The next morning, a six hundred-mile expedited memorial was sent from Jinan. By noon the next day, it was delivered to the desk of Qianqing Palace.
After the eighty-two-year-old Qianlong read Liu Yong's memorial, he picked up a secret report just sent from Jinan in the morning and read it carefully. He read it back and forth twice with a frown before asking the eunuch to give Liu Yong's report. He handed it to Prince Jia Yongyan who was standing in front of the imperial case, and said in a deep voice: "You all should take a look. Liu Yong's opinion is that when the Beihai pirates enter Koudong Province this time, they will probably not leave!"
Liu Yong's guess was correct. Qianlong did have spies around him, not only in Jinan, but also in Chahe Villa in Zhucheng. "Shangyu's backup office" has its own special communication channel and does not use the imperial court's relay.
Regardless of Qianlong's apparent favor to Han officials, in fact since eight of Wang Zhong and others surrendered to Beihai Town, he has been closely monitoring the Han ministers and local governors in the court; and since Zhao Xin's robbery three years ago, , this kind of precaution and vigilance is even worse.
Although since Kangxi, the Manchu emperors have occupied the position of "unity of governance" and controlled the political and even cultural discourse. The Manchus have also accepted the integration of Confucian culture. The lower-class Manchus have become increasingly sinicized, but the upper-class nobles have always been "Melt but not melt".
All the emperors of the Qing Dynasty repeatedly warned the bannermen that "the Mandarin language of riding and shooting is the foundation of Manchuria", and they usually severely reprimanded the royal children for reciting poems and writing poems. They were just afraid that they would be assimilated by the Han people like the Khitans and Jurchens, and eventually disappear from the world.
We must know that in a country like China where hundreds of millions of Han people make up the majority, if a minority with a population of only 500,000 wants to maintain a highly centralized imperial system, it must rely on a powerful power expression system, that is, emphasizing the noble blood of Manchuria. and unique characteristics, so as to stabilize the ruling order.
The problem is that now Beihai Town has even given up the home of the Manchus. The Manchus, including Lao Manchu and Yiche Manchu, have now become members of various ethnic groups under the rule of Beihai Town; after the battles of Ninggu Pagoda and Hunchun, Most of the Eight Banners prisoners were sent to Kuye Island to dig coal and open up wasteland.
At this time, any talk of bloodline is tantamount to deceiving others, and the scholar class is like a mirror.
Although the three dynasties of Kangxi, Yongzong and Qianlong were generous, respected Zhu Chongru, and tried every means to win over the southern scholars, on the other hand, they also adhered to the ancestral system and suppressed the scholarly style through literary inquisition. Under this kind of spiritual castration that is "hard and soft at the same time" and highly political, it seems that the cultural rift between the rulers and the ruled has been cemented on the surface, and the conflicts between the two parties have tended to ease. However, as long as the regime is in crisis, the rulers will If the bad side is revealed, the contradictions between the two parties will be revealed.
Even die-hard Han officials like Liu Yong began to think about finding a way out for their own family, let alone others.
As the Northern Navy sent troops to occupy Jiaodong and the news of the surrender of the "Eight New Yangzhou Eccentrics" came out, the scholar class in the south began to make moves again under the high-pressure rule of culture. The most obvious example is that in the tenth month of the lunar calendar last year, Yuan Mei and Zhao Yi, known as the "Three Great Masters on Jiangyou", each replied to Wang Zhong through their disciples in order to clarify Zhao Xin's views on scholars. manner.
But Qianlong and the local officials didn't know about these things, because the people involved were all smart people and were extremely careful in doing things. Otherwise, they would be furious. …
At this moment, he stood up and walked to the window, looking out through the window in trance. The atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense. For a while, Wang Jie also finished reading. He and Yong Yan remained silent and looked at Qianlong. After being silent for an unknown amount of time, He Shen said, "I think that if it is really like what Liu Yong said, then Fukangan should be asked to come back?"
Yong Yan said: "No, Gorkha is located in a remote area, and Fu Yaolin comes and goes every once in a while, at least for more than half a year. The paper that arrived at the end of the twelfth lunar month said that he was negotiating with the British and it was not appropriate to return to Beijing at this time."
Since Agui led his army back to Huihua City, he fell ill when he returned to the capital and couldn't even get out of bed. Qianlong even asked Yong Yan to visit him twice. Among the military ministers currently in Beijing, there is not a single one who is good at military planning. Whether Wang Jie or Fu Chang'an, although they both managed the Ministry of War, they could only coordinate the support and assistance, and He Shen was an idiot in the military.
After Fukang'an occupied Yangbu, Gorkha was already in ruins. As Prince Bahadur fled to West Bengal for help, the British East India Company finally understood the seriousness of the situation.
The British East India Company, which failed to mediate in another time and space, finally caught up this time. Major William Kirkpatrick, who was appointed as the plenipotentiary envoy by Cornwallis, led a team to Yangbu and met Fuyuan University. General Fukangan. Only then did Fukang'an finally understand that the so-called "Red-haired Country" was actually the British who sold their warships to him.
What shocked and puzzled the British was that when they met with Fukang'an, they found that the muskets and cannons used by the Qing guards were more advanced than their own weapons, and they felt uneasy.
The British East India Company sought hegemony over the entire South Asian continent, and naturally did not want anyone to cross its path. Beihai Town's interference in local governance and the Kingdom of Mysore has alarmed them. Now that there is a Manchu-controlled Gorkha in the north, if the two sides come to attack from the north and the south one day, this life will be impossible.
The two sides have talked twice so far. Although Fukangan was very polite, he ignored the British request. He used Junggar as an example to express his attitude, that is, Gorkha is a vassal state that led the Qing Dynasty. Since it dared to plunder Houzang many times and act recklessly, it must not be forgiven lightly. The military might of a great country cannot be offended, and must be annihilated and incorporated into the territory of the Qing Dynasty.
In the Xinuan Pavilion, He Shen thought for a moment and muttered: "I think Liu Yong's words are exaggerated. After all, the weapons and gunpowder cannons used to defeat Gurkha were given by the pirates from the North Sea. They can't talk to the court." Once the ceasefire is over, we can start the war on the back foot, right?"
"It seems that we can only train in the brave regiment of Daxing Township in the five northern provinces!" Qianlong, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke, his tone was slow and heavy, so cold that it made people feel chilled.
Wang Jie, the Grand Scholar of Dongge and the Crown Prince's Taibao, said solemnly: "I have something to say."
"speak."
"The key to eradicating Ji Chi is the population. If the North Sea pirates continue like this, the coastal state and county officials will not be able to work hard to rectify the situation, thus threatening the Japanese people, and the imperial army will become thinner and the bandits will become more fierce. I think that this At that time, the good people should be calmed down to relieve their desire to obey the thieves, and the officers and soldiers should be appeased to encourage their morale in their actions. If there are those who do not obey the thieves and come back, do not treat them harshly. The local government can also reward them. Such thieves may be isolated. As for the use of troops, I feel that It's not that the soldiers didn't die, but that the general was wary of the sharp weapons of the North Sea Pirates. I ask the emperor to issue an edict to show mercy to those who were killed and injured in the previous battles. If there are those who are discouraged and slack, they will be withdrawn or replaced nearby. Declaring discipline and encouraging the troops, the soldiers will be happy to hold the banner, and the people will have the ambition to build a city."...
"Yes." Qianlong nodded slowly and said to everyone: "Did you hear that? These are the words of an old man to seek a country. Wang Jie, go back and write these words down and hand them over."
"I obey the order."
"It's been the ninth year that the Zhao thieves have been wreaking havoc outside the customs!" Qianlong sighed, with a lot of resentment and loss in his tone, as well as helplessness and frustration. "I just don't understand. He is causing chaos in Yangzhou and Guangzhou, and how can he not be stopped? Twenty or thirty people can storm into Guangzhou City and capture more than a dozen court officials! Two people can break Yangzhou Mansion. The Yamen came out with hundreds of people just saying it, and left the mouth of the Yangtze River in a grand manner, but the forts and naval forces from all over the place couldn't stop them?"
Qianlong's tone gradually became more and more angry, making everyone present feel sad in their hearts. Yong Yan took the lead and knelt down, and the others also knelt down, listening to Qianlong seeming to be praying and telling.
"Taizu founded the foundation, the Holy Ancestor created it, and Shizong struggled to maintain it. I also believed in working hard to seek treatment, and worked tirelessly for more than fifty years. In the past, I once wanted to be a perfect man, and let future generations follow my example. The land of my ancestors has been lost, Mobei was lost. Now Shandong is about to be lost again. Hastily living your life seems to be a vain wish?"
Everyone lowered their heads and could not see Qianlong's face, which must have been extremely sad and angry.
Suddenly, Qianlong changed the topic and said to Yong Yan: "Now I am making a decree that Chang Lin, the governor of Shandong, did not think about coastal defense affairs when he was in office. He neglected to play with the enemy and was arrogant. As a result, the Dengzhou Navy's front camp and various forts fell. It is hateful to indulge in one's duties. He wears leather and wears a flower feather, and goes to Fukang'an Army to perform meritorious service and atone for his sins! Denglai Qing soldiers prepared for Cao Zhitian, but they were overwhelmed by the enemy and mishandled it. They were demoted to three levels and Dai Zui stayed in office. He Shen blessed Chang'an. Those who failed to assist the administration were fined half a year's salary as punishment.
He Shen lowered his head and remained silent. He and Chang Lin had never dealt with each other in the first place, and now the other party was unlucky, which was exactly what he wanted. Yong Yan was about to raise his head to speak, but Qianlong was still unfinished, and continued: "Issued an order to Fu Kang'an, asking him to tell the British that the Gorkha prince must be handed over! The small country of Zuer dares to negotiate terms with the Celestial Empire!"
Qianlong said, turned around, and went to Dongnuan Pavilion alone, leaving all the ministers and princes in Xinuan Pavilion.
Everyone was a little confused, at a loss what to do, and stared blankly for a while. Fu Changan glanced at He Shen, then at Yong Yan, raised his arms and said, "Fifteenth Master, He Zhongtang, look at this."
He Shen moved his arms and was about to get up when Wang Jie said first, "Fifteenth Master, please first persuade the emperor to calm down. The current state affairs are very complicated. Taking care of the dragon's body is the most important thing."
Yong Yan's face was also extremely pale at the moment. Every word Qianlong sighed with emotion just now penetrated into his heart. He nodded and said: "Everyone, please be patient. I'll go over and take a look."
When he walked into Dongnuang Pavilion, he found that Qianlong's face was no longer as ugly as in the West Hall. Several eunuchs tiptoed tremblingly and waited carefully. They wiped their faces with hot towels and brought hot tea to nourish their hearts. Wang Jinbao, the eunuch in charge of the palace, was kneeling behind the chair and gently beating him.
Yong Yan saw that he had his eyes closed and did not dare to be alarmed. He only made a gesture to ask Wang Jinbao to retreat. He came over to rub his back in person, and gently massaged his head and shoulders with his hands. After about half a meal, Qianlong grew up. He breathed a long sigh of relief, waved his hand to signal him to stop, and said with a sigh: "Well, I thought about it. In the past nine years since Zhao Xin appeared, I haven't had a few days of peace of mind throughout the year. I am tired, tired from the bottom of my heart, I really want to put down everything in front of me, personally lead the troops out of the pass, and fight to the death with the Zhao thief"...
"Father..." When Yong Yan heard what he said, she felt even more sad and desolate. She felt sour in her heart and almost burst into tears with a choked voice: "Don't think so... It makes your son sad... When you were practicing your sword Qian'er, you looked as good as an ordinary forty-year-old man. My son and He Shen were discussing privately. My son said you could live to be a hundred years old, and He Shen said it was more than that, at least one hundred and twenty years old... ...We have you in the Qing Dynasty, and you are the backer of our sons. The North Sea pirates are just arrogant for a moment, and God will definitely send down thunder to deal with Zhao Xin's son. With you, no matter how difficult the problem is, it can always be resolved... "
Qianlong let him rub it carefully and took another long breath. He reached out and patted Yongyan's hand, then lowered it and sighed: "You are also an emperor who has read history books and lived for more than seventy years." There have only been three since Zulong. You say one hundred years old is filial piety, he said one hundred and two years old is flattery..."
Yong Yan said: "I'm not trying to please you, but my son listens to me sincerely."
"Whether it's flattery or desire, sincerity means loyalty and filial piety." Qianlong paused and said softly: "It's time to get started on that matter."
Yong Yan's hand stopped for a moment, and she said in surprise: "Is it too early?"
"It's getting late. The Eastern Province is only more than 900 miles away from the capital. If the North Sea pirates invade Dagukou again, they really won't leave. Fukang'an needs manpower. After all, they just destroyed a country. People's hearts are unstable, and now we must send some people there. Changlin encountered Zhao Xin twice who caused chaos during his tenure, and it was really bad luck. This man was the governor of Jiangsu when he was the governor of Jiangsu Province. , letting him go to Gorkha can help Fukang and appease the place. Besides, he is still a member of the clan, so I can’t go to the snowy plateau, and you will only have to suffer by then!"
Yong Yan suddenly realized that there was such a trick behind Qianlong's attack. In addition, Chang Lin and He Shen had heard a little bit about not dealing with him. From this point of view, Qianlong was paving the way for himself in the future. Thinking of this, his heart suddenly became hot.
This scene that happened in the Qianqing Palace reached the ears of Li Qiucheng, the deputy chief eunuch of the Jingsi Room, in the evening. In the evening of the next day, a cook who was on duty out of the palace walked into the "Donghongtai" teahouse on Qianmen Street.
Don’t be fooled by movies and TV shows. The cooks in the imperial dining room of the Qing Palace are not eunuchs. Like all the ministers who work in the palace, they go to their respective homes after work and do not live in the palace. They are required to wear fire seal waistbands when entering and leaving the palace. . According to later Qing palace archives, taking the thirty-eighth year of Qianlong's reign as an example, the Seventh Division and Three Courtyards under the Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a total of 7,468 badges to various scribes, handymen, and craftsmen.
The cook found a remote place to sit down, drank half a pot of tea and listened to a scene before leaving. He stood up and left his seat. Before the waiter could clear the table, a middle-aged man sat down behind him. The middle-aged man ordered a pot of melon slices and two plates of dried fruits. After the waiter cleared the table and turned around to leave, the middle-aged man quietly groped under the chair for a while, and soon found a small paper roll. More than half an hour later, he also got up and left, returning to the backyard of the "Huang Shengtai" shop not far away.
At night, the cool white moonlight quietly illuminates the huge city of Beijing. A nearly three-meter-long bamboo pole with a diamond-shaped antenna hanging on the top was erected in the backyard of "Huang Shengtai". With the sound of beeping in the wing, the North Naval Intelligence Bureau thousands of miles away learned about it. Understand the affairs of the Qing Palace. …
On the twenty-first day of the first lunar month in the fifty-eighth year of Qianlong's reign, it was the day when various ministries and offices in the capital opened their printing offices. At the same time, a piece of news that made countless bannermen in Beijing restless began to spread in the city.
Before the end of February, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will select 1,500 households from various banners in the capital. Their families will leave Beijing for Xining, and then enter Tibet from Xining and go to Gorkha. The departure time was set for the end of April.
The bannermen in Beijing were not stupid and knew that the imperial court was arranging a way out. However, the vast majority of families have lived in Beijing for more than a hundred years. They know that they will never come back after leaving this time, so they find it difficult to leave their hometown. But what can be done? Damn it, all the pirates from the North Sea have arrived in Shandong now. It's only a matter of time before they break into Beijing!
Overpass, breakfast stall at the market. A blue cloth apron surrounds Zhang Yu's long desk. There are several benches in front of it. There is a large bowl on the desk. Under the snow-white gauze cover, there is a pile of mustard knots like a hill, which is mixed with water. Chili noodles and sprinkled with sesame oil. Next to the long table is a large copper pot, which contains bean juice that has been boiled to a moderate consistency and has a fragrant (⊙o⊙) smell.
There is no way to verify when bean juice was first available, but it entered the imperial dining room of the Qing Palace in the 18th year of Qianlong's reign. To put it bluntly, this stuff is just leftovers for fans. Because a big man can get a bowl of pickles for free, so it is very popular with the lower class people. Although there is no distinction between high and low, it is pure nonsense to say that all Beijingers love to drink.
"Going to Xining? I won't go! ... Where can a better place be like Beijing? We don't say that Lord Shunzhi entered the country and ascended the throne in Beijing, nor do we talk about the Forbidden City and the Old Summer Palace. Let's just talk about the bean juice we are drinking now. Son, are there any other places? What’s the point of living in a place without Douzhier!”
Two well-dressed bannermen each held a bowl of bean juice, sipping it and chatting. From time to time, I would pick up a few salty shredded pickles from the plate and take a bite of the sesame seed cake. These two people liked this, so they came running over as soon as the city gate opened early in the morning.
"Boss, fry three more burnt rings."
"Okay~~"
The sharp-mouthed bannerman before was getting excited and continued: "My master said that going to Xining was a bad idea of those uneasy and well-meaning Han officials. When our bannermen leave, this capital will become theirs again. The world is over!"
"Well said, well said!" The banner man opposite him nodded repeatedly, took the fried rings, broke them into several pieces, and stuffed them into the sesame cakes.
"My master said that there are not many good people among the Han civil servants. The current situation in the court is caused by them."
"Isn't old Liu Tongxun very good in the first few years? The emperor even went to his house to express his condolences when he was gone."
"What year is that in the almanac?"
"Hey, I heard from Zha Liu who came back from Jilin. Those who fell into the enemy's hands have all been given some Bitter Water Island by the Northern Pirates. They spend their days either clearing land or cutting down trees and mining coal."
"Isn't it embarrassing? That's called Bitter Leaf Island. My master said that it's so cold there that your nose and ears will freeze off if you go out in winter." The sharp-mouthed monkey drank half a bowl of bean juice, exhaled with satisfaction, and said: "My master also said that it is not a good thing that Liu Qianzi is training in a group in Daxing, Shandong."
"I don't understand this. What's wrong with forming a regiment to practice local bravery and driving the Northern pirates out of Shandong?" The bannerman on the opposite side was puzzled.
The bannerman with a sharp mouth and monkey cheeks became even more proud and said: "You don't understand this, my master said..."
The two heads poked together.
At this time, a vendor selling kidney bean cakes came over pushing a wheelbarrow. The kidney bean cakes in the oval wooden box were covered with a thick cotton quilt, and wisps of heat came out from the gaps.
The kidney bean vendor covered one ear and shouted loudly: "It's hot, it's hot~~~Kidney bean cake~~~ it's mushy!"
