In May of the eighth year of Kangxi, after a victorious court mutiny, the traitor Oboi was cut off, and the sixteen-year-old son of heaven, Xuan Ye, firmly controlled the court situation. However, the San Francisco has not been withdrawn, and the hidden dangers still exist, which cannot but make Kangxi very worried. The three vassals are Wu Sangui, king of Pingxi, Shang Kexi, king of Pingnan, and Geng Jingzhong, king of Jingnan.They were all generals of the Ming Dynasty who surrendered to the Qing Dynasty. They made great contributions when they entered the pass from the dragon and pacified the south, and they were named princes with different surnames.Pingnan Wang Shang Kexi is in Guangdong, and Jingnan Wang Geng Jingzhong is in Fujian, both of them hold heavy troops and dominate one side.The most powerful of the San Francisco is Wu Sangui, King of Pingxi. He sits in Yunnan, looks down on the Central Plains, cooks salt and casts money privately, recruits soldiers and buys horses everywhere, and uses the name of "Western Selected Officials" to send his confidants to Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces, reaching all over the world. Under Kangxi's nose, Emperor Kangxi could not bear it anymore!

In the winter of this year, Kangxi issued an edict ordering the three vassal kings to come to Beijing for an audience on the occasion of the ninth year of Kangxi's reign.He was going to follow the strategy of withdrawing from the feudal clan left by Wu Ciyou, and he planned to cut off these three cancers completely by giving courtesy first and then fighting. The story of the second volume of our "Kangxi Emperor", "Frightening Wind and Rain", started from the end of the eighth year of Kangxi... At noon that day, an official ship sailed slowly into Tianjin Wharf in the heavy snow against the bitter new wind.There were four people in the cabin.The one in the middle is about forty years old, with a fair face and three beards. He wears an official robe and wears a feather on his head.Although he was upright, dignified and solemn, his expression was gloomy, and he sat withered and worried.He is the former prefect of Chaozhou, named Fu Honglie.There were two people behind him, full of Beijing accent, with haughty expressions, and they were low-level officials who were messing around in the yamen with high eyebrows and low eyes.Opposite Fu Honglie, sat a young man in his twenties named Juren.The eight-character eyebrows are separated on both sides, and on the thin face, there are two bright big eyes, revealing an air of seeing through everything, and not caring about anything.He was wearing a very worn-out jacket, but he didn't look shabby at all, and he didn't look like a servant attached to a wealthy family. With his legs crossed, he was looking out at the snow scene outside.This man is named Zhou Peigong, a native of Jingmen.On the way to Beijing to rush for the exam, he spent all his money, and was stranded at the Dezhou wharf, selling letters to spend the day.Just happened to be bumped into by Bo Honglie who got off the boat for a walk.Fu Honglie saw that his handwriting was flamboyant and talented, so he chatted with him.Fu Honglie appreciated Zhou Peigong's neither humble nor overbearing demeanor and witty conversation, so he invited him to board a boat and go to Beijing together. Talk about everything.After eight days, the two have become close friends.

After the official ship stopped at Tianjin Wharf, a boatman opened the heavy cotton curtain and walked into the cabin to report: "My lord, the waterway from Tianjin to Beijing's Chaoyangmen has been completely blocked by ice, and the boat cannot go any further. It seems that I have to ask my lord to go ashore and change to a dry road." After hearing this, Fu Honglie's face became even more gloomy.He waved the boatman back and stared at the frozen river without saying a word. Zhou Peigong's interest did not diminish at all, and he said to Fu Honglie with a smile: "Master Fu, don't worry, the waterway is blocked, and the dry road is the same. The ancients rode a donkey through Jianmen in the wind and snow, and we ride horses on the ancient Jinmen road. Isn't it very poetic ?"

Fu Honglie smiled wryly, took out a handful of scattered silver from his bosom, gently pushed it in front of Zhou Peigong and said: "Pei Gong, it won't be convenient for us to go together after we get off the boat. I really can't afford this little money, so please bring it and talk about filling in the vacancy..." "Ah? My lord, what did you say, you can't go with me? Why?" "Yes, dear brother, I didn't dare to tell you for fear of worrying you on the way. On the surface, I appear to be sitting on the official ship of the General Hangzhou, and I am a dignified and wealthy man. In fact, I am a prisoner arrested by the Ministry of Criminal Justice. Later Get off the boat and put on torture tools. Iron locks and silver pawns, and you are brought along, what's the point?"

Zhou Peigong and Fu Honglie were on the same boat for eight days, never heard him mention this matter, and saw that the two officials who were traveling with him were respectful to him, and thought that this knowledgeable magistrate was moved to Beijing, now he heard this. , was even more surprised, and hurriedly asked: "My lord, is it true that you said that you are a prisoner of the imperial court?" Fu Honglie smiled wryly, and looked back at the two pen postings sitting behind him.One of them hastily said: "Mr. Zhou, what Master Fu said just now is indeed true. Both of us are members of the yamen of the Ministry of Punishment. We were ordered to take Master Fu to Beijing for questioning under the Ministry of Justice. Because Master Fu issued a memorial to withdraw from San Francisco, King Pingxi After Wu Sangui heard the news, he informed Pingnan Palace that he was arrested. He was supposed to be executed on the spot in Guangdong, but the emperor issued an order to the Ministry of Punishment and the Deliberation Office of the Dali Temple. Thanks to the care of General Tuhai, who commanded the yamen of the infantry in the capital, General Hangzhou made preparations. Taking this official ship saved Mr. Fu from suffering a lot..."

"Oh, so that's the case. Mr. Fu, the student is rude." "Where, where, let's walk together for a few days and talk freely. You are a rare talent because you write well and understand the art of war. I wanted to write a letter of recommendation for you, but in my current situation, I can only write It can bring you trouble. Brother, take this little money and go on your own way." Zhou Peigong didn't go to pick up the money, he looked at Fu Honglie affectionately, and asked: "Master Fu, are you old friends with General Tuhai?" "I can't tell. We spent a year together when General Tuhai was deposed and demoted to Chaozhou. He was very courageous. Do you know Wu Liuyi, the iron beggar? After he was transferred to the governor of Guangdong, Uemoto recommended Tuhai to replace him The admiral of the Nine Gates was also in charge of the infantry commanding the yamen, and he returned to Beijing not long ago. Wu Liuyi and I are also old friends. It is a pity that General Tiebei fell ill and died for no reason when he first arrived in Guangdong. If he is alive, I will also die It won't end up like this. Sigh!"

Hearing what Fu Honglie said, Zhou Peigong laughed: "My lord, according to my opinion, your trip to Beijing is safe and sound. Maybe there is a possibility of promotion?" Fu Honglie was taken aback: "Ah, Peigong, aren't you making fun of me?" "Hey—how dare students do this. The day before yesterday, I heard the adults say that the emperor summoned the San Francisco to Beijing at the same time. If you look at your matter together with their entry to Beijing, it will be very interesting." "Ah—please go on." "There is only one world, and two masters are not allowed to stand side by side. As the saying goes: The customer bullies the store, and the slave oppresses the master. Right now, the San Francisco has become a trend that cannot be lost. How can the court tolerate them? The San Francisco was not called to Beijing to act Song Taizu's old drama of releasing military power with a glass of wine is like setting up a banquet for a grand family. How can there be any other!"

"Well—it makes sense, but the imperial court issued an order to lock me into Beijing and deal with it severely, so what about that?" "Ha—my lord, you are a fan of the authorities! You are the only one to die through hardships through the ages. Your lord has already been sentenced to death in Guangdong, so how can you be more serious? Besides, the emperor wants to withdraw the domain, and you are also charged with withdrawing the domain. The current emperor is a sage monarch, Are you willing to use a talent like you?" Fu Honglie was still in deep thought, and a note next to him was unconvinced: "Mr. Zhou, what if the emperor doesn't withdraw the domain?"

"Huh, it's nonsense. The country's annual income is 37 million taels of silver, Wu Sangui alone gets 9 million, and San Francisco adds up to 20 million. Just for this account, if you are the master, you can accommodate Is this a slave? Master Fu, the student has another question, I wonder if it should be asked?" "Brother Peigong, please tell me." "Okay. My lord's decree to withdraw the feudal clan is a secret obeisance, how could the news leak out?" "Well—that's right, even though it's a secret book, there are always a few confidantes who know about it. Among them is only one Wang Shirong, who is Wu Sangui's counselor. But he and I have eight acquaintances. Will he betray me?" "My lord, The student also knows a thing or two about Wang Shirong. But as far as this matter is concerned, whether he betrayed you, although the student is suspicious, there is no conclusive evidence, and we will find out in the future. Farewell is imminent, and I have something to say. Gift. Although my lord is worthy of being a national scholar, but my heart is too dead, and my love is too crazy. The way of a gentleman in the world is not to believe in the straight and the straight, and he must guard against benevolence. I hope you think twice. I have listened to the teachings for a few days and benefited a lot. In the future, students If there is an inch of progress, it will be rewarded generously. Master Fu, take care, and the student is leaving." After speaking, he turned around, got out of the cabin, and jumped onto the river bank.By the time Fu Honglie and others chased him out, he had walked briskly into the snowstorm.Fu Honglie looked at the distant figure of Zhou Peigong and said to himself, hey, what a rare talent.

Yes, Fu Honglie is right.Although Zhou Peigong is only twenty-five years old, he has already experienced the warmth and coldness of human relationships and the cruelty of the world.Both of his parents died since he was a child, and he was bullied by his uncles. He grew up with the support of his nanny Gong Nam. Weaving desperately, saving money for Zhou Peigong to study.After Zhou Peigong was elected, he wanted to find a way out, find a job, and repay the kindness of his nurse for nurturing him, but Nanny Gong scolded him a lot.He was forced to go to Beijing to rush for the exam, and he was not allowed to go home unless he took the imperial order in his hand.In this way, Zhou Peigong embarked on the road of wind and snow with the hope of his nanny.

After bidding farewell to Fu Honglie, he sold calligraphy and divination along the way, until the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, before he arrived at the long-awaited imperial palace in the capital.He had a small purse in his arms, which was sewn for him by Nanny Gong. Although there were dozens of Kangxi copper coins in it, it was the nurse's painstaking efforts.Along the way, Zhou Peigong was hungry and cold, and he would never spend a penny.Now that he has come to the capital, he is even more unwilling to melt away.I had no choice but to live in the Fahua Temple in the suburbs of Beijing, and eat fast in the temple. At this time, it was during the Lantern Festival.Due to the good weather last year, the mountains on the left and right are ripe in autumn.The imperial court abolished the land enclosure and implemented the renaming of fields. In addition, Ye Bilong transported millions of tannins of grain from Wuhu, Suzhou, and Hangzhou.During the Xinzheng period in Beijing, King Wu couldn't help day and night.The common people were very happy, and the Lantern Festival lanterns were very prosperous. Zhou Peigong also came to the city to watch the excitement. The Lantern Festival Shehuo in the capital is indeed different.Teams of lions, dragon lanterns, stilts, and Yangko walk through the bustling city.There are storytellers, opera singers, and martial arts performers.Zhou Peigong walked through the bustling crowd to Zhengyang Gate.I saw a group of women crowded to touch the big copper nail cap on the Zhengyang Gate.Those who touched it smiled openly; those who were squeezed out complained.Adults yelled, children cried, laughter, cursing, calling, and noise all merged into one group.Zhou Peigong looked at it for a long time, but he didn't understand it.He asked an old man beside him. "Old man, these wives, what are you trying to squeeze here?" "Hehehehe, young man, they are touching luck. Whoever can touch the seven copper nails, the whole family will be safe all year round." Zhou Peigong couldn't help being surprised and amused.I thought: Oh!The emperor's gate is so amazing, how powerful is that cold, round and smooth copper nail cap?How unexpectedly devout and tenacious these women and Taoists are when they pray for their parents, doctors and children! "Hey! Old man, there's no need to be so crowded. If you come next to each other, you can touch them all the time before it gets dark." "Master, you are a foreigner, so you don't know the situation here. In the past, you would touch them one by one. But this year is different. Stay for a while, and Prince Pingnan and Prince Jingnan will have an audience here. I can't touch it. Who do you think is not in a hurry?" Zhou Peigong was taken aback again, Prince Pingnan came, and King Jingnan Geng Jingzhong also came, the emperor wanted to summon San Francisco, why only two came?Then he hurriedly asked: "Isn't Prince Pingxi here?" "Oh, we ordinary people don't know about this. I heard that King Pingxi is sick." Zhou Peigong's heart sank, Wu Sangui refused to come because of his illness, wouldn't the emperor's plan come to nothing, he still wanted to talk to the old man for a while, suddenly, there was a commotion in the crowd, two women were thrown out from under the Zhengyang Gate.The young one was obviously a little girl, she cried and shouted: "You shameless thing, Auntie Xiao Suo, I will fight you today, let everyone see what you are." Everyone was about to go forward to persuade her , the girl named Xiao Suo tore off the turban from the middle-aged woman's head, and everyone was stunned. It turned out that it was a man disguised as a woman. Seeing this man disguised in broad daylight and sneaking into the women's ranks, Zhou Peigong couldn't help being furious. He shouted: "Don't let him go, tie him up and send him to the yamen." Unexpectedly, the man whose true face was exposed was not only not ashamed or afraid, but he tilted his neck and forced him up, "You are full of food, you dare to meddle in the affairs of the men, do you know who the uncle is?" "No matter who you are, you are worse than a beast if you do such outrageous things." "Hey, it's the other way around! Tell you, I'm Liu Yigui, the chief manager of Prince Li's mansion. This girl owes me thirty strings of money for this film, and I'm about to drag her into the mansion. Come on, get this little girl Take it with me." After the words were lost, Zhou Peigong slapped his face with a "slap", and five purple-red fingerprints swelled out immediately, which was like stabbing a hornet's nest.Seeing the butler being beaten, the thugs brought by Liu Yigui all rushed towards Zhou Peigong.The girl Xiao Suo who was standing aside was so frightened that she didn't know what to do. While entangled with the evil slaves, Zhou Peigong yelled to Xiao Suo: Girl, don't you hurry up? " Xiao Suo was about to turn around when Liu Yigui stepped forward and pinched her arm: "Hey, let's go? I brought dozens of people here, and you can still run away! Ah, take this girl and that damned poor boy away." The evil slaves let out a bluff and rushed forward.Some went to pull Xiao Suo, some punched and kicked Zhou Peigong.Poor Zhou Peigong and Xiao Suo, weak scholars, how could they fight against this wolf-like servant, they were knocked to the ground long ago, unable to struggle anymore. Liu Yigui and the others were committing murder when they suddenly heard a roar like thunder: "Stop!" Liu Yigui looked up and saw a tall, bearded officer walking out of the crowd.One of the thugs brought by Liu Yigui, taking advantage of the officer's unguardedness, suddenly punched him from behind.The officer seemed to have eyes in the back, grabbed the evil slave, twisted his backhand and pulled him into his arms, spat on his face with a "bah", and sent him lightly, the evil slave was like a bullet He flew out, knocking down two more people one after another.Seeing that the situation was not good, Liu Yigui whistled and led the evil slaves away in embarrassment. Zhou Peigong got up from the ground and saw that the officer was still laughing happily, his eyes lit up suddenly, and he exclaimed in surprise: "Brother, it's you!" The officer was taken aback for a moment, looked at Zhou Peigong in surprise, and recognized him; he walked up and hugged Zhou Peigong tightly: "Oh, it's my nerdy brother Pei, why are you here? We have ten years Missing, how are you, mother?" It turned out that this officer was none other than Gong Rongyu, the son of Zhou Peigong's nanny, Nanny Gong. Zhou Peigong never expected to meet his nanny here.Then he said in a trembling voice: "Brother, after ten years of separation, I never imagined that you are already a member of the fourth rank. Why don't you go back and see your mother? Her old man is talking about you every day." "Ah, followed Ma Yaozi Wang Fuchen, first in Guangxi, then to Yunnan, and now he is an admiral in Shaanxi, and then in Shaanxi, he can't settle down! Ma Yaozi is on two boats, eating from the imperial court and looking at Wu Sangui's. It's not easy for me to lead troops under him. Let's go, let's find a place to have a good chat." Gong Rongyu told Zhou Peigong that he had been in the army for ten years and had been serving under Wang Fuchen.This Wang Fuchen, nicknamed Ma Yaozi, was originally a general under the Pingxi King Wu Sangui. Because of his military exploits, he was promoted to the admiral of Shaanxi and stationed in Xi'an. Gong Rongyu and Wang Fuchen formed a life-and-death friendship on the battlefield. Wang Fuchen was not happy with his work in Shaanxi because of his discord with Mo Luo, the governor of Shanxi Province, so he brought Gong Rongyu to Beijing to find a way out and change the line of defense. . Today, Gong Rongyu was wandering alone in the street, and he bumped into Liu Yigui, who was out there committing murder and bullying scholars and little girls. In a rage, he offered to help, but happened to save his nanny Zhou Peigong. Hearing this, Zhou Peigong's heart became tense again.Wu Sangui disobeyed his order and refused to come to see him, but the governor of Shaanxi, Ma Yaozi, Wang Fuchen, came. How will the young emperor deal with this sudden change in the situation?