The thirteenth chapter: Kings and ministers discuss river affairs in Zhonghe Hall
The world-famous erudite Confucianism exam finally started. It was March 19, the 18th year of Kangxi's reign. At dawn, the Confucian scholars who were taking the exam gathered at the Gate of Supreme Harmony, and black crows knelt on the ground. The old chief eunuch Zhang Wan
Holding the sword in his strong hand, he stood at the entrance of the Taihe Hall, waiting quietly for Kangxi to arrive.
Suddenly, there was a jingyang bell ringing, three quiet whips, and the sound of drums and drums came from the Tianjie Street. After a while, Kangxi was seen meandering from the back of the Baohe Hall on a thirty-six-man Luan Yu, and did not come down until he came down in front of the Taihe Hall. Zhang Wanqiang
A loud shout: "Long live the Lord has arrived!" Immediately there was a solemn silence.
Emperor Kangxi was not in a hurry to enter the palace. He stretched his body in the morning sun, took two deep breaths of the slightly chilly air, walked around, and first took a look at the majestic Hall of Supreme Harmony. After several months of
Decorated, this place has been completely renewed. The tortoise, the incense tripod, the crane, and the belly of the auspicious beast have already been burned with lily incense, and the mist is lingering; the eight objects and camels beside the grade mountain stand in sequence, and the treasure vase on their back shines brightly. All this
It really gives people a feeling of "purple steam". When Kangxi saw the couplets from the new book on the pillars, he walked over and read them silently, one of which read:
Rilidan Mountain, clouds around the banner, brilliant phoenix feathers
Xiang opened the Forbidden City and people came to Changlu to pay homage to the dragon.
The other one is:
Guanxiangtian Jiuze Tongwen Chaoyubi
The wind tower is radiant and all directions share the joy of Yao Chang
Kangxi knew it was Gao Shiqi's handwriting and couldn't help but nod and smile. He felt that the word "阊" was used in both couplets, which was a bit repetitive, but the diction was impeccable and the writing style was solemn, vigorous and spirited. When he saw Xiong Cilu and others, he knelt down
At his side, Kangxi smiled and said: "Gao Shiqi ate my altar of Maotai in vain. Within a few days, he actually replaced all the couplets in the three main halls and the Palace of Qianqing." Seeing Mu Zixu's guidance, the director of the Ministry of Rites led the
As nearly two hundred scholars came up the stairs step by step, Kangxi nodded slightly, strode into the palace, and sat upright on the magnificent "No. 1 Tower in the World" with coiled dragons and carved phoenixes.
After a while, Mu Zixu led people to the entrance of the palace, bowed and stepped aside. The three ministers Xiong Cilu, Mingzhu and Suo'etu led everyone in. Nearly two hundred people danced and worshiped in the palace.
Long live the mountain shouts, which makes the hall buzz. Then Xiong Cilu plays: "The great scholar of the cabinet, the minister in charge of the bodyguard, the prince and Taibao minister Xiong Cilu, the minister Hesheli Suotu, the minister Nalan Mingzhu, hereby obey the imperial edict.
I lead one hundred and seventy-nine erudite and Confucian scholars to say long live my emperor!"
"Gu Yanwu, Fu Shan and the others refused to take the exam after all! It seems that winning people's hearts cannot be achieved overnight!" Kangxi sighed in his heart, thinking silently, and only raised his hand slightly, Suo Etu hurriedly left the south side of the ban and stood up to read the imperial edict:
Emperor Fengtian Chengyun issued an edict: Since ancient times, when a generation has risen, there must be learned scholars who can revive the literary movement, elucidate the classics and history, and polish the poems and chapters in order to prepare for the selection of consultative works. In my spare time, I have devoted myself to literature and thought of knowledgeable people.
Yongzidianxue. Since our dynasty established the Ding Dynasty, we have advocated Confucianism and Taoism and cultivated talents. Within the four seas, are there no extraordinary talents, profound knowledge, and magnificent literature, who can trace the previous philosophers? Anyone who is excellent in both learning and conduct, writing and Ci
Outstanding people, whether they are already in official positions or not, are in the third rank or above in the capital and are officials in the science and education. They are governors and governors outside, and they are all known to me. I will personally test and recruit them. If the remaining officials, both internal and external, have true knowledge and insights, they will be sent to the staff inside.
, I heard the report from abroad and reported it to the governor, and wrote a recommendation on my behalf. I ordered Duke Xu to extend the visit in the hope of getting real talents, in order to assist me in seeking talents. I admire this!
Kangxi remained motionless, scanning the vast hall with his eyes. The selected scholars also fell to the ground and listened quietly to the edict. They had heard this edict several times since the day they were recruited, but today in front of this second
The eighteen-year-old young emperor* started reading with a lofty and sacred feeling. After a long time, everyone responded in unison:
"Thank you Long live Long En!"
"My lords!" Kangxi's voice was loud and clear, "The country has suppressed the rebellion of the three vassals, the military affairs have gradually been eliminated, and the cultural movement has risen. I hope that you and others will advocate the holy way and show what they have learned, and live up to my personal experience.
"After Kangxi finished delivering the edict, Fulun, the minister of Honglu Temple, flashed out of the class, holding a spread out yellow silk on a gold plate, and bowed forward. Kangxi picked up the ink pen and waved it on the silk.
Fulun stepped back and held the silk to Mingzhu. Mingzhu loudly announced: "The imperial examination questions: 1. Ode to Xuanji Jade Heng; 2. A poem about provincial farming. With the bear giving shoes and asking for forehead pictures, Mingzhu will lead all the scholars to the body.
The manuscripts of Renge have been handed in at this time, and I will give you a banquet at Tirenge at noon. Please give me this!"
This was a unique experience that no one had ever experienced before in the palace examination or the imperial examination. People immediately became excited, exchanged warm glances with each other, and left with indescribable excitement. Kangxi got off the dragon throne and waved.
The son called Mu Zixu and asked: "Yesterday, I sent a message asking Jin Fu to come in with a sign. I wonder if he has come?" Mu Zixu hurriedly smiled and said: "Just now, the servant came to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to serve the master, and saw Jin Fu kneeling in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
They are waiting for orders outside the Qianqing Gate!" Kangxi walked around in a circle, as if he was a little reluctant to leave the atmosphere just now, and did not want to leave this supreme palace. After thinking about it, this was not the place to discuss politics, so he smiled and said: "
Call him up and I'll see him in the Zhonghe Hall!" After saying that, he walked out from the back door of the hall and walked to the front of the Zhonghe Hall. While considering the newly written couplets on it, he saw Jin Fu coming hurriedly from a distance, so he nodded and smiled.
: "Without courtesy, come in and talk - Over there at Tiren Pavilion, we are taking the exam for a higher-level Confucian scholar. We, the monarchs and ministers, are going to talk about river management."
"Yes!" Jin Fu almost trotted up all the way, still slightly out of breath when he spoke, "It's just that the Lord has many things to do every day, and there are many things to do, so he should save labor..." After saying that, he followed the palace and stood beside Kangxi.
Kangxi opened his mouth and asked: "When are you going to leave for your post?" "Replying to the emperor," Jin Fu bowed and said, "I have handed over the servant's book, but I wonder if it can be read by the emperor? After listening to the holy teachings, the servant immediately went south to take office.
.”
Kangxi nodded, took the glass of honey water from the waiter, and handed it to Jin Fu who was a little flustered: "I'll give it to you to drink - have you heard anything outside in Beijing these days?"
Jin Fu was a little confused, holding the cup and asked carefully: "I wonder what the holy meaning means..."
"The matter of Li Guangdi and Chen Menglei." Kangxi said calmly, "What are you talking about next?" Jin Fu didn't expect Kangxi to ask this, and found it a bit unbelievable. He pondered and replied: "The ministers below expected that the emperor would raise a prison.
Some people who are filial and honest are a little uneasy when they take the examination. Chen Menglei is a Fujian scholar who has always been looked up to by southern scholars. Although he is guilty, the evidence seems to be insufficient. After the Lord dealt with it, everyone admired him and said that the Emperor has a high benevolence and is a blessing to scholars all over the world.
!" Kangxi stared at Jin Fu for a long time and said with a smile: "You don't have to flatter me, there are some who say sarcastic remarks! I know this well. There are no fish in clear water ponds, so some things can only be handled muddle-headedly. I never waste talents at will, that is,
This statement - don't think it has nothing to do with you. I'm saying this to you. I've handed you the papers to sue you a long time ago. Did you know that? Why do you dare to withdraw money from the national currency to Beijing?
Come to take care of the powerful?" Seeing Jin Fu's nose with beads of sweat and his eagerness to defend himself, Kangxi smiled and waved his hands and said, "I have kept their discount, so you don't have to take it seriously. It's better to borrow money from the treasury than to add more money.
Fire consumes money and destroys the integrity of the people. If you go on to manage the river, the money will flow like sea water. I have to remind you to be careful. If I don't trust you, I won't talk about this. Let's get to the point.
, there are some water conservancy provisions in your document that I don’t understand, so please tell me your plan, and I will plan it for you.”
Listening to Kangxi's words, Jin Fu had a sore nose and almost shed tears, and quickly wiped it away. Thinking that he could only give a brief introduction at this time, he took out a picture from his sleeve, which was after Chen Huang entered the capital.
Lian Ming worked all night to make it. When Kangxi reached out to take it, he spread it out on the table and asked Jin Fu to point out each one for him to take a closer look at.
"Your Majesty," Jin Fu felt a little nervous because he was too close to Kangxi. He breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I can manage the river in two steps. In short, it is based on river control and canal control as the standard..." He
Draw on the map with your finger, "...the first step is to block all the existing breaches of the Yellow River, gradually from east to west, and restore the Yellow River channel. There are five major repair projects: dredging from Qingjiangpu to Yuntiguan to Haikou
river course; dredge the sand from the west of Gaojiayan to Qingkou, and then build a strong embankment at Gaojiayan to ensure that floods will not burst here and block the north of Qingkou... After these projects are completed, the Yellow River will flow into the sea smoothly.
There will be no obstruction, and then efforts will be made to fill in the old breaches one by one to prevent flooding again. Finally, the canal will be dug deep and the pool of water will be cleared, and the canal will be fine..."
At this point, Jin Fu raised his head and glanced at Kangxi. Seeing that Kangxi was not tired and stared at the river map with bright eyes, he hurriedly continued: "The second step is to dig a middle river along the Yellow River in the Yifeng area of Kaocheng, Henan.
, from Luoma Lake via Suqian, Taoyuan to Zhongjiazhuang on the Qinghe River, avoiding the risk of 180 miles of wind and turbulence in the middle of the Yellow River, and the water transport ship can only sail in the Yellow River for 20 miles, and there is no big worry." Then,
Jin Fu dictated the plan one by one and pointed out the details of the canal mouth reconstruction, Tiazao River, and Quy Nhon embankment projects. These were all discussed with Chen Huang over and over again. He was already familiar with them and spoke very freely.
Kangxi nodded while listening and kept saying "hmm" without interrupting. It wasn't until Jin Fu finished speaking that he leaned back, stroking his forehead, closing his eyes and thinking for a long time, and then said: "It sounds feasible.
However, I am not good at water conservancy, and I have not personally investigated, so it is difficult to say whether it is true or not. The first step of the project is completed, and the water transportation will no longer be harmed. I am very relieved and happy. I don’t know how long it will take?”
"Long live the return, ten years!"
"If ten years doesn't work, how about seven years?"
"I will try my best to do it."
"Okay, where's the money?"
"Four million taels per year."
Kangxi couldn't help taking a breath of air and said: "I don't tell you, but you also know that the country has an annual income of 25 million, and it is still using troops. If it weren't for Wei Dongting's customs providing 15 million a year, it would already be stretched - one year
We can't get out four million." Of course Jin Fu was aware of this situation, and he had also carefully calculated that there was some surplus in it - because the Ministry of Household Affairs had never allocated money for river control according to the amount, he had to give it a higher amount.
After thinking about it, Jin Fu said with a smile: "We won't be able to use troops for a long time. Wu Shipan has thousands of exhausted soldiers retreating to defend the isolated city, and they will be able to capture it in a few days. Your Majesty, you might as well spend more money to control the river. This will be a benefit to the world forever...
"You're wrong!" Kangxi looked through the window sash, looking at the Taihe Palace towering in front of him, and said slowly: "The use of troops is in the ascendant! I said that water transportation will be cured in seven years, because I am eager to invade Taiwan and transport water."
The battleships and sailors are heading south, Galdan is in the northwest, and the Rakshasa Kingdom is causing trouble in the northeast, so they still need to use troops, and food has to be transported northward by canal boats. The remnants of the native bandit Liu Tiecheng are gathering in Shandong, shouldn't they be conquered? I think there are still twenty years of war.
Good to fight!"
Recently, the imperial court issued edicts, all of which were to cultivate martial arts and cultivate literature, in order to bring peace and prosperity. How could Jin Fu know that Kangxi had so many war plans? He looked at Kangxi in astonishment, and said with a smile: "The Holy Gong is far-sighted, and no one can know it."
.However, the river work consumes a lot of money but the results are slow, and the results are small but the results are quick. The Lord knows clearly that it is very difficult to deal with a small amount of money."
"I have made a rough plan for you." Kangxi smiled slyly, "Now the initial allocation of 2.5 million per year is already difficult for the Ministry of Household Affairs. The military of the 'San Francisco' has been completely pacified, and it will be increased to 300 to 300,000.
One and a half million is probably enough. As for the Kai Zhonghe you just mentioned, how much will it cost? When the time comes...haha! An honest person like you will come to play tricks on me!"
After hearing this, Jin Fu felt a lot more relaxed. Although two and a half million was a little less, he could still do a lot of things. He smiled silently, and when he was about to play again, he saw Suo'etu coming in and bowing.
He smiled and said, "The time has come. Please give me a banquet, master." After saying that, he glanced at Jin Fu, which made Jin Fu feel cold in his heart.
"That's it!" Kangxi stood up with a smile and said to Jin Fu, "You played well, you don't need to hand in a sign to come in, just take up your post. I don't have much to say. After I go back, I will hand over a handout every half month to the river workers."
The situation will be described in detail. You should pay attention to the talents and recruit a few more from your team, so that you can keep the performance in the future... I saw one in Kaifeng, but I missed it. It's a pity..." After that, he stood up and left.
.
The Confucian scholars in Tiren Pavilion have already sat down neatly. There are two rows of seats from south to north, with a total of fifty high tables, with four or five people sitting at each table. The food is served by Guanglu Temple, and all twelve dishes are served.
It was piled high on a Jun porcelain plate, with four large bowls in the middle filled with apples, grapefruits, lychees, raisins and other seasonal fruits. The Kedao Sijun sent by the Ministry of Rites accompanied them to serve the wine. Such a scene has never been seen before.
Before the bottles of wine were opened, the old men's faces were already glowing red, and they were feeling dizzy and a little drunk. At this time, people no longer cared much about whether they could pass the exam. With the honor of giving a banquet, even if they don't become officials,
After death, there are also words of embellishment in the deeds, memorials, memorials and epitaphs. This is more honorable and glorious than anything else!
"The Emperor has decreed that there is no need to sit down and have a banquet immediately!"
As soon as the page was called, everyone stood up together, bowed their hands and thanked God, and then sat down to pick up vegetables and eat with fear. Some people also secretly picked up what they could carry and stuffed it into their lapels and bags so that they could take it out to share with relatives and friends.
When the last meal - steamed buns, rolls, red silk cakes, powder soup, and white rice - was served, Kangxi came in with the crown prince Yinfeng and the eldest brother Yinti. As soon as he stepped through the door, he told everyone to just eat.
Don't be formal, just go to the table and visit and greet them casually. Where can everyone eat again? Everyone was so panicked that their hearts were pounding.
"Long time no see, Mr. Yushan!" When he reached the fourth table on the left, Kangxi saw Shi Runzhang, the leader of the Xuancheng School's Ci Forum, and walked around and said with a smile, "The last time I saw you was at the old pavilion of Fengyi Garden, and there were people there.
Wan, Uncle Song Yu, Wu Sangui's eldest son Wu Yingxiong, who else is there?" Kangxi patted his forehead lightly, "—Yes, Wang Shizhen. Now he is the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment." Shi Yushan never expected that Kangxi would be alone with him.
After speaking, he stood up hurriedly and said with a blushing face: "My lord, I was still incognito that time. It has been six years. Looking at Banzai, I seem to have lost some weight, but my complexion is much better!"
Kangxi chuckled and said: "I am young, but I am better than you after all! You are a poor official, guarding Qingjiang Road. When you retreated, you sold all the official ships sent by your friends! I remember that you talked about Pu Liuxian in Shandong that day.
He is talented, how is he?" Shi Runzhang secretly admired Kangxi for his good memory, and hurriedly smiled and said: "He writes letters very often, and I even received a poem from him yesterday. This man has bad luck and has not yet won the imperial examination.
"
"Oh, poetry?" Kangxi couldn't help but smile, "Do you take it with you?"
Shi Runzhang was startled for a moment, and hurriedly took out a letter from his boots and held it with both hands. Kangxi took it and said with a smile: "It must be good, I will take it down to see it." After saying this, he greeted Yinfeng. Yinti was beside him,
He quickly pointed his finger and said: "Amma, the prince is over there."
Kangxi almost laughed when he saw it. On a table in the northern corner, the crown prince was half-kneeling on a chair, tearing off the gizzard meat with his little hands, dripping it and putting it into a bowl. It turned out that Kangxi
Entering, more than 200 people all stopped eating chopsticks, but this man sat upright and ate calmly, which aroused the curiosity of the crown prince. Kangxi looked back at Suo'etu, and Mingzhu hurriedly came closer and said, "This man's name is Tang Bin." Kangxi hurriedly said.
He walked over and stopped the prince: "Don't play tricks. Didn't Shuda teach you?"
"This is because the prince loves me." Tang Bin left the table and stood up, saying with a smile, "You have given me a gift, but I dare not say goodbye. I am happy to give you death, how about giving food?"
Kangxi looked Tang Bin up and down and said: "I have heard of your name for a long time. When you were an official in Jiangnan, weren't you the one who burned down the Wutong Temple in the territory? Was it because you were dismissed from office because the prisoners escaped in prison?" "Yes!" Tang Bin
Bin replied, "I am doing my job without any evidence. The fugitive is not because of lax control, but because I let him out of prison."
"Uh-huh?"
"The man did not commit a serious crime, but he failed to pay the rent and was sued by the landlord." Tang Bin's expression remained unchanged as he spoke, "He has a blind father in his seventies and a six-year-old child at home. One person is detained.
The death of three people is a disgrace to the laws of nature, and it seriously harms the emperor's original purpose of governing the world with kindness and filial piety, and his ultimate intention of governing with benevolence and kingship. I am bold and presumptuous!"
Kangxi couldn't help but be silent after hearing this. The national law was inconsistent with reason. There was more than one such case. But Tang Bin was willing to risk dismissal from office to stand up for justice. This was impossible. Thinking about it, he couldn't help but ask the prince to be tutored by such a person.
Afraid of failing to teach a benevolent and filial man? Although Xiong Cilu is good, he is just too busy to find time to spare! After thinking for a long time, Kangxi smiled heartily and said: "When it comes to this matter, you are a bit too arrogant and a little bit arrogant.
. A light sentence of three days in the shackles to offend the superiors is not a compromise. I heard that when you were dismissed from office, there was a three-day strike in the city, and the money was collected and sent back. I know all this, so you can take care of yourself!" After that, he took it with him.
He picked up the crown prince and elder brother, smiled and nodded to the Confucian scholars, and slowly walked out of Tiren Pavilion.
As soon as he went out, he saw Gao Shiqi lazily coming from Zhaodemen. Kangxi stopped and asked with a smile: "You slave, where have you been? You are not waiting in front of me for such a big thing today."
!" Seeing that the Crown Prince was also with Kangxi, Gao Shiqi hurriedly kowtowed to Kangxi, then greeted the Crown Prince and his elder brother Qian'er, and said with a smile: "Why did you forget that I will give you a day today?
It's a day off! When he got up early in the morning, Old He Guizhu invited the slave to go. His wife was gone, and he asked the slave to pay tribute to the master and write a memorial poem. The slave was thinking about the master, so he was not in the mood! He copied a paragraph from "Lanting" at random.
"Preface to the Collection" was given to him, so he hurried back..." Seeing that he was holding a knotted silk ribbon in his hand, Kangxi reached for it, looked at it and asked, "What is this?"
"Alas..." Gao Shiqi sighed, "His wife Gu Asuo gave it to him before she died. She said that if someone could unlock it, her soul would be able to ascend to heaven. Lao He had no choice but to say that the slave might be able to do it.
The slave thought about it and realized that the knot is really solid and there is nothing we can do about it!"
As Kangxi walked, he looked carefully at the silk knots. There were seven in a string, as if they had been dipped in water, beaten and dipped in oil. They were all in the shape of chicken hearts and as red as a string of blood beads. Trying to
When the solution was found, it was of no use at all, so he threw it back to Gao Shiqi and said with a smile: "This Asuo is too weird. He asked a man a difficult problem before he died - I just don't understand how Wang Xizhi's "Preface to the Lanting Collection" is so good.
Is it used as a sacrificial inscription?"
"You have to change a few words." Gao Shiqi said, "This is what the slave wrote." After that, he recited softly:
The lady's relationship with her will last a lifetime. She may take her into her arms and talk to her in the same room; or she may be sad and desolate because of what she has entrusted to her. Although there are many choices and rejections, her calmness and restlessness are different. When she is happy with what she encounters, she can temporarily get it.
I am so quick and self-sufficient that I never knew that the time was coming. I am tired of what I am doing, and my emotions change with the situation, so I am filled with emotion. The joy and admiration of what I am looking for have become old traces, and I still cannot help but feel happy about it.
If you trim it short and change it, it will eventually end. The ancients said: Life and death are also big things. Isn’t it painful?
As Kangxi listened, he suddenly thought of the late Queen Hesheli. He looked back at her orphan Yinreng and followed him jumping up and down. He thought, "Between the pitch and the way, there are already traces..."
As I sat there, my nose felt sore and I almost shed tears. (To be continued)