Chapter 106 Chapter 106

Emperor Xianfeng summoned Zeng Guofan again, along with Yixin, Prince Gong, Qi Kuanzao, who took over the position of A Shoukui from Mu Zhang, Wen Qing, who was also in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Officials, and co-organizers of the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Punishment. Du Shoutian from the Ministry of Education, Zhuo Bingtian from the Ministry of Household Management, a bachelor, and Sushun, a cabinet bachelor. Summoning so many ministers at once, Zeng Guofan concluded that Emperor Xianfeng was going to change the imperial court's regulations.I couldn't help but feel happy in my heart, and my feet came quickly.

Several ministers rushed to the imperial study almost at the same time. All the ministers knelt down to invite Sheng Anbi, and Prince Gong Yi also gave a big gift. Emperor Xianfeng handed the two papers that Zeng Guofan had handed in to the Chief Military Officer Qi Yuzao, and said, "You guys take a look here first, and discuss it. I'll return it after I've finished my dinner." Emperor Xianfeng threw down these words, and was supported by the eunuch and walked out to eat. All the ministers hurriedly lowered their heads to cover up the embarrassment of the emperor. These two copies began to rotate through the hands of Qi Yuzao, Wen Qing, Du Shoutian, and Sushun, and finally stayed in the hands of Prince Gong.Prince Gong pondered slowly, with joy on his face.

After reading the excerpt, Yixin smiled and said, "It's rare that Zeng Guofan is so careful!" Zeng Guofan hurriedly said, "Thank you, my lord." Du Shoutian said: "Servant Zeng is careful, of course, I'm afraid it's a little exaggerated. The old man was sent to Shandong and Henan for disaster relief a few days ago. Although the two provinces suffered catastrophe, people's faces didn't show much color. The governor’s yamen of the province also accompanied the old man to eat a Western dinner. As for collecting the land in advance, this is a painstaking effort of the royal courtiers, and it is considered an extraordinary measure. Otherwise, who would want to be a foreigner? Prince Gong, Is the old man right?"

Wen Qing said at this time: "Master Du, you have always eaten Western dishes in Shandong and Henan. Why do you say that the people in these two provinces are not suffering? Just a joke, at the age of Master Du, have you seen the people?" I'm afraid it's hard to say." "You..." Du Shoutian was so angry that his neck was thick and his face was red. He argued, "I inspected the disaster area for the imperial court, but what can I do if I don't see the people! On the day I left Jinan, the people alone gave me more than a dozen bright red Wanmin umbrellas. How can the common people send umbrellas to this old man without seeing them!"

Prince Gong said with a smile: "Master Du, don't be serious. Wen Zhongtang is nothing more than a joke. Master Du, you are an old man. From now on, you should go out less." Du Shoutian had no choice but to say: "Thank you, Lord, for your consideration." What he thought in his heart was: "If I don't go out, what will I have to support my family?" What Du Shoutian thought was the truth. The officials of the capital have not paid their salaries for three months, and all the civil and military officials are living on their laurels and borrowing money.The Treasury Department of the Qing Dynasty did not even have one hundred thousand taels of silver.At this time, not to mention that everyone in the capital is panicking, even at the local level, each province is looking for a way out for each province.

Governor's Yamen in Hubei and Governor's Yamen in Fujian have asked for homemade copper coins as early as the beginning of the month to maintain the normal expenditure of the province.Afraid of causing confusion in silver and money, the booklet was kept under pressure in the hands of Emperor Xianfeng. After waiting for a while, Emperor Xianfeng came in after finishing his dinner. Prince Gong took the lead to greet Shengan again. Emperor Xianfeng waved his hand impatiently, and said: "Don't make any foolish moves. I have summoned you all to discuss these two excerpts from Zeng Guofan. Tonight, I just want to see what should be done in front of Zeng Guofan. What crime should we charge him with? In the future, no matter who it is, as long as he breaks the law, we will accuse him in front of his face and convince him!"

When Zeng Guofan heard this, his head buzzed, and he fell to his knees with a thump. Emperor Xianfeng didn't even look at Zeng Guofan, and continued: "Zeng Guofan actually taught me a lesson by reading a few books of sages. I've been on fire for a whole day, and tonight, I can only drink a mouthful of bird's nest Lotus seed soup. Prince Gong, you go first." Prince Gong bowed his head and replied: "Responding to the emperor's words, I think that Zeng Guofan, as the servant of the Qing Dynasty, did not share the worries of the court, but took care of the people. He should be severely punished. The inheritance of the ancestors was hard-won. If it is lost in our hands , how to meet the ancestors!"

Emperor Xianfeng's eyes were reddened by Prince Gong's words, and he said, "Prince Gong, it's rare for you to be so loyal... What crime do you think Zeng Guofan should be punished for?" Prince Gong replied: "For a person like Zeng Guofan who is willing to work hard, it is too cheap for him to be a servant. I think that for a person like him who does not understand the depth, he should be made a bachelor, let him manage the six departments, and let him serve as a minister. Fundraising in Guangxi to suppress bandits..." Emperor Xianfeng interrupted Prince Gong's words: "Prince Gong, I came to you to talk about serious matters, why did you recommend him? Could it be that he has merit because he is innocent? You can't point your nose and scold me tomorrow." !"

Prince Gong said: "The emperor calm down, the emperor misunderstood the subject. The emperor thought, the subject is trying to exhaust the surname Zeng to death! The surname Zeng is exhausted and does not do the emperor's business. The emperor still has the beauty of accepting advice." Whoever dares to meddle in other people's business in the future, Zeng Guofan will end!" Emperor Xianfeng was so angry that he sat down and turned to ask Qi Yuzao, "Qi Yuzao, you are the chief military officer now, please tell me." Qi Yuzao replied: "Responding to the emperor's words, the slave thought that the emperor didn't need to be angry with people like Zeng Guofan at all. The slave will do whatever he wants to punish the crime. Don't say that he is a small second-rank servant, it's just Mu Zhanga. Isn't it just a sentence from the emperor?" If so, drive him out of the capital!"

Wen Qing said at this time: "Your Majesty, I think that the more Qi Zhongtang speaks, the more confused he becomes. Mu Zhang was dismissed because he formed a party for selfish interests, harmed the country and the people, and violated the laws of the Qing Dynasty. How can two folds be the same?" Emperor Xianfeng said: "Wen Qing, do you think Zeng Guofan is guilty? Should he be punished or rewarded?" Wen Qing replied: "Responding to the emperor's words, the servant thought that Zeng Guofan was indeed guilty. He only thought of the suffering of the people, but forgot that the emperor was also suffering! The chaos in Guangxi is getting worse and worse. Leading a brigade of Cantonese bandits to kill in Hunan. Now the capital is full of people, who has the heart to do things for the court! The emperor is anxious, and the slaves are also anxious!"

Emperor Xianfeng's eyes turned red, and he said: "Wenqing, you really know my heart, I'm sorry for you!" The conversation changed: "Sushun, why didn't you say a word?" Su Shun said: "Returning to the emperor, the servant is inferior and dare not speak out, for fear of being punished by the emperor if he speaks carelessly." Emperor Xianfeng was stunned for a moment, and finally heaved a long sigh and said, "Zeng Guofan, you know that you have committed a crime, so I won't go into it. You can get up and answer. What do you think is the most urgent thing to do?" Zeng Guofan stood up, bowed his head and replied: "I thank the emperor for his kindness, and I reply to the emperor's words. Guangxi's suppression of bandits, stabilization of silver prices, and rectification of officials are all top priorities in the Qing Dynasty." Emperor Xianfeng said after a long time: "Oh, the late emperor fought several battles with Yingjili when he was in Japan. He spent a lot of money and lost Hong Kong. Since I came to the throne, I haven't even had a good day. Could it be that I really have a bad life? Son of Heaven?" Du Shoutian said: "My Majesty, instead of blaming myself, I would rather choose an auspicious day to worship at the Temple of Heaven. In the third year of Qianlong's reign, there was a severe drought, and the grass and trees died. Lord Qianlong went up to the altar to worship the sky in person. He moved the heavens and got rain for three days and three nights." , and the harvest has been bumper since then. Please look into it clearly, Your Majesty." Emperor Xianfeng paused for a moment, and immediately his face became happy. He stood up and said, "Notify Qin Tianjian to choose an auspicious day, and I will sacrifice to the heavens first and then to the ancestors. Master Du, thanks for reminding me, it really breaks the dream with one word." Middleman!" Sushun said at this time: "I report to the emperor, I have an idea, and I have never dared to mention it to the emperor." Emperor Xianfeng said: "Sushun, just say what you want." Su Shun said: "Returning to the emperor, I think that the most urgent task now is to suppress bandits and provide disaster relief, and both the suppression of bandits and the relief need to be supported by a lot of money. The slave thinks that we might as well follow the example of our ancestors and open donations in rich provinces. Get through the crisis and stop." At this time, Emperor Xianfeng changed the subject and said: "Master Du, Liu Yunke, governor of Minzhe, is on sick leave all day, and recently gave me a dizzy and sedentary excuse; Xu Jiyu, the governor of Fujian, is in good health, but he is in Fujian. I don't know if it's really selling the official title, or slandering his innocence, the censor visits him every day. Huashana's head is about to be stunned by Xu Jiyu! Tell me, how to deal with these two things is appropriate?" Du Shoutian said: "Returning to the emperor's words, the sage said: A gentleman should rule people and the country with virtue. I think that although Liu Yunke has been ill for a long time, there is no trouble in Minzhe. The emperor not only allows him to leave, but also rewards him with ginseng." , let him feel the great virtue of the emperor; even if he is really sick, he will support the situation with his illness. Facts are better than sophistry, if there is no trouble in Minzhe, it means that the emperor is right to put Liu Yunke as governor of Minzhe. As for Xu Jiyu, the old minister met him face to face three years ago, and he seems to be a loyal person, the former emperor even praised him for his ability to handle affairs!" Wen Qing remained silent, as if the emperor and Du Shoutian were talking about Ming Dynasty figures. Zhuo Bingtian said at this time: "Your Majesty, Mr. Su just announced the donation. After careful consideration, it is a feasible strategy. In the past two months, all the land and grain from all provinces have been directly transported to the Guangxi barracks. No income. In the long run, not to mention that officials serving in Beijing have no salary, and even the inner court can't pay for it. Please look into it clearly, Your Majesty." Emperor Xianfeng seemed a little irritable when Zhuo Bingtian changed the subject, but he was helpless. He stood up, walked back and forth a few steps, and suddenly said angrily: "Now I don't understand more and more, the white flowers of our Qing Dynasty Where did they all go? Tell them all.” Zeng Guofan took a step forward and said: "My Majesty, forgive me for my blunt words. I think that 40% of the money flows are stored in the hands of corrupt officials, 30% are in the barracks, and 30% are in the hands of the common people. There is a saying among the people: Three years Qing Dynasty The magistrate, one hundred thousand snowflakes of silver. Thinking about it, it is definitely not groundless. Please look into it clearly." Emperor Xianfeng stopped, looked straight at Zeng Guofan, and said, "Zeng Guofan, according to what you said, my officials in the Qing Dynasty are all corrupt officials. What a hundred thousand snowflakes of silver, it is simply slander! You have been in the capital for more than ten years. Officer, do you believe this?" Zeng Guofan replied: "Of course I don't believe the words of the emperor. But I think that the wishes of the people are good. Please look into it clearly." "You sound good!" Emperor Xianfeng became more and more annoyed, "You still say wishes are good? What wishes?" Zeng Guofan replied: "Responding to the emperor's words, the people hope that my officials will be clean and honest, and the country will be rich and the people strong!" In a word, Emperor Xianfeng bowed his head and said to himself after a long time: "I dream of the prosperity of the country and the safety of the people!" As he spoke, tears suddenly fell. Everyone hurriedly knelt down and said: "Please rest assured, the emperor, I will take my leave." The lights in the imperial study room stayed on until midnight.