Chapter 260: North and South Confluence! The fate of the Hunan army!

In the past month, Su Yao was obviously extremely busy, because reforming the flag affairs is only a part of it, and it is not even the most important part, and the reform of military affairs is the top priority.

This time, a six-division imperial army was to be formed, one-third of which would be drawn from the local Eight Banners, one-third from the civilian population, and the remaining one-third from the Taiping Army and the Twist Army. The last time the Eight Banners Beijing Battalion was abolished, it was obviously much easier, because more than 100,000 people were around the Beijing Division, but this time the Eight Banners were abolished, and the area was quite extensive, and there were dozens of garrison areas, and the average number of people in each garrison area was several thousand.

Su Yu needed to form a disarmament committee under the former War Department, and there were two options in total.

The first plan was to send dozens of ministers to the local defense areas of the Eight Banners to carry out the work of dismantling and recruiting.

The second plan was to order the Eighth Banner Army in dozens of defense areas to set off on its own, go to a few core barracks, and concentrate on dismantling.

After a little deliberation, the War Department decided to adopt the second option.

It was decided to set up six disarmament offices, Mongolia, Suiyuan, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Nanjing.

In the northwest part, whether it is General Ningxia or General Yili's Eighth Banner Army, it will not move for the time being, because these two places are now very dangerous. All the remaining Eight Banner Armies moved towards these seven places and accepted the reduction.

The Liaodong Department is responsible for the three general defense areas of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Shengjing.

Whether these three places should be abolished or not has sparked an extremely fierce debate, and even quarreled into a pot of porridge.

Many ministers felt that outside the Guanxi was the land of Longxing, and the Eight Banners Army here could never be dismantled. Regarding this reason, of course, Su Yu absolutely did not admit it.

But Zuo Zongtang found Su Yu and chatted in detail.

"Lord Wang, the lower officials also think that the three Eight Banner Defense Areas in Liaodong should not be all cut off."

Su Yu said: "You tell me the reason. ”

Zuo Zongtang said: "Lord Wang, General Yili, General Ningxia, and the Minister in Tibet are not laid off, that is because these three places are critical, even if the Eight Banners are weak, they can only increase their troops, not reduce them." Liaodong, facing the threat of the Russians, could not be dismantled either. ”

"Of course, there is an even more damning reason. The Russians are bent on thinking that there will be a split in our center, that our country will be divided, and that they want to support the forces of the Eight Banners. Therefore, it is very advantageous to let General Heilongjiang and General Jilin take the front. ”

Su Yu has also been thinking about this problem, if the Heilongjiang generals and Jilin generals are abolished now, then it is necessary to immediately send new troops to the top, and they will face a direct conflict with the Russians.

Su Yu said: "Mr. Ji Gao, what is your specific opinion?" ”

Zuo Zongtang said: "The abolition of the Eight Banners Army to which General Sheng Jing belongs can show an absolute attitude towards disarmament." Because Shengjing is the old capital, even the Eight Banners here have been abolished, and other regions should not be delusional. However, for the time being, the Heilongjiang and Jilin generals were retained, and only after the new six divisions and armies were trained were they replaced, and the Heilongjiang generals and Jilin generals were abolished. ”

After thinking about it, Su Yu felt that this was Lao Cheng's strategy for the country, and nodded in agreement.

Immediately afterwards, Monk Greenqin found Su Yu again.

"Su Xiang, I'm a little worried."

Su Yu said: "The monk king, please speak." ”

Monk Lingqin said: "I am a Mongolian, but I am also a Qing person, and I am loyal to the Qing Dynasty. ”

Su Yu said: "Of course. ”

Monk Lingqin said: "The imperial court set up the Uriya Sutai General's Mansion to guard Mobei. Most of our Mongolian tribes are loyal to the imperial court, there is no doubt about this, but the garrison of the Uriya Sutai General's Mansion plays a very key role, supervising and even suppressing, sorry I said it a bit bluntly, although this part of the defense area is not much military, but there is an army town here, it can play a deterrent role, once it is abolished, I am afraid it will cause a change in people's hearts. ”

This question, of course, is also important.

Suffice it to say, several ministers of the War Department have also discussed it over and over again.

We must be extremely cautious about the disarmament of the frontiers.

Therefore, Heilongjiang, Jilin, General Yili, and General Ningxia were not cut first.

However, the Uriya Sutai General's Mansion is also a frontier.

Su Yu said: "Monk King, what do you think?" ”

Monk Lingqin said: "I preside over the disarmament of Mongolia and Suiyuan, but at the same time, I led half a division of troops to settle in the city of Sutai in Uriya, garrisoned for a year, and when the new army is trained, I will send relevant important personnel to change guards with me." ”

Su Yu frowned slightly, this is a bit of a knife to kill chickens.

Monk Lingqin has high prestige and deep qualifications, and he is really reluctant to let him leave the capital.

Su Yu thought for a while and said, "Can anyone else think of besides you?" How is the current Uriya Sutai General Mingyi? ”

Monk Greenqin said: "He can't. ”

Su Yu said: "You said that you sent half a division to Sutai City in Uriya, I absolutely agree, but I will think about who to send specifically." ”

Then, Su Yu suddenly said, "Is it okay for Princess Shou'an?" ”

Monk Lingqin was slightly stunned, and suddenly didn't know how to answer, Su Yu was really imaginative.

Because the person who guards Uriya Sutai has a very high status, it is not enough to be a simple general, but also a political figure, because he needs to deal with the Mongol tribes.

Because this general's mansion is not only in charge of the army, but also in charge of the government, although a lot of taxes are paid to Da Shengkui, there is still a lot to do.

Is Princess Shou'an successful?

Her identity must be noble enough, but she is a woman after all.

But after thinking about it, she really can, because she has been running continuously over the years, acting as a bridge between the Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone and the Mongolian tribes, and has a close relationship with the Northern Chamber of Commerce in Dashengkui, and because of her close relationship with Su Yu, the troops sent to garrison will also obey.

"Also...... You really can. Monk Lingqin said: "It's just that it's a bitter cold place, I'm afraid that the princess is not very adaptable." ”

And at this time, the eunuch Cheng Shou rushed in and said: "King Yi, King Monk, the Queen Mother is invited." ”

Su Yu and Monk Greenqin went to Sanxi Hall.

At this time, several other people in the political hall were already there. Yi, Zhou Zupei, Jiao Youying.

Another minister, Prince Hui Mianyu, knelt on the ground, motionless.

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Prince Hui, as an elder of the royal family, do you have any dissatisfaction with the palace if you resign at this time?" ”

Mianyu kowtowed and said, "The old minister doesn't dare." ”

Don't you dare, that's it?

Empress Dowager Ci'an sniffed, as if there was also blood in the air. Because not long ago, Caishikou had just carried out a head killing, killing more than 1,000 people.

This of course expresses Su Yao's determination.

Don't you want to be tempted? sent more than a thousand low-level flag men scoundrels, then ask for mercy.

All of them were beheaded, and the canonical punishment was corrected, showing the firm determination of the flag reform.

Then, Mianyu came to resign.

The Empress Dowager Ci'an sighed and said: "Uncle Huang, it's an eventful time, the Empress Dowager Xi has gone to worship the Buddha again, the emperor is still young, and there is only a female generation like me left in the palace, how can you, as an elder, bear to leave the center?" For the sake of the first emperor, can I stay for a while? ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an's attitude has been very soft, almost like she is pleading.

Although she is not sensitive to politics, she probably knows that Prince Hui's resignation will cause a certain chain reaction.

Although Mianyu has never made any public statements about flag reform, if he is in office, he needs to do things. And by resigning now, he is making a stand.

Disagree with flag reform.

Mianyu said: "Empress Dowager Qiyu, the old minister is old and frail, and he is already overwhelmed. ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Then there is no need to resign, you can recuperate in the mansion." ”

She was still trying to keep it, and then looked towards Su Yu, you, the initiator, still haven't come out to speak?

"Su Yu, what do you say?" Empress Dowager Ci'an said.

Su Yu said directly: "Since Prince Hui feels unwell, the Queen Mother should not force it." ”

As soon as these words came out, the faces of several ministers present changed drastically.

Are you Su Yu so tough?

Prince Hui, as an elder of the royal family, is now the emperor's uncle, and with him in the political hall, many things can still shield you from the wind and rain.

Now that he is resigning, it may not be that he really wants to resign, but it is just a kind of bargaining, and I hope that you will take a little back from the matter of flag reform.

As a result, your attitude is so tough, that is, there is no room for negotiation at all?

After hearing Su Yu's words, Prince Hui Mianyu directly kowtowed and said: "The Queen Mother doesn't need to say any more, the old minister's resignation has been decided." ”

Then, he took off his hat.

It's ridiculous, you're a prince, and it's just the Minister of Parliament who is asking for your resignation, so what's the point of you taking off your royal hat?

"The old minister took his leave." Then, Mianyu turned and left.

Suddenly, there were only five people left in the room.

Empress Ci'an looked sad and said, "There is another one missing in the political affairs hall, you say, who will be added?" ”

Zhou Zupei and Jiao Youying, the two Hanchens, really didn't say a word at this time.

Su Yu and Yi were able to recommend new candidates, but neither of them spoke.

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "A few of you have discussed, and then you will report it and disperse." ”

……………………

Inside the Chung Cui Palace.

The Empress Dowager Ci'an looked at Su Yu with red eyes, pursed her lips, and looked very aggrieved.

"Mianyu's Fujin has passed the palace, what he means is that it is not impossible to reform the flag affairs, but the action should not be so big, slow down a little, everyone, you take a step back, I will take a step back." Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "He resigned here, just pretending to be a gesture, and if the terms of the flag reform on your side are slightly slowed down, he will not resign." ”

"It's good now, you just say that you want to leave, but there is no room at all, and the door to negotiation is directly closed."

Su Yu didn't explain, he couldn't compromise at all at this time, he would take a step back today, he would take ten steps back tomorrow, and he would have to take a hundred steps back the day after tomorrow.

"Did you sleep well these two days?" Su Yu asked softly.

"It's only been a few days, you've killed people again, and now your head is going to crack, I'm afraid I'll have nightmares every day." Niu Hulu said.

Su Yu stepped forward and gently rubbed her temples.

"Don't do that." Empress Dowager Ci'an said in a trembling voice.

However, Su Yu didn't do anything then, just gently massaged her.

"There's something." Su Yu said.

"Hmm." Empress Dowager Ci'an said.

Su Yu said: "This time, the Eight Banners Army will be abolished, and the monk king will be in charge of Uriya Sutai and Suiyuan. Because Uriya Sutai is too special and needs to monitor Mobei Mongolia, it is necessary to immediately send half a division of garrison, and a respected person needs to guard it for about a year. ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said, "Who are you going to send?" ”

Su Yu said: "The monk recommended himself, but I think it's overkill, and I want Princess Shou'an to go." ”

"Fourth sister? She's a woman. Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Moreover, she ...... She's still your woman, are you willing to do it? ”

Su Yu said: "It's not that there is no way." ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "It's really unlucky to be your woman." ”

Su Yu sighed softly.

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "The monk is in charge of Suiyuan and Uriya Sutai, who is in charge of Shengjing?" ”

In the heart of the Empress Dowager Ci'an, the Shengjing General Defense Area is the most difficult to cut, because this is the old capital.

Su Yu said: "Originally, I wanted to take charge of it myself, but there was no need to think about it, so I wanted to let Wuren go." ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Wu Ren, he is a civil official?" ”

Su Yu said: "General Shengjing Fuxing, probably didn't have the courage to make any trouble. Wu Ren didn't have a deep feeling about the reform flag, and Sheng Jing was the most special, which just let him feel it. ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "What is there to feel about Shengjing? ”

Su Yu said: "Has the Queen Mother been to Shengjing?" ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "No." ”

Su Yu said: "Guanwai is regarded as the land of Longxing, and the Han people are not allowed to set foot in it, but there are few Manchurians, and it is barren everywhere, and the land is very fertile. Emperor Shunzhi also encouraged the Han people to go outside the border to pioneer at that time, but when Emperor Kangxi arrived, he began a ban policy and was very confused. ”

The Empress Dowager Ci'an gently slapped him and said, "Hmph, the Holy Ancestor is also something you can arrange at will." ”

Su Yu said: "Confused, just confused, what can't be said." ”

"Now there are only a few people outside the entire gate? However, it has the most fertile land in the Qing Dynasty, but it has not been cultivated, and many people in the customs have no fields to plant, and the banner people do not farm. ”

"The Russians are about to fight, there is no one, how can they stop it? It was said that the land outside the gate was the land of Longxing, and the Han people could not be allowed to enter, but the Russians were going to kill them, and the people grabbed a piece of land and began to emigrate, and there was no one outside the gate, and they couldn't defend it. ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Do you want to immigrate outside the border?" ”

Su Yu said: "Yes." ”

This time, Su Yu exterminated the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Twist Army, and hundreds of thousands of people surrendered, of which only a small part were able to join the army, and most of the rest had to be miners and other workers.

There are also some people who want to be farmers farming.

However, Su Yu has not yet decided.

Because whether it is the Taiping Army or the Twist Army, they are used to rebellion, and they are afraid that they will have strong conflicts and contradictions with the local bannermen when they go to Guanwai.

Moreover, the environment outside the customs is more suitable for bandits, and after this group of people went, they were afraid that they would become bandits again.

But if the ordinary peasants were relocated, in the face of the Russian invasion, they would not be able to form the momentum of all the soldiers.

Therefore, Su Yu has another idea, that is, to use the model of the Production and Construction Corps to develop the entire Northeast.

"Hmph, the reform of the flag affairs has not yet been decided, and you have to immigrate outside the border, every move you make is aimed at the lifeline of the flag man, no wonder others regard you as a mortal enemy." Empress Dowager Ci'an said.

Su Yu said: "The flag reform is a big banner, which attracts all the hatred and hostility, so we simply put many other policies under the flag reform. Everyone only focused on the major event of flag reform, and we quietly completed all other things. ”

"Who's with you and us?" Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "I am also a banner person. ”

Su Yu gently rubbed the back of her neck, a little harder.

She felt a little sore, and almost wanted to snort, but it felt strange.

"Wan'er, you're so good-looking." Su Yu said suddenly.

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Don't say such things, I'...... I'm not used to it. ”

Su Yu said: "I am in charge of the Nanjing Division, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hubei and other provinces of the Eight Banners Army, I personally abolished and recruited new troops. ”

The Empress Dowager Ci'an sat up sharply and said, "You want to leave Beijing?" No, you're leaving Beijing, what should I do? ”

"I mean, they won't be able to eat our orphans and widows."

Su Yu said: "I'm not at ease, your nature is too soft, as soon as others say it, your side will retreat." ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "That's a big deal, you invite the one from the west back to her, she is not soft." ”

Then, she couldn't help but say: "Where do you need to go to the Eight Banners in those provinces for the abolition of the Eight Banners?" Zuo Zongtang can go. ”

Su Yu said: "I have to do two things, one is to abolish the Eight Banners of these provinces, and the other is to prepare for the establishment of the China Merchants Bureau. ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Do you want to do it together?" ”

Su Yu said: "Yes." ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "This matter is very important, right? ”

Of course, it is important, Su Yu has four new policies, and China Merchants is a separate big deal.

"Since it's very important, why don't you do it alone, why should you put it together with the abolition of the Eight Banners Army?" Empress Dowager Ci'an said.

Su Yu said: "Because he is very important, he should be understated. ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Because of the reform of the flag affairs, the atmosphere in the whole capital is so strange and unpredictable, you have to leave Beijing at this time." ”

…………………………

This beautiful little queen mother is relatively simple and doesn't understand the complexities inside.

In fact, now Su Yu is facing two battlefields, one south and one north.

The center of the battlefield in the north is in the capital.

His enemies were the Eight Banners, princes and ministers.

The enemy to the south was the Hunan army.

Now that the battlefield in the north has reached a stalemate, Su Yu beheaded more than 1,000 people who came to the Eight Banners to petition for hunger strike, and the other party's offensive method was Prince Hui's resignation.

His resignation alone is nothing, but it may be just the beginning.

Next, the struggle is sure to escalate.

Su Yu temporarily left the capital first to deal with the enemy in the south.

If the Hunan army is not dealt with, then a comprehensive Westernization campaign cannot be launched.

Su Yu's actions are very unwise in the eyes of everyone else, you didn't finish the struggle in the north, and you went to the south to provoke a struggle?

Isn't it time to take out one enemy first, and then the other?

Are you alone, and you want to start two struggles?

How dim-witted? Aren't you afraid that the two enemies of the north and the south will join forces?

The Empress Dowager Ci'an suddenly said: "Mianyu has resigned, who do you think should be allowed to enter the political hall?" Zaiyuan, or Yixun? ”

Su Yu said: "Queen Mother, what is your opinion?" ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "It's still the Seventh Master." ”

The seventh master in her mouth is the seventh brother of Emperor Xianfeng, Prince Yixun.

This seventh master has been in charge of the center for a long time in history, which can be regarded as decent, and he also has an identity, the husband of Cixi's sister and the biological father of Emperor Guangxu.

Su Yu shook his head and said, "No." ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Why not? ”

Su Yu said: "Because he won't accept it." ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "What do you say? ”

Su Yu said: "Because of the reform of the flag affairs, now the entire Eight Banners and the princes and ministers are isolating me and are unwilling to be with me. Yi Xun is no exception, let him enter the political hall at this time, and then he refused at first, and we are just humiliating ourselves. ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Is it so serious? ”

This little queen mother is simple and naïve, and she hasn't tasted it yet.

After Su Yu decided to implement the reform of flag affairs, he and the Eight Banners were already a life-and-death struggle.

He will do his best to hold down all the Eight Banner nobles, make them obey, and carry out the reform of the flag affairs.

And the Eight Banners and the princes and ministers have to do everything they can to drive Su Yao out of the center.

But now that Su Yu is in control of the army, and Seng Lingqin is also on Su Yu's side, the Minister of the Eight Banners has lost the possibility of a military solution.

They have only two options, either to take the line of political struggle altogether.

Either find another way and take the line of military struggle.

But they don't have an army in their hands, and the Hunan army has an army on their side, so the two sides may converge.

And Su Yu's China Merchants Bureau, on the surface, wants to recruit the forces of the Anxiang army, but in fact, it is sharpening the knife.

…………………………

Yiwang Mansion.

Su Yu's core dignitaries are deliberating.

Chen Yucheng, Li Xiucheng, and Lin Qirong have left the capital and headed for Tianjin.

The situation was in full swing, and the second batch of six new divisions of the Imperial Army originally needed to wait until the local Eight Banners were dismantled and recruits new recruits were carried out together.

But apparently it is no longer possible, and the recruitment of troops from the civilian sector has begun for some time.

The elite forces selected from the Taiping Army and the Twist Army to enter the new army of the empire have completed the selection of soldiers.

In the past month or two, 20,000 people have been selected from the good people, 6,000 from the Mongol cavalry, and 30,000 from the Taiping and Twist armies.

A total of 56,000 people entered the Tianjin military station for training.

After the local Eight Banners are dismantled, 24,000 people will be recruited and then enter the Tianjin Military Station.

This action is actually a bit risky, after all, the Taiping Army and the Twist Army are rebels, and they recruit 30,000 people at once, more than half of the new army on patrol.

If there is a rebellion in the military station, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Therefore, half of Su Yu's first division, Ronglu's third division, Seng Lingqin's fourth division, as well as the fifth and sixth divisions, were all in Tianjin at this time.

But then, several war ministers had to take away a part of the army and go to all sides to dismantle the local Eight Banners, and in case of chaos, they could also suppress it at any time.

Therefore, Li Xiucheng, Chen Yucheng, Lin Qirong, Zhang Zongyu, Lai Wenguang, Chen Decai, and other leaders of the Taiping Army and the Twist Army, who had high prestige, all went to the Tianjin Military Station to suppress the 30,000-trained new army while studying.

"What do you think their attack will be next?" Su Yu asked.

Zuo Zongtang said: "According to the thinking of the lower officials, there will probably be two directions for this group of Eight Banner princes next. ”

"The first direction is that all the banner ministers will resign, let the entire court center stop, and force the queen mother to make a choice, either let you go into the wilderness or the court stop."

"The second direction, the military struggle, the confluence of the north and the south. The Banner Ministers and the Hunan Army, as well as other local warlords, converged. Taking advantage of the chaos in the northwest and the opportunity of the Russians to invade the south, they used military means to force the prince to go into the wilderness. ”

"Judging by the current resignation of Mianyu, they may take the first option first, and in this way, they will launch an unprecedented morally offensive against us."

"And for the attack of their first plan, Xia Guan felt that there were two nodes that needed attention, one was the resignation of the chief minister, Prince Gong. The other is Jaeyuan and Ujin, who were recommended by you to be the Minister of Flag Reform, and they couldn't bear the tremendous pressure and resigned. ”

"These two incidents, no matter which one happens, means that the contradiction has been completely intensified and irreparable."

Lin Shaozhang said: "I agree with Mr. Ji Gao's analysis, but I still have to add one point, that is, the weakness and compromise of the banner people. ”

After Mianyu resigned, they would pause and wait for Su Xiang's move. Because from the bottom of their hearts, they want you to take a step back and negotiate on flag reform. You take a step back, they take a step back, so that they can find a mutually acceptable plan to carry out flag reform. ”

Zuo Zongtang said: "But this kind of reform must be a change of soup without a change of medicine, and it is meaningless." ”

Lin Shaozhang said: "Therefore, tomorrow's court will be very important, and everyone will wait for Su Xiang's next step to see how you make a move." ”

Su Yu said slowly: "Wouldn't it be too risky if I packed the Eight Banners and the Hunan Army together and solved it completely?" ”

Suddenly, several people looked at Su Yu in surprise.

Lin Shaozhang trembled and said: "It's an adventure, but ...... It's also thorough. ”

But this hand, Zuo Zongtang is somewhat familiar.

It seems to be still Su Yu's leek tactics.

Initiate a huge reform, bring out the opponents, and then use a military means to solve it once and for all.

Chop off all the heads of the opponents.

Solve all the potential local military forces.

Thoroughly implement the New Deal and consolidate power.

……………………

The next day's pilgrimage!

The Minister of Parliament, Prince Hui Mianyu, officially resigned in the court.

The Empress Dowager Ci'an approved it, and did not fill the vacancy in the government hall, so the six ministers became five.

This in itself has sparked turmoil.

Everyone is waiting for what Su Yu will do next.

Su dragged out of the ranks.

The eyes of all the ministers of civil and military affairs fell on him again.

"The Empress Dowager, the minister has a book."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said, "Say." ”

Su Yu said: "The minister wants to personally go to Nanjing to preside over the removal of the Eight Banners Army in the southeastern provinces. ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "The center can't do without you, can't you ask someone else to do this matter?" ”

Su Yu said: "In addition, the China Merchants Conference, the minister also wants to carry it out. ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "The China Merchants Conference is for the next comprehensive foreign affairs to raise funds, right?" You said you want to raise 50 million taels? ”

Su Yu said: "Yes, the minister wants to raise 50 million taels from private capital to start the next batch of Western-related projects." ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "At that time, the investment promotion conference of your Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone was warmed up for several years, and it was a great success. And this time the China Merchants Conference will raise 50 million taels, does it need to warm up longer? When do you want it to be held? ”

Su Yu said: "August 17! ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "So urgent? ”

Su Yu said: "Yes, because the abolition of the local Eight Banners also needs to be carried out at that time." ”

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "The center is indeed inseparable from you for a day, but disarmament and investment promotion are indeed very important, among the four new policies, two of the new policies are among them, and the palace is not easy to stop you." ”

Su Yu said: "Minister's order, thank you." ”

…………………………

The princes and ministers of the Eight Banners were waiting for Su Yu to make a move, but Su Yu made this move, and many people were a little puzzled.

At this critical moment, you Su Yu are leaving Beijing?

What do you mean?

Is this a compromise?

In Prince Hui's mansion, including Yi and Baojun.

Su Shun, Duanhua, and Zai Ling were opponents of the last wave, after their heads moved.

A new wave of Eight Banner Princes has popped up again.

This is also a tacit understanding.

Someone has to stand up, otherwise it will really make Su Yu completely destroy the foundation of the Eight Banners? Have you usurped the Qing Dynasty?

However, this group of Eight Banner princes has a kind of compromise and weakness.

If they don't stand up to fight, Su Yu's moves will be more ruthless than the other, and it won't take a few years to dig up the foundation of the Eight Banners.

However, it is not possible to confront it head-on.

Baojun thought for a while and said: "According to the guess of the lower officials, Su Yu's hand is to completely put an end to the confluence of the north and the south. ”

Mianyu said: "You elaborate." ”

Baojun said: "Su Yu wants to implement the reform of flag affairs, and almost the entire Eight Banners princes and nobles are his enemies. But now that Seng Lingqin supports him, Rong Lu is silent, and Jingshou is also buried in his head, so we no longer have an army in our hands. Now only the Hunan army has an army. ”

"In the north, we are Su Yu's political enemies, but we strive to maintain the fight without breaking."

"In the south, the Hunan army is Su Yu's enemy, but it also strives to maintain the fight without breaking."

"And for Su Yu, the most unfavorable situation is the confluence of the north and the south, and we and the Hunan army are completely united."

"Therefore, this China Merchants Conference may be Su Yu's recruitment of the Hunan army."

"In the past ten years, the military expenditure of the Hunan army does not rely on the appropriation of the imperial court, nor does it rely on the assistance of several provinces, but mainly on the local gold bureaus, to put it bluntly, it is the tax payment of merchants. Therefore, there is a very strong merchant force behind the Hunan army. ”

"Su Yao's next batch of Westernization movements will open more than a dozen large-scale projects. He wanted to lead this batch of foreign affairs on behalf of the center, and attract some foreigners to join the shares, and the other part wanted to attract the Hunan army into the shares. ”

"He wants to use huge benefits to buy the Hunan army in exchange for the possibility of the Hunan army severing cooperation with us."

"Therefore, it is not so much that this is an investment conference, but that this is a recruitment conference for the Hunan army."

Prince Gong nodded and said, "That makes sense." ”

Mianyu also nodded and said, "That makes sense." ”

Bao Jun said: "Therefore, if we want to stop Su Yu's recruitment of the Hunan army and want to merge the north and south, we need to quickly send envoys to meet Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang and others." ”

Yi said: "What can we give them?" ”

Baojun said: "Let them continue to keep the Hunan army, and let them do foreign affairs independently." ”

Yi Dao: "That is, to hand over the power of foreign affairs to them?" ”

Bao Jun said: "Yes. ”

This sounds amazing, didn't you take the initiative to hand over power to the Han people?

But historically, the center of the Qing court did just that, letting the local governors engage in foreign affairs, and then the center of the court gradually lost control of the southern provinces.

And now in the world, they have even more reason to do so.

Yi said: "In this case, let's go." ”

After that, the capital immediately sent an envoy south to meet with the Hunan army bosses.

……………………

A few days later!

Suzhou.

Several giants of the Hunan army are conducting secret meetings.

Because the next choice is completely related to the fate of the Hunan army.

On Su Yu's side, he did not send any envoys over, but directly announced in the court that he was going south, presiding over the disarmament of the local Eight Banners in the southeastern provinces, and opening the China Merchants Conference.

"Su Yao, this person, is still so domineering, and no one is in sight at all." Zeng Guoquan said angrily: "He said that he was going to convene an investment conference, so he said that it would be held, without any consultation in advance, that is, let us arrange for business representatives to participate." ”

"What does this mean? Just tell us to surrender immediately! ”

For Su Yu's domineering style, Zeng Guofan completely hated it.

He does whatever he wants, regardless of other people's opinions.

Li Xubin said: "The last time we attacked Tianjing, we almost succeeded. As a result, Chen Yucheng surrendered by fraud, causing us heavy casualties, and finally failed, Su Yu directly stretched out his hand to pick the fruits of victory, and the entire rebellion surrendered to him. ”

"I have a friendship with Su Yu, but I can't get over this deep hatred."

Li Xubin and Luo Zenan led 50,000 people into Chaoyangmen to surrender at that time, but Luo Zenan died tragically, Li Xubin broke two legs, and almost all 50,000 people were destroyed.

Zeng Guofan did not speak.

Su Lu is domineering, but he has always won all the battles, and it is too much pressure to be the enemy of him.

Zeng Guofan said: "The imperial court sent someone over and said that if we are willing to cooperate with them, we will drive Su Yu out of power." Our Hunan army continued to maintain self-reliance and handed over the power of foreign affairs to us. ”

Zeng Guoquan said: "The foreigners also fully support us. Suyu's Jiujiang Economic Experimental Zone is in front, and we can completely copy it. On the side of the British, Su Yu had political enemies. Wei Tuma is competing for the post of Chinese minister, and the forces behind him have enough capital and technology, and the Americans can also support us to set up factories and engage in the Westernization movement. ”

Li Hongzhang said: "Su Yao's biggest supporter in the UK is the queen's husband, Prince Albert, standing in his position, he may not necessarily want to see Su Yao's family dominant." We started another batch of Westernization movements, and he was probably happy to see it. ”

Zeng Guofan was silent for a while and said, "But this is our last choice. ”

"This choice will completely determine the fate of the Hunan army and the fate of all of us."

"This is Su Yao's last chance for us, either to participate in the China Merchants Conference and board his warship, or to be a complete enemy."

Li Hongzhang said: "It is to use huge benefits in exchange for us to give up the entire Hunan army and give up control of the southern provinces." ”

Zeng Guofan said: "Yes, it is a quarter of the shares of the future foreign affairs." ”

The decision was too difficult.

Zeng Guofan absolutely didn't want to agree in his heart, which was tantamount to completely wanting Su Yu to surrender.

Give up power in a few provinces, give up an army of more than 100,000?

Who can put it down?

However, let him and Su Yu be completely enemies and meet each other?

It's hard to make a decision.

As a result, today's secret meeting still did not have a result.

………………………………

That night, Zeng Guoquan came to meet Zeng Guofan.

"Big brother, don't forget the Battle of Chibi." Zeng Guoquan said: "Everyone else can surrender to Cao Cao, but Sun Quan can't." ”

Su Yu said again and again in Beijing that the members of China Merchants are the future ministers of foreign affairs. He leads, followed by Shen Baozhen and Li Hongzhang. ”

"There's no name of your Zeng Guofan in this." Zeng Guoquan said: "Therefore, Li Hongzhang can surrender to Su Yu, because there is his position over there, but there is no place for you, and there is no place for me." ”

Zeng Guofan said: "He named Li Hongzhang, probably a superficial divisive plan. ”

Zeng Guoquan said: "Who knows?" ”

Zeng Guofan said: "But the war with Su Yu is really terrifying. ”

Zeng Guoquan said: "Not necessarily, big brother." Because the next situation is unprecedented, Su Yu may not be able to draw many troops to deal with us, and even the situation he faces is overstretched. I still say the same thing, everyone else can descend, but you can't! ”

"In addition, I think Li Hongzhang's side, big brother should pay attention."

Zeng Guofan said: "Out of our system, even if Li Hongzhang wants to vote, it doesn't make much sense." ”

………………

An hour later, Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang had a secret talk.

"Shaoquan, Su Yu has a discerning eye over there, and has taken the initiative to say China Merchants many times, with your name, you are thirsty for talent." Zeng Guofan said: "Now that he is in charge of the center, if you pass, you will be able to show your strength, and you will only be happy for you as a teacher." ”

Li Hongzhang said: "Teacher, you offended Su Yao so much, why shouldn't I?" In particular, Chen Yucheng and Shi Dakai led the army to attack Suzhou, Changzhou, Danyang and other places, and I took the initiative to retreat to Songjiang Mansion, which was the biggest stimulus to him. Then he just went south to fight Hangzhou, I sent troops to attack Suzhou, cut off his great achievements, this is a stab in his most vulnerable place, and the hatred in his heart for me is no less than yours. ”

"So he openly recruited me, but it was just a superficial discord."

Zeng Guofan said: "Whether it is a divisive plan or not, but as long as you are willing to vote over, he still has the amount of tolerance." ”

Li Hongzhang said: "I still say the same thing, I am looking forward to the teacher, and I am completely obedient to the interests of the Hunan army." ”

"If the teacher decides to fight Su Yu to the end, then we will fight to the end."

Zeng Guofan sighed: "This decision is not good, it is not good!" ”

Li Hongzhang said: "No matter what, we must make a decision, Su Yu will come on August 17, and time waits for no one." ”

Zeng Guofan said: "Yes, there must be a decision. ”

Surrender, or confrontation?

………………………………

Note: It's half past eleven today, and we can't do it again. I'll set myself a goal to update by 11 o'clock tomorrow so that I don't procrastinate.

Eun Gong, I'm ...... Can I still ask for a commuter pass? Bow to everyone first!

(End of chapter)