Chapter 280: Imitation of Xiaozhuang's Story
Chapter 280: Imitation of Xiaozhuang's Story
Shao Quanzhong slapped his forehead and thought for a long time, but the more he thought, the more confused he became. A coup is a big deal, so little cleverness won't work.
Forget it. If I want to handle this matter completely, I can’t do it by myself. I need to find a truly smart person to help me.
"Sixth Lady, bring your people with me to visit Zhang Zhidong!"
When he went out, Ping'er followed him. Shao Quanzhong frowned, thought about it, and said nothing.
The Ziqiang Army was not in a hurry to move camp. Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang, Li Hongzhang and Zhang Zhidong had received a joint secret order from Cixi and Ci'an to wait until the Huai Army left before setting off. Their actual mission in participating in the military parade was to check and balance the Huai Army.
It was useless for Ping'er to follow, as she and the guards were left outside Zhang Zhidong's tent by Shao Quanzhong. However, Hu Liuniang followed him in.
Ping'er's eyes flickered. It seemed that she was not trusted at all. No, she had to think of a way. The first step in palace fighting was to gain a man's trust.
Shao Quanzhong entered the tent and said to Zhang Zhidong without any politeness, "Xiaoda, please send your attendants away."
Zhang Zhidong's guards were all driven out, leaving only his most trusted old servant. Shao Quanzhong had a secret conversation with Zhang Zhidong for two hours, and was all smiles when he left the tent.
He did not promise Zhang Zhidong anything, but Zhang Zhidong knew that he would not treat him unfairly after the success.
Alas, those who do mental work are awesome. They don’t have to take risks and they get a lot of dividends. Who made me unable to think of their ideas?
"Yuting, Ci'an is just a weak woman. It's easy to control her by sending two people. Wouldn't it be easy to make her sick or fall into the water? Why do you need to mobilize so many troops for a coup?"
Shao Quanzhong shook his head, "Liu Niang, you are not cut out for conspiracy and political struggle, so don't get involved. You have to trust Zhang Zhidong's plan.
Ci'an was not weak at all. As far as I know, in another world that I don't get involved in, Cixi could never defeat her. It was not until she outlasted her that Cixi really took the throne.
Ci'an had the righteous status of being the empress, so no matter whether it was the palace guards, the Shenji Battalion responsible for protecting the Forbidden City, the Ruijian Battalion in the Western Hills, the city security detectives under the Nine-Gates Admiral, or the generals in the Fengtai Camp, they all recognized the orthodox sequence of the Qing Dynasty.
With the support of Prince Gong within the court and loyal ministers like Zuo Zongtang outside, Cixi had no way to do anything.
If it weren't for Zhang Zhidong's plan, our coup would have to fight against the traditional collective forces of the Qing Dynasty, and we would have to fight to the death. Maybe we would have to fight with General Zuo, whom I respect very much, which is not what I want. "
If we take risks and plot secretly and reveal our flaws, the Manchu royal family will become suspicious and Cixi will lose her position. Only by doing what we do can we be absolutely safe.
…………
In the West Warm Pavilion, Ci'an saw Shao Quanzhong leaving, and hurried to find Cixi to see if she had found out what Shao Quanzhong had said.
"Sister, Shao Quanzhong was reluctant to disband the Huai Army. But I explained the righteousness of the cause, offered him an official position and made him a promise, and finally gave him Ping'er with great reluctance, and only then did he agree to disband the Huai Army to one town."
"It's hard for you, sister."
Ci'an said firmly, "The Huai Army must be disbanded. This concerns the safety of the Aisin-Gioro family. If necessary, you can follow the example of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang to appease Dorgon. It's a pity that I am not as beautiful as you, otherwise I can also be sacrificed.
Now that I have given him the apple, I have convinced him. It is not easy at all."
Sister, you don't know that Shao Quanzhong doesn't like Ping'er very much. I have already done what you said...
Ci'an thought for a moment and said, "In this way, we can raise Shao Quanzhong's title to set an example for other princes. The number of the Hunan Army and the Shanghai Army is a bit too large..."
An urgent imperial edict came down from the palace, stating that Shao Quanzhong was determined to disband the Huai Army. He was commendable for his loyalty and was promoted to the first-class Duke of Jingyuan.
An Dehai was sent to Shao Quanzhong's military camp to convey the emperor's order, and was kept in the camp by Shao Quanzhong for a long secret talk.
After returning to the palace, An Dehai reported to Cixi for a long time.
The next morning, Cixi flew into a rage at the morning meeting of the Grand Council. She took out the Fu Shou Ru Yi ointment that Zai Cheng had given to Zai Yi, and also found small pills of medicine on the little emperor's body.
Cixi scolded Prince Gong and Ci'an was also very angry. The two Empress Dowagers decided that Prince Gong was not strict in educating his son and corrupting the emperor. He was stripped of all his positions and imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court to reflect on his mistakes.
The morning meeting of the Military Affairs Council was over, and everyone was trembling with fear. At this time, An Dehai brought the military band that the young emperor had asked the Huai Army for yesterday into the palace.
Behind An Dehai, there were twelve more eunuchs. The old eunuchs and the eunuch leader were dressed in normal eunuch attire, and the ten young eunuchs all wore yellow jackets and held waist badges of the Western Warm Pavilion. The young emperor was very happy and went to watch the military band's performance under the escort of a large number of guards.
There were loud gongs and drums in the palace, trumpets and firecrackers, and it was like a festival in the palace.
The sound of firecrackers covered up the sound of the revolver, and all of Ci'an's close guards were shot dead.
Ci'an, who was "supported" by Haiqing and Tonglin, did not get angry. "Sister, I have no objection to you making the decision, but you have to promise me that you will protect the safety of the Aixinjueluo family."
"Sister, the emperor is my biological son."
Ci'an nodded, turned and left without the eunuch's support.
Cixi urgently recruited a few of her close confidants into the palace.
They included Manchu Deputy Governor of the Bordered White Banner, Guwalgiya Ronglu, the Minister of Operations of the Shenji Camp and the Ruijian Camp, Deputy Governor of the Bordered Blue Banner Jin Shun, Prince Chun Yihuan, and Senggelinqin's former subordinate, Fashshan Abaturui Yiktang'a.
Here, Jin Shun was not the original iron confidant, but Cixi was born in the Bordered Blue Banner, so he had no choice...
Ronglu was appointed Minister-in-Chief of the Imperial Household Department, and was awarded the title of Double-eyed Peacock Feather and the title of Prince Taibao, and was ordered to pacify and reorganize the Shenji Camp and the Ruijian Camp.
Jin Shunjin was the commander-in-chief of the Bordered Blue Banner and the acting governor-general of the Nine Gates.
Yihuan filled the vacancy of Prince Gong and served in the Grand Council, and was appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Guard to reorganize the defense of the palace.
Cixi adopted Yiktang'a as her adopted son and appointed Yiktang'a as the commander-in-chief of Fengtai Camp.
…………
Outside the city, the Chu army camp.
Zuo Zongtang, the governor of Zhejiang and Fujian, who was given the title of Prince's Guardian, a yellow riding jacket, and the first-class Jingke Earl, was organizing his troops to prepare for a return march when his men came to report.
"Report to General Zuo, there are unusual movements in the Huai Army."
Zuo Zongtang was very nervous, "What's wrong?"
"The Huai Army did not retreat to Dagukou, but turned back to the southwest of the city from the south, set up camp at Fengtai, and blocked the gate of the Fengtai camp."
"Rebellion, rebellion! Come on, send troops and march towards Fengtai."
The Chu army set out immediately, but before they had gone far, they heard a message: "Report! Liu Jintang led 25,000 Hunan troops to block our way."
Zuo Zongtang came to the front and asked, "Liu Jintang, do you want to help Shao Quanzhong rebel?"
"General Zuo, I will follow your orders."
It seems that the legendary merger of Hunan and Huaihai is true. What does Zeng Shuai think?
Zuo Zongtang personally led his guards and rushed to the Hu army camp. He kicked open the door and broke into Li Hongzhang's tent. "Li Jianfu, the powerful minister is going to rebel. Why don't you react?"
Li Hongzhang was writing slowly, "Has Shao Quanzhong entered the capital?"
Um, "No."
"Did the Huai Army attack the Fengtai camp?"
Um, "No."
"The information I received is that Jin Shun led the soldiers of the Bordered Blue Banner into the city. If the Huai Army enters the city, I will join forces with you to attack them. We, the Han officials, should not interfere in the affairs of the Bannermen."
(End of this chapter)