scourge the qing dynasty

Chapter 186 The Wise Emperor Kangxi

"Have I really undressed Lu Yifeng's dog thief and pushed food and food? Have I never really paid attention to this dog thief?"

Comparing things with goods, you have to throw them away, and people have to die when you compare them to others. Under the blow of the old hag in Xiaozhuang, carefully recalling what he did to Fatty Lu, Xiao Mazi suddenly realized that he seemed to be doing something wrong to Fatty Lu. So authentic.

First of all, Xiao Mazi felt that he did not pay attention to Fatty Lu. The time when Kang Mazi went to Beijing to meet with Fatty Lu as usual at the end of the sixth year, that was the most likely opportunity to completely win Fatty Lu's allegiance. I have seen all kinds of talents of Fatty Lu with my own eyes, but it is a pity that Xiao Mazi never confides in Fatty Lu, and he never insists on keeping Fatty Lu by his side. meticulous work.

Originally, in Xiao Mazi's opinion, being able to be treated as a jester by him was already the greatest honor of this slave in his life, but now that Xiao Mazi thought about it, he suddenly found that he treated a pedant with the courtesy of a jester. A genius of heaven and man, sending a pillar of the country with both civil and military skills to do some stealthy things like stealing chickens and dogs, who can bear it with pride?

Later, Xiao Mazi found that he was sorry for Fatty Lu even more. When Tu Hai, Kong Sizhen, Li Shizu, Jie Shu and others were pressing and making things difficult for Fatty Lu, not only did he not stop him, Giving Fatty Lu enough support and trust, on the contrary, he deliberately condoned and covered Fatty Lu. He almost killed Fatty Lu several times, and even forced Fatty Lu to resign from office because of suspicion, and almost lost his life in Guangxi!No matter how much loyalty Fatty Lu had to himself, he would have been wiped out by all kinds of suspicion and persecution that were so out of character.
On the contrary, Wu Sangui's treatment of Fatty Lu was extremely clever and sincere. After Fatty Lu kidnapped Shang Kexi's young daughter as his wife, not only did Wu Sangui not be forced by Shang Kexi to punish Fatty Lu severely, Instead, she personally acted as a matchmaker and married Fatty Lu and the princess of Pingnan Palace.Snatching away the seeds of Eight Banners Fushou Gao, but giving Fatty Lu the privilege of planting Eight Banners Fushou Gao among the people in Qujing, so that Fatty Lu won the absolute support of the people of Qujing.

In addition, the more critical point is that, according to intelligence, Wu Sangui dared to give away more than half of the financial revenue of the entire Pingxi Palace to squander on Fatty Lu, allowing Fatty Lu to develop and produce new firearms at will. Absolute superiority, overwhelming superiority of firearms and weapons, in the face of such boldness that no doubter will use and no doubter will use, can Fatty Lu not give up his heart to Wu Sangui?Can you not go through fire and water for the old thief Wu Sangui?
Thinking of this, Xiao Mazi shook his head, and after pursing his lips for a long time, Xiao Mazi said hoarsely: "Then try again, find a way to get in touch with Lu Yifeng, and tell him that as long as he is willing to rein in the precipice, abandon the dark and turn to the bright, I will help you." All his previous sins can be pardoned, and he can also be named Minister of the Ministry of Industry,... and given to walk in the study! If he wants any other conditions, he can discuss it!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Kong Sizhen kowtowed, and asked cautiously: "But my Majesty, who should I entrust this matter to?"

"You are in charge of the thirteen yamen, so you can handle it." Xiao Mazi replied casually.

"Your Majesty, it's not that the slave is unwilling to serve." Kong Sizhen showed embarrassment, and said embarrassingly: "It's just that the slave has a lot of misunderstandings with Lu Yifeng. If I leave it to the slave, I'm afraid it will get twice the result with half the effort."

"Your Majesty, this servant thinks that this matter can be handed over to Lord Wang Xu." Mingzhu stood up and saluted and said, "Lord Wang and Lu Yifeng have a very close friendship, and they are currently in charge of the Ministry of War, so it should be most appropriate for him to handle it." .”

"Well, let Wang Aiqing do it." Xiao Mazi said in a deep voice, "But Wang Aiqing is not very good at these things. Kong Aiqing, please help me a lot. You should discuss with Wang Aiqing about how to do it."

"Slave obeys the order." Kong Sizhen kowtowed in agreement, and retreated with a little joy in her heart, while Xiong Cilu next to her gave her a jealous look and groaned in her heart.Unexpectedly, Dai Zi also stood up over there, saluted and said: "Your Majesty, I also want to see that Lu Yifeng with my own eyes, please let me participate in this matter, I also want to take this opportunity to ask that Lu Yifeng Learn more about the manufacture of firearms."

"You? Forget it." Xiao Mazi quickly shook his head and said, "Dai Aiqing, you have never seen how naughty Lu Yifeng's servant is. Don't ask him for advice and learn nothing. Instead, he gave me the firearm secrets from my side. It's clean. You'd better get firearms for me in the capital, don't get meddled in this matter."

"I obey." Dai Zi was disappointed, and said unwillingly: "Your Majesty, please lend me this picture of the flying boat of Wu Sangui's bandit army. I want to copy a copy and ask other brilliant craftsmen for advice. , see if you can manage to imitate it."

"This is fine." Xiao Mazi was very satisfied when he heard that, and immediately asked the eunuch to hand over the drawing to Dai Zi. Make a copy and send it to Xu Zhengming in Suzhou? He is the first person to build a flying car, so maybe he can give me more inspiration.” ——Of course, afterwards, Xiao Mazi also had the consequences of Dai Zi’s decision , and almost strangled Dai Zi to death with his own hands.

After deciding on this matter, it was completely dark, and everyone including Xiao Mazi was hungry and tired. Seeing that it was getting late, Xiao Mazi had to order everyone to go home to rest and eat, and was going to discuss the relationship in the next morning. Wu Junqing, everyone kowtowed and got up to leave the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Only Zhou Peigong did not get up. After everyone had gone away, Zhou Peigong took out another sealed memorial from his arms and said respectfully: "Report to the emperor, the slave will be accepted." In the entrustment of the hall in the picture, there is also a secret booklet presented to the emperor, please accept it."

Exhausted and preoccupied, Xiao Mazi didn't bother to speak, so he waved to the eunuch next to him. I was alone with the old witch of Xiaozhuang in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.And Xiao Mazi also cheered up, picked up Tuhai's secret book and opened it to read, but only read a few paragraphs casually, Xiao Mazi couldn't help but his eyes lit up, and he couldn't help standing up.

"Grandson, what's the matter?" Xiao Zhuang asked calmly, "What did Tuhai servant say in the secret book?"

"Grandmother, please take a look." Xiao Mazi personally sent Mi Zhe to Xiaozhuang, and said excitedly: "Tuhai, this slave, really has a long-term vision, and even suggested that I should execute Wu Yingxiong quickly, so that the old thief Wu Sangui can inherit the throne." Having no heirs laid the groundwork for the future civil strife of Wu's rebellious army."

"This slave can still see so far? Why didn't the Ai family find out before?" Xiaozhuang was a little surprised, and when he quickly took the memorial and took a closer look, he found that the content was true. Tu Hai not only suggested that Wu Yingxiong should be executed quickly in the secret memorial , also analyzed in detail the various hidden dangers of the Wu army after Wu Yingxiong was executed, especially emphasizing that Wu Sangui is old and may die at any time. However, Wu Sangui has a difficult life, and only one Wu Yingxiong can be used. , Greedy and incompetent, and the eldest grandson Wu Shifan is too young to be the heir to the commanding position of Wu Jun. Basically, as long as Wu Sangui dies, internal strife and civil strife in Wu Jun will be a foregone conclusion!

"I didn't expect this servant to see this, it's considered that he put his heart into it." Xiao Zhuang snorted coldly, "It's rare to be able to see this step with far-reaching eyes."

"Grandmother, so you agree with this?" Xiao Mazi asked excitedly: "Then, did I immediately order to execute Wu Yingxiong, that traitor?"

"Don't worry, this matter has to be discussed carefully." The old witch of Xiaozhuang said slowly: "Whether Wu Yingxiong is executed or not depends on whether you, grandson, are determined to fight the old thief Wu Sangui to the end? Otherwise, if you execute Wu Yingxiong, grandson Wu Yingxiong is a traitor, Wu Sangui is furious and refuses to give up, we will cut off all hope of negotiating peace with Wu Sangui."

"Grandmother, do you also think that grandson must negotiate peace with the old thief Wu Sangui?" Xiao Mazi's face changed, and he immediately hesitated.

It's not surprising that Xiao Mazi had this reaction. Ever since the news of the defeat of Oboi's army and the main force of the Qing Dynasty was officially announced, two diametrically opposed voices appeared in the Qing court. Most of the civil and military officials, who were frightened, asked Xiao Mazi to send envoys to start negotiations with Wu Sangui's army. The reason for the truce was very good. Bai is dead, and the strategic intention of Wu Sangui's army has been achieved. It is the best time to negotiate a truce with Wu's army. ——By the way, during the San Francisco Rebellion in history, Suo'etu, Xiao Mazi's favorite, was also a mature and prudent leader of the Peace Faction.

Those who are more interested in Xiao Mazi are the radical main combat faction headed by Xiao Mazi's other favorite minister Mingzhu, and there are also Mi Sihan, Minister of the Ministry of household affairs, and Mo Luo, minister of the criminal department, who are also very firm main combat factions. They all agree that Wu Sangui is an old thief. Ambitious, and will never be willing to be subordinated forever. The so-called killing of Oboi by the Qing emperor is just an excuse. Sooner or later, he will use an excuse to completely rebel or separatize the southwest. , Fight to the end with the old thief Wu Sangui, and completely eradicate this scourge of the Qing Dynasty! ——The result was the same as in history, Xiao Mazi, a genius of internal strife, a military idiot and a high self-esteem, firmly stood on the side of the main combat faction.

"Grandson, the Ai family has also heard the voices in the court these days in the Cining Palace." Xiaozhuang said unhurriedly: "Some people advocate war, and some people advocate peace. Grandson, you stand On the side of the main combat faction, Suo Etu advised you to send envoys to negotiate a peace with the old thief Wu Sangui, and you scolded him in public, suppressing the voice of asking for a peace negotiation. But grandson... "

Having said that, the old hag of Xiaozhuang paused for a moment, then lowered her voice and said, "But grandson, can we not negotiate and buy time now? Our Qing Dynasty only had a total of 65 troops, and we lost 20 in Guizhou at once. , coupled with the rebellious army and the army that surrendered to the enemy, nearly half of our army in the Qing Dynasty has disappeared. Even if our Qing Dynasty has a population of tens of millions, and Fuhua Tianbao can afford millions of troops, but the recruitment These troops, arming these troops, training these troops, which one does not require time? Can we not buy time?"

"Of course my grandson understands what my grandmother said." Xiao Mazi said unconvinced: "But our Qing Dynasty still has the natural danger of the Yangtze River, and there are more than 30 Manchu and Han troops united in one heart. As long as we hold the Yangtze River defense line, we can also fight for it." When it's time to prepare for the war, why bother to ask others in a low voice, begging the old thief Wu Sangui to give us peace?"

"Your majesty, maybe you think so." Xiaozhuang sighed, and then said in a low voice: "But now, are we sure we can hold the Yangtze River defense line? You have also seen today's battle report. How powerful are firearms? More than 2 Eight Banners cavalry were killed in less than half an hour. The old thief Wu Sangui also has flying soldiers who can fly into the sky. In front of such weapons, our Yangtze River is naturally dangerous. , are you still sure you can hold it?"

Xiao Mazi was speechless, he only hated Fatty Lu in his heart—why did the old thief Wu Sangui tinker with so many perverted firearms?After careful calculation, Xiao Mazi said again: "But grandma, do you think that old thief Wu Sangui will sincerely negotiate peace with us? If we hand over Wu Yingxiong and dog thief to old thief Wu Sangui to ask for a truce, old thief Wu Sangui will have no worries. Will he have to rebel again sooner or later? By then, he will not only have new firearms, but also Huguang Granary and Sichuan Guangxi.

"Who said grandma wants you to hand over Wu Yingxiong to the old thief Wu Sangui?" Xiao Zhuang rolled his eyes at Xiao Mazi, and said darkly, "Wu Yingxiong can't be released, and can't be detained any longer. He must die! The root of the old thief Wu Sangui must be cut off." ! Otherwise, the old thief Wu Sangui will really increase his ambitions and spy on the Central Plains!"

"Grandmother, what do you mean?" Xiao Mazi was confused and couldn't help asking: "Grandmother, you want your grandson to negotiate peace with the old thief Wu Sangui, and at the same time want your grandson to kill Wu Yingxiong. Isn't it contradictory to lose the root of Wu Sangui's old thief?"

"Silly grandson, did grandma ask you to be the villain and kill Wu Yingxiong?" Xiao Zhuang asked with a smile, "Can't you use your brains and let others be charged with killing Wu Yingxiong? Then, grandson, you should come forward and be a good person." , to avenge the murder of the old thief Wu Sangui, and appease the anger of the old thief Wu Sangui, in this way, you will not only break the roots of the old thief Wu Sangui, but also win the hope of negotiating peace with the old thief Wu Sangui?"

"Let someone else be charged with killing Wu Yingxiong as a thief?" Xiao Mazi asked lately, "Then who should come forward to be this villain? Where can we find such a suitable person?"

"Isn't there such a person right now?" The old witch of Xiaozhuang said casually: "Son, you have such a slave, who is the first target of Wu Sangui's old thief under the banner of the Qing emperor. He has the motivation and ability to kill Wu Yingxiong. After that, grandson, you can still hand over his whole family to the old thief Wu Sangui to vent his anger and appease Wu Sangui's soaring anger. Now, grandson, do you know who this person is?"

"Oboi?!" Xiao Mazi's eyes lit up, and he said pleasantly: "It's still grandma's cleverness, why didn't my grandson expect to let Oboi take the blame? The old thief Oboi was defeated by the old thief Wu Sangui, and he has many followers It's deeply rooted, and it's easy to kill the thief Wu Yingxiong to vent his anger, and if he has the motive and ability to kill, handing over the whole family of the old thief Oboi to the old thief Wu Sangui afterwards should also appease the anger of the old thief Wu Sangui."

"It can only be said that there is hope." The old witch of Xiaozhuang said slowly: "The old thief Wu Sangui is not stupid, and there are many capable people and strangers under his command. Our strategy of blaming Oboi may not necessarily be hidden. But there is no other way right now. In order to buy time for the army to prepare for war, I can only try it. So grandson, you must act more realistically, and you might as well do more for empty favors , For example, give Wu Yingxiong a posthumous posthumous title, return Jianning and Wu Shilin to the old thief Wu Sangui, try to appease the anger of the old thief Wu Sangui, and strive for a glimmer of hope for peace negotiations."

"Grandson, you have to remember that since ancient times, the hero who can bend and stretch is the unrivaled hero." Xiaozhuang continued: "If Obai is only defeated and most of the army can withdraw from Guizhou, then grandma doesn't want to force you to go to Wu Sangui. The old thief bows his head, and will only resolutely support you to fight against the old thief Wu Sangui. But right now, the entire army of Oboi has been wiped out, and our Qing elites have almost been wiped out. It can be said that the moment of weakness and danger has reached the extreme, old thief Wu Sangui It is really unwise for the soldiers to insist on fighting him to the death."

"So, grandson, right now you have only one advantage over old thief Wu Sangui, that is, you are young and have plenty of time. Old thief Wu Sangui is different. Like his grandmother, he is a person who lives less and less every day, so the longer the time drags on , the more beneficial it is to you! So grandma thinks, even if there is a possibility of failure, grandson, you should try your best to try, as long as you can temporarily stabilize the old thief Wu Sangui for three to five years, grandson, you will be sure to win Otherwise, if you insist on a decisive battle with the old thief Wu Sangui to the end, the best result is that both sides will suffer, and if it is not good, your grandson, your throne and the country and society of the Qing Dynasty will be in danger."

If according to the normal historical development track, Xiao Mazi got rid of Oboi in the eighth year of Kang Mazi, and got a few years to integrate the internal affairs and consolidate the rule, then the conceited and arrogant Xiao Mazi would definitely not obey The old hag of Xiaozhuang's earnest words, bowing her head to the old traitor Wu whom she despises and is extremely hostile to, is not Xiao Mazi's character.

But it's different now, because of a certain scourge, the defeat of Oboi's party was delayed by a full three years, and the time when Old Wu's traitor raised his army was advanced by nearly two years. Steady is facing such a dangerous situation.

At the same time, because of a certain disaster, the military strength and weaponry of the old traitor Wu not only greatly surpassed any army in this era, but also wiped out more than one-third of the main force and most of the absolute elite in one fell swoop. It has greatly narrowed the comparison with the Mite Qing Eight Banners, and formed an overwhelming advantage in weapons against the Mite Qing army!In view of these circumstances, Xiao Mazi, who has just taken power and is not stable, has so much confidence to fight Wu Jun to the end, and refuses to listen to the bitter words of the old witch of Xiaozhuang?

"Grandmother, grandson..." After hesitating for a long time, Xiao Mazi still hesitated and said: "Grandson wants to think about it again, and I will give grandma an answer in a few days."

"Grandson, we don't have time, we don't have much time." The old hag of Xiaozhuang said in a dark voice, "Even if there is no secret book from Tuhai today, grandma will let you do it as soon as possible, and use Oboi's reputation to get rid of it." Get rid of Wu Yingxiong! Because grandma can tell that no matter whether the old thief Wu Sangui sincerely asks for peace or pretends to deceive him, he will send us an envoy to request negotiations. On the condition of an armistice or exchange of prisoners, he will ask your grandson to release Wu Yingxiong who is imprisoned in the capital and release him. worries about the future."

"Grandson, you can think about it, how many of our princes Baylor did the old thief Wu Sangui capture in Guizhou? There are two of the princes alone! At that time, the emissary of the old thief Wu Sangui proposed to exchange prisoners. If you don't agree, the parents and family members of these prisoners will How are you willing to let it go? Now that you have arrested so many civil and military officials in one go in order to eradicate Oboi, it is the time when people are panicking and rumors are spreading, do you want to add more rumors and turmoil?"

After talking endlessly here, the old hag of Xiaozhuang paused again, and finally reminded: "The more important point, after Wu Sangui's emissary of the old thief came to the capital, if Wu Yingxiong is not dead, what should you do? Kill him!" It's over, it's the last hope of negotiating with the old thief Wu Sangui and buying time. Don't kill him, let him go back so that the old thief Wu Sangui can worry about his future and raise the tiger?"

The foresight words of Xiaozhuang old hag finally woke up Xiao Mazi, Xiao Mazi slapped the back of the chair and straightened his already crooked back, gritted his teeth and said: "Grandmother is right, grandson will do it tonight to get rid of Wu Yingxiong's scourge! "

"Leave it to Kong Sizhen. After the matter is completed, all the insiders will be silenced, just in case." Xiaozhuang said coldly: "Wu Yingxiong is locked up with Wu Shilin. It is best for Wu Shilin to see with his own eyes. He was killed by Aobai's party members, and he heard with his own ears that the killer was ordered by Aobai to kill him, so let Wu Shilin personally tell his grandfather who did it."

Xiao Mazi nodded slowly, and from his pockmarked eyes, two incomparably cold and vicious gazes suddenly shot out, the same vicious and cold gazes as the old witch of Xiaozhuang!

………………

After the third watch of the night, an event that shocked the whole Beijing and the whole world happened. Several masked men in black sneaked into the prison of the Ministry of Justice, broke open the cell where Wu Yingxiong was detained, and claimed that they were ordered by the grand master Oboi to kill the rebels. The descendants of Wu Sangui, the thief, brutally murdered Wu Yingxiong in front of Wu Shilin, the second grandson of Wu Sangui, who was locked in the next cell!Later, the group of killers tried to break open the cell where Wu Shilin was held, and killed Wu Shilin who was less than six years old. Fortunately, the prison guards from the brigade arrived in time and rescued Wu Shilin's life from the killer's knife. After a long bloody battle with the prison guards, seeing that there was no hope of breaking through, they all swallowed the poison they carried with them, and they all died on the spot!
On the second day after the incident, Emperor Kang Mazi of the Qing Dynasty was furious when he heard the news, and immediately issued an order to arrest all the jailers on duty at night and officials of all sizes in the prison. To be referenced.Afterwards, Emperor Kang Mazi showed great mercy and broadcast nectar, allowing his aunt Princess Jianning to take Wu Shilin home to take care of him. And it was decreed to allow Wu Yingxiong's coffin to be transported back to Yunnan for a thick burial.

Xiao Mazi was so kind to Wu Yingxiong's death, it was inevitable that he would look sideways in surprise, and let the lord and officials of the court see a glimmer of hope for peace. Zhou Peigong, who reported the battle ahead in the capital, was an exception.After hearing the news, not only was Zhou Peigong not surprised at all, but he let out a long sigh of relief and said with a smile: "As expected, the emperor is indeed wise and powerful, and he is indeed worthy of my assistance."

(End of this chapter)