The film and television world begins with the battle for the throne in Kowloon

Chapter 53 Recommending the Fourth Brother as the Crown Prince

"Father, I used to have a very good relationship with my dear brother, but that doesn't mean I think my dear brother is the most suitable to be the new crown prince."

Without waiting for Kangxi to ask, Li Yan erected a memorial archway for himself and continued, "How can the country's most important weapon be passed on privately just because of personal relationships? Moreover, today's prince will be tomorrow's emperor, in charge of the nine provinces and tens of millions of people. Only people with great virtue and wisdom can take on this responsibility."

"Your Majesty, what I am going to say next may be a bit presumptuous and disrespectful to Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me!" It seemed that the next words were very important, and Li Yan was a little hesitant.

Kangxi was listening with great interest, and he also had a hunch that what Li Yan was going to say was very important. Knowing Li Yan's concerns, he immediately said, "I don't mind. Just go ahead and say whatever you want to say."

Li Yan hesitated for a moment, with a look of slight worry in his eyes, and then said firmly with a serious face:

"Since my father ascended the throne, he has pacified the Three Barbarians, recovered Taiwan, put down the Mongolian rebellion, and implemented benevolent policies to educate the people. He has worked hard and worked hard to achieve today's hard-won prosperity. However, after a long period of peace, the court officials have been slack. After a long period of accumulation, there have been some more or less problems in the court and the local areas, such as corruption and redundant officials, the treasury's tax revenue is decreasing, local land annexation is serious, the gap between the rich and the poor among the gentry and the people is widening, and various contradictions are increasing, etc."

"These problems have become chronic. They don't seem to affect the rule of the Qing Dynasty now, but if they are allowed to develop, they will become a hidden danger to the court in the future."

"When choosing a successor to the throne, we must first consider the stability and inheritance of the country. Fourth brother has a resolute character, is indomitable, brave in taking on responsibilities, and is not afraid of hardships. If he succeeds to the throne as the crown prince, he will surely assist the emperor in refreshing the administration of officials, making reforms, and vigorously promoting land reforms, alleviating various conflicts, which will be beneficial to the long-term stability of the country."

After listening to this, Kangxi asked calmly, "Oh, if you say so, then the other princes are no longer capable?"

"My eldest brother is straightforward but arrogant, impulsive and reckless, greedy for profit and self-denial, and lacks magnanimity; my third brother is very good at learning, but he is too scholarly when it comes to governing the country. He cannot shoulder the heavy burden of the world, and forcing himself to do it will only harm him; my eighth brother always takes my father as a role model and learns from him, but he is not like him in every way. I think the emperor governs people with leniency, while my eighth brother uses leniency to make friends with the ministers. Even if his leniency comes from the heart, it is not good for the country at all. The emperor has been very kind to the ministers, but my eighth brother is more lenient than you. If my eighth brother is in power, the country will be in danger!"

"Fourteenth brother is too bold and not broad-minded enough. He needs to be cautious in commanding the army, but he is useless in governing the country! Thirteenth brother is a man of sentiment, upright and honest, and values ​​friendship and loyalty, but he hates evil and is incapable of making compromises. He is easily taken advantage of by others under impulse and causes disasters, thus putting himself in danger!"

Li Yan thought about Kangxi's evaluation of the various philosophers in the original drama, and added some of his own understanding, and commented on the strengths and weaknesses of each of them one by one.

Kangxi smiled and said, "What about you? Why don't you talk about yourself?"

"I know myself well. I am still young and need to be tempered. I am not qualified to be compared with you brothers. It is better not to say anything!"

Li Yan finished speaking in one breath, and then looked at Kangxi anxiously, not knowing whether these words would be a blessing or a curse.

After all, talking about these problems is actually indirectly pointing out the emperor's mistakes. But Li Yan also has his own ideas. If he does not perform well, he will not be able to identify people and have foresight in the country's major policies.

Then, in Kangxi's eyes, he would always be just an obedient and filial prince, rather than a pillar that was beneficial to the Qing Dynasty. In that case, he would not have listed himself as a candidate for the crown prince.

So Li Yan thought again and again, and decided to take a risk and show his ability. After all, he was in a low position now. In terms of age, he was not as good as the eldest and third brothers, and in terms of talent, he was not as good as the fourth and eighth brothers. Fortunately, there was still a lot of time, and even if he made a mistake, he would have the opportunity to slowly adjust. No matter what, he must have an outstanding performance. In general, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. After listening to Li Yan's words, Kangxi looked at Li Yan with a serious look, and was silent for a long time, not knowing what he was thinking.

Li Yan lowered his head, feeling anxious and worried. The emperor's thoughts were really hard to guess!

Although Kangxi seemed calm, his heart was already in turmoil. He did not expect that this usually quiet and young-looking Tenth Prince could see clearly and deeply into the various hidden dangers in the court. Who among those princes who usually jumped up and down could have such insight and vision?

What's even more rare is that he knows the talents and characters of all the princes in the court very well. I have really neglected this child in the past and don't know enough about him.

Kangxi's heart moved and a thought flashed through his mind.

Thinking of this, he calmly changed the subject: "Your opinion does make some sense. It's good that you have this understanding. Regardless of whether it's right or not, at least it proves that you are thinking carefully, which is good."

"Father Emperor, you know that I am still young and not well-educated. What I just said was just a little superficial knowledge. I'm sorry to make you laugh. Just think of it as me teasing you. Don't take it to heart!"

Li Yan had a smile on his face, as if what he just said was just unintentional.

Kangxi also smiled and said: "If you know that you are not talented enough, you should learn more, see more, practice more, and do more. You are not young anymore. If there is a chance in the future, I will arrange a job for you. Don't stay in the mansion all day to revolve around your wife!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will respect your teachings!" Li Yan scratched his scalp and smiled foolishly, looking lazy!

Li Yan and Kangxi chatted for a while until Li Dequan reminded him that he would meet other Mongolian princes next, and Li Yan said goodbye and left. Before leaving, he asked for some articles written by Kangxi, saying that he would read them more when he returned. Kangxi happily found a few books for Li Yan and told him to work harder.

Walking out of Kangxi's residence, Li Yan looked at the manuscript in his hand, thinking about today's conversation, and a happy smile appeared on his face.

In fact, Li Yan knew that Kangxi had been the emperor for sixty years and his political wisdom was beyond doubt. In his eyes, the successor must be very perfect, like Hongli.

Li Yan knew that this view was just a misunderstanding.

Kangxi ascended the throne at the age of eight. It can be said that he was already an emperor when he was old enough to understand things. He went from a child emperor who was just a decoration to removing the four assistant ministers and taking back the imperial power, and then pacifying the three tribes. In addition, his father Shunzhi regarded the throne as a prison and finally abandoned the country. Kangxi only felt that the position of emperor was a responsibility and burden.

(End of this chapter)