Although the late Qing Dynasty was decaying, it also produced some famous courtiers, such as Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang. In each period, relying on a pillar of the country was a consistent style of Cixi. Zeng Guofan was followed by Li Hongzhang, and after Li Hongzhang, it was Rong Lu. All three of them had served as governors of direct subordination and were all university scholars.
In comparison, Rong Lu seemed to have gone a little further, because of the three people, he was the only one who entered the military aircraft department and became the minister of military aircraft.
Rong Lu entered the military aircraft in 1898. Before that, Ronglu had been dormant for nearly 20 years.
As early as 1878, in the early years of Guangxu, Ronglu, who was in his early 40s, was already in the position of Shangshu of the Ministry of Works. If he had been promoted at the original rate, Rong Lu would have been a pillar of the country long ago.
Unfortunately, in early 1879, Rong Lu was deposed as an official, and then he was expelled from the capital by the imperial court and became a general in Xi'an. After that, it was a period of nearly 20 years of dormancy.
This period of Rong Lu's life was all due to his brother-in-law Weng Tonggong.
Originally, Rong Lu was a Shangshu of the Ministry of Works, a big red man in front of Cixi; Weng Tonggong was born as a champion and was the master of the Guangxu Emperor. Both were people with bright futures, so they befriended each other and became brothers to support each other in the future.
In the early years of Guangxu, Cixi was very dissatisfied with shen guifen, the minister of military aircraft. As the big red man in front of Cixi's eyes, Rong Lu shared the worries for the lord and reported to Cixi: Since he was not satisfied with him, it was enough to drive him out of the capital. It just so happened that the Inspector of Shanxi was empty, and I recommended Shen Guifen to take up this position.
Cixi agreed.
After the will was issued, the Manchu courtiers were astonished. The Tangtang Military Aircraft Minister was suddenly demoted to the rank of Inspector of Shanxi, can he not be shocked?
Shen Guifen asked around, who was hurting him? In the end, it seems to be Rong Lu. But he wasn't quite sure. In line with the principle of not wronging a good person, Shen Guifen found Rong Lu's brother Weng Tonggong and asked him to explore the mouth.
Weng Tonggong lived up to expectations. He found Ronglu, and the brothers had a big drink. While he was drunk and hot, Weng Tonggong kept saying Ronglu's words. Rong Lu felt that Weng Tonggong was his own person, and with the help of wine, he told Weng Tonggong all about his participation in Shen Guifen's impeachment.
After Weng Tonggong found out the news, he immediately found Shen Guifen and repeated Rong Lu's words.
Although Shen Guifen was belittled, after all, he had been a military minister, and even an imperial master like Weng Tonggong could drive him, which showed the great power of his protégés.
As a result, Rong Lu was quickly deposed by this group of people, and after that, he was devastated and lay dormant for nearly 20 years. It was not until around 1898 that Ronglu made a comeback because of Cixi's appreciation.
Selling friends for glory, Weng Tong gong is really a villain.