Chapter 170 The Royal Gate Listens to the Government
October 15, the forty-ninth year of Qianlong's reign.
He Shen, who had just fallen asleep in the middle of the night, heard the chiming clock outside ringing three times and woke up after rubbing his eyes. His concubine Su Qinglian was still mumbling in her sleep, and He Shen didn't want to wake her up, so he quietly got up and went.
outhouse.
Just as he was about to cough and call the maid to come over and serve him, he saw the second aunt came in holding a lamp.
"Why did you get up so early?"
"I thought of something I wanted to ask you. Quan'er transferred 200,000 taels of silver to me a few days ago. Where did it come from?"
He Shen gargled and said, "This is Wang Jinglong's money. He wants me to help him run the Lianghuai Salt Transport Envoy. It's a pity that this man is not very lucky."
"How to say?"
He Shen handed the mouthwash cup to the maid, took the hot towel and wiped his face, then said: "Let someone kill me at your door and kill me."
"Ah!" Chang Er Gu covered her mouth and said in surprise: "Who is so bold and dares to touch the master's people?"
He Shen said slowly: "Don't worry about this matter. I can't explain it in a few words. Just transfer the money to the government account." He couldn't help but feel relaxed when he thought of what everyone in the military aircraft department's duty room was discussing yesterday.
Sighed.
The eldest aunt was a little surprised when she saw him like this. No matter what difficulties he encountered on weekdays, He Shen rarely sighed and could always deal with it calmly with a smile. But what happened today?
Seeing the confused look on Chang Er Gu's face, He Shen explained: "The imperial court is recruiting more troops again."
Chang Ergu's originally worried heart suddenly relaxed and she said nonchalantly: "What else should I take seriously? Is it Myanmar or the northwest this time?"
He Shen shook his head, finished his breakfast in a few mouthfuls, and then said: "Northeast."
After hearing this, the second aunt Chang had a look of surprise on her face, but military and national affairs were not something that a woman like her should worry about, so she said: "It's just a few thieves, why do you need to make trouble?"
He Shen didn't speak. He remembered the scene that happened in the military aircraft department yesterday.
Yesterday afternoon he came out of Yangxin Hall and arrived at the military aircraft office inside Longzongmen. He found that Yongyan, Liang Guozhi, Qinggui, Fu Changan and Dong Gao were all there.
As soon as he met Yong Yan, he said: "We have just arrived and are about to send someone to call you!"
He Shen said with a smile: "I just came out from the emperor's place. If the fifteenth master has anything to do, he will give you orders directly."
Qing Gui frowned and waited for He Shen to sit down before explaining: "Everyone, Fu Yaolin received a letter yesterday. After reading it, I thought about it and thought we should discuss it together."
In May, Qianlong issued an order that because Agui was on a business trip to the northwest, Qinggui was assigned to temporarily handle all affairs in Beijing. After Fukang'an went to the northwest to take over the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, Qinggui took over the original post of Minister of War.
.
Liang Guozhi said: "Gansu?"
Qinggui shook his head: "Yangzhou."
Everyone was surprised after hearing this. Fukang'an was far away in Gansu. What did Yangzhou have to do with him?
He Shen thought about it and asked: "Are you referring to the case in Yangzhou last month?"
Qinggui nodded, then took out Fukang'an's letter and handed it to Yong Yan, and then told everyone about the content of the letter. After all five people present had read the letter, Qinggui said: "The matter in Yangzhou
Everyone knows that everyone has read Lan Meiyuan's excerpts. I couldn't figure it out before, but after reading Yaolin's letter, the fog that had been blocking my eyes these days suddenly cleared."
Yong Yan said: "According to what he said in the letter, the people who committed the crime in Yangzhou are the same as the E people on the other side of the Xila River?"
Qinggui said: "The fifteenth master is wise. After the records of Min Eyuan and Lan Meiyuan arrived, I asked people to carefully check the files of the Ministry of War. Needless to say, Korea, Japan, Gorkha, Burmese and Annan people
None of the muskets used this kind of copper-clad lead bullets. And the white clipper mentioned in the memorial was even unheard of."
Everyone listened carefully. Liang Guozhi couldn't help but take out his cigarette. Just as he was about to light it, he remembered that Yong Yan was there. When he was about to put it away, Yong Yan said: "Mr. Yao Feng, it's okay."
In the midst of the smoke, Qinggui asked the Military Aircraft Department's Secretariat to get a copy of "The Territory Map of the Qing Dynasty" and spread it out on the kang. He took a ruler, pointed to the location from Yangzhou City to Wusongkou and said: "Everyone, please take a look.
.According to the reports from Susong Navy's various battalions, the strange white ship is probably capable of traveling thousands of miles in a day on the water."
When everyone heard this, they felt unbelievable. Traveling a hundred miles a day was already the fastest speed they could think of, and now they actually said that a ship could travel a thousand miles a day. What a joke! But after Qinggui explained it,
The patrol boats of each camp on the Yangtze River from west to east reported the time they saw the strange ship one by one, and everyone was speechless.
Then, Qinggui used a ruler to mark the distance from the Shengsi Islands to the mouth of the Xila River. On the national map of the Qing Dynasty, the national territory was divided into countless square grids, all marked with dotted lines; the east, west, north, and south of each grid corresponded to the actual distance of two
One hundred miles, the oblique distance is 282 miles.
Everyone here, including He Shen, is a well-educated person. Even Liang Guozhi, who was born as a scholar, has been handling ordnance logistics and managing the transfer department all year round, so he is no stranger to arithmetic.
"According to this calculation, these people who committed a huge case in Yangzhou can run back to the Xila River in two days at most." As soon as He Shen's subconscious words came out, everyone present was shocked.
You can even go to Yangzhou, but what about Tianjin?!
Thinking of this, Yong Yan said: "We must discuss this matter today and come up with a result. I will go and ask for the order. I will call Da Qi'er tomorrow. We must not delay it any longer."
"I am also worried about this matter." Qinggui asked someone to collect the map and sighed: "Originally, we had to listen to the opinions of Yunyan Gong and Yaolin on military matters, but now they are busy with the aftermath of Gansu.
.I won’t be able to come back for a while. What’s more, ugh!”
Liang Guozhi knocked on the pot of his pipe and said: "I don't think things in the Northeast can be delayed, otherwise things will change if they take a long time. However, the location of the Xila River is remote. In order to attack Yakesa during the reign of the Holy Patriarch, three thousand people fought against five hundred people.
It has taken more than half a year to prepare. Previously, more than 2,000 people in Fu Yaolin were completely defeated, but I think they are still not prepared enough. According to my opinion, we must start preparations now, and we can send troops to suppress it in the spring of next year."
After hearing this, Yong Yan turned to look at He Shen. He Shen said: "As long as the emperor speaks, the fifteenth master does not need to worry about the money."
Yong Yan's expression remained normal and he continued: "Actually, if we want to fight, it's better to get Fu Kang'an. Although we were defeated last time, the rebellion in Gansu proved that this was the only one left in the civil and military dynasty who could fight.
It’s just a pity that Hailancha”
Everyone sighed after hearing this.
Qinggui stared at Yong Yan and said: "Fifteenth Master, what Mr. Yaofeng just said is right. We can't wait for the situation in the South China Sea Islands to deteriorate before taking action. The Xila River is connected to the sea and is close to Hunchun. Today we occupy Xiong Island, and tomorrow we will occupy Xiong Island."
We can attack Hunchun. If we want to use troops then, it will be ten times more difficult!"
"Fight!" Yong Yan punched the table and made up his mind, "Let Fukang'an take charge, and Agui take charge of Jilin Wula!"
Dong Gao suggested: "Don't worry about it on land. I'm afraid the navy may have some troubles. I just mentioned the speed of the strange ship that Duke Shuzhai mentioned. I'm worried that the Jilin navy won't be able to block the strange ship by then."
Qinggui said: "This is easy to handle. Fu Yaolin had previously sent people south to Guangzhou and asked people from the Thirteenth Bank to buy the Western Clipper blueprints. Now the blueprints have been sent to the Ministry of War, so that Zhili and Jilin shipyards can start building them immediately. That’s it.”
At this time, Yong Yan said: "Then it's settled. I'll go and propose to the emperor first that when I call Da Qi'er tomorrow, Lord Shu Zhai should write a memorial."
When He Shen put on his court clothes, the chiming bell in the outer room rang again. When he looked up, he saw that it was Yin Zheng already. He then set off in a sedan chair towards the Meridian Gate.
Today is the day when the emperor listens to government affairs at the royal gate, which is also commonly known as "calling Da Qi'er"; officials of the fourth rank and above from all ministries in Beijing must participate.
After the Manchu and Qing dynasties established the Central Plains, they followed the example of the Ming Dynasty and had the Fengtian Gate morning dynasty every day. In the beginning, Shunzhi listened to the government every day in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. After Kangxi succeeded to the throne and took charge of the government, the Qianqing Gate was closest to the inner court compared to the Hall of Supreme Harmony; the emperor It's more than eighty meters away from the Qianqing Palace. So it became a routine for the Yuqianqing Gate to listen to politics.
In the era of Yongzheng and Qianlong, the place where political affairs were heard in the morning was changed to the "Qinzheng Qinxian" in the Old Summer Palace (this is not a main hall, but a set of small courtyards with three entrances in front and back.) And the emperor returned to the Forbidden City in October every year. Later, he would listen to politics at Qianqingmen.
Because Heshen's family lived in Houhai, it was only the second quarter of the year when he arrived at the square outside the Meridian Gate. At this time, it was not yet dawn, and the Meridian Square was already filled with sedans and carriages hung with lanterns. Among these people Not only the civil and military officials and the princes of the clan, but also the guards and servants of each family, they also have to follow their masters in so that they can obey orders at any time. For example, because Heshen himself is a first-rank official, he can bring eight people, including Six guards and two personal followers.
Those officials who arrived early were all sitting in their cars, reciting the content they were going to report to Qianlong in the morning. If they stuttered or couldn't recite the report during the interview, they would be reprimanded or punished. Loss of salary and official position.
As soon as Heshen's sedan landed, several sharp-eyed officials came over to greet him, say hello, and flatter him. But Heshen still had a smile on his face and greeted them one by one.
Because it was Da Qi'er, including He Shen himself, all the bachelors in Beijing had to participate. Except Agui, the bachelor of Wuyingdian, who was still dealing with the aftermath of the Hui Rebellion in the northwest, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Cai Xin, the bachelor of Wenhuadian Headed by Ji Huang, the bachelor of Wenyuange, Wu Mitai, the bachelor of Dongge, and Liang Guozhi, the co-sponsored bachelor, have all arrived. Among these people, except He Shen, who has just passed thirty-four, the others are either in their sixties or in their seventies. .
At this time, Heshen was awarded the title of First-class Male by Qianlong for his contribution to the logistical planning of Gansu's quelling the rebellion. He was also the co-organizer of the University, the Commander-in-Chief of the Manchuria of Zhengbai Banner, the president of the Qingzi Jingguan, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs.
Now full-fledged, he has become one of the four major forces in the late Qianlong Dynasty.
He Shen smiled and bowed to the other four bachelors one by one, talking and laughing as if he were family members. The four bachelors also knew that this man was now red and purple, and they all stood up to say hello.
Everyone chatted for a while and thought about things for a while, and then the sky began to brighten. Then all the officials, led by the officials of various ministries and several bachelors, lined up outside the Zuoye Gate under the Meridian Gate, separated by civil and military personnel.
These people, plus the servants and guards they brought with them, formed a long queue for a long way. And a group of princes, Beile, stood outside the Youye Gate. The leader was Yong Yan, the fifteenth elder brother, who also led
There were eight people in the queue, and the queue behind him was also very long.
At the beginning of the morning, as the big drum inside the Meridian Gate rang seven times, the left and right gates slowly opened. A group of civil and military officials, led by Cai Xin, lined up to enter from the left gate; the fifteenth elder brother took Prince Baylor with him.
We enter through the right door.
After everyone entered the Meridian Gate, they went all the way north through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, then passed through the Square of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and entered the Zhongzuo Gate to wait. When the team arrived at the Zhongzuo Gate, it happened to be the first quarter of the lunar month.
This section of the road sounds like it’s not far, but for many officials and the long queue, it’s impossible to go fast. After arriving at the Zhongzuo Gate, the officials will take a break here and organize themselves.
Groom the team, and then move forward as a team again.
Then go all the way north, pass through the east side of Baohe Hall, enter the back left door and wait. Once here, all guards and servants can no longer go in and must wait outside the back left door; because after here is the imperial palace.
The Qianqingmen Square, which is open to the public affairs, came to the Qianqingmen Square.
When the imperial guard on duty at the rear left gate saw the officials arriving, he reported to the emperor at the Qianqing gate that the ministers had arrived. Qianlong immediately issued an order: "The ministers have arrived."
So the guards on duty accompanied the officials to the east side of Danqi of Qianqing Gate and stood in line facing west. The fourth-rank officials responsible for recording "Notes on Daily Life" had to stand on the west side of Danqi, facing east.
The entire Qianqing Gate has five rooms from east to west (the ancients called the room between two pillars, and Qianqing Gate has six pillars.) There are three rooms from north to south. This can no longer be called a door, but can be regarded as a large living room. The emperor is in his home
The "big living room" is used to receive ministers and handle government affairs, fully displaying the meaning of family affairs.
As for Qianlong's throne, it was located on the Danqi in the middle of the Qianqing Gate. There was a screen behind the throne, and in front of the throne there was a table for placing memorials, also called the memorial table.
After everyone had stood up, the guards played and the seventy-three-year-old Qianlong, wearing a winter crown on his head, a bright yellow dragon robe underneath, and a black round-necked mink end cap, slowly walked out of the throne from behind the screen.
, two rows of eunuchs were arranged on the left and right sides of the screen.
"Your Majesty, please bow to your Majesty! Long live, long live, long live my Emperor!" From the Qianqingmen Square to the back left door, everyone knelt down and saluted.
"Get flat." Qianlong said calmly.
At this time, the fifteenth elder brother Yong Yan led six academicians to the seats set up on the east side of Qianqing Gate and sat down; four living officials stood behind the academicians to record at any time;
The inner guards stand on the east and west sides of the white marble stone railing under Danqi.
Then, the officials of various ministries held up their hands in the order of Zong Renfu, Li, Hu, Xing, Li, Bing, Gong, Lifanyuan, Duchayuan, General Administration Department, Dali Temple, Cabinet, Hanlin Academy, and Zhanshifu.
The memorials were handed down in sequence from the east side of Danqi to the steps. After arriving at the memorial table, they knelt down and saluted, and then placed the memorials on the memorial table. The purpose of this was to allow Qianlong to read the corresponding memorials in order when listening to reports from officials.
's memorial.
After the memorial is handed in, officials of the fourth rank and above from each ministry will go up the steps on the east side of Danqi in order to give their replies. For example, after Zuo Zongzheng of the Zongren Mansion has finished speaking, the next step is the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. And so on.
Everyone "sat in rows" took turns, starting from the first-rank officials of each ministry to the fourth-rank officials below.
Other yamen, such as Taichang Temple, Guanglu Temple, Honglu Temple, Guozijian, and Qintianjian, are ranked after the Ministry of Rites; Supervise the Qing Officials Division, Taipu Temple, and rank after the Ministry of War; Wucheng Military and Horse Division Reporting is ranked after the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
According to the rules of the Royal Gate, after each Yamen official completes his report, he must follow the guards of the Qianqing Gate out of the back left door in order. And if there is a separate copy of this chapter collected by the cabinet bachelors every day, Then you need to give a petition in person.
(The purpose of saying all this is to tell you that so far, none of the Qing palace film and television dramas about "imperial gate listening to politics" is right!)
When the Zongren Mansion, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Husbandry, the Ministry of Punishment, and the Ministry of Rites in front finished reporting, the fifteenth elder brother Yongyan, Liang Guozhi, He Shen and others saw Qinggui, the Minister of War, walking up the steps, and they all thought to themselves: "coming!"
"Your Majesty, Qinggui, Minister of the Ministry of War, has something to report to the Emperor." In the early winter morning, Qinggui's voice was neither slow nor fast, as strong and powerful as ever.
"Speak." Qianlong, who had squinted his eyes, suddenly opened his eyes, and the corners of his already gray eyebrows slightly raised.
"According to the official document forwarded by General Du Erjia of Jilin, the Oros people have been driving a large Western ship since June this year, occupying Bear Island first, sheltering the escaped criminals, and killing the officers and soldiers stationed there, taking advantage of the danger and colluding with each other. Later, they occupied the area around the mouth of the Xila River, reclaimed farmland privately, resisted the heavenly troops, and brutally killed the garrison officers and soldiers as well as local border residents. The E people relied on the remoteness and danger of their lairs to erode the northeastern land, and became evil and evil in order to expand their power and disturb our country. In the land of Longxing, the situation has become extremely rampant.
Now Jilin and Heilongjiang have a long border. Although the flag soldiers are brave and brave, their military strength is weak. I request an order to mobilize troops to conquer and restore the territory!"
After Qianlong listened to Qinggui's advance, he turned to look at his fifteenth elder brother and said, "How about the Minister of Military and Aircraft's response?"
Yong Yan had already reported this to him in the afternoon yesterday, and Qianlong had already agreed before the palace gate was handed down in the evening. At this time, he just had to ask a question according to the procedure.
Yong Yan quickly stood up from his seat, walked to the memorial table, knelt down and saluted, and said: "I second my opinion."
Qianlong nodded and said loudly: "He turned into barbarians and acted lawlessly. With his weapons, the officers and soldiers failed to suppress the attack. Many of them were killed and wounded, and the country lost a pillar. As for private names, doing whatever is illegal, their intentions are particularly serious. Damn it. We must not make them fear the military power of the Celestial Empire, and we must not only use the military power to subjugate them without cultivating virtues.”
"I will obey the Holy Order!"
The next day, Qianlong issued an edict to reward Agui and Fukang'an for their contribution in suppressing the rebellion in Gansu: "Agui was already a first-class duke when he pacified Jinchuan. Now he is a bachelor, and his kindness cannot be added. After that, he was given the post of Captain of Qingche, and Agui was ordered to choose one of his descendants to inherit him.
Fukang'an planned to organize the thieves in the bottom store. He got the opportunity first and put more effort into it. When he was pacifying Jinchuan, he was granted the title of Jiayong Nan, and later he was promoted to the title of Marquis of Jiayong. He co-organized the affairs of the bachelor's degree."
At this point, the Qing government's political preparations for sending Agui and Fukang'an to send troops have been completed. They only need to wait for them to complete the aftermath of the rebellion in Shaanxi-Gansu and return to Beijing to take orders before they can go north to Jilin again.