Chapter 18 Chapter 18 From Nobility to Empress Dowager: 26-year-old Cixi Takes Control of the Qing Dynasty
Through the previous narration, we have learned that there were two important parties in the Qing court-the queen party and the imperial party.They are respectively the interest group with Cixi as the core and the interest group with Guangxu as the core.To understand these two groups, what we need is to understand these two core figures.
Before the war broke out in 1894, it was already the fifth year that the young Emperor Guangxu had "been in power". However, the highest power in the Qing Dynasty was still in the hands of the Empress Dowager Cixi.
In order to obtain and control the highest power, this power-hungry woman spent a long time, experienced cruel training, and paid a high price.
Empress Dowager Cixi, whose surname is Yehenala, did not have an ID card at that time, so her name is unknown.In Manchu, Yehe means "the riverside", and Nala means "the sun", "the sun by the river", which is a very beautiful artistic conception. Later, Yehenara became the "sun" of the Qing Dynasty. According to this statement, the Qing Dynasty is a river, and the green mountains cannot cover it, after all, it flows eastward.
As we said earlier, the emperor of the Qing Dynasty could only marry the daughters of banner families. In order to ensure the quality of marriage, auditions were required—drafts.Moreover, it is a one-way draft, and Banner Girls can only be selected, and have no right to choose. In 1852, the 17-year-old Yehenara was drafted into the palace and named "Lan Guiren", so she also had a nickname - Lan Er.Along with her, there were three other nobles - Ligui, Wangui, Yigui, and four "Changzai" - Rong Changzai, Xin Changzai, Ming Changzai and Mei Changzai.Thank you for the popularity of TV series such as "The Harem? The Legend of Zhen Huan". Everyone must know that in the Qing Dynasty, the emperor's women were divided into eight levels, namely: empress, imperial concubine, imperial concubine, concubine, concubine, nobleman, often in and promise.
Where there are many levels, there will be fights, and where there are many women, there will be jealousy. This is the law of history and life, and it does not depend on human will.The emperor has so many women, if you want to not be squeezed out and gain a firm foothold, you must fight. This is the law of the harem, and it does not change with different dynasties.
In order to survive the brutal harem struggle, one must either have outstanding looks, or have poetry in his stomach, or have a strong background.
As far as the fighting conditions are concerned, for Lan'er who just entered the palace, she seems to have no hope. She has no backing, limited poetry and books in her belly, and her appearance is not particularly outstanding.However, the situation is pressing. You don't have to make a fuss, but others will definitely come to harass you. In order to survive and survive with a little dignity, she must work hard in the dark palace.
The day of entering the palace was sunny, but the 17-year-old Laner was gloomy.She understands that everything can only depend on herself.
She was placed in the Changchun Palace in the Forbidden City, and above the main hall hung the four big characters of Emperor Qianlong's Royal Brush—Jing Xiu Nei Ze.This is to warn the concubines in the harem to abide by the family law of their ancestors and be cautious in their words and deeds, but Lan'er does not intend to always do this.
She knows what she has to do.
It can be seen from the ranking table that the nobleman is only ranked sixth, belonging to the low-end camp.So even though he is called a nobleman, he is definitely not qualified to be smug. Not only is there only one nobleman like a queen, but he only has a famous name. In fact, he rarely even has the chance to meet the emperor. In a steamed stuffed bun shop, the waiter will shout "Welcome VIPs", and then you find that the room is full of VIPs.
Laner determined his first goal - to upgrade.She wants to become the most powerful and powerful woman in this harem, and become the head of the harem.
And there is only one person who can make her upgrade—her husband.His name is Emperor Xianfeng.This is a lustful and passionate person, surrounded by clouds of beauties, with inexhaustible resources.To get Xianfeng's attention, he can only try his best to make himself more beautiful and sexy.There is no way, beauty is always the first pass for a woman to enter a man's world.
How can a woman become more beautiful?The standard answer is: to do plastic surgery and beauty.At that time, the conditions for plastic surgery were not available, and the only thing left was cosmetic surgery.Laner thought so too.
Since then, she works and rests on time every day, eats meals regularly, and keeps in good shape.Don't think it's easy, it's actually very difficult.The conditions in the palace are superior, and I fell in love with eating and sleeping accidentally, and it is difficult for people without self-control to persevere.Then, from the eunuch and the maid, she learned that insisting on drinking something called "Zhuxianglu" every day can gradually make the jade body fragrant and turn herself into a big bottle of perfume, so this thing became her daily fragrance. The daily essential drink is basically drunk as water.Before going to bed at night, one of the essential tasks is to apply egg white to the face. After a long time, the skin will not only become fair, but also elastic, which can quickly lock in moisture.
But only good skin on the face is not enough, so she spent a lot of money to get a maid to pick a special beauty product from outside the palace-human milk.Of course, this is not for eating, but for bathing.
In order to do these beauty treatments, she spent all her money, not even a tael of silver left. She was very distressed, but she knew that if she was reluctant to do beauty treatments, she would not be able to catch a pervert.
Things really happened as she expected, the unremitting beauty has brought results, the original Laner has shed the youthfulness of a little girl, has become glamorous, and has become a freshly baked sexy girl in the harem.After the beauty treatment is effective, the next step is how to become sexy, and to create opportunities to show sexy in front of Xianfeng, so this scene appeared in the palace:
In summer, Lan Er wore very little clothes, held a book in her hand, and leaned over the table to read, showing off her curvy figure perfectly. When Wen Zong (Emperor Xianfeng) came over, he couldn't hold back his inner excitement when he saw such a beautiful scene , "Lucky to see it" ("Chongling Chuanxinlu").
During that time, Lan'er was desperately doing beauty treatments and making her sexy, and the number of "Wen Zongxingzhi" became more and more, but soon, this happy situation changed again.
Because other concubines are doing the same, and everyone is trying their best to attract this man.Therefore, for Lan'er, who was no longer fresh, Wenzong "fortunately" turned into running away again.
For the first time, Lan'er, who had returned to silence, was discouraged for the first time. At first, she thought that with Xianfeng's love, she would soon be able to achieve the goal of upgrading, but now she understands a truth. There are only so many upgrade indicators, and everyone is rushing to achieve The only way to do this is to cruelly step on people to get to the top.
She began to examine her opponent calmly.
There are two who pose a direct threat.Lady Li, as the name suggests, is a beautiful woman. Since entering the palace, half of the soul of Emperor Xianfeng has been taken away by her; A scheming beauty with a personality who knows how to please men, and more importantly, how to please men in bed. Since entering the palace, Xianfeng has been in her gentle hometown (as evidenced by the files of the respect room), It was after a happy event that she succeeded in making Xianfeng promote her to a nobleman.
She decided to take the weakest Mei noble first.
After the initial stimulation, Xianfeng has already begun to show his boredom with Meigui.Because she is too jealous, she only allows Xianfeng to "lucky" her, but not others, which is a big taboo of the emperor.All of this was seen by the careful Laner.So, at a suitable opportunity after having sex with Xianfeng, taking advantage of Xianfeng's good mood, the poor Lan'er complained to Xianfeng, saying that Mrs. Mei had poisoned her snacks.She cried tears, and the performance was realistic, and several court ladies and eunuchs (who were bribed) testified that Xianfeng was furious and demoted Meigui to a court lady, and there was basically no chance to see the emperor from now on.
But before Lan'er could be happy, Xianfeng, who had some reactions after a few days, showed tenderness in front of the crying Meihu girl again, and let her regain her usual name, and doted on her even more.
I wanted to play the emperor, but I didn't expect to be played by the emperor.This shot made Lan'er feel like a complete failure, and she was disheartened for a long time.However, she quickly cheered up.Because she understands that she has no way out, even if she just wants to live a peaceful life now, the other concubines will never let her go.Harem Power Fight is a record that cannot be reversed. You can only listen to the next scene forever. Once you step out of the raised foot, there is no chance to take it back.
Yes, every smile on her face in this palace has to be won by herself.Not only does she have to defeat those concubines, but she also has to guard against those vigilant guards, take advantage of those cunning eunuchs and suspicious court ladies, this is her real life.The cold reality will not give people too much time to feel sorry for themselves or regret, only to clean up and keep fighting!
She took the initiative to show weakness to Mei Changzai and came to the door with a box to apologize, showing that it was a misunderstanding that she had listened to the slander.Mei Changzai, who was also scheming, also reconciled with her on the surface, and the two lived in peace for the time being.
Lan'er has already targeted Ligui.
It is even more difficult to deal with Ligui.Not only is Ligui beautiful, but she is also a smart and virtuous woman. Xianfeng dotes on her too much and treats her as a treasure. No matter what complaints or tricks are tried, she has no choice but to bear it for the time being. She is waiting for the opportunity.
This chance is that Ligui is pregnant.Ligui, who was pregnant, naturally couldn't let Xianfeng "lucky", but Lan'er aimed at this opportunity, and she knew that she could take advantage of it.
During Ligui's pregnancy, Lan'er tried every means to please Xianfeng.Her goal was finally realized. In 1854, two years after entering the palace, Lan Er was promoted successfully, and was named a concubine by the Jin Dynasty with the title of "Yi".
Concubine Yi is very grateful to Xianfeng. Although it has been a long wait for two years, although she has only been promoted to a higher level, her first goal has been achieved after all.She is still trying her best to please Xianfeng, but gradually, Concubine Yi's attitude towards Xianfeng has changed.
She fell in love with this man.
In the eyes of others, including the ministers, her husband is a person with little ability. Apart from being lustful, he really has no other specialties. The ministers all discuss in private, thinking that he is the most incompetent emperor since the founding of the country. , Nicknamed "Four No Emperors" - no vision, no courage, no means, no action.
However, regardless of these things, Yipin only knows that the man in front of her is someone who can help her realize her dream, and her dream can only be pinned on this man, only this man can really let her get everything she wants.
The lustful and incompetent Emperor Xianfeng was the only man she ever loved in her life.
From being pleasing at the beginning to giving true love now, her attitude towards Xianfeng has quietly changed.And giving her true love brought her new opportunities.
In the harem of intrigue, talking about true love is relatively extravagant, but once it does appear, its power is enormous.This is incomparable to any tactics or thoughts.Concubine Yi, who gave her true love, was happy in front of her husband, and it was this heartfelt happiness that deeply infected Xianfeng.Xianfeng was worrying about state affairs, and he needed this kind of real happiness. As a result, the relationship between the two became deeper and deeper, and sometimes even reached the point of mutual understanding, knowing what the other wanted with every gesture.
And after being emotionally involved, Yipin finally understands that beauty and sexiness are important, but by no means the most important.The matter of Israel is only for a moment.As a woman next to a man, what you need to do is grab the key that opens a man's heart. Only a smart and mature woman can make a man addicted and hold a man's heart for a long time.
At this stage, Concubine Yi has undergone great changes, and she began to intentionally imitate a person.This person is Xianfeng's old love, Concubine Yun. She was Xianfeng's concubine when she was the prince, she was beautiful and dignified, and accompanied Xianfeng all the way from prince to emperor. Peaceful and elegant, this is exactly what the concubine Yi does not possess.She wants to use Yunbin's temperament and her younger figure to successfully replace Yunbin's position.
Therefore, Concubine Yi began to use her spare time to read, paint, and practice calligraphy. In today's words, it is to "improve her overall quality", instead of just thinking about how to seduce Xianfeng all the time.At the same time, she did not relax her vigilance, once again took out all her money, bought the maids and eunuchs in the harem, and monitored the movement of other concubines and the emperor's every move in the harem.
This transformation is extremely obvious. She is no longer a vase-like girl, but a "light mature woman" with temperament and means.During this period, she lost a lot of scheming, but more sincere love. This was probably the only happy and sweet time in her life as a woman.Many years later, whenever she chatted with the eunuchs, she would say: "After I entered the palace, the first emperor loved me very much, and he hardly looked at other people..." It was this period of time that she was talking about.
And true love is also a bridge, setting up the transition from pleasing the husband to bringing happiness to the husband and finally to controlling the husband.
Because this is not a simple woman.
She discovered a fatal weakness in Xianfeng: hating state affairs, that is, hating going to work.And as the emperor, he had to exert himself to deal with the affairs of state. After all, a lot of troublesome things were waiting for him to deal with and wait for his final ruling.In the Ming Dynasty and previous dynasties, the emperor pushed these matters to the eunuchs, but the Qing Dynasty had extremely strict precautions against the eunuchs, and all the work could only be done by the emperor alone, so every generation of emperors was incomparable. Diligent (forced), I have to get up before dawn every day, and I can’t go to bed at eleven or twelve in the evening. From the beginning of the year to the end of the year, it is normal to work more than ten hours a day, so that it is said that I am tired. The dead emperor (Yongzheng).
Concubine Yi knew that she could help Xianfeng, become his only helper, and become his irreplaceable woman.
Because she has such conditions.
Since she had learned cultural knowledge under the guidance of a tutor when she was young, Concubine Yi is the only concubine in the harem who can speak and write both Manchu and Chinese, although her education level has remained at the third grade of elementary school. For example, "things happen for a reason" can be written as "there is a reason", and "reliance" can be written as "yizhang", but this does not prevent her from helping to deal with the government affairs.
This is because the process of handling government affairs is not particularly complicated, and does not even require a high level of education.Take the review of memorials as an example, all the memorials will be classified according to categories, and suggestions for handling will be provided. Generally, it is only necessary to approve a simple sentence and make a final decision.For example, "know", "ruyi", "replay" and so on, even these words don't need to be written. If you press your nails on the memorial, the eunuch will fill in the words according to the depth of the fingerprints, as long as you have good nails.
However, although handling government affairs does not require a high level of education, it requires extremely high political talent. The core is the ability to judge things, extraordinary insight into people, and vicious methods of employing people. There are many nonsense in the memorial. The essence and the core, understanding what the person who submitted the book really wants to say, judging right from wrong, commending what should be commended, and what should be punished. Only those who can do this kind of work are good emperors.
Concubine Yi is gifted in this area, because she is good at observation, good at thinking, and has strong self-control ability.
When the other concubines were still fighting for jealousy or trying to find ways to beautify themselves, she had judged the situation and participated in Xianfeng's work without leaving a trace.At first Xianfeng called her, just to understand the loneliness and boredom when dealing with government affairs, to flirt occasionally when writing comments, and to "see and be lucky" when the mood comes, but in Yibi's view, this is exactly what she learned great opportunity.She has secretly learned how to use the emperor's tone and angle to criticize papers and deal with disputes between ministers, all of which are buried in her heart without showing it.
Because she knew that all the emperors were very vigilant about harem meddling in politics, and she could not arouse Xianfeng's suspicion, so although she secretly became a master in dealing with government affairs, she never took the initiative to express her views in front of Xianfeng until There is an opportunity.
Once Xianfeng received a report that the Eight Banners and the Green Battalion were defeated by the Taiping Army.At this time, Concubine Yi came to him, and silently helped him grind ink, tidy up and tidy up the table, Xianfeng saw her, so he casually asked her opinion.
Since it was the emperor who asked about herself, she could speak up with confidence and boldly, of course, she had to act as if she had suddenly realized that she was inspired by the emperor.Concubine Yi said that now there is a person available. A person like Zeng Guofan can organize a powerful Hunan army in a short period of time, which shows that this person is extraordinary and can defeat the Taiping Army. Unfortunately, he is a Han. Because of his concerns, he dared not let Zeng Guofan go.But the current number one enemy of the imperial court is Hong Xiuquan, and Zeng Guofan is only a possible confidant in the future. "Knowing that they are not companions, they are in a hurry and accompany them." The court should temporarily abandon the traditional concept of Manchu and Han differences and guard against Han people, and decisively use Zeng Guofan, so that he can wholeheartedly use the Hunan Army to deal with the Taiping Army, and let the court escape first. In the present catastrophe, if something changes in the future, it will not be too late to wipe out Zeng Guofan's wings.
When Xianfeng heard this, he immediately understood and adopted this suggestion, and the result also satisfied him. Zeng Guofan's Hunan Army reversed the situation in the south, and Xianfeng greatly praised Concubine Yi for this.
But after that, Concubine Yi returned to normal.When Xianfeng was dealing with government affairs, she just helped him grind ink and served him tea. Xianfeng didn't take the initiative to ask her her opinion on government affairs, and she never said a word.Xianfeng had some concerns about her at first, but now seeing her like this, his concerns have been dispelled.In fact, once a suspicious person dispels his worries and builds trust in someone, it is very difficult for him to give up this trust. Xianfeng is such a person.After establishing trust in Concubine Yi, he had already forgotten the story of Wu Zetian, and he knew that he had found a good helper, and it was time to feel more at ease.
Xianfeng took the initiative to pick out some simple memorials and asked Concubine Yi to approve them on his behalf. At first, he was still pointing and flirting beside him, but later he didn't even give pointers at all, and closed his eyes to rest.Later, he simply slipped away.
Xianfeng went to another place - the Old Summer Palace.Because Xianfeng, who has become comfortable, hopes to live a more comfortable life, so that he can carry out his old business - picking up girls more conveniently here.Picking up girls in the palace, although there are many resources, after all, the environment is small, and the model is fixed and the process is strict, it is nothing more than a flop.It is different when you come to Yuanmingyuan. Holding hands, dating and having sex in the garden is very interesting.What's more, here you can meet girls that you can't get in the palace.The eunuchs sent in all kinds of beautiful women secretly collected from the people.The types include widow, mature woman, lady, good family, loli, and the styles include riding and shooting in Hufu, dragon and tiger, upside-down golden hook, ice and fire. In a word: this place is a fairyland on earth, you can enjoy it without thinking about the Forbidden City.
In the palace, Concubine Yi was diligently reviewing the memorials every day.Without Xianfeng's "guidance" on the side, she had to make her own decisions.
In this way, the supreme power of the imperial court slowly began to slip into the hands of a woman.
Concubine Yi is no longer what it used to be. Since she replaced the emperor in handling government affairs, not only is her position in the harem no longer unshakable, even Xianfeng has to be afraid of her.However, although her status has improved, she still hasn't continued to upgrade. This is due to an overwhelming hard indicator in the harem.
That is to conceive and give birth to a child, to be precise, to give birth to a son.In the harem, a child with a mother is not necessarily a treasure, but a mother with a child must be a treasure. The incense of the royal family must continue, the throne must be passed on, and the mother is more expensive than the child. This is the rule for thousands of years.
In fact, Concubine Yi has been launching a charge for the birth of a son, but the results are far from ideal, and her stomach has not even grown bigger after being in the palace for several years.
According to the records of the Qing Palace, Concubine Yi has no other physical problems, sleeps very well, eats delicious food, and goes up to the fifth floor in one breath.The only problem is that menstruation is irregular. Whenever I have a menstrual period, I will have "lumbar abdominal distension and pain, chest fullness and nausea".The imperial physician diagnosed that it was precisely because of this that the pregnancy was affected, and Concubine Yi was deeply troubled and worried about it.
It's just that worrying is useless, you must actively find a way to solve it.She used money to open up relationships, and invited the best imperial physician to treat herself.An expert is an expert, and the imperial physicians not only treated her, but also specially developed "Yipin Tiaojing Pill" for her, and the prescription of this pill is still handed down.
Although the traditional Chinese medicine pills are not very delicious, Yipin believes in the doctor, let alone the doctor who gave the red envelope. She frowned and insisted on taking it for a year, and followed the doctor's advice. After conflicting snacks and snacks, good news finally came: Concubine Yi is pregnant.
I, Yehenala, have this day too!
Concubine Yi only told Xianfeng the good news in private, and told him: Judging from the imperial physician's diagnosis and various signs, it is possible that the pregnancy is a boy!Then, she begged the emperor to keep her a secret, so that she could wait for the birth with peace of mind until the day when she couldn't hide it.
Xianfeng also understood the fact that the harem was mutilated until the emperor had no successors, so he agreed to Concubine Yi and helped her keep this secret, and secretly summoned the imperial doctor to protect Concubine Yi, let alone Concubine Yi herself , be extremely careful not to give any other concubines a chance to get close to him.
After more than three months, my stomach was swollen, and I couldn't hide it, so Xianfeng announced the news.For a woman who is already pregnant, everyone relaxes their vigilance, at least they feel that they don’t have the energy to deal with her anymore, but the fact is on the contrary, the astute Concubine Yi is no longer the sensitive but somewhat kind Lan Er, she is very sober I clearly realized that this is the time to eliminate those opponents and potential opponents, and settle the new and old scores together.
Because she knew that Xianfeng didn't have a son yet, and the outside world began to gossip about his physical problems, which put him under a lot of pressure, and she might bring Xianfeng his first son.Before the child was born, no matter what she did, as long as she didn't set the palace on fire, Xianfeng would forgive her.
Concubine Yi's first target turned out to be Concubine Yun.
As mentioned earlier, Concubine Yun is Xianfeng's concubine.Like other women in Xianfeng, she also followed Xianfeng when she was a teenager, but unlike other women, Xianfeng was only a teenager when she followed Xianfeng.There is a saying that men should always cherish those women who followed you when you were in your teens or twenties, because at that time you were still a blank slate and had nothing. Such women have suffered a lot with you, even if you don’t Suffering from physical suffering is also inevitable from mental suffering.
Yunbin is the woman who has such meaning to Xianfeng. When Xianfeng was the prince, he was not the most powerful contender for the throne, but Yunbin accompanied him to finally defeat his opponent and successfully succeed to the throne. During that period, he worked hard and pretended to be B In those days, her company was deeply meaningful and unforgettable.
Even after Xianfeng succeeded to the throne and had many new lovers, his affection for Concubine Yun did not diminish at all, but Concubine Yi dared to attack Concubine Yun.
How did she do it?
An old method that has been passed down for thousands of years and tried a hundred times - framing.Concubine Yi knew that Xianfeng desperately wanted to have a son, and Concubine Yun had never been pregnant, so Concubine Yi seized these two points and successfully framed her.
She complained to Xianfeng, saying that Yunpin was jealous of her pregnancy, jealous that she might give birth to a dragon son for the emperor, and tried to use witchcraft to abort her. This woman is really terrible, and she begged the emperor to decide.
Xianfeng's first reaction was disbelief, and it's not that he didn't understand Yibi.
But Concubine Yi came prepared.She needed witnesses, and at this time she was no longer at the initial stage of buying eunuchs and maids, she directly bought another concubine to testify for her.
This is her former opponent, Mrs. Mei.Meigui was almost killed by her, and later she became a nobleman again, and there was a feud between her and Concubine Yi, which Xianfeng also knew, and now that she came out to testify for Concubine Yi, Xianfeng was furious again (he was impulsive) Type player), Yun Bin was thrown into the limbo.
Concubine Yun couldn't understand this injustice. Concubine Yun couldn't figure it out. Concubine Yi framed her, but it was justifiable, but her husband, who had always loved her so much, treated her so heartlessly. suicide.
What a pity, what a pity.Li Ao once said that there is no best way to deal with the enemy. The best way is to live longer than the enemy, so that you can sing karaoke to his portrait.It's a pity that Concubine Yun doesn't understand this truth, forbearance is not in her life dictionary, if Concubine Yun can bear the humiliation, after Xianfeng reacts, she will definitely return her innocence.In fact, Xianfeng regretted it within a few days, but at this time Concubine Yun had already hanged herself, and everything was irreversible.
A man's mind is stretched by injustice, in this palace, you have to treat yourself as a man; in this palace, no matter how much your man loves you, the last thing you can rely on is yourself.
Concubine Yi with a big belly has won the flag, and her next target is Concubine Li.
Concubine Li is the former nobleman Li, who was promoted to concubine because she was pregnant and gave birth to a princess, and her rank was one level higher than that of concubine Yi.Concubine Yi's method of dealing with her is very simple, that is, to instigate nobleman Mei to buy off Concubine Li's personal maid, and secretly put poison in Concubine Li's skin care products. Proud of her beauty, Concubine Li suddenly became confused, entangled Xianfeng, lost her temper, and said that concubine Yi must have done it, and asked Xianfeng to give her an explanation and severely punish concubine Yi.
Xianfeng originally knew that Concubine Li had been murdered by others, and also suspected Concubine Yi, but no matter what he said, Concubine Li was always relentless and demanded that Concubine Yi be punished immediately.Xianfeng is finally on fire, I just want to keep this possible first son, who can give me an explanation.
Xianfeng originally wanted to deal with this matter, but Li Fei's disturbance made him feel unable to face her. He never wanted to see Li Concubine again, so he never went to her palace and let her fend for herself.
After being pregnant and dragging the two concubines off the horse, Concubine Yi finally gave birth to a child, and as she expected, it was a son (good luck). She was granted the title of noble concubine and named Yi noble concubine.
Concubine Yi's upgrade work is basically completed, and she has reached the highest level of the top three range - imperial concubine.In front is the imperial concubine. According to her performance, it will not be difficult to become an imperial concubine in a year or two.After the upgrading work has basically come to an end, the focus of the next stage of work is to prevent other women from giving birth to sons for the emperor.
The number one target of defense is none other than the Empress Niu Gulu.The harem mother is expensive according to the son, and the son is also distinguished by the mother. The son born to the queen is very special because he is a "legal son". As long as he is not too mentally handicapped, he is the most popular candidate for the prince. In order to ensure that his son can inherit the throne , I can become the empress dowager, but Concubine Yi must make the empress unable to have children.
There are several ways, the first way is to find a way for the emperor to abolish the queen.But this is more difficult. The status of the empress is very important. Abandoning the empress means getting the emperor to divorce. The emperor is a role model for the subjects of the world. Even if he leaves, everyone will not believe in love. Pay attention to the impact.Therefore, the court rule is that if the emperor wants to abolish the queen, he must not only have the reason to "have to be abolished" to tell the world, but also pray to the ancestors, that is to say, not only must pass the test of people, but also pass the test. Ghost this level.It is for this reason that generally as long as the queen does not rebel or rebel or anything, the emperor will try his best to maintain this marriage.
Since it is impossible to abolish the empress, the only way is to find a way to reduce Xianfeng's chances of being with the queen.With fewer opportunities to be together, there are also fewer chances of pregnancy, not to mention that Xianfeng can't particularly make women pregnant, unlike his predecessor Kangxi, who often made a concubine's belly bigger.As long as the chances of the emperor favoring the queen are reduced, it will be difficult for the queen to conceive.
It seems that this method is very good.Concubine Yi began to implement it without a trace. Her method was to make the emperor despise the queen from the bottom of his heart.The emperor and queen were originally a political marriage, and Xianfeng respected the queen more than love.But Niu Gulu has been unable to break through the shackles of "mother's world". Although he is two years younger than Concubine Yi, he has always behaved in front of the emperor, abided by etiquette, and wrapped himself tightly all year round. He blushes to hide when he hears pornographic jokes. The delicate beauty and all kinds of charm of a woman cannot be seen in her.Xianfeng naturally respected her very much, but such a woman was obviously not his type.Concubine Yi seized this key point and "praise" the queen's seriousness, unsmiling and abiding by etiquette everywhere, and successfully portrayed the queen as a boring, boring and dull woman, with the wind blowing in her ears and the wind blowing beside her pillow. , Xianfeng didn't have much interest in the queen anymore.
The queen has never been pregnant, Concubine Yi let out a sigh of relief, but at this moment, a sad news came.
Because Meigui gave birth to a son.
Lady Mei has always been a very scheming woman, and she is no worse than Concubine Yi in this regard.After being defeated in the first fight with Concubine Yi, she judged the situation and surrendered on the surface, but she kept accumulating her own strength secretly, tried every means to get close to Xianfeng, secretly became pregnant, and then gave birth to a son smoothly under Xianfeng's protection.Xianfeng was overjoyed, and immediately made her a concubine, and planned to further make her a concubine when the prince was one year old.
When the news came, Concubine Yi was furious, she really underestimated Lady Mei, and she took advantage of her loophole!Once her prince grows up, with nobleman Mei's scheming, he will definitely be a strong competitor for the future prince candidate.This child must not be allowed to grow up safely!
Although in the process of eradicating Concubine Li and Concubine Yun, Lady Mei contributed a lot and helped herself, but now Concubine Yi already has the means and mentality to show no mercy to the enemy, she is determined to overcome all difficulties, Block and kill God, Buddha block and kill Buddha, eradicate all obstacles on the way forward!
A vicious plan was formed in Concubine Yi's heart.
She took out all her own money and used a huge sum of money to buy Meigui's personal maid, and asked her to mix chronic poison powder in baby food. A few months later, Meigui's child died, and Xianfeng's second son finally died. Thus departed from him.
Lady Mei knew that it was Concubine Yi's murderous hand, but her crying in front of Xianfeng could not bring about any results. Xianfeng could no longer leave Concubine Yi in dealing with government affairs, so he had to turn a blind eye.What Xianfeng means is that Meigui should be calm and not restless, and there is still a chance of pregnancy in the future. Even if she is sent out of the palace next time, she will definitely let the child grow up safely.
Xianfeng's plan is perfect, but he can't understand the heartache of a woman who lost her child. Meigui has no place to appeal for her grievances, and because of her humble background, there is no one in the palace who sympathizes with her. With the grievance and resentment in her stomach, Meigui's temper became more and more violent.Xianfeng has always been a person who only wants to have fun, and thinks she is unreasonable, just like Concubine Li, he also let her fend for herself.
There is a saying that what kills a woman is not regret, but inability to figure it out.From Concubine Li to Lady Mei, this truth has been confirmed once again. They are all people who can't figure it out, and because they can't figure it out, they have killed themselves.In the harem, a reality that must be faced is: if you can't figure it out, you have to figure it out. You can't expect the emperor to make you figure it out.The emperor came back to the harem to find relaxation, and he still expects you to comfort him, not him to comfort you.
In this way, Concubine Yi successfully achieved her goal. She has become the de facto queen in the harem, and the other concubines in the palace have never been pregnant again.Concubine Yigui never gave up her defenses, and successfully made Xianfeng die.Later, Xianfeng took a slant and favored a court lady, who accidentally became pregnant. Through the intelligence network, the news reached Concubine Yi immediately. People poisoned the court lady and the fetus in her womb.
And Xianfeng's life will come to an end.
In July 1861, the 31-year-old Emperor Xianfeng died.The cause of his death is doubtful in historical materials. Some people think that he took too much aphrodisiac, and some people think that the heavy government and state affairs made him depressed and died young in his prime.In any case, the palace is about to usher in a new master.
He is the son of Concubine Yi, four-year-old Zai Chun succeeded to the throne, and his reign name is Qixiang.Before his death, Xianfeng seemed to foresee that no one would be able to suppress Concubine Yi in the future. Not only did he stipulate that eight of his closest ministers would assist the young emperor, but he also gave the Queen Niu Colu a secret decree that if Concubine Yi would If you plot something wrong, you can execute Concubine Yi to death!
而为了防备八大臣挟持年幼的皇帝，咸丰又同时给了懿贵妃和皇后复核朝政的权力：八大臣议定的事项，还必须通过皇后和懿贵妃同时盖章签发才可生效。
所以现在，皇权争斗的焦点集中在后宫和权臣之间，双方都想收回对方手里的权力，看谁下手快。
懿贵妃发挥了冷静和识人用人的特长。谁是目前的敌人，谁是可能的朋友。她首先解决了这个权斗的首要问题，同在后宫的皇后钮钴禄氏当然是联合阵线里的人，但懿贵妃的眼光并没有只局限在后宫内，她在朝中找到一个强势人物——恭亲王奕（xin）。
奕是咸丰的亲弟弟，当年的咸丰就是在击败他后继承皇位的，为了防备奕，咸丰并没有将奕排在八位顾命大臣之列，而懿贵妃清楚地知道，奕在朝中拥有很大的权势——他的身后有一个最广大的利益集团。
这个集团就是新兴的汉人官僚，按照祖制，朝廷的统治基础一直是满人官僚，对汉臣处处戒备，而奕是比较“开明”的，他的身边团结了一批新兴的汉臣。他们热衷“洋务”，力求改变，已经有实力取代保守腐败的满人官僚集团，成为朝廷新的统治基础。
懿贵妃敏锐地抓住了这一点。在后宫危急的时刻，就像当年起用曾国藩对付太平军一样，可以联合恭亲王，用“议政王”的无上头衔，换来他对后宫的支持，发动政变，一起干掉八大臣！
政变成功了，咸丰临终托孤的八位顾命大臣杀的杀，流放的流放，他们手上的权力完全被收回。小皇帝的年号由祺祥改为“同治”，皇后钮钴禄氏被尊称为“慈安太后”，懿贵妃被尊为“慈禧太后”。在小皇帝大婚亲政之前，由两宫垂帘听政，议政王奕辅佐朝政。
从现在开始，从曾经的兰儿、懿嫔、懿妃、懿贵妃一路走来，我们要叫她慈禧了。时间距离入宫已经过去了九年，这一年她26岁，相当于本科毕业后工作4年的年纪，她很年轻，但这并不妨碍她成为一个厉害的女人，一个可怕的女人。
在残酷的后宫和皇权斗争中，慈禧一次次展现了善于审时度势和善于变通的政治家素质，她的权术是厉害的，但更厉害的是她始终能够看准潮流，也就是所谓的“大势”。让自己跟着大势走，与最广大的利益集团站在一起，只是她希望站的位置不是他们的中间，而是踩在他们的头上。
如果一个女人学会了用男人的方法来解决问题，这就是个很厉害的女人。
而对于慈禧来说，她是踏着尸骨和沾满鲜血一路走来的，她的权力如此来之不易，在今后的日子里，一定会倍加珍惜，像珍爱生命一样珍爱手中的权力。她今后的人生只剩下了一件头号大事——维护权力安全。大家千万别惹毛了她，为了权力安全，她是什么事情都可以干得出来的，什么脸面都能豁得出去的。她将本能地对威胁到自己权力安全的事情抱有警惕，本能地对自己一切可能的政治对手抱有极大的戒心，不管这个人是她的恩人还是仇人、老子还是儿子。
但在维护权力安全之前，还有一个更重要的安全需要得到保障，那就是人身安全。
慈禧一开始并不知道慈安手上还有一道可以置她于死地的密旨，但她终于听到了风声。从那时候起，她就开始想办法了，等待时机，这个时机就是慈安一次生病的时候。
当慈安生病时，慈禧一刀割开手腕，拿自己的人血给慈安做药引子。当身为女人的慈禧利用了女人的弱点——易动感情时，这一招果然奏效了。一向老实仁义的慈安被感动得稀里哗啦，再回想起慈禧之前对自己的百般谦恭与关心，她终于主动取出了那道密旨，当着慈禧的面烧为灰烬。
1881年，慈安去世，享年44岁。她的死因又是一个不小的历史谜案，从种种迹象上看，慈安有可能是被慈禧毒死的，但这种说法在历史上找不到确切的证据。事实上当那道密旨变成灰之后，慈禧就用不着再顾忌慈安了，更用不着去杀她，与其说慈安是被慈禧杀死的，更不如说也是想不通被气死的。
慈安的手段跟慈禧并不在一个级别上，慈安简单地认为咸丰给她那道密旨只是为了制约野心勃勃的慈禧，却没有想到这也是丈夫给她的护身符。当她的手里失去了制约慈禧的杀着，慈禧便不再忌惮她了，很快露出了真面目，对慈安的态度180度大拐弯，飞扬跋扈，颐指气使，处处刁难，慈安又惊又怒，终于香消玉殒。
同治皇帝也没活多久，他在19岁时死去。此时他才结婚并亲政一年多，这孩子继承了他父亲好淫好色的优良传统，并且进一步发扬光大，尤其“喜好男风”，经常微服出宫逛八大胡同，终于染上重病。这个病是天花还是梅毒，或者是天花加梅毒，目前又是一个谜，大部分证据表明他得的是天花，反正他活得还没有他老爸长，皇权再一次需要转移。
这时候，慈禧真正的挑战到来了。
因为此时同治的皇后已经有身孕，很快就要临产。对于朝廷来说，新皇帝的人选可以有两种选择：一是等同治皇后产下皇子，立为新皇帝。
但这种做法其实也是存在风险，不说“国不可一日无君”，万一她生下来的是女儿，这就比较难办了。更重要的是，这种选择是慈禧最不愿意看到的，同治的儿子就是她的孙子，一旦孙子成为皇帝，她就成了奶奶，即使再实行垂帘听政的政策，也是由同治皇后也就是她的儿媳去挂帘子，不关“老奶奶”什么事。
在慈禧的压迫之下，刚烈加想不通的同治皇后带着腹中的胎儿，选择了自杀。
消除了成为“老奶奶”的威胁，慈禧仍然无法再继续垂帘听政。
因为按照祖制，同治皇帝没有后继之人，此时需要从他最亲的皇族近支中挑选一位男子来做皇帝。根据当时的情况，恭亲王奕的儿子是最理想的，奕是同治的亲叔叔，而奕的儿子已经17岁了，比起那些还在学走路的其他孩子，真可谓“国有长君，社稷之福”。但是，这种情况又是慈禧不愿意看到的。
一旦奕的儿子做了皇上，奕就成了太上皇，他们父子联手，皇家大权就要旁落他家了。
慈禧最终选择了醇亲王奕譞(xuan)的儿子，奕譞也是同治的亲叔叔，但他还有一个身份就是慈禧的妹夫——他的老婆是慈禧的亲妹妹，更重要的是，奕譞的儿子才四岁，这又方便慈禧继续控制。
为了保持可以继续以太后的身份垂帘听政的名号，慈禧将这个四岁的孩子抱进皇宫，把他过继给死去的咸丰，做咸丰的第二个儿子。就这样，慈禧又一次成为了太后，安心地坐在帘子后面，处理朝政！
当孩子的父亲奕譞听到这个安排时，他当场吓得晕了过去。放着一位17岁的候选人不选，选一位四岁的小孩子，这可是光明正大地违反祖宗之法啊。
可是，现在已经无人能够制约慈禧。“议政王”奕呢？他已经自身难保了。
在处理好新皇帝的问题后，慈禧将奕譞推向了前台，让他成为自己的政治盟友，然后一起去打压恭亲王。由于奕权势太大，慈禧采取了分步走的策略，先是找机会免去了他“议政王”的头衔，逐步瓦解他的势力，最后终于将奕和他的全班人马逐出军机处和总理衙门，让奕譞的人马取而代之。
好吧，事情发展到这一步，慈禧终于可以暂时喘口气了。奕譞是个理想的政治盟友，他没什么才干，但他有一个突出的特点——胆小软弱，在慈禧面前是唯唯诺诺，大气不敢出的。慈禧选择他，看中的不是他的实际行政才干，而是“安全”。国家在他们的手里搞成什么样子不管，只要我有我的权力安全感。
这就是慈禧，一个在权斗和平衡各利益派别上很有一套的女人，一个很会玩权谋但并没什么实际行政才能的女人，她对掌控权力和大臣们的心理游刃有余，对皇宫里的权力斗争有着浓厚的兴趣，但对国门外的世界没什么兴趣。她不了解外面的世界，也不需要了解，专制的朝廷需要的就是这样的人，封闭的专制制度从来都是政客的舞台，你只需要有那两把刷子。
而慈禧又将很快迎来对她权力安全的一个重大挑战。
因为那位四岁的小皇帝，爱新觉罗?载湉（tian），也开始慢慢地长大了。他才是名正言顺的皇帝，长大后的他，需要做一件事情：将皇帝大权从慈禧手中夺过来，实现那激动人心的——亲政。
这是一个从小就不快乐的人，一个可怜的人，四岁之前如此，四岁之后也是如此。
和聪慧机敏的姨妈慈禧不同，载湉的母亲算得上是个神经质的女人，她一生信佛，这并没有什么错。但信仰带来的仁慈只是在针对花花草草、虫鱼鸟兽上，比如夏天不许人进花园，说是怕踩死蚂蚁，而对于她周围的人，包括亲生儿子在内，是莫名其妙的虐待。
她总不给自己的孩子吃饱，似乎吃饭也是一种罪过，她一共生过五个孩子，但有三个都夭折了，而夭折的原因竟然是——营养不良，要知道这发生在锦衣玉食的王府之家。载湉是侥幸生还下来的孩子之一，经常受到母亲的毒打，打完之后就是关小黑屋。
在这样的成长环境中，幼小的载湉是个敏感、惊恐、忧郁的孩子，以至于一看见母亲的身影就精神紧张。而在平时，他很容易激动，一激动就说不出话来，结结巴巴，语无伦次，严重时还会陷入痉挛。
这些生理疾病一直保留到了成年以后。
入宫后，载湉成了太监宫女的玩具，每当他哭的时候，总管太监会把他锁进一间墙角摆个小夜壶的、阴暗潮闷的小黑屋，惊恐万分的载湉更加不要命地哭起来，踢打着紧闭的屋门，太监们笑嘻嘻地跪在门外，高喊：“万岁爷心里有火，唱一唱败火吧！”
太监们这样大胆，因为他们是“奉旨管教”。
在家里吃不饱，到了皇宫，仍然吃不饱，这是为了培养所谓的“俭德”。他被规定不能多吃。饿肚子的时候，他就跑到太监房中，第一件事就是找吃的，发现什么大饼馒头之类，拿起就跑，而太监就在后面追，被追上之后，他只有跪下，苦苦哀求，可是那些东西还是要被抢回去。在平时，一旦他某一顿吃得多了点，就会有两个太监过来抓住他的脚脖子，把他倒立过来拼命抖动，嘴里高喊：理顺万岁爷的胃！
而每天的学习任务却是十分繁重的，每天天不亮就要起床，去帝师翁同龢的房里背诵古文圣训。每当他想多睡一会儿的时候，太监们就会装神弄鬼来吓唬他，一群太监在另外一间屋子里弄出刺耳的巨响，好像雷神已经显灵，直到把他吓得哇哇大哭，乖乖地去书房。
有时他会天真地问太监：“我真的是万岁爷吗？”
太监回答：“是的，皇上，您是万岁爷，您想要什么有什么，想干什么就能干什么。”
He is confused.要什么有什么，而现实是他多要个馒头也不行啊，多睡一会儿也不行啊。
而这些并不是载湉感到最恐怖的，慈禧的出现才是他认为最恐怖的人。
在对待孩子上，慈禧跟她的妹妹并没有什么区别——古怪、暴戾、神经质。她也是一个信奉“棍棒底下出孝子”，但凡见到孩子快乐就不会快乐的人。只要见到载湉玩闹，慈禧就会像泼妇一样尖叫起来，早就等候在一旁的太监就立即开始动手。久而久之，载湉对慈禧有了一种天然的畏惧，看到她就像看到了自己严厉的母亲，甚至比母亲还恐怖。他害怕太监，而太监却害怕她，她似乎是这个深宫里所有恐怖东西的集中代表，每当她走过来时，他会禁不住浑身哆嗦。
慈禧很满意这样的状态，因为这一切正是她希望看到的。这个孩子是将来的皇帝，在她眼里，她并不需要带给他来自姨妈的关爱，而是最高权力场中上级对下级的掌控。为了达到目的，慈禧很注意从小抓起，从小事抓起，处处在载湉面前建立自己不容挑战的权威，不容许载湉对自己的意思有任何忤逆，她说的话不能有丁点反驳，如果载湉对自己有任何言语上的不敬，她就要大为光火，凶恶的太监又会恶狠狠地扑过来。
每天早晨，载湉必须前往慈禧的住处请安，不管她是住在紫禁城还是颐和园，也无论刮风下雨、雨雪冰雹，都得去。请安不是站着请，也不是跪着请，而是边磕头边请，没有慈禧的命令是不能起身的。如果碰上哪天慈禧心情不爽，或者想故意给他个下马威，那么就只有一直跪着了。
每当慈禧外出，载湉必须要放下手中一切事情，规规矩矩地跟在后面，慈禧看戏也要陪着，游个园子也要陪着，散个步也要陪着——不要问什么，这就是规矩。规矩是谁定的？慈禧定的。
时间过得很快，到1889年，载湉18岁了，他必须要结婚了。说必须是因为他不能再拖下去，在历代皇帝的结婚年龄里头，这已经算绝对的晚婚。而之所以拖到这时候，只是因为这是慈禧的意思。
按照祖制，皇帝大婚之后就应该亲政。慈禧的一切权力要归还给载湉，因为这个原因，慈禧在载湉结婚的事情上拖了几年，现在实在拖不下去了，就为他指定一个老婆吧。
即将成为皇后的这个人是慈禧的侄女——叶赫那拉?静芬。这个女人大载湉三岁，脸很长（面长如驴），有两颗突出的大龅牙，还是平胸。
我估计载湉看她一眼就不会喜欢她。别说她不是美女，就算是美女也不会喜欢的，因为这个女人无疑就是慈禧派来监视自己的。
而载湉没有想到的是，静芬也极不情愿这门婚事，她见过载湉，并不喜欢他。当她听说自己要成为皇后的时候，她找到慈禧表示了强烈的反对，可是她得到的是和载湉同样的结果：反对无效。
都是缘分啊。让我们都成为政治婚姻的牺牲品吧。
1889年2月26日，紫禁城里张灯结彩，一对互相没有好感的年轻人在这里结婚。他们正值妙龄，年龄门户，都刚刚好，但却是如身往地狱。四周吹吹打打，好不热闹，金银珠翠，什么都有，唯一缺场的，是他们的感情。
结婚的十天前，一场大火将皇宫里的太和门烧了个精光。按照祖制，皇帝大婚，皇后必须要坐轿经午门、太和门抬进内宫，结婚当日却又下起了雨，冷风飕飕，潮湿阴冷，洞房里的大红烛怎么点也点不燃。宫女太监们嘴上不说，但心里都在嘀咕这不是一个好兆头，只怕新人们的婚后生活不会幸福。
事实如此。虽然她贵为皇后，但他从来不会朝她看一眼，她也不会。
能够得到他喜欢的不是皇后，是另外一名妃子，镶红旗女子他他拉氏。她自小跟着任广州将军的伯父在广州长大，性格开朗活泼、个性张扬，有几分像男孩子。而入宫时，她才13岁，宫中突然多了一个冲来冲去的孩子，她的封号是：珍妃。
大婚之后，他就是开始亲政的皇帝了，年号光绪。噩梦一般的童年经历给光绪皇帝留下了非常差的健康状况。这是一位年轻人，但是一位脸色苍白、十分清瘦伴随着经常性口吃的年轻人。他时常感觉头痛和耳鸣，胸部闷热，肠胃消化功能不好（经常呕吐），视力和听力都出现了衰退，小便次数很频繁，但每次的量很少（尿频尿不尽），双腿无力，走路竟像小老头一般的蹒跚。
他仍然对打雷和其他巨大的声音感到恐惧（心理阴影），每当电闪雷鸣的时候，他都是无比地狂躁和惊恐，这时候他的门窗都要紧闭，让太监站在两旁，自己拼命捂着耳朵。
更严重的是，长期不规律的生活和高度紧张的精神状态使光绪皇帝出现了一个严重的生理疾病——阳痿。不仅经常在睡梦中遗精（宫廷医生记录），任何刺激、重压或者嘈杂的喧闹声，都能导致他突然遗精，“引起精液流涌如注”。从现代医学观点来看，阳痿是由于肾功能退化以及并发症所引起的。
身体状况影响了他的性格，光绪皇帝是一个既胆怯又任性的人，身体虚弱无力，性格敏感、孤僻。对于慈禧，他还是一如既往地惧怕，甚至就连在其他女人面前都是十分的胆怯和紧张！
然而他比以前更加勤奋。因为他知道自己已经是一个亲政的皇帝了，他把大量的时间用来学习，读历史典籍，学习英语。他最向往的朝代是大唐，大唐盛世以及英明君主的开疆辟土令他无比向往，他为此读了很多有关唐朝的史书，读完之后还要写下自己的感想，总结出治国的经验。
也许在那一刻，大唐盛世的雄风深深地植入了他的骨髓里。
大婚过后一个礼拜，55岁的慈禧光荣退休了，她搬到了颐和园，用她自己的话来说，“以后的工作就是在颐和园遛遛猫和狗了”，而光绪有了批阅奏折的权力。一切事情看上去都是那么顺利，已经亲政的光绪即将大权在握，像他向往的大唐君主一样，奋发有为，实现中兴之治，承前启后，继往开来。而事实并不是这样。
光绪仍然需要每隔一天就前去颐和园请安。关于请安的仪式我们前面知道了，仪式没有变，而内容却变了。现在的“请安”并不是问问您身体好不好、心情好不好、吃饭香不香之类，按照慈禧走之前定下的规矩，朝政的大事仍然需要请示慈禧，也就是“寻常事上决之，疑难者请懿旨”。
需要请示的大事，其实也只有两个方面：除了朝廷的大政方针，另外一项就是人事任免。
在多年实际掌控这个国家的过程中，慈禧提拔重用了一大批官员，这是她的权力基础，而不是光绪的权力基础。掌控人事任免大权对于慈禧来说，这是一种极佳的权力安全设计。只要朝廷里里外外基本都是她的人，她仍然可以在颐和园遥控这个国家的最高权力，过着“退而不休”的生活。
而对于光绪来说，情况就比较郁闷了。不能给大政方针定调和没有彻底的人事任免权牢牢捆住了他的手脚，这才是他真正实现亲政的最大的障碍。作为新上任的领导，作为在朝廷中还没有建立自己权力基础的领导，如果想真正亲政，就必须撤换掉一批人，建立自己的亲信和嫡系队伍，但问题来了——无人事任免权，就暂时还没办法建立嫡系，形成自己的权力基础。
光绪要做的，就是等待。无论是温水煮青蛙，还是明修栈道、暗度陈仓，这都需要时间啊。
当然，在“亲政”后，光绪毕竟已经是真正的皇上，“皇帝”这个名分是慈禧永远无法拥有的。对于朝中的一些大臣们来说，他们有事情做了，开始打内心的小九九，盘算站队问题。
大部分的大臣选择了继续团结在老太太身边，因为他们深深地了解这位老太太的手腕，明白她的野心，更知晓她的脾气。这一派人数众多，实力强大，几乎包括了朝廷所有的王公大臣和各省的总督巡抚，以及军队里的实权人物。
而另一派在深思熟虑后决定将宝押在光绪身上，这些人大部分是言官、清流、御史等等，也就是说，他们就是那些当时不是实权人物，而希望自己能够拥有实权的人。既然他们想改变现有的权力格局，在实际权力场中插一腿，那么皇帝就是他们实现政治抱负、成功上位的最佳人选。
现在，我们来解说一下帝党。帝党的阵营比较简单，简单到不需要对刚才说的进行补充——如果非要补充的话，就介绍一下代表人物翁同龢的情况。
翁同龢其实一直是慈禧的人。在光绪登基之前，他曾经支持了慈禧的数次权谋行动，由此才得到慈禧的信任，担任军机大臣、户部尚书（财政部部长）、总理衙门大臣，并成为光绪的帝师，正是这个身份的转变，加上光绪亲政，他才转向支持光绪。
虽然慈禧一直是李鸿章的坚强的靠山，但李鸿章跟这位太后老佛爷没有任何亲戚关系，一年也见不上几次面。实事求是地说，李鸿章能成为最有权势的后党代表人物，最大的原因就跟慈禧能站在紫禁城之巅一样——能做事。
朝廷毕竟是个庞大的政治机器，还是需要有人来做事的。腐败的朝廷也是需要有人来做事的。
当太平天国起义时，最会做事的人是曾国藩。曾国藩一生做的最大的事是军功，而作为曾国藩最得意的弟子，李鸿章不仅继承了曾国藩的军功衣钵，还将曾国藩的“经世致用”进一步发扬光大。
所谓“经世致用”，简单地理解就是积极做事，使国家的经济得到发展，社会变得稳定，人民感谢政府。这样的人物我们熟悉的著名代表就是诸葛亮先生，此人在管理国家和发展生产力方面可谓鞠躬尽瘁死而后已，所以后人评价“文章两司马，经济一卧龙”，就是这种实干精神。
曾国藩和李鸿章发起了清国的“洋务运动”，而所谓的“洋务运动”，其实就是结束中华民族绵延千年的农业社会传统，引进和仿照西方科技来发展近代工业。在曾、李时代，清国的工业化进入了新的阶段。铁路、蒸汽航运、矿山、电报、电力、近代邮政等原先只有西方国家才有的工业，在清国大地如雨后春笋般出现，势头很猛。
而做这些事情是要遇到很多阻力的，最大的阻力就是来自于观念上的