Anti-Qing: Starting from the Jintian Uprising

Chapter 84: Yong'an Crowned King
As soon as Li Xingyuan finished speaking, he heard the imperial guard who delivered the imperial decree continue speaking.

"Guangxi Governor Xiang Rong, Guangxi Governor Zhou Tianjue, General Li Nengchen, Qin Dingsan and others have received the order."

As soon as the imperial guard finished speaking, the people who were named bowed one after another.

"Your humble servant/general accepts your order!"

Upon seeing this, the imperial guard unfolded another imperial edict and continued reading it.

"The emperor is destined to be carried by heaven, and the edict says:"

"The bandits were everywhere, but the generals were lazy, so the bandits left Xunzhou and fled to the wilds. We couldn't put them down, which led to the chaos in Guangxi today. How could we not notice it?"

"Guangxi Admiral Xiang Rong has been defeated in battle, wasted troops and money, and failed to achieve any success. I hereby order him to be stripped of his flower feather and demoted three ranks while retaining his post."

"Guangxi Governor Zhou Tianjue allowed the bandits to escape, and ordered them to stop their military operations, dismiss them from their posts and investigate their crimes."

"Li Nengchen, Qin Dingsan and other generals will be demoted one level and fined one year's salary as a punishment."

"Appreciate this!"

When the generals heard this, all of them had ugly expressions on their faces.

Especially Xiang Rong, who was stripped of his flower feather and demoted three levels but retained his position, and Zhou Tianjue, who was directly dismissed and questioned.

The two of them looked as ugly as if they had eaten shit!
However, the Qing Dynasty is still at its peak, and they can only accept the emperor's edict even if they are dissatisfied.

Everyone bowed and kowtowed.

"Your humble servant obeys your command!"

Upon seeing this, the imperial guards handed the imperial edict to Li Xingyuan and others, and then prepared to return to Beijing to report.

Li Xingyuan took the initiative to step forward and stuffed a purse into the hand of the imperial guard, then asked.

"My Lord Guard, may I ask where Grand Secretary Seshang'a is now? When will he be able to come and take over as the commander-in-chief?"

The imperial guard who delivered the imperial decree weighed the amount in his hand and then spoke.

"In reply to Lord Li, when I led the team out of the capital, the imperial envoy team also set off."

"It's just that the imperial envoys are too large to be as fast as us riding horses. Calculating the time, the imperial envoys should have crossed the Yangtze River by now."

"It won't take long for the imperial envoys to reach the front line in Guangxi."

"Before the arrival of Grand Secretary Seshang'a, the situation in Guangxi will still be managed by Lord Li."

Although Li Xingyuan was dismissed from office, the imperial guards who delivered the imperial edict were still very polite to him.

As an official, it is normal to have ups and downs. Who knows when Li Xingyuan will be re-employed.

He and Li Xingyuan have no grudge against each other, so there is no need to offend others by speaking ill of each other, right?
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyuan nodded with a slightly complicated expression.

Although he is already a penniless person, he still cannot give up until his successor comes.

Otherwise, being dismissed from office might turn into being beheaded in public!
Li Xingyuan immediately said with a wry smile.

"The situation in Guangxi is chaotic and the bandits are threatening. As subjects, we should fulfill our duties."

"It's a pity that Mr. Li is not capable enough to quell the rebellion and can only try his best to maintain the situation."

"I hope that the arrival of Grand Secretary Seshan'a will improve the situation on the front line!"

Li Xingyuan now has a rare feeling of relief.

It's like a huge burden has been lifted off of your shoulders!
At the very least, he no longer has to worry about the situation in Guangxi and can sleep well at night.

The two men talked for a while, and then the imperial guards who delivered the imperial decree escorted Zhou Tianjue, who had been dismissed from office and questioned, towards the provincial capital of Guilin.

……

Xiang Rong returned to his camp with a gloomy face.

He found his official hat in the big tent, went up to the leader and took off the flower feather, then played with it in his hands for a while.

Then, he solemnly placed the flower feather in a wooden box and kept it away!

He believed that sooner or later, he would be able to wear the flower feather again.

At this moment, a notification sounded outside the big tent.

Before Xiang Rong could reply, he saw his son Xiang Jixiong lifting the curtain and walking in from outside.

He sat down at the table in front of Xiang Rong, picked up the teacup on the table and drank it all, then began to speak.

"Damn it, the court is blind and treats things so unfairly!"

"Father, you led the army to fight for the Qing court and put down rebellions. Even if you have no merit, you have worked hard."

"Now, you have only made a minor mistake in Guangxi, and the imperial court is going to strip your father of his flower feather and even demote him by three ranks."

"Isn't the Emperor too cold and indifferent?!"

Xiang Jixiong expressed his dissatisfaction and anger to his father.

Xiang Rong heard this and said with a cold face.

"Shen Yan, Jixiong, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"Thunder, lightning and rain are all grace from the emperor. When the imperial decree comes, you and I will just accept it. What does the emperor do? Is it our turn as ministers to comment on it?"

Xiang Rong was apparently advising his son not to talk nonsense, but his words also hinted at his dissatisfaction with the court and the emperor.

Because Xiang Rong was really wronged!

Since he entered Guangxi, he has been winning battles almost every time.

First, in the battle of Dahuangjiangkou, he led cavalry to reinforce the battlefield and directly defeated the Taiping Army's rear army and female camp.

He was ordered to rush back from Dongxiang, Wuxuan to rescue Xunzhou. As a result, the bandits who attacked Xunzhou fled without a fight, and he recaptured the city of Xunzhou that was captured by the bandits without bloodshed.

Even this time, Xiang Rong made great efforts to enable the Qing army to block the Taiping Army in Yong'an again.

If Xiang Rong had not led his troops in a bloody battle with the Taiping Army and resisted the Taiping Army's outward expansion offensive, even if Yong'an's terrain was suitable for siege, the Qing army might not have been able to block the Taiping Army again.

The results of it?
Just because he was defeated in an ambush due to his careless advance when pursuing the Taiping Army in Xiangzhou, he was demoted three levels by the court and even had his flower feather stripped away.

How could Xiang Rong feel comfortable?

If Xiang Rong didn't still have some respect for the imperial court, he would have cursed along with his son.

"Dad, I can't swallow this breath!"

Xiang Jixiong continued to speak in a muffled voice.

Xiang Rong heard this, but said nothing.

"Don't think too much. Tell someone to get some wine and food so that you and I can drink together tonight."

Xiang Jixiong nodded and agreed.

That night, the father and son drank and talked together under candlelight.

As a result, Xiang Rong caught a cold and fell ill the next day, and military affairs were temporarily handed over to his son Xiang Jixiong.

……

In Yong'an City, the Heavenly King's Palace!

Yang Xiuqing arrived outside the Heavenly King's Palace in a sedan chair carried by thirty-two people.

After ordering someone to inform everyone, Yang Xiuqing got off the sedan chair and, under the guidance of Meng De'en, he walked into the Heavenly King's Palace.

After meeting Hong Xiuquan, Yang Xiuqing immediately spoke with a look of joy on his face.

"Your Majesty, great joy!"

"The Qing Dynasty's evil chief Xianfeng was dissatisfied with the war situation in Guangxi, and sent his imperial guards to the front line with an imperial edict to reprimand the generals in Guangxi."

"Not only did the demon chieftain dismiss the imperial commissioner Li Xingyuan from his post as commander, he also dismissed the Guangxi governor Zhou Tianjue from his post and imprisoned him. Even Xiang Rong, the demon chieftain, was demoted three levels and stripped of his flower feather..."

"Almost all the Qing demons that besieged Yong'an have been killed, and now the morale of the army is low!"

"This is a great opportunity for our army to break out of Yong'an!"

When he said this, Yang Xiuqing's eyes were frighteningly bright.

Upon hearing this, Hong Xiuquan shook his head for a while before speaking again.

"That's perfect!"

"The preparations for the coronation are almost complete. Since we have a good opportunity to break out, we will hold a coronation ceremony in Yong'an City and crown you, Xiuqing, as kings to boost the morale of the army."

"Then take advantage of this opportunity when the Qing army's morale is turbulent to launch a breakout and break through the Qing army's encirclement in one fell swoop!"

"Fight out of Yong'an City!"

Yang Xiuqing nodded upon hearing this.

"The King of Heaven is wise!"

At this moment, Feng Yunshan came in from outside after being notified.

"Your Majesty, I have received a reply from Li Yi."

Upon hearing this, Hong Xiuquan showed a proud look on his face and asked.

"Tell me, what did Li Yi say in his reply?"

"Is it to show gratitude for the attention paid to him by Heaven?"

Hearing this, Feng Yunshan opened his mouth and said with difficulty.

"In reply to the Heavenly King, Li Yi said in the letter that he was of low virtue and little fortune, and did not dare to accept the reward of being crowned king, and rejected the kindness of our Heavenly Kingdom..."

The pride and smile on Hong Xiuquan's face disappeared, replaced by a hint of shame.

His previous pride was because he thought Li Yi accepted the title of king from the Heavenly Kingdom, which made him feel superior when facing Li Yi.

But after he learned that Li Yi had actually refused the title of king of the Kingdom of Heaven, he couldn't help feeling that his plan had failed.

Quite unhappy!

For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was a little stagnant.

After a moment, Hong Xiuquan laughed out loud.

"I don't know how to praise!"

"This Li Yi is really ungrateful!"

As he laughed, the smile on Hong Xiuquan's face turned into anger, and his expression was even a little distorted.

Everyone could intuitively feel Hong Xiuquan's anger.

"Good! Good! Good!"

"Since Li Yi is so ungrateful, then it's not my fault." "Aren't our troops going to break out soon? Once we do, we'll rush to Cenxi. I'll personally lead the troops to destroy Li Yi, this ungrateful traitor!"

Hearing Hong Xiuquan's roar, Yang Xiuqing and Feng Yunshan couldn't help but look at each other.

Immediately, Yang Xiuqing began to persuade.

"Please calm down, Your Majesty. In the current situation, our army must not act rashly!"

"Otherwise, if you're not careful, you'll end up in an irreparable situation!"

When Hong Xiuquan heard this, his chest heaved violently, his eyes widened, and the anger in his heart was indescribable.

Feng Yunshan also hurriedly followed suit.

"I hope the Heavenly King will calm down his wrath for now. Although Li Yi is ungrateful, why should the Heavenly King bother with him?"

"It's okay to spare him this time. When my kingdom takes over the world in the future, there will be plenty of opportunities to punish him!"

After listening to the two people's persuasion, Hong Xiuquan's anger was temporarily subsided.

But he still said it with a cold face.

"It's fine if you don't mobilize troops, but I must teach Li Yi a lesson, otherwise I won't be able to swallow this anger."

"Xiuqing, Yunshan, the two of you, think of a solution!"

Yang Xiuqing and Feng Yunshan looked at each other, both feeling helpless.

After a moment, Yang Xiuqing spoke.

"In reply to the Heavenly King, I think we don't need to do it ourselves, but we can kill with a borrowed knife."

"We can exaggerate and publicize Li Yi's past achievements to make Qing Yao pay more attention to Li Yi."

"In this way, I can use Qing Yao's knife to kill someone with a borrowed knife, and use it to eliminate Li Yi, the rebel, for my kingdom of heaven."

"It will also allow the traitor Li Yi to share more military pressure for our Heavenly Kingdom, making it easier for our Heavenly Kingdom's main force to break out."

“It’s like killing two birds with one stone!”

When Hong Xiuquan heard this, his face changed from gloomy to bright.

After a moment, Hong Xiuquan looked up and said with a sneer.

"Didn't Li Yi not want the title of king given by my Heavenly Kingdom? But I will give him the title of King Zhong."

"Yunshan, Xiuqing, when you prepare for the coronation ceremony, don't forget to include His Royal Highness the Loyal Prince of my Heavenly Kingdom."

Yang Xiuqing and Feng Yunshan looked at each other, and then looked at each other in surprise!

They could see that Hong Xiuquan was really a little too excited now, and the mention of Li Yi made him obviously lose his mind.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have said that he didn't want it and I had to give it to him!
You have to know that this is the throne, not some random person.

One doesn't want it, but the other insists on giving it. This makes the throne of heaven so worthless!
However, although Hong Xiuquan was so angry that he lost his mind, Yang Xiuqing and Feng Yunshan were still sober.

The two of them hurriedly began to persuade him, and after some discussion, they finally managed to convince Hong Xiuquan to give up the idea of ​​forcibly conferring the title of king on Li Yi.

……

Soon, the preparations for the coronation ceremony in Yong'an City were completed.

Hong Xiuquan ordered the entire army to gather together and prepare to begin the ceremony of crowning the king.

In Yong'an City, in front of the Heavenly King's Palace, many high-ranking Taiping Army officials stood on both sides.

Yang Xiuqing, Xiao Chaogui, Feng Yunshan, Wei Changhui, Shi Dakai and others wore brand new crowns and robes and stood respectfully.

Looking down the street, there was a sea of ​​Taiping soldiers.

The huge crowd is endless!
These Taiping soldiers all had yellow scarves wrapped around their heads, held swords, spears, and muskets in their hands, and stood with their chests puffed out and their bellies bulging, looking very majestic.

"The king has arrived!"

With a loud shout and the crisp and loud sound of a whip, the door of the Heavenly King's Palace creaked open.

Hong Xiuquan, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe made of gold satin, walked out surrounded by a group of beautiful princesses.

He looked around and spoke in a rather dignified tone.

"Because the destiny has changed, the fate of the demons has ended, and the Heavenly Father, the Emperor God, has given birth to me on earth to establish the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, to protect all people in the world and to save the people from suffering."

"I am afraid that it will be difficult for me to start my business, so I have sent down all kinds of brothers to assist me in my great cause."

"Today, I have received the decree from my Heavenly Father, the Emperor God, to enthrone the kings, to build a heavenly kingdom on earth with me, and to share the wealth and honor of the world."

After Hong Xiuquan finished speaking, everyone in front of the Heavenly King's Palace bowed and shouted.

"Long live the Father! Long live the King of Heaven!"

"Long live the Father! Long live the King of Heaven!"

"..."

Hong Xiuquan enjoyed the cheers of the crowd and felt as if he was really the son of God. The expression on his face became more majestic and solemn.

After the cheers stopped, Hong Xiuquan continued.

"Yang Xiuqing received the order!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Xiuqing stood up and knelt down.

"Xiuqing accepts the order!"

Hong Xiuquan nodded slightly and then spoke.

"By the order of Heavenly Father, I appoint you as Xiushi, the Lord of Redemption, the Left Assistant, the Chief Military Advisor, the King of the East, Nine Thousand Years Old!"

"Command all military and political affairs within and outside the Heavenly Realm!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Xiuqing bowed again.

"Thank you for your grace, my Lord. I obey your command!"

After setting an ambush and defeating the Qing army in the Battle of Xiangzhou, Yang Xiuqing's prestige in the army had reached its peak.

In order to support Yang Xiuqing to balance the domineering Xiao Chaogui, Hong Xiuquan simply gave Yang Xiuqing a push and let him be responsible for all military and political affairs inside and outside the country.

Hong Xiuquan nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Xiao Chaogui.

"Xiao Chaogui accepts the order!"

Xiao Chaogui immediately bowed, and Hong Xiuquan continued.

"By the order of Heavenly Father, I appoint you as Right Assistant and Chief Military Advisor to the Western King, Eight Thousand Years Old!"

"Support the Heavenly King and assist the Eastern King in managing important military and political affairs both within and outside the Heavenly Kingdom."

Xiao Chaogui kowtowed again and accepted the order to express his gratitude.

Xiao Chaogui was unwilling to be under Yang Xiuqing, but the matter was done, and if he did not want the Heavenly Kingdom to erupt in internal strife, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and accept it.

Xiao Chaogui thought that it would be best for him to ease his relationship with Feng Yunshan, Wei Changhui and others.

In order to win over Feng Yunshan, Wei Changhui and others to check and balance Yang Xiuqing's growing power...

Otherwise, Yang Xiuqing would sooner or later completely overthrow Xiao Chaogui.

Next came Feng Yunshan, Wei Changhui and Shi Dakai.

Hong Xiuquan continued.

"By order of Heavenly Father, Feng Yunshan is appointed as the Vice Military Advisor of the Southern King, 7,000 years old!"

"Appoint Wei Changhui as the rear guard and deputy military advisor to the Northern King, 6,000 years old!"

"Confer the title of Lord Wing King of the Left Army on Shi Dakai and he will live for 5,000 years!"

"I order you three to assist the Heavenly King wholeheartedly and establish the Heavenly Kingdom. Each of you must perform your duties and not make any mistakes."

After receiving the titles, the three of them bowed down and expressed their gratitude.

Hong Xiuquan paused for a moment, then continued.

"Today, the enthronement of the kings has been completed. The three armies are excited and their morale is high. Now is the time for our army to break through."

"Pass on my order. All units of our army will march out of the city immediately and break out to the north!"

As soon as Hong Xiuquan finished speaking, the Taiping Army soldiers in Yong'an City were excited and cheered.

A large number of troops marched out of the city in a mighty manner and launched an attack on the Qing army that was besieging Yong'an, preparing to break out again.

……

Cenxi, Guiyi Town!

Li Yi sat behind his desk, looking at the information on the table. The expression on his face kept changing, and he looked uncertain.

Just now, an urgent piece of information was sent from Yong'an.

Brought three pieces of news to Li Yi.

First, the Taiping Army held a grand ceremony to confer titles of kingship in Yong'an, during which Hong Xiuquan conferred titles on five kings from the east, west, south and north wings.

The second is that after the ceremony of crowning the king, the Taiping Army launched a breakout operation, broke through the Qing army's encirclement from the direction of Gusuchong, and successfully broke out.

The third one is bad news. When the Taiping Army broke out from Yong'an, Feng Yunshan led his troops to cover the rear of the main army. However, he was trapped in the encirclement of the Qing army's pursuers and unfortunately died in battle.

Looking at the pieces of news in front of him, Li Yi's expression was complicated.

Because he had a feeling that the situation was about to get out of control!

Under the influence of this time traveler, the butterfly, many of the original timelines have undergone tremendous changes, and have been completely changed by Li Yi.

In the original history, the Taiping Army did not make smooth progress after the Jintian Uprising.

First, they were defeated in the battle of Dahuangjiangkou and had no choice but to flee westward to Dongxiang, Wuxuan.

Later, he was besieged by the Qing army in Dongxiang, Wuxuan for a long time. It was not until April that he managed to break out and flee to Xiangzhou.

But after breaking out, the Taiping Army still had trouble fighting. First, they were trapped in Xiangzhou again, and then they moved around Xiangzhou and Zijing Mountain area and fought back and forth with the Qing army, with more defeats than victories.

It was not until the end of September that the Taiping Army completely broke free from the Qing pursuit and captured Yong'an.

But now?

Everything is different!

Two chapters of 5,000 words are complete!
I did it!

Good night everyone!

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(End of this chapter)