"I really undressed Lu Yifeng and pushed him to eat? Did I really never really pay attention to this dog thief? ”

Comparing goods to throw, people have to die than people, under the head of the old witch of Xiaozhuang, carefully recalled what he did to Lu Fatzi, Xiao Mazi suddenly found that he didn't seem to be so authentic to Lu Fatzi.

First of all, Xiao Mazi felt that he didn't seem to have seen Lu Fatzi with a straight eye, at the end of the sixth year of Kang Mazi, Lu Fatzi entered Beijing to see His Majesty as usual, and that was the most likely opportunity to completely obtain Lu Fatzi's allegiance, Xiao Mazi also saw Lu Fatzi's various talents and learning, but unfortunately Xiao Mazi never put his heart on Lu Fatzi, let alone insisted on keeping Lu Fatzi by his side, but just treated Lu Fatzi as a courtier, and planned to let Lu Fatzi go to spy on Wu Sangui's father and son.

Originally, in Xiao Mazi's opinion, it was already the greatest honor of this slave in his life to be treated as a slave by himself, but Xiao Mazi now thought about it, but suddenly found that he treated a pedantic genius with the courtesy of a courtier, and sent a pillar of the country with both civil and military skills to do some things like stealing chickens and touching dogs.

Later, Xiao Mazi found that he was sorry for Lu Fatzi more, when Tuhai, Kong Sizhen, Li Shuzu and Jie Shu and others were forced to force Lu Fatzi and make things difficult in every way, not only did he not come forward to stop it, giving Lu Fatzi enough support and trust, on the contrary, he also deliberately connived and shielded, and almost put Lu Fatzi to death several times, and even forced Lu Fatzi to resign for the people because of suspicion and suspicion, and almost lost his life in Guangxi! With all kinds of suspicion and persecution of the owner's demeanor, even if Lu Fatzi has more loyalty to himself, I am afraid that he will have been completely wiped out and discouraged, right?

On the contrary, Wu Sangui's methods in dealing with Lu Fatzi's talent are extremely clever and sincere, after Lu Fatzi abducted Shang Kexi's youngest daughter as his wife, Wu Sangui not only did not punish Lu Fatzi under Shang Kexi's pressure, but personally came forward as a matchmaker to complete the marriage between Lu Fatzi and the county lord of Pingnan Wangfu. snatched the seeds of the Eight Banners Fushou Cream, but gave Lu Fatzi the privilege of planting the Eight Banners Fushou Paste in Qujing, so that Lu Fatzi won the absolute support of the people of Qujing.

In addition, a more critical point is that, according to intelligence, Wu Sangui dared to smash out more than half of the financial income of the entire Pingxi Royal Mansion to Lu Fatzi to squander, and let Lu Fatzi develop and produce new firearms at will, which is why he has the absolute advantage of the current battlefield, and the firearms and weapons overwhelm the surname advantage. Can you not go to the soup for Wu Sangui's old thief?

Thinking of this, Xiao Mazi shook his head, pursed his lips and thought about it for a long time, Xiao Mazi said in a hoarse voice: "Then try again, find a way to get in touch with Lu Yifeng, and tell him that as long as he is willing to restrain himself from the precipice and abandon the darkness to the light, I can forgive him all his previous sins, and then make him the secretary of the Ministry of Works,...... Walk in the study! If he still wants any conditions, he can negotiate them! ”

"Your Majesty." Kong Sizhen kowtowed, and asked carefully: "But may I ask the emperor, who will handle this matter?" ”

"You are in charge of the thirteen yamen, you can do it." Xiao Mazi replied casually.

"Your Majesty, it's not that the slave refuses to serve." Kong Sizhen's face was embarrassed, and he said in embarrassment: "It's just that the slave and Lu Yifeng have a lot of misunderstandings, if it is handed over to the slave to do it, I'm afraid it will be twice the result with half the effort." ”

"Your Majesty, the slave thinks that this matter can be handed over to Lord Wang Xu." Mingzhu stood up, saluted and said: "Lord Wang has a good relationship with Lu Yifeng, and he is currently in charge of the military department, so it should be the most appropriate for him to do it." ”

"Okay, let Wang Aiqing do it." Xiao Mazi groaned and said: "But Wang Aiqing is not very good at these things, Kong Aiqing, you need a lot of help, how to do it, you go and discuss with Wang Aiqing." ”

"The minions obey." Kong Sizhen kowtowed and agreed, and retreated with slight joy in her heart, while Xiong Cixu next to her glared at her with jealousy, snorting coldly in her heart. I didn't think that Dai Zi also stood up over there, saluted and said: "Your Majesty, Weichen also wants to see that Lu Yifeng with his own eyes, please let Weichen also participate in this matter, Weichen also wants to take this opportunity to ask that Lu Yifeng more about firearms manufacturing." ”

"You? Never mind. Xiao Mazi hurriedly shook his head and said, "Dai Aiqing, have you never seen how smooth Lu Yifeng's slave is, don't ask him for teaching, you haven't learned anything, but he has cleaned up the firearms secrets on my side." You should honestly get firearms for me in the capital, don't get involved in this matter. ”

"Wechen obeys." Dai Zi was disappointed, and said without giving up: "Your Majesty, then please lend this flying boat map of Wu Sangui's thief army to Weichen for use, Weichen wants to copy a copy, ask other skilled craftsmen for advice, and see if you can manage to imitate it." ”

"This one does." Xiao Mazi was very satisfied when he heard this, and immediately asked the eunuch to hand over the picture to Dai Zi, Dai Zi bowed, took it with both hands and put it in his arms, and wondered in his heart, "Do you want to copy this sketch and send it to Xu Zhengming in Suzhou?" He was the first to build a flying car, so maybe he could inspire me even more. "-Of course, afterwards, Xiao Mazi almost strangled Dai Zi to death because of the consequences of Dai Zi's decision, which is a distant story, so I won't mention it for the time being.

After deciding this matter, the sky was already dark, everyone including Xiao Mazi was hungry and tired, seeing that it was not early, Xiao Mazi had to order everyone to go home to rest and eat, and prepare to discuss the situation of Wu Jun in the morning of the next day, everyone kowtowed and thanked him, got up and left the Yang Xin Palace, but Zhou Peigong did not get up, until everyone walked away, Zhou Peigong took out a sealed fold from his arms, and said respectfully: "Qi Emperor, the slave is entrusted by the middle hall of the picture, and there is a secret fold to the emperor, please accept it." ”

The exhausted and preoccupied little Mazi was too lazy to speak, and waved his hand to the eunuch next to him, and the eunuch stepped forward to take it and handed it to Xiao Mazi, Zhou Peigong kowtowed again, and then bowed down with a smile in his heart and retreated, leaving Xiao Mazi and the old witch of Xiaozhuang alone in the palace of heart cultivation. And Xiao Mazi also cheered up, picked up Tuhai's secret fold and opened it to read, but after only reading a few paragraphs, Xiao Mazi couldn't help but light up and couldn't help but stand up.

"Grandson, what's wrong?" Xiaozhuang asked quietly: "What did Tuhai slave say in the secret fold?" ”

"Grandmother, please take a look." Xiao Mazi personally sent the secret fold to Xiaozhuang, and said excitedly: "Tuhai, this minion, really has a long-term vision, and even suggested that I quickly execute Wu Yingxiong, so that Wu Sangui's old thief can pass on the throne, and lay the groundwork for the civil strife after Wu thief's rebellion. ”

"Can this minion see so far? Why didn't the mourning family find out before? Xiaozhuang was a little surprised, and quickly took the fold and took a closer look, and found that the content was indeed the case, Tuhai not only suggested that Wu Yingxiong be executed quickly, but also analyzed in detail the various hidden dangers of Wu Jun after the execution of Wu Yingxiong, especially emphasizing that Wu Sangui was old and could die at any time, but Wu Sangui had a difficult life, only one Wu Yingxiong could be of great use, the second son Wu Yingqi was rude and scheming, greedy and incompetent, and the eldest grandson Wu Shifan was too young to be able to convince the public of Wu Jun's heir, basically as long as Wu Sangui died, the internal strife and civil strife in the Wu army will be a foregone conclusion!

"I didn't expect this minion to be able to see this, so he used his heart." Xiaozhuang snorted coldly, "It's rare to be able to see this step with far-reaching vision." ”

"Grandmother, are you in favor of doing this?" Xiao Mazi asked excitedly: "Then did I immediately issue an order to execute Wu Yingxiong's rebel species?" ”

"Don't worry, this matter needs to be discussed carefully." The old witch of Xiaozhuang said slowly: "Whether to execute Wu Yingxiong or not, the key depends on whether you are determined to fight Wu Sangui to the end?" Otherwise, grandson, if you execute Wu Yingxiong, a rebel, and Wu Sangui is furious, the old thief refuses to give up, and we will lose all hope of negotiating peace with the old thief Wu Sangui. ”

"Grandmother, do you also think that your grandson must negotiate peace with Wu Sangui's old thief?" Xiao Mazi's face changed, and his expression suddenly hesitated.

It is not surprising that Xiao Mazi has this reaction, since the news of the defeat of the main force of the Qing Dynasty was officially announced, there were two diametrically opposed voices in the Qing court, one is that most of the civil and military officials led by Suo Etu were frightened, and asked Xiao Mazi to send envoys to negotiate with Wu Sangui's army, and the truce was peaceful, and the reason was also very sufficient, Wu Sangui's banner was only the Qing monarch's side to kill Aobai, and there was no intention to rebel, now Aobai is dead, and Wu Sangui's strategic intention has also been achieved, It was the best time to negotiate an armistice with the Wu army. -- By the way, in the rebellion of the three feudatories in history, Xiao Mazi's favorite minister Suo Etu was also the leader of the lord and faction of Lao Cheng.

Comparing the appetite for Xiao Mazi, it is the radical main battle faction headed by Mingzhu, another favorite minister of Xiao Mazi, in addition to the household department Shangshu Mi Sihan and the criminal department Shangshu Mo Luo are also extremely firm main battle faction, unanimously believe that Wu Sangui is ambitious, and will never be willing to be subordinate to others forever, the so-called Qing Jun's side killing Ao Bai is just an excuse for tricks, and sooner or later he will have to play an excuse for a full-scale rebellion or secession of the southwest, rather than making concessions to raise the tiger legacy, it is better to resolutely crack down on the luck psychology of Wu Sangui's old thief, and fight a decisive battle with Wu Sangui's old thief to the end, Completely eradicate this scourge of the Great Qing Dynasty! -- As a result of history, as in history, Xiao Mazi, a genius of infighting, a military idiot, and a very self-conscious person, firmly stood on the side of the main battle faction.

"Grandson, the voices in the court these days, the mourning family has also heard it in Cining Palace." Xiaozhuang said unhurriedly: "Some people are the main battle, some people are the main war, grandson, you are on the side of the main battle faction, Suo Etu persuaded you to send an envoy to negotiate peace with Wu Sangui's old thief, and you were scolded in public, and suppressed the voice of asking for peace. But the grandson ....... ”

Speaking of this, the old witch of Xiaozhuang paused, lowered her voice and said, "But grandson, can we not negotiate and buy time now?" We only had a total of 650,000 troops in the Qing Dynasty, and we lost 200,000 in Guizhou at once, and with the rebellious army and the army that surrendered to the enemy, nearly half of our army in the Qing Dynasty has disappeared. Even if we have a population of tens of thousands in the Qing Dynasty, rich in Tianbao, and can afford to raise a million army if we levy a million troops, but it doesn't take time to recruit these troops, arm these armies, and train these armies? Shall we not buy time? ”

"Of course my grandson understands what my grandmother said." Xiao Mazi said unconvinced: "But we still have the Yangtze River in the Qing Dynasty, and there are more than 300,000 Manchu and Han troops with one heart, as long as we hold the Yangtze River defense line, we can also gain time to prepare for war, so why bother to ask for peace in a low voice, begging Wu Sangui to give us peace?" ”

"Your Majesty, you may have a point in thinking so." Xiaozhuang sighed and said in a low voice: "But now, are we sure that we can hold the Yangtze River defense line?" You have also seen today's battle report, how powerful are Wu Sangui's old thieves' firearms now? More than 20,000 Eight Banners Iron Cavalry, in less than half an hour, was killed cleanly, Wu Sangui old thief still has flying soldiers who can fly into the sky, in the face of such a weapon, our Yangtze River is dangerous, can we still be sure to defend it? ”

Xiao Mazi was speechless, and he just secretly hated Fat Lu in his heart - why did he make so many perverted firearms for Wu Sangui's old thief? After careful consideration, Xiao Mazi said again: "But grandmother, do you think that Wu Sangui's old thief will sincerely negotiate peace with us?" If we return Wu Yingxiong and the dog thief to Wu Sangui and ask for a truce, Wu Sangui will have no worries, and sooner or later, will we have to rebel again? At that time, he will not only have new firearms, but also the two source of troops in Huguang granary and Sichuan and Guangxi, won't it be more difficult to deal with? ”

"Who said that grandmother wants you to return Wu Yingxiong to Wu Sangui, the old thief?" Xiaozhuang glanced at Xiao Mazi, and Yin Yin said: "Wu Yingxiong can't be released, and he can't continue to be detained, he must die!" Wu Sangui's old thief's roots must be broken! Otherwise, Wu Sangui's old thief will really increase his ambition and peek into the Central Plains! ”

"Grandmother, what do you mean by that?" Xiao Mazi was confused when she heard this, and couldn't help asking: "Grandmother, on the one hand, you want your grandson to negotiate peace with Wu Sangui's old thief, and on the other hand, you want your grandson to kill Wu Yingxiong and cut off Wu Sangui's thief's thief root, isn't this a contradiction?" ”

"Silly grandson, did grandmother say that she wanted you to kill Wu Yingxiong as this wicked person?" Xiaozhuang smiled and asked, "Can't you use your brains to let others be charged with killing Wu Yingxiong?" Then grandson, you come forward to be a good person, avenge the murder of Wu Sangui's old thief, and calm the anger of Wu Sangui's old thief, so that you will not only cut off the roots of Wu Sangui's old thief, but also win the hope of negotiating peace with Wu Sangui's old thief? ”

"Let someone else be charged with killing Wu Yingxiong's dog thief?" Xiao Mazi asked, "Then who will come forward to be this wicked person?" Where to go to find such a suitable person? ”

"Isn't there such a person right now?" The old witch of Xiaozhuang said lightly: "Sun, you have such a minion, you are the first target of Wu Sangui's old thief's crusade against the Qingjun's side banner, and you have the motive and ability to kill Wu Yingxiong, after the matter is completed, you can also hand over his whole family to Wu Sangui old thief to calm Wu Sangui's anger." Grandson, should you know who this man is by now? ”

"Aobai?!" Xiao Mazi's eyes lit up, and he said in surprise: "It's still grandmother who is smart, why didn't my grandson think of letting Ao Bai carry this black cauldron?" The old thief was defeated miserably in the hands of the old thief Wu Sangui, and there are many henchmen deep-rooted, it is easy to kill Wu Yingxiong and the dog thief to vent his anger, and he has the motive to kill and the ability to do so. ”

"It can only be said that there is hope." The old witch of Xiaozhuang said slowly: "Wu Sangui's old thief is not stupid, and there are many capable people under him. However, there is no other way at the moment, and in order to buy time for rearmament and warfare, we can only try it. So grandson, you must act like a little bit, and you might as well do more empty favors, for example, to posthumously give Wu Yingxiong the official position, return Jianning and Wu Shilin to Wu Sangui old thief, try your best to appease Wu Sangui's anger and strive for a glimmer of hope for negotiation peace. ”

"Grandson, you have to remember that since ancient times, being able to bend and stretch is the hero of the world." Xiaozhuang continued: "If Ao Bai only suffered a defeat and most of the army can withdraw from Guizhou, then Grandmother doesn't want to force you to bow to Wu Sangui and the old thief, and will only resolutely support you to fight against the old thief Wu Sangui." But now, the whole army of Aobai has been wiped out, and our elite of the Qing Dynasty has almost been swept away, which can be said to be a moment of weakness and danger to the extreme, and Wu Sangui's old thief is sharp, and he insists on fighting to the death with him, which is really unwise. ”

"So, grandson, at the moment you have only one advantage over Wu Sangui old thief, that is, you are young and have time, Wu Sangui old thief is different, he is the same as his grandmother, he is a person who lives one day less than one day, so the longer the time drags on, the more beneficial it will be for you! Therefore, grandmother thinks that even if there is a possibility of failure, you should try your best to try your grandson, as long as you can temporarily stabilize Wu Sangui's old thief for three to five years, your grandson will be sure to win! Otherwise, if you insist on fighting with Wu Sangui's old thief to the end, the best result is only to lose both, if it is not good, your grandson, your throne and the Jiangshan Sheji of the Qing Dynasty will be dangerous. ”

If according to the normal historical development trajectory, Xiao Mazi got rid of Aobai in the eighth year of Kang Mazi and got a few years to integrate the interior and consolidate the rule, then the conceited and arrogant Xiao Mazi would definitely not listen to the bitter words of the old witch of Xiaozhuang, and bow to the Wu Lao Han, whom he despised and was extremely hostile to - that was not Xiao Mazi's surname.

But now it is different, because of a certain scourge that hinders it, the time of the defeat of the Aobai party has been delayed by three years, and the time for Wu Laohan to raise troops has been advanced by nearly two years.

At the same time, because of a certain scourge, Wu Laohan's military strength and weaponry not only greatly surpassed any army in this era, but also annihilated more than one-third of the main force and most of the absolute elite of Mites in one fell swoop, which greatly narrowed the strength comparison with the Eight Banners of Mites, and formed an overwhelming advantage in weapons for the Mite Qing army! In view of these circumstances, Xiao Mazi, who has just really taken power and has an unstable foundation, has so much confidence to fight against Wu Jun to the end, and refuses to listen to the bitter words of the old witch of Xiaozhuang?

"Grandmother, grandson ......." After hesitating for a long time, Xiao Mazi still hesitated and said, "Grandson wants to think about it again, and I will reply to my grandmother in a few days." ”

"Grandson, there's no time, we don't have much time." The old witch of Xiaozhuang said in a dark voice: "Even if there is no secret fold of Tuhai today, grandmother plans to let you do it as soon as possible, and quickly get rid of Wu Yingxiong by the honor of Aobai!" Because my grandmother can conclude that no matter whether Wu Sangui is a thief who sincerely seeks peace or pretends to deceive, he will send an envoy to us to ask for negotiations, and ask your grandson to release Wu Yingxiong, who is imprisoned in the capital, on the condition of a truce or an exchange of prisoners, to relieve his worries. ”

"Grandson, you can think about it, how many of our prince Baylor have been caught by the old thief Wu Sangui in Guizhou? There are only two princes alone! At that time, the envoy of Wu Sangui's old thief proposed to exchange prisoners, if you don't agree, how can the parents and families of these captives give up? Now that you have arrested so many civil and military officials in one go in order to eradicate Aobai, it is precisely when people are panicking and rumors are spreading, do you want to add more rumors and turmoil? ”

Speaking of this, the old witch of Xiaozhuang paused again, and finally reminded: "More critically, after Wu Sangui's old thief's envoy came to the capital, if Wu Yingxiong is not dead, then what should you do?" killed, cut off the last hope of negotiating peace with Wu Sangui's old thief and buying time. If you don't kill it, put it back so that Wu Sangui's old thief will have no worries, and raise a tiger? ”

The far-sighted words of the old witch of Xiaozhuang finally woke up Xiao Mazi, Xiao Mazi patted the back of the chair and straightened up his already somewhat rickety back, gritted his teeth and said: "Grandmother is reasonable, my grandson will do it tonight to get rid of Wu Yingxiong!" ”

"Leave it to Kong Sizhen to do it, after the matter is completed, everyone who knows will be killed, just in case." Xiaozhuang said coldly: "Wu Yingxiong is locked up with Wu Shilin, it is best to let Wu Shilin see with his own eyes that Wu Yingxiong was killed by Aobai's henchmen, and hear with his own ears that the killer is a poisoner under the order of Aobai, and then let Wu Shilin personally tell his grandfather who caused the poison." ”

Xiao Mazi nodded slowly, and in a pair of pockmarked eyes, two extremely cold and vicious eyes suddenly shot out, the same vicious and cold gaze as the old witch of Xiaozhuang!

………………

After the third watch of the night, an incident that shocked the whole Yanjing and the whole world happened, several black-clothed masked people sneaked into the prison of the Criminal Department, smashed and switched Wu Yingxiong's cell, claiming to be on the order of Taishi Ao Bai to come to kill the descendants of the traitor Wu Sangui, and brutally killed Wu Yingxiong in front of Wu Shilin, the second grandson of Wu Sangui who was locked in the next cell! Fortunately, the prison guards of the brigade arrived in time and rescued Wu Shilin's surname from under the killer's knife.

The day after the incident, the Emperor Kang Mazi of the Qing Dynasty was furious when he heard the news, and immediately ordered the arrest of all the jailers on duty that night and the officials of the prison to be tortured in prison. Subsequently, Emperor Kang Mazi showed great mercy and broadcast nectar, allowing his aunt Princess Jianning to take Wu Shilin home to take care of him, and at the same time posthumously crowned Wu Yingxiong as the prince and prince, and gave him loyalty, with the courtesy of a prince, and ordered that Wu Yingxiong's coffin be transported back to Yunnan for burial.

Xiao Mazi treated Wu Yingxiong's aftermath so kindly, it was inevitable that the court would be shocked, and the lords and officials of the DPRK and China could see a glimmer of hope for peace, which also attracted countless discussions, speculating about Xiao Mazi's war and attitude towards Wu Sangui's army -- except for Zhou Peigong, who was sent to the capital by Tuhai to report on the battle situation ahead. After hearing these news, Zhou Peigong not only did not have the slightest surprise, but breathed a sigh of relief, and said with a smile: "As expected, the emperor is really wise and martial, and he is indeed a saint who is worthy of my assistance." ”

(To be continued)