third chance

However, the west wind comes in time, but it is unreasonable, and it is secretly changed in fleeting years.

……

Lin Guangyu's eyes swept over everyone's faces one by one, his eyes were deep and far away, without saying a word.

Yuan Shikai sat the furthest away, with lowered eyelids, and met Lin Guangyu's gaze as soon as he raised his head. Looking at the cold light in the emperor's eyes, he felt like a needle prick, and he immediately lowered his head after seeing the cold light in the emperor's eyes.

The atmosphere is dignified, time passes in silence, and pressure hits invisible.Although it was only a few seconds, everyone felt like years had passed.

"My lords, I just received bad news that the Empress Dowager Fengyu Bintian..."

Everyone knew something in their hearts. At the moment Lin Guangyu said this, they got up and left their seats, wailing "Woo...".Regardless of real crying or fake crying, mourning is a compulsory course, and the Fuchang Palace is full of mourning...

"May the emperor express his condolences..." Zhang Zhidong said to Lin Guangyu respectfully after crying for Cixi.

"Please mourn the emperor!" Everyone persuaded together.

"I called all the ministers here late at night, mainly to discuss the aftermath..." Lin Guangyu seemed to say inadvertently, "Originally, the imperial edict should be issued with the jade seal, but I couldn't get it in a hurry, so I asked Zaifeng to use the regent's seal to issue it. .”

Everyone hadn't come to their senses, only heard a "plop", and Zaifeng knelt down on the ground and kowtowed: "The regent was originally set up by the former queen mother to supervise the country. Now the emperor's body is healthy, and he is in the prime of life. What's the use of supervising the country when you're in charge? I request you to resign as the regent..."

Politics is politics, especially the politics between the imperial powers, which cannot be resisted by any family affection.Lin Guangyu understood in his heart, but he couldn't help but sigh.In terms of status, Zaifeng is Guangxu's younger brother, and he is so afraid that it shows the corrosiveness of imperial power.

"Zaifeng, get up..." Lin Guangyu helped the trembling King Regent up with his own hands, "I have my own calculations, so you can do what you can first."

"Brother Huang..." Zaifeng cried, Lin Guangyu patted him on the shoulder reassuringly, "There is no need to do this."

As if remembering something, Shixu suddenly interjected: "My servant wishes the emperor good luck and good health."

"Your Majesty, I wish your majesty a very happy and healthy dragon!" After realizing something, everyone stood up to congratulate.

"Sit down, sit down." Lin Guangyu looked at Yuan Shikai with a half-smile, "I have been weak since I was a child, and took a lot of medicine, but I finally survived..."

What Yuan Shikai said before was muddle-headed, and he patronized and echoed it, but when he saw the word "medicine" mentioned in the emperor's words, and his eyes were still fixed on himself, he broke out in cold sweat, and beads of sweat dripped from his forehead. It seeped out, his face turned white and blue, and he almost lost his footing and fell off the stool.

Has something happened?In the blink of an eye, countless thoughts passed through his head, and the word "medicine" was really deafening.Although Lin Guangyu didn't have much malice towards Yuan Shikai, he could obviously feel the pent-up hatred and anger in the body of Guangxu he inherited - let's vent some more, which can be regarded as an outlet.

Immediately he jokingly said: "For ten years in Yingtai, I read and wrote in it, recuperated, recuperated, and managed to get to where I am today. It was thanks to Yuan Qing's blessing..."

What are words of punishment?This is the words to punish the heart!When Yuan Shikai heard this, he felt like five thunderbolts, and his body involuntarily slid off the stool, knelt down on the ground and kowtowed, saying repeatedly, "I dare not! I dare not!"

In fact, it doesn't matter whether you dare or not, it's nothing more than whether the price tag is big enough and whether the chips are thick enough.

Zhang Zhidong coughed, stood up and wanted to say a few words for Yuan Shikai, the emperor waved his hand when he saw it and said, "The past is like a passing cloud, so don't mention it. Yuan Shikai, get up, it's important to discuss business."

After saying this, the tense expression on Natong's face obviously began to relax.Although his surname was Yehenala, and he was a Manchu with a yellow banner, he and Yuan Shikai were in-laws.The emperor's every word and every word just now was like a thunderstorm in his ears, and he was terrified when he heard it, but now he can finally relax.He didn't expect that Lin Guangyu had seen the situation he inadvertently revealed.

clique!

Must be eradicated!

What about Zhang Zhidong and Lu Chuanlin?These two are brother-in-law, how to deal with them?

Lin Guangyu pondered for a moment, thinking that Zhang Zhidong was old and frail, he would pass away next year according to the historical process, and he had made great achievements in the country and the people, so why bother?Lu Chuanlin was old and hard of hearing, so after the funeral, let him retire, and let him live two more years.

Having made up his mind, he turned his attention to Zhang Zhidong: "Zhang Qing was hand-picked by the late Empress Dowager. He has received a lot of grace and profound knowledge, so I ask Qing to propose a posthumous title for the late Empress Dowager. How about it?"

Death is the most important thing, let alone an important person, it is even more important to make a conclusion.The section on posthumous titles has far-reaching implications, and it is even more careless. The name of Zhang Zhidong is not only to show his relationship with Cixi, but also to borrow his knowledge of Chinese studies—Yuan Shikai doesn’t even have a serious reputation. To say that his level of Chinese studies is generally flattering him; Zaifeng and Shixu are both Manchus, and their knowledge of Chinese studies is not deep; "Three Talents of the Qing Banner", but in Lin Guangyu's mind, they are not as good as Zhang Zhidong and Zhang Nanpi, who are hand-picked by Tanhua.

But Zhang Zhidong evaded: "The empress dowager's meritorious deeds are so great, I dare not criticize..."

"It's okay, you can just speak straight."

It doesn't matter, Zhang Zhidong twisted his white beard and began to meditate, and in a short time there was a result: "I propose to be Xiaoqin-Cixi-Duanyou-Kangyi-Zhaoyu-Zhuang Cheng-Shougong-Qin Xian -Chongxi-Empress Pei Tianxing Shengxian, please give instructions from the emperor." A total of 25 characters, not only greatly surpassed the tradition of only 19 characters for posthumous names of empresses in the Qing Dynasty, but also won the praise of "Peitian Xingsheng" words.

It's really scheming!Lin Guangyu secretly sighed in his heart.Among these 25 characters, a total of 16 characters starting from "Cixi" are all emblems given to Cixi by the Tongzhi and Guangxu dynasties. ", Zhang Nanpi moved here intact, why is this old man's memory so good?The only thing he asked him to add was "befitting Tianxingsheng". Although Lin Guangyu thinks this unconventional posthumous title is not worthy of what Cixi has done in recent years, since he is a "filial son", some of them are still badges on "himself", so it is inconvenient to refute. Nor can it be refuted.Zhang Nanpi said he was asking the emperor for instructions, but in fact he could only accept it, how could he give instructions?

"What objections do you have?"

"The minister waits for a second opinion."

"Then according to this proposal, the posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous title will be given to the first empress dowager." Facing the first test of the legitimacy of taking power, Lin Guangyu thought to himself: Right and wrong can be gained or lost, so what's the benefit of adding a posthumous title?Just follow Zhang Nanpi's advice.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Everyone echoed, and finally passed another difficulty.

"Except for Lord Qing, all the ministers from the Military Plane Department are here now. You are all veterans, so you don't need to say nonsense. I have to count on you for this national funeral ceremony."

"Yuan Shikai, Shixu." Lin Guangyu began to order.

"The minister is here."

"The honorary title of the Empress Dowager has been determined, and the funeral can be held as soon as possible. All ceremonies and ceremonies will be coordinated by you, and there must be no mistakes!" Hearing this order, Yuan Shikai was stunned. She has a fine appearance, but she has been cynical since she was a child, and she has only a half-knowledge about the customs and routines of marriage and funerals. How can she make it so?Shixu is in charge of the internal affairs, and he is quite familiar with weddings and funerals, but he has never handled such a big national funeral as Cixi's death, and Yuan Shikai seems to be incomprehensible, who to consult?The two shied away but couldn't shirk, and dared not dare to say no, but they looked at each other in blank dismay after being obedient.

Na Tong wanted to help Yuan Shikai, and said: "The empress dowager's funeral is no small matter. I am willing to help, so as to live up to the empress dowager's kindness for many years."

"It's rare that you have such filial piety, so let me help you." Lin Guangyu thought for a while, aren't you guys out for cliques?Why don't you just assign Yikuang to you guys as well, "Well, for the sake of solemnity, Prince Qing is in charge of this matter, you draft a charter first, and discuss it carefully after he comes back..."

"Your Majesty ordered, I should try my best." The three of them agreed in unison, but Shi Xu jumped anxiously in his heart.Who in the civil and military courts of the Manchu Dynasty didn't know that Prince Qing was a man who was greedy for money and treasures. If he was allowed to handle the grand ceremony, he would definitely use his hands to fill his own pockets. Wouldn't it be a problem with the state treasury?Your Majesty, why are you so confused?I can't say it, I can only bury it in my heart, so anxious that my seven orifices smoke.

"First Empress Dowager Dajian, you should prepare the edict in detail, Xiaoda (Zhang Zhidong's word), you must do your part in this matter."

"The minister obeys the order."

"Zaifeng, Mr. Lu is old, so I won't let him bother about the grand ceremony. You will accompany Mr. Lu to sit at the military plane. If there is an urgent matter and it is too late to report to me, you should deal with it first."

clever!Zhang Zhidong secretly gave his thumbs up, the emperor took this power wisely - he first dismissed the other ministers in the Military Aircraft Department, and then captured the important power of the General Aircraft into the hands of Zaifeng and Lu Chuanlin.Who doesn't know that Lu Chuanlin is old and well-known as a good gentleman, and Zaifeng bears the title of regent, so the power is not all in Zaifeng's hands?Although the emperor said that the two of them had the full strength to deal with urgent matters, firstly, Zaifeng was the emperor's blood brother, and what he meant was probably what the emperor meant; He won't give any orders behind the emperor's back, and the power slipped around and then returned to the emperor's hands. On the surface, he is impartial, smart, smart!

Zhang Zhidong could see it, and of course the others could too.When Yuan Shikai saw the emperor's arrangement, his heart pounded, but he couldn't find a reason to refute it. He was so angry and anxious that he couldn't break out.

"Your Majesty..." Xiao Dezhang ran in, "The Queen's master has already taken care of the Lafayette. Just now, the Qin Tianjian came to answer and chose Maozheng (six o'clock in the morning) the day after tomorrow as the auspicious time for the funeral."

"How's the sky at right time?" "The sky is gradually clearing up."

"Where's Yiling?" Zhang Zhidong continued to ask, "When is the appointment of Qin Tianjian?"

"This is not a time limit, please let the emperor, the prince and everyone decide."

"Yichen thinks it's enough to wake up one hour earlier, the time is enough, and it won't disturb the palace ban," Zaifeng interjected.

"It can be discussed accordingly." Lin Guangyu nodded in approval.

... After a whole night of busy work with all sorts of chores, everyone felt physically and mentally exhausted, but Lin Guangyu was in high spirits, radiant and never even yawned.Seeing the drowsy appearance of this group of people, he said: "Zhang Qing and Yuan Qing stay here first, and the rest will go away."

Everyone left one after another, only Yuan Shikai and Zhang Zhidong were left standing in the hall, looking at each other helplessly, not knowing what the emperor wanted to do.Yuan Shikai, who had ghosts in his heart, had waves of ominous premonitions, but tried his best to put on a calm expression on his face.

"If you are in a hurry, master Zhang can just stay in the palace and write the will. As for Yuan Qing, there are still many government affairs inside and outside the palace. You are experienced and young, how about helping me deal with it?"

"Ah!" Yuan Shikai was anxious.Zhang Zhidong had nothing to say, anyway, whether to stay or not was to write a will, and it didn't matter where he wrote it.But how did Yuan Shikai dare to stay by Guangxu's side for one more minute, so he declined and said: "The emperor sent me, and I will go through fire and water. It's just that the night is dark, and it may not be convenient for me to stay in the palace. Or else I will leave first and wait for heaven to release me." Will you enter the palace to see you after light?"

Want to slip?no way!The more Yuan Shikai evaded, the more suspicious Lin Guangyu became.

"I have only been in charge for a few hours, and everything is complicated and I have no clue. As an important minister of the court, you are also a person who is highly valued by the first empress dowager. Could it be that you are also picking on me?"

The beating was even heavier, and Yuan Shikai fell to his knees: "I dare not." "Get up, the world is difficult, do your best."

"Your Majesty, I... this..." Yuan Shikai still wanted to struggle for the last time. "Why, can't I keep people like this?" Yuan Shikai looked up secretly, and was shocked. Unknowingly, there were figures printed on the window paper of Fuchang Palace. They were clearly the imperial guards with guns and live ammunition. , if I don't agree again, I'm afraid my life will be in danger.A hero doesn't suffer from immediate losses, so he promises to come down first.Yuan Shikai gritted his teeth, and said: "Since the emperor attaches so much importance to it, then I will be reluctant..."

"Okay... It's still your father's loyalty to the country. The queen mother has been seriously ill these few days, and the papers delivered have not been reviewed. I have just recovered, and I don't know the cause and effect of what I wrote. You should approve the papers for me first. Well, if you have any opinions on how to deal with them, I will attach them to the side, and I will sign them one by one after I read them."

Yuan Shikai secretly groaned, it was a great favor to criticize the emperor, but now he has become a terrible shackle when he comes to himself-it is nothing more than a good one, if there is a carelessness, the emperor can just find an excuse. Own.

"The minister is terrified, and dare not presume the holy will."

"Okay, just make up your own opinions. Whether you adopt it or not is my business, and I won't find fault with you." The emperor ordered someone to call in to serve the eunuch Xiaoliuzi, "Find a secluded room for Master Yuan to work, be careful Waiting, don't make any mistakes, I will take the unfinished papers with me later."

"Cha!" Little Six stretched out his hand and made a gesture, "Yuan Zhongtang, please!" After finishing speaking, he stared at Yuan Shikai with complicated eyes.Knowing that Yuan Shikai was going to be unlucky, but he didn't expect it to be so fast, the little six felt a burst of joy in his heart-although he was also a companion among the eunuchs around Cixi, he was not tolerated by Li Lianying, if he hadn't hugged the empress tightly A thick leg, I'm afraid it has been squeezed out a long time ago.Because of this, although foreign officials like Yuan Shikai were polite to them on the surface, and their father-in-law kept shouting, they were not as good as flattering Li Lianying after all. I want to show Yuan Shikai some color.

It is said that the emperor's courtiers staying overnight in the palace and asking him to approve the papers on his behalf is the highest kind of favor, but this matter is not the same for Yuan Shikai.As long as the brain is not broken, everyone knows the emperor's attitude towards Yuan Shikai-the paper bastards in Yingtai still have Yuan Shikai's name written on their backs. The emperor is not a favorite, and he obviously refuses to let Yuan Shikai go back.Also find a secluded room to serve carefully! ?Obviously the emperor asked me to keep him under strict supervision... Don't say that my little six has never dealt with you, even if we have a fateful friendship, we dare not be vague about such a big matter.Come on, come with me.

"The minister will leave first." Yuan Shikai drooped his head, lost...

The hall was empty, only Zhang Zhidong was left.This is also an old man. After seeing the whole process of Lin Guangyu detaining Yuan Shikai, he knew that the ruthless Yuan Shikai was abolished. Then he thought that he would be left in the palace because he wanted to write a will, and he was frightened. He was afraid of the emperor. He also used the same trick to deal with himself, and couldn't even speak for a while.

"Master Zhang, this matter is difficult for you." Lin Guangyu said in an apologetic tone, "I still have a few thoughtful words to say to Master Zhang, you can barely stay here for two days."

"Your majesty... Your majesty... You killed the old minister." Zhang Zhidong was in tears. He had never taught Guangxu anything, and he was honored by the emperor to call him "Master". Pity.

"Master Zhang should be tired after working all night, let's take a rest first... For the rest, take your time."

"Old minister...Old minister, thank you for your kindness." Zhang Zhidong walked to the door, turned his head suddenly, and said in a choked up voice, "Your Majesty, you should also take care of yourself!"

The night is like water, heavy and domineering...