After receiving the report from the soldiers at the port, Zheng Caisheng and Fushun hurried to the port in person and took Zhang Peilun and Li Jingfang into the admiral's yamen in Shanhaiguan. Although the four of them had no friendship before, the Qing court had a set of established rules for the interactions in the officialdom. Therefore, the four people sat down with the host and host, and after making a noise, they also brought some relationship closer. Zheng Caisheng said: "Brother Zhang, Brother Li, brother, brother, brother, the day before yesterday, the brothers were told the truth. Yesterday, the brothers received the emergency from Jinzhou. The Russian army dispatched more than 70,000 troops and more than 300 artillery doors, and they attacked Jinzhou. It is estimated that at this time, the Russian army has captured Jinzhou. If Jinzhou is lost, the next goal of the Russian army is Shanhaiguan."

Fushun continued: "Although we still have more than 16,000 troops and dozens of artillery, half of them were defeated troops who retreated from Beijing, and there were not enough ammunition. If the Russian army really attacked Shanhaiguan, it would be very difficult to resist. Just three days ago, Zheng Junmen and I jointly sent Xi'an to ask the Empress Dowager and the Emperor how to deal with the Russian army. But until now, we have not received any explicit instructions from the court. Even though Zheng Junmen and I were willing to die and sacrificed our lives for the city, we may have a major event for the court. Fortunately, we received a telegram from Li Zhongtang, otherwise Zheng Junmen and I really don't know what to do. Since we came to Shanhaiguan, we must have a plan to defend the city."

Li Jingfang smiled and said, "This is natural. Although the state is difficult and the court is in turmoil, the court has been in turmoil for more than 250 years. How could these small turmoils be shaken? Besides, with Li Zhongtang supporting the overall situation, there will be a reversal. On the day the court stabilizes again, Li Zhongtang has made a decision to defend Shanhaiguan. Please ask the two to read this letter first, which makes sense." As he said that, Li Jingfang took out Li Hongzhang's letter and handed it to Zheng Caisheng.

After taking Li Jingfang's letter, Zheng Caisheng opened it and watched with Fushun. Li Hongzhang's letter was written in much more detail than the telegram, saying that he could only ask overseas Chinese for help to defend Shanhaiguan and resist the Russian army. Therefore, Zheng Caisheng and Fushun asked after the overseas Chinese army entered the pass, he handed over the defense of the city to overseas Chinese with full responsibility and fully assisted overseas Chinese in defending Shanhaiguan. He also emphasized that this was the only way to defend Shanhaiguan.

After reading Li Hongzhang's letter, the two of them felt a little hesitant. Although they said in Li Hongzhang's telegram that they wanted to rescue overseas Chinese, it had not come true yet. Now Li Hongzhang is just asking them to hand over the city defense power of Shanhaiguan to overseas Chinese. This is not as simple as asking for help from overseas Chinese. Although the two did not know how Li Hongzhang had a friendship with overseas Chinese, until now, the Qing court has not officially entrustled overseas Chinese. Is it reliable to hand over the city to overseas Chinese like this?

Strictly speaking, as descendants of Chinese who surrendered overseas, overseas Chinese conquered cities and land in China, they were all ruthless, such as recruiting soldiers and enthroning officials and establishing positions. If it were in peacetime, the court would send troops to attack. However, now the Qing court was defeated by the Eight-Nation Alliance and fled and became an exiled government. Naturally, they were unable to restrain overseas Chinese. They just waited for the court to settle down and pursued them. What should they do if they pursued them?

After a while, Zheng Caisheng said, "I wish you two, please ask Chinese overseas to send troops to reinforce Shanhaiguan, but the court instructed me."

Zhang Peilun shook his head and said, "Not the imperial court's instructions, this is still the proposal of Li Zhongtang."

When the two heard this, their faces became unstable. Li Hongzhang privately asked for help from overseas Chinese. This was a taboo in the court. Of course, Li Hongzhang had a deep experience. Even if the court pursued the matter, he would have room for surveillance. However, he did not have the qualifications of Li Hongzhang. However, Li Hongzhang would still put the blame on the two of them at that time. The two of them were unlucky.

Although theoretically, the two of them could not obey Li Hongzhang's orders, although Li Hongzhang has lost power now, his power is far from comparable to the two. If he offended Li Hongzhang, there would be no good results. Moreover, the Russian army is about to advance south, and before Li Hongzhang takes revenge, he might have died first in the hands of the Russian army. Therefore, Zheng Caisheng hesitated for a moment before he said: "This matter is of great importance. Should we call the court first and ask the court for instructions and act according to the court's order?"

Zhang Peilun smiled and said, "If the court is in power, the world will be peaceful first, and then act according to the orders of the court. But you should know that it is not a peaceful time now. If the court goes west and the two palaces move to Xi'an, it is a matter of great trouble. If we are ministers, we should do our best to solve the problems of the court and share the worries of the two palaces. How can these things disturb the court and make the two palaces worry? Why should we be alone in our hearts? Therefore, we can only follow the power in urgent matters. Only by repelling the Russian army and defending the country can we show the way of being a minister."

Zheng Caisheng smiled bitterly. Zhang Peilun was indeed right. In the officialdom, it is indeed important to cover up the superiors and not hide their subordinates, report good news but not bad news. It doesn’t matter whether the procedural justice or not. As long as the result is good, it’s enough. And once it is reported to the court, the matter cannot be controlled by the two. Three days ago, they reported to Xi’an and told the court that the Russian army advanced southward, but there has not been a reply until now. If you report it again this time, who knows how long it will take to wait for the court’s reply. Any action during this period is a serious crime, so it’s better not to say anything, take action first and report, and invite overseas Chinese to guard Shanhaiguan and repel the Russian army. As long as you guard the city, you will be fine.

However, it is of great importance to invite overseas Chinese to guard Shanhaiguan. The two dare not act easily. Although they dare not doubt Li Hongzhang's selfishness, who knows whether Li Zhongtang has private transactions with overseas Chinese? A few years ago, Li Zhongtang went on a mission to Russia to participate in the throne ceremony of the Russian emperor and signed the "Treaty of Mutual Aid to Defend the Enemy" with Russia. However, when the news came back to China, some people said that Li Zhongtang accepted Russia's bribes and signed a treaty of traitorism. Who knows if there is anything wrong with Li Zhongtang and overseas Chinese this time. The water here is too deep, and the two dare not go there easily.

So Zheng Caisheng thought about it and then tentatively said: "I don't know how the two agreed with overseas Chinese. Overseas Chinese sent troops to help us guard Shanhaiguan. I don't know what the benefits are. Please make clear that brothers can prepare early."

Although Zhang Peilun has not been an official for a long time, he has never left the officialdom. Naturally, he knows what Zheng Caisheng is worried about. He smiled and said, "Although Zheng Junmen is safe, the two have probably heard that overseas Chinese were originally survivors of the previous dynasty and descendants of China. They have always stayed overseas, but have always cared about China. Now they have returned to China. When the Gengzi National Changes, they have repeatedly defeated the Eight-Nation Alliance and recovered Beijing, Tianjin, Weihai, Qingdao and other places. If it weren't for them, my Qing Dynasty would have been in trouble. This time, they only wanted to defend the country and not let the Russian army invade the capital, without any compensation." Moreover, it was very difficult for Li Zhongtang to invite overseas Chinese to send troops to guard Shanhaiguan this time, so it is also not easy for Zheng Junmen to ask for troops to guard Shanhaiguan."

Fu Shun said: "We have the position of defending the territory, so we are naturally responsible for it. However, if there is no order from the court, we will ask overseas Chinese to help Shanhaiguan. If the court holds the court accountable in the future, what should we do?"

Li Jingfang was a little annoyed at this time and said, "The court held accountable, and Li Zhongtang was responsible for it. What else can you two worry about?"

Zheng Caisheng and Fushun looked at each other, but they were thinking in their hearts that they said it nicely now, but when the court really took the blame, who knew whether Li Hongzhang would stand up or not? What if Li Hongzhang let go and who would he look for? But this could not be said to Zhang Peilun and Li Jingfang, so the two of them seemed very embarrassed.

At this time, Zhang Peilun said: "Although the two are not unreasonable, they are not necessary. Now that overseas Chinese have recovered Beijing, they will welcome the queen mother soon. The emperor will return to the palace. Overseas Chinese have made such great contributions to the Qing Dynasty, they will be valued by the court. It is no problem to be granted a title, even if they are promoted and boundaries, it is not impossible. Therefore, it is not a big problem for the two to invite overseas Chinese to enter the pass and reject the Russian army together. Moreover, after the overseas Chinese defeat the Russian army, the two can also make a great contribution. After the court stabilizes, they will also be rewarded. What's more, if there is no help from overseas Chinese, can they defend Shanhaiguan?"

Both of them shook their heads repeatedly, saying that they could only be their own strength and could not defend Shanhaiguan.

Zhang Peilun smiled and said, "That's it. Once Shanhaiguan is lost, the two generals who are the chief guards of the pass will be responsible for losing their territory and will be heavily chased by the court. However, if Shanhaiguan can be held accountable, even if the court really takes the blame for the punishment in the future, there may not be too heavy, and there may not be a day to rise again in the future. Therefore, the only way for today is to ask overseas Chinese to enter the pass and preside over the major plan to guard the pass. Do you still have to hesitate?"

After hearing what Zhang Peilun said, the two of them suddenly realized that for them, defending Shanhaiguan is an overwhelming event, so other things can be put aside. On the contrary, if it is true that if Zhang Peilun said, if he guards Shanhaiguan and defeats the Russian army, overseas Chinese are really valued by the court, he can also take advantage of the opportunity to jointly defend Shanhaiguan and establish relationships with overseas Chinese, and maybe he will really achieve it in the future. Li Hongzhang worked so hard for overseas Chinese, probably because he was interested in overseas Chinese. Since Li Hongzhang was optimistic about overseas Chinese, then what else could he say?
Chapter completed!