After listening to Huang Shihai's words, Li Zhen was filled with doubts. He frowned and said: "We didn't provoke the Mongolian army, so why did the Mongolians in the north go south? Moreover, the Mongolian army was quietly approaching Beijing before it was discovered. There must be someone coordinating it. Otherwise, it would be impossible for the Mongolian army to avoid the sight of various provinces and cities."
Zeng Guofan's eyes were bright and he replied: "President, I think it has something to do with Cixi. Cixi launched a rebellion to rebuild the Qing Dynasty. If the power lurking in Beijing alone is far from enough, it is necessary to rely on external forces. The Mongolian army is Cixi's help." , Unfortunately, the Mongolian army has not yet arrived in Beijing, and Cixi has been killed."
"You mean Cixi invited the Mongols to go south."
A hint of gloom flashed between Li Zhen's brows, believing Zeng Guofan's inference.
He thought to himself that Cixi had spent a lot of money to rebuild the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and it was not easy to let the Mongols go south. In addition, it was easy to invite the gods but difficult to send them away. Once they came, it was difficult to leave. Li Zhen's eyes were cold and he ordered: "Huang Shihai, it's up to you to mobilize the First Army to counterattack. You can choose the generals in the army. Since the Mongols are here, teach them a lesson and capture Mongolia."
A cold light suddenly appeared in his eyes.
Huang Shihai perked up and his eyes showed excitement.
Take Mongolia.
This means that he has the opportunity to gain military exploits. This is an unparalleled feat of opening up new territories. Huang Shihai rolled his eyes and suddenly had an idea. He said with a smile: "President, I only want Brigadier Liu Jintang to accompany me on the expedition. Don’t want anything else”
Li Zhen nodded and said: "The military headquarters will issue the order to mobilize the troops."
"yes."
Huang Shihai left the Presidential Palace and immediately went to mobilize soldiers.
Li Zhen did not take the threat of the Mongols to heart. He changed the topic and asked: "Brother Bohan, tell me about the development of the country in the two years since I left. This is the top priority."
Zeng Guofan nodded and described the development of the past two years in detail, including the finances that Qiao Zhiyong was responsible for, covering matters in various fields such as scholars, agriculture, industry, and commerce. He explained everything clearly in detail. At this moment, , Zeng Guofan and Shi Dakai's faces were filled with joy, because the achievements they achieved were the result of their hard work.
After hearing this, Li Zhen couldn't help but praise: "It seems quite correct to appoint Brother Bohan to take over as Prime Minister and Shi Dakai to take over as Vice Prime Minister. You have not disappointed the country."
Zeng Guofan said modestly: "The President is ridiculously complimentary."
Shi Dakai also humbled himself and said: "I haven't done enough, I still need to work hard."
Li Zhen changed the subject, looked at Zhao Liewen, and asked: "Dean Zhao, how are the court affairs being handled?"
When the court was mentioned, Zhao Liewen's eyes were full of interest.
Zhao Liewen nodded and said: "The implementation of the court encountered great difficulties at the beginning, because each province has the idea of self-protection and wants to become an independent kingdom, and we have to establish provincial courts in each province. It is necessary to establish municipal courts in every city in the province. Such a construction means planting countless nails in each province, which makes the governor and mayor of each province have a thorn in their backs and encounters great resistance. , it didn’t work out at first.”
Li Zhen nodded, saying that it was indeed true. He led his army across the country, and officials in many places obeyed, so that Manchu officials became Chinese officials, and the country was unified, but there were big problems.
These officials have a vague style of princes.
On the surface, he acknowledged Li Zhen, but secretly he governed the place according to his own way.
The implementation of the court will directly strengthen the control of provinces and cities, so that the rights of provinces and cities will be greatly weakened. This is the same as Li Zhen's construction of the railway from Beijing to Guangzhou. The stretch of railway across the north and south laid the foundation for Li Zhen's
Li Zhen's control over the northern and southern coastal provinces enhanced Li Zhen's power, while the courts played a greater role and encountered greater resistance.
Zhao Liewen's face was calm, but his eyes were shining, and he continued: "The situation at that time was that there were policies from above and countermeasures from below. Many provinces supported it on the surface, but did not implement it at all. The officials we sent to establish the court also returned without success.
There was little success. After discussion with Zeng Guofan, Shi Dakai, Zuo Zongtang, and Huang Shihai, we divided the country into several regions, including southwest, northwest, northeast, southeast, etc."
"For example, in the southwest region, on the one hand, the governors of Sichuan, Guizhou and other provinces are given death orders, and they must accept the officials sent by the court to establish provincial and municipal courts, and they must be established in a short time; on the other hand, there are also officials stationed in
In Zhangzhidong of the Southwest Military Region, Zeng Guoquan drilled soldiers, creating the illusion that the army was about to send troops."
"With Zhang Zhidong's cooperation, the officials in various provinces were frightened and cooperated obediently. They did not dare to play tricks anymore. I followed suit. It was the same in the Northeast, Southeast and other places. Using the army as a deterrent, various military units were established across the country.
The courts at all levels, until now, have been a nail planted in each province and city, firmly nailed to each province and city, and have become an important means of controlling the country."
Zhao Liewen salivated and looked very excited.
"well done."
Li Zhen clapped his hands in praise and was extremely excited. With this move, Li Zhen's control over the country was greatly improved. After a pause, Li Zhen continued: "Let's go see Brother Ji Gao. He is a very busy man."
ah."
Li Zhen stood up and left the Presidential Palace, accompanied by Zeng Guofan, Zhao Liewen and others.
The group of people left the house and went straight to where Zuo Zongtang was.
The school established by Zuo Zongtang is located in the northwest suburbs of Beijing. It is not in the urban area. It is a separate place and covers an area of thousands of acres. Li Zhen and his party came to the school gate. In front of the gate was a simple and thick carved building.
At the gate, on the left side stood a soldier with his head held high and his chest high, with a resolute face, giving people the impression of a sonorous man.
"who are you looking for."
Li Zhen and his party came over, and the soldiers on guard turned around and raised their hands to salute.
This is a new recruit. He doesn’t know Zeng Guofan, Zhao Liewen and others, let alone Li Zhen, who has not been seen in Beijing for nearly two years. Zeng Guofan smiled slightly, pointed at Li Zhen, and introduced: "This is the president, just now
After returning to Beijing, I am here to visit the school, see the teachers and students of the school, and ask Zuo Zongtang to come out to greet me."
"ah,."
The soldier made a sound of surprise and looked at Li Zhen with a look of reverence in his eyes. In the hearts of ordinary soldiers, Li Zhen was simply a god-like existence. When the soldier suddenly saw Li Zhen, he was extremely excited.
He couldn't help but glance at Li Zhen a few more times, then turned around and ran back to report the news.
After a while, Zuo Zongtang came out in military uniform.
When he saw Li Zhen, he was also extremely excited. He trotted over and Zuo Zongtang saluted. Li Zhen raised his hand and returned the salute. Then he said with a smile: "Brother Ji Gao, you have built such a huge building in such a short period of time."
School, thank you for your hard work."
"It's not hard, it's not hard."
Zuo Zongtang shook his head, with a happy smile on his face.
