Of course, Yi Kuang had no choice. He was his own son, and he was the most promising one. If he lost his money, he could make money, but if his son died, he would lose it. Besides, five hundred thousand taels of silver was really not an unacceptable amount.
He casually sold it to a few officials and took it back. So after a large amount of banknotes were delivered to Yang Feng, a newspaper in Tianjin published a report within a few days. A small incident occurred near Shanhaiguan near Shanhaiguan.
In a large-scale battle, at least three soldiers were injured or killed. An unidentified militant snatched a war horse and fled.
Then three days later, Prince Qing's crown prince, who had been rumored to have been killed in the Luanhe bandit suppression battle, Zhen Guo Gong Zai Zhen stood on a cloudless morning, with the golden morning glow on his back, wearing a slightly torn yellow mantle.
Carrying a Bofors spear issued by the Zhongyong Army, riding a white horse with the fatigue of returning from hundreds of battles, he walked alone outside the newly repaired Chaoyang Gate. From then on, a legend was born.
However, Duke Zhenguo's return from the bloody battle did not change the situation of the court. Fortunately, after Yang Feng captured Tangshan, he returned to his careless state. Many people really thought that he was sick. Several families in Beijing
The ministers even went to Qinhuangdao to visit one after another. Besides, the peace talks between Japan and Russia in Kyoto had just concluded, and as the main mediators, they really should communicate with each other.
Although I don’t know what the outcome of these envoys’ visit to Yang Feng was, it can be seen from their behavior afterwards that there seems to be nothing wrong. This makes the theory that Yang Feng is pretending to be ill begin to increase again. Anyway, various people in Beijing
This rumor was repeatedly entangled in Yang Feng's illness and pretending to be ill, and countless versions were created. There was even a version that said that Yang Feng actually came to serve the king with the emperor's imperial edict this time.
This rumor made Cixi sneer. What a rich imagination it takes to come up with this and return the imperial edict. Why not mention the blood letter?
"Your Majesty, do you really have a dress code?" She said to the little dog with a sinister smile.
"My dear father knows very well that those things are all made up by outsiders. I am filial to my dear father and have no second thoughts!" The little dog was so frightened that he immediately lay down at her feet and cried.
"Your Majesty, what are you doing? The Aijia are just kidding you. Why don't you help the Emperor up quickly? You are a bunch of blind slaves." Cixi said happily.
But she didn't see that the puppy's nails were digging into the cracks of the floor.
In fact, Guangxu was extremely submissive during this period, and he looked completely tamed, so Cixi's control over him was not as strict as before. Even the officials who had been implicated in the Beijing Incident were not actually involved.
Some of them were released, including Concubine Zhen's brother, Zhirui, who was still serving as the governor of Rehe City at the time, but his official position was wiped out.
In addition, Zhang Yinhuan, although he was in the same party as Weng Tonghe, did not actually participate in the conspiracy, so he was released from the Ministry of Punishment for a period of time and dismissed. There was also Wang Wenshao who was dismissed because he let Yang Feng in. He felt that he
After feeling truly aggrieved, he was reinstated and continued to work with Ronglu as Assistant Minister of Beiyang.
In fact, Cixi, judging from her life performance, was authoritarian but not murderous. Unless her core interests were directly threatened, she usually used gentle methods. Whether it was domineering foreign ministers or those who had their own agendas.
As a ghost prince, she likes to play the role of a benefactor rather than a stern dictator. Especially in this extraordinary period, when the civil and military forces of the whole court need to work together, it is even more necessary to show tolerance. You know
Because of her thunderous tactics during the Beijing Incident, many princes and ministers were walking on thin ice.
After all, Guangxu himself was still the emperor, and her behavior towards Guangxu was too unjustifiable, which would inevitably arouse the resentment of the nobles. So since Guangxu expressed surrender at this time, she naturally could not remain unyielding. In order to show her magnanimity, she not only
Concubine Zhen's sister Jin Concubine, who was an honest person, was released from the cold palace and was re-designated as a royal concubine. After all, it was just a toy in her hand and it was not up to her to play with it as she pleased.
While the mother and son were performing the filial piety of mother and son, in a quiet courtyard in Beijing, three loyal people who were full of concern for the country and the people were drinking wine together.
Sitting on the main seat seemed to be the person who spied on Shi Duo that day, that is, Zhi Rui who had just been released. As for his brother Zhi Jun, who had already gone to the market with Wen Tingshi, he raised his glass to the moon and sighed with emotion.
He said: "Mr. Qiao Ye really wants to go south to live in seclusion and not care about worldly affairs? Can he bear to watch the Holy One stay in seclusion for the rest of his life, while the country goes into chaos day after day at the hands of women? Look at what the world has become.
, there are traitors and sycophants in power inside, rebellious ministers and chaos outside, and foreign barbarians are also eyeing us. If this continues, we may one day inevitably end up in the same disaster as the Japanese country."
The just-signed Treaty of Kyoto stipulates that the Japanese government will cede Hokkaido and the islands to the north, and lease Aomori Prefecture to Russia for a period of one hundred years. It will not be allowed to have a navy for another twenty years, and will demolish all fortresses and forts along the coast. In the future, it will only be allowed to retain
More than 100,000 troops, and an additional 30 million pounds in compensation for Russia's military expenses. As for the unequal treaties they signed with Britain, Germany, and France, it goes without saying. Anyway, this country is completely ruined, and it also makes China's people with lofty ideals inevitably feel the sorrow of rabbits and foxes.
feel.
Zhang Yinhuan, who was sitting in the guest seat, sighed and said with a gloomy expression: "Brother Gongying, how can I be willing to do so, but what else can you and I do? I think that when Brother Shuping was there, there were so many talented people here, even if
You have ended up with such a tragic death, and now you and I are the only two left. Even if we have the intention, how can we get back to heaven?"
Zhirui couldn't help but smile bitterly and said: "Speaking of Master Weng, it's really sad. Who would have thought that Yang Feng would betray the Holy One? It can be said that nine people are trying to build a mountain, but their efforts are in vain."
"Who would have thought, I did, but at that time Weng Shuping could no longer listen to good advice." Zhang Yinhuan said with a sneer. In fact, he paid money to bribe people from the Ministry of Justice, so Cixi thought that he was not involved in the conspiracy, but as a
Weng Tonghe's most important assistant, not only did he participate, but he was also the main planner. However, this kind of person who has been an envoy outside for many years is relatively clear-headed. He had already guessed when Yang Feng blew up the city of Beijing without entering the city.
There was going to be a problem, so he made excuses not to attend the all-in-one party.
"Mr. Zhang, you have been overseas for a long time and I think you know a lot about Yang Feng. Can you tell me what kind of person he is?" A man in his thirties dressed as a caterpillar sitting opposite him asked curiously.
"What kind of person? A weirdo, a real weirdo, brother Guangsha, we domestic scholars all believe that this person is not literate and is a vulgar profiteer, but in European and American countries, he is a figure comparable to a literary saint.
The novels he wrote have fascinated the whole country, and the poems and essays he wrote have been praised by all people." Zhang Yinhuan said with emotion.
Zhi Rui and Kang Youwei's eyes almost popped out of their heads. In the eyes of domestic caterpillars, Yang Feng is indeed just like an uncivilized savage. In some inland areas where information is relatively limited, this guy's image is no longer Dong Zhuo, but simply An Lu. Like a mountain, including appearance, not to mention the Tao of Confucius and Mencius, he doesn’t even know the words. What’s more, there are rumors that he eats people every day. Now Zhang Yinhuan told them that this guy is basically a caterpillar abroad. The ultimate dream is indeed a bit uncomfortable.
"But one thing you described is right. He is also a profiteer, a profiteer who is as rich as the country. He is truly as rich as the country. According to my estimation, the annual income of our Qing Dynasty is probably not as much as what he earns in a year. So now People in European and American factories have countless real estates and more money than you can even imagine.
But this person's reputation for being greedy for money and lustful is well known in Europe and the United States. Especially when it comes to wealth, it can be said that he is only interested in profit, has no shame, and has no bottom line. Therefore, when he blew up the city of Beijing but failed to get in, I had already concluded that When he was waiting for a price to sell, he also reminded Shuping not to be stingy in asking for money, officials and money. He would give him whatever he wanted. It's a pity that Shuping entrusted the wrong person to miss the big deal in the end." Zhang Yinhuan said with a long sigh. .
"Then what do you think he is doing now?" Zhirui asked quickly. Now in Beijing, from the princes and nobles to the common people, Yang Feng has made everyone fearful. There were far fewer idle people, and the entire city was always under a dark cloud covered with lightning.
"I don't know, I'm afraid no one knows except himself." Zhang Yinhuan said with a wry smile.
"Can you persuade him to be loyal to the king again?" Zhirui said in a low voice. Although Yang Feng betrayed them once, it is common for politics to go back and forth.
"I'm afraid there is no hope. He sold it to the Holy One once. Without the personal guarantee of the Holy One, he will not rest assured." Zhang Yinhuan shook his head and said.
"Then if so, he can agree?" Zhirui asked immediately.
"I have said that he is a profit-seeking businessman. As long as he is given enough benefits, he can do anything. However, it is difficult for the Holy Spirit to let go of the past. Besides, even if the Holy Spirit can forgive his previous crimes, now there is no communication between the inside and outside. You How can I tell this matter to heaven?" Zhang Yinhuan said.
When he said this, Zhirui was immediately discouraged. Although Guangxu had been viewed less harshly recently, it was still impossible for outsiders to get close to him, especially since the two of them didn't even have official positions, so it was even less likely that they would have any hope. .
"Why don't I go find out what Yang Feng's tone of voice is like first? If he really has the heart to be a diligent king, then it won't be too late to discuss other things." Kang Youwei said.
Zhang Yinhuan and Zhang Yinhuan looked at each other. To be honest, if they didn't give it a try, I'm afraid there would be no hope in this life. Such an opportunity is indeed worth a try, and there will be no loss anyway. Yang Feng will never lose it no matter what. This was used to please Ci Xi. Thinking of this, they couldn't help but nodded at the same time.