The Empire will continue to win

Chapter 83 A Disguised Coup

No sooner said than done.

Shen Moqing retreated tactically, creating a distance of one zhang between himself and the Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager Cixi moved to the door to greet her and said with a smile, "Sister, your timing is just right. I have drafted a strategy for the Liaodong campaign and was just about to go to Jingren Palace to have you stamp it."

stamp?

When the late emperor passed away, he made the following arrangements for the administration of the court:

The two empress dowagers each held a seal, one inscribed "Imperial Appreciation" and the other "Tongdaotang." All imperial edicts required the affixing of both seals to be effective.

Before the young emperor assumes full power, the imperial seal will not be used except in a few occasions, such as diplomatic events.

The two empress dowagers made the decisions, but did not actually manage the affairs.

The eight regents were responsible for carrying out the coup, but after the coup, they were sent to the underworld. Now, Prince Gong is in charge of the government.

The two palaces and the king checked and balanced each other, forming a relatively stable power triangle structure.

Shen Moqing stood respectfully to the side, watching Empress Dowager An walk ahead in her magnificent court robes. Following closely behind were the young emperor on her left and Prince Gong on her right.

Could it be a coincidence?

The professor was startled and stole a glance at the young emperor. The emperor seemed to have no hostility or dissatisfaction, but his face was full of anxiety and unease. He did not seem to be there to force the emperor to abdicate.

Looking at Empress Dowager Cixi, her expression was equally solemn.

You should know that there are no fathers and sons, husbands and wives, or mothers and children in the royal family.

"Was this 'Brief Account of Liaodong' written by my younger sister?"

"Yes, what do you think, sister? If there are no issues, then immediately issue the order to all departments for implementation."

"I had no idea when my sister became so knowledgeable about military affairs?" As she asked, Empress Dowager An deliberately glanced at Shen Moqing, her meaning clear: the strategy must have been written by this pretty boy on the bed.

"I was forced into this situation. We can't just sit idly by and watch the enemy break through Shanhaiguan Pass and then hold a knife to our throats, can we?"

The Empress Dowager feigned ignorance of the sarcasm in her words, glanced at her son and brother-in-law, and a sudden inspiration struck her: "Sister, we are both women, indecisive and hesitant, incapable of accomplishing great things. When our son is a year or two older, we can go to the Summer Palace to enjoy our retirement."

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Wonderful!

What a brilliant move to plan ahead, what a brilliant move to sow discord, what a brilliant move to strike first! Shen Moqing secretly applauded.

As expected~

Emperor Xuanwu's expression shifted from disbelief to ecstasy and unfulfilled desire.

He then cupped his hands and said, "At that time, I will rebuild the Summer Palace for my two mothers, doubling its size on the original site, to show my filial piety."

These words were spoken.

Prince Gong was taken aback, then lowered his head and remained silent, keeping his eyes downcast.

Empress Dowager An was also shocked. After hesitating for a few seconds, she nodded and said, "I have never been interested in politics. The Summer Palace is indeed a good place."

Empress Dowager Cixi smiled gently and walked gracefully to Emperor Xuanwu. Looking at her ambitious son, her eyes were full of doting affection.

"The affairs of state are numerous and complex, and your mother often feels exhausted. My son, grow up quickly so that you can share your mother's burdens."

"Mother, I'm not young anymore."

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"Yes, Gan Luo became the Prime Minister of Qin at the age of twelve, and our son will be thirteen after the New Year." The Empress Dowager glanced casually at her beloved minister in the corner, and Shen Moqing nodded decisively.

They are of one mind.

Delegate authority!

You must keep your own son in check and never drive him to the enemy's side.

"How about we let our son help us with some of the affairs of state? What do you say, sister?" The Empress Dowager twisted her waist, turned around, stared at the Empress Dowager An, her eyes still smiling, but cold.

You bitch!

You broke into the Hall of Mental Cultivation to catch me in adultery, and you even instigated my own son to oppose me?!

"I don't object, after all, His Majesty will have to assume personal rule sooner or later."

As she spoke, Empress Dowager An's eyes darted around.

She secretly kept beautiful palace maids in the palace to please the young emperor. After each audience with the emperor, she would arrange for the maids to have sex with him. Recently, she wanted to introduce a beautiful woman, a descendant of the Jiang family, as her imperial concubine.

This woman is from the same father's lineage as her mother's family, and they share some blood ties.

Emperor Xuanwu neither opposed nor agreed.

Throughout history, marriage alliances have been the most reliable political tool. Especially here, in a royal palace, the place with the coldest blood ties in the world.

The Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager (the legal mother), Emperor Xuanwu, and Prince Gong were the four-wheeled carriage of the empire.

Two against two, barely a balance.

Three against one, and the balance immediately becomes unbalanced.

"Sixth Prince, what do you think?" After dealing with two people with a combination of pulling and slicing, the Empress Dowager walked to the last person and spoke gently.

"This matter involves the royal family, how dare this humble subject offer any opinion? I will obey Your Majesty's decree."

"You are the emperor's uncle and the head of all officials, a position of great prestige, and you are entitled to participate in politics. If you have any objections, please feel free to speak them."

"Your Majesty, I support the two Empress Dowagers and Your Majesty." Prince Gong, startled, quickly bowed his head. He was truly afraid of this cunning and scheming man.

A sister-in-law skilled in political maneuvering.

For a moment, a chilling wind swept through the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

This was the first time Shen Moqing had witnessed Empress Dowager Cixi manipulating power. She made her move in zero frames, leaving her opponent with no chance to resist. Her actions were swift, decisive, and exhilarating.

The line from the opera "Shajiabang" involuntarily echoed in my mind: This woman is extraordinary.

"Sister, son, the situation at the front is urgent and cannot be delayed. Use the seal immediately."

The inscription "Imperial Appreciation" is printed on top, and "Tongdaotang" is printed on the bottom.

When combined, their effects are akin to an imperial seal.

Emperor Xuanwu, holding the strategy in hand, said excitedly, "My two mothers, I'm going to the command post to personally supervise them in sending the report. Farewell." With that, he ran out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The little emperor has grown up, and everyone silently sighed in their hearts.

The hall was quiet, which made Shen Moqing's arrival clear.

Even standing in a corner, it stands out conspicuously.

Upon seeing the handsome and upright warrant officer, Empress Dowager An was filled with rage, which reminded her of the previous incident involving 20...

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Military baton.

"Is your injury healed?"

"Your Majesty, my wounds have not yet healed, and the doctor says I cannot be tortured."

"I see you can run and jump so well, and you can come and go from the palace at will. Where are you injured?"

"It's an internal injury."

"Guards, drag this derelict servant out and give him twenty strokes of the cane!" An Taihou was furious and pointed at Shen Moqing, shouting sternly.

"Sister, please calm down. You mustn't hit him," Xi Taihou said decisively, stopping him.

For a qualified leader, protecting their own is a way of maintaining their authority. Sister, are you trying to slap his butt? You're clearly trying to slap me in the face!

"What? Is my sister reluctant to part with her?" Empress Dowager An said sarcastically.

It's no wonder she was so sarcastic. Both sisters had been widowed for six years, but one had a sallow complexion and looked haggard, while the other had a rosy complexion and looked radiant.

So you're saying I eat vegetarian food every day, while you eat sea cucumber and geoduck every few days?

On what grounds?

"He looks somewhat like someone." Empress Dowager An looked at Shen Moqing and suddenly thought of Emperor Xianning when he was young. The two looked quite similar when they wore military uniforms.

"Yes, he looks like Ding Baozhen!!"

When the Empress Dowager Cixi's fiery temper flared, she dared to spout any nonsense: "Sister, how about this? Quickly summon Ding Baozhen to the capital, so he can report to you morning and night, allowing you two to see each other every day. Banish Shen Moqing from the capital, send him to act as the governor of Shandong, and ban him from ever entering the capital again. What do you think?"

Shen Moqing: ? ? ?

The governor of Shandong is also an option.

brush~

Empress Dowager An blushed to her ears and hissed in a low voice, "Have you no shame?"

"What's the difference between me promoting Shen Moqing and you promoting Ding Baozhen?" Empress Dowager Cixi gritted her teeth. "Last time, you reminded me not to summon male officials from outside the Yangxin Hall? Ha, I'd like to use female officials from outside the court. But are there any women among the civil and military officials?"

"You~"

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The two palaces glared at each other angrily.

The air was thick with tension; it was as if they might start pulling each other's hair and tearing each other's clothes in the next second.

Shen Moqing decisively took five steps forward, standing on the flanks of the two empress dowagers. He secretly gathered his strength in his fist, determined that as soon as a fight broke out, he would rush over and kick Empress Dowager An in the waist.

Kick him as hard as you can.

In just a few seconds, he had already figured out how to bury the body. Anyway, there were plenty of wells in the Forbidden City; he could just throw the body upright into a well, like the old story of Consort Zhen.

Professors, they know a lot.

He glanced at the innocent Prince Gong, and perhaps because his gaze was so sharp, the lean Prince Gong actually took two steps back.

Admit defeat?

It's good to admit defeat; what's scary is someone who's bad at the game but refuses to admit defeat.

suddenly!

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An Dehai entered from the Imperial Household Department. As soon as he entered the hall, he saw the two empress dowagers glaring at him with flushed faces, so he slowly knelt down.

thump~

Eunuchs are spineless and kneel down at the drop of a hat.

"Eunuch An, what's going on outside?" Prince Gong hurriedly asked, actually trying to divert the attention of the two palaces. They couldn't afford any more infighting; if they did, the country would truly perish.

"Your Highness, Minister of Rites Wang Wenzhao has suffered a relapse of dysentery and will be unable to preside over tonight's press conference at the Wuying Hall."

"That old fox!"

Prince Gong cursed, knowing full well that Wang Wenzhao had deliberately feigned illness to escape.

When~

Just as tensions were about to rise, the bell in the room suddenly chimed.

Everyone was startled and turned to look: 5:30.

In half an hour, the foreign envoys were to enter the palace, but Wang Wenzhao, the Minister of Rites who was scheduled to host the press conference, pretended to be absent.

He lay there dead.

What should we do?

A few seconds later.

"An Dehai, go find Weng Tonghe. If you don't come back before 6:00, don't come back at all," the Empress Dowager shouted sternly.

"庶" (shu)

Anderhai ran off like the wind.

Shen Moqing suddenly spoke up: "It's a misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding. The Holy Mother Empress Dowager and the Compassionate Mother Empress Dowager are both empress dowagers of the empire. We can't let outsiders laugh at us."

After saying that, he gave Prince Gong a wink.

Prince Gong quickly stepped forward: "My two sisters-in-law, please calm down and calm your temper. It was all Dong Sangren and Zeng Guofan who caused this trouble."

really.

The two palaces glared at each other fiercely, then tacitly took a step back and sat down to drink tea. Although they didn't speak, at least they stopped fighting.

While the Empress Dowager was drinking tea with her head down, she suddenly raised her eyes.

Good guy~

Shen Moqing's body went numb instantly, captivated by the phoenix eyes. They were a mix of triumph, sharpness, and allure, exuding irresistible charm. Truly worthy of being called a bewitching empress.

His restless mind and wandering thoughts need no further explanation.

at the same time.

The embassy district of Dongjiaomin Lane.

A row of glass-covered gas lamps along the roadside were manually turned on.

Bathed in warm yellow light, carriages adorned with the royal insignia of various countries departed from the embassy, ​​all heading towards the same destination.

Forbidden City.

Meridian Gate.

The palace gates were wide open.

The Imperial Guards stood tall and proud on either side of the palace gates, watching as the foreign ministers, their wives, and embassy counselors, dressed in tailcoats, departed.

Military officers and foreign journalists entered the Forbidden City.

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There was no body search.

There was no difficulty.

Because if you do the first day of the month, others can do the fifteenth.

If not necessary, try to respect each other as much as possible.

Tonight, in addition to these foreigners with special status, there are also some reporters from various domestic newspapers who received invitations, such as the Beijing Daily, the Jinling Daily, and the Yangcheng Daily.

Everyone was there to learn about the latest developments in the war between the two countries, so they were in a hurry and had no time for idle chatter.

The Wuying Hall was brightly lit.

The group walked in on the red carpet, found their table cards, took their seats, opened their notebooks and pens, and chatted with their neighbors.

For a time, the place was filled with learned scholars, while all who came and went were commoners.

"The fact that the unremarkable Eastern Sang Army actually defeated the world's number one power is completely beyond my expectations." Baron Gros, the plenipotentiary minister of the Third Frankish Republic, said with a cigar in his mouth, legs crossed, and a frivolous smile.

The world has entered the era of wired telegraphs, and submarine cables are being laid.

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If back in August, countries were still somewhat skeptical about the war situation...

Today, all countries have confirmed intelligence through multiple channels that the East Asian army has not only captured the peninsula colonies, but has even reached Fengtian (Mukden).

This is truly astonishing!

"Gentlemen, you have all been fooled by the apparent prosperity of this country, but St. Petersburg will not let me down. We have always known that this is an empire that is strong on the outside but weak on the inside." - Putiamy, Plenipotentiary Minister of the Lucia Empire.

They had long coveted their neighbor's territory.

"Gentlemen, perhaps this is an opportunity." The British envoy, Elgin, spoke with a double meaning and a mysterious expression. No matter who wins or loses, no matter where the war is fought, the troublemaker can always profit from it.

The US ambassador, William Leigh, remained silent.

The Prussian Minister to China, Ketteler, also remained silent.

"Wow, gentlemen, look who's here!" Baron Gross suddenly took off his cigar, stood up, and pointed to the door.

Everyone stared intently, then gasped in shock.

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To everyone's surprise, Komura Jutaro, the newly appointed ambassador of the Eastern Empire to China, also came. He was short in stature, had a mustache, and looked shrewd.

He noticed that all his peers were focusing their attention on him.

The village envoy stopped, removed his cylindrical hat, and bowed at a 45-degree angle, appearing exceptionally polite.

"Little Village, shall I treat you to vodka another day? Perhaps our two countries have quite a few common interests." Putia took the initiative to walk over and make overtures.

Adhering to the diplomatic principle that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, Komura Jutaro extended his right hand: "Kyoto welcomes you."

"No offense intended, Minister of the village, what are you doing here?" Elgin voiced everyone's confusion.

"I couldn't refuse the invitation from my master, as I was invited by the United Empire," Komura replied after taking his seat and adjusting his bow tie.

"My God!"

"That's incredible!"

Excited smiles appeared in everyone's eyes; the situation in East Asia was becoming increasingly interesting. The more chaotic, the better; ideally, both sides would fight tooth and nail, which would be more beneficial for Europe.

6:00 sharp.

The military band started playing music on time.

The crowd paused their casual conversation and sat up straight.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Shen Moqing, dressed in a naval uniform, walked up to the platform. His young face and handsome features made everyone wonder who he was.

The translator, Der Ling, was particularly shocked.

"Distinguished diplomats and journalists, welcome to the Forbidden City. May the glory of the Sage and the Emperor shine upon all."

Everyone prayed.

In the realm of currency, God is always very busy.

"Good news, gentlemen, you may begin asking questions." Standing behind the oak lectern, Shen Moqing looked around at everyone, indicating that they could begin.

at this time.

Weng Tonghe finally arrived from home, and his eyes widened in disbelief at the scene before him.

"Master Weng, should we change the towman?"

"Let's see." Weng Tonghe was unwilling to take on such a lousy job; if someone else took his place, he would gladly accept it.

Inside the venue.

"After the Battle of Fukuchi, your country's Goryeo garrison was completely wiped out. Is this how it dragged on?" Baron Gros asked.

"Rumors are rampant." Shen Moqing remained calm and composed.

"Fakenews." Der Ling translated truthfully, sweating profusely.

"No, as far as I know, it's not a rumor."

"Your Excellency, I was also a member of the 8,000 garrison troops, and I even participated in the entire Battle of Shifukai. How come I didn't know that the entire army was wiped out?"

I always felt something was off, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Elgin asked, "Excuse me, is it true that General Ronglu, your country's highest commander in the Fengtian region, was killed in the Battle of Gaiyue?"

Gro: "————"

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"It's also a rumor."

An uproar erupted in the meeting room!

Elgin shook his head in dissatisfaction: "I think this press conference is meaningless; your answers are full of lies."

.

The translator, Der Ling, was sweating profusely as she nervously watched Shen Moqing.

Shen Moqing raised his right hand and solemnly said, "I can swear on the honor of a soldier and on my loyalty to the Empire that the Goryeo garrison in Pi was not completely wiped out, and Commander Ronglu did not die in battle, but unfortunately died of illness."

An honest person.

Do not lie.

Old Zhang and I are still alive, so the garrison in Pi was not completely wiped out.

Ronglu died from infection of his wound. Four or five days passed between the time he was wounded and his death, so he was not killed on the spot.

Elgin: "This seems to be a game of currency terminology."

Klind: "I hate ambiguity."

Komura Jutaro: "I swear to Amaterasu, he's lying."

William Leigh: "I still want to believe him."

The pot exploded on the spot.

under.

Komura Jutaro and Putia whispered to each other, seemingly discussing some insidious plan. Putia listened attentively, nodding frequently, a smug smile on her face.

Three minutes later.

The scene finally quieted down.

Lucia's envoy, Putiame, stood up and asked loudly, "Your Excellency, before answering my question, can you swear on the honor of the royal family that you will not lie or delay?"

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