"I don't know what Brother Wu is called? You see, the two of us are also destined, one is literate and one martial, and we are responsible for the security and logistics affairs of the two palaces, so it is better for us to be casual with each other. The street was dark, and the two of them walked to the county government one foot deep and one foot shallow, and Long Qian said to Wu Yong County Order.

"Where does Xia Guan dare to climb high? The official table is Yongchuan, a native of Wuxing, Zhejiang. With a little insight from the following officials, after this catastrophe, adults will surely soar. Let's just say that the foreigners in the half yard are enough to make the adults famous all over the world. Since the establishment of the Fighting Dynasty and the war against Xiyi, there has not been such a big victory. ”

"A big win? That's all there is to it. If each of the imperial court horses had won a big victory, the foreigners would have climbed onto the warship from the mouth of Dagu and fled. Why did the imperial court come to your small county to fight the autumn wind? Defeat is defeat, more than 100,000 horses, can't stop 20,000 people, it's really suffocating. ”

"Otherwise, the general's great merits must not be demonstrated."

"Hehe, don't call me a general. If you look up to me, call me a retreat, brother. I, the lieutenant general, also took up my post just yesterday. I am satisfied to be recognized by the Queen Mother and get a background for more than 1,000 brothers under me. ”

"So, where does this start?" Wu Yong asked in surprise.

"Don't hide it from Brother Yongchuan, I was still the head of the horse not long ago. In March of this year, I led my troops to fight several battles with Yuan Shikai and Yuan Futai's small station new army, and also captured his generals Wang Shizhen and Wang Pingqing. It wasn't even a few days before I put on this dress. So, my brother is a rough man, unlike you, brother, you are a genuine Jinshi, right? ”

"Oh." Wu Yong was taken aback, Yuan Shikai's small station elite soldiers are famous all over the world, and even Li Hongzhang and Li Zhongtang, who he admires the most, are highly praised, this Long Qian actually defeated Yuan Shikai? "You mean you defeated Yuan Futai's little station?"

"What, Brother Yongchuan doesn't believe it?"

"Then you were recruited?"

"yes. First, I don't want to go against the court. I was coerced into the ringing horse, and I still want to have a chance to serve the court if I have the chance. This is a big talk, and the main thing is to find a career for himself, and also to find a right path for his brothers. Second, my brother grew up in the United States. Well aware of the development of those powerful countries. It's a daunting day. If we in China don't catch up, there will really be a disaster of national destruction and extinction. Against the imperial court, all that is lost is the strength of national defense. Why bother? Fortunately, Yuan Futai is open-minded. And the life of the brother is good. As soon as he entered the battlefield, he won a great victory. Ha Lu Ha, the court is as kind as a mountain. The Queen Mother awarded me the rank of lieutenant general. ”

"Ah, did General Long ever study in the United States? I don't know the general Gui Geng? Wu Yong was taken aback, the deputy general in front of him had actually stayed in the United States? It's so unusual. For a long time, Wu Yong carefully observed Long Qian and felt that he was not very old, no more than thirty years old, and his beard could not hide his true age.

"I was born in 1875, oh, it was the first year of Guangxu. Looks old, doesn't it? Long Qian touched his beard that he hadn't shaved for many days, "Hehe, I grew up in the United States, but I didn't study in the United States." ”

"Ah," this surprised Wu Yong even more, "then how did you come back, and how did you make a ringing horse?" ”

"It's hard to put into words." Long Qian saw the pair of lanterns in front of the county yamen, as well as the sentry standing in the shadow of the lamp, "When we have the opportunity, let's talk slowly." ”

Walking into the courtyard, I met Li Lianying who was walking out, "Manager Li, where are you going?" This black light blinds. ”

"Hey, you're back. The Queen Mother wants to see you, come with us. Li Lianying said with a sharp voice.

"The Queen Mother, her old man has eaten, right? What's missing? The humble position is a rough person, lest he be poorly prepared and neglect the Queen Mother and the chief manager. Long Qian deliberately did not mention Guangxu.

"Ah, that's good. The Queen Mother is very happy, praising you for doing things and thinking thoughtfully. Saying that, he came to the backyard and went to the room, "Lafayette, Long Qian has arrived." ”

"Call him in."

"Wechen knocks to see the Queen Mother." Long Qian meticulously saluted.

"Sit down."

"Empress Dowager Xie." Long Qian stood up and did not sit on the chair that Li Lianying had moved, but stood in front of Cixi in an orderly manner. At this time, he found that there were three people sitting in the shadow of the room, all sitting on small stools, and they were the three ministers of military aircraft who were servant: Wang Wenshao, Rong Lu and Zhao Shuqiao.

"Long Qianna, I didn't see you for dinner, where did you go just now?"

"Back to the Queen Mother's words. Weichen was worried about the safety of the captives, and arranged the surrounding guards, and came back late, hoping that the Queen Mother would forgive her sins. ”

"What a sin? If only you were as loyal to the king as you are. Those foreigners, are they all safe? ”

"They're still in peace. Just __"

Cixi tensed, "Just what?" ”

"When the officers and soldiers under Weichen heard about the tragedy in the capital, they were excited and wanted to kill those foreigners."

"Never!" Zhao Shuqiao exclaimed.

"Wechen has made proper arrangements, neither letting them escape, nor letting his subordinates bravely hurt him. Everything is subject to the will of the court. ”

"Well, that's good. Long Qianna, you said that your ancestral home is Taiyuan? ”

"Yes."

"Who else is there in the family?"

"Back to the Queen Mother's words. Wechen didn't know. Weichen's grandfather went to Nanyang to do business, and his father went to the United States and did not live in the Qing Dynasty. The father did not leave a last word about the family. However, my father did have the ambition to return to China, and before my mother died, she repeatedly told Weichen not to forget my father's will and return to China to serve the court. ”

"Loyalty and filial piety." Cixi spoke softly, "I have discussed with the three military planes, and we will go to Taiyuan." Rong Lu, you tell us about retreat. ”

"Huh." Rong Lu stood up, and said in his heart that this kid is clever, and he coaxed the Queen Mother to be happy in one day, and even called the table word, "That's the case." In order to ensure the safety of the two palaces, Long Qian, you have to send soldiers to fight the front station, and do everything about food and accommodation. For your convenience, I will give you an edict in the name of the Queen Mother. ”

This is the Chin Cha. Probably Cixi was stimulated by Changping Prefecture and was worried that the local government would not cooperate, "Weichen commanded." Please rest assured, the Queen Mother and all of you. Wechen must do his best to do his job. Weichen has a small insight, and I don't know if I should talk about it. ”

"You say." Cixi is kind and pleasant.

Wechen personally led a small number of troops to go on a day's journey, clean the road, ensure safety, and arrange relevant matters in advance. Because there are many drivers, this is a must. But the main force must stay by the Queen Mother's side to protect it in order to be safe. Weichen has an assistant Lu Shan, who is very reliable, and Weichen asks the Queen Mother to agree, and the two palaces are safe. Entrusted to Lu Shan. The matter is directly ordered by Lord Ronglu, and this person is. ”

Cixi nodded, went to see Rong Lu, and Rong Lu spoke. "Isn't it okay for Nalu Shan to swap with you?"

"Your Excellency. Lu Shan is brave and resolute. conscientious, but it was a little difficult for him to arrange the queen mother's food and lodging. ”

"Yes." Cixi made a statement.

In addition, Weichen had a rough life. I don't practice the etiquette of the imperial court, and I want to invite Huailai Wu County to order and the ministers to stand together, I don't know if it's okay? ”

"Yes. Let Wu Yong go with you. ”

"Wechen Xie Empress Dowager's trust."

"That Lu Shan, what kind of official position does he hold?" Cixi asked.

"There is no official position conferred by the imperial court. Before Weichen led his troops to leave Shandong, Lord Yuan of Futai gave me the position of standard commander, and none of the people below were in charge. ”

"Then teach a guerrilla."

In a word, Lu Shan has become a "general".

"Weichen Dai Lushan thanked the Queen Mother for her grace." Long Qian kowtowed again. Seeing that Cixi was less than a day, he had already scolded this evil feudal system countless times in his heart.

After arranging this matter, Cixi and the others rested in peace.

Li Lianying lives in the wing room, next door is Rong Lu, from the perspective of the location, it is quite high-grade, better than the conditions of the prince and the king, because it was arranged by Long Qian in advance, so he increased his good impression of Long Qian in his heart. Li Lianying is a cautious and cautious person, a character that has been cultivated for decades, and his life revolves around Cixi. Therefore, although he was tired, he still got up in his clothes twice in the middle of the night, one to see if Cixi had been summoned, and the other to check whether the guards were doing their duty. When she got up twice, she saw Long Qian standing solemnly in front of Cixi's bedroom, which deeply moved Li Lianying.

"The Queen Mother should sleep soundly." Long Qian lowered his voice and said, "The iron buckets around the county government are the same, but please be relieved." ”

"Okay, good, General Long is so loyal to his duties, our family must be the Queen Mother. It's getting bright, go and rest for a while. Turning her gaze, Li Lianying saw the sentry in the corner of the courtyard. These nail-like guards are all under Long Qian's department, and it is said that they cannot bear close guards. But it was Cixi's decision to arrange Shandong soldiers to guard the "sleeping palace" closely, "It's all come to this point, if you don't believe them, who else do I believe?" Jingying? How can Jingying be here if it is reliable? ”

"Mr. Xie cares. Humble and young, staying up for a night or two is not in the way. Long Qian said softly.

"The safety on this road, the Queen Mother depends on you. The body is important. Li Lianying whispered.

"I was about to report to the manager, and after dawn, I took the Wu County Order and set off in advance. There are many of us, and everything is complicated, and I really have countless hearts in my heart. ”

"It's okay, but who is it handed over to here? We're worried that no one will be able to command your men after you're gone. ”

What does that mean? Could it be that this old eunuch saw that Lao Tzu's men and horses were completely privately armed? Long Qian smiled and said, "Lord Steward's words have made the humble position deeply frightened. Since the lowly post is determined to serve the court, the army trained by the lowly post is a sword in the hand of the queen mother. Although the brothers under the lowly rank are from humble backgrounds, they are all loyal and righteous people, so please rest assured, Lord Steward. Lu Shan, the lowly deputy, has already arrived, and I have just handed it over to the chief steward, and he will do everything according to your orders. ”

"Then our family will be relieved."

Long Qian didn't wait for Cixi and Guangxu to get up, he only greeted Rong Lu, didn't eat and only brought dry food, and led the cavalry company, the third company, and the eleventh company to set off in advance. Their next stop is Xuanhua. Rong Lu prepared a document with a jade seal for Long Qian in advance, and ordered all cities and towns along the way to obey Long Qian's arrangement.

The main reason why he left without waiting for Cixi was not to show his loyalty and dedication, but to avoid Cixi and help the princes and ministers. Everything that should be done has been done, and Long Qian is afraid that the longer he is in front of Cixi, the bigger the flaws. He would never dare to despise these figures who had reached the pinnacle of power, they may not understand the general trend of the world, but in terms of engaging in infighting and pondering people's hearts, he is definitely not an opponent.

The main task of entering King Qinwang in Beijing has been basically completed by now. The next step is for the golden cicada to come out of its shell. Of course, it is not to leave quietly, but to return to the hometown openly. Long Qian didn't sleep all night last night. I was always thinking about what to do next. He only knew that the governor of Shanxi was Yuxian, Yuan Shikai's predecessor, a fanatical xenophobia and one of the main officials who supported the Boxers. According to the current situation, Yuxian's ending will not be good, and it is estimated that the coalition forces will not spare him, not to mention that when this person arrived in Shanxi, he was also very fierce, killing foreigners and burning churches. The disturbance is not inferior to that of Zhili and Shandong.

Long Qian was most distressed. It's that he doesn't know much about the Manchu court. This deprived him of the basic basis for judging the next step. Now that there is a Wu Yong, of course Long Qian will not let him go. So along the way, he asked Wu Yong about the court situation he cared about, and Wu Yong knew everything. When Long Qian learned that Wu Yong turned out to be Zeng Jize's son-in-law, he had been with Li Hongzhang for many years. Won the trust of Li Hongzhang. Long Qian was overjoyed. Hey, you've got a baby!

"Disrespectful, disrespectful! I didn't know that Ling Yue was Zeng Hou. When my father was alive, the most admired and respected were Zeng Hou's father and son. Moral articles are admired all over the world, and meritorious deeds are enough for future generations to look up to. ”

"I didn't expect their fame to spread overseas__" Wu Yong married Zeng Guofan's granddaughter, which is also something to boast about. Climbing the dragon and attaching the phoenix has always been the general mentality of the Chinese people. Let's just say that Zuo Zongtang, who is more alternative in officialdom, Zuo Jigao, if he hadn't taken the daughter of the famous minister Tao Peng, he would not have soared.

Wu Yong thought of his father-in-law, who had just passed away. Zeng Jize inherited his father's marquis, and his achievements certainly cannot be compared to Zeng Guofan, the head of Zhongxing's famous ministers. However, the recovery of Ili from the expansionist and greedy Russians by virtue of negotiations is enough to go down in history.

"Four years ago, Li Zhongtang visited Europe and the United States, when his younger brother was studying in the United States, and there were overwhelming reports about Zhongtang's mission to the United States. I was just a poor student, so naturally I didn't have the opportunity to get acquainted with Li Zhongtang, but I still paid attention to the reports about him at that time. Although the younger brother was born overseas, he did not dare to forget his roots, and he still knows a little about China's history. I found that in every generation, there is a group of talents, and those characters who are enough to be admired by future generations are actually fathers and sons, classmates, relatives, friends or colleagues. Since the beginning of the Zeng Dynasty, there has been a talent group in the dynasty. Long Qian continued to flicker.

This statement is very new. That is, you can figure it out. Wu Yong slowed down, "Actually, Master Li has never paid homage to the prime minister, and he can't afford to be called Zhongtang." ”

"Ha Luha, the people think he is the prime minister. You don't know how to say that the newspapers in the United States also refer to him as president. Ha Lu Ha. Some people even say that he is the first of the four great men of today. Have you heard of the German Chancellor Bismarck? This gentleman is only at the bottom of the list. ”

"Ah, that's interesting. I'm blinded here, where can I hear? Or adults are well-informed. Hearing Long Qian praise Li Hongzhang, Wu Yong was very happy, "I have worked under Master Li for a few years, and now I also have correspondence. It is said that his old man has received an edict from the imperial court, asking him to go north to preside over peace talks with foreigners. If I have the chance, I will introduce you to the past. The boss is the most fond of young talents like you who have both resume vision and ability. ”

"If you can see the demeanor of a famous minister, the little brother will be in vain. Brother Yongchuan, according to what you see, what will be the result of Li Zhongtang's peace talks in the north? ”

"What can be the result? The old man has been doing foreign affairs for many years, and in good conscience, who can surpass him in understanding foreign affairs today? Negotiation requires capital, what capital does he have? If he wasn't afraid of destroying the little capital accumulated in the southeast for decades, why would his old man mention any southeast mutual insurance? It's all the gangs of boxers who have caused the scourge. Thinking of the Boxer Rebellion that almost killed him, Wu Yong gritted his teeth with hatred.

"Yes, yes. Truth be told, negotiations need to be costly. That's a good thing to say. ”

"By the way, what do you think about the peace talks?" Wu Yong asked Long Qian rhetorically.

"If we can't fight, we can only negotiate peacefully, and there is no other way out. Brother Wu might as well repair a letter and find a way to send it to Lord Zhongtang, saying that he should try to make a fuss about the contradictions between the great powers, what other good way is there? It's nothing more than a land reparation. After the First Sino-Japanese War, there were people at home and abroad who scolded Zhongtang for betraying the country, and those people did not have a backache when they stood and talked. If they are replaced, it is better to go to the middle hall. Li Zhongtang worked hard for the Qing Dynasty, but he had to bear the infamy. This time it was even worse, but fortunately, we have a British lieutenant general and hundreds of allied prisoners, which may be a little bit of capital for the negotiations in the middle hall. ”

"Ah! Exactly this sentence. If the boss listens, he will definitely be a confidant! Okay, when the foolish brother arrived in Xuanhua, he repaired the book and tried to hand it over to Li Zhongtang as soon as possible. Wu Yong slapped his thigh with his hand again and again, and sighed in his heart. (To be continued......)

PS: Just came back from a meeting.