Chapter 88 History outside the Qing Palace (3-1)

In the tenth year of Tongzhi, Xinjiang returned to chaos, and Russia took the opportunity to send troops from Siberia to occupy Ili.The prime minister's office sent a note to Russia, asking why the invasion was?The Russian government answered very nicely, saying that it was taking back Ili on its behalf. As long as the Chinese government's order can be implemented in Ili, it will naturally return it. In the fourth year of Guangxu, the north and south roads of Tianshan Mountain were safe, and of course the Prime Minister's Office wanted to claim Yili back.The Russian government put forward two conditions. The Chinese government must be able to protect the security of the future border, and at the same time repay Russia's government expenses spent in Ili over the years.In this case, we have to negotiate and check the first-rate foreign affairs talents. Zeng Jize is in the UK, Chen Lanbin is in the United States, Li Fengbao is in Germany, He Ruzhang is in Japan, and Guo Songtao has not long confessed and is unwilling to go out.The only one who counts enough to look forward to is Chonghou, who has been the third Minister of Commerce for a long time and has been a diplomatic mission to France.Among the ten ministers in the prime minister's yamen, Shen Guifen was in charge, he tried his best to protect Chonghou, and his superiors naturally agreed, so at the end of this year, Chonghou was sent to Russia as a servant of the official department.

The ministers of Manchuria are all familiar with it, and Chong Hou knows that this mission of "discussing Jingzhou" is no small matter. Soochow's failure to sue Jingzhou will cause both sides to suffer, so we should not make the same mistakes.Observing the situation silently, he believed that the people's hearts are open, and the Zuo Juexiang has made great contributions in the west, and he can get Yili back, the court's face can be preserved, and there will be an explanation for the Qingyi. It doesn't matter. Therefore, as soon as we arrived in Petersburg, the negotiations with Russia's "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" Geers went very smoothly. In less than half a year, Russia agreed to return Ili. "China", and Article 18 stipulates the procedure for contract renewal, the other 16 articles are China's obligations, including compensation for military expenses of five million rubles, ceding land west and south of Ili for thousands of miles, Russian businessmen There is no need to pay taxes for goods traveling between the North and South Roads of Tianshan Mountains, and Russian businessmen can trade in Xi'an, Hanzhong, Hankou and other places through Jiayuguan.

The full text of the 18 articles of the treaty was sent back from the Russian capital. Prince Gong saw that it was outrageous and refused to reply.However, Chonghou had already signed a contract with the Russian Foreign Ministry in Livardia near the Black Sea with the qualification of "Minister Plenipotentiary to act cheaply".At the same time, he set off to return to China, leaving Counselor Shao Youlian in Petersburg to act as the ambassador. Chonghou did this matter extremely absurdly and confusedly, but when a commotion broke out, it would be inconvenient for the prime minister's office to be below Prince Gong, so Shen Guifen contacted Dong Xun, obtained Bao Jun's support, and advised Prince Gong that the case should be resolved. Trying to restore it secretly, please send an order to Zuo Zongtang, Li Hongzhang, and Shen Baozhen for detailed planning, and Chen Chen for consideration.According to Zuo Zongtang's responsibilities, he should be an advisor. Li Hongzhang, governor of Zhili, and Shen Baozhen, governor of Liangjiang, have become important ministers of Chinese and foreign vassals. The state-owned government often consults secretly. This practice has a long history.

The replay of the three important ministers abroad has not yet arrived in Beijing, the truth of Chonghou's loss of power and humiliation of the country is no longer contained in the paper, Qingliu is all indignant, Wang Renkan takes the lead, and Sheng Yu follows up.Not long after Chonghou returned to China, when he arrived in Tianjin, he dared not go back to Beijing. Shen Guifen was the recommender, so naturally he was concerned, and secretly sent someone to Tianjin to meet Chonghou. "Be smart!" Prince Gong shook his head, "Don't wait for someone to say something, it's even harder to defend."

The incident had no choice but to rush to issue an edict first, but he still refused to point out that his negotiation was absurd. The Office of the Ministry of Communications, and open a vacancy to wait for the Ministry's discussion." As for "the treaty and regulations discussed, and the various documents of the Prime Minister's State Affairs Office, written by the University Bachelor, the Six Departments and the Nine Ministers, Han Zhan Kedao, the final agreement is made. .” The edict was issued on the first day, and Chonghou went to Beijing from Tianjin on the second day, invited Sheng'an at the palace gate, and then went home, contemplating his mistakes behind closed doors.The next day, Kai Yangde, Russia's charge d'affaires in China, rushed to the Zongli Yamen angrily, saying that according to the public law of all nations, there is no reason to punish the crime of nobleness, and it is an insult to Russia to do so.

This time it was received by "Taishi Dong".Hearing Kaiyangde's protest, I was very surprised, "The two countries are fighting each other, and the envoy is not beheaded", and it is not the crime of your Russian minister, why bother to question?However, he has been the "housekeeper" of the Prime Minister's Office for many years, and he has a trick of only smiling and not arguing with foreigners when dealing with foreigners. Therefore, while making false claims, he seeks out people to discuss with others. It is said that there is such a common practice in international negotiations.Fortunately, there are excuses.

"Your Minister misunderstood." He explained to Kai Yangde through an interpreter, "This country committed Chonghou's crime because he left without waiting for the order. This is our internal rectification and negotiation with your country. Nothing to do." This explanation finally stood up theoretically, Kai Yangde had no choice but to leave in dismay.Dong Xun had an idea, thinking that Zhihao would use this to suppress public opinion, so he discussed with Shen Guifen, entrusted someone to come forward, and greeted Qingliu and the officials everywhere: the court is in a very difficult situation, be patient, and stop making trouble, otherwise the treaty will be changed I still don't know how to be caught off guard, but Kaiyangde's unexpected troubles and disputes are not the blessing of the country.

Therefore, the meeting of the cabinet was suppressed.However, the eighteen articles of the treaty have been seen in the mansion, and he likes to make comments. Zhang Zhidong, who wrote the article above, saw that it was a good topic. Analyzing the most absurd things in the treaty, he denounced Chonghou as "absurd and stupid", saying that "if you don't change this agreement, you can't be a country", and there are four ways to "change the agreement": decisiveness, arrogance, and rationality , Make a decision. The decision is to "borrow the head" to show determination, thinking that Chonghou has reached the point where "everyone in the country can say that he can be killed", "Fu Wangna will be handed over to the Ministry of Punishment, and the official punishment will be enacted, and the crime of envoys will be punished, then the people of Duer can say ", so "If you punish Chonghou vigorously, you will decide."

The so-called "vigorousness" is an edict to China and foreign countries, accusing Russia of wronging.The next suggestion is to put Yili aside, and there is no need to rush to take it back. The treaty agreed by Chonghou has not been "imperially approved", just like the princes of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States. By.This is the "manager". The focus of the whole article is "planning".Although it is talking on paper, it is also impassioned.Zhang Zhidong advocated dividing Xinjiang, Jilin, and Tianjin into three fortifications, and ordered Li Hongzhang to defeat the enemy. He said eloquently:

"Li Hongzhang, Gao Xun, re-sends millions of dollars every year to make machines and support the Huai army. It is for today. If there is no battle, how can you use important ministers? Please strictly order Li Hongzhang, and tell him that there will be no change in the plan. It is a duty to select generals to train troops as soon as possible, imitate the new French style, build more forts, and reward the princes for victories. It will be useful for me. The Russians eroded Xinjiang and annexed Kokand, with the intention of holding back India, not only my troubles, but also Ying's worries. If Li Hongzhang can understand Ying's auxiliary vehicles, he should be the same enemy. The recent meritorious service Veteran generals, such as Peng Yulin, Yang Yuebin, Bao Chao, Liu Mingchuan, Shanqing, Cen Yuying, Guo Songlin, Xichang, Peng Chuhan, Guo Baochang, Cao Kezhong, Li Yunlin, Chen Guorui, etc., either returned to their hometowns or were in office. Discuss and plan in detail, station in Beijing, Tongjin Station, and the three eastern provinces, in case of emergencies. There are fierce tigers in the mountains, and they build their might and lose their cuteness. Therefore, it is necessary to make a plan for military preparations. The minister does not dare to talk about the big picture, but only pays attention to the overall situation. Taking a deep look at the situation, it is becoming more and more difficult. The Western countries are trying to control our regime, and the Eastern countries are trying to open up borders. Today, the Russians are provocative. ?Whether I am fighting against Russia, there is a reason for victory. Even if the battle on the battlefield is blunt and impermanent, the ministers expect that the Russians will not be able to cross Jiayuguan even though they are fighting. There is nothing to be afraid of when the army is short of food, and the situation is poor. However, the present decision is an opportunity for China's strength and weakness, especially the growth and decline of talents. At this time, the fierce generals and ministers are enough to fight. If it takes a few more years, Although Zuo Zongtang was still alive, Li Hongzhang was still old and was going to be old. He was exhausted and unable to fight, but the Russians were going to put the city in the east, garrison in the west, and march in the north. North Korea. If you don’t defend it against the fence today, but fight against it in the court in the future, how can you regret it?”

At this time, returning to Xinjiang and Xinding, the morale was high, so Zhang Zhidong was not the only one who fought, Hanlin and Yushi played one after another, high-spirited, as expected.Unexpectedly, even Wan Qingli, who never cared about Westernization, and Prince Su Longqin, who enjoyed a leisurely life and had no relationship with the government, also talked about the same hatred. There are as many as a dozen memorials on this matter, and they are all long-winded, citing the past and present.The Empress Dowager Cixi worked very hard, and the Empress Dowager Ci'an couldn't help her, so she could only watch carefully from the beginning to the end by herself under the late night lights, with Li Lianying quietly standing by. Although the Empress Dowager Cixi has learned the key to being less emotional and calm when dealing with government affairs, it seems that she is a little agitated in her heart by those straightforward and blatant statements.The iron-clad warships of the foreigners are indeed sharp weapons, but they are not necessarily invincible on land. Besides, Zuo Zongtang's fighting spirit is strong and his morale is also strong. Zhang Zhidong's statement seems to be reasonable. She kept being impulsive like this in her heart, but starting a war with foreigners was no small matter, so she never dared to make up her mind lightly.Tired of watching, tired of sitting, and tired of thinking, I put down the memorial, rubbed my eyes and stood up, trying to relax my muscles and mind. Li Lianying had been watching her movements, so she hurriedly wrung a hot towel to wait for her to wipe her face, then brought a bowl of bird's nest porridge, and suggested with concern: "Master, let's settle it soon!" "Let me ask you," Empress Dowager Cixi said suddenly, "Look, is it possible to start a war with the Russians?" Li Lianying was slightly taken aback, took a step back, and bowed her hands: "This is a major national event, I don't understand it, let alone talk nonsense." "It doesn't matter if you talk about it." "The slave really doesn't understand." Li Lianying replied, "Master, why don't you ask Qi Ye?" this is a good idea!Empress Dowager Cixi thought that if these papers were handed over to the Military Aircraft Department, Prince Gong would definitely not take it seriously, and they still had to hand them over to the cabinet meeting.If it is decided to go to war with the Russians, it is necessary to use King Chun to defend the capital and let him participate in the cabinet meeting. It is better to understand everyone's opinions first. So I didn't read a few notes, and summoned the military plane the next day, instructed the solution in person, and appointed King Chun to attend the meeting. Prince Gong had heard about the passionate discussion, but he never thought that the crowd would be so indignant!Moreover, what he said seems to have been agreed in advance, one is to deal with Russia to the end, and the other is to punish Chonghou to thank the world. After roughly reading those shocking memorials, Prince Gong felt that there was something he had to say, "The public opinion is like this, and it is impossible to force it. Now we have to find a way to calm everyone's grievances." He said, "People share the same heart. , I feel the same way, and it would be the same for me, this grievance can't be suppressed, and I am forced to go on the road of fighting, and there will be endless troubles." "Yes! Liu Ye's words hit the nail on the head." Shen Guifen said wisely: "Chongdishan deserves it! Why don't you ask for an order first." "This is not good!" Bao Jun objected, "The vacancy has already been opened according to the order, and it is waiting for the Ministry's discussion. Only when the Ministry of Officials replays it can we talk about other things." "It's easy!" Prince Gong said, "Ask the Ministry of Officials." So the Ministry of officials resumed, and according to the theory of violation of the system, they should be dismissed.The military aircraft department was signed by King Gong, and a folded piece was attached: "Chong Hou was ordered to go on a mission, but he did not obey the order, and set off without authorization. The circumstances are very serious. Only dismissal is not enough to cover up the innocent. I plan to ask for dismissal first, questioning, and handing over to the Ministry of Criminal Justice for punishment." .” Of course the Empress Dowager Cixi approved it, and the process of handling it was quite confidential, and when the folded piece was handed over, it was immediately sealed to Pan Zuyin, Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment.When he opened it, he was shocked. "Chongdi Mountain is terrible!" He paused and sighed, thinking in his heart that his life might be in danger!Because it seemed that they had to fight, but if they fought, they would have to kill Chonghou, otherwise it would not be enough to boost morale. Pan Zuyin's celebrity smell was very strong, and he lamented Chonghou's experience alone, but forgot to follow the order.He has a servant who comes and goes with him, named Pan Wen, who lives up to his name, is proficient in writing and ink, and is familiar with official affairs. Seeing that there is no movement, I have to remind him. "My lord! The imperial order case cannot be delayed." "Oh, oh!" Pan Zuyin recovered his composure and remembered, "Hurry up and set up the car!" "The car is set up early, sir, please change your clothes." While waiting for him to change his official uniform, Pan Wen asked again, "Master Wen, Mr. Sun, should you let me know first and meet in the yamen?" "That's right! I want everyone to meet up. Just go for a ride on horseback. I'm afraid others won't be able to figure it out." So the two masters and servants set off in different ways, and Pan Zuyin went straight to the punishment department with another follower.The hall officials usually get together to do business, and they usually sit down in a room called "Baiyun Pavilion" in the back garden, and immediately call for Zhili Si Langzhong and the head of the prison hall. The judges have all arrived, but Pan Zuyin only chats with them.Not long after, the five officials of the Ministry of Punishment arrived one after another. Man Shangshu was Wen Yu, who had worked as an envoy for a lot of money. He was a well-known rich man among the banner people. He had a good friendship with Chonghou. He also heard the news and felt very concerned. , so I asked as soon as I entered the door: "Did something happen to Chongdi Mountain?" Pan Zuyin didn't answer, but just handed him the folded piece of the military aircraft, and then the four servants passed it on one by one, but they didn't speak, and wanted to listen to the opinions of the two ministers. "Bo Yin, let's go together?" Wen Yu said in a consulting tone. "I don't know much about the rules yet." Pan Zuyin said hesitantly, "There is a word 'Take a question' in the decree, the wording is too strict." When ministers are offended, even if they are ordered to be dismissed for investigation, the word "report" is often used, and the word "take question" is used, which means that they are locked up and detained for fear of absconding or committing suicide.Sure enough, Chong Hou's face was too ugly, so Wen Yu had to take care of him. "Chongdishan is not a fool, there is absolutely nothing else to worry about." "Since that's the case, get ready!" Pan Zuyin looked at the officer and said, "Your Excellency Chonghou, I'm ordered to ask you." The judge agreed in unison.The head of the prison hall went to prepare the "fire room" so that the offenders could be accommodated. Zhili Secretary appointed four Zaolis, followed Pan Zuyin and Wen Yu, and went directly to Chonghou's house.Chong Hou has been notified by Shen Guifen, and he is waiting for the crime with a small cap in Tsing Yi, when he heard a report from the door, he asked to open the middle door to welcome him. The host and guest bowed to each other without saying a word, and when they entered the hall, Chong Hou asked, "Please tell me, do you want to set up an incense table?" Setting up the incense table was to prepare for the decree. Pan Zuyin saw that he knew about it, and that there were luggage piled up in the corridor, and he was ready to go to jail, so he discussed with Wen Yu to avoid this routine procedure. "Heaven's grace is mighty!" Wen Yu comforted him and said, "Dishan, you don't have to worry about it." Pan Zuyin, as the official of the Ministry of Punishment, was about to interrogate Chonghou, but he refused to speak like this, and only said: "Let's go!" So under the tearful gaze of his family, Chonghou was "taken".His family's gorgeous rear car could no longer sit in it, and headed south in a mule cart sent by the Ministry of Punishment. As soon as he arrived at the Ministry of Punishment, he was sent to the "Fire Room", and he was considered to be in prison. Then Chonghou's family brought luggage, food, and miscellaneous utensils.Half of it is the friendship of the hall official, and the other half is his family's money. Naturally, the greeting is thoughtful and convenient.On the 16th day of the twelfth lunar month, dripping water turns into ice, so the first thing the four servants of the Chong family did was to paste the windows and walls. All the gaps were covered with mulberry paper. Mattress, please master to rest, it looks like an imperial envoy borrowing an inn as a guesthouse. After the settlement is settled, the head of the prison hall will be imprisoned, and he will accompany Zhili Secretary Lang Zhong to conduct the usual "interrogation". In fact, Wen Yu ordered him to come here to comfort him.But of course I have to explain the official business, Chonghou is asked to write a "professional confession" and agree to come to pick it up the next morning. It took half the night to finish writing the confession, and wrote another letter, which was addressed to Shen Guifen, and besides the fact that she had nothing to say, she had to make a request.After finishing writing, I handed it to the servant, and found the servant guarding the fire room, spent a hundred taels of silver, and quietly handed the letter out. Even if Chonghou didn't write the letter, Shen Guifen would have to rescue him, but his situation was also very difficult.Recommending inhumanity has become the target of public criticism. Sheng Yu even clearly pointed out in the memorial to Yan Chonghou that Shen Guifen should be jointly responsible. "Chongdishan is confused and confused, and I know people are ignorant, so it's all to blame. However, my lord," he expressed his opinion to King Gong, "we must not break up. There is nothing to discuss about generals, soldiers, and salaries. You can rely on it. No matter what, we must restore God's will." The "God's will" is different from before. The Empress Dowager Cixi was still prudent at first, but since she summoned the two kings, Dun and Chun, her attitude has changed drastically. Shaking his head in silence. "Fifth master said it and said it, but seventh master is a little quiet, but it's not difficult to deal with." Bao Jun said, "The difficult one is the 'Hanlin Four Remonstrance', this time Zhang Xiangtao really put in a lot of effort I don’t understand. He writes to Lansun two or three times a day, so there’s so much to talk about there?” "Lan Sun's uniform is almost full." Shen Guifen said coldly. This sentence has a profound meaning, and both Prince Gong and Bao Yun couldn't help but think about it seriously, thinking about Li Hongzao's arrangement after taking Que. "It's a taboo to have six people in the court. I think..." Prince Gong said slowly, "it's hard to say now." This is an idea to still let Li Hongzao return to the military plane, which is naturally not what Shen Guifen wants.But Qingliu was all based on Li Hongzao's attitude, especially Zhang Zhidong's extravagant efforts, on the one hand it can be said to be a demonstration against Shen Guifen, on the other hand it can also be said to be a precursor for Li Hongzao's revival of politics.If it is not arranged in this way, Qingliu will attack in groups, and it will be a mess. Shen Guifen's thoughts are extremely meticulous, and there is still a line between him and Li Hongzao, which is Weng Tonghe.At this time, it occurred to me that we might as well use this line and pass a tune first, which is a key to changing the situation. So he quietly found Weng Tonghe and asked him to report to Li Hongzao as a way to appease him. Weng Tonghe had become a general of the southern faction at this time, and his relationship with Shen Guifen was certainly not like that of Zhang Zhidong's relationship with Li Hongzao, where there was no letter every day, and no face-to-face interview for three days, but although the relationship was sparse, the tacit understanding was very deep. In this political tide caused by Chonghou's absurdity, Shen Guifen has contributed more. Weng Tonghe is also a person who claims to be "righteous to establish a dynasty", but under the atmosphere of generosity and enthusiasm among scholars, he actually made a move to risk the disapproval of the world, advocating that Yili should be slowed down.This post is not specifically about "Russian affairs", but about current affairs, suggesting that the green camps in the world should be cut down, and the long-standing abuses of the various customs offices should be eliminated. Claims made a footnote.And this set of arguments, everyone can see that it is an argument to support Shen Guifen and resist the main battle. At this moment, Shen Guifen's commission was accepted again. Although it was just a matter of spreading a word, it had a great relationship. Weng Tonghe's approach was very clever. He used the name of talking about negotiations with Russia to vaguely express that Li Hongzao would return to the military plane and hear about Dazheng. Explain the reasons for the proposition of slowing down Suoyili, and hope to get support. Of course Li Hongzao understood that this was Shen Guifen's secret flirtation, but he felt that there was no need to show love, and he had full confidence in recovering and re-entering the privy court.To take a step back, if the holy family has declined and Prince Gong does not miss the old love, then there is nothing Shen Guifen can do. Since the reaction was not as expected, Shen Guifen played another game of chess.On December 26, princes and ministers met in the Zongli Yamen to discuss negotiations with Russia, and asked for a special order to send Zhang Zhidong to the scene for consultation.In this way, he not only wins over Zhang Zhidong, but also respects Li Hongzao, and also draws outsiders into the game to share the joys and sorrows, so that he can no longer speak out and solve problems, so this is a wonderful move that uses defense as offense. On the afternoon of December 26, princes and ministers met in the Prime Minister's Yamen. Before discussing, they first read the documents handed over by the "superior".Speaking widely is a big topic that everyone can express patriotic and great theories about worrying about the times. Therefore, it is fashionable for all Beijing officials who are concerned about the current situation and have insights.As usual, the officials of the small government will play on their behalf, and the Empress Dowager Cixi can't see so many, so they will all be handed over to the Military Aircraft Office, and the prime minister's office will discuss and play. Therefore, on this day, there were groups of three or four, looking at each other while talking about it, and it was chaotic for a while before they had to calm down.Prince Gong, who presided over the meeting, said: "Today's meeting will not talk about peace and war plans, but only about changing the Russian treaty. The General Administration has drawn up a draft here, please take a look!" The suggestion of the Zongli Yamen is to send another envoy to renegotiate the treaty.This is also being done, and everyone has nothing to say, except Zhang Zhidong who was ordered to participate in the meeting. He said that sending another envoy would be an insult to the state system. You might as well call Shao Youlian, the counselor in Russia and the acting envoy, to visit Russia first. Intention, then reason. "It takes a lot of time to communicate by telegram, and I'm afraid that the communication will not be clear." Prince Gong said calmly: "The matter should not be delayed. Even if another envoy is sent to the capital of Russia, it will take two or three months. I don't know how to start the discussion. Day. Let me see, shall we do it like this?" Although Zhang Zhidong had a lot to discuss, he had no choice but to do it alone, and he didn't want to fight too much with Prince Gong, so he finally signed the manuscript.Invisibly, it is equivalent to representing Qingliu and agreeing to a peaceful settlement. As soon as the meeting at the Prime Minister's Yamen was over, there was another meeting at Prince Gong's Mansion to discuss candidates for another envoy.This is another difficult problem. It is almost impossible to overthrow the treaty that Chonghou has pledged and make a new one. Qing Yi was so indignant that no one would bear the crime of humiliating the country.What's more, Russia is thousands of miles away, a place of bitter cold, and it is in the middle of winter. The hardships of this journey are not something ordinary people can bear. candidates. I thought of using Guo Songtao, because he was familiar with Westernization, he should be the only qualified person, but Guo Songtao was ordered to go to England as an envoy, and because of the constraints of the deputy envoy Liu Xihong, he had to resign due to illness.When I returned to my hometown in Hunan, I was ridiculed again, scolding him for flattering foreigners and forgetting my roots, so I was very discouraged and never wanted to go into this troubled water again. It is better not to think about it as soon as possible, so as not to waste time.