Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

Zeng Guofan's memorial was soon placed on Xianfeng's desk.

"Please prepare to build an arsenal in Anqing. I, the Governor-General of Liangjiang, Zeng Guofan, respectfully request Your Majesty's divine approval: Since this year, many areas in Anqing have been pacified by the Hunan Braves led by me. Thanks to Your Majesty's great blessing, the military morale is good. However, Nanjing and Jiangsu and Zhejiang are still occupied by bandits. I am afraid that we will not be able to complete the victory in the near future. In recent days, I have observed that the ships and artillery of the Western powers are strong and powerful, and the sharpness of their muskets is rare in the world. If we can use them, the fighting power of the Hunan Braves will be incomparable, and the bandit problem in Taiping can be eliminated soon. Therefore, I submit this memorial. Please work with Anqing Prefecture to construct an arsenal specifically to produce guns, cannons, and ammunition for the Hunan Army's suppression of bandits... Due to the urgent need, we cannot raise the necessary funds within this year. Therefore, I request that the court allocate funds and grain to purchase a number of muskets and cannons from Western powers for military use... I again implore Your Majesty to prioritize national affairs, quickly resolve the threat from the coastal borders, and devote all your efforts to suppressing the Mao and Nian rebels to stabilize national affairs! I respectfully submit this memorial by post, humbly begging for Your Majesty's divine guidance. Zeng Guofan, Governor-General of Liangjiang and other regions, Superintendent of Military Affairs, Director of Provisions, Commander-in-Chief of the Yangtze River, and Director of Southern River Affairs, respectfully submits this memorial."

After reading it, Xianfeng breathed a sigh of relief. Not only was there no need to worry about the war in the front, but most importantly, Zeng Guofan's memorial appeared at the right time. With Zeng Guofan's memorial, the treaty with the United States agreed upon by Prince Gong and Liu Ye would not have to bear such great pressure. Liu Ye was a small figure with little influence, and no matter how reasonable his words were, it would be difficult to convince these important officials in the court. But Zeng Guofan was different. He was a great scholar, and at the same time he coordinated the affairs of Liangjiang and was responsible for suppressing the Taiping banditry in the south. Like Senggelinqin, one in the south and the other in the north, he was a pillar of the court. How could the weight of his words be compared with that of Liu Ye now?

With Zeng Guofan's memorial, and the fact that it was about the bandit problem in Taiping, the ministers in the court naturally did not dare to make any comments, for fear of delaying the war in the front and making it impossible for them to end the war. Not only would they lose their official positions, they would also have to carefully consider their lives.

Xianfeng handed the memorial to Lu Xi and said, "Let me show you all the ministers Zeng Guofan's memorial. In order to suppress the Taiping banditry, Zeng Guofan requested an imperial decree to build the Anqing Arsenal, specializing in Western firearms, ammunition, and steamships. This is identical to what Prince Gong and Liu Ye have mentioned. Let's discuss this."

A memorial passed through the hands of the ministers and returned to the Dragon Desk. All the ministers were silent. Agree? That meant the treaty signed by Liu Ye and Prince Gong had to be approved. No more obstacles could be set up. Otherwise, the same problem would be treated differently. Even if Liu Ye was easy to bully, Prince Gong was not going to give in for free! Disagree? That was even more impossible. The war on the front was urgent. The court had always treated the war in the south with special treatment. Otherwise, the plan to suppress the Taiping Army would be delayed, which was not something everyone could bear. Moreover, Zeng Guofan's temper was getting stronger with age. If he offended him today, he would be hard to resist in the future!

The ministers looked at each other, all hesitant. Sushun, who was standing aside, sighed inwardly. After all, Zeng Guofan was promoted by himself. Those people in the south had closer relations with him. Zeng Guofan's request was reasonable. He could not sit idly by. He would have to rely on their military strength in the future.

Sushun replied, "Your Majesty, what Zeng Guofan said is very reasonable. Regarding the war, the most important thing is to quickly close the arsenal. Zeng Guofan can handle it in Liangjiang as the opportunity arises. As for the expenses, he can also raise them himself, except for the purchase of arms..."

Sushun paused. Liu Ye had already arranged this matter. Wouldn't it be a good idea to buy it from the Americans? Buying from anyone was the same as buying. Liu Ye's arrangement was killing two birds with one stone!

Xianfeng snorted coldly and replied, "Alright, Zeng Guofan's request is approved. He can act as he sees fit in Liangjiang. As for the purchase of firearms, since Liu Ye has already reached an agreement with the Americans, let's proceed accordingly. Once the muskets and artillery arrive, allocate a batch to the Hunan Braves! As for the contract signed between Prince Gong, Liu Ye, and the Americans, let's leave it as it is and finalize it together!"

The ministers looked at each other, their faces were really ugly, especially the Grand Secretary Weiren. Because of his previous impulsive behavior, Liu Ye had repeatedly slapped him in the face. In the end, he had to bow his head and let the treaty pass. It was really embarrassing. A dignified first-rank Grand Secretary and Prince Taifu was forced to be unable to raise his head by a small doctor of the Lifanyuan. It was really embarrassing!

Prince Gong quickly bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, Liu Ye, the Doctor of the Lifanyuan and Assistant Commander of the Firearms Battalion, is a man of great talent. He helped the court repel this powerful enemy and forged strong allies. His contributions are invaluable. I believe he deserves a reward!"

Xianfeng nodded. It was true that what Prince Gong said was absolutely right. He was just a small doctor, only a fifth-rank official, but he had taken on a huge responsibility and helped the court out of a big crisis. In the court, he was even criticized by many ministers. It was really not easy. He still had to put in a lot of effort on the matters concerning Britain, France and Russia. He must not disappoint them.

Xianfeng replied, "Your Majesty's words make sense. Liu Ye and I have signed a military agreement. I even said that if the peace talks are successful, I would offer you the position of Governor. Although we haven't yet achieved our goal, your contribution is invaluable. I hereby promote Guo Ye, the Commander of the Firearms Battalion, to the rank of Lieutenant General, commanding the Firearms Battalion. I also promote him to the position of Junior Secretary of the Lifan Yuan, assisting in negotiations with foreign countries! Liu Ye, I will not let you down, and I hope you will not let me down either. When we succeed, even if I offer you the position of Governor, what harm would that have?"

Liu Ye quickly knelt down to express his gratitude. Damn it, this Xianfeng wasn't such a jerk after all. At least he had promoted me five or six levels in less than a few months! Without a certain amount of authority, I couldn't even think of doing anything!

Sushun's eyes flashed. Liu Ye's rapid rise to prominence was just around the corner, but he hadn't come up with anything decent to win him over. He had to watch him getting closer and closer to Guizi Liu. This was not acceptable. He absolutely could not let him escape from his control!

Sushun said quickly, "Your Majesty, I have heard that Lieutenant General Liu lost his parents at a young age and has no family property. Every time he returns to the capital, he needs to stay in an inn, which is inappropriate. Today, he has made new achievements. I think it would be wise for the Emperor to grant him the first house as a reward."

Xianfeng nodded and said with a smile, "That's right. He is now a fourth-rank official in Beijing. It would be very inconvenient for him to not have a place to live. I have asked the Imperial Household Department to allocate a house as a reward to Liu Ye, and also to provide a few servants from the Imperial Household Department to serve him."

Su Shun quickly said, "Your Majesty, I have something else to report!