Qing Yao

Chapter 455 Only Close Relatives Can Be Entrusted
Should they address each other as father-in-law and son-in-law?

What, does the Grand Tutor really want to be my father?
Zhao An's first thought was a pancake, an absolute pancake!
From his perspective, Heshen's promise to address each other as father-in-law and son-in-law after the deed was done was a typical empty promise, much like a boss encouraging employees to work hard and promising to get them a new boss's wife next year.

Why do I think that way?

It's the difference in their social status.

Heshen was a genuine Manchu, holding the rank of First-Class Duke. His daughter-in-law was the Tenth Princess, the most beloved daughter of the old master. His power was even greater than that of the Crown Prince at the time, so it is not an exaggeration to say that Heshen's daughter was a princess.

What is Zhao An's background? Just over two years ago, he was a Han Chinese.

The Qing dynasty prohibited intermarriage between Manchus and Han Chinese; more accurately, it prohibited "intermarriage between bannermen and commoners," with the "commoners" referring to Han Chinese.

Manchus were allowed to marry Han women, but Han women were not allowed to marry Manchu women.

Heshen's original surname, Niohuru, belongs to the "Buddhist Manchu" clan.

"Buddha Manchuria" means old Manchuria, referring to the Jurchen tribes that were incorporated into the Eight Banners in the early days of the Qing Dynasty and held a very prestigious status within the Eight Banners.

The Solons, Daurs, and Xibes who were later incorporated into the Eight Banners were called "Iche Manchuria," meaning New Manchuria, and their status in the Eight Banners was lower than that of the old Manchus.

Regarding the "raising of banners" (a system of classifying people as bannermen), whether they were directly transferred from civilians to Manchuria, transferred from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or transferred from Han soldiers, their identity cards changed to bannermen, but their Han Chinese ancestry could not be changed.

Giving your children and grandchildren ten thousand Manchu names won't change the fact that they are "of Han descent".

Therefore, marrying their daughters to Manchus with Han Chinese ancestry was considered a disgraceful act by pure-blooded "Buddhist Manchu" families, as it was seen as a loss of social standing and a disgrace to their family.

Even if someone did marry, it was only because this new Manchu man was a super "phoenix man" (a man from a poor background who achieves success).

For example, Nian Gengyao married the granddaughter of Nalan Mingzhu and the great-granddaughter of Prince Ying, Ajige.

In fact, the families of Nian Gengyao's two wives had long since fallen into poverty, which is why he "luckily" became a super phoenix man.

Zhao An was brought into Manchuria from the Imperial Household Department as a bondservant. This bondservant status was a serious disadvantage in the eyes of the "Buddhist Manchus." So how could Heshen, from a genuine "Buddhist Manchu" family, possibly marry his beloved daughter to him?

To put it bluntly, the difference in their family backgrounds is as vast as nine heavens!
Don't assume that Heshen was a newly rich man who rose to power under the old master's rule. In fact, his ancestors were high-ranking officials in Manchuria. Otherwise, how could his father have married the daughter of a governor-general, and how could he himself have married the granddaughter of a vice-minister?

Not to mention Mingzhu, a famous prime minister during the Kangxi era, even the power of Prince Ying, Ajige, at the beginning of the dynasty was no match for Heshen.

It's a joke that such an important person would marry his daughter to him.

Furthermore, you, Heshen, are not unaware that I already have a wife and children.

Now that we know this, why even mention marrying off a daughter?
Could Heshen really allow his own daughter to become a concubine?

Based on this alone, Zhao An was certain that Heshen was just making empty promises to him. From the dark side of human nature, people often make empty promises to satisfy hunger before things are done, but after things are done, they will most likely be discarded like a bow after the birds are gone.

I have a strong suspicion that after Fukang'an's death, Heshen might secretly kill him to bury this shocking secret.

Smart people would do that.

Only the dead can keep secrets forever, and even the execution of the entire family wouldn't be enough to vent the old man's hatred if this secret were to be exposed.

It doesn't matter, as long as this pie has a shelf life of three years, then no matter what Zhao An does within those three years, Heshen will have to support him unconditionally.

Because in Heshen's view, everything Zhao An did was a preparation for killing Fu.

Fukuzo died three years later.

If Fu San dies as originally stated in history, Zhao An will have achieved great success without doing anything. Even if He Shen wants to silence him, Zhao An will have enough strength to fight back, and may even become the final deciding factor between He Shen and Jiaqing.

You two play, and I decide who wins and who loses! Besides, there's the White Lotus Sect, a big player, stirring things up.

While thinking this in their hearts, they must outwardly appear flattered.

Zhao An didn't say anything, just stared blankly at Heshen, who looked like his father-in-law, with disbelief in his eyes.

Sure enough, the way Heshen looked at Zhao An right now really had that vibe.

What is the taste?
A mother-in-law's perception of her son-in-law.

Zhao An felt a chill run down his spine as he read this, and for no apparent reason, he thought of that unofficial historical rumor about the old man having dealt with Heshen.

However, Zhao An miscalculated this time; Heshen genuinely wanted to marry his daughter to him!

When Heshen reached his position, the things he considered were far beyond what those "Buddhist Manchurian" commoners could compare to.

The succession of family and power was what Heshen cared about most.

Fukang'an, who had gathered a group of military meritors around him, posed such a great threat to Heshen that Heshen had no choice but to adopt Zhao An's bold suggestion.

To strike first is to be strong, but to strike later is to suffer disaster.

If we don't get rid of Fukang'an, Fukang'an will get rid of him!

The secret actions of Fu Ning, the Left Wing Deputy Commander of this Banner and the Provincial Treasurer of Gansu, had already caused Heshen and Fukang'an to completely break off their relationship. The reason why Fukang'an did not write to the old master to accuse Heshen was simply because he lacked solid evidence and was in the high-altitude region.

When Fukang'an returned to the capital in triumph and was granted a princely title, Heshen felt as if he were being pricked by needles and thorns in his back!
The suggestion came from Zhao An, and he also initiated the action. The facts were right in front of him, so what was there for Heshen to hesitate about?

With Fukang'an dead, his younger brother Helin was able to smoothly "take over".

Ordinary master-servant relationships, gold and silver rewards, and high-ranking official titles all seem too fragile in the face of the momentous event of "killing Fu." Only the strongest blood ties can bind people together tightly.

One glory and one glory.

Zhao An is poison, a true poisonous blade. However, this poisonous blade is of great significance to Heshen. If he can bind Zhao An firmly through marriage, this poisonous blade will be the "heirloom sword" that Heshen will pass on his family business to, and even protect the He family after his death.

In his more than twenty years of ruling the court, this was the first time Heshen had met someone as bold, decisive, and incredibly loyal as Zhao An.

Even if it's just to reward the other person, you have to make an exception and show your appreciation.

Heshen couldn't think of anything else besides marrying off his daughter.

Political marriages were a common practice among powerful families, and Heshen was no exception.

He knew Zhao An had a wife and children, but that didn't matter. In this world, besides the princess, who else had a more prestigious status than Heshen's daughter?

Whether he divorces his wife or makes her a concubine, it's all up to him and the Grand Secretary.

The reason why she didn't marry her daughter to Zhao An now was simply because her daughter was still young, and she planned to wait until her daughter turned sixteen before marrying her.

These two years will also allow us to better observe Zhao An, to see if this man is truly worthy of our trust, and whether he really wants to defy the world and eliminate Fukang'an.

"This matter is beyond the control of anyone but a close relative, and cannot be entrusted to anyone but a close relative."

After gently patting the bewildered Zhao An, Heshen took out a list from his sleeve and placed it on the table. "These people can all be used by you. The master said that no matter who they are, we will investigate them thoroughly. If you handle this matter carefully, no one can object to your promotion to governor."

After saying this, he nodded slightly, put his hands behind his back, and left.

(End of this chapter)