Long Qian and Wu Yong did not immediately return to Taiyuan, but stayed in Beijing for a few days, on the one hand, Long Qian wanted to arrange a series of arrangements after Ning Shijun led the main force of the guard company out of Beijing, and on the other hand, he wanted to conceive a program of a "new deal".

Compared with Wu Yong, who was excited, Long Qian seemed extremely calm, even a little worried, and spent most of his time in his room writing materials. This was coldly looked at by Li Hongzhang, and he taught Wu Yongdao in private, "Compared to Long Qian, you are still a little immature." Even though you are older than him. Every time there is a big event, there is calm, and he is like this. When you arrive in Yanzhou, how to govern, you have to think about it quietly, don't be dominated by a military general. ”

"The middle hall is taught. However, the younger generation thought that General Long's talent was by no means limited to governing the army, and the younger generation had already been convinced. Wu Yong replied, "What he has written in the past few days has not been hidden from me at all, and the younger generation is not as good as him in understanding Lu Nanzhi." ”

"It's a good thing to be civil-military, but you can't forget the way of checks and balances in the imperial court. Don't talk about it, Yongchuan, let's do it yourself. ”

Taiyuan. Palace.

After experiencing the change of Gengzi and nearly half a year of wandering life, the eunuchs and palace maids who stayed in the palace were surprised to find that their masters, who had always been graceful and luxurious and full of wealth, had become old, but only those perceptive eyes were still sharp, which made the people around them full of awe and did not dare to look up.

They didn't know what to do, and Cixi, who had experienced the Gengzi Change, was determined to change.

It is inevitable to face the foreigners who are increasingly involved in the internal decision-making of the Qing Dynasty. The Queen Mother hated herself for not knowing foreign languages. It is inevitable to be deceived by others. It just so happened that the two daughters of Yu Geng, the minister in France, were like flowers and were proficient in English, Deling and Rongling, who returned to China with their father, and were admitted to the palace by the queen mother. By the way, let them act as their own interpreters. Cixi, who has always been suspicious, believes that these two girls will never fool themselves.

During the six months of the Western Hunt, the shrewd Cixi was already well aware of the people's aspirations, the gap between the Qing Dynasty under her rule and the Taixi powers, and the imminent collapse of the Qing Dynasty if reforms were not implemented.

Thereupon. After a small, quick discussion. Cixi finally issued an edict: There are thousands of common scriptures in the world that are not easy to worship, and there is no immutable law. It is not easy to cover the three outlines and five constants, which are as clear as the sun and the moon, and the variable ones make A order B. You might as well change the strings like a piano.

This is a clear signal of reform.

Followed by. In the last few days of the twenty-sixth year of Guangxu. Cixi issued an edict in the name of Guangxu, ordering the Minister of Military Aircraft and a scholar. The six ministries and nine secretaries, envoys to ministers of various countries and governors of various provinces, "each according to the current situation, consider the Chinese and Western political leaders, such as the dynasty and the country, the government and the people's livelihood, the school imperial examination, the military and political finance, when the cause should be reformed, when the province should be merged, or take from others, or seek for themselves, how can the country rise to prosper?" How to start with talent? How to spend the first time? How to start training? Each moves, each expresses what he sees, the general limit is two months, and the details are discussed and heard. ”

This edict marked the beginning of the New Deal at the end of the Qing Dynasty.

The first thing the ministers, especially the provincial governors, did when they received the edict was to confirm the true attitude of the imperial court. Since Wuxu, the word "change" has become an extremely sensitive word. Judging from the literal meaning of the edict, the imperial court's determination to change the law seems to be great. But what is the real attitude of the Queen Mother Lafayette, this is a big question.

On the twenty-sixth day of the lunar month, Long Qian and Wu Yongfeng returned to Taiyuan. He did not see the edict issued by Cixi in the name of Guangxu, and he did not see a document of this level at his level. If he had left a few days late, Li Hongzhang would have shown him the edict he had just received, but he didn't know anything about it after being delayed for several days with the Niangziguan barracks on the way.

However, on the 27th day of the lunar month, after Long Qian went to Rong Lu's temporary residence to meet him and present a large New Year's gift, when Rong Lu showed him the first edict and asked for his opinion, Long Qian was silent.

"Retreat, don't worry about anything. If you have anything to say, just say it. Rong Lu smiled and looked at the young man in front of him, "You have a life-saving grace for the old man, and the old man is too late to be grateful, how can it harm you?" Originally, Rong Lu lived in the palace, but because of an illness, Cixi understood him and arranged for him to move out of Lu to recuperate.

"My lord," Long Qian seemed to think of something, "Judging from this edict, I think that the imperial court is determined to change the law and try to become stronger......

"I've said it all, if you have any ideas, you might as well say it and see it together."

"The big ones kill the little ones. How can Long Qian dare to compete with adults......"

"Don't be presumptuous. Speaking of which, you were the first to propose the reform of the law. For this courage, the old man admired it very much. You also know that since the Wuxu New Year, the world has been almost stammered by the reform and reform, so the Queen Mother appreciates your courage very much. I know your courage to spare your life for the country. Retreat, you've seen the world. As far as Yi is concerned, there are very few people in the Manchu Dynasty who can compare to you. What's more, you have lived in the United States for many years and know a lot about Xiyi customs. The old man knows that you have a splendid chest in your chest, and you can't shirk it if you ask sincerely. ”

Long Qian initially wondered if Rong Lu was representing Cixi, but immediately rejected his own idea. That kind may be almost nonexistent. Yes, I did help Cixi on her westward journey, but as a woman with a lot of experience in ruling, I would never really trust a living person of unknown origin. What's more, her age will not reassure her.

"Adult's love for Long Qian, it is difficult to repay it after ten thousand deaths, how dare you shirk it? It's just a matter of sorting out your thoughts. As far as changing the law is concerned, lowly duty is considered to be the inevitable way. Some people say that the ancestral system is immutable, but in fact, as far as the dynasty is concerned, the ancestral system also changes with the times. Whether it is Kangxi Ye or Yongzheng Ye, they have made great adjustments to the national organizational structure, and the ministers have lived overseas for a long time, and they don't know much about the history of the national dynasty. ”

Rong Lu smiled, "Go on." ”

"The ancients said, 'If you are poor, you will change, and if you change, you will be successful, and if you are general, you will be able to do it for a long time', which shows that the ancients were not opposed to changing the law. What the saints oppose is the useless things that work hard and hurt the people and money, and that come nonsense under the banner of changing the law. Just like what Kang Liang advocated, he thought that if he changed the official system, he would be able to make China rich and strong. Isn't it ridiculous? ”

"Well, that's a good point. So how do you think it should be changed? ”

"Your Excellency, forgive the offense. What do you think is China, compared to Britain, France, Russia, Japan, and the United States? ”

"Needless to say? Of course it's not as good. The smile on Rong Lu's face disappeared, if the national strength was stronger than theirs, would he still end up wandering in the imperial court?

"So it's okay to learn from Westerners. The minister thought that the court was far-sighted...... However, Long Qian made a long pause, which caused Rong Lu's dissatisfaction, and just as he was about to speak, Long Qian finally continued. "My ancestors emigrated. But the ancestral teachings must not be forgotten. Westerners have their own culture, such as festivals, which are different from China's, not to mention food and clothing. My ancestors emigrated. Naturally, it is inevitable to use the customs of foreigners. But I am worried that my children and grandchildren will forget their roots. There are always some prohibitions, such as the whole family does not celebrate foreign festivals, and still takes the festivals that have been passed down in China for thousands of years as festivals. Don't speak foreign dialect at home, always use the local accent, and then remind the younger generations in the family to always take the three outlines and five constants as the ......"

"Oh, Ling Zu is really far-sighted." Rong Lu praised, "No wonder you are so loyal to the imperial court. ”

Therefore, Xiaochen thought that no matter the imperial examination, transportation, study tours, prisons, tax systems, etc., they could all learn from the West. But before studying, we must deeply understand what foreigners do well for and what we have defects for. Then it can be implemented. In particular, we should adhere to a major principle, that is, we should keep in mind the eight characters of 'middle school is the body, and Western learning is the use'......"

"Wait, you say the last eight words again." Rong Lu stood up.

Long Qian said again, "Didn't Zhang Xiangshuai already put forward this proposal? Seeing Rong Lu's excited expression, Long Qian was a little confused. This is a very famous idea, haven't you heard of Rong Lu?

"Zhang Zhidong persuaded the school the year before last, taking the old learning as the body and the new learning as the use, which was very appreciated by the Queen Mother. But in terms of incisiveness, where can it compare to the eight words you summarized. Middle school is not the same as old learning, and Western learning is not necessarily new learning. Rong Lu rubbed his hands excitedly, "Long Qian, the old man knows that you have studied, go back and write an excerpt, tell me your views on the change, and give it to me as soon as possible." ”

The Manchu Qing Dynasty was a master of concocting a literary prison, and Long Qian was a little embarrassed, "My lord, Long Qian is a martial artist, talking about military training, and he still has some experience." If you talk about national affairs, I'm afraid it's the head of the bull and the horse's mouth......"

Rong Lu was amused by Long Qian, "The bull's head is not right, and the horse's mouth is not afraid, just write as you just wanted." You are from overseas, and grammar and etiquette are inevitably negligent, and the Queen Mother will not blame you. Rong Lu straightened his face, "Long Qian, I know that you have a heart for the king's affairs, and this time is related to your future, so you can do it!" In addition, the Queen Mother will meet you, you can put your thoughts in the heart of the Queen Mother, this time the Queen Mother handed you the land of Lunan and Lunan, Lafayette remembers the Haikou you boasted. ”

What did you boast about? Didn't you just say that as long as you have a place and don't need a penny from the imperial court, you can train into a strong army?

"I know very well that without the support of adults, Long Qian will never be so used by the Queen Mother. I remember the state of my voice at the time, and this time I went to Lunan, I must make every effort to make the country prosperous, innovate the shortcomings one by one, and fight a bloody way for the great cause of the imperial court! ”

"What a bloody one! That's what it means! If you go to Lunan to make a difference, the state capital of the world, more than eighty percent, there is no reason to do badly. On the Queen Mother's side, you don't have to worry, Lafayette likes you very much. ”

"Despicability is like a mirror. The kindness of the adults should be repaid. Long Qian didn't dare to say anything excessive, Rong Lu's background and resume determined that he and Cixi's position was exactly the same. If you go too far, for example, turning Lunan into Ronglu's territory and the right wing of the Weisheng Army into Ronglu's private army, it will cause Ronglu's unease. Moreover, it seems that this scheming minister has not had two years to live__

Back at the temporary residence, Long Qian racked his brains to complete the "homework" assigned by Rong Lu. Using the seized fountain pen to draft the folds, some inaccurate traditional characters were empty, thinking about their future, and not realizing that the sky was bright.

Long Qian's "proposal" is about 4,000 words and involves nine issues, namely: 1. Reform the academic system, abolish the martial arts department and change the liberal arts subject; 2. Laws, especially road laws, commercial laws, mining laws and negotiation criminal laws; 3. Cut the green battalion and train the new army; 4. The Guangzhou army has set up a gun factory and an ammunition factory in a planned way to achieve more than enough for its own use; 5. Broaden your knowledge and compile more new foreign books, especially those related to the national economy and people's livelihood; 6. Change the currency system, promote the silver dollar, and try to peg it to the US dollar or the British pound; 7. Implement agriculture and develop water conservancy. in order to be self-sufficient in agriculture; 8. Implement postal services and promote telegraph telephones in order to convey information quickly and accurately. 9. Advocate thrift and put an end to luxury.

In fact, these are empty clichés! But since it was a manuscript, how could Long Qian be ingenious enough to arouse the vigilance of the imperial court? Among these opinions, Long Qian did not talk about military training at all. He repeatedly pondered Cixi's reaction when he saw his "opinion", and after confirming that it was okay, he finalized it, and Long Qian asked Wu Yong to fill in those difficult words that he couldn't read, and handed them to Rong Lu as soon as possible.

Long Qian had not studied the content of the Wuxu Change, and no one had told him in detail. He asked Wu Yong. Wu Yong, who is a county magistrate, can't say clearly. It can be seen that the defects of Kangliang's reform method. Finished.

On the twenty-ninth day of the lunar month, Cixi unexpectedly summoned Long Qian and Wu Yong. The two people who thought that they would not resign a few years ago hurried to the palace, there was no emperor, only Cixi sat on the throne. The only minister who accompanied him was Wang Wenshao, who had a white beard and white hair. but behind the throne of the Empress. Next to Li Lianying, who is like a shadow. Standing on a tall and handsome girl, it was not her appearance that caught Long Qian's attention. It's that this girl is actually wearing a dress!

meticulously went through the procedure, and Cixi ordered the two of them to take a seat, which was a high honor.

"What's going on in Beijing?" Cixi asked pleasantly.

Long Qian knelt down and kowtowed again, and reported all the information he knew about Li Hongzhang's negotiations. Cixi asked Wu Yong, and Wu Yong did not add anything.

"Long Qianna, I read the article you gave to Rong Lu, it's very good. After the Chinese New Year, you are going to Shandong to take office, but the palace remembers your promise to the palace, do it well, don't live up to the high expectations of the palace. ”

"Wechen was born recklessly, I don't know what kind of yin virtue the ancestors cultivated, but the Queen Mother is so loved by your old man, Wechen swears to live up to the high expectations of the Queen Mother, and do his best to repay the Queen Mother's kindness."

"This palace can trust you. Borrow the silver of the Shanxi ticket number, and this palace will not embarrass you. I have asked you to allocate it to you as soon as possible for military use. Long Qian, how are you going to be caught off guard when you go to Lunan? ”

"Prepare for military affairs first. It takes a lot of time and energy to train a strong army, to be called when there is something in the imperial court, to be able to fight, and to win the war. Therefore, recruiting new soldiers, purchasing equipment, and training them are the main errands of Wechen. After the New Year, the Weichen Department returned to Lunan, while training the troops, and on the other hand, finding the opportunity to exterminate the bandits who were entrenched in the calf to harm Lunan, and returned the people to a peaceful world. As for the economy, the imperial court system has state and county officials, and they dare not speak out of their humble positions. It is always necessary to find out the situation first and have a target. ”

"Good. Those are the two sentences. Wu Yong, did you hear it all? ”

Wu Yong hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed, "Back to the Queen Mother Lafayette, Weichen has heard it." ”

"Long Qian's talent is not limited to managing the army and fighting wars. You have to assist him, civil and military forces, govern Yanzhou and even Lunan well, and set an example for all prefectures and provinces. ”

"Yes, Weichen remembers the teachings of the Queen Mother."

"Long Qian, what else do you have to do?"

"Queen Mother, Wechen is determined to build the right wing of the Weisheng Army into a strong army of the Empress Dowager, your old man's arm, according to the calculation of one wing and two standards, the preliminary estimate of the number of soldiers will be more than doubled, in addition, artillery, cavalry, engineering, baggage and other arms, Weichen needs to explore and establish. When Wechen was overseas, he had some understanding of the Western military system, and he could refer to it as appropriate. ”

"Very well, that's it. Xiaolongzi, what do you want to say, it's just ordnance and military salary. The imperial court was covered with dust, and it was difficult to raise money. You have to be considerate of the difficulties of this palace. The palace has instructed to allocate two pieces of silver to repay the silver you borrowed from the Shanxi ticket number, so in the first half of next year, the military salary will not care about you! As for weapons, you can write an excerpt to Rong Lu, understand? ”

Long Qian was slandered, those money were just all kinds of compensation paid by the imperial court to the Mengshan Army since King Qin, including the battle of Niangzi Pass, which is good, in a word, until the first half of next year, the military salary will not be given! This is not the time to bargain, Long Qian knelt down and kowtowed heavily, "Weichen knows the difficulties of the Empress Dowager." I went to Shandong to do my best to develop the economy and reduce the burden on the imperial court. There is only one way to ordnance, and the Queen Mother needs to ask. Because the Germans occupied Jiaoao and had sophisticated German weapons, they hoped to allow Wechen to purchase artillery, machine guns and rifles from the Germans independently. The purchased equipment, Weichen must truthfully report to the court, so that the court can grasp the strength of Weichen. ”

"This also makes it. However, you should be careful when dealing with foreigners. Lian Ying, you send a message to Rong Lu and ask him to give Long Qian an approval in the name of the Ministry of War. ”

Li Lianying agreed and retreated into the shadows.

"Long Qian, you should go back to Shandong as soon as possible to take office. Don't live up to the high expectations that this palace has for you! ”

This means that your majesty's resignation is over, and you don't have to say goodbye again. Long Qian and Wu Yong said goodbye to Cixi according to the court etiquette, Li Lianying really came out to send each other, Long Qian gave Wu Yong a look, Wu Yong was quite obedient, leave a blank space for Long Qian, Long Qian put a folded five thousand taels of silver tickets in Li Lianying's hands when he said goodbye, "Manager Li, I decided to rush to the lady overnight." If it is convenient, please ask the Lord Governor to tell the Queen Mother that although the national situation is difficult, the Queen Mother is the son of Allah favored by God, and she has her own loyal subjects and righteous people to protect and share worries, and it is the blessing of the country to hope that her old man is healthy and healthy. ”

"No wonder Galeries Lafayette likes you. That's what I said. The old slave must tell Lafayette. "Receiving heavy bribes from Long Qian in a row, of course Li Lianying will not make face to Long Qian, "Lord Long do a good job, if you have something, you can send someone to the court, with General Long's loyalty, the court will not care." "That is to say, if you have something to say, come to me, and I will definitely bring it in for you.

"Thank you, Steward. Humble duty will always remember kindness. Long Qian clenched his fists, said goodbye to Li Lianying, took a few guards, and rushed to Niangzi Pass overnight. (To be continued......)