Super dictator.

Just when Liu Kun had no time to lament Wei Jichen's power and sent troops to Haicheng to attack Ximu City, Tianjin and the capital also heard the news of Wei Jichen's victory.

Li Hongzhang was extremely pleasantly surprised, but that doesn't need to be described in detail.

Several ministers of military aircraft in the military aircraft department were so frightened by this young man that they almost couldn't catch their breath.

After several military ministers took a few sips of calming tea, they finally regained their senses. Sun Yuwen, Xu Yongyi, and Prince Gong picked up the telegram and were about to go to the Summer Palace to report to Cixi, while Li Hongzao and Weng Tonghe But he was in a hurry to tell Guangxu the good news.

As a result, several leaders of the Military Aircraft Department left for a while, and more than a dozen sedan chairs were divided into two parts, one part went to the Summer Palace, and the other part went to the Forbidden City.

In the Summer Palace, Empress Dowager Cixi lay on her back on an iron bed, covered with mattresses and quilts, and propped up a pole of opium. This iron bed was specially used for Cixi when she smoked opium. , stood aside.

Cixi was feeling uncomfortable.

Why, because after the two peace ministers she sent to Japan were severely humiliated by the Japanese, they said that the two ministers did not have enough power, their rank was not enough, and their status was too low, so they rushed back without saying a word.

And it gave a clear message that unless Prince Gong or Li Hongzhang were dispatched with a letter of appointment, they could be received.

Cixi didn't know that the Japanese were making things difficult on purpose. What exactly do you want?The Ai family can give money, and the land, as long as it is not too important, the Ai family can also discuss.

The reason why Cixi tried her best to make peace was first of all because she was afraid and could not see the hope of victory. The Qing army lost consecutive battles, and the Japanese drove straight in. Even the Fengtian and Zhili areas were in danger. If the Japanese attacked Beijing, she did not want to imagine the British and French allied forces invading At that time, Hua escaped from Beijing like a bereaved dog.

Besides, what if the Japanese people catch her and kill her if the troops from all over the country don't serve the king?

Since the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom War, the governors of the Hunan Army in the thirteen provinces have hiddenly fought against the imperial court. No, the green camp will only ask for flowers and willows.

Cixi barely maintained this balance and tried her best to control the situation.

And she still has a worry that even if the fight continues, as the young man Wei Jichen said, the victory will eventually belong to China.

Yes, it belongs to China, but who belongs to China?

Cixi didn't know what to do, just like now, the Hunan Army, which was originally scattered by her, regrouped because of this war, recruited troops, and took the opportunity to expand and buy sharp weapons.

If the victory is achieved, it will be achieved by the Huai Army and the Hunan Army. At that time, the local forces and the Han forces will only grow bigger and bigger, and eventually develop out of their own control, and my Qing Dynasty will still be a Manchurian dynasties Clear?And will this country still belong to Aixinjueluo?

Therefore, it is necessary to seek peace, even if you pay a certain price, as long as you can continue to maintain domestic rule, it is worthwhile.

Thinking of this, Cixi strengthened her desire for peace.

Well, in a few days, Li Hongzhang will be sent as a full-fledged minister to negotiate peace. Li Hongzhang's Huai army has been defeated in a row, and his prestige has also dropped a lot. As long as he signs this peace treaty again, although he will not be ruined, he will no longer be powerless. There was a vague confrontation with the imperial court.

Taking advantage of his defeat, he can also disband the Huai army in his hands. My Qing Dynasty can take the opportunity to take back the military power and train a few more troops belonging to the imperial court.

Thinking of this, Cixi's gloomy mood became a little more cheerful, a sneer sneered at the corner of her mouth, and Haw took a few mouthfuls of opium.

"Report to the Empress Dowager, Prince Gong and other ministers of military affairs are asking for an audience outside the hall." Li Lianying walked in with a bow and lowered her eyebrows to report.

"Oh, it's rare for them to beg to see each other. Could something important happen today?" Cixi put down her bong and asked lazily while lying down.

"I don't know, but judging by the faces of the ministers, there should be some happy event." Li Lianying said cautiously.

"This country's affairs are getting worse day by day, what joy can there be? A few days ago, a man named Kang Youwei united some scholars, jumped up and down non-stop, and urged the emperor to fight to the end with the Japanese. Today, it will not happen again. It's for this matter." Cixi glanced at Li Lianying lightly, and asked slowly.

"Your Majesty is young. How can Lafayette see far and deeply? Lafayette, do you need a slave to find someone to calm these scholars?" Li Lianying asked with a flattering smile, trying to figure out Cixi's psychology.

Cixi waved her hand, and said indifferently: "You are living with nothing to do. A bunch of people who are full and have nothing to do. If you mess with them, they will only push your nose and eyes with you. Forget it, make troubles left and right." Nothing big will happen, Little Li, Prince Xuan Gong and the others will come in."

"Cha!" Li Lianying gave a slap, bent over and lowered her head and slowly retreated.

Soon, Prince Gong, Sun Yuwen and Xu Yongyi walked in slowly under the guidance of Li Lianying.

"Congratulations to the Lafayette!" The three quickly knelt down and saluted.

Cixi raised her hand and said softly: "You are all ministers of the Ai family, so there is no need to be polite. What are you doing here at the Summer Palace?"

"Lafayette, the battle situation in Liaodong has undergone major changes." After the three saluted, Prince Gong stepped forward to report.

"Oh, let's hear it." Cixi took a sip of opium and said with half-closed eyes.

"Lafayette, Wei Jichen won two great victories in Liaodong, causing heavy losses to the Japanese. From the perspective of the slaves, the Japanese will definitely be willing to negotiate peace with us after this battle." Prince Gong said with a smile on his face.

"Wei Jichen? Which Wei Jichen?" Cixi asked with some doubts, her eyes fully opened.

Prince Gong stroked his beard and replied with a smile: "Which other Wei Jichen is there? Of course it is the dead Wei Jichen. This person has some tricks, pretending to be dead to make the Japanese give up the strong city and rush to attack Haicheng. In the end, he fell into his trap, and more than 1 Japanese were lost in his hands."

"Oh, there's another matter!" Cixi handed the bong into the hand of the little eunuch who was waiting beside her, and Li Lianying stepped forward to gently help her up.

The other two ministers of military aircraft echoed: "When I heard about this, the slaves were also inexplicably surprised, but I believe that this matter cannot be faked. This victory is a real victory. The situation in Liaodong is eased. Good time for reconciliation."

Cixi showed joy at first, and then said displeasedly: "Wei Jichen does have some talents, but he is a bit bold and arrogant. Even if he wants to pretend to be dead to hide the Japanese pirates, he shouldn't hide it from the court, let alone deceive the Ai family. Going in, the Ai family heard the news of his death a few days ago and praised him for his loyalty to the country, but he was not young, but he was very courageous."

Li Lianying echoed from the side: "Wei Jichen is simply a crime of deceiving the emperor."

"Lafayette, Wei Jichen said that after waking up from a serious injury, he had learned that news of his death had been sent to the court, so he followed his plan and didn't deliberately conceal it." Prince Gong felt that Wei Jichen, a young man, was very good at turning the tide. A good word was said before.

Cixi curled her lips and said indifferently: "Do you believe this?"

Prince Gong smiled awkwardly and was about to reply.

But Cixi waved her hand and said: "Forget it, seeing that he has made such a great achievement, the Ai family will not care about him for the time being, but the Ai family has heard many rumors, it is said that the reputation of this young general has surpassed Li Hongzhang. The news of his death spread that day, not only the scholars in the capital spread thousands of words for him, but also some foolish men and women also burned paper and incense at home to pay homage to him. Six princes, you made a Huai army back then, but now Don't make another Wei Zijun."

"The servant will pay attention." Prince Gong quickly wiped off his cold sweat.

Cixi said to the three of them in a strange manner: "He is a meritorious minister. As long as he serves the court faithfully, everything is negotiable. If his wings are hardened, he is arrogant and deceives others, then why does the family want this dog? "

"What is the Queen Mother talking about!" Several people quickly knelt down.

"Okay, let Li Hongzhang come to the capital." After Cixi finished speaking, she lay back on the iron bed, closed her eyes and said nothing.

"Cha!" Several people hurriedly bowed their heads and retreated slowly.