Chapter 24 Chapter 21 Yuan Thief Informs

Yuan Shikai was shocked when he saw it. He couldn't tell whether it was the emperor's handwriting or not.He was extremely nervous, and at this moment Yuan Shikai's broad forehead was covered with cold sweat. He was deeply aware of the seriousness of the situation, and he was thinking in his heart that he must be lured into telling about the conspiracy, and then he would follow the plan... Emperor Guangxu sent three secret edicts to the military aircraft office Yang Rui and Lin Xu successively. In the inner room of the Hainan Guild Hall, Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, Tan Sitong, Kang Guangren, Yang Rui, Yang Shenxiu, Liu Guangdi, etc. all stared nervously at the emperor's handbook that Lin Xu tore off his belt.Lin Xu told Kang Youwei that it was written by the emperor in tears, and that concubine Zhen sewed it into my belt for me.

Kang Youwei knelt down and kowtowed to the emperor three times before he took over the secret edict and began to read it. The first secret edict is to ask Kang Youwei to "go out quickly without delay."The full text is: I am ordering you to supervise the official newspaper. I really have a last resort, which cannot be exhausted by Chu Mo.You can go out quickly without delay.You are full of loyalty and love, and I know it well.He cherishes his body, is good at self-regulation, and will drive more efficiently in the future to build a great cause together. I have high hopes.Special order.

When Kang Youwei read "You are loyal and warm-hearted, I know it well... In the future, I will work harder and build a great cause together, and I have high hopes for it", tears welled up in his eyes. Kang Youwei took over the Second Secret Edict and read: However, the current situation is difficult, and reforms are not enough to save China, and the ministers who are old and absurd must be replaced by wise and brave men.But the empress dowager didn't take it seriously, and I repeatedly admonished her, and the empress dowager was even more angry.Now my position is almost in danger. Rukang Youwei, Yang Rui, Lin Xu, Tan Sitong, and Liu Guangdi can arrange for each other quickly and try to save each other. I am very anxious.

When Kang Youwei read "My position is almost in danger now,... try to save each other", he was so sad that he couldn't cry. After reading the edict, several people burst into tears. Kang Youwei wiped his tears with his sleeve, and swore: "I will defend the emperor to the death." "Yes, I swear to defend the emperor to the death." Liang Qichao, Tan Sitong and others replied in tears. Kang Youwei then picked up a pen and quickly wrote the memorial "Defend the Emperor to the Death" and handed it to Lin Xu to present to the Emperor. After Lin Xu left, Kang Youwei and the others started a secret meeting to rescue the emperor.

Tan Sitong wiped away his tears with his sleeve, and said: "The emperor is indeed in danger, now we have no choice but to take the risk, I think there is only one way..." "What method, Sitong, tell me quickly." The impatient Liu Guangdi asked. Tan Sitong looked at the doors and windows solemnly, and Kang Youwei hurriedly said, "Don't worry, there is Guangren looking out." Tan Sitong lowered his voice and said: "Try to persuade Yuan Shikai to raise troops to kill Rong Lu, and then go to Beijing to besiege the Summer Palace and remonstrate with soldiers to save the emperor."

"Okay." Kang Youwei immediately agreed. "This is the only way, and only Yuan Shikai can use it." Kang Youwei also said: "Now Britain and Japan will not intervene, only rely on ourselves." Liang Qichao thought for a while and said: "Now that things have come to an end, this is the only way to go. The emperor just summoned Yuan Shikai and appointed him as an alternate servant. He should repay his kindness." Everyone else agreed. Tan Sitong also said: "However, it is a matter of life and death to encircle the garden. Yuan Shikai has not yet returned to Tianjin. I want to examine him personally. If he is loyal, I will follow the plan. If he does not do it, then Tan Sitong will live and die with him. "

"Okay. Brother Sitong is worthy of being a man of lofty ideals. Do you have any other options? No, then do as Sitong said." Kang Youwei said firmly. After hearing this, Liang Qichao immediately agreed: "Alright, just to be cautious, I will ask Sitong to visit Fahua Temple again." Tan Sitong said: "At this point, I have no choice but to do so. I will take my life and make a trip." Kang Youwei said: "Let the Great Swordsman Wu secretly protect you." Great Swordsman Wang Wu is a famous chivalrous man in the capital. He is over half a century old, but he is still as strong as ever.His heroic devotion throughout his life won the respect of the public and his reputation shocked the capital.Dao Wang Wu is tall and tall, with white beard and hair, but a rosy face, with thick eyebrows and big eyes looking forward. He has a long history with Tan Sitong, influenced by him, he agrees with the reformers very much.Now he is squatting at the door, blowing the pipe while listening to their meeting and guarding for them.Hearing Kang Youwei talking about him at this time, he nodded towards Tan Sitong.

At night, a carriage drove to Fahua Temple.Yuan Shikai, who lived in the Begonia Courtyard of Fahua Temple, returned from the mansions of Yikuang and Li Hongzhang and was washing his feet and getting ready for bed. While soaking his feet, he was thinking about what Yikuang and Li Hongzhang said... Yes, without Li Hongzhang, without Rong Lu, how could he be where he is today?He is still reminiscing about those puns that seemed to make him rein in the precipice... After being summoned by the emperor and being rewarded for nothing, there will definitely be new content, and he will never be so cheap.

Yuan Shikai's mind was boiling like a boiled pot... Yes, I, Yuan Shikai, can only do my best to see if they will give me another high position... Sure enough, before the feet were soaked, the attendant sent a visiting card: Tan Sitong Yuan Shikai sank when he saw it, and the footbath under his feet was knocked over by him, and the water spilled all over the floor, and the attendants came in quickly to clean it up.Yuan Shikai thought nervously, this person is Kang Youwei's disciple, the emperor's new favorite who has just entered the military plane Zhangjing. This man from Liuyang, Hunan Province is a core figure of the reform school. He once founded the current affairs school and "Xiang Bao" in Changsha. He was well-known for his propaganda of reform and reform.He thought about it nervously, wondering if he would be told by his attendants that he had returned to Tianjin, but then he thought, if he could hide from the first day of the new year, he would not be able to hide from the fifteenth day, so why not meet him and see what tricks he has, and just come up with an impromptu response.

Besides, these people are the emperor's favorite, if they gain power,... I can't cut myself off... Thinking of this, I waved my hand and said "wait in the living room". The attendants went out, Yuan Shikai hurriedly asked one of the attendants to wipe his feet, then put on court clothes and hurried to the living room. When he arrived at the living room, Yuan Shikai was stunned by the visitor. He saw that he was tall, with a broad forehead, and a pair of big eyes with deep eyes. He was standing solemnly waiting for him. Yuan Shikai hurriedly saluted: "I have been waiting for a long time, I have been waiting for a long time, please sit down, please sit down."

Tan Sitong did not sit down after returning the gift, but just looked around the room and said: "Tan Sitong has important matters to visit, please come to the inner room to talk alone." Yuan Shikai had no choice but to let him into the inner room, screen him back to the left and right, and ask him to sit on the seat after closing the door. Tan Sitong didn't sit down either, he just looked straight at him and asked, "What does the general think of the current emperor?" "Your Majesty is worthy of being an unrivaled monarch who worked hard to govern and revitalize the Qing Dynasty." Tan Sitong asked again: "Does the general know that the Empress Dowager is going to fight in Tianjin soon?" Yuan Shikai was shocked: "I heard." "Didn't the general realize that there was a conspiracy hidden in it?" "Ah... this..." Tan Sitong saw that he avoided him, so he said: "When we are in danger, let's make it clear. The emperor is in danger. The queen mother and Rong Lu may take advantage of the military parade to transfer the emperor out of Beijing, and then take the opportunity to take the emperor." "Ah, abolishing the emperor, is this... possible?" Yuan Shikai pretended to be surprised, but waited for the next article. Tan Sitong went on to say: "How is that impossible? If he was just for a military parade, then why did the troops of Dong Fuxiang and Nie Shicheng be transferred to Beijing, and why did the defense of the palace and the Summer Palace suddenly change?" "This..." Of course Yuan Shikai could judge in his heart, but he still opened his mouth wide and feigned surprise. "Why, the emperor is in danger, don't you know, the general, you are the only one who can save the emperor now!" Tan Sitong looked straight at the other party. "Me?" Yuan Shikai opened his mouth even wider. Tan Sitong said again: "I was entrusted to bring the emperor's secret edict, please have a look at it, general." Yuan Shikai received the secret edict, which was written by the emperor to Kang Youwei. It said "Kill Ronglu and remonstrate with the Queen Mother". Yuan Shikai was shocked when he read it.He was extremely nervous, and at this time Yuan Shikai's broad forehead was covered with cold sweat. He was deeply aware of the seriousness of the situation, and he was thinking in his heart that he must be lured into talking about the conspiracy, and then he would follow suit. Yuan Shikai's eyeballs were rolling... Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead to his neck. Seeing this, Tan Sitong took a step forward, and said with a persuasive gaze: "General Yuan, I have told you the whole story, and there are two ways in front of you: either repay your kindness and save the emperor from danger; or go and inform you immediately. , kill the emperor, kill us, and you can also fly to the top and skyrocket." "Ah, Tan Jun, you underestimate Yuan Mou too much. Although Yuan Mou is not a person with lofty ideals, he is not the villain who waits for informers and traitors. Tell me, what do you want Yuan Mou to do?" Tan Sitong thought that Yuan Shikai was really not that kind of traitor, so he looked around, then lowered his voice, and said one word like a heavy hammer: "According to the secret order! Kill Ronglu and remonstrate with the Queen Mother." Yuan Shikai listened, his eyes dodged Tan Sitong's and stepped back... Tan Sitong asked: "Why, are you afraid?" "No, no, no..." Sheng Shikai couldn't help but took another step back. Tan Sitong saw that he was afraid and said: "If you are afraid of disturbing the Queen Mother, you only need to kill Rong Lu, and then send the army to defend the palace immediately. As for the Summer Palace, I can arrange people to go. How about it, General Yuan?" Tan Sitong His eyes are like torches. Yuan Shikai still evaded the persecution, and turned around and said: "When the emperor was on patrol in Tianjin, if Rong Lu dared to ask questions, the emperor would hide in Yuan's palace and order Yuan to punish traitors. Killing Rong Lu is like killing a dog. .” Tan Sitong asked back: "Rong Lu is the boss who promoted you, and he is also a man with a heavy hand. Is it easy to kill him?" Yuan Shikai replied: "It's really not easy, so I have to go back to the camp to make preparations, especially the ammunition is Chief Ronglu." "Okay, please get ready." "Tan Jun, don't worry." After Tan Sitong left, Yuan Shikai stood in the inner room, unable to recover for a long time. The mission of killing Rong Lu to encircle the Summer Palace was too terrible. Yuan Shikai was thinking nervously. Disaster is imminent.But never expected that the disaster would come so fast and so violently. what to do? Yuan Shikai's eyes were wide open, panting heavily, like a wounded leopard scurrying around the room. The attendant came in and saw this, and asked cautiously: "It's getting late, please go to bed, general." "Get out! I'm not sleepy." "Yes." The servant hurriedly withdrew. Yuan Shikai lay on the bed tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep, his brain was rolling like porridge. He thought: This political bet is really too difficult. If it succeeds, I, Yuan Shikai, will become a hero of saving the country overnight and become famous all over the world... But, can it succeed?The emperor is a half-puppet with no military power, and those scholars are even more unarmed. They come to rely on me, so what should I rely on? I have only 7,000 soldiers under my command, and the ammunition is still controlled by Rong Lu.Rong Lu not only has a lot of troops, but he is also guarding against me. Otherwise, why did Nie Shicheng's troops be transferred to block between the small station and Beijing? It is clear that he wants to cut off my west road to prevent accidents. It can be seen that Rong Lu How can this old and cunning fox be easy to deal with... Even if I kill Rong Lu and try my best to break out of the encirclement, I will not be able to reach Beijing, let alone save the emperor. Dong Fuxiang, who has been transferred to Changxindian by then, will enter Beijing before I enter Beijing...then I will not be killed by the Queen Mother. Cut to pieces?What's more, is Rong Lu so easy to kill?He called and urged me to go back on the pretext of a British ship demonstrating in my territorial waters, explaining that he was on guard against me... Yuan Shikai turned over and asked the servants to come in and pour water for him to drink. After taking a sip, he thought the tea was not hot, so he threw the teacup at the servants, which scared the servants to boil water and make tea again. After Yuan Shikai drank a few sips of hot tea, he calmed down for a while, and thought again, if I go to inform Rong Lu, my official fortune will rise in the future, but Kang Youwei and the others will be killed, and I will be accused of betraying the emperor and the political reform. . Alas, which one is right... It was almost dawn.Yuan Shikai fell asleep in a daze. In the haze, Yuan Shikai seemed to see Tan Sitong and Kang Youwei being bound to the execution ground by the Empress Dowager Xi to be killed, and the blood was sprayed on his face... After a while, he seemed to see Rong Lu put a knife on his neck and scolded: "You wolf-hearted thing , I treat you well, but you want to kill me, today I must kill you!" "Lord Rong, please forgive me. This is not the minister's original intention. It is the emperor who forced me..." Yuan Shikai yelled in his dream... "General Yuan wake up, the emperor has an order." The attendant called him urgently. "Ah... what?" Yuan Shikai asked, rubbing his swollen and blistered eyes. The attendant repeated it again, and then he woke up from the dream, and quickly got out of bed, put on court clothes and knelt outside the courtyard to greet him. It turned out that Emperor Guangxu summoned him for the second time in the name of Xie Zhao. Yuan Shikai didn't dare to neglect, and rushed into the palace to meet him. The time was the morning of September 20, the day before the Empress Dowager Cixi launched a palace coup. Emperor Guangxu received him at the Meridian Gate of the imperial palace, because Emperor Guangxu found that he had been closely monitored by Empress Dowager Cixi, so he was only allowed to receive him as a regular Xie Zhao. After Yuan Shikai knelt down and bowed, he said two words of thanks to the emperor: "My minister, Yuan Shikai, is grateful for the emperor's grace. If the emperor has no orders, I will go back to the small station." Emperor Guangxu praised and said: "You have trained well, so you must continue to practice hard." Emperor Guangxu still wanted to take the opportunity to have a deep talk with him, but the eunuchs outside the palace had already changed, so he stopped talking, but told him earnestly to act according to the order and train his soldiers well, and then he wanted to wait for the people watching outside the palace to stay away , but the people who watched him never left, so Emperor Guangxu had no choice but to remain silent. Seeing that Emperor Guangxu didn't speak for a long time, Yuan Shikai looked up and saw the emperor's eyes staring at him, showing a look of hesitating to speak. After a while, Emperor Guangxu saw the watchman walking past, got off his imperial seat, walked up to Yuan Shikai, and whispered the decree that Yuan Shikai couldn't believe his ears: Quickly kill Ronglu. Yuan Shikai knelt down and said, "I swear to heaven that I will obey the order." Emperor Guangxu wanted to say something more, but the eunuch watching outside the palace turned around again.Emperor Guangxu immediately returned to the throne, and then said emphatically: "Kneel down, it must be done well." "Your Majesty, don't worry." After Yuan Shikai left the palace, he went straight to the train station. When he got on the train, he sat on the table and drank wine, while the guards waited carefully. Yuan Shikai was thinking nervously. Today's emperor's expression and kiln orders prove that the emperor is indeed in danger. It seems that the emperor is really about to be plotted against by Ronglu during the military parade in Tianjin.The emperor is indeed very pitiful, I really want to save him, but Rong Lu controls Song, Nie, Dong, Yuan and the Royal Palace Guards with a total of 100,000 elite soldiers, and the Eight Banners Battalion and Shotgun Battalion guarding the city are nearly 200,000 The strength of the troops, and the equipment is not bad, with only six or seven thousand of us fighting against him, it is like hitting a stone with an egg.He thought anxiously, comparing. He also thought that Rong Lu had promoted him and had protected his interests, so he really couldn't kill Rong Lu.But if Ronglu is not killed, the emperor will die. Compared with the emperor, Ronglu is of course more important to save the emperor.But... Alas, Yuan Shikai, Yuan Shikai, if I save Ronglu, I will be able to achieve great success, but if I save the emperor, I will pay the price of my life—Yuan Shikai looked at the blue sky and fields outside the window... No, I'm only in my thirties, and I'm in full swing. I don't want to die, I still want to live, and I want to be promoted to a high official or a general... Why should I be Kang Youwei's bullet, why should I go to save the emperor?Besides, I can't save him.Besides, I am a martial artist, I only know whoever is more powerful and I will take refuge in whomever, my fucking Yuan Shikai has always only known that if you have milk, you are a mother, regardless of whether you are a king or a minister. But...Yuan Shikai thought again, the reputation of saving the emperor is completely opposite to that of saving Ronglu. Saving the emperor is saving reform and reform, and my name, Yuan Shikai, will go down in history; saving Ronglu, history will leave me with a bad name.well!Yuan Shikai, Yuan Shikai, you are in the political vortex where life and death, evil and evil are fiercely fighting, your fate is too critical... "My lord, we've arrived at the station, do you want to go down for a walk?" "Get out! Don't bother me." Yuan Shikai opened the curtains and looked at the name of the station: Langfang. what!There is only half the way, what should I do?This choice is too difficult, the contrast is too great. Yuan Shikai thought again: In fact, the emperor's life is not in my hands. Even if I don't tell the truth, I will still be killed by them during the emperor's military parade in Tianjin in a few days...then wait for them to do it, why should I? Going to inform and carry a bad name?No... no. Yuan Shikai put the teacup on the table irritably, opened his collar and stood up, opened the car window to let the cool wind blow hard on his swollen and aching forehead. After his mind calmed down a bit, he began to think again. If he followed their instructions to assassinate Rong Lu, he would obviously be measuring himself to death, not to mention that he might not be able to kill Rong Lu who had already taken precautions. This way seems to be absolutely feasible. It doesn't make sense... If... If I don't report and don't carry out the emperor's secret edict, then no matter who dies in the future, I will be killed. It's still a dead end... It's better to report to Ronglu, not only to save my life , can even make a fortune, isn't Rong Lu the one who made a fortune in the Xinyou coup, escorted the Cixi coup and made great achievements?I, Yuan Shikai, also made great contributions to saving Ronglu's life in the 1898 coup, so why not promote me... As for leaving infamy, damn it, in every dynasty, the winner is the king, and the loser is the bandit!If I, Yuan Shikai, make a fortune, who would dare to scold me, wouldn't you? Both Rong Lu and Li Hongzhang are in their sixtieth years, and I’m only in my thirties. As long as I’m loyal to them, when they die, I can still be the Governor of Zhili, Minister of the Ministry of War, etc. It may not be impossible, as my military power will become stronger and stronger in the future, I can also carry out a coup to seize power like Cixi, and maybe I can make Emperor Yuan Dang Dang. By then, what kind of informer or traitor? hell go!Who would say that I was a whistleblower, I am afraid that there are many people who will reverse the case for me, defend me, and even shed tears for me, Yuan Datou! Hmph, Cixi is just a woman, she can kill Sushun, seize power, and listen to politics behind a curtain. I am still a big man, as long as I have military power, I will not be afraid.Emperor Guangxu even came to flatter me, a third-rank martial artist, because he has no military power... ah!Military power is too important. I, Yuan Shikai, will use military power as the wings for my prosperity throughout my life. After a painful and fierce contest between evil and righteousness, spirit and desire, evil and desire finally prevailed. The attendant came to ask: "General, should we get off at the small station, or..." "Tianjin Station." After Yuan Shikai made up his mind, he put down the curtains again, sat back at the table and shouted: "Bring me good wine." "Yes." Seeing that Yuan Shikai no longer frowned, the attendant knew that he would not get angry with him again, and hurried to order the best wine for him. The four-hour train journey from Beijing to Tianjin changed Yuan Shikai's life.Those four hours of agonizing decision-making have been countered throughout his life's political-military career.It has maximized his political speculation and political ambition...isn't it?Yuan Shikai was favored by Empress Dowager Cixi during the Reform Movement of 1898. After the death of Li Hongzhang, he became Governor of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang, realizing his first ambition. During the Wuchang Uprising, Yuan Shikai, a Beiyang warlord, stole the victory of the 1911 Revolution and became the interim president in Nanjing, and later became the official president, realizing his second ambition.Later, he wanted to be the emperor and restore the monarchy, but his dream was shattered due to the opposition of the whole country, and he himself died of fear.He betrayed Kang Youwei in the early years, and forced Sun Yat-sen to give way to him during the Revolution of 1911, which shows the consistent tricks of this political speculator. Therefore, Yuan Shikai's personality is just like the hat that others put on him. The person is indeed "not a thing". Arriving at Tianjin Railway Station at three o'clock in the afternoon, Yuan Shikai went straight to the Governor's Mansion, and Rong Lu met him immediately. When Yuan Shikai saw Rong Lu, he knelt down immediately, and said with a choked voice, "Rong Zhongtang, Weiting has something important to report to your lord." Rong Lu lifted him up, led him into the inner room, turned away his left and right sides, and pretended to be surprised and asked: "Isn't Wei Ting called to visit the emperor in Beijing? I heard that the emperor has appointed you as an alternate servant. This is a happy event." Ah, why are you acting like this?" Yuan Shikai knelt down again with a "plop", took out the secret edict from his arms and handed it up, saying: "Lu Zhongtang, something is wrong, Kang Youwei and the others want me to kill you. This is the emperor's secret edict they gave me." Rong Lu was startled for a moment, then took a look at the secret edict, and saw a few impressively small words printed in his eyes: Kill Ronglu and remonstrate with the Queen Mother! Rong Lu was shocked when he saw it, but he immediately calmed down, because all this was within his expectation.After carefully identifying the secret edict, it was the emperor's tone, but he was not sure whether it was the emperor's hand order, so he asked: "Did the emperor give it to you by himself?" "No, the emperor just gave an oral order, and the secret order was delivered to my residence overnight by Tan Sitong." "Tan Sitong! Kang Youwei's follower, the emperor's upstart...It's possible. What else did he say to you? Come, sit down. Don't worry, tell me carefully." Yuan Shikai sat down opposite Rong Lu, and told all about Tan Sigang's night visit to him. Rong Lu listened calmly. "He also threatened me that if I don't obey, he will kill me first, and then he will commit suicide, which means that if I don't obey, I will obey." Rong Lu was still listening calmly, his face had gradually turned green and ferocious, and his teeth were gnashing loudly. Seeing Yuan Shikai, he knew that Rong Lu couldn't bear it any longer... But Rong Lu's expression quickly changed again. He came back and said: "You reported well, I understand, you go back to the camp and wait for orders." "yes." "Keep an eye on him." Rong Lu winked at his followers. "yes." After Yuan Shikai left, the treacherous and cunning Rong Lu stomped his feet angrily. He scolded Guangxu bitterly: Humph!If you want to put me to death, I will make it impossible for you to survive and die! Rong Lu immediately arranged some affairs, changed his clothes, and drove straight to Beijing by special car. Rong Lu got on the special train overnight, all the way to the green light, woo..., the train whistled and drove towards Beijing quickly... Rong Lu opened the curtains and looked out. It was dusk and the land was dark. Houses and trees not far away flashed past. A puff of smoke came over, and Rong Lu's eyes seemed to be filled with smoke. He rubbed it with his hands, then closed the window, drew the curtains, and began to think nervously... Humph!Emperor Guangxu wants my life? !Let me see who wants whose life!Originally, the Autumn Mother was planning to attack him after the military parade. Even if he didn't kill him, he would have to be imprisoned. Now it seems that they are going to catch them all in advance. In fact, to protect the Queen Mother is to protect my Ronglu. Without the Queen Mother today, there will be no tomorrow for my Ronglu. That Empress Dowager Bing returned to Beijing from Rehe to compete with Sushun and other eight ministers. The emperor's contest is just a contest with an emperor who has no real power, especially no military power, so the problem is not too serious. The guard brought him hot tea. Rong Lu picked up the cup, took a sip, and then thought, Yuan Shikai, Yuan Shikai, you are really smart after all. I'm afraid you already know that you are in a tight siege, but you don't tell me. Informant, I also know the purpose of the emperor summoning you.Of course, if you don't inform, things will be a little more troublesome. Thinking of this, Rong Lu felt a little complacent, so he opened the window a little, and he opened his clothes a little to cool off his hot head. "Rong Zhongtang, do you want some supper?" the attendant asked. "Forget it, let's talk about it in Beijing." Rong Lu thought again, didn't the emperor call you Yuan Shikai just to attract the army, but it was too late, the Empress Dowager Cixi was smart because she firmly held the military power.It seems that I, Rong Lu, is on the right path to follow the path of Empress Dowager Cixi. I, Rong Lu, now have military power as high as the commander of the infantry, the governor of Zhili, the minister of Beiyang, the minister of military aircraft, and the command of the three armies including the Gyeonggi Guards. It was given by the Queen Mother, so Ronglu must be grateful for his kindness. However, Ronglu is not a relative of the emperor. Although he is favored by Cixi, how can he stabilize his position if he does not make great contributions? "My lord, please use bananas." The guard said softly. "Okay, let it go." "My lord, let me close the window, it's getting cold, I'm afraid you..." "Okay, close it." After the guards left, Rong Lu thought again: In the past, the Empress Dowager Cixi returned to Beijing from Rehe to seize the power of the eight ministers including Sushun.Today, if the Empress Dowager is kept and she is still in charge, then my honorable status can be guaranteed. Otherwise, if Emperor Guangxu, Kang, and Liang are allowed to succeed, then I will be vacated and go home even if I don’t move my head.Thinking of this, Rong Lu shivered, and urged the guard: "Go and inform the driver, and drive faster." "yes." When we arrived at the Summer Palace, it was exactly 10 o'clock in the evening. The gate was closed and heavily guarded. There were patrolling guards everywhere. The eunuch who guarded the gate recognized Rong Lu. Li Lianying knew that the political situation was uneasy recently, and heard that Rong Zhongtang came to see the Empress Dowager at night, so he didn't dare to be negligent. At this time, Cixi had already fallen asleep, because she went to the palace to observe Emperor Guangxu's reception of the former Japanese Prime Minister Itten Bowen during the day, and was very tired when she came back, so she ate something and lay down. "Lafayette, Lafayette." Li Lianying gently woke up the Queen Mother, and said, "Lafayette, Rong Zhongtang is here, saying that he has a confidential and important matter to see." "Huh? Hurry up, pass it on quickly." Two court ladies who were dedicated to helping Cixi dress came in and helped Cixi get dressed, and then helped her to sit in the outer hall. The emperor has rebelled, and he wants to kill me." "What? Say it again." "The emperor sent Yuan Shikai to kill me, and also to surround the Summer Palace to kill the Queen Mother." "Get up and speak slowly, Aijia will decide everything for you." So Rong Lu gave Tan Sitong the emperor's secret edict for entering Yuan Shikai's residence at night, and cried to Cixi about Yuan Shikai's execution of Rong Lu's encirclement of the Empress Dowager.And presented the secret edict handed over by Yuan Shikai to the Queen Mother.The Empress Dowager Cixi was trembling with anger after reading the secret edict, her face was ashen, she slammed the case, stood up and cursed: "The boy is rebellious, and the life of the family is coming. Well, Hua Dao will strike first. Rong Zhongtang, you quickly order the troops around Beijing to immediately enter the city and surround the palace, and Li Lianying to send the news that the ministers will enter the palace hall overnight to serve their orders." "Yes." Li Lianying withdrew. After Ronglu left, Cixi ordered to go to the Forbidden City Palace immediately. The entire Summer Palace was brightly lit, and people shouted and neighed. Eunuchs and palace maids were walking around and preparing for departure, and the number of guards increased several times. In less than half an hour, the Empress Dowager Cixi and her entourage set out from the East Palace Gate of the Summer Palace and went straight to the Imperial Palace via Xiyuan, under heavy guards. The Empress Dowager Cixi sat in the sedan chair with a serious face, and kept ordering to move quickly. The bearers were trotting, sweating profusely from exhaustion, and the eunuchs and court ladies followed closely behind the sedan chair, front, back, left, and right. The cavalry guards are armed with guns and ammunition as if they are facing an enemy... At the same night, the emperor’s bedroom was still brightly lit. Emperor Guangxu was walking up and down the room, feeling extremely anxious. He asked Concubine Zhen who was sitting aside and reading the memorial, “Zhen’er, check the telegram from Tianjin again.” "Yes, Your Majesty." Concubine Zhen responded while turning the pages. Emperor Guangxu anxiously said to Concubine Zhen: "Yuan Shikai should have arrived in Tianjin a long time ago. Why hasn't there been any news? Could it be that he has changed his name. He once knelt down and swore to me that everything will be done." "Your Majesty, don't worry, it's useless to be anxious." Concubine Zhen got up and walked over to Emperor Guangxu and said with concern: "Your Majesty, sit down for a rest, don't keep walking." Emperor Guangxu looked at the clock and said: "It's midnight, and Rong Lu's head should come down if there is no change, but why hasn't there been any movement yet?" "Your Majesty, do you think Yuan Shikai is reliable?" Concubine Zhen asked. "I trust him, that's why I entrust such a big matter to him." "Have you given him a secret edict?" "No, but when I summoned him for the third time, I gave him an oral order to punish Ronglu." "He fell on his knees and swore to you." "Yes, so, I believe that he will not betray me. Maybe something happened. If so, what about his safety?" Emperor Guangxu became more anxious as he spoke. "Your Majesty, why do I always feel that Yuan Shikai is a bit like An Lushan?" "Really? Not so much, Concubine Ai, you are too suspicious. By the way, Zhen'er, is there any news from your natal family?" "No, Your Majesty, the gate of the palace has been closely monitored, even the food I asked brother Zhijing to bring out is not allowed." "Ah, we have been closely monitored. Zhen'er, if Yuan Shikai changes, then we are all finished. Before it is too late, you should put on makeup and flee back to your mother's house for a while." "No, Your Majesty, the more critical it is, the more Zhen'er wants to be with you." Concubine Zhen rested her head in Emperor Guangxu's arms, and Guangxu hugged her and said, "But, these days are too dangerous, you should go quickly!" "No, Your Majesty, even if you die, Zhen'er will be with you. Zhen'er will never leave the Emperor. Your Majesty, Zhen'er's life is not worth cherishing. It is the Emperor that Zhen'er is worried about..." Concubine Zhen cried. "Zhen'er, don't cry..." Emperor Guangxu broke down in tears himself, "As long as the reform can succeed, what is my life worth?" "Your Majesty, you are so great, Zhen'er is willing to give everything for you." "Jane, my love..." Concubine Zhen felt sad, and tears welled up. Emperor Guangxu hugged her tightly and said emotionally: "My beloved concubine, you will always be my most beloved person." "Your Majesty, you are too tired, go to sleep for a while, you don't know what will happen tomorrow." "Okay!... I just don't know if Kang Youwei has left or not. We can't catch them all at once." "Your Majesty, please rest for a while." They hugged each other and went to bed, Guangxu blew out the lamp. "Your Majesty, hold me tight, Zhen'er always has an ominous feeling." Emperor Guangxu hugged his beloved concubine tightly.They embraced each other and gradually fell asleep. However, just when they had just fallen asleep, they heard a noisy sound in the palace. Emperor Guangxu was startled and was puzzled. Wang Shang came in and knelt down and reported: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother came to the palace overnight and has left the Summer Palace." Yes. Many soldiers have been added to the palace." After hearing this, Guangxu and Concubine Zhen turned over and sat up hastily.exactly: