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In the court of the early years of the Qing Dynasty, power and intrigue were intertwined, and a life-and-death struggle was about to be staged. When the powerful minister Ao Bai was escorted to Emperor Kangxi, his fate hung by a thread.
However, at this life-and-death moment, Ao Bai suddenly tore open his clothes. In the face of this sudden move, how will Emperor Kangxi make a decision?What kind of secret is hidden behind all this?
First, the shadow of **.
In a quiet alley in Huzhou, Zhejiang, the Zhuang's mansion is particularly deserted. The Zhuang family, a wealthy family for generations, was severely cracked down by the government for publishing the "History of the Ming Dynasty". The owner, a middle-aged man of great temperament, once prided himself on collecting books and ancient books, had a deep interest in and reverence for history.
The cause of the incident was simply that the dealer had engraved a "History of the Ming Dynasty". This book records in detail the rise and fall of the Ming Dynasty, and the Zhuang family decided to print it out of respect for history. However, some chapters of the book are considered dissatisfied with Qing rule and violate the taboo of Aobai.
In the early morning, the door of the dealer was broken down by officers and soldiers. The owner was rudely dragged out of the house, and his wife and children cried and cried, but to no avail. The owner was quickly taken away, and the whole dealer fell into deep despair.
The owner's wife, a gentle woman, felt helpless in the face of this sudden change. She took the children, knelt in front of the official house, and cried with tears streaming down her face: "This is just a history book, how did it become a crime?".Her voice was filled with desperation and bewilderment.
But in that era, the voice of the owner and ** could not touch the ruler of the heart of the stone. The owner was held in prison and subjected to harsh interrogations and inhumane treatment. In prison, he pondered repeatedly why respect for history could turn into a disaster.
The dealer's affair has caused a lot of discussion in the local area. Many literati were angry and helpless, and they talked privately about the misfortune of the banker. An older scholar lamented: "There is no freedom of speech these days, and even history has become off-limits." They were disappointed with the rule of the Qing Dynasty, but they did not dare to speak out publicly, and could only lament and worry in private.
At the same time, the banker's wife struggles to maintain the broken family at home. She tried to ask friends and relatives for help, but in this political climate, no one dared to publicly stand up for the bookmaker. The banker's children also felt fear and uneasiness that they had never felt before.
The owner spent countless sleepless nights in prison, moving back and forth in his cramped cell, contemplating his fate. He was angry at times, desperate at times, but more often worried and guilty about his family.
In the end, the owner was sentenced to a heavy penalty for "**". When the news came, the banker's wife and children burst into tears. Their lives have been turned upside down, and the prosperity and stability of the past have become a thing of the past.
The tragedy of the dealer has been circulating in the local area for a long time. This is not only the destruction of a family, but also a great blow to freedom of speech and academic research. In those days, any words and actions that touched the sensitive nerves of the rulers could be the beginning of misfortune.
2. Anti-scientific folly.
Under the rule of Aobai, not only did politics and economy adopt a conservative old system, but the field of science and culture also suffered a heavy blow. Aobai abolished the new calendar, a decision that caused huge waves in academic circles. He appointed Yang Guangxian, who did not know astronomy, to compile the calendar, a decision seen as a flouty of science.
At an academy in Beijing, an elderly scholar, Mr. Li, was deeply disturbed. He was an expert in the astronomical calendar and was shocked and outraged by the overthrow of the new calendar. Mr. Li spoke bravely at an academic conference: "This is a trampling on science and a step backwards of the times!"But his words soon reached the ears of Aobai.
Soon after, Mr. Li was arrested by officers and soldiers on charges of opposing the new policies of the imperial court. He was held in a dark, damp cell, tormented day and night. Even in such a difficult environment, Mr. Li still stood firm in his beliefs. He said to a fellow jailer: "Science is not guilty, and Aobai's ignorance will be a shame to him." ”
The jailer was a rude man, and scoffed at Mr. Li's words: "Hmph, you scholars always run the train with your mouth full. But Mr. Li was unmoved, he knew that what he insisted on was the truth and the brilliance of science.
Outside the cell, the people of the capital were confused and dissatisfied with the calendar compiled by Yang Guangxian. Errors in the new calendar are frequent, making it impossible for farmers to accurately weather the weather, which affects the cultivation of crops. In the market, people privately discussed: "This new calendar is not accurate at all, and even the weather is not good." ”
At the same time, Yang Guangxian was anxious in the official mansion. Ignorant of astronomy, he was forced to take on the task. At a court meeting, he reported to the emperor in a hesitant manner, and his words were full of uncertainty. The emperor frowned when he heard this, but he didn't blame too much, because his partiality towards Ao Bai had always affected the government.
And in the college, Mr. Li's students were shocked and indignant when they heard the news of the teacher's **. They gathered secretly to discuss how to rescue Mr. Lee. One young student said, "We can't let the teacher suffer in vain, we have to find a way to get him out." But in the political environment at the time, their actions were fraught with risk.
Mr. Li learned of the students' plans while in prison, and although he was grateful, he advised them not to take risks: "You are the future of the country, and you should not be put in danger because of me." His words were full of love for his students and hope for the future.
Time passed slowly, and Mr. Li had a hard time in prison. His health deteriorated, but his spirit remained steadfast. From time to time, he gazed out his window at the sky in his cell, contemplating the mysteries of astronomy.
Finally, after a joint letter from courtiers, the emperor decided to release Mr. Li. When Mr. Li walked out of the cell door and saw the students and friends waiting outside, his eyes were filled with gratitude and excitement.
Although Mr. Li was eventually released, the suppression of science and culture under the rule of Aobai**, as well as the blow to academic freedom, remained an indelible shadow in the history of the Qing Dynasty. At that time, scholars in pursuit of truth faced not only physical hardship, but also mental suffering.
3. The quagmire of power struggles.
In the Qing Dynasty, Aobai's power reached its peak. His "land swap," the exchange of yellow and white flags, was widely seen as a clear crackdown on political opponents. This move caused great controversy in the imperial court, and many ministers were upset by it.
At a secret court meeting, an elderly minister stood up against the proposal to worship. He faced Ao Bai and said in a firm tone: "This will cause chaos and be detrimental to the country." His eyes showed concern for the future of his country. However, Ao Bai was indifferent to the minister's opposition, and there was no change in expression on his face, just a faint response: "National affairs, Fei Er and others can understand. ”
This decision also caused quite a stir within the Eight Banners. The bearers of the yellow and white flags were angry and upset about the exchange of land. They gathered in private, discussing the decision to worship. "How can our land, our homeland, be determined by his word?A young flag man said indignantly.
At the same time, Emperor Kangxi was also paying attention to the development of this event. While walking in the imperial garden, he whispered to his henchmen: "Aobai has become a cancer of the government and must be removed." Kangxi's eyes revealed determination. He realized that Aobai's ambitions had threatened the stability of the imperial power and that action had to be taken.
Kangxi began to secretly plan the operation against Aobai. He gathered several loyal ministers in the middle of the night to plot how to take down the powerful minister. They discussed tactics in whispers in one of the palace's secret rooms, each with seriousness and nervousness written on their faces. "We have to be careful and take him down in one fell swoop. Kangxi said in a low voice.
Although Ao Bai was powerful, he did not perceive the emperor's dissatisfaction with him. He continued to act recklessly in the imperial court, constantly strengthening his power. He held a banquet in his mansion and invited many ministers of the DPRK and China, ostensibly to celebrate, but in fact to show his power.
At the banquet, Ao Bai talked eloquently, and from time to time, consciously or unconsciously, he glanced at the ministers who opposed him. There was a threat and sarcasm in his gaze that sent chills to many ministers. But he didn't know that his every move was under Kangxi's surveillance.
Finally, on a dark and windy night, Kangxi's plan began to be implemented. He sent a loyal team of guards to quietly surround Aobai's mansion. Ao Bai was completely caught off guard, and he didn't even react to it.
Ao Bai was escorted to the palace and faced an angry Kangxi. Kangxi's eyes were full of disappointment and anger: "You betrayed the court and betrayed me." His voice was cold and firm.
Aobai's arrest swept the entire court like a storm. Many ministers were shocked, while others secretly rejoiced. The fall of Aobai marked the end of an era and brought about significant changes in the political landscape of the Qing Dynasty.
The end of the Ministers.
In the deep palace prison of the imperial court, Ao Bai faces an imminent execution. His feelings were extremely complicated, with both remorse and unwillingness. At this last moment, he pleaded with the jailer: "Please, let me see Emperor Kangxi one last time." ”
The jailers were embarrassed by Aobai's request, but considering Aobai's former power, they finally decided to report it to the higher-ups. After Kangxi heard about this, after careful consideration, he decided to go to prison to see Ao Bai in person.
In prison, when Ao Bai saw Kangxi, he didn't say anything, just silently took off his prison clothes, revealing his scarred back. His back is covered with old and new wounds, bearing witness to the bravery and cruelty of his former battlefield.
Ao Bai turned around and said in a hoarse voice: "This is left for the cause of the Qing Dynasty how many times to fight the territory, and some of them are still historical witnesses when he saved the emperor's grandfather, Huang Taiji!."His eyes were full of pleading and despair.
Kangxi faced Aobai, and his heart was full of complicated emotions. He looked at Aobai's scarred back, and couldn't help but feel a trace of pity in his heart. Kangxi knew that Ao Bai was a hero of the Qing Dynasty, fought bloody battles on the battlefield, and made great achievements for the Qing Dynasty.
However, Aobai's later autocracy and atrocities made Kangxi full of disappointment and anger towards him. Kangxi struggled in his heart for a long time, and finally decided to let go of the horse. He said to Aobai: "You were a hero of the Qing Dynasty, but you were also a failure of the government. I'm not going to let you die, but I won't let you get out of prison again. ”
Kangxi's decision caused quite a stir in the imperial court. Many ministers were surprised, they didn't expect Kangxi to show mercy at this time. Aobai's fate changed from a powerful minister to a prisoner for life.
Ao Bai spent the rest of his life in prison. His days passed slowly in loneliness and regret. He often recalls his past glories and mistakes, but everything is a thing of the past. His power and ambition were imprisoned by the walls of the prison, leaving him with only deep remorse and endless emptiness.
Ma Weihua. Ao Bai was arrested and the complete reversal of Kangxi's prison [J].Science and Management,2015,35(4):63-66