Gong Ning, Governor's Palace.

Aixin Jueluo Yixuan was dressed in a new court dress, with a little excitement and apprehension, standing respectfully outside the three halls and waiting for the call, perhaps because he had not worn court clothes for a long time, he felt a little uncomfortable in his heart.

He politely refused Zhu Shanhai's banquet because he was unwell, originally wanting to rub the other party, but he didn't want the other party to unexpectedly agree to him to enter the governor's mansion to meet him.

Since he can meet with him, he will naturally be able to meet guests, maybe Zhu Shanhai's carriage to welcome guests is already waiting outside the governor's palace at this time, although he knows it, he can't care about that much, he has always hoped to meet the Empress Dowager Ci'an and Emperor Guangxu before the formal negotiations.

Soon, an old man, two young and three eunuchs hurriedly greeted him, "King Qingjun, please go with the old slave." ”

In the room, the ten-year-old little emperor Guangxu in a dragon robe sat on a chair with the appearance of a little adult, followed by a bead curtain, and the dignified Empress Dowager Ci'an was faintly visible.

Although she was under house arrest in the Governor's Palace, she could still learn some of the outside situation through the Janissaries on duty, after learning that Yuan Qi and the imperial court turned against each other, the north and the south formed a confrontation situation, and the news that the civil war was about to be released, she was anxious day and night, and it was difficult to sleep and eat.

"Chen Yixuan respectfully invites the Empress Dowager Sheng'an, respectfully invites the emperor's Sheng'an."

Seeing Yixuan, he got up and knelt down on the white felt carpet, Ci'an looked at him twice, she was naturally no stranger to this mediocre minister who wrote a good handwriting.

Yixuan is the grandson of Yongxuan, the seventeenth son of Emperor Qianlong of Gaozong, since he was a child, he succeeded to the king of Qingjun Mianmin as the heir, after the three dynasties of Daoguang, Xianfeng and Tongzhi, the title went all the way from the auxiliary general Jin Feng to Baylor, and finally added the title of county king.

Retracting her gaze, her eyes softened, "The emperor's homework hasn't been done yet, so let's do my homework first." ”

Seeing Guangxu get up, Yixuan hurriedly kowtowed, "Congratulations to the emperor." ”

After Guangxu left, the room was quiet, and there was silence for a while, before Ci'an spoke: "The north and the south are facing each other, but is it true?" ”

Yixuan hurriedly said: "That's true, the minister has marched westward, and the counterinsurgency troops originally assembled on the front line of Zhangye, Jiayuguan, and Hami have all retreated one after another. ”

"Why?"

Yixuan hesitated, this time the court and Yuan Qi turned against each other, and the introduction was Zhu Shanhai's self-reliance, but he didn't dare to say this, so he said: "As far as the minister knows, it is because of the unification of military power." ”

Unification of military power! Ci'an's expression was a little gloomy, the division of military power was indeed a major hidden danger that was difficult to reconcile in the Qing Dynasty, and it was obvious that Yuan Qi wanted to take the opportunity of quelling the rebellion in the northwest to unify the military power in one fell swoop, and it was self-defeating to act in a hurry.

Then she was a little skeptical, with Yi Zhi's contentment temperament, it seems that she shouldn't be in such a hurry, if Yi Zhi's contentment is an urgent child, Yuan Qi will not be able to develop to this point today, is it ......? Thinking that the man was now in his early sixties, she couldn't help but say, "How is the situation of King Zhennan?" Can you be infected? ”

Yi Xuan didn't know anything about Yi Zhi's contentment, and was stunned for a moment before replying: "The minister has never heard of ........" ”

Ci'an smiled dumbly, even if Yi Zhixin was sick, he would inevitably seal the news tightly, how could he leak the news, and after a deep groan, she said: "No courtesy, give me a seat." ”

After the other party Xie En sat down, she then asked, "What is the purpose of Gong Ning's trip?" ”

"The purpose is twofold." Yixuan said calmly: "One is to welcome the Empress Dowager and the emperor back to Beijing, and the other is to discuss the alliance." ”

Ally? Joining forces with the Northwest can compete with Yuanqi? Ci'an sighed secretly, isn't there anyone in the hall who understands? "What is Zhu Shanhai's attitude?"

Yixuan said cautiously: "Prevarication and delay." As if he felt that something was wrong, he continued: "According to the minister's investigation, the northwest and Russian railways are about to be opened to traffic, and Yuan Qi will also retreat the naval fleet that conquered Chile to Maputo, Zhu Shanhai took the initiative to banquet the minister today, but was politely rejected by the minister, so he agreed to let the minister come to the audience, thinking about it, he couldn't hold his ......breath anymore. ”

This is good news, Ci'an's spirit is lifted, the northwest is not monolithic, Zhu Shanhai and Feng Renxuan are at odds with each other, and it is reasonable to be anxious to form an alliance with the imperial court.

Although she was anxious to get out of the current predicament and return to Jingshi to prevent the war between the north and the south, she also knew that Zhu Shanhai was afraid that she would not be happy to let them return to Jingshi.

After pondering for a while, she said: "If you want to do things quickly, you can't reach it, watching Zhu Shanhai act, both bold and cautious, it is not appropriate to be too eager, you might as well put it aside for the time being." ”

As expected, as soon as he stepped out of the gate of the Governor's Palace, he saw two four-wheeled carriages waiting outside, consolidating the head of the city, Liu Changxing, the chief of the general staff who was regarded as Zhu Shanhai's right-hand man, hurriedly greeted him, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty has set up a banquet, and I specially came down to pick up the king of Qingjun." ”

It is naturally impossible to refuse, Yixuan smiled and said: "Chief of Staff Liu is here in person, this king is not well, and he can't go against this grand intention." As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and said, "Chief of Staff Liu, please——。 ”

Two carriages came, but Liu Changxing shared a car with Yixuan, and when the carriage left the defense area of the Governor's Palace, Liu Changxing slowly spoke: "Now is the era of hot weapons, and it is not only military strength that determines the outcome of the war, but also comprehensive strength such as industrial strength, economic strength, financial strength, and scientific and technological strength.

The two northwestern provinces and the seven northern provinces are united, and the comprehensive strength is difficult to compare with Yuanqi, but fortunately, we also spare no effort to support the European powers such as Britain and Russia.

The reason why Britain, Russia and other European powers will spare no effort to support us is nothing more than to curb Yuanqi's westward expansion, and to put it bluntly, to protect their ........ ”

What do you mean? Yixuan frowned, this has not yet begun formal negotiations, and it has begun to hint at the importance of the Northwest? Is this a reminder that Anglo-Russian military aid will be mainly in the northwest?

He said unceremoniously: "Supporting the establishment of the northwest country can curb the momentum of Yuanqi's expansion to the west, and weakening Yuanqi's comprehensive strength through a long-term large-scale war can also curb the momentum of Yuanqi's external expansion."

In addition, although the military assistance of Britain, Russia and other countries is important, we should not rely too much on it.

In today's situation, you and I can be said to share the same lips and teeth, and if we cooperate, we will benefit both sides, and we must cooperate sincerely, rather than considering each other's gains and losses from the beginning. ”

"It's still King Qingjun who sees it thoroughly." Liu Changxing casually flattered and said: "The railway with Russia will be connected soon, and the first batch of British and Russian arms aid will arrive soon.

However, there was one condition, that the Qing court must formally recognize the independent ....... of the Kokand Khanate. ”

Yi Xuan laughed and said, "Hasn't the emperor already issued an order to publicly admit it?" ”

"I was acting pretentiously before, and for this reason, I had a very unpleasant quarrel with the Empress Dowager Ci'an." Liu Changxing said frankly: "Furthermore, the Qing Dynasty is now a constitutional system, and what we need is a formal and official credential, or a treaty to recognize China's independence." ”

After a slight sigh, Yi Liang said: "This matter, this king needs to call back for instructions, but it has become a fact that the northwest has become a country, and the court will not make extraneous branches, so there should be no problem." ”

"Good ——。" Liu Changxing said with a smile: "This matter is done, we will immediately send the queen mother and the emperor back to Beijing." ”

Kyoshi, Prime Minister's Office.

Su Shun who saw it walked in quickly, Yi? He handed over a telegram and said, "Yixuan sent from Gong Ning, take a look." ”

After reading the telegram, Su Shun frowned, "Officially recognize the independence of the northwest, but I'm afraid it's impossible." ”

"Of course not." Abundant? If the imperial court dares to officially recognize the independence of the two northwest provinces, not to mention the infamy of the ages, Yi Zhishu will definitely fake it and go north.

Su Shun said worriedly: "What about the queen mother and the emperor?" ”

"Zhu Shanhai, this is a clear statement, if you don't see a rabbit, you don't scatter an eagle." Abundant? With an impatient face, "What else can I do, call Yi Guocheng and let him make up his mind, in short, the queen mother and the emperor are trapped in Gongning, and the court can't ignore them." ”

"You won't make this call?" Su Shun secretly scolded himself, but he didn't shirk it, and went straight to the phone.

Shanghai, Zhennan Wangfu, Changle Book House.

Zhao Liewen covered the microphone, "The big shopkeeper, Su Xiang called the phone, saying that there was an accident in the northwest." ”

What else could happen in the Northwest? Yi Zhishu got up slowly and took the microphone, and after listening to Su Shun's finished talking about the situation, he groaned for a while before saying, "I'll call you back later." ”

Seeing him put down the phone, Zhao Liewen said tentatively: "It's tricky? ”

After talking about the situation, Yi Zhishu slowly paced to the window and pushed open the window and lit a cigarette, Ci'an and his mother were trapped in Gong Ning, he naturally would not let it go, he originally thought that Yuan Qi and the imperial court were pretending to turn against each other, and they could use the opportunity of the alliance between the two sides to successfully pick her back and the two of them, and they didn't want Zhu Shanhai to be so difficult.

Recognizing the independence of the two northwestern provinces is something that does not need to be considered, and it is simply impossible. This bit of face is still needed, but if you don't admit it, Ci'an and her mother will not only find it difficult to get out of trouble, but they may also be in danger, and it is difficult to say what Zhu Shanhai will do under the annoyance and anger.

"It's not your average trick." Zhao Liewen said: "Zhu Shanhai's request is not only not excessive, but it can also be said to be reasonable, if it is refused, the queen mother and the emperor will not be able to return to Beijing, and what is even more worrying is that Zhu Shanhai will be suspicious of the imperial court, and even further, suspicious of the current situation." ”

For this game, the price paid by Yuan Qi is really not small, if it falls short, the loss will be big and boundless, Yi Zhishu turned around, "Is it difficult to agree?" ”

Zhao Liewen thought for a while, and then changed his words, "At the beginning, the big shopkeeper should have been sure to rescue the queen mother and the emperor from trouble, right?" ”

Yi Zhishu nodded, "Once the war with the northwest starts, you can form a commando team to go to Gongning to rescue, and you have a great certainty." ”

With the support of his unsparing guidance and regardless of the cost, the development progress of the helicopter is quite fast, and when it comes to the northwest next year or the year after next, two or three helicopters with practical value should be able to come up.

"Two options." Zhao Liewen said unhurriedly: "The best policy is to directly agree and take back the Empress Dowager by the way, and the next policy is to let King Gong bear the infamy and be replaced by Su Xiang, but the big shopkeeper must ensure that he is sure to rescue ......." ”

Yi Zhizu rolled his eyes at him, "It's not a good reputation to go back on your word, especially for a big country, it's just a matter of taking care of face." ”

"It is the imperial court that officially recognizes the independence of the northwest, not Yuanqi, so why do you go back on your word?" Zhao Liewen said disapprenosingly: "In addition, let the imperial court recognize the independence of the two northwest provinces, and Britain and Russia will be able to justifiably support the northwest." Besides, there are many examples of broken alliances and oaths between countries. ”

Yi Zhi's content was pounding, thinking about it, this is the era of power, one by one is either a pirate or a robber, there is no need to cherish the feathers, besides, he does not have to bear the infamy of treachery, and more importantly, it can make Britain and Russia jump into the giant pit in the northwest without hesitation.

After a moment of silence, he threw away his cigarette butt and strode to his desk to pick up the phone, "Pick up the Prime Minister's Office." ”

What the? Agree to formally recognize the independence of the two northwestern provinces? Su Shun was a little incredulous, and hurriedly said: "Once it is officially recognized, if you send troops to the northwest again, you will be unknown, and you will be criticized by international public opinion, so it is better to consider this matter carefully." ”

Listening to this, Yi on the side? frowned, and subconsciously felt that the guy was not at ease, was he digging a pit for them, and then used this matter to attack public opinion, and then pretended to do it and sent troops to the Northern Expedition.

"If not, it will be impossible to welcome back the Empress Dowager, otherwise, Zhu Shanhai will inevitably be suspicious, and all his previous efforts will be in vain, and besides, this move will also be more conducive to Britain and Russia sending troops to the northwest."

It seems that this is serious, Su Shun's face is a little ugly, and he glanced at Yi? At a glance, he said in a sullen voice: "This is a ....... to bear the infamy of traitor." Before he finished speaking, he listened to a busy sound from the microphone, which was directly hung up!

Putting down the phone, Su Shun only felt bitter in his mouth. couldn't wait to say: "What does Yi Guocheng mean?" ”

Repeating Yi Zhi's original words, Su Shun looked out the window with a little weakness, the current prime minister is still Yi, and the traitorous infamy of officially recognizing the independence of the northwest will definitely be successful? Carry.

He suddenly felt that this cabinet prime minister was really not good to be a prime minister, not to mention the trivial hard work, and not to mention the marionette, this risk was also great, and once a bad life was ruined, God knows if he would encounter such a bad thing after taking over.

Abundant? His face was cloudy and uncertain for a while, and then he gritted his teeth and said, "Let Yi Guocheng send a telegram!" ”8)