scourge the qing dynasty

Chapter 50
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"Was old man Ao like this yesterday? Although my conscience is not very good, why do I feel a little bit of sympathy for him? No, if I want to overthrow Kang Mazi, my conscience must be darker than his, and my face must be darker. Thicker than him! Sympathy, pity, morality, etc., go to death! Sympathy for the enemy is cruelty to oneself!"

Thinking about this idea, Fatty Lu led a group of dog legs back to Wu Yingxiong's mansion when it was close to dusk. After entering the door to inquire, the servants of Wu Yingxiong's mansion said that Wu Yingxiong had already returned to the mansion and was talking to Lin Tianqing and others in the study, and said that he wanted Lu Fatty can go there when he comes back.Hearing this, Fatty Lu hurriedly asked Xiao Erlang, Liu Zhen and others to take Fang Shiyu back to the room to rest, while he asked the servants of Wu's mansion to lead the way and rushed to meet Wu Yingxiong's study.

Entering Wu Yingxiong's study room, Wu Yingxiong was really chatting with Lin Tianqing and Lang Yanshu. Seeing Fatty Lu come in, Wu Yingxiong stopped Fatty Lu from saluting, and asked affectionately: "How is Master Lu doing in the capital today? I just heard that Fatty Lu came in." It is said that when you went to report to the official department, you were made things difficult by the people in the official department, is it okay? Do you want me to come forward and intercede for you?"

"Thank you, my son, for your concern. It's just a trivial matter." Fatty Lu said with a smile without restraint: "That Mr. Qian probably wants to show some filial piety, but it's a pity that I lost all my money when I was in Fujian. This time I came to the capital It was still Prince Jingnan who rewarded some travel expenses, so he has no money to honor him, of course he is dissatisfied."

"These moths in the bureaucracy are indeed becoming more and more lawless." Lin Tianqing echoed: "A few months ago, Jackie Chan was promoted to the prefect of Hezhou and went to Beijing to receive the seal. He also had no money to send these brats away. God, in the end Ao Zhongtang found out and lost his temper, and these people gave Yu Jackie a seal." After finishing speaking, Lin Tianqing deliberately asked again: "Lord Lu, how did you settle your matter in the end?"

"It's also a blessing from Ao Zhongtang." Fatty Lu knew that Lin Tianqing was trying to test him on purpose, so he took the initiative to say: "After being rejected by Mr. Qian, the lower official originally planned to come back to ask the son for help. The two hall officials arrived in time, came forward to stop them, and gave a lesson to Mr. Qian who asked for bribes. Ashha A Shangshu also brought the lower official to the mansion of Ao Zhongtang, and talked there again. I know, it turns out that Ao Zhongtang's kindness is all due to Ao Zhongtang's kindness when Ah Shangshu takes care of the subordinates."

"It's also my fault for being careless. I didn't consider that you are inconvenient, Mr. Lu." Wu Yingxiong took the conversation and said lightly: "How about this, Mr. Lu, you go to the accounting room to pay 500 taels of silver, and I will subsidize you for your father. Yes, it’s inconvenient to have osmanthus and rice beads in the capital.”

"Your Majesty, you are being polite. Your salary is only a few hundred taels a year. If you are in a lowly position, you dare to take your reward." Fatty Lu, whose standard annual salary is only 45 taels, said politely, but cursed in his heart, "Stingy, iron cock, The pocket money you get from your father a year is at least tens of thousands of taels, right? You only gave me such a little."

"You don't need to refuse, you deserve it." Wu Yingxiong waved his hand, and asked casually, "After seeing Ao Zhongtang, what did Ao Zhongtang ask you?"

"It was predicted by Mr. Lin. It really happened in Fujian." Fatty Lu also knew that Wu Yingxiong was deliberately testing him, so he explained in detail the process before and after he met Oboi. Even Oboi was going to use two Fatty Lu also confessed that Huaiyan Fadao officials bribed him to betray Wu Sangui without reservation—there were too many people present at the time, even the maids and servants of the Ao Mansion, Fatty Lu did not dare to vouch for these people Whether it will leak the secret, I feel that it is better to explain it openly and honestly than to conceal it and arouse the suspicion of Wu Sangui and his son in the future.

"This fat man is pretty smart, he didn't play any tricks." Wu Yingxiong snorted coldly in his heart, and then asked hypocritically, "Master Lu, Ao Zhongtang promised you to be the Lianghuai Salt Dharma Daoist, so you are not tempted at all?"

"Returning to the prince, it would be a lie to say that you can't be tempted. The two Huai salt methods are the most fat jobs in the world. If you take up any position, you will not have to worry about food and drink for three lifetimes." Fatty Lu smiled wryly, and then Said: "But Lu really dare not forget where his roots are, let alone forget the three principles and five constant principles, loyalty, filial piety, benevolence and righteousness, so he declined Ao Zhongtang's kindness. Fortunately, Ao Zhongtang is a broad-minded person, and he was not angry. That's how Lu came back."

"Very well, I will report this matter to my father truthfully." Wu Yingxiong nodded in satisfaction, and then said: "Actually, I understand what Ao Zhongtang is thinking. He really doesn't have much ill intentions for our Pingxi Palace. In addition to appreciating your ability and loyalty, there is also the fact that you don’t want the court’s military pay to be too large. But the old man also underestimated our Pingxi Palace on this point. The father’s proposal to increase the military pay is really just for the soldiers of Yunnan and Guizhou. A little more treatment, and it is used to exterminate the Miao and Yi chieftains in Yunnan and Guizhou, and it does not mean to embarrass the court on purpose."

"Your official understands." Fatty Lu nodded, and said solemnly: "Please rest assured, my son, since the prince ordered the humble official to cooperate with you in negotiating with the imperial court on the allocation of Yungui military salary for next year, then the humble official will definitely do his best to help the prince as much as possible. The soldiers of Yunnan and Guizhou strive for more benefits."

"Very good, Mr. Lu, you are the person that my father and I are optimistic about. I believe you will be able to do it." Wu Yingxiong nodded again, and then said: "Anyway, there are no outsiders here, so I will give you an answer, Zi Shunzhi In the past 17 years, the expenditures of military salaries in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces have been 300 million taels. This time the father asked for an increase in salary, but in fact it was only an offense instead of defense, hoping to take the initiative on the issue of military salaries, so as not to be cut too much by the court. More military pay, so our goal this time is 250 million taels of silver a year, there can only be more, not less.”

"It's 200 million taels, right?" Fatty Lu snorted coldly in his heart—although Fatty Lu didn't study the Department of History in the 21st century, he still remembered that in the sixth year of Kang Mazi's history, Wu Sangui and Kang Mazi discussed reducing military pay and made concessions It reached a huge amount of one million taels of silver, and was reduced from 300 million taels to 200 million taels in one go.

He knew in his heart that Wu Yingxiong hadn't told the truth to him, but Fatty Lu patted his chest to promise that he would help Wu Yingxiong to keep this bottom line, and that he would try his best to get more military pay for Yungui. Wu Yingxiong also nodded hypocritically to Fatty Lu His loyalty is greatly appreciated.After talking so unnutritiously for a long time, until both parties could find nothing to say politely, Wu Yingxiong realized that everyone hadn't eaten yet, so he hurriedly asked the servants to prepare food in the flower hall, and planned to take Fatty Lu to enjoy the snow while eating.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Fatty Lu asked Wu Yingxiong: "My lord, there is one more personal matter. I would like to ask my lord, does my lord know about Nan Huairen?"

"Nan Huairen? That missionary from the West? What are you asking him for?" Wu Yingxiong was taken aback.

"Returning to my son, I have a little knowledge of arithmetic, and I am very fascinated by it." Fatty Lu replied: "I have heard for a long time that this Western missionary, Mr. Nan Huairennan, is proficient in this way. During his mission, he also taught people astronomy and arithmetic, etc. Waiting for knowledge, so I want to take this opportunity to visit his house and ask him for some knowledge about this aspect."

"Unexpectedly, Mr. Lu is so knowledgeable and talented. My father really picked a treasure this time." Wu Yingxiong was a little happy, and turned to Lin Tianqing who was beside him and said, "Master Lin, it seems that you know Mr. Nanhuai Rennan, right? Please. How about introducing Mr. Lu and Mr. Wei Nan?"

"Your Majesty's order, do you dare not obey?" Lin Tianqing agreed with a smile, and said with a smile while twisting his gray beard: "I did have acquaintance with Mr. Nan once. He came to Daqing in the 16th year of Shunzhi (1959), and passed through the Qin Tianjian was recommended by Tang Ruowang, and went to Shaanxi to spread Western Catholicism. A year later, he was transferred back to Beijing to serve in Qin Tianjian. In the third year of Kangxi, because Tang Ruowang brought the Western calendar compiled by him and some Western missionaries and Yang Guangxian Master Yang There was a conflict in the compiled Muslim calendar, and Yang Guang first sued him, and he and Tang Ruowang were sent to prison together for more than half a year."

Speaking of this, Lin Tianqing took a sip of tea and continued: "After being imprisoned, Tang Ruowang was originally sentenced to Ling Chi, and Nan Huairen was also sentenced to exile, but because Tang Ruowang was successful in supporting the current emperor, he was sentenced to death by the empress dowager. Buddha survived. Later, Tang Ruowang died of illness in prison. After Nan Huairen was released from prison, he was supposed to be exiled to Guangdong, but he didn’t know who was going to move up and down for him. He was left in the capital on the pretext of being ill. Now he lives in Xuanwumen, the capital. Inside the Qianmen West Street Church.”

"In Xuanwu Gate, it's so close." Fatty Lu was overjoyed.

"It's very close, even if you walk, it will take more than half an hour." Lin Tianqing nodded and smiled again: "However, the nine gates of the inner city have been closed at this time, so no matter how anxious Master Lu is, he will not be able to go to this meeting again. "

"Then I'll go tomorrow." Fatty Lu beamed with joy.

"Lord Lu, since you want to pay a visit to Mr. Nan, how about we go together?" Lin Tianqing took the initiative to say: "First, I want to visit my old friend, Mr. Nan, and secondly, I also want to meet Mr. Lu. You can ask Mr. Nan for advice on Western culture." knowledge."

"This old boy is Wu Sangui's confidant, could it be that he wants to spy on me?" Fatty Lu analyzed in his heart, but smiled joyfully on his mouth: "With Master Lin going with the lower official, the lower official is even more delighted, at least, even It saves you the trouble of asking for directions. Maybe Mr. Nan will invite the lower official to have a meal for the sake of Mr. Lin, but the lower official will even save the lunch money." Wu Yingxiong and others laughed, and casually talked to Lu The fat man made a few jokes, and the host and guest enjoyed themselves in the room.

………………

Accompanied Wu Yingxiong for dinner, and discussed with Lang Yanshu and others about the accounting of the Yunnan-Guizhou army's military pay. At the time of the second watch, Fatty Lu bid farewell and went back to his room to rest.When he returned to his room, Fatty Lu found that Xiao Erlang, Guangzhou Sanhu and Fang Shiyu hadn't rested yet, and were still discussing how to scrape the land in the future around the charcoal fire.Fatty Lu was angry and funny, but he didn't bother to pay attention to these idiots. He just squeezed into the group of idiots and sat down, and asked Liu Zhen in a low voice: "Liu Zhen, when you were running around in the world, did you ever do something quietly?" Something like breaking into someone else's house?"

"Young Master, why are you asking this?" Liu Zhen was a little flustered, and said inappropriately: "You guys are honest, but you have never done anything like burglary."

"Brother Liu, go lie to others!" Xiao Erlang retorted: "Last time on the canal, when we gathered together to brag, you said that you did such a thing. One time, the three of you almost starved to death. , sneaked into the rich man Zhang’s house, stole two taels of silver and three hangs of money from him, and then ran away, never daring to be a performer in that town again.”

"You are not much better." Liu Zhen blushed and retorted, "Didn't you often brag that when you were in Dali Mansion, you hooked up with a widow named Lan, broke into her house every three days, and It's never been found."

"I was stealing people, not money." Xiao Erlang retorted again.

"Brother Lu, I have done such a thing." Fang Shiyu was more honest, and took the initiative to say frankly: "When I was in Zhaoqing, I fought with a young master of a rich man's family. He hid at home and dared not come out. Mengman sneaked into his house and beat him up, but later he didn't realize it was me, and thought it was a thief in his house to report to the police, but I didn't take anything from his house at all."

"Hey, who are my gang?" Fatty Lu smiled wryly.

In the end, Fatty Lu interrupted the argument between the Liu family brothers and Xiao Erlang, and ordered in a low voice: "Stop arguing, don't worry, I'm not going to pursue the things you did before. I just want to tell you that tomorrow morning, I will take you to a church. After entering the church, I will go to a foreign priest named Nan Huairen to discuss knowledge. At that time, you must remember what the foreigner looks like, and then you will take an excuse to visit the church and wander around. , memorize the topography of that church, see where you can sneak in and where you can sneak out, do you hear me clearly?"

"Listen clearly." Xiao Erlang nodded along with Liu Zhen and others, and then Liu Zhen asked curiously: "Master, what do you want us to do?"

"I can't tell you exactly what I want you to do." Fatty Lu said in a deep voice, "Anyway, you must remember what that foreigner named Nan Huairen looks like, and remember the topography of that church, because I I will definitely send you to sneak into the church!"

"Understood." Xiao Erlang, Liu Zhen and the others patted their chests together, promising that no matter what outrageous and immoral things Fatty Lu sent them into that church, they would definitely do it.

"Foreign devil, just wait for me!" Seeing the high morale of the dog legs, Lu Fatty was very satisfied, and then recited viciously in his heart, "Nan Huairen, Belgian foreign devil, Kang Mazi's Western teacher! The chaos in San Francisco During the period, he cast all kinds of cannons for Kang Mazi, invented iron-cored wooden-shell cannons that are useful for fighting in mountainous areas, and helped Kang Mazi suppress the anti-Qing movement and massacre Chinese people!"

"During the Nerchinsk period, he colluded with Raksha Tsarist Russia, betrayed China's interests and negotiation secrets, encouraged Tsarist Russia to negotiate in Latin, which no one in China could understand, took the opportunity to send his confidantes to serve as translators, and fooled Kang Xiaomazi, to the army with only [-] Far Eastern troops. The Rakshasa devils surrendered tens of millions of square kilometers of Siberia!"

"Colluded with Kang Mazi to frame Dai Zi, a Chinese weapon genius, and caused the loss of China's first invented machine gun!"

"Foreign devil, just wait. I remember your crimes clearly in my little book!"

………………

In the morning of the next day, Fatty Lu really took a few dogs who were good at stealing chickens and dogs and prepared gifts, and then went to find Lin Tianqing who also lived in Wu Yingxiong's house, and together they went to Xuanwumen Church to visit the great missionary Nan Huairen, Wu Yingxiong Ying Xiong also wanted to see how Fatty Lu asked Nan Huairen for advice, but when Princess Jianning lost her temper, she insisted on forcing Wu Yingxiong to admire the plum blossoms. Wu Yingxiong had no choice but to let Fatty Lu go with Lin Tianqing .

Lin Tianqing was very frugal. He not only brought two entourages with him on this trip, but also squeezed into the carriage hired by Fatty Lu. He said that he was huddling together to keep warm. In fact, he just wanted to save a few coins. Fatty Lu was always generous and naturally he didn't He refused, but it wasn't until they squeezed into the carriage together that Fatty Lu realized that this old man Lin was not stingy, but had other deep meanings, and the purpose was to have a private conversation with himself.

"Lord Lu, the old man asked you something, and I forgot you to answer it truthfully." Lin Tianqing stammered while the carriage was driving, and there was no one else in the car: "Although it is a big taboo to speak lightly, the old man still wants to ask a question." ——Master Lu, yesterday Ao Zhongtang really promised to give you the mission of Lianghuai Salt Dharma, and asked you to report to him the trump card of Prince Pingxi's military salary?"

"That's true." Fatty Lu nodded, and added: "But the humble official refused at the time. Fortunately, Ao Zhongtang was kind and didn't care about the humble official."

"Lord Lu is really loyal to Prince Pingxi. No wonder the prince and the prince trust you so much." Lin Tianqing pretended to praise him, opened his mouth to speak, but swallowed the words forcefully, hesitant to speak. The appearance of stopping.

"Lord Lin, if you have anything to say, just say it." Fatty Lu observed his words and said, "Please rest assured, my lord, I am not the kind of person who likes to stir up trouble. If you have something to say, please feel free to say it."

"Master Lu, the old man can just say it straight." Lin Tianqing made a lot of determination, and finally whispered: "It's not that the old man is relying on the old to sell the old. Ah, if you take up any post and earn more than ten or two hundred thousand taels of silver, you are already an extremely clean official."

"What does the old man mean by that?" Fatty Lu was a little surprised. After sizing up Lin Tianqing for a moment, Fatty Lu suddenly came to his senses and asked in a low voice, "Master Lin, could it be that something went wrong with you as governor of Yunnan?"

Lin Tianqing's body trembled. He first glanced at Fatty Lu in disbelief, and then sighed: "Lord Lu is indeed not a mortal. He knows what he says, and he really hits the nail on the head."

Sighing, Lin Tianqing gritted his teeth again, and then said in a very low voice: "Since Mr. Lu has already guessed it, I won't hide it from you. It's true that the old man's appointment as the governor of Yunnan is indeed going to fail.—— The old man received the news yesterday that although the Jiuqing Kedao all supported the old man as the governor of Yunnan, but now the Holy Majesty believes that the old man is a member of Prince Pingxi, and it would be inappropriate to send the old man to Yunnan, so he decided to reassign the Han army Xianglan Bannerman Li Tianyu took over (historical fact)."

"Reassign Li Tianyu?" Fatty Lu froze, and quickly asked: "Master Lin, what about you? Which province will you be sent to take over?"

"No, just go home and take care of yourself." Lin Tianqing replied with a wry smile, and added unwillingly, "And the seven or eighty thousand taels that this old man spent back and forth for this matter will all go to waste. "

"Understood, this old bastard is planning to turn against the water." Fatty Lu suddenly realized, and couldn't help complaining in a low voice: "Master Lin, it's not that juniors like Xiaguan who are talking about you, you are too careless. Lived directly in the eldest son's house, can the current emperor not suspect that you and the prince are in collusion?"

"Lord Lu, you can't blame me." Lin Tianqing said with a wry smile: "Of course the old man knows it's wrong to do this, but when the son heard that I was going to Beijing, he sent someone to pick me up outside the capital city. How can the old man evade? I won't hide it from you, in order to push the old man to the position of governor of Yunnan, the elder son also secretly gave money, and the old man used to live in the elder son's house when he came to the capital, how dare the old man refuse his kindness?"

"Wu Yingxiong is such an idiot, he can't even avoid suspicion." Fatty Lu cursed secretly, "No wonder Wu Sangui took him back to Yunnan before the rebellion in history, and he didn't go back without saying anything. There is no cure. Alas, the stupid companions above are unreliable, and this errand is difficult."

After cursing a few words secretly, Fatty Lu lowered his voice and asked Lin Tianqing again: "Master Lin, what are you going to do then?"

"Master Lu, I would like to ask you one thing." Lin Tianqing hesitated for a moment, and finally said with a blushing face: "Master Lu, if you do this old man a big favor and make me Xianyu stand up and take over as the governor of Yunnan, I will definitely have a good fortune in the future." In addition, the old man will give you another 5000 taels of silver to solve your urgent needs."

"Master Lin, what do you mean, you want the next official to introduce you to Ao Zhongtang?" Fatty Lu asked tentatively.

Lin Tianqing hesitated for a moment, finally nodded, and said in a low voice: "I really can't help it. Ao Zhongtang has no friendship with me. I can't find the temple door even if I carry a pig's head. And if I Ao Zhongtang and the others will definitely not believe it if they take the initiative to send it over like this, the old man has no choice but to ask Master Lu for your help."

"Old man, you want to betray Wu Sangui, and you want to drag me into the water quietly?" Fatty Lu sneered in his heart, but after thinking about it, Fatty Lu felt that if he could help Lin Tianqing, it would be of great help to his future actions Convenience—after all, I was planning to rebel and overthrow Miqing. After returning to Yunnan, I would practice the army and forge weapons.If I can help Lin Tianqing get the position of governor of Yunnan, and get him to betray Wu Sangui, all these problems can be easily solved.

After bowing his head and thinking for a long time, Fatty Lu raised his head and whispered in Lin Tianqing's ear: "Lord Lin, I can introduce you to Ao Zhongtang for you, and I can even use some special relationships to help you, Lord Lin, in front of the emperor, but There is one condition for being humble."

"Lord Lu, can you still get through in front of the emperor?" Lin Tianqing said pleasantly: "Master Lu, please tell me that as long as I can be the governor of Yunnan, I can promise you anything."

"The only condition for a humble job is this." Fatty Lu said word by word: "Master Lin, in front of the Emperor and Oboi, you must say that Prince Pingxi's minimum military salary is 350 million taels of silver!"

"350 million taels?!" Lin Tianqing was startled, and exclaimed in a low voice: "Isn't this 100 million taels higher than the number reported by the son, will the emperor and Ao Zhongtang agree?"

"I will agree, I will definitely agree." Fatty Lu said confidently: "As long as Mr. Lin, you do as the humble post said, I will at least [-]% sure help you take down the official position of governor of Yunnan."

"Really?" Lin Tianqing was skeptical, and was about to ask, when the coachman outside the car suddenly said: "Master in the car, the South Church you mentioned has arrived."

"Master Lin, if you believe me, just do as I say, otherwise I really have nothing to do." Fatty Lu said in a low voice, "Let's go, let's go to see Mr. Nan Huairen first, you can consider Talk about it in a day or two."

After all, Fatty Lu opened the curtain and got out of the carriage, but when he jumped into the carriage carefully, Fatty Lu was stunned—in front of the baroque cathedral, Li Xu, who had been raped by him once, led a few people in casual clothes. A young man is guarding the door of the church with his hands behind his back.Seeing Fatty Lu get out of the car, Li Xu was also taken aback, and immediately glared at Fatty Lu again.

"No way? Such a coincidence? Is he also in this church?"

(End of this chapter)