Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

Xianfeng returned to Baohedian with a gloomy face. He had just relaxed for two days, but now he was disturbed by Liu Ye's affairs. It was really depressing. This Liu Ye really disappointed him.

Concubine Lan, who was standing by, saw Xianfeng's gloomy face and knew that the emperor was worried. She asked hurriedly, "Your Majesty, what's wrong? Have those servants upset you again?"

Xianfeng snorted and replied, "Isn't it that Liu Ye? I finally rewarded him, didn't I? But right after being appointed commander-in-chief, he became arrogant and domineering. Not only did he smash the Tong County government office, but Prince Yi went to the Firearms Camp to announce the imperial decree, and as soon as he reached the gate, he was knocked off his horse by a soldier's rifle. How can he still respect the imperial power? He has truly let down my painstaking efforts!"

Liu Ye?

There was a glint of light in Concubine Lan's eyes as she thought of the young man she saw at the banquet that day. He was so heroic and imposing. He was the talent that the emperor had deliberately promoted!

"Your Majesty? Didn't Liu Ye just accomplish great things? Are you counting on him as a future pillar of the imperial court?"

Xianfeng sighed and told the story to Concubine Lan. Concubine Lan was smart and experienced, and had great insight. She often helped Xianfeng with official affairs and gave birth to a son for Xianfeng. As a mother of honor, she was loved and appreciated by Xianfeng, so Xianfeng did not have too many taboos.

Imperial Concubine Lan frowned slightly and whispered, "Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I'm not sure if I should say it."

Xianfeng replied: "Just say whatever you want to say. Regardless of whether there are court officials around, there is no need to be so taboo."

"Your Majesty, this matter was handled somewhat inappropriately."

Xianfeng was stunned. Is this inappropriate?

Concubine Lan continued, "Your Majesty, I have heard you say that Liu Ye is brilliant, proficient in foreign affairs, and skilled in military affairs. He is a man of both civil and military talents. In the next 35 years, the Qing Dynasty will rely on him in many ways. You handled it this way, seemingly taking care of everyone's face. However, Liu Ye was only angry because his soldiers suffered great injustice, and he took action just now. His circumstances are excusable. As for the matter of Zai Yuan, there are free rules in the military camp. You have told me about the story of the Xiuli Camp. Liu Ye's strict management of the army is the kingly way. If the army is not strict, how can it have fighting power? Zai Yuan was arrogant and stormed the camp gate angrily, only to humiliate himself. Treating Liu Ye like this is a bit too much. Not only may Liu Ye be discouraged, but I am afraid that those soldiers he protected in every possible way will not agree. I am afraid that Zaidun will not be able to control the situation if he goes to the Firearm Camp."

Xianfeng was shocked and vaguely felt that Concubine Lan's words made sense, but he could not refute her for the sake of the face of the big boss in the court, which was really depressing.

Concubine Lan continued, "And your majesty, since you've dealt with Liu Ye, you should have severely punished Luo Tinghe. This would at least appease Liu Ye and the Firearm Battalion. Now that Luo Tinghe has been brushed aside, won't Zhu Hai's case be buried in vain?"

Xianfeng sighed, "Lan'er, you don't know that Luo Tinghe is the son of Luo Bingzhang, the governor of Hunan, and a favorite disciple of Weiren. He is protected by important officials in the court. Luo Bingzhang is away as the commander-in-chief, and this move of mine is just to comfort him..."

Concubine Lan smiled faintly and replied, "Your Majesty has devoted so much energy to state affairs. It's truly tiresome. However, Luo Bingzhang is already old and his days are numbered, while Liu Ye is brilliant and on the rise. Comparing the two, which one do you think Your Majesty should favor?"

Xianfeng was horrified. Yes, although Luo Bingzhang was the commander of Hunan, he was already over 60 years old and could still be of use for a few years. However, Liu Ye was a rare rising star! He only considered the feelings of the bosses in his decision-making, but left Guo Ye aside!

Xianfeng frowned and asked, "Lan'er, then tell me, how can we remedy this situation?"

Concubine Lan's eyes flickered as she smiled, "Your Majesty, you are the highest authority. If you give your subjects some grievances, they must endure them. Thunder and rain are all manifestations of your grace. You simply need to comfort Liu Ye a little to ease his mind. As for the Firearms Battalion, there is no better solution now. The decree to appoint Zaidun has already been issued. Your Majesty is not joking. We can only wait and see."

Xianfeng's eyes lit up and he shouted, "Lu Xi, Lu Xi!"

The chief eunuch, Lu Xi, hurried in and said, "Your Majesty, I am here."

Xianfeng shouted, "Go to Liu Ye's residence immediately and convey my oral instructions. Order him to enter the palace tonight!"

Lu Xi was shocked, and then he realized that the emperor was giving him a blow before giving him another chance to make him happy. Liu Ye would not fall out of favor because of such a small matter.

Lu Xi quickly replied, "I'll do it right away!"

Liu Ye had just come out of Prince Gong's Mansion and had not been back to his own residence for long when Lu Xi arrived. This house was originally a gift from the emperor and allocated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so Lu Xi naturally knew where it was.

Liu Ye was startled when he saw Lu Xi. He asked, "Master General, you came here in the middle of the night. What order did the Emperor have?"

Lu Xi smiled and said, "Master Liu, congratulations!"

Liu Ye was somewhat confused and asked with a wry smile, "Master General, what do I have to congratulate? The Emperor has stripped me of my title of Admiral and relieved me of my duties as Commander-in-Chief of the Firearms Battalion. How can I even congratulate you?"

Lu Xi laughed and said, "Master Guo, the emperor has summoned you to the palace immediately. Haha, I dare not speculate on the emperor's thoughts, but given the emperor's high regard for you, I believe he will comfort you. This is an opportunity!"

Liu Ye was shocked and summoned himself overnight. It seemed that Lu Xi was right. Xianfeng did not abandon him.

Liu Ye followed Lu Xi to Baohe Hall.

Upon seeing Emperor Xianfeng, Liu Ye immediately knelt down and said, "Your Highness, I, Liu Ye, pay my respects to the Emperor! I pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine!"

Xianfeng replied calmly, "Well, this isn't a court meeting, so there's no need for all the formalities! Lu Xi, bring a chair over for Liu Aiqing."

Liu Ye was shocked. According to convention, only senior and virtuous ministers were qualified to sit in front of the emperor. He was neither senior nor a minister, and as for virtue, he was even less qualified to sit in front of the emperor. He had just been punished!

Liu Ye quickly replied, "Your Majesty, there is no place for me to sit in front of you and the Imperial Concubine. I am in my prime and can stand for an hour or two without any problem!"

Xianfeng did not force him and said, "Liu Ye, do you know why I summoned you to the palace so late at night?"

"I don't know!"

"Humph!"

Xianfeng snorted coldly and replied, "A few days ago, you were too presumptuous. You smashed the county government office, burned the farm, beat up the imperial officials, and behaved inappropriately. These were all your faults!"

Liu Ye blushed and knelt down, saying, "I have committed a crime, Your Majesty, and I ask that you punish me severely."

Xianfeng sighed and said, "Alright, get up. Considering your youth, I won't pursue the matter any further. Everything else is easy to deal with, but I still have to protect Prince Yi's reputation. I can only put you in a difficult position for the time being. When you get to Baoding, show me how to treat you properly. I still say that as long as you don't let the court down, I will definitely reward you generously!"