Chapter 48 Section 48

Rong Lu is receiving a special messenger sent by Nie Shicheng.The day before in Yangcun, he encountered the Eight-Power Allied Forces led by the British officer Xue Muer, and Nie Shicheng planned to send troops to intercept them.Playing against foreigners is very difficult, so of course you need to ask for instructions.When the telegram reached Baoding, Yulu's reply was only eight words: "Telegram, no action without authorization." Obviously, Nie Shicheng was not allowed to stop the enemy. As the admiral of Zhili, there are bandits in Zhili that cannot be suppressed, and there are enemies that cannot be stopped. What is the use of this army?Nie Shicheng was furious and decided to withdraw from Yangcun. Knowing that it was useless to ask Yulu, he specially sent a special envoy to Beijing to state his difficulties to Ronglu and ask for a redeployment.

"I know the grievances of your commander-in-chief," Rong Lu said to the special messenger, "Take my words back, just say what I said, and be patient no matter what! I am no less angry than your commander-in-chief, and my life is no less He has a better life. The human situation will always improve in the next few days, and Yangcun is an important opening, so we must guard it." The special messenger was very capable. Seeing that the request was rejected, he couldn't just convey a word, so he returned empty-handed, and decided to ask for instructions on behalf of Nie Shicheng.

Wanting to stop, he said: "If you go back to Zhongtang, the foreigners are afraid that the supply of goods will not be available because of the interruption of the railway, so they temporarily hold back the troops. You have to ask the middle hall to be the master." This is asking for Rong Lu's support.With the plan for peace and war still undecided, he did not dare to agree hastily, so he only replied: "Don't fight hard! Set up more suspicious soldiers, bluff, and restrain the foreigners first." "Yes!" The special messenger asked again, "The gangsters are here to harass you?"

"Just kick them out." "If the bandits fight with foreigners, what should our army do?" This question made Rong Lu unable to answer the question. He could neither help the Boxers fight foreigners, nor help foreigners fight the Boxers.After thinking about it for a while, he replied vaguely, "You guys can figure it out." This is a hint that one can just watch from the sidelines, but he only understood what he meant, but stubbornly said: "Please ask Zhongtang to explain clearly." Rong Lu had no choice but to answer like this: "The best policy is not to get involved in the whirlpool."

This can no longer ask "what if you get involved in the whirlpool"!The messenger said goodbye with satisfaction.Then, Rong Lu received Wang Zhangjing. Hearing that Minister Xiaocun left because of Qixiu's anger and Qixiu's self-satisfaction, Rong Lu's expression became serious. "Have you told King Qing about these things?" He asked. "The general manager Zhang Jing meant that it would be better to go back and forth directly to the middle hall." Wang Zhangjing relayed Tong Dezhang's words again. "Thank you for his concern. The overall situation will improve in the next few days. However, such things as the killing of the secretary of the Japanese legation must never happen again." Rong Lu thought for a while and decided to praise the visitor so that he would not have to talk to the secretary. What he said came out: "Tomorrow morning, I want to see the Empress Dowager to persuade her. The Prime Minister's Office has sent someone who shouldn't be in charge of it. I also know that you are in a very difficult situation. The situation of the country is such that we can only do our best. Why, please tell your colleagues, bear the burden of humiliation, and try to maintain it. Although I am not in the position and do not seek other political affairs, military affairs and foreign affairs are inseparable. I know everyone's achievements. When the matter is over, I will definitely report it to the superior , don’t teach everyone to work hard for nothing.”

These comforting words were very useful, Wang Zhangjing changed his gloomy expression when he first arrived, and left happily.Rong Lu watched his back disappear, feeling quite at a loss. He calmed down and recalled everything that Wang Zhangjing and Nie Shicheng had said in detail. He felt that what Tong Dezhang said was very reasonable. suffer. And there is a harmony.Although the big plan has been discussed with the Empress Dowager Cixi, it is not easy to implement, because there is too much resistance, and it is necessary to make a decision before moving.Therefore, this evening, a close friend was specially called for a secret talk.It's okay not to talk about it, but it's frustrating to talk about it, and all you hear is bad news.

"Tianjin no longer has the law of the king!" Fan Zengxiang said, "I have a relative who just escaped from Tianjin. When I talk about it, people can't believe it. The boxers are unscrupulous and outrageous." According to Fan Zengxiang, the boxers in Tianjin are more airy than princes and county kings. When they meet civilian officials sitting in sedan chairs on the road, they order them to get off the sedan chair. Military officers ride horses and order them to dismount. They must take off their hats and stand by the side of the road. .I don't know how many students who met students in uniform were accused of being spies and hacked to death with knives!

However, what the Tianjin Boxers hated the most was not the "Big Maozi" and "Er Maozi", but the Wuwei Army, because of Nie Shicheng's loss.Of course, this was instigated by Zhang Decheng and Cao Futian. They made up a theory and let the minions spread it around, saying that to destroy foreigners, three people must be killed.One is Nie Shicheng;Because the combined surnames of these three people are "Nie Yangren", which is a homonym for "expelling foreigners". If these three people are killed, foreigners can be thrown into the sea. "It is said that Nie Gongting has been humiliated." Fan Zengxiang added, "A few days ago when Nie Gongting returned to Tianjin, he rode through Hedong Xinglong Street and met more than a hundred boxers. Do you still want to keep your head?' Nie Gongting only brought four horses, and seeing that the momentum was not good, he hurried to dodge and was almost killed. Now, Xinyi and Tuan have something to say."

The general was humiliated, and the army's prestige was greatly damaged. Rong Lu felt very sad.However, how could the prestige of the imperial court not be affected?He felt that the lack of superiority in the Boxers had to be presented in front of the Empress Dowager Cixi. "The strange phenomenon in Tianjin is more than that. There is one thing that sounds shocking, but it seems to be unbelievable." Fan Zengxiang said: "Zhongtang might as well investigate it secretly." "Oh! Come and listen, please." "It is said that the boxing circle in Duliu Town, Jinghai County is known as the 'No. 1 altar in the world', also known as the 'No. 1 regiment in the world'. The leader is Zhang Decheng. He arrived in Tianjin a few days ago, and Tan Wenhuan, who repaired the road, introduced him, saying that this man has boundless magic power. , and with the help of the "red light", if the fort at Dagukou can be protected by his promise, it will be as solid as gold. The Yuzhi Army was quite confused, took Zhang Decheng to the Beiyang Yamen with his own green woolen sedan chair, and held a banquet Take the wind, and Si Dao will accompany you. Zhang Decheng wants food, ordnance, how much he said, and the Yuzhi army will immediately tell Si Dao, and Tan Dao will set up the grain platform for Zhang Decheng. I don’t know if it is true?"

"There is such a thing?" Rong Lu thought to himself, if Yu Lu really demeaned himself like this, it would be too inappropriate!We must quickly find a way to get him out. While talking like this, a report came from the door, and King Qing arrived.This is not a common occurrence, the prince has a noble system, and he always invites people to the mansion to talk about things, but now he lowers his dignity and visits the door in person, so it is obvious that there must be an emergency. Therefore, while ordering the middle door to be opened, Rong Lu asked for his gown, dressed in a hurry, and rushed out to greet him. King Qing had already disembarked from the sedan chair in front of the dripping eaves of the hall.

"Why does the lord work in person?" Rong Lu said while paying his respects. "Why do you need to change clothes just for this?" King Qing said in casual clothes, "I'm so bored, I want to talk to you. Sit in your study!" "Yes, yes! Please." Introduced into the study room, King Qing took a look first, looked at the antique calligraphy and paintings, and said a few gossips before talking about the purpose of coming: "Dong Huizi is making a mess! Zhonghua, you have to take care of it. " "Yes!" Rong Lu was a little embarrassed, "The prince blamed it." "No, no! I'm definitely not blaming you, don't worry too much." King Qing hurriedly waved his hands to argue, "I also know that Dong Huizi now has the support of Duan's second son, and he is not as good as before as an officer! But , The outside world doesn’t know about this inside story, but it’s always said that your military guards’ orders are not strict.” "My lord understands my difficulties." Rong Lu replied, "The Wuwei Army's orders are not strict, and I admit this. However, when I want to rectify orders, I still need my lord to speak for me." "Of course! If Cisheng asks me, I will say: Since it is a military guard, I will always obey your orders." King Qing paused for a while and said, "Let's not talk about this, there is something in front of me, I have to ask What do you mean, Dong Huizi's subordinates caused a disaster near Xiannongtan, do you know?" "Didn't you kill a clerk at the Japanese legation?" "Yes. This man died a terrible death. He had his limbs broken first, and then he had a caesarean section. The Japanese envoy went to the General Administration to negotiate, but he was stumped. Zhonghua, put yourself in the shoes of others, you must be indignant!" "Ah!" Rong Lu sighed, "Cisheng actually asked Duan Wang to manage the General Administration, this is really a mistake!" "It's just for this, so I'm in a dilemma. I don't know whether this matter should be reported or not?" "If you don't get it back, can you settle it in private?" "Difficult!" King Qing replied, "The Japanese embassy sent someone to tell me to protest or not to protest and leave it behind. It can't be said that the dead body will not be given? They want the body." "Of course it should be given to them." "It has to be carried into the city and buried in their legation." At this moment, Rong Lu was stunned.It turns out that corpses and coffins are not allowed to enter the city, and it is clearly stated in the meeting code that it is suspended as a prohibition. Even if a first-rank official dies in office and Pan Ling returns to his hometown for burial, there must be a special decree before he is allowed to enter the city.What's more, in the capital city, the prohibition is even stricter, and no one dares to make decisions without permission to carry Sugiyama Bin's body into the inner city. "This matter is embarrassing! I think," Rong Lu replied, "it must be played out." "As soon as you play, you have to explain the whole story in detail, whether it is true or not." King Qing asked, "Wu Weijun is involved, so I have to ask what you mean." "It doesn't matter!" Rong Lu replied very earnestly, "My lord, please tell me the truth. If the Cisheng blames me for not being strict, I just have something to say." "That's it." King Qing nodded, was silent for a while, and said with a slight sigh, "If this situation continues, what's the matter? Zhonghua, the situation between you and me is getting more and more difficult. We need to find someone who can help us." More people come to share the burden." "Yes!" Rong Lu asked tentatively, "Is there someone in your lord's heart?" "Look, how is Li Shaoquan?" Rong Lu's heart moved, and he thought secretly, could it be that he made a secret report, sent Yuan Shikai to suppress the Boxer Regiment, and at the same time called Li Hongzhang to negotiate with other countries. King Qing has heard about it?Sure enough, he must be very uncomfortable.He is now in charge of Westernization, and it is suggested that Li Hongzhang be called to Beijing, but where will he be placed?Thinking this way, I made a decision, no matter whether he knew about it or not, I must not disclose it, and if he had heard about it and asked about it, I would not admit it either. He was silent like this, King Qing took him as a sign of agreement, and said again: "I'm afraid Shaoquan won't come." "How did you see that?" "Just appointed governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, he can't bring the governor's seal to Beijing to handle business?" "Then," Rong Lu's heart moved again, and he asked intentionally, "but how to deal with it?" "Unless the direct governor is transferred. But if the direct governor doesn't want to take part in Beiyang, he's afraid he won't. If he wants to, it's completely unreasonable." Rong Lu didn't know if he said this from his heart, or was it a temptation?I just feel that I should make a clear statement, "Today's Beiyang is no longer the Beiyang in Shaoquan's hands." He said, "It is not what it used to be. Playing with a stone mortar, if Shaoquan comes to take over, I'd love it!" The meaning of this is very clear, unless the Empress Dowager Cixi has a will, he will never surrender military power.When King Qing heard this, he couldn't help but feel regretful. He caused a misunderstanding for no reason, which was unexpected, and he wanted to explain, but he didn't know how to word it. Seeing this situation, Rong Lu also felt remorse. In fact, he didn't have to say it so clearly, but he seemed to be angry, and he lost his composure. "Zhonghua," King Qing asked suddenly, "What if we start a war with foreigners?" "How can you start a war!" Rong Lu blurted out, with a serious look on his face, "What are you going to fight with them?" "I think so too. But there are too many obsessed people, and they are all in the limelight. It is really difficult for you and me to mediate. Zhonghua, I have an idea, I don't know if it will work, Tuoli Yufu or someone else will follow Lianying went to say that if she could persuade Cisheng to change her mind, take good care of her second child, and turn hostility into jade, let's send him a few hundred taels of money. See, will this idea work?" One hang is one thousand, hundreds of thousands is hundreds of thousands, Rong Lu replied in shock: "My lord, you are so generous!" "I really thought of any way, so I had to think about the worst." "Don't worry, my lord, don't mess up the steps! Wait for me to think of a way, maybe within two or three days, there will be a turning point. It's just that the ministers of various countries must try to appease the lord. If they give in a little bit, it will be easier for us to talk." "That's what I was doing. Now I just hope that Duan Laoer can understand a little bit more." "That's just delusional!" Rong Lu had mixed feelings, and it all boiled down to one sentence: "Let's do our best and obey the destiny." As soon as King Qing left, Rong Lu once again convened a secret meeting with his staff.This time it is not a rambling discussion, focusing on two things: one is the attitude of various countries, whether sending troops to Beijing is to protect the embassy, ​​or there are other intentions; Directly order and restrain, or ask the Empress Dowager Cixi to direct with the imperial edict. The first thing is easier to do.In order to fight against Sheng Xuanhuai who was sent by Li Hongzhang in Shanghai, Rong Lu also had a "spot" in Jiangsu. This person was from Shanghang, Fujian, and his name was Luo Jiajie. Management of water conservancy", referred to as "Jiangsu Grain Road", or "Suzhou Road".Luo Jiajie usually pays attention to Westernization, and because Suzhou is located between Jiangning and Shanghai, he is well-informed, and secret letters are often sent to Ronglu. trust.At this time, it was decided to immediately send a confidential telegram, asking Luo Jiajie to immediately inquire about the intentions of various countries towards China from Shanghai, and reply as soon as possible. The second matter, everyone has different opinions. Some think that Rong Lu has the military power, so he might as well issue an upright order to restrain him. Some think that Dong Fuxiang is domineering and difficult to control. Did it hurt face? Each has its own reasons, and Ronglu can't make up his mind for a while, and can only set a purpose for doing things in a self-important manner.