Chapter 004: Timeless Ministers

Suppressing the turmoil within, Li Guoyong said: "I have caused my grandfather worry, but I am no longer in serious condition."

The room is very bright, with a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling. An elderly man, thin yet appearing very spirited, is leisurely lying on a recliner with his eyes closed. Beside him, on the coffee table, there is a glass of crystal-clear wine

Li Guoyong, fearing that he might miss something, did not dare to ask too many questions. As Butler Fu got into an inconspicuous little cart, he pulled the curtain door, sat down beside the driver, and whispered, "Hurry up"

These few words made Li Guoyong's heart in the car race wildly, Old Zhongtang, Li Zhongtang, could it be that this old gentleman is...

Li Guoyong, however, had no further hesitation. He sighed inwardly, indeed it was as the saying goes, "The Prime Minister is thin in Hefei, while the Minister of Agriculture is barren in Changshu." He stepped forward respectfully and bowed, saying, "Grandson pays his respects to grandfather"

Note 1: When Li Hongzhang first entered Beijing, he stayed at Xianliang Temple. During his subsequent visits to the capital, Li Hongzhang also resided there. By the end of 1896, after falling out of favor, Li Hongzhang continued to live at Xianliang Temple until his death.

Note 4: Do not doubt, it is indeed a chandelier. Liang Qichao's "Biography of Li Hongzhang" records: Li Hongzhang "was served with the essence of double chickens at every meal, examined by court physicians every morning, and often used electric light." There is a popular couplet that says: "The Prime Minister from Hefei makes the world thin, the Minister of Agriculture from Changshu makes the world desolate," which satirizes the wealth of Li Hongzhang (from Hefei) and Weng Tonghe (from Changshu)

The night wind was somewhat chilly, causing Li Guoyong to shiver involuntarily. This shiver suddenly led him to ponder a question: although he had saved the Emperor, he was merely a lowly guard, without power or influence. Either Guangxu or Cixi could easily crush him with just a flick of their little finger. Why, then, did they value him so highly and seek to win him over?

Indeed, Li Hongzhang sat up and took a sip of wine: "The Empress Dowager is about to take action against the Reform Party, isn't she"

Li Guoyong saw the temple, and his heart immediately became clear, with no more doubts. This "old gentleman," his own grandfather (perhaps the more accurate term should be the grandfather of that deceased man in his lifetime), was none other than Li Hongzhang, a prominent minister of the late Qing Dynasty, the founder of the Huai Army, who single-handedly supported the precarious situation of the late Qing Dynasty and was a figure of much controversy after his death

A golden opportunity is beckoning to Li Guoyong, who inexplicably begins to feel excited. Now, it all depends on whether he can seize this once-in-a-lifetime chance

Now everything is clear; both Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu were so focused on their own interests, trying to win over their own supporters. It was not a matter of rescuing the throne at all, but rather an effort to curry favor with their "grandfather," the powerful Li Hongzhang

"Young Master Sun, what has happened to you?" Butler Fu asked Li Guoyong, who was displaying a face of confusion, surprise, and excitement in turns.

Could it be that this "Guard Li" had some secrets during his lifetime

I must say, I, Li Dazhi, have truly struck gold this time!

Li Guoyong felt a sudden jolt in his heart and did not dare to interject, knowing that there was more to come.

Upon hearing such a commonplace remark from the book, Li Guoyong was nearly brought to tears. Li Guoyong grew up in an intellectual family; his parents were senior engineers at an armaments factory. Tragically, while he was in college, both of his parents perished in an accident. A substantial amount of compensation provided by the government was completely consumed by his despicable relatives, which led to the downfall of a promising young man into a life of vice, engaging in pimping. It had been an indeterminate amount of time since Li Guoyong had felt any familial affection. A simple expression of concern from Li Hongzhang allowed Li Guoyong to instantly recall the warmth his parents had shown him in his childhood, and it also helped him rediscover the long-lost feeling of home.

I never expected that I would become an accomplice hindering China's progress. To arrest Tan Sitong, a reformist who willingly shed the first blood for China's reform, is far more difficult than dealing with the likes of Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao. I truly cannot bring myself to do it... However, upon further reflection, if I were to ruin the task assigned to me by that old lady, not only would my earlier performance be in vain, but if that old witch were to become enraged, my own head... Li Guoyong thought about it and couldn't help but gasp in horror. But upon further reflection, if I were to ruin the task assigned to me by that old lady, not only would my earlier performance be in vain, but if that old witch were to become enraged, my own head... Li Guoyong thought about it and couldn't help but gasp in horror.

Everything became clear to Li Guoyong, who even recalled that Li Hongzhang had a grandson named "Li Guoyong". In that era, Li Guoyong had always felt sympathy for Li Hongzhang and had some understanding of his family. If memory serves correctly, he should be the fifth son of Li Hongzhang's second son, Li Jingshu, which means he was the youngest.

"Alright, just www.hetushu.com is fine, once it's done, it's done." Li Hongzhang said somewhat cryptically: "Only when it's done can we serve the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."

Once Li Guoyong was seated, Li Hongzhang leisurely said: "You were injured for the sake of His Majesty, and both your father and I are quite concerned. Are you feeling better now?"

Fu Guanjia? The residence? Li Guoyong furrowed his brow, could it be the home of this deceased person while he was alive? Although Li Guoyong was puzzled, he maintained a composed expression, thanked them quietly, and hurriedly entered his own house

Holding his "thumping" heart, Li Guoyong took a few deep breaths, striving to calm his excited expression. Under the unusual gaze of Butler Fu, he pushed open the door.

Li Guoyong quickly snapped back to reality from his excitement, concealing his emotions: "It's nothing, just feeling a bit stuffy in the car and a little dizzy"

After traveling for about half an hour, the vehicle came to a stop. The curtain was lifted, and Butler Fu said, "Young Master Sun, please disembark."

Li Guoyong, having stepped out, found himself in deep contemplation for the first time in his life

Li Hongzhang opened his eyes: "Oh, Mingyi has come, right? Come, sit beside grandfather."

Upon reaching the city gate, he further confirmed his judgment. Inside the carriage, he heard someone outside laughing and saying, "Master Fu, are we leaving now"

Old Master Zhao's voice was filled with laughter and a tone of flattery: "Master Fu, look at what you’re saying. When you have the chance to ask Old Master Zhongtang, just tell him that Zhao Shuang will definitely come to pay his respects when he has some free time."

The steward cupped his hands and said: "My old master has heard that Young Master Sun has recovered and awakened, and he misses him dearly. Master Zhao, I must trouble you to keep the door open, as Young Master Sun will return before the hour of the pig."

This is the renowned statesman Li Hongzhang, who has had a significant impact on future generations

Upon disembarking, Li Guoyong's first sight was a temple, with three large characters inscribed above: "Xianliang Temple"

"Sir, the steward of the mansion is waiting for you." The words of the young maid who had served Li Guoyong pulled him back from his daydreaming

Note 3: Li Guoyong is the grandson of Li Hongzhang and the son of Li Jingshu, also created by the spider. Li Hongzhang had a total of three sons and three daughters in his lifetime. His eldest son, Jingfang, had three sons: Guotao, Guoxi, and Guoxiu; his second son, Jingshu, had four sons: Guojie, Guoyan, Guoxu, and Guoxiong; the youngest, Jingmai, had one son: Guochao. The spider made Li Guoyong the son of Li Jingshu, likely because after Li Hongzhang's death, Li Jingshu inherited the title of a first-class marquis.

Accompanied by Butler Fu, the two stopped in front of a house in the western courtyard of Xianliang Temple. Butler Fu halted his steps and said: "Young Master Sun, the old master is inside. Please go ahead."

Upon hearing this, Li Guoyong felt a tightening in his heart. Could this "old gentleman" possibly know that he was to apprehend the reformists tomorrow? This was an order issued by Empress Dowager Cixi herself. How could this "old gentleman" be so well-informed to already know about it

A man in his fifties visibly sighed in relief upon seeing Li Guoyong enter the house: "Young Master Sun, you have returned. The old master instructed me to ensure that you are taken back tonight, no matter what. The carriage has already been arranged for you, and the guards at the gate have also been properly briefed. Young Master Sun, let us set off now; the old master has not been feeling well these past few days, and we must not keep him waiting anxiously.

The carriage trotted through the Forbidden City, and the patrolling guards regarded it as if they had not seen it, which made Li Guoyong feel even more that his "old master" was quite significant. He also understood that riding horses and driving carriages within the Forbidden City was a special privilege granted by the Qing Emperor to high-ranking officials and favored courtiers

Although he was already prepared, Li Guoyong was still taken aback. How did this seemingly leisurely old man manage to guess it?

The steward sighed and said, "The old master also mentioned that you should hurry, as you need to be sent back before dawn; otherwise, it would be unacceptable to delay your important matter tomorrow."

Note 2: In fact, after Li Hongzhang returned to Beijing from his visit to the United States in October 1896, he was effectively sidelined. On October 20, he was unjustly dismissed by the Ministry of Rites on fabricated charges, but ultimately, Empress Dowager Cixi showed mercy and reduced his punishment to a one-year salary deduction. The main purpose of Cixi's actions was to diminish his "prestige" in front of foreigners while also quelling domestic accusations of "betrayal" against him. It was not until June 12, 1900, when the Qing court needed to address the aftermath of the Eight-Nation Alliance's invasion, that Li Hongzhang was reinstated and once again appointed as the Governor-General of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang. The assertion here that he still held significant power is merely a narrative device; readers need not delve too deeply into it.

Li Guoyong is currently at a loss, completely bewildered. What is going on? He stammered, "Are we leaving now?"