Chapter 44: The Suffering Flesh Strategy Penetrates the Gang

  "Is Governor Liu thinking of sending Xianzhang to the Beiyang Fleet?" Jin asked.

  Liu Buzhen smiled and said, "Of course not. Zhou Xuanzhang went to the Beiyang Navy, right under Li Zhongtang's nose. Even if I, Liu Buzhen, had great abilities, I couldn't protect him. I have some connections with General Zuo Baogui of the Feng Army, so I'll write a letter immediately and let Zhou Xuanzhang take it to see him. General Zuo will definitely accept Zhou Xuanzhang."

  Jin shook his head: "I've heard that Zuo Baogui is a skilled military commander, loyal to the imperial court and a man of great integrity. However, he's currently stationed in Fengtian, which is a key stronghold for our Qing dynasty in the northeast, with many eyes and ears of the imperial court present. If Xian Zhang goes there, it's likely that news will leak out and reach Li Zhongtang, and even if Xian Zhang manages to escape, Zuo Jiangjun will also be implicated."

  "Please be assured, sir," said Liu Baoquan: "Zuo Baogui has already been ordered to lead his troops into Korea. The purpose of the Qing army's entry into Korea is to help suppress the Donghak rebels, but in reality it is to prevent the Japanese army from entering Korea. Now that the Japanese army has landed at Incheon, this means that before long, our great Qing will go to war with Japan in Korea. At present, it is a critical moment for using people's talents, and Zhou Xuanzhang is both civil and military, following General Zuo to Korea. For the country, he can make contributions to the Qing, and for personal reasons, he can also avoid Li Zhongtang. Once Zhou Xuanzhang achieves great things for the country and returns home in glory, at that time, Li Zhongtang will have nothing to say. Isn't this a win-win situation for both public and private interests?"

  Jin Jin let out a long sigh: "Lord Liu's arrangement is very good, very good."

  Liu Buqian said, picked up his pen and ink, wrote a letter, and handed it over to Zhou Xuanzhang.

  Jin picked up the hemp rope and handed it to Xuan Zhang: "Xuan Zhang, hurry up and tie up your master."

  Zhou Xuan Zhang said seriously: "Students would never dare to bind their teacher!"

  "Are you out of your mind?!" Jin shouted, Jin was full of courtesy and etiquette, but when he got anxious, he would scold people.

  Zhou Xuan Zhang held the hemp rope and said to Liu Bu Chan: "Today, the student has tied up his teacher, it's not what he wanted, but reason and law do not allow for this, so I still have to trouble you, Liu Guan, to take action and assist!"

  Liu Buqian took over the hemp rope and smiled: "That adult, your student has indeed learned from you."

  From a rational point of view, students binding teachers is against human ethics. However, Liu Buquan's official position was higher than that of Na Jin, and it was reasonable for superiors to bind subordinates. Na Jin emphasized etiquette and order, and Zhou Xianzhang's actions were in line with Na Jin's moral views.

  Liu Buqian tied Jin Wuhua to the armchair, Zhou Xuanzhang knelt down in front of him and kowtowed three times with a serious face, tears streaming down his face as he said: "Master, I don't know when I'll be able to see you again, take care of yourself, I'm leaving!"

  "Go, go," Jin was already in tears.

  Zhou Xuanzhang picked up the token that Jin had prepared and left Jin's residence with Liu Buxian and Yingtao.

  The three were just about to take a step when they suddenly heard a shout: "Halt!"

  The bright moon is in the sky, and all that can be seen is one person holding a steel gun, blocking three people in front of them.

  "Director Choi is here!" Zhōu Xiànzhāng was startled.

  Chui Bao held a gun in one hand and pulled out a set of Beiyang Navy uniform with the other: "Zhou Xianzhang, change into this quickly."

  "Why is this?" Zhou Xianzhang was puzzled.

  "You're wearing the uniform of Tianjin Martial Arts Academy, you can't leave the academy!"

  It turned out that Jin was indeed a foolish scholar, and it was not easy to come up with such a desperate plan, but the thinking was not thorough. If in peacetime, holding Jin's token would be unimpeded, now Li Hongzhang personally presided over the Tianjin Military Academy, the gate guards were not only the academy's security guards but also Li Hongzhang's personal bodyguards, and Jin's token would not work.

  Liu Buzhen arrived, he had already made preparations to let Zhou Xuanzhang go. He met Cui Bo outside the residence and ordered Cui Bo to prepare a set of Beiyang Navy uniforms to disguise Zhou Xuanzhang.

  Chui Fang originally sympathized with Zhou Xianzhang and saw Liu Buxuan wanting to rescue him, without hesitation.

  Zhou Xuan Zhang changed into a prisoner's uniform, lowered his fur hat to cover his eyebrows and eyes, and knelt down on one knee in front of Liu Bu Chan: "Student Zhou Xuan Zhang thanks Commander Liu for saving my life!"

  Liu Buzhen shook his head: "The Tianjin Military Academy does not perform kneeling and bowing rituals!"

  Zhou Xuan Zhang's face turned red: "Sir, I was confused last night and offended you..."

  "Zhou Xianzhang, I'd rather you gave me a Western-style military salute," Liu Buxuan said slowly: "Soldiers are the pillars of the state, not slaves to the imperial court!"

  "Yes!" Zhou Xianzhang stood up straight, gave Liu Buxuan a standard military salute: "Liu squad leader, the student dares to ask, why did you save me?"

  Liu Buqun said in a low voice: "I'm not saving you, but the future of China!"

  Zhou Xuanzhang was taken aback and hastily said: "Liu Guandong's words are too serious, what virtues or abilities do I have to undertake China's future?"

  Liu Buxian smiled and said: "Don't be modest, just remember what I say! However, there is one more thing, please promise me."

  "Liu Guan said, students must work hard."

  "Today, Li Zhongtang wants to kill you, it's also out of helplessness. In the officialdom politics, one move affects the whole body. I hope Mr. Zhou will take national affairs as heavy and not care about personal grudges."

  "The student respectfully obeys." Zhou Xuan Zhang heard it, Liu Bu Chan hoped that Zhou Xuan Zhang would not remember Li Hongzhang's hatred. He was promoted by Li Hongzhang and Li Hongzhang had a knowledge of him.

  Zhou Xuan Zhang did not have a good opinion of Li Hongzhang, however, Liu Bu Chan was his benefactor who had saved his life, so Zhou Xuan Zhang could only obey.

  Zhou Xuanzhang bid farewell to Liu Buxian and Yingtao, and followed Cui Bo to the main gate of the school.

  The sentinel saw it was Commander Cui and knelt on one knee: "Does Commander Cui want to leave the school?"

  Chui's hand didn't produce the token of Jin, but rather the flag of Beiyang Navy: "Beiyang Navy Liu Guandai has an important military task, orders a trusted soldier to leave the city at night and head to Weihaiwei. Fearing that something might go wrong, he ordered me to escort him out of the city."

  The sentinel no longer asked questions, opened the city gate, and Cui Bao took Zhou Xuanzhang out of the Wubei Academy, heading north, out of Tianjin City, to the banks of the Grand Canal. It wasn't until then that Cui Bao handed over the gun in his hand along with a package of loose silver coins to Zhou Xuanzhang: "This is the gun sent by Instructor Feng Guozhang, don't disappoint Instructor Feng's kind intentions!"

  Original imported German 1888 Commission Rifle, the barrel emits a faint blue glow in the moonlight.

  Zhou Xuan Zhang held a gun in his hand and gave Cui Baoyu a Western-style military salute: "General Cui, great kindness is not to be thanked, we will meet again!"

  "Alright, alright." Cui Bo nodded his head.

  Zhou Xuan Zhang rode through the night, heading northward.

  ……

  The next day, news of Zhou Xuanzhang's arrest and the flight of those who had fled in fear of punishment spread like wildfire, causing a huge commotion throughout the school.

  He was taken to the Martial Hall, where he faced Li Hongzhang, Weng Tonghe, Min Huijun and other officials, with a nose full of snot and tears, severely accusing Zhou Xuanzhang of binding his master, deceiving his master and destroying his ancestors, and committing acts of disloyalty and unfilial piety.

  Na Jin's performance was spot on, portraying the image of an old teacher who was bullied by his students to perfection, earning him great sympathy from the audience and strong resentment towards Zhou Xuan Zhang.

  Even Weng Tonghe, the normally calm and composed Minister of Revenue, was deeply moved to tears, sighing: "Alas! Jin Er's lack of vigilance led him to accept such an unfilial disciple, causing great harm to himself. We should take this as a warning!"

  Then he saw Weng Tonghe, and with tears streaming down his face, he was secretly delighted. For a moment, he forgot himself and said: "Zhou Xiang is indeed hateful, but considering that he and I have been in the same school for a long time, I beg Li Zhongtang, Weng Zhongtang, and Min Ergge to spare him. Please show mercy on Zhou Xiang's crime of escaping punishment."

  That Jin is a foolish scholar, being able to think of a trick like this has already reached the limit of his intelligence, and trying to embellish it is beyond his capabilities. Originally, he was quite effective in deceiving most of the officials present with his sob story about Zhou Xuan Zhang binding up his teacher, but then he added that one sentence which was completely unnecessary and immediately revealed his weakness.

  That's what Na Jin said, worrying that Li Hongzhang would issue a wanted order for Zhou Xianzhang. Zhou Xianzhang escaped last night and should not have left Zhili yet. Zhili is Li Hongzhang's territory, and Zhou Xianzhang's situation is still very dangerous. Na Jin hopes Li Hongzhang will spare Zhou Xianzhang, at least not issue a wanted order.

  But Jin didn't think about it, even if Li Hongzhang wanted to let Zhou Xuanzhang go, it's definitely not at this time. Yesterday, he just announced the death penalty for Zhou Xuanzhang, and today he would release him in front of so many civil and military officials, isn't that slapping himself in the face?

  Moreover, Jin was just lamenting in blood and tears, but in the blink of an eye, he pleaded for Zhou Xuanzhang, which is a huge contradiction. Even Li Hongzhang, who is known for his cleverness, would have doubts, let alone the scholars and officials present.

  Before Li Hongzhang could speak, Min Xiu burst into anger: "Zhen! Are you treating us like children?"

  Jin only then reacted, realizing he had misspoken, and with a heart full of regret, could only force himself to say: "Your Ladyship's words, I don't understand."

  "You don't understand? Then let me make it clear for you! Zhou Xianzhang was the one you let go! You staged a trick to deceive everyone!"

  "This is quite wrong, I was originally kind-hearted. Considering the relationship between teacher and student, I asked Zhou Xuanzhang to have a last dinner together. Who would have thought that this Zhou Xuanzhang would be so frantic and jump out of nowhere, knocking me to the ground? As an old man with weak body, I am no match for him, which is why I was tied up..."

  "You are old and weak, but your subordinates, the people of Tianjin Martial Arts Academy, aren't all old and weak!"

  "At that time, I was alone in my residence with only myself and Zhou Xuan Zhang!"

  Xin Xiu burst out laughing: "That adult and a dead prisoner are alone together, what are you two plotting?"

  His face turned earthy, he misspoke again, and what's more, it was a complete mess, beyond salvation. As an official appointed by the imperial court, how could he be alone with a condemned prisoner awaiting execution without even one bodyguard by his side?

  Liu Buqian, standing on Li Hongzhang's left hand, was also pale as earth, secretly scolding that Shanxi bookworm for being unable to accomplish anything and only causing trouble! But it was also helpless.

  That Jin was speechless, and Min Xiu sternly shouted: "As an official appointed by the imperial court, you privately released the criminal Zhou Xuan Zhang. What crime should you be guilty of!"

  The guard camp was on high alert and Ye Kui responded loudly: "According to the great Qing law, those who collude with the guilty should be beheaded as an example!"

  Ye Que's words came out, and the whole hall of civil and military officials fell silent.

  According to Ye Qiao's words, Zhou Xianzhang is a dead sin, and Jin, who is equally guilty, is also a dead sin!

  Weng Tonghe stroked his beard and said, "Yesterday in this martial arts hall, Li Zhongtang handed over Zhou Xianzhang to Jin for handling, and did not sentence Zhou Xianzhang to death."

  Everyone knows that Li Hongzhang wants to borrow the hand of Jin to kill Zhou Xuanzhang, but everyone also knows that Li Hongzhang indeed did not sentence Zhou Xuanzhang to death!

  Li Hongzhang glanced at Weng Tonghe, a cold laugh escaped from his nose, and his face turned gloomy: "Weng, that Jin is just like his brother, a slippery character!"

  Weng Tonghe was taken aback and did not know what Li Hongzhang's words meant.

  Li Hongzhang's words meant that Quin was secretly relying on Weng Tonghe.

  Nuo Jin did not kill Zhou Xuan Zhang, but instead let him escape. This is enough to show that Nuo Jin, the co-founder of Tianjin Martial Arts Academy, has a rebellious bone in his brain! Moreover, Nuo Jin's elder brother Yehe Nara Natong was under the command of Weng Tong He, serving as the Minister of Household Department, and this person was notorious for being cunning. Now, Weng Tong He is again speaking on behalf of Nuo Jin.

  All signs indicate that Zhou Xuan Zhang is under the orders of Na Jin! And behind Na Jin, it's Weng Tong He!

  Li Hongzhang was certain that the Zhou Xuechang incident was a direct challenge to him by the Qingliu faction led by Weng Tonghe. The Qingliu and Yangwu factions had completely torn off their masks.

  Actually, it's all a misunderstanding. Jin and his brother Tong are completely different in character. Jin is stubborn and pedantic, while Tong is smooth and cunning. Jin is an old-fashioned scholar, while Tong is clever and resourceful. Jin has never had any dealings with Weng Tongguo, but Tong is deeply acquainted with him. These two brothers rarely have anything to do with each other.

  Today, because of a single memorial to the throne, Li Hongzhang brought Zeng Guofan into the camp of Weng Tonghe. Since he was Weng's man, Li had to clean house.