Chapter 69: Unplanned Coincidence

  In June, the capital city was in full bloom. The Military Affairs Bureau outside the Forbidden City's Chessboard Street was still heavily guarded as usual. At this time, Hu Xueyan stood waiting outside the Great Qing Gate, dressed in his official uniform. Although it was early morning, the temperature was gradually rising. At dawn, it was overcast, and Hu Xueyan hadn't reduced his undergarments; with the rise in temperature, he felt hot. At this time, sweat dripped down his face, but he didn't dare remove his hat, only using a handkerchief to wipe away the sweat.

  Hu Xueyan waited anxiously outside, but Zuo Zongtang was summoned by Empress Dowager Cixi inside the Forbidden City. After the morning court session, Cixi kept Zuo Zongtang behind for a discussion. Originally, Zuo had already sent someone to summon Hu Xueyan, but he didn't expect Cixi to keep him behind, so he couldn't notify Hu Xueyan and could only let him wait foolishly outside the Qing Gate. After several years of war, Zuo seemed to have become thinner and older, but his eyes were still bright and spirited, showing a sharp and capable demeanor. His posture was still upright, sitting straight and not glancing around in the reception hall.

  "Xiao Yingzi, go get the white high-heeled shoes!" "Yes!" Eunuch Li Lianying hastily responded. Cixi sat on a chair, with two palace maids removing a pair of black high-heeled shoes from her feet. The nearly fifty-year-old Empress Dowager Cixi was well-preserved. Since she had taken power behind the scenes, her authority had become increasingly solid, and her mood was exceptionally good. At present, several major Han Chinese officials were all loyal and devoted, and the Qing dynasty was showing a thriving trend, which Empress Dowager Cixi believed was entirely due to her own wise governance that had brought about this prosperous era. Sometimes she even compared herself to Wu Zetian, but of course, such thoughts could not be revealed to outsiders.

  The palace maid helped her change into a pair of white high-heeled shoes, and Cixi walked around the room several times before admiring herself in front of the mirror. "How do I look? Don't you think this pair of shoes suits me well?" "Your Majesty looks good in whatever shoes you wear!" Li Lianying flattered with a smile. "These foreign things are really nice, just looking at them makes one feel happy." Next, Cixi changed into a cheongsam and tried on several before finally settling on a purple one that she was satisfied with. Seeing Cixi in high spirits, Li Lianying cautiously said: "Your Majesty, Left General is waiting outside, do you want to...?"

  The Empress Dowager Cixi suddenly remembered that Zuo Zongtang was waiting outside, but she would not apologize. At this time, Cixi sat down and took a sip of tea, saying slowly and calmly: "Please ask Governor Zuo to come in!" "Your Majesty is safe, Zuo Zongtang pays his respects!" "Governor Zuo, please get up!" Zuo Zongtang stood up and bowed his head, saying: "What are your orders, Your Majesty?" "Governor Zuo, sit down and talk!" Seeing Zuo Zongtang sit down, Cixi said: "Governor Zuo, in the past few years, you have been fighting in the western regions and have made great achievements!" "This is my duty as a minister!" Cixi's voice became softer and she continued: "In recent years, Li Hongzhang and Shen Baozhen have promoted the Westernization Movement with great success and received praise from the entire court. The two able ministers have done well in coastal defense and railways. Zhang Zhidong's plan to build a steel factory is also going smoothly. Now, many of my ministers are calling for the construction of railways. Governor Zuo, do you have any thoughts on this?"

  "The Empress Dowager is wise, I have this intention!" Zuo Zongtang heard and was overjoyed in his heart. "Since General Zuo has this intention, let's draft a memorial to report it, and it will be approved with favor!" "Thank you, Your Majesty! I will not disappoint your expectations!" The Empress Dowager Cixi allowed Zuo Zongtang to participate in the planning of the railway for two reasons: one was to give him benefits and win him over, and the other was that she did not want Li Hongzhang's family to dominate. This was the Empress's technique of controlling her officials, aiming to make them cooperate while also keeping each other in check. How to distribute benefits was what she was best at. At present, the Westernization Movement had become mainstream, and Cixi was very clear in her mind that these powerful Han officials were all part of the Westernization faction, and she must push the wave to help it rise.

  In fact, Zuo Zongtang saw Li Hongzhang's efforts to build railways and immediately realized the military value of railways as a high-ranking official. While coastal defense strategies were important, continental strategies were equally crucial. Therefore, Zuo Zongtang summoned Hu Xueyan to Beijing to discuss railway construction matters. Unexpectedly, Empress Dowager Cixi took the initiative to ask him to handle railway affairs, which indeed surprised and delighted him. To say that Zuo Zongtang did not understand Cixi's intentions would be a lie; in reality, what Cixi was concerned about was not railways but rather the implicit message that Li Hongzhang's power had grown too great.

  After Zuo Zongtang returned from Xinjiang, he quickly learned about Li Hongzhang's detailed plans for building railways. Seeing Li Hongzhang's foreign affairs movement causing a stir, he was secretly anxious. Upon learning that Shen Baozhen had set up a steamship factory at the Mawei Shipyard, Zuo Zongtang was overjoyed and hastily summoned Hu Xueyan to come to Beijing for consultation. Zuo Zongtang did not expect that he was just thinking one way, but Empress Dowager Cixi sent him a big gift in time. It wasn't until Zuo Zongtang left the palace gate that he remembered Hu Xueyan was still waiting outside the Qingyun Gate.

  Hu Xueyan rushed into the room without greeting, hastily taking off his official robes and rushing to the washbasin to wash his face. He then picked up a cup of cool tea and drank it in one gulp, before grabbing a fan and fanning himself vigorously with his eyes closed. Zuo Zongtang saw him like this and apologized: "Xueyan, my brother, I'm really sorry. After the morning court session, the Empress Dowager kept me back, so I came back late and made you suffer in the sun!"

  Hu Xueyan seemed to be still in a daze, busily wanting to kneel down and pay his respects. "Alright, no need for the formalities. I heard that the Mawei Shipyard will be able to produce steam locomotives by the end of the year, you and Shen Baozhen have done a great job!" "Yes, Your Excellency, I invested in the steam locomotive factory." "Just now, the Empress Dowager summoned me, specifically to discuss the matter of building railways. Originally, I was thinking of speaking with the Empress Dowager about it, but unexpectedly she brought it up herself. We can't let this opportunity slip away, we can't fall behind Li Hongzhang. Tell me, where do you think it would be suitable for us to build a railway?"

  Hu Xueyan observed Zuo Zongtang's expression and said, "Sir, I am a businessman. If we consider it from a business perspective, it would be best to build a railway from the coast to the west. In this way, coal and salt from the west can be quickly transported to the coastal areas, and goods from the coastal areas can also be transported in large quantities to the west. I guarantee that the profit will be astronomical." "I heard you discovered a salt lake in Qinghai?" Zuo Zongtang asked with a smile.

  "Hu Xueyan said: 'Sir, to be honest with you, that salt lake is a treasure trove. At present, foreigners are buying it in large quantities, but the transportation distance is too far and the quantity is limited. Sir, if you want to build a railway, I hope you won't report the matter of the salt lake to the imperial court.' 'Don't worry, I have a plan!' 'Does sir have any ideas?'"

  Zuo Zongtang thought for a moment and said, "From a military perspective, building a railway line along the coast to the west is more necessary. Since I came back, I have been thinking about this matter, from Nanjing to Xuzhou to Zhengzhou and finally to Xi'an, do you think it's feasible?" Zuo Zongtang asked. Hu Xueyan suddenly remembered that Deng Zixuan had mentioned this route before, and Deng Zixuan had explained it in great detail.

  "Sir, you are using inland water transportation to connect the western railway line, this idea is great, sir is indeed a wise man." "Don't flatter me, tell me your idea!" Hu Xueyan recalled what Deng Zixuan had said: "Sir, building this railway line is not easy, initially raising funds is no problem, but whether it can meet the silver demand in the later stage is a difficult problem. I suggest that we first build the railway line from Nanjing to Xuzhou, and after its completion, operate it first, and use the profits obtained to satisfy the construction of subsequent railway lines."

  Zuo Zongtang nodded in satisfaction: "You're indeed a businessman who gets straight to the point. I think we can divide it into four sections: Nanjing to Xuzhou, Xuzhou to Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou to Luoyang, and finally build the railway line from Luoyang to Xi'an. What do you think?" "Your Excellency is wise, let's proceed as you've said!" Zuo Zongtang seemed to have made up his mind: "You set off immediately for Nanjing, establish the Northwestern Railway Construction Company and raise funds. I'll draft a memorial to report to the imperial court."

  Two flowers bloom, each representing a branch. Deng Zixuan's ghost hand is in play again. Sheng Huaxuan rushed to Tianjin and went straight to the Zhili Governor's Office. As soon as he saw Li Hongzhang, he was dissatisfied: "Huaxuan old brother, has your hand stretched too far? I want to hear your explanation?" Seeing Li Hongzhang's fierce face, Sheng Huaxuan knew that Ding Ruchang had already reported the Hangzhou prefecture affair.

  "Sir, I was a bit too hasty in this matter. But if we don't take drastic measures, a peasant uprising may occur. I know that there are some objections to the construction of the railway in the imperial court. If a peasant uprising really occurs, those conservatives will attack you on the grounds of harming the interests of the people, and I am worried about your situation and whether this railway can be completed smoothly!" Then Sheng Huai Xuan carefully explained the corruption of land by the Hangzhou governor and its evil consequences, which can be said to be a replica of what Deng Zi Xuan had stated.

  It would be doubting Li Hongzhang's intelligence to say that he didn't think of this. Li Hongzhang said, "I've already told Ding Ruchang that this matter is entirely his doing. This incident will end here, but you should take it as a warning and not interfere in similar matters again, especially when it comes to dismissing officials." "Yes, sir, I'll definitely be careful from now on." Sheng Huai Xuan added, "Sir, Hu Xueyan has been summoned by Zuo Zongtang to come to the capital. I guess his trip to the capital might have something to do with building roads."

  Li Hongzhang was taken aback and said, "Rumors have it that Zuo Zongtang has been praising the benefits of building railways in front of people. It seems he's itching to get started. However, opening up new railway lines isn't easy, let's just wait and see." "Your Excellency! By the end of the year, the Fuzhou-Shanghai railway line will be operational. I suggest you report to the imperial court and immediately start planning the Shanghai-Nanjing railway line. Once the Fuzhou-Shanghai railway line is open, the profits will support the new line without any issues. I'm worried that this route will be snatched up by others!"

  Before Li Hongzhang could respond, a subordinate rushed in and said: "An urgent message from the capital has arrived, requesting that you immediately go to the capital!" Li Hongzhang took the letter and examined it, saying: "Indeed, it seems that Zuo Zongtang has begun to take action. You temporarily stay in Tianjin, I will draft a memorial to report to the imperial court, suggesting the construction of a railway line from Shanghai to Nanjing. Moreover, Zhang Zhidong's ironworks is scheduled to put into production a blast furnace by the beginning of next year, so there won't be any problem with supplying steel for the railway."

  On the court, discussions were in full swing. The majority of the ministers were basically divided into three factions: Zuo and Li each had one faction, while a small number of conservative ministers formed another faction, but their voices were very weak. When Zuo Zongtang proposed building a railway from Nanjing to Xi'an, the conservative faction voiced opposition, so naturally Li Hongzhang's faction had to follow his lead and remained silent without expressing an opinion.

  Several left-wing ministers eloquently debated the pros and cons of building railways. The young Emperor Guangxu sat expressionless on his dragon throne, to be honest, he didn't understand what the ministers were discussing at all. Empress Dowager Cixi sat behind a bead curtain, her expression completely invisible. After a round of debate, Cixi said: "Minister Li, regarding Minister Zuo's proposal to build a railway from Nanjing to Xi'an, I think it is beneficial to the people and prosperous for trade, as well as solidifying our borders. What are your thoughts, Minister Li?"

  "The Empress Dowager's words are extremely correct, and I have no dissenting opinion!" Li Hongzhang had his own calculations and naturally would not oppose. "Since Mr. Li has no objections, I think the proposal of Zuo will be approved." The Empress Dowager was about to announce the end of the court session when Li Hongzhang stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, the railway line from Fuzhou to Shanghai will be completed by the end of the year. I suggest that we immediately start planning for a railway line from Shanghai to Nanjing. Firstly, it can connect with the western railway line, and secondly, it has great significance for coastal defense and stabilizing the western border!"

  Cixi was unprepared and hesitated, saying: "Mr. Li's suggestion is not bad, but it's a bit too hasty, this matter needs to be discussed slowly." Li Hongzhang immediately wanted to distinguish himself, but no one expected Zuo Zongtang to step forward and say: "Your Majesty, Mr. Li's suggestion is not bad, if we connect the railway from Shanghai to the western region in the future, it will be a long-term stable plan for coastal defense and solidifying the western border, please Your Majesty consider it carefully!"

  Cixi was somewhat dismayed and immediately realized that she had made a fatal mistake. Originally, she had intended to let the two able ministers restrain each other, but instead they were in step with each other. In fact, the continental strategy and sea defense are an integral whole, as for Li Hongzhang and Zuo Zongtang's contradictions, although there are historical reasons, the biggest factor is the artificial creation of the imperial court.

  As for Zuo Zongtang and Li Hongzhang, they clearly saw the role of railways in military affairs, and it was only natural that they would agree on this matter. Although Cixi felt that she had lifted a rock only to drop it on her own feet, at present Zuo Zongtang and Li Hongzhang were pillars of the Qing dynasty, and for the first time these two able ministers held a unanimous opinion, which meant that this matter was irreversible.

  Out of the imperial court, Li Hongzhang suddenly stopped and said: "Zuo Daren, thank you!" Zuo Zongtang also made a fist and said: "Each other! Each other!" Both sides gazed at each other, with smiles on their faces, history changed again in this moment.