Xinjiang, Gongning, Censorship Office.

In the afternoon, it is the hottest time of the day. The summer in Gongning is much better than that in Jiangnan. It is cool in the morning and evening, and it is hot at noon. Even if it is hot, it is dry and hot, and it does not sweat heavily. Unlike the humid and heat in Jiangnan, it will be sweating all over when you move a little.

In a green corridor in the backyard, Zuo Zongtang, who was nearly 70 years old, wandered back and forth in the corridor alone. As he grew older, his energy was inevitably a bit weak. He usually had the habit of taking a nap in the afternoon, but today he was a little anxious.

The telegram from Shanghai has not been replied to, but he learned that newspapers from all provinces in mainland China have publicly reported the truth about the northwest incident. The only thing he concealed was that Feng Renxuan said that Wang Zili was acting on order.

Since this matter was made public, it means that his wishful thinking of leaving the northwest, a place of trouble under the guise of escorting the Empress Dowager back to Beijing cannot be made. It is obvious that Yi Zhizu has no intention of letting the Empress Dowager and the Emperor return to the capital as soon as possible.

What is Yi Zhizu's intention to do this? If it is just to rectify the two northwest provinces, it seems that there is no such big blow, and the price is too high, but if it is targeted abroad, it seems impossible. The borders with the northwest are Russia and Persia.

Russia is considered an ally, and its relations between the two countries have been very harmonious in recent years. Moreover, Russia has suffered great energy in the recent Ottoman War. Even if it is interested in targeting the Northwest, it is still not strong enough.

As for Persia, he didn't take it seriously at all. Persia, which was already sunset, was still difficult to protect itself. How dare she provoke the Qing Dynasty? It is possible that the Qing Dynasty will find excuses to expand into Persia. However, it is not easy to expand if it is mixed with Russia and England.

If it is not for foreign countries, it is only possible for domestic countries. If Zhu Shanhai does not have the support of the capital, he will not believe it even if he beats him to death. Yi Qunzu made Feng Renxuan a king and became independent, which should be to find out the royalists behind him.

In this way, the situation will inevitably become more complicated, and it is hard to say what situation will eventually develop into. Feng Renxuan has become increasingly powerful in the Northwest over the years. The Northwest Army is not only considerable in scale, but also a army of war. If there is support from the royalists inside and European countries such as Russia and England outside, it is not impossible to make a fake show.

It was precisely because he saw this clearly that he couldn't wait to withdraw from the northwest, a place of right and wrong, and stayed in the northwest for thirty years. It can be said that his lifelong efforts have been devoted to the northwest. In the end, if he ends up treason, he will not be able to rest even if he dies.

However, even if he is unwilling to accept it, I am helpless at the moment. He dares not and cannot give up at this critical moment. Such a big change occurred in the northwest. As the governor of Xinjiang, he bears an unshirkable responsibility no matter what he says. If he really dares to resign at this time, he doesn't know what the result will be. At present, he can only take one step at a time.

"Sir--." Aide Li Yunlin came quickly, "Shanghai has a telegram."

So fast? Zuo Zongtang was stunned and then realized that the Northwest external cable telegrams have been continuously passed through military special lines, and civilians have been controlled. After taking the telegram, he glanced at it. His face was bitter. The content of the telegram was very simple. In just one sentence, "The Empress Dowager should not return to Beijing for the time being."

If there is no explanation or relief, it is obvious that Yi Quezuki is very dissatisfied with his request.

"Sir." Li Yunlin said softly: "The prince's actions in the northwest are not small, so he may be able to stay and give him the chance to make contributions..."

To achieve success? If you can get rid of your body, you should burn the incense. You are afraid that the old bone will be buried in the northwest. Zuo Zongtang didn't say anything. He pondered for a while before saying, "Prepare a sedan chair and go to the Governor's Mansion."

Gongning City has lifted martial law and returned to normal, but it has become much more depressed. There are not many people on the streets. This incident has led to the severance of internal and external trade in the northwest provinces. And everyone knows that a war is coming, so in this case, we will naturally try to minimize going out. If the train is not suspended, many people will choose to return to the mainland to avoid the war.

The northwest is not as large as the mainland, with a sparse land and a sparse population, and it is normal that there are no people in a hundred miles or even hundreds of miles. If there is still a chance to escape from war on a large scale in the mainland, it will not work at all in the northwest, and you will be starved to death and thirsty.

Looking at the deserted streets, Zuo Zongtang put down the curtain and sighed inwardly. Prosperity is not easy, but to decline only requires a war. Fortunately, it has not really started, otherwise it will be even more depressed.

Neither Zhu Shanhai nor Feng Renxuan wanted to break the northwest into pieces. The negotiations between the two sides went very smoothly, and it could even be said that it hit it off. Feng Renxuan was leading his troops to Gongning and would arrive soon.

Because of an agreement with Feng Renxuan, Zhu Shanhai led his troops to withdraw from Gongning and camp outside the city, but outside the Governor's Office, he was still on guard with three steps, five steps, and one whistle, but it was replaced by the personal army of the Imperial Guards. After experiencing the painful lesson of being under house arrest by Zhu Shanhai's Ministry, Empress Dowager Ci'an now dare not even believe Zuo Zongtang.

In the backyard of the Governor's Mansion, Ci'an, who had a nap at noon, sat lazily in front of the window and dressed up in front of the mirror. Now the Empress Dowager has become a decoration. This is true in the capital, and it is still the case when she came to the northwest to inspect. No one came to see her when she was under house arrest, and the same is true after she gained freedom. She became more and more lazy because of this.

As soon as Zhu Shanhai's troops evacuated, she couldn't wait to return to the capital, but not only did Zhu Shanhai stop him in every way, but even Zuo Zongtang was hesitant. For her mother and mother, she was still under house arrest, but the scope of house arrest was expanded from the Governor's Office to Gongning City. Fortunately, Gongning's summer was quite comfortable, so she could only think that she was working to escape the summer heat.

"Report to the Empress Dowager." An eunuch whispered to report outside the door: "Zuo Zongtang is handing over a sign to ask for a meeting."

"Take him to the flower hall and wait, and I will go there later." Ci'an turned around and ordered. At the moment, in Gong Ning, the only thing she could rely on was Zuo Zongtang, so naturally it was difficult to neglect.

Zuo Zongtang didn't wait long before he heard the eunuch outside the door coughing softly. He knew that Ci'an was coming, so he quickly stood up and stood solemnly, and stood in a regular dress Ci'an style and took a seat behind the bead curtain. Then he quickly greeted him.

"Mr. Zuo does not need to be polite." Ci'an said slowly, "I will give you a seat and enjoy tea."

After Xie En, Zuo Zongtang said directly: "The Empress Dowager can tell that Feng Renxuan was appointed as the king and was ordered to act..."

He was ordered to act? Ci'an was stunned and then reacted, "What do Yi Zhizu want to do?"

Zuo Zongtang said in a deep voice: "I beg the Empress Dowager to summon Zhu Shanhai, analyze the great things, and cut off all contact with the capital to prevent any more storms."

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Chapter completed!