Great Qing Xiangguo

Chapter 50

Gao Shiqi had already moved into Xi'an Gate. He made a nanmu plaque with the word "Ping An" bestowed by the emperor and hung it above the lintel of the main hall. He also wrote the word "Ping An Di" and hung it above the gate of the house .One day the emperor passed by outside Gao Shiqi's house and saw the word "Ping An Di", and said that he saw the plaques of "No. [-] Scholar" and "Jin Shi Di" hanging in the world.Gao Shiqi said, "I don't have any fame, and the word "Ping An" bestowed by the emperor is my fame.I don't want to be a high official and make a fortune, but I just want to serve the emperor carefully and live a safe life.The emperor heard this, and said that Gao Shiqi was honest and responsible.

Since Gao Shiqi moved into the palace, he rarely went out.He didn't go to see Suo'etu for a long time, and he felt unspeakably panicked.That night, guessing that the emperor would have nothing to do with him, he went to Suo'etu's mansion.Seeing Suo'etu, he knelt down on the ground, said a few words of greetings, and said: "Master Suo, this time Chen Tingjing has really fallen, and has been downgraded to the fourth rank!"

Suo'etu asked: "The old man heard that Mingzhu and you joined forces to get him down. Mingzhu and Chen Tingjing were originally on the same boat, why did you punish him?"

Gao Shiqi said: "Chen Tingjing himself is ignorant, so he refuses to board any boat!"

Suo'etu glanced at Gao Shiqi and said: "Don't be complacent! Don't punish people for the sake of punishing people. The punishment is not for self-preservation, but to invite favor! Chen Tingjing is downgraded to the fourth rank, and the official position is still above you! On the day when the old man comes out of the mountain again, if you are still a sixth grade middle school scholar, how can you see me!"

Gao Shiqi lowered his head and said: "Master Suo, the emperor has allowed this servant to take the exam and learn a lot of good words. Presumably by then, he will have a bright future."

Suo'etu said: "Mingzhu is in full bloom right now, you have to cling to him and coax him."

Gao Shiqi looked up at Suo'etu, then lowered his head and said, "The only thing in my heart is you, the master!"

Suo'etu smiled and said: "Don't be afraid, I'm telling the truth. You have to know that our emperor will not make a minister hot forever! You have to follow Mingzhu well, and everything he does must be respected." Keep it in mind. Just wait for the day when the emperor gets tired of him, and you will act in camera!"

Hearing Suo'etu's laughter, Gao Shiqi felt apprehensive.He didn't dare to raise his head, only said: "The servant understands."

Suo'etu said again: "Don't be soft on Chen Tingjing. Since you have become an enemy, the villain must do it to the end! Do it to the end! Remember, above the officialdom, this is the trick!"

The gate of the palace was closed early at night, and Gao Shiqi couldn't go back, so he stayed at Suo'etu's mansion.He never expected that he would go out tonight and almost caused a catastrophe.It turned out that eight hundred miles from Yunnan was expedited, and the starry night was delivered to the emperor.The emperor summoned the ministers of various ministries and daily officials of the South Study Room to discuss matters in the palace overnight, but Gao Shiqi could not be found.

Zhang Ying was the first to arrive at Qianqing Palace, and the emperor hurriedly showed him the eight hundred miles of Yunnan.Zhang Ying looked at the excerpt and heard the emperor talking to himself: "Wu Sangui has gathered 30 troops and is just about to move. I originally planned to launch an army in the next spring, but I don't want him to do it first."

Zhang Ying didn't read the scriptures, so he didn't dare to answer rashly, but then he heard the emperor ask: "Gao Shiqi lives recently, why hasn't he come?"

Zhang Shande hesitated and said: "Go back to the emperor, Gao Shiqi is not at home."

The emperor was very angry: "Ah? He is not at home? How unreasonable! I gave him a mansion in the Forbidden City, just to make him come whenever he is called, and he is not at home!"

Zhang Ying suddenly said: "Show the emperor, I think the emperor should not punish Chen Tingjing for his crime!"

The emperor was very surprised: "Zhang Ying, what you said is really wrong! I let you see that Yunnan is [-] miles away, and the enemy is now, but you are talking about Chen Tingjing!"

Zhang Ying replied: "It is precisely because of the great enemy that I am asking the emperor to forgive Chen Tingjing!"

The emperor asked: "Why didn't you say it at Qianqingmen that day when you had something to say?"

Zhang Ying said: "When the emperor Yumen was in charge of the government, he was on fire. I dare not add fuel to the fire!"

The emperor sighed and said: "So, you also think I have gone too far?"

Zhang Ying said: "I think that Chen Tingjing's words are straightforward, but it may not be unreasonable. Local officials apportion the money to the people. If there is no name, they have to find ways to establish their own name. Now that the imperial court has given them a name, I'm afraid they will become more arrogant."

The emperor was impatient: "After all, Zhang Ying and Chen Tingjing have the same thoughts?"

Zhang Yingzou said: "I think it would be a good thing for the common people to donate to build the Dragon Pavilion voluntarily. I'm afraid it will be used by local officials. This matter is of great importance and must be managed by a minister."

The emperor asked who was in charge of this matter, and Zhang Ying recommended Chen Tingjing.The emperor was puzzled, thinking that it was Chen Tingjing who opposed the construction of dragon pavilions everywhere, how could he be allowed to take care of this matter?
Seeing that the emperor was silent, Zhang Ying understood what the emperor was thinking, and said, "Just because Chen Tingjing opposes the construction of the Dragon Pavilion, he should be allowed to take care of this matter. One is that Chen Tingjing will be careful and nothing will happen; the other is let him see it with his own eyes. The enthusiasm of the people can also convince him."

Before the emperor could speak, Mingzhu and other ministers arrived in a hurry.Zhang Ying no longer mentioned the matter of Chen Tingjing, and the emperor asked Zhang Ying to urgently hand over eight hundred miles from Yunnan to Mingzhu.Zhang Ying looked around, why didn't Chen Tingjing come?Chen Tingjing was still walking in the South Study Room, and he was supposed to be involved in this matter tonight.The emperor ordered the discussion to begin, but no one asked about Chen Tingjing, Zhang Ying guessed that there must be a reason, so she didn't talk too much.

In the early morning of the next day, Chen Tingjing arrived at Qianqingmen, and he was very surprised to see many people gathered inside.At this time, the discussion was over, the emperor went in to take a rest, and the ministers and workers stood at His Highness chatting, waiting for the morning court.

Seeing Chen Tingjing coming, Zhang Ying hurriedly dragged him to a secluded place to talk.Chen Tingjing heard about what happened last night, and knew that the emperor had alienated him, so he secretly hurt himself, but his face looked very calm.When Zhang Ying talked about the Dragon Pavilion, Chen Tingjing hurriedly said: "How can this be done? I am against the construction of the Dragon Pavilion, so I will take care of it myself!"

Zhang Ying persuaded: "Lord Chen, just listen to me once. Not only do you have to take care of it, but you also have to take the initiative to invite Ying in front of the emperor!"

Chen Tingjing just shook his head and sighed.Zhang Ying became anxious, and said: "Master Chen, the emperor is also a human being, you have to take care of his face. Besides, you take care of this matter yourself, so there will be no chaos in the future!"

While speaking, Gao Shiqi happened to come.Gao Shiqi saw that the scene was a little strange, although he did not understand it, he knew that he did not commit a crime in the palace last night.He didn't figure out what was going on, so he pretended to be confused and pretended he didn't see anything.Gao Shiqi mixed in the crowd and exchanged greetings, and slowly realized that it was something about Yunnan.He thumped in his heart, thinking that the crime this time was serious.Gao Shiqi only felt that his ears were buzzing, and his back was extremely hot.After a while, the cotton-padded jacket was drenched in sweat.

Before Gao Shiqi could figure it out, the emperor arrived.The ministers hurriedly knelt down and paid their respects according to the etiquette.The emperor asked the ministers and workers to stand up and said: "Wu Sangui Wuhe has 30 people, and there are signs of northern crimes. Last night, I called the ministers of various ministries to discuss urgently, and decided to send 50 troops to wipe out the rebels and recover Yunnan. All ministers and workers, please express your opinions."

Mingzhu finished reading out the anti-rebellion policy aloud, and when it was the ministers' turn to speak, they just said how wise the emperor was.Samuha, Minister of the Household Department, had the loudest voice, and shouted: "The imperial court has 50 troops, just wait for the emperor's order, and they can sweep across Yunnan and directly hit Wu Sangui's lair!"

It was a bit long to listen to politics today, and when it was Chen Tingjing's turn to speak, the sky had already turned pale.Chen Tingjing had been hesitating just now whether he should tell the truth at this juncture.The anti-rebellion policy was drafted by the emperor leading the ministers all night, and it was actually the emperor's intention.The ministers and workers all said that the emperor is wise, which is exactly the reason.But how could Wu Sangui be so easily wiped out?Chen Tingjing thought for a while, anyway, he was already an unlucky person, and if he said a few more truths, he might not lose his head, so he put aside the words "waiting for patience and stability", and said: "Qi Zou the emperor, I think that if you can win in one fell swoop, you will lose your head." Naturally, it would be best to wipe out the traitors completely. But the imperial court has suppressed Wu Sangui for many years and failed to eradicate the evil, so there should be a second plan."

Samuha was in a hurry, and hurriedly said: "Show the emperor, Chen Tingjing will strengthen the ambition of the traitor and destroy his own prestige!"

Chen Tingjing said: "Your Majesty Qizuo, the traitors cannot be wiped out with just a few big words, we have to fight them with real swords and guns!"

The emperor nodded and said, "Chen Tingjing, tell me what you think."

Chen Tingjing said: "The imperial court needs to consider the people, but Wu Sangui doesn't have to. Resting with the people, the army's salary is still tight. The minister just listened carefully to the strategy of suppressing the bandits, which is just a strategy that can be achieved in one battle."

The emperor said: "The imperial court has been fighting against Wu Sangui for many years. This time, my wish is to complete my merits in one battle, and not let the Wu thief take the side."

Chen Tingjing said: "The emperor said, I thought we should raise more horses, knives, guns, food and grass for long-term needs. I thought it would take two or three years to put down Wu Sangui in the short term, and three or four years in the long run. The imperial court should plan the military pay strategy according to this."

The emperor became angry: "It will take three or four years? What a disappointment! Chen Tingjing, don't talk about the suppression of the chaos! Mingzhu, Samuha, you follow this strategy to suppress the rebellion, so that my mighty army can quickly advance to Yunnan !"

The matter of Yunnan will no longer be discussed.There were ministers who asked for other things, and the emperor allowed them to play according to the rules.After listening to the administration, the emperor did not go back to Xinuange for tea as usual, but went straight to the South study.Gao Shiqi's heart was pounding, and he followed the emperor tremblingly.

The emperor was really furious: "Gao Shiqi, where did you go if you didn't stay at home at night?"

Gao Shiqi had already figured out how to deal with it, he knelt down hurriedly, his body trembling, and said: "Qizou Emperor, I didn't know that there was an urgent military matter last night, so I went out to search for antiques."

The emperor scolded: "Yunnan is raging with flames, you still have the heart to go shopping for antiques!"

Gao Shiqi said: "Since I moved into the Forbidden City, I have never been out. Yesterday I heard that I saw Wang Meng's landscape outside. I thought that the emperor should like it, so I ran out to have a look. When I came back, the palace gate was closed. The minister stayed outside for a night."

After Gao Shiqi said this, the emperor calmed down a bit and asked, "What about painting?"

Gao Shiqi said: "Fake."

The emperor was very disappointed, but he lost his anger and said: "From now on, you are not allowed to go out at night! Get up!"

Gao Shiqi couldn't stop thanking him, he kowtowed repeatedly before getting up.Chen Tingjing thought to himself how could such a coincidence happen?But the emperor believed Gao Shiqi's words!He could only sigh secretly in his heart.

The emperor started to read the scriptures, Chen Tingjing knelt forward and said: "Your Majesty, the people's donation to build the Dragon Pavilion is very important, and I am willing to accept this commission."

The emperor couldn't help but look at Zhang Ying, and he almost understood it in his heart, but he said: "Hey, Chen Tingjing, why did your mind turn around?"

Chen Tingjing said: "I just want to take the emperor's job well." It turned out that Chen Tingjing regretted that he should not talk too much about the strategy of countering the rebellion. He knew that the emperor had made up his mind, so what else did he say?But if he didn't say it, he really couldn't do it.

The emperor pondered for a while, and said: "Okay. I have always used lenient to persuade people, and I don't want to persuade you. I ordered your prime minister's place to donate to build the Dragon Pavilion! Yangqu Fushan is a erudite poem recommended by you. The incident happened in Yangqu. I order you to go to Yangqu immediately, to urge Fu Shan to go to Beijing, and to see how the people are donating to build the Dragon Pavilion!"

Chen Tingjing kowtowed and said, "I accept the decree! But Rong Chen will report a few more words."

The emperor didn't say anything, just nodded.Chen Tingjing said: "I request that before I return from Yangqu, the request for the construction of the Dragon Pavilion in Shanxi will be postponed to all provinces."

The emperor didn't say a word, and nodded his head to be ready to play.

The family heard that Chen Tingjing was going on a business trip, and they were busy for a few days.On the day before leaving, Yueyuan said: "My lord, Zhen'er is smart and has kung fu, you can take her out."

Chen Tingjing said: "I'm on a business trip, so it's not convenient to take my female relatives with me when I go out."

Yueyuan said: "What's inconvenient? You brought your own wife!" Before Chen Tingjing could say anything else, Yueyuan laughed again, "I won't save you from bringing another chivalrous woman back."

(End of this chapter)