Lin Yizhe was startled when he heard Prince Gong's voice. He immediately understood what was going on. "This junior has met the prince." Lin Yizhe kowtowed to Prince Gong. "Please get up quickly." Prince Gong said with a smile. Lin Yizhe did not stand up, but glanced at Prince Gong, turned his head, and turned his eyes to Wen Xiang. Seeing Lin Yizhe¡¯s eyes moving back and forth between the two of them, Prince Gong and Wen Xiang both looked at each other and smiled. When Wen Xiang saw Lin Yizhe still kneeling there, he quickly stepped forward and helped him up. "Kun Yu! You have been wronged!" Wen Xiang held Lin Yizhe's hand, wanting to comfort him. Because he was so excited, his lips trembled, and the last thing he said was just such a simple sentence. Lin Yizhe looked at Wen Xiang in front of him, and was shocked to find that his eye sockets had become deeper and filled with fine bloodshot eyes, his hair was almost completely white, and his face looked haggard, making him look much older than before. He understood that in the days from when Huang Tifang had impeached him with the man who could kill him to when he met Wen Xiang today, the suffering Wen Xiang suffered was beyond his imagination. "Zhongtang is tired!" Lin Yizhe held Wen Xiang's skinny fingers tightly, tears flashing in his eyes. Seeing that although Lin Yizhe had experienced life and death, he looked at him like a child looking at a loving father, without a trace of resentment. Wen Xiang knew that he already understood his difficulties, and his heart was filled with relief, and heat flowed through his body. Move, all the worries and anxiety of the past few days are gone. "Wen Xiang, it's not too late. Come into the garden and report back!" Prince Gong's voice came from the side, "The Empress Dowager is anxiously waiting for you now." Prince Gong's words suddenly reminded Wen Xiang, and Wen Xiang repeatedly He nodded and said to Lin Yizhe: "Come, Kunyu, you will come with us into the palace." "It's better to let Kunyu go back and settle down, change his clothes, and then hand the sign to the audience." Prince Gong said with a smile. Wen Xiang realized his gaffe and smiled mockingly. He said to Lin Yizhe: "That's right, Kunyu, you go back and prepare now, and go to the garden to see you. Your Majesty and I will go over first and stand before you." Hearing the love and care in Wen Xiang's words, Lin Yizhe was moved and nodded repeatedly. promise. Prince Gong on the side was also smiling. Lin Yizhe left Wenxiang's mansion and returned to Xianliang Temple. The servants were surprised that he was picked up as soon as he got out of the car, but they didn't know what happened. Instead, they went to the hotel and settled down. When Lin Yizhe came back, they had already packed up Lin Yizhe's residence. After Lin Yizhe came back, he took a short rest, calmed down his mind, and then changed into his official uniform. I took my waistband and headed to Huangcheng Gener Railway Station. Got on the train. The train was speeding along the railway, and there were many officials who were meeting with them. When many people saw Lin Yizhe, they greeted them affectionately. Lin Yizhe responded one by one and gathered his energy to chat with them. These people have no way of knowing what kind of scene he just experienced. Soon, Lin Yizhe and the officials who presented the sign to the audience arrived at the Old Summer Palace, the residence of the Empress Dowager Cixi, which is now the political center of the Qing Empire. Because memorials collected from all over the empire must be kept in the Here it was approved by the empress dowagers of the two palaces (actually Cixi), and then sent to the military aircraft. Lin Yizhe and the officials came to the corner gate as usual. The palace guard checked his waistband and said to him with a smile: "Master Lin, the decree has been spread in the garden for a long time. If Master Lin comes, there is no need to meet him immediately. Just wait for Yi's decree at the palace gate." After hearing what the guards said, several officials who came with them looked surprised. Lin Yizhe thanked the guards with his hands and entered the corner gate. He was led by a young eunuch all the way, passed through the pavilions and waterside pavilions, and came to the front of the palace. Just as he was about to kneel down, the young eunuch whispered to him: "Master Lin, the emperor The Queen Mother didn't tell you to kneel down. " Lin Yizhe was startled. Just as he was wondering, the little eunuch took out a small water bottle from his sleeve, handed it to him, and then hurried away. Lin Yizhe stood there in a daze. The civil and military ministers in court uniforms were waiting. Seeing Lin Yizhe standing there alone, they couldn't help but look surprised and paid attention. Lin Yizhe put his water bottle away without squinting, and stood there bowing his head and saying nothing. Although the sun is scorching, the cool breeze blows from time to time, and there is a lotus pond not far away, so it is not stuffy. Lin Yizhe just stood there for a while, but nothing happened. However, as time went by and there was no place to lean on, his legs began to feel sore and painful. Lin Yizhe knew that this was an important moment and did not dare to act rashly and tell him the truth, so he had to endure it. Not long after, the melodious sound of bells came from far away.Lin Yizhe lowered his head and saw a pair of official boots walking past him, making a slight rustling sound. Time passed by, Lin Yizhe still stood there, his knees felt a little numb, his neck also became unbearably sore from always maintaining the same posture, and sweat dripped from his forehead. A group of officials filed out and passed in front of Lin Yizhe. Lin Yizhe perked up: The summoned ministers had all left, so it was time to summon him, right? But after waiting for a long time, the hall was still quiet. Lin Yizhe became more and more alert. Could something have happened? Although this hidden torture of maintaining a posture for a long time was nothing to him, the torment of waiting in his heart made him a little unbearable. Under the scorching sun, Lin Yizhe was sweating profusely and his mouth was dry. He remembered the water bottle the eunuch gave him, took it out, pulled out the cork, and drank. The bottle was filled with water brought from Yuquan Mountain exclusively for the royal family. It was sweet and refreshing. Lin Yizhe took a few sips and felt relieved from the heat, and his anxious mood gradually calmed down. Wen Xiang and Prince Gong had gone in a long time before him, and they hadn't come out for so long. Could it be that something unexpected had happened? Thinking of what happened before, Lin Yizhe couldn't help but feel worried. He is still not sure what kind of impact Huang Tifang's cheating, which almost killed him, will have on the psychology of the empress dowagers of the two palaces. And this is the discount on Huang Tifang. It is likely to be a signal for another large-scale attack by the conservative die-hards against the Westernizationists! Huang Tifang dares to take such a discount, perhaps because she has the support of conservative die-hard bosses! Thinking of the harm Huang Tifang caused to herself this time. Lin Yizhe gritted his teeth with hatred. At the same time, there is also deep reflection. Maybe it¡¯s time for me to adjust my strategy for dealing with Qingliu. Even businessmen like Hu Xueyan know how to bribe the censor for his own use, why don¡¯t you do the same? Like this time, if he had an insider among the Qing gossip officials, he would not be so passive When Lin Yizhe was traveling thousands of miles away, a young eunuch walked up to him and shouted to him: "Master Lin. Your Majesty. The Queen Mother announced that you should enter the palace." He came back to his senses. Lin Yizhe went straight to Dayazhai under the leadership of the young eunuch. At this time, his mind had gradually calmed down. When the Queen Mother saw him in Dayazhai, it seemed that at least there would be no more beheadings. Lin Yizhe was led to Daya Zhai. The young eunuch bowed and sang: "The Empress Dowager, Lin Yizhe, the Minister of Ocean Planning, asks for an audience." Only an old eunuch inside said loudly: "The Empress Dowager has a decree to announce his introduction!" Lin Yizhe stepped through the door. . I saw the Empress Dowager Cixi in casual clothes, standing behind a case and painting with brush, and Liu Chengyin beside her was polishing ink to serve the marquis. There was no one else in Dayazhai except them. Lin Yizhe didn't see Prince Gong and Wen Xiang, and couldn't help but was stunned again. When he was "standing" outside just now, he didn't see Prince Gong and Wen Xiang coming out? At this time, Lin Yizhe couldn't help but think about it. He took two steps forward, knelt down in the tunnel and said, "The guilty minister Lin Yizhe will knock on the Empress Dowager, and the guilty minister will die!" The Empress Dowager Cixi seemed not to hear, she looked at the drawing paper, and sketched for a while. Then he put down his pen and said with a smile: "Liu Chengyin, what do you think?" Liu Chengyin praised: "Lafayette's painting is vigorous and powerful. His charm is restrained. Even though everyone's works can't compare with it." Empress Dowager Cixi smiled slightly and said: "You! , he would pick up something nice and say, "Haha, Lin Kunyu, how about you come and take a look at this painting I just painted?" Lin Yizhe saw her face full of smiles and was in a good mood, and asked Huang Tifang to impeach him. He never mentioned it, but he couldn't help but wonder secretly in his heart. He responded nervously, stood up and approached the Empress Dowager Cixi. He looked at the red sandalwood desk and saw a curved green pine painted on the paper. There is nothing else but a large blank space. Although this painting is simple, the brushstrokes are indeed impressive. Lin Yizhe knew that in his original era, for a long time, historical treatises and literary and artistic works about Cixi mostly only talked about Cixi's "harm to the country and the people", and even attributed some evil deeds that had nothing to do with Cixi to Cixi. In people's minds, Cixi has become a mediocre, decadent, tyrannical, and cruel demon queen. Initially influenced by these "mainstream concepts", Lin Yizhe also had the same impression of Cixi. However, after contacting some friends in the cultural and museum circles, he realized that the Empress Dowager Cixi was actually a talented woman of a generation. She was skilled in literature and art, and her singing voice was euphemistic and moving. Erudite and talented, he was good at calligraphy and painting. His calligraphy was good at running script and regular script, and many of his paintings were handed down from generation to generation. Lin Yizhe likes traditional Chinese culture and knows how to paint.I had good calligraphy in my previous life and had seen a lot of paintings. Although the green pine picture in front of me is simple, it has the right shades and a far-reaching artistic conception. It is indeed a very good work. In his impression, most of Cixi's handed down works were flowers, but today he saw her painting green pine trees. Lin Yizhe didn't know what her intention was, so he couldn't comment casually, so he took a trick and said: "The Empress Dowager's brushwork is vigorous and her paintings are beautiful." This pine is majestic yet heroic, and has a profound meaning. I admire it so much." A strange color flashed in Empress Dowager Cixi's eyes. She smiled and said, "Lin Kunyu, you said this painting has a profound meaning. Why is it so profound? " "This pine has many years of age, and after going through wind and rain, it becomes a towering tree. It can be used as the material for pillars of a building." Lin Yizhe replied, "The same is true for people. Mencius said: Heaven will give great responsibilities to people. It must first strain its mind, strain its muscles and bones, starve its skin, deplete its body, and mess up its actions. Therefore, if you are tempted to endure it, it will benefit you beyond what you can do. "I am very impressed." "Lin Yizhe, you are really smart. No wonder Wen Xiang values ??you so much." Empress Dowager Cixi nodded and said, "However, you only saw one layer. Take a look at this painting." What else?" Lin Yizhe looked carefully at the green pine he had just painted, and he noticed that several branches of the green pine seemed to have been broken. But new branches grew from the broken place, but the new branches were still very small. He seemed to have some realization, but was a little lost for a moment. Empress Dowager Cixi noticed the change in Lin Yizhe's expression and smiled leisurely, but there was a hint of coldness on her lips: "If the trees are beautiful in the forest, the wind will destroy them; if they are piled up on the bank, the current will be turbulent; if you are higher than others, the crowd will be different. Lin Kunyu, do you understand?" Lin Yizhe understood immediately. He knelt down on the ground and said, "I thank the Empress Dowager for your teachings!" "Come on, get up quickly!" Empress Dowager Cixi said, "It's good if you can remember it." Lin Yizhe stood up and stood aside, and Empress Dowager Cixi sat down. Looking at Lin Yizhe, he sighed. Said: "Lin Kunyu, I'm not talking about you, you are a person who can do things and make troubles. You can tell it for yourself. How many times have our sisters blocked you until now?" "It's all because of me. Sin! Please punish the Queen Mother!" Lin Yizhe said quickly with sweat on his forehead. "There is no need for punishment." Empress Dowager Cixi smiled and said, "It's your matter. Prime Minister Wen has told me everything. Listen to Prime Minister Wen. You would rather die than be like Zhang Yuan or Wu Hao, right? "Back to the Empress Dowager, although Zhang Yuan and Wu Hao are pitiable, their reputation as rebellious ministers and traitors cannot be changed," Lin Yizhe said, "For one's own sake, foreign invaders invaded, disrupted the world, and caused the loss of life. It can be said that hundreds of lives are lost." This is what I hate so much, and I would rather die than do it. "I also heard from Wen Xiang that you actually have the intention to give up?" Empress Dowager Cixi asked again. "Returning to the Empress Dowager, as Wen Xiang said, I really have the intention to die." Lin Yizhe's voice became choked, "Since the death of my aunt, I always think about the separation between yin and yang, and I can't serve by my side, and I feel sad in my heart. I was so sad that I wished I could die instead. When I visited Taiwan, my concubine Cai Yue was infected with malaria and died of illness. During the battle to expel the Japanese, I also saw my lover E Ling martyred for the country. Seeing that he was suspicious of the imperial court, he felt angry in his heart, so he thought of dying to clarify his ambition. If he went to Huangquan, he could meet Caiyue Eling and other relatives, and stay with his aunt for a long time" After hearing Lin Yizhe's answer, Cixi The Queen Mother thought of E Ling's tragic death and felt guilty for a moment. And thinking about Wen Xiang's "life and death question" to Lin Yizhe that just happened, the guilt in her heart couldn't help but become stronger. "Don't ever think like that again, Lin Kunyu." Empress Dowager Cixi said sternly, "I tell you clearly that from now on, the Qing Dynasty will not kill you Lin Kunyu with a knife. You must hear clearly." " Thank you, the Empress Dowager, for your kindness!" Lin Yizhe knelt down and thanked her again, feeling a big stone fall in his heart. The Empress Dowager Cixi saw Lin Yizhe talking and his knees were still shaking slightly. She knew that it was caused by him standing outside for too long, and she couldn't help but feel a trace of pity in her heart. "This person still needs to be used. The beating just now was enough. If he is frightened to make him timid in doing things from now on, the gain will outweigh the losses." Empress Dowager Cixi smiled slightly and said, "Get up." Lin Yizhe thanked him and stood up, and Empress Dowager Cixi looked at him. , smiled and warned: "You do things with sincerity and offend many people. We sisters all understand that if something happens in the future, it is our sisters who will help you, so you can just let go and do things. However, you must be more careful in your actions in the future. This Shilin, pays attention to a balance method. They are not monolithic. You are a smart person. You need to think more about this in the future. Otherwise, they will stare at you all day long and you will always want to deal with them. There is no need to do anything anymore." Hearing that the Empress Dowager Cixi actually gave him instructions.How to deal with Qingliu, Lin Yizhe couldn't help but be surprised. Of course he knew that the last naval minister of the late Qing Dynasty - Zai Xun Xiaozhuan, a "dandy" soaked in honey pots. In the eleventh year of Guangxu, May 20, 1885 AD, Prince Chun Yixuan was sitting next to the Liu Jia family of Fujin Province in Prince Chun's Mansion. After a busy period in the room, a healthy baby boy was born. King Chun, who had another son, named the chubby child Aixinjueluo Zaixun. He was King Chun¡¯s sixth son (he The eldest brother Zaihan, the third brother and the fourth brother Zaiyu who had no time to name all died in childhood. The second brother Zaitian was brought into the palace to inherit the throne and became the Guangxu Emperor. The fifth brother Zaifeng, who was also born to the Liu Jia family, was the future Chun. The prince and the regent, the ambitious Liu Jia will give birth to the seventh child in two years, Zaitao. According to the ranking, he has nothing to do, and inheriting the throne is a pipe dream. Even my title of prince has nothing to do with him. It happened that the lineage of King Yizhi of Rui County died early at this time, so according to the ancestral system, Zai Xun was adopted as the heir in the name of King Rui County. However, before this, King Rui County had already succeeded Prince Yi of Dun in the 10th year of Xianfeng. There was an adopted heir, Zai Yi, so it seemed that Zai Xun didn't even have hope for the title of Prince Rui, so he had no choice but to be a carefree descendant of the clan. In fact, there was nothing wrong with this, and the fact seemed And indeed it is. Of course, after all, he is a descendant of a close branch of the royal family. Even if the king is not qualified to become a duke, there is still no problem! In 1887, when he was only two years old, Zai Xun was promoted to the title of "Budong Bafen Fu Guogong"; in 1889, Zai Xun, who was babbling, was promoted to "Cheng'en Fu Guo Gong"; in 1890, he was promoted to "Feng'en Town" Duke of the country"; however, as long as he still has Zai Yi as his "brother", his title is said to have come to an end. However, things are unpredictable, because his adopted brother Zaiyi, Prince of Duanjun (in 1893, when Empress Dowager Cixi conferred the title of Prince of Duanjun), the Ministry of Internal Affairs made a mistake and mistakenly wrote the word "Rui" as "Duan", so Zaiyi became Duanjun. Wang) stood on the wrong team during the Gengzi boxing chaos.