Chapter 115 King Dun takes office as an envoy (1)

When the Military Affairs Office called out, the emperor deliberately did not mention the disagreement in the warm room yesterday, but only talked about the serious matters. "I have seen the schedule that the Japanese have planned for this invitation to the Beiyang Navy to visit. It's okay, there is only one section, which is the content of the performance with the Japanese Navy at sea. I don't think so. Are the Japanese really willing to pull out a warship and make formal jiāo on the sea with our Beiyang Navy? Are you not afraid that the shells will not grow eyes, sink their ships, and kill their soldiers?"

"Yes. I have also consulted the Japanese minister on this matter. Ambassador Fukushima and I said that the purpose of doing this is not to compete with our Qing navy's real swords and guns, but to exercise to demonstrate the strength of our Qing navy. The Japanese side arranged the target ships and placed them on the sea, and our navy's artillery bombardment."

"This is not OK. What's the point of doing this? The target ship is dead and will not hide at all. What's the effect of fighting?" said the emperor. "In my opinion, it's better to discuss with the Japanese and let the soldiers of the two countries compete for each other on the sea. It's better to see if it's the Japanese Navy's number one in Asia, or the Qing Navy."

"Emperor, the soldiers are in danger of fighting. If there are casualties in each other during the drill, I may hurt the emperor's love for the people and the sages, and it will also be detrimental to the states of China and Japan."

"Then tell the Japanese that this part of the itinerary is exempted from the schedule. Neither the left and right can achieve the desired effect of each other. What should we do?"

"Yes." Yigan swallowed dryly. This time he went to Japan, the artillery tests conducted by the navies on the sea were strongly requested by the Japanese side. After discussing with the Military Affairs Office, the General Administration Office believed that the Japanese purpose was nothing more than to see the powerful power of the Qing navy, so that this time he invited the Beiyang Navy to visit, so as to achieve a more intuitive impression of the role of Japanese citizens, including bureaucrats, but unexpectedly he refuted it to the emperor.

"The emperor, Japanese ambassador Deputy Shimatsushimatsu, told me that Japan lacks a formal and effective naval academy, and hopes to obtain the permission of His Majesty the Emperor, so that the naval students in our country can also enter the Naval academy of the Qing Dynasty."

This sudden request made him suspicious. The Japanese were overwhelmed? They wanted to send people to Weihai for a long time. They spent money in vain and even bought the Kobe Naval Training Center opened by Shibashi in Kobe without using it. For Japan's close neighbor, even if he had special experience, he never dared to be careless. Every move, every word and action of the other party had to think carefully before making a decision.

"This matter is not allowed." He said slowly, "The Japanese have their own talents and their own naval training schools. What kind of scriptures are there to come to our Qing Dynasty?"

"Yes. After my brother went down, he used these words from the emperor as a Japanese minister."

"Also, the Japanese invited me to visit the Qing Navy, of course, to see the power of the Beiyang Navy, but this kind of ritual exchange is also indispensable between countries. After the Wu and the others finished their visit, the General Administration Office will submit a formal invitation to the Japanese minister and invite the Japanese to China. What do you think?"

"I think it's very good. China and Japan are close neighbors, and it is time to increase their mutual relations through this kind of military exchange." Mr. Yi replied in a formal manner, "The emperor governs the country like a chess game, and takes more weight than the wise and wise things far exceed those of ancient and modern times. I admire him."

Yi flattered and said, "Zeng Guofan, what did you think about the reform of the military system that you and my monarch and ministers discussed in the palace yesterday?"

Zeng Guofan didn't expect him to suddenly change the topic and asked himself, "After I returned to my house yesterday, I thought that I was rude in front of the emperor, and Emperor Méng was not guilty..."

"I don't want to hear you say these apology. There is time to tell you about such things. The Military Affairs Office said that you, my monarch and ministers discuss the major affairs of the country and speak up serious things."

Zeng Guofan sighed secretly, saying that the king and his ministers had discussed it. In fact, the emperor had already had certain rules in his heart. The Military Affairs Office had long become a wart in the court. If this were not the case, there would be no need to have a desire to leave. Thinking about the 16th year of Xianfeng, when the emperor recruited himself to transfer the Military Affairs Office, the king and his ministers got together. How happy were they? Today, their actions have changed drastically. When did the emperor become arbitrary? I no longer remember it anymore.

Seeing that he was a little distracted, the emperor asked again, his tone was extremely gentle, "Zeng Guofan, what are you thinking?"

"Ah, the old minister is thinking that changing the system of garrison to recruiting troops can be said to have broken the ancestors' law in one fell swoop. This matter is of great importance. Please ask the emperor to make a decision."

"I'm sure it's my business. Now I'm going to ask you the opinion of the military minister who is in charge of the Grand Secretary." The emperor smiled and said softly, "If you have anything to say, just say it. For a king, you should avoid being a bit too narrow if you listen."

"Yes." Zeng Guofan had no choice but to bow and say, "What the emperor said yesterday, after all the elderly, weak, sick and disabled people in the generals were repatriated to their hometowns, except for the serious illness and the failure to contribute to the country to the country to relocate and dismissal silver as usual, the rest were included in the prefectures and counties of each province, serving as an official, or as a police officer. This is certainly a good law to eliminate the waste and preserve the law, but I am afraid that if this happens, the provinces will be divided into

Inside, people are indifferent to the emperor's holy heart for pursuing the administration; in addition, the police use their subordinates, the people do not know the intention of their establishment, and the withdrawn soldiers do not know the function of their function. Once they rashly form a military force, I am worried that they are both unclear and unclear, and it will be easy to give those clerks who intend to live a life of exhaustion and make excuses from each other, which will lead to great civil destruction." He bowed and said, "I am asking the emperor to look down on this little knowledge."

"Yes. There are indeed many problems." The emperor nodded, opened his mouth, and stopped his words. "This kind of thing must be handled accidentally. I have said a long time ago that in the court, the government should think of all possible omissions in the front. If it comes down, it will give the people below the people to find a chance to take advantage of loopholes and try to correct it. It will be half the result with twice the effort. This time Zeng Guofan's memorial was very good. It is indeed Yan Sè, a real Taoist scholar who made up for the mistakes of the king and father."

"I dare not, I am ashamed of the emperor..."

"Well, don't mention this." The emperor was also a little moved. "Some of you are my blood brothers, some of them picked up by me, and some of them were the pillars of the court for many years. My affection for you and my king and ministers have also been down for many years. I always think that you, my king and ministers can be the beginning and end, and first, to set an example for future generations; second, to fulfill my reputation; third, to allow you to leave a name in history and become a model of loyalty to the emperor and loving your father. However, I think this way, whether you can do it is not entirely up to me alone. You also need a few of you to assist you all the time..."

Yi and his friends were all moved. It has been many years since they entered the Military Affairs Office. The surprise that they had just entered the Military Affairs Office had already passed with the years. What was replaced by the sad feelings that Zeng Guofan had in his heart was like Zeng Guofan. He only knew how to greet him, bowed to accept the order, and was timid, and there was no difference from a inferior servant. Not only Zeng Guofan, but also one of the Military Affairs Offices, except Yan Jingming, and Zhao Guang, didn't think that this job was becoming more and more meaningless. But I didn't expect the emperor would say such a thing today?

He smiled bitterly and continued, "I still remember that, well, Zeng Guofan had no internal tricks at that time. Among the few people present today, there were only two members Yi and Yan Jingming. Even if you and my monarch and ministers were fighting in front of the imperial court, they knew in their hearts that what they were fighting for was the major affairs of the court, which was the foundation of the country. No matter how strong the words were, I could tolerate it. On the contrary, now, the country is peaceful and the world is peaceful. This kind of dispute between gentlemen has not seen the temple for a long time. I know that this is my fault. Many times, I don't even listen to the words of my subordinates and directly issued an edict. As for the implementation below, it depends entirely on my own assumptions. All these are my faults, don't blame me, right?"

"The emperor speaks like this, so I am ashamed of myself. I am always unclear about my knowledge. I have failed to fulfill my duties as a result of the national government, and I have to work hard for the emperor." Yi knelt down and met his head, saying loudly.

"There are no need to mention these things in the past. Let's look at the future." He said, "You are all senior officials of the court, and the people in the world are related to the voices of the people. I stayed in the deep palace and didn't hear much news - sometimes I want to go out for a walk, but it's not enough for you to stop me."

One sentence made everyone laugh, "...What I mean is that the great policies of the court are related to the welfare of the people. Whether it is done well or not, whether it can achieve my original intention of benefiting the people depends on you. The governors of various provinces will give feedback on the voices below. If it is good, they will naturally not mention it. If it is bad, they must find out where the problem is, and they can also make targeted rectifications and even abolish them."

"It's just like this military system reform. I think it's better to slow down the pace as Zeng Guofan said, even if you do experiments in one city and one place first? Slow down the time a little to find possible omissions - Zeng Guofan, what do you think?"

Zeng Guofan nodded quickly, "The emperor said very well, I am impressed by the emperor."

The emperor sighed. Zeng Guofan and himself said that they were not in a state of being disinterested, but their mental defenses could not be resolved in a short time with a few words. This made him feel very sad. From when did he start to treat him like this? Isn’t it considered a mercy to him? "Okay, after you go on this matter, discuss it carefully with the Ministry of War to see if you can handle it in Tianjin."

"Yes." Zeng Guofan agreed and knelt out with his colleagues.

After the Military Affairs Office, King Dun and others handed in the sign. The emperor immediately summoned him, "Lao Wu, the last time he was sent to various European countries, putting the good or bad jobs aside, but this characteristic that is suitable for living on the water can't be selected among the court officials."

Yi Qi smiled silently, "There is no one who knows the ministers than the king. The ministers and brothers have no ability to be with the side, and only have the ability to be content with the situation. They can still boast about singing whatever mountain they go to."

Everyone laughed at his words, "Lao Wu, you have a few things to ask you when you go to Japan this time."

Yi Qi put away his joking smiley face and knelt down solemnly, "I respectfully listen to the Hadith."

"First, this trip to Japan was the first official visit with the Japanese authorities after the founding of the Central Plains of the Qing Dynasty. As a prince of a country, my blood brother, you must take out the prince's ritual. I know that you are a rough person and sometimes don't pay much attention to etiquette, but this kind of thing is not good in Beijing, but in Japan. You represent me, my Qing Dynasty, do you understand?"

"Please rest assured, I know how to do it." Yi Qiong said, "If you say you are pretending to be a grandson, I may not be like this; if you are arrogant, I will not lose to anyone."

With a word, the emperor frowned and felt helpless. Lao Wu didn't even talk about me. Even when he came to him, he still remained the same. What should I do when I went to Japan?

But it is not advisable to pursue it too deeply at this moment. Although Yi Qiongren didn't study much and was very arrogant, he would not be vague with the blood of the Tian family and the descendants of the late queen. "The second is to show the demeanor of the Qing Dynasty and the supreme country, and he must not underestimate the Japanese."

This is ambiguous and inexplicable. How does it mean to 'Take a demeanor and not underestimate the other party'? "For specific things, I don't have to teach you too much. In short, it depends on you to grasp it yourself. You are better than me and Lao Liu and others in this kind of adaptability. I will give you the will now, and you can be good at that time."

Yi Qiong didn't understand a lot, but the emperor could not ask questions in a daze. Fortunately, Zhu Hongzhang and Xu Geng were there. I just wait a while before asking them for advice. I met and agreed.

"There is also the third one. This time, in addition to the Japanese minister's accompaniment, there are Xu Gengshen and Zhu Hongzhang. When you arrive in Tianjin, you will also meet with Shen Baozhen and the others and go together. The wind and waves on the road are dangerous, so pay more attention to your health."

"The emperor loves my brother, and I feel inexplicably happy. I can only do my best to do my job and repay the emperor's kindness."

The emperor smiled unanimously and said to Zhu Hongzhang and Xu Geng, "This time you go west with the prince, you must be the master of yourselves. After you arrive in Japan, you will do your job seriously. After returning to China, I will naturally give you a reward."

"...There is one thing in the end," he said. "Although Japan's territory is much smaller than that of our Qing Dynasty, the people are brave and unremarkable. The people do not mention it. There are many martial artists among the court officials. This time you go, that country must treat each other with courtesy, but what I am worried about..."

He paused, and Yi Qiong suddenly said, "Is the emperor worried that the Japanese would not accept the shame of losing the battle at the Sixth Brother's Mansion that day, and it is possible that they would provoke during the banquet?"
Chapter completed!