Emperor Kangxi: Yuyu Chengxiang

Chapter 19 Revising the History of the Ming Dynasty
Kangxi looked back, only Mu Zixu was following him, and when he saw Zhao Peiji, the eunuch of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, coming out from afar, he beckoned over and asked, "What have you been doing?" They were all waiting in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and they forgot to bring the four books, so they asked the servant to borrow one for him..." Kangxi said angrily, "Is he your own father? Treat him so filially! What's the use of holding on to Buddha's feet now Go to the respect room to pass the decree: Zhang Wanqiang is the eunuch of the Sixth Palace, and he has to be consulted for everything, so ask the respect room to check. The old eunuchs and old maids who have been kicked out in the past few years are all called back to the original master to serve them. As soon as I tell them to be careful, I will investigate!"

After Kangxi finished speaking, he walked away with a flash of thought: Is it too much for Mingzhu to intervene in the affairs of the palace?But after walking a few steps, he thought it was funny that he was being superstitious—there was no reason to be suspicious of the minister because of Mo Ju's words.When he arrived in front of the Chuihua Gate of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Kangxi was relieved. Seeing Li Guangdi, Suo'etu, Mingzhu and Xiong Cilu all standing in the corridor waiting, he said with a smile: "Come in, I say it's an investigation, but I'm actually asking you to come and relax." So loose, what are you afraid of? Old Master Xiong, I don’t look at your homework, why is your face so pale?"

After saying that, he entered the hall and sat down, and said with a sigh of relief: "Is it almost ready for the erudite scholar? After a while, I will let you three days off!" When I asked An Zhezi to read it, it was Wei Dongting who handed it in. Seeing that rice in the south of the Yangtze River was seven yuan a stone that day, he soaked the cinnabar, and first criticized, "My heart is very comforting".After pondering for a while, he erased it again, and wrote: "The low price of grain hurts farmers. You can buy grain with silver in Lijin Customs and Jinling Fan Treasury. The price can be slightly higher than the market price, and the market price can become more stable." While writing, he said to Xiong Cilu: "You told the prince 'sex similarity' the day before yesterday, but I didn't hear it clearly, can you say it again?"

"Yes." Xiong Cilu hurriedly bowed and replied, "Sex, wisdom and foolishness, sages and ordinary people are inherently the same. However, this is just the nature of righteousness, and they cannot be the same. The so-called 'similar' is different from 'same' '."

"Huh?" Kangxi put An Zhe aside, raised his head and asked with a smile, "Could it be that righteousness and temperament are two different things?"

Xiong Cilu pondered for a moment, and smiled apologetically: "I have never explained the truth in detail. But I think that righteousness and temperament are one and the same, and the two are one, and righteousness is only in temperament." Kangxi listened and nodded with a smile.Mingzhu has a lot of things to do and wants to go back to Kangxi, impatiently listening, finally waited until the moment to interrupt, and said: "Long live just now, I asked about erudite Confucianism. This slave is about to ask for an order. After the test, I will tell these Confucians How to arrange it can be arranged by the Ministry." Kangxi smiled and said: "What do you think, let's talk about it first."

"According to my servant's opinion, it is absolutely impossible to put this dry person into the Imperial Academy." Mingzhu said seriously, "This is a personal test for the imperial driver, a grand ceremony through the ages, and it is different from ordinary Jinshi. Let him go out to be a magistrate, and he is too old Some. These are the Confucian scholars who were ordered by the provincial officials to investigate. If they are not selected, if they are dismissed back to their original places, the governors will not look good. But if they all go to the study, it seems that there will be more. After thinking about it for a few days , there is no proper way.”

What Mingzhu said was very reasonable, but in fact there was a more important point. He didn't dare to say it, and Kangxi knew it in his heart: if the difference between the ranks of Jinshi admitted by Changke and the placement of Erudite Confucianism is too big, accidents will inevitably happen.Now there are people who take the exam and write poems to ridicule.If they are placed in one place, are they afraid of having cronies?Kangxi thought about it, and said with a smile: "Mingzhu is very worried, Xiong Dongyuan, what do you think?" Xiong Cilu was confident, and said: "I think that there is no need to open another category for conferring officials, and what should be taught should be taught; what should be read Those who should go to the Hanlin Academy should still serve as editors. Kejia background, teachers and students will lead to cliques, if these imperial examination masters are put in, they will break these doors. As for the use, I think Most of them are familiar with the political affairs and stories of the previous Ming Dynasty, and they can form a team to compile Ming history..."

Kangxi's eyes sparkled when he heard it: If there are too many families, there will be no family—Xiong Cilu is different after all, and reasoning can find another way.The revision of the history of the Ming Dynasty was done by Confucians, and of course they couldn’t wish for it, and the common people would naturally think that this was a "benevolent government of the Holy Dynasty".This advice kills birds with one stone, and it's fantastic!He excitedly stood up, took a few steps, and said: "Yes, to cultivate the history of the Ming Dynasty! It is a big matter to cultivate differently, and I will take care of it myself. It not only meets the high-ranking scholars, but also eliminates the opposite sides, and can also make people feel better. Let the world know the source of the disaster of the fall of the Ming Dynasty, and retrain the descendants—for example, can there be a "Tian Chen Zhuan", otherwise, how will the biographies of people like Hong Chengchou and Qian Qianyi be judged?" His thoughts flowed very fast. Hurry up, speak incoherently, everyone can't keep up.

Xiong Cilu's heart was shocked, chewing on the three words "Second Minister Zhuan", thinking more and more deeply; Rebellious officials and thieves still exist from generation to generation, and they emerge in endlessly-now even the ministers with outstanding achievements in this dynasty have been included in the "rebellious officials" of the previous dynasty, so who dares to be the "second minister" of this dynasty again?Just as he was thinking wildly, Suo'etu said beside him: "Guangdi Zhezi, please conquer Taiwan. I don't know if the master has ever seen it?"

"I have already read it." Kangxi calmed down, sat back and took a sip of tea, and asked Li Guangdi, "Why are you silent? Zheng Chenggong is dead. Is the news reliable?" He was very excited; it seemed that he was very likely to be involved in the maintenance of the aircraft, and he entered the study room. When he heard Kangxi's question, he hurriedly said: "This is reliable. Not only Zheng Chenggong, but also Zheng Jing is dead. The lords in Taiwan have no masters, and internal strife is gradually increasing." So I have the same opinion as Shi Lang, please issue an edict immediately, ordering the division of water warfare to prepare to cross the sea and recover the homeland."

"Where is the general?" Kangxi asked, "The navy is already training, who should the general send?" Mingzhu said loudly from the side: "I recommend Shi Lang!" But Li Guangdi said: "The governor of Fujian, Yao Qisheng, should command the troops to cross the sea. Shi Lang It was originally a successful old department, so I'm afraid I can't do things with sincerity." Suo'etu said: "The country has been using troops for a long time, and its vitality has not recovered, so it is not suitable to raise the army."Kangxi listened for a long time before he realized that before he came in, Xiong Cilu and Li Guangdi had disagreements over this matter, and they were already emotional.Seeing Li Guangdi's impassioned speech, Xiong Cilu glanced at himself from time to time, so he also sneered and said: "These are all words that harm the country, the Lord must not be trusted!"

Kangxi smiled slightly when he heard it, and asked nonchalantly: "Xiong Cilu, I don't understand what you said. Who wronged the country? What's wrong with the country?"

"Long live!" Xiong Cilu heard that Kangxi's tone was different, and he knelt down as he raised the corner of his robe, "Taiwan's Cuoer County is wild and untouched, and it is not enough to be regarded as a great enemy. Today's 'San Francisco' is still in flames, and millions of soldiers Tired, hundreds of millions of people are waiting for the Soviet Union, and there are no soldiers with a chance of victory, the victory is not enough to be called a military force, and the defeat will be lightly provoked, please think twice!"

Seeing this, Li Guangdi also knelt down and said: "Taiwan has been the land of China since the Han Dynasty. How can it be easily given up? Our army's Xinping 'San Francisco' is full of morale. It is time to destroy the nest and not to cause any legacy!" Suo'etu and Mingzhu also knelt down for a while, expressing their own opinions.

Kangxi was silent for a long time after hearing this, and then sighed for a long time: "Dongyuan Gong, I didn't say to send troops immediately! You should know that there is a shortage of Ou; the death of a county is also the fault of the prime minister. Song Taizu also knew that "on the side of the couch, Don't allow other people to sleep soundly'!" Xiong Cilu was caught in a dilemma when he heard Kangxi's words.He disagreed with the withdrawal of the "San Francisco", and Kangxi resolutely ordered to withdraw; the "San Francisco" was in chaos, and he claimed peace again, but was severely reprimanded by Kangxi—now the facts have proved that he has made mistakes again and again. wrong?Thinking about it, he slowed down and said: "I am a minister of the Qing Dynasty, how can I allow the land of the Qing Dynasty to be slaughtered by others? But it is really difficult to raise troops in the current national strength. The emperor has made up his mind, and the minister has no objection. I just ask the emperor to accumulate more food. Prepare your troops carefully, choose your generals carefully, and hope to win in a single battle!" Kangxi originally wanted to call these busy officials over to chat and have a rest, but unexpectedly such an argument arose, and he thought it was funny, so he looked up Since the bell rang, he said: "I will pay attention to the selection of generals. I won't talk about it today. I will pass on the meal—I will reward you with a feast. Isn't it interesting for us monarchs and ministers to talk about literature and art while eating?" After hearing this, several courtiers thanked En and got up.

Meals in the imperial kitchen are available at any time, and they are ready in no time.It was the first time for Li Guangdi to receive this honor, and he took the last seat.Kangxi sat at the head, telling the courtiers to "use as much as they can", picking out a light meal to accompany him, and then picking up Mingzhu's window lesson book to read.

Mingzhu's memorials these days are all ghostwritten by Gao Shiqi, who is new to the shogunate, and has been repeatedly praised by decrees. Seeing Kangxi reviewing his articles, he smiled proudly: "I'm afraid it will be difficult to get into the holy eyes. I have been taught by the emperor for the past two years, and the slave Consciously, I have made great progress in learning, and I can't help but feel ashamed when I think of the absurdity of the prelude..."

But Kangxi didn't believe that all his memorials and articles were written by Mingzhu himself. Hearing him bragging, he smiled and said, "It's true——your class is interesting. I wonder if there are any poems?" When I was writing some poems, Kangxi was scratching the itch. I turned around and took out a notebook from the boot page, and presented it to Kangxi with both hands, saying: "This is the poetry homework of the servant, and there are also some contemporary articles, with comments from my friends on it. Please take a look, master." Kangxi took it, flipped through each article at random, and suddenly laughed: "Old Master Xiong, this criticism is very interesting, look at this "Never Give Up" article—" Suo'etu was sitting at the Xiong Cilu lowered his head. Although he despised Mingzhu as a human being, he was surprised when he heard Kangxi say this, so he leaned behind Xiong Cilu and tilted his head to read the manuscript:

"The sage said, 'The body, hair and skin are subject to parents, dare not damage', this is the foundation of not abandoning yourself. Husband's hair and skin should not be damaged lightly, how about my body? I have received my parents, and I have received the grace of the rain and dew. In the world, the sky loves and values ​​it, so how dare a humble body go up to the sky and throw itself away?"

Xiong Cilu frowned and read it, and said: "--what is this batch--Jiegu Siluo, it hurts!" Li Guangdi shook his head and said: "I only heard that 'Jiegu is one piece, ten thousand flowers fall together', this 'four What do you mean? Painfully—" He pondered, but couldn't figure it out.Suo'etu was also in a fog.Kangxi deduced that these words were not good, so he said with a smile, "It can't be 'Jiegu Siluo, [-] flowers will fall together!'" Before he finished speaking, seeing Li Guangdi cover his mouth and snigger, he asked, "What are you laughing at? "

Li Guangdi hastily put down his chopsticks, and said: "The author is Pi Li Yangqiu. Jiegu Siluo, originally means 'impossible and impenetrable'; according to medical theory, those who suffer from 'pain' also mean 'pain is impenetrable'. Mingzhu actually called this People are cheating!" Kangxi looked up and thought about it, it was really good, he couldn't help laughing.Mingzhu blushed blushingly, and teased: "The original article didn't make sense, so it's no wonder he wrote this comment!"

Xiong Cilu has always been solemn and kind, and doesn't like frivolity. When Li Guangdi explained it, he frowned and turned down again. It was a poem chanting plums, so he read softly:

Half of the wall is full of chi pans reflecting the snow, and the branches are shining brightly.

If you don't believe me, Dongjun doesn't pay attention, he is so fascinated that the bluebottle flies around the flower.

Because Kangxi couldn't hear it clearly, he asked for the manuscript back, read it again, and said: "This poem is very flat, and the criticism is also vague-'It seems to be at the same level, but it is higher than Du at the top'-it is true. What do you mean? Can this poem surpass Du Gongbu? Is there anyone surnamed Qi who can be better than the poet?" Xiong Cilu commented on the poetry, and couldn't help shaking his head. It was hard to understand for a while.He recited it twice, suddenly blushed, suppressed a smile and said: "These comments are frivolous and vulgar, not enough to insult the heavens, let's just forget about it."

Kangxi tilted his neck and thought about it for a while, but still couldn't understand the meaning of these eight characters, so he said with a smile: "It's okay to tell everyone to have a good laugh!"

For a while Li Guangdi also came to his senses, seeing Xiong Cilu muttering and refusing to speak, he said, "It's very inelegant, this 'qi' is the homonym of 'navel' of the navel, 'du' is the belly of 'belly' ..."

Mingzhu stared and listened, knowing that the criticism was not good, but she didn't know what it meant; Suo'etu just muttered: "What's so difficult about these eight characters? It's under the navel, and it's higher than the belly—then It's not shit!"

A single word made it clear, and immediately caused a roar of laughter.Kangxi leaned on the back of the chair, laughing out of breath, Suo'etu coughed and beat his chest with his hands, Xiong Cilu's face was flushed, he gritted his teeth and tried not to lose his composure.Even the eunuchs Mu Zixu and Su Lun who were guarding the door, some squatted down, some covered their faces, they all leaned forward and backward, only Li Dequan was able to hold on a little, and came over to beat Kangxi's back with a smile.Ming Zhuli was kneeling or not, with a blank smile on her face, and secretly cursed in her heart: "Gao Shiqi, a bastard, I treated him like that, and he teased me like this, let's talk about it when the master returns home!"

"This poem is really not good." Xiong Cilu calmed down and criticized with a smile. Where did it come from? But this group of poets is really too much." Kangxi calmed down, took a sip of herbal tea, and said to Mingzhu with a smile: "...you are still happy! You can't embarrass this person, I want to meet him See—you are a fellow Jinshi, I don’t know which examiner is blind or distracted, and I don’t know how much money you, a slave, have spent to buy the joints..."

"There is no such thing as passing joints." Seeing that Kangxi didn't care about it, Mingzhu settled down and laughed at herself, "At that time, there were few people who took the test, and the quota was not enough. The examiner was confused, and the nonsense articles were messed up. There are also some, I don’t want to show my true self in front of the Long Live God today! However, it’s not in vain for the slave’s ‘poem’ to be able to make the master smile—— This guest is called Gao Shiqi, who was originally a talented scholar from Qiantang. It is best to get along with a slave, it is his good fortune that the master wants to see him, how dare the slave make things difficult for him!" He said with a glance at Etu.When Suo'etu heard that it was Gao Shiqi, he was taken aback for a moment, but seeing Kangxi was happy, he hurriedly told the story of Gao Shiqi slandering and scolding all the celebrities in the mansion that day, which made everyone laugh wildly again.

After a while, Kangxi Fang suppressed his smile.Mingzhu's words reminded him that in the early years of Kangxi, there were indeed very few applicants for the exam, and the places were not enough.Now they are pushing through the door like bamboo sticks stuck in their heads, and the north and south quarters can't guard against selfishness and fraud.But the erudite, the Confucian, and the Confucian are different.A total of 180 people took the test, and there were more than [-] people who were old, sick, and evaded.People like Gu Yanwu, Fu Shan and others put on the posture of "righteousness is not humiliated" and they should not take the test. It seems that the hearts of the people in the world still haven't been "sanctified"!After pondering for a while, Kangxi Fang said slowly: "It's just that the examiners are required to do their jobs with all their heart. The matter of erudition and Confucianism must be done well. I also know that it is not humane to force them to take the exam, but there is nothing you can do about it. Gong You still have to pull it hard, and since you’re here, you have to take the test! Those who pass the test will be given to the officials regardless of whether they are good or bad—the most important thing is to ask them to take the test! Are you listening?"

"Cha!" Several ministers hurriedly kowtowed and replied.

"Mingzhu," Kangxi said with a smile, "you are in charge of the four divisions of the Ministry of Officials, and they all have individual numbers, do you understand?"

"The slave knows." Mingzhu replied without hesitation, "The Department of Wenxuan is in charge of promotion and dismissal, called 'Xi Si'; "Ai Division"; the Inspection and Sealing Division is in charge of giving shade and attacking, and is called the "Le Division". Together, they are the Four Divisions of Joy, Anger, Sorrow and Joy!"

Kangxi nodded and said: "You are quite familiar with the ministry - I think these four words can also be used in the erudite Confucianism this time. I will take the princes and relatives of Wancheng as the main test. This is an unprecedented honor. 'Happiness'; some people refuse to give in, and come to see them tied up, which is called 'anger'; if he is unhappy, you might as well call him 'sorrow' for a while; 'Yes? You go down and deal with it—kneel down!" After saying that, he couldn't help laughing.

(End of this chapter)