Chapter 330 The old fox schemed against the little fox
Li Hongzhang pondered for a moment and said: "Xiaolou, my ideas are innovative. I didn't lose the war. I ceded the land to myself and betrayed the country's sovereignty. I will be scolded to death by the Qing faction in the court. Even the scholars in Gongyuan will hold up slogans." Come to the Yamen of the Prime Minister’s Office to petition. Even the eighteenth generation of Li’s ancestors are not immune. This is your wishful thinking. No one will support your idea.”
Li Guolou approached him with a playful smile and said: "Uncle, who are you? Are you afraid of being scolded? We can use another way of saying it. It's called a win-win situation. Bismarck is now in power in Prussia. He is known as the Iron-Blooded Prime Minister. Together with you, we are called the East and the West. Optimus Prime Stone. It's up to you to negotiate with Bismarck. I believe that leasing some land is nothing. A military port is handed over to the Prussians. Let the British protest. We have the backing of the Prussian Empire. We have advanced cannons, spears, and equipment. It won't take long for us to fight back Annan occupied by the French. This is in and out. Let's settle the account. We will definitely make a profit without losing money. We can also destroy the arrogance of the little Japan in the east. Let the little Japan no longer Dare to make any changes in Taiwan and North Korea. As for the British, they have to give reasons to protest. We are cooperating with the Prussian Empire. We negotiate on the principle of equality and reciprocity. The British, French, and Russians want to eat the fruits, so they have to take them. Show sincerity. But will they have it? Negotiate with the British. They suffered a loss and asked to modify the treaty. But the Prussians are straight-hearted. If we sign a treaty with them, we will not tamper with it. Our industrial base will be laid by the Prussians in the shortest time. .In exchange for the richest fruits. Only the Prussians can be friends. Other empires are white-eyed wolves. They will devour us bite by bite."
Li Hongzhang shook his head and said: "You are extremely reactionary. I'm sorry you came up with such a method. But I can talk to Prince Gong first. Xiaolou, can you write a statement?"
Li Guolou's face suddenly turned pale. He wrote this on paper and submitted it to the Yamen Committee of the Prime Minister's Office for filing. It was included in the national archives. It is a witness to history. He betrayed the country's sovereignty, interests, and territory. His identity as a traitor will be forever determined. Come down. How do future generations know that their generation lives in the cracks and will always be reviled by future generations. And he is a traitor. No one will say good things about him. Even his grave will be dug up after he dies. Prince Gong During the critical moment when the Qing Empire was in raging war, Yi Xin signed the traitorous "Beijing Treaty". In exchange for the Eight-Nation Allied Forces withdrawing from the capital, he instead supported the Qing Empire in annihilating the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. He was called "Japanese Six" by the world, but he was in the country. When it becomes peaceful, betraying national interests, how will you be scolded?
"Uncle, if I don't write, I'll be scolded to death. I'm just giving you advice. Do you want to listen to those of you who make national policies?" Li Guolou blurted out. He lost his temper and shook his suit. Sleeves. Take a sip of tea. Talk until your mouth is dry. In exchange for a statement, smear your own image.
Regardless of whether he is passed in the court or not, he will be remembered by the officials in the court. "Li Guolou" is a traitor and the behavior of a villain. He is not a talent for governing the country. A gentleman should govern the country with an open mind and an open mind. He should govern the country with great principles. Only when the country is in peace can the country prosper and prosper. Only when the people's hearts are united can a united country have hope.
Li Hongzhang knew it clearly at a glance. His "grandson" was too smart. His ideas were different from ordinary people's. His ideas on the high road were in place. He wrote them down and presented them to Prince Gong. They could be put on the table for discussion. Ideas on the small road could also be used. .I also know that there will be future troubles. I refuse to write it down on paper. There are upper, middle and lower strategies. As for which one to use, it depends on the person who makes the national policy.
How could Li Hongzhang take advantage of Li Guolou? He had the evidence of the crime in hand. Li Guolou would be used by him all his life. This is also the way to be an official. It is easier to use people with stains than clean and honest people. Clean and noble people are suitable for teaching. Yu Teach others, and subordinates with stains can do practical things. Because only this kind of people can focus on doing errands for you regardless of whether your policies are right or wrong, and get twice the result with half the effort. This has been true from ancient times to the present. The same is true for emperors. Use people to recruit people.
Li Hongzhang coaxed Li Guolou and said: "Don't be afraid, Xiaolou. Write down what you said today. I just discussed your remarks with Prince Gong. It will be very helpful for you to enter the court. Don't worry. This statement There will be no transcript of the article."
Li Guolou never thought that such a big official would lie to him. Besides, he was his elder. He quickly said: "Zha, grandson, write down today's proposition. It will be used as a reference. Uncle, do I want to do an analysis of neighboring countries and The report on the mentality of the Western powers is attached to the statement. That way I will have a basis for saying this."
Li Hongzhang was stunned. He blinked and asked: "Xiaolou, you can also make analysis reports. Where did you get the information?"
Li Guolou said: "I read both the English and French newspapers in the concession. Foreign articles contain the secrets of our country. In addition, I also read the transcripts of the Di newspaper. A comprehensive analysis will give me an overall view. I The claim that identity seems to betray national sovereignty is based on facts. In fact, it is a bitter medicine. If I use this strategy, the Russians will be defeated by us in less than ten years. The French covet the northern region of Annan and want to drive away Liu The Yongfu Black Flag Army will fight the French sooner or later in the morning. As for the areas controlled by the French in the south, I believe they can be recovered within fifteen years. In the future, the Ryukyu vassal country will also resume providing supplies to our court. As for the concessions in the country, they can become windows to the outside world. Everyone can live in peace and achieve a true win-win situation. When we are strong enough, we can participate in the development of colonies and establish concessions with foreigners. Together with Prussia, we can become the overlord of the East and the West. .”
Li Hongzhang joked: "Then let me ask you: Where should we choose as the concession?"
Li Guolou said solemnly: "Acquire the entire territory of Annan. The next step is Singapore. As long as Singapore and Hong Kong are captured, the British will not be able to occupy it. Burma will also be in danger. So the real hard battle is the battle with the French in the south of Annan." .At that time, the British and Americans will also help the French. We will have a decisive battle of the century with the Westerners in Annan."
Li Hongzhang became excited. He put on his shoes and said hurriedly: "Xiaolou, wait a minute. I'll get the map. Let's talk on paper if it doesn't matter."
Li Guolou saw that Li Hongzhang had not even put on the heels of his shoes, so he went out to get a map. He knew that his words moved Li Hongzhang. How can the world understand how difficult the road to national rejuvenation is. Destroying and smashing the old dynasty are all methods. .It is also necessary to use the imported mechanism. The Prussians have enemies on all sides. Although they won a victory in the Franco-Prussian War, the hidden hostile countries will strangle the Prussians' victory. Bismarck also needs to alleviate the crisis facing their country and the Great War. The alliance between the Qing Empire and the Prussian Empire was also beneficial.
Although the Qing Empire would sell a lot of interests and sovereignty for this alliance, it would not lose anything. The Industrial Revolution of the Qing Empire can be an introduction model. It sounds shameful to rely on foreigners for the road to national rejuvenation. But it can be said that this is A joint-stock company with options and shareholders. A new system with a win-win nature. The lesser of two evils. Being a politician means playing with this kind of political method. The enemy of your enemy is your friend. The Qing Dynasty is surrounded by enemies who are eyeing it. Divide and disintegrate the enemy. .Defeat them one by one and eliminate the biggest threat to the Qing Empire.
Li Hongzhang spread out the map and asked Li Guolou to watch it together. The map of Annan was drawn very carefully. Each province has a small map. This shows that the Qing emperor attached great importance to Annan in the past and had a thorough understanding of the geographical environment of this vassal state. .The map of Xinjiang is just a big map. The mountains, rivers and rivers can be seen clearly. In other aspects, it is very different from the map of Annan.
Li Guolou sighed: "Uncle, I now know why you are unwilling to use troops in Xinjiang. How can we march and fight with such a map? Doesn't the Qing Dynasty have more advanced maps?"
Li Hongzhang said: "Of course the Ministry of War has a more detailed map, but it is not much better. Xinjiang is too big and no one is doing surveying and mapping. I am now opposed to the use of troops in Xinjiang. I still firmly insist on the main point. It is based on reality. The treasury is running out of money. I can’t afford to bother. Others think that I have a problem with Zuo Zongtang and deliberately contradict him. But how do others know how much money Xinjiang Commander-in-Chief Jing Lian spends to maintain the status quo in Xinjiang? How can Jing Lian persist until now? It is not easy. It can be said that he is a loyal and brave man, a hero who serves the country with loyalty. Zuo Zongtang only knows how to write a letter to impeach Jing Lian. But it is difficult for a clever woman to make a meal without rice. How much property does Jing Lian have in Hami, Xinjiang? How can it be possible to regain Xinjiang? Zuo Zongtang is standing It doesn't hurt your back to talk. Please cover my butt. Then let's talk about regaining Xinjiang."
Li Guolou looked at Li Hongzhang without saying a word. Everyone has selfish motives. Li Hongzhang cut troops in Liangjiang and reduced pay, but increased the cost of regiment training. He trained the Huai Army into a new generation of troops. Now the troops are strong and the horses are strong. He only thinks about the Beiyang Navy. In the court In the debate about coastal defense and fortress defense in the hall, he advocated paying attention to coastal defense first and being indifferent to northwest border defense. Zuo Zongtang advocated paying equal attention to coastal defense and fortress defense, and also emphasized sending troops to Xinjiang first.
Li Guo's statement upstairs also mentioned the Xinjiang issue, and it was placed at the last point. This is because the Xinjiang battle can only be won, not lost. If it loses, the "Zhedeshar Kingdom" will most likely become independent. The Western powers will recognize the legitimacy of the "Zhedeshar State". The country must fully support it before launching a campaign to regain Xinjiang. Now we can only recharge our batteries, raise military pay, train troops, and transport food.
Warfare at this time was very different from that in ancient times. Variations in climate conditions made Xinjiang no longer a land of lush vegetation. Many places were deserts and barren, with lack of water and grass. Especially in the eastern Xinjiang, northern Xinjiang and Gobi areas where soldiers first arrived. Zongheng. The grain production was very small. As the saying goes, the troops and horses were not moved. Food and grass went first. The troops could not march straight in. This was the biggest difficulty for the Qing Dynasty to regain Xinjiang. The battle to regain Xinjiang was far away.
Zuo Zongtang also encountered unprecedented difficulties. The Hui uprising in the northwest coincided with the Xinian rebellion. It was huge. The imperial court dispatched the Huai army and the Henan army to cooperate with the Chu army to suppress the rebellion in the vast Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. The Hui uprising and the Xinian rebellion were still not eliminated. The remnants of bandits.
It was too early to talk about entering Xinjiang at this time. Li Guolou could only listen to Li Hongzhang's far-sightedness and praise the Manchu Jing Lian as a loyal man who served the country. He did not express his views eloquently. Regarding the talents of Xinjiang commander Jing Lian .Li Guolou is divided into two. In the early stage, it was nothing more than waste. This caused the passive situation of the war in Xinjiang. In the later stage, of course, he was a loyal man who served the country. He was able to stick to Hami, Barkol, Jimsar, Talbahatai, etc. In several isolated cities, the rebellious Aguba couldn't stop him. The imperial court issued commendation orders one after another, which was the highest reward for Jing Lian.
"Hey, the chaos in Xinjiang now even involves the Russians. The city of Yili is occupied by the Russians. The British told me. The Chinese don't know it yet." Li Hongzhang accidentally revealed the military secret. Emperor Tiangao In the distant past, the Qing Empire implemented a policy of benighting the people to govern the country. This loss of territory has been concealed to this day.
Li Guolou smiled bitterly and said: "Uncle, I am right. With the post and telecommunications office, will such a thing happen? The British still need to inform our country. How embarrassing. The British are not good people. They are afraid of the Russians. Invading India. Touching their privileges and interests in India. So this time they are the good guys."
Li Hongzhang glanced at him and said: "Okay, don't show off your merits. You are my grandson. You are still young. I can only suppress you for this fame. Where do you want to be an official?"
Li Guolou lowered his eyebrows and said in a deep voice: "Uncle, it will be the day after tomorrow. I will take the imperial examination. As for being an official, I don't want to be a local official. Making money is the first priority. Brother Xingsun opened the post and telecommunications office. I also I have to do my best. But... the business schools and military schools you run, let me be an instructor. Give me a bigger official hat. Put my name on it. It also gives me the opportunity to have a large number of people. Student. You can only take your old class in the future."
Li Hongzhang couldn't help but grinned and said with a smile: "Xiaolou, with your level of eight-legged essay writing, you still want to be admitted to the Jinshi. You are very ambitious. You also want my position. Isn't it crazy?"
Li Guolou did not dare to laugh out loud. He kept a serious expression and said: "Uncle, I was recommended by Prince Gong to enter the examination room. I will directly worship Li Hongzao. Li Hongzao also accepted the invitation."
"Oh..." Li Hongzhang suddenly realized that his "grandson" was just like those noble sons of the Manchus. He was a cheater.