Section 6    Lushunkou(2)

The emperor was so angry that he was half-hearted that he had no choice but to meet with the Military Affairs Office. When he met with the Military Affairs Office, he scolded these people for being a group of stupid pigs! He closed his eyes and saw no worldly affairs. If the state affairs were allowed to be commanded by these unconscious scholars, sooner or later, he would realize that it would be too late to regret it! A few days later, he personally drafted an edict and issued it nationwide, which would temporarily suppress the arrogance between the government and the public, like a frog in the well, and the hustle and bustle of anger.

This imperial edict is written as follows: "The relationship between coastal defense is important, and it is both an urgent matter at present and a long-lasting plan for the country. If you plan to build a house and only use empty words to make things happen, then when will it be implemented? It is advisable to plan ahead and think that the plan for self-improvement is a starting point. You must plan thoroughly and make plans to achieve profits and harms. If you are not careful in the beginning and are too extravagant, it is neither a practical way to promote profits and harms, and you can make no mistakes. The only way is to be carried out gradually, persist for a long time, focus on reality, and avoid imperfect deficiencies, choose the most important one, try it out first, see the results and then promote them, and arrange them carefully in sequence, then the funds can be turned over, which is a long-term plan."

This imperial edict determined the policy of naval development in the next few years, but what surprised Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang were that the emperor did not mention the development privileges of the Nanyang Navy in the imperial edict, and only considered the Beiyang branch when handling the navy. This certainly caused the northward movement of the strategic defense center, but it seemed that it was too favorable to one person?

The emperor naturally knew that simply developing the Beiyang Navy and not caring about the construction of the Nanyang troops would eventually lead to a strange phenomenon of lameness. However, as the highest helmsman of the Qing Dynasty, national defense matters must be handled and the administration of the Qing Dynasty should be clear and clear, so it must be handled as a top priority. Naval construction has learned a lot in history. One of the lessons is that officials in various provinces handle naval affairs follow their personal feelings and attract them, without considering whether their talents are available or not. However, they are recommended by private friends, especially Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang, who are both very bad in this regard. Especially Li Hongzhang. In real history, Ding Ruchang, Zhang Peilun, Sheng Xuanhuai and others have been recommended by him. They are not scrupulous for the time being, and their nature is very problematic.

Moreover, the point that Li Hongzhang was not as good as his teacher was that Zeng Guofan won over the generals with his moral integrity; while Li Hongzhang used his power to make tricks, which was the main reason why the Huai Army had many rebellious state affairs after the Hunan Army began to replace the Hunan Army.

Another point is that the trend of confrontation between the north and south of the Military Affairs Office is becoming more and more intense. Even if he issued several decrees and scolded him, the effect was not very great. The Southern faction led by Zeng Guofan and Xu Naizhao, Yi Yi, Wen Xiang, Yan Jingming and the Northern faction led by Li Hongzao, who depended on them, had constant disputes in the court. On the ninth day of July last year, he asked Zeng Guofan to send corresponding students to study abroad from China. The second prince Zaiying took the initiative to ask for an order to go with him. The two factions of the north and south were quarreling, which made the emperor feel a headache.

This memorial was written by Zeng Guofan. It is roughly the content of this saying, "While Westerners are actually studying, no matter they are scholars, farmers, industry and commerce, they all go to school to study, understand the principles, and learn about their tools, and they personally do their work, and they all give their ideas and skills. They teach each other their teachers, and the time is different. If China wants to gain their strengths, they will not only buy them, but not only have their strengths. Moreover, if they do not read them all for a long time, the origin will not be clear, and the twists and turns will not be clear. The ancients said that those who learn Qi speak must be guided and placed between Zhuangyue, and said that hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing one thing, which is a desire to compare things. Moreover, if they have learned the method, they will follow the same method, and look at what they do today and seek it hard, will not expand to infinity?"

This memorial was highly valued by the emperor and was discussed by the Ministry of Justice, but unexpectedly attracted unanimous criticism. Everyone in the world believed that Zeng Guofan's memorial was really unaware of the so-called "Send a child with both character and academic performance and both virtue and talent to a foreign country and coexist with the barbarians, what methods can he learn to govern the country? Besides, all Westerners are just skills and techniques that have never been regarded by the great powers of the Celestial Kingdom. Now the one who loses the roots and tries to foreign countries is truly a shame for the pure stream! Zeng Guofan should be dismissed from all his official positions immediately, and it is also a matter of a crime.

This incident was a big deal, and in the end, Zaiying took the initiative to ask for an order, hoping that the emperor would allow him to go abroad to study abroad as one of the students who went abroad to study abroad in order to broaden his experience and return to China to serve in the future.

The emperor was overjoyed by his son's initiative. He immediately opposed the opposition and issued an order to select the second prince Zaiying as one of the first batch of overseas students sent abroad to study in the United States for four years.

Concubine Jia was shocked and asked the emperor to avoid his son from studying abroad, "Your Majesty, you have so many children, but only Ying'er, a grown-up child,..."

"What do you mean? Isn't Ying'er my child? If you care about your son, I don't care? It's not dangerous to let him study abroad - I can tell you, don't listen to the bastards below, saying that America is a wild and smoky place, and that children will die forever! That's all nonsense that doesn't know the truth and talk nonsense."

"But, the emperor, Ying'er is still young. Can you wait a few years, even if you wait until the next time, or when you send someone to study abroad next time, and then let your children go with you?"

"He is seventeen years old this year, is he still very young?" The emperor sighed, went over and helped Concubine Jia up, and whispered to her, "Niu Niu, do you still remember back then? I told you that Ying'er, a child, has a great future. But because of this, I must let him receive some hardships in life so that he can contribute to the country in the future!"

Concubine Jia cried in a mess, unable to tell the meaning of her husband's words, but she did not dare to resist the order. She sobbed and cried for a while before she bowed and retreated.

The matter of selecting overseas students was settled, and finally, forty-three students including Zaiying, Zhan Tianyou, Cai Shaoji, Tang Shaoyi, Qi Zuyi, Zhu Baokui, Liang Dunyan were selected to take American merchant ships and cross the ocean to arrive in the United States.

After this incident, the emperor sometimes remembered his son who was far away from a foreign country. He felt missed, proud, and innocent people, and really hated him! A group of idiots who are not as good as the ancients! Wait for a few days, if the situation of confrontation between the north and south among the court officials could not be alleviated, he would have to solve it seriously and thoroughly!

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On September 14, the emperor set out from Lushunkou on the Dingyuan ironclad ship to inspect Weihai, Shandong. Before leaving, the emperor issued a special order, summoning ambassadors to China, agents, counselors, and wait for the head of the headquarters to meet. This was ordered by the General Administration to pass on the yamen before departure, including the British ambassador to China, Waltchen, Russian ambassador Ladren, American ambassador Tian Bei, French ambassador Kaizier, Dutch ambassador Rein, and French ambassador Wei Yifan, totaling six countries.

The emperor originally wanted to summon him in Beijing, but the Ministry of Rites quarreled in a mess for the restraint of etiquette. They all thought that although the Treaty of Beijing signed by the emperor and Britain and France in the seventh year of Xianfeng, foreign ministers met with Chinese emperors for some reason and performed equal rituals, but the times of the world changed, and today's China is no longer a country like the middle of Daoguang. On the contrary, by the 19th year of Xianfeng, the country's power in the Qing Dynasty was far superior to the barbarians. Therefore, such arguments of rituals and rituals reappeared in the court and the country again.

The foreigners naturally disagree. The two sides argued endlessly. In the end, the emperor had to make a decision. Since there were many obstacles to meeting in Beijing, it would be better to change to the headquarters outside Lushunkou. It is located in a remote place and is still there, so there is no need to pay attention to too much etiquette. This time, both sides accepted it.

When they met, the ministers of various countries bowed for five times. After the ceremony, they stood up. The emperor sat high in his seat and nodded with a smile. "I still remember that when I first met Sir Wenhan, the British envoy to China, it was in the Old Summer Palace. It has been more than ten years in a flash." He smiled and looked at the British envoy Wah Chen, "Encourt, is Lord Wenhan okay now?"

"Thank you for your question from the Great Emperor of China. Mr. Lord has retired at home now. Before I took office as China, I visited the Lord's house. Mr. Lord told me that he missed a meeting with His Majesty the Great Emperor of China and was honored to be the only one among the people of Her Majesty the Queen of England who can be received by His Majesty the Emperor of China."

As he spoke, Wah Erchen bowed and raised the wine glass on the table, "Today I am honored to be received by His Majesty the Emperor, and I am also very happy with all colleagues from Western countries. Now when all countries are in harmony with China, countries have sent ministers and others to China, and are trying to make peace and friendship. Taking advantage of today's grand event, we will reconcile and reconcile in the future. I also wish the Chinese emperor a long life and a prosperous country and a safe country."

The emperor waved his hand and asked everyone to return to their seats again, "I invite you here today, and do not do social engagements. The country that values ​​me is thousands of miles apart, with different words and different styles. However, since the various countries communicated with our Qing Dynasty, they have been in good faith and have been open every day. My Qing Dynasty is a big country, and you are in a small country. But no matter how big or small it is, the exchanges between countries must always be taken as the standard for doing things. A big country will not invade small countries, and a small country will not violate the big country. It is the way to deal with things forever and reconcile together."

He picked up the wine glass and gave a slight tribute to the ministers of various countries, thinking that he would like to greet him, "This time I visited various provinces and observed military affairs, and I would inevitably have other thoughts. I think that the military affairs of various countries should be refined and guard against the chaos in their own countries, so that there should be no military wars between countries. Those who have rifts can always be transformed, and those who have no rifts cannot be distracted from the details. They will form a country of etiquette and share the blessing of peace. What do you think?"

"What the Emperor said is very much. We deeply admire it." Russian Minister Radren said, "Before I left St. Petersburg and took office in Beijing, my country's Tsar had told me that Russia and China have a land bordering for thousands of miles, and it is imperative to have a good relationship between the two countries. When the two countries are in exchanges, everything should be based on peace as the first starting point. Today, I listen to His Majesty the Emperor's words and are exactly the same as what His Majesty the Czar of Our country. It is true that the heroes see it."

The emperor almost laughed out loud, "What is saying, what is saying!" He stopped talking about the important matters, but instead talked about some relaxed topics. He saw Dutch minister Ryin wearing a military uniform and wearing a treasure star. He didn't know if it was because the hall was stuffy or because of drinking, and he saw a little sweat on his forehead, and couldn't help asking, "Is the minister very hot? Or can't use my Chinese diet?"

"This wine is very good. It's just a little bit stronger than the wine produced in our country." Rein said with a reluctant smile, "but it is the wine that men drink, and it feels very comfortable to drink."

"It would be better if the minister likes it." He said with a smile, "What does it mean to look at your clothes and your shoulders with gold?"

"This is the costume of a senior military officer in our country. Although I am not a military officer, I use a full dress for today's ceremony."

"Oh." The emperor nodded, expressed his understanding, and asked again, "How old is your envoy this year?"

"Fifty-one."

"Are you old? Why are your beard and hair white?"

"I have been coming to China from my country for nearly ten years, and I'm worried."

“How about eating in my Chinese?”

"Some can be eaten, some cannot be eaten."

"Seeing your forehead is sweating, why dare you be too hot in this hall? If this is the case, you don't have to be polite and you can get your own fan."

"Thank you for your concern," Lein said with a wry smile, "but I came in a hurry this time and didn't even come with a fan."

The emperor's heart moved, waved his hand to signal Yang San to approach, and gave an order. The latter bent back and retreated. After a while, he took a folding fan with an ivory handle, walked straight to Lein, and handed it forward, "Just use this fan, it's cool for the time being, right?"

Lein was surprised. He came to China for many years and understood the value of the things used by His Majesty the Chinese Emperor. He hurriedly left his seat and stood up, "This, His Majesty the Emperor, this is too precious."

"Hold it. Hold it."

"Then..." Rein took the folding fan from Yang San's hand with both hands and bowed, "Then, thank you for your favor, I won't return it."

He straightened up and smiled, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. Masters know that I don't love little girls so much, but..."

Wen Xiang suddenly interrupted, "I know, you like cheap ones the most on weekdays!"

With a word, everyone laughed.

The ministers from various countries were invited to entertain the banquet, and the officials of the Ministry of Rites guided them to retreat. The emperor stood up from his seat, stretched his waist, and paced back and forth a few steps in the hall, "Oh, I'm so tired!"

Everyone wanted to laugh but didn't dare to endure it. They had been working in front of the emperor for a long time. They knew the emperor's temper. They were the most afraid and annoying. The situation was so solemn as if they were to Dabin's court. But this would never work. "Emperor." Zeng Guofan took out a memorial from his cuff and handed it forward with both hands. "This is the emperor's trip to Tianjin. The meritorious personnel from both places in Liaoning asked for rewards and awards to the generals and the treasure star folds, and the emperor would like to read it."

The emperor took it casually and opened it in his hand. In addition to Song Qing, Zhou Shengbo, Tang Renlian, Ding Ruchang, Shi Hongzu, Zheng Chongyi and others, at the end of the names of the British Langweili and the German Hannagan, the names of the two people were awarded the title of General, and the Double Dragon Treasure Star Medal was given respectively. "In addition to the two members of Langweili and Hannagan, the Treasure Star Medal, Langweili taught the navy to play, especially to give the title of Admiral; Hannagan supervised the fortress, which was as strong as a form, and was given the third rank to encourage."

"Yes." Zeng Guofan repeated the emperor's words and signaled the military chapter to record it.

The emperor turned around and looked at the sons standing beside him, "I have been on the eastern tour for most of my trip. What do you think about what I saw and heard on the way with this escort?"

The brothers looked at each other, and Zai Li was the first to say, "Return to the words of Emperor Ama, my son was ordered by Emperor Ama, and he followed Xu and Hua's second division to pick up the ship, which can be said to be a member of the navy. When my son left the west of the capital, he felt a little touched. However, he had never seen such a look of the giant ship, and he always had some contempt. This time he followed his father to the east, and saw that the Qing Dynasty's defense was strong and the ship was brave, so he knew that the Emperor Ama was as saint as the sky, which was truly a clear proof."

Zai Li's reply was really not very good at answering this, but everyone knew that he was poor in his study and didn't care. The emperor smiled and nodded, then turned around and asked, "Third Prince, what do you think?"

"What my son thinks is another thing." Zai Fen said, "In the 17th year of Xianfeng, someone wrote a memorial saying that the navy was first established and lasted five years, and the ship management funding had been allocated more than 20 million taels, which was too expensive. It was called "Full plan" and practical waste. For a time, Qingliu wrote a chapter, thinking that the ship management was not feasible and that the factory was not mentioned, and it was so popular that the son could remember one or two."

He gasped for a few times and recited loudly, "It's like reading a book. After reading for a few years, he said that his disciples are stronger than his teacher. He said that his disciples are not as good as his teacher. Nothing is worse than abolishing the books and not reading them, which is not beneficial to the false? Moreover, the ships in various countries are beneficial and unfavorable, and their creations are each in order. When they succeed, they learn from each other. If they are proficient, they will make it easier. If they are reckless, they will stop easily. If they are brave and diligent, they will make a long-term plan. If they follow the situation, they will be wasteful. Isn't it just a matter of a ship?"

Zai Wei said while secretly watching his father's face. Seeing him smiling, he could see that his speech was extremely satisfied, and his tone was gradually getting higher. "My son thought, if the court officials used the father's laws as the law and worked hard to do something wrong, the momentum they saw now was enough to make the world's eyes not blind, and they could see how wise the father's sage was. In the future, the ship management and coastal defense matters should be like an arm to use their fingers, without any hindrance."

The emperor burst into laughter and suddenly asked, "Yuan Jiasan?"

"I'm here."

"I know that your son Yuan Baoling is now serving as an alternate Taoist in Zhili. He can also be said to be both virtuous and talented. What should you see than my son?"
Chapter completed!