Under this deadlock, Li Hongzhang proposed to mediate by a third country, and He Ruzhang proposed to ask the United States to come forward. At this time, former US President Grant (Ulysses Grant), who has a good reputation in the world, traveled around the world to reach East Asia, first to China and then to Japan. On June 3, Grant met with Prince Gong in Beijing and agreed to mediate. On the 12th, Grant met with Li Hongzhang in Tianjin to listen to China's position. In July, Grant went to Japan. On the 22nd, he met with Japanese dignitaries Ito Hirobumi and Saigo Congdo in
Nikko to listen to Japanese whatsapp database opinions (Japan also emphasized the Peony Club incident). He also met He Ruzhang. After understanding the views of all parties and reviewing the materials of all parties, Grant urged the two countries to settle peacefully, so as to bring the two countries back to the negotiating table. After discussing with John A Bingham, the U.S. envoy to Japan, Grant proposed a "three-point" plan to He Ruzhang: "Check the islands of Ryukyu, this is divided into three parts; The two countries have consulates to protect them.
The southern part is near Taiwan, which is an important part of China, and is annexed to China; the northern part is near Satsuma, which is an important place for Japan, and it is divided into Japan." This plan became the basis for China's negotiation. Grant agrees with what Japan said, the harsh language in He Ruzhang's note is indeed an obstacle to negotiation, and he wants his subordinates to send a letter to Li Hongzhang: "He Ruzhang had a document before, the language was too heavy, so that it couldn't turn around, and the Japanese people were quite uneasy, so inappropriate. If you are willing to withdraw it, it may be difficult to negotiate in the future.”