Emperor Kangxi The forty-seventh chapter: Raising the army, paying the emperor, preaching the righteousness, training the filial son and the old mother
The forty-seventh chapter: Raising the army, paying the emperor, preaching the righteousness, training the filial son and the old mother
Kangxi was writing in the Zhenxia Pavilion in the south garden of the Wei Mansion. Seeing Yu Chenglong come in, Li Dequan rushed to greet him and said with a smile: "Master Yu, please wait here. The master will see you after finishing writing." Yu Chenglong nodded and followed Li Dequan.
Kneel down solemnly at the designated place.
Wei Dongting's mother, Grandma Sun, with white hair, sat diagonally across from Kangxi, looking at Kangxi intently. Grandma Sun was Emperor Kangxi's wet nurse, and she loved Kangxi more than her own son. This time Kangxi came to Nanjing, she
I heard that I was going to live in my own home, and I was so eager that I couldn't sleep for several nights. Unexpectedly, Kangxi came into the palace and kept meeting the Nanjing officials, gentry, businessmen, and elders. The whole family was fawning over the decree, and they were busy like a revolving door. The old lady
Seeing that it was not his turn, he put on the clothes of a holy lady, walked over with a stick, quietly found a seat in the corner of the hall, and stared at Kangxi closely. Kangxi was also moved when he saw her like this, and occasionally
In his spare time, he would come over and chat with her for a few words, or even offer her tea. Although he had no time to talk, the old man was content. At this moment, he actually found time to write for her, and there was no need to mention the ironing in Grandma Sun's heart.
.
Kangxi wrote the four words "Fu Hai Shou Shan", suddenly raised his head and asked: "Emma, I am afraid that when I come to stay this time, your family will be ruined?"
"This is because the ancestors of the Wei family are virtuous, and only slaves have earned this respect. Other people can't even dream of it - they are willing to lose the whole family!" Sun said with a smile on her face, "I am afraid that I have wronged my master, but I am the one who has wronged my master."
It's a sin." Kangxi thought for a while and said: "Spending money for such a big event is not a trivial matter. The shortfall of the treasury will eventually have to be repaid. Well - this year's customs silver will be exempted from paying 30%, and Mu Zixu will weave it.
Please give me a little help. Although no one is talking at the moment, the censors will be talking soon." After saying that, he dried the words and handed them to Sun. Fang turned to Yu Chenglong and called: "You always kneel down to do it.
What? Come here!" Seeing that the sky was getting dark, Mrs. Sun asked someone to hold the lamp and gave many instructions before leaving. Kangxi took two steps back and asked: "Yu Chenglong, you know I'm calling you.
Doing something?"
Yu Chenglong pondered for a moment and replied: "I don't know."
"I intend to let you serve as governor of Jiangsu." Kangxi sat down contentedly, took a sip of tea, and said calmly, "What do you think of this appointment?" Yu Chenglong's heart felt hot, and he hurriedly bowed and said: "Your Majesty, Bu Ci Chao
The move was unexpected by the minister. As a minister, being promoted is both a joy and a worry. He is afraid that he will not be able to fulfill his duties due to his weak talents and will live up to the emperor's hard work." Kangxi nodded with satisfaction and placed the teacup gently.
On the case, he said: "As a governor, you will have to pay an extra seven million stone grain to Beijing every year. Can you handle this job?"
"Long live!" Yu Chenglong fell to his knees with a plop, "Two-thirds of the imperial court's annual income comes from Jiangsu and Zhejiang. The people are already suffering from too much tax. The 'San Francisco' has been wiped out. The people have just breathed a sigh of relief and are waiting eagerly.
The imperial court treats corvee lightly and pays little tax, so how dare I dare to be greedy for merit and become a minister of amassing power at this time? Harsh government is as fierce as a tiger, and I dare not obey the edict!" Hearing his tough tone, Kangxi couldn't help but smile and said: "Who is quarreling with you? I am
I am negotiating with you! I just thought this matter would be difficult, so I left it to you. We will use troops in the northwest within five years, and we don’t have tens of millions of stone grain. How can we fight this battle?” “Hasn’t the emperor fought enough battles?
?" Yu Chenglong stared at Kangxi and asked, "Is this Mingzhu, Suo'etu's idea, or is it Shenggong's dictatorship?"
Kangxi's face suddenly turned livid, he glanced at Yu Chenglong coldly, stood up, walked back and forth a few steps with his hands behind his back, and stood still in front of Yu Chenglong. Seeing that Yu Chenglong looked at him without changing his expression, he suddenly smiled and said: "Of course it's me.
I have always been independent in my own ideas, so how can the people in the study influence me?"
"Since it is the emperor's idea," Yu Chenglong said categorically, "I always thought it was impossible! Destroying the 'San Francisco' rebellion has already caused a great loss of vitality, and Platform Bay has made matters worse and added more taxes. How can the people survive? What if there is an explosion?
If there is a civil uprising, how can the court deal with the aftermath?" Kangxi listened to this aggressive question, as if he had expected it, and smiled casually and said: "So this job must be done by you! If you are a corrupt official, you will definitely trigger a civil uprising, but you
No, you are their 'blue sky'. Even if the imperial rations are heavier, you will complain at most, but you will not be able to rebel. After the northwest is pacified, I will issue an edict to reduce or reduce the money and food in the south of the Yangtze River. You are a minister, and you should have such magnanimity."
Yu Chenglong took a deep breath and was silent for a long time before saying: "It's not that I don't want to bear the reputation of harsh government, but I ask your Majesty to have the common people in the world in mind and not to lose the people's support through excessive extortion, which will harm the virtues of Yao and Shun."
"You are right." Kangxi sighed, "I am thinking of all the people in the world. There are billions of people in the northwest and the land is thousands of miles away. Now they are struggling under the iron heel of Galdan. The Rakshasa Kingdom has been looking at the northwest for many years.
If I sit back and ignore the Central Plains, one day the land, people, treasures and silk will be lost in the hands of the enemy, and the imperial chariot will not be able to leave Jiayuguan. I ask you, how will future generations view me as an emperor, and how will they comment on you who "love the people like a son"
Where’s the ‘honest official’?”
Yu Chenglong was shocked when he heard this. He looked at Kangxi in astonishment and was speechless for a moment.
"Qingjiang City is besieged by water. If you intercept grain and save the people, I will promote you to an official position; if you file lawsuits to equalize taxes and wipe out thieves in the territory, I will promote you to an official position again." Kangxi's eyes were bright and he looked at the dancing candlelight and said,
"Now the sacred land in the northwest is being ravaged, and hundreds of thousands of hungry people have fled to Guanzhong to seek refuge. You Yu Chenglong can't see or hear it, so you just don't care, right?" Yu Chenglong couldn't help but feel a burning pain in his heart as he listened.
His face turned red, and he said after a long while: "I have short-sightedness, and the emperor's holy candle shines upon me. All the troubled places should be blessed. In this case, I reluctantly accept the holy order!" "This is a great weapon of the country!" Kangxi turned around and said,
He said with a smile, "There are many loyal ministers who can be selected in the court to serve the emperor. As long as they have a little conscience, they can be 'loyal'. What is rare is a 'bright' minister, who understands the general situation, takes the overall situation into consideration, and can afford to suffer immediate losses."
Such a man is extremely valuable. Just get up and speak."
Yu Chenglong stood up with some difficulty, thinking about Kangxi's words, which was really painful. After studying for five times, he still had the spirit of a small family, and he felt a little ashamed. After a long time, he said: "Listening respectfully to the Holy Edict has the effect of enlightenment. It is disrespectful.
Please punish me severely!" Kangxi ignored Yu Chenglong's apology and said solemnly: "For ministers like you and Guo Xiu, I never doubt your 'purity' and 'loyalty', but you are also narrow-minded.
A serious illness. In the Spring and Autumn Period, you are always worried about your reputation, your desire to win, and your self-restraint. You always think about it from the perspective of selfishness, and you are still far away from the word "careful independence"!" After saying this, he couldn't help but smile, "Please kneel down!
"
When Yu Chenglong returned to Daotai Mansion, he saw Yu Lu waiting at the door with a group of staff and family members. The doorway was brightly illuminated by lanterns and candles. He couldn't help but be surprised. He bowed and got out of the sedan chair and asked: "You are so old and dishonest, you guys
What's it called? Didn't I tell you earlier that you just have a little boy waiting at the door?"
"Master Zhongcheng, I'm not a slave, it's the old lady who told me that I will see her when I get back!" Yu Lu replied with a smile. Then a group of people knelt down, some were called "Zhongcheng" and some were called "Fu"
"Military", "Ministry, Futai, Fuxian" were shouted randomly, and there was a sound of congratulations. Yu Chenglong, who was full of thoughts, was made to laugh and cry, because he said: "What is there to congratulate? Get up, you all have ears."
Ling, the emperor just told me over there, but you all know here - when did the old lady arrive at the Yamen?" Then he walked in. Yu Lu followed him in and said: "The master walks in front, and the old lady walks in behind.
She just came back. She had just finished dinner, and Mingxiang came in a sedan to pay homage and congratulate the old lady and give her gifts..."
Hearing this, Yu Chenglong stopped and asked without looking back: "What gift did he give? Did the old lady accept it?" "The old lady never accepts gifts, so I resigned." Yu Lu said with a smile,
"Speaking of gifts, they are not valuable at all. They are just a porcelain Guanyin." A smile flashed across Yu Chenglong's face: His mother was different from ordinary Taoist women. She never recited Buddhism and only respected Confucianism and Taoism. If the pearl really brought Gao Shiqi
He took out the calligraphy and paintings, but he was uncertain but could not bear to accept them. Thinking that Mingzhu was wrong to please his son, Yu Chenglong was half relieved. He walked a few steps into the hall and saw his mother sitting on a chair eating tea, so he stepped forward.
He knelt down and said softly: "Bless mother, my son is back." When everyone who followed saw him kneeling down, they all knelt down in unison.
"Is it Jackie Chan?" Old Mrs. Yu was blind, but her ears were still working. She stood up on crutches and touched it with trembling hands. Her white hair trembled under the candle. Yu Chenglong felt hot in his heart, and his eyes were filled with tears.
Xing Qing burst into tears. He kowtowed and hurriedly stood up and helped the old lady sit back on the chair. He turned around and said to everyone: "You have been busy all day. The old lady is tired tonight. I have to wait on you. Today's evening class is exempted."
Well. Since I am happy to be promoted, I will take out ten taels of silver from my salary tomorrow for everyone to have fun, and then follow me to the Nanjing Governor's Yamen to take over my post the day after."
It turned out that after Jackie Chan was promoted to the Taoist platform, it was stipulated that every March 7th day, the Four Books should be lectured to the left and right staff, soldiers, and family members. Today is a day for lectures, so no one dared to leave. After listening to Jackie Chan's instructions,
They all kowtowed and were about to leave. Unexpectedly, the old lady waved her hands and said, "Come back, everyone! You have to do what you have to do. What can I do to hinder you? I also want to hear whether you have made any progress in your knowledge!"
Yu Chenglong hurriedly made his promise and asked the girl to give the old lady a pat on her back. After everyone sat down in order, he began to speak.
"Today I will talk about Master Meng's discussion of kings' righteousness and interests, and how to educate the people of the world." Yu Chenglong's pale face tightened, and he stroked the book on the case and said, "There are not only gentlemen in the world, but also some
Little man, I am a gentleman, and the sage guides me with meaning. The word "xi" can be interpreted as "sheep me", and the ancient meaning of "sheep" comes from "xiang", which means that I am benevolent in nature and pursue good luck. Where is the meaning?
It's always in my heart! There is an ancient poem that says, 'There is a knife beside a sharp edge, and a greedy person will kill himself'. Therefore, when a gentleman is interested in benefit, he will do it if it is consistent with righteousness, and if it goes against righteousness, he will abandon it..." Because I listened to his lectures
The staff were very mixed, with different levels, so Yu Chenglong gave lectures in the Yamen. While reasoning, he cited many anecdotes and examples from ancient sages and sages, and the listeners did not find it boring. He had just finished talking for a full meal.
He stopped, turned around, bowed to the old lady and said, "Please mother, teach me."
Mother Yu put the crutch in her hand aside, coughed lightly and said, "That's all. But according to my opinion, the benevolent heart is originally born. Loyal ministers and filial sons only keep their conscience and are not contaminated by the worldly customs. If you deliberately
To pursue righteousness is to have evil in your nature, which is not consistent with the way of the saint. So Confucius said, "How far is benevolence? I want to be benevolent and benevolent is the most extreme!" You are all in the temple, serving the court.
Do things for yourself. If you can do it according to your own conscience, it will naturally be in line with the way of a saint - Jackie Chan, am I right to say this?" Yu Chenglong apologized and said with a smile: "My mother's words turn stone into gold.
As a result, my son was negligent." Yu Chenglong's old servants didn't think anything. Several of the new recruits from Nanjing were Jinshi. Hearing that this blind old woman in commoner clothes and Jin Chai actually made such an incisive explanation,
Everyone looked at each other in surprise, but they didn't know that Yu Chenglong's many articles were all due to this lonely widow. After talking for a while, Yu Chenglong ordered everyone to disperse.
Only Yu Chenglong, mother and son, were left in the hall. Yu Chenglong asked about the temperature of the journey again, and personally changed his mother's cup of jujube tea, held it up respectfully, and retired to the side.
"Jackie Chan," Mrs. Yu said quietly after a while, "last time you sent me a letter saying that you wanted to impeach the Pearl. I wonder if you have written it?"
"No."
"Why?" Mrs. Yu tilted her head and asked, "Are you afraid?" Yu Chenglong lowered his head and thought for a while, then said: "There is nothing scary about my son, but I have to weigh it carefully - you are always old.
As a human being, my son knows these things well."
Mrs. Yu smiled slightly and said: "It's right for you not to ask me to take care of this matter - but since you told me in a letter, I have to ask you how to make your decision!"
"The power of heaven is unpredictable..." Yu Chenglong took a breath and said gloomily.
Sometimes one sentence is like a gate that can shut down the thousands of words that are about to pour out. The old lady seemed to shudder, stroking the smooth cane with trembling hands. The mother and son were silent for a long time, and the mother said:
"I know it's difficult, so I came here to have a look. Everything in the world is like sailing against the current. How can it be easy? Mingzhu has been in power for so many years, and he is a relative of the country. The emperor thinks highly of him, and his ministers support him. If you are not ready to destroy your family, just
Don’t do this.”
When Yu Chenglong heard "Destroying the family and destroying the family", his heart sank suddenly. He was about to reply, but his mother slowly said again: "This is not a woman's business. I didn't want to ask you at first. But in the past few months, there have been many
I am also startled when people come to my house to chat. Xiaolian, a member of the Liu family in the east of Qingjiang City, committed suicide by posting papers in Nanjing Gongyuan for no reason. Dozens of people were kicked out of the examination room because they had no money to fill them in! You are now the governor,
When you go out, you carry a big sedan chair, when you come in, you call a hundred, and when you stand on the dry shore and watch others drowning, are you considered a 'server of the people' or a 'lord of the people'?"
"Yes..." After hearing his mother's rebuttal, Yu Chenglong didn't know how to answer for a moment, so he had to say: "That's what my mother taught me." "And that Jin Fu, I don't think he's a good guy!" Yu said again.
, "The Cai family, the Liu family, and the Huang family in the east of the city were all wealthy families in the past. Their fields were flooded and they turned to business. Now that the fields have dried up, they should return them to their original owners. They dominate the fields and sell them. What is this?
The truth? For example, Huang Binggua visited me during the Mid-Autumn Festival last year. He was still working on the river. He originally had more than 20 acres of dry farmland, but now he still had to pay for it. For the big family and the small family, the Hedu Mansion was a mess.
! On my birthday, Jin Fu sent the man named Chen as a gift of two hundred and forty taels. I had nothing nice to say. I said: 'My family is clean and I don't spend dirty money! Jin Fu only has one gift a year.
With a salary of more than a hundred taels, how can I get this money? Aren’t you deducting the blood and sweat of the river workers?' - Jin Fu, the pearl is not the same thing? "
Yu Chenglong's heart suddenly moved: If Jin Fu occupied more than 10,000 hectares of civilian land, the impeachment would immediately be a major case that shocked the government and the public! Mingzhu has always been proud of appointing Jin Fu, and Chen Huang protected Jin Fu in every possible way.
, wouldn’t this catch them all in one fell swoop? He listened to his mother’s words with bright eyes and nodded frequently. After a long time, his eyes suddenly darkened, and he muttered: "Mom... this... this, I'm afraid it will affect your old man's life.
…”
"What?" Mrs. Yu suddenly opened her eyes, her eyes were completely sightless and glowed white and bright under the lamp. She stared at Yu Chenglong and said sternly, "You tell me again and ask me to teach you!"
"..."
"Do you understand the meaning of 'a son will be followed even after his husband dies'?" Seeing that he was too frightened to speak, Yu's mother slowed down and said, "You are Yue Fei, and I am Yue Fei's mother; you are Qin Hui, and I am Qin Huizhi.
Mother! This is 'the husband will follow the son even if he dies'! Think about it!" After saying that, he ignored Yu Chenglong, called the girl over, and went inside with her help.
One day later, it was the ninth day of the fifth lunar month. The Director of Ceremonies calculated that it was an auspicious day for offering sacrifices to Xiaoling Mausoleum. After the imperial edict was issued, the governor of Jiangsu and his retinue set off. At exactly the right time, Yu Chenglong arrived as scheduled with the order. There were already huge crowds of people along the way.
, everyone can’t wait to admire the emperor’s elegance. Incense candles on both sides of the road are discharged from the east gate, the sound of firecrackers, and the smell of smoke permeate the whole city. Nanjing has become the companion capital of the Ming Dynasty since the Yongle Emperor.
Twelve emperors came to the Xiaoling Mausoleum to pay homage to their ancestors when they ascended to power. Old people over sixty years old can still recall the story of meeting Chongzhen when they were children. However, more than 40 years since the Qing Dynasty entered the customs, they have never had the chance to see this scene again.
When Yu Chenglong rushed to the Jinshui Bridge in the Forbidden City of the Ming Dynasty with worries, the ceremony was almost over. Dragon flags, quiet whips, silver spears, and yellow umbrellas flashed past him in a daze. He didn't care. He kept thinking about how to be alone.
I met Kangxi. While I was thinking about it, I suddenly heard a burst of excited shouting from behind: "Long live!" When Yu Chenglong looked up, he saw Kangxi's imperial chariot shining brightly and shining brightly in front of him.
This is a golden sedan with a height of five feet. Thirty-six Huangmen eunuchs are carrying it. The Xiang curtain is rolled up high. Emperor Kangxi is sitting firmly in the middle. His face is like a crown jade, his green beard is slightly hanging, and he is holding a golden dragon.
Wearing a satin crown in his gown, the pearl is in front of him, his forehead is in front of him, and Gao Shiqi is behind him. At this time, there are gongs, drums, firecrackers and cheers like mountains and tsunamis everywhere, and it is rare to hear the words spoken on the opposite side.
Kangxi was sitting in the sedan chair, watching the officials and the people cheering and cheering. He raised his hand. He suddenly thought that he was going to Xiaoling Mausoleum to pay tribute, and he should have a solemn and solemn appearance, so he put it down again. He only smiled and nodded to the people who kowtowed.
.
As the car drove out of the city, it immediately became deserted. Jinwu was under martial law and people were not allowed to come here. On both sides of the royal road, bright yellow curtains were pulled up, leading directly to the Xiaoling Shinto Road. Kangxi looked back and saw stone elephants under the emerald mountains.
, stone lions, and Weng Zhong stood among the grass and trees, and the pomegranates and camellias all over the hill were shining with red light like flames. At this moment, Kangxi suddenly remembered what Wu Ciyou said when he was giving lectures: "Those who are good at the beginning must be careful about the end, and seek for the near future."
Those who pursue their goals will chase them as far away as possible." This is a wise saying! He took charge of the government at the age of fifteen, and at the age of nineteen, he fought against all opinions and decided to withdraw the vassal. In a few years, the "three vassals" were leveled one after another. The Zheng family in Taiwan came back from the map. He can be said to be "good at starting."
", but whether it can be "cautious" and level the north and south of the desert is still unknown. My grandfather once complained to heaven with the "seven hatreds" and had no goodwill towards the Ming Dynasty, but today he must win over the hearts of the Han people and seek
This "nearness" means that we have to worship the soul of Zhu Yuanzhang more than 200 years ago. It is incredible that the heaven and earth are so cleverly arranged. Kangxi turned around and was about to ask the invited old gentry of the former Ming Dynasty.
Are you already waiting in front of the mausoleum? Suddenly there are three loud bangs of the salute, which makes all the birds fly. The Ministry of Internal Affairs releases 800 auspicious cranes and soars into the sky. Qin Cangai, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, rushes to the sedan chair.
He kowtowed and said: "Long live, the Xiaoling Mausoleum is ahead of us, please come to the side hall and rest for a while!" (To be continued)
