Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Rewarding a Yellow Jacket

du8.com copyright The history of the world is almost a history of wars. Foreign barbarians invaded and countries went to war with each other;War always brings disaster, brings destruction.It was only after a few days of peace that both sides in the war were wounded and exhausted.Soon, there will be a resurgence of flames.History—war, war—disaster! In 1894 A.D., the Sino-Japanese War, that is, the year when Li Lianying stayed with Zhang Xun, the flames of war ignited from China's neighboring countries to China's mainland. That year, a peasant uprising against feudal rule and foreign aggression took place in North Korea, China's eastern neighbor.Peasants in Gobu County, Jeolla-do staged an uprising under the leadership of Donghak Party successor (local leader) Jin Zhangzhun.Their slogans are: "Destroy the rich and powerful", "Destroy the foreign Japanese".Subsequently, laborers from various provinces in the south and central regions responded one after another.They occupied the county town, established a revolutionary regime, and forced the Li Dynasty to agree to the peasants' "equal distribution of land" and other l2 conditions, and concluded the so-called "Quanzhou Peace Treaty", luring the peasant army to withdraw from the whole state.By the end of the year, the rebel army was suppressed.

The Japanese Empire is a close neighbor of North Korea. It has long had the ambition to invade North Korea. Taking advantage of the Korean Civil War, it launched a war of aggression against North Korea.Together with the flames of war, the Japanese army launched a challenge to the Chinese navy and army at the same time, which caused the Sino-Japanese "Jiawu War". Zhang Xun lived in Li Lianying's residence, and he had nothing to do, so he wanted to go back to Guangxi to see Cao Qin-although he brought Cao Qin out these two years, they were still far away from each other.When he was called by Su Yuanchun, governor of Hubei, he knew that Cao Qin was pregnant. How much he wished to have a son. A 40-year-old man has yet to see any offspring. He was anxious! The day he left home, he was reluctant to part He said to Cao Qin, "Sister Qin, I really don't want to leave you, I want to see our son so much!"

Although Cao Qin also hoped that her husband would stay by her side and take care of her childbirth.But she still said: "You have official business, Mr. Su must be urgent when looking for you. The official business is urgent. After the official business is over, you should come back as soon as possible." "then you……" "I'm not afraid, grandma will take care of me." Now, he has been away from home for more than half a year. Is the child born? Is it safe? He can't let it go.But I also felt that Li Lianying was difficult to apply for.He still couldn't get the investment after spending a lot of money, but he actually kept him, and he couldn't bear to lose this opportunity.

Yesterday, a sad news came from Guangxi: Cao Qin gave birth to a son, who died before the full moon.Zhang Xun was heartbroken, looked at Nan Tian and sighed deeply, feeling sad all of a sudden.At this moment, Li Lianying sent someone to call him.He hurried to the drawing room.Li Lianying sat still, and said with a raised face, "Zhang Xun, sit down." "Master Li..." "I have something to ask for you." Li Lianying said, "Are you bored these days?" Zhang Xun wanted to take the opportunity to talk about things at home, and wanted to go back to Guangxi to have a look.Before he could speak, Li Lianzhuyi said: "It's not that I'm not in a hurry, I just want to find a good place for you. I'm a person with this temperament, and I always want to help people well. If you're in Beijing, you might as well be in Guangxi. Isn’t it wasting my troubles to keep you here?” He looked at Zhang Xun, and said, “Now I have a good place to go. I have a servant named Song Qing, who is leading the Yi Army in the Northeast and has done a very good job. When you arrive Go there, he won't treat you badly." He only said to ask Zhang Xun to join the Yi army, but he didn't mean that the war in the Northeast was tight.Zhang Xun hurriedly stood up and said, "Thank you so much for Master Li's love, I will definitely obey the arrangement." "Well, get ready, and I will see you off with Xiaoshanzi tomorrow." Li Lianying said, "If there is nothing wrong in the palace, Well, I will accompany you too."

"Thank you, sir." "What are you thankful for?" Li Lianying said, "you are the one who left my house when you spend a day by my side. No matter where you go, no matter what kind of official you are, you will never forget this place, right? One family, Thank you for what." "Master's love, Zhang Xun will never forget it!" Three days later, Zhang Xun hurried to the northeast.Song Qing, the commander of Yi Jun, also climbed up by relying on Li Lianying's big pillar. A place with a lot of oil and water has already had a good harvest of officials and money, and is thinking of repaying Li Lianying well.No, Li Lianying was going to use him, and it was very easy to do.So, he read Li Lianying's letter, looked at Zhang Xun's appearance again, and secretly rejoiced: "Sure enough, he is a good general!" Putting down the letter, he nodded and smiled.

"Zhang Shoubei, you have been staying at Master Li's residence for a while, how is your father-in-law? "Okay!" Zhang Xun also catered to him and said, "When the master is chatting, he often talks about the general and praises the general. He is the pillar of the court and can do great things for the court." "Thanks to Master Li for supporting me!" "Master Li also said that if there is a chance in the future, he must recommend the general in front of Lafayette, and Lafayette will definitely use the general again." "Emperor Grace Yulu, I will do my duty faithfully!"

After Song Qing briefly introduced Yi Jun's situation, he mentioned the fierce Sino-Japanese war. "Since the Sino-Japanese war started, the Northeast was the first to bear the brunt. Our army is at the forefront. You came at the right time and can serve the country!" Only then did Zhang Xun realize that Li Lianying had sent him to the northeast to fight.At first he was startled, and gradually turned into joy—in Guangxi, it was because of the Sino-French War that Zhang Xun prospered; now in the Northeast, he is about to join the Sino-Japanese War again, so he has another good opportunity! He hurriedly said: " The Japanese pirates invaded, only to teach them a lesson! Let them know that the Chinese are not easy to provoke, and our Qing Dynasty is not easy to bully!"

Song Qing saw that Zhang Xun was not only a good-looking man, but also had an unusual heart and conversation, and was recommended by Li Lianying, the chief eunuch and the most popular person in Beijing, so he wanted to make good use of him and give him a "decent" official. "Zhang Shoubei, Song Qing stood up and said, "You were in Guangxi earlier, did you train cavalry?" trained.Zhang Xun said: "However, the infantry is still the main force." Now that the cavalry has been trained, it will be easy to handle. Song Qing said, "Then, you can go to be the vanguard of the cavalry."Yi Jun's cavalry can be called the main force, and they all have real kung fu.Good management, brave in battle, they will make great achievements with you. "

Overnight, Zhang Xun became the cavalry leader of Yi Army, and he was very grateful to Song Qing and Li Lianying.He secretly made up his mind to report it, but he still said verbally: "Thanks to my lord for your high praise, I'm afraid Zhang Xun doesn't have such great skills to be a good cavalry." Song Qing said: "I believe you can take it well." The Qing Dynasty was very confident of victory in this Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895.Little Japan is so small, across the sea, how can it come here? Besides, Li Hongzhang has run the Beiyang Navy for many years, and the imperial court has also set up a naval office. The Beiyang Fleet compiled eight years ago already has 22 warships, of which There are nine of the most advanced ironclad ships in the world, and the navy is still trained by experts from Britain and Germany. Could it be that they can't deal with little Japan?

Unexpectedly, at the beginning of the war, the Chinese army and navy suffered great setbacks in the Battle of Pyongyang and the Battle of the Yellow Sea.I met Li Hongzhang, a bastard Beiyang minister, and ordered to "avoid war" on the grounds of "avoiding war". In October of the 20th year of Guangxu (1894), the Japanese army attacked Northeast China by land and sea, and soon occupied the Jiulian City, Andong (now Dandong); in November, they captured Dalian, Lushun and other places; in February of the following year (1895), the Japanese army captured Weihaiwei Military Port, and the Beiyang Fleet was wiped out. In March, the Japanese army occupied Niuzhuang and Yingkou , Grange Terrace.

Zhang Xun led the cavalry to encounter the enemy first. After the battle, he suggested to Song Qing: "First occupy Hu'er Mountain, control the danger of the Yalu River, and then wait for an opportunity to attack the enemy. Song Qing was a bit arbitrary, but he did not accept Zhang Xun's opinion, and agreed When you start a war, you will be passive everywhere. In the Sino-Japanese War, the Chinese army and people fought bravely against the enemy.Due to the corruption of the Qing government, the Chinese side suffered a defeat.Finally, the Qing government sent Li Hongzhang to sign a contract with Japan to "recognize North Korea's security and independence", "cede the entire island of Taiwan and all its affiliated islands, the Penghu Islands, and the Liaodong Peninsula to Japan", and "compensate Japan for 20 million taels of military expenditure". , "Opening Shashi, Chongqing, Suzhou, and Hangzhou as commercial ports"... The shameful "Treaty of Shimonoseki" with eight articles, opened a new stage from capitalist invasion of China to imperialist invasion of China, and deepened China's semi-colonization and national crisis. The Sino-Japanese War failed, and the Liaodong Peninsula lost its autonomy. Naturally, Zhang Xun's cavalry could not defend their homeland in the Northeast, and Zhang Xun wanted to leave.He is the chief eunuch Li Lianying's man, he is going back to Beijing, and he is going to climb the high branch of the chief eunuch.He decided to leave secretly - because he was afraid that Song Qing would not agree to leave.Unexpectedly, it was when he was making secret preparations that Song Qing found out.In a rage, Song Qing decided to kill him. "It's the corrupt government that failed, and my team is still on the loose! I want to sneak behind my back, and I can't spare you." Song Qing took two personal soldiers and rushed to Zhang Xun angrily.However, on the way, he changed his mind: "After all, Zhang Xun was recommended by the chief eunuch Li Lianying. No matter how bad it is, it depends on Li Lianying's affection. Besides, the "Treaty of Shimonoseki" is just a failed traitorous treaty." , it’s not that the country is destroyed, the dynasty has changed, and Lafayette is still in power. If I kill Zhang Xun, won’t I also kill my own retreat?” When he stepped into the barracks of the cavalry vanguard Zhang Xun fully armed , Zhang Xun was also taken aback - he knew that the visitor was not good, so he was busy preparing for the challenge. Song Qing entered the house, first took off his military cap, then his broadsword and short spear for body protection, and then said: "Pioneer officer, you are too dishonest, you have to say hello before you leave the Northeast!" When Zhang Xun saw Song Qing coming straight to the point, he didn't show weakness.Said: "Since the Liaodong Peninsula has no sovereignty, the team still doesn't know where to go, and you can't even tell where your road is. It's the same whether you say hello or not!" "That's exactly what I said about you being dishonest!" Song Qing said, "Don't care how the battle is going? After all, we have been under the same banner for a while, and I am your official. When you came, you came with the chief I was found by the eunuch's letter. You left quietly. The chief eunuch will ask me for someone in the future. I can't hand over the living ones, and the dead ones don't even have a grave... There is no need to talk about this matter, even if you want to leave the team Go, you have to let me see you off solemnly, and give it to you honestly. Depending on how far we brothers get along in the future, we must be friends! You go away quietly, not because you look down on me too much, but also Have we lost our friendship?" "This..." Zhang Xun's heart skipped a beat. "Yeah! Am I fooling around? If I sneak out of the barracks, I should be beheaded! I...I..." He blushed and said, "Master Song, please punish me, I am guilty." "Okay, come with me." Song Qing said: "The banquet is prepared in the barracks, and I will see you off! Turn around and give you another small gift!" "This..." Zhang Xun didn't know whether to go or not . Just when he was hesitating, Song Qing kindly took his hand and walked out of the cavalry barracks. ——Don't want to say goodbye like this, Song Zhangjing forged a deep friendship.In the future, Zhang Xun gave Song Qing a hand very hard. du8.com copyright Zhang Xun's official career was not smooth. He returned to Beijing from the northeast and had nothing to do. Although Li Lianying gave him the name "Imperial Guard", it was only for food and money.When he returned to Beijing, he was recruited by Minister Cen Chunxuan to lead the new army in Shandong. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.Unexpectedly, after the imperial envoy arrived in Shandong, he did not cooperate well with Li Bingheng, the governor of Shandong, and gradually developed into an incompatibility.In a fit of anger, Cen Chunxuan resigned from his post.The new army that Zhang Xun had just taken over was naturally impossible to develop further when the "coach" abandoned his post. Zhang Xun had no choice but to dismiss the army and return to Tianjin to live idle. Many things in the world always contain Kit Kat.Sometimes, due to the ingenuity, the people who are at the end of the mountain will suddenly turn around, and the willows are dark and the flowers are bright; sometimes, the ingenuity will make the people who are at the dawn suddenly fall into a desperate situation and become depressed! When Zhang Xun was living in Tianjin, a major event in modern Chinese history was happening in Tianjin.Because of this incident, Zhang Xunfeng was given a chance to turn around, and made his confused goshawk soar again, and since then, he has traveled thousands of miles—— Yuan Shikai, a native of Xiangcheng, Henan (later the leader of the Beiyang warlord), defected to Wu Changqing of the Huai Army in his early years and donated a title of Tongzhi. Later, he was sent to North Korea as the Minister of Commerce and Industry in North Korea.After the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, Yuan Shikai was appointed as a Taoist to train the "New Army" at Tianjin Station. Yuan Shikai was born in a family of great gentlemen. Although his father Yuan Baozhong had never been an official, he was a big money tycoon in Xiangcheng County.In Yuan Shikai's generation, the Yuan family had a strong idea of ​​"official hegemony" and wanted him to be an official who could honor his ancestors.As soon as Yuan Shikai entered the officialdom, he actively pursued his career and worked hard to climb up.When Yuan Shikai went to Tianjin to train the new army, he had another private idea: to recruit talents and cultivate his own power in order to win more power. When Yuan Shikai learned that Zhang Xun was living idle in Tianjin, he thought of "love talent" again: "A garrison, cavalry vanguard, imperial bodyguard, and a trusted confidant of the eunuch in charge, this is quite a magical figure. There is something to rely on." So, he pretended to be simple and went to the door in person to "worship the general". That day, Zhang Xun was sitting bored when he heard someone knock on the door.Busily got up to open the door, but saw this person was unfamiliar. "Excuse me, are you Master Zhang Xun Zhang Xianfeng from Jiangxi Province?" "Your Honor is..." Zhang Xun hesitated. Yuan Shikai's entourage replied: "This is Mr. Yuan Shikai, the current Taoist priest and the general manager of military training at the imperial station." Yuan Shikai hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Xiangcheng Yuan Shikai, the next official, has admired the name of pioneer for a long time. Tianjin, I'm here to pay my respects." "Don't dare, dare not." Zhang Xun knew a thing or two about Yuan Shikai. He heard people say that he had done a lot in North Korea and was quite unique in running the army. He was also a respected general of Beiyang Minister Li Hongzhang.Now, leading the imperial order to train the army here, he is naturally an unusual person.He hurriedly said: "Zhang Xun is a small post. Although he has heard of the great name, he just dare not take the liberty to visit. When the grown-up comes, the villain really dare not be." "Pioneers don't need to be humble. Great name." Yuan Shikai was very modest. "Furthermore, you are the closest person in front of Eunuch Li, the chief eunuch, so it is very fortunate for Yuan to meet Xianfeng. Zhang Xun lived in Jinmen leisurely, without entourage and lack of good living conditions, so he had to serve guests with green tea.Fortunately, Yuan Shikai was just looking for talents, and he knew that Zhang Xun was four years older than him, and his reputation was not inferior to his, so he didn't care about these things. "On Nian Geng, the pioneer must be considered my elder brother." Yuan Shikai picked up a cup of tea Zhang Xun handed him, and said: "The training at the small station is just starting, and I always feel that there are many difficulties, especially the lack of general talent. I am not afraid of elder brother's condescension. I would like to ask my brother to train the new army with me. Zhang Xun was bored living at home and worried about having nothing to do. Seeing Yuan Shikai's request now, he naturally agreed. "I'm afraid that Zhang Xunde's talent is superficial and he will disappoint everyone." "Brother, don't be humble," Yuan Shikai said, "It is Yuan's dream to go to the small station." Zhang Xun really went to Xiaozhan, and Yuan Shikai appointed him as a lieutenant general and an officer of the engineering team, and he was stationed in Tianjin from then on.Yuan Shikai did not treat him badly during his military training and garrison in Tianjin. In addition to entrusting him with the above-mentioned duties, he was successively promoted to be the first-class vanguard officer, and he was appointed as a military officer in the camp.In the 25th year of Guangxu (1899), the three-year training period of the Wuwei Youjun expired. After being invited by the university scholar Rong Wenzhong and the Beiyang Minister Yulu to join the general, he was promoted to the deputy general.Zhang Xun became a pivotal general in Yuan Shikai's army. When Zhang Xun rose to the top, earth-shattering changes took place in China. After the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, the imperialists intensified their invasion of China's coastal ports and went deep into the interior to plunder the rights and interests of roads and mines, dividing their spheres of influence and attempting to carve up China. China's Qing government was corrupt, but the Chinese people were unwilling to endure imperialist aggression.The folk association Yihequan in Shandong, Hebei and other places joined forces with Bailian Sect and Bagua Sect to organize boxing factories and practice boxing to carry out anti-imperialist movements.Later, the Daohui in Caozhou, Shandong, and the Boxing Boxing led by Zhu Hongdeng in Dezhou also joined the group, and they changed their name to Boxer.The anti-imperialist movement started vigorously.This movement gradually spread to North China, the Northeast provinces and the Beijing-Tianjin area. The Boxers were against imperialism, and the Qing government was afraid of and pro-imperialism.Therefore, he appointed Yuan Shikai as the governor of Shandong and went to eliminate it.Yuan Shikai was appointed governor of Shandong, and his task was to eliminate the Boxers.Before taking office, he called Zhang Xun in front of him, and announced that he was appointed as the vanguard of the Wuwei Right Army and the battalion leader for patrolling the rear, and led the team to Shandong. What a disaster, the foreigners got angry and issued a warning to the imperial court. If they do not send troops to destroy the Boxers, foreigners will use troops against China. This trip to Shandong is the right time for us to serve the imperial court. We must do our best and serve the imperial court. Of course the imperial court will not Treat us badly." Zhang Xun hurriedly said: "Xun will never let down the heavy responsibility given by the court and Master Yuan! When I arrive in Shandong, I will take the lead and succeed immediately!" Zhang Xun, as the vanguard of Yuan Shikai's Wuwei Youjun, led the battalions to patrol the back road and rushed to Shandong. This is May 1900.Zhang Xun is 47 years old. In Shandong, the Boxer Rebellion Movement, which rose up, is in full swing, especially in the coastal area, and it is unstoppable! However, this huge anti-imperialist team spontaneously organized by the Li people lacks well-trained training and has not formed its own. With a strong command core and a sound program of action, the climax can only be like colorful clouds floating in the sky. Although they are rolling and floating, it is difficult to form an influence. 47-year-old Zhang Xun has lived in the military camp for 22 years since he was a banner soldier in Nanchang Prefecture. From the south to the north, he has fought many battles against French soldiers and Japanese soldiers, and he fought very well.If he leads the formally trained army to fight against the team organized by groups of ordinary people, of course the chances of victory are sure.However, after Zhang Xun arrived in Shandong, he was not in a hurry to send troops to fight—the first information he obtained was: there were members of the Boxer Regiment in almost every village and village, there were many and some, there were men and women.How could such scattered "enemies" go to war? After thinking about it, Zhang Xun decided to put on makeup and lead some soldiers to go deep into the places where the Boxers were raging fiercely, to find out the truth about the "enemy" and to "know the enemy" before using troops. In the Shandong battle, Zhang Xun fought it as a turning point in his official career.In the past, whether he followed Pan Dingxin and Su Yuanchun in Hunan and Guangxi, or followed Song Qing in the Northeast, those people were just local leaders; a year ago, he followed Cen Chunxuan, the imperial envoy, and he really hoped to rise to the top.Unexpectedly, this imperial envoy was so disappointing that he could not compete with a governor and resigned-these people are not backers.Now, Yuan Shikai is cast. Although he is also a governor, Zhang Xun knows that he is not an ordinary "foreign official" but a powerful imperial order based on the fact that he was ordered to train the new army at Xiaozhan.He wants to work for him and do something spectacular for him to make him happy.Zhang Xun has also weighed it. He knows that Yuan Shikai's influence is not greater than that of Li Lianying.But what is Li Lianying? At best, she is an eunuch in charge, like a vine branch, which can climb higher than a big tree with its high branches; I can't climb high.What's more, Li Lianying has long been notorious. Isn't the tabloid in Tianjin not scolding enough? After all, Yuan Shikai is an upright official and an official trusted by the court. After careful reconnaissance, Zhang Xun found out where the Boxers were concentrated and where the leaders of the Boxers were located, such as Haifeng, Liuzhong, Yangxin, Binzhou, Putai, and Lijin.Therefore, he organized his battalions in the back of the patrol to form a unified formation, and carried out surprise operations, engulfing them one by one. What the Boxers opposed were foreigners and invaders.Although they also opposed the corrupt bureaucrats in China at the same time, they still had a very clear slogan called "help the Qing and destroy the foreigners" since they were unified into the Boxers from Boxers and Broadswords.After the Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, followed by the invasion of the Allied Forces of Eight Nations, the Boxers fought bravely in defending Langfang and Zizhulin in Beijing and Tianjin, forcing the invaders to retreat many times.They felt that the imperial court should reward them and encourage them to continue fighting! How could they have thought that the imperial court would send troops to destroy them?As a result, the Boxer strongholds attacked by Zhang Xun were defeated like mountains, and one after another was destroyed by the autumn wind like fallen leaves-poor group of men and women full of patriotism and enthusiasm, without any "internal defense". The officers and soldiers of the "Qing" dynasty who wanted to "support" killed and killed, and they suffered a crushing defeat.There are three or five stragglers left.Had to flee to Hebei and other places in a hurry. After Zhang Xun won the complete victory, he returned in triumph.Yuan Shikai went out of the city ten miles to meet him in person.He shook Zhang Xunxun's hand and said: "The battle was well fought, well fought! The court's confidant's serious trouble was relieved in one fell swoop by your Excellency. I will definitely play on a flying horse and ask for a reward for you!" "Thank you Master Yuan for your kindness." Zhang Xun said: "A group of bandits are vulnerable. The emperor raises soldiers for the purpose of destroying the bandits. I have received the favor of the emperor, so how dare I not serve you wholeheartedly, let alone ask for rewards?" ?” Yuan Shikai said grandly: "I am pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and the rewards and punishments are reasonable. The emperor will not treat you badly." Then he said: "On the urgent order of Li Hongzhang, the Minister of Beiyang, he said that some remnants of the Boxer Regiment had fled to Hebei. Let me 'Send troops to pursue and suppress'. I think, those are the defeated soldiers of yours. As soon as you step out, they will run away. You should hurry to Hebei and continue to destroy the Boxers." Zhang Xun hurried to Hebei with his battalions on the back road without stopping. After capturing the Boxers, Yuan Shikai was promoted to governor of Zhili and moved to Baoding. In the battle to capture and destroy the Boxer Regiment, Zhang Xun was regarded as the first meritorious service, and he was favored by Yuan Shikai. When he was in Hebei, Yuan had promoted him to lead the first battalion of the right-wing infantry of the Wuwei Youjun.In the following year (1901), Yuan Shikai made great efforts in "suppressing bandits" several times in Fujing.Feng Shu circled the word "strong" and lived in Baoding with Yuan Shikai.This is the first time Zhang Xun has enjoyed the grace of the emperor, and he is very excited.Make up your mind to be loyal to the emperor to the end! Don't look at the Qing Dynasty's suppression of its own people - the Boxers are so cruel and have methods, but when dealing with foreigners, they can only submit and surrender. In order to suppress the Boxer Movement in China, the imperialists conspired to carve up China, using the excuse that the Qing government was "exclusive".As a result, the eight imperialist countries, Britain, the United States, Germany, France, Russia, Japan, Italy, and Austria, jointly invaded China on a large scale—this is what historians call the "Eight-Power Allied Forces."The Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded, and the Qing Dynasty was powerless to resist. On June 17, 1900, the coalition forces captured Dagu Fort; on July 14, they captured Tianjin;Looting property, killing people: Wanton abuse of China's sovereignty. The Qing Dynasty had no choice but to send Yixu and Li Hongzhang as ministers with full power to beg for peace with the imperialists; on the other hand, the Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu led the relatives and noble ministers to flee to Xi'an-the day after the Eight-Power Allied Forces captured Beijing, that is, August 15. , Empress Dowager Cixi, Guangxu, Longyu, Concubine Jin and elder brother led princes and ministers, imperial guards, eunuchs, maids of honor, more than 60 people and their entourages, and attendants hurriedly escaped from the palace and Xizhimen, and ran to the northwest like a bereaved dog.This was going out to flee chaos, and Cixi didn't even have time to prepare a big sedan chair, so she had to get on the big saddle mule cart of Guixiang (Cixi's younger brother), the Minister of Management of Shenji Camp.All prestige has been swept away.In this way, they left Juyongguan, passed through Datong and Taiyuan, and arrived in Xi'an on October 26 after 41 days.At this time, there was a three-year drought in Shaanxi, and there was no harvest of grains. The people in Chang'an had a lot of food, and the people were hungry. On September 7, 1901 (Xin Chou), the Qing government signed a traitorous "Xin Chou Protocol" (also called "Xin Chou Peace Treaty") with eleven imperialist countries including Britain, the United States, Russia, and Germany. A total of eleven paragraphs and nineteen appendices, including 450 million taels of indemnity; dividing Dongjiaomin Lane into the embassy area; demolishing the Dagu fort and the forts on the passage from the capital to the sea; foreign troops stationed in Beijing and from Beijing to Shanhaiguan Twelve important areas along the line; the Chinese people are forever prohibited from establishing or participating in various organizations that are "enemies" with other countries; All aspects of the military have expanded and deepened the imperialist aggression against China, and it shows that the Qing government has completely become a tool for imperialism to rule China. As soon as Xi'an escaped, Lafayette Cixi seemed to be much older.When she left Beijing in a hurry a year ago, she looked good. She was 65 years old and looked like a person in her 40s. She wore a blue cloth shirt and wore a "flag head" style bun. Wrinkles are also rare.One year in Xi'an, she was like another person, even her eyes were sunken. Some people said, "It is the "Xin Chou Treaty" that is ugly. The country has suffered such a great shame. Can she be worthy of it? Can she not worry?" But, These people were too kind, they were wrong, she didn't take that treaty to heart at all.What can the rise and fall of the country do to her? As long as her throne does not fall, what's wrong with being an emperor? Cixi's saddest and most troublesome thing is that she feels that the people of the country are against her, and even the ministers and princes are against her.During the year when she was stationed at the governor's gate in Shaanxi, she thought about it, and she felt that people in the palace were also against her.On her way to Xi'an, when she passed Puzhou Mansion, she suddenly decreed that Prince Zhuang Zaixun's title was removed; Silk". That is, strangled to death with white silk).Afterwards, a decree was decreed to remove the Duke of Zaiyi, the king of Duanjun County, and the Duke of Zairun, the Duke of Fuguo, and send them to Xinjiang to serve as an army, and they would never be reduced or exempted; and sent a decree to dismiss Qixiu, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Xu Yongyu, the left servant of the Ministry of Punishment, who were in Beijing. He said: "Little Lizi! Why do you think people are so bad? I have never treated anyone badly, but everyone treats me badly. They expect me to die, and if I don't die they will kill me. I have to first Go ahead and kill them all one by one! Li Lianying patted her back lightly, and replied, "Yes, yes!" Yes, yes! The "Xin Chou Treaty" was established, there was no war in Beijing, and Cixi decided to return to Luan from Xi'an. The seal was in October 1901, on the northwest plateau, the sky was high and the air was crisp, and the blue sky was thousands of miles away.The two palaces are divided into eight people to carry large sedan chairs. The husband and wife wear red silk driving clothes, which are tailored according to the style of the northern Zaoluan guards. In front of the sedan chairs are imperial ministers and guards walking side by side. Twenty-four yellow dragon flags open the way.The avenue is covered with loess, and there are escort troops standing on both sides.Sitting in the big sedan chair, Cixi thought that she would be kind to the people, and that the people would be reluctant to part with her, so she would go out all over the city.When she looked left and right along the curtain hole, the streets and alleys were deserted except for a few gentry who were following the trend, and even three or two idlers didn't pay attention to her.Cixi felt again that "the people in the world are too bad!" Empress Dowager Cixi and his entourage left the east gate of Chang'an, arrived at Lintong County on the same day, and the two palaces went to Huaqing Hot Spring to rest and take a bath; the next day they arrived in Huayin County, it was getting late, and the next day, the two palaces went to Yuquanyuan at the foot of Huashan Mountain to offer incense; on the fourth day, they left Tongguan in the east , After entering Henan, passing through Hangu Pass and Sushanzhou, Songshou, governor of Henan, came to welcome him.Song Shouman, who is good at catering, mobilizes the masses along the way and mobilizes officials to compete for hospitality, which wins Cixi's favor.After staying in Luoyang for three days, he lived in Kaifeng, the capital of Henan Province, for half a month, and celebrated his 66th birthday in Kaifeng; then he traveled through Weihui (now Jixian), Zhangde (now Anyang) to Cizhou.At this point, the provincial troops and officials who escorted the imperial chariot from Shaanxi will soon hand over the task to Zhili Governor Yuan Shikai and his army.It was mid-November, the weather was getting colder, the earth was withering, and the northern geese were whining and flying towards the south, and Cixi suddenly felt shuddering all over her body! Yuan Shikai rose to the top and became the governor of Zhili.It was the time when the spring breeze was proud, and he was ordered to escort him back to Luan. It can be seen that the imperial court attaches great importance to him and is very excited.Feeling that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve the imperial court, he hastily selected elite soldiers and strong generals to form an escorting army.At the same time, Zhang Xun was called to the front, and after explaining the task of escorting, he said: "You are responsible for escorting all the troops on horseback. You are a person who has made great contributions to the imperial court. The task of escorting this time is especially heavy. You must do your best and do your best without any slack!" Zhang Xun nodded again and again, "Yes!" Alright," Yuan Shikai said, "lead the team quickly and head to Cizhou.In a few days, the two palaces will be there. " Zhang Xun led the team to go to Cizhou without stopping. Cizhou is a small place on the southwestern edge of Zhili. It used to belong to Zhao, but now it belongs to Handan. It is a relatively poor place.The houses in the city are dilapidated, and most of the city walls are dilapidated.Zhang Xun's team did not dare to enter the city, knowing that the houses that could be squeezed out in the city were reserved for the two palaces and their entourage, so he only camped outside the city and waited. At this time, the north wind is getting stronger, the clouds are low and the sky is dark, light rain mixed with snow particles sneaks to the earth, and the temperature suddenly drops a lot.Although Zhang Xun's team grew up in the north, they were not prepared for the sudden cold.Therefore, each of them huddled into a ball, trembling! It was not until the third day that we realized that Luanjia had already entered the city, and started driving today to continue northward. In the past few days, Zhang Xun has been pondering over and over again, "How to complete this escort mission?" After all, he is just a small official who came from a local area, ignorant and ignorant, and knows very little about the etiquette system in the palace.How to make Longyan happy? He didn't know at all.He went to ask Yuan Shikai, and Yuan Shikai had never done escort work either.He wanted to find a way to go to the city and meet Li Lianying, Li Lianying would definitely tell him what to do.However, the two palaces and the Lord Long Live are on the way, so they are very vigilant, and no local officials are allowed to approach them without a will.He was also afraid of pretending to be a dragon, and if he failed to invite credit, he would be punished.Now, in his anxiety, he regretted himself a little: "Why didn't you seriously ask for advice when you were in the chief eunuch's mansion?" After all, Zhang Xun has his shrewdness. He thought: This time it is a escort, and the escort must be inseparable, in front of the sedan chair and behind the sedan chair; the most important thing for the court is the word "loyalty".Well, I will be loyal to Lafayette forever! When Cixi drove from Cizhou, she still took the eight-carried sedan chair.The entourage is also old, but the escort troops have been replaced by Zhang Xun of Zhili.Zhang Xun has a heart, is good at making friends, and spends a lot of money.On the first day of driving, he first threw away his mount and followed the sedan chair in front of and behind the sedan chair of the two palaces on foot, never leaving.He either assigns troops, or takes care of princes and ministers.At one time, he would deliver cigarettes and tea to the accompanying drivers, at another time, he would ask the princes how warm they were, and at another time, he would run to the front of the car and tell his husband to "walk slowly".Zhang Xun is already an exempted lieutenant general, named Jian Fang by the admiral commander, and an official who has been rewarded with special pens. He has a crown on his head. In the eyes, the admiration in the heart, the two palaces and the emperor are also happy. On the first day, Shengjia traveled to Shunde Mansion (now Xingtai, Hebei Province), and Cixi suddenly found Zhang Xun in the sedan chair. She was moved in her heart: "This man has been working so hard every day for the past few days, and his behavior is commendable! Cixi is in a sad mood. When she felt lonely, she dismissed many people. However, those who stayed with her, she still felt that they were unfaithful and that they might try to kill her. She decided to dismiss a group of people after returning to Beijing. Now, she found that Zhang Xun, a person who is so loyal to her, travels long distances, the north wind is fierce, he doesn't even ride a horse, and he is in front of the sedan chair all day long, how comforting it is! Shunde mansion took a rest, and Cixi immediately called Zhang Xun to her face. "Let me ask you, which team are you from? What's your name? What's your job?" Zhang Xun knelt down on both knees, and shouted "Great Lafayette" twice, and then said: "Mr. Yuan Shikai, the governor of Zhili, is the deputy general Zhang Xun. Cixi smiled. "Yuan Shikai's Wuwei Youjun was trained according to the German drill code. They couldn't kneel and salute. They only played the horn and raised their guns to salute. Why did you kneel down?" "The slave is protecting the holy driver today, and dare not violate the ancestral system." Zhang Xun still couldn't afford to kneel. "Where are you from?" "Back to Lafayette, I'm from Jiangxi Fengxin." "Well, Cixi seemed to think of something, but she couldn't think exactly. After a pause, she said: "I like you very much, you are a loyal minister. " "Thank you, Lafayette, for your compliment." Zhang Xun said: "I am deeply favored by the emperor, how dare I be unfaithful. The imperial court has ministers, and I will do my best!" "Okay, okay! Cixi waved her hand." You go, I will find you again after returning to the capital. Zhang Xun kowtowed, got up, and left Cixi backwards. Cixi closed her eyes and thought happily: "After all, there are still loyal ministers, and Zhang Xun is one." A huge invasion by the "Eight-Power Allied Forces" finally calmed down temporarily with the loss of power, humiliation of the country, and huge compensation.After the Empress Dowagers of the Two Palaces and Emperor Guangxu who fled to Xi'an returned to Beijing, the curtains should be drawn down, and the puppets should be puppets.The compensation of 450 million taels of silver is 450 million taels. Isn’t it 980 million taels to pay off the principal and interest in 39 years? Lafayette didn’t take it seriously.银子，外国人愿拿只管来拿，至于开辟通商港埠，外国兵驻扎中国，随你们怎么去。中国地大物博，少一点半星又会怎么样?慈禧对这些事不放在心上。她从西安回来，拿着李鸿章交给她的《辛丑条约》的原本，连看都不看，顺手便放在案上。 “我知道了，你回吧。” “喳!”李鸿章深深搭了一躬，一步步退出来。 慈禧望着那个已经朽得挺不直腰的、再有几天就到80岁的老臣，不知是该“疼他还是该“恨”他——李鸿章为大清王朝出过不少力，不用说他灭了太平军，镇压了捻军，就是他开办的近代军事工业、洋务事业，设立江南制造局、轮船招商局、开平煤矿及至建立北洋海军，都是轰轰烈烈的事业!所以，先帝封他为两江总督、钦差大臣、直隶总督、北洋大臣。80岁了还不告老，多好的大臣呀!可是，慈禧却又喜欢不起来，觉得这个人太崇洋媚外。他算什么东西?后半生总是卖国，与英国签订的《烟台条约》(1876年)、与法国签订的《中法新约》(1885年)、与日本签订的《马关条约》(1894年)、与俄国签订的《中俄密约》(1896年)，以及这一次与八国联军签订的《辛丑条约》。哪一个卖国条约不是他李鸿章签的字……”慈禧想到这些，觉得真该杀了这个李鸿章。可是，她又不杀他。为什么呢?谁知道?慈禧总有慈禧的“主心骨，吧。 李鸿章退出去之后，慈禧还是把那件墨迹未干的《辛丑条约》翻开来看。可是，总看不入目，纸上的无论中文还是外文，总在乱跳，就像酷暑天腐肉上叮的苍蝇被人恫吓了一般，乱哄哄直飞。慈禧毕竟也是六十五六岁的人了，用的心力过多，有点憔悴心衰了。何况，这条约的草本她在西安时便看到了，也看懂了。据她身边的人说，当时她是很生气的。她拍着桌子怒骂：“这个条约一签订，我大清还有脸在世界站立吗?”怒归怒，不答应是不行的。她闭着目，养了半天神，心里暗自嘀咕：“无力再战了战不过人家。赔款不是39年才还清吗，我活不到那时候了，凭谁去还吧!”她还是传出“圣旨”，授命李鸿章签了字…… 这一切都是昨天的事。昨天的事既成事实了，慈禧便不想再翻腾它。她想想点儿畅快的事，高兴高兴。什么事能使她高兴呢?她想起了张勋—— “小李子，你过来。”慈禧仰在专为她制的太师椅子上，半闭着 眼，两手扶在椅子的扶手上。“老佛爷，李子在。”李莲英哈腰点首，满脸带笑。 “我问你，那一天在磁州，那么尽心护驾的一个人叫什么来着?” 老佛爷问的，是不是那个连马也不骑，步行随銮的那个小官儿?” "yes." 他叫张勋。李莲英说：“是直隶总督袁世凯袁大人面前的一个副将，以提督记名简放，节制着马步各营。” “嗯——，他现在在哪里了?”“还在京中，未曾离去。” 慈禧轻轻地点点头。 “难得呀!常言说得好，国难识忠臣!”外国人把咱欺辱到那个样子，许多老臣都疏远咱们了。一个小小的副将，就能那么忠心耿耿，我看他就是一个好人。 " “老佛爷说得对。” “你去把那个张勋找来，我想见见他。” “喳!”李莲英答应着，却不走。“那张勋……”李莲英想秉明张勋只是个低品级的小官，不能随便入宫。 慈禧摇摇手。“你也世故了。他不能入宫，我叫他入，他不就能入了吗!” “喳!”李莲英这才退出。 护驾回銮之后，张勋便没有回保定去，仍留在京城。这是得到袁世凯允许的。 那一天，两宫太后和光绪皇帝回到紫禁城，袁世凯返回直隶总督衙门，本想带着张勋回去。他组织的马步各营精锐部队都在张勋领导下了，他得有“看家”的主力。可是，袁世凯知道老佛爷已经喜欢了这支部队和张勋，他把他们留在京城也算最好的“尽忠”了。所以，他把张勋叫到面前，撇开自己的尽忠内心，却大咧咧地对他说：“张勋哪，此番护驾，你做得很好。看得出，两宫太后和皇上都十分满意。现在，你就带着队伍暂住京中吧，说不定宫中还会有要事找你。” “这都是大人的栽培。”张勋很谦虚地说：“没有大人的厚爱，我那有机会能够走近两宫太后身旁呢!” 袁世凯心中乐滋滋的。但还是说：“是你自己会做。我把你派到老佛爷身边了，你做事令老佛爷不高兴，不是也不行吗。” 张勋依然以护驾亲兵住在京中。他不知道袁世凯是利用他在老佛爷面前取宠，他只觉得袁世凯给了他靠近天颜的机会。他十分感激袁世凯。“张勋我日后能够有所腾达，那全是袁大人的大恩大德，我将用最大的行动报答袁大人。” 48岁的张勋，称得起深润官场了：“人要发迹，必有靠山。靠山多大，就会有多大的升腾!”回头看看他从26岁在南昌府衙内当旗牌兵起这二十二年走过的路，他觉得潘鼎新、苏元春都不如袁世凯影响大；而袁世凯比起慈禧，却又是“孙子”一般地的小人物。要有大发展，必须靠慈禧这样的人。他想起了李莲英，“一个太监，充其量是个阉官，是个大奴才!为什么连王公大臣都要对他毕恭毕敬呢?还不是他身后有慈禧，慈禧是个一手遮天的人物!”自从护驾回京，张勋就为自己能为慈禧效劳沾沾自喜，做梦都梦见慈禧召见他了，说了许多开心的话。最后，眯着眼睛赏了他一个心满意足的官。 就在这时候，李莲英传出“圣谕”，说“老佛爷命你进宫!”张勋心头一喜，忙应答着，匆匆换件衣服，朝宫中走去。张勋是第一次进紫禁城，他该好好地看看这座令他望眼欲穿 The place.不过，今天他没有时间了，他匆匆往前走的时候，他的目光都不敢旁顾一点，他怕跟不上李莲英掉了队。失去这个机会，不仅有违圣命，自己前途也会黯然无光。 李莲英对张勋还是前情不忘的。西安归来，他便在老佛爷面前替他说了不少好话，说他“对主子有一股真心实意的忠”，引得慈禧心花怒放，赏了一句“跟你一样”的话。现在，慈禧青睐张勋了，李莲英也想送个“顺水人情”，便首先表明自己在老佛爷面前如何替他说了好话，如何建议老佛爷器重他，最后还说：“这次机会难得，许多巡抚来京候旨数月还不一定能见老佛爷一面。像你，就更困难了。”又说：“你也在官场上不少年了，什么事都懂一些。今日进宫，千万千万得想着说话。” 李莲英连褒带贬一席话，张勋早明白七八成了，忙说：“我明白，我明白。张勋有今天，全凭李老爷你提携。今日见老佛爷，该怎么说，怎么做?还得请李老爷指教。” 李莲英笑了。“嗯，是得指点一二。老佛爷这个人，说怪也怪，说好也好，就得你能琢磨透她的脾气。我实对你说吧，跟她说话，头等大事是得先看他的眼色，瞅瞅她喜欢什么?然后顺着她的喜好往下说。只要他喜欢，那怕全是假话谎话，你尽管说，说得越多越好；若是不喜欢时，那怕都是真话好话，可千万别说。还有，只要她说出的话，你就马上说'是，是!。对，对!'说老佛爷圣明!'能记住吗?”张勋连连点头，说：“能，能!” 张勋进到宫中，双膝跪倒慈禧面前，连连高呼：“老佛爷万寿无疆!老佛爷吉祥!” 慈禧正在玩味一件珠宝，听得有人在呼叫，这才微微仰面，闪目。 “你是张勋吗?” “奴才是张勋，小小的副将张勋。”“起来吧。” “谢老佛爷。”张勋立起身，垂首一旁，不敢抬头。 “你是哪里人氏哪?”慈禧早天曾这样问过。she forgot. “禀老佛爷，小人江西奉新。”张勋垂首说：“据祖宗说，我的原籍是河北清县。” “家里还有什么人?” 张勋心里一惊——他怕慈禧追问他的那段浪荡童年。忙说：“父母均不在多年了，妻子现在广西。” 慈禧“嗯”了一声，又说：“你对我忠心是真还是假? “奴才对老佛爷一片忠心，毫无半丝假意，可以对天表白!”张勋有些慌张了，他觉得慈禧这样发问，是发觉了他什么虚假。忙又说：“张勋能有今天，全靠皇恩浩荡。没有老佛爷和朝廷的雨露恩泽，张勋连家也不会有。张勋有生之日，一定对老佛爷和大清朝尽忠到底，死不变心!” “好了，好了，这一点我相信。”慈禧想起了他磁州护銮时的精心，又说：“听说你现在在袁世凯那里效劳，是个什么官职? “副将，节制马步各营。” “你就不必再回直隶了，给你一千武卫军，你就宿卫端门吧。”“喳!奴才一定极尽忠心，守好端门。 张勋在回话的时候，还在站立。李莲英觉得错了慈禧的话是'圣旨'，接圣旨得跪倒。他忙凑到张勋身边，闷声闷气地说了一个字，“跪” 张勋恍然大悟，向前跨一步，来到慈禧面前，“扑嗵”跪地，头触着地砖，又说：“谢老佛爷恩典，张勋一定极尽忠心!” “回吧!”慈禧轻轻地拂了拂手。 张勋连连叩头，然后立身，一步一步退出了宫室。 du8.com copyright 袁世凯是大清王朝一个很有特色的人物，他享受了许多汉族大臣无法得到的优厚待遇。山东镇压义和团运动之后，他升任直隶总督；李鸿章临死之前(1901年)向朝廷推荐，他很快任了北洋大臣。慈禧喜欢袁世凯。袁世凯做北洋大臣不久，又升任政务处参预政务大臣，练兵大臣，练兵处会办等要职。袁世凯不辱圣命，自1905年起，借着“改革军制”之机，他把北洋军扩编为六镇，从此成为北洋军的当然领袖。不久，又成了军机大臣…… 张勋是袁世凯的得力干将，袁世凯的“水涨”了，张勋自然也就“船高”了。现在，袁世凯是北洋大臣，张勋的一千武卫军虽为宿卫端门，却是属于袁世凯管辖。次年(1902年)3月，张勋便获得一次殊荣：袁世凯奏派“节制马步各军随扈恭谒东陵”。那又是一次在慈禧面前表现的好机会!张勋像当初护驾回銮一样，在两宫驾旁形影不离，步步紧跟。自然获得了慈禧的欢心。 一天，慈禧心血来潮，竟把张勋召到面前，聊起家常。问张勋的身世，问张勋的经历，问张勋的喜好……想到那便问到那。那态度、那语气，都显得那么慈祥可亲——她比张勋大20岁，可她总以老祖宗的神气对待他。张勋很感激她，“有这样的老祖宗，也得几世人烧香求佛!，，所以，只要她所问的，他都一一作了回答，并且在回答时不时用眼角窥视着慈禧的神态。李莲英对他说过，“回老佛爷的话时，得看准老佛爷的面色，得拣她高兴的说。”张勋机灵，慈禧面上的“温度”他能猜测得极准。因此，他的话句句受慈禧喜爱。。·老佛爷，恕奴才口快，奴才有个心愿，总想向老佛爷倾吐。我不知老佛爷能不能让我吐出来?” “怎么不能?”慈禧淡淡地一笑。“今天让你来，就是想听听你的话。想说什么，你只管说。” “喳!”张勋忙跪倒。“那奴才就直说了。”“嗯!” “奴才生来就有个怪病，”张勋说：“跟着谁时，就把谁当成亲生爹娘，除了为他尽忠，讨他喜欢之外，别的什么都忘了……” “我看出了。”慈禧说：“听说你当初进京，就是为着那个苏元春冒死的。” 张勋有点慌张，不知该怎么回话。 慈禧说：“那个人也真坏透顶了，要不是李莲英——嗯，后我才知道，还是你卖的力，我真想杀了他!” “我替苏大人再谢老佛爷的深恩大德!” “替什么?谢你就谢。我才不愿给那号人施恩呢!” “奴才谢老佛爷!”张勋又说：“奴才来到老佛爷面前，就觉得天下只有老佛爷您一个人。为了老佛爷，奴才肝脑涂地，都在所不惜!” 慈禧展了展眉，笑了。“张勋呀!”“奴才在!” “你还不知道我的脾气吧?”慈禧认真了。“谁要是使我一时不痛快，我一定要使他一生一世不痛快!反过来说，谁要对我忠心到底，我也会让他享不尽的荣华。你听懂了吗?” “奴才听懂了。”张勋说：“至于奴才有没有'享不尽的荣华'?奴才从不敢想。奴才想的，只是一个心眼让老佛爷高兴。为这事，奴才早把生死都置之度外了。” 张勋不愧是察颜观色、逢迎得到的角色，几句话，说得慈禧凤颜大动。忙说：“你能这样做，我不亏待你。回京之后，我会关照你的。你去吧。” “喳!”张勋磕了个响头。退着出来。 到了这年8月，慈禧果然发了一道懿旨，补授张勋为“四川建昌镇总兵。” 张勋感激涕零，急忙进宫谢恩。他跪在慈禧面前，竞一时不知该怎么说才好。只顾一个连一个磕响头。 慈禧一见张勋进宫“谢恩”，心里“噔”了一下：“这样尽忠的一个臣子，他要离开京城、到遥远的地方去了?张勋走了，谁还会像他这样尽忠呢?”可是，懿旨已发出，金日玉言，不能说了不算数。想了阵子，她说：“张勋，你起来吧。” “谢老佛爷!”张勋慢慢地爬起来。 “建昌镇那个总兵，还是你的。”慈禧说：“你仍留宿卫，暂缓赴任。” 张勋忙又跪倒。“谢老佛爷!” “你去吧。什么时候赴任?我会告诉你。” 张勋心满意足地退了出来——补授总兵，固然是青云一层，可是，张勋怕离开京城、离开慈禧，日久便被忘了。莫说总兵，巡抚、总督多如牛毛，那就想着一个总兵他了?现在，总兵职既得、又留京中，好事都让张勋摊着了，他自然高兴。 张勋留在京中，一直受着清廷的特殊倚重。到了光绪三十二(1906年)，日俄战后，袁世凯奉旨“须派知兵大员，接收地面”，他便派张勋前往东北。临去东北之前，袁世凯把张勋找到面前，很有感慨地对他说；“京中靠近龙颜，自然有靠近龙颜的好处，有了作为，老佛爷会一目了然。一个日谕，便会直上青云。不过，朝廷面前，天子脚下，毕竟能人济济，又都是顶戴显赫的人，哪就显得着你了；何况，朝廷面前办事又不那么容易，正所谓'伴君如伴虎，!外任官有外任官的好处，天高皇帝远，自由性大些，早晚有功容易惊动天 son.所以，我劝你此去东北，要好好安下心来，办一番轰轰烈烈的大事，求一个好的前程。 " 张勋连连点头。“谢大人的教诲，张勋都记住了。这次去东北，我一定奋力建功立业，让大人满意，让老佛爷满意。” 张勋到了东北，接收了因日俄战争被俄国人占去的中国土地，又清剿了当地的土匪，很有了一番作为。不久，徐世昌出任东三省总督，从赵尔巽手中接任时，得知张勋一些情况，加上在京中获知“张勋是慈禧喜爱的人物”，有意献点“殷勤”，便专折奏准，派张勋为行营翼长(相当于师长)，节制东三省巡防备军，并钦承慈禧懿旨，赏头品顶戴。张勋转战辽北各地，当地土匪渐次肃清；他又率部至吉林之宁古塔、蜂密山，黑龙江之绥化及东清铁路沿线、牡丹江流域剿匪，均获大胜，不仅净化了地方治安，还解救出大批被掳男妇及俄国商民、日本百姓。徐世昌甚喜，连报朝廷。 张勋得志了：l908年55岁时，“上谕补授云南提督”，但即谕“仍留奉直带兵，毋遽赴任”。同时，“加恩赏穿黄马褂”；当年8月，又奉上谕“调补甘肃提督”，仍未赴任。 张勋时来运转之后，什么好事都想不到的临到头上了—— 73岁的慈禧太后，大约是费神太大了，进入戊申年(1908年)之后，总觉得心力都衰了。朝政懒得问，大臣不想见，连李莲英在她面前也失宠了。早几天，不知李莲英在她面前说错了一句什么话，气得她连说三句“该死!”李莲英跪倒地上，当真地痛哭流涕——老佛爷的话是“圣旨”，她让李莲英死李莲英不敢不死。可是，这个为她鞠躬尽瘁了大半生的阉官，一句戏言便赐死了，尽管往日他看着别人“蒙恩”，是那样的“从容”，临到他，他却从容不起来。过了一阵子，大约是慈禧回过神来了，故意问一句：“小李子，我刚刚说了一句什么话来这?” “老佛爷说了一句……”他不敢实说。 “不是叫你'跪安'(退下)吗，你还跪在那里干什么?” “喳!”李莲英这才死里逃生退出来。从此，慈禧不传话，连李莲英也不敢挨近。 眼下已是新秋，宫中的菊花早已金黄灿灿。慈禧早上喝了一碗新收的昆明湖的莲子汤，心里觉得清爽多了。她坐在新扑进宫中的第一脉阳光下，有气无力地叫一声：“小李子!” “喳!”李莲英一边走来，一边应：“奴才在。”“颐和园里的菊花也都开了吧?”慈禧问。“禀老佛爷，这几天开得正鲜艳!” “你传话出去，我要去颐和园赏菊。”“喳!” “还有，”慈禧又说：“让万寿宫的戏班子演几出好戏。”“喳!” “还有……”慈禧收住了话题，闭起眼睛养起神来。 李莲英半跪的姿势，动也不敢动，两眼望着满面灰气的主子，等待她交待“还有”什么事? 慈禧大约是神不由己了，竟是好半天不说话。李莲英也就好半天泥塑一般半跪在那里； “你看让谁入座呀?(即陪同看戏)”慈禧终于开了口。 “老佛爷你看呢?”李莲英这才活动了一下身子，轻松一下。“任凭那一位王公、大臣，老佛爷你选定，奴才我去传。” 慈禧狠狠地摇头又摇手。“那个张勋到哪里去了?” “回老佛爷，”李莲英还是半跪着。“张勋调补甘肃提督，并未到任，现在