preface
Above the court, the words of the monarch often contain a thousand heavy responsibilities, and whether the subordinates can deeply understand the true thoughts of the monarch is directly related to the success or failure of national affairs.
During the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, when the crown prince was deposed and Kangxi needed to elect a new crown prince, Zhang Tingyu, with his keen insight and witty response, only understood Kangxi's true intentions through only three twists and turns. How he embodies a deep understanding of Shangyi between these three twists and turns, let's take a look together.
One
In the forty-eighth year of the Kangxi Dynasty, the crown prince Yunren was suddenly deposed, and the capital was shocked. The Kangxi Emperor immediately decreed that a new crown prince should be selected from among the princes, and clearly pointed out: "Only public opinions are obeyed, and there is absolutely no partiality."
As soon as these words came out, Tong Guowei, a powerful minister in the dynasty, immediately thought of the eighth son of the emperor, Yin He, and the ambition in his heart was difficult to hide. He has a close relationship with the eighth son of the emperor, and this time must be a great opportunity to help the righteous. On that day, he went around and wooed various forces in the DPRK and China to actively canvassing for Yin Yu.
Seeing the arrogance of the Eighth Master's Party, Zhang Tingyu couldn't help frowning. He was extremely familiar with Tong Guowei, and knew that his lust for profit and his methods were vicious. If this person succeeds, the affairs of the state will surely deteriorate.
And the emperor clearly demanded fair selection, and would never allow Tong Guowei's private grant. I thought that the emperor already had a candidate in his heart, but it was difficult to speak out, and he needed his courtiers to observe and see clearly in order to be in favor of his wishes.
Zhang Tingyu nodded silently, he Zhang Tingyu was such a talent.
In his early years, he was appreciated by Kangxi for his strong examination ability, and was quickly promoted to a cabinet bachelor, and later served as a shangshu of the criminal department and the official department, and was often relied on by the emperor. In recent years, all of the DPRK and China have first consulted Zhang Tingyu's opinion. It is precisely because he is well versed in the heart of the saint that Zhang Tingyu can repeatedly achieve miraculous achievements and be promoted frequently.
The emperor promoted the new crown prince this time, and Zhang Tingyu would offer his own advice, so that the emperor could easily choose the person he wanted.
The next day, the courtiers gathered in the upper study to collect the princes' recommendations. Tong Guowei walked to Zhang Tingyu with a smile, pretending to ask for advice on the experience of handling unjust cases in the Criminal Department. The two exchanged pleasantries for a moment, and Tong Guowei suddenly lowered his voice: "Hengchen, rest, drink a cup of milk tea."
Zhang Tingyu smiled slightly: "I'm not used to drinking this taste, I'd better drink tea."
Tong Guowei nodded meaningfully: "Master Ma, the milk tea in the tea room is brewed well, hurry up and drink it while it is hot, it will be cold for a while, and then drink that taste is the same."
Zhang Tingyu knew in his heart that Tong Guowei's words were clearly wooing himself to support the eighth son of the emperor. Milk tea is the code name of the Eight Masters Party, and if he insists on drinking tea, he politely refuses. Tong Guowei also reminded that Yin He's limelight is strong, and if he doesn't express his position quickly, it will be difficult to get closer in the future.
Zhang Tingyu's face was not showing, but he smiled secretly in his heart. Tong Guowei was so anxious, he must have felt that the eighth son of the emperor was as stable as a rock. But as long as you have a little insight into the heart of the saint, you can know how easy it is for the eighth son of the emperor.
Not long after, the Kangxi Emperor came to Shang's study. All the courtiers immediately sat down solemnly, and Zhang Tingyu was also waiting for the holy decree.
"What's going on, so lively?" Kangxi spoke neatly.
Ma Qi hurriedly said, "Emperor Qiyu, the ministers and others are counting the officials to recommend the new prince's recommendation seal."
"Which brothers have been elected?" Kangxi asked nonchalantly.
"There are three brothers, four brothers, fourteen brothers, and eight brothers the most." Ma Qi reported truthfully.
Zhang Tingyu sighed secretly, Ma Qi's words may be contrary to the holy will. The emperor was clearly not optimistic about the eighth master, but he mentioned it first, showing bias invisibly.
Sure enough, Kangxi frowned and said, "You guys get it." The tone was already displeased.
Zhang Tingyu's mind turned, and while the emperor's color had not changed, he hurriedly said: "Emperor, what did the three provinces of Henan, Sichuan, and Jiangsu say?"
He pondered for a moment, and first threw out Henan's fold: "Back to the emperor, Henan's fold said that the sections of the Yellow River embankment, which were often broken in previous years, have been very strong since last year's supervision by the fourth brother and the thirteenth brother, and this year the embankment has not been broken."
Zhang Tingyu used this to test the holy will, and when he mentioned the fourth master Yinxiang and the thirteenth master Yinxiang, the emperor's face should always change. However, Kangxi was only silent, apparently still not touching the true proposition.
Zhang Tingyu continued: "The disaster victims who fled the famine last year have already returned to their homes one after another, and the governor of Henan asked the imperial court whether the people of these prefectures and counties could be exempted from paying taxes for one year."
Only then did Kangxi react: "Approve and transfer the people of Henan and exempt the people of these prefectures and counties from paying taxes for three years." It seems that the emperor is quite satisfied with the fourth and thirteenth masters, and Zhang Tingyu secretly noted it.
Two
He pulled out Sichuan's twist and turn: "This is the twist and turn of Sichuan's victory, Nian Xinyao served as the governor of Sichuan for only one year, and he led his officers and men to eliminate all the bandits in Sichuan, and now Sichuan is unprecedentedly peaceful."
"This year, Xianyao is a talent, he was recommended by the eighth brother, and he was also single-handedly trained by the fourth brother, give him a credit, and add the third level to record." The Kangxi Emperor was appreciative.
Zhang Tingyu's spirit was lifted, although the emperor mentioned the recommendation of the eighth master, he paid more attention to the teachings of the fourth master, which showed that the fourth master was really the candidate in the heart of the saint.
Finally, Zhang Tingyu took out Jiangsu's recital: "Emperor, you have seen this, it was sent by Jiangsu, and asked the imperial court to reward a filial piety."
"If you know this, you will greatly reward, and in the future, from the imperial court to the provinces, prefectures, prefectures, and counties, you must often go down to visit, and all such good people must be praised in time, and do not let go after the person dies." Kangxi said, his tone full of praise.
Zhang Tingyu nodded secretly, the emperor's words were extremely obvious, which was tantamount to praising the thirteenth master's loyal and honest character. Next, with a little guidance, you can highlight the excellent talents of the thirteenth master.
Without waiting for Zhang Tingyu to speak, Tong Guowei had already said: "The ministers and others must also write this will of the emperor into it."
Zhang Tingyu was shocked, Tong Guowei's words were simply violent. How can the emperor's deep meaning be as simple as writing a single will? It was clear that he was clearly indicating that the thirteenth master could be entrusted with a great task, but he didn't hear it at all.
Fortunately, the Kangxi Emperor was not willing to let it go, and said: "Actually, there are such loyal and filial people around us, but we don't pay attention, for example, there are so many sons, the thirteenth brother is very filial piety, although he has a bad temper, but he is loyal to the deposed prince, but he does things according to his conscience, and never cares about the benefits and losses, if he really encounters any difficulties, the thirteenth brother will definitely sacrifice his life like that kid."
Three
Zhang Tingyu secretly praised, sure enough, it was a saint, and he broke Tong Guowei's negligence in one word, and cleverly introduced the advantages of the thirteenth master. So he continued his efforts and asked, "The emperor means to release the thirteenth brother immediately, what do you think?"
"Is this reason okay to hurt your own son?" Kangxi is concise and to the point.
Zhang Tingyu was overjoyed, and the emperor made his position so clear, and everything was a foregone conclusion. All you need is a helping hand to fulfill the God's merciful wish.
But at this moment, Tong Guowei suddenly interjected: "May I ask the emperor, do you want to say a reason?"
Zhang Tingyu was shocked, and Tong Guowei's words were simply a naked provocation. Does the emperor need a reason to forgive his beloved son? Continuing to transgress like this will only be counterproductive!
Sure enough, the Kangxi Emperor's face changed suddenly, and he said sharply: "I hurt my son, is this reason okay?"
Tong Guowei shivered, and Zhang Tingyu also gasped. The situation is urgent, and he must think of a way to defuse the emperor's anger and let the saint regain his sunny state of mind.
He took a deep breath, steadied his emotions, and called out in a deep voice: "Emperor."
The words stopped abruptly, but Zhang Tingyu did not continue, but slowly came to Kangxi's side.
A moment later, he began to play respectfully: "The emperor, Leng Jichen, the painter of the Golden Gate, following the emperor's will, has just completed a picture of the summer villa depicting Chengde's palace, and Li Qiu, the disciple of the third brother, wrote the preface to it, and the connoisseurs were full of praise when they saw it, and they have already advanced to the Cining Palace, when does the emperor have to go to see it like never before?"
Zhang Tingyu had ulterior motives in this move, he was keenly aware that the emperor was in a restless mood at the moment, and he had to divert his attention first. The so-called "summer villa map" is just a favor to sell the emperor, and the real purpose is to give Kangxi a step down.
When Kangxi heard this, the anger on his face was indeed swept away, and he immediately said, "Okay, Miao, go now!"
Zhang Tingyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, the emperor really understood the great righteousness, and did not think about the villain. Between the upper and lower exchanges, the courtier must always be aware of the holy mind, so as to avoid misunderstanding and avoid injury, which is the highest state of the courtier's life.
epilogue
Zhang Tingyu successfully understood the Kangxi Emperor's voice through three twists and turns, and skillfully recommended the fourth son of the emperor to Kangxi as the new crown prince.
In the confrontation, he was both wise and courageous, showing not only keen observation and extraordinary adaptability, but also the careful observation and supreme courtesy of the words and deeds of the monarch as a courtier. Zhang Tingyu is well versed in the way of kings and courtiers, and single-handedly solves difficult problems and returns the relationship between monarchs and subjects to a harmonious state, which can be called a model for courtiers to learn.