Anecdote of the Fifth Queen Mother

Chapter 31 The Empress Dowager (3)
Yehenala's ancestor was originally a Mongolian, surnamed Tumed.The ancestor Xingqian Darhan destroyed Hulun Nala and occupied its land, renamed Nala, and moved to the bank of the Yehe River, so he was named Yehenala.It was passed down four times to the period of Qing Jia Ni and Yang Ji Ni, and its power increased greatly.At the time of expanding the land and convincing the public, he was hostile to another powerful Aixinjueluo family.Although the two parties were married at first, they had the intention of annexing each other and resorted to force.Yehe's fifth biography to Buyangu started a fierce battle with Aixinjueluo's Nurhachi, and finally ended with Nurhachi's victory.When Nurhachi approached Yehe, he swore: "If this move fails to defeat Yehe, I will not go back (return) to the country!" , this time Nurhachi adopted a policy of mass killing. "It's quite common to kill, but men are rarely spared" ("Chongling Chuanxinlu").In the end, Yehebel Buyangu was also pushed to the execution ground, and the fire ignited under his feet, only to hear him cry out in grief and indignation:
"Although my sons and grandsons have a daughter, they will surely overwhelm Manzhou."
This cry shocked everyone on the execution ground, and also shocked Nurhachi.It was a coincidence that after Shunzhi entered the customs, another incident in which Ye He's descendants subverted the Manchurian regime was uncovered.When the leader was to be burned at the stake, he uttered almost the same oath as his ancestors:

"One day, the descendants of Yehenala will definitely settle accounts with the descendants of Nurhachi.... At that time, they will have to fall into our hands. This retribution must be received by them!" ( De Ling's "Yingtai Weeping Blood" page 151)
Xianfeng recalled these thrilling scenes, and he felt cold sweat all over his body. Yes, Concubine Yi is the descendant of Yehenala, and she is the person who controls the heir of the Qing Dynasty—Zai Chun. This is too dangerous. , Then an idea appeared: this scourge must not be left behind.He said to Sushun:
"When I die, I will kill Concubine Yi as a martyr, and don't let my clan be overthrown."

Sushun nodded knowingly, his heart filled with the joy of the winner.

[-]. Listening to politics behind a curtain

After the shipwreck incident, Concubine Yi was extremely disturbed. She regretted that she should not have been able to compete for the hegemony at the time, and at the same time felt sad for the weakened Xianfeng.Of course, what she cares most about is Xianfeng's attitude towards her.For this reason, she made special arrangements for An Dehai.

A few days passed, and Concubine Yi got some information from the eunuch.Knowing that the emperor and Sushun often had secret meetings, Sushun, Zaiyuan, Duanhua and others also often gathered.Some of the content of these secret discussions can be known through the eunuchs, but more is indeed impossible to know. Moreover, Xianfeng's condition is getting worse day by day, and the situation has reached a critical juncture.

In July of the 11th year of Xianfeng (AD 1861), Xianfeng's condition worsened. At this time, Rehe was more lively, and the tense atmosphere was suffocating.Xianfeng, who was about to die, seemed to realize that the situation after his death would be uneasy, so he made a compromise arrangement: he decided to appoint Zaiyuan, Duanhua, Sushun and others as ministers of state affairs to assist the young emperor.This can prevent concubines, especially the Nala family from interfering with the government, and prevent the Aixinjueluo regime from being overthrown.But he didn't want to indulge the eight ministers, so he awarded his two seals, Yushang and Tongdaotang, to Queen Niuhulu and Yifei Nala respectively.It is stipulated that important military affairs must be covered with these two chapters before they can be issued and implemented, so as to contain the eight ministers.It was also in order to restrain the eight ministers that Xianfeng finally revoked his plan of "killing Concubine Yi as a martyr" on his deathbed, leaving Concubine Yi as the restraining person.After making the above arrangements, Xianfeng finally passed away on July [-]th.

After Xianfeng's death, the two forces in Rehe, the concubine force and the powerful force, were not immersed in sorrow, but actively arranged in secret, and the struggle entered a fierce stage, and it also continued to turn from secret to open.

The death of Xianfeng is beneficial to the eight ministers, because they can take over the affairs of state in the name of praise.Rehe really became the world of the eight ministers.Although the queen and concubine Yi were very dissatisfied with this, and they were honored as empress dowagers according to the convention at this time, they were powerless to compete with the eight ministers.Therefore, they deeply feel the sorrow of orphans and widowers.At the same time, they also strengthened their determination to defeat the Eight Ministers.In order to change this bullying situation.How to change this unfavorable situation?When the empress dowagers of the two palaces were anxiously thinking, a memorial reminded them.This memorial came from Beijing, and the occupant was Prince Gong Yi, Xianfeng's sixth younger brother.

After Prince Gong fled to Rehe in Xianfeng, he was ordered to stay in the capital to handle negotiations with Britain and France.But after the negotiations were over, Yi repeatedly asked Xianfeng to return to Beijing, but the emperor, who was frightened by the foreigners, found various reasons to refuse.Yi was very aware of what Xianfeng did in Rehe. He hated Sushun and others for seizing power and rape, especially Sushun prevented Yi from going to Rehe for various reasons, which made him extremely resentful.In order not to be restrained by Sushun in the future, he actively developed his influence in Beijing and enlisted foreigners as backers, eventually becoming the third force that could compete with Sushun.After Xianfeng died of illness in Rehe, Yi really wanted to go deep into the tiger's lair to find out the situation so as to decide his own countermeasures, so shortly after Xianfeng's death, he requested to pay a memorial to the Zi Palace and arrived in Rehe.

Regarding Yi's request, the eight ministers had different opinions internally. They made various guesses, but in the end Sushun made a final decision.

"Let the sixth child come, it's not worth making a fuss about."

After Yi received the reply from the eight ministers, he deeply felt that there was no need to delay the matter, and that the priority should be as soon as possible.So he set off from Beijing in a hurry and arrived in Rehe on August [-].

The first thing he did when he arrived in Rehe was to pay homage to Zigong, so after getting off the sedan chair, Yi went to the Lingfang, and after seeing Zigong, he burst into tears.This sudden crying startled the guardians, no one expected that Yi would come so quickly, and it was so sad.So that they also wept, Li Ciming made this description:
"Gong's mansion came to Rehe on the first day of the eighth lunar month, and paid homage to the Catalpa Palace. He prostrated himself on the ground and mourned loudly, and the sound resounded through the palace. Everyone who heard it was in tears." day")
This time when he came to Rehe, Yi made careful and careful considerations, designed every step several times, and selected the best among them. This visit to Zigong was his first step.The second step is to visit the Eight Ministers.Although Yi is also a noble prince, he was not included in the list of government affairs. (This may be the reason why he cried bitterly after seeing Zigong, and the more he cried, the more sad he became.) Therefore, he condescended, and he was very sorry for this. Fully mentally prepared.Sushun and others are listed in the praise, arrogant and arrogant.It is unwise to put on airs in front of these people, especially Jehol, which is within their sphere of influence.Therefore, Yi condescended to pay homage to the eight ministers. After meeting, he was "extremely humble" and really confused the arrogant Sushun. Sushun actually said loudly: "What can he (referring to Prince Gong Yi) do? You are not afraid."

After the news that Prince Gong Yi visited and asked to pay a visit to the Zi Palace, the Empress Dowagers of the two palaces secretly actively promoted Yi to come to Rehe. In this way, they wanted to try to summon Yi after he arrived, and perhaps they could unite with him to overthrow the Sushun et al.On August [-]st, when Yi paid a visit to the Zi Palace, an eunuch had already reported to them, so after discussion, they decided to summon Yi.

Just as Yi was having a lively conversation with Sushun, Zaiyuan, Duanhua and others in the Hall of Jingcheng in Danbo, the eunuch in charge of the Eastern Empress Dowager came to Huan Yi's order:
"The empress dowagers of the two palaces summoned Prince Gong."

Hearing Xuan Zhaoyi's decree, everyone present had their own thoughts, but they all expected this to be inevitable, but it was just a little hasty.Prince Gong Yi showed a very embarrassed look and said to Zaiyuan:

"It's unreasonable to avoid being summoned by the two palaces, but..."

Du Han, who was standing aside, refused to give an inch. When he heard the words "reasonable and unavoidable", he felt uncomfortable. What's the reason?So, he interrupted Yi's words.

"Uncle and sister-in-law should avoid suspicion. Besides, the first emperor Bintian and the empress dowager are in mourning, so it is especially inappropriate to summon the prince."

Du Han's words were reasonable and timely, which silenced Ge Yi.Zaiyuan, Duanhua and Sushun applauded it.When Yi was in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat, another eunuch came to call:
"The empress dowagers of the two palaces summoned Prince Gong to inquire about the situation in Beijing, and the empress dowager asked about the situation at home by the way."

The idea of ​​the Empress Dowager West is brilliant. What reason do Sushun and others have to prevent the Empress Dowager from asking about the situation in Beijing and her family?Sushun saw that the matter had come to this point, and it was unreasonable to resist, so he cupped his hands at Yi and said:
"Lao Liu, since Yi's decree is called frequently, then you have to work hard."

Yi knew that Sushun agreed, and no one else would stop him, but he still took the initiative.He cupped his hands and extended an invitation to Duanhua:
"I would like to ask Prince Zheng to work hard, and it would be better to have an audience together."

Duanhua was generalized by Yi, he lost his mind for a moment, stood there silently, Sushun smiled and said:

"Hey, sixth son, you and the empress dowagers of the two palaces are uncles and sisters-in-law. When uncles and sisters-in-law meet and talk about family life, why should we accompany you?"

After listening to Sushun's words, Yi was relieved, he bowed his hands to the eight ministers, and walked towards Yanbo Zhishuang hall.

The empress dowagers of the two palaces in Yanbo Zhishuang Palace are waiting anxiously. The first summoning was blocked, so is it possible that the second call will not succeed?While thinking about what to do next, I only heard Shuangxi report: "Master Liu is here!"

When the two palaces heard that Yi Fengzhao was coming, they immediately passed the curtain down.Yi walked slowly into the hall, stood in front of the curtain and waited for questioning, the Empress Dowager Xi glanced at the Empress Dowager Dong and signaled for her to speak first, the Empress Dowager Dong also asked about the situation in Beijing bluntly, and then the Empress Dowager West asked again The situation of her natal family and the situation of walking along the way.After asking these trivial matters, it was time to turn to the main topic. The Empress Dowager Xi gave the eunuchs a wink, and they withdrew from the door. At this time, there were only three uncles and sisters-in-law in the hall.

Yi bowed his head and remained silent, waiting for the questioning of the empress dowagers of the two palaces.Suddenly there was a burst of sobbing, it turned out that the Empress Dowager Xi was weeping, and the Empress Dowager East saw that the Empress Dowager Xi was sobbing, so bitterness and bitterness came to her heart unconsciously, and she also burst into tears.Yi felt a little puzzled by Monk Zhang Er. He didn't know whether to persuade or weep together?
"Since Emperor Daxing visited Rehe, the three traitors, Sushun, Zaiyuan, and Duanhua, have seized power with their lust for sex and sex. It is really unspeakable." The Empress Dowager complained while sobbing.

"That's right, it's extremely arrogant, especially since Emperor Daxing passed away and the three traitors covered the sky with one hand, and he didn't pay attention to us orphans and widows." The Queen Mother added angrily.

The empress dowagers wept and complained, which aroused Yi's indignation.After hearing their complaints, he stated:

"The servant thinks that the three traitors are heinous and must be severely punished. But this is not the right time and place, and they have the name of supporting government affairs. I wonder what the queen mother thinks?"

"We also think the same way. It is urgent to organize the funeral of the Emperor Daxing, and the punishment of rape will wait later." The Empress Dowager replied immediately.

"I can make arrangements in Beijing. The only way to do it is to return to Beijing. I hope the Empress Dowager will be patient for a while."

Hearing Yi's suggestion, the Eastern Empress Dowager nodded, and the Western Empress Dowager also nodded in agreement, and then the Western Empress Dowager seemed to remember something, so she asked again:
"Of course Liu Ye's idea is good, but I still have lingering fears about something. Don't foreigners make trouble?"

Yi heard the Queen Mother's question and really wanted to laugh. He knew that he was frightened by the foreigners. In order to stabilize the hearts of the two palaces, he said flatly:

"There must be no objection from foreign countries. If there is a disturbance, only the slave will ask. However, it is the emperor's will to praise the Minister of State Affairs. Moreover, Gu Ming is an ancestral system. To punish the three traitors, we must carefully consider it."

The Empress Dowager West had discussed this matter with the Empress Dowager East a long time ago. Of course, they wanted to take over the power and practice behind-the-scenes listening to politics that had appeared in the Han and Tang Dynasties.However, this could not be said clearly, so the Queen Mother turned a corner.

"Speaking of which, the Emperor Daxing was indeed deceived by the three traitors. He didn't list the sixth master in the government affairs of praise and assistance. The sixth master was in Beijing to handle the compromise. Besides, he was a close relative. The sixth master has the most right to participate in this military affairs. Punish the three After being raped, it's only natural for Liu Ye to join the military plane again."

Yi heard the implication of the Queen Mother, isn't this a quid pro quo?He could not remain indifferent, so he said spontaneously:
"Emperor Daxing is new, and the emperor is young. If it is the same as in the old dynasty, there are things that the mother and the queen will come to the court. As far as our dynasty is concerned, it is not static. The time of the holy ancestor Kangxi, although the empress dowager has no time to hang down. The name, but there is the reality of listening to politics."

Yi's words showed the two palaces that he agreed to listen to the government behind the curtain, and the two palaces were relieved.I only listened to the Empress Dowager Xi directly talking about her opinions.

"Master Liu, I think we have to prepare at both ends. The arrangement in Beijing is entirely up to Master Liu. As for this side? My sister and I will do our best. But it is better for Master Liu to return to Beijing earlier."

"Yes, the slave has made up his mind. To prevent accidents, we can leave tomorrow."

After listening to Yi's words, the Empress Dowager Dong added another sentence,
"Be careful on the road, just in case."

"I would like to obey Yi's order." After saying that, Yi left.

After Yi Xingye returned to Beijing, he made active arrangements, and kept relaying his situation to the two palaces through the internal line - the military aircraft Zhangjing Cao Yuying.After the arrangements were made, the two palaces strongly urged the eight ministers to escort Zigong back to Beijing as soon as possible.The Eight Ministers cannot ignore public opinion.Therefore, it was decided to return to the capital in late September.

Entering September, the development of the current situation is quite favorable for the two palaces.On the first day of the new year, they were pleased by the memorial to honor the two palaces initiated by Guiliang, a senior scholar, and attended by Sushun.The memorial will be sent to the East Palace first and then to the West Palace. The Empress Dowager needs to take a closer look. How can she not care about these things?She opened the memorial:
"University scholar Gui Liang and others knelt and played:

I hereby entrust you with the imperial edict: I have inherited the Great Order, the Empress Dowager should be honored as the Empress Dowager, and the Holy Mother should be honored as the Empress Dowager. All the ceremonies should be performed, and the Yamen respectfully checks the rules and plays, hereby.

The servants are stealing Dao Qi Kunyuan..."

When the Empress Dowager saw the high-sounding language, she naturally scanned the ten lines at a glance, and she was much more careful when she saw the following lines.

"The ministers and others obeyed the decree, respected the Yi chapter, respected the empress dowager's emblem, and said it was "Empress Ci'an", and the empress dowager's emblem was "Empress Cixi". Hanging down billions of dollars to raise the price, Yaozhang Caixuan.

The minister waits for the order, and all the ceremonies should be handed over to the yamen to handle them respectfully.Sincerely.

University scholar Guiliang, minister Jiazhen, minister Guanwen, minister Zhou Zupei, and the co-organizer of the university scholar clan Sushun. (The first series of "Archives and Historical Materials of the Qing Dynasty", pp. 97-98)
After the Queen Mother finished reading the memorial, a smile flashed across her face, and Sushun actually participated, she seemed to understand.However, this was finally a good thing, so she took out her seal and stamped it heavily on the booklet. The words "Tongdaotang" were clearly written, which indicated that the Empress Dowager Xi agreed.Since then, the East Palace has been called Empress Dowager Ci'an, and the West Palace has been called Empress Dowager Cixi.

The empress dowagers of the two palaces are very good at seizing the opportunity and restricting the eight ministers.Since September, they have been too busy dealing with returning to Beijing. Zaiyuan, Duanhua, and Sushun asked for a reduction.This was originally half polite and half experimental, and Cixi was not polite to them. After discussing with Ci'an, she decided to agree to their request, so the decree for reducing the difference was quickly issued:
"On the fourth day of September in the 11th year of Xianfeng, the cabinet issued an edict:

Today, Zaiyuan, Duanhua, and Sushun played face-to-face because of the more complicated tasks. Please change the management place, please consider reassignment, etc., based on the actual situation, and follow the request.Zaiyuan wrote the affairs of Kailuan Yiwei and Shangyu Backup Office.Duanhua wrote that there was a shortage of infantry commanders, and Sushun opened the management of the Fanyuan and directed the affairs of the office.This is it. (The first series of "Archives and Historical Materials of the Qing Dynasty", page 98)
The imperial edict was issued, and Zaiyuan and others secretly complained that the power given to them by Emperor Xianfeng was cut off by the two palaces.But who asked himself to come, what is it if it's not a dumb man eating coptis?
On September 22, Rehe started to get busy, because tomorrow is the day to return to Beijing.On this day, Cixi and Ci'an specially summoned eight ministers to return to Beijing.After negotiation between the two parties, of course it is mainly the opinions of the two palaces.Sushun escorted Zigong back to Beijing, while Zaiyuan, Duanhua and Liang Gonghu returned to Beijing by way of the young emperor.

On the 23rd, the ministers of the two palaces and concubines respectfully sent Zigong the first departure, and Sushun set off.Then he (she) lined up in a long line and marched towards the capital.The two palaces, especially Cixi, were in extreme tension on the way from Rehe to Beijing, and they were really afraid of accidents on the way.She has only one wish: to reach Beijing as soon as possible.

When they finally arrived in Beijing on September [-], Cixi and Ci'an let go of their hanging hearts.But they did not breathe a sigh of relief, but immediately summoned Yi, and the two sides unanimously decided to defeat the eight ministers with lightning speed.

On the same day, the Shangyu stamped with the seals of "Imperial Reward" and "Tongdaotang" was made public.This edict was carefully considered, and the reason why it was issued as soon as he entered the capital.It is because the Shangyu was prepared as early as September [-]th in Jehol.

On September 11, [-]th year of Xianfeng, the cabinet issued an edict:

(End of this chapter)