scourge the qing dynasty

Chapter 349
(PS: It’s May, so I’ll repeat it, please subscribe, ask for a monthly pass, and ask for a reward.)
The old witch of Xiaozhuang walked for a long time, and the Hall of Mental Cultivation was always silent, so quiet that each other could hear each other's heartbeat, Kang Mazi also stood motionless beside the false dragon chair, with a dazed expression on his face, as if he was still immersed in his head. In the shock of being beaten by his grandmother once, only when he got closer could he find that his scorched yellow numb eyes kept flashing complex lights, anger, humiliation, doubt, shame, confusion, everything that one expects to find.

I don't know how much time passed, Kang Mazi finally stretched out his hand tremblingly, picked up the letter left by Xiaozhuang, and tremblingly pulled out the letter paper, opened it for a closer look.Peeking at this scene, many of the important ministers in the Hall of Mental Cultivation hurriedly lowered their heads again, anxiously waiting for Kang Mazi's next reaction, to wake up, or to go further into a rage.

After an unknown amount of time, Kang Mazi's voice finally rang out in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, which was so quiet that one could almost go mad. He said hoarsely and weakly, "All of you, kneel in peace. Let me think about this matter again."

"Zhe, long live the emperor, long live, long live." All the ministers of Mi Qing hurriedly kowtowed in agreement as if they had received amnesty, and then quickly got up, regardless of the numbness of their knees, and walked out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation carefully and silently , It wasn't until they walked out of Yangxinmen and breathed the dry and cold air at night in Beijing that all the ministers of Mite Qing breathed a sigh of relief together, feeling as if they felt a world away.

After the guards led them out of the Xihua Gate without saying a word, the officials of Mite Qing were divided into three groups and dispersed, one group was headed by Suo'etu, the other group was headed by Ming Zhu, and the rest were those who did not join these two factions. A neutral official, Tuhai has been away from the center for a long time, and he has no deep friendship with Mingzhu and Suo'etu, and Zhou Peigong is the same, so a pair of good friends naturally walked together and got in the same carriage.

"Unexpected." Tu Hai sighed and murmured in a low voice until the carriage started to drive and there were no outsiders around, "I never thought that the emperor's temper would be so stubborn, and that the old ancestor would... .”

Speaking of this, Tu Hai didn't dare to mutter even in a low voice, while Zhou Peigong leaned back against the carriage seat and said nothing, as if he was deep in thought.After Tu Hai hesitated for a moment, he asked in a low voice: "Pei Gong, in your opinion, will the emperor change his mind? Is there a chance to implement the wonderful plan of the empress dowager's ancestors?"

Zhou Peigong continued to remain silent. After a while, he sighed and said in a low voice: "It's hard to say. The master's personality is too strong. In front of so many people, it will be counterproductive to be called by the ancestors of the empress dowager..., I'm afraid..." But fortunately, judging from the fact that the master didn't show up until the end, the master is probably already tempted, but he is still hesitating, and he can't hold back his face, so he can't make up his mind for the time being."

"Then can the master finally adopt the strategy of the ancestor?" Tu Hai asked.

"This..." Zhou Peigong hesitated again, and then replied: "It is not certain yet, and now the master is still hesitating whether to change the counter-insurgency strategy of the all-out campaign, I am afraid the master will have to spend some time weighing the pros and cons , it is difficult to have results in a short period of time.”

"I hope the master can wake up." Tuhai sighed again, and murmured: "In the current situation, if our Qing Dynasty continues to carry out an all-out campaign, it will be a dead end. We can only switch from offense to defense. There is a little hope that the life and death of Daqing is already in the master's mind."

"Regarding this point, Enxiangda can rest assured." Zhou Peigong said with a smile: "In fact, when I was in the Hall of Mental Cultivation just now, I have already figured out a method that can definitely persuade the master to change his mind and adopt the old ancestor's strategy. I haven’t arrived yet, so I haven’t brought it up yet. Let the master calm down for two days, and then I can start.”

"What's the best way? Do you need my help?" Tuhai asked in surprise.

"Master En understands the situation of the enemy ahead, and it is of course best to have your help." Zhou Peigong smiled slightly, and whispered in Tuhai's ear: "The slave is planning to advise the master..., and then the master will definitely adopt the advice of the empress dowager's ancestors." It's a strategy."

"Wonderful! Why didn't I think of this?!" Tuhai waved his fist, and said with joy and admiration: "Pei Gong really deserves to be Zhuge of the Qing Dynasty, Xiao Zhangliang of the Eight Banners! Such a brilliant idea, Even if I break my head, I can't figure it out!"

"Your kindness is too much. If there is no foundation laid by the ancestors, the slave's method may not be able to change the master's mind." Zhou Peigong smiled modestly, and said to himself proudly: "Son Lu Yifeng, this Once, I want you to spit out everything you owed me, your benefactor, and our Qing dynasty!"

Tu Hai grinned and nodded, deeply sympathetic to Zhou Peigong's words, suddenly slapped his lame leg again, and said angrily: "It's a pity! It's a pity that Si Gege disappeared for some reason, otherwise, with Pei Gong's clever plan, Si Gege will be able to get back tonight tonight." I must thank you very much! I can also get a lot of credit!"

"Yeah, I'm also missing Si Gege's tenderness and affection." Zhou Peigong was also emotional, and suddenly lowered his voice and said with a lewd smile: "Speaking of which, Enxiang, why don't you stay at the student's place tonight? The student came from Shaanxi, Gansu and Shanxi has brought a few women, although their skills in bed are not as good as Sigege, but their beauty is not inferior to Sigege."

"Really?" Tu Hai also smiled lewdly, "It doesn't matter if I go back to my home or not, I'll go to your place tonight, and we'll still be the same as before, the two of us will go together!"

........................

The night passed quickly, and in the early morning of the next day, all the civil and military officials of the Qing Dynasty rushed to the palace to participate in the morning court, but as soon as they entered the court room, a eunuch came to deliver an order saying that Kang Mazi was ill today and would not be able to attend the morning court. The officials of Mite Qing who didn't know where they were, dispersed easily, but the important officials of Mite Qing who knew the situation of the Hall of Mental Cultivation last night were all worried, knowing that Kang Mazi must still be hesitating, and he was afraid that within a few days, there would be A major event concerning the fate of the Qing Dynasty happened.So Suo'etu, Mingzhu and the others didn't dare to be negligent, and they all went into the Wenhua Pavilion to work honestly and act on state affairs, so as not to be caught by Kang Mazi and vent their anger on their own heads, and they didn't leave until it was completely dark. Ouchi went home to rest.

There are also a lot of official business today, and most of them are related to the military, so Nalan Mingzhu, who is the Minister of the Ministry of War, left Ouchi at the latest, and did not leave the palace until it was completely dark, and returned to his location on the west side of Longhua Temple Mansion (now Chunwang North Mansion).And when Mingzhu got out of the sedan chair when she arrived at her destination, it was almost the second watch of the night, and the streets full of traffic during the day were already deserted, with few passers-by.

"Slave greets the master." Zhang Feiyu, the housekeeper, ran over to beat Qian, and helped Mingzhu across the sedan chair.Mingzhu asked casually: "Are there any guests here today?"

"Back to the master, there are no important guests. Some local officials came to pay their respects to the master." Zhang Feiyu respectfully replied: "According to the master's order, after leaving their name badges and invitations, they are all sent away."

"Very good, it will be like this from now on." Mingzhu nodded, and then ordered: "Also, tell the door on duty that you are not allowed to pay homage to the door. Now is the time when the Lord is worried about the country. If people get caught, it will attract attention." Unexpected trouble."

Zhang Feiyu agreed, and when he was about to help Mingzhu enter the door, a black shadow flashed out from behind the stone lion in front of Mingzhu's mansion, frightened Mingzhu's long followers yelled and rushed to protect Mingzhu, Zhang Feiyu was also startled Jumping, surprised: "When did this guy hide behind the stone lion? Why didn't the servant see it just now?"

"Everyone, please don't panic, I'm not an assassin." The black shadow raised his hands very calmly, letting Mingzhu and the others see that he didn't have a weapon in his hand, and hit Mingzhu again, saying in a Cantonese accent: Officer Hong Xi, by the order of my master, pay my respects to Lord Zhongtang."

"Officer Hong Xi?" Ming Zhu heard this name for the first time, and she couldn't help asking in doubt: "Who is your master? Since he wants to pay my respects to this official, why didn't he come in person?"

"Master Hui Zhongtang, my master has important matters and has no time to separate himself, so I can only send a villain to pay my respects." Hong Xiguan replied respectfully, then took out a greeting card from his bosom, held it up with both hands and said: "This is the little man. Lord Zhongtang please read the greeting card from the master."

"Bold!" Zhang Feiyu said angrily, "What kind of official is your master? So bold? It's fine to send a long follower to ask for an interview, but dare to frighten Lord Zhongtang and directly hand over the invitation card to Lord Zhongtang? Does he want to be an official? gone?"

"The villain is indeed rude, but there is a reason for the incident. Master Zhongtang will understand everything as long as he reads the greeting card from the villain's master." Official Hong Xi replied neither humble nor overbearing.

"Bold!" Zhang Feiyu wanted to scold again, but Mingzhu waved her hand to stop him, and gave him a wink. Zhang Feiyu understood, and hurried up to take the greeting card from Hong Xiguan, and passed it to Mingzhu.Mingzhu took it and opened it, and saw that there was only one line of words on it--the late family member Kangxi was appointed as the county magistrate of Qujing in the sixth year of Kangxi to kowtow.

"In the sixth year of Kangxi's reign as magistrate of Qujing County?" Mingzhu was startled for a moment, then her heart skipped a beat, and the letter of worship in her hand fell to the ground, and her face was filled with astonishment.

"Master Zhongtang, can the villain talk to you alone?" Officer Hong Xi observed his words and said, "I can guarantee that after listening to the villain, Master Zhongtang will definitely gain something."

"Take it immediately? Or wait?" The thought of making a decision flashed through Mingzhu's mind. After a moment of hesitation, Mingzhu gritted her teeth and ordered, "Lead him into my study." Picking up the letter of worship, he stepped forward and entered his house, and Mingzhu's chief follower led Hong Xiguan into the mansion as instructed, and arranged for him to wait in Mingzhu's study.

After making foolproof arrangements, Mingzhu changed into a set of light clothes, and led four absolutely reliable family servants to the study. When she entered the study, she saw the cross-eyed Hong Xiguan standing in the study. Zhongzheng was sitting in front of him, and there was a package he brought with him in front of him.Seeing Ming Zhu coming in, when Officer Hong Xi hurriedly saluted and greeted him, Ming Zhu waved her hand to be excused, then asked her long follower to close the door, and sat in a seat quite far away from Officer Hong Xi, and asked her four confidantes to stand beside her, then asked: "Your master, what did you send you to do?"

"Master Zhongtang, my master, I want the villain to send something to Lord Zhongtang." Hong Xiguan unwrapped the package, took out a gift box from it, and said respectfully with both hands: "Ten pieces of sapphires, emerald opal beads and red agate beads A string of each, a set of ivory and emerald go chess, worth about 1 taels of silver, please take a look at it, Mr. Zhongtang.”

A entourage wanted to come forward to receive a gift, but Mingzhu stopped him with a wave of her hand and asked, "Your master and I are just acquainted with each other, why did he give me such an expensive gift?"

"My master, I want to ask Master Zhongtang to do something." Hong Xiguan replied in a deep voice: "This small gift is just a deposit, no matter whether Master Zhongtang can complete it, Master Zhongtang does not need to return it, but if the matter is completed, my family The master has ten times the gift of gratitude."

"Your master has indeed become rich, and his actions are becoming more and more generous." Mingzhu snorted coldly and said, "What he wants me to do must be some kind of unscrupulous and immoral thing?"

"Lord Zhongtang is wrong, it's just a very simple and easy thing, as long as Master Zhongtang speaks, it can be done." Hong Xiguan replied with a smile: "And it's definitely not hurting nature, on the contrary, it can save countless lives." human life."

"What's the matter? Come tell me." Mingzhu asked.

........................

The time turned back a little bit, almost at the same time when Hong Xiguan entered the Mingzhu Mansion, Zhou Peigong also dragged Tuhai to the Xihua Gate of the Forbidden City, and handed his waist card to the guards of the Xihua Gate, requesting to have an audience with Kang at night. Mazi, Su Lun, the guard on duty, is extremely troubled, saying that it is so late that Kang Mazi will definitely not meet his courtiers, and maybe he will lose his temper.Zhou Peigong told Su Lun while shoving the door respect into Su Lun's hands, "Don't worry, Mr. Su. As long as Mr. Su explains to Eunuch Zhang that the slave is here to offer advice to wipe out Lu Yifeng's dog thief, the master will definitely meet the slave. Adults will not be implicated either."

Su Lun is skeptical, but Su Lun also knows that Zhou Peigong is now the big celebrity in front of Kang Mazi, and she dare not joke about the favor of the holy family, angering Kang Mazi and ruining her future, so she gritted her teeth and agreed, holding Zhou Peigong and Tu Hai's waist The card enters the palace to report.It was also at this time that Tuhai complained to Zhou Peigong in a low voice: "Peigong, what are you up to? You refused to urge you to see the master during the day, and you only came to hand over the sign to ask for permission after the second watch, in case the master has already rested what to do?"

"Ensang, please rest assured, master has definitely not slept yet." Zhou Peigong replied in a low voice: "And I can be sure that not only master has not rested yet, even last night, master did not close his eyes all night."

"Even if this is the case, then you don't need to enter the palace overnight, right? Can't wait for tomorrow?" Tu Hai continued to complain angrily.

"Only when you ask to see me is the most hopeful to convince the master." Zhou Peigong smiled and replied in a low voice: "First, the master has not closed his eyes all day and night. No matter how big the anger is, it will almost be dissipated. You can listen to me." I have to say some unpleasant words. Second, the master has weighed the pros and cons. After hesitating for a while, he should have a bottom line in his mind. Let's push it a little longer, and the master will be able to make up his mind. Third, the master will make up his mind at this time There are no other outsiders around, so it is more convenient for us to talk and offer advice, if there are outsiders present tomorrow, and a lot of nonsense is spoken, it will be difficult for the master to make up his mind."

"Really?" Tu Hai is also dubious, but Tu Hai also knows that Zhou Peigong's resourcefulness is far superior to his own, and he is good at guessing what others think. Since he is so confident, he must have his reasons, so Tu Hai does not No matter what to say, I just stayed with Zhou Peigong and waited for Kang Mazi's reply.

After waiting for more than a quarter of an hour, Su Lun quickly ran to the Xihua Gate, first asked the guards to open the Xihua Gate, and then said: "Master Zhou, Mr. Tu, you are right, the master really agreed to see you Now, I want you to enter the palace immediately, the sooner the better. Please come in, my master is waiting for you in the Hall of Mental Cultivation." Hearing this, Tu Hai inevitably admired Zhou Peigong even more, but Zhou Peigong was full of confidence With a slight smile, he helped the lame Tu Hai and walked into the palace gate.

Su Lun led him all the way to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. As soon as he entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Zhou Peigong and Tu Hai saw scattered folders and broken tea bowls and cups everywhere in the hall, and Kang Mazi was reclining on the pseudo-dragon chair On the road, the spirit is very depressed.Tu Hai and Zhou Peigong didn't dare to neglect, they quickly knelt down together, kowtowed and said: "Slave Tuhai, Zhou Peigong, kowtow to the emperor, long live the emperor, long live the emperor."

Kang Mazi didn't move at all, and after a long time, with a hoarse voice, he asked slowly: "Do you think I was all wrong before? Shouldn't I disregard the actual situation of the country and insist on encircling Lu Yifeng's dog thief with all my strength?"

"Back to the master, you are right." Zhou Peigong replied loudly: "Lu Yifeng is a thug, a coward, rebellion, deceitful, deceitful, he deserves death! Not only is it true that the master is encircling him with all his strength, but he is continuing to encircle and suppress! This thief is also an extremely wise decision!"

"Really?" Kang Mazi's eyelids moved, and he opened his numb eyes, revealing bloodshot yellow eyeballs. He glanced at Zhou Peigong and Tu Hai in surprise, and then asked, "So, you are against the old ancestors?" decision?"

"The emperor misunderstood. The servants support the emperor to continue to destroy Lu Yifeng's dog thief, but they do not oppose the decision of the ancestors." Zhou Peigong replied in a deep voice: "Because the servants believe that the emperor's strategy of suppressing thieves is not in line with the ancestor's plan. There is no conflict in the strategy of rebellion, on the contrary, they can complement each other and make Lu Yifeng a thief!"

"What do you mean?" Kang Mazi sat up straight and said, "Keep talking, the more detailed the better."

"Before the slave speaks, the slave dares to ask the master a question." Zhou Peigong asked cautiously: "May I ask the master, among the old thief Wu Sangui and the two thieves Lu Yifeng, which one does the master hate the most?"

"Who do I hate the most?" Kang Mazi was stunned, only thought for a moment, and immediately bit his black, yellow and uneven teeth, and said firmly: "Of course it's Lu Yifeng's dog thief! Although Wu Sangui's old thief is equally hateful , but at least he has made great contributions to the Qing Dynasty, and he has made great contributions—and Lu Yifeng, a dog thief, since he became an official, has done everything to dig up the foundation of our Qing dynasty, to dig our Qing Dynasty. The foundation of the Celestial Dynasty, harming our Qing Dynasty! If I don’t cut this thief into pieces, I swear I won’t be human!!”

"Slave understands." Zhou Peigong nodded, and asked again: "Slave has the guts to ask another question. For my Daqing country, Wu Sangui's old thief and Lu Yifeng's dog thief, who does the master think is more dangerous?"

"Of course it's still Lu Yifeng's thief!" Kang Mazi continued to grit his teeth, "Wu Sangui's old thief is notorious, he has a strong army but no benevolent government; Lu Yifeng's hypocrisy is good at buying people's hearts! Wu Sangui's old thief is old and sick, and has no successors; Lu Yifeng's dog thief is young and vigorous, and if he is allowed to continue to grow, then his harm to the Eight Banners of the Qing Dynasty must be a hundred times and a thousand times that of Wu Sangui's old thief!"

"I understand, and I think so too." Zhou Peigong nodded again, then suddenly lowered his voice, and said slowly: "Master, since you think that Lu Yifeng's bastard deserves more death than Wu Sangui's old thief, and is also more dangerous than Wu Sangui's old thief, Your Majesty The ancestors of the Empress Dowager also proposed that the master should let me have peace talks with the old thief Wu Sangui, and let the old thief Wu Sangui go and Lu Yifeng's dog and dog to bite the dog and kill each other..."

"Then..." At this point, Zhou Peigong paused, and then said more slowly: "Then why didn't the master think about forming an alliance with the old thief Wu Sangui and jointly exterminate the dog thief Lu Yifeng?"

"Ah!" Kang Mazi screamed and stood up, and slapped the false dragon case and shouted: "Why didn't I think of forming an alliance with the old thief Wu Sangui and jointly encircling and suppressing Lu Yifeng's dog thief? In this way, I can treat Mrs. The empress dowager's ancestors have confessed, can they cut Lu Yifeng's thief into pieces?!"

(End of this chapter)