Early the next morning, Tang Jian was ordered to attend court and participate in the morning court for all civil and military officials. (The sky in Beijing is still a bit cold, especially on a morning like this, when the sky is bright, Tang Jian began to prepare for the court uniform. For Tang Jian, this was the first time he participated in the morning court directly facing the supreme ruler of the Qing Dynasty at this time.

The place for the morning court was Yangxin Hall. Since Cixi ruled behind the curtain, the place where all civil and military officials went to court should be in this hall. Early in the morning, Tang Jian followed a large group of civil and military officials with different ranks to enter the court from Xuanwu Mén.

Most of the civil and military officials are old men in their fifties and sixties, and the younger ones are middle-aged people in their thirties. There are few Beijing officials in their twenties like Tang Jian. Tang Jian seems particularly abrupt among this circle of people.

Fortunately, it didn't take too much time to enter the Forbidden City from Xuanwu Mén, but Tang Jian was still shocked by the luxurious palaces along the way. Although Tang Jian had visited many Forbidden City in later generations, most of them were imitated by later generations. In fact, it was not considered the original appearance of the Forbidden City. When Tang Jian entered the Forbidden City, he discovered what real luxury was and what royal life was.

Gilded glazed bricks and tiles, vermilion red pillars, bronze vermilion birds on both sides of the palace, bronze sculptures, and porcelain, all appearing everywhere, showing the majesty of the royal family.

Soon, hundreds of officials came to the hall of Yangxin Hall to wait. Because the emperor and the empress dowager did not come, the ministers also started chatting, just when did they take a new concubine, and whose yellow parrots could speak. Several other Hanlins were yawning and running noses, and they could tell at a glance that there were too many opium.

Only a few ministers were talking about state affairs. Tang Jian turned around and found that it was Zhang Zhidang, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, and Liu Kunyi, the minister of the South China Sea, and other ministers of the Westernization faction, who were discussing.

Tang Jian sighed inwardly, only a few of the Qing Dynasty ministers were considered to be doing things.

At this time, the eunuch, the manager and eunuch, shouted in a sharp voice: "Empress Dowager, the emperor is here!"

The ministers immediately stopped talking, stood in their own positions, brushed down their sleeves and knelt on the ground, and said in unison: "The Empress Dowager, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old

After Emperor Guangxu sat down, he looked at Cixi behind his eyes. Cixi nodded slightly. Only then did Guangxu say, "All the ministers are calm!"

All the ministers answered: "Thank you the Empress Dowager, thank you Your Majesty for your kindness!"

Then, the ministers stood up together, lined up on both sides, and lowered their heads slightly. Tang Jian sighed in his heart: "This is the morning court of the Qing Dynasty! It is not the same as he imagined." Tang Jian glanced at Guangxu, who was sitting upright on the dragon chaise under the huge plaque "Zhongzheng Renhe".

Emperor Guangxu was younger than the one he believed, with a pretty face, but his face was pale, with a kind of depression in his eyebrows that was not in line with his age, and he was faintly sick.

Alas, being an emperor is really a coward to do this.

Emperor Guangxu glanced at His Highness's ministers and asked, "Do you have something to report?" While speaking, he looked at several ministers from the Censorate.

Several ministers of the Censorate were shocked: "Does the emperor know about those sons who made a fool of themselves?" Although it was the final say that Empress Dowager Cixi had the final say, the emperor still had the power to deal with the affairs of several ministers. At present, several ministers of the Censorate were scared and sweated.

At this time, a person walked out of the queue of ministers on the right and said loudly: "Report to Your Majesty, the old minister has something to report!"

Tang Jian knew that this person was Zhang Zhidiaong, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. Zhang Zhidiaong bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Japanese bully people too much. Invaded our northeast first, creating a tragedy in Lushun. Relying on the newly built fleet, we entered Lushun first, and then fought in Weihai. Although our Qing Dynasty Beiyang Navy fought bloody battles, our combat power was weak and we were defeated by the Japanese fleet. Now we rely on our force to force our Qing Dynasty to sign a contract with him. The East Japan is a small country of Dongyi. It was originally a vassal of our dynasty, but relying on giant ships to invade our Qing Dynasty territory! Now the Beiyang Navy has been lost. I hope Your Majesty will report to rebuild our Qing Dynasty Navy and defend the Qing Dynasty territory!"

Emperor Guangxu also hated Japan. He did not expect that Japan was so arrogant. It was a vassal country, but he dared to invade the Qing Dynasty's sea. What he did not expect was that the Beiyang navy, who had spent countless amounts of money, was wiped out. Guangxu knew that the Qing Dynasty was now in a turbulent situation. As the emperor of this country, he had long shown his might and realized his dream of rejuvenation.

But... Emperor Guangxu sighed in his heart, turned to look at Cixi behind the curtain.

In fact, at this time, Cixi was also angry. The Eastern Japan, which had always bowed to her, dared to violate the power of the Qing Dynasty. Relying on her strong ships and cannons, she easily invaded the Northeast and finally defeated the Beiyang Navy.

Cixi was very angry because Japan beat her birthday, which made her important 60th birthday uneasy. Now, in the contract, they also have to occupy Taiwan and the Liaodong Peninsula. It is still a matter of enduring the past to cede Taiwan, but the Japanese have to cede Liaodong.

Where is Liaodong? It is the place where the Qing Dynasty is prosperous. If Liaodong is gone, the foundation of the Qing Dynasty will be gone. This is how to face the death of Emperor Xianfeng.

Moreover, the civil and military officials in the court knew that they were using the military expenses of the Beiyang Navy to build a garden. The civil and military officials in the court had complaints. Although they were not afraid of what the ministers would do, they could not bear their face. The little Japanese was arrogant and could not swallow his tone.

Cixi originally wanted to say, "The Ai family is approved!" but she didn't say it. She wanted to see more ministers' reactions, so when Guangxu came to ask, Cixi didn't speak.

Seeing that Cixi didn't say anything, Guangxu could only clench his fists secretly, and dense beads of sweat emerged from his forehead.

Zhang Zhidòng was still standing in the distance, waiting for Emperor Guangxu's answer, but for a long time, Emperor Guangxu was still sitting upright on the dragon throne. Some old ministers looked gloating: Do these ignorant Han ministers think that it would be great if they had several factories in their hands?

At this time, another minister came out. It was Liu Kunyi, the minister of Nanyang. Liu Kun took a step forward and said respectfully: "Empress Dowager, the Emperor, the Qing Dynasty has a vast territory. If there are no guards of giant ships, I am afraid that in the future, not only Japan will dare to invade our Qing Dynasty territory, but even the countries affiliated to Nanyang will dare to solve our Qing Dynasty tiger beard! The new navy is imminent, and we must not delay it anymore!"

Some old ministers stared at their eyes and whispered, "Mr. Liu, you are afraid that these words are a bit alarmist. My Qing Dynasty is a country with a great heavenly kingdom, and how dare I move troops easily? If the Empress Dowager is in charge of the government, how can you dare to violate our country's power?"

Liu Kun suddenly knelt down on the ground with a facial expression and said loudly: "Approval to His Majesty the Queen Mother! The establishment of a navy is imminent!"

Zhang Zhidòng also knelt down in the Hall of Yangxin with Liu Kun. Although he had a gap with Liu Kun, the establishment of a navy was related to the stability of the southeast coast and it was urgent.

The ministers of other Westernization factions knelt down on the ground and shouted in unison: "Look at the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty's approval!" Looking at the entire Palace of Yangxin, nearly half of the ministers knelt down on the ground and shouted in unison, including one of the officials, including ministers such as powerful soldiers, including Yuan Shikai, President of the Beiyang New Army.

Emperor Guangxu still clenched his fists tightly. He and I knew what these ministers said, even small Eastern countries dared to invade the territory of the Qing Dynasty. As the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, although he was an emperor without real power, he heard the heartfelt words of several ministers and felt excited and slapped the table.

At this moment, Cixi spoke and coughed lightly: "This matter is approved by the Ai family!"

Emperor Guangxu breathed a sigh of relief, and the ministers who had kneeled down all thanked him.

Cixi said again: "The Ai family is old and tired, so I'll ask you, the younger people, to do these things! We must revitalize the prestige of the Qing Dynasty!"

Liu Kunyi and Zhang Zhidòng kowtowed and thanked him one after another, and some ministers even cried bitterly with emotion.

Cixi said: "The ministers also know that the battle between the Qing Dynasty and Japan was bad for money, and now there are compensations again, and the treasury is empty!"

Zhang Zhidòng had long heard the implicit voice of Cixi and hurriedly said: "The old minister is willing to join forces with the gentry of Jiangnan to donate some silver. In addition, some factories jointly organized by officials and merchants in the Qing Dynasty can also contribute their meager strength to the fresh navy!"

Cixi smiled and said, "That's good, that's good! With you loyal ministers in the Qing Dynasty, there is hope for revival!" Then Cixi asked, "Who will serve as the admiral of the navy?"

Liu Kunyi and Zhang Zhidòng responded in unison: "The former Beiyang Navy is the second-rank general Tang Jian as the best!"

Cixi asked, "Oh, who is General Tang? Why hasn't the Ai family ever heard of it?"

At this time, Tang Jian stood up at the right time, stepped forward a few steps, knelt down and replied: "I am the former general of the Beiyang Navy Tang Jian!" After that, he raised his head slightly.

Cixi narrowed her eyes slightly, saw Tang Jian's appearance clearly, and thought to herself: "This person is not good-looking, fat, and doesn't look like a useful person." Then she said: "Why should I use this person? The Ai family has never heard of it before."

If Tang Jian knew that Cixi was evasive in his heart, he might have gone wild! Alas, this fat man's body caused trouble!

Zhang Zhidòng replied: "Empress Dowager, General Tang is young and promising. During the Battle of the Yellow Sea, General Tang sank the Japanese ship "Yoshino" with his own torpedo, and with more than ten people, he severely damaged the command of the Japanese Second Army. Japan's General Oyama Iwa died under General Tang!"

Cixi was slightly surprised: "Oh, what if this is the case? If it is true, then General Tang is really young and promising, with a literary and military strategist, and is worthy of being my general of the Qing Dynasty!"

At this time, Li Lianying leaned over and said with a smile: "God of the Lady, I have heard of this. I heard that General Tang was born after studying abroad by Britain and was able to build torpedoes by himself. I heard that he could also design giant ships! Now it is going crazy on the streets and alleys, saying that General Tang brought eleven people to take over the Japanese army's old nest, which is very interesting."

Cixi laughed and said, "I didn't expect that I still have such a person in the Qing Dynasty. However, the Ai family was too clumsy and didn't notice it. Xiao Yingzi gave General Tang a reward."

"Zhe!" Li Lianying replied.

Piaotianwen.com: "However, Tang Jian is too young after all, and it is probably inappropriate to hold such an important position!"

Tang Jian knew that Cixi was still doubting her ability, so he smiled slightly: "Report to the Empress Dowager, I have something to ask for!"

Cixi said: "Tell me!"

Tang Jian said: "Empress Dowager, I have a way to get the Liaodong Peninsula back!"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the court was shocked. Even the dignified Lord Li Zhongtang could not beat the Japanese. Tang Jian was too arrogant! Young people just like to talk big.

Tang Jian ignored it and continued: "Tang Jian was here to issue a military order. If he could not take it back, he would be willing to be demoted to prison!"

Cixi looked at Tang Jian with great interest, feeling it became more and more interesting, and said happily: "Okay, as long as Tang Jian helps the Qing Dynasty take back the Liaodong Peninsula! Ai family named you the Admiral of the Navy, the first rank!"

Tang Jian said slowly: "Empress Dowager, I have something to ask for in my humble position!"

Cixi said: "Accurate!"

Tang Jian continued: "I hope the Empress Dowager will be the foreign ambassador first, so that the humble position can have the status to lobby the consuls of various countries!"

Cixi smiled and said, "It's accurate, it's accurate!"

Tang Jian knelt down again and replied with a smile: "Thank you Empress Dowager!"

Except for Liu Kunyi, Zhang Zhidòng and others, they were a little incredible, and the other conservative ministers were full of contempt. This kid was too ignorant, and everyone was waiting for Tang Jian to fulfill the promise he made and then was sent to jail.

……………………

The next day, Tang Jian took advantage of his new foreign ambassador to lobby ambassadors in Tianjin.

Since the Second Opium War, Tsarist Russia has gained a strong possession of the Northeast. The Tsarist Russian royal family has an almost crazy desire for land. Tsarist Russia's territory spans Europe and Asia, but Tsarist Russia is actively seeking foreign ports, but is helpless and unable to compete with European powers. Finally, it puts its hopes on the unfreezing port in the Far East, and Japan's seizure of Liaodong made Tsarist Russia feel that its interests were damaged. Therefore, under Tang Jian's lobbying, Tsarist Russia decided to unite other countries to prevent Japan from seizure of Liaodong.

Germany's rapid rise caused panic among France in Europe. France believed that its hegemony was challenged, so it joined forces with Tsarist Russia to form an alliance. Therefore, Germany is willing to help Tsarist Russia seek Far Eastern interests and actively support Tsarist Russia's intervention in peace talks between China and Japan, so that Russia can support Germany's expansion in East Asia. At the same time, it also hopes to take this opportunity to weaken the alliance between Russia and France.

France also hopes to gain more benefits in the Far East and covet Taiwan, but has no good impression of Japan, so it also supports the two countries' interference in the Sino-Japanese peace talks.

Because of their different interests, the United Kingdom and the United States did not participate in the incident of interference in the peace talks between China and Japan, and all declared neutrality.

In fact, these are just contradictions between imperialism. Tang Jian just put on the cloak of a lobbyist, but in fact he didn't put much effort into it.

Finally, on April 23, 1985, the three countries of hunger, France and Germany issued a notice to the Japanese government: The current Japanese sect of Liaodong will not only harm China's capital (Beijing, but also make the North Korean country's top nameless and untrue, which will hinder the maintenance of peace in the Far East. Therefore, we advise your country to confirm that it will give up the occupation of the Liaodong Peninsula.

It also limited Japan's reply within fifteen days, and finally began to prepare to send warships to station in the Northeast.

Japan tried its best to preserve the results of peace talks, but the three countries were tough, Britain and the United States were neutral, and the Japanese joint fleet also suffered heavy losses in the naval battle with the Beiyang Navy. Helplessly, Hirobuki Ito finally announced that he would return to Liaodong, but the Qing court had to redeem it with 30 million taels of silver.
Chapter completed!