Qing Dynasty Secret History

Chapter 30 Ni Shuchang was ordered to sell characters and Zhang Maocai entered Shaanxi Province

It is said that after Nian Gengyao, the great general of Fuyuan, was punished, the rabbits died, the dogs were boiled, and the birds were all used to hide their bows.Shizong knew that everyone was afraid, and the wind and thunder became more and more unpredictable, so he acted all the time.Sometimes a secret decree suddenly kills the big officials of the frontier thousands of miles away for no reason; Special purpose to call Beijing for questioning.Rewards and punishments are arbitrary, and demotions are arbitrary.This made relatives and relatives, full of civil and military affairs, facing the emperor, just like the old man Yan Luo, afraid that today he will not know tomorrow, and tomorrow he will not know what will happen next.The officialdom is like this, and the common people can know that the grass and trees are all soldiers, the talk turns pale, the rumors are rampant, and the rumors are spread by thousands of people.One year, a rumor suddenly spread in Fujian, saying that today, because the Qin Tianjian played Ziwei Xing and fell in Fujian, special imperial envoys were sent to Fujian, and all boys over three years old and under nine years old would be searched and killed.As a result, the people on this side were displaced, and the men cried and the women cried, and they all fled to other places.The world is so big, there are so many rumors, and so on, it is difficult to describe it in words.

But it is said that Ertai has been released to Futai, Zhejiang Province at this time. One day, he was reading official affairs in the signing room, and suddenly the police officers reported that a Hanlin came outside, claiming to come down from Beijing, and he had something very important. he.Ertai was surprised when he heard this, and then asked if he had a business card.The inspector said: "Mu En also asked him to pass. He smiled and said that he didn't need a business card. He will understand when he sees the master."

Ertai asked suspiciously: "Who is this? It happened so suddenly, but he refused to know his name?"

See you as you please.The patrol officer should go out.

After a while, he came in again and said, "That man refuses to come in, so the master must open the middle door to meet him.

"Ertai's heart was moved, and he thought to himself: Could it be that he is traveling today, so he hurriedly put on his official uniform and opened the middle door to pick him up. Unexpectedly, he didn't know each other after meeting. Ertai became more and more confused, and then asked, "Who is under your feet?" ?What are you doing here? "

The man said: "Let's talk inside.

Ertai had no choice but to accompany the man to the flower hall to sit down. The man quietly said to Ertai: "Brother has a secret decree and delivered it to the public."Otherwise, I will not dare to work on the platform again. "

As he said that, he took out the secret decree by his side and gave it to Ertai with both hands.Ertai took a look at it, saw Huang Fengzhu's characters, and the bell had the treasure of Chenhan. He was shocked and said: "Oh, what's my crime?"

The man was also surprised: "What is it?"

Ertai said: "Hearing that the border ministers were guilty, the emperor sent a special envoy, and Mi Qing ordered him to die. Now that my husband is ordered to come from afar, why don't you be chilled, brother."

The man said: "I'm afraid it may not be a disaster. When the Holy Majesty issued this secret decree, he didn't look angry."

Ertai heard that when he opened the envelope, he saw that it said: "Ni Xiu, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, has not yet mastered calligraphy, and handed it to Ertai to sell calligraphy in Yongjinmen for three years, and then come to work. This is it. "

After reading the secret edict, Ertai suddenly came to his senses and asked the man, "Is your surname Ni?"

The man replied: "Yes."

Ertai asked the daimyo again, and the man replied, "The humble name is a modified character."

Ertai said: "Your Yamen must be the Hanlin Academy."

Ni Xiudao: "How does my father know?"

Ertai laughed and said, "There is an order to ask Mr. to go to Jinmen to sell calligraphy for three years."

Then, show him the secret decree.Ni Xiu turned pale with shock.

It turned out that this Ni Xiu was named Jingqi, and he was born in Zhejiang.In the early days, he sold calligraphy in Yongjinmen, Hangzhou. Emperor Shizong of the Qing Dynasty traveled to Hangzhou and saw his calligraphy, which was written in silver hook and iron. He admired it very much, so he asked him to write a couplet.Ni Xiu didn't know Shizong at that time, so he swiped his letter and wrote a seven-character couplet: Qiuying Mr. Peng Ze's Fu, Chunshui Canglang Children's Song.

Shizong saw that he wrote the word "autumn" on the right side, and the character "fire" on the left side, and said, "are you afraid of making a mistake in the word 'autumn'?"

Ni Xiudao: "The ancient style is like this.

" Because of the famous posts, the widely cited signs are extremely profound. Shizong said: "Since you are so knowledgeable, why don't you go to fame, but sell your words here? "

When Ni Xiu saw the question, he sighed and said, "When it comes to the study of fashion, if you ask yourself, you can also make a name for yourself. It's just that you are poor, and how can you get there?"

Shizong said: "If you want to go sightseeing, why bother to look far away! This province is also very good."

Ni Xiu said with a smile: "Last year's Qiuwei was a fluke."

Shizong said: "It turns out that he is a filial and honest man. I am disrespectful."

Then he took out the four or five wats of horseshoe gold and said: "I finally made some money in this business trip, and I will help the husband. One disk charge is always enough."

Ni Xiu was overjoyed and thanked again and again.Sejong said with a smile: "You don't have to thank me now, after Gao Fa, it would be nice if you don't forget me."

Ni Xiudao: "That's something I never dare to forget in my late life."

When asked about the name, Shizong said: "I will always know in the future, and I don't need to ask in front of me."

Ni Xiu had no choice but to leave and go to Beijing.This year, there was an examination, and Chunwei's writing was very proud, and he was a high-ranking Jinshi.His calligraphy was very good. He got the second best in the palace examination, was granted a Jinshi background, and was appointed as a Shuji scholar in the Imperial Academy.A scholar who sells calligraphy becomes an honored guest in Yutang in an instant. These are all words in the last years of Kangxi.

After Sejong ascended the throne, he was busy with state affairs, but he didn't remember him.This year's Hanzhan Exam, he did well in consecutive exams, so he got No.3, and he was promoted as usual, and he asked for an order.Seeing Ni Xiu's name, Shizong recalled the story of the year before last, so he summoned him by name.When Ni Xiu saw him, Shizong said with a smile: "Your ability is not bad, but you actually climbed to the Imperial Academy.

From now on, there will be no need to sell calligraphy in Yongjinmen. "

Ni Xiu kowtowed and said, "Damn my humble servant! At that time, I was blind and unrestrained."

Shizong said: "what's the matter? You and I can be regarded as poor and humble friends. The word "autumn" you said back then made a lot of sense. There is also a word in Lian today. I will write it for you. "

As he spoke, he picked up the pen and wrote a word.Ni Xiu received it in his hand and saw that the character "咊" was written in the imperial pen. He felt that he had never seen such a character in all the books he had read in his life. .”

Shizong said with a smile: "Why don't you know this word? It's the word '和' in harmony."

Ni Xiudao: "I have never seen the word '和' written in this way."

Shizong said: "I just learned from you. You adjusted the word "autumn" to the right, and I also adjusted the word "he" to the right. Generally, I moved. Why do you write it yourself? I know the character 'Autumn', but I don't know the character '咊'?"

Ni Xiu met and said: "The emperor's words from the heavens made my minister suddenly enlightened. It's just that I don't read many books, and I have never seen the characters ' and ' written in ' and '. I'm afraid it's a typo."

Shizong laughed when he heard the words, and gave him a secret decree that day, and sent him to Futai Yamen, Zhejiang Province to deliver it.

At that moment, Ertai showed Ni Xiu the secret decree, and Ni Xiu was stunned.Ertai said: "Originally, what we do today comes from outside the sky. Ordinary people would never have guessed it. However, when you are in Beijing, there is always something wrong with you, so you are subject to this little punishment for flirting."

Ni Xiu remembered the past and told Ertai immediately.Ertai laughed and said: "Mr. was too stubborn and didn't read much. You might as well look it up in the dictionary. Why do you say that you write in corrupt style in front of your face? It's a good thing to be measured by today's general measures, otherwise Mr. I'm afraid it will be a disaster." .”

Ni Xiu was speechless.The next day, I went to Yongjinmen to set up a stall to sell characters, hung up a signboard, and said in a big book: "Sell characters by order." There is an endless stream of people asking for advice.Everyone's writing is very visible, which is ten times better than being a poor Hanlin in Beijing.It is also very comfortable to stay in Fushu at night and sing with Ertai poetry and wine.

One day, Ni Xiu sold his letters and returned to the office. He saw Ertai's face was full of sadness. After asking about it, he found out that Sejong had executed several new ministers.Orendai and Aer Song'a were all honored relatives of the state, Longkodo and Sunu were also servants of Manchuria, E and A were punished by the Ming Dynasty, and Longsu and Su were secretly punished.Ertai was afraid of harming himself, so he was worried.Ni Xiu comforted him a bit, but Ertai's heart remained unresolved.At three drums that night, the imperial court suddenly arrived, "The governor of Guangxi Ertai has transferred to make up, and he will take up his post on the same day. You don't have to come to Beijing to ask for training. Here you go."

After receiving the edict, he dared not be negligent, and immediately handed over the seal letter of the governor of Zhejiang to the care of the feudal secretary, packed up his luggage, led his family, and set off for Guangxi as the station master.Along the way, there are local prefectures and counties to supply them, so there is no need to repeat them.

On this day, when we arrived at the boundary of Xiangjiang River, an imperial envoy on a flying horse came and sent out a secret decree.

Ertai took over and was about to unseal it. The imperial envoy said: "The emperor has a decree, and he can only be opened after he takes office."

Ertai had no choice but to follow the order, feeling a little worried in the end.As soon as he took office, he had no time to do other things. First, he unsealed the secret decree behind his back, and saw only a few words, which read: "Wang Jie, the thief in Guangxi, is rampant, and he has been arrested by many decrees in Guangxi and Guangdong, and he has repeatedly slipped through the net." , within three days of Ertai's arrival in office, Xie Jing must be captured, and there must be no mistake!
This is it. "

This difficult question drove Ertai almost into a madness. Thanks to a resourceful friend in the shogunate, he drew up a clever plan for him to arrest Wang Jie, and finally he did not miss the limit.Li sent cadres to Beijing.

Sejong was overjoyed, and delivered a decree to reward, and gave Biluochun two catties of tea.Ertai thanked him for his kindness, and gave half of the treasures from the imperial gift to the friends of Mu.The friends at the scene saw that the tea had a clear and mellow smell, and felt that it was quite different from ordinary products in the market. They praised: "Dongting Biluo really lives up to its reputation."

Ertai laughed and said, "Does the old master know that the name of this tea was bestowed by the Emperor Shengzu?"

Mu You said, "I've never heard of it."

Ertai said: "There is a Biluo Peak on the east mountain of Dongting, and this tea leaves under the stone wall of Biluo Peak.

"Muyou said: "The strange road is called Biluochun, so there is such a mountain. "

Ertai said: "The natives don't pay much attention to this wild tea. Every year around the Grain Rain, they carry bamboo baskets to pick tea leaves and go home for a year's drink for the whole family. After the emperor came to the throne, it suddenly flourished that year. .”

Muyou said: "It must be the virtue of the holy ancestors that influenced the spirit of the earth, so it is so lush."

Ertai nodded and said, "I think it always makes sense."

Sui said: "At that time, the natives carried baskets up the mountain as usual. Unexpectedly, the picked tea leaves could not be stored in the baskets. It would be a pity to discard them. It would be a pity to return home. The road was far away. A few quick-witted people thought about it. He came up with a wonderful way, untied his clothes, and hid all the tea leaves in his chest. Everyone imitated him, and after finishing packing, they carried the baskets and went down the mountain. The tea leaves got the body heat, and the fragrance came out, pungent and refreshing, and everyone couldn't help saying : 'Scare people's fragrance, scare old people's fragrance.

'" Mu You said: "How can Xiang scare people? "

Erchun said: "The word 'scare to kill people' was originally a local dialect, which means 'an accident happened'. So this tea was named 'Scare to kill people'. In the future, tea picking will not be used. The bamboo baskets are all hidden in the bosom. At that time, there was a surnamed Zhu who made the most exquisite method, and the color, fragrance, and color could be changed forever. Therefore, the value of scaring fragrant tea in the market is always more than three taels of money. It weighs a catty. The Emperor Shengzu visited the south, and the local people presented this tea. The Shengzu thought his name was indecent, so he gave him the current name. Now that the amount of tribute has been set, the local officials have to buy tribute every year. How is the market going? And the real thing!"

Muyou said: "It turns out that there was such an accident. I heard that the holy ancestor visited Dongting Mountain in that year and passed an assassination. The assassin's ability is very powerful, but the contemporary saint has his own protection. How did he ever help this matter?" Is it true?"

Ertai said: "Why not, I was also a follower that year, and I almost hurt my life. Although things have changed now, I still feel cold when I mention it."

Mu You said: "What kind of important thing can scare the Fujun into such a field?"

Ertai said: "I remember that day, Mingzhu and Orondai, I served the ancestors to enjoy the scenery in the lake. The ancestors also instructed us that the 72 peaks of Taihu Lake only have two Dongtings on the east and west, and the scenery is the most beautiful. Mingzhu and I It's important to talk and laugh with the holy ancestor, but I didn't realize it. Suddenly I heard Orondai's strange cry, and I looked back sharply. I saw a small boat on the lake, heading towards the royal boat like an arrow. There was a man on the boat, holding two knives , paddling the oars, the ancestor also saw it, and hurriedly told the guards to release arrows. Hundreds of crossbows were fired, and the arrows shot away like locusts. The man swung his two knives, and he pushed them into the water one after another. flow away.

The guards panicked, dropped their bows and arrows, and picked up long weapons to block them.The boat has approached Yuzhou. "

Muyou said: "It's extremely dangerous to be chased by him to Yuzhou! It's extremely dangerous!"

Ertai said: "The height difference between the small boat and the imperial boat is seven or eight feet, and the guards are like a forest of swords and halberds. How tightly guarded! The man regarded it as nothing, and jumped onto the imperial boat. Run to the ancestors."

Mu You hurriedly asked: "Oh, are you caught?"

Ertai said: "Mingzhu hurriedly picked up a two-foot-high coral tree offered in front of the ancestor, and beat it. The man blocked it with a knife, and the coral tree fell to pieces. The ancestor walked fast and never cut it. The blade flew over my head, and the quills on the top were completely smashed, almost cutting off my head, and I fell to the ground in fright."

Muyou said: "It's too dangerous. Fortunately, the Fujun is so blessed, or if you change to another one, things will be ruined."

Ertai said: "The man wanted to assassinate the holy ancestor, but unexpectedly the two guards behind him tried their best to attack with a horse-chopping blade, broke the foot bone, and was captured immediately. The holy ancestor personally interrogated and investigated the chief envoy, the man laughed. "What kind of envoy? There are people in the world who are so dedicated to doing things for others? This is what I did alone. Since I was caught by you, I will die." The ancestor asked him: "What hatred do you have for doing this?" It’s not right.” The man laughed and said, “No enmity, no kindness, I just want to be the emperor! Ask him his name, but he won’t say it.”

Muyou said: "This wicked traitor, of course, will always be punished by the law."

Ertai said: "The reasoning should be cut into pieces, and the bones will be ashes. You don't know the kindness of the emperor, which is really rare in ancient times. I love his heroes, and he will not kill him."

Muyou said: "He was created by good fortune."

Ertai said: "This traitor knew he had committed a heinous crime, so he threw himself into the lake instead."

Muyou said, "Why is that?"

Ertai said: "It's nothing more than a rebellious idea. He said that he is disabled, and if he tries to assassinate him, he will definitely not succeed. If he is alive, he will not be a commoner of the Qing Dynasty."

Muyou sighed: "How can there be such a bustard."

The host and guest talked for a while, and then they broke up.Since then, Ertai has been an official in Guangxi, and he has made it clear.

However, it has only been seven or eight years since Emperor Shizong of the Qing Dynasty came to the throne. He punished Guan Cai internally and Han Peng externally.In the system of the Qing Dynasty, the wives and children of sinners were not included in the court.The abolished prince Yunfeng, although he was granted the title of Prince Heshuolimi by grace, is a sinner of the late emperor. He is too lenient, so he cannot help the late emperor.So Shizong weighed the situation and selected a few young and beautiful concubines in Lidi, and brought them into the palace to prepare for envoys.This was originally a very ordinary and common thing, but those ignorant people, who rarely see it, regard it as an anecdote and a legend.This rumor reached the ears of a pedantic teacher in Hunan, and it actually led to a very big case. I don't know how many people were killed and how many families were broken.

It is just that there is nothing wrong in the world, and mediocrity disturbs itself.This man, surnamed Zeng Mingjing, was born in Yongxing County, Binzhou, Hunan.I have been poisoned by books, and I often want to take advantage of the time to rise up and do some great things.On this day, when Shizong heard that the concubine and concubine of the abandoned crown prince had been taken in, he said angrily, "I can't stand this beast anymore."

So he discussed with Zhang Xi, his confidant, the strategy of the uprising.Zhang Xidao: "It's just a few of us, I'm afraid we won't be able to do it. Now that the villain's way is long and the gentleman's way is gone, we have nothing to do. Let alone not being able to do it, if we do it, I'm afraid it won't succeed."

Zeng Jing said: "What do we call us? Now, in the "Spring and Autumn Annals" written by the sages, Xiangtou's subtle words and great righteousness, as long as he explains it, people's hearts will be moved. If you help, the world will follow it."There are people in the world to help me, so what are you afraid of? "

Zhang Xidao: "People's hearts are deeply addicted. Is there something wrong with relying on words alone?"

Zeng Jing pondered for a while, then suddenly slapped the desk and said: "I think of a person, it's up to him! It's up to him!"

Zhang Xi hurriedly asked who it was.Zeng Jing said: "This person is a descendant of King Yuewu Mu of the Great Song Dynasty. He is now the governor and holds military power. Do you like it?"

Zhang Xidao: "Master mentioned it. I think it was Yue Zhongqi, governor of Shaanxi and Gansu. He is indeed a good man, but since he served in the Qing Dynasty, he might not be willing to help us."

Zeng Jing said: "That's not true. Yongzheng is very suspicious of him, and he himself is also very fearful. I heard that the year before last, Yongzheng had too much power for Yue Zhongqi, and he issued an edict to deprive him of his military power and kill his life. Yue Zhongqi got wind of it, He was too scared to go to Beijing. Seeing that he would not come, Yongzheng became more and more suspicious. Later, he remembered that Yue Zhongqi was recommended by Zhu Shi, the minister of the court, and sent Zhu Shi to Shaanxi to call him. Yue Zhongqi had no choice but to go with Zhu Shi. See you, Majesty Jing. On this day, he said to Yongzheng: "Your Majesty should not be suspicious of employing people. Do not use anyone who is suspicious." Yongzheng saw that he had come in person, and his doubts had been relieved. Then he said, "If not, I call you because I miss you." Well. You are doing a good job there, and Lianxin likes it very much. If you delay for a few days, you should go back to Shaanxi.' Yue Zhongqi met and said, "The emperor is kind, but I dare not obey the edict." Yongzheng asked him why.

Yue Zhongqi said: "The minister was in Shaanxi, and the emperor suddenly called the minister, and at this moment he suddenly called the minister back to his post. The minister knew that the emperor called the minister, and someone must have said something bad about him. If he asked him to return to his post, someone must have said something good about him."The emperor's ears are too soft and his heart is too active, the minister is really a little scared. Yongzheng said, "Just go, and Lian will not believe what others say from now on." Yue Zhongqi said: "There must be someone to protect the minister, so that the minister dares to go." Yongzheng asked Zhu Shi, Zhu Shi didn't dare to protect him, and then asked the six departments and nine ministers, but none of them dared to protect them. Yongzheng said, "They don't want to protect you. I will protect you."You go ahead, what's there, I'm just asking. Yue Zhongban had no choice but to thank En and leave Beijing.Only four days later, a minister read a book, saying that Yue Zhongqi and Zhu Shi had secretly formed a party to aid them, and had ulterior motives.The emperor repeatedly summoned her, and Yue Zhongqi repeatedly rebelled against her orders, and no one could know her.As soon as Zhu Shi left, he suddenly said, "It's clear that the two are close friends."

Returning to Shaanxi today, Zhu Shi was originally the person who protected him. He should have protected him, but he deliberately shied away. When Yongzheng heard about it, he sent Wu Jingshan, a court official, to chase him on a flying horse, and he must be chased back.

Wu Jingshan chased Yue Zhongqi, but Zhong Qi refused to turn around, so Wu Jingshan committed suicide on the road.When Yue Zhongqi came to work, she worshiped a book and said that Yongzheng was not right.How do you think this person will have a heart for the Qing Dynasty.Send someone to talk about it, and it will be a success. "

Zhang Xidao: "Master, where did these words come from?"

Zeng Jing said: "He Lizhong told me."

Zhang Xidao: "What should we do now?"

Zeng Jing said: "I want to write a letter, and explain the righteousness to him first. It's just that no one has the courage to go to the Shaanxi Zhitai Yamen to submit this letter."

Zhang Xidao: "If there is no master and the disciple is not talented, I would rather go."

Zeng Jing said, "Do you have the guts?"

Zhang Xidao: "That's nothing, but just send it to him."

Zeng Jing said: "It's not easy to say! The replacement of the Holy Way and the farewell of Hua Yi are all related to this letter, and it must be delivered to him face to face. If it falls into other hands, it will be bad. Besides, we I don't have the idea of ​​profit, just offer advice, don't need to tell him Liju's surname."

Zhang Xidao: "If the disciples know about it, the master should write a letter.

"At that moment, Zeng Jing finished writing the letter and sealed it. Zhang Xicai was waiting to take over. Suddenly Zeng Jing knelt down and kowtowed to her. Zhang Xi hurriedly supported her, and asked in surprise: "Master, why is this so?" "

Zeng Jing said solemnly: "This trip is a matter of course, and I deserve my respect."

Saying thanks twice.Zhang Xi was so frightened that he couldn't return the courtesy.Zeng Jing said: "I worship for the holy way!

I worship for China, why should I pay back? "

If you want to know what is going on, listen to the next breakdown.

(End of this chapter)