Chapter 59: The Dragon's Furious Face

  War often promotes the rapid development of technology. After a series of defeats in war, the Qing court also made changes in many aspects. For example, new troops were trained and equipped with modern rifles and cannons to replace traditional swords and spears. However, due to financial constraints, only part of the Qing army was reorganized in this way. The most powerful forces were the 200,000-strong new armies under the control of Li Hongzhang, Governor-General of Zhili, and Zhang Zhidong, Governor-General of Hubei and Hunan. In addition, 100,000 men from the Eight Banners were also mobilized to join the new army. However, it remains to be seen how much combat effectiveness these Eight Banner soldiers, who spent their days fighting cocks and dogs, could actually achieve. At least, the ministers in the imperial court did not hold out much hope for them.

  There have also been great changes in the transmission of information. The Qing court set up a telegraph house in Beijing to receive and send telegrams to various important provinces. However, this was specifically for the service of the imperial court, and ordinary people could not enjoy it.

  Yang Changjun, the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu in Lanzhou, received the news that Ma Haiyan had sent someone to report that the Western Sichuan Army was launching a large-scale attack on Qinghai. He did not dare to delay and immediately sent someone to Xi'an to send a telegram to the imperial court to report this news. At that time, Lanzhou had not yet set up a telegraph line, so anything that needed to be reported to the imperial court had to go through Xi'an. Similarly, the imperial court's orders were also relayed through Xi'an.

  Although Yang Changjun was dissatisfied with the Ma family army not taking him seriously and manipulating the military and political affairs of Qinghai and Gansu provinces, he did not dare to delay such a major event. If the imperial court were to blame him, he would not be able to bear the responsibility.

  It was for this reason that the memorial of the Sichuan army's large-scale attack on Qinghai appeared in the hands of Emperor Guangxu on the evening of April 9.

  "Bang!" The Guangxu Emperor fiercely threw the memorial in his hand to the ground, a face that was originally somewhat pale turned bright red with anger, his eyes were bloodshot, as if they were about to spit out fire.

  "Damn it, what do those bandits in Sichuan want to do? Do they want to go to war with the imperial court?" The Guangxu Emperor roared in anger, his voice echoing in the Nourishing Heart Palace. Last time, the Guangxu Emperor wanted to go to war with Sichuan, but was collectively opposed by the ministers of the imperial court, which made him lose face. Later, Empress Dowager Cixi even scolded him for this, making him even more angry. In the face of Sichuan's outrageous demands, the imperial court eventually agreed. But now, the Sichuan army has become even more ruthless, attacking the imperial troops at will - what's the difference between this and rebellion?

  After venting his anger, the Guangxu Emperor's fury finally subsided. By rights, after receiving such a memorial, he should have discussed with the ministers in the court to find a solution. However, the Guangxu Emperor did not want to do so now. The events that had occurred on the throne last time were still vivid in his mind, and he no longer trusted those hypocritical ministers.

  "Come, go and summon Weng Tonghe to me!" Guangxu Emperor said sternly from behind his desk. At the critical moment, he still thought of Weng Tonghe. Weng Tonghe was his teacher and had always been very supportive of Guangxu Emperor. If there was anyone in the imperial court that he could trust, it would undoubtedly be Weng Tonghe. Moreover, as a military minister and imperial tutor, Weng Tonghe held great power in the court.

  "Yes, Your Majesty!" A small eunuch immediately went out to pass on the edict.

  In less than half an hour, Weng Tonghe arrived at the Nourishing Heart Palace. After a brief ceremony between the monarch and his minister, Weng noticed that Guangxu's face looked unusual. However, he already knew what had happened. The memorial from Shaanxi-Gansu Governor Yang Changjun was first reviewed by the Grand Council before being presented to Guangxu. After all, such important matters required Guangxu's personal decision. Although the Grand Council held great power, it did not have the authority to make decisions on such major state affairs.

  "Is His Majesty angry about the Sichuan troops attacking Qinghai?" asked Weng Tonghe.

  "Old love! The Xī Qīng is really too much, last time they forced the imperial court to agree to their terms. And this time, they actually took the initiative to attack the imperial army! If this continues, will they still put the imperial court in their eyes? The Xī Qīng army is simply a group of bandits, in order not to let the great Qing dynasty's foundation be destroyed by them, we must eliminate them all!" Guangxu Emperor said viciously.

  Weng Tonghe sighed secretly, if the Western Sichuan Army was easy to eliminate, would it have waited until now? The current Western Sichuan Army has become a big tail that cannot be gotten rid of. It is almost impossible for the court to eliminate the Western Sichuan Army. Unless all the troops are sent to the Western Sichuan Army, but this will consume how much money and grain! The court's finances were originally not prosperous, and Empress Dowager Cixi also used the national treasury to build a garden for her, the granary of the Ministry of Revenue had long been able to starve mice to death, in this situation, what can be used to fight the Western Sichuan Army?

  "What? Are you disagreeing with My idea, Duke Weng?" Guangxu Emperor asked solemnly after seeing the expression on Weng Tonghe's face.

  "Your Majesty, I don't disagree with your idea. However, such a major event as going to war with the Kansai army must be carefully considered! At least, it's necessary to get the Empress Dowager's agreement!" said Weng Tonghe. Although he had already returned power to Guangxu, without the Empress Dowager Cixi's consent, state affairs simply couldn't be carried out! The Empress Dowager Cixi was still dominating the political situation in the court.

  "How dare you! I am the Emperor, my words are like a decree from heaven. What is it that I cannot decide?" Guangxu Emperor was furious. Empress Dowager Cixi had always been his nightmare, looming over him since he was a child. Now that he had grown up, he still couldn't shake her off.

  "I deserve ten thousand deaths!" Weng Tonghe hastily knelt down on the ground.

  The Guangxu Emperor vented his emotions before returning to normal. "Get up, Weng Gong! I'll go see the Empress Dowager now!" The Guangxu Emperor said helplessly. Although he was unwilling to believe it, what Weng Tonghe said was true - if he wanted to take military action in Sichuan, he had to get the approval of the Empress Dowager first.

  "Yes, Your Majesty! This old minister will take his leave first!" Weng Tonghe hastily bid farewell.

  The palace where Empress Dowager Cixi lived was in Yuexiu Palace. When Emperor Guangxu moved from Yangxin Hall to Yuexiu Palace, the lanterns had just been lit.

  "Old Buddha, the Emperor requests an audience!" Li Lianying entered the main hall of the Cixi's palace and reported to her. At this time, Cixi was receiving Sheng Xuanhuai. After receiving a memorial from Yang Changjun, Governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, in the Grand Council, they forwarded a copy to Emperor Guangxu, while he himself went to the Cixi's palace to report the news to Empress Dowager Cixi.

  However, after Empress Dowager Cixi knew about the Sichuan troops' attack on Qinghai, she didn't show any reaction, which left Sheng Xuanhuai puzzled.

  "Let the Emperor come in!" said Empress Dowager Cixi with an expressionless face.

  "Your Majesty's son has come to pay his respects!" The Guangxu Emperor kowtowed and paid homage with utmost respect.

  "Get up! Take a seat!" said Empress Dowager Cixi. Li Lianying hastily brought over a soft chair for Emperor Guangxu.

  "Your humble servant, Sheng Xuan, requests an audience with Your Majesty!" Sheng Xuan also hastily paid his respects to the Guangxu Emperor.

  "Get up!" The Guangxu Emperor did not hide his dislike for Sheng Xuanhuai. As the leader of the Grand Council, Sheng Xuanhuai was supposed to be loyal to him, but in reality, he was devoted to Empress Dowager Cixi and was not under his control, which made him very dissatisfied, but there was nothing he could do about it.

  "Father! The bandits from Kham are attacking Qinghai, recklessly attacking the imperial army. They deserve to die ten thousand times! I want to declare war on Kham and thoroughly eliminate these bandits. Please support me, Father!" Guangxu Emperor said with a face full of indignation.

  "The battle with the Sichuan and Shaanxi armies is a big deal, it must be carefully considered before proceeding. Why did the Sichuan army go to Qinghai? Do you know the specific reason?" Empress Dowager Cixi asked.

  "This, I don't know. But they are wantonly attacking the imperial army, this is treason! Troops must be sent to annihilate them, to demonstrate the heavenly authority of the imperial court!" Guangxu Emperor said firmly.

  "Cixi asked: 'What is your view, Shizong?'"

  "Back to the old Buddha! The memorial of the Governor-General of Shaanxi and Gansu did not mention specific reasons. According to what I know, although Wang Xiao of Western Sichuan is arrogant and unruly, he is not a reckless person. Moreover, going to war with the imperial court, Western Sichuan has no guarantee of victory, and it would be disadvantageous for them as well. Therefore, I think there must be some hidden reasons behind this. We need to investigate clearly before making any decisions!" Shi Zheng replied with a humble expression. From Cixi's response to Guangxu, he had already guessed that Cixi did not want war, which is why he gave such an answer.

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