Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 15 Frontier Warfare
Guan Xuqing's illness gradually improved.He resumed teaching and kept up with the imperial court.

On this day, as usual, Guan Xuqing followed Cixi to court.Sitting in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Cixi sat beside her.There are two rows of civil and military ministers standing in the hall.

Hunan patriotic general, 60-year-old Zuo Zongtang stepped forward, Guan Xuqing met him.Full of affection for him!After seeing him salute to Empress Dowager Cixi, Gao.

Said: "If you want to play the Queen Mother."

"Master Zuo, please speak," Cixi said.

"I heard that Xinjiang has been very turbulent recently. The rebel Yaguba has hung the Turkish flag and issued currency in Hotan, Shache, Aksu, Kuqa and other places in Xinjiang, showing signs of treason. In addition, Tsarist Russia has also sent troops to Iraq. The intention is to carve up the northwest." Zuo Zongtang said calmly.

"Who is this Yagubo?" Cixi said.

At this time, Weng Tongsu stepped forward and said: "The Queen Mother, this person is a general of the Kokand Kingdom in Central Asia. He has great ambitions. As early as the third year of Tongzhi, he led troops to invade Xinjiang and established a Muslim kingship in Urumqi, which led to Tsarist Russia occupied Ili by force."

"Li Hongzhang, why have you never mentioned such a big matter to me?" Cixi asked Li Hongzhang angrily.

Li Hongzhang came out and said in embarrassment: "My minister feels that Xinjiang is a land outside of China. It is a vast desert with thousands of miles of bare land and sparsely populated. During the reign of Emperor Qianlong, Xinjiang was pacified and all the power of the whole country was devoted to reclaiming thousands of miles of open land and increasing expenditures by tens of millions. Don't lose. In my opinion, Xinjiang is gone, and the vitality of the body and limbs are not damaged. Taking back Ili will inevitably lead to war with Tsarist Russia, and it is better not to take it back."

Seeing Li Hongzhang's cowardly retreat, Zuo Zongtang couldn't help being angry, glaring at him angrily, and said: "Master Li's words are absurd! The two roads in the north and south of the mountains are rich in grain, melons and fruits are abundant, cattle and sheep are everywhere, and there are herds of horses. Coal, The reserves of iron, gold, silver and jade are extremely rich. Sweaty BMW and Hetian jade are all produced here. The so-called open land of thousands of miles is actually a pot of treasures. In addition, our dynasty Dingding Yandu, Mongolia sanitation of the north, has no beacon for more than a hundred years Because of the police, those in Xinjiang protect Mongolia, and those who protect Mongolia defend the capital. If Xinjiang is not stable, Mongolia will be unstable, and Mongolia will be unstable, and the capital will be in danger! The enemy is advancing. Queen Mother, I think it is imperative to recover Xinjiang. If we don’t shoot a single shot and give up thousands of miles of land, wouldn’t we be the sinners of China!?”

Cixi nodded.

Li Hongzhang retorted: "Our current national strength in the Qing Dynasty is weak, and we can no longer withstand the flames of war. Mr. Zuo's alarmist words must be due to his warlike greed for merit!"

"I'm already in my sixties, how can I be greedy for merit? What I think about is only the land and people of the Qing Dynasty." Zuo Zongtang laughed loudly and stroked his long beard on his chest.

"My lord Zuo defends the country and cares about the people. He is full of passion, and everyone in the court knows it." Weng Tongsu stepped forward and replied.

Guan Xuqing saw it, and admired Zuo Zongtang even more.It's just that I'm a little older, and I don't know how many years I can fight for myself.Alas, I didn't expect my teacher Weng Tongsu to be quite up-to-date!

"Your Majesty Zuo is an old man with a long-term ambition. His spirit is commendable." Cixi said appreciatively, "Master Zuo said well, why should I give up the land of the Qing Dynasty to others. Who wants to go?"

Hey, I didn't expect this old hag to be upright!On the national territory, it does not give an inch! !But thinking about the history, Cixi dared to declare war directly with the eight countries, so it is much easier to understand.This old witch has a much better understanding of political tactics and political means than military affairs.

"The veteran is willing to be a pioneer." Zuo Zongtang replied loudly.

Cixi was excited and worried after hearing this. What was exciting was that someone was willing to lead the army to regain the country.What is worrying is that Zuo Zongtang is a muscle.Giving him too much military power will not do him any good.

"Your Majesty Zuo is old, and the journey to Xinjiang is far away. There is no guarantee of food and lodging, and he has to fight the enemy. I'm afraid," Cixi said after thinking about it.

"Empress Dowager, don't worry too much. Veterans have been soldiers all their lives. Even though Lian Po is old, he can still eat big pieces of meat and drink big bowls of wine. I think that Zhuge Kongming was a weak scholar in the past. To kill the enemy in front of the battle, you have your own strong generals, and the minister only needs to be in command of the central army." Zuo Zongtang said.

"Okay, Mr. Zuo is full of patriotism. You are worthy of being a loyal hero of the Qing Dynasty. Zuo Zongtang, I have granted you the title of imperial envoy. The Mongolian Eight Banners and the Hunan Army are under your control. Supervise Xinjiang military affairs." Cixi said excitedly arrive.

"The minister obeys the order."

Although Guan Xuqing didn't say a word.However, he was quite satisfied with the result. He was completely relieved that the Hunan Army was placed here with Zuo Zongtang.Yongying is Dong Liang's troops again.In this way, nearly 50 troops of the main national defense force of the Qing Dynasty fell into their own hands indirectly. The rest, such as the Manchu Eight Banners, the Han Eight Banners, and the Green Battalion, had hundreds of thousands of troops purely for display, with no actual combat effectiveness at all. ?Not far.There is no practical use for Cixi to hold these troops.Thinking of this, Guan Xuqing showed an imperceptible smile.

In the afternoon, Li Lianying came to Prince Wu's mansion, and the two had a secret conversation in the study. After chatting for a while, Prince Wu said, "Eunuch Li, I heard that the emperor has recovered from his illness?"

"Well, there was no doubt that I would die. I was saved by the eldest princess halfway." Li Lianying said.

"Doesn't the Tai Hospital have our reliable people? Why?" Prince Lu said excitedly.

"Hey, the little emperor's nurse, Cuixi, is by his side all day long. You have to take a sip of any medicine or water first. Lafayette is very concerned. Tell me, who would dare to do anything? The Tai Hospital has given mediocre prescriptions, so that little bastard will be fine on his own." Li Lianying said bitterly.

"I don't believe that my wish will come true. There is no chance at all." Prince Lu said unwillingly.

"What? Can the prince wait any longer?" Li Lianying glanced at him.

Prince Lu snorted coldly, but remained silent.

(End of this chapter)