Chapter 40 7. He only pasted the window paper for Guangxu

Minister of Internal Affairs Yang Lishan pasted the window paper on the Yingtai where Emperor Guangxu was imprisoned, and he annoyed Lafayette Cixi. He was so frightened that he found Li Lianying... In a blink of an eye, the first year is coming to an end, and the next day is New Year's Eve.Li Shan entered the palace early in the morning.Li Shan's original surname is Yang, his courtesy name is Yufu, and he is a four-line student, so his acquaintances call him "Si Ye Yang".Li Shan is the minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He used to be a doctor of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. During the years when the Summer Palace was being built, he also made a fortune just like Li Lianying.No one in Beijing is familiar with the luxurious living conditions.It is said that there are four to five hundred hanging beads in his possession, and even if he changes one hanging every day, he will never repeat it after a year.Since Lishan was very rich and was favored by the Empress Dowager Cixi, many people were naturally jealous.Li Shan's visit to the House of Internal Affairs this morning was just a routine, because the things to be done in the palace for the New Year have already been done; princes and officials, those who should be given gifts, and those who should be "respected" have also been sent.Li Shan was sitting in the court room of the House of Internal Affairs drinking leisurely tea, thinking about how to arrange this New Year's Eve, planning which prostitute to spend a long time with.

At this moment, a Sulla, the young eunuch in the palace, came in through the curtain and said in a hurry: "Master Li, please go up! Director Li is looking for you." Since Li Shan is on duty in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Li Lianying is on duty in the palace, and Li Shan can often give Li Lianying some rare things, so the relationship between Li Shan and Li Lianying is naturally very close, and Li Lianying often protects Li Shan when Li Shan has problems. Li Shan looked at that Sura's anxious face, and quickly handed him a piece of silver, signaling him to calm down, and then asked: "You can tell me clearly whether it was Lafayette who summoned me, or Director Li looking for me, right?" Is there something urgent?"

"Probably Lafayette looking for you!" "Where?" "I heard it's in Ningshou Palace." Ningshou Palace is so close, there is no need to be busy, Li Shan adjusted his clothes, and then slowly came to Ningshou Palace, as soon as he entered the palace gate, he bumped into a rushing little eunuch, Li Shan recognized this The little eunuch next to Li Lianying almost bumped into each other. The little eunuch looked up and saw Li Shan, and said hurriedly: "My lord, I'm here to urge you? Hurry up, Lafayette is getting impatient. But, Mr. Li, you have to be careful. When I came out just now, I saw Lafayette Unhappy face."

Li Shan gave the little eunuch some more money, and then hurried to the Empress Dowager Cixi. When entering the door, Li Shan glanced at the Empress Dowager Cixi who was sitting above, and saw that the face of the Empress Dowager Cixi was covered with clouds, without a smile At the same time, he also saw Li Lianying winking at him constantly, and he knew it was Li Lianying telling him to be careful. "Slave pays respects to Lafayette!" Li Shan kowtowed to the Empress Dowager Cixi a few times as he spoke. "Don't be hypocritical, I don't know who you are thinking about? I think you look good today, it seems that you should be lucky." Empress Dowager Cixi said to Li Shan who was kneeling on the ground and kowtowed in a cold tone.

The cold tone had already surprised Li Shan, and the inexplicable words surprised Li Shan even more.It seems that Lishan had to be careful before he found out what the Empress Dowager Cixi meant. "The slave is able to be lucky, and it is also thanks to the great blessing of your old man, Lafayette." "Hmph!" The Empress Dowager Cixi seemed to snort, "What kind of grace can I give you? It's because you found a good master." Li Shan, who was a little confused at first, was even more confused when he heard this. It seemed that he had to ask himself what was going on.After thinking about it, he opened his mouth and said, kowtowing at the same time:

"When you're leaving, Lafayette, don't be angry. If you do something wrong, you will correct it immediately." "Didn't you do a good job? What did you do wrong? Isn't it the courtesy of a monarch and minister to glue the windows of Yingtai for the emperor? How could you do something wrong?" Empress Dowager Cixi said sarcastically. Li Shan immediately came to his senses, knowing that he found someone to paste the window paper on Yingtai and exposed it.In the twelfth lunar month of winter, the north wind howls, and Yingtai faces water on three sides, so the humidity is heavier, so Yingtai is colder.But in such a severe winter, the emperor could only wear thin winter clothes, and the window paper in Yingtai was punctured by others, and the cold air poured in. Emperor Guangxu, who was only wearing thin clothes, was often shivering. In my eyes and in my heart, I took a moment to paste the paper on the window for the emperor, I didn't want someone to say it so soon.Li Shan knew it was superfluous to say anything at this time, so he could only raise his hands and slapped himself in the face fiercely, cursing himself as damn.

Li Shan hoped that this would relieve Empress Dowager Cixi's anger, but he didn't want Empress Dowager Cixi to be really angry this time.Originally, Empress Dowager Cixi had a deep hatred for Emperor Guangxu since she failed to abolish the emperor last time. She hated that he had those foreigners she hated helping him, so she decided to give the emperor less food and clothing. Let him suffer, but she didn't want someone to paste the emperor's window regardless of her order, she was naturally very angry.The Empress Dowager Cixi looked at Li Shan and kept slapping herself, her anger finally subsided a little, but not completely. In the past, she would have ordered Li Shan to stop, but today she is still angry, so naturally she will not tell Li Shan to stop , Let him slap himself in the face.

Li Shan already felt that his face was hot, but the Empress Dowager Cixi hadn't opened his mouth yet, so he was a little anxious. It's not an option to fight like this!He looked at Li Lianying who was standing behind the Empress Dowager Cixi, begging him for help. Even without this look, Li Lianying would plead for Li Shan.This morning, since the Empress Dowager Cixi asked someone to pass on Lishan, her face was very ugly. She didn't say a word to Li Lianying, and she didn't comment when Li Lianying told her jokes. Only then did Li Lianying realize that Lafayette was really angry today, and he couldn't help but stand for Li Shan Get up in a hurry, afraid that if Li Shan speaks badly, Lafayette will be angry, and it will be impossible for him to speak for Li Shan.However, what made him happy was that Lishan was finally an elf, and after all, he calmed down the Empress Dowager Cixi's anger. He knew that it was time for him to help Lishan.But how to free Lishan and make Lafayette happy?He thought about it, and remembered the joy of Lafayette when he and the Empress Dowager Cixi worshiped the boy and Guanyin respectively in the Summer Palace. He knew that plain explanations would not work at this time, so he had to use a special method, what to use? ?He changed his mind for a while, and at this time Li Shan slapped him a few more times. Suddenly, he remembered, and suddenly shouted to Li Shan:

"Lishan, don't get out yet. It's you who made Lafayette angry at the end of the year, get out!" Li Lianying emphatically said the three words "Get out", and Li Shan immediately realized it, and he rolled back on the spot, like a monkey on a stage, and kowtowed to the Empress Dowager Cixi after kneeling. Only then hurriedly exited. The tense face of the Empress Dowager Cixi was finally amused by Li Shan's funny performance.But Li Shan, who withdrew, was dejected. He touched his aching face with a frustrated expression. He knew that his face must be red and swollen at this time. He really hopes that he can find a place to hide now.

Seeing Empress Dowager Cixi lose her temper, Li Lianying hurriedly chased him out. He looked at Li Shan who was touching his face and sighing, and stopped Li Shan, "Fourth Master, come and sit in my room." This was exactly what Li Shan wished for, he followed Li Lianying into the house, took off the ermine hat and threw it on the table.He sighed and sat down, shook his head and said: "Look, where did the bad luck come from? It's already thirty years old, and I still suffer from this kind of bad luck." "Forget it, forget it, just get so angry because of this, do you think it's worth it?"

"I'm not angry about anything else. I'm just angry that someone backstabbed someone on New Year's Eve. I think I'm well-connected. From here on, I've been there to take care of you. Even if I'm not considerate in Lishan, you'll point it out for me. Say wow, there is no need to stab people in the back like this!" Li Lianying knew that Li Shan was suspecting which eunuch had told him the secret, which was impossible, because he knew of anyone who told Lafayette the secret.Besides, the emperor was in charge of it himself, even if someone informs, he should go to Li Lianying to inform first!But to be honest, Li Lianying sometimes has a little sympathy for the emperor. Li Lianying doesn't think it's a big deal for Lishan to cover up the window for the emperor. It's only now that someone tells it that he feels that punishment is not a bad idea. , but now Lishan suspects that the eunuch told him the secret, so he can't agree. "Fourth Master, then you are the wrong person! I can guarantee that no one who can walk in front of Lafayette will say this." "That's what Lafayette saw." "Impossible! If Lafayette saw it with his own eyes, he wouldn't spoil the New Year's atmosphere by now." "Who could it be?" Tateyama said to himself. Looking at Li Shan's appearance, Li Lianying knew that he wanted to get to the bottom of it, otherwise he would have a bad year.Li Lianying could only smile and say to Li Shan: "Fourth Master, let me tell you the truth! This morning, Prince Duan came to see Lafayette." The implication is that King Duan told the secret, but how could King Duan know?This is something that makes Lishan wonder.He couldn't figure out why, so he bade farewell to Li Lianying and left the palace.Sitting in the car, Li Shan carefully thought about who he had told this about, and who in Duanwang's mansion was nice to this person, and this man then told the people in Duanwang's mansion what he had told him.Li Shan thought about it, and finally thought of someone: Yujiao. Yujiao was a famous prostitute in Pocket Mansion, which is the brick tower alley west of Ting Street.As the name suggests, Yujiao has fair skin, a delicate face, and a slender figure. This is the image Lishan likes, so he is often willing to come to Yujiao.While falling in love with Yujiao, there is another person, this person is Prince Duan's younger brother Zai Lan, known as "Mr. Lan", Zai Lan is the most well-informed about looking for flowers and asking willows, it is Zai Lan who fell in love with Yujiao first, It's just that Li Shan is the latecomer, and because of Li Shan's generous spending, Yujiao naturally likes Li Shan even more, but she also dare not neglect "Mr. Lan". She can't afford to offend these two people. Once, when Lishan was making out with Yujiao, he mentioned the emperor by the way, and he said that the life of the emperor was not very easy, so he told Yujiao that he brought someone to paste the window for the emperor.I don't want to, I told Yujiao now, and Zai Lan at the very least. Although Zai Lan is a prince, but because he doesn't have a lot of money, he is deprived of his love by Li Shan, and he naturally feels uncomfortable.Although Yujiao is still so enthusiastic about him, she is still not as strong as being alone, so in Zai Lan's heart, he does everything possible to save a chance to take revenge on his beloved Lishan.Not wanting the opportunity to come so easily, Yujiao talked to him about Lishan sending people to paste the window paper.Zai Lan thought this was an excellent opportunity, so he hurried back home and told his brother Duan Wang Zaiyi about the situation. In fact, Zaiyi is also very jealous of Lishan's money, so he always has a reason for Lishan in his heart. When he heard his brother talk about this situation, he couldn't feel a burst of joy in his heart.So the next morning, he came to the Empress Dowager Cixi and said bad things about Lishan, and Lishan was reprimanded by the Empress Dowager Cixi. After figuring out the link, Li Shan immediately rushed to Baobao Mansion, found Yujiao, warned Yujiao solemnly, told her not to talk too much in the future, and then gave Yujiao a few thousand taels of silver bills. Fold out the pocket house. However, Lishan didn't want to go back, and he was bored when he went home.There is no need for him to take care of the trivial chores at home, even if someone comes to visit, most of them come to borrow money from him, which is uncomfortable to watch.Pocket Mansion is his favorite place, but today's matter can't make him want to stay in Pocket Mansion anymore.So where do you go to spend this quiet time? Lishan thought of "Sai Jinhua". "Sai Jinhua" was a famous prostitute who was once popular in Tianjin. Heavenly fragrance, various styles, not only many Chinese people are willing to see the beauty of "Sai Jinhua", even many foreigners are no exception. "Sai Jinhua" is also known as "Mrs. Zhuangyuan", whose real name is Cao Menglan and changed her name to Fu Yulian. "Sai Jinhua" is her flower name after falling into the dust.Cao Menglan's husband is Hong Jun, who was the number one scholar in Tongzhi, so Cao Menglan has the reputation of "the wife of the number one scholar". Cao Menglan was taken as a concubine by Hong Jun when he was middle-aged, and the relationship between the two is quite good, better than the relationship between Hong Jun and his original wife.In the seventh year of Guangxu, Hong Jun begged for "final support" because his mother was sick. Soon Hong Jun's mother passed away.At that time, he had achieved great success in the study of geology in the Northwest, and was appreciated by Li Hongzhang, who guaranteed him to serve as an envoy to Russia, Germany, Belgium, and Austria. Hong Jun's original wife was afraid of traveling far, and she had lingering fears when she heard that she was going to deal with "foreigners" with "high noses, blue eyes, and white skin". Therefore, Hong Jun happened to take his beloved Cao Menglan to Europe.It's just that Europe was monogamous at that time, and there were not as many wives and concubines as in China, so it was difficult for them to understand the word concubine.When Hong Jun went to the countryside to do as the Romans did, he naturally regarded Cao Menglan as his wife, and foreigners also called Cao Menglan "the minister's wife".Because Cao Menglan is a typical oriental beauty, with a small cherry mouth, three-inch golden lotus, and talking eyes, she has fascinated many foreigners. Of course, there are many romantic news about her, but this does not affect her feelings for Hong Jun.She and Hong Jun are deeply in love, she likes Hong Jun, and Hong Jun also loves this beautiful lady very much.Four years in a foreign country are fleeting. In the 16th year of Guangxu, Hong Jun came back from abroad. He didn't want to be framed when he came back, and encountered twists and turns on the way. To the west of Ili in Xinjiang, and to the south of Kobul in the Pamir area, the border between China and Russia has been unclear for a long time.When Hong Jun talked about the study of geology in the Northwest, what he couldn't understand the most was this place, and he couldn't say what it was.When he was on a mission to Russia, someone showed a map of the border between China and Russia. The mountains, rivers, and roads were clearly arranged. Chinese, sent to the Zongli Yamen.The Zongli Yamen was also very happy, thinking that they had found evidence to demarcate the border. When Hong Jun returned to China, he was appointed as the prime minister and worked with Zhang Yinhuan, another minister who was in charge of foreign affairs.One day the British envoy suddenly came to the prime minister's office to ask why China ceded hundreds of miles of land to Russia?Hong Jun didn't know what to say.After the explanation by the British minister, it became known that Russia wanted to spy on India south through the Pamirs, and there was a conflict of interest with the United Kingdom.The British side meant that if the Pamirs still belonged to China and formed a buffer, it would be impossible for Russia to invade south so conveniently. When the prime minister's office found out the reason, he naturally protested to the Russian minister, but he didn't want the Russian minister to take out a map, saying that this was the "China-Russia border map" made by China itself. On that map, Pamir was Divided into the Russian border.The matter is settled, but who gave the distorted map to Russia?Hong Jun finally found out that it was Zhang Yinhuan, but he had nothing to do because Russia already had the map.Zhang Yinhuan also gave the map in order to kill people with a knife and drive Hong Jun out of the prime minister's office.Fortunately, Weng Tonghe tried his best to close the gap for him in the name of his fellow countrymen at that time, so Hong Jun was not punished in any way.Even so, Hong Jun was still resentful. Although Cao Menglan comforted him in every possible way, he finally fell ill and died in depression. When Hong Jun died, Cao Menglan immediately lost his backer.When Hong Jun was around, Hong Jun's original partner didn't dare to do anything to Cao Menglan.But the situation was different after Hong Jun's death. Cao Menglan was treated coldly at home.She once gave birth to a little girl with Hong Jun, but when she went abroad with Hong Jun, the girl was raised by Hong Jun's original spouse.Not long after she came back, Hong Jun died again, so Cao Menglan hadn't seen her flesh and blood for several years.No, at home, even her daughter doesn't recognize her, they only call her aunt, not mother.The family's cold reception and her daughter's lack of affection for her made Cao Menglan very sad. She had to come to Shanghai with endless thoughts about Hong Jun.In Shanghai, she quickly spent all the money she got from the Hong family, and finally had no choice but to hang up the colorful flag and fall into prostitution. "Madame No. 1 Scholar" is already very famous, not to mention that now that the flag of beauty is raised, it immediately attracts many people. Many of them would rather give up their thousands of dollars to see Cao Menglan's beauty, and would rather travel thousands of miles to see Cao Menglan's beauty.Therefore, the flag of "Madame No. 1 Scholar" quickly became popular and became a major attraction in Shanghai.Anyone who comes to Shanghai must go to Cao Menglan to see her beauty. Later, Cao Menglan felt that Shanghai was not enough, so she moved to Tianjin, and Tianjin became lively again.Many people in the capital are willing to go to Tianjin and let Cao Menglan accompany them for a night. Now, Cao Menglan has moved north to the capital again, and naturally her fame has not diminished, and countless people come here for her fame, so "Sai Jinhua" became popular in the capital. Lishan is one of them, and his relationship with Sai Jinhua is quite good, and Sai Jinhua is also very emotional for Lishan.That's why Li Shan decided to go to Sai Jinhua to play after getting angry today, to relieve boredom, and at the same time give Sai Jinhua some lucky money.Of course, famous prostitutes like "Sai Jinhua" are not short of money to spend, this is just an expression of Lishan. Beijing on New Year's Eve is really lively.Firecrackers sounded all over the street, and people smiled beamingly on their faces, as if they were the happiest people in the world. Li Shan looked at these people, and his sad heart could not help but be influenced by them.Why are you still so sad on New Year's Eve?Wasn't it just a beating today?Li Shan thought so.Thinking of this, Li Shan felt that he didn't want to be with "Sai Jinhua", but he was really reluctant not to see his girlfriend years ago, so he finally decided to go chat with "Sai Jinhua". As soon as she arrived at Sai Jinhua's place, Sai Jinhua immediately brought tea and cigarettes, and started smoking with Lishan.She noticed that there was something wrong with Li Shan's face, and she was not in good spirits, so she asked, "Master Li Shan, what's the matter with you today?" "It's nothing, I just came out to see you." Tateyama said with a smile. Sai Jinhua smiled and said a blessing to Li Shan, and didn't ask any further, she knew Li Shan's character, he didn't want to say it himself, no matter how others asked, he couldn't find out. Sai Jinhua had been abroad after all, and had lived abroad with her husband for four years, so she naturally cared about state affairs.When Li Shan gets along with her, she often talks about some state affairs with Li Shan, which is one of the reasons why Li Shan is willing to get along with her. "My lord, have you ever heard of the saying that in the eighth month of leap, you must use swords?" "Of course I've heard of it." Li Shan glanced at Sai Jinhua, knowing that she was about to express some opinions. Whenever this happened, Li Shan always listened quietly to Sai Jinhua. "Next year in the year of Gengzi will be the eighth month, I'm afraid this year will not be quiet again." "Actually, there is nothing wrong with leaping in August. Isn't leaping in August the first year of Tongzhi? There were two Mid-Autumn Festivals in the palace that year, which I remember, and..." Li Shan stopped. Sai Jinhua looked at Lishan, meaning you should continue talking. "Moreover, the disaster of Hongyang was wiped out that year. That year Li Zhongtang attacked Shanghai, Zeng Shuai besieged Jiangning, and Zuo Hou counterattacked in Zhejiang." "But that year was not without war! There were swordsmen everywhere that year, but they fought fiercely! Pushing forward, the first year of Xianfeng was also a leap in August, and that year was not peaceful. Hong Xiuquan was the famous Since then, Wang's land and water have advanced together, flowing down the Yangtze River, disturbing more than ten years, and causing disasters to more than ten provinces." Li Shan nodded, feeling that that year was indeed miserable. "I hope next year can pass safely, I'm afraid it will be uneasy." Sai Jinhua said while smoking a big cigarette. "It seems that you can predict the future? I really haven't seen it yet." Li Shan laughed. "Master Li, although I am in the world, I am not indifferent to state affairs. I am only worried that the Boxers will make trouble." "Hey, why did the Boxers make trouble? It's all a bluff." Li Shan smiled again. "I heard that the Boxers were only against foreigners. I'm afraid that if the court doesn't handle it well, it will cause disaster." Li Shan understands what the calamity refers to, and it means that foreigners will come to China at that time, just like the disaster in the Old Summer Palace that year.Li Shan felt that what Sai Jinhua said was not unreasonable. Now Lafayette hates foreigners very much, and the Boxers are anti-foreigners. I am afraid that Lafayette's impulsive handling will attract foreigners to interfere.But Lishan had no choice but to follow the situation and wait for the opportunity. Li Shan took out a small red envelope from his bag, handed it to Sai Jinhua, and said, "For Chinese New Year's Eve, don't talk about that. These are for you as lucky money, and you can buy some spare things." Sai Jinhua took the red envelope and opened it. It turned out that there were two silver notes of two thousand taels and four silver notes of one hundred taels inside, which was generous enough.Sai Jinhua smiled sweetly towards Lishan, with spring in her smile, her own style. Li Shan is an old hand in pink, knowing that the time has come, he put his arms around Sai Jinhua and made out with each other, and he didn't leave until the moon was dark. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Li Shan accompanied his friends to gamble for a day at home, which Li Shan liked very much.On this day, he just felt that he was having a great time, and agreed to continue gambling the next day. Unexpectedly, the next day, the Empress Dowager Cixi sent someone to call him over. She was summoned at Yiluan Hall in Xiyuan, mainly to inquire whether he, the minister of internal affairs, had stopped the preparations for the fireworks for the Lantern Festival. "Back to Lafayette, the Xiyuan and Summer Palace servants are all ready." Li Shan replied: "It depends on your interest. If you go to the Summer Palace, you can put it in front of the Paiyun Hall; if the old Buddha is too lazy to move, there are ready-made ones here in Xiyuan. However, the slave thinks it is best to put it in the Paiyun Hall. The water of Kunming Lake is beautiful." The Empress Dowager Cixi nodded and said, "Then it depends on the weather. If there is no rain or snow and it is not too cold, then go to Guhe Garden." The Empress Dowager Cixi paused and said, "What's new about this year's fireworks? " "Yes, the servant has prepared Western fireworks." The Empress Dowager Cixi didn't make a sound, and asked again: "Brother twenty-seven is going to school, you know it!" "The slave knows that everything has been prepared long ago, and he just waits for the elder brother to come to school." "Oh." Empress Dowager Cixi responded. Li Shan understood, and immediately went on to say: "The Hongde Hall has been re-pasted. Books, brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones are all prepared according to the usual practice. The room where the master rests is also specially equipped with warm chairs and a stove." The master refers to Chengen Gong Chongqi, who is responsible for teaching the elder brother. At the same time, the Empress Dowager Cixi ordered Xu Tong, a bachelor, to often come to Hongde Hall to take care of him.Empress Dowager Cixi saw that Li Shan had not mentioned Xu Tong, so she asked, "What about Xu Tong's room?" "The slave didn't give him a separate room for the old man, but let him share the same room with the master. The slave thinks that this will allow the two elders to talk and laugh together without feeling lonely, and at the same time it will be convenient for them to take care of them." "That's fine," said Empress Dowager Cixi again, "Did elder brother ask you anything?" It means to ask if Pu Jun, as his elder brother, has ever made any unreasonable demands or asked for anything from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.Li Shan thought, after all, Eldest Brother is a child at heart, what money, fireworks and other playthings, these are small things that are easy to handle.But what is difficult is that Prince Duan, who always uses the name of elder brother to deal with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, asking for money, horses and other things.Let's refuse it, it's in the name of big brother, don't refuse, and know that this is Duan Wang taking things for him, and once he agrees, I'm afraid that Duan Wang will make more progress, and it will be difficult to handle in the future.Now that Lafayette is asking, why not plug this loophole.After thinking about it, Li Shan replied: "Returning to Lafayette, the elder brother needs something, and that is what the Ministry of Internal Affairs should do. However, the Ministry of Internal Affairs could not find any established cases to provide anything to the elder brother. The slave thinks that in the future, what the elder brother wants, he will first agree with the Lafayette, and then the Lafayette will issue an order to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so that the slave can have certain rules in handling it. " Empress Dowager Cixi heard the meaning behind Lishan's words. In fact, she didn't like this nephew and nephew-in-law very much. Moreover, Lishan's five words "have certain rules" sounded very pleasing to the ear, so Empress Dowager Cixi nodded and said: "Lianying!" "The servant is here." Li Lianying replied from behind the throne. "You heard Li Shan's words. His words are good, there are no rules, and there is no such thing as a square. You said that you are not allowed to ask for things directly from the Ministry of Internal Affairs if you want something from the chief eunuch of the elder brother. In the future, you will first open a list and give it to me. You can only give if you say it." Empress Dowager Cixi ordered. "Yes! The slaves will tell them when they turn around." The Empress Dowager Cixi asked some other questions, and Li Shan was able to come down. He was very happy along the way, in stark contrast to the day of the New Year's Eve. He was very happy that he had blocked King Duan's mouth today. A few days later, Li Shan had finished his business affairs and was about to go home when a young eunuch next to Li Lianying rushed in and handed Li Shan a letter written by Li Lianying himself, asking him to come home tonight Have a drink.Moreover, the little eunuch also brought a message. "Lafayette gave the chief executive two days off. Director Li will return home soon, and said that he would like to give you the honor earlier." Li Shan Shunshou took out a silver ticket and handed it to the little eunuch, and replied: "Okay, I don't know if the Chief Manager will invite me alone or invite other guests." "Probably only one of the adults is invited." The little eunuch accepted the reward with a smile. "Go back and tell Mr. Li that I'll be there at four o'clock." So Li Shan went out of the palace first and went home. After dinner, he took a car to Wuliwen Foreign Trade Co., Ltd. at the west entrance of Dongjiaomin Alley. The bosom stove is very thin, with cotton stuffed inside, ignited with "potion", and hidden in the bosom, it can keep warm for a long time.This is a fresh Western ornament, but Li Lianying likes it the most. "Why spend so much money?" Li Lianying said when accepting Li Shan's gift with joy, "I'm so scared that I won't dare to look for you alone next time." "Forget it, forget it, why are you so polite now? It's really a new year." Li Lianying didn't answer him, but just led the way, walked through several courtyards, came to his bedroom, and got on the cigarette couch.A servant followed in and lit a lamp.Li Lianying waved his hand to Li Lianying, motioning him to sit down, so Li Shan also sat down unceremoniously and smoked a big cigarette with Li Lianying. The two smoked hard for a while until the room was full of smoke. Li Shan then asked : "My lord, you seem to have something to tell me." "Fourth Master, do you know that you offended Brother Duan Wang?" "Oh!" Li Shan asked with great concern, "What's the matter?" "A few days ago, you told Lafayette that Eldest Brother needs to return something to Lafayette. After Wang Duan found out, he said that you were clearly pointing at him, and he had something to say before. You should understand it later. Fourth Master, you have to be more careful in the future." "Yes, yes! Thank you for your care." Li Shan said gratefully, then looked at Li Lianying and said, "However, with you here, I am not afraid of him." "Don't say that either." Li Lianying paused, took a puff of cigarette and exhaled it again, looking at the drifting smoke, said: "Someone is still thinking about me!" After finishing speaking, she sneered. "It's so strange!" Li Shan asked with great concern: "Whoever made such a foolish idea actually came up with your old idea, it's really strange." "There are only a few people around, don't you think you can't figure it out?" Li Shan thought about it, and thought it might be Cui Yugui, because he often heard people say that the second manager was not satisfied with the first manager, so he tentatively asked, "Is that the second manager?" Li Lianying nodded and said: "His muddleheaded mind, he doesn't dare to get my idea, he just wants to climb along the high branch. Don't even think about it, that high branch hasn't grown yet? Climb high, The fall is also heavy, let's wait and see." Oh!It turned out that this was the case, Cui Yugui was looking for a new backer, it seems that Cui Yugui was responsible for his words being leaked.Li Shan thought so in his heart, and couldn't help but ask again: "Then he was the one who drugged me in front of King Duan." "Ok!" Sure enough, it was him.This kid thinks way too far.But Li Shan thought in his heart: Cui Yugui just wanted to make a fortune after the eldest brother took the throne in the future, but he himself didn't want to think about whether the eldest brother could succeed the orthodox.Even if he can enter the orthodoxy, it will still be the Empress Dowager Cixi who teaches politics as the Empress Dowager, and King Duan will not be allowed to intervene.King Duan has little hope of becoming the Supreme Emperor or Regent. It may be like the current emperor who was welcomed into the palace in the thirteenth year of Tongzhi. , if that's the case, wouldn't all your thoughts, Cui Yugui, be in vain? This thought hovered in Li Shan's mind, but he didn't dare to say it, because these words could easily cause trouble. Although his relationship with Li Lianying was quite good, no one could guarantee what would happen to them in the future. Who is Li Lianying, decades of experience in the palace and the experience of watching Empress Dowager Cixi tell him that Li Shan has something to say, but he has some scruples. "Fourth Master, do you have anything to say, do you think what I said just now was a little too much?" "Lianying" is Lishan's name for getting closer, "I don't think you are exaggerating! You said it very well. Lianying, here are our two brothers. If I am wrong, you can point it out , I’m all ears, but let’s just let it go.” "Fourth Master, you take too much care of me, don't you believe me, Li Lianying?" Li Lianying looked directly at Li Shandao pretending to be angry. Li Shan felt very uncomfortable, he quickly said: "Yes, yes, it's redundant! Lianying, how long can this situation last?" What does "this situation" refer to?Li Lianying was pondering in her heart.The empress dowager is training the government, the emperor is showing off, and the elder brother is waiting to take over the throne. To put it bluntly, it is a deadlock.The word "drag" in Lishan is used very well. Li Lianying doesn't know how long it will last, and no one can tell. "Fourth Master, you really caught me. This question," Li Lianying took a breath and shook her head, "Lafayette may not be able to answer, unless, unless you ask a foreigner." "Ask them?" Li Shan said in a very puzzled manner. "Huh? Ask the foreigners!" Li Lianyu said confidently, "It's not enough to just ask the foreigners. You have to ask the governors who have real power." "Great opinion! Great opinion!" Li Shan praised, "Unless it's you, others can't see so deeply." "Forget it, don't compliment me." Li Lianying waved her hand and said, "Why did you suddenly ask this nonsensical question? Did you hear some news?" "I heard that foreigners made trouble and refused to recognize the new emperor. King Duan was very angry about this. He felt that foreigners had broken his dream of being the emperor, so he hated foreigners very much and often scolded foreigners in front of Lafayette. ?" "That's right! Every time he enters the palace, he always praises his Tiger God Camp, saying that tigers can destroy oceans." "It's so bold! He's not too shy!" Li Shan said bitterly. "Taboo?" Li Lianying said in confusion, but he soon came to his senses, "Isn't Lafayette a sheep?" "Hmm!" Tateyama replied with a heavy nasal voice. "If someone wakes up Lafayette and Lafayette loses his temper, I don't want to be troublesome if it doesn't frighten him." Li Lianying said. "After all, it's Lafayette! Even the status of the sixth master dare not show off. Lafayette has been a hero for half his life. I admire everything else, but I think she did two things wrong." "Which two pieces?" "You know it even if I don't tell you." "You mean the incident on the fifth night of December in the 13th year of Tongzhi and the incident on December 20 last year?" This refers to the two incidents of the current emperor, Emperor Guangxu, and last year's elder brother Celi.Tateyama nodded. "Fourth Master, as long as we are worthy of Lafayette, we might as well look away from other things." Li Lianying changed the subject. Li Shan pondered over the meaning of Li Lianying's words carefully, and it was nothing more than to make him tolerate Brother Duan Wang.This is of course a good word, but it doesn't sound comfortable to Li Shan, but Li Lianying's meaning is good.Therefore, Li Shan was silent for a while and said: "I'm going to wrong myself for saying that to you." Li Lianying nodded happily, and the two chatted endlessly for a while, and suddenly they started talking about the Boxer Rebellion, which was raging at the moment. "Fourth Master, have you heard of the Boxers?" It was Li Lianying who spoke first. "I've heard of it, I've heard of it, I've heard that those people claim that they are gods and men, they can be possessed by immortals, and they are invulnerable to swords and guns. I don't know if it is true, but I have never seen it with my own eyes anyway." Li Shan replied carelessly. "Fourth Lord, I have seen the Boxers before, when I came back from home." "Oh!" Li Shan stretched his head eagerly, and leaned down on the cigarette couch, "how about those people?" Li Lianying narrated the clothes of the boxers and what she saw with her own eyes. She narrated for half an hour, and Li Shan was amazed. "It seems that the Boxers are really that powerful. It would be great if they could use their skills to drive foreigners away. But, my lord, I still have a kind of concern. I think these people are too mysterious. Why did these people escape from Shandong? Now that we have arrived in Zhili, if they really have the magic to make them invulnerable, why are they still afraid of the swords and guns of the officers and soldiers?" "I've heard people say that it's just that they don't want to fight with the government and the army, they only fight foreigners and dude." Li Shan still expressed his incomprehension, "Then do you think it is possible to use the Boxers?" "这还得看他们如何发展，如果他们能越来越壮大，到时候也不妨可以利用利用。" "可是，拿这去打洋人能有把握吗？" 这李莲英不敢回答，自从他那次见到义和团后，心中便觉得义和团真是天兵天将。不过他回来后并没有给老佛爷汇报，他在静观时局。后来他不断得到消息说义和团正在蔓延，现在各地均建起了义和团，端王这时候也在老佛爷面前鼓吹民心可用。李莲英清楚这不过是端王在为自己捞资本，不过他没有在慈禧太后面前说义和团行也没有说义和团不行，他在静观形势，因为李莲英清楚这是一件大事，是在押赌。所以他静观形势直到今天。现在也才跟立山谈起义和团的情况。 "四爷，只有看形势了，我不敢说有把握，也不敢说没有把握。"两人就这样谈，一直谈到天黑，听差来问李莲英在那儿开饭？李莲英先不答他的话，只是问："今儿有什么看得上眼的东西拿出来请立四爷？" "蒸了一条鹿尾。" 鹿尾是八珍之一，贵重在猩唇、驼峰、熊掌之上，不过这种东西虽贵重却不实在。李莲英听了摇了摇头。 "这不胡闹！那种有名无实的东西，只能唬弄老憨，要端出来不怕立四爷笑我们寒碜吗？还有别的什么？" "还有个火锅。"听差面色严肃地说。 "有些什么东西？" "关外捎来的野味，样数还不少。" "那还可以。"李莲英望着立山问道："我也懒得动了，你看应在这儿吃，怎么样？" "哪儿都好。" 听差听完悄声退出，不一会儿又返身入内，打起门帘，跟进来两个人。这两个人抬着一张桌面，往大理石方桌上一套，现成的两副杯筷，六碟小菜。 桌面上引立山动神的是桌面上所用的五彩瓷器，立山入眼一看，便知此瓷器是康熙时的东西，这在如今是很难见的了。另外，六碟小菜亦别有讲究：宜威火腿，西安腊羊肉，锦州酱菜，都是市面上所没有的东西。本地出产的只有一碟小黄瓜，这种小黄瓜不是这个季节的东西，自然非常昂贵，一条就值一两银子。 "你来什么酒？"李莲英问道。 "还是南酒吧！" Southern wine is Shaoxing wine.虽然李莲英不常沾酒，但在他家中却设有酒窖，存有各种好酒。他命仆人给立山开了一个花雕。大概有十来年了，这个花雕总共十来斤，意思是说，酒不喝完你立山可别想走。 "菜不多，四爷你留着慢慢喝，留着待会儿吃火锅。"李莲英向立山招呼道。 等火锅端上来，听差报明了内容。立山听了知道这些都是难得之物，连王府有的都很难吃上。火锅有满腹皆黄的"子蟹"熬的汤，有关外来的"冰鸡"，就是野鸡，但是不是极肥的不能作贡品，因而贡上来的"冰鸡"却是很少。此外还有辽河的白鱼，宝坻的银鱼，以及来自东南的海味，总只有十五六样之多。 一气报下来，直听得立山羡慕不已，他自己不觉叹了口气。 "饮食上头，我也算是讲究的了！谁知道竟不能比！哎！" 立山做出羡慕的样子道。 "那也是四爷。"听完答道，"要是换上别的客人，总管大人可用不着这么讲究，货卖识家。" 这一句捧得立山很是高兴，他"咕咚，咕咚"干了几口酒，抹了抹嘴说了些感激的话。有了酒，立山谈锋甚健，李家主仆都是非常高兴。吃完饭已经快九点了，立山清楚李莲英有早睡的习惯，便知趣地说，当然是摸着肚子，还打着酒嗝，"不行了，我得走了。" "怎么着？就吃这么一点就喊肚子不舒服啦？"李莲英关切地问。 "哪能那么不争气。"立山笑着道："吃一顿好的就闹肚子。 我是想赶快回家，灌普洱茶去。 "普洱茶消食，意思是他吃得太饱了。李莲英看着站在一旁的听差道："去看看，还有没有冰鸡、白鱼，给立四爷捎点儿回去！ " 听差听命而去，一会儿捎了一些冰鸡、白鱼过来。立山很是高兴，虽然礼物轻但情意却相当重，而且是总管大人给的，你说他能不高兴吗？立山有个特点，他高兴之时，便是他花钱的时候。他顺手从衣袋里抽出几张一百两的银票分别给了身边的听差和小厮，听差和小厮高兴不已。 立山觉得他今天晚上解了多日来的郁闷。大年三十挨了一顿打。正月初九又有端王发话让他小心些，因而弄得立山很是提心吊胆。他是清楚端王的，毕竟他是慈禧的侄儿，又是大阿哥的爸爸，他在慈禧太后面前要说他立山的坏话简直易如反掌，而他立山却没有任何办法。不想今儿晚上李莲英邀他小酌，证明凡是有什么事他李莲英会替他立山维护的，只要你以后少招惹些端王兄弟就行了。有了李莲英这个靠山，压抑的心情自然轻松愉快了，别的立山就不用考虑了，只要按照李莲英说的看着形势照章办事就行了。