The second time, Qianqing Palace is wise and provokes vassals.
Zhou Peigong's guess was correct. Kangxi summoned the three vassals at the same time, and his original intention was to imitate Zhao Kuangyin in seizing troops in front of the banquet. But Zhou Peigong did not know that the person who gave Kangxi this idea was Wu Ciyou who wrote a letter of recommendation for him. Wu Ciyou was originally A famous scholar in Yangzhou. During the imperial examination in the first year of Kangxi's reign, Wu Ciyou was highly appreciated by Kangxi for writing "On Enclosing Lands and Chaosing the Country" and was hired as the emperor's advisor. Before resigning and returning home, he drafted "Strategy for the Abolition of the Vassal" for Kangxi. .
Since Wu Sangui didn't come, Kangxi's plan to seize the army couldn't work. His hot heart had to cool down, and was replaced by uncontrollable anger. He endured the anger and continued to Qianqing. Wu Yingxiong, who was paying homage to his father, was greeted with a cheerful face. He was rewarded with money and medicine, and issued an edict to comfort Wu Sangui who was "sick". After he retired, he felt more and more uncomfortable.
After the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, Kangxi issued an edict to Shang Kexi and Geng Jingzhong, who had already arrived in Beijing, to meet and discuss matters in the main hall of the Qianqing Palace. When passing by the Qianqing Gate in a carriage, Kangxi lifted up the bright yellow soft satin I looked out from the curtain and saw two monks, Geng Jingzhong and Kexi, wearing brand-new goose-yellow flowered dragon jackets. They were prostrate and kowtow. After saying this, he ordered Chengyu to stop, jumped out in two steps, held hands with one under Danqi, and said with a smile, "I didn't expect you to come so early. Are you used to it in Beijing? The weather here is It's not as good as Guangdong or Fujian, so I need to put on more clothes..." As he said that, he walked slowly along the corridor towards the Zhengda Guangming Hall, with a very affectionate tone and expression. He went to the study to follow the minister to ask for the forehead picture, Xiong Cilu, Wang Jieshu, First-class Duke Bilong and other ministers had been waiting at the entrance of the palace for a long time. When they saw them coming, they knelt down in a hurry until the three of them entered the palace one after another. Then they stood up and filed in. Xie Liuer was lying at the door of the palace.
"Where do you live?" Kangxi ordered Geng Jingzhong, and Shang Kexi sat down, took a sip of milk from the imperial desk, and then carefully looked at the two princes with different surnames in front of him. They had met in the third year of Kangxi's visit and had already left. It has been six years. Shang Kexi has aged greatly, and his eyes have lost their former sparkle. His head keeps trembling when he looks around, and his hands and feet look a little sluggish. Geng Jingzhong is in his prime, with a straight chest and a concave belly, sitting upright with bright eyes. He looked at Kangxi politely. When he heard the question, he leaned down from his chair and said with an apologetic smile: "Shang Kexi lives in his son's house, and I live in my younger brother's house."
Kangxi nodded and smiled. Geng Jingzhong's younger brother Geng Xinghe and Shang Kexi's third son Shang Zhili were his uncles, as were Wu Yingxiong. They were detained in the capital and lived in Ehufu's Mansion, serving as ministers of Sanzhi. Both of them were Yin Feng Nong Yue. A prodigal son who has no interest in political affairs except poetry and wine. In Xiong Cilu's words, he has "a little bit of the demeanor of a Jin man, but absolutely no majesty of a Han official". He is not comparable to Wu Yingxiong, who is honest and honest on the surface, but behind his back he is in conflict with the governor outside. He made many friends with the officials, and exchanged letters with Yunnan once every three or two days. After listening to Geng Jingzhong's words, Kangxi pondered for a moment, then turned to tell Xiao Maozi, the eunuch in charge of the Yangxin Hall who was standing nearby: "Send a message to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and grant the two of you silver. Each brother-in-law is worth three hundred taels." He then smiled at Geng and Shang and said, "I know you have a lot of money, so don't think I'm stingy. These two prince-in-laws are both talented and knowledgeable. After a few more years of experience, I can still I want them to take charge of the affairs of the ministry..." He said and smiled again.
"These two" are good, which of course means Wu Yingxiong is "not good". Shang Ke was pleased to see Geng Jingzhong not talking to him, so he laughed and said, "Even if the slaves have thirty thousand silver, they can't compare to these three hundred taels of dignity. When I come to Beijing this time,
Ting Zhili said, "Long Live Lord is very diligent in his work. He has to work until the second watch every day. I don't know what to say. Wan Live is young after all. I don't know how to cherish my body. I don't know how to do it until I'm my age! Long Live."
With billions of people attached to my body, I need to save more time!"
"Why don't I want to enjoy happiness? There are too many things, so it has to be like this!" Kangxi looked at the snow-covered palace outside with twinkling eyes and said calmly, "The Rakshasa devils are disturbing the border in the Northeast. Last year they occupied my wooden city and killed me thousands of times.
The rest of the people. These people are using the corpses of dead people to set up racks and burn them for children to eat! Things in the northwest are even more chaotic. I don’t know what kind of medicine Galdan took. He dared to become a Khan without asking for permission.
Hooking the hand, it has the intention of marching eastward and annexing the south and north of the desert - you are all familiar with the history of the Han Dynasty, how can I just ignore such a thing if it happens in our country?" He took a long breath, and then said
, "There are also Yellow River and Huaihe River. Last autumn, there were 34 breaches. The silt in the Henan Governor's Office was more than ten feet thick. More than 200,000 people fled the country..." Kangxi shook his head and stopped talking.
"Long live!" The internal minister, Grand Scholar Suo'etu, who was kneeling on the machine at the entrance of the palace, suddenly took a step forward on his knees and shouted loudly, "The envoy of the Rakshasa Kingdom, Goraini, is about to return to his country. Before leaving, he wants to see the emperor and ask for his permission.
How to handle it.”
"Where is he now?"
"Waiting for orders outside the Meridian Gate."
"Tell him to come in!" Kangxi said sternly, "I want to see what he is!"
"Cha!" Suo'etu kowtowed, stood up and struck Qian'er again, bowed and exited the hall to deliver the order.
"The emperor should show his majesty," Xiong Cilu said, kowtowing in the class, "to show my celestial style!"
Kangxi thought for a moment, gritted his teeth and said with a smile: "He is not worthy! The current dignity has also promoted him!" As he said this, he heard a voice coming from the distance: "The envoy of the Rakshasa Kingdom came into the palace to pay homage!" Everyone was excited.
While I was peeking around, I saw a figure as thin as a hemp stalk, lone and slender, walking slowly, looking left and right as he entered the Qianqing Gate, and then said nothing.
Golaini walked into the Forbidden Palace like a sleepwalker. He was surprised by the wealth here. There was gold, silver and exquisite oriental artworks everywhere. The patterns of clouds and dragons were painted on the pillars, which was breathtaking.
The dazzling golden cauldron, the golden vat, the jade Ruyi inlaid with dazzling gems, and all kinds of expensive and huge porcelain. Bringing back any one of them would be enough to make him one of the few richest people in Europe... But the strict majesty here makes him
Minus a bit of arrogance. Starting from the Meridian Gate, two rows of soldiers stood in rows like nails. The broad-brimmed swords hanging on their waists trailed long tassels. The imperial guards were like iron statues, standing upright with their swords.
, without blinking an eye. On both sides of the huge palace were kneeling dozens of important officials with brilliant feathers, and not even a sound could be heard. In front of the palace, there were bronze cranes, and Jin Ao's mouth was blowing out curls of cigarettes, showing a solemn look.
The atmosphere was *. Because Golaini was a little distracted by what he saw, he almost stumbled when he stepped into the palace door. He bumped heavily on the door frame before he stood up awkwardly. He shrugged his shoulders, spread his hands, and followed in.
Suo'etu asked: "Your Excellency, what should I do?" The people in the palace were startled when they heard that he spoke such pure Chinese.
"According to the etiquette stipulated by our Qing Dynasty," Suo'etu said coldly, "Kneel three times and kowtow nine times to our emperor!"
Seeing this man with yellow hair and blue eyes, deep eyes and a high nose, wearing a short-sleeved tuxedo and swinging up his "horseshoe sleeves" in a serious manner, Kangxi almost laughed. After he finished the salute and was about to ask questions, Goreini went on his own.
He climbed up and shouted loudly: "Oh! Great Bogd Khan (Emperor of China)! I feel honored to be able to see you in this magical and charming palace! On behalf of the most holy and all-powerful people, I
His Majesty the Tsar of Russia, Grand Duke Alexey Mikhailovich, sends you his lofty greetings!" After saying that, he opened his arms and stepped forward to embrace Kangxi warmly.
But he only took two steps before he stood still. Kangxi sat quietly, with a kind of calm and intimidating light in his bottomless black pupils, which frightened him so much that he did not dare to be frivolous. He froze.
After a moment, he smiled helplessly and said: "Our enthusiasm is reflected in our unrestrained actions. The Chinese people's enthusiasm is contained in a kind of natural beauty, with admirable implicitness. Even the British can't match it... I think I'd better press
Please reply according to the etiquette of your country!" After saying that, he knelt down again.
"Goraini," Kangxi finally spoke, "why do you want to see me?"
"I came to see Bogd Khan," Goreini said, "to seek forgiveness for the incident in the Amur region and to ask Bogd Khan to make a wise choice!"
The so-called Amur refers to the Heilongjiang River Basin. Kangxi couldn't help but smile: "The Heilongjiang area has been my Chinese territory since ancient times. What does it have to do with your Rakshasa Kingdom? How can I 'understand' it?"
"Of course," Goraini shrugged, "I have no intention of denying your Majesty's words, but that piece of land is just a small one for your rich and vast China-" He couldn't choose the right Chinese words, so he had to
He stretched out his little finger to compare, "But for our country, it is very useful. We need leather goods to trade with Europa, do you understand? And your country needs the stability of the border..."
Before Golayni could finish speaking, Kangxi said coldly: "You are saying that you just go and grab what you want, right?!" The last "Really" was raised sharply by an octave,
The main hall of Qianqing Palace was so shaken that it buzzed.
"No, no... no... yes!" The chatty diplomat was startled and replied incoherently. After a moment of cowardice, Golaini became tough again: "Your Majesty, please listen to what I say. I accept it."
The Tsar's order conveys to His Majesty that Bogd Khan should exchange this desolate land for the Tsar's favor and care. Only in this way can peace and stability in His Majesty's country be ensured."
"This is strange," Kangxi looked at the ministers, "Why is there any instability in our country, He Qing Hai Yan? Even if something happens, it is my domestic affairs, what does it have to do with you Rakshasa?"
"I am your foreign minister, so I might as well tell you frankly." Golaini smiled roguely, "The Great Khan's position is not stable. It is known to all that several princes in the south of your country are preparing for an unprecedented rebellion..."
"Hahahaha!" Kangxi suddenly laughed loudly, pointed at Shang Kexi and Geng Jingzhong and asked Goraini, "Do you know them?"
Golaini glanced at Geng and Shang, shrugged and shook his head: "I don't have that honor..."
"They are the 'rebellious' princes you called," Kangxi said with a smile, "Our monarchs and ministers are all here at the moment, but tell me, why are we so unsettled?"
"?" As if he had received a heavy blow, the kneeling Golaini's body suddenly slumped. Since Suo'etu kept a tight seal on him, he had not heard any news about Geng Jingzhong and Shang Kexi's entry into Beijing.
Golaini's face turned as pale as snow, and he murmured: "This is a rumor... Please forgive Bogd Khan and the two princes. But -" his face turned red again, "I remind the emperor,
My powerful Cossacks, led by the famous general General Bakharov, have entered the Amur region. In your Chinese language, it is called 'Those who follow the rules will prosper, and those who go against the rules will perish'!"
Before he finished speaking, Kangxi stood up with a bang on the table, got off the throne, walked a few steps, pointed at Goreini and said: "Go back and tell Mikhailovich that there is no civil strife in China, that is, there is no civil strife in China."
Maybe, I can suppress the rebellion myself, without having to worry about his arrogance from thousands of miles away! I, the Chinese emperor, the holy land where all nations worship and surrender, tell him to put an end to his delusions early and stay calm! Otherwise, one day the troops and chariots will meet again.
Only then did I know that the power of the Qing Dynasty cannot be violated - because of your rudeness today, I should have your head beheaded as a punishment. Remembering the friendship between the two countries, I will not behead you to make it the ancient justice, and I will pardon you and not die - come!"
"Cha!" Wei Dongting, Lang Ling, Mu Zixu, Su Lun and other guards were impatient for a long time. When Kangxi greeted him, they responded in unison like thunder.
"Take him back to the post house," Kangxi said coldly, turning his back to Golaini. "He must leave the capital before noon tomorrow! Humph, I don't believe it. How can this Baharov be better than Stepanov?"
1] Is the outcome better?"
A tense diplomatic war was over. Kangxi still could not suppress his indignation and could not help but look at the ministers in the palace without saying a word.
"Long live!" Geng Jingzhongzhong couldn't stand Kangxi's heavy gaze, so he finally said, "The Rakshasa Kingdom is so rude, why doesn't the emperor send troops to suppress it?"
"I have difficulties too!" Kangxi flicked the lid of the tea bowl with his fingers, glanced at Shang Kexi absently, and said, "The country was harmed by Ao Bai's chaos, and its vitality has not recovered. For a while, raising troops and paying them has become a difficult problem. We can't
If victory is certain, how can I use troops easily?"
Shang Kexi and Geng Jingzhong were very clear about what happened in the Qianqing Palace today. They were talking about "withdrawing the vassal" everywhere. Since the death of Emperor Yongli of the Southern Ming Dynasty, there was actually no war to fight in the south. The three vassal kings led dozens of
Thousands of troops are sitting there eating the royal food and pay, but the foreign enemies in the north are unable to resist! Although they understand in their hearts, Geng and Shang are unwilling to bring up the topic. Shang Kexi has no choice, his military power has long been completely deprived of his military power by the eldest young master Shang Zhixin
; Geng Jingzhong made up his mind and acted based on Wu Sangui's eyes - Wu Sangui had more soldiers than the two vassals combined. Why should Geng Jingzhong want to be the leader?
"It's going to rain, and my mother wants to get married, so let her go!" Kangxi said with a double entendre. Seeing Geng and Shang pretending to be deaf and dumb, he couldn't help but feel angry, feeling that he couldn't just show mercy to them.
He glanced at the two princes with lightning eyes and said with a smile: "I invited the three vassal princes to come to the capital originally to discuss this foreign matter together. Wu Sangui is 'sick', and you two can't completely make the decision. Come to San Francisco.
It's actually a vassal and a half. It's really interesting to think about it. Is it possible that I can't even do anything for Rakshasa, a clown?" He wanted to say, "Is there a Hongmen Banquet here?", but he changed his words.
"Before the slave came, he sent someone to Yunnan to see Sangui." Shang Kexi argued with a wry smile, "Wu Sangui did have eye problems, and he suffered from malaria a few years ago. He claimed to be ill and refused to show up. He seemed to have no other intentions."
"Let's not talk about this!" Kangxi breathed a sigh of relief, "Why did I get involved in this? Please don't misunderstand my original intention. I have no intention of withdrawing the vassal at the moment. Even if I withdraw the vassal, I must be fair and aboveboard. The imperial court will never be like a rabbit or a dog.
Cooking is a matter of keeping the birds in their bows! I have been taught sincerely, so I will treat others with sincerity - first be sincere and correct your heart, and then you can govern the country and bring peace to the world! If San Francisco does not fail me, I will not fail you. You will also do the same.
If you are tired, just kneel down."
On the afternoon of the second day, Kangxi changed into casual clothes and came to the Penal Department Yamen located in Shengjiang Hutong. He had tea leisurely in the large living room behind the detention room, waiting for the results of Fu Honglie's interrogation. Four first-class guards, Wei Dongting and Lang Ling,
Seeing that he seemed to be worried, Mu Zixu and Donkey Zi sat up straight in silence.
Suddenly, a big military attache hurried in, took a deep breath, sat down on the chair opposite Kangxi, looked out uneasily, turned to Kangxi and said: "Hey, when will your military officer come down -
Ah? It’s the Lord!”
"It's Tuhai!" Kangxi saw that his face turned pale with shock and he even forgot to kneel down, so he laughed and said, "You, a slave, can't live in the Jiumen Admiral's Mansion. Why are you going to the Penal Department Yamen?"
Only then did Tu Hai hurriedly kneel down, with big beads of sweat oozing out from his forehead: "Returning to Long Live Lord, the Punishment Department Yamen is interrogating Fu Honglie - ah, I'm here to take a look at Wu Zhengzhi..."
"What kind of relationship do you have with Wu Zhengzhi? Why does it involve Fu Honglie again?" Kangxi saw that Tu Hai was stammering in panic, and he didn't find it funny. "Wu Zhengzhi is interrogating Fu Honglie. What do you mean by interfering in it? Admiral of the Nine Gates
Is your hand stretched too long?"
"Hey - you deserve to die! Wu Liuyi said before that Mr. Fu was a loyal and good man. Today during the trial, I couldn't hold myself back and came to Wu Zhengzhi to inquire about the news..." After saying this, he kowtowed repeatedly.
"Get up and stand over there!" Kangxi teased with a smile, "Thankfully you are a general, and you don't even have the slightest talent for sudden changes. If you come to Wu Zhengzhi Fasi Yamen to knock against the wooden clock, aren't you afraid that I will punish you?"
"My servant has nothing to do with Fu Honglie. Moreover, I do not advocate the withdrawal of the vassal state and have different political views." Tu Hai stood up and gradually regained his composure. His dark and purple face trembled, and he bowed and replied, "Fu Honglie wrote a letter to express his views on politics.
This is for the country and the country. If you speak correctly, the Holy One will take it; if you speak improperly, the Holy Master will abandon it. I think -"
"Stop talking." Kangxi cut off Tu Hai's words, "Go to the custody room to deliver the message. I want to see Fu Honglie."
"Ah?" Tu Hai was greatly surprised. Seeing that Kangxi had no expression on his face, he quickly replied, "Cha!"
Fu Honglie followed Tu Hai in. There were large shackles weighing forty kilograms nailed to his feet, rattling in the quiet courtyard. Although his steps were staggering, his face was as calm as a child who had just woken up. Wu Zhengzhi, Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment, and
The Manchu and Han ministers, Ke Dao and other officials did not enter according to the order, so they kowtowed upward in the courtyard of the Ministry of Punishment, stepped aside, and stared uneasily at the living room that immediately became supreme.
"Fu Honglie," Kangxi twisted the beads on his chest and said to Fu Honglie who was lying on the ground, "what are you thinking about at this moment?"
"The guilty minister is thinking..." Fu Honglie trembled. He didn't expect that Kangxi would ask this at all. He couldn't help but look up at Kangxi and replied, "This place has been the place where the country carries out punishments since the Ming Dynasty.
Walking away, we are only a stone's throw away. Thousands of evildoers are here to commit suicide, and there are also benevolent people who are wronged and humiliated here... At this time, the guilty minister unexpectedly has an audience with the holy face, and expresses his heartfelt feelings. Even if the minister dies, how can it be so fast!"
"What are your intentions?" Kangxi said with a change of expression, "You are just a small prefect. You dare to talk nonsense about the country's affairs and alienate the harmony between the monarch and his ministers. You are not worthy of death!" Although the voice was not high, it conveyed great pressure.
Hai, Wei Dongting and others couldn't help but shudder in their hearts.
"Your Majesty, what you said is wrong!" Fu Honglie was worried and protested, his eyes gleaming. Everyone present was shocked, but they heard Fu Honglie say loudly, "Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of a country, let alone ministers.
At Si Mu! I personally see that Monk Wu Sangui and his son are rebellious and illegal. If they keep silent and act wisely to protect themselves, they will be guilty of deceiving the emperor; if they remonstrate directly and offend their appearance, they will be guilty of making false statements and disrupting the government. If they advance, they will die. If they retreat, they will die.
Then the heart dies. Which is better, body death or heart death? Ask the Holy One to make a clear decision!"
Kangxi felt as if his heart suddenly sank from high in the sky. The four words "sacrifice one's life for righteousness" flashed across like lightning, making his heart ache: Such a character was only discovered as late as today! He thought for a while and improved
He raised his voice and shouted out: "Wu Zhengzhi, come in!" Wu Zhengzhi agreed with a "cha" and stepped in. Before he could kneel down, Kangxi asked: "What are you going to do with Fu Honglie?"
"Cut in half!" Wu Zhengzhi replied without thinking.
"Can't it be gentler?"
"If you wish, I can only convict you in accordance with the law." Wu Zhengzhi said, "Grace comes from above. Reducing the sentence and reducing the sentence should be a special gift from the emperor."
"Well. Then... abandon the market." Kangxi seemed to breathe a sigh of relief under heavy pressure, glanced at Fu Honglie, and said, "You just said it very well, I will grant you - don't blame me for being cruel, the court has
The difficulties of the court - do you have anything else to say? Oh, your old mother and young son, I will take care of the household and take care of them..." Kangxi said while looking at Fu Honglie.
"The guilty minister has nothing to say..." Fu Honglie was really sad when he heard about his mother and young son at this moment. He was full of tears and suppressed himself from crying. He just knelt down and bowed respectfully for three times.
He knelt down and kowtowed nine times, and said in a trembling voice: "Thank you..." He stood up and bowed to Tu Hai and Wu Zhengzhi respectively, and said with a tearful smile: "Brother Wu, Brother Tu, let's say goodbye to each other!"
He held up the shackles and walked out of the hall.
"Stop!" Kangxi suddenly stood up and shouted. His face suddenly turned blood red, and he stepped out of the hall in a few steps, staring at Wu Zhengzhi with lightning eyes, and repeatedly ordered: "Give him punishment!"
He walked towards Fu Honglie without stopping, and while watching the two officials hurriedly unlocking the lock and going to the execution, he stroked Fu Honglie's shoulder and said, "Okay! He is really brave, and he is indeed Lielie's husband! Kill you like this."
My dear minister, wouldn’t I become the king of Jie and Zhou?”
Fu Honglie was stunned by this unexpected turn of events. When he realized what happened, he could no longer control himself. He fell to the ground and howled loudly.
"You will live in Beijing first." Kangxi helped Fu Honglie up, brushed the dust off his arms, and said softly, "Many of your friends are working in Beijing, and Zhu Guozhi has also been transferred to Beijing. You will be raised in their home.
Body, if you have any memorials or suggestions, I will leave them to Tu Hai for the time being. I want to use your stone to ask you to return to Guangxi and become an official. Do you dare?"
"Why don't you dare?" Fu Honglie replied loudly.
[Note 1] Stepanov: The Russian general was killed by the Qing general Shaerhu at the mouth of the Songhua River when he invaded the Heilongjiang Basin of China. (To be continued)