"What should I do about the Ryukyus?" The emperor was displeased to put the fold on the imperial case, and made a snapping sound, Chen Shengwen raised his head and glanced at it, then lowered his head, sleeved his hands and did not speak, "The Ministry of Rites checked the tribute of the old year, Ryukyu still paid tribute when the first emperor, and then was harassed by the Satsuma Domain, and could not go north, although this Ryukyu is not a tribute, but the business and trade exchanges are endless, and there are more students to study in Beijing." Today, this plea for help came up, and I heard that the gate of the Ryukyu Royal Palace was facing west, in order to show his admiration for China, and such a subject country could not allow the Japanese to invade it. ”

Prince Gong was still standing on the ground, the emperor was sitting, the rest of the ministers were kneeling on the ground, and he was the only one standing alone, which seemed to be so different, the emperor continued, "I didn't know before, it turned out that just last year, the Ryukyu envoy sent someone to Japan, and was actually detained by the Japanese king, forcibly named the vassal king, and included the Ryukyu royal family in the Chinese family, so that the Ryukyus became a common subject country of China and Japan, how can this be made!" Hmph, such a big thing, I just knew that the military aircraft department is blind! ”

The ministers hurriedly bowed down again, "Please forgive the emperor." Bao Jun muttered secretly in his heart, the newspaper matter is now becoming more and more difficult to control, the Beijing division is okay, Shanghai's "Declaration" will explain the Ryukyu matter clearly from beginning to end, not only the military aircraft department, but even the tea guests in the teahouse can say four, five or six. In this matter, I have to say hello to the Ministry of Rites, and the Shengping Department can't be left alone like this.

The emperor has been very angry recently, but this is not to blame him, the previous turmoil was so big, can't he even be angry? "What should I do, you say?"

"I don't think I'll be able to take care of the Ryukyus for the time being," said Prince Gong. "The day before yesterday, Zhejiang and Fujian came to report that the Japanese fleet had arrived in Taiwan."

"Bold," the emperor became angry when he heard this, "Taiwan is the land of China, how can the Japanese enter and leave so freely!" Jiang Zhongyuan, what do you say? ”

"The Japanese value Taiwan very much. There are rumors in the outside world that Yunnan Japan has a strategy to conquer China, divided into north and south roads, and its south road takes Taiwan as a springboard to look south of the Yangtze River. Jiang Zhongyuan said that he was the secretary of the Ministry of War, and it was inevitable to discuss this matter.

"South Road, is it possible that there is also a North Road?" The Emperor asked.

"Yes. The northern route is to annex Korea," Jiang Zhongyuan hesitated, but decided to tell the truth, "and then annex the three northeastern provinces." ”

"Okay, good," Emperor Tongzhi laughed angrily and clapped his palms, "The Japanese have such a big appetite, not only Taiwan. Even the land of Longxing in the Northeast has taken a fancy to it, not to mention the Northeast. Taiwan was brought down by Emperor Shengzu, and it can't be discarded, so, Jiang Zhongyuan, do you mean to keep Taiwan first? ”

"Yes, the Beiyang Naval Division has already dispatched three warships. Go to Shanghai to renovate in case the Japanese cross the border in Taiwan. Prince Gong replied, "It just so happened that the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs Okubo Ritsu had come to Beijing to negotiate the Ryukyu matter, and Prime Minister Yamen had already sent a note to him to protest against the Japanese warship's entry into Taiwan's waters. Ask to leave immediately. Okubo Ritsu argues that the people of the Satsuma clan were blown to Taiwan by the wind, slaughtered by the Taiwanese natives, and now they are coming to negotiate again. As early as the Ming Dynasty, the Satsuma clan invaded Ryukyu and plundered the tablets of the ancestors of the Ryukyu Kingdom, forcing the King of Zhongshan to bow down and become a vassal. Now that the Japanese warships are dispatched, it is clear that they want to take the Ryukyus in their stomachs, but they are afraid of the national strength of the Chinese Celestial Empire, so they have negotiated to jointly manage the Ryukyus with China. ”

Prince Gong's words can't be said to be unreasonable, although the emperor is young and vigorous, but he also knows that what Prince Gong said is true, "The Beiyang Navy Gong guards Gyeonggi, if there is a conflict with Japan, this day and day beware, although we are not afraid, but we are also tied, it is better to take a step back, maintain the rule of Taiwan, and do not allow Ryukyu to be annexed to Japan, so it is excellent." ”

"Don't worry, the emperor has begun to prepare for the Nanyang Naval Division, and it will be convenient to defend southern Xinjiang and protect the vassals in the future, and endure for a few years." Wen Xiang also said the same.

"That's it, so be it," the emperor was a little helpless, "you talk about it first, and then decide, the Imperial Court will prepare a gift of condolences." ”

The Minister of Military Aircraft retreated, and the emperor was still sullen, "These people, blindly seeking stability, what use can they have, after a few years, I am afraid that they will be so old, and I can't remember any blood." ”

The emperor put down the distress fold from the Ryukyu Kingdom, walked out of the Qinzheng Hall tastelessly, walked along the Fuhai Sea, walked to the west, stopped and stopped, followed by several palace people, all of whom were impatiently waved back by the emperor, Chen Shengwen caught up again, and said the news that made the emperor more heartbroken, "The students from the Ryukyu Kingdom are kneeling in front of the Qing Gate and crying, kneeling and begging the Celestial Empire to send troops to save the Ryukyu people. ”

"Let the Rifan Yuan take them back and stop making trouble." The emperor said calmly, "Tell the military camp to treat them well, don't hurt them, they are all loyal and filial sons." ”

"Huh."

"Stand down, I'll be alone."

The emperor walked to the Qianqiu Pavilion and sat down, with a sad face on his face, but his heart was like a fire, and he leaned his head on the vermilion pillar and did not say a word.

Why is it so difficult to do things, you can't do anything! Aren't I the Son of Heaven?

Emperor Tongzhi's head was about to explode, he closed his eyes, his eyeballs shook violently under his eyelids, after a long time, between the sound of breeze flowers and perfumes, he calmed down, as if sleeping but not sleeping, there was a figure standing motionless in front of him in a trance, the emperor was slightly startled, opened his eyes, and only saw Wang Qingqi, who was standing like a jade tree, took a fold, looked at himself with a smile, and the emperor rubbed his eyes, "Why is Xianqing here." ”

Wang Qingqi asked for peace and smiled indifferently, "The minister knows that the emperor is not happy, so he specially sent an antidote, and there is two good news to tell the emperor." ”

"You say." The emperor couldn't help but feel happy when he saw Wang Qingqi, "What good news can make me happy." ”

"The Empress Dowager has already set off from Shanghai and will arrive in Tianjin in the near future, besides," Wang Qingqi handed the fold in his hand to the emperor and said with a smile, "the Beiyang Navy Division went to Taiwan, to be exact, to Ryukyu." ”

"What!" The emperor stood up, and many rose petals on his body flew up one after another, falling into the sea of blessings. (To be continued.) )