Usurping the Qing Dynasty: My first love was Cixi

Chapter 280 Return to the capital! Great victory

Next, all the gates of Wuchang City slowly opened.

The remaining 70,000 troops all knelt down to surrender and laid down all their weapons.

At this point, the power of the Hunan Army, which had dominated China for more than ten years, came to an end.

Su Ye's more than 30,000 troops entered Wuchang City in neat steps.

……………………

"Sir Peng, my father means to burn it directly." Zeng Jize said.

Peng Yulin said: "Then burn it."

Someone next to him asked: "Then, do you want to invite the prince to watch the general being cremated?"

"No!" Peng Yulin said angrily: "The prince can come at the last moment, which is the greatest respect for the general. The rest should not be wishful thinking. Don't forget that we are rebels and we have publicly announced the punitive manifesto."

Next, after Zeng Guofan's body was collected, Zeng Jize personally burned it with fire.

Finally, after all the flames were extinguished, Peng Yulin and Zeng Jize stepped forward, swept the ashes bit by bit, and carefully put them into the jar.

Finally, Zeng Jize couldn't help crying.

Peng Yulin said: "My dear nephew, what are your plans?"

Zeng Jize said: "I plan to keep the urn with me all the time, until I wash away the shame of the Zeng family, and then bury my father in the ancestral tomb."

Peng Yulin didn't say anything, and patted the other's shoulder gently.

……………………

Next, the acceptance of the surrender was proceeding in an orderly manner.

The governor of Huguang, Sai Shang'a, presided over the entire acceptance of the surrender, which was undoubtedly a very trivial task.

And all the surrendered generals of the Hunan Army were waiting.

The heart was full of uneasiness and expectation.

Zeng Guofan finally waited for Su Ye, and then committed suicide in front of him.

The fate of many people next depends on whether Su Ye will meet them in the end.

In the former governor's mansion, Su Ye was reviewing official documents.

Thick official documents, countless every day.

These are just the official documents from Jiujiang. Many official documents from the court, unless they are very important, will not be delivered to him.

Confidential secretary Fu Shanxiang, wearing a dignified uniform.

Handed over the last one.

Su Ye took a look and found that it was from his wife Princess Shouxi.

When did a husband and wife need to use official documents to convey?

Opening it, Princess Shouxi said that Yehenara wanted to meet her and asked Su Ye if he would allow it.

Su Ye grinned slightly and wrote on it helplessly: approved.

He felt it was too serious and drew a heart on the side.

Fu Shanxiang next to him saw it and couldn't help laughing.

"Yuanyuan, can you find a successor?" Su Ye asked.

Because Fu Shanxiang was a female champion, Su Ye gave her a nickname.

"I can't find it." Fu Shanxiang said, "What's the matter? Didn't I do a good job?"

Su Ye said, "No, everyone has children, don't you want one?"

Fu Shanxiang said, "I want one, but... I can't bear to give up this job."

Su Ye said, "Then, let Zhenzhen work hard for a while and replace you for a while."

Fu Shanxiang said, "Stupid Shang'er, if she was smarter, I wouldn't have to work so hard..."

Although she said so, her words were still full of pampering.

Lin Shang'er is the group's favorite.

Then, watching Su Ye finish reviewing the official documents, Fu Shanxiang came forward and gently sat on Su Ye's legs, leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"It's quite touching to see a figure like Zeng Guofan die like this." She whispered with her face against Su Ye's chest.

Su Ye said: "People always think about another fork in the road. What would happen if they chose to take another road back then? Especially that road may lead to the dark abyss, which makes people feel even more scared."

"Yeah." Fu Shanxiang seemed to think of herself, and didn't say anything, just drew a heart with her finger on Su Ye's heart.

"Okay, I should meet those people." Su Ye patted her round buttocks.

Fu Shanxiang got up reluctantly, kissed Su Ye on the lips again, and then left with the documents.

Pushed the door open and walked out.

Outside the yard, Zhao Liewen looked down, bowed and said: "Meet the lady."

Fu Shanxiang said: "Mr. Zhao, the prince invites you in."

"Yes."

Then, Zhao Liewen entered the study.

"Student, I pay my respects to the prince."

Su Ye stepped forward to support him and said, "Last time in Jiujiang, I came and went in a hurry and didn't have time to say a few more words."

"You are temporarily transferred to the General Staff this time. I have three ideas about your next destination. Choose one."

"The first place, you continue to stay in the General Staff of the Army Ministry."

"The second place, you go to the Army Academy to study first, and then if you pass the assessment, you will stay in the Army Academy to teach."

"The third place, after entering my shogunate for a few years, you will be sent to a prefecture."

Zhao Liewen said, "Student chooses the third one."

Su Ye said, "Okay, then you will start to serve as my staff now."

Zhao Liewen said, "Yes."

Then, a list of dozens of people was placed in front of Su Ye.

All of them were senior generals and senior officials of the Hunan Army.

Who to meet and who not to meet.

"Let Peng Yulin come in." Su Ye said.

"Yes." Zhao Liewen.

After a while, Peng Yulin came in and knelt down on his knees and said, "The sinner Peng Yulin, pays his respects to the prince."

Su Ye looked at this person for a long time and asked: "Peng Yulin, the Hunan Army will have more than 100,000 prisoners next. How do you think we should deal with them? Should we incorporate them into the new army?"

"No." Peng Yulin said: "The prince once gave grace to let the Hunan Army train three divisions and gave three division commanders. But the Hunan Army did not accept this great grace and still rebelled, so they must be severely punished and must not be incorporated into the new army."

Su Ye said: "Then how do you think we should deal with it?"

Peng Yulin said: "The most fierce, greedy, and bloodthirsty Hunan Army have died in battle."

After more than ten years of fighting, many Hunan Army soldiers have become brutal and hard to change their nature.

In history, the Qing court spent a lot of effort on this army, but mutinies, riots, and even murders of superiors still happened.

Therefore, before his death, Zeng Guofan not only took away Li Xubin and Zeng Guoquan and other senior generals who were strongly hostile to Su Ye, but also took away the most fierce and brutal group of people in the Hunan Army.

Peng Yulin said: "These hundreds of thousands of people have certain military qualities, and they are used to being arrogant. They are not as hard-working as the Taiping Army. If they are sent to factories and mines, I am afraid they will be restless again. So all of them are sent to the outside of the pass to settle and cultivate, just like the Taiping Army prisoners. And even officers at the level of company commanders are retired veterans and disabled veterans of the new army. These people are fully controlled and half-farmers and half-soldiers."

"It is not easy to send these people back to the countryside, otherwise they will become village tyrants and hooligans."

Su Ye nodded, but did not respond directly.

"Do you have any ideas about your own place to go?" Su Ye asked.

Peng Yulin said: "I want to go back to my hometown to teach."

Su Ye was silent for a while.

When Peng Yulin said this, it was a bit difficult to say it. It was not that he was unwilling, but because he had no fame.

So, he explained: "I have no fame, and I am not well educated, but I have a certain amount of money and a certain amount of connections, so I want to open a college, and from now on, I will teach and educate people."

This is the path Zeng Guofan designated for him.

Cultivate reputation, in the opposition.

Make friends with scholars and celebrities all over the world, and work hard for Su Ye's future path of persuading him to ascend the throne.

Lay the way for public opinion.

However, Peng Yulin couldn't make it so clear.

Su Ye thought for a while, shook his head and said: "You, you should go to the Navy Office."

"Demoted to the seventh rank, walk in the Navy Office."

This person is the founder of the Hunan Navy. In history, he served as the Governor-General of Liangjiang and the Minister of Commerce in Nanyang. It's better not to waste his talent.

Peng Yulin was slightly stunned, then... what about the task Zeng Guofan gave him?

Su Ye said: "I know Zeng Guofan probably said some nonsense to you, wanting to gain the credit of following the emperor, etc."

"He thinks too much."

Su Ye said: "I really didn't want to see him for the last time, but I came anyway because he was more cooperative than confrontational during the Seven Provinces Alliance."

"This person seems to be decisive in doing things, but in fact..."

"Forget it, don't learn from him anyway."

Peng Yulin bowed and said: "I thank the prince for his grace."

Then he withdrew.

Then Su Ye said: "Let Zeng Jize come in."

After a while, Zeng Guofan's son Zeng Jize came in and knelt down and said: "Student, I pay my respects to the prince."

Su Ye said: "You, enter the Imperial Army Academy to study. Of course, I'm not asking you to join the army. There are many courses there, so go and broaden your horizons."

"Let's talk about the future later."

Zeng Jize kowtowed and said: "Thank you for your grace, prince."

The next person to come in was Luo Bingzhang.

Su Ye was polite to Peng Yulin and Zeng Jize, but he was very rude to Luo Bingzhang.

"What are you doing? What are you doing?" Su Ye roared: "When Zeng Guofan and others decided to go all the way, you disagreed in your heart, and Peng Yulin disagreed in his heart. But Peng Yulin couldn't object, so can't you, Luo Bingzhang, object too?"

"You are the most senior in the Hunan Army faction, why don't you say anything?"

Luo Bingzhang kowtowed and said: "I am guilty, I am guilty."

"You are guilty." Su Ye said angrily: "Didn't Zuo Zongtang write to you? How many letters did he write to you? You obeyed him before, why didn't you listen to him this time?"

Luo Bingzhang was sweating profusely, and continued to kowtow: "I am... guilty."

Su Ye said: "You are not young anymore, so don't be an official, and I will give you a decent retirement."

"Yes, the old minister thanks the prince for his grace."

Su Ye said: "But don't be too idle, go to Jiujiang to live for a year or two, see more, and communicate more."

"You The Hunan Army has accumulated a lot of money, and I will collect part of it from the national treasury. Now the court is also very poor. But I will leave a part for you, and you can go back to Hunan to run a school. "

"But remember, this school is not as messy as Zeng Guofan thought. We need to run a new-style school to train talents for the subsequent comprehensive Westernization Movement."

"When the Westernization Movement is fully launched in the future, there will still be not enough talents in Jiujiang, and we will have to rely on new-style schools."

Luo Bingzhang kowtowed and said, "I will definitely do the job given by the prince."

Su Ye's voice softened a little and said, "You are old, so you should be calmer and don't be too happy or sad. But you still have to keep things in mind, keep your ambitions, and still think about doing big things. Education is the foundation of a century-long plan. Once you feel a little uncomfortable, send someone to Jiujiang and let the doctor there see you. You have a long-lived appearance, so you can share the country's worries for a few more years. "

Finally, Luo Bingzhang couldn't help crying and said, "I... I thank the prince for his kindness."

Su Ye stepped forward and stretched out his hand to help him up.

"Zhao Liewen, help me see Lord Luo off."

"Yes."

Then, Zhao Liewen helped Luo Bingzhang out of the Governor's Mansion.

When they walked to a place where no one could see him, Luo Bingzhang couldn't help crying anymore.

Unexpectedly, Su Ye gave him this job in the end.

Education is the foundation of a century-long plan.

How important is it?

How noble is it?

Although Su Ye didn't say it verbally, the amount of money allocated to him must be quite a lot.

Especially the sentence, keep things in mind and keep ambitions, what a good intention.

It's really a thunderbolt method, a bodhisattva's heart, and a mind that hasn't been seen in a century.

Next, look at the next name on the list.

Li Hongzhang.

Su Ye frowned greatly, almost unable to resist picking up a pen and directly drawing a big cross on it.

He took a long breath and said, "Let Li Hongzhang in."

After a while, Li Hongzhang entered and knelt on the ground.

"I, your humble servant, see the prince."

Su Ye said, "Li Hongzhang, what do you plan to do next?"

Li Hongzhang said, "I, your humble servant, will obey any grace from the prince."

Su Ye said, "I want you to say it yourself."

This tone revealed displeasure. After hearing this, Li Hongzhang's heart twitched and his back felt cold.

"You, your humble servant, are willing to return to their hometown to teach."

Su Ye said, "You can't teach."

Although Li Hongzhang was a dignified Jinshi, Su Ye said that he couldn't teach.

Li Hongzhang clearly felt that Su Ye's patience was about to run out, and cold sweat broke out all over his body.

After a while, he kowtowed and said, "You, your humble servant, are willing to go to the outside of the pass to lead people to settle and cultivate, and start from the beginning."

Su Ye nodded and said, "Okay!"

Li Hongzhang kowtowed and said, "You, your humble servant, take your leave."

Next, it was Li Hongzhang.

This person is of average talent in all aspects, barely OK.

He also makes money, but his eating manners are OK.

But Su Ye's patience with them is almost exhausted, and he just said a few words casually.

Dismissal, dismissal.

But your fame will be kept, and you have no hope for your official career.

You can decide which path to take.

After Li Hanzhang returned to the house, he faced Li Hongzhang with red eyes.

Li Hongzhang said: "Your Highness, your dislike for me is clearly visible."

Li Hanzhang said: "Although your Highness dislikes you, but... at least he still values ​​your talent and is willing to give you a chance to start over. He completely ignored me."

"This, this is what to do, what to do?"

Su Ye is so young, he will rule the world for decades in the future. After being ignored by him, his official career is completely hopeless.

Now Su Ye is in short supply of talents around him, he doesn't even look down on Li Hanzhang, let alone in the future?

Li Hongzhang said: "Did the prince say to confiscate our family's money?"

Li Hongzhang said: "That's not the case."

Li Hongzhang said: "Brother, go do business. We will launch the Westernization Movement next, and there are many ways. You go to Jiujiang for a while, take a good look, learn well, and find a way to do business."

"I heard that high-end residential buildings in Jiujiang will be sold soon. Brother, go buy one, don't worry about anything, just live in Jiujiang for a year or two, and look for opportunities."

Li Hongzhang said: "It's the only way."

Li Hongzhang sighed and said, "We should not be greedy for more. Ordinary people who rebelled would have been killed long ago. The prince... has been tolerant."

"Look at the northwest. Many century-old families have been killed and exterminated."

"Although the prince is tired of us,... in the final analysis, he regards us as half of his own people."

…………………………

Next, the 1st Division, the 9th Division, and the 10th Division will take a short rest and then immediately assemble northward to the battlefield in Heilongjiang.

With the end of the Battle of Wuchang, astronomical amounts of capital poured into Jiujiang.

Although a few of the surviving senior officials of the Hunan Army still got jobs, most of them were exempted from their jobs, but most of the money accumulated over the past ten years was still saved.

Su Ye confiscated a large part of the public property of the Hunan Army and allocated more than one million taels of silver to Luo Bingzhang, who deposited them in the Jiangnan Silver Bank to run a new school.

Luo Bingzhang has no other abilities, but he is first-rate in integrity.

This group of people who were dismissed from their official positions and lost their jobs all went to Jiujiang to buy properties and look for opportunities.

In their view, the place closest to power and money at this time may not be the capital, but Jiujiang.

Therefore, this batch of luxury houses opened in Jiujiang were almost completely snapped up.

Many people even increased the price by 50% after buying them and sold them immediately.

We may have no way out in the officialdom, but the whole country will start the Westernization Movement next, which requires a lot of private capital. We just invest the money in it and graft it onto Su Ye's power tree in another way.

It's really ridiculous. Su Ye gave such generous conditions at that time, but they didn't agree.

Now they are scrambling to get leftovers.

But... even so, they are still first-rate smart people.

They can still seize opportunities better than most people. Perhaps in another ten or twenty years, many of them will rise again and become industrial tycoons.

And Su Ye would not stop these people from making progress.

Princess Shouxi received Su Yi's reply and saw that it said "Sight" and a heart was drawn on it.

She couldn't help but pout her lips and kissed the heart.

"Our prince is really a close person." Mammy said: "The only person with such a temperament among our ancestors is probably Emperor Sejong, but our prince is much more open-minded and capable than Emperor Sejong. Much more handsome."

This nanny, who teaches ethics, also comes from a wealthy family and has read many books.

But after saying this, his face suddenly turned pale, feeling that he had made a taboo statement.

Because, how could she compare Su Yi to Emperor Shizong?

But Princess Shouxi did not blame her and smiled at the Etiquette Aunt.

Seeing the baby girl in the cradle looking at her with wide eyes, Princess Shouxi began to hesitate whether to hold her daughter to see Yehenala.

"It's better not to carry her, so as not to be remembered by others." Aunt Etiquette knew clearly that she shouldn't be the master of the princess.

However, she couldn't help it.

Because she had grown up watching the princess, she acted like a master and servant on the surface, but in fact she treated her like her biological daughter.

She doesn't care about Aixinjueluo and the like. She just wants Princess Shouxi to be happy and luxurious.

Although she was born in Baoyi, she didn't think the Qing Dynasty was that good.

……………………

"Meet the Queen Mother." Princess Shouxi bowed sideways.

When the two met, they were both slightly shocked.

Because Yehenala wore the clothes of the Empress Dowager and looked serious.

What Princess Shouxi wore was not the clothes of Prince Fujin, nor the clothes of Princess Heshuo, but a special princess dress specially made for her by the Royal Clothing Bureau.

Luxurious and simple.

Moreover, it is actually embroidered with a golden dragon.

Both sides were a little surprised by the other's attire.

Yehenala reacted quickly and said: "Sixth sister, your dress is so beautiful. What are the eyes on the dragon?"

Princess Shouxi said: "Ruby."

Yehenara stepped forward and said: "This embroidery work is really good, no less than Jiangnan weaving."

Princess Shouxi sat down and couldn't help but frown.

This is a manor villa by the river, specially designed by Su Yi (actually not, it's a design drawing of a prostitute)

This manor is almost the best in Jiujiang. It is full of infinite design and even breaks the boundaries between Chinese and Western aesthetics.

The lines and tones inside are all carefully designed.

Neither Su Yi nor his wife moved in, but gave the manor villa to the Yehenala family.

Originally, Yehenala also wore clothes full of design here, which were comfortable and beautiful.

But today, she was wearing the clothes of the empress dowager, and An Dehai was also wearing the eunuch's service outside, and even the palace maids such as Zhu Sanniang were wearing the clothes of the palace.

As a result, it is incompatible with this villa.

"Why don't you bring the baby?" Yehenala asked.

Princess Shouxi said: "I'm afraid of making trouble."

When she came in, she didn't see Yehenala's daughter.

The baby girl has been taken to Tong Jia's family, and is temporarily registered under Bai Feifei's name.

Princess Shouxi felt that her nanny was smart at this time.

If Yehenala is willing to open her heart, it will be a meeting between sisters, and she will let the two babies play together openly. After all, they are biological sisters.

But the Queen Mother was hiding it, even if it was no longer a secret at this time, she didn't want to reveal it in front of Princess Shouxi.

"I heard that the Queen Mother is returning to Beijing?" Princess Shouxi asked.

Yehenala said: "Yes, I have stayed in the southern tour for so long. If I don't go back, Zai Chun will be in trouble. It's not like you don't know the temperament of the man in the east."

Princess Shouxi smiled.

Then Andehai brought tea.

Yehenala said: "Sixth sister, aren't you going back to Beijing?"

Princess Shouxi said: "Hello Jiujiang, I don't want to go back to Beijing."

Yehenala said: "Sixth sister, are you worried about the peace in the capital? Don't worry, after this battle, no one can threaten your safety anymore. It's too late to curry favor with your family."

Princess Shouxi smiled and said: "After living in Jiujiang for so many years, I'm afraid I won't be used to returning to the capital."

"Jiujiang is really good." Yehenala said: "I am also reluctant to leave, but I have no choice."

At this time, Andehai was still bending down to wait on the side.

Yehenala said: "Sixth sister, this is the Longjing tea in Qian Ming Dynasty, the best tea."

Princess Shouxi picked it up and covered it with her sleeves, as if she had taken a sip, but in fact her lips were not touching it.

She hated Andehay and was unwilling to drink the tea he served.

"Sixth sister, how about coming back to Beijing with me?" Yehenala said softly: "After you go back, you can help me in all aspects."

Princess Shouxi said: "It's inconvenient."

Yehenala said: "Are you worried that Su Yi won't agree? I'll go tell him and I'm sure he will agree."

Princess Shouxi said: "Your Majesty, I have a lot of things to do in Jiujiang and I can't leave."

After all, this princess will not give in to others.

He simply refused.

Moreover, the Queen Mother is the king at this time, and she is considered a minister.

As a result, she was not polite at all and refused directly.

Yehenala's expression changed slightly.

She wanted to say in her heart, as Aixinjueluo's daughter, if you don't go back to Beijing, what are you doing in Jiujiang?

After you return to Beijing, you can return to your original role and become Su Yi's Fujin.

And in Jiujiang, what do people keep calling you?

princess?

When did this dynasty have a princess?

Yehenala was very arrogant. After being rejected so harshly, she immediately said: "It will be three years since the death of the late emperor. Aren't you going back to Beijing? Lord Daoguang, the tomb of the late empress dowager is also here." Don’t you want to go to Dongling and Dingling too?”

After hearing this, Princess Shouxi felt even more uncomfortable.

On those days, I would naturally go to worship.

But what do you mean by morally suppressing me in these things?

However, she was afraid of being angry with Yehenala. At this time, when she saw Andehai standing sideways, she said irritably: "You slave, stay away from me."

After hearing this, Ande Hai's expression changed and he looked at the Queen Mother in fear.

Yehenala's expression also changed.

Unexpectedly, Princess Shouxi could not stand it so much that she immediately turned violent.

But Princess Shouxi also felt in her heart that no one here could make me angry.

My husband loves me and coaxes me, and my mother-in-law doesn’t even say a word about me, but why are you blaming me?

Then, Princess Shouxi discovered with slight panic.

What...what does my mentality prove?

Despise the Empress Dowager of the Qing Dynasty?

This...does he regard his husband as the supreme one?

So has I, the head wife, become domineering?

But she is Aixinjueluo's daughter.

However, in Jiujiang, it is subtle and even too easy to be influenced.

In this place, the court monarch almost does not exist, there is only one master.

That is Su Yi.

At this time, Zhu Sanniang brought two glasses of iced drinks and said, "Madam, Fujin, this is iced plum juice, have a taste."

Her face was soft, and her eyes looking at Princess Shouxi were full of respect and warmth.

Princess Shouxi asked: "Is it bayberry juice?"

Zhu Sanniang said: "Yes, bayberry juice, the freshest bayberry."

Yehenara also took the opportunity to put away his expression and said with a smile: "Then I should have a good taste."

Then, Princess Shouxi took it and drank it. It was sour and sweet, so delicious.

Then the two of them started talking and laughing, chatting about trivial matters, and no longer involved any serious matters.

After chatting for another half-quarter of an hour, Princess Shouxi left directly.

……………………

After returning home, Princess Shouxi picked up her baby daughter.

Look at her delicate little face and big dark eyes.

So cute and well-behaved.

She looks similar to her Ama Suyi.

Princess Shouxi's heart was complicated and she had never considered this issue before.

Does she want to be the princess, Fujin, or Princess Heshuo?

What should we do if that day really comes in the future?

"Why are you thinking so much?" Princess Shouxi said, "The moment my brother married me to Su Yi, he made it clear that I don't need to take on any mission."

"I am your husband's wife, I am your fourth sister's sister, and I am your precious Enie."

"My heart is too small to hide such big things."

"That's right, baby."

"Oh, right."

"The baby thinks it's right too. Why is the baby so smart? Does he know what Enie is thinking?"

……………………

A few days later.

Chen Yucheng, Lai Wenguang, and Wang Tianyang led the army northward.

Yehenala took a luxurious ship and headed north along the canal back to Beijing.

Now, all the rebels in the south have been wiped out.

And with a powerful naval guard, the elite First Division no longer has to be dragged in Jiujiang.

The defense of Jiujiang was officially handed over to Wei Jun, the garrison commander.

The first general of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom finally assumed an important position.

Before leaving Jiujiang, Su Yi accompanied Princess Shouxi.

After all, she couldn't help it and complained harshly to Yehenala.

After being exhausted, his limbs were wrapped around Su Yi and he fell asleep.

This sleeping appearance is indeed inelegant.

The next day, Su Yi also officially headed north.

……………………

Beijing, Prince Hui's Mansion.

War report from the south, eight hundred miles away urgently.

Great victory in Anqing, great victory in Wuchang, unprecedented glorious victory.

Zeng Guofan committed suicide and the Hunan army was destroyed.

This great victory spread throughout the capital in the shortest possible time.

Prince Hui Mianyu returned to the palace in despair.

He looked at Bai Ling.

Another box was opened, and there was poison inside.

Pick one, damn it.

…………………………

Note: Ten thousand words will be updated tomorrow, thank you all, and long live my benefactor.