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Volume 3: War in the Far East Chapter 41: Unparalleled Heroes

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    Early in the morning of the next day, Tang Jian went to court according to the order and participated in the early court of civil and military officials.  (The spring day in Beijing is still a bit cold, especially in the morning like this. When it is dawn, Tang Jian begins to prepare the official uniform for the court. For Tang Jian, this is the first time to directly face the Qing Dynasty at this time.  The supreme ruler's morning dynasty.

    The place where the early court was held was the Yangxin Hall. Since Cixi came to govern behind the curtain, the place where civil and military officials went to court should be in this hall.  Early in the morning, Tang Jian followed a large group of civil and military officials of different ranks into the court from Xuanwu Gate.

    Most of the civil and military officials are old men in their fifties or sixties, and some of the younger ones are middle-aged men in their thirties. There are few Beijing officials in their twenties like Tang Jian. Tang Jian seems particularly awkward in this circle of people.  .

    Fortunately, it didn¡¯t take much time to enter the Forbidden City from Xuanwu Gate, but Tang Jian was still shocked by the luxurious palaces along the way.  Although Tang Jian visited many Forbidden City in later generations, most of them were imitations of later generations and were not actually the original appearance of the Forbidden City. Only after entering the Forbidden City did Tang Jian discover what true luxury and royal life were.

    Gilt glazed bricks and tiles, vermilion pillars, copper basalt vermillion birds on both sides of the palace, bronze sculptures, exquisite porcelain, everywhere is a piece of jewelery, showing the majesty of the royal family.

    Soon, all the officials came to the main hall of Yangxin Hall to wait. Because the emperor and the queen mother did not come, the ministers also started chatting. It was nothing more than when they took in a new concubine and whose yellow parrot could talk.  Human words.  Several other Hanlin officials were yawning and had runny noses. One look at them and they knew they had too much opium.

    Only a few ministers were talking about state affairs. Tang Jian turned around and saw that it was Zhang Zhidong, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, and Liu Kunyi, the minister of Nanyang, who were discussing at the side.

    Tang Jian sighed secretly, there were only a few ministers in the Qing Dynasty who could be regarded as doing business.

    At this time, the eunuch in charge shouted in a sharp voice: "Empress Dowager, the Emperor is here!"

    The ministers immediately stopped talking, stood in their respective positions, brushed down their sleeves, knelt on the ground, and said in unison: "The Empress Dowager is a thousand years old, and my emperor is long live!"

    After Emperor Guangxu sat down, he looked at Cixi behind his eyes. Cixi nodded slightly, and then Guangxu said: "All ministers are equal!"

    The ministers responded: "Thank you, the Queen Mother, and thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

    Then, all the ministers stood up together, lined up on both sides, and lowered their heads slightly.  Tang Jian sighed in his heart: "This is the early dynasty of the Qing Dynasty! It's nothing like what I imagined." Tang Jian glanced sideways at Guangxu, who was sitting on the dragon chair under the huge plaque "Zhongzheng Renhe".

    Emperor Guangxu was younger than he believed, with a handsome face, but his complexion was pale. There was a gloominess in his eyebrows that was not suitable for his age, and he was faintly sick.

    ?????????????????????????? It¡¯s really a waste to be an emperor and do this.

    Emperor Guangxu glanced at his highness's ministers and asked, "Do the ministers have anything to report?" While speaking, he glanced at several ministers of the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

    Several ministers of the Metropolitan Procuratorate were shocked: "Did the Emperor know about those embarrassment of those ministers?" Although Empress Dowager Cixi has the final say now, the Emperor still has the power to deal with the affairs of several ministers.  , several ministers of the Metropolitan Procuratorate were so frightened that they broke out in cold sweat.

    At this time, a man walked out of the queue of ministers on the right and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

    Tang Jian knew that this person was Zhang Zhidong, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. Zhang Zhidong bowed and said: "Your Majesty, the Japanese are so bullying that they invaded our northeastern region first and caused the Lushun tragedy. Relying on the newly built fleet, they entered Lushun first, and then  In the Battle of Weihai, although the Beiyang Navy of the Qing Dynasty fought bloody battles, they were helplessly weak and were defeated by the Japanese fleet. Now they are relying on force to force the Qing Dynasty to sign a contract with them. That Dongyang Japan is a small country of Dongyi,  We were originally a vassal of our dynasty, but we relied on giant ships to invade our territory of the Qing Dynasty! Now that the Beiyang Navy has been lost, I hope your majesty will proceed with your instructions to rebuild our Qing Dynasty Navy and defend the territory of the Qing Dynasty!"

    Emperor Guangxu also hated Japan. He did not expect Japan to be so arrogant. It was a vassal country, but it dared to invade the Qing Dynasty.  What he didn't even expect was that the Beiyang Navy, which had spent so much money, would be completely wiped out.  Guangxu knew that the Qing Dynasty was now in turmoil. As the emperor of this country, he had long been ready to show his ambitions and realize his dream of rejuvenation.

    But Emperor Guangxu sighed in his heart and turned to look at Cixi behind the curtain.

    In fact, Cixi was also angry at this time. Japan, which had always bowed to her, dared to violate the power of the Qing Dynasty. With the help of strong ships and artillery, she easily invaded the Northeast and finally defeated the Beiyang Navy.

    Cixi was very angry because Japan blocked her birthday, making her important sixtieth birthday uneasy.  NowIn the contract, each country will also occupy Taiwan and the Liaodong Peninsula.  The cession of Taiwan was bearable, but the Japanese wanted to cede Liaodong.

    What kind of place is Liaodong? It is the land of Longxing in the Qing Dynasty. If Liaodong is gone, the foundation of the Qing Dynasty will be gone.  How can I face the passing of Emperor Xianfeng?

    "Moreover, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty knew that they had used the military funds of the Beiyang Navy to build the garden. The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty were quite complaining. Although they were not afraid of what the ministers would do, they could not show their face.  Little Japan pushed her nose and face, and she really couldn't swallow this breath.

    Cixi originally wanted to say: "The Aijia is ready!" But she didn't say it out loud. She wanted to see the reactions of more ministers, so when Guangxu cast a questioning look, Cixi said nothing.

    Seeing that Cixi was silent, Guangxu could only clenched his fists secretly, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

    Zhang Zhidong was still standing in the distance, waiting for Emperor Guangxu's answer, but for a long time, Emperor Guangxu was still sitting on the dragon chair.  Some old ministers' eyes showed gloating: Do these ignorant Han ministers think that having a few factories in their hands is a big deal?

    At this time, another minister came out, it was Nanyang Minister Liu Kunyi.  Liu Kun took a step forward and said respectfully: "Queen Mother, Your Majesty, the Qing Dynasty has a vast sea territory. If it is not guarded by elite soldiers and giant ships, I am afraid that not only small countries like Japan will dare to invade our Qing territory in the future, but also the countries affiliated with Nanyang."  You dare to stroke my Qing Dynasty tiger¡¯s beard! The move to build a new navy is imminent and must not be delayed any longer!¡±

    Some old ministers stared, blew their beards and cursed: "Mr. Liu, I'm afraid your words are a bit alarmist. I am the great Qing Dynasty, and the small country in Nanyang dares to mobilize troops easily. The empress dowager is in charge of the political affairs. You are waiting for me."  , how dare you offend our country¡¯s prestige?¡±

    With an expression on his face, Liu Kun suddenly fell to his knees and said loudly: "Go to Her Majesty the Queen Mother for approval! The establishment of a navy is urgent!"

    Zhang Zhidong also knelt down in the Yangxin Hall along with Liu Kun. Although there was a gap between him and Liu Kun, the formation of the navy was related to the stability of the southeastern coast and could not be delayed.

    Other Westernization ministers knelt on the ground and shouted in unison: "I hope the Empress Dowager will approve it!" Looking at the entire Yangxin Hall, nearly half of the ministers knelt on the ground and shouted in unison, among which  There is no shortage of high-ranking officials, including ministers with strong military capabilities, including Yuan Shikai, president of the Beiyang New Army.

    Emperor Guangxu still clenched his fists tightly. He and He didn't know what these ministers said. Even small Eastern countries dared to invade the territory of the Qing Dynasty. As the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, although he was an emperor without real power, what he heard at this time was  The minister's heartfelt words made his heart surge, and he almost wanted to cry out.

    At this moment, Cixi spoke up and coughed slightly: "The Ai family has decided on this matter!"

    Emperor Guangxu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and the ministers who knelt down thanked him one after another.

    Cixi then said: "The Ai family are old and tired. It's better to leave these things to you who are younger! We must restore the prestige of the Qing Dynasty!"

    Liu Kunyi and Zhang Zhidong kowtowed in gratitude, and some ministers were even moved to tears.

    Cixi said: "All the ministers also know that the war between the Qing Dynasty and Japan was a waste of bad money, and now there are indemnities, the treasury is empty!"

    Zhang Zhidong had long heard the implication of Cixi's suggestion, and said quickly: "The old minister is willing to unite the Jiangnan gentry and donate some silver coins. In addition, some factories jointly run by the government and businessmen of the Qing Dynasty can also contribute a small amount to the Qing Dynasty's navy!"

    Cixi smiled and said: "That's good, that's good! With loyal ministers like you in the Qing Dynasty, there is hope for ZTE!" Then Cixi asked: "Then who will be the admiral of the Navy?"

    Liu Kunyi and Zhang Zhidong responded at the same time: "Tang Jian, the former second-rank commander of the Beiyang Navy, will be the best!"

    Cixi asked: "Oh, who is Tang Zongbing? Why have the Ai family never heard of it?"

    At this time, Tang Jian stood up at the right time, took a few steps forward, knelt on the ground and replied: "The humble post is Tang Jian, the former commander-in-chief of the Beiyang Navy!" After speaking, he raised his head slightly.

    Cixi squinted her eyes slightly, saw Tang Jian's appearance clearly, and thought in her mind: "This man is not good-looking, fat, and does not look like a useful person." Then she said: "Why use this person?  The Aijia have never heard of it before.¡±

    If Tang Jian knew in his heart that Cixi was commenting on him like this, he would probably go berserk!  Alas, this fat man's body is causing trouble!

    Zhang Zhidong replied: "Empress Dowager, Commander-in-Chief Tang is young and promising. During the Battle of the Yellow Sea, Commander-in-Chief Tang sank the Japanese ship Yoshino with a homemade torpedo, and severely damaged the Japanese Second Army with the power of more than ten men.  Headquarters, Japan¡¯s General Oyamayan died at the hands of General Tang!¡±

      Cixi was slightly surprised: "Oh, is this true? If it is true, then General Tang Bing is really young and promising. He is a talented general in the Qing Dynasty!"

    At this time, Li Lianying came up and said with a smile: "Old Buddha, this slave has heard of this too. I heard that General Tang came back from studying abroad in England. He can also make his own torpedoes. I heard he can also design giant ships.  ! Now the rumors are going crazy in the streets and alleys, saying that Commander Tang took eleven people to the Japanese army's lair, which is really interesting."

    Cixi chuckled and said: "I didn't expect that we in the Qing Dynasty still have such a figure, but the Ai family was blind and didn't notice it. Little Yingzi, give a reward to General Tang."

    "Cha!" Li Lianying replied.

    Piaotian Literature Network: "However, Tang Jian is too young after all, so it may be inappropriate to hold such an important position!"

    Tang Jian knew that Cixi was still doubting his ability, so he smiled slightly: "To the Queen Mother, I have something to ask of you!"

    Cixi said: "Speak!"

    Tang Jian said: "Empress Dowager, I have a way to get the Liaodong Peninsula back!"

    As soon as these words came out, the whole court was shocked. Even the dignified Lord Li Zhongtang Li couldn't defeat the Japanese. This Tang Jian was too arrogant!  Young people just like to talk big.

    Tang Jian ignored it and continued: "Tang Jian originally issued a military order here. If he cannot take back the Liaodong Peninsula, he is willing to be demoted and imprisoned!"

    Cixi looked at Tang Jian with interest, feeling that it was getting more and more interesting, and said happily: "Okay, as long as Tang Jian helps the Qing Dynasty take back the Liaodong Peninsula! The Ai family will make you the naval admiral, a first-class title!"

    Tang Jian said unhurriedly: "Empress Dowager, I still have something to ask for in my humble position!"

    Cixi said: "Yes!"

    Tang Jian continued: "I hope the Queen Mother will first take up a humble position as a foreign ambassador, so that the humble position can have the status to lobby the consuls of various countries!"

    Cixi smiled and said: "That's right, that's right!"

    Tang Jian knelt down again and replied with a smile: "Thank you, Queen Mother!"

    Except for Liu Kunyi, Zhang Zhidong and others, the other conservative ministers looked with disdain in their eyes. This guy was too ignorant. Everyone was waiting for Tang Jian to go to jail after failing to fulfill the promise he made.

    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­

    The next day, Tang Jian used his new status as foreign ambassador to lobby the ambassadors of various countries in the embassies in Tianjin.

    Since the Second Opium War, Tsarist Russia has had a strong desire to occupy the Northeast.  The Russian royal family had an almost crazy thirst for land.  The territory of Tsarist Russia spans Europe and Asia. However, Tsarist Russia in Europe is actively seeking foreign ports and is helpless and unable to compete with European powers for hegemony.  Finally, they pinned their hopes on the ice-free ports in the Far East, and Japan's occupation of Liaodong made Tsarist Russia feel that its interests were harmed.  Therefore, under Tang Jian's lobbying, Tsarist Russia decided to unite other countries to prevent Japan from seizing Liaodong.

    Germany's rapid rise caused panic in France. France believed that its hegemony was being challenged, so it formed an alliance with Tsarist Russia. Therefore, Germany was willing to help Tsarist Russia pursue interests in the Far East, actively supported Tsarist Russia in intervening in the Sino-Japanese peace talks, and asked Russia to support Germany.  While expanding in East Asia, it also hopes to take this opportunity to weaken the Russian-French alliance.

    France also hopes to gain more benefits in the Far East and covets Taiwan. It has no good impression of Japan, so it also supports the two countries' interference in the Sino-Japanese peace talks.

    Because of their different interests, the United Kingdom and the United States did not participate in the interference in the Sino-Japanese peace talks, and both declared neutrality.

    In fact, these are just conflicts between imperialists. Tang Jian just wore the cloak of a lobbyist, but in fact he did not exert much effort.

    Finally, on April 23, 1985, Hungary, France, and Germany issued a notice to the Japanese government: Today, our country cedes Liaodong, which not only threatens the capital of China (Beijing), but also threatens North Korea.  The country's independence is in name only and hinders the maintenance of peace in the Far East. Therefore, I now advise your country to confirm that it will give up its occupation of the Liaodong Peninsula.

    It also limited Japan to reply within fifteen days, and finally began to prepare to dispatch warships to station in Northeast China.

    Japan tried its best to preserve the results of the peace talks, but the three countries had tough attitudes. Britain and the United States were neutral. In addition, the Japanese combined fleet also suffered heavy losses in the naval battle with the Beiyang Navy. Helplessly, Ito Hirobumi finally announced the return of Liaodong, but the Qing court  Redeemed with thirty million taels of silver.

    ps: Today¡¯s first update is a 4,000-word chapter. Do you want two updates of 2,000 words, or one update of 4,000 words? I¡¯d like to ask you to add it to your favorites. It¡¯s still a little short of meeting the recommended standards. Please give me your feedback.  With a little effort, just move the mouse to add it to your favorites, and it will explode with strong push. At least no less than 10,000 words will be updated in a day!  If everyone works hard, so will I!
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