The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 292 Eliminating hidden dangers
Teng Yuzao signaled Wei Jinghaidao to disperse the guards, then Teng Yuzao stood in the middle of the steps of the Ministry of Revenue and shouted loudly to the Boxer leaders who were watching and hesitating on the street below, preparing to flee quickly.

"My dear leaders, I dare not say whether there is any decree or not regarding what Yikuang said about the Queen Mother. However, you should believe me on one point, that is, I, Teng Yuzao, did not hear these words, let alone see this decree. Please believe me on this point."

In just a short while, Teng Yuzhao had already thought of something, and he even overturned his original idea of ​​appeasing these leaders.

Because Teng Yuzhao realized that if he tried to appease these people, Cixi would issue that decree unless something unexpected happened, and then he would be in even greater trouble.

If he ignored Cixi's order to suppress the Boxer Rebellion, I'm afraid Cixi would develop a grudge against him and even start to be wary of him.

In that case, it would be difficult for him to gain Cixi's trust, which would have a great impact on his realization of his grand goals.

But if he wanted to carry out Cixi's order, not to mention that he was reluctant to take action against the Boxers, even if he was willing to do it, there would probably be strong resistance in his troops. After all, there were a large number of people who were Boxers in his troops.

After much thought, I decided that it is better to suffer a short pain than a long one. The best solution is to resolve this matter as soon as possible before the imperial decree arrives.

After Teng Yuzhao finished speaking, the Boxer leaders immediately began to discuss in a low voice, and then gradually, these people naturally split into three groups.

A group of people gathered around Liu Shijiu, Wang Decheng and Zhu Kaishan, and asked Liu Shijiu and Wang Decheng about the Vanguard Army, because Zhu Kaishan had already publicly said among these people that he wanted to join the Vanguard Army.

Moreover, Wang Decheng had just recruited nearly 10,000 Boxers two hours ago. Especially when they saw that Teng Yuzhao was protecting his subordinates in every possible way and was even willing to offend the powerful officials of the time, this gave them a glimmer of hope.

This group has the largest number of people, accounting for about 70%.

Several other leaders gathered around Liu Zhigang and Zhou Zhan, accounting for nearly 20% of the group.

The last group was much more loose; they seemed to have more independent ideas and did not want to join either of the two groups.

After a long while, someone shouted loudly, "General, please tell us what we should do?"

Finally being asked the main question, Teng Yuzao nodded and said, "It's very simple. I'll show you three ways."

Upon hearing what Teng Yuzao said, the leaders on the street below immediately stopped whispering and began to listen to Teng Yuzao carefully. These people wanted to hear what Teng Yuzao had to say before making their final decision.

"If there really was such an order, then local governments would do their utmost to suppress the Boxer Rebellion. Those who participated in the Boxer Rebellion would probably be arrested and prosecuted by the government. Even the foreign devils would try their best to round up and arrest all those who participated in the Boxer Rebellion. If they were caught by the foreign devils, they would definitely be killed."

What Teng Yuzhao said was not alarmist, it was true in history.

"In order to avoid this unprovoked disaster, you can only do as I say, and there will be a way to survive."

"The first option is to leave the capital and live somewhere else under a false name. When the storm has passed, return to your hometown."

"Damn it! I organized the Boxer Rebellion just to kill the foreign devils. I worked hard for the imperial court, shed blood and sweat, and in the end I have to live in hiding and exile in a foreign land. I won't accept it!"

Before Teng Yuzao had finished speaking, some people below started shouting and cursing. With one person taking the lead, the whole group started shouting and cursing. Even if Teng Yuzao was not there, some people would probably have shouted words of rebellion.

"Marshal, please tell us about the second way."

After shouting and cursing for a while, someone finally remembered to let Teng Yuzhao continue speaking.

"The second way is to take your people to Guandong and occupy a mountain stronghold, where you can fight the foreigners as well. Not only are the Russians wreaking havoc there, murdering the people and occupying our land, but the area is vast and sparsely populated, making it difficult for the local government to take care of it." Teng Yuzhao's words startled the Boxer leaders. After all, Teng Yuzhao was also a senior official of the dynasty. He openly encouraged them to go to Guandong to occupy the mountains and become kings. Was Teng Yuzhao trying to rebel?
Someone shouted, "Marshal, you are asking us to become bandits!"

Teng Yuzao waved his hand and continued, "I am an official appointed by the imperial court. How could I encourage you to occupy the mountains and become bandits?"

"What I mean is that you can raise the banner of fighting against the invasion of the Russians in Guandong and specifically fight the Russians. The Russians stay in Guandong for one day, and you fight them for one day. This is also helping the court to do things."

"I can also tell you that as long as we defeat the foreign devils in Zhili, I, Teng Yuzao, will definitely lead the vanguard army out of the pass to fight the old Russians, and then we will fight together."

Teng Yuzao then added, "If there is anyone willing to go to Guandong to fight the Russians, I can provide him with some foreign guns and bullets."

It was Teng Yuzhao's sincere wish to have these people go to Guandong, and it was even what he hoped to see most. If a large number of organized Boxers could go to Guandong now to fight the Russians, the Russians would not dare to send troops to the interior of the country, which would relieve some of his pressure.

However, the conditions in fighting the Russians in Guandong were much more difficult than in the interior. At least winter was a major hurdle, and it was difficult for ordinary people to adapt to the severe cold there.

"Marshal, what is the third way?"

Obviously, some people are not satisfied with the first two options proposed by Teng Yuzhao.

"The third way is to join the Vanguard Army."

Teng Yuzao went on to say, "As long as you join the Vanguard Army and follow me to fight the foreign devils, no one will pursue your participation in the Boxer Rebellion. I can guarantee that."

Liu Nineteen rushed up the stairs in a few steps, but he was still very careful and did not stand at the top where Teng Yuzhao was. Instead, he stood on a step lower than Teng Yuzhao and shouted to the Boxer leaders on the street below.

"Brothers, I, Liu Nineteen, am proof that our Marshal is the most protective of his subordinates. If anyone dares to touch our vanguard army, the Marshal will never let him off easily. Even if he is a damned iron-hatted king, he is nothing in front of our Marshal."

"As long as you join the Vanguard Army, anyone who wants to use your participation in the Boxer Rebellion as an excuse to attack you will be just wishful thinking."

Although Liu Shijiu's words were vulgar, and he even accused Teng Yuzhao of protecting his own people, the leaders not only understood his words, but also liked to hear them the most.

After Liu Shijiu finished shouting, Zhu Kaishan also raised his arms and shouted loudly.

"Marshal, I, Zhu Kaishan, and my brothers are going to join the vanguard army."

"Marshal, I also want to join the vanguard army."

"We also want to join the vanguard army."

Zhu Kaishan was a righteous man. Although he had no ambition, he was very prestigious in the Boxer Rebellion. Most of the Boxer leaders who did not rely on Liu Zhigang and Zhou Zhan had a good relationship with him.

With Zhu Kaishan taking the lead, more than a dozen leaders immediately followed and shouted that they wanted to join the vanguard army. Teng Yuzhao hurriedly waved his hand to stop everyone.

感谢：超级传奇哥、凤林王/516313、-天-、湿妹好银荡、平凡之路二、希格拉之耀、20170525193430784、20210301105267525784、20210212223233267、妄念天、稻草人1970、20180927104339797、20210301104130671710、深蓝等书友的月票、推荐票支持！！！

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(End of this chapter)