Chapter 10 The second quarter was played by the emperor in the palm of his hand

Although he has practiced his courtier skills so proficiently, Zhang Tingyu still felt a bit of coolness when he entered the Qianlong era.His first feeling was that this young emperor was too shrewd, even worse than his father. As mentioned earlier, Qianlong, who had mastered the difficult skills of navigating the ship of the Qing Empire, began to pay more and more attention to cracking down on cronies.The key to cracking down on cronies is to prevent the organization and connection among ministers to the greatest extent, and to do everything possible to cause their isolation, decentralization, and "atomization", so that every bureaucrat will face it with an isolated and helpless attitude. powerful monarchy.

As the so-called "capture the thief first, capture the king", the attack on the crony must start with the core figures of the crony.Just as the grain of sand must be removed from the shell to stop the pearl from forming.Only when the ministers realize that the people they rely on are unreliable can cronies disintegrate without attack. Since the fifth year of Qianlong, the emperor has been constantly attacking Ertai, who is arrogant and flamboyant.At the same time, the emperor did not relax his observation and criticism of Zhang Tingyu for a moment.Fortunately, Zhang Tingyu is usually as worried about the suspicion of cronies.As a person in the officialdom, no one can avoid interpersonal communication, especially as a prime minister, his home is the center of interpersonal communication in the capital. "When the dusk returns, the guests and disciples will be chaotic in cars and cars, and those waiting in the outer house will be like crucian carp." ("Qing Barnyard Banknotes") But Zhang Tingyu never speaks for others easily, nor does he easily intervene in personnel disputes, but obeys Blossom.His famous saying is: "I have been in office for a long time. Whenever I see promotion and dismissal, everyone will be shocked and say: There must be a reason for this. Yu Xiao said: There are many reasons for the safety of the world." ("Lang Qian Jiwen 》) His political principle is that the matter has nothing to do with himself, so he sticks to his duty and never speaks.Some people accused him of this, saying: "For example, Zhang Wenhe (Zhang Tingyu)'s ability to detect abuses is also within the reach of ordinary people. He sits and howls while painting, witnessing the rampage of foxes and mice, and keeps silent." ("Lang Qian" "Ji Wen") Even Emperor Qianlong said that he was too modest, saying that "Zhang Tingyu is good at self-respect and close to a coward".In the struggle with Ertai, he was always at a disadvantage, and he always played Tai Chi without fighting or getting angry.Because of such caution, he was safe and sound when Ertai was criticized and dealt with repeatedly.

After Ertai's death, however, the emperor's attention must have been entirely on him.The tree wants to be quiet but the wind never stops. Although he doesn't want to be the leader of the crony, but in such a high position, it is impossible not to be attached.Those who take the initiative to take refuge in him are like flies, and they will not go away.At the same time, in the interest field of bureaucratic politics, even if he puts on an upright and impartial demeanor, he cannot completely conceal the bias of the huge power in his hands.Over the past few decades, he has done things in private, and the benefits he secretly gave out have also been overwhelming. Although he is clever, he is not completely invisible after all.Therefore, although the emperor's big stick has not been dropped, Zhang Tingyu is always in a state of tension.He knows that rulers never talk about kindness.Although he had sacrificed his life to Qianlong's father and grandfather for decades, the emperor would not be relentless when he hit him if politics required it.

Zhang Tingyu felt that it was time for him to withdraw from the political arena. At the beginning of Qianlong's accession to the throne, Zhang Tingyu was indeed an indispensable political veteran of the Qing Empire.In his head, there are instructions and usage records for every part in the bureaucratic system of the Qing Empire.At that time, Qianlong couldn't do without him for a day.However, after the seventh year of Qianlong (1742), the emperor relied less and less on him, and no longer consulted him on everything.The emperor no longer needed such a living file so much.The ambitious emperor was eager to forge ahead, but Zhang's "stable and peaceful" and "smooth and exquisite" personality was no longer suitable for an era of drastic changes and new ones.

In the tenth year of Qianlong (1745), Ertai died, and the emperor appointed Neqin, who was in his thirties, as Minister of Military Affairs.Neqin was a young dignitary, and when he was first appointed, he ranked ahead of Zhang Tingyu and became the chief minister of military affairs, which made Zhang Tingyu feel a little uncomfortable.In October of the eleventh year of Qianlong (1746), the emperor said, "Academician Zhang Tingyu has served as an official for decades. This year is more than a few years old, and he went to the palace every morning. It is too exhausting. I will miss it. I can follow this idea in the future, and I don’t have to. Enter the court early".This is actually an announcement that Zhang Tingyu will no longer participate in the core secrets, and Naqin will face the imperial decree alone.Obviously, Zhang Tingyu's actual status in the Qing court was greatly reduced.

The emperor's decision was not without reason.The laws of nature are irresistible. Although he has always been known for his energy, Zhang Tingyu has obviously felt a little old since the third year of Qianlong (1738).In the third year of Qianlong's reign, he said in his memorial to Qianlong's resignation and the Ministry of Officials: "Today, there are sixty-seven teeth of dogs and horses, and the self-consciousness and thinking are far worse than before. There are many things and death, and the food is gradually decreasing." Not only is the eye dazzled. Documents are getting harder and harder, and my hands are shaking when I write.Aging made him walk the political tightrope more and more strenuously.In the eleventh year of Qianlong's reign, his eldest son Zhang Ruoai, a cabinet scholar, died of illness, which was another unexpected blow to him.When the white-haired man sent the black-haired man, he felt sad and his body was not as good as before.All kinds of senile diseases are slowly finding their way to the body.This physical condition is obviously not suitable for undertaking the heavy work of the political center of the empire.

Under such circumstances, the emperor's vigorous attack on crony politics was like a heavy sword of Damocles hanging over Zhang Tingyu's head, which might fall down at any time, causing him, who had never made a mistake in his life, to fall into a violent situation. .One is that if any official under his sect has an accident, he may be involved in it; the other is that when a person gets old, he is easy to get confused, "mistakes and delays are inevitable", and the emperor caught his braid. Too much is too much.Zhang Tingyu's officialdom has reached the extreme: he has been in office for three dynasties, his fame and fortune have reached the extreme, and the Zhang family has also arranged everything properly.The two younger brothers, Zhang Tinglu and Zhang Tingyuan, were officials to the minister of the Ministry of Rites and the cabinet bachelor respectively. The two sons Zhang Ruoai and Zhang Ruocheng were also assigned to the South Study Room and the Military Aircraft Department to participate in confidential matters. "Within one gate, the court gentry obeys the order, and the glory shines in the village, and the world honors him." If this is the case for an official, what can a husband ask for?

The most important thing in the courtier's technique is to land safely.Without this, then no matter how successful other aspects are, it is just a big dream in spring and autumn.Therefore, the idea of ​​retirement appeared more and more strongly in Zhang Tingyu's mind. In the first month of the thirteenth year of Qianlong, Zhang Tingyu entered the palace to attend a New Year banquet held by the emperor for his close officials. After the banquet, he had the opportunity to have a private conversation with the emperor.After the eleventh year of Qianlong, such opportunities became less and less.Taking advantage of the emperor's good mood, he proposed that he "is nearly eighty years old, please return to his hometown with honor".

Zhang Tingyu had every reason to believe that the emperor would happily grant his request. Unexpectedly, the emperor rejected him.Qianlong never thought that Zhang Tingyu, who had always been diligent and diligent, would ask for retirement.Although Zhang Tingyu can no longer undertake the heavy workload, after all, he still has a lot of political experience. As an adviser in the court, it is not without benefit to Qing politics.Therefore, the emperor replied: "You have received the kindness of the two dynasties, and you have obeyed the will of the emperor. If you want to enjoy the Taimiao in the future, is there any reason for you to sacrifice to the officials and return to the field?" That is to say, you can enjoy the Taimiao after death. , the highest honor of eating cold pork with the emperor, how can you be greedy for pleasure during your lifetime?

Only famous ministers with great achievements and no blemishes can be "worthy" of the Taimiao.Once you get the honor of "sharing", it will definitely be recorded in the annals of history forever.Therefore, those who have won this honor should die and contribute all their strength to the country. Zhang Tingyu, who had always been meticulous, was already prepared for the emperor's question.He kowtowed and replied, citing scriptures and classics, that seventy hanging chariots have the same meaning from ancient to modern.Lao Tzu said, be content without being humiliated, and know that you will not be perilous.Only by retreating in time can we preserve our honor.Moreover, in the Song and Ming dynasties, there were also ministers who enjoyed the honor and retired home. For example, Ming Taizu allowed Liu Ji to return to his hometown.

This sentence made the emperor unhappy all of a sudden. Qianlong was the emperor who had the strictest requirements on "Chen Festival" in Chinese history.As a perfectionist, Qianlong wanted himself to be the greatest monarch in history.At the same time, he also believes that every minister should demand himself with the highest standard. Emperor Qianlong and Emperor Yongzheng had quite different personalities, and their perceptions of Zhang Tingyu were also quite different. Although Emperor Yongzheng was cunning and scheming, he had a naive side in his character, and he often acted impulsively and impetuously. This complemented Zhang Tingyu's meticulous and patient personality, so the emperor and his ministers felt very compatible.Yongzheng not only used Zhang Tingyu's talent, but also appreciated his character and personality. In his opinion, Zhang Tingyu was a loyal and daring minister rarely seen in history.Therefore, in his will, he gave Zhang Tingyu the honor that the Han ministers of the Qing Dynasty had never received: Zhang Tingyu, a university scholar, is of pure ability and sincere in his service...he has made great achievements.University scholar Ertai, loyal and loyal, talented and economical... Xun is a famous minister who has never been born in the world.These two people, I can guarantee that they will never change.In the future, the two ministers will be assigned to enjoy the Taimiao to show their kindness. This is the best proof of Yongzheng's deep friendship with Zhang Tingyu. However, Emperor Qianlong's impression of Zhang Tingyu was quite different from that of Yongzheng.As the saying goes, we sympathize with each other, but sometimes the most shrewd people are those who are almost as smart as themselves.Qianlong, like Zhang Tingyu, was an extremely sophisticated and exquisite person.So for Zhang Tingyu, Qianlong saw the "smart" and "slippery" in him at a glance. Among the emperors of the Qing Dynasty, Qianlong was the one who attached great importance to the distinction between Manchu and Han.In his view, although the Manchu ministers have various shortcomings, they are "simple and upright" after all, and they have one heart and one heart with the emperor, and they are devoted to their master.On the other hand, the Han people are too thoughtful, cunning and deceitful, and they are too good at being officials and people.Everything is considered from the perspective of oneself, and personal interests are always placed before the interests of the monarch and the country, so people cannot be completely at ease.Zhang Tingyu is a typical representative. Zhang Tingyu responded with advances and retreats, on the surface he was indifferent to the Grand Duke, but behind his back he had a deep scheming.Although he is diligent and conscientious, and he has done a lot of credit, every move, word and deed, after all, is out of the consideration of maximizing his own interests, but this kind of motivation has been eliminated invisible and colorless by extremely high means, so it is not "" Pure minister".The fact that he took the initiative to ask the emperor to retire clearly illustrates this point. Just as he disapproved of many of his father's actions, Qianlong has always been a little uncomfortable with his father giving Zhang Tingyu such a high political honor.On the surface, Qianlong respected every last will of his father, so he deliberately respected E and Zhang.However, there is often an inexplicable competitive psychology between the son and the father. In the will, the father openly endorsed Zhang Tingyu "to ensure that he will never change".And subconsciously, Qianlong has been grabbing Zhang Tingyu's pigtails to prove to his father's spirit in heaven that you, old man, have misjudged him. Qianlong believed that Zhang Tingyu's words showed that his loyalty and personal feelings to himself were far less than those to Emperor Yongzheng.It is precisely because he regards himself as an unreliable master and is worried that he will end up in an "unpredictable situation" in the Qianlong Dynasty, so he has to retreat and leave the emperor. This made the emperor very unhappy.Qianlong, who was naturally argumentative, began to use the truth to suppress others: Liu Ji did not take the initiative to ask for a retreat, but was dismissed and returned to his hometown by Ming Taizu.Those who are ministers should be ministers who are consistent in the law.For example, Zhuge Liang devoted his whole life to the emperor, which is the highest level of a minister. Zhang Tingyu always thinks quickly when playing right.He immediately said that Zhuge Liang had no choice but to devote himself to the war and die.On the other hand, I was fortunate to meet the Lord of Taiping, which is not the same.I hope that in the Taiping era, I can enjoy the joy of being under the forest. Zhang Tingyu has always been gentle and courteous, and cherishes his words like gold. Today, Qianlong was very surprised by insisting on his own opinion and citing scriptures, and suddenly brought up his argument.Qianlong also pointedly said that a minister who is truly loyal to the emperor will never change his mind no matter what the situation is.For example, Gao Kui and Ji Qide met a virtuous king in a prosperous age, while Long Feng and Bigan encountered a tyrant in a troubled time. The situation is different, but the heart of loyalty is the same. Zhang Tingyu immediately heard Qianlong's implication. Doesn't this mean that he is not loyal enough?The emperor's words were so serious that he didn't dare to answer any more, so he "kowtowed without his crown" and "sobbed uncontrollably". Seeing him like this, Qianlong couldn't bear to say anything more, so he called the little eunuch: "Help Mr. Zhang out to rest." Zhang Tingyu did not expect that his request would be so clearly rejected by the emperor.What he didn't even expect was that the emperor not only rejected him face to face, but also announced the dispute between the monarch and his ministers to the world the next day. Qianlong was extremely competitive.When Zhang Tingyu cried, the eloquent defense prepared by the emperor stuck in his throat, and he couldn't spit out fast.The next day, he issued a long decree, told all the ministers about the matter in detail, and raised the matter to the height of "Minister Festival". The emperor said that as a minister who deserves the honor, he should naturally devote himself to the country and die, and he should not have any selfish distractions.If you use being an official as a tool to gain personal benefits, if the times are favorable to you, you will try your best to pursue them; if the times are not favorable to you, you will take the initiative to seek to leave in order to protect your prosperity and avoid disasters. . Qianlong alluded to Zhang Tingyu's lack of affection for him: "Friends who live together every day, once they are far away, they still can't bear it. What's more, the friendship between monarchs and ministers has been so many years, and they should not bear to leave. Zhang Tingyu is brilliant, and he should be Zhou Min. Reduce your strength. If you only want to take pleasure in wandering around springs and stones, how can you live up to Zhuge Liang's teaching of dedication!" At the end of this edict, Qianlong raised this matter to the height of righteousness of monarchs and ministers: "If you are afraid that someone will talk about your love, it is understandable because of this memorial. If you say that the righteousness of a minister is the king, it should be like this, then it is absolutely impossible... As a minister, you must not have such a heart." "If you have this intention in advance, you will ignore everything. Generally, it is like the people of Qin and Yue who look at each other, but at the end of the year, you will serve yourself to retreat! Who will come back to do the country's general affairs? This is very much tied to the national system, officials, people's hearts and morals. " This edict is not light in content.In the previous dynasties, the monarchs and ministers may have the friendship of teachers and friends, but in the Qing Dynasty, only the righteousness of master and slave remained.As a slave, how can he gain freedom in advance only when he dies?Zhu Yuanzhang abolished the right of scholars not to be officials with an edict "Scholar-officials in Huanzhong are not used for their own purposes".However, Qianlong canceled the minister's "retirement right" through this decree. Zhang Tingyu never imagined that he had served the three generations of the Aixinjueluo family for 50 years in exchange for such an evaluation. After receiving such severe criticism, Zhang Tingyu was terrified, so he had to gather his energy and continue to the middle of the court.Soon after, he encountered a political storm in the thirteenth year of Qianlong. Starting from the official turmoil in the thirteenth year of Qianlong, Qianlong's attitude towards ministers gradually changed from "treating them with courtesy" to instructing them with arrogance.Only for Zhang Tingyu, he tried his best to maintain the last trace of politeness on the surface.However, the two punishments in Qianlong's thirteenth year had frightened Zhang Tingyu.These two punishments may not be a big deal to others.But for Zhang Tingyu, who has been an official for more than 40 years and has maintained a record of not making a single mistake, the mental blow was extremely heavy.He is worried day and night, always in fear, his health is greatly reduced, and his aging is getting worse.Nearly eighty years old, his teeth have almost fallen out, and age spots have spread all over his cheeks.I can't walk long distances without someone to support me. Of course Qianlong noticed Zhang Tingyu's physical changes.He found that Zhang Tingyu was aging too fast this year, his thinking was obviously not as clear as before, and his speech sometimes got confused.Emperor Qianlong watched Zhang Tingyu change from a sensitive and energetic middle-aged minister to this old and almost useless veteran in front of him, and he couldn't help but lamented the ruthlessness of time.In November of the fourteenth year of Qianlong (1749), during a conversation between the emperor and his ministers, the emperor asked about Zhang Tingyu's body with concern.Zhang Tingyu took this opportunity to explain his exhaustion in detail, and tentatively proposed to retire again. Qianlong pondered for a while, and said, let me think about it again, you should step back first. Compassion made the emperor make an exception and change his previous decision.Although this Zhang Tingyu has a tricky side, he has been diligent and dedicated for more than 40 years. It is indeed rare in history to spare so much effort for the family business of Aixinjueluo.Now that the spring silk is exhausted, it is better to let him go back and enjoy a few years of happiness.So the emperor issued a decree: "Since the autumn and winter of this year, (Zhang Tingyu) has been vigorous and vigorous, and his eyes have been greatly reduced. When he is in his senior years, when he reads the old scriptures, he is always different from him. When he was summoned, he carefully observed it and used it with compassion... ...Forcing to stay and turn seems to be relentless, but I really can't bear to say the word "going away", because "there is an ancient vessel on the right tripod and Yi, and I want to keep it for a long time, let alone the elders of the temple, who cut their thighs in friendship?" The emperor sent someone to take This decree was sent to Zhang's mansion, saying whether he really wanted to retire or not, it was up to him to decide. This edict typically embodies Qianlong's style, that is, to hold all the principles in his own hands, to put himself in a position where he can always be right, and to put others in a position where it is extremely difficult to deal with.In the text, he not only expressed his concern for Zhang Tingyu's body, but also said, "I really can't bear to say the word to go", which shows that the emperor is reluctant to part with his courtiers.He wanted to test how Zhang Tingyu would reply. According to Qianlong's vision, Zhang Tingyu, who is so experienced, should make a good guess after receiving this decree, and write a memorial. He said that he really couldn't bear to leave the emperor, even though his body was so weak, he was determined to stay by the emperor's side until he died. If this is the case, Qianlong can issue another decree, saying that he was very moved after reading Zhang's memorial.Zhang's loyalty can be seen as a symbol of the people and ministers in the world, and the emperor cared for the veteran ministers, and specially ordered Zhang Rong to return to his hometown to enjoy the happiness of spring and forest.In this way, the monarch and his subjects deal with each other very wonderfully and beautifully, which is enough to be followed by the world and recorded in the annals of history, which is also a good story. However, Zhang Tingyu is too old and is no longer as shrewd as before.When he saw the emperor's decree, he thought that the emperor had acquiesced to his request, and he was overjoyed. He immediately expressed his gratitude and said that he was going to leave next spring. Seeing Zhang Tingyu's reply, the emperor sighed.Is this old man confused, or does he really have no feelings for himself?However, the emperor still showed rare tolerance and kindness.He wanted to have an end with Zhang Tingyu.Therefore, the emperor Youzhao praised Zhang Tingyu, gave him many treasures and artifacts, and allowed him to "become an official official".In the last edict, the emperor also looked forward to ten years later with full emotion, "I will live my fiftieth birthday, and the great scholar will also be ninety. I will come north by light boat, and I will help the doves to enter the pilgrimage." Up to this moment, Zhang Tingyu's life can be said to be impeccable. He has enjoyed glory and wealth, landed safely in time, and his name will last forever after his death.This is the highest state that ministers have been able to achieve for thousands of years. Unfortunately, life is often so elusive. After Ertai's death, Zhang Tingyu was not alone in the court, but another evenly matched political opponent-academic scholar Shi Yizhi appeared.This person was a Jinshi in the same year as Zhang, but his official career was far less smooth than Zhang's in the early stage. His jealousy made him switch to Ertai's family.After Ertai's death, many people from the leaderless Hubei Party gathered around him. For a while, he became the invisible leader of the Hubei Party, and he made arrangements to criticize Zhang Tingyu all day long.Since Zhang Tingyu asked to retire in the thirteenth year of Qianlong, he began to publicize that Zhang Tingyu had no great achievements and was not qualified to enjoy the Taimiao, and he made his speeches in front of Qianlong many times. After successfully applying for retirement, Zhang Tingyu, who fell on the ground with a big stone, thought of another question: the emperor said in a previous decree, "Is there any reason to return to the land to die when you worship the Yuan officials?" So, after I return to Jiangnan this time, will I still get the honor I deserve after my death? Judging from the emperor's friendly attitude towards him, there should be no major problems.However, the emperor's decree did not clearly declare this after all.If he retired to the forest and lost influence in the imperial court, Shi Yizhi continued to slander in front of the emperor, and Qianlong's ears softened, then he would not be able to eat cold pork from the Taimiao. Thinking of this, he began to toss and turn. After hesitating for many days at home, he finally made up his mind, put on his old face, went to the palace to meet the emperor, and asked the emperor to give a clear statement to put an end to the conspiracy of Shi Yizhi and others. In the past, Zhang Tingyu would never have done such a move.Known for his "indifferent" and "modest retreat", he never asked for any honor for himself in his life.Making this decision shows that when people get old, their intellectual structure will indeed change a lot. Braving the severe winter, Zhang Tingyu, supported by his son, tremblingly entered the Forbidden City again, knelt down in front of the emperor, and explained his worries. After hearing Zhang Tingyu's mourning request, Qianlong was very surprised and very unhappy.He never thought that the old minister would make such a request.I never said that he was not allowed to share it, and he made this request, obviously because he couldn't trust himself. However, sending the Buddha to the west, in order to create a good story about the relationship between the monarch and his ministers with the veteran of the three dynasties left behind by his father, he will make an exception and give him a letter of guarantee! The emperor agreed to issue an imperial edict granting Zhang Tingyu a share.But the more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt. He wrote a meaningful poem to Zhang Tingyu: Make a knee and beg for a speech, move it with pity, move it with compassion, The last imperial edict of the first emperor is only for this, and he will go to the country to think about it or pass it. For example, Qingtian Yuanyou Temple, full of sorrow Zheng Guo actually destroyed the monument, If I am not Yao and Shun, who will win the agreement?Han Jian commented and listened to Yi. This poem has a lot of meaning.The general idea is: You come to me, kneel down and express your feelings, and ask me to give you a guarantee.This action made me feel compassionate.Of course I will abide by the late emperor's edict, there was no doubt about it.When you leave the capital and return to your hometown, you may be thinking about it.I specifically allow you to be like Liu Bowen, to retire and be worthy.Are you afraid that I will write an inscription for Wei Zheng with my own hands like Emperor Taizong of Tang, and then smash it with my own hands.I am not the ruler of Yao and Shun, who can be worthy of the minister of Gao Kui?How history will evaluate our monarchs and ministers in the future, let it do as it pleases! The tone of the poem is rather ominous.The two sentences at the end clearly mean that your achievements are not as grand as Gao Kui's, and that your father let you enjoy them. I can't tell whether it is right or wrong.This is purely angry words. Zhang Tingyu, who had received the honor guarantee, was not too excited by the emperor's poem.All the stones in his heart fell to the ground, and he could finally sleep peacefully.The emperor made an exception to show kindness. According to the rule, he should enter the palace in person to thank him the next day.It's just that a man in his eighties had already struggled all day yesterday to enter the palace, and he had to deal with it for a long time in front of the emperor, exhausting the energy he had accumulated for dozens of days.When I came back, I felt dizzy and had no strength left.So he couldn't get up the next day, because he ordered his son Zhang Ruocheng to go to the palace gate to thank him for him. Unexpectedly, this small negligence caused a catastrophe. Throughout Zhang Tingyu's life, he strictly abided by the etiquette of the emperor and his ministers.For more than forty years, he has been with the emperor every day, and has never made a mistake in etiquette.Therefore, Qianlong originally thought that Zhang Tingyu would come to meet Xie En early the next morning.Unexpectedly, it was only Zhang's son who came.Emperor Qianlong, who was already dissatisfied with Zhang Tingyu to the critical point, was furious. Zhang Tingyu did not come in person, and Qianlong believed that this fact proved his assumption: Zhang Tingyu had no real feelings for the emperor, or in other words, no feelings at all.After all his requests were fulfilled, he regarded the emperor as a stranger, and he was unwilling to even see the emperor. The anger that had accumulated for a long time was ignited at this moment.In the afternoon of the same day, the emperor ordered the minister of military aircraft to write an order, ordering Zhang Tingyu to "understand what Hui Zou" was all about! The ministers working in the military aircraft department that day were Fu Heng and Wang Youdun.Wang Youdun is Zhang Tingyu's disciple and has a very deep relationship with Zhang Tingyu.He understood that the emperor's anger this time was no small matter, so he quickly sent a servant to Zhang's mansion to pass on the news so that Zhang Tingyu could be prepared. Zhang Tingyu didn't know whether he was confused or frightened, so he did what a child could do: Early the next morning, before dawn, he held on, ran to the palace, and kowtowed to plead guilty.This is really a stupid move.Because at this time the emperor ordered him to understand that the edict of the reply had not yet been sent to the Zhang family.This move clearly told the emperor that someone had passed the news of the emperor's anger to him. The Minister of Military Aircraft leaked the news to Zhang Tingyu. This move is undoubtedly a major exposure of the old habits of cronies.I didn't expect that after fighting cronies for more than ten years, someone would be so bold and make such an obvious move to protect the party.The emperor's anger rose to the extreme.He scolded Zhang Tingyu face to face, and after driving Zhang away, he was still not relieved, and spent a day writing an imperial edict himself and making it public.The encyclical said: At dawn today, Zhang Tingyu came to the inner court, because of the news leaked by the military plane.Otherwise, since you can come today, why didn't you come yesterday? ... Zhang Tingyu has been in the dynasty for decades, living in the top class, and has received great favors from the three dynasties. However, in the evening scene of Sangyu and Tuwei, he only knows what to do.If you don't get it, you will seek to return to yourself, if you have it, you will seek to be worthy and enjoy the glory, and if both wishes are fulfilled, you will regard it as inherent.It means that since my words have been spoken, I have no anti-sweat, and my long-cherished wish has been fulfilled, and there will be no more favors to covet, and no further crimes, so I can ignore the righteousness of the monarch and ministers.My former decree originally stated that the ministers who deserve to share should not return to the fields until they grow old, but now I pity him and give him back, which is a kindness.It is a gift beyond a special gift to give it back and follow her request, and to allow it to share.However, if I have a request, I will obey it, but the other party does not know how to feel it, so why do I repeatedly add this extra favor, and why do I show it to the officials in the court.May I ask if he wants to return to his old age?Willing to inherit and deserve grace?Make it understand the echo. ... Zhang Tingyu came early today, and his situation is obvious. I am the lord of the world, and now the ministers in the court are formed by teachers and students, and rely on their care in the court. Disciple, leave the stars to replace the moon, is this okay? ... I have said that ministers who receive grace should not be invited indiscriminately, and if their intentions are slightly false, they will offend the heaven, earth, ghosts and gods, and they will be exposed.Zhang Tingyu has been subjected to strange numbers throughout his life, even if he is a fraud, it can be said that he can always be protected.Even in the future, the grace will be more important, and what he does is out of reason, although he wants to be tolerant, but he can't do it according to reason.The way of heaven is so obvious, as a minister, don't you know what to watch out for?But don't you know what to repent? This edict has several layers of meaning. 1. It is a very grand grace to approve retirement and be worthy of enjoying the Taimiao.Zhang Tingyu should come to thank him in person, even if he is very sick, he should come here with a strong body.Zhang Zhi's refusal to come obviously regarded this "great favor" as what he deserved, it was promised by the previous emperor, and had nothing to do with the current emperor.Now that the current emperor has made a promise, there must be reasons to oppose Khan in the future, and the benefits I have obtained from the current emperor's place will end here, and they will be indifferent to each other from now on. 2. Zhang Tingyu asked the emperor to issue a letter of guarantee, obviously he could not trust the emperor.This is the main reason for the emperor's anger: "My husband Zhang Tingyu's crime lies in not being in person to thank him, especially in asking to share in person." 3. Zhang Tingyu was eager to return, because he had no feelings for the new emperor, and "he ignored the righteousness of the monarch and his ministers."Zhang Tingyu asked to retire before Longzhong.It can be seen that he regards his own entry and exit as more important than the government, and he is not loyal enough to the emperor.In the case of being an official for the first time, "the money is enough to support the family", "it is a measure to keep the position silently". 4. Zhang Tingyu couldn't come to thank him in person on the first day, but came early the next day, "this must be because of the news leaked by the military plane."From this, he thought that Wang Youdun was recommended by Zhang Tingyu to replace him as a bachelor, and Wang rewarded him for this. This is an obvious act of forming a party for personal gain.He said that before Zhang Lin left, he placed cronies by the emperor's side, "leaving the stars to replace the moon", which is really insidious. This decree completely tore through Qianlong's veil of "Yourong" towards Zhang Tingyu, revealing the fangs that had been hidden for a long time.Zhang Tingyu was so frightened that he felt helpless, and he blamed himself to the fullest in the replay: "The minister's blessings are not good enough, and everything is wrong, so I will be severely punished. Please submit it to the Ministry for strict discussion." According to the four major crimes listed by the emperor, not only is it inevitable that Mrs. Zhang will be dismissed from office and lose her title, but it is also unknown that she will be imprisoned and pursued relentlessly.Once a big prison is raised, it will implicate everyone in the Zhang party, and it is entirely possible to set off a political wave that will sweep the world.But the emperor didn't want to start a national movement at this time. After receiving Zhang Tingyu's humiliating remarks and venting his anger, he issued an edict saying that he had been trying to accommodate Zhang Tingyu. Personal: (Zhang Tingyu communicated with the Minister of Military Aircraft) If there is a strict inquiry, the truth will definitely come to light.But since I came to the throne, I have tolerated Zhang Tingyu so far, so why raise a big prison because of this.But this matter must be argued, why?Because this is related to the big issue of party planting and selfishness... How can I allow ministers to plant party and selfishly?How dare you play tricks like this in front of me?Mrs. Zhang is going to retire soon, so it won't be difficult for me to tolerate him again, but if I don't explain this matter clearly, not only will he not be ignorant of my deep kindness in preserving him, but he must also think that I have fallen into his scheme... Now that Zhang Tingyu I have admitted my mistake, I think he is a veteran of the three dynasties after all, and he doesn't want to commit serious crimes. However, since the face was torn apart, the emperor simply said all the things he had refrained from saying to Zhang Tingyu for more than ten years. He pointed out directly that Zhang Tingyu should not be worthy of enjoying the Taimiao: "Try thinking that the Taimiao deserves to be shared. Is it possible to stand shoulder to shoulder with his meritorious deeds?"... Director Zhang Tingyu is just diligent and cautious, and he has become a good secretary.Ertai still has the merits of pacifying Miaojiang, but Zhang Tingyu really has no record of anything he can do. After disgracing Zhang Tingyu and ruining his reputation, the emperor changed his style of writing and said that although Zhang Tingyu was not worthy of it, as an emperor, he had always been benevolent and righteous. It does not deprive the Zhang family of the right to enjoy it, because it was bestowed by the first emperor.But the earl was given by him. Since Zhang Tingyu has no feelings for him, why should he give it to him, so Zhang Tingyu cut off Zhang's earl as a punishment. "I don't mean to say: Zhang Tingyu can bear to bear me, and I can't bear to bear Zhang Tingyu. My Xu Zhang Tingyu told me that it was originally Youlao Special, and Ming Lun just descended. I will not break my promise. His bachelor is used by the emperor during the imperial examination, and has been used until now. For more than twenty years, I can't bear to deprive it. I deserve it, and I respectfully obey the imperial edict, and I can't bear to reprimand it. As for the earl, I added it specially. He doesn't know me now, but I still order him to take it back to the field. In the future, I may be so greedy that anyone who asks for his son will have everything. How can I follow suit. I will cut off the earl and give him the original title of a great scholar, and he will still be able to enjoy the imperial temple after his death." This wonderful article fully expresses the disdain for the father's death and the Zhang family, but it is also justified, and it goes back and forth, repeating its words three times, and showing off its eloquence. Zhang Tingyu's face in his life was in vain.After a hard life, I hoped for a safe end, but I didn't expect it to be so embarrassing in the end.Despondent and frightened, he just wanted to return to his hometown as soon as possible and stay away from this place of right and wrong.In the spring of the fifteenth year of Qianlong (1750), he followed Qianlong's order of "returning to his hometown in the next spring" and packed up everything in the capital. Unexpectedly, the more anxious you are, the more unexpected things become.In March of the fifteenth year of Qianlong, when Zhang Tingyu had written a memorial to the emperor and was about to leave, the eldest son of the emperor, Yonghuang, passed away. Zhang Tingyu used to be Yonghuang's teacher, and he had a teacher-student friendship, so he had to attend the funeral.After saluting again and again like a ritual, the first sacrifice was finally passed, and the funeral was considered to have come to an end.Zhang Tingyu then played to the emperor to set off immediately. Unexpectedly, this memorial made the emperor furious again.Qianlong attached great importance to the eldest son, and the death of the eldest son made the emperor very sad.The emperor was in a bad mood, so he had to vent his anger on the ministers.Zhang Tingyu was well aware of Qianlong's temper.It's just that he didn't expect that this time he hit the muzzle of the gun.The disturbed emperor said that Zhang Tingyu had to return the mourning clothes to the south after the eldest son had just passed the first sacrifice, which shows that he is not sad in his heart, and also shows that he is not loyal to the royal family. Qianlong once again issued an edict, bringing up the old matter again, thinking that Zhang Tingyu, who had no loyalty, was not worthy of the qualifications.The emperor said that Zhang Tingyu was just a competent secretary during the Yongzheng period;The reason why I treat him with contempt is because he is old, so I put him in the court like the "Ding Yi Ancient Artifact" passed down by my father, just for show. After this decree, Qianlong also made a list of ministers who deserved to be enjoyed in the past, and gave it to Zhang Tingyu to read, and let him understand the answer, whether he is worthy of the honor of being deserved?这个配享的资格自己还想不想要？ 皇帝忽晴忽雨，忽左忽右，将八十岁的老臣玩弄于股掌之上，使他求生不能，求死不得。饱尝羞辱的张廷玉只好回奏说： 臣老耄神昏，不自度量，于太庙配享大典，妄行陈奏。皇上详加训示，如梦方觉，惶惧难安。复蒙示配享诸臣名单，臣捧诵再三，惭悚无地。念臣既无开疆汗马之力，又无经国赞襄之益，纵身后忝邀俎豆，死而有知，益当增愧。况臣年衰识瞀，衍咎日滋。世宗宪皇帝在天之灵，鉴臣如此负恩，必加严谴，岂容更侍庙廷？ 敢恳明示廷臣，罢臣配享，并治臣罪，庶大典不致滥邀，臣亦得安愚分。 事件的结果当然一目了然：廷臣集议，大家一致认为张廷玉不应配享。于是张廷玉被皇帝明令取消配享资格，灰溜溜回到了老家。为了配享，张廷玉奋斗了一生，没想到最后还是栽在了这个上面。 回到老家的张廷玉心神俱疲。从动了退休的念头开始，张廷玉就不断设想自己“衣锦还乡”的时刻。没想到，想象中风光的“衣锦还乡”到头来竟然变成了这样尴尬的场面。地方大员为了避嫌，无一人出面迎接，只有一位侄子率几位家人，把他接进了老屋。 少小离家老大回，再度踏上故乡的土地，他却只有挥不去的羞愧。辛苦工作了一辈子，最终却丢了伯爵和配享两项荣誉。他深闭家门，很少见客。在家中整整休息了一个月，才有心情扶了支竹杖，外出踏访。好在故乡的水土是对走到生命末路的老年人最好的安慰。几个月过去，他的精神渐渐恢复，心情也日见开朗起来。 然而，噩运却并不甘心到此为止。张廷玉精神刚刚好转，朝廷中又出了一件祸事：他的亲家四川学政朱荃，在母亲去世后，为了挣点“考试补贴”，居然隐瞒母丧消息，“匿丧赶考”，为御史储麟趾所参。 这件事发生得真不是时候。皇帝又一次想起了张廷玉，因为朱荃在仕途上起步，就是因为受了张廷玉的举荐，何况张后来又和他做了儿女亲家。这样一个品行卑污之人居然受了张的举荐，可见张廷玉并不像他自己所说那样“清白”，乾隆十四年间，张氏难保不曾在别的事上欺骗过他。在处理了朱荃后，乾隆又发布谕旨，说张廷玉举荐此人，并与之结亲，是在乾隆年间，“在雍正年间，伊必不敢如此”。张氏平日谨慎，深通远祸之道，在雍正年间不会做出这样的事。而在乾隆年间，竟敢漫无忌惮至于如此，这不是明摆着是藐视朕躬吗？他命张廷玉老实交代，与这样的卑污小人“公然与为姻亲，是诚何心”？ 连与人结为儿女亲家都成了罪过，这真是欲加之罪，何患无辞了。皇帝对张廷玉的嫌怨之情，溢于言表。 绝不容眼里掺一点沙子的皇帝决定，收回以往三代皇帝对张廷玉的一切赏赐，以示惩罚： 张廷玉深负三朝眷注之恩……岂容其冒叨宠赍。所有历来承受恩赐御笔、书籍，及寻常赍赏物件，俱着追缴。 皇帝派出自己信任的内务府大臣德保，去执行这个任务。在派出之际，特意把他召入宫内，秘密叮嘱了一番。 乾隆十五年（1750年）八月，钦差大臣德保来到了张家。张廷玉率领全家，跪在门口迎接。他早早遵旨，把三朝皇帝赏赐给他的字画、珠宝、衣服器物收拾到一起，准备交给德保。谁也没有想到的是，德保不但带了十多名随从，还从知府那里，借来了200名兵丁。这200名军人事先显然准备充分，进了张家，不由分说，以查找是否还有遗漏的赏赐物为名，开箱砸锁，挖地三尺，居然抄了张廷玉的家。 好在张廷玉持身之谨并非虚言。抄家过程证明张廷玉持身清正，并无太多财产。 不过，德保却带走了抄家过程中翻出来的所有带文字的东西：书籍、文章、信件乃至便条。 原来，派德保出京之前，皇帝秘密嘱咐，到了张家，一定要借查找皇帝赏赐字画之名，严格检查张廷玉的私人文件及藏书，看看其中有没有对乾隆的怨望之词。 在细细审查了之后，德保一无所获，他对这位张阁老不禁佩服得五体投地。作为一个文臣，谁也保不住会用文字发泄发泄心情，在书信日记中品评品评人物，说几句牢骚话。特别是那些参与过中枢政务的大臣，回家之后，都爱写写回忆录，记录点高层政治的秘密。但是张廷玉却没有这样做。在他的数百封私人书信中，没有一字涉及政治。张廷玉确实编了一本年谱，记载了自己政治生涯中的大事。不过，这本年谱中，他只是详细记载了三朝皇帝对他的“恩遇”“赏赐”，虽然细到哪一天皇帝说过哪句赞赏他的话，哪一天赏了他什么食物，却没有一字对朝政的品评，也没有一字涉及政治机密。德保虽然素知张廷玉以谨慎闻名，不过他没有想到，张氏会谨慎到如此程度，这位三朝老臣真是成了精了。要知道，这次抄家，如果稍有把柄被抓住，张氏就必然要身首异处。 由收缴赏赐之物变成了抄家，这一举动引得举国惊疑。毫无收获的皇帝也觉得这事做得没有什么意思，后来不得不下了道谕旨，说是德保弄错了皇帝的旨意，他并没有命人抄家。不过，大家都心知肚明，抄家是何等大事，德保不弄清楚，怎么敢贸然行事？就算德保是真的糊涂弄错了，乾隆必加严谴，何能不追究责任？事实明摆着，就是皇帝想置张廷玉于死地。 虽然逃过了一死，但既经抄家，张廷玉名誉也就彻底扫地。皇帝命张廷玉交代与朱荃这样的卑污小人“公然与为姻亲，是诚何心”？除了服罪，他更复何说？于是他上奏皇帝说：“臣负罪滋深，天褫其魄，行事颠倒。自与朱荃结亲以至今日，如在梦昧之中，并无知觉。今伏读上谕，如梦方醒，恐惧惊惶，愧悔欲死，复有何言？乞将臣严加治罪。” 皇帝把张廷玉的奏折交给大臣们公议。大臣们一致认为，张廷玉犯了如此严重的错误，自然应该“革去职衔，交刑部定议，以为负恩玩法者戒”！ 皇帝毕竟是“宽仁之主”，发布上谕，宽免张廷玉的“罪过”，但免不了借题发挥，对张廷玉又痛斥一顿：张廷玉身负三朝重恩，遭遇之盛，罕有伦比，而且得到了配享太庙之荣誉，应该何如感激报效。即使年纪衰惫，也应该依恋阙廷，鞠躬尽瘁，不忍言去。不料他平时则容默保位，及其年老，不能再营私，就一再要求归荣乡里。对于君臣大义，并不在心上。以如此存心，不惟得罪于朕，并得罪于皇考。所以天地鬼神，显夺其魄，让他一生的居心行事，至此尽行败露。张廷玉罪过实属重大，即使罢了他的官爵，加以严谴，也不为过。至于他党援门生，及与吕留良案内之朱荃联为儿女姻亲之罪，在他反倒是小过了。不过既经罚款，并且令人追缴了赏赐给他的诸物件，已足以表示惩罚。如果如大臣们所议，将他革职治罪，我并不同意。在张廷玉忍于负朕，自所应得，而朕心仍有所不忍，着从宽免其革职治罪，以示朕始终矜宥之意。 经过这场问罪，张党完全被击垮。张廷玉名誉丧尽，门生故吏各寻出路，如树倒猢狲散，连吴士功这样的死党也去投奔了史贻直。乾隆打击朋党，终于以全胜结局。 修炼了一辈子臣术，最后还是一败涂地。经此打击，张廷玉彻底灰心丧魄。他日日兀坐家中，终日不发一语。乾隆二十年（1755年），在家中苟活了五年，张廷玉终于死了。 消息传来，乾隆也感到一丝悲痛。毕竟他们君臣相处了十四年，回想起张廷玉一生的所作所为，他感觉自己对张廷玉确实苛刻了点。毕竟，张廷玉为大清辛辛苦苦工作了近五十年。皇帝做出眷念老臣之姿态，宣布宽恕张廷玉的一切过失，仍然命他配享太庙。恤典如常，谥文和。太庙那块冷猪肉，皇帝恶作剧般反复折磨多次后，终于又摆到了张廷玉的嘴边。只不知张廷玉是否死后有知。 乾隆四十四年（1779年），皇帝写了一系列怀旧诗，怀念自己驾下的五位大学士。其中关于张廷玉的一首诗曰： 风度如九龄，禄位兼韦平， 承家有厚德，际主为名卿。 不茹还不吐，既哲亦既明， 述旨信无二，万言顷刻成。 缮皇祖实录，记注能尽诚， 以此蒙恩眷，顾命配享行。 及予之莅政，倚任原非轻， 时时有赞襄，休哉国之桢。 悬车回故里，乞言定后荣， 斯乃不信吾，此念讵宜萌。 臧武仲以防，要君圣所评， 薄惩理固当，以示臣道贞。 后原与配食，遗训敢或更， 求享彼过昭，仍享吾意精。 斯人而有知，犹应感九京。 在诗注中解释最后两句时，乾隆说，张廷玉虽有过，余仍不加重谴，仍准以大学士衔休致。及其既卒，仍令配享太庙。余于廷玉曲示保全，使彼泉下有知，当如何衔感乎？ 翻译成白话文就是：张廷玉虽然犯了错误，我仍然没有严厉惩处，仍然准许他以大学士的官衔退休。及至他去世，我仍然令他配享了太庙。我对张廷玉如此优容保全，如果他地下有知，不知道会怎么感激涕零？