The fifty-seven-year-old "Prince of Shu and Shuo Zheng" Zierharang was lying on the couch in the palace of the Prince of the Mill[1], and his heart was heavy. Suddenly there was a violent cough, so that he had to put down the letter in his hand, take the decoction brought by the maid, and drink it all. Putting down the jade bowl, he silently tasted the taste of the decoction: it was so bitter, but it was also bitter and sweet. Just like his own life, there are twists and turns, but he is not shocked by honor and disgrace-

His father gave himself the Mongolian name "Happy Happiness", hoping that he would have a safe life, but as a child of the Aixin Jueluo family, how many people can really get this kind of happiness and happiness? When he was thirteen years old, his father died unjustly in the cell of his own brother, Taizu Nu ~ Erhachi, although he and the other six brothers were accepted by Taizu in the palace to be treated like a parent, and he was also named Heshuo Belle, but he was still powerless to watch his eldest brother and third brother die tragically. At that time, fortunately, there was Nu ~ Erhachi's Eighth Emperor Taiji as his companion, and he was also like a brother. But although his elder brother Amin was named the second Beile, the status is second only to Taizu's second son Dabeile Daishan, and Huang Taiji, but he is still angry about the tragic death of his father and brother, and actually took advantage of the Eastern Expedition to Korea, to live in the camp for a long time, and no longer return to the country, coupled with the later defeat and abandonment of the city, finally Taizong Emperor Taiji was not tolerated, was cut and imprisoned, and soon died of illness in prison.

The encounter of his father and brother made him start a life of walking on thin ice and being cautious and cautious, and he was the emperor Taiji and Dolgon, who became the "regent of the emperor's father", he was bent to meet and fearful, which led to his own "Prince Heshuo Zheng" in the first year of Chongde and "Uncle Xinyi Fuzheng" in the first year of Shunzhi twice into the seal. Even after his nephew Fulin ascended the throne, he took the initiative to ask that his rank in front of Dorgon be placed under Dorgon, and asked the king's ministers to report only to Dorgon when discussing state affairs, and not to report themselves. After that, he first advocated that the emperor make Dolgon the "regent of the imperial father", and all these of his repeated concessions and flattery were all to avoid contradictions and maintain the unity within the imperial family and the interests of the dynasty. But even so, the Dolgon, who had the sole power, still couldn't let himself go!

In the fourth year of Shunzhi, when Dolgon built this mansion by himself, he demanded that it be majestic and exceeded the regulations, and he overstepped the use of bronze lions, turtles, cranes, etc., and was dismissed from the "council" and fined 2,000 silver, and the title was reduced from the prince to the county king. In the face of all this, he still endured it, showed sincere fear, and was willing to do what the "Dingyuan General" was, led the division to Huguang, fought against the Nanming army, and returned to the division triumphantly for a whole year.

That is, in that year, in the seventh year of Shunzhi, he finally waited for an opportunity with many years of forbearance: Dolgon! He became the oldest and highest-ranking prince in the court. So, he judged the situation and united the kings to impeach Dolgon's party, and attributed the power to his nephew Fulin. This is also the most glorious achievement of his life. At the same time, he chose to retire after success, assisted the emperor in his own government, and gave up his sought-after power. Therefore, after Fulin's pro-government, his title was only "Prince Shu and Shuo Zheng", and he was no longer in charge of the government. And what all this is in exchange for is naturally that Fulin respects his uncle very much, and all his own superiors and suggestions, Fulin takes them seriously and actively adopts them.

The letter just now was sent back from the coast of Beihai by his second son, the new "Dingyuan General" Jidu, saying that he had safely entered the valley of the Selenga River, one hundred and fifty miles southeast of Beihai, and had set up a garrison in Ulan-Ude, and had annihilated several small groups of Rakshasa Cossacks. It is said that the Ming Andali in the east has also begun to make moves, and it is estimated that the battle situation can be sent to the imperial court in these few days. Ji Du also said in the letter that he didn't know if the emperor was sincere in obeying the arrangement of the second son of the emperor Xuanye this time, and I don't know if King Ama would be able to find out the news of the first or two emperors, and his son would also make arrangements to deal with it at the border......

Yes, what is the emperor thinking? His young nephew, although his temperament is a little irritable and a little perverse, but he can also be called a brave and resourceful, resolute and decisive king, but since he was in power, he has been too close to a group of princes and ministers who are too close to the old Ming Dynasty and alienated from his hometown in Manchuria. There is also the eleventh Baylor who has been boiling since last year, the new Prince Xiang's Fujin, and the woman of his other nephew, who are a little unclear with the emperor, and also let himself, the head of the royal family, sit on wax a little, and I wanted to wait and see for some time before making plans, but I couldn't stand the resentful eyes of my cousin-in-law and the Empress Dowager Bumu Butai...... There are so many clues! But he must grasp a fundamental, that is, what the emperor is thinking and doing! And to do this, it is necessary to set up that "living note"! And it must be a Manchurian minister who you can trust! This one, the day before his sister-in-law and the queen mother's birthday, I also reported it to her. After getting the queen mother's consent, he wrote to the emperor and asked to set up a "living note". Every sentence and every word in my article is carefully considered, and more than a month has passed, and I can still recite it:

"At the beginning of Taizu's business, he discussed the gains and losses of political affairs with the four major Baylors and the five ministers, consulted the people and the people, and handed over the Fu up and down, and there were few shelters, so he could sweep away the heroes and cause a great cause. Taizong inherited the unification, and also talked with the kings Baylor from time to time, admired loyalty and integrity, recorded merit and abandoned, and all edicts must seek those who can conform to the people's hearts and hang for a long time. He also considered the waste of military equipment, and when he went out to hunt, the kings of Baylor set up wine and feasts, and took pleasure in the play. Taizong said angrily: 'Our country is prosperous, the bow and arrow, the armor soldiers, the soldiers are regarded as naked, so people fight to the death, and every battle must be defeated. I am often afraid that future generations will abandon the pure and honest style, and follow the Han customs, that is, in adultery. If the present generation is happy about this and wants the country to prosper, can it be obtained? 'Send Minister Sonny to repeat the message. Now the emperor has edicted all the ministers, and the ministers think that they will rule the world peacefully, and they should not believe it. The former sympathized with the Manchurian officials and people, and those who heard it were disgusted. The heirs repaired the Qing Palace, and the edict was not believed, so how could the people be made? Fu prayed to follow the example of Taizu and Taizong, and when he and the minister discussed the gains and losses of political affairs in detail, they would discuss the good, and then issue an edict, and the law would be practiced by the people, and the two saints would be martyred. If there is an invite, please be virtuous, and do not precede history. The ancient Shengming King, the gentleman, the far villain, the world is peaceful, the name is in the world, and the historian is Lai. Now it is advisable to set up a living note, put it around, every word and deed, spread endlessly, and also help the way. ”

After the sparseness, Fulin quickly instructed "Jianazhi", but there was no follow-up, how to "accept" is the key, so many days have passed, and I don't know what the emperor's charter is now? But after entering the New Year's month, the old disease that he endured humiliation and burdens all year round and fell on the battlefield recurred, and his body was not as good as day by day, no wonder he began to recall the past again! Alas! It seems that this matter still needs to support the sick body and promote one or two!

Thinking of this, Zilharang gasped and changed to the maid beside him, tremblingly put on his court clothes, and prepared to leave the house......

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Cining Palace. The second son of the emperor, Xuan Ye, was riding on the neck of the chief eunuch Shang Yougui, accompanying the queen mother to fiddle with flowers and plants. Pity that leader Shang, in order to make the second elder brother comfortable, he has been in a half-squatting state for nearly half an hour...... But even so, his knees did not dare to relax in the slightest, and he didn't tighten up if he fell, if he fell the prince...... Alas!

Xiao Xuanye Hongyi grabbed a dead leaf with his small hand just before the queen mother, and hurriedly shouted "up", and with Shang Yougui's precise cooperation, he effortlessly took it down, and then said "Turn!" He turned around impartially and placed it on the copper plate held by Su Mala. Several people who watched this process looked at each other, and the Queen Mother and Su Mala smiled and said: "Su Ma, look at these two elder brothers, it is a good way to arouse the subordinates, it seems that your training is very beneficial!" ”

"The slave doesn't dare to do it, it's all the second master's own wisdom and intelligence!" Su Mala also laughed, and did not bow to answer, but just responded in a homely manner.

But the Queen Mother's words reminded Hongyi of something, he hurriedly smiled and said "Release", and after getting down from Shang Yougui, he also knocked on the eunuch's knee and said, "Hard work!" This frightened the slave Shang Yougui, a clever man knelt in front of Hongyi, lowered his head no more, and almost buckled the door to the ground, and said in fear: "The slave is cheap, how dare you thank the master for such love, the slave will die!" Slaves don't dare! ”

Just waiting for you like this! haha！ Hongyi moved to Shang Yougui's side, stretched out a pair of small hands under his armpits, and gently strained to help him up, and said at the same time: "Although you are a subordinate, you are a powerful person beside my Emperor Mama, and there are many errands waiting for you to arrange." I'm still young, and I forgot for a while that I made you work so hard! I've made a note of your thoughts! After speaking, regardless of the reaction of the nobles on the ground, he looked back at the Queen Mother.

When the Queen Mother heard these words, she smiled kindly. Yes, only one's own minions can command at will, and they must be loyal only to themselves! His little Xuanye understands it so well, which shows that he has his own Huang Ma Ma in his heart!

"It's expensive, get up, the second elder brother values you, you have to know it in your heart!" The Queen Mother said meaningfully.

"Huh! The slave will not dare to live up to the trust of the Queen Mother! It's not enough to repay the second master's closeness! There are only a few minions! Slave Xie Xiaoye's wrong love! Shang Yougui got up trembling from the ground at this time, and Hongyi also saw at this time that the face that was as white and tender as a woman was already in tears. But at this time, the ownership of the slave has been reaffirmed, and he does not have to continue to perform hard to wipe the tears of this eunuch. The purpose has been achieved - to give a little favor, win over the leader of Shangda, and at the same time tell his imperial grandmother, I respect your people very much, that is, "love the house and Wu"!

"Empress Dowager Qi, Prince Heshuo Zheng asks to see!" Before everyone could start the next interaction, the report of the deacon and eunuch came from below.

"Oh, my little brother-in-law Zilharang is finally here, announce him in." The queen mother seemed to have expected it, turned around and sat on the throne, hugged Hongyi with her hand, put it on her lap, and began to tease her grandson.

"Minions...... Ahem...... Minion Zilharang, ahem...... Knock on the Queen Mother! Zilharang entered the door, but before the people arrived, the words of please An arrived one after another, and waited until he trembled three steps and four or five steps before moving to the queen mother, and when the horseshoe sleeves were half shaken, he also happened to hear the queen mother say: "Oh, old brother, don't you come to these false courtesies, your own family is still like this, isn't it divided?" Quick, expensive, move a soft cushion for Prince Zheng! ”

Su Mala also helped to help the senile Jilharang sit firmly on the seat, and then stood beside the Queen Mother again.

"Minions...... Ahem...... Thanks to the Queen Mother...... Bestow the seat. Words were now half a beat slower than action.

"I said, brother, your bones are not your own, they are our Qing Dynasty! I'm still thinking about accompanying the emperor to your mansion in the past two days, it's good for you, you came over first after such a big effort! …… Don't talk first, let's go to those minions or something, just talk to the two old men, what are so many rules? Right? The Queen Mother ordered with a smile.

"Slave...... Oh, thank you sister-in-law! Zilharang relied on the old man to pretend to be confused first, and then made a look that seemed to understand. In fact, he is seven years younger than Huang Taiji, and he is called the sister-in-law of the Queen Mother, which is the most haode honorific title in this family now.

The two remaining elders of the Aixin Jueluo family, holding ginseng tea, talked about the recent situation of their children and grandchildren from outside Longxing Pass and Dingding Central Plains, and then talked about their own bodies, all of which were all those car talk, and they were definitely worthy of the fixed mode of the old man and the old lady pulling home, and Hongyi was drowsy and impatient!

"Ahem...... Old sister-in-law, we are all old, cough cough...... But this Qing world still needs a lot of your help! Finally, after this sentence was sent to Hongyi's ears, Xiao Xuanye knew that he was on the right track.

"Oh, brother, you too, you are the head of the clan now! Let's just say that the note you gave to the emperor a few days ago is a piece of loyalty! The Queen Mother also began to lead the topic on the right path.

"The old ministers don't dare to take credit, but now the ministers around the emperor [2] are too ostentatious, and in the long run, the national policy of the Qing Dynasty to worship Manchuria will be damaged......" Speaking of the topic, the old guy's cough was gone, and he looked at the queen mother with a sad face!

"Hehe, this Manchu family must have a regulation after all, my brother is right! The mourning family thought that the living note was really necessary! We, the old people, should also know what attention those Han people paid to the emperor! "The Empress Dowager did not respond to the question of the status of the Manchurian ministers being challenged by the Han Chen, but only paid special attention to the living officials.

"The old minister also has this idea, it's just that the emperor hasn't given a charter yet." It doesn't matter if the purpose is not the same, just take what you need!

"Well, it's not easy for the mourning family to interfere in the government now, you still have to persuade more in the court!" The old fox deals with the old fritters, half a catty against eight taels!

Hongyi watched them play gossip and tai chi here, and didn't want to participate, but suddenly came back to his senses and had an extremely deep understanding of the importance of this so-called "living and paying attention to officials"! What is a Living Note? Isn't there someone next to him who records what time the emperor wakes up, what time he goes to bed, what time he brushes his teeth, and what time he goes to bed? But if you think about it further, this person who recorded must follow the emperor all day long, and he is a follower of the emperor who is above board and duty! It was a long day, and it must have been the emperor's cronies! In this way, such a hot position, do you want to participate in it! It just so happens that the two old men have not run in together at this node, and they have a chance to take advantage of it!

"Huang Ma Ma, Lao Ma Fa, I want to ask you to tell your grandson every day about the story of our Manchurian Longxing Pass!" Hongyi interjected, but after entering the tooth sequence, he also paid more and more attention, and he had to call people before he spoke, and he spoke in a dignified and serious manner.

"Hehe, my second elder brother, Huang Ma Ma is talking to Ma Fa about business, don't ...... it yet" The Queen Mother is so smart, she quickly reacted! Seeing that Bumu Butai suddenly stopped talking, Zierharang was wondering, and suddenly recalled Xiao Xuanye's words in his mind, and he also suddenly realized!

"Second elder brother, the old minister and the old minister have also been taught!" Of course, as the head of the clan, this sentence was said by the old fox Zilharang in his heart, but verbally: "Back to the second elder brother, the old minister is old, and he can't tell the story, cough cough...... But wouldn't it be better to find someone to tell you the story of your hometown? ”

Clever old man old lady! Hongyi knew that they all understood, so he replied respectfully: "Grandson Xie Huang Mama, Xie Mafa!" I've got a 'daily talk'! Giggles! ”……

Bit of the Fertility Palace. Fu Lin looked at another article presented by "Prince Shu and Shuo Zheng" Ji'er Harang and fell into deep thought......

Yesterday, Prince Zheng dragged his sick body into the Cining Palace, and Wu Liangfu quickly told him the content of the conversation, and by the way, the second son of the emperor wanted to listen to the old story of Manchuria, and he had a final charter on this matter. A minion doesn't have this mind, but he must have this kind of acumen when he is the emperor! Little Xuanye is so strategic! Why didn't I think of it earlier! Uncle Wang's every sentence in the upper sparse can't be refuted by himself, but why should he be at your mercy and have to set up some "living officials"? Although he was not angry, he couldn't find a suitable reason to completely refuse, otherwise how could he have pressed Prince Zheng's sparse performance for more than a month? Until now, I had Xiao Xuanye's idea......

For the current Empress Dowager and Prince Zheng's thoughts, he already knows it:

The Empress Dowager Yu is nothing more than to monitor her words and deeds by arranging living and paying officials, so as to prevent herself from going out of the palace again, going to the palace of Prince Xiang to meet the beauty Dong E's family privately, and by the way, she knows the bits and pieces of her governance!

Prince Yu Zheng, when he was in control of his every move, placed a number of Manchurian ministers by his side, hoping that over time he could influence, or even influence himself, alienate Hanchen, and insist on worshipping Manchuria!

And I want to let you know now that the emperor doesn't eat dry rice! Especially after his own son gave a very useful solution......

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On March 28, the twelfth year of Shunzhi, the emperor finally issued an edict, saying: "I am the only emperor since ancient times, diligent in studying and trying to govern, and I will hold a feast and a day to enlighten and enlighten, and set up a special day to speak on the official ......." The original "living note official" has become a "daily lecture official", and the most important thing is the emperor's arrangement for the "daily lecture official" personnel: eight people from the full and Han dynasties are selected to serve as daily lecturers with the original official title, and explain the scriptures to the emperor every day, and stipulate that after the "scripture feast" is held in February, August, spring and autumn every year, daily lectures are held on a daily basis to serve the left and right. As a result, the first batch of sixteen "Japanese lecturers" were all officials of the Hanlin Academy and the Zhan Shifu, and they served with their original titles. Among them, there are the editors of the Hanlin Academy, which are valued by the Queen Mother, the Manchu ministers who are the ears of Prince Zheng, and the Han scholars who are very important......

With the suggestion of the second son of the emperor, Xuan Ye, Cining Palace, Weiyu Palace, and Prince Zheng's Mansion, the three kinds of shilizuihou reached an elegant harmony...... In other words, the harmony of the four directions, as well as our little Hongyi in the East Second Institute, are also extremely satisfied - the queen mother appointed the son of Fan Wencheng, the young guard and crown prince Taibao, who died of illness the year before last, Shu Jishi [3] and Fan Chengmo, the editor of the Hongwen Academy, to be the princes "Longxing Sacred Miracle Day Lecturer [4]". Watching the Manchu and Han ministers "speak daily" together, the queen mother got her wish, as well as the old Prince Zheng, who was getting worse and worse, and the emperor Fulin, who began to cheer at himself again, Hongyi was very comfortable, and his debut in the court game ended successfully in a peaceful mood......

[1] Grinding factory, a place name in the Ming and Qing dynasties, is located in the area of today's "Damucang Hutong". Prince Zheng's Mansion is now the seat of the Ministry of Education.

[2] "Erchen" refers to a person who served as an official in the previous dynasty and became an official in the next dynasty after surrendering. Later, it refers to rebels.

[3] Shu Jishi, also known as Shu Chang, the name is derived from the meaning of "Shu Chang Jishi" in the "Book of Books and Politics"; It was a short-term position in the Hanlin Academy during the Ming and Qing dynasties of China. The purpose of selecting potential candidates for the imperial examination is to allow them to study in the Hanlin Academy before being awarded various official positions. The situation was similar to that of today's trainees or graduate students

[4] This official position is absolutely apocryphal!