Chapter 10: What? Damn you.

However, I ... ...

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On the morning of the second day, Guan Zhuofan was summoned into the hall by Grant's secretary, where a debate seemed to have just concluded.

Guan Zhuofan sat silently at the table, spreading out paper and pen, feeling a deep sorrow without tears: I never expected that I, Guan Zhuofan, would participate in this segment of history in such a manner. He knew that this letter was a notification from Grant to Prince Gong regarding the impending destruction of the Old Summer Palace.

"Well done!" The portly Grant encouraged as he patted Guan Zhuofan on the shoulder, "I believe Major Richard has made the right decision; I need someone like you here. My secretary will arrange for you to be on standby in the adjacent hall, and if needed, I will call for you."

"Come here," Grant said, his face pale with anger. "The other translators have gone to participate in the negotiations with your court. You need to write a letter to your emperor's brother."

Captain, it is my honor, but... he has already prepared N reasons to refuse the demands of the British.

"What happened to your face? Are you injured?" Grant looked at Guan Zhuofan, asking with confusion.

Come on, I believe you will be willing. If there are no issues, let us go now; you do not need to bring anything.

In fact, my surname is Guan... He is thoroughly annoyed by the character "Gan," carefully correcting it.

"Your Excellency, General Grant, this is Mr. Gan, a friendly believer who is literate and fully capable of fulfilling the position of translator for https://mhetushucom.com." The officer stood at attention and reported to the commander, who had a head of red curly hair

"Anyone on Earth, including the emperor..." Grant dictated word by word.

Gratt looked at the comically featured Chinese man and burst into laughter

We are in great need of individuals proficient in both English and Chinese. Currently, we have only one or two... perhaps two or three Chinese translators. If you are willing...

The emperor's brother naturally refers to Prince Gong. After Emperor Xianfeng's northern expedition to Rehe, he entrusted the affairs of the capital to his brother, the twenty-eight-year-old Prince Gong, Yixin, who was responsible for managing the matters in Beijing and negotiating with the foreigners.

... ...

Bashali. When Guan Zhuofan heard this name, he knew that events were inevitably unfolding as recorded in history

On this day, he had nothing to do, only seeing a Chinese man in a white suit coming in and out, with his hair styled in a braid on top of his head, wearing a civilized hat, presenting himself in a rather incongruous manner. However, the foreigners seemed to hold him in high regard, as they would courteously escort him to the door each time he emerged

On Guan Zhuofan's face, two pieces of plaster were crookedly affixed.

"Oh, dear, very well. In fact, we have one thing we would like to ask for your assistance with," the British officer said politely

However, when have we ever invited you? When robbers break into a master's home and shout for punishment against the master in order to uphold their own "human rights," this world has already lost any true principles of justice and equity; what remains is only iron and blood

If one commits acts of dishonesty and deception, one will inevitably face sanctions and punishment

The common people were not wrong; indeed, the tongues of foreign devils are straight. Every time Guan Zhuofan heard the word "干" (which can be interpreted as a vulgar term), he could only say to himself, "Damn you," in his heart, which made him feel somewhat psychologically balanced.

Yes, General.

In the universe, any character, regardless of their nobility akin to that of an emperor... Grant's English is transformed into a blend of classical and vernacular Chinese under the pen of Guan Zhuofan

"Very well, as I just mentioned, it is my honor." He nodded, realizing that there was no way to escape, and decided to act according to the situation. Of course, he would not go back in to retrieve anything—he could not give the British any opportunity to enter.

"Tuber," he instructed lightly, "bring me a few pieces of plaster."

If one commits the crime of hypocrisy and fraud, one cannot escape the corresponding responsibilities and penalties

Guan Zhuofan was thinking nervously, unable to understand what had raised his suspicions. Modern English, of course, differs slightly from that of the nineteenth century, but he did not believe that the officer could find fault with it—unless he was also a time traveler

Can you write

Forbidden City

Baron Bashir was the British Minister to China. After the British and French forces landed, the Qing army suffered a series of defeats, leading to the appointment of Zaiyuan and Mu Yin to engage in negotiations with the British and French at Zhangjiawan. The negotiations yielded no results, and Zaiyuan and Senggelinqin shockingly captured the negotiating representative Baron Bashir along with thirty-eight of his attendants, taking them as prisoners and sending them to the Old Summer Palace for detention and torture. When the British and French forces reached the capital, the court hurriedly released these "prisoners," of whom only eighteen survived. The British response to this was to punish by burning the Old Summer Palace.

Although his English is quite good, Guan Zhuofan still finds the conversation rather convoluted. He does not dare to interrupt and can only patiently listen as the British officer continues to ramble on.

Guan Zhuofan then noticed that on a nearby soft chair, there lay a tall, thin foreigner, looking emaciated and extremely weak, being attended to by a doctor who was squatting beside him

We will destroy and burn your Forbidden City in Beijing on September 5th as punishment!" Grant concluded

A so-called notification is merely to inform you.

Upon his return home from the military camp, as he began to contemplate his future after the transition, he nearly ruled out all possibilities, yet retained one particular skill for himself. His confidence in being able to support his family stemmed from this skill—his proficiency in English. He was aware that after 1860, the Qing Dynasty would soon embark on the "Self-Strengthening Movement." With his fluent English and knowledge of world history, it would be exceedingly easy for him to secure a well-paying position, whether in the Grand Council or under a prominent merchant engaged in trade with foreigners.

He was soon taken by that officer to meet the commander of the British forces

However, now this British fellow actually wants to take him to serve as a translator, what is referred to as a "liaison interpreter." He recalled the image of interpreters he had seen in movies and their subsequent fates, and he felt a chill in his heart. If he were to become a liaison interpreter for the foreign soldiers, setting aside the issues of friend or foe, and whether he could emotionally accept it, just the thought of being recognized would mean that, despite the vastness of the capital, there would no longer be a place for him to hide. No matter how good his English was, it would be of no use.

The Qing Dynasty emperors not only failed to adhere to the previously agreed treaties, but even sought to undermine them

The officer raised his hand to stop his words and continued speaking to himself: "If you are willing, we will pay you a high reward, two pounds a day, or fifteen ounces of silver." After saying this, he smiled at him

I still believe that the punishment target we originally agreed upon is the most appropriate. However, if you insist on your viewpoint..." A gray-haired man, dressed in a complete French military uniform, spread his hands and said to Grant, "Our French army will certainly cooperate with your actions.

Thus, the person before us is General Grant, the commander of the British forces invading China during the Second Opium War. Guan Zhuofan looked at Grant, and Grant was also looking at him.

Is your surname ... ... ?

The command post requisitioned a large mansion, with tight security outside. Armed British soldiers blocked both ends of Drum Tower Street and piled up obstacles at the entrance of the command post, even setting up two cannons. Guan Zhuofan shook his head quietly; by this time, all the various government offices in Beijing had long since scattered, and the more than one hundred thousand troops stationed there had also vanished without a trace. Who would still dare to target their command post

Yes, I am a believer

"The city is filled with disorderly people..." Guan Zhuofan explained calmly, "For the safety of my family in the future, I have made a small adjustment to my appearance." This reason sounds quite grand and there is nothing wrong with stating it directly

It is hereby scheduled for the fifth day of September to destroy and burn ... . ... Guan Zhuofan's hand trembled, and a large drop of ink fell onto the paper

Damn you. Guan Zhuofan understood that this is not a request, but an order

The Qing Emperor could not uphold the previous agreement and instead violated the treaty

What? What the hell... "It's about Guan... Please go ahead, if I can do it" Guan Zhuofan does not know what tricks he is playing.

"On this trip to Beijing, we relied on a group of Russian Orthodox priests for guidance and intelligence," the officer shrugged, "You know, we don't really trust them. First, they are a bunch of Russians; second, they are a group of pagans; third, they are Russian pagans..."

"Will ... ..." Guan Zhuofan thought, do you think I have spent seventeen years in the cold window for nothing?

That night, Guan Zhuofan spent the night in the British military camp in the southern part of the city. The next day, he was sent to the British headquarters located on Gulou Street.

... ...

Guan Zhuofan was taken aback, and then cursed inwardly: Damn it, are you trying to ruin my secret move!

I deeply regret Mr. Bashar's encounter. The French general shrugged his shoulders

"General Montoban, regarding the barbaric and inhumane atrocities of the Qing government, I firmly believe that they must be subjected to even harsher punishment!" Grant said, pointing to the side as he spoke