing celestial soldiers arrive, they will naturally crush your rebel forces.”
“Your Li family will be exterminated, down to the ninth generation!”
Prince Qing, Yi Kuang, directly rebuked.
Li Jingyuan was stunned, looking at Yi Kuang as if he were an idiot.
“Sir Walmsley, if that’s the case, then there’s no point in continuing this negotiation. The Qing government has absolutely no sincerity. Let’s settle this on the battlefield!” Li Jingyuan’s face was cold.
Sir Walmsley was speechless, seemingly not expecting Prince Qing, Yi Kuang, to speak in such a way.
“Commander Li, Prince Qing, this is a negotiation. The Empire hopes that both of you can show sincerity. Otherwise, there’s no point in continuing this negotiation!” Sir Walmsley was quite impatient.
“Alright, Sir Walmsley, for the sake of my father’s friendship with you, we are willing to negotiate.”
“As long as the Qing government recognizes the legitimacy of our Beiyang government and acknowledges that Shandong, Henan, Jiangsu, and the central and southern parts of Zhili are under our control.”
“Then, we will stop our offensive.”
“At the same time, the Qing government must guarantee that they will not seek revenge later.”
Li Jingyuan put forward a series of demands from the Beiyang Army.