Chapter 28 5. Return to the government scam
Chinese people have always believed that "women have long hair and short knowledge... Empress Dowager Cixi, who controls the military and political power of the Qing Dynasty, actually has a "Li Ji" trademark on most of her head...
After Li Lianying sent Cao Ruinian away at the mansion, she rushed back to the palace that afternoon.Because he got 10,000 taels of silver without any effort, and he was able to make his nephew a scholar, so he seemed very happy.
After returning to the palace, Li Lianying discovered something that surprised him. The Empress Dowager Cixi had issued a decree on the issue of "returning to power".Li Lianying had also heard that Empress Dowager Cixi was going to return to power before, but she did not expect that the decree would be issued so quickly.Yizhi declares:
"Because of the emperor's old age and practice of marriage, all the administration, the princes and ministers could not be unreasonable. At the request of the quasi-court ministers, they listened to the government behind the curtain. He also ordered that since the emperor has achieved success in classics, he will be in charge of the government... Today, Prince Chun and the Minister of Military Affairs are summoned. Prince Shiduo and others ordered that starting from the winter solstice of this year, the emperor will personally salute. And the Qin Tianjian will choose a date to hold the pro-government ceremony next year."
Emperor Guangxu is now sixteen years old and has entered the age of youth.At the same time, his study life has also experienced more than a dozen spring and autumn.Under the guidance of his teacher Weng Tonghe, Emperor Guangxu made rapid progress in his studies. He had learned the history of the feudal era to a certain extent, and he also had great achievements in reviewing ministers' memorials, judging the past and the present, and deciding right from wrong. improve.The little emperor Guangxu has gradually grown up.From then on, Emperor Guangxu, as a monarch, will play an increasingly important role in the court.
And more than ten years ago, when Empress Dowager Cixi became emperor, she publicly made two guarantees that Emperor Guangxu would give birth to a son to be the heir of Emperor Tongzhi, and once the emperor grew up and completed his studies, he would return to the government.Now, the conditions for returning to Emperor Guangxu's political affairs have been met.Empress Dowager Cixi also wants to return to power early when she is not old, so that she can enjoy a few more days of happiness.
However, Li Lianying didn't think so. He believed that the Empress Dowager Cixi was everything to him.The main reason why I have such great power is that I am favored by the Empress Dowager Cixi who is in power.And once the Empress Dowager Cixi loses power, which princes and ministers will take care of herself? "No, I must find a way to prevent Lafayette from returning to power or suspend his return to power for a few years." Li Lianying secretly made up her mind.
The next morning, after lunch, the Empress Dowager Cixi asked Li Lianying, "Go round and round."
Every day after meals, she always walks in front of and behind the hall, which is called "Zuowaner", which is actually for digestion.When making a detour, a group of eunuchs and court ladies followed from a distance as usual, and only Li Lianying could follow closely.Li Lianying also wanted to find an opportunity to talk to Empress Dowager Cixi alone, so this idea was exactly what Li Lianying wanted.
Li Lianying followed the Empress Dowager Cixi, deliberately pretending to be unhappy, and rarely spoke.When the Empress Dowager Cixi looked at him, she sighed deliberately.
Seeing him like this, the Empress Dowager Cixi asked, "What's the matter, little Li, why are you so unhappy today? Did someone make you angry again?"
"Alas," Li Lianying sighed, "Is this servant in a hurry?"
"Who are you worried about?"
"Worry about the future of your old man, Lafayette!"
"Worried about my future?" Empress Dowager Cixi asked strangely, "What is there to be anxious about my future?"
"Ah," Li Lianying sighed again, "anyway, these things are beyond the control of a slave, and it's better for a slave not to talk about it." Li Lianying purposely made a fool of herself in order to whet Empress Dowager Cixi's appetite.
This trick really worked.The more Li Lianying played tricks, the more Empress Dowager Cixi wanted to know what was going on. "Just tell me and let me listen." Empress Dowager Cixi said anxiously.
"Even if you say this is not a place to talk, there are so many people here, no one dares to say that there will be no leaks, let's talk about it later." road.
After what Li Lianying said, the Empress Dowager Cixi's "slipping" mood has disappeared.
After returning to Chuxiu Palace, Empress Dowager Cixi said to the accompanying ladies and eunuchs: "You all go out first, and you are not allowed to come in unless you are told."
The maids and eunuchs retreated quietly one by one. When only the Empress Dowager Cixi and Li Lianying were left, the Empress Dowager Cixi said softly to Li Lianying: "What's the matter, little Li, tell me."
"The slave thinks that it is not wise for Lafayette to rush to return to the emperor before all the preparations are made, if the slave can speak directly."
"Unwise, why is it unwise?" Empress Dowager Cixi felt that a well-thought-out move of hers was considered unwise by a slave, and she was obviously a little annoyed. "The emperor is now sixteen years old, and he has grown up. I read well, and I am quite sensible. And I have been in charge of politics for more than 20 years, and I have already worried enough, and my energy is not as good as before. Now that I return to politics as soon as possible, I can enjoy a few years of happiness in the future."
Seeing that the Empress Dowager Cixi was getting angry, Li Lianying hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed and said, "This servant speaks inappropriately and made Lafayette angry. This servant deserves death. Please forgive me, Lafayette."
"It's okay, get up!" The Empress Dowager Cixi said, but she was still willing to listen to Li Lianying's opinion.When the Empress Dowager Cixi was in trouble, sometimes Li Lianying would touch her lightly beside her, and she would suddenly understand. "You'd better tell me your opinion." Empress Dowager Cixi said to Li Lianying again.
"Does Lafayette think that after returning to politics, he will enjoy a few years of happiness?" Li Lianying said tremblingly.
"That goes without saying." Empress Dowager Cixi said confidently.
"Compared with the relationship between Lafayette and the emperor or the relationship between Prince Chun and the emperor, which one is closer?"
"It seems that the relationship between the emperor and King Chun is closer." Empress Dowager Cixi thought for a while and said.She thinks that the emperor is close to her and afraid of herself because of her own power and majesty, while the emperor and Prince Jiu are father-son relationship, emotionally speaking, their relationship is closer.
"That's it. After the emperor takes power, Prince Chun will be the supreme emperor in theory, although he has no ambition to become the supreme emperor in fact. If the emperor is a little closer to his father, it will be even easier to realize. At that time I don't know where Lafayette, the emperor's father, will be placed?" Li Lianying spoke clearly and eloquently, like an eloquent politician.
"Yes, why didn't I think of this. After hearing this, Empress Dowager Cixi gasped, "I will become a superfluous person by then, so what else can I enjoy? "
"Also, seeing the emperor's rebellious and rebellious appearance sometimes is completely a kind of patience under your authority and dignity, Lafayette. Once you return to power, Lafayette, the emperor will return to power. Can you be as obedient as you are now? From the perspective of a slave, the emperor will not be able to control the emperor at that time."
Cixi thought about it carefully, and what Li Lianying said made sense.Although I also thought that the emperor was afraid of me because of my power and majesty, but I didn't think about it deeper.Empress Dowager Cixi just wanted to praise Li Lianying a few more words, but she was afraid of losing her dignity, making people feel that she was not as thoughtful and meticulous as a slave in thinking about issues, and she wanted to listen to Li Lianying's opinion again, so she said to him : "Go on and talk about it."
"Besides, these princes and ministers are respectful and submissive to you Lafayette now, but once your Lafayette returns to the emperor and the emperor is in power, these princes and ministers will be respectful and submissive. According to the slaves, It may not be you Lafayette, but the emperor. At that time, Lafayette, you really don’t know where you will be? So the servant is worried about the future of Lafayette, so that he is depressed and unhappy. The servant is full My thoughts are all for Lafayette, please be careful with Lafayette."
After listening to Li Lianying's analysis, the Empress Dowager Cixi nodded her head involuntarily, secretly excited by Li Lianying's painstaking efforts for her.The Empress Dowager Cixi knew that Li Lianying would not just analyze it in this way, and he must have his own way.But according to Li Lianying's personality, if he didn't ask first, he would definitely not be willing to speak out first, because he was cautious in everything he did, leaving a lot of room for his retreat. "Then tell me, what should we do now?" asked the Empress Dowager Cixi.
"The servant thinks," Li Lianying had already thought of a way to deal with this matter in her heart, and she just waited for the Empress Dowager Cixi to ask him what to do. At this time, she said calmly, "The first and most important thing is to suspend Return to the government for a few years; second, in these few years, you must enlighten the emperor, use both kindness and power, it is best to make the emperor obediently listen to your Lafayette from the heart; third, you must Vigorously promote some go-getters who are loyal to your Lafayette, and let these capable go-getters contain the emperor in the future, so that the emperor can't do anything different to your Lafayette."
These words are exactly what Cixi wanted to say but didn't say.After Li Lianying made some analysis just now, Empress Dowager Cixi quickly flashed these methods in her mind, but they were still very vague, not systematic, and incomplete.After Li Lianying said this, it suddenly became clear.
"The second and third are easy to talk about, but the first one has already promulgated the decree of returning to power, how can it be retracted?" Empress Dowager Cixi said worriedly.
"This is not easy!" Li Lianying said indifferently, "Mobilize the princes and ministers to send a few official documents asking Lafayette to postpone your return to power. Lafayette, you can come out and say no."
"This plan is great, but you have to make some gestures." Empress Dowager Cixi said.
"Lafayette, don't worry, this matter will be left to the servant." Then Li Lianying whispered a few words in Empress Dowager Cixi's ear.The Empress Dowager Cixi patted Li Lianying on the shoulder with a smile on her face and said, "You can do it, little Lizi!"
The Empress Dowager Cixi's sudden announcement of the decree of returning to power surprised all the princes and ministers.The one who was most surprised was Prince Chun Yixuan.As the biological father of Emperor Guangxu, he was in charge of the navy, and he was usually worried about the empress dowager Cixi's jealousy of him and being retaliated against.
"This ruthless woman," Chun Wang cursed angrily, "I don't know what kind of tricks she is playing. Is she really planning to return to the government for my son? It would be great if she really returned to the government. Once this woman loses power, she I no longer have to worry about her jealousy and revenge all day long; I am the emperor's biological father, who dares to disrespect and disrespect me. However, if she just wants to cover people's eyes and ears, she doesn't want to return to power , or is it deliberately probing? If I sit here and do nothing, I will definitely suffer in the end. If I stop it, maybe the woman will make a fake show, and if she returns to power a few years later, I will still have to be with her Staying cautiously under the wings of a person for several years is a kind of great damage to both the body and the soul. Alas, I didn't expect this matter to be so difficult!"
King Chun was sighing and sighing, and when he was at a loss, suddenly his servant came to report:
"Director Li, please see the prince!"
"Director Li? What's the matter with him?" King Chun couldn't help saying to himself, "Could it be that he came here just for this matter? He is the most beloved eunuch of the Empress Dowager Cixi. Tell him what the original intention of Empress Dowager Cixi's return to power is, he should know, and I have to find out secretly."
"Let him in!" King Chun ordered his servant loudly.
Not long after the servant left, King Chun heard footsteps approaching from a distance.Only the servant shouted loudly outside: "Mr. Li is here!"
King Jin hurriedly tidied up to greet him, took Li Lianying's hand and said, "Director Li is coming, but I am not far away to greet you, disrespectful, disrespectful. I don't know if the general manager is here, what can you give me?"
"Where did the prince say, Lianying just came to see if the prince is in good health."
Li Lianying is a real person and does not reveal her face, deliberately covering up.
"Then thank you very much, Master Manager." Chun Wang said, "My health is very good."
There was an awkward silence between the two of them.King Chun thought to himself: "You, Li Lianying, must go to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing. Since you are here, you must have something to ask of me. Why don't you let me speak first?"
Li Lianying also thought in her heart: "I'm here just for Lafayette's return to power. Although I'm discussing things with you, it's about you after all! I don't believe that you will be indifferent to Lafayette's return to power, maybe Are you more anxious than me? Will you be dumb forever if I don't tell you?"
In the end, it was Prince Chun who broke the embarrassing situation.Although Li Lianying is a eunuch, but because of the favor of Lafayette, in the palace, he is a person who speaks one word and covers the sky with one hand, so I should respect him a little bit.He said without words:
"Is Lafayette in good health these days?"
"Lafayette is in good health." Li Lianying replied, but did not speak again.
"It seems that I have to speak first about this matter," Prince Chun thought to himself, "I won't speak first unless I ask him."
"Have you heard about Lafayette going back to power?" Prince Jin finally couldn't bear it anymore and asked Li Lianying.
"I've heard a little bit, but I don't know much about it." Li Lianying said, thinking, "As expected, he is more impatient than I am."
"What do you mean by Lafayette's return to power?" Prince Chun asked.
Li Lianying didn't answer directly, but instead asked Chun Wang: "What does your lord think?"
Prince Jin didn't expect Li Lianying to do this, so he replied at a loss: "I think... I don't think Lafayette should return to power so early. The emperor is only sixteen years old, and he still doesn't fully understand affairs, let alone deal with the affairs of the country." It's a big deal. Besides, Lafayette is still in his prime and full of energy." Prince Jin didn't say what was in his heart.
Li Lianying knew that Prince Jin was not comfortable living under the majesty of the Empress Dowager Cixi, so what he said was definitely not what he said in his heart.However, Li Lianying had his own plans, so he still said along the way: "I think the prince's words are right. I wonder why Lafayette has never told me about returning to power. Why did he suddenly announce that Returning to the government and Yizhi."
"Then do you think Lafayette really wants to return to the emperor?" Prince Jin asked again.
"I think so. Lafayette often told me that when she established the emperor, she made two guarantees. Everyone knows this. One of them is that once the emperor grows up, Lafayette will return to power. Now that the emperor has grown up, it is time for Lafayette to return to power, but she is really unwilling to hand over this unresolved mess to an emperor who has just grown up, so as not to make trouble for future emperors. Her old man I want to manage everything well in a few more years and give the emperor a peaceful and prosperous life, then she can return to the emperor with peace of mind, and she can enjoy a few years of happiness."
Prince Jin knew that it might be true that the Empress Dowager Cixi wanted to return to power, and what Li Lianying conveyed might be her meaning, but the reason for wanting to return to power was not necessarily true, maybe it was just an excuse. When his son became the emperor, he might only think about taking power for himself, and he never thought about his son.But in any case, the Empress Dowager Cixi does not want to return to power now, and if she violates this intention, she may suffer disaster.
"Then what should I do now?" Prince Chun asked Li Lianying.Li Lianying's trip was precisely to convey the imperial edict of Empress Dowager Cixi, and it may be wisest to ask Li Lianying what to do.
"I think only the lord can remonstrate in person," Li Lianying said, "it would be better if the emperor can be brought together to remonstrate."
"Then give it a try, that's the only way to go." Prince Chun had to say in the end.
However, before Prince Chun went to remonstrate, he was summoned by the Empress Dowager Cixi, and the emperor was also present.Because Prince Chun and the emperor are father and son, there is some inconvenience in etiquette; therefore, when the Empress Dowager Cixi summoned Prince Chun, the emperor was never present.Suddenly meeting in the Hall of Mental Cultivation that day, King Chun felt at a loss for a while; but after thinking about it for a while, he turned around: Although the emperor sat in front of the imperial case, the Empress Dowager Cixi sat behind the imperial case , Prince Jin knelt in front of his son as if he were kneeling in front of Empress Dowager Cixi.
"The emperor is sixteen years old this year, he has grown up, and he has read well." The Empress Dowager Cixi said, "I think the emperor will be able to govern in the first month of next year. I have been busy for more than 20 years, and I am exhausted physically and mentally. It's time to rest and enjoy a few years of happiness."
Prince Jin knew this would happen, so he hurriedly knelt down and said in a loud voice: "The empress dowager, please take it back. The current situation is very difficult, and the empress dowager needs to maintain it. Although the emperor is sixteen years old, he can read well. However, there is still a certain gap in presiding over the affairs of the court. If you can study for a few more years, you will be more confident in presiding over government affairs in the future. According to my ministers, the empress dowager has postponed her return to power for a few years. Blessing is also the blessing of the people of the country!"
"Dropping the curtain is an expedient measure. The emperor is an adult, and I should take a rest. You should also think about me." The Empress Dowager Cixi just refused.
"The empress dowager's words really make the minister ashamed. The ministers are always incompetent and let the empress dowager worry about everything. At present, the government affairs have improved slightly. It is not a blessing for the country that the empress dowager let go at this critical moment. Please reconsider " After Prince Chun finished speaking, he still knelt, pulled the emperor's dragon robe, and pointed to the ground, signaling the emperor to kneel down and beg.
The emperor sat in front of the imperial case without saying a word, just quietly listening to the conversation between Empress Dowager Cixi and Prince Jin.Emperor Guangxu grew up in a deep palace. He only knew that he would obey the Empress Dowager Cixi and never dared to disobey him.He thinks everything about Cixi is right, as long as he is obedient, he will not make any mistakes.This time, seeing Prince Jin beckoning him to kneel down and agreeing to Prince Jin’s request, he didn’t understand what was going on, so he knelt down and said in a daze: "What Prince Jin is asking is exactly what my son wants to say. My son is still young now. If you are not sensible, it is inevitable that you will be biased when dealing with political affairs. Please ask your father to put the country and subjects first, and take care of his son for a few more years, so that he can study hard for a few more years." After finishing speaking, he kowtowed, still I can't afford to kneel for a long time.
"You are not young anymore! Lord Shunzhi and Lord Kangxi were both in charge at the age of fourteen." Empress Dowager Cixi said to the emperor, "My energy is not as good as before. Fortunately, you are still cautious and obedient; if there are any difficult and important matters, I can still give you an idea. As for the daily affairs, you have read the booklets for two or three years, and you should understand. If there is a military aircraft order, if you encounter something that is not in compliance, let them explain it carefully. There is nothing wrong with it. All in all, I have thought through this matter very thoroughly." After finishing speaking, the Empress Dowager Cixi said to Prince Jin, "You all kneel down, I will find a military plane to explain."
Prince Jin thought that he could no longer fight, so he kowtowed to Empress Dowager Cixi again, and withdrew from the Hall of Mental Cultivation. "I really don't understand what's going on with this woman. She doesn't want to return to politics, but she doesn't listen to her. It's really unpredictable." Prince Jin cursed bitterly, and he thought of Li Lianying again, " Perhaps only Li Lianying knows this matter best, it seems that only by asking him again can he decide what to do, he knows Empress Dowager Cixi best."
However, before Prince Jin went to ask Li Lianying, Li Lianying came again by herself.Cixi was Prince Chun who was summoned in the morning, while Li Lianying was Prince Chun who went to meet that afternoon. "How could this Li Xie be so well-informed?" Prince Jin was very puzzled, "Maybe he is in collusion with Empress Dowager Cixi, and his opinion must be respected!"
Li Lianying came to Prince Chun's mansion, and after meeting each other, the usual greetings were skipped. Li Lianying directly asked Prince Chun directly, "My lord's face-to-face remonstrance today, how did it go?"
"Lafayette just didn't agree to the harvest, it's really strange." Prince Jin seemed to be speaking to Li Lianying, but also seemed to be talking to himself, "What should I do this time?"
"I'm also surprised," Li Lianying said, "how can Lafayette be so firm. No, Lafayette must have other ideas in his heart."
"But what is he thinking?" Prince Chun said thoughtfully.
"My lord, think about it. The decree of returning to the government has been promulgated. Can it be done with a single remonstrance? It seems that the lord has to mobilize the ministers to resign. He must try to get Lafayette to take back his order. According to Lafayette's order Character, if her goal is not achieved, she will not give up easily. At that time, if Lafayette and her old man get angry, not only will it not benefit the country and the people, but I am afraid it will be detrimental to the emperor and you. !"
"It's not good for me, either?" King Chun couldn't help but gasped when he heard that, maybe what Li Lianying conveyed was exactly what the Empress Dowager Cixi said, maybe Li Lianying was deliberately scaring herself, but no matter what, she couldn't be right about this matter. No matter whether you ask or not, it would be better to prevent that woman, Empress Dowager Cixi, from returning to power. "Okay, I know what to do." Prince Jin finally said.
"It's good to know!" Li Lianying stood up and bowed to Prince Jin, "Lianying bids farewell, the prince will not send her away!"
After Li Lianying left, Prince Jin immediately sent people to invite people separately. The former imperial minister Boyan Nemogu and King Jinqi of Keqin County; King Qing Yikuang and Emperor Guangxu's three masters Weng Tonghe and Sun Zhijing; Minister of Military Aircraft Li Wang Shiduo came to Prince Jin's mansion to discuss matters .
"The decree of the Empress Dowager's return to the government has been promulgated, and everyone must have read it." Prince Jin saw that everyone was here, so he said to everyone, "I wonder what everyone thinks about this?"
Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, not daring to say anything, because they didn't know what Prince Chun meant.Weng Tonghe saw things very clearly, so he said to Prince Jin: "This matter is of great importance! The prince should lead the officials and discuss it with the empress dowager face to face."
"No way!" Prince Jin replied, "The empress dowager's intention is very firm, and we have to wait for the minister of military affairs to come down." Prince Jin turned to Li Wang Shiduo again and asked, "How is the edict going?"
"The imperial edict has been drafted." Li Wang said with a wry smile, "There is no other way, how can I persuade the Empress Dowager to refuse to listen, so I have to accept the decree, and I have asked the cabinet to publish it. This is the draft."
So everyone circulated the manuscript of the Shangyu.The procedure of pro-government is to follow the example of Mu characters, starting with the winter solstice of this year, and offering sacrifices;
"Actually, I don't think this is necessarily the empress dowager's original intention," said Prince Chun. "If things can still be contested, we must still have to. But everyone has to find a way."
"All of us can present a memorial," Weng Tonghe said, "How about asking the Empress Dowager to postpone her return to power for a few years?"
"The emperor has grown up, and at that time it has been established that the emperor will return to the government when he grows up. Now, if he delays returning to the government for a few more years, I'm afraid it will be unreasonable." Prince Qing Yikuang said thoughtfully.
"How about asking the Empress Dowager to train the government for a few more years?" Li Wang said, "For the last memorial, I invite the Empress Dowager to train the government."
"This is a good idea," King Qing said, "following the method after Qianlong's inner Zen, everything must be done in accordance with the orders of the Empress Dowager Cixi." "
"I think this is the only way." Prince Chun said, "We need to discuss the memorial first, I'm afraid it will be too late tomorrow, so let's wait until the day after tomorrow."
Weng Tonghe believed that it would be more appropriate to ask the empress dowager to teach the government rather than to postpone her return to power.
After returning home, I thought about it thoroughly and decided to make another discount.
Prince Jin thought that he wanted to show his heart to the Empress Dowager Cixi, and felt that he should also make a separate offer.So he brought Sun Yuwen and Xu Gengshen to discuss how to make a deal. Sun Yuwen had already drawn up a public deal for princes and ministers. Fearing that his ideas would not open up, he decided to let Xu Gengshen write it.
After Prince Jin said what he meant, Xu Geng picked up his pen and began to write "唰, 唰, 唰", and after a while, he wrote a memorial:
"For palace politics, both internal and external are important. The teaching draws up the main ways of governing and begs for mercy. The teaching traces back to Xianfeng's eastern and western palaces. The descendant... Tongzhi Jiaxu suffered a great accident, and he encouraged his ministers to ask for advice, and emphasized the ritual of listening to the government. Since the death of Guangxu, my empress dowager has been diligent and diligent, so she has been enshrined in the sage and reunified Difficulties, those who create boundless blessings for all ages will be exhausted. Hereby, the emperor, in the year of learning before learning, specially declared the purpose of pro-government. Wang ministers and other officials judged the situation, and sincerely cooperated with the empress dowager to teach the government. I pray that I will remember the difficulties and accept It is clear. Let the emperor have respect and inheritance, the day will be the moon, the knowledge will be close, the nephew will be in the middle of the twenties, and then discuss the affairs of the relatives... After the big wedding in the future, all the scale of the ceremony will be commanded by the commandment. That is, the inner court is ordinary Matters should not be neglected. The ministers thought that after returning to the government, they must follow the current regulations forever. For all matters, first ask for the decree, and then hear it before the emperor. Let the emperor concentrate on great affairs, read a lot of books, and inherit the teachings of the Holy Mother Happy face, free from the drama of the palace, this is not like a minister who grew up deep in the palace and can't know it and dare not say it."
Xu Gengshen, who wrote the book, can really feel the grievances in Prince Chun's heart, and grasp the key to the overall situation.The words were very straightforward and powerful. On the one hand, it broke the most subtle and tortuous doubts in the Empress Dowager Cixi's heart - she feared that Prince Chun would seize power as the "overlord" and set up a barrier for herself; As for the matter, please ask Yizhi first," which means that if there is a "supreme emperor", it is also the Empress Dowager Cixi who is taking care of in the imperial garden, not Prince Chun.
The next morning, before the Empress Dowager Cixi was preparing to discuss matters in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, she received three papers: Prince Chun Yixuan, as a "growth deep palace", made a separate proposal; Shiduo led the official book, and asked the Empress Dowager Cixi to train the government for a few more years. "After the emperor takes charge next year, he will still hold ministers' work every day to read and read the chapters, so that the emperor can follow the instructions at any time."
There is another excerpt, which is the manuscript of Weng Tonghe, led by Yan Nemo, as the analysis of the imperial ministers and the masters of the Qianqing Palace.They are all close ministers of the emperor, and they have relatively close knowledge, so making a statement is not a law. They listed three reasons and believed that the emperor has not yet reached the time to be in charge.
The first reason is that although the emperor is gifted and intelligent, he has memorized it by sight, but the scriptures are profound and the history books are extremely rich, and the lectures have not been implemented; Although I have been ordered to submit a copy and invite the emperor to learn about it, I can't understand everything from the rituals and music of the emperor's farmers to the details of salt affairs, customs, grain storage, and river transportation; The first reason, which is actually not important, is that the emperor's Manchurian has not been learned well.Manchu chapters, of course, use the "national book", but some important memorials and decrees are all in Chinese, so Manchurian can only be heard, not spoken. It really doesn't matter much, but it is always a reason.
Under these three reasons, what Weng Tonghe suggested was not political training, but a postponement of returning to power.The reason why Weng Tonghe advocated this way has his own intentions: he would rather let Emperor Guangxu be in charge of the government a few years later than each of them be in charge of the government, but actually be the puppet of the Empress Dowager Cixi; There is no need for Empress Dowager Cixi to intervene in it.However, no one can understand Weng Tonghe's good intentions; even if someone can understand, they dare not tell the truth.
Because of Li Lianying's mediation, the Empress Dowager Cixi was not surprised that the princes and ministers submitted the book, but she was slightly surprised by the content of the book, which made her have to admire Li Lianying's foresight.
One is the booklet of Prince Chun.I thought he would suspend his return to power for a few years in the Qing Dynasty, and he didn't want to give suggestions for political training; and the two sentences "always follow the current regulations, and for all matters, first ask for the decree, and then hear about it before the emperor" are equivalent to saying yes. There is no end to political training.This is also Prince Chun's expression of his heart, he will never have any delusions with the respect of the emperor and the king.
The other is Weng Tonghe's excerpts. From the perspective of the imperial ministers and the masters of the Qianqing Palace, there is a time limit for the empress dowager of the Qing Dynasty to suspend her return to power.This is equivalent to saying that after one or two years, he handed over his power completely, and Emperor Guangxu would no longer be restrained by himself.This is really just like what Li Lianying said, the emperor must be arrogant and unruly in his heart.Coupled with the instigation of those former imperial ministers and masters, it is indeed not easy to restrain him after he has completely handed over his power.By then, wouldn't it be too late for me to regret it?It seems that it is better to train the government for the time being than returning to power two years later.
The Empress Dowager Cixi made up her mind, but she always felt that "a wise man is bound to make a mistake if he has a lot of worries." It is more reassuring to ask Li Lianying, a trusted eunuch, for a question. Li Lianying always has some unique insights at critical times.
"Xiao Lizi," said Empress Dowager Cixi, "do you think it is better not to return to politics for the time being, or better to train politics?"
"I don't dare to talk about these political matters." Li Lianying replied, "But I feel that it is not easy to take back the power after it is released. It is better not to let it go now than to think that it will not be taken back at that time." Li Lianying did not directly Instead of answering the Empress Dowager Cixi's question, he expressed his meaning in a roundabout way.
"According to you, it is better to train the government now." Empress Dowager Cixi said, "You and I thought about it together."
"But it's not too late. I have to ask Lafayette to make a quick decision." Li Lianying said the words "quick battle and quick decision" very seriously.
Empress Dowager Cixi made a quick decision, and issued a second edict the next morning, pretending to proclaim:
"This is a review of the king's ministers and other chapters. The situation is difficult and the military is important.
Prince Chun folded the inside, and read it at the same time.Words such as cutting characters society and expressing condolences to the ancestors.Earnestly appeal, loop back and forth, and be alert and deep.At this time, the country is in a difficult situation, and it is necessary to set disciplines and outlines, and to waste everything.The emperor was first in charge of the government, and he decided to make decisions, so he had to make up his mind when something happened, so that he could achieve a proper plan.Since the king and ministers have repeatedly pleaded, how dare you stick to the righteousness of abiding by the scriptures, so as to violate the opinions of all the people in the world!At the request of Mian Yun, after the emperor took charge of the government, he continued to practice politics for several years. "
So far, the "return to politics" scam directed by Empress Dowager Cixi and Li Lianying has come to an end.
The Empress Dowager Cixi is still the former Empress Dowager Cixi, and her power has not been compromised at all; Emperor Guangxu is still the former Emperor Guangxu, who was supposed to be in charge of the government and wield all the power, but in the end he did not get any power, and instead was dubbed "political training" by the Empress Dowager Cixi In name, he lost his chance to be in power for several years.
Not only was he secretly happy, but it was Li Lianying who clapped his hands and applauded.The power of the Empress Dowager Cixi is equal to his power. As long as the power of the Empress Dowager Cixi is there, he can be domineering if he is favored by her.
After the Empress Dowager Cixi promulgated the decree on political training, she let out a long sigh of relief. "I can finally rest assured about this matter," the Empress Dowager Cixi said to herself, and then turned to Li Lianying who was standing beside her and said, "Xiao Lizi, you must leave the remaining two matters to me in the future." Be careful and give me some advice." The remaining two things she said were referring to what Li Lianying had said about taming Emperor Guangxu and vigorously promoting his cronies.
Li Lianying tacitly replied, "Don't worry, Lafayette, the slave will always pay attention to it. Whenever something happens, the slave will report to you at any time."
After the Empress Dowager Cixi taught the government, many of the border ministers went to Beijing to meet the Empress Dowager Cixi.One is to explore the political situation in the capital, and the other is to gain some political capital from the Empress Dowager Cixi who is training the government.Li Hongzhang, Minister of the Navy and Minister of Nanyang, was one of them. Li Hongzhang brought not only one hundred thousand taels of silver, but also his two most precious and favorite Western pugs when he went to Beijing.
After Li Hongzhang entered Beijing, the first person to visit was neither the emperor, the Empress Dowager Cixi, nor princes and ministers, but Li Lianying.
At that time, Li Lianying had just returned from the palace, and before she could sit still, her family suddenly reported:
"Lord Zhongtang Li begging to see the master!"
When Li Lianying heard that it was Li Hongzhang who came to see him, she hurriedly adjusted her clothes and came out to greet him. She put her arms around Li Hongzhang and said, "I don't know what kind of wind brought you here, Mr. Li. I'm sorry to welcome you. I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"Hey, Mr. Manager, you're being polite. It's really lucky for Li to be able to meet Mr. Manager!" After Li Hongzhang finished speaking, he ordered his servant to bring over the gift list.Li Lianying saw that besides the 50,000 taels of silver, there was also a Western pug.Li Lianying was not very interested in bank notes, but became interested in pugs.
"What kind of pug, show it to me." Li Lianying said.
Li Hongzhang hurriedly asked his servants to come in from the outside.The servant had a Western pug in his arms.This dog is really cute: it is snow-white all over without a mottled hair; its two eyes are big, it turns its head to look at this person for a while, and then turns its head to look at that person for a while; its two big ears are drooping , covering most of the face; the legs are short, and the two front paws are still turned outward.Seeing Li Hongzhang, the dog broke free from the servant's arms with a "chuss", quickly climbed onto Li Hongzhang's shoulder, and lay there motionless.Li Hongzhang took the dog off his shoulders caressingly, hugged it in his arms, stroked it gently and said: "When I was on a mission to France, I brought back two dogs from France. This is one of them. These two dogs It is also my favorite, and I brought all of them to Beijing this time. One is dedicated to Lafayette, and this one is dedicated to your master." After Li Hongzhang finished speaking, he hugged his hands and handed the dog to Li Lianying.
李莲英也双手接过来，抱在怀里，一边轻轻抚摸着狗，一边说："多谢中堂大人！如果献给老佛爷的话，老佛爷一定会喜欢得了不得。"哈巴狗在李莲英怀里，任由他抚摸，一动也不动，只是两眼死盯着李鸿章。
"总管大人，"李鸿章开始说正事了，"老佛爷归政之时，来了一个训政，你认为这形势将向何处发展？"
"经过一番惊心动魄的斗争后，反正是老佛爷取得了暂时的胜利。"李莲英说道，"这种形势估计在近几年不会有什么大的改变。不过几年以后斗争也许会更复杂，更厉害。"
"你认为最后谁将会取胜？"
"照目前的形势看，估计最后的胜利将是老佛爷。不过——"李莲英把话锋一转道，"这还需要中堂大人的大力支持。"李莲英在拉拢李鸿章。李莲英早就看出，慈禧太后在以后的斗争中，少不了地方上这个最有力的支持者。
"到那时，微臣会尽自己的一份微薄之力的，不过，还需总管大人在老佛爷面前为微臣美言几句。"这是在互想利用。
李莲英想利用李鸿章来巩固慈禧太后的权力，借以巩固自己的权力；李鸿章也需要李莲英在慈禧太后面前为自己进言，不致于失宠于慈禧太后。
"中堂大人尽管放心好了，"李莲英说道，"只要有我在老佛爷身边，你尽管瞧好吧，老佛爷绝对亏待不了你。"
"好，我就多谢总管大人了。如果总管大人没有别的事的话，那微臣就告辞了。"
"哎，说哪里话？既然来了，就一定要吃过饭再走，这是规矩。自从你刚一来到，我就吩咐家人备饭去了。"真是狗眼看人，有高有低。曹瑞年来的时候他连说吃饭也不说，他也不说那是规矩了。
正说着，家人过来报告道："饭备好了，请老爷和中堂大人过去。"
李莲英不容李鸿章多说，拉起李鸿章就走，边走还边说道："你看你看，饭都备好了，你怎么还能走呢？"
"那微臣就恭敬不如从命了。"李鸿章本也不想走，说走那只是客套话，便就势跟了李莲英了。
饭菜真是丰盛。鸡鸭鱼肉、山珍海味，样样俱全。李莲英又把出一瓶珍藏多年的上等好酒请李鸿章喝，李鸿章也不推辞，只顾大喝起来。末了，又上了一大碗燕窝汤，李莲英亲手抱一大块燕窝放到李鸿章碗里，说道："老佛爷赏的，尝尝吧！"
"好吃！好吃！"李鸿章夹了一小块放在嘴里嚼了嚼，连声称赞。
直吃到酒足饭饱，至晚方散。李鸿章看看时间不早了，便起身告辞道："微臣有机会一定再来拜访总管大人。天色不早了，微臣今天就暂且告辞。"
"那莲英就不远送了。请中堂大人慢走。"
李鸿章刚一转身，只见那条哈巴狗又"噌"的一下从李莲英怀里挣脱出来，麻利地跳到李鸿章的肩膀上。李莲英因为喜爱这条狗，一直就抱在怀里，连吃饭也没有放下。原来这条狗一直盯着李鸿章。现在见他要走，便从李莲英怀里挣脱出来。李鸿章把他抱下来，重又交给李莲英说道："这个家伙，还蛮有人情味。"
李莲英接过狗，若有所思地对李鸿章说道："中堂大人，莲英认为进献老佛爷的那条狗由我来进献更好，我可以借机在老佛爷面前为中堂大人美言几句。"
"好，只要总管大人认为可以的事，微臣自然遵从。"李鸿章爽快地答道，"我马上派人给您送来。"
"那就多谢中堂大人了。"
慈禧太后训政，皇帝"亲政"，这倒为慈禧太后节省下不少接见臣工的时间。这天慈禧太后正在宫中和宫女闲聊，忽然从外面蹦过来一只西洋哈巴狗，把慈禧太后吓了一跳。
"这是谁干的好事？"慈禧太后怒气冲冲地问道，再仔细一看这条小狗，长长的毛，又大又圆的眼睛，腿短短的，走起路来，一双大大的耳朵忽闪忽闪的，还挺可爱的。慈禧太后心中欢喜，便换了副笑脸问道："这是谁的小狗，我怎么从来就没见过，那么可爱，又那么机灵。"
"不知道，我们也从来没有见过。"宫女们回答道。
"过来！过来！"慈禧太后向小狗招一招手，说道，"让我好好看看。"
那小狗好像懂得人性似的，顺从地来到慈禧太后身边，让她抱着，抚摸它的长毛。"这么可爱的小狗，难道竟没有主人？"
慈禧太后禁不住问道。
忽然李莲英从外面进来，见了慈禧纳头便拜道："奴才给老佛爷请罪！"
"哎，你这是为何啊？"慈禧太后问李莲英道。
"奴才怀疑这条狗是不是把您给吓了？"
"刚一进来时，是吓了我一跳。"慈禧太后奇怪地问道，"怎么，这条狗是你的？好可爱哟！"慈禧太后又一次爱抚地抚摸一下小狗。
"这也不是奴才的，"李莲英见慈禧太后挺喜欢这条小狗，高兴地说道，"这是老佛爷您的。"
"我的？"慈禧太后更奇怪了，"这是谁送给我的？"
"是李中堂。"
"李鸿章？他怎么不来见我？"
"李中堂是昨天刚到的，他还没敢来见老佛爷，先托奴才把这条狗送给您。这是李中堂出使法国时，专门从法国给老佛爷带回来的。刚才我抱着想给老佛爷送来，可是一不小心让它挣跑了，一直向这跑来，奴才在后面都追不上。没想到这条狗好像跟老佛爷有些缘份似的，一见面就跟老佛爷这么亲热。"
这几句话说得慈禧太后非常中听，只见她高兴地说道：
"我也奇怪，它一点也不怕我，好像竟是专门为我驯养的似的。"
"这是老佛爷您洪福所至，波及万物生灵啊！"
"嗯，我知道，你又在说讨好人的话了。"慈禧太后嘴里是这样说着，心里却觉得特别高兴。
"那它为啥不对别的宫女那么亲热呢？"李莲英故意委屈地说道。
"说的也对。"慈禧太后若有所思地又说道，"你说李鸿章还没敢见我，他怎么那么怕我呢？"
"老佛爷身为万圣之尊，哪个不仰，哪个不怕呢？"
"你就让他明天来见我吧。"
"是！"李莲英说着，看了看左右的宫女，"不过——"
慈禧太后知道，李莲英肯定有事情想和她单独说说，于是便对宫女们挥了挥手道："你们都先下去吧。"
"是！"宫女们悄悄地退了下去。
"有什么你就说吧。"慈禧太后对李莲英说道。
"老佛爷打算这次怎么对待李中堂？"
"怎样对待，还像以前那样呗。"
"老佛爷认为那样合适吗？"
"怎么不合适？你说说看。"
"现在形势是皇帝亲政，老佛爷训政，权力掌握在老佛爷手里，而一旦皇帝大婚后，老佛爷就要完全归政。现在正是用得着李中堂这样的人啊！"
"是用得着！"慈禧太后若有所思地说道。
"当然用得着，老佛爷您想想，李中堂现在是海军大臣，掌管着海军，又是淮军将领，可是地方上最有实力的人物。说不定以后发生什么事，只要李中堂站出来一说话，地方上哪一个不听李中堂的。"
"你的意思是说，要对李鸿章大力抚慰，是不是？"
"这是老佛爷您自己的事情，您就看着办吧，奴才的意见只是个参考。"
慈禧太后只是点了点头，没有回答，她眼睛望着窗外，好像意识到以后的斗争形式还会更复杂，更险峻，更你死我活。
第二天，由李莲英传旨，慈禧太后要召见李鸿章。李鸿章从前在被慈禧太后召见时，还没有感到很害怕过。谁知现在官做得越大，胆子却越小了，李鸿章在见慈禧太后前，总是感到战战兢兢的，不住地拿袖子擦着额头上冒出来的冷汗。
"中堂大人，老佛爷不会对你怎样的，不要害怕。"李莲英见李鸿章吓得直打哆嗦，安慰他道。
"我虽然不会害怕，好像今天天气特别凉爽，感到有些凉意。"李鸿章故意掩饰道。
李莲英感到好笑：都吓成这个样子了，还硬充楞头青，说不害怕，那你头上的汗也是因为冷才冒出来的？不过李莲英并没有去揭他的短处，觉得像李鸿章这样的大人物，揭出来也是挺不好意思的。
李鸿章慢慢地踱进养心殿，抬头看见坐在案后的慈禧太后，赶快跪下磕头请安道："臣李鸿章叩见皇太后。"
"李鸿章，你进京那么多天，为什么不来见我？"慈禧太后问道。
李鸿章不知发生了什么事，赶快又磕了一个头，诚惶诚恐地说道："臣是前天刚到的，还没来得及拜见皇太后。"
没想到慈禧太后却微笑着说："没什么大事，你坐吧。"
"谢皇太后！"李鸿章慢慢爬起来，坐在了椅子的边上。
"你送我的那条狗挺可爱的，显得和我特别亲近，又懂人性。"
"这是皇太后的福气。"李鸿章说道，"那条狗是臣去法时，专门从法国给老佛爷带过来的。"
"难为你那么为我费心。"
"那是臣应该做的。"
"海军办得如何？"
"上次醇亲王和李大总管去检阅过海军，都盛赞海军办得不错。"李鸿章借别人之口表达出了自己要说的话。"不过，鱼雷艇和军舰，还是显得不足，要办得特别如意的话还需要不少的款项。"
"淮军呢？"
"淮军也不错，每天都进行操练，装备也比以前有了改进。"
"海军是国家的海军，军队也都是国家的军队，要好好地办理，多为国家做出贡献。"慈禧太后若有所指地说道，"不但要防着外部敌人，也是防着内部敌人。"
慈禧太后这番话，是有极深用意的。一方面用海军和军队是国家的，来警告李鸿章以后不得妄自尊大，拥兵自重，造成对朝廷不利的局面；另一方面示意让他好好办理，便是对李鸿章的拉拢，即是海军和军队是我让你办理的，以后有什么事时你当然得为我效劳。她说的内部敌人显然指的是有可能和她争夺权力的光绪皇帝。这即是要李鸿章表态，以后一旦发生了争夺权力的流血冲突，你李鸿章到底是站在哪一方。
李鸿章听了这话，吓得赶快从椅子上跳下来，跪在慈禧太后面前磕了一个头。"谢老佛爷的恩典。"李鸿章诚惶诚恐地向慈禧太后表明态度说，"皇太后的话，臣一定牢记在心。今后无论发生什么事，巨李鸿章都要誓死效力皇太后。"
慈禧太后看了李鸿章的一番表现，满意地点了点头说道：
"你记住我的话就好，以后有什么事就多往我这里走走。"
"臣记住了。"李鸿章赶忙说道。
"好了，没什么事你就先走吧。"慈禧太后又关心地说道："回去以后好好休息一下，以后要多注意些自己的身体。"
慈禧太后一句话说得李鸿章心里热乎乎的，一激动眼泪就好像快要流出来的样子。他赶快把头偏向一边，拿袖子拭了拭眼角说道："臣也祝老佛爷万寿无疆！"
"好了，你下去吧，我也该休息了。"慈禧太后李鸿章挥了一下手道。
"是！"李鸿章又磕了一个头，慢慢退了出去。
李鸿章从养心殿出来以后，李莲英赶快接住问道："中堂大人，怎么样啊？"
"感觉还不错，老佛爷仍让臣掌管海军和淮军。"李鸿章若有所思地说道，"这全靠总管大人费心呀。"
"哎，这算什么，朋友之间，互相照顾，互相帮助嘛。"李莲英满不在乎地说道，"以后，我们还要互相帮助，互相照顾。"
"说得好！"李鸿章心领神会地说道。