The Romance of Empress Dowager Cixi's Scandalous History [22]

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Chapter Twenty-Two: Zhang Peilun's Downfall and the River Bandits' Retreat; Lian Cai's Escape to the Imperial Residence. Meanwhile, it is said that Governor-General Li Hongzhang and French Envoy Froude have reached a peace agreement, turning the tide of the Lang Son War in Annam into a victory, without damaging national dignity. Empress Dowager Cixi is overjoyed. It just so happens that the tenth year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign is his 500th birthday. Grand Councilor Li Hongzao proposed that, with peace on the coast and the realm at peace, a special imperial examination should be held to celebrate. Cixi, being fond of grand achievements and extravagance, issued a yellowed imperial edict in the first month, using the Guangxu Emperor's voice to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday. It included promotions for officials, exemptions from taxes and levies, increased quotas for examinations, and reduced sentences for criminals—a magnificent and ornate document that was plastered everywhere.
Officials of the first and second ranks, both in and out of Beijing, besides preparing for their appointed leave, were busy offering tributes according to their rank and status. Again, it was the Emperor's contribution, and again, the navy's funds. Goods, both gold and silver, were abundant and extravagantly distributed. From March or April onwards, the imperial treasury had been accumulating day and night. The
newly constructed Summer Palace was a massive construction project, keeping Li Lianying extremely busy. The capital was jubilant, filled with joy and celebration. But little did they know that the sun at its zenith would decline, and the full moon would wane. Unfortunately, France, under the command of General Courbet, was sending several armored warships to patrol the coast. Why? He said that the negotiations with the first envoy, Torricelli, had stalled, and the conditions of the second envoy, Frunno, had failed to take effect. The French troops stationed near Lang Son had not withdrawn as agreed, and even the warships anchored there had been sent by Courbet to Fujian, first firing upon Taiwan. The governor of Taiwan was Liu Mingchuan. This Liu was a veteran of countless battles, renowned for his role in suppressing the Nian Rebellion. Though an aging veteran, he still harbored ambitions for greatness. His army was stationed in Keelung, Taipei, and fought several battles against the French. Despite the ferocity of the French troops, they were ultimately unable to land. Courbet employed a feint attack, simultaneously attacking Keelung while also sending two warships to harass Fujian.
At this time, the Governor-General of Zhejiang and Fujian was Bian Baodi, the outstanding figure mentioned earlier who mediated between the two palaces, and later replaced Shen Baozhen. Shen Baozhen had originally established a large shipyard in Mawei, Fuzhou, manufacturing several armored warships, the largest being the Yangwu and Fenwei, both capable of naval combat. He also established a naval academy, from which two outstanding graduates emerged: Jin Xing and Shui Yao. Although neither had ever sailed overseas, they possessed considerable skill. At the mouth of the Majiang River lies Wuhu Island, a strategically important and treacherous location. Entering the river, the left bank is called Changmen, and the right bank is called Jinpai, both fortified with strong artillery positions. Currently, the commanders of these artillery positions are Jinxing and Shuiyao, while the shipyard supervisor has been specially appointed by Governor Bian.
Meanwhile, three months prior, Governor Bian, fearing for the safety of Zhejiang and Fujian due to the French rebellion and the ensuing conflict, had urgently sent a memorial to the capital requesting the dispatch of a high-ranking official to Fujian to coordinate the situation. Upon receiving Governor Bian's memorial, the Grand Council naturally sought permission from Empress Dowager Cixi. Cixi said, "Last time, wasn't Zuo Zongtang appointed as the military commissioner of Guangdong, Guangxi, Zhejiang, and Fujian? Why send someone again now? I fear this will disrupt the unified command." Hongzao replied, "Currently, Zuo Zongtang is stationed in Guangzhou, which is also an important place. Asking him to also oversee Zhejiang and Fujian would likely be ineffective. My suggestion is to appoint a new Imperial Commissioner for Maritime Affairs to assist Zuo Zongtang." Cixi thought for a moment and said, "This plan is feasible, but we need a capable and competent person to handle it." Before Hongzao could reply, Weng Tonghe knelt down and said, "Currently, the most capable and knowledgeable in Western affairs is Zhang Peilun, a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet." "Gentlemen," she said, "why did you recommend Zhang Peilun alone, instead of someone else?" Firstly, the newly emerging Westernization movement was beyond the comprehension of the veteran military officers. Zhang Peilun, a newcomer, often engaged in theoretical discussions without practical application, so Master Weng wanted to give him a chance to shine. Secondly, Zhang Peilun was a member of the Qingliu faction, lacking broad vision and dismissing figures like Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang, Peng Dehuai, and Yang Xiuqing. He was a guinea pig, and intentionally, Master Weng wanted to use him as a scapegoat, to let him experience the harsh realities of life and learn that words alone are insufficient. Empress Dowager Cixi pondered for a moment and said, "This Zhang Peilun is indeed a man of steel, but I wonder what his actual abilities are.
" She then looked at Li Hongzao, who, unaware of the situation, quickly replied, "Zhang Peilun's talents are second to none." Cixi smiled and said, "Since you both agree, let him go to Fuzhou this time." That very day, after court, an imperial edict was issued, ordering Zhang Peilun to go to Fuzhou under the pretext of assisting with coastal defense. When Zhang Peilun left Beijing, a group of Qingliu Party members, such as Pan Zuyin, Zhang Zhidong, Huang Tifang, Chen Baochen, Bao Ting, Liu Enpu, Deng Chengxiu, and Wang Xianqian, were all very pleased with themselves. They prepared a farewell banquet and saw him off all the way to Lugou Bridge. They boasted that his departure was like ascending to
heaven, and that Zhang Peilun would certainly grant his request to go. Peilun bid farewell to the crowd and rode in a green sedan chair, arriving in Fuzhou with great pomp and circumstance. Upon reaching the provincial capital, he met with Bian Baodi, then inspected the coastal defenses and made brief deployments. Just then, the French commander Courbet had already anchored two ironclad warships off Wuhu Island. Zhang Peilun dispatched seven warships, including the Yangwu and Fenwei, to guard Mawei. Within three to five days, Courbet also transferred two warships stationed in Taiwan, and as usual, issued a letter of defiance, declaring war.
It was July of the tenth year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign. The weather was still hot. Imperial Envoy Zhang Peilun, accompanied by the Minister of Naval Affairs He Ruzhang, dressed in coarse linen robes and gauze jackets, wearing red-topped hats and peacock feathers, rode two horses to supervise troops at the mouth of the Ma River. Suddenly, cannons roared, the earth shook, and the billowing smoke and murderous intent filled the air. Waves on the sea surged three to six zhang high. Zhang and He were terrified. After only a few rounds, the warships, known for their martial prowess and valor, had their smokestacks cracked and their hulls damaged. A cannonball whizzed past Zhang Peilun's head. Poor Zhang, who had only ever talked about war on paper and had never experienced a real battle, was so frightened that he tumbled off his horse. Seeing this, He Ruzhang knew Zhang was a good-for-nothing and immediately grabbed his horse and galloped away. Pei Lun fell to the ground. Seeing He Ruzhang walk away, he panicked and burst into tears. The guards rushed over and helped the imperial envoy up. In the blink of an eye, Courbet's chariot had already stormed into Mawei. Pei Lun just kept shouting, "Quick!" Two guards lifted him onto the horse and slapped it hard on the rump. The horse, carrying Pei Lun, galloped off, running for ten miles before finally stopping. Pei Lun steadied himself, jumped off, but couldn't stand steadily. Gentlemen, what was the reason? It turned out that his left foot wasn't wearing a boot, and his right foot was; one was higher than the other, how could he stand steadily? But since this Zhang fellow has survived, I'll leave him aside for now.
Speaking of Courbet's warships, when they stormed into the Mawei River, our seven warships on the sea were already scattered and in disarray, and the troops on the shore, due to the escape of the imperial envoy and the simultaneous flight of the Minister of Naval Affairs, were in complete chaos, practically scattered and wiped out. It seemed that Courbet, leading his armored warships, was charging in unimpeded, as if entering an empty field, ready to land; the impregnable city of Fuzhou was within easy reach. Unexpectedly, at this lightning-fast moment, a cannonball flew from the Changmen Battery on the left bank, its aim precise, hitting Courbet squarely in the back. Consider this: Courbet was the French naval commander, a very important figure. To kill the enemy, one must first kill their leader. Strangely enough, of the four French warships commanded by Courbet, after his death, those four warships had already withdrawn from the Mawei River without prior arrangement. The defeated soldiers on the shore, seeing the French warships retreat inexplicably, suspected a conspiracy and dared not move. Bian Baodi, the Governor-General of Zhejiang and Fujian in the provincial capital, had already heard bad news and was at a loss for what to do. When someone reported that the French warships had withdrawn from the river mouth, he was naturally filled with suspicion. He never expected that the French commander, Courbet, would be killed by our cannon fire. Many things in the world are unpredictable. In that life-or-death moment, in that critical situation, everyone saw this crushing defeat and fled for their lives. However, the one guarding the Changmen Fort was Jin Xing, a graduate of the Naval Academy. Jin Xing was highly skilled. He single-handedly turned the gun barrel, the gunpowder and bullets were fully loaded, and coincidentally, only one shot remained unfired. In a moment of quick thinking, he calmly aimed at the approaching ship and fired a shot at the foreign commander. If the shot hit, it would be considered a lucky success; if it missed, there was nothing else to be done, but hopefully the people of Fuzhou wouldn't suffer. Even Jin Xing wasn't entirely confident that the peace negotiations would succeed quickly, and Courbet was unexpectedly struck by misfortune. Therefore, after the event, Jin Xing didn't report his victory and didn't expect that it was Courbet who was killed. It wasn't until a week later, when foreign newspapers spread the news, that they learned that it was indeed Courbet who had been killed. But that's a story for another time.
Just consider the time when the French warships withdrew. Governor Bian Baodi had already sent an urgent telegram to Beijing. You might ask me again, why didn't Governor Cen send an urgent telegram during the Battle of Lang Son?
Why did Governor Bian send an urgent telegram during the Battle of Mawei? You must understand that at that time, the country's telegraph lines were not yet fully operational. Where there were telegraph lines, naturally an urgent telegram would be sent; where there were no telegraph lines, how could an urgent telegram be sent?
At this time, telegraph lines had just been erected in the coastal provinces, so Governor Bian sent an urgent telegram detailing how the Mawei incident had failed, how Imperial Commissioner Zhang Peilun and Naval Minister He Ruzhang had deserted their posts, and how the French warships had been bombarded and driven back. He omitted mentioning Courbet's death, a cautious and skeptical act by Bian Baodi. Upon receiving this news, the court in Beijing was furious. An imperial edict was first issued, stripping Zhang Peilun and He Ruzhang of their posts and ordering their arrest. Then, Zuo Zongtang, the Maritime Commissioner, was tasked with overseeing the overall situation and handling the matter as it arose. During this critical military period, Feng Zicai and Liu Yongfu, stationed in Annam, won two consecutive victories at Lang Son, reporting their triumphs with red flags. Liu Mingchuan, the Governor of Taiwan, also reported that the French troops in Taipei and Keelung had withdrawn, and the seas were cleared. Li Hongzhang, the plenipotentiary negotiator, then summoned the Customs Commissioner, De Cuilin, to act as a mediator and renegotiate with the French envoy, Fournier. Knowing that Courbet was dead, and with Zuo Zongtang advocating war and Li Hongzhang advocating peace, China, unable to achieve its desired outcome, had no choice but to continue negotiations as previously agreed.
On the surface, this Sino-French negotiation seemed entirely due to the continued prestige of Zuo and Li; however, in reality, if it weren't for a naval academy graduate who killed Courbet with cannon fire, the war would not have ended, and the peace agreement would not have been successful. Yet, in the process of recognizing merit, those who hadn't contributed were promoted, while the hero Jin Xing, who had turned defeat into victory, was only awarded a sixth-rank official plaque. Was this unjust? Well… it was too late to expect a group of patriots to serve the country again. But enough of that
. Let's talk about the dignified Imperial Commissioner and Military Governor Zhang Peilun, who lost his boots at Mawei and fled ten miles on horseback, dismounting and weeping in despair. Fortunately, the Minister of the Navy, He Ruzhang, had already arrived. Feeling a connection, the two lingered for a while, inquiring about the French warships' exit. They then staggered back to the shipyard, too ashamed to face Governor-General Bian Baodi. Within two days, the remnants of the army regrouped. Following Zhang Peilun's wishes, they intended to flex their muscles again, but He Ruzhang said, "We don't need to panic. I'm afraid Bian has already made his move. Let's wait for news from the capital.
" Sure enough, within a day or two, the imperial edict ordering their dismissal and interrogation arrived. The two had no choice but to remove their official hats, dress in mourning, and go to the capital. Fortunately, a peace treaty was reached, and through the mediation of Grand Councilor Li Hongzao and a group of upright officials, they received a lenient dismissal, but were permanently barred from future employment. However, He Ruzhang suffered misfortune from then on, while Zhang Peilun, fearing for the entire army, unexpectedly found joy. What was the reason for this?
Because Zhang Peilun was originally a literary genius, a literary giant, and quite famous in the capital, Li Hongzhang's daughter admired his writing. After his defeat at Mawei, she composed four new poems in the seven-character quatrain style, delicate and beautiful, and honestly commenting on people. One of the couplets is particularly poignant: "In military strategy, one cannot trust Fang Guan; in policy discussions, one cannot condemn Jia Shan.
" Upon reading these two lines, Zhang Peilun was moved to tears, considering him his greatest confidant.
During this period of hardship, Mr. Shaoquan often offered words of comfort and solace. One day, Pei Lun came to see Hong Zhang. Hong Zhang and he chatted happily, drinking and chatting. Suddenly, the topic turned to his beloved daughter, and Pei Lun's face lit up. He admired Miss Li's poetic talent and hurriedly asked, "Who is your son-in-law?" Hong Zhang stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "She is not yet married." Pei Lun seized the opportunity and said, "It is the perfect time for a man and woman to marry. I wonder what kind of person your daughter is betrothed to?" At this point, Hong Zhang was already tipsy. He looked at Pei Lun carefully and said, "If it were someone of your family background, character, talent, temperament, and qualifications, that would be the best." At that time, Zhang Pei Lun had just lost his wife and was looking to remarry. Hearing Hong Zhang's tone, as the saying goes, "old man has no shame," he quickly got up from his seat, knelt down, and kowtowed four times, addressing his father-in-law as "Father-in-law." The son-in-law Zhang Pei Lun then performed the proper respect. At this point, Li Hongzhang was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to sit or stand. He couldn't very well refuse outright, since the words had already been spoken, so he could only smile and help Peilun to her feet. He hurried inside to inform his wife. Upon hearing this, Mrs. Li immediately stamped her foot in alarm: "How foolish you are! Giving such a delicate and beautiful daughter to this arrogant scoundrel! They're not even the right age, and he'll be his concubine! And to make matters worse, he's the military commander Ma Jiang, who deserted his post in battle! Such a spineless scoundrel! If you want him as your son-in-law, I don't want him to bring shame to the family. Before this is too late, you'd better go out and refuse him on my behalf!" Hongzhang, at his wit's end, turned to his daughter and said frankly, "Father is a high-ranking official; he shouldn't be making such a joke. Since you've already promised your daughter to someone, even if it's a pit of fire, you shouldn't hesitate to jump in." Seeing that her daughter was willing, Mrs. Li fell silent. Needless to say, the betrothal ceremony was held, and the wedding was arranged. The couple lived happily together. Later, Zhang Peilun was reinstated to his original official position, entirely thanks to Miss Li's donations and efforts, which need not be elaborated upon. Let's
just talk about how Empress Dowager Cixi framed Empress Dowager Ci'an the previous year, removing her political antagonism and allowing her to act with impunity. However, Prince Gong, Yixin, still had connections within the Grand Council, which presented many obstacles. Taking advantage of the Sino-French peace negotiations, she quickly took drastic measures. Considering that expelling Prince Gong alone might provoke public criticism, and Weng Tonghe was indeed a disliked figure, and Li Hongzao, as the leader of the Qingliu Party, had caused Zhang Peilun to miss opportunities and harm the country, creating obstacles for others, she couldn't worry about much else. She made up her mind and immediately issued an imperial edict, albeit with great difficulty: "At present, the nation's vitality is not yet fully restored, the times are still difficult, the government is rife with problems, and the people are not yet at peace. Both domestic and foreign affairs must be handled by capable people, and the Grand Council is truly the hub of personnel management and administration." Prince Gong Yixin and others initially showed caution and humility in their attempts to assist the emperor, but later became complacent and sought to preserve their honors. In recent years, as their ranks and emoluments have increased, their stagnation has only intensified. They have consistently clung to their preconceived notions regarding the court's efforts to revitalize the government, refusing to implement them effectively. This has been repeatedly criticized by those who criticize them, some accusing them of obstruction, others of incompetence, and still others of being ignorant of talent. The laws of our dynasty are extremely strict. To suggest that they would usurp power and disrupt the government as in previous dynasties is not only something they would not dare to do, but also something that is unacceptable under the law. The aforementioned issues alone have already caused considerable harm. If we continue to ignore these issues and instead indulge in appeasement, how can we uphold the great achievements of our predecessors and plan for the future? How can the emperor's personal rule then proceed in accordance with the highest principles? If we were to simply declare all the impeachments, we would neither be able to reconsider the appointment of virtuous officials nor accommodate the elders. Is this something the court, with its magnanimous policies, would tolerate? Thinking of this, Liang Yong felt a pang of sympathy. Prince Gong Yixin and Grand Secretary Baoyun, having served the longest, deserved strict reprimand. However, considering one's advanced age and the other's poor health, their past service was specially recognized to allow them to retire gracefully. Yixin was granted the privilege of retaining his hereditary title of Prince, receiving the full salary of a Prince, but was relieved of all duties and his double salary was revoked, to retire and recuperate at home. Baoyun was ordered to retire from official duties at his original rank. Grand Secretary and Minister of Personnel Li Hongzao had served in the inner court for many years, but his limited talent led to his ineffective work. Minister of War Jinglian could only perform his duties dutifully; economics was not his forte. Both were relieved of all duties and demoted two ranks. Tutor Weng Tonghe had just entered the Grand Council and was indeed involved in many affairs, but having offered no further suggestions and already bearing some responsibility, he was dismissed from the Grand Council but remained in the Yuqing Palace as a distinction. The court had long observed the intentions of this prince and minister, knowing he was unlikely to recover, and fearing further escalation of the situation, thus showing leniency and imposing a lighter punishment. It was not due to a minor offense or a mere memorial from a lowly official that a high-ranking official of the imperial family was demoted and sidelined.
Empress Dowager Cixi's edict, veiled and seemingly not solely aimed at expelling Prince Gong, was ultimately intended to remove Weng Tonghe, given their connection. Therefore, she could not show favoritism towards Li Hongzao either. As for Baojun and Jinglian, they were merely there to accompany Weng and Li in their downfall. The two officials immediately appointed to the Grand Council were Sun Yuwen and Xu Yongyi. In reality, Sun and Xu maintained close ties with Li; as the saying goes, "changing the name but not the substance," this is the principle.
But enough of this digression. On the tenth day of the tenth month of that year, the Empress Dowager celebrated her fiftieth birthday. A grand and magnificent ceremony was held, encompassing all things, with the entire court in awe. Thousands of officials bowed and danced, and countless delicacies were offered. The Empress Dowager's favorite pastime was watching theatrical performances. On stage, gongs and drums were pounded until they broke, flutes and pipes cracked, and even the most renowned opera singers, Tan Xinpei and Yu Sansheng, sang until their throats were hoarse. The commotion lasted for more than half a year before two major matters were finally resolved. One was the establishment of the navy, which was managed by Li Hongzhang, the Minister of Beiyang. There was a troop strength chart for the Beiyang Fleet at that time:
Ship Name Ship Type Tonnage Horsepower Speed-Power Guns Crew Dingyuan Ironclad
Zhenyuan Same as
above Jingyuan Same
as above Laiyuan 　　Same as above
Zhiyuan Cruiser 　　Jingyuan Same as above 　　Jiyuan Same as above Pingyuan 　　Same as above 　　Chaoyong 　　Same as above Yangwei Same as above 　　East Zhenxi Gunship Zhennan Same as above 　　Zhenbei Same as above Zhenzhong Same as 　　above 　　Zhenbian Same as 　　above 　　Kangji Same as above 　　Weiyuan Same as above 　　Tai'an Same as above 　　Zhenhai Same as above 　　Caojiang Same as above

Mei Yun, same as
above. Judging from this list, the Beiyang Navy was quite prosperous at the time. In Hongzhang's mind, it was a force to be reckoned with in East Asia, unlike the few warships that were merely displaying their power in Fuzhou, unable to withstand even a single wave from the west. If the naval funds could be used entirely for training the Beiyang Army, and if the top students of Jinxing and Shuiyao could be recruited, or if, as previously agreed, Gordon and Ward could be contacted to assist in the process, then the Beiyang Navy's power would be limitless. However, Li Lianying was using the wrong people, and six or seven tenths of the naval funds were allocated to the construction of the Summer Palace. Wasn't this just a facade? The second major event was the construction of the Summer Palace. Starting with the survey and drawing up of the garden's plans in the seventh year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign, and with Li Lianying frequently traveling to supervise the project, the Summer Palace was still not completed by the time of Empress Dowager Cixi's birthday. You might have another question: When you read *Dream of the Red Chamber*, you see how the Rongguo Mansion built the Grand View Garden, and in less than a year, they completed a magnificent garden, a masterpiece of nature, with pavilions like Xiaoxiang Pavilion, Hengwu Courtyard, Yihong Courtyard, Daoxiang Village, Aojing Pavilion, and Tubi Tower; lush artificial mountains, cascading springs, flowers blooming in all seasons, and thousands of trees; the carved beams and painted rafters, the interconnected chambers—it's truly a sight to behold, as depicted on the page. If a family of officials can start construction so quickly, how much more so an imperial family, with everything prepared and materials available, yet after three or four years of construction, it's still not finished? Isn't that a joke? You must understand that the author of *Dream of the Red Chamber* merely fabricated a story, claiming it to be a fantastical dream. I, the author of this novel, must verify facts and cannot simply speak off the cuff. That's one point. Furthermore, naval funds are allocated to Beijing annually, not as a lump sum. The garden's perimeter spans dozens of miles, and its palaces, pavilions, flowers, trees, and landscapes cannot be hastily arranged. Therefore, even after three or four years of construction, it is still not complete. But since the garden's completion is still some time away, let's leave that aside for now.
This time, we must mention our little protagonist. Uncle Guangxu, since ascending the throne, initially served Empress Dowager Cixi, but later, due to incompatibility, was raised by Empress Dowager Ci'an. When Ci'an passed away, I remember Emperor Guangxu was already twelve years old. I remember that year, while studying in the Imperial Study, he and his tutor accidentally sipped some tea, and unknowingly, both the emperor and his subject became eunuchs. The Taoist priest's potion was said to be incredibly effective; after ingesting it, one felt exceptionally refreshed, its effects penetrating to the very core. Emperor Guangxu, being young and naive, felt nothing; while Master Weng, robust and healthy, had a wife and two concubines, though none of whom bore him children, their marital relations were still plentiful. However, after drinking the potion, he became utterly impotent, unable to perform sexually. Initially, he attributed it to fatigue, but later, after much thought, he couldn't find a reason. It wasn't until Empress Dowager Ci'an's sudden death, when he heard Prince Gong mentioning food poisoning and the potion, that he finally understood. This bitter and unpleasant experience left him with no recourse. From then on, he not only became more cautious about his own diet but also advised Emperor Guangxu to be extra careful with everything he ate and drank.
Emperor Guangxu lived alone in the Yuqing Palace, and Empress Dowager Cixi paid no attention to his daily needs.
She admired one or two actors, but besides her, she was constantly accompanied by Li Lianying, a man with boils on his back. Empress Dowager Cixi had long regarded her own son, the Guangxu Emperor, as a thorn in her side. While they hadn't met, things were fine, but once they did, she would either be stern and harsh or give him a long lecture. Even the chief eunuch, Li Lianying, relying on Cixi's power, never gave him a second glance. Compared to the Tongzhi Emperor, the Guangxu Emperor seemed worlds apart; a biological son was a biological son, and an adopted son was an adopted son. The Guangxu Emperor saw this and remembered it. Fortunately, he had a close eunuch named Kou Liancai. This Kou, in his early twenties, was quite knowledgeable about etiquette and principles. The Guangxu Emperor always consulted with Liancai on matters of the heart. Liancai instructed his master to respectfully consult with his tutor, Weng Tonghe, and to contact Prince Gong, Yixin. However, around the time of Cixi's birthday, Prince Gong and Weng Tonghe were expelled from the Grand Council, further weakening their power. At that time, the Guangxu Emperor, thinking of his biological parents, secretly summoned Liancai to the Chun Di residence. Lian Cai, quick-witted as ever, happened to meet Prince Chun, Yixuan. His wife, Nala, immediately summoned him inside and inquired about the Emperor's daily life. Lian Cai recounted the palace affairs, Cixi's treatment, and Li Lianying's arrogance in detail. The Princess's eyes reddened, and she sobbed, "If I had known this would happen, why did I crave such vanity? My own son has been taken away and abused; how heartbreaking!" Prince Chun was also distressed and said, "I'll confront Master Weng sooner or later and settle this with him." He quickly called Lian Cai back, saying, "Go back to the palace, be careful, and speak up for us..." After Lian Cai left, Prince Chun secretly visited Weng Tonghe. Tonghe recounted the previous mystery surrounding the medicine, causing Prince Chun to stamp his feet in anxiety. He returned and told the Princess. From then on, Cixi's true intentions were exposed. While Prince Chun dared not speak out, Consort Chun engaged in much gossip, both in public and behind his back. Few spoke, but many relayed messages. Li Lianying, with his many informants, managed to get these rumors to Cixi's ears. Cixi thought to herself, "Emperor Guangxu is growing up, getting older, and becoming more discerning. It's inevitable that I will relinquish power. Once he ascends the throne and holds absolute power, what if he and his son, in league with his uncle, collude? That would be disastrous!" Therefore, she secretly plotted with Li Lianying. Lianying said, "Let's give them a little scare first.
I've heard that there's an ancient cypress tree in Prince Chun's residence, so big that two or three people can't wrap their arms around it. It has long branches and a huge trunk, growing as gracefully as a dragon. Feng shui masters always say that it will surely produce an emperor for generations to come. I think Prince Chun's youngest son, Zaifeng, also has a full face and a prominent nose, and he does have the appearance of an emperor. Even if Zaifeng doesn't become emperor, who can guarantee that his son won't have some good fortune? Since they are unaware of their good fortune and their destiny is not manifest, we can uproot it and cut off their hopes, and take the opportunity to give them a fright." Empress Dowager Cixi listened and nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Time flies, and it was the twelfth year of Guangxu's reign. In July or August, Empress Dowager Cixi, accompanied by Li Lianying, rode in a private carriage under the pretext of inspecting the construction of the Summer Palace, and passed by Prince Chun's residence. Prince Chun and Consort Chun were startled and quickly came out to greet them. Upon entering the inner room, they were offered fruit and tea. Empress Dowager Cixi smiled and said to Yixuan, "There's an ancient cypress here, said to be a thousand years old, its shade enough to last for ages. I'd like to admire it..." Prince Chun and his wife dared not delay, and led Cixi to the cypress tree. Its bark was frosted with dew, its dark green reaching the sky. "What a magnificent sight!" Cixi exclaimed, lingering there. Fortunately, Li Lianying was also standing nearby. Cixi smiled and said, "Our main hall in the garden lacks a central beam; using this tree as material would be perfect.
" Before she finished speaking, Li Ying had already summoned craftsmen. Two of them carried a large saw and saws, and began working from the root. To be continued...

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The Romance of Empress Dowager Cixi's Scandalous History [22]

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