Usurping the Qing Dynasty: My first love was Cixi

Chapter 216 Crazy Emperor! The Sunset of the Empire!

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

Wang Chenggui shouted, and stepped forward to help the emperor calm down.

The emperor sat on the chair, staring blankly at the roof, and did not respond for a long time, even forgetting to cough.

After a long time, an extremely violent cough came madly.

He kept coughing desperately, coughing desperately.

After coughing for several minutes, the emperor's whole face and body were red.

Even his eyes were red.

And the memorial in his hand fell directly to the ground.

He said nothing, just waved his hand, and several eunuchs stepped forward and carried the emperor out of Sanxi Hall.

He left without saying anything.

Sushun stepped forward, picked up the memorial sent 600 miles in an emergency, and was about to read it.

Suddenly, the emperor pointed at the messenger and said, "Kill him!"

The ministers present were shocked. It shouldn't be like this. He was just a messenger. Was he going to be killed?

Wang Chenggui said sternly: "Come on, take this beast away and beat him to death!"

Several guards came forward and dragged the messenger sent by Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai away.

Several eunuchs came forward and beat him to death with heavy sticks.

Blood splattered on the palace wall.

Listening to the sound of caning outside, Su Shun's face twitched.

He finished reading the whole memorial and his hands began to tremble.

What a shame!

Su Ye's move was too vicious.

It was really killing people and cutting their hearts.

Prince Hui trembled and said, "What's wrong?"

Su Shun handed it over. After reading it, Prince Hui also trembled all over and roared, "Su Ye should be cut into pieces, cut into pieces."

Next, all the more than a dozen ministers present read it.

No wonder the emperor was so shocked.

This is simply a slap in the face of the court, and then pressed it to the ground and stepped on it hard.

Too cruel, too vicious.

The key is how did Su Ye do it?

The court has already paid so much money, Shanghai Consul Mai Huatuo and General Director of Taxation Li Taiguo all acquiesced, and Wade-Giles secretly pushed it.

That pirate leader Eugen had no reason to backstab him.

What bargaining chips did Su Ye use to bribe him?

Silver? It's impossible.

Su Ye's money is almost gone, and he can't take out much silver at all.

But now it has happened, and in this game, the court has been completely defeated.

What to do next? There is almost nothing to do.

Su Shun said: "The investment promotion conference is destined to succeed."

Du Han said: "Yes, the key is to see how successful it is. Su Ye got a huge amount of silver and survived the monetary crisis."

Su Shun said: "This is not the most important thing. What's more important is that many people spent money, which has become a community of interests. If the court wants to deal with the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone, they will also stand up to oppose it."

Du Han said: "All middle and senior officials in the south will be equally affected."

Conventional methods are completely unable to solve the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone.

The joint law enforcement of the court and the foreign fleet is already the last general attack. After this move was disintegrated, there is really no other move.

Su Shun suddenly said: "But the emperor was also completely enraged."

His words were very tactful.

Su Shun knew the emperor very well. He was not only enraged, but almost crazy.

This emperor was bound by many etiquette, so most of the time, he followed the rules.

Before making a decision, the consequences will be considered.

But Sushun knew that Su Ye's fatal blow this time made the emperor's reason exceed that boundary value.

Normal political means are ineffective, and the emperor may make many crazy moves next.

Moreover, the ministers can't stop it.

…………………………………………

Night falls!

The investment promotion conference of Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone ended successfully.

It has achieved unprecedented success.

Several venues have been a great success.

The share of 60,000 rickshaws has been booked out, and the contract amount has reached 7.2 million taels.

The cigarette agency rights of more than 12 provinces have also been snapped up, and the contract amount exceeds 9 million taels.

Of course, this transaction amount is still only a fraction of the annual transaction amount of opium.

But Su Ye firmly believes that cigarette consumption will definitely exceed opium in the future.

Especially after he comes to power, he will completely kill opium consumption.

The first batch of radios has only 1,500 units in total, and each unit is priced at 1,200 taels for dealers, including ten records.

It is an absolute luxury that can only be purchased by wealthy families.

The total amount of silk and cotton cloth was the highest, reaching 9.2 million taels.

Of course, this number is still not as good as the Jiangnan Consortium, and even far behind.

In the history of Hu Xueyan's Raw Silk War, the amount he used to purchase raw silk reached nearly 10 million taels. (Unofficial history records that Hu Xueyan used 20 million taels to purchase raw silk and lost tens of millions. After careful verification, it should not be true and should not exceed 10 million.)

In short, the total transaction volume of this investment promotion conference reached an astonishing 27.2 million taels.

Of course, the silver was not received that much, it was the contract amount, and the actual deposit was only more than 30%.

The net profit cannot be accurately calculated now, but it is definitely more than 12 million taels.

Because the profit margins of rickshaws, cigarettes, and radios are very high.

Of course, this is not a year's profit.

It is a one-time cashing of the profits of last year, this year and next year, which is an overdraft of next year's profits.

However, it does not violate the contract at all, because according to the contract, the first year's profits will be calculated in 1860.

Therefore, Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone has completely exceeded its target.

"Rickshaws, there are only 800 in stock at present, and the final delivery date for the 60,000 ordered is November 1, 1861."

"Currently, we have received 960,000 taels of cash payment for rickshaws, and a deposit of 2,131,200 taels."

"For various types of cigarettes, we have directly completed the delivery of 2,600,000 taels, and the rest are all next year's production share, and we have received a deposit of 1,920,000 taels."

"For phonograph machine records, we have now delivered 100 units, received 120,000 taels of payment, and received a deposit of 504,000 taels."

"Silk, cotton cloth and other deliveries accounted for 15%, with a total payment of 1,380,000 taels and a deposit of 2,346,000 taels."

"In summary, the contract turnover of this investment promotion conference was 27.2 million taels, and the actual receipt was 11,961,200 taels."

"Report completed!" Hu Xueyan said after that.

The audience burst into extremely warm applause.

There were 29 people in the entire conference room.

Fifteen people from China and fourteen people from Britain.

These are all the senior executives of Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone.

Hu Xueyan said: "Although the net profit figures still need to be calculated very carefully before the results can be obtained, there is no doubt that the net profit in 1860 must be more than 6 million taels, and the share given to British investors must be more than 3 million taels."

"Excuse me, do you have any questions about these data?"

British representative Bao Ling said: "No doubt!"

Hu Xueyan said: "Then, has the gambling agreement signed in 1857 been completed?"

Bao Ling looked at the dozen British shareholders present and said: "Gentlemen, do you have any objections?"

Everyone shook their heads, indicating that they had no objections.

Hu Xueyan said: "Then we will implement the relevant contents of the gambling agreement. Next, we will increase one seat in the board of directors, and you will reduce one seat. Do you have any objections?"

Bao Ling said: "We are willing to accept the loss, we have no objection!"

Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone Board of Directors, a total of 19 directors.

Originally, there were 10 Chinese and 9 British.

After Su Ye's bet agreement was successful, there were eleven Chinese and eight British.

Both parties signed the new agreement.

Sir Bowring said: "Sir Su Ye, three years ago, did you expect this result?"

Su Ye said: "I expected it, but after trying my best, I found that the result was better than I thought."

Sir Bowring smiled and said: "Thank you for showing mercy. Otherwise, you would have set more stringent terms in the bet agreement, and we would have suffered a great loss."

Su Ye said: "I have always believed that win-win can last long."

Sir Burke, the representative of the British consortium, said: "Gentlemen, should this boring meeting end?"

"Lord Su Ye, please tell me that this meeting is over."

"Our party, our cocktail party, can't wait, please have mercy."

Then, he bowed to Su Ye in a very funny way.

Su Ye stood up and said: "I declare the meeting over!"

Suddenly, more than a dozen British shareholders present directly tore off the outermost layer of serious suits.

Revealing all kinds of fancy clothes inside.

Then, everyone took out half a mask from under the table and put it directly on their face.

Then, colorful lights came on. (Apply paint on the light bulb)

Several bands walked in.

The music sounded!

"Next, party time starts!"

"Ladies, you are already impatient, please come on stage."

Next, with the music and military drums.

One after another, fashionable foreign girls, wearing all kinds of sexy skirts, entered the large conference room.

Dozens of waiters came in and brought all kinds of delicious food, which were placed directly on the huge table.

Sir Burke shouted loudly: "Tonight, don't go home until you are drunk!"

"Celebrate wildly!"

"We succeeded!"

"We made a fortune!"

Suddenly, this huge conference room and the banquet hall next to it immediately turned into a gorgeous party dance hall.

Bai Yan was old, and after drinking two glasses of wine, he wanted to escape.

As a result, he was grabbed by a sexy girl and dragged off the dance floor.

Su Ye was also dragged off the dance floor.

Some of the girls who attended the dance were socialites hired from Shanghai, and some were managers who were originally working in Jiujiang and were responsible for contacting female workers.

Because there were a large number of female workers in Su Ye's cigarette factory and textile factory, this was a conservative era. So even if there were many staff sent by the British side, a large number of women were needed.

While dancing happily, the white woman rubbed Su Ye's whole body.

"Wow, Lord Su Ye, it seems that I underestimated your cigar!"

Su Ye said: "No, no, no, it's not that dark."

The noble woman laughed and said: "Really? I haven't tasted it, how can I believe it? But there is one thing you must believe, our white women are whiter than the women in your country, no matter where, do you want to verify it?"

Su Ye said, "Does your husband mind?"

The noblewoman said, "He is thousands of miles away in London. I don't think he would mind. I can tell you very proudly that I am still a virgin after coming to China."

China's first time? You will redefine the word virgin.

Tonight, the whole Jiujiang was in a carnival.

Inside is the smallest dance, with less than a hundred people in total.

Outside, there is a dance for hundreds of people, most of whom are still British.

Outside, there is a banquet.

A banquet for more than a thousand people.

A full two hundred tables of banquets.

All the businessmen and officials of Jiangxi are at this banquet.

Further outside, there is a larger buffet.

A full four hundred tables.

Representatives of Jiujiang's new army, students, workers, etc.

Eight thousand outstanding representatives were selected and divided into two groups to come for the banquet.

Celebrate the successful conclusion of the investment promotion conference.

On the outermost street, there are 600 tables of buffets. As long as they are willing, the elders and people in Jiujiang City can come to eat.

So, it was really a sea of ​​carnival.

There were five levels of banquets in total.

Su Ye took Princess Qingqing from the innermost level of the banquet and went out all the way.

Accepting everyone's celebration and all the toasts.

Walking out level by level.

Every time, they were enjoying the cheers.

Shen Baoer, Fu Shanxiang and others standing on the pavilion watched this scene.

Lin Shanger said to Shen Baoer: "Are you envious?"

Shen Baoer said: "I envy, but this is what Sister Qingqing deserves."

Lin Shanger said: "Mother, is the Princess Shouxi in the north going to lose her position as a lady?"

"I don't know." Hong Renli said: "I beg you, don't call me mother."

Shen Baoer said: "It's good for Sister Qingqing to be the principal wife."

Suddenly, Lin Shanger said: "Don't talk, don't talk."

Then, she took out a pocket watch and said: "Five, four, three, two, one!"

The countdown ended.

Wang Shiqing stood up, bent his bow and arrow towards the sky, and a rocket shot out suddenly.

"Whoosh!"

A rocket flew into the sky.

As if it was a signal.

Then, the fireworks display began.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh..."

Countless fireworks rose into the sky.

Set off suddenly!

The sky above Jiujiang was full of light and colors.

Gorgeous fireworks bloomed in the night sky again and again.

Hundreds of thousands of people walked out of their homes and looked at the sky.

Watching this gorgeous fireworks show.

Everyone must enjoy the happiness of the success of the investment promotion conference.

Three years!

Three whole years.

It was really hard work.

Building brick by brick, negotiating word by word.

Wars again and again.

Struggles again and again.

Hundreds of thousands of people paid directly, and millions of people paid indirectly.

Frustrated the conspiracies of foreigners, the court, and political enemies again and again.

Finally, this investment promotion conference was successful.

Although the five factories are still under construction, even the steel plant has not completed even one-third of the progress.

The textile factory has not even been built halfway.

But Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone has been established.

Countless struggles have finally brought us today's results.

Industrialization has finally taken a solid step.

Nearly 10,000 new soldiers could not hold back their excitement and could not suppress their surging emotions.

Someone shouted: "Marshal, may you win!"

Then, more and more people shouted.

"Marshal, may you win, Marshal, may you win!"

Tens of thousands of people shouted in unison.

Deafening.

…………………………………………

In the palace!

The emperor lay on the bed, coughing constantly.

Unable to sleep at all, everyone held their breath, walked on tiptoes, and dared not make any sound.

"Cough cough cough cough..."

Concubine Yi said directly: "Use medicine, use medicine!"

The imperial physician said: "Use that medicine? The medicine left by Princess Shouan?"

Concubine Yi said: "Yes."

Before Princess Shouan disappeared with Princess Shouxi, she was concerned about the emperor's health and left some of the precious penicillin for the emperor.

Because everything about Su Ye was despised by the emperor, the penicillin was also sealed in the ice storage.

But seeing that the emperor's lung disease worsened, Concubine Yi made a prompt decision and decided to use medicine.

The principle of this medicine was known to the queen first. Princess Shou'an told the queen, and the queen told Concubine Yi.

The emperor did not speak.

After a while, the imperial physician took out the penicillin in the ice storage, melted it with saline, and took out the syringe.

He could not help but be dazed for a while, because this syringe was also made by Su Ye himself and left behind.

Inject penicillin into the emperor's body.

Of course, the effect of the medicine was not so fast, but the extremely sleepy emperor finally fell asleep with great difficulty.

Only two hours later, in the middle of the night, the emperor woke up suddenly again.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he sat up suddenly and said in a cold voice: "Go, go, go and kill Chongen."

Suddenly, everyone was shocked.

Chongen is an elder of the royal family and Su Ye's father-in-law.

Moreover, hundreds of officials such as Gui Liang and Qi Ling are still in Zhenjiang. If you kill Chongen, aren't you afraid that Su Ye will kill Gui Liang?

The emperor said: "Go and kill him, strangle him with the white silk!"

Wang Chenggui said: "Yes!"

Then, he rushed to the prison of the Imperial Clan Court to announce the decree, holding the white silk in his own hands.

But I waited until I arrived at Zongrenfu Prison.

The place was already brightly lit, and dozens of corpses were lying on the ground.

"Someone robbed the prison. He was very cruel and cruel. He killed dozens of people in the clan's mansion. He was caught off guard and couldn't be stopped at all." Duan Hua said: "But don't tell the emperor yet. Don't appear in front of the emperor these two days. Wait until Let’s wait until he gets better.”

Wang Chenggui said: "Yes!"

……………………

The next day!

The emperor gradually stopped coughing.

Another day passed, and the emperor's lung disease seemed to be cured.

The whole person also regained his energy.

There is even a strange spirit of hale and hearty.

Only his red eyes proved that he was in some kind of excitement at this time.

"Wang Chenggui, Wang Chenggui..."

Finally unable to hide, Wang Chenggui appeared in front of the emperor again.

"Is Chongen dead? Is he dead?" the emperor asked.

The great eunuch Wang Chenggui said: "Your Majesty, no, he is not dead!"

"The Zongren Mansion Prison was robbed, and Chongen disappeared."

After finishing speaking, Wang Chenggui kowtowed desperately, fearful in his heart, worried that the emperor would be angry.

As a result, the emperor turned out to be very calm and said: "Wanted, wanted, wanted Chongen!"

"A city-wide search and wanted notices are posted!"

Wang Chenggui said: "Hey!"

"Where is Kuang Yuan? Call Kuang Yuan." The emperor said.

Half an hour later, Minister of Military and Aircraft Kuang Yuan appeared in front of the emperor.

"Go to Zhenjiang and bring Guiliang and others back." The emperor said.

Kuang Yuan originally wanted to ask, what should he do if Su Yi didn't make friends?

Or, what should we do if the other party puts forward various conditions?

Even the imperial envoy Kuang Yuan could not even cross the Yangtze River, so what should he do?

The emperor said coldly: "What are you waiting for?"

Kuang Yuan said: "I obey your order!"

Then, Kuang Yuan immediately set off for Tongzhou and took a boat south along the canal.

A few days later!

Kuang Yuan successfully crossed the Yangtze River and came to Zhenjiang.

Zhenjiang guard general Feng Zicai.

Kuang Yuan said coldly: "In the name of the Emperor, I am here to take Guiliang, Qiling and others back to Beijing!"

When he said this, Kuang Yuan was filled with uneasiness because he was worried about being rejected.

Once rejected, he has no recourse.

And he felt that Su Yi would definitely refuse and would take Guiliang, Qiling and others as hostages to force the court to make concessions in all aspects.

However, nothing like this happened.

Feng Zicai said: "Okay!"

Then, he gave the order and released them directly.

There is no excuse and no conditions.

In this way, Kuang Yuan successfully completed his mission and returned to Beijing smoothly with Guiliang, Qiling and other hundreds of officials!

……………………

A few days later!

The emperor suddenly asked: "Where is Qiao Long'a, the leader of the Tianjin New Army?"

The son of Dexing'a, the murderer of Su Yi.

Wang Chenggui said: "Your Majesty, he, he is imprisoned in the prison of Dali Temple."

The emperor said: "He made great achievements in the Battle of Dagonkou. Why is he imprisoned? Bring him into the palace. I want to see him."

Wang Chenggui said: "嗻!"

More than half an hour later, Su Yi's assassin Qiao Long'a knelt before the emperor and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, your servant, long live my emperor."

The emperor said: "Qiao Long, in the battle of Dagukou, you have contributed to the elimination of the foreign barbarians, and the Jin Dynasty has made you a first-class light chariot captain!"

Jolona was in disbelief at first, and then fell into ecstasy.

"I thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. Long live, long live, long live!"

When this news came out, everyone was shocked.

Instead of executing the suspect who assassinated Su Yi, he was knighted instead?

This, what is this?

……………………

However, this is still not over yet.

A few days later, in the court hall.

The emperor suddenly said: "There is still a vacancy for governor of Jiangsu. Is there anyone I can recommend?"

Du Han said: "Your Majesty, you can let Zeng Guofan, the governor of Liangjiang, also serve as the governor of Jiangsu."

The emperor said: "No, the Governor of Liangjiang and the Minister of Commerce of the Five Countries have so many government affairs, how can I hold them concurrently?"

After Xu Youren, the governor of Jiangsu, was dismissed, no one in the court mentioned this position for a long time.

Because almost no one dares to go.

I am afraid that once I go, I will never come back.

The emperor said: "Zhao Dezhe."

Zhao Dezhe came out of the queue with his scalp numb and said: "I'm here."

The emperor asked: "Are you willing to go to Jiangsu?"

Of course Zhao Dezhe was unwilling, and he was now a minister and became the governor of Jiangsu, which was a demotion.

Sushun said: "Your Majesty, the governor of Jiangsu cannot do anything without military power. I recommend Li Hongzhang, the chief envoy of Anhui, to serve as governor of Jiangsu."

This is also the only solution.

Li Hongzhang himself has thousands of troops, and he is barely half a Hunan soldier. If he wants to be the governor of Jiangsu, Xu Youren will probably not take action.

If Su Yi took action against Li Hongzhang, it would be a falling out with the Hunan Army.

The emperor thought for a while and said: "Let's do it this way. Zhao Dezhe, as the imperial envoy, go and deliver the order to Li Hongzhang."

Zhao Dezhe kowtowed and said, "I obey your order."

……………………

This time, Zhao Dezhe did not go so fast, and it took more than half a month to arrive in Luzhou.

"According to the imperial edict of Emperor Chengyun, Li Hongzhang canonized as governor of Jiangsu and takes office immediately. I appreciate this!"

Li Hongzhang was astonished and kowtowed: "My lord, take this order to thank me. Long live, long live, long live!"

After the imperial envoy Zhao Dezhe left, Li Hongzhang was full of uneasiness.

Li Xubin was away and was leading his army to attack Anqing.

Li Hongzhang and Zuo Zongtang were incompatible with each other, so naturally they would not discuss it with Zuo Zongtang.

So, he left Luzhou as quickly as possible and went to Yangzhou to consult Zeng Guofan.

Yangzhou!

Zeng Guofan said: "Shaoquan, do you want to be the governor of Jiangsu?"

Li Hongzhang was silent. It was difficult for him to even answer whether he wanted to do it.

He had a hard time staying in Luzhou. Zuo Zongtang was too tough, and it was difficult for him, the chief envoy, to show his talents under the command of the Hunan Army.

So, of course he wanted to be the governor of Jiangsu.

Moreover, in this world, he has never entered the shogunate of Zeng Guofan, so he is not completely considered a member of the Hunan Army, and his backing is not strong.

Governor of Jiangsu, a first-class feudal territory, was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him.

However, being the governor of Jiangsu is too risky.

"Think!" Li Hongzhang said directly.

Zeng Guofan said: "Then would you like to call me teacher?"

Li Hongzhang immediately knelt down and said: "Student Li Hongzhang, pay your respects to the teacher."

As the governor of Jiangsu, Li Hongzhang would certainly not be able to sit safely without the support of the Hunan Army.

Li Hongzhang's bow was equivalent to treating himself as a member of the Hunan Army.

Zeng Guofan said: "Okay, I will take you to Jiujiang."

……………………

A few days later, Jiujiang!

In the study room.

Zeng Guofan said: "Su Yi, the imperial court canonized Li Hongzhang as governor of Jiangsu. What do you think should be done?"

Of the seven southern provinces, the Hunan Army has already captured Anhui, Hubei, and Hunan. If it captures Jiangsu, it will directly take over four provinces.

What's more, Zeng Guofan, the governor of Liangjiang, also had control over Jiangxi.

Of course Su Yi knew that the emperor was going to forcibly dismantle the alliance of the seven southern provinces regardless of the situation.

He was no longer even willing to discuss matters with his ministers, and he no longer cared about political dignity.

The steady and steady pace before was completely abandoned.

He just wanted to use imperial power to directly suppress and carry out political violence and dismantling.

And no matter what the consequences are, the worst is that you will directly rebel.

This time the humiliation he received was so great that it drove him crazy.

Su Yi said: "Brother Shaoquan, have you already agreed to the court? Do you want to give in three times?"

Zeng Guofan said: "The court's will is very firm. It must either accept or reject. There is probably no room for concessions."

Su Yi thought for a while and said, "I still say what I said, I don't stop people from making progress."

Su Yi didn't have any hypocrisy at this time. He didn't say at all that I was in the opposition and I didn't care about these political affairs.

"So, of course I have no objection to Brother Shaoquan being the governor of Jiangsu, and I am willing to support it." Su Yi said: "I believe Mr. Xu Youren will not have any objections."

Zeng Guofan said: "The imperial court wants Shaoquan to take the army to Suzhou and take office."

Su Yi thought for a while and said: "Three thousand, no more than three thousand."

Zeng Guofan said: "Okay, just three thousand."

Su Yi said: "Besides, I still said that I cannot dismantle the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance."

The words are still not finished, whoever can be the governor of Jiangsu can do it.

However, after becoming the governor of Jiangsu, if he dared to directly announce his withdrawal from the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance, then don't blame Su Yi for being ruthless.

Directly destroy the human body.

Zeng Guofan said: "Of course."

Next, Su Yi and Li Hongzhang interviewed for half an hour.

The other person was respectful, but also reserved, or distant.

After the discussion, Zeng Guofan took Li Hongzhang and left Jiujiang.

A few days later, Li Hongzhang left Luzhou with three thousand troops and went to Suzhou to take office.

At this point, the new governor of Jiangsu was born.

……………………

Shen Baozhen said: "My lord, the emperor has almost lost his mind. He is going to use his imperial power to directly violently dismantle the seven southern provinces."

Su Yi said: "Yes."

Shen Baozhen said: "What should we do?"

Su Yi said: "Do nothing."

For him, the most important investment conference has been completed.

Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone, the most critical step has passed.

Next, it looked like he would be completely hunkered down, leaving the Emperor's side to attack.

Shen Baozhen said: "Today is December 25th. When will the British and French troops come?"

Su Yi didn't speak.

Basia next to him said politely: "Probably, mid-February."

Su Yi said: "Let's deduce the emperor's attack."

"All subsequent attacks on us will be carried out directly by the emperor. He will not even listen to the opinions of the Military Aircraft Department. Because every political attack before, Du Han and others have arranged it very cleverly, but they have failed every time."

"The emperor has completely lost his patience and reason."

"After Li Hongzhang successfully goes to Suzhou and takes office as governor of Jiangsu, the emperor will remove Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai from all their official positions and order Li Hongzhang to take over all military power in Jiangsu."

"According to the schedule, this will probably be mid-January or late January."

"Next, the imperial court will probably try to force Li Hongzhang to withdraw from the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance, but it may not. But Li Hongzhang will abide by this bottom line."

"So, after deposing Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai, the next step for the imperial court is to either depose Wang Youling, Tian Yugong, or you Shen Baozhen."

"Then, the emperor will send a minister who is not afraid of death and will absolutely obey the emperor's orders to serve as this feudal official."

"And the mission of this feudal official after taking office is to announce that this province will withdraw from the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance."

"His only mission is to dismantle the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance."

Basia Li suddenly said from the side: "Master Su Yi, I have a question and I want to ask for advice."

Su Yi said: "Please speak."

Basharli said: "Now that the investment conference has been successful, we have formed a community of interests with the rich and powerful businessmen in many provinces. Therefore, the seven-province alliance in the south is actually not that important."

Shen Baozhen said: "Sir Basia Li, after Master Su Yi enters the center in the future, he will need strong political support, and the alliance of seven southern provinces is his largest direct descendant, so this alliance must exist."

Su Yi said: "And in the future, if we want to fully industrialize, the entire seven southern provinces will also take the lead. After Jiujiang succeeds, we may continue to replicate it in Suzhou, Hangzhou and other places. Therefore, the southern provinces will become the vanguard of my new policy. "

Ba Xiali nodded and said: "I understand. In this case, the alliance of seven southern provinces is indeed very important and must be preserved."

Shen Baozhen said: "I understand where the line is."

…………………………

According to Su Yi's thoughts, he must have wanted to make Li Hongzhang slower, not so fast.

Help him slow down the court.

However, Li Hongzhang was neither fast nor slow.

On January 16, he led 3,000 people and entered Suzhou.

Officially took office as governor of Jiangsu.

Doesn't he know what Su Yi is thinking? He must know.

Moreover, he can postpone this matter until mid-February.

After all, the imperial court's intention was for him to lead the army to Suzhou. Once thousands of troops were involved, it was completely normal for the time to be slower.

However, Li Hongzhang still took office within one month.

The imperial envoy met with Li Hongzhang again in Suzhou, intending to ask him to publicly announce his withdrawal from the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance.

Li Hongzhang said that he was really powerless in this regard.

Although it was not stated clearly, the meaning was very clear. Once anyone publicly announced his withdrawal from the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance, it would be death.

The imperial emissary did not continue the persecution, but returned to Beijing as quickly as possible to report.

January twenty-seven.

The emperor publicly issued an order in the court: "The Jiangnan Admiral Zhang Guoliang is dismissed from all positions, and the commander-in-chief Feng Zicai is dismissed from all positions. The armies they belong to are completely under the control of Jiangsu Governor Li Hongzhang."

Hearing this sentence, all the officials in the court were frightened.

Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai are both rebels from the Tiandi Society. Once they are forcibly removed from their posts, it is likely to cause a mutiny.

After all, Li Hongzhang only had 3,000 soldiers in his hands, while Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai had at least 20,000.

Once there is a mutiny, they will go directly to Suzhou.

The consequences are disastrous.

The soldiers in the Jiangnan Camp were already rebellious, and it was not unheard of for them to force their pay to mutiny and hunt down their coach.

Once tens of thousands of troops mutiny, how should the court deal with it?

Send troops to suppress it?

Suddenly, someone said cautiously: "What if there is a mutiny among the soldiers under the two men?"

The emperor said angrily: "Seng Gelinqin, Shengbao, Ronglu control hundreds of thousands of troops, what do they do for food? What do Zeng Guofan's troops do for food? Once there is a mutiny, just send a large army to suppress it."

The heads of all the ministers were numb.

After the last great shame and humiliation, the emperor was really ready to go all out and use the most direct means to dismantle the alliance of the seven southern provinces.

Even if there is a mutiny or a civil war, we will not hesitate.

Moreover, in the emperor's view, Li Hongzhang was from the Hunan Army and a student of Zeng Guofan. The Jiangsu army mutinied and attacked Li Hongzhang, which was equivalent to an open break between Su Yi's forces and the Hunan Army's forces.

At this time, no one could persuade the emperor.

He even did not discuss too much with Sushun Duhan and others.

"Kuang Yuan, go and issue an order to remove Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai from all positions." The emperor gave the order directly.

Kuang Yuan stepped forward and said: "My lord, I obey the order!"

……………………

Next, Kuang Yuan, the Minister of Civil Affairs, went to Zhenjiang and Changzhou almost mentally prepared to be robbed and killed.

When entering the Yangzhou Canal, he was blocked more than once.

It’s not an obvious obstruction, but the congestion of the canal.

Extraordinary congestion.

Every time, he remembered the scenes of Dexing'a and Weng Tongshu's imperial fleet being robbed and killed. Although he had not experienced it, he could imagine it.

Of course he knew that as long as the Seven Southern Provinces Alliance did not agree, he would not be able to enter the Yangtze River.

Therefore, he Kuang Yuan almost regarded death as home.

However, the imagined robbery did not happen.

Despite the congestion, the fleet of the Imperial Envoy Kuang Yuan successfully entered the Yangtze River, crossed the Yangtze River, and entered Zhenjiang City.

"Chief Soldier of Susong Town, Feng Zicai, listen to the order!"

Feng Zicai stepped forward and knelt down.

"According to the imperial edict of Emperor Chengyun, Feng Zicai is relieved of all military and political posts, and his army is placed under the command of the governor of Jiangsu. I admire this!"

After reading the imperial edict, the hands of the Imperial Envoy Kuang Yuan were almost trembling slightly.

He was really afraid that after reciting the imperial edict, he would rebel directly, and several soldiers rushed forward and hacked him to death.

But nothing happened.

Feng Zicai seemed very quiet and said directly: "Your Majesty, please accept the order and thank me!"

Then, he took off his official hat, put it on the ground, and took the imperial edict.

Kuang Yuan's face trembled slightly, not knowing what to say. He was awkwardly silent for a long time. He left Zhenjiang directly and rushed to Changzhou under the protection of hundreds of imperial guards, wanting to announce the edict to Zhang Guoliang, the governor of Jiangnan.

As a result, Zhang Guoliang was not in Changzhou.

"I don't know. The governor should be in Danyang. After the Jiangnan camp was disbanded, the general's tent was withdrawn to Danyang." said the general under his command.

So, the imperial envoy Kuang Yuan rushed to Danyang again.

As a result, Zhang Guoliang was not in Danyang either.

"He should be in Suzhou. The governor is in Suzhou. The governor has important military affairs and needs to discuss with the governor. He should go to Suzhou." The Danyang garrison said.

Imperial envoy Kuang Yuan immediately felt bad.

Will Zhang Guoliang not show up at all next time, so that he can't find anyone to announce the edict, and drag him to death?

But there was no way, Kuang Yuan could only leave Danyang again and go to Suzhou.

As a result, Zhang Guoliang was really in Suzhou.

Moreover, Li Hongzhang was also there.

Not only that, Li Hongzhang's 3,000 men and Zhang Guoliang's 7,000 troops were all in Suzhou City.

Even, Kuang Yuan heard that Xu Youren was also in Suzhou City.

Suddenly, Kuang Yuan's heart trembled.

He went to see Li Hongzhang in advance and asked, "Shaoquan, tell me honestly, if there is a mutiny, can your army defeat Zhang Guoliang's army?"

Li Hongzhang said, "It's difficult."

Kuang Yuan said, "Do you think there will be a mutiny after I read out the imperial edict to dismiss Zhang Guoliang?"

Li Hongzhang thought for a while and shook his head and said, "I don't know."

He really couldn't be sure.

Because Xu Youren was originally on the Yangtze River, and Zhang Guoliang was originally in Changzhou, and suddenly the two returned to Suzhou, and they also brought back 7,000 people.

Zeng Guofan said that he and Su Ye had a tacit understanding.

There will be no mutiny in Suzhou City. Even the entire south will not have a mutiny.

But in this situation, Li Hongzhang did not dare to say anything final.

Even, if a mutiny occurs, what should he do?

If a mutiny occurs? Will Su Ye's army and the Hunan Army go to war?

Or will the court directly send a large army to suppress it?

No one knows.

At this time, he can only gamble. If a mutiny really occurs, Li Hongzhang decides to hide his tracks and leave Suzhou to observe the situation.

If you stick your head out, you will get a knife. If you shrink your head, you will get a knife.

The next day, the imperial envoy Kuang Yuan decided to announce the decree.

In the Suzhou prefectural government office, Li Hongzhang, the governor of Jiangsu, and Zhang Guoliang, the governor of Jiangnan, were present.

Just when Kuang Yuan was about to read the decree, Xu Youren, the former governor of Jiangsu and the leader of the Southern Seven Provinces Alliance, also walked into the office.

At this time, Kuang Yuan's heart suddenly twitched.

It's over, it's over.

There will definitely be a mutiny next.

However, he suppressed his fear and said loudly: "The emperor has ordered that Jiangnan Admiral Zhang Guoliang accept the order."

Zhang Guoliang stepped forward and knelt down.

"By the grace of heaven, the emperor decrees that Zhang Guoliang is relieved of all his duties as Jiangnan Admiral and his army is under the control of Jiangsu Governor Li Hongzhang. This is the order!"

Then there was silence.

Kuang Yuan trembled and closed his eyes, waiting for the chaotic soldiers to rush out.

As a result, nothing happened again.

Jiangnan Admiral Zhang Guoliang said quietly: "Your Highness Zhang Guoliang, I accept the order and thank you."

Then, he also took off his official hat, quietly placed it on the ground, raised his hands high, and prepared to accept the order.

Kuang Yuan was stunned for a long time, and quickly put the imperial edict in Zhang Guoliang's hands.

Just, it's over?

You don't rebel? No mutiny?

After a long silence, the imperial envoy Kuang Yuan almost ran out of the door, and then left Suzhou at the fastest speed and returned to the capital!

………………

February 19.

The imperial envoy Kuang Yuan returned to Beijing to report the order.

Everyone was shocked. It was so smooth?

Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai, the two military leaders, were dismissed just like that?

There was no mutiny? There was not even any riot by the soldiers.

Su Ye did not fight back against the emperor's series of attacks. He accepted them all quietly.

Is this a case of a random punch to kill a master?

The strategies of Su Shun, Du Han and others were so brilliant and vicious.

Su Ye cracked them one by one and directly fought back, making the court lose face.

Later, the extremely angry emperor took action himself. He did not use political routines, but just acted recklessly.

He used the imperial power directly and hit hard.

As a result, everything was done. Su Ye did not even cry out, let alone fight back.

Not only Su Ye, but also Xu Youren, the leader of the Southern Seven Provinces Alliance, did not react at all.

Just let him be beaten?

The entire Southern Seven Provinces were too quiet. Su Ye did not even have the slightest intention of fighting back.

What does this mean? Could it be that after the success of the investment promotion conference, Su Ye completely lay dormant and was completely passive?

…………………………

Inside the Sanxi Hall!

In the past two or three months, the emperor had launched a fierce attack, and all of them were successful.

He himself was also surprised, and his excitement was mixed with a little fear.

So, he once again summoned his trusted ministers to discuss the next affairs.

"What should we do next?"

Du Han said: "Your Majesty is wise. In the past few months, Su Ye has not fought back. So we can go one step further and directly dismiss the Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, Tian Yugong, and let Zhao Dezhe serve as the governor. Once he takes over smoothly, Zhao Dezhe will immediately announce his withdrawal from the Southern Seven Provinces Alliance, and it will be completely disintegrated."

Kuang Yuan said: "What if the southern side sends people to rob and kill? Just frame the pirates."

What to do?

There is no way, there is no solution at all.

However, the previous attack was too smooth.

Especially this time, the dismissal of Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai is the best time for Su Ye to fight back.

The two were originally from the Tiandihui, and many of their generals and soldiers were also bandits. It is normal for them to take the opportunity to mutiny, and it will not implicate Su Ye.

After all, Su Ye has no official position now, and Suzhou is so far away from Jiujiang.

As long as the two troops mutinied, the Hunan Army was trapped in the Anqing battlefield and was likely to be a bystander.

Then the court had only one way, to send a large army from the north to the south to suppress it.

If it really comes to that, the world will fall apart.

If the court loses one or two battles, Su Ye will even need to mediate.

So no matter how you look at it, this is Su Ye's best counterattack strategy.

As a result, there was no action at all.

What is in Su Ye's gourd?

Once this opportunity is missed, there will be no more.

At this time, the emperor's red eyes suddenly became intense, and he said hoarsely: "No, it's not just Tian Yugong who is dismissed."

As soon as these words came out, Du Han and others' hair stood up.

They knew what the emperor was going to do.

"Remove all three of them, Tian Yugong, the Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, Wang Youling, the Governor of Zhejiang, and Shen Baozhen, the Acting Governor of Jiangsu!"

"Let Zhao Dezhe be the Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, and hold the title of Minister of War."

"Let Luo Zundian be the Governor of Zhejiang, and hold the title of Vice Minister."

"Let Qiling be the Governor of Jiangxi, and concurrently the General of Nanchang."

"If you want to dismantle it, then dismantle it thoroughly."

This was indeed a thorough dismantling. All of Su Ye's allies were dismissed, and then several provinces simultaneously announced the collapse of the alliance of the seven southern provinces.

The emperor gritted his teeth and said, "Three people, go to take office in three groups."

"If Su Ye and his men have the ability, they can rob and kill all three groups of people."

"Robbing and killing one group may be accidental. How can we cover up if all three groups are robbed and killed? By then, everyone in the world can see clearly that he, Su Ye, is a traitor."

This point is right. The three frontier officials went south to take office.

If they were all robbed and killed, then...then there is only one way, treason, rebellion!

The ministers present were horrified and dared not speak at all.

This move was indeed cruel, but it also directly forced the opponent into a dead end. It would really force people to rebel.

Once the troops of several southern provinces all rebelled and really marched to the capital to purge the emperor, what should we do?

Why did we hire pirates to pretend to be foreign fleets before? Wasn’t it because we were afraid that we would directly force the Southern Seven Provinces Alliance to rebel?

Du Han said: "I am sure that Su Ye will never rebel openly."

"If he wants to rebel, the best opportunity is to make Zhang Guoliang and Feng Zicai mutiny. If he does not rebel at that time and chooses to rob and kill the three frontier officials, it will be really obvious."

"The political righteousness that he has maintained until now with great difficulty will be completely lost."

"He will not rob and kill the three frontier officials, nor will he rebel, but what will he do? I don't know, I really don't know."

The emperor said coldly: "Before, he was cautious and calculated step by step, but he failed repeatedly and fell into Su Ye's trap and lost face."

"I have decided, let's do it!"

"Use the most direct means to directly dismantle the so-called Seven Provinces Alliance."

Su Shun, Du Han and others bowed and said: "Your subjects... obey your order!"

…………………………

Su Ye stood on a high building and looked at the Yangtze River.

It snowed.

It snowed in March.

Looking at the heavy snow, falling into the rolling Yangtze River.

Su Ye stretched out his hand, and the huge snowflakes melted in his palm for a while.

"Today, the army should appear, right?" Su Ye asked.

Shen Baozhen said: "Yes, according to the reports from the sea, it should appear!"

……………………

At the same time, above the sea, the sun sets.

Hundreds of ships and tens of thousands of troops led by Earl Elgin.

They are so powerful that they cover the sky and the sun.

They are heading towards Tianjin.

………………………

Note: I finally finished writing it, and I will give you more than 12,000! Just asking quietly, do you still have monthly tickets? Pastries are grateful.