Chapter 14 Section Fourteen

"Xiao Shi," Li Hongzhang asked straight to the point, "What telegram is there from Beiyang?" "A lot!" Chen Kuilong asked, "I don't know which aspect Zhongtang asked?" "I heard that Rong Zhonghua is going to Beijing again?" "Yes! It is according to the Queen Mother's secret order to bring the seal to Beijing. I will probably arrive tomorrow or the day after tomorrow." "Bringing a seal to Beijing?" Li Hongzhang asked in surprise, "Could it be that Beiyang doesn't send someone to take care of it?"

"No! It's clearly stated in the telegram that Yuan Weiting will take care of the governor of Zhili and the ministers of Beiyang." Li Hongzhang's view that Yuan Shikai was going to "make great use" was confirmed, but he felt relieved.The feeling of bewilderment is manifested in the form and color, and I can't speak for a long time. "I heard from King Qing that the superiors are still not at ease with Yuan Weiting, and it is Rong Zhongtang who protects him. However, Rong Zhongtang is not at ease with him either. It is nothing more than a sudden change and he is trying to stabilize." Chen Kuilong said worriedly. , "There are many reasons in the palace, Fang Yin has undergone drastic changes, and some rumors are really unbearable for the courtiers to hear."

"Oh!" Li Hongzhang asked very attentively: "What are some rumors?" "It is said that the emperor once left Yingtai, but was stopped back." "It's really unheard of!" Li Hongzhang kept shaking his head and sighed, "It's really worrying that the overall situation has broken down to such an extent. I'm afraid that internal strife will lead to foreign troubles. I think the ministers of various countries will soon intervene." "The British envoy was in Beidaihe to escape the summer heat, but he has rushed back. I heard that it will be within a couple of days. I'm afraid he will write a letter to Zhongtang."

"Write to me?" Li Hongzhang asked, "Why did you come here?" "I heard that Mr. Zhang Qiao was arrested and questioned. The British envoy is very concerned. Maybe he will write to Zhongtang to try to rescue him?" "Rescue?" Li Hongzhang thought it was amused, "How old is I, Li, today? Don't say that the mud Buddha crossed the river, if there is no power to save him, there will be..." He suddenly realized that he had made a slip of the tongue, although he shrank his mouth, but it was the same as saying it, so he might as well explain it.

"Xiaoshi, I don't know if you have heard of something? It was Zhang Qiaoye who caused me to go out of the General Administration. For more than ten years, I have supported him everywhere, and he always feels that I am here, so he will I can't get ahead, so I have always wanted to squeeze me out. Who knew that he would end up like this today! People are so bad, no wonder the overall situation is so bad!" Although Chen Kuilong didn't like Zhang Qiaoye——Zhang Yinhuan, he didn't feel bad either.Li Hongzhang's "early years, middle age, military affairs, and later years of Westernization", no matter from which point of view, he has enough qualifications to criticize Zhang Yinhuan, but he is a secretary, and it is inconvenient to criticize the superiors arbitrarily, so he keeps silent.Li Hongzhang also wisely stopped talking.

"Does Zhongtang have any other orders?" "Don't dare!" Li Hongzhang thought for a while and said, "I'm thinking behind closed doors now. Unless I'm specially called into the palace, I usually don't leave the house. I don't know the news from outside. I dare not inquire about it, and no one cares about it. The old man is waiting to die. That's all!" "Don't be discouraged by Zhongtang!" Chen Kuilong knew that he still had a long way to go, so he comforted him earnestly and said, "It depends on old age to build a country. You must rely on Zhongtang for his kindness and precepts. If you have any news, feel free to Come and report anytime."

"Thank you so much! Don't forget your old friends, what can you say? You are welcome to come and talk often." "Yes!" Chen Kuilong got up to say goodbye, please get up, and asked in a low voice: "As soon as Rong Zhongtang arrives, we will probably meet each other. Do you have anything that Zhongtang wants me to take with you?" "There's a lot to talk about, but it doesn't matter." Li Hongzhang pondered for a while and said, "Just take a word with you, I really want to go out of Beijing!" "Yes! I'll tell you as soon as I see Rong Zhongtang."