The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 658 Preparation for Change
Teng Yuzao smiled calmly and said, "As for how to solve the problem of the state system in the future, there will always be a proper solution."

"If they don't change their ways, there might not even be a need for me to take the lead and overthrow this court."

Although Teng Yuzao's words partially dispelled Xu Shichang's worries, they also made everyone, including Xu Shichang, a little confused.

Yang Shixiang smiled bitterly and said, "Does the Marshal want to force Guangxu to abdicate?"

Yang Shixiang's attitude had long been made public, and he did not care about calling Guangxu by his name.

Teng Yuzao shook his head and said, "I do have such an idea, but it is very likely that there will be people who will force Cixi to give up her power without our forcing her, including forcing Guangxu, who is the signboard, to abdicate."

Seeing that everyone was even more confused, Teng Yuzao smiled and said to Wei Jinghai, "Ningbo, tell everyone about Yuan Shikai's dealings with the British."

Teng Yuzhao's words made everyone look at Wei Jinghai in surprise, and Duan Qirui opened his eyes wide in surprise.

Wei Jinghai glanced at Duan Qirui and saw that Teng Yuzhao no longer paid attention to him and started pacing with his hands behind his back, so he had no choice but to speak.

"We have received accurate information that Yuan Shikai's aide Liang Shiyi has close contacts with British Minister to the United Kingdom, Sir Thomas More. Half a month ago, Liang Shiyi even exchanged a check for 100,000 pounds at the branch of Dadeheng in Beijing."

"We analyzed that this huge check should have been sent to Yuan Shikai by the British through Liang Shiyi behind the back of the imperial court. Otherwise, Liang Shiyi would have exchanged it at the Ministry of Revenue Bank instead of at Dadeheng."

Looking at everyone's shocked eyes, Wei Jinghai continued.

"This time, Yuan Shikai was able to successfully take his three towns to Guangdong and Guangxi to reorganize the new army because he bribed Yikuang with a silver note of 50,000 taels."

Why did the British write a huge check of 100,000 pounds to Yuan Shikai?

The British would never do such a stupid thing if there were no benefits!
Yang Shixiang, who had stayed with Li Hongzhang in Guangdong and Guangxi, was the first to react and looked at Teng Yuzhao in surprise.

"Marshal, this means that Yuan Shikai has colluded with the British. Does he want to establish his own regime in Guangdong and Guangxi?"

Yang Shixiang's words made everyone shocked and angry. In Guangdong and Guangxi, if Yuan Shikai had the support of the British, he would still have the capital to become independent, after all, it was right next to Hong Kong.

Xu Shichang wanted to say something, but when he saw Duan Qirui's extremely depressed face, he just sighed silently.

The British money could not be given away for free. This was something that not only Xu Shichang but everyone else could think of.

Of course, if the British wanted to benefit from Yuan Shikai, it could only be when Yuan Shikai had sufficient ability.

Teng Yuzhao stopped and looked at Duan Qirui, who looked a little pale, and Tang Shaoyi, who looked angry, before speaking to Yang Shixiang.

"Whether Yuan Shikai will establish himself with the support of the British is hard to say, but it is certain that Yuan Shikai wants to use this to counter Tie Liang and others."

"I estimate that Yuan Shikai will most likely not return to the court. He may not even go to Jingmen again in the short term, let alone serve as a military minister in name only."

"Also, if there is the secret support of the British, I dare say that the court will eventually give in to him."

"Don't forget that the imperial court wants to organize an army to counter me. Without the support of the British, or even the Japanese, they can't do it. As long as the British support Yuan Shikai, the imperial court will have to give in."

Teng Yuzao added with disdain, "The British warships will soon enter the Yangtze River, and the officers of the Four Towns Shuntian Army trained by Tieliang are all classmates of Tieliang and Liangbi at the Japanese Military Academy."

It was also the first time that Yang Shixiang heard about Yuan Shikai's dealings with the British and the news that he had received support from the British, so he couldn't help but ask.

"What the Marshal means is that Yuan Shikai and Tieliang will quarrel?" Yang Shixiang shook his head and said, "But if Tieliang really wants to integrate the new armies of various provinces, Yuan Shikai may not be able to do anything, right? Unless the British directly send troops to Guangdong and Guangxi."

Teng Yuzhao shook his head, indicating that he disagreed with Yang Shixiang's opinion, but after thinking about it, he still spoke.

"The British will not send troops again, and they will even forbid the Japanese to send troops to help the court deal with Yuan Shikai. But even if the British do not send troops, Tieliang, Liangbi and others will definitely not be Yuan Shikai's opponents."

"Even if Tieliang reorganized the new armies in various provinces, he might not be able to defeat Yuan Shikai. Yuan Shikai's tactics are much more sophisticated than theirs. The court will definitely compromise. In the end, the court will most likely be controlled by Yuan Shikai."

Teng Yuzhao picked up the beer glass, drank it in one gulp, sighed heavily, and spoke to everyone in a heavy tone.

"When I signed the agreement with the foreigners, I mentioned two things: the warships of the foreign powers were not allowed to sail in our inland rivers without permission, and the imperial court would not pay compensation!"

"There was a dispute over these two points at the time, but the great powers and the imperial court eventually reached a consensus that they would not be included in the peace talks for the time being, but would be discussed in the future."

Without waiting for anyone to say anything, Teng Yuzao said with a helpless smile.

"You should have seen that the warships of the great powers have never stopped sailing in our inland rivers. The warships of the British, French and Japanese have never stopped sailing on the Yangtze River!"

Teng Yuzao said bitterly, "That's not all. I can tell you something even more unbearable. I got accurate information, and it was confirmed by Kang Ge. In private, Cixi instructed Yikuang to sign a secret agreement with the foreign powers alone. They paid the foreign powers 230 million taels of silver as compensation."

Teng Yuzhao's words first stunned Yang Shixiang, Xu Shichang, Ye Zugui, Duan Qirui, Tang Shaoyi and others, and then they all became angry. Ye Zugui slammed the low table with his palm and said angrily.

"Marshal, we don't want this court anymore. I will follow you with my naval fleet in Beiyang!"

Tang Shaoyi, with a flushed face, said angrily, "Marshal, Lord Ye is right, we don't want this court anymore!"

Yang Shixiang always seemed to be very sober. He glanced at Xu Shichang and Duan Qirui, who also had angry expressions on their faces, and said with a sigh.

"How hateful! It was the Marshal who made the foreigners voluntarily ask for peace. Such a good situation, but in the end we have to pay silver as compensation!"

After saying that, he shook his head repeatedly.

Teng Yuzao understood what Yang Shixiang meant, and said with a sigh and self-mockery, "At first, I was always complacent about the tens of millions of taels of silver I received as compensation from the foreign powers, but I didn't know that not only was the money paid by the court, but it was also nearly three times the amount."

Teng Yuzao looked at Xu Shichang, then looked at Duan Qirui and said.

"Kikuto, Zhiquan, do you still have any illusions about such a corrupt and incompetent court?"

Xu Shichang sighed heavily, shook his head bitterly and said nothing.

Duan Qirui also did not answer Teng Yuzhao's words, but picked up an opened bottle of beer and took a big gulp.

Teng Yuzhao took a deep breath, waved his hand and said.

"Okay, let's not talk about them for now, let's continue talking about our countermeasures."

Time is very tight now. Now that he has unified the understanding of his subordinates including Duan Qirui and calmed their minds, Teng Yuzhao does not want to delay any longer and decides to directly express what is in his mind.

"Since the imperial court has made it clear that they are preparing to deal with us, we cannot let our guard down and must be prepared."

(End of this chapter)