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

Chapter 52 Hong Chengchou's Last Strike

Looking at his extremely unwilling son, Hong Chengchou sat up straight.

"Ming'er, there are two paths now."

"First, you must flee the capital immediately, live as an ordinary citizen, hide your identity and live out your life in obscurity. Do not enter officialdom or engage in business. Be an ordinary citizen forever."

"Second, your father is willing to risk his life to secure your safety and that of your family."

"Which one do you choose?"

Hong Shiming opened his mouth, but said nothing.

Hong Chengchou understood perfectly and continued:

"There's not much to say about the first path, but the second path is worth discussing in detail."

“I cannot choose not to die, but I can choose how to die! I will simply drive the Zhenglan Banner into a dead end. Either half of them will get smallpox, or they will take up arms and rebel. Kill me first.”

"At that time, I will be a loyal subject who has died for the court, and the lives of the Hong family will be saved. In any case, the Empress Dowager will guarantee your safety."

"However, Jiang Qingyun, that devil, will make his move sooner or later."

"Therefore you must seek refuge with Jiang Qingyun."

Hong Shiming's voice was hoarse: "Even if I volunteered to come to them, they wouldn't accept me. Doesn't he know he's the man who killed my father?"

Hong Chengchou smiled.

Have you ever heard of Goujian?

……

3 days later.

A large number of soldiers entered the city to begin the final preparations for smallpox vaccination.

The first step is to conduct a population survey and post notices.

The second step is to inform them of the time and place for vaccination.

With the approval of the Forbidden City, Hong Chengchou temporarily requisitioned the largest drill ground in Zhenglan Banner for smallpox vaccination.

"On February 26th, smallpox vaccination will be conducted at the drill ground. Wearing armor and carrying weapons are prohibited."

Dozens of constables would strike gongs and shout loudly every day, repeatedly stimulating the nerves of everyone in Zhenglan Banner.

Chongwenmen Inner Street.

An old flag bearer suddenly rushed out of the door with a knife and stopped the constable.

"Say it again, and I'll chop off your dog's head."

The constable trembled with fear and sheepishly left with his tail between his legs. After walking about half a mile, he resumed banging the gong and shouting.

"On February 26th, smallpox vaccination will be conducted at the drill ground. Wearing armor and carrying weapons are prohibited."

Sheep-selling Alley.

At the home of a Zuo Ling (a military officer).

"Father, is the imperial court going to massacre the Plain Blue Banner again?"

"Hard to say."

The captain, his face full of hostility, continued sharpening his knife.

In the courtyard, a row of gleaming swords and spears leaned neatly against the wall.

Under the sunlight, the five sets of ancestral cotton armor were also wiped clean.

"It is forbidden to wear armor and carry weapons." If you listen to it the other way around, it means "It is mandatory to wear armor and carry weapons."

……

South City.

The threshold of the Jiang residence was worn down by people bringing gifts.

"Congratulations, Brother Qingyun, you have a bright future ahead of you."

"Lord Jiang's name is well chosen; it means 'soaring to great heights,' which is a very auspicious meaning."

Please take care of me in the future.

Countless smiling faces eagerly expressed their friendship.

He was appointed as the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, a fourth-rank official. In just one year, he rose from a commoner to a fourth-rank official—a meteoric rise that would make anyone envious.

Jiang Qingyun ordered his trusted men to book four tables at a nearby restaurant to entertain the group of people who came to deliver gifts.

He did not show his face at all during the entire process.

……

Those who frequently travel back in time to become officials in ancient times know that:
Prepare a room specifically for storing gifts. This room should be spacious, sheltered from the sun, and allow a gentle breeze. Several sturdy iron shelves should also be placed inside.

Otherwise, things would be as awkward as they are for Jiang Qingyun today.

"Madam, what's going on?"

Jiang Qingyun looked at the tall stack of gift boxes in her yard with some surprise.

"There are too many gifts; the room can't hold them all!"

“Pick out the gifts, send all the food to the orphanage, and take the wine to the kitchen to reward the brothers. Each person is only allowed half a bowl a day.”

Jiangnan directed several servants to dig out all the gift boxes in the room and open them one by one.

Ms. Wen stood there under the eaves, staring blankly, until Jiang Qingyun walked over.

"Mother, what are you thinking about?"

"Like oil being poured over a blazing fire, flowers blooming in profusion, guests filling the halls with laughter and joy, one cannot escape the lurking dangers. Mother is reminded of the past~ Yun'er, you must be mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace."

Jiang Qingyun remained silent.

Sometimes it's best to play dumb.

In the third year of the Shunzhi reign, the Wen family of Changzhou County, Suzhou Prefecture, were involved in the anti-Qing restoration case, resulting in either death or separation.

The instigator, Tu Guobao, the governor of Jiangning, was investigated by the Qing court for corruption and bribery a few years later. In a panic, he took his own life.

……

"Young Master, someone outside the manor requests an audience; this is their visiting card."

"Li Shultae!"

Jiang Qingyun finally remembered who this person was.

I felt a pang of regret; how could I have forgotten him?

Li Yongfang's son, Li Shuaitai, a member of the Han Chinese Plain Blue Banner, distinguished himself in the campaign against Shanxi under Dorgon and has recently been promoted to Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

Flower Hall.

Li Shuotai stood up, smiling broadly.

"Brother Jiang, your name is renowned far and wide. I have been busy with official duties and have never had the chance to pay you a visit. My apologies."

"This humble official pays his respects to Vice Minister Li."

"Please rise, please rise. This is not a courtroom, and we are not superior or subordinate. Why perform such a grand ceremony?"

"There is a clear order of rank and hierarchy, and a distinction between superiors and inferiors."

After exchanging pleasantries, the two took their seats.

Li Shuotai thought to himself, "This person doesn't seem as arrogant and domineering as the rumors say. He even bowed to me when we met."
"Brother, this tea is quite good."

"It would be excellent if Scholar Ning could bestow this gift upon me."

"Brother, your career is truly enviable. You have the Emperor's favor, your superiors' approval, and your colleagues' admiration. Tsk tsk. If you have any secrets, don't keep them to yourself."

"Not at all, it's just that my Great Qing Dynasty is always on my mind, and the Emperor is always in my heart."

……

"Brother Jiang, the reason I've come to your door is actually for someone."

"Who?"

"Zhenglan Banner Zhangjing Keerkun".

"What does the Vice Minister mean?"

"This man has, after all, rendered great service to the Qing Dynasty. Yet he is now imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's jail. Could you perhaps make an exception?"

Jiang Qingyun's smile gradually faded.

Li Shuotai's heart skipped a beat.

"Does Your Excellency know that Korkun was the mastermind behind the assassination of me?"

"I have reviewed the case file. I suggest we give him a severe punishment: demotion and a fine. Also, he has a separate residence outside the city, which I will use to appease your nerves."

Li Shutai observed for a moment and saw that Jiang Qingyun remained expressionless.

So he continued:
"Of course, these are certainly not enough to atone for your sins. There is also a woman kept in a villa outside Korkun City. She is dignified and charming, a beauty beyond compare. I will grant her to you as compensation, my brother."

……

Jiang Qingyun pondered for a moment.

"Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

"What's wrong?"

"It wouldn't be good for one's reputation to steal a colleague's wife or concubine."

"Brother, you're overthinking it. We're Manchus. Taking other men's wives and concubines is a display of martial virtue, and it's quite interesting, very interesting indeed."

Instantly, the atmosphere eased considerably.

Indeed, friendships between men are inseparable from talking about women.

……

Jiang Qingyun pondered again.

"Doesn't that mean I'm playing what everyone else has already played? That wouldn't sound good if word got out?"

"Don't worry, brother, I'm pure and innocent, pure and innocent indeed."

"Sure?"

"I guarantee it with my integrity."

"Korkun can't have sex?"

Li Lutai's face twitched, and he drank tea to cover it up.

"Stop asking, stop asking. In short, this woman is dignified, charming, and pure. If she's not what you expected, you can arrest Korkun again."

(End of this chapter)