Gongning, Governor's Office.

Aisin Gioro Yili was wearing a new court wardrobe, standing respectfully outside the three halls with a little excitement and nervousness, waiting for Xuanzhao quietly. Perhaps because he had not worn the court wardrobe for a long time, he felt a little uncomfortable.

He politely rejected Zhu Shanhai's banquet with discomfort. He originally wanted to stretch the other party, but he unexpectedly agreed to him to come to the Governor's Mansion to meet him.

Since he could meet, he would naturally be able to meet guests. Maybe Zhu Shanhai's carriage was waiting outside the Governor's Office at this time. Although he knew it well, he didn't care about that anymore. He always hoped to meet Empress Dowager Ci'an and Emperor Guangxu before the formal negotiations began.

Soon, an old, two young and three eunuchs quickly came up, "Prince Qing, please follow the old slave."

In the room, the little Emperor Guangxu, who was only ten years old, was sitting on a chair in a dragon robe, with a pair of bead curtains behind him, and the dignified Empress Dowager Ci'an could be seen vaguely.

Ci'an, who was in a plain manner, was not at all calm. Although she was under house arrest in the Governor's Mansion, she could still learn about some of the situation outside through the imperial guards on duty. After learning that Yuan Qi and the court were in opposition, she formed a confrontation between the north and the south, and the civil war was about to break out, she was anxious day and night, unable to sleep or eat. The arrival of Yi Li made her happy and anxious.

"My minister Yili respectfully invites the Empress Dowager to the Holy An, and respectfully invites the Holy An, the Emperor to the Holy An."

Seeing Yi Li get up and kneel down on the white felt blanket, Ci'an looked at him. She was naturally familiar with this former minister who was mediocre but had a good writing.

Yi Li was the grandson of Yonglin, the 17th son of Emperor Qianlong of Emperor Gaozong. He was adopted as his heir to Prince Qing County Mianmin when he was young. He went through three dynasties, including Daoguang, Xianfeng and Tongzhi. He was promoted from the General of the Supplementary State to Beile, and finally was awarded the title of Prince. He was not outstanding among the children of the royal family, but he was also considered a useful material.

Withdrawing her gaze, her eyes softened, "Before the emperor's homework is finished, go and do the homework first."

Seeing Guangxu stood up, Yi Li kowtowed quickly, "I respectfully send you to the emperor."

After waiting for Guangxu to leave, the room became quiet and silent for a while, Ci'an spoke, "Is it true that the north and south confront each other?"

Yi Li hurriedly said: "That's true. I have advanced all the way westward. The rebels that were originally gathered in Zhangye, Jiayuguan and Hami have all retreated one after another."

"Why did it come out?"

Yi Li hesitated for a moment. This time the court and Yuan Qi turned against each other. The introduction was that Zhu Shanhai made a provocation and established himself. However, he did not dare to say this and said, "As far as I know, it was because of the unity of military power."

Unified military power! Ci'an's expression was a little sad. The division of military power was indeed a major hidden danger that the Qing Dynasty could not reconcile. It was obvious that Yuan Qi wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to suppress the rebellion in the northwest to unify military power in one fell swoop. He was too hasty and backfired.

Instead, she was a little suspicious. With Yishizu's nature, she seemed not to be so hasty. If Yishizu was impatient, Yuan Qi would not have developed to this level today. Could it be...? Thinking that the man is in his early sixties, she couldn't help but say, "What's the situation of King Zhennan? Is there a disease?"

Yi Li knew nothing about Yi Shisui's situation. He was stunned for a moment before replying: "I have never heard of it..."

Ci'an laughed silently. Even if he was easily content with illness, he would definitely block the news tightly. How could the news leak? After pondering for a while, she said: "Don't give me a gift, I'll give you a seat."

The other party was waiting for thanking her for sitting down, and she continued to ask: "What is the purpose of Gong Ning's trip?"

"There are two purposes." Yi Li said calmly: "One is to welcome the Empress Dowager and the Emperor back to Beijing, and then to discuss the alliance."

To form an alliance? Joining forces with the Northwest can compete with Yuan Qi? Ci'an sighed inwardly. Isn't there anyone in the house Zhu Zi? "What is Zhu Shanhai's attitude?"

Yi Li said carefully: "Trail and delay." As if he felt something was wrong, he continued: "According to my investigation, the Northwest and Russian railways will be opened to traffic soon. Yuan Qi will also retreat to Maputo, the naval fleet that conquered Chile. Zhu Shanhai took the initiative to invite me to the banquet today, but was rejected by me. Then he agreed to let me come to see you. I thought I could no longer hold back..."

This is good news. Ci'an was revived. The northwest was not a solid piece. Zhu Shanhai and Feng Renxuan were incompatible with each other and were eager to form an alliance with the court. It was reasonable.

Although she was eager to get rid of the predicament in front of her and return to the capital to prevent the war between the north and the south, she also knew that Zhu Shanhai would not let them return to the capital with pleasure.

After pondering for a while, she said: "Everything is too hasty. If you look at Zhu Shanhai, you are bold and cautious. You should not be too eager to show that you are too anxious. You might as well be vain and impolite."

As expected by Yi Li, two four-wheeled carriages he saw when he left the gate of the Governor's Mansion were waiting outside. The head of the city, Liu Changxing, who was regarded as the right-hand man by Zhu Shanhai, quickly greeted him and said with a smile: "Your Majesty has set up a banquet and comes down to pick up Prince Qing."

It is naturally impossible to refuse again. Yi Li smiled and said, "Chief Liu came in person. Even if I am not feeling well, I cannot resist this kind of intention." As he said that, he reached out and gave in and said, "Chief Liu asked--."

Two carriages came, but Liu Changxing shared a car with Yi Li. The carriage he was waiting for left the defense zone of the Governor's Office. Liu Changxing slowly spoke: "Now is the era of hot weapons. It is not only military strength that determines the outcome of the war, but also comprehensive strength such as industrial strength, economic strength, financial strength, and scientific and technological strength.

The two northwestern provinces and the seven northern provinces have joined forces, and their comprehensive strength is difficult to compare with the Yuan Qi. Fortunately, we have spared no effort to support European powers such as Britain and Russia.

Between countries, interests have always been the supremacy. The reason why European powers such as Britain and Russia spared no effort to support us is simply to curb the expansion of Yuan Qi to the west. To be honest, it is to protect ourselves..."

What does it mean? Yi Li frowned. Before the formal negotiations began, he began to hint at the importance of the northwest? Is this a reminder that the British and Russian military aid association is mainly the northwest?

He said without hesitation: "Supporting the Northwest Kingdom can curb Yuanqi's expansion momentum to the west, and weakening Yuanqi's comprehensive strength through long-term large-scale wars can also curb Yuanqi's external expansion.

In addition, military aid from Britain, Russia and other countries is important, but it cannot be overly dependent. As the saying goes, if you make a blacksmith, you will be strong, and it is ours that really plays a decisive role.

In the current situation, we can be said to be a common person. If we are in harmony, we will benefit both. If we are divided, we will harm both. We must cooperate sincerely, instead of calculating each other’s gains and losses from the beginning.”

"It's better that Prince Qing can see it thoroughly." Liu Changxing flattered him casually and said: "The railway with Russia will be connected immediately. The first batch of arms aid from Britain and Russia will arrive soon. Yuan Qi proposed that the country must be settled first when fighting foreign countries. The finger pointed directly at your side. We will give you this batch of arms first.

However, there is a condition that the Qing court must formally recognize the independence of the Kokhan Khanate..."

Yi Li sneered: "Didn't the emperor have issued an order to publicly admit it?"

"I used to act forge an edict, but for this, I had a very unhappy fight with Empress Dowager Ci'an." Liu Changxing said frankly: "In addition, the Qing Dynasty is now constitutional, and what we need is a formal letter of state, or a treaty to recognize our country's independence."

After pondering for a moment, Yi Li said: "I need to call back for this matter, but it has become a fact that the northwest has become a country. The court will not cause any trouble, so there should be no problems."

"Okay—." Liu Changxing smiled and said, "If this matter is done, we will immediately send the Empress Dowager and the Emperor back to Beijing."

The capital, the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Seeing Su Shun, he walked in quickly. Yi? He handed over a telegram and said, "Yi Li sent it from Gong Ning, look."

After reading the telegram, Sushun immediately frowned, "It is probably impossible to formally recognize the independence of the Northwest."

"Of course it's impossible." Yi? said unhappy. Yuan Qi worked hard in the northwest for decades before the situation in the northwest can be achieved today. If the court dared to officially recognize the independence of the two northwest provinces, not to mention the eternal infamy, Yi Zhizu would definitely make a false act and go directly to the north.

Sushun said worriedly: "What should the Empress Dowager and the Emperor do?"

"Zhu Shanhai is clearly not showing a rabbit or an eagle." Yi? looked impatient, "What else can I do? I call Yi Guocheng and ask him to make an idea. In short, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor are trapped in Gongning, and the court cannot ignore it."

"You can't call this phone?" Su Shun murmured secretly, but did not shirk responsibility and started the phone directly.

Shanghai, Zhennan Wangfu, Changle Bookstore.

Zhao Liewen covered the microphone and said, "The shopkeeper, Su, the phone call, said something happened in the northwest."

What else can happen in the northwest? Yi Zhizu slowly got up and took the microphone. After listening to Sushun talk about the situation, he pondered for a while before saying, "I will call you back later."

Seeing him put down the phone, Zhao Liewen tentatively said, "It's very tricky?"

After talking about the situation, Yi Zhizu slowly walked to the window and opened it and lit a cigarette. Ci'an and his mother were trapped in Gong Ning, so he naturally would not let it go. He originally thought that Yuan Qi and the court were pretending to rebel and could take advantage of the opportunity of the two sides to form an alliance to successfully take back her mother and her mother, but he didn't want Zhu Shanhai to be so difficult.

It is unnecessary to admit that the independence of the northwest provinces is not necessary and it is impossible. As a first-class country, how can we go back on our word? This is still a matter of face, but if we do not admit it, it is not only difficult for Ci'an and the mother to escape, but may also be dangerous. It is hard to say what Zhu Shanhai would do in anger.

"This matter is not ordinary tricky." Zhao Liewen said: "This request made by Zhu Shanhai is not only not too much, but also reasonable. If it is rejected, the empress dowager and the emperor are unable to return to the capital. What is more worrying is that Zhu Shanhai will have suspicion of the court, or even go further, and doubt the current situation."

For this game, Yuan Qi paid a lot of money. If he failed, the loss would be huge. Yi Zhizu turned around, "Can he agree?"

Zhao Liewen thought for a while and then changed his mind, "At the beginning, the shopkeeper should have been confident of rescuing the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to escape from the trouble, right?"

Yi Zhizu nodded, "Once the war starts with the Northwest, you can form a commando to go to Gongning to rescue him, which is very sure."

He is still confident about this idea. It comes from aircraft, which should be said to be a helicopter. With his spare time and cost-effective support, the development of helicopters is progressing quite quickly. When he enters the northwest in a large-scale march next year or the year after, two or three practical helicopters should be able to get it out.

"Two plans." Zhao Liewen said slowly: "The best strategy is to directly agree and take back the Empress Dowager, and the worst strategy is to let King Gong bear the infamy and replace him with Su Xiang, but the shopkeeper must ensure that he is sure to rescue..."

Yi Zhizu glanced at him, "It is not a good reputation to go back on his word, especially for a big country, it always takes into account the face."

"It was the court who officially recognized the independence of the northwest, not Yuan Qi, so how could he go back on his word?" Zhao Liewen said dismissively: "In addition, if the court recognizes the independence of the two northwest provinces, Britain and Russia can support the northwest with justification. Besides, there are many examples of breaching alliances and violating oaths between countries."

Yi Quest was moved, and thought about it, this is the era of power, and each person is either a pirate or a robber, so there is no need to cherish his feathers. Besides, he doesn’t have to bear the infatuation of being traitorous. What’s more important is that it can make Britain and Russia jump into the giant pit in the northwest regardless of their own.

After a while of silence, he threw away his cigarette butts, strode to the desk and picked up the phone, "Respond to the Prime Minister's Office."

What? Agreeing to formally recognize the independence of the two northwest provinces? Su Shun was a little disbelief and hurriedly said: "Once it is officially recognized, if the troops sent to the northwest, the division will be Wuming, and it will be criticized by international public opinion. It is better to consider this matter carefully."

After hearing this, Yi's brows were leaping, and subconsciously he felt that the guy was not at ease. Was he digging a pit for them and using this matter to attack public opinion, and then he made a false act and sent troops to the north to fight.

"If it is not like this, it is impossible to welcome the Empress Dowager and Emperor. If this is not like this, Zhu Shanhai will inevitably be suspicious and let all his previous efforts go to waste. In addition, this move will be more conducive to the British and Russian troops sending troops to the northwest."

It seemed that this was serious. Sushun's face looked a little ugly. He glanced at Yi. He muffled, "This is a stigma of selling the country..." Before he finished speaking, he heard a busy voice coming from the microphone, and he hung up directly!

After putting down the phone, Su Shun felt bitter and said impatiently: "What does Yiguocheng mean?"

After repeating Yi Shizuki's original words, Su Shun turned his eyes out the window with guilt. The current Prime Minister of the Cabinet is still Yi?, the infatuation that formally acknowledged the independence of the northwest must be borne by Yi.

He suddenly felt that this cabinet prime minister was really not easy to be. He didn't talk about trivial hard work or puppets. The risk was too great. If a bad reputation was destroyed for a lifetime, God knows whether he would encounter such a bad thing after taking over.

Yi's face was gloomy and unstable for a while before gritting his teeth and saying, "Let Yi Guocheng send a telegram!"
Chapter completed!