The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 350: The Secret Letter Burned
Not to mention Li Lianying, even Zai Yi and Ronglu were extremely surprised at Cixi's request for a brazier at this time.

At this time of year, the temperature in the morning and evening in the north is already a little cool, but it is still far from the point where you need to use a brazier to keep warm.

While waiting for the brazier, Cixi said nothing, but kept looking through Teng Yuzhao's memorial with a calm expression, as if she wanted to remember every word in this secret memorial.

Cixi's behavior made Zai Yi feel very worried.

Almost no ministers had ever seen Cixi so furious. Even if she wanted to kill a minister, she would only do it lightly.

In other words, the calmer Cixi was, the more likely she was to harbor tremendous hatred in her heart. Could it be that the things about him in Teng Yuzhao's memorial angered Cixi? If so, not only would Teng Yuzhao be in trouble, but she would also be implicated.

Zai Yi sighed secretly, thinking to himself that perhaps it should not be said that he was implicated by Teng Yuzao, but rather, it was he who implicated Teng Yuzao, who had a bright future.

In addition to the letter reporting victory and the secret letter to Cixi, the person sent by Teng Yuzhao also brought Zai Yi a handwritten letter written by Teng Yuzhao with some kind of Western fountain pen.

In the letter, Teng Yuzhao not only analyzed the current situation for him and asked him to have confidence, but also told him that in his secret memorial to Cixi, he asked Cixi not to punish him as the leader of the pro-war faction. This made Zai Yi very grateful to Teng Yuzhao.

Zai Yi even thought about how he would repay Teng Yuzhao for helping him if he was fine this time.

However, looking at Cixi's expression now, it seemed that Teng Yuzhao's advocacy on his behalf had completely backfired.

Ronglu, who was standing aside, was surprised at first, and then seemed to have guessed something. His expression became extremely surprised, and he even secretly glanced at Zai Yi, whose expression kept changing, to check Zai Yi's expression, trying very much to see something from Zai Yi's face.

Li Lianying left quickly and came back quickly. In just a short while, he returned to the flower hall with two eunuchs carrying a brazier. Under Li Lianying's guidance, they placed a copper basin of red charcoal fire in front of Cixi's couch.

Cixi waved her hand to drive away the two young eunuchs who were standing by the brazier with their hands hanging down, waiting for her orders. Seeing this, Li Lianying also hurriedly stepped back two steps away from the brazier.

The next scene almost frightened Zai Yi to the point of fainting. His eyes were wide open, his mouth was open and he couldn't utter a word.

Cixi actually walked to the brazier herself, unfolded Teng Yuzhao's secret letter, and lit it on the blazing charcoal fire in the brazier. Then she took a pair of tongs from the young eunuch and turned the secret letter in the flames herself until it was completely reduced to ashes.

Looking at the flickering light and shadow on Cixi's face under the charcoal fire, Zai Yi felt cold all over, as if his heart had frozen and no longer beating.

Zai Yi racked his brains but could not figure out what was written in Teng Yuzhao's secret memorial that made Cixi not want to see it again and even wanted to burn it.

Zai Yi couldn't help feeling dizzy and secretly bit the tip of his tongue with his teeth to prevent himself from falling to the ground in public.

Looking at the secret memorial turned to ashes in the charcoal fire, Cixi sighed and said.

"Let's just let the capital be lost. We had a deal before that Teng Xingfu can act accordingly. As long as Teng Xingfu and his vanguard troops are still there, the foreigners will not be able to make trouble."

Cixi walked back to the couch and sat down again. She used her fair hands to tidy up the few strands of hair that had fallen from her temples. She picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and when she raised her head again, her face had become radiant and she continued with a smile.

"Teng Xingfu fought again in the capital and dealt a heavy blow to the powerful countries. He deserves to be called the pillar of the country and lives up to my high hopes for him!"

"It's just that Teng Xingfu achieved such a great victory that made the people happy. He should have been rewarded generously, but I can't give him anything good for the time being."

Cixi looked at Zai Yi and said, "Issue an edict to make it known to the world. Teng Xingfu is the pillar of the Qing Dynasty and a role model for officials all over the world!"

Then he said to Li Lianying, "You ask the emperor to write these words on a scroll and give it to Prince Duan."

Cixi then said to Zai Yi, "You should frame Hangdi's handwritten scroll and send it to Teng Xingfu. You can also write a letter to comfort him and tell him that once the foreign powers have calmed down, I and the Emperor will reward him generously for his great contribution. Even if it means making him a marquis or a prime minister, it's no big deal."

It was not until this time that Zai Yi came to his senses. Although he was very puzzled by Cixi's act of burning Teng Yuzhao's secret memorial, he could not help feeling ecstatic.

Not only did Cixi give Teng Yuzhao the high praise of "the pillar of the Qing Dynasty and a model for officials all over the world!" as she had said before, she even asked Guangxu to write the couplet by hand, which was a great honor for a court official!

Since the founding of the Qing Dynasty, no official has ever received such an honor, which shows that Cixi was not dissatisfied with Teng Yuzhao.

Even if she was dissatisfied with Teng Yuzhao in her heart, at least she did not dare to show it.

This shows that Cixi was at least afraid of Teng Yuzao. If so, Teng Yuzao's guarantee of his safety was reliable.

Ronglu was not as excited as Zai Yi, but he was also surprised. In the 260 years since the Qing Dynasty, only 29 Han people had been awarded the title of duke or marquis, including Wu Sangui, Shang Kexi and others. This shows how difficult it was.

The fact that Cixi has now made her statement shows how important Teng Yuzhao is in Cixi's mind.

Cixi seemed to have regained her usual shrewdness, and her thoughts started jumping around again.

"Zhonghua, how are you handling the situation in Zhili?"

Ronglu, who was already accustomed to Cixi's character, was well prepared and immediately replied, "In reply to the Empress Dowager, everything has been handed over, but the governor Ting Yong is dissatisfied with Teng Xingfu's release of foreign embassy personnel in Beijing."

"He even scolded Teng Xingfu as a dog that the Manchus could never tame, and threatened that he would teach Teng Xingfu a lesson. If he continued to stay in Zhili, there might be many problems. Should he be transferred and Shen Jiaben, the prefect of Baoding, be appointed as the governor?"

"Stupid! Stupid!"

When Ronglu relayed Tingyong's words, Cixi became so angry that her face turned red.

Cixi then said viciously, "Teng Xingfu released the foreign embassy personnel in Beijing in compliance with my imperial decree. Besides, if it weren't for Teng Xingfu, Ting Yong would have killed so many foreigners and Christians in Baoding. He thought the foreigners would let him go."

Ting Yong was also a pro-war faction. Zai Yi wanted to make some excuses for Ting Yong, but when he thought that Ting Yong was too hateful and was actually scolding Teng Yuzao without knowing the consequences, he could not help but shut up.

Tingyong was a member of the Manchu royal family and a member of the Manchu Plain Red Banner.

When the Boxer Rebellion broke out, Ting Yong, then the Zhili Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, strongly advocated supporting the Boxer Rebellion, while Ting Jie, the Provincial Governor, advocated suppressing it. The two often had fierce disputes over this issue. Yu Lu, the Zhili Governor-General in Tianjin, did not make any comment on the matter.

In June of this year, after Cixi clearly expressed her support for the Boxer Rebellion, she transferred the governor Tingjie, who advocated suppression, and promoted Tingyong, who advocated supporting the Boxer Rebellion, to the position of governor.

After that, with Ting Yong's support, almost all the churches in Zhili Province were burned down in a short period of time, and many missionaries were killed. All the Protestant missionaries in Baoding were killed, including the American Presbyterian Church missionaries in Beiguan Church, American Congregational Church missionaries such as Pastor Peter in Nanguan Church, and British China Inland Mission missionaries in Baoding. A total of 23 missionaries and their children were killed, and more than 100 believers were killed.

The massacre took place on June 6 and July 30 at Fenghuangtai outside the southern city of Baoding.

Although Cixi tried her best to control her emotions, she was still furious and said, "You just appointed Shen Jiaben as the Shanxi Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, and now you appoint him as the Provincial Governor. This is inappropriate."

Cixi thought for a moment and suddenly asked Zai Yi, "Prince Duan, where is Zhou Fu now?"

Zai Yi quickly replied, "Zhou Fu just left Wuchang yesterday, and it will take some time for him to reach Shanxi."

Cixi exhaled heavily and said, "Before Zhou Fu left office, he was the governor of Zhili. After Zhou Fu comes to Shanxi to see me, I will let him return to his post temporarily."

"As for Ting Yong, when Zhou Fu takes office, he should be exiled to Tibet like Yu Xian. Otherwise, the foreigners will not let him go either."

"Prince Duan, how is Gang Ziliang's illness?"

Although Cixi's thoughts suddenly jumped to Gangyi, making Zai Yi, who had been a little nervous, a little at a loss, he still replied hurriedly.

"Replying to the Queen Mother, Ziliang has had diarrhea for the past ten days. Several doctors have been consulted but to no avail. Looking at his current condition, I'm afraid he won't be able to live for much longer."

When he said the last few sentences, Zai Yi thought that once Gangyi left, without this staunch supporter, he would most likely become a lonely man in the court. He couldn't help feeling extremely sad and couldn't help but well up tears in his eyes.

Seeing Zai Yi's appearance, Cixi sighed and said, "Although Gang Ziliang is a little dim, he is still very dedicated to his work and can be regarded as conscientious. It's a pity."

Cixi's words "Although Gang Ziliang is a little foolish" made Zai Yi feel indescribable pain in his heart. He could no longer stop the tears in his eyes and cried uncontrollably.

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(End of this chapter)