There is a limit to a person's ability to withstand stress. There is no psychological defense line in the world that cannot be crushed, let alone a second-in-command like Raku who has never been able to stand alone.
The layers of pressure net laid by Xiao Letian came roaring and lapping like the tide of the full moon, destroying Laku's psychological defenses layer by layer.
There is no choice. At this moment, Raku has been forced into a corner. If he does not agree to the Chinese conditions, then the only way is to go to war. But the war cannot be won at all, not to mention that the British have already joined in. Even if he is alone, With these assassins, it is difficult for the current third-rate garrison to deal with them.
Port Said is the largest port of the Suez Canal. If the entire canal is lost here, it will be completely paralyzed. When the emperor is angry, he will definitely take action on himself.
It doesn't matter if he dies, but are there still soldiers in Europe that can be mobilized? Prussia is preparing its armaments aggressively, and diplomats in Paris are focusing all their energy on negotiations with Prussia. Can they withstand another trouble in Egypt?
However, the canal is the lifeline of France. The construction period lasted for eleven years and the investment was nearly 20 million pounds. How could France give up such a strategic location? If Port Said was lost, the mainland would definitely send troops.
By then, Bismarck's opportunity would have arrived, and millions of powerful Prussian troops would come out... No, no, no, Raku shook his head desperately and threw the terrifying scene in his mind away.
There was no choice. The lesser of the two evils, it was nothing more than an apology statement and only seven million gold francs. Compared with losing control of the canal, it was completely a small evil.
"Okay! I will give you this apology statement, and I will also give you seven million gold francs! But you must promise to withdraw the soldiers tonight! At dawn tomorrow, I must let the people of Port Said still see that the city is still there Under France’s control!”
Xiang Ying turned his head and glanced at the sea. He saw the figure of General Jason. He knew that he could not delay any longer. This game of pulling the flag and pulling the skin of the tiger should come to an end.
"Very good, I can promise you, give me an apology statement and compensation, and I will immediately order the soldiers to return to the sea..."
"Can you be the master of your head?"
"Of course, because I am the plenipotentiary negotiating ambassador, if you don't believe it, I am willing to take you as a hostage. When the soldiers are gone, I will be the last one to leave..."
Raku gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "Okay! I believe you!"
At this moment, General Jason's boat finally touched the pier of the pier, and high-level British commanders finally arrived.
"Inform the French side and ask their highest officer to talk to me!"
"Immediate martial law in Port Said! The British army controls all neighborhoods...inform the French army not to act rashly, we don't want to start a war, we are just regulating the conflict!"
"What? Two Chinese soldiers were kidnapped? How did it happen... Can you French people still do things? With the security of the canal like this, which country's merchant ships will dare to come here in the future?"
Ship after ship of British troops began to land, two hundred, four hundred, six hundred... The neighborhoods near the harbor area were all filled with British soldiers in red military uniforms, pouring into Port Said like cooked lobsters that had become sperm. .
Xiang Ying leaned in front of Raku and whispered, "Why don't you hurry back to the consul's office? Are you really prepared to give the British another seven million? Do you have that much cash?"
"If you and I don't reach a settlement, God knows what price the British will offer. Please wake up..."
At this moment, Raku had become a ball of clay and was being kneaded by Xiang Ying. He was led by Xiang Ying and walked quickly into the consul's house. He walked back to the conference room and spread out the delicate parchment. Xiang Ying dictated and Raku wrote, An official apology from France was officially released.
"...In the fifth station town, the Chinese flagship Zhiyuan was bombarded by unknown militants. It lasted for more than fifty minutes and a total of 132 shells were fired..."
"...The Chinese army was forced to fight back and had unnecessary conflicts with the French army on the shore. Once again, on behalf of France, I express my deep regret and apology..."
"... Due to our management errors in Port Said, the collision of warships was caused, and because our soldiers failed to control their emotions, an accidental attack on His Majesty the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty occurred. On behalf of France, I apologize to the Qing Empire. , and compensation of seven million francs..."
This apology statement described all the encounters of the Zhiyuan as it passed through the canal. Of course, Lacoue did not admit that the bombardment was caused by France, nor did he admit that the warship intentionally collided with the Zhiyuan.
The shooting at Zai Chun was also whitewashed as a misunderstanding.
Xiang Ying didn't care about Lacu's excuse at all. He knew very well that these French people would not shed tears until they saw the coffin. They would not admit any guilt unless they defeated them openly in the war.
It doesn’t matter, whether you like to admit it or not. The most important thing for the president is this apology statement to prove that these things have happened. As long as France admits that these things have happened, then the Chinese at the negotiating table after the Franco-Prussian War can proceed based on these facts. Asking price, that's all.
When the consul's seal and Raku's signature appeared on the parchment, Raku felt as if all his energy had been drained out of him, and he completely slumped in his chair.
Xiang Ying spread out the parchment and blew on it carefully. Looking at the apology statement written in English, he finally smiled with satisfaction.
"Remember what you promised me! Withdraw your troops, withdraw your troops immediately..."
"Where's the money? My soldiers are waiting to move the money... Don't worry, I'll leave as soon as I get the money!"
"Greedy devils! You are destined to go to hell!" Raku yelled, "Someone, take him to the canal company's warehouse, give him all the cash, and let the canal company issue an IOU for the shortfall!"
Xiang Ying took half a step back, took off his hat very politely and bowed slightly to Counselor Lacu, "Thank you. It was a pleasure negotiating with you. I hope we can have a drink and talk together next time we meet again!"
"No...I never want to see you again! You go..."
Xiang Ying was not angry either. He put on his hat and said to the angry canal company accountant beside him, "Sir, don't look at me like that. This small amount of money is nothing to France, compared to the crime of losing the entire Port Said." Come here and tell me, you have taken a big advantage..."
The speechless accountant knew that he had no control over the situation, so he could only wipe his red and swollen eyes and lead the way.
As soon as he left the gate of the Consulate House, Xiang Ying saw General Jason coming towards him. "Hello, General, the Counselor is waiting for you inside..." He said while shaking the parchment in his hand, "We have obtained the apology statement. As for what you say, I don’t care, hahaha..."
Jason's eyes lit up, "Oh? Got it, hahaha... Let me also meet this enlightened counselor, hahaha!"
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