Master Yuan, start!

By the time the two brothers finally got in touch, Ma Jifen had been promoted to assistant first mate of the Zhenyuan, while Ma Jifen's younger brother had joined the new Beiyang Navy and served as the chief engineer of the Haichao.

When Yuan Xiangcheng learned about this, he also exclaimed that it was strange and even asked little Ma Jifen whether he wanted to reunite with his brother.

After receiving a negative answer, Yuan Xiangcheng let him be his chief engineer with peace of mind.

There was no need to tell Guangxu what was happening in the navy. It was enough to tell him that the coastal defense was solid.

Of course, it’s okay to give a little more sense of security.

Thinking of this, Yuan Xiangcheng turned his head and looked back at Fu Yu, the Mongolian who was standing guard at the door.

"Your Majesty, I have another plan."

"Master Yuan, please feel free to speak."

"After the National Defense Army moved south, only one garrison remained in the capital, but I feel that the emperor's feet cannot be left so empty.

How about letting Lord Fu Yufu and Beile recruit Manchu and Mongolian warriors from Shuntian Prefecture to form a Manchu and Mongolian national defense army?

This way, Your Majesty will have two regular armies at his side, and I won't have to worry about the safety of the capital when I go south."

Previously, the Guangxu court recruited four new regiments of troops, three of which were assigned to Duan, Sheng, and Feng.

The remaining one regiment was stationed in Nanyuan, Beijing, and together with Yuan's national defense forces stationed in Shanhaiguan, Tianjin and other places, they protected the capital.

In Yuan Xiangcheng's view, the National Defense Army was about to march south in large numbers, and troops from Shanhaiguan and Tianjin would inevitably be withdrawn, leaving the defenses around the capital empty.

It would be better to let the Manchu and Mongolian nobles in the court take the lead and recruit a "Manchu and Mongolian National Defense Army". This can make up for the weak points in defense and also please Guangxu and make him happy.

Anyway, the Bannermen were of little use, so Yuan Xiangcheng was not worried about any hidden dangers in the future.

But unexpectedly, Guangxu smiled bitterly and said, "Master Yuan, do you think I don't want to recruit bannermen?

"It's really because the Bannermen are lazy, weak, and unfit for important tasks. Otherwise, they would have been recruited last time. Why would they wait until now?"

Fu Yu, who was standing at the door, had just heard that Yuan Shikai had taken the initiative to recruit the Eight Banners of Manchuria and Mongolia, and he had no time to be happy.

Then he heard Guangxu's derogatory words about the Eight Banners, so he looked at the dragon robe on Guangxu with some unwillingness, and lowered his head after a moment.

Guangxu did not quite agree, but Yuan Shikai expressed his opposition.

"Your Majesty, you must not treat the Bannermen in this way. Even if you only pick one male out of every 100 people, with over a million Bannermen males inside and outside the Great Wall, you can still find at least 1 quotas.

I don't believe there's not one among 100 Bannermen who doesn't smoke opium or mention bird cages!

Yuan Xiangcheng naturally had his own little thoughts. Although he was spending money to recruit a town of bannermen, their combat effectiveness would be much weaker than that of a town of Han soldiers in the future.

For the sake of the future unification, Guangxu's treasury had to suffer, and the Eight Banners had to bear the blame.

"That's fine, then... let's give it a try."

Guangxu no longer insisted. In his opinion, since Master Yuan thought it was feasible, it was probably feasible. He had to try to see if there were any talented people in the Eight Banners.

The imperial court cannot always support a million Eight Banners. In the past, they did so because the Eight Banners were the bravest in the world. Now, the Eight Banners are brave enough to fight, but they become weak when it comes to swords and guns. If they continue to support them, when will it end?

Land warfare, coastal defense, world affairs, and foreign practices

Coming back to his senses, Guang Baxu realized that he had been chatting with Master Yuan San for such a long time without realizing it.

Throughout history, few ministers who have met with the Emperor could speak for such a long time.

Guangxu felt that Yuan Xiangcheng was very thoughtful in everything, and they had a very pleasant conversation. He wished he could talk for a few more hours.

But it was indeed getting late, and the National Defense Army was about to march south, so there was no time to delay, so he returned to the throne.

Seeing this, Yuan Xiangcheng also took the opportunity to leave.

...

After Yuan Shikai left, Guangxu did not leave immediately.

He asked the Imperial Minister Fu Yu to stay, and also called in Boyan Nemohu, who was waiting for an audience in the classroom.

After Boyan Nemuhu came in, Fu Yu relayed to him the entire conversation between Yuan Shikai and Guangxu.

"Fu Yu, Boyan Nemuhu, look at this. Master Yuan is truly devoted to his country. Those Eight Banner nobles in the court who only know how to talk are constantly spreading rumors that I am partial to some and not willing to give them a future.

If they were doing well, why would I let Master Yuan, a Han Chinese, take the lead? "

Seeing that Guangxu used Yuan Shikai as an example, Fu Yu and the others could only kowtow in agreement.

"Your Majesty is right!"

"What do you mean by saying that what I say is right? As subjects, are you only capable of saying yes?!"

Guangxu uttered another word of blame, and the two did not know how to respond and could only kneel woodenly in the hall.

Seeing the two of them remain silent, Guangxu could not help but sigh:

"The reform has not yet succeeded, Manchuria and Mongolia still need to work hard"

Guangxu believed that his words were a spur to Fu Yu and the Eight Banners of Manchuria and Mongolia, but he did not notice the resentment hidden deep in Fu Yu's eyes.

As he grew older, Guangxu was no longer so naive. He would still employ talented Han people without hesitation, but he would also show concern and goodwill to the neglected Manchu and Mongolian nobles.

That's why Guang Zhongxu scolded the two of them just now.

After Guangxu restored the throne, he used more knowledgeable Han people in matters related to reform, and more Manchus and Mongols in positions not related to decision-making.

For example, Fu Yu's position as the Grand Councilor sounds quite grand, comparable to that of the Grand Councilor. In fact, it is similar to the attendant beside the county magistrate, playing the role of the emperor's close attendant and personal butler.

Fu Yu was originally the prefect of Fengtian Prefecture. He was recalled after Yuan Shikai took charge of the areas outside the Great Wall. Guangxu, considering that he was the son of the great Confucian master Weiren, awarded him the position of a minister in front of the emperor to do his daily writing.

As for Boyan Nemuhu, he had never held a decent official position in Beijing and was only appointed as the Supervisor of Chongwenmen. Just when he wanted to retire and return home, Guangxu saw that Mengdong had been initially settled, so he decided to give him the position of Mengdong Pacifier and send him back.

However, Guangxu did not expect that his actions were seen as acts of betrayal to his ancestors by some Manchu and Mongolian extremists within the court.

Even his personal butler Fu Yu joined a secret organization targeting such phenomena. He also colluded with Outer Mongolian tribes and invaded Heilongjiang and Jilin under the name of Jindan Dao.

...

Seeing the two men kneeling for a long time and refusing to get up, Guangxu knew that the time had come.

"I don't want to use the Manchus and Mongols, but I don't want those who just sit there and do nothing. Do you understand?"

"understood."

The two answered in unison.

"Now that you understand, let's get to work." Guangxu stood up from the throne and said to the people below: "Fu Yu, draft the imperial edict!"

"The minister is here."

Upon hearing this, Fu Yu quickly stood up and took the paper and pen from the eunuch.

"Manchuria and Mongolia are the pillars of the country and we cannot afford to slack off for a single day. Today, I appoint Fu Yu as the ambassador for recruiting troops from the capital to recruit troops from Manchuria and Mongolia to form an army."

Recruiting Ambassador! Recruiting Ambassador! When Fu Yu heard that he had finally been granted a position of real power, his right hand trembled so much that he could hardly hold the brush.

But immediately, the next sentence made him sober up.

"I believe in governing the country with culture and suppressing rebellions with military force. General Xiangcheng is the pillar of the imperial court and the pillar of the nation. Today, the world is in turmoil, and the French invaders are harassing our southeast. I hereby appoint Yuan Xiangcheng as the General of the Southern Expedition. I hope you can command great power and live up to the people's expectations, and spread your heroic achievements throughout China. I decree this!"

General of the Southern Expedition? This position only existed at the beginning of the nation, right?

Listening to Guangxu's praise for Yuan Shikai, Fu Yu was a little dazed when he finished writing.

It was not until Boyan Nemuhu beside him kept pushing him that he finally woke up.

Fu Yu looked up and saw that Guangxu was no longer on the throne, so he looked down at the imperial edict he had written.

Compared with the title of "General of the Southern Expedition", Fu Yu now only felt that the four words "Ambassador of Recruiting Soldiers" were particularly eye-catching.

Red envelopes are being distributed. Go get them, everyone!

As the title says, I’m getting married today, please share in the joy.

wish everybody:

Single health,

Happy every day in love

Married family harmony

Learning progress of children

Thank you all for your continued support for Yuan Shen’s book. If you have any ideas about this book, please raise them in the book review section.

I read book reviews every day and provide timely feedback.

Finally, thank you all!

Thank you t(*?

Chapter 225 The Precious General of the Southern Expedition

In the southern part of the capital, the Grand Councilor Weng Tong, following the emperor's order, bids farewell to General Yuan Xiangcheng, the General of the Southern Expedition, as he sets off to fight.

However, he did not have any farewell banquet. Instead, he and Yuan Xiangcheng set up a tea table in a pavilion outside the city and sat on the ground.

"Weiting, do you know that the Emperor has a special purpose for appointing the General of the Southern Expedition?"

"Oh, Mr. Zhai, what do you mean?" Yuan Xiang Liucheng poured a cup of tea for Mr. Zhai and asked deliberately.

"In the 250 years of our dynasty, only a few dozen people have held the title of Great General, and most of them were given the title during the early years of our nation." Weng Tong laughed and said, "There are even fewer Han people who have been given the title of Great General."

General, an official position with a strong cultural atmosphere of the Han and Tang Dynasties. The reason why Yuan Xiangcheng was so impressed by this name was thanks to Wu Sangui.

Wu Sangui is best known as the King of Pingxi.

But before he was crowned king, he was named General Pingxi by Dorgon in the 14th year of Shunzhi, and was ordered to lead his surrendered Guanning Army to join forces with the Qing army heading south to attack the Yunnan and Guizhou regions where the Southern Ming forces were entrenched.

However, Yuan Xiangcheng was not sure how many people served as generals later.

"The last great general was a member of the imperial clan, Aixinjueluo Mianyu, who came in the third year of Emperor Xianfeng's reign." Weng Tong put down his teacup, twirled his beard, and said, "At that time, the bandit army marched as far as Tianjin, shaking the entire capital.

Emperor Wenzong followed the wishes of all officials and decided to appoint Mian Yu as the general to lead the Mongolian army and work with the newly emerging monk king to eliminate the bandits.

However, even though the situation was so critical, Emperor Wenzong still only gave him a clean title without any prefix.

If we talk about generals with elegant titles, we have to go back to the first-class duke Tong Jiaqingfu during the reign of Emperor Shizong Yongzheng, who was awarded the title of "General Dingbian".

Wei Ting, do you understand the importance of this General Zhengnan when I say this?

Seeing Weng Tong's questioning look, Yuan Xiangcheng did not respond. Instead, he asked, "Zhai Weng, when was the last Han general awarded?"

"The last Han general?"