Fifth Master Yi Pei never expected that today would be his lucky day. Not only would he win a lot of gold in Prince Qing's Mansion, but he would also become an official later.
The deputy minister of the Prime Minister's Yamen was already a high-ranking official on the same level as Fu Qing. The Ministry of Internal Affairs was the centerpiece of the management of the Manchu Eight Banners, and it was also handed over to him.
At any time, this was just a false name, and Yi Pei understood that it was someone else who had to make the final decision. No one in the Prime Minister's Office could get around Guiziliu, and the actual controller behind the Ministry of Internal Affairs was still the Empress Dowager of the Two Palaces.
Power is fictitious but reputation is real. Besides, everything develops by speaking first and then permeating. As long as you have a reputation, you will have the opportunity to operate. I am afraid that I will not even have a chance to open the door.
The first matter raised by Zeng Guofan was relatively satisfactorily resolved. Yi Pei immediately set off to meet Weng Tong and them. In his dual capacity as Prime Minister and Minister in Charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he led the welcoming team directly from Dagu Port by sea ship. Shanghai.
Little Fifth Master didn't think too much about the twists and turns inside. He simply cupped his hands and said, "Oh... my job has changed. I have to get a new set of flower feathers for me, right?"
"My court beads are old enough. I want to reward you with a few more East beads and hang a few more corals... Forget it, sisters-in-law, how about you tell me to go to the imperial treasury to pick out two hangings?"
What Yi Pei said makes sense, as one should dress accordingly according to one's status. Logically speaking, one has to spend money to buy the court clothes, court beads, etc., but time is too tight right now, and it is too late to make them now.
Moreover, Dongzhu has always been a controlled treasure in the Qing Dynasty. Dongzhu at a certain level were not allowed to be traded. If Yipei was promoted, the Dongzhu would also be rewarded by the court.
There are so many things to worry about today, and the two queen mothers will not embarrass their brother-in-law for a few beads. Cixi said generously, "Go, go, go...Uncle, pick it yourself. Take whatever you like, just don't waste time..."
"Come on! Sisters-in-law, you guys chat first, I'll go to the imperial treasury right now..."
The fifth master went out, and there was one less person in the room. Zeng Guofan took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, suppressed the annoyance in his heart, and struggled to continue the discussion.
"The second thing Wei Chen mentioned is the issue of Long Live Lord's wedding... May I ask the Queen Mother and Prince, is it time for Your Majesty to get married? Whose daughter are you looking for? When will the wedding take place?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone changed their colors. You, Zeng Guofan, are the only Han in the room, and the rest are Manchus. The emperor is the emperor of the Aisin Gioro family. When will it be your turn as a Han to dictate this marriage issue?
The empress dowagers of the two palaces did not say anything, and Yixuan spoke first, "Haha... Why did the commander say this? Let's talk about welcoming him first. How did it come to the matter of His Majesty's marriage?"
Yi Xin had already sensitively noticed that something was wrong with Zeng Guofan today, and was even more unkind: "Zeng Shuai...it seems that this matter is not yours to take care of, right?"
Zeng Guofan was not annoyed, and said with a smile as if he did not understand the sarcastic remarks, "According to the rules, Wei Chen, as a Han minister, cannot be managed, but if the matter is urgent, even if Wei Chen breaks the rules, he still has to say..."
"It doesn't matter if it's just a prince or a minor official... Hahaha!"
"You!" Yi Xin was so angry that he couldn't reply.
At this time, Cixi's eyes lit up. She was a smart person and had guessed what Zeng Guofan wanted to express. She quickly straightened her waist and smiled.
"Zeng Shuai has really put a lot of effort into this... As a forehead mother, of course I hope that it will be done as soon as possible, so I found one in advance. Fengxiu, a member of the Criminal Department, has a daughter named Fucha. She has a very good character and appearance. of……"
Before he finished speaking, Ci'an also understood and quickly interjected, "As for the candidate, I also have one. Chongqi's daughter Alute is even more virtuous and is a good candidate for the queen..."
"Hahaha... It doesn't matter who the minister chooses, this minister doesn't care. As long as your majesty can delay the marriage as soon as possible, I will be satisfied..." Zeng Guofan twirled his beard and said with a smile.
Yi Xuan was still surprised, "How could it be so fast? Long Live Lord's wedding is a huge event! All kinds of imperial supplies have to be prepared in advance. How much imperial porcelain is produced in Jingdezhen just now? Jiangnan Weaving has no treasury at all... ...We even have to prepare new dragon robes in advance..."
"How can we get married without four or five years of preparation? This is far from enough..."
Yixuan is really not fooling around. The emperor's wedding is different from ordinary people's homes. It can't be done without tens of millions of taels of silver for four or five years to prepare. Porcelain, gold and silverware, jade, silk, lacquerware, wood...even tables, chairs, benches, etc. Renovating the main hall requires money and time.
This money can be borrowed or levied, but what about time? Where can I squeeze in this time?
Yi Xin also smiled at this moment, "Old Qi, don't forget it... Our commander is anxious to let His Majesty take charge! The so-called wedding is actually not important!"
"Your Majesty has seen clearly, this is what Wei Chen means!" Zeng Guofan directly responded without any courtesy.
Sure enough, the drunkard's intention was not in drinking. On the surface, Zeng Guofan was forcing the marriage, but in fact, he was really doing it for the good of Emperor Tongzhi!
Because in ancient times, whether a man came of age was calculated from the time he got married. In other words, whether Emperor Tongzhi came into power at the age of fifteen or sixteen or eighteen, he had to get married first.
There must be a queen whom the media is marrying, and then the government and the public will recognize that you, Zaichun, are an adult. Only then will you be qualified to govern!
It is reasonable and legal to hold the wedding ceremony first and then the inauguration ceremony!
In real history, Emperor Tongzhi's wedding did not go smoothly. It was the era when Cixi and Ci'an were fighting each other and Cixi had the upper hand.
Cixi has taken over most of the power in the court, and even Guizi Liu was forced to stay at home!
At that time, Cixi became an opponent of her son's wedding. In order to consolidate her own rights, she continued to postpone the date of her son's wedding, and also obstructed the selection of the queen.
But history has been destroyed by Xiao Letian, and the political structure of Sijiu City has undergone major changes. The civil war in Jingshan has greatly increased Ci'an's power, and Guiziliu has also formed a new army.
On the contrary, Cixi has become the weakest in power. At this time, she is more eager than anyone else to hope that her son will take office as soon as possible, so that power can quickly return to the hands of their mother and son.
Cixi looked at Zeng Guofan's expression and was already extremely flattering. If kneeling down at this moment was useful, she would definitely kowtow to Marshal Zeng without saying a word.
Loyal minister, this is a loyal minister, a loyal minister who truly cares about the court!
Zeng Guofan was not polite at all: "Queen Mother, Your Majesty... I said before, I can't live long... My last wish is to live to see His Majesty's wedding and the ceremony of taking office!"
"Ahem...could it be that the little wish I had before my death can't come true?"
"The world has been waiting for His Majesty to rule for too long... we can't let the chaos continue..."
Having said that, if Yi Xin and the others objected, it would be an open rebellion. Guiziliu forced out a smile and said, "Commander, I actually hope that Long Live Lord will take charge of the government soon!"
"Nothing to say, long live the Lord to take care of this matter when he comes back, okay..."
"Haha... What Wei Chen wants is time! When exactly is it going to happen? Give Wei Chen the exact time!"
"Next year it will be June, September, or October... I need time!"
"You!" Yi Xin stood up. Zeng Guofan's aggressive momentum today made him restless.
