Qing Yao

Chapter 451 If Your Excellency is well, then this servant is well.
It is absolutely necessary to regulate the Eight Banners; after all, in theory, all Eight Banners are Zhao An's enemies.

Whether he targets good people or bad people, it's a win-win situation for Zhao An, harming others while benefiting himself.

Moreover, it allows one to openly and honestly demonstrate loyalty and competence.

They hold the moral high ground firmly, and no one can find fault with them.

Regardless of how many more days he can stay in the capital, a new official always makes a strong first impression, so there's no reason not to start with a bang.

Whether the matter ultimately became a hastily completed, unfinished project or was actually successfully rectified, Zhao An didn't care at all. He was only certain of one thing: as long as the investigation was thorough, there would definitely be widespread resentment within the Eight Banners.

If there are those who fraudulently claim guaranteed stipends, there must also be those who cheat on the guaranteed stipends. You might even find out that a centenarian Tartar is still alive and receiving stipends.

Isn't it normal that someone who clearly has two children has four registered on their household registration?

Ordinary Manchu people at the bottom level might not be so exaggerated. They were essentially the undercover agents of squad leaders, village chiefs, and town mayors, as well as cavalry captains and leaders. How could they not use their little bit of power to seek personal gain?

The Tartars are human too; what wouldn't they do for their own benefit?

Like a century-old organization, the Eight Banners had become deeply entrenched, with various small cliques springing up like mushrooms after rain, and personal connections were practically the norm. No matter what you wanted to do, you had to ask for favors and make connections first. This inevitably led to all sorts of astonishing and absurd things.

It's fine if you don't open the lid, but once you do, it's terrifying.

If the authorities really launch a serious investigation, I estimate that eight out of ten companies will be found to be corrupt.

If something is found out, the stolen goods must be recovered, the offenders must be punished, and the parties involved must be dealt with. Otherwise, what's the point of investigating?
In this way, on the surface, everyone's thoughts are unified and the atmosphere is rectified, but in reality, they probably all wish the old master would die and ascend to heaven as soon as possible, and Heshen would definitely suffer along with him.

Zhao An achieved his goal.

Without the support of the Eight Banners base, who would he rely on to support the Grand Secretary, and who would deliver the old master's clock?
Of course, it was the Fifth Prince who led soldiers in white robes and white armor to the capital for the funeral.

Therefore, we must first consult Heshen, since he is the Manchu Commander of the Bordered Yellow Banner, and he must personally take charge of this matter.

In addition, as the emperor's personal banner, the Bordered Yellow Banner must be a place with shallow waters and many turtles!

Without Heshen personally overseeing the situation, Zhao An, the newly appointed deputy commander, would likely not be able to maintain order.

The memorial was completed in less than half an hour. In addition to detailing Zhang Changbao's embezzlement of money and grain, it also included his deductions about several possible phenomena within the banner, and finally concluded that if the Qing Dynasty was not thoroughly investigated, it might be destroyed by the Eight Banners.

After finishing writing, he ordered Cao Cheng, who had always served him, to prepare a carriage, and ordered Xu Lin to lead several guards to accompany him straight to Heshen's residence.

When we arrived at He Shen's residence, we didn't even need to take out the token given by He Shen; the gatekeeper opened the door for us with great courtesy.

What is Heshen doing right now?
I am admiring a newly acquired antique painting with my beloved daughter, Weiwei, in my study, Xijinzhai.

The eldest son, Fengshen Yinde, and his nephew, Fengshen Yimian, were named by the old master, and like the third generation of the Tongfu family, they all used the name Fengshen.

The daughter's name was chosen by Heshen himself; of course, she wouldn't have the surname He, but rather Niu Hulu.

“Father, although the rocks in this painting are imitating the sparseness of Ni Zan, the brushwork is closer to that of Huang Gongwang. In particular, the distant mountains are treated with a sparse and elegant style. It should be a masterpiece of the late Ming Dynasty imitating the style of the Yuan Dynasty, and definitely not a Song Dynasty work.”

Heshen himself was a great talent, and his daughter was cultivated from a young age. She was proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Although she was only fourteen years old, she knew the principles and origins of painting like the back of her hand, which left Zhao An stunned.

His two wives, Chunlan, who came from a farming family, needless to say, and Wanqing, the county magistrate's beloved granddaughter, were naturally inferior to Heshen's daughter.

There's no way around it; one's background determines one's perspective and, equally, one's character.

Can the world seen through the eyes of a mere Qi Refining county magistrate compare to the world seen through the eyes of a Nascent Soul expert?

Heshen didn't notice Zhao An coming over; his eyes were full of doting and pride for his daughter: "Your eyesight is getting sharper and sharper. Your father almost mistook this painting."

Following her daughter's gaze, she realized that Zhao An had arrived.

"You've come at the right time. Tell me, what do you think of this painting? My daughter says it's a late Ming dynasty imitation. What do you think?"

Zhao An hurriedly stepped forward and bowed: "Your Highness is so intelligent and discerning, you can tell the truth from the falsehood at a glance. Such skill is beyond what this servant can match."

That wasn't entirely flattery.

Heshen doted on his daughter, hiring renowned tutors to teach her from a young age. Her reputation as a talented woman quickly spread throughout the capital, and some flatterers even ranked her alongside "Master of Danxiang" as the two most talented women in the capital. "Master of Danxiang" was no ordinary woman; her name was Shushu, and her father was none other than Fuheng, the old master's most favored minister in his early years. Her brothers all held high positions, and she married the current Prince Rui, Chunying, who was known as the "King of Hats."

Chunying also had a brother-in-law, Prince Cheng, Yongxing, whose wife, Shushu, was the sister of Yongxing's primary consort.

Why was Yongxing the most popular candidate to seize the throne?
It's simply because he has two brothers-in-law who are just as favored as Heshen, and a brother-in-law who is known for his hats.

To outsiders, if the old master didn't intend for Yongxing to be the crown prince, how could he have given him such a "high-level" position?
Yongxing was also exceptionally talented, but his only flaw was that he was too stingy, for which he was often scolded by the old master.

When Weiwei was in the second year of junior high school, she had met Zhao An, who came to pay New Year's visits. She had also heard her father mention Zhao An as a "capable person." So she said softly, "Greetings, Lord Zhao. Since Father and Lord Zhao have important matters to discuss, I will take my leave first."

After saying that, she added softly to her father, "Father, I have already ground ink for you again on that ancient inkstone. It produces ink as easily as oil and is indeed a treasure. It has been placed on your desk."

After saying this, she gracefully departed, her demeanor displaying the poise and elegance of a well-bred lady.

Or rather, their aristocratic air was extremely strong, no less than that of a princess.

"it is good."

Watching his beloved daughter leave, Heshen's smile remained unchanged. When he turned to Zhao An, he found that the other man had his head down and dared not look at his daughter. He couldn't help but shake his head with a smile: "You've been hiding in the Governor's Office these past few days and it's been peaceful for you, but it's made me suffer. Quite a few people have submitted memorials to speak out for the Shi family. Even the master is annoyed."

With a forced smile, Zhao An followed Heshen slowly to the desk.

Heshen raised his hand, gesturing for Zhao An to sit down and speak.

"You wouldn't come here without a reason, would you? Tell me, are you here to ask when we're going back, or is there something else?"

As they were talking, Heshen had already sat down.

"The central hall,"

Zhao An hurriedly took out a memorial from his sleeve and presented it, saying, "This servant does indeed have a case of great importance that I dare not act on my own, so I have come to ask Your Excellency to make a decision."

"Oh? What is it that warrants you writing a memorial?"

Heshen reached out and took the book, opening it to read. At first, he merely glanced at it casually, but the more he read, the more solemn his expression became.

He paused for a few breaths when he saw the phrase "Request for a thorough investigation into the long-standing abuses of each banner," before putting the memorial down, somewhat puzzled: "Why would a case of embezzling money and grain go to such lengths?"

"Your Excellency, in your wise judgment,"

Zhao An bowed and said, "Zhang Changbao alone is of little importance, but I believe there are three things to consider and three things to do in this case."

"Oh?"

Heshen raised an eyebrow, signaling Zhao An to continue.

"First, this case proves that there is a hidden danger of chaos in the Eight Banners system, which makes it easy for villains to take advantage of it; second, the fact that the Mukden family came forward to plead for leniency suggests that the real and fake Bannermen may be colluding, protecting and exploiting each other; third, the fact that the Governor-General's Office is leaking information to each other proves that the lower levels are already deeply entrenched and have formed a network of interests."

Hearing Zhao An's words, Heshen nodded slightly: "Then what about the three options?"

Zhao An lowered his voice and said, "Firstly, the Bordered Yellow Banner of Manchuria is a banner personally led by the Emperor. We can use the pretext of investigation to rectify those within the banner who outwardly obey but inwardly defy the Grand Secretary. This servant believes that anyone who obstructs the investigation is guilty."

"Oh?"

Heshen's eyes flickered slightly.

"Secondly, if the Bordered Yellow Banner is used as a pilot and yields fruitful results, it will demonstrate that Your Excellency is capable in handling affairs, diligent in managing banner affairs, and has lived up to the Emperor's trust. Thirdly, Your Excellency need not handle matters that might offend others; I will take the lead for you. In any case, my reputation has been ruined because of the Jinghai Marquis's affair."

After saying this, Zhao An bowed respectfully, as if listening attentively to his leader's instructions.

After carefully examining the man before him, who was known to outsiders as the master's lackey and his own vicious dog, Heshen smiled and said, "You certainly dare to say and do things."

"This servant only knows to be loyal to the Emperor and the Grand Secretary!"

Feeling that this was a bit cliché and lacked originality, Zhao An thought for a moment and added, "If Your Excellency is well, then this servant is well."

(End of this chapter)