The swansong of the swansong

Chapter 253: A Plan Found Many Years in Advance
The defenses within Changchun Garden were defined by Guanlan Pavilion.

The area north of Guanlan Pavilion, all the way to Qingxi Study, is an absolute restricted zone, guarded by the Imperial Guards.

To its south, a vast area including Qianhu and Houhu was under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Guard.

The current Imperial Guard Ministers, including Yinwu, number five. These five take turns on duty, and whoever is on duty has command of the Imperial Guards.

Yinwu led his men to inspect all the gates of the defense zone. On the way back, he saw Ce Leng, a second-class imperial guard, asleep leaning against the artificial hill.

Celeng, surnamed Niohuru, belonged to the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner. His father was Yinde, a first-class viscount.

Yin De was not only the tenth prince's maternal uncle, but also the chief secretary of the Prince Dun's mansion.

"Go and relieve him. When he wakes up, tell him to come to the guardhouse to see me!"

Ce Leng's status is too low. No matter how deep the grudge between Yinwu and the Tenth Prince is, there is absolutely no need for Yinwu to take this opportunity to attack Ce Leng.

Many of the palace guards were sons and nephews of Manchu nobles who opposed Yinwu's stance.

If he were to seek revenge on everyone, Yinwu would be overwhelmed.

After Yinwu returned to his post, he had just picked up his teacup and taken two sips of cold tea when he heard that Celeng had arrived.

"Let him wait." Although Yinwu had no intention of retaliating against Zeleng, he believed that making him stand for an hour would definitely clear his head.

While on duty in the garden, he actually fell asleep leaning against the artificial hill. No matter how you look at it, that's a serious offense.

If Yinwu wanted to use this opportunity to punish someone, the lightest punishment Celen would face would be a demotion by three ranks.

When Zhang Tingyu returned from Qingxi Study, he saw Ce Leng standing straight in the bright sun in front of the door, clearly being punished. Without hesitation, he turned around and left.

Although Zhang Tingyu and Yinwu rarely communicated, they always maintained a tacit understanding.

Previously, whenever Yinwu cursed, Zhang Tingyu would quietly leave the duty hut to avoid being too embarrassed.

Conversely, the same applies.

After Celeng had stood there for a full hour, Yinwu gave him a three-day leave, telling him to go back and rest before returning to the garden to work.

However, Yinwu never expected that Celeng's second brother, Neqin, would actually come to visit him in person.

If it were anyone else, Yinwu wouldn't even bother to see them.

However, Neqin was different; he was the first trusted minister whom Emperor Qianlong killed after ascending the throne.

Before his death, Emperor Yongzheng appointed seven senior officials as regents to jointly assist Emperor Qianlong. Among them, Neqin's position was even higher than Zhang Tingyu's.

However, when Emperor Qianlong killed Neqin, he did so as to slaughter pigs and dogs without any emotion.

"Let him in," Yinwu said with great interest, intending to hear Neqin's explanation.

According to the "Xiaoting Records", after Neqin became the chief Grand Councilor, he deliberately tied an extremely fierce wolfhound outside the gate of his mansion, so that people who tried to pull strings and get in through back channels dared not approach the gate of Neqin's mansion.

This was clearly done for Emperor Qianlong's benefit!

However, can one maintain control of the government for a long time without being corrupt or accepting bribes?
Neqin is exceptionally naive!

In the Qing Dynasty's top elite class, corruption and bribery were never major problems.

The real problem is that it blocked the emperor's path to seizing power!
Zhu Chongba consistently employed a strategy of flattery to his detriment, deliberately allowing Hu Weiyong to stray further and further down the path of seizing power.

When the time was right, Zhu Chongba swiftly killed tens of thousands of people and took the opportunity to permanently abolish the position of prime minister.

Objectively speaking, both Emperor Qianlong's killing of Neqin and Emperor Chongzhen's killing of Hu Weiyong were attempts to establish their authority. "This humble servant Neqin wishes Your Highness good health."

"Rise." Yinwu didn't look at Neqin, but picked up his teacup and asked him indifferently, "What do you want with me?"

"Your Highness, my elder brother is tongue-tied and dares not come to express his gratitude in person. I felt it inappropriate, so I came to your door to express my thanks!"

As expected, Neqin was exceptionally quick-witted. In just two short sentences, he both flattered Yinwu and explained his purpose.

Yinwu put down his teacup and deliberately made things difficult for Neqin: "You came here to thank me on your own initiative, aren't you afraid that the Tenth Prince will break your legs?"

“Your Highness, the Tenth Prince has always looked down on me and has never treated me as a cousin.”

Wow, Neqin is really young and impetuous, daring to say anything!
The tenth prince's birth mother, Consort Wenxi, was Neqin's aunt.

From the perspective of their maternal relatives, Lao Shi and Ne Qin are cousins.

However, whether it's a humble family or a wealthy family, there are always various conflicts that are difficult to resolve.

Neqin's Amayinde was far less favored by the tenth prince than Alinga.

Aling'a's biological mother was Ebilun's third stepwife, so Aling'a was the legitimate son.

Rumor has it that Yin De's birth mother was actually Ebilun's foot-washing maid.

As everyone knows, the eldest son, Aling'a, looks down on Yin De, the daughter of a maid.

This is the same reason why Orondai absolutely despised his half-brother Fahai.

Ultimately, Emperor Kangxi was satisfied with Yinwu in every way except for his humble origins. Therefore, Yinwu was rejected outright, destined to be forever barred from the throne.

After hearing Neqin's arrogant words, how could Yinwu not understand that this boy was using the pretense of expressing gratitude on behalf of Celeng as a pretext to curry favor with him?

Hehe, why not take the opportunity to plant a spy next to Lao Shi?

In these days, being in the government with enemies among us means that the enemy's every move is under our control, and the benefits are countless.

Having studied history thoroughly, Yinwu knew better than anyone that while the fourth prince hated the eighth prince's close friend Aling'a, he held the descendants of Yinde in exceptional high regard.

If you say there wasn't something fishy going on, Yinwu certainly wouldn't believe it!
Neqin, who has no official position and is young, is just idling around anyway. If we send him to young Hongli's side, hehe, the benefits in the future will be endless!

Since it's a game of chess, Yinwu, who laid a trap nearly twenty years in advance, will surely gain the upper hand!
"Bring a seat and some tea!" Since Yinwu had decided to win over Neqin, he naturally treated him as an honored guest.

After chatting for more than an hour, Yinwu was surprised to find that Neqin was actually an extremely intelligent person.

“Your Highness, your current situation seems like you’re on a hot streak, but in reality, it’s lonely at the top,” Neqin sighed repeatedly. “However, Your Highness has always been a low-key person, and your reputation isn’t exactly stellar, but His Majesty is quite tolerant of you.”

Yinwu nodded. Neqin's insight was remarkable; what he said was absolutely correct.

However, is it appropriate for someone to be so arrogant and speak such blunt truths so recklessly on a first meeting?

After a deep conversation, Yinwu suddenly realized that Neqin did not love money or beautiful women, but he loved power above all else.

No wonder the ruthless Emperor Qianlong deliberately set a trap to kill Neqin!

From Ao Bai, Ming Zhu, Suo'etu, Longkodo and Nian Gengyao, all the way to Neqin, the reason for their downfall can be summed up in one thing: they amassed too much power!

However, Neqin in history was very unlucky, and he served the most perfect political machine in history, so he deserved to lose his head!
To express his goodwill, Yinwu ordered a lavish feast to be served at Zhimeilou Restaurant, and warmly entertained Neqin.

(End of this chapter)