Tuqing: My first love was Cixi

Chapter 189 Shocking news! Collapse! I compromise!

Dagukou.

Imperial Envoy Guiliang, together with many officials, quietly sent the combined fleets of Britain, France and the United States away.

Several people stood quietly, watching the last shadow of the fleet disappear on the sea level.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The overwhelming feeling finally dissipated.

Then came the bitterness.

After several months, the foreign fleet finally left.

But the entire negotiation was exactly as Su Yi said. If it were another dog, the result would be exactly the same.

Although we have been talking for so long, nothing has changed.

Still agreed to the most demanding conditions.

The only thing that was said was compensation.

Four million taels of silver were paid to Britain and two million taels of silver were allocated to France.

But what these countries care least about in this negotiation is the compensation.

The rest will be accepted as such.

Increase the number of open port cities to more than a dozen, including Jiujiang, Tainan, Dengzhou, Chaozhou, Tainan, Hankou, Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Qiongzhou, and Tamsui.

The fleets of various countries have the right to sail on the Yangtze River waterway and dock at any treaty port.

Countries enjoy missionary rights and dioceses have autonomous jurisdiction.

The legations of the four countries were established in the capital, and a small number of troops were dispatched to protect the safety of their respective legations.

Each country has the power of consular adjudication and most-favored-nation treatment.

The customs employs a British assistant, and the tax rate for imported and exported goods is 5%. When foreign goods are sold in the mainland, there is a 2.5% tax, and no further cents will be paid.

The opium trade was all legalized.

In other words, the conditions negotiated were almost the same as those given to He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang at that time, and the only thing negotiated was compensation.

At this time, on the flagship of the combined fleet, the French representative Groud, the British Far East Commander Elgin, the American Minister William, and the Russian Minister Putiyating were celebrating.

Lots of drinking and lots of celebration.

"I've never seen such a negotiation, I've never experienced such an easy negotiation."

"No matter what conditions were proposed, they pretended to fight for a few days, and finally all agreed."

"I really don't know if this is for myself or for us."

..........................................

Inside Sanxi Hall!

Guiliang rushed in and said: "Your Majesty, the foreign fleet has completely retreated and left completely."

"These are the texts of several treaties, please read them to your Majesty."

The emperor glanced at it for a while, and suddenly felt extremely dazzling.

His young self-esteem was strongly stimulated.

Not even wanting to look at it.

And even if you don’t read it, you still know what’s inside.

At this time, several wars in the south had already broken out, but they had just begun and the news had not reached the capital.

However, Zenglu came back.

He reported that Master Su Yi accepted the imperial edict very quietly, obeyed completely, and changed from a first-class marquis to a first-class captain of light vehicles.

The emperor asked Zenglu at that time, do you think Su Yi had any different intentions?

Zenglu said that Brother Su Yi had no objections and was loyal to the country.

Then, this confidant eunuch left the emperor and went to an inconspicuous corner of the palace to work as a steward.

This also means that Zenglu, the once most confidant eunuch, has officially fallen out of favor.

Wang Chenggui, the eunuch in charge, has no rival anymore.

The eunuch Wang Deli replaced Zenglu and served the emperor personally.

The secret envoys sent by the imperial court have also returned.

The reported news was worse than the last, making the emperor's face even more gloomy.

Regarding the removal of Su Yi, Zeng Guofan was neutral and Hu Linyi was neutral.

Tomin A is submissive and typical of sitting on the fence.

Only He Chun, the commander of the Jiangnan camp, and He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, firmly supported the imperial court.

And agreed, as long as the emperor gives an imperial edict.

The Jiangnan Camp immediately dispatched the main force of the navy to monitor Wang Shiqing's army. If there is any sign of heading towards Jiujiang, they will immediately stop it.

For the emperor, this was enough.

The most capable army in Su Yi's hands is Wang Shiqing's 3,000 new troops.

The rest cannot be changed.

Moreover, once the imperial decree arrives, if Su Yi resists the decree, he will immediately fall into injustice.

Now that the foreign and barbarian army has retreated, the Nian army in Huai'an can't help but retreat.

All obstacles have been removed.

The most important thing now is to convict Su Yi.

The crime of taking concubines beyond the limit has been used, and he was demoted from a first-class marquis to a first-class captain of light carriages.

The remaining charges are difficult to determine.

So it was suggested that the reasons were ready.

As the governor of Jiangxi, Su Yi focused on these factories and stayed in Jiujiang. He didn't care about Jiangxi's government affairs at all, and he was completely neglecting his job.

......................................................

At court the next day.

The censors of the Metropolitan Procuratorate came forward to impeach Su Yi.

"As the governor of Jiangxi, Su Yi only focuses on running factories and stays in Jiujiang. He has never been to Nanchang and has never handled any government affairs in Jiangxi. He is so neglectful of his job and has a bare meal. He is not worthy of his position!"

Guiliang came out and said: "I second the proposal."

Kuang Yuan, the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, came out and said: "I second the proposal."

Military Minister Du Han came out and said: "I second the proposal."

The emperor looked at Sushun. On this key issue, don't you, Suzhongtang, take a stand?

Sushun said: "I second the proposal."

The emperor looked at Prince Hui Mianyu again.

"I second the proposal!"

The emperor said: "Draft an edict to remove Su Yi from the post of governor of Jiangxi and appoint Luan Yi as envoy of guard. After receiving the imperial edict, he will immediately go to Beijing to report on his duties!"

Everyone sighed inwardly.

This moment has finally arrived.

The emperor said: "Who is going to Jiujiang to convey the order to Su Yi?"

Du Han said: "Your Majesty, I recommend Wo Ren."

Wo Ren can be regarded as half of Su Yi's Bolejia friend, so it is most appropriate for him to convey the message.

Woren came out of the queue and said, "My lord, I obey the order!"

He also had a lot to say to Su Yi.

Then Kuang Yuan, the Minister of Civil Affairs, said: "In this case, the governor of Jiangxi is vacant. Who will replace him?"

Originally, the emperor planned to give Hu Linyi so that he could lead the Hunan army to calm the situation at the critical moment.

But I didn't expect that Hu Linyi would not interfere.

Then the governor of Jiangxi won't give it to you.

But no one is grabbing this position now because they are worried about the risks.

Hua Sha, the Minister of Civil Affairs, said: "There is no rush to appoint a new governor after Su Yi leaves office."

The emperor said: "That's it!"

"Wo Ren, you will leave for Jiujiang tomorrow to deliver a message to Su Yi, asking him to immediately go to Beijing to take up a new position after resigning."

Luan Yi envoy?

This is also a second-grade official, with a very high level.

But there are only levels left.

The next day, Wo Ren left Beijing with the imperial guards and went south to Jiujiang to declare the decree!

................................................

At this time, Huai'an battlefield.

After besieging the city for a long time, these 20,000 Nian troops had completely lost their patience.

After several attacks, they could not be defeated.

What a fart!

Anyway, you have made a lot of money, so you should retreat quickly.

Several leaders all wanted to retreat.

Hei Gong and others held a secret meeting.

"We should have completed the mission of the commander-in-chief." A certain secret service officer said: "It is not impossible to withdraw the troops now."

Hei Gong shook his head and said: "No, Huai'an's retreat now will be very detrimental to the commander-in-chief."

Leng Mu said: "Huai'an is an important water transportation city and is very important to the imperial court. If the siege is solved directly, the pressure on the emperor will be greatly reduced, and the imperial court may not compromise with the commander-in-chief."

"However, these Nian troops have already planned to retreat. We, the people, cannot continue to siege and attack the city."

Hei Gong was silent for a while and said slowly: "The time has come to fight for the commander-in-chief."

"Tomorrow we will organize a death squad to blow up the city gate under the cover of the foreign gun squad."

"I, Hei Gong, am the first to sign up!"

Immediately, dozens of officers and soldiers from the Secret Service exclaimed: "No way, no way. You are the chief of the Secret Service, and you are indispensable as the commander-in-chief. If you are in danger, our Secret Service will be leaderless."

The second in command, Leng Mu, said: "I'm going!"

"Next, let's draw lots. If you draw the short one, come with me tomorrow!"

"Following the commander-in-chief, he did great things and gained great wealth, but he never really shed any blood. Now it's time to shed blood!"

next day!

Leng Mu organized a suicide squad, carrying explosive bags and charging again and again.

at last……

After the third big explosion!

"Boom boom boom..."

There was a loud noise!

The city gate of Huai'an was blown down.

The death squad organized by Black Bow killed three people and seriously injured two others.

The two people who were seriously injured were among the first sixteen people who followed Su Yi.

When being carried down, he grinned and said to Hei Gong: "More and more brothers are joining the Secret Service now, and our abilities are not enough. It happens that the commander-in-chief needs to set up an organization to be responsible for the Secret Service, and we just go to enjoy it. Now, I won’t have to fight with my big brother anymore.”

After saying that, Lin Datong, a seventh-grade official from the Secret Service, fainted.

Hei Gong looked around him. Countless Nian troops shouted desperately and rushed towards Huai'an City.

"The city is broken!"

"The city is broken!"

Heigong looked in the direction of Jiujiang and said slowly in his heart: "Commander, can we follow your footsteps now? We have really proved our loyalty with our lives."

................................................

In the past few days after Wo Ren left, the emperor finally felt happy.

Finally, the stone Su Yi was moved away.

As soon as the imperial edict arrives, you, Su Yi, will either obey the order and return to the capital. By then, your fate will be completely in the hands of this emperor.

Or, you, Su Yi, openly defy the order and create a mutiny?

That would amount to blatant rebellion.

At that time, your political reputation was completely ruined.

If you return to Beijing obediently, there is still a glimmer of hope for the future.

If you resist the order, you are really asking for your own death.

However, the emperor was still a little uneasy.

Sushun and others were summoned for several discussions.

Will Su Yi resist the decree?

Du Han comforted the emperor that Su Yi would never openly resist the decree.

The worst possible outcome would be for the troops under guerrilla general Wei Jun to mutiny and take control of Jiujiang City in the name of rebellion.

But when that time comes, both Zeng Guofan and Hu Linyi have the responsibility to regain Jiujiang.

The city of the imperial court once again fell into the hands of rebels, so what?

The center has discussed it many times and this worst outcome is bearable.

however……

Just one day later!

The whole capital was completely boiling.

"Six hundred miles urgent!"

"Six hundred miles urgent!"

The first bad news of the explosion reached the capital.

They rebelled against tens of thousands of troops and invaded northern Anhui. Many state capitals fell one after another.

Fuji, the governor of Anhui, rushed six hundred miles to the capital to ask for help.

The emperor was shocked and quickly summoned all ministers to discuss the matter.

but……

Just a few hours later.

"Six hundred miles urgent!"

"Six hundred miles urgent!"

Another messenger rushed in.

"The rebel puppet king Shi Dakai led tens of thousands of troops to attack the Jiangnan camp. It is in danger."

"He Chun, the head coach of Jiangnan Camp, asks for help."

When the battle report came, the emperor was completely shocked.

Jiangnan Camp, it took two full years to rebuild after it was breached last time.

Now you are rebellious and attacking again?

If this Jiangnan camp is destroyed, the entire southern Jiangsu will be completely in danger.

The emperor immediately issued an order: "He Chun is ordered to guard the Jiangnan camp. If it is breached, come to see him!"

"He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, sent an order to immediately summon a large army to support the Jiangnan camp."

but……

All this is just the beginning.

Next, one bad news after another.

The reports of defeat came one after another, just like snowflakes.

I have never seen such a dense failure report!

"Qianshan fell!"

"Tongcheng fell!"

"Shucheng has fallen!"

Then, a little pause for a day!

Just when everyone in the court felt that the situation would ease slightly.

More intensive and shocking reports of defeat came to Beijing.

"Six hundred miles urgent, Luzhou falls!"

"Fuji, the governor of Anhui, and Li Mengqun, the chief envoy, were defeated and fled to Lu'an."

Upon hearing the news, the emperor's eyes darkened again.

Luzhou? !

The provincial capital of Anhui.

So fast? !

After rebellious and civil strife, he took a break for a year and a half, but he became so ferocious?

It's only been a few days?

The provincial capital of Anhui fell.

Chen Yucheng, Li Shixian and Li Xiucheng are so fierce.

Historically, it only took them about ten days to sweep all around Luzhou (now Hefei), the capital of Anhui Province.

And almost, that's about this time.

Next!

An even bigger bad news came.

"Eight hundred miles is urgent, eight hundred miles is urgent!"

"The Jiangnan Camp was destroyed! He Chun led the remaining army to the Jiuhua Mountain Camp."

The emperor and the court were shocked and had no time to make arrangements.

Then, bad news came again. "Jiuhuashan Camp was destroyed!"

Then came the bad news.

"Danyang is broken!"

Then, bad news came again.

"Rebellious Shi Dakai led tens of thousands of troops to surround Changzhou. He Chun, the commander of the Jiangnan camp, and He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, were trapped in the city and were in danger!"

Just when the emperor thought it was over.

Another bad news came.

"Huai'an City, where the Governor's Yamen of Water Transport is located, the city gate was blown up and the city was destroyed!"

Huai'an City, which I thought would be fine before, is an important water transport town.

At this time...it was also breached!

Water transportation, which was originally expected to be restored, was completely cut off.

....................................

The entire court was deathly silent.

There has never been such a dense reporting of defeats.

The emperor and court officials went from shock to numbness and finally to panic.

It's really a shattering feeling.

How to do? !

The emperor was mentally exhausted and said hoarsely: "What should I do?"

Sushun said: "Over in Anhui, send the Hunan Army to rescue."

"On the Huai'an side, let the Governor of Water Transport, the Prefect of Huai'an, and the Chief Envoy of Jiangsu, Wang Youling, hold on. They will try their best to hold back this Nian army and prevent them from going south."

Yes, these two solutions are sound.

Then, what should we do about the most important Changzhou?

Once Changzhou is forced, Wuxi and Suzhou will be in danger.

Zhejiang is also in danger.

The entire imperial court's important financial and taxation areas were located in that place.

Who can save Changzhou now?

Everyone thought of a name: Su Yi.

However, you have just sent an imperial envoy to remove Su Yi as governor of Jiangxi and replace him with Luan Yi, the envoy of the guard.

Now you are asking people to lead troops to rescue Changzhou?

Isn't this a big joke?

Isn't this just spitting on one's face?

Therefore, no one dares to mention this name.

Military Minister Ruilin came out and said: "Your Majesty, do you want Su Yi to lead the army to rescue Changzhou?"

The emperor didn't scold him, but it was as if he didn't hear him.

......................................................

Jiujiang!

Imperial Minister Woren announced the decree.

"Su Yi is removed from the post of governor of Jiangxi and appointed as Luan Yi's envoy, and then he can go to Beijing to take up his post. I appreciate this!"

Su Yi sighed in his heart.

Shen Baozhen in the next room also sighed.

This imperial edict finally came.

The emperor and the court were still so impatient.

Without the guarantee from Zeng Guofan and Hu Linyi, they still pushed ahead.

Why bother?

In the future, the court's face will only become more embarrassing.

Su Yi wanted to avoid this scene from happening. He really didn't want to hurt the court's face too much.

In the end, it came anyway.

Su Yi said: "I accept the order and thank you for your kindness."

Then, he directly took off the flower feathers on his head.

Wo Ren said: "Su Yi, the war in the south is now the time for you to show your great ambitions. Go to the capital immediately and admit your mistake to the emperor. The feud between the emperor and his ministers can be cleared up and you can once again assume the great responsibility."

Su Yi said slowly: "I won't go to Beijing."

Wo Ren was stunned and said, "If you don't come to Beijing, isn't that a rebellion against the decree?"

Su Yi said: "If Luan Yi, the envoy of the Imperial Guard, resigns and refuses to serve, it is not considered a rebellion, right?"

"Even if I don't hold any official position, I can still set up a factory in Jiujiang."

"I can also give up this prefect's office. As long as the new prefect arrives, I will give it up immediately."

Then, Su Yi left directly.

Didn't have any conversation with Woren.

This is also a conservative. Although he is an upright gentleman, he is very difficult to deal with on such matters!

......................................................

That night, Zeng Guofan came to visit secretly.

"Lord Su Yi, the emperor's imperial decree requires me to rescue Anhui. It is impossible for me to resist the decree, so I must send troops to Anhui immediately."

"But just one Luo Zenan in my hand is not enough. I need your permission to transfer Li Xubin from Jiangxi."

Su Yi said: "Of course."

Then, Su Yi said: "Master Zeng, I owe you some favors during this period, so I would like to say something to you from the bottom of my heart."

Zeng Guofan said: "Please speak."

Su Yi said: "This time when we go to rescue Anhui, don't underestimate Chen Yucheng and Li Xiucheng, don't be greedy for credit, don't be greedy for credit, don't be greedy for credit!"

Historically, Li Xubin went to rescue Anhui. At the beginning, he won consecutive battles and recovered countless cities.

But in the end, at the Sanhe battlefield, the entire army was destroyed and Li Xubin was also killed.

This battle is considered to be the most tragic defeat of the Hunan Army in history.

Zeng Guofan cupped his hands and said: "Thank you, Mr. Su Yi. The tacit understanding between you and me is still there, and we are still on the same page. I will cooperate with you at the critical moment."

"In addition, I will definitely remember your message and be vigilant at all times!"

................................................

In fact!

When the news of the defeat in the south reached the capital, the imperial court desperately sent people to pursue the imperial envoy Wo Ren.

Be sure to stop him!

The imperial edict removing Su Yi from the post of governor of Jiangxi cannot be read out.

Otherwise, when Su Yi really comes out to rescue Changzhou, the court will be too passive.

By that time, the price the court will give will be completely different.

However, Wo Ren is always strong, but his legs and feet are too fast.

The imperial envoy behind did not block him at all.

When he rushed into Jiujiang City and saw Wo Ren again, he said with a pale face: "Is the imperial edict promulgated?"

Wo Ren said: "Yes, it has been promulgated."

"Su Yi will not go to Beijing, nor will he take up the post of Luan Yi's envoy. He will not hold any official position."

"He is in Jiujiang as a free man and is responsible for setting up factories. No one can do anything about him."

The imperial envoy took a deep look at Wo Ren and said, "Please return to the capital slowly. I want to go back immediately!"

Then, as soon as he arrived in Jiujiang, he rushed back as hard as he could.

................................................

In the capital!

Important ministers persuaded the emperor privately.

Changzhou really cannot be lost!

Now only Su Yi can really save Changzhou.

The emperor said coldly: "What do you mean, do you want me to surrender to him?"

"Once you surrender, do you know what it means? It means that the authority of the imperial court is greatly damaged, and it means that the local governor forces the imperial court to compromise for the first time."

At this time, the emperor still held on to his last hope.

"I decree that Shengbao will lead his army southward to support the war in the south!"

Shengbao's army was used to defend the capital.

Not long after the foreign troops had withdrawn, the capital was not necessarily very safe.

However, the emperor asked Shengbao to lead his army south to support him, which shows that he wanted to be tough on Su Yi to the end.

Unwilling to compromise!

"Pass an order, let Guiliang lead the Tianjin Green Camp, and Ronglu lead the Tianjin New Army, and go south to support Huai'an."

The emperor spoke these words with a strong will.

Sushun and Du Han both felt their scalps numb.

The emperor wants to send all the troops that can defend the capital and can fight south.

Now only Senggelinqin's Mongolian cavalry is left.

In order not to compromise with Su Yi, the emperor did not hesitate to use the power of the capital.

But in this matter, the emperor alone, Qian Gang, was arbitrary.

Following the emperor's imperial edict.

Guiliang immediately went to assemble the Tianjing Green Camp, and Shengbao and Ronglu also immediately gathered their respective armies.

Get ready to head south!

................................................

At this time, Changzhou battlefield.

The fight had been extremely brutal.

Shi Dakai had an army of 70,000. The remnants of Hechun's army in the Jiangnan camp in Changzhou City, plus the army of He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, also numbered 50,000.

Ordinarily, a 50,000-strong army defending the city would be able to fight against 70,000 Taiping troops.

Zhang Guoliang, Feng Zicai and others under He Chun are relatively tough.

Therefore, these few battles in Changzhou have been extremely fierce.

There are staggering casualties every day.

Up and down the city walls, corpses were strewn on the ground, and blood stained the city.

Shi Dakai's Taiping Army showed amazing toughness and no fear of death.

Crazy charge again and again.

Although the combat effectiveness of Hechun's Jiangnan camp was even worse, at this time, they knew there was no way out.

If Changzhou is lost, the court will never spare him and Chun.

Therefore, he could only fight to the end.

The battle situation was extremely anxious for the first time.

but……

Faced with this scene, He Chun can still bear it to the end.

He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, was frightened.

Facing the rebellious army who was not afraid of death, and facing the extremely tragic battle situation, he was trembling all over.

at last!

When the Taiping Army once again attacked the city, He Guiqing collapsed.

He led his direct army and fled from the east gate.

The supreme commander of this battlefield fled.

Although it happened about two years earlier than in history, he still abandoned the city and fled at the critical moment, just as history showed.

The Qing army, which was originally fighting desperately, ran away when they saw their coach He Guiqing.

Suddenly, morale collapsed!

The remaining armies also fled.

He Chun, the head coach of Jiangnan Camp, looked at the direction in which He Guiqing was escaping and cursed loudly.

ordinary man!

ordinary man!

Then, the city of Changzhou was destroyed!

Jiangnan Camp coach He Chun was killed!

................................................

A few days later!

Eight hundred miles to rush to Beijing.

Changzhou fell and He Chun died in battle.

Move against Shi Dakai, gather the army, and march towards Wuxi and Suzhou!

Wuxi and Suzhou are in danger!

After this battle report came.

The emperor is like mourning his heir.

A terrible silence fell.

The armies of Guiliang, Ronglu, and Shengbao have almost been assembled.

It's time to head south.

But...it's too late.

The canal was occupied, and these three armies had no navy. They had to go overland before they reached Jiangsu.

By then, Wuxi and Suzhou will probably fall.

Once these two places fall...

unimaginable.

The only one who can save Suzhou and Wuxi now is Su Yi's army.

That army was said to be the most capable army in the Qing Dynasty.

The emperor didn't say anything, just abandoned a dozen important ministers and left Sanxi Hall.

He moved to the harem.

When he came to the queen's side, he gently picked up the eldest prince Zai Chun.

At this time, the eldest prince was already three years old.

The emperor held the eldest prince in his arms and strolled to Concubine Yi's palace.

Concubine Yi reviewed the memorial, so of course she knew what happened.

With a pale face, she knelt down and said, "I, my concubine, come to see the emperor."

Emperor Xianfeng smiled and said: "What's wrong? I don't know how to eat people?"

Then, he teased his son with a smile.

Zai Chun had never seen this Huang Ama so close to him, and he burst out laughing.

It lasted more than half an hour.

The emperor put away his smile and said to Zai Chun: "Brother, I will tell you something, you must remember it."

Zai Chun said: "Khan Amma said, said..."

The emperor said: "Su Yi is the most treacherous official and the most rebellious official in our Qing Dynasty!"

Then, he handed Zai Chun to Concubine Yi.

Walk back into Sanxi Hall again.

When more than a dozen important ministers saw the emperor returning, they immediately knelt on the ground.

"Sushun, Duanhua, Zaiyuan, Duhan and Kuangyuan stay."

"Everyone who is left, get out!"

After hearing the emperor's words, a dozen important ministers all left.

Those left behind are the emperor’s absolute confidants.

The emperor said slowly: "Before this, both Su Yi and I have room for relaxation. Even if we demote him to Luan Yi Guard, as long as he behaves better, we will still use him in the future."

"Now there is no room for anything, it's a complete break."

The emperor's voice was calm.

Then, he still said calmly: You promise me that you will help me get rid of him in the future. "

Several people trembled.

Du Han said: "I promise that I will help the emperor get rid of Su Yi from now on."

Duan Hua said: "I promise."

Zaiyuan said: "I promise."

The emperor said: "Then go and find Su Yi!"

"Ask him to rescue Wuxi, and ask him to rescue Suzhou!"

"Whatever conditions he has, just tell him!"

"If you want any official position, just ask for it!"

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Note: The first update is sent, and it happened to be written at ten o'clock in the morning! Can you please continue to give me your benefactor’s monthly ticket? Thank you very much.

The pastry went to sleep and continued to code after waking up.

(End of this chapter)