Emperor Kangxi: The First Rule of the Palace

Chapter 26 Wei Dongting's visit will mention Taiwan Su Mangu politely persuade the scholar

On the third day of the secret meeting between the Empress Dowager and Kangxi, Wei Dongting received a special order and went to the prison to release Zhai Yihuang.In his mind, this man surnamed Zha was an earth-shattering and great man. When he met him, he couldn't help being disappointed—it turned out to be just a skinny old man in his 60s, with two gray beards spread far apart, which looked ridiculous. .Coupled with the fact that he is unkempt, poor and dirty, apart from Wu Liuyi's care, he eats well in prison and looks good, there is really nothing unusual about him.

According to Kangxi's will, he quietly took out the people, hired a sedan chair and sent them straight to the Jiumen Admiral's Mansion. The person at the door only glanced at him, and then said arrogantly: "Taitai summoned the generals to discuss matters in the main court signing room. Your honorable driver will come back another day." Then he sat down and ignored him.

I've heard for a long time that the people in the Admiral's Mansion of Nine Gates are arrogant, but I saw it today!Although Wei Dongting was not in official uniform, he was wearing the plain clothes of the former Ministry of Internal Affairs, and he went straight in and out of the yamen, and was never blocked.He thought for a while, changed his smiling face, took a piece of small silver from his bosom, and handed it over, saying: "Please tell the door officer, and tell the House of Internal Affairs Wei Dongting to see you."

"I've already seen that you are from the Ministry of Internal Affairs." The man didn't accept the money, just looked at them and smiled, "Is it your first time to come back? Our yamen doesn't like this! There are many rewards and heavy punishments. , It’s not worth it to eat a meal for your little money!”

"Don't pass it on!" Wei Dongting was about to say something, but Zha Yihuang said beside him, "It's okay for me to find someone surnamed Wu, and I won't go to your place either. I still have friends in Beijing!" Walk.

"Mr. Cha!" Wei Dongting took a few steps to catch up, and said with an apologetic smile, "Why do you need to be as knowledgeable as him, we talked well in the beginning, let's go to the house and hang around for a few days before we talk about it!"

Unexpectedly, when Geshha heard the word "Mr. Cha", he jumped up as if he had been shocked by an electric shock, and rushed over a few steps to give him a bow, and asked, "Your surname is Cha? Who are you, Master Zha Yihuang?" Zha Yihuang stubbornly refused to answer.Wei Dongting hurriedly went on to say: "This is old Mr. Zha Yihuang, who has just been pardoned and released from the prison!"

"Ah?" As soon as the words fell, Nageshha turned pale with fright, fell down and bowed down, "I don't know, my eyes don't know Mount Tai, sir, you have to be tolerant!" Standing up and hitting another thousand children, flying Also went in.Wei Dongting was amazed and surprised at the same time, he just stared at this unremarkable old man in astonishment.

In a moment, only three gunshots were heard, and the door of the Admiral's Mansion opened in an uproar, and dozens of soldiers rushed out in two lines like ink lines.Wei Dongting has always heard of Tie Gai, but he has never met him before. At this time, he raised his eyes carefully and saw a man in the middle, with short stature and a character beard. Apart from the crown clothes, he was wearing only big clothes and a black belt. When he came out, he was followed by five or six generals and lieutenants, all of whom were smiling—this is Wu Liuyi, the well-known weird man in Beijing, "Iron Beggar".

Wu Liuyi rushed forward in a few steps, turned over and fell to his knees, weeping bitterly: "Benefactor! When will you get out of prison, why didn't you tell me first?"

Zha Yihuang hurriedly raised his hands, and said with a smile: "You didn't save me, how did I get out, this brother picked me up."

Wu Liuyi turned around and bowed to Wei Dongting again, and said, "Dare to ask your surname, Taifu?" Wei Dongting was so flustered that he couldn't wait to return the courtesy, and said with a smile: "Don't dare, your surname is Wei, the grass name is Dongting, and the cheap name is Huchen. That's right!"

"Admiration for a long time!" Wu Liuyi said with a smile, "The emperor is a close minister!" As he spoke, he moved the two of them in.The soldiers and generals on both sides lined up one by one and stood hand in hand, standing upright.Wei Dongting secretly praised in his heart: "I've heard for a long time that Wu Tiegai governs the army harshly, it's really unambiguous, before the Qing Palace, it's just so strict."

When Fang arrived at the second hall, he heard a person inside come out with a smile and said, "Master Titai is so happy today, I'm not around!" He made a long bow to Zha and Wei each.While returning the salute, Wei Dongting thought: "All the soldiers are so punished, who is this person who is so presumptuous?"

Fang wanted to ask, so he heard Wu Liuyi introduce with a smile: "This is Mr. He, the servant of the mansion, with the name Zhiming."

"Mr. Cha is the one thing on my mind that I can't let go of the stage every day. Today we are going to have a good time!" He Zhiming smiled, and then ordered Geshha on both sides, "Hurry up and serve wine!" Wei Dongting seemed to be half the master. Looking more and more surprised to no avail.

How did he know that this Wu Liuyi ruled the army very strictly, and if his subordinates violated the military order even a little, no matter how face-saving they were, they would be dragged down and beaten until they fainted.Just because the punishment is heavy and the reward is high, often costing thousands of taels of silver, so people are afraid of him, respect him, and cannot do without him.But Wu Liu, a pair of literati and poets, was extremely lenient and generous, and treated them with respect as guests.He has more than a dozen calligraphy masters to plan for him.This He Zhiming was the first person he had to use, and his treatment was higher than that of those registered lieutenants, which need not be elaborated.Now that the banquet was all set up, Wu Liuyiqiang sat at the head next to Zhai Yihuang, He Zhiming and Wei Dongting accompanied him from left to right, and he took his place at the bottom, personally drinking the wine.The next few tables are the deputy generals, generals, and guerrilla generals sitting in order, and they line up in the courtyard in front of the second hall.

After Wu Liuyi finished his banquet, he poured himself a large bowl of wine, his face flushed with excitement, and he said loudly: "Everyone! I know everyone from Xunzhou, this is Mr. Cha, please go ahead. After drinking this cup, Mr. He will return with pardon!"

All the generals stood up and toasted: "Please, Mr. Cha!" Wu Liuyi has always hated flatterers, so drinking is drinking, and no one dared to say a few words to flatter the scene.

"General Iron Beggar!" Wei Dongting said with a smile after drinking for three rounds, "General Jiumu is a world-class hero. When I saw him today, he really deserves his reputation. Only with such a heroism, there are few opponents!"

The iron beggar laughed and said: "What is this? When we first met Mr. Zha in Haining, the snow was as heavy as palms, and the wine was like a frenzy. We couldn't even drink more than [-] ou, and Mr. was already drunk with a cup." Zha Yihuang smiled and asked: "Is it still the same today?" Tie Beggar said: "But it's not as good as it was back then." After speaking, the two looked at each other and smiled, feeling very close.Wei Dongting sighed secretly: "This is what you call a friend!"

"Tiger Minister," Tie Beggar asked, seeing Wei Dongting thoughtfully, pressing his hand on the wine bowl, "I have only saved Mr. Zha's life by folding up seven times, so the pardon must have been protected by Tiger Minister?"

"No, it's from the Holy Judgment." Wei Dongting replied without hesitation.After He Zhiming heard this, his whole body was shocked, and he put down the chopsticks.Seeing that both Zha Yihuang and Tie Gai were surprised, Wei Dongting hurriedly said: "It is also the benevolent order of the Empress Dowager. Your Majesty is well aware of the loyalty of the general, Mr. Zha did not intend to do anything, and he does not want to disappoint the general with Mr. Zha's affairs. Report to the Empress Dowager, and I will issue a decree to pardon you." These few words were spoken in a loud voice, and all the generals were shocked.

The iron beggar suddenly showed a solemn expression.Zha Yihuang, on the other hand, sipped his drink alone, seemingly nonchalantly.Wei Dongting continued: "The empress dowager said that the case of the Zhuang family was a little harsher, but it was not long before entering the customs, and people's hearts were still uncertain, so it was reasonable. Now that the world is at peace, we should take pity on talented people." Hearing this, Zha Yihuang couldn't help but heaved a long sigh: "It's too late to know, what's the use of being old!"

Seeing that Zha Yihuang was hurting, Tie Beggar hurriedly comforted him: "Sage is on the top, tomorrow will be clear, please restore your master's fame, and try to make progress, it is also a feasible way."

"No, no, no!" Before he finished speaking, Zhai Yihuang hurriedly stopped and said, "I'll stay for a few days, I'd better go back to Haining, and miss my hometown in my old age, I will definitely not be an official. Iron beggar, you know I mean, you're welcome."

"Alright!" Tie Beggar laughed, "It's better to be respectful than to obey, let's get drunk today!" Then he raised his glass to let the wine go: "Please, please! Li Mazi, Huang Laowu, what's the matter with you?"

This night, they drank until the second watch before breaking up happily.Since then, Wei Dongting has made friends with Tie Gai and He Zhiming, and their voices are like each other.Occasionally, Tie Beggar made an exception and went to his apartment in Hufang Bridge in plain clothes. After a few months, he actually called him brother.

After the last close meeting with Bumbleshan, Oboi restrained his domineering very carefully.Although he still gave orders at home, but when he arrived at Qianqing Palace, he was meticulous in kneeling and worshiping etiquette, and he was a little more pleasant to Kangxi, as if he was a different person.Kangxi also felt much more at ease.Wei Dongting presented the list of more than 20 teenagers carefully selected, and asked Kangxi to have a look at them and fill them in as errands in Yuqing Palace.He looked at it absent-mindedly, and said with a "puchi" laugh: "Stubborn donkey, what a good name!" Wei Dongting said with a smile: "This is my sworn brother when I was in Guandong. His surname is Jiang, and his name is Lizi. Rough and stubborn, everyone gave him the nickname Stubborn Donkey, and he simply recognized it."

"Okay." Kangxi said with a smile, "From tomorrow onwards, let the three of them come in to serve, and the rest will be added every ten or so days." Wei Dongting said by the way, "It's been two days since I went to school, Mr. Wu is really thinking about it." Your Majesty, it’s better to go today.” Kangxi nodded and said with a faint smile, “That’s fine.”

Just after the noon card, Kangxi changed into a green Luo shirt and didn't wear a hat. He took a small carriage and took Lagu Su Ma to the back garden of Suofu.

Wei Dongting followed with two or three people at a distance, but he did not see anything unusual.

Hearing that they had entered the garden, Wu Ciyou came out through the curtain, and said with a smile, "Brother Shi, I haven't been here for three days. I really miss it!" It's hot, so I'd rather do less homework, so as not to lose my body." Wu Ciyou smiled and let their master and servant enter the study.

"Although I haven't come these few days," Kangxi said as soon as he sat down, "I have read a few miscellaneous books. In terms of the Spring and Autumn Period, it really baffles people. Why is the Zhou family in such a mess that it can't be controlled?"

Wu Ciyou said with a hearty smile: "Brother Shi doesn't study modern literature, but pursues the way of the emperor. Could it be that if you don't enter the official career, you can become a general and become a prime minister?" Kangxi laughed happily.Aunt Su Ma covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and couldn't stop laughing.

Kangxi picked up the Song porcelain teacup on the table, looked at it carefully and asked, "I have the ambition to be a general, don't you, sir?"

"I'm afraid it won't work." Wu Ciyou said with a smile, waving his fan, "Learning is one thing, practice is another. If we go back 25 years, when the world is in turmoil, when the wind and clouds meet, it may be the emperor's edict. .To clarify today, scholars will not dare to think about it if they can look forward to Hanlin." Kangxi hurriedly said: "It is not too extravagant to think about Mr. Moral articles."

"Brother Cai just asked about the reasons for the chaos caused by the Spring and Autumn Period." After a short pause, Wu Ciyou turned to the topic, "People have always had different opinions. According to my opinion, government orders do not come out of the emperor, and princes do not respect Zhou's house, which is the root of disasters! "

This sentence hit Kangxi's heart directly, and the mood that had just calmed down suddenly became turbulent again. He forced a smile and said, "Isn't it good that the government order is not issued by the emperor?" There is an atmosphere of hidden danger, the country has few doubts about the master, crises are everywhere, the power and traitors control the government inside, and the feudal towns and towns support their own self-respect, how can it be said that it is "very good"?"

Hearing these words, Kangxi's face suddenly changed color.La Aunt Su Ma hastily concealed it and said: "I heard that Oboi's middle hall is much more respectful now." Wu Ciyou turned to look at La Aunt Su Ma and said, "Respect and disrespect do not depend on words. Wei Zheng violated Yan and criticized Long Lin, but Taizong did not think it was a traitor." Knowing that he has no selfish intentions, Lu Qi is respectful and humble, and is known as a traitor in the world; what do you think of this? Looking at Oboi's loyalty and traitors today, we can only see whether he will hand over power. The emperor has been in power for two years, why does he still want to Dominating the state affairs, discussing military and state affairs in private? Is this what a loyal minister should do?"

The more Kangxi heard it, the more shocked he became, he couldn't sit still, he calmed down and said with a smile: "I'm not going to be a general, you just want to be a Hanlin, let's care about his loyal ministers and treacherous ministers!" Then he got up and pulled Wei Dongting: "Hot! Very well, Wanniang will accompany Mr., you and I will go out for a walk and come back." After saying that, the two of them came out together.

Only Aunt Su Ma and Wu Ciyou were left in the room, sitting and standing for a long time without speaking.Aunt Su Ma poured a cup of herbal tea and held it to Wu Ciyou with both hands. Wu Ciyou took it carefully and said, "Thank you." After a moment of distraction, Fang murmured: "Ten years of cold windows, what's the matter? I'm going."

Aunt Su Ma sat down opposite, waving her gauze fan and said with a smile, "Will you listen to Wanniang's words of persuasion, sir?"

Wu Ciyou saw that Long Er and Xiao Wei had gone for a long time, and Wanniang was left alone, and he felt a little uneasy; seeing that she sat across from her generously, he felt even more cramped, and sweat broke out on his face.Hearing what Wanniang said, she looked out the window, put the cup on the table and said, "Please tell me."

Aunt Su Ma saw his appearance of Taoism, she thought it was funny, she got up and twisted a cold towel and handed it over, "I advise you not to take the exam this time."

Wu Ciyou originally thought that Wanniang would definitely persuade him to make an effort to get a good name, and urged him to take the exam, but she was so persuading, he couldn't help being surprised, turned to look at Aunt Su Ma, and asked with a smile, "Why?"

It was the first time for me to sit alone and talk with a young man like this, even though she was a well-informed, clever and resourceful Manchu girl.Seeing him staring at her, Lagu Su Ma couldn't help blushing, and summoned up her courage to answer: "Now that Oboi is in power, it's hard to achieve your ambition, and it's hard to practice your way. In the examination room, there is a danger of being imprisoned."

Wu Ciyou couldn't help being moved by these words, and smiled again: "There is no future trouble after the last scientific examination!" Lagu Su Ma interjected: "Su Zhongtang was there last time, but not this time. It's different! Just tell your master, Oboi is still looking for you everywhere!" Wu Ciyou said in surprise, "How do you know this?"

Aunt Su Ma was stunned, before she could think about it, she said, "I just listened to Lord Suo'etu chatting with his wife."

Lagu Su Ma's words were too wrong, and Wu Ciyou couldn't help being stunned: "Why didn't she say 'our master and wife', and even called Suo'etu's name instead?" Fortunately, he never took it seriously. It was very heavy, so this thought just flashed by, without further thinking, he smiled and said, "You will never take the exam?" La Aunt Su Ma also laughed and said, "There are two lines in the poems sung by Mr. "Borrow the bright moonlight of the Xijiang River, and always shine on the lonely sail!" As long as my master is here, sooner or later you will be born."

"You mean—" Wu Ciyou couldn't understand the more he listened.

"There's no need to say much right now," Aunt Su Ma said with a smile, "Mr. is aloof and upright, of course he refuses to seek fame in the song. We know it well. How can it be difficult for others?" Wu Ciyou murmured word by word After thinking about it for a long time, I felt refreshed, so I smiled and said: "It's up to you! You can wait for the old thief to pass away before taking the exam."

The two were chatting lively, when someone outside the window laughed and said: "Miss Wanniang is so talented, she said that she is so charming!" Aunt Su Ma blushed and spat: "It's Xiao Weizi, a naughty ghost! It's a hot day! , where did you take Long Er? Let me tell the old lady, be careful!" During the conversation, Kangxi and Wei Dongting came in with a smile, and Kangxi said with a smile: "Wanniang, don't be in a hurry, it's the same as Mr. The reason is that I let Xiao Weizi eavesdrop here." Aunt Su Mala lowered her head and remained silent.

Wu Ciyou's heart moved, this young man seemed to have an inexplicable temperament, bright and simple with grace and luxury, making people close and hard to offend.Sitting down now, Kangxi smiled and said, "I just went out for a few steps, and then I realized that the new autumn is approaching, and the willow leaves in the garden have begun to fall. How about I invite my husband to go out together in a few days?" Wu Ciyou clasped his hands together, Said jokingly: "I respect the orders of my elder brother!"

Kangxi looked up at the sky, and it was almost the end, so he smiled at Aunt Su Ma: "Wanniang, we can't keep falling in love with this place, and we can leave, so that the old lady won't send someone to remind me again." Wei Dongting didn't agree Laughing constantly, Aunt Su Ma smiled embarrassedly and said: "Who is in love? If the master doesn't say leave, will the slave dare to go?"

(End of this chapter)