Qing Yao

Chapter 183 The old man isn't senile.

The old man was unhappy.

Heshen was his good servant. Beating his good servant's dog was like beating his master's face.
Which prince or minister is so blind!

He Shen told the truth: the one who beat the man was General Kuilun from Fuzhou, who had returned to the capital for questioning, and the one who was beaten was Zhao Youlu, a professor at Yangzhou Prefectural School and Jiangsu Provincial Education Commissioner, who had recently been granted the title of Jinshi by the old master.

Quelen?

Sitting next to his brother-in-law Fengshen Yinde, the Fifteenth Prince Yongyan felt a pang of anxiety: How could this man be so inconsiderate!

Previously, Master Hu was transferred to the Ministry of War and sidelined because of his dealings with Zhao Youlu. Kuilun was also tricked by Heshen into returning to Beijing for questioning because of his mutual accusations with Wu Lana, the Governor-General of Fujian and Zhejiang.

With Heshen slandering Kui Lun to the emperor, the outcome of the interrogation was mostly unfavorable.

Yongyan was trying his best to help Kuilun get through the interrogation, but Kuilun instead publicly flogged Heshen's lackey on the way back to the capital. He got his revenge, but would Heshen let it go?

How will Father Emperor view this matter?
It should be noted that Zhao Youlu was not only Heshen's dog, but also a "model" personally set up by the Emperor!
The fact that he was promoted five ranks and granted the title of Jinshi (a high-ranking scholar in the imperial examination) already demonstrates the Emperor's favoritism towards him.

Or rather, it was giving Heshen a huge favor.

Kui Lun set such a "typical" example; it wasn't just hitting Heshen's dog, it was hitting even the Emperor's face.

Thinking of this, Yongyan felt a little short of breath, knowing that Kuilun was probably in big trouble this time.

Because he was almost also implicated by Zhao Youlu and accused of being "unfilial".

But there was nothing that could be done, just like watching your own feathers being plucked one by one, a painful and helpless situation.

A general beats up a school official?
Liu Yong glanced at Heshen, who looked aggrieved. He knew Zhao Youlu; the Ministry of Personnel had processed the paperwork for him as a professor at the prefectural school and a supervisor of education. As the Vice Minister of Personnel, Liu Yong couldn't possibly be unaware of this man.

Moreover, this is a "celebrity" who has been featured in the newspaper.

His flattery was unique, comparable to the "perfect old man" title bestowed upon the emperor by Erchina.

As for General Kuilun of Fuzhou, Lord Liu had no connection with him whatsoever. He only knew that this man liked to visit brothels and had served in the Jinchuan region in his early years, and had been the garrison commander of Jianchang Town in Sichuan.

After pacifying Jinchuan, the emperor summoned the Eight Banners generals who had led the expedition. Upon learning that Kuilun was a descendant of a loyal and virtuous man, the emperor exceptionally granted him the position of General of Fuzhou.

Besides, Lord Liu didn't know much about Quelen, so he wisely chose to mind his own business and stay out of it.

It's not easy for the Emperor to think of me, I can't let myself be banished to the "cold palace" again because of what I said.

To cover it up, he even held the teacup in his hand and took two sips.

Dong Zhongtang frowned but remained silent. He knew that Kuilun had handled the matter rather "roughly." Even if he was dissatisfied with Heshen, he shouldn't have insulted the local officials along the way like that, let alone openly called them Heshen's dogs.

Academic officials represented the face of scholars.

Even if this academic official is truly a sycophantic villain, and a lackey of Heshen, it's not something you, Kui Lun, can teach a lesson to.

What became of Hu Gaowang, the former Jiangsu Provincial Education Commissioner?

However, if Kui Lun were to fall into trouble because of this incident, it would not be the outcome that Dong Zhongtang would like to see. What the Qing Dynasty lacks now is an official like Kui Lun who has integrity and is unwilling to collude with the likes of Heshen.

If Kui Lun were to be overthrown by Heshen, it would not be a good thing for the Qing Dynasty.

In silence, they were already searching for a way to "rescue" Quellen.

The old master's son-in-law, Fengshen Yinde, is 16 years old this year. When he was 14, he was appointed as a minister of the Imperial Court and a minister of the Imperial Household, a first-rank official.

However, being young, Fengshen Yinde was not very familiar with court affairs and did not know who Kuilun was or who Zhao Youlu was. He only felt that Kuilun was going too far, how could he call the local school official his father's dog?

If someone were to say this in front of him, the Imperial Son-in-Law, he would slap them across the face.

The seventeenth prince, Yonglin, was engrossed in enjoying the snacks at the He family mansion, seemingly uninterested in anything else. Occasionally, when no one was looking, he would steal a few glances at the maids of the He family mansion.

“My lord, Zhao Youlu has been granted the title of Jinshi by you without any exceptions, and he has done nothing wrong in his duties. Although Kuilun is a general, it is really overstepping his bounds to publicly punish a local school official like this, and he is also pointing the finger at me. I am really wronged and don’t know why Kuilun treats me so contemptuously.”

Heshen was unwilling to let go of the opportunity to completely take down Que Lun. Originally, he didn't have much of a chance of winning, since it was a fact that Wu Lana and his men were corrupt, and they might end up being punished equally.

But since Kui Lun committed such a foolish act, he shouldn't blame He Shen for kicking him while he was down and giving him a push.

Once Kuilun is dealt with, things in Fujian will be much easier.

The tenth princess, the daughter-in-law, seemed to disagree with her father-in-law's words, but she did not speak. Instead, she carefully helped her elderly father-in-law to his seat.

The old master truly doted on his precious daughter, whom he had given birth to at the age of sixty-five. Last year, in order to give his beloved daughter a grand wedding, he cleared out the Qianqing Palace and held the wedding under the plaque inscribed with "Upright and Bright" by Emperor Shizu himself.

The dowry given to her was ten times that of her other daughters, with the dowry items alone worth more than six million taels of silver. In addition, the Imperial Household Department allocated another 300,000 taels of silver.

On that day, all the civil and military officials in the capital came to see her off. Officials of the second rank and above presented ruyi pearls and shells to bid farewell to the princess's sedan chair. Even the chief Grand Councilor, Agui, who was old and of high rank, could not be exempted.

It can be said that the favor bestowed upon this tenth princess was unprecedented not only in the history of the Qing Dynasty, but also in the entire history of China.

"Polo, don't stand, sit down and keep your father company." The old man held his beloved daughter's hand tightly, reluctant to let go.

"Polo" was the tenth princess's nickname in the palace, and the palace servants all called her Princess Polo.

"Father, try this, it's very sweet."

The tenth princess picked up a piece of pastry, chose an easy-to-chew piece, and fed it to her father. The old man opened his mouth like a child, chewed it, swallowed it, and then opened his mouth again for his daughter to "inspect," which made everyone smile spontaneously.

Seeing this, Heshen knew it was inappropriate to bring up the matter of Kuilun beating Zhao Youlu. Unexpectedly, the old man probably just remembered who Kuilun was, and after gesturing for his daughter to sit down, he said, "I know Kuilun. He is a bit rough around the edges, so it's not surprising that he would do something like this."

Judging from the old man's tone, he didn't seem to blame Kui Lun.

This surprised Heshen.

Prince Jia, Yongyan, was overjoyed upon seeing this and quickly said, "Father, Kuilun is a descendant of loyal officials. Although he overstepped his bounds this time, it is understandable."

"excusable?"

Heshen seized the opportunity and asked, "What aspect of 'excusable circumstances' does Your Highness mean?"

Yongyan was delayed.

It's hard to say. You can't very well say that the money for punishing crimes that Heshen and his father, the emperor, created was a disastrous thing that brought ruin to the country and the people. That's why Kui Lun couldn't stand it and taught that "good example" of getting promoted by using money for punishing crimes a lesson.

The cautionary tale of Yin Zhuangtu is right there in front of us.

"Your Majesty, Kui Lun's grandfather, Cha Bina, and his brother, Guanyin Bao, both died fighting bravely in the battle of Hetongbo and died in the army during the campaign against Burma. Both of them were loyal ministers and good generals of our Great Qing. Although Kui Lun's actions are somewhat inappropriate, considering that his father and grandfather risked their lives for our Great Qing, I think we should not be too harsh on him. A little admonishment will suffice."

The one who came to Yongyan's rescue was Grand Councilor Dong Gao, who said that the Battle of Hetongbo was the largest foreign war fought by the Qing army during the Yongzheng era, and every family of the Eight Banners in Beijing was in mourning.

The campaign against Burma also resulted in significant losses for the Eight Banners, including the death of the renowned general Mingrui.

“I remember asking him a question when Kui Lun came to the capital a few years ago.”

As they were talking, the old man felt a little uncomfortable in his throat, and the tenth princess quickly handed her father a spittoon.

After spitting out a mouthful of phlegm, the old man felt much better and smiled at Heshen: "Don't stand, sit down and talk."

"Yes, master."

Heshen hurriedly and carefully sat down.

The old man then asked, "Was it because of the matter of the fine for crimes that Kuilun beat Zhao Youlu?"

Heshen hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Your Majesty, it is about this matter."

"Although Quelen is a rough man, he is an honest official; otherwise, Wollana wouldn't have only impeached him for his love of music and entertainment. But it doesn't really matter."

At this point, the old master looked at Dong Gao and said, "The Grand Council should draft an edict to reprimand him as you suggested. Also, tell Kui Lun to come to the capital as soon as possible and not to delay on the way. I still have many questions for him."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Dong Gao quickly agreed, feeling relieved, knowing that the Emperor wouldn't punish Kuilun too severely.

Prince Jia, Yongyan, was overjoyed, but dared not show it on his face.

Liu Yong felt like the sun had risen in the west. This was the first time the emperor hadn't gone along with Heshen's wishes to "punish someone." Was the emperor not senile, or was there something about Kuilun that made the emperor think highly of him?

I really can't figure it out.

Heshen was in a difficult position, but he dared not disobey the old master's wishes, so he could only say, "Master, Zhao Youlu was publicly flogged by Kuilun for no reason."

Before she could finish speaking, the old man casually pinched a candied fruit and stuffed it into his beloved daughter's hand, saying, "Give him ten taels of silver so he can recover properly."

"."

Heshen hadn't expected the old master to handle things this way, and couldn't help but remind him, "Master, Zhao Youlu is the supervisor of education in Jiangsu. Next year, I'm going to have him do some things for the court and for you in Jiangsu. But now that he's been humiliated like this by Kuilun, I'm afraid he won't be able to keep up with his job."

The implication is that Jiangsu officials would certainly ridicule Zhao Youlu, and some might even think that he and the Grand Secretary were on the verge of collapse, which is why a passing general dared to beat his "dog." Consequently, any attempt to increase the Imperial Treasury's revenue by promoting the policy of allowing students to study in Jiangsu province might face strong opposition from local officials.

It's a chain reaction, one link leading to another.

The old man's memory wasn't very good. It took him about ten breaths to recall the "industrialization of education" that Heshen had mentioned to him. He couldn't help but say "Oh," and then asked, "So what do you suggest we do?"

"This servant thinks we should send a royal physician to Yangzhou to treat Zhao Youlu's injuries, and also grant him the title of Ahha. This would make things easier for him."

The "Aha" that Heshen mentioned refers to a bondservant of the Imperial Household Department.

Since Kui Lun said that Zhao Youlu was Heshen's dog, then let's confirm that.

In this way, the money collected from students studying in the city can be legitimately deposited into the accounts of the Imperial Household Department.

(End of this chapter)