Chapter 462: The Governor is not as good as a Servant (First update, please subscribe)
While people in the New and Old Worlds were attracted by the "Franco-Prussian War", no one in East Asia, far away on the other side of the world, cared about the disputes in the Old World. At least, no Qing people cared about it. Even for many people in the capital, they didn't care about the Taiping rebels occupying Liangjiang. After all, Nanjing had been occupied by Taiping rebels for so many years. In the past, they cared about Liangjiang because it was an important grain transport area, which was related to the food rations of the Eight Banners in the capital.
But now, the salaries of the Beijing camp have been in arrears for so many years, and everyone has long been numb. Let it be whatever it wants. The affairs of the court are for the princes and beile to take care of.
For example, nowadays, all matters of the imperial court are controlled by the "guiziliu", who corrupts the rules of our ancestors, and the Zongli Yamen. Local governments are controlled by a group of Han officials who are not even as good as slaves.
Our ancestors' kingdom will be destroyed in the hands of Guiziliu sooner or later!
Although everyone in the Beijing camp was criticizing Guiziliu, everyone knew that the Qing Dynasty could not do without Prince Gong. After all, he was the only one who could get along well with the foreign devils, and he was the only one who could deal with Governor Li, Zeng the Barber and other Han officials.
However, Prince Gong did not have an easy time during this period. In the Tianjin Church Incident, not only the church was burned down, but also the consulate was burned down by the people. Nineteen foreigners, including two French consulate staff, were killed. Now, seven countries, including France, Britain, the United States, Russia, Prussia, Belgium and Spain, have jointly lodged a "protest" and mobilized warships to Dagukou to threaten.
Although the matter has been almost dealt with now, his reputation as a "traitor" has been established, and countless people in the court have impeached him recently.
In fact, he originally planned to hand the matter over to Li Hefei, the governor of Zhili, but he never expected that the Taiping rebels in the south had made unusual moves again and he was unable to cope with the situation!
Compared with the foreigners, the longhaired people in the south are the real threat. The foreigners are after money, rights and land. But the longhaired people in the south want the whole world and the lives of the Eight Banners.
"I just don't know whether you, Li Hefei, are too busy to handle everything or you are trying to avoid disaster!"
While Prince Gong was muttering to himself, he picked up a book on the table. The book was sent to him by the British Minister to China, Sir Thomas Wade. He still remembered the surprise he felt when he first read the book.
After all, Ming Dynasty... this name has been the biggest threat to the Qing Dynasty for hundreds of years. What are they most afraid of?
Isn't it just because they are afraid that the Han people will take over the country?
It is true that he was afraid of the Taiping rebels, but he was more afraid of the words "Da Ming". The Taiping rebels were just a bunch of bandits, but the words "Da Ming" alone were enough to seduce people.
Even until now, he was somewhat thankful that those rebels did not raise the banner of restoring the Ming Dynasty when they occupied Nanjing. Otherwise, the world would have been lost long ago.
"Nanhua, Nanhua..."
As Prince Gong muttered these words, it was not the first time he heard this name. A few months ago, when he met with Japanese envoys, he heard them mention "Nanhua occupied Ryukyu". At that time, he just thought it was some Western barbarian and ordered Governor Li to negotiate with it. But he never thought that this Nanhua was actually a country built by the Han people overseas.
Thinking of this, Prince Gong couldn't help but sneer.
"Great, the Ming Dynasty, great Zuo Zongtang, great Wang Youling...are these Han officials really going to collude with the descendants of the Ming Dynasty?"
Prince Gong frowned, thought for a moment, and shouted to the outside of the door.
"Xu Liu,"
The Baoyi who was standing outside the door immediately came in, knelt down and kowtowed.
"I am here, what do you want, Master?"
Prince Gong raised the book in his hand and said.
"Send this book to Governor Li in Xuzhou and tell him that I want to ask him how to deal with this matter."
…
The Beiyang Minister's Headquarters in Xuzhou has too many military and political affairs to deal with every day. After all, as the Beiyang Minister, Governor Li not only has to resist the Taiping Rebellion in the south, but also has to wipe out the rebels in the northwest.
However, no matter how big the military event was, it was not as important as Prince Gong's bannermen affairs. After learning that the prince's confidant Xu Liu had arrived in Xuzhou, Governor Li not only sent people to the train station to pick him up to the headquarters, but also personally welcomed him into the study.
After a few simple polite words, Xu Liu directly stated his purpose and handed the book to Governor Li.
"Master Zhongtang, the prince said that you should read the book first, and then we can decide what to do after you finish reading it!"
Xu Liu, holding a teacup and sitting on a chair, looked calm and composed. In the palace he was a bondservant, but outside, he was an "imperial envoy".
Even if you are the Governor-General of Zhili, so what? Governor-General Zi Li is just an official, but I am a servant of the prince. When a servant of the prince comes out, he will be much more glamorous than you, the governor.
Just like now, aren't you still being polite, speaking politely, and calling me "Master"!
"Book?"
After taking the book, Governor Li's expression suddenly changed. He looked up at Xu Liu and asked.
"Sixth Master, I don't know where this book came from?"
"It was given to His Majesty by the British envoy. His Majesty would like to ask His Majesty, what do you think of this matter?"
Staring at the book in his hand, Governor Li had read this book - "Nanhua Records". What is this book? It is a book that tells the story from the founding of Nanhua to its annexation of Chile. It seems to be nothing big, but the identity of the "Lord of Nanhua" is clearly mentioned in the book.
Descendants of the Ming Dynasty!
Nanhua means the Ming Dynasty!
"Nanhua is a rebellious country!"
Without thinking, Governor Li knew what he should say.
"A group of abandoned people of the Celestial Empire, pretending to be descendants of the Ming Dynasty, have ulterior motives and are plotting to establish a new country. They are actually traitors to the Qing Dynasty! Such traitors must be killed by everyone!"
Nodding with satisfaction, Xu Liu asked again.
"Sir, a Japanese envoy previously said that "Nanhua seized Ryukyu and will be a threat to the Qing Dynasty in the future." The court knew nothing about Nanhua. The prince ordered you to deal with this matter. Now the prince asks you, how is the matter being dealt with?"
"Sixth Master, I used to think that Nanhua was a Western country, but I never thought it was a place of rebellion. Please tell the prince that I will definitely handle this matter well. In addition..."
Governor Li raised his eyebrows and said in a deep voice.
"The Nanhua rebellion is ultimately from our Great Qing. The imperial court should issue a directive to all provinces to prohibit them from recruiting laborers in our Great Qing. This is like cutting off the firewood from under the cauldron. Moreover, this rebellion has been recruiting laborers wantonly in our Great Qing territory for several years, and has colluded with the Taiping rebels and sold arms to them. If this thief is not eliminated, how can we be worthy of the imperial court officers and soldiers! Officials in all places can be ordered to arrest the thieves who work for them."
After saying that, Governor Li shouted to the outside of the door.
"Someone come!"
"Mark it!"
"Pass the order down. Immediately arrest Liu Kunpeng and his men from the American Company. Interrogate them strictly and find out who these traitors are!"
In the past, he could still pretend to be confused and not care about what was being sold, not asking, after all, he still had some plans for them. But now that they have come to his door, he has to do what he should do.
"Master Zhongtang, you are indeed a loyal minister of the Qing Dynasty!"
Hearing this, Xu Liu stood up with a smile.
"When I return to the capital, I will report Master Zhongtang's loyalty to His Majesty!"
"Oh, this is the duty of a subject!"
While Li Zhongtang was speaking, he took a step forward, and, under the pretext of being polite, stuffed several large-denomination silver dollar notes from HSBC into his sleeve, and then spoke softly.
"Please, Sixth Master, say a few good words for Li."
After receiving the bill, Xu Liu's smile became even wider. He liked this kind of job the most, especially when it came to Governor Li. It was because this person was tactful and could get things done. Such a person would be liked by everyone no matter where he was.
"Please rest assured, Lord Zhongtang, the prince has never doubted you! However, this person..."
Without waiting for Xu Liu to finish speaking, Governor Li patted his chest to show his loyalty.
"Don't worry, Sixth Master. This man will be captured. I will never let any traitor go!"
(End of this chapter)
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