The Qing Dynasty is about to end

Chapter 387 New Enemy! (Please subscribe and vote)
"A monarch and his subjects, each doing their own thing, with officials and gentry united, isn't this what people of my generation are striving for?"

As soon as Li Hongzhang's "dock speech" finished, someone immediately cheered loudly.

The person who applauded was the "Mr. Jingting" who had just proposed "Chinese learning for substance and Western learning for practical use". His name was Feng Guifen, a native of Suzhou Prefecture, a Jinshi in the 20th year of Daoguang's reign, and a student of Lin Zexu. He was in Suzhou when the Taiping Army attacked it, so he took the lead in organizing the Suzhou militia. After the failure, he "ran" to Shanghai to live as a public official. Luo Xueyan also knew his name and wanted to invite him to come out of retirement to serve as his staff.

However, Feng Guifen felt that Luo Xueyan was too Westernized and did not fit in with his idea of ​​"Chinese learning for substance, Western application", so he politely declined. But now he was fooled onto the ship by Li Hongzhang's talk of "peace between the emperor and his subjects, and unity between officials and gentry".

"So the essence of this constitutional monarchy is to 'share the world with the scholars and officials'! Learn from it, learn from it!"

"Good, good! It seems that this Western method can be used!"

"Shaoquan is indeed a young talent, well-versed in both Chinese and Western learning!"

"What Shaoquan said hits the nail on the head. It really touches the hearts of people like us!"

As soon as Feng Guifen started, a large group of "constitutional monarchists" suddenly appeared on the Hunan docks. This was understandable, after all, the "constitutional monarchy" line was most in line with the interests of local tyrants and evil gentry, and the constitutional movement in the late Qing Dynasty was also promoted by this group of people.

Now that the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom had undergone a "republican revolution" and was beginning to move towards a republic, Li Hongzhang's advocacy of constitutional monarchy could certainly attract some gentry.

Perhaps Li Hongzhang felt that the time was right, and he suddenly bowed to Luo Xueyan and said, "Marshal Xue, are you willing to lead us to promote constitutional monarchy to bring peace to the world and save the Qing Dynasty?"

Luo Xueyan glanced at Li Hongzhang and saw a look of anticipation, pride and confidence on his face, as if he had already predicted that Luo Xueyan would not be able to refuse.

Given Luo Xueyan's background and current status, he would not join Weiren in advocating "Western guns only, no Western affairs", right? If he rejected constitutional monarchy again, what did he want to do? A republic?

As the leader of the Nanyang Army, if Luo Xueyan supported Li Hongzhang in establishing a constitutional monarchy, the momentum of the constitutional monarchy faction would increase, and the difficulty of establishing the Beiyang New Army would be greatly reduced. He could also join forces with Luo Xueyan to deal with the Taiping Army. In the end, even if he could not wipe out the Taiping Army that had already "moved towards a republic", as long as Li Hongzhang could make the Li family's Beiyang Army grow and develop, his goal would be achieved.

"I don't want to!"

Luo Xueyan just uttered two words lightly.

"What?" Li Hongzhang was stunned, thinking he had heard it wrong.

"I don't want to!" Luo Xueyan repeated it with a stronger tone.

"Why?" Li Hongzhang, who felt like a bucket of cold water was poured on his head, looked at Luo Xueyan in confusion.

Luo Xueyan looked at Li Hongzhang coldly: "Those European countries can have constitutional monarchies because there are not so many cases of people wearing yellow robes in European history. They still believe in the divine right of kings, but here we believe that the emperor is born with a son, and the one with the strongest army and horses can be the emperor. If China has a constitutional monarchy, who will be the emperor will be a problem! Shaoquan, what do you think?"

Li Hongzhang's thoughts were almost revealed by Luo Xueyan. His heart skipped a beat and he was speechless for a moment.

Feng Guifen, who had already decided to join forces with Li Hongzhang, bowed to Luo Xueyan and said, "Marshal Xue is unwilling to work with us to establish a constitutional monarchy. Do you want to establish a republic with the Taiping Rebellion?"

"Why not?"

Luo Xueyan actually nodded: "Mr. Jingting, do you think that a usurped dynasty can be stronger than a republic where the world is for the public? If you ask me to choose between constitutional monarchy and republic, of course I will choose a republic!"

"Are you going to surrender to the Taiping rebels?" Feng Guifen asked harshly.

Luo Xueyan stared at him and asked back, "Do you want to usurp the Qing Dynasty?"

The gentry watching the scene were all dumbfounded. How could there be only two options left: joining the Taiping Rebellion or usurping the Qing Dynasty? Wouldn't Shanghai start a fight first?
There was a moment of absolute silence at the Hunan Wharf, and the atmosphere became increasingly tense. If you smelled carefully, you could even smell gunpowder.

Just when everyone was about to be so nervous that they could not breathe, Zhao Liewen, the aide who accompanied Luo Xueyan back to Shanghai from Tianjing, suddenly laughed and stepped out to smooth things over: "Whether it is a republic or a constitutional monarchy, what does it have to do with us? We just need to protect our little piece of land in Shanghai and make sure everyone can make money and live a stable life.

Don’t forget, the monarch of the constitutional monarchy is three thousand miles away, while the republic is in Kunshan!
The warlord supports the republic, isn't it to preserve Shanghai, this paradise in the midst of chaos? Don't you want to know what is happening west of Shanghai now?"

"Mr. Zhao, Changmao, no, how is the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom doing?"

"Yes, yes, Mr. Zhao, the Taiping Army won't attack us, will they?" "We must not fight in Shanghai!"

After hearing what Zhao Liewen said, some gentry who didn't care much about the republic and constitutional monarchy immediately started asking questions along the lines of what he said.

Zhao Liewen pointed to the nearby waiting building, then bowed to the people gathered on the dock and said, "This is not the place to talk. If you want to know whether there will be a war in Shanghai, come to that building and I will tell you in detail. Let's not hinder Marshal Xue from returning to his mansion to rest, come with me!"

As he spoke, he called on everyone to go into the building.

The Hunan wharf, which originally had a large crowd of people, was soon left with only Luo Xueyan's staff, guards, Li Hongzhang and Feng Guifen.

Luo Xueyan turned his head to look at Li Hongzhang and Feng Guifen. Seeing the two of them were a little uneasy, he smiled and said, "If you two want a monarchy, you can go to Zeng Dizhang's territory in Huaishang to recruit troops. Luo's side does not allow a monarchy, so please do as you please!"

He was ordering Li Hongzhang to expel him!

Li Hongzhang was also a smart man. He had already understood that Luo Xueyan was going to join the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and establish a republic!

Although Luo Xueyan's choice was beyond his expectations, he did not intend to change his opinion. After all, his hometown had not yet been controlled by the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and it was still time to recruit a Huai Army. He already had foreign aid, and as long as he had another 10,000 or 20,000 troops, he would not be afraid of having no future!
Shanghai, Yu Garden, Dianchun Hall.

On the second day after Luo Xueyan returned to Shanghai, he convened the "Cabinet of Five" who remained in Shanghai, as well as a group of core aides including Zhao Liewen, Weng Tongjue, Qian Zhenlun, Qian Zhenchang, Wang Libin, and people who managed his money such as Wu Jianzhang, Hu Guangyong, Shen Henian, to hold a closed-door meeting.

At the beginning of the meeting, Luo Xueyan announced bluntly: "Ladies and gentlemen, I have something to announce. Shanghai will soon join the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom!"

"Xue Shuai, is this too fast?"

"Xue Shuai, are we really not going to pretend anymore?"

"Master Xue, Lord Zuo is still in Beijing trying to get a job for you!"

"Besides, we are now cooperating with foreigners under the name of the Qing Dynasty!"

Someone immediately expressed a different opinion.

Luo Xueyan smiled faintly and said: "The situation changed too quickly, it was a bit unexpected, so we have to change the plan.

The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom is now trying to establish a republic and establish a constitution. If we join now, we will be the founding fathers of the republic and can elect representatives from Shanghai to go to Tianjing to attend the National People's Congress and participate in the formulation of the Provisional Constitution. "

"But Marshal Xue, you are a minister of the Qing Dynasty after all, and the emperor of the Qing Dynasty treats you well." Weng Tongjue stroked his beard, frowned, and said to Luo Xueyan, "If you want to turn to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, you must have a reasonable reason, right? Otherwise, people will point to you as a traitor."

"I've thought of a reason!" Zhao Liewen took over Weng Tongjue's question and said with a smile, "It's not Marshal Xue who wants a republic, but the gentry, merchants, and common people in Shanghai all want a republic. We petition Marshal Xue and the Shanghai Military Governor's Office, asking him and the Military Governor's Office to bring everyone together to participate in the Taiping Republic!"

"Is this possible?" Weng Tongjue was also a little confused.

Luo Xueyan smiled and said, "Of course! The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom will soon issue a republican manifesto and will announce it to the world, sincerely inviting heroes from all provinces to join in the celebration and build a republic. The merchants, common people, and gentry in Shanghai have long hated the imperial system and are willing to abandon the imperial system and follow the republic. Isn't this natural?"

He looked around Dianchun Hall and asked, "How about it? Can it be done?"

"can!"

Xu Yuegui immediately patted his chest and said: "The Red Gang brothers in Shanghai are all devoted to the Republic!"

Shen Henian, who represented the Dongtingshan Gang and the Hu merchants, also nodded and agreed: "The Jiangsu and Zhejiang merchants in Shanghai all unanimously support the republic!"

Hu Guangyong smiled and said, "The Huizhou merchants in Shanghai also agree with the republic!"

Luo Xueyan nodded with satisfaction: "Okay! I'll give you ten days. All the gangs and business communities in Shanghai must organize a petition. As for the gentry in Shanghai..." His tone suddenly sank: "If you don't want a republic, you can follow Li Shaoquan to Huaibei to establish a constitutional monarchy. I won't stop you! Shanghai, you can come and go freely!"

(End of this chapter)