Chapter 18 8. Millennium old ginseng (2)

Two fights, two failures, how could the Empress Dowager Cixi, who has always been competitive and domineering, swallow this breath?After the funeral, Empress Dowager Cixi often discussed with Li Lianying, trying to take the opportunity to remove Prince Gong from his post.But on weekdays, Prince Gong abided by the law, acted fairly, and never neglected his duties. He wanted to punish him but could not find a suitable excuse. This made the Empress Dowager Cixi and Li Lianying very anxious.It is true that "hard work pays off". In the tenth year of Guangxu, the Yunnan reimbursement case and the Sino-French war followed one after another. Finally, the Empress Dowager Cixi and Li Lianying got their wish!

Reimbursement of military expenses has always been the way to make money for the officials of the household department and the book office.When encountering such a thing, they all want to take the opportunity to make some money for themselves, and those local officials even want to take the opportunity to falsely report the accounts and make a fortune.The reimbursement case in Yunnan started at the end of the ninth year of Guangxu, and Cui Zunyi from the Liang Dao and Yuan Yingzhang from the Yongchang Prefecture were sent to Beijing with huge sums of money.Zhou Ruiqing, the chief minister of Taichang Temple, was Zhang Jing of the military aircraft, and he had a good relationship with Jing Lian, the Minister of Military Aircraft, and Wang Wenshao, who acted as Minister of Military Aircraft, so the two approached Zhou Ruiqing as soon as they arrived in Beijing, and made some arrangements. The reimbursement issue was settled smoothly.

However, all cases involving military reimbursement are handled by the department in charge of the household department, but they must be notified to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Industry, which involves a lot.Cui Zunyi and Pan Yingzhang only managed the household department, but they forgot about the two Bodhisattvas.At that time, Yan Jingming, the new official of the Household Department, was making a big move to rectify the Household Department, so someone took the opportunity to expose this matter.Since the minister of military affairs was involved, Yan Jingming hurriedly played.As the Chief Military Minister, Prince Gong was suspected of accepting bribes, of course he couldn't absolve himself of the blame.

"Prince Gong," Empress Dowager Cixi sat on a chair and said triumphantly: "Do you know about the reimbursement case in Yunnan played by Yan Jingming, the hall official of the household department?" "Report to the Empress Dowager, I have already heard about it." Empress Dowager Cixi further said: "How do you think we should deal with it?" Yixin wanted to confess for Jing and Wang, but when he heard this, he could only follow her words and replied: "The empress dowager is a sage, and important ministers are very famous. For things like this, there must be a solid evidence, and it cannot be obtained. The wind is the rain, and to slander ministers at will will never last."

"Of course, everything should be based on evidence. You should check it out, and then you can talk about it." Empress Dowager Cixi couldn't produce any evidence at this meeting, so she had to say. Let me check?In the future, you will give me a hat of favoritism?Yizhen hesitated for a while, and replied: "Queen Mother, I am the chief minister of military affairs, and this matter involves Jing Lian and Wang Wenshao, can you send another prince and minister to investigate?" "Okay. King Paichun is ready." Empress Dowager Cixi said again, "Weng Tonghe is also fair, let him ask together."

So he immediately drafted an edict and issued it, saying that "the matter is related to the imperial court system and the important officials' names and festivals. Prince Paijiu and Weng Tonghe will inquire in detail, and they will repeat it immediately if they have reliable evidence." When Li Lianying heard the news, she immediately got excited, and hurriedly told Li Sanshun: "San Shun, hurry up and invite Master Sun." "Master Sun" refers to Sun Yuwen, the left servant of the Ministry of Industry.His name is Laishan, and he was born in Jining Prefecture (now Jining City), Shandong.He is the grandson of Sun Yuma, a scholar of Tiren Pavilion in the Daoguang Dynasty, and the son of Sun Ruizhen, the Minister of the Household Department of the Xianfeng Dynasty.For eight years, Ding's father was worried, and he was rewarded with the title of servant.During Sun Yuwen's residency, he set up regiment training to suppress the Nian Army uprising, and was later impeached by Seng Gelinmi for resisting donations.At that time, Prince Gong Yi was in charge of the government, and he was dismissed from his post because he "received the grace of the country and was the first to resist donations, which he deeply hated".Therefore, he hated Yi Xin deeply.Later, by defecting to Prince Chun and currying favor with Li Lianying, he was gradually employed again.Li Lianying wanted to accomplish something good this time, so she naturally approached him.

When Sun Yuwen heard Li Lianying calling him, he hurriedly took three steps in two, and ran over and said: "The general manager is doing well these days, I don't know what's the matter with calling the next officer?" Li Lianying smiled and said, "Master Sun, why are you so confused lately, do you know about the reimbursement case in Yunnan?" The second monk Sun Yuwen Zhang couldn't figure it out, and asked wonderingly: "I've heard something about it, what's the point?" "You!" Li Lianying pointed at him and said, "This is a good opportunity for promotion, don't you want to?"

"How to say?" Sun Yuwen still didn't understand. "Recently, Prince Gong favors the monopoly and despises the Empress Dowager. I heard that Prince Gong, Bao Yun and others were all bribed for the reimbursement in Yunnan. You are an important minister of the court, how can you stand by and watch? Still don't understand? " Li Lianying said mysteriously. Sun Yuwen suddenly realized, and shouted: "Understood, understood! Manager Xie reminded me, I'll go back and do it now, I'll go back and do it now!" Saying this, he turned and hurried away. When he got home, he took out his pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and Sun Yuwen hurried away.Mrs. Sun saw him in such a hurry, she couldn't help asking: "Master, what's the matter, you don't even care about food?"

"A good thing, a big good thing!" Sun Yuwen couldn't hold back the joy in his heart, and said excitedly: "It's fortunate that Director Li reminded me, otherwise I really ignored it." "What's the matter?" "Prince Gong is now relying on his power and despising the court. The Queen Mother is extremely dissatisfied. Jing Lian and Wang Wenshao are suspected of accepting bribes in the Yunnan reimbursement case. He is in charge of the Military Aircraft Department. How can he not be responsible? I take this opportunity to read his book, what do you think will happen?" After finishing speaking Sun Yuwen couldn't help laughing out loud.

"My lord, it's just rumors now, and there is no conclusive evidence. You must be cautious." "Stop talking!" Sun Yuwen waved his hands impatiently, and said, "It's really a woman's opinion, I'll use it if I have solid evidence! Get out, get out!" Early the next morning, Sun Yuwen's brochure was in the hands of Empress Dowager Cixi, holding the brochure, Empress Dowager Cixi smiled knowingly.Just at this time, the reimbursement case had already begun. Although Jing Lian and Wang Wenshao did not actually accept bribes, they were responsible for neglecting their duties.Isn't this a great opportunity?Li Lianying, who was standing on the side, couldn't help but said: "Lafayette, I think it's time to move him." Empress Dowager Cixi looked at Li Lianying, nodded with a smile, and said, "Go, let Prince Gong enter the palace."

Hearing that the Empress Dowager Cixi summoned him, Prince Gong understood that a catastrophe was about to befall him. He had traveled countless times to enter the palace, but this time, it seemed so long... "Prince Chen Gong, Yixin, pays homage to Empress Dowager Sheng'an." Seeing Prince Gong kneeling in front of her, the Empress Dowager Cixi smiled triumphantly and said, "Prince Gong, you must know about the reimbursement case in Yunnan. How do you think about it?" booklet. "I have nothing to say, I will let the Queen Mother decide everything." I'm sorry you didn't say anything!How can you be so obedient without grabbing your handle?Empress Dowager Cixi sneered twice, and said: "In this case, according to the proposal of the Ministry of Officials, Jing Lian and Wang Wenshao will be downgraded to two levels, and they will not be offset. As for you..." Hearing this, Prince Gong's heart couldn't help but tense, and he said quickly: "The minister is negligent in his duties, please be careful with the Queen Mother!" "The two of them have neglected their duties, so we can't say that you are not responsible." The Empress Dowager Cixi paused, and then said: "But there is no need to deal with serious matters. Be more cautious in handling things in the future. Remember, don't make any mistakes again!" After hearing this, Prince Gong couldn't help being stunned. Could it be that this is the end?At this moment, Empress Dowager Cixi said again: "Okay, you can go down." Not only Prince Gong was puzzled, but even Li Lianying, who was good at guessing Empress Dowager Cixi's thoughts, was also dumbfounded. Could all my painstaking efforts be in vain?As soon as Prince Gong left, he couldn't wait to ask: "Lafayette, you are..., can this be the case?" I saw the Empress Dowager Cixi sneered and said: "It's not the time yet! Don't even think about it, Prince Gong is not an ordinary person, he is an important minister of the court, how can he be spared because of such a small matter? If so, not only will he not be able to fulfill his wish, but it will attract more people. More criticism. Give him some color now, let's talk about it later." "Lafayette, you are really a female Zhuge! It's just hard to say whether there will be a chance in the future." "Why are you so stupid, the situation is tense now, why don't you have a chance?" After listening to the words of Empress Dowager Cixi, Li Lianying really admired her.That's right, the situation with France is tense now, so are you afraid that you won't have a chance?Why am I so confused. For thousands of years, a Chinese cultural circle has been formed around China.The countries and regions in the circle accept the influence of Chinese culture to varying degrees, and politically accept the leadership, protection and support of the central government of China.Among them, Vietnam is an important part of this cultural circle, and has a "lip and tooth" relationship with China.Vietnam was officially enshrined by the Qing Dynasty in the 18th year of Shunzhi, when it recognized Li Weiqi, who claimed to be king in September of the previous year, as "King Annan".In the ninth year of Jiaqing, Annan was changed to Vietnam, the king Nguyen Fuying, and the reign name was Jialong. France's invasion of Vietnam can be said to have been planned for a long time. As early as the seventeenth century, French King Louis XVI formulated a "French Oriental" aimed at turning Vietnam into a colony based on the suggestion of the French bishop Patrol who was preaching in Saigon. Empire" plan.When Nguyen Phuc Anh was unifying Vietnam, he entrusted Catholic priests to ask for assistance from France, and signed a treaty with King Louis XVI, wishing to cut the land as a reward. After the French aid did not arrive, it is said that the treaty was of course invalid, but the tentacles of France's aggression have since then extended into Vietnam. In the 1850s, shortly after France and Britain launched the Second Opium War together, they used the pretext that their missionaries were killed in Vietnam, captured cities and plundered land in Vietnam, and forced Vietnam to sign the "Treaty of Saigon" in the summer of the first year of Tongzhi ( The first Saigon Treaty), in addition to paying reparations, Vietnam also promised not to cede any part of its territory to any country other than France.After that, France gradually occupied the whole of Nanqi, and since the 1970s, it has extended its claws of aggression to Beiqi, in an attempt to open the door to Southwest China, first of all, Yunnan and Guangxi. In the twelfth year of Tongzhi, France sent troops to attack Hanoi and its surrounding areas. The Vietnamese king urgently asked for help from Liu Yongfu's "Black Banner Army" stationed in the Baosheng area on the Sino-Vietnamese border.Liu Yongfu immediately led his troops to Hanoi. After fierce fighting, hundreds of enemies were wiped out, and the leader of the French army, An Ye, was killed.But under such circumstances, the cowardly Vietnamese government signed a treaty of peace and alliance with France in Saigon at the end of the first month of the thirteenth year of Tongzhi for fear that France would retaliate. The main content is: France recognizes Vietnam as an independent country, Vietnam France's right of protection is recognized; Vietnam's foreign affairs are supervised by France and shall not have affiliation with other countries, etc.Vietnam is a vassal state of China. In the long history, the relationship between China and Vietnam has been extremely close.While this treaty recognized Vietnam as a completely "independent" country, its essence was to virtually negate the traditional suzerain-vassal relationship between China and Vietnam.However, because of the Taiwan Fanshe incident, the Qing government had no time to take care of it when negotiations with Japan were under pressure. It only issued a secret decree to Guangxi governor Liu Changyou to "stick to the border". After the signing of the second Treaty of Saigon, France temporarily gave up its further aggression against Vietnam because the Franco-Prussian War had just ended and its vitality was severely damaged. Launch a war of aggression against Vietnam.In March of the eighth year of Guangxu, the French Governor in Saigon and Colonel Li Weili led a team of 450 people to capture Hanoi again.In March of the ninth year of Guangxu, Nanding was invaded again.As the suzerain of Vietnam, the Qing Dynasty gradually paid attention to the development of the war situation and made military deployments due to appeals from various quarters: Zeng Guoji, the leader of the Hunan Army, acted as the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi; Cen Yuying supervised Yunnan; Tang Jiong served as the governor of Yunnan; at the same time, Li Hongzhang was not allowed to return to his hometown to serve three years of mourning, but was only allowed to return to Tianjin for a 100-day leave to be stationed. And secretly sent Tang Jingsong to the south to contact Liu Yongfu's Black Banner Army and make it available to the court. It was during this period that the reimbursement case in Yunnan started. Although Prince Gong Yixin, the chief minister of military aircraft, was not severely punished, after this setback, he became timid and completely lost the ability he had in the past.He understood that the Empress Dowager Cixi was trying to get her, so he was afraid that if the battle went unfavorable, he would be caught. Therefore, he always respected Li Hongzhang's opinion on the invasion of France. In May of the ninth year of Guangxu.The Black Banner Army and the Vietnamese people fought fiercely for more than three hours at the Paper Bridge in the west of Hanoi City, killing the French commander Li Weili, and achieved a great victory at the Paper Bridge that shocked the world.When the news came, the whole country was boiling.For a while, the talk of the main battle was raging, and the Empress Dowager Cixi was even more elated, and hurriedly summoned Prince Gong. "My lord, Liu Yongfu won a big victory at Zhiqiao, do you know?" Empress Dowager Cixi said excitedly. "Your Majesty found out, it's really gratifying to congratulate." "Over the past few years, Britain, France, Russia, Japan and other countries have repeatedly violated the dignity of our celestial dynasty. This can be regarded as a lesson for them, letting them know that our Qing Empire is not weak and bully." "Yes." Prince Gong said calmly. The Empress Dowager Cixi went on to say: "Your Majesty, now Liu Yongfu can be used; Cen Yuying, Tang Jiong and others all say they can fight; the telegram sent back by Zeng Jize also said that it is not appropriate to make concessions to the French; in addition, Vietnam's heart is towards our Qing Dynasty. , isn't it all like fighting? What do you think?" "We can't fight!" When Prince Gong heard that war with France was about to start, he hurriedly said, "Empress Dowager Shengming, these are all rumors from outside! To say that the French army can't defeat Liu Yongfu is to take France too lightly, Liu Yongfu took it too seriously. As for Cen Yuying, he didn't know what to do when he first took office. Tang Jiong was even more of a fool. I heard that he thought the water in Vietnam was not good, so he sent a post-horse to transport water from Yunnan. Like this How can a man fight a war?" "It's a bit exaggerated." Hearing what Prince Gong said, the Empress Dowager Cixi said unhappily, "You have discussed these people before, so why can't they be used now? Go down and have a closer look with Bao Yun and the others." Let's do some research." Since the Opium War, China has been repeatedly invaded by foreign countries. As the supreme ruler of the Qing Empire, how could the Empress Dowager Cixi be reconciled?There is no brilliance on the face like this!When she heard that Liu Yongfu had won a big victory in Vietnam, she couldn't help thinking of fighting.She wanted to discuss it with Prince Gong, but who would have thought that she would get such a result, as soon as Prince Gong left, she would become sullen.Seeing this, Li Lianying hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Lafayette, don't you understand? Prince Gong is afraid that if the battle goes bad, it will be bad for him." After hearing Li Lianying's words, the Empress Dowager Cixi seemed to understand, and said with a sneer, "He thinks beautifully, there is nothing so cheap!" "Lafayette, the slave has an idea, I don't know..." "Say it!" "Lafayette", Li Lianying said proudly: "I think if he is like this, why don't you send someone close to you to participate in the planning, so that your old wish can be fulfilled, and secondly, it's better to avoid him in the future." take over." That's right, why don't I send someone to participate in the planning? If there is merit, it is his, and if there is fault, it will be pushed to him, Prince Gong.But who to send?Empress Dowager Cixi couldn't help but feel worried again. "Lafayette, I think Prince Chun is quite suitable, what do you think?" At this moment, Li Lianying spoke again. Prince Chun, Yizhen, is the seventh son of Emperor Daoguang. Since his son Zaiyun became emperor, he has been practicing at home to avoid suspicion.His Fujin is the younger sister of the Empress Dowager Cixi, and he is usually obedient to the Empress Dowager Cixi, so Li Lianying thought of him at this time.Empress Dowager Cixi was naturally satisfied when she heard this, and immediately issued an order to Prince Chun to participate in the planning of Fayue affairs. Just when Prince Chun participated in the planning of the French-Vietnamese incident, the situation changed suddenly.After the French were hit hard by the Black Banner Army, they became angry from embarrassment, so they split into two groups. One was led by Porter to attack the Black Banner Army, and the other was led by the commanders of the navy, Guba and He Luoman, to attack Hue, the capital of Vietnam.The French army on the North Route failed to succeed due to the heroic resistance of the Black Banner Army; however, they succeeded on the South Route. Guba's fleet blocked the seaports of Vietnam and broke through the Shun'an Fort.Just at this time, the political situation in Vietnam underwent a major change. The "Emperor of Duc" Nguyen Phuc Anh died of illness and had no sons. When the strong enemy pressed the border, the dynasty not only did not work together to resist foreign aggression, but fought for power with each other, causing internal strife, which allowed France to take advantage of it. .In August, the newly established king Nguyen Phuc Thang begged for surrender and signed the 27-article "French-Vietnamese New Peace Treaty" (the first Hue Treaty) with France. Vietnam declared itself a protectorate of France and announced its separation from the suzerainty of the Qing government. relation.After the Vietnamese rulers surrendered, the French invaders will occupy North Vietnam, destroy and expel the Black Banner Army and the Qing Army there, and then invade the southwestern border of our country as the next military target. The frontal conflict between China and France is inevitable. up. This great change put the Qing government in an extremely disadvantageous position both diplomatically and militarily.Prince Gong Yixin also fell into deep contradictions.To be honest, he doesn't want to fight, because once the war starts, he will bear all the responsibilities.But he is a descendant of the Aixinjueluo family, how could he bear to see the foundation created by his ancestors destroyed like this?Think about it or the overall situation.How can war be fought?How can those troops on the front line resist the attack of the French army? "My lord, I don't think it's better than this." Upon seeing this, Bao Jun said, "The diplomatic route has not been completely cut off. How about negotiating with the law on the one hand, and on the other hand hurrying up to adjust the deployment and prepare for the battle. Do you think it's okay?" Prince Gong pondered for a long time, then nodded, and immediately entered the palace. "Prince Gong," said Empress Dowager Cixi, sitting on a chair with a gloomy face, "what do you think we should do now?" Prince Gong replied cautiously: "Queen Mother, I think that now we should negotiate with the French and step up military deployment to meet the French enemy." The Empress Dowager Cixi only wanted to go to war as soon as possible, and when she heard this, she couldn't help shouting: "Every time you were negotiating, but what was the result of the negotiation? Now you are fighting in other people's place, and it seems that you don't care much about winning or losing. What should you say if they are forced to come to our country?" "The empress dowager calmed down, and the minister was not completely at ease in the negotiations, so he advocated stepping up the deployment of troops while negotiating." "Negotiation, negotiation! What else would you say other than negotiation?" After hearing this, Prince Gong couldn't bear it anymore, and said: "The Queen Mother misunderstood what I mean. Don't you know that it is a good thing to win the battle and make a big show of prestige? It's just that our army's frontline troops are too weak. Gain time and be fully prepared!" "Don't talk about it! Cen Yuying is quite capable of fighting; Tang Jiong has always been brave, and Xu Yanxu can also lead the army. Together with Liu Yongfu, he should be able to win the battle. Pass my will and order Li Hongzhang to make the Sino-French-Vietnamese affairs public to the world. Announce that due to The French army has already attacked first, so we, the Qing Dynasty, had no choice but to fight." "Empress Dowager, minister..." Before he could finish speaking, the Empress Dowager Cixi had already spoken: "Back off!" Seeing this situation, Prince Gong, who was still not satisfied, had to retreat silently.Back at the military plane, Bao Yun quickly took a cup of tea and asked, "My lord, how is the situation?" "What the Queen Mother means, let's fight now!" "The troops on the front line are so weak, how can we take the risk? At least we have to wait until the soldiers arrive..." "Don't talk about it, why don't I want to? But what can I do? Hurry up and find Prince Chun and discuss the deployment." At present, the Military Aircraft Department adjusts the deployment: Li Hongzhang is ordered to deploy Jin defense to consolidate the capital; Zuo Zongtang is in charge of Jiang defense, in case the French fleet invades from the Yangtze River; Wang Debang is ordered to lead the recruited new army to go out to resist the French, and soon the governor of Guangxi will be sent Xu Yanxu went out of Nanguan to assist Liu Yongfu, and ordered Tang Jingsong to encourage Liu Yongfu to attack Hanoi. The Empress Dowager Cixi wanted to win the battle with all her heart, but how did she know that the troops on the front line were weak, and the only army that was left was that the generals were suspicious of each other.Knowing that the Qing government was preparing to fight, the French army hurriedly stepped up their attack on North Vietnam.At the end of Guangxu Ninth Year, Gu Ba led 6,000 invading troops to attack Shanxi in two ways. The defender Tang Jiong fled after hearing the news, and Liu Yongfu's Black Banner Army stood on his behalf. The army was forced to withdraw after five days of fierce fighting, and Shanxi fell.In January of the tenth year of Guangxu, Mi Le, who succeeded Guba as commander in chief, took advantage of the victory and led his army to invade Beining. Xu Yanxu, who was stationed there, had 5,000 troops, but fled without fighting, so that the French army easily occupied Beining in February.Shanxi and Beining are strategically important places in Beiqi.The situation is dangerous and has always been a battleground for military strategists. The fall of the two places has completely exposed Yunnan and Guangxi to the French army. The news of the fall of Shanxi and Beining shocked the Qing court.All of a sudden, there was a lot of talk, and people were held accountable for the defeat.Under the autocratic system, all credit goes to the top, and all mistakes go to the bottom. The responsibility for passing on for others naturally falls on the military minister who strategized. On the night of the eighth day of March in the tenth year of Guangxu, Chuxiu Palace was silent.Although it was not fifteen, the moon was extraordinarily bright, and the bright moonlight spilled into the house through the windows, making the house look like daytime.At this moment, Empress Dowager Cixi is lying leisurely on the bed, staring at the crooked moon in the sky. "Lafayette," at this moment, Li Lianying came in with a booklet, and said with a happy face, "the daily life commentary official Zuo Shuzi has something to play." "let's talk tomorrow." Li Lianying smiled secretly and said, "Lafayette, this matter is no small matter. I heard that Prince Gong..." Upon hearing the words "Prince Gong", the Empress Dowager Cixi couldn't help sitting up, and hurriedly said: "Read it quickly and let me hear it." Just listen to Li Lianying read: "Sheng Yu, the concubine of the minister Zuo, knelt down and played for the corruption of the border affairs. He is responsible for the corruption. Please ask the Minister of Military Affairs to strictly discuss and deal with it. He will order you to commit crimes and make meritorious deeds, and try to remedy the matter with Zhengang discipline.... Prince Gong , Bao Junjiu Zhishuyan, and many more things, not ignorant of people's understanding, different from Jing Lian and Weng Tonghe's talents and understanding of the world, but also looking up and wandering, laughing and laughing at success or failure, the culprit is actually the same as Li Hongzao. However, this is still the same Those who have heard about it.... The minister and other counselors and cardinals, my empress dowager and the emperor entrusted them with the handle of employing people and administering them. They obeyed what they said. It has been more than 20 years in the distance, and it has been more than ten years in the near future. The daily order, why is there such a shortage of talents, that is, there is no Vietnam matter, and it should be dealt with seriously. The situation has been corrupted before, and it is even more deceitful and blamed later?...The only thing is to ask for an edict, the generals, the ministers, and the indiscriminate security bandits Zhang Peilun, who was a man, was handed over to the Ministry for strict discussion and punishment, and ordered to take the blame and seek meritorious service, seriously reform, cover up his old habits, and get rid of them all..." After listening to Sheng Yu's memorial, Empress Dowager Cixi sat on the bed, thinking for a long time. "Lafayette, this is an excellent opportunity!" Seeing that the Empress Dowager Cixi had not spoken for a long time, Li Lianying couldn't help but say something. "Understood, you go out." what is going on?Li Lianying really couldn't figure it out, so when she returned to the house, she hurriedly called her apprentice Li Sanshun, and told her what happened just now.Li Sanshun shook his head for a while, and said, "Master, I think Lafayette may have concerns." "Quickly tell me, what are you worried about?" Li Lianying asked hastily. "One is because the fire is not ready, so you can't touch Prince Gong; the other is because you are afraid that Prince Chun will not support you. But Tuer thinks the latter is more likely." "Since this is the case, you will leave the palace early tomorrow morning to find Master Sun. Remember, let him come quickly!" Early the next morning, Sun Yuwen followed Li Sanshun into the palace. "Boss, I don't know what's the important thing to call for the officer so early." Sun Yuwen asked puzzled. "San Shun, go outside and keep an eye on it." After Li Sanshun left the house, Li Lianying continued, "Master Sun, Lafayette wants to reorganize the Military Aircraft Department, but I don't know what Prince Chun wants, so I asked you to come and want you to go first." Let Prince Chun breathe. If this matter is done, you can..." Sun Yu hurriedly asked: "I don't know how the queen mother plans to change?" "The whole class will be withdrawn! Go and do it quickly. At noon, Lafayette will give a memorial ceremony at the Princess Palace of Xingshouzhuang. I think he may be summoned." The shore of Taiping Lake in Xuanwumen is extraordinarily quiet.The lotus in the lake is in full bloom, and the willows are heavy by the lake.On the east bank of the lake, there are green trees, ancient pines and cypresses, and thick Chinese locust trees, which shade the prestigious Prince Chun's Mansion.After it was too early, Prince Chun came to the garden and played with his flowers.Since his second son took over the throne, he has been idle at home. Although he was sent by the Empress Dowager Cixi to participate in the planning of Fayue affairs, most of the military ministers were promoted by Prince Gong, and they seldom discussed with him, so they still had nothing to do. "My lord, the late Sun Yuwen pays my respects to you." Prince Chun turned his face to look.He said, "Lai Shan, what's the matter with coming here so early?" "Wansheng just came out of the palace." Having said that, Sun Yuwen looked around, and seeing no one, Fang went on to say: "I heard from Director Li that the Queen Mother intends to withdraw all the generals and ministers, but I don't know the prince." What's your opinion?" "You mean the entire squad of military planes will be completely withdrawn?" Although Prince Jin was dissatisfied with Yizheng and wanted to replace him, he was still surprised when he heard Sun Yuwen's words, and said, "Since the establishment of the Military Plane Department in the seventh year of Yongzheng, there has been no such success." Example!" "My lord, it's up to others, and I have to take care of Liu Ye's face." "How do you say that?" Prince Chun asked puzzledly. "My lord, only if the whole class is withdrawn, and it's regarded as a slander for the sixth master, he will look better." "That's true, let's go to the room and discuss it in detail." After finishing speaking, the two went to Shiyuan's Xiangzhai and discussed behind closed doors. Princess Shouzhuang is the younger sister of the same mother of King Chun, and she is also known as "Nine Princesses".She married in the second year of Tongzhi, and became a widow fourteen months later.This is the marriage Empress Dowager Cixi refers to, and she can't help but feel apologetic.And because she is the younger sister of Prince Jin, Princess Heshuo was granted the title of Princess Gulun, and she was bestowed with an apricot-yellow sedan chair.But these didn't make up for Princess Nine's lovesickness, and she finally fell ill and died a month ago.On this day, the golden coffins of the nine princesses will be moved to the cemetery, and Empress Dowager Cixi will come to drink in person. Since the Empress Dowager Cixi came to liberate in person, all the princes and ministers rushed to the Ninth Princess Mansion early, except Prince Gong who was sent to Puxiang Valley in Dongling to preside over the third anniversary ceremony of the Empress Dowager Ci'an. At noon, Empress Dowager Cixi arrived.The princes and ministers stood across the class and waited for the division to salute. Unexpectedly, Li Lianying passed on the edict: no need to go in and see each other, just go away.Everyone couldn't help but wonder.How did they know that in the main hall of the Ninth Princess Mansion, a conspiracy that could shock the government and the public is going on at this moment... "Prince Jin," Empress Dowager Cixi took out Sheng Yu's booklet, handed it to Prince Jin, and said, "Look, how can we make them take their sins and seek meritorious service?" "Sheng Yu's words are exactly what I have in mind. But I thought it would be very difficult to force them to pay for their crimes. Empress Dowager Shengming, when these people are in their prime, they can't contribute to the court; when they are old, what hope can they have?" ?" "Then what do you mean?" "I think the whole class should be withdrawn." "Isn't that appropriate?" Empress Dowager Cixi asked deliberately. "Empress Dowager, I feel that only in this way can our dynasty become stronger again and better resist foreign aggression." After hearing Prince Jin's words, the Empress Dowager Cixi's uneasy heart finally calmed down, and she pretended to be calm and said: "I will keep this note first, you can think about it carefully, and then write a note and submit it." "The minister obeys the order." Back in the palace, the Empress Dowager Cixi lay happily on the bed, feeling extremely comfortable.Prince Gong, Prince Gong, this is what will happen when you oppose me!What else are you fussing about now?Thinking about it, a smug smile appeared on his face. Li Lianying knelt on the ground, holding the waterpipe in both hands, and complimented quickly upon seeing this: "Lafayette, from now on, everything will be decided by you alone!" "You also put in a lot of effort, I know that, I can't lose you." Empress Dowager Cixi said with a smile. Hearing this, Li Lianying couldn't help being overjoyed, and hurriedly said: "What did Lafayette say? Isn't this what slaves should do?" Suddenly, the Empress Dowager Cixi thought of something and asked, "Lianying, who do you think should be sent to the military aircraft department this time?" "Lafayette, I dare not say it." Although Li Lianying had done a lot of things behind the scenes, she still did not dare to act presumptuously in front of the Empress Dowager Cixi, so she said. "Although speaking, no one dares to touch a hair of your hair, don't worry." At this time, I saw Li Lianying say: "Lafayette, I take it for granted that I should send someone I like. For example, Prince Chun... Prince Chun is good, but since the establishment of the Military Aircraft Office in this dynasty, there have been no kings walking in the Military Aircraft Office.Prince Gong's counselor, Mi Hu, is only an expedient measure.If you send Chun Wang to go now, I'm afraid that the words will not work. "Then what about Prince Li? He's quite honest, and he shouldn't cause you any trouble. And that Sun Yuwen, I think it's quite suitable." "Well, these two people are really good, you will tell Prince Jin about this later, and see if he has any opinions?" With Li Lianying and Sun Yuwen's careful planning and Prince Chun's full support, everything went smoothly as Empress Dowager Cixi wished.On March 13th, the Empress Dowager Cixi did not summon the Minister of Military Aircraft as usual, but only summoned Zhang Jing, the foreman of the Military Aircraft, to draft an order according to her opinion, and Zhu Shu granted: Instruction to the Cabinet: Empress Dowager Cixi Duanyou Kangyi Zhaoyu Zhuangcheng's decree: The current value of the country's vitality is not full, the times are still difficult, the government is in trouble, the people are not in peace, internal and external affairs must be handled by others.However, the outside of the military aircraft is actually the hub of internal and external employment administration. Prince Gong Yixin, etc., were first cautious about Kuangbi, and then entrusted with snakes to protect glory.Every time the imperial court raises its intention to seek governance, insists on preconceived ideas, refuses to implement it with strength, and those who speak repeatedly, either block their eyes, impeach them for their failure, or say that they are not orderly, or that they are ignorant of people who know them.The family law of this dynasty is very strict. If it is said that it is like the previous generation's theft of power and disorderly government, it is not only dared not because of the intention, but also prohibited by the law.It is not easy to make mistakes with the above few points. If you don't change the picture and focus on appeasement, why do you look up to the great heroes of the deputy saints?In the future, the emperor will be in charge personally, and will he be able to achieve perfection?If it is announced one by one according to the bullets, it will not be possible to review relatives and nobles, and it will not be possible to change the old age. How can the lenient government of the court bear it?With this in mind, it is good and useful.Yixin, Prince Gong, and Baojun, a scholar, have been in the court for the longest time, and the reprimands should be severe. Gu Nian is sick and old, so I specially record their previous work.All its origins.Yi said that Jiaen left the hereditary prince in place of the prince, rewarded the prince's full salary, and dismissed all errands, and withdrew the double salary of Enjia, and took care of his illness at home; ... On the same day, a decree was issued: "Written by Prince Li Shiduo, there is no need to learn from the former ministers, and there is no need to lead a leopard-tailed gun. The ministers of the household department, Erlehebu, Yan Jingming, and the ministers of punishment, Zhang Zhiwan, all wrote on the military aircraft. The minister walks on it. Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Sun Yuwen, learns to walk on the minister of military aircraft." When Yi's decree came out, the court was stunned.Prince Gong Yixin has been in the Military Aircraft Department for more than 20 years since the 11th year of Xianfeng. In people's impression, even if he has no credit, he has worked hard.Sheng Yu was even more unexpected, and at the same time he was extremely regretful.Because comparing the two, the new military aircraft department is far inferior to the old military aircraft department.Prince Li Shiduo is cowardly and incompetent, and has no opinion when dealing with things; Erle and Bu Nana are reticent and are ridiculed as "dumb people"; "; Sun Yuwen is even more of a sycophant, only Yan Jingming was enlisted in the military because he was appreciated by the Empress Dowager Cixi for his good financial management.Such a change, isn't it "Yi Zhongshu is produced with a scorpion, and Bupleurum is used instead of Lufu"? The garden of Shengyu Garden is quiet and elegant, especially the peonies.It's spring, and it's opening up.Because the host has always been elegant and hospitable, every year at this time in the past, it was extraordinarily lively and crowded.However, this day was exceptionally quiet. In the garden, Sheng Yu, who was full of worries, was drinking alone, sighing once or twice from time to time. "Master," Mrs. Sheng came over in a hurry, and said, "Why are you still drinking here! Don't you know that something big has happened? The military plane department has been withdrawn by the whole class!" After hearing Madam's words, Sheng Yu sighed, "I already know." "What the hell is going on here?" "I wrote a scripture to the Queen Mother, accusing the Military Aircraft Department of ineffectiveness..." Before he could finish speaking, Mrs. Sheng had already opened her mouth: "What? You wrote the book? Why are you so confused! "I'm kind too! I'm an aristocrat, how can I have the heart to see the foundation created by my ancestors destroyed?" Sheng Yu wiped his eyes, sighed, and then said: "Oh, I, Sheng Yu, have been conceited all my life, but I never thought I would end up doing that." How can I meet my ancestors in the future!" "Whose tool did you make?" Mrs. Sheng asked in surprise. "Queen Mother! I just figured it out now. The Queen Mother and Prince Jin have planned to get rid of Prince Gong long ago. They just want to treat the relatives and nobles of the country in chaos. It should be a gift; I can't say that Prince Gong should not be in charge of the country. It happens to be me." Excuse, let them grasp a topic!" "Hey, what's the use of saying this? You'd better go to the prince's mansion to explain, he is very kind to us, but you..." "What face do I have to meet his old man?" Sheng Yu sighed. "My lord, you'd better go there! You feel bad, have you ever thought that his old man is more uncomfortable than you at this moment!" Under the repeated urging of his wife, Sheng Yu finally plucked up the courage, put on a plain black cloth jacket, and went out to Prince Gong's mansion to apologize. As soon as he walked to Jianyuan in Daxiangfeng Hutong, Sheng Yu's heart beat faster. He is the seventh grandson of Prince Su Hauge in the early Qing Dynasty, and he is considered to be the nephew of Prince Gong Yixin, so he often visits Prince Gong's mansion on weekdays, and he is very familiar with everything about it.But this time, when he saw the words "Prince Gong's Mansion" on the forehead, he felt a lot strange. Standing in front of the mansion, he stood there for a long time... "Hey, Uncle Sheng is here! The lord is receiving guests, and it will take more than half an hour before he can leave. You can sit in the small living room first." Seeing Sheng Yu at the door, he hurriedly greeted him. The small living room is a place where Prince Gong only chats with acquaintances, few people can get here.Now hearing what the servant said, Sheng Yu felt a little more at ease, but felt even more ashamed.Sitting alone on a chair, looking out of the window, the spring is beautiful outside the window, and a few swallows are playing on the tree, how beautiful it all is!然而此时的他哪有心思领略，他在思索着呆会该如何面对恭王爷…… 也不知过了多久，忽听得一声"王爷到！"盛昱急忙定过神，抢上两步，出门迎候。 "六叔，侄儿给您请安了！" "你来了好长时间了吧？"恭亲王一面问，一面进了屋子。 "侄儿刚到一会。"盛昱答应着，急忙跟了进去。 到了屋内，恭亲王就在窗前一张坐惯了的藤椅上坐了下来，看他的神色，依旧是那么平和，仿佛什么事也未发生过一般。可愈是这样，盛昱的心里愈是不好受，只见他扑通一声跪倒在恭亲王面前，哽咽着说道： "六叔！侄儿对不起您老人家，求您老人家原谅。" "言重，言重！快快起来，这是做什么？"说着恭亲王上前扶起盛昱。 "六叔，我心里好难受。我后悔自己竟做下这等对不起列祖列宗的事！" 听到这话，恭亲王的脸色沉重了："不要说了！"他的声音带着点嘶哑，"我在军机处总署二十多年了，国事如此，自然难辞其咎。" "六叔，我……" 没等他话说完，恭亲王已微笑着说道："好了，不要再难过了。我早知有今日了。自慈安皇太后大丧后，我已防着此着。忽忽间已有三年之久，还算慈恩高厚。谕旨责我委蛇保荣，我也承认。我若不是这般做法，恐怕早已有今日之结局了。" "话虽如此，侄儿亦太苛刻了些。"盛昱双目含泪地说： "激出今日之局面，实在意想不到赎愆补过，责无旁贷，我一定还要上折子！" "不必！"恭亲王正色劝道，"现在时事多艰，交涉日亟，你只要竭忠报国就可以了，不要再枉费心力于这无益之事了。" "六叔！"盛昱固执地说，"我一定要试一试！" 回到家中，盛昱连浇花喂鸟的常课都顾不得，径直奔书房，铺开纸笔。构思久久，方落笔写道： 为获谴重臣，未宜置身事外，请量加任使，严予责成，以裨时难，恭折仰祈圣鉴事：……惟是该王等既以军国重事，贻误于前，若令其投老田园，优游散局，转遂其逸之念，适成其诱卸之心，殊不足以示罚。方今越南正有军事，筹响征兵，该王等于档案尚为谙练，若概易生手，圣躬既恐烦劳，庶务或虞丛脞。况疆事方殷而朝局骤变，他族逼处，更虑有以测我之深浅，于目前大局殊有关系。……恭亲王才力聪明，举朝无出其右，只以沾染习气，不能自振。李鸿藻昧于知人，勒于料事，唯其愚忠不无可取。国步阽危，人才难得。若廷臣中尚有胜于该二臣者，奴才断不敢妄行渎奏。唯是以礼亲王与恭亲王相较，以张之万与李鸿藻较，则弗如远甚。奴才前劾章请严责成，而不敢轻言罢斥，实此之故。可否请旨饬令恭亲王与李鸿藻仍在军机上行走，责令戴罪图功，洗心涤虑，将从前过错，认真改悔。如再不能振作，即当立予诛戮，不止罢斥，如此则责成既专，或可收使过之效，于大局不为无益。奴才愚昧之见，恭折沥陈，不胜战栗待命之至！ 细细读来，措词不可谓不巧，但盛昱却忽视了一个事实： 慈禧太后既已处心积虑地要免掉恭亲王，又怎肯收回成命呢？ 阳春三月，御花园内百花争艳。由于除掉了恭亲王这块心病，慈禧太后心情格外的舒畅，真是人逢喜事精神爽！这日午膳后，慈禧太后也不歇觉了，带着李莲英便去了御花园。 看着那满园春色，慈禧太后忍不住深深吸了几口那新鲜的空气，说道："莲英，今天这园子怎这么好看？" "老佛爷，这园子每日都好看，只是因为您心情好，所以……" "噢！"慈禧太后仿佛恍然大悟，"莲英，你这嘴可真是越来越巧啦。" 李莲英急忙答道！"奴才不敢，奴才只是实话实说。"忽然间，李莲英像发现了新大陆似的惊喜地喊："老佛爷，快看，那朵牡丹花开得多艳丽！" 慈禧太后顺着李莲英的手指望去，忍不住哈哈大笑，"你呀，来了也不是一次两次，怎么连牡丹花、海棠花都分不清？ 你再仔细瞧瞧。 " 李莲英登时弄了个大红脸，急忙答道："还是老佛爷您见多识广，奴才怎敢与老佛爷您相比。" 就在这时，李三顺急匆匆地走来，方解了李莲英的窘境。 "老佛爷，折子！"李三顺兴冲冲地说道。 "折子，折子！你就不能让我歇歇？" "这又是那个盛大人上的，奴才想上次他上折子时老佛爷您……，所以就赶紧送来。" 一听盛昱的折子，慈禧太后来了兴趣，谁知一看竟是让自己收回成命，重新任用恭亲王，脸顿时沉了下来。 李三顺见状顿时慌了，本想能得慈禧太后夸奖几句，谁知偷鸡不成反蚀把米，急忙向李莲英递眼色。 "老佛爷，不知……"。李莲英小心地问道。 慈禧太后递过折子，说道："你看看，话都让他说完了，又想让我启用恭王爷，想的倒是挺美的。 李莲英接过折子一看，顿时被那"即当立予诛戮，不止罢斥"吸引住了，灵机一动，说道："老佛爷，奴才想这话还有些道理，不如就按他所说，再让恭王爷干，一旦事坏，不就可以把他……" "别说了！"慈禧太后听了他的话，大怒，"你脑子是怎么长得？这事就那么容易，恭王爷不是一般的人，你知道不知道！" 上次云南报销案，李莲英急于求成，没讨到好，这次总想着能讨得慈禧太后欢心，谁想竟惹得慈禧太后大怒，一时间傻呆呆站在那不知说什么好，半天方开口："老佛爷息怒，都是奴才不好，请老佛爷责罚。" 慈禧太后这会哪顾得上他？她现在满脸子想的都是如何处理这个折子。时事多艰，礼亲王不如恭亲王，既然这样，我就再派个人，看你们还有什么可说，可派谁呢？对，派醇王爷去，这样更便于我控制！想到这里，只见慈禧太后说道： "莲英，快去传旨：军机处遇紧急要件，着即会同醇亲王商办。" 消息传来，盛昱可傻眼了，本想替恭亲王说几句话，谁知又弄出个醇亲王来。醇亲王乃是光绪皇帝的生身父亲，这样一来。他岂不成了"太上军机大臣"？万一皇帝亲政后他再成了"太上皇"，那我盛昱的罪过可就大了！想到这里，也顾不得自己的性命了，拿出纸笔，当下又写了道奏折：……诚以亲王爵秩较崇，有功而赏，赏无可加；有过而罚，罚所不忍，优以思礼而不授以事权，圣谟深造，万世永遵。恭亲王参赞密笏，本属权宜；况醇亲王又非恭亲王之比乎？伏怒皇太后懔遵祖训，收回醇亲王会同商办之懿旨，责成军机处臣尽心翊赞。遇有紧要事件，明降谕旨，发交廷议。询谋佥同，必无败事。醇亲王如有所见，无难具折奏陈，以资采择；或加召对，虚习延访，正不必有会商之名，始可收赞襄之道也。 刚去了恭亲王，谁知又冒出来个盛昱，竟敢又拿祖训压她，慈禧太后不由勃然大怒，喊道："莲英，传我口谕，盛昱大逆不道，立即处斩！" "老佛爷，奴才想这……。"李莲英犹豫了一下，说道。 "怎么？"，"老佛爷息怒，奴才想这盛昱也兴不起什么大浪，不如再下道谕旨，申明一下即可。如果把他斩了，只恐言路上会……。" 听了李莲英的话，慈禧太后想想也有道理，于是又下了道谕旨： "……据盛昱奏称仁宗睿皇帝（即嘉庆帝）圣训，有诸王向无在军机行走等因。圣谟深远，允宜永遵。惟自垂帘以来，揆度时势，不能不用亲藩，进参机务。此不得已之深衷，当为在廷诸臣所共谅。本月十四日，谕令醇亲王奕譞与诸军机会商事件，本为军机处办理紧要事件而言。并非寻常诸事，概令与闻，亦断不能另派差遣。醇亲王奕譞，再四推辞，磕头恳请，当经曲加奖励，并谕俟皇帝亲政，再降懿旨，始暂时奉命。此中委曲，尔诸臣岂能尽知耶？至军机处政事，委任枢臣，不准推诿，希图卸肩，以专责成。经此次剀切晓谕，在廷诸臣，自当仰体上意，毋得多渎。盛昱等所奏，应毋庸议。 This! " 此谕一下，廷臣知慈禧太后心意已定，唯恐言多招祸，再不敢多说什么。盛昱虽想再上奏折，可势单力微，亦只好作罢。 军机处大换血，在人们看来，朝廷的对外政策必将从此为之强硬起来；新政府必将励精图治，振奋精神，同法国侵略者较量一番。可谁想醇亲王奕譞当政后，一改其以往主战之积极态度，从犹豫不决到迅速求和，在对外妥协退让上，甚至比恭亲王走得还远。光绪十年四月初，即命李鸿章与法军越南统帅福禄诺签订了个《中法简明条款》，内称法国约明保全护助中国与越南毗邻的边界；中国将驻北圻军队撤回边界；法国不索赔款，中国同意在中越边境开埠通商等。 即是如此，法人仍不甘心，又大举发动进攻。清军屡战屡败，亏得有个冯子材，拼死力战，毙敌一千多人，取得威震中外的镇南关大捷。慈禧太后看看多少挽回了些颜面，急忙见好就收，于光绪十一年五月授权李鸿章在天津与法国驻华公使巴德诺签订《中法和约》，草草结束战争。从此，法国的势力侵入我国云南、广西，进一步加深了我国西南边疆的危机。败也签约，胜也签约，其腐朽无能可见一斑！ 借助于中法战争这个天赐良机，慈禧太后终于如愿以偿的削掉了自己最后一个政敌——手握重权二十余载的恭亲王奕的一切权力，实现了自己梦寐以求的愿望——成为一个不受任何约束的拥有绝对权力的太上女皇。对于在这场政争中为她出谋划策的忠实走狗李莲英，慈禧太后自然亦免不了恩宠有加，大大地赏赐一番。