My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 143 The matter of intercepting someone to build up popularity!

Summer passed and autumn arrived, and before we knew it, it was the tenth month of winter in the second year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign.

The practice of returning fire surcharges to the public and providing allowances for maintaining integrity has begun to be piloted in Shanxi.

At this time, General Nian Gengyao, the Grand General of Pacification, also began his third trip to the capital to pay homage to the emperor.

of course!

These matters are, in a sense, not very relevant to Hongli's current situation.

The only relevant connection is that in this life, he was the one who proposed the "anti-corruption allowance," and the biggest interaction between him and Nian Gengyao is that his niece, Nian Yirou, is currently massaging the back of his neck.

Although Nara Minxuan, Nian Yirou, and Fucha Yuyan have all started their periods, Hongli has not yet touched them.

Firstly, he wanted to let them develop for another year or two; secondly, he himself did need to exercise restraint and should not indulge excessively when they first became pregnant.

Actually, given the ages of these three girls, they are not yet suitable to be his trial marriage partners.

But isn't it because they have connections that they were able to come to his side in advance as palace maids who were being taught?

In fact, according to the process, they will first participate in the talent show next year, and then be officially assigned as trial marriage princesses.

When the imperial concubine selection takes place next year, Yongzheng will actually select a group of older women from among the participants to serve as trial wives for Hongli, which can be considered as giving unrelated Manchu women a chance to become the wives of princes.

The age for selecting imperial concubines in the Qing Dynasty was between thirteen and sixteen years old.

Haitang entered the palace through a talent show, and because of her good performance, she was assigned to serve as a maidservant to the primary wife of Prince Yong.

Therefore, Haitang was several years older than Hongli, which made it just the right time for her to have a relationship with him.

However, the mourning period for Empress Dowager Renshou has not yet exceeded twenty-seven months, so Hongli only secretly tasted forbidden fruit with Haitang and took precautions, not daring to let the eunuchs around him know or report it.

However, if he fails to get his concubines pregnant after the national mourning period ends next year and he is given many trial marriage princesses by imperial decree, it will affect his political fate.

Because Emperor Yongzheng would never pass the throne to a prince who was infertile.

At present, no one is paying attention to whether Hongli can have children.

Firstly, those who are interested in this matter might think that he may not understand matters between men and women and that he should wait until a trial marriage princess is clearly assigned so that she can teach him.
Secondly, it is still a period of national mourning, and those who are paying attention to this matter know that he cannot allow the palace maids around him to become pregnant at this time.

It was at Hongli's request that Yirou massage the back of his neck.

He has no intention of touching Nian Yirou and the others now, so he can only arrange for them to do other things for him.

Empress Fucha Yuyan is not feeling well today and has taken leave to rest at home.

Haitang and Nara Minxuan were still with the Empress. Hongli, who was tired from reading, asked Nian Yirou, who had returned earlier than Nara Minxuan, to give him a massage.

Because he recently found some very interesting content in the encyclopedia that Emperor Yongzheng had given him, he became so engrossed in reading it that he kept his head down for a long time, which caused his neck to ache and stiffen.

While Nian Yirou was giving him a massage, Hongli asked her, "Has your uncle already arrived in the capital?"

"Yes, Fourth Master, my aunt mentioned it."

After a short while, Nian Yirou replied.

Nian Gengyao has indeed entered the capital.

The following day, Hongli, who was ordered to meet the emperor at the Southern Study, saw Nian Gengyao again there.

But what Hongli couldn't help but sigh was that Nian Gengyao was indeed arrogant enough, sitting on the couch with his legs spread apart in front of Yongzheng, showing no manners whatsoever as a subject.

However, Hongli found that Yongzheng was not angry about this. He only pointed at Hongli and said to Nian Gengyao, "My fourth son has always admired your achievements and talents, so I will let him meet you today."

Upon hearing Yongzheng's words, Hongli naturally smiled modestly at Nian Gengyao in response.

He naturally wouldn't deny it.

However, Hongli was also unsure of Yongzheng's true intentions, as he would say that he, the fourth prince, also admired Nian Gengyao.

At this moment, Nian Gengyao also looked over at Hongli.

Although he was not often in the capital, he knew that Hongli was now the fourth prince, who was greatly favored by Emperor Yongzheng, and even bestowed his former residence upon this prince.

However, Nian Gengyao now seems to have forgotten who he is. When Yongzheng mentioned Hongli, he did not take the initiative to stand up and bow to Hongli, nor did he humbly say that he was not worthy of the Fourth Prince's high regard. He simply nodded, seemingly accepting Hongli's admiration without feeling that he should be humble.

Hongli noticed the hidden anger in Yongzheng's expression and couldn't help but chuckle to himself, thinking that Nian Gengyao had truly forgotten who he was, and it was no wonder that he would be executed by Yongzheng in the future.

But Hongli noticed that Yongzheng did not show any anger. He simply stood up and continued to smile at Nian Gengyao, saying, "Lianggong, I hope you can get to know Hongli better. Although my fourth prince is still young, he is always humble, eager to learn, and insightful. You should teach him more about fighting and managing troops."

After saying this, Yongzheng smiled and pointed at Hongli: "My fourth son also has some talent in military strategy, and Prince Yi can prove this."

Prince Yi, Yunxiang, as one of the Prime Minister's ministers, was also present.

After Yongzheng said this, Yunxiang smiled and echoed, "Indeed, when Hongli was studying with me, he mentioned that in terms of military strategy, one should be able to fight ten times as well, but in terms of specific battle command, one should be able to fight ten times as well as one. When I heard this, I thought it was very insightful. This shows that he has thoroughly learned the military knowledge that requires both courage and caution."

Hongli laughed and said, "Father and Uncle Thirteen, you flatter me. What I did was just theoretical and not a profound subject."

"It's not just empty talk!"

"What the Fourth Prince said is indeed very insightful. Only someone with a natural talent for military affairs could have such an understanding."

At this point, Nian Gengyao interjected, and indeed calmly and naturally began to analyze Hongli's words.

However, strictly speaking, this is not what Hongli said, but rather what Hongli learned from a powerful military figure in later generations.

He only mentioned it to Yunxiang because it happened that Yunxiang asked him about the difference between central military planning and on-the-spot command, and he just casually mentioned it.

However, Nian Gengyao clearly considered himself one of the most trusted ministers of Yongzheng at this time. Therefore, he acted very casually in front of the emperor, saying whatever came to mind, and completely forgot that no matter how outstanding his achievements were, he was still just a subject.

Emperor Yongzheng cared most about hierarchy. Even if his younger brother, the Eighth Prince, did not behave well in the way of the emperor and his subject, he could not tolerate it, let alone Nian Gengyao.
So, after Nian Gengyao said that, Yongzheng just smiled and said, "He can be said to have learned some military strategy and tactics in vain, which means that he has not wasted his time. But it also shows that the two of you are suitable to get to know each other better. I hope that you can also give me, the Fourth Prince, more guidance."

"The minister obeys the order."

Nian Gengyao rose and bowed to Emperor Yongzheng.

Yongzheng smiled and nodded.

Hongli smiled slightly in agreement. He hadn't expected that Yongzheng would take the initiative to have Nian Gengyao align himself with him, the Fourth Prince, just as Yongzheng had instructed the Eighth Prince to join his side.

Hongli felt that Yongzheng hoped that if he were to die suddenly, Yinzhi and Nian Gengyao could unite around him, the fourth prince, just like Yunxiang, so that the Qing Dynasty would not fall into chaos and the new policies would not be interrupted.

at the same time……

Hongli felt that Yongzheng was testing whether Nian Gengyao was aware of this, so he did not show any intolerance for Nian Gengyao's rudeness, but instead deliberately tolerated him.

Yongzheng was waiting for Nian Gengyao to either become a loyal minister or make him offend more and more people, so that even if he were to be killed in the future, it could be said that he had no choice but to be killed. At the same time, most people in the world would think that Nian Gengyao deserved to be killed, rather than that Yongzheng was killing him because his merits were too great and threatened the emperor.

Whether Nian Gengyao was oblivious to this or deliberately acting this way because he was dissatisfied with Yongzheng's new policies, he was surprisingly cautious. Even when he said he obeyed the emperor's orders, he only bowed and acted like a prince or member of the imperial family.

Nian Gengyao's rude behavior greatly displeased Sun Jiagan, the Hanlin official in charge of recording the emperor's daily activities, who directly recorded it in the record:
“Nian Gengyao sat with his legs spread wide, displaying no respect for a subject, and acted arrogantly, treating even members of the imperial family and princes in the same manner. When the emperor reported that the fourth prince admired his talent, he accepted the offer without hesitation…”

After seeing the contents of the daily records, Emperor Yongzheng summoned Sun Jiagan and instructed him, "Delete these words that are detrimental to Liang Gong."

Sun Jiagan was shocked and puzzled.

Delete it immediately!

When Yongzheng saw that Sun Jiagan did not respond, he shouted angrily.

Sun Jiagan simply knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Your subject is afraid he cannot comply!"

"You dare to resist the decree?"

Yongzheng asked.

Sun Jiagan said, “I am merely disobeying Your Majesty’s verbal order, not Your Majesty’s explicit order, so it does not count as defying the imperial decree! However, if I were to obey Your Majesty’s verbal order today and revise the daily records, it would be disloyal to Your Majesty, protecting treacherous officials, and going against the proper etiquette! In that case, I would be a disloyal subject, deserving to be torn to pieces. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth!”

"Instead of saying that, you might as well just say that I am a tyrant and that I am protecting treacherous officials!"

"I cannot accept your harsh treatment of a meritorious official! Liang Gong only violated some of the proper etiquette of a subject, why are you so fixated on it and insist on recording it in the official records?"

Emperor Yongzheng reprimanded Sun Jiagan.

Sun Jiagan insisted on his opinion: "Facts are facts. Not to mention meritorious officials, even the emperor and father have been disrespectful. As the official in charge of recording the emperor's daily activities, I must record it truthfully in order to live up to Your Majesty's great kindness. Therefore, I am sorry that I cannot comply. I also ask Your Majesty not to issue such a foolish decree."

"it is good!"

"That's really bold!"

Yongzheng sneered and then ordered, "Su Peisheng!"

Not long after, Su Peisheng arrived.

Yongzheng then instructed him: "Summon the Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard!"

"Whoo!"

Before long, the Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard, Leshchen, who was on duty, arrived in front of Yongzheng.

Upon seeing that it was Le Shiheng, Yongzheng raised an eyebrow slightly and then ordered, "Hanlin Compiler Sun Jiagan has disobeyed orders and is overly demanding of meritorious officials, even attempting to destroy them. This can be considered as harboring treacherous intentions. Order Sun Jiagan to be imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice prison and sentenced to death!"

But Lechchen did not respond.

Upon seeing this, Yongzheng asked him, "Are you also going to disobey orders?"

"Inspector Sun is a loyal and upright official. Your Majesty's decision to sentence him to death is not the action of a wise ruler. Therefore, I urge Your Majesty to rescind your decree!"

At this point, Lechchen responded to Yongzheng.

After hearing this, Yongzheng asked in a deep voice, "Do you mean that what I did was immoral?"

"Since Your Majesty understands this, you should be even less likely to do so!"

"Leshchen replied."

Snapped!
Upon hearing this, Yongzheng slammed his hand on the table and said, "Summon another Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard!"

In the Qing Dynasty, the imperial court was usually staffed by two Grand Ministers in charge of the Imperial Guard.

Not long after Yongzheng finished speaking, another Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard, Marsa, came over.

"Imperial Scholar Sun Jiagan and Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard Le Shiheng are both imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice and sentenced to death!"

Yongzheng said coldly.

Marsa was shocked, but dared not say anything, for he had already guessed the reason, and only responded with a "Yes, sir!"

As a result, Sun Jiagan and Leshchen were thrown into death row.

The Qing Dynasty palace was clearly a leaky place, so many people quickly learned about it.

Nian Gengyao also learned of this matter, but he said nothing. He only met with many court officials who were on good terms with him afterward, and addressed some of them about it:
“I know some people are jealous of me, so they nitpick at me, but fortunately, with the Holy Emperor in power, such petty people are destined not to cause any trouble.”

Hongli also learned about this matter through Laibao of the Sticky Rod Office, and also learned about Nian Gengyao's remarks.

Hongli could only shake his head and sigh, thinking to himself, "Nian Gengyao is really courting death. He doesn't even realize that Yongzheng's handling of Sun Jiagan and Le Shiheng was giving him a chance, not protecting him."

Then, Hongli asked Laibao, "What has Nian Gengyao been doing lately?"

"This servant was just about to tell Fourth Master that he recently visited Third Master at Qian Hanlin's house and gave Third Master many precious gifts."

Laibao replied.

Upon hearing this, Hongli's face fell: "Father told him to get closer to me, but instead he went and got closer to Third Brother."

"That's it!"

"If it's going to rain, it's going to rain; if ...

As he spoke, Hongli rose and went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, holding up the plaque that Yongzheng had given him for direct entry into the hall, and knelt directly outside the gate of the Hall of Mental Cultivation:

"Your subject has come to plead for mercy for Leshheng and Sunjiagan, begging Father Khan to forgive their crimes punishable by death!"

(End of this chapter)