The Empire will continue to win

Chapter 82: We have to give him a little treat!

Shen Moqing's gaze was intense, which made the Empress Dowager feel slightly uncomfortable, and she raised her chin.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"If the Empress Dowager were to loosen her cloud-like hair and let it hang loosely over her shoulders, she would look no different from a young, unmarried girl. And this silk skirt she wears is stunningly tailored; apart from the Empress Dowager, I doubt anyone in the capital could pull it off."

In ancient times, after a woman got married, her hair had to be combed upwards into a bun and could not hang down.

A kind word can warm the heart for three winter months.

Which woman doesn't love to be praised?

26-year-old Lan'er feigned modesty, while Wang looked around and spoke of other things.

"This is called Xiangyun yarn, a tribute from Guangdong. Another day, I will choose a piece with elegant colors and bestow it upon that fool in your household."

She turned to look at the withered crabapple tree outside the window, and said with a touch of sadness, "Time flies, and we can never go back." Yes, who still remembers my name, Jiang Yilan?

However, a political creature is a political creature.

He was only slightly saddened, but soon returned to politics.

"Katsubo is loyal. He is willing to personally lead the Second and Fifth Divisions of the Kinki Army to Jinzhou, but I cannot make up my mind. If all three divisions go out at once, what if the rebels take advantage of the situation?"

At this point, terror showed in her eyes.

Shen Moqing nodded. Yes, monarchs are always mindful of their own interests, which is why they are slow to make decisions.

"Your Majesty, when faced with two evils, choose the lesser one. We must first defeat the foreign invaders. Do you remember what I said about a media offensive? It's time to start building momentum in the newspapers, publicizing the fact that the central government is fighting against the foreign invaders. With the righteous cause in our hands, the local governors will be wary."

"This is the only way."

Yes.

Where in the world is there a strategy that's 100% foolproof? If you have a 70% chance of winning, you should give it a serious try.

Shen Moqing then asked, "What about Jingren Palace and Yuqing Palace?"

"The prince is too young; we don't need to consider his opinion. Sister Donggong An doesn't want to make a decision, fearing a possible defeat—"

She has to take responsibility. She's been getting closer and closer to Prince Gong lately—widowed sister-in-law and brother-in-law, ugh, doesn't she know how to keep quiet? She's shameless.

A common human failing: the pot calling the kettle black.

"Shameless," Shen Moqing cursed.

Empress Dowager Cixi seemed to realize her slip of the tongue, her face slightly flushed, before she changed the subject: "At today's imperial meeting, the emperor and his ministers reached only two agreements: first, to increase troops in Liaodong; second, to establish a frontline war command center within the Forbidden City."

"Starting tomorrow, you will be serving as an operations staff officer at the command headquarters. But no matter what it is, you must communicate with me privately before speaking."

"Your humble servant obeys."

After bestowing favors, Empress Dowager Cixi raised another probing question.

In the eyes of the staff, the Empress Dowager was a tool for promotion.

In the Empress Dowager's eyes, the advisors were nothing more than tools.

"At today's imperial meeting, Navy Minister Yan Fu expressed a positive attitude toward war, but he was unwilling to be controlled by Army Minister Sheng Bao. He put forward a proposal that I would like to share with you."

"This humble servant is all ears."

He believed that the East Asian navy had developed rapidly in recent years, building more and more warships. To disrupt this neighbor's development, he suggested deploying all of his main warships to engage the enemy's combined fleet in a decisive battle. As for the odds of victory, he believed there was a 7% chance.

become."

Without hesitation, Shen Moqing blurted out, "Yan Fu is utterly wrong!"

"Um?"

"The navy has always been a powerful tool for the court to suppress the south. Even if we win the decisive battle in the Yellow Sea, the fleet will be severely weakened, thus losing its deterrent effect on the southeast coast and the financial resources of the southern gentry. The court should avoid a decisive battle, but actively conduct patrols."

"It's good that you thought of that."

A strange light flickered in the Empress Dowager Cixi's eyes.

I never expected this!

Not only does the young man from the Shen family understand military strategy, but he also understands military command?

(Military staff officers often approach military matters from a purely military perspective. Military commanders, on the other hand, consider not only winning or losing but also political factors.)

What's even more remarkable is that this kid is thinking from my political standpoint.

We can't lose such a great tool!

We must carefully cultivate his relationship; offering him some small favors wouldn't be a bad idea. This young man is tall, strong, and exudes a commanding presence; he won't be at a disadvantage.

Shen Moqing watched as the beautiful Empress Dowager Cixi lightly raised her delicate hand, tucked a few strands of her playful black hair behind her ear, and gracefully walked towards him, deliberately puffing out her chest.

"After talking so much, are you thirsty?"

"This humble servant is indeed quite thirsty."

"Why didn't you say anything? Why keep it to yourself?"

-

"This humble servant must endure. In July, when this humble servant broke out of Busan, we ran out of bullets and used bayonets. When the bayonets bent, we used rifle butts. We fought for three days and three nights, covering five hundred li, without eating a single grain of rice. It was just thirst, and this humble servant must endure it."

There is some exaggeration involved.

But it's necessary.

The Empress Dowager seemed moved, and suddenly turned and walked into the small study inside the warm pavilion. Shen Moqing couldn't see inside, but he could hear the sound of water dripping.

? ?

"You are a meritorious official, and the court has mistreated you." The Empress Dowager came out with a cup of wine, her face flushed.

"It's nothing but a little hardship. For the Empress Dowager, I would gladly go through fire and water without hesitation." The professor blushed slightly at the overly flattering tone.

Damn it, if only I could have been this shameless in my past life, I would have been Dean Shen long ago.

Cao~

Shen Moqing reached out and took the wine cup, then naturally grasped her soft hand, successfully shortening the distance between the ruler and his subject to zero.

"Drink it."

With a slurp, Xiao Shen downed the drink in one gulp and casually tossed the glass aside.

Then he took off his peaked cap, unbuttoned his top button, stretched out his arms, put his arm around her waist, and gave her a princess carry. It was very easy, like two grenades.

But a girl's voice rang out from outside: "Report! Urgent message from the front!"

This is an untimely report.

Report to your mother!

The two stood still, but refused to separate.

"It's Der Ling," the Empress Dowager said in a low voice.

Who is Der Ling?

"She was a telegraph operator at the Telecommunications Department, and she was very skilled."

-

"Report! Urgent dispatch from the front lines! Extremely urgent!"

Damn it, the pain of being unable to breathe properly is something only those who have experienced it can understand.

"Put me down."

Upon landing, the furious Empress Dowager exhaled a breath of foul air, stormed out of the warm pavilion, walked to the main hall, unlatched the door, and opened the door.

"What are you yelling about?"

"Your Majesty, an urgent telegram from Guangning Prefecture!"

Telegraph operator Derling was startled when she saw the Empress Dowager's ferocious face. She felt wronged, because it was the Empress Dowager who repeatedly instructed that military reports be delivered at any time.

He snatched the telegram away.

The content is only a few dozen words.

"The First Division has arrived in Guangning and encountered an enemy cavalry brigade. This brigade is the enemy's vanguard and did not carry heavy weapons, but its tactics are flexible, frequently using cavalry to infiltrate, plunder supplies, and attack railway stations. I urgently request the Second Division to reinforce Guangning immediately. There must be no delay; if there is, the nation will be doomed!"

Signed: Li Shaoquan, Commander of the First Town.

"Go down."

"Yes."

Der Ling swayed away with her long legs. Her father was originally a diplomat who married a local intellectual while stationed in London. Therefore, Der Ling was of mixed race, but not obviously so.

Back to the telecommunications office.

Meow~

Sensing its owner's despondency, the Jianzhou cat jumped onto his lap and earnestly stomped on him.

"Your Majesty, another great victory?" Shen Moqing asked seriously.

puff~

"Don't just dream about it. You can take it and look at it first."

-

Shen Moqing reluctantly withdrew his gaze and took the telegram. Instantly, his smile vanished.

Oh no, the cavalry brigade poses a great threat. The Liaoxi Corridor is not like Liaodong; it is densely populated with villages and a large population, and military rations can be requisitioned on the spot.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh no, the first town is at risk."

"What?" Empress Dowager Cixi's face paled.

"Master, we'll be back in a quarter of an hour," came Wang Mama's voice from outside.

Wang Qianniang, being an experienced woman, knew that after the lingering effects of arousal, a person's legs would become weak, their feet would feel tired, and their face would turn red, making it easy for others to spot the deception.

There needs to be a buffer period.

As a servant, one should think carefully about everything for one's master.

The emperor and his minister exchanged a glance.

"State affairs are of utmost importance, let's call it a day and go to the main hall to avoid gossip." The Empress Dowager bit her lip, "Once I've secured my position in the Forbidden City, we'll have plenty of time for the future."

"There is ample time."

Front hall.

The indoor temperature is slightly cool.

Shen Moqing turned his back to the Empress Dowager, wielding absolute power for eternity.

"Empress Dowager, you shall take notes!"

"I have made the following arrangements. The 2nd Army Division stationed in Zhangjiakou and the 3rd Army Division stationed in Baoding must depart before noon tomorrow. Within seven days, assemble no fewer than 20,000 reservists and militiamen. I hereby order Army Minister Sheng Bao to be stationed in Jinzhou, responsible for all matters including command, dispatch, and logistics."

"Telegram to Li Shaoquan: Hold Guangning, gather the remaining troops, construct fortifications, drive out the Qiushan Cavalry Brigade, and implement active defensive tactics."

"Telegram to Weihaiwei and Lushun Naval Bases: By noon the day after tomorrow, you must truthfully report the seaworthiness of your armored cruisers to the frontline command. It is proposed that each squadron be composed of four armored cruisers, with the mission of sinking all enemy transport ships, troop transport ships, merchant ships, and vessels not flying their national flags in the Yellow Sea."

-

"If you encounter a few enemy ships, you may take the initiative to sink them. If you encounter enemy battleships, you should sail away in the opposite direction at high speed and not engage in gun battle. If you disobey orders, regardless of victory or defeat, you will be subject to military law upon returning to port."

"Should Yan Fu be sent to oversee Weihaiwei?"

"No, send him to Lushun."

A mere warrant officer dared to treat the Ministers of the Army and Navy like servants, but the Empress Dowager Cixi did not see anything wrong with it, and simply wrote with great skill and grace.

The power contained in a position is Q = {S (actual power and control) + C (financial control)} / Z (rank).

At this moment, the power of a warrant officer is terrifyingly high.

Second only to the emperor, above all others.

"Telegram to the Northern Railway Company: Effective immediately until the end of the war, the company shall be placed under the jurisdiction of the Army and all civilian transportation operations shall cease. A patrol and repair team of no less than 50 men shall be organized every 100 li. Effective immediately, unless attacked, any delays in railway transportation shall be dealt with according to military law."

"The above orders are issued in the name of the Forbidden City Frontline Command."

He finished speaking in one breath, and white smoke appeared on his head.

Commanding a large army was exhausting. Just as he was about to sit down and have a cup of hot tea, Wang Qianniang's shouts came from outside again.

"Empress Dowager An has arrived!"

"The Emperor has arrived!"

The two of them immediately panicked.

Shen Moqing was furious: "What is she doing here?"

Empress Dowager Cixi hurriedly adjusted her collar: "The visitor is not friendly."

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One Qin Tian