The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 227: Dirty Water

"Gangyi smiled bitterly with some helplessness, and then continued.

"Some newspapers do not distinguish between truth and falsehood and publish any news at will. For example, the Jingbao published an article saying nonsense that Prince Duan and other ministers of the Grand Council strongly recommended Song Qing, an incompetent man who had been defeated in many battles, to be the general manager of the Beiyang Zhili Military Affairs in order to suppress Teng Xingfu. It also said that since Song Qing took office as the general manager of the military affairs, he has suppressed Teng Xingfu and his vanguard army everywhere, which led to the fall of Tianjin."

"This rumor was even reprinted by foreign newspapers."

"The capital is now in turmoil. Some ignorant and foolish people are spreading rumors in restaurants and teahouses. It's so hateful!"

In fact, there are some things that Gangyi didn't say. The rumors have now become a little distorted. People have begun to say that all the ministers in their Grand Council are treacherous ministers, and he, Gangyi, is the first of the treacherous ministers.

Cixi looked at Wu Peifu with a puzzled look, "Wu Ziyu, did Song Qing suppress Teng Xingfu and the Vanguard Army?"

Wu Peifu, who had just sat on the brocade cushion brought by the eunuch, had not been sitting comfortably to begin with. He had been listening with his ears perked up to the conversation between Cixi and three important court officials. When he heard Cixi's question, he hurriedly stood up, but he hesitated for a long time before speaking with seeming reluctance.

"In reply to the Queen Mother, before I came to the capital, my master repeatedly reminded me about this matter. If anyone asks about it, there is no need to suppress it."

Although Wu Peifu said that Song Qing did not suppress Teng Yuzhao and the Vanguard Army, his hesitating and demeanor showed that the so-called rumor was true. Wu Peifu did not dare to say it because he was afraid that once he said it, it would bring disaster to me, Teng Yuzhao.

In fact, not only the rumor, but also the statement of not paying homage to Cixi were all discussed and discussed repeatedly between him and Teng Yuzhao before he came.

By answering these two questions, Teng Yuzao wanted to achieve two goals.

Regarding the military salute, Teng Yuzhao was actually foreshadowing his own future audience with the emperor.

It was impossible for him to avoid meeting Cixi forever, and when he met Cixi, the etiquette was a very embarrassing issue for him. Now with Wu Peifu's preparation, he would not have to worry about this matter anymore as long as he wore military uniform when he met the emperor in the future.

As for the rumor about Song Qing, Teng Yuzhao had not initially thought of involving Zai Yi, Gang Yi and other military ministers. Now that he has involved them, it was completely an unintentional mistake.

Teng Yuzhao was somewhat troubled about how Wu Peifu would answer this question if Cixi or Zai Yi asked about it.

If the answer is yes, it would be inappropriate, after all, it is not true, and I am also afraid that someone will investigate it seriously. At least if Song Qing is reprimanded, it will be troublesome if Song Qing cries out for injustice.

After much thought, he came up with this idea. In this way, Teng Yuzao was not afraid of people accusing him of fabricating a story, because his student had denied it on the spot.

Secondly, it also makes people feel that Teng Yuzhao takes the overall situation into consideration and has a noble character.

Sure enough, after Wu Peifu finished speaking, Cixi's face instantly became ugly, and Ronglu also frowned and snorted softly.

Zai Yi and Gang Yi's expressions were much more complicated. They strongly recommended Song Qing, and for this reason, they also rejected Yu Lu's recommendation of Teng Yuzao because he was a lucky person selected by Yu Lu and was afraid that he would not be able to handle the important task. At this time, the two of them looked ashamed, angry and hateful. The target of their anger and hatred was naturally Song Qing.

Cixi took a deep breath and said, "Well, I didn't expect that Teng Xingfu, who is young, is a man who knows the big picture. Just this kind of mind makes him a mature and patriotic person. It's just that I have wronged him!"

Then he turned to Zai Yi and said, "Since Teng Xingfu is broad-minded, don't mention this matter again. However, you should still remind Song Zhusan tactfully that in this time of national crisis, as the general manager of the Beiyang Zhili Military Affairs, he should consider the overall situation and put the defense of foreign humiliation first."

"Zha."

Cixi did not blame him, which made Zai Yi feel relieved.

Cixi then turned to Wu Peifu and motioned him to sit down and answer. After Wu Peifu half sat on the brocade cushion, she asked anxiously.

"Wu Ziyu, let me ask you, is Teng Xingfu safe and sound now? How many of the vanguard troops are left?"

Finally, the topic came to the point. Wu Peifu's somewhat uneasy heart finally settled down. While secretly admiring his teacher's thoughtful consideration, he began to answer Cixi's questions.

"In reply to the Queen Mother, my master is now in Anping, dozens of miles northeast of Langfang. Although my master often goes to the battlefield in person, God has eyes and my master is safe and sound. However, the vanguard army has been fighting day and night with more than 100,000 foreign devils in Tianjin City for several days, and has suffered heavy losses. There are only a few thousand left out of the more than 20,000 people."

Wu Peifu began to exaggerate and tell Cixi and the worried Ronglu, Zai Yi and Gangyi about Teng Yuzao's great deeds in Tianjin.

"We were surrounded by more than 100,000 foreign devils in Tianjin City. After days of bloody fighting, although we were outnumbered, we still managed to not only defend the North Gate and half of Tianjin City, but also killed and wounded nearly 10,000 foreign devils in street fighting. The foreign devils had no choice but to secretly adopt the strategy of dividing their troops. On the one hand, they divided their troops to attack Beicang, and on the other hand, they continued to launch fierce attacks on us day and night. However, our army suffered heavy casualties. At the same time, in order to induce our army to break through, the foreign devils also set up a formation of surrounding three sides and attacking one side in the west of the city."

"However, my master had already seen through the foreign devils' plan. Moreover, despite what the late Yu Zhongtang said, if things got out of hand, my master could lead the troops to retreat on his own. However, my master insisted that without Yu Zhongtang's order, even if the whole army died in battle, he would never evacuate Tianjin City."

Wu Peifu sighed and said, "On the night when Beicang fell, my master received an order from Yu Zhongtang asking him to withdraw from Tianjin City. Only then did my master reluctantly order the evacuation of Tianjin City that night."

"In order to evacuate the city safely, my master devised a brilliant plan. That night, the entire army launched a sudden night attack on the more than 20,000 foreign devils that had entered the city. The foreign devils were defeated and fled out of the city in panic. My master personally led the troops to attack and charge all the way. The vanguard chased the foreign devils all the way to Haiguang Temple before stopping."

"Then, one part crossed the Sancha River eastward from Beiguan and bravely broke through the Japanese defense line."

"My master personally led the main force of our army, rushed out of the city from the east gate and the southeast corner of the city wall that was blown down by the foreign devils, and attacked the more than 10,000 troops of the 6th Brigade of the 9th Division of the Japanese Army from both sides of the east city. Inspired by my master's personal charge and killing of the enemy, the soldiers of the army defeated the enemy's 6th Brigade in one fell swoop after a bloody battle. That night, they killed more than 20,000 Japanese and Russian troops in Tianjin, seized the flag of the 6th Brigade of the 9th Division of the Japanese Army that was not burned, and killed the commander of the 9th Brigade of the 5th Division of the Japanese Army, Yasaburo Takeshita."

I’m sorry, fellow book friends, it seems that Zuima still needs some more training. It’s really hard for me to write three chapters a day, so I’d better change it to two chapters a day, but I guarantee that it will not be less than 6,000 words.



(End of this chapter)