The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

Chapter 210 The Americans Get a Frustration

Having successfully lured the British away, Shen Lian breathed a sigh of relief. Currently, only Britain and France could intervene militarily in the Far East. The British military had multiple naval bases in Southeast Asia and a large colony like India.

As long as Britain is stabilized, the other countries are no match for us!

Shen Lian then presented the Queen of England with several diamonds and a tray of pearls, just to appease them for now. He'd settle accounts with them later.

“Special Envoy Roukiel! I don’t know what benefits the Japanese have given to the United States? You want to step forward and make us stop the war.”

"During the Battle of Beijing a few years ago, I specifically instructed my troops not to harm your American troops. After the war, I gave you so many projects and purchased your supplies worth tens of millions of taels of silver."

"I thought I had expressed enough goodwill and hoped to win the friendship of the United States! It seems it was all in vain!" Shen Lian shook his head, feigning disappointment.

The moment the American special envoy, John Rockhill, entered, he was met with a scathing rebuke from Shen Lian. He was left speechless and standing there in utter embarrassment.

"My lord! You misunderstand. We simply do not wish for more people to suffer and die in the war. Our government has absolutely not accepted any benefits from the Japanese."

“We are very satisfied with our business activities in China and are very grateful for the Marquis’s kindness!” Roukey said with a bow.

The reason Americans like to intervene in wars is simply to assert their presence.

While the United States is currently a highly developed industrial and commercial nation, its military strength is woefully inadequate. In the eyes of the Western powers, it holds little standing; it's merely a late-blooming nouveau riche!

The last time they mediated the Russo-Japanese War, the United States gained considerable prestige. This time, they tried the same trick again, ready to put on a show once more. But Shen Lian showed them no mercy whatsoever.

"Starting from our Tang Dynasty hundreds of years ago, whenever Japan gained some strength, it would try to cause trouble! We would beat it up, and it would behave for a few days. But once our country weakened, it would jump out again!"

"The situation was the same at Baekgang Estuary during the Tang Dynasty, and it was also the same during the Korean War during the Ming Dynasty. This continued until the First Sino-Japanese War ten years ago, and the Battle of Seoul a few years ago."

"Don't you know how much damage the Japanese have caused our country? You want me to stop the war? I might agree, but the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the First Sino-Japanese War would never agree!" Shen Lian roared. He didn't care about the Americans at all now, so naturally he wouldn't be polite!

"If we continue fighting the Japanese, then you Americans are welcome to send troops to support Japan! I'm not afraid!" Shen Lian said, getting angrier and angrier, slamming his fist on the table and shouting.

"Your Excellency, you've misunderstood! You've misunderstood! The United States has absolutely no intention of sending troops to support Japan!" Roukey, covered in sweat, stood up and anxiously waved his hands to explain.

With their current pitiful fleet, even if the US were to come, it wouldn't be enough to defeat the Chinese navy. They witnessed the Battle of the Bohai Sea firsthand; who wouldn't be afraid of the overwhelming power of Chinese battleships?

As for the army, forget about it! Don't even bother coming to their deaths. The number of Japanese soldiers Shen Lian eliminated in a single day was almost equal to the entire number of the US Army.

"That's good! I'm sorry! My attitude was bad just now. I just couldn't help getting angry when I thought about the harm that the Japanese have done to our country!" Shen Lian shook his head.

"It's alright! I completely understand how the Marquis feels!" Roukeyi smiled awkwardly.

"I'm not an unsympathetic person! If Japan can agree to my conditions and allow me to give an explanation to the court and the people, a ceasefire is not impossible." Shen Lian took a sip of tea and repeated his conditions.

"Thank you, Your Excellency Marquis. I will certainly convey your terms to the Japanese side!" Roukeyi nodded.

It's obvious that Shen Lian doesn't want to let Japan off the hook so easily; these conditions show absolutely no sincerity.

Roukeyi didn't want to say anything more and slunk away!