Chapter 63 second quarter

He thought of death, and used his death to remonstrate with the emperor, to make the emperor wake up, to use his death to be loyal to the emperor, to repay the emperor's kindness, and to repay his friend's love for knowledge. In the Hall of Mental Cultivation in the Forbidden City, Daoguang sat alone in front of the imperial case, facing Wang Ding's memorial, but his heart was like the rainy night outside the window.It was cloudy and rainy nearby, and in the distance, dull thunder was rolling, and sharp lightning tore through the dark night from time to time. Daoguang paced back and forth, and the little eunuch hid in the back room, seeing the worried look of the emperor, he did not dare to speak up.Under the radiance of the ever-burning candlelight, Daoguang's thin figure appeared even more lonely and lonely.

He once again sat in front of the royal case and reviewed Wang Ding's memorial: "Long live Your Majesty, long live! My minister Wang Ding left Beijing to go to Kaifeng to supervise the management of the Yellow River. Due to the continuous summer rain, the Yellow River soared, and the auspicious symbol broke the embankment nearly a hundred feet. The whole of Kaifeng is a vast ocean, such floods have engulfed tens of thousands of hectares of fertile land, and tens of thousands of hungry people have been affected. I have little talent and intellect, and are unable to cure the Yellow River and save the people. Please, my lord, be aware of the crimes that cannot be cured, and I have no regrets! But I recommend it One person must have a good strategy to control the Yellow River. This person is Lin Zexu who traveled to Ili to conquer the army. Abandoning Lin Zexu's merits and demerits of banning smoking in the southeast, and thinking about his past achievements in controlling the Yellow River, Lin Zexu still has something to offer. After thinking about it again and again, now the Kaifeng flood, The civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty must be Lin Zexu! The Holy Majesty does not consider Lin Zexu, but the people in Kaifeng who are in dire straits. He respectfully dispatched Lin Zexu to Kaifeng to assist his ministers in governing the Yellow River. Don’t worry, it’s not too late for the Holy Majesty to punish me again, I beseech the Emperor’s grace. Your servant Wang Ding kowtows to the Holy Majesty, long live, long live.”

Daoguang knew Lin Zexu's achievements and abilities in governing the Yellow River, and he knew that Lin Zexu was available.When I met Lin Zexu on my first private visit to Beijing, I was entrusted with the heavy responsibility of controlling the Yellow River. He lived up to his holy hope and managed the Yellow River for many years, and Kaifeng was also in good weather.Not a few years after he was transferred from Lin Zexu, the Yellow River flooded again and again.He originally planned to transfer Lin Zexu from Huguang to Kaifeng, but he was urgently needed along the southeast coast.However, Lin Zexu's ban on smoking caused disasters for the country, and his punishment was to alleviate this foreign disaster and to find a scapegoat for himself.But Wang Ding is ignorant of current affairs, and repeatedly pleads for Lin Zexu, how can I forgive him?Otherwise, where is the prestige of the emperor's promise?Where is the face of the king?But this time is different, the Yellow River is calling for Lin Zexu, and the people in Kaifeng are in urgent need of Lin Zexu. The torrential flood and the continuous rain seem to be calling for Lin Zexu.Is this God's will?If this is the case, even though I am the king of a country, how dare I go against the laws of heaven?

In desperation, Daoguang issued a decree, preparing to send people to chase Lin Zexu who was heading westward in a starry night. Daoguang put down the pen in his hand, but his heart did not.Looking up at the emergency document in front of him that was defeated in the war, Daoguang felt a palpitation in the wind and rain, and the mountains and rivers of the Qing Dynasty seemed to be swaying in the lightning and thunder. "Jingni" generals could not Jingni, and "Yangwei" generals could not show their might. Foreigners' guns were like thunder in the dark night, beating Daoguang's heart.He hated foreigners, and also Lin Zexu, who led wolves into the house, but was it really Lin Zexu's fault?Can't smoke?Smoking must be banned, but Lin Zexu angered foreigners.It is a matter of course to be exiled to the army, and it is also a matter of course to be transferred back to Kaifeng to commit crimes and meritorious service.Daoguang figured this out, and his heart became much calmer.However, he still couldn't figure out why the battle in the southeast coast was defeated again and again.Changling is dead, Wulong'a is dead, what if they don't die?Is it also the same as the counter-insurgency Zhang Geer, who won nine battles and nine victories, and won the eight hundred miles of red flags, but now he can no longer have the glory and glory of being captured by Wumen.That may be the greatest joy of life.Daoguang couldn't hide his inner happiness whenever he thought of being captured at the Meridian Gate.But now, thinking of this matter, I can't laugh anymore. The disastrous defeats have already wiped out the glory of the past.Daoguang just wanted to cry, but he couldn't cry tears. The tears had already been cried to the queen mother, mother-in-law and father, and even the queen who felt heartbroken just thinking about it.

The queen mother and the officials in the court have urged him to become a queen many times, but he has never had the intention of making another queen.In his mind, Queen Quan was the last queen in his life, and his vows and thoughts today were all buried in his heart with the woman he embraced.He felt that the re-emerging would be a harm to Empress Xiaoquan.It is also a harm to himself, and even more a harm to the emperor's son Yi Chi. Besides, among the many concubines and maids in the Sangong compound, who is qualified to be the queen and the mother of the world? In Kaifeng, the small boat floating in the ocean finally became an isolated island in the flood, and it was finally saved, and the people found a home where they could settle down.

When the water receded, thousands of hectares of waves became fertile fields again.The fleeing people came to the gap of the auspicious talisman and kowtowed to the thin figure with curling cigarettes.Wang Ding showed a gratified smile. Although the smile was tired and covered with vicissitudes of dust and muddy water droplets, it was a smile after all.He smiled at the busy Lin Zexu, and greeted him, "Brother Shaomu, the people burn incense and worship you like a god!" "This is not thanking me, it is clearly thanking the Holy One, thanking Brother Wang." Although Lin Zexu had a smile on his lips, his heart was gray.He toiled day and night on the embankment, working selflessly, seldom speaking, only non-stop toil and silence.He is suppressing the sadness in his heart, he wants to take pleasure in being busy, and use labor to torture his tired heart. Only when he is busy can he not think about himself.Sometimes, he thinks of death, dedicates his life to this embankment, expresses his heart to the Holy One, lays down on this Yellow River embankment after working hard, and lays down forever, and draws a symbol for his career with actions.But he was so strong that he didn't fall down. On the contrary, he stood up like the dam in the Xiangfu gap.

The Yellow River is no longer a blind python, it has its own way, the Yellow River is no longer a wild horse, the reins are firmly held.The Yellow River, the angry Yellow River is quiet, like a drunk who no longer runs around and can only sleep quietly. Xiangfu blockage has also been completed.The whole Kaifeng mansion is like celebrating the New Year, men and women.All the people, old and young, laughed, burned incense and set off cannons.The grand celebration banquet was held in the Yamen Hall of Kaifeng Mansion. Wang Ding sent people several times to invite Lin Zexu to attend the banquet. He didn't want to go, he just wanted to lie down quietly and have a good sleep.He hasn't had a good night's sleep for months, no!Perhaps for many years, he hasn't had a good night's sleep.

Lin Zexu lay quietly on the hard plank bed, thinking about something on his mind.The river is cured, will the emperor let me go?Since ancient times, monarchs have used people to move forward and not backward, when the birds are exhausted, the good bow is hidden.How is the current emperor?Lin Zexu was vaguely aware of his own destiny, he didn't want to think about it, he treated the emperor and the people with his heart, and he just wanted to have a clear conscience. Just as Lin Zexu was about to fall asleep, Wang Ding pushed open the door. "Brother Shaomu, the celebration banquet has been set up, and I'm just waiting for your brother."

"Master Wang, I am a sinner and I should not sit at this celebration banquet." "Brother Shaomu, this is wrong. Whether it is a merit or a demerit will be judged by future generations. You are the number one hero here, and the people's eyes are discerning. If you don't attend the table, they will not be willing to attend the table. It's a fate, sir. Brother Mu, let's go! Otherwise, I will be angry." Lin Zexu had no choice but to walk into the celebration banquet with Wang Ding. "Brother Lin, you can't take that seat, this is your seat!" Wang Ding pulled Lin Zexu up and pushed him to the first seat.

"Brother Wang, this is impossible. Lin is a sinner, how can he sit in the first place? The emperor knows that he will blame him." "You are the number one hero. Without your brother, how could there be such joyful events as the water receding and the castle dam being repaired today. The credit is indispensable. The emperor will pardon your crimes and stay in the capital when he knows." Lin Zexu didn't speak, just shook his head and sighed slightly.Wang Ding understood Lin Zexu's heart, but he had presented Lin Zexu's river control achievements to the emperor, hoping that the emperor would pardon Lin Zexu's crimes.But the current emperor is indecisive and sometimes unpredictable, Wang Ding can only pray in his heart, and he can't guess Daoguang's mind.In order to comfort Lin Zexu, Wang Ding took off the yellow jacket given to him by the emperor and said, "Brother Lin, you have made the most contribution. The emperor must wear this yellow jacket for you!" Wang Ding said while putting on the jacket for Lin Zexu .

"Brother Wang, I accept your wish. This is a gift from the Holy One, sinners are not qualified to be contaminated, please put it on quickly! Otherwise, Lin's crime will be added." "In that case, then I'll put away this clothes. Brother Lin, you should drink a few more glasses, drink to your heart's content, drink to your heart's content, and drink to your heart's content. Cheers to our victory!" "If you don't get drunk, everyone gets drunk. I don't think I can afford to get drunk! Well, let's drink!" The officials of Kaifeng Mansion toasted and drank. Although Lin Zexu wanted to have a good drink and get drunk for ten or eight days, his reason told him not to get drunk. He still had hopes and illusions about the future. "Come on, everyone cheers!" Someone stood up. "Okay, do it, do it!" Just when everyone was playing fist-guessing and drinking freely, a loud shout startled all the people present. "The imperial decree—arrived!" Everyone hurriedly put down the cups and chopsticks in their hands, left the table and knelt down to accept the imperial edict.A man with a male duck voice read: "Lin Zexu is still going to Yili after the dam is closed. This is it." Lin Zexu was just stunned for a moment, he seemed to have expected it, and was not surprised at all, instead he went to comfort others calmly. Wang Ding was dizzy for a while, he was a little sad and angry, he flicked his sleeves, without saying a word, he left the table angrily, and the celebration banquet broke up unhappy. Wang Ding was disappointed. He went back to his place of residence and sent a memorial to the capital, urging Lin Zexu's achievements in Zhihe. He hoped that the emperor would reward him for his meritorious deeds. The memorial is sent out like a mud cow sinking into the water, and nothing sinks into the sea.Daoguang was indifferent and did not change his mind. Wang Ding had no choice but to say goodbye to Lin Zexu with tears, "holding hands and looking at teary eyes, and choking silently." "Brother Lin, have another drink. You and I will bid farewell today. I don't know when we will meet again. 'I advise you to drink up one more glass of wine. There will be no old friends when you leave Yangguan in the west'." "Brother Wang, don't be sad, you should cherish it more, the road is long, keep the sadness in your heart, 'A bosom friend is always in the sea, and the world is like a neighbor'." "Brother Lin, I have shown pride all my life and offended many officials in the court. Wang Ding doesn't ask for many friends. You and Brother Mu alone are enough!" "Brother Wang, Lin is lucky to be able to postpone until today, why would he dare to ask for anything? Lin thank you for your sense of knowing you. It is enough to have a confidant in the world, so what can Lin ask for?" Lin Zexu suppressed the grief in his heart, wrote a poem to comfort his friend in pain, and expressed his ambition. Wang Ding returned to Beijing with his troops. Before he entered his home, he went to the court due to illness to kowtow to the emperor. "Long live Your Majesty, long live, I have my own record!" "Wang Aiqing, please tell me, there is no need to be too polite, you have made great achievements in curing Huang, and I have decided to seal you..." "Thank you, Your Majesty, there is no need! The success in controlling the Yellow River is not the merit of the minister, but the merit of Lin Zexu! The emperor should reward Lin Zexu for his meritorious deeds." "Wang Aiqing, you don't need to say too much, I will take care of it myself. Lin Zexu made great achievements in governing Huang, and he will make up for his mistakes, but his merits cannot make up for his misfortunes. I have already rewarded him by sending him to the army." "Your Majesty, if the emperor does not reward Lin Zexu, he should be pardoned or let him go back to his hometown. Why should he be punished so severely for those who have made meritorious deeds? The country is in the midst of wars and is in urgent need of talents. Please withdraw the decree. Pardon Lin Zexu." "Why did the country go into chaos? If it wasn't for Lin Zexu's lawlessness, how could he offend foreigners and lead to today's chaos?" Before the emperor could speak, Mu Zhang'a knelt and argued with Wang Ding.Seeing that it was Mu Zhang who spoke, Wang Ding despised him very much in his heart, and said with extreme disgust when he opened his mouth: "Mu Zhang, you shield your sons, are jealous of the virtuous and capable, deceive the king and harm the country, and you are still talking nonsense here. As a subject, you don't think about serving the country. The people do their best, but they bully the subordinates and flatter the superiors all day long, and frame Zhongliang. Such a despicable and shameless person, no different from Qin Hui and Yan Song, don't get out of here, so as not to stain my mouth!" Wang Ding gave an impassioned speech, describing Lin Zexu's achievements, and hated Mu Zhang'a for being such a despicable villain.As soon as this remark came out, he became even more furious, scolding Mu Zhang'a for harming the country and the people. Mu Zhang'a was humiliated by Wang Ding in front of the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty. He also became angry from embarrassment, but he couldn't get angry, so he could only taunt Wang Ding in a strange way: "How can you tamper with the emperor's will at will? Lin Zexu deserved what he deserved. Could it be that Wang Zhongtang intended Can you excuse him? Not killing Lin Zexu is the emperor's excuse, if Wang Zhongtang still doesn't know what's good and what's wrong, he will be ashamed of the sage Long En." Daoguang sat on the dragon pier, listening to Wang Ding and Mu Zhang'a's dispute, after a while, he smiled slightly: "Wang Aiqing, you are drunk!" When Wang Ding heard the emperor's words, he was very annoyed and helpless. He said seriously: "Your Majesty, how can I get drunk before I have even touched a drop of wine? I hope that the emperor will be loyal and evil, and forgive Lin Zexu!" Daoguang feared that Wang Ding's further talk would hurt his own prestige, so he sternly shouted, "Where are the guards in the palace?" "The minister is here!" "Wang Zhongtang is drunk, talking drunkenly in the court, you send him back to the mansion quickly to rest." "Obey!" "Your Majesty, I'm not drunk, I'm not drunk!" No matter how Wang Ding yelled and defended, there was no two answers, just like that, Wang Ding was forcibly escorted back to the mansion by the inner guards. When Wang Ding returned home, he was filled with righteous indignation.Now that the emperor was defeated due to the situation in the southeast, he vented his anger and resentment on Lin Zexu. A courtier cannot relieve the emperor's worries, and a friend cannot solve problems for a friend.The emperor is fatuous.If I don't observe loyalty and traitors, let traitors rule, and loyal people suffer, what is the benefit of my life?It is better to remonstrate with the emperor with death, and hope that the death of the minister will wake up the fatuous emperor and the increasingly numb courtiers. That night, Wang Ding called his son Wang Hang to his side: "Hang'er, you are now an editor of the Imperial Academy, and you should be loyal and traitorous as an official in the court. " "Father, you have told the child so many times, and the child will remember it. Besides, you know what the child is like, father." "Son, if you can remember your father's words, your father will be satisfied. Mencius said: 'The rich and the noble cannot be promiscuous, the poor and the lowly cannot be moved, and the mighty cannot be subdued. This is called a man of virtue!' Our generation of scholars should take this as a lesson." "Father, my son feels that you seem to have something to hide today. If you have something to say, just say it, and my son will definitely solve your problems!" "Boy, remember what your father said. From now on, be an upright man. Father is enough. Why ask too much? From now on, if you can do it, do it. If you can't do it, go back to your hometown in Pucheng, Shaanxi, and be an ordinary citizen. It’s okay to just live my life!” "Father, the country is in chaos now. You don't see the defeat in the southeast, the treaty of the loss of power and humiliation of the country has been signed, the rebels from all walks of life in the interior rebellion and the people's uprisings continue, and the world will decline. Father, you have been an official for many years, but you are so poor. The child does not want to be in the court. The official is rich and powerful, and he just wants to stay by his father's side, and he will be satisfied with taking care of him sooner or later. If his father feels that he is exhausted by being an official in the court, he can also resign early and retire as Uncle Gong Zizhen did, so that he can spend his old age in peace. Why bother with him here? Those traitors fought for power, and in the end, they ended up like Uncle Lin Zexu!" "Hang'er, don't talk about it. 'Read the sage's book and hand it over to the emperor's family', my father can no longer be a leisurely gentleman like Tao Yuanming, so he has to put this old bone out, be loyal to the emperor, and be worthy of the emperor's honor." Grace." "Father, you have to take care of your health. You have been in poor health since you came back from Kaifeng. You are already in your seventies, and you can't stand such hard work." "Hang'er, go back and rest, father can still take care of himself." "Okay, the child is gone. Father, you also go to bed early."