Chapter 189: Shocking News, Collapse, Compromise

Chapter 189 Shocking news! Collapse! I compromise!

Dagukou.

Imperial Envoy Guiliang, together with many officials, quietly sent the combined fleets of Britain, France and the United States away.

Several people stood quietly, watching the last shadow of the fleet disappear on the sea level.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The overwhelming feeling finally dissipated.

Then came the bitterness.

After several months, the foreign fleet finally left.

But the entire negotiation was exactly as Su Yi said. If it were another dog, the result would be exactly the same.

Although we have been talking for so long, nothing has changed.

Still agreed to the most demanding conditions.

The only thing that was said was compensation.

Four million taels of silver were paid to Britain and two million taels of silver were allocated to France.

But what these countries care least about in this negotiation is the compensation.

The rest will be accepted as such.

Increase the number of open port cities to more than a dozen, including Jiujiang, Tainan, Dengzhou, Chaozhou, Tainan, Hankou, Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Qiongzhou, and Tamsui.

The fleets of various countries have the right to sail on the Yangtze River waterway and dock at any treaty port.

Countries enjoy missionary rights and dioceses have autonomous jurisdiction.

The legations of the four countries were established in the capital, and a small number of troops were dispatched to protect the safety of their respective legations.

Each country has the power of consular adjudication and most-favored-nation treatment.

The customs employs a British assistant, and the tax rate for imported and exported goods is 5%. When foreign goods are sold in the mainland, there is a 2.5% tax, and no further cents will be paid.

The opium trade was all legalized.

In other words, the conditions negotiated were almost the same as those given to He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang at that time, and the only thing negotiated was compensation.

At this time, on the flagship of the combined fleet, the French representative Groud, the British Far East Commander Elgin, the American Minister William, and the Russian Minister Putyatyn were celebrating.

Lots of drinking and lots of celebration.

"I've never seen such a negotiation, I've never experienced such an easy negotiation."

"No matter what conditions were proposed, they pretended to fight for several days, and finally all agreed."

"I really don't know if this is for myself or for us."

………………………………

Inside Sanxi Hall!

Guiliang rushed in and said: "Your Majesty, the foreign fleet has completely retreated and left completely."

"These are the texts of several treaties, please read them to your Majesty."

The emperor glanced at it for a while, and suddenly felt extremely dazzling.

His young self-esteem was strongly stimulated.

Not even wanting to look at it.

And even if you don’t read it, you still know what’s inside.

At this time, several wars in the south had already broken out, but they had just begun and the news had not reached the capital.

However, Zenglu came back.

He reported that Master Su Yi accepted the imperial edict very quietly, obeyed completely, and changed from a first-class marquis to a first-class captain of light vehicles.

The emperor asked Zenglu at that time, do you think Su Yi had any objections?

Zenglu said that Brother Su Yi had no dissent and was loyal to the country.

Then, this confidant eunuch left the emperor and went to an inconspicuous corner of the palace to work as a steward.

This also means that Zenglu, the once most confidant eunuch, has officially fallen out of favor.

Wang Chenggui, the eunuch in charge, had no rival.

The eunuch Wang Deli replaced Zenglu and served the emperor personally.

The secret envoys sent by the imperial court have also returned.

The reported news was worse than the last, making the emperor's face even more gloomy.

Regarding the removal of Su Yi, Zeng Guofan was neutral and Hu Linyi was neutral.

Tomin A is submissive and typical of sitting on the fence.

Only He Chun, the commander of the Jiangnan camp, and He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, firmly supported the imperial court.

And agreed, as long as the emperor gives an imperial edict.

The Jiangnan Camp immediately dispatched the main force of the navy to monitor Wang Shiqing's army. If there is any sign of heading towards Jiujiang, they will immediately stop it.

For the emperor, this was enough.

The most capable army in Su Yi's hands is Wang Shiqing's 3,000 new troops.

The rest cannot be changed.

Moreover, once the imperial decree arrives, if Su Yi resists the decree, he will immediately fall into injustice.

Now that the foreign and barbarian army has retreated, the Nian army in Huai'an can't help but retreat.

All obstacles have been removed.

The most important thing now is to convict Su Yi.

The crime of taking concubines beyond the limit has been used, and he was demoted from a first-class marquis to a first-class captain of light carriages.

The remaining charges are difficult to determine.

So it was suggested that the reasons were ready.

As the governor of Jiangxi, Su Yi focused on these factories and stayed in Jiujiang. He did not care about Jiangxi's government affairs at all, and was completely neglecting his duties.

…………………………………………

At court the next day.

The censors of the Metropolitan Procuratorate came forward to impeach Su Yi.

"As the governor of Jiangxi Province, Su Yi only focuses on running factories and stays in Jiujiang. He has never been to Nanchang and has never handled any government affairs in Jiangxi Province. He is so unprofessional and has a bare meal, so he is not worthy of his position!"

Guiliang came out and said: "I second the proposal."

Kuang Yuan, the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, came out and said: "I second the proposal."

Military Minister Du Han came out and said: "I second the proposal."

The emperor looked at Sushun. On this key issue, don't you, Suzhongtang, take a stand?

Sushun said: "I second my opinion."

The emperor looked at Prince Hui Mianyu again.

"I second the motion!"

The emperor said: "Draft an edict to remove Su Ye from his post as governor of Jiangxi and appoint him as the imperial guard. After receiving the edict, he will immediately report to the capital!"

Everyone sighed in their hearts.

This moment has finally come.

The emperor said: "Who will go to Jiujiang to convey the edict to Su Ye?"

Du Han said: "Your Majesty, I recommend Weiren."

Weiren is also a half-brother and friend of Su Ye. It is more appropriate for him to convey the edict.

Weiren stepped out and said: "I obey the edict!"

He also has a lot to say to Su Ye.

Then, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Kuang Yuan, said: "In this case, the post of governor of Jiangxi will be vacant. Who will replace it?"

Originally, the emperor planned to give it to Hu Linyi, so that he could lead the Hunan Army to calm the situation at a critical moment.

But unexpectedly, Hu Linyi did not get involved.

Then the governor of Jiangxi will not be given to you.

But no one is fighting for this position now because they are worried about the risk.

The Minister of Personnel Hua Shan said: "It is not urgent to appoint a new governor after Su Ye leaves office."

The emperor said: "Let's do it!"

"Wei Ren, you will leave for Jiujiang tomorrow to convey the imperial edict to Su Ye, asking him to come to Beijing to take up a new position immediately after leaving office."

The Imperial Guard?

This is also a second-rank official, with a very high rank.

But the rank is all that is left.

The next day, Wei Ren led the imperial guards to leave Beijing and head south to Jiujiang to announce the imperial edict!

…………………………………………

At this time, the battlefield in Huai'an.

After besieging the city for a long time, the 10,000 or 20,000 Nian troops have completely lost their patience.

After several attacks, they couldn't take it down.

What's the point of fighting!

Anyway, they have made a lot of money, so they should withdraw their troops quickly.

Several leaders have the intention to retreat.

Hei Gong and others have a secret meeting.

"We should have completed the Marshal's mission." A special agent officer said, "It's not impossible to withdraw now." Heigong shook his head and said, "No, it would be very disadvantageous for the Marshal to withdraw from Huai'an now." Lengmu said, "Huai'an is an important city for water transport and is vital to the court. If it is directly relieved, the pressure on the emperor will be greatly reduced, and the court may not compromise with the Marshal." "But these Nian troops are already planning to retreat. We can't continue to besiege and attack the city with our people." Heigong was silent for a while, and slowly said, "It's time to fight for the Marshal. Here we are."

"Organize a death squad tomorrow, and blow up the city gate under the cover of the foreign rifle team."

"I'm Heigong, the first to sign up!"

All of a sudden, dozens of officers and soldiers from the Secret Service Department exclaimed: "Absolutely not, absolutely not, you are the chief officer of the Secret Service Department, and the Marshal still needs you. If you are in danger, our Secret Service Department will be leaderless."

The second-in-command Lengmu said: "I'll do it!"

"Next, draw lots. Those who draw the shortest number will go with me tomorrow!"

"Following the Marshal to do great things, we have made great wealth, but we have never really shed blood. Now it's time to bleed!"

The next day!

Lengmu organized a death squad, carrying explosives, and charged again and again.

Finally...

After the third big explosion!

"Boom boom boom..."

A loud noise!

The gate of Huai'an was blown down.

And the death squad organized by Heigong had three people killed and two seriously injured.

Among the two seriously injured, they were among the sixteen who followed Su Ye the earliest.

When he was carried down, he grinned and said to Heigong: "Now there are more and more brothers entering the Secret Service, and we are not good enough. It just so happens that the Marshal needs to set up an organization to be responsible for the Secret Service. We can enjoy it and save ourselves from fighting and killing with the big brother in the future." After that, Lin Datong, the seventh-rank official of the Secret Service, fainted. Heigong looked around, and countless Nian troops shouted desperately and rushed into Huai'an City. "The city is broken!" "The city is broken!" Heigong looked in the direction of Jiujiang, and said slowly in his heart: "Marshal, can we keep up with you now? We really proved our loyalty with our lives." ………………………………………………

In the past few days after Weiren left, the emperor was finally in a good mood. Finally, Su Ye's stone was moved. Once the imperial edict arrives, you Su Ye will either obey the order and return to Beijing. At that time, your fate will be completely in the hands of this emperor. Or, you Su Ye will openly disobey the order and create a mutiny? That is equivalent to openly treason. At that time, your political reputation was completely bankrupt.

If you return to Beijing obediently, there is still a glimmer of hope for the future.

If you disobey the order, you will really be courting death.

However, the emperor was still a little uneasy.

He summoned Sushun and others to discuss several times.

Will Su Ye disobey the order?

Du Han comforted the emperor that Su Ye would never openly disobey the order.

The worst result is that the troops under the command of guerrilla general Wei Jun mutiny and control Jiujiang City in the name of rebellion.

And when that time comes, Zeng Guofan and Hu Linyi are both responsible for recovering Jiujiang.

The court city fell into the hands of the rebellion again, what will happen?

The central government has discussed many times, and this worst result is bearable.

However...

Just one day later!

The whole capital was completely boiling.

"Six hundred miles of urgent!"

"Six hundred miles of urgent!"

The first explosive bad news was transmitted to the capital.

They rebelled against tens of thousands of troops and invaded northern Anhui. Many state capitals fell one after another.

Fuji, the governor of Anhui, rushed six hundred miles to the capital to ask for help.

The emperor was shocked and quickly summoned all ministers to discuss the matter.

but……

Just a few hours later.

"Six hundred miles urgent!"

"Six hundred miles urgent!"

Another messenger rushed in.

"The rebel puppet king Shi Dakai led tens of thousands of troops to attack the Jiangnan camp. It is in danger."

"He Chun, the head coach of Jiangnan Camp, asks for help."

When the battle report came, the emperor was completely shocked.

Jiangnan Camp, it took two full years to rebuild after it was breached last time.

Now you are rebellious and attacking again?

If this Jiangnan camp is destroyed, the entire southern Jiangsu will be completely in danger.

The emperor immediately issued an order: "He Chun is ordered to guard the Jiangnan camp. If it is breached, come to see him!"

"He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, sent an order to immediately summon a large army to support the Jiangnan camp."

but……

All this is just the beginning.

Next, one bad news after another.

The reports of defeat came one after another, just like snowflakes.

I have never seen such a dense failure report!

"Qianshan fell!"

"Tongcheng fell!"

"Shucheng has fallen!"

Then, a little pause for a day!

Just when everyone in the court felt that the situation would ease slightly.

More intensive and shocking reports of defeat came to Beijing.

"Six hundred miles urgent, Luzhou falls!"

"Fuji, the governor of Anhui, and Li Mengqun, the chief envoy, were defeated and fled to Lu'an."

Upon hearing the news, the emperor's eyes darkened again.

Luzhou? !

The provincial capital of Anhui.

So fast? !

After rebellious and civil strife, he took a year and a half to rest, but he became so fierce?

It's only been a few days?

The provincial capital of Anhui fell.

Chen Yucheng, Li Shixian and Li Xiucheng are so fierce.

Historically, it only took them about ten days to sweep all around Luzhou (now Hefei), the capital of Anhui Province.

And almost, that's about this time.

Next!

An even bigger bad news came.

"Eight hundred miles is urgent, eight hundred miles is urgent!"

"The Jiangnan Camp was destroyed! He Chun led the remaining army to the Jiuhua Mountain Camp."

The emperor and the court were shocked and had no time to make arrangements.

Then, bad news came again.

"Jiuhuashan Camp was destroyed!"

Then came the bad news.

"Danyang is broken!"

Then, bad news came again.

"Rebellious Shi Dakai led tens of thousands of troops to surround Changzhou. He Chun, the commander of the Jiangnan camp, and He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, were trapped in the city and were in danger!"

Just when the emperor thought it was over.

Another bad news came.

"Huai'an City, where the Governor's Yamen of Water Transport is located, the city gate was blown up and the city was destroyed!"

Huai'an City, which I thought would be fine before, is an important water transport town.

At this time...it was also breached!

Water transportation, which was originally expected to be restored, was completely cut off.

…………………………

The entire court was deathly silent.

There has never been such a dense reporting of defeats.

The emperor and court officials went from shock to numbness and finally to panic.

It's really a shattering feeling.

what to do? !

The emperor was mentally exhausted and said hoarsely: "What should I do?"

Sushun said: "Over in Anhui, send the Hunan Army to rescue."

"On the Huai'an side, let the Governor of Water Transport, the Prefect of Huai'an, and the Chief Envoy of Jiangsu, Wang Youling, hold on. They will try their best to hold back this Nian army and prevent them from going south."

Yes, these two solutions are sound.

Then, what should we do about the most important Changzhou?

Once Changzhou is forced, Wuxi and Suzhou will be in danger.

Zhejiang is also in danger.

The entire imperial court's important financial and taxation areas were located in that place.

Who can save Changzhou now?

Everyone thought of a name: Su Yi.

However, you have just sent an imperial envoy to remove Su Yi as governor of Jiangxi and replace him with Luan Yi, the envoy of the guard.

Now you are asking people to lead troops to rescue Changzhou?

Isn't this a big joke?

Isn't this just spitting on one's face?

Therefore, no one dares to mention this name.

Military Minister Ruilin came out and said: "Your Majesty, do you want Su Yi to lead the army to rescue Changzhou?"

The emperor didn't scold him, but it was as if he didn't hear him.

…………………………………………

Jiujiang!

Imperial Minister Woren announced the decree.

"Su Yi is removed from the post of governor of Jiangxi and appointed as Luan Yi's envoy, and then he can go to Beijing to take up his post. I appreciate this!"

Su Yi sighed in his heart.

Shen Baozhen in the next room also sighed.

This imperial edict finally came.

The emperor and the court were still so impatient.

Without the guarantee from Zeng Guofan and Hu Linyi, they still pushed ahead forcefully.

Why bother?

In the future, the court's face will only become more embarrassing.

Su Yi wanted to avoid this scene from happening. He really didn't want to hurt the court's face too much.

In the end, it came anyway.

Su Yi said: "I accept the order and thank you for your kindness."

Then, he directly took off the flower feathers on his head.

Wo Ren said: "Su Yi, the war in the south is now the time for you to show your grand ambitions. Go to the capital immediately and admit your mistake to the emperor. The feud between the emperor and his ministers can be cleared up and you can once again assume the great responsibility."

Su Yi said slowly: "I won't go to Beijing anymore."

Wo Ren was stunned and said, "If you don't come to Beijing, isn't that a rebellion against the decree?"

Su Yi said: "If Luan Yi, the envoy of the Imperial Guard, resigns and refuses to serve, it is not considered a rebellion, right?"

"Even if I don't hold any official position, I can still set up a factory in Jiujiang."

"I can also give up this prefect's office. As long as the new prefect arrives, I will give it up immediately."

Then, Su Yi left directly.

Didn't have any conversation with Woren.

This is also a conservative. Although he is an upright gentleman, he is very difficult to deal with on such matters!

…………………………………………

That night, Zeng Guofan came to visit secretly.

"Lord Su Yi, the emperor's imperial decree requires me to rescue Anhui. It is impossible for me to resist the decree, so I must send troops to Anhui immediately."

"But just one Luo Zenan in my hand is not enough. If I want to transfer Li Xubin from Jiangxi, I need your permission."

Su Yi said: "Of course."

Then, Su Yi said: "Master Zeng, I owe you some favors during this period, so I would like to say something to you from the bottom of my heart."

Zeng Guofan said: "Please speak."

Su Yi said: "This time when we go to rescue Anhui, don't underestimate Chen Yucheng and Li Xiucheng, don't be greedy for credit, don't be greedy for credit, don't be greedy for credit!"

Historically, Li Xubin went to rescue Anhui. At the beginning, he won consecutive battles and recovered countless cities.

But in the end, at the Sanhe battlefield, the entire army was destroyed and Li Xubin was also killed.

This battle is considered to be the most tragic defeat of the Hunan Army in history.

Zeng Guofan cupped his hands and said: "Thank you, Mr. Su Yi. The tacit understanding between you and me is still there, and we are still on the same page. I will cooperate with you at the critical moment."

"In addition, I will definitely remember your gift and be vigilant at all times!"

…………………………………………

In fact!

When the news of the defeat in the south reached the capital, the imperial court desperately sent people to pursue the imperial envoy Woren.

Be sure to stop him!

The imperial edict removing Su Yi from the post of governor of Jiangxi cannot be read out.

Otherwise, when Su Yi really comes out to rescue Changzhou, the court will be too passive.

By that time, the price the court will give will be completely different.

However, Wo Ren is always strong, but his legs and feet are too fast.

The imperial envoy behind did not block him at all.

When he rushed into Jiujiang City and saw Wo Ren again, he said with a pale face: "Is the imperial edict promulgated?"

Woren said: "Yes, it has been promulgated."

"Su Yi will not go to Beijing, nor will he take up the post of Luan Yi's envoy. He will not hold any official position."

"He is in Jiujiang as a free man, responsible for setting up factories, and no one can do anything about him."

The imperial envoy took a deep look at Wo Ren and said, "Please return to the capital slowly. I want to go back immediately!"

Then, as soon as he arrived in Jiujiang, he rushed back as hard as he could.

…………………………………………

In the capital!

Important ministers persuaded the emperor privately.

Changzhou really cannot be lost!

Now only Su Yi can really save Changzhou.

The emperor said coldly: "What do you mean, do you want me to surrender to him?"

"Once you give in, do you know what it means? It means that the authority of the imperial court is greatly damaged, and it means that the local governor forces the imperial court to compromise for the first time."

At this time, the emperor still held on to his last hope.

"I decree that Shengbao will lead his army south to support the war in the south!"

Shengbao's army was used to defend the capital.

The foreigners had just withdrawn their troops, and the capital was not necessarily very safe yet.

However, the emperor asked Shengbao to lead his army south to support him, which shows that he wanted to be tough on Su Yi to the end.

Unwilling to compromise!

"Pass the message, let Guiliang lead the Tianjin Green Camp, and Ronglu lead the Tianjin New Army, and go south to support Huai'an."

The emperor spoke these words with a strong will.

Sushun and Du Han both felt their scalps numb.

The emperor wants to send all the troops that can defend the capital and can fight south.

Now only Senggelinqin's Mongolian cavalry is left.

In order not to compromise with Su Yi, the emperor did not hesitate to use the power of the capital.

But in this matter, the emperor alone, Qian Gang, was arbitrary.

Following the emperor's imperial edict.

Guiliang immediately went to assemble the Tianjing Green Camp, and Shengbao and Ronglu also immediately gathered their respective armies.

Get ready to head south!

…………………………………………

At this time, Changzhou battlefield.

The fight had been extremely brutal.

Shi Dakai had an army of 70,000. The remnants of Hechun's army in the Jiangnan camp in Changzhou City, plus the army of He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, also numbered 50,000.

Ordinarily, a 50,000-strong army defending the city would be able to fight against 70,000 Taiping troops.

Zhang Guoliang, Feng Zicai and others under He Chun are relatively tough.

Therefore, these few battles in Changzhou have been extremely fierce.

There are staggering casualties every day.

Up and down the city walls, corpses were strewn on the ground, and blood stained the city.

Shi Dakai's Taiping Army showed amazing toughness and no fear of death.

Crazy charge again and again.

Although the combat effectiveness of Hechun's Jiangnan camp was even worse, at this time, they knew there was no way out.

If Changzhou is lost, the court will never spare him and Chun.

Therefore, he could only fight to the end.

The battle situation was extremely anxious for the first time.

but……

Faced with this scene, He Chun can still bear it to the end.

He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, was frightened.

Facing the rebellious army who was not afraid of death, and facing the extremely tragic battle situation, he was trembling all over.

finally!

When the Taiping Army attacked the city again, He Guiqing collapsed.

He led his direct troops and fled from the east gate.

The supreme commander of this battlefield fled.

Although it was about two years earlier than in history, he still abandoned the city and fled at the critical moment, just like in history.

The Qing army, which had been fighting desperately, saw that the commander He Guiqing actually fled.

Suddenly, morale collapsed!

The remaining troops also fled.

He Chun, the commander of the Jiangnan camp, looked at the direction where He Guiqing fled and cursed loudly.

Man!

Man!

Then, Changzhou was broken!

He Chun, the commander of the Jiangnan camp, was killed!

…………………………………………

A few days later!

Eight hundred miles to Beijing in an emergency.

Changzhou fell, and He Chun died in battle.

Shi Dakai, the rebel, assembled a large army and marched towards Wuxi and Suzhou!

Wuxi and Suzhou are in danger!

After this battle report came,

The emperor was like a bereaved mother.

He fell into a terrible silence.

The armies of Guiliang, Ronglu, and Shengbao have almost assembled.

They can set off southward.

But... there is no time.

The canal has been occupied, and these three armies have no navy. Before they reach Jiangsu, they can only go by land.

By then, Wuxi and Suzhou will probably fall.

Once these two places fall...

It is unimaginable.

Now the only one who can save Suzhou and Wuxi is Su Ye's army.

That army is known as the most powerful army in the Qing Dynasty.

The emperor did not speak, and directly left Sanxitang, leaving behind more than a dozen important officials.

He went to the harem.

He came to the queen and gently picked up the eldest prince Zaichun.

At this time, the eldest prince was already three years old.

The emperor just held the eldest prince and strolled to the palace of Concubine Yi.

Concubine Yi reviewed the memorials and of course knew what had happened.

With a pale face, he knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Emperor Xianfeng smiled and said, "What's wrong? I won't eat people?"

Then, he teased his son with a smile.

Zaichun had never seen this emperor so close to him before, and he laughed.

He teased him for more than half an hour.

The emperor put away his smile and said to Zaichun, "Big brother, I'll tell you something, you have to remember it."

Zaichun said, "Khan Ama said, say..."

The emperor said, "Su Ye is the biggest traitor and the biggest traitor in my Qing Dynasty!"

Then, he handed Zaichun to Concubine Yi.

He walked back to Sanxi Hall.

A dozen important officials knelt on the ground when they saw the emperor coming back.

"Su Shun, Duan Hua, Zai Yuan, Du Han, Kuang Yuan stay."

"The rest of you, get out!"

After hearing the emperor's words, a dozen important officials all left.

Those who stayed were the emperor's absolute confidants.

The emperor said slowly: "Before this, there was room for reconciliation between me and Su Ye. Even if he was demoted to the Imperial Guard, as long as he was obedient, he would still be used in the future."

"Now there is no room for reconciliation. We have completely broken up."

The emperor's voice was very calm.

Then, he said calmly: You promise me that you will help me get rid of him in the future."

Several people trembled.

Du Han said: "I promise that I will help the emperor get rid of Su Ye in the future."

Duan Hua said: "I promise."

Zai Yuan said: "I promise."

The emperor said: "Then go, find Su Ye!"

"Ask him to rescue Wuxi and Suzhou!"

"Whatever conditions he has, tell him!"

"Whatever position he wants, just tell him!"

…………………………

Note: The first update is here. I just wrote until ten o'clock in the morning! Can you continue to give me the monthly ticket? I really appreciate it.

The cake went to sleep and continued to write after waking up.