Chapter 55 Section fifty-fifth

The Empress Dowager Cixi was reclining on the couch in disobedience, when the emperor looked in from the door, he saw sickness and anger, and his complexion was very ugly.Fear in my heart made my pace involuntarily slow. "Long live God has come to greet the master." A court lady said to the Empress Dowager Cixi. "Huh!" Empress Dowager Cixi sneered and turned her face away. Of course the emperor saw this situation, hesitated for a moment, but still forced himself to be calm, walked to the front of the soft couch with a calm pace, greeted him, and called softly as usual: "Emperor Niang!"

The Empress Dowager Cixi suddenly turned her face, the veins on her forehead were faintly pulsating, with her pair of calm but majestic phoenix eyes, and her already tall cheekbones, which became more protruding due to illness and weight loss, it is very cute to describe. terror.The emperor had never seen her look like this before, so he couldn't help but tremble a little, but there was a wonderful supporting force in his heart, even though he was trembling, his face was raised upwards. This seemed to be the spirit of resistance. Empress Dowager Cixi became more and more angry, and asked sharply, "Have your wings grown hard?"

The emperor also noticed that he should lower his head, but raised his face back, which was too arrogant, so he quickly knelt down on the ground, and said in a flustered voice, "Why is the empress so angry? You don't feel well... Before he could finish speaking, the Empress Dowager Cixi interrupted with a sneer: "Hmph! I know it's just trying to anger me while I'm sick. Don't wishful thinking! I can't die." The tone is serious, and it doesn't point at the emperor specifically, it has more overtones.The emperor could hear it, but he didn't dare to explain it. He just shouted again and again: "Emperor mother, emperor mother, my son made a mistake, just teach me a lesson, don't be angry!" He calmed down a little, "I'm asking you," the voice was still high, but without the harshness, "You decided to copy Xiao Anzi's house, didn't you?"

After the experience of violent wind and rain, thunderbolt and lightning, the emperor became more courageous, and his voice became calm, "Yes!" He replied slowly, "I didn't dare to let the empress mother know. Little Anzi swaggered all the way. , Lawless, Ding Baozhen made a note. Humph," The emperor made a wry smile on purpose, "Xiao Anzi can really make people sick!" "Where are the folds?" The emperor handed over the booklet, and the court lady moved the lamp. The Empress Dowager Cixi only read a few lines, and she was really furious. Gold stars exploded on her forehead, and she was pierced by countless steel needles. She was dizzy and couldn't read any more. She closed her eyes and said: "Get up and read to me."

"Yes!" The emperor agreed, getting up and rubbing his knees. "Bring a stool to the emperor!" Empress Dowager Cixi ordered the maid from the side. So the court lady brought over a low red sandalwood stool, and the emperor sat and read Ding Baozhen's scriptures. The Empress Dowager Cixi closed her eyes and listened, the veins on her forehead throbbed even more violently.After listening to it, she asked: "What's 'Hi-shaped Three-legged Crow'? What does that little flag mean?" "Little Anzi is ungrateful and deserves to die, that's it." The emperor gritted his teeth and cursed, meaning to be unfair for Empress Dowager Cixi. Then, he briefly told the allusion of the blue bird as "the Queen Mother of the West eats food", and then He also said: "This allusion is very common. Not to mention that the local officials who came from the right way understand it, so do the common people who have studied a few words. The master dotes on Xiao Anzi so much, and Xiao Anzi puts up such an autumn wind for the master outside. Think It's chilling to think about!"

Empress Dowager Cixi's face was as white as a piece of paper, and when she opened her eyes, they were red. "I heard that you summoned a military plane," she asked, "what do you say?" "The six-hundred-mile court mail has been dispatched. No matter where Xiao Anzi is caught, if he is identified, there is no need for interrogation, and he will be executed on the spot." As soon as the speech was over, the lights dimmed, and someone exclaimed. It was Qinger who accidentally knocked over a lamp. From the empress dowager to the maids, all eyes were on her face at this moment. She covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes were wide open. I don't know whether it was fear, regret or Totally freaked out.

There was a burst of astonishment, followed by enlightenment, everyone knew in their hearts that Qing Er was surprised and missed when she heard that her "big brother" An Dehai had been executed for the emperor.Serving as a errand in the palace is considered a huge mistake, and it happened at the time when the Empress Dowager Cixi was furious, so the maids in the palace squeezed their palms for her. The emperor felt sorry for her, but seeing Empress Dowager Cixi's face, he didn't dare to speak.The Empress Dowager Cixi kept her mouth tightly shut, and looked sideways at Qing'er. After a period of dead silence, she suddenly broke out.

"Fork it out!" She shouted hastily, "Call someone to beat him, and beating him to death will count!" Qing'er opened her mouth to cry, but she didn't dare.The emperor couldn't bear it so much, he forced a smile and shouted: "Emperor Niang...". Before he could say anything, the Empress Dowager Cixi stopped him loudly and said, "Mind your own business!" Then she rolled her eyes. The maids who were swept away all shivered, and all of them came to "cross" Qing'er.She seemed to still be struggling to come back and beg for mercy, but those maids couldn't tolerate her, some pushed, some dragged, and some covered her mouth with their hands.After getting outside the door, with the help of eunuchs, Qing'er became more and more hopeless.

Empress Dowager Cixi seemed to have to vent her anger on Qing'er at the right time, so her expression softened, but the expression was not so frightening, and her face was still as stiff as if she had been scalded with an iron, "That's right. Damn Xiao Anzi!" She said to the emperor, "But you should tell me! Who allowed you to summon the military aircraft privately?" "I originally wanted to play back with the Queen Mother, but I was really afraid that the Queen Mother would be upset and would not be able to get angry again. So after thinking about it, I would rather be punished by the Queen Mother than keep it a secret for now."

"Hmph! I don't see how filial you are." The emperor knelt down again, "Mother Huang Er said so, it must be because of my disobedience in ordinary times." The emperor said, "Mother Huang Er said, I will correct it." Mother and child, the Empress Dowager Cixi sighed after thinking for a long time, "Get up! Let me ask you again, have you ever gone back to that side?" "That side" refers to the Empress Dowager Ci'an. The emperor quickly and firmly replied: "No!" This made Empress Dowager Cixi feel better, "What did your sixth uncle say?" she asked.

The emperor thought for a while and replied: "The sixth uncle's meaning seems to be that he can't make the decision alone, and everyone should discuss it together." "So it was your sixth uncle's idea to summon the military aircraft." Empress Dowager Cixi asked again, "What did Wen Xiang say?" "It is said that the two empress dowagers have worked so hard to achieve this situation today, and Xiao Anzi cannot be spoiled by himself." This sentence is more or less true, and the following sentence was taught by Xiao Li: "Again, Xiao Anzi There is still room for Anzi to go out of Beijing without permission, but he must die under the guise of a 'three-legged crow'. Otherwise, he will be dishonored." "That's all." The Empress Dowager Cixi said, "Little Anzi is a person who has made great achievements, so I look at him differently. Who knows that his fate is so small, 'If you do your own crimes, you can't live', I don't have anything in mind! " "My son can feel at ease when the emperor's mother said so." The emperor was really relieved. "Go back to sleep! Go to the study tomorrow, don't mention this to the masters." The emperor agreed, knelt down and withdrew.When he came, his steps were staggering, when he went, he walked briskly, he was very proud of himself, but at the same time he was also a little surprised that he could handle this turmoil, even he couldn't believe it. Of course, the emperor didn't forget about Xiao Li. It was worth giving him a blue plume in terms of meritorious deeds, but he didn't need to say this in front of everyone, so he just let Xiao Li support the soft sedan chair and slowly return to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.Walking halfway, I suddenly thought that I should report a letter to the Empress Dowager Ci'an, so I hurriedly patted the handrail and shouted: "Wait a minute, don't go back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, go to Changchun Palace." Xiao Li felt that he wanted to avoid being seen, so he turned around and bent over, and replied: "It's getting late today, the empress mother and the empress dowager have probably rested, so let's go to pay my respects tomorrow morning!" "It's just getting dark, why is it late?" the emperor said, "I'll leave right away after I ask you to be safe." The emperor couldn't resist, so he had to go to the Changchun Palace, and met Yuzi head-on, she greeted her with a smile and said, "Long Live Lord has a big appetite today!" "That's right! Your bowl of ham and winter melon soup is really good." The emperor said happily, "I'll reward you with some interesting things tomorrow." So Yuzi invited An Xieen again, before she stood up, she only heard the voice of Empress Dowager Ci'an: "Is the emperor here?" "Yes!" Yuzi answered loudly, and hurried forward, pushed open the palace door that had just been closed, and guided the emperor into the palace. "Emperor Niang!" the emperor said without any scruples, "I just passed a difficult time, and I'm doing pretty well." The news of An Dehai was quietly told by Xiao Li to Yuzi when he came to ask for food before dinner, and Yuzi quietly played back to Empress Dowager Ci'an.She was both happy and worried, but she was worried that the emperor would not explain things well to Empress Dowager Cixi.Listening to what he said now, it is natural to understand.But apart from relief, there was also dissatisfaction, only because the emperor was a little carried away, so he said in a reproachful voice: "What difficulties are not difficult! I can't hold my breath for a little bit. " Even if the Empress Dowager Ci'an reprimanded her, she always had a smile on her face that couldn't be concealed, so the emperor was not afraid at all. He sat down on her lap with a small stool and said to himself: "I will deliver it tomorrow night." Jinan is here." "What?" Yuzi said vaguely, and the Empress Dowager Ci'an understood at this time: "Great love is written by Ding Baozhen? I thought it was played by Zeng Guofan!" "Zeng Guofan is timid and afraid of things. Ding Baozhen is good. In the future..." "In the future!" The Empress Dowager Ci'an interrupted him, and said earnestly, "I will talk about the future when you are alone in charge, and just keep it in my heart for now." The emperor nodded deeply and was taught by the Empress Dowager Ci'an.Then, in a low voice, he recounted the process of summoning Prince Gong and Junji, and going to see Empress Dowager Cixi. One spoke eloquently and the other listened with gusto. Both mother and son forgot the time, but Xiao Li was in a hurry.Because once the key is opened at the palace gate, you have to go to the respect room to ask for the key. This time you have to write down the diary file, and the Empress Dowager Cixi has to "read the file" every three or five days. When she finds this record, she will think a lot in her heart. , What I think must be a way to control the emperor, and everyone will have no peace. In the end, I still have to rely on Yuzi, "If you have something to say, save it for tomorrow!" She found a gap to interject, "Long live is also tired today." Only now did Empress Dowager Ci'an realize, "Hey!" She was slightly startled, "I'm getting up soon. Go back and sleep well!" The emperor was still reluctant to part with him, and couldn't stand the passing of the sedan chair and the lamp holder, so he forced the emperor out of the Changchun Palace. Halfway through the soft sedan chair, I saw several eunuchs hiding aside, waiting for the imperial driver to go first. They were carrying bedding, hair comb boxes, and other things used by women. The emperor couldn't help but wondered, and immediately asked: "What is this for?" "The slave went to inquire about the back-and-forth performance. It's getting late. Please go back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation first." After speaking, Xiao Li hurried away. It's just that the emperor just returned to the palace, and Xiao Li arrived after following him.One could tell that he looked depressed.This day, Xiao Li was very favored, so the emperor asked with concern: "What's wrong with you? You're crying!" This reminded Xiao Li, and quickly squeezed a smile on his face: "The slave is nothing!" He refused to admit it, so forget it, the emperor just asked: "What happened just now?" "Yes..." Xiao Li said with great difficulty, "I'm moving things for Qing'er." "Oh," the emperor thought he understood, "it must have driven Qing'er away." "No," Xiao Li replied dumbly, "I'm executed!" The emperor was shocked: "Really?" "Who dares to disobey the order of the Holy Mother and Empress Dowager?" The emperor didn't make a sound, and was very unhappy.Qing'er is a good girl, but she is a little arrogant because of her status as a big brother.The emperor didn't believe that the Empress Dowager Cixi was willing to do such a tricky thing. The eunuch in charge must have mistrusted her angry words, and it was really "killing to death".If he had known this earlier, he would have tried to save Qing'er even if he was scolded again. Turning around and seeing Xiao Li's expression, he felt more and more apologetic.Where did his depression come from?At this time, he naturally understood that Xiao Li had always liked Qing'er, so he should rescue Qing'er not for her own sake, but for Xiao Li's. It's too late now, the emperor slightly stamped his feet: "Oh! It's just because I didn't say a word at that time." Xiao Li understood what he meant. He didn't know whether it was gratitude, regret, or resentment. On the contrary, the happy event of An Dehai's death penalty became less exciting because of this accident. But the perception of the outer court is completely different.Ever since An Dehai found out about the house raid, many people applauded and applauded.Of course, some people went to inquire about the news, but even Zhang Jing, the military aircraft, did not know the inside story. "It was drafted by Bao Zhongtang himself. Zongxian Shen and Master Li helped to divide and distribute it immediately. I don't know what's in it?" Zongxian Shen is Shen Guifen, who has been promoted to the censor of Zuodu at this time. Zhang Jing's answer from the military plane made the case more mysterious, and the more people spied on it.In the afternoon of the second day, the officials walking in the inner court, apart from the military plane Zhangjing, the other three places with the best information: Hongde Hall, South Study Room, and Upper Study Room, were quite clear about the case.Thus, the topic shifted from An Dehai to Ding Baozhen. Some said that Ding Baozhen had a strong personality, and that An Dehai would be unlucky to meet him; Named.Although Ding Baozhen was an incorruptible official, like Shen Baozhen, he embellished the Hanlin in Beijing, so this time he won warm praise from Qing Yi. It's over. However, Ding Baozhen in Jinan is anxious.The memorial on the second day of August, counting the days, the difference should have come back, but it hasn’t arrived so far, could it be that something has changed?Among all the changes, the most important thing to guard against is that the Empress Dowager Cixi may admit this matter, and An Dehai's identity has changed from ambiguous to clear, and things will be tricky. Because some of An Dehai's subordinates in Tai'an County had already been escorted to Jinan at this time, Ding Baozhen personally interrogated Mrs. Anbang and cross-examined him in many ways. Robe" is just a topic, and the actual task is just like the meaning shown in the guise of "three-legged black".In addition, it is necessary to go to the south of the Yangtze River to interview the prices, which will be used as the basis for the future preparation and review of wedding items. From this point of view, the Empress Dowager Cixi may ratify the incident, and when the fake imperial envoy becomes a real imperial envoy, if she wants to kill An Dehai, the crime will be serious.For this reason, Ding Baozhen has been restless, waiting for the decree, just like looking forward to the clouds in a severe drought. Fubiao Zhongjun Xu Cheng had already prepared, knowing that the operation would be performed as soon as the emperor's order arrived, so he sent soldiers to wait in the Licheng County Yamen and the governor's Yamen in advance.At night, outside the gate of Fushu, lanterns and torches shine like daylight. In the official hall, Pan Ji, the prefect of Jinan Prefecture, and the magistrate of Licheng County were all dressed up and waiting on him.The bell has already struck ten times, just when the servants were sleepy and wanted to order the attendants to spread out the quilt on the kang bed, and when they were about to lie down for a while, they heard the Luan bell ringing loudly, from far to near, so all of them were refreshed. Everyone's servants ran out without waiting for the master's order, and found out that the post horse in Beijing had arrived. Sure enough, it was a special messenger from the Ministry of War who arrived at Xingye.Xu Cheng followed up in person, and asked if it was "600 miles to step up", so needless to say, it must be the edict of this case, and then he went to the signing room to inform Ding Baozhen in person. Ding Baozhen never imagined that the imperial court's handling would be so swift!While hesitating and complacent, he actually looked grateful, and couldn't help but excitedly said to his subordinates: "The true sage is arbitrarily admirable, and his admiration is inexplicable." "Yes! It can be seen that the imperial court relies heavily on your lord." Pan Yu took the opportunity to flatter, and then instructed: "How to follow the order? Please give me your orders, and Si Li is ready." "The decree is very clear. Immediately go to court, confirm the identification, and then rectify the Fa. I will do it at this moment. I will pray and repeat it at dawn." "Yes!" Pan Cui turned to the magistrate of Licheng County, cupped his hands and said, "Your County, work hard!" The county magistrate in Licheng County, under orders, hurried back to the yamen, and passed the punishment room book office to explain the matter.It's easy to interrogate, but "going out on a red mission" in the middle of the night is a rare thing, so I can't help but feel a little at a loss. "what happened?" "I'm going on a business trip in the middle of the night, I'm afraid the 'guides' are missing..." "Hey!" the county magistrate interrupted him, "Who will show the guide in the middle of the night? If you want to show up, you must also send out the guide from the Futai. You just need to find the executioner to serve the execution ground." This is easy to handle. While sending someone to notify the executioner, the criminal room book office personally went to the pawn in charge of the prison, commonly known as the "Four Masters", and went through the procedures for picking up the prisoners. Huang Shikui brought it up together. "What's the matter?" An Dehai's expression turned blue and yellow, "Are you still asking questions in the middle of the night?" "I heard that the imperial decree has arrived." The secretary of the punishment room told him so. "Oh!" An Dehai asked anxiously, "How should I say it?" "I heard that you will be sent to Beijing overnight." "How?" An Dehai proudly said, "I knew it, it must be like this." He was never tied up for An Dehai, and the pawns politely led him out of the side gate of the county government office. There were already two cars and a team of soldiers from the Fubiao Sect waiting. "Where are you going?" An Dehai asked. "Go to the Governor's Yamen first, Master Ding has something to say." Escorted by soldiers and escorted by pawns, when they arrived at the governor's yamen, the lights inside and outside were brightly lit, and An Dehai's expression changed again, but he seemed unwilling to show weakness, and walked straight in with his head held high. After explaining heavily, I led it all the way to the West Flower Hall.On the kang bed in the hall, there is Pan Ji, who sits on the top, and Xu Cheng, the Chinese army in Fubiao, on the bottom.In and out of the hall, except for the sound of Pan Qi "pululu" smoking a hookah, there was no commotion.Chen Yuxiang and Li Ping'an's expressions changed drastically, and they trembled all over, but An Dehai was still rebellious, and softly reprimanded his companion: "Don't be so scary!" Before he could finish his sentence, the curtain opened, and then someone pushed hard behind him, and An Dehai staggered and fell in, and another person took advantage of the momentum to press his shoulder, and he couldn't help but kneel down. Kneeling but struggling to get up again, the man pressed it again and at the same time scolded him: "It's so good to kneel!" This time, the fear in An Dehai's eyes was clearly visible, he looked around frantically, not knowing what to look at. "What's your name?" Pan Qi asked slowly. "I..., my name is An Dehai." "Is it the eunuch from Beijing, An Dehai?" "Yes!" An Dehai kept blinking, as if he was very confused. "Bring up those three people!" Pan Cui ordered. Chen Yuxiang, Li Pingan, and Huang Shikui didn't dare to act like An Dehai did. Once they entered the flower hall, they all fell to the ground obediently, answering any questions they had, giving their names and identities one by one. "Did you leave Beijing with An Dehai?" "Yes." The three answered in unison. "Is that him?" Pan Cui pointed to An Dehai and asked. "Yes, that's him." "Okay! Take them down." When the three people were taken away, Pan Qi glanced at Xu Cheng, turned his face down, and said in a very calm tone: "An Dehai! I received a secret decree tonight, I will take you to face the Fa on the spot, and the execution will be carried out right now. I want to tell you clearly, so that you will not be a fool when you die!" At the end of the speech, An Dehai's whole body trembled like sifting chaff, "Master Pan," he shouted with great difficulty, "I have something to say..." "It's late!" Pan Qi waved his hand vigorously: "There is no need for interrogation according to the decree. If you are identified, you will be punished. Unless you are not An Dehai, if you are An Dehai, you will die. Pull it down!" When someone came to pull him, An Dehai was paralyzed on the ground, but he was tied up as usual. Pan Kui personally approved the beheading bid, and went out of the Yamen through the west gate of the fold office, and escorted him to the execution ground. finished. The common people in Jinan Prefecture were asleep, only to hear the trumpet blowing, and when they got up the next day, they heard that a eunuch had been killed, and ran to the street, only to find out that notices were posted in the downtown area and at the gate of the city. The one who killed was the ostentatious and extravagant An Dehai.People with more good deeds rushed to the execution ground, but saw that An Dehai's body had not yet been coffined, and was covered with a reed mat on the bed, so he walked over and raised the mat to look around, but he didn't look at his upper body and his lower body, meaning he wanted to see how the eunuch was. How to be different.Of course, they were disappointed, nothing could be seen outside the trousers. The Empress Dowager Cixi in Beijing, since An Dehai's life was already at risk, she had nothing to spare, and thought that it would be better to take this opportunity to act vigorously, so as to gain a reputation as a wise man.Therefore, when Ding Baozhen arrived in Beijing for the second memorial, he summoned the military plane and instructed in person that besides Chen Yuxiang and Li Pingan, several eunuchs should hand over to Ding Baozhen to investigate the execution together.Exactly how Huang Shikui pretends to be must be investigated and dealt with. Then, he specially summoned the ministers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and blamed them for not strictly restraining the eunuchs.So King Gong accepted the decree, and drafted the decree according to the righteous words spoken by the Empress Dowager Cixi.The facts are described in the front, and the attitude is stated in the back: "I have passed down the family law, rectified the eunuch temple, and punished all crimes. How dare Hai act so recklessly, all kinds of crimes are what he deserves. After this severe punishment, all the eunuchs should be more aware and fearful, and they are still in charge of the Minister of Internal Affairs, and strictly discipline the eunuch in charge. After that, the eunuchs in charge will be strictly restrained , so that everyone should be diligent and careful on errands. If anyone does not abide by his duty and goes out to cause trouble, in addition to punishing the offender as usual, the eunuch in charge will be punished together. He also issued an order to the governors of the direct province to strictly order his subordinates. Eunuchs falsely claiming to be envoys, etc., no matter whether they have broken the law, they will be locked up immediately, and punished in a written statement, without any leniency." Officials in central Beijing all praised Shengming, and those who knew in advance that this would happen, in retrospect, were all deeply surprised by the happy ending. Of course, Ding Baozhen was the most proud. He was ordered to "strangle" the five eunuchs first.Then the bodyguards hired by Huang Shikui, Tian'er, and Tongzhou were found out, pretending to be former station officials, and confiscating mules and horses. They were charged with "helping colleagues to recruit Yao to intimidate the residents" and asked to show the "Wang Ming Banner" on the spot. Fa-rectification.The rest of An Dehai's family members, as well as those irrelevant entourages, pinched and beat them. After the punishment, they made a statement list and asked for punishment. In addition to criminals, there are luggage.The boxes and cages of clothes were compiled into five fonts of "Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth", a total of 39 pieces, together with the animals and vehicles confiscated, sent two alternate prefectures and counties with banner registration to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.After a whole month of busy work, Ding Baozhen finally settled this big case. It's time for the Ministry of Internal Affairs to be busy.The Empress Dowager Cixi and the emperor paid great attention to the relics of An Dehai and the five eunuchs who "run away from Beijing privately", especially the "Jin" box, which contained precious jewels, so the Ministry of Internal Affairs did not dare to neglect. Hand in unopened. Open it up and look, a lot of things seem familiar.It was originally stolen from the palace, but there is no question at this time, so it will not be sent back to the original owner.The Empress Dowager Cixi picked out some fine products herself, and distributed the rest to her concubines.Of course, the emperor also took a lot, and rewarded Xiao Li, Zhang Wenliang and others as rewards. Some people get unexpected blessings, and some people suffer unexpected disasters.Those bodyguards in Tongzhou can be said to be self-inflicted, but others are really innocent. The first is the monk Yanwen from Tianjin, and the second is An Dehai’s wife Ma Shi, who was bought with money. They were all exiled to Heilongjiang "Slaves to armored men". Finally, it was Wang Tianfu who looked after An Dehai's house.Empress Dowager Cixi suddenly thought of it one day, thinking that this person should not be spared lightly, and ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to hand him over to the Ministry of Punishment for execution.