Chapter 188 Yingtai Sunset (1-2)

The next morning, he handed over the sign and summoned him at the first meeting. It was the squad led by Su Wang Shanqi. "You arrived in Beijing that day." The Empress Dowager Cixi asked. "It arrived yesterday afternoon." "How's the place?" "Thanks to the empress dowager and the emperor! There have been two snowfalls this year." "The people of Zhili suffered the most from the chaos in the year of Gengzi, so we must be more sympathetic. You are a local governor, as long as you are willing to plan for the people, there will be no hindrance to the court. If there is something that should be changed, I will not disagree Yes."

"The kindness is profound, and the common people appreciate it." Yuan Shikai thought of setting up stamp duty to replace lottery tickets, so he might as well take the opportunity to play back: "The first time the former governor Li Hongzhang came back to office was just after the Boxers made trouble. In short supply, in order to raise government expenses, a lottery has been set up. Since its inception for more than a year, the number of sales has been less than that of the last. , but not yet. Now that the country is carrying out a new policy, China and foreign countries are eager to look forward to it. It seems that there is no need to be greedy for this, so as not to leave a rumor. Can you ask for an order to stop it to show compassion for the people?"

The Empress Dowager Cixi thought for a while and replied: "I'm still not sure about this matter. Sure enough, as you said, it's better to stop the operation. After you discuss it with the Ministry of Household Affairs, please invite Ju Zhezuo." "yes!" "Yuan Shikai, you have always been good at training soldiers. According to your opinion, how long will it take to train new troops to be good?" This is a difficult question to answer.Yuan Shikai thought for a while and replied: "In the use of troops, the teaching is the first. The military system of each province is different, the military law is not uniform, the rations are more or less, the firearms are new and old, the morale is good or bad, and the drills are diligent and lazy. At ordinary times, the voices and voices do not communicate with each other. When it comes to war, victory or defeat is irrelevant. Therefore, the method of training troops is to unify the military system and train the trainers. Now the training of new troops is only in Beiyang and Hubei. The idea is that firstly the provinces will send their generals to study and practice in Beiyang and Hubei, and gradually promote them. It will take three years at the earliest, and five years later, so that they can look good. However," he suddenly turned around and raised his voice, "the military science is profound, Every country regards it as the study of body, mind and life, and it is definitely not something that can be achieved in a year or two, and it needs to be combined with all kinds of hands. If there is one thing that cannot be echoed, it will be greatly affected!"

"Oh!" Empress Dowager Cixi asked very attentively: "You said you want to do everything, but what are those things?" "The first is the salary, and enough food means enough soldiers. Secondly, telegrams, ships, railways, etc., are all related to military affairs. If the dispatch is not effective, everything will be out of the question." "That's true. Military operations are expensive and fast, and telegrams are very important. Ships, trains, and troop and equipment transportation must be dispatched. Now that the railway has just started, Zhang Zhidong is also very capable. He still continues to run the business. The Telegraph Bureau was originally scheduled to take back the government-run business, and the China Merchants Bureau has already established a scale. We might as well discuss whether it should be government-run or government-supervised and commercial-run." The Empress Dowager Cixi asked again: "Are you in Shanghai this time? What did you talk about with Sheng Xuanhuai?"

"We were talking about the Telegraph Bureau and the China Merchants Bureau. He said that the telegram can be taken back to the government, and the China Merchants Bureau is a commercial stock. The implication is that they still refuse to hand it over. In fact, the so-called commercial stock is the stock of several people. After twenty years of work, they have already made a lot of money by sitting back and enjoying the benefits. Now that the country is in a difficult situation, they should also know how to repay their kindness." "Yes! I've heard about it too." The Empress Dowager Cixi pondered for a while and said, "You should discuss it with Rong Lu. The interests of the country cannot just enrich a few people."

"yes!" "One more thing. I heard that the atmosphere of the foreign students in Japan is very bad. Will the generals sent to Japan to learn from the army also make trouble with them?" "No!" Yuan Shikai replied: "This time, except for the royal family Liangbi, all the people sent to study in the Japanese non-commissioned officer school are honored ministers and famous generals. They have been honored by the country and are loyal and reliable. Empress Dowager Cixi nodded and asked, "Is it those people?" So Yuan Shikai reported a few names as far as he could remember: it is said that he was a descendant of Yue Wumu, Yue Kaixian after Yue Zhongqi, a famous general during the Yongzheng period; Ha Hanzhang, the successor of Ha Yuansheng who was sent to learn how to walk on the Minister of Military Aircraft during the Yongzheng period; Xu Chongzhi, the grandson of Xu Zhenyi, who was the governor of the river channel more than ten years ago; Cheng Yaozhang, the son of Cheng Wenbing, the admiral of the Yangtze River Navy; Ma Yubao and so on.After reporting his name, Yuan Shikai said again: "Since I have accepted the benevolent order, I should pay special attention to it and control it carefully. If there is any cheating behavior, I will be ordered to suspend my studies and sent back for inspection."

Next, let's talk about the visit of the two palaces to Xiling in the early spring of next year.Empress Dowager Cixi asked very carefully about the situation of the road and the palace.Yuan Shikai had a very deep impression. He originally thought that it was specially for Yeling, and he would take a tour along the way, but he was completely wrong!In fact, it is in the name of Yeling, so you have to go for a stroll. ※ ※ ※ Back at the Beiyang Office, there were already many visitors waiting. Yuan Shikai received them in turn according to his official rank and relationship, and finally left two people, one was Wu Chongxi, and the other was Tao Lanquan, who was sent by Sheng Xuanhuai in Beijing to serve Empress Dowager Cixi.His official job was to be the head of the Beijing Affairs Bureau of the Lu-Han Railway, but his part-time job was even more important. He was in charge of the electric lights in the Summer Palace.

Yuan Shikai met Tao Lanquan first, of course he knew why he came.Sheng Xuanhuai was the Minister of Supervision of the Lu-Han Railway, but Hu Tanfen was appointed to supervise the two sections of branch roads from the capital to Lugou Bridge, and from Gaobeidian to Lianggezhuang, where Xiling is located, and Beiyang set up another railway bureau to manage them. .So this time, visiting the mausoleum on a business trip on the railway has something to do with both Sheng and Yuan. Tao Lanquan must be here to discuss this business. "The float has been prepared." Tao Lanquan said, "I would like to ask the commander-in-chief, is there a float in the end, or should we change at Gaobeidian?"

Yuan Shikai thought to himself, if the floats go to the end and the scenery is all taken by Sheng Xuanhuai, he will not be left behind.However, as the leader of Jiang Chen, he could not express flattery to the Empress Dowager Cixi, so he replied: "I don't know much about this level, please connect with Director Liang." Director Liang's name is Liang Ruhao, and he is Beiyang The commissioned railway bureau chief is in charge of the two branch roads. "There is a telegram from the supervisor. Beiyang is the landlord, and I have to ask the commander in chief for instructions. In the future, the floats will be arranged properly, and the commander in person should be invited to inspect."

"Okay! I'll definitely come and see it then." Yuan Shikai said: "The last time I was in Shanghai, I went to visit Supervisor Sheng to attend the old lady's funeral. Bar?" The words "although the vacancy has not been opened" are already ironic, and it is even more intentional to block the way when asked if he cannot come to Beijing for a big business trip.Tao Lanquan understood his intentions, and also knew that Sheng Xuanhuai had made a decision to prepare for Li Lianying's decree.Zhao Sheng Xuanhuai went north, and he couldn't wear the auspicious clothes, so he couldn't enter the pilgrimage, but if he was in Baoding and other places on the way, he might as well use plain clothes to pick him up.It's just that it's inconvenient to say this, so Tao Lanquan presumed he didn't know, and said "I've never heard of it", so he just brushed it off.

So Yuan Shikai found Liang Ruhao and asked him to discuss it carefully with Tao Lanquan, and then served tea to the guests.Then I received the last visitor Wu Chongxi. This Wu Chongxi is from Haifeng, Guangdong. He was born in Hanlin and served as the magistrate of Chenzhou, Henan.Although Yuan Shikai failed in the talent examination, he was among the best in the government examination, and this "Wu Taishou" recognized him.Yuan Shikai, who is still young, is not without a sense of knowledge.Therefore, I always want to repay this "teacher". Yi belongs to the younger brother, but there are many high and low positions.Wu Chongxi is a third-rank Jingtang, there is still a long distance from the governor, and the teachers and students in the government examination are not as good as the teachers and students in the township and general examinations, so Wu Chongxi was invited for the first time and came wearing official uniforms.Yuan Shikai takes care of: "Ms. Wu, please change into plain clothes and meet in the living room." Not in the signing room or the flower hall, but meeting each other in casual clothes in the inner living room, it means that he does not discuss his official rank. However, Wu Chongxi has heard the story of him and "Zhang Zhuangyuan". He kept calling him "Teacher", but he still called him "Kung Pao." "The teacher is still in good health." "TOEFL, TOEFL!" Wu Chongxi arched his hands and said. "Does the teacher have many acquaintances in Shanghai?" "This..." Wu Chongxi didn't know what his intentions were, and replied honestly, "Only the fellow from Guangdong." "That's right! There are many Cantonese people in Shanghai. That's fine!" Yuan Shikai asked, "I wonder if Teacher is willing to go to Shanghai?" This is of course a errand.Wu Chongxi lifted his spirits, "Yes, yes!" He said: "If there is anything that Kung Pao can do for you, he should serve you!" "The teacher is serious! I was thinking that the teacher has worked hard all his life, and there should be a more comfortable gap. There is an opportunity in front of him. I wonder if the teacher will give in?" Wu Chongxi was overjoyed, and hurriedly replied: "Yes! Yes! Yes!" So Yuan Shikai explained this opportunity.The Telegraph Bureau took back the official office, so naturally it still belonged to Beiyang. It had been agreed in advance that Yuan Shikai was appointed as the Minister of Telegraph Supervision and Administration to preside over the reception. It was necessary to find a deputy. He planned to invite Wu Chongxi as the minister of the conference to be permanently stationed in Shanghai to "head the house". This was something he could not have wished for, but while Wu Chongxi was delighted, he couldn't help feeling anxious, fearing that he would not be an opponent when dealing with Sheng Xuanhuai.At this level, Yuan Shikai would of course think that there are other "instructions" to the "teacher". "I have someone else to handle the matter. The teacher cured him by doing nothing. However, the teacher must remember his identity. He is the senior of Hanyuan. If Sheng Xingsun is restless, you might as well teach him a lesson." "Okay, okay! I see." By the time Wu Chongxi was sent away, it was already two o'clock in the afternoon, and Prince Qing's Mansion had sent people three times to urge him, saying that "the prince is waiting for Mr. Yuan to eat."But Yuan Shikai couldn't agree to the appointment yet, because he knew that he would have to come back later, and he was afraid that Ronglu would come to him for something, so he went to make a phone call first. Rong Lu, who is on sick leave, still knows everything about military affairs and court trivialities, because among the military aircraft Zhang Jing and the eunuchs, he has set up his eyes and ears, and he will report.When I saw Yuan Shikai that day, I said: "It took a lot of time to summon, and the Queen Mother hasn't been like this for a long time." "Yes, I was summoned for three quarters of an hour." Yuan Shikai gave a brief account of what happened. "Very good!" Rong Lu nodded and asked again: "Are you from Prince Qing's Mansion?" "Haven't been there yet." "Then, I won't keep you! You should go. Let's talk tomorrow." With this sentence, Yuan Shikai could calmly go to see Qing Wang Yiqiang.When we met, I naturally apologized first, and then talked to Zai Zhen, holding hands and chattering non-stop, asking him what books he has read recently?He also advised him to run less horse races and to go overseas if he had the opportunity.That kind of caring and caring is like an older brother treating a beloved younger brother. King Qing saw it, and suddenly had an idea. He thought it was good at first, but after thinking about it again, there was no big problem, so he said it before he took the seat. "Wei Ting!" He pointed to Zai Zhen and said, "He is very naive, it's all up to you to take him with him. We know each other well, so I'll be honest, you have to treat him like your brother and sister!" "What's the use of the prince's order, I always treat Beizi as my own." "No! That's not enough." Yikuang paused for a moment and said, "Wei Ting, maybe you haven't understood what I mean. Uncle Ling and I are of the same generation, and you and Zai Zhen are brothers. Change posts! " Yuan Shikai was quite surprised, but he had to apologize verbally. "My lord, I don't dare to be that!" He said, "Bei Zi is a nobleman in heaven, how dare you climb up to me?" "What do you say is high and not high! Man-Han intermarriage is unavoidable, let alone a brother? If you talk about high, Zai Zhen has a brother like you who is the leader of the border ministers, it is really high." "My lord said that if I disobey my order again, I will not know how to praise you. However," Yuan Shikai said with a smile, "the etiquette of respect and inferiority cannot be completely abolished. It is better to have brothers and sisters instead of being called brothers. Don't change it?" Yikuang thought for a while, then nodded and said, "We banner people are divided into national and family ceremonies. We don't have to change our address in front of outsiders. It's different in private! Zai Zhen, pour your fourth brother a glass." liquor!" "Yes!" Zai Zhen filled the silver cup with wine, and held it respectfully and affectionately: "Fourth brother, you did this." "Thank you! Thank you!" In this glass of wine, Yuan Shikai and Zai Zhen made an appointment with Kunji.Because of this, Yuan Shikai refused to take the guest seat. Feng Yikuang took the seat, and he and Zai Zhenda accompanied him. Talking about the cup, let's talk about the journey first. Yuan Shikai talked about the story of Zhang Zhidong's arrogance and respect, and he did not deny the embarrassment he felt at that time.Yikuang shook his head while listening, as if he was very dissatisfied with Zhang Zhidong. "Jiang Chen is domineering, there is Zuo Jigao in the front, and Zhang Xiangtao in the back!" Yi Qiang drank a glass of wine and said, "The only way for this generation is to respect ghosts and gods and stay away." But although Zhang Zhidong is not enough to worry about, there is a person who relies on Zhang Zhidong as a backer, but it is quite difficult to provoke, and that is Sheng Xuanhuai.His Olympic aid was originally Li Hongzhang. After the Sino-Japanese War, he saw that the iceberg was about to fall, so he had to plan.Because of his flexible wrists and due to chance, he has made considerable achievements in both aspects. Not only did his original business remain unchanged, but he also monopolized the power of the Lu-Han Railway, just because Zhang Zhidong was backing him. Sheng Xuanhuai and Zhang Zhidong had no relationship at all, but Yun Zuyi and Zu Qi, the copywriting committee members of Huguang Governor's Yamen Office of Western Affairs, were acquaintances from the same hometown.At that time, the Hanyang Iron Works run by Zhang Zhidong was operating illegally and suffered a lot. Yun Zuqi suggested turning it into a commercial operation and introducing Sheng Xuanhuai to take over.The ironworks were originally set up for road construction, so it was logical to talk about taking over the ironworks and discussing the construction plan of the Lu-Han Railway.Zhang Zhidong is very happy with his achievements, while Sheng Xuanhuai started his career as a "hollow senior official". It is only natural for the host and guest to speculate in this conversation.At that time, there were four people who wanted to undertake the Lu-Han Railway, including Xu Yingqiang, the younger brother of Xu Yingtao, the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, and Liu E, the alternate magistrate who was also known as Lao Can. He actually overturned the agreement and put Sheng Xuanhuai in charge of supervising it.Until Sheng Xuan conceived Ding You, Zhang Zhidong still asked for it. The Lu-Han Railway was about to be completed, so it was not suitable to change hands. It is conceivable how Sheng and Zhang got along well. However, what Sheng Xuanhuai didn't expect was that Hu Tanfen was originally his opponent in the struggle for power, but he didn't expect Yuan Shikai to become his opponent.This opponent is much stronger than Hu Yufen, so the Shanghai meeting handed over the telegram with great interest, but how could Yuan Shikai stop there? From Jiang Ning’s visit to Zhang Zhidong to the funeral of Sheng’s family in Shanghai, Yuan Shikai talked about his meeting with Sheng Xuanhuai, and mentioned his own feelings: “I haven’t been to the south for a long time. If it can't be like Li Wenzhong did in Japan, Beiyang can control it remotely, and I'm afraid there will be endless troubles." "Yes, yes!" Yikuang said bluntly: "Wei Ting, how can we control Sheng Xingsun? You think of a way, and I'll find an opportunity to play it face-to-face, the things he manages are all related to Westernization, I can talk." "I wanted the lord to speak." Yuan Shikai thought for a moment and replied: "Fortunately, he is not a senior official after all, so if he is not allowed to be alone, he will not be afraid of domineering power!" Yikuang thought about his words carefully, nodded and said, "I understand! It's easy, just put a little thought into the tone of the edict, and you can suppress him." "Yes!" Yuan Shikai said again: "This time in Shanghai, I also talked with Sheng Xingsun about the revision of commercial contracts with various countries. He really wants to take this opportunity to stand out. In the future, he will set up a commercial department. He will definitely follow Lianying's path. He jumped to be the Minister of the Ministry of Commerce. Please pay special attention to this matter, the Lord of the Ministry of Commerce will only set up one Minister of the Ministry of Commerce in the future, and I already have someone in my heart." "Oh," Yikuang opened his eyes wide, "Who is it?" "Here!" Yuan Shikai pointed to the opposite side: "Here!" With this finger, Zai Zhen blushed, thinking that Yuan Shikai was making fun of him, and Yikuang also felt a little weird, and asked suspiciously: "Is he okay?" "why not?" "Too young and inexperienced." "What are you afraid of when you are young? You are still the emperor at the age of four!" Yuan Shikai continued: "As for the experience, just read and go to the calendar! Next spring, there will be an expo in Osaka, Japan. Beizi might as well go and see it." Hearing this, Zai Zhen was very excited.He heard that Japanese women don't have obscene clothes, and that men and women bathe together and see each other naked, he doesn't care, he always wants to see and see.But it is not easy for relatives and nobles to travel to the capital. Now that we have this opportunity, how can we miss it?So I said very vigorously: "Fourth brother, you must protect me and let me open my eyes." Yuan Shikai nodded and didn't answer, just looked at Yikuang and listened to what he had to say. "Japan holds an exposition, and if there are invitations, it is all right to send ministers to watch the exhibition. It's just that it's inconvenient for me to play out even though it's not safe to avoid relatives. " "Let me play it." "That's right!" Zai Zhen said, "The fourth brother is the minister of commerce and the minister of the symposium. His name is justified." "Should someone go with him?" Yi Kuang asked. "Yes! I've already made up my mind to let Na Qinxuan go with Beizi." This is a very appropriate candidate.Natong Ziqinxuan, the right servant of the household department, once served as the special envoy to Japan for apology. He is familiar with it and can get a lot of convenience.And Zai Zhen is especially satisfied with this person's company.Because when Natong was an officer, he was a rich guest in Bada Hutong, a girl from "Qingyin Xiaoban", and he was nicknamed "Xiao Na" behind his back.Now, because of his eloquence, outstanding appearance, flexible wrists, and taking advantage of the surname Yehenala, he is able to take care of the court as the right servant of the household department and the minister in charge of the internal affairs office, just like Lishan back then.And the luxury of living is even better than that of Lishan.I live in Jinyu Hutong to the east of Bamiancao, with gorgeous architecture, known as "that garden".Zai Zhen has this playmate, and he really has the feeling of "this trip of a class student is no different from becoming a fairy"! Finally, when it comes to Rong Lu's illness, even Zai Zhen can't hear about it!Yikuang and Yuan Shikai had a secret conversation in the middle of the night, but no one knew what they were talking about.All I know is that the Beiyang Public Office received Yuan Shikai's order, and all the expenses of Prince Qing's Mansion will be paid by Beiyang from the public account. ※ ※ ※ On the first day of the Lunar New Year, after the court congratulations, the emperor summoned the military aircraft as usual, and only issued an edict: "Next year will be the Empress Dowager Cixi's 70th birthday. This year, Guimao will hold the Enke Township Examination; next year, Jiachen will hold the Enke General Examination." In the year of Ziwu Maoyou Township Examination, Chenxu Chouwei went north by bus. He originally had a regular course, but he really joined Enshilin and opened another subject. According to the rules, it should be the township examination next year, and the next year's examination.Now only Zhengke is changed to Enke, which is actually the so-called "combination of Enke and Zhengke", and there is no gain.And the reason for this edict is just to remind everyone, don't forget that next year will be Empress Dowager Cixi's 70th birthday. I don't want this edict to bring "hidden worries" to people.When the Empress Dowager Cixi was fifty years old, there was a war between China and France; However, some people think that this is a mediocre worry, that is, the group of celebrities in the Ministry of Internal Affairs headed by Na Tong.He went around telling everyone that "the two full birthdays of Lafayette's 50th and 60th birthdays were messed up by foreigners. Next year's 70th birthday, 'life is rare in seventy years', will be very lively !" However, it is still too early to repair gardens, view scenery, and celebrate birthdays. There is an errand in front of us—the two palaces will visit the Xiling Mausoleum, and we must curry favor with the Empress Dowager Cixi. . Unexpectedly, if you can't do it with strength, the mission of Yeling is not handled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but by the Zhili Governor's Yamen and the Luhan Railway Bureau.Sheng Xuanhuai arrived in Tianjin in casual clothes long after the Lantern Festival, and personally directed the layout of the floats. The iron bed and "Ruyi bucket" are just like the old rules in the year of Huiluan, and they have been improved, especially the furnishings in the car.Sheng Xuanhuai entrusted someone to ask Li Lianying, which antique shop should handle this matter?The response I got was: "Liu Mazi from the back door is very expert." Liu Mazi opened an inconspicuous antique shop called "Tianbaozhai" inside Di'anmen.The antiques, jade, calligraphy, and famous paintings that were brought out all came from the inner palace, and they were veritable treasures of the heavenly family.A bill was issued, and the total amount was more than 146,000 silver, plus a "salary" of 3,000 taels of silver. "What's the use of three thousand taels of salary?" Sheng Xuanhuai expressed his dissatisfaction, "It's not a troublesome thing to hang around!" "My lord, there is a lot of attention here. The installation is not secure, and a vase or something is broken, and it costs more than three thousand taels of silver." This is not bad, and since it was recommended by Li Lianying, it cannot be considered as a rule. Sheng Xuanhuai paid as much as he wanted, but told him to arrange it properly. Everything was ready, and Yuan Shikai was invited to see the float, but he felt that it was rich and elegant, and there was nothing wrong with it.After thinking for a long time, I finally thought of it. "The scene is very good, but the car dealership vibrates, and the hanging screen falls off, which is a crime of disrespect! How dare you?" "Please Wei Shuai to try the fastest car. If it is not suitable, then think of another way." Sheng Xuanhuai said with a smile. Yuan Shikai also wanted to know what happened, so he agreed without hesitation.However, Yuan Shikai, or anyone who is qualified to inspect the floats, had thought about this question, and how to solve the doubts, the most immediate and effective means, had already been thought out.Therefore, only waiting for Sheng Xuanhuai to make a gesture, the "foreign station master" immediately issued an order, the whistle blared, but the wheels turned silently, and slowly left the station, gradually getting faster and faster, two hours back and forth, and walked two hundred and twenty Inside, while the car is full of furnishings, it does not move at all. "Very good, very good!" Satisfied, Yuan Shikai turned to the director of the Beiyang Railway Bureau and said, "Everything about our floats is arranged like this." "yes." "These things," Yuan Shikai asked Sheng Xuanhuai, pointing to a Kangxi kiln colorful vase and a "crab shell green" Xuande furnace next to the vase, "where did you get it?" It was entrusted to Tianbaozhai Antique Shop at the back door. " "Is it the shop opened by Mazi Liu?" "correct!" "Sure." Yuan Shikai praised. On the second day, Li Lianying was invited to see the float.He was wearing plain clothes, a fox fur gown with a blue cloth burqa, a black and green Zhigong woolen waistcoat, and he was not wearing a cap. He held a short pipe in his hand.When he got in the car, he stood still and looked around, looked left and right, and kept nodding. "Everything is fine, only the way to get in the car is not good." "Ask Manager Li," Sheng Xuanhuai asked, "What's wrong?" "It's inconvenient to step on." Sheng Xuanhuai thought for a while and said, "That's easy, we have our own way. Please come back to see Mr. Li tomorrow and make sure it's all right." "Okay!" Li Lianying said again: "The emperor's car has to be the same as Lafayette's, and it can't be any different. Otherwise, it doesn't matter if the emperor is not happy. The most important thing is It's Lafayette who doesn't want to be misunderstood, thinking that the emperor's enjoyment is inferior." "Yes. I must be careful." As soon as Li Lianying left, Sheng Xuanhuai immediately ordered Tao Lanquan to build a platform, which was as wide as the door of the car and more than three feet long, with one end lower and the other higher, but the slope was so gentle that he didn't notice it. .As long as the Empress Dowager Cixi steps onto the platform, she can walk over the railing as if walking on flat ground. After I tried it, I invited Li Lianying to come to see it. When I saw it, I was very impressed, and said: "When I went back to the palace yesterday, I showed Lafayette the furnishings in the car. Lafayette explained that such a valuable thing should be ordered to follow." Those who go, be careful, don't break it, so that someone Sheng will pay for it. The above has such a meaning, I have to tell Mr. Sheng." "Yes, yes!" Sheng Xuanhuai cupped his hands and said, "I'm so grateful." But what did Li Lianying mean by saying this?Sheng Xuanhuai studied it carefully and realized the truth. This is a hint that all the furnishings may be damaged, and if they are destroyed, they will be destroyed in vain, so why not make them more beautiful?So what he meant by these words was to tell everyone clearly that it would be better to treat all the furnishings as tributes. Therefore, a batch of yellow silk signs were made immediately, and Gong Kai wrote: "Chen Sheng Xuan Huai respectfully advances." Pasted on the treasures.A few days later, Yuan Shikai came to see the car again. He was stunned when he saw it. He turned his face to look at his entourage and sighed: "For ministers! For ministers!" It's like I can't bear to say. The copywriter was an acquaintance with Tao Lanquan, and felt that he should tell him the situation, so that it would be reasonable for each other to take care of each other. Unexpectedly, Tao Lanquan smiled after hearing this, "Brother," he said, "Yuan Gongbao sent Director Liang to come here just now, and asked about everything carefully. I know everything I want to say, and I can’t stop talking, but Director Liang, who is from Canton, can’t understand me, so I entrust my fellow villager Lin Zhidao to talk about it in detail. Yuan Gongbao has already planned to do the same." Sure enough, Yuan Shikai also ordered Liang Ruhao to go to Tianbaozhai to connect with Tianbaozhai, arranged for the display of floats, and used things that were even better than Sheng Xuanhuai. A list was issued, which was 155,000 silver. ※ ※ ※ On the eighth day of the third lunar month, at Yinshi when the sky was twilight, the emperor offered sacrifices to Xiannongtan.After the ceremony was over, they turned to the station. Soon after, the Empress Dowager Cixi arrived, and the emperor knelt down to receive her. The following were a group of princes and ministers led by King Qing. Only Rong Lu had not arrived. He was very ill and could no longer get out of bed. The Empress Dowager Cixi was still as happy as she was in the car back then, and she stepped onto the platform with a smile on her face. Cui Yugui was courteous and wanted to step forward to help, but the Empress Dowager Cixi waved her hand to indicate that there was no need. car. The throne in the carriage is a "happy chair" covered with yellow velvet. When she takes her seat, the Queen, Princess Rongshou, and Si Gege have also boarded the carriage.Finally, Princess Rongshou spoke. "This Sheng Xuanhuai really knows how to handle errands!" "It's hard for him." Empress Dowager Cixi shouted: "Lianying!" Li Lianying hadn't come up yet, she was taking care of Empress Dowager Cixi's luggage loading into the car, when he was found, he passed Yi's decree and summoned Sheng Xuanhuai. As a result, the queen and all the palace transcripts retreated into another section as a float for the "bedroom" of the Empress Dowager Cixi.Sheng Xuanhuai was brought by Li Lianying to meet him.He was wearing plain clothes, and the top was a famous national utensil, which couldn't be changed, but the red top was made of very light coral, slightly pink, which had a little meaning. After he saluted, the Empress Dowager Cixi first pointed to the yellow label on the curio and said, "You are too wasteful! How can you be like this?" "Returning to the Empress Dowager," Sheng Xuanhuai said, "The furnishings in the car are all small objects in the collection of the minister's family, and they were not purchased at a special price. I beg the Empress Dowager to learn from the ignorance of the minister, and I will reward you." "Excuse me." "The minister has received a lot of kindness, and it is rare to have the opportunity to honor the empress dowager. Things are not good, but they are sincere."' "This has to be rewarded!" Li Lianying said from the side: "Otherwise, people will think that Lafayette thinks he is not sincere." "That's true. I deserve it." Empress Dowager Cixi asked again: "On which day did you arrive in Beijing?" "I arrived in Tianjin on the 22nd of the first month of the first lunar month, and met with the governor Yuan Shikai to understand all the details of the mission. When I arrived in Beijing on the eighth day of the second month, the supervisor arranged the floats and prepared for the supply." Sheng Xuanhuai said: "The minister is short of talent. Do your best, I'm afraid there are still some omissions, I beg the Empress Dowager to forgive me." "You are very capable, and there is nothing to praise or criticize." The Empress Dowager Cixi asked again: "Is the revolutionary party in the south making trouble?" "It was very fierce at first, but since Zhang Zhidong took the acting role, it has become much better." "Oh," Empress Dowager Cixi leaned forward, "what's the reason?" "Zhang Zhidong has a very harmonious public opinion and is good at dissolving and guiding. The local gentry are willing to listen to him and restrain the children of the township party, so he can eliminate the troubles invisible." "Who are the local gentry?" This question, somewhat out of Sheng Xuanhuai's accident, found it difficult to answer.Because some people are not known to the Empress Dowager Cixi, so what they say is in vain, and some people are hated by the Empress Dowager Cixi, so what they say is inappropriate.But in a hurry, with no time to think about it, he thought of one and said it: "Like Nantong Zhang Jian...." When he was still thinking about the second one, the Empress Dowager Cixi was already asking, "Is it Zhang Jian, the number one scholar in the Jiawu period?" "yes!" "Isn't he Weng Tonghe's favorite student?" Sheng Xuan thought badly!But I had to bite the bullet and answer again: "Yes!" "Does he have frequent contacts with Weng Tonghe?" Hearing that Empress Dowager Cixi's tone was quite relaxed, Sheng Xuanhuai was more at ease. "Not much contact!" He said, "Zhang Jian is very busy developing land in his hometown and running a business. Besides, Weng Tonghe shuts himself up and thinks about his mistakes, so he doesn't have many guests." "Weng Tonghe is your fellow countryman, isn't he?" "yes." "So, you always have contact with him?" "The minister's family lives in Shanghai, and they communicate with Weng Tonghe during the New Year and holidays, and have no other contacts." "Weng Tonghe is restless?" "Very peaceful." "What about him and Kang Youwei?" "No relationship at all!" Sheng Xuanhuai's voice sounded resolute, "As far as I know, Weng Tonghe has a deep hatred for Kang Liang's master and apprentice." "That's all!" Empress Dowager Cixi said coldly: "You have to send a message to Weng Tonghe, please be safe! I will take extra care of him!" Sheng Xuanhuai was frightened into a cold sweat. When he knelt down and exited, his expression was green and yellow. Everyone who saw it was surprised. They all thought that he had hit a big nail, but they couldn't figure out why? On March 10, after visiting the mausoleum, I returned to Baoding.Xiling is in Yizhou, and Baoding is in the south of Yizhou, which is not passed by the Yiling Road, so there is no permanent palace.This time, the Empress Dowager Cixi had already decided to visit Baoding on the way, so she chose Lianchi Academy as her residence. Lianchi Academy was built in the 11th year of Yongzheng. It was originally the former site of Zhangrou's lotus pond in the Yuan Dynasty, so the academy was named Lianchi.There is Linyi Pavilion on the pool, and there are Junzi Pavilion, Liutang, Xixi, Beitan and other names. It was originally a scenic spot in Baoding. , the queen mother lives in the west, the word "mountain" or three big houses, coming to the extremely dull palace, it is natural to linger around. Yuan Shikai was able to beat Sheng Xuanhuai on business, and it was in this palace.Two capable officers were specially appointed to be in charge. One was Yang Shixiang, who was very close to Yuan Shikai before Li Hongzhang was alive. Now he is an official in Zhili, and the other is Wang Ruigao, the Changlu Salt Transport Envoy.Wang Ruigao went to Changlu salt merchants to ask for money, and Yang Shixiang knew how to spend it. His grandfather Yang Dianbang was the governor of water transportation. "The third generation is an official, so you know how to dress and eat." Yang Shixiang is good at drinking and food, so serving the imperial meal can win the great favor of the Empress Dowager Cixi. After staying for three days, at dawn on March 14, Yuan Shikai received a confidential telegram sent by a special messenger from the Telegraph Bureau. After translating it, it was revealed that Rong Lu had passed away suddenly in the middle of the night. This is the long-awaited news, and Yuan Shikai's spirit is lifted!But my heart is very confused, because there are many things to be done immediately from the bottom of my heart.After concentrating on thinking carefully, he found the first thing to do, and informed the Telegraph Bureau that if there was a secret message to the Military Aircraft Department, he would not send it until it was bright, because he wanted to take advantage of Rong Lu's bad news before it spread. layout. So he immediately sent someone to invite the think tank Yang Shixiang.During this period of waiting, he has already done two things. One is to send secret telegrams to the Beiyang Office to go to Rongfu to attend the funeral immediately; , and want a bank note. That is to say, just after these two things were done, Yang Shixiang had been called to come, until the signing room came to see him.Yuan Shikai showed him the telegram and said, "Rong Zhongtang has passed." After reading the telegram, Yang Shixiang asked, "The military plane doesn't know about this news yet?" "I have told the Telegraph Bureau to suppress it." Yuan Shikai asked: "Do you think there will be any changes?" "No!" Yang Shixiang said confidently: "The most important thing now is that the eldest brother must calm down and avoid impetuousness." Yuan Shikai nodded and asked again: "The superior summoned me, what do you think I should say?" "You don't have to make it too obvious." Yang Shixiang thought for a while and then said, "I don't even participate in the discussion at all." "If you must ask, must you tell?" "Let's just say that today's big politics are nothing more than two ends. One is the New Deal and the other is foreign affairs. The New Deal is being carried out in sequence. If the foreign affairs can be further developed, the overall situation will be more promising. The way the empress dowager and the emperor employ people must be suspenseful. Both shall prevail.” Yuan Shikai nodded deeply, "That's very appropriate." He said, "Don't pass on this news from me, lest someone on the military plane talk. But, please go there immediately, don't mention it. to this news." "Then what are you going to do?" "Please sit down for a while, and I will tell you again." Yuan Shikai called his confidants, "Go and urge, why hasn't anyone from the treasury come yet?" ※ ※ ※ "Lianfu," King Qing Yikuang asked, "There must be something wrong for coming so early." "Yes! Marshal Yuan Wei sent me to greet the prince. There is something for the prince." As he spoke, Yang Shixiang took out a red envelope and held it in both hands respectfully. Yikuang took out a bank note from the envelope, saw that it was two hundred thousand taels, and couldn't help but opened his eyes wide and asked, "What is this for?" "It's Yuan Weishuai who respects the prince." "This..." Yikuang overwhelmed with joy, his mouth became very stupid, "Is it too much? It seems unbearable, but it seems disrespectful." "Prince Bei often uses it." Yang Shixiang said: "My lord will soon have a lot of expenses, especially in the palace." There are sounds outside the strings, so you might as well identify them yourself.Yikuang then said: "Since I said that, I am ashamed. If there is any news from Beijing, please write to me as soon as possible." "Yes!" Yang Shixiang paused and replied: "Once the prince enters the palace, I'm afraid there will be news." This said Yikuang guessed seven or eight points.After sending Yang Shixiang away, he immediately went to the palace in a sedan chair.He is the Minister of State Supervision and the Prime Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has his own "Zhilu" and is connected to the Zhilu of the Military Aircraft Department.As soon as he arrived, Zhang Jing, a very familiar military plane, slipped in quietly, asked for "Shuang An", and said softly, "It's time to congratulate the prince." "Where does joy come from?" "The officer is going to wait on the prince again soon. The telegram I received just now said that Rongzhong Hall passed by last night. The prince is not the foreman of the military plane, but who should it be?" "Don't say that!" Yi Kuang waved his hands again and again, "Grace comes from above, and there is no such thing as who should or shouldn't. I accept that you came to report the letter, and I appreciate it. But please don't make it public." "Yes, yes! The officer knows the seriousness of the matter." After saying that, he greeted him again, and still slipped away quietly. The news confirmed.Yikuang thought of Yuan Shikai's 200,000 silver and the words Yang Shixiang said, and knew how to spend this huge sum of money.At that time, he sent a trusted guard to find Li Lianying and invite him to meet him soon. ※ ※ ※ The telegram of Rong Lu's death was first sent in a yellow box.Therefore, when the military plane was summoned, the Empress Dowager Cixi had tears on her face.However, the speech was calm, without a word of emotion. "Rong Lu's death is long overdue!" She said, "Let's talk about his funeral!" The most important thing to talk about the funeral is to discuss the funeral.Wang Wenshao, who was at the front, listened but did not speak; Lu Chuanlin, who was next in line, listened but did not hear, and naturally Qu Hongji played back. "The meaning of the three ministers is that the honorary salary of the old university scholar, his life's achievements, especially his dedication to state affairs in his later years, are similar to the old Suyi Hou Li Hongzhang, can you give him a sympathy according to Li Hongzhang's example?" "I don't remember all of Li Hongzhang's T-shirts." "Seven items in total." Qu Hongji replied according to the order of the tributes announced in the edict at that time: "Appreciate the Dharani Sutra; send Prince Gong Puwei to lead ten guards to lay the foundation; give the posthumous title Wenzhong; posthumously present the Taifu; Jin Feng First-class marquis; enshrined in the temple of virtuous men; descendants of grace." "Yeah!" Empress Dowager Cixi replied without thinking, "It's all right." "Yes!" Qu Hongji slightly raised his voice and said, "However, Li Hongzhang was promoted to marquis by an earl, and the situation of Ronglu is different." "Isn't he the hereditary captain of Yunqi?" Empress Dowager Cixi asked, "Isn't he the hereditary baron of Jin?" "You can be promoted to a first-class man." "Then follow the rules." "Yes." Qu Hongji asked for another order: "Will Prince Gong be sent to give the memorial ceremony?" "You can't send a prince, can you?" Prince Jin Zaifeng is Rong Lu's son-in-law, and when he was ordered to give a libation, he only sprinkled wine and did not kneel down, and his relatives wanted to thank the "imperial envoy" instead. Isn't that a deadly joke?Qu Hongji lost control for a while and hit a soft nail, but he felt that there was something he didn't understand, so he still wanted to ask. "In the festival of grace to descendants, each person's situation is different. As for how Rong Lu's heir, Liang Kui, should grant grace, please ask the empress dowager and the emperor's decree." Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager Cixi had a slightly angry expression, "I heard that Liang Kui is very unfilial, squandering recklessly, not doing his job properly, and letting him become a noble is already taking advantage of him!" She paused and said: "Put this section aside for now. Let’s wait until Ronglu’s legacy is handed over.” ※ ※ ※ When the military plane came to visit, Li Lianying took time to go to Yikuang's place with a sad face, because he had shared troubles with Ronglu.When the "King of Duanjun" Zaiyi, who has become a common man, almost forced the palace by relying on the Boxers, he and Ronglu were the only two who maintained each other internally and tried every means to protect the status and dignity of the Empress Dowager Cixi.Looking back on the anxious and miserable situation at that time, I can't help feeling sad. "When I heard that Li Zhongtang had an accident, Lafayette cried a lot. This time, Rong Zhongtang passed away," Yikuang said cautiously, "I'm still a little sad, right?" "that's for sure." "Where's the emperor? It's fun in the dark, isn't it?" Li Lianying shook her head, "I can't see it. Actually," he said, "The emperor doesn't hate Rong Zhongtang very much these few years." "Hate him?" Yi Kuang circled a circle with his thumb and index finger. "That's probably an inseparable enemy!" Yikuang was a little startled, and couldn't help asking: "I heard that the emperor is in Xi'an, it's okay to draw a bastard, write a certain person's name on it, and then tear him to pieces. Do you have this word? " "Why not?" Li Lianying asked in surprise, "Why does the prince ask these old words about old sesame seeds and rotten millet?" "Let's talk casually." Yikuang took out a red envelope from the drawer, and said with an unchanged expression: "Recently someone sent a sum of money, you can share it and spend it." Saying that, he stuffed the red envelope into the opponent's hand.This is not the first time, Li Lianying accepted it honestly, and even took out the banknote to have a look. I was moved when I saw it, it was one hundred thousand taels! "My lord," he put the red envelope on the table, "Who gave it to you?" To ask who sent it is to ask who has something to ask for, or to be promoted, or to be transferred, or to be spared from disaster.The amount was not small, and what one asked for was extravagant. Li Lianying was afraid that she would not be able to do it and the "signboard" would be damaged, so she had to be cautious. Of course Yikuang understood what he meant, pondered for a while and said, "Just let me give it to you." Upon hearing this, Li Lianying immediately raised her eyebrows, grabbed the red envelope and stuffed it into her arms, and said with a smile: "Thank you, my lord, for your reward!" Seeing this scene, Yikuang felt very relieved, and said, "If you have news, please send me a letter." "Does it need to be said?" Li Lianying blinked her eyes and thought for a while and said: "There is a new kind of jewelry in the West, which looks like a ring, and when the ring is lifted, there are watches inside. Has your lord seen this thing? " "I haven't even heard of it." Yi Kuang asked, "You want it? I asked someone to buy one in Shanghai and send it to you." "No, no!" Li Lianying said, "It's too late to go to Shanghai to buy. You'd better look for them in Dongjiaomin Lane."If you find it, send it to Si Gege directly. " This point, Yi Kuang fully understands.His widowed little daughter is his most powerful helper. Whenever the Empress Dowager Cixi sees or thinks of any new clothes or jewelry, Sigege will send someone to notify "Ama", and quickly find her and send them to the palace. Dedicated to Empress Dowager Cixi.This "small" tactic is very useful.Yikuang didn't dare to be negligent, and immediately sent people to Beijing to look for such a "ring with a small watch" in the foreign firms in Dongjiaomin Lane and Wangfujing Street. "Go and come back, the sooner the better. If you find this thing, you don't have to bargain, just give as much as you want." Yikuang remembered Zhang Yinhuan's tribute emerald ring, which violated the taboo of Empress Dowager Cixi, and specially urged: "The ring is Diamond, red, sapphire, even amethyst, don’t matter, just don’t want green color. Remember!” The person sent was very capable. In the foreign company of Taiji Factory, I found such a ring with a ruby ​​face, which was more suitable. Unfortunately, it was delivered at night, and it was only submitted the next day. In fact, it doesn't matter if you have this ring or not. Li Lianying has already figured out how to speak up for Yikuang.He used the construction of the Summer Palace and the Yiluan Hall in Xiyuan as his words, saying that next year he will live 700,000 years, and that these two major projects should be stepped up. These two major projects were hosted by Na Tong, the Minister of the Household Department and the Minister in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Li Lianying said: "The minister is quite capable, even if the money is not caught off guard, the great ability is useless." This statement reminded Empress Dowager Cixi. The reason for "money not being caught off guard" is that Rong Lu is sick and no one can take charge of the fundraising. Empress Dowager Cixi is also a little suspicious. <<I refuse to do this scolded thing, and delay it by excuse of illness>> So, she thought of the three people who had been hovering in her mind ever since Ronglu became vacant.The first is Zaifeng, Prince Chun; the second is Yikuang, Prince Qing; and the third is Shanqi, Prince Su.Taizong's eldest son, Hauge Fengsu, was one of the first eight "Iron Hat Kings".Shanqi's grandfather, Huafeng, had contributed a lot in the Xinyou coup, so Empress Dowager Cixi treated Prince Su's branch differently.However, Shanqi is not a bad person. Last year he managed Chongwenmen's tax revenue, and the tax revenue increased from the usual 170,000 taels to more than 600,000. The tax rate has not changed, and he has never heard of disturbing the people. It shows that he is willing to do things honestly. .Therefore, Empress Dowager Cixi listed him as one of the candidates for Minister of Military Aircraft. At this moment, Zaifeng and Shanqi seemed unable to think about it.Zaifeng is more like Li Wang Shiduo, and it is fine to put on a show, but before there were Chun Wang Yixuan, Xu Gengshen, Sun Yuwen, and then there was Fortitude and Ronglu, we might as well let Shiduo put his name on it.Now it is impossible for Zaifeng to be able to afford it, especially how to raise funds for these two major projects. As for Shanqi, although he has talent, he also has edges and corners, and it is said that he has made friends with famous Han people, and sometimes he prides himself on his character, let alone these two major tasks.Now that I think about it, there is only one Yikuang in my mind.