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

Chapter 264 Chief Minister Chiang leads troops into the palace

Outside the Meridian Gate, a red carpet was laid out.

Hundreds of Manchu girls with bound feet, dressed in cheongsams, lined up on both sides, jumping and waving peonies in their hands.

Peonies are truly the most beautiful flowers in the country!
He's a perfect match for the Empress!
Jiang Qingyun was a tolerant person. He had no intention of interfering in the emperor's private life. Since Shunzhi no longer went to the Red Palace, it was reasonable for him to replenish the harem.

Feng Shuan remarked with emotion, "Prime Minister, the New Life Movement is showing initial results!"

Jiang Qingyun waved his hand: "This is nothing. We have only taken a small step towards civilization and enlightenment. We still need to guard against arrogance and impetuosity."

"Your Excellency is too modest. In the context of our thousands of years of history, this is an extremely rare and momentous step that will surely be praised by future generations."

"Feng Shuan, issue a proclamation to the governors and viceroys of all provinces. Has the Ministry of Personnel issued the document temporarily freezing all civil service positions of the seventh rank and above?"

"It was sent out 3 days ago."

"it is good."

Jiang Qingyun said no more, pulled up his binoculars and continued to look at the Manchu women. Judging from their expressions, they didn't seem to be very convinced.
Nietzsche was right!
"Tell the Ministry of Rites to write several well-known stories about extramarital affairs and promote them in teahouses and restaurants."

"Yes."

……

As the young Empress Hesheli rode in the Phoenix Spring Grace Carriage and slowly entered the Great Qing Gate, Jiang Qingyun swaggered in behind her and followed her into the Great Qing Gate as well.

As usual, 500 armored soldiers accompanied him.

The renovation of the palaces and buildings in the Forbidden City is progressing slowly. The official explanation is that it is to produce exquisite work, but in reality, it is to leave gaps in the palace's defense system.

The heavily damaged guard battalion was expanded again, with some infiltrating its ranks.

All the Western cannons in the Forbidden City's hoard were confiscated and handed over to the Infantry Commander's Office to form an artillery unit.

The emperor's wedding was a grand and solemn affair.

"May the Qing Dynasty live ten thousand years, and may the Emperor and Empress give birth to a son soon."

Jiang Qingyun and his colleagues stood up and raised their glasses in celebration, but for safety reasons, he did not drink a drop of alcohol and only made a fake drinking gesture.

Afterwards, he excused himself from the meeting by saying he was feeling unwell.

The ceremony ended in the evening.

The emperor and empress's union needs no further explanation.

……

South of the city, at the Chiang Kai-shek residence.

Mr. and Mrs. Wu Yong came at the invitation.

With Jiangnan about to give birth, Madam Wu Yong decided to stay at the mansion. She and Madam Wen often chatted and composed poems. The two came from similar backgrounds and got along very well.

study.

"Second brother, how have you been lately?"

"The Grand Secretary should not address me in this way in the future. Our statuses are now vastly different, and it would be inappropriate to continue calling each other brothers."

Jiang Qingyun smiled and extended his arm.

Wu Yong was taken aback, then automatically and consciously placed his hand on her wrist, closed his eyes, and took her pulse.

"Second brother, have you ever thought about giving up medicine for politics?"

Wu Yong remained silent for seven or eight breaths before opening his eyes.

"To be honest, I've thought about it, but I can't make up my mind."

“I understand, you’re reluctant to give up your status as a means of making a living. After all, it’s rare for high-ranking officials and nobles to pass down their positions for one or two generations, but a family of imperial physicians can pass them down from generation to generation.”

"The Grand Secretary has keen insight."

Seeing that Wu Yong seemed hesitant to speak, Jiang Qingyun couldn't help but press him for details.

How is my pulse?

"Generally healthy."

Can you speak in simple, easy-to-understand language?

"Prime Minister, your busy schedule and the imbalance of your body and mind are causing you too much stress, which may damage your kidneys and liver. In addition, the toxins from the poisoning in Jingzhou have not been eliminated in time, which may harm the continuation of your lineage."

……

Jiang Qingyun suddenly stopped smiling, his eyes sharp as he stared at Wu Yong.

"May I ask, Grand Secretary, are any of your wives or concubines pregnant recently?"

"The lady is nearing childbirth."

"Any more?"

"Nothing."

"Has the Grand Secretary frequently engaged in sexual activity during these past six months?"

"There are always forty or fifty times."

"Should the favor be distributed equally, or should one person be the sole recipient of affection?"

"In the past six months, many new people have entered my household, and I will certainly treat them all equally."

There was silence for a moment.

Jiang Qingyun asked again, "Are you saying that from now on, it will be difficult for me to have children?" "No, that's not it, it will just be relatively more difficult. I will personally prepare the medicine, and you should arrange for a reliable person to decoct the medicine. Make sure the dregs are not leaked."

There was silence for a long time.

Jiang Qingyun tapped on the table.

"Second brother, you must keep this a secret. If it is leaked, neither you nor I can bear the consequences."

"Don't worry, Third Brother, I'm an imperial physician, I understand politics."

……

dong dong dong~
There was a knock on the door outside.

"Come in."

"Grand Secretary, fires have broken out in several places in the capital, and thieves are causing trouble."

"Suppress resolutely, show no mercy."

"As ordered."

After the visitor left, Wu Yong asked in a low voice, "Was this also something you arranged beforehand?"

"Yes, I'm prepared to eliminate another batch of enemies."

"Today is the Emperor's wedding day."

"It's just a coincidence."

Jiang Qingyun quickly regained her composure.

"Second brother, don't leave tonight. Let's drink, play chess, and chat."

"It's what you wish for."

The Manchu people in Beijing, terrified by the persecution, were like frightened birds, hiding at home and praying.

"May the Bodhisattva protect you, and may the Grand Secretary not fall ill again."

Yes, when the Grand Secretary went mad, the entire Eight Banners were tortured.

Fortunately, the sporadic sounds of gunfire and fighting only lasted for half an hour before the night watchmen resumed their work in the capital.

"Peace reigns, but be careful with fire."

Tuk-tuk-tuk~
……

Forbidden City.

Shunzhi trembled with excitement, yearning for his mother's strength.

"emperor?"

Shh~ Something big is happening outside!

Emperor Shunzhi was neurotic and would pace back and forth in the house like a donkey pulling a millstone, making people dizzy just looking at him.

Empress Hesheli sat obediently by the couch, twisting her fingers, partly out of nervousness and shyness, and partly out of conflict and worry. She knew that the Mid-Autumn Festival was the day the secret edict had been issued to raise an army, and she also knew that her father and brothers did not intend to take the lead.

Will it win?
At first, gunfire and artillery were still roaring outside.

It quickly became sparse, and then almost inaudible.

A tremendous fear gripped Shunzhi's heart, to the point that he could not stand steadily and his arms trembled.

Hesheli, disregarding her composure, quickly helped him up.

"Empress, I feel so stifled being the emperor."

"Your Majesty~"

Before Hesheli could speak, tears streamed down her face. She held Shunzhi in her arms and tried her best to be gentle with him. That night, the emperor and empress did not sleep a wink and did not consummate their marriage.

……

The following day, the cabinet held an emergency meeting.

Since the Cosmopolitan Incident, the Emergency Cabinet has seized all central power, essentially an enhanced version of the Council of Princes and Ministers.

At the venue~
Jiang Qingyun briefly briefed his political allies on what had happened the previous night.

"Last night, the rebels, led by Wang Duo, a compiler of the Hanlin Academy, and Choerji, the Duke of Khorchin, listened to the instigation of Empress Dowager Li and launched an armed rebellion."

"They brought their servants and guards, along with a few soldiers who were unaware of the truth, and attempted to storm the Forbidden City, but were wiped out by my five battalions of infantry."

"I don't understand, who gave them the courage?"

"Ridiculous, absurd, and comical."

Everyone was stunned.

……

Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

The guard rushed over to report.

"Your Majesty, the Grand Secretary has led troops into the palace!"

"What...what is he trying to do?"

Before Shunzhi could react, Jiang Qingyun, clad in armor, had already stepped into the Qianqing Palace. He stood with his hand on the hilt of his sword, head held high, staring coldly at Shunzhi.

(End of this chapter)