Chapter 849: Poor king, no matter how the people ask the ghosts and gods

(0849)

【Today's first update is delivered!】

Northern Zhili, capital, and Forbidden City.

Since the Liaodong army was withdrawn, Chongzhen hoped that the officials from both Huguang and Shaanxi would be cheered up under his strict orders and would soon come to Beijing. In the past, the imperial army did not concentrate enough main forces and did not put enough pressure on the bandits, which made the bandits likely to flee.

Now, all the army of the imperial court has been pressed on the Shaanxi bandits, and all the money and food are concentrated in the Central Plains War Zone. The Liaodong Army, which has newly joined the battlefield, has indeed had good combat effectiveness. When they first came into contact with Cao***, Nan Batian and others, they defeated the other side with one charge. But until mid-August, they only knew that they were "suppressing" everywhere, and the official good news was still slim.

Because there is no official war report, all the news that the Jinyiwei and the Dongchang are spread are rumored. Chongzhen loved and hated these news. If he couldn't hear them, he felt uneasy in his heart. If he heard them, he would doubt the authenticity of these rumors. He was anxious every day with hope and fear, and he couldn't sleep at night.

Two days after the Mid-Autumn Festival, he summoned the ministers of the cabinet, Liu Yuliang, Chen Xinjia, Fu Zonglong and other ministers on the platform. When talking about the use of troops and dispatching generals, he couldn't help but sigh deeply and said with anger: "I don't expect that China today is as big as Guan Yunchang and Yue Wumu's first-class general!"

Before the cabinet minister could reply, he continued: "I have already seen that Xiong Wencan has done nothing, and has no way to suppress and pacify. After a while, Zhang Xianzhong has occupied Gucheng, and his power is like raising a tiger. However, because the border is heavy, I will not easily change people. In the change of Gucheng, I still refuse to punish him. I still hope that he will lose the east corner and gain the mulberry and sacred ones. I did not expect that since then, it has been more than three months, and the military has no turning point, so I am deeply disappointed!"

Seeing Chongzhen's angry expression, the cabinet ministers were very frightened and dared not look up. In fact, the ministers present basically felt that Xiong Wencan was very unfair. Originally, Xiong Wencan did a good job in Fujian and successfully recruited Zheng Zhilong's fleet. This was indeed good news for the Ming Empire at that time.

Zheng Zhilong hinted at that time that he finally accepted the pacification because of Xiong Wencan's sincerity. If the Fujian Governor was replaced, he might not have listened to the court. As a result, Emperor Chongzhen was concerned about the collusion between Xiong Wencan and Zheng Zhilong, and ignored the opposition of the crowd, and wanted to transfer him to the front line of the Central Plains.

As a result, Xiong Wencan arrived at the front line of the Central Plains and was constrained by all parties. Not only did the bandits in Shaanxi not solve the problem, but the Zheng Zhilong fleet also became separated from the court and no longer accepted the court's mobilization. Now, Emperor Chongzhen is going to hold Xiong Wencan accountable and put Xiong Wencan to prison. Emperor Chongzhen's employing strategy is really a mess and nothing is left behind. No wonder more and more people want to surrender to the Hu Ben Army recently. It seems that the court is not good. As long as Emperor Chongzhen still employs people like this, it will be impossible to improve.

The chief assistant Liu Yuliang quickly knelt down and said, "Xiong Wencan suppressed the mistress, causing the change of Gucheng, which delayed the border and failed the deep trust of the emperor. I was ignorant of the ignorant people at that time, and was not punished. However, at present, the army gathered in western Hubei and Shangzhou, and was in the process of suppression. I think there will be a victory report within the day. I beg your Majesty to wait with peace of mind and not worry too much."

Chongzhen was silent for a moment, frowned and said, "Okay, wait for two good news."

Chongzhen was very dissatisfied with Liu Yuliang's reply. When he returned to the Ganqing Palace, he was like an ant on a hot pan, restless. He had decided to punish Xiong Wencan and show his iron-fisted methods. But who could I send to Xiangyang to preside over the military "suppression of the thieves"? I thought about the ministers in the court, but there was no proper person.

He felt that from his talent, Yang Sichang was many times higher than Xiong Wencan, but the center could not lack people like him. Before the troops went south to Huguang, Yang Sichang had been transferred to the Ministry of Revenue, and was first appointed as the Minister of Revenue, preparing to replace Hou Xun, who was always like a dead face. Once he took over his actual position and with Chongzhen's assistance, he could enter the cabinet.

Chongzhen thought about it but had no idea. He suddenly realized that there were not many talents around him. Yang He was unlucky, Chen Qiyu was unlucky, Lu Xiangsheng was unlucky, and Xiong Wencan was unlucky. Looking at the others, none of them came into his eyes. He didn't understand why the Hu Ben Army was willing to accept the garbage he wanted?

Zhang Shenyan, Qiao Yunsheng, Yang Tinglin, Li Lian, Ni Hongbao, Huang Daozhou, Lu Xiangsheng... Emperor Chongzhen called Jinyiwei and Dongchang, and listed a list of candidates to join the Hu Ben Army. Facing a string of long names, Chongzhen suddenly had a desire to hit the wall. Before he knew it, he had already given so many people to Zhang Zhun!

After thinking for a long time, Chongzhen still didn't think of any good idea, so he had to make a helpless decision: "Why not draw a lottery for the Great Guangming Palace to ask if the military is going smoothly and then make a decision? Maybe there is no inspiration from the Buddha."

After making up his mind, Chongzhen slowly walked to Kunning Palace, chatted with Empress Zhou for a while, and then solemnly told Empress Zhou: He wanted to take her and Tian tomorrow, and the second concubine Yuan went to Daguangming Palace to burn incense and ask her to make all preparations in advance.

Every day, Empress Zhou saw Emperor Chongzhen was depressed and restless for national affairs. On the Mid-Autumn Festival the day before yesterday, he was circulated to have all officials and wife congratulated each other. He was worried that it would damage his body if he continued. Now, when he heard the emperor said he wanted to go to Da Guangming Hall to burn incense and ask for a lottery, she took the opportunity to say: "Da Guangming Hall is the place where Emperor Jiajing practices, and I think the lottery there must be very good. Tomorrow your Majesty goes to the incense and you will definitely get a good lottery. This spring, because Your Majesty is in a bad mood, he did not go to Xiyuan to travel, and I have let down the spring scenery of the lake in vain. At the moment, the Mid-Autumn Festival scenery in the West Garden is picturesque and the weather is also very peaceful. Why don't Your Majesty lead your concubines and the fields tomorrow? After burning incense and drawing lots, how many places will you visit?"

Emperor Chongzhen thought about it and said without comment: "Okay, just pass the order to them."

Queen Zhou was very happy and immediately ordered the palace maids to go to Chengqian Palace and Yikun Palace to go to the fields. The two concubines Yuan sent an order to fast and bathe tonight, and prepare to go to the Daguangming Palace to burn incense tomorrow, and to travel in the Xiyuan for a day. She ordered a long time to follow the eunuch to inform Shangshenjian to prepare breakfast in the imperial kitchen, and to make some dishes that the emperor likes to eat tomorrow to Yingtai. At the same time, they also asked the sweets room to prepare sweets and pastries, and specifically told them not to forget the tiger-eye silk candy that the emperor likes to eat the most. She also ordered the eunuch in Kunning Palace to send someone to Yuquan Mountain in the western suburbs to get fresh spring water in the west to make tea for the emperor in the Xiyuan.

The next morning, Chongzhen led Empress Zhou, Hetian and Concubine Yuan, surrounded by a large group of eunuchs and palace maids, to leave Xuanwu Gate and follow the imperial road on the north bank of the moat. Sitting on the chariot, he was still thinking about the military affairs of Huguang and Shaanxi, hoping to get a good news today. When he walked to Tuancheng, he ordered a long man to follow him back to the Forbidden City to send an order to the eunuchs in charge of the seal of the Sili Prison: If the good news of Huguang and Shaanxi came, he would immediately go to Yingtai to report to him, and there was no need to wait for him to return to the palace.

As soon as he arrived at the Golden Ao Jade Spider Bridge, the water on the left and right large ponds were rippling, and the reeds were rustling, and a clear autumn scene was clear. A cool breeze blew, and Chongzhen's mind suddenly felt refreshed. He looked at Qionghua Island and thought that he had no time to climb Qionghua Island today. After going to Daguangming Hall to sui, he might as well come to Tuancheng for a rest, take a look at the panoramic view of Xiyuan, and then go to Yingtai for a meal. So he whispered to a Changsui who was serving in the chariot: "After dropping in the incense, come to Tuancheng for tea and rest. You go and send a message to Wang Chengen: If there is any good news from Huguang, you can send it to Tuancheng."

After passing the Jade Spider Arch, the Great Light Hall is not far away. This is a magnificent building, located in Xi'an Gate, and now to the west of Fuyou Street. The Jiajing Emperor, who enjoyed the wealth and honor of the world, wanted to live forever and never die. He ignored the government affairs for decades. He was here to refine alchemy and cultivate immortality from Taoist Tao Zhenren, but he did not achieve the right result in his cultivation.

I don’t know how much money and grain were spent and how much manpower was spent to build a large magnificent palace here, and the Great Light Hall stands in the middle of this complex, with the Jade Emperor’s Seven Treasure Cloud Dragon Tablet.

Since Jiajing, emperors of all dynasties have come to burn incense on the ninth day of the first lunar month and the twenty-fiveth day of December every year. However, on other days, if there is a special reason, or because of the emperor's momentary happiness, they will come here to pray, or set up a ritual altar to make a fuss for a few days.

Yesterday, after receiving the notice from the Silijian, the Taoists made all preparations overnight. From the west end of the Jinao Yu Spider Bridge, they continued to go west through the front of Yuxi Palace, until the Daguangming Hall. The road was cleaned very clean, and some slightly low-lying places were covered with yellow sand.

When the four dragon and phoenix chariots passed by the front of Yuxi Palace, more than 300 eunuchs who were studying official operas here knelt down next to the imperial road, shouting "Long live". As soon as the four dragon and phoenix chariots passed the south entrance of the wine and vinegar bureau, they saw the Taoist officials and the abbot leading all hundreds of Taoist priests knelt outside the mountain gate of the Great Light Hall to welcome the emperor.

Chongzhen and his concubines got off the chariot, went in for a while, and then went to the Jade Ancestor to pick incense in sequence. For a while, bells and drums were ringing, and the jade chimes were whispering, which was lively and solemn. But when the candles in front of the Qibao Yunlong tablet were brilliant, the incense was swaying, the burning green poems and yellow tables rose slowly, flying towards the colorful Chengchen.

Chongzhen first opened incense, knelt on the yellow satin worship mat and kowtowed, prayed silently for a while, and then said softly, "Come on the sign!" The abbot who was kneeling on the side of the service quickly picked up the cloisonné plate dragon sign from the divine table with both hands, knelt down again, and shook the sign on the emperor three times. Chongzhen took out a sign from inside, handed it to the abbot, and then stood up.

The old abbot with white beard and chested down put the sign back to its original place, took a sign ticket printed on jute paper according to the sign number, knelt down, and presented it to Chongzhen. Chongzhen took it in his hand with anxiety, and saw the line of words "The Twenty-Sixth Sign Zhongping", and then felt disappointed, and then felt a little relieved. At this time, as long as it was not a bad sign, he would feel a little satisfied, not to mention that this was slightly better than "striking down".

When the queen and the two concubines were burning incense separately, he withdrew from the round hall and stood under a white pine tree to show his divine sign. He thought carefully about the poems in the sign, and couldn't help but feel heavy again. At the beginning, he thought that the Zhongping sign was good, but now he is a little greedy.

The queen and two concubines burned incense and walked out of the hall. When they saw Chongzhen holding a sign ticket in his hand, wandering under the pine trees, with worries on his eyebrows. Queen Zhou was afraid that he would draw a bad sign, so she quickly walked to him and asked in a low voice: "Master, what did the sign say?"

Chongzhen did not answer, put the signing tickets in his sleeves, carefully placed them, and then ordered the eunuchs: "Look at the Tuancheng!"

After a while, the four dragon and phoenix chariots crossed the Golden Arbor Jade Spider Bridge and stopped beside Tuancheng. Chongzhen and his concubines went to Tuancheng from the cave gate road on the left. There was only one round hall above Tuancheng called Chengguang Hall in the late Ming Dynasty, which was rebuilt the Yitian Hall of the Yuan Dynasty.

There were three large pine trees in front of Chengguang Hall, which were planted in the Jin Dynasty and had been for hundreds of years. In the early years of Chongzhen, two dead trees were dug out and laid them into flat ground. Now the eunuchs placed tables and emperors under the remaining ancient pine trees, the queen's temporary throne, and there were chairs placed for Concubine Tian and Concubine Yuan next to them.

Chongzhen originally wanted to see the panoramic view of the West Garden in Tuancheng, but because the poem on the sign was very unsatisfactory, he lost his interest in appreciating the autumn scenery of the lake and mountains. He sat dejectedly on the imperial throne and asked Empress Zhou to sit down, staring at the sky, thinking about something, and his face was gloomy. Empress Zhou was in a low voice, and asked in a low voice: "Your Majesty, what did the sign say?"

Chongzhen took out the ticket from the draw, hesitated for a moment before handing it to the queen, and then whispered: "You can see it yourself, there are a few words that are not easy to explain."

Empress Zhou took the signing ticket and saw a seven-character regulated verse above:

Spring returns to the earth and the grass taro taro, and the music and singing enter the painting boat again.

The weather is cold and the garrison soldiers are tired, and the country is warm and the war is still smoke.

The Jade Tower failed to dream for ten years, and the precious mirror was empty and the lonely shadow was beautiful.

Don’t complain about the deep official’s voice, and a clear cry of geese flew back.

The poems on the original sign are mostly close and far apart, between seemingly understandable and seemingly incomprehensible. The Great Light Palace was built specifically for the needs of the palace. Seventy or eighty years ago, those knowledgeable Taoists spent a lot of effort to prepare the signatures to suit the situation in the palace, and almost all possible situations were included in the signature.

The above signing poem says: The first couplet is very empty; the second couplet is related to national affairs, but it is not coherent with the meaning of the previous and next poems; the first couplet and the last couplet turn to the palace grievances, which seems to express sympathy for the out-of-favor concubines and the palace maids who are unaware of the rise, but they will not violate the taboos.

The signatures for the people's questions are usually attached with "Explanation Day" after the poem. They use prose in three or four words to clearly tell the lottery whether the lottery can be successful, whether the plan can be successful, whether it is successful, whether it is successful, how good the marriage is, whether it is good to go out, whether it is a good or not, whether it is a loss or profit in business, whether it is a good or bad condition, how the outcome of a lawsuit, etc.
Chapter completed!