Why did Empress Dowager Cixi, who was once famous, seldom mention her family?

Cixi was only in her twenties when she came to power. Ye He Na Lashi, a native of Zhenghuang Banner, Manchuria, was named Xing Zhen, and Xianfeng entered the palace in the second year of the draft. At first she was given a noble name, and later she was given a concubine. Three years later, the prince was born, that is, later Tongzhi, so the mother took the child as a treasure, first promoted the imperial concubine, and then promoted Yi Guifei. Because she is proficient in writing and writing, she is good at form and spirit, and she has become a special "secretary" of Xianfeng, and often reviews the memorial on behalf of Xianfeng. Well, this should be the source of Cixi's contact with state affairs. The second brother, Cixi, is the eldest daughter of Yehenara Zheng Hui, and there are three younger brothers and sisters, Zhao Xiang, Gui Xiang and Fuxiang. Daoguangchao and Zheng Huiguan lived in Wu Pin and served as Guangtai Road in Ningchi, Anhui Province. They died in the line of duty, leaving a family of six orphans and widows to live in Chaihuo Hutong in Beijing and live on money and food. After Empress Dowager Cixi entered the palace, Xianfeng gave a house, which was located in North Second Street, Xinjiekou, Xicheng. The girls moved to the new house and they were very happy. Well, this is the first time that Cixi's family has touched the light of Cixi.

According to the canon system of the Qing Dynasty, the queen's father should be awarded the title of benefactor, but Cixi has never been a queen. The Ci 'an above her is the queen, and she is just a noble lady. However, his son Zai Chun succeeded to the throne as Tongzhi Emperor, and his biological mother Cixi was canonized as the Empress Dowager according to the system. Because there were no rules and precedents about how to give the title to Empress Dowager Cixi's family in Qing Dynasty, the empress Dowager Cixi's family was awarded according to the rules of conferring the title of empress. So, Cheng Wai, the father of Cixi, became the Duke of Jinfeng, but his father Cheng Wai had already died, so Zhao Xiang, the eldest brother of Cixi, succeeded him. After conferring the title, the court awarded the benefactor the residence of Fangjiayuan in Chaoyangmen. It was called Zhao Gongfu at first, but fortunately it was very lucky. After two years of patronage, it died. After Zhao Xiang left, Gui Xiang replaced the benefactor. Subsequently, Zhao Gongfu became Gui Gongfu. Gui Xiang not only replaced his dead brother as a benefactor, but also held the yellow flag as the deputy commander-in-chief. However, in the Qing Dynasty, most of these deputy posts were "honorary" posts, and some idle officials had no right to hold posts, and they didn't have to work or call the roll, just showing their faces on holidays. Sure, get paid. However, compared with the "benefits" of holding real power, that salary is negligible. For example, in the position of the official commander-in-chief, everything is arbitrary, and the benefits of eating empty salaries alone are enough to make the deputy commander-in-chief insatiable, not to mention ordnance and food. And there are many places to make money. At that time, these were already open secrets, and the court turned a blind eye. Apart from saying "honesty" and praising "loyalty and filial piety" in the afternoon, there is no use of some extremely correct rhetoric to mean "death" or "truer" with corruption. There are exceptions. Cixi once ordered a thorough investigation of the case of "Yang Naiwu and Chinese Cabbage", and immediately punished all the officials involved in Jiangsu, taking off dozens of top hats. However, don't think that Cixi is determined to punish corruption. In fact, it was just a "clean-up" and a "reshuffle" after changing dealers. Through a thorough investigation of this case, Cixi thoroughly cleaned up the Jiangsu officials who did not listen to my greetings from the Western Palace but only from her greetings from the Eastern Palace. The so-called thorough investigation and even rehabilitation of the case of "Yang Naiwu Cabbage" is only the breakthrough of this purge movement. Taking this as a breakthrough, we should set up the banner of "redress grievances for the people, solve problems for the people, and rehabilitate unjust, false and wrong cases" and occupy the "moral commanding heights" in one fell swoop. As for saving Yang Naiwu and Chinese cabbage, it was an unintentional necessity. I don't want to save it, but I have to. Because saving these two people became the premise of "shuffling", it also showed the wisdom of the court and added "tidbits" to eulogize the "West Palace" for the teahouse music club. Of course, the thorough investigation of this case also shocked the officialdom: corruption should be "measured", not too much, especially not too ostentatious. More importantly, it accurately made Qing officials feel that they must not stand on the wrong side! Standing on the wrong side will not lead to good results! Cixi doesn't love Gui Xiang, the second brother who inherited the duke's position, but she hates iron and does not produce steel, so reprimanding or even beating is definitely more love than beating. Perhaps this is also a manifestation of extreme love. Actually, I really can't blame Cixi for reprimanding and playing with Gui Xiang. This Lord Gui totally asked for it. Cixi once went to Chenggong House in the inner courtyard of the DPRK. After visiting her mother, Cixi asked Gui Xiang to write back and asked him what books he had read and how his calligraphy practice was going. Gui Xiang boasted that his calligraphy was highly appreciated by the Fang family. While boasting, he spread out paper and ink, then threw off his arm, took the pen and wrote a big word "Shou", proudly saying to Cixi, "How's it going? How's it going? Not bragging! " When her second brother Gui Xiang exhibited paper and studied ink, Cixi was genuinely happy, but when Gui Xiang wrote together, Cixi's heart was half cold. Now, looking at Gui Xiang's complacency, she lost all her joy in Java. Cixi's face fell: "What style did you write? What word is written? " Gui Xiang disapprovingly replied, "It was written on my birthday! Regardless of your figure, do you think it looks good? " Cixi patted the console table and scolded: "How dare you brag when you write like this? Your birthday is a little less, isn't life short? Give people a scolding! It will be bad luck to stay. You are an ignorant thing! " Gui Xiang looked down and really wrote a "dot". Facing the reality, Gui Xiang bowed his head and said nothing, and changed his arrogance before, remembering in his heart that many "longevity" were distributed, but no one ever hung them up. It turns out that the knot is in this "little". Gui Xiang is really an upside-down advocate. No knowledge, no ability, no fear of putting on airs. Today, a group of people are drinking, and tomorrow, a group of people will have an outing. Tang Yegong, the younger brother of Empress Dowager Cixi, was asked to kiss up to anyone, but his popularity was very good, but his financial resources were exhausted. Because of his poor family background, Gui was far inferior to the neighboring princes who owned ancestral houses and farmers and rented children on an annual basis. As a result, he couldn't help fooling around with the salary of living a well-off life, and often sent his newly acquired calligraphy and paintings and treasures to pawn shops. There is no windtight wall. Over time, the news reached the ears of Cixi. Cixi made fun of Gui Xiang when she heard that she was angry and had a bad attack. The way to beat Gui Xiang is to constantly "reward" him, but what he "rewards" is not worth three melons' money, let alone send it to a pawnshop. In his life, Lord Gui only did one thing that made Cixi happy, that is, on the way to the west of the Boxer, Lord Gui was personally responsible for driving for Cixi. Stumbling all the way, it was naturally hard, but after the funeral, everyone was rewarded, but Lord Gui was busy in vain. It seems that Cixi knows this second brother very well, so give him an official position. He is not a risk-averse director, but something is wrong. Reward his treasure. I'm not sure when I'll transfer to the pawnshop again ... so don't reward him with anything. Speaking of this Lord of Guangxi, there is only one specialty, but this specialty is definitely not on the table, and that is to distinguish smoked soil. As long as his old man smells it, there are few mistakes in judging the cloud soil, the vast soil and the western soil at once. Gui Zhu's specialty comes from practice. At first, it was secretly smoked, and then it was semi-public after returning to the coffin. I'm depressed. There is no greater achievement than saving the car. I was rewarded for my work. I stopped at my brother's house, and I tried to find a balance in the fog, okay? The marriage of three nieces was arranged by Cixi. The first benefactor, Zhao Xiang, was the eldest brother of Cixi, childless. His benefactor only two years after his death. Cixi's third brother, Fu Xiang, is insensitive but quiet, and does not make trouble. One of them lives on money and food, but like his brother Zhao Xiang, he has no children. According to Xiang and Fuxiang, Gui Xiang was a piece of mud, and Cixi gave her niece her love for her family.

Jingfen, the eldest daughter, married Guangxu under the control of Cixi and became the Jade Dragon Queen. According to the current marriage law, consanguineous marriage is illegal, because both Cixi and Guangxu's biological mother Wan Zhen are the first aunts of Jingfen, which was fashionable and popular among the people at that time, and was advocated by the imperial clan nobles, who believed that such marriage could maintain the purity of blood. Fang Jing, the second niece, married to Wang Fu House and became Baylor's Fujin. It was a close imperial clan, and later he was ordered to pass through Xianfeng's ninth brother, Wang Fujun. After the death of King Fu County, Uncle Zai inherited Baylor Jue and still lived in Wang Fu, Fu County. That is to say, under the love of Cixi, Fang Jing, the second niece, became Fujin of kuya House. She was the dignified hostess. The third niece, Jing Rong, married Zaize, who was also a close imperial clan and enjoyed the title of Duke. At the end of Qing dynasty, when the imperial court reformed, he was the minister of degree department. It was abandoned again before Xuan Tong abdicated. Zaize is called the minister of degree branch, not the "minister". In other words, the first minister of the "degree branch" was Zaize, and the last minister was Zaize. The so-called "degree department", that is, the original household department, is responsible for the comprehensive management of national finance, including local taxes, taxes, grain storage and finance in various provinces. Why is it called "degree branch"? I can't guess whether it means "don't overdraw if you spend moderately". Looking at the text, I guess that I am blind, or it may be because of historical classics, and I am waiting for expert advice. Anyway, the term "degree branch" is very interesting. Cixi let the eldest niece enter the palace and let the other two nieces marry into the imperial clan. Its original intention is, of course, a word of "pain", so that nieces can enjoy prosperity all their lives and stay away from the bitter days she had as a child. But marriage is no joke. "Guagua is not sweet." Cixi's "grace" did not bring happiness to her niece. First of all, Jingfen, who was raised as the Jade Dragon Queen by Cixi, was disliked by Guangxu. After she got married, when she kept her room, she spent more time trying to make love. When she was in front of distinguished people, she wiped her tears. She has never enjoyed the love of husband and wife, nor has she enjoyed family happiness. Second niece Fang Jing's situation is similar to her sister Jin Fen's. She went to war after her wedding, and her mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were at odds, and her husband and wife were at odds. They quarreled, bickered, lived an uncomfortable life and never enjoyed being a mother. Only by marrying Zaize's Jing Rong can she live a harmonious life with her children and grandchildren around her knees, which can only give Cixi some comfort. Otherwise, Cixi's kindness to her niece's family has fallen on the iceberg and she has no sense of accomplishment at all. It's not that Cixi doesn't want to "favor" her niece's nephew. It's just that my grandfather who owes the government is too young to support her. When the Xuan Tong Dynasty came, Empress Yulong and Empress Dowager Cixi fulfilled her wish for Cixi and rewarded her adult brother as a bodyguard. But people are not as good as heaven, the Qing court abdicated, and the "imperial army" was naturally laid off. Later, the "bodyguard" once entered Baoding Military Academy. Later, one of his descendants went to the United States and became a foreign nationality, and the other moved out of Beijing and lived in the suburbs. It is said that some of the descendants who moved to the suburbs of Beijing joined the army and joined the party during the Cultural Revolution, and they were "poor peasants". Some people are surprised by this. In fact, it is not uncommon for princes and nobles to become poor after the vicissitudes of the sun and the moon. It is not surprising that Wang Ye pulled a rickshaw and Baylor carried a big bag. It is even less surprising that the descendants of Lord Gui became poor peasants.

There is also a senior official among the "military aircraft with curtains" and "binaural governor" Rui Lin Ye He Na La, who is a student of a first-class university, Rui Lin. This gentleman has been to the military department, served as "Minister of Military Aircraft", and also served as Governor of Zhili and Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. According to the Beijing standard-bearer, he has two nicknames: "Military aircraft with curtains" and "Governor for the deaf". Rui Lin, Ye Henala, a native of Zhenglan Banner in Manzhouli, was the uncle of Cixi. Some people may ask, Cixi is a yellow flag, why is her uncle a blue flag? Many people in society don't know much about the flag genus, thinking that the flag genus can't be changed, and that the yellow flag must be higher than the red, blue and white flag. In fact, the so-called "Eight Banners" were originally just eight fighting army groups. Their combat effectiveness is different, and their numbers may be different. Their relationship with the emperors of the dynasty also changed with people, but they were completely equal in administrative level. Those who are not yellow flags are top students. Just as we can only judge that the lion is stronger than the tiger, we can't judge that the lion must be stronger than the tiger. It can't be said that this flag is better than that flag, only that this flag is better than that flag. Because even the "department-level" officials of Zhenghuangqi, once they hear that other flags have been raised and they have been promoted to the "department-level", they will certainly take their positions happily, and they will never cling to Zhenghuangqi and will never be ashamed of correcting it. As we all know, Mr. Puren is the fourth brother of the emperor who is serious, but he pretends to be a man of Manchuria Zhengbaiqi, instead of being impressed by outsiders that the royal family must be a man of Huangqi. Therefore, it is not surprising that Cixi holding a yellow flag has a uncle holding a blue flag. Moreover, the ancestors of Cixi wore a blue flag and later entered the yellow flag. In short, the so-called "flag registration" may be the resumes of ancestors who once belonged to a "group army" or the proof that they are now working for a "group army". There is no distinction between honor and disgrace, but the level of professional titles and the size of official positions are the decisive factors in salary and rank ranking. Cixi is not optimistic about Rui Lin's career. As early as the Daoguang period, Rui Lin was appointed as Zanlang of Taichang Temple, that is, when the emperor worshiped his ancestors, he read Manchu greetings. Ruilin was born with a good voice. When he was young, a fortune teller congratulated him, saying that he was born with a good voice and could rank high in the court. Sure enough, in the twenty-seventh year of Daoguang Temple Festival, Rui Lin was on duty. He opened his throat and read the congratulatory message in a cadence and forcefully. Daoguang Emperor was very happy and said, "Listen, listen!" Call him near to answer at once. In the face of Daoguang's praise, Rui got the message and said, "Reciting congratulations is the greatest event of loyalty and filial piety. I only try my best to serve the emperor." Daoguang was even more cheerful when he heard this. He immediately generously rewarded him with a five-pin hat.

Since then, Rui Lin has worked harder and harder, and his career has never been closed. The following year, he was promoted to Shao Qing of Taichang Temple, and the following year, he was promoted to Assistant Minister of Bachelor's Department of Cabinet. In this way, in two or three years' time, Rui Lin was promoted from humble do by Lang to a vice-ministerial official. Facing the rocket-like rise of Rui Lin, people in Taichang Temple joked: "It is better to have a sound than to have a cold window for ten years." However, taking a closer look at his promotion, Rui Lin didn't send money to run the official or go in to curry favor with him, nor did he hurt his colleagues by stepping on people's shoulders, as if a pie fell from the sky on his head. In the early years of Xianfeng, before Cixi entered the palace, Rui Lin had already worked for the Ministry of War as a "military affairs minister", and the same "military affairs minister" was Prince Gong? . At that time, the real military ministers were Qi Gaozao, Peng, Shao Shenhe, and then two "military ministers came up", that is, Prince Gong? And Assistant Minister Rui Lin. Military ministers should March in and out in an orderly manner. When entering the temple, the last military plane will lift the curtain, and all military planes can enter only after entering. When leaving, the last military plane will lift the curtain in turn and exit, and then leave the curtain after coming out. Because there are cotton curtains in winter, bamboo curtains in summer and cloth curtains in spring and autumn, it is very convenient to meet people, and Rui Lin has long held the position of the last military minister. Coupled with Rui Lin's natural good temper, people familiar with him joked that he was a "military aircraft with curtains" and later spread, so he had the nickname "military aircraft with curtains". There is also a saying that Rui Lin has never made any achievements since he entered the military. He is just a hollow name supporting military aircraft. Those real military ministers looked down on him, so they ridiculed him as a "military aircraft with a curtain." The two statements are different, but no matter which statement is true, he left the nickname "military aircraft with curtains" is true. In fact, Rui Lin is not a mediocre person. When attacking the Taiping Army, he did his best and gained a lot. Lin Fengxiang, a famous general of Taiping Army, was folded in his hand, and he was awarded the title of General Xi 'an. Otherwise, he wouldn't be an official, a military plane or a government official. In the early years of Tongzhi, Rui Lin, the military minister who thought behind closed doors, released the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. He arrived just as the price of rice soared and the people were restless. The governor, the sheriff and other officials gathered in the government building to discuss countermeasures. Rui Lin was ordered in a crisis and asked his men, "Why is the price of rice rising? Do you know the reason? " The relevant subordinates replied: "The city is very strange." Rui Lin was dumbfounded, and then asked, "Four monsters! Who is it? " This question stunned the subordinates and they didn't know how to answer it. If they replied that he was not a "four eccentrics" but a "mediocrity", it would put the governor in an embarrassing position and ruin his future, so he bowed his head and did a meditation. Rui Lin was not in a hurry after seeing it, but comforted his subordinates: "Don't panic, don't panic, just wait until the investigation comes." All the officials present looked at each other in distress and laughter. The governor made a speech: "Check it well, check it well, and report it when it is verified." A few days later, when Lin Rui asked, his subordinates reported: "Guangzhou people call profiteers' four eccentrics', which means those profiteers are like street hooligans." Rui Lin listened and nodded. "So that's it, so that's it." He also ordered: "We must take good care of the Four Monsters." Afterwards, Rui Lin became the laughing stock of Guangdong and Guangxi officials after dinner. However, when Rui Lin left his job and returned to Beijing, all the officials were depressed, saying that this government official was not greedy, stingy and good at playing big cards, although his ears were not very good and his knowledge was not very good. He is a good boss.

Moved by the glory of Cixi, Rui Lin also gave up Westernization and became the governor of Zhili. At that time, Prince Hui was extremely happy and asked Tianjin Tanggu to station troops to prevent foreigners from invading at sea. Xianfeng allowed the broadcast, and ordered SengGelinqin and Zhili Governor Rui Lin to investigate and fully supervise. Diligence and hard work are the advantages of Rui Lin. Within a few months, the artillery was in place and the long embankment was built. The following year, the coastal defense project really played a role, hitting British ships hard and earning enough face for Xianfeng. The imperial court awarded meritorious service, headed by SengGelinqin, and Rui Lin was also commended. In the tenth year of Xianfeng, the once famous coastal defense was like rotten wood, which was destroyed by the British and French Coalition forces in an instant. The imperial court urgently dispatched 30,000 troops of SengQin to guard Bali Bridge in JD.COM, and Shengbao and Rui Lin were also ministers who were ordered to guard Bali Bridge. As soon as the war started, only more than 3,000 allies defeated 30,000 Qing troops stationed in Baliqiao. Monk Qin and Shengbao lost to Beijing, while Ruilin returned to Beijing privately before the war. It stands to reason that Rui Lin committed an unforgivable crime of escape, but the imperial edict came that he was only removed from his post and was not handed over to the relevant government for investigation. At the same time, I told him to "stay in the army and make amends." Later, the British and French allied forces invaded Beijing and set fire to Yuanmingyuan in order to retaliate against the cruel punishment and massacre of the negotiators in Yuanmingyuan. Xianfeng, who fled to Chengde, was resentful but helpless, that is, she had no intention to care more about how Ruilin handled such trivial matters. Later, Xianfeng died of illness, and his heart had a life-and-death coup. The two palaces were busy eliminating the remnants of the eight ministers. Small things like Rui Lin are not on the agenda. When the political situation is stable, such a trivial matter can also be put on the agenda. Cixi, Prince Gong and Prince Alcohol have already taken power in the court. Rui Lin's relatives and friends forgave him, saying that he was not an officer at that time, but was ordered to help soldiers. Going back to Beijing to visit relatives before the war should not be punished as "running away from the cold." What's more, he is also the uncle of Cixi, the alcoholic prince Fujin. He doesn't look at the monk's face, but at the Buddha's face. The relevant government came up with a solution of "thinking behind closed doors", which was approved by the military department and allowed by the court, so Ruilin ordered "thinking behind closed doors". Rui Lin, who thought behind closed doors, did something he didn't want to do when he was young. He stayed in his study all day, reciting poems and drawing pictures. Many things happen, and his poems and paintings have indeed improved, but he is self-aware and never gives them to others. Someone came to ask for it and praised him for his excellent poetry and painting. He never shook his head: "Poetry is a doggerel, and painting is a craftsman's painting. If you can't enter the hall, you can't enter the room. Just entertain yourself. " Even if the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi will meet the people's demands after his appointment, Rui Lin will still say so. The emperor's mighty spring breeze blew, and Rui Lin, who had been "thinking behind closed doors" at home for less than two years, served as the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi outside the imperial court. Rui Lin, who was destined to spend the rest of his life doing nothing at home, was once again hit in the head by a pie falling from the sky. Is it Prince Gong who worked as a "minister of military aircraft" together? Miss the past, or is Prince Gong taking this opportunity to give Cixi a favor? There is no textual research. However, from a reasonable point of view, Rui Lin was moved by the light of Cixi, and of course he was also moved by his own popularity. If Cixi was kind to her family, Rui Lin was the only one who went from "thinking behind closed doors" to the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. Because government officials are all released outside, there is absolutely no chance without Cixi's nod, and it is useless for anyone to recommend them. Of course, this kind of grace of Cixi is by no means an "exception". Because Rui Lin, a first-class university student, is qualified, Xianfeng is a "minister of military aircraft" and served as the governor of Zhili. With this qualification, there is no problem in releasing the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. In other words, for this uncle, at best, Cixi pushed the boat with the tide, which was not deliberate care, let alone special support and reward.

I have never seen Rui Lin's calligraphy and painting laugh at himself, and naturally I can't tell why, but the ink of his descendants is amazing. Lin Jianchong, who visited the Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou that year, loved painting and calligraphy since childhood and made a living by painting. He especially appreciates the word "jade pot ice" in the exquisite hall of the garden. I noticed that the word "jade pot ice" on the original plaque was written by the famous pianist Ye Shimeng in the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China. Ye Shimeng, the son of his son, is famous for his knowledge and understanding of Qin, and is good at martial arts and martial arts. Unexpectedly, his handwriting is so good. It is said that Ye Shimeng was very popular in Rui Lin, and both Guangdong and Guangxi took it with them. From this analysis, Ye Shimeng's words should be without Rui Lin's advice. It can be inferred that Rui Lin's handwriting should not be bad.