Directly Governed Province, Baoding, Governor-General's Mansion of Zhili.
“Sir, the Imperial Court has issued a decree, requiring you to go to the capital for your official duty.” Steward Zhang Qilin reported.
“Go to the capital for my official duty? It's not the end of the year now, and there's no major event happening. Going to the capital for my official duty at this time is quite strange!” Li Hongzhang was very puzzled.
“Have we received any news from our spies in Yanjing?” Li Hongzhang asked.
Zhang Qilin shook his head: “Sir, everything in the capital is normal. However, our people report that the Third Master is expanding his forces. Every surrounding prefecture knows about it. Could it be that something went wrong with the Third Master?”
Li Hongzhang’s heart suddenly tightened, and he almost immediately realized that this was probably the reason.
After all, the Qing Dynasty had always been wary of him, and he was very clear about that.
Over the years, he had been carefully avoiding giving them a reason to suspect him.
As for rebellion, Li Hongzhang had never even thought about it.
However, he never thought that his son would have such rebellious bones!
“It seems that something has gone wrong with the Third Master. And the Imperial Court is using this as an opportunity to eliminate me.” Li Hongzhang said with a bitter smile.
“Sir, what should we do?” Zhang Qilin was immediately anxious.
“Sigh! We can only take things one step at a time. We'll report to the Imperial Court that I’m sick, very sick, and unable to go to the capital. Also, how’s the evacuation of our family members in Yanjing? Have the assets been evacuated?” Li Hongzhang asked.
Given the current situation, he had to prepare for the worst.
“Sir, we started evacuating our family members and assets in the capital months ago. The majority of the family members have already left the capital in secret. As for the assets, everything except for what couldn’t be taken away has been taken away.” Zhang Qilin answered.
Li Hongzhang nodded: “Secretly inform the Huai Army and the Beiyang Army, and have them get ready. If the Imperial Court really wants my head, then I’ll have to fight back to the death.”
Although Li Hongzhang didn’t want to rebel, didn’t want to be branded as a traitor, he even more didn’t want to be beheaded so easily.
“Yes, Sir!” Zhang Qilin answered.
“Inform the Third Master and let him do what he wants. Whatever he wants to do, I can’t control him. But I don’t want him to implicate the entire Li family, and even more, the entire nation!” Li Hongzhang ordered.
“Yes, Sir. I'll send someone to Laizhou immediately.” Zhang Qilin nodded.
Li Hongzhang's claim of illness and refusal to return to the capital angered Empress Dowager Cixi, Prince Gong Yixin, and Prince Qing Erun. This further solidified their belief that Li Hongzhang was secretly plotting a rebellion.
That's right, Empress Dowager Cixi and the others believed that Li Hongzhang was the one who wanted to rebel.
And Li Jingyuan was just a puppet manipulated by Li Hongzhang.
Anyone would think that, compared to the barely-grown Li Jingyuan, the scheming Li Hongzhang was undoubtedly the real mastermind.
“Your Majesty, Li Hongzhang is claiming illness and refusing to return to the capital. What should we do?” Prince Gong Yixin asked.
They had originally planned to take action against Li Hongzhang after he returned to the capital.
But since Li Hongzhang wouldn't return, what could they do?
Empress Dowager Cixi was also very angry.
“How are things going with contacting the commanders of the Huai Army and the Beiyang Army?” Empress Dowager Cixi asked.
“Your Majesty, some of the commanders of the Huai Army and the Beiyang Army are still righteous. They are deeply grateful for the Imperial Court’s favor. If Li Hongzhang really dares to rebel, they will definitely stand on our side!” Erun answered.
Empress Dowager Cixi was relieved after hearing this.
“Since that’s the case, then directly announce that Li Hongzhang and Li Jingyuan are plotting a rebellion. Have the Huai Army and the Beiyang Army arrest Li Hongzhang and Li Jingyuan, as well as the entire Li family, and bring them to the capital for judgment.
Also, is Bayan's Mongolian army ready?”
Empress Dowager Cixi asked.
“Your Majesty, 30,000 Mongolian cavalry are ready, and they can enter the capital at any time.” Prince Gong Yixin answered.
“Good, send orders to Shengjing, Jin Province, Yu Province, and the armies in other provinces, and have them get ready. Order Zhang Yao, the governor of Lu Province, to arrest Li Jingyuan. If he disobeys, consider it rebellion!” Empress Dowager Cixi issued the order.
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Prince Gong Yixin and Erun answered.
On June 28, 1788, the Qing Dynasty announced that Li Hongzhang and Li Jingyuan, father and son, had privately manufactured foreign guns, privately amassed troops, colluded with foreigners, disobeyed Imperial orders, and plotted a rebellion. They demanded that Li Hongzhang and Li Jingyuan immediately go to the capital to confess their crimes. Otherwise, they would be treated as rebels.
This edict caused a huge uproar.
After all, Li Hongzhang, as the Governor-General of Zhili, the Beiyang Minister, and the head of the Westernization Movement, was basically at the pinnacle of power!
Li Hongzhang was actually accused of rebellion by the Qing Dynasty, which was completely unexpected by everyone!
When the news reached Laizhou, Li Jingyuan was stunned. He hadn't even started anything yet, but the Qing Dynasty had already accused them of rebellion.
Since that’s the case, he didn’t need to pretend anymore.
“Those damned Manchus! My Li family has served the dynasty loyally for generations, but they want to eliminate us with trumped-up charges. Since that’s the case, I’ll truly rebel!” Li Jingyuan announced to his subordinates.