The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 249 Zai Yi's Promise

Teng Yuzhao remembered this incident, but ever since he traveled through time, he had been busy with the war and was extremely isolated from news from the outside world.

He originally felt it was strange that it was already September and he had not heard any news about the Independence Army.

Teng Yuzhao's attitude towards the Self-Reliance Army is somewhat complicated.

After the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, until the early years of the Republic of China, the Japanese had many overt or covert relationships with many factions in the country. In many cases, the Japanese even openly supported one faction and secretly funded its opponents. In Teng Yuzhao's view, in short, the Japanese just wanted chaos in the country so that they could reap the benefits.

There were also Japanese elements in the Self-Reliance Army this time. For example, Hayashi Kei and Bi Yongnian in the Self-Reliance Army were highly regarded by the Japanese Hirayama Shu. Hirayama Shu was sent to China by Inukai Tsuyoshi, the then Japanese Minister of Education, to investigate anti-Qing secret societies.

Later, Pingshan Zhou strongly supported and helped the revolutionary party. At that time, Pingshan Zhou was suspected by Sunwen that he was involved in activities to support the revolutionary party while colluding with the Qing court.

Teng Yuzhao sighed secretly in his heart. The biggest threat to China has always been the Japanese and the Russians, and the Japanese are the most cunning and insidious.

However, he is now unable to do these things despite his willingness.

Zai Yi gritted his teeth and said, "Xingfu, let's not talk about that mess."

Zai Yi stopped talking, sighed and shook his head.

Although Zai Yi did not finish his words, Teng Yuzhao guessed that the words Zai Yi did not say next should be "traitors and thieves". It can be seen that Zai Yi, and even Cixi, hated these provincial governors who signed the "Southeast Mutual Protection" agreement. However, because these people had no other choice, they could only turn a deaf ear and ignore them for the time being.

Zai Yi heaved a sigh of relief and then said worriedly, "Xingfu, according to what you said, we should keep fighting until the foreigners can no longer bear it and come to us, and then we can negotiate peace with them."

"But many court officials are worried that this war will get bigger and bigger. What if the foreigners occupy Zhili and refuse to leave? What should we do then?"

"will not."

Teng Yuzao said affirmatively, "Your Highness, except for the Russians who will try every means to stay outside the Great Wall, the other countries will definitely withdraw from Zhili in the end. They will not even allow any country to attempt to occupy Zhili alone. In particular, these European and American powers will unite and work hard to prevent the Japanese and Russians from having such intentions."

Teng Yuzao then gave Zai Yi a brief introduction to the situation in Europe and the United States, focusing on the conflicts and conflicts of interest among European powers such as Britain, France, Russia, Germany and Austria. Teng Yuzao told Zai Yi that the roots of these European powers are still in Europe, and none of them dared to send heavy troops to China, which would seriously weaken their military strength in their own Europe.

Teng Yuzao also told Zai Yi that the Americans would also try their best to prevent such a thing from happening because they were worried that Britain and France would take the opportunity to expand their influence in the Yangtze River Basin and the southwest, which would in turn affect America’s interests in China.

After listening to Teng Yuzhao's analysis and narration, Zai Yi's complexion improved a lot. He thought for a while and asked again.

"We can't just let the Russians stay outside the Great Wall. What should we do with them?"

Teng Yuzao nodded and said, "The Russians have always had a strong desire for land. The great powers are well aware of this. They will never sit idly by and watch the Russians stay outside the Great Wall. They will all try to force the Russians to fail in their plots."

"Especially the Japanese. They have always coveted the land of the Qing Dynasty, especially the land outside the Great Wall. The Japanese will not sit idly by and watch the Russians occupy the land outside the Great Wall."

"Your Highness, you must know the story of two peaches killing three warriors. The land outside the Great Wall is a delicious peach. As long as we refuse to cede land, the great powers will have a reason to intervene. Moreover, the Russians and Japanese will fight each other for this peach. At that time, the vanguard army, with Zhili as its back, can do its best and drive the two robbers out of the Great Wall in one fell swoop when they are exhausted."

After thinking for a moment, Zai Yi nodded and said admiringly, "Xingfu is far-sighted and far-sighted, far beyond the reach of ordinary warriors. In my opinion, compared with those provincial governors, he is not only not inferior to them, but far better than them. It's true that young people are to be feared!" However, in an instant, Zai Yi's good mood was ruined by the worries in his heart, and he sighed and changed the subject.

"Xingfu, if the foreigners want to negotiate, what conditions do you think they will put forward?"

Zai Yi hesitated for a moment and then said, "I'm afraid it won't be as simple as just ceding territory and paying compensation!"

Teng Yuzhao knew clearly that Zai Yi was thinking about his son's throne, and he might not even have considered himself.

However, Teng Yuzao would never tell Zai Yi what was in his heart. After a slight hesitation, Teng Yuzao spoke in a firm tone.

"Your Highness, please rest assured. As long as the Vanguard Army becomes stronger and stronger, and I am still in charge of the Vanguard Army, I will never allow the foreigners and some scoundrels in the court to endanger Your Highness. I will definitely protect Your Highness."

Although Teng Yuzao's words sounded confident, their content was vague, and it was even easy for Zai Yi to misunderstand Teng Yuzao's meaning.

However, this was exactly the effect that Teng Yuzao wanted to achieve. He wanted to gain the support of Zai Yi, who was willing to do anything to protect his son's throne, without giving himself the excuse of breaking his promise.

Sure enough, Teng Yuzhao's words made Zai Yi suddenly excited. His somewhat thin cheeks instantly became rosy. Zai Yi said in a trembling voice.

"Okay! Xingfu won't let me down, and I will never let Xingfu down."

As if feeling that this sentence was not enough to make Teng Yuzao completely side with him, Zai Yi spoke again.

"Xingfu, once the foreigners withdraw from Zhili, I will definitely make every effort to make sure that there is no one in Zhili who can hinder Xingfu. Then Xingfu can use Zhili as his base and act freely outside the Great Wall, drive out the Russians as soon as possible, and recover the territory of the Qing Dynasty."

Although Zai Yi's words were not very straightforward, the meaning was very clear, that is, he would hand over the position of Governor-General of Zhili to Teng Yuzhao. This made Teng Yuzhao feel very excited. If it was really as Zai Yi said, the completion of his grand goal would be just around the corner.

"besides."

Zai Yi was still excited and said, "Xingfu, the Queen Mother has arranged for Rong Zhonghua to return to Baoding. If the capital is lost, she will gather the troops guarding the capital in Baoding. Prince Qing will stay in the capital and wait for the foreigners to come to negotiate. I will also appoint you as the ambassador of defense of the capital and take full responsibility for the defense of the capital."

"I have ordered the Gansu Army and the Boxers remaining in Beijing to be under the command of Xingfu."

The Gansu Army that Zai Yi mentioned was Dong Fuxiang's Wuwei Rear Army.

"However, the Gansu generals are quite unruly, so Xingfu needs to be more careful. According to Dong Fuxiang's request, the Forbidden City and the eastern wall of the Imperial City will be guarded by the Gansu Army, and the rest of the city will be guarded by Xingfu and the Boxers. If Xingfu believes that the capital cannot be defended, he can lead his troops to withdraw from the capital."

At this moment, there was a sudden commotion outside, which made Zai Yi's expression freeze and he hurriedly shouted to the outside.

"Someone is coming."

As Zai Yi shouted, a Goshha ran in in response.

(End of this chapter)