Tokyo, known as the General Staff of the Army.

After learning that Shang Tai had fled Tokyo and fled to Tianjin, he suddenly became nervous.

Shang Tai's escape, and the political axe immediately became worried.

The Chief of the General Staff, Prince Chihito, immediately judged that Shotai's escape was likely to be related to the Ryukyu Restoration Operation.

"His Royal Highness, judging from his humble position, may have something to do with the Ryukyu rebels!"

Kawamura Keiaki was the first to put forward his views, which were shared by other staff officers.

Chiren asked, "Tell me what you think!" ”

"Hey!" Kawamura Keiaki nodded and saluted, and then said: "Your Royal Highness, I humbly believe that the Ryukyu rebels have always been dissatisfied with the rule of the Ryukyus by our Empire, and have been engaged in anti-propaganda and anti-Japanese actions for more than ten years. This time, I am afraid that they planned to rescue Shangtai under the pretense of the Qing Empire, I am afraid that they will form an exile political axe and continue to call on the Ryukyuan people to rebel. ”

Prince Chihito nodded, looked at Oshima Yoshimasa again, and asked, "What does Oshima-kun think?" ”

Oshima Yoshimasa said: "What Kawamura-kun said makes a lot of sense, once Shotai forms the Exile Axe, there will inevitably be many Ryukyu rebels who are dissatisfied with the imperial rule to support him!" ”

Chiren glanced at the two of them, both of whom were his right-hand men, and he was still very satisfied with their judgment. It's just that Chiren has a deeper thought.

"You've all ignored a more dangerous signal!"

Yoshimasa Oshima and Keiaki Kawamura glanced at each other, then looked at Chiren, who said, "Please also ask His Royal Highness the Prince to make it clear!" ”

Chiren said: "Don't you think that since the emergence of Wang Chenhao in China, the situation in China has changed dramatically, and the same is true for the whole of Northeast Asia? ”

"Wang Chenhao?"

Oshima Yoshimasa and Kawamura Keiaki suddenly had all the information they knew about Wang Chenhao in their minds, and the former immediately asked, "What does the prince mean, this matter is related to Wang Chenhao?" ”

Chi Ren nodded, and said almost with great certainty: "This king feels that the whole plan of Shangtai's escape is leaky, and it is not at all planned and implemented by those Ryukyu rebels. As the biggest enemy of the empire, Wang Chenhao will not let go of any opportunity to attack the empire. ”

Kawamura Keiaki asked, "Your Highness, are you saying that Wang Chenhao will use Shangtai to attack the empire?" How is this possible? The Ryukyus have been annexed by the empire for almost twenty years, and there is no opposition from the international community. ”

Kawamura Keiaki was about to continue to say that it was impossible, but when he saw the worried expressions of Chiren and Oshima Yoshimasa, he immediately stopped his mouth and asked rhetorically: "Could it be that Wang Chenhao wants to declare war on the empire?" ”

Chi Ren was not sure, but he was sure that Wang Chenhao would definitely make a fuss about the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Oshima Yoshimasa said: "It shouldn't be a declaration of war, the Qing government axe likes to calm things and calm people, and won't allow Wang Chenhao to come." However, Wang Chenhao may use Shangtai to make a fuss and hype up the remarks that are unfavorable to the empire in the international arena. ”

Chiren said: "I have a sense of foreboding, I always feel that Wang Chenhao will be unfavorable to the empire this time. Think about it, now Wang Chenhao has won the war between Qing and Russia, forcing the Russians to sue for peace. And he has more than 100,000 elite troops and a powerful navy in his hands, what would he think if he heard that the empire was expanding its navy, and it was aimed at China? ”

Kawamura Keiaki said: "If it were me, I would definitely be prepared to learn that the enemy was expanding the navy on a large scale, and I would even strike first." ”

Chiren nodded and said, "That's what I'm worried about. Seeing that the two Fuji-class battleships ordered by the empire were about to return to China, Wang Chenhao must be nervous at this juncture. I'm worried that Wang Chenhao deliberately wanted to stir up trouble, and then use the excuse of starting a war against the Empire, and then shatter the Empire's plan to rebuild the Combined Fleet. ”

Oshima Yoshimasa immediately said: "I think your highness's guess is very likely. The Empire's withdrawal from Korea was aimed at bringing Qing Russia into direct confrontation, and this Qing-Russian War shows that our plan has succeeded. Northeast Asia is our three kingdoms, Wang Chenhao will definitely not be willing to see the union of Russia, so he will first defeat the power of the empire before the next war between Qing and Russia breaks out, so that they can rest assured that they will fight against Russia. ”

Kawamura Jingming suddenly showed a worried look and said: "Wang Chenhao is only worried about the construction of the imperial naval force, he won't plan to attack Fuji and Yashima 2 ships who are about to return to China halfway, right?" ”

Chiren suddenly frowned and asked, "Why do you say that?" ”

Keiaki Kawamura explained: "Your Royal Highness, please look at the map, our warship is returning home, and it will pass through the Ryukyu Islands. If Wang Chenhao makes a fuss about Shang Tai, he will inevitably make trouble on the Ryukyu Islands, and once our warships pass by, will he send a fleet to intercept the warships that attack us? ”

Yoshimasa Oshima asked, "Wang Chenhao won't ignore international regulations, right?" Blatantly attacking the warships of the Empire, right? ”

Chiren frowned and said, "Although it is unlikely, it has to be guarded against." After all, Wang Chenhao is not a guy who plays cards according to common sense. Besides, didn't our navy attack the Qing troop carriers without a declaration of war? I don't rule it out! ”

"So what are we going to do?"

Yoshimasa Oshima and Keiaki Kawamura immediately looked nervously at Prince Chihito, waiting for his answer.

Chi Ren frowned, and said for a long time: "At the moment, these situations are just our subjective assumptions, and the base camp and the cabinet will not easily believe these words." Therefore, we can only hope that the Foreign Minister will reach an agreement with Qing Zhengaxe as soon as possible to repatriate Shangtai safely. ”

Yoshimasa Oshima asked, "But what if it doesn't work?" ”

Keiaki Kawamura also said: "We should take precautions in advance!" ”

Prince Chiren nodded and said, "That's right! We're prepared! ”

Chiren thought for a while and said, "That's good, General Aritomo of Yama Prefecture will prepare and lead the first division into Okinawa Prefecture to prevent the restoration of Shangtai." ”

※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ Yanjing, the Forbidden City.

Lin Dong, the consul general of this country in China, sent several notes to Premier Yamen, asking Qing Zhengaxe to immediately urge Wang Chenhao to hand over Shangtai to them. However, Wang Chenhao has always refused to interfere with Shangtai's personal freedom in the name of not interfering with it.

"Your Majesty, Weichen thought that Wang Chenhao must be planning to do something in his heart."

Prince Gong said his opinion bluntly.

Guangxu frowned and said, "This Wang Chenhao doesn't want to start a war, right?" ”

Yi replied with great certainty: "What the emperor said is very true, and Weichen is worried about this!" ”

Guangxu sighed and said: "This Wang Chenhao is becoming more and more bold now, causing trouble everywhere, if he provokes a dispute between the Qing Dynasty this time, I will not spare him." ”

Yi said: "Your Majesty, you can't wait until things get worse. ”

Guangxu asked, "What do you mean?" ”

Yi replied: "Your Majesty, Weichen thinks that this Wang Chenhao is very cunning, since he dares to do it, he must have prepared many excuses to deal with the court's accountability." He held the power of the navy and the army, and the court must not act rashly unless there was enough reason for it. ”

Guangxu looked at Yi, and Yi seemed to be starting to turn towards him recently, which made him very happy, but he didn't dare to believe it all.

"Prince Gong, he can hold the power of the navy and army, isn't it all that you and the Queen Mother have always connived?"

Yi knew that Guangxu was blaming him for standing with Cixi, so he explained: "The old minister knows that he should not be involved in the affairs between the emperor and the queen mother!" ”

Guangxu immediately asked: "What can happen between me and the Queen Mother?" ”

Yi hurriedly changed his words: "What Weichen means is that there is a deep mother-son relationship between the emperor and the queen mother. ”

Seeing that Guangxu snorted, Yi continued: "Weichen means that Weichen was confused before, which made the emperor unhappy. Wechen remembered it now and regretted it very much. This Qing Dynasty is the foundation of our Aixin Jueluo family, and we must not let outsiders take it away. The old minister found out that this Wang Chenhao had bad intentions, and his strength was expanding so fast that he threatened the Qing Dynasty, so the old minister wanted to draw a clear line with him and focus on the foundation of the Qing Dynasty. ”

Guangxu asked, "What about the Queen Mother?" ”

Yi hurriedly replied: "The old minister's surname is Aixin Jueluo, and everything is in accordance with the emperor's orders." ”

Guangxu saw that Yi didn't seem to be a fake, and his heart was suddenly happy, and he smiled kindly: "I just said, why is the sixth uncle my own uncle, and he will have the same heart with me!" ”

A sentence of the sixth uncle, Yi suddenly burst into tears, and hurriedly thanked him, Guangxu hurriedly stepped forward to help him up.

The uncle and nephew reaffirmed their hearts, and naturally rejoiced.

"The queen mother is bent on seizing power, and now she can't listen to the persuasion of the old minister, this Wang Chenhao does what he likes, and is regarded by the queen mother as an important minister, and the emperor wants to deal with him on both sides, and he needs to think in the long run."

Guangxu sighed and said, "What Uncle Six Emperors said is exactly what I am worried about!" How could I not know? It's just that this Wang Chenhao is really cunning, and I can't catch any of his handles. Now up to the Queen Mother, the civil and military officials and then to the local governors, the common people, I don't know how Wang Chenhao used the demon law, and they actually made them obey. ”

Yi said: "Your Majesty, after some observation, the old minister found that Wang Chenhao is good at using public opinion to build momentum for himself, no matter what he does, he will let public opinion build momentum for him, and black can be said to be white." ”

Guangxu nodded and said, "What Uncle Six Emperor said is that I only discovered this recently. ”

Yi suggested: "The old minister thinks that the emperor must quickly set up a newspaper that is loyal to you, so that if there is any trouble, or unfavorable remarks against the emperor, he can immediately fight back and protect the emperor's reputation." ”

Guangxu nodded and said: "Why do you need to set up another newspaper, I just ordered the major newspapers to do things for me!" ”

Yi shook his head and said, "No! At present, these domestic newspapers, whether they are self-run or foreign-run, have long been infiltrated by Wang Chenhao's people. If the emperor decrees, they may create even more unfavorable words against the emperor, such as saying that the emperor forbids them to speak freely, etc., giving them an excuse to tarnish the emperor's reputation. ”

Guangxu thinks about it, he still remembers the last time, public opinion is fiercer than the tiger, last time Wang Chenhao buried Guangxu enough, Guangxu still has palpitations.

"I have recently gained a few people of insight, and I have asked them to set up a newspaper to promote me."

Yi asked, "But Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao and others?" ”

Guangxu nodded and said, "That's right!" Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, and Tan Si and others are all royalists, and they are on my side. ”

Then, Guangxu said: "To tell you the truth, I am preparing for a reform of the law. They suggested that the best way to save face was to let me change the people's perception of me and the court by changing the law and reforming the law. Now that the Sixth Emperor Uncle has come to help me, I am even more sure. ”

Yi nodded and said, "Top-down reform can indeed win the hearts and minds of the people, and if it goes well, it can weaken Wang Chenhao's strength." ”

Guangxu smiled: "Not only that, but through reform and change, I can also take back power from the Queen Mother." ”

Yi hurriedly said: "The emperor must not, the queen mother takes power too seriously, if she rashly seizes power, I am afraid that the queen mother will fight back." ”

Guangxu said with confidence on his face: "I have my own way!" Now that there are six emperor uncles on my side, I am the orthodox emperor in the clan, and I am determined to take back my rights. ”

Yi still had to persuade Guangxu, but it was obvious that Guangxu didn't listen, and Yi's position was not firm, so he didn't ask more.

"That's right!" Guangxu suddenly asked: "Just now, Uncle Six Emperor said how to stop Wang Chenhao from choosing the book first?" ”

Yi then said: "The emperor only needs to issue a holy decree and strictly order Wang Chenhao not to interfere in the affairs between the Ryukyu Kingdom and the Ryukyu Kingdom. In this way, the emperor first issued a holy decree, and if Wang Chenhao made trouble again, then there would be an excuse to punish him. ”

Guangxu nodded and said: "What the Sixth Emperor Uncle said is very true, according to the opinion of the Sixth Emperor Uncle, I will draft the purpose." ”

※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ Summer Palace.

After Li Lianying received the secret report from the palace, she immediately went to see Cixi and reported the secret report to her word for word.

"Called Uncle Six Emperors again?"

After Cixi heard Li Lianying's words, she immediately stopped twisting the Buddha beads, opened her eyes, and her face was no longer calm.

"Back to Lafayette's words, the minions don't dare to talk nonsense!"

Li Lianying hurriedly explained and told all the reasons for Yi's visit to Guangxu.

Cixi snorted coldly and said, "I haven't seen the emperor call the sixth child like this for many years, and it seems that the relationship between the two of them is good again!" ”

Li Lianying nodded and said, "Yes, Lafayette!" I heard that the sixth prince supported the emperor's reform of the law! ”

Cixi said: "It's also a good thing that the emperor wants to change the law!" ”

Li Lianying said: "Having said that, if the emperor wants to change the law and reform, it will involve personnel transfers in all aspects, and the change of law and reform is a major event, but it involves hundreds of civil and military officials, and the power to appoint and remove second-rank officials and above in the hands of the queen mother may have to be taken back by the emperor." ”

As soon as she heard that her rights might be withdrawn, Cixi was immediately displeased.

Cixi asked, "Is there any movement among the civil and military officials?" ”

Li Lianying replied: "If the emperor wants to change the law and reform, he naturally has to reveal some rumors and test the reactions of some civil and military officials before he can make a formal decision." But the civil and military officials are still wavering, neither agreeing nor opposing, they should all want to see what the Queen Mother means. ”

Cixi snorted coldly and said, "It's all a group of old foxes, they won't be in a hurry if they don't burn their eyebrows." ”

Li Lianying asked, "What does the Queen Mother mean?" ”

Cixi thought for a while and said, "There is a way to capture the old and indulge, doesn't the emperor want to toss?" Then let him toss. The reform of the law will definitely touch the interests of some people, and the mourning family is not in a hurry, let's see the excitement first. ”

Li Lianying realized Cixi's meaning, and immediately praised: "Lafayette Shengming! ”

Cixi closed her eyes comfortably and continued to chant the Buddha. After reading a few words, I suddenly remembered something again and asked, "What about the railway?" ”

Li Lianying replied: "Qi Qi Lafayette, just as Wang Chenhao Wang expected, the great powers of various countries only went to the Prime Minister's Yamen a few times to make trouble, and did not take more drastic actions. In the end, they accepted the facts, and the road mines in their hands were redeemed by the imperial court and private funds. ”

Cixi nodded and said, "That's good!" That is to say, foreigners are now afraid of us and dare not go too far! ”

Li Lianying said with a smile: "This is all the Queen Mother Shengming, who ordered Wang Chenhao to be a lucky general, and now that the court is strong and strong, the foreign devils naturally dare not be too presumptuous." ”

Cixi opened her eyes, looked at Li Lianying, and said with a smile: "How much benefit did this Wang Chenhao give you, and you actually helped him say good things?" ”

Li Lianying was shocked, immediately fell to her knees, and said in fear: "The slave doesn't dare!" The minions are just reporting according to the truth! ”

Cixi smiled and said, "Look at you, scared you!" The mourners are just joking with you! ”

Li Lianying hurriedly smiled, but a cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

"The minions were almost scared to death!"

After a long time, I only heard Cixi suddenly say: "Now the court still has to count on him, as long as he is not a rebel, the mourning family can pretend not to know anything." ”

Li Lianying saw Cixi's deep eyes, and for the first time, she couldn't see through Cixi's thoughts.

※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ Tianjin, Zhili Governor's Palace.

As Li Hongzhang grew old day by day, the affairs of the Governor's Mansion of Zhili were basically handed over to Wang Chenhao alone, with Yang Shixiang, Zhang Peilun, Wang Shizhen, Ruan Zhongshu, Zhang Feng and others assisting.

The entire Zhili Province and the core figures of the entire Beiyang Group are like Spiegels in their hearts. A group of Li Hongzhang's original Huaijun system old troops, although they were not very willing to let Wang Chenhao, who was in his twenties and was just a hairy boy in their eyes, take control of Beiyang, but since they were the successors chosen by Li Hongzhang, they naturally had no choice. And as Wang Chenhao's talent became more prominent, his reputation became more and more prominent, and his strength became more and more inflated, they gradually dispelled their previous thoughts of disobedience to yin and yin, and under the double suppression of Wang Chenhao's stick and Jin Yuan, they gradually accepted Wang Chenhao, the new master.

In the conference room, Wang Chenhao convened his staff group to discuss important matters.

Ever since Wang Chenhao secretly rescued the Ryukyu King Shotai from Tokyo, he has been plotting to help Shotai organize the Ryukyu Restoration [***]. At the same time, he sent people to contact the local anti-Japanese activists in the Ryukyus to gain their support.

"Have you made any contact with the Ryukyus?"

(To be continued)