The city of Gongning under the sun was devastated, and a scuffle in just a few hours not only caused great damage but also caused great casualties, and the Russian envoy Andrei and his party rode through the dilapidated streets, touching the mess, burned or collapsed houses, large and small craters, large and small blood stains that had not yet coagulated, corpses that had not had time to be collected, and hurried stretcher teams .......

From the sound of gunfire and explosions last night, Andrei had already judged that the battle was very fierce, but judging from the scene in front of him, the battle was not only fierce but also very tragic, and the casualties may be much larger than he expected, and his mood became heavy, in his opinion, it was extremely unwise to engage in infighting at this time.

The political envoy's office was heavily guarded, and after Andre and his entourage identified themselves, Zhu Shanhai quickly strode out and said apologetically: "I'm sorry, I frightened you last night." ”

Last night, there was a scuffle in the city, and both sides deliberately avoided the consulate area, but Andre was not shocked, but he was worried, and shook hands with the other party indifferently, and then he said: "I don't understand, why did Your Excellency provoke a war?" ”

Zhu Shanhai really couldn't explain this question for a while, and it couldn't be explained clearly in a few words, so he immediately smiled and stretched out his hand to politely say: "It's a long story, Mr. Special Envoy, please ——。 ”

As soon as he sat down in the living room, Andre said straightly: "The Northwest Army outside the city is being transferred, do you know?" ”

Tang Bingcan sheltered the remnants of Zuo Zongtang, and then arranged for the emergency requisition of the train to be transferred to Anxi, Zhu Shanhai naturally knew about it, and also sent someone to negotiate to keep it, but Tang Bingcan's reply was very straightforward, "I don't want to follow in Zuo Zongtang's footsteps." ”

In this regard, Zhu Shanhai felt helpless and had a big headache, he really didn't expect Tang Bingcan to use this as an excuse to lead his troops to retreat to Anxi, he faintly felt that he was calculated, but he didn't regret it, as for sending troops to block or attack, he really didn't have the guts, one had no chance of winning, and besides, it hadn't reached the point of publicly tearing his face with Feng Renxuan.

After a slight sigh, he said: "Although the two provinces have jointly declared autonomy, they are at odds with each other, and the current situation is exactly what I want. ”

"I don't think it's a wise move." Andre shook his head and said, "With Your Excellency's strength, can you block the attack of the Qing army?" ”

"As long as there is enough arms aid, I think it should be fine." Zhu Shanhai said without hesitation: "Xinjiang has implemented the compulsory military service system very early, and it can easily recruit hundreds of thousands of officers and soldiers who have undergone strict military training and experienced actual combat, but all that is lacking is the ....... weapons and ammunition. ”

Andrei frowned and said, "Don't you know, Your Excellency, that most of the railway lines are in the territory of Anxi?" ”

"Feng Renxuan will not and does not dare to openly block and sabotage your country's delivery of arms and materials to our army, he should know very well that now that large-scale internal strife breaks out, he can only bring about his own destruction." Zhu Shanhai's demeanor was very determined, and after a pause, he added: "In addition, Xinjiang and Anxi are interdependent, and if the lips die, the teeth will be cold, Xinjiang will not be protected, and Anxi will not be spared, even if it is to fight, it will have to wait until the situation is stable." ”

Andrei looked at him calmly, but wondered how to report to Petersburg, perhaps he should suggest a purposeful division of the Central Asian forces, and a strong Central Asian empire should not be in Russia's long-term interests.

St. Petersburg, Hermitage.

"I don't want to repeatedly emphasize the importance of Central Asia, judging by the current situation, the possibility of armed intervention is not ruled out, and the possibility of the outbreak of a war in Central Asia cannot be ruled out." Alexander II's expression was solemn, and his tone gradually became stern, "In this case, chaos is not allowed in the country!" I do not want to hear or see any murderous attempts to disrupt the state and social order. ”

The Chairman of the Supreme Council of Public Security, Count Lloris-Melnikov, said with sincere fear: "The Security Council will faithfully carry out His Majesty's will and strictly purge all terrorist and illegal organizations ....... ”

"Don't be soft, you must use thunderous means to suppress and eliminate all chaotic parties! This is the purpose of the establishment of the Supreme Security Council! Alexander II waved his hand impatiently, "Stand down." ”

During this period of time, he was not only upset but also tired, although the twenty years of reform, although in education, justice, military, economy, and other aspects of remarkable results, Russia's national strength is also thriving, but as a reformer, he has been attacked more and more, and the assassinations against him are endless, so that he easily does not dare to leave the Winter Palace.

Prime Minister Gorchakov crept in with a telegram in his hand, glanced at his face quickly, and then said with relief: "Your Majesty, reform is like sailing in a storm, and all reforms in history will be subjected to strong opposition and great pressure ....... ”

Alexander II barely smiled and asked instead, "Gong Ning's telegram?" ”

"Your Majesty." Gorchakov said and handed over the telegram, "Gong Ning's infighting may not be a bad thing. ”

Not a bad thing? Alexander II looked at him suspiciously, then took the telegram, read it carefully, he pondered for a while before saying: "If Central Asia is divided into several small countries, it will naturally be easier to control, but can a scattered Central Asia stop the expansion of the Qing Kingdom?" ”

After a pause, he said in a deep voice: "What we need is a Central Asian power that can curb the Qing State's expansion to the northwest, and only a powerful Central Asian empire can form a strategic buffer zone between the Qing State and West Asia, and between the Qing State and China." ”

"Your Majesty is wise." Gorchakov flattered insincerely, and then said tactfully: "It is naturally inappropriate to split into several small countries, but if Central Asia can become independent and split into two offensive and defensive alliance countries, it will be more conducive to our country to grab the benefits it deserves." Moreover, judging by the current situation in Central Asia, the formation of two states is extremely likely. ”

"That's for later." Alexander II muffled: "It is imperative to ensure that Central Asia can gain independence from the Qing state. ”

"Oriental people are good at tearing down each other and fighting among themselves, judging from the current situation, Feng Renxuan is very likely to sit back and watch Zhu Shanhai be wiped out by the Qing State." Gorchakov tentatively said: "If you want to ensure the independence of Central Asia, you may need to send reinforcements. ”

Dispatch troops? Alexander II couldn't help but hesitate, the situation is not clear now, and it is far from the time to send troops, unless Russia is willing to make a desperate bet, "Even if it is necessary to send troops, it should be the British who send troops first, to test the attitude of the British, and in addition, to test the attitude of the British, and to see if the emperor and empress dowager of the Qing State can visit Petersburg later?" ”

Let the emperor and empress dowager of the Qing Kingdom visit Petersburg? Gorchakov was stunned for a moment, and hesitated: "Will it anger the Qing people?" ”