Li Hongzhang stood next to Li Zhen, looking slightly embarrassed. When he thought that he was already in his early thirties, he could not calm down. His face suddenly became hot. Li Hongzhang calmed himself down and said: "Your Majesty, you are worrying too much. I am just Just feeling a little uncomfortable."
Li Zhen smiled slightly and said, "Sit down."
Li Zhen had high hopes for Li Hongzhang, so he came to talk to Li Hongzhang alone.
Li Hongzhang said: "Do you have anything to do with me, Your Majesty?"
Li Zhen said seriously: "After Zeng Guofan returned, I must have told you about Zhao Liewen's appointment as an official, and also told you about the first thing that recommended you to be by my side. It's just that I chose Zhao Liewen, so you have resentment in your heart. After all, you, Li Hongzhang, He is talented and capable, and he is not inferior to Zhao Liewen in any aspect."
Li Hongzhang lowered his head slightly, thinking so in his heart.
He doesn't understand.
I don’t understand why Li Zhen chose Zhao Liewen instead of him.
Li Hongzhang was in his early thirties, but he still achieved nothing, so he paid more attention to fame and fortune. After all, among his brothers, the eldest brother Li Hanzhang and the third brother Li Yunzhang both had official positions and had small achievements in the officialdom, but he was the only one. When you are in your early teens but have accomplished nothing, and now you see your opportunity to get ahead flying away, your mentality becomes unbalanced.
The more you care, the more likely you are to be affected.
Li Hongzhang believed that working next to Li Zhen was the best shortcut to an official career. Didn't you see that Liu Taiping, Ye Chengzhong, and Zheng Zaoru all became feudal officials? Zhao Liewen became an official, there must be a smooth path, and he got It was just one of Li Zhen's words that had another important purpose, which made Li Hongzhang think that what Li Zhen said was empty talk.
Li Zhen said again: "Li Hongzhang, if I ask you to form an independent army, I dare to accept it."
Li Hongzhang exclaimed and was stunned.
Form an army.
It was so unexpected that Li Zhen asked him to form an army. The commander of the army was definitely a feudal official, and the people who followed Li Zhen hardly had the right to lead an army. Li Hongzhang swallowed and asked : "Your Majesty, you are not deceiving me. Why did you let me form an army alone?"
Li Zhen said: "I believe in your ability, do you agree?"
Li Hongzhang's eyes lit up and he said, "I agree."
Li Zhen laughed and said: "There is no doubt about your ability, Li Hongzhang, but you still lack enough foundation. With the foundation you have accumulated, you can form at most a brigade, which is the scale Zuo Zongtang initially organized. If you alone When forming an army, do you know who will serve as the division commander and who will serve as the brigade commander? Prepare well. When you feel that you are strong enough, report to me and I will approve your formation of the fourth army. ."
"yes."
Li Hongzhang's mood improved and he happily agreed. At this moment, he felt that the path he was taking was different from that of Zhao Liewen, and he was no longer at the same level.
Li Zhen said with a smile: "Brother Shaoquan, now you think what I said is not empty talk."
"Your Majesty keeps his promise and will never break his promise." Li Hongzhang said hehely.
Li Zhen smiled slightly, waved his hand and said: "When you go back, think carefully about what to do and how to achieve your goal. I hope that after we return to China, your military structure can be established."
"I will definitely live up to the prince's great trust." Li Hongzhang said.
Li Hongzhang said goodbye and left, leaving Li Zhen alone on the deck to bask in the sun.
…
Japan, Nagasaki.
Before the Meiji Restoration, both Japan and the Manchu Qing Dynasty maintained a closed-door policy.
Even though the current Emperor Komei is in power, he still implements the policy of seclusion and prohibits people from contacting foreign countries. It is a thing to prevent people from contacting foreign countries. But if you are behind in seclusion, you will always be beaten. Japan, like the late Qing Dynasty, was beaten by strong ships and cannons. During the opening of the country, Nagasaki was forced to open its port. In the 16th century, Nagasaki served as a docking point for Portuguese ships. Later, it became an important place for exchanges between the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries.
On this day, Nagasaki became very lively, and you could see government officials running back and forth on inspections everywhere on the streets, as well as many samurai armed with long swords, and many people running around.
The increase in the flow of people immediately put pressure on the local officials of Nagasaki.
On the streets, the patrol officers were on guard.
"Sakamoto Kurakatsu, how is the situation over there?" A government official wearing a samurai uniform and two swords stuck in his waist strode over and asked as he looked at the oncoming government official.
"Miyamoto Saburo, the area I am responsible for is very good. Nothing has happened yet. However, more and more people are gathering in Nagasaki. Even if nothing happens now, it will definitely be easy for something to happen next." The yamen officer stood still. His eyes moved around, looking around him warily, fearing that someone might cause trouble.
"Sakamoto Kurakatsu, King Zhennan of the Celestial Kingdom has led a delegation to visit Japan and is about to land in Nagasaki. There must be a lot of people coming. I got the news that the emperor has arrived in Nagasaki with his soldiers, and Takasugi Shinsaku and others are also here, let's be careful and don't get into trouble," Miyamoto Sanbon said.
Saburo Miyamoto's news was wider and he got the news early.
For Li Zhen, Japanese government servants and people all admired him very much, not only because Li Zhen belonged to the Zhennan King of the Celestial Kingdom and was very powerful, but also because Li Zhen's sonorous and powerful declaration of nationality made the people of Japan listen. After that, the blood was boiling, so countless people gathered in Nagasaki, looking forward to Li Zhen's arrival.
"Takasugi-kun, how confident are you in persuading Li Zhen?"
In a house, a man in his thirties with a mustache looked at Takasugi Shinsaku and asked. This man had a serious expression, but his eyes shone with wisdom. This man was Takasugi Shinsaku's teacher Yoshida Shoin. He got After hearing the news that Li Zhen had landed in Nagasaki, he also rushed over to prepare to welcome Li Zhen.
Takasugi Shinsaku said: "Reporting to the teacher, the disciples are not sure. After all, the shogunate is supported by the royal family. It is justified and has great righteousness. We must be worse."
Yoshida Song**: "We have to work hard. Winning Li Zhen's support now is victory. You have more contact with Li Zhen. This matter is planned by you. We must lead Li Zhen to our side."
Takasugi Shinzuo said: "Teacher, don't worry, I will do my best, disciple."
At the same time, another residence.
There are soldiers protecting both inside and outside the door, which is extremely tight.
In the hall, the people sitting were clearly Emperor Komei, clan minister Anhito, and the last envoy Noda Yoo. Emperor Komei looked at Noda and said in a deep voice: "Noda-kun, Li Zhen will arrive soon, and what follows is The crucial opportunity is whether the shogunate will prosper, or whether the die-hards like Yoshida Shoin will continue to be rampant, all depends on your success or failure."
Noda Yoo said: "Please rest assured, Emperor, Noda will go all out."
Anren interrupted and said: "Noda-kun, you must complete the mission. This matter is very important. Yoshida Shoin cannot let it succeed. If necessary, troops can be sent to control the situation."
"clear."
Noda Yoo nodded, with excitement on his face.
Through Li Zhen's incident, he has gained the emperor's respect and expressed himself in front of the emperor. If he can take down Li Zhen and let Li Zhen support the shogunate, he will definitely be more outstanding and can be reused, so Noda Hiroshi Ou secretly made up his mind that he must not let Takasugi Shinsaku and others succeed.