Chapter 85 History of the Qing Palace (1)
October 27th in the fourth year of Guangxu.
The weather inside and outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation was almost two months apart. The big water tank outside the hall was frozen to the bottom, but inside the East Nuan Pavilion, it was like an October solstice.After Mu Zong died of smallpox here, the empress dowagers of the two palaces once again hung the curtains. They had been overhauled once, and the gaps between the doors and windows were tightly stitched to block the cold air brought by the northwest wind. With the addition of four large red charcoal basins, it was warm all over the place. Therefore, the monarch and his ministers discuss matters very calmly.
"The Dongxiang case in Sichuan is still unresolved. The replays of Ding Baozhen, the governor of Sichuan, and Li Zongxi, the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou, do not match the plot. Li Zongxi's replay, please help Yang Naiwu's case to be brought up for trial by the Ministry of Criminal Justice. Ministers and others have discussed that this case is not consistent with Yang Naiwu's case. The circumstances of the case are different. First, there are many witnesses in the case; second, Sichuan Road is too far away, and it is too burdensome for the people to bring the trial to the capital. As for the meeting of the six ministries and nine ministers, it is difficult to suspend it. The imperial envoy Chi Post to investigate."
Prince Gong finished speaking in one breath, stretched his hand back, and Bao Jun quickly stuffed a note into his hand.
"It's very appropriate to do this." Empress Dowager Cixi asked, "Who are you going to send?"
Prince Gong looked at the note and said, "Encheng, Minister of Rites, Tong Hua, servant."
"Encheng also understands the situation outside. Yes!" The Empress Dowager Cixi said again, "This case has dragged on for too long. I can't even remember how many orders I have made."
"How much?" Prince Gong turned around and asked Bao Yun.
Bao Yun looked at Shen Guifen—he replied softly, "There are twelve ways in total."
Empress Dowager Cixi has eyesight and hearing, and has already heard it, "Copy the twelve decrees, as well as Wen Ge's original music, to Encheng."
"Yes!" Prince Gong Chen Zuo had another matter, "Yesterday, according to Yi's decree, Li Peijing, the governor of Guizhou, came to see you in Beijing. Li Peijing was sent to Guizhou to study politics in the third year of Tongzhi, and he has been there for twelve years. Guizhou is very Bitter, it seems that it should be adjusted?"
"Li Peijing's official reputation is not bad, it's time to adjust him, and we can discuss it when he arrives in Beijing."
"Since he has received the imperial edict, Li Peijing thinks whether he will return to his post. Why not send someone to fill his vacancy at this moment. Minister..."
"That's what I mean too." Empress Dowager Cixi hurriedly said, "Guizhou asks Shen Guifen to go!"
As soon as this remark came out, it was as if Jiao Lei had been hit in broad daylight, deafening people's ears.Everyone took her words and repeated them in their hearts, yes, that's right, five simple words: tell Shen Guifen to go!
"The ministers dare not obey the imperial edict!" Bao Yun first fought against each other: "The governor is a second-rank official. Shen Guifen is currently co-organizing a bachelor, a minister of the Ministry of War, and a minister of military aircraft. She is a first-rank official and has a lot of publicity. She should not be demoted Borderlands. Once this decree was made, the Chinese and foreign countries were shocked. The court system and the four parties have a lot to do with it. I begged the two empress dowagers to take it back."
"Bao Yun's performance is right." Prince Gong continued, "And Shen Guifen is indispensable to the General Administration."
In addition, no one dared to speak. Jing Lian, who arrived at Wenxiang's vacancy, was still low-level;
But Baojun's smug performance is enough.The Empress Dowager Cixi was deeply displeased with his words that "the ministers dare not obey the imperial edict". She then thought about her own disposition, but it was too worrying. Jun's direct remonstrance withdrew Shen Guifen's fate.
Although God's will has returned, the reason for the sudden turmoil must be investigated.In any case, it cannot but be regarded as a clear sign of falling out of favor, and Shen Guifen is not the only one who is terrified. In the eyes of those who are familiar with the political situation, the people who are going to be unlucky are not limited to Shen Guifen.
Therefore, to the shock of this sudden ominous omen, there are at least three people, one is Dong Xun, Minister of the Household Department, who walks in the prime minister's office of national affairs; It was Weng Tonghe, the censor of Zuodu, who was the imperial teacher of the two dynasties.
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Anxious Shen Guifen finally looked forward to Weng Tonghe.In order to avoid people's eyes and ears, Weng Tonghe sent a letter first, and will visit each other late at night.He still maintains a graceful demeanor, in comparison, Shen Guifen, who appears to be extremely rich, looks a little restless.As soon as the host and guest bowed, they whispered around the fire without any politeness, and the conversation got to the point.
"Have you heard any news?"
"There are a lot of discussions." Weng Tonghe replied, "the opinions are almost the same, and it's Lan Sun's fault." He paused and said, "Wang Kuishi's entry into the military aircraft, some people have long been dissatisfied."
Wang Wenshao's entry into the military aircraft in February of this year was in the absence of Ding You's Li Hongzao in September of the previous year.In addition to King Gong's leadership in the Military Plane Department, the large military planes are full of two Hans, one in the south and one in the north, and the two Hans are evenly matched.Li Hongzao opened the vacancy, and he should make up for the combination of talents from the north. Who knows that Shen Guifen introduced his provincial examination student, Wang Wenshao from Renhe, Zhejiang Province, breaking the balance of power between the north and the south, no wonder he was tabooed by Li Hongzao's family.Shen Guifen also knew about this level, but he didn't believe that Li Hongzao was "trickling tricks".
"Lan Sun is a gentleman after all. Besides, he's still recovering early, so there's no need to push me out of the military plane at this time." Shen Guifen said, "Even if I get out of the military plane, he won't be able to make up for it. Instead, it will be easier for others."
"Yes." Weng Tonghe nodded, "The rumors outside are not going to scratch the itch after all.
In my opinion, I'm afraid it's a backstabbing from 'Gaomi'. "
"Gaomi" implies the word "Zhonghua". Deng Yu, the head of the "Twenty-Eight Generals of Yuntai", was granted the title of Marquis of Gaomi, and Deng Yu's name was Zhonghua, which was the same as Ronglu's title. Weng Tonghe's opinion was exactly the same as Shen Guifen's suspicion.
"Come on!" Shen Guifen patted her knees and said, "Except for him, no one else would have such evil thoughts, and even if they have such evil thoughts, they can't speak out."
"However," Weng Tonghe changed his words suddenly, "it's just speculation, and it's not reliable."
"Otherwise!" Shen Guifen interrupted him, but hesitated for a while before speaking: "Shuping, can you give me a hand?"
"What do you mean?" Weng Tonghe said, "I'm only worried about my lack of strength, and I can't help the public."
"This matter must be done with great effort, others are useless." Shen Guifen lowered her voice, "You and 'Gaomi' are exchange brothers, we can keep secrets together."
Weng Tonghe was a little dazed, he fully understood Shen Guifen's implication, that he wanted him to go to Rong Lu's place to be a "spy".This request was quite unexpected to him, but when he thought about it carefully, he would make such a request when he was in a different place, because this was indeed a task that no one else could do.
"Shu Ping," Shen Guifen turned to him, "It stands to reason that you should have entered the army a long time ago, but you are an imperial teacher with a noble status, so I can't recommend you. On the one hand, I am not worthy to be your leader; on the other hand, I I'm afraid that others will say that I take you seriously. You are the one who understands the most, so why bother? But..." He paused for a while, then suddenly said: "Sang Baiqi's old illness is invading, so why bother? Not long."
This is a condition, if Weng Tonghe is willing to do this for him, then once Sang Chunrong opens the vacancy of Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, he will recommend Weng Tonghe to succeed him.
These words cannot but be tempting. Although Zuodu Yushi and Xingbu Shangshu are both "Eight Ministers", the Shangshu is different after all.Moreover, although Zuodu Yushi is known as the "Taiwan Chief", in fact, Bai Tai is so dense, all of them stand proudly. Those "Master Du", none of them are willing to obey orders, far inferior to the six ministers. Repeatedly coming is majestic enough to do something.
So he said: "To help each other in the same boat, I am not afraid of this trip, but I dare not say what achievements I have made."
"Toiled, toiled!" Shen Guifen cupped her hands repeatedly, "We still need to be careful about this matter."
The word "precise" refers to An Weng Tonghe's heart.In the North-South party struggle, Weng Tonghe maintained an almost detached attitude because he was pro-South, which he attached great importance to, so Shen Guifen's "meticulousness" really implied support for his superficial detached attitude, so that he could dispel his worries.
After careful planning, we decided to go there on time, just as Rong Lu was toasting his toast under the bright daylight gas lamp.Brothers exchanged posts, so they didn't need to report, so they were led to the table. When Rong Lu got up to greet them, the servant had already added another pair of cups and chopsticks, and was waiting for Weng Tonghe to take his seat.
"Shen Jingsheng is really not human!" Weng Tonghe, who was full of anger as soon as he entered the door, seemed impatient to vent, and said angrily as soon as he sat down, "I want to break up with him!"
"Why?" Rong Lu was quite surprised, "Why are you so angry?"
"He told people that I want to enter the army, so I wish he could leave the capital. Isn't it hateful that a villain has such a heart?"
Rong Lu was wary of him, so these angry words, between doubts, he only persuaded: "Forget it, forget it! No one knows Shen Jingsheng's measurement. 'The prime minister's belly is easy to puncture' , he is the prime minister..." Rong Lu smiled and toasted.
"Zhonghua!" Weng Tonghe said solemnly: "You must not take it lightly! Since the night when the first emperor died, you moved the pen, and Shen Jingsheng hated you to the bone. He told others that it was out of Guizhou. Your mastermind must avenge this. You must guard against it!"
Rong Lu responded with a smile that neither admitted nor denied, and at the same time he had to raise his glass again to cover up his slightly embarrassed look.
"Recently there is a good poem, which has been widely recited for a while. Have you heard of it before? Wu Gui'an's "Sister Sister Tan"?"
"I haven't heard of it." Rong Lu replied, "Wu Gui'an met Lan Sun twice, but I'm not familiar with him. Besides, I'm not the kind of person who can talk about poetry with others."
So Weng Tonghe recited in a clear voice: "I obey my mother's orders in everything, and I am pitied everywhere; the bottom of the deep pool is not bottomless, so Rourui is beautiful."
"Everything is my mother's order, and I am always pitied." Rong Lu said with a smile: "The description is wonderful! Shen Jingsheng is in front of the Empress Dowager, just like that of Chenghuan."
"I didn't expect to touch such a big nail!" Weng Tonghe suddenly clapped his hands and laughed: "When I see Gui'an, I will persuade him to write another new chapter "Little Aunt"!" After finishing speaking, the laughter became louder.
This pretense deceived Rong Lu, who was already drunk.During the five or six years of his acquaintance with Weng Tonghe, he has never seen such a ecstasy, it can be seen that he hates Shen Guifen very much, that's why he made such a harsh joke.
This change of thought made him remove the barriers to Weng Tonghe, and he felt that he could still share his heart, "Shuping, let me tell you the truth, it's not that I have a feeling of 'you can't die, I can't be alone' towards Shen Jingsheng. The introduction of Wang Kuishi was greatly tabooed by others. The superiors were also afraid that his party members would become too powerful, and they would try to suppress him. If he was still in power, he could not be thrown out of the military plane for no reason. That day, the Empress Dowager summoned him and mentioned this matter. I said, 'Isn't Li Peijing an internal caller?' Before I could continue, the Empress Dowager shook her hand and refused to let me continue. To be honest, even I was surprised by the interview the next day."
Obviously, Rong Lu still had some insincere words.It's no wonder that even if he is a close friend, he can't know how to stab someone in the back?Anyway, the truth is already known, so he doesn't need to listen to what he says, what he needs to listen to is this sentence: Who is the "person" who "has been tabooed by others"?
"Wang Kuishi was originally not a great tool, and Shen Jingsheng's citation was indeed out of selfishness." Weng Tonghe said, "Not to mention Lan Sun, even they Zhejiang people, there are many dissatisfied."
This is a temptation.If Li Hongzao is the one who is jealous, Rong Lu will of course defend him.However, the host didn't express anything, just said: "I hope Wang Kuishi will not make any trouble, if there is any trouble, it must be 'Little Ghost Falling King Kong'!"
What does "little ghost" refer to?Weng Tonghe couldn't figure it out, "How do you say that?" He asked.
"In the third year of Tongzhi, you don't know the ins and outs of the case of exempting military supplies from reimbursement?"
"Isn't that at the request of Ugan Ong?"
"Wogan Weng became successful because of people. Wang Kuishi was in the household department at that time."
Wang Wenshao was an official in the Ministry of Household Affairs at that time, and he was still young, so he hadn't fallen into the frivolous habit of being blindly mellow today.I also pay attention to official affairs on weekdays. I am afraid that once Hong Yang is pacified, when the military supplies are reimbursed, the household and military clerks will extort and harass in many ways. After the chaos, the way to rest with the people.Therefore, a clause was drafted to exempt military supplies reimbursement, and it was prepared to be submitted to the court officials.
This was an "immoral" behavior that was extremely profitable, so some officials advised him not to do too much, but Wang Wenshao was moved by the threatening words, so he put it on hold.The book offices of the household and military departments have actually already taken action.
In the spring of the third year of Tongzhi, Li Hongzhang conquered Changzhou, Hong Xiuquan died of illness, and the end of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was just around the corner.The household and military secretaries thought they were about to get rich, so they met in secret and decided to send people to various places in Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi to meet with the generals in charge of each army and negotiate the conditions for reimbursement of military supplies.This will cost two sums of money, one is the usual "ministry fee", and all the generals who are ordered to recruit will have to spend it, even if it is the holy family Youlong, who has received "thirteen odd numbers" in his life, and is the blessing of Gaozong's illegitimate son. Kang An, without exception.
The other is the reimbursement fee.During the reign of Emperor Qianlong, a "Regulations" was promulgated for the reimbursement of military supplies. It was clearly written which items could be reported and which items could not be reported. It will be "refuted".After more than ten years, I don't know how many people have changed their hands. How can I find out?Therefore, the secretariat of the Ministry made an agreement with the miscellaneous officials of the provinces, and the Jingli sent people to check the records of the Fan, Li, Guan, and Yan four treasuries on the spot, and handled them on their behalf. On behalf of the advance, when the department fee is calculated in the future, it will be returned together.
When Jiangning reported victory, tens of thousands of silver had been used for this advance.However, King Gong and Wo Ren of the University's Academic Affairs Department had already had a secret discussion. When the meritorious deeds and rewards came to an end and they began to discuss the aftermath, suddenly one afternoon, Wo Ren invited the six officials of the household department , at the same time to the department.As soon as he arrived, he recruited capable officers and took the abridgement drafted by Wang Wenshao, who had been sent to Hunan Taoist.Just like the "Shuoyuan" drafted by Hanlin scholars in the Song Dynasty, they ordered the doors to be closed and locked, and traffic was cut off, and then tasks were assigned, such as those who planned to play, those who were recorded by relatives, and those who used seals.At the middle of the night, when everything was ready, Woren took the memorial to ask for exemption from military supplies reimbursement, and entered the court from the Ministry of Households. When King Gong arrived, he handed over the sign to see you.The empress dowagers of the two palaces both claimed to be good, and immediately drafted an order to branch, and sent them to all provinces in four hundred miles.The Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Military Affairs, as well as the Book Office of the Ministry of Industry, which also stepped in later, had their dreams come true, and even lost a huge sum of money. Some hugged and cried bitterly.
When this passage is explained clearly, it will be easy to understand Rong Lu's words. It's not that he hates him so much.If Wang Wenshao made a mistake, the "little ghost" would naturally "fall into the King Kong".
Weng Tonghe certainly hoped that he would "fall out of the law" so that he would have a chance to enter the aircraft industry.But this is something that can be encountered but cannot be sought, so don't change your mind too much, say something closed, and leave.
Bao Yun also had a quarrel with Rong Lu, not because of personal grievances, but because of different factions, one is King Gong's "Jester" and the other is King Chun's "General".The brothers of the two kings joined the business, so Bao Yun also regarded Rong Lu as a thorn in his side.
"Jing Sheng, I will definitely find a way to vent your anger on you. However, there is no chance for 'a man who knows the current affairs is a hero'." Bao Jun sincerely persuaded: "You must be patient, you must hit the snake on the seven inches, Frighten the snake, beware of backlash."
The so-called "opportunity" is to grasp Ronglu's faults, and even King Chun can't protect him, so that he can "hit the seven inches".However, this opportunity was impossible for a while, because Rong Lu had a sore on his waist, and the German doctor he hired was operated on, and he bled a lot.
Rong Lu took a two-month leave, but he had to cancel it midway.This year, there was a severe drought in Gyeonggi, and the disaster has already happened, so people's hearts are fluctuating, and there are many rumors, saying that on a certain day in a certain month, a certain village in a certain place will rise up, and they have already made appointments with the White Lotus Sect in Shandong and Henan. According to legend, there are even posters posted on the gates of Jiucheng.Rong Lu is the commander of the infantry and is responsible for the security of the capital. Of course, he has to do his best to suppress it personally.
After handing over the fake certificate, the empress dowagers of the two palaces summoned him immediately and asked about his condition. Empress Dowager Cixi said: "People in Beijing are uncertain, and I am afraid that the bandits will change. I want to transfer Li Hongzhang's Beiyang Huai army to guard the capital. What do you think? "
I can't think of it!Rong Lu thought to himself, the people of Nine Cities must panic when they see the Beiyang Huai army being transferred into the defense, and the discipline of the Huai army is extremely bad.
Because of his deep favor, Rong Lu has never been very scruples when speaking in front of the Empress Dowager Cixi. "Responding to the words of the two empress dowagers," he said with his head raised, "slaves are on the ground. Detective, if the culprits want to make trouble, the servants must know nothing about it. Although there are many rumors at present, there is nothing wrong. If the Huai army is transferred to Beijing, it will appear panic and people will be more flustered. Please forgive me and stay calm."
"Is there really no such thing as those gangsters colluding with the White Lotus Sect and wanting to rebel?"
"How dare this slave speak nonsense and bully the two empress dowagers?"
"Since it's like this, it's better to be still than to move."
When he exited the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Rong Lu thought in his heart, fortunately he had already sold the holiday, so he was able to remonstrate in time, if the imperial edict was issued and the soldiers and horses were mobilized, it would take a lot of trouble to find a way to restore it.
Just as he was celebrating his success, he heard someone shouting: "Lord Rong, Lord Rong!"
Looking back, it was a eunuch with a burly appearance.Rong Lu couldn't help stretching out his hand to pinch his purse to see what novel and precious plaything he was carrying, so that he could make friends with Li Lianying, who replaced An Dehai's position by combing Empress Dowager Cixi's hair.
"What's the matter!" Rong Lu stood still and said, "I've been sick for more than a month, and you don't want to visit me!"
"Heaven is above," Li Lianying said, pointing upwards with her hand, "I don't know how many times I have thought about it, but it is always so unfortunate that I want to see Mr. Rong. When the time comes, I will have something to explain, so I can't go. That day Xi Buddha also said: Rong has a sore, how can a foreigner treat it? He also used a knife or something, which really makes people worry! I asked Xi Buddha for a job to see your old man, but who knows it still won’t work? , the Ministry of Internal Affairs has a negotiation, and I can't handle it."
"It's fine when you feel like it. Thank you for thinking about it."
"Lord Rong!" Li Lianying's demeanor changed as soon as he said it, and became concerned and worried. "You made a mistake today! It was Qi Ye's idea to send Beiyang troops to guard the capital."
Rong Lu was shocked, and went out of the palace to inquire quickly. Sure enough, the rumor was that the youngest son of the "Old Fifth Grand Master", Beizi Yimo, played the Empress Dowager Cixi face to face.When asked how to deal with it, Yimo had the best relationship with King Chun among his cousins, so he suggested that the two palaces summon King Chun to inquire about the solution to the problem.
Chun Wangfang was in his prime, he had lived at home for four years, he was very quiet and thought about moving, and the Beiyang Huai army was stationed in the capital, and he was at his disposal.
"It's broken, it's broken!" Rong Lu stamped his feet and said to his wife, "Why didn't Master Qi discuss it with me first when he was doing such an important matter!"
"Don't blame Qi Ye." Mrs. Rong Lu said, "It's because you are sick and he doesn't want you to worry about it. I think you should go there quickly!"
Other than that, there is no good solution.Rong Lu rushed to Prince Chun's Mansion in Taiping Lake, intending to explain and make amends, but when he arrived, he knew something was wrong.The very acquainted guest did not need to be notified, but the door stopped him, saying that King Chun had an account, and any guest came, he had to ask him first, did he see him or not?
After I put in the name post, there was a quick reply at the door: "No see!" And even the name post was not accepted.
This is almost a sign of breaking up the relationship, and Rong Lu is not only sad, but also afraid.His backer is King Chun, and there is only one Li Hongzao who can help him, and Li Hongzao guards the house and has nothing to do. Now that he offends King Chun, he is even more isolated and helpless.Although it was appreciated by the Empress Dowager Cixi, half of it was due to King Chun bragging, "Zhao Mengneng is expensive, Zhao Mengneng is cheap." King Chun and his wife often entered the palace, and if they had to say a few bad words, the holy family would immediately decline.
Gotta find someone to clear it up!He was planning in this way, but he had to wait for King Chun's anger to subside before he could speak out, the only thing in front of him was wronging himself.He didn't see him once, but he went again for the second time. Who knows that he was shut down again and again, but Rong Lu was not discouraged. He was thinking: Can the king of alcohol stand in the way when he goes to pay New Year's greetings on the first day of the new year?
Before the Chinese New Year, the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, Bao Jun and Shen Guifen beat him to the punch!
There is a "yellow belt" named Baoting, named Zhupo, a descendant of Prince Zheng Jierhalang.The Imperial Academy in the seventh year of Tongzhi was a celebrity among the Eight Banners and a well-known "Qingliu". At the end of the year, I saw that the people's livelihood was difficult, rumors arose, and people's hearts fluctuated. , dedicated responsibility, detailed inquiry, strict limits, deception, prudent forgiveness.
After Mu Zong's death, the empress dowagers of the two palaces once again opened their mouths, and the memorials of admonishment and persuasion were rarely left in the middle. Moreover, the six matters that Baoting admonished mostly referred to ministers, and of course they were sent to the military affairs office for discussion.
When Bao Jun saw it, he had a sudden realization, "Jing Sheng!" He quietly said to Shen Guifen: "The opportunity has come! Look at Bao Zhupo's book, there is a lot to be done about this 'special responsibility'."
Shen Guifen understood a little bit, in the item "Special Responsibilities", Bao Ting refers to full ministers with many jobs, and many meanings can naturally arise from this sentence.But I should not speak out, and listen to Bao Yun's opinion before making a rationale.
"In terms of the complexity of the assignments, it's naturally me and 'Gaomi'. If I reduce it, he will reduce it. Today, I will play the order in person, and he will be caught off guard."
So the secret discussion was completed, and at the same time, with the consent of Prince Gong, it was decided that Bao Jun would present himself.
"Talking to the two Empress Dowagers, I have been favored by the slave, and I have received many rewards, and I am really unable to do it," he said, "The slave proposes to ask for an order to fire the president of the National History Museum and the military parade."
"Yes!" Empress Dowager Cixi nodded without hesitation.
"Except for the slaves, there are many honors and luxuries. The slaves and others have a public discussion. It is appropriate to dismiss the gap between the minister of the Ministry of Industry and the minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs."
The Empress Dowager Cixi felt that Rong Lu's lack of a job could not be compared with Bao Jun's two jobs, so she pondered and found it difficult to make a decision.
"The commander of the infantry must be Rong Lu." Bao Jun said again, "The capital is drought and the ground is not stable. Now that the age is approaching, Rong Lu has a heavy responsibility. He has just recovered from a serious illness and has no energy. If he doesn't leave here The two shortcomings, the inability to concentrate, has a lot to do with the security of the capital."
What the Empress Dowager Cixi was most afraid of was the unrest in the capital. Although Rong Lu once asked to "come out to calm down", the censor who patrolled the city reported almost every day, and if there was a robbery case, why not worry about it?Therefore, I feel that Baojun's words are very reasonable.
"Ronglu has a long history of Xuanli, and he is bright and capable." Shen Guifen also said, "Fortunately, he is still young, and will be reused by the two empress dowagers in the future."
It means "the future is long", and there are all opportunities for "enhancing grace".The Empress Dowager Cixi couldn't help but think that in the past two months, King Jin mentioned Ronglu, saying that he was "greedy about drinking, doesn't know how to cherish his body, and needs more experience". Being vigilant and fawning on upwards actually fulfilled him.So her thoughts changed, and she asked sideways, "Sister, what do you think?"
Empress Dowager Ci’an, since Mu Zong’s death and Empress Jiashun’s martyrdom, she felt ashamed of all thoughts. At the same time, she saw that Empress Dowager Cixi’s measures were respectful, able to accept loyal advice, and she seemed to work hard to make up for her mistakes. , I feel more and more that I can ignore it, so I replied at this time: "You see!"
"Then," Empress Dowager Cixi ordered, "write an order and see."
How to accept the decree was also discussed in advance, for fear of leaking the news, Zhang Jing would not teach the military machine to handle it. After Bao Yun gave him a wink, Wang Wenshao kowtowed first, then got up and bowed his head, took a few steps back, and turned to leave the hall.
Go out of the hall to find the resting place of the eunuch, take a piece of white paper, take out a fountain pen from the leaf of the boot, and write it in one swoop, enter the hall and present it to the imperial case.See what he wrote:
"Bao Jun, Rong Lu has a lot of work. Bao Jun is on the mission of the President of the National History Museum and the Minister of Military Parade; Rong Lu is on the mission of the Minister of the Ministry of Industry and the Minister of Internal Affairs."
"Is that how it is written?" Empress Dowager Cixi questioned, thinking that the words were too brief.
"The two empress dowagers learned a lot," Bao Yun replied, "in my humble opinion, I think it's decent to write like this. Use people's handles, and use them to the top, and eliminate the gaps. There is no need to declare the reasons."
"For Ronglu, it seems that there should be some words of encouragement for him."
"That seems to be a deliberate reprimand." Bao Yun had an expression of disobedience, "Ronglu is a talent to be made, and I hope the two empress dowagers will be perfect, so that he can save face."
Empress Dowager Cixi was shrewd and couldn't stand the teasing of them together, so this edict was copied by the mansion the same day.
This year, Rong Lu has had a rough time.But he is very smart, he still expresses gratitude, and his family goes to pay New Year's greetings, to Taiping Lake, and finally meets King Chun.
After all, King Chun has a loyal foundation and already knows the inside story. Regarding his loss of office out of thin air, he has a feeling of "I will not kill Boren", so before he finished kowtowing, he took his hand and said: "Zhong Hua , Zhonghua, there are many errands in the inner court this year, I haven't had time to trouble you."
"Qiye," Rong Lu deliberately pretended to be puzzled, "I have no worries!"
"Okay! Okay! Don't pretend to be like this with me, it will make me feel uncomfortable. You come!"
King Chun sent a message to the door that all visitors should be blocked, so that Ronglu could have a deep talk.In the "Hanxiang Pavilion" surrounded by thousands of red and white plums, the guests are entertained with wine, and the wine is full of sorrow, and Rong Lu's complaints can't help it.
"I'm fine with everything else. The most annoying thing is that the edict didn't say the reason, intentionally to arouse people's suspicion. I heard that Bao Gong still interceded for me. Isn't this a cat crying and a mouse?"
"Zhonghua, I'm afraid the matter is not over yet," King Chun offered advice: "You still have to be careful."
"What did Master Qi hear?"
"I don't ask about foreign affairs now, and I don't listen to what people say." King Chun replied:
"I'm just so worried about you."
Rong Lu sneered: "Just for Qiye's sake, they can't kill them all, can they?"
The weight of these words is not light, and it is a complaint that the King of Resentment and Alcohol cannot shelter.However, King Jin has the difficulty of King Jin. He finally had the opportunity to lead troops, but Rong Lu unintentionally dismissed it. , It is bound to arouse the vigilance of Prince Gong's family.At this moment, I have no fists and no courage, and my status is not what it used to be. I have to be extra careful in every word and action, so as to maintain my honor for a long time.Therefore, for Ronglu's complaints, he can only respond with a wry smile.
"Uncle Weng usually comes to Qiye's place?"
Weng Tonghe is the enlightenment teacher of today's little emperor, and he and Chun Wang are like folk masters and teachers, so naturally they often have contacts.As for the affairs of Yuqing Palace, he often intervened from the side. For example, Weng Tonghe did not teach the little emperor to learn Xingkai, which was specially taken care of by King Chun.This was a question that was not necessary to ask, so Chun Wang only thought that he was just looking for something to say, and it didn't matter whether he answered or not.But when Rong Lu mentioned it, it touched a doubt that had been hidden in his heart for a long time, so he answered irrelevantly and said: "You and Weng Shuping are brothers who exchange posts. I heard that our friendship is not as good as before. Is that true?"
This question aroused Rong Lu's endless resentment, but he refused to tell the truth in front of King Chun.Because of his manipulation of Shen Guifen, it is not appropriate to tell the King of Chun, so he had to bear it again and again, and then replied flatly: "I still treat him like a brother, it is because he is alienated from me."
"It's no wonder, as soon as he gets close to Shen Jingsheng, he naturally distances himself from you. This man," King Chun said after a pause, "is still a gentleman."
From this sentence, it can be imagined that Weng Tonghe had never told King Chun about the situation where he lied to himself to tell the truth.Both of them have become villains, and they both have unspeakable secrets, but they have suffered from being dumb, but they don't know what benefits will come from Weng Tonghe's betrayal of brothers in exchange for posts?
Weng Tonghe's "benefit" is the fulfillment of Shen Guifen's promise.Sang Chunrong, Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, resigned repeatedly, and the court repeatedly stayed. After the opening of the seal in the fifth year of Guangxu, Sang Chunrong "begged for bones" again. .At the same time, Wang Wenshao's minister of military aircraft removed the word "learning", which proves that Wu Gui'an wrote the song "Little Aunt Tan" with deep experience.Shen Guifen practiced the way of tenderness with the integrity of Qingjie. If the Empress Dowager Cixi did not appreciate it, then no one would be able to invite "Holy Family".
Soon, Emperor Mu Zongyi and Empress Xiaozheyi will be enshrined in Huiling forever.Before starting to drive, there is an important matter to be ruled: to send a minister who has been appointed to stay in Beijing to handle affairs.
It has always been a rule that when the emperor patrols hunting, he must supervise the country with the prince and stay at the root.Since Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, the East Palace was not built, so at this time, King Dun took on the important task because of his relatives and nobles.In addition, Quanqing, Shangshu of the Ministry of Scholars and Industry, Dong Xun, Shangshu of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and Rong Lu, the commander of the infantry, were sent to stay in Beijing to handle affairs.Quan Qing and Dong Xun, both in their seventies, sent this envoy to sympathize with the veterans and save them the trouble of trekking. Rong Lu is in charge of the security of the capital, so he should stay behind. It is not surprising at all, but the wording of the edict, As if to belittle Ronglu's status, he said:
"Prince Dun, Quanqing, and Dong Xun work in shifts on a daily basis. Those who don't stay overnight will be engraved with scattered value. After Rong Lu goes in to do business every day, he doesn't need to stay overnight, and he will be assigned at noon."
In contrast, Rong Lu was inferior to Quan Qing and Dong Xun, just like Zhang Jing of the Military Aircraft was to the Minister of Military Aircraft, he was only for sending orders.
This is a well-designed attack method, and it complements each other with the decree at the end of the year that he did not say why he was expelled from Ronglu. It is obvious that Ronglu has fallen out of favor.
※ ※ ※
The funeral ceremony for Mu Zong and Empress Jiashun was scheduled for March 26.The empress dowagers of the two palaces and the emperor decided to start the Luan on March 21. Except for the princes and ministers who accompanied them, all the officials who were going to the funeral left early, and the younger the officials, the earlier they left.
Among the small officials, there is Wu Kedu, the head of Jixun Division of the Ministry of Officials, but he is an old celebrity in the Beijing Dynasty. He is named Liutang, a native of Lanzhou, Gansu, and a Jinshi in the 30th year of Daoguang.Before becoming famous, unkempt, suave and self-satisfied, Juren who went to Beijing for the exam, those who were rich lived in hotels, those who had no money lived in guild halls, those who loved quietness lived in temples, and the one thing that never changed was that they were convenient for studying at the end of the day." Grind your guns before the battle."Only Wu Kedu is different. He lives in a "Qingyin small class" in Shanxi Lane. The girl he belongs to is called Cuihua. , beyond words.Wu Kedu is a very caring person, touched by emotion, never to return, never to return after death, he believes that Cuihua is a confidant, with eyelids for support, heart warm, and she takes care of the dressing table every day.Cuihua frowns and smiles, there is always a long time to think about it, and she throws the test basket in the corner, and the dust is so thick.Therefore, he got an extremely indecent nickname: Wu Daprostitute.
This year was the twenty-seventh year of Daoguang, and the Chunwei list was released, and Wu Da's prostitution was defeated.Cuihua cried for him, but Wu Kedu felt that her tears were as precious as those of the Golden Palace Luge.Therefore, with the excuse that Lanzhou is far away, it is better to study in Beijing, and I am still obsessed with Jinghua.It was the best plan to fail the general examination, stay in Beijing to study, and prepare for the next general examination. However, everyone couldn't help but suspect Wu Da's motives for whoring.
After several months, it proved that Wu Kedu did not plan to make a comeback at all, so some teachers, relatives and friends wanted to intervene.There was an old man in the imperial court who was the "teacher" of another country's examination. They sent someone to find him. To save his face, he didn't say that he was depressed in the gentle village. It is better to study in a secluded ancient temple, and advise him to live in the "Nine Heavens Temple" outside Guang'anmen.The Jiutian Temple is the public property of the Guanzhong Guild Hall, and there is no need to spend rent to live there.This is a trivial matter, the main thing is the teacher's words, out of the kindness of his lover Yide, it cannot be refuted, so Wu Kedu had to move from Cuihua's incense nest to the desolate Jiutian Temple, planning to make a good use of it.
But I would choose a seat on the first day, miss the old days on the second day, and fall into lovesickness on the third day.Aroused, still moved back to Shaanxi Lane to live.
The elder sister loves talents, but she has no choice but to be no match for "the bustard loves banknotes". When the gold at the head of the bed is exhausted, Cuihua's complexion is not very good-looking.In the end, he was unable to keep enough food and clothing, so he had to ask his fellow countrymen to "complain for help".
"It's easy to help the poor and help the poor, not to mention that your difficulties are caused by yourself. Of course we are thinking of the fellowship, but we are afraid that some people who don't know the inside story will be suspicious." His fellow villagers advised him to go back to Jiutian Temple and live. Said it was a condition of helping him.
Wu Kedu had no choice but to obey.At that time, the Sixi Troupe, one of the four major Hui troupes, was reinstated by Yu Sansheng, and the event was revitalized. Someone made a couplet based on these two events, saying: "Yu Sansheng revives the Sixi Troupe, and Wu Da prostitutes again." Live in Nine Heavens Temple."
No matter how open-minded Wu Kedu is, he can't be ashamed. Thinking about his age, his fame has not yet been established, and he has the ardent hope of his mother, he can't be a human being!So in the Jiutian Temple, I spent more than a year working hard.In the 30th year of Daoguang's Gengxu Divisional Examination, he won the Jinshi. Although he never entered the Hanlin Academy, he did not "get off the list" to be a county magistrate.
In the tenth year of Xianfeng, the Anglo-French allied forces invaded the capital. Wu Kedu's old mother was ill and could not be frightened.He was promoted to be a doctor of the Ministry of officials, and later he was admitted to the censor. Because he impeached a Manchurian general, he caused a great disturbance and almost lost his life.
这个满洲人叫成禄，官居乌鲁木齐提督，诬良为逆，虐杀无辜，而居然虚报战功，说打了一场大胜仗。总司西征大任的陕甘总督左宗棠，上奏严劾。而吴可读亦接到同乡字字血泪的来信，悲愤莫名，奏劾成禄的罪名，“有可斩者十，不可斩者五。”于是成禄被“革职拿问”。
先议的是斩立决。但成禄神通广大，力足以回天。军机先替他讲话，穆宗亦加以庇护，由斩立决改为斩监候，这中间便有回护的余地了。秋审勾决，自可不勾，然后再找个机会，譬如皇帝大婚加恩，便可减刑，甚至释放。总之，这一“候”，成禄的脑袋就保住了。
吴可读愤不可言，上疏力争，措词中大发戆劲，说是“请斩成禄以谢甘民，再斩臣以谢成禄。”穆宗大怒，认为吴可读欺他年幼，所以才敢如此顶撞，非要他的脑袋不可。
两宫太后知道吴可读不错，而且杀言官是亡国之象，所以再三苦劝。无奈皇帝也跟吴可读一样，发了戆劲，竟连慈安太后的话都不肯听。
于是醇王出面来替皇帝出气。这天六部九卿复议成禄的罪名，奏稿都已斟酌妥当，而醇王忽然驾到，一到就取出一通奏稿，请人高声宣读，征求同意。
一听之下，无不愕然，醇王的意思是要治吴可读的罪。在座的人都以为不可，唯一的例外是刑部尚书桑春荣。
“王爷大，中堂小，我追随王爷。”说完，他奋笔疾书，在醇王的奏稿上署了名。
刑部尚书如此，还有什么可议的？于是照醇王的复奏，吴可读跟成禄一样，也被“革职拿问”了。
三法司会审，刑部希承上意，办了吴可读的死罪。向来的规矩，定死罪须“全堂阕诺”，缺一不可。刑部尚书、左右侍郎：都察院左都御史，左右副都御史；大理寺正卿、少卿，共计十三位堂官，一个个在奏稿上画行，画到大理寺少卿王家璧，无论如何不肯下笔。
吴可读就因为王家璧的持正不阿，保住了性命，改为充军的罪名。这一来，他的直声不仅动天下，而且“惊鬼神”。他跟吴观礼、陈宝琛、张佩纶喜欢搞扶乩的玩意，常临坛的是乾隆年间的一个诗人，名叫吴泰来，在吴可读获罪以后，临坛做了一首五言排律，题目叫做《赠柳堂二十韵》，传诵一时的警句是：“乾坤双泪眼，铁石一儒冠”，都道尽了吴可读的风骨气概。
此外还有好些铿锵可诵的好句：“道心娱白石，噩梦到青銮。杜宇三春雨，苍梧一夕澜。出山非小草，不死是猗兰”。但语意迷离晦涩，仙家玄机，难以索解，只是着重吴可读的意思，却是非常明显的，而且“出山非小草”这一句，期以远大，不但许以复起，复起还颇有一番事业。因此，在朱佩纶家“围炉话别”时，慷慨多于哀伤，相期京华重聚，还要尽一番匡助中兴的心力。
吴可读回到家乡，依然主讲兰山书院。不久穆宗龙驭上宾，慈禧太后锐意更新，因为建言获罪的官员，都宽免了处分，吴可读也起复了，箫然骑骡入京，授官为吏部稽勋司主事。
他是个至情至性的人，惓惓忠爱，不以穆宗曾要杀他而稍减、反倒因为慈禧太后不为穆宗立嗣而深怀隐忧，当时便拟就一道奏折，想有所谏劝。
“立言贵乎有用。”有人这样劝阻，“被罪之臣，冒昧出此，必有人误解你的本心，说的话再有道理，不容易为人接纳。而且这时候情形纷乱，流言甚多，你所引用的时事，不尽确实，不如看看再说。只要此心不改，总有建言的机会。”
吴可读觉得这话说得有理，便打消了原议。只是五年以来，耿耿寸心，始终未改，大葬有期，他便打定了主意，当面请求大学士吏部尚书宝鋆，派他为“随扈行礼官员”。
这个长途跋涉的差使，有人怕辛苦不愿意去，也有人因为可领几十两银子的车马费，抢着要去。吴可读的境况不好，所以都以为他要这个差使，是为了那几十两银子的车马费，无足为奇。
动身之时，他的神态毫无异样，还跟他的妻儿说，在惠陵行完了礼，预备顺道一游蓟州的盘山，总得比别人晚个十天半个月才能回京。
一到他就在蓟州以东三十里路，马伸桥地方的三义庙，租了间房住下。三义庙奉祀的是刘、关、张，与佛菩萨无关，庙里住的是道士，他跟住持周老道交成了朋友，约定山陵大事完毕，再到庙里来盘桓。
三月底，两宫太后、皇帝、随扈的王公大臣、文武百官，都已回到京里。吴可读则到三义庙践约，白天跟周老道闲谈，晚上关起门写奏折，写完又给他儿子吴之桓写信，是遗书，吴可读早就定下了死谏的主意。
闰三月初五五更天，诸事料理已毕，遗疏置在怀中，遗书三封，一封给他儿子；一封给周老道，托他料埋身后；一封给蓟州知州，说明以死建言的本心，拜托代递遗折，连同四十多两银子，一起放在枕头下面。然后在粉墙上题了一首绝命诗：
“回头六十八年事，往事空谈爱与忠，坯土已成皇帝鼎，前星预祝紫微宫。相逢老辈寥寥甚，到处先生好好同！欲识孤臣恋恩所，惠陵风雨蓟门东。”
题完上吊，谁知绳子断了不曾死。乃改以服毒而死。
到得第二天一早，三义庙的周老道，发觉变故，通知地保，进城禀报。蓟州知州刘枝彦跟吴可读是熟人，得报嗟叹不绝，即刻下乡相验，只见死者衣冠整齐地直挺挺躺在板床上。拆阅遗书，吴可读对自己的后事，已经有了安排，托周老道买棺木盛殓，在惠陵附近买一块地安葬。给刘枝彦的信，是托他将遗折专送吏部代奏。吴可读死前已非言官，司官亦不能径自上奏，必须请本部堂官代递。
遗折是封好在一个木匣中，藏在身上，无法开启，所以不知道他说些什么？但给他儿子的信，不妨拆开来看，参详文意，遗折所陈，必是一件惊天动地的大事。刘枝彦心里琢磨，遗折上去，说不定会得罪，他要葬在惠陵附近，依恋先帝于泉下的志愿，或许难以达成。相交一场，对他最后一件大事，不能不尽一点心。因此，依照他的遗志，督饬周老道买棺成殓，然后在惠陵范围以外，觅地安葬。尽两日工夫，料理完毕，才具禀呈报顺天府。
京里是在闰三月初十就得到了消息。以吴可读的为人，决不会无故轻生，又听说有遗折一件，便越发关心，不知是有冤抑要诉，还是以死建言？吏部尚书灵桂、万青藜，以及大学士管部的宝鋆，更为紧张，知道吴可读为人戆直，怕遗折中有什么大干忌讳的话，触怒了慈禧太后，连带遭受处分。
等接到顺天府的咨呈，宝鋆等人，大为踌躇，因为这时候从深知吴可读抱负的人的口中，以及给他儿子的遗书中，所说的“每览史书内忠孝节义，辄不禁感叹羡慕，对友朋言时事；合以古人情形，时或歌哭欲起舞，不能自已。故于先皇宾天时，即拟就一折，欲由都察院呈进”这些话来看，可知必是为穆宗立嗣继统一事，有所争谏。而这件事正是慈禧太后用心难测，不言为妙的太忌讳。
万青藜是反对代奏的，“照历来的规矩，司员请代递折件，要堂官公同阅看，并无违悖的话，方得代奏。”他说，“吴柳堂的遗折，也要看了再说。”
这是宗社大事，非小臣所宜议论，而且以吴可读的性情，竟然不惜一死，措词自然激烈，只要打开来一看，就决不能进呈了。宝鋆等人虽然怕慈禧太后，但清议亦不可不畏，忠臣尸谏而壅于上闻，言官参奏一本，也是吃不消的，所以对万青藜的话，都不知如何作答。
其中有个例外，穆宗的老丈人，蒙古状元崇绮，这时是吏部左侍郎，感于吴可读对穆宗的忠爱，当然要替他说话。
“不然！”他一开口就驳万青藜，“司员请代递折件，须公同阅看的成例，如今用不上。'公同阅看'者，是当着这个司员一同看，吴柳堂已经不在人世，就谈不到“公同'两字。而况，这是密折，连军机都不可以擅自拆阅。唯有原样封进，才是正办。 "
“倘或其中有违悖之词，文翁，”万青藜警告着，“你我的干系不轻！”
“既然不能擅自拆阅，毫不知情，何来干系？”
尽管崇绮振振有词，但一中堂、六堂官除他以外，别人多少不免顾虑，怕“慈圣”震怒以外，还会使醇王难堪。这几乎是不可避免的，谈到为穆宗立嗣，便须牵涉到“今上”，也就会牵涉到若干年后可能成为“太上皇帝”的醇王。
因此，反复辩诘，并无结论，七个人中举足重轻的，自然是宝鋆。他是崇绮点状元那一科的会试总裁，所以崇绮口口声声“老师”，希望他采纳自己的意见，而宝鋆虽不怕得罪醇王，却决不敢激怒慈禧太后，因而只好采取拖延的态度，决定听一听清议再说。
清议操纵在“清流”手里。清流隐然奉李鸿藻为宗主，而以“翰林四谏”为中坚。“四谏”的说法不一，一说是黄体芳、宝廷、张佩纶、张之洞；一说有陈宝琛、邓承修而没有黄体芳与张之洞，但广东惠阳籍的邓承修不是翰林，他跟李慈铭一样，以举人而捐官为主事，早经考上御史，搏击不避权贵，由于字铁香，因而得了个外号，叫做“铁汉”。
除了邓“铁汉”，锋芒毕露的就是张佩纶，最近他正跟邓承修在参工部尚书贺寿慈，弹章数上，贺寿慈已奉严旨切责，工部尚书快当不成了。正在兴头的当儿，忽然接到吴可读自尽的噩耗，且不说故人情重，仅仅是“尸谏”二字，便令人兴起无限悲壮激越之思。同为清流，自然要声援表扬，因而把贺寿慈的参案，暂且摆了下来，全神贯注在吏部，要看他们如何处理吴可读的遗折。
“不能再拖了！”沈桂芬劝宝鋆，“清流算是找到了一个好题目，这篇文章会做得很热闹。佩公，错中流矢犯不着！”
“喔，”宝鋆问道，“他们那篇文章预备怎么做？”
“第一，预备在文昌馆设祭招魂，你看吧，不知有多少情文并茂的挽联！”沈桂芬扳着手指又说：“第二，预备仿杨椒山的例子，以吴柳堂在南横街的住宅，改建为祠堂，听说还预备奏请拿蓟州的三义庙，也改为祠堂。这样大张旗鼓在搞，佩公，吴柳堂的遗折，怎么压得下来？”
听得这番劝告，宝鋆不再犹豫了，写折奏报，照崇绮的说法来措词：“臣等查司员呈递代奏折件，向由该堂官等公同阅看，查无违悖字样，始行具奏。今臣部派往随同行礼主事吴可读，业已服毒身死，且系自行封存折件，遗嘱恳请代奏，有无违悖字样，臣等既未便拆阅，又不敢壅于上闻，谨将原封奏折，恭呈御览。”
呈上慈禧太后，她不自觉地起了悚然敬慎之心。大臣的遗疏，她看得太多了，有些是口授一两句话，后人敷衍成文，有些根本是出于门生故旧的自作主张，与死者无干。只是吴可读的这个折子，字字亲笔，也就是字字腑肺之言，为了表明忠爱的心迹，不惜以死明志，实在也很可怜了。
由于这一念矜悯，她心里便有了接纳“违悖字样”的准备，很仔细地用象牙裁纸刀拆开了封皮，取出内文，铺在桌上，用手将折痕展平，同时命宫女添了一枝儿臂般粗的巨烛，以便细看这个遗折。
打开吴可读的遗折，纵目先看字迹，是不脱名士派头的淡墨所书。从头细读，事由直揭全文主旨：“奏为以一死泣请懿旨，预定大统之归，以毕今生忠爱事。”读到这里，慈禧太后先就松了一口气。
她怕听的一句话是：何以不为穆宗立嗣？此即是质问：帝位何以传侄而不传孙？这就会牵出两点无从辩解的私意：第一是为穆宗立嗣，接承大统，则她的身分就是太皇太后而非太后，不便再度垂帘；第二，穆宗的堂弟不一，何以偏偏选中她的嫡亲内侄？如今看吴可读的本意，“预定大统之归”，是论将来，不是谈眼前，那就可以放心了。
但是，看下去也有些话是刺心的：“两宫太后一误再误，为文宗显皇帝立子，不为我大行皇帝立嗣。既不为我大行皇帝立嗣，则今日嗣皇帝所承大统，乃奉我两宫皇太后之命，受之于文宗显皇帝，非受之于我大行皇帝也！而将来大统之承，亦未奉有明文，必归之承继之子。即谓，懿旨内既有'承继为嗣'一语，则大统之仍归继子，自不待言。罪臣窃以为未然。”
看到这里，慈禧太后不免困扰。同治十三年十二月初五，穆宗崩逝，以醇王之子入承大统，当时根据潘祖荫、翁同和所拟的懿旨，明定“俟嗣皇帝生有皇子，即承继大行皇帝为嗣”，继嗣同时继统，吴可读已经明了此意，何以又以为不然？
于是，她对下面的那段文字，看得特别仔细。吴可读用了两个典故，一个是宋初宰相，违背杜太后生前预定的大位继承次序：太祖传太宗，太宗传太祖长子，而拥护太宗传子。一个是明朝景德年间，大学士王直表示赞成景帝将他的已立为太子的胞侄见深废掉，改立他自己的儿子见济为太子，而见深之立，出于孙太后的手诏。吴可读的意思是，今日虽有太后之命，却作不得准，象见深那样，“名位已定者如此，况在未定？”因而提出建议：“不得已于一误再误中，而一归于不误之策。惟仰祈我两宫皇太后，再行明白降一谕旨，将来大统仍归我承继大行皇帝嗣子，嗣皇帝虽百斯男，中外及左右臣工，均不得以异言进。正名定分，预绝纷纭，如此则犹是本朝祖宗以来，子以传子之家法，而我大行皇帝未有子而有子，即我两宫皇太后未有孙而有孙。”
到此就不须再看了。慈禧太后对看臣工折件，已经非常精明，吴可读这洋洋洒洒近两千言的一篇文章，只是为了发挥“正名定分，预绝纷纭”八个字。在她的感觉中，话是没有什么了不起，有自己在世一天，便能绝对控制局面，即令有“异言”出现的迹象，也随时可以采取预防的手段。吴可读拿自己跟宋朝的杜太后和明朝的孙太后来相提并论，是可笑的，但也怪不得他。
使她感动而困惑的是，世界上真有这么傻的人！为了几十年后亦不一定可能发生的“纷纭”，不惜赔上自己的性命，来表示他的远见不是杞忧，希望朝廷重视。何以为人谋如此之深，为己谋如此之拙？
嗟叹良久，回头再来考虑这个折子的处置办法。在这方面，她的思路格外敏锐，虽觉吴可读的奏谏，迹近庸人自扰，但言路今非昔比，而以死建言，又是骨鲠之士立身处世的最高境界，清议的激动，可想而知，所以处置必须慎重。否则，小小的一个涟漪会引起险恶的波澜。
这样转着念头，不由得便想到了慈安太后。她已不大管事，而这件事非拉她一起管不可！因为吴可读的奏折上，虽是口口声声“两宫皇太后”，其实与慈安太后全不相干，唯其如此，必得拉她在一起，好作个挡箭牌。
于是她轻咳一声，刚转过脸采，想看有什么人在，而李连英已抢先一走，进入她的视界。
“你来！”慈禧太后说：“到'那边'看看去！”
“喳！”李莲英问道，“是请东佛爷过来，还是说，主子去瞧东佛爷？”
慈禧太后想了一下说：“我去吧！把这个盒子带着。”
“喳！”李莲英向外做个手势，示意廊上伺候的太监，预备软矫，然后极其敏捷地将摊开在桌上的那个奏折，收入黄匣，捧在手