In the middle of the Qing Dynasty, during the period from Kangxi, Yongzheng to Qianlong, court politics was turbulent, and the struggle for power was extremely fierce. During this period, eunuchs played a pivotal role in the imperial power structure, and the most influential of them was the chief eunuch Su Peisheng. Su Peisheng is not only a celebrity around Emperor Yongzheng, but also a key figure in the battle of the harem. His life is full of contradictions between wit and loyalty, and his interaction with members of the royal family, especially with the fourth elder brother and Zhen Huan, is a legend in the history of the Qing court.
One day in the Yongzheng period, in the deep palace, Su Peisheng walked lightly into the emperor's imperial study. The moonlight outside the window shines through the delicate lattice window on Su Peisheng's face, which has been polished over the years, leaving a mottled shadow.
"Your Majesty, it's late at night, please rest early. Su Peisheng whispered, not daring to disturb the emperor's thoughts.
Emperor Yongzheng raised his head, his eyes like a torch: "Su Peisheng, I heard that Zhen Huan and the fourth elder brother in the harem are quite close, why didn't you say it earlier?"
Su Peisheng was slightly stunned, then bowed his head and replied: "Back to the emperor, the minister has been observing for many days, Zhen Huan Niangniang and the fourth elder brother do have a special relationship, but the minister thinks that this relationship is extraordinary and should not be moved lightly." ”
"Oh, why do you say that?" said the Emperor, with a hint of tentative in his tone.
Su Peisheng said slowly: "Your Majesty, Zhen Huan's mother is delicate, if she really assists the fourth elder brother, it may be a help to the emperor." After all, the world is peaceful, and it needs not only power, but also people's hearts. ”
Yongzheng was silent, and Su Peisheng's words made him think for a long time.
A few days later, at a palace banquet, the fourth elder brother and the general Nian Qianyao caused a small dispute. Seeing this, Su Peisheng stepped forward and skillfully resolved the dispute, but it also made the status of the fourth elder brother slightly shaken in the emperor's heart.
"Su Peisheng, your methods are getting more and more clever. After the banquet, Zhen Huan said to Su Peisheng in a quiet palace garden.
"The mother is overrated, and the minister just does her best. Su Peisheng replied with a smile, with humility in his tone.
As time passed, Su Peisheng felt more and more the delicate balance between imperial power and the harem. Once, the emperor suddenly asked Su Peisheng about Zhen Huan's loyalty, and Su Peisheng immediately realized that the emperor's suspicions had begun to spread.
In order to protect Zhen Huan, Su Peisheng always showed his loyalty to Zhen Huan in front of the emperor, but in private, he began to build a more secure network for Zhen Huan and the fourth elder brother. He knew that on the chessboard of this court, every son was a matter of life and death.
"Your Majesty, Zhen Huan's loyalty to you is undoubted, and the minister can guarantee it here. Su Peisheng knew that although such words were dangerous, they could also buy Zhen Huan valuable time.
Finally, on the eve of Qianlong's accession to the throne, things took a turn for the better. In his many years of court career, Su Peisheng successfully paved the way for the fourth elder brother to ascend the throne with his keen political sense and extraordinary skills, and also ensured Zhen Huan's safety. His own health has been deteriorating in this long-running power game.
Late one night, Su Peisheng sat alone in his room, recalling the ups and downs over the years, he whispered to himself: "All the rights and interests are just a passing moment after all." ”
Su Peisheng's life is a microcosm of the court history of the Qing Dynasty. His wisdom and loyalty are not only his way of survival, but also the eternal pain in his heart. His story tells us that even within the walls of the palace, true strength does not come from the pinnacle of power, but from the sincerity and wisdom that can penetrate people's hearts. Su Peisheng, a person who defended his beliefs in the midst of turmoil, his life is the most profound interpretation of the ancient adage of "accompanying the king is like accompanying the tiger". Everyone who struggles to survive in the power field can see their own shadow in his story and feel the weight of history that is both cruel and true.