You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 58 You want me to issue an edict of self-reproach?

For three consecutive days, the gates of the capital city remained closed.

Such a huge mess was tantamount to a major military defeat for a newly established empire, and its actual impact far exceeded the loss of one or two provinces.

More than 3000 Manchu soldiers of the Plain Blue Banner were killed in action. Half of their families fled, while the other half remained.

More than 1900 Manchu bannermen from the two Yellow Banners, staunch supporters of Emperor Shunzhi, were killed or wounded.

More than 1500 Manchu bannermen were killed or wounded, and more than 1,000 Han and Mongol bannermen were killed or wounded, which will not be counted for now.

In this mutiny, nearly 8000 Manchu bannermen were wiped out!
At this time, the total number of Manchu bannermen, men, women, and children was only 35, of which about 11 were banner soldiers.

In just one day, we lost 7%.

……

The performance of the two White Banners was unexpected. They remained as steady as dogs throughout the mutiny. Apart from clashes with some of the Plain Blue Banner rebels, they actually kept to their servile roles.

Upon hearing this news, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Emperor Shunzhi felt somewhat relieved. However, despite this relief, he was also plagued by severe internal turmoil: Could I still exhume Dorgon's body and mutilate it?

With such a major incident, a morning court session alone is clearly not enough.

Both the midday and evening court sessions were held.

Emperor Shunzhi felt dizzy and lightheaded from attending meetings.

There were three court sessions a day, two council meetings of princes and ministers, and several private meetings between the emperor and his ministers, with repeated arguments, entanglements, and insults.

He was horrified to discover that the Zhenglan Banner's forceful coercion was like lifting the lid of a volcano, with scorching lava erupting uncontrollably.

The existing conflicts within the Eight Banners erupted.

The Manchu nobles accused each other.

The Manchus and Han Chinese were also blaming each other.

Sitting on the dragon throne, Shunzhi suddenly recalled the day he strolled in the Imperial Garden with Aobai, when Aobai mocked Zhu Youlang's regime for its constant internal conflicts and infighting.

Boomerang.

Slap! That's a slap in the face.

……

The Qianqing Palace, a meeting of princes and ministers.

Prince Zheng, Jirhalang, was supervising troops in the south.

Therefore, the attendees were:
Prince Li, Mandahai; Prince Jingjin, Nikan; Prince Duanzhong, Bolo; Prince Shuncheng, Lekedehun; Prince Zhuang, Shuo Sai; and Prince An, Yue Le.

The first three were all Shunzhi's cousins, and were also known as the "Three Princes Who Reigned After Dorgon".

Emperor Shunzhi himself was quite humble.

"Gentlemen, the capital has suffered such a calamity. How should I respond in order to minimize the impact?"

Bolo was the first to speak:
"This servant believes that the Plain Blue Banner should be rebuilt and loyal people should be selected to be incorporated into the Plain Blue Banner."

Lekedehun thought for a moment, then cupped his hands and said:
"This servant believes that matters should be prioritized, and we should first carefully investigate the cause of the mutiny and the truth behind it. This servant cannot believe that a mutiny of such scale could occur without some reason."

Prince Li, Mandahai, had been coughing.

He was indeed ill, but he raised the issue from a different perspective.

"There is currently unrest in the capital, which may affect the front lines. Should the court summon all the Han military princes from the front lines back to the capital to reassure the troops?"

Shunzhi understood that he was referring to the Three Princes of Shun and the Prince of Pingxi. If these surrendered generals smelled blood and had other ideas, then it would be troublesome.

……

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang listened quietly from behind, without uttering a sound.

She suddenly discovered a terrible problem: a severe shortage of talent. The young Manchu princes outside had significant shortcomings in their abilities.

On military command ability:
Lekedehun and Bolo had brief experience commanding an army independently, so they could barely be considered as commanders.

The other four had no experience in leading independently; at best, they were just deputy generals.

Nikan, in particular, was an excellent vanguard commander.

On political ability:
These six people are roughly in the same league.

Putting aside his status, at best he could be a doctor in some department.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang thought to herself that the combined weight of these six people was not as great as that of Hong Chengchou.

Hong Chengchou was a man of exceptional military and political talent, with meticulous thinking, composure, and a long-term vision. It's just a pity he was a Han Chinese, and it's a pity he died.

That copy of the "Letter of Blood and Tears to the Emperor" with the queue still attached is in the Forbidden City.

Unexpectedly, Hong Chengchou strongly recommended Jiang Qingyun in his final moments, and his words were so earnest, as if he were a dying man whose words were always kind.

So unexpected.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang sighed deeply. Huang Taiji, Dorgon, and Hong Chengchou were all outstanding men, all powerful figures of their time, but unfortunately, their grudges and entanglements were too complicated to explain.

Hey ~
A 38-year-old woman is caught in a dilemma.

……

The art style is starting to go wrong.

Bolo suddenly changed his tune:
"This servant requests the execution of Jiang Qingyun, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief. This man sat idly by as various government offices were attacked, yet he did nothing. He insisted on waiting for the imperial edict before sending troops, resulting in over a hundred casualties among the officials of various departments and government offices. His intentions are despicable."

Shuo Sai: "This servant seconds the motion."

There's a reason why these two are so united.

Bolo was both a member of the Plain Blue Banner and the son of Abatai. He would be the first to act against Jiang Qingyun should he lose the Emperor's favor.

Shuo Sai was in charge of the Ministry of War.

The incident of Jiang Qingyun slapping someone in the face at the Ministry of War was, in fact, a slap in the face for him.

Emperor Shunzhi was remarkably calm.

"I will investigate."

"Nikan, why are you silent?"

Nikan, who was in charge of the Ministry of Rites, was truly a man of few words, but when he did speak, his words were earth-shattering.

"Your Majesty, this servant has a bold idea."

"speak!"

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you issue an edict of self-reproach to stabilize public sentiment and demonstrate the magnanimity of a wise ruler."

Click~
Behind the scenes, Empress Xiaozhuang broke off her long fingernail, and blood seeped out.

……

Emperor Shunzhi could hardly believe his ears.

"Nikan, what are you thinking?"

"As the person in charge of the Ministry of Rites, I often read historical books. I have discovered that a total of 80 emperors of the Central Plains have written edicts of self-reproach. Emperor Taizong of Tang alone wrote 28 such edicts. This shows that edicts of self-reproach can appease the people, stabilize the country, and demonstrate the magnanimity of the emperor."

"Is that so? Nikan, you've really learned a lot at the Ministry of Rites."

"Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty."

Nikan then noticed that Shunzhi's complexion was not good and became suspicious. He wanted to ask him more questions, but was kicked by Mandahai next to him.

Shunzhi took a deep breath and clenched his fists in his sleeves.

Talking to himself:
"The Plain Blue Banner mutiny... I have probably made some mistakes. Admit my mistakes! Admit my mistakes? If it can unite the Eight Banners, I am willing to do anything."

"That's enough for today, I'm a little tired. Summon Wu Yong to take my pulse."

……

After the council of ministers concluded.

Shunzhi first sought out Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, who was ruling from behind the scenes.

"Empress Mother, did you hear that?"

"I heard that, Fulin. What do you think of Nikan's words?"

"He's lost his mind. Once the edict of self-reproach is issued, I will truly be guilty."

“Fulin, it’s good that you can see through this. Nikan is simple-minded and only knows how to put on armor and charge into battle, so it’s not surprising that he would say such a thing. What I’m curious about is, did he come up with this idea himself, or was he taught it by someone behind the scenes?”

"Does Mother mean that Fan Wencheng was instigating this behind the scenes?"

"Don't doubt someone casually, but don't trust someone casually either. The Qing Dynasty's rule is not yet secure. Fulin, summon Jiang Qingyun to the palace now. Although he is arrogant, he is indeed shrewd and experienced. You can listen to what he has to say."

"Yes."

……

Half an hour later.

Jiang Qingyun hurriedly entered the palace and met Emperor Shunzhi in a side hall of the Qianqing Palace.

"Long live my emperor."

"No need for formalities, please take a seat." Shunzhi waved his hand. "You may all leave."

One-on-one conversations between the emperor and his ministers facilitated the discussion of confidential matters.

"Jiang Qingyun, what do you think is the most important thing the imperial court should do right now?"

"Your Majesty, determine the nature of this incident!"

(End of this chapter)