After tossing and turning all night, Zhao Qiang had mixed feelings. After arriving in this era, except for a distant glance at Kangxi's dragon boat on the Songhua River, he never thought that he would be able to see Kangxi's true face before he conquered the Qing Dynasty.
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How tall was Kangxi? Is his face really full of pockmarks? Is he just like in the novels of later generations? A series of questions made Zhao Qiang full of expectations for the upcoming meeting. Of course, it was a red flag for Mingzhu to reward himself.
Zhao Qiang, the deputy general officer, wanted to lead his people to fight behind the Russians. Zhao Qiang also thought about several conditions and planned to put them forward when Kangxi saw him. Since he was asked to work hard, he had to give himself benefits. If he could
It is better to strive for as much as you can, rather than struggling to grab and build it in the future.
The Manchu and Qing dynasties were the same as the Ming Dynasty. The morning dynasty time was Mao hour, which is from 5 to 7 o'clock in later generations. Officials who generally lived outside Mancheng had to set out from 3 to 5 o'clock in later generations, otherwise they would miss the date.
It was time for the court meeting. Zhao Qiang was not an official. Although Mingzhu rewarded him with the position of deputy counselor, he was not officially appointed, and even if he was formally appointed, he was not qualified to attend the court meeting. Therefore, he had to go to the Ming government first. For this
He also got up when it was dark outside, ate some snacks made by the servants of the Gao family in a hurry, got in the carriage and went straight to Desheng Gate.
The current capital is different from the San Francisco rebellion a few years ago. During the Mongol invasion of Chahar, the city gates were not closed. Sometimes the outer city was closed occasionally, but the city gates were never closed throughout the city. Only the soldiers on duty were changed.
It's just a guard. Not closing the city gate is also a way for the Qing government to show the world the scene of "prosperity and peace", which is of great political significance.
Xu Shiming's people notified Deshengmen, so Zhao Qiang was not stopped when he entered Deshengmen, but allowed his carriage to drive in. There were many carriages driving on the road along the way, and every time
Each carriage is hung with a lantern, with surnames such as "Zhao", "Zhang" and "Qi" written on it, or words such as "Duchayuan" and "Dali Temple" printed on it. All kinds of actions do not remind others of their identity.
.
After the carriage arrived at the Ming Mansion, the side door of the Ming Mansion was open, and a very luxurious sedan had been prepared at the door. Several servants were busy coming in and out, presumably preparing for the Mingzhu Dynasty. Zhao Qiang asked the steward
The man explained his purpose of coming and handed him all the mink skins, ginseng and other things he had brought. The steward checked the number and asked people to move in. After a while, someone came out and said, "The master is changing clothes. Please let me know."
The rice ginseng leader will wait outside."
Zhao Qiang waited outside the mansion. The weather in early February was very cold. He was too embarrassed to retreat into the carriage, so he stood at the foot of the steps and kept the servants busy. A few minutes later, the servants of the Ming mansion carried things into the sedan.
Zhao Qiang's eyes were opened. It turned out that it was a stove, but it was not used for heating, but for making porridge. It was steaming and fragrant, making people salivate.
He really knows how to enjoy it, Zhao Qiang couldn't help but said to himself.
"Master is coming to court!"
After a while, a servant in the mansion shouted. One person passed it to the other, and the message reached outside the mansion. Then all the servants in the Ming mansion stepped aside and lowered their heads respectfully, waiting for their master to come out.
The first thing Mingzhu saw when he came out was Zhao Qiang. After a dozen steps, he smiled and said: "The rice ginseng leader came very early. I really feel sorry for keeping you waiting for so long."
Zhao Qiang hurriedly saluted and said: "The Prime Minister is a big deal for me. It is my blessing to be able to wait for the Prime Minister. Others can't wait even if they want to."
"Haha." Mingzhu chuckled and motioned for Zhao Qiang to return to his carriage. Then he said a few words to a steward behind him. The steward glanced at Zhao Qiang and nodded in agreement. After Mingzhu got on the sedan, he came to Zhao Qiang.
carriage.
"The master told his servant that the chief minister was not familiar with the rules of the palace, and he was afraid that he would be rude when he met the emperor, so he asked the servant to explain a few words to the chief minister."
"That's what I'm looking for!" Seeing that Mingzhu's sedan has moved, Zhao Qiang couldn't help but ask the steward: "Are you talking here or in the car?"
The steward said: "I told you in the car that the minister must follow the Prime Minister, otherwise he will not be able to enter the palace." After saying this, Zhao Qiang did not ask for permission, so he took the carriage. The coachman raised his whip, and the carriage followed closely behind Mingzhu's sedan chair.
There are twelve bearers in this large sedan chair, four at the front and two at the front and two at the left. It is very eye-catching on the road and travels very fast. Some carriages and sedans that were traveling saw this sedan and stopped obediently one by one.
Get down and let Mingzhu's sedan go first.
The steward said that what Zhao Qiang explained was the etiquette of entering the palace. If you see the emperor, you should kneel three times and kowtow, how you should answer when the emperor asks questions, how you should express gratitude when you receive a reward, and you should not look around or talk nonsense after entering the palace. It is also special.
If the emperor asks about the situation of the Rakshasa people in the North, just follow what you said to the Prime Minister last night, and don't say anything else.
Zhao Qiang wrote them down one by one, and in a short time, he followed Mingzhu's sedan to Donghua Gate. At this time, there were many sedans and carriages parked outside Donghua Gate. Looking from a distance, the square was crowded and lively. Many officials even
Still sitting on a small stool, eating breakfast brought from home.
The coachman wisely stopped the carriage at an inconspicuous place outside. The steward gave instructions and went back to Mingzhu. Zhao Qiang got off the carriage and didn't know whether he should go to Mingzhu, so he just stood there.
He wanted to look for Gao Shiqi in the crowd, but he could not be seen when he came and went. There were so many people and it was still dark, so it was really difficult to find someone. After a while, Zhao Qiang gave up the idea. That was it.
After half a stick of incense, the steward just came over and told Zhao Qiang that Mingzhu asked him to wait here. He had to go to court now, and he would not be able to take him to see the emperor until the court meeting was over.
After hearing this, Zhao Qiang knew that he had to wait again, and hoped that the day would end soon. He thanked the steward and got into the carriage. He didn't sleep well at night. Since he had to wait, he might as well make up for it in the carriage.
Catching up on sleep.
He slept for more than an hour. When Zhao Qiang woke up from his dream, it was already bright outside and there was not a single person in the square. Only the imperial guards showed up by the city gate from time to time.
What kind of court meeting was held, and why did it take so long? Without sleepiness, waiting for such a long time is really uncomfortable. It would be great to have such a meeting, but it is really not possible to have a copy of "Jin Ping Mei". It can be done no matter what.
After passing the time and chatting away, Zhao Qiang had no choice but to get out of the car and chat with the bearers and coachmen who were waiting for his master next door. Seeing that Zhao Qiang was easy-going and not an official, everyone quickly mingled with him and chatted with each other some interesting stories.
, just as they were chatting enthusiastically, they saw many people walking towards the palace gate, in small groups. The court meeting was finally over.