The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 357: Killing Many Birds with One Stone

"Also, she must know that such a costly undertaking is not something that Huguang can accomplish on his own."

At this point, Zhang Zhidong's eyes sparkled. "If you consider the rest of the letter, you will come to the conclusion that the Empress Dowager's intention to relocate the capital was false, but her intention to force the foreigners to negotiate peace was true."

"Moreover, the hidden purpose is not just this. This is a conspiracy that kills several birds with one stone. The Queen Mother's scheming is beyond my reach!"

Seeing that Gu Hongming still seemed a little confused, Zhang Zhidong continued to explain.

"The intention to move the capital to Jingmen is to tell the foreigners that the court has given up the plan to return to the capital and will continue to fight this war."

"This is the same as Teng Xingfu's decision to fight but not make peace, which means that we want to fight with the foreigners for a long time, and eventually force them to come to us and ask for peace, so as to avoid being asked by the other side to make huge demands, such as in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, and not only cede territory but also pay huge compensation."

It was only then that Gu Hongming understood and said, "Brilliant! Really brilliant!"

Gu Hongming still understood what was happening abroad, he said.

"Although the war has only just begun, the imperial court actually doesn't want to continue fighting. However, it cannot show weakness to the foreigners, lest it be in a passive position during the peace talks. Therefore, the move of the capital now is a bluff to the foreigners. The intention is to tell the foreigners that the imperial court has no intention of negotiating peace and still wants to fight."

Zhang Zhidong nodded, then shook his head and said, "Bluffing is both right and wrong. If it's right, the Queen Mother is indeed showing that she is determined to continue the fight. If it's wrong, Teng Xingfu is still fighting the foreigners with real swords and guns, and there is no sign of Teng Xingfu's decline, so the court still has the capital to continue fighting."

"I remember we roughly calculated that since the beginning of the war, the casualties of the coalition forces of the great powers defeated by Teng Xingfu have already exceeded 100,000."

"It would be very costly for the European and American powers to come across the ocean, and they would have difficulty in recruiting soldiers."

"Although the Russians and Japanese do have troops, they don't have the financial resources. If they continue to fight for a long time, the military expenditure will be very high. They can't afford it. Besides, not only are the British still fighting with the Boers you mentioned, but the European powers also have to be wary of each other."

"So, if this war drags on for a few more months, or Teng Xingfu wins a few more great victories, I estimate that when the foreigners see that the imperial court is determined to continue the war, they will take the initiative to propose peace talks."

"This is just one of the many birds you kill with one stone."

"Also because this move is forcing me to make my position clear. As long as I actively help the court build a capital in Jingmen, it will show that I am still on the side of the court, and the Southeast Mutual Protection will be meaningless. The other bird is the Southeast Mutual Protection."

"The other birds you want to shoot are all specifically targeting me."

Zhang Zhidong smiled bitterly and said, "The letter talks about training a new army at the end. Since the capital has been moved to Jingmen, it needs military protection. The Green Camp is definitely not enough. We have to train a new army, and it would be best if it is a strong army like the Vanguard Army. This is normal and reasonable."

"But the Empress Dowager and Ronglu are well aware that I have always been competitive and I am the one who cherishes my reputation the most. Ronglu specifically stated in the letter that the new army I have trained should not be outdone by Teng Xingfu's vanguard army. He also said that the Empress Dowager could ask Teng Xingfu to help train the new Huguang army with all his strength."

Zhang Zhidong said self-deprecatingly, "I don't think I can train a strong army like Teng Xingfu's. Don't say it's me. I dare say that no one in the country dares to say that he can train a strong army like Teng Xingfu's vanguard army."

"And if we want to train a strong army like that, Teng Xingfu has to do it. That's what the Queen Mother wants to see."

"As long as I do this, I will be completely cleared. The Queen Mother will be completely relieved about me. This is the first reason. Secondly, Teng Xingfu will have an additional backup force, which will ensure that Teng Xingfu can continue to fight the foreigners in Zhili."

After listening to Zhang Zhidong's words, Gu Hongming couldn't help but sigh. He not only admired Zhang Zhidong's wisdom, but also had a deep understanding of Cixi's scheming.

However, Gu Hongming still had some doubts, "Does Xiangshuai overestimate the Empress Dowager? Is this strategy the work of someone else, such as Ronglu or Zai Yi?"

Zhang Zhidong thought for a moment and shook his head.

"I know both of them. Ronglu couldn't come up with such an upright conspiracy that forced you to get involved. As for Zai Yi, it's even more impossible. This can only be the work of the Queen Mother."

Gu Hongming took a deep breath and said in amazement, "I thought the Empress Dowager was old and insane, but I didn't expect she could be so scheming. It really opened my eyes."

Zhang Zhidong smiled and said, "Although she is old, she is not stupid. This time, the Boxer Rebellion was said to be instigated by Zai Yi, Gang Yi and others, but in fact she was forced to do so because the foreigners opposed her establishing a new emperor. She wanted to keep her position as empress."

Cixi was not the emperor of the emperor, and anyone with a discerning eye could see that. Zhang Zhidong seemed to be in a good mood, and at the same time, he had something to say, so he spoke to Gu Hongming again.

"Everyone says that Empress Wu Zetian is the only female emperor. Empress Lü of the Han Dynasty is also an empress who can be compared with Empress Wu Zetian. However, in my opinion, today's empress dowager is not only not inferior to the two, but should be slightly better."

Zhang Zhidong's words surprised Gu Hongming. Not to mention that Empress Wu Zetian was the only female emperor in history, she almost seized the throne from the Li Tang dynasty. Her talent was needless to say.

It was Empress Lü who was able to silence Liu Bang's sons and make all the ministers who followed Liu Bang to conquer the world turn a deaf ear and dumb. How could she be an easy person to deal with?

But in Zhang Zhidong's eyes, Cixi was actually slightly higher than them, which could not but surprise Gu Hongming.

Zhang Zhidong said, "The current empress dowager is so powerful that she can control the government for a long time and become an emperor who is not an emperor. She can also make the descendants of Aixinjueluo have no opposition, and even almost no officials in the court dare to speak out for her."

"I can say with certainty that after the Queen Mother's death, even if the history books accuse her of all sorts of faults and mistakes, no one will ever say that she attempted to usurp the throne and become emperor."

When Zhang Zhidong said this, he didn't know what kind of emotion arose in his heart, and he actually let out a long sigh with mixed feelings.

As for Cixi's desire to become the second female emperor, or how she could control the descendants of Aisin-Gioro and the ministers, Gu Hongming just listened and was not interested in it.

Gu Hongming frowned and said, "Xiang Shuai, I have something I don't understand. Please help me solve this puzzle."

Zhang Zhidong nodded slightly, indicating that Gu Hongming should speak.

"Since Marshal Xiang knew that the imperial court's relocation of the capital was a lie, it would have been fine if he had publicized it in a big way to create momentum, but he also went to the trouble of asking local gentry to donate money. Why is that?"

"Could it be that Marshal Xiang wants to use this large sum of money for other purposes? What if these gentry investigate in the future?"

"Also, since the relocation of the capital is a lie, all the money we invested will be wasted. Just now, Marshal Xiang arranged for the survey and the recruitment of foreigners for the design. Is it really necessary for us to do it? It's just a publicity stunt."

Zhang Zhidong waved his hand and said, "It is true that the court wanted to move at first, but in the end the court changed its mind. What can I do about it?"

"As for the missing silver, it was naturally transferred by the court. It has nothing to do with me."

"As for matters related to the relocation of the capital, none of the things I just mentioned should be omitted, so as to avoid being discovered by the foreigners."

"Surveying and planning, recruiting foreign designers, and recruiting domestic personnel and craftsmen must also be done seriously. However, we can start work without preparing materials for the time being. As long as it takes a few months, the truth will be revealed by then."

Gu Hongming then asked, "Then please tell me clearly, Marshal Xiang, do we want to form this new army? If we do, what are the rules and regulations?"

"For example, how are we going to raise the military salaries, manpower, weapons and ammunition?"

Zhang Zhidong said confidently, "A new army must be formed."

Zhang Zhidong sighed softly and said somewhat unwillingly, "It's a pity that we don't have talents like Teng Xingfu in Huguang. We can't build a strong army that is not inferior to the vanguard army."

Zhang Zhidong said with a dejected look, "In this case, we should just follow the Empress Dowager's wishes, and it will also make me look upright."

"Please draft a memorial for the Queen Mother on my behalf, saying that I do not have the ability of Teng Xingfu, and I know my own limitations and dare not show off my skills in front of an expert, which would make me look ridiculous. Please let the court inform Teng Xingfu and ask him to send people to form a new army in Huguang."

"As for the personnel, military expenditures, and weapons and equipment, you mentioned them all in your memorial. Not only are the Hunan troops capable of fighting, but the soldiers from Hubei are also good. As for where to recruit soldiers and what kind of soldiers you want, let them choose."

Zhang Zhidong took another deep breath, "Also, since this is a reserve army prepared for Teng Xingfu, all officers will be provided by them. I will also pay for the military expenses, but it must be issued in the name of the court. Except for the weapons and equipment that can be made by the Hanyang Gun Factory, Teng Xingfu will have to figure out the rest on his own."

Zhang Zhidong's explanation left Gu Hongming speechless.

(End of this chapter)