Chapter 204 Yingtai Sunset (9-2)

Before Yuan Shikai made arrangements to enter Beijing, the first major event was to press for the birthday gift of Empress Dowager Cixi.This gift has been prepared two months ago, mainly to serve the emperor, two big wool robes and coats, one black fox and one white fox; a jade hairpin with flag makeup and beam head; Phoenix; there is another six-foot coral tree with a mahogany base, which is taller than a person. This birthday gift is comparable to Cen Chunxuan's eight glazed screens, but Sheng Xuanhuai's one came from behind.Since the Empress Dowager Cixi was very interested in writing and painting with Miao Suyun, the "female Qing guest" in the palace every day, Sheng Xuanhuai did what she liked, and found hand scrolls of nine famous artists from the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, headed by Qian Shunju, with the prince The nine fan albums written by Yongxing are both precious and elegant.But it looks light and light, and it seems that the weight is not enough, so I used a thousand taels of pure gold to create nine Ruyi handles, using a single piece of mahogany as the frame, and adding a glass cover outside.There is a famous name for this nine handles, which is called "Tianbao Jiuru".

At the same time, Sheng Xuanhuai sent another important gift, and Shi Xu, the minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who held the key, took special care of it.After Shixu made special checks, he took care of the messenger and prepared a glass cover. Sure enough, when it was carried into the Ningshou Palace, the glass cover was broken on one side. Fortunately, Shi Xu had the foresight to replace it with a new cover when it was installed. Otherwise, it would be too inferior without the cover. The Empress Dowager Cixi had seen countless rare treasures, but it was the first time she had seen such a golden nine-handled ruyi in her life. She thought it was so vulgar and interesting, so she casually asked, "Is it real gold?"

"It's pure gold." Li Lianying replied, "There is a brand name for building a shop underneath." "It's hard for him!" Empress Dowager Cixi said: "The officials should also be rewarded." The officials who deliver the tribute will give a table of banquets in each place, and reward two hundred taels.In addition, there are other rewards for the three ministers. Yuan Shikai is a gold headband with double pink tourmalines, Cen Chunxuan is a jade pendant, and Sheng Xuanhuai is a spring gold watch, all of which were used by Emperor Wenzong during his lifetime.

※ ※ ※ Before Yuan Shikai entered Beijing, Yikuang had made careful arrangements for him, directly and indirectly advocating a view in front of Empress Dowager Cixi: Yuan Shikai's Westernization in Beiyang was no worse than Li Hongzhang.Just looking at the Russo-Japanese War, he was able to win over Japan without being resented by Russia, which shows his means.It is also said that today's talented people in foreign affairs, such as Tang Shaoyi, Liang Shiyi, etc., all admire Yuan Shikai. If he is appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he will be handy. This is too much to say, and it can naturally divert the thoughts of Empress Dowager Cixi.Originally, she felt that Lu Haihuan's qualifications were a little low, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was the head of all the ministries, and an important minister should be the minister, so as to show respect for all countries and strive for peace.Therefore, Yuan Shikai went to Beijing on July 22, and after summoning him twice, the Empress Dowager Cixi made a decision to transfer Yuan Shikai to be Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Lu Haihuan, the former minister, to be Minister of Taxation.On the same day, there was another edict: "Write Zhang Zhidong and Yuan Shikai to walk on the Minister of Military Aircraft."

The two governors called internally at the same time, and even the ministers of the border also had a big mobilization.The governor of Zhili was appointed by Yang Shixiang, the governor of Shandong; the governor of Huguang transferred Zhao Erxun to take over. He was appointed the governor of Sichuan as early as March, but he refused to take up the post. Acting.Now that he is transferred to Huguang, the governor of Jiangsu, Chen Kuilong, will be promoted to the post. In this way, Zhao Erfeng doesn't have to avoid it, it is a very appropriate arrangement. In August, Zhang Zhidong handed over the Governor of Hubei and took over in Beijing.Greetings from the palace gate, the Empress Dowager Cixi sent an order immediately, and summoned him early the next morning.

"Zhang Zhidong is the flower of the second year of Tongzhi." Empress Dowager Cixi said to Li Lianying: "He is the one I took!" Li Lianying put on a smile and said: "So, Zhang Zhongtang is simply Lafayette's disciple!" "You can also say that!" Empress Dowager Cixi's memories jumped to 40 years ago, "The No. 1 pick on that list was Weng Tonghe's nephew, named Weng Zengyuan. Very, it is strange that he won the first prize." "That's the protection of Lafayette. Otherwise, when a person with shofar wind arrives at the Palace of Preserving Harmony, how can there be a reason not to get sick from fright?"

"Yes! However, he is the No. 1 scholar, and he cannot be an official. Zhang Zhidong is still the top one in mathematics." The Empress Dowager Cixi blinked and smiled, "I remember the day when Sanding Jia was summoned, Zhang Zhidong entered Dian almost fell down. He is thin and small, he doesn't pay attention to his appearance, he walks and jumps, some people say he has the appearance of a monkey, which is not bad." Because of this nostalgia, when summoning Zhang Zhidong, Empress Dowager Cixi had a special feeling of cordiality and joy.But seeing Zhang Zhidong's hair as white as silver, recalling his "monkey face" back then, he couldn't help feeling deeply: "You are really old!"

"The Merciful Sage is busy with state affairs, how can I dare to say that I am old?" Zhang Zhidong replied. "how old are you?" "Chen Daoguang was born in the seventeenth year, and this year is seventy one." "That's two years younger than me." Empress Dowager Cixi asked, "Are your eyes and ears okay?" "My eyesight is slightly worse, and my hearing is as good as before." "You are much better than Wang Wenshao and Lu Chuanlin." The Empress Dowager Cixi said, "Wang Wenshao is very cautious in his duties. I didn't want to let him withdraw from the military plane, just because his ears are so deaf. He's old. Have you seen him often?"

"Wang Wenshao's family lives in Hangzhou. During the seasons, we often exchange letters." "It's better to have new clothes, but it's better to have old ones. This transfer of you to Beijing is not to let you retire! Fortunately, your spirit is still good, and you have to do your best for the country." "Yes! As long as it is beneficial to the country, I dare not make excuses for being old." "Now the external troubles have finally calmed down, but the internal troubles are still there. The revolutionaries are making trouble everywhere. What do you think should be done?"

"It's a big matter, and it can't be answered clearly in a moment." Zhang Zhidong continued, "However, there is a sentence that I can't say out loud like a bone stuck in my throat." "you say!" "The gap between the Manchus and the Han must be resolved. I remember that I played with the former governor Liu Kun to rectify the 12 measures for state affairs. Among them, the section 'Creating the Livelihood of the Eight Banners' is intended to dissolve the gap between the Manchus and the Han." Zhang Zhidong paused for a moment. For a moment, read aloud the aphorism in his memorial: "'China has been sanctified for more than two hundred years. Nine states and four seas are the same people who eat hair and practice the soil. Manchu, Mongolian, and Han people have married each other for a long time, and they love the same family. Today, both Chinese and foreign The Dao is when the Son of Heaven guards the four descendants, regardless of the Banner and the Han, there is a friendship of suffering and happiness together.'So we are so closely related, and we share weal and woe, how can we separate ourselves?"

"The imperial court has no prejudice." The Empress Dowager Cixi said calmly: "I remember you said this when you went to Beijing to summon you four years ago. Therefore, in the future, a new official system will be established, regardless of full vacancies and Han vacancies. Another example is the army official system, The Dutong and the participating leaders are not exclusively assigned by bannermen, like the new army generals Duan Qirui and Wang Shizhen, they all added the title of Dutong. Is this not evidence that the court has no prejudices?" The Empress Dowager Cixi spoke eloquently, not intending to refute, but Zhang Zhidong was so angry with her!He said in his heart: The imperial court has eliminated the Manchu-Han boundary in this way, which is actually a further exclusion of Han.In the past, when the six parts were full and Han was short, it was still an equal situation, but now there are more Han and fewer, and it is still said that there is no "prejudgment". This is too unconvincing! The Empress Dowager Cixi saw that he was only panting and had nothing else to say. When he was tired, she said compassionately: "Go down and rest! We will meet every day in the future. If you have anything to say, talk slowly." Zhang Zhidong still wanted to say something, but the Empress Dowager Cixi had ordered the eunuchs, so he knelt down and left.The Military Aircraft Department has dispatched the second class of "Dalami" Yi Zhen to meet him at the palace gate, and please go to the Military Aircraft Department to pick up the matter. "No!" Zhang Zhidong said, "I have to go to the cabinet first." Yi Zhen didn't want to hit a snag when they met for the first time, but she could only apologize, and asked again: "Then, please ask Zhongtang to take over tomorrow?" "we'll see!" This surprised Yi Zhen even more!Joining the military plane is something that many people dream about day and night, but Zhang Zhidong seems to regard it as a tasteless thing that is "tasteless to chew and a pity to discard". What is the reason?I have to inquire about it. Zhang Jing of the military plane often had contacts with the eunuchs of the inner court, so Yi Zhen quickly found out that Zuo and Empress Dowager Cixi seemed to be not very speculative in their words because of the view of the Manchu and Han, so they seemed to be in a waning mood. Yi Zhen was from Shangcheng, Henan, and she was from the same hometown as Yuan Shikai, so she was quite close because of their relationship, so she returned to the military plane and quietly told her about it.Yuan Shikai was also very surprised, feeling that Zhang Zhidong's temper was unreasonable. "What does he mean? Could it be that he is dissatisfied with the two kings?" he asked. "I'm afraid it's not dissatisfaction, but a slight contempt." "This is not good!" Yuan Shikai said in a low voice: "You don't have to mention this matter anymore. It will only be heard in the ears of the two kings, and it will only give rise to opinions. Do you understand what I mean?" "Yes, I understand!" "Zhang Zhongtang still lives in Baimixie Street?" "yes." "I'll pay homage to him later." Yuan Shikai called Yi Zhen's alias and said, "Chengwu, please take care of my colleagues. After Zhang Zhongtang takes over, don't mention how useless your friends are." "Actually," Yi Zhen said with a smile, "Don't tell me, Zhang Zhongtang also knows." "That's another matter. You just take my word for it!" ※ ※ ※ Baimixie Street is outside Di'anmen, Shicha Hainan.Zhang Zhidong didn't know where it came from, so he called it "Shizhahai", but even his family's servants still kept the name, pronouncing the word "shi" as "knot". When the sedan chair arrived at the door, Zhang's servant came out to block the drive, saying that his master had gone to Huixian Hall.Huixiantang is a restaurant opened by Zhang Zhidong's cook, just north of Shichahai.The large and small restaurants in Beijing that are worthy of the name all have one or two special dishes. Huixian Hall is conveniently located, and serves guests with river fresh produce from the adjacent lotus pond. It is called "ice bowl", so the business in summer is very good.With the autumn wind, the natural door is left cold, but this year is different. It used to be that relatives and nobles used things, the official system was greatly reformed, and the established rules of following capital for many years have been virtually lost.For the sake of luck, Jin and others, the wind of budding and trembling is blazing.Since Huixian Hall is the shopkeeper of the Zhang family, Zhang Zhidong's Wenjiuhui will naturally be seated here. However, looking up at the color of "Nanpi Xiangguo" and wanting to take the opportunity to get closer, or to inquire about the market situation of the officialdom, Huixian Hall is a convenient place. the door. Yuan Shikai thought to himself, since he came here, he would not take a little detour to visit the nearby Huixian Hall and go to Zhang Zhidong for a while.In front of Huixian Hall, there are many cars and horses, and its gates are like a market.But as soon as Yuan Shikai's big sedan chair arrived, the sedan chair drivers who chatted and gambled together naturally all disappeared. When the news came in, Zhang Zhidong rarely left his seat to greet him.After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the host introduced a group of staff he had brought from Wuchang. Yuan Shikai only knew Yi Shunding, who was known as the "Longyang Talent". At that time, Zhang Zhidong had already finished his meal, and he was gathering guests for tea, and he was about to leave. He only made a special trip for Yuan Shikai's visit, so he had to keep his tired eyes open to talk with him.Seeing this situation, Yuan Shikai felt that some words were inconvenient to speak out, let alone discuss in depth, so he just said: "King Qing expresses his gratitude, please Zhongtang must take over the matter tomorrow. There are many important matters, whether they can be decided depends on Zhongtang." In fact, Yikuang didn't ask him to send a message, and there was nothing that Zhang Zhidong could not decide on at the military plane. He came here just to persuade Zhang Zhidong not to lose his temper, so he urged him in this way. Zhang Zhidong is also a person who loves to be respected. Hearing Yuan Shikai say this, he felt relaxed and relieved. He cupped his hands and said, "Yes! Tomorrow I will take over the post in the cabinet, and I will be in the pivot immediately." "Waiting for you!" Yuan Shikai stood up and asked again: "Is there anything I can do for Zhongtang?" "Heavy words, serious words!" Zhang Zhidong said: "The future will be long, and there are many things to rely on, so there is no need to trouble the old man." ※ ※ ※ On the third day after Zhang Zhidong entered the hub, he received a confidential telegram from Duan Fang, governor of Liangjiang, saying that Chen Qitai, the acting governor of Jiangsu, "has a deep hobby and cannot bear the heavy responsibility of enforcing Xinjiang." Liang Dingfen, the standard secretary, was transferred to make up the feudal secretary. "Wuqiao advocates, I have no objection, please discuss with the public!" Zhang Zhidong sent Duanfang's telegram to his colleagues. Yikuang didn't show up for work that day, so Zaifeng started the tour.He didn't have a word with Lu Chuanlin, and when it was passed to Yuan Shikai, he knew the ins and outs of the matter at a glance. It turned out that Chen Kuilong, the governor of Jiangsu, was transferred to the governor of Sichuan, and Zhang Zengyang, the governor of Zhejiang, was originally transferred to Jiangsu by the imperial order.However, Zhang Zengyang's handling of the case of "Jianhu Heroine" Qiu Jin was too harsh, and the gentry in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces were very dissatisfied, so they expressed their opposition to his new appointment.The Jiangsu gentry even openly rejected his appointment. At that time, Chen Kuilong had already been granted leave of absence for three months to go back to his hometown to sweep the tomb, and the more important thing was to arrive in Beijing before the tenth day of October, before Empress Dowager Cixi's longevity.Now that Zhang Zengyang can't take office, he can't give up. Wouldn't he miss his schedule?Therefore, please call Chen Qitai, the governor of Jiangsu feudal clan, as the acting governor, so that he can make an appointment in time and go to Beijing to wish shrimp. This is something that will definitely be approved, and it is also something that Chen Kuilong can decide in his own right.Jiangsu had always had two vassals, the Jiangning vassal was subordinate to the governor, and the Jiangsu vassal was under the jurisdiction of the governor. However, Duan Fang believed that Chen Kuilong should first obtain his consent before making this decision.It is deeply displeased to play without notice.But seeing that he couldn't get in the way with Chen Kuilong, he turned his anger on Chen Qitai. Yuan Shikai had heard about these situations, and now that he saw Duan Fang's telegram, he immediately knew his intentions.It's just to embarrass Chen Qitai, not to recommend talents.Li Minchen is Zhang Zhidong's former subordinate, and Liang Dingfen is a celebrity in Wuchang Baobingtang. If he caters so well, he will naturally get Zhang Zhidong's support and borrow Li to chase Chen. Yuan Shikai had always looked down upon him as a brother-in-law, and he was thinking in his heart: Duan Laosi has made another mistake now!Just to avenge his gratuitous grievances and boost other people's ambitions for no reason, the governor of Jiangsu fell into the hands of Zhang Zhidong's old department. This increased his prestige, and relatively decreased his own prestige.How can I not see this. Therefore, Yuan Shikai smiled and said, "Whether Boping is smoking opium is still in doubt. As for Shaodong's serious illness, I saw it with my own eyes in Tianjin. Could it be that Wuqiao didn't know?" After saying this, Zhang Zhidong could no longer support Li Minchen, he just asked: "Wei Ting, how do you answer him?" "The imperial court has sent a decree to allow Boping to act as Su Fu. It cannot be withdrawn casually. As for who Su Fu should send, you might as well wait for Xiao Shi to arrive in Beijing and ask him face to face, what is Boping's spirit? Can he be competent? ? Please handle it again.” "Okay! That's it." ※ ※ ※ Not long after Chen Kuilong arrived in Beijing, Chen Qitai actually appointed the governor of Jiangsu.Because this person's energy is not as good as what Duan Fang said, and his ability to conduct himself is more than enough to seal the border, there is no reason why he should not be eliminated. Chen Qitai was born in the Imperial Academy and had been a censor for many years. With his honesty and integrity, of course he couldn't understand what Duan Fang and Cai Naihuang did.Duanfang is the governor, Chen Qitai has no choice but to do so, Shanghai Cai Naihuang, under the jurisdiction, will not let him lightly.When he took office to screen out his subordinates, he gave Cai Naihuang a very bad comment. As a result, Zhang Zhidong was not polite, and made Cai Naihuang the left counselor of the Postal Communications Department. However, no one was sent for his vacancy.Because this is a special brief, Yuan Shikai suppressed the procedure of billing and asking for a brief under the pretext of "finding out the meaning first". Immediately afterwards, Duanfang sent a telegram to Beijing, assigning Cai Naihuang, the governor of Shanghai, to deliver the tribute to Beijing.In this way, Cai Naihuang was able to go to Beijing for activities after crossing the barrier of Chen Qitai. After handing over the errand, the first person to see is Yikuang.He frankly asked to return to his post on the grounds that once he left Shanghai and could not control the situation, "rumors" might appear in the news papers, saying that the photo of Cen Chunxuan and Kang Liang was forged by him.If there is a big storm, it will be impossible. Upon hearing this, Yikuang couldn't help panicking, "Wait for me to think of a way, wait for me to think of a way!" He said, "You'd better go see Yuan Gongbao first." Of course Yuan Shikai wanted to see it, but he said it differently.Threatening that the important public case of forging photos will be exposed is to bully Yikuang for not understanding the situation in the press. If he doesn't tell him, how can the press know about it?What's more, only a very few people know that Cen Chunxuan ruined his fame from this frame of photo.The matter is extremely secret and cannot be leaked out.Yikuang didn't understand the reason, but he couldn't hide it from Yuan Shikai. However, Cen Chunxuan was still the only one who could stir up Yuan Shikai's hearing.Cai Naihuang said that since he opened his vacancy, he has resumed his old state of being a noble son in Shanghai. He holds wine every night at the "Changsantangzi", and often gathers to gamble, throwing thousands of dollars and making big moves. As a result, he made friends with many wealthy businessmen Jia, Mr. Guijie. "On the surface, Xilin appears to be a wine-drinking woman, but she actually uses it to obscure herself. I don't care about anything else. The only thing to worry about is getting close to Sheng Xingsun." Yuan Shikai had been worried about this for a long time, but on the surface he remained calm, "It is considered friendly enough for Xilin to repair grievances for Xingsun before he took office." He said, "Xingsun must always repay him!" "Without this relationship, they would definitely go together. With Xilin's prestige and Xingsun's financial resources, they both benefit from cooperation. Now there is a path that is about to succeed." "Oh," Yuan Shikai asked, "what kind of road is it?" "Due West." "Zhengxi?" Yuan Shikai listened carefully before he understood.In the gossip, Zhengxi is Dui Gua, and Dui is "Ze", "It turned out to be Ze Gong." "Yes! This road is about to go through, and Chen Yucang is afraid that it will be difficult." Chen Yucang refers to Chen Bi, Minister of the Ministry of Post and Communications, who succeeded Cen Chunxuan.Yuan Shikai knew that Sheng Xuanhuai was envious of two vacancies, one was the governor of Zhili, and the other was the secretary of the Postal Department. In terms of the fact that Zaize, the minister of the Du branch, had recently been attracted by the Empress Dowager Cixi, Sheng Xuanhuai might not be able to fulfill his wish. It is not extravagant to hope for the Minister of the Ministry. "As for Xilin, there is Xingsun working in Beijing for him. The empress dowager is getting old and misses the old days very much. It is not hopeless to recover." Seeing Yuan Shikai's silence, Cai Naihuang knew that he had been persuaded, so he said to himself: "Kong Bao , if you let me return to office, I will definitely look after Xilin, and I will find an opportunity to embarrass him!" "Oh," Yuan Shikai said with great interest, "how are you going to joke with him?" "A senior official like him who has been greatly favored by the three generations, since he has a vacancy due to illness, he has to return to his hometown to recuperate. In a place where there are gossip and disputes in ten miles, spending time and wine, not to mention provoking disputes, even watching, it is not elegant. I Just take this topic and find an opportunity to peel off his face." Yuan Shikai smiled and said nothing, then suddenly asked: "Have you met Nan Pi?" "not yet." "Go see him and talk about it!" Yuan Shikai said: "As long as you deal with Nanpi well, the matter can be salvaged." "Yes!" Cai Naihuang was deeply educated, and left. ※ ※ ※ Before visiting Nanpi, he first Zhao Longyang, Longyang talent Yi Shunding and Cai Naihuang once shared adversity. It turned out that Cai Naihuang, whose real name was Jin Xiang, used a scholar as his knife and pen. For Wang Cunshan, the magistrate of Panyu County at that time, he was caught in the case of competing for prostitutes, and he was a literature teacher, and his scholar was dismissed.In this way, if you break the law again, you can't bow to the county magistrate and call him "Old Taizu", but you have to kneel and call him "Grand Master". When the "big master" gets angry, he can also spank his ass.With this danger, Cai Jinxiang did not dare to stay in Guangzhou any longer and left the capital. When Cai Jinxiang arrived in Beijing, he changed into Cai Naihuang, whose name was Bohao, and was the supervisor of the Imperial College. There was indeed such a supervisor in the Imperial College, who was Cai Jinxiang's nephew.The counterfeit Cai Naihuang, as usual, can take the Beiwei Township Examination.His writing was very good. He won a Juren, but he dared not go back to Guangzhou. He donated a county magistrate and distributed it to Taiwan. It was in the Jiawu period. When the Yellow Sea Division was defeated and Taiwan was ceded, Tang Jingsong, the governor of Taiwan, was elected as the President. He sent secret telegrams to the capital and asked for a salary of one million in order to recruit troops to fight against Japan.The imperial court was allowed to play, and the household department raised funds, and allocated 600,000 to the treasury of Taiwan's vassal.At that time, the situation was chaotic. Cai Naihuang, who used the county magistrate as the confidant of the vassal, fished in troubled waters. He did not know what kind of tricks he used. He actually went through Yikuang's path and released Shanghai Road. When he was in Taiwan, Yi Shunding was also a Taoist priest in Taiwan.Cai Naihuang now wants to get through Zhang Zhidong's way, and there is a ready-made Yi Shun Ding that can be passed.Fortunately, although they haven't seen much in the past few years, they kept hearing from each other, so when they met, they were still like close friends, and they didn't need to talk about the cold and warm, but just got down to business. "Zeng Wenzheng's youngest son-in-law used to be a Taoist in Shanghai and spent 90,000 silver, so Wen Yunge said that he's skyrocketing", which seems to be a compliment but is actually a sarcasm." Yi Shunding said with a smile: "How much did you spend?" "No need to mention it. Anyway, the capital has not been recovered yet." "So you are unwilling?" "Shifu, if we live in a different place, can you be indifferent?" Cai Naihuang lowered his voice and said, "You and I don't know each other very well. Let me tell you the truth. If you can get through this level, Shifu, I will engrave the 'Four Soul Collection' for you." Yi Shunding's poetic talent is like a sea, and he has written countless poems in his life. The poems he is most proud of are those two years in Taiwan. They are compiled into four collections, titled: "Soul North", "Soul East", "Soul South", Yu Sheng Kelian, taboo Hunxi, use "Hungui" instead, collectively known as "Four Soul Collection", which has already been engraved and published.It was just inconvenient for Cai Naihuang to publicly express how much money he planned to give him, so he used this statement. Yi Shunding was in poverty, so he was naturally happy with the beauty of an adult, thought for a while and said: "Leave it to me! You can listen to my letter at the apartment!" "Shifu!" Cai Naihuang asked, "What tricks do you have in your bag to speak so confidently?" "The secret must not be leaked." Yi Shunding replied, "However, if you can't be found at that time, then you missed a good opportunity and you can't blame me." Cai Naihuang didn't know what kind of medicine he was selling in his gourd, so he obeyed his orders and stayed at the inn along the West River every day, refusing to socialize and just waiting for orders.In this way, at noon on the fourth day, Yi Shunding sent a servant to deliver a letter with only five words on it: "Feijiahuixiantang." Cai Naihuang didn't dare to be negligent, so he hurried over, and Yi Shunding was waiting at the door.Pulling him aside, he said, "Nanpi is going to 'ring the bell' again today! It's a coincidence that Qingdi and Xiangcheng are here. Turn around and show your housekeeping skills, and get rich and honor out of fourteen characters." The so-called "ringing the bell" is a poetic bell, and Zhang Zhidong is the best at it. Yi Shunding and Fan Zengxiang in Muzhong are good players, and Cai Naihuang is not weak either.Hearing Yi Shunding's words, he suddenly realized that he could expect to be rewarded and returned to his post, so he said "wealth and honor are taken from fourteen characters". "The opportunity is indeed a good opportunity, but 'the prime minister is extremely courteous', so I became an uninvited guest at the banquet." Cai Naihuang hesitated and asked, "It seems that it is not suitable for etiquette." "No, no! I have already introduced you, and I am not presumptuous. Besides, King Qing and Xiang Cheng, you are very familiar people." As soon as he thought of Yikuang and Yuan Shikai, Cai Naihuang felt that they were closely related, a little faux pas was fine, and he became more courageous, but he still had to ask first: "Who are they?" "You'll know it as soon as you go in!" "It's the first time I've seen Nanpi," Cai Naihuang warned again: "Shifu, you have to take care of me everywhere." "Why don't you ask me more, please!" When I went to the hall, I saw that there were three tables in total, the one in the middle was headed by Prince Qing Yikuang, and on the left and right were Na Tong and Yuan Shikai, the scholars of Dongge University, and Zhang Zhidong was the head of the table.There are five people at a table in the east, the first seat is Lu Baozhong, the censor of Zuodu, and the other four servants: Yang Shiqi, Guo Zengxin, Tang Jingchong, and Yan Xiu.Seeing Tang Jingchong, Cai Naihuang felt a little shy, because Tang Jingchong was the younger brother of Tang Jingsong, who was ridiculed as "Huai Kemeng is short and troublesome". Of course, Cai Naihuang knew about the past in Taiwan. Fortunately, Yi Shunding arranged for him to sit at the west table.Before he was seated, he greeted the nobleman first, Yi Shunding led him to the first table, Cai Naihuang greeted Yikuang first, and shouted: "My lord!" "Oh, you're here too, okay, okay!" Yikuang then pointed to him and said to his master: "Xiang Tao, this is Cai Bohao!" So Cai Naihuang turned around, greeted Zhang Zhidong who was looking sideways at him, and said humbly: "I have been in the middle hall for 30 years, and I just learned about thorns today. I am really happy for a lifetime." "Please be courteous!" Zhang Zhidong said: "I have admired it for a long time. I heard that you have engraved a copy of "The Bell of Poetry in Jieyuan". Could you give me one?" "Zhongtang's words are serious!" Cai Naihuang replied: "I'll send it to the mansion later, I'm afraid it's not enough to be a good eye." "You're welcome, please sit down! I'll ask you for advice later." Zhang Zhidong said to Yi Shunding again: "Shifu, today is the lord's invitation to a company, with beautiful jade as the prize. , you are not allowed to do too much today." "Zhongtang always makes things difficult for me." Yi Shunding said with a smile, "I only make four couplets." "There, there! One couplet per person." Zhang Zhidong pointed to the west and said, "Please return to your seat!" So Cai Naihuang saluted Natong and Yuan Shikai, and went to the east table to discuss a few words before returning to his seat.At the same table, there is a formidable rival that he fears. It is Xie Yuan Zheng Xiaoxu, who was selected by Bao Ting as the master of Fujian in the eighth year of Guangxu.If you want to be a blockbuster today, I'm afraid it will be a bit difficult. Zheng Xiaoxu was talking about the clock, and when Cai Naihuang took his seat, he greeted everyone at the same table, then he continued the interrupted conversation and said: "One year in Fuzhou, it was my turn to lead the class, and I won the duet of 'Female Flower'. The characters are too wide, so someone proposed to limit the collection of Tang poems. The triple couplet of Yuan, Yan and Hua is really amazing. The couplet of the champion is: "The young girl Su'e is cold-resistant; the famous flower is full of love!" "Good!" Everyone applauded in unison. Not wanting to startle the first table, Zhang Zhidong asked in a blink of an eye, "It must be Su Kan's masterpiece again?" "Su Kan is talking about the clock." Yi Shunding rushed to say: "The second female singer is limited to collecting Tang poems." "Oh, I'd like to hear it." This time it was a full house listening.Zheng Xiaoxu recounted the "No. 1 Scholar" work, and then said: "The couplet ranked second is 'A business woman does not know the hatred of subjugation, and falling flowers are like people falling from a building!'" "Not good!" Zhang Zhidong shook his head, "The words are unknown, it seems that this person's fortune is limited." "I'm the same. It's not as good as Yuan Zuo, who is very dignified and dignified." Yikuang asked: "Is there another couplet?" "There is another couplet that is really talented." Zheng Xiaoxu chanted loudly: "'The life of a goddess was originally a dream; when the flowers fall, I meet the king again!'" "You say he's a talented person, but I say it's a poetic prostitute's tone. Fortunately, this couplet is complete, but it is inferior to Yuan's work." Zhang Zhidong suddenly asked, "I heard that Boqian must come to every society when he strikes the bell. , do you have this word?" "Approximately so!" "Is there any particularly fine work?" "Too much!" Zheng Xiaoxu thought for a while and said, "Begging fans to sing three times, he made two couplets, one of which is 'Residual wine, begging neighbors to chat and get drunk; Where do you want to go when you get lost in the chaotic mountains?' The second is 'Lost in the evening I can't go on the road in the end; whoever is hungry and begging will be determined!"'" Without waiting to chant, Zhang Zhidong was deeply moved: "Could it be that Bo Qian's situation is so difficult?" He looked at Zheng Xiaoxu and asked. "That's not the case! It's just that I've been idle for more than 20 years, and I'm deeply moved!" Zheng Xiaoxu chanted again: "'Ten years of reunion; a dream of Huai'an as an official!'" "Is this also Bo Qian's sentence?" "Yes. Mu An Si sings." "The trust is deep, good!" Zhang Zhidong looked around and said: "Qin Xuan and Wei Ting did not catch up, the prince has witnessed our madness back then!" Yikuang nodded again and again, and said to Yuan Shikai: "Thirty years ago, the 'Four Remonstrances of the Imperial Academy' still won the limelight! The 'Meridian Gate Case' in the year of Geng Chen was the masterpiece of Xiang Tao and Bo Qian. Article. Prince Gongzhong told me personally: Memorials like those of Zhang Xiangtao and Chen Boqian are called memorials. Those poor and crazy Mr. Du, who are full of lies and spread rumors, should be ashamed to death." Yuan Shikai knew that he was taking advantage of the topic, so he smiled and didn't answer, but turned to Zhang Zhidong and said, "It's a pity that Bo Qian's study is idle. The court is very eager to seek talents, and it seems that they can be recruited." "I wrote to him and asked him, the intention of returning to bed is very strong, let's see!" This is Zhang Zhidong's theory against his will.Chen Boqian, Chen Baochen, one of the four admonitions of Hanlin, since the tenth year of Guangxu, a cabinet bachelor "knowledges about Nanyang military affairs", has been on par with Zeng Guoquan, Governor of Liangjiang.Once upon a time, I was offended and left.In addition, Zhang Peilun and Ma Jiang lost his teacher and fell into a slump. Bao Ting feigned madness and impeached himself.Only Zhang Zhidong, who is famous and famous, is able to see the meaning of Empress Dowager Cixi.She would not have a good impression of Chen Baochen, so how could she dare to recommend him? However, Hanlin Sijian's personal relationship is unknown to outsiders.So except for Guo Zengxin and Zheng Xiaoxu who are native of Fujian who suspect that he is not sincere, everyone else thinks he is telling the truth.Yuan Shikai never mentioned Chen Baochen again. However, the topic still focused on the anecdotes about the Hanlin Four Remonstrances.We kept talking about the end of the banquet, removed the table noodles, boiled tea and burned incense, and it was time to "ring the bell". The waiter of Huixian Hall has served in the waiter a few times, and he is very proficient. In addition to preparing more paper and pens, he also brought a tall copper plate with a small magnetic vase on it, and a piece of incense. A copper coin tied with silk thread.This is the last intention of imitating the bowl to remind the poem. Once the title is set, the incense will be burned immediately, and the incense will be burned to the place where the money is tied. "My lord, please make a proposition!" Yi Shunding held a box of ivory poetry rhyme cards in front of Yikuang. He opened a drawer casually, picked up a rhyme card to read, "Jiao!" He said: "One level and one level are done!" He opened the drawer that sounded "go", picked up another piece, looked at it and said, "Break!" "My lord picks these two characters very well." Zhang Zhidong said, "The word Jiaoduan is very loud, so there must be a good sentence today." "Xiang Tao, how much do you want to sing?" Yikuang also had a little ink in his stomach, and asked, "The fifth character of the seven-character poem is called the eye of poetry, but since it is one flat and one flat, it is used for the fifth character that can be flat or flat. It seems a pity, it is better to use four songs. What do you think?" "The prince is a great master, and the proposition has its own balance. If you say four songs, it is four songs." Yikuang nodded, raised his voice a little and said, "Jiao Duan sings four times, each is limited to two couplets. I have a little prize, let's talk about Zuo Qingxing!" Saying so, he waved to his personal attendant, and immediately brought a brocade box, opened the box, and placed it in front of the copper plate.Everyone came closer and saw that it was a green emerald coin with the words "more literature is rich" engraved on it.Exquisite and elegant, it is an excellent treasure, and it has the meaning of being unbearable. "Looking at the fish in the abyss, it's better to retreat and make a net!" Zhang Zhidong waved his hand and said, "Please come up with ideas!" After speaking, he blew on the paper coal used for smoking hookahs, and went to light the incense with his own hands.The fire was very fragrant and dry, and a section of it was burnt all at once, and the deadline for submitting papers was even tighter. At this moment, someone chanted loudly: "Slay the tiger and get rid of the three evils, and Fang Moudu will be of the same mind." When he uttered the sound, everyone was startled, and following the sound, it was Cai Naihuang who was reciting the words with ups and downs. When he read the word "Tong", Yi Shunding tossed his pen and said, "I'm going to stop the pen!" "Sure enough!" Zhang Zhidong made no secret of his pleasure at receiving the compliment. Of course, both Yikuang and Yuan Shikai were very pleased.The first couplet uses the story of Zhou Chu, one tiger and one dragon, which is self-evidently referring to Qu Hongji and Cen Chunxuan; the second couplet undoubtedly uses Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, the virtuous prime ministers of the early Tang Dynasty, who opened the reign of Zhenguan, to imitate Yuan Shikai and Zhang Zhidong, Du Ruhui ranks first among the eighteen Taizi scholars, so it is more appropriate to imitate Zhang Zhidong's identity. As for chasing Qu and stopping Cen, we all know that it was the result of Yikuang's two independent confrontations; but Zhou Chu who killed the tiger and eliminated the Jiao was of course referring to him.Thinking back on these two happy events, Yikuang unconsciously smiled. ※ ※ ※ The next day was Na Tong's banquet at his residence in Jinyu Hutong, and the guests were the governors of various provinces who came to Beijing to wish shrimp.But there were a lot of uninvited guests upon hearing the news, because there was a rare good show in the church meeting of that house that day, and it was Na Tong who personally promoted it. The title of this play is called "Yuanmen Zhanzi Picks Mu Tianwang with a Gun", and Natong nominates the characters: Yang Liulang of Tan Xinpei; She Taijun of Gong Yunfu; Eight Worthy Kings of Jia Honglin; Jiao Zan and Meng Meng of Jin Xiushan and Langdeshan Liang; Zhu Suyun's Yang Zongbao; Wang Yaoqing's Mu Guiying; even papaya is sent by Wang Changlin.It is said that if it were not for Natong's mastery, they would not be able to gather the top talents in one play.Therefore, originally only seven tables were prepared, but in the end it was more than doubled. Zhang Zhidong and Yuan Shikai were the guests of honor at this meeting.These two people have one thing in common in their temperament, they don't like listening to operas.Others were gazing at the stage intently, but Zhang and Yuan found it extremely boring.Yuan Shikai could barely hold on, but Zhang Zhidong couldn't even sit still.But I don't want to spoil everyone's happiness, but I also want to take care of the host's face, so I leave the table with excuses and rest in the living room. Just after sitting down, Yuan Shikai came one after another.Zhang Zhidong was sitting in the middle of an extended red velvet easy chair, at this time he moved his body slightly to show courtesy.Yuan Shikai sat down next to him and said, "I can't keep up with Zhongtang in everything, except that I don't like Youmeng's clothes. I am similar to my predecessors." "You are young and do not learn, there is nothing you can do." Zhang Zhidong said: "If you are not born at the right time, it is not the time for singing and dancing. When encountering such an occasion, it will only add emotion!" Yuan Shikai didn't know what he said, was he dissatisfied with the Empress Dowager Cixi's frequent dramas in the palace, and he didn't dare to talk about it in depth, so he just said: "Zhongtang is worried about the country when he is hurt, and the old man, who knows what's on his mind?" This is a kind of flattery that caters to Zhang Zhidong's tone of speech and is far-fetched.Unexpectedly, the recipient was just scratching the itchy spot, and his half-closed eyes suddenly opened wide, "After all, there are still people who can understand my painstaking efforts! Comforting court," he said seriously, "You can't say what you say, It is called a slip of the tongue; if you can speak with him but not with him, it is called a loss! Today I can speak for those who know, I don’t want to be 'Xiao Fan Laozi’, but then I became Fan Chunren!" These two names are relatively unfamiliar to Yuan Shikai.After thinking about it very carefully, I realized that it seems to be from Xixia, calling Fan Zhongyan "Little Fan Laozi" and saying that he "has tens of thousands of armored soldiers in his chest".Zhang Zhidong fell in love with Fan Zhongyan, but turned out to be Fan Chunren, the son of Fan Zhongyan, who specialized in mediating between Liu Hou and Song Renzong.In this thick and expressive tone, he also expressed his thoughts clearly, aiming to reconcile the differences between the two palaces. This is an excellent opportunity to speak for Cai Naihuang.Before answering, Yuan Shikai put on an air of awe and respect, "Zhongtang's painstaking efforts can really challenge all ghosts and gods!" He said: "The spirits of the emperors in heaven will definitely protect the veterans of the country!" Zhang Zhidong was so moved that he said with tears in his eyes, "Soo Ting, Comfort Ting, only you understand what's on my mind!" "As far as loyalty is concerned, it is naturally touching." Yuan Shikai turned sharply and said: "Mr. Zhi'an is also a first-class figure in the contemporary era. It is a pity that he has missed a step in this big goal!" "Oh," Zhang Zhidong looked around, tilted his head with a small white braid, and said vaguely, "I've wanted to ask for a long time! Qu Zhi'an colluded with outsiders, bought a notification office, and plotted Returning to politics, how much is true?" "It's hard to say. However," Yuan Shikai also lowered his voice extremely low: "Xilin has contacts with Kang and Liang. It is absolutely true! Kang and Liang are beyond reproach, but as far as loving you is concerned, the so-called 'love is suitable enough Harm it'. Before Zhongtang arrived in Beijing, there was a secret decree to seek medical treatment for the emperor. This is a clear proof that love is suitable enough to harm him. Fortunately, there is a central hall with a hub, and the disaster of 1898 will never be seen again!" Zhang Zhidong nodded unconsciously, "If I had been in Shushu ten years earlier, would there be a disaster of 1898?" He thought for a while and said, "Comfort, Fang's conspiracy, your eyes and eyes are wider than mine, and you will be able to heal the disease." I won't catch it." "Don't dare!" Yuan Shikai replied: "Anyone who has an order must do his best." Zhang Zhidong didn't answer, his eyes closed as if he was asleep, he opened his eyes after a long time and asked, "Who should be the first to eliminate the calamity?" Yuan Shikai thought for a while and replied, "Mother and son are reconciled!" This was to cater to Zhang Zhidong's statement, and the words became more opportunistic, "Which should be the first to reconcile mother and son?" He asked like a student in an examination. "Don't make the Merciful Sage suspicious!" "How did this happen?" "It's easy, but it's also difficult." Yuan Shikai said: "Easy is that you can explain it clearly in one sentence, but it's difficult to say this sentence to everyone. Only those who entrust them to do their best according to this sentence will not be forced to do it." Compassionate and suspicious, mother and child reconcile!" "Well, well, the words are interesting! Wei Ting, try to explain it in detail." "Yes!" Yuan Shikai shifted his body and whispered to Zhang Zhidong: "Kang and Liang used the name of protecting the emperor to make publicity abroad. Kang Youwei called himself a 'sage', but he was like a thief, collecting money everywhere and pocketing it for himself. The foolishness of this generation made it to this day. However, the matter is in the past, and the Merciful Sage will not put this account on the emperor, but like Xilin, he colluded with Kang and Liang, and wanted to use the emperor to make a fool of himself. With Yun's tricks, Cisheng has to be wary of the emperor! So in the final analysis, the protector Shenggong is only restraining Xilin's reckless actions. Xilin, as an outlaw, stays in Shanghai, so he must have someone who is safe and reliable to watch him No! If there is any action that endangers the holy bow, it can be reported in secret before the deadline. At that time, please ask the central government to decide, or order to return home, or send someone to warn, and resolutely suppress the disaster will be invisible!" "Extremely brilliant!" Zhang Zhidong said, "Even if I devise schemes, I will not be able to surpass you. It's just that it's not easy to find such a reliable person. " "There is someone ready!" "Oh!" Zhang Zhidong asked sideways, "Who?" "Cai Bohao." Yuan Shikai said: "Let Cai Bohao return to office, only the public will make a decision." Zhang Zhidong replied as if hypnotized: "Okay! Let Cai Bohao return to office."