Chapter 005: Li Hongzhang

Li Hongzhang sighed: "I never expected that my Li family would finally produce such a prodigious talent. You are excellent, truly excellent. There is no need for you to visit your father anymore; just return and focus on your duties!"

Forget it, Li Guoyong shook his head. At present, I am merely a seemingly high-ranking official, but in reality, I am a minor guard with no real power. Even if I truly wanted to achieve something, what grounds do I have to do so?

Li Guoyong secretly smiled wryly. Historically, Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao hurriedly fled and went into exile overseas upon receiving news of a coup. Little did they expect that in this world, it would be due to a single remark from Li Hongzhang.

If one day, merely if, I, Li Guoyong, can ascend to the pinnacle of power, I will certainly vindicate you!

Li Guoyong comforted himself in this way

Li Guoyong nodded silently, indeed, "Without strength, everything is mere talk." This saying resonates with the later words of Elder Mao, "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun": "Grandfather, the Empress Dowager has ordered me to arrest the reformists tomorrow evening. Do you mean to say we should proceed with the arrests?"

Li Guoyong himself does not believe it

Li Guoyong listened foolishly to Li Hongzhang's conversation, and he truly began to admire this "grandfather" from the bottom of his heart. This high-ranking official, known among the people as "Mr. Li Er," was a farmer's son who only established his family during his great-grandfather's time, having two acres of land. To rise step by step to his current position, his insight and strategies are far beyond what Guangxu and the reformists around him could ever hope to match

Li Guoyong nodded eagerly: "Yes, Grandfather, not only did the Empress Dowager summon me, but she also inquired about the Emperor. By the way, she promoted the Emperor's grandson from a third-rank, fifth-grade guard to a first-rank, third-grade guard."

A petty thug from over a hundred years later, a pimp, unexpectedly became the grandson of the renowned statesman Li Hongzhang, becoming a court attendant and a figure that both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager sought to claim; Li Guoyong could hardly believe what had transpired

What Li Guoyong was thinking now was: Boss, twenty years old? In my time, I was already twenty-four.

Curious Li Guoyong still couldn't hold back: "Grandfather, how did you know that the Empress Dowager was about to take action?"

Upon mentioning this, Li Hongzhang's expression darkened: "Remember, when capturing the Reform Party, the foremost priority is confidentiality. We must not let the Emperor perceive even the slightest hint. We must be especially careful not to let Kang and Liang escape; we absolutely cannot reveal any clues!"

Li Guoyong, who bid farewell to Li Hongzhang, felt somewhat confused; is all of this real?

Grasp! A hint of complexity crossed Li Hongzhang's eyes: "However, Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao, the two leaders of the reformist faction, do you think it would be possible to find an opportunity to release them? It would also leave a spark of progress for our Great Qing."

Li Guoyong chuckled to himself, unexpectedly being asked about his opinion on Yuan Shikai by his future self. Who was Yuan Shikai? No one in this world could possibly know better than he did. He replied earnestly: "In my view, this person is well-rounded in both literature and martial arts, respectful of the talented, and has a solid grasp of military training. His character is also timid and cautious. However, in my opinion, this man is one who forgets righteousness for profit, is ruthless and merciless, and harbors great ambitions;" and then lowered his voice, saying, "The one who will bring about the fall of the Qing Dynasty in the future must be this person!"

Soon, with the failure of the reform, China is about to enter one of the darkest periods in its five-thousand-year history of civilization. Can one truly change everything relying solely on one's own strength

Li Hongzhang, just like when he first met Li Guoyong, said: "How could you have such thoughts?"

Li Guoyong secretly marveled at the cleverness of this deduction: "Indeed, not only did the Emperor summon Yuan Shikai, but he also conferred upon him the position of Deputy Minister"

Li Hongzhang smiled slightly: "The Empress Dowager has never truly intended for our Emperor to take on governance. Despite the Reformists making quite a stir recently, the court is firmly under her control. She can deal with the Reformists whenever she wishes, and that is not for our Emperor to decide. Recently, Li Lianying, the Grand Eunuch, knelt to request the Empress Dowager to preside over state affairs. Just think, if Li Lianying had not received a hint from the Empress Dowager, would he dare to do such a thing? I have heard people say that the Emperor has been summoning this person and that person, and I suspect he wants to take some action. Although our Emperor is wise, he fails to consider that the appointments and dismissals within the court, as well as the military and political power in the Beijing-Tianjin area, are all firmly in their hands. How many around him are truly loyal to the Emperor? Can any of his actions escape the notice of those above? The commotion caused by the Emperor is just giving them an excuse, isn't it?"

How did Li Hongzhang come to perceive the thoughts swirling in this grandson's mind, yet remain so elated: "Your uncle is frail and often ill, your father is inherently timid, your third uncle only knows how to indulge, and the other grandchildren are all mediocre. I had thought that after me, the Li family would have no more talents. Unexpectedly, unexpectedly, it seems that the one destined to continue the glory of the Li family is none other than you."

These words, to Li Hongzhang, were nothing short of astonishing. Although Li Hongzhang had personally promoted Yuan Shikai, he had gradually seen through Yuan's true nature. At this moment, Yuan Shikai, despite commanding a significant military force, held only the minor position of Inspector of Zhili, with authority limited to military training matters. Li Hongzhang had merely asked a casual question, but to his surprise, this grandson not only saw through Yuan Shikai's essence at a glance but also uttered such shocking words

Li Hongzhang paid no attention to his expression: "Did the Empress Dowager summon you today?"

Observing Li Hongzhang nodding repeatedly due to his own analysis, Li Guoyong could hardly contain his laughter. In his era, who did not know that it was this President Yuan who ultimately forced the Qing Emperor to abdicate

Li Guoyong has already considered this point: "The grandson thinks the same way, but he does not understand what his grandfather means"

How should one navigate the path ahead? Should one conform to the historical course that has already unfolded, living a peaceful yet unremarkable life? Or should one strive vigorously to achieve something significant?

At this moment, Li Hongzhang suddenly recalled something: "Has the Emperor summoned Yuan Shikai in the past few days?"

Li Hongzhang patted his grandson's shoulder with satisfaction and said: "You are only twenty this year, yet you have already become a third-rank official. Although it is merely because the Empress Dowager wants to win me over, Li Hongzhang, by promoting you beyond the usual standards, from my perspective, grandson, your future is limitless, truly limitless!"

Li Hongzhang snorted, saying: "One emperor, one empress dowager, do you think they are truly concerned about your rescue? They merely wish to draw the Li family closer to themselves, wanting me, Li Hongzhang, to declare my position."

Li Hongzhang stood up from the armchair, clasped his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth in the room and library a few times, letting out a long sigh: "In the court, I am well-known as a proponent of Westernization. During the reform period, I even referred to myself as a 'comrade of the New Deal.' However, whether it is reform or Westernization, without strength, everything is mere talk. In my view, the reform is destined to fail. The Emperor's direct rule has also reached its end. The urgent task now is to think about how to fully preserve the interests of the Li family!"

Li Hongzhang, who had long been anticipated, was stamping his feet repeatedly: "Your Majesty, how foolish you are! Who can find Yuan Weiting?" Suddenly he asked, "What do you think of Yuan Weiting as a person?"

Li Guoyong nodded in agreement

The work for tomorrow is the primary task. Although Tan Sitong is someone he admires, Li Guoyong, who has already tied himself to Li Hongzhang, constantly reminds himself to remain cold-blooded, no matter what, and must not let emotions lead the entire Li family into an irretrievable situation.

Li Guoyong expressed himself with fervor: "Returning to grandfather, the emperor secretly summoned Yuan Shikai, truly to eliminate Ronglu. Yuan Shikai openly stated, 'To execute Ronglu is like killing a dog,' yet secretly he immediately reported to Ronglu. Such behavior is despicable. Currently, both the Empress Dowager and grandfather are present, and he does not dare to take any action. However, once the Empress Dowager and grandfather have passed away, ha ha, he will hold the elite troops that our Great Qing has amassed with silver, and there will be no one to stop him from doing anything."