Li Hongzhang, led by Elhebu, hurriedly entered the Cining Palace.
In the Cining Palace, Li Hongzhang paid a courtesy visit to the Empress Dowager Cixi. The Empress Dowager Cixi asked directly: "What's going on? Why are the troops gathering?"
Li Hongzhang heard that the Empress Dowager Cixi was impatient, and he hurriedly bowed and said: "This is preparation in advance for something irreversible to happen."
After hearing this, the Empress Dowager Cixi stared at Li Hongzhang closely, and finally softened her tone and said again: "I hope Mr. Li can explain to the Ai family. This is a major matter for the imperial court and no one can do anything wrong."
Li Hongzhang hurriedly saluted again, and then said: "The imperial court's transfer of Liu Hai to Beijing is too obvious. As long as Liu Hai has one or two discerning people under his command, he can immediately see the imperial court's strategy. What will happen if Liu Hai repeats himself?"
The Empress Dowager Cixi was also a fan of the authorities at first, but now after listening to Li Hongzhang's words, she immediately realized that the court had simply forced Liu Hai into a corner.
If Liu Hai comes to Beijing to serve as the Deputy Minister of the Navy, then his army will be slowly divided and disintegrated by the imperial court.
If Liu Hai does not go to Beijing, then he is disobeying the decree. The court will definitely punish him in the end, and the final result can only be that he is forced to rebel.
The Empress Dowager Cixi broke out in a cold sweat when she thought of this. If this matter is not resolved properly, the court may fall into a situation of dividing the north and the south.
"Li Aiqing, you are the pillar of the imperial court. The Ai family is at fault for the current situation. How do you think we should solve it?"
After hearing this, Li Hongzhang thought for a moment, and then said: "For the current plan, I can only go to Nanjing first, and the imperial court takes back the order. This can also temporarily appease Liu Hai and prevent him from acting rashly. At the same time, in order to
Just in case, let the troops near the capital enter and prepare for war. If necessary, the Huai army will go south, and then cooperate with the military training and green camps in various places to wipe out the Hunan army in one fell swoop."
The Empress Dowager Cixi nodded, that was the only thing to do now, but when it got to that point, the court would really become chaotic, and the end result would not be just a bang, but princes everywhere.
There is another problem before them, that is, food and wages. If there is really a fight, the Qing Dynasty's finances may go bankrupt.
If Li Hongzhang can persuade Liu Hai, that would be the best.
Let's not talk about the imperial court. We are here to prepare for the aftermath. Besides, the eunuch carried the edict quickly and quickly arrived in Shanghai.
Liu Hai was at the Nanyang Navy Yamen that day, dealing with the purchase of high-quality coal by the Nanyang Navy.
The movement of warships requires a large amount of coal. If the quality of your coal is not up to standard, it will affect the speed of the warship and the service life and safety of the warship boiler.
Because of this, after Liu Hai took over as the admiral of the Nanyang Navy, he was very concerned about coal procurement and had to personally check every time.
At this moment, the boy outside came in to report that the court angel had arrived, and asked Liu Hai to go out to greet him.
After hearing this, Liu Hai's mind went around a few times. Hasn't he done much recently? What are these people from the court doing?
But since the imperial envoy has arrived? Then go out to greet him.
Liu Hai tidied up his official uniform and hurried outside. When he arrived at the hall, he saw an imposing eunuch waiting for him there holding a holy edict high.
When Liu Hai saw it, he quickly took a few steps forward. He bowed respectfully to the eunuch, and then asked: "Does this father-in-law have a good name? Did you have a hard journey? I am polite here."
After Liu Hai finished speaking, he took out a banknote from his sleeve and stuffed it into the eunuch's sleeve.
The eunuch originally had a straight face, but when he saw the movements of his bangs, he smiled.
"Master Liu, you're welcome, Mr. Zaijia Kou Liancai."
"It turns out it's Eunuch Kou. I've heard of your father-in-law a long time ago. When I saw him today, I found that he really has an extraordinary appearance."
After hearing Liu Hai's compliments, Kou Lian's smile became even brighter. Now his favorable impression of Liu Hai has skyrocketed.
Liu Hai saw that Kou Liancai was already smiling, and then he asked softly: "Father-in-law, does it matter this time?"
Kou Liancai had just accepted Liu Hai's banknote and had won his flattery, so he was embarrassed not to reveal some information to him.
"Master Liu, please relax, this is a good thing."
I heard that the bangs were a good thing, so I let go of my high-spirited mood.
Next is a procedure. Liu Hai prepared the incense case, and then knelt down in front of the incense case.
Kou Liancai came to the incense table, unfolded the imperial edict, held it high, and then began to read it.
"The Emperor of Heaven has sent an edict saying: Liu Hai, the admiral of the Nanyang Navy, has worked hard since he took office. As a result, the Nanyang Navy has been in great control. He has also sent troops overseas to promote our country's prestige and regain lost ground for the imperial court. Liu Hai is hereby named the brave Batulu.
I will be given a yellow mandarin coat, given a waiting list, and appointed as Deputy Minister of the Navy. I will order Liu Hai to take up his post in the capital within one month. I appreciate this."
After Kou Liancai finished brushing, he rolled it up again, walked in front of Liu Hai and said, "Congratulations, Lord Marquis. When we arrive in the capital, we will have more contacts and take care of each other."
Liu Hai was kneeling on the ground at this time, with a gloomy look on his face. This was not a good thing. It was clear that the Qing government had begun to kill the donkey.
If I go to the capital alone, I am afraid that my life and death will not be up to me. Although my life and safety can be guaranteed with the space ring, I am afraid that the foundation created in the past few years will be destroyed.
Only then did Kou Lian see Liu Hai kneeling there, reluctant to accept the order, and frowned, so his tone became serious: "What's going on, Mr. Liu? Don't you want to accept the order?"
Liu Hai looked up at Kou Liancai, suddenly his body shook and he fainted on the ground.
When Liu Hai's men nearby were shocked when they saw Liu Hai passed out, they ignored Kou Liancai. Several of them swarmed up and carried Liu Hai to the back house of the Yamen.
But at this time, Kou Liancai was left in the lobby, holding the imperial edict in his hand and looking helpless.
It didn't take long for the news of Liu Hai's collapse to reach Liu Hai's home.
After Zeng Yuying got the news, she immediately rushed to the Nanyang Navy Yamen with her maid and servant without caring about anything else.
Naturally, everyone here recognized Zeng Yuying. When they saw her coming, they hurriedly guided her all the way to the house where Liu Hai fainted.
As soon as Zeng Yuying entered the room, she saw Liu Hai lying there with her eyes closed, as if she was unconscious.
At this time, Zeng Yuying was also a little anxious. She rushed to Liu Hai's side first, grabbed Liu Hai's hand and asked gently: "Master, Master, how are you?"
As Zeng Yuying called, her voice began to sob.
At this time, Liu Hai, who was lying on the bed, slowly opened his eyes, then turned around, and when he saw that there was no one else in the room, he gently shook Zeng Yuying's hand.
Zeng Yuying felt a movement in her hand, and when she glanced sideways, she saw that Liu Hai had opened her eyes. She immediately asked in surprise, "Master, are you okay? Do you want us to ask a doctor to take a look?"
"Find a doctor you can trust. I have something to explain." Liu Hai's eyes were shining brightly now. How could he look like a sick person?
Although Zeng Yuying said she was a little pampered by Zeng Guoquan, it didn't mean that she was a fool. She saw that her bangs didn't look sick at all, so she quickly lowered her voice and asked softly: "What's the matter, sir?"
Liu Hai glanced at him, and then said softly: "The imperial court is planning to take action against me. They want me to go to the capital to serve as deputy chief of the navy. If I go, I'm afraid I will fall into the tiger's mouth."
Zeng Yuying was also frightened after hearing this. She did not expect that the court would suddenly attack her husband.
"Then what should we do, sir?"
Liu Hai looked up at the sky and said, "What can I do? The soldiers are coming to stop him, and the water is coming to cover him up. I have to drag him for the time being. If I can't drag him through, I will rebel."
When Liu Hai spoke to the end, he gritted his teeth and looked ferocious.
Zeng Yuying asked with some uncertainty: "Isn't that right? The Governor of Liangjiang is now your uncle."
Liu Hai did not answer Zeng Yuying. He knew in his heart that it was fine if he wanted Liu Kunyi to say a few words to him, but if he wanted Liu Kunyi to put the Liu family into a state of eternal disaster for him, he would never agree.
So Liu Hai now knows in his heart that he can only rely on himself for all this from now on, and even his uncle Liu Kunyi cannot be completely trusted.
At this time, a yamen servant came in from outside and said, "Sir, the father-in-law outside is already anxious and asked you if you are awake. If you are awake, go and receive the order quickly."
After hearing this, Liu Hai ignored him at all and just waved his hand to ask the officer to leave.
After a while, Liu Hai's Nanyang Fleet commanders, as well as Liu Zhi, the commander of the Nanyang Navy's ground station, all came to the Yamen to visit Liu Hai.
Liu Hai did not see anyone else, but ordered Liu Zhi, a Marine of the Nanyang Navy, to come in and respond.
After listening to the order, Liu Zhi quickly entered the bedroom and saw Liu Hai sitting on the bed, with his wife Zeng Yuying standing next to him.
Liu Zhi quickly stepped forward, knelt down on one knee, and raised his hands, "Slave Liu Zhi, I have met Master and Madam."
Liu Hai nodded, but did not let him stand up, but directly ordered: "Immediately order your marines to enter Shanghai, block all the city gates in Shanghai, disarm the weapons of the green camp near Shanghai, and keep them under centralized custody. Ready for my orders at any time.
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Liu Zhi was stunned for a moment after hearing this, but immediately said: "I obey my order."
Then Liu Zhi bowed out of Liu Hai's room and began to carry out Liu Hai's orders.
Immediately afterwards, Liu Hai ordered the Nanyang Navy's Ironclad Ship Liu Yu to come in and respond.
Liu Yu got Liu Hai's order and entered Liu Hai's bedroom.
Liu Hai also directly ordered Liu Yu: "Order the Nanyang Navy to enter the Yangtze River waterway and block traffic between the north and south of the Yangtze River. At the same time, send people to notify the Taiwan Fleet and ask it to return to Wusongkou immediately."
Liu Yu took the order and immediately went out to act according to Liu Hai's order without asking why.
After deploying the navy, Liu Hai ordered people to send orders to the generals of the Hunan Army to assemble their troops. They were always waiting for his orders, especially Lu Chun of the 1st Division of the Hunan Army, who asked him to lead the troops to move closer to Shanghai immediately.
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As soon as Liu Hai sent this order, the entire Shanghai beach immediately fell into chaos. 3,000 marines had entered Shanghai City and began to take over the security of the city gates in Shanghai. At the same time, all the green camps near Shanghai were disarmed and taken into custody.