Usurping the Qing Dynasty: My first love was Cixi

Chapter 205 Su Ye bombards the court! A fierce attack! (Happy Spring Festival)

"Call the imperial physician, call the imperial physician!"

The screams of Wang Chenggui resounded throughout the Sanxi Hall.

But if it was a chief eunuch under a mature emperor, he should quietly find the imperial physician instead of making a big fuss.

But this emperor just liked this kind of superficial emotional care, as if it was not enough to express his concern for the emperor.

So the eunuchs and ministers all acted too much.

More than an hour later, after the imperial physician's acupuncture, the emperor woke up faintly.

At this time, Su Shun and other important officials had already gathered around the emperor.

"My lords, the emperor is fine, he just got angry all of a sudden." The imperial physician said.

The emperor waved his hand, and several imperial physicians retreated.

Eunuch Wang Chenggui brought the ginseng soup, and the emperor drank a sip, and his face was slightly ruddy.

Everyone knew that this was probably the biggest ruling crisis in recent years.

Even if the rebels captured Nanjing, even if the foreigners wanted to attack Tianjin, it would not be as bad as this time.

Because that could not overturn the imperial power, but this time, it really had a huge subversion of the power of the court.

The seven provinces in the south have established a new order.

Is there anything more terrifying than this?

How did Su Ye do it? Why did Wang Youling, Tian Yugong, Zeng Guofan, Xu Youren and others get on his pirate ship?

Is this crazy?

To put it seriously, this matter is to split the court. How dare you?

The emperor was silent for a long time, and slowly said: "Can the court send troops to Jiangxi to directly capture Su Ye and destroy his factories?"

All the important officials present were silent.

Send troops?

How to send troops?

Now Su Ye is surrounded by allies, who do you want to send troops?

The most capable people in the south, Xu Youren, Wang Youling, Zeng Guofan, are now part of the seven provinces in the south.

Do you let Ronglu send troops? Do you let Gui Liang send troops?

Even if you gather 60,000 or 70,000 troops to attack Jiangxi, the court will declare Su Ye a traitor.

This is too sudden.

Although the court and Su Ye fell out, they have not lost their dignity.

On the surface, Su Ye still respects the court and has never publicly disobeyed the order. And the court also keeps saying that Su Ye has made great contributions.

If you suddenly define Su Ye as a traitor, the people of the world will not be able to bear this shock.

Su Ye is a meritorious official and a hero.

Even if you want to deny him, it will take a long political preparation.

Kuang Yuan said: "Even if you send troops to attack Jiangxi, you must first define Su Ye as a traitor, but this requires a strong political name, otherwise it will be very passive."

Kuang Yuan's words are very conservative and polite.

If at this time, the court directly announced to stop and said that Su Ye was a traitor.

It is of course easy to issue an order.

But what if the seven southern provinces directly say that Lord Su Ye is not a traitor, but a loyal official and a meritorious official of the Qing Dynasty.

What should I do then?

This is very likely, because the seven provinces have formed an alliance.

At that time, your court will once again announce to the world that the governors of the seven southern provinces are all traitors?

Then you don’t have to do anything, just wait for the north and south to split.

At this time, if you dare to declare Su Ye a traitor, the seven southern provinces may shout that there are traitors in the court who deceive the emperor. We, the seven southern provinces, will punish the traitors and clear the emperor’s side.

"At this time, we can’t intensify the contradictions." Prince Zheng Duanhua said: "We must leave political room, otherwise I am afraid that the seven provinces will really be pushed to Su Ye’s side. We must give them ambiguous space and then divide and rule."

The emperor said: "Then remove one or two governors, kill the chicken to scare the monkey!"

Su Shun said: "Who to remove?"

The emperor gritted his teeth and said: "Tian Yugong, Wang Youling, Xu Youren, whatever."

The emperor hated these three people to the extreme.

Wang Youling, aren’t you Su Ye’s political enemy? Why did you run to Su Ye’s side?

Tian Yugong, you are my lone minister, and you have also been involved with Su Ye.

Traitor, traitor! Rebellious minister!

Zaiyuan said: "Tian Yugong, he has just made great contributions in the Xiamen incident and has been praised by the world. It is difficult to stop the world from talking about him if he is dismissed at this time."

The emperor said: "Then transfer Xu Youren to the capital for promotion."

Du Han said: "In that case, what if the rebels attack Suzhou again?"

Everyone fell silent.

Can this happen?

Of course it can, and it is very likely. At that time, it will not be a matter of whether Suzhou is in danger, but Xu Youren will have a hundred reasons not to enter the capital.

And there is an even more frightening possibility, that is, the imperial envoy will be robbed and killed again.

If the court dismisses Xu Youren or Wang Youling, it will always send a new governor.

What if this new governor is robbed and killed by the rebels on the way?

This is a different time.

Before the alliance of the seven southern provinces, the court dismissed Shen Baozhen and sent a new governor to Jiangxi. Su Ye must not kill the imperial envoy, otherwise it would be open rebellion.

Because the world can see clearly that it was you, Su Ye, who killed him.

As long as Su Ye openly rebelled, his political reputation would be bankrupt.

The world would attack him.

But if it was the governor of Zhejiang or Jiangsu, the new governor was killed.

The crime would fall on Wang Youling or Xu Youren.

Even more terrifying, the governors of the seven southern provinces would protect each other.

No matter who the court sent, Su Ye would be responsible for killing him.

And all the consequences would be borne by the seven provinces together. All the names of rebellion would be borne by the seven provinces together.

Can the imperial court bear the consequences of Su Ye's rebellion, and can it bear the rebellion of the seven provinces?

The outcome would still be the division between the north and the south.

Du Han said: "I'm afraid there is a secret agreement between them, and the governors of the seven provinces will also protect each other. Whoever dares to grab the position will be killed."

In fact, there is no such secret agreement.

But in the eyes of the imperial court, it is entirely possible.

Kuang Yuan said: "Moreover, in the next month or so, the seven southern provinces will conduct joint military exercises, with 300 ships and 30,000 troops. This is the most dangerous moment."

Du Han said: "We need to think of the worst of the enemy. If we send troops south at this time, if there is a military action, Su Ye will directly intensify the contradictions and evolve into a civil war between the north and the south, directly dragging the seven southern provinces into the chariot, forcing them to completely rebel against the court."

The emperor hissed: "This is not okay, and that is not okay? Are we just going to watch Su Ye, the rebel, succeed?"

Du Han said: "Next, Qi Ling's leading troops to Jiangxi and the transfer of Shen Baozhen from Jiangxi will be postponed."

At this time, what if Qi Ling really led 20,000 troops south and ran into the military exercises of the seven southern provinces?

Once a military conflict breaks out directly.

That may directly push the seven southern provinces into Su Ye's arms.

Su Shun said: "Emperor, the most important situation now is to determine the reliability of the Seven Provinces Covenant."

Du Han said: "Yes! We were originally dealing with Su Ye alone. He could not bear the righteousness of the court, and he could not openly rebel. But now he regards the seven provinces as a moat and his wall. We must tear down his wall and then deal with him."

The emperor said: "What plan do you have?"

Du Han said: "Test, and kill three men with one peach!"

The emperor said: "Tell me."

Du Han said: "Your Majesty first issued an order to remove Lord Gui Liang from the post of Governor-General of Liangjiang, leaving this position vacant. Then use this position to test and divide the three southern provinces!"

Kuang Yuan said: "Yes, Zeng Guofan is ambitious for this Governor-General of Liangjiang. Must get it. The court can send envoys to the south to test Zeng Guofan, Xu Youren, and Wang Youling first. As long as they are loyal to the court, they can take this position. "

Du Han said: "They don't even need to announce their withdrawal from the Seven Provinces Alliance. They just need to ask the court to send an imperial envoy to lead the Southern Economic Cooperation Body."

Su Shun said: "We can simply set up a Southern Trade Office and send an imperial envoy. We will take the initiative and lead this Southern Economic Cooperation Body to seize power."

Du Han said: "In this way, the ministers who promised to be loyal to the court will not be considered treacherous. They have not betrayed the Seven Provinces Alliance, and they have no psychological burden."

It must be said that the top politicians around the emperor are still very experienced in this regard.

In a short time, they immediately came up with the most reliable disposal plan.

"Okay, let's do it." The emperor said.

Su Shun said: "There is one more thing. There will be a grand court meeting tomorrow. How do you express your attitude towards the Southern Seven Provinces Alliance?"

Yes.

Negation? Or affirmation? Or low-key handling?

All are difficult.

The best way, of course, is to secretly dismantle the Seven Provinces Covenant, and the court will send an imperial envoy to directly lead the Southern Economic Cooperation Body, seize power, and disintegrate from within.

But in that case, the Southern Economic Cooperation Body cannot be denied first.

Du Han said: "Moreover, their political righteousness is too high. If the court denies it, I am afraid it will be attacked by the crowd."

The reason for the establishment of the Southern Seven Provinces Covenant is to protect the Yangtze River waterway, protect the people of the seven southern provinces from being persecuted by foreign missionaries, and prevent the Xiamen Incident from happening again.

What is the subtext?

The court signed a treaty that was humiliating and detrimental to the country, causing the interests of countless merchants to be damaged and countless people to be persecuted.

Most of the contents involved in the Tianjin Treaty are related to the seven southern provinces.

If your court cannot protect the people in the south, can't we conclude an alliance to protect ourselves?

Then this Seven Provinces Covenant must not work either. What if it is denied in the future? What should we do?

Several important officials sighed, Su Ye's move was too cruel and too poisonous.

It hit the weak spot of the imperial court.

The Treaty of Tianjin must have been signed by your imperial court.

The source of the Xiamen Massacre was the Treaty of Nanjing signed by the imperial court.

The imperial court was incompetent and forced us to protect ourselves.

Moreover, it is conceivable that almost all southern merchants would stand on Su Ye's side.

Because they are the biggest beneficiaries.

Once the Treaty of Tianjin officially takes effect, countless foreign goods will flood in like a tide, and there is no need to pay taxes. Who can resist?

By then, how many merchants will go bankrupt?

Moreover, the Southern Economic Community stipulates that there is a fixed tax rate between the seven provinces, which is more suitable for commodity circulation.

Of course, where there are beneficiaries, there are victims.

That is the middle and low-level bureaucrats who make money by collecting taxes and taxes indiscriminately.

However, their resistance is delayed.

Su Shun said: "Just deal with it coldly, don't agree, don't deny, don't discuss."

Du Han said: "Secretly order any officials not to talk about the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance or the Southern Economic Cooperation Body."

………………………………

Next, the court issued a gag order.

However, the more they were not allowed to discuss, the more they discussed.

There was a lot of discussion between the government and the opposition.

And the vast majority of people's opinions were praise.

"I think it's very good. I heard that the Xiamen missionary incident was very tragic. Those foreign missionaries abducted thousands of children and brought them to foreign churches to practice magic, make elixirs and so on. Dozens or hundreds of them died in a day. ”

"Isn't that right? Over in Xiamen, every household loses its children."

"That's not all. These foreign missionaries also practice harvesting yin and replenishing yang. I don't know how many women have been killed."

"Someone went to dig the ground next to the foreign church. When they put a hoe down, guess what? They were all filled with bones. They buried thousands of corpses."

"That's not all. People who are dozens of miles away from the foreign church have to dig a well. What comes out at the beginning is still water, but when it comes out later, it's all blood."

This is really not what Su Yi sent people to spread.

But this is how it is among the people. The more it is spread, the more outrageous it gets, and the more it gets spread, the more horrifying it gets.

"In short, if anyone dares to let missionaries enter the capital, I will directly pick up the knife and be the first to rush into the foreign church and fight to the death."

"Count me in, count me in, I don't want my son and wife to be caught by foreigners and brought to the church to cause trouble."

"There are treacherous ministers in the imperial court. The Treaty of Tianjin was signed, allowing more and more foreigners to open churches on our land in the Qing Dynasty. This is a big deal."

"Well done, Marshal Su Yi!"

Of course, these public opinions did not dare to be reported to the emperor, but Sushun, Du Han and others knew it clearly, and they suddenly felt even worse.

Su Yi found this political righteousness very well, and the timing was too coincidental.

It was just after the Xiamen Mission Case and the Tianjin Treaty.

The defeat at Dagukou really did great harm to the majesty of the imperial court.

…………………………

Next, the court quickly took action.

Guiliang, a cabinet scholar, served as the Minister of Rites and was responsible for foreign affairs. It is not appropriate to concurrently hold the post of Governor of Liangjiang, so he is temporarily dismissed.

Then, the imperial court sent a secret envoy south, first to Wuchang and paid a visit to Zeng Guofan.

Both the emperor and the court felt that the biggest breakthrough in the seven-province alliance was Zeng Guofan.

He represents three provinces.

As long as Zeng Guofan changes his stance, the seven-province alliance will be destroyed.

Moreover, Su Yi's Jiujiang was completely surrounded by the Hunan Army. As long as Zeng Guofan cooperated, it would be easy for the court to destroy Su Yi.

This time the imperial emissary was of a very high level, Emperor Hui and Prince Mianyu.

Mian Yu first praised Zeng Guofan greatly, saying that he was the imperial pillar in the south.

Next, let’s talk about how much the emperor valued Zeng Guofan.

Describe how brave Zeng Guofan's army was in the battle to regain Luzhou, etc.

In the middle of the conversation, Su Yi was not mentioned even a word.

Then, Mian Yu said: "Di Sheng, Guiliang became the Minister of Rites, so he took the initiative to resign as Governor of Liangjiang and Minister of Commerce of the Five Countries. However, this position is of vital importance and cannot be given up in one day. What do you think?"

Zeng Guofan said: "The imperial court has its own plans for this matter, and I don't dare to discuss it in vain."

Mian Yu said: "The imperial court wants you to be the governor of Liangjiang."

Zeng Guofan sneered inwardly, why did he go there so early?

After He Guiqing died at that time, this position should be given to me.

If it had been given to me at that time, how could I have followed Su Yi and joined the seven-province alliance because of the emperor's favor?

The result is good now. Your court was beaten badly by Su Yi. Now are you willing to give me the governor of Liangjiang?

It's too late!

And what does your court think of me, Zeng Guofan? A prostitute in a brothel?

Give me a governor of Liangjiang and I will betray Su Yi right away?

It's so ridiculous.

After a while, Zeng Guofan declined repeatedly: "No, no, absolutely not. I have little talent and little knowledge, and I absolutely cannot take on such a big responsibility."

Mian Yu said: "You must never belittle yourself when you are born. In terms of qualifications, morality, and talent, you will do your best!"

According to the imperial court's intention, conditions were first proposed and then given to the governor of Liangjiang.

But Mianyu thinks this is completely unfeasible. What do you think of other people's dignity?

Therefore, first directly appoint an official and make a wish, and then negotiate the conditions.

As a result, they refused directly.

Zeng Guofan said categorically: "Prince Hui, this matter absolutely cannot be done. I really don't dare to accept the order."

Mian Yu felt unhappy and said, "Zeng Disheng, please recommend someone."

Zeng Guofan said: "This is a major matter for the imperial court. Please consider it by all the ministers in the imperial court."

Mian Yu said: "Xu Youren and Wang Youling, please recommend one."

Zeng Guofan was stunned. Is it possible to see such a poor idea?

However, his mood was also complicated.

His eagerness for the Governor of Liangjiang is indeed difficult to express. But at this time, he knew that he must not accept it, otherwise his reputation would be completely ruined.

So for him, the best result is to let Guiliang take over first, and then give him Zeng Guofan when the time is right.

But now that Mianyu said he wanted to give it to Xu Youren and Wang Youling, he felt uncomfortable.

He, Zeng Guofan, became the minister nearly ten years ago.

Not long ago, Xu Youren was just the chief envoy, but now he was suddenly promoted to the governor of Liangjiang.

Of course, Xu Youren's qualifications are also old enough, and he is also a Jinshi. He is also old enough, and he can barely be the governor of Liangjiang.

But Wang Youling was not even a scholar. He was an official, and he only really entered the officialdom a few years ago.

What if he was made governor of Liangjiang? That's really annoying.

Of course, Zeng Guofan's thoughts were just fleeting.

Mian Yu continued: "If you had to recommend one of these two, who would you recommend?"

Zeng Guofan said: "Prince Hui, please don't embarrass me. The talent and virtue of these two people are far beyond mine. No matter who they are, I will be sincerely convinced."

No matter what Zeng Guofan thought, he never let the court get what it wanted.

The court tried to open a gap for him, but to no avail.

…………………………

Next, Mianyu went to see Xu Youren.

During the whole process, Xu Youren was completely expressionless and kept smoking.

This attitude is much worse than Zeng Guofan.

In the midst of the smoke, Mian Yu finished speaking. He spoke alone for a quarter of an hour.

From beginning to end, Xu Youren didn't answer a word.

"Let me recommend one between Zeng Guofan and Wang Youling to serve as governor of Liangjiang?" Xu Youren asked.

Mian Yu said: "Yes."

Xu Youren said: "Can I recommend anyone else?"

Mian Yu said: "It's okay to recommend yourself."

Xu Youren said: "I recommend Mr. Su Yi to serve as the governor of Liangjiang."

As soon as these words came out, Mian Yu's expression immediately changed.

Does Xu Youren really want to fight the imperial court to the end? Don't you know the purpose of my coming?

Mian Yu said coldly: "Jun Qing, why are you doing this? Are you worthy of the imperial court? Are you worthy of the emperor?"

Xu Youren said slowly: "Prince Hui, do you know the situation of the Battle of Suzhou at that time?"

Mian Yu said: "Su Yi sent troops at the critical moment and saved the lives of your whole family. But does this mean you can't distinguish between public and private matters? Where are the sages' books you read?"

Xu Youren said: "No, that's not it. When I launched a counterattack on the city that day, I didn't think about winning, nor did I think about being able to defend it. The moment the city wall was blown open, Su Yi sent out troops. I also felt that he was trying to Looking for death. My son Xu Zhenyi was a scholar and didn't know how to fight. I forced him to go to the battlefield and eventually died at the hands of rebels. Before the battle, I distributed arsenic and daggers to my wife and concubines, and committed suicide when the city was defeated."

"Of course, in the end, Suzhou City was not destroyed, and our whole family survived. It's not because I want to remember anyone's kindness, but because I am ready to die at any time."

“An extra day of living feels like it’s earned.”

When Xu Youren said this, he was very calm.

But it shows everything. I, Xu Youren, am not even afraid of death, so what else am I afraid of?

In addition, my whole family is prepared to live and die with Suzhou City. What qualifications do you have to say that I am sorry to the court? Sorry, Your Majesty?

Mian Yu said: "Aren't you worried about your reputation after death?"

Xu Youren said: "After thinking about it, even if we are overturned and destroyed, our reputation within ten years may be bad. Thirty or fifty years later, we should still have a good reputation."

Next, there is no need to talk about it at all.

These words completely prove that he will go all the way to darkness. Even the consequences of failure and overturning have been thought out.

How can you talk to a person who is not afraid of death or having his name tarnished after his death?

Immediately, Mianyu left angrily.

……………………

Hangzhou.

Prince Hui Mianyu met with Wang Youling, governor of Zhejiang.

"You are confused, you are confused!" At this time, Mian Yu stopped hiding and said, "The imperial court has been so kind to you, but you have done such a thing. You are worthy of Lord He Guiqing, worthy of the imperial court, and worthy of the emperor." ”

To a certain extent, the imperial court was indeed very kind to Wang Youling.

You were not even admitted as a scholar, but the imperial court promoted you to be the governor of Zhejiang.

"I'm ashamed of myself!" Wang Youling bowed.

Mian Yu said: "But don't worry, the emperor still values ​​you. Although you were born as a donation official, your talents and virtues exceed those of those who have read poetry and books. Now there is a vacancy for the governor of Liangjiang, and the imperial court wants you to take on this important task. how?"

Wang Youling said: "Absolutely not, absolutely not!"

Mian Yu said: "You cannot refuse such a heavy responsibility at this time. This is the trust of the court, and it is also the responsibility of the minister."

Wang Youling knelt down towards the north and said, "I, the King Youling, will never dare to take up this position!"

Mian Yu became more and more encouraging, and Wang Youling kowtowed more and more, even in fear.

At this point, Prince Hui Mianyu completed the negotiation with the three people and returned to the capital.

……………………

Beijing, Sanxitang!

"Your Majesty, this time I went to the south to negotiate with the three people, it can't be said that I gained nothing." Mian Yu said: "First of all, Zeng Guofan is not completely aligned with Su Yi. He longs for the Governor of Liangjiang in his heart, but at this time he definitely doesn't. I will take this official position.”

"Xu Youren is already focused on following Su Yi all the way to the dark side. He doesn't care even if he is shattered to pieces."

"Wang Youling is also very determined to follow Su Yi, but he is also afraid at this time, afraid that he will be the target of public criticism, because he was born as a donation official and has low self-esteem."

The emperor said: "So?"

Prince Hui Mianyu said: "So, I have a plan."

The emperor said: "How do you say that?"

Mian Yu said: "Canonize Wang Youling as the governor of Liangjiang."

As soon as these words came out, several important ministers were startled.

Crazy?

Not to mention Wang Youling's background as an official, the key point is that he only officially entered officialdom a few years ago.

Even three years ago, he was just the prefect.

Kuang Yuan said: "If Wang Youling is appointed as the governor of Liangjiang, Zeng Guofan will be the most unhappy and angry. This will alienate the relationship between them."

Du Han said: "However, this will also completely anger Zeng Guofan. Among the seven-province alliance, Zeng Guofan is the most important. Although the canonization of Wang Youling as the governor of Liangjiang has the effect of alienating Zeng Guofan, it will also completely alienate Zeng Guofan and the court."

Sushun thought for a while and said, "There is nothing wrong with this matter."

The emperor immediately looked towards him.

Sushun said: "First let the court know that one of Zeng Guofan, Xu Youren and Wang Youling will be selected to serve as the governor of Liangjiang."

"However, Prince Hui said in public in the court that both Zeng Guofan and Xu Youren recommended Wang Youling. However, the hidden meaning revealed that Wang Youling did not recommend anyone."

"Then, the emperor said that since both Zeng Guofan and Xu Youren recommended Wang Youling, and Wang Youling did not refuse much, let him be the governor of Liangjiang."

"In this way, Wang Youling has become a villain in the eyes of the world. Others recommend him, but he does not recommend others. Instead, he seeks a high position with the lowest qualifications and shamelessness."

"Then, the imperial court officially announced that Wang Youling would be the governor of Liangjiang. It also sent people to investigate Wang Youling and went to the officialdom of Liangjiang to ask for their opinions. Wang Youling would definitely refuse at that time."

"So, Prince Hui said that when he was in Hangzhou, Wang Youling clearly did not refuse. He was clearly willing to serve as the governor of Liangjiang, but now he came out to refuse. What does this mean? Is he treating the important task of the imperial court as a child's play? He scolded Wang Youling."

"So, while we slandered his name, we also made him the governor of Liangjiang and forced him into a desperate situation."

Du Han said: "What a wonder. At this time, in order to prove his innocence, Wang Youling had no choice but to resign from the post of governor of Zhejiang. So, Su Yi's followers must go!"

Kuang Yuan said: "Yes, the key is to force Wang Youling to resign voluntarily, not to remove him from the court."

Du Han said: "Among the seven provincial governors, Wang Youling has the shallowest foundation and can be used as the weakest point to attack. Of the seven pillars, tear down one first."

Su Shun said: "To be precise, Su Yi only has four pillars. Tian Yugong, Wang Youling, Xu Youren, and Shen Baozhen. Zeng Guofan's party and Su Yi are not completely of the same mind."

The emperor said: "Okay, then let's do it."

At this time, the princes of the imperial court still showed powerful political fighting skills.

After Prince Hui went south to do some research, he immediately found the weakest point of the Seven Provinces Alliance and dealt a fatal blow.

Moreover, this fatal blow is unsolvable.

When it comes to that point, Wang Youling can only keep his innocence and reputation by resigning as governor of Zhejiang.

……………………

Jiujiang!

The governors of the seven provinces were having secret discussions, but of course only five people came.

The three governors of the Hunan Army sent Hu Linyi as their representative.

Su Yi said: "Next, the imperial court will launch a fierce attack on the weakest areas of our seven-province alliance!"

"If the imperial court canonize Lord Wang Youling as the governor of Liangjiang, what will be the result?"

Xu Youren said: "Then I would rather make mistakes and let Mr. Wang Youling take this key position."

However, the Hunan Army will be very unhappy.

Moreover, the key position of governor of Zhejiang will be lost.

For Su Yi, the governor of Zhejiang is now more important than the governor of Liangjiang.

Su Yi said: "What if the court says that both Master Zeng Guofan and Master Xu Youren recommended Wang Youling to be the governor of Liangjiang, but Master Wang Youling did not reject it?"

Wang Youling's expression changed.

He was born as a donation official. If the court really said this, then Wang Youling would be ruined.

What qualifications do you have to be the governor of Liangjiang? And Zeng Guofan and Xu Youren recommended you, but you didn’t recommend them?

At that time, in order to prove his innocence, he had no choice but to resign as governor of Zhejiang.

It can be said that it is completely unsolvable.

Tian Yugong said: "Sir Wang Youling is the weakest pillar among us. We must protect Mr. Wang."

Well? !

Mr. Tian, ​​you are too straightforward.

But at this time, Wang Youling won't care too much because the other party's fists are serious.

Now this seven-province covenant is like a barrel.

Zeng Guofan's Hunan Army faction was the most powerful but not very firm.

But within a short period of time, he decided that he could not leave, otherwise he would be a traitor.

Wang Youling is the most vulnerable, but his Zhejiang Province is the most important. Once his board breaks, all the water in the bucket will flow out.

Tian Yugong said: "We cannot passively defend. Once the imperial court attacks Mr. Wang Youling, it will be unstoppable, so we must take the initiative!"

Hu Linyi's face twitched slightly. He was now afraid of hearing this initiative.

Once he takes the initiative, it means breaking with the imperial court and going further and further on Su Yi's chariot.

By then, it will be too late to turn back.

Su Yi said: "Yes, we must take the initiative."

"At that time, please invite Mr. Tian Yugong to lead the memorial!"

"It was said that Guiliang had lost power and humiliated the country by negotiating with foreigners. It was said that Guiliang had colluded with foreigners in the Xiamen religious case, harmed the people, looked down upon human life, treated a deer as a horse, and asked the emperor to kill Guiliang! In particular, it pointed out that Guiliang paid two hundred thousand taels of silver in compensation to several foreign murderers. . These missionaries killed dozens of our people, and the court actually wanted to compensate them."

"Impeach Heilongjiang General Yishan for signing the Aihui Treaty with Tsarist Russia, ceding thousands of miles of territory, equivalent to three Zhili provinces. Please kill Yishan!"

"While impeaching, spread these two things throughout the world!"

"It was clear that they were impeaching Guiliang and Yishan, but in fact they were secretly attacking and forcing the emperor."

"Lord Tian Yugong goes up first, followed by Lord Wang Youling, Lord Xu Youren, and Lord Shen Baozhen!"

Before Su Yi finished speaking, he asked the governors of the seven provinces to come together.

In a sense.

This is the first battle after the Seven Provinces Alliance!

This is also a fatal blow.

Moreover, it possesses absolute righteousness.

Moreover, the sword was thrust directly at the emperor, and he had no choice but to take it.

Because these things of losing power and humiliating the country were secretly authorized by the emperor, or at least allowed by you.

Hu Linyi was trembling all over.

He could not imagine how passive the imperial court would be once the governors of the seven provinces presented this memorial together.

By then, how could the imperial court have any spare power to deal with Wang Youling?

Moreover, Wang Youling also wrote a memorial, asking Guiliang and Yishan to be killed. Will your court make him governor of Liangjiang?

Isn't this nonsense?

Your plan to alienate me and kill me has completely collapsed.

But, the most crucial part.

The governors of the seven provinces will submit a memorial together and launch this fatal blow together.

If Zeng Guofan and other three Hunan military governors did not participate, then this political show would have been half a failure.

Isn’t it the Seven Provinces Alliance?

Why are there only four provinces?

You are not united at all.

Tian Yugong said: "I agree, and I am willing to lead the impeachment memorial."

Xu Youren said: "I am willing too."

Wang Youling said: "I am willing too."

Shen Baozhen said: "I am willing too."

Then, everyone looked at Hu Linyi.

Hu Linyi said tremblingly: "I, I need to report to Marshal Zeng. This matter is too big for me to make the decision."

……………………

Then, Hu Linyi left Jiujiang by boat overnight, went to Wuchang, and reported to Zeng Guofan.

Zeng Guofan was furious.

Su Yi, what does this mean?

It was already very reluctant to enter this seven-province alliance, and now we want to further bombard the court?

Is this a further break, so that there is a possibility that the relationship between the Hunan Army and the imperial court will no longer ease?

Can we only follow him, Su Yi, all the way to the dark side?

If you don’t agree, he will never agree!

Here, because Zeng Guofan disagreed.

Therefore, Su Yi's attack on the imperial court could only be postponed.

The first shot of the seven-province alliance faced the possibility of misfiring.

……………………

The first attack of the Seven Provinces Alliance here has been postponed, and the attack from the imperial court will not end.

Above the court.

The emperor once again asked that the governor of Liangjiang had been vacant for a long time and could not stay for a long time.

Who can take on this important task?

Prince Hui came out and said: "Zeng Guofan and Xu Youren both recommended Wang Youling."

The emperor asked: "Wang Youling?"

When he said this, he frowned slightly.

Everyone in the court also discussed it one after another.

Wang Youling? This person was born in an official position and has little qualifications. How can he take on such a big responsibility?

Then, the emperor asked: "What did Wang Youling himself say?"

Prince Hui said: "He just said that he has little virtue and qualifications, but he didn't say anything else."

Everyone was shocked, are you, Wang Youling, so shameless?

Wouldn’t you recommend Zeng Guofan and Xu Youren?

The emperor said: "Otherwise, let Wang Youling give it a try?"

Prince Hui said: "When my servant was talking about this matter with Wang Youling, he actually talked about his many dealings with foreigners in Shanghai. He seemed to have a lot of experience, as if he was quite confident about being the governor of Liangjiang!"

On the court's side, the attack on the Seven Provinces Alliance was extremely urgent and sharp.

Even two steps and one step at a time.

Following these steps, Wang Youling will have no choice but to resign for no more than a month and a half at most.

Otherwise, your reputation will be ruined.

At that time, the weakest pillar of the Seven Provinces Covenant was directly dismantled.

……………………

Su Yi came to see Zeng Guofan again.

The first shot after the Seven Provinces Covenant must be fired.

"Lord Su Yi, isn't it good to do this again and again?" Zeng Guofan said: "What if the imperial court launches another attack in the future?"

"At that time, will you coerce a few of us and launch a more deadly attack on the court again?"

"This time, we grasp the righteousness and launch an attack on the court, which can shock the court and make it passive in an instant."

"What about next time? If we used our cards this time, will it be an open rebellion next time? If we get to that point, our reputation will be ruined."

Zeng Guofan looked very angry.

Su Yi said slowly: "Master Zeng, if you withdraw now, will the emperor spare you? Can the court spare you?"

"Of course, our four provinces have submitted a petition to kill Guiliang and Yishan this time. If you and the three provinces of Hunan Army do not participate, it will immediately let the court see that we are not united, and they will immediately show favor and concession to you. But after the court destroys us, will it be the turn? It’s your turn?”

Zeng Guofan said: "We have an army in hand, but we are rebellious and have not been wiped out. The imperial court cannot do anything to us."

Su Yi sneered and said: "The imperial court won't do anything to you openly? But what about using foreigners to deal with you? What about the imperial court using the same methods as it did to Wang Youling? Can you stop it?"

"Ask yourself, when the imperial court wanted to destroy my Yangtze River Fleet, and the same method was used on you, Zeng Guofan, could you stop it?"

Zeng Guofan was silent, and the Hunan army could not stop him.

Historically, the imperial court used soft knives to kill people, and finally completely disintegrated the Hunan Army.

Su Yi said: "Master Zeng, have you forgotten what I said? The emperor will die soon!"

"What is the meaning behind this sentence?"

"If the emperor doesn't die, you and I have no way out."

"Unless he openly rebels, he will always hold supreme power."

"Is there room for compromise between you and the emperor?"

Zeng Guofan fell silent again.

After dealing with each other for this period of time, Su Ye had a clear view of Zeng Guofan.

"The only way out for you and me is the death of the emperor!"

"But the emperor is only in his twenties this year. Under normal circumstances, how could he die?"

Su Ye said: "This time we bombarded the court. On the surface, we asked to kill Gui Liang and Yishan, but secretly we meant that the emperor lost power and humiliated the country. What would he do with his character? What would the court do to fight for justice with us?"

"Do I need to make it so clear? Zeng Guofan, sir."

"If you don't push the wall, it won't fall!"

"If you don't force people, they won't die!"

Suddenly, Zeng Guofan was shocked and looked at Su Ye.

He understood instantly.

Su Ye's move was not a passive counterattack at all, but was originally planned.

It is the key step to drive the emperor away.

The dead end of Huashan is extremely dangerous. If you don't drive them away, how can they go there?

Su Ye said: "If it really comes to that step, if it really comes to the day when the sky collapses and the earth breaks, who will benefit the most? It may not be me, but you Zeng Guofan!"

"Your Hunan Army has nearly four provinces. If that day really comes, you will be completely out of trouble."

"Even if you want to get out, it's not at this time, it can be any time in the future, but if you get out at this time, it will be extremely stupid."

Zeng Guofan fell into silence.

Su Ye broke it, and he immediately understood it. He began to deduce the reaction of the court and the emperor after this step of attack in his mind.

Then he found that it was really like this!

If he took this step, the emperor and the court would basically be forced into a dead end.

If he didn't take this step, the court would defeat the seven-province alliance one by one.

And once the court and the emperor took that dead end, then... the biggest beneficiary would really be his Hunan Army.

Su Ye said: "Let's talk about this attack. We are in the right place. Will it damage your reputation, Zeng Guofan?"

"If they don't go to a dead end, we will have no way out."

"Such a clear thing, Zeng Guofan, you can't see it clearly, and you are still hesitating here?"

After a long while, Zeng Guofan said: "Okay!"

"We will do it!"

So far, the Seven Provinces Alliance has formed a united front!

………………………………

At this time, the attack from the court was halfway through!

It was about to send an imperial envoy to the south to confer the title of Governor-General of Liangjiang on Wang Youling. However, many officials were sent south to ask the various prefects whether they agreed with Wang Youling as the Governor-General of Liangjiang.

Slandering while conferring.

This is not killing with a soft knife, but killing with a saw.

It is to drive Wang Youling out to the greatest extent and dismantle the Seven Provinces Alliance.

However...

At this time, the Seven Provinces Alliance launched a fierce attack!

Bombard the court!

Propagate the world.

Heilongjiang General Yishan lost power and humiliated the country, ceding thousands of miles of territory to Tsarist Russia, equivalent to three Zhili provinces.

Cabinet Grand Secretary Gui Liang called a deer a horse and persecuted the people in the Xiamen Church Incident. The murderers were obviously foreign missionaries, and they killed each other, but Gui Liang personally tortured and slandered innocent people as murderers, and also paid 200,000 taels of silver to the foreign murderers, humiliating their ancestors.

The Tianjin Treaty signed by Gui Liang and the foreigners lost power and humiliated the country.

The seven southern provinces petitioned the court to kill Gui Liang and Yishan!

There was not a single word about the emperor, but every word was about the emperor.

The seven provincial governors exerted their strength, and the public opinion storm quickly swept the world.

Almost instantly, the half-planned attack of the court was completely shattered!

Immediately afterwards, the memorial signed by the seven provincial governors entered the court.

Like a bloody declaration of war!

……………………

Note: A large chapter of more than 10,000 words, started writing at noon, and finally finished it! Tomorrow will still be over 10,000 words, and I will try to update earlier than today.

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! I quietly ask for monthly tickets, bow to everyone, and wish you a happy new year!