Chapter 87: Departure and Memorial

Shanghai, China Merchants Steam Terminal.

Generally, guests who come and go to the Yangtze River or go to the sea will wait in the building and get on board and get off the boat in the China Merchants House. The new Western Affairs Office office has different styles of calling people to get on board and off the boat. The foreign electric bells are buzzing. Every time they ring, the guests who ride this steamer for the first time can squeeze in a lot of curious looking. They are talking about the evil things that are evil. Once the electricity is connected, the sound can be so strange and so loud.

But today, the electric bell that greeted people on board had ringed several times, and the gate that sent people on board had not opened yet. The passengers had long lost their interest in watching the electric bells, and they were crowded together and discussed, not knowing why they had not driven the boat. However, in this year, no later generations had missed the plane and watched the actions of the airline staff. The China Merchants Bureau is the government office! Just the two red and black interlaced water and fire sticks standing at the fence made most people dare not say anything.

After waiting for a long time, there will naturally be rumors.

"...The boat we are taking today has an amazing person on the boat! Now everyone is waiting for this master!"

"Who is so arrogant? The China Merchants Bureau is a Hongyamen. If the master of the Taoist is on the boat, there is not necessarily a big meal to serve him. This master asked the steamship to wait for him!"

"It's enough to keep it in hiding. Who is this man? Don't be ok, I'm so happy. Four taels of yellow wine and a plate of crabs are all my brothers!"

"Haidong Shuai knows it! This master was the military advisor who visited the thatched cottage three times before Haidong came out of the mountain! The book in the capital is famous all over the world, the main editor of the Qing Dynasty, Mr. Tan Sitong and Mr. Tan! This time I entered the Beijing gate again, I was going to show his talents!"

"Didn't Mr. Tan be driven out of the Beijing Sect back then? Why are you begging to go back now?"

"Brother, what was the situation at that time? What was the current year? What was the battle with Dongyang Luobo Head? What was the fight between Xu Shuai in Haidong? What was the court like? Now the court wants to borrow talents... Mr. Tan is so talented, the court has said that he should give at least one division, that is, the minister, at least, he became a central official. This abnormality is even more than the five imperial envoys in Haidong for two years..."

"At that time, Mr. Tan, and the hero Wang Wu of the Jingmen, the three brothers of the three brothers, were knelt on the ground. It was really the Three Brothers of Taoyuan in the Qing Dynasty. Now, Mr. Xu of Haidong is going to take charge of the south. Master Tan is so useful. Wang Daxia is determined to be in the world and clean up Dou Erdun in the grass, and he really protects the Qing Dynasty!"

"Protect the Qing Dynasty? Hum... There are rumors this time that Mr. Tan and Mr. Xu of Haidong were cutting their robes and righteousness. From then on, brothers were separated from each other. You walk on Yangguan Road, I walk on the single-plank bridge..."

"Cutting the robe and cutting off the meaning? No! What's going on?"

"If you ask again, I won't say it. I can't say it, I dare not say it. Anyway, everyone should take a look..."

There were crowds of people outside, and in the Shanghai Wharf of China Merchants Group, there were also long-dressed scholars, gathering together. These people were crowded in the atrium and chatting loudly. The teachers and students of Nanyang Public School, the Qingliu, who lived in the concession, and the pens of Shanghai tabloids were all standing here in a well-dressed manner. The workers of China Merchants Group were busy serving tea and pouring water, and they were already in a mess. These men in long-dressed clothes even thought the tea was cold and the people were slow, and they scolded each other loudly from time to time.

The content of the conversation between everyone is always inseparable from Tan Sitong. However, when it comes to these people, they cannot reach the inner room and chat with Tan Sitong for farewell. However, being able to stand here is a bit of a clear air. Suddenly, they can point out the wise men in the wild. The longer they talk, the louder they all became, and the more domineering the workers in the investment and promotion bureau became. They were so angry that they all spit into the tea in the no one.

"Damn it, I'm serving for a long time, and I can't even look down on a small amount of money. I thought everyone was a minister in the central hall. These poor people didn't give me a good face if I entered the hall!"

As we were talking, we saw a scholar in green clothes walking out, as if he was going to greet someone. Everyone buzzed and surrounded him: "Mr. Lin! Brother Fusheng, what are you waiting for? We are all waiting for Brother Fusheng to go to the fore. Why is Ban Sheng so as to ascend to the immortal?"

The person who came out was Lin Xu, who followed him all the way. He was only twenty years old this year and was called Mr. Lin by these guys, and he got goosebumps. As soon as everyone got together, the smell of opium smoke in their mouths was almost smoky. Lin Rui waved his hands and didn't know how to deal with these guys.

No wonder these guys were keen on. The court gave too much difference. A telegram came over, Shanghai Road and Shanghai Guan Road. The following level came to visit Tan Sitong with the rituals of his superiors. The telegram written by Guangxu was full of desire for talent. The news came immediately. Tan Sitong, who was sent out of Beijing more than a year ago, was going to go to the military aircraft to study and walk as the Minister of Rites. There were even rumors that Tan Sitong would preside over the Japanese Pacific!

Xu Yifan's official position was already earth-shaking, but Tan Sitong was even more exaggerated than him. Xu Yifan was promoted again and was also in a position outside, while Tan Sitong jumped from a white body to the center of the Qing Empire!

Everyone is in Shanghai, and there are no projects but no investments. At this time, why don’t you quickly curry favor with this upstart? Tan Sitong was appreciated by the emperor and was the righteous brother of Xu Shuai, Haidong, who was intimidating China. What will happen in the future? Who dares to limit the quantity? If you don’t curry favor with this time, when will you curry favor with it?

Looking at the twinkling eyes of the crowd surrounding him, Lin Xu smiled bitterly and made a gesture of silence. After all, he was young and could not resist the left and right rubbing of the master. Finally, he said: "Brother Fusheng is writing a letter to Haidong Xu Shuai, and he is not afraid to neglect you all. Once the letter is finished, Brother Fusheng said, "Everyone comes to send it, I am very kind."

When he heard Tan Sitong writing a letter to Xu Yifan, the one who was not open his eyes was still Shansong Shansong praying that the two of them had a good relationship. Those who knew a little about the current situation quickly made it a little easier. Xu Yifan was not the same as the court, and those who were a little smart understood that Tan Sitong had as soon as he summoned the court. If he stayed in Liangjiang, Xu Yifan could still treat him badly? This kind of mixed water was a great commander who was terrifying the Chinese and foreigners, and the other was a court. If one was stuck in the middle, it would be a broken bone. Many people with some status regretted it. They still wanted to make a living near Liangjiang. They came to send Tan Sitong with such a big fanfare. What if the 25th commander took a grudge?

After all, Tan Sitong went here and slapped the handsome man in the face!

It was lively outside, but it was quiet inside.

Shanghai Road and Shanghai Guan Road are considered landlords who saw off. At this time, they were all bowing their heads and drinking tea without saying a word. They were just passing the message, and it was difficult to get stuck in this place. The general pointed out that the guards would open the Liangjiang Rivers in the palace, and Shanghai was just under his horse's feet. Especially for the Shanghai Daotai, whose official title is the full name of Su Song and Changtai, who was divided into local soldiers and other places, Xu Yifan was his real boss. In this occasion, everything he said was wrong, so he might as well be a wooden man.

There were seven or eight people sitting indoors, all of which were Tan Sitong's close friends. Most of them were to take him to Beijing to introduce talents to Guangxu. Everyone sat quietly, exchanging their eyes from time to time. Tan Sitong was lying on his desk, wearing a white long gown, writing quickly.

In the entire inner hall, only the horn of the pen was heard passing by the rustling rice paper. I don’t know how long it took, but Tan Sitong finally finished writing, put the pen in satisfaction, clapping his hands: “Come here!”

The entourage serving outside the door came over silently, and Tan Sitong handed the letter to him: "I got it from the telegram bureau and sent it to Jinzhou, southern Liaoning. Xu Yifan and Xu Dashui personally demolished it. Go and go back quickly."

The entourage was about to go, but Yang Rui stood up in the seat. He was also Tan Sitong's close friend during this period in Shanghai. It seemed that he had been in the early forties in Zhang Zhidong's shogunate, and his official experience was the deepest among all the people here. He looked at Tan Sitong: "Brother Fusheng, why bother to send a letter? It's silent, and it's over. I'm not without contact with Shuai Xu in the future, why bother like this?"

Tan Sitong smiled before he could speak, and the man sat in the corner and sneered: "Those who do great things should be corrected first. Friendship is not on this! Uncle Dun, Liangjiang Shogunate is also a great place, so you can stay."

This person has a Cantonese accent, sharp and fast. If you look closely at him, he is not good-looking, has a dark complexion and a stubborn look on his face.

Yang Rui glanced at him and said angrily: "Kang Nanhai, I look down on you the most! You are a saint, we are villains? Brother Fusheng and Xu Shuaiyi from Haidong entrusted his brothers, but they are not enemies! Brother Fusheng went north, and I was the first to agree to follow him. It's not your turn to speak!"

The speaker was Kang Youwei, a native of Nanhai, Guangdong. When it comes to fame, he was considered a scholar in the autumn wind. His knowledge was in Guangdong, but he had some reputation. His strength was that he was very good at speaking and dared to speak wildly. When Tan Sitong was expelled from the capital, he had already sent a letter to him in Guangdong. Tan Sitong's chief writer Shanghai, and he also brought his students to follow him. His heart was extremely eager. He also wrote several articles in Shanghai, especially the new study of pseudo-spirit exams, which was even more sensational and everyone looked at him. Yang Rui's evaluation of him was that those who like to speak wildly must have a passion and no one could defeat the matter. Tan Sitong smiled and was the answer between them. He said that state affairs were like this, and it was not enough to break the situation without exaggeration. Kang Nanhai was also eager for national affairs.

Tan Sitong went north this time, and he was the hottest person to encourage him. He also asked Tan Sitong to express his attitude, stand up for his own banner, and lead a trend for a while. Xu Yifan is just a talented person who is a killer and a new man. He still depends on their scholars! If he is not upright, things will not be established. If he does not express his position and attitude, others will think that you are the representative of Xu Yifan sent to the capital. How can the court win the trust, how can the scholars return to their hearts, and how can they do a great cause?

Seeing Yang Rui getting angry, Kang Youwei raised his eyebrows and wanted to speak. Tan Sitong smiled and stopped them: "All of them are fellow practitioners, what's the point of arguing about?"

He clapped his hands and waved his hand to let the follower take the letter and send it: "Brother Chuanqing, it's nothing to do with me. After all, he is still the commander of the court, and everyone is thinking about the good of this country. I believe that Brother Chuanqing, and this time I went to tell him that I will go there regardless of success or failure, and would pour out all my knowledge in my heart. In this way, you should not make any more anger. Even if the court is a little mean to Brother Chuanqing, it would be the treacherous ministers at the time, and now the sage king is in power, so what else can't be left out? I ask Brother Chuanqing to meet with him in the capital and let go of his arms. The court will definitely not be afraid of him. If he doesn't go... it's nothing. Brothers, let's go their own way. I believe that what I'm going is the right way. Now the country is no longer in chaos!"

"Well said!" Kang Youwei stood up excitedly: "The unique knowledge for the past saints and the peace for the whole age is all in our generation! Xu Yifan, a hawk and dog ear, how can he have such talent? Those who can use it will use it, but those who cannot use it, Brother Fusheng should clarify his position early! At that time, it will be considered as the righteousness of all brothers!"

After listening silently, Tan Sitong shook his sleeves: "Go and go and go and go! It's so difficult to go here, but what's the matter with reading the saint's book? This body is just a stinky skin, just throw it away!"

Several scholars stood up together, their faces were full of tragic expressions, and they walked out with big strides.

The one walking in front was Tan Sitong, who was dressed in white, and was better than snow.

Shanghai Road and Shanghai Guan Road also stood up and bowed respectfully, looked up at him, but they all smiled bitterly.

On October 22, 1894, Tan Sitong was summoned and stood up and rode his boat north.

On the same day, Lushun.

A tomb of clothing has been built on the Golden Mountain Fort where Zhou Zhanjie detonated the ammunition and died for his country. Although it was only a pile of earth and stones, it had a solemn atmosphere. This tomb of clothing is setting up a sacrifice for the soul-summoning spirits. On the wooden throne, there are dense white wooden tablets. There are dozens of white banners standing in the middle of the road. The sea breeze blows, and the banners move and sway, making them even more sad.

Deng Shichang, Ding Ruchang, Liu Buchan, Lin Taizeng, Lin Yongsheng, Huang Jianxun, Lin Luzhong, Yang Yonglin, Zuo Baogui, Zhou Zhanjie... are listed above, looking down at the dark and endless waves of the Bohai Sea under his feet. Looking down at the Jinzhou not far away, looking down at the thousands of Japanese defeated soldiers, looking down at the family and country where they fought for and died for them!

Hundreds of generals, whether they were the Imperial Guards or the officers of the Yi Army, stood at the foot of the mountain, watching Xu Yifan's small figure, slowly walking up the mountain. Twenty-four artillery guns were loaded with shells without warheads, quietly laying them down, waiting to be fired.

China and Japan have prepared peace talks, and the war has ended. The court's praise came quickly, and Xu Yifan's official position was no longer promoted, and he had to be promoted to the title of Prince Taibao and the first-class Earl of Weiyuan. Li Yunzong and Chu Wanli were both promoted to the top of the admiral and were awarded the Yunqiwei. All the officials and officers who worked hard were rewarded with great rewards.

Xu Yifan also asked to hand over the defense of Lushun Jinzhou to Iketang as soon as possible, and hand over the Japanese prisoners, and head south to Liangjiang as soon as possible. How to deal with the remaining government offices and teams of the Korean Imperial Guards will be left to discuss again.

Xu Yifan was also disgusted with nothing to be attached to. He handled the handover of defense matters as soon as possible, contacted the ships, and prepared to go south. Before leaving, the only thing he cared about was to set up a sacrifice for the soldiers who died in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895.

"Why is it just the Grand Commander going up alone?" A deputy general of Yi Jun secretly asked his colleagues around him.

The colleague obviously read a little, and also lowered his voice and replied: "When did Fengtian Zen Earth see a lot of people behind him? Do you want to keep up?"

The deputy general shook his head like a wave drum: "What kind of thing am I... Our Yijun, after such a large number of people died, we have to go back to Rehe. Iketang Adu is in charge of Fengtian... Remember these brothers who died in battle, only the Grand Marshal! Look, see what other jokes they can make!"

The sea breeze blows so hard that the hem of Xu Yifan's military uniform is raised high, and his cheeks are already blown cold. When he walks up the mountain, there are still traces of war everywhere, and there is a charred pit next to the tomb of clothes. It is the last place where Zhou Zhanjie explodes and all the jades are burned.

I've really come here? I really won? Under the dancing white banner, Xu Yifan felt a little dazed. The clouds on his head were low, reaching the top of the mountain. He seemed to be the only one in the world.

The tablets are lined up like countless pairs of eyes, looking at him majestic. Looking at the road he once walked, the road he was about to walk.

Looking back, the mountains and seas are all in sight.

Xu Yifan walked to the front of the tablet, looked one by one, and finally stopped in front of Deng Shichang's tablet. If anyone helped him the most during his journey, Deng Shichang would have been the only one. In Nanyang, if Deng Shichang had not taken the future and fired his life, he would never have been like him today.

"Brother Zhengqing, I did it, I didn't let you die in vain."

A faint smile appeared on the corner of Xu Yifan's mouth and he whispered to the tablet.

"But this road has only been halfway through. I don't know if you are happy to watch the road below... Anyway, I have a clear conscience. Let me tell you the truth. I want to replace this glorious Qing Dynasty! I want to completely tear the rotten shrouds covered by our country and this nation! A great nation like ours, such a brilliant civilization, should not bear the humiliation and torture of the next decades! I have defeated our most fierce national enemy in the next few decades, and I will also go to the end of this road! I know, you... and you, just watch in the sky!"

"Maybe I will lose a lot of things, lose many friends, and have to do a lot of dirty things. I am a useless white-collar worker, who is inappropriate, likes beauties, likes lazy, and likes to be bad. But you have died twice in my time and space, in this time and space I have experienced for this country and this nation. How can I stop in front of you again?"

"When I leave this time, I don't know when it's time to come back. When I should bow down and light the lamp and unplug the wax, let's see you again. At that time, I will tell you what this history should be like and what the sacrifices we have made have changed!"

"Zhengqing, Zhengqing, soul is back, look at the mountains and rivers, see if we have won this Sino-Japanese War!"

Xu Yifan stood attentively and bowed, tears falling like rain.

At his feet were rivers and mountains that stretched for thousands of miles. Everyone looked up at his small figure. Twenty-four cannons roared and shook straight into people's hearts.

Above Xu Yifan's head, clouds rolled, and countless heroic souls seemed to be roaring and roaring. The heavy snow that had stopped fell, whistling and flying under the strong sea breeze.

"Five hundred years... there will be a king's success." Song Qing, who had been standing attentive, had white hair fluttered and finally said a sentence with difficulty.
Chapter completed!