Just after New Year's Day, in the headquarters of the coalition forces in the capital, the marshal of the Russian army roared: "Bastard, Charlierov is simply a bastard." I boldly used troops and immediately escorted this guy back to China, and I wanted to put him on the gallows. Although McMahon was also shocked, he seemed to be accustomed to the "miracle" of the Northern Expeditionary Army, but he was very calm. "The Northern Expeditionary Army is an outlier, so we must not despise them. Frankly speaking of General Charlirov, General Vashilov, their motives are understandable. ”

McMahon continued: "Your Excellency, there is a classic proverb among the Qing people that the general will not accept the order of the king abroad, and the fighter plane will quickly slip away. Therefore, the military action of the two generals is understandable, but we did not expect that the Northern Expeditionary Army actually used a small iron thistle terrestris to block the strong impact of the cavalry, and the Northern Expeditionary Army deliberately used a small trick to let them be fooled. Gentlemen! It should be clear to everyone that the mobility and impact of cavalry on the battlefield cannot be stopped by infantry. But when the speed of the cavalry slows down, what state will it have? This is the cleverness of the Northern Army's use of thistle. ”

"Gentlemen, in view of this situation, we believe that in future steppe warfare, cavalry will not have absolute superiority over fortifications built of barbed wire. Even if an attack were to be launched, it would require the assistance of infantry, especially artillery. I have decided to put an end to the harassment campaign for the time being, and that our coalition forces are now firmly established in the hinterland of the Central Plains, and that we will launch a local counterattack when the conditions are ripe. Gentlemen, the war will be protracted, and the Northern Expeditionary Army, a vicious enemy, is not easy to deal with. ”

When Li Hongzhang heard the news of the defeat of the Russian cavalry at the headquarters of the coalition forces, he was a little gloating in his heart. It can't be said that it is a heart knot, but it is probably the feeling of fighting in Bengbu and profiteering. As for how he ended up as a fisherman, he can only take one step at a time. Not long ago, the rebels used torpedo boats to defeat British warships in Lingdingyang, which was simply shocking. This news was blocked by foreigners, and the people of the capital did not know such shocking news.

But the news could not be blocked, and the hype of the Guangzhou military government still reached the capital. The current version is that the tide rises and the tide rises, the rebel torpedo boats have killed more than 30 coalition warships, and it is said that the 1st Squadron of the South Seas has been disabled. Especially in the teahouses in the capital, the version of this aspect is even more evil. At present, the hearts of the common people have begun to lean towards the Northern Expeditionary Army, and many people who previously thought that the Northern Expeditionary Army could not succeed have also begun to change their minds, and the people's will and the general trend have also begun to change.

The sedan chair stopped suddenly, and a subordinate stood beside the sedan chair and said, "My lord, someone from the palace has come to report that the queen mother will let you enter the palace!" The sedan chair landed outside the Daqing Gate, and Li Hongzhang entered on foot. Walking into Cixi's room, I saw the military aircraft foreman Yi sitting inside, and seemed to have chatted for a while. The Empress Dowager Cixi's face was a little pale, and her expression was wooden. Yi motioned for Li Hongzhang to sit down. After a long time, Cixi said: "What's wrong with the coalition army, they lost their troops at sea, and the strong Xosako cavalry was defeated again. The rebels have entered the grassland, the capital is in danger, and I see that the Northern Expeditionary Army will attack the capital next. ”

Li Hongzhang secretly wondered in his heart: Is the capital safe? Isn't this nonsense, foreigners will not consider the safety of the capital. At present, the foreigners have controlled the Northeast and the Central Plains, and in their eyes, the imperial court is becoming less and less important, and I am afraid that the life and death of the Qing court are not important. Now Li Hongzhang is very conflicted in his heart, he knows that even if the rebels fail, the foreigners are fully capable of supporting a puppet court to continue to survive, and the so-called capable ministers like himself, if they are only foreigners, they will be safe, but their own reputation will inevitably be nailed to the pillar of shame in history, leaving a stench for 10,000 years. Thinking that the land of China will be torn apart in the future, I can't help but worry deep in my heart.

Cixi coughed, and Li Hongzhang woke up like a dream: "The Queen Mother doesn't need to panic, I have ordered the 65th and 68th Divisions of the New Army to go to Zhangjiakou to garrison and strengthen the defense of the west." In addition, although the Kosakchi soldiers lost one division and one division suffered heavy losses, they were not injured, and it was impossible for the Northern Expeditionary Army to launch an attack from the steppe, so please relax the Queen Mother. ”

The Empress Dowager Cixi sighed and said: "The rebels are getting stronger and stronger, we must be prepared, relying entirely on foreigners is not a foolproof plan." Yi, you send people to the old capital of the Northeast to repair the palace, and if necessary, we will withdraw to the Northeast, but this matter must not be made public. "It's the Queen Mother, Your Majesty will do it immediately!" Cixi's face flushed and said with concern: "Master Li, I heard that Ling Ai is 16 years old this year, and she is very cute and cute. Li Hongzhang was shocked when he heard this: "The little girl is indeed very naughty, she is spoiled, and the Empress Dowager Xie is worried." ”

Cixi said mildly: "The emperor is 14 years old this year, and he is about to be drafted, so let Ling Ai enter the palace." Li Hongzhang's cold sweat broke out and said: "Thank you for the queen mother's grace, your subordinates are terrified." Li Hongzhang suddenly realized that Cixi began to distrust him, so he used this trick. After Li Hongzhang left, Cixi said: "Li Hongzhang's power is too great, killing Liu Mingchuan makes me feel like a fish in my throat." If he is suspicious, you and I will be doomed, and we have to guard against it! "The Queen Mother is clever," Yi sincerely admired.

Coming out of the palace, Li Hongzhang was like eating a fly, stuck in his throat and swallowed it disgustingly. Back at his abode, he sat in his chair in a daze. Liu Mingchuan, the captain of the guard, walked in, saw Li Hongzhang's uncertain expression and said with a depressed expression: "My lord, the current situation is stable, and there is no sign of deterioration. Don't look at the rebels' victory on the steppe, but if it is impossible to attack, what are you worried about? Li Hongzhang looked at Liu Ming and said, "Someone! ”

After a while, Li Hongzhang and Liu Mingchuan walked into the study, and a few plates of cold dishes and a small jar of wine were placed on the table in the study. "Brother Liu Xian, there are no outsiders today, you and I will open our hearts and talk." After a few glasses of wine, Li Hongzhang told him about Cixi's draft. "Fuck the Empress Dowager Cixi, this old witch is too insidious and vicious, so that Ai will undoubtedly enter the palace into hell, and this matter must not be agreed!" Liu Ming was indignant when he heard the rumors.

Li Hongzhang shook his head and said, "The Empress Dowager Cixi made this move, which means that she already trusts me?" Your Excellency, you don't need to worry, after all, the military power is in our hands. Li Hongzhang sighed and said: "I'm afraid that the Empress Dowager Cixi has already left a hand, I estimate that Yi would have already started within the new army, otherwise, Cixi would not have the confidence, it seems that I still can't fight the Empress Dowager Cixi." ”

"My lord, now that foreigners are shili big, you can make full use of them!" Liu Ming's advice. "Do you think foreigners are reliable, they are profit-oriented, and once they have no use value, they will immediately abandon you. The character of Deng Zixuan is too terrifying, and his understanding of foreigners has reached the point of being like a wood, but we only know the mystery now. No wonder it is rumored that Deng Zixuan is a rare Ming Jun in a thousand years, which is true! Li Hongzhang said depressedly.

"What the adults said makes sense, and the subordinates are also talking about it in private, common sense can't be explained, the character of Deng Zixuan is simply terrible." "You only know one thing but you don't know the other, the terrible thing about Deng Zixuan is that he no longer regards the Qing court as an opponent, but all his strategies are aimed at foreigners, what a kind of courage this is. And if you don't shoot, you will take it, and if you make a shot, it will be a heavy punch. Xi'an annihilated 50,000 Russian troops, Nanjing fiercely artillery, the South China Sea smashed coalition warships, and the grassland fought the Russian cavalry, and all hit the vital points of the coalition forces, which is not something ordinary people can do. I don't want to talk about the contest now, I don't even have jealousy, all that remains is admiration. ”

Suddenly, Liu Mingchuan knelt on one leg and said: "My lord, your subordinates have the courage to speak, please don't punish you with words." Li Hongzhang said: "Brother Xian, please get up quickly!" I said open up, but it doesn't hurt to say it. "My lord, while our strength is still there, weishenme runs all the way to the black, and you are loyal to the court and have a good reputation. But what happens at the end of the day? What do I suggest to change flags? ”

Li Hongzhang was stunned for a moment and said: "It's difficult for you to make me an unfaithful and unfilial person?" "My lord, there is nothing wrong with being loyal to the monarch and serving the country. But what kind of master is this gentleman, as the saying goes, it is a disaster for a woman, and since ancient times, women in power will be chaotic. At present, it is rumored that it is this woman who is in power that arouses the wrath of the heavens, and I hope that adults will think twice! Li Hongzhang was shocked when he heard this, although this statement was vulgar, but there was some truth. There is a way, but those who lose the hearts of the people lose the world. After being silent for a long time, Li Hongzhang said: "You let me think about it, but you and I can't let a third party hear the conversation." In addition, you secretly investigate how many generals of the new army have been bribed! "Yes! Subordinate Order. ”

At the beginning of the new year, the Guangzhou Military Government had good news again, and the city of Guangzhou was once again silent in a sea of joy. Festive people rushed to tell each other and have a good time, and the sound of firecrackers in the city even exceeded that of the old years. On the second day of New Year's Day, the machine of the military government began to operate again, and there was no way that in this time of war, the common people could enjoy themselves, but a group of people who shouldered the fate of the country could not be comfortable.

"Commander-in-Chief! Leng Yifei sent a letter, asking how the grassland strategy will unfold next? In the headquarters of the military government, Chief of Staff Pei Gejin asked. Deng Zixuan groaned and continued: "It's cold, we can't be in a hurry, and we are temporarily stable in Hohhot and Baotou." It is estimated that the coalition forces will not make any moves until the spring blossoms. As for what the Spring Coalition is about to move, we will depend on the situation. ”

Deng Zixuan continued: "Now the initiative of the war is still in our hands, so we must lead the enemy's nose, we just have to play a continuous combination of punches in areas and places that the coalition forces can't imagine, and eat away at the enemy's sharp spirit step by step." "Could it be that the commander-in-chief is going to strike hard here?" Pei Gejin pointed to a certain point on the map and said in surprise.

"Exactly, we must hurt the British this time, so that he will be overwhelmed. What's going to be here next? Deng Zixuan smiled secretly. You mean the capital? What does that mean. Pei Gejin was taken aback. Just then, a report was heard outside. "Come in!" An officer came in and said, "Report to the commander-in-chief, chief of staff, Shang Hu, deputy commander of the East Route Corps, and Chief of Staff Song Fei have arrived!" ”

Deng Zixuan said with a smile: "Chief of Staff, the time is not ripe to strike hard in the capital at present. Let's welcome the guests, the heavyweights have arrived! ”