Chapter 215: The End of an Era (V)
At least 40% of the Manchu families in the capital were already wearing mourning clothes, not for the death of Emperor Yongzheng, but for their own relatives.
There were thousands of Tianli Sect members who entered the Forbidden City, and many of the imperial guards, eunuchs and palace maids guarding the Forbidden City were killed or wounded. However, this group suffered the least casualties.
In the entire Old Summer Palace, only Hongli's wife survived, holding Hongli's son. Including Yongzheng and Hongli, all officials, clerks, guards, Eight Banners, palace maids, and eunuchs in the Old Summer Palace and its ancillary buildings were killed.
The men included Zhang Tingyu, Ma Qi and other first, second and third rank officials, as well as thousands of bannermen. Their families were all in the capital.
The palace maids of the Qing Dynasty were not girls bought from outside and brought into the palace. Instead, they were selected from the families of bannermen and officials through the selection of concubines.
The number of these people alone exceeded 1,500. They involved at least 1,500 families and hundreds of clans.
The Nine Gates Commander, who was in charge of the important task of guarding the capital, commanded the Eight Banners infantry of the Manchu, Mongolian and Han armies and the cavalry infantry of the Green Camp of the capital, namely the "Patrol Battalion". Of the five battalions composed of the Eight Banners Army, the first battalion suffered a great blow, with more than 500 deaths.
The second battalion met the rebels head-on on the street, and more than a thousand of the 2,000-man Eight Banners were killed. The third, fourth, and fifth battalions also suffered casualties, totaling about a thousand.
The cavalry of the Miyun camp pursued the fleeing rebels, but encountered a strong counterattack from the rebels in the snow. After several battles of varying sizes, more than 600 cavalrymen were killed.
Adding up all the losses, nearly five thousand Bannermen families had relatives die in the attack.
So many families needed to hold funerals, which shocked the Nine Gates Admiral Old Fourteen. The mood he had when he first took office was cold . But Old Thirteen did not dare to slack off. His mother was in the Forbidden City. If she was killed by the traitors again in the capital, Old Fourteen would have to commit suicide to apologize.
Even without national laws, the psychological pressure alone would be enough to drive the Fourteenth Prince to death.
It took three days to stabilize the situation after mobilizing troops and arranging patrols. Before the Fourteenth Brother could catch his breath, the Prime Minister, Prince Yi, the Thirteenth Brother, came to visit him alone. The Thirteenth Brother went straight to the point, "Fourteenth Brother, do you want to succeed to the throne?"
Old Fourteen was stunned. He had a sudden impulse in his heart, but he couldn't keep it for too long. Looking at Old Thirteen's indifferent expression, Old Fourteen thought for a moment before answering: "Brother Thirteen, what do you want to say?"
"We brothers should talk it out among ourselves. Let's quickly establish a new king so that Huo Chong won't take advantage."
Old Fourteen's face turned ugly again, "Thirteenth Brother, you mentioned Huo Chong again, are you blaming me for giving him an official position back then?"
The tired look on Old Thirteen's face became even more exhausted. He shook his head feebly, "Fourteenth Brother. When the Emperor was alive, there were things that happened back then. Now that the Emperor has passed away, are we going to get entangled in things from the past?"
"What should I do if you say that?"
Old Thirteen knew that Old Fourteen was trying to protect Old Eight, and wanted to just give him a perfunctory response, but he felt that it was not okay to let Old Eight get away with it so easily. So he simply told Old Fourteen his guess about Old Eight's role in the assassination.
When Old Fourteen first heard Old Thirteen say that Old Eight's followers were actually the instigators, he immediately became furious.
However, the Thirteenth Old Man endured it, listening to the Fourteenth Old Man almost jumping up and down and cursing. When the Fourteenth Old Man was tired of cursing, the Thirteenth Old Man said, "The Emperor has offended so many people. If the Eighth Old Man is not rescued, he will die. The Eighth Old Man's people are trying to save themselves and rescue the Eighth Old Man. I am not surprised."
"Then what do you mean by mentioning this in front of me?" Old Fourteen said angrily.
Thirteenth Brother sighed, "Fourteenth Brother, what happens between us brothers is our brothers' business. Is it right to bring in outsiders to kill our brothers?"
"Haha!" The Fourteenth Elder couldn't help but sneer when he thought of how Yongzheng had forced his brothers to death. Coming from the Thirteenth Elder, who was Yongzheng's closest friend, this was too funny.
"Fourteenth brother. The past has come out. Do you want to let it go or hold on to it? You are a smart man. How could Huo Chong lead hundreds of troops all the way from Shandong to the capital quietly? Without a guide, could he fly here? He came here to kill the emperor this time. Who will he kill next time he comes? Have you really never thought about it?"
After the exchange, Old Fourteen felt a little relieved. He took Old Thirteen's reminder to heart, and after thinking for a while, Old Fourteen asked, "How do you want to deal with the starling?"
Old Thirteen stared into Old Fourteen's eyes and expressed his opinion frankly. Old Eight and Old Nine, after all, the commotion was too ugly. It must be corrected.
Now the Queen Mother has cancelled the names of Aqina and Saisihei and restored their real names. The Queen Mother's kindness is only the first step. However, Yongzheng's body is still in the palace. It is naturally impossible to completely overturn Yongzheng's decision at this time.
Only after Hong Zhou ascends the throne can this younger generation finish the previous things. First, restore the status of the princes and beile of the Eighth and Ninth. With the talent of the Eighth, he can indeed be used, or even reused. But this must be done after Hong Zhou ascends the throne and Hong Zhou will do it.
After talking about the plan, the Thirteenth Old Man spoke again, "Fourteenth Brother, why don't you tell me clearly, do you really want to ascend the throne, do you want to compete with Hong Zhou for the throne?"
Old Fourteen bit his lip subconsciously. He wanted to fool Old Thirteen, but he was too lazy to do so. In particular, there was an inexplicable feeling mixed in. It was often difficult to describe, but it was very clear that it was preventing Old Fourteen from reaching out for the throne.
After thinking for a long time, Old Fourteen asked, "Brother Thirteen, what do you think? Tell me."
At about this time, Huo Chong, one of the culprits who caused such a huge change, had led the troops that raided the capital to meet the troops that came to support him near Dezhou on the north bank of the Daqing River.
Qian Qing rushed over when she saw Huo Chong, grabbed Huo Chong's arm, and burst into tears.
Seeing Qian Qing, who was like his own child, so worried, Huo Chong held Qian Qing in his arms, patted Qian Qing on the back, and comforted her: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Qing'er, I said I would marry you off in style. I won't die if you're not married yet."
After hearing what Huo Chong said, Qian Qing burst into laughter and shyly pushed Huo Chong away, "What are you talking about, sir! I don't want to get married!"
Many of the young officers around were grinning foolishly, while Lei Hu was grinning with his teeth showing, as if he had already succeeded.
The atmosphere was relaxed, and the troops began to move south. Compared with Hebei, the movement in Shandong was faster. When they arrived at Xiaoqing River, the troops boarded the ship and sailed. It took only a little more than a day on the river for the troops to arrive in Linzi.
At this time, the city of Linzi was already decorated with lights and colors to welcome the return of the commando team led by Huo Chong.
Huo Chong immediately held a memorial ceremony, offering Yongzheng's rat-tail braid and his imperial robe.
Before they left, everyone thought that as long as they could kill Yongzheng and avenge him, they would be willing to die. They accepted Huo Chong's arrangement completely.
After Yongzheng was killed, many ideas immediately changed with the changes in reality. Most people suggested bringing Yongzheng's body back to commemorate the deceased.
The orthodox faction believed that Yongzheng's head should be taken away. The more aggressive faction suggested that Yongzheng's heart and liver should be taken out. The less aggressive ones said that at least a hand should be chopped off.
After returning to Linzi City, Huo Chong had just finished the memorial service. These things were sent to Qingzhou to let the people know that Yongzheng, the person who ordered the massacre, had been executed.
There are people who are responsible for these tasks. Huo Chong immediately held a meeting to discuss the arrangements for next year. If it weren't for the Mongolian cavalry, the arrangements for next year should have been completed long ago.
"Sir, why don't you bring back Yongzheng's head?" Gao Pang couldn't help but ask.
Everyone present looked at Huo Chong with burning eyes, and it was obvious that they were very puzzled by Huo Chong's choice.
"Our operation this time was a surprise attack by divine soldiers descending from the sky. We wanted to let those Eight Banners and their lackeys know how powerful we are. If the rumor said that we took away Yongzheng's flesh and blood, it would be like an insult to the corpse. This is inappropriate. We killed Yongzheng openly and honestly, and we don't deserve to bear such a reputation."
After Huo Chong finished explaining, everyone finally understood what he was thinking.
Everyone looked at each other and felt that Huo Chong's explanation was indescribable. Seeing everyone's expressions, Huo Chong asked everyone what they thought.
"Mr.'s idea is absolutely right. There's nothing wrong with it. It's just not that satisfying."
Huo Chong could only agree with this explanation. Torture is indeed cruel, but it is a positive incentive for the people who lack social stimulation. In places with low cultural level and insufficient civilization, torture can play a more positive role.
But this was not what Huo Chong wanted, so he did not mention it again.
The main topic of discussion this time was how to arrange production and life next year. Qingzhou had been occupied, and the Jiaodong Plain was basically in the hands of the Han regime. What should be done next? Everyone wanted to hear Huo Chong's plan.
Huo Chong had already planned for this, and immediately ordered: "Form militias in various places, and issue our land lease contracts to villages that have militias."
After saying that, Huo Chong looked at the guys who were already tied to him, and said, "Order all cadres and all troops to start studying and discussing the new land policy. Everyone must study, and everyone must pass the test."
The core members had probably read Huo Chong's land policy, and when they heard that Huo Chong was going to do it for real this time, everyone's expressions became serious.
Gao Pang couldn't help but say, "Sir, if this is really carried out, I'm afraid the gentry will rebel."
Hu Shuo immediately responded, "What's wrong with the gentry rebelling? Kill the rebellious gentry and confiscate their land. Then we will have fewer troubles."
Gao Pang's face turned ugly when he heard such brutal means. However, Gao Pang suppressed his anger and said, "My Lord, if those gentry followed the Qing Dynasty and opposed the Han Dynasty, they would be punished. But if we set a trap and lure them into it, this way of killing is not appropriate."
