Preface
There are many amazing stories in history, and there are many bizarre and twisted twists in life. In ancient China, officialdom was intertwined with deceit and hatred, and sometimes, people's fates were like ships on paper, turning and turning, ever-changing. And Nian Qianyao, as a famous eunuch in the Qing Dynasty, his fate was even more controversial.
When he was about to be beheaded, an unbelievable thing surfaced: he actually gave a pregnant concubine to a Xiucai, and told the child's surname "Sheng". What is the profound meaning of this absurd arrangement? Is it a chess game of scheming or the tenderness of human nature?
Abuse of power
Nian Qianyao, the word Zonglun, was born in the 37th year of Kangxi, and his ancestral home is Xinsavage, Henan. Since he was a child, he has read military books and has a great talent for military affairs. When Nian Qianyao was sixteen years old, Emperor Kangxi summoned him to study in the palace and incorporated him into the pro-military camp. Kangxi appreciated Nian Qianyao's diligence and studiousness, and soon promoted him to the rank of martial artist of the Eight Banners.
Nian Qianyao made many miraculous achievements in the army, especially in the pacification of the rebellion of Junggar, he led the elite division, broke dozens of enemy cities, and finally captured Junggar alive, pacifying this protracted civil strife for Emperor Kangxi. Emperor Kangxi praised Nian Qianyao's military talents, and not only promoted him to a first-class official, but also accepted his daughter as a concubine.
After Yongzheng ascended the throne, Nian Qianyao continued to serve the imperial court. At that time, there was a fierce struggle between Yongzheng and several other princes for succession. With his prestige and influence in the army, Nian Qianyao advocated for Yongzheng, and finally Yongzheng obtained the right to inherit the throne. Therefore, Yongzheng attached great importance to Nian Qianyao and promoted him to the Minister of Military Aircraft, in charge of the important affairs of the government and the military state.
Arrogance was suspicious of the emperor
Nian Qianyao has the power of the government and the opposition, the family has thousands of assets, and there are all kinds of rare antiques, gold and silver treasures in the mansion. His wives and concubines also numbered as many as dozens of people, which can be described as the first good family at that time. However, Nian Qianyao had an arrogant temperament, was arrogant in his achievements, and repeatedly arrogant himself between the government and the opposition, which made Emperor Yongzheng suspicious of him.
Once, at the banquet of the government and the opposition, Nian Qianyao was drunk and said unashamedly: "If I hadn't contributed to the nine sons back then, how could the emperor sit on this dragon chair!" The civil and military officials present were all terrified, for fear that Nian Qianyao's wild words would anger Emperor Yongzheng.
Sure enough, someone soon reported the matter to Yongzheng. Yongzheng was furious, thinking that Nian Qianyao had gotten carried away, was proud of his achievements, and had no king. As a result, Yongzheng ordered the removal of all positions of Nian Qianyao, demoted him to an idler, and sent him to Hangzhou. Nian Qianyao realized that his situation was in danger, and when Yongzheng found enough evidence of the crime, he would be questioned and beheaded.
Send a pregnant concubine to leave incense
Although Nian Qianyao was demoted to an idler, he did not give up. He secretly sent an informant to keep an eye on Emperor Yongzheng's movements. Soon, the informant reported that Yongzheng was collecting evidence of Nian Qianyao's crimes and was preparing to behead him after the autumn.
Nian Qianyao realized that his life was no longer guaranteed. As a member of the government and the opposition, Nian Qianyao naturally has countless gold and silver treasures and dozens of beautiful concubines. According to common sense, these possessions and wives and concubines should have been left to his four sons.
However, once he was executed by Yongzheng, all family property would be confiscated and confiscated, and his wife and concubine would be sold into slavery. Nian Qianyao's sons will also be killed, and they may be exiled to the frontier.
Nian Qianyao knew that if he couldn't leave even a line of incense, then his life's efforts would be wasted. So, he came up with a bold idea - he cuckolded himself and let the pregnant concubine follow others away and fly away, so as to escape Yongzheng's net.
Xiucai took in a pregnant concubine
Nian Qianyao once sponsored a down-and-out talent, although this talent was well-read, he failed to pass the Jinshi examination after all. Today, he is living a poor life in his hometown in Hangzhou. Nian Qianyao asked his subordinates to invite this Xiucai and said to him in person: "I want to give you a pregnant concubine." "
Xiucai was taken aback by these words, and waved his hand again and again. Nian Qianyao explained with a wry smile: "This is what I have to do. If you don't want to take her in, she'll have to die with me. "
Xiucai received the favor of Nian Qianyao, and although he had doubts, he still gritted his teeth and agreed. Nian Qianyao immediately asked his subordinates to use a gorgeous sedan chair to send the pregnant concubine into Xiucai's house. Early the next morning, Nian Qianyao sent someone to send a large amount of gold and silver treasures as Xiucai's future living expenses.
Before sending the concubine away, Nian Qianyao told Xiucai: "You must move out of Hangzhou immediately and go to Jiangdu County to live." There are many people with surnames born there, and when a child is born in the future, he will also be given a surname. "
Xiucai asked puzzledly: "I understand that you can't have the surname Nian to avoid disaster, but why do you have to have the surname Sheng?" This child is a ray of life for our family, and I hope he can thrive. "
Went away and flew high to give birth to a baby boy
According to Nian Qianyao's instructions, Xiucai and the pregnant concubine soon left Hangzhou and went to Jiangdu County to settle down. Jiangdu County is located on the bank of the Yangtze River and has the reputation of "the land of fish and rice" since ancient times. The local people are simple and simple, and there are many families with surnames. Xiucai hopes that Nian Qianyao's child can be born here and live a stable life.
Along the way, Xiucai was considerate to the concubine, for fear that she would be wronged. Seeing that Xiucai was so attentive, the concubine gradually let down her guard. She originally thought that she would be taken possessed by this Xiucai, but she didn't expect Xiucai to be respectful to her, and even hired an old woman as her personal maid.
After arriving in Jiangdu County, Xiucai rented a quiet manor for his concubine, which had a pond, garden, study, etc. Seeing this, the concubine couldn't help but sigh at Xiucai's thoughtfulness, and secretly rejoiced in her heart that she could meet such a good person.
In the last month of the concubine's pregnancy, Nian Qianyao was beheaded by Emperor Yongzheng in Beijing. The news soon spread to Jiangdu County. After Xiucai heard the news, he specially performed a memorial ceremony for Nian Qianyao, and asked the concubine to participate in it.
When the concubine heard the news of Nian Qianyao's death, although she was very sad, she was more grateful to Xiucai. It was Nian Qianyao's arrangement that saved her from being sold into slavery. She vowed to give birth to Nian Qianyao's child and raise him well.
Soon, the concubine gave birth to a healthy baby boy as scheduled. When Xiucai saw the child, she was overjoyed. He immediately went through the birth procedures for the child, and according to Nian Qianyao's instructions, the child's surname was "Sheng".
Raise the son of Nian Qianyao
In order to celebrate the birth of this child, Xiucai specially invited the squires of Jiangdu County to set up a sumptuous banquet. After three rounds of wine, Xiucai picked up a glass of hot wine, sprinkled three twists to the sky, and said: "Nian, your first line of incense has been passed down, and I hope that you can bless this child to grow up safely in the spirit of heaven." "
Since then, Xiucai has treated this child as his own son. He hired a lot of tutors for his children, hoping to educate him into a learned and knowledgeable person. At the same time, Xiucai often warns children not to step into their careers, so as not to fall into twists and turns. He hopes that this child can live an ordinary and stable life.
Under Xiucai's careful cultivation, this child has grown up day by day. He is not only proficient in learning, but also humble and polite, which is deeply appreciated by the villagers. Seeing this, Xiucai also let go of a big stone in his heart.
One year, the child was in his twenties. Xiucai was getting old, and he gathered the squires and laid down a grand crown ceremony for the child. At the end of the crown ceremony, Xiucai took the child's hand and said earnestly: "You have grown up, and my old bones should also be buried in the ground." You should remember my teachings and live an ordinary life. "
Since then, this child has started to run his own family business in Jiangdu County. Although his surname is Sheng, he has Nian Qianyao's blood in his bones. He always kept in mind Xiucai's teachings, kept to himself, and never set foot in the career of public affairs in his life. In this way, Nian Qianyao's last bit of incense was retained by Xiucai Haosheng.
epilogue
Power, money, and status, which seem to be the greatest pursuits in life, can also become stumbling blocks in life. Nian Qianyao has a career in horseback and has established countless feats, but unfortunately in the end, he was ruined because of arrogance and arrogance.
Fortunately, before he died, he still thought of leaving a glimmer of incense and entrusted his pregnant concubine to Xiucai. Xiucai lived up to the trust and raised Nian Qianyao's son to adulthood, allowing him to live an ordinary and stable life.
This story, which takes place in the Qing Dynasty, warns us not to be carried away by power and money, and to maintain a humble character at all times. At the same time, it also tells us to try to leave a glimmer of life for ourselves even if we are in a desperate situation. In the end, ordinary life is far more precious than chasing fame and fortune.