In fact, how could Guangxu hide his little thoughts from Cixi? Moreover, Cixi also mocked Guangxu for being too naive in her heart. After returning from the overseas inspection, Cixi not only read their reports in detail, but also understood the true meaning of the constitution from many aspects, such as recruiting the wives of various ministers, and also serving as the former female official of the imperial palace five years ago, De Ling and Rong Ling sisters.

Because the father of the sisters Yu Geng, Yu Geng, was a noble and diplomat of the Qing Dynasty, served as the Japanese minister for three years in 1895 and then as the French minister for three years, both of them lived abroad with their father for six years. Because Yu Geng's personality was relatively open and he supported his two daughters to learn foreign culture, the sisters were very eye-opening in these six years and had a considerable understanding of European society, culture and politics. Because he was a German, he was proficient in foreign languages ​​from eight countries and had studied dance with the modern dance master Duncan.

After the Gengzi Rebellion, the Qing court implemented a new policy. Cixi learned from Prince Qing that Yu Geng's daughter was well-versed in foreign languages ​​and Western etiquette, so she issued an order to summon Mrs. Yu Geng to bring her fellow De Ling. Rong Ling's sisters into the palace to meet. Later, she appointed her sisters as the female official in the imperial palace. On the one hand, she served as a translator for her interactions with the wives of envoys of Western countries, and on the other hand, she was also an advisor to understand the foreign situation. In 1905, Yu Geng died of illness, and the two sisters left the palace to attend mourning and mourning. After the end of the Far East War, Cixi recruited De Ling back to the palace to continue her position and was named Princess Shanshou, until now.

It can be said that although Cixi's understanding of the constitution is not completely clear, it is far more than the half-baked level of Guangxu. Cixi's understanding of the constitution is that although the constitution will impose considerable restrictions on the power of the monarch, it will also retain a considerable part of the power. In a constitutional country like Germany and Japan, the monarch's power does not actually have much restrictions on the power of the monarch. The so-called monarch cannot act arbitrarily, mainly because there are powerful forces in the country, and the monarch and powerful forces must reach a balance. However, East China ** is different from ordinary powerful forces. Therefore, once a united ** is formed, East China ** will never be able to give power to the Qing court. At that time, the royal family of the Qing court was dead or alive, and it was really between the thoughts of overseas Chinese.

As for believing that the constitution can protect the status of the royal family, Cixi did not believe it at all. As the actual power of the Qing court, Cixi never placed her own security on the system and law, but on the balance of power. In this sense, Cixi's understanding of power was basically thorough. It was just that Cixi could understand the meaning of power but did not have the ability to make the country strong. Therefore, she was also a female politician, Elizabeth I of Britain and Cajelina I of Russia, and Cixi could be famous in history, but Cixi left only a bad reputation.

But Cixi also knew that although Guangxu's idea was naive, she was still somewhat sure. The reason was that he was the emperor. Even if he was a puppet emperor, the emperor was the emperor. This was his greatest protection umbrella. If overseas Chinese threatened the emperor to command the princes, it would not hurt Guangxu's life. But that was Guangxu, and Cixi did not have the emperor's name to protect her, so who would guarantee her safety?

Although Cixi has not read many books, she has read a lot of plays. Therefore, we basically know that Cao Cao uses the emperor to command the princes, but he has not touched Emperor Xian of Han. However, the Empress Fu, Concubine Dong, Princess Fu, and other people around Emperor Xian of Han were all killed by Cao Cao. Once the Qing court and the East China ** formed a joint **, Guangxu could still protect himself, but his own safety was hard to say.

But this does not mean that Cixi agrees with the proposal to move south to move the capital. Not to mention that Cixi also knows how controversial this proposal will be after it is really implemented. Even if she has to go against the public and determines that the journey of thousands of miles south is displaced, there are many variables and dangers. Even if she reaches the south, it does not mean that she can be stable. Because the foundation of the Qing court is in the north, and the south has long been the world of Han officials. During the Gengzi State, the governors and governors of the south joined forces to build a Southeast mutual protection, and did not take the court seriously at all. The reason why they still surrender to the court now is that the court did not press too much against the Han officials in the south, and Han officials also need the flag of the court; the second is that there is a great enemy of East China, so the two sides are now in peace and maintain a superficial relationship between the monarch and the ministers, but in fact, the Qing court has very weak binding force on the south.

Cixi was in power for many years and knew the importance of power. Once the Qing court moved the capital to the south, it would be like losing its foundation. No matter which province it was in, it would probably lose its power. If it was not done well, it would become a puppet in the hands of a southern governor. Moreover, East China would never accept the division of the north and the south. Once they integrated the north, they would immediately lead the south and collect all the land in Jiangnan. They would still not escape at that time. Therefore, although Cixi had already made plans and preparations to run away, she planned to use it when she was absolutely unsuccessful. If she could not run away, it would be better not to run away.

In fact, Cixi's requirements are not high. She is over 70 years old and can have a few more days of life. As long as she keeps her eyes closed, the things behind her will not be controlled. But now East China ** obviously won't give herself this time. However, as long as her safety can be guaranteed, Cixi still agrees to merge with East China ** to form a joint **. But what kind of protection can make Cixi completely relieve her? She doesn't even know that because the protection method that Cixi can think of is unreliable in her opinion.

If you can make sure that you can still hold power and delay it until the day you die, Cixi would of course choose to go south, but Cixi was not sure whether she could do this. If she retreated for another 2 or 30 years, Cixi would dare to try going south. First of all, she was still young at that time, with both energy and courage. There were several important officials in the court that she could trust. With such capital, Cixi naturally had the confidence to gain a foothold in the south and hold power. However, Cixi now did not have the energy and courage, and the important officials in the court were basically all the same, and the new ministers were not reliable.

Yuan Shikai is the best example. It turns out that Cixi appointed Yuan Shikai as the governor of Liangjiang, and also paved the way for him to go to the south. However, after Yuan Shikai arrived in the south, he was obviously much more courageous. Not only did he openly recruit soldiers and expand his army in the south, but he also intercepted the court's annual tuition of money and grain. This time, the Qing court suggested that the Qing court make peace with the East China **, which obviously had a intention. Cixi could believe Yuan Shikai anymore, so in Cixi's view, these two paths were difficult to choose.

Cixi pondered for a long time, but still couldn't figure it out, and suddenly said, "Zhang Zhidong, what about your opinion?"

Zhang Zhidong said: "Report to the Empress Dowager, this matter is very important, and I dare not make any decisions."

Cixi snorted and said, "It is because this matter is very important that we should listen to the opinions of the people more and ask you to say it, it doesn't matter whether you say it is right or wrong."

Zhang Zhidong then said, "Yes, according to my opinion, I will not make a decision when I arrive first. I might as well test the attitude of East China*."

In fact, from Zhang Zhidong's heart, he hoped that the Qing court and the East China would merge. On the one hand, China would not fall into a situation of division between the north and the south; on the other hand, this was also the only way to preserve the Qing court. After all, even if the Qing court fled to the south, it would not be just a few more years of perseverance, but it would eventually be destroyed by the East China. Zhang Zhidong did not want China to split, nor did he hope that the Qing court would completely perish. Therefore, merger was the best choice.

But Zhang Zhidong also knew that Cixi could not trust anyone now, and he did not dare to guarantee that East China would accept the conditions for merger, or whether it would attack Cixi or Guangxu after the merger. Therefore, he deliberately made the merger choice too dangerous and made it easier to go south. He believed that Cixi would never make a decision easily because of his words. When Cixi asked about his attitude, Zhang Zhidong pushed it to the East China ** side and suggested that the Qing court communicate with East China ** first to understand East China **’s attitude towards the peace talks between the two sides. In short, he would never make a statement easily.

However, Zhang Zhidong's words really reminded Cixi. The Qing court is discussing so vigorously now, but I don't know what the attitude of East China ** is! Are they willing to negotiate with the Qing court? They are willing to accept which plan? After all, the ultimate decision is not decided by Zhang Zhidong, nor is it Cixi, but in the hands of East China **. Only East China ** is willing to negotiate with the Qing court, and the Qing court's discussion is now open to discussions. Therefore, the most urgent task is to test East China.

**'s attitude depends on whether East China ** has negotiated peace with the Qing court again, and hopes to choose which kind of peace plan. If East China ** chooses to merge, then it can give the Qing royal family. What kind of guarantee is Cixi himself? Perhaps the guarantee proposed by East China ** is something he did not expect! If East China ** chooses to divide the north and the south, then the Qing court will not have to talk nonsense, clean up and prepare to go south. The discussion is also how to compete for power and profit with the governors and governors of the south after they arrive in the south.

After figuring this out, Cixi nodded and said, "Then let it go, I'll leave this matter to you."

Zhang Zhidong hurriedly bowed and said, "I respect the order."

After Zhang Zhidong left the palace, Cixi discovered that Zhang Zhidong had not expressed his attitude, so she couldn't help but sigh that she was still old and it was difficult to think carefully. If she had gone back 10 years, she would never let Zhang Zhidong fool her this time.
Chapter completed!