Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

In the following days, important officials in the court continued to pester and submit impeachment letters, which really drove the two palaces and Yi Xin into a state of panic.

Even if the two queen dowagers were furious, even if a strategy of division was adopted like last time, it was completely ineffective.

After more than ten days, the three people finally couldn't hold on any longer.

Dong Nuan Pavilion.

"Two Queen Mothers, how about we give way for a while? Let Liu Ye rest first?"

Yi Xin asked tentatively. After all, both empress dowagers had been saved by Liu Ye. Such words must not be started by the two palaces. He had to be the bad guy himself.

"Humph!"

Cixi was still indignant and said bitterly, "Sixth Master, do you think this is appropriate? Shandong has reached a critical moment. Guo Songtao and Liu Ye have been constantly reporting to us on the situation in Shandong. If we withdraw the ladder at this time, then..."

Ci'an, standing by, also said, "Sister, you're right, Sixth Master. Since Liu Ye rose to prominence in Tianjin, he has made countless contributions, fighting powerful enemies abroad and eliminating powerful ministers at home. With such illustrious achievements, he deserves to be made a governor. Apart from anything else, just defending the land of Jiangdong outside the Great Wall is a feat worthy of even a title of nobility! Even if he did something inappropriate, he's now being dismissed and investigated. Where is the court's generosity? Moreover, without Liu Ye in charge in Shandong, there's no way any of the policies can be implemented. I'm afraid a year's work will be ruined!"

Yi Xin pondered and said, "Empress Dowager, we can only say that Liu Ye was a little too hasty in this matter. Everything is too much or too little. This guy doesn't know how to protect himself. He showed his edge and angered the people. What can we do? We can't just let all the ministers go home. What will happen to such a huge court? As for the affairs of Shandong, it won't be a big problem if we put it aside. After all, Nanjing has fallen. Once the Taiping rebels are destroyed, half of the country in the southeast will be back in our hands. The court will not be so difficult. There is no problem if we slow down. This is also for Liu Ye's own good. If we continue to carry on, I am afraid our situation in the future will be worrying..."

Yi Xin repeated to the two palaces what Wen Xiang had said to him, "It's hard to offend the public, it's hard to offend the public. It's not that we don't want to help Liu Ye, it's just that we have come to this point now. No one can bear the wrath of the world."

Ci'an's heart was a little shaken. She looked at Cixi and said, "Sister, what do you think?"

Cixi bit her crimson lip and said unwillingly, "Okay, I'll listen to Sixth Master. But, how do we arrange for Liu Ye?"

Yi Xin sucked his teeth and replied, "Liu Ye is the most proficient in Western affairs. Now the voices in the court calling for the opening of mines and factories and the encouragement of industry and commerce are getting louder and louder. The voices for introducing Western weapons and strengthening national defense are also getting louder and louder. However, no one has been able to shoulder this burden. Most of the things in the Zongli Yamen still rely on Bochuan. In my opinion, the court can issue an edict to let Liu Ye resign his post as the prefect of Dengzhou and then visit America as the admiral of the Shandong Navy. First, he can implement the navy's affairs, and second, he can also understand the situation in Europe and the United States. By the time Liu Ye returns from his visit, more than half a year will have passed. By then, even if Liu Ye's status as governor is restored, I believe the pressure will be much less..."

Ci'an and Cixi exchanged a glance, and Cixi asked, "How about, Sixth Master, we summon Liu Ye to the capital and have him serve as the emperor's tutor? This man is incredibly talented, and there's nothing false about him. I'm not that satisfied with the current tutors."

The teachers of the young Emperor Tongzhi were two great Confucian scholars, one was Weiren and the other was Li Hongzao. However, although both of them were upright, they were a little too old-fashioned.

Ci'an and Prince Gong exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise in their eyes. Sending Liu Ye to the capital to teach the Emperor? Was that a joke? Wouldn't Weiren and Li Hongzao have smashed their heads into the hall and died? Two world-renowned scholars wanting to teach the Emperor together with a "boy"—that was simply impossible!

Ci'an said helplessly: "Sister, there is no possibility of this happening. It is even more impossible than letting Liu Ye stay in Shandong..."

Cixi blushed. Of course, she had her own little plans and did not think things through in a hurry.

After some discussion, the three of them decided to let Liu Ye leave Shandong temporarily.

Prince Gong finally put down a big stone in his heart, but the court officials were appeased, but what about Liu Ye? Just like this, it was not easy to drive Liu Ye out of Shandong Province and exile him 20,000 miles away.

Liu Ye should have given him some face, but what about the people below? The three towns of Shandong and the Lu army were already at loggerheads. Those arrogant and powerful generals were not something that ordinary people could intimidate!

After careful consideration, Prince Gong decided to let Wenxiang go in person. First, Wenxiang's status was high enough. Second, Wenxiang had a very good relationship with Liu Ye. Although there were some minor misunderstandings, they could be cleared up. Third, Wenxiang's talent was truly extraordinary, and it was not something that ordinary people could match.

"Bochuan, I think it will be another arduous journey this time. I really don't feel comfortable letting others do it..."

Wen Xiang smiled bitterly and said, "Your Highness, I understand. However, it won't be enough for me to go alone. We need other measures..."

Prince Gong looked at Wenxiang, who replied, "We must let Guo Songtao remain as Governor of Shandong, and let Zhu Hai remain as Admiral of Shandong. This way, we can stabilize the situation in Shandong to the greatest extent possible."

"No problem. As long as Liu Ye makes this move, there's no need for the court officials to target Guo Songtao and Ding Baozhen. If they really insist on holding on to it, then that's their problem. They're forcing the court to take action against them!"

Prince Gong said in a sinister voice.

Wen Xiang continued, "Your Highness, we can put Liu Ye's affairs aside for now, but what about the situation in the south? Zeng Guofan faces the same problem as Liu Ye. His achievements are so great that they threaten the emperor. As the Governor-General of Liangjiang, he commands over 100,000 soldiers. Add to that the armies of Li Hongzhang, Zuo Zongtang, and others, and Zeng Guofan can influence a force of no less than 300,000. This is truly half of the country. Furthermore, Zeng Guoquan is unruly and domineering. If we don't take precautions, it will be a serious problem..."

Prince Gong shook his head and replied, "Don't worry about this. Zeng Guofan has already submitted a memorial to me, requesting that the Hunan Army be immediately reduced after the fall of Nanjing. The initial decision is to reduce the number of Hunan Army soldiers by 20,000, and then gradually reduce the number of Hunan Army soldiers to around 30,000 to 40,000 in the next few years. Zeng Guofan is well versed in the ways of a minister and values ​​his reputation most. Once Liu Ye's problem is solved, Zeng Guofan will have no major problems."