Cixi was a controversial figure in the late Qing Dynasty, and beside her, there was also a person with a lot of topics, he was Li Lianying, as the most respected eunuch around Cixi, he accompanied Cixi through the last of his life, and he was called the most powerful eunuch in the late Qing Dynasty.
Regarding Li Lianying, there are many speculations, some people say that he has some special ability to make Cixi happy, and even some people say that he is not purified, but the statement of an old palace girl has solved the final mystery for everyone.
Concentrate on being a slave
As the most popular person around the people in power, Li Lianying was different from the ancient eunuchs in two ways. First of all, Li Lianying's appearance is extremely ugly, with fish bubble eyes and a long chin, and almost no one would want to talk to him if it were not for Cixi's weight.
Many people have expressed doubts about his ability to enter the palace, because the selection of eunuchs has strict requirements for appearance, and the appearance of each little eunuch is not worse than that of a girl, so it can be seen that Li Lianying is a clear stream in the palace, but such a person is valued by Cixi.
Secondly, Li Lianying was the only eunuch who was not interested in power since ancient times, as a red person around Cixi, Li Lianying did not have any official positions in her life, nor did she participate in the government, from beginning to end she was just a small slave around Cixi, and she could be called the most Buddhist eunuch.
But why could such a eunuch gain Cixi's favor?
Be disciplined
An old palace lady who has been in the palace for many years once said that Li Lianying also has her own principles for handling things, that is, abiding by the rules, what cannot be done, what can not be asked, he remembers very clearly, the most important thing is that he never interjects in the government and politics.
After Cixi ascended to the throne, she was in charge of all kinds of state affairs, as a woman, she sometimes asked for the opinions of others, and Li Lianying, who was next to Cixi, would naturally be questioned many times, although Li Lianying did not want to participate in political affairs, but for Cixi's inquiry, she still summed up a set of other ways.
When he felt that this thing could be done, he would vigorously praise Cixi's idea, and when he felt that this matter was not suitable for doing, he would choose to back down, claiming that he was only shallow and did not know how to do it, and over time, Cixi and Li Lianying only saw that they had such a tacit understanding.
Of course, as a eunuch, greedy for money is also his nature, but Li Lianying can be said to be rich, over the years, although he has also taken a lot of money, but never been sued by the minister, and every time he takes money is in the case of Cixi's secret consent, so over the years Cixi has been more gracious to Li Lianying.
Kennaisuke
As Cixi's right-hand man, it is not an exaggeration to call Li Lianying a sage of Cixi, so how Li Lianying helped Cixi manage the country is to talk about Li Lianying's cleverness.
Because of the special location, there are many people looking for Li Lianying to do things, but Li Lianying has never given people a guarantee, and his principle of doing things for others is very simple, that is, revealing information. When someone asked him to do something, he would not ask Cixi himself, but would take the minister to ask Cixi, and in the process of conversation, help others through his own suggestions.
The most typical of these is Yuan Shikai, every time he asks Cixi, Yuan Shikai is kneeling on the ground, can't see Cixi's face, and naturally doesn't know Cixi's joys and sorrows, so Li Lianying came up with another way.
When Cixi's face is not good, Li Lianying will put her feet together, then Yuan Shikai knows that this matter will not work, or he said the wrong thing, when Cixi's face eases, Li Lianying will secretly open his toes, then Yuan Shikai knows that this move is feasible.
Through this method, Yuan Shikai and other ministers have received a lot of help, plus Li Lianying will only collect money after everything is accomplished, so everyone also respects Li Lianying very much.
In addition, Li Lianying's treatment of people and things is also talked about, from the official position, Li Lianying can be described as a person, the power is great, but no matter in front of whom, Li Lianying does not put up a shelf, and everyone is happy. Over the years, there have been extreme changes in the ministers of the DPRK and China, but no minister has ever expressed dissatisfaction with Li Lianying.
Sometimes in order to help Cixi accomplish something, Li Lianying could even bow her knees, and when she was ordered to monitor Prince Alcohol, she put on a posture of serving Prince Alcohol, so that Prince Alcohol was in a good mood, even if he knew Li Lianying's purpose, he was willing to accept his surveillance and would not be disgusted by it.
The last point is also the most critical, Li Lianying really cares about Cixi, and even in the later stages of Cixi's life, she has already regarded Li Lianying as an old friend, and in "Seeing and Hearing about Court Life in the Late Qing Dynasty", there is such a warm scene of life.
At that time, Li Lianying's age was not small, and the people who served Cixi's daily life were replaced by young and strong little eunuchs, but Li Lianying's concern for Cixi did not diminish at all, and when Li Lianying's health improved, whether it was eating or living, she would go to inquire about the health of her body, and when she was not in good health, she would also send the little eunuchs around her to inquire on time.
After dinner, Cixi would often go to Li Lianying for a walk, this treatment was unique in the royal family, according to records, Cixi has always called Li Lianying "Lianying", very affectionate.
Cixi is a domineering person, and her mantra for the next person is only three words: "dog slave talent", but for Li Lianying, Cixi's attitude is completely different, the two are not like master servants, more like good friends who have been together for many years.
Perhaps for Cixi, Li Lianying is like a small teapot that is commonly used every day, because it has been used for many years, the appearance is very shabby, and it is difficult to climb the elegant hall, but it is such a small teapot, indeed she can't do without the object, every day to use her to drink tea, a day without being uncomfortable.
In contrast, Li Lianying and He yan have a lot of similarities, as human subjects, they only consider one thing the most, that is, how to make the emperor live more comfortably, why Qianlong has never intervened in so much wealth, because most of Hezhen's money is spent on Qianlong and spent on the state.
Qianlong seven times down to Jiangnan, almost all the expenses are he yan out, Qianlong likes antique calligraphy and paintings, and He Yan bought all the rare objects under the whole world for Qianlong to enjoy.
The most crucial thing is that they will not grab the credit, and during the Hezhen period, no matter what he did, the biggest reason must be qianlong's emperor's grace and greatness, and which emperor of this kind of courtier will not like it.
Li Lianying did not seek wealth or power all her life, just like a loyal dog around Cixi, accompanying Cixi every day, and perhaps once upon a time, Cixi had already regarded Li Lianying as her own family.