"The Great Qing Kingdom is really coming to an end!"

In the study room in the backyard of the Hudu Yamen in Wuchang, there was a sudden long sigh of great sorrow, and Zhang Zhidong, who was dressed in cloth, let out this long sigh, and tears flowed down his old face.

Four days ago, when the matter of "Liu Tongzhiyu forced Sakharov to return to the green mud pool" came from the military plane, he was the first to play the imperial court, ask for credit for Liu Lingzhi, and even publicized this matter in Wuchang with great fanfare.

But today, there was a secret telegram from the Military Aircraft Department, and Liu Lingzhi was promoted to the alternate of Zhili, and he handed over the green mud pool to the book. Zhang Zhidong sat on the chair and stared at the secret electricity at the military plane for a long time, and the anger in his chest was burning with scorching heat. It burned his heart, made him angry, and made him miserable!

He didn't expect that this court would be so short-sighted! Nowadays, when the national character was originally emphasized to save the hearts of the people, the loyal and brave courtiers desperately tried their lives to save some rights and interests, but they were given to the Orientals by the imperial court!

Thinking about it like this, a heart-wrenching pain made Zhang Zhidong dizzy, his palms were sweating, and he finally collapsed on the Taishi chair. After a while, Dagen came in to pour tea, and when he saw that the fourth uncle's eyes were closed and his face was pale, he shouted in fright: "Fourth uncle, fourth uncle!" After shouting a few times, Zhang Zhidong opened his eyes.

"Fourth uncle, are you not feeling well?"

Dagen picked up Zhang Zhidong's left hand and pressed it slightly hard at his tiger's mouth. "Is it better?"

Zhang Zhidong nodded lightly and said weakly.

"You carry me back to the backyard to lie down!"

Seeing that Dagen came to the backyard with the master on his back, Peiyu was taken aback, hurriedly put down the work in his hand, walked over quickly, and asked repeatedly.

"What's wrong, what's wrong?"

Seeing Mrs. Dagen, he hurriedly replied.

"Fourth Uncle is a little uncomfortable."

It's been more than a month, when has the fourth uncle ever been comfortable, first Hunan and then Jiangnan, and now in the land of Jiangnan, only Hubei is left, and only the fourth uncle is left alone.

Peiyu touched Zhang Zhidong's forehead: "Is there anything uncomfortable?"

"Tightness in the chest."

Zhang Zhidong replied softly, his face was already better than just now. Peiyu laid out the quilt, and together with Dagen, took off Zhang Zhidong's coat and pants, and let him lie down well.

"Would you like to have a doctor come and take a look?" Peiyu asked.

"No, you don't." Zhang Zhidong shook his head gently, and then explained to Dagen.

"Don't tell others that I'm sick, so as not to disturb the morale of the army and delay the big thing. If you have something to do with me, tell him to come back tomorrow. Go out, and I'll lie down quietly. ”

Zhang Zhidong, who was lying on the bed, closed his eyes, his eyes were full of pain, and in order to save the situation, he not only paid a salary, but also opened a double salary, and in order to raise money, he did not hesitate to use the Hanyang Iron Works as a mortgage, and the loan was nearly three million taels, which finally temporarily stabilized the morale of the army.

Originally, it was thought that the sailors who had gathered in Jiujiang from the reverse would go up the river to shell Wuchang, but the sailors gathered in Jiujiang and did not make any changes. He knew that Chen Cripple was like that, taking care of the situation, and couldn't bear to see each other, but in fact he was waiting, he wanted to use the 100,000 troops gathered in Hubei to exhaust Hubei's financial resources, and then Hubei could be broken without attacking.

Chen Cripple also needs time to train the army, at least now there is some information from the provinces, the Guangfu Army is expanding the army, reorganized, in order to change the mixed department, which was originally beneficial to the Qing Dynasty, with this ease, the imperial court could have saved the hearts of the people, but now the green mud is a puddle, only afraid ...... Just when Zhang Zhidong was thinking about it repeatedly, Dagen came in and said to him.

"Fourth uncle, Wu Lang has returned from a long trip and wants to see you, are you free?"

Since that year, after Zhang Zhidong asked you for advice from Wu Qiuyi, Wu Qiuyi and Zhang Zhidong have not met again. At present, when encountering such a major event, Zhang Zhidong didn't have the heart to chat with a friend in the rivers and lakes, but after thinking about it, the people in the rivers and lakes are bystanders in the power field, as the saying goes, the bystanders are clear, not to mention that he has roamed the world for many years and has seen a lot of knowledge, so he can look at such a change of heaven and earth clearly. It's just that this matter must not be spread, otherwise, if the governor consults You Fang Langzhong about the abolition of the imperial court, it will be treated as a joke by the world.

"Where is Wu Langzhong now?"

"He's outside the gatehouse."

"Have you asked him, where does he live, and is he still in Guiyuan Temple?"

"Yes, he said that he still lived in Guiyuan Temple."

Zhang Zhidong, who was lying on the bed, thought about it and said.

"Go and tell him that I have urgent business to do at this time, and ask him to come back in the evening, and I have important matters to discuss with him."

In the evening, Wu Qiuyi came to the Supervision Office as promised, and Zhang Zhidong, who cheered up, happily received this unusual Langzhong in the small study. Wu Qiuyi looked him up and down and sighed.

"Brother Xiangtao, you are getting much older. The case is hard work, this is true! ”

Zhang Zhidong saw that although his old friend was dark and thin, he was full of energy, and he also said with emotion.

"You're not much different from the last time we met. Wind and rain dew pine and cypress people, this is not false! ”

After that, both of them laughed, the former laughing with embarrassment, while the latter laughed heartily.

After laughing, Zhang Zhidong asked.

"Brother Qiuyi, where have you been all these years?"

Wu Qiuyi replied heartily.

"These years were mainly in the north. Stayed near Mount Tai for two or three years, and then went to Songshan, Huashan and Wutai Mountain, and unconsciously, ten years passed in the world. The years go by so fast! ”

Yes, yes! ”

Zhang Zhidong nodded again and again.

"The years have passed so fast, even the concierge who received you back then has become an old man."

Looking at Wu Qiuyi, his old friend who belonged to the rivers and lakes, it was difficult for Zhang Zhidong to do his free and easy, so he opened his mouth when he thought about it.

"Qiuyi, the reason why I asked you to come here tonight is because I have an important matter to hear your opinion."

Zhang Zhidong turned the conversation to the topic with a solemn face.

Regarding the change in Zhang Zhidong's complexion, it was especially expected by Wu Qiuyi, but he shook his head.

"Your important affairs are all state affairs, and I am a person who does not ask about state affairs, so what's the use of asking me?"

"Yes, it's a state affair. And I also know that you don't ask about state affairs, and I want the opinions of people who don't ask about state affairs. ”

Staring at Zhang Zhidong, after hearing his words, Wu Qiuyi nodded with a smile.

"Then you can speak, and I will answer you to the best of my knowledge."

The old friend's answer made Zhang Zhidong look solemn, and his words were a little dignified.

"In fact, it's not a secret matter, the world has mutated mutations, and everyone knows about it!"

"The matter of recovering the army?"

Wu Qiuyi subconsciously adjusted the cloth hat on his head and said.

"Exactly! Autumn clothes, you take a look at this first. ”

Zhang Zhidong handed the secret telegram from the military machine to Wu Qiuyi. Wu Qiuyi took a look and was taken aback, but his face was silent, and he said calmly.

"I know, you and I both know, after this matter came out, I am afraid that everyone in the world will be shocked, and I am afraid that the people of the world will be restored, at this time you want to ask my opinion, and it is the opinion of the people in the rivers and lakes, make a reference for you."

Zhang Zhidong nodded solemnly.

After a moment of silence, Wu Qiuyi spoke.

"For such a big event, you can take it out and discuss it with me, which shows that you believe in me, and I will naturally not divulge everything we talked about here tonight. The people of the rivers and lakes have no desire or concern, and they may be more sober than you people in the bureau about such things. But I have to ask you one thing, and you have to tell the truth. ”

The solemnity of the old friend made Zhang Zhidong nod.

"Just ask if there's anything, I have no reason not to tell you the truth."

Wu Qiuyi stared at Zhang Zhidong's eyes and asked.

"Regarding the current situation, do you think it is better to recover or not to recover?"

"Although there are shortcomings and falls in the current dynasty, if you are willing to carry out the new policy, the Holy Lord and the Queen Mother have the heart to make every effort to govern the country, and the Qing Dynasty can still be saved. What's more, the court has a great favor from the court, so I should naturally repay the court. ”

A lifetime of conscientious and painstaking management just to make the Qing Dynasty prosperous and strong, but now? Thinking to himself, Zhang Zhidong's expression dimmed, and after dismissing his staff from there, he knew that his life's hard work had been in vain.

Listening to his words, Wu Qiuyi nodded.

"I understand, this is your difficulty: the court is kind to you, you can't help but serve the court, but now the situation has been decided, the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty has been decided, and the dilemma!"

Although he didn't want to face it, he nodded his head at this point.

"Exactly. Do you have any good ideas to help me get out of this dilemma?"

After thinking for a long time, Wu Qiuyi spoke.

"Brother Xiangtao, tell me, since ancient times, the dynasty has collapsed, but there are loyal ministers?"

Without thinking about it, Zhang Zhidong replied.

"Throughout the ages, there have been countless loyal ministers."

"Then in the future, why is it difficult to be a loyal minister?"

The old Jianghu asked rhetorically, but Zhang Zhidong was silent.

"Qing Zhi's loyal minister, not loyal! In the name of Han Annihilation, why is it not difficult for people to tarnish the name behind him?"

After a moment of silence, Zhang Zhidong replied.

After thinking for a while, Wu Qiuyi looked at Zhang Zhidong and asked.

"Even if you are a loyal minister, why are you afraid of being defiled by others?"

As he spoke, his peak turned.

"Brother Xu is Xiangtao is worried about the name of the Han Dynasty, that is, the loyalty of the Qing Dynasty, so why worry about the name of the Han Dynasty? If you are a Han Chinese, how can you care about the grace of the court. ”

Zhang Zhidong thought in his heart, although Lang Zhong's words were a little harsh, they were the truth. The reason why they are in a dilemma, on one side is the kindness of the court, on the other side is the name behind him, after each thought, his own name is listed on the "Han Dynasty Monument" at the gate of Nanpi County, and he is scolded by later generations, he is afraid, and the scholars are all famous, and they are famous all their lives, but they end up like this.

But Wu Qiuyi continued.

"The source is that Hanchen has many different intentions, one because the court is about to fall, and it is inevitable. Second, because of the name behind him, Jiang Ning is said to be full of people, all of them are Han annihilation, clan thieves, the Manchu Dynasty is not a Chinese dynasty, with the Han Dynasty, this is a shameful and shameful to the ancestors, if you are loyal to your body, its actions are shameful, it is hateful, and the clansmen are hateful, and you need to remember it. The grace of the court is a personal feeling, the loyalty of the nation, but it is a major matter of the clan! Abandon the former and take the latter, and make it the duty of the people"

Zhang Zhidong seemed to be enlightened by these words, and his heart brightened a lot for a while.

"Therefore, in my opinion, Lang Zhong, who doesn't know how to do power, is not as good as suffering his life and ending up in the name of Han Annihilation, it is better to learn from the pain and be loyal to the clan."

Zhang Zhidong looked at Wu Qiuyi and silently recited what he said.

Wu Qiuyi looked at his old friend, but finally sighed.

"If you want to be a loyal minister of the court, you can say that he is not an official of recovery, and the loyalty of a sincere and benevolent minister, and the act of changing banners can wash away the dirt of the predecessors. is not a restored official, but he can be righteous in his body. ”

Staring at his old friend in front of him, Zhang Zhidong frowned and thought for a moment before speaking.

"Qiuyi, let me think again. I've had a lot of things to do these days, so I'll stop here tonight, and I'll talk about it in a few days. I will go to Guiyuan Temple to see you and listen to you talk about your experience of traveling in the northern rivers and mountains. ”

After Wu Qiuyi left, he walked out of Zhang Zhidong in the study, looked around, with a sad look on his face, is the Great Qing Kingdom that he has planned for his life really going to die?

In the lobby of the Dalian City Hall, Tan Yanmin, who had announced the decree, read "...... Chin this! At the time of the two words, Liu Lingzhi, who had been kneeling on the ground in a six-grade official uniform, had been shocked by the content of the holy decree, and Lin Yanzhi, Lin Yuqing and others who were kneeling behind him were clenched into fists with anger in their eyes.

"Congratulations to Lord Liu, Jin Si Pin Dao Shi Dao teaching!"

Tan Yanmin received the decree and said a joy, this year just the first place in the middle test, that is, Huiyuan, a month ago at the beginning of the palace test, listed as the third class of the thirty-fifth, given to the Jinshi background, he was originally the champion, just because the queen mother was not satisfied, I wanted to kill a Hunan Tan Sitong, and another surnamed Tan, the same surname is a big taboo, the champion in hand was given to the Cantonese Liu Chunlin, but because of the blessing of misfortune lost the champion, but was hit by Hanlin.

When saying joy, Tan Yanmin glanced at the somewhat proud consul Yamashima Yuyo who followed behind him, and said that the former consul in Dalian Yuyoshi Yamashima came to Dalian this time to preach his comfort, and no one in the entire Hanlin Courtyard was willing to go, everyone knew that this was to be scolded by the backbone, and finally he, the twenty-year-old Hanlin at the beginning, was pushed out.

The reason why he came so quickly was because he got on a cruiser in Dagu, and the reason why he was like this was just to get Dalian as soon as possible, and on the ship, he even gave the captain's office to him, the Hanlin of the Qing Dynasty.

"What a joy!"

Liu Lingzhi replied coldly, and then stood up without answering the order, and Lin Yanzhi, Lin Yuqing and others behind him also stood up. Especially Lin Yuqing even opened his mouth to shout.

"This dog's court, take the Dalian that the master took to buy it himself, it's so beautiful that these bastards are beautiful!"

Their reaction made Tan Yanmin's heart move, and he said with a holy decree in his left hand.

"Please take the order, Lord Liu!"

"This is a chaotic life, Liu is not Fengzhao!"

When a sentence was spoken, Yuyoshi Yamashima, who was standing behind Tan Yanmin and waiting to receive it, was stunned, looking at this thin Qing official, watching him take off his crown and take his official clothes.

"Lord Liu, you need to know that this is the will of your imperial court!"

Yukio Yamashima stepped forward and reminded in a cold voice.

"Consul Yamashima, this is a domestic matter of our country, how can you Orientals be allowed to interfere!"

Without waiting for Liu Lingzhi to speak, Tan Yanmin replied coldly on the side, and then bowed deeply to Liu Lingzhi.

"Lord Liu, Yan Min originally had no intention of passing on this chaotic life, but he was forced by the situation, Yan Min had no choice but to do it, and the whole country felt Lord Liu's loyalty, but it is a pity that the court was in chaos, and it was hateful and hateful to sell the loyalty of Lord Liu, General Lin and other soldiers to foreigners!"

Lin Yanzhi, Lin Yuqing and the others looked at the righteous and strict Tan Yanmin but were stunned, this Hanlin was a little interesting.

The sudden change only made Yamashima Yukio's heart tighten, it seems that the person who made the decree had no intention of proclaiming it, and the one who received the decree had no intention of receiving it, Nadalini...... Just when his heart was tight, Liu Lingzhi, who had untied his official clothes, looked at him.

"Consul Yamashima, please go back! Tell your country that Dalian is a place in China, chaotic life, Liu does not obey, if your country intends to capture this place, Liu and the generals in the army, that is, the jade will be burned, and will never hand over Dalian! Drop-off! ”

With a wave of his hand, Liu Lingzhi will show full righteousness.

"Lord Tan, you're not afraid ......"

A naval officer behind Yamaguchi glared angrily at Liu Lingzhi and the others, and finally turned his gaze to Tan Yanmin, who was waiting for hundreds of ships on the ship, but this would be on the side of this group of rebellious Qing people.

"Afraid?"

Tan Yanmin's eyes widened, and he looked at this person named Xiao Ze himself with some amusement.

"This court is pedantic to sell land to make friends with foreigners, although Tan is young, he can also know right and wrong, this court is not the court that Tan is loyal to, besides, Tan is a Han Chinese, how can it be reasonable!"

This will stand here Tan Yanmin no longer conceals what he thinks in his heart, in the past month, he has received many letters from friends sent from Hunan to Beijing, as a Hunanese, he knows how to choose.

While his words surprised him, he also surprised Liu Lingzhi, but Lin Yanzhi, Lin Yuqing and others laughed, this Tan Hanlin really ...... This will Tan Yanmin turned around and faced Liu Lingzhi, Lin Yanzhi, and Lin Yuqing and bowed, and then said with a straight face.

"Although Yan Min is a scholar who has no power to restrain the chicken, but the courage in his chest is not weak to others, if Lord Liu is willing to burn the jade in Dalian, Yan Min himself is willing to follow. Please also ask Lord Liu and General Lin to fill it! ”

After that, he bowed again.

"Tan Hanlin ......"

Liu Lingzhi was stunned and couldn't speak, he was annoyed that this court was so cold that everyone was loyal, but Tan Hanlin's actions made his heart hot, so that he just bowed deeply but didn't speak.

"Please go back! Consul Yamaguchi! ”

Lin Yuqing made a letter of invitation with a face, and then personally sent these people out of the city hall built by the Russians.

"I don't know what will happen to General Lin and Lord Liu, after refusing to make the order?"

On the boat that came, Tan Yanmin had been thinking about this problem, although he was not sure that this Liu Lingzhi would dare to refuse the decree at that time, but he was always looking forward to it in his heart, this Lord Liu really refused the decree with a chaotic life, although he was happy in his heart, but Tan Yanmin was worried.

"Tan Hanlin, please come here!"

With the word invitation in hand, Lin Yanzhi took a step forward and walked towards another room, while Liu Lingzhi followed behind him, this scene made Tan Yanmin a little surprised, maybe there are some inhumane inside things hidden in this Dalian.

Don't...... Looking at Liu Lingzhi's respect for that General Lin, Tan Yanmin vaguely felt something, maybe this Lord Liu was just an ornament, and it was this General Lin who was really in charge.

(To be continued)