Chapter 54 Open the door and bow to the thief

Aldridge and his group were escorted to Beijing by Chinese soldiers. Unexpectedly, on the day of arriving in Beijing, each yamen sealed the yamen for the New Year and placed everyone in the inn, but there was no one to ask and entertain!

Bashali and Aldridge were in China for a New Year. Although they were from south to north, they both knew that the Chinese had the custom of enshrining the yamen during the New Year, and they also knew that the other party chose such time to allow themselves and their group to come to Beijing, which was intentionally humiliating. But they asked for their own explanations, it had nothing to do with the overall situation. There were even fewer Chinese people around who could pass messages to the General Administration's yamen. What else could they do?

I had no choice but to endure it. The New Year is the first major festival for Chinese people. The people are very lively. There are more than ten days left before the New Year. The sound of firecrackers outside the Xianliang Pavilion kept ringing, and laughter came faintly in my ears, which made me feel even more sad in this inn. Aldridge and Bashali felt very sad. When I asked about my life, I said that the official business I did this time was the worst!

In the evening, Yung Wing and Rong Lu brought their entourage from the General Administration to Guanyi and made a notice with the British: tomorrow morning, the Minister of Military Affairs Zeng Guofan will personally go to Guanyi and join the British envoys to Xishan Ruijian Camp to visit the British army, French army and some Indian soldiers trapped in the camp.

Aldridge was overjoyed: "Do your country allow us to visit the captured sergeants?"

Ronglu nodded, "Everything will be said until you see Lord Zeng tomorrow. Let's say goodbye."

The next morning, the entrance of Guanghua Temple was full of noise. Several official sedans and several blue cloth rear-mounted cars were parked at the door. Two blue wool sedans stopped steadily. The sedansman pressed down the sedan pole. Zeng Guofan and Bai Wei lowered their heads and walked out peacefully. Holding the beads hanging on their chests with one hand, he looked at the steps. Aldridge, Bashali and his entourage were already waiting at the door. Seeing the arrival of the Chinese Magna Constitution, they took off their hats and bent down to pay tribute.

Yung Wing took a step forward, "Two masters of the central hall, this is Viscount Aldrich, the former Minister of the Imperial Court to China, and this is Sir Bashali, the former Consul General in Guangzhou."

"Mr. Viscount, this is Lord Bai Weibai of the Military Affairs Office, and this is Lord Zeng Guofan and Zeng of the Military Affairs Office."

Aldridge and Bashali said lightly at the same time. They did not know Zeng Guofan, but they had heard of his name. They knew that the coalition forces were captured in Shandong Province, and they were commanded by him and another person. They did not dare to neglect this Chinese old man with a medium figure and a height of his chest and was not as tall as his and his companions: "My Chinese, I am sorry, we cannot meet in a more peaceful and friendly atmosphere." Aldridge said slowly, "I personally regret the conflict that occurred between our countries."

Zeng Guofan didn't know much about Yu Yangwu, but he once heard Yi tell him that he knew that Aldridge was more gentle and lovely compared to Wen Han, the previous ambassador to China, but his personal position was nothing in such exchanges between the two countries. "The special envoy doesn't have to do this."

He said: "I am concerned by my emperor's holy heart and will give mercy to God. I ordered my official to come and invite two special envoys to join me to visit the soldiers of your country."

After saying that, he turned around and looked at Bai Wei: "Mr. Tao, why not start the journey here?" Seeing that he had no more expressions, Zeng Guofan turned around and said, "Two sirs, please get on the bus and go with me."

Only then did Aldridge realize that these carriages were prepared for him. A warm feeling rose in his heart and nodded gratefully to Zeng Guofan: "Since that's the case, I'll thank you for your country's careful arrangements."

There was nothing to say all the way. Before the Xishan Camp, the Central Commander of the Camp had already received the "roll-up order" from the Ministry of War. He opened the gate and let the sedan chair and horses drive in. He first asked Bai Jie and Zeng Guofan for his care. After getting up, he asked, "Master Zhongtang, but now let the British meet each other?"

"Even if you want to meet, you don't have to hurry up and make some preparations in this moment. Just recruit British surrendered troops to the tent to meet old friends."

Zeng Guofan was stunned for a moment and reached out to stop him. "Slowly! Mr. Tao, I think that since the emperor treats people with a gentleman's heart, we might as well feel more happy. Let Aldridge and others go to the trapped camp and meet Erkin and others by themselves - so as not to let us sit there, and it is difficult for the British to make a heart-to-heart talk."

Bai Wei was a little dissatisfied, "Is this inappropriate?" He said, "Erjin and others were trapped in our military camp for many days, and the defense and exercises were all in their eyes. If they revealed the secrets, how can they afford this responsibility?"

Zeng Guofan was so skillful that he laughed in his heart that Bai Wei was confused: If he was really worried that the British would reveal the training of soldiers in the Xishan Camp and that the two sides would fight again in the future, why would he have to be so artificial? He would have to always detain Erjin, Bomai and others in China. How could such worries be gone?

"Duke Tao, I think the emperor's holy intention is to ask the British envoy to know the past and the passage from Erjin and others. When we were in trouble, we were in trouble. Not only could we not eliminate the effect, but we laughed at the fact that the Celestial Empire was unable to treat others calmly!"

Bai Wei was silently imitating his meaning, knowing that he had said the wrong thing, his face was not so good-looking, "Brother Disheng is very talented, Ruohai. Is this a mess? Ah Lejing?"

"I am in a humble position."

"You personally take the British envoy Aldridge and others to the trapped camp once, and return immediately after you arrive. Don't stay for a moment."

"Zha." Alejinga led Bai Wei and Zeng Guofan into the tent to rest, ordered the military officials to serve carefully, then turned around and took Aldridge and his group around the main camp, walked a long way until they left the area where the camp was located. Fang Shi saw a row of very neatly built barracks appeared in front of him.

The surroundings of the barracks were surrounded by wooden fences, and several Qing soldiers stood in groups of three or three, patrolling unarmed. Inside the wooden fence, there were more than a dozen coalition soldiers playing football, and cheers came from time to time. The Qing soldiers patrolling outside were probably no longer surprised by this. They glanced at them casually, and their expressions were indifferent.

Seeing Al Jinga and a few others coming over, the soldiers saluted and greeted him: "I have seen A Junmen."

"Get up," asked Al Jina, "what are they doing?"

A soldier in the leader laughed and said in a Tianjin accent, "Military, aren't you making fun of your brothers? Who can understand what those foreigners are talking about? They just keep running around, who knows what they are doing?"

Al Jinga laughed and scolded, "Zhao Liuer, you monkey! You can show that you can!" After saying that, he waved his hand, "Open the wooden fence. Didn't you see anyone coming?"

Zhao Liu ordered people to move out of the wooden fence. It was the coalition soldiers who were playing football inside who stood up. Looking back, they saw that there were a few foreigners who looked similar to their appearance around the Chinese people who had a familiar face. Someone recognized it, whispered a few words to his companions, and ran quickly into the barracks.

Soon, a few people came out of the barracks, and the leader was Erkin! Behind him, he followed Grant, Bomai, Mengtuban and other officers from the British and French forces, put his hands on his forehead and looked over here: "Mr. Viscount, Mr. Jazz, gentlemen?" Ronglu said with a smile, "Please allow me to wait and get here. If you sirs, send someone to say hello to the soldiers, and we will naturally come to greet them."

Aldridge smiled sincerely: "Thank you, respected sir."

Ronglu waved his hand and with Al Jinga and others left the camp. Until the Chinese disappeared, Erkin took a few steps forward, "Your Majesty Viscount! I'm very sorry, I disappointed everyone."

"No, General, this is not your own fault. China seems to have made sufficient preparations for this battle. We have neither correct tactics nor complete logistics. Being able to achieve such results and protect the lives of tens of thousands of brave expeditionary soldiers is the best you can do, sir. I think that if the generals of any country are in your position, you will not do better than you!"

After chatting at the barracks, Erkin led Aldridge and Bashali and his group to walk around the barracks for a few steps. The soldiers' houses were built very spacious, with two long beds and a stove at the middle of the house. In the middle of the house, they did not feel cold at all.

At the head of each soldier, there is a small wooden cabinet for storing personal belongings. As for bedding and pillows, they are all provided by the coalition forces. Bashali looked around and asked, "How many coalition forces are there?"

"The total number is 2,722 people, and the rest are placed in other military camps around the Chinese capital."

“What about your daily diet?”

"The diet is prepared and prepared by me and I. The things that need it are provided by the Chinese side." Bomai explained, "All expenses are kept in accounts..."

Bashali was stunned for a moment and asked, "Accounts? If you say this, will your expenses be settled in the future?"

"Luckily, there is no need to tip." Aldridge saw that the soldiers of his country could receive such care, and he chuckled and joked.

Bashali shook his head disapprovingly, "There is no such reason! Can the Chinese captured soldiers, more than 1,000 people imprisoned in the Hong Kong military camp, charge various fees to the Chinese afterwards? This is a joke!"

Erkin and Bomai looked at each other and felt embarrassed. Putting aside the position of hostile countries, the Chinese side's kindness and humanity of the coalition soldiers after being captured was something these people did not expect. The Chinese knew that they were not used to Eastern food, so they allowed the coalition forces to build a house in the camp. Various materials could support them and try to satisfy them. If they really couldn't do it, they had to replace them with Chinese products - the taste might not be so pure, but with their current status, it is not easy to ask for too much.

All the weapons of the coalition forces were confiscated, and their personal items were not taken. After arriving in Beijing, they were returned one by one according to the registered list. They were detained in the camp. Except for the first few days, the Qing army was still patrolling back and forth. After that, they seemed to be their own world. Except for not being able to browse everywhere like in China, they did not have the tension and harshness that prisoners of war should have.

After more than a month, the British and French generals and soldiers including Erkin, Bomai, Mengtuban did not say anything, but they felt very affectionate. But today they heard Bashali's words rude, and everyone was not good at interfering, so the barracks became quiet.

After a moment, Erkin asked, "His Viscount, is there any way to London?"

"The first priority is to bring the young men from the coalition forces back to their hometown safely!" Aldridge briefly explained to him: "At the same time, Gladstone Councilor - Oh, he is no longer a member of parliament. In the newly established government, His Excellency the Prime Minister appointed him as the Foreign Minister - as the general representative of handling all ceasefire with China this time, he has set out from London and will soon come to China in less than a few months."

Hearing that there was hope of going home, Erjin breathed a sigh of relief, "That's great. That's great!"

"However, it is not possible to return home in one day. This time, Sir Bashali and I came to Beijing, and in the name of replacing prisoners, we took all 1,066 people from the coalition forces with the Qing army from Beijing. The other soldiers may have to wait until the arrival of the Foreign Minister and reach a formal armistice agreement with China before we can complete the journey."

The words that turned around made everyone feel cold again. Erkin had the dual identities of a soldier and a gentleman. After a moment, he made a decision: "No matter who comes first and who comes later, as the supreme commander of the coalition forces, I must wait until the last one to board the warship heading to my hometown."

Mengtoban also said, "I have the same opinion as Lord Erkin. I am the commander of the French war forces. I will have to wait until all the young men are safe before the last one to leave!"

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After a walk in the camp, he went to Erjin and others' rooms to take a look. Time was limited and it was impossible for them to fully express their feelings. The translator who came with Baxiali went to the gate of the camp and made a request to end his departure to the Chinese side. The soldiers ran away and delivered the letter.

After a while, Ronglu and Al Jinga were still here, and opened the wooden fence. Aldridge, Bashali and others walked out of the camp under the sight of Erkin and others. The Chinese soldiers closed the fence again.

Ronglu stepped forward a few steps and asked with a smile, "Are you satisfied with what the envoy saw?"

"We are very satisfied with our country for upholding humane justice and properly relocating coalition soldiers."

"It's good to be satisfied. Since you have seen your life, please go to the military tent to discuss the matter of replacing prisoners together."

Aldridge nodded, "Just please lead the way."

Both sides separated the host and the host of guests and guests in the military camp. Aldridge first expressed his gratitude to the Chinese side for the respectful care he received when the coalition soldiers were seen, and then asked, "I wonder when the coalition soldiers can be allowed to board the ship and return?"

"Well, our side has specific requirements and we must explain to you in advance. First, this prisoner replacement must be carried out when all prisoners of war on both sides are present. That is to say, you need to bring all the captured soldiers of our army to Beijing and then arrange them to be carried out; Second, this prisoner replacement is carried out when our two countries have not reached a formal armistice agreement. Therefore, the personnel who can be handed over to you are all Indian soldiers who are subordinate to the combat troops. British, French soldiers, and generals cannot be selected as candidates in this prisoner replacement operation."

Bashari shook his head vigorously and vetoed loudly, "How can this be done?" he said, "It is really regrettable for your country to do this! The coalition soldiers, whether Britain, France, or British India, belong to the same battle sequence. How can they distinguish each other so much?"

Zeng Guofan replied calmly, "Your Excellency is wrong. As we said, now, the situation is that you and us are still in a state of war, and the war is initiated, but Britain and France. India, as your colony, is just coming. It is incomparable."

Bashali wanted to say something else and stopped Aldridge. He thought that as soon as the Foreign Minister of Gladstone arrived and the two countries signed a formal armistice agreement, such an excuse would naturally not be a reason. Moreover, the life of the coalition forces in Beijing was effectively guaranteed, and there was no need to worry about any harmed things. They could only feel wronged and stayed for a few more days.

First, I asked, "Well, I wonder when the first batch of soldiers who were sold for prisoners will be able to make a journey?"

"As long as our soldiers can return safely, they can immediately refer to the corresponding number of people and release them one by one."

"Well, since that's the case, my colleagues and I hope to get help from China, send telegrams to Hong Kong and China through telegram lines, and request that the ship be sent north immediately, escort your soldiers to Tianjin, and forward them to Beijing."

"Yes. What else?"

"Secondly, we hope to go to various places around Beijing to see, so that we can know whether our soldiers are treated the same?"

"This," Zeng Guofan and Bai Wei discussed with each other for a moment, "It's OK. What else?"

Aldridge paused for a moment, and Bashari asked, "Please forgive me, Mr. Magna Constitution, I have a question to ask."

"Oh? What is it?"

"When I met with my colleagues in the military camp, I heard from Sir Erkin that all the expenses of our soldiers in the camp will be paid in full in the future. Is there any such thing?"

"some."

"Don't you think this is too much? After the war between the two countries, all the supplies that prisoners of war actually had to pay the bill in the country where the prisoners of war were located. Is this the way for your country to treat guests?"

Zeng Guofan nodded, "I do not agree with the words of Your Excellency Bashali. Maybe there is something wrong with your ears and you can't hear the essence of the problem clearly? We have repeatedly reiterated that our two countries are still in a state of war. The ability of your prisoners of war to receive such kindness is entirely due to the kindness of our emperor's priests and does not distinguish between the territory and treating all people as if they are innocent. This is the case."

He said, "If friends come to visit, our Celestial Empire should be warmly entertained. Now that the war between the two countries has not yet ended, how can we entertain? Then can we open the door to welcome the thieves?"

Bashali gave him some quibbling and asked hesitantly, "What if the two countries stop their troops?"

Zeng Guofan smiled for the first time: "At that time, all the soldiers of your country can return together, and you won't be able to use all the support of my heavenly dynasty, right?" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations from ***(***.***). ***. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
Chapter completed!