Chapter 46 3. Drive back to Beijing

Cixi fled in Xi'an for more than a year, and finally looked forward to the day when she drove back to Beijing. Among the returning troops, a very strange phenomenon appeared: Li Lianying, the slave, had more luggage than her master Cixi. ... Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu fled Beijing because they had no choice but to move from Taiyuan to Xi'an. So even though she and him were in Taiyuan and Xi'an, what they yearned for and yearned for was still Capital Beijing.Therefore, the Empress Dowager Cixi exchanged the sovereignty of the country for the peace of the capital at all costs.

After the negotiations in the capital got a little bit of an idea, the Empress Dowager Cixi asked Emperor Guangxu to issue an imperial edict on May 21, the 27th year of Guangxu, saying: "I serve the Empress Dowager to live in Guanzhong temporarily. Zongshe, I feel guilty at the moment. Now that the peace situation has been decided, I ordered the Minister of Internal Affairs to clean up the palace and return to Luan today. However, because of the hot weather and the age of the Virgin Mary, it should be guarded and taken care of. After a while, it got colder. I will return to Beijing from Henan and Zhili on July 17, and all yamen should respect and prepare in advance."

This edict made the whole country calm, and everyone looked forward to peace.However, since the date of returning to Luan has not been finally decided, the matter of returning to Luan has become less and less distant with the passage of time, and it seems to be getting more and more distant, far beyond expectations.As a result, the peaceful situation became turbulent again, causing people to panic.It was not until the first day of July that Emperor Guangxu issued another edict, which said, "According to the play, it is revised to return to Luan on August 24."But as soon as this decree came out, it was like a small stone hitting a thousand waves with one stone. The whole country was in an uproar, and rumors spread all over the place for a while.Some people say that Lafayette and Long Live Lord don’t want to go back to Luan Beijing. It was originally said to return to Luan on July 17, but it was suddenly changed to August 24. I heard that they may not be able to leave this time, and they will not be able to leave until September. , I don’t know if I can start this September, and the tenth day of October is Lafayette’s birthday. If October can’t go, it will be cold today. It seems that there is no hope for returning to Luan this year. Let’s wait and see next spring How's it going.Some people also said that Lafayette dared not go back to Beijing because she had declared war at the beginning, so if she went back this time, wouldn't she be afraid that foreigners would make trouble for her?Some people also said that Li Lianying, the chief manager of the palace, was afraid that Lafayette would lose power after returning to Beijing, and she would lose power, so she urged Lafayette not to return to the capital.Wait, wait, and so on, for a while, Chinese and foreign newspapers and periodicals all took this as the central issue, expressing their own opinions, and making the country overwhelmed by wind and rain.

On July 25th, Prince Qing and Lao Zhongtang finally signed the "Xin Chou Treaty" with the foreign devils, which was humiliating and humiliating.After the Empress Dowager Cixi got the news, she also got the news that the Eight-Power Allied Forces had withdrawn from Beijing. She suddenly felt a lot more at ease in her heart, and was very happy. On the one hand, she ordered Li Lianying to order the Minister of Shaanxi to prepare a guard of honor and to prepare for the opening ceremony, and on the other hand, Cui Yugui, the second chief in charge, was sent back to Beijing first. Go and see, if the situation in the capital is very good, report back immediately, and then drive back to Beijing.

Cui Yugui led a few eunuchs and rushed back to the capital at full speed.When I arrived at the capital, I saw ruins and bullet marks everywhere. I felt palpitations in my heart, but I always made up my mind that the foreign soldiers, foreign guns, and cannons had been withdrawn from the capital. This is absolutely true.Therefore, he took the eunuchs and beat horses like flying in the empty streets of Beijing.Entering the front door, passed Tiananmen Square, and saw the familiar palace.The scenery of the palace is basically the same, the crimson palace walls are still crimson, and every plant and tree in the palace is still there.It's just that no one lives there, and with the looting by foreign soldiers, the palace is empty and a little desolate.

Cui Yugui and the others walked further in and saw the three halls of Taihe, Zhonghe, and Baohe, still majestic, and felt that they had returned to the imperial palace, the place they yearned for day and night. A long time ago, the eunuchs who guarded the palace came out to welcome them. When the old people met each other, there was a lot of grotesque shouts, cries, and laughter. "Damn it, stop shouting!" Cui Yugui was anxious.The crowd became quieter, and Cui Yugui called over the chief eunuch who was staying in the palace, and asked, "Have all the foreign devil soldiers in the city left?"

"Back to the second manager, almost all left!" "Lafayette and Long Live are coming back soon, do you all know?" "I know, Li Zhongtang has already arranged for us to clean up." Cui Yugui didn't ask any more questions, and brought two cronies, and went straight to Li Hongzhang and King Qing Yikuang, and learned about the specific situation of the capital from them.Li Hongzhang became sick from overwork due to hard negotiations.Cui Yugui advised him to rest more. After visiting Li Hongzhang and Yiqiu, Cui Yugui squatted on the streets of the capital and saw that the market was orderly and there were not many foreigners. Except for a few dilapidated houses everywhere, the rest was similar to the previous feeling. So I decided to hurry back to Xi'an.

Two days later, Cui Yugui and his two cronies set foot on their way home.Back in Xi'an, he reported the situation of the capital to Lafayette in detail.Cixi listened attentively and couldn't keep her mouth shut with joy.So, I drove back to Beijing on August 24th, and it was settled like this.However, the empress dowager and the emperor want to drive, unlike ordinary people who drop by and leave as soon as they say it, so they have to prepare various items, escort troops, and so on.Therefore, this time, the date of Luan is certain, and the whole city of Xi'an, and even the whole country, are in motion.

While Cui Yugui returned to Beijing to visit, the Empress Dowager Cixi sent Li Lianying to prepare guards of honor, cars and sedan chairs in Xi'an.Li Lianying is an expert in making these things. He instructed his eunuchs to order dragons and phoenixes in several famous carpenter's shops in Xi'an, and sent people to train the imperial guards and prepare guards of honor. With a cheerful atmosphere.Empress Dowager Cixi felt even more proud when she saw that Li Lianying had prepared everything needed for the ride. If the holy driver wants to travel far, he must have an escort.When traveling from Beijing to Xi'an last year, there was Ma Yukun first, and then Cen Chunxuan. The escort was also quite responsible, which was appreciated by Empress Dowager Cixi.

However, due to conflicts between Cen Chunxuan and Li Lianying, he was transferred to a distant place with the cooperation of Rong Lu and Empress Dowager Cixi.When it was time to employ people, Cixi felt a little regretful, but what's the use of regretting?It is impossible for Cen Chunxuan to come back, so who will escort him this time?It is not easy to find a qualified escort in Xi'an at present.Cixi was thinking all day, looking for her escort. While the Empress Dowager Cixi was considering escorts, Li Lianying, the chief executive, was also considering this issue.The last time Li Lianying accompanied Lafayette and Long Live God to escape from the capital in a panic, because they left in a hurry, there was no formal escorting army, but some troops were brought together in a patchwork manner to serve as escorts.Because there was no unified leadership, the organization of the escorting army was very chaotic, and there were almost troubles several times, so Li Lianying knew the importance of escorting the army, so when Cen Chunxuan escorted him later, the Empress Dowager Cixi, Emperor Guangxu and Li Lianying all valued him and trusted him, so He is getting more and more domineering.This return to Luan is even more important. Moreover, after Li Lianying drove to Xi'an, while Huixin took care of Lafayette, she also played her own wishful thinking from time to time and did many shady things behind her back, so she had to find someone Reliable people come to escort, in order to protect their own future.Then who will escort it?After much deliberation, he finally thought of his godson Jiang Weiti, the admiral of the Nine Gates.

Who is this Jiang Weiti?Why are you Li Lianying's godson?It turned out that Jiang Weikang, Jiang Weiti's younger brother, was allowed to be the Taoist station of Guangdong Province through Li Lianying's relationship.Jiang Weikang held fast to Li Lianying's red line, bribed him many times, and through Li Lianying, promoted his younger brother Jiang Weiti from a small leader of the guard to admiral of the nine gates of the capital.Jiang Weiti was very grateful, but there was nothing in return, so he kowtowed and recognized Li Lianying as his adoptive father, and wished to be his dog and horse for the rest of his life.In terms of age, Jiang Weiti and Li Lianying are almost the same, but Li Lianying gave Jiang Weiti status and power, which can be said to be reborn parents, and Jiang Weiti is a martial artist. Without hesitation, he became Li Lianying's godson. Li Lianying thought of him, but he was in the capital, not in Xi'an, what should I do? But how can everything be difficult for the chief executive.He came to Ronglu again, explaining how important this escort is, how Xi'an lacks such an escort, and recommended how capable and reliable Jiang Weiti is.Rong Zhongtang is not an idiot either, don't he know what this means?So he fully agreed to transfer Jiang Weiti from the capital to escort him quickly. Therefore, just when the Empress Dowager Cixi was in trouble for whom to escort, she suddenly got a report, and Jiang Weiti, the admiral of the nine gates of the capital, was escorted by the capital.Cixi was overjoyed when she heard that. The issue of the escort has been solved, and the next thing to do before setting off is to reward the accompanying officials, especially the local officials of Shaanxi Province and Xi'an Prefecture.After Cen Chunxuan was transferred, the governor of Shaanxi was replaced by Shengyou.Although he came here not long ago, but just in time for the two palaces to return to Luan, he actively devoted himself to the preparation work and was praised by Lafayette.Therefore, Galeries Lafayette appointed him to be the governor of Qianlu and the border grain platform. The governor of Shaanxi was temporarily represented by Li Shaofen. … Within a few days, the whole squad was mobilized in Shaanxi and Xi'an palaces. Officials congratulated each other on their appointments and congratulations.In addition, the departure date is approaching, and both inside and outside the government are preparing their luggage for the journey, and they are all accompanying the Beijing officials, and they are also packing their bags. They are extremely busy. Empress Dowager Cixi and Li Lianying were also busy packing their bags.Lafayette lived in Shaanxi for a year, and officials from all over the country also came to Xi'an to pay tribute to her old man.The tributes were collected and filled more than one hundred carts.Cixi was delighted to see so many gold and silver treasures.In fact, not all of these things belonged to her, at least half of them belonged to Li Lianying.Li Lianying was in Shaanxi with Lafayette and held great power. In order to please him, the magistrate even gave Li Lianying a gift when presenting gifts to Cixi.Some officials gave them openly and secretly, so the property Li Lianying received in a year was only more than Cixi's, and never less than hers.When Li Lianying was tidying up, she put these things together. In order to distinguish them, she tied all the Empress Dowager Cixi's things with yellow ropes, while her own things were all tied with red ropes.The cages tied with red ropes are obviously more tied with yellow ropes. On August 24th, Guangxu twenty-seventh year, in the early morning, the sky was still very dark, and the rustling autumn wind brought a bit of coolness to people. People who got up early and busy couldn't help shrunk their necks. In the palace of Empress Dowager Cixi in Xi'an, Shaanxi, Li Lianying waited on Cixi to get up early, washed up, and was busy combing her hair.You must comb your hair well today, because today is the day to drive back to Luan, to travel far, to see the outside world, Lafayette thinks that he should appear in front of nature with a new look, in front of her before his subjects. "Lafayette, do you think it's okay to comb it like this?" Li Lianying asked after combing a style. "No! You have to look dignified! Straighten out these strands of hair here! Keep the bun lower!...Yes, yes, that's it! That's it!" "Yes, Lafayette! This couldn't be better! I have combed my hair for decades, and this time I am most satisfied!" Li Lianying said flatteringly. "Lianying, have you packed up your stuff?" "Lafayette, don't worry, old man, everything is fully prepared! Just wait for the order to drive!" "Have all my boxes loaded into the wagon? Don't leave anything behind." "No! Lafayette is not at ease when the slave is doing things?" "Don't worry! Don't worry!" Cixi looked very happy. Unknowingly, it was already dawn, and Emperor Guangxu had almost cleaned up, and came to Cixi's room to pay his respects. "Please kiss Papa!" "Okay, okay! Emperor, are you all packed?" the Empress Dowager Cixi asked. "It's ready." "Lianying, pass on the meal!" Empress Dowager Cixi wanted to eat, so she got up and drove. "Follow the order." After a little effort, the royal meal came up.This was the last meal of Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu in Xi'an.It took the chefs of the Imperial Dining Room a whole night to cook this meal, so it was very rich.Empress Dowager Cixi felt happy when she saw the table full of dishes.He selected some of them and gave them to Empress Yulong and Concubine Jin, and others to his servant Li Lianying.Emperor Guangxu was still the same as in the past, ignoring anyone and looking for delicious food to eat. After the meal, the Empress Dowager Cixi picked up the hookah and enjoyed it leisurely.There was a sound outside, "Lord Rong Zhongtang is here!" She put down the hookah.Rong Lu entered the house, knelt on the ground, and said, "Greetings to Lafayette!" "Well, how are you getting ready?" "Everything is in order, just waiting for Lafayette's decree." "Okay!" She turned her head to Guangxu, "Emperor, let's drive!" "Father, let's go now? Okay, let's go." Saying that, Emperor Guangxu stood up from his chair. Let's drive.At the front are guards and guards of honor, all of them riding tall horses and neatly attired, and there are twenty-four yellow dragon flags clearing the way, which is extremely grand and solemn.The Empress Dowager was traveling in a golden sedan chair made by Li Lianying the day before yesterday, which was carried by sixteen people.The sedan chair was golden from top to bottom, with various auspicious patterns embroidered on both sides, and Cixi, who was dressed luxuriously, sat in it with a relaxed expression.Immediately behind are the sedan chairs of Emperor Guangxu, Empress Longyu and Concubine Jin, all of which are yellow eight-lift sedan chairs.All bearers wear red silk clothes, black hats, and black-faced white-soled soft boots. Everything is in accordance with the standards of the capital's Luanyi, which is very dignified.In front of the sedan chair and behind the sedan chair, there are imperial ministers and palace eunuchs accompanying them on horseback, while Li Lianying follows the Empress Dowager Cixi's sedan chair, never leaving her.Behind them are the family members of some ministers, lined up in a long and mighty line, and at the end is the escort led by Jiang Weiti, escorting the property donated by various places in the past year and the local specialties donated by Shaanxi. This is Lafayette. And Mr. Li's private house, and the archives of each yamen. Look at the roads in the city of Xi'an, all re-paved with loess, and repaired perfectly.On both sides of the road, every five steps, a soldier stood guarding the car, from the Governor's Yamen to the Baqiao. It was a full 30 miles from Xi'an City to Baqiao. Such a ostentation was indeed unprecedented.These were carefully planned and managed by Rong Lurong Zhongtang and Chief Li.It is indeed well-intentioned. The people in Xi'an city have long heard that Lafayette is going back to Beijing, and seeing that the road has been repaired recently, they know that the departure date is not too late, and they all look forward to it.From the public's point of view, people still hope that Lafayette and Long Live will continue to stay here and not return to Beijing. Isn't it good in Xi'an?Furthermore, Shengjia fortunately came to Shaanxi and brought good luck to the people in Guanzhong. This is the main reason why the people do not want Shengjia to leave. There are many unexplainable mysteries in the hearts of Chinese people, among which "leap in August" is a typical example.There is such a folk proverb "Leap seven is not leap eight, and leap eight will kill the head", which means that a year with leap eight months must be a disaster year. The twenty-sixth year of Guangxu is a leap year, and the leap is August.This year, the Chinese suffered a lot. Even the capital was occupied by others. The empress dowager and the emperor moved to another place. Blood flowed into rivers in Tianjin and Beijing. This disaster was too great.And the people in Guanzhong were in dire straits. Three consecutive years of severe drought, coupled with wars and excessive official taxes, made the people feel empty and unable to live.This does not correspond to the proverb of "leap in August". In September of the Gengzi Year, Cixi and Guangxu arrived in Xi'an.At that time, Guanzhong had long been unable to make a living, and the city of Xi'an was also hungry.After the winter solstice, it snowed heavily again, and the people had no clothes or food. Thousands of people died every day, and they really couldn't live. In some places, everyone ate each other to save their lives.Empress Dowager Cixi saw that the people were suffering so much and ordered relief, so some people survived.It wasn't until the spring of the 27th year that the lives of the people in Xi'an began to improve slightly.The heavy snow that killed many people last year brought a bumper harvest to the people in Guanzhong, and the people in the whole province were very happy, and they all thanked the emperor for his kindness.Without the empress dowager and the emperor driving Xi'an, how would God be willing to sprinkle rain and snow on the world? Isn't this the credit of Lafayette? Now that Lafayette is going back to Beijing, we poor people can't stop her, but at least we have to give her a ride, which can be regarded as gratitude to her.So, on August 24th, in the city of Xi'an, all men, women and children, regardless of age, came out of the alley and knelt down into two long dragons on both sides of the road.When the sedan chairs of Empress Dowager Cixi and Guangxu passed by, they shouted "Long live Lafayette! Long live the emperor!" Shouts resounded through the sky.Some begged the Queen Mother not to return to Luan, and some people wept bitterly, shaking the heavens and the earth.A strong woman like Cixi was moved by this, and when she went to a crowded place, she ordered Li Lianying to lift up the sedan chair curtain, first to let the people admire her dignity, and second, to look at the simple people in the pass and wave to them individual.When it came to the moving place, Cixi couldn't help but shed a few tears.It seems that she was really moved by the infatuation of the people in Guanzhong. The Empress Dowager Cixi called Li Lianying and said: "The people in Guanzhong are so simple, and they are so affectionate to Shengjia. You send a few people to get some foreign money and distribute them to the people beside the road. For the elderly, each person will give a silver medal with the word longevity." "Lafayette,..." Li Lianying was a little reluctant. "Go! It's rare for the people to support the court so much." "Follow the order." Li Lianying replied reluctantly, but finally followed Lafayette's instructions.As a result, the people cried loudly, kowtowed like garlic, and were reluctant to give up. Along the way, the common people greeted and sent off the holy driver, as if they were welcoming the Buddha and sending off the gods.Most of them set up incense cases by the side of the road. When the holy driver passed by, everyone knelt behind the case, not daring to lift their heads, not daring to look at them.When we arrived at Baqiao, it was even more lively.Some people knelt down here to send off the holy driver, and some state and county officials also sent them off respectfully here, and surrounded the head of the Baqiao with water.After finally crossing the Baqiao, the Empress Dowager Cixi stopped the procession, let the bearers get off the sedan chair, raised the curtain and walked out of the sedan chair.The officials and common people present were stunned for a moment, then knelt together.Cixi looked back at the faintly visible city of Xi'an, and tears wanted to well up. She hurriedly waved her hands to the kneeling subjects, got on the sedan chair, and ordered the team to continue heading east. On the same day, he traveled eastward to Lintong County and was stationed in Lishan Mountain as an official.Lintong County is prepared by the whole county, and it cannot be avoided.The holy car left after a short break, and arrived in Weinan County the next day, where he stayed at the Weinan Palace.Passing through various states and counties, there are still people kneeling and saying goodbye.Arriving at the foot of Huashan Mountain on the 29th, Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu went to Yuquanyuan to burn incense.Unexpectedly, there was a strong wind and rain, and the road was muddy. The eunuchs and officials who were driving were soaked and wandered in the mud, which was very disappointing.So, Shengjia hurried away. On the first day of September, we arrived in Huayin County.Liu Youshi, the magistrate of Huayin County, was nearly killed last year when Shengjia was contemptuous of the imperial court when he traveled west. Fortunately, he met Li Lianying, a fellow villager, so he was saved from death and gained many benefits.Coupled with the bumper wheat harvest in Huayin County this year, County Magistrate Liu benefited a lot from it, so he made preparations for Sheng Jia's arrival early.When the holy car arrived, he went out of the city to greet him on his knees, welcomed him into the palace, made offerings carefully, and was especially considerate to Li Lianying.The Empress Dowager Cixi praised Li Lianying for not being mistaken, but Li Lianying just smiled and didn't answer. After leaving Huayin, I arrived at Tongguan in a few days.Due to the rain, stay in Tongguan for two days. On the fifth day of the ninth lunar month, Qiluan from Tongguan passed out of Shaanxi Province. Think about how pitiful Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu were when they fled from the capital to Shaanxi.But after staying in Shaanxi for a year, when he left, he was so honored.Although they are the mother and the lord of a country, they still feel like they are dependent on others when they live in Xi'an, so they want to go back to the home in their hearts, to go back to Beijing.They took the gratitude and admiration of the people in Guanzhong to them, the tributes they got from all over the country and the looted property from Shaanxi, and they returned to Beijing without hesitation. After exiting Qinguan, it entered the territory of Henan, passing through Yan Township, Lingbao, Shanzhou, Guanyintang, Mianchi County, Henan Prefecture (now Luoyang), Yanshi, Sishui, Xingyang, Zhengzhou, and Zhongmou to Kaifeng Prefecture.Along the way, Lafayette deliberately pursued ostentation, and informed the prefectures and counties along the way to set up warehouses and palaces long before the departure. Therefore, from Xi'an to Kaifeng, it really looked like an emperor on tour, with extraordinary power.It was already the third day of October when we arrived in Kaifeng. The Empress Dowager Cixi didn't want to stay in Kaifeng for long, and wanted to return to the capital as soon as possible, but Li Lianying, the manager, advised Lafayette not to leave in a hurry, saying: "Lafayette, it's the second day of October, and it will be your old man in a few days." Longevity day. Let’s wait until the longevity period is over before leaving. Otherwise, the auspicious period of longevity will be in the schedule, and it will be inconvenient, let alone rush to the great luck of Lafayette." Empress Dowager Cixi thinks so too, from Kaifeng to the north is Beijing.It has been more than a year since she left Beijing, and she has to prepare here to return to the capital; moreover, she feels that her birthdays are mostly eventful, so it is better to avoid the past here, and take this opportunity to take a walk here and see At a glance, you can have a glimpse of the style and features of the historical ancient city, and experience the situation in the Central Plains.So, he praised Li Lianying and said: "You are always thinking about me. I have forgotten the longevity date. Thank you for remembering it! Let's wait until the longevity period is over before driving!" Cixi let Emperor Guangxu go down the road The decree states that due to the approach of the Buddha's longevity, the northward trip will be temporarily suspended. In fact, Li Lianying advised Cixi not to rush forward, considering that the longevity is a reason, and more importantly, it is for her own benefit.One is that he is afraid that foreigners will mess around and reveal his support for Yihequan, so he will stay here for a few more days, and then lead him northward after finding out the exact news in Beijing; Celebrations are held every year.Every year on the tenth day of October, the day of longevity, officials at all levels and local senior officials will come to celebrate their birthdays.When they came to celebrate their birthday, they not only brought gifts for Lafayette, but Manager Li could not be ignored.So, how could Li Lianying be willing to let go of such a good opportunity to make a fortune? After a little persuasion by Li Lianying, Sheng Jia stayed in Kaifeng.On the third day of October, Prince Qing rushed to Kaifeng from the capital to meet the Holy Spirit, and the Empress Dowager Cixi hurriedly summoned him.After meeting King Qing, he reported the negotiations and the current situation in Beijing to Empress Dowager Cixi one by one.Empress Dowager Cixi is quite satisfied.But when Prince Qing changed the subject, he brought Cixi into sadness. "Lafayette, I have something to report to you, but I hope that Lafayette will not be sad when he finds out!" Yikuang said with his head down. Cixi was a little puzzled, what could be the matter, and said that I would be sad if I knew it? "Say it!" "Li Hongzhang and Li Zhongtang passed away on September 27th!" Yikuang murmured. "What?" The surprise was no small matter.Empress Dowager Cixi felt her head buzzing, she closed her eyes, and two lines of tears unconsciously squeezed out of her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.Li Hongzhang, what a capable minister!He is so loyal to the imperial court, how many times, when the country is in danger, it is he who deals with foreigners to rescue the country.For the sake of the country's prosperity, he endured the humiliation and, amidst the scolding of the people of the country, advised Lafayette time and time again to overcome difficulties one by one.He also founded the Beiyang Navy, trained sailors, organized Westernization, and wanted to strengthen the national power of the Qing Dynasty.This time, he was at the critical moment of the country's rise and fall. He resolutely sat on the negotiating table regardless of personal grievances, and retreated the foreign soldiers and generals, but he passed away.Can this not make Lafayette sad?The Empress Dowager Cixi couldn't bear it any longer. She was sobbing, with snot and tears. "My condolences to Lafayette, death cannot be brought back to life, it's important to take care of yourself!" Li Lianying persuaded from the side. "Lafayette, my minister here has a piece of Li Zhongtang's remnant, please take a look at it!" As Yikuang said, he handed over the folder, which was picked up by Li Lianying and forwarded to Cixi. In the memorial, Li Hongzhang reported the negotiation situation to the Empress Dowager Cixi in detail, and seemed to be very pessimistic about the future of the Qing Dynasty.He also said that he was very old and had been plagued by serious illnesses recently. He felt that the end was not far away, and his tone was very sad.After Cixi read it, she felt even more uncomfortable.Li Lianying hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Lafayette, Li Zhongtang is dead. He died for the country. You should be happy to have such a loyal minister. Now, crying is not an option. You should comfort him." His family and grandchildren are. Lafayette, what do you think? " Li Lianying's advice stopped Cixi from crying.She ordered Emperor Guangxu to issue an imperial edict, and named Li Hongzhang's descendants.The imperial edict said: According to Yi's decree, briefly referring to the change of the capital in the previous year, the scholar of the university was loyal and persevering, and he did his best to let it go.Recently, due to illness, repeated scriptures sent condolences. The university scholar was ill and went to the public, loyal and honest, old and obsessed, but suddenly suffered from hemoptysis and could not afford it.At a difficult time, Changsheng mourned the loss of this pillar and important minister.I have been kind to you before, and I will reward you with five thousand taels of silver for funerals. The meritorious provinces will establish special temples; the political achievements will be announced and paid to the history museum.Yizi Li Jingshu, wrote and rewarded the fourth-rank Jingtang, and inherited the first-class marquis; Li Jingmai used the fourth- and fifth-rank Jingtang;Li Guojie, Yisun, writes that he can be a doctor; Li Guoyan and Li Guoxu write that Yuanwailang walks in branches; Li Hongzhang's contributions to the Qing government were indeed not small, and the court rewarded him not lightly, rewarding his descendants and shining his family.It's worth it to die like this. The tenth day of October is the birthday of Empress Dowager Cixi.The officials of Kaifeng Mansion commanded by Li Lianying have already arranged it.The accompanying officials and officials from all over the place, all dressed in python robes, came to the gate of the palace. According to their grades, they went to the palace to salute and celebrate the birthday of Lafayette in batches.Lafayette was so unhappy, she never expected to celebrate her birthday here, so many ministers came to congratulate her, ordered to reward all the officials, and held a banquet in the Kaifeng Palace to entertain her ministers.Of course, how can the ministers come to celebrate their birthdays empty-handed?Therefore, the Kaifeng mansion hosted a banquet in honor of all officials, but only Lafayette and Mr. Li were the ones who gave gifts.The number of chariots and horses escorted by Jiang Weiti increased a lot, and the cages tied with red and yellow ropes were built higher. After Wanshousi passed, Yiqiang also brought news of safety, so it's time to go north.The Empress Dowager Cixi and Li Lianying were busy packing their things and preparing to return to Beijing someday.At this moment, Rong Lu, Wang Wenshao and other imperial ministers came to Li Lianying. On this day, Li Lianying returned to her room after serving the Empress Dowager Cixi for an afternoon nap, admiring the few treasures she had just acquired, humming a Beijing opera vaguely, feeling very uncomfortable.A little eunuch came in and whispered to him, "Chief Chief, Mr. Rong Zhongtang welcomes you! The sedan chair is waiting for you outside!" Without even thinking about it, Li Lianying went out, got into the sedan chair sent by Rong Lu, and left.When he arrived at the place where Rong Lu was resting, he saw that Rong Lu was not alone in the room, but also Yikuang and Wang Wenshao.When the three of them saw him coming, they all stood up at the same time. "Director Li, come in and sit down!" Rong Lu waved at him. Seeing their serious expressions, Li Lianying felt bewildered as to what had happened, so she looked around and asked, "What's the matter, what happened again? Why is it all like this?" Before Li Lianying finished speaking, Rong Lu and the other three knelt down in front of Li Lianying. Li Lianying was even more puzzled, and hurriedly got up to help each other, but none of the three people got up, and they said in unison: "The country is in trouble, please rescue the difficulty, if the chief manager does not agree, I will not get up!" But Li Lianying was confused, and Monk Zhanger couldn't figure it out, but he couldn't let these important state ministers kneel in front of him like this, so he answered vaguely: "For the sake of the country, Mr. Li will go through fire and water, and will not hesitate. Three adults, please get up! I just don't know what is going on with the country. Didn't this foreigner just evacuate? Did he call back again?" The three who were kneeling stood up and said, "Only the chief executive can do this, so the three of us knelt down and begged each other!" "What's the matter? Tell me!" Li Lianying became impatient. "Chairman, the matter of asking for each other today is related to the elder brother. We sum up, if this elder brother is not abolished, he will be the emperor of the Qing Dynasty in the future. His father was exiled by us in Xinjiang, like the elder brother. Brother like that, he is not too young, how can he not hold grudges, if you count the account of the autumn queen, how can you and I survive?" Rong Lu said. "Furthermore," King Qing Yikui took the words, "this big elder brother is the son of Zaiyi, and Zaiyi is also the leader of the boxers. Foreigners hate him to the bone. If he is not abolished, then the son of the boxer will be the son of the boxer." Emperor's heir, how can foreigners agree, if the war resumes, wouldn't it be a disaster for the country and the people?" "Even if foreigners don't object to him being a big brother now, if he becomes emperor in the future, and then he will punish his father, advocate the eradication of foreigners, and support bandits, there will be no guarantee that there will be a second Gengzi change. At that time, the country will , People, don’t they fall into the pit of fire again?” Wang Wenshao went on to say. Now Li Lianying understood.It turned out that these three people discussed and wanted to abolish this big brother.He immediately understood why they invited him here, they wanted to open Cixi's gap from him.But Li Lianying's government is very deep, and she pretended to be confused and asked: "Then what can Li do for the three adults?" Rong Lu replied: "Chief Executive, it's a big deal to abolish Elder Brother. The most important thing is to ask Lafayette to nod. Here I have a letter signed by the former imperial ministers, asking the chief executive to present to Lafayette on behalf of him, and with the benefits and disadvantages. I would like to persuade Lafayette to let her make a decision early. If Lafayette can grant it, it will be a blessing for all people, but all the credit lies with you, Chief Li. Please do your best." Then he knelt down again , was grabbed by Li Lianying. "Rong Zhongtang, Li also participated in the beheading of the fist head. If Pu Jun becomes emperor in the future, I, Li Lianying, will definitely end badly. Now that I have the opportunity to abolish him, Li must do his best. Please three Don't worry, my lord!" The three ministers went forward together, bowed deeply to Li Lianying, and said in unison: "Thank you, Chief Li, first!" Li Lianying was polite to them again, took the joint memorial from Rong Lu, and went back to the palace. When Li Lianying returned to the palace, the Empress Dowager Cixi had already woken up from her afternoon nap, and she was sitting on the grand master's chair with a hookah in her mouth, just to relieve her boredom!Seeing Li Lianying coming in from the outside, he asked: "Where did you go again? You can't find it even if you look for it." Li Lianying didn't answer, and when she arrived in front of Cixi, she threw herself on the ground and knelt down, took out the memorial that Rong Lu had given him, and put her hands over her head.Seeing his actions like this, Cixi didn't know what happened or what he presented, so she looked at him curiously, took the note, opened it, and read it.Seeing the content of the memorial, Cixi's brows became more and more wrinkled.After reading it, she put the memorial on the table and asked, "Where did you get it?" "Rong Zhongtang asked the slaves to present it to Lafayette." Li Lianying replied. "This is a major event. You can't just abolish it if you say it, but put it in place immediately. These ministers, not only do not share the worries and problems of the court, but they mess up in the middle!" The Empress Dowager Cixi seemed a little angry. "Lafayette, the imperial ministers did this for your old man's sake. This elder brother is already sixteen or seventeen years old. You have also seen what he did in Xi'an this year. He has a stubborn temperament and is not convinced. Discipline, his father, King Duanjun, was sent to Xinjiang. As a son, how can he not hold grudges? If he becomes the emperor in the future and punishes the people who punished his father in the past, wouldn’t it cause chaos in the court? The most terrible thing is, He is the son of Fist, Lafayette regards him as his elder brother, and foreigners will definitely be dissatisfied with this, if they cause trouble, will they have to pay for it?" Empress Dowager Cixi didn't make a sound, she just sat quietly, thinking.In fact, after fleeing from the west of Beijing last year, after arriving in Taiyuan, the Empress Dowager Cixi felt that the elder brother was very disgusted. She danced with guns and clubs all day long, pretended to be gods and ghosts, and imitated righteousness and regiments.After arriving in Xi'an, the eldest elder brother didn't think about making progress, he only knew how to play, and the Empress Dowager wanted to abolish it, but because of the many affairs at that time, she couldn't take it into account. Today, with the request of the imperial ministers, Cixi felt that it was time . Therefore, on October 20, the twenty-seventh year of Guangxu, the Empress Dowager Cixi called Rong Lu and others to hold an imperial meeting, and decreed to depose the elder brother Pujun.The decree said: Pu Jun, the son of King Zaiyi of Geduan, was previously decreed to be the eldest brother, succeeding Emperor Mu Zongyi as heir, and the imperial edict was issued both at home and abroad.Probably since the last year's change of boxers and bandits, they provoked the nations and shocked the temple society, and spread the word by public opinion.After investigating the change, Zaiyi was actually the culprit who offended his ancestors. After being severely condemned, how could his son be the one who should be the heir apparent.Pu Jun also knows that he is worried and anxious, and begs to be deposed. He should correct his previous order. errand.As far as the successor to Emperor Mu Zongyi, the relationship is very important. You should wait until the election of Wuliang, and then send down the decree, use the imperial court to rule the thread, use Zhao carefully, and announce this. In this way, the elder brother was abolished, and the Empress Dowager Cixi, Li Lianying, Rong Lu and others had no worries.The Empress Dowager Cixi traveled around this ancient capital of Kaifeng again, asking for signatures and worshiping Buddha, governing politics and listening to operas, and doing all kinds of affairs in an orderly manner.After visiting Kaifeng and listening to enough dramas, I felt that the real thing I should do was to make an order, drive, and return to Beijing. On the fourth day of November in the twenty-seventh year of Guangxu, Shengjia Xigong came from the Kailuan Palace in Kaifeng, Henan.The number of his entourage continued unabated, some of them were going to the capital with the empress dowager and the emperor, and some were going to be sent to the bank of the Yellow River.Those who saw him off included local officials, but most of them were local people. 皇家仪仗，一路威风凛凛，旌旗飞扬，各级官员衣冠肃然。行列之中，不闻嘈杂，但听马蹄车轮，平踏杂沓之声，相互应和。出了开封城，遥望黄河，见似十里锦城，千年荼火，更似万树桃花，照春齐发。气势之庞大，可谓空前绝后。 正午，队伍到达黄河岸边。慈禧太后觉得有些累，就在暂时搭起的黄色幄幔之中小憩。之后便给李莲英吩咐："莲英，准备香案，我要和皇帝祭河！" "遵旨。"李莲英应了一声，出去准备香案。准备好了香案，李莲英回禀了慈禧。慈禧带着光绪帝，走向黄河岸边的香案，祭拜河神。不知为什么，光绪帝对着东逝的黄河，嚎啕大哭起来。周围的百官、宫监，都不知所措，李莲英忙上前扶住。慈禧朝他看了一眼，严厉地叫了一声："皇上！"光绪止住了哭泣，跟着慈禧登上了早已备好的龙舟。李莲英命人收了香案。 慈禧太后、光绪皇帝、隆裕皇后等登上了龙舟。李莲英始终搀扶着慈禧。随驾百官、宫监，也依次上了船。岸上送行的文武百官，黎民百姓，一同跪倒在河岸之上。慈禧太后由李莲英搀扶着，站在龙舟之上，用喜悦的目光看着她那些跪在岸上的臣民，向他们摆摆手，示意他们起来，但没有一个人站起来。不多时，传进御膳。再看那黄河，已失去了它上游的凶猛，而波平如镜。两宫膳食已毕，龙舟开行。 龙舟一动，岸上的人们顿时站起身来，极声欢呼，举头目送着龙舟远去。龙舟极其平稳，缓缓前行，约摸一个时辰，方才到达北岸。南岸的人群，看到船已靠岸，才慢慢地离去。 过了黄河，不几日就到了直隶边界，因镇压义和团有功而被提升为直隶总督的袁世凯，率领着他新近训练的军乐队，吹打着洋鼓洋号，前来接驾。袁世凯自从出卖了维新党，帮助慈禧太后废除了维新变法、把光绪皇帝软禁在了瀛台，所以光绪帝最恨的人当中，袁世凯算一个，但是，他在慈禧面前吃得开，由于镇压变法维新，有功于朝廷，遂平步青云。义和团在山东闹起来以后，袁世凯被派往山东，代替了山东巡抚毓贤，在山东镇压义和团。光绪二十六年，义和团运动失败，袁世凯可在山东立了大功，被提升为直隶总督，补了李鸿章的缺。上任未久，皇太后、皇上回銮，途经直隶，袁世凯当然要热烈欢迎。 袁世凯保着圣驾，继续北上，二十日到达正定府。此时正定已通火车，所以，为了早日回京，大臣们力劝老佛爷改乘火车。慈禧本对这种洋玩意不放心，但是，这种洋玩意对她来说，又是一种诱惑，于是她还是答应坐火车。 既然老佛爷决定要坐火车回京，那就得有老佛爷坐的火车，所以正定铁路局特别准备了一列火车，共二十二节。此列火车的二十二节车厢中，有四节是专供皇太后和皇上御用的花车，再有一节上等客车，供皇后坐乘，剩下的则归各宫妃嫔、亲王、大臣、福晋、太监等分乘。 此车虽说是特备之车，但要达到皇太后和皇上、皇后乘坐的标准，还需要大量地修整。为了能早日让老佛爷乘车北上，李莲英亲自监工，派工匠对"特列"进行装修。 首先，除前面的机车以外，其他各节车厢，均被涂成了黄色，因为黄色是皇家的颜色，既是御用之车，就应着披上皇家的外衣。整列火车仅用了两天，就变成了一条黄龙。车外的这种简单的涂染，较之车厢内部的精心设计，那确是相差极远。慈禧太后与光绪皇帝所乘的花车之中，皆以黄色貂绒、黄缎围绕，并铺有黄龙图案的地毯，整个车厢内，被装饰得金碧辉煌，摆设文雅。虽近寒冬，仍有鲜花，车内香气袭人。设有宝座，睡榻，还有听政的地方，所需之物，一应俱全。所用瓷器碗盏，皆为盛宣怀呈贡，其上皆有"臣盛宣怀恭进"几字。 隆裕皇后的车厢，虽不及太后和皇上的华丽，但却较一般妃嫔的强出许多。其他车厢，仅稍事收拾，统备厚重帘幕的备风寒。各节车厢中，都书有不同的牌子，标明名份等次，各就各位，安排得井然有序。经过三天三夜，辛苦劳作，这御用列车装饰好了，可是那些工匠们，早已累得死去活来，两眼红肿。 "老佛爷，火车已经准备好了，您老人家准备什么时候动身？"李莲英把整列火车检查了一遍之后，回到行宫，问慈禧太后。 "这火车保险吗？跑起来那么快，却只有两条那么窄的铁路，万一那铁轮子从铁道上掉下来，那可怎么办？"老佛爷还是有些狐疑。 "不会的，老佛爷，您老人家放心，这火车跑起来可稳当呢，比坐轿子都舒服！" 慈禧太后总觉得很奇怪，那么奇怪的火车，它是怎么才能走呢？是什么让它走呢？怎么想也搞不清楚。不如亲眼去看看。于是在十一月二十四登车北行之前，慈禧太后着实认真地把火车看了一遍。 銮驾出了正定行宫，直奔火车站而来。到了火车站，落了轿，李莲英搀扶着慈禧太后下了轿，走上了月台。看到了，看到了，慈禧看到了火车，看到了属于她的那条黄龙。她把那火车一节一节地端详着，百看不解其意。便对李莲英说： "莲英，这火车怎么才能走呀，让它往前走走。" 李莲英便命那火车司机把火车缓缓地向前开。火车慢慢地往前动了，慈禧禁不住心头的好奇，直喊"动了！动了！" 俯下身子，仔细地观察底下转动的铁轮。突然，她问："什么东西这么大力气，能推动这么多轮子转？"说完看看李莲英。 李莲英也不知道，那也得回答，于是就答了一句；"是最前面那个东西，叫什么蒸汽机。" "那蒸汽机是怎么造出来？它在最前面，怎么能推动后面这些轮子转？"慈禧有点太天真。 "这……，奴才也不知道。"李莲英有点不好意思。慈禧又看看别的大臣，没有人能回答她的问题。 "为什么火车只能在铁道上面走，怎么不能在地上走？莲英，让这车往后退退，能退吗？"李莲英又令火车向后缓缓地退。慈禧还在目不转眼地看着那铁轨、车轮。 "好，往前走！" "往后退！" 如是这般，火车就在这段铁轨上，往前走走，再往后退退，供老佛爷玩赏。看了好一阵子，慈禧太后似乎看懂了火车是怎样动，怎样停，对着火车不住地点头，觉得非常放心了，才对李莲英说："莲英，我们上去看看！" 于是，火车停下来了。上面的司机和工役们，都匆匆忙忙地下了车，侍跪车旁，等着老佛爷登车。别人上车，都用铁梯，这种方式，如果同样用于老佛爷，确实有些不雅。所以，李莲英早就命令工匠为太后登车制做了一种特制的梯子。 用一张特制的大木板，搭在车门口，形成一个平缓的斜坡，再给板上盖上一条黄色的地毯，就形成了一个特制的木梯。上车时，李大总管走在老佛爷前面，扶着他的手臂，左右两边，分别由两个小太监搀扶，不费吹灰之力，便上了火车。 紧接着，光绪帝、隆裕皇后、其他妃嫔以及王公大臣、随行的军队，都挤上了火车。一群后妃，不曾见过火车，今日得坐，自然是喜不自胜，嘻嘻哈哈，相互逗乐。九门提督姜维提的兵丁，挤在一个车厢里，显得得意洋洋。 等慈禧太后和光绪帝上了车，那火车司机和工役们，才爬将起来，登上火车，守在自己的岗位上，静待发车的命令。 慈禧太后上了火车。她对车厢的布置、装饰非常满意，总觉得自己占用两节车厢有些太奢侈，于是，让李莲英和荣禄住在第二节车厢中，也好给她解解闷。皇帝、后妃、王公大臣则相安无事。随行军队人数很多，不可能全都挤上火车，只有一小部分上了火车，其余的只能是步行了。 "莲英，去看看皇帝他们都收拾好了吗？"慈禧在休息了一会儿说。 "老佛爷，万岁爷那儿早就准备好了，奴才刚才去看过了。" "好，我们走吧！" "Follow the order." 发车的命令终于下达了，火车司机和工役们就忙了起来。 站台上送行的大臣，以袁世凯为首，跪送圣驾。火车开动了，站台上响起了欢呼声。看着火车缓缓地驶出了车站，送行的人群才陆续散去。 这列黄色的御用列车，像条黄龙，在燕赵大地上奔驰。在火车的车头前面，交叉着两面杏黄大旗，中间绣着一条巨龙，张大了嘴，在它的嘴边，绣着一颗大珠。火车上坐的便是当朝的真龙天子，可是，真龙天子天生懦弱，这么多年来一直受老佛爷控制，甚至连喜笑怒骂的权利都没有，所以说，他不能算是真龙，而只能算是个傀儡。傀儡天子还能有什么作为呢？他只能随慈禧摆布，自己的爱恨、理想，则全是虚无，可是他无可奈何，所以他麻木了。现在，他还坐在火车上，从车窗中观赏他的国土，看着列祖列宗留下来的锦绣山河。 火车开得并不快。因为是皇太后、皇上乘坐的，不求快，只求稳，所以，每小时北行三四十里。但与轿子相比，那可是天上地下了。西太后坐在宝座上，看着窗外，想着心事。忽然，她的思想又回到了火车上。她总是搞不明白，这火车为什么就能走，怎么想也想不出一点道理。就回过头来问李莲英："莲英，你可认识这里的铁路局长？" "认识，老佛爷，你老人家哪儿不受用，就告诉奴才，奴才去办！" "没有什么要紧的事儿，只是这火车到底是怎么回事，我一直弄不清楚，你去把那铁路局长叫来，我问问他！"慈禧摆弄着水烟袋，懒懒地说。 这铁路局长，是通过李莲英买到的官位，李莲英岂能不认识他。太后、皇上要坐火车，作为这一路段的铁路局长，他自然要跟在火车上。这会儿，他正在前面机车上，这儿走走，那儿看看，检查他的手下的工作。李莲英从慈禧太后的那节车厢寻了过来，对着那铁路局长喊："小子，你他妈真有造化，老佛爷叫你去跟她说话呢！" 铁路局长吓了一跳，心里嘀咕，老佛爷找我，什么事？是不是有什么地方侍候得不周到？老佛爷发怒了，找我算帐？越想越怕，便对李莲英说："总……，总管爷，有什么地方侍候得不周全，您老人家就直接吩咐。老佛爷那儿，还求您老人家美言。我鼠辈小人，见不了大世面，去见老佛爷，就免了吧！" 李莲英听他这么说，笑了，说："小子，别怕，你的供奉很周全，老佛爷非常满意，不会怪罪你的。她老人家找你，不是为这事，是想问问你火车的事！" "什么，火车的事，火车的什么事？"铁路局长有些茫然。 "就是火车是怎么造的，怎么跑的等等，你一个铁路局长，难道不知道？"说着，拉着铁路局长就走。 这铁路局长家里是财主，只有钱，学识却少得可怜。他虽是铁路局长，只知利用职权营私舞弊，把自己捐官所花的银子往回赚，哪里管他火车是怎么造出来的，怎么跑起来的又是怎么停下来的，这也不是他的职权范围。所以，一听太后要问这些东西，就连连推辞。但李莲英拉住他不放，他总觉他虽然是捐钱捐的官，但是像这么简单的问题，总该知道一二，所以，就死拽着不放，硬是拉到了慈禧太后的车厢里来了。 见了慈禧太后，铁路局长诚慌诚恐，跪倒尘埃。老佛爷看他颤颤惊惊的样子，说："你站着说话吧！" "谢老佛爷恩典。"铁路局长颤巍巍地站了起来，心里忐忑不安，只好低下头，看着自己的脚尖稳定情绪。 "究竟是什么东西让这么长的火车动起来的呢？"慈禧太后开始发问了。 "回老佛爷，是车上的司机、工役们把火车开动的！"他觉得自己答得还算流利。 李莲英听他这么回答，觉得好笑，但他毕竟是自己推荐的人，真希望他别给自己丢人，赶忙插嘴道："这个老佛爷知道，她老人家是问你那火车是怎么动的，谁有那么的力气，推着它跑？" "火车不是被推着走的，是最前面的车头拉着后面的车厢走的。" "车头上有什么东西，有那么大力气？"慈禧太后接着问。 "回老佛爷，那车头就是一个大蒸汽轮机，里面装着一个锅炉，装着水，用火烧，一直把水烧成水蒸汽，再把那汽喷出来，推外面的轮子，轮子一转，火车就走起来了。"铁路局长讲得津津有味。其实，他本来也不知道这火车是怎么跑起来的，就因为今天皇太后和万岁爷要坐火车，他就只得来押车，闲得无聊，就在车头里面转悠，看到用锅炉烧水，很是奇怪，就问旁边的工役，火车火车，要烧那么多水干什么，那工役告诉了他火车工作的原理，这会儿就在老佛爷面前派上了用场。 "那汽儿就那么大力气，能推动火车走？"老佛爷有点不相信。 "小、小的说得句句是实，前面确有锅炉，还生着炭火。 李大总管刚才到前面去了，他也看见了！ " 慈禧太后看了看李莲英，未置可否，接着问："那火车是怎样停下来的？" "这，小的看每到停车时，就有六七个人从车上跑下来，跑到最的一节车厢里，用力抓住一个轮盘，一齐用力拽住，这火车就停下来了。" "那车头在前面，把车头停住了，这后面不就停住了，为什么还要在后面拽什么轮盘？"慈禧好象兴趣很浓。 这下可把这铁路局长给难住了，想了好大一会，才说： "火车跑起来，惯性很大，而且铁轨那么光滑，要想停下来，可不容易，所以停车时得前面和后面同时刹车，才能安全地停下来。" 慈禧太后好像听懂了，又好像没听懂，看那铁路局长讲得那么认真，也就点了点头。接着又说："火车为什么不能在地上走，只能在铁道上走？"对于火车，她好像有问不完的问题。"这，火车那么重，用的又全都是铁轮子，就一个铁轮子，能把地面压下去深深的坑，再加上车厢等，在土地上，保准一压一个坑，是走不动的。"铁路局长的表情越来越自然了，也不像刚才那么怯生了。 慈禧听他说得似乎有些道理，便又点点头，觉得有些困了，就对铁路局长说："你去吧！"那铁路局长如释重任，悄悄地退了出去。慈禧对李莲英说："这个铁路局长还真有点见识，瞧他讲得头头是道的！" "是，是。这也是应该的，作为铁路局长，连这些都不懂，那怎么成！"李莲英为这个铁路局长感到骄傲。 慈禧太后得到了关于火车的许多知识，坐在火车上放心多了。以前，她也坐过火车，但总觉得不大保险，现在总算踏实多了，便又操起了水烟袋。李莲英忙着给她装烟、点纸引子。慈禧抽起了水烟，李莲英便没有别的事了，便又溜到前面机车上，找那个铁路局长。没等铁路局长开口，他便夸道："真行啊，几年不见，出息多了，说话也顺溜了。" "谢总管爷夸奖！没有总管爷，就没有小的今日，如有机会，小的一定登门拜访！" "你说得真不错，老佛爷不住地夸你呢！" "全托总管爷的福！" 正说话间，火车突然放慢了速度。李莲英问铁路局长： "车怎么慢下来了？" "噢，可能快到保定了，要进站了，车要走慢点。" 李莲英听说快到保定了，便匆匆回到了慈禧的车厢，说： "老佛爷，快到保定了！" "这么快？就到保定啦？听说要比平时慢得多呢！" 汽笛一声长鸣，火车驶入了保定火车站。保定是当时直隶省省府所在地，总督衙门就设在这里。直隶总督袁世凯因前日南行接驾，当时尚未回到保定，所以皇太后、皇上到保定时，由保定其他官员率兵列队迎接，把皇太后等迎入保定行宫。 慈禧太后在保定停留数日，一边派庆王奕劻回京，准备接驾，一边频频召见大臣，询问各地方和京中的情况。十一月二十八日，从保定行宫起銮，坐上了那列呼啸的火车，直向京师而来。 快到京师了，得收拾收拾了，李莲英便清点了一下从西安、开封带回来的箱笼，然后把清单呈给了慈禧太后，让她老人家过过目。这些箱笼，可都是无价之宝，想当初出逃时，两手空空，现在回来时，满满当当，这不都是白赚的？所以，这可是命根子，为了保险，李莲英派他的干儿子李成武专门看管这些东西。这回可真是满载而归。慈禧太后看到这清单，想想那些珍宝，心里有说不出的喜悦。喜悦的另一个原因就是火车马上就要到北京了，她马上就要到家了。 再说庆亲王，奉了老佛爷之命，回京准备接驾。他回到京师之后，马不停蹄，为接驾的事情奔波，他决定要把全城的王公、百官、富绅、贫民、军队等全部用上，以盛太的场面迎接皇太后和皇帝的归来，不能让太后失望。所以指示各级官员积极配合安排，并把什么人在什么地方接驾绘成图帖，安排得极其细致。由芦沟桥到丰台、马家堡，安排姜维提带走护驾余下的九门提督所辖的兵队，在沿途一批一批地跪地迎接；从丰台到正阳门，由步军王营兵队分段跪接；马家堡至永定门外，由左右营士兵，王城练勇分段跪接；永定门内以东至大桥，由诸王、贝勒、贝子、公爵、宗人府、中书科、吏礼刑三部、理藩院、通政司、翰林院等各分一段，跪接圣驾；永定门内以西到天桥，由诸王、贝勒、贝子、公爵、内阁外、户、兵、工四部和都察院，大理寺等各分一段，跪接圣驾；各个阶层的绅士排列于石桥之北，候补官员排列于天桥之北，废员排列在