The Treaty of Livadia, which nominally returned Ili to the Qianguo, actually ceded seven-tenths of the land to Russia, including the strategically important Turks River valley and the Muzati Pass. It gave Russia an indemnity of five million roubles, the right to set up consulates in seven important locations, and the possibility to sail along the Songhua River as far as Berdoune in Bozhou. When these terms were telegraphed to Beijing, the astonished Prime Minister Yamen ordered Chonghou not to sign the treaty. The reason for the sublime was unknown, but the Russians, lured by the circumstances, only signed the draft treaty, and the Russians declared that the treaty had been concluded and that the text had been transcribed; It was no longer possible to revise or renegotiate the treaty, and Chonghou, who knew nothing about it, thought that he had completed his task and returned home to the warm welcome of the Russians.

When the news reached China, it caused inexplicable consternation in the officialdom of Qianguo. Prime Minister Yamen decided that if Ili was to be returned in this way, it would be better not to return it. When Zuo Jigao heard the news, he immediately went to the court to impeach Chonghou, saying that the results of his hard work in running Xinjiang were wasted by Chonghou's stupid behavior. He put on a righteous and awe-inspiring appearance to play to the imperial court: "As far as the order of the situation is concerned, the first thing is to discuss, to be tactful and to use the opportunity, and the second is to decide with a battle formation, and to persevere and seek victory." His recital immediately catered to the court's sergeants and doctors' desire for war and shame, regardless of whether the country was prepared or not. Under his leadership, countless sparks flew like snowflakes, demanding severe punishment of the signatories and the withdrawal of the treaty. Perhaps in order to clear up the relationship with Chonghou, Zuo Jigao actually said: "The Russians ask for it, but they can be greedy and arrogant; Lofty and tolerant can be described as the most fallacious and foolish...... However, the minister thought that it was not enough to be afraid. This proposal must be changed, and it may not be fine; If you don't change this proposal, you can't be a country. And demanded that the sublime be beheaded. This is to show the determination of the dry country to refuse to recognize the treaty. Even if they resort to war, they will not hesitate. Because Zuo Jigao said a lot of words in the hearts of scholars, literati and officials. Once again, he became famous.

The imperial court then appointed Zeng Bohan's son, Yiyong Marquis Zeng Jixue, as the chief representative of the second mission to Russia to renegotiate the treaty. At the same time, the lavish death sentence was strongly opposed by diplomatic representatives in Britain, France, Germany, and the United States, who felt that the inhumane treatment of such a fellow diplomat could not be ignored. Later, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom personally wrote a letter to the Empress Dowager Renxi to intercede, and only then did she announce a suspended death sentence on June 26 this year, but she was still imprisoned until the second mission was fruitful. The Russian side was greatly dissatisfied with this, claiming that as long as Chonghou was not fully pardoned, it would not negotiate with Zeng Jize, and this statement invisibly made Chonghou's crime even heavier. made the killing of the government and the opposition endless.

After Chonghou was imprisoned, he thought that he would definitely die this time, and when he was desperate, things took a turn for the better.

First of all, Prince Jing and Prince Chun both wrote to defend Chonghou, Prince Jing believed that although Chonghou was familiar with foreign affairs, most of what he handled was business, and diplomacy was not his forte, and letting such a person go to Russia to negotiate was itself an improper appointment of people by the imperial court," Gai Zi Lin Wenxiang left. There is no more all-round talent in foreign affairs", which is why there is such a result of being deceived by Russia and "losing the land". The responsibility should not be borne by the noble prince, the pure prince pointed out: "However, this noble envoy is given an edict to act cheaply and with full powers, and it cannot be said that there is no right to make an agreement." If it is allowed first and then translated, its song is in the imperial court, not in Chonghou", in the case of the two princes' protection, the court announced the pardon of Chonghou's capital crimes, and changed to exile.

Angered by the actions of the Qianguo, Russia seconded the opportunity to send troops to Japan, and sent a fleet of 23 warships to the Qianguo to show off its naval might, and the war was on the verge of breaking out, and it was widely feared that the Russian navy would launch an attack on the coast to coordinate with the operation of sending troops from Siberia through Bozhou to Beijing. The court did not want to exacerbate the conflict, but the passions of the scholars and doctors forced it to take a tough stance against their will. In order to prevent the outbreak of war, the imperial court appointed several Hunan army officers who had made meritorious contributions to pacifying the Shengping Army to serve in important positions, and issued orders to prepare for battle to the Qianguo Ship Administration and Naval Divisions and Beiyang Naval Divisions, which had already completed the assembly in the Ryukyus, to guard against a possible attack by the Russian fleet. Li Shaoquan immediately ordered Ding Yuting to lead the Beiyang Naval Division to leave Ryukyu and return to Dagukou to set up defenses. The Minister of Shipping, Ding Yusheng, rushed to the Ryukyus by boat to take command of the Harbour Master.

Seeing the tough attitude of the Qianguo, Russia had to make concessions and agree to negotiate with Zeng Jixue, and the imperial court saw that things had taken a turn for the better, so they pardoned Chonghou, who belonged to the Boren minister, and canceled his exile, and changed it to a punishment of "demoting to three levels and retaining him for three years".

Chonghou, who escaped from death, only then did he know the cause and effect of the matter, and he hated Zuo Jigao for deceiving and betraying him, he never understood why he and Zuo Jigao had no grudges and no hatred, why did Zuo Jigao treat himself like this, and after returning to Tianjin and having a deep conversation with Li Shaoquan, he understood why Zuo Jigao did this.

When Zuo Jigao went west to conquer Xinjiang, he had been fighting fiercely with the Russians, and when Xinjiang was pacified and the two countries discussed the transfer of Ili, Zuo Jigao hoped that the credit for the return of Ili would also be his own, but he did not want to make the matter of his and the Russians' eyebrows open to the world and damage his glorious image. He took this opportunity to issue a statement resolutely opposing it, so as to put on a posture of fighting to the death with the Russians, and at the same time strengthened his patriotic reputation, he also cleared up his relationship with the Russians and confirmed his image as a "famous minister of Zhongxing".

To put it bluntly, everything Zuo Jigao did was for his own fame!

After this catastrophe of life and death, Chonghou was deeply hit, although the court reactivated him, let him serve as the Minister of the Interior, the Ministry of Officials and the Prime Minister Yamen, but Chonghou has become cautious, and he easily does not dare to express his own opinions on national affairs, and this time the court meeting, Chonghou originally just wanted to suggest that the court try to adopt a soft policy, but Zuo Jigao once again deceived people too much, not only said that his suggestion was "disaster to the country and the people", but also wanted the court to cut off his own head, if he did not fight back, In the future, it can be said that there will be no place in officialdom.

"Lord Zuo, the words 'disaster to the country and the people', please take it back for your own use!" Under the lofty anger. The conversation also became sharper. "The people of Sakin were slaughtered by the Japanese and Russian tigers and wolves. It is the benevolence and righteousness of my heavenly dynasty that are spread all over the world, and I am rich in life and virtue, so that he can belong to him with all his heart! Its leader, Lin Yiqing, the grandson of Nell's teacher Lin Wenzhonggong, could not bear the extinction of the Sa people, and was excited by the righteousness, so he went to help him escape, and he even asked the court to refuse to accept the righteous people. After being a loyal minister, he also named it "recruiting rebellion" and "bringing disaster to the country and the people", what is his intention? ”

Hearing that Chonghou had changed his loyal attitude in the past, when the court directly reprimanded Zuo Jigao, Li Shaoquan couldn't help but secretly scream in his heart.

It seems that he really underestimated this noble and murderous after the "Treaty of Livadia" before!

"Hugh is talking nonsense! The people of the Sa are cruel and deceitful, like jackals and tigers, and they have invaded Ryukyu and have violated Mosswan. Now that he is a rebel in Japan, what kind of righteous people can he be regarded as? Lin Yiqing is the head of Kou. To lead the rebels to surrender is to blame the Celestial Empire! Zuo Jigao didn't expect Chonghou to be able to say such a thing that occupied the commanding heights of "righteousness", and this was the method he was most accustomed to. ”

"Didn't Lord Zuo carry the coffin into Hami, wanting to fight the Russians? Why are you so afraid of Japan and Russia? Chonghou sneered, "Could it be that Lord Zuo carried the coffin and went out to fight, just to make an appearance for the people of the world?" Or is there something hidden between Lord Zuo and the Russians? That's why you don't dare to offend the Russians? ”

Chonghou's words poked Zuo Jigao's sore spot, Zuo Jigao's purple face rose, and he angrily reprimanded Chonghou and said: "You traitor, you dare to spew blood......"

Zuo Jigao was about to scold, but unexpectedly, Zhang Peilun, the imperial historian, came out of the class and said: "The queen mother, the emperor, Lord Zuo and Lord Chong have such a dispute in the court, it is a loss of human body, and I also ask the queen mother to treat her for the crime of dereliction!" ”

Zuo Jigao was shocked when he heard Zhang Peilun say this, and then realized that he was too anxious just now, and he was a little out of shape, so he hurriedly bowed to the ground and said that "the minister is guilty". The sublime over there also knelt down.

"Erqing is flat...... It's all for the sake of national affairs, and there is no need to fight so much. The little emperor raised his hand on the throne, and as he spoke, he peeked at his mother, and saw that his mother bowed slightly, and then he was relieved.

"Thank you!" Zuo Jigao and Chonghou got up and glared at each other, but neither of them would return to the class.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, Japan and Russia want to make my Heavenly Dynasty last for a long time! Don't take in the rebellion of the Satan people, and provoke them lightly! Zuo Jigao said first.

"What Lord Zuo means, I understand, what Lord Chong said, I also understand, don't quarrel with the two of you, I want to hear it, do you have anything else to say about the ministers?" Empress Renxi said calmly.

"The Empress Dowager and the Emperor, the ministers think that when the Sasa people return, the court can accept it to reject Japan and Russia." Supervising Yu Shi Yu Shanghua went out of class.

"Oh? Didn't the Satan people be defeated by the combined forces of Japan and Russia? How can it be used to reject Japan and Russia? Empress Dowager Renxi raised her eyebrows and asked.

"Back to the queen mother, the Sasa people are brave and good at fighting, before the Meiji Restoration in Japan, it is the head of the four strong feudal clans that have fallen, although there is a merit of support, but it is deeply jealous of the Japanese government, so at the beginning of the founding of the country, it is either light or dark, constantly cutting it, and the Sasa people do not want to be abused and die, so they raise troops to resist, its strength is at its peak, occupy the southwest half of Japan, and then because of the indecision of Saigo Takamori, not from Lin Yiqing's proposal, led the troops to smash Tokyo, resulting in the Russian army brigade coming, and even the defeat. However, his people's morale is still there, Lin Yiqing was originally a righteous man of the Heavenly Empire, and he led his heart to return, and he could be used by me. Yu Shanghua said, "The name of the Satan people can fight, a in Japan, just because the Japanese-Russian coalition is strong, so it was defeated, but its land and water soldiers are still there, this time to the east to the Ryukyus, can still use ironclad ships to escort civilian ships, and the Japanese and Russian navies dare not intercept, it can be seen that its combat power is strong, if the imperial court can accept it, allow it to gain a foothold in the Ryukyus, it will be able to contain Japan and Russia, then our great dry sea frontier can be safe." ”

Hearing Yu Shanghua's analysis, Li Shaoquan couldn't help but nod secretly.

Although Yu Shanghua is a Qing Dynasty from the imperial history, but he is enthusiastic about foreign affairs, and he has great respect for Lin Yiqing, who held high the banner of righteousness in Japan, and he will put forward such a proposal at this court meeting, although his statement is not comprehensive, but it directly points out the benefits of sheltering the Satsuma military and civilians, and it is undoubtedly more able to impress the Empress Dowager and the emperor.

"I understand the benefits of accepting the Saxon people, but it will not be good if Japan and Russia take advantage of this to make trouble and even link up with war." Empress Renxi said behind the curtain. "If you accept the Satans. So that the Japanese and Russian forces came to attack. But how do you deal with it? ”

"Back to the Empress Dowager, the minister thought that Japan and Russia were just bluffing, and they would never dare to really use troops." Yu Shanghua replied, "When the Sasa people retreated from Japan's Kyushu Island, they helped the old and the young to cross the sea to Ryukyu on civilian ships, and the Sasa sailors only had seven or eight ships. Escort for civilian ships, and there are as many as 23 Russian ships in the Far East, and more than 10 Japanese ships, with superior forces, none of them dared to intercept them. It's a minister's thought. Japan and Russia are just bluffing, and there is no need to worry too much. ”

Zuo Jigao was moved when he saw what Renxi said to Yu Shanghua. couldn't help but be busy, and hurriedly said: "Start the Empress Dowager!" Yu Yushi is a Wenchen, who has never known soldiers, and what he said is mostly hearsay, not the truth! Please also ask the Queen Mother to take a clear look! ”

"Oh? So Lord Zuo, tell me, how many soldiers and horses are there on land and water around Japan and Russia? Empress Dowager Renxi asked quietly.

"This ......" Zuo Jigao asked suddenly, and he opened his mouth and couldn't answer.

For the military situation in the northwest and southeast, Zuo Jigao does not know much, he can be familiar with the situation in the northwest, but it is only the situation of the Russian army in Ili, and he doesn't know any more, because the specific person in charge of the war has always been Liu Jintang, Zhang Yao, Jin Shun and other generals, and the situation is also the most familiar to them, and he, the commander of the whole army, does not need to know too much.

As for the situation in the southeastern coastal defense and the situation of Japan's armaments, he can be said to know nothing about it!

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□ (To be continued......)

PS: Ask for collection! Ask for recommendations! Ask for a subscription! Click! Ask for a commuter pass!