Li Hongzhang had not arrived yet, but even Deng Shichang, who had already announced the order to call me, had not arrived yet. This made me angry, and it was too slow.

Taking advantage of these two days of free time, I took Zai Bing to see Yi Xin. When I was grateful for his help for me during this period, I asked to see Zai Yi, who was forbidden at home. Yi Xin thanked her for kindness, but firmly expressed that she would not go and persuaded me not to go. This was beyond my expectations. I thought Yi Xin would think of the father-son relationship, but I had already made a decision. As long as Yi Xin spoke, Zai Yi would release her immediately. However, I didn't expect that Yi Xin had no intention at all.

When he arrived at the ground, Zai Yi had long abandoned the glory of the past and kowtowed underground, but he didn't say anything, just looked at me. I saw that he didn't have much respect in his kowtow, and his eyes looked at me even more hatred.

Of course I could bear the slightest disrespect on the loser. I immediately responded with a sneer and said, "Zai Yi, I have obtained the destiny and will not care about your sin of resentment. It seems that you are more comfortable here. The more you live, the less you understand the truth!"

I said this very seriously. Zai Yen had already scraped his ears over there. I was about to stop him, but a sudden sound of "Stop!"

Looking up, it was Pu Jun who was very favored in front of Cixi before. Pu Jun came out of the house and knelt down to me, "Emperor, Pu Jun is guilty, a person who is sick, the emperor is here, but Pu Jun has not been able to meet him, so please forgive me. The emperor wants to punish me, Ama, Pu Jun dares to be punished on behalf of his father. Please also ask the emperor to be kind."

I looked at him with my hands behind my back, and I felt dissatisfied. Hehe, I thought I was just asking for trouble. Why did I come here for nothing? I wasn't it because I was so angry. I immediately smiled and returned to the palace. But I heard that Zai was angry and sent guards to torture the father and son every now and then. After I heard that, for Prince Gong, I asked Zai to stop making trouble and ordered Zai Yi to do something else. I also ordered the sect's house to slightly improve the living conditions of Zai Yi and his son. This was the case.

Two days later, Li Hongzhang finally arrived. Deng Shichang was the one who came with him. I naturally met Li Hongzhang first. In my study in Yangxin Hall, after giving him a seat, half of his butt fell on the brocade stool. I said, "The Empress Dowager died and died, and I did not ask the local governor to come to Beijing to cry for filial piety. It has been more than a month since I parted with Li Zhongtang. I have to get military funds before. I will give it to you this time."

Li Hongzhang bowed and said, "Thank you for your grace and ask the emperor to express his grace for the matter of the Empress Dowager." Although he said he was asking me to express his grace, his face had no meaning.

I smiled and said, "Li Zhongtang, someone sued you for being familiar with Japan the day before yesterday and colluded with the Japanese to sell Ryukyu. Although I don't believe it, I also want to hear what Zhongtang said."

Li Hongzhang smiled miserably and said, "Dare you dare to ask the emperor, but Ryukyu is full of virtue?" Seeing me nodding, he continued, "If it were this person, the old minister would have nothing to say."

I smiled and said, "What's going on with Li Zhongtang? Master Weng is angry with me, you are also angry with me. You are a loyal minister of the Qing Dynasty. Can't even understand my difficulties?"

Li Hongzhang was shocked and said silently for a while: "Go back to the emperor, the old minister has no way to argue about this matter. In the future, Li is indeed guilty of Ryukyu's fault. However, Li can also be said to have no mistakes or mistakes when he is in that time and place."

I got up and walked for two steps, and said with Li Hongzhang on my back: "What do you say about Li Zhongtang?"

Li Hongzhang seemed to be calm about this matter, but was not very panicked. He just explained the difficulties at that time. He said that Agubo, the country of Kokan, invaded Xinjiang, the Russians entered Yili, and the legal persons were causing trouble in Vietnam. The Qing Dynasty was really unable to deal with so many wars at the same time. I have already learned about these before, and it was expected that he would hear them at this moment.

Thinking in his heart, he made a decision and gently stroked Li Hongzhang's shoulders and said, "Li Zhongtang, I have summoned you to come, and I have no intention of asking for guilt. It's just that I think that the Ryukyu people are dedicated to my China, and I feel very unbearable. In Li Zhongtang's opinion, if my Qing Dynasty starts a war with the Japanese, what is the chance of victory?"

Li Hongzhang raised his head and looked at me without turning his eyes and said, "The emperor has decided?"

I nodded.

"If the emperor starts a war with no will, then the old minister will fight for this life." Li Hongzhang said silently.

"It's okay if Li Zhongtang has anything to say. I'm not a fool who can't hear any advice." Seeing that he was obviously insincere, I asked him to put down his burden and say whatever he wanted.

Li Hongzhang looked at me again, and finally knelt down and said, "Emperor, according to my stupid opinions, this year, the country is in a major devastating state and its morale is not strong. It is better for the emperor to cultivate and maintain peace and benefit all the people."

I smiled and said, "When the state has a sorrow, the soldiers of the army serve, and when they pass by triumphantly, it will be better to inspire people with victory? Otherwise, what will the country do to support the army?"

Li Hongzhang was silent for a moment, and then said, "I dare to ask the emperor, how much military expenses can I bring back this time? I want to consider the troops first and then talk about the war."

Seeing that he had compromised, I decided to give him some encouragement. So I said, "Li Zhongtang doesn't have to worry about the money. I allocated 50 million taels of silver from the treasury to serve as a special purpose for the navy. The previous 12 million taels were the same as before. This is my special kindness. Li Zhongtang should not let me down."

"Emperor..." Li Hongzhang seemed unable to believe his ears, and kowtowed excitedly: "The emperor used the treasury to inspire the navy, how dare Li cherish his life? Besides, if the military expenditure is not lost, if Li loses to the Japanese, then he will only commit suicide to thank the emperor for his own way."

"Li Zhongtang got up, I don't want you to die. What I want is victory, but this matter is not urgent. We must wait until the navy is ready before doing thunder."

"I received the order to thank me-"

"Slowly, Li Zhongtang, I ask you, I have already summoned Deng Shichang to Beijing, why did I arrive today?" I remembered Deng Shichang's incident and asked.

Li Hongzhang was stunned and replied, "Reply to the emperor's words, Deng was the head of the Beiyang Navy's Zhiyuan Ship, and was also the deputy general of the Central Battalion of our Central Army. He has a heavy military position. According to the Beiyang Regulations, military officers above the third rank must be specially approved by the old minister. However, the old minister was in the Zhili Yamen in Tianjin, and had official documents. In addition, the country had a great mourning. Therefore, the old minister took the initiative without authorization and asked him to come with the old minister to meet the saint. He also asked the emperor to be magnanimous."

I smiled and said, "That's all. Soldiers should put their duties first. I will summon him at this moment. Li Zhongtang can listen to it."

"I received the order."

I said it, but I felt a little unhappy. It was not an exaggeration to say that Beiyang is Li Hongzhang's private army. I made a decision in my heart. Taking advantage of the insurgent summoning Deng Shichang, I said to Li Hongzhang: "How many years have the Beiyang army been?"

"Reply to the emperor's words, it has been nearly two years since the Beiyang Navy was launched in September of the 14th year of Guangxu."

I smiled and said, "Okay, I will allocate five million taels to you today, and the remaining 45 million taels will be brought together on September when I go to Weihai military parade. In addition, from today, the Beiyang Navy will be renamed as the Royal Navy of the Qing Dynasty. I will appoint you as Minister of the Royal Navy of the Qing Dynasty. The position of Minister of the Beiyang will be abolished. I have another edict to give you this matter. By the way, how is the matter of co-organizing a shipyard with foreigners last time?" The name change was a decision I made against the current situation of Beiyang but knowing Li Hongzhang but not the imperial edict. Perhaps changing a name will not have much effect, but it can only be done step by step. First, start from the form.

Li Hongzhang owed his body and said, "Reply to the emperor, the Armstrong Shipyard in the UK has sent personnel to China. I have ordered people to visit the Jiangnan Machinery Manufacturing Bureau. According to the return, the British are very interested. However, in terms of investment, the British seem to have other doubts."

I frowned and said, "In this way, after Li Zhongtang returned, he would bring this person to see me and I would talk to him in person."

"I received the order."

At this moment, Xiao Dezi shouted in a sharp voice outside the room: "Your Majesty, Lord Deng Shichang, the Beiyang Imperial College."
Chapter completed!