Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

After a lot of effort, the two men finally ended the fight.

Cixi tidied her clothes. The blush on her face had not yet faded, and her bones felt like they were falling apart. She was really tortured by Liu Ye. This guy was as strong as a bull!

"Are you satisfied now? Tell me, what are your plans?"

Cixi asked.

Liu Ye smiled and said, "Well, this matter is not that difficult to handle. In fact, no one understands the tricks involved. Let me tell you, even if I can get through this hurdle this time, what about next time? If I really go to Shandong, or to Jiangsu and Zhejiang, or even Sichuan, what should I do? No one in the court can withstand the Westernization Movement..."

Cixi chuckled and said, "That's perfect. Then you can stay in the capital. I've reserved the position of the Governor of the Nine Gates for you. Prince Gong will definitely not make it difficult for you. If you are not satisfied, then I can give you the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. Is that all right?"

Liu Ye shook his head and replied, "First, my ambition is not in the court, but in the local areas. My goal is to govern a region. Only by governing a region can I show my talents. I have no interest in being a minister, let alone a minister of war. Second, even if I stay in the court, the world is in chaos now. There are the Hui rebellions in the northwest, the Nian bandits in Jianghuai, and the Taiping Army in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Which one is not a serious threat? If Zeng Guofan and others can no longer suppress them one day, won't I still be needed? What's more, there are those tiger and wolf countries in the West lurking outside the country, which may launch a war against the country at any time? Once I go to the local areas, the court will still have no talents to use!"

Cixi said in embarrassment: "What do you mean?"

Liu Ye replied, "First, the imperial court must send some people to the West to learn about Western economics and technology, and understand their methods. That way, when they return, we won't have to worry about having no one to use. Second, we should encourage private merchants to go to the West to buy machinery and equipment. We can make them ourselves. Once we've mastered their methods, why would we be afraid of being ripped off? We can make them ourselves!"

Cixi's eyes lit up and she asked, "Is this possible?"

Liu Ye replied, "This is also why I'm trying so hard to go to Shandong. Pushing these things forward in the court will naturally face a lot of resistance. Those upright officials and those stubborn old men will definitely not agree. But when I get to the local level, the emperor is far away and no one can control me. I can manipulate them as I please. By the time they find out, it's already done. What can they do to me?"

Cixi shook her head helplessly. This guy was very bold.

Suddenly, Cixi said in a sad voice: "If you really want to go to the provincial capital, what should I do? Don't I..."

At this moment, Cixi was like a lover who was about to go on a long journey. Her heart was as soft as a pool of water. She was reluctant to let go. These days of missing her lover would only be more difficult to endure than the previous days!

Liu Ye looked embarrassed and said helplessly, "My Queen Mother, we can't be tied together like this forever. If time goes on for a long time, people will definitely find out! What will we do then?"

Cixi bit her lip and suddenly said, "I don't care. As long as I can be with you, I'm willing to give up the position of Empress Dowager!"

Liu Ye stared at Cixi blankly. Is this the future Empress Dowager Cixi who will dominate the world with her political tactics and control Zeng, Zuo, Li and others in her hands? She is just a delicate and naive little loli!

However, Liu Ye didn't consider that Cixi was only twenty-five or twenty-six years old, far from being thoroughly ingrained in the intrigues and deceptions of the imperial court. She had just taken over the reins of power with the Eastern Palace, and without having experienced the various affairs, how could she possibly be astute, cunning, and shrewd in the future? People are transformed step by step through practice. At the very least, Cixi was far from being able to stab someone in the back without even making a sound.

Liu Ye said harshly, "If you are really willing to give up the position of Queen Mother, one day in the future, I will really welcome you into my home! At worst..."

Cixi was shocked and asked anxiously, "What? Are you still going to rebel? I tell you, the one sitting on the throne now is my son!"

Liu Ye smiled awkwardly and said, "What are you thinking about? Why, I have to think about you too, right? Okay, let's do this for now. Let me come out and solve this matter. It's not difficult. Just give me the position I deserve. I still have to give you this face. Who said we are the same?"

The two men discussed for a while, and seeing that it was getting dark, they stood up and prepared to return to the palace. If they didn't return to the palace at this time, the criticism between the court and the public would probably become even more fierce.

Liu Ye gently hugged Cixi's waist, kissed her, and said with a smile: "Okay, I will personally send my empress dowager out of the house, hehe!"

Cixi rolled her eyes at Liu Ye, stood up, and regained her usual coolness. The two of them walked out of the study, one in front and one behind.

Cixi had been in there for nearly two hours, from just after noon to sunset. An Dehai, who was outside, was getting very anxious. Now only the Empress Dowager and Liu Ye were in there. If something went wrong during such a long time, he would be in trouble!

Wang Haonan on the side was also wiping his cold sweat. After such a long time, there were some screams coming from inside. He didn't know what the two people were doing. Could it be that Lord Liu could eat this delicate empress dowager?

Wang Haonan suddenly felt a tightness down there. Oh my god, sometimes I am timid as an adult, but most of the time I am very brave...

Just as he was getting anxious, a voice came out: "Your Majesty, I respectfully send you off, the Holy Mother, the Empress Dowager!"

Cixi and Liu Ye finally came out.

Cixi's face flushed slightly, and she called out, "Okay, Xiao Anzi, let's go back to the palace!"

An Dehai wiped the sweat from his forehead and shouted, "Let's go back to the palace!"

Cixi looked back at Liu Ye, nodded slightly, and jumped into the sedan chair. With everyone kneeling to send her off, she went out the middle door.

An Dehai whispered beside him, "My Lord, don't come here like this again. After all, the Queen Mother's reputation is important. If this gets out, we might both lose our heads..."

Liu Ye smiled and said, "Eunuch An, you also know this? That's why you should be more careful not to say too much and keep your subordinates' mouths under control."

Having said this, Liu Ye reached out and stuffed a silver note into An Dehai's hand. An Dehai was the closest person to Cixi, and he had to be protected at this time to avoid trouble in the future.

An Dehai remained calm. The red envelopes given by Liu Ye had never been small, so he was naturally relieved. The team left Liu's house and drove away!