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

Chapter 243 Refusal to Return to Beijing, Demanding Higher Prices

at dusk.

The Forbidden City was brightly lit and heavily guarded.

Emperor Shunzhi paced back and forth like an ant on a hot pan, and even though he was deep inside the palace, he could hear the sporadic sounds of gunfire outside.

"Your Majesty, Minister of Personnel Feng Shuan requests an audience, wishing to offer a strategy to defeat the enemy."

"Summon them immediately."

"Whoo."

Due to the chaos in the capital, the officials of the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers fled to the Forbidden City with their families for refuge, and Feng Shuan was among them.

The Third Eunuch walked out of the main hall and bowed slightly.

"Lord Feng, please~"

Feng Shuan straightened his clothes and strode into the Qianqing Palace. He was prepared for either great success or great failure. He believed he had a keen eye for choosing sides.

……

"Your subject pays homage to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"

"Get up, speak quickly, what good plan do you have?"

Looking at Shunzhi, whose face was thin, eyes were bloodshot, and complexion was extremely poor, Feng Shuan thought to himself, "The Prime Minister has really nailed it."

"Your Majesty, Lord Jiang asked me to deliver a letter to you."

"Bring it here."

Shunzhi hurriedly opened it.

My body is in Miyun, but my heart is in the capital. Suddenly, I heard that smoke signals have risen in the capital, rebels are rampaging, order has collapsed, the palace is in grave danger, and the Emperor is uneasy. My heart is burning with anxiety; I pray for peace and tranquility.
The text, totaling over 300 characters, expresses a loyal minister's concern for the emperor, but does not offer to return to the capital to assist in suppressing the rebellion.

This is similar to how a man can be infinitely ambiguous when pursuing a woman, but he should never take the initiative to confess his feelings and must firmly grasp the initiative to reject her.

The same applies to relationships between men and women, and also to relationships between rulers and subjects.

This applies to all relationships in the world.

Shunzhi: "My dear minister, what is the meaning of this?"

Feng Shuan: "Your subject is unaware of the contents of Lord Jiang's letter. I humbly request Your Majesty to review it."

Shunzhi: "Take it."

Feng Shuan read it carefully twice.

“Your Majesty, Lord Jiang was dismissed from his post and sent to Miyun, which is tantamount to exile. Logically speaking, he is now a criminal official and should not voluntarily request to return to the capital.”

"What time is it now? Stop with these tedious formalities. Immediately send a fast horse to Miyun to summon him back to the capital. I will reinstate him as the Commander of the Nine Gates, grant him the title of First-Class Light Cavalry Captain, reward him with 2000 mu of fertile land, and bestow upon him a yellow riding jacket."

"The Emperor's Holy Might."

Feng Shuan didn't say anything more; he had already guessed the outcome.

……

Late at night, at the Imperial Hospital.

Due to the war in the capital, Wu Yong and his family temporarily stayed at the Imperial Hospital to avoid danger.

dong dong dong~
Wu Yong opened the door and frowned:
"What urgent matter brings you here so late at night, Grand Steward?"

"Professor Wu, let's go inside and talk."

The third uncle gently closed the door.

"Your Excellency, Chiang Kai-shek instructed me in his letter that I could consult you if I encountered any trouble, as we are on the same side. This is the letter; please take a look."

After reading it, Wu Yong felt instantly relieved.

The three eunuchs were filled with murderous intent:
"Your Excellency, do you have poison here? Sony is too much of a threat to our benefactor. He is the Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard, in charge of the palace guards. He could really cause trouble."

Wu Yong pondered for a moment.

"You come with me."

……

The morning after tomorrow.

The imperial guards who delivered the imperial edict returned from Miyun.

Where is Jiang Qingyun?

"He refused to return to Beijing." "Why?"

Shunzhi was instantly enraged. This feeling was like a woman who had become accustomed to a man's complete obedience and thought it would always be like this.

You actually rejected me too??

The guard said, "This servant is unaware, but I noticed that Lord Jiang was walking with some difficulty and claimed that he was suffering from a foot ailment. This is his reply."

Emperor Shunzhi angrily tore open the envelope.

I have devoted myself wholeheartedly to the Qing Dynasty, but the court is rife with treacherous officials who repeatedly attack me. I am exhausted and disheartened, forced to exile myself to a desolate area outside the capital, where I will feed horses, fish, and farm, vowing never to concern myself with politics. The position of Left Censor-in-Chief is extremely important and should not be left vacant; I urge that a more capable person be appointed to it.
"What...what does he mean by this?"

The guard lowered his head, not daring to say another word.

Emperor Shunzhi ultimately lacked experience in pursuing women.

Jiang Qingyun's letter, translated, means that times have changed, and if you want me to go back now, you must clearly express sufficient sincerity.

Can you do it?

Can it be done anytime, anywhere, and however you like?
……

Shunzhi was furious:

“Zhao Fengshuan, Sukesaha, Zhou Shao, and Sony.”

Two quarters of an hour later.

"Your Majesty, Lord Feng and Lord Su have arrived, but Lord Zhou is nowhere to be found."

"do you died?"

"Your Majesty, the capital has been in chaos these past few days, and we can't find anyone."

Shunzhi raised the letter:

"Feng Shuan, Sukesaha, I know that you two have a good relationship with Jiang Qingyun. Tell me, what does this mean?"

When everyone was reading the letter.

The three eunuchs personally placed teacups in front of each person, then silently retreated to one side of the palace, stood respectfully with their hands at their sides and their backs against the pillars, ready to receive orders at any time.

In traditional Chinese palaces, the pillars are often as numerous as fish bones.

The capital city is full of tunnels, and the Forbidden City is full of pillars.

Sony was the first to shout: "Your Majesty, Jiang Qingyun's intentions are despicable. He clearly wants to coerce Your Majesty into relinquishing power."

Suksaha immediately retorted, "Lord Suo, the capital is in such a mess, what kind of powerful minister is he? If the rebels aren't dealt with soon, the Qing Dynasty will perish."

Feng Shuan: "I have been a Beijing official since the Ming Dynasty and have personally witnessed the infighting within the Ming court, which was rampant. Ming officials would fight to the death. Our Great Qing cannot follow this example."

"Feng Shuan, you shameless bastard, how dare you say such things?"

Faced with Sony's personal attacks, the shrewd and experienced Feng Shuan smiled slightly.

"What Lord Suo says is true. I first served the Donglin Party, then the eunuch faction, and finally the Qing Dynasty. No one understands factional struggles better than me, and no one understands conspiracy theories better than me. Lord Suo, in the late Chongzhen era, the best excuse to attack someone was treason. But where were there so many traitors? It was just factional struggle."

"Then tell me, what is the meaning behind Jiang Qingyun's hint in the letter that he is asking for a higher official rank?"

“Lord Suo, is it wrong to become a high-ranking official before you can accomplish great things? Besides, he was impeached and banished from the capital. Doesn’t he feel wronged? The Emperor must thoroughly clear his name of his grievances before he can dispel his doubts.”

"Aren't the Nine Gates Admirals enough?"

"Not enough, it must be the Grand Secretary."

The hall fell silent.

……

Feng Shuan decided to stand there until the very end.

"Since ancient times, wise rulers have always trusted those they employ and did not employ those they doubt. So what if we appoint him as Grand Secretary? If he is virtuous, we use him; if he is not, we dismiss him. Isn't it all just a matter of the Emperor's word? Even an incompetent ruler like Chongzhen changed Grand Secretaries as easily as changing clothes, let alone the current Holy Emperor?"

Sony is also getting anxious.

"No matter how eloquent you are, I won't believe a single word you say. Jiang Qingyun is absolutely unacceptable."

Suksaha also stood up:
“Lord Suo, the foundation of our Great Qing is the Eight Banners. Jiang Qingyun is loyal to the Great Qing, and we Eight Banners soldiers will naturally obey his orders. If he had other intentions, would we Eight Banners soldiers still listen to him?”

Sony was speechless, his face turning red with embarrassment.

"emperor?"

"Sony, shut up." Shunzhi finally lowered his guard. "The situation is urgent. Sukesaha, go to Miyun in person. Whatever he wants, I will try my best to satisfy him."

(End of this chapter)