The Queen Mother didn't know the seriousness of the situation at all, so what "didn't matter"? What's so "a little troublesome"? Of course! This is...... Big trouble!

Ci'an's situation in the northwest is indeed "not very refreshing". Therefore, although Zuo Zongtang and Zhan Donglu clearly said that Taranqi's threat cannot be regarded as "empty words and intimidation", in Ci'an's subconscious, they still regard Taranqi's threat as "empty words and intimidation" - "Ili is no longer China's place", how is it possible?

In addition, Ci'an did not really understand the great significance of Ili to China, and was far less sensitive to the gains and losses of Ili than the four big military aircraft.

However, the expressions of the four great military machines were different, but Ci'an saw it, and she couldn't help but get nervous, and said, "What, is the matter very tricky?" ”

Wen Xiang and Cao Yuying, involuntarily, secretly glanced at each other.

At a glance, they all saw the worry on each other's faces, which was difficult to hide.

Things are indeed "very tricky", and in a hurry, the two of them still can't think of it, how should they deal with it? Therefore, it is unexpected and worrying.

Also, they are also hesitating, the situation is serious about this matter, should they tell the queen mother and the queen mother? Does it scare her? Enough of this day's wretchedness!

Strictly speaking, this is a "loss of honor", but it is also explained from one side: This matter is really "very tricky".

Ci'an's heart was raised: "If you have anything, just say anything, don't have any scruples!" Well, Zuo Zongtang and Zhan Donglu have a saying, which is very good - 'dare not be overwhelmed'. ”

The two words "don't dare" made the four big military planes weigh out: this is the court's discussion of politics, the gains and losses of a large territory, and even the fate of the country, which will be decided between the short meeting between the monarch and the ministers, therefore, we must comprehensively, truthfully, and objectively present the relevant situation in front of the monarch, and we must not only report the good news and not the bad news, otherwise, we will not be able to make a correct judgment, and it will be irresponsible to the country and the monarch.

"The queen mother and the queen mother taught me a lesson!" Wen Xiang and Cao Yuying said in unison, "The ministers don't dare to listen to it!" ”

"I don't mean to lecture anyone," said Tzu An, "I mean...... Uh, forget it, I mean, this Taranzi, so ...... Well, isn't it 'empty words and intimidation'? ”

"After returning to the queen mother," Wen Xiang said, "we have no evidence of Taranzi's collusion with Russia, but, as the saying goes, the dog jumps over the wall in a hurry, and Taranzi stoops to the rakshasa for his own selfishness, betrays the country to seek glory, and is a stone Jingjiao, which ...... It's not impossible. ”

Ci'an knew who "Shi Jingjiao" was, his heart was shocked, his face changed slightly, he pondered for a moment, and looked at the other three big military planes: "How many of you, what do you think?" ”

"After returning to the queen mother," Cao Yuying said, "the minister thinks that a slap will not make a sound, if Russia has always been in peace, even if Taranzi wants to be Shi Jingjiao, it is not enough to worry." However, the Queen Mother and the Queen Mother are very ambitious, and it is indeed as Zuo Zongtang and Zhan Donglu said, 'Peeking into my territory, not just one day'. ”

"The minister also takes Cao Yuying's words as true!" Xu Gengshen said, "And Ili has abundant water and grass, and the land is fertile, which is a rare anointed land in Xinjiang, which is coveted by the Rakshasa for a day." ”

Ci'an thought for a moment and said, "On the northwest border, didn't we sign a treaty with Russia?" Uh, that's ...... That's right, the year before last - the matter of the third year of Tongzhi, right? ”

After a pause, "It seems that that one time, the Rakshasa people made some cheap money, right?" How-"

At this point, there was a pause.

Although they didn't say it all, the four big military planes all knew what the Queen Mother was going to say next: Why, isn't it enough?

"After returning to the queen mother," Guo Songtao said loudly, "the desire is hard to fill!" Russia is a country, I don't know how the word 'full' is written! At the time of the Ming Dynasty, Russia was just a small principality, and for hundreds of years, it has become the world's largest country! However, there is still no food! To make an inappropriate analogy, Russia is like a gluttonous python that will not stop hunting if it does not hold out until it can't walk, or even breaks its belly! ”

Ci'an let out a soft "ah" and frowned slightly.

"Just this year," Guo Songtao continued, "Russia has set up a 'Turkestan Governor' and stepped up its annexation of Central Asian countries, and the mother country of Naguba, Kokand, has also been affected. The Queen Mother and the Queen Mother are clear, in private, Aguba and Russia hooked up with each other, but Russia invaded its mother country, but it was not merciless! Therefore, the minister thinks that Zuo Zongtang and Zhan Donglu are right, and they must be 'fully prepared'! ”

"Medium...... Second? ”

"After returning to the queen mother," Guo Songtao said, "it is what we call the 'Western Regions'." ”

Ci'an stayed for a moment, remembered something, and said, "Well, the number one country in the world is not ...... Anglia? Why do you say yes...... Russia? ”

Guo Songtao hurriedly said: "After returning to the queen mother, the queen mother is not refreshing!" England is indeed the 'first power in the world', and the 'world's largest power' is in terms of its own territory. England has a vast territory, more than Russia, but most of it is its overseas territory, called 'colonies', and its native territory, but the British Isles, and one of our provinces, is about the same size, which is far smaller than Russia. ”

"Oh......"

"The Empress Dowager after returning to the mother," Wen Xiang spoke, his voice was full of bitterness, "The treaty that the Empress Dowager said was called the "Sino-Russian Treaty on the Survey and Demarcation of the Northwest Boundary", at that time, the minister was in charge of the prime minister's national affairs yamen, and signing the treaty was also the responsibility of the minister, and the minister could not fight for the rights and interests of the country, so that he was worried about it, and he was worried to this day, and the minister ......."

Ci'an interrupted him: "You and the sixth master can't be blamed for this matter!" ”

After a pause, "What kind of 'covenant' is this, Guan Zhuofan explained it to our sisters, at that time, the whole of Xinjiang was reversed, we were tied hand and foot by twists, and we didn't care about Xinjiang's affairs at all!" The few remaining pieces of territory in the imperial court are all on the Gansu side - the east side, the northwest side, which is simply ...... Well, the whip is out of reach! The Rakshasa people smoked cold and took advantage of the weakness to enter! ”

After another pause, "Guan Zhuofan said, at that time, the Rakshasa people sent troops in, all the way to Ili, if we don't sign this, this, oh, 'China and Russia...... Survey and demarcation of the northwest boundary', I'm afraid, even Ili can't keep it! ”

Wen Xiang replied "yes" in a low voice, with mixed feelings in his heart: he never expected that in front of the Queen Mother of the Two Palaces, when he talked about the "Sino-Russian Survey and Demarcation of the Northwest Boundary", Guan Zhuofan not only did not take the opportunity to slander King Gong and himself, but defended King Gong and himself, and the reason was so transparent!

This is really to seek loyalty and public service!

How can the state be separated from such a person?

was fluctuating, and the queen mother said calmly: "I suffered losses in the past, and I was always inferior to others, but in the future, we will work together to make up for the losses we suffered before!" ”

After a slight pause, "A gentleman's revenge, ten years is not too late!" Now, it's just ...... The fourth year! ”

The four big military planes, all of them were full of blood and blood, and said in unison: "Yes, the ministers are respectfully receiving the edict!" ”

"Listening to what you guys say," Ci'an said, "and in the light of the three years of Tongzhi, this Russia really can't be guarded against!" But—"

After hesitating for a moment, he said, "You say, if Taranqi is really colluding with the Rakshasas, then what kind of collusion method will the two of them be?" I mean, is it like Aguba and the Rakshasas, or what? If it's like Aguba and the Rakshasas, it seems—"

It seems—it's not a big deal.

"After returning to the queen mother," Cao Yuying said, "If Russia imitates Agubai's example and only secretly transports a few cannons and thousands of guns for Taranzi, it is indeed not a matter of concern, but what we want to get, Russia probably also wants to get, Taranzi is a Adou who can't be supported, and Russia may not be able to see this at this level." ”

Ci'an was silent.

"Empress Dowager Mingjian," Xu Gengshen said, "If Taranzi colludes with Russia at the beginning of our army's entry into Xinjiang, Russia will indeed follow the example of Agubai - support arms and send advisers; However, now that Dabancheng, Tuoxun, and Turpan have all been recovered, Aguba's defeat has been revealed, proving that Russia's approach to Aguba is useless, so if Russia really covets Ili, it will not repeat the mistakes made by Aguba. ”

"There is another layer," Guo Songtao said, "I also want to ask the Queen Mother to pay attention: between Kashgar and Russia, after all, there is still a Kokand country, although the Russian power has penetrated deep into the Kokand country, but after all, it has not eaten all the Kokand country, and it is still beyond the power to directly reach into Kashgar across the Kokand country." ”

After a pause, "But, Ili is different!" After the signing of the "Sino-Russian Treaty on the Survey and Demarcation of the Northwest Boundary", Ili was not far from the Sino-Russian border. ”

This statement reminded Ci'an: "That's right! Hurry up and ask someone to get a map! ”

After a pause, "Palm lamp!" ”

At this time, the palace gate had already been keyed, and it was almost time to hold the lamp.

The eunuch came in and lit a few butter candles as thick as a child's arm.

The "map" was taken, unfolded on the imperial case, and pressed with white jade paperweight. Wen Xiang stepped forward and instructed the Queen Mother on behalf of his mother: Where is Yili? Where are the boundaries?

Ci'an understood, and couldn't help but gasp: So close?

Wen Xiang stepped back and knelt in place.

Ci'an's expression was serious: "So to speak, if Russia really wants to ...... After eating Ili, nine times out of ten, will he send his own soldiers in the same way as in the third year of Tongzhi? ”

"Yes."

"Then, we and Russia, but we will have a broken face!"

Some people think so, some people don't, but no one agrees or disagrees. Anyway, once in the third year of Tongzhi, people really sent troops in, but the two families didn't really "break their faces".

After a moment of silence, Ci'an asked with difficulty: "If—I mean if, we have a war with Russia, uh, can we fight?" ”

No one knows the answer to this question, but when the king asks, the subordinates can't help but answer.

"The Queen Mother and Empress Dowager Mingjian," Wen Xiang's voice was also quite difficult, "Russia is not Aguba, if we really meet with it, the number of victories and defeats is very difficult to say." ”

After a slight pause, "The most important thing is that Zuo Zongtang and Zhan Donglu also said in the 'clip', although we are not afraid of Russia, but our army cannot fight on two fronts, if we turn around and go west to Ili, we will not be able to go south to Kashgar, then Aguba will inevitably get a chance to breathe, then ...... Not only will the whole of Xinjiang not be determined within this year, but even the parts of northern Xinjiang that have been restored, such as Urumqi, Manas, and Turpan, may also be ...... There are repetitions, and the war is connected, and I don't know what to do. ”

"What Wen Xiang said is very true," Cao Yuying said, "and the minister also thinks that it is ...... to meet the Russian soldiers at this time The next step. ”

Ci'an couldn't help but nodded slightly, and then looked at Xu Gengshen and Guo Songtao: "What do you two think?" ”

"After returning to the queen mother," Xu Gengshen said, "the military, logistics, and all the plans for the western expedition are to go north and south first, and Ili is placed last, if you turn around and go west at this time, all the plans will be disrupted." The queen mother and queen mother are clear, and the hasty change of formation is a taboo for the soldiers. ”

"After returning to the queen mother," Guo Songtao said, "there is also military spending, and I can't ignore it!" If there is a war with Russia, as Wen Xiang said, 'the war and disaster are connected, and I don't know what to do', then military spending will be a bottomless pit! ”

After a pause, "The military expenses for the Western Expedition are mainly raised by 'borrowing foreign debts', and the amount is fixed...... Unsustainable. ”

After another pause, "Also, although the 'syndicate' of lending is dominated by American and English banks, there are also French and Belgian banks, and even Russian ones!" If we go to war with Russia, France and Belgium will not say anything, and the Russian banks will definitely be withdrawn. ”

Anyway, to put it mildly, none of the four big military aircraft advocated "breaking face" with Russia.

In the East Warm Pavilion, he was speechless for a while.

After a while, Ci'an said: "I think this situation is a little similar to the "Sino-Russian Survey and Demarcation of the Northwest Boundary Treaty" in the third year of Tongzhi - they were all smoked by others, and there is no way to deal with him. ”

The voice of the Queen Mother and Queen Mother trembled slightly.

The four military planes wanted to distinguish and comfort, but after thinking about it, they had no words, so they could only be represented by Wen Xiang, and replied with a "yes" in a low voice.

"Then," said Tzu An, "there is only ...... Promise Taranzi for the time being? ”

This was an extremely heavy question, which pressed the upper bodies of the four military planes, which were already slightly lowered, and involuntarily lowered them downward.

"Empress Dowager Shengming," Wen Xiang said, "the word 'for the time being' refers to the painting to understand, first agree to Taranqi's conditions, perfunctory him, and then move north after the southern Xinjiang is pacified—no matter what, Xinjiang cannot appear a 'country within a state'!" Otherwise, not only will it not be considered a 'golden ou', but it will also bury a big hidden danger for the future! ”

After a pause, "However, the ministers don't dare to listen to it, and this plan to delay the army also has consequences that must not be ignored." ”

"What consequences?"

"Xinjiang Xinping," Wen Xiang's voice was low and clear, "The people's hearts are undecided, the imperial court overturns the previous proposal, and the whole Xinjiang must be people's hearts floating, and it will be changed to 'entanglement' to 'Uygur'...... More than half of it was done in vain! ”

Ci'an was shocked.

"Beyond Ili," Wen Xiang said, "perhaps, there will be another beacon fire, and the battle of the western expeditionary army will be ...... for a while I can't finish fighting. ”

Ci'an was silent.

"Also," Cao Yuying said, "the imperial court has no choice but to make a false deal with Taranzi because of Taranzi's intimidation, which will inevitably increase his rebellion, and will also make him feel that Russia is indeed his backer!" In this way, even if he had no collusion with Russia in the past, he will not be able to help but collude with Russia in the future. ”

"If Tarantzi has reached an agreement with Russia," Xu Geng said, "and the imperial court has overturned the agreement with Ili, Russia can also use this as an excuse to say that Russia's interests in Ili have been damaged and that it will send troops to intervene." ”

"Neither is the left, nor is the right!" The Queen Mother raised her voice slightly, "Could it be ...... Is there really no good way? ”

After a pause, "In the past half a year, Xinjiang has such a good situation, is it ...... Is it just that it lost? ”

These words, with an obvious accusatory tone, are very rare in the queen mother, the four big military planes leaned down together, and said in unison: "The ministers are incompetent, and they are ashamed!" ”

"Well, I'm not saying which one is capable and which one is not, but ...... You have to come up with a practical solution! ”

"The ministers are terrified and have no land!" Cao Yuying said, "However, the non-ministers dare to shirk their responsibilities!" The Empress Dowager Mingjian, the military and politics of the Northwest, all the courts, except for Prince Xuan, the wise ones are Zuo Zongtang, and the Empress Dowager also knows, Zuo Zongtang is a very assertive person, but this time, when he 'asked for the order', he did not come up with his own proposition, this situation is unusual——"

"Very assertive" is a tactful statement, which means that Zuo Zongtang has always been very fond of making his own claims, but this time, he "did not come up with his own opinions", which proves that he really has no claims.

Since "the military and politics of the northwest, all the courts, except for Prince Xuan, the wise ones must be counted to Zuo Zongtang", then, even Zuo Zongtang can't come up with a "practical method", let alone a few of us.

However, Cao Yuying's words, Ci'an heard the taste: the focus is not on Zuo Zongtang, let alone on himself and the other three big military aircraft, the focus is on these five words - "outside Prince Xuan".

"What do you mean—"

"After returning to the queen mother," Cao Yuying said loudly, "the minister thinks that this matter is ...... Prince Fei Xuan can't make up his mind! ”

*

(5,100 words big chapter sent, ask for a ticket, lion thanks!) ）

*(To be continued.) )