Chapter 6 6. Yang Rui told the teacher about the Dongxiang unjust case

Back home, Zhang Zhidong closed the door of his study and sat alone for most of the day in silence.Just like reminiscing about a good play in his childhood, every procedure and every detail summoned by the Hall of Mental Cultivation slowly reappeared in his mind, especially every inquiry from the Queen Mother and every conversation with himself , chewing carefully, and carefully understanding the meaning of each of the Queen Mother's questions and other connotations that may be contained, as well as whether my response is appropriate and expressive.He figured out the Empress Dowager Cixi's attitude towards the Yili incident: she was angry with the treaty signed by Chonghou, which made her and the Qing court lose face in front of foreigners.If she had enough strength, this tough middle-aged woman would never negotiate. She would order Zuo Zongtang to lead troops to drive away the Russians in Yili City, and forcibly take back this city that was her own.It's just that the national power is weak now, and she has some concerns.Zhang Zhidong believes that his idea of ​​abolishing the contract to kill Chonghou and actively preparing for the war is in line with Cixi's thoughts.Throughout the half-hour of the call, my various performances were not inappropriate.

Thinking of this, Zhang Zhidong became excited.He carefully considered the drafted manuscripts word by word, trying to be more thoughtful, more comprehensive, more detailed, and easier to be adopted.The Bureau of Economics and Economics must not only provide a complete strategy for the Empress Dowager and the court in dealing with the Yili incident, but also keep a complete document for the National History Museum for future generations to read. This series of memorials written by Zhang is an excellent reference. He also thought that the years of being trapped and subdued for a long time will pass away.He has been born for nearly twenty years, and he is only a small Beijing official from the fifth grade. Zhang Zhidong has been distressed, confused, and angry for countless times because of this.In terms of background, talent and learning, political achievements, and integrity, they are all better than others, but they just can't get promoted.Is it because of the lack of skill to flatter horses, or because of the lack of luck?Thinking of the family background in which both his father and grandfather were officials but kept orders, he sometimes shook his head and sighed helplessly: Could it be that the Zhang family's ancestral grave was not buried properly, so there was no way to be a high official?

It seems that when the times are turning, all this is about to change! However, the reality is not as wonderful as this fanciful Cong Wupin Xiaojing official imagined. First of all, it was Prince Gong Yiyi and Governor of Zhili Li Hongzhang, a scholar of the Wenhuadian University, who solemnly pointed out to Cixi many times that Chonghou, as a special envoy for negotiations with Russia, could not be killed. Killing Chonghou was tantamount to insulting Russia.Russia is an aggressive military power, and China will suffer even greater losses if it goes to war with it.The proposal to regain Yili by force seems to be patriotic, but it is actually wrong for the country.This is a rash and irresponsible move.Since ancient times, Qing discussions have been harmful to the country, and today Zhang Zhidong, Zhang Peilun and others are just such people.

Then, Zeng Jize, Minister of the United Kingdom and France, elected Chonghou's replacement, which all parties agreed with, to report from London, saying that there are only three ways to prepare for the Yili case: war, defense, and peace.Zeng Jize analyzed the situation of both the enemy and us in detail: Ili's terrain is dangerous, the Russians are strong and powerful, and the war may not be able to win; and Ili is Chinese territory, the Russians will not be harmed after the war, and the victim is actually China, not to mention that the Russians have been coveting China for a long time However, this time I just used Yili to start a war, and the war was exactly what I wanted.China's catastrophe is at the beginning of peace, and the wounds have not recovered, so it is not appropriate to start wars again.Therefore, war is not advisable.Those who defend the words say that Yili is a corner land, it is better to abandon it and guard the interior.Those who hold this theory do not know that Yili is a big fort in Xinjiang. If Yili is abandoned, Xinjiang will be abandoned;At this time, we can only make peace with Russia and amend the treaty. Those who can allow it will be allowed, and those who are not allowed will be firmly refused. Territorial and border issues will never be accommodated.As for Chonghou, he can be severely punished, but it is better not to kill him.

Zeng Jize's strategy for handling the Yili case was unanimously supported by the ruling and opposition parties, and Cixi himself also agreed.Since he acted according to Zeng Jize's steady plan, Zhang Zhidong, who was too tough, should not be exceptionally promoted.Cixi found another reason for promotion according to the routine.As a result, Zhang Zhidong was promoted from the fifth rank to the fifth rank, and his official position was promoted to Youchunfang Youshuzi of Zhan Shifu. Although Zhang Zhidong was disappointed that he was only promoted by one level, it is a good thing that his official position has been promoted after all.What made him especially gratified was that the court did not accept the treaty signed by Chonghou to forfeit power and betray the country. Chonghou was arrested and sentenced to prison, and Zeng Jize was reassigned as special envoy to continue negotiations with Russia.Zhang Zhidong felt that the court still accepted his general policy of handling the case, which was enough to be comforted.Compared with national sovereignty, there is no exception, after all, it is still a trivial matter.He still closely followed the development of the situation with great interest, and whenever he had some new ideas about the case, he always submitted them to the Queen Mother for reference, so as to fulfill his duty to the country.

On this day, while reading the manuscript in his study, he learned that Zeng Jize had arrived in Russia and was in contact with the British ambassador to Russia, De Vrienne, and the French ambassador, Shang Xi, to inquire about the views of Britain and France on the Yili case.Zhang Zhidong was very satisfied with Zeng Jize's prudence in handling affairs.At this time, Mrs. Wang came in and said, "Yang Rui, a student from Zunjing Academy, came to see you." "Yang Rui is here?" Zhang Zhidong put down the mansion newspaper in his hand, and said pleasantly, "Call him in!"

"The students are already in." While speaking, a young man in his early twenties with handsome facial features walked out from behind Mrs. Wang. He was Yang Rui. "Master Xiang, I haven't seen you for more than three years. How have you been all these years?" "Okay, okay!" Zhang Zhidong replied, pointing to the chair beside him and saying, "Sit, sit down and talk." Yang Rui sat down opposite Zhang Zhidong. Zhang Zhidong looked him up and down, and said with a smile, "I haven't seen you for three years. You've grown up a lot, and you've become a little manly."

Yang Rui felt embarrassed when he said that, and grinned.Mrs. Wang personally brought a plate of Gaiwan tea, and said to Yang Rui: "This is the blue and white teacup that you bought with your teacher at Huangwa Street in Chengdu that year. It has been used for several years, and it is still as good as new." The teacher's wife is so affectionate and kind, which makes Yang Rui feel warm.He got up and took the tea bowl, and said like a child showing his merits in front of his elders: "Huangwa Street is full of the city. I told the incense master that year that the porcelain sold in the city was leftovers from the palace. It seems that I That's right!"

"Three years is too early." Zhang Zhidong interrupted with a smile. "Fifty years later, it is still as bright as new, so I believe your words." "Fifty years?" Mrs. Wang looked at her husband and said, "Who do you want him to argue with after fifty years?" Zhang Zhidong laughed loudly and said, "My daughter, let's argue with my son!" It must have been born by Mrs. Wang, and Zhang Zhidong loved her very much, treating her like a pearl in his palm.Seeing that her husband puts her daughter in his heart all the time, Mrs. Wang was very relieved.She glared at her husband coquettishly and said to Yang Rui, "Look, how happy the teacher is to see you!"

Seeing the teacher's heartfelt joy, Yang Rui seemed to be bathed in the warmth of the spring breeze. He said with a smile: "At that time, the students still had to discuss with Xiangshi face to face, insisting that Xiangshi admit that this is a real palace candidate. Taste." "Okay, okay, if it's still like this by then, and if I'm not dead, it's not too late to admit it." Zhang Zhidong laughed even harder. Yang Rui looked at the teacher's contented demeanor and thought to himself: Master Xiangtao has not changed much from when he was in Sichuan, but he looks a little thinner and has a few gray hairs on his temples.He sent a small cloth bag with him and said: "I know you never receive gifts from others, but this is not a gift. Back then you asked us to plant Nanzhu behind the study. In recent years, Nanzhu has grown very It’s lush, and there are still bamboo shoots to dig in spring. Knowing that I’m going to Beijing, some students in the academy said, bring some dried bamboo shoots for the incense master to taste, because there are no bamboo shoots in Beijing.”

"Okay, okay, I'll take it." Zhang Zhidong happily took the small cloth bag, then put it on the desk, and said: "Back then I asked you to plant some bamboo in the academy, in order to inspire people with the integrity and strength of bamboo. Everyone, I never imagined that today I could eat bamboo shoots from Zunjing Academy in the capital.” After that, he laughed happily again. The three years that Zhang Zhidong studied in Bashu was an unforgettable time for Zhang Zhidong. In the 12th year of Tongqia, the 36-year-old Zhang Zhidong was appointed as Sichuan Xuezheng.Xinxuetai, who has always advocated hard work, is determined to do a few practical things for the academic circles in Bashu during his three-year tenure. At that time, the atmosphere of Shilin in Sichuan was not correct, and cheating in the examination room was very serious.After Zhang Zhidong conducted in-depth investigations, he formulated eight major measures to clean up the examination halls, such as "prohibiting peddlers, prohibiting blackmail, and preventing replacements."In response to the fact that many scholars participated in bureaus organized by local gentry, Zhang Zhidong ordered that many scholars were not allowed to participate in bureaus, and anyone who violated them would be punished until they were dismissed. .Zhang Zhidong did what he said, and acted vigorously and resolutely. After the removal of several scholars' fame, this trend has almost disappeared. In order to cultivate more and better talents and create a new style of study in Sichuan, Zhang Zhidong accepted the suggestion of fifteen officials and gentry, including Xue Huan, the former minister of the Ministry of Industry, who returned from Ding You, and established the Zunjing Academy.In the spring of the first year of Guangxu, Zunjing Academy was completed outside the south gate of Chengdu, and Xue Huan was invited to be the head of the mountain.Xue Huan was also a famous eunuch.In the eleventh year of Xianfeng, Xue Huan served as the governor of Jiangsu. Together with Zeng Guofan, then governor of Liangjiang, he was ordered to purchase foreign guns and cannons and hire French craftsmen to teach manufacturing experience, which opened the prelude to "Xu Tu self-improvement".Zhang Zhidong's appointment of this well-respected and capable official as the first head of the academy was exactly what he valued and expected of the academy.On the first day of school, he and Sichuan Governor Wu Tang went to congratulate in person. Zhang Zhidong's goal for Zunjing Academy is to cultivate the talents of scholars who are well-versed and practical, and to create a pragmatic style of study in Sichuan.During the Sichuan period, he often went to the academy to give lectures to scholars.In order to guide the students of the Academy and scholars in Sichuan Province, he wrote two important academic works: "Che Chief Xuan Yu" and "Bibliography Answers". In the book "Fuxuanyu", Zhang Zhidong published many valuable words of teaching and experience as a student of politics. He is a gentleman of morality, and he puts forward the principle of studying for learning, which is based on understanding and understanding.In the book "Bibliography and Answers", Zhang Zhidong, as an extensive and meticulous bibliographer, provided scholars with more than 2,200 kinds of bibliographies, including a collection of classics and history, opening the way for beginners to enter the academic palace. the gate. During the course of teaching at Zunjing Academy, Zhang Zhidong discovered five young people who were exceptionally intelligent and diligent in studying.He vigorously commended them and set the five young men as examples for scholars in the whole province.One of them not only reads well, but also has more outstanding conduct and loftier aspirations. Zhang Zhidong listed him as the first of the five youths who respect the scriptures. Yang Rui, whose name is Shuqiao. "When did you arrive in Beijing?" Zhang Zhidong held up his teacup, his eyes full of kindness looked at this young man who was deeply loved by him. "I arrived in the afternoon the day before yesterday. I thought I would come to visit Xiangshi yesterday, but I remembered the dust all the way, and I looked too ugly, so I went to the market yesterday to buy a suit of clothes, shaved my head, and cleaned Tong's body from top to bottom. I dared to do it today." Come to pay a visit." Yang Rui sat upright and narrated, his two big clever eyes flashing with dazzling brilliance. What a flawless piece of jade!Zhang Zhidong admired in his heart.He went to Beijing the day before yesterday, and he came to visit today. He was very happy for his disciple's love and righteousness. "Where do you live these two days?" "South Hengjie Inn." "Don't stay in the hotel, move to live with me tomorrow." Zhang Zhidong put down his teacup, as if to show that his words were a decision and no discussion was needed. "I'm disturbed by staying here and disturbing Master Xiang and his wife. I feel uneasy. It's more convenient to stay in a hotel." Yang Rui declined. "Do you want to disturb me or not? My guest room is empty, so you can just stay here. Living at home, our teachers and students can talk easily. We haven't seen each other for three or four years. I have a lot to say to you! " After finishing speaking, without waiting for Yang Rui to open his mouth, he shouted to the door: "Dagen, come here!" A tall-looking man in his twenties walked in with big strides: "What's the matter, fourth uncle!" "Go and clean up the guest room. This distant visitor from Sichuan will sleep at home tomorrow night and stay there for a while." "Well, I see." Da Gen greeted Yang Rui enthusiastically while answering the fourth uncle's words. Seeing that Dagen called Zhang Zhidong "Fourth Uncle", Yang Rui knew that he was not an ordinary servant, so he asked, "Master Xiang, what should I call him?" "He is my distant nephew. You are about the same age, brothers, you should all be called by your first name! You call him Dagen, and he calls you Uncle Qiao." Yang Rui hurriedly got up and said to Dagen, "Brother Dagen, I'm causing you trouble." Da Gen said kindly: "No thanks, this is my job." After that, he left the study. It has been ten years since Dagen came to Zhang Zhidong's side.When he was eight years old, Dagen's mother died, and his father, a quack doctor, took him all over the world.The father knows a few words and has some martial arts skills. Sooner or later, when he has nothing to do, he teaches his son boxing and martial arts, and also teaches his son the characters he knows.From the age of twelve or thirteen, his father taught him to identify various herbs and recite soup recipes so that he could have the skills to support his family when he grew up.Dagen is smart and hardworking, and he has learned everything his father taught him. In addition, he has followed his father from village to house for many years, so he has a lot of experience at a young age.Unfortunately, when he was fifteen years old, his father died of illness, and Dagen became a helpless orphan, so he had to go back to his hometown in Nanpi to cultivate two or three acres of thin land alone.That year Zhang Zhidong went back to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors. When he saw this orphan who had grown up with him five times, he saw that this was a rare and good seedling. With a little cultivation, it could become a talent.Zhang Zhidong is a man with great ambitions, he is not content with being a literary servant, he wants to help the world and the people.It is his ambition to be a border minister who governs one side, and to be a prime minister who manages the world.He believed that sooner or later this day would come.Therefore, he needs to gather talents around him, both big and small, especially a few caring people.They either help themselves to make suggestions and solve problems; or they take care of the guards on the saddle and horses to prevent the invasion of gangsters and guard against the assassination of enemies.In a few years, Dagen will be a good bodyguard.In this way, Zhang Zhidong brought Dagen out of Nanpi. Since Zhang Zhidong attached great importance to Dagen, he treated Dagen extra, regarded him as his nephew, and stipulated that he should read and read one hour in the morning to make up for his past deficiencies;Last year, Mrs. Wang took in an eighteen-year-old girl, Chunlan, as a maid.Chunlan has a father but no mother, and her fate is not good. Zhang Zhidong and his wife saw that she was diligent and kind, so they decided to marry Chunlan to Dagen.Dagen and Chunlan thanked Zhang Zhidong and his wife for their kindness, so they worked for Zhang's mansion wholeheartedly. After drinking a few sips of tea, Zhang Zhidong said to Yang Rui: "After all these gossips, the real thing has not been said yet. Uncle Qiao, what is the reason for you to travel thousands of miles to come to the capital?" "I'm about to report to you." The baby-like smile on Yang Rui's face disappeared instantly, replaced by a serious look. "The students were entrusted by their fathers and fellow villagers to come to Beijing especially for the Dongxiang tragedy, to express their grievances for the Dongxiang farmers who died unjustly." "The Dongxiang case hasn't been settled yet?" Zhang Zhidong asked in surprise. "It's still the same as it was in the past. Not only can the wronged souls of Dongxiang's death be settled, but also all conscientious gentry in central Sichuan can't be convinced, so I entrust a few students to go to Beijing to appeal again." Yang Rui said excitedly, tears in his eyes is flashing. "It's been four or five years, and it hasn't been dealt with properly. What is the conscience of heaven!" Zhang Zhidong is an emotional person. Seeing Yang Rui's eyes filled with tears, he couldn't help but blur his eyes. When the Dongxiang case came out, Zhang Zhidong was studying politics in Sichuan, so he knew all about the case. Sichuan farmers are heavily taxed. In addition to land and silver, there are various donations and miscellaneous taxes.At the beginning of Aixinjueluo's entry into the customs, in order to win over people's hearts, he publicly assured the whole country that his children and grandchildren would never add gifts.But this sentence did not last long, and it was self-denied by adding taxes and taxes under various names.After the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's incident, the army's salary was huge, and the imperial court extorted money to raise money.Dongxiang is a poor county, and the sum of various taxes over the years has exceeded ten times that before the war.Moreover, the bureau gentry and officials responsible for collecting money and food colluded with each other, blackmailed in every possible way, and used bad methods.The peasants in Dongxiang couldn't bear it anymore, and finally in the first year of Guangxu collectively resisted the payment of grain, gathered a crowd to petition, and asked the government to settle the grain accounts over the years. Sun Dingyang, the county magistrate of Dongxiang, reported Wenge, the governor of Chuan, with the words "unreasonable people gathered for rebellion".After Wen Ge got the report, he immediately sent the admiral Li Youheng to lead the officers and soldiers to Dongxiang to suppress.Li Youheng ferociously ordered the officers and soldiers to kill all men, women and children in the Dongxiang Kangliang Village, resulting in the tragic death of more than 400 people. After the Dongxiang tragedy, Bashanshushui was shocked.Hearing the news in Zhang Zhidong in Chengdu, he said indignantly to the subordinates of the Xuezheng Yamen: "The petitions of the villagers can only be persuaded. Even if it is really a gathering of people to rebel, they can only arrest the first offender and disperse the people. How can they kill so many people?" People? How many unjust dead ghosts should there be here!" He is a student of politics, so it is inconvenient to interfere in local government affairs. When he learned that Dongxiang recommended gentry to go to Beijing to sue, he agreed in his heart.The case of Dongxiang received the sympathy of Wu Zhen, a Sichuan censor, and he contacted several Beijing officials to jointly name Shangshu and impeach Wenge, the governor of Sichuan.Later, the imperial court dismissed Sun Dingyang, the county magistrate, and Li Youheng, the admiral Li Youheng, who were directly involved in the case. They transferred Wenge, the governor of Sichuan, from Sichuan, and promoted Ding Baozhen, the governor of Shandong, to be the governor of Sichuan.At this time, Zhang Zhidong had just completed his three-year political studies and left Sichuan to return to Beijing.Along the way, all he heard were complaints from the people who were dissatisfied with the court's handling of the case, and he himself believed that the case was handled improperly. After Ding Baozhen arrived in Sichuan, he took the attitude of calming down the matter and reducing the big thing to a small one. Almost no one who was directly responsible for the Dongxiang unjust case was punished.The people of Dongxiang County were outraged. Last year, after Zhang Peilun learned of this incident, he published a memorial to impeach Ding Baozhen and please review the Dongxiang case.The imperial court accepted Zhang Peilun's opinion and appointed Li Zongxi, the former governor of Liangjiang who was serving in Beijing, to go to Sichuan for a review.Li Zongxi reported to the court after checking the facts.The imperial court then sent Encheng, Minister of Rites, and Tonghua, Minister of Officials, as imperial envoys to Sichuan for review.Zhang Zhidong knew about these measures of the imperial court, but he was not clear about the specific situation of the two imperial envoys after they came to Sichuan. Yang Rui told the teacher angrily: "As soon as Encheng and Tong Hua entered Chengdu, they were picked up by Ding Baozhen to live in the governor's yamen. They entertained them with delicacies from mountains and seas every day, and they also recruited beautiful girls from various opera gardens to sing Sichuan opera for them in Chengdu. Tired of living, they went to live in Mount Emei for another month. The two imperial envoys enjoyed all their blessings in Sichuan. They only sent three entourages, accompanied by Fang Junyi, the official secretary, to visit Dongxiang for a few days in a pretentious manner. The imperial envoy said that Dongxiang’s case cannot be overturned. If it is overturned, Sichuan will not receive money and food in the future. He also said that it is a trivial matter that he can’t be a governor. The concerns are right, so the original judgment is upheld and the case is not allowed to be reversed." "It's unreasonable!" Zhang Zhidong became indignant, "How did Ding Baozhen become so confused?" Ding Baozhen was not a muddle-headed official. A few years ago, he did a major event that shocked the world, which made him famous and widely praised. In the autumn of the eighth year of Tongzhi, the Empress Dowager Cixi sent her eunuch An Dehai to Jiangning and Suzhou to buy clothes for the soon-to-be-married Emperor Tongzhi.The ancestral system of the Qing Dynasty stipulated that eunuchs were not allowed to leave the capital.Cixi has never paid much attention to the ancestral system. An Dehai is her favorite slave. She asked An Dehai to go out of Beijing. On the surface, she was buying clothes for the big wedding, and secretly asked him to feel the loyalty of the provincial officials to her. .Relying on Empress Dowager Cixi's favor, An Dehai acted unscrupulously.He traveled south along the canal in a special yellow dragon boat with the Golden Crow Chitu Banner.Shocked and frightened, officials along the way boarded boats one after another to pay homage and presented generous gifts, which An Dehai accepted one by one. Ding Baozhen was the governor of Shandong at that time, and Shandong was the province that Andehai must pass through.After he learned the news, he flew a badge to report to the court, and at the same time sent people to wait in Tai'an, planning to put An Dehai and his party under house arrest.An Dehai didn't know what was going on, and he still acted like a domineering figure during his house arrest, threatening that if he wasn't released, the purchase of clothing materials would be delayed, and Shandong Province should bear all the responsibility.Ding Baozhen ignored him and waited for the court's decree. Speaking of it, An Dehai deserved to die.Usually, the governors of all provinces sent Cixi directly to the urgent performances. When the memorial arrived that day, Cixi was watching a play.The eunuch in the internal memorial office was afraid of offending her interest, so he gave the memorial to the little emperor Tongzhi.The little emperor was furious after seeing it, and hurriedly reported it to his aunt, Empress Dowager Ci'an.Ci'an's character is relatively cowardly, and her ability to deal with state affairs is far inferior to Cixi's. She usually doesn't care about political affairs and lets Cixi alone have the final say, which also encourages Cixi's arrogance.Ci'an was not very satisfied with Cixi, but he had no choice but to let it go.There is only one thing that makes Ci'an, who is a woman, extremely disturbed, and that is the rumors about Cixi's private life. From Ci'an's point of view, appointing a wrong minister, or handling a state affairs wrongly, is just a trivial matter. If Cixi and the man make some excuses, it will be the biggest scandal of the Qing court.Among these rumors, An Dehai was the most involved.An Dehai and Cixi are more intimate than normal.He not only talked side by side with Cixi, but sometimes even slept side by side with Cixi.The maids and eunuchs discussed in private: It is very likely that An Dehai is not clean enough, otherwise, why would the Queen Mother like him so much?These gossips spread to Ci'an's ears, which really made her feel like she was sitting on pins and needles, panicking, but it was not easy to tell Cixi clearly.She finally came up with a way: order the imperial hospital to re-examine all the eunuchs in the palace, so as to find out what happened.Unexpectedly, when it was his turn to inspect An Dehai, Cixi sent him out of the palace early in the morning and did not return until dark.This happened every day for three days in a row, which made the imperial doctors helpless, and it was difficult to check An Dehai again.As a result, Ci'an became even more anxious. Unexpectedly, An Dehai was detained in Shandong, just to use this to eradicate future troubles!Ci'an thought about it in his heart, but he was still a little afraid of Cixi, so he quietly called Yixin to discuss it.Yixin had heard about the rumors about Cixi and An Dehai a long time ago.As an important member of the royal family, Yiyi, like Ci'an, was also afraid that Cixi would ruin the dignity of the royal family.What's more, a few years ago, Cixi revoked Yiqi's title of "Prince of Discussion" with an excuse. Yiyi has always held a grudge, and now it is time to take revenge.Yiyi said to Ci'an without hesitation: "The law of the ancestors is here, and no one can violate it. Immediately send an edict to Shandong: An Dehai rectifies the law on the spot." After speaking, he personally drew up an edict and delivered it to Jinan quickly. Ding Baozhen was overjoyed after receiving the imperial decree. He was afraid that he would have a future life, so he sent an order to behead him in Tai'an City the next day and leave his body for three days. Killing the pet eunuch next to the number one person in the world is such a novel, exciting and gratifying event in the boring world!All of a sudden, there was a commotion in Tai'an City. Men, women, old and young flocked to the cross streets to see this once-in-a-lifetime scene.Within three days, there were no less than one million spectators coming to Tai'an City from nearby prefectures and counties.The most interesting thing is whether there is such a fellow in the lower part of Undersea.Thousands of people were prying with sticks and bamboo poles, and tens of thousands of eyes were staring at him, but they all agreed: That guy from An Dehai was indeed eunuched, he is a real eunuch! After learning the news that An Dehai was beheaded in Shandong, Cixi was really angry and sad.She knew that Ci'an and Yixin were plotting against her, but she couldn't get angry.However, the three days of violent corpses made the world see An Dehai clearly, and this is undoubtedly the best way to clear up her grievances.Whether An Dehai is a real eunuch or not, Cixi knows best.So, Cixi turned to be glad that such a thing came out.She is a person who is best at seizing opportunities to attack others and elevate herself. Instead of criticizing Ding Baozhen, she issued a decree to praise him for being loyal and loyal without fear of power, like an ancient minister.A few years later, the Dongxiang case occurred, Wen Ge left Sichuan, and Cixi promoted Ding Baozhen to be the governor of Sichuan.Before Ding Baozhen went to Sichuan, Cixi ordered him to come to Beijing to meet with His Majesty, and praised him face to face.This Ding Baozhen did this at the risk of losing his official position. As a result, he not only stole the limelight, but was also promoted, which was really unexpected.Ding Baozhen was grateful for Cixi's wisdom and generosity, so he worked hard for the court. Ding Baozhen, who has been an official for decades, is not ignorant of the injustice that happened in Dongxiang, but he does not want to overturn the case.Firstly, he was afraid that many parties involved would be involved, which would be detrimental to himself and them; secondly, he was worried that if Dongxiang overturned the case, the villagers would follow suit in the future, and it would be difficult to collect money and food in Sichuan, and it would be difficult for him to be the governor.For your own sake, for the sake of the court, it is clearly an unjust case, and it is better not to turn it over.This is the key reason why the case cannot be reversed after review.However, Zhang Zhidong couldn't tolerate this kind of careless approach to human lives. The Qingliu party backbone who grew up in his study adhered to Mencius's ancient motto of "people-oriented", and regarded more than 400 human lives as much more important than a province's money and food. "Uncle Qiao, you just said how many people will come to Beijing with you, who are they, and where will they live after they come to Beijing?" "Besides me, there are two other people who came to Beijing this time." Yang Rui replied, "They are all from Dongxiang, and their relatives were killed unjustly. One is named He Ran, and he is from Jinjiang Academy. Huang Qixiang is also from Zunjing Academy. He Ran has a distant relative who is the secretary of the cabinet, and he lives with Huang Qixiang in this relative's house." Zhang Zhidong nodded, and asked again: "Have you discussed it together, what will you do after you enter Beijing?" "It's been discussed, it's been discussed." Yang Rui suddenly became emotional, and said, "One is to find a few high-ranking officials from Sichuan who can talk, such as Guo Xin, Zhai, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, and Li Xiuyun, the Shaoqing of Taichang Temple. , ask them to forward the Dongxiang county’s case. The second is to go to the Metropolitan Procuratorate and implore Wu Zhen to contact a few people to go to the prison again. In addition, the three of us plan to distribute the Dongxiang injustice case in bustling areas such as Qianmenwai, Tianqiao, Liulichang, etc. , in order to ask the gentleman passing by for help." "You guys are Su San's idea." Zhang Zhidong smiled slightly. Yang Rui smiled embarrassedly, and said: "There is no way out, maybe a piece of paper will fall into the hands of a good official, it's unpredictable." "It's best not to use this method." Zhang Zhidong pondered for a moment and said, "If someone accuses you of disturbing the order of the market and sues you to the infantry office, Dongxiang's affairs will not be completed, and I will be in trouble first. " "Yes, yes. This method doesn't work." Yang Rui nodded hurriedly. "The day before we left, Chief Wang Renqiu specially summoned us." "How has Wang Kaiyun been the head of the mountain these past few years?" Zhang Zhidong interrupted the students. He obviously has a great interest in this Wang Shanzhang. "Mr. Renqiu is really a wonderful mountain leader!" The student of Zunjing Academy suddenly became excited, and spoke about his mountain leader with great interest, "It goes without saying that his academic articles are so good. It is universally commented by the world. His suave manner, funny lectures, and witty conversations, if he hadn’t been personally roasted by him, would never be imagined. Listening to his lectures is like going to a prison banquet, listening to Shaole The sound of music is the greatest enjoyment in life!" The head of the "five youths who respect the scriptures" has a red face and bright eyes, as if he has been intoxicated in the beautiful academic realm created by Wang Kaiyun.Zhang Zhidong couldn't help feeling envious from the bottom of his heart when he saw the expression of Yang Rui who was still childish: this is youthful feelings!How pure, how sincere!I used to worship idols in my heart so much back then, but now I no longer have such a single state of mind.No matter how lofty a person is, even if Zhou Gong, Confucius and Mencius appeared in front of him, he would not be so enamored.This is the maturity of life, and this is also the sorrow of life! "What's particularly convincing is that," Yang Rui continued, before he woke up from the intoxication, "on the first day of each month, Governor Ding Baozhen led a group of senior officers, and Chengdu General Kuiyu led a group of town officials to personally Come to the Zunjing Academy to listen to the lectures of Master Renqiu. Like the students, they bow to the head of the mountain before class, and then sit and listen to the class one by one. They don’t talk or smoke. The head of the mountain sits in the lecture hall, playing everywhere, playing at will, like The celestial girls are like flowers, and the falling flowers are colorful and beautiful. After more than an hour, the head of the mountain finished his speech, and bowed to him one by one. On the first day of every month, the Zunjing Academy’s feathers are shining brightly, and green baize sedan chairs are piled up on the campus. Everyone said, apart from Zunjing, is there such an academy in the world? Apart from Mr. Renqiu, is there such a mountain master in the world? Those of us who are disciples really feel extremely honored." Zhang Zhidong listened to Yang Rui's eloquent narration silently, and thought to himself: Wang Minyun came to run the Zunjing Academy, and he really chose the right person!Ten years ago, Zhang Zhidong and Wang Minyun had a close relationship. In the ninth year of Tongzhi, Zhang Zhidong resigned from his post as Xuezheng in Hubei and returned to Beijing.At that time, Wang Yanyun was lingering in the capital, and he was well-known in the poetry circle of the capital for his "Old Summer Palace Ci".At the gathering of literati and refined scholars, they all rushed to invite Wang Kaiyun.Wang Yanyun must go every time he invites, and must give every time he goes.His quickness won the admiration of everyone.It was in this kind of banquet occasion that Zhang Zhidong and Wang Minyun, who were also full of poetry and prose, became good friends who admired each other.After the completion of the Zunjing Academy, the first candidate for the head of the mountain in Zhang Zhidong's mind was Wang Minyun, who set up a tent in Hunan to teach apprentices.However, Xue Huan was the initiator of the Zunjing Academy, and he was also a registered servant. It seemed more appropriate for Xue Huan to be the first head of the mountain.So Zhang Zhidong sent a letter to invite Wang Minyun to be the keynote speaker of the academy.Wang Kaiyun thought he was talented and famous, and he didn't want to be a lecturer under the leadership of the mountain, so he didn't go to Sichuan.When Ding Baozhen was the magistrate in Changsha in his early years, he hired Wang Kaiyun as a teacher, and later he hired Wang Minyun as a staff member in Jinan for two years as a governor of Lu, and his relationship was extraordinary.As soon as Ding Baozhen arrived in Sichuan, he issued a letter of appointment asking Wang Kaiyun to be the head of Zunjing Academy.Wang Minyun came to Sichuan as soon as he received the letter of appointment, and took the Zunjing Academy as his career, and he felt like a scholar who died for his confidant. After thinking about this level, Zhang Zhidong was not only grateful for the success of Zunjing Academy, but also moved by Ding Baozhen's character of Li Xian, and unconsciously lost three points of his anger towards him. "Uncle Qiao, I will tell you the story of Duan Wang Renqiu!" Zhang Zhidong suddenly came to Yaxing, and Yang Rui was so excited that he sat upright and listened attentively. "In the tenth year of Xianfeng's Chunwei, I was going to take part in it. Unexpectedly, my cousin was ordered to act as the same examiner, so I had to avoid it and lost an opportunity. Wang Renqiu went for the examination that year. He was the examiner in Xianfeng's five years. This is the third time that he failed to pass the general examination of two subjects. In the first test of four books and essays, he was so excited that he made random comments. After the papers were handed in, he thought carefully and went out of line. This subject must be given up. He is the most self-willed and the most showy person. He thought that if he did nothing, he would fail anyway. It would be better to make a big mark and leave a good story in the history of the examination. The second test of the five classics. He lost Regardless of the opening of the Five Classics, he wrote a big Fu eloquently, and gave it a title called "Ping Shisheng Fu". The examiners were horrified when they saw this paper, and they all said it was an imperial examination. For the first time ever." "There is such a thing!" Yang Rui's eyes widened, and then he admired sincerely, "This kind of thing can only be done by a great hero. Mr. Renqiu is really a great hero!" Zhang Zhidong smiled and said: "Wang Kaiyun's move shocked the world. It is indeed not something ordinary people can do. Because this Fu was written on the test paper, it spread quickly, even more popular than "Old Summer Palace Ci" wide." "Master Xiang, do you still remember this Fu? Recite it to the students." Yang Rui asked anxiously, wishing to memorize the full text of this peculiar Fu immediately. "The fu is very long, I can't memorize it all, I only remember the first few sentences. You can ask your mountain chief after you return to Sichuan!" Yang Rui still didn't give up, and begged: "Just recite the first few sentences to the students!" Zhang Zhidong couldn't get in the way of the student's plea, so he thought for a while and said: