Chapter 2: Being Low-Key

  The paper and pen have been delivered, and Guangxu Emperor is furious. If you want to cross over, then just cross over, I've read plenty of crossover stories anyway, but who can actually become Guangxu? Even if you do become Guangxu, it's not like you'll live long, only two and a half years have passed since the First Sino-Japanese War. What can be accomplished in such a short time? But reality is just that way, the army has been abolished, the navy is old. Still, something must be done.

  Guangxu picked up his pen and wrote down on his notebook the first word he came into this world with "Jiawu".

  Relying on my own limited understanding of history, including military, economic, political, cultural, figures, technology, resources, and domestic and foreign environmental changes, I recorded historical events one by one to avoid forgetting and for easy reference. Especially the First Sino-Japanese War was written in great detail. This is related to China's fate two years later. As I wrote, time flew by, and before I knew it, Baidu was no longer difficult.

  The world is like a chessboard, to play this game of chess well and reverse the outcome of the Jiawu War, one must have their own military power. The navy is outdated, buying new ships is not just a matter of money, but also time, even if we manage to get them back, they won't be able to form a fighting force in time. As for the army? I'm afraid it can only be rebuilt from scratch to fight again. But where will the money come from to build a new army? Training, uniforms, food, and weapons all require funding. How can we convince the officials of the imperial court? Politics is also an issue, we need to establish our authority in the imperial court. The loyalty of the troops is crucial, otherwise it would be pointless to waste half the effort only to have it undermined by that old woman. Location is also a problem, if that old woman thinks I'm going to rebel against her, then there's no chance at all. The importance of intelligence goes without saying, it requires absolutely loyal people. Personnel are the foundation of everything, and they need to be carefully arranged...

  Cining Palace "Lotus Flower, the Emperor hasn't come out yet?"

  "Reporting to Old Buddha, the Emperor has been staying in his room for three days and doesn't allow anyone to enter except for the servant who brings him meals. The little eunuch who delivers the meals said that these past few days the Emperor only writes and paints, but he doesn't know what he's writing. Oh, and starting from yesterday, the Emperor ordered people to find many books about the Western and Eastern Oceans."

  "What is Your Majesty going to do? Go with me to take a look." Before the words were finished, "His Majesty has arrived" was heard from outside the door.

  For those in power, history's evaluation is always multifaceted, but mostly only talks about Cixi's misdeeds and even attributes some unrelated evil deeds to her. In people's minds, Cixi has become a foolish, corrupt, tyrannical, and cruel empress. However, this is not entirely accurate.

  Cixi lived in an era of great upheaval, making it extremely difficult to govern the country, far surpassing the challenges faced by previous emperors. During her reign, she quelled domestic wars, restored the Qing dynasty's internal control and authority, and made some contributions to maintaining national unity.

  She promoted the Westernization Movement, especially after 1898, when a new wave of reforms was implemented under her direct supervision, surpassing even the Hundred Days' Reform. This is evident in the significant increase in government revenue from 80 million taels to 120 million taels.

  In her early years as regent, Cixi was relatively frugal and diligent. However, in her later years, she became extravagant and had an almost pathological desire for power. Her statement "If someone displeases me today, I will make sure they are unhappy for the rest of their lives" reveals a glimpse of this.

  Although Cixi was well-versed in the art of imperial balance, she was ineffective in governing the country. On one hand, she supported the Westernization faction, while on the other hand, she also supported the conservative faction to counterbalance the Westernization faction. Ultimately, her efforts were futile, like trying to draw a tiger but ending up with a dog.

  Guangxu was thinking as he walked, Cixi's intention to maintain the Qing dynasty's rule and also hoped that the country could become stronger, which can be confirmed in the new policies after Wuxu. However, no matter how things change, everything needs to be within her controllable range. How to make her think that building a new army is harmless to her and will not interfere with it? It would be best if she could put out some more money. He thought about this as he walked until he reached the front of Cining Palace.

  "The son of the emperor greets his father." Following court etiquette, Guangxu kowtowed to Cixi.

  "No need for courtesy, Your Majesty. You're up and talking quickly. Your body hasn't fully recovered yet, why didn't you rest more? How did you come here? I was just saying that I wanted to go see the Emperor." Empress Dowager Cixi never thought that this emperor, who usually avoided her, would come to pay his respects on his own initiative today.

  "I'm afraid Father has been worried. I got up today and felt that my body had recovered a lot, although I still feel a bit weak, but there's no major problem. Isn't it been many days since I last paid respects to Father? So I thought of coming over to accompany Father and chat with him, also to fulfill my filial duties." Guangxu replied respectfully.

  "What's going on, come sit down. The Emperor's health has just improved and should be taken care of more. What if he catches a cold?" Empress Dowager Cixi had a smile on her face, but still had doubts in her heart.

  Guangxu saw Cixi's doubts, smiled slightly and said in a deep tone: "These days of quiet retreat have made me understand some truths."

  "I, your son, have been in the palace since I was four years old and was raised by you, my father. I always thought about becoming a wise ruler, focusing on state affairs, but unintentionally forgot about you, my father. You had to take care of both state affairs and me at the same time. I am unfilial.

  Since I ascended the throne, externally, Russia has occupied our border territories, and France has provoked our great Qing dynasty. Internally, there have been Hui and Miao uprisings in Shaanxi and Gansu. Our great Qing was able to recover its territory, establish prestige among Western powers, stabilize the people's hearts, and demonstrate the court's dignity. All these achievements were made possible by your hard work and dedication, my father. I am unfilial for not being able to share your worries and instead adding to them.

  If I really do not wake up from this illness, I will not be able to repay your kindness over the years. Thinking about this, my heart is in pain. Now that I have spoken out, my heart feels somewhat relieved."

  Cixi was stunned, staring blankly at Guangxu. For over a decade, she had endured hardships to raise him, but as he grew older, their relationship became increasingly strained. On the surface, he showed her great respect, but his eyes betrayed a deep-seated resentment. Since the death of the Tongzhi Emperor, her heart had been shattered by both state and family affairs. The officials at court still whispered that she had installed the young emperor solely to manipulate him from behind the scenes and seize power for herself. Now, with Guangxu's words, all her years of hard work finally seemed justified. She felt a sense of comfort in her old age. "Your Majesty, why are you saying such heart-wrenching things today? As long as you understand the difficulties I've faced over the years, it won't be in vain for me to have poured my heart and soul into this."

  "I, the young emperor, was inexperienced and hasty in my actions, lacking consideration. My father often said that governing a large country is like cooking a small fish, and I have finally come to understand this." Guangxu said as he turned to Li Lianying standing beside him: "Li Lianying, bring the new Da Hong Pao tea from Fujian, I will personally brew a cup for Empress Dowager Cixi to taste."

  Cixi did not speak, but quietly watched Guangxu fiddling with the tea set. After a moment, the fragrance of tea wafted out.

  "One smells the fragrance, two observes the color, three is to taste its flavor. There's a saying among the people that one should respect tea, now I'll also respectfully offer a cup to my dear father." Guangxu carefully picked up a cup of tea.

  Cixi saw that Guangxu's tea had stopped in mid-air, and her expression changed.

  "My tea-brewing skills are a bit poor, and I'm afraid this good tea has been ruined by me. I fear it might upset Father's stomach, so let's just not drink this cup of tea."

  "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter; if you have a good heart, it's not about the quality of the tea."

  Guangxu knelt down and respectfully raised his teacup: "Please, Father, have some tea."

  Guangxu watched as Cixi took a sip from the teacup and drained it, and he immediately understood that this move had hit the right note. An old woman, who had lost her father in her youth, her husband in her prime, and her son in middle age, and had no face to show for it. Every day she had to deal with the intrigue of the harem and the court. As long as you said a few more considerate words, you couldn't say that it would make the old lady give up power, but at least from now on, there would be fewer obstacles in doing things.

  Tea is good tea, but the technique of brewing tea is too poor, and the quality of the tea is much worse. But it's just a cup of tea like this, when Cixi drank it, it was like a warm current sweeping over her heart, and all sorts of things from before seemed to have lightened up a lot. Her heart felt warm and cozy. For Guangxu, she had completely fallen out with her own sister, and her own niece, who was the empress, was also treated as if she were sitting in a cold palace. I hope this heavy rain can really make the emperor understand his difficulties: "You are also an emperor, don't always kneel down, sit down and talk."

  "Our dynasty has been ruled by filial piety, and as a son and subject, I kneel to my father, which is also a way of showing filial piety. Who dares to say it's not?" Guangxu sat down: "It seems that I need to learn how to make tea well, not for anything else, but so that every day I can make a pot of tea for my father."

  "What nonsense! The Emperor should prioritize the country and its people, but instead he keeps running to that old lady's place. As long as you have this intention, I am satisfied."

  "I'm still young and don't fully understand the imperial court and national affairs, hehe, I'll have to rely on Father for now."

  Out of ancestral tradition and also to avoid suspicion. Empress Dowager Cixi had already rarely directly reviewed the memorials. The Emperor was young and inexperienced, having not gone through any trials or gained any experience. There were many big and small matters within and outside the imperial court that still weighed on her mind. Now that the Emperor had spoken in this way, it would indeed be proper and reasonable. Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Cixi suddenly felt a pang in her heart, and casually asked: "Your Majesty has come to my humble abode today, is there something you wish to discuss? If there's any difficulty, please speak freely."

  The change in Cixi's tone was noted by Guangxu, who knew that any change would alert him as a political figure. Guangxu chuckled and said, "Father, look, it's almost lunchtime, will you have lunch with me?" Cixi's heart sank, thinking that Guangxu was being overly polite for no reason.

  It never occurred to them that Guangxu would say this, and Cixi was momentarily stunned.

  "It's been a long time since I've had a meal with my father, so I thought I'd come and keep him company, to show my filial piety. Lately, during my convalescence, I've read many Western and Eastern books and learned some principles, but upon careful consideration, it seems that they are not entirely correct. Please, Father, enlighten me."

  "Is it just for this?"

  "Ah, what if? Wait for me to come up with another reason - it'll save you that bit of expense, won't it?"

  Cixi smiled: "Oh, it seems that for the sake of saving your own expenses, you, an emperor, come to bully an old lady like me. This child." Turning her head to Li Lianying, she said: "Lianying, serve the meal."

  The atmosphere is harmonious, a good picture of maternal love and filial piety.