In the ninth year of Kangxi's reign in the Qing Dynasty, mid-July, Suzhou, Jiangsu.
The streets of Suzhou finally became bustling again after being cold for a few days. Except for a few overheated government offices that were being repaired and the thieves in people's hearts, the "Pingjiang Riots" that happened more than a month ago seemed to have left no trace in this most prosperous and wealthy city in the world. Boats were still coming and going on the rivers inside and outside the city, and it was extremely lively. Merchants from all over the country and Suzhou people accustomed to prosperity are still crowded in the streets. The teahouses scattered throughout the streets and alleys are still bustling with people. People were sipping tea, listening to books, and talking about something. And the content of their conversations would occasionally involve the riot more than a month ago!
In the most prosperous Changmen area in Suzhou, in the hall of a three-story teahouse not far from the river, amidst the hustle and bustle, the hottest topic is Emperor Kangxi's "Chastity Arch" - the one who The "Third Prince on Cross-legs" who lives in the Humble Administrator's Garden.
"Have you heard? The little emperor in Beijing is going to make the third prince of the cross-legged king the king!"
"Absolutely a lie. The little emperor of the Qing Dynasty was extremely ruthless. There were always twenty or thirty third princes killed in these years. When I heard that the eldest son of Emperor Chongzhen's family fell into his hands, he also chopped them up one by one. Where? Can you still accommodate this three-legged prince? I think the three-legged prince should hurry up and enjoy his blessings."
"Hey, do you know what kind of blessings you have? The third prince has been ill for a long time!"
"What's wrong?"
"What else could be wrong? It's not just that I ate something bad!"
"Did you eat something bad? Why weren't you more careful?"
"What are you careful about? It's better to eat bad things than to kill them with one knife, right?"
"Yes, it seems that the third prince with his legs crossed will no longer be the king."
"I was never meant to be!"
"Shh, be quieter"
In another corner of the teahouse, several teagoers in short clothes were gathering together to talk about an anti-book that had been widely circulated in Suzhou recently - "The World is Public".
"Do you know? If the third prince wins the world, he will implement equalization of land. Do you know what equalization of land is?"
"Know, know, it means giving all the land in the world to the poor who farm."
"How good is the third prince? Do you still think of farmers?"
"That's an old rule. In every dynasty, every dynasty has opened up. The king of kings must be divided once. No, the thieves must also be divided."
"Then why didn't the Qing Dynasty divide the fields?"
"The Qing Dynasty also divided it, but it was not distributed to the poor Han people, but to their own people!"
"Hey, what's the use of talking about this? The third prince has been captured by them and will be killed soon!"
"Are you going to kill me? Didn't you say you want to be crowned king?"
"Sealing the king? That's the archway."
"Keep your voice down, don't talk nonsense! Be careful, walls have ears!"
At this moment, right next to this teahouse, on the second floor of a restaurant that has just been acquired by Ruixin Tang and is about to be converted into the main office of Ruixin Jiangnan, a meeting of the general rudders of the Tiandihui will surely be recorded in the history of celebrities. It is being held secretly!
Eleven members of the Tiandi Society participated in this meeting, including Wang Zhongxiao, Chen Yonghua, Wang Zhongyi, Wang Zhongxian, Zhu Cijiong, Wang Leiyong, Yu Haitao, He Tianran, Chang Mingyue, Zhang Eryi, and Wu Yuanyi. Although there are only eleven people, the representation is quite broad. Among them, Wang Zhongxiao, Wang Zhongyi, and Wang Zhongxian represent the Zhili branch of Tiandihui. Chen Yonghua, Chang Mingyue, Zhu Cijiong, and Zhang Eryi represented the Tiandihui Jiangnan Branch. Wang Leiyong, Yu Haitao, He Tianran and Wu Yuanyi represent the Yunnan-Guizhou branch of the Tiandi Society.
Well, if you round it up, it can represent the whole world!
There are two issues to be discussed at this meeting. One is to improve the organization of the Tiandihui.
Nowadays, the Tiandihui has become a bit bigger and stronger, so the organizational construction must keep up with it in time, but it cannot be like the gang in history that lacks cohesion. It is necessary to establish the discipline of plenary meetings obeying the chief helmsman and subordinates obeying superiors.
Moreover, the Tiandihui now operates secretly, so a strict confidentiality system must be in place. The name of Tiandihui can be spread everywhere, but the organization of Tiandihui must be hidden. It is best to maintain one-way communication between superiors and subordinates, and try not to meet between peers. The sub-rudder and main rudder must be strictly protected.
In addition, the Tiandihui also needed to promote its own ideas, contact various forces, and raise revolutionary funds, so it had to establish some affiliated organizations that accepted the control of the Tiandihui.
According to Wang Zhongxiao's suggestion, there are currently three types of affiliated organizations that the Tiandi Society needs to establish. One type is organizations such as the Reform Society in the name of "study." The Tiandihui's ideas are biased towards the bottom, and they pay more attention to mobilizing the bottom to carry out revolution. The Reform Society was aimed at the middle class, that is, the landlord class intellectuals, and focused on promoting New Confucianism.
The second type of organization affiliated with Tiandi Hui is the "North and South General Merchant Hall" that raises funds for Tiandi Hui. These are actually three business names, which are operated by the Zhili Branch, Jiangnan Branch and the General Duo of Tiandi Hui respectively. Among them, Nanshang Hall is headed by Chen Yonghua, the branch leader of Jiangnan branch of Tiandihui, and is known as "Jinnan Hall" to the outside world.
Beishangtang is headed by Yang Qilong, the branch leader of the Zhili branch of Tiandihui, and is known as "Tongbeitang" to the outside world.
As for the general business name of Tiandihui, it is of course directly controlled by Wang Zhongxiao, the "strategist" at the head of Tiandihui (the chief rudder of Tiandihui is the puppet Zhu Cijiong), and it is called "Sanhetang".
The main business of these three major trading houses is actually water transportation.
After all, the foundations of Yang Qilong and Chang Mingyue, the former loyalists who used the Luo Jiao Xiangtang to rebel against the Qing Dynasty and restore the Ming Dynasty, were based on the canal - the Cao Gang and the Qing Gang in history were probably their disciples and grandchildren.
As for Chen Yonghua, the "ancestral master of Hongmen", he simply came from a pirate background, so he is familiar with smuggling!
Therefore, relying on water transportation and maritime smuggling to develop the economic organization of Tiandihui can attract people and make money at the same time. It can be said to be a double win.
The third type of affiliated organization is even more powerful, called "The Great Ming Dynasty"!
It was just a temporary Ming Dynasty court wandering around!
"What? The court is about to open? Military Advisor Wang, are you too impatient?"
"That's right, Military Advisor Wang, we don't even have a piece of land now, why do we open a court?"
"Yes, Military Advisor Wang, Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty used the strategy of 'building high walls, hoarding grain, and slowly becoming king'. Is it too much of a goal for us to open a court now?"
As soon as Wang Zhongxiao proposed the idea of opening a court, members of the Tiandihui who attended the meeting immediately expressed different opinions.
Wang Zhongxiao smiled and glanced at the nominal leader of the Tiandihui, Zhu Cijiong, the Third Prince of Zhu, and found that there was already an expression of expectation on his face. This person seemed to have a "bloodline awakening" and was obviously interested in the cause of resisting the Qing Dynasty and restoring the Ming Dynasty.
"Mr. Zhu, what do you think?" Wang Zhongxiao simply kicked the ball to Zhu Cijiong - according to Wang Zhongxiao's suggestion, in the future, everyone should not refer to names in the organization, let alone call them by their first names, but all use their surnames. Plus his position in Tiandihui.
The advantage of this is that if part of the organization is cracked down by the government, the top leaders of the Tiandihui will not be easily exposed.
So according to the documents of the Tiandihui, all of you here today are Chief Zhu, Military Advisor Wang, Deputy Chief Chen, Master Wang Xiang, Master Wu Xiang, Master Chang Xiang, etc.
"It's actually good to have a court," Prince Zhu said with a smile, "Let's use a tiger skin as a banner! If we want to rebel against the Qing Dynasty and restore the Ming Dynasty, we have to deal with powerful people from all sides. If we don't have a court, then How to use the righteous title in our hands? We can't make Wu Sangui the leader of some world, right? As for not having territory, that's okay. Didn't Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty also have territory? Didn't he also have an Eastern Han Dynasty court? How about I become Emperor Xian of Ming Dynasty?"
Okay!
Wang Zhongxiao nodded and said to himself: Prince Zhu San can do it! You already know how delicious it is to be the Emperor Xian, right?
Thinking of this, Wang Zhongxiao looked at the Wu Yuanyi whom Chen Yonghua had "picked up" from the Suzhou magistrate's office - this guy was also very lucky. He was obviously hanging out with the fake Prince Zhu San, but in the end he was confused by the real Zhu San. The prince picked it up and went to join the revolution!
"Master Wu Xiang," Wang Zhongxiao called Wu Yuanyi's position in the Tiandihui, "if we grant a title to King Pingxi, do you think he will accept it?"
"Yes!" Wu Yuanyi nodded, "The prince lacks a righteous name that can be shouted out loudly! His old man was so angry that he wanted to be a beauty, and he killed Lord Yongli, and his reputation would have been disgraced for a long time. If he had If he plays his own cards, not many people in the world will be willing to follow him. If Prince Zhu San gives him a title, then he will be justified."
"That's right!" Wang Zhongxiao slapped the table, "The reason why we set up a court now is to give honor to the generals in the world who are determined to fight against the Qing Dynasty! As for whether Mr. Zhu will be Ming Xian Emperor or Ming Guangwu in the future. , we’ll talk about it later.”
Zhu Cijiong nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, as long as it is conducive to the rebellion of the Qing Dynasty and the restoration of the Ming Dynasty, it doesn't matter if you serve as emperor or as a warrior!"
Xiandi is also an emperor, no matter what, he always has fine clothes and fine food, plus a horde of young wives!
Even if it is tampered with in the end, there is still a good chance of saving one's life.
For the current Prince Zhu, this transaction is definitely not a loss!
"What the chief helmsman said makes sense!" Chen Yonghua also nodded, "As long as it is beneficial to King Pingxi to raise troops, why not set up a court?"
"I agree too!" Chang Mingyue now heard that the relationship between the two of Chen Yonghua was getting better and better, and she expressed her stance with a smile.
"Then I agree!"
"Um, I agree!"
"Well, I think this is good."
More and more people voted in favor, and soon they accomplished something unprecedented—voting to establish a temporary court!
Of course, the head of this court is not the emperor. It would be child's play to be the emperor without anything, so Wang Zhongxiao proposed that Zhu Cijiong first use the name of "supervising the country".
Zhu Cijiong, who had already become the "temporary superintendent of the country", asked Wang Zhongxiao: "Commander Wang, what kind of title do you think we should give to King Pingxi?"
"What do you think?" Wang Zhongxiao had actually thought about it for a long time, but he didn't talk about it and asked for the opinions of "comrades" first.
"Could you make me the Grand Marshal of the World's Armed Forces?" Wu Yuanyi, who was born under the vassal of King Pingxi, immediately made a suggestion.
"Nothing new," Wang Zhongxiao pretended to think for a moment, "We have a new dynasty and a new atmosphere, so we should think of a new name."
"New name?" Chen Yonghua asked, "Could you make me prime minister and minister of the world's military and civilians?"
"This is new," Wang Zhongxiao said, "but the soldiers and civilians in the world have surrendered to Prime Minister Ping Xi. What should we do?"
"Why don't you give me a smaller name?" Zhu Cijiong said, "How about giving me the name of Superintendent of the five provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Shaanxi and Lake?"
"Isn't this a civil official?" Wang Zhongxiao paused, and without hiding it, he pointed it out directly: "I have thought of a new name for King Ping Xi, let's call him 'Xi Wang, President of the Revival of the Ming Dynasty'! "
"Reviving the Ming Dynasty as President Xi Wang? Do you have any idea?"
"The title of President of Revival of the Ming Dynasty gives King Pingxi the title of Revival of the Ming Dynasty. He can do anything that is conducive to the revival of the Ming Dynasty!" Wang Zhongxiao said, "As for the King of the West, he promoted his Pingxi King He has become a one-character king. This one-character king is bigger than the two-character king!"
"This is good!" Zhu Cijiong nodded, "This is good. If you have a great president, you can have a second president, a third president, and a fourth president. If you have the west king, you can have the east king, the south king, and the north king! You can also appoint more presidents in the future. And the prince!"
Chen Yonghua also agreed, "Yes, King Yanping will be able to grant the title of King of the South in the future!"
Wang Zhongxiao looked at everyone: "If you have no objections, this matter has been settled. Wu Xiangzhu, could you please go to Yunnan, be the special envoy of the chief rudder, and appoint Ping Xiwang as the 'Reviving the Ming Dynasty President Xiwang'" .
In addition, I have also drafted a system for promoting land equalization these days. Let's take a look. If there are no objections, let Wu Xiangzhu take it to Yunnan, and it can be implemented on the Xiwang's territory. "
While talking, Wang Zhongxiao took out several pamphlets and distributed them to everyone.
When everyone looked at the brochure, they thought the name was good, it was called "Chinese Land Acre System"!
When Wang Zhongxiao was about to introduce the book "Celestial Land and Acre System" to everyone, Yang Xiaohuan's voice suddenly came from outside the door: "The second young master and the third master are dying soon!"
"Third Master" is the code name of Wang Yongkang, the "Third Prince Zhu" - you can't call him "Third Prince Zhu"! The genuine Prince Zhu is the chief rudder of the Tiandihui. How unlucky is it to say, "Prince Zhu is dead?"
And this "third master" Wang Yongkang is a master who is extremely unlucky!
Last month, when Emperor Kangxi's edict to make Prince Zhu the third prince was delivered to Suzhou by 800-mile flight, Wang Yongkang fell ill happily. As a result, Shi Lang, Wang Zhongxiao and Le Shenyi stayed temporarily. In Suzhou, dedicated care was given to Wang Yongkang who was ill. Duolong, the governor of Liangjiang, Ma Hu, the governor of Jiangsu, and Mu Tianyan, the chief envoy of Jiangsu, also visited the sick Wang Yongkang in person or sent people to the Humble Administrator's Garden from time to time, and even sent doctors and medicines.
How thoughtful! It’s just that this doctor doesn’t treat illnesses but cures lives. Under the care of all parties, Wang Yongkang's "food poisoning" has become more and more serious. In the past few days, he has become extremely ill, with poison entering his bone marrow, and he is dying.
When Wang Zhongxiao heard Yang Xiaohuan's words, he couldn't help but sigh and said to Chen Yonghua: "Fufu, let's go see the third master off together?"
Chen Yonghua also had an official status - Wang Fuchen recommended him a seventh-grade Wen Linlang, and Wang Zhongxiao arranged a sticky pole walking tour for him! So he followed Wang Zhongxiao in and out of the Humble Administrator's Garden without fear of being caught.
"That's fine," Chen Yonghua nodded, "This third master has been tricked by us, so we have to send him off and I'll let Chang Nuguan give him a favor!"
Chang Mingyue on the side nodded and said: "Okay, I will send it to him properly when the time comes!"
Chen Yonghua and Chang Mingyue have good consciences. Wang Zhongxiao thought to himself: When I trick Kangxi to death in the future, let Chang Mingyue help save that little pockmark!
Thinking of this, he said to Chen Yonghua: "Fufu, let's leave quickly. If we go late, we won't be able to see each other for the last time!"
When Wang Zhongxiao and Chen Yonghua arrived at the Humble Administrator's Garden, half of Suzhou's official circles were already gathered here! They all came to say goodbye to "Prince Zhu San".
Although this Wang Yongkang has only been famous in Suzhou for a short time, he is actually quite a good person, and he is quite familiar with Suzhou's officialdom and scholars. No one thought that he was actually the famous Third Prince Zhu. Now that the little emperor still wants to erect a memorial arch, the big guys are here to see Wang Yongkang off for the last time.
Set up an archway! Let’s pretend together!
Of course, who doesn’t know how Wang Yongkang died and who is qualified to come to the Humble Administrator’s Garden?
The Qing Dynasty just didn't do human affairs and loved to erect archways. Who doesn't know this? It would be too un-Qing-like to really let Wang Yongkang, the real Zhu San, go.
When Wang Zhongxiao and Chen Yonghua arrived, the Humble Administrator's Garden was already in chaos. Before they entered the Lanxue Hall, they heard Ma Hu, the governor of Jiangsu, shouting: "Hurry, hurry, let the divine doctor Le prepare the thousand-year-old ginseng." I have to hang up one more time, right? The two imperial envoys are almost here, and if I take another breath, he will be the prince!
Is the coffin ready? You have to ask for nanmu! Although the imperial envoy to confer the king has not yet arrived, the king has been conferred, and the posthumous title is also a conferral. We must send it according to the prince's standards!
Are you ready to leave? Xie En’s memorial. If there is no memorial, please ask my master to write it quickly! Make the king! It’s such a big favor, so thank you very much!
Where is the royal guard? Where have you been? People are dying, why is he missing? He needs to keep an eye on it."
Wang Zhongxiao had to watch Wang Yongkang die, but he couldn't be resurrected after death! Otherwise, everyone won’t be able to eat and walk around!
When he asked, Wang Zhongxiao's voice immediately rang out: "Here, come to Mafutai, Beizi is here! Beizi just went to Hanshan Temple to find the monk. The abbot of Hanshan Temple has already made an appointment. I will be mourning when I return." When the time comes, I will help you recite Amitabha!"
Ma Hu took a breath and immediately greeted: "Just come, hurry up, follow me to see the Ming Dynasty King Ding for the last time, Amitabha, go on your way, don't come back again!"
(End of chapter)
