Chapter 30 Section 30

Jing Yuanshan, the general office of the Shanghai Telegraph Bureau, was shocked when he received the telegram, and immediately took the translated telegram to see Sheng Xuanhuai, asking for instructions on how to deal with it. Sheng Xuanhuai's official title is Shaoqing of Dali Temple, and his mission is to "supervise the two commercial bureaus of telegrams, ships, and ships", and he is Jing Yuanshan's immediate boss.At that time, after reading the telegram, I didn't think that the imperial court's action was right, but since it was an imperial edict, of course I followed it, so I said: "This matter cannot be delayed, first send it to Liangjiang and Huguang, and then notify the rest of the provinces, and all of them will be informed."

"It's no problem to transfer the original telegram." Jing Yuanshan said solemnly: "It's called Li heir, but it's really abolished. I'm afraid there will be an edict from the emperor to abdicate soon. It's really unfortunate that there is such a thing, and all countries must adjust it." Soldiers intervene in a country that is weak, but when the number of countries is strong and the army is in danger, it will be seen. Yuan Shan wants to contact the Shanghai gentry and businessmen, and jointly call the General Administration. Please remonstrate on behalf of him. I don’t know what Xing Gong means. ?”

Sheng Xuanhuai was shocked when he heard this.However, he is well aware of the sentiments of the people in Shanghai, and there are many people who oppose the Empress Dowager Cixi and the old party.Moreover, since he started his career in Westernization, he was born to stand on the side of the new party. If he expressed his opposition, it would be tantamount to placing himself in the ranks of the old party, and he would lose his position.The most important thing is that neither Li Hongzhang nor Liu Kunyi advocated the abolition of the establishment. If they violated their intentions, the mission of "supervising the two bureaus" would be lost immediately.Therefore, Jing Yuanshan must not be obstructed.

However, he did not dare to agree to it openly, otherwise, Jing Yuanshan would not be able to refuse if he further asked him to lead the power generation.After thinking about it calmly, he decided to learn from Wang Wenshao and pretend to be deaf and dumb. "Lianshan," he calmly called Jing Yuanshan's alias, "it will be thirty in a blink of an eye, and it should be sent. Please check the New Year's telegram, and don't miss that part." Jing Yuanshan was taken aback for a moment, and only after careful consideration did he realize that this was an expression of acquiescence.So he stopped talking, resigned back to the bureau, and immediately drafted a telegram to discuss with his good friend Wang Kangnian.

Wang Kangnian, styled Rangqing, was originally from Huizhou.During the reign of Qianlong, he moved to Hangzhou and became the richest man in the salt and Dian industries.The Wang family is the same as the Haining Zha family. They are both merchants and officials. There is no unknown in China. Among the descendants of the Wang family, the most famous is Wang Yuansun, whose name is Xiaomi. He is no more than a secretary in the cabinet. It is called "Xiaomi Lane".His nephew is also a well-known figure in the world. Twenty years ago, he joined Wuxi Xue Fuchen to treat the serious illness of Empress Dowager Cixi and was greatly favored.

Wang Kangnian is Wang Xiaomi's nephew.In the 18th year of Guangxu's reign, Jinshi of the Renchen Division was also one of Weng Tonghe's favorite students. In the 22nd year of Guangxu's reign, he founded "Current Affairs News" in Shanghai to advocate reform and reform. "Current Affairs News" is a ten-day periodical, mainly focusing on discussion. In order to report current affairs, "Times Daily" was founded last spring, and it was soon renamed "China and Foreign Daily".With the sharp weapon of the people's mouthpiece in hand, Yuanshan's proposal easily aroused a magnificent momentum. Thanks to Wang Kangnian's support, the next day he went to the Shanghai Telegraph Bureau to voluntarily list and call the General Administration to act on his behalf. There are more than 1,200 gentry and celebrities.

When the telegram arrived in Beijing, Zhang Jing of the Prime Minister's Office did not dare to neglect, and immediately sent the text to Qingzi's Mansion, and saw that the telegram read: "Jun Jian, Lord Zhongtang of the General Administration: Yesterday, the Bureau received a telegram until the 24th, and Shanghai Your Majesty's heart is boiling, and I heard that there are rumors of dispatching troops from various countries to intervene. I hope that the Lord Zhongtang will be loyal to the country, and I ask the Holy One to come to the imperial court with all my strength, and don't ask for the thought of abdicating the throne. The above is to comfort the Empress Dowager's worries, and the bottom is to relieve the Chinese and foreign countries. On the other hand, the clan and society are very fortunate, and the whole world is very fortunate. The Beiju Jing Yuanshan and 1,231 gentry, merchants, scholars and people living in various provinces in Shanghai combined lyrics and electronic performances."

This made King Qing very surprised. He thought that there might be a speech officer who was not afraid of death, and he would follow in Wu Kedu's footsteps.He was thinking in his heart that this Jing Yuanshan's head might not be lost, but the gauze hat would definitely be lost. This matter is not big, but it is really not small.King Qing couldn't make up his mind whether to act on his behalf, so he just copied a copy of the telegram and sent it to Rong Lu first to explain. Soon, Rong Lu came to the door in person, and at the same time, the list of 1,231 people was translated and delivered.Those listed include Wang Kangnian, Cai Yuanpei who is currently an editor of the Imperial Academy, and Zhang Binglin, who is famous for a while, and so on.In addition, half of the so-called "four princes in China" are in it: Ding Huikang, Ding Richang's son, and Wu Yanfu, Wu Changqing's son.

"Zhonghua, what do you think? It's almost Chinese New Year, so why not make the Empress Dowager angry?" "It's inevitable to be angry, not to be idle!" Rong Lu pointed to the telegram and said, "Based on the statement of 'I heard that countries have dispatched troops to intervene', I had to act on my behalf. " "The theory of 'sniffing' may not be reliable." "It's better to believe in what you have than to believe in what you don't have." "Okay! That's it, I'm sure I'll make a substitute. But, do we have to talk?"

"Of course." Rong Lu pondered for a while and said, "Of course it's not appropriate to publicize this matter, and it's inconvenient to approve it. But it's not enough just to stay in China, those people will still make trouble. Now we have to find a way to let them and foreigners know , the emperor will still be the emperor as usual. If the hearts of the people are determined, naturally there will be nothing to cause trouble!" "That's right! I think of a topic. The emperor's 30th birthday next year should not be something to do, but now it seems appropriate to do something."

"The topic is a good topic, but the article is difficult to write. If it is too light, it will not be effective enough. If it is too heavy, the Queen Mother may not be happy, and Prince Duan will also make enemies with us. This has to be discussed carefully." So he bought wine to relieve the cold, and decided in secret. The next morning, Rong Lu deliberately did not go to the military plane, and did not invite other prime ministers. King Qing handed over the sign, and they met the Empress Dowager Cixi together. The two palaces are the same emperor, and it is not easy to talk at ordinary times, but today the words are about to be spoken in front of the empress when they are together.After King Qing submitted the copy of the telegram to the imperial case, before the Empress Dowager Cixi could speak, he preemptively said, "The gentry, merchants, scholars and people in Shanghai have all misunderstood. It is very clear. The road to the south is far away, so it is inevitable that there are some hearsay rumors, but the original intention of this telegram is to prevent foreigners from dispatching troops to interfere, and there are no other plots. The two slaves think it is best to ignore them." "Ignore it," the Empress Dowager Cixi asked, "Isn't the commotion even worse?" "As long as the emperor serves the empress dowager as usual, and everyone knows that they have misheard the rumors, of course there will be no more trouble. If they want to make trouble again, they have ulterior motives. Could it be that the court really has nothing to do with them?" This is very pertinent. The Empress Dowager Cixi is not worried about the "boiling" of the people, but, "Where are the foreigners?" She asked, "Don't you say you want to send troops?" Hearing this, King Qing and Rong Lu were extra careful.The result of the two of them's repeated deliberations yesterday was that they decided to ask the Empress Dowager Cixi to ask this question, and then seize this topic and develop it step by step. "They've only heard it. They can't believe that much if they hear it!" The more King Qing didn't care about it, the more Empress Dowager Cixi cared, because the past few foreign aggressions were caused by being taken lightly at first, which led to catastrophe. He said in a tone of voice: "It's nonsense to say that foreigners have transferred troops from their country. It only takes two or three days to put the bags back into the pile. The transfer of troops is not so fast, and those people can't get news so quickly. Maybe It is the transfer of foreign soldiers from the south to the north, this is something that must not be ignored!" "This...," King Qing replied, "you have to ask Ronglu, I am not good at military affairs, so I dare not act rashly." "So, Rong Lu, what do you think?" "Your servant is watching!" Rong Lu replied, "Shanghai has a few foreign warships sailing north. However, cruising and training is also a common thing. The slave only looks at how many ships there are, whether they are from several countries. Come on? If not, it's okay!" "Is it true? Don't figure it out first, and wait until you understand that the situation is not good. Then it will be too late to think of a solution." "Yes!" Rong Lu pondered for a while on purpose, "However, it is difficult to think in advance when going back to Lafayette. The foreigner Narita brother is the emperor's abdication as an excuse, and we can't draw a knife and say that the emperor I will definitely not abdicate. If there is a way to let foreigners know that no one can provoke dissension in the deep palace, and maybe they will give up. However, this cannot be clearly stated, and it will be bad if there are traces! " "No trace? Is there any way?" "yes!" When Rong Lu intentionally remained silent, King Qing suddenly said, "I have a plan! The empress dowager, kindly, told me that day that the emperor will live in his thirtieth year next year, and he should hold a celebration ceremony. I heard that the military aircraft department is afraid that there will be no precedent, which may easily cause misunderstandings. Please postpone the issuance of the decree. Now it is better to still issue the decree. If you want to be filial to the emperor, you must humbly resign. Such a decree, a decree, and a decree are issued successively. Doesn’t it show that the superior is kind and the inferior is filial?" "Really?" Cixi disapproved, "This way, it's obvious at a glance to cover people's eyes and ears." "Then, then it's really a celebration." "No!" The emperor, who had never spoken all this time, seemed to be unable to bear it anymore, "I would not dare to be the Empress Dowager with this kind of grace. There is no need to hold all ceremonies, even the etiquette of ascension to the palace can be avoided." "The ceremony can be avoided, but Enke seems inappropriate." Rong Lu said in a hurry: "I have the courage to ask for an order. Next year, the emperor's 30th birthday will be celebrated. Even though the celebration will not be held, the 'flower dress' will still be worn." Empress Dowager Cixi knew the effect of Ronglu's conclusion.If the emperor's birthday is to be celebrated, of course Kai Enke is indispensable. Especially at this time, the name "Jiahui Shilin" is really the best way to buy people's hearts and appease Qingyi. However, when the new king ascends the throne, Enke must also be added as usual.If the emperor's 30th birthday is celebrated, all other celebrations will be abolished, and it is easy to be misunderstood by opening the celebration list alone.If there is an edict about wearing floral dresses for birthday celebrations, it can eliminate possible misunderstandings at this level. The so-called "flowered clothes" are boa robes supplemented by the state-owned Daqing, and the first three and the last four wear seven big python robes, which is called the "flowered clothes period".During this period, as usual, it is not allowed to report bad news, such as the death of a senior official, or the request for justice.The Empress Dowager Cixi thought that this act of celebration would be beneficial and cost-effective, and this edict would at least let the subjects of the world know that the emperor would never be abolished before the emperor's birthday on June 26 next year.In this way, there will be at least half a year of peace of mind. In the second half of the year, depending on the situation, it is a very safe way to advance or retreat.Therefore, he readily agreed and decided to hand over to the military aircraft to do so on December 28th and 29th. On the twenty-eighth day, it was the emperor's decree: "The emperor's thirty-year birthday should be celebrated, and there should be ceremonies for each government office." On the twenty-ninth day, the emperor personally instructed: "Next year's thirty-year birthday, all ceremonies are unnecessary Held." Of course, there is no need to investigate cases.He resolutely thought, the words were spoken by two people, meaning that the Empress Dowager Cixi was speaking by herself, and since she had the decree of the previous day, why did she pretend to be the emperor and go back on what she said?While thinking about it, the Empress Dowager Cixi spoke. "The emperor will be 30 years old next year, so he doesn't want to waste money. However, Enke will still be open. Gengzi originally had the Zhengke Township Examination, which will be held in the next year. Xin Chou Zhengke Examination will be held in Renyin Year." "Yes!" Li Wang Shiduo, the leader, agreed. "Also! The emperor will still wear flowered clothes for seven days around his birthday next year." "yes!" "Also, the governors and generals of the provinces are not allowed to come to Beijing to celebrate their birthday next year." The Empress Dowager Cixi said, "These four orders are all the emperor's orders." When he retreated, he resolutely invited Zhao Shuqiao, who was his confidant, to a secluded place, and said quietly: "The matter is so strange! The queen mother explained everything one by one, and even wanted to change Zhengke to Enke and Enke to push back. To be comprehensive, this is a well-thought-out plan! Who gave the idea?" "Yes, someone must have made the plan for the Queen Mother first. I also heard that the Shanghai Telegraph Office sent a telegram to Prince Qing, please act on his behalf. Your Majesty must not abdicate. This is absolutely true! " "Then, why don't you show the telegram for everyone to read? Go ahead and ask." Gang Yi pushed Zhao Shuqiao, "You are also an official of the General Administration. How can Lao Qing not tell the same official about such an important matter?" "Okay! I'm going to ask King Qing for advice." As soon as he went there, King Qing went to Prince Duan's Mansion to discuss urgent business matters.