Chapter 31 Chapter Twenty-Eight

Anyway, I can live only if you die. Do you want me to die and you to live? Without the death of me, Li Hongzhang, how could your Empress Dowager live!Li Hongzhang shouted out such a sentence in grief and indignation... Beijing, Prime Minister's Office. Sitting behind the desk, Li Hongzhang coughed a few times in a hoarse voice, then stood up and walked to the window. He stared at the pine and cypress leaves outside the window in thought. Seventy-seven-year-old Li Hongzhang had just been demoted by Cixi as governor of Guangdong and Guangxi in order to oppose the abolition of the emperor.

When he got off the train, he was really upset to see the city of Beijing being ruined like this. Cixi also appointed him a high-ranking official as the Governor of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang, just to let him clean up the mess... Li Hongzhang did not care about this. Care, these people, when they need him, all the high-ranking officials and rich salary will come all at once, and when they don't need him, they will kick him away. Li Hongzhang thought bitterly, didn't he? After the "Treaty of Shimonoseki", I went home idle, signed the "Sino-Russian Secret Treaty" and appointed me as a plenipotentiary ambassador.The Empress Dowager wants to abolish Emperor Guangxu, so I just said a few words of justice and kicked me out of the capital to serve as the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. Now that the Eight-Nation Allied Forces have invaded the capital, she has fled for her life, so I was transferred to tidy up with my official title and title. mess.

Li Hongzhang took a sip of the medicine brought by the attendant, and then thought that she didn't trust me, so she sent a confidant, Yikuang, not to mention, now she even sent her most confidant, Rong Lu, and it was almost time to arrive in Beijing. As it happens, let them handle the treasonous errand. I, Li Hongzhang, am not a fool. I will take the place of the scapegoat... The enemy has occupied the capital. Such a peace negotiation is tantamount to a negotiation with a knife on your neck. well!Cursing is scolding, dryness is all, I think that I, Li Hongzhang, as an important minister of the imperial court, shoulder the great expectations of the Qing Dynasty, how can I ignore the difficulties of the country because of my personal gains and losses... But in recent years, I have been suffering from aging and serious illness, and I am afraid But the strength is insufficient.

well!Li Hongzhang sighed again and returned to his seat, then picked up the official document and looked at it. He was waiting for Yikuang to discuss how to negotiate these staggering conditions with foreigners. "Prince Qing is here." Yikuang is the favorite minister of the Empress Dowager Cixi, so of course Li Hongzhang dare not neglect him. After saluting, the two sat down. Li Hongzhang took out the four articles of the Eight-Nation Allied Forces and said to Yuxuan, "No matter which one of these four articles is accepted, look at the first article. The Qing government is actually required to pay 450 million yuan in silver to all countries. two."

Yikuang also sighed and said, "Yes! The treasury is empty, it really kills us." Yikuang also brought the new telegram from Xi'an, and he said: "The Empress Dowager ordered us to 'measure the material resources of China and form a bond with the country'". After Li Hongzhang took it over and looked at it, he said, "Since the Queen Mother has let go, the pressure on us to wait will be lighter. It's just that the people of the country will not agree to such a treaty that loses power and humiliates the country." Yikuang spread his hands and said with a helpless look: "We have no other choice."

After Yikuang went out, Li Hongzhang slumped down on the chair, Empress Dowager Cixi!You are so willing!The indemnity is 450 million taels of silver, you agreed easily, you agreed, how dare I, Li Hongzhang, resist?God! "Measure the material resources of China, and unite the country's favor", this is simply begging and betraying the country, betraying the country!Li Hongzhang's life is so miserable!You are already a dying person, and you are forced to become a sinner through the ages who betrayed the country with you! well!Who can not say that Li Hongzhang is pitiful, sad!

The telegram of the "Xin Chou Treaty" was sent to Xi'an. Cixi called several princes and ministers who had fled to Xi'an together to the meeting hall. The other ministers heard that Cixi did not object, so how could they dare to say anything, Emperor Guangxu opened his eyes and burst into tears immediately... The black words on the white paper, the "Gengzi Indemnity Treaty" clearly stated: "The Qing government pays reparations to all countries 450 million taels of silver."Cixi felt quite at ease. The culprit pointed out by the Eight-Power Allied Forces finally did not have her name as Cixi. Only Zaiyi, Zai Xun, Zai Lan, Gang Yi, Xu Tong, and Dong Fuxiang. Anyway, only you can die, so I can live, so let me die Are you alive?The Empress Dowager's throne has not been shaken at last. After the treaty is signed, she can return to Luan capital.Cixi's face showed a look of satisfaction, she saw that the ministers hadn't spoken, and said: "Since everyone can't think of any other way, then this treaty will be considered passed. The emperor will seal the jade seal!"

Emperor Guangxu picked up the jade seal with tears in his eyes, and after a long sigh, pressed down on the unprecedented contract of humiliating power and humiliating the country. Finally able to return to Beijing, Cixi breathed a sigh of relief. Emperor Guangxu sat down on the chair dejectedly, letting tears flow down his face... Cixi didn't even look at him, so she announced her retreat, got up and left. Several ministers shook their heads and sighed and dispersed. The Prime Minister's Office in Beijing. Li Hongzhang almost fainted on the negotiating table after reading the "Negotiating Outline". My God, so many ministers will be executed. How can Li Hongzhang face the ministers?What kind of people they are!Zai Xun, Zai Yi, Zai Lan, they are all relatives of the emperor, Dong Fuxiang, Yu Xian, Yingnian, Zhao Shuqiao, Qi Xiu, Xu Chengyu... are all important officials of the imperial court, their lives are actually my life, Li Hongzhang. .

Li Hongzhang looked at the indemnity silver and it turned out to be 450 million taels, my God!What kind of numbers are these: these jackals are going to loot the Qing government. How the citizens will scold me if they find out!Li Hongzhang, you traitor! The more Li Hongzhang looked at it, the more angry he became, and the more he thought about it, the more anxious he became, so that his anger rose, his face turned red and purple, and he spit out a big mouthful of blood... After Li Hongzhang was carried home, he vomited blood continuously and became more and more ill. His sons and courtiers surrounded his sickbed anxiously. Li Hongzhang waved to them and said in a weak voice, "You all go out, I want to be alone. stay a while."

"yes." Li Hongzhang was lying alone, knowing that his time was approaching, looking back on the past, he couldn't help but burst into tears... Think of me, Li Hongzhang, who was admitted to the imperial examinations when he was young, was enshrined in the borders in his middle age, and was in command in his later years. He dominated the political arena.Sometimes he was left idle and went home, and sometimes he was promoted to a high position; sometimes he was taken off the yellow jacket given by the imperial court and sent to Guangdong and Guangxi, and sometimes he was appointed full power by the imperial court and returned to Beijing.But it just happened to be unlucky to catch up with the fate of the country, which caused me, Li Hongzhang, to be scolded by others. It is true that there will be no eggs under the overturned nest!

Li Hongzhang subconsciously touched his left side with his left hand again. The bullets under his eyes were still there. He was assassinated when he signed the "Shimonoseki Conditions" in Japan that year. Alas... Li Hongzhang sighed again. He almost got in, and he still scolded me for being a traitor, so wronged, I don’t know how he will scold me this time! Alas, I only blame Li Hongzhang for not being born at the right time!Nearly eighty years old, obediently old, unable to save a family to take care of the rest of the world, but still have to travel thousands of miles to the north due to illness, to deal with foreigners, and end up as a sinner through the ages!Thinking that I, Li Hongzhang, have been loyal to the imperial court all my life and dedicated myself to the Qing Dynasty, if I talk about my talent, it must be said that Kong Ming is reborn, isn't it?Foreigners wanted to support me as emperor, but I firmly rejected them. It’s not that my family’s ancestral grave has never smoked to be emperor, but that I, Li Hongzhang, wanted to keep the festival... The news of Li Hongzhang's serious illness spread to Xi'an, and the Empress Dowager Cixi was so anxious that she was afraid that Li Hongzhang would fail to negotiate after his death, so she hurriedly sent a telegram of condolences.Li Hongzhang looked at it and sighed: "Empress Dowager, although the old minister is seriously ill, he cares about the negotiation all day long. If the old minister did not protect you, how could foreigners remove your name from the list of culprits severely punished..." More than that!Without the eloquence of my Li Hongzhang, the Qing court does not know how many more people will be punished and killed, and how much money will be paid?For the success of the negotiation, I, Li Hongzhang, did not hesitate to be charged with crimes and be reviled.well! Personal honor and disgrace are nothing to worry about. What the old minister cares about is what kind of money will be used to repay the family after the two palaces return to Luan?The treasury is empty and supplies are scarce. Thirty-nine years of treasury silver is used to pay off debts. What will the Chinese eat from then on? Oh, Empress Dowager Cixi!According to my conscience, you should be responsible for this disaster, and the culprit who should be severely punished should be your Queen Mother Lashi!But I kept you down against my conscience, out of loyalty to you.Without the death of me, Li Hongzhang, how could your Empress Dowager live!Li Hongzhang yelled out such a sentence in grief and indignation.In my whole life, you have cultivated me and pushed me into the abyss. You are the one who bestows my honor and favor, even the Queen Mother!The one who breaks my reputation is also the Queen Mother! Your Majesty, I know that you hate me. Yes, in the Sino-Japanese War of 1898-1895, I missed my opportunity. Although I raised soldiers for a thousand days and used them for a short time, I have worked hard to manage the fleet for twenty years. How could I be willing to let them die?Alas, it's just that God failed to fulfill people's wishes. If I knew they were going to die, it would be better to let them die earlier, so that the entire army would not be wiped out, and the good reputation of dying for the country would be left behind.For this reason, you ordered to take off my three-ling crown and drove me home, so I had no choice but to admit it. Your Majesty, last year the Empress Dowager wanted to abolish you, but I saved you. Your Majesty, do you know the painstaking efforts of the veteran?The veteran also really can't stand Cixi's monopoly, but you have no real power as the emperor, and you really can't bear to abolish the veteran, so the veteran is not disloyal to the emperor.Your Majesty, Your Majesty!The grievances and grievances between our monarchs and ministers will be evened out after my death!The old minister has no choice but to go to heaven to repay you. Thinking of this, Li Hongzhang shed tears... The eldest son Li Jingfang came in and said sadly: "Father, you are crying again. Father, you don't have to be too sad. Although you negotiated the treaty with them, this national calamity is not your responsibility. You are also following orders!" Li Hongzhang sighed: "That being said, I am the plenipotentiary after all!" The subordinates entered the room and reported: "Lord Zhongtang, the Empress Dowager Xi'an called and reiterated: 'Measure China's material resources and form a bond with the country.' I want you to sign the contract as soon as possible. The two palaces are eager to return to Beijing." After hearing this, Li Hongzhang sighed, "Measure the material power of China?" In the evening, Li Hongzhang lay on the bed after drinking the medicine. Li Hongzhang thought of his trip to Europe and America again.In the 23rd year of Guangxu (1897), it was the "United Russia Day". He was ordered by Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi to go to Russia and the four European and American countries with the supreme diplomatic title of "Imperial Envoy First-class Minister". Congratulations on the coronation ceremony of Tsar Nicholas II as an opportunity to implement the "United Russia Day". It was a large French cruise ship that sent him off, and he lived in a luxury special room. In Russia, he was treated like a prime minister: Li Hongzhang wore a yellow satin mandarin jacket and three-eyed feathers on his head. It was the Alexander Palace, and it was received by the Tsar.The coronation of Tsar Nicholas II, he sat at the top of the envoys of various countries, which shows his status. In Germany, he sat side by side with Wilhelm II on the reviewing stand to review the armed forces.He is also known as the "Oriental Bismarck", and he is as famous as Bismarck, the former prime minister of Germany with the highest reputation. In Paris, France, he was warmly received by President Faure. During the day, he attended a grand banquet specially held for him by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the evening, he took the same boat with the president to visit the fireworks display in Paris. In England, accompanied by British Prime Minister Sharish, he paid homage to the famous Queen Victoria. In New York Harbor, USA, he was welcomed by a nineteen-gun salute and received by President Cleveland of the United States. It's so beautiful, even Emperor Guangxu is not as good as me. Li Hongzhang on the sickbed had a smug smile on his face. However, history is merciless. It was during this magnificent trip that Li Hongzhang fell into the trap of the Russians and signed the "Sino-Russian Treaty" with the Russians to sell China's sovereignty, allowing the Russians to build railways in Northeast China for Russia. Xiong’s forcible occupation of Lushun and Dalian created conditions that attracted the Germans to occupy Jiaozhou Bay, the British to occupy Weihaiwei and Kowloon, the French to occupy Guangzhou Bay, and the Japanese to occupy Taiwan, making China semi-colonial. Accelerated the big landslide. This must have been unexpected when Li Hongzhang raised his glass to express his gratitude at the grand banquet held by Alexander the Great in Moscow! In the main hall of Xi'an and Shaanxi Governor's Offices, the Empress Dowager Cixi sat high on a chair embroidered with dragons, Emperor Guangxu sat on her left side, and all the ministers knelt below. Everyone's face was serious and frightened. Today, Cixi will punish her as a scapegoat—the eleven chief culprits of the Eight-Power Allied Forces ultimatum.Because Li Hongzhang sent a telegram, the commander of the coalition forces, the German Waldsee, threatened that if Zai Yi, Zai Xun, Zai Lan, Gangyi, Zhao Shuqiao, Dong Fuxiang, Yuxian, Yingnian, Qixiu, Xu Chengyu and other eleven culprits were not punished We must catch the culprit.Vadsi also emphasized that the chief culprit was not named because of the sake of China's face. Cixi was very anxious, the unnamed chief culprit was of course aimed at her.In order to protect yourself, you must abandon these pawns. It was really not Cixi's intention to punish these eleven people, and it was really helpless. Besides, they were all her confidants, and now they were asked to die. Cixi couldn't help but choked up with grief. The culprit is not Aijia’s ruthless heart, it’s really helpless, Beijing sent a memorial, foreigners forced to hand over the culprit, otherwise they will not discuss peace, the matter has come to an end, I hope all the ministers are sympathetic to the court’s difficulties..." Cixi’s voice choked with sadness stand up. Cixi couldn't go on talking anymore. These people who will be punished are all her cronies and relatives, and they all acted according to her will. Now they are asked to die. I can't help but feel a little sad, and tears flowed down. The Empress Dowager Cixi went on to say: "It is because Zaiyi and Zaixun are ignorant, superstitious in boxing, arrogant and domineering, and hijacked the court and caused a catastrophe. Zongshe, Xia'an subjects." Empress Dowager Cixi ordered Li Lianying to announce the edict. "King Zaiyi of Duanjun County and Duke Fuguo Zailan credulously believed in boxing bandits, blatantly claimed to lead the war, hijacked the court, caused troubles and troubles, and the crime was undeniable. They were dismissed from their titles and posts, sent to Xinjiang, imprisoned for life, and will never be pardoned. " Zai Yi and Zai Lan cried and knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "Thank you Queen Mother and Emperor for not killing Long En." Li Lianying read again: "Zaixun, the king of Zhuangjun, and Zhao Shuqiao, the minister of the Ministry of punishment, connived at the Boxers and besieged the embassy, ​​and finally caused a strange disaster, causing foreign soldiers to break through the city. The crime is unpardonable, and he is allowed to commit suicide." Get rid of the Big Elder Brother, and leave the office immediately." The second eunuch entrusted him with a wine cup. Zai Xun knelt down on the ground with a "plop" and cried like he was pounding garlic, "I beg the queen mother and the emperor to show mercy, I just want to repent after I have been convicted, let me also go to the frontier to think about the past." The Empress Dowager Cixi thought, if I don’t kill a few, will the foreigners agree... If I don’t kill you, can’t I kill me? !So he waved his hands and said: "The Ai family knows that you are a loyal minister of the Qing Dynasty, so please be loyal to the Qing Dynasty!" Emperor Guangxu said: "You only know regret now, it's too late! If it weren't for your lawlessness, coercing the court and causing great disasters, then my Qing Dynasty would not have suffered such a disaster, and my subjects would not have suffered such a bad luck. Now you He has committed the crime of drinking and drinking, and if he does not kill him, the people will not be angry." Zaixun still wanted to beg Cixi, but Cixi had made up her mind to wave to the eunuch, who walked towards them step by step with poisoned wine... "The Queen Mother, please spare me!" Zai Xun shouted and retreated. Empress Dowager Cixi lowered her head with tears in her eyes... On September 26th of the 27th year of Guangxu (1901.11.7), Li Hongzhang passed away. When he was dying, his subordinates came to ask: "Master Zhongtang, do you have any message for the court?" "Use Yuan Shikai." A generation of strange ministers has gone. But it left a disaster for China... History is so puzzling. Li Hongzhang recommended Yuan Shikai knowingly that he betrayed Emperor Guangxu during the Reform Movement of 1898, was it out of revenge against Emperor Guangxu, or was it out of other reasons? ... It is unknown, but Yuan Shikai later became an ambitious man who usurped power and throne, which probably was beyond Li Hongzhang's expectation. Will Li Hongzhang know how to employ people?Not necessarily, otherwise why Rongyu, Fortitude and others are all his favourites, and why the Beiyang Navy produced Fang Boqian, and what is even more strange is that he did not forget to recommend Yuan Shikai when he was dying, not to mention that he is not ignorant of this person's character.Is it revenge for Emperor Guangxu who once took off his three-eyed plume belt, took off his yellow jacket, and went home in a vacancy?It can be seen that Li Hongzhang is not a meritocracy.Did Li Hongzhang let others be his relatives?If not, why did he ask his irresponsible nephew to manage the ammunition of the Beiyang Navy?As a result, sailors often complain about the quality of shells. When the news of Li Hongzhang's death reached the Queen Mother, the two officials had already arrived in Kaifeng. The Empress Dowager Cixi cried and complained: "Old man Li!Why don't you die sooner or later, but die on my way back to Beijing, what if things change and Ai's family can't go back? Of course, the Empress Dowager Cixi was also sad that the imperial court had lost an outstanding official like Optimus Prime, so she issued a decree to give Li Hongzhang the highest honor among the ministers of the Qing and Han Dynasties, including the posthumous title "Wen Zhong", who worshiped the Xianliang Temple in the capital, and set up a temple in Beijing. Li Hongzhang dedicated an altar for offering sacrifices, presented it to the Taifu, was granted the first-class title of Marquis Suyi, and was rewarded with a lot of money to undertake the funeral...