Chapter 195: The curtains of the two palaces are restored
Emperor Tongzhi passed away at an early age, and Empress Dowager Ci'an was devastated. After a long discussion with Ci'an, Empress Dowager Cixi quickly summoned Prince Dun Yipei, Prince Chun Yixuan, Prince Gong Yixin, Prince Huijun Yixiang, and Fu Prince Yizhen, Beile Zaizhi, Zai Hui, military ministers Wen Xiang, Bao Jun, Shen Guifen, Li Hongzao, imperial ministers Yi Kuang, Jing Shou, Yan Namo Hu, ministers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Ying Gui, Chong Lun, Ronglu, Kuiling , Guibao, Wenxi, Xu Tong, Weng Tonghe, Wang Qingqi who walked in Hongde Hall, Pan Zuyin, Huang Yu, Sun Zhijing, Zhang Jiaji who walked in Nanshufang, etc., were all those who succeeded the great unification.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: More than ten years ago, the late emperor visited heaven. Although he was extremely sad at that time, he still had Mu Zong to rely on. What if Mu Zong died suddenly at the age of nineteen, and all hope was lost. However, a country cannot be without a king for a day, and a family cannot be without a master for a day. Among Beile, Beizi, and brother, who can inherit the throne? Please choose among the ministers.
All the ministers knew the connection, but no one dared to take the lead. After a long silence, the Minister of Internal Affairs Wen Xifang said: In terms of legal system and seniority, Pulun, the eldest grandson of Yinzhi County Prince Yiwei, is very suitable.
Prince Dun Yi Pei said: Although Prince Yinzhi is the eldest son of Lord Daoguang, he has no biological heirs; Pulun and his father are adopted from a side branch; judging by blood, they cannot be separated.
The Empress Dowager Cixi said: There is no one of the Pu generation who should be established, and one must choose from the Zai generation.
Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "In urgent matters, follow the authority. If the heir is young, he can teach the government from behind the curtain."
Minister of Military and Aircraft Wen Xiangdao said: The abolition of the crown prince is related to the fundamentals of the country, so it is better to select the worthy and senior to establish him; if there is indeed no elder, let's talk about the curtain curtain.
Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "The only elders of the Zai generation are Beile Zai Cheng and Bei Zi Zai Ying. However, the temperament of these two people is well known to everyone, including all the princes."
Empress Dowager Cixi said: Wenzong had no second son, and now that he has experienced this change, if he is an older person, he really doesn't want to, so the younger one can be educated. Now this sentence has been established and will never be changed. Both of us have this intention. You all listen carefully. Prince Chun's eldest son Zai Tian is now four years old. He is a close relative and wants to make him the successor.
When Prince Chun Yixuan heard this, he stood up suddenly in fright, threw his head and cried. Er fell unconscious and fell to the ground, unable to get up.
Empress Dowager Cixi looked on with awe and said nothing. All the princes and ministers also knew this very well, and they all prostrated themselves on the ground, begging the two palaces to go back to the palace and hang the curtains.
It was nearly Hai, the night was quiet, and suddenly the wind howled and the dust flew.
Empress Dowager Cixi was not distracted and said calmly: "Prince Gong will make appropriate arrangements for matters such as Mu Zong's death and the appointment of a new emperor."
Prince Gong Yixin quickly kowtowed and said: I am obeying the Queen Mother's decree. I wish that the Minister of Military and Aircraft Wen Xiang wrote the edict of passing the throne. The Ministers of Military and Aircraft Shen Guifen, Bao Jun, Li Hongzao and others organized the funeral arrangements. Prince Yi of Fu County quickly led the officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Go to Prince Chun’s Mansion to welcome the new king.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: Accurate!
Early the next morning, the empress dowagers of the two palaces issued an edict: According to the imperial edict of Emperor Daxing, I, Emperor Meng, Kao Wenzongxian, and Emperor Wen Zongxian, have entrusted Long En, a sacred weapon to the world, Chong Ling Jian Zuo, and Yin Shao Pi Ji. Since entering the imperial court, the empress dowagers of the two palaces have been waiting behind the curtain to listen to the affairs of state and work hard at night. In accordance with Yi's decree, I was ordered to personally rule over major political affairs, respect the laws of the Holy Family of Weilie, and be based on respecting Heaven and the Patriarch, working diligently and caring for the people. Self-defense and bad virtue dare not work day and night, but work diligently day by day.
For more than ten years, I have adhered to the teachings of kindness and diligently pursued the truth. Fortunately, when the government and the army arrived, Guangdong and Nian rebelled, and the order was leveled. The Miao bandits in Yunnan, Guizhou, Guanlong, and Miao bandits returned. They were pacified after separation, and all achieved peace. After the war, our people were devastated and have not recovered. Every time I think about it, I can't sleep peacefully. When various direct provinces encounter floods and droughts, all ministers in the border areas ask for help, and they all show kindness and vigilance, which should be seen by both Chinese and foreign subjects.
My physical energy is strong, and smallpox occurred in November this year. I have tried to regulate it. However, in the past few days, my energy has been declining day by day, and I cannot survive. Isn't it God's will?
Gu Nian's unification is of great importance and it is urgent to pass it on to people. Ziqin was entrusted with the decree of the Empress Dowager of the Two Palaces: Zaitan, the son of Prince Chun Yixuan, succeeded Emperor Wenzongxian as his son, and became the successor emperor of Chengdatong. Special edict.
The succeeding emperor will be benevolent, filial, and wise, and he will surely be able to fulfill his trust. The king who is born to the people must make him the chief minister. But I will be diligent and diligent in order to know the people and bring peace to the people, to keep my foundation forever, and to support the empress dowagers of the two palaces with filial piety. They are loyal to the public, each is diligent in his duties, and I will assist the emperor until the long reign. So comforted. The mourning clothes will still be worn for twenty-seven days and then be removed, and the announcement will be made to the world, and the salty envoys will hear about it.
After the edict was promulgated, the two palaces issued another edict: the emperor was in charge of the distinguished guests and had no heir, so he had no choice but to make Prince Chun Yixuan's son Zaitian succeed Emperor Wenzongxian as his son and inherit Datong as his heir emperor. As soon as the emperor gave birth to a prince, he succeeded the Daxing Emperor as his heir. Special edict.
On January 13, 1875, Aixinjueluo Zaitian succeeded to the throne, and the empress dowagers of the two palaces returned to listen to politics behind the curtain.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: The new emperor is the Emperor Zan Daoguang. Next year the emperor will be replaced by Emperor Guangxu, and the new emperor will be Emperor Guangxu. Everything has not been updated yet, and the top priority is urgent. Li Hongzhang, the governor-general of Zhili, is discussing coastal defense matters. What does the Prime Minister's Yamen mean?
Wen Xiang, the minister of military aircraft, said: "To inform the emperor and the empress dowager, Li Hongzhang, the governor-general of Zhili, is planning to close the coastal defense. If Xinjiang is not restored, the vitality of the limbs will not be harmed. If the sea is not defended, the serious troubles at home and abroad will become more difficult." Li Yi abandoned Xinjiang and focused on coastal defense; however, Western Xinjiang is our inherent territory of the Qing Dynasty, so abandoning it is considered unacceptable by the slaves.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: "What do you mean by all the borders?"
Prince Gong Yixin said: The Emperor and the Empress Dowager, Fuzhou Shipping Minister Shen Baozhen, Fujian Governor Ding Richang, Jiangsu Governor Wu Yuanbing, etc. all agree that coastal defense is greater than fortress defense; Yunnan Governor Cen Yuying, Shandong Governor Ding Baozhen, Shaanxi Governor Shao Tingyu, Guangxi Governor Governor Liu Changyou and others all wanted fortress defense to be greater than coastal defense.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: "What does Zuo Zongtang, the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, mean?"
Yi Xin said: Last month, Zuo Zongtang wrote to the Prime Minister's Office that the western border and coastal provinces all belong to our Qing Dynasty, and coastal defense and fortress defense should be carried out together.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: "Is Zuo Chen's son going to Beijing?"
Yixin said: "Guanlong is three thousand miles away from the capital. I thought we could arrive next month."
