Chapter 849: Poor and dignified monarch, don't ask the common people to ask the ghosts and gods

（0849）

[Today's first update is delivered! ] 】

Beizhili,Jingshi,.

Since the withdrawal of the troops from Liaodong, Chongzhen has been looking forward to the officers and troops of Huguang and Shaanxi every day, and under his strict orders, they will be cheered up, and they will soon have a good time to Beijing. In the past, the army of the imperial court did not concentrate enough main forces and did not put enough pressure on the rogues to make it possible for the rogues to escape.

Now, all the troops of the imperial court have been pressed on the body of the Shaanxi Liukou, and all the money and grain are concentrated in the Central Plains Theater. The Liaodong Army, which has newly joined the battlefield, is indeed not bad in combat. In the first contact with Cao ***, Nan Batian and the like, a charge defeated the other party. However, until mid-August, it was only known that there was "attack" everywhere, and the official good news was still slim.

Because there is no official battle report, what Jinyiwei and Dongchang spread is gossip. Chongzhen loves and hates these news. I can't hear it, and I feel uneasy inside. If you hear it, you have to doubt the authenticity of these gossip. He was anxious and sleepless at night, full of hope and fear.

Two days after the Mid-Autumn Festival, he summoned the ministers on the platform, and Liu Yuliang, Chen Xinjia, Fu Zonglong and other ministers were all present. When it comes to the use of troops and the disappointment of everything, I can't help but sigh deeply, and say with a sense of indignation: "I don't mean that with the size of today's China, there are no first-class generals like Guan Yunchang and Yue Wumu!" ”

Without waiting for the cabinet minister to reply, he continued: "I have already seen that Xiong Wencan has not done anything, and he has no way to suppress it, and he has been perfunctory for a long time, causing Zhang Xianzhong to entrench himself in Gucheng and be like raising a tiger. But because of the importance of the feudal territory, I refuse to change people easily. In the change of Gucheng, I still refuse to cure his crimes, and still hope that he will 'lose the east corner and harvest the mulberry elm'. I didn't expect that so far, more than three months, there has been no military turnaround, and I am deeply disappointed! ”

Seeing Chongzhen's anger, the ministers were very frightened and didn't dare to raise their heads. In fact, the ministers present basically felt that Xiong Wencan was very wronged. Originally, Xiong Wencan did a good job in Fujian and successfully recruited Zheng Zhilong's fleet. This was indeed good news for the Ming Empire at that time.

Zheng Zhilong hinted at the time that he finally accepted the appeasement because of Xiong Wencan's sincerity. If the governor of Fujian is replaced, he may not still listen to the words of the imperial court. As a result, Emperor Chongzhen was afraid of any collusion between Xiong Wencan and Zheng Zhilong, and he ignored everyone's opposition and wanted to transfer him to the front line in the Central Plains.

As a result, Xiong Wencan went to the front line of the Central Plains and was constrained by all parties, not only did the Shaanxi Liukou not get it, but it caused Zheng Zhilong's fleet to be separated from the imperial court, and he no longer accepted the transfer of the imperial court. Now, Emperor Chongzhen wants to hold Xiong Wencan accountable again, and he wants to put Xiong Wencan in prison. Emperor Chongzhen's strategy of employing people can really be described as a chicken and egg fight, leaving nothing, no wonder there are more and more people who want to join the Tiger Ben Army recently. Seeing that the imperial court is not very good, as long as Emperor Chongzhen still uses people like this, it is impossible to improve.

Shoufu Liu Yuliang quickly knelt down and said: "Xiong Wencan's suppression of the obedient party has caused a change in Gucheng, delayed the closure of the territory, and lived up to the depth of the saint's reliance. At that time, the minister was ignorant of people's wisdom, and he was rash, and he was really guilty. However, at present, the two armies in western Hubei and Shangzhou are gathering and are attacking, and there will be good news in the next few days. I beg your Majesty to wait with relief and not to be too worried. ”

Chongzhen was silent for a moment, frowned and said, "Okay, let's wait for two good news." ”

For Liu Yuliang's recital, Chongzhen was very dissatisfied. Back in the Qianqing Palace, he was like an ant on a hot pot, restless. He has decided to punish Xiong Wencan and show his iron fist. But who will be sent to Xiangyang to preside over the "thief" military? Thinking about the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty, there is no suitable person.

He felt that in terms of talent, Yang Sichang was many times higher than Xiong Wencan, but the center could not lack people like him. Before the troops went south to Huguang, Yang Sichang had been transferred to the household department, and first hung the title of secretary of the household department, preparing to replace Hou Sui, who was always like a dead man. Once you take over the actual position, plus Chongzhen's assistance, you can enter the cabinet.

Chongzhen thought about it, but he didn't have an idea. He suddenly found that there were not many available talents around him. Yang He is unlucky, Chen Qiyu is unlucky, Lu Xiangsheng is unlucky, and Xiong Wencan is about to be unlucky. Looking at the others, none of them entered his old man's eyes. He didn't understand why the Tiger Army was willing to accept the garbage he didn't want?

Zhang Shenyan, Qiao Yunsheng, Yang Tinglin, Li Lian, Ni Hongbao, Huang Daozhou, Lu Xiangsheng...... Emperor Chongzhen called Jinyiwei and Dongchang, and made a list of candidates who took refuge in the Tiger Ben Army. Facing a long list of names, Chongzhen suddenly felt like he wanted to hit the wall. Before I knew it, I had already given it to Zhang Zhun so many people!

After thinking about it for a long time, Chongzhen still didn't think of any good way, and finally had to make a reluctant decision: "Why don't you draw lots in the Great Bright Palace and ask whether the military is going well or not, and then make a decision?" Maybe you can get some inspiration from the Buddha. ”

After making up his mind, Chongzhen walked slowly to Kunning Palace, chatted with Queen Zhou for a while, and then solemnly told Queen Zhou: He wanted to take her Hetian and Yuan Erfei to the Great Guangming Hall tomorrow to burn incense and ask for signatures, and asked her to make all preparations in advance.

Empress Zhou saw Emperor Chongzhen depressed for state affairs every day, restless sleep, and the Mid-Autumn Festival the day before yesterday dismissed hundreds of officials and women to congratulate, and was very worried that it would damage her body in the long run. Now as soon as she heard that the emperor said that he was going to the Great Light Hall to burn incense and ask for a sign, she took the opportunity to say: "The Great Light Hall is the place where Emperor Jiajing cultivates, and the sign that wants to come there must be very spiritual." Tomorrow, Your Majesty will go to the incense, and you will definitely get a good sign. In the spring of this year, because His Majesty was not in a good mood, he did not go to Xiyuan to visit fortunately, and he failed to live up to the spring of the lake. At present, the autumn scenery in Xiyuan is picturesque, and the weather is also very clear. Tomorrow, why doesn't Your Majesty lead your concubines and concubines Tian and Yuan to visit a few places by the way after burning incense and drawing lots? ”

Emperor Chongzhen thought about it and said noncommittally: "It's okay, you can pass on the decree to them." ”

Empress Zhou was very happy, and immediately ordered the palace maids to go to Chengqian Palace and Yikun Palace separately to send a decree to Tian and Yuan Erfei, telling them to fast and bathe tonight, and prepare to drive to the Great Guangming Hall tomorrow to burn incense and play in the West Garden for a day. She also ordered a chief to follow the eunuch to send an edict to the Shang Diet Supervisor, asking the imperial dining room to prepare early, and make a few of the emperor's favorite dishes tomorrow and send them to Yingtai, and at the same time to prepare sweets and pastries in the sweet room, especially instructing not to forget the emperor's favorite tiger eye nest silk candy. She also instructed the eunuchs in charge of Kunning Palace to send someone to ride a horse to Yuquan Mountain in the western suburbs early tomorrow morning to fetch fresh spring water, so that they could make tea for the emperor in Xiyuan.

On the morning of the next day, Chongzhen led Empress Zhou Hetian and Yuan Erfei, surrounded by a large group of eunuchs and palace maids, to take the Xuanwu Gate and go west along the imperial road on the north bank of the moat. Sitting on the chariot, he was still thinking about the military affairs of Huguang and Shaanxi, looking forward to getting good news today. When he walked to the side of the regimental city, he ordered a chief to rush back to the Forbidden City to pass on the edict to Wang Chengen, the eunuch of the master of ceremonies: if the good news from Huguang and Shaanxi arrived, he would immediately go to Yingtai to play to him, and there was no need to wait for him to return to the palace.

As soon as you arrive at the Jinao Jade Spider Bridge, the water of the large liquid pool on the left and right is rippling, and the reeds are swaying, a clear autumn scene. A cool breeze blew, and Chongzhen's mind suddenly refreshed. He looked at Qionghua Island, thinking that he didn't have time to climb Qionghua Island today, and after going to the Great Light Hall to drop incense, he might as well come to Tuancheng to rest for a while, take a panoramic view of the West Garden, and then go to Yingtai for dinner. So he whispered to a long-term attendant who was waiting: "After the incense is dropped, I will first come to the group city to eat tea and rest." You go and tell Wang Chengen: If there is a good news from Huguang, you can send it to Tuancheng. ”

After the Jade Spider Archway, the Great Light Hall is not far away. It is a magnificent and majestic building, located in the Xi'an Gate, on the west side of today's Fuyou Street. The Jiajing Emperor, who enjoyed the prosperity and honor of the world, wanted to live forever, ignored the government for decades, and practiced alchemy and immortality from Taoist Tao Zhenren here, but in the end he still did not achieve a positive result.

I don't know how much money and food were spent, how much manpower was spent, and a large magnificent palace was built here, and the Great Light Hall stands in the middle of this complex, which houses the Seven Treasures Cloud Dragon tablet of the Jade Emperor.

Since Jiajing, the emperors of all dynasties have come to burn incense on the ninth and twenty-fifth days of the first month of the first month of each year. But on other days, if there is a special reason, or because of the emperor's momentary pleasure, he will also come here to pray, or set up a Jiao altar to make a fuss for a few days.

Yesterday, I got the notice of the celebrant and the Taoist priests made all preparations overnight. From the west end of the Jinao Jade Spider Bridge through the front of the Yuxi Palace, continue to the west, until the Great Light Palace, all the way is particularly clean, and some slightly low-lying places are also paved with yellow sand.

When the four-by-one dragon and phoenix chariot passed in front of the Yuxi Palace, more than 300 eunuchs of all sizes who studied official drama here knelt beside the royal road under the leadership of the deacon eunuchs to pick up the driver, and shouted "Long live". As soon as the four-by-one dragon and phoenix passed the south entrance of the wine and vinegar bureau alley, they saw the Taoist official and the abbot leading all hundreds of Taoist priests to kneel outside the mountain gate of the Great Light Hall to welcome the holy driver.

Chongzhen and the concubines got off the chariot, went in to rest for a while, and went to the Jade Emperor's tablet to make incense in turn. One o'clock and drums are ringing, and the jade chimes are ringing, which is both lively and solemn. But seeing the brilliant candles in front of the Qibao Yunlong tablet, the cigarette smoke is swirling, and the incinerated green words and yellow tables are rising, flying close to the colorful and gorgeous dust.

Chongzhen first poured incense, reverently knelt on the yellow satin mat and kowtowed, prayed silently for a while, and then whispered: "Sign it!" The abbot who was kneeling on the side and waiting hurriedly picked up the cloisonné disc dragon stick holder with both hands from the god table, knelt down again, and shook the stick holder three times in front of the emperor. Chongzhen took out a stick from inside, handed it to the abbot, and then stood up.

The white-bearded old abbot put the sign holder back in its place, took a sign printed on jute paper according to the signature number, knelt down, and held Chongzhen. Chongzhen received it in his hand with anxiety, and when he saw the line "Twenty-sixth Sign Zhongping", he was disappointed at first, and then felt a little relieved. At this time, as long as it is not an inferior sign, he will feel some satisfaction, not to mention that this is slightly better than "rushing down".

When the queen and the second concubine were pouring incense respectively, he withdrew from the round hall, stood under a whitebark pine and looked at the divine lot, pondering the poems in the lot, and couldn't help but feel heavy again. At the beginning, I thought the draw was good, but now I am a little greedy.

The queen and the two concubines burned incense, walked out of the hall, and saw Chongzhen holding a signed ticket in his hand, wandering under the pine tree, with thoughts on his brows. Empress Zhou was afraid that he would draw a bad lot, so she hurriedly walked up to him and asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, what does the lottery say?" ”

Chongzhen didn't answer, put the ticket in his sleeve, put it carefully, and then ordered the eunuchs: "Go to the regimental city and have a look!" ”

After a while, the four dragons and phoenixes crossed the Jinao Jade Spider Bridge and stopped next to the regimental city. Chongzhen and the concubines went to the regimental city from the cave gate on the left. There is only one round hall called Chengguang Hall in the late Ming Dynasty above the regimental city, which is to rebuild the Yitian Hall of the Yuan Dynasty.

There were originally three large pine trees in front of the Chengguang Palace, which were planted by the Jin Dynasty and have been hundreds of years. In the early years of Chongzhen, the two dead roots were dug up and paved to the ground. Now the eunuchs have set up a table and the temporary throne of the emperor and empress under the remaining ancient pine, and there are chairs for Concubine Tian and Concubine Yuan next to it.

Chongzhen originally wanted to see the panorama of Xiyuan in the regimental city, but because the poems signed were very unsatisfactory, his interest in appreciating the autumn colors of the lakes and mountains was gone. He sat down on the throne and asked Queen Zhou to sit down as well, staring at the clouds, thoughtful, and his face gloomy. Empress Zhou's heart went up and down, and she asked in a low voice: "Your Majesty, what did you say when you signed it?" ”

Chongzhen took out the ticket from the lottery, hesitated for a moment before handing it to the queen, and then said in a low voice: "Look for yourself, there are a few sentences that are not easy to understand." ”

Queen Zhou took the signed ticket and saw that it was a seven-character poem:

Spring returns to the earth of grass taro taro, and I see Shengge into the painting boat.

The weather is cold, and the rivers and mountains are warm and smoky.

The jade building lives up to the dream of ten years, and the treasure mirror is empty and lonely.

Don't complain about the deep official voice and ask less, and the goose flies back.

Most of the poems signed by themselves are if they are separated, between the plausible and the seemingly incomprehensible. The Great Hall of Light was built specifically for the needs of the palace. Seventy or eighty years ago, those learned Taoist priests spent a lot of effort in compiling the signature document in order to suit the situation in the palace, and almost all possible situations were included in the signature.

As for the above signed poem, it is said: The first two sentences are very empty; The two sentences are related to national events, but the meaning of the verses before and after them is incoherent; The four sentences of the neck couplet and the tail couplet turned to the palace resentment, which seemed to express sympathy for the concubines who fell out of favor and the palace maids who could not get ahead, but they did not violate the taboo.

The signature of the people is generally accompanied by "Xie Ri" after the poem, and the three-character or four-character prose clearly tells the lottery whether the lottery can win the imperial examination, whether the work can be successful, whether the official is smooth, how the marriage is, whether it is auspicious to go abroad, whether to lose or make money in business, whether the illness is auspicious or vicious, how to win or lose the lawsuit, and so on.

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