Chapter 368: Outlast Shao Quanzhong

The ministers of the Grand Council came to the West Warm Pavilion one after another. They were all silent, and only Wenxiang was shouting there.

The little emperor was already fifteen years old. Although he had not yet taken power, Cixi began to allow him to frequently participate in the meetings of the Grand Council.

The young emperor was very arrogant. When he saw that everyone was silent, he thought that all the court officials were timid and cowardly, and only Wenxiang was a loyal minister.

"Hehe, my Qing Dynasty is now also a powerful country. It won't be easy for the foreigners to take over my kingdom. At worst, we have to fight."

Cixi was also a little panicked. She reacted very sensitively to the foreign troops approaching Dagukou, as if the invasion of the British and French forces was happening again.

Did she have to run to Chengde again? The last time she ran to Chengde, she encountered bandits, and then - Cixi was a little distracted.

"Mother, what's the rule? Please tell me something."

"Ah - yes, if anyone dares to seize the emperor's world, we will fight them to the end. At worst, we can declare war on these countries."

Wenxiang was very pleased with the support of the emperor and Empress Dowager. He glanced at the others and saw that they were all hesitant to speak. Only Zhang Zhidong came in last. He was calm and composed, as if he was going to rest his eyes.

Humph, everyone knows that you were Shao Quanzhong's military advisor Zhuge Liang. If Shao Ni wants to rebel, of course he won't deal with you.

As a loyal minister, I will bear the brunt of the attack and must be hated by him. Therefore, as a proponent of war, I cannot go along with you cowards.

"My Lord, if no one else has any objection, I will issue the transfer order—"

"Wait!"

Well, everyone was shocked, even Zhang Zhidong opened his eyes wide, with a gleam of light in his eyes.

The person who spoke was not Cixi behind the curtain, but Ci'an who came out from the back hall of the west warm pavilion.

All the ministers bowed together, "We are here to pay our respects to the Eastern Buddha, and we respectfully wish the Eastern Buddha the best of luck and good health."

The ministers were all in a state of confusion. Wasn't Lord Dongfo under house arrest in Zhongcui Palace? How could he leave at will now? Was there a change in the political situation?

"No need to be polite. You don't have to think too much. I just came here to chat with my sister. I have no interest in government affairs. The emperor will rule the country himself, and my sister will have some free time. We sisters should visit each other more often in the future."

After reassuring the ministers, Ci'an glared at Wenxiang. Although Ci'an had no power, Wenxiang was still terrified and immediately hunched back.

"Sister, you can't just let your ministers intimidate you and do something stupid like declaring war on so many powers at once. You should ask the steady old ministers for advice. Li Jianfu, tell me what you think."

Seeing Ci'an sitting naturally behind the curtain, next to Cixi, all the ministers knew in their hearts that although Ci'an said she would no longer interfere in politics, she had obviously regained some of her power. How did she do that?

At the same time, all the ministers felt relieved. The court was lucky to have "Ci'an's virtue" as a guiding star. Otherwise, if the old Buddha got hot-headed and insisted on declaring war, no one would be able to stop him, and the court would be in trouble.

Li Hongzhang was honored to be the last seat in the Grand Council. He did not expect that the Virgin Empress Dowager would call his name. He stepped forward subconsciously and bowed, paused for three seconds, prepared his words, and spoke slowly.

"I believe that the foreigners are not here to fight, and Marshal Yu will not rebel."

Wen Xiang was not convinced, "Why did they bring so many warships?"

"If the foreigners come to attack, we can just send a general. Why do we need a high-ranking official like the president or prime minister to come in person?"

"No, Shao Quanzhong is Prince Heshuo Rui, didn't he also go to the battle in person?"

Well, Wenxiang’s words are really hard to refute. If he had more experience and said something like “Napoleon III also led the army to war not long ago,” it would be even harder to refute.

"But they did not bring any land forces with them, except for their own small number of personal guards."

"Now it's different from the past. The equipment and training of our Qing army are all modernized. If the foreigners send sailors to fight on shore, the Wuwei Army of Fengtai Camp alone can drive them away because they are not professional in land warfare, not to mention the veterans of the Western Expedition of the Bordered Blue Banner to protect the capital.

"So, they are here for a visit. If we get too nervous, we will inevitably be laughed at by our friends. I think the capital is as stable as a rock, and there is no need to transfer the princes to the capital."

Wen Xiang curled his lips and said, "They are just showing off their power and trying to scare us. They must be helping Shao Quanzhong rebel."

"Marshal Yu's French expeditionary troops have returned. They have all returned to Guangdong, Guangxi, Anhui and Hailing. They have also donated all their tanks to the Baoding Military Academy for training purposes."

"The Nanyang Fleet was disbanded. Marshal Yu left the Zhenyuan in Hong Kong and only took the Haiqi as his ship. The Guards Brigade went home on vacation, and he only kept a battalion of guards with him."

"Marshal Yu is a Heshuo prince, but his guards are even smaller than those of a governor. Does this look like a rebellion?"

Wen Xiang was speechless and awkward for a long time, then suddenly threw his sleeves and said, "Shao Quanzhong will definitely use the matter of Master Qiao as an excuse to make a big fuss after returning from this great achievement, and will even demand further progress." "He will definitely attack a loyal minister like me, and I might even lose my head. You, Li Hongzhang, are just flattering him to protect your own reputation."

Li Hongzhang was reporting to the two Empress Dowagers. Wenxiang interrupted, and he didn't have to answer. Hearing this was quite unfriendly, he immediately bowed and said nothing. Shao Quanzhong wanted to punish you, Wenxiang, that's what you deserve, what does it have to do with me?

The young emperor understood that although Shao Quanzhong would not rebel, he would definitely make a big fuss. He could not help but worry, "What if he uses this as an excuse to have his younger brother replace me?"

Li Hongzhang bowed even lower, "Imperial affairs are not for me to comment on. I presumptuously report to Your Majesty that if General Yu acts like Dong Zhuo as a powerful minister, the new armies of the governors and governors in various places have not yet been trained, and the officers are still studying in Baoding, so they will not rashly come to the rescue of the king."

The young emperor was very disappointed and pointed at Ronglu, "Your Shenji Battalion and Ruijian Battalion can't protect me either?"

Ronglu bowed, "I am willing to protect Your Majesty, but if Fengtai Camp and the Nine Gates Admiral do not intervene, I am incapable of doing so—"

"Cough cough!"

Cixi coughed twice and said, "Okay, Prince Chun will take his men to Dagukou to welcome the visiting guests on behalf of the court. Everyone can go back."

Yihuan bowed and accepted the order.

After everyone left, Cixi glared at her son and said, "Emperor, it is absurd to ask about the matter of dethronement and enthronement in front of your subjects. How do you want people to answer? Li Jianfu is an honest man. He is only telling you the truth."

The little emperor spoke with a tearful tone, "Mother, what should I do? Is the bloodline of the Aisin-Gioro family going to lose the throne?"

Ci'an came over and patted the little emperor on the back to comfort him, "We have already discussed this and prepared several countermeasures."

"It is totally unacceptable for the Shao family to replace the Qing Dynasty. The Aisin-Gioro bloodline must rule the Qing Dynasty. As for the rest, it all depends on how big his appetite is."

"We would rather give up more power and interests and try our best to stop Shao Quanzhong from deposing the eldest son and enthroning the youngest son. If it is unavoidable, the emperor's life must be spared. This is our bottom line, otherwise we will be in trouble."

The little emperor suddenly realized, "So, the two mothers found Prince Su's daughter as Zai Yi's wife, in order to ensure that the Aisin-Gioro bloodline would remain in power?"

The little emperor suddenly fell to the ground and burst into tears, "My two mothers, you must stop Shao Ni. I don't want to be exiled as the Duke of Shanyang!"

Cixi pulled her son up and said, "Emperor, you are much younger than Shao Ni. Even if the worst happens, as long as he doesn't kill the emperor, we can endure and wait him out. The Qing Dynasty can still be restored. Didn't Dorgon die of being waited out?"

…………

On the second day of April in the tenth year of the Tongzhi reign, Shao Quanzhong arrived in Beijing by train.

Senior officials from Britain, France, Germany, the United States and Russia came to help him build momentum, and it would be rude to keep them waiting for a long time. Therefore, he passed by Hailing in a hurry and did not go home.

When the president, prime minister, and foreign ministers moved into the reception rooms of the Forbidden City, Shao Quanzhong also entered the Forbidden City at the same time.

There were few political incompetents like Wen Xiang and the little emperor among the high-ranking officials in the capital. They were just curious about what Shao Quanzhong would do when he returned to the capital after this expedition, and they were not worried.

At worst, the younger brother will take the throne. Even if the younger brother is not of the Jueluo clan, he still has half of the Yehe bloodline, right? The interests of the bannermen should still be intact, and the Han officials will still work and receive salaries, there will be no difference.

Only the princes, dukes, beile and beizi of the Manchu dynasty were worried. Whether the country changes or not has little to do with you, but it has a lot to do with us. Success or failure depends on this one move, and it all depends on tomorrow's results.

Tonight, the Aisin-Gioro clan is collectively sleepless.

He entered the Yangxin Palace with a familiar path. Guards were standing guard outside, and behind Shao Quanzhong was only Maria, who was urgently recruited by him to be his secretary. After all, he would soon be the host to receive distinguished guests from various countries, so he needed a personal translator.

Shao Quanzhong was in a relaxed mood. He was planning to discuss with Cixi the adjustments to the court structure after his return this time.

He "counted on his fingers" and knew that the little emperor was habitually seeking death and would not live long. He had no intention of getting rid of the little emperor and could not understand what the Aisin-Gioro family was worried about at all.

My request this time shouldn't be too much.

Shao Quanzhong privately called Cixi "Lan'er", which was her own request.

Entering the West Warm Pavilion felt like coming home. Shao Quanzhong stretched lazily and said, "Lady Lan, come and wait on your master after he returns from the expedition."

"This servant pays homage to the master!"

Huh? How could there be two voices? Shao Quanzhong looked closely and said, "Master Dong Fo, why are you here too?"

(End of this chapter)

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