Ashes

Huang Taiji couldn't sit down with peace of mind. Ever since the news of Erdeni's accident came, his whole body seemed to be roasted on fire.

When Erdeni was accused of hiding the North Korean envoy's things, he was not only reprimanded, but Nurhachi also mobilized people to raid his home.

Although he had heard rumors these days, and he was even prepared to arrest a few rumor spreaders, he never expected that someone would report Erdeni before he could do anything.

A few hasty knocks on the door sounded, and it seemed that the person outside the door was also anxious and nervous.

"Come in."

It was Jierharang who entered the room. He only opened the door halfway, squeezed in, and closed it immediately.

With a sullen face, Huang Taiji adjusted his breathing and sat on the chair: "How is the situation over there?"

Ji Erhalang said solemnly; "It's still there, and a lot of valuables have been found. It seems that he won't stop until his house is looted."

"He is an important minister of Father Khan, how could he not have some valuables at home? Isn't this crime arbitrarily charged?"

"Brother, don't be in a hurry." Seeing that Huang Taiji was burning with worry, Jierhalang also became a little flustered.

Huang Taiji slapped the table, and the table shook suddenly: "I really want to go and have a look."

"Brother, you must not go now. If you go, you will harm Erdene Bakshi instead."

"Why don't I know?"

Erdeni is different from others. For Huang Taiji, everyone in the Jurchen tribe is brave and brave. Although brave generals are rare, they are easy to get in the end, but people like Erdeni who are good at planning and thinking are extremely valuable. Rare.After all, Huang Taiji only has one head, and there will be times when he is not careful, and he needs someone to make up for some deficiencies.

Ever since Hu Erhan was killed, he had heightened his vigilance. He kept a close watch on everyone in his banner, for fear that someone would have an accident again, but what he didn't expect was that the accident happened to someone from another banner.

It's hard to guard against!

"Who is playing tricks behind the scenes? Could it be Big Baylor again?" Jierhalang said angrily.

"Father Khan is investigating this matter himself, and everyone is detained by him, and I have no way to investigate. If Father Khan knows that I still want to intervene, he will have to punish me."

"Did Khan tell you anything?"

"No, but I can feel that he doesn't trust me when discussing matters in normal times." Huang Taiji frowned.

Ji Erhalang comforted him: "Don't worry, this is only temporary. After this period, after the turmoil subsides, there will be times when you will act."

"What I'm afraid of is..." Huang Taiji said half of what he said, but he didn't say it, or he didn't dare to say it.He only felt that the person behind this was aggressive, with the aura of swearing not to give up until he reached his goal, and he was afraid that Erdeni would not be able to escape this disaster.

While the two were silent, someone knocked on the door again.

Huang Taiji said sternly: "It may be Dundari who came to report Erdeni's news."

Jierharang couldn't help being nervous, he collected himself and went to open the door, only to find that it wasn't Dundari who came.

"Little Gege, why are you here?"

"Jirhalang Baylor is auspicious."

The sweet and crisp voice was as melodious as a silver bell. A handsome and delicate face poked in, looking for Huang Taiji's figure. When she saw Huang Taiji sitting next to her, her face was filled with joy, and she took three steps in parallel. ran in.

"Brother!" She yelled and ran to Huang Taiji's side, before she could speak, her face turned red and she pursed her lips.

When Huang Taiji saw her, the lines on his face became softer, and he pulled her to sit beside him: "What are you doing here?"

She is the eighth daughter of Nurhachi, named Cong Gulun, her biological mother is the side concubine Yehenara, and also the younger sister of Huang Taiji's biological mother Meng Gu, so she is closer to Huang Taiji than other brothers and sisters, She is 11 years old this year and is the same age as Dorgon.For this little sister who is closer in blood, Huang Taiji is also very affectionate.

"I heard that Erdeni Bakshi was punished by his father, is it true?" Conggulun's face wrinkled. She is shy but extremely intelligent. She often comes to Huang Taiji to play, so she also I often come into contact with Erdeni, Erdeni also likes this child, and sometimes teaches her to learn.

"Father Khan is still investigating, and there is no conclusion yet."

"Did he really do something wrong? Brother, please save him." As soon as Congulun spoke, mist appeared in his eyes.

"Don't be sad, if I can save it, I will."

"really?"

"of course it's true."

Conggulun smiled through his tears, his beautiful face was like a slightly blooming flower, delicate and weak.

"Brother still has work to do, why don't you go and play with your sister-in-law?"

Cong Gulun responded delicately: "Okay."

Huang Taiji said to Jierhalang: "Call Andari and let him take Gege to Dafujin."

After sending Cong Gulun away, Huang Taiji fell into deep thought.

In order to coax the child, he promised to save Erdeni, but if he really wanted to save it, it was easier said than done.I'm afraid that if the person is not rescued, he will put himself in instead.

Jierhalang was by his side, and the two quietly waited for the news from there.

After a while, Dundari came and brought the latest situation of Erdeni.

"The Great Khan confiscated the property of Erdene Bakshi's family and the cattle records under his jurisdiction, removed him from the position of deputy general, and demoted him to a commoner."

This news was neither good nor bad for Huang Taiji, but he always felt uneasy.

"Has Father Khan left?"

"I kept a few of them, and they are still staring over there, saying that they are preventing Erdene Bakshi from meeting with other people in private."

Huang Taiji's face became increasingly gloomy.

Jierhalang understood what he was thinking, and when he said it was "other people", he was actually referring to Huang Taiji. People from Huang Taiji couldn't get close, so they couldn't protect Erdeni."Should I send someone to look at it?" he asked.

"Alright, tell your people to be careful."

However, ten days later, the Erdeni case made waves again.

A maid in his family reported that Erdeni hid many pearls and gold nuggets in the well. When the house was ransacked, he hid these properties in his wife's brother's house, so he concealed it.

Nurhachi was furious, annoyed that he lied and concealed, deceived his superiors and inferiors, and was cunning and insidious.

And when he reprimanded Erdeni, he expressed what he really thought in his heart: "As a member of Duduo's flag, you don't respect your master, you are arrogant, and you want to cross the flag to communicate with other flag owners. The Baylors reward things , why don’t others just give you one? Looking for you once, in Sibelena, looking for you again, still in Sibelena, without saying a word when you go, and don’t say where you went when you come back. This kind of behavior, If it’s not a secret conspiracy, what else can it be? What’s the use of keeping such a greedy and unfaithful person?”

In the end, Erdeni and his wife were executed together.

Nurhachi's words pointed directly at Huang Taiji. The double blow of Erdeni's death and father Khan's suspicion was painful for Huang Taiji.

After Daishan lost power, Huang Taiji was once favored by Nurhachi because of his repeated military exploits and outstanding performance.But this preference almost disappeared after a series of ministers were killed.

Although Nurhachi did not vent his anger to Huang Taiji because of this, he seemed to have only one thought in his mind: he must not tolerate any son in his early years.

For Erdeni, Huang Taiji was in pain and guilt. The pain was that he had lost a counselor since then, and the guilt was that he died because of being close to him.

After Erdeni's death, there were still a few sons left. Although they were also implicated and punished, they still survived.For them, Huang Taiji went to Xifu.

Hesheli Xifu, also given the title of "Bakshi", is also a scholar who is proficient in Manchu, Mongolian and Han. He walks in the Wenguan and belongs to the Zhengbai banner.

When Xifu saw Huang Taiji coming to him, he knelt down in fear and trepidation: "Sibeiler."

"Get up, I have something to ask you today." Huang Taiji helped him up.

"Four Baylor, if you have something to do, just tell me."

"I want to ask you to adopt and protect Erdeni's sons."

"Since it's Sibaile's request, I will do my best."

"Don't agree too quickly. This is not a good thing. You also know that Father Khan hates the Erdeni family very much. Adopting his son is very likely to be implicated."

Xifu knelt down again and said, "Believe in Sibaile's trust, Xifu will do it with all his life."

"Then I thank you for Erdeni."

"Sibeiler, please don't say that, it's a shame for me."

Huang Taiji sighed: "Now that's all I can do."

"Sibeile..." Xifu looked at Huang Taiji with a worried expression on his face, "You have to be careful, someone is pulling your wings!"

Huang Taiji's expression was cold, and he smiled bitterly after a long time: "Why don't I know?"

After leaving Xifu's house, Jierharang was waiting for him not far away, and Huang Taiji walked over.

Jierhalang asked, "Did Xifu agree?"

Huang Taiji nodded: "I also thought that he would agree, so I came to him."

"That's good." Jierhalang said sadly, "I didn't expect this thing to come to such a field."

Huang Taiji was silent, he was thinking about his own thoughts, and his steps were big and fast, and Jierhalang could hardly keep up.

"Brother, do you think who is behind your back? Is it Big Baylor?"

Huang Taiji stopped suddenly, turned his head and stared at Jierhalang: "You still think it's Big Baylor?"

Jierhalang was taken aback: "I don't know."

"Second brother, do I not know him? He has some brains, but is he so clean and tidy?"

Jierharang was also thinking.

Huang Taiji continued: "In the matter of Hu Erhan, it is obvious that someone caught him and beat him, but he has inextricably linked with the second brother. If it is said that the second brother did it, maybe I still believe it. But this time, Such a quick series of blows, it is clear that the person had left behind in advance, knowing that the first attack might not achieve the goal, so he launched the second attack immediately. If Erdeni did not die, there might be a third attack soon , until he dies. Do you think the second brother has this ability and can be considered so comprehensive?"

"Who else could that be?"

"I don't know either. But..." Huang Taiji had a murderous look in his eyes, "I will know who it is soon."

At this time, Dorgon and Abu Tai were also talking.

"My little brother, you have thought carefully and thought of tricking them into hiding something, otherwise, let them escape." Abtai said.

Dorgon just smiled perfunctorily: "Anyway, Erdeni has been with Father Khan for so many years, and Father Khan can't make such a big determination all at once."

"Have you figured out who will be next?"

"Of course." Dorgon said lightly, "Urgudai."