Great Qing Xiangguo

Chapter 25

Chen Tingjing stayed at home for a while, and the Chinese New Year will soon be here.Naturally, some friends came to the door, and they knew that it was true that the emperor didn't hesitate, but they didn't know if it was smallpox.The words were just whispered among confidantes behind closed doors, not daring to say a word outside.No one came to urge him to go to the Imperial Academy, so there might not be many people in the yamen.

On the eighth day of the first lunar month, Chen Tingjing wanted to go out to visit guests.He got up early in the morning, washed and dressed, finished breakfast, and rode out.When I arrived at the entrance of Chang'an Street, I saw that the street was full of soldiers, standing with swords.He found a place to tie his horse and went on foot to see what happened.I saw a lot of people going to the east of the street, and they followed them quickly.

From afar, I saw a lot of people surrounding the Dragon Pavilion on the east side of Tiananmen Square, and people kept coming up to it.Chen Tingjing faintly felt ominous, thinking that something serious might happen.When they were approaching Longting, they suddenly heard wailing.Chen Tingjing guessed eighty to ninety percent, but he didn't believe it in his heart.When I went to look at it, I realized that the emperor had really passed away, and the emperor's last edict was hanging in the Dragon Pavilion.Chen Tingjing felt his legs tremble, and his tears were blurred.He had been contemplating for a long time before he could see clearly the words on the emperor's last edict. It turned out that the emperor had condemned himself for fourteen paragraphs.Seeing the end of the imperial edict, I know that the third elder brother Xuanye is the emperor, and appointed the internal ministers Soni, Sukesaha, Ebilong, and Aobai as assistant ministers, and asked them to protect the lord and assist in government affairs.

Chen Tingjing was in a daze when suddenly someone patted him on the shoulder.He was startled, but when he looked back, it was the Pearl.Mingzhu was wearing normal clothes, her face was sad, her eyes were red and swollen.They only slightly arched their hands to each other, so there was no room for politeness.Chen Tingjing burst into tears thinking of the late emperor's kindness.

Mingzhu said quietly: "Ting Jing comes with me, I have something to say to you."

Mingzhu led Chen Tingjing to a secluded place and said, "Tingjing, you and I have known each other for many years, how do you think I treat you?"

Chen Tingjing guessed that Mingzhu had something important to say, and said, "You are my benefactor, Tingjing will always remember it."

Mingzhu looked at him for a long time before saying: "Don't associate with that Taoist again."

Chen Tingjing was so shocked that his face turned pale, and he said, "I have nothing to do with Fu Shan."

Mingzhu looked elsewhere, and whispered in her mouth: "You went back to Shanxi that year, Fu Shan went to see you at the Chen family's old house, and when you returned to Beijing from Shanxi, you went to Yangqu to see Fu Shan, and Fu Shan went again not long ago. to your house."

Chen Tingjing was so shocked that he broke out in a cold sweat, he said, "It turns out that Master Mingzhu has been staring at me."

Mingzhu said: "The first emperor gave me a secret order to let me watch over you."

Chen Tingjing asked: "Tingjing doesn't understand, why is he looking at me?"

Mingzhu said: "The first emperor secretly told you that you don't need to know the details. You just think about it. The first emperor knows everything about your dealings with Fu Shan. Why didn't you ask about your crime?"

Chen Tingjing said: "Master Mingzhu, please clarify!"

Mingzhu said: "The first emperor believed in Lord Wei's words, valued your talent and character, and thought that you are not the kind of person who has a heart of rebellion. But the current situation is very serious, and the remnants of the previous Ming Dynasty are about to move around. If someone wants to make a fuss about this , you will be in disaster again."

Chen Tingjing thanked Mingzhu and said in a perfunctory way: "Mr. Fu Shan is a wandering Taoist and a famous doctor who can help the world. It is not surprising that he travels around. He came to the capital to look for me. One is the friendship of fellow countrymen, and the other is the relationship between scholars. There is always something to say. When it comes to treason, I can't see it in Mr. Fu Shan. He just doesn't want to be an official, but Fu Shan is not the only scholar in the world who doesn't want to be an official?"

Mingzhu said: "Ting Jing, isn't it so light? Fu Shan was once imprisoned on suspicion of treason, but he was released only after finding no evidence. You and I know who he is."

Chen Tingjing said: "It is precisely because there is no evidence in the investigation that we can't put the crime on him, let alone because I met him. The country is based on the law."

Mingzhu shook her head and said, "Ting Jing, it's useless to talk about it between you and me. Who is Fu Shan? .”

Chen Tingjing said: "Since you and I understand in our hearts, Ting Jing will say a few words of truth. Instead of guarding against scholars like Fu Shan, the imperial court should persuade them and enable them. As long as a few more Fu Shan obey the Qing Dynasty, the scholars in the world will They will all respond. Scholars who don’t follow the Qing Dynasty are all very learned!”

Mingzhu sighed: "Ting Jing, Mingzhu is also someone who has read a few books, and understands the principle of conquering the world immediately and ruling the world immediately. To rule the world, you have to rely on scholars. The former emperor did exactly that. But Manchen Among them, there are many people who are jealous of the Han people! You have just read the edict of the late emperor, and the late emperor made a crime for himself, which is to reuse the Han officials who studied! If the late emperor said otherwise, it would be difficult to convince the hearts of the ministers!"

Chen Tingjing said: "Tingjing admires Master Mingzhu's insight. There is no distinction between Manchu and Han, and there is no distinction between North and South. They all belong to the Qing Dynasty!"

Mingzhu said: "This truth has been said by the previous emperors, Taizu, and Taizong. However, when it comes to major government affairs, you must pay attention to the timing, situation, and people. Don't be too rigid. Ting Jing, at this moment, Fu Mountains are untouchable!"

Chen Tingjing asked: "How will the court deal with Fu Shan?"

Mingzhu said: "Fu Shan has fled the capital, so don't ask about this matter."

Chen Tingjing guessed that Fu Shan was afraid of difficulties, and secretly worried.God knows how many secret arrests like Mingzhu without official uniforms are in the capital!He was feeling agitated, Mingzhu said again: "Master Oboi is your benefactor, you have to remember."

Chen Tingjing had vaguely heard about this incident, but he didn't know the details.Mingzhu said: "Suo'etu and his son wanted our heads and went to ask Prince Zhuang on business. Lord Ao cleverly persuaded the emperor to save our lives."

Chen Tingjing hurriedly said: "I have never had the chance to thank Mr. Oboi." The matter of Prince Zhuang's unrestrained behavior was perfunctory outside, it was simply a drama about the old prince making a big disturbance in the Golden Palace, Chen Tingjing had heard about it a long time ago.He didn't know if it was true or not, but when he almost died in the dream, it must be true.

Mingzhu said again: "Sony is the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and now he is the chief assistant minister, you and I must pay attention! The eunuch Wu Liangfu was the most favored by the late emperor, and he was killed in the blink of an eye."

Chen Tingjing was surprised and said: "Internal supervisors meddled in politics and harmed the country and the people. History can be used as a lesson. Ting Jing heard that Wu Liangfu had done a lot of bad things. He was afraid that he would die unjustly. But the current situation is very serious. If someone wants to take the opportunity to kill someone, it is really too much." Easy."

Mingzhu said: "Sony and his son took advantage of the opportunity of killing Wu Liangfu to replace the guards and inner eunuchs of the Qianqing Palace without authorization. They clearly intended to drive a wedge between the young emperor and Lord Ao. Now the young emperor is surrounded by Sony's people." Mingzhu stared at Chen Tingjing for a long time, "Ting Jing, it's up to you."

Chen Tingjing was as if hearing thunder from heaven, and asked: "Where did you start with this?"

Mingzhu said: "This is a secret, you can't tell anyone about it for the time being! Before the late emperor passed away, there was a decree that Lord Wei Xiangshu must be summoned back and appointed as the emperor's teacher. Lord Wei is probably already on his way back to Beijing gone."

When Chen Tingjing heard that Master Wei was coming back, he was naturally overjoyed, but asked again: "I still don't understand!"

Mingzhu said: "Master Wei wants to invite two Hanlin he can trust to serve the young emperor to study together. Lord Oboi wants to push you to take this job. You are the most appreciated by Lord Wei, so it will happen naturally."

When Chen Tingjing heard that he was going to serve the young emperor to study, he was secretly delighted and apprehensive.If he followed his temperament when he was in the Jinshi examination, he would not panic; if he followed his temperament during the Taiyuan provincial examination, he would not panic either.But after staying in the capital for several years, he became more and more timid.

Mingzhu said: "When you come to the young emperor, you must keep in touch with me all the time, Lord Oboi must know everything that happens there!"

When Chen Tingjing returned home, his family already knew that the emperor was dead.The old man said: "I expected that Fu Shan's entry into the capital was related to the emperor's smallpox, and it is true. Ting Jing, those righteous men will definitely take the opportunity to make trouble, you have to be careful!"

Chen Tingjing said: "Mr. Fu Shan has fled the capital. I guess the imperial court is making a secret report to the world and is about to arrest him. I am also worried about his safety. Someone needs to tell him the news."

The old man shook his head and said, "Ting Jing, don't worry about this!" After thinking about it, he said, "No one pays attention to me. I will find a way to spread the news, and it will naturally reach his ears. Big, where is there no place to hide? It will be fine."

Mingzhu told him not to tell about his going to serve the young emperor to study, but he and his father-in-law had nothing to say.After hearing this, the old man was also worried, and said: "This is a very ominous event! The young emperor is still eight years old, if he is usurped before he takes the throne, all his close ministers will be in danger, and the emperor's teacher must die first. This kind of thing has happened frequently since ancient times!"

Chen Tingjing said: "Father's worry is justified, but Mr. Wei doesn't think about his own life or death, so how can I be greedy for life and afraid of death? This is definitely not what a husband does!"

The old man sighed: "Perhaps it is the destiny, Ting Jing, just accept it."

Chen Tingjing said: "If you can really assist a generation of Mingjun, this life will not be in vain."

The old man said: "It is really a blessing for the common people. Today's scholars are the most difficult to do. The first emperor deliberately recruited scholars from all over the world to follow the wishes of the ancient sage kings. .Nowadays, there are prohibitions engraved on the sleeping tablet in front of the Minglun Hall in the world. The students are not allowed to speak, they are not allowed to form alliances and associations, and they are not allowed to print words. This is unprecedented in all dynasties! The father and son said something behind closed doors In other words, this is where the imperial court’s long-term and near-term worries lie.”

Chen Tingjing said: "I understand what Dad means. In the Yuan Dynasty of the Mongols, they drank horses in the Western Regions, raised their whips in the Central Plains, and the drums of the Shenyashe resounded all over the world. However, the Mongols despise the Han people, blindly fierce and unruly. It's gone to ashes."

The old man nodded and said: "From now on, when you serve the young emperor to study, the most important thing is to teach him how to be a wise king and truly care about the common people in the world. Since ancient times, the holy emperors have a big heart to tolerate the world. If it is limited to the race Selfishness will lead to tyranny. The people don’t care who is the emperor, they only look forward to peace in the world. Although I am an old man from the former Ming Dynasty, I am a little annoyed by the words "reverse the Qing Dynasty and restore the Ming Dynasty."

Chen Tingjing was deeply convinced by the old man's words, and said: "The swords and guns are stored in the warehouse, the horses are released to Nanshan, the world returns to its heart, the river is clear and the sea is clean, this is the wish of the people. But now it is still full of dangers, and the country is not stable."

Chen Tingjing is still worried, but Mingzhu wants to lead him to meet Aobai.Recently, Ao Bai was busy with the emperor's fierce ceremony, so he finally returned to the mansion.When Chen Tingjing saw Oboi, he bowed his hands and saluted: "Chen Tingjing pays homage to the minister!"

Obai didn't make a fool of himself, and said: "Ting Jing, the emperor is young, and it is a big deal to serve the emperor to study. I have asked the empress dowager for permission, and when Wei Xiangshu returns to Beijing and the emperor releases his clothes and ascends the throne, you will cooperate with Wei Xiangshu Take on this errand."

Chen Tingjing hurriedly said: "I thank the Empress Dowager for her grace!"

Mingzhu smiled and said, "Ting Jing, since you are thanking you, you have to kneel down!"

Chen Tingjing hesitated for a while, but knelt down in front of Oboi, but said: "Master Xie Fuchen, for your kindness!"

Ao Bai smiled and said: "Ting Jing, get up. I just want to work hard in the future." Then he looked at Mingzhu, "Mingzhu, Sony asked his son Suo'etu for a second-class bodyguard before the former emperor, and lead him Fourth-rank rank. You two should be equal in terms of merit and talent. You are a doctor in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, although you are only a fifth-rank official, but your background will be better in the future."

Mingzhu also hurriedly knelt down, and said: "Master Xie Fuchen, Master Mingzhu, supports me! It's just that I feel aggrieved now that I'm working under Lord Sony!"

Obai said: "Mingzhu, you have to understand that this old man has put in so much painstaking efforts. Master Suoni is getting old, and he needs a young man like you to help! The waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves ahead!"

Mingzhu understood, and said: "My little nephew understands Master Ao's cultivation heart!"

Obai called Mingzhu to get up, looked at Chen Tingjing and said, "I was ordered by the late emperor to assist the government. From now on, there will be many things, and some things I can't take care of. You and Master Wei should take care of the matter of serving the emperor to study."

Chen Tingjing said: "Tingjing will do his best."

Aobai was still busy going to the palace to prepare for the national funeral, so Mingzhu led Chen Tingjing to leave.Chen Tingjing thought that just now he was kneeling to thank the Empress Dowager in name, but in fact he was kneeling at the knees of Oboi.Seeing that the important matter of employing people in the court was decided by Oboi alone, he felt very uncomfortable.

(End of this chapter)