Qing Yao

Chapter 305 The Three-Life Godfather and the Grand Secretary

In Chengde, at the Yanbo Zhishuang Hall, the 81-year-old patriarch sat reclining on a couch, with an open copy of "Yongxianlu" on his desk.

This book was compiled by scholar Xiao Shi and completed in the seventeenth year of the Qianlong reign. The book consists of four volumes with a supplement, recording major events that occurred in the court and the country from the sixty-first year of the Kangxi reign to the sixth year of the Yongzheng reign. It includes the inside story of power struggles such as the succession struggle, the Nian Gengyao case, and the Longkodo case, as well as historical facts such as civil inquisitions and military campaigns.

This book is not a banned book and has always been allowed to be printed by private individuals.

Now that this book has suddenly appeared on the old man's bed, Ji Yun, who was sitting opposite the old man holding a black chess piece, was so nervous that he was distracted and made several wrong moves.

Although the old man was old and his eyesight and hearing were failing, he could clearly see Ji Yun's nervous expression, but he didn't say anything.

As Li Quan, the head eunuch, placed a bowl of chilled plum juice aside, he chuckled softly, “My lord, the osmanthus flowers in the Lion Garden are blooming more beautifully and smell even better than in previous years. If you are feeling tired, you might as well go and take a look.”

Upon hearing this, the old man raised his head, glanced at Li Quan, and then his gaze slowly fell on Ji Yun's face: "I've heard that the common people are saying that I was born in this Lion Garden?"

Ji Yun, already on edge, shifted slightly and said cautiously, "These are just ignorant people's foolish speculations. The late Emperor's Daily Records clearly state that His Majesty was born on the 13th day of the eighth month of the 50th year of Kangxi's reign at the East Academy of Yonghe Palace. The testimony of the midwife from that year is still preserved."

Before Ji Yun could finish speaking, the old master casually picked up the copy of "Yongxianlu" and slammed it onto Ji Yun's face with a "thud," his face full of anger: "Then why did Yongxing tell me that the part of 'Yongxianlu' included in the 'Complete Library of the Four Treasuries' that mentions my birthplace was deleted by you, Ji Xiaolan!"

"Your Majesty, forgive me!"

Startled, Ji Yun quickly got up and knelt on the ground with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly: "Your Majesty, Han people always love to fabricate royal secrets, adding embellishments to hearsay, such as the whereabouts of the former Ming Emperor Jianwen, and the current Emperor Shunzhi becoming a monk. The Yongxianlu says that Your Majesty was born in the Lion Garden of the Summer Palace in Chengde Mountain Resort rather than in the Yonghe Palace in the capital. I felt this was inappropriate, so I deleted it."

The old man gave a slight snort: "If you think it's inappropriate, you delete it. If I think it's inappropriate, should I add it back?"

Ji Yun was so frightened that he dared not utter a word.

Seeing this, Li Quan didn't dare to step forward to persuade his master to calm down, and just kept his head down.

After a long pause, the old man waved his hand and said, "Get up. Remember, only I can decide where I was born. Where I say I was born, that's where I'll be born."

After speaking, he struggled to straighten up, and Li Quan quickly stepped forward and bent down to help him up.

After settling in, the old man glanced at Ji Yun, whose face was pale and looked like a child who had made a mistake. He couldn't help but laugh, and his expression softened. He pointed at Ji Yun and said, "I'm tired. Accompany me for a walk."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Ji Yun followed cautiously behind the old man, not daring to utter a sound. This life of serving the emperor like walking on thin ice had tormented him for decades, and he truly had unspeakable suffering. Fortunately, the Siku Quanshu was nearing completion and should be finished next year.

However, the more I thought about it, the more I felt that he had been wronged. The Yongxianlu's record of the old master's birthplace did not match the actual record. The old master also said that he was born in Yonghe Temple. So what was wrong with deleting the incorrect record in the Yongxianlu?

It can't be that the historical record says the Yonghe Temple is wrong, while the Yongxianlu says the Rehe Lion Garden is correct.

If that's really the case, what are your thoughts on mistaking the fake for the real, sir?
Is there something wrong with your background?
Then he saw that the old man in his line of sight could not even walk properly. If Li Quan hadn't been supporting him, he probably wouldn't have been able to walk more than a few steps before he had to sit down. For no reason, a bold idea came to him: "It might not be a bad thing if the old man passed away sooner. At least I can be free from this."

The duty room of the Grand Councilors, Sizhi Study, is only 200 meters away from the Emperor's residence, Yanbo Zhishuang Hall. Since arriving in Chengde, the three Grand Councilors accompanying the Emperor have used this place to handle various urgent memorials from the capital and draft imperial edicts.

This happens every summer.

Unlike previous dynasties where the crown prince oversaw the country and the cabinet assisted the emperor during imperial tours and military campaigns, this dynasty did not appoint a crown prince due to the secret establishment of an heir apparent. Therefore, the emperor was the supreme ruler in matters of state and military affairs.

That is, wherever the emperor is, that is where the highest power of the country lies.

Therefore, while the Grand Council was nominally in charge of handling national affairs in the capital, the actual decisions on major military and national matters were made by the Grand Council ministers who accompanied the emperor.

As a result, even the princes and grandsons of the emperor considered it an honor to accompany the emperor, and the court and the public tacitly agreed that those who accompanied the emperor were of high status.

To put it bluntly, even if the old master were to pass away while away, as long as he had the support of the Grand Councilors accompanying him, he might still be able to rule the world, even if his name wasn't listed after the plaque of "Upright and Bright".

Back then, Qin Er Shi (the Second Emperor of Qin) seized the Qin dynasty's throne by conspiring with Zhao Gao and Li Si.

The old master may have realized this "loophole," which is why he said when he summoned Heshen and others yesterday that this might be his last time to come to Chengde. Heshen felt sad on the spot and thought that the old master was old and had difficulty walking, so it would be inconvenient for him to come to Chengde to escape the summer heat. He didn't think at all that the old master was trying to plug the "loophole" in his successor.

When Heshen returned to his residence after his shift, his mood immediately improved because his crony, Li Huang, the Vice Minister of Rites, had gone to great lengths to find a copy of the "Thousand Character Classic for Yuan Jue" written by the great calligrapher Zhao Mengfu.

Upon seeing it, Heshen treasured it immensely and, in his joy, told Li Huang that this calligraphy was the lifeblood of him and the Grand Secretary.

Such a fine piece should not be enjoyed by one person alone, as Heshen preferred to share his joy. So early in the morning, he brought the "Thousand Character Classic for Yuan Jue" to the Sizhi Study for Wang Jie and Song Jun, who were also Grand Councilors, to appreciate.

It was not without a hint of showing off.

Songyun was new to the Grand Council and his position was not yet secure. Although he was dissatisfied with Heshen, he did not dare to embarrass him in public. In addition, since it was indeed a good product, he echoed and praised it a few times.

Wang Jie glanced at it and chuckled at Heshen, saying, "This calligraphy is worth at least tens of thousands of taels of silver. Which corrupt official generously presented it to Minister He? And what lucrative post does Minister He intend to reward them with?"

Seeing Wang Jie speak to Heshen in such a manner, Songjun admired the top scholar in his heart, but dared not show it on his face. He only appeared slightly embarrassed and pretended to drink tea to cover it up.

To his surprise, Heshen was not angered by Wang Jie's sarcasm. Instead, he stepped forward, smiled, and reached out to pinch Wang Jie's right hand, praising, "No matter how good this calligraphy is, it can't compare to the hand of the top scholar and prime minister. But why are the top scholar's hands so delicate!"

It's saying that Wang Jie's hands are as gentle as a woman's, implying that it's pointless for you, Mr. Wang, to argue with him like a woman.

How could Wang Jie not understand the meaning behind Heshen's words? He was never afraid of Heshen and immediately retorted, "Is that so? Although I have a good hand, I have a flaw. I can't ask people for money, paintings, or antiques. In short, I can't ask for anything valuable. Unlike Heshen, who can ask for everything. I'm afraid even if a copper coin falls to the ground, Heshen would have to bend down to pick it up!"

"you!"

Even the most good-natured Heshen was enraged by Wang Jie's vicious sarcasm. He pointed his finger at Wang Jie's nose and cursed, "Wang Jie, even a clay figure has some temper. Don't think I'm really afraid of you, a top scholar. If you really piss me off, you'll be sorry!"

"What kind of trouble does He Zhongtang intend to cause me? Come, tell me in front of Lord Song, so that I, Wang Jie, can be prepared and not be frightened by you and Zhongtang!"

Heshen's threats did not soften Wang Jie in the slightest. In fact, the over-sixty-year-old Wang Jie took two steps forward and stood straight in front of Heshen, as if he were ready to fight him at the slightest provocation.

"Wang Jie, do you really think I wouldn't dare to hit you!"

Despite his outbursts, Heshen dared not actually lay a hand on Wang Jie, who was also a Grand Councilor. If word got out, it wouldn't be Wang Jie who would lose face, but Heshen.

Wang Jie deliberately provoked him, and just when he was in a difficult situation, an imperial eunuch came to announce the old master's decree, ordering the governors and viceroys of each province to investigate whether any of their subjects had seen seven generations of their ancestors. If so, the local authorities were to give them generous rewards.

Seeing seven generations in one's own life? Not only was Wang Jie speechless, but even Heshen was speechless. These days, it's already extremely rare to have five generations living under one roof, let alone seeing seven generations in one's own life.

By all accounts, he would have to be at least a hundred years old.

Heaven knows what the old man was thinking.

What's the difference between searching and not searching, or rewarding and not rewarding?

But he still had to agree to the decree drafted by Songyun.

Surprisingly, the old master's inexplicable decree extinguished the "fire" in the imperial center.

Before the imperial edict was even finished being drafted, a secretary came to deliver a memorial, saying it had been sent urgently from the capital by fast horse.

In a fit of anger, Heshen asked in a muffled voice whose memorial it was.

The clerk hurriedly replied, "Reporting to Your Excellency, it is a memorial from Zhao Youlu, the acting Provincial Governor of Anhui."

Upon hearing that it was Zhao Youlu's memorial, Heshen quickly took it to read. Before he had even finished reading it, his eyes began to gleam. After reading it, he found a note written in blue pen by Fu Chang'an at the bottom of the memorial: "Zhu Ming returns, Zhu returns, Zhu Gui? Is this a coincidence, or is it true? It should be thoroughly investigated."

Since Emperor Yongzheng established the Grand Council to manage state affairs, the emperor's imperial edicts were all written in red ink, known as "vermilion edicts"; while the Grand Councilors used blue ink to make comments or revisions, known as "blue edicts".

It is similar to the draft proposals of the Ming Dynasty cabinet, but the draft proposals of the Ming Dynasty cabinet required the approval of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs in red ink, while in this dynasty, the emperor directly approves them in red ink.

The "blue approval" could only replace the emperor's "red approval" as the highest decision-making document in one situation: the period of power vacuum before the emperor's death and the ascension of a new emperor.

"What a traitor Zhu Gui is! He dared to collude with the White Lotus Sect to rebel! He is a national traitor! A draft should be issued to dismiss Zhu Gui from his post, investigate him, and send him to the capital to be questioned about his death sentence!"

Without saying a word, Heshen made a characterization of Zhu Gui. Did he really suspect that Zhu Gui was "Zhu Gui"? Did he really believe that Zhu Gui colluded with the White Lotus Rebellion to seize the Qing Dynasty's throne?
Absolutely impossible. Even if you beat Heshen to death, he would never believe that Zhu Gui was plotting a rebellion.

However, they had to insist that Zhu Gui was plotting a rebellion.

Because only in this way can Zhu Gui be brought down.

Whether it's a coincidence or not, as long as you, Zhu Gui, agree to "return to Zhu," that's all that matters.

Wang Jie, also a leader of the Qingliu faction and an opponent of Heshen's control of the government, would not tolerate Heshen accusing Zhu Gui of such a serious crime. He snatched Zhao Youlu's memorial from his hands, and after reading it, he angrily said to Heshen: "Minister He, this is clearly a trumped-up charge. You can always find a pretext!"

Heshen sneered: "Wang Jie, if Zhu Gui hadn't colluded with the White Lotus Sect, why would the White Lotus Sect recognize him as Niu Ba!"

"Where did He Zhongtang realize that Zhu Gui was some kind of bastard?"

Wang Jie refused to believe it and threw Zhao Youlu's memorial in front of Heshen, saying, "Which sentence in it says that Zhu Gui is related to Niu Ba? I can't see it. Tell me, Minister Heshen!"

Heshen snorted: "What's so hard to see? Zhu Minggui is just Zhu Gui, Zhu Gui!"

"Such a far-fetched analogy, doesn't Your Excellency find it laughable?"

Wang Jie laughed in anger.

“Even if Zhu Gui did not actually plot a rebellion, the White Lotus Sect openly used him as a bastard to bewitch the people, and Zhu Gui is to blame for the current situation in Anhui. The Military Council should propose to dismiss him and investigate him. If you, Wang Jie, don’t propose it, I will.”

Heshen was too lazy to waste words with Wang Jie. He was the second-ranking Grand Councilor in the Grand Council, the "Vice Prime Minister" of the Qing Dynasty. As long as Agui didn't come to work, according to the rules, it was Heshen, the Vice Prime Minister, who would draft the imperial edict. Besides, there was also Fu Chang'an's imperial edict above him. It didn't matter if Wang Jie refused to co-sign.

The blue-inked approval represented the "unanimous opinion" of the Grand Council, and was also the Grand Council's reference opinion to the Emperor on a certain matter. How could Wang Jie allow Heshen to draft an approval that was unfavorable to Zhu Gui? He glared angrily at Heshen: "Zhu Gui is the Governor of Anhui. You and the Grand Secretary are dismissing and investigating Zhu Gui for personal gain. I ask you, who can handle this mess in Anhui!"

Without a second thought, Heshen blurted out the name of the person who submitted the memorial: Zhao Youlu.

"Zhao Youlu?"

Wang Jie was furious. "Heshen, I'm afraid you've miscalculated. Do you know that the current dynasty has clearly stipulated that a provincial governor cannot be promoted to the position of provincial governor!"

Heshen retorted, "Wang Jie, Zhao Youlu is a third-rank official acting as the governor of Anhui, not a formal governor. The rule you mentioned does not apply to him."

Wang Jie paused, realizing that Zhao Youlu was only a temporary governor, not a real governor.

According to the imperial court's personnel system, a provincial governor could not be promoted to provincial governor, but a provincial circuit intendant could.

Then, as if remembering something, he sneered, "Can a temporary acting provincial governor be promoted to governor? Heshen, do you really think the imperial court is your private property?"

"Why not?"

Heshen looked confident. "If I remember correctly, during the reign of Emperor Shizong, the governor of Shanxi, Deyin, concealed the disaster, causing famine victims to flee. Tian Wenjing, who was then a scholar in the Grand Secretariat, reported this matter. Emperor Shizong promoted Tian Wenjing to the position of acting provincial governor of Shanxi and ordered him to temporarily assume the duties of governor."

If Tian Wenjing can do it, why can't Zhao Youlu?

As the governor of Shanxi, Deyin concealed the extent of the disaster, and wasn't Zhu Gui, as the governor of Anhui, also concealing the extent of the disaster from the court?

If Emperor Shizong could make an exception and appoint Tian Wenjing, then Emperor Qianlong could certainly appoint Zhao Youlu! If Zhao Youlu hadn't truthfully reported the disaster in Anhui and the White Lotus Rebellion to the court, how long would the court have been kept in the dark by Zhu Gui!
In short, Zhu Gui can no longer be allowed to remain in Anhui. I, Heshen, will draft this imperial edict. If you, Wang Jie, are not satisfied, then speak to the Emperor!

Heshen had made up his mind and decided to act swiftly and decisively, taking down Zhu Gui first.

I'm about 80% sure.

Because the one who called Zhu Gui "Zhu Gui" was Si Fu'er, who was even more favored and loved by the old master than him.

Seeing that Heshen was really going to draft the imperial edict to remove Zhu Gui, Wang Jie was so angry that he stepped forward and knocked the brush out of Heshen's hand. His face was red and he shouted angrily, "Heshen, even if the emperor is confused, the Qing Dynasty does not belong to you, the second emperor, to rule!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Song Jun, who was standing to the side, suddenly collapsed to his knees.

At the door of the duty room, the old man looked puzzled and asked Ji Yun, whose expression had changed, "What did Wang Jie just say?"

(End of this chapter)