The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 491 Three Strategies
Yang Shixiang's words stunned several people, including Teng Yuzao.

For such a big matter as peace talks, the imperial court did not even seek the opinions of the commander-in-chief at the front, on whom they now relied to maintain their dignity and respect. This was clearly a contempt for Teng Yuzao to some extent. How come in Yang Shixiang's mouth, it might not be a bad thing!
Could it be that Yang Shixiang wanted to persuade Teng Yuzhao to break off relations with the imperial court right now!

With this thought in mind, Liu Changfa's eyes were already showing excitement.

Wei Jinghai also had a strange flash in his eyes!
Xu Shichang thought for a moment, his face showing anxiety, as if he was about to speak up to stop it.

Yang Shixiang's words also made Teng Yuzhao's thoughts run rapidly in his mind.

If he breaks off relations with the imperial court now, especially during this national crisis when foreign enemies have not yet been eliminated, he will lose his righteous reputation. The respect of the Chinese people for him will shrink by at least half in an instant, especially the literati and scholars, most of whom will sneer at him.

Teng Yuzhao secretly shook his head in his heart. Although he now had a strong army and there was no force in the country that could compete with him, the timing was not right yet. Now was not the right time to break off relations with the court.

He now needs to accumulate strength vigorously. During this period, he must not only be patient, but even bear humiliation and hold his temper at certain times.

He still needs to work hard to create such an opportunity himself.

However, Teng Yuzhao still wanted to hear what Yang Shixiang had to say next, and signaled Yang Shixiang to continue with his words.

Yang Shixiang glanced at Xu Shichang again, and seeing that Teng Yuzhao was unmoved and had no intention of avoiding these people, he coughed a few times awkwardly, quickly considering the words to express himself in his mind.

Yang Shixiang was still somewhat worried about Xu Shichang, so his next words were a little difficult to express directly and could only be expressed implicitly.

"Marshal, this matter obviously means that the court is on guard, but it is not a big deal. It depends on what the Marshal thinks!"

Yang Shixiang did not give everyone time to think, and continued, "There are three strategies to deal with this matter: the best, the middle and the worst."

"The best strategy is to write to the court and clearly express your firm opposition, or simply put forward your own conditions for peace. After all, you are the newly promoted Grand Secretary of Wuying Palace. This title and status is only below Li Zhongtang, so it is natural for you to express your opinions."

"This move can clearly express that the Marshal is extremely dissatisfied with the fact that we have bypassed him to negotiate peace with the foreigners. We will use this to give those important officials of the court a good warning."

Whether one wanted to be wary of Teng Yuzhao, or even whether to negotiate peace or not, absolutely required Cixi's approval. In other words, everything could reflect Cixi's thoughts. It was not the court officials who needed to be warned, but Cixi.

However, in front of these people, Yang Shixiang was still unwilling to mention Cixi, and instead directed his criticism at the court officials.

Seeing that Teng Yuzao, Xu Shichang, Wei Jinghai and Liu Changfa were all listening to him carefully, Yang Shixiang continued.

"Middle Strategy"

Yang Shixiang said meaningfully, "Marshal, you know that there are now a large number of Chinese and foreign reporters stationed in Xi'an and Baoding. Because of these reporters, the telegraph fees in Xi'an and Baoding have skyrocketed, reaching the level of two taels of silver per hundred words."

"The news that the imperial court wants to negotiate peace is big news. If the reporters in Baoding get wind of this news, they will probably all be scrambling to get their articles published to their newspapers as soon as possible, and they will appear on the front pages of newspapers the next day."

Teng Yuzhao understood what Yang Shixiang meant. The vanguard army had won victory after victory, especially in the battle that had just ended. The vanguard army had captured and killed nearly 400,000 foreigners. The Chinese people were confident in resisting foreign invaders. If they learned that the imperial court wanted to negotiate peace with the foreigners at this time, they would definitely criticize the imperial court.

And people's hearts will be more inclined to support Teng Yuzhao, which means he wants to use the power of public opinion to attack and weaken the authority of the court.

"What's the worst option?"

Teng Yuzao remained noncommittal about Yang Shixiang's middle strategy, and asked calmly. Yang Shixiang was slightly disappointed by Teng Yuzao's attitude, and said with a wry smile.

"The worst option is for the Marshal to turn a deaf ear to this matter and remain silent."

"It's just that, although this can achieve the effect of the middle strategy to a certain extent, it will also bring trouble to the Marshal. Specifically, the court will think that the Marshal is weak and can be bullied. In the future, those blind court officials will all want to take advantage of Zhili's affairs whenever they want."

Yang Shixiang's three strategies made Teng Yuzhao frown slightly and ponder until the cigarette butt in his hand had burned his fingers. The burning pain made him drop the cigarette butt on the ground. Then he came to his senses and said with a smile.

"Thank you for the trouble, Lianfu. These three strategies are enough to deal with the peace talks. I have to thank Lianfu very much."

After Teng Yuzhao finished speaking, he stood up, took the wine jug that had been kept warm, and once again personally filled Yang Shixiang's cup with wine. Then he filled his own cup with wine as well, held it up with both hands, and spoke to Yang Shixiang.

"Lian Fu, let's drink this cup to the full."

Teng Yuzao's behavior frightened Yang Shixiang. He quickly stood up, picked up the small wine cup with both hands, and repeatedly said that he did not deserve it. Then he and Teng Yuzao drank the wine together.

After the two men sat down, although Yang Shixiang was still unclear about which strategy Teng Yuzao would eventually adopt, he already had an idea in his mind and said with a smile.

"I don't deserve the thanks from the commander-in-chief. As the chief counselor of the vanguard army, I must serve the commander-in-chief wholeheartedly. However, these three strategies were not written by Shi Xiang, but by someone else."

"Oh!"

Yang Shixiang's words made Teng Yuzhao stunned, even a little surprised, and he thought to himself.

"Could it be that someone else wants to encourage me to break with the court?"

Just when Teng Yuzao was surprised, Yang Shixiang smiled and said, "General, my brother Shiqi also accompanied Li Zhongtang to Baoding this time. Before we left, we had a drink together and Shiqi came up with these three strategies for you."

It was Yang Shiqi who proposed these three strategies, which made Teng Yuzhao both surprised and happy. This showed that Yang Shiqi had also turned his heart to him, which was a great thing.

Teng Yuzao was very familiar with Yang Shiqi in history. He was a think tank and strategist that Yuan Shikai relied on, and a master of conspiracy and intrigue. He made great contributions to helping Yuan Shikai rise to power.

Teng Yuzao happily grabbed Yang Shixiang and said, "Lian Mansion, is your brother willing to work for the Vanguard Army? How should I reward him?"

Yang Shixiang smiled and said, "Of course I am willing to serve the Marshal, but I have always been in charge of railway affairs and have a lot of dealings with foreigners. He is now with Li Zhongtang, specifically contacting foreigners for Li Zhongtang to negotiate peace, so he cannot get away for the time being."

"As for the reward, Marshal, there is no need for that. As long as you can give him a job in the future, that's all."

Yang Shixiang's words made Teng Yuzhao even more delighted. This meant that Yang Shixiang had conveyed his wish to invite Yang Shiqi, and Yang Shiqi was also willing to come to him. How could he not be excited?

Teng Yuzao immediately said generously, "Lianfu, please tell your brother to rest assured that I have an empty seat here for him, and I will definitely make him get what he wants in the future."

Yang Shixiang also stood up with a happy face, poured a glass of wine for Teng Yuzhao, and raised his own glass.

"Marshal, this glass of wine is from Shi Xiang, my brother's thanks to you!"

(End of this chapter)