Chapter 46 Section VI

So early the next morning, Xiao Anzi went to the respect room to return to Mingyuan, took the sign, took the package out of Donghua Gate, and arrived at the Zhaogong Mansion of Fangjiayuan. He is the most popular guest of Zhaoxiang's family, because every time he comes, he will never come empty-handed. Therefore, everyone's eyes were on the package in his hand, especially Gui Xiang, who wished he could take the package, but Xiao Anzi refused to let it go easily. When it is in his hands, hide part of it first, because it will not be counted in the future, and the Empress Dowager Cixi will suspect that she swallowed it up, which is an indefensible injustice.

It wasn't until he saw the "Old Madam Huang" and said hello and New Year's greetings that he unwrapped the package in front of everyone and handed everything over clearly.This time the gift was richer than usual, when Zhaoxiang got the news, he quickly put down his opium pipe and came to his mother, waiting for a good share, but on the surface he only said that he was asking about the "clip" he put on, See how the Empress Dowager Cixi gave her instructions? "The empress dowager said that she has been very busy recently, and she has no time to come back. The empress dowager also misses the old lady Huang a lot. After a while, the weather will be warmer. Let me pick up the old lady Huang to play in the palace." Anzi said emphatically.

"Her stomach is much better, right?" Mrs. Huang asked. "It's much better," Xiao Anzi said. "It used to be called Su Shunqi. Now it's all right, who dares to offend the Queen Mother? Dare to lose your head!" Both Zhaoxiang and Guixiang were awed by this statement, and they were extremely concerned.They all have a question that they must get to the bottom of the question to find the exact answer. They suffer from no one to ask for advice, and now they have it! So Zhaoxiang asked, "Little Anzi, I want to ask you something." "Yes! According to the father-in-law, please tell me."

Seeing that there were no outsiders in the room, Zhaoxiang said without hesitation, "Who is in power now? The Queen Mother or Prince Gong?" "Of course it's the queen mother." Xiao Anzi replied without hesitation: "It's our queen mother who makes decisions on matters big and small. Every day when we are summoned by the Hall of Mental Cultivation, what does our queen mother say and what does Prince Gong do? But, Gong The king is a person who has made great achievements, and his superiors think highly of him, and the queen mother always listens to what he says."

Brother Zhaoxiang was both surprised and delighted. He looked at each other with a smile on his face, and was speechless for a long time. In order to prove that his words are correct, Xiao Anzi gave another example: "Don't talk about others, just say that Mr. Wu was originally a Daoist, and just because of our queen mother's words, he became the governor of Jiangsu Fantai, the governor of water transport, and the local official. Let him sponsor you. Think about it, how much power does our empress dowager have?" This remark aroused the sentimentality of the old lady Huang, her heart was sweet and sour, she couldn't help sighing and said: "I can't think of it!"

This is to say that it is really unexpected that such a day will come!Xiao Anzi also knew a little bit that this family had received Wu Tang's great kindness back then, but he didn't know the details, and it was impossible to inquire about it in the palace.But he didn't dare, because the Empress Dowager Cixi's temper, she hates people mentioning her shameless things, just out of curiosity, causing disasters, but some of them can't do it, so she swallowed the words again. At this time, Gui Xiang, who had a special feeling in his heart, couldn't help it anymore, he waved his hand quietly and said, "Little Anzi, come to my place, I have a little thing for you to see!"

Xiao Anzi believed it was true, and excitedly followed him, and walked outside the Chuihua Gate, where there was no one around, Gui Xiang stood still and gave him a big bow. "What's the matter? Second Master Gui!" Xiao Anzi hurriedly took his hand and asked. "I have a lot of grievances, so I have to tell you." Hearing this, Xiao Anzi was taken aback. Could it be that their brothers are messing around with housework and need others to resolve it or judge right from wrong?This is a huge trouble, and with Empress Dowager Cixi on top, you must not interfere!Otherwise, I am afraid that even my life will be lost.

So he stepped back hastily, shaking his hands wildly. "Second Master Gui!" He said with a dignified expression, "Let's keep our words in mind, as long as I can help, come in the soup, go in the fire, according to Er Master Gui, Xiao Anzi is unambiguous, if I can't control it , something that shouldn't be bothered, then..." He shook his head vigorously: "I'm afraid! I still have my head to eat!" "Hey!" Gui Xiang couldn't help but laugh, "Where did you think? How could I make you lose your head?" "Then, Second Master Gui, what are your orders?"

"I entrust you to say a word in front of the Queen Mother." "Who are you talking about, Mr. Zhao?" "No! What did I say he was doing? I can't take care of myself." At this moment, Xiao Anzi understood that it was Gui Xiang who asked for something, "It's easy!" He nodded, "Say it!" In order to ask for Xiao Anzi, Gui Xiang changed his title, "Good brother," he said, "You don't know my grievances, my uncle, who was promoted to a noble, also got a minister with a loose rank. I, Nothing." "I understand. Second Master Gui, you want to ask the Queen Mother for a favor."

"It's not bad at all." Gui Xiang had a resentful expression on his face, and there was also a complaint in his mouth, "You see, our queen mother even took care of Wu Tang, but she didn't take care of her brothers and kept saying that I was incompetent. Yes, I also know that I don't Ability, but, may I ask, what ability does our Seventh Prince have? He stuttered and couldn't even speak a whole sentence. In charge of the Shenji Battalion, there are a lot of missions, what is the basis for this?" Of course it is because of his status as a prince!Xiao Anzi didn't want to refute Guixiang, but he didn't dare to say it according to his mouth, fearing that it would be inconvenient if it was heard by King Chun, so he just smiled and didn't answer.

"Furthermore, Prince Gong's son, Zai Li, who is not yet ten years old, was rewarded with three-eyed feathers on the second day of the lunar new year. What is the basis for this? Isn't it due to the grace from above? Good brother," Gui Xiang said, stroking Xiao Anzi's shoulder. , "Comparing people to others, it's so annoying! Tell me, am I wronged or not?" "Yeah, yum!" Xiao Anzi persuaded him, "Second Master Gui, you don't have to complain, you offend people for nothing, why bother? Just say it, what kind of job do you want?" "I can't do the big ones, I won't do the small ones, just like my old man did before his death, let's come to the stage!" "Okay, I'll tell the Queen Mother." "Wait! I mean give me the Guangdong Customs Road." At this point, Gui Xiang bowed his head again: "My good brother, it all depends on what you say!" Xiao Anzi hurriedly avoided.Guixiang's request is too extravagant, I don't know if he can get it?So I replied like this: "Second Master Gui, as for the words, I will definitely bring them to you. Whether it will be successful or not depends entirely on the Queen Mother's wishes. It is best if it is successful. As soon as there is news, I will come to congratulate you immediately. If it is not successful , don't blame me." "Of course, of course. I'll beg you!" Xiao Anzi really lived up to his trust, and when he returned to the palace, when Empress Dowager Cixi was happy, he tactfully stated Gui Xiang's request. The Empress Dowager Cixi just listened and did not express anything. Xiao Anzi waited for a while, but when there was no movement, he whispered again: "Second Master Gui asked me to have a word with the master..." Before she finished speaking, she spit on Xiao Anzi's face: "He is dreaming, and you haven't woken up yet?" Little Anzi never expected to touch such a big nail.He didn't dare to wipe his face after being spit on, so he slapped himself and said, "Damn the slave!" "You don't care about such nosy things in the future." "Yes, the slave will never dare again." A few days later, the weather was fine, and the Empress Dowager Cixi sent Xiao Anzi to pick up her mother into the palace. When he arrived at Fangjiayuan, Gui Xiang hurriedly dragged him aside to ask for news.Xiao Anzi didn't want to say what he had been reprimanded, and at the same time, he wanted to vent his resentment, so he thought of playing tricks on Gui Xiang. "It's good to teach Second Lord Gui to rest assured!" He pretended to be extremely serious, "When I told you what you said, the queen mother nodded, although it was nothing, it meant that I was willing to do it! , there is a shortage, if you don’t give it to your own brother, who will you give it to? I see, an old lady enters the palace today, and she will mention it to the queen mother, and the queen mother will tell Prince Gong tomorrow and issue an order immediately. Second Lord Gui , you just wait to be summoned!" After eating this hollow glutinous rice ball, Gui Xiang was overjoyed. He thanked him again and again, so he wanted to tell his mother.Xiao Anzi grabbed him again. "Second Master Gui!" He said, "You know the queen mother's temper. No matter how big or small the affairs of the palace are, she doesn't want people to talk about them outside. Keep it in my stomach, even the old lady has to hide it. Otherwise, when the queen mother gets angry, it would be a trivial matter for me to be scolded. Maybe your matter will change, and the cooked duck will fly away. What a shame !" "That's right, that's right, don't worry!" Gui Xiang was deeply educated, "You and I know about this matter. I will thank you very much when the decree comes down." So the old lady Huang entered the palace that day. When the mother and daughter met and talked about family affairs, she raised Guixiang's wish again. When dealing with her mother, the Empress Dowager Cixi would naturally tell the reason why Gui Xiang could not be allowed, "Oh!" She sighed, "Why is the second child so ignorant? Half of the salary for the long-haired soldiers comes from the Guangdong Customs. That's not a good job." Dang! Even if I am willing to send him, Prince Gong will not agree." When the old lady Huang heard this, she was stunned, and it took a long time before she said: "Didn't you say that you are the one who makes decisions about big and small things? Dare you, the authority is not in your hands?" "That's not the way to say it. I have my problems." "If you can make up your own mind about everything, there is nothing difficult!" This sentence brought great excitement to Empress Dowager Cixi, but it was also a kind of vigilance and enlightenment.When she encounters such power struggles about personal gains and losses, she can often show a very calm attitude, and close the door by herself, thinking about it for a long time. As the saying goes, "One emperor and one courtier".In the past three months, a lot of officials, big and small, inside and outside, have been mobilized. Except for Wu Tang, she has to ask herself, who are they actually sent by her?If there is a gap, it must first be given to the generals who are fighting in the front. Those who have already "registered" their names will be filled when they encounter a gap, and there is no room for flexibility. Secondly, we must reward those who have made meritorious service in this coup.Next, in order to stabilize the political situation and reconcile all parties, some important people had to be placed. For these three types of people, the Empress Dowager Cixi felt that the list of vacancies opened by the Military Aircraft Office was correct.But there are also some people, only because of Prince Gong's support, Gui Liang joined the military plane because he was his father-in-law, although it is an obvious fact, in the end the qualifications are enough.Wen Xiang belongs to Prince Gong's faction, but he is upright and capable, which makes sense. Xiang Baojun, who was hated by the late emperor and was demoted from a minister of internal affairs to a fifth-rank top-ranked person, to see how the future works, has now not only resumed all punishments, but also Into the direct military aircraft, this is not Prince Gong's favoritism?Even Lin Kui became a co-organizer because he was Bao Yun's cousin.Looking at it this way, comparing yourself with Prince Gong, who has the power?Even a three-year-old can understand. Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Cixi felt very uncomfortable, and at the same time, she was also faintly afraid. Sushun's memory was still fresh, and King Gong should not be made the second of Sushun!Sure enough, one day, the situation can never be compared with Sushun's. Prince Jinzhi has a different status, and the Manchu court is in a different situation. Sushun has some weaknesses, but King Gong does not, and what about myself?In the past, Prince Gong could be used to defeat Sushun, but who can be used to restrain Prince Gong in the future? How is the old seven?she asked herself.Think about it carefully, King Jin is cowardly and has a different relationship. If he is cultivated, he will be grateful and loyal to himself, but he can only be used to restrain Prince Gong. Not an opponent. It seems to depend on oneself.The situation of the curtain is barely established, but the word "ancestral family law" is a hidden worry. Once it breaks out, Prince Gong has this big hat to use, so he has to guard against it. This is overthinking!She thought, it would not be easy to overthrow what has been done, but Prince Gong can make it appear that he is listening to politics behind a curtain.Empress Dowager Cixi remembered the scene when Sushun decided to "put the car away" when she was in Rehe, and she still has lingering fears.The decree must go through the military aircraft department, which is the same reason as it had to be promulgated by the Minister of Gu Ming at that time. If King Gong is domineering and disobedient, imitating Su Shun's method at that time and implementing a blockade, then there is no other way but to submit can go. There must never be such a day!she said to herself.However, according to the current situation, the power will all belong to Prince Gong, with the support of the Manchu and Han ministers inside, and the support of Governor Jiezhen outside. The idea of ​​being an emperor will naturally come up. She didn't want to think this way, but she couldn't help it.This made her very painful. Playing with the stamp of "Tongdaotang", she felt infinite emotion in her heart. When we are in trouble, there are still "Tongdao", and we must fight for power if we share happiness. Prince Gong should be such a person, because she knows that she is such a person.Authority cannot be divided equally, and it cannot be equally divided. There is always one person who has more and one person who has less.Now, it's Prince Gong who has more, but it doesn't matter, fortunately, I found it early, and I will work hard from now on, step by step, and one day I will be able to reverse this disadvantage. "The government of the imperial court is controlled from the top, and it is not obtained by the ministers. The division between the monarch and the ministers in our court is extremely strict, especially not comparable to the previous court." She silently read Shengbao's memorial, and said to herself: "The same way is rare, and Tongzhi 'Impossible!"