Super Dictator

Just when Liu Kun had no time to lament Wei Jichen's power and sent his troops to Haicheng to prepare to attack Ximu City, Tianjin and the capital also learned of Wei Jichen's victory.

Li Hongzhang was so pleasantly surprised that there is no need to elaborate.

Several military ministers in the Military Aircraft Department were so frightened by this young man that they almost couldn't catch their breath. They were stunned again and again, and no one spoke for a long time.

After several military ministers took a few sips of calming tea, they finally calmed down. Sun Yuwen, Xu Yongyi and Prince Gong picked up the telegram and were about to go to the Summer Palace to report to Cixi. Li Hongzao and Weng Tonghe He was in a hurry to tell Guangxu the good news.

As a result, all the heads of the Military Aircraft Department left at once, and the more than ten sedan chairs were divided into two parts, one part went to the Summer Palace, and the other part went to the Forbidden City.

In the Summer Palace, Cixi lay on her back on an iron bed, with a mattress and quilt and a pole of opium propped up. This iron bed was a special bed for Cixi to smoke opium. The angle could be adjusted at will. The little eunuch next to her lit the opium and adjusted the angle of the bed. , standing aside.

Cixi was feeling uncomfortable.

Why, because the two peace ministers she sent to Japan were severely humiliated by the Japanese. They said that the two ministers did not have enough power, their level was not enough, and their status was too low, so they rushed back without saying a word.

And gave clear information that they could only be received unless Prince Gong or Li Hongzhang was dispatched and held a letter of appointment.

Cixi didn't know that the Japanese were deliberately making things difficult. What do you want? The Ai family can give money, and land, as long as it's not too important, the Ai family can also discuss.

The reason why Cixi strived for peace was first of all because she was afraid and could not see the hope of victory. The Qing army lost consecutive battles and the Japanese invaded. Even the Fengtian and Zhili areas were in danger. If the Japanese attacked Beijing, she did not want to imagine the British and French forces invading the country. At that time, Hua escaped from Beijing like a bereaved dog.

Besides, what if the armies from all over the country fail to obey the king and the Japanese capture her and kill her?

Since the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom War, the governors of the Hunan Army in the 13 provinces have secretly resisted the imperial court. The local governors have supported their own troops. The Huai Army and the Hunan Army are too big to lose. They listen to the instructions but not the propaganda. The armed forces that the Qing government really controls are incomparable to the Eight Banners. If you don't use it, Lvying will only look for flowers and willows.

Cixi barely maintained this balance and tried to control the situation.

And she is also worried that even if the fight continues, as that young man Wei Jichen said, victory will eventually belong to China.

Yes, it belongs to China, but who in China belongs to it?

Cixi had no confidence in her heart. Just like now, the Hunan Army, which was originally scattered by her, regrouped because of this war, recruited troops, and took the opportunity to expand and buy weapons.

If they win, it will be achieved by the Huai Army and the Hunan Army. At that time, the local forces and the Han forces will only get bigger and bigger, and eventually develop into something beyond their control, and the Qing Dynasty will still be the great power of the Manchus. Clear? And will this country still be Aixinjueluo's country?

Therefore, peace must be sought. Even if a certain price is paid, as long as domestic rule can be maintained, it is worth it.

Thinking like this, Cixi strengthened her desire for peace.

Well, let's send Li Hongzhang as a plenipotentiary minister to negotiate peace some time later. Li Hongzhang's Huai army lost consecutive battles, and his prestige has also dropped a lot. As long as he signs this peace treaty again, although he will not be ruined, he will never be ruined again. I can't help but vaguely confront the imperial court.

Taking advantage of the opportunity of his defeat, the Huai army in his hands can be dismissed. We, the Qing Dynasty, can take the opportunity to take back the military power and train a few more large armies belonging to the imperial court. There is no need to worry about the country being unprotected and the power over the provinces being taken back.

When Cixi thought about this, her depressed mood became a little brighter, a sneer appeared at the corner of her mouth, and she took a few puffs of opium.

"The Queen Mother, Prince Gong and other military ministers are outside the palace asking for an audience." Li Lianying bowed and walked in, lowering her eyebrows and reporting.

"Oh, it's rare for them to ask for a meeting together. Is there anything big happening today?" Cixi put down her pipe and asked lazily while lying down.

"I don't know, but judging from the faces of the ministers, there should be something happy." Li Lianying said cautiously.

"The country's affairs are getting worse day by day. What good news can there be? A few days ago, a man named Kang Youwei united some scholars and jumped up and down non-stop, encouraging the emperor to fight the Japanese to the end. Today, there will be no more Is it because of this?" Ci Xi glanced at Li Lianying lightly and asked slowly.

"Your Majesty is young, how can you see far and deeply like Lafayette? Lafayette, do you need me to find someone to calm down these scholars?" Li Lianying asked with a flattering smile, trying to figure out Cixi's psychology.

Cixi waved her hand and said nonchalantly: "Baiyiwu is a scholar, a bunch of people who are full and have nothing to do. If you mess with them, they will just bite you. Forget it, they will make trouble. If nothing serious happens, Xiao Lizi, please come in, Prince Xuan Gong and the others."

"Cha!" Li Lianying shouted, bent over and lowered her head, slowly retreating.

Soon, Prince Gong, Sun Yuwen and Xu Yongyi walked in slowly under the guidance of Li Lianying.

"Holy greetings to Lafayette!" The three of them knelt down and saluted.

Cixi raised her hand and said softly: "You are all ministers of the Ai family, so there is no need to be polite. What do you want to do in the Summer Palace today?"

"Lord Buddha, the situation in the Liaodong war has changed greatly again." After the three of them saluted, Prince Gong stepped forward to report.

"Oh, tell me." Cixi took a sip of opium and said with half-closed eyes.

"Old Buddha, Wei Jichen achieved two great victories in Liaodong, causing the Japanese to suffer heavy losses. In my opinion, the Japanese will definitely negotiate peace with us after this battle." Prince Gong said with a smile on his face.

"Wei Jichen? Which Wei Jichen?" Cixi opened her eyes completely and asked with some confusion.

My dear, there will be more after this chapter^.^,

Prince Gong touched his beard and replied with a smile: "Who else could be Wei Jichen? Of course it was the dead Wei Jichen. This man had some tricks. He pretended to die and made the Japanese abandon the strong city and rush to attack Haicheng. In the end, he fell into his trap, and more than 10,000 Japanese were lost in his hands. "

"Oh, there's one more thing!" Cixi handed the pipe into the hands of the little eunuch waiting beside her, and Li Lianying stepped forward and gently helped her up.

The other two military and aircraft ministers echoed: "The servants and others were shocked when they heard about this. However, I believe that this matter cannot be faked. This victory is a real victory. The situation in Liaodong has been alleviated. This is exactly what we want." Good time for peace.”

Cixi looked happy at first, and then said displeasedly: "Wei Jichen does have some talents, but he is a bit daring. Even if he wants to pretend to be dead to hide the Japanese pirates, he should not hide it from the court, let alone deceive the Ai family. Going in, the Ai family heard the news of his death a few days ago and praised him for his loyalty to the country. Unexpectedly, this man was very courageous despite his age. "

Li Lianying echoed from the side: "Wei Jichen is simply committing the crime of deceiving the emperor."

"Old Buddha, Wei Jichen said that when he woke up after being seriously injured, he had learned that the news of his death had been sent to the court, so he took advantage of it and did not hide it intentionally." Prince Gong felt that Wei Jichen, a young man, turned the tide, and it was very good. From this, Cixi He said a kind word in front of him.

Cixi curled her lips and said nonchalantly: "Do you believe this?"

Prince Gong smiled awkwardly and was about to reply.

Cixi waved her hands and said: "Forget it, considering that he has made such a great contribution, the Ai family will not care about him for the time being. However, the Ai family has heard many rumors. It is said that the reputation of this young general has now surpassed that of Li Hongzhang. The news of his death spread that day. Not only did the scholars in the capital write tens of thousands of words for him, but some foolish men and women also burned paper and incense at home to pay homage to him. "Sixth Prince, you created a Huai army back then. Now, Don’t bring up another Wei Zijun.”

"My slave will pay attention." Prince Gong quickly wiped away the cold sweat.

Cixi said to the three of them in a sinister tone: "He is a meritorious minister. As long as he serves the court loyally, everything is easy to discuss. If his wings are stiff, he is arrogant, and he deceives superiors and subordinates, then why does the Ai family need this dog?" "

"What the Queen Mother said is true!" Several people knelt down quickly.

"Okay, let Li Hongzhang come to the capital." After Cixi finished speaking, she lay back on the iron bed, closed her eyes and said nothing.

"Cha!" Several people quickly bowed their heads and slowly retreated.