The night gradually shrouded, more than 100 miles away from Seoul, in a small post station. Standing everywhere in the rain were guards and attachés dressed in suits and dragging braids. The places where they could shelter from the rain were crowded with people, and those with higher status rushed first, and those who couldn't squeeze in stood in the open air with tarpaulins on their heads. Everyone looked at the inn house and cursed.

"His grandmother's, the flag man is a person, so we are not people? Why do they live in a house and we just watch in the rain? ”

"Lao Tzu was still stirring a horse spoon in a pot in Xi'an and Rong Dashuai! Fuck, one more yellow belt and one more red belt than us, so one more thing? ”

"I said, we have to accept our fate! If it weren't for the fact that the big marshal was busy going to Pyongyang to seize the right of the two hundred and five, we wouldn't be here without the village and the back of the shop! ”

"What is this handsome, that handsome, they are all raccoon dogs! How good it is in Seoul, the little ladies of North Korea, it is just two words, soft! How to rub and fiddle, it's all up to you......"

The scolding in the courtyard turned into a silver laugh again. The North Korean post man came in with a large bucket of vegetable porridge, and the people forgot what they were discussing just now, and rushed up one after another, scolding the post man for being too slow as they grabbed it.

For these attachés and guards of the angels of the kingdom, how dare the little Korean post guards offend. It's just laughing there, and in the post station, it's like a vegetable market.

Inside the humble house of the inn, a fire rose in the middle of the fire, baking soaked clothes from the end of the day. Rong Lu and a few Banner Sect Attachés who had a bit of face sat near the fire pit, surrounded by beef jerky, venison strips, deer tails, peanuts, and the old cellar of the original bubbles. Listening to Rong Lu's bird Xianggong squirming there, humming and singing Sifan.

"The little nun is twenty-eight years old, and her hair was cut by the master in her youth, and every day, she burns incense and changes water in the Buddha hall, and sees a few children playing games ......under the mountain gate."

Hearing the heartiness, a banner man clan patted his thigh unwillingly: "Okay!" The one sung by the adult's subordinates is called a good one! Men are afraid of running at night, women are afraid of Sifan, and under the hands of adults, I'm afraid that even the worship team of the old alcohol palace is compared to it, isn't it? ”

Rong Lu also smiled and yawned lazily. The rain on the way didn't seem to affect his mood at all.

Everyone is very determined, as long as they arrive in Pyongyang, are they afraid that Xu Yifan will not obediently hand over the military power? Could it be that he still wants to rebel? As long as he takes the 10,000 soldiers he trained, and it is a big brand of the Praetorian Guard, where does he go, is it not his Ronglu's capital? The governor of Zhili, the minister of Beiyang, and even entered the military plane. This mission has been done for Lafayette, and those positions are not placed in the purse?

It's warming the fire, adding a little wine, and I want to beckon everyone to take a break. I heard a stirring outside, and a mixture of voices. Rong Lu opened his drooping eyelids violently and stood up: "What's the trouble?" Don't rest yet, Ming'er won't be in a hurry? It's all itchy! ”

Several flag people were taken aback by him, and they didn't think so. Let's live well, squatting in the house, but they are still in the rain, where are they going to rest?

The noise outside became louder and louder, Rong Lu picked up the horsewhip resting beside him, strode out, and shouted loudly before he went out: "All fucking bastards......"

Outside the door, several people twisted into a ball in the rain, and the people who were twisted were people in tattered North Korean Taoist uniforms, all of them colorless. The postman stood beside them with their horses, helpless. The horses had also lost their fat, and were panting for breath for a long time. The people under Rong Lu's hands scolded while doing it.

"Do you dare to grab the food in Lao Tzu's mouth? The horse material is in the trough, go over by yourself! I don't think you can eat any good forage! ”

Rong Lu's eyes moved, and he shouted: "Stop!" ”

His men were frightened by his roar, and they stepped aside. The North Korean Taoist soldiers glanced at Rong Lu's red top, and they didn't care about saluting, so they reached out to fish up the warm vegetable porridge and stuffed it into their mouths.

Rong Lu snorted: "What person? ”

The post man could speak Mandarin, and he hurriedly explained: "My lord, I am a messenger of Ping'an Road, and I have been on the road for two or three days, and when I see the post station, I am hungry and panicked, so I reach out and grab something to eat." Adults forgive sins! ”

"The messenger of peace?" Rong Lu's eyes moved again.

"Why did you send a messenger all of a sudden?"

A Taoist soldier suddenly shouted a few words loudly in Korean, but Rong Lu didn't understand. I heard the attaché next to me interpreting: "Pyongyang Dongxue is in turmoil, and messengers like them have been sent several times before and after!" Ping'an Road is close to the left, and it has been killed in a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood! ”

It was not loud, but everyone heard it, and a few goshkhas were still holding bowls and fell to the ground with a clink.

Rong Lu jumped into the rain in one step and grabbed the post man: "There are several batches of messengers who report the news, why don't you know here?" ”

The postman was so frightened that his legs went limp: "My lord, we really didn't see the messenger in front of us! ”

The Dao soldiers were still muttering, eating as they spoke. The attaché who knew Korean froze there and subconsciously translated: "...... Thanks to the guns and suppression of Lord Xu, the army came out in all directions and fought with those chaotic parties everywhere. It was only then that some of the situation was stabilized, and now Heian Dao urgently needed instructions from the Minister of Parliament, what to do, and sent messengers like them in batches...... They are already in the fifth batch! ”

Rong Lu naturally didn't know that the people sent by the Pyongyang Mansion in front were all robbed and killed by the Heavenly Blessing Heroes. As Xu Yifan's army advanced and forced them away from the road connecting Pyongyang and Seoul, subsequent messengers were dispatched. But the time has been delayed for three or four days, and these three or four days are the time that Jin Yujun and Yue himself have gained!

He froze there, his mind blank for a moment. Taking Xu Yifan's power is a trivial matter. The Qing army suppressed the rebellion on Korean soil without the consent of the Korean central political axe, nor did it go through the consent of his plenipotentiary to comfort the chincha! If this kind of thing happens, if North Korea protests to the imperial court, such a big hat violates the Tianjin Treaty, which prohibits the use of troops in Korea, and completely offends Korea, the only vassal state. Even he has to carry this responsibility, and maybe he will have to be transferred out of North Korea in disgrace!

Xu Yifan, who blatantly did it himself, of course has a heavier responsibility. But this is not something he has to think about now, the first thing is to go back quickly to appease the North Korean royal family!

Besides, there is a sea of corpses and blood near Pyongyang, how can he take the risk with his daughter's body?

Rong Lu turned around violently and waved his hand frantically: "Pack up your things, pack your things, turn back!" Back! Don't fucking stand still! The subordinates reacted violently, and immediately began to lead the horses and carts in a chaotic manner. The people in the room came out one by one, dumbfounded, not knowing what was going on. The picturesque bird also walked to Rong Lu's side with a twist: "Master, what's the mess?" You haven't finished listening to the song yet......"

With a snap, Rong Lu slapped him in the face: "Lao Tzu doesn't have time to listen to your howl!" ”

In less than half an hour, the brigade had already cleaned up. Brave the rain and turn around and walk in the direction of Seoul. Rong Luk did this to cover people's eyes and ears and prevent others from knowing that he left Seoul and rushed to Pyongyang. deliberately picked a deserted official road between Seoul and Pyongyang, which is not the main road. The road is not very easy to walk, and the heavy rain has been falling all day long, and the soil has already been filled with rain. Everywhere there was a torrent of water, and it was doubly difficult to walk back compared to it. I struggled until the second half of the night, but I only walked four or five miles. Everyone is complaining bitterly, and they feel that Rong Dashuai's nerves are really meaningless.

Later, Rong Lu couldn't sit still in the carriage, so he put on a raincoat and stood outside and loudly urged them to leave. When he was stumbling along, the person in front of him suddenly shouted: "Look, my lord! ”

The official road here is closer to the main official road from Pyongyang-Kaesong-Seoul, and between the two roads, there is a canyon that is not too deep. On the opposite side, in the line of sight, I saw a zigzag fire dragon surging forward under the torrential rain. Under the light of the fire, you can faintly see groups of soldiers wearing Western-style military uniforms, but most of them are dragging their braids. It was the army of the Great Qing Dynasty!

The army, with its oil-soaked torches, surged forward firmly and mechanically. Everyone was carrying rifles, some were wearing raincoats, and some simply took off their soaked shirts and walked briskly. At the front and back of the procession, there were people who looked like officers, and none of them rode horses, but they were encouraged to move forward before and after. The officer's figure was also swaying, but it was no worse than the soldier's load. Quite a few also took the soldiers' rifles.

There were also some mules and horses on both sides of the procession, and these animals were already shaking their hooves when they walked, and they could no longer hold on. Every time a mule or horse fell, the soldiers who passed by did not hesitate to push the cattle down the canyon along with the donkeys on them.

Even the animals can't hold up the march, these people can still withstand it? Is this still the army of the Qing Dynasty?

A faint agitation voice floated from the opposite side: "Brothers, there are also our compatriots in Seoul, and even greater riots will take place there!" If you don't want our compatriots to suffer such a fate again, let's move forward! We saved our compatriots in Java, in Pyongyang, and now in Seoul, it's your turn! ”

The torches on Rong Lu's side also lit up one by one, but no one on the other side glanced at this side, just rolled forward. Everyone who is about to collapse will be held by the outstretched hand around them, and everyone who can't support it will be surrounded by the figure of an officer who will take over the weight on their bodies. Most of these officers came out of the blood and fire of the South Seas!

Seeing this team stubbornly go away, everyone had a feeling of being hypnotized.

Torrential rain, dark night, iron streams, torches. Is this a dream?

Rong Lu stood on the top of the wheel, and it took a long time to react, and his hands and feet were immediately cold. This must be Xu Yifan's troops, and where they are going is Seoul!

The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became, Seoul was completely empty, and the army was heading there. Could it be that something happened in Seoul? If that's really the case, he, the minister, is not in Seoul!

And Xu Yifan is a hero who helps the crisis and relieves difficulties!

God forbid, don't let anything happen there in Seoul!

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After Rong Lu left, there was an atmosphere of panic at this time.

Riots in Seoul during the day, gunshots rang out at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Let the old negotiators who stayed behind, the North Korean generals are all like mourners. They didn't have anything to worry about their own safety, even if the small guard of Qin Cha Xingyuan was taken away by Rong Lu. The North Koreans still do not dare to offend them, the diplomats of the upper country. In the afternoon, a team was sent to keep them safe. The businessmen who did business in Seoul and the public servants who traveled between Seoul and Tianjin also gathered in the Qincha Xingyuan for safety.

What they feared had already been learned from the people who had been sent to protect them. Enlightened Party Uprising! The leader of the pro-China faction, Dayuanjun, whom the imperial court and Beiyang had focused on, had been killed, and the Kaihua Party had established a new political axe. Everything was so imaginary about the incident with Jiashen, but now they have no means to deal with it at all!

At the time of Jiashen, Daewonjun did not die, and there was a Qing army in Seoul. But now, the Dayuan King is dead, and their minister is no longer here. Looking through the entire line, I don't know if I can get ten foreign guns!

North Korea is a loser like this...... The Enlightenment Party must have announced that it would sever its relationship with the Qing Dynasty. Then maintain a balance between the middle and the middle. In any case, up to the Chincha, down to their attaché negotiators. None of them will be able to hold their place, the top of their heads!

Many people didn't even bother to eat dinner, just sighed. At night, they don't go to sleep, they sit in the hall and look at each other with sad faces.

Okay, the two Qincha fighting methods, fighting lost North Korea! Rong Lu was not in Seoul at the time of this big change, this crime, it depends on how he memorized it......

The sky was getting darker and darker, and the torrential rain that had been raging for two days gradually stopped. The sound of dripping water in front of the eaves gradually changed from a piece to a trickle.

In the hall, the people who sat down didn't even bother to grasp the lights. I don't know who it is, so I said in a dull voice: "Let's sleep...... Father and mother get married, let's take care of each other......"

A listless echo of voices rang out below. Just as they were about to get up, suddenly there was the sound of footsteps, scolding, and blocking voices from the Korean language.

The voice just got up, and before I could react to what was happening, I heard a crackling gunshot!

Everyone was stunned, but the gunshots were getting louder and louder. From far to near, it kept pushing over, and a dying scream filled the entire night sky!

With a bang, a door was pushed open, and the firelight from outside suddenly penetrated. A bloody corpse rolled in at the door, it was the North Korean lead officer sent to protect them.

People seemed to have only reacted at this time, and rushed to the door with their robes and gowns. Before they could reach the door, several doors were kicked open, and torches were shining outside. Under the blood-red firelight, I saw rows of foreign guns, pointing at them!

"Little book!"

The officer standing next to the team waved his hand violently, and the rows of Murata rifles suddenly fired, and the white smoke filled the room, and the Qing officials who had the status of diplomats in the room did not know how many blood holes there were in their bodies, and they fell down one after another when they convulsed!

It is said that this army is actually attacking the diplomatic institutions of the Qing Dynasty in the night!

When the gunfire stopped, the officer leading the team looked inside and was sure they were all dead. Only then did he give a loud order: "Keep searching!" Can't let go of a live mouth! Bring those North Korean corpses over, set them on fire, and burn them all! Remember, it was the Kaihua Party members who were now known as the riots in Korea who attacked the Chin Cha Xing of the Qing Kingdom! ”

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With the sound of gunfire in the city of Seoul, the same bloody scene was staged inside Gyeongbokgung Palace.

The Enlightened Party and Government Axe was only established in the afternoon, and the corpse at the gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace had not yet been cleaned up, and the blood stains had not been completely washed away. The shootout broke out at the gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace again!

After suddenly receiving reinforcements, the Minister Guards, who assisted in the defense of the palace with the axe of the party and government, turned their guns and opened heavy fire on those guards!

The carnage far exceeded the intensity of the daytime coup. Bullets flew everywhere, not only the guards, palace maids, and palace officials, but also the palace officials had nowhere to hide, and the dead and wounded were in ruins. Many officials have just taken office today, and they are still in a meeting to discuss their own sharing matters, and before they left Gyeongbokgung Palace, they were killed by rows of bullets in the Joseon Palace!

In the night, in the firelight. At the sound of the officer's command, the soldiers marched in formation, steadily advancing towards the palace bans, and as long as a figure appeared in their sight, a row of bullets pounced over.

Many Civilians were still surprised when they died.

What's going on in this world? It was only with their own help and support that they won the coup d'état. Now Minister Sugimura Rui is still in the Jiaotai Palace with Concubine Li Wang Min and the new Minister of Parliament Jin Yujun to discuss matters. And the army is so murderous?

It was a one-sided massacre. Blood water replaced the rain during the day and sprinkled all over Gyeongbokgung Palace. Seoul calmed down a little, and fell into a hysterical panic again.

This time, even their royal palace was on fire!

A neat team of soldiers, holding Murata rifles, pressed towards the Jiaotai Hall step by step. Behind them, there was only a mass of corpses. Lieutenant General Kawakami Yoroku, dressed in a simple military uniform, carrying a family heirloom saber, and a few attachés, followed quietly behind.

At the entrance of the main hall of Jiaotai Palace, two figures stood side by side. It was Rui Sugimura and Kim Ok-kyun. Both of them were pale, and Jin Yujun's eyes were full of tears.

The soldiers stopped, followed the commander's command, and with a bang, put their rifles neatly on their shoulders. The team parted on both sides, and they saw Kawakami Shiran passing through with his hands behind his back.

Sugimura hurried over, and Jin Yujun looked around blankly as if he hadn't woken up from the nightmare.

"Your Excellency, what the hell is going on!"

Sugimura's voice almost erupted. His chest fell together, and his hands were almost tangled into the collar of Kawakami's military uniform.

Kawakami smiled and looked around, and said with a smile: "North Korean thugs are rioting and trying to overthrow the political axe of my friendly Korean state. It also attacked the diplomatic institutions of the Qing State and slaughtered the diplomatic personnel of the Qing State...... We were invincible to the Imperial Army, and we resolutely waved our troops to help quell the chaos and stabilize the situation in East Asia...... Any questions? ”

Sugimura was furious: "This is a lie, this is a lie!" Jin Jun has successfully established and civilized the party and government axe, and our goal has been achieved! Ming said, they are about to announce their separation from the Qing State Reading Force, why do they send this attack? ”

Kawakami sank his face and shouted, "Sugimura-kun! Don't forget, you're me! What you have to think about is the interests of the empire! And the establishment of a civilized party and government axe, eight years ago, was appropriate, but now, it is not suitable for the interests of the empire! We don't need a North Korea that reads the power between China and China, but a North Korea that completely obeys our orders! The political axe established by Kim Yujun will still maintain a balance between the Chinese and the Chinese, and we will never wait for the day when they invite the emperor's [***] team to enter Korea! ”

Sugimura was stunned for a moment, and his voice was much weaker: "Then why don't you act directly, and use Jin Jun and them to launch a coup d'état?" As a samurai, why be dishonest? ”

Kawakami smiled faintly: "Sugimura-kun, if there is no Mr. Jin, how can we afford to call on so many civilized party members to rise up?" How can this turn of events begin with a power struggle within North Korea? We are only here to quell this illicit riot...... Daewon-kun is dead, Kim Ok-gyun is dead, and tomorrow, there will be a Korean political axe that is most in line with the interests of the empire to take the stage......"

"Who is the leader of this axe?"

Kawakami clapped his hands, and the attaché behind him stepped out. Under the light of the torches, although he was wearing a full-body military uniform, Sugimura still recognized it at a glance.

Park Yong-hyo!

It turns out that this chaos, from beginning to end, has been completely calculated!

Park Yonghyo had a white face, smiled awkwardly at Sugimura, and didn't dare to look at Kim Ok-kyun. Kim Ok-gyun seemed to wake up from a nightmare, trembling and stepping down the steps, alone, facing rows of rifles, slowly walking towards Park Yong-hyo.

The firelight, stretched his figure very long, long.

Park Yonghyo trembled involuntarily, and couldn't help but want to retreat. Kawakami waved his hand slightly, and immediately the officer next to him gave the order. With a bang, dozens of rifles were flattened. Fierce launch!

Dozens of bullets hit Jin Yujun's body and jumped high, and then fell heavily. Without a word, he just died.

Sugimura twisted his head, but Kawakami bowed slightly to Jin Yujun's body: "I'm sorry...... Mr. Kim, you are patriotic. It's a pity that there is no need for your country to exist on the political map of East Asia right now......"

The entire Jiaotai Hall was quiet. There was only the sound of torches being blown by the wind.

Kawakami turned around and whispered: "Pu Jun, you can go to meet His Royal Highness King Li and prepare to set up a new political axe...... Ando-kun, telegraph to Mr. Toushan, the matter is over on my side, and the following is the domestic matter. ”

Sugimura broke the silence and said in a low voice: "Your Excellency, I want to warn you, Park Yong-hyo does not have Kim Ok-kyun's ability to call. In Seoul now, there are no Koreans who will cooperate with the empire. It is very dangerous to control the situation in Seoul. ”

Kawakami smiled: "The more chaotic Seoul is, isn't the more sufficient reason for the empire to send troops to help Korea stabilize the situation?" ”

I don't know why, looking at Kawakami's relaxed smile, Sugimura has the urge to slap him. Is the blood in the soul of this Imperial Army's brain tank the same temperature as an ice cube?

It's all for the good of the empire, but standing with him is like standing next to a poisonous snake.

"There's one more problem...... Your Excellency, why did you attack the Qing Dynasty? ”

Kawakami is now very interested in preaching and teaching and solving doubts, and he raised two fingers: "First, that's inward." Within the empire, there are still many gentle people like Murakami-kun! When the Qing were attacked, the empire would inevitably think that the Qing would increase their forces in Korea and save the face they had lost in the only remaining vassal state...... Since the Qing State will increase its troops. Then it would have been easier for the empire to make the decision to increase its forces to Korea, wouldn't it? ”

Sugimura just listened quietly, at least from the outside, he had completely calmed down.

Kawakami said with great interest: "Second, it is necessary to send troops to Korea to oppress the Qing State!" We need more than just North Korea! Instead, on the mainland, replace the position of the Qing State to grab more benefits, and pave the way for the rise of Yueben! Too easy. ”

"We are ready, twenty years of lying on the salary and trying the courage is to start a decisive battle with the Qing State to gamble on the fortunes of the country!"

Everyone was silent, and Sugimura silently saluted Kawakami: "I wish your Excellency success...... It only takes two more days for the big picture to be decided. Although there are some objections to your methods, for the sake of the Empire, the contemptible people are willing to cooperate fully...... Now, the contemptible people will accompany Minister Park to see His Royal Highness King Li and Concubine Min......"

Kawakami returned the salute with a smile: "After seeing it, we will protect King Li and His Royal Highness Concubine Min." So trouble Sugimura-kun to hurry up......"

Sugimura didn't speak, and walked towards the hall with Park Yong-hyo, who was still cowering, just bypassing Kim Ok-kyun's body from a distance.

Kawakami stood in the light of a fire, silently facing the sky.

It only takes two days...... The New Deal Axe was established, and the news here was transmitted back to China, and Park Yong Hyo's invitation to send troops to Yuben was delivered. The country will quickly unite its will...... As long as he was firmly in control of Seoul before this, or rather, as long as he was firmly in control of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

He can't even survive these two days?

This plan, from the beginning of the Dongxue Party to the present, has condensed the wisdom of many people of insight in the empire, and mobilized many resources to fully implement it, so that it has come to this day.

He couldn't fail!

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The night bathed in blood and fire at Gyeongbokgung Palace passed slowly. Xiaose gradually appeared in the mountains and fields around Seoul, and everything here was as quiet as if nothing had happened. The air after the rain is refreshing.

A military flag suddenly appeared on the edge of the skyline, waving in the morning breeze. It's a dragon with its claws and teeth open!

Under the flag, there are two figures supporting each other, one is an officer and the other is a standard-bearer. They were all at the front of the queue, and behind them were the teams that were rolling forward.

Everyone was already exhausted and pale. Five days and five nights of forced march, rest in the heavy rain. Some people ran away with their shoes, and some people ran away with their leggings. Sixteen hundred people, two battalions of troops. There are only more than 1,200 people still in the queue. The others have already been left behind. Except for weapons and ammunition, all baggage backpacks were discarded. Of the three hundred and thirty sturdy mules and horses at the time of departure, not a single one remained. Four machine guns, scattered on the shoulders of the strongest soldiers.

Under everyone's feet, there are patches of blood blisters.

With the simplicity and hard work of the children of Chinese peasants, as well as the obedience to discipline orders that had been formed in a conditioned reflex in more than two months, and the encouragement and leadership of the officers, the soldiers finally completed the road of 800 miles in five days!

(PS: At that time, it was 800 miles, which is equivalent to more than 340 kilometers now.) ）

If there is an officer who gives them orders on horseback, they will not be able to hold out.

If there is an officer, who advances empty-handed, and does not share the burden of carrying ammunition, they will not be able to hold out.

If there is an officer who does not eat the same food as them and sleeps in the same muddy water, they will not be able to hold out.

……

Up to Chu Wanli, down to a sentry officer, they are all the same as them!

The officer, who was at the front, suddenly stood on his feet. The standard-bearer next to him thought that he couldn't walk, so he hurriedly supported him. But the officer shook off his hand and ran toward the small mound by the roadside. I don't know how he still has all this energy.

The officer stood on top of the mound, took off his binoculars, and looked into the distance.

In the quadruple eyepiece of the Zeiss telescope, the outline of a city appears on the edge of the rushing Han River!

On July 26, the 19th year of Guangxu, Lu Yaozhong, the sentry officer of the 1st Standard and 2nd Battalion of the Left Association of the Praetorian Guard, shouted to the more than 1,200 soldiers who were tenacious and moving forward under his feet that would be recorded in the military history of the Praetorian Guard.

"Seoul! Seoul! ”

(To be continued)