Chapter 12 Section 12

After taking a sip of tea, Empress Dowager Cixi wiped the water stains on her lips with a silk handkerchief, and then continued: "I also thought of Shengbao because of He Guiqing's case. The great officials of the frontier have the responsibility of guarding the land and cannot share with the city." Life and death, it is said that it is for the rectification of Ji Gang and his death penalty, it is true, but after all, He Guiqing is just a frail scholar, and it is not a strange thing to tremble with fright when he hears the long hair coming. But Shengbao—what now? Year? He is still studying Nian Gengyao, and he sees the court as something. Isn’t that weird? I don’t want to mention it, I have a sentence, I can’t help but say, what is Ji Gang? Kill He Guiqing Ji Gang, you won’t mention Ji Gang when you win the victory? This is unfair, you can’t convince people, and you’re sorry for your own conscience. Sixth Master,” she raised her head and looked at all the military ministers with a long-term perspective: “Everyone, look Are my words fair?"

"Yes!" Prince Gong couldn't help lowering his head: "The minister is waiting to listen to Yi's decree." "I'm just talking." Empress Dowager Cixi became more modest, "You can discuss it!" This nail hit hard enough, everyone couldn't help but feel wary, only Prince Gong was different, although he was aware of the sharpness in Empress Dowager Cixi's words, he didn't take it seriously, he still believed in his own thinking that it is not appropriate to act too hastily, and let Shengbao will live in the fire room of the Ministry of Punishment for a few days.

After all, he has read a few books. Although he is in prison for crimes, he still does not lose his dignity. Shengbao is in the fire room of the Ministry of punishment, reading to pass the day.What I read is not poems that are pleasant and nourishing, nor notes that relieve melancholy, but military books and history books. In a situation like his, it is the so-called "floating system", only the freedom of movement is lost, and the visits of relatives and friends are not prohibited.At first, because of the strict decree, it looked as if the "Three Murderers" were questioned the year before last. Once arrested, they would be executed.Gradually, I saw that the situation was not as serious as imagined; with Prince Gong's attitude, it became clear to the outside world, and there would be no severe punishment for inferring Shengbao's future.As a result, relatives and friends were old, and scruples gradually disappeared, and Shengbao was no longer left in the cold.

Among those visitors, some were just offering condolences, while others were here to report news and discuss business matters.As news came out from the Military Aircraft Office that there were many "rebels" in the Shengbao Battalion who used their power to do evil and were hated by King Gong and the military aircraft ministers, so people like Wu Tailang and others did not dare to show their faces.But Cai Shouqi had been separated from Shengbao for a long time, and his behavior was relatively unnoticed, so the responsibility of intermediary contact naturally fell on his shoulders. Zeng Guofan's request for resignation on behalf of Chen Li Shizhong, and the memorial to Beijing for Shengbao's atonement, was a secret news, but it was also inquired by Cai Shouqi, and he specially went to see Shengbao to report this "good news".

"He was born recklessly, and he still knows that there is a word for 'righteousness' in the world." Shengbao said with emotion, referring to the Empress Dowager Cixi and Prince Gong being unrighteous. "Prince Gong is fine." Cai Shouqi lowered his voice and said, "He has been suppressing and refusing to do it. However, what is his intention is beyond doubt. Maybe it's because 'Xi Bian' is angry, and when she calms down, Things are easier to deal with.” "You mean to wait?" Sheng Bao frowned slightly, "Will you wait until that day?"

"Look at Zeng Disheng's note, what did it say when it was approved? You can get a clue." Shengbao thought for a while and said, "Someone has to talk." "There is someone who should be able to tell the truth." Cai Shouqi refers to Wu Tailang's younger brother, Wu Taishou who is in charge of the Shandong Taoist censor.Sheng Bao also thought this was an ideal candidate, and asked Cai Shouqi to tell Wu Tailang to proceed as soon as possible. "In my opinion," Cai Shouqi said again, "as long as the two of you talk less, things will turn around soon."

"Those two?" "Ke Shuai think about it." Cai Shouqi said, "They are all from Henan." "Then...," Sheng Bao replied, "It's nothing more than the mall and Hanoi." "Exactly." Cai Shouqi nodded—"Shangcheng" refers to Zhou Zupei, a scholar; "Hanoi" refers to Li Tangjie, Minister of Military Aircraft. "Hmph!" Shengbao's bad temper flared up again, "Just wait and see! I just don't buy into these two people." "Ke Shuai!" Cai Shouqi advised him, "As the saying goes: 'How dare you not bow your head when you live under the eaves of others? High weight!"

That refers to the allusion of Jianghou Zhoubo, the famous founding general of the Han Dynasty.On Shengbao's desk was an open copy of "Historical Records", and Zhou Bo's allusions were in it.He shook his head, disapproving, picked up the book and flipped through it, and found "Chen Ping's Family", proudly said: "Chen Ping six tricks to escape the danger of Han Li, I don't believe that I am not as good as Chen Ping." Cai Shouqi was silent.Seeing that he still has such an arrogant and arrogant temper, I was quite disappointed.This time, of course, I also felt that the words were not speculative, so I talked a little irrelevant, and left.

After leaving the Ministry of Criminal Justice, he visited Wu Tailang in person. He lived in the house of his younger brother Wu Taishou, and the three of them had a secret talk together. He relayed Shengbao's request.Wu Taishou looked distressed, but he couldn't stand his elder brother, he said good things, and at the same time pressed hard as the eldest brother, Wu Taishou had no choice but to draw up a memorial in defense of Shengbao's grievances, the three of them deliberated, and the final draft was transcribed , Handed it up the next day. The Empress Dowager Cixi was naturally very angry when she saw it, but she didn't dare to pick up a pen and criticize "strict warnings" as she did with Yingchao's memorial.At the same time, she was also wondering, why did Wu Taishou submit this book?After more than a year, she has gotten to know Yu Shi Ke Dao very well, who is outspoken; who likes to hear rumors;From their memorials, one can guess their original intentions.This Wu Taishou, in her memory, is an unknown person, why is he speaking for Shengbao now?You have to check it out first.

After handing in the notes, Prince Gong realized that his attitude towards Shengbao was indeed inappropriate.Delay and indecision inspires people's heart to get away with it. Wu Taishou's book is the most obvious example.If this continues, more and more people will contribute to Shengbao, isn't it asking for trouble? Therefore, on the one hand, he decided to refute Wu Taishou's request and give necessary punishment, on the other hand, he changed his previous attitude and handed over the case of Shengbao to Zhou Zupei and Li Tangjie.However, he made this statement to Li Tangjie: Focus on the overall situation!However, if there is a ray of forgiveness in Shengbao, he might as well give him some leniency.

Li Tangjie was a very upright person. He was blamed by the Empress Dowager Cixi, and he was bitter about it. Seeing the authorization from King Gong at this time, naturally he would not delay, and immediately went to visit the "Shangcheng Xiangguo".Zhou Zupei was a university scholar and was also in charge of the "administration of the Ministry of Punishment". It was very convenient to handle the affairs. Seeing that it was Zhou Zhongtang's order from the Ministry of Punishment, the official of the Ministry of Punishment did not dare to neglect, so he called Shengbao up in the middle of the night and took him to the cabinet. Confine him there.It wasn't until around noon that the door was opened and he was brought out. The area was brought to Zhou Zupei, and Shengbao, who was upset, had no choice but to pay a respectful visit. Zhou Zupei ignored him, so he ignored Zhou Zupei's order to "get up and talk." "Where is Master Pan's original book?" Zhou Zupei asked left and right. "Master Pan" refers to Pan Zuyin, who participated in the impeachment of Shengbao. The document he submitted contained the most detailed facts, so Zhou Zupei used his original document as the basis for interrogating Shengbao. "Shengbao!" Zhou Zupei asked, "It's been a long time since you've let your soldiers harm the people, and you've been corrupt and arrogant. Do you have any regrets?" "It's not a day, why don't you ask me sooner?" Shengbao sneered slightly. From the very beginning, he was ridiculed and contradicted, Zhou Zupei was very unhappy, and asked very harsh questions.After entering Shanxi alone, he was asked for two hours to report his military exploits, and then he was ordered to be sent back to the Ministry of Punishment. So I ask it every few days, and only ask one or two things each time, or repeat what I asked before.The number of people who asked was also different, but generally there was Zhou Zupei every time.After two months of delay, Li Shizhong was appeased.For the sake of the prestige of the imperial court, he was given the punishment of "dismissal and stay in office", but everyone knows that it will not take long for the Military Aircraft Department to find any reason at random and ask for a dismissal for him.As for Wu Tailang and Wu Taishou brothers, they are not so cheap! Not long after Wu Taishou was promoted to censor, his qualifications were still low. In his memorial, the most blunder was to attack another censor, Zhao Shuji.Zhao Shuji also participated in the impeachment of Shengbao, and advocated that Shengbao be convicted as soon as possible because of "rumours spread inside and outside Beijing".Wu Taishou criticized his words, which aroused the dissatisfaction of his colleagues. Therefore, some upright censors mercilessly pointed out the indirect relationship between Wu Taishou and Shengbao, and Wu Tailang instructed his younger brother to defend Shengbao. Injustice, saying that he "has private crimes and no public crimes" is "grateful for personal favors".The imperial court has always been cautious in punishing speech officials. Now that Wu Taishou is isolated and helpless, he should not be polite. He issued an order to denounce him as "shameless" and dismissed him from his post.Wu Tailang's fate was the same as his brother's. The title of "Taoist" that Shengbao tried to recover for him was once again dismissed, and at the same time "the flower feathers were pulled out". This strict decree has quite a deterrent effect on Cai Shouqi and his ilk, and has since disappeared like a chilling cicada.However, those troops outside of Beijing that are related to Shengbao, and the situation is unstable, still have to be scruples, so they still repeatedly stated in the decree that for the interrogation of Shengbao, it is necessary to collect witnesses and check them one by one, showing that there is absolutely nothing Want to kill Sheng Bao's prejudice. This can be regarded as King Gong's painstaking protection. I only hope that the Empress Dowager Cixi will stop urging her, Zhou Zupei and Li Tangjie's attitudes will be more relaxed, and the Qing discussion will gradually subside. When this matter cools down, Shengbao will have hope of survival . Unexpectedly, Shengbao himself could no longer hold his breath, and he especially disliked Zhou Zupei.Shengbao's idea was: "Without me, how could you be here today?" Zhou Zupei was overwhelmed by Sushun back then, and defeated Sushun. Shengbao believed that it was his credit, which was tantamount to avenging Zhou Zupei. But today, he is so demanding in everything that he will repay his kindness with revenge!Recalling the legend, Zhou Zupei and Sushun were both ministers in the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the official took the slips to the court. Sushun marked Zhou Zupei's manuscript with a red line and discarded it. , bossing around, wouldn't it be chilling? The feeling of injustice and contempt has accumulated in my heart for a long time.On this day, he mentioned the crime of conniving his subordinates to rape women in Henan. Zhou Zupei asked him if he had such a crime?Shengbao was suddenly impulsive, and replied loudly: "Yes! Women from Zhou Zupei's family in Shangcheng, Henan Province, and Li Tangjie's family in Hanoi, regardless of age, were all polluted, and no one was spared!" These two harsh words made Zhou Zupei so angry that his lips turned white, his limbs were icy, and he almost had a stroke.Afterwards, the news reached Prince Gong's ears, and he sighed to Wen Xiang and Bao Yun, "Sheng Kezhai is doomed! No one can save him!" Such a blatant insult to "Xiangguo", one can imagine how domineering Shengbao is in his daily life!That alone could warrant his death sentence. And the words "no distinction between young and old" are simply contemptuous of ethics, and are absolutely not tolerated by the Qing Dynasty, and even the empress dowagers, who are women, think it is a heinous crime. Damn Katsubo!But how to die?There are several types of death penalty, beheading or hanging? Is it "judgment" or "supervision"? "Naturally, it's a 'decision'!" Zhou Zupei said resolutely, stroking his beard. This principle is agreed by everyone, unless you don't teach him to die, if you want to die, you must die quickly.Regardless of whether it is "beheading the prisoner" or "hanging the prisoner", there are still two or three months to be executed at the end of the autumn.However, there is Sushun's lesson in being tied to Caishikou. Before Shengbao's death, there must be a swearing, revealing a lot of inside information. Only Zhou Zupeinian is a high-ranking person, even though he is King Gong, it is inconvenient to oppose his opinions face to face, so he gave Wen Xiang a wink - Wen Xiang naturally understood, nodded, and bowed his body forward to show that he had something to say to say. Bao Yun was impatient and wanted to speak, but when he saw Wen Xiang's action, he asked him to speak: "Bo Chuan," he introduced him, "You must have something to say, just say it!" "In terms of all kinds of crimes committed by Shengbao, it is also deserved to be punished." Wen Xiang looked at Zhou Zupei and said, "However, I think the superiors may send the old Zhongtang supervisor to execute him. Such a hot day has caused a sensation in Nine Cities. Come and see, Lao Zhongtang is too tired on this trip, which makes people feel uneasy." It was very tactful, and it offered an excellent piece of advice.The second-rank official was convicted and executed, and the prisoner was either the prince or the university scholar. Zhou Zupei, who killed Shengbao Zuili, happened to send him this errand, so King Gong nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes! I will definitely give two interviews Gong, ask Mr. Zhi to monitor, and send another Miansen!" Zhou Zupei knew it himself.In front of the "administration of the Ministry of Punishments", most of them will be ordered to imprison him, so the question is: "This way, do you want to ask your superiors to reward him with a whole body?" "That's right!" Wen Xiang hurriedly said, "Please give me a lenient order to commit suicide!" Everyone stopped talking and decided on this.When he entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation the next day, Prince Gong prepared the memorial to report the results of the meeting and the edict to be sent out. After listening to Prince Gong's Chen Zuo, Cixi turned to look at Empress Dowager Ci'an and asked, "Sister, what do you think?" If the Empress Dowager Ci'an wanted to kill someone, she always felt that she couldn't bear it, so she frowned and replied: "Shengbao really made a mess. If..." She didn't finish her sentence, but she understood very well that if the crime is unforgivable, she has no choice but to kill her!The Empress Dowager Cixi thought for a while, and Zhuang Rong announced: "I will give you an order from Jing." Mori, monitor Shengbao Zijing" "Yes!" So Prince Gong took the pre-drawn draft from Baojun and presented it to the imperial case. The empress dowagers of the two palaces stamped "Imperial Reward" and "Tongdaotang" and sent it out. The Military Aircraft Department sent a special person to deliver it to the cabinet. , the cabinet transferred to the Ministry of Punishment. In the hall of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, Zhou Zupei and Miansen were waiting in neat clothes, and the officials in the prison hall had heard a little about it, and they were also on standby.As soon as the Shangyu arrived, Zhou Zupei took it out of the envelope and looked at it for a while, then said to Miansen, "Tell them to prepare!" There is a dedicated room in the Prison Hall of the Ministry of Punishment, which is used for giving orders to commit suicide.Since the Qing Dynasty, many ministers have died here, and He Shen died here.The so-called "preparation" is extremely simple, just hang a piece of white silk from the beam and tie a knot. Then he went to summon Shengbao to die.The weather in July is called "Autumn Tiger", and at noon, it is unbearably hot.Shengbao was a fat man who was particularly afraid of heat. He was about to take a nap while spreading a mat on the brick floor with his shirt off.The summoned officer shouted out of the window: "Master Sheng, please put on your clothes!" "What for?" "Isn't that the same thing? Please Mr. Sheng go to the cabinet. It's so hot and the houses there are big and cool. It's not bad to go there!" "It's good to go out for a walk." Sheng Bao stumbled up from the mat, "I'm just wanting to eat the white meat of 'Shaguoju'." "Okay! Later, I will serve you in the 'Shaguo Residence'." "You ask someone to fetch a basin of water!" Shengbao has a lot of hands and is often rewarded, so the officers of the Ministry of punishment are willing to curry favor with him.But it was inconvenient to call them to serve at this time, fearing that his words or expressions would reveal something, which would make him feel suspicious and cause a lot of trouble, so the officer took a copper basin and fetched a basin of cold well water himself.Shengbao washed and wiped it, and changed into Hangfang's small gown and trousers, fine white cloth socks, and double-beam satin shoes, and then put on a fine linen gown from Jiangxi Wanzai, and a black solid yarn "Wolong bag" over his coat.On his head is a small hat made of bamboo and bright gauze. The knot of the hat is a coral the size of a cherry, and the brim of the hat is embellished with a piece of emerald as green as spring water.On the thumb of the left hand is a white jade finger, and in the right hand is a folding fan of merlu bamboo. On one side of the fan is the landscape of Wang Lutai, and on the other is Yun Nantian's lowercase letters.It is completely dressed like the "uncle under the banner" who is born with a title. The fly in the ointment was that the braid could not be combed again. Fortunately, he couldn't see it himself, so he just looked down at the front of the skirt and asked, "Is the car covered?" "I have been waiting for you for a long time." "Let's go!" When I left the house, I should have gone south, but the officer went north. As he walked, he said, "Go through the door on the side of the prison hall, it's closer." Shengbao didn't say anything, just waving his folding fan, pacing, following him, and as soon as he walked into a small courtyard, he stopped suddenly and said, "How did you get here? What kind of place is this?" "Isn't there a door?" There is a door, but that door cannot be easily opened, and if it is opened, coffins will come in and out.Shengbao seemed dissatisfied with his answer, and was standing in a daze when there was a crash, and when he turned his head, the door he had just entered had been closed. Then someone shouted loudly: "Sheng Bao brought it!" In the three official halls in the north, one bright and two dark, bamboo curtains used to be hung in one of them, but now they are rolled up. University scholar Zhou Zupei, Shangshu Miansen of the Ministry of punishment, with red-topped flower feathers and crane mending gowns, come out in full official uniforms.When Shengbao saw it, he couldn't bear it anymore, and the sweat on his forehead was as big as soybeans. "Shengbao accepts the order!" Miansen said with a solemn expression. Two guards had already caught up, supporting him one from the left and the other from the right.Take him to the yard, and press him to kneel down on the bluestone slab in Huowei, listening to the decree. At this time, although Shengbao's face had changed drastically, he seemed to be vigilant and could not lose the prestige of the "general", so he struggled with his arms, which meant that the guards should not support him.Sure enough, when they let go of their hands, he straightened up and knelt down like a man. Miansen took the edict from the officer and stood in the middle.When he read from "Because of the Chinese and foreign ministers, hand in chapters and participate in the protection of corruption and bullying all kinds of funds", he continued to read "Gu Nianqi used to suppress the officials for many years, and he still has a record of military exploits. Victory and protection will be lenient He was ordered to commit suicide, that is, Zhou Zupei and Miansen were sent to monitor", the sweat on Shengbao's back was soaked through his "Crouching Dragon Bag". "Shengbao!" Miansen said again, "This is a gift from the Empress Dowager of the Two Palaces and the Emperor. Still don't kowtow to thank you? " "No!" Shengbao shouted angrily: "This can't be counted!" "What?" Mian Sen asked sharply, "Are you going to resist the order?" "I have grievances, why can't I appeal?" Before Shengbao could finish speaking, the officers who were waiting around Zhou Zupei and Miansen waved their hands and ordered the guards to help Shengbao up. Aya's empty room. Shengbao seemed to be expecting something, panting while leaning on the window, while rolling his eyes wildly, as if he was eager to find someone or something.When Zhou Zupei and Mian Sen walked in, he went out to meet him. The guards at the door wanted to stop him, but he was bloated and rushed straight ahead recklessly, so there was no one who could stop Zhu Yijian's air and surveillance. The two ministers couldn't help standing still, shrank back, and watched nervously. The officers and servants were naturally more busy and rushed up one after another. They surrounded him and wished him "Zhou Zhongtang!" Shengbao also stopped He shouted loudly, "I have a grievance, please pass it to the two empress dowagers in Zhongtang." Zhou Zupei shook his head vigorously with his eyes closed, and answered four words slowly: "God's will is hard to return." Shengbao seemed to be discouraged, and lowered his head.The guards were not negligent, they still tucked him into the house from left to right as before. One put a square stool under the white silk for him to step on, and the other half-kneeled and said, "Please ascend to heaven, Mr. Sheng." Shengbao was stunned for a long while, and walked step by step under the white silk. Two guards helped him to step on the upper stool and watched him stand on tiptoe and put his head on it.The trap was done just right, one set in and no need to think about getting out, I saw him kicking his foot, kicking over the square stool, his fat body swayed for a while, his hands twitched slightly for a while, and then stopped moving. The two guards exchanged glances, and the younger one said, "Okay!" "Wait a minute!" said the older one, "you go and find two more people. He is heavy, and we can't get him down." When he called someone, the white jade finger on Shengbao's left thumb had disappeared.The young guard remained silent, lifted up the square stool, stood up, touched the corpse's chest with his hand, turned around and said, "Come on!" He untied the body and laid it flat on the ground. As usual, the minister of surveillance was invited to inspect it in person. Naturally, Zhou Zupei and Miansen would not go to see it. They only ordered the officer to take care of it and walked out together. Walking and talking all the way, Zhou Zupei said with great emotion: "Shengbao has to learn from a general in everything, and he will end up just like Nian Gengyao."