Qing Yao

Chapter 460 Why Was His Official Hat Stained with Dust?

Mingshan is truly a reckless playboy, even venturing into the Eight Great Hutongs. It seems he frequents those places to "recharge" his account.

The power of role models is boundless.

Erhe, who had already given up and resigned himself to his fate, struggled forward two steps on his knees as if he had grasped a lifeline, and pleaded with a sob in his voice, "My ancestors also followed the emperor into the Central Plains, and they followed the founding emperor in Jilin Ula... Even if they didn't have any merit, they still worked hard. I beg you, sir, to consider the blood and sweat my ancestors shed for the Qing Dynasty and give me a chance to repent and start anew."

Bayar, also weeping and kowtowing repeatedly, dared not, like Mingshan, raise his head and glare angrily at Zhao An: "Your Excellency, please understand! My father died in battle while pacifying the Dzungars... I... I was confused for a moment. I beg Your Excellency to forgive me this time, considering that I still have an elderly mother and young children at home, and considering that my father sacrificed himself for the country!"

Hafenga and Dalier, their faces ashen, also followed Mingshan's example, bringing up their ancestors' glory and hoping that Zhao An would give them a chance to redeem themselves.

In their panic, they forgot that just moments ago they had all vehemently denied it.

As for Zhao An, it's no use for these people to bring up their ancestors, or even to dig up the corpses of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong from beyond the Great Wall and bring them in front of him!
Without the slightest hesitation, he coldly uttered three words through gritted teeth: "Take him away and keep him under strict guard!"

"Whoo!"

Goshkha responded to the order and pounced again.

"stop!"

Unable to bear it any longer, First Commander Buyandalai abruptly stood up. Zhao An's ruthless approach had touched a nerve with these noble sons.

“Lord Zhao, even if Mingshan and the others have committed wrongdoings, they should be investigated according to the law. Moreover, their ancestors have all made great contributions to the country. If they have truly committed a crime, the Emperor will often show them special favor in consideration of their past merits. Your actions, stripping them of their official hats without investigation, are necessary for the rectification of the banners, but in my opinion, it is too hasty and may not be in accordance with His Majesty’s will!”

Buyandalai is the first of the five Manchu banner commanders in this banner. He is the son of the famous general Fengsheng'e and currently holds the title of first-class viscount. He concurrently serves as the Minister of the Military Equipment Department of the Imperial Household Department while holding the position of commander. He is highly respected and has been very close to the faction of Grand Councilor Agui. He has never given face to Heshen.

It can be said that the person most qualified to question Zhao An's actions was this person, who was second only to the deputy commander.

His words also reflected the thoughts of many officers in the hall who came from similar backgrounds. They all felt that Zhao An's actions were too arrogant and showed too little respect for them, the sons of noble families.

Seeing Buyandala "step forward," the Third Commander Langtu also spoke up without hesitation, saying, "Investigating the affairs of the banner and rectifying discipline are the proper duties, but Lord Zhao is so aggressive, making arbitrary accusations against his colleagues without any evidence, and threatening to dismiss them at every turn. Is this the conduct of a superior?"

"Shangguan etiquette?"

Zhao An glanced at the two officers who finally couldn't help but jump out, and snorted inwardly, but remained outwardly calm. "In my opinion, the proper conduct of a superior lies in strictly enforcing the law, deterring the wicked, and leaving no place for corrupt officials to hide! It does not lie in allowing you to engage in petty scheming and forming cliques within the banner, nor does it lie in turning a blind eye to the collapse of banner affairs!"

After saying that, he pointed to the "unlucky guys" on the ground who had been subdued by Goshha, "What kind of decorum is there to talk about with Hafenga, who neglects his duties and abandons his job? What kind of decorum is there to talk about with Bayar, who exploits his subordinates and drinks the blood of his soldiers? What kind of decorum is there to talk about with Erhe, who embezzles public funds and receives false salaries?! If we talk about decorum with these people, then wouldn't the laws of the Qing Dynasty and the Emperor's favors become a joke!"

These words were well-reasoned and supported by evidence; Zhao An firmly held the moral high ground, both legally and morally.

There was nothing they could do; these unlucky fellows were indeed shady characters, and Mukton had given them a thorough account of what happened.

"If this is what Lord Lang calls proper conduct for an official, then I will refuse to accept it today. I will gouge out every single festering sore of these Manchu bannermen!"

Zhao An's attitude was firm and resolute.

Buyandalai's face turned ashen, but he dared not say that Zhao An was wrong.

The Third Commander Lang Tu was completely locked in by Zhao An's gaze, and he vaguely felt an invisible pressure coming towards him.

Seeing that the intervention of the two commanders had no effect, which of the other officers dared to be the first to step forward?

After a long pause, Buyandalai seemed to remember something and said, "Although Lord Zhao is the Right Wing Deputy Commander of this banner, a position of great prestige, both the captains and lieutenants are officials appointed by the imperial court. Their appointment, dismissal, promotion, and demotion are governed by the laws of the court and the regulations of the ministries! How can you dismiss him just because you say so? Such overstepping of authority is hardly the way of a subject!" Upon hearing this, many officers in the hall echoed his sentiments: Yes, even if Zhao is a deputy commander, he cannot completely disregard the rules, can he?

Hearing this, Mingshan, who was being held down by Goshha, suddenly became hot-headed again. He spat on the ground and started cursing: "Pah! Zhao Youlu, do you really think you're someone important? When I was working in the banner, you were probably squatting in some corner!"
"It's none of your business how a dog catches a mouse, and it's none of your concern, newly raised bannerman, to interfere in the affairs of the Bordered Yellow Banner! You're like a pig with a scallion stuck in its nose—what are you pretending to be, acting all high and mighty?"

This guy, who had never suffered a loss before, got more and more excited as he spoke, spitting everywhere. "Let me tell you, you surnamed Zhao, this official position of mine was earned by my ancestors with their lives! You dare to touch me today, and I'll make you regret it tomorrow! Bah, what a piece of trash!"

Mingshan was a reckless and unruly man, but the others in the hall were not. Listening to Mingshan cursing like a shrew, whether they supported him or not, they all had expressions of not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Then, Mingshan experienced the feeling of being barefoot and not afraid of wearing shoes.

To everyone's astonishment, Zhao An stepped forward and raised his right hand, delivering a resounding slap to Ming Shan's left cheek.

The force was comparable to the slapping contests of later generations; it immediately knocked Mingshan's head to the side and silenced his cursing.

Before Mingshan could react from the pain, Zhao An struck him again with his other hand.

The two slaps were swift and decisive.

Poor Mingshan was beaten until he saw stars and his cheeks were swollen and red.

I'm stunned, completely stunned.

My mind went blank, and my head was buzzing.

Despite the throbbing pain in his hand, Zhao An calmly ordered, "Gag Mingshan."

"Whoo!"

Yougeshiha pulled out a handkerchief and stuffed it into Mingshan's mouth. After that, no matter how much Mingshan struggled and sobbed, he could only make "woo-woo" sounds, and he couldn't utter even half a curse word.

Everyone in the hall was awestruck upon seeing this.

Zhao An's two slaps were not only to Ming Shan's face, but also to the hearts of all those who held him in contempt!
"Are you saying that I have no authority to deal with these woodworms?"

To Buyandalai's astonishment, Zhao An slowly raised his hand and removed the double-eyed peacock feather official hat from his head, a symbol of supreme honor and coveted by many.

In the deathly silence, the official hat was slowly placed on the official desk.

Before anyone could figure out what was going on, Zhao An took off the Ebilun sword from his waist and placed it on the table.

"Are these two gifts bestowed by the Emperor enough? If not, is my head enough?"

With an upright and righteous expression, Zhao An looked around at the group of officers, his face filled with great determination. "I am determined to sweep away the filth and corruption within the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner! I am also determined to deal with the deep-seated problems and malpractices within the banner!"
Since His Majesty and Grand Secretary Tonghe have entrusted me with the important task of reorganizing the banner affairs, my heart is only with His Majesty and with the Qing Dynasty!
Even if it offends all the powerful officials in the court, even if I am dismissed and investigated by the emperor tomorrow, as long as I am still the deputy commander of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner, I will restore a bright and clear world to my Eight Banners!
Personal honor, disgrace, gain, loss, official rank, and future prospects—what do they matter compared to this!

Next, Zhao An recited a poem in front of everyone: "I only wish for the banners to be as white as snow, why should I care if my official hat is covered in dust!"

The translation is: As long as all the Eight Banners are wiped out, it doesn't matter if my official hat is covered in dust.

(End of this chapter)