Chapter 056 Fragated Wings

The maid cherry, who did not avoid the knife and arrow, went to the front line and was seriously injured. Emperor Guangxu was particularly sympathetic, recognized the cherry as the righteous sister, and added the cherry as Qiongzhen Gege. Cherry jumped from a maid to the emperor's sister. The grid of the Qing Dynasty can be said to be a step up to the sky.

Only Hesuge Minxiu, the emperor gave her a large amount of money, and then added two words "protect the country" before her title "Huo Gege". Since then, Minxiu has been "protecting the country and Shuo Gege". There is no substantial difference between "protecting the country and the strong grid" and "the strong grid" and are purely spiritual rewards. Minxiu is already a master's grid, which is the highest level in the grid, and can't be sealed. You can't seal an admiral or something for Minxiu, which is not in line with the rules of the Qing Dynasty.

After reading the emperor's imperial edict, Zhou Charter muttered in his heart.

In this reward list, Zhangjun brothers are all high-ranking officials and seem to be generous. However, the intention to divide and rule Brother Zhang Jun here is extremely obvious.

Zhou Charter received the most generous reward, but in fact, they are all false titles. Admiral Huguang is a senior military officer of the second grade, but the imperial edict added a prime minister and minister of the inner court. That is to say, Zhou Charter can't go to Huguang to take office at all. He can only stay in the capital in the name of "internal affairs", which is equivalent to being disarmed.

Other Zhangjun generals were torn apart. Some were in North Korea, some in the northeast, some went to Wuhan, and some simply lost their military power to fight for Yuan Shikai. Wu Peifu was sent to Fujian, 108,000 miles away from the capital.

Obviously, the court was not worried about Brother Zhang Jun, which was to remove Zhou Charter's wings.

In fact, this reward list is the product of the compromise between Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi.

According to Kang Youwei's advice to Emperor Guangxu, Zhou Charter should lead the army outside and form a posture of arch defense against the emperor. This suggestion was strongly supported by Zhenfei.

This time, Zhenfei escaped from death. She deeply realized a truth that if the emperor did not control the army, he would one day be pulled down by the empress dowager. Therefore, through her brother Zhirui, Zhenfei united with some courtiers and asked the emperor to restore the establishment of Zhangjun, and Zhou Charter would continue to lead Zhangjun and station on the front line of the Yalu River.

However, this proposal was strongly opposed by the ministers of the Qing Dynasty. There was only one reason for opposition. Zhang Jun did not have braids, which was not the army of the Qing Dynasty!

The Empress Dowager Cixi naturally stood on the side of the ministers of the Qing Dynasty. She was fully aware of Zhenfei's thoughts. Zhou Charter led the army abroad and consolidated the emperor's throne. In turn, it seriously threatened the status of the Empress Dowager. Empress Dowager Cixi absolutely could not tolerate such things. If Zhou Charter is not killed, the Empress Dowager is already heart-hearted enough to make Zhou Charter sit big again.

The central meaning of the Empress Dowager Cixi is two, which cannot be granted the real power of Zhou Charter and cannot continue to retain the establishment of Zhang Jun.

The two sides competed repeatedly, but there was no result.

Coincidentally, at this time, Yuan Shikai returned to Beijing to report his duties and made a proposal to the court to give Zhou Charter a high-ranking official to stay in the capital. Other Zhangjun generals can be given certain real power or continue to lead troops, but they must be scattered everywhere.

Yuan Shikai was a great hero of the Qing Dynasty. When Weihai Wei was about to fall, it was he who stabilized the defense line and defended Weihai Weiwei. Moreover, Yuan Shikai held an elite new army in his hand. The combat effectiveness of this force has been confirmed in the battle of Shandong. It is obvious to all, so the court had to attach great importance to Yuan Shikai's suggestion.

Finally, the two sides reached a compromise and separated Zhang Jun according to Yuan Shikai's suggestion. Zhou Charter stayed in the capital to serve. This plan can be accepted by both the empress dowager and the emperor. Zhou Charter did not lead the army, but lived in the capital with a false title, under the eyes of the Empress Dowager, which reassured the Empress Dowager Cixi. The other officers and soldiers of Zhangjun are still in the hands of Zhou Charter's brothers. These soldiers are outside. Once something happens, they will not stand by. Moreover, the emperor also has an uncle who commands troops in Tianjin. In this way, the emperor also feels confident.

Yuan Shikai took the opportunity to bring Feng Guozhang and Duan Qirui under his command. These two people are rare military talents. Yuan Shikai wants to expand his new army and seek talents.

Now, Yuan Shikai has three generals: Feng Guozhang, Duan Qirui and Wang Shizhen, which is what people often call the "Three Heroes of Beiyang".

The edict has been read, and Nie Shicheng and Zhou Charter led the soldiers to thank them.

Zaiyi sent the edict to Nie Shicheng, looked at Zhou Charter with a smile, and said, "Zhou Zong Bing, no, Admiral Zhou, before I left the capital, I was summoned by the emperor in person. The emperor said that our Qing Dynasty won the complete victory in the war against Japan, and Admiral Zhou was the greatest achievement, and he was the first meritorious minister of the Qing Dynasty!"

Zhou Charter bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, Mingjian, our Qing Dynasty did not win, and our Zhou Charter also entrusted the great blessings of the emperor and the Empress Zhenfei to barely survive! The brothers Zhang Jun fought a bloody battle with the Japanese and almost died in the hands of their families in the end.

Zaiyi looked embarrassed. The Qing Dynasty saved Liaodong and Shandong, but ceded Taiwan and abandoned North Korea, which was not a big victory at all. And Ye Zhichao's Qing army started a war against Zhang Jun, which made the hearts of the soldiers even more cold. The court's statement about this matter was a misunderstanding, which was regarded as a fool, and it was an claration for the people of the Qing Dynasty, but Zhang's officers and soldiers were unconvinced.

Zaiyi had to say, "Ye Zhichao's command was obviously going to reinforce Zhang Jun. How did it happen? There was a conflict with Zhang Jun? Although there was a misunderstanding, Ye Zhichao, as the commander, was also guilty. After the emperor heard about this, Longyan was furious and wanted to severely punish Ye Zhichao. However, now the situation on the ground in North Korea is complicated, and Ye Zhichao leads 50,000 troops outside. At this time, he hastily punished Ye Zhichao for fear of inconvenience. Therefore, the emperor issued an order to remove Ye Zhichao from his post to see the aftereffects. If there is any difference, he will definitely be punished for several crimes and will never be tolerated!"

"What about Lai Chuanwu?" Zhou Charter said coldly, "He almost killed Naha Wu and Luo Mingfang. If there is any misunderstanding between Zhang Jun and Ye Zhichao, it was also provoked by Lai Chuanwu! Now, he has not only made no go, but has been promoted! Prince, I'm afraid it's difficult for the court to convince the public!"

Zaiyi was stunned and sighed, "Now, I don't hide it from Admiral Zhou. Before I came here, the Empress Dowager Buddha once stayed there. This Lai Chuanwu was personally sent by the Empress Dowager Buddha to Zhang Jun to assist Admiral Zhou. He made a mistake. The Empress Dowager Buddha has punished him. Now he is in Fengtai University. Camp to serve with guilt. Please also ask Admiral Zhou to look for the Empress Dowager Buddha and erase this matter!"

Guo Erpole said angrily, "Zhang Jun has died so many brothers, is it necessary to erase it!"

Zaiyi said in a hurry: "The emperor said that every officer and soldier who died in the battle of Zhangjun will be rewarded with 500 taels of silver and loyal cards. His family members will be exempted from tax for three years. If the family has children, one person will be allowed to study in a new school, and the cost of money and grain will be provided by the local county government. Admiral Zhou, this is the emperor's kindness!"

Nie Shicheng also made a round: "Charter, Zhang Jun is loyal to the country and fought a bloody battle on the battlefield. Lai Chuanwu is a rogue villain. The emperor knows these in his heart and the people also know it. Lai Chuanwu's matter can be put down for the time being. If there is anything wrong with this person, I will definitely stand up and ask the emperor to severely punish him severely. ! Now that the war has just ended, the Qing Dynasty is waiting to be abandoned. Please ask Admiral Zhou to put the overall situation first.

Nie Shicheng knew that Lai Chuanwu was the eyeliner of Empress Dowager Cixi in Zhang Jun, protected by Empress Dowager Cixi, and Emperor Guangxu was also willing but weak. Moreover, the empress dowager and the emperor have just fought for a round, and neither side has benefited. At this time, the emperor has just come to the court, and the war has just ended. Hundreds of wastes are waiting to be happy. It is also inconvenient to turn against the Empress Dowager for a Lai Chuanwu.

"Since General Nie speaks, he has to obey." Zhou Charter nodded and said. Zhou Charter can not listen to other people's words. Nie Shicheng has great kindness to Zhou Charter. Zhou Charter can't help but listen to his words.

Zhai Yi smiled and said, "Admiral Zhou is really open-minded. Well, Admiral Zhou is the pillar of my Qing Dynasty. Now the emperor is determined to follow Japan and change the law. He is about to discuss the change of law and innovation with Admiral Zhou. Now, the emperor and Empress Zhen are looking forward to Admiral Zhou. Therefore, the emperor's intention is to ask Admiral Zhou to return to Beijing as soon as possible. I think it's getting late today. Admiral Zhou can prepare to leave early tomorrow morning. What do you think?

Zhou Charter has a difficult face: "Your Majesty, most of Zhang's officers and soldiers are in North Korea, and Charter's family is also in Pyongyang. A few days ago, Lai Chuanwu fought against the water, and the situation in North Korea is chaotic. Now Pyongyang is in the hands of the Restoration Army. My wife Zhao Qiaoer and his mother-in-law are unknown. I want to go to North Korea first."

"Admiral Zhou is really affectionate and righteous! I admire it." Zaiyi praised: "Admiral Zhou can rest assured that his wife and mother-in-law are now in Pingcheng. Wu Peifu's camp will return to China with Wu Peifu's troops soon. However, I have also thought that Admiral Zhou's army has not been reunited with his wife for some days. Now that the country is prosperous and the people are safe, and it is time to enjoy the joy of family. Moreover, Lushun is not far from Anzhou, North Korea. Admiral Zhou can take my king's ship town north to cross the sea to Anzhou. After seeing his wife, he will return to Lushun and take a boat with me to Tianjin.

"How embarrassing is this?" Zhou Charter said, "How dare you take the prince's ship?"

Admiral Zhou, you're welcome!" Zaiyi said, "Admiral Zhou is the first meritorious minister of the Qing Dynasty. I should lead a horse for Admiral Zhou, not to mention a ship. Normally, Admiral Zhou's wife is ordered by the imperial court, and there are still 6,000 officers and soldiers in North Korea. I should go with Admiral Zhou to express my condolences. However, Lushun is an important fortress for my Qing Dynasty. I have just been subdued, and I still need to stay here to sort out the aftermath. I hope Admiral Zhou's kindness. I waited for Admiral Zhou here. Two days later, I went back to Beijing with Admiral Zhou to meet the emperor.