Chapter 1255 Public opinion caused by the negotiating team
Siward turned his eyes and scanned the people in the hall one by one. At the same time, he quickly thought about solutions and strategies that could suppress Li Zhen. However, many of the conspiracies and tricks he came up with were rejected by him. , because Siward thought that the trick used was not perfect and it was difficult to restrain Li Zhen. The two parties had dealt with each other before, and Siward thought that he knew Li Zhen very well and thought that Li Zhen was a pragmatist, cunning and cunning. Difficult to cope with.
If Li Zhen uses conspiracy and tricks to fight back, he will be the one who suffers.
Muravyov said: "I thought of a few ideas, but they were a little underhanded."
Prime Minister Henry Temple smiled and continued: "I also have a way to win the first confrontation, but it is a deviant approach, which can easily make Li Zhen confused. After using this method once, I can temporarily make Li Zhen confused. Li Zhen bowed his head, but it would also anger Li Zhen, so that we encountered great resistance in subsequent negotiations, leading to the failure of our plan."
Phillip nodded and continued: "Never mind it, just take it one step at a time and suppress Li Zhen first. We will analyze the next things carefully in the future to avoid making mistakes."
"No, I don't agree."
Siward looked serious and shook his head in denial.
Philip asked: "Has Mr. Seward come up with any clever idea?"
Siward looked serious and said unhurriedly: "Not to mention what ideas came to mind, I have something to say about how to deal with Li Zhen. First of all, everyone knows Li Zhen, including me. Several of us have dealt with Li Zhen and know his style of doing things. Especially if we resort to insidious tricks, it may be counterproductive and push ourselves into a desperate situation. Secondly, this time we are only allowed to succeed and not fail, otherwise it will be self-defeating. , no one can afford to take responsibility, so I think that even if you have to use a strategy, it must be an upright strategy to force Li Zhen to surrender and leave Li Zhen speechless."
Philip added: "Such a plan is hard to think of."
Henry Temple frowned and shouted in a deep voice: "Sir Philip, you joined us to give advice and help France bring back the captured commanders, envoys and soldiers. You did not say dejected words. If you cannot be of one mind with us, , then please withdraw, I will make the decision and allow you to contact Li Zhen alone, and we will not interfere in France's affairs."
One sentence immediately made Philip speechless.
France was not at peace now, and Philip did not dare to argue with Henry Temple.
Moreover, if he fails, he will be embarrassed when he returns home.
Philip glanced at Siward and lowered his head to think about his own affairs.
Henry Temple said: "Sir Seward, what are your plans."
Siward was silent for a moment and continued: "I think we should do things openly and according to the rules. We have already sent someone to notify Li Zhen once. Then, we will send someone to notify Li Zhen a second time. If Li Zhen does it a second time, If he is not received, we will send someone to notify him a third time to show our sincerity and that we came to Li Zhen with sincerity."
Henry Temple frowned and said, "By doing this, does it appear that we are begging him?"
Siward said: "In fact, we are asking for something from Li Zhen. Moreover, we can do it only if it is beneficial to the negotiation. Showing weakness is also a strategy. In fact, we did not just send people to notify Li Zhen. After sending someone to notify us for the second time, if Li Zhen meets us and everything goes smoothly, but if Li Zhen fails to meet us, then we can make a fuss about this matter and make a third notification, always maintaining our rationale."
At this point, Siward laughed and said loudly: "China is a good-faced country. If you carefully analyze China's history, you can see that China often attacks foreign nations. Once the foreign nations surrender, China immediately withdraws its troops and will not attack the other side." Putting him to death, and also giving benefits and awards, all for the sake of saving face. Although Li Zhen is different, the Chinese people are still like this. We can use the sympathy of the people to help us, so we don’t have to use conspiracy, which will be the opposite. Let’s get stuck in the quagmire.”
"Well said, it's a good idea."
Muravyov nodded, a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes.
Henry Temple also said: "I agree, let's do it." Soon, several people perfected Seward's strategy, perfected the entire plan, and then sent people to the presidential palace to convey that the negotiating team wanted to see him as soon as possible. Li Zhen’s thoughts.
…
Presidential Palace, official residence.
Li Zhen and Zhao Liewen were discussing the anti-corruption issue, and the security guard came in to report the negotiation team's request for a meeting.
After Li Zhen heard this, he waved his hand and said, "I found a reason to push it away. I won't see you for the time being."
The guard nodded in agreement and left the room.
Zhao Liewen was silent for a long time and said: "President, this is the second time the negotiating team has asked for a meeting. It would not be good if it was postponed every time."
Li Zhen sneered twice and said lightly: "Dean Zhao, if we are defeated, what do you think will be the consequences? The negotiating team composed of various countries came to Beijing, and I did not make any small gestures to welcome them. It was already very It's normal to give them face and let them wait a few more times, and it's good for us to delay."
"Forget it, just do as you say."
Zhao Liewen did not object and forced a smile.
Li Zhen changed the topic and continued: "The anti-corruption work is very important, let's continue." After a pause, Li Zhen continued: "I think when fighting against corruption, officials The salary should be adjusted. We cannot require officials to be honest and honest, but also require them to live a hard life. Therefore, it must be improved..."
The two returned to the topic and continued to discuss the issue.
News of Li Zhen's rejection reached the British Embassy, and the negotiating teams from various countries were very angry.
Henry Temple said: "Li Zhen has refused, we should take action."
Siward nodded and said: "According to the original plan, we must do a good job this time. All of us must use our strength to make this scene a success."
"Okay, we must succeed."
"This is my first confrontation with Li Zhen. I believe I can win."
"We must go all out."
…
The officials of the negotiation team all said that they would go all out and implement it soon.
In one day, news suddenly spread in Beijing that officials from various countries' negotiating teams had twice asked to see Li Zhen, but were rejected both times.
"As far as I know, the negotiating team composed of various countries came to see the President this time to redeem the commanders, envoys and soldiers who were captured during the Battle of Hong Kong. They came with sincerity, as long as the President is willing to let go With the help of people, the conditions are easy to negotiate, and the negotiating team members of various countries, including the British Prime Minister, members of the French royal family, the Secretary of State of the United States, etc., are determined."
"Let me tell you, the president did the right thing and should let the foreigners wait."
"That's the truth, but after all we are a country of etiquette. Besides, it's okay to refuse this matter once, but I always feel a little bad if I refuse it twice in a row."
"Foreigners are hateful, and the president did the right thing."
"I think it's okay to refuse once or twice. The president has done nothing wrong. These foreigners should be severely punished, otherwise they really think we are easy to bully."
…
A public opinion sparked by the negotiation team began to spread in the streets of Beijing.
