Chapter 37 Section thirty-seven

Li Lianying didn't have any bad feelings towards Prince Gong, but she definitely wouldn't have a good opinion of him. All the eunuchs were a bit jealous of "Six Lords", because Prince Gong never pretended to be his words.Although the story of An Dehai has been going on for many years, when everyone talks about it, they always say: "If the sixth master hadn't been in power, Xiao Anzi's little life would not have been lost." Who would be willing to say good things about Prince Gong in front of the Empress Dowager Cixi? Although Li Lianying didn't say good things about Prince Gong, she didn't say anything bad about him either. This was because she was hindering a princess who was always favored and trusted, so there was no need to offend her.

Also because of this, although he accepted Sun Yuwen's great trust, he has been hesitant, not knowing how to speak up, so as to fulfill Sun Yuwen's wish without causing the princess' dissatisfaction?If it was someone else, he would definitely not want to meddle in this nosy matter, and he had no choice but to "take people's hands softly", and this matter has too much to do with Sun Yuwen.If Prince Gong returns, Sun Yuwen must no longer be on the military plane, and he may be severely retaliated against.So no matter what, I must do him this favor. After thinking about it all day, I decided to speak after dinner.It is said that the dinner is at four o'clock in the afternoon, the service is over, and it is still dark. The Empress Dowager Cixi always likes to drink tea at this time and ask about foreign affairs, and he is always serving by herself most of the time.

If there is any secret, it is best to play back at this time. "Outside," the Empress Dowager Cixi often began, "what's the news?" "Everyone is talking about making peace with the French devils, and it's almost over." "Oh!" Just this sentence immediately aroused the concern of the Empress Dowager Cixi, "Why? Who said that the negotiation will be completed soon? Why don't I know?" "Actually, it's just a wild guess, and it's not accurate." Li Lianying said, "I don't really believe outside opinions."

"Is there such a saying outside?" Empress Dowager Cixi disdainfully said, "It must be ridiculous!" She had already asked and answered her own questions, so Li Lianying had to make up a set of "ridiculous words" in order to cater to her wishes. "It's not ridiculous words," he said. , It’s not like the whole life in previous years, it should be like Liu Mingchuan, to win a good battle and celebrate Lafayette’s birthday. Some people guessed nonsense, saying that Wanshou is coming soon, so it’s so-so! Isn’t it ridiculous?” "Hmph!" The Empress Dowager Cixi didn't ask who was "guessing nonsense"?Because since it's ridiculous, there's no need to ask.

"There's another theory, so it's weird." Li Lianying frowned slightly, as if talking to herself, "It's better not to upset Lafayette!" The more you do this, the more suspicious Empress Dowager Cixi is, "Say it!" She said with a little impatience, "Reliable, unreliable, I know." "It's said outside that Liu Ye is going to come out to do things for Lafayette again..." "What?" The Empress Dowager Cixi was very surprised. She was afraid that she had heard it wrong, so she interrupted impatiently, "You said the sixth master came out to do things for me?"

"Yes!" Li Lianying answered clearly. "This is something that has no shadow! Who did I tell?" The Empress Dowager Cixi found it so weird and funny, "I never even thought of it. It's really rare for people to spread rumors like this." "Yes!" Li Lianying lowered her voice and said, "That's the strange thing. According to what they said, there are still branches and leaves, and it's like that. It's said that this time, Lafayette is going to be the sixth master." If you come to the palace to kowtow and pay homage to your birthday, you must be rewarded with an assignment, even if you are not in charge of the Prime Minister's office, you must also let him read the telegram from Beiyang. At that time, the sixth master will persuade Lafayette to negotiate peace with France."

"Hmph!" Empress Dowager Cixi sneered, "Not to mention that I have no plan to let him do Westernization, I have this plan, and I made up my mind. His persuasion is in vain." "That's what they said! That's not what those ignorant people outside said." "How do you say? How can you say that he dares to fight with me?" Li Lianying didn't answer.It means that there are such words, and I dare not say it clearly, for fear of making her angry. If the Empress Dowager Cixi is really angry, she has made it clear that she will never use Prince Gong again!Li Lianying was helpful, so she wouldn't go any further.Helplessly, the Empress Dowager Cixi suddenly forgave her, "It's because those people are too full to eat and have nothing to say." She said, "Actually, Master Liu is not like that."

This forced Li Lianying to say: "Liu Ye is not that kind of person, someone made absurd rumors. It was said that Lafayette originally wanted to make peace, but it was too hard to change things! Only use Liu Ye, He is the one who dares to compete with Lafayette. Lafayette can't stop him from playing because of his more than 20 years of credit..." Before the words were finished, the Empress Dowager Cixi was already furious!The blue veins on the forehead lined with extremely high cheekbones, making it look particularly frightening. Because there is nothing in this passage that is not unreasonable. First of all, to say that the Empress Dowager Cixi is willing to negotiate peace is to insult her heart, which is revenge and revenge.When the Anglo-French allied forces committed internal crimes, Wen Zong went hunting in a hurry. It was a shame and humiliation that his ancestors had never suffered since the founding of the country.Wen Zong was in agony, vomited blood, and the immortal disease became an incurable disease. Because of this, she was the only one who felt the deepest shock and grief at that time, and she was the only one who could never forget it. To serve one's life, one can defeat the foreigners, and then one can feel proud and elated, to comfort the spirit of Wenzong who died of hatred.Such painstaking efforts, thinking that you can confront your ancestors, ghosts and gods, and don't want to be insulted and discredited by others, how can you bear it?

The second is that he thinks that Prince Gong dares to fight with her, and he will gain the upper hand, as if he has owed him something and how much credit he has.This also made the Empress Dowager Cixi very angry and determined to ask for clarification. "Who said these words?" "It's not good to be a slave. You shouldn't spread these words and make Lafayette angry." Li Lianying knelt down with her knees bent, "Lafayette just ignores them." "Can I ignore it? I know who said it! Hmph!" The Empress Dowager Cixi sneered, "There are those fat-hearted people who plan to get them out again so that they can be promoted and get rich. Dreaming!"

Li Lianying understood what she meant, referring to a group of "buddies" of Prince Gong, such as Bao Yun and others.This made her misunderstand, it doesn't matter much!The most important thing is to put Prince Gong aside, otherwise if Princess Rongshou finds out, there will be a misunderstanding and it will be very bad for me. "Shengming is no more than Lafayette. Sun Monkey is in the hands of Buddha. If he is mischievous, he can't turn his palm. Ignore him. I value him. However, the conscience of heaven and earth, the sixth master will never say such foolishness If you are sad, if the sixth master really wants to come out to work for Lafayette, you can also ask for favor, otherwise let the princess play with Lafayette, why use these ignorant words."

These few words were explained very thoroughly. The Empress Dowager Cixi dispelled her doubts about Prince Gong, but she decided to pour cold water on those who were counting on Prince Gong's recovery so that they could rise up. On the second day, King Chun and the Prime Minister were summoned. The first thing to discuss was that the United States proposed a Sino-French peace agreement, a total of four items: According to the Treaty of Tianjin, agree on a trade method; French troops temporarily stationed in Jilong Danshui; 10,000 francs will be offset by the tax collected by France from Chilong Danshui Customs; after the above three items are fulfilled, China and France will withdraw their troops respectively. Empress Dowager Cixi shook her head while listening.In fact, it was just a rehearsal. Without waiting for her to speak, Chun Wang himself said: "This is impossible. We can only thank the United States for its kindness." "The United States is mediating, and Britain is also mediating. When it's over, they don't agree to anything. It's like playing with others." The Empress Dowager Cixi said: "We are at odds with France, but there is no need to offend other countries. The Prime Minister's Office You should really think about it, if you can't do it, don't ask people carelessly." The prime minister was reprimanded.But regardless of the Prime Minister's Yamen or the Military Aircraft Department, if the Empress Dowager Cixi is dissatisfied, it is tantamount to dissatisfaction with King Chun, so he has to make a defense. "Originally, the countries expressed their goodwill and were willing to mediate. If they reject people thousands of miles away as soon as they come up, it seems that it is not the way to maintain diplomatic relations. Fortunately, I have the right to control myself, so I might as well deal with them in a perfunctory way. " This all the more aroused the dissatisfaction and complaints that the Empress Dowager Cixi had accumulated for a long time. "You know how to deal with foreign affairs. Since the establishment of the Prime Minister's Office in the last years of Xianfeng, it has been talking about perfunctory!" She said excitedly, "perfunctory soon Thirty years have passed, and that country has not been perfunctory.” Then, the topic changed, and he warned King Chun and ridiculed King Gong: “In terms of perfunctory skills, you are far behind others! If I am willing to be perfunctory, why should I let you To take care of things? You won't find someone who can perfunctory?" This nail was not small, and the weather was almost October in Xiaoyangchun, which was quite hot, and King Chun was sweating on his forehead. "Let's talk about what you are good at!" Empress Dowager Cixi asked, "How is Yang Yuebin?" Yang Yuebin was ordered to resume aid from Hunan to Fujian, and was recruiting brave soldiers in Hunan. There were already eight battalions, and eleven battalions were recruited now. "Does Fujian need so many Lu Yong?" The Empress Dowager Cixi recalled Zhang Peilun's previous memorials, and immediately said: "Zhang Peilun said that Fujian is Haikou, and what is lacking is navy and military ships, not Lu Yong. And now Fujian It's nothing, sending so many soldiers is nothing more than harassing the place!" "The holy decree is very good!" Speaking of this aspect, King Chun was very energetic, "Soldiers are more expensive than elites. According to my minister, Yang Yuebin currently has nineteen battalions, and ten battalions of elite soldiers are enough." "That's right. I'll draw up an order according to your wishes, telling Yang Yuebin to leave quickly." "Yes." King Chun said again, "It's a long way from Hunan to Fujian, and now it's winter again, and we have to find a way for him to travel on the road early. Yang Yuebin wants to ask for an order from Hubei and Jiangxi provinces passing by." , each raising 60,000 taels. The minister thinks he should be allowed." "Then let him go." Empress Dowager Cixi then asked, "Where's Bao Chao?" Bao Chao was ordered to help the border, and he was about to lead troops out of Zhennan Pass, but he also felt that there were not enough troops.He was allowed to lead twenty-six battalions. In addition to the five battalions allocated in Sichuan, another twenty-one battalions should be recruited, but Bao Chao did not count the ready-made five battalions, and had to recruit twenty-six battalions. "Bao Chao is a bit of a nonsense. His salary has been allocated 250,000 taels. According to Ding Baozhen's report, he spent more than 90,000 taels just to make tents, pots, bowls, and knives and spears." "Ridiculous! Two hundred and fifty thousand silver, I'm afraid it will be used up before it comes out of Sichuan! What's the matter? Damn it!" "Yes!" King Chun said, "Bao Chao is a brave general, and he was already very lenient because of his past achievements. I want to ask for an order to supervise him. He must inspire his conscience and lead the troops out of the border soon." "Okay! That's the way to do it. But it's probably not a matter of three to five months for him to leave customs. The twenty-six battalion soldiers are also paid a lot. It should be planned early." "The Ministry of Households is planning." Chun Wang mentioned one incident by the way, "Zhang Zhidong has a telegram to borrow one million silver from HSBC, and he has already agreed to borrow it." When it comes to this foreign debt, it is natural to talk about Zhang Zhidong, which is also something that Empress Dowager Cixi can feel more comforted about.Although Zhang Zhidong resumed the poisonous surname donation in Guangdong, which was heartbroken by the gentlemen and many Beijing officials in Guangdong, he was able to support the front regardless of boundaries. Whether it was the border of Yunnan, Guangxi or Taiwan, he needed armaments and food. Always try to help.Especially the Yunnan-Guangxi border, which is close to his borders, is more caring, so he wants to borrow this huge sum of money, and the Empress Dowager Cixi fully supports it. "The person who has been released in the past two years is Zhang Zhidong." The Empress Dowager Cixi's praise for him is not limited to raising funds for Taiwan and Vietnam's military. The opinion fits her wish: "A few days ago he had a memorandum, which was very good, 'The overall situation is fighting for Vietnam, and the fight for Vietnam is here for several months." Now there is one million silver, which is enough to support several people. Months, this is a critical moment, you must not be careless." "Yes!" King Chun replied solemnly: "The minister, the military aircraft, and the General Administration will never dare to be negligent in the slightest. In terms of the situation on land, it should be stable. Foreigners have worked hard and moved thousands of miles to sail. In addition, there are only more than 1,700 French soldiers in Keelung, and thousands of them are sick, and they cannot provide coal, food, and ammunition. If Zuo Zongtang and Yang Changjun can find ways to help them as much as possible, Liu Mingchuan will surely Can overcome Jilong" "Liu Mingchuan can defeat Keelung, the imperial court will naturally reward him heavily." Empress Dowager Cixi said: "Whether it's war or peace, you have to fight a few victories so that you can speak powerfully and the morale of the people can be cheered up. If you don’t try your best, just talk empty talk about grievances, I’m really tired of hearing it!” This is another expression of reluctance to compromise and seek peace.King Chun didn't dare to speak up, so he paused for a moment and mentioned the establishment of a province in Xinjiang.The Empress Dowager Cixi first checked out the main manuscript of the Ministry of Households from the imperial case, and read a copy of the reply from the Ministry of Officials: "According to Liu Jintang's previous report: follow all matters concerning the number of soldiers and food in Xinjiang. It is discussed that there will be a certain year in Xinjiang at the end of the year, and it is of great importance to organize the people in the Sui border area. It is agreed to coordinate the overall situation and formulate a new chapter. Previously proposed by Zuo Zongtang, provinces were set up, and counties and counties were divided into counties and counties. According to Liu Jintang's detailed Chen Zou and approved by the Ministry, first set up officials such as Taoist offices, prefectures and counties.Now the official system is more established, and the lack of ministers in charge of the two routes in the north and the south will be abolished, and local officials should be set up to govern them.It is planned to add Xinjiang and Gansu, one chief envoy each, and the staff, assistants, team leaders, counselors and other ministers who should be dismissed, as well as Urumqi. , it is planned to hand over after the newly appointed governor and chief envoy take office. Please use it briefly. The number of soldiers in each battalion and the number of grains inside and outside the customs should be verified by the manager.The country's budget is constant, and no expense is allowed. Liu Jintang and others should select and retain the elite, keep their military facts simple, and check the food items at any time. " After reading this memorial again, the Empress Dowager Cixi expressed a lot of emotion. The proposal to set up provinces in Xinjiang has long been discussed.In March of the previous year, Liu Jintang, as the imperial envoy in charge of military affairs in Xinjiang, set up prefectures and counties in Xinjiang with Tan Zhonglin, the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu. The prefectures and counties, even if the places become rich in the future and will be added one after another, they will not go there more.Guizhou and Guangxi have the least number of provinces and counties, and Xinjiang has less than half of these two provinces. It is self-evident that it is difficult to become a province. This is a truth that is easy for everyone to see, but there is another level of insight that is not visible to everyone.What the Empress Dowager Cixi appreciated most was Liu Jintang’s Grand Duke Kuoran’s opinion that Xinjiang and Gansu are like lips and teeth. Support Xinjiang with Gansu.He succeeded Zuo Zongtang as the imperial envoy, and the military affairs could be carried out as usual, entirely because the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu in the pass was able to reluctantly support the overall situation. If it is said that the local officials in Gansu have the idea of ​​​​inside and outside the customs, then the military in Xinjiang has long been unbearable. Therefore, Liu Jintang believes that it is very unwise to divide the interior and exterior into two provinces with Yumen Pass as the boundary.Gansu can certainly reduce its burden from now on, but Xinjiang, with more than 20 prefectures and counties, is isolated and isolated, and it is bound to be unable to survive on its own.That is to say, Ili, which has been negotiated hard to take back, will still come under the control of Russia sooner or later. "Liu Jintang does not advocate the establishment of a province in Xinjiang. It is all for the overall situation." The Empress Dowager Cixi said again, "I was thinking again, how did Liu Jintang become Zuo Zongtang's subordinate? Isn't it because Zeng Guofan wanted to be fair and not hold any prejudices? Do you care about the bigger picture?" How did Liu Jintang become Zuo Zongtang's subordinate?Alcohol King is very clear.Zuo Zongtang was ordered to march west, and he had no other support except for Hu Xueyan borrowing foreign debts for him and running the grain platform.At that time, Zeng Zuo had turned against him, but Zeng Guofan transferred Liu Songshan from the "Old Xiangying" to Zuo Zongtang's control.Zuohou Dingbian, with outstanding achievements, was greatly supported by Liu Songshan, so although Zuo Zongtang was dissatisfied with Zeng Guofan everywhere, only this matter was sincerely convinced, and he had specifically stated it in the memorial.After the death of Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang's elegiac couplet: "Knowing people's wisdom, seeking loyalty to the country, I am ashamed that I am not as good as Yuanfu", this honest and honest sentence comes from this. Liu Jintang is Liu Songshan's nephew.Without Zeng Guofan's help Zuo Zongtang, of course Liu Jintang would not follow his uncle to become Zuohou's subordinate, and there would be no such thing as setting up Xinjiang and discussing the establishment of a province today.The Empress Dowager Cixi recalled Ping Hongyang's great cause of suppressing the Nian bandits, mourned Zeng Guofan's loyalty to the country, and his virtuous labor in maintaining the overall situation, and then looked around the current situation in the world, and naturally she was full of emotion. "I don't believe that we are no match for foreigners. It's not that we don't have strength, but we use it for our own purposes, and it's all scattered! If we can be like Zeng Guofan and Hu Linyi, how can we be here today. Now Zhang Zhidong still understands the general situation." Empress Dowager Cixi He also said: "Zeng Guoquan is really far behind his brother!" This is because Zeng Guoquan has not been very enthusiastic about aiding Fujian and Taiwan in the past three or four months since the situation in Fujian was tense.It is true that he has his own difficulties. The coastal defenses and river defenses of the two rivers are not carefully controlled, and the military ships, forts, and ordnance in Nanyang are not as good as those in Beiyang. In order to protect himself, he is exhausted.But the Empress Dowager Cixi always believed that Zeng Guoquan ignored the overall situation and forgot the meaning of helping each other. He especially refused to help Taiwan.So dissatisfied for a long time. Coincidentally, Zuo Zongtang was ordered to supervise Fujian and go out of the two rivers. He had discussed with Zeng Guoquan and decided that Nanyang would send five warships to Fujian to gather them and transfer them to Yang Changjun. , In addition, if there are military aids to Taiwan, they will also be shipped by these five ships.But Zeng Guoquan changed his mind later.He said that there are three warships that can be sent from Nanyang, but they are "not enough to serve as armored guns." Moreover, warships cannot carry people if they want to fight, and they cannot take over battles if they want to carry people. Let alone bombarding enemy ships, as long as they meet in the sea If you are under surveillance by an enemy ship, you can't get away. The coal on board for a few days has been burned out, making it difficult to move an inch. This is a telegram he sent to Li Hongzhang. According to the facts, the Empress Dowager Cixi was furious, but there was nothing she could do, because what he said was true.Out of anger, the number of arresting five and "three" did not match, and he was severely accused, saying that according to Zuo Zongtang's report, he had agreed with Zeng Guoquan to send five reinforcements from Nanyang, so why did he say that there were only three ships? ? "Taiwan has no information, and the situation is extremely critical. You dare to ignore it and disobey the edict, which is extremely abominable!Zeng Guoquan's Ministry of Communications strictly discussed and dealt with it. " This belongs to the Ministry of officials.Manchu and Han Shangshu, Man Shangshu Encheng has just arrived in office, and he does not make any claims on everything. Han Shangshu is Xu Tong, who has always held a harsh attitude towards Zhongxing Yuanxun, so he presided over it with all his strength and decided to dismiss him. When the replay arrived at the Imperial Palace, Empress Dowager Cixi leniently changed Zeng Guoquan's punishment to dismissal and stay in office.But the dissatisfaction is still there, so at this time there is a comment that a brother is not as good as a brother.Alcohol King originally also highly respected Zeng Guoquan, but recently he was quite disappointed, so he just said yes and did not make any excuses for Zeng Guoquan. "The military plane sent a list the day before yesterday. All the princes and current civil and military officials outside Beijing will discuss and discuss punishments, as well as punishments such as dismissal, downgrading, and salary penalties that have been previously received. Those who ask for grace and forgiveness. This is a piece of advice for everyone. The road to self-renewal is okay. However," Empress Dowager Cixi said emphatically, "some people cannot be forgiven. I have to investigate carefully. Like Zeng Guoquan, in my opinion, it is absolutely inevitable." This is also one of the graces of the Empress Dowager's Pentecostal Longevity.King Chun heard that her tone was not good, and he was afraid of hitting a wall, so he was even more afraid to speak.And because it has been a long time ago, and the establishment of a province in Xinjiang has been decided, follow the example of Jiangsu, divide the province into one province, set up a governor of Gansu and Xinjiang, and add another vassal, just like Jiangsu. , there are both Jiangsu feudal divisions and Jiangning feudal divisions.But the person who should be sent has not yet obtained the imperial edict, so he pulls back the conversation and starts with Liu Jintang's current position. Liu Jintang’s imperial envoy supervised Xinjiang’s military affairs as an envoy, and his job was the right servant of the Ministry of War. He was a senior official in Xinjiang with a long life in his 50s. , Liu Jintang is the title of Shangshu, and Zhang Yao is the title of Governor. If you want to consider it, you can also say that you need to ask for it, it is here.Liu Jintang made up the governor of Gansu and Xinjiang, so he was familiar with it and it was a matter of course. However, although Zhang Yao's official was the admiral of the Guangdong land route, he had been working in the western border since the seventh year of Tongzhi when the Nian bandits were eliminated, and he did not enter the customs until this year. , Moved to Zhili North Road, speaking of returning to Xinjiang, it is also suitable for people and places, and what's more, the title of governor was added, and the new governor of Gansu was transferred to Ganxin. The name matches the reality, and it seems more suitable than Liu Jintang. Of course, it is the responsibility of the military to transfer and supplement local officials, but the current system is special, and it involves the topic of "supervising military affairs". King Chun has the qualifications to intervene, so he made a detailed dissection, and asked the Empress Dowager Cixi to make a verdict: Gan Will the new governor release Liu Jintang or Zhang Yao? "The governor is different after all. If there is a vacancy, it should be given to Liu Jintang first. Moreover, the imperial envoy will not be withdrawn. Liu Jintang will also be in charge of civil affairs, which is more convenient." The Empress Dowager Cixi said: "Zhang Yao defends the north. But who will be sent to take over his defense?" For the last reason alone, it seems that being still is not as good as moving.King Chun has always been dull, and many obvious truths are often understood only after the fact. At this time, after hearing what the Empress Dowager Cixi said, he repeatedly replied: "Yes, yes! It is appropriate to send Liu Jintang." "Zhang Yao is not inappropriate." The Empress Dowager Cixi said again, "Everything must be prioritized. Zhang Yao is also good. After a few months, the situation will loosen up. If there is a vacancy for the governor, let him go! They After more than ten years of hard work in the border province, it is time to adjust." "Yes!" King Chun replied, "I remember it in my heart." "Zhang Yao," Empress Dowager Cixi suddenly asked, "I heard that he is afraid of guilt, isn't it?" "The minister also heard this saying." King Chun replied, "Zhang Yao's wife is his teacher." "What?" Empress Dowager Cixi asked with great interest, "How do you say that?" "Zhang Yao's wife is the daughter of Kuai, an official in Gushi County, Henan Province. The bandits besieged Gushi, and Kuaizhi County issued a notice to recruit dead men to defend the city. The reward was his daughter..." King Chun briefly told the story of how Zhang Yao applied for the recruitment, how he defeated the enemy with 300 men, how he was recognized by the monk king who led the army to help him, and how the monk king personally acted as a matchmaker and betrothed Miss Kuai to Zhang Yao. . "His wife is very capable, Zhang Yao is illiterate, and his wife looks after official affairs. Later, when Zhang Yao became the governor of Henan Province, the censor—I remember it was Liu Yunan.Zhang Yao became angry and asked his wife to be his teacher. Now he can read and write letters. " "This is really rare!" Empress Dowager Cixi said: "There are heroes in the Central Plains." "It is." Just after King Jin said two words, Yikuang, who had just been promoted to King of Qing County, interjected, "There are also Yao and Shun among women." This is naturally a compliment to the Empress Dowager Cixi, and she has heard many similar compliments, so she doesn't need to express anything, she only ordered everyone except King Jin to kneel down and withdraw. Leaving King Chun alone is to talk about King Gong's wishing Gu Gu with his class.The palace is alone, and there is no need to worry about keeping the prince's dignity for him, so the Empress Dowager Cixi didn't have a smile on her face. Seeing this scene, King Chun murmured in his heart. "Have you met Lao Liu recently?" "Yes." Chun Wang replied cautiously. "How is he lately?" "I often go to Xishan with Baojun, but I spend more time at home." "What are you doing at home?" The Empress Dowager Cixi asked again: "Aside from Bao Jun, who else often goes to his place?" What is the purpose of suddenly investigating these details of Prince Gong's life?King Chun became more and more cautious, "I always read books and play with his antiques at home. Those people often go there, but I don't know very well." King Chun thought, and replied: "I heard that Chonghou often goes, Wen Xi I often go too." "Oh!" Cixi asked, "How much did Chong Hou and Wen Xi pay for their services?" This is since the beginning of autumn, because of the wars everywhere, the military expenditure is huge. In addition to the internal funds for the army, the Empress Dowager Cixi ordered wealthy families under her banner to serve the army. Chonghou and Wenxi both donated huge sums of money, King Chun naturally remembered. "Chonghou paid 200,000 yuan, and Wenxi paid 100,000 yuan." "Are they really sharing the concerns of the imperial court, are they able to contribute, have money to contribute money, or are they trying to figure something out?" This question was very shrewd, and King Chun dared not answer truthfully: "Chonghou is getting old, and he has often read Buddhist scriptures these past few years. If he has nothing to do, he will go to a monk to talk about Zen. The world has faded, so it may not be because he wants to curry favor with an errand." "So, Wen Xi can't sit still?" Wen Xi, who had collapsed from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, was always unwilling to be lonely, but although King Chun didn't like this person, he didn't have any dislike for him, so he replied flatly: "If this person is used well, he can still do things." "Hmph!" The Empress Dowager Cixi sneered, "It's just a wrong way! Sure enough, I'm flattering an errand, as long as I have solid strength, I will naturally know that if he is useful, I will be kind to him. If you just think of some heresy tricks, you can teach him to be careful! " When King Jin heard this, he was very surprised, "Could it be that Wenxi has committed some misconduct?" King Jin asked honestly, "I don't know anything about it, please let the empress dowager make it clear." "You, you are so honest!" The Empress Dowager Cixi paused, and finally asked the key point, "You beg for the sixth generation, kowtow along with the class, what are your plans?" This question made King Chun panic , Concentrated and replied: "This is also his sincerity. The empress dowager is as virtuous as the sky, and she has tolerated him for so many years, so naturally she will not give him a way to rehabilitate.The minister's national kindness and personal situation, I have considered it again and again, and boldly interceded, everything is in the insight of Shengming, so I don't need to say more. "Speaking, I bumped my head on the ground. "Are you saying that I should let Lao Liu come out to ask questions again?" His tone was stern, and the meaning of questioning was very strong. King Chun was deeply terrified, "Grace comes from above." He quickly replied, "How dare I have an opinion?" "We are discussing it," Empress Dowager Cixi's tone eased again, "Do you think the sixth child has reformed?" So King Jin dared to speak again, "Prince Gong will naturally understand the virtues of the empress dowager." He paused and said, "If the empress dowager grants grace, I think he will never dare to be lazy and follow the rules like before. Perfunctory when things happen." "You also know that he was perfunctory in the past." The Empress Dowager Cixi sneered slightly, "But after only half a year, he will change his nature, and no one will believe it if he tells it. The prestige of the court is almost wiped out, and now he can no longer go back on his word. If, as you said, let him come out again to ask questions, how will he explain the edict in March?" Chun Wang was very disappointed. After talking for a long time, he still couldn't pour any water into it.If things are slow, things will be smooth. If you try hard at this time, but you talk more and more, it is better to take a step back and try to untangle it. "I have played it before, that kindness comes from above, and I dare not ask for it, but I am sincere and clumsy, and I ask the sage to see everything." "I know, I know everything. People are used to picking topics and making fuss, but you can't see it. Anyway, you have fought for the sixth brother, and the brother's affection has been exhausted. I just want them to thank you!" These words seem to be angry, and there seems to be a deep misunderstanding, King Chun is deeply disturbed.But as he himself said "speaking clumsy", he would not be able to deal with such subtle and obscure words that seem to be ironic without meaning.Therefore, at the end of September, when the autumn wind was severe, I was so anxious that I was sweating profusely. "You go down! I don't blame you." The Empress Dowager Cixi knew his temperament well, and comforted him, saying, "I know your painstaking efforts, but you can't do it. Even if Lao Liu sincerely reforms and wants to do something for the court, The group of people surrounding him didn't allow him to do that. Ever since Wen Xiang died, there was no one around Lao Liu who dared to tell the truth to him. Once Shen Guifen passed by, he didn't even have a capable person. In the past ten years, a few things could have been done in a real way, but he just had the heart to get by, and the good time was missed for nothing. Talk about doing foreign affairs, it all depends on outsiders, whether you are willing to put your heart into it Li Hongzhang was willing to work hard. The Shipping Bureau and Shen Baozhen were good when Shen Baozhen was there, but once Shen Baozhen left, it would not work. From this point of view, it can be seen that there was no such thing as the Military Aircraft Department and the Prime Minister’s Office. Otherwise, the provinces Doing foreign affairs can't save people and government, and people will die and government will die, and they will fend for themselves, and it will not work at all." During the long speech, King Chun only heard one point clearly, that Empress Dowager Cixi deeply regrets Prince Gong.And in her words, there are many meanings that she has always accused Prince Gong of, so it is even more difficult to defend Prince Gong.