You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 2 The Eve of the Power Seizure Storm
Xuanwu Gate was a city gate located on the north side of the Forbidden City. During the reign of Emperor Kangxi, it was renamed Shenwu Gate to avoid using the taboo of Emperor Kangxi's personal name.

Several eunuchs, their mouths and noses covered with coarse cloth handkerchiefs, were slowly pulling a cart. A pair of red embroidered shoes were visible under the white cloth covering the cart.

The horror factor is off the charts!

"Sir, do you need a check-up? A nanny died, and it's smallpox."

"Go, go, go!"

The guards on duty quickly moved far away, afraid of catching the disease, and watched the departing cart with lingering fear.

They discussed:
"Six more people died in the palace yesterday, including a newly appointed empress."

"Perhaps it is because our Qing Dynasty committed too many massacres after entering the pass that Heaven has sent down this calamity as a warning."

"Are you out of your mind? Shut up."

Once you exit Xuanwu Gate, you'll reach Jingshan Park.

The eunuchs wandered through the mountains, found a secluded spot, lifted the white cloth, and chuckled as they looked at the corpse.

A bag of gold artifacts stolen from the palace was hidden under the body.

High risk, high reward.
……

The Forbidden City, the Inner Three Courts.

It was the predecessor of the Qing Dynasty's Grand Secretariat, which was headed by several Grand Secretaries and served as a conduit for communication between the emperor and the court.

A trusted confidant whispered:
"Grand Scholar, please take a look at this~"

The elderly Fan Wencheng casually took the letter and was immediately captivated by the title in the middle of the letter. He was completely engrossed in it.

He thought to himself: Brilliant, brilliant!

This kid is something else!
A first-rate political sense and a master at understanding people's hearts!
……

The sleeping quarters.

The 37-year-old Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang still possessed a captivating charm. Her years of subservience to Dorgon were merely a temporary measure.

This is no ordinary woman.

With dramatic changes imminent, the mother and son desperately need allies.

"Your subject Fan Wencheng pays respects to Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager."

"Minister Fan, please dispense with the formalities. Please sit down and have a taste of the new tea that is a tribute from the South."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. This old minister has something here that I would like to ask Your Majesty to take a look at." Fan Wencheng took out the memorial written by Jiang Qingyun from his sleeve.

The palace maid took it and handed it to Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang.
After reading it only once, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was secretly alarmed and immediately told herself to remain calm.

"What does Minister Fan think?"

"This old minister believes that these are wise words of a seasoned strategist. Proclaiming to the people that smallpox is not a natural disaster but a man-made one, finding the culprit will not only alleviate the resentment of officials and the people but also consolidate the foundation of our Great Qing Dynasty. In addition, the person's suggestions on screening patients, paying attention to wells, and cleaning up garbage are also reasonable."

"With the recent passing of Prince Yu, the court and the people are grieving. The war in Shanxi has once again reached a stalemate. We should do something about it. Several princes are supervising the battle at the front lines. Among the court officials, you and Hong Chengchou are the most influential. You two should discuss and decide what to do."

"Your Majesty, I obey your decree. There is one more matter that requires Your Majesty and Empress Dowager's instructions: what official position should Jiang Qingyun, the one who submitted the memorial, be awarded?"

"For those below the sixth rank, you have the authority to make your own decisions."

"Yes, I am resigning."

After bowing again, Fan Wencheng left the palace.

……

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang watched the man's departing figure, her feelings complex. After dismissing those around her, she inquired of the young Emperor Shunzhi, who sat silently beside her.

"Fulin, what do you think?"

"Your Majesty, the situation is changing rapidly. The morale of the two Yellow Banner troops is high, and even a lowly infantryman dares to lead the charge. I..."

"Fulin, do you still remember those eight words I said to you the year you ascended the throne?"

"Hide your talents and bide your time, keep a low profile and be submissive." Emperor Shunzhi gritted his teeth.

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang stretched out her left hand towards the sunlight streaming in from outside the hall, admiring her long, scarlet fingernails as she slowly said:

"Hide your talents and bide your time, keep a low profile and be obedient."

"Tomorrow, come with me to see the Regent Prince off out of the capital."

……

Evening~
When Dorgon entered the palace, the mother and son hosted a banquet in his honor.

During the banquet, a small Yue Opera troupe from Hangzhou Prefecture presented a performance to entertain the guests. Their slender waists and graceful movements, exuding the charm of Jiangnan, and their light singing and dancing slightly eased Dorgon's grief over the loss of his brother. Emperor Shunzhi frequently raised his cup, his eyes lowered in a submissive manner.

Empress Xiaozhuang was dressed in her finest attire, radiant and captivating.

After the banquet~
Shunzhi returned to his palace alone. As soon as he closed his eyes while lying on the couch, all he could think about was the scene of the two of them making love.

What a shame!
At the age of 12, one's self-esteem is extremely sensitive.

He gazed at the bright yellow tent top and silently said, "You old scoundrel! I will grind you to dust sooner or later!"

……

This was an era of slow travel, and it was already the 42nd day since Jiang Qingyun submitted his memorial. He was enjoying a pleasant life in the suburbs outside the city.

These days.

People fled the capital in droves.
The funeral procession outside the city was long and continuous.
At his strong suggestion, the Jiang family planted "mature seedlings". Jiang Qingyun convinced his father with the saying, "There's no such thing as being a thief for a thousand days and guarding against thieves for a thousand days." Military officers are generally thick-skinned.

Smallpox vaccination was more advanced, but it was also more difficult and less accessible, so this method of human variolation was chosen as the most reliable one.

After experiencing a slight fever, Jiang Qingyun remarked:

The address was left on the door of the house in Zhenxian Hutong. Logically, shouldn't I be conscripted? Smallpox doesn't discriminate between Manchus and Han Chinese, nobles and commoners alike. People died in droves. These bastards in the Qing court really know how to withstand war losses.

"Young master, the master is here," Green Pearl whispered a reminder.

Jiang Zhongcheng's head was still steaming from practicing with the broadsword.

"Yun'er, you should give up on the idea of ​​taking shortcuts. From now on, practice martial arts diligently and pass on the tradition honestly."

"Dad, you don't understand~"

"You little brat, look at your skinny arms and legs, you don't look like a male member of a martial family at all. From today onwards, you must eat plenty of meat and practice martial arts rigorously. Otherwise—"

……

Before the words were even finished...
A rider galloped in.

Jiang Qingyun's heart was pounding, but she pretended to be calm.

At this moment, he tried to replicate a saying: "He who has thunder in his heart but a calm face is worthy of being a general!" To stand out among the hordes of pretentious jerks in Beijing, having the right style is very important.

Is Jiang Qingyun, a member of the Bordered Yellow Banner of the Han Army, here?

"I am!"

The man dismounted.

"Please return to the capital immediately, for Grand Secretary Fan of the Secretariat and Minister Hong of the Ministry of War have summoned you!"

……

Jiang Qingyun remained calm. After tidying himself up a bit, he put on a cloth robe, slung a single-edged sword at his waist, and followed the messenger into the city on horseback.

The whole family was overjoyed!
The young master's promotion is just around the corner, what a joyous occasion!
Jiang Zhongcheng had already ordered his servants to buy wine and meat to celebrate in advance.

The maid, Green Pearl, was very worried. When the people came earlier, she saw the young master's hands trembling slightly behind his back. Everyone else was concerned about how high his official rank was, but she was the only one worried about whether he was hungry.

I feel so sorry for you~
Galloping on horseback is strictly prohibited within the Nine Gates.

But today is different!
The two riders entered through Dongzhimen, heading west and then south, speeding past as pedestrians scattered in their wake.

……

The main hall of the Ministry of Rites.

Hong Chengchou was on the right, and Fan Wencheng was on the left.

Because Fan Wencheng also held the position of Minister of Rites, the meeting was held at the Ministry of Rites office.

Jiang Qingyun walked steadily into the hall, hesitated for a moment, and then obediently lifted the corner of his robe and knelt down.

Shout loudly:
"I am Jiang Qingyun, paying my respects to Grand Secretary Fan and Minister Hong."

“Raise your head!” Fan Wencheng said softly.

Six eyes locked~
……

speechless.

Deliberate silence~
This is a deliberate attempt by superiors to intimidate and psychologically pressure their subordinates.

Fortunately, Jiang Qingyun had years of experience in government offices (sitting on the sidelines) before his transmigration, so he was very patient and experienced. He calmly looked at the two notorious traitors in the hall, his heart unmoved.

If nothing unexpected happens, they will all be enemies in the future.

The deputy section chiefs of the new era must launch the fiercest attack on the ministers of the old era.

(End of this chapter)