Chapter 37 3. Darken Chencang, Xiaozhuang established a young emperor to stabilize the government

After Shunzhi reigned for eighteen years, after the death of the regent Dorgon, Shunzhi gained the imperial power and consolidated the regime of the Qing Dynasty step by step.As the first emperor after entering the customs, Shunzhi's contribution to the Qing Dynasty is indelible, but his life as an emperor was full of ups and downs. Under the double pressure of politics and emotions, he finally couldn't bear it, so he chose a road of no return to convert to Buddhism.The death of Concubine Dong E finally broke the bottom line of Emperor Shunzhi's tolerance.At this time, the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was also facing a serious problem, and persuading Shunzhi to change her mind became her top priority.

Concubine Dong E's death was not sudden, which was expected by Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang.Since the death of Concubine Dong E's son, Concubine Dong E fell into the pain of losing her son, she was in a trance all day long, and washed her face with tears.Shunzhi was very anxious, so he gave up the government and stayed in Chengqian Palace all day, by the side of Concubine Dong E.The Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was very worried about Shunzhi's situation, and repeatedly reminded Shunzhi directly or secretly not to forget her identity.Shunzhi seemed very stubborn at this time, no matter how the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang tried to persuade him, it was of no avail.Empress Xiaozhuang understood Shunzhi's stubborn personality. After repeated persuasion to no avail, Empress Xiaozhuang had to consider a bad strategy.If Emperor Shunzhi became a monk, he had to announce the lie of Shunzhi's death.This is a last resort, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang thought.

August in the capital is supposed to be a golden harvest season, but at this time it feels pale and lifeless.On August 19th, the 17th year of Shunzhi, Concubine Dong E passed away and died of illness in Chengqian Palace, one of the East Six Palaces. She was only 22 years old.Emperor Shunzhi was immersed in the pain of losing his concubine and couldn't extricate himself.Concubine Dong E died of emaciation. Death may be a relief to her, but it is undoubtedly a painful blow to Emperor Shunzhi.Shunzhi stayed in Chengqian Palace for two days, without water or rice, without sleeping or sleeping.He didn't want to eat or sleep, leaning against the bed for a while, he would think of bits and pieces of the past in a daze, as if it was far away and close in front of him.He felt that he might be dreaming. In the dream, he held Concubine Dong E's hand and talked a lot. Her hand was very warm.As if in an instant, everything changed suddenly. Concubine Dong E fell down, and her hands became extremely cold.Shunzhi rubbed her eyes, she lay quietly on the bed.He remembered what she said, she is waiting for him in Mount Wutai now.Then he thought, Mount Wutai is a monastery, and he became a monk?

The Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was anxious, when the waiter came over, she asked, "How is it, has the Emperor eaten?" The waiter looked ugly, shook his head and said: "There is a long queue for the food to be delivered, and the emperor won't let you in, so you just stay inside alone, talking to yourself, 'I want to become a monk and convert to Buddhism' or something like that, There's nothing we can do..." The Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's hands were sweating, she wiped it with a handkerchief, and said: "Go and prepare another one, I will take it there myself."

The door was ajar, but Xiaozhuang opened it with a slight push, and Shunzhi was still sitting beside Concubine Dong E's bed, looking haggard.Xiao Zhuang sighed and said: "The dead cannot be brought back to life, so the emperor should be sad and obedient." Shunzhi shook his head and said: "The queen mother is not me, how can I understand my mood at this moment? What you said is correct, but I still can't figure it out, and I can't figure it out. Why is God so cruel to her?" Xiao Zhuang said: "This is the state of affairs in the world. Now I hope to see the emperor regain his strength and regard the death of Concubine Dong E as a kind of motivation. There are still many things waiting for the emperor to do. My Qing Dynasty cannot live without a king for a day." , The common people in the world cannot be without a king for a day. Can the emperor let go of his children's private affairs and devote his energy to serving the country and the people?"

Shunzhi smiled bleakly, and said: "Those things have become a thing of the past. Now I want to get rid of this shackles immediately and convert to Buddhism..." "Your Majesty, you are so naive. To have such a ridiculous idea for a woman, I will never agree with you to do so. Have you never thought about your identity? It's not up to you to show your temper, the emperor is not easy to do. As an emperor, he naturally has to bear a lot of pressure, I hope you can come out." "Whether I do it well or not has nothing to do with me. The queen mother can make a decision. I have made up my mind, and no one can change it." Shunzhi said in a deep voice.

When he walked out of Chengqian Palace, Xiaozhuang's footsteps were a little messy.The result she didn't want still appeared, and a serious question weighed on her heart, and she felt a little out of breath. Persuading the emperor is obviously hopeless.The emperor had several sons, and Xiaozhuang screened them like a filter.The third prince Xuanye is the most suitable candidate. Although he is only eight years old, his intelligence and intelligence are far superior to those of the imperial brothers. Xiaozhuang secretly summoned several important ministers in power in the court in Kunning Palace.After all, this is a major event related to the future of the Qing Dynasty. She cannot completely decide on her own, and it is also necessary to discuss with the important officials of the court in terms of procedure.

The Kunning Palace is the main place for shaman sacrifices in the Qing Palace. The royal family of the Qing Dynasty held large and small sacrifices every year, which was also one of the important responsibilities of the emperor and empress.Among these sacrificial offerings, some were performed by the queen, and the location was in the Kunning Palace.The Manchus are a nation that respects the gods very much, so offering sacrifices to the gods is very important to the Manchus.The Kunning Palace only opens its doors during shaman sacrifices. Now that the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang has called ministers into the Kunning Palace to discuss political figures, the ministers have also sensed that something important must have happened in the palace.

The Kunning Palace was a bit gloomy, and the four ministers, Soni, Sukesaha, Ebilong, and Aobai rushed to the Kunning Palace one after another. At this moment, they were sitting on the four sandalwood chairs under the Kunning Palace, with nervous expressions on their faces. Xiao Zhuang took a few steps towards His Highness, stood not far from them, and said in a deep voice: "I am afraid that the Qing Dynasty will suffer a disaster." The queen mother's words made all four present speechless.Sony asked, "Can the queen mother elaborate?" Xiaozhuang sighed several times, and said: "After the death of Concubine Dong E, the emperor was completely disillusioned, saying that he wanted to give up the throne and convert to Buddhism. I have tried to persuade you many times, but it was useless. I couldn't come up with anything, so I asked The four of you came to Kunning Palace to discuss."

What the Empress Dowager said was obviously perfunctory, and the four ministers sitting in His Highness knew it in their hearts.In their hearts, the Queen Mother is an unfathomable person, and her words and deeds seem to have other meanings hidden.So during the conversation, everyone followed Xiao Zhuang's wishes all the time, and did not presumptuously add their own views. "It seems that the matter is irreversible. The emperor became a monk for a concubine. If it spreads out, I am afraid that it will be out of style. So I think that the most urgent thing is to confirm the candidate to inherit the throne. When the emperor really reaches that step , so as to give an explanation to the world. Of course, this is a secret, a secret related to the rise and fall of my Qing Dynasty. I hope that the four of you will strictly keep the secret, and even the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty will not reveal it. It's too late." Xiao Zhuang said.

Ye Bilong said: "Then the most urgent task is to choose a crown prince before the emperor 'passes away', this is the most important part of the succession process." Xiao Zhuang said: "I have also considered this. I have already selected the prince to inherit the throne. He is the third prince Xuanye. He is better than other princes in every aspect. Tang Ruowang once told me that people who have smallpox will be cured. I have developed resistance to this disease. It is perfect for Xuan Ye to inherit the throne." Ye Bilong said: "Xuan Ye is really good." It seems that he has thought carefully beforehand. Suke Saha said: "Is this too sudden? Once the news of the emperor's death is announced, it is likely to cause chaos in the court. There are not a few people who are covetous in the court, and they will shoot some cold arrows if they are not on guard. Come out. What if they take this opportunity to 'make trouble'?" Xiao Zhuang's face suddenly changed, the corners of his eyes twitched a few times, and he said: "This is one of the reasons why I called you here. You are the emperor's confidant ministers in the court, and the emperor gave you great power to protect me. The peace of the Qing Dynasty. Now my Qing Dynasty is about to face a severe test, and you should understand what to do, right?" The four of them responded at the same time: "I will be loyal to the emperor and to the Qing Dynasty even if I am heartbroken. Please rest assured, the Queen Mother." The "major events" in the Qing court were carried out intensively in a state of secrecy.Shunzhi was not reconciled to the status of Concubine Dong E after her death. After burying Concubine Dong E, Shunzhi re-established Concubine Dong E as "Xiao Xian Zhuang and Zhide Xuanren Wen Hui Duan Jing Queen".This long series of titles entrusted Shunzhi's feelings for Concubine Dong E in the meaning of the words.He was still very depressed, and he was in a daze all day long, chanting the word "monk" like reciting scriptures.Xiaozhuang didn't agree, saying, calm down and think about it.In fact, Xiaozhuang had already given up on Shunzhi. The reason why she said this was that Shunzhi was still the emperor before she was ready. Bypassing the main hall of the Qianqing Palace, and walking backwards, you will arrive at the place where the princes study - Wuyizhai.Xiaozhuang remembered that he had been here a few times. At that time, Shunzhi was sitting at the front of the study. After reading for a moment, he began to clamor to come out, saying that he wanted to learn horseback riding and archery... More than ten years have passed in a blink of an eye, and everything in the past has passed. No longer exists, and there are only countless trivialities that bother her. Xuan Ye was sitting in front of the window of the study, his body was very straight, his loud voice echoed in the study, it couldn't conceal the childishness of the child.Xiao Zhuang said to the waiter standing outside the door: "Go and call the third elder brother out, just say that I am looking for him." Xuan Ye came out of the study at a trot, his face was ruddy, and a layer of sweat oozed from his forehead. "Greetings to grandma." Saying that, Xuan Ye knelt down and kowtowed to Xiao Zhuang.Xiao Zhuang helped Xuan Ye up, wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, and said, "Are you tired?" Xuan Ye shook his head vigorously, and said, "I'm not tired, Mr. gave a wonderful speech, mobilizing the study atmosphere in the study room, everyone is very serious." Xiaozhuang nodded and said with a smile: "I ask you a question, you must answer it seriously." She looked at Xuan Ye and said, "If you become the emperor in the future, how will you rule the world?" Xuanye's body was obviously a little heavy, when would a child who had just turned eight years old think about these questions, Xiao Zhuang thought to himself. Xuan Ye blinked, and said loudly: "Although I can't list a long list of ways to govern a country by citing scriptures, I know that if you want to govern a country well, you must first restrain yourself, and then restrain the officials. Govern the world, bring peace to the world, and only when the people are safe can the country be safe..." Xuan Ye said a lot in one breath. Xiaozhuang was stunned for a moment, thinking that he really did not choose the wrong person.At such a young age, Xuan Ye was able to say that governing the country must first put the people at ease, which was beyond her expectations. Concubine Dong E had passed away for more than five months. Shunzhi had approached the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang many times, saying that she had decided to become a monk in Mount Wutai, and she was about to leave from now on.Xiaozhuang told Shunzhi about his interests. She said: "The emperor insists on becoming a monk, so I have no way to persuade the emperor. But once the emperor becomes a monk, he will have nothing to do with my Qing royal family from now on. Have you ever thought it through?" Xiao Zhuang still had a glimmer of hope. "I have made up my mind, the queen mother should stop persuading me." Shunzhi changed Zhen to me, and Xiaozhuang heard it clearly, which meant that he had completely given up the throne. Xiao Zhuang said: "The emperor's monkhood cannot be announced to the world. For the sake of my Qing's reputation, I must announce the news that the emperor has died of illness and let the third prince Xuan Ye inherit the throne. Do you think it is appropriate?" Shunzhi nodded and said: "Xuanye is very smart. I had thought of making Xuanye the crown prince before. I hope that after I leave, the queen mother will help Xuanye more, and I will feel at ease." Xiao Zhuang didn't speak, and there was a burst of sadness in his heart. A few days later, Emperor Shunzhi announced to the world that Xuanye was the crown prince. On the fourth day of the first lunar month in the eighteenth year of Shunzhi, Shunzhi secretly left the capital and went to Mount Wutai to become a monk.At this time, the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang announced the news of Shunzhi's "death" from illness, which shocked the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty.It was not wrong for Sukesaha to be worried. Some people took the opportunity to make trouble, but they were all suppressed by the four ministers who helped Kangxi later.On the ninth day of the first lunar month, Xuanye, who was under eight years old, sat on the throne of the Golden Temple in the Forbidden City in filial piety. He was the future Emperor Kangxi. The Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was well-intentioned. From assisting Shunzhi to succeed to the throne, and then to assisting Kangxi to succeed to the throne, she has shown her extraordinary ability to handle affairs. This may be forced by the situation, and she is moving forward helplessly. .Shunzhi became a monk and Xuan Ye succeeded to the throne. This was a major event that caused a sensation in the government and the public, but it was covered up by the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang in a very ingenious way.Officials in the court believed that Emperor Shunzhi passed away due to illness, and Xuan Ye took the throne as a matter of course. They didn't know that the "deceased" Emperor Shunzhi had already left the capital and was reciting scriptures in Mount Wutai.The life of the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was full of legends, and her wisdom was admired by future generations.