Chapter 20 Section 20

The opinion that the situation should be stabilized as soon as possible was sincerely accepted by Empress Dowager Cixi.Therefore, the Kang Party only managed a few more people.Of course Zhang Yinhuan was hard to come by, so he was dismissed from his post and sent to the army in Xinjiang, and handed over to the local officials to strictly control him; Xu Zhijing, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, was imprisoned forever; crimes in Xinjiang. When the new party is convicted, the old party is also the queen party, so it is natural to celebrate with each other.The first is Huaitabu, the minister of rites who was dismissed by the emperor for preventing Wang Zhao from submitting a letter. Because his father, Ruilin, who was the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, once sponsored the Empress Dowager Cixi's natal family, and Huaitabu's wife was the Empress Dowager Cixi. The "Qing Ke" was often banned in and out of the palace, so Huaitabou was entrusted with the order to make up the Zuodu Yushi of the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Minister in charge of the Internal Affairs Office.

The second is the hall official of the Ministry of Rites.Liao Shouheng made up for Li Duanfen's vacancy, and the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, who was vacated, was promoted by Zhao Shuqiao, the left servant, because of his fortitude.The Minister of Rites, Yu Lu, who is full of vacancies, should also make up for the governor of Zhili.The Empress Dowager Cixi decided to use this position to reward the "old school" who had always been loyal to her although she was useless. The "old school" in the mouth of the Empress Dowager Cixi is the "Mr. Taoism" who has been well-behaved and sages since Woren.Today the leader of the old school is Xu Tong.After the Empress Dowager Cixi expelled Weng Tonghe, she felt that this person was more desirable, so when she summoned him, she was very courteous and ordered the eunuch to help him to the palace.After saluting, let him stand and answer.

"Are you in your seventies this year?" Xu Tong is from the Han army - a Han from the flag.So I used the bannerman's self-proclaimed answer: "The slave will be eighty this year." "Ah!" Cixi laughed heartily: "Look, I forgot! Isn't birthday given in April this year?" "The empress dowager's grace! I am grateful to the whole family of slaves." As he spoke, he kowtowed again. "No, no!" Empress Dowager Cixi shouted loudly, "Come on! Come and support Master Xu." The empress dowager and the emperor have always summoned their ministers, except for military planes, eunuchs do not need to avoid it.At this time, he came to help, but Xu Tong still knelt down and thanked him before he got up.

"You're eighty, and you're still in such good spirits! The emperor is only twenty-eight this year, so he's useless!" The Empress Dowager Cixi sighed, "Oh! How can it be so good? Thinking about it makes people worry!" Every day the emperor called the imperial doctor to Yingtai to ask for the pulse, and the pulse case was sent to the internal affairs office every day for the senior officials above the third grade to read.However, the emperor was not seriously ill except for his anger, and Xu Tong knew about it.At this time, listening to the words of the Empress Dowager Cixi, it seems that she wants to abolish the establishment and seems to have some scruples.He felt that the elders of the three dynasties should participate in the merits of the policy, so he replied loudly: "The empress dowager was entrusted by Emperor Wen Zongxian to put an end to the great chaos, help the society, and be a sage and arbitrarily. The slave is too much to admire."

This passage sounds a bit off topic, and the implication is all pinned on the phrase "sage is arbitrary".The more satisfied Cixi felt, the more gentle her tone became. "When Wen Zong passed away, there were external troubles and internal troubles. It was all thanks to the concerted efforts of you, a group of loyal people, that we are here today. You are still in good spirits, and you still have to take care of me." "Yes! The slave is still alive and dare not be lazy." "The Book of the Ministry of Rites is an important part. The country's great scriptures and talents depend on the dedication of the officials of the Ministry of Rites. Yulu has been released. Look, who should be the secretary of the Ministry of Rites?"

This question lifted Xu Tong's spirits. There was someone in his pocket who was going to stand out a long time ago.At this moment, he thought for a while and replied: "In terms of talents among the current banner people, Qixiu, Shangshu of the Lifan Academy is the first. This person is a filial son with good conduct, and he is really a mellow Confucian!" "Is he from Hanlin?" "Yes! The Imperial Academy of Tongzhi for four years." "It turned out to be the first list of Chongqi!" Empress Dowager Cixi said, "It's fine if it's Hanlin."

As a rule, the Minister of the Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of Rites, who were not born in the Imperial Academy, could not serve as ministers.Qixiu has this qualification, so Empress Dowager Cixi accepted Xu Tong's recommendation.Immediately, he summoned the military plane and ordered him to make up for the Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites with Qixiu tune. This was Xu Tong's first gratifying event in the past few months.And the kindly family member Youlong is more than that.When he retreated to the court room, the eunuch ordered a meal, and what he rewarded was the roasted side and stuffed duck withdrawn from the imperial meal.Xu Tong was fasting today, but he had to eat the delicacy given by the emperor, and it was not a sin to eat it.Thinking about it this way, he ate his fill with peace of mind and returned home in a sedan chair.

As soon as he returned home, there were guests. One was Qixiu, who was newly appointed; It turned out that Zhang Jing from the Military Aircraft Department copied the decree of grace and went to Qixiu to deliver a letter to announce the good news, and it happened that Chongqi was also there.He also had frequent contacts with Xu Tong, and they would hold up the shackles a few days a month and talk about karma, so he and Qixiu went to Xu's house in the same car. Qixiu is a man with virtue better than talent, and he is very particular about loyalty, filial piety and righteousness.When I saw Xu Tong, I saluted as usual and said: "Duo was recommended by the teacher. The disciples are ashamed to thank the teacher. I will thank the teacher another day. Because the thank you book has not been uploaded, thank the teacher first, and I will be at a disadvantage in the festival."

Xu Tong's temperament is very narrow, if others say such things, they will definitely be angry.Only Qixiu is different, I feel that his views are often different, but when I think about it carefully, they are quite reasonable, showing off to others is enough to bring honor to the teacher, so he is extraordinarily graceful. "You're right! Nowadays, there are a lot of people who are 'in the court of appointment, and in the private room of Byrne'. People's hearts are not old, and their morals are degraded. Supporting righteousness is in my generation." Xu Tong shook his head and said, "Yingzhi, Correct the morals of the people, rectify the famous teachers, the burden on your shoulders is not light!"

"Yes! In the future, the teacher will always be required to teach at any time, and the concubine will almost never fail. When it comes to correcting the morals, the disciples think that we should start with correcting the style." "That's right! Stereotyped writing has not been abolished for five hundred years, and there are always his reasons. How can we talk about reform lightly? But besides rectifying the style, we should also pay attention to introducing honest people and nurturing good people." This sentence is touching Chongqi's itching.Ever since his beloved daughter, Empress Jiashun, was martyred, he has been restless.The Empress Dowager Cixi also seemed to be alienating intentionally, and as the champion of "Wenqu Xingxia", she was released as a general of Jilin to control robbers in the fourth year of Guangxu, and transferred to the capital of Rehe in the fifth year.A censor spoke uprightly, saying that Chongqi was loyal and upright, so she should stay in Beijing to serve the country.As a result, she was reprimanded, which made Chongqi even more paranoid. Therefore, after being transferred from General Shengjing to Minister of the Household Department in the ninth year of Guangxu, she repeatedly complained of illness, and finally dismissed from office in the first month of the twelfth year of Guangxu.I have been idle for twelve years, and only eat the third-class Cheng Engong's salary.

He was a student of Cheng Zhu, and he was inseparable from Confucius and Mencius, but he did not learn Mencius's way of nourishing qi.The twelve-year-old rice really tastes like a bird in his mouth. Hearing at Qixiu's house that Xu Tong has the great magic power to sponsor the Minister of Rites on his own without military planes, his heart suddenly moves.At this time, seeing Xu Tong expressing this, he just got into the conversation, "Zhongtang," he said, "it is the prime minister's job to seek talents for the country. Dagong is selfless. If there is a prince in the court, he is definitely a gentleman and a leader, and the villain's way is gone!" This tall hat made Xu Tong feel at ease and comfortable.Of course he knew Chongqi's situation, and wanted to take her as a wing, but the Empress Dowager Cixi had a heart-to-heart with him, and if she recommended her rashly, she would hit a snag, and this snag would break her head, so she always felt powerless. At this time, I feel the friendship, and I also feel that this is a good opportunity, and I must give him a hand.However, Empress Dowager Cixi's heart disease must be resolved first before she can be caught off guard.Turning to this idea, I had an idea, and quickly came up with an idea.However, it is inconvenient for Fangzheng's disciples to know his idea.So when Qixiu left, he left Chongqi behind to eat vegetarian food. Although they eat vegetarian food, they don't forget good wine. Both of them are good drinkers. When the new party suffered a big setback and was defeated, they naturally drank freely. "Wenshan," he said by calling Chongqi's alias, "now there is a major project related to the country, it seems that you can really play a role." Hearing these words, Chongqi was pleasantly surprised at first, then disappointed, the words were not true!Since he became an official, he has never heard anyone say that he can play a role in the court.What's more, it's a big plan related to the country! "Yinxuan," Xu Tong is a senior, and he is very old.However, Chongqi was a duke because of her nepotism, so she also called Xu Tong by another name, "How can you seek out me who has been idle for a long time when it comes to important matters related to the country? I don't know how it will work?" "The authorities are obsessed!" Xu Tong took a sip of wine, biting two pine nuts slowly with his mouth shrunken, and said leisurely, "Now Cisheng has a great concern, don't you want to get it?" "I can't guess. Ask!" "The emperor has no son so far, and I'm afraid there will be no hope in the future! What if something happens to you?" This question stopped Chongqi.Thinking about the incident of the emperor's son-in-law dying of "smallpox" twenty-four years ago, and his beloved daughter being forced to die for martyrdom afterward, I couldn't help but shed two old tears in grief. "Instead of making a decision in front of the coffin, we hurriedly welcome the foreign vassals into the succession. It's better to be early..." Xu Tong struggled to spit out two words: "Abolish the establishment!" It is the first heinous crime for ministers to talk about abolishing legislation.Even though he knew it was okay, his heart was still shaking.Chongqi made up her mind and said: "Here, why don't you just make a decree? If it can be established, it can be abolished!" "It's a good word. But someone has to initiate it." Xu Tong slightly lowered his voice, "Wenshan, don't forget that you have a different identity from others." It was only then that Chongqi was reminded that she was a relative of Jiaofang.The abolition of the establishment is a state matter, and it is also a family matter, and relatives can speak.However, how to say this? "You can speak for your son-in-law. According to the decree on the fifth day of December in the thirteenth year of Tongzhi, Emperor Wen Zongxian is now the son of Emperor Wen Zongxian, who will inherit the Datong and be the heir emperor. The emperor who has an heir will inherit the Daxing The emperor is the heir. You should read this meaning carefully!" Chong Qi nodded, concentrating on her thoughts.According to the original edict, the imperial lineage should still be in the same line.Although Mu Zong had no son, he should have a son who would be the emperor in the future.Even if the current emperor wants to have a son, after succeeding to the throne, he must respect Mu Zong as his father.That is to say, there is a very sacred responsibility today, to have children to maintain the continuity of the line.If there is no child, the original intention of welcoming the empress dowagers of the two palaces will be lost. "I understand that if you have no sons today, you are not worthy of being emperor. But," Chongqi was confused again, "as long as you dare to say this, everyone can say it!" "Yes! However, it is most suitable for you. Why? Because the emperor has no children, won't your grandson be delayed?" "Ah, ah! So there is such a reason." Chongqi said energetically, "That's right, that's right! It's about the national plan, and I can play a little role." So from the next day, Chongqi would complain whenever she had an opportunity, saying that the emperor was sorry for his ancestors, sorry for "Huang Kao", and sorry for "brother Huang"!Fortunately, there is Empress Dowager Cixi who is in charge of the clan's plan, otherwise, once the sick emperor dies, there will be no heirs, and foreign vassals will contend for the establishment, which will inevitably shake the foundation of the country. This argument came from the mouth of "Chong Gongye", and it did have different effects.Because he is the "in-law" of the Empress Dowager Cixi, it is unavoidable to think that he dared to say such a thing, it may be the instruction of "Cixi".Since the emperor was chosen by the Empress Dowager Cixi, it was inconvenient to go back on his word, and he issued an edict to demote him.So instigate Chongqi, as Jiaofang Yiqin, to concoct public opinion, and gradually form an atmosphere that advocates the abolition of the establishment, then it will fall like water, and things will go smoothly. bit transfer.Speaking of it, it is also the painstaking efforts of the Empress Dowager Cixi to seek the country. Of course, this is a more informed view.This is true for knowledgeable people, but ignorant people naturally think that abolishing legislation is an inevitable thing to do.This generation does not care about the cause and effect once the legislation is abolished, but only cares about who will replace it?Because support is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get rich and honor, this treasure is right, and you can eat it all your life. Therefore, officials under the banner, large and small, gather with their close relatives and friends, and often ask each other quietly: "Look, who will the emperor replace?" The person who is most qualified to answer this sentence is Li Lianying.However, he kept his mouth shut and never revealed a word.In fact, he didn't know "whom the emperor will replace".Even the Empress Dowager Cixi was at a loss again, suffering from being at a loss. If the establishment is abolished and a new monarch is established, it is natural to choose among the descendants of Xuanzong's line.The Empress Dowager Cixi thought hard and anxiously, but she couldn't decide: I don't know whether to make an heir for Wen Zong or Mu Zong? If she is the heir of Emperor Wenzong, she is still the empress dowager, and she can still listen to the government behind the curtain, but there are thirteen grandsons of Xuanzong's direct relatives in the world, all of whom are adults.To set up an heir for Mu Zong, Xuan Zong's great-grandson, there are many young children of the "Pu" generation, and they are welcomed into the palace. They can certainly imitate the stories of the Empress Dowager Xuanren of the Song Dynasty and the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang of this dynasty.But the Empress Dowager Cixi has two concerns: first, since today, why bother?At the beginning of Mu Zong's death, he refused to establish an heir based on Wu Kedu's corpse remonstrance, but after more than 20 years, he suddenly accepted Wu Kedu's remonstrance. It is not clear that he wanted to seize power?At the beginning of the current emperor's personal administration, he had repeatedly expressed his heart that hanging the curtain was not enough as a lesson, it was a last resort due to the situation.That being the case, how can it contradict itself? Second, it takes at least ten years for young children to be educated to be able to govern themselves.Empress Dowager Cixi felt that her energy was not as good as before, and it was difficult for her to take on this important task.Moreover, Mu Zong and the current emperor were both raised by their own hands, who knows that both of them are unfilial sons!Wouldn't it be pissed off if an unfilial grandson was born after all the hard work was poured out?Turning to this idea, Empress Dowager Cixi was discouraged and timid, and dared not think about it anymore.