Emperor Kangxi: The First Rule of the Palace

Chapter Ten
Kangxi listened to his ramblings, while reading carefully.He was fascinated by the sight, and when he was taking a cup of tea, he actually inserted his hand into the teacup, and shrank his hands from the heat, then he smiled and said: "This is not in vain for a celebrity's handwriting.—Come on, come on, you read Read this passage to me!" Wei Dongting took it carefully, bowed his body and read softly:

〖The husband's field is the foundation of health, and the cloth, silk, bean and millet, and rich silk are all produced from the soil.The small people in the head of Guizhou rely on it for food, and the ancestral temple and the country depend on it for prosperity.Wherever the order of enclosing land and changing fields went, the fertile fields turned into the hometown of elk, and the fields suddenly grew barren hazels and thorns.The people are displaced, all industries are withered, those who are fierce but not turned into bandits become robbers, and those who follow the law and good people freeze and starve the ditches.It is difficult for the imperial court to collect food from the treasury, and the discipline is not clear; the three armies cannot bear the suffering of famine, so why use their lives?How can internal and external troubles be calmed down?People's hearts are fluctuating, the foundation of the country is difficult to consolidate, people resent and gods are angry, and the country will be destroyed! 〗

After reading this, Wei Dongting breathed a sigh of relief, seeing Kangxi blushing and pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back, he thought he was angry, so he stopped talking.But Kangxi said sharply: "He dared to write such a good article, but you dare not read it? Read it!"

Wei Dongting had no choice but to raise his voice, and read aloud:
〖...Fang today, Zi Shengming, from the first year of Kangxi to hereby, issued several decrees to stop the forbidden circle and exchange the people's land.But those who can't stop, because there are traitors and ministers in the dynasty, there are fierce and stubborn slaves in the wild, they are traitors outside and inside, and they are in a mess... The city foxes and rats dominate the people's property and suck the blood of the people.Since Wang Mang's Tianfeng year, thousands and five hundred years ago, there has never been such a surly government! 〗

After Wei Dongting finished reading, he couldn't help but quietly wiped the sweat that oozed from his head.

After Kangxi had finished reading, he took back the policy paper, read it again, and murmured: "Every sentence is a word of gold and stone! Some people say that they want to find a master for me. Isn't this the best master? Why bother him! Wei Dongting didn't know what he meant by these words, so he could only agree: "Yes. Even Old Master Xiong would not dare to speak so bluntly."

"You're right." Kangxi said while handing back the scroll, "I want such a master, you have to try to keep him."

Wei Dongting hurriedly replied: "Take it! Your Majesty, don't worry, the servant just came from Yuepeng's shop, so he can't leave."

"That's good." Kangxi said with a smile, "Take this paper to Sukesaha to look at first, and then keep it elsewhere. If it is leaked, will he still have his life?"

The two monarchs and ministers were talking speculatively, when suddenly the little eunuch Zhang Wanqiang knelt down holding a scroll of memorials and said: "Boss Sony is seriously ill."

Kangxi's face changed instantly, he stood up and asked, "How is it?"

"I'm afraid it's not good!"

"Go and have a look, if it's really bad, come and tell me."

Wei Dongting interjected: "Since Long Live Lord is in such a hurry, why not come here in person?"

When Kangxi heard it right, he asked someone to prepare a sedan chair.Zhang Wanqiang, who was kneeling on the ground, suddenly raised his head and said, "Master, you can't go!"

"how?"

"Once the master is gone, Sir Sony will have to be vacant!"

One word reminded Kangxi.The subject is seriously ill, and it is an honor for the master to visit the sick, if you don't die, you have to die!This is clearly stated in the "Family Law of the Ancestors". Kangxi has heard such things a lot since he was a child, so of course he understands.After thinking about it, he had no choice but to sit down again.He thought: "Although Sonny is old, as long as he is around, Oboi will not be arrogant. I have always relied on this heroic and important minister as my backer. If I really can recover, if I go by myself, I will hurt him instead." ?” Thinking of this, Kangxi waved his hands dejectedly.Zhang Wanqiang got up and went.

The clock struck eleven o'clock, which was the beginning of noon, and Suksaha, the assistant minister, handed over a sign to see him.Kangxi was full of worries and had nowhere to vent, so he got up and said to Wei Dongting: "You come with me and meet him in the Hall of Mental Cultivation." Wei Dongting hurriedly said: "This slave is only a sixth-rank guard now, and cannot accompany the minister alone to meet the minister." Kangxi smiled and said: "It's a matter! Tell him to come to the upper study, and I will meet him here, so you don't have to avoid it - it's not too early or too late, what's the matter?"

Suke Saha's complexion was pale, and he staggered into the upper study room, kowtowed to the ground and said: "Long live! I ask you to kill Oboi to thank the world!" With one sentence, the faces of the people present changed drastically.Kangxi was also extremely surprised, and tried his best to control his excitement and asked: "Oboi is an important minister of the court, what crime has he committed? Have you ministers meeting about this?"

Sukesaha was not afraid, he took out a piece of paper from his sleeve to look at it, raised his head and said calmly: "The order of enclosing land was originally a bad rule of the first court, and it was intended to be removed when the Taizu passed away. Huaxia should rest and live, support mulberry farmers, and make the country rich and strong." Kangxi didn't wait for him to finish, and asked urgently: "Last year, when I was not in charge, didn't your auxiliary ministers agree to prohibit land enclosure?" Su Kesaha kowtowed and said: "Long live Shengming, that's exactly the case. In the first year of Kangxi, he issued an edict to stop the enclosure of land, and repeated it three years later. But the Zhenghuang Banner of Obai is still enclosing the land to this day, and continues to occupy the west of Hulunbuir and Horqin. The land in the south, even part of the land in Huangzhuang in Rehe, has been encircled by him. Xiong Ci fulfilled the rules in the book, and the servant dares to guarantee that every sentence is true! Such a "minister of the government" should be severely punished !"

Before he finished speaking, he heard a "bang", Kangxi hit the case with his hands in a rage, stood up suddenly, and was about to explode, when he suddenly remembered what Lagu Su Ma said, "Nothing is urgent", and slowly sat down and asked Said: "Do you have evidence for what you said?"

Sukesaha hurriedly kowtowed and said: "Long live, you might as well appoint a confidant to inspect the capital to see how many hungry people who lost their land, lost their jobs and fled to Beijing! The minister's mansion once took in an old artisan. Lima snatched Aobai as a slave. He himself was seriously injured, if he hadn't possessed special skills, he might have been murdered too!"

Wei Dongting, who was standing beside him, felt his heart throbbing when he heard this.He has been looking for Shi Jianmei and his daughter for several years, but there is no news, and now he finally understands some information.But at this moment, no matter how anxious you are, you can't say a word.He straightened himself up and listened attentively.

Kangxi hummed, and the huge upper study room was so quiet that one could hear a needle drop.Kangxi stood up, walked a few steps with his hands behind his back, and asked Suksaha, "Perhaps your land has also been enclosed?"

Sukesaha was taken aback, and then replied: "Compared to the sufferings suffered by the common people in the world, the slave's little land is nothing!"

This is a very decent sentence, and Kangxi couldn't help but nodded after hearing it.But after thinking about it again, this chapter of Sukesaha is absolutely unapproved, so he said coldly: "I will carefully observe what you have said. You and Obai are both important ministers of the auxiliary government. To receive the grace of the late Emperor Tuogu together, we should be of one heart and one mind. You should step down first."

As soon as Sukesaha left, Kangxi retreated to the left and right, leaving only Wei Dongting to ask: "How do you think Sukesaha played?" It's true." Kangxi nodded after hearing this, and said: "I don't know, I punished Xiong and gave him half a year's salary out of necessity, but, alas—" He sighed and fell silent.

After a while, Kangxi said again: "I know Sukesaha's loyalty. But he doesn't have such great power now, and there are many things he can't do!"

Seeing Kangxi uttering the truth, Wei Dongting said with a smile: "Give him more power, Wansui, so he can do it?" Kangxi smiled wryly, "My 'Longsui' is also in vain, and the order is difficult to carry out." Wei Dongting said resolutely : "Could it be that there is also a living Cao Cao in the court?"

After hearing this, Kangxi's eyes flashed with excitement, he glanced out of the window, looked at Wei Dongting again, and reprimanded him: "Nonsense! How can there be such a thing as Cao Cao! How dare you say such a thing like a coated slave!" Although the words were very harsh, but he was not angry, Wei Dongting replied repeatedly: "I dare not! I dare not!"

Wei Dongting's words were exactly what Kangxi wanted.Since he was six years old, he has read "Emperor's Mind", knowing that the dignity of an emperor depends not only on God's will, benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trustworthiness, but also on the depth of the temple and the far-reaching consideration that the courtiers will never be able to understand.The more unpredictable things are, the more mysterious they are, and the more mysterious things are, the more noble they are. This can be said to be an eternal rule.He was very satisfied with the way he dealt with Sukesaha and Wei Dongting today.He thought to himself: go back to the palace and tell Aunt Su Ma that she will definitely praise her.She would say: "Long live the holy order!"

While thinking wildly, Kangxi suddenly saw Zhang Wanqiang standing there with his hands down, and hurriedly asked, "How do you go and see?"

Seeing the emperor's question, Zhang Wanqiang hurriedly replied: "Master, Sony's old Zhongtang is very ill! The imperial doctor said that he would not last for one time at most. He seemed to be in good spirits. He himself said that this is called returning to the light, and that it was before he died. I want to have an audience with my master..." As he said that, his eye circles were also red.

Kangxi glanced at Wei Dongting and said: "Prepare the sedan chair, I want to go to Suofu to see the sick in person. Change into micro clothes."

Sony's mansion is located in Yuhuangmiao Street, Fengyi Garden. It was originally the vassal office of the former Ming and Tang king Zhu Gong in Beijing. It is a very quiet place.The ancestors ordered the tripod to reward meritorious ministers, so they gave this courtyard to Sony.Kangxi was carried by four people on a top, and Wei Dongting accompanied him on horseback. It took less than half an hour to arrive in front of Sony's mansion.Wei Dongting dismounted first and helped Kangxi get off the sedan chair.

A Goshha ran out and said, "Suo Zhongtang is not in good health, and we don't see any guests!" Kangxi was startled, and was about to answer, when Wei Dongting took out a Ruyi from his bosom and presented it with a smile, "Please trouble the deacon to take this with you." See Lord Suo'etu, he will know it at a glance."

Not long after Nageshha entered, the middle door suddenly opened wide, and Suo'etu walked out in three steps and two steps, kowtowed on the ground and said: "I didn't know that the master came in person, but I failed to meet him from a distance. The slave deserves death!"

Kangxi took Suo'etu by the arm: "I came to visit in micro-clothes today, and told my family not to leak the news!" Then he walked towards the back hall holding Suo'etu's hand.

Sonny was half lying on the couch in a drowsy state, and when he heard Suo'etu say, "Master, you've come!" He opened his eyes and searched around.Kangxi hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Lie down well, I'm traveling in modest clothes, and I'll come to see you by the way."

Sony shook his head, then closed his eyes weakly, and two drops of turbid old tears flowed down silently.When Kangxi saw this, he didn't feel sad, and his eyes were filled with tears, but he just held back and didn't let it flow out.

After a long pause, Sonny opened his eyes again, murmured about to say something but couldn't speak, stretched out a finger tremblingly, and pointed to a black lacquer box on the cabinet.Suo'etu understood, and hurriedly took it off, but saw that the seal was attached, and held it to Sony with both hands.Sony worked hard to break the seal, but didn't open it, just staring at Wei Dongting without saying a word.

Seeing this, Wei Dongting knelt down on the ground with a "hutong", and said: "Today's matter, only the Holy One, the boss, and Suo'etu are here. If I, Wei Dongting, leaked the slightest bit of deceit, I will die under random arrows. Fall into hell forever!" Hearing Wei Dongting's oath, Soni nodded and handed the box over.

When Wei Dongting carefully opened it to look at it, he found a plain yellow book and a white book.He looked up at Kangxi, and said, "Master, here is a legacy, a will." Kangxi moved his seat, sat upright, and said decisively, "You read it all to me."

Because it was a substitute, Wei Dongting hurriedly knelt down, and Suo'etu also bowed on the ground and listened respectfully.Wei Dongting first took out the yellow booklet, unfolded it, and read in a low voice:

〖The minister is old and rebellious, and he is in the rank of assistant government. If he can't help the sage to reach Longzhi, he will die and be ashamed!Now the deadline is approaching, impermanence is pressing for life, and there is no limit to hatred. If you have to speak to the superior, please report it in secret: the assistant minister Obai, the minister has observed his heart for a long time. cut off.I am afraid that after the year of the dog, he has different ambitions. Isn't it true that the minister raises carbuncles in the past and harms the future?University scholars Xiong Cilu and Fan Chengmo are both loyal and good ministers, and they should be ordered to quickly plan good strategies to cut down the stubbornness; the minister Suo Etu, although stupid and illiterate, but his loyalty can be learned from.Knowing that his son is no better than his father, I have repeatedly asked him to do his best to serve the Holy One, so that he can almost atone for his sins.Alas!When a person is about to die, his words are also good. Pray for the heart of the yellow sheep, and I will know it! 〗

Although the voice is low, it is extremely clear.After reading this, Suo'etu had already burst into tears, but he couldn't lose his voice in front of the king, so he had to cry blood on the ground.

After Wei Dongting finished reading the legacy book, he opened the white book again, and saw a few lines in small script on it, which read:

〖My son Suo'etu: I have always remembered my teachings.Now I will go on a long journey, and I will leave a few words to show it: After I die, you will be loyal to me on behalf of me, and protect the Lord well; don't spare yourself for personal gain, and destroy my original ambition.To tell to tell!If you recite my instruction, you will not be able to meet me in the underworld! 〗

Hearing this, Suo'etu couldn't bear it anymore, and burst into tears with a "wow".Kangxi was full of sadness, forced a smile, turned to Sony and said: "Old Aiqing is sincere, I know it. Wan Wang is relieved to recuperate, take care of yourself."

After finishing this matter, Sonny let out a long sigh of relief, then closed his eyes again and passed out.Kangxi was heartbroken, and stepped forward to take up Suo'ertu, saying: "Don't be too sad, take good care of your father, what medicine you need, just go to the imperial hospital to get it." After finishing speaking, he walked out and drove back palace.

(End of this chapter)