Chapter 567 Li Zhen returns to Beijing, Xianfeng dies
Li Zhen arranged the affairs in the army, packed his luggage, and immediately left the Jiangbei camp with Han Laiyu.
A group of people hurried on quickly, heading straight for Beijing.
Li Zhen was worried about the situation in Beijing and hurried on the road very fast, because if something went wrong with Xianfeng, the situation Li Zhen would face might be more complicated. Han Laiyu was also worried about Xianfeng's physical condition. Although he was already exhausted, he gritted his teeth and persisted. It only took about half a month for the people to arrive in Beijing. Han Laiyu looked at the majestic city of Beijing and felt relieved, but Li Zhen became nervous.
Finally, we arrived in Beijing.
However, the ensuing battle will probably be a hail of swords and arrows, and he will not be allowed to relax.
…
Prince Gong's Mansion, study room.
At this moment, Prince Gong and Guiliang were sitting opposite each other.
Prince Gong was dressed in gorgeous clothes and said casually: "Father-in-law, Li Zhen has returned to Beijing. It was obviously ordered by the emperor to recruit him back. Li Zhen is a powerful general. Can you convince Li Zhen?"
Guiliang shook his head and said: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, it is best not to move for the time being."
Yi frowned, looking slightly unhappy.
Guiliang continued: "The emperor has a strange disease, and the government and the public are in chaos. Now, many courtiers support the prince's succession, which has pushed the prince to the forefront. If the prince openly recruits Li Zhen as his minister, I am afraid it will attract the emperor's attention. He will also be attacked by Zaiyuan, Sushun, Du Han and others. Now, the emperor dare not touch the prince because after the emperor attacks the prince, even if there is no prince, other kings will jump out, so the emperor Maintaining the current situation, please wait patiently and wait for things to develop, don't be anxious."
Yi glanced at Guiliang and secretly said Guiliang was an old fox.
Because not looking for Li Zhen means that Li Zhen will not be involved in this matter. Seeing Yi's expression, Guiliang has already seen through the meaning in Yi's eyes. Yi has made a decision, and he will never change it easily. He How could an old fox who had been in the officialdom for many years not know what Yi was thinking? Guiliang could even guess that Yi would not give up and would send someone to contact Li Zhen.
…
Forbidden City, Chuxiu Palace.
In a house, two stunning women were sitting opposite each other.
One of them was Cixi.
However, Cixi is now more mature, but also more sad, with a haggard look on her face. The person sitting opposite Cixi is the real queen of Xianfeng, who is rumored to be killed by Cixi in later generations. Empress Dowager Ci'an, Ci'an was not very old at this time, only in her twenties. She had a kind face and kind eyes, with a hint of weakness on her face and a helpless look in her eyes.
Ci'an said: "Sister, do you think Admiral Li will be able to stabilize the situation after he returns?"
Cixi said in a deep voice: "Admiral Li can definitely do it. Your Majesty believes in Li Zhen. I have met Li Zhen several times. This man is talented."
Ci'an said: "There are Du Han, Sushun, Zaiyuan and others in the court. Why don't you look for them?"
Cixi sneered and said: "My good sister, although the emperor has left a decree, can our sisters control these old ministers? When the time comes, they will definitely bully our sisters, and Zai Chun will also be bullied. Li Zhen is still young. He is still just a small admiral, but we can give Li Zhen a lot of things, including rights, money, and even women. It is easy to win over Li Zhen, but it is impossible to win over these old ministers."
After a pause, Cixi continued: "Let's talk about Du Han. His father is the emperor's teacher Du Shoutian. He considers himself the emperor's senior brother. He experienced the previous emperor's dynasty and was a veteran of the emperor's dynasty. I am afraid he is even more unscrupulous. In fact, there is another advantage to recruiting Li Zhen. Li Zhen and Du Han have a grudge, so we recruited Li Zhen so that Li Zhen can check and balance Du Han and not be too passive."
"well."
Ci'an sighed and said, "My sister has always been smart, it all depends on you."
When Cixi heard this, she felt a little happy in her heart.
However, I feel more pressure because the current situation is too complicated. Some people in the court think that a baby of a few months is not suitable to be the emperor, so they support Prince Gong. Some good-hearted princes and nobles even support the other princes. Although there are He supported Zai Chun as emperor, but Cixi could not control him.
The various forces mixed together gave Cixi a headache.
"Dong, dong,."
A palace maid walked in with small steps and said, "Madam, Admiral Li and Eunuch Han have returned to Beijing and are on their way to the palace."
Upon hearing this, Ci'an's face lit up with joy.
After the palace maid left, both Cixi and Cixi were very happy, with joyful expressions on their faces. Within a quarter of an hour, another young eunuch walked in quickly. The eunuch ran with small steps and came to Cixi's body. A few words were whispered beside him.
In an instant, Cixi's face fell down, and there were faint tears in her eyes.
When Ci'an saw this, he secretly thought something bad.
Cixi sent the eunuch away and gave some instructions, but saw the young eunuch leaving in a hurry.
…
Li Zhen and Han Laiyu entered Beijing and ran towards the Forbidden City.
Because Han Laiyu led the way, the two of them arrived at the palace unimpeded. As soon as they arrived at the palace, a palace maid immediately came to greet them and said: "Admiral Li, Eunuch Han, the Queen and Concubine Yi have invited us. Madam, please be sure to go there."
Li Zhen said without hesitation: "Lead the way."
Immediately, Li Zhen and Han Laiyu came to Chuxiu Palace.
The palace maid took the two people around the main hall and went to a side hall. When the two people entered the palace, the palace maid left immediately. There was no one in the palace, only Ci'an, Cixi and the babies Zaichun and Li lying in the cradle. When Zhen Zhen saw this situation, he was secretly alert and worried about what would happen. Ci'an and Cixi stood up, bent down and said, "Please save us, Admiral Li."
Li Zhen did not dare to accept the courtesy, so he bowed and said, "Your Majesty's words are serious, and I am frightened."
Although Xianfeng's lower body was in the coffin, Li Zhen did not dare to be presumptuous, especially when he was still in the harem.
Cixi introduced Ci'an and then began to sit down. Ci'an looked at Li Zhen, glanced at Han Laiyu, and said with a smile: "You two are the emperor's confidants. It is a blessing for the Qing Dynasty that the emperor has you as his assistant." Come down and let the two of you shoulder the heavy responsibility."
Li Zhen said: "I will definitely work hard and die."
Han Laiyu also said in a sharp voice: "The emperor treats his slaves with great kindness, and his slaves will go through fire and water without hesitation."
Cixi said: "Li Zhen accepted the order."
"I accept the order." Li Zhen knelt down and said.
Immediately, Cixi took out an imperial edict and read aloud: "By God's blessing, the emperor decreed,..., Li Zhen is appointed as the auxiliary minister..." After reciting the imperial edict, Li Zhen only heard the words "auxiliary minister". After hearing this word, the rest were forgotten. His heart was pounding and he was so excited that he did not expect to become the auxiliary minister appointed by Xianfeng.
Cixi continued: "The emperor passed away half an hour ago. Li Zhen, the rest is up to you."
