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

Chapter 76 Drunk on a beauty's lap, awake to wield power over the world

The ministers emerged from the Hall of Supreme Harmony, noticeably taller and with straighter backs, walking proudly and confidently across the square.

Many people took the initiative to greet Jiang Qingyun, including Sony, Ao Bai, Feng Shuan, and Ning Wanwo.

Fan Wencheng walked with his head down as always, his caution beyond description.

He dared not offend Jiang Qingyun, nor did he want to get too close to him.

He just wanted to keep a low profile and get through these two years. Based on his experience in officialdom, those who rise rapidly in rank also fall as quickly as shooting stars.

……

Jiang Qingyun kept a close eye on Chen Mingxia's back, eager to try his luck.

Suddenly, he felt someone watching him.

Turning his head 80 degrees, he saw Jiang Hede, the Minister of Works, staring at him.

When their eyes met, Jiang Hede actually nodded slightly, seemingly very polite.

Jiang Qingyun thought for a moment, then raised his palm and made a horizontal cutting motion in front of his neck.

click!
Jiang Hede's expression changed instantly; anger, confusion, and disdain were all displayed on his face.

Seeing his opponent lose his composure, Jiang Qingyun was satisfied and took his leave first. He wasn't afraid of his opponent's anger, but rather of his opponent's inability to show it.

The most dangerous dogs are the ones that don't make a sound.

For example, Fan Wencheng.

Hmm, for some reason I was reminded of Hong Shiming.

Jiang Qingyun pondered for a while and realized that he had quite a few enemies in the court. Killing them one by one was too slow. It would be best to use an area-of-effect attack.

……

Once you exit through the Meridian Gate, you have left the Forbidden City.

Jiang Qingyun took three steps in two and grabbed Chen Mingxia, who was about to get into the sedan chair.

"What...what are you going to do?"

Pa~pa~
Two slaps, one on the front and one on the back.

The surrounding ministers were stunned. Many stopped their preparations to get into their sedan chairs and carriages. No matter how busy they were, a little more time wouldn't make a difference.

Watch a show!

It's great, I love watching it, and it's exciting!

At this moment, Chen Mingxia, whose collar was being grabbed, was filled with terror and kept chuckling, but he couldn't say a word.

Jiang Qingyun stared into his eyes and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"You traitor, a remnant of Dorgon, even the prostitutes of the Eight Great Hutongs are cleaner than you. Just wait for me to bring my troops to your door."

Threatened out~
Jiang Qingyun shoved him, and the elderly Chen Mingxia fell flat on his face.

……

Chen Mingxia was from Liyang, Southern Zhili, and a member of the Donglin Party.

He was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the sixteenth year of the Chongzhen reign and entered the Hanlin Academy.

After the rebel army captured Beijing, he joined Li Zicheng, and later joined the Qing court. He was adept at social maneuvering and rose to prominence, becoming the leader of the Southern Party in the court.

This is a typical speculator.

Unfortunately, he ran into Jiang Qingyun.

One of Jiang Qingyun's principles for being an official was that anyone who openly opposed him, regardless of whether they were Manchu or Han, male or female, should be dealt with ruthlessly.

Killing the chicken is to scare the monkey.

Human nature is such that people bully the weak and fear the strong, and this is especially true in officialdom. From now on, anyone who wants to oppose me will first consider my own worth.

He threw a punch, and the situation opened up.

……

On that day, Chen Mingxia hanged himself.

He left behind a suicide note.

In his suicide note, he confessed that he had been blinded by greed and had served Dorgon for so long. Now he was filled with remorse and could only repay the emperor's kindness by dying.

The officials in Beijing were not surprised by this; his death was like a gust of wind and sand, and was quickly forgotten.

I deeply regret his death, Ning Wan. I missed a golden opportunity to follow the clues and sweep away the Southern Party.

Jiang Qingyun didn't care.

After court, he ordered one of his guards to go home first to report that he was safe, while he himself rode at full speed to the western suburbs to find Master Liu.

……

"The master has arrived."

The maids and servants greeted them and happily went to inform them.

Jiang Qingyun dismounted and strode into the courtyard. The swing under the grape trellis was still there, but it was empty.

How many people are in this courtyard?

"Two maids, two old women, two guards, and oh yes, a dog."

Sure enough, a small, fierce-looking dog was crouching in the yard. Jiang Qingyun took two steps closer and saw the dog wagging its tail. It wasn't barking at him, which meant it recognized its owner.

"It's a good dog. Where did it come from?"

"Reporting to Master, it was all arranged by the Young Madam."

Jiang Qingyun was quite pleased; Jiangnan possessed the demeanor of a magnanimous wife, and Lüzhu was incredibly attentive to her every need. Very good, my home is very peaceful~
"Sir, please come inside first. We'll bring you hot water in a bit."

"Ah."

Jiang Qingyun liked hot baths, and everyone in the mansion knew that. So, without being told, hot water was boiled first.

……

"This humble servant greets Your Excellency."

Liu was still dressed in a black robe, clutching a string of beads in her hand.

However, the original coarse cloth robes were replaced with thin silk, the loose-fitting clothes were replaced with close-fitting ones, and her face was lightly adorned with rouge and powder, which created a striking contrast.

Fair-skinned and upright.

Dignified and serene.

In this situation, Jiang Qingyun's 20 years of advanced education policies broke down once again, and he reached out and removed Liu's hat.

"Why is your hair so long??"

"My lord instructed me to cultivate myself in the mortal world, so I grew my hair long. Isn't that good?"

Jiang Qingyun looked at her short hair that was close to her scalp and didn't know whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.

In short, get things done first.

We need to accomplish something big.

Jiang Qingyun casually tossed his official robe aside, which conveniently covered the Buddhist shrine. After all, it was best for the immortals not to witness the scandals of the human world to come.

The current that was abruptly interrupted this morning must now be reversed.

Late spring caused trouble, and Liu suffered the consequences.

……

yard.

The two maids listened intently, covering their mouths and giggling.

The old woman was a little unhappy and pouted.

"It's not good for a young girl to eavesdrop."

After a while...
There were loud clanging and banging noises inside, like someone was smashing the wall.

The maid was shocked: "Miss has suffered so much."

The old woman became even more disdainful, and curled her lip again.

"Suffering? This is called enjoying happiness."

“Our master is a fourth-rank official, young, tall and strong, and walks with a swagger. Being a concubine in the Jiang family would be a hundred times better than being that old geezer’s mistress. If our master were to openly recruit concubines, good women could line up from Yongding Gate to Lugou Bridge.”

The maidservant fell silent, grabbed her hands, and sat down by the wall, listening to the opera while cracking melon seeds.

Until a shout came from inside.

"come in."

……

The old woman carried a bucket of hot water and a ladle, while the maidservants carried towels and loofah sponges, and they filed in one after another.

"Greetings, sir."

Jiang Qingyun had long been accustomed to this decadent lifestyle. He went straight to his bed, stepped into the wooden tub, and let the hot water flow back and forth.

Drowsiness sets in.

Just half an incense stick~
"I need to rest for a while. Wake me up in two hours."

After giving his instructions, he slipped into the thin brocade quilt and fell asleep instantly.

Yesterday I had to drink heavily at two parties, patrolled the city at night, and this morning's court session was another bloody affair. Both my body and nerves were pushed to the limit.

tired!
Soon, he was snoring loudly.

……

Everyone looked at Madam Liu.

Liu whispered:

"Alright, you all carry the bucket out quietly. The master is tired, don't disturb him. Oh, and tell the guards outside to prepare tea and snacks for them."

wow~
Her movements as she rose from the water were very light, like a viper soaring upwards, with only a few rose petals clinging to her body.

"Yes."

Everyone quickly left the house and carefully closed the door.

Lady Liu put on a nun's robe and sat in front of the mirror, slowly touching up her makeup. After finishing, she took a futon, sat cross-legged, and silently recited the Infinite Life Sutra.

(End of this chapter)