The swansong of the swansong

Chapter 275 Mountain Collapse (4)

In the morning, just as Yinwu got up and was washing up, Yuzhu came in and reported, "Your Majesty, the Deputy Commander of Miyun, the Commander of Zhangjiakou, the General of Xuanzhen, and the Prefect of Xuanhua arrived at the gate before dawn."

Yinwu, who was rinsing his mouth with salt, simply shook his head. Yuzhu instantly understood and whispered, "This servant understands." He then turned and left.

After Yinwu finished his breakfast and sat down to enjoy his tea, he casually asked Yuzhu, "Is Commander Miyun ill?"

Yu Zhu had served Yinwu since he was a child, so he naturally understood Yinwu's meaning. He took two steps closer and whispered, "Fu Zhang'a, the commander of Miyun, went to the imperial mausoleum by imperial decree."

Yinwu's eyes flickered, but he said nothing. He then ordered, "Then call in Deputy Commander Dexi."

"Yes, sir." Yu Zhu quickly slapped his hand and turned to call De Xi.

Upon entering, Dexi caught sight of Yinwu, who was dressed in plain clothes. He immediately knelt down and said respectfully, "Deputy Commander of Miyun Camp, this servant Dexi, wishes Your Highness a speedy recovery."

"Dexi, if I remember correctly, you should have worked in the palace?" Yinwu put down his teacup and asked Dexi calmly.

Yinwu did not tell him to get up. Dexi dared not be impolite and maintained his deep bowing posture, saying with unusual deference, "Your Highness, you have a good memory. In the fifty-fourth year of Kangxi's reign, this servant was promoted from a third-class guard at Jingyun Gate to a second-class guard before the Emperor. Please forgive my audacity in trying to climb the social ladder, but this servant is indeed your old subordinate."

"Well, in the fifty-fourth year of Kangxi's reign, Your Highness happened to be in charge of the Imperial Guards, so I guess you could say you're somewhat involved." Yinwu smiled and raised his hand, saying, "Rise."

"Thank you for your kindness, Prince Yu!" Dexi bowed again and stood up straight with his head down.

When Manchus meet in private, in addition to polite greetings, they will naturally talk about their respective Manchu banner affiliations.

“Replying to Prince Yu, this servant belongs to the Manchu Plain White Banner. My late father used to work in the Qingfeng Division of the Imperial Household Department.”

Although everything was listed in the manual, Dexi still patiently provided a detailed introduction to his family background.

Xian Kao, which is an honorific title for one's late father, was a term previously used only by Han Chinese.

After the Qing army entered the pass, the upper-class Manchu nobles gradually became Sinicized and began to adopt Han Chinese cultural customs.

However, the term "显考" is clearly misused in today's context.

Dexi was Kangxi's confidant and a military commander, so even if he used inappropriate words, Yinwu would not hold it against him.

Yinwu nodded and smiled, "You can be considered a family of bondservants in the Upper Three Banners."

"To be honest, Your Highness, my grandfather was formerly a bondservant of Prince Rui... uh, Dorgon." Dexi was so carried away that he overlooked a major taboo.

However, Dexi was indeed very lucky. If he had openly mentioned the title "Prince Rui" after Shunzhi assumed power, well, his entire family would have been demoted to bondservant status, and being beaten and scolded by anyone would have been the least of their worries.

Dexi's visit to Yinwu was merely a formality in the official reception.

Yinwu was too lazy to chat with him any longer and dismissed him with a few words.

After the main group left Zhangjiakou, there were no more bustling towns along the way.

On the way, they rested for a night at Dushikou. Then, Yinwu led everyone north, passing the Imperial Horse Ranch, and arrived at Duolunnuoer.

In the 30th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, due to the alliance of various Mongol tribes, the imperial court issued an edict to build the famous Huizong Temple in Duolunnuoer.

The entire town is divided by the Erteng River, with the religious area and the commercial area facing each other across the river. On the south bank, Dongsheng Street is the core commercial street.

Yinwu stood at the entrance of Dongsheng Street, looking at the bustling market with its rows of shops and heavy traffic, and said with some surprise, "It's even more lively than Zhangjiakou?"

Chang Qing, the Chahar governor accompanying the prince, bowed and explained with a smile and a hint of pride, "To be honest, Your Highness, everything that Tianjin has, we have here. And what Tianjin doesn't have, we also have here."

Chang Qing's predecessor as the Chahar governor was Li Rongbao, Ma Qi's younger brother.

Li Rongbao was indeed unknown, but his daughter was Empress Fucha, the first empress of Emperor Qianlong. Yinwu knew that Tianjin Wei mainly benefited from the geographical advantage of the Grand Canal, and Duolunnuoer was located right on the key route of Qing-Mongol trade.

Where there is a flow of people, there is a flow of money. And where there is a flow of money, there is a flow of people.

They complement each other.

When Yinwu sat down in Juyoulou, the largest restaurant in the area, he was surprised to find that the waiters serving tea and water were all handsome young men.

These days, wealthy people everywhere are most wary of flaunting their wealth!
Only those with powerful connections dare to speak loudly; otherwise, who would dare to openly flaunt their wealth?

Judging from this small detail, the owner of Juyoulou is clearly quite knowledgeable and well-off.

Under normal circumstances, Yinwu was not keen on associating with high-ranking local officials. However, Chang Qing was different.

Back then, when Yinwu was promoted to Prince Yu, Emperor Kangxi placed him in the Bordered White Banner and assigned him to several Niru (military units).

Chang Qing's family happened to become bondservants under Yinwu.

To be honest, Chang Qing was a guy with no real skills; all he did was extort Mongolian princes.

However, his younger brother Changbao was not only a second-class imperial bodyguard, but also a trusted confidant promoted by Yinwu, and a bondservant under Yinwu.

With these three relationships combined, Yinwu would more or less have to give Changqing some face.

After taking their seats, Chang Qing summoned a local courtesan, who, dressed in flamboyant attire, knelt down to pay her respects to Yinwu.

Yinwu had never liked these ordinary women, so he simply waved his hand dismissively as if he hadn't seen them.

After the courtesans, still not fully dressed, left dejectedly, Chang Qing blinked and thought to himself, "Just as my younger brother Chang Bao said, the Fifteenth Master only loves other men's wives."

After a quick meal, Yinwu took the white handkerchief handed to him by Wulin and wiped his mouth briefly.

Although Chang Qing wasn't particularly capable, he was quite perceptive. He quickly got up and helped Yinwu leave the restaurant.

The next morning, Yinwu led everyone on their way, and soon after they crossed the Kurchile River, they officially entered the territory of the Bahrain tribe.

Linbu, the only son of Princess Rongxian and the natural heir of Urgun, along with the princes and ministers of the Balin tribe, had long been camped by the river, waiting for Yinwu.

"Nephew Linbu respectfully wishes his uncle a speedy recovery!"

Logically speaking, Linbu, who had no noble title, should have performed the national ceremony before publicly meeting Yinwu.

However, the people on the Mongolian steppe have always been rough and uncouth, far less polite than those in the Central Plains.

Yinwu's visit to Balin was on behalf of Emperor Kangxi, and he had to consider the dignity of the court.

Therefore, Yinwu sat upright on the saddle, nodded slightly, and said calmly, "Rise."

"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle!" Linbu deliberately omitted the number fifteen and addressed him as "Uncle," revealing his deep affection.

Yinwu knew that Linbu's greatest interest at present was to successfully inherit Urgun's title and followers.

If he were lucky enough to become the Khan of the Balin tribe, Linbu would be overjoyed.

In terms of seniority, Linbu was indeed Yinwu's nephew. However, Linbu was actually three years older than Yinwu.

Upon arriving on the grasslands, Yinwu naturally followed local customs and stayed in the yurt arranged by Linbu.

(End of this chapter)