The twenty-seventh chapter, the past and the present are indistinguishable, the old love is new
Cuigu tossed and turned on the bed and didn't sleep until the fourth watch.
Her father Wu Tingxun was originally a Jinshi in the third year of Chongzhen in the former Ming Dynasty. The examiner was Hong Chengchou, a great scholar. Hong Chengchou was popular and graceful, and was highly respected by ordinary scholars at that time. Wu Tingxun was able to rely on the door wall, which was a very honorable thing
, often felt proud of him. Hong Chengchou also looked at this disciple with special eyes. After the rebellion of King Chuang and Gao Yingxiang, Hong Chengchou led the Ministry of War and supervised the military affairs of Yuhu, Sichuan and Shaanxi. Wu Tingxun followed him into the shogunate and became counselor of military affairs. Both teachers and students
In the midst of hardships, they forged deeper friendships. They often spent their spare time riding horses, whipping their whips, and composing poems. This was highly admired by people in the military.
Gao Yingxiang was defeated, and Li Zicheng led his remnants to the Shangluo area. Seeing that the war in the Central Plains gradually subsided, unexpectedly, another edict came from Kyoto, ordering Hong Chengchou to enter the guard at night, and Wu Tingxun followed his teacher to fight with the Qing soldiers in Songshan.
Soon, news of the defeat came from the front: Hong Chengchou was missing, and the commander-in-chief Yu Guozhu was killed by several arrows. After Cao Bianjiao, Wang Tingchen, and Qiu Minyang were captured, they died bravely and unyieldingly, scolding thieves.
As soon as the news spread among the common people in Beijing, the whole city was in panic. Cuigu's mother was holding her daughter, who had just turned one year old, almost crazy with anxiety. She asked almost everyone she met: "Is Hong Jinglue dead or alive?
"She firmly believed that her husband's fate was connected with Hong Chengchou. If Hong Chengchou died, her husband would definitely not be alive, so as long as she found out the news about Hong Chengchou, she would probably know her husband's whereabouts.
But who could tell such a thing clearly? Soon, the court sent a decree and three hundred taels of silver, saying that her husband had died together with Hong Jinglue in a royal affair. The woman carried her daughter to the wasteland in the northeast of the city.
In the suburbs, paper figures, paper horses, and paper houses were burned. They also cried bitterly in a pine forest next to Zuojiazhuang. They also burned a lot of gold foil paper money with excellent quality - even Hong Chengchou's two in total. Just like
Like the virtuous women praised by tradition, after grieving, she felt a lot relieved, because her husband followed Hong Jinglue and sacrificed his life for the country with all loyalty and integrity. His death was worth it!
Emperor Chongzhen originally wanted to use Hong Chengchou's death to hold a grand funeral in order to inspire the fighting spirit and patriotism of the loyal soldiers of all walks of life. He specially ordered an altar to be built and prepared to build a Hong Chengchou ancestral hall outside Beijing. He also wrote a memorial in his own hand and posted it widely.
Cuigu's mother was grateful in addition to her joy - since Hong Jinglue has become a god, her husband will definitely follow him to enjoy the fireworks of all people. She is even a little proud: Who doesn't know that my husband is Hong Jinglue?
The best friend of Jinglue? She held her daughter and smiled and said: "My child, your father is loyal to the country, and you are his flesh and blood. No matter how difficult it is, I will pull you into an adult!" Smiling, saying, the big boy
Tears fell silently from his cheeks.
But the reality is so cruel that Hong Chengchou, who should have sacrificed his life for the country, is still living shamelessly in this world! Although the imperial court did not issue an edict to inform the world, they saw that the altar built with loess was torn down by the captains, and the foundation of the ancestral hall was also demolished.
After digging it up, the imperial memorial inscriptions posted disappeared completely overnight, and even a papaya-headed person couldn't figure out what was going on.
On a snowy night, Wu Tingxun came back. His body was covered with ice and snow, and the dirt on his face and unkempt beard made him almost unrecognizable. Aunt Cui was so frightened that she dropped her daughter on the ground.
Wu Tingxun looked at the spiritual tablet set up for him in the hall with a wry smile, and sat down slumped in silence. Aunt Cui stared at him blankly, and suddenly broke out into a burst of heart-wrenching wails: "The imperial court has punished you...how did you come back alive?"
...Huh?...You are talking!"
Wu Tingxun did not answer, and let his wife cry with a blank face. His terrible silence and calmness soon made his wife stop crying, and she was a little shocked and overwhelmed. Wu Tingxun stroked her shoulder and said calmly: "You don't have to be like this -
- Hong Jinglue is not dead, how can I die? A person cannot be deceived by others all his life, I must always be worthy of him!"
The Ming Dynasty was unstable, and Wu Tingxun saw this clearly. Li Zicheng raised his troops from Shangluo, fell into Luoyang, attacked Kaifeng, and marched north. The Manchu Green Battalion soldiers who had succeeded in Songshan gathered in Shanhaiguan, Gubeikou, and Xifengkou areas, and set their sights on
The Central Plains. The country was subjugated in a matter of seconds. Wu Tingxun moved his wife and daughter out of the capital, from Jinan, Shandong, to Tai'an, across Wuhu, and lived in seclusion in Nanjing. Fortunately, he was not very poor, and could still live a comfortable life with the savings from his previous eunuchs.
He lived a prosperous life. During the day, he wandered around Stone City and Qingliang Mountain, and at night he taught his babbling daughter to read and recite poems. He did not make friends or visit old friends. Those five poems were written on the broken walls of Linggu Temple.
, I don’t know which good literati copied it and inscribed it in the Feng Family Garden in Beijing - how could Mingzhu and Cuigu know the twists and turns in this?
Cui Gu turned over and took out a sharp paper knife from under the pillow - it was given to her by her father on a dark night in the 10th year of Shunzhi. She was already twelve years old that year, and everything seemed like yesterday.
It was so real. The father handed the paper knife to his beloved daughter with trembling hands, and said with tears: "My child, dad suffered a great shame and humiliation eleven years ago. The man can be killed, but not humiliated. This revenge must be avenged! Tomorrow the enemy will arrive.
Come to Nanjing, I want to see him! Dad has nothing else to give you, let this be a souvenir!"
Aunt Cui had long since cried her heart out: "He is now a Tatar, and his arrogance is even more fierce than before. Now that the world has settled down, and you are unwilling to contribute to them, I will live in seclusion in the mountains with you for the rest of your life, which is considered worthy."
The former master, why do you..."
"I have said everything that needs to be said," Wu Tingxun smiled calmly, "Earlier you expected me to die, and your face was shining; now you expect me to live, and you want to live a peaceful life. You really want the sugar cane to be sweet at both ends!"
Before it was over, Aunt Cui burst into tears. Aunt Cui also cried "Wow" and ran up and hugged her father's neck: "Dad! Mom just gave birth to a younger brother. You don't want to go, I don't want you to go!"
Wu Tingxun's tears flowed down his cheeks, and he sighed: "Since this keeps going on, I...just put up with it!" He shook his head and said, "Hong Chengchou will have a banquet for guests tomorrow to commemorate the Qing soldiers who died in the Southern Expedition.
I originally wanted to go and join in the fun... Alas!"
The matter was settled as it was, but unexpectedly another major incident occurred, and Wu Tingxun had to go see Hong Chengchou. On the morning of the third day, just before Wu Tingxun had breakfast, the man at the door came in and replied: "Master Jin.
My young master Jin Liangcai came to pay my respects!"
"Which Mr. Jin?" Wu Tingxun had always lived in seclusion in Nanjing and rarely interacted with outsiders. Suddenly he heard that someone was visiting, and he was a little confused for a while.
"Master Kim Jung Hee!"
"Oh? Please come in quickly!" Wu Tingxun suddenly thought of it.
Kim Jong-hee was his brother-in-law. He had worked with him under Hong Chengchou, and he had always had a very stubborn temper. During the Battle of Songshan, Wu Dinh-hun crawled out of the dead to beg and returned to Beijing. He had heard that Kim Jong-hee had died in the battle, and now he heard that he
I was really surprised and happy when my son arrived, so I ordered to call my wife and rushed out the door myself. As soon as I left the study, I saw a young man in his twenties staggering in. He bowed his head and cried uncontrollably: "
Uncle Wu——"
Seeing his nephew crying miserably, Wu Tingxun hurriedly stretched out his arms and said: "My dear nephew, don't be like this, get up quickly!"
"If my uncle doesn't save my father, my nephew won't get up!"
"Your father!" Wu Tingxun was shocked, "He is still alive! Where is he now?"
"The former supervisor of Dali Temple will be here tomorrow -"
"how?"
"Hong Chengchou will pay homage to the fallen Qing soldiers at the southern suburbs school field tomorrow, and he will kill his father to honor the flag!"
Hearing the news, Wu Tingxun was like a thunderbolt in the sky. The hairs on Wu Tingxun's body suddenly stood up, his face was as white as paper, and he asked in a trembling voice: "Hong Hengjiu? He is also your father's brother-in-law. How could he do such a cruel thing?"
It turned out that Kim Jong-hee also escaped from the Battle of Songshan. Because he was a military official, the imperial court had very strict orders to deal with the defeated soldiers, so he did not dare to return to Beijing. He changed his name and fled to Jinling, the southern capital, and hid in a relative's house. The city of Nanjing was destroyed.
, was kidnapped by deputy general Xia Chengde who surrendered to the Qing Dynasty in Songshan and thrown into prison.
This time, Hong Chengchou was stationed in Jinling as the Qing Dynasty's "Master of Military Affairs to recruit the Southern Governor". When he heard that Kim Zhengxi was being detained here, he asked Xia Chengde to go to discuss the matter, and he was quite willing to accept it. Unexpectedly, when Kim Zhengxi heard "Hong Chengchou
"After three words, he covered his ears, closed his eyes and said, "Cheng Dejun, you used to love telling lies, but you haven't made any progress in more than ten years? Can Hengjiu be as shameless as you, and consider a thief as your father?"
Xia Chengde didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he had to tell Kim Jong-hee the truth about the return of heaven and man in a precise manner.
Helpless, Jin Zhengxi just shook his head: "I don't believe you even if you live or die! Hong Hengjiu was a Jinshi in the 44th year of Wanli. He served as an official for more than ten years and was only able to participate in politics as the chief envoy of Shaanxi Province. After Chongzhen ascended the throne, no
A few years later, he established a palace and was promoted to Minister of the Ministry of War, Crown Prince, Taibao, and Governor of Jiliao. He was a very popular minister! Since the Ming Dynasty, no one has been favored as deeply as Hengjiu. No one has been favored so deeply that he would rebel.
Yours? This Hong Chengchou you are talking about cannot be someone else pretending to be you, right?"
When I heard that Xia Chengde relayed Kim Jong-xi's words to Hong Chengchou, Hong Chengchou frowned as if he had been stung by a scorpion, and immediately said with a smile: "This old fire has not been eliminated, so I can't see it!" Soon there was news.
, to kill Kim Jong-hee to pay homage to the deceased soldiers of the Qing Dynasty.
After listening to Mr. Jin's words, Wu Tingxun felt ashamed and resentful. Compared with Mr. Jin Zhengxi, he felt that he was not worthy of being his brother. Since he was educated, he has understood that the master is worried about the humiliation of his ministers, and the master is willing to hang himself to death.
For many years in the mountains, he had always claimed to be loyal, but he still remained in this world! Thinking again about Hong Hyung-koo, whom he admired, loved and respected as his teacher, he had such a disgusting face! His breathing gradually became faster, but
I feel hot blood rushing through my limbs and bones, and my whole body is unbearably hot.
He helped Jin Liangcai up, held his hand and said, "Nephew, uncle, just go!" Then he entered the study, where Madam and Cui Gu were already waiting.
He took out the paper knife and handed it to Cui Gu silently. Cui Gu looked up at his father's face. Wu Tingxun turned his face away and said to his wife: "You go back to your hometown in Hejian Prefecture and live on the 20 acres of Botian."
...If I can't save Zhengxi, don't wait for me; if I can be saved, I can still live for a few more years..." After saying that, he stood up and straightened his clothes and left without looking back...
Thinking of this, Cuigu's face was already filled with tears. She looked at the paper knife, thinking of her brother and mother who had been separated for fifteen years, and the bright scene of being killed in a black shop, and sparks burst out in her eyes. Then she thought again
Mingzhu's heart tightened again, so she stood up, changed into a man's clothes, walked out of Jiaxing Tower, and went to Lion Alley to find her sworn brother Hu Gongshan. She wanted to ask Hu Gongshan to go out and rescue Mingzhu personally.
Due to the tight security of Ao Mansion, Xiao Qi only sent out the information that "Baiyun Temple was missing" at the fifth watch. Wei Dongting jumped up, panicked, and rode to Xihua Gate alone on Pegasus, intending to enter the palace nearby. Unfortunately, it was not the right day.
He was on duty and had no tag on his waist. The sergeant guarding the gate changed his guard again and refused to let him in. He just smiled and said, "Sir, please stop for a moment! We know your name, but the leader has been changed here."
, you don’t have a sign, it won’t matter much if you are let in. The chief is sleeping, and when he wakes up, I will report it again..." Wei Dongting didn't want to listen to his chatter, and suddenly remembered Kangxi's words about going to Shangu Zhai today,
Suddenly he broke out in a sweat, raised his eyebrows and gave the forbidden soldier a slap in the face, scolding: "You arrogant slave, I will settle the score with you when I come out!"
While cursing, he walked towards the palace, but he saw a big man flashing out of the side room, standing like an iron tower blocking the way, and said coldly: "Master Wei, is Meng Lang here?" Wei Dongting looked up when he heard the sound, and couldn't help but gasp.
He breathed a sigh of relief: It turns out that the new leader is actually Liu Jinbiao, his old enemy. Liu Jinbiao was wearing a brand-new fifth-grade guard uniform, with his hands on his chest, and he squinted his one eye in an airy manner: "Although you are a guard of Qianqing Palace,
But there is no record of entering here, and there is no sign, so I can't help you!" Then he turned around and shouted: "Come!" Pointing at Wei Dongting with one hand, he said: "Master Wei, please go to the wing over there to rest, and wait in the hall.
We will deal with it when the official comes!"
"How outrageous!" Wei Dongting said with raised eyebrows, "I have a special decree from the Lord to go straight in and out no matter which door you choose!"
"I don't know." Liu Jinbiao said with great joy, "You broke into the palace gate without permission today and let you go. I was guilty first. Come on, take him in!"
Seeing that something was not going well, Wei Dongting stretched out his hand to draw his sword, but found nothing! It turned out that he was walking too fast and did not even have time to hang up his sword. He saw two Gesheha rushing towards him. In desperation, one of them "pushed the window"
"Seeing the Moon" opened his palms in two directions. As soon as the two Gesheha took over the palms, they felt as if they were rushing into the void. When they hurriedly stopped, Wei Dongting sent him away, and the two of them fell up and fell more than ten feet away with a "Ah" sound.
.Wei Dongting sneered and said: "Why, do you still need to use force?"
"I can't be nice to you even if I don't use force!" Liu Jinbiao waved his hand, and the thirty or so lieutenants from the Xihua Gate pulled out their swords and formed a fan-like formation to approach Wei Dongting.
Wei Dongting was eager to get away and did not dare to fight. He jumped back a few steps and turned around to lead his horse, only to see Namo standing in front of him with several people. Fang was stunned for a moment, and Namo shouted: "We haven't taken it yet." Three.
Four people approached him like hungry tigers, grabbed his arm tightly, and twisted it back. At this time, no matter how powerful they were, they couldn't use it. Nemo said with a smile: "You are the Holy Red Man, and I can't do it either."
I'm trying to embarrass you, but this is just an act of justice. Just say, who told you to break into the forbidden palace at this time?"
Wei Dongting was held down by several people and couldn't stand up straight. He raised his face and shouted loudly: "I am here to meet you on orders!"
"According to the decree?" Nemo laughed loudly, "Every day you say that Aozhongtang faked the imperial decree. It turns out that you are also doing this! I will check it later and talk to you again!" He lowered his voice: "Your Majesty
Today we are touring Baiyun Temple incognito. Hey! Where did the decree come from for you? Tell you, Aozhongtang might also send someone to accompany you!" After saying that, he waved his hand, and several people surrounded Wei Dongting, pushing and shoving him.
He was taken into a small room where the gatekeepers rested, and he was tied tightly to a pillar, with a ball of tattered uniform stuffed in his mouth. Nemo ordered: "Keep an eye on him first, then report back."
The officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will deal with it later!" He said and walked away. It was already bright at this time.
In fact, Wei Dongting only arrived a few steps earlier, just a moment later. If he had been a step late, he could have intercepted Kangxi's car, because Kangxi was traveling from Xihua Gate that day. However, Aunt Sumala's sharp eyesight found that the guard guarding Xihua Gate
She seemed to have a strange face. When the car jingled by, she glanced through the glass, but it was just a fleeting thought. How could she know that Wei Dongting was looking through the window lattice and was going crazy with anxiety?
Kangxi sat in the car silently and thoughtfully, looking at the scenery outside the car. The closer he got to the suburbs, the fewer people there were on the streets. It was early winter, and the willows beside the road were dark green, and the maples and persimmons were red. It was another scene.
Feelings of love. The northwest wind blew, and the crimson fallen leaves were dancing all over the place. Seeing the scenery outside the window, Sumala sighed and said: "Inadvertently, it is already the middle of winter. The mountains and rivers are desolate and the sky is cold - I am
It’s a little too early for us to go out, long live my lord, is it cold?”
"It's not cold. I want to hang around outside for a while and then go to Shangu Zhai." Kangxi, who was deep in thought, replied.
While the two were talking, the car suddenly came to a sudden stop. They leaned forward and just when they were seated firmly, they heard Zhang Wanqiang yelling at the top of his voice: "What's wrong with you? You don't want to live anymore?"
When I looked out from behind the curtain, I saw a man dressed as a servant smiling apologetically and saying, "I'm tired of walking a long way, so I want to take advantage of your car for a ride."
Aunt Sumala opened the curtain and revealed her face, shouting loudly: "You are such a rare person! Our car can't fit in, let alone you are a man..." Then she ordered Zhang Wanqiang, "What are you waiting for? Let's walk!"
The servant stretched out his hand to stop him and said, "Sister, it's full, so it won't be a big deal if I squeeze in one more person!" Then he boldly stared at Aunt Sumala and said, "If I am a man, there are still more people in the car.
Isn’t one also a man?”
Although Aunt Sumala was born in a wealthy family, she had been selected into the palace since she was a child and was extremely favored. Seeing him speaking so rudely and staring at her with his fiery eyes, she felt annoyed and ashamed.
He lowered the car curtain and ignored him. Kangxi had already moved closer to the car curtain to examine him. Although he felt that the man looked familiar, he could no longer remember when he had seen him before.
The man still stopped the car and refused to give way, and claimed that he had to go to Baiyun Temple in an emergency. (To be continued)