Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

"Sixth Master, in your opinion, how should Liu Ye be punished this time?"

Ci'an asked.

Yi Xin twitched his lips. This was a really big problem. It was easy to remove Liu Ye, but Shandong was in a state of disrepair. No one in the court, whether civil or military, had the ability to turn Shandong into the second Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Who could take on the task?

"Empress Dowager, I originally intended to have Liu Ye rush back to the capital and resume his position as Assistant Minister of the Zongli Yamen. However, the Nian Rebellion in Shandong has just been quelled, and the Shandong Fleet's affairs have just begun. I really cannot do without Liu Ye's presence. Therefore, I am extremely embarrassed. Please, Your Majesty, make your decision..."

Ci'an rubbed her forehead and said, "Sister, you just need to come up with a plan with the Prince Regent. Punishment is necessary, but state affairs are more important. Shandong's affairs cannot be delayed. I'm a little tired, so I'll go back first..."

As she spoke, Ci'an stood up, and Liu Ye quickly bowed and said, "I respectfully bid farewell to your mother, the Empress Dowager!"

With the support of the eunuchs, Ci'an slowly twisted her body and walked out!

Liu Ye lowered his head and looked at Ci'an from the corner of his eyes. His eyes just happened to fall on Ci'an's round waist. The curves were really amazing. The two empresses and imperial concubines chosen by Xianfeng were more charming than each other. It was a pity that they were all ruined in the hands of that beast Xianfeng...

Prince Gong, standing aside, naturally didn't notice Liu Ye's expression. However, his every move had already been seen by Empress Dowager Cixi, who was sitting in the middle. She was both angry and amused. This audacious guy! Fortunately, this was in the West Warm Pavilion, with only Prince Gong and herself, and no one paid attention to him. If the censors saw him, I'm afraid they would drown him with spit! What a bold guy!

Cixi said slowly, "Liu Ye, what do you think I should do with you this time?"

Liu Ye chuckled and said, "Holy Mother Empress Dowager, Your Highness, how dare I embarrass you two? I resign my positions as Governor of Shandong and Assistant Minister of the Zongli Yamen. You will be solely responsible for the future planning of the Shandong Navy. That way, those trolls in the court will naturally have nothing to say, right?"

Troll?

"What troll?"

Cixi looked surprised and asked, how could she understand the meaning of the word "sprayer"?

amount……

Liu Ye quickly replied, "Empress Dowager, the so-called trolls are those imperial censors and high-ranking officials in the court. When they impeach others, don't they always spout endlessly? Their spit flies everywhere, spraying far away. Hehe, I call them trolls. Yesterday, Prince Gong even trolled me..."

I rub!

Prince Gong was so angry that he almost fainted. This guy, I just spit on him, and he ran to the Queen Mother to tell on me! Good boy, you damn dog, just wait for me...

Even Cixi couldn't help laughing. This kid is so talented...

"Nonsense! The officials in the court are all highly respected and important ministers. How can we allow you to make things up like that? Well, today, you are definitely going to get your punishment!"

Prince Gong said angrily, "Liu Ye, that's easy for you to say. If you go to Dengzhou to handle the affairs of the Shandong Fleet, what will happen to the military and political affairs of Shandong as a whole? Where can I find talents who can replace you?"

Liu Ye smiled and said, "That's easy. I propose that Lord Guo Songtao be promoted to the position of Governor of Shandong, and that Zuo Baogui, the General of Baoding Town, be transferred to the position of Admiral of Shandong. Lord Guo Songtao knows my governing philosophy very well and is absolutely qualified for the position. General Zuo Baogui is a talented general whom I personally promoted, and he is fully qualified for the position of Admiral of Shandong. There will be absolutely no problem handing over Shandong's military and political affairs to the two of them. What's more, am I not still in Shandong? With me here, can Shandong still turn the tide?"

Yi Xin asked, "Zuo Baogui is indeed a talented general, but Baoding is the southern gate of the capital, and its location is important. If Zuo Baogui is transferred, what will happen to Baoding Town? Without a reliable general, I am worried!"

Liu Ye smiled and said, "That's easy. I'm willing to give up my most capable general, Zhu Hai, and send him to Baoding Town to serve as the general. Zhu Hai's talent is no less than Zuo Baogui's..."

Cixi in the middle curled her lips and said, "That's easy for you to say. You resigned as governor and will be reinstated in a few days. But with just a punishment, you want to promote everyone around you? This is a very shrewd calculation..."

Liu Ye's face was filled with embarrassment. He rubbed his hands and smiled, "Empress Dowager, this suggestion of mine is by no means selfish. It's the so-called promotion of talents without avoiding relatives. Zuo Baogui was originally a talented person in Baoding Town. I didn't promote him. It was because of his great talent that I handed over the most important Baoding Town to him! It's not that I want to promote my own people, but these people are all talented. If you want to build Shandong into the second Jiangsu and Zhejiang, you must have talent, and you must be able to work together with me. If several people are always in conflict, then nothing will go well!"

"Alright, I'll do as you say. However, Liu Ye, we'll only give you three years. Remember, if you don't show results in three years, I'll kill you and make you two guilty!"

Yi Xin shouted angrily.

Liu Ye smiled proudly and replied, "Your Highness, don't you trust me? Ever since we met, when have I ever broken my promise? Three years, just give me three years, and I will definitely rebuild Jiangsu and Zhejiang for you!"

Prince Gong stopped talking. Since Liu Ye had already expressed his position, what else could he say? He had no idea. After it was over, he would just let him set up a table and have a banquet to apologize to him.

Cixi pondered and said, "Liu Ye, you can let go of other things, but are you also going to let go of the military port of Dengzhou in Shandong and the commercial port of Jiaozhou? These are the top priorities..."

Prince Gong took over and replied, "Empress Dowager, I think Liu Ye can be demoted to the position of prefect of Dengzhou and admiral of the navy, and he can focus on the military and political affairs of Dengzhou. As for Jiaozhou, it is enough to have Guo Songtao to oversee the affairs. I believe there will be no trouble..."

Liu Ye quickly replied, "Her Majesty, Your Majesty, the current prefect of Dengzhou, Li Junfeng, has made considerable achievements in local governance. I request that he be promoted to the position of Governor of Shandong, to assist Guo Songtao and oversee the preparations for the construction of the Jiaozhou seaport..."

Since Liu Ye proposed the successor, Prince Gong and the other two naturally would not object. The bigger stakes were already on him, so they would naturally not be stingy with a small governor.

The three of them discussed for a long time before concluding their conversation. Prince Gong had official business to attend to at the Grand Council, so he couldn't stay any longer. He stood up and left. Liu Ye wanted to leave with him, but was stopped by Cixi, "Liu Ye, please stay for a moment. I still have something to ask you!"