Emperor Yongzheng

Chapter 28

After receiving Kangxi's imperial edict to enter Beijing on October 26th, Tong Guowei, the minister of study who stayed in Beijing, felt his heartstrings about to break slightly. He immediately consulted the six ministers and ministers to his mansion in Iron Lion Hutong for a meeting, and arranged the reception in person. Driving matters.The Ministry of Husbandry and the Punishment Department were ordered to compile a document on the handling of all backlogged cases and write out a summary for the emperor's review. The Ministry of Rites and Luan Yi Division were ordered to prepare arrangements for welcoming the emperor. The Ministry of War would synchronize the military commander's yamen, Shuntian Prefecture and the generals sent by Lang to discuss the matter. Delivery of customs - Wolf's troops will not enter the capital to prevent further unrest in people's hearts.Tong Guowei thought carefully and confidently, and talked for most of the day.These officials had long known that something big had happened in Chengde, but they couldn't guess how big the crime the prince had committed and how much it was related to him. They all wanted to ask Tong Guowei about it.But this Tong Zhongtang was so talkative that it was not painful to talk at length, and everyone couldn't help but feel a little anxious.When Tong Guowei saw everyone looking at him, he smiled back and said: "Brothers, I know what you want to ask. But right now, I am just like you, and I don't know. Why do you think so much about being loyal to your master? You all can rest in peace. The point is. I have been with the emperor for decades, and what have I never seen? How long has it been since my birth? I have never offended a loyal minister. You have to have strange thoughts. Which elder brother do you want to be close to, and which master do you want him to be with? Having an acquaintance with someone who is just a friend will incur a crime, which is called self-inflicted crime! Running errands in peace is the only way to protect yourself!" After saying this, he served tea to see the guests off.Everyone was talking about this endless official talk, but they couldn't make sense anymore, so they had to disperse in confusion.

Tong Guowei taught others a lesson, but in fact, he was the one who was most anxious for many days.Yin wrote a letter almost every day, and he knew everything about the movement in Rehe. He himself was facing a critical moment of decision.Tong Guowei was the cousin of Emperor Kangxi's biological mother, Tong Jia, a member of the royal clan, and the uncle of Huanghuang.But Tong Jia passed away in the third year of Kangxi's reign. He went to have tea to cool down. In addition, he was from the Mingzhu faction and tried to control the government. He insisted that no one from the Tong family get involved in the study for more than 20 years.Emperor Kangxi conquered Galdan and fought in Ulanbutong. Suo'etu borrowed a knife to kill people and sent Tong Guowei's eldest brother Tong Guogang to the Jedi. He was shot by random arrows like a hedgehog and died. The hatred between the two families became deeper and deeper.During this holiday, he went into the study and was always on guard against the prince.Now that something happened to Yin, he was overjoyed, but then something happened to his eldest brother, and his newly relaxed spirit became tense again.There are also words in Yin's letter, "Although Yin no longer has power, the power of the prince still exists, and the holy family seems to be unfinished", which made him even more alert.The officialdom is ups and downs and unpredictable, and even Yin is not a character that is easy to mess with.Therefore, he couldn't decide what to do.

Tong Guowei was searching for an idea in the study, but saw the housekeeper come in and said: "Zhongtang, Second Lord Long is here."

"Second Lord Long" is Tong Guogang's son, Longkoduo, who often visits the mansion. He used to be an acquaintance of Shuntian Mansion, but because he was implicated in the fifth brother Zhang case, he lived at home.Tong Guowei is upset at the moment, why would he want to see this unlucky guy?Yin said angrily: "Let's just say I'm taking a break. See you tomorrow if there's anything else to do. He's coming to play the game. You can give him whatever money you want."

In fact, Longkodo has already entered the hospital.This is a middle-aged man with a short stature, in his 40s, with two knife wounds on Zitang's face and cheeks, shining black and red, which are the battle wounds left by his driver on the West Expedition.This person has long been in the official residence, but he was reinstated as an official, and suffered troubles again and again when he became an acquaintance. He has already made great achievements, but for some reason, it is not his turn!Standing in the corridor, he heard Tong Guowei's words. He was so angry that his whole body was cold. He almost burst into tears. He suppressed it again. He pretended not to hear it. He stepped into the study and said with a smile, "Sixth Uncle, are you strong?"

"Second brother!" Tong Guowei expected that he could not help but blush when he heard his words. He gave up his hand and said, "I'm so tired that my body hurts. I just wanted to sway for a while, and you came! What's missing, tell me!" That's it, why do you have to see me?" Longkodo felt uncomfortable, seeing him look down on him so much, he didn't want to use it.After pressing and pressing, I finally couldn't help it, and sat across from him with my robes, and said coldly: "It seems that my funeral star is really hated by my sixth uncle. I borrowed three hundred silver when I was a candidate doctor the year before last, and my sixth uncle was worried about it." Got it! On the contrary, today I even brought you my principal and interest!" After speaking, he took out a 500 tael bank note from the boot page and handed it over.Tong Guowei was taken aback by him, and hurriedly said: "Nephew! Don't blame me, that's not what I meant...I'm upset, and I wouldn't believe it if I told you. You can't be so shabby to your uncle!"

Longkodo's 500 taels of silver was just borrowed from the Ministry of Households to fight the famine. Seeing Tong Guowei's sincere words, he rubbed his legs and put them away, and said seriously: "Since I said that, my nephew appreciates it. I heard that the prince is bad." It's all over, I think you've settled for the top spot in the study! I want to ask Uncle Six to help me talk about the recovery——Uncle Six, in good conscience, look at me. Same as me? Even Ma Dapao is a general with eight seats!" Tong Guowei became angry when he heard it: He came to me for an official at this time!But he, the prime minister of the city, was particular about not showing his emotions or anger. He pondered for a while, and said slowly: "In terms of qualifications, you are enough to be the Minister of the Ministry of War. When you come back from the Western Expedition, you will be released as a lieutenant general. If you don't want to shake your gauze cap, you will come to me in private." When Uliasutai comes back, who can compare to you?"

"Does Uncle Six think so?" Long Kedo sneered, "It seems that my nephew doesn't know how to flatter me. In the Gobi Desert in Uliasutai, except for the exile and demotion of criminal officials to make atonement, who can do it?" Are you willing to be the leader of the army there? If I can come back, I know the current affairs, and I didn’t learn from my former lieutenant general, who went out to patrol and asked quicksand to bury him alive!"

Hearing this, Tong Guowei suspected that he was intentionally punishing him, swallowed and said, "Second brother, listen to my advice, now that the city of Beijing is full of turtles, what about the prince, what about the elder brother and the thirteen elder brother, what about the rumors Flying all over the sky, I still don't know where the court will go. Some people have already called me "Tong Banchao". Wu Sangui's selection of officials is called "Xixuan", and my election is also called "Tongxuan"! Listen, what kind of good words are these? What's the use of electing you at this time, if you still carry your sins?"

"The prince's collapse is only beneficial to you. What are you afraid of?" Long Kedo's face became calmer, "It's difficult for the fourth master now!" "But Da Qiansui has also fallen!" Tong Guowei frowned Said, "Looking at its coming, the matter is even bigger than the prince! You can't hide what's going on here. To put it bluntly, if there is no skin, how can the hair be attached?" Long Ke smiled and said: "It turns out that the sixth uncle is This trouble! The third master and the eighth master are still there! The new prince can't escape one of them, and they still have to count on you to escort him!"

Tong Guowei was taken aback and didn't speak for a long time.Long Kedo's casual words were like enlightenment to him.Although the third master and the eighth master are not as close as the elder brother, they are still close. Why do you only think about your own difficulties, and never think that others are more demanding of you?What a fan of the authorities!As he thought about it, a gratified smile appeared on his face, and just as he was about to speak, the servant of Si Yan, the door boss, came in and reported, "Great scholar Wang Ji is begging to see Lord Zhongtang!"

"Well, you go back first." Tong Guowei stood up with a smile, and said, "I'm old, and I have a lot of things to count on your younger generations! I can do it for myself-please come in, Mr. Wang!" After finishing speaking, he walked out of the dripping eaves.Long Kedo hurriedly resigned, stood under the magnolia tree and waited for Wang Zhen to enter the study, and then left in a hurry.

"Hao Weng!" Tong Guowei invited Wang Jian to sit down, took the tea from his family and presented it to him with his own hands, smiling all over his face, "I have already said that I have come to visit you at the mansion, but I have a lot of troubles, so I have to send someone to greet you Be careful. The Holy Master Zhu Pi asked you several times, and I have turned around, but have you seen it? I can’t take care of you everywhere, Hao Weng should be more considerate, even if you are sympathetic to me.” Wang Jian looked tired and coughed dryly. Said: "My God, I am a person who can die. The holy grace is so high, and I feel more and more ashamed. Now there are more and more rumors, and there is no clear purpose. Qiufeng, I can't sit still now. Don't talk to me in an official tone, tell me, is it true or not that the emperor abolished the crown prince?" Tong Guowei moved his seat forward kindly, and said: "The decree Hao Weng to deactivate the crown prince's seal Must have seen it?"

Wang Zhen shook his head and said: "That can't be done correctly. Wansui said long ago that it is not appropriate to use the words 'Palace Master Yuqing' in writing." The old man was so pedantic, Tong Guowei could only smile slightly, and said: "Hao Weng, If you don’t ask me to speak official language, you can trust me. I respect your moral articles, and tell you the truth, now the crown prince, eldest brother, and thirteenth brother have committed some crimes, and they are all under house arrest!” Wang Zhuo nodded, his eyes jumped suddenly, and he said: "I've already made preparations. For this kind of thing, a courtier will die." As he spoke, he took out a stack of Xue Tao papers from his bosom, and handed it to Tong Guowei. "Master Zhongtang, please take a look."

"What is this?" When Tong Guowei took it and looked at it, there was no title or signature. The several pieces of paper were densely written with people's names, but he immediately understood that it was this bad old man who contacted all his disciples and former officials to combine the book. The memorial wanted to protect Yin, and he sneered in his heart, but said in his mouth: "I understand, Hao Weng wants to protect the prince. This is the time for our ministers to show their integrity and integrity. How can I, Tong Guowei, be willing to descend from me?" He said without hesitation. He picked up his pen and walked to the corner of the desk, and wrote his own name in regular script under Wang Guan's name, "I am one of them - not only me, but also Zhang Hengchen and Ma Xiushui will not stand idly by!"

When Wang Tuan came here, he originally didn't expect Tong Guowei to jointly protect the prince. He just wanted him to stand by and not suppress him, and then he would be satisfied. Seeing that he was so generous, he signed his name personally, and also wanted to persuade Zhang Tingyu and Ma Qi to come and protect the prince. He couldn't help but feel like a confidant, and accepted When he passed the paper, he was already in tears and said: "Prime Minister Tong, I never expected you to be so loyal and loyal! I originally thought that there was a gap between the Tong family and Suo'e Tu, and although I would not rejoice in the misfortune, I would definitely not help... The prince It’s the foundation of the country, and the foundation of the country can’t be controlled when it touches people’s hearts... I’m ashamed of you for being so bold and courageous. Where did you start talking about this person... Your Majesty, Your Majesty... What happened to you? I really hate myself. , why didn’t you resist the order and go to Chengde together... You worthless king..." He was talking incoherently, and his robe was already wet with tears.Seeing that he was so sad, Tong Guowei suddenly felt guilty. He felt sour and shed tears. He comforted Wang Wan and said, "Old sir, don't be too sad. It is the duty of a minister to protect the crown prince and consolidate the foundation of the country. I Although he is not sensitive, he is not so confused that he does not know the basics. Don't worry, the prince's matter has not been finalized yet. As far as I know, the long live master has not slept for six days and six nights, and he also knows about the eldest brother's nightmare. The Holy Heart is still hesitating about the charm. Even if the prince makes mistakes, he can cause harm to others, so there is room for preservation..."

"Alas..." Wang Jian sighed sadly, unable to say anything.He is an orthodox Taoist, and he doesn't believe that demons can harm people at all. The prince is weak and incompetent, which in his opinion is a curable disease, but the rumors and rumors of his palace are ambiguous. If it is true, it will be in vain. Thinking of it... Thinking of this, I felt even more sad as if a knife had cut my heart out, and I burst into tears.It took Tong Guowei a while to persuade him, and he sent him out of the house in person without mentioning it.

The situation in the DPRK is changing rapidly.Kangxi returned to Beijing without stopping. The next day, he ordered Zhang Tingyu to follow the imperial edict, gather all officials to the Temple of Heaven, offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, and issued a proclamation deposing Prince Yin:
Prime Minister Heshan Chen Aisin Gioro?Xuan Ye would like to tell the Haotian God: I have shown you cool virtue, and it has been more than 47 years since Piji was born.For the national economy and the people's livelihood, they work hard day and night, do not show favoritism, do not seek advantage, and do not dare to slack off. This traitor is well known to all the people in the world. It is secretly revealed to heaven, and it is a true reflection of the heart of the ministers!However, I don’t know what I am guilty of. If you give birth to a son like Yin and occupy the position of Qinggong, if you don’t think about progress, you will be mad and prone to illness.The minister observes his actions, which are contrary to the virtues of the ancestors, disobey the minister's instructions, fail to speak the words of loyalty, fail to perform moral and righteous actions, gather members of the party, commit violence and lewdness, and kill and humiliate the court officials.I think that the great achievements created by our ancestors with great difficulty can be put into use by this person?Use it to imbue and cultivate respect, and play it in the sky. Yin will soon be deposed as the crown prince.If the Qing Dynasty lasts for a long time, and I beg to extend the longevity of my ministers, I will work hard and diligently seek governance to pay God's mercy on life; if there is a disaster in the Qing Dynasty, please grant me a quick death, and use the name of all my ministers to avoid being embarrassed. This tragic calamity... I am so shaken that my whole camp is trembling, and my heart is weeping with blood. I would like to tell you this!

Zhang Tingyu read it, thinking of Kangxi's miserable face when he had just dictated the imperial edict, and his sickly and disfigured body. He looked at the black crowd of officials below, and saw that some elder brothers bowed their heads in silence, some picked at the cracks in the bricks, and some He was calm and composed, with an unmoved look, his heart was ashamed, and he also shed tears.Choking with sobs, he worshiped the altar, waved his hands and ordered the officials to disperse, and then boarded the sedan chair and returned to Qianqing Palace to pay the decree.The elder brothers knew that the emperor was not in good health, so they also followed the signboard handed out by Xihuamen and entered the palace to pay their respects.

Kangxi was wearing a small hair smoked sable satin crown, a sable yellow-faced coat and a maroon river silk-faced Tianma fur robe, and a string of coconut king Fangfo beads in his hand. He was waiting for Zhang Tingyu's return in the Xinuang Pavilion of Qianqing Palace.Ma Qi and Tong Guowei knelt on the ground one by one, looking at Kangxi quietly, without speaking.Seeing Liu Tiecheng and Zhang Wuge guiding Zhang Tingyu to Danchi, De Lengtai came in and said, "Zhang Tingyu is back." Kangxi stood up.

"Your Majesty," Zhang Tingyu looked gloomy, walked slowly to the Xumi throne, held up the heavenly document with both hands, and said, "I will come back to pay the order." Kangxi bowed deeply to the document, took it, sighed, and handed it to Shili. Li Dequan, who was standing by, sat down and asked, "Do you have anything to say?" Zhang Tingyu, who had lost his identity as an angel sacrificer at this time, said hello first, then knelt before Tong Guowei, and said with a forced smile, "I don't have anything to say. Ah. The brothers also came in with the sign and were waiting for the order in Tianjie. The servant came in from the Qianqing Gate and saw Wang Juan kneeling in front of the door, crying and begging to see the master. Did the master see them?" Kangxi was stunned for a while and said: "Brothers Don't come in, please ask the palace to say hello, and send them back. Ask...Wang Guan to come in." Zhang Tingyu agreed and went out. Silence returned to the huge palace, and even the movements of the eunuchs walking softly outside the palace could be heard.Ma Qi and Tong Guowei felt a little anxious.It stands to reason that when a prince is deposed, a prince should be established. I thought that this matter must be mentioned in the document, but it didn't mention a word. What was the emperor's intention?Just as he lowered his head and thought, Kangxi coughed lightly and asked, "Tong Guowei, what are you thinking about?"

"Slave..." Tong Guowei was caught off guard and panicked for a while. Then he had an idea and said, "Slave, I'm thinking about the prince." These words were so smooth that they didn't hit the ground. It could be said that he was thinking about Yin, or he wanted to choose a new prince. Prince, Ma Qi couldn't help laughing secretly after hearing this, but Kangxi said: "This is the first priority today, and of course you should think about it. Yin was deposed, partly because he was suppressed by others, and was no longer able to be the master and crown prince, and partly because of himself, not Studying, but not cultivating virtue. He is a smart man, and he is smarter and more knowledgeable than other elder brothers. If he is willing to study like the third elder brother, or if he is willing to study and cultivate virtue like the eighth elder brother, how could he fall into the trap of a villain? Son?"

The two broke apart and crushed every word of Kangxi's words, chewing carefully.It seems that Kangxi is interested in these two elder brothers, but after a closer comparison, it seems that the eighth elder brother is more advanced!Just thinking about it, Kangxi said again: "But the third and the eighth, I don't want to take them. The third elder brother quotes, the eighth elder brother is lenient, and neither of them has the strength of the fourth elder brother. It seems It is difficult for a natural person to be born into the world, and it is always difficult to gather all virtues in one body..." Just as he was speaking, Zhang Tingyu brought Wang Jian in, and just as he bowed to Kangxi, Wang Zhen had already prostrated himself on the ground, crying bitterly: "Long live! What crime did the crown prince commit, so that he was abolished for no reason?..."

"Unprovoked?" Kangxi restrained his voice when he was waiting for him, and asked coldly, "The reasons for his crimes are all written in the imperial edict and the astronomical document, didn't you hear?" Wang Jian nodded repeatedly, and said: "I see I listened to it, and there is nothing to be said—he was the prince for 35 years, and he was dismissed with a few empty words? How can this be enough to win the trust of the world?" Kangxi stared at Wang Zhen who was trembling with excitement, and did not speak for a while. After a long time, he said: "Wang Jie, you must know that I will take the time to talk to you alone. Leaving aside his violence and promiscuity, you should think about it calmly: How many malpractice has he committed in presiding over the government? He cannot cure the fraud in the examination room; Officials form cliques for personal gain, he can’t manage them; donations are unfair, prison lawsuits are unfair, and land is annexed, he can’t do anything—what I want is someone who can govern the country and the world, can he meet this requirement?”

Wang Jue kowtowed loudly, and replied brightly: "Could it be that these accounts are all charged to the crown prince alone?" Kangxi snorted and said, "Of course not, so I didn't punish him with death! You are his master, and the crown prince lost his life." De, you have a heavy responsibility, and I will naturally clean them up one by one." Hearing Kangxi's words, Wang Jian stood up and knelt up straight, and said: "I am guilty, long live I don't say it, I know it myself, I have argued the truth, the court If you don't punish, the ministers will be ashamed in the world. But the ministers in the study room are always wise and safe, and they have no words of praise for the prince. The kings and elder brothers are doing their own things, and Long Live has not restrained them. Isn't Long Live responsible? Are the ministers not responsible? Now that the crown prince has been abolished, people say that he can be killed if he is threatening, please live long and observe silently. The small people flatter the front, set up traps in the middle, and lay stones in the back. Should he be killed or not? Now he alone says that the crown prince is immoral, isn't it? Unfair?..."

"Fork it out!" Kangxi was furious before he could finish listening, and shouted, "He wants to do Bigan, I will fulfill him!"

Zhang Tingyu, Ma Qi, and Tong Guowei were already covered in cold sweat. Ever since they entered the study, they had never seen any courtier dare to talk to Kangxi like this. Scolding all civil and military officials, even Kangxi's "responsibility" was swept in!All the eunuchs standing in the hall were pale, their calves were twisted, they didn't dare to neglect at all, they came three or four earlier, set up Wang Jian and went out.Wang Jie simply burst into tears: "Lafayette, late emperor...you open your eyes and see...they want to kill the young master..."

"return!"

Kangxi waved his hand suddenly and ordered someone to bring Wang Jian back. His face became extremely calm, he stared at Wang Jian for a while and said, "You scolded well! This is the second time in my life that I have heard someone scold me. It's Guo Xiu, who called me the Lord of Jie and Zhou, it seems that you have shown me some kindness. There must be two of them in a court, so I won't offend you!"

"I don't want your majesty to forgive me!" Wang Jue stared and said, "I ask your majesty to forgive the prince so that the world will be safe!"

Kangxi shook his head and said: "That's another thing. I don't have much respect for Yin. He has gone to prison now, but I have strictly ordered him to be imprisoned! Wang Tuan, you are from a scholarly family. You don't have any books. Have you read? The most valuable weapons in the world cannot be trusted except by gentlemen. Don’t you understand this principle? From my own heart, it is also for Yin’s good. Danzhu was unworthy, and Yao also deposed his prince. Taijia was dissolute, but Emperor Tang let him go. Go to Tong and suffer some hardships, maybe he will become a good person!" Zhang Tingyu couldn't help but take a breath of cold air: Why did he come up with the story of Taijia's exile?Taijia Fangtong, reformed in three years, and regained the title of prince. What on earth is this emperor who has learned from ancient times and modern times think?While he was thinking wildly, Kangxi said again: "I have made up my mind. I will issue an edict today. The officials will recommend from among the elder brothers. I will only follow the general will of who to recommend as the prince!"

"Long live," Tong Guowei was still thinking about what Kangxi had said before, "There is no precedent for the public election of officials, and I am afraid there will be trouble again. Who does Long live want, it is settled, why bother to ask?" Kangxi sneered: "You and Ma Qi is a Manchu, a bannerman of the Han army, learn from Zhang Tingyu, so he can read some books! Before the Ming Dynasty, the emperor established the crown prince, and he still needs to ask his subordinates for their opinions!"

Wang Jie had stopped crying long ago, with tears still on his face, he stared at him and asked, "Long live, what if I still recommend the crown prince?"

"That's unreasonable! I've already said that only the general will is to be followed!" Kangxi's face showed no expression. After a while, he turned around and said: "I just want to be impartial. I don't allow any cliques. I heard that you, Wang Dang, did it. A joint memorial to protect Yin? Yours doesn’t count!”

Everyone resigned, and Kangxi looked very tired, so he called Zhang Wuge in, and He Zhuer pressed him, talking with Zhang Wuge.

"Fifth Brother Zhang," Kangxi half-closed his eyes and asked, "You are from the people below. According to your opinion, which elder brother is the best?"

"Master Thirteen..."

Kangxi seemed surprised, Qu Ran opened his eyes and asked, "Why do you see it?" Zhang Wuge lowered his head, and said, "I come from a poor family, a slave who sold private salt, and was caught by the government. Thirteenth Lord released him during his inspection tour." He killed the servants and reprimanded the officials, saying: "The real smugglers are the Yandao salt lords, and those who are transported to rely on strength to support their families, you are not allowed to take it in the future!" The thirteenth master knows the inferiority. It is good to be righteous... ..." Kangxi listened and closed his eyes.No matter how good the thirteenth elder brother is, he can't be the prince!Brother Zhang Wu saw that Kangxi was not sleeping soundly, so he said softly, "Master, I will stay here, who will not disturb you, you really should have a good night's sleep..."

"I can't sleep..." Kangxi said lazily. Let... let him out..."

(End of this chapter)