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"Of course, King Yi can decide on the matters of Heavenly State. It's just that we need to rebuild the six divisions to manage Heavenly State's affairs. My brothers have so many soldiers and horses under their command. Are you going to manage all of my affairs by yourself? Wasn't it better for them to let their subordinates in charge of affairs handle it? They were just making decisions themselves. It's the same for the Heavenly Kingdom. If they let King Yi be involved in everything and let King Yi decide, I'm afraid King Yi won't be able to eat or sleep anymore! "Although what he said was extremely serious, Lin Fengxiang still tried his best to speak in a relaxed tone.
Shi Dakai was furious after hearing this. Lin Fengxiang seemed to be "concerned" about Shi Dakai's health. But in reality, that wasn't the case. The "Wing King decides everything in Heavenly Kingdom" that everyone mentioned referred to Wing King Shi Dakai having the authority to manage all of Heavenly Kingdom's affairs, including personnel and administrative power.
Lin Fengxiang's proposal to rebuild the Six Ministries first was to establish the Six Ministries system. Shi Dakai would only be the superior of the Six Ministries, responsible for the work of the Six Ministries. Of course, Shi Dakai knew that he could definitely become the highest administrator in Heaven State. However, the highest administrator in charge of establishing the Six Ministries and the highest administrator in charge of the Six Ministries were two completely different concepts. The former, like Yang Xiuqing, had the power to establish a government. The Yi Palace was the central government of Heavenly State. The latter, on the other hand, was the Prime Minister in the traditional China system. Although he was still above tens of thousands of people, he was truly a powerful minister. But the Six Tribes were only Shi Dakai's subordinates, not his subordinates. The Heavenly King, Hong Xiuquan, had a great deal of power in personnel matters. He could influence the political power balance in the imperial court through personnel changes.
Shi Dakai looked at the old brothers of the Heavenly State who were participating in the meeting. The reason why Lin Fengxiang had convened such a meeting was to first obtain the support of the old brothers of the Heavenly State. At the very least, the final result must be one that the old brothers of the Heavenly State agreed with. The brothers of the Heavenly State only knew about the military counselor system, but Lin Fengxiang's suggestion undoubtedly pointed out a political system that had never been implemented during the Taiping Rebellion. In a sense, this system was even more beneficial to the old brothers.
As expected, Lin Fengxiang looked at his brothers, who were frowning and thinking, and said, "Two days ago, the Heavenly King appointed Huang Yukun as the Minister of Justice. The King Of The East used to be the King Of The East, but because of the Wrangler incident, he punished Huang Yukun for no reason. Heavenly State's brothers all understood this logic. Who would dare to kick over the Minister of Justice's table just because someone didn't salute their uncle! Is there still any law? "
Lin Fengxiang used this incident as an example to explain to the representatives of the Heavenly State that the military advisor system could no longer be implemented. All the power was concentrated in the hands of one person, and the rights and interests of the brothers were not guaranteed.
After expressing his opinion, Lin Fengxiang continued, "Everyone believes in the Wing King. I also feel that the Wing King won't make the same mistake as the King Of The East again. Isn't that right, everyone? "
The generals had a deep impression of Yang Xiuqing's domineering ways. Although they were unhappy that the Heavenly King killed the King Of The East and then killed the Heavenly State's brothers, the new system that Lin Fengxiang proposed could indeed protect everyone's rights and interests. Many of them couldn't help but nod. If the leadership of the six departments was only given to the Wing King Shi Dakai, but Shi Dakai's authority over personnel was limited, he wouldn't be able to appoint or dismiss officials based on his own preferences. This indeed protected everyone's rights and interests.
Li Kaifang was originally on the same side as Lin Fengxiang, and he indeed agreed with this idea. Seeing that most of the brothers were moved by Lin Fengxiang's words, he immediately said, "I think Brother Lin is right. Everyone knows that the Wing King is a sensible person and would never make the brothers feel uneasy because of him. At this point, we have to reassure our brothers first. "
Once he said this, many of the brothers nodded in agreement and looked expectantly at Shi Dakai. Shi Dakai had a smile on his face, but in his heart, he wished he could strangle Lin Fengxiang and Li Kaifang to death. Shi Dakai did want to "reassure the brothers," but that was for the sake of reassuring the brothers. Therefore, Shi Dakai had to be the sole person in charge of the Heavenly State. Now, it had become for the sake of reassuring the brothers, Shi Dakai had to give up the situation of establishing the Wing King Residence.
Originally, because Hong Xiuquan had killed the King Of The East, he had lost the trust of the Heavenly State's brothers. If it was only Shi Dakai and Hong Xiuquan, the Heavenly State's brothers would undoubtedly choose to support Shi Dakai unconditionally. Now, they didn't expect Lin Fengxiang to jump out and mess things up. Of course, Lin Fengxiang himself didn't have the intention of becoming the Heavenly State's highest consul. He even made it clear that he supported Shi Dakai to become the Heavenly State's highest consul. But this kind of support didn't come without a price. The price was overthrowing the old system of opening a residence for a military advisor and replacing it with a very traditional situation in China's imperial court.
Shi Dakai knew that before Lin Fengxiang joined the Tianping Army, he used to make a living as a fortune teller. It seemed that his career as a fortune teller had indeed given Lin Fengxiang a considerable degree of political insight.
At this moment, all the brothers' gazes fell on Shi Dakai's face. Shi Dakai could only force himself to say, "This matter can be discussed again."
Li Kaifang was already over fifty years old. He was old and had a high status. Completely ignoring Shi Dakai's feeble resistance, Li Kaifang said, "What's there to discuss again? Will the Wing King not lead troops to war in the future? If the Wing King leads troops to war, naturally, there needs to be a Minister of War in charge of military affairs. The Ministry of War can't run to the Wing King for anything. And the Minister of War must be a brother that the brothers feel is trustworthy. The six ministers indeed need to be approved by the brothers! Jiujiang is our army's gateway. Let's quickly confirm these important matters and then discuss the matter of aiding Jiujiang. "
At this, the representative sent by Jiujiang's Lin Qirong immediately nodded like a chicken eating rice. "Qing Yao is powerful. Please hurry and save Jiujiang!"
Of course, Shi Dakai wasn't willing to give in so easily. While the brothers discussed intensely, they saw the Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan sitting firmly in the first seat with an inscrutable expression, not saying a word. Shi Dakai suddenly felt somewhat puzzled. Could it be that he really wasn't as good as a fellow like Hong Xiuquan? Why was Lin Fengxiang still working hard to maintain Hong Xiuquan's leadership position at this time?
As if hearing Shi Dakai's inner thoughts, Lin Fengxiang said to the brothers participating in the meeting, "The affairs of Heavenly State naturally need to be handled by the brothers of Heavenly State. Each department has to be responsible for their own affairs. If there isn't a document signed by the brothers of each department and the Heavenly King, it can't be counted. "
After hearing this suggestion, Shi Dakai didn't know how to comment. He smiled bitterly in his heart. The basis of Lin Fengxiang's point of view was undoubtedly that Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan had the ability to make the correct judgment. However, Shi Dakai didn't have any positive comments on Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan's ability at all. Of course, in theory, the affairs of Heavenly State could only be carried out with Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan's approval. But …
Deep in thought, Shi Dakai actually didn't hear a few words. Lin Fengxiang quickly raised his voice, and Shi Dakai was forced to interrupt his thoughts, forcing him to turn his attention back to the meeting. He heard Lin Fengxiang say, "At this time, we need to be united and do the important things together! As long as the Heavenly King and King Yi are of one mind, with us brothers around, Heavenly State will definitely be able to take over the world! "
The brothers all agreed loudly at this time. However, in their hearts, they didn't have any special thoughts on whether the Heavenly King and King Yi could be of one mind. For example, Wei Jun. His brother, Wei Changhui, was killed by Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan and King Yi Shi Dakai. As the defending general of Wuchang, he had to face great pressure from the Qing Army. The pressure from both the inside and the outside was driving the young general crazy. Wei Jun was very supportive of the new system structure that Lin Fengxiang suggested. Only by quickly restoring the central government could they let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, Wei Jun couldn't possibly be at ease.
Most of the other brothers didn't feel as troubled as Wei Jun, but they also supported Lin Fengxiang's suggestion. Basically, everyone used to support King Yi. At that time, most of the reason was because they were indignant about the actions of the Heavenly King. Now that Lin Fengxiang suggested that the past should be put to rest, the old brothers would also have a say in the appointment of a large number of officials in the future. Back then, after Yang Xiuqing obtained the authority to establish the government, he was arrogant and domineering and bullied his brothers. In Lin Fengxiang's suggestion, he no longer supported King Yi's authority to establish the government, but he still supported King Yi's position as the highest administrative official. This satisfied the interests of the brothers.
After Lin Fengxiang finished his suggestion, many of the old brothers immediately expressed their approval. However, Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan and King Yi Shi Dakai weren't very satisfied with this. King Yi was slightly younger, but he still showed some displeasure. The Heavenly King still had the expression of a charlatan. No one could see any special emotion on his face. However, in the face of his brothers' expectant gazes, Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan didn't say a word and didn't show any signs of responding.
Just like that, the hall fell into a stiff silence. The old brothers quickly saw the negative attitudes of the Heavenly King and King Yi. If they supported it, they would have spoken already. However, Lin Fengxiang's suggestion was indeed very attractive. The old brothers didn't intend to oppose it. Everyone looked at each other. The Heavenly King and King Yi didn't say anything. The old brothers also silently argued with the two of them. The atmosphere in the hall became more and more awkward, but there was no chance to break the awkwardness.
Yang Fuqing was Yang Xiuqing's King Of The East's "Sect Leader." He had long felt that Shi Dakai had something to do with the Heavenly King killing Yang Xiuqing. However, Yang Fuqing had to face reality. The King Of The East's residence had been wiped out. As the "Sect Leader" of the King Of The East, how could Yang Fuqing not be afraid? Therefore, Shi Dakai extended an olive branch to Yang Fuqing, and Yang Fuqing immediately expressed his approval.
Recently, the two of them discussed something. When Vézé went south, he didn't encounter any obstruction from the Qing Army. Shi Dakai felt that this might be a good time to march east and seize Jiangzhe. Yang Fuqing's troops were in Ningguo Mansion. If they headed east, Yang Fuqing could be the vanguard.
Of course, Yang Fuqing hoped to be as far away from Tianjing City as possible. He agreed with Shi Dakai's suggestion. If it wasn't for Lin Fengxiang, the head of the Jiangbei faction of the Taiping Rebellion, who spoke up, he definitely wouldn't want to return to Tianjing City. Now, Yang Fuqing also felt that perhaps Lin Fengxiang's suggestion was much better than simply letting Shi Dakai be the Military Advisor. Yang Fuqing and Yang Xiuqing weren't relatives. It was just that their names were very similar. Yang Xiuqing suggested that Yang Xiuqing be recognized as the Sect Leader. At that time, Yang Xiuqing would already be the Heavenly State's military commander. Naturally, Yang Fuqing was willing.
If the Military Advisor system still existed, Yang Fuqing would always be someone else's subordinate. At most, the person above him would be changed from Yang Xiuqing to Shi Dakai or someone else. If his old brothers could participate in the election of the Six Ministers and Shi Dakai as the Heavenly State's consul, Yang Fuqing's position would change from being someone else's subordinate to an old brother with a certain amount of power. If he chose to support Lin Fengxiang, it would obviously be more beneficial to Yang Fuqing. Therefore, no matter how many times Shi Dakai winked at Yang Fuqing, Yang Fuqing didn't say a word.
As the silence lengthened, Shi Dakai felt more and more pressured. If Lin Fengxiang was here to seize power, Shi Dakai wouldn't be afraid. Of the two major factions of the Taiping Rebellion, Lin Fengxiang, as the commander of the Third Prime Minister of the Northern Expedition, had a great influence on the Northern Expedition Army. Under Vézé's rule, Anhui introduced a system of paying taxes after the harvest. Although it was far from the official system, it could at least maintain the wartime system. The Third Prime Minister had more than a hundred thousand troops under his command. Among them, there were nearly ten thousand old brothers from Guangxi and twenty thousand elites who had experienced the Northern Expedition Army. Compared to the Western Expedition Army, they were in no way inferior.
Even so, Lin Fengxiang couldn't compete with Shi Dakai for power. The difference in status and rallying power between the two was too great. The old brothers wouldn't really obey Lin Fengxiang.
However, Lin Fengxiang had insisted from the beginning that he supported Shi Dakai in leading the affairs of the Heavenly State. This left Shi Dakai with no way to exert his power. Moreover, on one hand, Lin Fengxiang let the Heavenly King govern the affairs of the Heavenly State, and on the other hand, he let the old brothers have a great say. If Shi Dakai could establish the Yi Residence, the Six Ministers could become Shi Dakai's bargaining chip to win people's hearts. After Lin Fengxiang's disruption, the Six Ministers had now become the benefits that the old brothers thought they should have. The bargaining chip in Shi Dakai's hand shrank greatly. At this time, his position as the chief of the affairs of the Heavenly State had become that he had to immediately assume responsibility.
Above him was the Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan, below him was someone with power like Lin Fengxiang, and a group of old brothers who had a certain say. Shi Dakai felt that this position of being the chief of the affairs of the Heavenly State was more like a hot potato.
Shi Dakai hoped that this kind of silence would continue. At least at this time, the Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan was seen as someone who didn't support this idea. Once this meeting ended, Shi Dakai could privately communicate and push all the responsibility to the Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan.
"Brothers, I think what Brother Lin said is right. We can reorganize the order of the Heavenly State this way! Change Yi Wang to Yi Wang. Once the candidates for the Six Ministers are confirmed, announce it to the Heavenly State. Yi Wang will take office, "said Hong Xiuquan.
This time, Shi Dakai was disgusted. Hong Xiuquan's military and administrative abilities were very limited. He was just an average person among ordinary people. However, when it came to playing political tricks, Hong Xiuquan was very proficient. Being promoted to "Yi Wang" was a big improvement in status. However, this "Yi Wang" had to be personally conferred by the Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan, and there was a set of complicated conferring ceremony. Under the watch of many old brothers, Shi Dakai knelt in front of Hong Xiuquan to accept the conferment. This was equivalent to Shi Dakai once again clearly expressing his submission to Hong Xiuquan and accepting Hong Xiuquan's leadership. From the current system of the Heavenly State, what Hong Xiuquan did was completely in line with the rules.
If he accepted it, Shi Dakai wouldn't be happy. If he didn't accept it, his brothers were looking at Shi Dakai eagerly! If he flipped the table just like that, his brothers wouldn't think that Shi Dakai did the right thing.
At this time, Shi Dakai completely understood that many of Yang Xiuqing's seemingly overboard actions were actually forced. It was just that Yang Xiuqing didn't underestimate Hong Xiuquan's ability, so he made the first move. He used an almost house arrest method to cut off all contact between Hong Xiuquan and the outside world. Shi Dakai only saw the imprisoned Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan and really underestimated Hong Xiuquan. From the looks of it now, even though he was imprisoned by Yang Xiuqing, Hong Xiuquan still had the ability to seize the opportunity to kill Yang Xiuqing. A person like Hong Xiuquan could only be described as terrifying.
However, at this time, Shi Dakai made up his mind. If he continued to drag this on, the situation would only become more and more passive. Rather than being pressured by Hong Xiuquan step by step, it was better for Shi Dakai to take the initiative to participate. Thinking of this, Shi Dakai stood up and said, "Heavenly King, I dare not accept the title of Yi Wang. It's good to use the title I used in Yong 'an. However, since my brothers like me, I will take up the task of managing the affairs of the Heavenly State … "
Without waiting for Shi Dakai to finish speaking, the brothers all cheered in unison. Hearing the cheers of his brothers, Shi Dakai's heart reluctantly felt a little better.
At the beginning of the new structure, a lot of time was needed to adjust. Any problem could not be easily agreed upon by many people with different interests and needs. However, the Yellow River's change of course had bought precious time for the Taiping Rebellion.
Zuo Zongtang had just arrived in Zhejiang and was unable to form an army to launch an attack for a while. Zhang Guoliang of the Jiangnan Camp had suffered a defeat at the hands of Zhang Yingchen. It would also take time to rebuild the elite troops. As for Jiang Zhongyuan and Li Hongzhang in northern Anhui, they were also affected by the Yellow River's change of course.
Historically, the Yellow River's change of course to the south was always a terrible disaster. The change of course to the north had relatively little impact. However, after the Yellow River's change of course, the runoff of the Yellow River that used to flow through Xuzhou was greatly reduced. This gave the Nian Army in northern Anhui a lot of freedom of movement. The Yellow River, which originally required a large number of ships to cross, could even be crossed in some places. Jiang Zhongyuan and Li Hongzhang had to use more power to deal with the active Nian Army.
As for Xuzhou, Shandong had always been a place of turmoil during the Manchu Qing Dynasty. A small group of bandits from Shandong had already begun to move around the border between northern Jiangsu and Shandong. Although the number of these bandits was not enough to affect the situation, no one dared to ignore them. Most of the Xuzhou officials believed that more Shandong bandits would appear in the future. Their attention was more focused on the north than the south.
This gave the Taiping Rebellion an extremely rare opportunity. Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan finally had the chance to wash his hands that were stained with blood during the Tianjing coup. Wing King Shi Dakai could also further repackage and organize himself. At least at this time, the central government of the Taiping Rebellion slowly but steadily began to rebuild.
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