Tuqing: My first love was Cixi

Chapter 244 New massacre! The Queen Mother is pregnant! A battle of life and death

After hearing Su Ye's words, Queen Mother Ci'an's expression changed, and she even forgot that Su Ye held her hand.

After a long while, she said tremblingly: "Su Yi, what do you mean, if the Ai family doesn't listen to you, the Qing Dynasty will fall, right?"

Su Yi said slowly: "Empress Dowager, I will not hide anything from you. This time I led three divisions of the newly-built Imperial Army to fight the rebellion southward. The first purpose must be to regain the lost territory, but there is also another purpose, which is to eliminate the influence of this army. "

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "I'm afraid you want this army to completely return to its heart, your heart."

After saying that, she pulled her hand back hard.

Su Yi said: "You can also say that."

Then, Su Yi said: "Queen Mother, you should know how important the new army of these three divisions is. This is the new foundation of the Qing Dynasty and the seed of hundreds of thousands of armies in the future."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Of course I know."

Su Yi said: "Then do you know how serious the opposition between the Manchus and the Han in this army is? I completely mixed them together, but they are still distinct and even hostile to each other."

"As for the coach, I will decide again."

"The Queen Mother thinks that the victory rate is higher if I lead the troops south to quell the rebellion, or if the monk king and the victory guarantee are more likely to win?"

Empress Dowager Cixi said coldly: "It's ridiculous, absolutely impossible."

Duan Hua said: "To inform the Queen Mother, the Russian minister refused to negotiate. He said that the Qing Dynasty must first show sincerity and remove the current prime minister as a prerequisite, otherwise there will be no negotiation."

Empress Dowager Ci'an thought for a while and said: "Negotiate first, then negotiate terms."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "The Ai family neither approves nor disapproves."

Next, Sushun brought up the old matter again and said again: "The Queen Mother, the war situation in the south is in danger. Please make up your mind early and send your important ministers to lead the army south to put down the rebellion."

Su Yi said slowly: "I want to lead these 30,000 army troops south to quell the rebellion because I want them to return home. Then if these Eight Banners princes want Monk King and Shengbao to lead their troops south to quell the rebellion, why don't they want to completely master this An army.”

It's just that she doesn't want to come out and go against Su Yi and Empress Dowager Cixi.

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "So, they mean to bring the Han people in the army into the Eight Banners."

He will never resign as Prime Minister.

Tian Yugong once again came out and said: "I recommend Master Su Yi to lead the army south to put down the rebellion."

But at the court meeting, Empress Dowager Ci'an still had not made a decision.

Duan Hua said: "Empress Dowager, time belongs to Russia, not to our Qing Dynasty. The Russian army has occupied Aihun City, and will then move south like a tide, and the entire Heilongjiang will be in danger. The longer we delay, The more the northern side has fallen, the military situation is on fire, so it’s no time to delay.”

Sushun, Duanhua, Zaiyuan, Zai Ling and others are full of expectations.

In the capital, the Queen Mother was hesitant.

After all, it is the Niu Hulu family, and it is a common Manchu surname after all.

But Su Yi turned a deaf ear.

This... is actually approval.

At court the next day.

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

Everyone's eyes looked at Su Yi again.

Su Yi fell into silence for a while and asked, "Does the Queen Mother also agree to do this?"

Empress Dowager Ci'an looked at Su Yi.

Su Ye said: "Empress Dowager, the military situation is urgent."

What I think about from the bottom of my heart is the world of the Eight Banners and the world of Manchuria.

"The slave recommended King Monk and Shengbao to lead the army south to put down the rebellion."

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

"And the most important point is, when leading an army to counter a rebellion, the first priority is whether it can win the battle and whether it can annihilate the rebels?"

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "That's because they want to maintain the identity of the Eight Banners and are not willing to be assimilated."

Empress Dowager Cixi held her forehead with her hand, and her inner thoughts were shaken again.

After a long while, Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "You, please step aside first, and I will think about it later."

"They are worried that I will send the bannermen in this army as cannon fodder and destroy them completely. So I would like to ask, if the bannerman prince leads this army to go south to suppress the rebellion, will the Han soldiers inside be used as cannon fodder? Go up and die?"

"Duanhua, how was your talk with the Russian Minister last night?" Queen Mother Ci'an asked.

"The decree is sent directly to all the armies, and the army in Tianjin is ready to go south to fight at any time."

Because Empress Dowager Ci'an told them yesterday that they would definitely give an answer today.

In the end, Empress Dowager Ci'an still could not make up her mind.

Su Yi said: "Is this how the confrontation will continue? This time more than 30,000 people are fighting like this. Will the 300,000 people still be fighting like this in the future? How many people do we have in total? In the future, there will be 300,000 and 500,000 army soldiers. How many people can the bannermen occupy?"

She had already made a decision, but she wavered again.

"In this aspect of character, does the Queen Mother trust me, or does she trust Seng Gelinqin and Shengbao more?"

"Instruct the Mongolian cavalry to assemble towards the capital one after another."

The three army divisions in Tianjin are still undergoing arduous training.

In fact, he trained harder than usual.

However, it is also more confrontational.

There are more than 30,000 troops, most of which are Han Chinese and the smaller half are bannermen.

The wills of both sides have fallen into absolute opposition.

There is even no room for sitting on the fence.

All the Han soldiers firmly believed that Su Ye should lead the army south to quell the rebellion.

All the bannermen firmly believed that Monk Wang and Shengbao should lead their troops south to quell the rebellion.

To be honest, after several months of military training, many bannermen admired Su Yi in their hearts.

Because Su Yi's daily classes helped them broaden their horizons and gave them new cognitions.

However, individuals cannot violate the will of the group.

Especially when the will of this group has risen to the political correctness of the Qing Dynasty.

Almost every bannerman feels that he is the firebrand of the Eight Banners.

No one can betray his own class.

Supporting Monk King and Shengbao's troops is to defend the Eight Banners and the Qing Dynasty.

None of them had a choice.

In fact, Su Yi understood this sentiment, because even when the Manchu Qing Dynasty was about to perish, there were still some Eight Banners elites fighting for it, trying hard to promote a constitutional monarchy that was in the interests of the Manchu people, and they suffered assassinations again and again. Be persistent.

The Eight Banners is the belief of this group of people.

What Su Yi wants to do is to completely shatter their belief.

And the voices of the more than 30,000 army seeds in Tianjin continue to reach the capital.

The queen mother of the two palaces had a headache.

There is already such opposition within the same army.

So what should we do in the future?

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

"Ideology is retreating, Prime Minister Su." Zuo Zongtang said.

He is very receptive to new terms.

Tian Yugong said: "Yes, we are retreating. In the past, among the more than 30,000 new-style armies, there were still a small number of bannermen who supported the commander-in-chief. But now they have completely unified their stance, and they have completely fallen into the confrontation between Manchu and Han."

Su Yi said: "This is inevitable. The will of the group will coerce the will of the individual."

Tian Yugong said: "In this case, what should we do?"

Su Yi said: "The small-scale Manchu-Han antagonism now is better than the large-scale Manchu-Han antagonism in the future. If it is resolved now, there will be no big split in the future."

Tian Yugong said: "So, what do you mean?"

Su Yi said: "Since complete confrontation is completely inevitable, let's speed up all this and make this confrontation more intense."

Zuo Zongtang couldn't help but get excited, it was so fun to work with Su Yi.

Invincible courage.

When many leaders encounter difficulties, they instinctively want to hide, want to compromise, want to be vague, and desperately want to suppress the conflict.

But Su Yi wanted to solve it completely.

Su Yi said: "Shiqing."

Wang Shiqing stepped forward and bowed: "My subordinate is here."

Su Yi said: "You are the Han army with a yellow flag, right?"

Wang Shiqing said: "Yes, my subordinates have raised the flag three times, and now it is considered a yellow flag."

Su Yi said: "Now that the world is in chaos, the Eight Banners princes and ministers in the imperial court all blame me, thinking that it was my dismantling of the Eight Banners that caused the country to be in turmoil. So they want to take the opportunity to seize power and liquidate us."

"Having Seng Gelinqin and Shengbao lead their troops south to suppress the rebellion is only the first step."

"They led the army south, and the Hunan army fully cooperated to fight several great victories and recover the lost territory in southern Sunan. Then they led the army in triumph, entered the DPRK, seized power, and liquidated us."

Zuo Zongtang said: "They want to liquidate not only Master Su Yi, but also the Queen Mother to the west."

Su Yi said: "After all this is completed, they will carry the Han soldiers of the Empire's New Army into the Eight Banners. The Empire's New Army will become the new Eight Banners Army, and they will complete a complete restoration."

There is no doubt that almost all the Eight Banners princes and ministers think so.

Of course no one wants this world to be in chaos, but for them, it is also a rare opportunity to counterattack and liquidate.

Su Yi said: "If that's the case, then let's completely put an end to their thoughts."

"Shiqing, when I go to court tomorrow, I will voluntarily withdraw from all banners in front of the civil and military officials of the court."

Wang Shiqing said: "Yes!"

Zuo Zongtang couldn't help but tremble slightly and said: "Xiang Su, do you mean that all bannermen of the Imperial Army will withdraw from the banner in the future?"

Su Yi said: "Yes."

"Now that they are completely opposed and their positions are clear, it is better to take advantage of this crisis to pave the way for the next wave of reforms."

Chongen, Tian Yugong, and Zuo Zongtang all felt numb.

Su Yi's toughness is really unimaginable.

Now that the world is in chaos, it is when the center is at its weakest, and it is also when Su Yi is at her weakest.

Not only did he not retreat, he also wanted to continue his political offensive.

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

Court the next day!

The Eight Banners princes faction launched another attack.

Of course, still no names were mentioned.

Military reports from Heilongjiang came again, saying that the Russian army continued to move south after resting in Aihui for two days.

Other areas of Heilongjiang are in danger.

The Heilongjiang general wept for help.

Duan Hua once again said that the Russian minister refused to negotiate.

Unless the prime minister is dismissed, he will never come to the negotiating table.

The military situation is on fire and Liaodong is in danger. Please make a decision immediately.

Empress Dowager Ci'an looked at Su Yi, and Manchao Wenwu looked at Su Yi.

However, Su Yi still had no intention of resigning as Prime Minister.

Instead, Wang Shiqing came out.

At this time, Wang Shiqing was already a Viscount of the Qing Dynasty, and also had the rank of general military officer of Tianjin Town.

"I, Wang Shiqing, have my roots!"

The empress dowagers of the two palaces were slightly startled.

Wang Shiqing, what do you have at this time?

Wang Shiqing said: "I have made a small contribution. The late Emperor raised his flag several times. He first entered the Han Army of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, then carried it to the Han Army's white flag, and finally carried it to the Han Army's yellow flag. I accidentally became frightened and wanted to withdraw from all flags. Please give me the Queen Mother’s approval.”

As soon as these words came out, everyone's heads roared.

This... what does this mean?
Don’t you know that there are many positions in the imperial court that only bannermen can hold?

How high is the status of the yellow flag? You, Wang Shiqing, want to quit completely?
The most important thing is, Su Yi, what signal is this?
Isn't it enough that you abolished the Eight Banners Army? Do those who join the Imperial Army in the future have to withdraw from all flag status?

Are you blowing the wind?
If you are at your strongest, it doesn't matter if the wind blows.

Now is your most vulnerable time, the world is in chaos, and your central position is not stable.

There was silence.

Wang Shiqing once again shouted: "Please withdraw from all banners and ask for the Queen Mother's permission."

Finally, Duan Hua, a member of the clan, shouted loudly: "Let him retreat, let him retreat!"

"Since the founding of the Qing Dynasty, how many Han people have carried the yellow flag? I don't know how many people want such an honor to honor their ancestors. How can they rush to give it away?"

"Make him retreat!"

All the princes and ministers present were filled with indignation.

The yellow flag is so noble, should it be discarded like worn-out shoes?

Empress Dowager Cixi said slowly: "Wang Shiqing, you have to think about it."

Wang Shiqing said: "I have thought about it carefully."

Empress Dowager Cixi said: "In that case, let's take a look. Duanhua, as well as the flag owner with the yellow flag, please cross out Wang Shiqing's name from the flag book."

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

Duanhua, Sushun, Zaiyuan and others met with Guiliang.

"The current posture is very clear. The Russians will not withdraw their troops or negotiate unless the Queen Mother removes Su Yi as Prime Minister." Duan Hua said: "But the Queen Mother is unwilling to tear her face and remove Su Yi, and Su Yi is very thick-skinned. He was unwilling to take the initiative to resign, so the situation was stuck there.”

"Now that the Russians continue to move south, if there is no negotiation, the entire Heilongjiang will be lost."

"Therefore, Su Yi must resign as Prime Minister."

Then, Duanhua looked at Guiliang.

"Guizhongtang, you are the pillar of our Eight Banners and a veteran of three dynasties. Now is the most critical moment to overthrow Su Yi, and you always have to support him."

Guiliang said tremblingly: "That's right, do you want me to resign?"

Duan Hua said: "Yes, there are three prime ministers in total, Su Yi, you, and Wen Xiang."

"As long as you and Wen Xiang take the initiative to resign, then only Su Yi will be left in the entire Prime Minister's Office. He will be unable to support himself without a fig leaf. He can't bear it without resigning."

Gui Liang said: "Once you resign, you can force Su Yi, but it will also mean the failure of the Prime Minister's Yamen."

Duan Hua said: "Isn't it failure enough? There is still a confrontation at the mouth of the Yangtze River, and the Russians have already occupied the entire Heilongjiang. Isn't this the negligence of the Prime Minister's Yamen?"

Guiliang closed his eyes in pain and said: "We were all fine and harmonious before, why did it suddenly become like this? Have we become tit-for-tat again?"

Duan Hua said: "We also want to be in harmony. He wants to enter the center. Not only do we not stop him, but we also fully cooperate. But what has he done? He wants to destroy the roots of the Eight Banners. Are we people going to sit back and watch? He Cut off our roots.”

"We thought he was very capable and might be able to lead the Qing Dynasty to ZTE. We also have great expectations for him."

"What's the result? He didn't lead the Qing Dynasty towards ZTE, but instead took the lead first?"

"There is no such rebellious son in the clan. Therefore, the late emperor really has a sharp eye. He is a traitor and a traitor."

To Duan Hua and others, Su Yi's move was indeed no different from self-castration.

Guiliang said: "Prince Zheng, please think carefully. There is no turning back. Once you ask me to resign as Prime Minister, I will force Su Yi to step down. Then the harmony that has been maintained for more than half a year will be completely broken."

Duan Hua said: "When they massacred the Eight Banners soldiers, they already took the initiative to break up with us."

"When they asked Wang Shiqing to withdraw from the flag yesterday, he already took the initiative to break up with him."

Guiliang said: "Well, then I understand, and I will do it."

Duan Hua said: "Master Guiliang, you are indeed the pillar of our Qing Dynasty. Wen Xiang, please give me some advice."

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

Guiliang found another prime minister, Wen Xiang.

"Bochuan, I will formally resign as Prime Minister in the court tomorrow." Gui Liang said.

Wen Xiang's expression suddenly changed.

Is this... is this going to start again?
Wen Xiang trembled: "Gui Zhongtang, do you know that your resignation as Prime Minister is a signal to officially launch an attack on Su Yi. This is the beginning of the party struggle. Once it starts, it cannot be stopped."

Guiliang said: "Of course I... know it, but I have no choice."

"I am also a banner man. I am a veteran of the Three Dynasties. I can't just watch the Eight Banners be destroyed."

"Bochuan, you are also a member of the Eight Banners."

Wen Xiang said: "What does Guizhongtang mean by asking me to take the initiative to resign?"

Guiliang said: "Yes."

"Next, they will probably call you to talk."

"At that time, we will completely stand in line."

Wen Xiang felt cold all over his body and his scalp was numb.

Stand in line.

Since ancient times, taking sides has been the most terrifying thing.

Once you take the wrong side, you will lose not only your political status, but also your wealth and life.

Next, Duan Hua, Zai Yuan, Zai Ling and others summoned Wen Xiang and Hua Shana.

There is only one core appeal.

Let Wenxiang and Huashana also take the initiative to resign.

Once this happens, Su Yi will be left as the bare commander of the entire Prime Minister's Yamen, and he will no longer be able to hold a high position.

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

Court the next day.

Heilongjiang General Mansion's six hundred miles rushed to enter the palace again.

The Russian army again moved thirty miles south and captured two more forts.

The Heilongjiang General Mansion once again asked for help.

Duan Hua once again reported to the empress dowagers of the two palaces that the Russian minister still refused to negotiate unless the prime minister was dismissed.

Then, Prime Minister Guiliang reported: "Reporting to the Queen Mother, I have not made any achievements while serving as Prime Minister. I sincerely request to resign as Prime Minister and ask the Queen Mother of the two palaces for permission."

As soon as these words came out.

Everyone could clearly feel the shattering sound.

The tacit understanding at the center that had been maintained for almost a year was finally completely shattered.

The princes and ministers of the Eight Banners finally launched the first attack on Su Yi.

Immediately afterwards, Hua Shana, the Assistant Minister of the Prime Minister's Yamen, said to the Queen Mother of the two palaces: "The Queen Mother, I also formally resign from the position of Assistant Minister of the Prime Minister's Yamen. Please give me your permission."

Another blow.

Then, everyone looked at Wen Xiang.

Another prime minister.

At this time, Wen Xiang was caught in a real life and death decision.

He closed his eyes in pain.

Yesterday, Guiliang talked to him, and then Duanhua and others talked to him again.

Finally, he went to see Su Yi, and the two chatted for a long time.

At that time Wen Xiang asked: "Sir Su Yi, you asked Wang Shiqing to withdraw from the flag yesterday. Does this mean that in the future, all banner men in the Imperial Army will also completely withdraw from the flag?"

Su Yi said: "Yes."

Wen Xiang asked again: "The next step, will the flag affairs also have to be completely reformed? Not only will there be no Eight Banners army, but there will even be no bannermen? There will be no Eight Banners at all?"

Su Yi said: "Yes."

At that time, Wen Xiang's whole head was almost about to explode.

Su Xiang, Su Yi’s elder brother.

You, do you have any grudge against the bannermen?
You are also a bannerman, and you are also a clan member.

But is it to completely destroy the Eight Banners?

After a long while, Wen Xiang asked: "Excuse me, why?"

Su Yi said slowly: "If you take the initiative to change, there is still a way to survive. Once someone forces you to change, it will be too late, and there will be no way to survive."

Then, Su Yi didn't say anything else.

There was no official appointment or any wish, nor was there even any persuasion to him.

And now, he must be forced to make a choice.

Put aside all distractions and consider two questions.

Will Su Yi win?
Is what Su Yi did right?
Wen Xiang has thought about these two questions countless times. But the more I thought about it, the more confused I became, and I couldn't even get any answers at all.

In the end I have been struggling until now, unable to make a choice.

Although his eyes were closed at this time, he could still feel all eyes staring at him.

They were all waiting for him to resign as Prime Minister, leaving Su Yi with a polished commander.

Seeing that he didn't respond for a long time, Duanhua said: "Wen Xiang, how have you been doing the Prime Minister's Yamen's errands in the past year?"

This is a public reminder and forcing.

If you don't do a good job, then you can take the initiative to resign. After all, you are still the Minister of Military and Aircraft.

Until the last moment, Wen Xiang had not made a decision.

But, now that I have been pushed into a corner, I must speak. Wen Xiang came out and said almost to himself: "Reporting to the Queen Mother, I feel that the performance of the Prime Minister's Yamen is lacking, but overall, it is not bad."

As soon as these words came out, everyone was in an uproar.

Wenxiang, what do you mean?
Don't you know that if you don't resign, you will be siding with Su Yi?
Are you trying to make an enemy of the entire Eight Banners?

Even Wen Xiang himself didn't know why he blurted out like this, but at the end of the day, he said it like this.

Duan Hua said coldly: "You did a good job? Do you still have the nerve to say you did a good job?"

"The battle clouds are gathering at the mouth of the Yangtze River. The Russian army has already entered Heilongjiang for hundreds of miles. The land of Longxing of our ancestors is about to be lost. How can you still have the nerve to say that you have done a good job?"

Then, Duan Hua said: "Empress Dowager, please remove Wen Xiang from the position of Prime Minister."

Empress Dowager Ci'an once again fell into uneasiness.

She watched helplessly as the center of the court deteriorated step by step.

The two factions are confronting each other step by step.

The struggle escalated step by step.

Empress Dowager Cixi made a decisive decision: "Retreat!"

Then, the meeting broke up unhappy again.

This is the second time that the Yehenala clan has forcibly dispersed the dynasty.

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

After returning to Changchun Palace.

Yehenala said angrily: "Incompetent, incompetent, incompetent!"

"She bears most of the responsibility for the court getting into such a fierce fight."

"It was her ambiguity, her lack of firmness, that plunged the court into division and strife."

"As long as he is firmer and stands on the same path as me, how can those Eight Banners princes dare to rebel?"

Su Yi gently held her in his arms.

"For her to be so incompetent and yet occupy the position of the main palace is simply a huge disaster."

Then, Yehenala looked at Su Yi and said: "Su Yi, she is drifting away from us. She is Niu Hulu, and she does not agree with what you are doing from the bottom of her heart. He is the main palace, and the emperor Secret decree, the emperor is also in her hands. If she officially opposes us, we will not be able to defeat her unless she launches a mutiny. "

"But now the world is in chaos, and whoever launches a mutiny will be the public enemy of the world."

"Otherwise, let's go back to the south. Can you take me back to the south?"

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

On the other side, Sushun, Duanhua, Zaiyuan and Zailing were also persecuting the Empress Dowager Ci'an.

"The Queen Mother, how long will you continue to be vague?"

"Is it so difficult to make a decision?"

"You don't want to offend either side, so are you just dragging it out day by day, waiting for the situation to get worse day by day?"

"The military situation is like a fire and waits for no one."

"How long are you going to delay until the Russian army enters the capital? Until the moment when millions of rebels besiege the capital?"

Sushun and Duanhua almost roared.

This niece, the Queen Mother, kept delaying and delaying.

Still can't make a decision.

The decision to remove Prime Minister Su Yi cannot be made.

I still can't decide who to send to lead the army south to quell the rebellion.

Empress Dowager Ci'an's eyes were red and she almost cried from being scolded.

But she also knew clearly in her heart that she really couldn't delay it any longer. No matter what, she had to make a decision.

"I know, I know." Empress Dowager Ci'an said tremblingly: "Now you go out and let the Ai family be quiet for a while."

Sushun, Duanhua and others were unwilling to leave.

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Are you going to force me to death?"

Duanhua bowed and said: "Empress Dowager, we are a family. We are all your biological uncles. Is this decision so difficult to make? Our ancestors have handed over the country and the country into your hands. Do you just watch it? Corruption?"

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "I understand, and I will issue an order tomorrow!"

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

Vladivostok!
The massacre was almost complete, not even 10,000 people, but several thousand people were killed.

Ordinarily, the mission is over now.

However, Viscount Jurgen felt that he still had unfinished business.

We have already achieved this, so is there no difference if we go further?
Can the massacre continue next?

Continue north along the sea of ​​​​Okhorsk, reach the Tatar Strait, and then enter the waters of Heilongjiang to kill Hailan Pao?

Compared to Vladivostok, Hailanpao is more important at this time.

Moreover, Hailanpao and Aihun City face each other across the river and are the absolute core bases of the Tsarist Russian army in the Far East.

But there is also a huge risk in doing so.

First of all, Hailanpao is a stronghold of the Russian army, and the defense will be very strong. Once Hailanpao is attacked, it will cause a violent diplomatic incident.

Secondly, the weather is getting colder and colder. Not only will the Sea of ​​Okhosk enter the freezing period, but the Heilongjiang River Basin will also freeze.

Once it really freezes, his pirate fleet will not be able to evacuate.

Next, he asked his guide to ask about the freezing date in Heilongjiang.

"It usually freezes in November, and there are freezes as early as October."

Viscount Jurgen asked: "Is this your lunar calendar?"

The guide said: "Of course it's the lunar calendar."

This is still very risky. Based on this calculation, this sea area, as well as the Heilongjiang River Basin, will enter the ice-free period, ranging from about one month to two months.

Next, Viscount Jurgen began to recruit many pirate leaders to discuss.

Do you want to continue killing?
And inform them of all risks.

result……

The pirates were so excited that they shouted: "Kill, kill, kill!"

"But, you have to pay more!"

This group of people killed like crazy, and they had never had enough killing in Vladivostok.

Viscount Jurgen stood on the deck, sticking out his tongue and feeling the north wind.

It was finally decided that the entire fleet would continue heading north to the Tartar Strait, waiting for an opportunity to enter Heilongjiang and attack Hailanpao, the important Russian town.

Following an order, this crazy pirate led a powerful pirate fleet and continued northward.

Sailing two thousand kilometers to the Tartar Strait and entering Heilongjiang in the cold north wind.

The fleet then sailed upstream.

A few days later, this powerful fleet reached Hailan Pao.

Along the way, we encountered countless Russian ships.

See one and sink one.

At this time, the Russian governor of Eastern Siberia was even in Hailanpao, directly commanding the attack on Heilongjiang.

And then, in utter disbelief.

An extremely powerful pirate fleet appeared on the wide surface of Heilongjiang.

This... there is actually a fleet appearing here?

Such a huge fleet?
What followed was no declaration of war.

This powerful pirate fleet opened fire crazily at Hailanpao's Russian castle.

A new round of artillery massacre began.

"Boom boom boom boom..."

For a moment, not only Hailanpao's Russian army was stunned.

Even the Russian troops here in Aihui City couldn't believe it.

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

The next day, the court in the capital!
Empress Dowager Ci'an finally has to make the final decision.

Last night, she summoned Su Yi again and asked him to voluntarily resign as Prime Minister, while the Minister of Political Affairs and the Minister of War would remain.

And Su Yi refused again.

However, just when the Great Court Meeting had just begun.

Three six hundred mile rushes in a row.

"Six hundred miles urgent. Li Hongzhang, the governor of Jiangsu, reported that he has repelled the attack on Songjiang Prefecture five times and requested the imperial court to send troops to support immediately."

The second 600 miles is expedited.

"Shi Dakai led the rebel army and captured Jiaxing."

The third 600-mile expedited: "Chen Yucheng led the rebel army to capture Huzhou."

Wang Youling, the governor of Zhejiang, reported that after the rebel army captured the two cities, they reunited again and continued southward to attack Hangzhou.

The city of Hangzhou is in danger.

After three 600-mile journeys, the court hall fell into deathly silence.

Everyone stared at Su Yi.

Because Zhejiang is his territory.

The main force of the rebellion finally abandoned Shanghai and Songjiang and turned around to attack Zhejiang.

Lin Qirong's troops resolutely attacked Songjiang and Shanghai, but because of insufficient troops, they were no match for Li Hongzhang's Hunan Army and the Foreign Gun Corps, and were repulsed several times.

After Shi Dakai and Chen Yucheng attacked Songjiang and Shanghai slightly, they finally decided to attack Su Yi's territory.

Jiaxing fell and Huzhou fell.

Hangzhou is in danger.

Once Hangzhou falls, it means that the most elite area and the core economic center of Zhejiang will be lost.

Faced with this situation, the most proud people should be Shi Dakai, Chen Yucheng, and Zeng Guofan.

The soldiers who rebelled against the army finally left the territory of the Hunan Army and entered Zhejiang.

Just as Empress Dowager Ci'an was about to speak, Su Yi suddenly raised her hand.

"Stop talking, don't say anything." Su Yi said slowly.

"Don't say anything about asking Wen Xiang and me to resign as Prime Minister in order to negotiate with the Russians and get the Russians to withdraw their troops."

"The Russians will be withdrawing soon, very soon."

"Of course, the Russians are not important for the time being."

"The core crisis lies at the center of the imperial court."

"In order to compete for military power, there was a constant struggle, and the queen mothers of the two palaces were unable to make decisions. In the end, they kept delaying and delaying, and the situation worsened, leading to the fall of Jiaxing and Huzhou, and Hangzhou was also in danger."

"Yantai probably also fell, and Jinan also fell."

Su Yi said: "There is no need to fight for military power. Tianjin's new army of more than 30,000 people will be directly divided into two parts."

"You don't have to worry about me fighting for the banner army."

"I will take away the 32,000-strong army and the 17,000-strong Han army. The 15,000-strong banner army will be handed over to Seng Gelinqin and Shengbao."

"I will lead 25,000 people to Jiangsu and Zhejiang to wipe out the 200,000 rebel army."

"Seng Gelinqin, if I win, you will lead your army to Shandong to deal with the Nian army and recover Jinan and Yantai."

"It's settled, there's no need to discuss it."

After Su Yi finished speaking, the whole place was still silent.

Then, Su Yi said to Sushun, Duanhua and others: "Prince Zheng, Su Zhongtang, is this okay?"

His words were an understatement.

However, everyone has already heard the murderous intention.

This war is not only about recovering the mountains and rivers, but also about destroying the rebellious army.

The most important thing is to decide life and death in the court.

Su Yi's strategy promoted a large-scale reform and launched a war, causing enemies to pop up like leeks.

Victory in war, killing political enemies.

Kill them in waves.

In the end, justice comes from heaven.

Duan Hua said: "If Seng Gelinqin and Shengbao win, it will prove that our bannermen are still brave and invincible, and the new army in the future will still be named the Eight Banners."

Su Yi waved her hand and said, "Don't say anything. Don't say anything."

Yes, there is nothing to say.

This battle not only differentiates between superior and inferior, but also determines life and death.

If Su Yi loses, he will fall directly and all reforms will be overturned. The best result is to leave the capital and return to Jiujiang.

At that time, you can restore it however you want.

But if Su Yi wins, Seng Gelinqin and Shengbao lose.

Let alone restoration, the lives of several of you will not be saved.

After a while, Sushun came out and said: "I second the proposal."

Duan Hua came out and said, "I second the proposal."

Tian Yugong said: "I second the proposal."

Zuo Zongtang said: "I second my opinion."

Both factions have reached a consensus and decided to use this method to determine the outcome.

The queen mothers of the two palaces no longer have to make difficult choices.

Empress Dowager Cixi said to Empress Dowager Ci'an: "Just leave it like this."

Empress Dowager Ci'an remained silent.

Then, the Empress Dowager Cixi said: "Draw up the decree and appoint Su Yi as the general to conquer the south. He will lead a large army and go south to Jiangsu and Zhejiang to quell the rebellion and wipe out the rebellion."

"Seng Gelinqin and Shengbao were appointed as the deputy generals to conquer the east. They led the army to Shandong, wiped out the Nian bandits, and recovered Yantai, Jinan and other places."

Su Yi stepped forward and said, "I obey your order."

Seng Gelinqin and Shengbao came out and said: "I obey the order."

"Let's disperse." Empress Dowager Cixi said.

The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty left the court neatly.

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

Su Yi went to Changchun Palace.

Sushun, Duanhua, Zaiyuan and others went to Zhongcui Palace.

Empress Dowager Ci'an's face turned pale and she said, "Yes, is it because I am incompetent? Let the situation evolve to this point?"

"Let the Manchus and Han people be completely opposed. They are obviously the same army, but they have to be forcibly torn apart and divided into Han people and bannermen."

Duan Hua said: "Empress Dowager, there is nothing wrong with this situation. This situation is the most beneficial to us."

"In addition to the 15,000 newly trained army troops of Seng Gelinqin and Shengbao, there are also Mongolian cavalry, as well as the Green Camp of Zhili Shandong, and the Eight Banners Army, which adds up to a total of 70,000 to 80,000 troops. And the Nian bandits in Shandong It’s said to be 150,000, but at best it’s less than 100,000.”

"We have a very, very good chance of winning this battle."

"As for Su Yi, he led an army of 25,000 people to go south. Adding in his 10,000 people in Jiujiang, plus Wang Youling's 20,000 people in Zhejiang, it is only an army of 60,000 people at best, but they have to face the rebellious forces. Two hundred thousand troops.”

"On our side, we only need to recapture Jinan and Yantai, and at most we need to defend Kaifeng, and we will be considered a winner."

"As for Su Yi, we need to defend Hangzhou, defend Shanghai, and recover Jiaxing, Huzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou, Suzhou and other places."

"His battle is much more difficult than ours. As long as we win faster, this round will be considered a win."

"At that time, we will restore the Eight Banners and restore the ancestral homeland. Su Yi will no longer be able to show his face at the center of the court, and can only return to Jiujiang in despair."

"In this way, we have achieved a great victory, and all this is due to the Queen Mother."

Empress Dowager Ci'an was in a state of confusion.

Su Yi's words came to mind. As long as there was a slight crack between the two queen mothers, someone would immediately tear the crack apart completely and turn it into complete opposition.

But is this situation what she wants?
Sushun said: "The Queen Mother, the ship is finished, we can only move forward."

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

Over there at Changchun Palace.

This is probably the first time Yehenala has taken such initiative.

Every time before, she tried to refuse but she refused. She obviously wanted it very much, but she kept refusing verbally.

But this time, it was more than just passion.

He also showed amazing endurance, almost to the point of exhaustion from Su Yi.

"If you lose this time and you return to Jiujiang, I, the Queen Mother, will completely lose my power."

"Even, we have to face liquidation."

"The crime of killing so many bannermen will also fall on me."

Yehenala cried and said: "So promise me, once you feel that the war situation is not good, you will immediately have me sent out of the palace, escape from the capital, and send me to Jiujiang, okay?"

Su Yi said: "Okay, but none of this will happen."

Yehenala said: "I am really unwilling to give up. I don't want to leave the capital or the palace."

Ultimately, she is absolutely unwilling to lose power.

"You have to face so many rebellious armies, and the Hunan Army will also rebel against you." Yehenala said: "Can you win?"

Then she clasped her fingers and said.

"You can only have an army of 50,000 or 60,000 at best, but you can rebel by more than 200,000."

"Seng Gelinqin and Shengbao, in order to win this time and keep the Eight Banners, they will definitely do their best to gather an army of 70,000 to 80,000 people. Their enemies in Shandong can only have less than 100,000 Nian troops at most."

"The Nian army's combat effectiveness is not as good as that of Fa Ni."

"So, not only do you have to defeat more than 200,000 rebels, but you also have to be faster than Senggelinqin and Shengbao, and win more beautifully."

"Can?"

Su Yi said: "Yes."

"This battle will not only eliminate the enemies in the court, but also completely eliminate the Manchu-Han antagonism in the army, so that all subsequent bannermen troops can return to their mission."

"This is their last chance to struggle, and they have to be allowed to struggle."

"After struggling, I completely lost, so I resigned myself to my fate."

Yehenala said: "But, I just want to live a peaceful life."

You are also a framer.

But I, Su Yi, don’t want to be this paper framer.

She gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and said tremblingly: "There is one more thing that I am more afraid of."

Su Yi said: "What?"

Yehenala said: "You villain, you bastard, every time I tell you not to get in it, you get in it every time."

"My period hasn't come yet. It's been more than half a month."

Su Yi was stunned and asked, "Is the normal cycle stable?"

Yehenala said: "The difference is no more than four or five days. This time I haven't had my period for more than half a month."

Then, she raised her cold face and said, "You did it on purpose."

"What do you want me to do now?"

"She must be pregnant, she must be pregnant."

"If I really get pregnant, how will I see anyone in the future? I can't even stay in the palace."

"A widowed queen mother, her belly is getting bigger and bigger. Not only can she not keep her power and position, but she may not be able to keep her life."

"When the time comes, a decree from the Queen Mother of the Eastern Palace will sink me directly."

"At this critical moment, you have to go south to fight. You may not be able to win."

Su Yi kissed her and said: "You can win the battle, you can win the battle, and you can win back before your belly gets bigger."

Yehenarashi cried.

"If you can't win, I won't run away to Jiujiang. I'll just find a well and jump down."

"Anyway, it was you who caused me to be like this."

Then, Yehenara held Su Yi's face and said: "My mother is useless, and my two brothers are useless. Su Ye, you are my only support. You are my lifeblood. For us two , you must win too.”

Su Yi said: "Don't worry, we will definitely win!"

A few days later!

Seng Gelinqin and Shengbao led an army of 80,000 people and marched southward to Shandong.

The Manchu and Mongolian tribes devoted everything they had to this decisive battle.

Su Yi led 25,000 men south to Zhejiang to fight against the main force of the Taiping Army.

This battle not only determines victory or defeat, but also determines life and death.

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

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(End of this chapter)