Cao Huachun was born in the seventeenth year of Wanli. His family was poor when he was young, and he entered the palace at the age of twelve. Because of his talent, intelligence, diligence and studious, he received a good education in the palace. He was proficient in poetry, calligraphy and painting, and was deeply loved by the ministers.
The eunuch Wang An appreciated him and relied on him as a confidant. Later he accompanied and served the Five Emperors Sun Xin and Wang Zhu Youjian.
Later, Zhu Youjian became Chongzhen. Cao Huachun and Wang Chengen, who had grown up with Chongzhen since childhood, became the most trusted eunuchs of Chongzhen, and their status naturally increased.
Originally, the "chores" of reading out the imperial edict should not be done by the dignified eunuch Cao Huachun, but this time the matter was too important. After thinking about it, Chongzhen, who had lost trust in civil officials, found that he was qualified for this important task.
There were only a few eunuchs around him, so Cao Huachun was sent out after a brief interview.
Cao Huachun hurriedly arrived at Qingzhou, only to find that Qingzhou, which was supposed to be heavily guarded, did not appear to be tense, but instead seemed peaceful. Although the weather had turned cold, the city of Qingzhou was still crowded with people.
What a prosperous scene, this also made Cao Huachun's evaluation of the bold General Dingyuan a little higher.
After Cao Huachun and his party entered the commander's residence safely, Pang Gang quickly greeted them. Pang Gang, who was all the way away, laughed and said: "Eunuch Cao, we have met again. You are well."
Cao Huachun also showed a simple and honest smile and stepped forward: "General Pang, the last time our family went to the military camp to announce the decree, you were just a member of the Qianhu family, but now you are already a general guarding one side. It's really
It’s very gratifying.”
Although this is not the first time Pang Gang has met Cao Huachun, last time he was just a small fifth-grade Qianhu who was not even qualified to talk to Cao Huachun. It was only now that he had the opportunity to interact with this powerful eunuch Si Li Bingbi.
Face to face conversation.
After the two exchanged pleasantries, Cao Huachun smiled and said: "Master Pangda, I believe you also know the purpose of our visit today. Our family will announce the decree now."
"That's natural." Pang Gang nodded, and the celebrity set up the incense table and lit the incense.
After everything was done, Cao Huachun took out a bright yellow imperial edict from his entourage and walked to the incense table and solemnly said: "Qingzhou Commander, General Dingyuan, and Shandong East Road Counselor Pang Gang knelt down to receive the edict.
!”
Pang Gang also knelt down in front of the case and said seriously: "Your Majesty Pang Gang accepts the order!"
"By God's blessing, the emperor decreed that Pang Gang, the commander of Qingzhou, worked diligently, gathered the refugees, and managed the farmland well. I was very pleased and specially named him General Dingguo, Tongzhi, the Right Governor of Nanjing, and Commander-in-Chief of Zhendong Road, Shandong.
Official, his wife Pang Kong is the second-grade imperial concubine, I admire her!"
"Thank you Lord for your kindness, I accept the decree!" After Pang Gang received the imperial edict, he respectfully took it from Cao Huachun.
After receiving the imperial edict, Master Pang Gang removed the incense case, and Cao Huachun brought over the general Dingguo, the governor Tongzhi's seal, the chief military officer's seal, and the clothes, documents and clothes of the royal wife of Gaoming.
There are all kinds of things packed in a big box.
After announcing the edict, Cao Huachun rolled up the imperial edict with a smile on his face and handed it to Pang Gang: "General Pang, congratulations to you, the emperor has nothing to say to you. The title of Tongzhi, the right governor of Nanjing, is from the first rank, even if it is
When he meets the six ministers, he is on equal footing, and it is no problem to leave the pavilion and become the prime minister in the future."
Pang Gang received the imperial edict and said happily: "Haha, following the auspicious words of Eunuch Cao, I only want to be safe and secure, and I will be satisfied."
Pang Gang ordered people to hold a banquet in honor of Cao Huachun, and also released Liu Zeqing and Chen Xinjia to accompany them. However, when they came out, Cao Hua was stunned when he saw their appearance. They were also prisoners, and Liu Zeqing's face was glowing red.
It was extremely moisturizing, but Chen Xinjia, who was captured with him, had a sallow complexion and a haggard look. When he saw Cao Huachun, his eye circles immediately turned red, and he almost rushed to hug Cao Huachun and burst into tears.
Cao Huachun frowned secretly. He knew that Pang Gang and Chen Xinjia had always had a feud, otherwise Chen Xinjia would not have taken the initiative to ask Ying to escort Pang Gang to Beijing last time. However, he did not expect that he was imprisoned instead of being brought. It seemed that Pang Gang was not brought to Beijing.
You have just given this enemy a lot of suffering.
Cao Huachun really guessed it right. After Pang Gang caught Chen Xinjia, he was put into the darkest and smelliest cell. He was given one meal a day of leftover soup and pickled rice. It was impossible to be full with such a meal. He could only forcefully eat it.
Guaranteed not to starve to death, just like that, after more than half a month, Chen Xinjia looked like this.
After the banquet started, Chen Xinjia was like a starving ghost reincarnated. Everyone was shocked by his ugly appearance. He only saw a chicken leg in his left hand and a piece of ribs in his right hand. He didn't even use chopsticks, just gobbled it up. Liu Zeqing's
The corner of his mouth moved a few times, but then he held it back. From Chen Xinjia's appearance, he could imagine how much he had suffered these days. On the contrary, Pang Gang kept giving him food with a smile. People who didn't know would never know
Will believe that he is the culprit of all this.
The meal lasted for half an hour before it stopped. Cao Huachun then said to Pang Gang: "Master Pangda, we have drank wine and eaten food. It is time to say goodbye. I believe you have promised to the emperor."
It’s time to cash in, right?”
Pang Gang laughed and said: "Eunuch Cao, don't worry, I, Mr. Pang, can do everything except cheating. One million taels of silver are already waiting for you outside the city together with Mr. Liu's subordinates who were released.
You can leave at any time."
"One million taels of silver!" Chen Xinjia and Liu Zeqing, who had heard about this for the first time, exclaimed in unison. Only then did they know why Cao Huachun appeared in Qingzhou. The guy in love actually bribed him with one million taels of silver.
It’s Chongzhen.
In the end, Cao Huachun took Chen Xinjia and Liu Zeqing, as well as the 7,000 released soldiers and returned weapons, and marched to the north with one million taels of silver, while Pang Gang led a group of officers and stood on the city wall
The superior sent them off.
Hua Yan, who had been standing behind Pang Gang, said with some worry: "Sir, according to my opinion, I am afraid that Minister Chen and you have developed a deadly feud, and will be at odds with you after he returns."
Pang Gang slowly shook his head: "Don't worry, I don't take this kind of person with no talent or virtue in my eyes. Even if there are ten more like him, it won't be a big deal. But I didn't expect the current imperial court."
Our finances are in dire straits."
In fact, Pang Gang proposed to donate one million taels of silver to the imperial court because he did not want to conflict with the imperial court so soon. Qingzhou is not yet strong enough to ignore the imperial court. Even with the help of Golden Finger, the war is still going on.
What matters is manpower, material resources and resources. If Chongzhen gets ruthless and brings Lu Xiangsheng, Xuanfu, and the soldiers and horses in Shanhaiguan area to fight with him, even if Pang Gang is lucky enough to win, he will lose both sides in the end, and gain the advantage of those who are now running around.
Rogue bandits and Manchu Tatars.
Therefore, Pang just tried to use one million taels of silver to explore the road, but the effect was unexpectedly good. Chongzhen did not mention Pang Gang's recent behavior in the imperial edict, but promoted him to another official. Even Kong Ruolan
He was also given the title of Second Grade Emperor. From this point alone, we can see how urgent Chongzhen's need for money was.
Hua Yan also sighed: "Sir, although the imperial court has promoted you to an official position, the emperor will definitely settle the score once there is an opportunity in the future."
"Settling accounts?" Pang Gang sighed, "The emperor no longer has the energy to come to me to settle accounts. Li Zicheng's bandits have turned Henan upside down. The court is too busy to take care of itself. How can it bother to find trouble with me? Let's go back!"
When Pang Gang returned to the mansion, he found that the inner courtyard was already very busy. Dozens of maids and servants were very busy. In the hall of the inner courtyard were his two cheap father-in-laws Wei Tongnian, Kong Wen, and Da.
Uncle Kong Lin and others were present solemnly, including Wei Man Ting, Kong Ruolan, Li Xuezhu, Ling'er, Chen Yuanyuan, Liu Rushi and other girls. None of them were left.
"What are you..." Pang Gang, who was so confused that Zhang Erjiang couldn't help but stay on the spot.
"Ah, it turns out that Chaodong is back." Wei Tongnian, who was sitting aside, saw Pang Gang coming back and said with a smile: "Chaodong, everyone has heard that you were promoted to General Dingguo. The right governor, Tongzhi, is about to
I’m here to congratulate you, but I came uninvited this time.”
"No, my father-in-law is here, and my son-in-law is too late to be happy, so how can he be surprised? Since everyone is here, please hurry up and take a seat."
With everyone's refusal and humility, the ranking of seats was also arranged. For Wei Tongnian and Kong Wen, although Pang Gang was a junior, he was the highest official here and took the chief seat. Wei Tongnian was the first on the left hand
Although Kong Wen was also Pang Gang's father-in-law, he was just a businessman. As long as he was ranked second, Kong Lin was ranked third.
The person sitting first on Pang Gang's right hand is Kong Ruolan. Now Kong Ruolan is amazing. She is the second-grade imperial concubine appointed by the imperial court. In terms of etiquette, when Wei saw her in the same year, he would also salute her. Below Kong Ruolan
The ones sitting next to her are Wei Manting and Li Xuezhu. Although Ling'er was born as a maid, Pang Gang took her as a concubine after consummating their marriage with Pang Gang, so she also sat behind Li Xuezhu, followed by Chen Yuanyuan and Liu Rushi.
Seeing a large group of people lively and laughing, Pang Gang felt a warmth from his heart and realized what family happiness is.
But at the same time, there is something called responsibility pressing on my shoulders. My relatives in this world are all here. If I lose power, everything in front of me will disappear immediately.
Now, although Chongzhen has promoted himself, he must be keeping a score for himself in his heart, and the enmity between the Qing Dynasty and himself is too great. They can't wait to eat their own flesh. As for the rogue bandits, they have broken it. Li Zicheng is in Qingzhou
It's a good thing, I'm afraid he doesn't have a good impression of himself. Thinking about it, he has unknowingly offended all the forces that can be offended in less than two years. What kind of thing is this!