But French attention was diverted by the sudden crisis with China provoked by the Bắc Lệ ambush (23 June 1884), and during the eventful summer of 1884 the Black Flags were left to lick their wounds.
Tetapi perhatian Prancis dialihkan oleh krisis tiba-tiba dengan Tiongkok diprovokasi oleh penyergapan Bắc Lệ (23 Juni 1884), dan selama musim panas 1884, Bendera Hitam dibiarkan menjilat luka-luka mereka.