Chapter 29 Chapter 26

When Emperor Guangxu heard that he wanted to have an heir, he understood Cixi's intention, that he wanted to use the name of establishing a crown prince to dethrone the emperor, and his face turned pale and he trembled... Empress Dowager Cixi's sleeping palace Yiluan Hall, Rong Lu came to see him on time. Li Lianying came in to report. Cixi, who had just woken up from a nap, had rosy cheeks, and was naturally happy when she heard her confidant Rong Lu came. She took the cigarette bottle handed by the servant, took a sip, and said, "Xuan." "Yes." Li Lianying went out to bring Rong Lu.

"The empress dowager is auspicious, and I send my regards to the empress dowager." "Get up." Li Lianying withdrew knowingly. He knew that the empress dowager had to consult with Rong Lumi for important matters, and the relationship between the two of them was extraordinary, so they must not get involved.Therefore, as long as Cixi summoned Ronglu in the bedroom, Li Lianying would never dare to stand aside, and other attendants had to avoid it. Cixi leaned over the Kang table and took another two puffs of cigarettes, pointed to the side of the Kang table, and motioned for him to sit down.He peeked at the queen mother, and saw that her delicate face was well maintained and rosy, how could she look like someone in her sixties?Seeing Cixi's gaze shifted from the chimney, he quickly avoided it, and asked after his expression returned to normal: "Is the reason why the empress dowager summoned the humble minister to abolish the emperor?"

Empress Dowager Cixi gave him a sideways look, and said affectionately, "Whenever Ai's family came to you, it's not because there are important matters to be resolved." Rong Lu hurriedly replied, "Thank you, Queen Mother, for your kindness." "Okay, no thanks, just give the Ai family some advice." While Cixi was smoking, Rong Lu was thinking, Duanjun Wang Zaiyi, Chengen Gong Chongqi, and University scholar Xu Tong have all come to me frequently to instigate the Queen Mother to depose the emperor these days. Of course I know his ambitions. Wanting to take this opportunity to gain political capital, this move is of course in the hands of the Empress Dowager. What the Empress Dowager fears most is Emperor Guangxu's seizure of power, so if she doesn't get rid of Emperor Guangxu, she will be unwilling to eat and restless at night. Being an emperor is not that simple. If it is not done well, if the ministers of the frontiers unite to support the king, it will be powerful enough.Besides, the establishment of a new emperor means that I need to reorganize my forces... Maybe it will endanger my status, so it is better to establish a prince first.

But then again, without Cixi's power today, how can I have the power of Ronglu tomorrow, so the power to protect Cixi is actually to protect my Ronglu status. Seeing that Cixi finished her cigarette addiction and put down the cigarette bottle, she looked at Ronglu. Ronglu knew that Cixi would not make a statement first when it comes to major events, so he said: "I report to the Empress Dowager, Zaiyi, Chongqi, Xu Tong, they all came to see you." Me, if you want me to strongly advise the Queen Mother to abolish the emperor, what is the Queen Mother's plan?" Cixi pretended to be surprised at first, and then asked tentatively: "What do you think?"

Rong Lu thought for a while, and replied: "Who dares to object to what the Queen Mother is going to do? However, if the emperor's crime is unknown, he will be abolished. I am afraid that the world will not accept it, and foreign ministers will come out to interfere. This is a very important matter. Be careful." Cixi frowned slightly and said, "Then... what do you think should be done?" Rong Lu replied: "I have a way." "Aiqing, tell me quickly." Cixi asked impatiently. "Brother Li (Crown Prince)." "Brother Li? Isn't the ancestral system already abolished!" Cixi asked.

"It doesn't matter, the emperor has been established but has no heirs, so we have to choose one from the distant branch of the clan, make him the elder brother, teach him in the palace, and let him succeed the emperor at a certain time, so that the emperor will have no name at all. gone." "Good idea." Cixi said. "In this way, on the surface, the emperor will not be abolished, so as not to be opposed by others." Cixi thought for a while and asked again: "But since Lord Kangxi has issued the 'Decree of Never Establishing a Crown Prince', will it cause..."

It turned out that Emperor Kangxi had more than ten sons, and they fought for the crown prince.Emperor Kangxi also suddenly set up and abolished the crown prince, which made his head burnt and exhausted, so he angrily made an edict "never establish a crown prince". Since then, there has been no crown prince under Emperor Kangxi.Ever since Emperor Yongzheng, he had written the edict of the emperor's succession before his death, and put it behind the upright and bright plaque hung on the top of the hall by the upright officials. When he died, the ministers took it down and read it out in public.Emperors of all dynasties followed this law.But now, Rong Lu and Empress Dowager Cixi have forgotten their signboard that "the family law of the ancestors cannot be abolished", and they chose the prince against the ancestral system, which shows that Cixi and his like are by no means those who maintain the family law of the ancestors.

"The family laws of the ancestors were established by the ancestors, and the family laws of the queen mother were established by the queen mother; this time is also the other time, so why not?" "Okay, I'll do as you please." When Cixi was happy, her face became rosy again. Rong Lu seemed to be fascinated by seeing Cixi's youthful demeanor, and forgot to leave... The Summer Palace, in the Leshou Hall, the residence of the Empress Dowager Cixi. The Empress Dowager Cixi and Rong Lu ranked the sons of the close princes of the royal family who belonged to the Pu family and were minors. There were about seventeen or eight, and Rong Lu helped Cixi make a comparison.

In the end, three were selected, one was Puzhen, the son of Duanjun Wang Zaiyi, the other was Puxin, the son of Prince Zhuang Zaixun, and the third was Puwei, the son of Prince Zugong. who? What is the decision at this time?What Rong Lu thought about was whether their father would make good use of it in the future. The most important thing was not to violate his own vested interests, but also to be a member of his own group, so he first thought of Pu Jun's father Zai Yi, Zai Yi Yi is relatively powerful among the princes and ministers. If I support his son as the elder brother, then Zai Yi and his son will be grateful to me for the support... As for Prince Gong's son Pu Wei, although he has a good character, Prince Gong is dead, and it is useless to me to leave the tea to cool down... I made up my mind, so I tried to ask the Queen Mother.

"Queen, look at Pu Jun..." The Empress Dowager Cixi knew that Pu's mother was her niece Gui Xiang, and her father Zaiyi was the cousin of Emperor Guangxu, so Pu was not only a direct descendant of the royal family, but also had the blood of her Yehenala family. She liked it more, so she asked Rong Lu, "How is Pu Jun's character?" "A bit naughty, I don't like reading." Cixi did not answer, but asked again: "Where is Prince Gong's son Pu Wei?" "This man is eighteen years old. He is intelligent, eager to learn, advocates benevolence and righteousness, and has some opinions."

When Cixi heard this, her face darkened. I hate this kind of personality the most in my life. When I grow up, I don’t want to govern by myself like Emperor Guangxu.Can't have it! "What about Zaixun's son Puxin?" Cixi asked. Rong Lu said: "Just turned ten years old, there is nothing outstanding yet." Cixi nodded. Cixi is different from Ronglu. She chooses herself, not her father's power.Because her power is so great that there is no need to grow it anymore.Her requirement for choosing a prince is that the age should not be too old, such as those with independent opinions, it is absolutely impossible to choose soil, such people are difficult to control, isn't the lesson of Emperor Guangxu not enough? I don’t want one who is too young, Pu Xin is only ten years old, and I have to train him for many years, and Emperor Guangxu was only four years old when he came. I put a lot of hard work into him, but in the end, I still want to confine me!Forget it, why bother? Cixi decided to establish Pujun, so she said: "Pujun looks good, and his body is also strong." Rong Lu heard the scheming, and of course he understood who the Queen Mother had decided on, so he stopped asking, nodded, and said, "Should I let Li Lianying let these three children out, see the reaction, and then make a final decision. "He knew that Cixi would never allow anyone to expose her scheming, so he just kept it implicit, as long as he had a good understanding! "Very good." Cixi nodded. In this way, the candidate for the eldest brother was decided by default, and when Li Lianying released the candidate, it immediately aroused the wind of competition.The royal relatives, princes and ministers were all excited. That's right, who doesn't want their son to be chosen as the elder brother, so that they can become the future emperor.Therefore, a competition was launched in the open and in the dark. Rong Lu was the decision-maker of the Empress Dowager Cixi, and of course he soon became the central figure that everyone begged and fawned on. This day, Zaiyi entrusted Ronglu's family with entrustment. Of course, Ronglu would not refuse anyone, so he gave him an idea, saying: "Give my son four highly respected teachers, teachers who are high-ranking Zhentu..." "Oh!" Zaiyi suddenly realized: "Xie Rongzhongtang pointed out the maze." After Zai Yi said goodbye and went home, after thinking about it, he took his son Pu Jun to pay homage to Xu Tong, a scholar who was quite influential in the imperial court, and Cheng En Gong Chongqi. Of course Xu Tong and Cheng Engong agreed, how could such an honorable event be rejected? They felt honored to be the teacher of the future emperor, so in order to become the real emperor's teacher, they went around to preach for Pu Jun.Coupled with Li Lianying's hint, the impression that Zaiyi's son Pu Jun will be established as the elder brother soon formed among the royal family, princes and ministers, which cleared the way for the Empress Dowager Cixi to choose the elder brother. Of course, Empress Dowager Cixi's monopolization of power and who is not her word, the emperor is just a decoration, so the busyness of Rong Lu and Li Lianying is just a deception. In order to fight for the election of the elder brother, the royal relatives in the palace almost tried their best. In the end, Pu Jun, the son of King Duanjun, was selected by the Empress Dowager Cixi. Niece is gone. After Cixi selected the eldest elder brother, she ascended to the palace and prepared to announce the decree. The Empress Dowager Cixi was promoted to the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Imperial Palace. Emperor Guangxu was escorted from Yingtai today and sat beside the Empress Dowager Cixi. Emperor Guangxu hadn't been called out to sit with him for a long time, and when he was called today, he thought that some major event must be decided in his name again.He looked at it, and it seemed that almost all the royal officials were present. After the ministers paid homage, Cixi said: "The emperor has been standing near, and has been weak and sick. He has no heirs until now. Recently, many ministers have offered to ask for an heir for the emperor. After careful consideration, the Ai family decided to adopt the proposal of the memorial. The heir envoys the successor, and the lovers can express their words to help the Ai family make a decision." When Emperor Guangxu heard that he wanted to have an heir, he understood Cixi's intention, that he wanted to use the name of establishing a crown prince to dethrone the emperor. His face turned pale and he trembled all over... When Cixi saw him, she knew that he was unhappy, but she deliberately said: "Is the emperor feeling unwell again? Look at your body, and you won't have an heir soon, so how can we rest assured?" Regardless of how ugly Emperor Guangxu's face was, Cixi said again: "You have been ill during this period, so you were not allowed to come to the court. I invite you to come today because I want the emperor to listen to the opinions of the ministers." As soon as the Empress Dowager Cixi finished speaking, Duanjun Wang Zaiyi immediately reported: "Lafayette Mingjian, I think, for the sake of the successors of the Qing Dynasty, since the emperor is old and has no heirs, it is only natural and righteous to choose an heir for the emperor. Is there any reason to object as an important minister of the royal family. I respectfully ask Lafayette to decide everything." The Empress Dowager Cixi gave him a comforting nod, thinking to herself, recently, he joined Chong Qi, Xu Tong and others to present many memorials to remonstrate with the successor and abolish the emperor.Emperor Guangxu will not give up for a day, and I will never have a day of peace. I have painstakingly managed the power for decades. Is it impossible to hand it over to him! King Duan, King Duan!I clearly know that your ambition is to let your son be chosen as the elder brother, but I can't control that much. The current biggest political enemy of the Ai family is Emperor Guangxu. Whoever wants to help me get rid of him, I will recognize him from now on. As soon as King Rui finished speaking, the 80-year-old Xu Tong, a bachelor, hurriedly knelt down and said, "To the Empress Dowager, the old minister thinks that what King Duan said is very true. The emperor has no heirs, so choosing a successor is a matter of course. Why worry about it?" Cixi was naturally happy after hearing his confession, and thought to herself, let him be the elder brother's teacher! At present, several trusted ministers of Empress Dowager Cixi agreed. Chongqi colluded with Prince Duan Zaiyi, and he directly expressed his support for choosing Pu Jun, Prince Duan's son, as the elder brother, saying: "The selection of the elder brother is related to the prosperity of the Qing Dynasty, so of course we must choose the one closest to the royal blood. Judging from the situation of the Jinzhi palace, in comparison, Duanjun Wang Zaiyi is the great-grandson of Emperor Jiaqing, and he is in the same bloodline as the emperor, so his eldest son Pu Jun is the most suitable candidate." "Hmm." Cixi snorted slightly, expressing her agreement. Empress Dowager Cixi's final choice is of course Rong Lu. Rong Lu's role now has reached the point of being inferior to the Empress Dowager Cixi. It has clearly been discussed in secret, and it is clearly Rong Lu's idea, but Cixi still wants to be in everyone's eyes. Seek Ronglu's opinion in front of everyone, so as to make a false appearance in front of everyone that they have never passed the gas. "What's Rong Zhongtang's opinion?" Cixi shifted her gaze to Rong Lu who was deliberately bowing his head in thought. When Rong Lu heard his name mentioned by the Empress Dowager, he reported: "I think what the ministers said just now is not without reason, and it is imperative to choose the eldest brother. Besides, the establishment of the eldest brother is originally a royal family. For family affairs, Lafayette nods and decides." This remark hit the heart of the Empress Dowager Cixi, and she thought, Rong Lu is indeed my number one confidant, he always defends my interests at critical moments, and speaks from my standpoint, in my life, he is the only one I can rest assured of My subject, from now on, as long as it is what he asks, I will definitely satisfy him... "What's the emperor's opinion?" Cixi glanced at Emperor Guangxu sitting on her left. At this time, Emperor Guangxu already felt cold all over his body, and his eyes were dim. He only felt hopeless to the extreme, and the hope of returning to normal life one day had been shattered. He was like a building that had lost its support and was about to collapse. sitting. "Emperor!" Cixi roared. Emperor Guangxu woke up when he heard the roar, and he replied as usual: "According to... according to the Queen Mother's order." "Now I'm asking you, the emperor's will?" Cixi's eyes were burning. "...Li...Li big brother." Emperor Guangxu trembled with anger. Cixi immediately announced: "Have you heard? The emperor has already said, let the elder brother stand up, and Rong Zhongtang will draw up the decree." Ci asked Emperor Guangxu aggressively: "Who is the emperor planning to appoint as the elder brother?" Cixi stared at him viciously, her eyes seemed to say: Do you still dare to violate my edict? "Tell me, Your Majesty, do you want to set up Zaiyi's eldest son, Puqian?" Cixi asked sternly. "Yes... yes... make Zaiyi's eldest son Pu Jun the eldest brother." As soon as Emperor Guangxu's weak words fell, the Empress Dowager Cixi said loudly: "All the ministers have heard, the emperor has ordered Pu Jun, the eldest son of Zaiyi, to be the elder brother." "Li Lianying, Your Majesty is not feeling well, please escort him back to your residence." Cixi especially said the word escort, because she was afraid that Emperor Guangxu's suicide in despair would cause her troubles. After Li Lianying took the order, she said to Emperor Guangxu: "Your Majesty, please." Emperor Guangxu was taken away by Li Lianying and four eunuchs like a prisoner. Back in Yingtai, Emperor Guangxu was so distraught that he threw himself on the couch and sobbed... Wang Shang heard the eunuch who delivered the meal say, "It's a new emperor."Seeing that the emperor was so sad after returning, he understood it in his heart, and tried to persuade him, "Long live Lord, please don't be too sad. Long live Lord must want to open up." Guangxu got up from the bed and sat on the chair, resting his head on his hands, tears streaming down his face. The food was placed on the table, Emperor Guangxu just didn't move his chopsticks, and Wang Shang scratched his head in anxiety. Wang Shang looked at the food and found that it was short again. Halfway, he angrily asked the food delivery eunuch: "Why is the emperor's food short again?" "President Li ordered him to say that he is no longer the emperor." "What nonsense are you talking about?" Wang Shang called out. Emperor Guangxu trembled with anger when he heard this, he stood up abruptly, waved his hand: "Take it away, I won't eat it." After speaking, he walked out of the hall. The eunuchs who delivered the meal made sarcastic remarks as they walked, and one said: "What kind of airs are you putting on, I'm afraid we won't be as good as us in two days!" The other said concordantly: "Yes, the new emperor already has it, so why put on airs of the emperor!" Emperor Guangxu turned pale with anger. Wang Shang looked at their backs and said, "It's just a dog's power." Guangxu looked at the ice-shattered lake under the steps sent by Li Lianying, and felt even colder at the thought of not being able to see Concubine Zhen. Now only Concubine Zhen is the only comfort in his heart. "Wang Shang, I'm going to see Concubine Zhen." Wang Shang looked at the icy water under the steps, and said worriedly: "The ice is broken, so there is no way to cross it. But this old slave thinks about it, see if there is any way to send Long live Lord across the lake. Long live Lord is hungry. Come on, let's have some snacks." Guangxu shook his head. Wang Shang persuaded again: "Long live Lord, you should eat something, or you can't walk at night, how can you go to see Master Zhen, go in and eat something." Wang Shang helped Emperor Guangxu back into the palace... At night, Wang Shang split the table, nailed it into a wooden plank, carried it to the bushes behind the hall, and then set it up under the tree and on the ice. He then carefully supported Emperor Guangxu across the plank. The bridge goes down onto the ice of the lake. Wang Shang supported Emperor Guangxu, who was dressed as an eunuch, and walked carefully on the lake. With a bang, Emperor Guangxu slipped and fell to the ground. Wang Shang hurriedly helped Emperor Guangxu up, and asked in a low voice, "Is the emperor broken? Ah, your nose is bleeding." Wang Shang hastily wiped away the blood from Emperor Guangxu's nose with a towel. "It doesn't matter, let's go quickly." Emperor Guangxu saw that Concubine Zhen was in a hurry, and he couldn't care less about the blood coming from his nose. Fortunately, the weather was cold, and the Beisan Institute was remote, so they went to the back of the house without meeting anyone. As usual, Wang Shang was hiding not far away to watch the wind, so Emperor Guangxu went to the window and called softly: "My concubine, my concubine!" , I saw you coming." Concubine Zhen, who was already asleep, heard the call and knew that the emperor was coming, so she hurriedly got up and went to the window. "Your Majesty, you still come to see me in this cold, what should you do if you are froze?" Guangdi bowed his head and remained silent. "Your majesty, what's the matter, why don't you speak? Ah, your majesty, you are crying... What's the matter? Is the empress dowager going to abolish the emperor?" Concubine Zhen was so anxious that she shook Emperor Guangxu's arm with both hands. "Zhen'er, the queen mother has made a big brother..." "what……" Concubine Zhen's expression changed when she heard this, and she almost fainted. "Zhen'er, I have no hope of ruling anymore, what should I do? My concubine!" "..." After a while, Concubine Zhen calmed down. She comforted Emperor Guangxu and said: "...This is also expected, but there is always a way, and there is always a way. The emperor does not need to be too sad." "Alas!" Guangxu sighed, "My concubine, I was born at an untimely time. If I had been born in the time of Kangxi and Qianlong, I would have been a wise king." "Your Majesty, you don't have to complain about others. Lord Kangxi only got rid of the shackles of Oboi before he showed his grand plans. One day, the Emperor will also get rid of the shackles and return to command. It's useless to be anxious now. You can only wait patiently. Opportunities are always valuable." Guangxu was very moved when he heard this. He stroked Concubine Zhen's neck and said: "My concubine, whenever I am in danger, you always try to solve my problems. Every time I am with my concubine, my heart is like that drought. It’s like a clear spring has been poured into the fields, and it has regained its vitality. I love you so much, and I want to live on because of you..." Guangxu shook the window bar vigorously, wishing he could smash the cage and hug his beloved... "Your Majesty, let's go, there seems to be voices in the distance." Wang Shang hurriedly said. "Aifei..." "Your Majesty, go quickly." Concubine Zhen desperately let go of her hand and left the window, only then was Emperor Guangxu reluctantly dragged away by Wang Shang. The Empress Dowager Cixi was leaning on the kang table, with her eyes half closed, listening to Rong Lu reading the memorial to her. After all, she is over 60 years old, and her health is no longer what it used to be. Now that she has undergone political training, she has to do everything by herself. The Empress Dowager Cixi feels a little tired.But no matter how tired you are, you still have to hold tight to this authority. This is the magic weapon of the Empress Dowager Cixi's life, and she must never let go. "Reporting to the Queen Mother, these memorials are all against Brother Li." "read." "Yes,...another copy of the "Combined Words" written by 1,200 people in Shanghai, saying: "My majesty has worked hard for governance for twenty-five years, and it has won the hearts of the people...all of them have the ambition to live and die with you...." "Okay, what is living and dying with you, Shanghai is simply the opposite." Cixi was furious when she heard this. Although Cixi was furious, she still wanted to hear other comments, so she asked, "What about other places?" Rong Lu hurriedly said: "Liu Kun, Governor of Liangjiang, wept bitterly when he heard the letter, and wanted to go to Beijing to speak to the Queen Mother." "This Liu Kunyi, how dare he oppose Aijia? Sooner or later he must be dealt with." Cixi scolded angrily. Rong Lu also said: "Fifty officials and gentry from Hubei are going to Beijing to remonstrate." Cixi said angrily: "It's Zhang Fudong's fault again. These two governors and Aijia must punish them." Cixi pretended to be a tiger in front of Ronglu, but she began to panic in her heart. Rong Lu took a sip of tea, picked up some telegrams, and said to the Queen Mother: "These are telegrams from overseas Chinese, and they have objections to Big Brother." "Where are those foreigners?" Cixi put down the teacup and asked. "The envoys stationed in China from countries like Britain, the United States, and Japan all raised questions about Big Brother Li and asked the Queen Mother to explain this. Now that their warships have left Shanghai and headed north, this is actually a demonstration against the imperial court." With a "snap", Cixi cursed at the case: "These stinky foreigners have come to take care of Aijia's family affairs, so what about the demonstration! What about the protest! Aijia wants to establish a big brother, but not return to the Emperor Guangxu, Aijia wants to see what these foreign devils will do to me!" In the Hall of Yiluan, Empress Dowager Cixi is playing chess with Si Gege, Princess Rongshou Gulun, San Gege and two Fujins are accompanying her. Since Cixi killed the old eunuch who played chess with him, she felt remorse in her heart, and she was worried about political affairs, so she didn't play chess for a long time.Finally passed the matter of Lida elder brother, I wanted to relax today, and didn't want to go down to the happy place, Li Lianying hurried in and whispered a few words into the empress dowager's ear, only to see Cixi "snap" and put the chess piece away. As soon as he smashed it, he stood up and said, "I won't go down now, you can play." Then he went out with Li Lianying. Several princesses and Fujin looked at each other, not knowing what happened, seeing the queen mother left, they dispersed separately. Empress Dowager Cixi followed Li Lianying to the elder brother Pu Ou's study. "Lafayette is here." Following the summons, the Empress Dowager Cixi had already arrived at the outer hall of the study, and the elder brother Pu Jun came out disheveled and knelt down to greet her. The Empress Dowager Cixi was so angry when she saw his virtue, she shouted: "As the elder brother, the future emperor of the Qing Dynasty, instead of practicing etiquette, you behaved mischievously, you...you..." Cixi was so angry that she said no. speak out. Li Lianying hurried over to support the Queen Mother, patted the Queen Mother's chest with her hand, and said, "Lafayette, don't get so angry. If he is young, let him be spared this time." Zi Loving took a dark look at the indisputable elder brother, turned around to look at the court lady kneeling on the ground with her fluffy head, and shouted: "Little bastard, stand up." The maid stood up trembling all over, although she bowed her waist desperately, she couldn't hide her protruding belly. Cixi scolded: "It's all you bastards who seduced big brother. Come on, beat me to death." The palace maid cried and begged for mercy: "It's not the servant who seduced the elder brother, it was he who forced..." "You still dare to slander the master, beat me to death." The two eunuchs beat the court lady to death. Cixi turned her head and wanted to reprimand the elder brother a few more words, but unexpectedly he had already run away. Cixi was so angry that her face turned pale, but there was nothing she could do. She cursed bitterly: "Like a father, like a son." It turned out that the elder brother's father, Duanjun Wang Zaiyi, was a man of many wives and concubines. There were only four in the side Fujin. Under the influence of Lao Tzu, his son certainly did not show weakness.Since he entered the palace, several of the maids' bellies grew bigger at the same time, and it wasn't just one of them who got hit right on the head.This fifteen or six-year-old boy has become a sex monster. Of course Cixi knew about Pu Jun's scandals, but she kept it up all the time, because this elder brother was chosen by herself, how could anyone get caught?But Cixi never expected that this pervert had played with all the maids around him, and cast her lewd eyes on the maids around the empress dowager. Today, she was caught by other eunuchs and reported to Li Lianying, so she had to take care of it up. However, the Empress Dowager Cixi thought again, it doesn't matter if she is an adulterer, as many adulterers fool the emperor, so as not to plot Aijia like Emperor Guangxu.Thinking of this, her anger subsided, so she didn't ask anyone to spread the word about Eldest Brother, but instead told the family to be ugly, and told Li Lianying to stop talking about Eldest Brother in the future. With the words of Empress Dowager Cixi, everyone just turned a blind eye and closed one eye. No one dared to care anymore, and Pu Jun became even more unscrupulous.Later, Li Lianying had no choice but to drive out of the palace for the palace maid who had a big belly. Of course Li Lianying understands that the Empress Dowager Cixi is protecting Elder Brother in order to prevent Emperor Guangxu from taking power again, and since then she has stopped taking care of such things. Even if he personally sees Elder Brother having an affair with a court lady on the dragon bed, he will only see a male dog With a bitch, spit or two and it's over. In this way, such a playboy-like crown prince was still supported in the palace. The Haiyi Luan Palace in the imperial palace is brightly lit. Today, Cixi will host a banquet for the wives of foreign ministers in China. Empress Dowager Cixi made an exception to show her face in front of the wives of foreign ministers. On this day, Empress Dowager Cixi prepared a grand feast and exquisite gifts, in order to let these aides blow pillows in front of their husbands, and hoped that the ministers from various countries would come to congratulate the elder brother of the Crown Prince of China. As a result, Cixi was not only dressed in splendid attire, but was also covered with jewels, which made her look very graceful and luxurious. She made an exception and arrived early. The ministers' wives in western attire were also invited out of etiquette. Of course, they all understood the purpose of Cixi's banquet, knowing that Xiang Zhuang's sword dance was intended for Pei Gong, so they all prepared to only taste delicious food and not talk nonsense. Intend.The banquet table was already filled with all kinds of court desserts. Cixi saw that all the ladies from all countries had arrived, so she smiled and said: "Ladies of your countries, I have no other reason to invite you to the banquet today, just to invite all the ladies to come. Taste the official banquet. The ladies are far away from home and come to China. There must be many things that are not used to. I am busy with political affairs, so I do not care much about you. Don't be shy, just enjoy it." The banquet started, and after the snacks were removed, the well-dressed waiters filed forward with all kinds of delicacies. The main course was the fragrant and crisp roasted whole suckling lamb specially prepared according to the Mongolian custom. My favorite stewed fat duck, roast suckling pig with fragrant and soft pork skin, delicious stewed lamb leg, stewed duck tongue, mushroom fat chicken... Cixi introduced to the wives: "This stewed fat duck is a famous dish for honest and upright officials. If you try this duck skin, it is the most delicious." All the ladies quickly tasted the duck skin, and they were all full of praise, calling it "fresh". Afterwards, bird’s nest and bear’s paw, crispy hump meat, wolfberry deer tendon, bird’s nest chicken nuggets, steamed shark’s fin, dry-roasted venison, yellow braised mutton, chestnut stewed chicken nuggets, jar beef, Fuzi cherry meat, deer fetus in clear soup, Wanzi Braised pork, Yulan ham, roasted duck in a bird's nest Hezi pot, dry-roasted mandarin fish...all kinds of famous dishes are placed on the banquet table. Cixi loves duck the most, so all kinds of ducks are the main dishes in the famous dishes of upright officials. Cixi pointed to the stewed duck tongue and said: "This duck tongue is stewed with duck liver, shiitake mushrooms and ham. It tastes very delicious. Everyone, try it." After the ladies tasted it, they all nodded their approval. When Cixi was happy, she made an exception and gave the ministers' wives a cup of wine. The wives were flattered and drank the wine. Most of the ministers' wives have a little knowledge of Chinese, so they have a little understanding of Cixi's words, and if they have an English translation, it is even less of a problem. While drinking, Cixi wanted to bring the topic to the issue of establishment and abolition, so she tried to say: "The emperor of the Qing Dynasty has been established, but has no heirs for ten years, and now he is in poor health. For the sake of the succession of the Qing Dynasty , The imperial court has newly appointed the Crown Prince Pu Jun, this is a gratifying and congratulatory event..." The Empress Dowager Cixi glanced around when she said this, but all the wives immediately bowed their heads and remained silent... Cixi waited for a while but no one expressed his opinion. To cover up her embarrassment, she had to say: "Please, please, please enjoy yourself." The ladies relaxed now. After the meal, Cixi rewarded the ministers and wives of various countries with valuable gifts. After they left, Cixi sat down on the dragon chair in disappointment, and sighed angrily: "I invited a banquet and gave gifts but I didn't get a single word of congratulations. Really lost my wife and lost my army." After a few days, Cixi still couldn't get congratulatory messages from the ministers of various countries, so she had to send Duanjun Wang Zaiyi to do the work again. As a result, instead of receiving congratulations from one country, Cixi received a message from the British minister "Only recognize Guangxu." "Emperor" replied, Cixi was so angry that she hated foreigners.The original plan to hold a congratulatory ceremony for the elder brother by foreign ministers had to be cancelled. Due to the opposition at home and abroad, Cixi did not dare to abolish Emperor Guangxu for a while, and the elder brother could not be crowned for the time being. This made Zaiyi and his son very anxious. He couldn't achieve his goal, so he cast his hatred on Emperor Guangxu, wishing that Emperor Guangxu could be killed. The late Qing Dynasty was really an eventful year, and it can be said that there were ups and downs and waves rose again. After Cixi failed to please the envoy's wife with a banquet, she went back to her bedroom angrily, trying to close her eyes and rest her mind, but she couldn't calm down. Troubled, and more and more escalated.Yuan Shikai encircled and suppressed the Boxer Regiments in Shandong, and then forced them all to Beijing...Although they are using the signboard of "helping the Qing Dynasty and destroying the foreigners", who can say what will happen in the future? If Hong Xiuquan and Yang Xiuqing come out, then I am not finished with the Qing Dynasty?To fight against the outside world, we must first secure the inside. It seems that their pretense of helping the Qing Dynasty cannot be trusted. Cixi opened her eyes, took a sip from her teacup and put it down, then closed her eyes and began to think. Recently, she kept hearing Zaiyi, Zaixun and the others say that the people of Yihejiaojiao are miraculous, and they are all invulnerable. Now they are burning churches, killing foreigners, and annoyed the foreign devils, so that warships from several countries are approaching Tianjin... If the Boxers are really so godly, they can consider using them to teach these blue-eyed, blond-haired people a lesson, to vent their anger on this official, lest they wantonly interfere with my family affairs, so that my long-cherished wish to abolish Emperor Guangxu will always be thwarted .Hmph, these nasty foreigners. Cixi was thinking bitterly when Li Lianying came to report and said, "Lafayette! Prince Duan and Mr. Gangyi are asking to see you." "Oh, let them wait in the hall." With the support of Li Lianying, Cixi sat down on the dragon chair in the hall. Zaiyi and Gangyi were already kneeling and waiting.The two greeted the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager Cixi asked: "How is the result of your investigation of the Boxers?" Zai Yi hurriedly said: "Qi reported to the Queen Mother, Gang Yi went to investigate in person, and came back to say that the Boxers really lived up to their reputation, everyone has extraordinary skills, everyone's martial arts are outstanding, even women and children are unique." Cixi asked suspiciously: "Master Gang, is that so?" Gang Yi hurriedly said: "Report to the Empress Dowager, what King Duan said is true, and this is what I have seen with my own eyes." Cixi became interested when she heard this, and asked, "Oh? So it is true that you are invulnerable?" Resolutely bowed and said: "How dare a humble minister lie to the Queen Mother, if the Queen Mother doesn't believe it, let them perform in front of the Queen Mother to show the truth." Zai Yi hurriedly said: "Queen Mother, I have a plan to kill two birds with one stone. I don't know if I can talk about it or not?" "Speak." Empress Dowager Cixi said seriously. "These people are indeed capable. No wonder the court has repeatedly suppressed them. It is inevitable that they will not cause future troubles. It is better to use them to fight foreigners. After destroying the prestige of foreigners, the abolition of the establishment can be achieved. Such a matter of losing both sides, why is the Queen Mother happy? Not for it?" Cixi was in the middle of her heart when she heard that, anyway, if someone could help her punish foreigners and accomplish her great task of abolishing the emperor, that would really be her first major concern in heaven and earth... But Cixi didn't show any emotion, just smiled and said: "Then Let them show their talents." After Zaiyi and Gangyi won the order from Cixi, they danced for joy, and immediately went to Zhang Luoyi and the troupe to perform. A few days later, a unique martial arts performance began in the Summer Palace. On this day, the Summer Palace was heavily guarded, and there was a lot of traffic outside the gate of the East Palace, packed with princes and ministers, relatives of the emperor and celebrities waiting to enter the garden.When the time comes, the drums and music will be played together, and a throne and an imperial case will be temporarily set up in the center of the gate of Paiyun Hall. In the center sits the Empress Dowager Cixi, on the left side sits the Emperor Guangxu who was picked up from Yingtai, and around her highness stands Empress Longyu. Brother Pujun, Concubine Jin, Princess Rongshou Gulun, and several Gege, Fujin, and Ming Fu's wives, on the left outside the hall are the relatives of the emperor, and on the right are civil and military figures from the two dynasties and celebrities standing and watching. Brothers Zai Yi and Zai Xun were busy on the left and right. The performance started, and I saw Cao Futian, one of the leaders of the Boxer Regiment in red clothes, red trousers, and a red scarf on his forehead, came out to bow three times and bow nine times to the Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu, then stood up and clasped his fists for a week. I report to the Empress Dowager and the Holy Majesty, my generation was descended from the gods and immortals, and imparted various magical skills, martial arts and nine-day turning spells. Now my boxer is determined to 'support the Qing Dynasty and destroy the oceans' to repay the imperial court. Next, please let my generation present some unique skills to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. " After the leader retreated, various Kung Fu performances began with the accompaniment of passionate drum music. The opening scene is to perform the unique move of the Boxers - Shenquan. As soon as the leader waved the flag, two pairs of red-clothed Christians came out, one with bare hands and the other with blades. With another wave of the flag, the drums sounded, and a fierce hand-to-hand fight began. In an instant, but seeing the glint of the knife, the turning of the fleshy hand, it is exciting... After a while of fighting, the leader waved the flag, the drums stopped suddenly, and they stretched their arms around with bare hands to show that they were harmless , the audience rewarded them with loud applause. Immediately afterwards came the shocking boxer trick: fire and water will not hurt. 在锣鼓声中跑出两个光膀子的大汉，向大家抱拳后，面对面站着，然后出来四个助手，在他们的前胸后背，贴上画着朱符的油纸，在他们的腰部围土一条湿毛巾，便开始点火焚烧，这两个大汉在火焰中念起了咒语，直到纸烧为灰烬他们才向四方喜笑着抱拳而退。 四周的人惊得啧啧称赞，慈禧只是微笑着，没有说话。光绪皇帝则始终严肃地坐着，既没有笑容，也不言语。继之又表演了赤足踩火，依然是为了证实他们水火不伤。 然后令人尤为醒目的是两对女拳手表演象征义和团的红灯照，她们一个个英姿矫健，各持一盏红灯，每一盏红灯内一支蜡烛，两对女将在一片喊杀声中拳打脚踢，翻转飞跃而红灯没有一盏熄灭。这个表演倒使慈禧真正地微笑了，她没想到长得很清秀的姑娘们竟有如此绝技，于是吩咐：“赏。” 姑娘们领赏磕头而下。 接下来表演的是各种硬功夫，只见拳团首领令旗一挥，一队红衣壮汉飞跑出来，一字排开抱拳向四周行礼后散开，然后又出来一队拳手，有的表演砖砸头顶，有的进行石板压胸，有的完成手劈砖石，都获得了喝采。 一阵锣鼓声响后，他们又排成一字，挺起了胸脯任凭另一队向他们掷砖石，任凭他们怎样扔，壮汉们都文丝不动。表演毕，他们对观众们再挺胸脯表示无恙，迎得了一片掌声。 慈禧依然只是微微笑着，她心里在想，这些功夫哪抵挡得住洋枪洋炮，即使用他们去打洋人也不过帮八旗兵壮胆而已。 载漪兴奋得几次跑到慈禧面前对义和团不停地夸耀，并说：“太后，天降义和团剿杀洋人的时机来了，这等天大的好事岂能错过，您看他们的好戏还在后头呢。” 压台戏是表演义和团最响当当的绝技——刀枪不入。 在王公大臣、皇亲显贵的掌声中出来了六个壮汉，他们个个都光着膀子，紧跟着又出来六个持枪的人。 锣鼓开始后，拿刀枪的人先对壮汉用尖刀刺喉、及刀劈胸脯，壮汉们一挺胸，表示尖刀不入。继之便对他们射击，“乒乒乓乓”一时间枪声响起，烟雾弥漫，是真弹、假弹？真令人眼花缭乱，烟散后没有一个人倒下，观看的人掌声四起，慈禧太后大喜，说了声：“赏。” 首领一声令下，他们便小跑过来排成一排向慈禧太后磕头，并把头向地砖使劲磕去，地面发出了“嘭嗲”的响声，光绪帝不忍地闭上了眼，慈禧则龙颜大悦，心想向我磕过头的岂止万千，但像这样响声震地的还只是头一次，太过瘾了。便又下令：“加赏。”壮汉们听了高兴地磕的更响了。 慈禧太后亲自对义和团水火不伤、刀枪不入的验证就在一片震荡大地的磕头声和慈禧太后的洋洋得意中收场了。 盛夏的颐和园。 昆明湖绿柳成荫，微波荡漾，蓝蓝的天空万里无云，火辣辣的太阳直照在湖面上，折射起如鱼鳞般的白光。 慈禧太后正依在湖旁石栏杆前的柳树下，看着池塘里的荷花沉思，李莲英跟在一旁牵着慈禧太后近来酷爱的一只小洋狗侍立着。 池塘里的荷花，粉红的、白的，亭亭立在骄阳下绽放，湖风拂过，送来缕缕清香。这本是赏花的大好时候，慈禧又最喜爱荷花，可慈禧却无心观赏。这几天义和团在京城的举动弄得她很头疼，她当然知道那些外侨是不能随便伤害的，但又不能责怪义和团，不是吗？还要利用他们去杀杀洋人的威风，免得这些洋人老来干扰家事，弄得废立一事仍然不能解决。 一想到废立，慈禧就恨洋人恨得直咬牙，在她的一生中，权就是她的生命，谁干扰她的权，谁就是她的敌人。 李莲英是慈禧太后的心腹，他当然知道老佛爷此刻的烦恼是什么，可是他听到的，又不能不告诉慈禧，毕竟，他是慈禧的耳朵啊。 “老佛爷，听说义和团的人把洋教堂给烧了，他们还枪杀侨民，现在连徐桐家都给抢了。” 慈禧再烦恼，再烦人，但惟独不烦李莲英和脚跟前的这只小洋狗。慈禧转过头来，说：“烧就烧了吧，这些爱管闲事的洋人，就得让义和团好好教训教训他们。” 李莲英忙转口：“是，是，就该好好杀杀洋人的威风。” “不过这样下去，有一触即发之势啊！”慈禧太后皱着眉头看着不远处的玉泉山自叹着说。 一太监把李莲英唤过去报告：“李大总管，荣禄大人求见。” 军机大臣来求见，尤其是荣禄来，李莲英岂敢怠慢，就是慈禧寝着时都要来报何况是饭后漫步时，李莲英急忙对慈禧太后禀道。 “禀老佛爷，荣中堂求见。” “让他过来。” "yes." 一会儿荣禄已跪在慈禧足下。 “起来吧，有什么急事？瞧你汗涔涔的。李莲英去拿西瓜来给荣大人清清凉。” "yes." 荣禄每次来，慈禧都要找藉口支走李莲英，聪明的李莲英也不管他是不是因急事而来，总是退出后多挨一些时候才回来。 “禀太后，出事了，德国公使克林德、日本使官书记官杉山彬相继被杀。” “啊！”慈禧睁大了双眼：“怎么搞的，谁干的？” 荣禄便把经过讲了一遍，他说：“义和团在路上撞见克林德，不知他是德国公使，因受不了他的傲慢而砍了克林德的脑袋。那个日本人是往天津去接增援的日本兵，半路上被董福祥的甘军捅死的。” “简直是瞎胡闹，看来这仗是非打不可了。” 荣禄忧心忡忡地又说：“义和团龙蛇混杂，在京城里见洋人就杀，见洋货就烧，洋人都集中到使馆区不敢出来了。各国列强决不会善罢甘休，东交民巷使馆区外国人已加强了防范，正严阵以待。天津大沽港口附近外国军舰已越聚越多了。” 慈禧太后着急了，对荣禄说：“快传我旨令，你速派军队赴东交民巷保卫各国使馆，不得有误。” 荣禄忙跪叩：“是。” “还有，”慈禧太后一字一句地说：“你多调几支部队到京畿，要真的打起来，就让义和团在前，军队押后。” 茉禄走后，慈禧太后急唤：“李莲英，起驾回官。” "yes." 紫禁城皇宫仪鸾殿。 慈禧太后一脸严肃地坐在皇帝宝座上，她的左侧坐着李莲英刚刚从瀛台押来的光绪皇帝。光绪帝见王公大臣、大学士、六部九卿分等分级都跪在下面，心想太后肯定是要商议对洋人的战与和，对义和团的剿与抚问题。 光绪帝正思索着，见经常出使外国的吏部侍郎许景澄来迟了一点，他正在寻找跪位，慈禧太后见了，便指了指光绪帝旁边的空位，许景澄赶快过去跪了下来。 慈禧扫视了一周见该到的人都到齐了，便语调不高不低，声音不快不慢地说：“众爱卿，今儿个召集大家来议事，哀家想你们大概都已知道是为什么了。是这样，我们遇上麻烦了。义和团把事给闹大，现在洋人准备和我们动武了，大家说说该怎么办？” 会议才刚开始便形成了两派鲜明的对立，想通过义和团与洋人交战而从中渔利的载漪等首先坚决主战，因为洋人的干扰使他的儿子迟迟不能就正皇帝大统，他自己也始终不能当上太上皇，所以只要一想起这事，就恨不能生擒洋人，今天在这决定主战主和的关口上哪有不赶快表态之理？ 载漪想先占上风，又见太后以目暗示他先讲，便嗓子都不及清清，就嘶哑着大声说：“启禀太后，以臣之见，洋人太凶狂，不可不战。义和团拳民其术甚神，完全可以用他们报仇雪恨。” “唔。”慈禧太后朝他点了点头，又以期待的目光环视了一下众臣。 载勋见无人说话，又见慈禧太后给他示意，便立即给其兄助势，他也大声说：“端王言之有理，现在义和团与洋人对立，人心不可失，如此好的机会岂能错讨？谁敢阻挠就有媚洋之嫌，就应请斩之。” 大学士徐桐、军机大臣刚毅、刑部尚书赵舒翘也先后表态支持载漪，载漪面现得意之色……慈禧则把目光扫向没有发言的人，心想看来利用义和团替她报仇雪恨是不成问题了。 忽然有人说道：“禀太后，微臣实不敢苟同。” 慈禧转过脸见是跪在光绪帝旁边的吏部侍郎许景澄，这个臣子出使过西洋好几个国家，精通几门外语，且看他支持谁？便道：“请讲。” 许景澄清了清嗓门说：“无端杀害外国使臣，在中外尚未见先例，东交民巷是使馆区，可是义和团拳民却在旁边伺机行事，倘有不测，将置宗庙社稷于何地？” 慈禧听了，脸色一沉，但没有说话，他想让这些敢反对她的人都露一露脸，日后好收拾，便又装出一副征求意见的样子听着。 大学士袁旭也支持说：“许大人所言极是，如纵容下去，只恐导致内讧外患交困，到那时，国何以堪？” 大学士王文韶也发言表示赞同许、袁的意见。他说：“自甲午战争后，朝廷国力不足，现又以弱敌强，以寡对众，恐怕获胜把握不大。” 户部尚书立山等也发言，支持主和派意见。 慈禧听了神色冷峻，她略思索了一下，便把目光射向亲信荣禄。关键时刻，她太需要他的支持了。 荣禄马上说：“启禀太后，从当前国力情况看，不宜宣战，应派军队保护使馆，尽量平息混乱。” 慈禧大后把脸一沉。 荣禄的意外表达显然使主和派更占了上风，慈禧的脸阴沉沉的，她万没想到荣禄也竟然违背她的宗旨，难道是她错了。心想，我之所以支持义和团去打洋人，不过是帮我出口恶气而已，不过……倘若真的弄得不可收拾，我岂不成了千古罪人，看来……这替罪羊还是由光绪皇帝担当吧，想毕，便把头转向左侧，对光绪帝说：“哀家以为，这国家大事，还是由皇上决定吧。” 光绪帝虽然坐在龙椅上，但慈禧不叫他说，他是没有发言权的，现听太后叫他，心里当然清楚，太后又想让他当替罪羊了。不过，国难当头，尽管手无实权，还是当力挽狂澜。好不容易有个机会说话，还不赶快劝说一番。于是便不顾个人的安危，慷慨陈词起来，大声说道：“古人云：前事不忘，后事之师。如今诸国之强，十倍于当年的日本，现合谋于我，强敌当前，我兵力又远不如甲午之战的时候，大祸必然难免。断无以一敌十，以一国向诸国挑衅之理。再说拳民虽然神勇，但以此徒手空拳之躯去抵挡列强的枪林弹雨，这不是以民命为儿戏吗？如此下去必然导致国民遭殃，到头来，谁也难逃历史的审判。” 载漪听了大怒，跳起来要与光绪帝论高下，他恶狠狠地指着光绪帝反问道：“你身为皇帝却敢如此惧怕洋人，试问，不战又当何以退洋共？” 光绪帝气得问慈禧：“不管怎么说，我现在还是皇帝，他怎敢这样无理，既然如此，就请太后决裁算了。” 载漪还要说，被慈禧喝住。 “那……以皇上之见呢？”慈禧太后反问光绪帝。 “以儿臣见，自古寡不可以敌众，弱不可以敌强，断未有以一国能敌七八国者。现在惟有停战议和为上策，并准备迁都。……否则十八省数万万人之生灵，将遭涂炭。” 载漪冷笑道：“议和，我看是向洋人投降。试问，甲午之战时，你坚决主战，现却又主和，作何解释？” 光绪帝答道：“彼一时也，此一时也。甲午之战时，我国力尚可，且是一对一，现在国力已虚，又是以一国对十国，能有把握胜吗？我一人之身可不足惜，然太后及宗庙社稷将置何地？” 载漪无言以对。 协办大学士王文韶也奏道：“太后，如此下去，何以善其后，还望三思。” 慈禧太后听了大怒，以手拍案骂道：“大敌当前，你等竟如此懦弱，散朝。” 这时，光绪皇帝紧紧握住许景澄的手，要他去说服慈禧，慈禧一转头见了，便向光绪帝怒喝：“放手，干什么！”又吩咐李莲英立即押走光绪帝。 “请吧，皇上。”李莲英阴阳怪气地说了声，光绪帝只得跟在李莲英背后往瀛台走去。 已是暮秋天气，落叶萧萧，瀛台岛上一片萧条景象，春夏的生机已不复存在，光绪帝神色忧郁地坐在湖边，想着会上的争论，显，而易见，大敌当前，太后是准备宣战了，怎么办呢？寡不敌众啊！唉，要是我有权，朕一定能阻止这场战争，真想跟大臣们谈谈，怎耐插翅难飞啊……这时湖面上掠过几只小鸟，光绪帝见了叹道，我身为一国的皇帝，可是却连几只小鸟都不如，不禁吟道： 王商过来轻唤：“皇上，传膳了，进屋去吧。” 光绪帝进到屋里，开始吃饭，王商见桌上的菜样虽然不少，但大多是做样子的，除了前面几样热呼的可以吃，后面的菜大都是昨天，甚至前天送来酌，他用筷子触了触硬硬的，送到嘴里是冰冷的，他又对几样菜闻了闻，有的简直已经馊了，王商愤愤地提醒皇上说：“皇上，后面的菜不能吃，全是做摆样的。” 光绪帝心里叹道：“皇帝是给人家做摆样的，现在连吃饭的菜也了摆样的了。” “王商，今晚我要见珍妃，有事。” 王商说：“皇上，现在局势有变，宫里夜巡增多了，实在是太危险了。不过老奴还是一定要想办法送您去的，只是一定要多加小心了。” 光绪帝感激地对他点了点头。 载漪府上，载漪正在与他兄弟载勋密商。 载漪拍着桌子骂道：“许景澄、袁旭、徐用仪、立山，我非奏本杀了你们不可。” 载漪又咬牙切齿地骂道：“光绪小子，你不想让我儿子当皇帝，我非杀了你不可！” “兄长，除掉这些反对派是第二步的事，此刻我们得想办法先让老佛爷下决心宣战才行。”载勋说道。 “对，得握紧老佛爷这张王牌，只要仗一打响，义和团立了大功，洋人被赶走了，到那时候老佛爷自然就会下决心废旧帝立新帝了，哈哈……”载漪得意忘形地比划着。 载勋听了说：“兄长，别只顾高兴，得想办法呀！” “好，我想……其实，我早就想好了一…” “什么办法？”载勋急问。 载漪对兄弟招了招手：“过来。” 载漪放低声音说：“拟一个外交使团照会……” “伪造钋交使团照会？写什么？” “直捅老佛爷的心窝子，就说洋人要太后归政，让光绪皇帝执政，否则决不退兵，还有……” “好，这一下老佛爷可要把洋人恨得七窍生烟，不怕她不宣战了。” 载勋击案叫绝。 当下，兄弟俩便去通知军机处文冲拟写。写好后，二人便连夜去叫醒李莲英求道：“李总管，这是军机处送来的'外交团照会'请速呈老佛爷。” 载漪、载勋则跪在中堂等候。 李莲英岂敢怠慢，立马唤醒了太后，慈禧太后披衣出来，看了照会后果然中计，尤其看了照会中的第四条，要太后归政，还光绪帝执政后，气得暴跳如雷，大骂道：“狗洋人竟敢干预我家事，是可忍，孰不可忍！洋人无理至此，我誓必报之。” 载漪乘机建议慈禧攻打使馆区，他说：“太后息怒，我等愿为太后报仇雪恨，请太后准予攻使馆区，彻底铲除洋人的老窠。” “行。”盛怒下的慈禧太后，不考虑严重后果便点头同意了。 又说：“传我旨意，明日续开御前大会，准备向洋人宣战。” "yes." 载漪兄弟高