The forty-first time, the beacon fires in the western Xinjiang, and the border police is reported to the smokescreen Kangxi
Time flies, and it has reached the fifty-seventh year of Kangxi in a blink of an eye. The political and religious disputes between Celing Alabutan in Western Xinjiang and the Tibetan lamas intensified, and finally led to great changes. In the fifty-sixth year of Kangxi, Alabutan
Tan sent General Da Ce Ling of the Jungar Department to lead a large-scale attack on Qinghai, killing the Tibetan Khan. The army entered Tibet to occupy the city of Lhasa and imprisoned the * Lama. The matter finally came to a point where it had to be taken care of. The bad news reached Beijing, and Kangxi became violent.
Angry, in February of the 57th year of Kangxi's reign, he ordered Erdan to be appointed as General Zhenwu and Qili to be the Associate General. They left the Altai Mountains and joined the Funing'an Army to strictly guard against the intrusion from Junggar, and only sent Xi'an General Erut to supervise the troops.
Tibet suppressed the rebellion.
It went well at first. In May, the two armies crossed Urumu and crossed the river one after another. The troops and horses of the quasi-unit retreated at the first touch. The news of success came. Kangxi's sealing edict had not yet been issued, and more than 60,000 Qing soldiers had already fallen into the trap.
The enemy planned to penetrate deeper and was trapped on the bank of the Karawusu River. After breaking through several times, he was trapped like a bucket without leaking water. The water there was cold and the grass was thin, and the food roads were cut off. For a few days, the soldiers gathered in all directions and launched an attack.
, it was a pity that the 60,000-strong army had no way to reach the sky or the ground, and there was no hope of relief, so they refused to attack and fell into chaos, and the whole army was annihilated.
This was an unprecedented defeat in the fifty-seven years since Kangxi ascended the throne. The urgent report to Beijing immediately shocked the whole court. Ertai, Minister of the Ministry of War, had just taken office a few days ago. When he received the report of the defeat, he still had no clue, so he rode a fast horse.
Rush to Changchun Garden and call the police.
It was already very hot in Beijing at this time, and Ertai was so anxious that he galloped all the way. When he arrived at the double gates of the east gate of Changchun Garden, it was already the hour. When he dismounted from his horse, he was already sweating profusely. The eunuch guarding the gate saw him handing the sign.
, smiled and said: "Why are you in a hurry? The emperor is entering the imperial dining room, let's talk later."
"No!" Ertai said, "I have something urgent and I have to see the emperor immediately!" The eunuch just smiled and shook his head: "No matter how anxious you are, you have to wait until the emperor has eaten!" Ortai knew that he was ripping him off.
, he felt that he didn’t have any money with him, so he couldn’t help but became anxious and said: “I tell you, I am the new Minister of the Ministry of War. If I delay my affairs, you will not be able to bear the consequences!”
When the eunuch saw that he couldn't get the money, he became even more disappointed and said with a straight face: "Sir, you are the Minister of War. I am not the Secretary of the Ministry of War, so I have no control over you! In this place, even the prince has to follow the rules.
Do it!" The two were bickering when they saw a large apricot-yellow sedan coming from Qingfan Temple on North Road and getting off at the double gate. Yinzhen bowed and came out of the sedan. On a hot day, he was still wearing four dragon robes.
The bright gauze crown was decorated with ten pearls, which were very neat. When Yinzhen saw the two of them bickering, he walked over with his hands behind his back and asked, "What's the matter? You're yelling here!" Ertai
When he saw it was Yinzhen, he hurriedly said: "Fourth Master, please tell him and ask the slave to pass the sign in?" After that, the general handed it over and said: "Look, can this be delayed?"
"Well." Yinzhen took the military report, glanced at it, and his expression immediately changed. He hurriedly handed it back to Ertai and said, "Why are you staying? Why don't you go in quickly?" The eunuch just said something big, so if he doesn't want to, he will.
A prince did come. Seeing that Yinzhen approved Ertai's entry, he quickly dismissed Qian'er and said: "Fourth Master, I am not a slave to refute your face. This spring, I will go to the study to set the rules and follow the decree. Regardless of princes or ministers,
, you are not allowed to visit without permission. Long live the dragon body has been unhappy in the past few years, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs has also issued instructions. Big things cannot disturb long live sleep and meals. Even the fourth master, my servant has to ask you to wait for a while..." Yinzhen kept smiling.
After listening, he asked: "Are you new here?"
"yes!"
"what's your name?"
"Qin Gou'er."
"Baoding people?"
"yes!"
"Your original surname was Qin, or was it the surname you changed when you entered the palace?"
"Back to Fourth Master, my original surname is Hu."
"Do you know why you changed your surname to Qin?"
Qin Gou'er looked at Yinzhen inexplicably, shook his head and said, "I don't know." Before he finished speaking, there was a "pop" on his left cheek, and Yinzhen was slapped! He staggered a few steps before he stood still.
"Because Qin Hui's surname is Qin! In order to prevent eunuchs from being monopolized by eunuchs, the eunuchs who entered the palace after the fifty-second year of Kangxi have all changed their surnames to Qin, Zhao, and Gao!" Yinzhen glared and cursed, "Fourth Master will give you a compliment and call you
Understand, understand! - Even if you dare to stop me, who are you? Not only am I the prince's elder brother, but I am also the emperor's bodyguard, you bastard, do you understand?"
Qin Gou'er was so frightened by him that he knelt down and kowtowed: "Fourth Master, this slave eats shit and is blind and ignorant. Please tell me the rules and I will obey your orders!"
"This is just a human saying." Yinzhen had already regained his composure. When he saw a few eunuchs coming out, he pursed his lips and ordered: "You guys, please take Mr. E in and see who is on duty in the study. Let me know.
"Master Hubei needs to see you immediately!" Seeing Ertai go in, Yin Zhenfang smiled and said: "Get up, the job here is very eye-catching! I haven't heard anyone say that if you don't fight hard workers, you don't fight lazy ones, and you don't have long-term skills.
Eyes?" Then he took out a fifty-tael silver note from his sleeve, threw it to Qin Gou'er, and went straight into the garden without saying a word, rubbing Qin Gou'er until he was stunned.
As soon as Yinzhen entered the garden, he immediately felt cool and pleasant. Bamboo trees shaded the road, and the rocks were cold and slippery with moss. He saw a dozen eunuchs holding bamboo poles and looking around for cicadas. If any cicadas screamed, they would stick them with gluten. The garden became more and more quiet.
Yinzhen couldn't help but sigh to himself: "After all, you are the emperor, and you are not even allowed to call me cicada here!" Thinking about the military in the west, he couldn't help but think of Yinxiang. His thirteenth brother had read so many military books. If he hadn't been imprisoned, he might have been able to lead troops.
Well! This is good. If the military power falls into the hands of the fourteenth brother, wouldn't it be better for Yinzhen to gain more strength? While Yinzhen was thinking wildly, he approached Dan Ningju and quickened his pace. When he reached the foot of Danqi, Li Dequan saw him coming and hurriedly picked up the army with both hands.
Behind the curtain, he reported: "Fourth Brother Yinzhen is here to see you!" He then laughed softly and said: "Fourth Master, long live I just praised you, saying that you know the general situation..." Yinzhen knew that this was the last time he sent Li Dequan 200 yuan.
The effect of two pieces of silver goes in with a smile.
The imperial meal had not yet been removed, and it seemed that Kangxi was disturbed before he finished his meal. When Yinzhen looked, Ma Qi, Fang Bao, and Zhang Tingyu were all standing beside Kangxi, while Ortai was kneeling straight on the ground.
"I didn't expect that things would come to this!" Kangxi sat firmly on the couch, opening and closing the folds with both hands, looking very hesitant, "Qili didn't talk about him. It is said that Erdan and Erut both followed me on the Western Expedition.
,How did the battle turn into such a mess?"
Zhang Tingyu bowed and said: "I remember that the emperor issued an edict on that day to ensure the supply of food and not to rush forward impetuously. The general was greedy for merit and forgot his master's instructions, which resulted in this defeat. It is very hateful. In the humble opinion of this servant, this number
A general who has humiliated his country by mourning should not be given a posthumous title as a punishment!" Ma Qi frowned and said, "If you come back defeated and humiliated, you can kill them. But they would rather die than surrender, and they would give them all their help. Although they were unsuccessful, they were benevolent.
If you don't give a posthumous title, it won't be enough to inspire future generations!" Fang Bao sighed: "What Ma Qi said is a posthumous title, but I still have to give it. I don't understand the war, but since ancient times there has been no victorious general, and now I feel depressed.
It’s useless, you have to find a way to save it.”
"What about you?" Kangxi stared at Ertai and asked, "You are the Minister of War. I want to hear what you have to say?"
Ertai kowtowed and said: "According to my slave, there are many reasons for this defeat. The Green Camp soldiers have been training for many years and have no actual combat experience. This is one of the reasons; secondly, the generals who led the army have no commanders. They were not as good as when they followed Long live in the war.
He is the sentry leader of the camp, but he does not have the talent to coordinate the overall situation. Moreover, because he has won consecutive battles in the past, he is arrogant, has no knowledge, no skills, no reading, and no military skills. How can he win against Alabutan?
But the Arabtan tribe is always at war!"
Kangxi nodded silently and said after a long time: "That's right. But the veteran generals like Tu Hai, Zhao Liangdong, and Zhou Peigong are dead long ago, and people like Lang Ling and Wu Dan are already old. If we want to send generals to the west, who can
Should this be such an important task?" Everyone couldn't help but look at each other after hearing this. At that time, all the famous generals of the Kangxi Dynasty were gone. Fighting this kind of war is different from wiping out small groups of green forest bandits in the mainland. The northwest is a vast land with cold water and barren soil, and there are Gobi deserts everywhere.
, the vast sea of desert, and the nomadic tribes of Alabutan are powerful and difficult to defeat. If the recommendation is not done properly, and things like the Karawusu River happen, not only will the recommendation be difficult to bear, even if the recommendation is made with a public heart, the court will not be able to fight this battle.
He really couldn't afford to lose. When Kangxi saw that everyone was speechless, he couldn't help but look sad and looked outside blankly. He recalled that he personally controlled the three armies, sent troops three times, drove thousands of miles, and beat Galdan out of his mind.
Committed suicide. Now that he is old, he can't even choose a general to take care of military affairs! Thinking about it, he raised his fist and punched his leg hard.
The main concern was the humiliation of the minister, and everyone knelt on the ground with a plop. Fang Bao was about to comfort him, but Kangxi raised his head, with tears welling in his eyes, and said nonchalantly: "...on my second southern tour, I inspected the river work.
Riding a small boat with Yu Chenglong and swimming freely in the turbulent Yellow River didn't feel like anything at all. This year, for my 65th birthday, I took a dragon boat ride on Kunming Lake and I felt dizzy and could hardly perform the ritual! Even if I returned
In ten years, I can take care of this matter myself. I never thought it would be so difficult for you!" He was telling the truth. He reigned for fifty-seven years. At the age of fifteen, Miao Mo was alone in his luck and cleverly captured Obei; at the age of nineteen
Against all odds, he decided to withdraw from the vassal; he regained Taiwan at the age of thirty-two, and together with three personal expeditions, he personally participated in more than seventy battles, large and small, and never suffered any loss from anyone. Now a small Alabutan is making trouble, but there is nothing he can do.
Fang Bao thought for a long time and said: "Long live, don't be sad. I don't know the soldiers, but I know that the soldiers are brought out, and the generals are also fought out. As far as I know, General Yue Zhongqi of Jingxi and Nian Gengyao, governor of Sichuan, are both brave and good at fighting.
The only thing missing is a general who can control the overall situation. Since you can't think of a suitable candidate for the moment, why not pick one from the emperor's elder brother and rush to Xining to control the various armies. If there is no way to complete victory at the moment, just control it well.
The gate of Gansu and Shaanxi is waiting for change. Alabu admits that he has no great ambitions, but he is just a clown. Regardless of national power, military power, support and food, he cannot compete with me. As time goes by, there will definitely be an opportunity to destroy this ugly person!"
"My son is willing to go!" Yinzhen suddenly felt his heart pounding, blood rushed to his face, his face turned red, and he took a step on his knees and said: "Although I don't know how to fight, according to what Fang Bao said, I can handle this mission! Yes!
My sons and ministers will guard the western frontier, and my father can rest in peace!" Kangxi's eyes seemed a little tired. He stared at Yinzhen and just pondered for a while. After a while, he said: "Fourth brother, I know you. When you were young, you were moody and angry.
My elder brother is not outstanding. Maybe he has cultivated his energy through studying these years, and his resolute nature has not changed, but he has become more steady and steady. Only you have been in charge of the household department, many official errands, and are good at civil affairs.
"Yin Zhen received this award and was very moved. He kowtowed and cried: "There is no better son than a father! My son did have this disease when he was young, and now he has deeply reflected on himself and corrected it. If the father asks Yu'er to go on an expedition, he should be even more cautious.
It's like walking on thin ice when facing an abyss. I have one more request. Now that I have corrected myself, I beg for Amma's grace not to write down the "unsettled mood" test that day. I am trembling with fear and deeply feel the great kindness of my father."
Kangxi smiled and said: "What's the point? Just ask Li Dequan to remove this paragraph from the living room. But I still can't allow you to go to Xining. Among my sons, the ones who are good at martial arts are the Thirteenth Brother and the Fourteenth Brother.
Brother, the Thirteenth Brother won’t talk to him anymore. The Fourteenth Brother is in charge of the Ministry of War and is also experienced in raising wages. I think I’ll tentatively let Yin go!”
In fact, when Kangxi said that, everyone had already guessed that he was going to Ding Yin to go on an expedition. Everyone looked at each other and breathed a sigh of relief. Although Yinzhen was unwilling, he couldn't find the words to reject it for a while. After thinking for a long time, he said:
"The fourteenth brother has a high temperament, but he has never led troops in actual combat. My father needs to think deeply about this matter." Just as he was saying this, when You Mingtang, the Minister of Rites, came in, Kangxi asked: "What's the matter?"
"In reply to Long Live," You Mingtang has been promoted from the Ministry of Household Affairs to the Minister of Rites, all of which were supported by Yinzhen. At this time, he had to avoid being seen and kept his eyes straight. "All the exams for autumn this year have been ordered.
Tan Wei is in charge of the Yingtian Mansion in Nanwei. He asked the Lord to give him the test questions so that he can go south." Kangxi smiled and said, "We were just discussing military affairs, and you asked for the topic again! I couldn't think of any questions at the moment - I
Look, just come up with 'Place Taijia in Tonggong'! According to the Five Elements, this topic occupies the position of Qinglong, which can dilute the military spirit of the West."
It is a trivial matter to ask questions in the exam. Asking the "Tonggong" question is relatively unfamiliar and easy to test your talents. No one noticed what happened, but Fang Bao trembled and wanted to say something, but paused again and just bowed his head in silence. You Mingtang again
He said: "Funing'an and Erut's residence are all in Beijing. Now that they died in the battle, the army thinks that the deceased master is guilty and his integrity is commendable. I don't know what to do. I pray for the decree from Long Live and I will obey the order."
"The death of the king should be given preferential treatment. People are dead, so why worry about their crimes?" Kangxi said, "You guys from the Ministry of Rites go to see their families first, and then come to me if you have any requests. As for the posthumous title, go to the study.
I'll send it to you after I've drafted it." You Mingtang accepted the order and hurriedly backed out.
"Tell that Tan Wei that if someone cheats on his job, I will ask Yinzhen to deal with him!" Kangxi warned You Mingtang loudly, stood up from the couch, stretched his arms, and said, "It's a hot day.
, Let’s end the discussion today! Don’t tell the Fourteenth in advance about the general’s orders. I’ll think about it again. I already have Pang Juan, so don’t bring up Zhao Kuo! Yinzhen, you can also serve as the official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Three
My brother has been busy compiling books. You are the eldest around me. Please pay more attention to trivial matters and don't be afraid of trouble."
After that, everyone left one after another. When Kangxi saw Fang Bao about to leave but stopped, he said: "Mr. Fang, you seem to have something on your mind?"
"Long live!" Fang Bao looked at no one around and said, "I am just wondering why you came up with the topic of 'Placing Taijia in Tong Palace'." Kangxi smiled and said: "This is what is said in the "Four Books". Is it true?
What's the problem?" "There is a problem." Fang Bao's little eyes twinkled like pepper beans, "Back then, King Taijia of Shang was immoral and was sent to Tong Palace by Prime Minister Yi Yin. After three years, he reformed and was crowned emperor again -
"Is it possible that the emperor still has some interest in the second elder brother?" "No such intention." Kangxi took off his coat and seemed to feel much more relaxed. He handed Fang Bao a plate of frozen longan on the table and peeled one off himself.
He wrote and said: "I have issued a decree. Anyone who dares to say that the prince has corrected his mistakes and should still be restored to the throne will be killed without mercy. The words are still in my ears. How can he change it easily? I was reading the "Preface to the Book" yesterday, which mentioned that Yi Yin wrote "Taijia".
"Three articles, I came up with it accidentally. This topic is fresher. If you think about it, this person only knows how to plagiarize eight-legged essays." Fang Bao blinked and said: "Long live, I wonder if you have thought about it, this topic is very easy to start.
If people have other thoughts and covet again, they will be in turmoil again."
Kangxi didn't answer. He stood up, walked around leisurely for a few steps, and sighed: "Fang Bao, you are too bookish. Didn't you hear the saying, 'The strong wind knows the strong grass, and the rough and turbulent waves know the heroes'? I have muddied the water. This is also to choose someone who can identify traitors." One way! Do you think I don’t know about the current bad government? I know it very well! Sit down and listen to me -" He sat down with his hands on Fang Bao, who was dumbfounded. "First, if the officials cannot govern properly, there will be no officials in the world. Because of corruption, good officials like Lu Long are not allowed to be promoted, and corrupt officials like those who are promoted are not severely punished. Isn't this forcing good officials to become prostitutes?"
"Second," Kangxi said with enthusiasm, "officials formed cliques for personal gain, disciples and former officials, relatives and friends entered the family as soon as they were quoted, groups were intertwined, one person achieved enlightenment, chickens and dogs ascended to heaven, one person was in trouble and echoed in all directions - this incident is similar to the first one When things are connected together, I am daunted, how can I not be frightened? As for Ding Yintian's uneven endowment, the abuses of prison, bribery in the examination room, the shortage of money in the treasury, and excessive consumption, I am also well aware of these things. But I think, The most important thing in the world is to reform the official system. If you pass this level well, everything will be easy to handle!" Fang Bao heard this and asked in surprise: "Your Majesty, since you know everything, why don't you use the power of Heaven to make your own decisions and make painstaking efforts? Correction?" Kangxi's eyes flashed faintly for a long time, then he lowered his head and sighed: "I'm too tired and can't do anything anymore. I had high hopes for Yinfeng, but he didn't live up to expectations, so I tried to correct him twice, and I already understood. , these things will definitely be difficult to handle if I don’t do it myself. If I do it myself... If my body changes during the process, even my sons will be unable to survive in the future, and my life’s fame and career will be wasted, and future generations of the world will be ruined. Treat me as Xuanzong, first bright and then dark. Mr. Fang! Is it difficult for you to think of me?"
These words were heart-wrenching and heartbreaking. Fang Bao himself was an old man, so he could not help but burst into tears and sobbed: "Your Majesty, I understand, I understand..."
"So I want to have all five blessings and leave a famous name for future generations, and I can't care about these traitors who are staring at the throne like wolves and tigers!" Kangxi's sinister eyes were as gray and dark as iron, "Show some 'Taijia' wind, The brothers will find ways to guard against him, so as not to use all their strength against me! Think about it, there is the Eighth Prince inside to contact the courtiers, and there is the Fourteenth Prince outside with heavy troops. Once a big change occurs, what consequences will be unimaginable? "
A bone-chilling chill hit Fang Bao, who trembled and resigned in a daze. He felt his heart beating rapidly until outside the garden gate. (To be continued)