C3538 Jiangnan Emergency (1/2)
It was not easy for Zuo Zongtang to receive a telegraph message from Jiang Nan. According to the telegraph intelligence rank, there was a different way to send the message.
This was also where Master Zuo's real intelligence headquarters was located. All the intelligence reports from different parts of the country had to be gathered in Xi'an and sent over to Zuo Zongtang.
Of course, the most urgent message was from a pigeon. The next message was from the horse. There were six hundred more miles to go.
The intelligence report that Jiang Nan sent was sent by Jiu Shuai this time, it was classified as a secret and would require to transfer some precious carrier pigeons, but even if it was a carrier pigeon, it could only fly to Lanzhou, so the pigeon cage that was even further away was not completed yet.
From Lanzhou, he had to travel another eight hundred miles to catch up with the Great Marshal. This way, it would take Jiangnan a week to deliver the telegram to Zuo Zongtang.
In a week's time, Tongzhi had almost entered Jiangning City!
”Curtain!” The moment Liu Jintang heard that Jiang Nan had sent a secret message, he hurriedly ordered the guards.
All of the marshal's personal guards had been trained for a long time, so they knew what they were going to do when they heard the order. The carriage was unloading a pile of leather and fine cotton cloth, which were inserted into the sand with iron rods.
The personal guards formed three security nets behind the curtains, vigilantly watching for anything suspicious. A portable mahogany table and chairs were opened inside the curtains. The four treasures of the study and the teacups were all prepared.
From Liu Jintang's order to a curtain being formed that could withstand the wind, it had taken less than ten minutes. This efficiency was not something that could be achieved in one or two days.
When Zuo Zongtang was seated on his teacher's chair, he had just translated half of the password, but when he read the first half, Zuo Zongtang was furious!
”How dare you!” How dare you stab His Majesty in Shanghai! Shameless, shameless! ”What a sinister plan to frame the calamity, what an ingenious plan …”
As a member of the Xiang Army, of course Zuo Zongtang had the right to share information with him. Nothing that happened in Shanghai could be hidden from him.
The Prince Kung and the Prince of Alcohol hid in the capital and did not come to welcome them. Even including the Chinese people showing off their wealth on the beach and the French thugs' attacks, they all gave a share to Zuo Zongtang.
After leaving the Central Plains for a few years, Zuo Zongtang seemed to have forgotten the conflict in the imperial court. Today, this detailed telegram had caused his heart to return to a crafty plot.
”Is there no end to it?” Why does this group of Manchu have no end? It's fine if you want to fight with us Chinese for power, but even their emperor, who is at the peak of his power, wants to kill you? ”
”This is clearly not allowing His Majesty to take the reins of state in person!” Look at how good this telegram is, His Majesty wants to expropriate the land to build the New Imperial Army's camp … ”
”They have already conscripted Yi Cong, this royal uncle actually dares to bargain with His Majesty? You actually said that you would exchange an acre for three mu of Royal Manor, which is why you are willing to give it to me! ”
”Haha …” This is the Heroic King of the capital? This uncle and nephew duo are arguing in front of all these officials! ”
Liu Jintang was dumbfounded, ”Ah? Assassination case! bargain between Prince Chun and himself? The French thugs are still shooting at the beach? ”
The amount of information inside was too large, causing Liu Jintang to be unable to digest it.
Yi Cong and Zai Chun had really quarreled before, but it was all for show to the outsiders.
He said that the hundreds of lands there were all given to him by the Dao Guang and the Emperor of Xian Feng, you, Zai Chun, cannot be touched!