Chapter 91 Section 91. Refusing to invite high-ranking officials to dinner but willing to spend money for scholars

He Guiqing is a native of Kunming, Yunnan.In the twenty-eighth year of Emperor Daoguang, Zeng Guofan was already the minister of the Ministry of Rites, while He Guiqing had just arrived at Zhengsipin Honglu Temple and entered the South Study Room to explain "University" for Emperor Daoguang.In February of this year, through a relative in the church, he bought a few packs of aphrodisiacs for the great scholar Mu Zhang'a, which won Mu Xiangye's favor.So Qingyun went straight up, and within half a year he was promoted to be a second-rank cabinet bachelor and minister of rites. At the end of the year, he was promoted to the left servant of the military department, the right servant of the household department, and then the left servant of the criminal department. The biography of the capital is an interesting talk.All officials say: It is better to taste aphrodisiacs than to read poems and books.

It is said that recently, He Guiqing not only got very close to Qi Shizao, but also got close to Du Shoutian, the master of the upper study. Zeng Guofan was ashamed to associate with this group, but he never showed any disdain for He Guiqing's actions.Because all civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty knew that Qi Yuzao and Du Shoutian were the people who the new emperor was more optimistic about. During the reign of Emperor Daoguang, because Qi and Du were not blessed with grace, He Guiqing could only do his best to curry favor with Mu Zhang'a.As soon as Emperor Xianfeng came to the throne, Du Shoutian was immediately favored, and the day of He Guiqing's success is believed to come sooner or later.

But Zeng Guofan asserted based on the knowledge of his relatives that when He Guiqing gained power, it was the day he would die.Naturally, he wouldn't tell anyone this. "Master He came to see his mentor, I'm afraid it's not just to give an official uniform?" Kuang Lutong, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, spoke first. Li Hongzhang also said: "A person like Mr. He who sees all directions and listens to all directions, I am afraid that he will not sit in the Tongren's house easily. Could it be that he has got some rumors again, and if he dares, his teacher will enter the cabinet to pay homage to him?" "

Zeng Guofan smiled wryly and said: "He Shilang personally sent the official uniform to our residence. He didn't want to have any grudges against anyone in the court. This is He Congshan's cleverness. People like Benbutang can reach the current position. It's already an exceptional promotion. It's not like you who dare to speak and act, and are full of vigor. Alas, one day, as a teacher, I can be released as a teacher for two terms, and I will be satisfied with teaching a few students in a serious manner. The Qing Dynasty has no shortage of officials, no shortage of military ministers, what is lacking are those who are willing to calm down and learn! Shaoquan, am I right?"

Before Li Hongzhang could answer, Zhou Sheng walked in with a guest post, handed it to Zeng Guofan, and said, "Master, the people from Huguang Guild Hall sent a post." Zeng Guofan took a look, ordered "prepare the sedan chair" casually, and then raised a post to shout at the crowd: "The main hall is the host tonight, and everyone will follow the main hall to the Huguang Guild Hall to eat tofu." Li Hongzhang said with a smile: "With us here, how can we let the teacher spend money. Which university asks the family to let the teacher pay for it?" Li Hongzhang knew that Zeng Guofan always valued knowledge rather than official positions, and he refused to invite high-ranking officials to dinner but was willing to spend money for great scholars.

Changing into casual clothes, Zeng Guofan said, "You'll know when you go?" The crowd surrounded Zeng Guofan and went out.When they arrived at the Huguang Guild Hall, it was only when the Imperial Academy realized that it was Mr. Tang Jian and Tang Jinghai who had arrived.When Zeng Guofan saw Tang Jian, he took a step forward and saluted. Tang Jian held back, laughed loudly and said, "This old man is now a villager, so I dare not accept the great gift from Mr. Zeng. Show Mr. Zeng a seat!" Zeng Guofan blushed and said: "A teacher for one day will be a father for life, and the teacher will not be worshiped by the disciples, and the disciples will definitely not sit down!" Struggling, he barely sat down after half a salute.

All Hanlin also met with Tang Jian one by one. The accountant of the guild hall served tea. Li Hongzhang sat down for a while, then went out to arrange the banquet. Zeng Guofan fixed his eyes on Tang Jian, and saw that Tang Jian was becoming more and more healthy. Although there was a snow-white beard floating on his chest, which was too white to be white, his skin was rosy and his complexion was very good. Don't look old. Zeng Guofan said emotionally: "According to the calculations, my mentor has not returned to the capital for nearly three years. It is really a blessing for the country to be so healthy!"

Tang Jianlue pondered for a while, and said: "This old man was ordered to attend the Emperor Xuanzongcheng's Anniversary Ceremony, and he just came back from the palace. Disheng, I heard from the people in the guild hall, how many nights have you been locked up in the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice?" Zeng Guofan said: "Men, the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice can lock up everyone in the world, why can't it lock up students?" Tang Jian didn't answer Zeng Guofan's words, but said to himself: "This bandit incident in Guangxi is probably going to cause some trouble. If the one surnamed Hong is not captured in time, the consequences will be disastrous. The old man has already recommended Lin Zexu to the emperor." grown ups."

Zeng Guofan said: "Isn't Master Lin recuperating in his hometown in Fujian? Cough, speaking of it, it's all caused by the barbarians. I heard that the Hong in Guangxi also joined some barbarian sect?" Tang Jiandao: "Isn't it? Otherwise, why have the magistrates kept turning a deaf ear to it? The old man has long said that sooner or later the barbarians will cause trouble when they preach in my Qing Dynasty. They are not really preaching. It is clear that they want to make me wipe out the people of the country." Break the sect! Disheng, Xuanzong will go to bed, and the old man will return to his hometown. You must take care of yourself in the capital! The sage said, be wise and protect yourself! The old and young at home will be safe, right?"

Zeng Guofan replied: "Thank you, teacher, for your concern. Everything is fine. After dinner, my teacher will go back to the dormitory with me to rest. Although the food is simple and light, it is still clean, and the disciples can ask for advice sooner or later. How about it?" Tang Jian laughed and said, "Thank you, I still have a few friends in the capital who want to meet, so I won't bother you. You are already a member of the imperial court, how many things do you have to do?" Zeng Guofan was about to speak when Li Hongzhang came in and said, "The food is ready, please take your seats." Everyone went to the dining room to eat.

Tang Jian took the first seat, Zeng Guofan took the second seat, followed by Li Hongzhang and more than a dozen Hanlin. Tang Jian is not only a well-known scholar in the country, but also a recognized bachelor of booze, while Zeng Guofan is a master of Neo Confucianism who does not drink alcohol.According to the official system of the Qing Dynasty, during the national mourning period, gatherings and entertainment inside and outside the capital are strictly prohibited.Family banquets are naturally not among them, as long as there is no alcohol at the party, it is not considered a violation. Therefore, as soon as he sat down, Zeng Guofan proposed to replace wine with tea.The specific matters were arranged by Li Hongzhang. So, tea was placed in front of everyone.Zeng Guofan took a sip and knew it was Longjing; Tang Jian also took a sip, but he was speechless. Li Hongzhang said with a smile at this time: "Master Tang always likes light tea, and the students have known it for a long time. I don't know if the taste is suitable?" Tang Jian's teacup is filled with wine, which is exactly Li Hongzhang's astuteness. Tang Jiandao: "Counterpart, counterpart, a child can be taught!" What he thought in his heart was: this son's future is limitless!Tang Jian seldom talked about people, but he clearly said "children can be taught", which was clearly a compliment to Li Hongzhang, and Li Hongzhang smiled after hearing this. Seeing it, Zeng Guofan thought to himself: "In the future, when I praise people, I must do it in public, so that the other party will be grateful. On the contrary, I must do it in private, so as not to hurt face and avoid letting people down. People hold grudges in their hearts." In the early morning of the next day, Emperor Xianfeng ordered the eunuch to announce the date of enshrinement of Emperor Xuanzong and Empress Renzong Xiaoherui, and at the same time announced that during the national funeral, the introduction of officials from the Ministry of Officials would continue as usual.After retiring from the court, three edicts were issued to various ministries at the same time. The first decree is: Lin Zexu, the former governor of Yunnan and Guizhou, who is recuperating from illness, will be promoted to the co-organizing bachelor and imperial envoy with immediate effect, and will go to Guangxi to supervise military affairs without coming to Beijing. The second decree is to promote Sushun to be a cabinet bachelor. The third decree is: He Guiqing, the servant of the Ministry of Punishment, is appointed to be the academician of Jiangsu, and he is expected to take office immediately to rectify the academic administration of Jiangsu. Lin Zexu was a meritorious minister of the Qing Dynasty. Although he was convicted for the barbarian case, he was appointed soon; if he was not seriously ill, even if he had ten papers to return to his hometown for recuperation, Emperor Daoguang would not agree.Judging from Emperor Xianfeng's intentions, Lin Zexu's health seems to have recovered, and it is logical that he should be the one who has the important task of "suppressing bandits" in Guangxi. Sooner or later, Sushun will move from the background to the front stage, but Zeng Guofan just didn't expect it to be so soon. He Guiqing's release was within Zeng Guofan's expectations.It is difficult for Beijing officials to make a fortune if they are not appointed outsiders. This is also the care Qi Yuzao and Du Shoutian took for He Guiqing. In fact, these two people did it for all officials to see: those who follow me will be rewarded with spring rain and dew, and those who are against me will be rewarded with hail and snow. Frost. Zeng Guofan put the official newspaper with the sacred decree from the Ministry of Officials into the box on his desk, and casually took the already written but not yet handed in "Zou Jian, please find out the truth about the bandit suppression in Guangxi. Hearing the Wind and Playing is Not Guilty" folded his sleeves.He thought about it all day, still undecided.To deliver, or not to deliver?Zeng Guofan was really scared by the capriciousness of the lame emperor Yi. If the emperor is capricious, the courtiers will be at a loss; if the emperor does not believe what he says, the courtiers will have doubts and fears.From ancient times to the present, it is better. The Ministry of Rites is on duty to report: Mr. Su, a cabinet bachelor who has just been promoted, comes to the Ministry of Rites to sign in. Zeng Guofan rushed out to greet him. Sushun's face was flushed, and he had seen the Manchu and Han Ministers of the Ministry of Rites, and he was walking towards Zeng Guofan's office. According to the Daqing official system, the cabinet bachelor is from the second rank, the right servant of the Ministry of Rites is the second rank, and Sushun should walk to Zeng Guofan's office.The left servant of the Ministry of Rites is Rongxiang, a Manchu official. At this time, he is on leave to recuperate from illness. Zeng Guofan is the only person in the servant's office. Seeing Zeng Guofan coming out, Su Shun took a few steps and greeted Zeng Guofan from a long distance away. "Lord Zeng, Xiaguan Sushun pays his respects to you. Please accept my bow!" As he spoke, he was about to salute.Zeng Guofan took a step forward and pulled Su Shun up, "Master Su, hurry up and kill me!" The two walked side by side into the office room.The officer on duty hastily made tea and served it, and greeted the two adults before leaving. Sushun smiled and said to Zeng Guofan: "After I get down from office, I can always serve you." Zeng Guofan knew that Su Shun was self-effacing, so he said with a smile: "Mr. Su, why is he telling the truth recently? Is Mr. Su's future beyond the expectations of the people at the time? It's really great to have such a capable minister as Mr. Su by his side. What a blessing!" Sushun smiled slightly and said, "I don't dare to be an official with the word 'nengchen', but the current situation is really annoying to the emperor. I heard from the emperor last night that there are only more than 1.7 million silver left in the treasury. Two! Guangxi has to increase its troops and pay, and Lin Zhongtang’s body does not know whether he can last in Guangxi. This Qing Dynasty was completely corrupted by some mediocre officials!” Zeng Guofan's eyes widened in surprise. He didn't believe that these words would come from a cabinet bachelor from the second rank. Seeing Sushun's meaning, he had the heart to rectify the imperial court for the emperor. Another Obai!Zeng Guofan said in his heart, but there was no trace on his face. Zeng Guofan quietly took out the booklet, and whispered: "There is a booklet, I am not sure whether to hand it in or not. Please Master Su give me an idea." He handed the booklet over. Sushun unceremoniously folded the folder in his hand, looked at it hastily, and after reading it, he closed the folder and said, "It's all caused by Mu Zhongtang alone, and Huashana is not a good thing! Sin, why are you making an exception for Qu Ziliang? Master Zeng, you can hand in the book in a moment and see what the emperor says! Zheng Zuchen made Guangxi into such a state, everyone knows it, the Mu Party is hateful!" He glanced at Zeng Guofan, stopped talking suddenly, stood up and said embarrassedly: "It's time for me to leave, too." Sushun suddenly remembered that the person listening to him was Mu Zhang'a's chief disciple. Zeng Guofan took advantage of the situation and said, "Master Su, let's go." Sushun strode out of the yamen of the Ministry of Rites without any scruples, and left in a big green sedan chair. After lunch, Zeng Guofan handed the book into the palace.