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

Chapter 59 Oh no, someone's behind the scenes at Qianqing Palace!
A side hall of the Qianqing Palace.

Shunzhi waved his hand: "Serve outside the palace. No one is allowed within 10 zhang (approximately 33 meters)."

"According to the order."

The eunuchs and palace maids quickly left the Qianqing Palace.

Only three people remained in the hall: Jiang Qingyun, Emperor Shunzhi, and Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, who was hiding behind the scenes.

It was very quiet.

……

Jiang Qingyun was deep in thought, but in Shunzhi's eyes, he was a loyal minister seriously considering how to "present his memorial," so he waited patiently.

As soon as he looked up, he met Shunzhi's eager and expectant gaze.

"Your Majesty, I believe that since this has already happened, we should do our best to mitigate its subsequent negative impact."

"The commotion caused by the Zhenglan Banner's siege of the capital was too great; it couldn't be kept secret forever."

"The more we try to conceal it, the more fabricated the unofficial histories will become, and eventually, outrageous stories will fly everywhere, which will be detrimental to the court. Therefore, I believe that rather than being slandered, the court should first determine the nature of this matter."

"I suggest that the siege of the Imperial City by the Plain Blue Banner be defined as an armed coup launched by the remnants of the regent with discontent, with the support of the Ming court's secret agents."

Emperor Shunzhi's expression suddenly changed.

Behind the scenes, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang clenched her fists, wishing she could kill Chiang Kai-shek immediately and then dig out Hong Chengchou and grind his bones to dust.

……

Jiang Qingyun quickly sensed Shunzhi's unease and was startled.

broken!

She ruled from behind the curtain; there were people behind the scenes.

How could I have forgotten this? I've created a powerful enemy out of thin air, and it's the empire's strongest enemy at that.

He quickly composed himself.

"Your Majesty, considering the current unstable situation, we can temporarily postpone the designation of the Regent Prince."

"how to say?"

“Only the regent’s confidants, such as He Luohui and Tan Tai, were punished. They were characterized as harboring resentment towards the emperor’s personal rule and secretly taking Zhu Youlang’s dirty money to incite the Plain Blue Banner to besiege the Forbidden City.”

Emperor Shunzhi nodded.

"These people whispered slander in the Regent's ear and interfered with the deposition and enthronement of the emperor. It is only natural to get rid of them."

"The Emperor's Holy Might."

At this point, Jiang Qingyun was almost certain that Empress Xiaozhuang was inside the palace.

Shunzhi's unease, his involuntary shifty gaze, and his eagerness to accuse He Luohui and others of interfering with imperial power all confirmed his suspicions.

……

"My dear minister, do you think I should issue an edict of self-reproach?"

Emperor Shunzhi feigned melancholy.

"No, absolutely not!"

Jiang Qingyun suddenly raised her voice and blurted it out.

"Your Majesty, please forgive my overstepping. Since ancient times, all of the emperor's decisions have always been correct. No matter the outcome, Your Majesty is always right. If there is any mistake, it must be the subject who is wrong."

"My dear minister, why is this?"

"The emperor is radiant and majestic; he is the Son of Heaven, not an ordinary man. Only mortals make mistakes, not emperors. If the emperor were to admit his mistakes, it would be tantamount to abandoning his sacredness and shaking the very foundation of the nation. Forgive my bluntness, but a wise ruler does not admit his mistakes! Only a ruler who has brought about the downfall of his country does!"

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang clenched her small fists as she listened. She really wanted to dig out Jiang Qingyun's heart to see if it was red or black, otherwise, the person behind the scenes would always be unclear!

Emperor Shunzhi was thrilled by what he heard.

……

"But my teacher told me that the Ming Taizu, Ming Xuanzong, Ming Yingzong, Ming Daizong, Ming Xianzong, Ming Xiaozong, Ming Wuzong, Ming Shizong, Ming Shenzong, and Ming Sizong all issued edicts of self-reproach!"

"That's why the Ming Dynasty perished."

Emperor Shunzhi was stunned and could not utter a word for a long time.

"Your Majesty, this is all a conspiracy by the Donglin Party. They want to bring the emperor down from his pedestal. The result of the numerous edicts of self-reproach flying around is that the Ming Dynasty hasn't fallen yet, but the hearts of the people have already died."

"And what about Emperor Taizong of Tang?"

"Times have changed. The Three Departments and Six Ministries, the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families, and the Eight Great Families of Guanzhong all demonstrate that Emperor Taizong's imperial power was limited and he could not make decisions unilaterally. Taizong issued an edict of self-reproach to show his magnanimity, attract talents from humble backgrounds to enter officialdom, and wrest control of the local areas from the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families."

Jiang Qingyun's logic is clear and gets straight to the point.
Emperor Shunzhi seemed to be deep in thought, and nodded silently.

For a moment, he really wanted to appoint Jiang Qingyun as his imperial tutor, to teach him the art of rulership. "I understand, I will never admit my mistake!"

"Your Majesty, the court wants the whole world to know that the fault lies with He Luohui, with Tan Tai, and with the ignorant and foolish Zhenglan Banner. Your Majesty is not only not wrong, but is actively correcting the mistakes."

……

"I believe that the Great Qing must be confident! Be tough! Believe in strength! Like a heavily armored cavalry charging forward, no matter what lies ahead, whether it be a wall or a ditch, we will not detour, but spur our horses on, charge in, charge through, and crush everything!"

"What you say, my dear minister, is about loyalty to the country, and I love it very much."

Emperor Shunzhi excitedly left his throne and paced back and forth in the hall, his fair face flushed red and his arms trembling slightly with excitement.

Chiang Kai-shek's hardcore and somewhat childish "outrageous remarks" struck the heart of the young emperor.

He even envisioned a magnificent scene of ten thousand cavalry charging forward, those iron-blooded men dying without hesitation, crashing into walls and filling ditches!
Simple! Brutal! Forceful!
The Qing Dynasty must have confidence!
I will absolutely not admit my mistake!
These five words, like the resounding toll of a bell, struck Shunzhi's heart repeatedly and fiercely.

"I fully understand what you mean, my dear minister. You may leave now. Be prepared; I will give you an important position. Do not disappoint me."

"The minister obeys the order."

Before leaving, Jiang Qingyun picked up the teacup and drank it all in one gulp, leaving not a drop of tea or a single tea leaf.

This scene impressed Shunzhi, who felt that Jiang Qingyun was genuine, honest, and passionate, adding another point to his impression of him.

……

The sky above the Forbidden City was bright and azure.

Winter has passed, and spring has arrived.

However, the sandstorms will arrive soon.

Jiang Qingyun walked through the Forbidden City, led by eunuchs and accompanied by guards, his head held high and his bearing imposing.

If you want to succeed in the officialdom, don't be afraid of open or covert attacks. Just as he said in the Qianqing Palace, heavily armored cavalry never detours when encountering the enemy; one word: crush!

Inside the Forbidden City, officials of all ranks came and went in a hurry.

Suddenly, a square goose-shaped insignia appeared, indicating that this was a fourth-rank civil official.

The person immediately stopped and bent down slightly.

"Imperial Censor Jiang is well."

"Ah."

Jiang Qingyun put his hands behind his back and snorted.

You are a fourth-rank official, and so am I. Clearly, I am your superior.

……

After walking a few steps, I encountered another peacock patch.

A third-rank civil official!

The person hesitated for a few seconds, then stopped, smiled, nodded, and took the initiative to greet them.

"Brother Jiang, how have you been?"

"Ah."

Jiang Qingyun remained arrogant, merely nodding slightly as he walked past with his hands behind his back.

You are a third-rank official, I am a fourth-rank official, it is obvious that I am your superior!
The guard from the Bordered Yellow Banner behind him, Suleda, was dumbfounded and inwardly exclaimed, "Wow, awesome!"

……

After rounding another bend, we entered a slightly narrow alley.

Unfortunately, I came across a square crane ornament.

The visitor turned out to be Fan Wencheng, a Grand Secretary of the Secretariat.

Sulda thought to himself, "Brother, kneel down! This guy is a first-rank civil official!"
However~
Jiang Qingyun, however, remained standing ramrod straight, head held high, staring intently at Fan Wencheng.

The ever-cautious Fan Wencheng inwardly cursed, realizing that this arrogant bastard was glaring at him with such wide eyes, clearly intending to cause trouble.

Taking a step back opens up a vast expanse; enduring a moment brings calm and tranquility.

Forget it, forget it~
Endure it and it will pass.

Fan Wencheng proactively offered a way out:

"Imperial Censor Jiang has an imperial mission to fulfill and cannot delay. Please..."

That's all~
He deliberately moved to the side, pressed his back against the wall, and tried to suck in his stomach to make sure there was enough space for the particularly spacious Imperial Censor Jiang to pass first.

(End of this chapter)