When the news was sent to London, the English government had a big argument on whether to wage war against China.
The disagreement passed by 110:146, the proposal (suggestion) was veto (not to agree with the political case).
But the English prime minister Palmerston broke up the House of Commons and restarted the election.
His party won the election, so the policy passed.
The English government ordered (command) Lord Elgin to be a new diplomat with China.

Just in time, the French government said their churchman were killed by the Chinese government.
Because the French minister (a man who says what his country said) always had rejections (to be refused), it joined the English government and sent armies.
English and French armies entered into an alliance (becoming allies and working together).

In the mid of October, 1857.
The English army general had a plan to invade China.
They decided to attack from the south of China, Canton.
They would then proceed to attack along the North of China, and proceed to keep moving towards Peking.

Before they went, the Russian minister advised them that only occupying Canton would not make the Qing dynasty give up, and that the better way to make them give in would be by moving onward to Peking.
However, the English-French armies still stuck with their first decision, which was to attack Canton.
Lord Elgin talked with Seymour and the other generals about their plan to Canton.
They were certain that they could take (to occupy) Canton.

In November.
The English held down the Indian Revolution successfully.
Therefore, they had an army large enough to send towards China.
The alliance army prepared 10,000 soldiers.
In Navy, the English army had 43 warships and the French army had 10 ships.

On December 10, 1857.
Canton was blocked.
On December 12, the alliance army made their last warning to Ye and made several demands that are as followed:
The permission to enter the city of Canton.

Financial compensation for the arrow incident and the murder of the French missionary.

The Qing government should appoint (to send) a new diplomat to discuss about the new treaty.

On December 14, Ye refused them.
After 12 days, The English and French ministers responded by stating that their army are now free to do as they wish.
At the same time, the English naval commander sent messages to Ye.
This time, he demanded the Qing army to retreat 90 miles away from Canton within 2 days.
In the end, Ye still refused.
Over the course of those 2 days, they took no action.

On December 27, which was the day before the battle, Ye sent messages to his king, the Xianfeng Emperor.
He lied to the emperor about their circumstances.
In the letter, he stated that the English had begun to beg for peace, and that they only wanted to trade with China, said Yeh:
(in Chinese) 英夷現已求和，計日準可通商
Translation: The English Barbarian is now begging us for peace, trading should be allowed to resume soon.

In December 28, the war begun.
The alliance army sent troops which consisted of about 5,500 men, 700 French soldiers, and an additional 20 warships.
They landed near Canton and approached the city.
The alliance army opened fire at the governor's office (Yeh's workplace).
The Qing army retreated, but Ye was still sitting on his office and reading the paper.
When the news was sent to London, the English government had a big argument on whether to wage war against China. The disagreement passed by 110:146, the proposal (suggestion) was veto (not to agree with the political case). But the English prime minister Palmerston broke up the House of Commons and restarted the election. His party won the election, so the policy passed. The English government ordered (command) Lord Elgin to be a new diplomat with China.
Just in time, the French government said their churchman were killed by the Chinese government. Because the French minister (a man who says what his country said) always had rejections (to be refused), it joined the English government and sent armies. English and French armies entered into an alliance (becoming allies and working together).
In the mid of October, 1857. The English army general had a plan to invade China. They decided to attack from the south of China, Canton. They would then proceed to attack along the North of China, and proceed to keep moving towards Peking.
Before they went, the Russian minister advised them that only occupying Canton would not make the Qing dynasty give up, and that the better way to make them give in would be by moving onward to Peking. However, the English-French armies still stuck with their first decision, which was to attack Canton. Lord Elgin talked with Seymour and the other generals about their plan to Canton. They were certain that they could take (to occupy) Canton.
In November. The English held down the Indian Revolution successfully. Therefore, they had an army large enough to send towards China. The alliance army prepared 10,000 soldiers. In Navy, the English army had 43 warships and the French army had 10 ships.
On December 10, 1857. Canton was blocked. On December 12, the alliance army made their last warning to Ye and made several demands that are as followed:
The permission to enter the city of Canton.
Financial compensation for the arrow incident and the murder of the French missionary.
The Qing government should appoint (to send) a new diplomat to discuss about the new treaty.
On December 14, Ye refused them. After 12 days, The English and French ministers responded by stating that their army are now free to do as they wish. At the same time, the English naval commander sent messages to Ye. This time, he demanded the Qing army to retreat 90 miles away from Canton within 2 days. In the end, Ye still refused. Over the course of those 2 days, they took no action.
On December 27, which was the day before the battle, Ye sent messages to his king, the Xianfeng Emperor. He lied to the emperor about their circumstances. In the letter, he stated that the English had begun to beg for peace, and that they only wanted to trade with China, said Yeh:
(in Chinese) 英夷現已求和，計日準可通商
Translation: The English Barbarian is now begging us for peace, trading should be allowed to resume soon.
In December 28, the war begun. The alliance army sent troops which consisted of about 5,500 men, 700 French soldiers, and an additional 20 warships. They landed near Canton and approached the city. The alliance army opened fire at the governor's office (Yeh's workplace). The Qing army retreated, but Ye was still sitting on his office and reading the paper.
Battle of Canton (1857)