Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 289 Prime Minister
Guan Xuqing was staring at the world map in a daze, when Wang Shang hurried in and said in a tearful voice, "The emperor, Mr. Shen." Wang Shang raised his eyes to look at the emperor, hesitating to say the following words.

"What's wrong?" Guan Xuqing's face was displeased. When he was thinking about things, he hated being disturbed by others.

"Master Shen is dying!" Wang Shang still mustered up the courage to say it.

"Who are you talking about?" Guan Xuqing already had an ominous premonition in his heart.

"Shen Baozhen, Mr. Shen is dying."

"What?" Guan Xuqing sat down on the chair all of a sudden. He knew that Shen Baozhen had submitted a report of sick leave earlier, and now he is recuperating in the suburbs of Beijing. For this reason, he went to visit twice in person. He thought it was overwork. It will be better in a while, I didn't expect it to come so suddenly.Although he is 75 years old, his body has always been relatively strong, and his physique is not thin, but he did not expect it.

Guan Xuqing sighed: "Prepare casual clothes for me, go and see him, and the people from the Imperial Hospital will go over immediately."

"Cha." Wang Shang received the order and went in response.

Along the way, Guan Xuqing had mixed feelings. He had just lost Li Hongzhang, and now it was Shen Baozhen again. God seemed to be joking with him on purpose. At present, the position of Prime Minister of the Cabinet has been put on the agenda. He is an excellent candidate for this position, but luckily, in the end, the dead are seriously ill, which is really embarrassing.

"What's the matter with You Dan?" Guan Xuqing just arrived at Shen Baozhen's residence, grabbed his eldest son and asked eagerly.

The eldest son of Shen replied: "The emperor said that the imperial doctor has seen it, and said that it has only been two days. Now he is in good spirits, and he just served the rice porridge." Tears flowed down the middle-aged man's eyes. .The woman in Gongren's attire next to him should be his main room, she lowered her head and supported her husband.

Guan Xuqing couldn't help feeling sad, sighed and said: "Go in and have a look, you all should rest too, I have something to say to You Dan, the imperial physician is waiting outside."

Everyone promised to leave, and Guan Xuqing entered the room.Seeing the emperor coming, Shen Baozhen moved his body a little, tears streaming down his face, panting and said: "The old minister welcomes the emperor, but he can't get up."

Guan Xuqing nodded, sat in front of the bed, and poked his forehead. He was cold and lifeless, and a large piece of his normally plump face had sunk in. It was really unbearable to look at him for a long time. "Relax, I need you. Don't worry, I will let the imperial hospital prescribe another prescription. If it doesn't work, there will be western medicine. Don't think too much."

Shen Baozhen struggled to smile, and sighed a long time: "Your Majesty, don't comfort the old minister. The ancients said that life is rare in seventy years old, and I am content with living to this age. I was born as a Jinshi. When the country was in turmoil, the Mongolian emperor conscripted into Beijing, and the country’s worries have been relieved for more than ten years. How lucky I am. As the saying goes: When a person is about to die, his words are also good. The old minister heard that the country needs a prime minister. The only thing that worries me is this matter. I want to say a few last words to the emperor."

Guan Xuqing felt sore, he didn't expect that Shen Baozhen was still thinking about important national affairs when he was dying, and his words hit his mind, "A while ago, Shaoquan left, and now you are seriously ill, Youdan. Choose one of them to take up this position. Well, you are a veteran of the court, and I really want to hear your opinion. What do you think of Yuan Shikai?"

Shen Baozhen sighed, and said after a while: "This person Yuan Shikai, I don't want to talk too much, I'm leaving soon, I'm afraid I don't have any worries, I can't go here, and I still keep it from the emperor."

"Oh?" Guan Xuqing became suspicious and asked, "What happened to Yuan Shikai?"

"Yuan is extremely talented. In fairness, some veterans think they can't compare with him. But in terms of morality, Yuan is still a rogue. If you want to be the prime minister, please think twice." After a moment of rest, He continued: "Besides, Yuan is too scheming and scheming, the emperor must not be careless. I think that Yuan should be a great official in frontiers, and the current position may be too much for him. "

Guan Xuqing nodded slowly: "Since Youdan said so, I know what I know. In your opinion, who is more suitable to be the prime minister?"

"I recommend Liang Qichao, the Minister of Culture. He has traveled abroad and knows the Western political system like the palm of his hand. He also has a good understanding of people and a broad vision. I think it would be better for him to come on top." Shen Baozhen's words were right in the heart of the emperor. As he said that, Guan Xuqing thought, Liang Qichao's ability in internal affairs is sufficient, the only shortcoming is that he is too young, not even 30 years old, if he is the prime minister of the cabinet, I am afraid it will attract criticism, and Liang Qichao is a member of the radical reform school As a representative figure, if he is promoted, it will definitely cause dissatisfaction among some conservatives.He asked Shen Baozhen again: "Are there any other candidates?"

"The rest of Rongqing, those of Tong's generation, are good guards, but it's a pity that they all owe something. Zhang Jian's talent and learning are good, but he is still a businessman after all. I don't think he is fully committed to political affairs, and his qualifications are not good. Not enough, he is the last candidate recommended by the minister."

Rongqing has other arrangements early in the morning. He is from the Zhenghuang Banner of Mongolia. He is very well guarded and absolutely loyal to the royal family. As Shen Baozhen said, his talent is lacking. Such a person is not good enough to be the prime minister of the cabinet. position.He still has to wait for the right time before going to the north. For now, let him be the right servant of the Ministry of punishment and the deputy minister of the Ministry of education.

As for Natong, his background is better, he was originally from Manchuria with a yellow banner, he is familiar with diplomatic matters, and it is just right for him to be the vice minister of foreign affairs, although he is somewhat dissatisfied with the younger generation Wu Tingfang as the minister , but there is still no problem with guarding. He is enough in prestige, but lacks in talent and learning.His personality is a bit too rigid, and his murderous intent is heavy. In the future, he will still be sent to the Office of Ethnic Affairs to grind his temper.

As for Zhang Jian, Guan Xuqing never thought of using him. If he became prime minister, it would be a big deal if government and business colluded. Moreover, as prime minister, how could he convince those generals who were born and died?It seems that the candidate still has to be Liang Qichao, but the time is not yet ripe. We need to wait for the reform of the official system he implemented to achieve real results throughout the country, and then he will be able to take the post of prime minister in a legitimate manner.

"I've got a good idea, let's think it over again. You Dan, rest easy and recuperate, don't think too much, I'll come to see you in two days." After finishing speaking, Guan Xuqing got up to leave.

"Chenchen" Shen Baozhen reluctantly sat up, a thin layer of sweat broke out on his face, and he spoke with a sob: "I send you my respects, please take care of your dragon's body, don't worry about me."

"Youdan" Guan Xuqing stopped in his tracks, looked back at the old man who was about to leave, his eyes turned red and almost shed tears, and after a moment of silence he said: "Take a rest. I will come back to visit you again" he panted He took a deep breath, couldn't bear to look back, went out, glanced at the Shen family and imperial physicians and guards who were waiting in the courtyard, walked to the gate of the courtyard, heard the sound of kneeling and sending them off behind him, turned around and said: " According to my will, Shen Baozhen, the crown prince of Jin, will be conferred with the Grand Master of Baohua Palace, the second-class Zhongqin Bo, and one of his descendants will be chosen as a captain."

Amidst the voices of gratitude, Guan Xuqing gave the founder of the Chinese navy the kindness second only to Li Hongzhang.

(End of this chapter)