In the Quanjude roast duck shop, everyone was pretending not to know each other anyway, but Li Hongzhang watched with interest like an old man Guangxu cut off the skin of the roast duck, put it on a thin sheet of baked dough, and then put the cucumbers that had been cut into strips and the greens that had been scalded with boiling water. When everything is put away, some soybean paste is poured on it, and Guangxu rolls up the dough and folds it at the bottom.

"Mr. Li, please." Guangxu respectfully handed the wrapped dough to Li Hongzhang.

Li Hongzhang took the dough roll and took a bite. After a while, Li Hongzhang swallowed this mouthful and blurted out: "Young Master Li is really a genius, he actually came up with such a way to eat. It not only has the refreshing taste of fruits and vegetables, but also the fresh fragrance of duck skin, as well as the tendon of dough. Not bad. ”

Guangxu handed the second dough roll to Zhang Peilun. On the contrary, Zhang Peilun was a little restrained.

"Why do you need to be so restrained, since the young master has a treat, you should relax and eat and drink." Li Hongzhang laughed and took another bite.

"That's how it should be." Guangxu handed over the job to Leng Jun and rubbed his hands: "It is an honor to be able to invite Mr. Li, my late life." ”

"Don't dare to be, don't dare to be. The old man heard the little girl say that the young master has a different view on the current national situation. The old man didn't know why the young master always regarded the book as a big problem. How can a small country shake our Celestial Empire. ”

"Although the Qing Dynasty raised millions of soldiers, only Beiyang had the strength to fight. As soon as China says that war will start, Beiyang will bear the brunt. However, how can a smoking gun win a rifle? Guangxu's words were directed at the double-spearmen of the Beiyang Huai Army.

Hearing Guangxu's evaluation of Beiyang, Li Hongzhang was naturally a little unhappy. Because he didn't break Guangxu's identity, Li Hongzhang was also a little bolder: "Young Master Li is too underestimated of me Beiyang." Even though the Huai army is not strong, the Beiyang Naval Division is always the first fleet in Asia, not to mention that the emperor added two more giant ships to the Beiyang. There are sailors leaning on the Great Wall, what are the concerns? ”

"Since the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, China has built the Great Wall to defend against the southern invasion of the Xiongnu. Since Qin connected the Great Wall of various countries, all dynasties and generations have not strengthened and repaired. But when did the Great Wall stop the northern nomads. Guangxu looked at Li Hongzhang's eyes and smiled slightly: "I heard that this time, many shells not only failed to fire, but even the barrels could not be put in, and they had to repair the file before they could be used. No matter how powerful the sailor is, with such a cannonball, it is just someone else's target. ”

Li Hongzhang didn't know what to say for a while. Guangxu told the truth, and for this reason, Lang Weili was furious and checked the logistics department, and also clashed with Liu Fen and Zhang Shiheng. This time he came to Beijing, and he still had a thick fold of Lang Weili in his arms.

"Offense is the best defense. I think the old gentleman should take care of the Beiyang. I also heard that the emperor has made a lot of money recently. Guangxu didn't know why his words made Li Hongzhang understand. Guangxu means that you, Li Hongzhang, need to rectify the Huai army, and the sailors also need to replenish the ammunition. And Guangxu also has the financial resources to support it.

"Could it be that my Beiyang is so unbearable in the eyes of the young master." Zhang Peilun was a little angry, Beiyang has long been a force that can influence the government in its own system. Li Hongzhang didn't expect that Guangxu, who was originally bent on wooing Beiyang, would have such an opinion of Beiyang.

"It's not unbearable, it's terrible. Beiyang seems to be vulnerable on the surface...... I'm sorry, but please forgive me for being late and telling you the truth. The reason why Beiyang is like this is not that Mr. is incapable, but that he is unable to develop due to many constraints. However, Beiyang has built a number of places to cultivate reserve talents, such as the Martial Arts School and the Sailor School, which can provide a steady stream of power for Beiyang in the future, which is the real place where Beiyang has experienced disasters. Therefore, I think that the emperor was also inspired by Mr. to establish the Jingshi University Hall and the New Military Academy. By imitating the model of Beiyang, it is expected to provide a steady stream of talents and motivation for the country. If Mr. is not restrained, Mr. Zuo's achievements will surpass Zeng, Zuo and others. Guangxu thought about it and decided to talk to Li Hongzhang about his thoughts when his identity was not revealed. With the 20,000 people of the new army in the first afternoon, Guangxu was really not sure: "The late students dare to ask, has the old gentleman ever thought about promoting the Beiyang model throughout the country?" ”

Guangxu's words made Li Hongzhang not know how to reply, and his heart was also turbulent. Beiyang's self-contained system has long been the same in the world, so the Queen Mother has many elbows to prevent the situation of Beiyang's dominance and finally the local command of the central government. Li Hongzhang also understands that the reason why Beiyang is strong is because of a steady stream of talents from all walks of life. And the emperor points to the death hole of Beiyang in terms of talents. recalled that the emperor first transferred the Wubei Academy, and then transferred Lin Lianhui, Lin Qizhao, Tang Shaoyi and others to the court...... Li Hongzhang was sweating profusely. But if it is said that the emperor is to take over the power of Beiyang, but the emperor's other methods are to strengthen Beiyang. Not to mention that the emperor did not punish Li Hongzhang or Li Jingfang for the Tianjin incident, and let him handle the matter with full authority. It also purchased two giant ships for Beiyang, and continued to take out silver to subsidize it. Railways and highways were built for Beiyang, telephone and telegraph lines were laid, new arsenals were set up and Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau was improved, and schools were built for Beiyang...... It's too much, what does this emperor mean?

Li Hongzhang was puzzled, and he bit the dough roll on his hand fiercely. The four girls who had been sitting and listening on the side whispered. Guangxu didn't ask Li Hongzhang, and listened to the four daughters with great interest.

Huang Lin said: "The United States is originally a country of immigrants, and the rapid development of its wealth in just one hundred years has made even Britain and France and other countries very red-eyed. At its root is the United States and its emphasis on education, graduating every year with no math students. Over the past 100 years, a steady stream of people from all walks of life have joined to help achieve the current situation, and I think that Beiyang should be more suitable for today's Chinese people. ”

"The United States is just learning from the British way of education," Ancy said. Now I am also studying in the Qing Dynasty, but even the emperor said that ten years of trees, a hundred years of people. Principal Rong wants to achieve great things in ten years, but I am afraid it is very difficult. ”

Li Jurong nodded: "Yes, it takes time for this person to cultivate." Beiyang can have the trend of today, and it is also passed from the era of Zeng Guofan to the present day. There is no way to cultivate this man. ”

Guangxu suddenly interjected: "Those who have stayed abroad are different, and they have high opinions." It's a pity that the Western powers won't give us that much time. Twenty years at most, no time to go. As for Miss Yang, she doesn't speak every time. Let's hear what Miss Yang has to say. ”

"Me?" Yang Zao'er's face flushed slightly: "I can't say it well." Although I don't understand why Young Master Li always says that there is not enough time, this point is based on what my father said. My father often talked about ......"

"Stop, stop." Guangxu interrupted Yang Zao'er's words: "Why do you always say how your father says, today we want to hear your own thoughts." ”

"My own? I don't know what to say. Yang Zao'er's face turned even redder: "I think what Young Master Li said is reasonable. Nowadays, foreigners regard our China as nothing, and take it arbitrarily, how can they sit back and watch our China be strong. If you want to become strong in a short period of time, why not call it a time when foreigners are too busy to take care of themselves, and concentrate on the development of outstanding talents to develop one or two. It's better than the training of the whole people. ”

That's right, Guangxu suddenly realized. For more than a year, I always feel that I can't fight hard, and here's why. The stalls are too big, and the forces are too scattered. Guangxu nodded: "Miss Yang woke up the dreamer with a word." Beiyang is a good example. What does the old gentleman think? ”

Li Hongzhang thought of the most appropriate reply: "The young master is too uplifting to the old man, and the old man is afraid that he is powerless." ”

"It's good to have a heart, as for the strength - I think it's not that Mr. is powerless to do it, I'm afraid it's beyond the power of many parties." Guangxu put down the dough roll in his hand and looked at Li Hongzhang: "If someone is willing to fully support Mr., I don't know if Mr. is willing to do it?" ”

"I'm afraid it's hard to find someone who is willing to fully support the old man, right?"

"There must be people, but they can't do it at their full strength. He needed a time, a chance. Of course, this also requires your Mr. Li to fully support him and support each other in order to become bigger and stronger. It's up to people. Even in the private room, even if there are Guangxu's people outside, Guangxu still speaks very quietly. It would be terrible if the conversation here got out.

Li Hongzhang looked at the current situation, Guangxu wanted to force him to express his position. But the Queen Mother has been running the court for many years, and the court is deeply rooted inside and outside, and I am afraid that the scheming Queen Mother will not give this opportunity at this time. If Guangxu wants to wait until the Queen Mother passes, then I, Li Hongzhang, can't wait for that time.

Guangxu saw that Li Hongzhang was a little hesitant, but he understood in his heart. Li Hongzhang is the queen mother's person, and he can transform the force field with just three or two sentences, so this person can't be of great use. Guangxu smiled faintly: "That person believes in Mr. Li, as for Mr. Li, you might as well give him some more time to see if he is worthy of Mr. Li's support." Two years, very soon. ”

After speaking, Guangxu laughed: "Don't talk about state affairs." This Quanjude is not only a good roast duck, but also a good dish, the old gentleman might as well try it. ”

"Okay." Li Hongzhang smiled heartily: "The old man wants to try whether this dish is in line with the old man's mouth." Please—"

"Father, is Young Master Li Ming really the emperor today?" Li Jurong, who returned to the Four Seas Hotel, only guessed a little, but was still shocked by the news.

"A good wife need not be suspicious. If it weren't for the emperor, how would he say those words. It's just that the emperor said this, does he want to ......" Zhang Peilun was taken aback by his own thoughts.

"There are just three of us here, and you don't have to worry about it. Chrysanthemum root is often in contact with the emperor, and it is good to refer to one or two details. ”

The emperor made it clear that he would give his father another two years. The son-in-law suddenly thought that the emperor's new army would be able to form combat effectiveness in two more years, and the emperor wanted to ......"

"Impossible, the old man asserted that the emperor would never be like this." Li Hongzhang said with certainty: "Although I am afraid that I will not come again in the end, it will not be two years later." The emperor is now saying that this is a big trouble, and as far as the old man knows, a lot of the training of the new army is imitating himself. If you have to deal with Yue himself, why do you need to do this, so this new army must first be to defend against Yu himself. As for the time and opportunity two years later, I am afraid that it is related to the word Jiawu. ”

Speaking of this, it reminded Zhang Peilun of something: "Father, the son-in-law remembered something." After the Tianjin incident, I had a detailed discussion with Zhou Qin about the reason why the emperor asked him to come to Tianjin. He said that he did not know why the emperor asserted that he would start a war against the Qing Dynasty in the first year of the first year, and once the war was started, Beiyang was afraid that it would be difficult to win. Therefore, I can't let him know that our Qing army is false and real. This is also the reason why he came to Tianjin. Afterwards, the son-in-law also inquired around, and the new army was also preparing for the first year. As the emperor said, the war came true. The emperor just wanted to take advantage of the defeat of Beiyang to raise his arms and shout for his 20,000 new troops to defeat Yuben and gain power in the world. That's why I asked my father to wait for him for two years. ”

"The emperor thinks that Beiyang will be defeated by the hands of Yueben, and only 20,000 new troops can defeat Yueben?" Li Hongzhang said with some disdain: "Youqiao, you underestimate this emperor too much." What you said should be correct, but the emperor also understands that you can't rely on only 20,000 new troops, and the old man's Huai army still needs to be used. That's why the emperor said that he wanted the old man to support one or two. It's just ......" Li Hongzhang was a little angry: "The old man also knows that although the Huai Army is not of great use, my Beiyang Navy Division is still unbearable in the eyes of the emperor?" ”

"Father. Please sit down first," Li Jurong brought tea: "No matter what the emperor thinks." This Huai army should also be put in order. You don't know what this folk has become of the Huai army. ”

"Hey, it's not that my father doesn't want to train the army, but he can't train the army." Zhang Peilun was a little short of breath.

Why is that? Now the emperor has clearly stated that he wants to support his father. It is also trying its best in terms of financial resources. Why did the husband say this? ”

"Youqiao is right, you can't train soldiers." Li Hongzhang took a sip of tea and sighed deeply: "How similar is the current Huai Army to the Green Battalion. The old man just tried his best to keep it from collapsing completely. The old man only used one percent of his strength to train this soldier, and he was already suspicious of the government and the opposition. If you use a lot of strength to train elite soldiers, I am afraid that the old man will not be far from the head of the person. ”

For a while, only the sound of breathing could be heard in the room.

"From the chrysanthemum root to the Beijing Normal University Hall to study, you and your husband will get together less and leave more. This time you can come back to Beijing, and your husband and wife are also very friendly. The old man is tired, so you should rest early. ”

Watching Li Jurong gently close the door, Li Hongzhang sighed. Your Majesty, Your Majesty, how can you let the old man deal with himself? Li Hongzhang stretched out his left hand: "Queen Mother, the foundation is solid, old and strong." After speaking, he stretched out his right hand: "Your Majesty, the new ruler of the government, the newborn calf." After speaking, he looked at his left hand: "Queen Mother, steadily seek perfection and be content with the status quo." After speaking, he looked at his right hand: "Your Majesty, forge ahead and have great ambitions." ”

Li Hongzhang looked at his left hand and his right hand for a while, shaking between the queen mother and the emperor. Finally, Li Hongzhang lowered his hands and sighed: "It's a big problem." ”

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