Emperor Kangxi: The First Rule of the Palace

Chapter 63

While Wu Liuyi and He Zhiming were discussing in the secret room, several people in the Heshou Hall of Aobai Mansion, the Assistant Minister of Government, were also searching their brains.On the opposite side of the water pavilion, the actors of the family troupe lit a stove beside the stage and performed vigorously, but no one had the heart to watch.I saw the figure in the play shaking on the frozen pond, but I couldn't hear a word.

Aobai, Banbulshan, Namo, Taibitu, Ge Chuha, Ji Shi, and Murima all had red eye circles, but no one was tired.

Aobai claimed to be ill a few years ago, and it has been more than two months.At this moment, he was half lying comfortably on the couch, closing his eyes and listening to everyone's discussion.

It has been decided to start in Qianqing Palace.Murima and Nemo are in charge of the guards of the Qing Palace.Kangxi must go almost every day for his daily court affairs, which is indeed very appropriate.Bumbleshan also proposed to close the two gates of Longzong and Jingyun and cut off the traffic in the palace, which aroused everyone's controversy.

Seeing that everyone was silent, Murima couldn't hold back and said: "The guards on duty in Chengqian Palace are all from us, why bother to make the third child suspicious?"

Contrary to his usual attitude, Taibitu said very calmly: "The situation in Yuqing Palace is unknown, what will we do if the other party is prepared?"

"Yuqing Palace?" Ge Chuha said, "there is only one road leading to Jingyun Gate in front, the youngest dared to go in, and surrounded by guards from Qianqing Palace and Chengqian Palace, he was trapped to death!"

Ji Shi interjected unhurriedly: "This kind of thing can only be resolved quickly, and if you take one step slower, it will become an eternal hatred."

"Brother Ji Shi is right," Obai said suddenly, "therefore the palace gate must be sealed, and the most competent people must be employed to do this."

"Master Taibitu is very suitable." Nemo said, "You are the servant of the Ministry of War, and you are now in charge of the big seal. You have sent a sentry to guard the Jingyun Gate, to support the Qianqing Palace, and to intercept the king's guards outside. Besides, those forbidden soldiers are familiar with you. , as long as you falsely preach that someone is making trouble, everyone will follow you."

"Me!" Taibitu was slightly startled, glanced at Bumbleshan, and said with a smile, "How can I take on such a big responsibility? Most of the Nine Guards are Wu Tiegai's people, and he won't let him go or help him." In vain."

"Having come this far, do you still want to retreat?" Ge Chuha said, "Behind you is an abyss!"

"I don't want to retreat," Taibitu said coldly, "I'm telling the truth!"

"Okay, okay!" Murima was a little impatient, "Ge Chuha is here to block the Jingyun Gate, is it okay?" "Okay, I'll block it!" Ge Chuha raised his hand and said, "There will never be even one door Can't even close the door!"

Ge Chuha asked: "Then Wu Tiegai should be dealt with by Tai Shilang!"

"Zhongtang has sent this beggar for [-] silver!" Bumbleshan said with a smile on his face, "But the one surnamed Wu is definitely not worth buying for [-], and I can only buy a plan to slow down the army. It is better to buy him a slow soldier It’s worth it. ——I don’t ask him to help me, as long as he is ready for me, I can rest assured about everything inside and outside.” He glanced at the people present, “I’m afraid it’s really too laborious. It's time for the servant, you have to lead your troops to take over the Jiumen Admiral's Mansion, once you have the military power, kill the iron beggar, and take care of the palace, then everything will be safe."

Aobai sat up straight and said, "If you don't get rid of this hidden danger, you will have to worry about future affairs." He coughed lightly, and continued, "After pulling out this nail, the sovereignty will be in my hands, and the palace will be in trouble for a while. It doesn't matter. There is a sense of urgency, and this merit is worth a county king!"

The word "Junwang" was like an electric current, shocking everyone present.Taibitu smiled embarrassedly and said: "The king of the county can't bear it. ——At that time, I will take over this yamen as an official of the Ministry of War!"

"For you?" Murima also felt hot and jealous when she heard the word "king of the county", she took off her hat and said, "Who is in the eyes of the iron beggar? It's hard to tell if he ignores you. !" But Taibitu sneered back, "Brother Mu, do you think my sword can't stop killing people?"

"Brother!" Bumble saw that Murima had the heart to fight for merit, and was afraid that they would cause disputes.He hurriedly said, "Of course Lord Tai can't be asked to leave empty-handed, of course he is an imperial envoy!" As he spoke, he lightly stroked his short beard and laughed.

The important matter was decided, and everyone felt relieved, and suddenly heard the sound of the cloud board on the other side, the sound of the hole flute, and a ray of voiceless sound sent directly:
〖Hesitating at the Tianjin Ferry...where can I find the jade chasm...the fine wine and the light song...attracting the sunset...〗

Bumble listened attentively, and said with a smile, "I've listened to "Water Tune Song Head" for the third time, and each time I have a new understanding..."

When Fang wanted to continue talking, a Goshha at the door ran out of breath and reported sweatingly: "Report, report to Zhongtang, Shengjia has arrived!" Suddenly the air became as if condensed, and the room was full of people His face was yellowish with shock, and he looked at each other, not knowing what to do.

"How many people did you bring?" Bumble asked anxiously.

"There are five in total. The slave is not allowed to report. He said he wanted to see the garden in the middle hall, and he was joking while walking. I'm afraid that we will soon arrive at the West Flower Hall. The slave is afraid that the master will not be prepared, so I dare to come and tell you first."

Obai had completely calmed down, and said with a smile, "What a fast leg! You all stay away, I'll pick you up!"

"Where's Crooked Tiger?" Bumbleshan asked again.

"He...he went out last night, and he hasn't...he hasn't come back!" Na Geshha was suddenly a little embarrassed, and stammered.

Aobai and Bumbleshan exchanged glances, and said in a friendly manner: "You go and wait on me!" When Geshihafang withdrew, Bumbleshan changed his calm demeanor and hurriedly said to everyone: "Let's start from here." Let's go, everyone go back to the mansion through the east corner gate!" He whispered a few words to Aobai, picked up the poison box and followed the crowd.

Kangxi's visit to Aofu this time was carefully considered.He felt that before making a big move, he must visit the minister who said he was sick and refused to go to court, so as to create an atmosphere of harmony between the monarch and his ministers.First, it can stabilize the uneasy mood of foreign ministers, showing that the political situation of the court is stable; ".Even Wu Liuyi must let him know that the current emperor is not weak.For the sake of safety, Wei Dongting was secretly ordered to inquire beforehand, and it was true that there was no unusual movement from the imperial guards in Beijing.It was then that Jian picked up the light car, and after being registered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he went straight to Aobai's mansion. He only brought Zhang Wanqiang, Wei Dongting, Mu Zixu, Hao Laosi, and Stubborn Donkey with him.Wei Dongting was still the boss, so he brought almost all the soldiers from Suoi's mansion, disguised as ordinary people, and scattered them around Ao's mansion.Beforehand, he asked people to get the crooked tiger and other generals of the Ao Mansion drunk, and then he went there with confidence.

At this moment, Kangxi was in great spirits. He wore a black fox fur crown on his head, a blue satin-covered Pegasus leather gown, a green chin coat covered with stone Qingjiang silk, and a bright yellow panlong buckle. He looked energetic and majestic.A group of people walked and stopped in the garden, Kangxi kept gesticulating, saying that the rockery here is well built, and the pavilion there is not neatly built, but Wei Dongting and the others were sweating in their hearts, so they had to agree.

Walking to the side of the water pavilion opposite the Crane Hall, the performance on the stage is very lively, and the monsters in "Jigong Breaks the Array" are dancing.When I looked up to the other side, several maids were standing far away under the east corridor outside the hall.Oboi was alone, wearing a camel cotton robe, a green satin mandarin jacket, and soap boots, with his legs crossed and half leaning on the bamboo chair, he was watching intently, but he didn't seem to see Kangxi and his party.When Wei Dongting wanted to greet him, Kangxi stopped him with a pull of his sleeve, walked around the pool and walked towards Ao Bai.

"Xiang Anle!" Kangxi suddenly said behind his back.

Obai was startled, turned around and saw that it was Kangxi, he stood up, kowtowed to the ground and said: "The old minister didn't know that the holy car was coming, and I didn't meet him in time, I beg for forgiveness!"

"What's wrong with Qing!" Kangxi smiled and helped him up: "Is your body better?"

Aobai waved his hand to stop the performance on the stage, and replied with a smile: "I have used the medicine given by the emperor, and it has achieved great results." He stretched out his hand to let Kangxi back into the Crane Hall.

Seeing this, Wei Dongting rushed into the hall a few steps ahead, and carefully looked at the furnishings inside.The furnishings in the hall are not very luxurious, there are nanmu bookshelves all along the wall, only a sandalwood bench in the middle of the hall, a few chairs are scattered around, and a gold-plated chime clock with a height of one person is placed in an inconspicuous place behind the door. It is the most luxurious luxury in the room.There is a large wooden couch at the front door, covered with orangutan felt, and two lacquered red embroidered felt pillows on both ends. It is reliable, can sit or lie down, and no matter what posture you are in, you can see the panoramic view of the opposite water pavilion.Wei Dongting thought to himself: "This old man really knows how to enjoy life!" Looking around, he saw something strange under the pillow on the west side, he stepped forward and touched it with his hand, he felt a hard object, when he took it out to look, it was cold , Shiny, chilly wind-splashing long knife!

It just so happened that Oboi and Kangxi came in hand in hand, seeing Wei Dongting standing in front of the couch with a long knife in his hand, he couldn't help being stunned.The three of Mu Zixu gasped, stretched out their hands to the waist knife, and looked at Oboi!
"Zhongtang!" Wei Dongting held the treasured saber in his hand, looked at the frightening sharp edge and asked, "What... what does this mean?"

Aobai was not alarmed, he just smiled bitterly and said: "If the emperor has informed in advance that he wants to visit the servant's mansion, this alone will be enough to punish the crime of exterminating the family."

Kangxi was taken aback for a moment, and then laughed loudly: "Little Weizi, you are a barbarian, how do you know our rules! We Manchus never leave our swords, and our bodies never leave our swords. Since entering the customs, few people can obey like Ao Zhongtang. The ancestral system, I am about to issue an edict to take full responsibility—put it away soon!"

Wei Dongting was skeptical, took out the scabbard, closed it, and hung it on the bookshelf close to him, and then he was shocked, and said with a smile: "I was thinking that Master Zhongtang didn't want to ask Master and our brothers to go back!"

"With you, Zhao Zilong, don't be afraid of my Yellow Crane Tower." Aobai laughed mockingly, and said, "Since he suffered from a head attack, if there are ghosts and spirits, he is frightened and disturbed, and can't sleep at night. It's still one of mine." Bi Tie Shi taught me such a prescription for suppressing demons, put a knife under the pillow to suppress evil. It is strange to say, but it is very effective." Wei Dongting also laughed: "I am afraid that Zhongtang killed too many people in his life." Everyone. Just listen to it with a smile.

Kangxi took advantage of the situation and sat on the west end of the couch.Given how unruly Oboi was, he still wanted to pretend to be polite at this moment, so he sat down on the next chair and called out: "Suqiu!"

Shi Jianmei promised, walked in slowly, and said all blessings to Oboi, raised her head in amazement to look at Kangxi who was sitting above, bowed down and bowed, and stood by with hands down.Obai ordered: "Come and see the tea!" Jianmei hurriedly bowed and said, "Yes!" Then she lifted her foot and left.

"No need!" Kangxi, who was sitting on the upper couch, said, "I will go to discuss something with your master. Besides, he is sick, and I am also taking medicine, so tea is not suitable."

Jianmei looked at Oboi, she didn't intend to take back her fate, she smiled and knelt down to say hello, but she still went.Kangxi looked at her back and said with a smile: "I don't even listen to what I say, it's amazing!"

Aobai laughed and said: "I rule the family with military law, how dare she disobey orders? Besides, she doesn't know that you are the emperor!"

Kangxi conspired silently for a while, and said: "I came to your house, first to look at your ailments, and second, to discuss with you that there was a fire in Xihai Bay that burned down the imperial pavilion. Feng Mingjun, who was patrolling the yamen, was at fault. I thought it would be enough to lower the tone, so why must it be lowered?"

"Xihaizi is an important place in the imperial garden, and the palace is strictly forbidden. Not only Feng Mingjun, but also the old officials are also to blame for this kind of thing. How can we forgive without authorization?"

"Punishment is acceptable," Kangxi insisted, "heavy punishment is not appropriate for a crime, and heavy punishment will not convince him. It is too much to ask him to be vacant for this reason. I think half a year's salary is enough."

"80 taels of silver," Aobai said with a smile, "what kind of punishment is that? I haven't laid the foundation for a long time, so no matter rewards or punishments, we must be strict, so that I can teach him in future generations. To Feng Mingjun and his ministers, don't let him be vacant, and transfer him to be a A nine-door admiral is enough."

"Oh..." Kangxi asked, "The current admiral of the Nine Gates is..." He seemed to be unable to remember for a while.

"Wu Liuyi!" Oboi smiled secretly, leaned forward a little, and replied, "He was a famous tiger general during Taizong's time, but it's a pity that someone told him that he had something to do with the former Ming and Tang kings when he was in Nanyang, so he has been wronged to this day. .”

"Some people actually believe such pretentious words!" Kangxi couldn't help sighing in his heart.

"That's why I think this position has really wronged him, so I plan to transfer Wu Liuyi to the Ministry of War as a temporary servant. Feng Mingjun will fill in his vacancy."

These words are indeed impeccable.Kangxi twirled the pearl in his hand and muttered silently. Seeing Jianmei bringing tea from a distance, he got up and said, "This is not an urgent matter. You can ask them to draft an imperial edict first, and I will discuss it later. You will be too busy today." I'm tired, let's talk about it in a few days." As he spoke, he was about to get up, "Today I have to go to Zhongcui Palace with the Empress Dowager to worship Buddha!"

Aobai hurriedly got up and said, "It's still early! The emperor will not come easily when the incense sticks will arrive. When it arrives today, the family is full of glory. How can you not even have a sip of tea?" Seeing that Jianmei had already entered, he said, "Suqiu, this is the time. It’s the Lord Long Live today, don’t hurry up and serve tea!”

Seeing this, Jianmei hurriedly knelt down, raised the tray above her head with both hands, and walked forward on her knees and said, "I didn't know that it was the Lord Long Live who arrived just now. Please invite Jin An here again! Please have tea!"

"Forget it," Kangxi said, while reaching out to pick up the tea from the top, "but I'm taking medicine these days, so I don't like tea. It's hard to get rid of good intentions, I just want to watch it."

"It's all right," Obai said, "Although the Holy Majesty is very honorable and noble, I'm afraid he has never tasted this tea." He seemed to take one of the cups indifferently, took a sip and said, "This tea is called 'Daughter's Tea' ——" Kangxi Fang heard this, and laughed out loud: "What's so rare about my daughter's tea, I'll ask Zhang Wanqiang to give you a load tomorrow!"

"—Also known as 'Guizhen Tea'." Aobai added, "It is picked from Junshan Mountain in Hangzhou. When the spring tea is spit out, the unemployed daughter in the boudoir, exposed to the dew and stepping on the frost in the morning, selects the tea. There are several pieces of top-quality pointed flags, and they are held in the mouth after being picked. Only the good son-in-law and the charming guest can taste it when they first come to the door of the Yue family. I have more than two catties, where can I find a load to give to my ministers!"

Aobai spoke so seriously that everyone in Heshou Hall was speechless after hearing it.

"It's really unheard of!" Kangxi smiled, picked up the cup to look at it carefully, and said doubtfully: "It may not be like what you said!"

Aobai laughed loudly: "It's a pity that you are the emperor, but you don't know how to drink tea! This tea is different from ordinary tea: once brewed, the taste is light and clean; A cup of red clouds. It will be boring to drink it for the fourth time." While talking happily, he sipped the tea in his hand.Even Mu Zixu, a rough man, was dumbfounded.

Kangxi was still hesitating, should he drink this cup of tea?But Wei Dongting came up to greet An with a smile and said: "Boudoir tea has no husband, and slaves have no wives. I beg the master to reward this tea for slaves to drink!" Lifting his neck and gulping it down, he said with a smile, "There's no need to flush it twice or three times!"

"Okay!" Obai said with emotion, "Miss Wei is so quick-tempered! I'm not afraid to eat my daughter's tea and meet Raksha at five o'clock!" Wei Dongting said with a smile: "Master Zhongtang is not afraid, why should I, Wei, be afraid? Ya!"

Kangxi looked up at the sky, and said: "It's getting late, let's go back, so that the Empress Dowager won't worry about it."

"That's good!" Aobai said solemnly, "Your Majesty visited the servant's mansion today, and it was really radiant, and the slave's serious illness was healed. This is all due to the emperor's grace. In a few days, the slave will be in court. Thanks again, Lord Ron!"

Kangxi also leaned forward and said: "The four assistant ministers left by the late emperor, you are the only one who can use it now, and you can recuperate with peace of mind and take good care of yourself." After finishing speaking, Kangxi took the five people and walked away.

(End of this chapter)