October 15, the forty-ninth year of Qianlong's reign.
He Shen, who had just fallen asleep in the middle of the night, heard the chiming clock outside ringing three times, rubbed his eyes and woke up. The concubine Su Qinglian was still mumbling in her sleep, and He Shen didn't want to wake her up, so he quietly got up and went to the outhouse.
Just as he was about to cough and call the maid to come over and serve him, he saw the second eldest aunt came in with a lamp.
"Why did you get up so early?"
"I want to ask you something about my business. Quan'er transferred 200,000 taels of silver to me a few days ago. Where did it come from?"
Heshen said while gargling: "This is Wang Jinglong's money. He wants me to help him run the Lianghuai Salt Transport Envoy. It's a pity that this man is not lucky."
"What's wrong?"
He Shen handed the mouthwash cup to the maid, took the hot towel and wiped his face, then said: "What else can I do? Let someone kill me at my door."
"Ah!" Chang Er Gu covered her mouth and said in surprise: "Who is so brave and dares to touch the master?"
He Shen said slowly: "Don't worry about this matter. You can't explain it in a few words. Just transfer the money to the government account." He couldn't help but feel relaxed when he thought of the discussion among the people in the duty room of the Military Aircraft Department yesterday. Sighed.
The eldest second aunt couldn't help but be a little surprised when she saw him like this. No matter what difficulties he encounters on weekdays, He Shen rarely sighs and can always deal with it calmly with a smile. But what happened today?
Seeing the confused look on Chang Er Gu's face, He Shen explained: "The imperial court is planning to raise more troops again."
Chang Er Gu's originally worried heart suddenly relaxed and she said nonchalantly: "What else should I take seriously? Is it Myanmar or the northwest this time?"
He Shen shook his head, finished his breakfast in a few mouthfuls, and then said: "Northeast."
Everyone in the world knows that the Northeast is the land of Longxing in the Qing Dynasty. Thinking of this, Chang Ergu asked in surprise: "Northeast?"
He Shen didn't speak. He remembered the scene that happened in the military aircraft department yesterday.
Yesterday afternoon he came out of Yangxin Hall and arrived at the military aircraft office inside Longzongmen. He found that Yongyan, Liang Guozhi, Qinggui, Fu Changan and Dong Gao were all there.
As soon as he met Yong Yan, he said: "We have just arrived and are about to send someone to call you!"
He Shen said with a smile: "I just came out from the emperor's place. If the fifteenth master has anything to do, I will give him direct instructions."
Qing Gui frowned and waited for He Shen to sit down before explaining: "Everyone, Fu Yaolin received a letter yesterday. After reading it, I thought about it and thought we should discuss it together."
In May, Qianlong issued an order that since Agui was on a business trip to the northwest, Qinggui would be assigned to temporarily handle all affairs in Beijing. After Fu Ankang went to the northwest to take over the governorship of Shaanxi and Gansu, the original post of Minister of War was taken over by Qinggui.
Liang Guozhi said: "Gansu?"
Qinggui shook his head: "Yangzhou."
Everyone was surprised when they heard this. Fukang'an was far away in Gansu. What did Yangzhou have to do with him?
He Shen thought about it and asked, "Are you referring to the case in Yangzhou last month?"
Qinggui nodded, then took out Fukang'an's letter and handed it to Yong Yan, and then told everyone the content of the letter. After all four people present had read the letter, Qinggui said: "Everyone knows what happened in Yangzhou, and everyone has read Lan Meiyuan's book. I couldn't figure it out after thinking about it before. After reading Yaolin After the letter, the fog that had been blocking my eyes these days suddenly lifted."
Yong Yan said: "According to what he said in the letter, the people who committed the crime in Yangzhou are the same as the E people on the other side of the Xila River?"
Qinggui said: "The fifteenth master is wise. After the records of Min Eyuan and Lan Meiyuan arrived, I asked people to carefully check the files of the Ministry of War. Needless to say, our country, Korea, Japan, Gorkha, Burma and Annan people None of the muskets used this kind of projectile. And the white clipper mentioned in the memorial was even more unheard of."
Everyone listened carefully, and Liang Guozhi couldn't help but take out his cigarette. Just as he was about to light it, he remembered that Yong Yan was there. Just as he was about to put it away, Yong Yan said: "Mr. Yao Feng, it's okay."
Amidst the smoke, Qinggui asked the Military Aircraft Department's Secretariat to get a copy of the "Qing Territory Map" and spread it out on the kang. He took a ruler, pointed at the position from Yangzhou City to Wusongkou and said, "Everyone, please take a look. According to the patrol reports from each battalion of the Susong Navy, the white strange ship is probably capable of traveling thousands of miles in a day on the water."
Everyone was in disbelief when they heard this. Traveling a hundred miles a day was already the fastest speed they could think of, and now they actually said there was a ship that could travel a thousand miles a day. What a joke! But then Qinggui explained and reported the times when the strange ships were sighted by patrol boats from west to east on the Yangtze River. Everyone was speechless.
Then, Qinggui used a ruler to mark the distance from the Shengsi Islands to the mouth of the Xila River. On the national map of the Qing Dynasty, the national territory was divided into countless square grids, all marked with dotted lines; the east, west, north, and south of each grid corresponded to an actual distance of 200 miles, and an oblique distance of 282 miles.
Everyone here, including He Shen, is a well-educated person. Even Liang Guozhi, who was born in the top 10, is no stranger to arithmetic because he has been handling ordnance logistics and managing the transfer department all year round.
"According to this calculation, these people who committed a huge case in Yangzhou can run back to the Xila River in two days at most." As soon as He Shen's subconscious words came out, everyone present was shocked.
Yong Yan said: "We must discuss this matter and come up with a result today. I will go and ask for the order. I will call Da Qi'er tomorrow. We must not delay it any longer."
"I am also worried about this matter." Qinggui asked someone to collect the map and sighed: "Originally, we had to listen to the opinions of Yunyan Gong and Yaolin on military matters, but now they are busy with the aftermath of Gansu. . I won’t be able to come back for a while. What’s more, alas!”
Liang Guozhi knocked on the pot of his pipe and said: "I don't think we can delay the matter in the Northeast, as it will change over time. However, the location of the Xila River is remote. In order to attack Yakesa during the reign of the Holy Patriarch, 3,000 people fought against 500 people. It has taken more than half a year to prepare. Previously, more than 2,000 people in Fu Yaolin were completely defeated, but I think they are still not prepared enough. According to my opinion, we must start preparations now, and we can send troops to suppress it in the spring of next year."
After hearing this, Yong Yan turned to look at He Shen. He Shen said: "As long as the emperor speaks, the fifteenth master does not need to worry about the money."
Yong Yan looked as usual and continued: "Actually, if you want to fight, you'd better get Fu Kang'an. Although we were defeated last time, the rebellion in Gansu proved that this was the only one left in the civil and military dynasty who could fight. It’s just a pity that Hailancha”
Everyone sighed after hearing this.
Qinggui stared at Yong Yan and said: "What Lord Yaofeng said just now is reasonable. We can't wait for the situation in the South China Sea Islands to deteriorate before taking action. The Xila River is connected to the sea and is close to Hunchun. If we occupy Xiong Island today, we can invade Hunchun tomorrow." . It will be ten times more difficult to use troops at that time!"
"Fight!" Yong Yan punched the table with his fist and made up his mind, "Let Fukang'an be the main one and Agui be the assistant!"
Dong Gao suggested: "Don't worry about it on land. I'm afraid the navy may have some troubles. I just mentioned the speed of the strange ship that Lord Shuzhai mentioned. I'm worried that the Jilin navy won't be able to block the strange ship by then."
Qinggui said: "This is easy to handle. Fu Yaolin had previously sent people south to Guangzhou and asked people from the Thirteenth Bank to buy the Western Clipper blueprints. Now the blueprints have been sent to the Ministry of War, so that Zhili and Jilin shipyards can start building them immediately. That’s it.”
At this time Yong Yan said: "Then it's settled. I'll go and propose to the emperor first that when I call Da Qi'er tomorrow, Lord Shu Zhai should write a memorial."
When He Shen put on his court clothes, the self-ringing bell in the outer room rang again. When he looked up, he saw that it was Yin Zheng. Then he set off in a sedan chair towards the Meridian Gate.
Today is the day when the emperor listens to government affairs at the royal gate, which is also commonly known as "calling Da Qi'er"; officials of fourth rank and above from all ministries in Beijing must participate.
After the Manchu and Qing dynasties established the Central Plains of Ding, they followed the example of the Ming Dynasty in making daily Fengtianmen morning dynasties. At the beginning of Shunzhi, he listened to politics every day in the Hall of Supreme Harmony; after Kangxi succeeded to the throne and took charge, because the Qianqing Gate was closest to the inner court compared to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the emperor walked more than 80 meters from the Palace of Qianqing to get there. Therefore, it became routine for Yu Qianqing to listen to government affairs.
In the era of Yongzheng and Qianlong, the place where political affairs were heard in the morning was changed to the "Qinzheng Qinxian" in the Old Summer Palace (this is not a main hall, but a set of small courtyards with three entrances in front and back.) And the emperor returned to the Forbidden City in October every year Later, he would listen to politics in Qianqingmen.
Because Heshen's family lived in Houhai, he arrived at the square outside the Meridian Gate only at the second quarter of Yinzheng. It was still dark before dawn, and the Meridian Gate Square was already filled with sedans and carriages hung with lanterns. Among these people are not only civil and military officials and clan princes, but also guards and servants of various families. They also have to follow their masters in so that they can obey orders at any time. For example, because Heshen himself was a first-rank official, he could lead eight people, including six guards and two personal followers.
The officials who arrived early were all sitting in their cars, reciting the contents of their reports to Qianlong in the morning. If you stutter or cannot recite this during the interview, you will be reprimanded at the least, or fined and lost in office at the worst.
As soon as He Shen's sedan landed, several sharp-eyed officials came over to greet him, say hello, and flatter him. But He Shen still had a smile on his face and greeted everyone one by one.
Because it was called Da Qi'er, including He Shen himself, all the bachelors in Beijing had to participate. In addition to Agui, the bachelor of Wuyingdian, who is still dealing with the aftermath of the chaos in the northwest, headed by Cai Xin, the official minister and the bachelor of Wenhuadian, Ji Huang, the bachelor of Wenyuange, Wu Mitai, the bachelor of Dongge, and Liang Guozhi, the co-organizer All have arrived. Among these people, except for He Shen who had just turned thirty-four, the others were either in their sixties or seventies.
At this time, Heshen was awarded the title of First-Class Male by Qianlong for his contribution to the logistical planning of Gansu's quelling the rebellion. He was also the co-organizer of the University, the Manchurian Governor of Zhengbai Banner, the president of Chongqing Zi Jingguan, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs. At this point, he has become one of the four major forces in the late Qianlong Dynasty (these four major forces are the military attache faction headed by Agui, the Yushi faction headed by Liu Yong, the Qing faction headed by Qian Feng, and the Hehe faction). The corrupt officials faction headed by Shen.)
He Shen smiled and bowed to the other four bachelors one by one, talking and laughing as if they were family members. The four bachelors also knew that this red-haired man was purple, and they did not dare to offend him at all, so they all stood up to say hello.
After everyone chatted for a while and thought about things for a while, the sky began to brighten. So all the officials, led by officials from various ministries and several bachelors, lined up outside the Zuoye Gate under the Meridian Gate, separated by civil and military orders. These people, plus the servants and guards they brought with them, formed a long queue that stretched far away. A group of princes, Beile, were standing outside the Youye Gate. The leader was Yong Yan, the fifteenth elder brother. He also brought eight people with him, and the team behind him was far away.
At the beginning of the morning, as the big drum inside the Meridian Gate rang seven times, the left and right doors slowly opened. A group of civil and military officials, led by Cai Xin and Agui, lined up to enter through the left Yemen; while the fifteenth elder brother and the princes and beile entered through the right Yemen.
After everyone entered the Meridian Gate, they went all the way north through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, then passed through the Square of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and entered the middle left gate to wait. When everyone arrived at the Zhongzuo Gate, it happened to be the first quarter of the morning.
This section of the journey sounds like it's not that far, but for many senior bachelors and the long queue, it's simply impossible to go fast. After arriving at the center left gate, officials will take a break here, tidy up their appearance, and then move forward as a team again.
Then go all the way north, pass through the east side of Baohe Hall, enter the back left door and wait. Once here, all officials and the guards and servants of the princes and nobles can no longer go in and must wait outside the back left door; because after here is the Qianqingmen Square where the royal gate listens to politics.
When the imperial guard on duty at the rear left gate saw the officials arriving, he reported to the emperor at the Qianqing Gate that the ministers had arrived, and then Qianlong issued an order for the officials to proceed. So the guards on duty accompanied the officials to the east side of Danqi, Qianqingmen, and lined up facing west. The fourth-rank official responsible for recording "Notes on Living Life" should stand on the west side of Danqi, facing east.
The entire Qianqing Gate has five rooms from east to west (the ancients called the room between the two pillars, and Qianqing Gate has six pillars.) There are three rooms from north to south. This can no longer be called a door, but can be regarded as a large living room.
As for Qianlong's throne, the dining hall is located on the Danqi in the middle of Qianqing Gate. There is a screen behind the throne, and in front of the throne there is a table for placing memorials, also called a memorial table.
After everyone had stood up, the guards played and the seventy-three-year-old Qianlong, wearing a winter crown on his head, a bright yellow dragon robe underneath, and a black round-necked mink end cap, slowly walked out of the throne from behind the screen. , two rows of eunuchs were arranged on the left and right sides of the screen.
"Your Majesty, please bow before your Majesty! Long live my Emperor, long live, long live!" From the Qianqing Gate Square to the back left door, everyone knelt down and saluted.
"Get flat." Qianlong said calmly.
At this time, Yong Yan, the fifteenth elder brother, led six academicians to the seats set up on the east side of Qianqing Gate and sat down on the seats; four daily commentators stood behind the academicians to record at any time; The imperial guards stood on the east and west sides of the white marble stone fence under Danqi.
Then, the officials of various ministries held up their hands in the order of Zongrenfu, Li, Hu, Xing, Li, Bing, Gong, Lifanyuan, Duchayuan, General Affairs Department, Dali Temple, Cabinet, Hanlin Academy, and Zhanshifu. To write the memorial, one went up the steps from the east side of Danqi, knelt down in front of the memorial table, saluted, and placed the memorial on the memorial table. The purpose of this was to allow Qianlong to read the corresponding memorials in order when listening to reports from officials.
After the memorial is handed in, officials of fourth rank and above in each ministry will go up the steps on the east side of Danqi to give their replies in order of each ministry and official rank. For example, after Zuo Zongzheng of the Zongren Mansion has finished speaking, he will be followed by the Minister of Staff, and so on.
Everyone "sits in rows" in turn, from the first-rank officials of each ministry to the fourth-rank officials below.
Other yamen, such as Taichang Temple, Guanglu Temple, Honglu Temple, Guozijian, and Qintianjian, are ranked after the Ministry of Rites; the Supervisory and Clearing Bureau and Taipu Temple are ranked behind the Ministry of War; the Wucheng Military and Horse Division The memorial service was ranked after the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
According to the rules of the Royal Gate, after each Yamen official completes his report, he must follow the Qianqing Gate guards out of the back left gate in order. If there is a separate copy of this chapter that the bachelors in the cabinet receive every day, then they need to go to the meeting to request the order.
(The purpose of saying all this is to tell you that so far, none of the Qing palace film and television dramas about "imperial gate listening to politics" is right!)
After the reports from the Zongren Mansion, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Husbandry, the Ministry of Punishment, and the Ministry of Rites were completed, the fifteenth elder brother Yongyan, Agui, Heshen and others saw Qinggui, the Minister of War, walking up the steps, and they all thought to themselves: "coming!"
"My lord, Zhang Jia, Minister of the Ministry of War, Qinggui has something to report to the emperor." In the early winter morning, Qinggui's voice was neither slow nor fast, as strong and powerful as ever.
"Speak." Qianlong, who had squinted his eyes, suddenly opened his eyes, and the corners of his already gray eyebrows raised slightly.
"According to the official document forwarded by General Duerjia of Jilin, the Oros people have been driving large Western ships since June of this year to occupy Bear Island first, sheltering the escaped criminals, and killing the garrisoned officers and soldiers at their own peril. They are colluding with each other and committing crimes. . Later, they occupied the area around the mouth of the Xila River, reclaimed farmland privately, resisted the heavenly troops, and brutally killed the garrison officers and soldiers and local border residents. The E people relied on the remoteness and danger of their lairs to erode the northeastern land, and became evil and evil in order to expand their power. Disturb our court. The land of Longxing is extremely rampant.
Now Jilin and Heilongjiang have a long border. Although the flag soldiers are brave, their military strength is weak. I request an order to dispatch troops to conquer and restore the country! "
After Qianlong listened to Qinggui's advance, he turned to look at his fifteenth elder brother and said, "How about the Minister of Military and Aircraft's response?"
Yong Yan had already reported this to him in the afternoon yesterday, and Qianlong had already agreed before the palace gate opened the key in the evening. At this time, it is just a question according to the process.
Yong Yan quickly stood up from his seat, walked to the memorial table, knelt down and saluted, and said: "I second my opinion."
Qianlong nodded and said loudly: "The barbarians turned into barbarians and acted lawlessly. With their weapons, the officers and soldiers failed to suppress the attack. Most of them were killed and injured, and the country lost a pillar. As for the private names, they did so illegally, and their deliberate intentions were particularly serious. It's disgusting. We must not make them fear the military power of Heaven, nor can we just use military power to subdue them without cultivating virtues."
"I will obey the Holy Order!"
The next day, Qianlong issued an order to reward Agui and Fukang'an for their contribution in suppressing the rebellion in Gansu: "Agui had already been granted the title of first-class duke when he pacified Jinchuan. Now he is a bachelor, and his kindness cannot be added." After that, he was given the post of Captain of Qingche, and ordered Agui and Yu Yi to select one person among their descendants and report to him to inherit it.
Fukang'an planned to organize thieves in the bottom store. He got the opportunity first and put more effort into it. When Jinchuan was pacified previously, he was granted the title of Jiayong Nan, and later he was granted the title of Marquis of Jiayong. Co-organize bachelor's degree affairs. "
At this point, Qianlong's political preparations for sending Agui and Fukang'an to send troops have been completed. After the two of them had completed handling the aftermath of the rebellion in Shaanxi-Gansu and returned to Beijing to take orders, they could go north to Jilin again.
(End of chapter)
