Chapter 39 5. Changing the edict, Yongzheng won the throne

On November 13th, the sixty-first year of Kangxi, Emperor Kangxi died of illness while fasting in Changchun Garden. Kangxi died suddenly. From his illness to his death, he did not say who would inherit his throne.So some princes started to act, wanting to take advantage of this empty opportunity to win the throne.Things backfired, and before they could act, a shocking news suddenly came out.Before his death, Kangxi made a will, which specified who would inherit his throne.This edict was in charge of Kangxi's confidant minister Longkoduo, and the hearts of all the princes were suspended. All eyes were on Longkoduo, and on the edict in Longkoduo's hand.

Kangxi's death was not sudden to Yinzhen. Since Kangxi's illness, Yinzhen visited Changchun Garden many times, and at that time made friends with Kangxi's confidant minister Long Kedo.Longkodo told Yinzhen that the first emperor had already issued a will, which indicated that the heir to the throne was the fourteenth prince Yinzhen.This news surprised Yinzhen. He thought that his performance had already won the favor of Kangxi and could successfully inherit the throne, but he did not expect such an ending.But after Yinzhen learned the secret news, he didn't show panic.On the contrary, he was very calm. He thought that the fourteenth prince Yinzhen was currently fighting with the Junggar tribe in Mongolia, and he would not return to the capital after knowing the news of the late emperor's death.And the others were all kept in the dark, not knowing the result.This happened to be an excellent opportunity for me.The fourteenth prince and the fourth prince, the difference between the two is nothing more than a "ten" character, if "ten" is changed to "yu", then the will will become "be passed on to the fourth prince".Thinking of this, Yinzhen came up with an idea that he could inherit the throne in a legitimate way.

At midnight, Yinzhen went to Changchun Garden. Although Changchun Garden had already been heavily guarded, it didn't take much effort to enter as a prince.The princes should all be asleep at this moment, they would only form gangs to make trouble in broad daylight, would there be any result to that trouble?Yinzhen thought to himself. The guards of Changchun Garden are guarding with wide-eyed eyes. Longkodo once strictly ordered the guards not to let anyone into Changchun Garden, or they will lose their heads.The guard was very sleepy now, but he didn't dare to take a nap, and rubbed his eyes vigorously when he was sleepy.As soon as he rubbed his eyes, he saw a person coming from the darkness.

"Stop, who is it!" The guard pointed his spear at the visitor and shouted. It was Yinzhen who came, and he smiled at the guards and said, "I have such dedicated guards in the Qing Dynasty, which makes Ben Belle feel relieved." When the guard heard that it was Baylor, he took a close look at his face, and immediately changed into a smile, and said, "So it was Si Baylor who came. I don't know why Si Baylor came to Changchun Garden so late?" Yinzhen changed his face and said, "What's the matter, do I still have to report it to you?" The guard said: "Beile doesn't know something. Lord Longkodo once gave the villain a death order, saying that no one can be let in. The villain is also obeying orders."

Yinzhen waved his hand and said, "So that's how it is. Longkodo and I made an appointment to meet tonight. Didn't he tell you? If you don't let me in and delay the big event, even if you have ten heads, it's not enough." Chopped." When he walked into Changchun Garden, Yinzhen couldn't help smiling, he thought, Longkodo was too cautious.A Changchun Garden has sent so many guards to guard it closely. Is it for the remains of the first emperor, or the edict?Or maybe both.Thinking that he walked into the inner hall of Changchun Garden, Longkodo just came out of the inner hall.Longkodo looked a little surprised, and said, "Sibaile?"

Yinzhen smiled and said, "What's the matter, are you surprised?" Long Kedo said: "I don't know that Si Baylor will come at this time, please talk to the inner hall." The inner hall was a little dark, and a waiter was cleaning the table.Longkodo waved his hand, and the waiter withdrew.Seeing the waiter walking away, Long Keduo asked, "Sibeile came to Changchun Garden so late, is there anything important?" Yinzhen said: "It's very important. A few days ago, you told me about the late emperor's edict. Do you think it is feasible to inherit the throne?"

Longkodo didn't understand, and asked, "What does Sibeile mean?" Yinzhen said: "You and I have known each other for many years, and the relationship is here. You can say whatever you want, and there is no taboo. If Fourteen Baylor inherits the throne, I am afraid it will be a threat to you and me, especially to the adults. Since ancient times There is a rumor, I don’t know if you have heard of it? After the death of the first emperor, the next emperor will do one thing first, which is to find a way to get rid of the important officials around the first emperor one by one.”

Longkodo's face changed suddenly, and he said, "What is the meaning behind Sibeile's words?" Yinzhen's face also changed, he said: "Change the edict!" Longkodo had already guessed that Yinzhen would have the idea of ​​seizing the throne, but what he didn't expect was that he would use such a method. "This..." Long Kedo couldn't help frowning, "Sibeile's words just now are reasonable, and I am also very concerned about this. But if you use the method of amending the edict, isn't it a bit too..." Yinzhen waved his hand and said: "Only you and I know the content of the will. Even if it is changed, others will feel unwilling and suspicious at most. Can they insist that the will was changed? We have avoided a lot of unnecessary troubles by doing this. Trouble, you and I have already solved our own problems, what else do you worry about?"

Long Kedo was silent for a moment, finally made up his mind, and said: "Sibeiler's words are very reasonable, so let's do it according to your method." The night is very quiet, there is a breeze passing by, mixed with the strong smell of incense and candles floating in Changchun Garden.Longkodo walked out of the inner hall and walked quickly to Kangxi's mourning hall.Stepping into the mourning hall, he felt a sense of horror in his heart. Kangxi was lying in the coffin with a peaceful expression.Longkodo breathed a sigh of relief, and bowed three times in front of the mourning hall.He went to the back of the mourning hall and took out a yellow cloth roll from a sandalwood box.Then he took out a brush from his sleeve and unfolded the cloth roll.His hand trembled a little, he held it with the other hand, and added two strokes to one word.

The next day, Longkodo announced the last words of the first emperor Kangxi to enjoin Yinzhen as the emperor, which caused a sensation in the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty, especially the princes. The content of the edict exceeded their imagination.It was beyond their expectations that the first emperor let Sibeile inherit the throne.Many people had doubts about this matter. Babeile Yinhu summoned all Baylor and ministers to Qianqing Palace in a mighty manner. Yinhu guessed that there must be something wrong with the edict, and Longkodo was quite suspicious. Longkodo held the will, with a solemn expression on his face.He said: "Before the late emperor passed away, he had explained to his ministers that they must explain clearly before reading out the will. The first emperor made this decision a long time ago to establish Yinzhen as the successor to the throne, and it was not a temporary intention."

Yinhu said: "This is too simple. The so-called will is the edict written by the first emperor before his death. I was a little puzzled when I heard that the lord announced the will to establish the four beile Yinzhen as the successor to the throne. I also had a relationship with the first emperor. After talking with him, the late emperor was sober even though he was sick. He told me that he wanted to establish fourteen beiles to inherit the throne. Now that Yinzhen is suddenly appointed to inherit the throne, there must be something suspicious about it!" Long Kedo said: "Babeile's words are a bit extreme. If you don't believe me, I can make the edict public to the world, and you can clearly distinguish the truth from the false." Yinhu snorted, but didn't speak. At this moment, Yinzhen stood up and said: "It is the intention of the first emperor to let me inherit the throne in the imperial edict, so I don't need to explain it." Yinzhen's words carried some weight, and some of His Highness were dissatisfied, but they couldn't find anything to refute, so they could only remain silent. Seeing the silence in the hall, Yinzhen said: "The late emperor said: appoint Belle Yinsi, the thirteenth elder brother Yinxiang, University scholar Ma Qi, and Shangshu Longkoduo as ministers of prime minister affairs, and make Yinsi and Yinxiang princes. The 14th elder brother Yinzhen and Yinfeng's son Hongshu were summoned to return to Beijing, and the 14th elder brother's general seal was temporarily handed over to General Yanxin of Pingni, who sent Yanxin to Ganzhou to act as the agent of the general seal affairs, and together with Nian Gengyao, manage the military affairs, food and local affairs of the West Road, and at the same time close the nine gates of the capital." As soon as Xu Zhen finished his announcement, the ministers of His Royal Highness whispered among themselves. "This is clearly an attempt to deprive Fourteen Baylor of his military power." "Then why do you have to close the Nine Gates of the capital?" "Do you still need to ask? Of course, I am afraid that Fourteen Baylor will not listen to the words of the will and lead his troops to break into the capital. Wouldn't it be a mess if he broke into the capital?" "I don't think Fourteen Baylor may believe in the will." "I think Fourteen Baylor may not be able to catch up. Even if he comes here now, time will not allow it." ... Yinzhen waved his hand and said, "That's all for today, and the will will be formally promulgated in two days." Things are progressing very smoothly. Although most of the ministers of Baylor have doubts in their hearts, they are helpless.Calm down, some of them thought, maybe they really thought too much, whoever the first emperor let him inherit the throne will be the future emperor, there is nothing to doubt, can the edict be false?Amend the will?Impossible, it feels absurd when you think about it, it seems that the first emperor really established Sibei Le to inherit the throne, and then think about the previous concerns, some people feel afraid, for fear that after Yinzhen succeeds to the throne, he will turn around and investigate this matter. On the 16th, the edict was promulgated, and all the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty arrived. Among the beiles, except for the 14th beile Yinzhen who attacked the Junggar tribe in Mongolia, all of them arrived. On the 19th, Yinzhen ascended the throne of the emperor, and offered sacrifices to heaven and earth, Taimiao, and Sheji, and the martial law was lifted in the capital at this time. On the 20th, Yinzhen ascended the throne in the Hall of Supreme Harmony and received congratulations from all officials. Kangxi died of illness, and the selection of a new master was a top priority for the Qing Dynasty.Before Kangxi was alive, he expected that his time had come, so he made the will in advance.He chose the fourteenth prince Yinzhen. At this time, Yinzhen was attacking the Junggar tribe and knew nothing about the major events that happened in the capital.Yinzhen's position is largely in an advantage.As the saying goes, if you are close to the water, you get the moon first, and Yinzhen took advantage of this to display it, tampering with the imperial edict, and wooing important ministers Long Keduo and Nian Gengyao, all of which were of course done in secret.When the matter gradually came to light, Yinzhen had firmly won the throne. At that time, even if someone felt unwilling, they could only bury their unwillingness in their hearts.It can be seen that Yinzhen has a lot of scheming in his work, and he is the most suitable candidate to inherit the throne among the princes.