Chapter 4 Chapter 4: An Unexpected Accident Yongzheng's Return to Heaven

The four princes and the two prime ministers rushed to Da Nei, and the sky was dawning.In the early morning, dozens of people came to the military aircraft department and the upper study room to arrange the numbers, wait for Ertai and Zhang Tingyu to meet, and officials from other provinces to report to Beijing. Dozens of people have come, and they are all waiting outside Xihuamen Cool down and watch the stars.Zhang Tingyu dismounted with the crowd, and seeing Li Wei's official sedan chair was also there, he ordered the eunuch guarding the gate: "It is said that Li Wei will come in immediately, and the rest of the officials will go back to the Yamen." On the west side, pass Longzong Gate and enter Tianjie Street, and walk north along the corridor from the main gate of Qianqing Gate. From a distance, you can see the bright lights of His Majesty Dan, and eight guards of Qianqing Palace with knives standing on Danchi like nails.In the hall, sixty-four red candles with bowl-thick golden dragons coiled around were lit according to their directions, and twelve eunuchs waited respectfully in front of the resplendent Xumi seat with their hands down.Seven people stood in a row under the Danqi of Qianqing Palace, and bowed three times and kowtowed nine times in front of the main hall. Zhang Tingyu saw that the first-class guard on duty was Brother Zhang Wu, so he beckoned him over and said, "There is a decree." , while holding up the gold medal arrows used by Emperor Yongzheng to dispatch soldiers and horses from the five cities with his hands, please examine.

"Originally there is no reason why Zhongtang should not be believed." Zhang Wuge said with a smile: "But this is the rule. This hall stores the edict of the emperor's enthronement, and it is the fundamental place in the world." He is an old guard who is nearly seventy years old. Forty-six years on duty, and now for twenty-eight years, the other guards have changed one after another, but he has never left the palace, and it is his loyalty.Brother Wu took it and checked it under the lamp, and saw four characters cast on it: as if i were here Liang Sensen Huang Chengcheng flickered with light, hurriedly handed Zhang Tingyu back with both hands, and slapped the horseshoe sleeves and knelt down tremblingly.

"Following the last order of the late Emperor Yongzheng," Zhang Tingyu said calmly, "The Prime Minister of the Cabinet led the guards and the inner ministers to the study to walk the ministers Zhang Tingyu, Ertai, and the guards of the Qianqing Palace to unseal the imperial edict to pass on the throne, hereby!" "Slave Zhang Wuge... leads the decree..." Brother Zhang Wu, who was kneeling on the ground, lost his legs and almost collapsed on the ground. After a while, he raised his head and asked in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty...he died? I saw Zhongtang the day before yesterday, didn't you say..." Zhang Tingyu Seeing the muscles on his face twitching and the old tears filling his eyes, he knew that he was about to cry, so he hurriedly said in a low voice: "This is not the place to cry, nor is it the time, be careful! Follow the order to run an errand!"

"tie……" "Fifth Brother Zhang got up and wiped away his tears, and said: "Please wait here, my servants and the two middle halls will take the edict. " The edict of succession to the throne is stored behind the "upright and bright" plaque in the Qianqing Palace.This is the method pioneered by Emperor Kangxi.Emperor Kangxi was eight years old, and at the age of 15, he captured Oboi wisely. At the age of 23, he conquered San Francisco, conquered Taiwan, quelled the chaos in Xinjiang, ruled the Yellow River, repaired water transportation, lightened corvettes and poor Fu, and improved Ming politics. For sixty-one years, he can be regarded as the monarch of the Ming Dynasty, surpassing Tang Zong and Song Zu.Only in his later years, the crown prince was abolished twice, and the kings coveted the throne and seized the heir to become a disaster, which is a great regret in life.Therefore, after deposing Prince Yinfeng for the second time, he decided not to establish a prince.Store the secret book of the proposed successor here.After Yongzheng ascended the throne, he issued an imperial edict "Writing is a permanent rule".Even so, Yongzheng's eighth and ninth brothers failed to usurp him and died in prison. Yongzheng's son, Hongshi, was stripped of his status and given to death in order to seek the crown prince's position.Since Hongshi's death, the Qianqing Palace has actually become a forbidden place for storing this secret edict.Zhang Tingyu, Ertai and Brother Zhang were about to enter the hall when they heard someone say:

"Hold on, three adults." When the three looked back together, it was Prince Bao Hongli.Prince Bao was wearing four tufts of dragon coats and blue satin soap boots. In the shadow of the lamp, he could see the ten oriental pearls on the prince's crown on the second-tier golden dragon crown trembling slightly, shining brightly.His eyes are like a star and his face is like a full moon. Because he is neatly groomed, he is twenty-five years old, and he looks as young and delicate as he is eighteen or nineteen years old, but it seems that he has just cried, and there is a layer of dizziness on his fair face.Emperor Yongzheng had ten sons, only four of whom were alive. Hongshi had passed away. Hongzhou was a dirty cat among the grandsons of the Emperor Kangxi. , Sometimes I don’t wash my face for several months.The youngest is less than three years old.The successor written in the will is destined to be Prince Bao.Hearing his greeting, everyone was surprised.Ertai and Zhang Tingyu hurriedly turned around and said, "Fourth master (the fourth in Hongli Xuchi's rank), what's your order?"

"It should be said that Hong Zhou came to listen to the decree." Hong Li frowned and said, "He is the same as me. He is the blood of the late emperor. It is not good if he does not come during this great change." Showing a maturity commensurate with his actual age.Zhang Tingyu knew it was unnecessary, so he bowed quickly and said repeatedly: "What the fourth master said is true, but the minister was negligent. The fifth brother asked the guards of the Qianqing Gate to pass it on. Here, we only need to build a ladder. When the fifth and tenth masters arrive, we will read the edict. "

Saying "building a ladder" is actually "putting up a ladder".At that time, when the edict was placed, three tall wooden cabinets were designed. The cabinets were trapezoidal and went up layer by layer, just reaching the plaque of "Upright and Bright". The "wooden cabinets" were placed behind the imperial screen.Ertai stood aside and watched the people's movements, only feeling dizzy for a while.Yesterday morning, Yongzheng met himself and Zhang Tingyu in the Old Summer Palace, discussing the affairs of Miaojiang for more than an hour, and discussing the replacement of the imperial envoy Zhang Xi with someone from the clan who knows the art of war.When discussing the righteousness of Zen Buddhism, Yongzheng also said with a smile: "Zhang Xi's title 'Proud Jushi' was bestowed by me. It's a pity that he doesn't understand my true meaning, so he will inevitably have to be discussed with the Ministry and suffer from the vulgar world. Life is like a dream, everything is illusory, he is such a smart person, he can’t understand this truth, and he controls his subordinates with kindness and resentment, how can anyone be invincible?" These words are still in my ears, but now they are a thing of the past.Ertai was thinking wildly, Wubeile Hongzhou had already staggered over from the Qianqing Gate.At this time, the sky was bright, and I saw Hong Zhou's disheveled clothes, disheveled braids, red eye circles on his blue and yellow face, and he looked out of his mind. He was the same age as Hong Li, and his appearance was not ugly, but his appearance was not slovenly. Compared with Hongli, it can be regarded as one underground and one heaven.Zhang Tingyu was afraid that he would cry out loud, so he hurriedly stepped forward and said softly: "Your Majesty, the situation is not stable at this time, and we must do things with condolences. Please stand side by side with Prince Yi and wait for the reading of Emperor Daxing's will." Zhang Wu was speaking. Brother came over and said: "The ladder has been set up, please two Zhongtang..."

So, in full view of everyone, Zhang Tingyu, Ertai, and Zhang Wuge walked up the stairs to the top of the hall with heavy steps. Under the "Fair and Bright" plaque, a red sandalwood box was fixed with iron hoops. Zhang Wuge took out The key was opened, and a small golden plaque as big as a shiny and shiny Go box was taken out, and solemnly handed over to Zhang Tingyu.Zhang Tingyuxiang came down slowly holding the baby who just fell to the ground, stood on the altar, glanced at Ertai, and handed the golden plaque to Fifth Brother Zhang.Almost at the same time, the two men each took out a golden key from their waists—there were two keyholes on the front of the golden plaque. When the two keys were turned slightly at the same time, the spring clicked, and the golden chamber was opened wide.Inside, the imperial edict was placed flat on the yellow silk cover and bordered with gold thread.Zhang Tingyu carefully took out his hands and held them in his palms, and let Ertai and Zhang Wuge read them again, and said softly: "This is the Manchu-Han combined national book, please announce the Mandarin first, and I will announce the Chinese language." Turning to face several The prince said: "Now read out the last edict of the first emperor, and all the ministers will kneel and listen!"

"Long live!" Manchu was designated as the national language in the Qing Dynasty, and Manchus who did not understand Manchu were not allowed to enter the study.It has been ninety-one years since the founding of the Qing Dynasty, and the language of food and drink has long been sinicized, and there are very few people who can speak Manchu.When the princes listened to Ershan's mumbled decree, they all looked at a loss, but Hongli kowtowed and said something in Manchu.It sounds specious, it seems to be Shane.Seeing that everyone was just kowtowing in confusion, Zhang Tingyu recited after receiving the imperial edict:

In accordance with the heavens, the emperor's decree: Hongli, the fourth son of the emperor, Longri, and Tianbiao are so valuable that they are worthy of being a king.That is to say, Hongli succeeded to the throne and followed the Daqing Pixu.This!Huan Yu Shu in August of the first year of Yongzheng. Only now did everyone hear clearly, bowed down and kowtowed in unison, and said: "I will obey the last emperor's will!" "A country cannot be without a king for a day." Zhang Tingyu listened to the edicts of the kings, and a stone fell in his heart, and said slowly, "The emperor's imperial body has not yet entered Feng'an, so I invite Prince Bao to take the throne and preside over all major affairs." The two of them stepped forward together, each supporting Hongli who was crying and lying on the ground.The main hall of the Qianqing Palace immediately became busy like a pot of water. Those who dismantled the ladders dismantled the ladders, those who set up the throne set up the throne, dusted and dusted, studied ink and laid paper.It only takes a moment for everything to stop.By this time it was daylight.

Hongli sat on the Sumeru Throne in the middle of Qianqing Palace, but his heart was still in confusion.The dragon seat of Qiulong Panchi is wide and high, and the bright yellow soft cloth surface is cold and smooth, enough for three people to sit in the middle, and the sandalwood armrests on both sides are completely useless.In the past, when I served errands here, I just felt that the people sitting here were dignified and dignified. Today, I can really appreciate the feeling of being "not relying on four sides" alone.For a moment, he was a little strange. Why didn't he feel this way when he was serving the case yesterday?Even the Shuwang brothers, Zhang Tingyu, and Ertai, who were very familiar with him, suddenly became strange. After a long time of hesitation, Hongli suddenly realized that he was no longer "Prince Bao". Instead, he is the number one person in the world and the universe to rule China and Fuyou Wanfang!His face flushed immediately.With dignity in his eyes, he watched several ministers salute in front of the throne, and said after a long while: "I've worked all night, I'm exhausted. Get up!" "Thank you..." "I really didn't expect that my father would unload this heavy burden on my shoulders." Hongli said: "Speaking of which, Huang Ama's body has been restless for six years, with intermittent cold and hot, like malaria. Malaria, I don’t know how many remedies I tried, but it didn’t get better. The day before yesterday I went to the Old Summer Palace to see Huang Ama, and Ama held my hand and said, “I’ve been restless recently, and my body is scorching hot. If the fever doesn’t go away, I’m afraid I won’t be able to get up.” There are a lot of internal and external affairs, I am going to fall ill, you and the brothers and ministers need to be more careful'... Unexpectedly, two days later, it became a prophecy, and today it is a great treasure, thinking about the words of the late emperor, the voice and appearance are still there It's heartbreaking?" There was a sudden soreness in his heart, and tears welled up in his eyes. No one expected this opening remark, and it was all about Yongzheng's body, which was emotional and touching.But Zhang Tingyu and Ertai immediately understood the words: Emperor Daxing did not die suddenly, but died after a long illness.Therefore, the scene in the Xinghuachun Pavilion must be deeply covered and never spread.Seeing that it was empty, Zhang Tingyu was about to speak, when E Letai said beside him: "Your Majesty, you don't have to be sad. Emperor Daxing ruled the imperial court for ten or three years, and he was fifty-eight years old. Mo Lie, who cultivates politics, is well-organized, works diligently and loves the people, works day and night, is truly a rare sage king through the ages. I think that following the example set by the ancestors, bestowing a good title and enshrining the Dragon's Cave is the most important thing at this time." "It can follow the burial regulations of the ancestors." Hongli glanced at Ertai and said, "All those who follow the late emperor are going to guard the tomb." Obviously, he wanted to follow the example of Taizu Nurhachi and Taizong Huang Taiji, and buried all the eunuchs and maids who knew about it in Xinghuachun Pavilion together.Of course Hongli didn't want to let the truth of Yongzheng's violent death spread, but felt that Ertai's intentions were too vicious.So he changed his tone and changed the word "I" to "Zhen", "Confucius said loyalty, filial piety, and courtesy, righteousness and shame, all for the sake of benevolence in the world. I treat people with benevolence and forgiveness, and people will never betray me. Xinghuachun If the affairs of the museum are leaked, how can we go against the order of the ancestors and the ancestors to restore the burial, regardless of the good and the bad?" Ertai touched this soft and not hard nail as soon as he opened his mouth. , blushed immediately, bowed quickly and said: "Slave mind cannot escape the sacred lesson. What the emperor taught is true!" Hongli nodded and said: "You are also troubled by accidents. This matter will fall on you--Zhen Thinking, there are a few important things to do right now: the posthumous title of Emperor Daxing and the temple name must be determined. My year name must be determined, and then I must call all the officials to announce it at home and abroad, and the Ministry of Rites will preside over the drafting of the funeral ceremony. There are some customary decrees that should not be discussed until after the funeral.” Zhang Tingyu was listening to the audience, secretly thinking that Prince Bao deserves to be the elder brother who has been trained by the emperor himself and has been involved in court affairs for a long time.These things were all prepared by himself, but Hongli said everything without leaking.Thinking about it, he took a step forward and bowed: "The emperor's planning is very thorough, it is very appropriate. It will not take long to determine the name of the temple and the year. The servant then issued a decree, ordering the chief officials of the Yamen of Shuntianfu, the six ministries and nine ministers, to enter the court and wait for the order. .” "All these things are to be handled by Li Wei—Gao Wuyong, you go and announce Li Wei to come in." Hongli said calmly, "You stay here and decide on the name of the temple and the name of the year." Then he turned his face and asked: "Fifth Uncle, Seventeenth Uncle, and three younger brothers, what do you think?" Yun Lu hurriedly said: "The emperor said it. The minister didn't say anything." Until then, people felt that the atmosphere was more relaxed.Zhang Tingyu is a veteran of this, bowed his head and pondered for a while, and said: "I will give a brief introduction first, if there is something missing, I will ask the emperor and all the princes and ministers to correct the supplement. What does the emperor think?" Seeing Hongli nodding, Fang made every word Said: "Firstly, the emperor of Daxing is magnificent in the sky, great in wisdom, great in response, generous and tolerant, Tianzhang Ruifa, candles like gods - based on this, the slaves think that the posthumous text can be designated as 'Jingtianchang' Yunjian Zhongbiao text Wu Yingming Xinyi Ruisheng Daxiao Sincerity' I don't know what the emperor and you think?" Several ministers in the hall looked at each other.Although this is a bureaucratic article, without real talent and learning, even Song Sheng will inevitably have a yellow accent. Ertai insisted on the purpose of "it's better not to say it than to say it" and not to fight Zhang Tingyu on it.No one else was willing to show off here, so they all agreed and said in unison: "Very good." "I also think it's good." Hongli said, "However, Emperor Daxing has been sympathetic to the poor and benevolent throughout his life, and he should add the word 'lenient' to show his holiness." In the thirteenth year of Yongzheng's reign, with the purpose of rectifying the administration of officials, clearing up discipline and strict criminal laws, he was a rare emperor who copied his family.He is vicious by nature, he will retaliate, and he is pervasive in picking people, often embarrassing officials.Even Yongzheng himself admitted that he was "strict and harsh".Hongli stared and said nonsense, and insisted on adding the word "lenient"!But at this time, he had no choice but to say yes.Zhang Tingyu thought about it, this was specially proposed by Xin Jun, and it must be placed before "Xinyi", so he wrote it out in one breath.He raised his head and said: "This is the posthumous text, please show the posthumous title to the emperor." Hongli thought for a while, and said: "It is the emperor 'Xian'. He is well-known and good at doing good. It can be called 'Xian'. Emperor Daxing should be I got this name. As for the temple name, the word 'Zong' has been fixed, 'Yixiuyi Ye Rishi'. I think it is the best of 'Sejong'." As far as Hongli's style is concerned, Gu Pan is in a radiant spirit.Zhang Tingyu watched him grow up, and Yongzheng worked together in the study room in his later years.At that time, I just thought that Hongli was gentle, elegant, smart and intelligent. Now seeing his true color, he realized that he was a master who was more difficult to serve than Yongzheng.Therefore, I hurriedly restrained my strengths and kept a low profile, and abided by the motto of "It is better to be silent than a thousand words". "It's actually not difficult for me to serve you." Hongli twitched the corner of his mouth imperceptibly, and took a sip from the milk held by the eunuch, "I admire the emperor's grandfather the most, and the person I respect the most is Emperor Ama Sejong Lord. My heart and my nature are in the same line as my father and ancestors. I pay attention to respecting the heaven and the ancestors and loving the emperor. The benevolent is also the heaven, and the heaven is also "dry". My emperor title can be set as "Qianlong". Veteran, I should serve my ancestors and my father's heart, help me to govern the world, make me the ruler of a generation like a holy ancestor, and bring the Qing Dynasty to its peak. But with this thought, how can I fail you? ? The imperial court is not stingy with the gift of Juelu." This is nothing less than a manifesto of ascending to the pole. Although Hongli said it euphemistically, "Jingtian Fazu" is talking about the holy ancestor Kangxi.Respecting the father and emperor is nothing but filial piety.Emperor Yongzheng was eager to collect violent taxes and practice harsh politics. Now he is going to turn around and learn from his ancestors, and rule the world with benevolence and filial piety.Everyone remembered that they had worked under Emperor Yongzheng for thirteen years, and they were cautious every day and still got offended at every turn.In an instant, there was a feeling of a world away, and my heart was relieved, and I hurriedly bowed my head and shouted: "Long live Emperor Qianlong, long live!" Qianlong felt the blood rushing to his face all of a sudden.Wan Gan sighed with emotion.Qiangzi suppressed his excitement, nodded solemnly, and said: "Today is not the time to discuss politics, we must hurry up to prepare for the funeral of Emperor Daxing. Zhang Tingyu." "The slave is here." "You come to draw up the purpose." "tie!" Qianlong's body seemed to relax when he sat upright, and he said: "The son of man is filial, regardless of the emperor and the common people, he is sincere with his heart and soul. Therefore, in the old system, the emperor mourned for three years, and the funeral used the day instead of the month, and only served two The funeral on the seventeenth is inconsistent with reason. I rule the world with filial piety, and I must first set an example. How can I make the world obey the filial piety for three years, while I only obey the twenty-seven days of filial piety? This system has changed. Just set up a green house in the south verandah of Qianqing Palace, and I will do my best to be a filial son." After a while, seeing everyone staring at me, he said: "But I am the emperor, and I am busy with government affairs. Neglecting government affairs is a violation of the deep meaning entrusted by the emperor Ama, and he is an unworthy son. Therefore, within three years, I will conduct affairs in Qianqing Palace as usual, and the detailed ceremonies will be presided over by Lu County Wang Yuntao. You can fulfill your duties as a filial son.” This is actually a funeral policy.In the past, it was Zhang Tingyu's suggestion that the emperor's funeral should be replaced by the day, and it was nothing more than shortening the emperor's funeral to avoid neglecting government affairs.Qianlong's remarks seemed to prolong the date of mourning, but in fact, even the official mourning on the 27th was cancelled.Zhang Tingyu was knowledgeable but also impeccable, he only swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and wrote according to Qianlong's words. "The country has undergone major changes, and I am mourning again. I am afraid that there is something lacking in spirit." Qianlong took the ink-drenched draft, nodded and said to the crowd: "That is to say, Prince Zhuang Yunlu and Prince Guo Yunli are prime ministers. Minister Wang, I will be a counselor with me, and I will be rewarded with the salary of the two princes. Hong Xiao and Hong Zhou are in charge of the Ministry of War, and Li Wei is also the Minister of the Ministry of War, handling military affairs and dealing with the defense of the capital." After finishing speaking, he looked at Zhang Tingyu and briefly After pondering, he said: "The original difference between Zhang Tingyu and Ertai remains the same, Jia En rewards the hereditary first-class captain of light vehicles, and the daily affairs of the study and the military aircraft department must be taken care of. That's it-understand?" "Zha!" The ministers respectfully obeyed the oracle—thank you! "All the people kowtowed their heads together, and when they were thinking about saying something grateful, Qianlong had already got up, and while slowly getting down from his seat, he said: "If you are tired, let's divide up according to their own errands. If you are in trouble, you can come to see me anytime. " Qianlong waited for everyone to exit the gate of the palace, wandered around the throne for a while as if reluctant to leave, and walked out of the palace. The guards and eunuchs guarding the gate of the palace knelt down a large area when they saw the new emperor coming out.Qianlong ignored it, waved his hand and got off the platform.Hong Xiao and Hong Zhou were instructing the eunuchs to put on filial piety clothes and distribute filial piety hats under the east corridor in front of the palace. Seeing Qianlong coming out, the two brothers came quickly, one holding a filial piety hat and the other holding gill hemp filial piety clothes. Her lips trembled, but she said nothing.Qianlong looked at the snow-white clothes and hats, and then turned his face to look at the main gate of the Qianqing Palace covered with white paper and the curtains and paper streamers covered with white flowers everywhere. Under the half cloudy and half sunny sky, the autumn wind passed, and the gold leaf and silver leaf rustled Trembling and making noise, as if weeping for Liren. "Huang Ama...you...that's it..." He was dressed blankly while being served by his two brothers.In an instant, he seemed to be stabbed with an awl, and his face became extremely pale, "God...it's true..." He had no tears, but his vision had become blurred.As if he didn't believe the reality in front of him, he tentatively took two steps towards the coffin, his legs gave way and he almost fell to the ground! Hong Xiao and Hong Zhou hurriedly took a step forward, each holding Qianlong firmly.Hong Xiao said with a crying voice: "Good emperor... you have to hold on... nothing will happen at this time... How many courtiers and eyes are watching you!" Hong Zhou was also full of distress, sobbing softly: "Father's coffin hasn't arrived, you can't hold it, we can't maintain it..." "Huang Ama...you went well—quickly..." Qianlong howled dryly, two lines of hot tears poured down Lai Lai's cheeks, but gritted his teeth to calm himself, and said to Hong Zhou: " Old fifth, you and Hong Xiao are by my side. I am in a confused mood at the moment... I have passed the decree that the chief officials of the six ministries and the ministers of the second rank and above in Beijing will accompany me to the Old Summer Palace to welcome the coffin of Huang Ama. The matter here is Prince Lu commanded the arrangement..."