Chapter 113 Releasing Pigeons

  "Can you two tell me what the court is doing? I was ordered to come to the capital, bringing a group of brothers who survived the battlefield to receive rewards, but all along the way there were obstacles, and someone even gave me a fake imperial edict telling me to go back. When we arrived at the gate of Beijing, we weren't allowed to enter the city, and they said my imperial edict was fake, and they even damaged it. Now I'm full of grievances with no one to appeal to. You two also know that I have a bad temper, what kind of temperament can people like us, who lick blood from our blades, possibly have?"

  "My mind is very simple, if the emperor wants to see me, I'll hurry up and wait for him. At this time, whoever dares to stop me will be beaten until he doesn't recognize his own mother, even if it's the city wall of Beijing that blocks my way, I'll blow it open. This is the duty of a minister, but look at what the court has done! I'm already confused, can you please tell me clearly what's going on? We're not well-read and don't have so many fancy ideas." Yang Feng said with a pitiful expression, looking at Li Lianying and Wang Mingxun who were leaning against the car windows on either side of him.

  He didn't expect people from both sides to come together, so let them confront each other face-to-face.

  "Your Excellency Yang, I have been ordered by the Emperor to declare that you and all the generals are summoned to enter the palace for an audience." Wang Mingrang said eagerly.

  "Really? Why didn't you say so earlier! Oh my, I am truly loyal to the Emperor, especially after receiving the imperial edict promoting me to First Rank Baron and Governor of Min-Zhe, I was so excited that I couldn't sleep at all." Yang Da Boss said with loyalty.

  "That's natural, I'm the Minister of Rites, and I have prepared your appointments for you and all the generals. You are the Governor-General of Fujian and Zhejiang, what about the rest of you? Look at my memory." Wang Minglang said with a smile, he naturally understood that this was a price to be paid, and it was not excessive to say that one Governor-General of Fujian and Zhejiang would be sufficient. Yang Feng is now an earl, and with his meritorious service in the campaign against Japan, there is indeed no other official position more suitable for him than Governor-General."

  "General Song Qing is the Zhejiang Provincial Governor, General Zhang Gaoyuan is the Fujian Provincial Governor, General Jiang Zikang is the Taiwan Provincial Governor, and General Yuan Shikai is the Zhejiang Provincial Inspector. Additionally, Mr. Xue Fucheng has been transferred to be the Fujian Provincial Inspector, and Mr. Zhang Quan is the Taiwan Provincial Inspector." Yang Feng said bluntly, "He's had his eye on that place for a long time, not just one day. Don't mention anything else, just that Fuzhou Shipyard alone makes him drool..."

  Wang Minglang took a deep breath, this is the rhythm of preparing to be the King of Minzhe, from the governor to the commander-in-chief of the three provinces are his party members, what's the difference with the vassal king? This condition is not dare to agree, think about it and know that the imperial court will definitely not agree, when the time comes, oneself is stuck in the middle, it's troublesome.

  Seeing his embarrassed expression, Li Lianying seized the opportunity and said without hesitation: "Lord Yang, as long as you are willing to listen to Her Majesty's words, I guarantee that not only will I give you these official positions, but also an additional reward of five million taels of silver. I have one million silver notes with me right now."

  "After a while, you said that the empress dowager is how things are going on, Mr. Li, although we have met for the first time, but O'Connor often mentions you, knowing that you are a good person, I just returned from abroad, really ignorant of the court affairs, trouble you to tell me about it." Yang Feng said in surprise.

  "Director Yang, what can you possibly discuss with a eunuch? They don't speak the truth. The Emperor is waiting to grant an audience, and it's said that not only will he promote your official ranks, but also offer a reward of five million taels." Wang Mingrang hastily said, for now just agree first, whether the Emperor agrees or not is another matter.

  "Traitor, it's you and Weng Tonghe, two treacherous officials who have misled the Emperor, driving a wedge between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, mother and son. Mr. Yang, please don't listen to him, let me tell you carefully." Li Lianying said with sorrow and indignation, thinking of his own situation, he easily fell into character.

  "You dare to insult the loyal ministers of the imperial court, you're really rebellious!" Wang Mingluan couldn't let him continue speaking, he had been displeased with this old eunuch for a long time. He hastily walked around the front of the carriage and was about to pull open Li Lianying's door. Song Qing wanted to step forward to mediate, but was stopped by Yuan Shikai. Over a million people, including Yang Feng, were watching the commotion like a monkey show.

  "You treacherous official, I'll take you down for the country today!" Li Lianying fearlessly charged forward, and the two quickly became entangled in a scuffle. The well-read Wang Servant was unexpectedly evenly matched with Li Gonggong, who had been castrated, but unfortunately, he had a huge weakness, so before long, he was robbed of his advantage by Li Lianying. Poor Wang Servant was now completely at a loss, covering himself and struggling to break free from Li Lianying's grasp. However, this wasn't easy - every man knew that the best way to escape at this moment was to counter-grab, but the problem was that the opponent had nothing to grab onto.

  "Master Yang, listen to me," Li Lianying said with a pleased expression, holding onto Wang Servant's arm tightly while leaning against the window of the carriage.

  "Director Yang, don't... ah!" Wang Shilang just wanted to speak, but Li Lianying quickly tightened his grip, and the loyal minister's efforts came to an abrupt end.

  "Lord Yang, the imperial edict you received is indeed real, but it was issued by these treacherous officials who deceived the Emperor. Although the current Emperor has taken over the reins of power, he is still young and inexperienced in military and state affairs, which are still controlled by the Empress Dowager. These treacherous officials are unwilling to be suppressed by the Empress Dowager and want to usurp the imperial power, so they have been deceiving the Emperor and plotting against the Empress Dowager." Just as Li Lianying said this, she heard Yang Feng exclaim loudly: "What? As a son, one should put filial piety first, even if it's the Emperor himself, he cannot harm his own mother. Wouldn't that be like being a beast?"

  "Yes, yes, Lord Yang, you are a man of loyalty and righteousness, so you naturally understand this principle. However, these treacherous officials have disregarded the norms and have been deceiving the Emperor for a long time. The Emperor has heard their words for a long time and cannot help but be shaken. It's just that he fears the loyal and upright officials in the court, so he hasn't taken action yet. But this time, they are taking advantage of your recent return from abroad and your unfamiliarity with these internal affairs, plus your dissatisfaction with the court's handling of the war." Li Lianying said hastily.

  "Objection! Objection!" Yang Feng waved his hand and said.

  "Yes, objections. So they deceived the Emperor and issued a decree summoning you to the capital, then hid him away, making it impossible for you to see him. They knew you were loyal and your troops were fierce, so if you couldn't see the Emperor, you would definitely attack the city. As soon as you entered Beijing, there would be chaos, and they could take advantage of the situation to harm the Empress Dowager. Once she was dead, they would shift the blame onto you and the other generals. How treacherous!" Li Lianying said, speaking with a tone of self-admiration for his own cleverness.

  Behind him, Wang Shilang weakly stretched out his hand, with a face full of grief and indignation opening his mouth. Before he could speak, Li Lianying suddenly exerted force on his hand, causing Wang Shilang to writhe in pain, rendering him unable to defend himself.

  Yang Feng was stunned at this time, and Zhang Dàmǒu's mouth was also dumbfounded.

  "Isn't the lower official being used by others? This, this is terrible! Bombing Beijing City, destroying city walls, killing countless soldiers and civilians, isn't this a crime punishable by destruction of one's entire family?" The man said with a terrified expression.

  "General Yang, please be at ease. Those who are unaware of the situation will not be held accountable. The Empress Dowager has already prepared an imperial edict, stating that you and the other generals are not only innocent but also deserving of rewards for your achievements in the war against Japan. All the titles and rewards previously promised by the late Emperor will remain unchanged. Furthermore, as a special reward for the bravery of your soldiers in defeating the enemy and upholding our nation's honor, an additional seven million taels of silver will be awarded." Li Lianying hastily spoke with a smile, having been instructed beforehand by Cixi to agree to all of Yang's conditions, especially when it came to money, where hundreds of thousands or even millions of taels could be spared.

  "That's all thanks to Her Majesty's kindness," said Yang Feng with a smile.

  "Your Excellency Yang, rest assured that the Empress Dowager is the most considerate of her ministers. As long as you continue to serve her wholeheartedly in the future, rewards and promotions are absolutely guaranteed." Li Lianying said with a smile.

  "What's next for the lower official?" Yang Feng asked.

  "Since Master Yang has arrived, it's not a bad idea to meet the Empress Dowager together with me. After all, the Old Buddha is quite fond of you," said Li Lianying.

  "This, this, I haven't read any books, don't even understand the imperial court etiquette, it's better not to disturb the empress dowager, let Lord Yuan go with you instead, he is a scholar and a descendant of loyal officials, he will certainly report everything to the empress dowager. As for me and the generals, we'll wait outside the city first, this is a place with guns and cannons, don't disturb the civilians, besides these rough men are used to killing people, without me here to keep them in check, it's easy to cause some chaos." Yang Feng said with a sly smile.

  "Ah, then please let Master Yuan go with me." Li Lianying also said with a sly smile.

  "But, Lord Li, shouldn't you let Wang Gong first? After all, he is also an official appointed by the imperial court. It doesn't look good for you to arrest him like this." Yang Feng pointed at Wang Minglang and said, who had already fainted from pain.

  Li Lianying naturally understood the meaning of this guy, and let Yuan Shikai follow him into the palace to discuss conditions. If they agreed, then that's it; if not, then he couldn't blame others for turning to the emperor's arms again. After all, the city wall had already been blasted open, and the army of 10,000 could kill their way into Beijing at any time if they wanted to. In the end, the cards were in his hands, and it was up to him how to play them. He had no other choice but to awkwardly release Wang Minglun, then bring Yuan Shikai and Li Yuncong back to the city to enter the palace and see Empress Dowager Cixi.

  "The Empress Dowager had no choice but to agree at the time, and afterwards she would definitely be resentful. What if she were to go back on her word then?" They left, and Song Qing said worriedly, "Now what they are doing is no different from those treacherous officials in history. This makes the old general, who was educated with traditional ideas, very uncomfortable."

  "If the imperial court goes back on its word, we can just fight our way back in. We were able to take Beijing once, and we can do it again. You've seen the fighting power of the Eight Banners Army - can such a military force stop us? Besides, what's the use of the imperial court going back on its word? Can I, Yang Feng, be chased away from the place I want to go? Once Japan is dealt with, our army of 20,000 will march forward and whoever dares to stand in our way will be beaten. You can rest assured, follow me and you'll have all the money and official positions you want." Yang Feng said with a sly smile, his reason for coming to blow open Beijing was to leave Empress Dowager Cixi with a lasting impression.