It’s messy, it’s all messy! In just a few days, the northwest provinces were in chaos!

The news that the Northwest Army ambushed and bombed the Zhennan King's special train was spread to various prefectures and counties in the two provinces and counties, and local civil and military officials were at a loss while panicking.

What is the Northwest Army doing? If the Northwest Army rebels, what should these officials do? Oppose or agree? Or resign and protect themselves?

But at this critical moment, the wires and railways were under military control, and they could not know the outside news or contact the outside world.

All officials had a premonition of the disaster, and they were as anxious as ants on the hot pan.

Ningyuan City, Daotai Office.

Zhang Hongmiao, who was in his early forties, was pacing back and forth in the signing room with his hands behind his back. He had just received a report from the Malay newspaper that a large-scale riot broke out in Suiding County, and the rioters smashed county schools, robbed shops, and besieged county governments, and had completely lost control.

Premeditated, this is definitely a premeditated riot! Otherwise, it would be impossible for a riot to break out so quickly! No, it should be impossible for a riot to break out!

After being an official in the northwest for more than ten years and taking office as the Itadaodaotai for four years, Zhang Hongmiao not only knew the situation of the prefectures and counties under his jurisdiction, but also knew the history of the northwest.

Before Yuanqi operated the northwest, the biggest feature of the imperial court's rule over Xinjiang was the implementation of ethnic segregation - preventing Han people and Han culture from entering the northwest, promoting Manchu scripts, minting and issuing special currencies, and restricting economic exchanges with the mainland.

It is also strictly prohibited that Han people from the mainland from entering the northwest privately. Even merchants must submit an application and go through review before they can be released from customs. In addition, it is also strictly prohibited that the garrison officers and soldiers stay in the local area after being demobilized, and that families are not allowed to be established in the local area.

After Yuanqi operated the northwest, it can be said that this isolation policy was completely abolished, and on the basis of promoting equality among all ethnic groups, it continuously expanded the population of the northwest and promoted ethnic integration.

Although the number of immigrants in the northwest is large, the resettlement of immigrants is organized and thorough. Immigration not only brings population growth but also huge funds, and has a huge promoting effect on local education, commerce, agriculture, animal husbandry, industrial transportation and other aspects.

Moreover, because of the large number of immigrants, the court has always adopted a policy of rest and comforting the people of the northwest, with light taxes and low taxes. There are basically no ethnic conflicts. Even if there are, they are so small that they can be ignored.

The two northwest provinces under pressure can be said to be thriving, and there is no reason to sweep the riots at all!

But the Northwest Army's front-foot ambush exhibition destroyed the Zhennan King's special train, and a large-scale riot broke out in Suiding. If no one was planning and instigating behind the scenes, it would be a real ghost! And he dared to conclude that this was just the beginning!

What exactly does the Northwest Army want to do? Is it trying to overthrow constitutionalism and restore the imperial system? Or is it trying to become independent?

After wandering back and forth for countless rounds, Zhang Hongmiao stopped and sighed to the sky. No matter what the Northwest Army wanted to do, in his opinion, it was tantamount to seeking death!

The Northwest Army wanted to seek death, but he couldn't stop him, nor could he stop him, but he didn't want to be buried with the Northwest Army and resigned! He hanged the seal and rushed back to the mainland as soon as possible! Losing an official is better than losing his life, not to mention that he may also harm his relatives. Pursuing a rebellion is a serious crime to kill the nine clans!

"Sir!" Aide Zhu Xinwei rushed in with a pale face holding the corner of the robe in one hand, "The martial law is coming, the whole city is in martial law!"

"Martial law?" Zhang Hongmiao was stunned. He heard that a large-scale riot broke out in Suiding, so he ordered martial law. What's so strange about this?

"It's the military sub-district--" Zhu Xinwei added: "The streets are full of officers and soldiers with live ammunition, and the government office is also surrounded by...."

The garrison mutiny? Mutiny? Zhang Hongmiao's face suddenly turned pale, "Fenya! Close the yamen immediately!"

Shortly after the thick and strong yamen gate was closed, a team of cavalry stopped outside the yamen. The officer in charge looked at the closed door and said coldly: "Call in, if you don't open the door, you will break in."

Five minutes later, a huge explosion sounded, and a wall connected to the main gate of the Daoya yamen collapsed amid the explosion. A team of officers and soldiers rushed into the Daoya office. Soon, Zhang Hongmiao, the Daotai, was "invited" out.

The officer sitting upright on the horse looked down at Zhang Hongmiao with anger and said contemptuously: "Give power to the Governor's Office and ask for Northwest Autonomy, otherwise there will be no chicken or dog left."

Zhang Hongmiao's face suddenly turned pale. Although he knew that with Yuan Qi, the northwest would not be independent, there was no need to waste his words and talk with these Qiu Bas. He would be obedient without even wanting to die. Otherwise, the entire government office would really be left without any hesitation.

Gongning City, temporary office courtyard.

Looking at the telegrams that followed one after another, Zuo Zongtang looked extremely ugly and said in a heavy tone: "In just a few days, the three prefectures, the fourth department, and the Jiuzhou County have successively called each other, begging Northwest Autonomy. In a few days, will local officials call for Northwest Autonomy be reported?"

The entire Xinjiang is just six prefectures, ten halls, three prefectures and twenty-three counties, which is almost half the place!

Li Yunlin was silent for a moment before saying: "The Northwest Army ambushed the Zhennan King's special train, and the cable telegrams and railways were controlled by the rioters again, so local officials were inevitably frightened. In addition, students secretly thought that most of these local officials were hostage and forced by the rioters..."

After a pause, he raised his head and looked straight at the other party and said, "Students' foolish opinion, the most urgent task is to restore wired communications and railway traffic as soon as possible. The forces controlled by the rioters are beyond imagination..."

Zuo Zongtang looked gloomy and said nothing. This incident was quick and fierce. It was obviously premeditated and carefully planned. Otherwise, it would not have been possible. He still cannot judge who the commander behind the scenes was? Or he still cannot judge whether the commander behind the scenes was Feng Renxuan, Governor of Anxi!

The reason why he adopted a wait-and-see attitude and did not dare to act rashly is precisely because of this reason. No one knows better than him how difficult it is for the Northwest to be today. He does not want the Northwest to be in chaos, nor does he want years of hard work to be ruined.

If Feng Renxuan causes chaos, then a major chaos in the northwest will inevitably be inevitable. What he needs is not to send troops to quell the chaos, but to preserve his strength and protect the railway line to the northwest. If not, then he can completely let go of his hands and feet to quell the chaos!

Li Yunlin knew his concerns, and saw that he didn't say anything, then said: "Based on the simple view of students, these days have passed. If Feng Jiantai had caused trouble, the Anxi army should have already arrived at the city."

That may not be true. Zuo Zongtang has considered that, as the actual controller of the Northwest Army, Feng Renxuan, even if he does not have the will to make trouble, he is now forced to make trouble. In this case, he is very likely to be forced to rebel. He has to be careful, and dare not be careful!

However, it would not work to continue watching, as it would only worsen the situation and would not be able to explain it in the future. After pondering for a long time, he asked, "Is there any news about Tang Bingcan?"

"No." Li Yunlin said softly: "Many railways leading to Turpan have been damaged and it may take several days to use the railway to transport troops."

"Can't wait." Zuo Zongtang said in a deep voice: "Send a cavalry regiment to recover Balikun. If the riot army is in great force, then turn to Hami for help, and be sure to establish communication with the prince."

In fact, he didn't even know whether Tang Bingcan could trust him. He asked him to lead his troops to encircle and suppress the rebels in Turpan and open up wired communications and railway transportation with Hami. This was a test in itself, and he did not dare to put all his hopes on the other party.

Governor's Office,

Looking through the telegrams sent by local prefectures, Empress Dowager Ci'an was frightened. The power of these rebels in the northwest was so big? What should I do?

This time they forced themselves to inspect the northwest with the King of Zhennan. Who would have thought that such a big mess would happen? If the northwest really declared independence, how could her mother and her mother deal with it would be a trivial matter. There would be no killing disaster on their own, but how would Yuan Qi treat the royal nobles in the capital?

She was a little afraid to think about it. She swallowed her anger and compromisedly allowed Yuan Qi to promote the Qing Dynasty's constitution. The purpose was to extend the Qing Dynasty's destiny. She had been worried over the years, just as she was walking on thin ice, just because she was worried that Yuan Qi would destroy the Qing Dynasty. If the northwest declared independence, would Yuan Qi use this as an excuse to destroy the Qing Dynasty?

Hami, State Administration.

Yi Zhizu stood in front of the large northwest map and pointed at Balikun, "It's already the fifth day, and there is still no news. I can't wait any longer. I send troops to Balikun to see if I can contact Gong Ning..."

Su Shun said quietly: "There are many liaison officers and sentries to Balikun, all of whom are muddy into the sea. Obviously, Balikun has a lot of troops."

Zhao Liewen did not agree with sending troops to Balikun, and then said: "Hami has not many troops, so it is too risky to divide troops to Balikun. In addition, Balikun is 1,200 miles away from Gongning, and it is not difficult for the rioters to cut off wired communications."

"It will take only a few days to get from Barrykun to Gongning!" Yi Zhizu said in a deep voice: "You can't wait passively anymore! We must strive to take the initiative!"

Su Shun glanced at him and muttered softly: "If Gong Ning also betrayed, this move will be meaningless."

"How could it be meaningless?" Yi Zhizu said: "If there is a great chaos in the northwest, the railway line will inevitably be greatly damaged, and Barrykun is also a passage for entry."

Speaking of this, he glanced at Zhao Liewen, "As for Hami's safety, there is no need to worry. If there is any slight disturbance, we will retreat directly to Lanzhou."

After pondering for a moment, Su Shun said: "Balikun's situation is unknown. If you want to take it down in one fell swoop, it is probably not possible to have fewer troops. At least two regiments are needed. In this way, Hami's troops will be too empty. In order to prevent accidents, some troops will be drawn from Lanzhou or Xi'an."

Yi Zhizu slowly shook his head, "There are already rumors of rebellion in the northwest of the provinces in the mainland. Once troops are drawn, it may cause panic. It is better to be safe before it is confirmed."
Chapter completed!