My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 89 Confining the Poisonous Snake Old Nine
After Hongli said this, Yongzheng frowned and his face turned cold.

Even Hongli himself couldn't help but feel a tremor in his heart.

"What do you think of it?"

Yongzheng suddenly asked him a question.

"Uncle Ba should not actively seek a good reputation for himself; he can only do so if Father allows him to."

"If I were to settle the accounts for my tenth uncle, it would be because my father supported me in doing so. I cannot act on my own initiative!"

"As Mr. Zhu taught, etiquette originates from the emperor. Therefore, the emperor can give all fame and fortune to the people, but his subjects cannot ask for them!"

Hongli knew that Yongzheng's imperial mindset was that he had to control everything.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen Zhu Shi, a great Confucian scholar who advocated for the widespread adoption of brick-making techniques in ordinary households, as his teacher.

However, unlike the historical Qianlong, Yongzheng would explain and clarify everything after taking control, as if he was afraid that you wouldn't understand him.

After hearing Hongli's words, Yongzheng relaxed the muscles on his tense face and smiled at Hongli, saying, "You have not studied with Zhu Shi for nothing. Your ability to stand up for your sixteenth uncle this time is proof of that."

talking.

Emperor Yongzheng stood up and placed a map in front of Hongli, saying, "I will reward you as well."

Then, Yongzheng pointed to several places and circled them with his pen, saying to Hongli, "The Rehe Prefecture reported by the Zhili Governor has many irrigated lands among the wasteland available for settlement. You can choose one for your banner commander first."

"Thank you, Ama!"

Hongli was overjoyed and quickly bowed to express his gratitude.

Currently, the severe weather conditions of the Little Ice Age are beginning to improve.

Many areas beyond the Great Wall that were only suitable for nomadic life have become more suitable for farming, especially the areas near the capital.

That's why Emperor Yongzheng thought of sending Manchu bannermen to farm in the northern frontier.

Now, Yongzheng is giving him a convenient opportunity to strengthen his own command by having him fetch water to irrigate the land.

Hongli carefully examined the map and noticed the places circled by Yongzheng.

He eventually chose a place called Xinglonggou (later Beipiao County).

According to the report submitted by the Governor of Zhili, there are still many coal deposits in this area.

More importantly, this place is located in western Liaoning, and is a necessary route for entering and leaving the pass.

If Hongli's garrison were stationed here, he wouldn't have to worry about running out of charcoal in the winter, which would allow him to increase the population as much as possible and prepare for the future expansion beyond the Great Wall.

"You've got big ambitions, kid."

Emperor Yongzheng saw through Hongli's thoughts at a glance.

Hongli smiled slightly: "When Khanmafa was alive, he said that the Russian Kingdom in the north has always been eyeing the fertile lands of our Great Qing in the south. Therefore, I think that instead of waiting for them to immigrate and settle in the city, we should immigrate and settle in the city ourselves in the future!"

As far as Hongli knew, among the three emperors Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong in history, Yongzheng supported the development of the area outside the Great Wall and repeatedly provided shelter to refugees who violated the law.

Therefore, Hongli expressed his thoughts to Yongzheng, but also used Kangxi's words as a pretext.

Anyway, Emperor Kangxi has already passed away. He said that Kangxi recognized him, and no one else could bring Kangxi back to life to deny him.

After hearing this, Yongzheng nodded: "This is not something that can be accomplished in a day or two. After all, even we Manchus ourselves are unwilling to stay in the harsh lands beyond the Great Wall. We would rather flee into the interior as bondservants than remain as Manchus outside the Great Wall!"

"My son understands."

Hongli nodded.

Hongli then left the Hall of Mental Cultivation and went to the Hall of Diligent Governance in the Palace of Heavenly Purity for his evening lesson.

When Hongli arrived at Qianqing Palace, he saw Yinxiang also bringing a boy who looked somewhat similar to Narsu.

"Thirteenth Uncle, who is he?"

Hongli inquired about Yinxiang.

Yinxiang replied with a smile, "He is the archery instructor I arranged for you, as well as your study companion, Haha Zhuzi, Fu Peng. From now on, he will study and practice archery with you along with Li Yu and the others."

"Greetings from my grandson, Fu Peng Ge Tang Mama!"

The boy then knelt down first.

Hongli quickly helped Fupeng up.

He never expected that the person Yinxiang had chosen for him would be the eldest son of Prince Ping, Narsu.

Afterwards, Hongli led Fupeng and others through their evening lessons. As they left the Qianqing Palace, he asked Fupeng, "Don't you have a cousin named Cao Zhan?"

Hongli remembered that Cao Xueqin's original name was Cao Zhan.

Therefore, Hongli first inquired about Fu Peng's matter.

"Father, my grand-nephew does have a cousin named Cao Zhan, but he is only eight years old this year. How did you hear about him, Father?"

Fu Peng asked.

Hongli smiled and said, "I heard the late emperor mention him; I've heard he was also very intelligent?"

"That's true. I wouldn't dare hide it from my great-grandfather; my cousin is indeed exceptionally intelligent."

Fu Peng replied. Hongli nodded. When he saw Fu Peng, he suddenly realized that since he was Fu Peng's grandfather, he should also be a relative of Cao Xueqin's grandfather in terms of kinship.

However, according to banner affiliation, Cao Xueqin was a bondservant of the Manchu Plain White Banner. If he were to become emperor in the future, Cao Xueqin would be his household slave.

As soon as Hongli returned to Yongshou Palace after parting ways with Fu Peng, Chen Shishun brought him a message: "Fourth Prince, I learned from someone close to Consort Yi that His Majesty has ordered Ninth Prince to guard Jingling Mausoleum and that he is not allowed to leave without an imperial decree!"

Although Hongli already knew that Yongzheng intended to imprison Yintang under the pretext of guarding the imperial tombs, he did not expect that this day would come so soon.

Hongli then asked Chen Shishun, "Do you know why?"

"It seems that Ninth Master's men are spreading rumors outside, saying that the late Emperor originally intended to pass the throne to Fourteenth Master!"

"That Manchu man named He Tu has already had his home ransacked and been arrested by the Infantry Commander's Office. I heard he has been sentenced to immediate execution for inciting the imperial family to plot a major rebellion!"

Chen Shishun replied.

Hongli nodded after hearing this.

He knew this day would come.

Since Lao Jiu and his men are unwilling to give up Haili, they are unlikely to give up easily and will definitely take some action.

Therefore, his people now think of taking advantage of the current dissatisfaction of the upper-class nobles among the Manchus with the reform of the Manchu affairs, to create public opinion that Kangxi intends to pass the throne to the fourteenth prince, and to deliberately make those who are loyal to the fourteenth prince take risks and cause trouble.

But this is undoubtedly wishful thinking, or it can be said to be a desperate attempt, because if the Fourteenth Prince's faction really wanted to fight for the throne for the Fourteenth Prince, they would have done so long ago.

Hongli didn't say much about it, but when Consort Yi came to the Fourth Prince's wife crying and begging her to speak on his behalf, he and the Fourth Prince's wife comforted Consort Yi for a while.

To everyone's surprise, the next day, Hongli learned from Li Yu that Hongshi wanted to see him, right after he finished his morning lessons.

Hongli came to Hongshi's place, only to find that Hongzhou was also there.

"Fourth brother, fifth brother, have you heard about what happened to Ninth Uncle?"

As soon as Hongshi saw them, he asked them questions.

Hongli pretended not to know and shook his head.

Hongshi then repeated it.

Upon hearing this, Hongli exchanged a surprised glance with Hongzhou.

Hongshi then asked Hongli and Hongzhou, "What do you think about this?"

Hongli didn't want Hongshi to know his attitude on the matter first, so he asked Hongshi in return, "What do you think, Third Brother?"

"The Emperor has issued an edict saying that Ninth Uncle must go to Jingling tomorrow and cannot stay any longer. Shall we go and see him tonight?"

Hongshi suggested.

Hongzhou looked at Hongli.

Hongli nodded: "Alright!"

Seeing this, Hongzhou also said, "Then I'll go too."

So the three of them came to Yinzhen's place.

"I'm so glad you came to visit me at this time. These three boxes are specially prepared for you by me. They are full of membership tickets that can be redeemed on demand!"

After the three arrived, Yin Tang went straight to the point and said he wanted to give them money.

Hongli was greatly surprised: "Ninth Uncle, how can this be? Your money didn't come from nowhere, and we can't accept rewards without doing anything for you."

“Accepting this will make me, Uncle Nine, happy. For that reason alone, you deserve to accept it.”

"That's what Yin Tang said."

Hongshi then looked at Hongli.

Hongzhou also looked at Hongli.

Hongli had already guessed what Yinzhen was thinking; he simply wanted to see if Yongzheng would be too embarrassed to ask his son for money.

Hongli looked at Hongshi: "Third brother, what do you think?"

"Take it; we can't refuse Uncle Jiu's kindness."

Hongshi tentatively spoke to Hongli.

Hongli nodded.

So both of them took the box, and Hongzhou took one too.

Hongshi felt much more at ease.

After seeing the Ninth Prince return, Hongli first advised Hongzhou: "Fifth Brother, we must let Father Khan know about this. It would be best to hand over the money that Ninth Uncle gave us first."

Hongzhou nodded: "I'll listen to Fourth Brother!"

So Hongli and Hongzhou went to see Yongzheng, told him about it, and placed the box in front of him.

Yongzheng nodded in agreement and sent Hongli and Hongzhou to the rear hall first. Then, he ordered someone to summon Hongshi and asked, "Did Yinzhen give you money?"

(End of this chapter)