Chapter 93 Section 93. It is better to offend the minister than to offend the emperor

In the early morning of the next day, Emperor Xianfeng had a gloomy face, held up a booklet and said: "The governors of Shandong and Henan sent me two emergency documents in one day. Yesterday, I received another express delivery from the governor of Hedao. The urgent document. I checked it. In the past, the Yellow River’s tides were in the three months of eighties and nineties. This year, it’s strange. I just became the throne, and it turned upside down. Tell me, I don’t understand. Since the founding of the Qing Dynasty, I have spent the most money on the management of the Yellow River, which is larger than the military expenditure. Every year, I have to spend 12 million taels from the treasury to dredge the embankment; last year, I spent the most silver, reaching 3 million taels. The Yellow River The embankment has not only been heightened and strengthened, but also widened, so how could it make trouble in this season?"

At this time, Bai Ling, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, came out of the class and said: "My Majesty, I have checked the water records and river records in the past few days. The flood season of the Yellow River is usually in the eighties and nineties. It is the middle of winter and it is the end of winter." During the water season, there is no reason for the Yellow River to break its embankment for no reason. Therefore, the slaves thought that the Yellow River's embankment bursting at this time is definitely not a good sign. Is it the river god's fault?" Hearing Bai Yan's words, Emperor Xianfeng turned livid with anger, but he couldn't find a better reason to refute, so he fixed his eyes on Zeng Guofan who was in the middle.

"Zeng Guofan," Emperor Xianfeng said weakly, "you are a Han Chinese and you have studied the culture of the Central Plains thoroughly. Tell me, is there really any river god who is against our Qing Dynasty?" Zeng Guofan hastily stepped forward and knelt down on the ground: "Return to the emperor's words. The emperor is sage, thinking that the river god is originally a legend and unofficial history, how can we believe the theory of unofficial history. I think that Shandong and Henan are suffering from the disaster of the Yellow River at this time. There must be something else hidden, it is definitely not the river god who is causing trouble! Someone must be doing something wrong. Please look into it clearly, Your Majesty."

Xianfeng nodded slightly, and suddenly asked again: "Master Du, you are also an old pedant, what do you think?" Du Shoutian took a step forward and knelt down and said: "Your Majesty, the old minister thinks that Master Bai and Master Zeng are both right. The Yellow River does not burst during the flood season. It may be caused by someone, or it may be really caused by the god of the river. The theory of ghosts and gods cannot If you don’t believe it, you can’t believe it all. But the purpose of the old minister is: I’d rather believe what’s there than believe what’s not.” After hearing this, Emperor Xianfeng waved his hands: "You two step back. Mu Zhang, tell me." Mu Zhang knelt down after leaving the class, lowered his head and replied: "Respond to the emperor's words. The slave thinks that you should Relief first." Emperor Xianfeng said: "I have mobilized one million dans of grain from Hunan and Hubei, and I should spend another sum of money to strengthen the embankment and block the breach. Where will this money come from?"

All the ministers looked at me and I looked at you, but no one dared to speak. I saw Zeng Guofan came out of class again and knelt down and said: "My lord, I think that saving people is like putting out a fire. The money should be paid out of the bank first, and the Yellow River breach should be blocked first." Emperor Xianfeng was stunned for a moment, then sighed and said, "Guangxi needs a large amount of money to suppress the bandits. This year's salary and entitlement salary have not been released, and the bank has not received any money for two years. How can we get such a large amount of money?" !"

"My Majesty," Zeng Guofan continued, "I believe that officials' salaries and favors can be slowed down, and the suppression of bandits and disaster relief are the most important things. Please, Your Majesty, be careful." As soon as Zeng Guofan finished speaking, the Mongolian prince with a yellow beard, Seng Gelinqin, took a step forward, lowered his head, and said, "My Majesty, Minister Zeng is talking nonsense! The distribution of salary is the foundation of the prosperity of our Qing Dynasty. If disasters don't matter, what about salary?" Can you not publish it!" According to the official system of the Qing Dynasty, the prince can avoid kneeling when he plays.

Emperor Xianfeng had no words.At this time, Prince Gong Yixin also came out of the class and bowed his head and played: "My Majesty, I think that the salary and favor can be delayed, and the most urgent thing is to relieve disasters and suppress bandits. I read the report from the Military Aircraft Department. This time the Yellow River burst, Shandong and Henan. There are 300,000 homeless people in the province. If these people are not properly resettled in time, they will definitely cause new banditry! Your Majesty, please be careful." Emperor Xianfeng waved his hands helplessly: "You all go down." After speaking, he closed his eyes dejectedly.Back in the office of the Ministry of Rites, Zeng Guofan sat down and didn't want to stand up.

The officer on duty made him a pot of tea, and asked in a low voice: "My lord, I heard that the treasury is running out of silver, and you always ask the emperor to delay the payment of the salary to relieve the disaster first, but is it true?" Zeng Guofan didn't expect the news to spread so quickly, so he nodded. The officer on duty whispered: "No wonder everyone is scolding you. How could you give the emperor such a bad idea? If you don't pay a salary, a high-ranking official like you will naturally be able to stand up. There are so many disciples, just the money for filial piety." I can't finish eating, but how do you let us little Beijing officials live?" After finishing speaking, his face showed displeasure, and he slowly backed out.

Looking at the back of the officer on duty, Zeng Guofan smiled wryly, no wonder in the past, his subordinates rushed to greet him and report on official business, but today, none of his subordinates showed up at the court, pretending that there is no such person as him. "It has aroused public anger again!" He said to himself, he could only swallow the bitterness in his stomach, but could not spit it out. Sure enough, Emperor Xianfeng soon received an excerpt jointly signed by several censors, participating in the impeachment of Zeng Guofan, the minister of the Ministry of Rites.

The censors accused Zeng Guofan of: corrupting the law and taking bribes;All the crimes that can be said are collected on Zeng Guofan's body, and they will be eliminated soon. After reading the excerpts, Emperor Xianfeng also began to be dubious.Suspicion and jealousy are the most prominent characteristics of Emperor Xianfeng, and these two characters have accompanied him throughout his life. In the evening, Emperor Xianfeng summoned Zeng Guofan alone in the Palace of Qinzheng. Zeng Guofan knelt down to pay his respects, and shouted long live, Emperor Xianfeng asked Zeng Guofan to get up and answer.

"Zeng Guofan," Emperor Xianfeng fixed his eyes on Zeng Guofan and asked with a gloomy face, "I really didn't see before that you can really do something for the court and the country. I'm calling you now because I have a few words to say." Let me ask you. I have heard the late emperor often talk about you, saying that you are an official with good conduct and fairness in handling affairs. But today I have accepted three papers from you in a row! Take a look." With that said, Emperor Xianfeng threw three folds at Zeng Guofan's feet. Zeng Guofan bent down to pick them up, opened them one by one, and quickly finished reading the three folders. He closed the booklet, bowed his head and replied: "Return to the emperor's words, I have finished reading." Emperor Xianfeng said: "Are you telling the truth? I don't believe that you are corrupt and despise the law of the country, and that you despise the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty. In my opinion, it is not groundless. Zeng Guofan, am I right?" Zeng Guofan fell to his knees with a plop, kowtowed and said, "My subject Zeng Guofan accepts the crime!" Emperor Xianfeng was taken aback, and asked, "Why, did you admit it?" Zeng Guofan bowed his head and replied: "I don't admit it! I never dare to despise the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty!" Emperor Xianfeng asked: "I also heard that you have lived in Beijing for more than ten years and seldom attended the banquets of princes and ministers, and even Mu Zhang'a's mansion, you seldom went there. Is that right?" "Respond to the emperor's words." Zeng Guofan replied, "I have received the great favor of the court and enjoyed such a high position. What I think about is to repay the court wholeheartedly, to serve the court and the people of the world. Mingchao." After experiencing many things, Emperor Xianfeng has changed from being disgusted and disgusted with Zeng Guofan to trusting and respecting him.Emperor Xianfeng thought and thought, and said slowly: "You still have a conscience. Zeng Guofan, the treasury only has a few million taels of silver, and I am in a state of desperation now. I agree with you, first relieve the disaster and suppress the bandits, and slow down the salary But this is only a temporary solution. Do you have a better solution? Get up and answer." Zeng Guofan said "Thank you, Your Majesty", and stood up. He thought about it seriously, and replied: "Return to the emperor's words. I think that the amount of silver in the treasury has dropped sharply in recent years. One is because of natural disasters, and the other is because of bandits; Another 400,000 taels of silver were allocated to Guangxi; and the money that should be handed over to the national treasury in each province was also transferred to Guangxi soldiers. The silver used for the suppression of bandits alone has reached several million taels one after another. The payment of soldiers is for us. There are the most courts. The officials believe that to control the banditry, one depends on suppression and the other depends on appeasement. In particular, the newly established gang organizations such as the Water and Fire Society and the Tiandi Society are the root of the banditry; How can the trouble be so big! Please look into it clearly, Your Majesty." "Hmm..." Emperor Xianfeng nodded, and suddenly asked, "Zeng Guofan, when the late emperor was here, he asked you to handle a few cases and traveled to some places. Are there any outstanding talents?" "Returning to the emperor, there are five people like this, and I think they belong to the list of capable people." "Really?" Emperor Xianfeng cheered up and asked quickly, "Which five are they?" Zeng Guofan thought for a while, and replied loudly: "The first one is Li Tangjie, a scholar in Guangdong. Li Tangjie can be said to be pure in character and learning, especially when Ding You returned home last year, with a box of books and a pair of luggage, he really has a breeze in his sleeves! Scholars from Guangdong and Guangxi are all friends Praise. When this member left Guangdong, tens of thousands of people spontaneously saw him off, and some even cried to death. In this eventful autumn, this person can be regarded as a model for all officials of the Qing Dynasty. The second is Wu Tingdong, a doctor of the Ministry of Justice. Although this member He was born in Bagong, but he was able to study diligently and recite the codes of previous dynasties as much as possible. "The third person I want to talk about is Wang Qingyun, the deputy envoy of the General Administration Department. This official informs current affairs. He is talented and knowledgeable, especially focusing on finances. He is poor and sick, and checks his entry and exit; especially since he entered Beijing, he has always been clean and honest. Self-discipline and down-to-earth work are rare in my dynasty. The fourth person is Yan Zhengji who served as the magistrate and Ding You returned to his native place. Yan Zhengji was able to visit the people in private, show compassion for the people, and ensure the safety of the people in one side. During his term of office, this member did not judge a case and killed a person in vain, which is really rare. The fifth person is Jiang Zhongyuan, the magistrate of Lishui County, Zhejiang Province, who was born in martial arts. The people in Lishui all praised him; especially this person is a man of righteousness, loyalty, and is known all over the world. Zeng Guofan said one thing, Emperor Xianfeng nodded and remembered it in his heart. Emperor Xianfeng suddenly asked again: "Zeng Guofan, I still want to ask you, what do you think of Guangxi? You can say whatever you want today. I am happy today. I won't blame you. Just speak boldly." .” Zeng Guofan fell to his knees with a thud, and said: "Thank you, the emperor, for not blaming me! I dare to say that the chaos in Guangxi is getting bigger and bigger. It's all a civil uprising caused by Zheng Zuchen's self-willedness and cruelty to innocent people. I implore the emperor, you should make a decree." Dismiss Zheng Zuchen! Zheng Zuchen has committed a heinous crime and should be dealt with severely. Please the emperor clearly investigate!" Emperor Xianfeng paused for a long time before saying: "You kneel down. I still have to consider the matter of Guangxi!" Zeng Guofan returned to the mansion with ease. Zhou Sheng opened the door and told him happily: "My lord, the money from Xiangxiang has arrived! It's a total of six hundred taels, which is just right to pay back the money from the bank." Zeng Guofan smiled wryly and said: "Let's slow down the debt first, we have to think about eating first! When the salary is paid, we will pay back to the bank." After speaking, he shook his head and went straight into the study. Looking at Zeng Guofan's back, Zhou Sheng muttered in a low voice, "It looks like I have to buy cheap food again!" After the meal, Zeng Guofan locked himself in the study and told Zhou Sheng that there would be no guests tonight.Then burn a piece of requiem incense, sit cross-legged on the kang and meditate. The next day, an imperial decree was sent to Guangxi by the inner court: "Transfer Xiang Rongchi, the admiral of Hunan, to Guangxi to serve as the admiral of Guangxi, to assist Lin Zexu, who co-organized the academician, the imperial envoy, and the supervisor of Guangxi's military affairs, to fight against the bandits in Guangxi; The killing of innocents sparked a civil uprising, and he was immediately dismissed and sent back to the capital to await trial. The post of governor of Guangxi that was left behind was temporarily assumed by Zhou Tianjue, the former governor of water transportation who returned home with the second-rank crown. " In the afternoon, another imperial decree was issued to the various ministries: "According to the request of Zeng Guofan, the left deputy capital censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, reward the supervisory censor Qu Ziliang with a five-rank crown, and promote it to the Metropolitan Procuratorate." Looking at the court post that was copied to the ministers of the Ministry and the Academy, Zeng Guofan let out a sigh of relief: Zheng Zuchen was finally dismissed, and Qu Ziliang was finally reinstated and promoted to a higher level; Can be exonerated. At noon, Qu Ziliang came back from the inner court to thank Zeng, and went directly to the Ministry of Rites to see Zeng Guofan. Zeng Guofan was going to the dining room for dinner, Qu Ziliang snatched in one step and kowtowed to Zeng Guofan.Zeng Guofan took Qu Ziliang's hand, and the two walked to the dining room together and talked. Zeng Guofan said in a low voice: "Go to the Ministry of Criminal Justice after dinner to pick up Laowazi Zhang. Zheng Zuchen has been dismissed and will be escorted to the capital soon. Laowazi Zhang is a witness, there can be no mistakes!" Qu Ziliang nodded and said: "My lord, don't worry, I will go to the Ministry of Criminal Justice to ask for someone after dinner. Laowazi Zhang was imprisoned because of his dismissal, and the Ministry of Criminal Justice has no reason not to release him. The matter of being dismissed from the official position will cause you to suffer along with him." Already, another day I will go to the mansion to apologize." Once Zeng Guofan saw the entrance of the dining room, he stopped talking. Officials from various ministries and courts of the Jiuqing Science and Technology Department greeted Zeng Guofan and Qu Ziliang, but they were all Han officials, and the Manchu officials seldom ate in the dining room, saying that the food here was unpalatable, so they all went to big restaurants to eat big dishes in groups of two. went. After the meal, Zeng Guofan had just sat down in the office, and the tea made by the officer on duty had not yet been brewed, but Emperor Xianfeng urgently summoned officials above the assistant minister to the Qinzheng Hall to discuss matters.Zeng Guofan was surprised, such things were rare in the Qing Dynasty at that time. Zeng Guofan hurriedly followed the princes and ministers into the Palace of Qinzheng.As soon as I entered the hall, I realized that it turned out that it was Qi Shanqi Zhongtang, the first-class Marquis who handled the "Fan case" in Xinjiang and Qinghai, the co-organizer, and the Qinghai minister of the Shaanxi-Gansu Governor's Office. , was escorted back to Beijing by the new imperial envoy Sa Ying'a to punish him.Qi Shan has arrived in the capital, and has just been taken to the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice.Emperor Xianfeng urgently summoned the princes and ministers to change the ancestral family law, and at the same time to convince Qi Shan, and decided that the case of Qi Shan would be tried by the three courts and a fair judgment would be made.It was the first time in the Qing Dynasty that the three judicial divisions jointly tried a marquis bachelor. In order to increase the magnitude of this joint trial, Emperor Xianfeng decided that the senior scholar Mu Zhanga, the co-organizer senior scholar Wen Qing, and Du Shoutian, who had just won the second-rank top-ranking award, would take the lead in supervising the trial. . The presiding ministers were Hengchun, Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice, and Huashana, the censor of Zuodu, and the deputy presiding judges were Woren, Minister of Dali Temple, and Sushun, a scholar of the cabinet. After retreating from the court, Zeng Guofan did not remember Qi Shan's face, but the image of Guangxi Governor Zheng Zuchen suddenly flashed in his mind.Looking at the things Qishan committed, they are simply as taught by Zheng Zuchen! What exactly did Qi Shan do wrong to make the emperor so angry that he sent someone to the capital to interrogate him?It's a long story...