You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 104 Wu Sangui visits to deliver gifts
Jiang Qingyun waved his hand, signaling all the surrounding soldiers to step back, leaving room for conversation.

Once the surroundings were quiet, he said disdainfully:
"Mr. Liu, I have slapped Prince Ying, Ajige, led troops to raid the Prince Rui's mansion, suppressed the Plain Blue Banner rebels, impeached Grand Secretary Chen Mingxia to death, and recently, I have been busy capturing Dorgon's remaining followers hidden among the Eight Banners."

“I have many good friends in the capital. If the Prince of Pingxi impeaches me, I will also be impeached by many others.”

"Your prince may not be able to shake my authority."

……

"Imperial Censor Jiang, don't forget, my prince and the Third Prince are both frontline commanders directly fighting against the Ming army. To put it bluntly, the war isn't over yet. Does the court not even grant them this much face?"

"We won't give it to them, so what? Does the Prince of Pingxi want to rebel again?"

"W-What did you say??"

"I say, if the imperial court doesn't give you face, would your prince dare to lead his army to surrender to Zhu Youlang now?"

Liu Xuanchu was shocked.

He could hardly believe these words came from a Han Bannerman who was enjoying the Emperor's favor. It was more than just arrogant; it was utterly lawless, insane, and worse than a beast.

"Imperial Censor Jiang, what exactly do you mean?"

Jiang Qingyun's eyes were filled with murderous intent.

"It doesn't mean anything. I just wanted to remind you not to take yourselves too seriously."

"Without you four princes, is there no one to fight the war in the southwest? Is it really impossible to win? Do you four princes dare to lead your troops to surrender to Zhu Youlang?"

"Do you know how many Manchus in the court are eyeing the titles of the four Han princes?"

"The Ming court is on its last breath. The world is about to be settled, and this is the last chance to divide up the spoils. Guess how many people will jump out to support me if this matter really blows up? How many people will try to trip up your prince? How many will try to find fault with your prince? To put it bluntly, they would love for Prince Pingxi to become the second Jiang Xiang."

"The court is concerned about its reputation and cannot be too hasty in killing the donkey after it has served its purpose, for fear of chilling the hearts of the people. But now, the arrogant and fierce generals under the command of the Prince of Pingxi are actually fighting with the patrolling soldiers in the capital. Tsk tsk."

……

Liu Xuanchu was covered in cold sweat, his head was spinning, and his vision was blurry. He felt as if he were standing in front of a giant, man-eating tiger.

A long time~
He finally regained his senses from the extreme shock and confusion, took a deep breath, and clasped his hands together to the bottom.

"Your Excellency, I have a suggestion."

"speak."

"I'll write an IOU to redeem the young master first. Redeeming him as soon as possible will prevent further trouble and is better for both of us. The money will definitely be paid, don't worry. After I get back, I will tell the prince the truth, and this matter will be over."

Jiang Qingyun thought for a moment.

“I will dictate the contents of the IOU, you will write it down, and the Crown Prince must also sign and affix his seal.”

"As you wish."

Half an hour later, Wu Yingxiong walked out of the South City Military Command with a disheveled and humiliated appearance.

……

At the Ministry of Rites' post station, Wu Sangui could hardly believe his ears.

He looked at his son, then at his advisor.

"That bastard really said that?"

"Your Highness, it is absolutely true."

"Is he insane? What kind of monster is he? He stepped on my face and expects me to apologize?"

Wu Sangui's expression was ferocious, his anger raging.

He could hardly believe that a human being could do such a thing, say such words.
"Change your clothes. I will go to the palace now and take Prince Sanshun with me to see the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."

"Your Highness, you mustn't!"

"Bullshit! I commanded 20,000 troops and marched from Liaodong to Sichuan. How dare that fourth-rank censor step on my neck and shit on me? It's utterly absurd."

……

“Father, wait a minute. I think Imperial Censor Jiang is right. We must be wary of the saying ‘the bow is put away after the birds are all gone,’ and the possibility of ‘discarding the millstone after it has served its purpose’ is very high. The Qing Dynasty is a Manchu empire, and enfeoffing Han people as princes is just a temporary measure. When the country is unified, that will be the time when the Qing court strips them of their royal and military power. Moreover, this boy is right about one thing: even if the court treats us harshly, we dare not rebel.”

Wu Sangui was stunned.

The room was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop.

Liu Xuanchu:
"Your Highness, Your Highness, please reconsider his words. Is he trying to warn us?" "Whether this person is friend or foe remains to be seen."

"Your Highness, you cannot go to the palace. You must not bring Prince Sanshun with you; that will only arouse unnecessary suspicion."

Wu Sangui slowly sat down.

After a long while, he suddenly whispered, "A few days ago, the Empress Dowager hosted a banquet for the four of us princes at Cining Palace, and she also inquired about the war situation at the front."

"Your Highness, what did the Empress Dowager ask?"

"Ask, how long will it take to destroy the Ming Dynasty?"

The three looked at each other, suddenly feeling the temperature drop.

……

After pondering for a moment, Wu Yingxiong offered a conjecture.

“Jiang Qingyun is very close to the central government; he must know something. Perhaps he’s deliberately giving us a warning, or perhaps he’s feeling emboldened. In any case, we must be on guard.”

"I will never be like Han Xin."

A strange light flickered in Wu Sangui's eyes.

"Compared to 20 years ago, the overall combat effectiveness of the Eight Banners Army has declined, but even so, it is still not something our Guan Ning Army can contend with."

Liu Xuanchu picked up the conversation.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, therefore we must be cautious and not let the southwest be at peace for even a day!"

"it is good!"

Wu Sangui and his son Wu Yingxiong both accepted the strategy: "Never let the southwest be at peace for even a day!"
……

Liu Xuanchu continued to offer advice and strategies:
"Your Highness, Your Highness, we've become acquainted through this conflict. Let's take this opportunity to cultivate a good relationship with Jiang Qingyun. He's arrogant, possesses the ambition and the methods of a powerful minister. In the future, when Your Highness is granted territory, having his assistance in court might..."

"it is good."

Wu Sangui made the decision.

"Let's turn enemies into friends and forget our grudges with a smile. I'm determined to be his friend. He wanted 5 taels, didn't he? That's too little. Give him 10 taels."

"I originally prepared 20 taels of silver for this trip back to the capital, to be used to bribe officials and settle down the meritorious soldiers under my command."

“Prince Li, Mandahai, was in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, and Prince Zhuang, Shuose, was in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. They each received 3 taels of silver from me. Yet the people under the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War still pushed and shoved, which was disheartening.”

"In that case, why not have someone else deliver it?"

"Your Highness is wise, Your Highness is wise."

Liu Xuanchu's eyes were filled with satisfaction.

He was a clever man, but unfortunately many of his strategies were not accepted by the Prince of Pingxi. Now, Jiang Qingyun had stumbled upon the perfect solution.

……

The following day at noon, at the Chiang Kai-shek residence.

The baby's cries echoed throughout the yard.

"The second madam has given birth. Mother and child are safe. It's a girl." The midwife's smile was somewhat forced; she knew all too well about the ways of the wealthy and powerful.

"Okay, reward."

in the room.

Green Pearl herself was not very happy.

"Young master, it's a pity it's a girl."

"It's alright, we're both in the prime of our youth, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

"Hey~"

Green Pearl was touched, feeling a pang of sadness, yet also a sense of happiness.

Outside the door, the old woman gently knocked.

"The heir of the Prince of Pingxi has come to visit, and he is waiting outside the mansion."

(End of this chapter)