Chapter 23 The 23rd Exhibition of Filial Piety and Discussion Viewing the Lantern Festival
"Yes!" Fukang'an was already disappointed, but suddenly he received such a decree of grace. He straightened up with excitement, his tear-filled eyes sparkled, and said: "My father and minister, Fu Heng, know the truth, and I must be grateful for it." , Your Majesty fulfills Fukang An, loyalty and filial piety! This servant will bid farewell to his mother, and then go to the Ministry of War for investigation and cooperation. In the afternoon, he will go to the palace to give his speech, and then listen to the emperor's instructions!" Seeing that he was about to get up, Qianlong pressed his hand down to signal for a moment. Waiting, asked: "Are you leading troops in Beijing, or use the Shandong Green Camp?" Fukang'an said: "Use the local garrison. These are a group of jumping clowns. The use of large troops is not good for politics, and it alarms the people. It is easy to generate doubts. Rumors. Please send thirty guns, muskets, and thirty fast horses. The servants will lead the slaves to starry night, and they will join the local green battalion to conquer. Within ten days, I will give the emperor a good news."
Qianlong looked at Fukang'an, pondered for a long time before saying: "You can understand that raising troops is not good for politics, and it seems that you have made progress. First, you must fight thieves, and second, you must protect good people. Don't kill too many people; second, you must deal with the aftermath. Think about it." Think about how to do well with the word 'Xuanwei'. Even if you are a small enemy, you should not ignore it. It is better to fight slowly than to lose. If you are defeated, you are also a king without relatives. I can't protect you, understand?" Fu Kang An's handsome face was extremely serious, he kowtowed and said: "The emperor has repeatedly taught you not to be frivolous and frivolous. My father has always been trained in court when he was alive. Take Ma Su and Zhao Kuo as examples, worrying that the slaves will be ruined. The words are still in my ears, Fukang'an dare to forget your father's order for a moment? Don't worry, the emperor, I am willing to issue a military order!" Qianlong stared at this "nephew" for a while, and wanted to say something, but said: "Kneel down, Ji Yun I will go to the Ministry of War with you, and I will also visit your mother in your mansion for me. Go..."
He waved his hand.Ji Yun and Fu Kang'an resigned together.Looking at the two people from the window and turning to the screen wall, he said to Li Shiyao: "Get up, you are sitting on the chair over there and talking." Without waiting for Li Shiyao to sit still, he asked: "The Lantern Festival is coming, what arrangements are there for the yamen of the infantry commander? "
"Go back to the emperor." Li Shiyao sat upright, with his hands on his knees, secretly rubbing his sore knees, and said: "One thing is that we have discussed with the Shuntian Mansion, and we have joined together to protect the family from fire and theft. There are people sitting in the Shuntian Mansion and the admiral's office day and night. , the fire brigade with buckets and water trucks, and the officers of the arrest department can be dispatched at any time. The second is to prevent bandits from taking advantage of the season to make trouble. Fast, eyeliner and protection. Zhengyangmen, Xizhimen, Dongzhimen, Beiding'anmen, Chaoyangmen, more than a dozen lively places broke out bandits and fires, people must be stuck, doors must be closed at any time, and arrests can be controlled in sections Press, arrest and rescue. There are another 2,000 soldiers who will not change their casual clothes and will be allocated by the minister at any time. One is that no accidents can occur, and the other is that the accidents must not be out of control, so as to ensure the peace and prosperity of the capital. Make a list, all suspicious persons are followed by special personnel, street sticks, street gangsters, criminals with previous convictions, and unemployed people who flow into the capital from other places are also supervised everywhere. If there is any accident during the Lantern Festival, the emperor will ask Li Shiyao!"
"Even 'what if' is not allowed!" Qianlong turned around and sat cross-legged on the kang, and said, "I asked you to come in to let you know. The Empress Dowager Lafayette and the Queen also want to have fun with the people and watch the lanterns."
Li Shiyao's eyebrows trembled, and he asked: "Please show me, where to look at the lights?" "Zhengyang Gate." Qianlong said, "I will issue a notice to inform the citizens of the capital that I will personally go to the city to accompany the Queen Mother. Zhengyang The lantern market at the gate must be arranged to be lively." Because he explained in detail about the Empress Dowager's visit to the city and the banquet for all the officials.Li Shiyao listened with his brows tightly knit together, without speaking for a long time.
"Huh? Is there a problem?"
"It's time to rush, Your Majesty." Li Shiyao pondered and said, "If you arrange it in front of your ministers, you will use much more power to take out thieves. Now the Emperor enshrines the Virgin Mary to watch the lanterns, and feasts the ministers with grace. As a major event in the prosperity of the Ping Dynasty, arresting thieves was placed on the second-class seat. Just protecting the Guandi Temple area of Zhengyangmen, there are no 20,000 people who can't do it. Take advantage of this opportunity." Qianlong nodded when he heard this, and said: "It's hard for you to have this insight, and you can think of this right away, which shows your wisdom. Even if the Queen Mother doesn't go to the city to watch the lanterns, it is the top priority to make peace and rule the world." This is the first time for Li Shiyao Hearing Qianlong say that he was "wisdom" in the speech test, he was so inspired that his eyes sparkled with excitement.After another moment of contemplation, he said: "As soon as the announcement comes out, there is no need for officials to make arrangements. All the merchants, merchants, and gentry will set up tents to display their colors in Dashilan outside Zhengyang Gate, Guandi Temple, Qipan Street, and Dalang Temple. I think , Shuntian Mansion came forward to delineate the booths of the lamp sheds, large merchants paid for the land donated by the stalls, prepared water and fire prevention, and temporarily called the police. There are special personnel to manage it. I estimate that there will be 700,000 people here. 20,000 is more than enough. And before the festival, we have to make a big search, ban all miscellaneous religions, evil temples and incense halls, and arrest all suspicious people on the list. In this way, we can ensure that there will be no accidents in the Lantern Festival—but there are also disadvantages , just can’t follow the originally planned line of investigation and arrest, catch them all.” He paused, and then said: “Here I can only give a rough idea, Rong Chen will go back to the yamen to discuss carefully with his subordinates, and then go back and forth to report to the emperor.”
Qianlong was speechless after hearing this, and when he saw that he was about to resign, he stopped and asked, "Do you have any plans to buy a manor in Guangzhou or other places?" There are three manors. Two are gifted by the emperor, one is the ancestral tombs and fields of the minister’s home, and nothing else. The minister has led troops for many years, and the governor is also the military administration. Once the general who leads the army buys more land, not only is he afraid of death, The general's mind is also gone..." He guessed that this matter had something to do with "smashing black bricks", and the first thing he thought was that He Shen was playing tricks, and he said in a subtext: "Before He Shen left Beijing, he told his ministers that Shunyi County There is a manor with more than 4,000 mu, and it can be sold in eight or ninety-two one mu. I asked the minister whether to buy it. The minister said—" "Okay, don't argue. I just want to ask you by the way." Qianlong saw his forehead Sweating slightly, he smiled and waved his hands and said, "I heard that Yu Minzhong, Ji Yun, and Fu Heng bought a manor outside Beijing, and I asked you if you knew." Li Shiyao said: "Yu Minzhong, Ji Yun, I don't know, I can assure you that Fu Heng didn't buy it himself. I saw Fu Heng five days ago, and he said that Fu's family is too expensive and prosperous, and that having too many manors is not good for his descendants. He has seven manors, all of which were rewarded by the emperor. He is leaving, it is inappropriate to speak at this time, after death, please ask the ministers to give a secret report, and Fu Longan wants to pay back, let the emperor know what he wants, and fulfill his heart..." Qianlong listened, bowed his head and thought for a while, and said: "Fu Heng is also the same. Yes, it was all given by me, and the Fucha family stopped the pronoun, what's the matter? Respectful and prudent, it doesn't matter if you have a lot of property; frivolous and reckless, even if you have a small manor, you can't avoid disaster-you go!"
Li Shiyao withdrew from the Hall of Mental Cultivation and did not return to the Yamen. As soon as the sedan chair was lifted, he ordered: "Go to the Ministry of War!" As soon as the words fell, the big green sedan chair for four people was lifted up gently, and slid out quickly.The sedan chair was very stable, and children playing and chasing all over the street and people wandering around during the New Year's Eve all flashed past the sedan window.But Li Shiyao couldn't calm down, and was still thinking about Qianlong's inquiry about buying Zhuangtian.Despite Qianlong's repeated explanations, he was still suspicious, this was not asked "by the way".So, is there someone below to tell the truth again?But the emperor still appreciates me! Is the word "wisdom" easy to give people?But then again, wisdom can also be referred to as "smart", which is ambiguous... He has always had a vague feeling in his heart that since Fu Heng was seriously ill, the emperor intended to cultivate Yu Minzhong, and Shen, we need to set up a new stove at the military plane. No matter how good Fu Heng's "stove" is, it will also be dismantled.Both myself and Ji Yun belonged to that stove, probably Ji Yun already felt it, so now I am careful not to take a step or say a word—maybe some capable people below have also seen this level, and have already helped It seems that the emperor is "removing the stove".But what about Agui?It seems to be favored again, is this "old brick" still useful?Furthermore, Fu Heng was benevolent before his death, mourning after his death, and there is no sign of falling out of favor. When a topic is raised, it is immediately refuted by new examples, and after detours for a long time, it returns to the original position, still in a fog of confusion.He carefully recalled every detail when Qianlong summoned him. When Qianlong spoke, he was happy or angry, calm or urgent, cheerful or contemplative...every voice, smile, every word, even the eyes... were reflected in his heart Once again, still confused and at a loss for what to make of it, he couldn't help rubbing his forehead with his hands: "The power of the sky is unpredictable, and the heart of the sky is difficult...I'm old, I really can't keep up..." Just as I was dizzy from thinking wildly, the sedan chair fell to the ground. A Goshha said from the sedan window: "The military gate, the military department has arrived."
"Huh? Huh..." Li Shiyao woke up from the ecstasy-like Yuxiang alley, and he saw that he had arrived at the north end of the Bingbu Hutong, the first big yamen on the west side of the road, and there was a large catalpa tree in the screen wall, and the bare branches were densely intertwined. ——It is the Yamen of the Ministry of War.It was just after noon, and although the Ministry of War stipulates that there is no holiday for the New Year, there is nothing wrong with it. Except for those on duty who dare not leave without permission, the doors of the second hall of the lobby and the signing room are tightly closed.The few book offices are all oily old officials, sitting in the door of the book office next to the signing room, sitting around the stove with the door open, pinching peanuts and drinking rice wine.Seeing Li Shiyao coming, they all got up to welcome them out, saying Happy New Year, inviting those who "sit with us", and those who beat Qian'er and asked An to bow, their faces were warm and friendly.
Li Daiyao couldn't tell their names, but they knew their faces very well. He pulled this hand, patted that shoulder to socialize indiscriminately, and asked, "Where are Hu Sima, Gao Sima?" !” A book office hiccupped and laughed: “Youlao Zhongtang is their teacher, retired at home, it’s not good if you don’t go——If you want to see them, report here as soon as possible, and you’ll be back in half a meal.” Li Shiyao said: "I don't want to see them. The 500 catties of gunpowder that my yamen lacks, as I said, will be transferred after the fifth day of the month. Today is the day of the first day. It doesn't matter!" If this is a matter of Zhaohui's military affairs, He's done it right—"
Still wanting to go on, I heard footsteps on the road outside the Beishou gable, and voices gradually approaching.Turning his face to look, a group of people had already turned the corner, but it was Ji Yun who was walking in the middle with Fu Kang'an, He Fengquan, the Secretary of the Arsenal, and Hou Mancang, the official of the Fangfang, surrounded them with five or six officers.The group of clerks all suppressed their smiles, stepped aside and stood with their hands down.Li Shiyao saw that Fu Kang'an was full of filial piety, so he hurriedly greeted him solemnly, and said, "Fourth Master, I thought you had returned home! I don't want to meet you again here." "Fourth Master came here to choose horses and guns for gunpowder. "Ji Yun said from the side, "I'm going to walk tonight, so make arrangements first, and go back to bid farewell to the old lady."
Fu Kang'an only nodded to Li Shiyao, but said to He Fengquan: "My people share 32 horses, and I will pick up six walking mules as spares. They will drive 1,500 miles in five days, and we can't pull people on the road. I wrong you to be busy for a while, choose the best ones for me. Don’t blame me if you miss my business!" He Fengquan only called it right, and Fukang'an was already asking Hou Mancang: "You just said who you want to send to repair Gubeikou Did the Zuoying management of Daying bring it?"
Hou Mancang hurriedly said: "Back to the fourth master, his name is Chai Daji." Fu Kang'an frowned, and said, "This name is so familiar." Li Shiyao was about to say, "It belongs to my yamen." The Chang Sui Wang behind Fu Kang'an Ji Bao said: "My lord, I forgot, it was the general who got drunk at the Yangzhou station that year and detained Xiao Hu Kejing!"
"This person can't be reused!" Fukang'an said without even thinking about it: "I know this person—it's not a good acquaintance." Hou Mancang couldn't help but glance at Li Shiyao, and said in embarrassment: "But fourth master, this is... Fengtai Daying The meritorious examination reported in the newspaper has been submitted to the Ministry of Officials for approval—" "What meritorious service?" Fukang'an said with strange eyes: "As long as civil servants are willing to spend money, anyone can get a superior degree. Now the military officer Is that the case? You talk to the officials, and I say this person will not succeed!" After saying that, He Ji Yun led a group of slaves and walked away.
Li Shiyao stood still in a daze.Hou Mancang spread his hands to him with a wry smile, and said, "Look, what was well said, Fourth Master Fu collapsed with one sentence!" Li Shiyao asked, "When did Chai Daji offend Fourth Master Fu? He looks like a troublemaker!" Seeing that Hou Mancang and He Feng both shook their heads, he said, "Let's do my business first. There's no rush for Chai Daji. Your secretary should save his approval first, anyway. There is a way." Hou Mancang smiled and said: "The most useless thing is me, the official secretary, I can't control the small ones, I can't control the big ones, and I have to get the stamp and seal from me-the official party The staff is poor and busy, really tell the truth!" He Fengquan laughed and said, "Let's switch between the two! 'Arsenal, Arsenal, free and rich' depends on everyone's style, right? Does your staff have power? Big, is Jiang Taigong on the back of the Ministry of War! The mission, I will take care of myself..." Saying this, everyone walked back all the way.
The Ministry of War was talking about it, and Ji Yun and Fu Kang'an were also talking about Chai Daji.Ji Yun sat in a sedan chair with him, and the two of them didn't speak for a long time. Seeing Fu Kang'an's face was sad and angry, Ji Yun pondered for a while, and asked: "Brother Shi, are you still angry with Fang Si?"
"He is not worthy!" Fukang'an took a heavy breath, staring at the front and said: "Old Liu Tongxun has a saying, when a dynasty comes to the situation where buying and selling human lives is common, the general trend of the world will go. So Liu Tongxun, Liu Yong It's to put your life to the death to guard this pass for the emperor. I said one more thing, military officers should learn from civil servants at all times, and they don't rely on fighting to get promoted. If they are afraid of death and love money, they don't want to die, and the world will be over!" He sighed and said again. : "Ten years ago, Chai Daji was still a junior military officer. I didn't hear what kind of battles he fought and what kind of achievements he made, so he was promoted to general! Gubeikou Daying is a clean place, and soldiers are entrusted to such people Take it, will it work?"
Ji Yun listened and sized up the young man. He was handsome, his chin was tilted slightly upwards, and he had an air of arrogance, as if showing contempt for others at any time. ..., couldn't help shaking his head secretly, and asked tentatively: "Brother Shi, have you seen this person before?" Sent Iron Headed Shark and Hu Kejing to the post station to contact the residence, but they were forcibly detained by Chai Daji and his gang. After talking briefly about the festival, he said: "If Hu Kejing is well-dressed, he clearly said that he came here under my order, and so on. I can still forgive him for being bullied. Hu Kejing was pretending to be a beggar, and they were tied up in the snow! Is this still a thing?" Only then did Ji Yun know the whole story.Considering that Fukang'an decided that Chai Daji was "drilling", he felt reluctant no matter what, because he sighed: "This is a narrow road for Yuanjia!" He changed the subject and said: "I will see my wife in a while, and I have to say what I have to say by order." It’s better to be more tactful, she’s your biological son, and Mr. Fu is still in bed, so she’ll feel sad if she stays away and goes out to fight.”
"I guess my mother already knows. As long as I am in Beijing, she will be watched wherever I go." Fu Kang'an heard him talking about his mother, and his stiff face immediately softened, frowning and patted his knee helplessly Said: "She is always afraid that I will go to the tree to dig out the bird and fall to death... I shot down two geese with one arrow and showed her, and she felt sorry for the dead geese!" Mothers have the same thoughts, and my mother is the same. When I was a child, I was grinding ink with a pen in my mouth, and she also took it away, saying, "If you fall down, you are more afraid of people than a knife"-I stood there grinding ink, no chance Can you just drop your mouth and bite the ground for no reason?" Fukang'an didn't follow this topic any further, he flickered along with the big sedan chair, his eyes looked at the front with a little melancholy, and after a long time he said: "Once my father left, there will be another change in the personnel affairs in the court. The situation has changed. Ji Gong, you have to be careful, there are too many villains now, if you are not careful, accidents will happen if you stand and grind ink."
Ji Yun's eyes jumped suddenly, he leaned back and said nothing.
"Obviously, the emperor has gone to Fu Heng, and he wants to find another Fu Heng." Fu Kang'an looked at Ji Yun sincerely, and said slowly: "Serving my father at home and staying at home, on the contrary, I can see it more clearly." When people went to visit my father, the sicker they became, the less and less middle and small officials came, and the more frequently the high officials came. Later, they became more and more careful when talking to my brothers. It’s nothing, it’s what it is, Pingyuan Jun’s family is like a market. The market is booming, everyone comes to the market, and the sun sets, everyone goes back to their homes.”
Ji Yun felt chills in his heart, and couldn't help asking: "Where is Mr. Fu? What did he say?" Xiang went.Fukang'an glanced around for a week and asked, "Where is the old lady?"
"If you go back to the master, the father-in-law and his wife are in mourning clothes and cannot come out to greet you. They are waiting for the young master and Lord Ji in the West Flower Hall!"
"Get up and stand."
"tie!"
"Wait here."
"tie!"
In the thunderous response, everyone stood up in unison.Fukang'an stopped talking, gave way with his hand, and led Ji Yun through the "Bing Alley" towards the Xiyue Cave Gate, heading straight for the Xihua Hall.Ji Yun followed anxiously, crossed the formation of frost and snow swords and guns, and turned around a flower fence, and saw Tang'er, Fu Long'an, Fu Ling'an, the two daughter-in-laws of Princess Heshuo, and Fukang'an's new wife Huang, all standing in the east of the flower hall. Waiting at the door of the side study.Even the two princesses and brothers Fulongan knelt down when they saw the two of them coming in.
"Er Niang!" Fukang'an saw his mother standing in front of the mourning hall in the flower hall with tears on her face, leaning on a cane in one hand and supporting the courtyard pillar in the other, staring at herself blankly, feeling sad in her heart, she threw herself forward and knelt down on the steps, and fell on the ground. The three beeped their heads and said in a muffled voice: "Son—unfilial—" they choked their throats suddenly, but trembled all over, unable to speak.
Ji Yun often came to Fu's mansion every now and then, and usually just talked through the curtains and windows, it was the first time for such a big family to wear filial piety and face each other in the hall.Tang'er looked pale and a little fatter than expected.Some people in the family already called her "Old Madam", but in fact she was only in her early forties, and she still had a good face, a plump body, and the appearance of a pretty young woman... Secretly looking for "Mrs. Huang"—the two I know the princess, and the young woman standing behind Tang'er must be. She is wearing a thick filial piety dress, which seems to shrink her to a very small size. If there is no makeup, the two princesses are eclipsed by the fact that there is no makeup, the eyebrows are clustered in the middle, and the lips are slightly dizzy.Ji Yun thought to himself, such a person, who almost entered the tenant family to be the wife of an old bachelor, when a chance came out, bumped left and right, became a girl and then turned into a girl, entered a concubine and granted marriage, and now..."
"Of course my father knew. When he came back from Myanmar, he said..." Fukang'an's throat choked, "'After the three springs, all the fragrances are exhausted, and each has to find his own door'... I am useless, you can see the usual days Things that you can’t see, as long as you are willing to think about them, it is better to experience ten years of world affairs. To read your Uncle Ji’s, you must be comfortable and natural. If you have the skills, go out and earn by yourself. Is there any unexpected change..." He said, as if he was overwhelmed by the cold, he rested his hands on the cotton pad.
The more Ji Yun thought about it, the more he felt that Fu Heng's thinking about the world was profound and unfathomable, and he had a thorough understanding. Thinking of these days, he was scrambling around like he was in a foggy alley, and his thinking became more and more disorganized, even worse than the nobleman opposite. Feeling ashamed and somewhat panicked—he had already reported to Lu Jianzeng to investigate the “salt and tea shortage”—he was really overwhelmed! "Alas" sighed, and said: "Brother, don't read my book, it's all superficial opinion, you can only burn it with a fire!" After saying that, he had already got off the sedan chair.
The two of them were startled as soon as they entered the gate of the mansion. When they stood still and watched, there was a long pebble corridor from the gate to the meeting hall, and the spirit flags and white mantles and rods on both sides were all withdrawn to the second gate, white paper flowers like a sea of snow, Drifting and shaking in the cold wind.More than 400 men were dressed in sackcloth and filial hats, and were distributed on both sides of the corridor.The old one stood against the wall, and the young one stood upright between the aisles, with a big knife hanging from his waist, and he stood like a nail without looking sideways.In front of the meeting hall, two rows of people were standing straight with water and fire sticks in their hands.Ji Yunzheng didn't know why, Wang Jibao stepped forward behind him, and whispered to Fukang'an: "The old lady knows, this is for the master to choose his followers." Fukang'an nodded slightly, and Wang Jibao yelled: "Drink!" Send the minister—our Master Fu to go back to the mansion!" Ji Yun was shocked by his sound, but he didn't recover, and a family member took two steps to welcome the door, and beat him down with a bow. He said in a loud voice: "Slave Hu Ke respectfully pay respects to the Lord!" The Dean Man followed the sound, and then knelt down on one knee in unison, and said loudly: "Greetings to the fourth master!"
The sound shook the jackdaws on the tree, croaking and flying up to become the duchess... Thinking about it, he bowed to Tang Er from the side and said, "Madam, my condolences, I am so precious! The Fourth Lord of Fu will invite you to join the palace, and bestow upon you Tian En, Xiazhao Zude, Mo Yu joined the army, and begged for thieves for the country, he is an outstanding person who has both loyalty and filial piety! Mr. Fu knows the truth, and he will definitely not blame him."
"I don't blame it either." Tang'er said.She looked weak, but her words sounded very tough, "This is also his father's last wish. Although I love him, like an eagle, I must let him fly when it's time to fly! Son, get up and listen to me: The imperial court seals you!" This letter to you, it is true that you have a little credit and talent. But it is not your own; even if you took down the thieves in Shandong, I think it is a small thing, I still have to ask you to go to Uliasu General Tai, please order you to go to Zhaohui Hailancha to fight a big battle, and serve the emperor with a knife and a gun, only to be worthy of you, Ama."
"My mother!"
"All the servants are in the front yard." Tang'er still looked at her son without moving, but her tone was firm: "You can choose, you can choose, and you can take the money. In short, you have to fight for my breath!" She slowed down In a low tone, he said to Ji Yun: "Mr. Xiaolan, you are an old friend of Fu Heng. We have always treated you as your own family, and you have never avoided it. You should not see outsiders in the future. Please sit in front of your husband's spirit for a while, Kanger will come when she goes to the front yard, and let Longer and Linger accompany her when she comes back, and three glasses of water and wine will see Kanger off for me, will it work?"
"Success, follow Madam's order!"
"Except for the fourth grandma, all women, regardless of their status, go to the backyard." Tang'er said again: "Fu Kang'an will not leave, and women are not allowed to go to the front yard. Kang'er will go first, and I will see you when I finish my work." Father, let's go overnight!"
"Yes, Er Niang, my son has gone!"
Fukangan glanced at his mother, turned around and strode out of the inner courtyard of the flower hall.Both Wang Jibao and Hu Kejing stood at the entrance of the Moon Cave like nails. When they saw them coming, they raised their arms together and gave a military salute.Wang Jibao said: "Go back to my lord, the Ministry of War has delivered the blunderbuss, muskets and gunpowder."
"Have you ever been rewarded with silver?"
"According to the old man's example, each person was rewarded eight taels of silver."
Fu Kang'an nodded and stopped talking, and took Ji Yun to stand on the platform in front of the meeting hall.Hu Kejing commanded his family members to gather together like a procession, and immediately formed a square team of more than 200 people, and they all stood upright under the tree in the courtyard to obey orders.When Ji Yun watched, the group of people holding water and fire sticks behind did not move, and all the remaining about 160 or 70 people stood on the front steps of the East Chamber. Underneath, some are wearing crutches, some are supported by others, all of them staring at the platform with awe-inspiring faces.The footsteps stopped, and the courtyard fell silent.Ji Yun saw Fu Kang'an took a step towards the front of the stage, so he stood half sideways and listened to him.
"Only Son, stand up—to the left!" Fukang'an shouted.
The queue moved, and more than 20 young people stepped out without saying a word, and stood to the east.
"Those who went to Burma with my Ama—stand on the right!" Fu Kang'an shouted again: "If there are brothers who died or were injured in Burma, they should also go to the right!" He raised his right arm.
The team moved again, this time less than forty people stood up.
"Those with internal or hidden diseases, weak bones, come out—go to the back!"
People looked left and right for a while, but no one came out.
"There are no extra words." Fukang'an looked up high, half-raised his face, swiped his right hand across the air, and said loudly: "There is a man named Lin Qingshuang who brought two thousand rioters to Guimengding, pulled flags and set off cannons to rebel. My lord please The purpose is to exterminate these bandits. The officers and soldiers there will naturally listen to me. But the people I lead will form a death squad, and I will lead the attack and show the green battalion how to fight! Therefore, those who are a little timid cannot follow me. Those with weak bones cannot follow me." He suddenly raised his voice: "If someone like this stands up, he will not be punished for fear of death!"
Nobody moved.After a moment of silence, someone shouted at the back of the line: "Fourth Master, there are no cowards! You choose!"
"Yes... oh, it's Ge Fengyang." Fukang'an looked back through the crowd, nodded to Ji Yun, and said, "Old Getou's old son is my slave—— Where is your brother now?"
"Go back to Fourth Master, and serve as an inspector in Guizhou!"
"You also want to save a Taoist platform?"
"Yes, fourth master."
"Good boy!" Fukang'an went down the steps, walked up to the shabby young man in a few steps, saw his size, caught off guard suddenly, and waved his palms "papa", which was two clear slaps, followed by another punch , hitting Ge Fengyang hard on the shoulder blade!Ge Fengyang stood up and received two palms, and his body was staggered by his rubbing. Everyone stood up again in amazement, and shouted loudly: "Fourth Master, are you enough?"
Ji Yun had never seen Fu Kang'an act like this before, so he stared dumbfounded.Fukang'an had already selected Ge Fengyang, patted him on the shoulder and said: "Don't be surprised when things change! Your bones are still strong, you are the first one - go out of the house to greet the horses - eggs, soybeans, mix, understand gone?"
"tie!"
Ge Fengyang saluted in a daze and ran away.Fukang'an just started to select people in the team, but he didn't beat people anymore. He just checked his body and complexion, and occasionally pushed to try his strength.Those who were selected all stood still at the front steps, all with a high-spirited look, and looked at the rest with a proud look.Kankan selected more than 20, and even Hu Kejing picked them in.Wang Jibao was still standing stupidly aside, seeing Fukang'an turned around, he took a step forward in surprise, and asked, "Why is fourth master... without me?"
"You...stay at home." Fu Kang'an looked at Wang Jibao who was a little startled with soft eyes, and said, "Your grandfather and the old master sent troops to release horses, and your father followed the old master to block the guns in Jinchuan and fight You have more than 70 lead balls on your body, which is already disabled. I will take care of you if you don’t go to war. You are the Chief Qian, and you have already agreed with the Ministry of Military Affairs that you will be awarded the rank of general and guerrilla. The elderly at home need to take care of you. Also give some credit to others..." Wang Jibao didn't seem to hear Fu Kang'an's words, and he still muttered to himself in a daze: "How could there be no me? This is really strange...Will the master not pick me, Wang Jibao? " Fukang'an was in a dilemma. Two people came out from the east. An old man with gray hair and a lame leg came over with a middle-aged man.The middle-aged man was seriously disabled, one eye was blind, one leg was supported by two crutches, one arm was missing, and the empty sleeve was hanging obliquely. The blind left half of his face was almost a scar, dark red and shiny, truly Scary——Ji Yun knew each other, one was Lao Wangtou, the old housekeeper of Fu's house, and Wang Jibao's father, Wang Xiaoqi.
The father and the son supported each other, the crutches knocked on the ground, and they came to stand in front of Fukang'an. The old man tremblingly stared at Fukang'an, and said for a long time: "Young master, my lord, husband My master treats my family with great kindness, how can Ji Bao not go? If the master is here, can he not be allowed to go?... Ji Bao comes to help your father, I will kneel down to the young master..." He said, coughing .
"Don't...don't!" Fukang'an burst into tears, and his voice trembled violently. When he saw Jibao coming, his father held his hands and held him from a distance, and said, "Help your father and your father back...don't worry, I'll just take Jibao there." It's gone!" Seeing the three of them retreating slowly, Fukang'an turned around and stepped onto the platform, saying: "A slave is like a slave, and my master must be more like a master! Some battles are fought, this is what the emperor gave me If you work hard to get promoted, you will have a chance!" He waved his hand and shouted: "It's still the old rule: if you follow me, the monthly payment for family members will be doubled! The disabled and those killed in battle will be released from slavery, and they will be rewarded with money and grounds in addition to pensions based on military merit. Fang Zhai! One by one, our servants of the Fu family want to fight the governor, the governor, and fight for a three-sheng sesame official!"
There was a slight clamor and cheers from the crowd, everyone's eyes were shining, they were so excited that they rolled up their arms and sleeves, and they were gearing up. Even those who were not selected were all excited, stomping their feet and swinging their arms, eager to try.Then Fukangan ordered everyone to take off their filial piety, with black veils on their heads.Ge Fengyang led people to carry two large wooden boxes. Thirty-one bird guns had just been unsealed, and the black and shiny roasted blues were shining brightly. , on the head is a golden dragon two-story royal crown, inlaid with four oriental beads, a four-clawed dragon python robe wraps a heroic body, and is covered with a stone green mandarin jacket. On the belt, there is a bright yellow tassel hanging from the Japanese sword given by the imperial court—it was rewarded to him by Qianlong long ago.The most eye-catching thing is that there is also a gold-encrusted blunderbuss with wheels slung across his waist. It is only about two feet long, and there is also a string of steel bullets coiled around his belt like a yellow snake.Not to mention the long followers, even Ji Yun opened his eyes for the first time.There was a crackling sound of swords and swords colliding, and they lined up again, and the whole courtyard became murderous.Fukang'an's spurs creaked on the ground, nodded slightly to Ji Yun, his face was ashen, and he said loudly: "Master Ji please give me instructions!"
"I'll just say a few words." Ji Yun took a step forward. For some reason, he was a little apprehensive in front of this group of "tiger wolf soldiers", but he calmed down quickly. "Mourning soldiers will be auspicious! Fu Gong's heroic spirit is in the sky. Seeing that the young master is so brave and loyal, and seeing his family members so upright, I will protect you! Since ancient times, there is no kind of general, and you can earn your own fame. Fu Gong's first heroic name depends on you. Carry forward, the young man is invincible both civil and military, and he will definitely lead you to show his prestige!" As soon as he finished speaking, Fu Kang'an took the lead, and the whole courtyard burst into applause.
At this moment, Emperor Qianlong summoned Huang Tianba in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.He didn't sit in the East Nuan Pavilion, but was in the main hall with a solemn suit and hat to approve the memorial. Seeing Huang Tianba come in tremblingly, he stretched out a finger and nodded the chair below, saying: "I will speak after I approve this."
When Huang Tianba met Qianlong, he always followed his class. He went up with a greeting and retreated solemnly with a gesture. This was the first time he was summoned alone in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.His solemn expression was full of bewilderment, and he was a little flattered in his reservedness. He tried his best to calm himself down. Standing in the heart of a magnificent palace, he seemed a little at a loss. After hesitating for a moment, he knelt down silently, and glanced from the corner of his eyes from time to time. Qianlong, who devoted himself to pen and calligraphy.Until Qianlong put down the vermilion pen, bowed his head deeply, and shouted without restraint: "Long live my lord!"
"Get up." Qianlong said casually: "I appreciate you sitting on the chair over there—serve tea!" Then he looked at this strange man seriously.I saw him with ape arms and leopard back, five beards on his long face covering his wide mouth, even though he was over fifty years old, his eyes were still shining brightly, and his two sword eyebrows pierced straight to his temples. It seems that there is still an inexhaustible amount of energy.Although sitting, the whole body is so tight that people look worried for him-his buttocks are only half an inch from the edge of the chair, his body is stiff and straight, his hands rest on his knees-this "sitting" method, anyone else can do it Make a fuss.Qianlong smiled and said: "It's not good for you to sit like this. Since you are enjoying the seat, you might as well sit openly. Respect is not in it."
"Long Live Lord, I'm used to sitting like this." Huang Tianba said seriously: "I'm a martial arts escort, this is the way to get started. This is how the apprentices see the slaves, and the slaves don't dare to sit when they see the emperor! ""This is the song that never leaves the mouth, the fist never leaves the body!" Qianlong stopped forcing him, and changed the subject and asked: "I heard that you and Gao Heng are brothers-in-law? Is there anything wrong?" Huang Tianba trembled , hurriedly bowed and bowed back: "Long live Lord, Gao Heng has no relationship with the slave, but there is a reason for this. The 650,000 taels of Huang Gang were robbed back then, and the slave and Gao Heng jointly escorted it. Shandong fought against Yizhihua , Gao Heng and the slave were on the same mission. The sister of the slave, Ma Shi, had an affair with Gao Heng. After Gao Heng committed a crime and was put to death, the slave collected the body, and Ma's sister was redeemed by the slave and shaved her hair to become a nun. The adults who don’t complain are suspicious. Since the emperor asks, the slaves dare not pretend to be half-deceived.”
When Qianlong stared at Huang Tianbayi, he said slowly: "You are a man of sincerity, and I know all of this. It doesn't matter—the turbid will be turbid, and the pure will be clear! Just collect the corpse for Gao Heng, and some people say that you are in collusion with him He is like a raccoon dog. I said that Huang Tianba is different from other officials. He has his loyalty and reason. How many things he has done for the court in the green forest! You can do it? He is now an earl, and he will do meritorious service in the future. The duke and duke can also count on—— Don’t take it to heart when you say these things. With me here, no one can harm you.”
黄天霸一生功业几乎都是附着在刘统勋父子身上，刘统勋猝然故去，刘墉虽受乾隆信任，但官位一直不够显赫。他一个镖行出身的侦缉捕快，一路封到伯爵，文官瞧不起，武官不服气失却靠山，立时就有四边没着落的味道，听来多少闲言碎语，不但自己吞了，还得约束门人徒弟忍了。听乾隆这么一席话，满肚子委屈、无奈，别扭顿时一化为泪，悲酸涌心，不可自制，要矜持何能矜持？就椅中身子一软，伏跪在地，已是哽得浑身抽搐，痛切说道：“奴才的心天知道，天子也知道！奴才这就知足……万岁爷这么着呵护周全，奴才还有一把子气力，只可拼了命报效就是了……”
乾隆示意苏拉太监扶起他来，拧干毛巾让他拭泪坐定，待黄天霸平静下来才说道：“朕告诉你，不要这么气短情长。刘墉进军机大臣的旨意已经下了，你还听他的差遣——这就有差使给你。只是听说你的徒弟们伤残很多，又怕你办不下来。”
黄天霸像一只听到主人号令的猎犬，立刻又坐正了身子，目光炯炯盯着乾隆，说道：“他们那都是毛病，哪里就娇惯得不能办差了呢？奴才下头十三个徒弟，拿一枝花死了一个，大徒弟中风，又是个断腿，还有个小徒弟跟了十五爷去，其余的都用得。万岁爷差遣，水里火里，不能有半点含糊的！”
“哦，就是那个'人精子'，也是你徒弟。”乾隆一笑即收，神气又变严重，说道：“这就是一件差使。十五阿哥现在山东平邑一带。那县里已经乱了，恐怕有些意外，福康安这就出兵征剿，又怕联络不上。朕的意思要有人去护侍十五阿哥。既然如此，差使就交给你了。”
“奴才亲自去，万岁放心，只有奴才死的，伤不了十五爷半根汗毛！”黄天霸慨然说道：“徒弟们都去！”
“不能都去。”乾隆说道：“正月十五临近，李侍尧要在京师破案。有你去朕就放心。料有你在，就没人能伤朕的儿子。”
有这样一句话，黄天霸已是十二分满足了。他笃定地沉吟片刻，说道：“奴才带梁富云去，他在山东人头熟，先号令绿林里头留意，不许杀人，我再从容寻找。”
“这个由你。去了先见见刘墉，有什么计议白他密奏朕知道。”乾隆想想无可吩咐，半晌说道：“你下去吧。”
看着黄天霸却步退出殿去，乾隆不胜疲倦地吁了一口气，皱眉站起身来，见窗外天色已经黯谈，小太监抱着蜡烛正往各房分发。叫过王八耻道：“这会儿福康安只怕就要上路了。你骑马再到傅府传旨，福康安和刘墉各赏一袭猞猁猴丝绒披风，要明黄挂面儿的一一再到皇后宫去，她今儿个陪了老佛爷一天，劳乏了，朕今儿翻陈氏的牌子，就不过去了。”说着，王廉便过来给乾隆加了披肩，几个太监夹护着乾隆径往陈氏住的建福宫而来。
建福宫在养心殿的西北方向，和皇后正居储秀宫平齐隔院，中间只有个咸福宫。咸福宫是顺治废皇后博尔济吉特氏所属，沾了这层晦气，建福宫这一片都被视为“冷宫”，连太监、宫女都绕着走，更不用说后妃、嫔御这些贵人，是内城西半最荒僻的地方。因咸福宫荒置数十年，宫门长年封锁，宫内野蒿乱草丛生，狐獾狸鼠出没，还出过蛇，伤过太监，夜间时闻狐鬼啾啾，天一擦黑便人迹断绝。陈氏在乾隆众多嫔妃里位置中等，“圣眷”算是好的，和颙琰母亲魏佳氏也不差上下，偏是性格恬淡洒脱，从不和人争房。别人都急着赶热灶窝，挤着往坤宁宫、钟粹宫、储秀宫偏院厢房里住，她却选了这块清净地儿一一抱了这个“不争”的宗旨，且又随分和气，性格儿开朗，满宫里燕妒鸳忌，此喜彼怒，只她得了人缘儿。一行人穿过一带阴沉沉暗幽幽的巷道，后头几个太监一路吓得不敢回头，紧跟着一步不拉进了建福宫大门才算定住了心。乾隆却似兴致颇好，见守门太监要进去禀报，笑着一摆手，独自进了殿门。
这是两明一暗三间小殿，已经掌起了灯。外殿北墙下一座大木榻上盘膝坐着陈氏和乌雅氏，四只纤手在聚耀灯下翻绳儿交，玩得聚精会神，竟都不留意乾隆进来。恰乌雅氏翻出个新花样来，四指挑着八根红绒线，交绳两头粘成两股，中间还挽起一个红结。乌雅氏见陈氏面露难色，颦口儿笑道：“这叫'二龙戏珠'。”努着嘴指指中间的“珠”说道：“二八一十六，中间这红珠子是十六条线攒起来的，单用手拈不起来——用小指挑起结上头两根，用牙咬定了，其余两手八指各自勾开，反掌向外拉，它就开了。”陈氏笑道：“这会子已经看晕了眼，哪是哪的头绪都分不清，哪里用牙咬？手指头又该勾哪根呢？”乌雅氏笑道：“听皇后娘娘说，您还是咱们'开交一把抓'呢——来，把绳儿套过您手上，我来开！”陈氏答应着递手过去，半空里忽然停住了——她看见了站在榻前的乾隆、就榻上双膝跪起，呆愣愣笑道：“主子来了！”
“朕看你们多时了，好一幅《美人灯下开交图》！”乾隆笑道：“这个二龙戏珠果然繁复难开。来，绳儿套朕指头上，你来翻开看。”说着伸过手去。乌雅氏便也半跪起伸手过来，小心翼翼把套在四指上的交绳套儿往乾隆手上递送。无奈乾隆的手比她大了足一倍，又有意无意往她手面上摩蹭，乌雅氏面热心跳，手哆嗦着左右套不上。陈氏笑着帮忙取绳儿套指，忙了半顿饭时辰才将“二龙戏珠”换到乾隆手上，两个妇人已是忙得鼻尖上浸出细汗来。
接着便是开交，乾隆手大，八股交绳套上才看出来，中间交线只余了四寸长短，又要手勾又要口咬，乌雅氏直是个“掩面羞涩”形容儿，连手带头被乾隆“掬”在捧里开那交。乌雅氏好容易将线头咬在口里，双手向外扯线时，忽然觉得乾隆手指头在唇上按了一下，“咯”地一笑，扯开交，中间只剩了两根线拧成一条，乌雅氏左右掌前各缠结出两个“红疙瘩”来——已是散交了。
“这是甚么？这是二珠戏龙！——亏你说嘴……”乾隆鼓掌大笑，“还傻乎乎含着绳儿作甚？你们两个这么贴面跪在朕跟前，真是逗人！”二人这才笑着下炕。陈氏命人端炕桌摆果子上茶。乌雅氏娇嗔道：“主子的龙手太大了么……”乾隆本来已经住笑，听见“龙手”二字，又复大笑说道：“你自己吹了牛，怪朕么？”陈氏道：“那年傅六爷府选家丁，有个十一二岁的毛头小子应招。福康安嫌他身子单薄，隔过去了不要。那小子指着几个家人说：'四爷，他们带绳子、杠子、刀，是要杀猪么？杀猪要五个人？我独个儿就办了！'说着夺过一根杠子一把刀，两手背抄着到猪圈里。福康安也就跟上了。那小子指着一头大肥猪说：'就这畜牲成不？'见康儿点头，不言声过去，冷丁的一杠子扬起打下去，那猪哼也没来及哼一声就四蹄翻过来。这小子接着一刀攮进猪脖子里，直没到刀根，连打带杀一眨眼工夫就了账了……”
她说得绘形绘色，乾隆和乌雅氏都听入了神。乌雅氏刚要问“后来呢”，陈氏又道：“那小子一脸神气，放开刀瞧着康儿，双手卡腰说：'四爷，怎么样，够份子么？我——'话没说完，那猪'哞儿——'一声长嚎，四蹄子'兀'地撑起身子，脖子底下带个刀，忽地蹿出猪圈，一边儿叫一边乱钻乱跑，把王吉保也拱了个仰八叉。满院子长随掂杠子撵，一路都是猪血，淋得地下都是——原来这孩子就是屠户家出来的，乡里的猪小，傅家这猪足有三百斤，照他老法子这么着杀，自然是不中用……不过他自家吹牛，康儿还是赏识他，到底还是收用了……”陈氏说着便笑，乌雅氏笑得捂口儿：“杀个猪也叫主儿说得一波三扬，主儿真好刚口！大正月里说得血乎乎的，也不怕主子忌讳……”乾隆笑道：“这有什么忌讳？杀猪（朱）朕才不忌讳呢，多少姓朱的朕都杀了。明朝钱塘江闹，皇上姓朱，奏折子里不敢讲'杀朱龙婆'，只好说杀'鼋'（元）。下旨叫'狠狠地杀鼋'，下头发兵把鼋杀得干干净净，朱龙婆却安然无恙，该吃人还吃人，该咬牲畜还咬牲畜，竟是闹个不了……”
说笑一会儿三人升榻，陈、乌二人在旁服侍乾隆进晚点。乾隆因问乌雅氏：“你府里去的外官多，外头有些什么传言？好的反的，随便儿说给朕听。”
“王爷病得恹恹的，我也不能见外人，听不见什么话。”乌雅氏道，“有些命妇进来给我请安，说起傅六爷的病，有些个话……”她看了看乾隆，慢慢嚼着杏仁，似乎不在意的样子，接着又道，“说皇后夢了，六爷要再有个长短，这就是傅家大运消了……眼见于敏中上来，和珅、刘墉噌噌儿往上蹿，这又是一茬人物儿，可不是风水轮子转？”
乾隆心里一动，竖起了耳朵：他没听见过这话，也没想过这事，不期自然的，外人已经说出来了——见乌雅氏看自己，掩饰着一笑道：“不妨事的，朕不追问也不计较，你只管说！”
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