Chapter 80 Section 79

On October 21st, early in the morning, the edict to seek medical treatment was sent out to show the emperor's progress.Although the edict and the decree of the successor emperor and emperor Daxing have been drawn up, they have not yet been issued. Therefore, Zaifeng's status as the supervisor of the country cannot be announced yet.But in fact, Jian Guo is already exercising great power, so there must be a clear expression. In the end, Zhang Zhidong came up with a way, and said to Shixu behind Yikuang's back: "If there is a decree, it is said that the court will have a grand ceremony, and that the regent will be above all the kings. In this way, although the regent has not been declared to supervise the country, It has been pointed out that the status of the regent king is higher than that of the king Qing who is in charge. I think all the subjects in the world can understand it silently."

"Tongji, Tongji!" Shi Xuqiao raised his thumb: "I don't think there is any need to ask for a decree. Talk to the supervisor and make it clear immediately. It's not a coquettish decree." The timing was also very coincidental, it happened that Yikuang was not feeling well and wanted to go back to the mansion to summon a doctor to take medicine, and it happened that this edict was issued, and at this moment, news came that the Empress Dowager Cixi's condition suddenly changed.So the Minister of Internal Affairs led Shi Huan and Lu Yongbin to ask for pulse, and at the same time sent military aircraft Zhang Jing to chase Yi Kuang back who was walking halfway.

"What's going on?" He asked in amazement, "It was fine when I summoned you yesterday!" "Have passed out for a while." Shixu replied, "I woke up, I heard that I have a very bad look! Now I want to see those two edicts, and I will ask you to write an edict!" "Oh," Yikuang said, "Let me take a look at those two Yizhis first." One is for Pu Yi to enter into the Great Unification, which has been drawn up long ago, and the other is for the regent to supervise the country, which has just been completed.Yikuang took a look at it, and it said: "The current situation is very difficult, and the heir emperor is still approaching his age, so it is appropriate to concentrate on classics, and the regent Zaifeng is the supervisor of the country, and all military and state affairs will be implemented according to the instructions given to him. As soon as the emperor gets older and graduates successfully, the emperor will be in charge of government affairs."

After reading it, Yikuang asked Zhang Zhidong, "Xiang Tao, what do you think?" "I hope this decree is useful." This decree is useful, that is, the Empress Dowager Cixi is in danger and returns to safety. If she dies, the so-called "instructions given by me, and the order will be implemented" will become empty talk.Because the Empress Dowager Cixi is not as good as the emperors of the dynasties, there will be a collection of "sacred teachings" after Bintian, which can be used as a basis for inheritance. "At this point, I really have to say it!" Yiqiang still said to Zaifeng in the attitude of an elder: "The heir emperor will be in charge, and there are still 13 or 14 years left. The regent will supervise the country to the end!"

Zaifeng didn't understand what he meant, and Lu Chuanlin couldn't hear him, so he looked confused.The rest of the people fully understood what Yikuang meant, don't make the same mistakes as the Queen Mother. "The empress dowager is the most holy." Zhang Zhidong said: "Send these two edicts, there must be instructions." "Do you want to make it clear in the will?" "Don't, don't!" "Yes, there is no need to explain clearly." Yuan Shikai immediately seconded. Yikuang also wanted to understand. It was written in the imperial edict that hanging curtains is not enough as a lesson, wouldn't it be the same as scolding Empress Dowager Cixi face to face?So he also agreed, "It's fine if you don't write it, just look at the instructions from above."

So while Zhang Zhidong and Lu Chuanlin supervised the same army as Zhang Jing to draft the will, Shixu sent people to inquire about the news in several ways.Yikuang and Yuan Shikai sat and waited for changes, silently thinking about their own problems, only the regent who supervised the country went to the east to ask a few words, and went to the west to look around, wondering if he was on patrol or what to do. The news came in one after another, the "auspicious board" had been sent to Yingtai, the Empress and Cui Yugui would bury the Emperor Daxing, and the Qin Tianjian chose Maozheng tomorrow, that is, the big burial at six o'clock in the morning.

"Then what about Yiling?" Yuan Shikai asked Jilu, the minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who had been meeting with him, "When is it scheduled?" "I have to ask Jian Guo, the prince and everyone in the middle hall for instructions." "Let me ask first," Yuan Shikai said, "is it because of the Qing Dynasty Palace?" "yes!" "Transfer the spirit from Xiyuan to Da Nei, let's count it as three hours. Tonight at twelve o'clock, there is still time." Yuan Shikai explained why he chose this time: "This is under martial law, so it will be later." Alright, so as not to disturb the market.”

"Not bad, not bad!" Zaifeng said, "Martial law must be notified to the commanding yamen of the infantry. Wei Ting, please do this matter! " "yes!" Then there was the second news that the hair-shaving sheds all over the city were full of people, which meant that the emperor's death was already known in all nine cities.Lu Chuanlin, who was hard of hearing, heard these words again, and said in a low voice: "Ah! The clothes will be ready tomorrow morning, within a hundred days, you can't shave your head, we have to find a barber!" "Don't be busy!" Shi Xu replied: "The Ministry of Internal Affairs has them. There are quite a few eunuchs who know this skill, so I'm afraid they won't be able to find them."

Before he finished speaking, the third news came again. It was Kui Jun, who took care of Fuchang Palace, and shook his head as soon as he came in: "The two doctors who asked for pulse have done it again!" Shi Huan advocated the use of ebony balls, but Lu Yongbin refused. Today, Lu Yongbin advocated the use of ebony balls, but Shi Huan refused. He said that it is very troublesome to prepare ebony balls. It has to be steamed, calcined, and roasted. Wait until the medicine is ready, I won’t be able to take it in time!" "Don't Tongrentang have a ready-made one?" Zhang Zhidong said, "And, didn't Tongrentang set up a branch in Haidian?"

"I've asked about it. This medicine is only available at the general number of his family. It takes a lot of effort to come and go. Besides, the prescription needs to be researched first. When the medicine comes, I can't take it in time. No one can bear the responsibility. So," Kui Jun said lightly, "I don't prescribe prescriptions at all!" "According to this, the Empress Dowager is imminent!" Zhang Zhidong threw a pen and said, "I can't deliberate on the manuscript of Yigao, hand it over!" "Just ask." Yi Kuang continued, "If the Empress Dowager doesn't have time to say a few words later, it's really a matter of lifelong hatred."

"That's right!" Zhang Zhidong turned around and waved his hand: "Jianguo, please!" So, a group of seven people hurried to Fuchang Hall, Li Lianying went in once, and immediately summoned them.This time, the Empress Dowager Cixi couldn't get out of bed anymore, so she sat hugging her quilt. Two court ladies climbed onto the imperial couch and supported her body behind her. She gasped and said, "I can't do it!" Before he could finish his sentence, Yuan Shikai cried out, which startled everyone, but they were all reminded immediately, and there was a noise from his nose, which seemed extremely sad. "Don't cry!" Empress Dowager Cixi raised her voice and said, "I have a few important words, listen carefully!" "Yes!" Everyone choked up and agreed in unison. "I'm afraid I really can't do it! From now on," Empress Dowager Cixi said as clearly as possible and slowly: "All state affairs are decided by the Prince Regent. When encountering important matters that must be ordered by the Queen Mother, the Prince Regent will request the order in person!" She then Added a sentence: "Did you hear clearly?" "Yes!" Everyone agreed in unison and loudly. But Zhang Zhidong met alone, and said Langlang: "The empress dowager is wise! With this order, the people of the country are blessed." "Zhang Zhidong," the Empress Dowager Cixi's voice suddenly became sad: "Although I am not as good as the Empress Dowager Xuanren of the Song Dynasty, you people who are full of ink always know that since all dynasties, there has been no empress dowager who listened to politics behind the curtain. I’ve been in my situation! If it wasn’t for internal and external troubles, or Mu Zong didn’t end up in that kind of situation, why didn’t I enjoy a few days of happiness? Zhang Zhidong, you should speak justice for me in the future!” "The empress dowager's holiness and miraculous merits are passed down to the world and future generations, and they have their own opinions. Please rest assured and take it with peace of mind." "Static photography is not possible! Just for peace of mind." Empress Dowager Cixi asked: "Is my will ready?" "yes." "You read it to me!" So Zhang Zhidong stood up, walked to one end of the imperial couch, and stood between the Empress Dowager Cixi and Gu Ming's ministers, holding the manuscript of the imperial edict in both hands, and read: "I will be virtuous, and I will only accept the order of Emperor Wen Zongxian." , Prepare for the palace. Emperor Mu Zongyi rushed to the new year and heir to the throne, just when the rebellion was not over, and the Fang Yin was crusaded. At that time, there were twists and turns, and the Miao and Chu were disturbed. Empress Zhenxian cares and trains with one heart, worrying about work day and night, adhering to the legacy of Emperor Wen Zongxian, encouraging internal and external ministers and workers, as well as ministers of military command from all walks of life, instructing and giving advice, diligently seeking governance, accepting talents, accepting advice, and helping disaster relief and compassionate people, so she has been admired. Tianxiu, the catastrophe was reduced, and the crisis was turned into peace. And the emperor Mu Zongyi came to the world, and the current emperor Daxing entered the throne at a young age. The current situation is getting more difficult, the people's livelihood is getting more difficult, internal and external troubles are coming, and he has to conduct political training again... " "Look!" As soon as the Empress Dowager Cixi spoke, Zhang Zhidong immediately shut up, listening to her say: "It seems that the 'aging' here can be cancelled." Zhang Zhidong also realized that the Daxing Emperor ascended the throne in the same way as Mu Zong ascended the throne, and of course he still had to hang down the curtain.But the political training of the 1898 coup had nothing to do with age, and it was a big mistake in writing. The Empress Dowager Cixi actually recognized it at once. Childish state forgive me!? Empress Dowager Cixi's meaning was intended to be generalized, so she nodded her head to show her satisfaction, and Zhang Zhidong read it again: "The edict of the preparatory constitution was announced the year before, and the period for the preparatory constitution is promulgated this year. Fortunately, my physical strength is strong, and I can still support it. Unexpectedly, since summer and autumn this year, I have been feeling unwell from time to time. On the 21st of this month, I was again mourned by the Emperor Daxing. The grief came from it, and I couldn't control myself. As a result, the disease worsened, and I was dying. The emperor was approaching his age, and he was enlightened. The regent and other officials, Let him work together and praise him to strengthen our state foundation. The next emperor puts state affairs at the top of his list, so he should study the classics diligently in mourning. I know." "Very good!" Empress Dowager Cixi said, "But I think I should add a paragraph. I have worked hard for fifty years, and I just let it go. To be honest, I can't care less in my heart!" "Yes!" Yikuang also felt that Yigao's literary style was flawed, "The empress dowager has worked hard for fifty years, reviewing the present and looking back at the past, what can't be relieved is still the common people in the world." "By the way," Empress Dowager Cixi said quickly, "I just want to add this meaning!" "Yes!" Zhang Zhidong thought about it for a while and said, "Under the phrase 'So I'm Dying', I intend to add this number: 'Looking back on the past fifty years, I have been worrying and worrying about the past, and the heart of conscientiousness has no time to explain it. The new policy is being held, and there are gradually clues', followed by 'the heir emperor is on his way to age' and so on. Whether it is feasible, please let the empress dowager show." "Okay! That's it." Empress Dowager Cixi turned her face and asked, "Where is the empress? Oh, it's time to be called empress dowager now." "The Empress Dowager is in the Hall of Hanyuan." Li Lianying replied, "Long Live God has to be buried first, so that the spirit can be moved." "Is it Yiling Qianqing Palace?" "I have to ask the prince and all the adults." So Zaifeng replied: "Yes! Move the spirit to the Qing Palace, and choose Maoshi for the funeral." "What about me?" Empress Dowager Cixi asked, "Where are you going to put me? Could it be the Compassion Palace?" Listening to this tone, it means that she doesn't want to stop the spirit of compassion and Ninggong. Although Zaifeng understood, he didn't know how to answer.Yikuang then said, "Naturally, it's the Emperor's Palace." As the Ningshou Palace, the place where Emperor Gaozong took over, the main hall is called Huangji Hall, and its regulations are completely imitated from the Qianqing Palace. The slightly modified Empress Dowager Cixi wanted to use this hall, but there are other sayings. "The Ci Ning Palace belongs to the Empress Dowager, so it is inconvenient for me to occupy her!" Empress Dowager Cixi suddenly asked, "Zhang Zhidong, are you seventy years old?" "My lord," Zhang Zhidong knelt down and replied, "this year there are two out of seventy." "I remember that you and Weng Tonghe's nephew are on the same list. It turned out that Chuanlu was appointed, and I made the decision to replace you with Tanhua. This has been said for forty years, right?" "Yes! It's been forty-five years." Zhang Zhidong couldn't help but burst into tears with the feeling of knowing him and the grief of parting, and sobbed silently. "Lafayette, let's take a break!" Li Lianying intervened, "When I feel better, I'll call the two princes and you adults." Having said this, Zaifeng naturally took the lead and knelt down, and retreated.I was thinking in my heart that I could see each other again.Unexpectedly, not long after returning to the military plane, I could faintly hear the mourning from the deep palace, and after inquiring again, the Empress Dowager Cixi had already passed away.