Usurping the Qing Dynasty: My first love was Cixi

Chapter 260 The confluence of the north and the south! The fate of the Hunan Army!

Su Ye was obviously extremely busy in the past month, because the reform of the flag affairs was only a part of it, and it was not even the most important part. The reform of military affairs was the top priority.

This time, six divisions of the new imperial army were to be formed, one-third of which were drawn from the local Eight Banners, one-third were recruited from the civilian population, and the remaining one-third were recruited from the Taiping Army and the Nian Army. The last time the Eight Banners Beijing Camp was abolished, it was obviously much easier, because more than 100,000 people were around the capital, and this time the local Eight Banners were abolished, the area was quite wide, there were dozens of garrisons, and each garrison had an average of only a few thousand people.

Su Ye needed to set up a disarmament committee under the Ministry of Army first, and there were two plans in total.

The first plan was to send dozens of imperial envoys to the defense areas of the local Eight Banners to carry out disarmament and recruitment.

The second plan was to order the Eight Banners Army in dozens of defense areas to set out on their own and go to several core barracks for concentrated disarmament.

After a brief discussion, the Ministry of Army decided to adopt the second plan.

It was decided to set up six disarmament offices, namely the Mongolia Office, Suiyuan Office, Guangzhou Office, Xi'an Office, Chengdu Office, and Nanjing Office.

In the northwest, the Eight Banners Army of General Ningxia and General Yili will not be moved for the time being, because these two places are very dangerous now. All the remaining Eight Banners Army will move to these seven places to accept disarmament.

The Liaodong Office is responsible for the three general defense areas of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Shengjing.

Whether these three places should be disbanded has caused extremely fierce debates, and even a quarrel has become a mess.

Many ministers feel that the outside of the Great Wall is the place where the dragon rises, and the Eight Banners Army here must not be disbanded. Regarding this reason, Su Ye certainly does not admit it.

But Zuo Zongtang found Su Ye and talked about it in detail.

"Your Highness, I also think that the three Eight Banners defense zones in Liaodong should not be completely abolished."

Su Ye said: "Tell me the reason."

Zuo Zongtang said: "Your Highness, the generals of Ili, Ningxia, and the ministers stationed in Tibet will not be abolished because these three places are in danger. Even if the Eight Banners are weak, they can only increase their troops and cannot be abolished. Liaodong is facing the threat of the Russians, so it cannot be abolished either."

"Of course, there is another more heartbreaking reason. The Russians are obsessed with the split of our central government and the fragmentation of our country, and want to support the Eight Banners. So it is very beneficial to let the Heilongjiang general and the Jilin general take the lead."

Su Ye has also been thinking about this issue. If the Heilongjiang general and the Jilin general are abolished now, new troops will need to be sent immediately to take over, and they will face direct conflict with the Russians.

Su Ye said: "Mr. Ji Gao, what are your specific opinions?"

Zuo Zongtang said: "Dismissing the Eight Banners Army under the Shengjing General will show an absolute attitude towards disarmament. Because Shengjing is the old capital, even the Eight Banners Army here has been disbanded, so other regions should not even think about it. But temporarily retain the Heilongjiang and Jilin generals, and wait until the new six divisions of the army are trained, and then replace them and dismiss the Heilongjiang and Jilin generals."

After thinking about it, Su Ye felt that this was a sincere policy for the country, and nodded in agreement.

Immediately afterwards, Senggelinqin found Su Ye again.

"Prime Minister Su, I'm a little worried."

Su Ye said, "Please speak, Monk King."

Senggelinqin said, "I am a Mongolian, but I am more of a Qing Dynasty person. I am loyal to the Qing Dynasty."

Su Ye said, "Of course."

Senggelinqin said, "The court set up the Uliastai General's Mansion to guard the northern desert. Most of our Mongolian tribes are loyal to the court, there is no doubt about that, but the garrison of the Uliastai General's Mansion plays a very critical role, supervision and even suppression. Sorry, I'm a little blunt. Although there are not many troops in this part of the defense zone, having troops stationed here can play a deterrent role. Once it is disbanded, it may cause changes in people's hearts."

This issue is of course very important.

Let's put it this way. Several ministers of the Ministry of the Army have discussed it over and over again.

For the disarmament of the border, we must be very cautious.

Therefore, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Yili General, Ningxia General will not be disbanded for the time being.

However, the Uliastai General's Mansion is also a border.

Su Ye said, "Monk King, what do you think?"

Senggelinqin said, "I will preside over the disarmament of Mongolia and Suiyuan, but at the same time, I will lead half a division of troops to enter Uliastai City for a year. When the new army is trained, I will send relevant officials to replace me."

Su Ye frowned slightly. This is a bit of a sledgehammer.

Senggelinqin has high prestige and rich experience. He really doesn't want him to leave the capital.

Su Ye thought for a while and said, "Besides you, can you think of anyone else? How about the current Uliastai General Mingyi?"

Senggelinqin said, "He can't do it."

Su Ye said, "You said to send half a division to Uliastai City, I absolutely agree, but I will think about who to send."

Then, Su Ye suddenly said, "Princess Shou'an, can you do it?"

Senggelinqin was slightly stunned and didn't know how to answer for a while. Su Ye was really imaginative.

Because the person guarding Uliastai must have a very high status. It is not enough to be a general, but also a politician, because he needs to deal with the various Mongolian tribes.

Because this general's office not only manages the army, but also manages politics. Although many taxes are contracted to Dashengkui, there are still many things to do.

Is Princess Shou'an successful?

Her status must be noble enough, but she is a woman after all.

But after thinking about it, she really could do it, because she has been running around constantly over the years, acting as a bridge between the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone and the Mongolian tribes. She has a close relationship with the Northern Chamber of Commerce in Dashengkui, and because of her close relationship with Su Yi, she was sent to The garrisoned troops will also obey.

"It's...it's really okay." Seng Gelinqin said: "It's just that it's a bitter cold place, I'm afraid the princess won't be able to adapt to it."

At this moment, the eunuch Cheng Shou rushed in and said, "King Yi, King Monk, and the Queen Mother have invited you."

Su Yi and Seng Gelinqin went to Sanxi Hall.

At this time, several other people from the political hall were already there. Yi, Zhou Zupei, Jiao Youying.

Another political minister, Prince Hui Mianyu, was kneeling on the ground, motionless.

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Prince Hui, as the elder of the royal family, do you have any dissatisfaction with me when you resign at this time?"

Mianyu kowtowed and said, "Old minister, I don't dare."

If you don’t dare, then you just have it?

Empress Dowager Ci'an sniffed, as if there was the smell of blood in the air. Because not long ago, a beheading was carried out in Caishikou, killing more than a thousand people.

This certainly expressed Su Yi's determination.

Don't you want to test it? If more than a thousand low-level bannermen rogues are dispatched, be benevolent and benevolent.

They were all beheaded and sentenced to death, which showed their firm determination to reform the flag affairs.

Then, Mianyu came to resign.

Empress Dowager Ci'an sighed and said: "Old Emperor, these are troubled times. The Empress Dowager went to worship Buddha again. The Emperor is still young. I am the only female figure left in the palace. As an elder, how can you bear to leave the center? ? Just for the sake of the late emperor, how about staying a little longer? "

Empress Dowager Ci'an's attitude was already very softened, almost like pleading.

Although she was not sensitive to politics, she probably knew that Prince Hui Mianyu's resignation would cause a certain chain reaction.

Although Mianyu has never made any public statement on the reform of flag affairs, if he is in office, he needs to do something. And by resigning now, he is making his position clear.

I do not agree with the reform of flag affairs.

Mian Yu said: "I would like to report to the Queen Mother that my old minister is old and frail and can no longer be reused."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "There is no need to resign, you can rest in the mansion."

She was still trying hard to stay, and then looked at Su Yi, you, the instigator, why don't you come out and speak?

"Su Yi, what are you talking about?" Empress Dowager Ci'an asked.

Su Yi said directly: "Since Prince Hui feels unwell, the Queen Mother should not force him."

As soon as these words came out, the expressions of several political ministers present changed drastically.

Are you, Su Yi, so tough?

Prince Hui is the elder of the royal family and the great uncle of the current emperor. With him in the political hall, he can protect you from wind and rain in many things.

Now that he is resigning, he may not really mean to resign. It is just a kind of bargaining. He hopes that you will step back a little on the reform of flag affairs.

It turns out that your attitude is so tough, so there is no room for negotiation at all?

After hearing Su Yi's words, Prince Hui Mianyu kowtowed directly and said: "There is no need to say more, the Queen Mother, I have decided to resign."

Then, he took off his hat directly.

It's really ridiculous. You are a prince, and the only person who has resigned is the minister of state affairs. What's the point of taking off your royal hat?

"Old minister, take your leave." Then, Mian Yu turned around and left.

Suddenly, there were only five people left in the venue.

Empress Dowager Ci'an looked sad and said: "There is another missing person in the political affairs hall. Who do you think should be replaced?"

Zhou Zupei and Jiao Youying, the two Han ministers, were really silent at this time.

Su Yi and Yi were able to recommend new candidates, but neither of them spoke.

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "You two have agreed upon it and report it later, then let's disperse."

……………………

Inside Zhongcui Palace.

Empress Dowager Ci'an looked at Su Yi with red eyes and pursed her lips, looking very aggrieved.

"Fu Jin of Mianyu came to the palace in advance. What he meant was that it is not impossible to reform the flag affairs, but the action should not be so drastic and should be done slowly. Everyone, you take a step back and I will take a step back." Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "He The resignation here is just a pretense. If the terms of your flag affairs reform are slightly relaxed, he will not resign. "

"It's better now. You can just say that you can leave if you want, but there is no room left at all. The door to negotiation is immediately closed."

Su Yi did not explain. There was no compromise at this time. If you take one step back today, you will have to take ten steps back tomorrow, and you will have to take a hundred steps back the day after tomorrow.

"Have you slept well these two days?" Su Yi asked softly.

"It's only been a few days. You killed someone again. Now your head feels like it's about to split. I'm afraid you'll have nightmares every day again." Niu Hulu said.

Su Yi stepped forward and gently massaged her temples.

"Don't do this." Empress Dowager Ci'an said tremblingly.

However, Su Yi didn't do anything next, just massaged her gently.

"There is something." Su Yi said.

"Yeah." Empress Dowager Ci'an said.

Su Yi said: "This time the Eight Banners Army was abolished, King Monk was responsible for Uliasu Tai and Suiyuan. Because Uliasu Tai is too special and needs to monitor Mobei Mongolia, half a division of garrison troops need to be dispatched immediately. It will take about a year for a highly respected person to guard it.”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Who are you going to send?"

Su Yi said: "The Monk King recommended himself, but I feel that he is overqualified and wants to let Princess Shou'an go."

"Fourth sister? She is a woman." Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Besides, she...she is still your woman, are you willing to let her go?"

Su Yi said: "There is nothing we can do."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "It is really unlucky to be your woman."

Su Yi sighed softly.

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "The monk king is in charge of Suiyuan and Uliasutai, so who is in charge of Shengjing?"

In the heart of Empress Dowager Ci'an, General Shengjing's defense area was the most difficult to control because it was the old capital.

Su Yi said: "Originally, I wanted to take charge personally, but after thinking about it, it was not necessary, so I wanted to let Wo Ren go."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Wo Ren, is he a civil servant?"

Su Yi said: "General Fuxing of Shengjing probably doesn't have the guts to cause any trouble. Woren doesn't have deep feelings about reforming flag affairs, and Shengjing is the most special, just for him to feel it."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "What good feelings does Shengjing have?"

Su Yi asked: "Has the Queen Mother been to Shengjing?"

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "No."

Su Yi said: "Outside the Pass is regarded as the land of Longxing. Han people are not allowed to set foot there, but there are not many Manchus. It is deserted everywhere and the land is very fertile. Emperor Shunzhi also encouraged the Han people to open up wasteland outside the Pass at that time, and When Emperor Kangxi arrived, he started a ban policy, which was very confusing. "

Empress Dowager Ci'an gave him a gentle slap and said, "Huh, you can arrange it as you like, Holy Ancestor."

Su Yi said: "Confusion is just confusion. There is nothing I can't say."

"There are only a few people outside the Pass now? But they have the most fertile land in the Qing Dynasty, but they cannot be cultivated. Many people in the Pass have no fields, and the bannermen don't farm."

"The Russians are about to attack. How can we stop them without anyone? They keep saying that outside the pass is the land of Longxing and that Han people cannot enter. But the Russians are coming and they grab a piece of land and start to immigrate. Outside the pass No one can defend it.”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Do you want to immigrate outside the customs?"

Su Yi said: "Yes."

This time Su Yi wiped out the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Nian Army, and hundreds of thousands of people surrendered. Only a small part of them were able to join the army, and most of the rest had to work as miners and other workers.

There are also some people who want to be farmers and farm.

However, Su Yi hasn't decided yet.

Because whether it is the Taiping Army or the Nian Army, they are used to rebellion and chaos. They are afraid of strong conflicts and conflicts with the local bannermen when they go to Guanwaihui.

Moreover, the environment outside the customs is more suitable for bandits. After this group of people go, they may become bandits again.

But if ordinary farmers are relocated, facing the Russian invasion, it will not be possible to form a momentum of all people fighting.

Therefore, Su Yi had another idea, which was to develop the entire Northeast using the Production and Construction Corps model.

"Hmph, the reform of flag affairs has not been finalized yet, and we are going to immigrate outside the customs. Every move of yours is aimed at the lifeblood of the banner people. No wonder others regard you as a mortal enemy." Empress Dowager Ci'an said.

Su Yi said: "The flag affairs reform is a big banner that attracts all the hatred and hostility, so we simply put many other policies under the flag affairs reform. Everyone only focuses on the flag affairs reform, and we quietly Finished everything else.”

"Who are you and us?" Empress Dowager Ci'an said, "I am also a bannerman."

Su Yi gently rubbed the back of her neck and applied a little more force.

She felt a little sore and almost wanted to hum, but she felt strange.

"Wan'er, you are so beautiful." Su Yi suddenly said.

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Don't say such things, I...I'm not used to it."

Su Yi said: "When the local Eight Banners were abolished, I was in charge of the Nanjing office. I personally abolished the Eight Banners armies in Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hubei and other provinces and recruited new troops."

Empress Dowager Ci'an sat up suddenly and said: "You want to leave Beijing? No, you are leaving Beijing, what should I do?"

"I mean, they are not allowed to eat our orphans and widows."

Su Yi said: "I'm not at ease either. You are too soft-tempered. When others say it, you back down."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "The big deal is that you invite the one from the west back. She is not soft."

Then, she couldn't help but said: "When the Eight Banners are abolished in those provinces, why do you need to go there in person? Zuo Zongtang can just go."

Su Yi said: "I have two things to do. One is to abolish the Eight Banners in these provinces, and the other is to prepare for the establishment of an investment promotion bureau."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Did they do it together?"

Su Yi said: "Yes."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "This matter is very important, right?"

Of course it is important. Among Su Yi's four new policies, the Investment Promotion Bureau is a separate major policy.

"Since it is very important, why not do it alone, why should it be combined with the dismantling of the Eight Banners Army?" Empress Dowager Ci'an said.

Su Yi said: "Because he is very important, so he should be understated."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Because of the flag affairs reform, the atmosphere in the entire capital is so strange and unpredictable, and you have to leave the capital at this time."

……………………

This beautiful little queen mother is relatively simple and does not understand the complexity inside.

In fact, Su Yi is now facing two battlefields, one in the south and one in the north.

The center of the northern battlefield is in the capital.

His enemies are the nobles of the Eight Banners, princes and ministers.

The enemy in the south is the Hunan Army.

Now the battlefield in the north is in a stalemate. Su Yi beheaded more than a thousand Eight Banners rogues who came to go on a hunger strike to petition. The other party's offensive method was Prince Hui Mianyu's resignation.

It's nothing for him to resign alone, but it may just be the beginning.

Next, the struggle will definitely escalate.

Su Ye temporarily left the capital to deal with the enemy in the south.

If the Hunan Army is not dealt with, the comprehensive Westernization Movement cannot be launched.

Su Ye's behavior is very unwise in the eyes of everyone else. You haven't dealt with the struggle in the north, and you go to the south to provoke a struggle?

Shouldn't you deal with one enemy first, and then deal with the other?

You alone want to start two struggles?

How foolish? Aren't you afraid that the two enemies in the north and the south will join forces?

Empress Dowager Cixi suddenly said: "Mian Yu resigned, who do you think should be allowed to enter the Political Affairs Hall? Zaiyuan, or Yihuan?"

Su Ye said: "What do you think, Queen Dowager?"

Empress Dowager Cixi said: "It's still the Seventh Master."

The Seventh Master she mentioned is the seventh brother of Emperor Xianfeng, Prince Chun Yihuan.

This Seventh Master had been in charge of the central government for a long time in history, which was considered to be quite normal. In addition, he had another identity, the husband of Cixi's sister and the biological father of Emperor Guangxu.

Su Ye shook his head and said, "No."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said, "Why not?"

Su Ye said, "Because he won't accept it."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said, "Why?"

Su Ye said, "Because of the banner reform, the entire Eight Banners nobles, princes and ministers are isolating me and are unwilling to associate with me. Yihuan is no exception. If we let him enter the Political Affairs Hall at this time, and then he refuses at the beginning, we will only humiliate ourselves."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said, "Is it that serious?"

This little empress dowager was simple and naive, and she hadn't tasted the taste yet.

After Su Ye decided to implement the banner reform, he and the Eight Banners nobles were already fighting to the death.

He had to do his best to suppress all the Eight Banners nobles, make them obey, and implement the banner reform.

And the Eight Banners nobles, princes and ministers had to do everything they could to drive Su Ye out of the central government.

But now Su Ye controls the army, and Senggelinqin is on Su Ye's side, so the Eight Banners ministers have lost the possibility of a military solution.

They have only two choices, either to completely follow the political struggle route.

Or to find another way and follow the military struggle route.

But they have no army, and the Hunan Army has an army, so the two sides may merge.

And Su Ye's Merchants' Association, on the surface, wants to recruit the Hunan Army, but in fact it is sharpening its knives.

…………………………

Prince Yi's Mansion.

Su Ye's core members are discussing matters.

Chen Yucheng, Li Xiucheng, and Lin Qirong have left the capital and headed for Tianjin.

The situation is hot, and the second batch of six new divisions of the Imperial Army were originally required to wait until the local Eight Banners were disbanded and new soldiers were recruited.

But it is obviously impossible, and the recruitment of soldiers from the people has begun for some time.

The selection of elite forces from the Taiping Army and the Nian Army to join the new imperial army has been completed.

In the past one or two months, 20,000 people have been selected from the civilians, 6,000 people have been selected from the Mongolian cavalry, and 30,000 people have been selected from the Taiping Army and the Nian Army.

A total of 56,000 people have entered the Tianjin Military Station for training.

After the local Eight Banners are abolished, 24,000 people will be recruited and then enter the Tianjin Military Station.

This action is actually a bit risky. After all, the Taiping Army and the Nian Army are rebels. Recruiting 30,000 people at once is more than half of the patrolling new army.

If there is a rebellion in the military station, the consequences will be disastrous.

Therefore, half of Su Ye's first division, Ronglu's third division, Senggelinqin's fourth division, as well as the fifth and sixth divisions are all in Tianjin at this time.

But next, several army ministers will take away part of the army and go to various places to abolish the local Eight Banners, so that if there is any chaos, they can suppress it at any time.

Therefore, Li Xiucheng, Chen Yucheng, Lin Qirong, Zhang Zongyu, Lai Wenguang, Chen Decai and other high-ranking Taiping and Nian Army leaders all went to Tianjin Military Station to learn and suppress the 30,000 new troops in training.

"What do you think their next attack will be?" Su Ye asked.

Zuo Zongtang said: "According to my thinking, this group of Eight Banners princes will probably have two directions next."

"The first direction is that all the banner ministers will resign, so that the entire court center will stop working, forcing the empress dowager to make a choice, either let you step down or the court will stop working."

"The second direction is military struggle, the north and the south will merge. Banner ministers and Hunan Army, as well as other local warlords will merge. Taking advantage of the chaos in the northwest and the Russian invasion of the south, use military means to force the prince to step down."

"According to the current action of Mian Yu's resignation, they may first adopt the first option, such as This will launch an unprecedented moral attack on us. "

"As for their first attack, I think there are two points to note. One is the resignation of the chief minister, Prince Gong Yi. The other is that Zaiyuan and Weiren, who were recommended by you to serve as ministers of banner reform, could not bear the huge pressure and resigned. "

"No matter which of these two things happened, it means that the contradiction has been completely intensified and irreversible. "

"Lin Shaozhang said: "I agree with Mr. Ji Gao's analysis, but I still want to add one point, that is, the weakness and compromise of the banner people. "

"After Mianyu resigns, they will pause and wait for your move, Mr. Su. Because deep down in their hearts, they want you to take a step back and then negotiate on the reform of flag affairs. If you take a step back, they will take a step back. , so as to find a solution acceptable to both parties and carry out flag affairs reform.”

Zuo Zongtang said: "But this kind of reform is definitely changing the soup without changing the medicine, and it is meaningless."

Lin Shaozhang said: "So, tomorrow's meeting is very important. Everyone will be waiting for your next step, Prime Minister Su, to see how you will take action."

Su Yi said slowly: "If I pack the Eight Banners nobles and the Hunan Army together and carry out a complete solution, will it be too risky?"

Suddenly, several people looked at Su Yi in surprise.

Lin Shaozhang said tremblingly: "It's a risk, but... it's also very thorough."

But this hand was somewhat familiar to Zuo Zongtang.

It seemed like it was still Su Yi's leek tactics.

Initiate a huge reform, draw out the opponents, and then use military means to completely solve it.

Cut off all the heads of the opponents.

Eliminate all potential local military forces.

Thoroughly implement the New Deal and consolidate power.

……………………

Meeting the next day!

The minister of political affairs, Prince Hui Mianyu, formally resigned in the court.

Empress Dowager Ci'an approved it and did not fill the vacancy in the political hall, so the six political ministers became five.

This in itself has caused unrest.

Everyone was waiting to see what Su Yi would do next.

Su Yi came out.

The eyes of all the civil and military ministers fell on him again.

"Reporting to the Queen Mother, I have my own foundation."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Say."

Su Yi said: "I want to go to Nanjing in person to preside over the dismantling of the Eight Banners Army in the southeastern provinces."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "The center cannot do without you. Can't we ask others to handle this matter?"

Su Yi said: "In addition, I also want to hold the China Merchants Conference."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "The China Merchants Conference is to raise funds for the next comprehensive Westernization, right? You said you want to raise 50 million taels?"

Su Yi said: "Yes, I want to raise 50 million taels from private capital to start the next batch of Westernization-related projects."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "At that time, your investment conference in Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone had been warmed up for several years before it became a great success. And this investment conference is going to raise 50 million taels. Is it necessary? Longer warm-up? When do you want it to take place?”

Su Yi said: "August 17th!"

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "So urgent?"

Su Yi said: "Yes, because the abolition of the local Eight Banners also needs to be carried out at that time."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "It is true that the Central Committee cannot do without you for a day, but disarmament and investment promotion are indeed very important. Among the four new policies, two of them are included in it. It is not easy for me to stop you."

Su Yi said: "I accept the order and thank you for your kindness."

……………………

The princes and ministers of the Eight Banners were all waiting for Su Yi to make a move, but when Su Yi made this move, many people couldn't understand it.

At this critical moment, you, Su Yi, are leaving Beijing?

What's the meaning?

Is this a compromise?

In the palace of Prince Hui, Yi and Baojun were present.

Sushun, Duanhua, and Zai Ling were the opponents in the previous wave, after they moved their heads.

A new wave of Eight Banners princes appeared again.

This can be regarded as a tacit understanding.

Someone has to stand up, otherwise Su Yi will really destroy the entire Eight Banners foundation? Did we usurp the Qing Dynasty?

However, these Eight Banners princes also have a compromising and weak character.

If they don't stand up and fight, Su Yi's moves will become more ruthless, and it won't take a few years to completely dig out the foundation of the Eight Banners.

However, we cannot openly confront them head-on.

Baojun thought for a while and said: "According to the official's guess, Su Yi's move is to completely prevent the north-south merger."

Mian Yu said, "Please elaborate."

Bao Jun said: "Su Yi wants to implement the reform of flag affairs, and almost all the princes and nobles of the Eight Banners are his enemies. But now Seng Gelinqin supports him, Ronglu does not say a word, and Jingshou does not move, so we have already There is no army. The only one who has an army now is the Hunan Army.”

"In the north, we are Su Yi's political opponents, but we work hard to maintain the fight without breaking up."

"In the south, the Hunan Army was Su Yi's enemy, but they also tried hard to maintain a fight without defeat."

"For Su Yi, the most unfavorable situation is the merger of the north and the south. We and the Hunan Army are completely united."

"So, this investment promotion conference may be Su Yi's recruitment of the Hunan Army."

"In the past ten years, the Hunan Army's military expenditures have not relied on government appropriations, nor on rates from several provinces. They have mainly relied on local leasing bureaus. To put it bluntly, they are taxes paid by merchants. Therefore, there is a very powerful group of businessmen behind the Hunan Army. strength."

"Su Yi's next batch of Westernization Movement will launch more than a dozen large-scale projects. He wants to lead this batch of Westernization on behalf of the central government and attract some foreigners to become shareholders, while the other part wants to attract the Hunan Army to become shareholders."

"He wants to use huge benefits to bribe the Hunan Army in exchange for the Hunan Army cutting off the possibility of cooperation with us."

"So, rather than saying this is an investment promotion conference, it is better to say that this is a security recruitment conference for the Hunan Army."

Prince Gong nodded and said, "That makes sense."

Mian Yu also nodded and said, "That makes sense."

Baojun said: "So, if we want to prevent Su Yi from recruiting the Hunan Army and merge the north and the south, we need to quickly send envoys to see Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang and others."

Yidao: "What can we give them?"

Baojun said: "Let them continue to maintain the Hunan Army, and let them independently pursue Westernization."

Yidao: "You mean, handing over the power of Westernization to their hands?"

Baojun said: "Yes."

This sounds amazing, isn't it taking the initiative to hand over power to the Han people?

But historically, this is what the central government of the Qing Dynasty did, letting local governors engage in Westernization. Then the central government gradually lost control of several southern provinces.

And in this world now, they have even more reason to do so.

Yidao: "That's it, let's go."

Then, the capital immediately sent envoys south to meet with the Hunan army bosses.

……………………

A few days later!

Suzhou.

Several giants of the Hunan Army are having a secret meeting.

Because the next choice is completely related to the fate of the Hunan Army.

Su Yi did not send any envoys over, but directly announced in the court that he would go south to preside over the local Eight Banners disarmament in the southeastern provinces and open an investment conference.

"Su Yi is still so domineering and completely arrogant." Zeng Guoquan said angrily: "He said he was going to hold an investment conference, so he held it without any prior discussion. He just asked us to arrange for business representatives to participate."

"What does this mean? Just tell us directly to surrender immediately!"

Zeng Guofan completely hated Su Yi's domineering style.

He does whatever he wants, regardless of other people's opinions.

Li Xubin said: "The last time we attacked Tianjing, we almost succeeded. As a result, Chen Yucheng faked a surrender, which caused us heavy casualties. In the end, we failed. Su Yi directly reached out to pick the fruits of victory, and the entire rebellion surrendered to him."

"Su Yi and I are friends, but I can't live with this deep hatred."

Li Xubin and Luo Zenan led 50,000 people into Chaoyang Gate to surrender. As a result, Luo Zenan died tragically, Li Xubin broke two legs, and almost all 50,000 people were destroyed.

Zeng Guofan said nothing.

Su Yi is domineering, but he has always had a perfect record. Being an enemy of him is really stressful.

Zeng Guofan said: "The imperial court sent people over to say that if we are willing to cooperate with them, we will drive Su Yi out of power. Our Hunan Army will continue to maintain its independence and hand over the power of Westernization to us."

Zeng Guoquan said: "The foreigners also fully support us. Su Yi's Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone is first and foremost, and we can definitely copy it. On the British side, Su Yi has political opponents. Wade is vying for the position of Minister of China. , the forces behind him have sufficient capital and technology, and the Americans can also support us in setting up factories and carrying out the Westernization Movement. "

Li Hongzhang said: "Su Yi's biggest supporter in the UK is the Queen's husband, Prince Albert. From his standpoint, he may not necessarily want to see Su Yi's family become the dominant one. We started another batch of Westernization Movements, and they Probably also happy to see success.”

Zeng Guofan was silent for a while and said: "But this is our last choice."

"This choice will completely determine the fate of the Hunan Army and the fate of all of us."

"This is the last chance Su Yi gives us. We can either attend the China Merchants Conference and board his warship, or we can become completely enemies."

Li Hongzhang said: "In exchange for huge benefits, we will give up the entire Hunan Army and give up control of several southern provinces."

Zeng Guofan said: "Yes, it is a quarter of the shares of Future Westernization."

This decision is too difficult.

Zeng Guofan absolutely did not want to agree. This was tantamount to completely surrendering to Su Yi.

Give up power in several provinces and hundreds of thousands of troops?

Who can let it go?

But, let him and Su Yi completely become enemies and fight each other?

This determination is difficult to make.

Therefore, today's secret meeting still has no result.

…………………………

That evening, Zeng Guoquan came to see Zeng Guofan.

"Brother, don't forget the Battle of Chibi." Zeng Guoquan said: "Everyone else can surrender to Cao Cao, but Sun Quan cannot surrender."

"Su Yi has said time and again in Beijing that the members of the China Merchants Bureau will be the future Minister of Foreign Affairs. He takes the lead, followed by Shen Baozhen and Li Hongzhang."

"Your name Zeng Guofan is not included here." Zeng Guoquan said: "So, Li Hongzhang can surrender to Su Yi because there is his place there, but there is no place for you, and there is no place for me."

Zeng Guofan said: "The fact that he named Li Hongzhang was probably a simple plan to alienate him."

Zeng Guoquan said: "Who knows if it's false or true?"

Zeng Guofan said: "But going to war with Su Yi is really scary."

Zeng Guoquan said: "Not necessarily, brother. Because the next situation is unprecedented, Su Yi may not be able to mobilize many troops to deal with us, and even the situation he faces is stretched. I still say that everyone else can surrender, except You alone cannot surrender!”

"Also, I think the elder brother should pay attention to Li Hongzhang."

Zeng Guofan said: "Without our system, even if Li Hongzhang wants to vote, it won't make much sense."

………………

An hour later, Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang had a secret conversation.

"Shao Quan, Su Yi has a keen eye for talents. He has taken the initiative to say that the investment company has your name and is eager for talents." Zeng Guofan said: "Now that he is in charge of the center, if you come over, you can show off your talents. My teacher will only be happy for you."

Li Hongzhang said: "Teacher, you offended Su Yi very much, so why didn't I? Especially when Chen Yucheng and Shi Dakai led their troops to attack Suzhou, Changzhou, Danyang and other places, I took the initiative to retreat to Songjiang Prefecture. This was the biggest stimulation to him. Then, as soon as he went south to attack Hangzhou, I sent troops to attack Suzhou and cut off his great achievements. This was a stab at his most vulnerable place. His hatred for me in his heart is no less than yours. "

"So his public solicitation of me was just a superficial plan to alienate me."

Zeng Guofan said: "Whether it is a divorce plan or not, as long as you are willing to throw yourself over, he still has some tolerance for others."

Li Hongzhang said: "I still say what I said, I follow the teacher's lead and I completely obey the interests of the Hunan Army."

"If the teacher decides to fight Su Yi to the end, then we will fight to the end."

Zeng Guofan sighed: "This decision is not easy to make, not easy to make!"

Li Hongzhang said: "No matter what, we have to make a decision. Su Yi is coming on August 17th, and time waits for no one."

Zeng Guofan said: "Yes, there must be a decision."

Surrender or fight?

…………………………

Note: It’s 11:30 today, so we can’t do this again. I will first set a goal for myself and update it before 11 o'clock tomorrow to avoid procrastination.

My benefactor, I...can I still ask for a monthly ticket? Let me bow to you all in advance!