My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 144 Emperor Yongzheng was overjoyed to be praised!

"Is that Emperor Hongli?"

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Emperor Yongzheng put down his pen and frowned as Su Peisheng came to report on the situation.

Su Peisheng smiled and said, "It's the Fourth Prince."

"Alright!"

Emperor Yongzheng smiled slightly.

Su Peisheng then asked Yongzheng, "Should we summon the Fourth Prince?"

After thinking for a moment, Yongzheng said, "Let him kneel outside a little longer!"

Su Peisheng was somewhat taken aback.

At this point, Yongzheng said, "Wait for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. After that time, go out and summon him in."

"Whoo!"

Yongzheng smiled as Su Peisheng left.

Then, Yongzheng muttered to himself, "Liang Gong, this isn't my fault! The Fourth Prince doesn't need you!"

Hongli was not worried because Yongzheng had not summoned him for a long time.

He knew that Yongzheng was allowing him to show his face more in the matter of saving Leshheng and Sun Jiagan, so that more people would know that he was risking the great danger of offending the emperor to plead for Leshheng and Sun Jiagan.

Leshchen was the son of Sunu, a member of the royal family.

Logically, given that Yongzheng already deeply disliked his father Sunu, Leshchen would not have been much favored by Yongzheng either. Yet, he still dared to speak frankly and directly to Yongzheng, which can only be described as audacious.

But precisely because of this, Hongli went to great lengths to rescue someone like Leshheng, who was not favored by Yongzheng, which undoubtedly made many princes and nobles who hoped that the imperial family would be treated well feel more favorably toward Hongli.

Sun Jiagan was a man of integrity.

This time, because he refused to cover up for Nian Gengyao, he was punished for disobeying the emperor. This will undoubtedly generate great prestige among the upright officials. Hongli pleading for him will undoubtedly win the approval of many upright officials.

Therefore, Hongli's plea for Leshiheng and Sun Jiagan was a way to win the favor of both the imperial princes and the literati.

of course!

If Hongli can truly save these two people, it will naturally make these two groups admire him, the Fourth Prince, even more.

In this way, even if Hongli offends Nian Gengyao as a result, it is still a worthwhile deal.

Moreover, Nian Gengyao had already gone against Emperor Yongzheng's wishes by contacting the Third Prince Hongshi instead of getting close to Hongli.

This could be considered deliberately offending Hongli.

Therefore, Hongli's current offense against Nian Gengyao is simply a matter of retaliating in kind.

As for whether or not Leshheng and Sun Jiagan can be saved?

Hongli believed it was possible.

Based on past experience, Emperor Yongzheng always killed important princes and ministers when he was not in the capital.

Now, the fact that Emperor Yongzheng is executing princes and ministers even before Hongli has left the capital clearly shows that he doesn't really want to kill these two ministers. He is also giving Hongli an opportunity to stand up and rescue them in order to build his reputation.

"Your Majesty, I plead for mercy for Leshheng and Sunjiagan, and beg you to forgive their crimes!"

"Though these two are eccentric, they are truly loyal at heart, and their crimes do not warrant death, Father!"

Hongli then deliberately continued to shout loudly, especially when someone passed by the Yangxin Gate.

As a result, before long, more and more people learned about this matter, and it spread through the mouths of palace maids, eunuchs, guards, and officials of the Imperial Household Department.

"Have you heard? The Fourth Prince knelt for a long time at the Yangxin Gate to save Leshiheng and Sun Jiagan!"

"It is said that His Majesty wants to punish these two because they cannot be covered up for by General Nian. They can be considered loyal ministers. Now, the Fourth Prince is risking offending General Nian by trying to save these two loyal ministers!"

"The Fourth Prince is loyal, upright, and outspoken, which is truly admirable. It is a blessing for the country and its people that there is such a nobleman in the imperial clan who is so willing to protect loyal ministers!"

for a while.

Many princes and ministers discussed this matter extensively.

Many princes and ministers also came to the Inner Right Gate to inquire about the situation, and were worried about Hongli, fearing that he would also be punished.

Some princes and ministers even took the initiative to ask Prince Lian, Prince Yi, and the emperor's brother-in-law Longkodo whether they should also join Hongli in pleading for Leshiheng and Sun Jiagan, and were thinking of responding to Hongli's call.

However, Yunxiang persuaded these princes and ministers against forming cliques.

In fact, Yunxiang understood Yongzheng's meaning. He understood that Yongzheng only wanted Hongli to take the limelight, and for others to follow suit, thinking of supporting Hongli and opposing imperial power. That would mean something else entirely.

That's why Yunxiang strongly discouraged others from getting involved.

Yunxiang even declared that anyone who caused trouble at this time was a member of the Nian faction and was trying to harm the two loyal ministers.

Therefore, none of the princes and ministers who wanted to respond to Hongli dared to act rashly.

Prince Lian, Yunsi, was also stopped by Hongshi.

Moreover, Hongshi took the initiative to ask Yunsi in a low voice, "Why has Uncle Ba been unwilling to see his nephew lately?"

"Hongshi, you should understand that your Eighth Uncle is not seeing you now precisely for your own good!"

"Have you forgotten what Uncle Ba said?"

"You don't have to meet with your Eighth Uncle or other princes and ministers often. Those who should support you will support you. That way, even if things continue to fail, you won't be implicated!"

After sighing, Yinzhi had no choice but to carefully explain the situation to Hongshi and give him some pointers.

Hongshi nodded: "I understand what you mean, Uncle Ba. But I'm very anxious because I can't see you right now! It's because Hongli hasn't been affected by the Emperor's favor with Fu Hui at all. In fact, he seems to be even more favored. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been granted the Yong Prince's Mansion!"

"Now, he has also taken the initiative to plead for Leshchen and Sun Jiagan. Many princes and ministers have praised him for his profound sense of righteousness, integrity and outspokenness. He is a loyal minister in the country and a loyal son in his family. They say that he is the hope of our Great Qing."

"Uncle, do you think I should go along to plead for them?"

Hongshi then asked Yunsi another question.

"Don't go!"

Yunsi's expression tightened, then he glared at Hongshi and hurriedly denied it.

Hongshi was somewhat unconvinced. Seeing this, Yunsi patiently said, "You are different from Hongli; you are not qualified!"

“If you go, your father will only think that this is my idea, and he will even hate you more, thinking that you only follow the crowd and don’t have your own opinions.”

Hongshi nodded: "Oh!"

"If Hongli is also imprisoned, then it would be more appropriate for you to plead for him."

"At that time, you were not only a good son who loved his brothers in your father's eyes, but also a good older brother who dared to speak up for his younger brother in Hongli's eyes!"

Then Yunsi gave Hongshi a few more instructions.

After hearing this, Hongshi gritted his teeth and asked again, "Then what should I do, nephew?"

"Go see Hongzhou!"

"First, tell Hongzhou about your worry that Hongli will anger your father and not end up in a good mood. That way, regardless of whether your father and Hongli will know through Hongzhou that your third brother is worried about him, at least Hongzhou will know that your third brother still values ​​brotherhood!"

“Hongshi, we must show virtue and kindness. This doesn’t mean we have to show virtue and kindness to the most prominent people in front of us, but rather to the least noticeable people and things. This will make people more convinced of your virtue and kindness.”

Yinsi taught Hongshi with great seriousness.

Hongshi listened attentively, and nodded repeatedly. Then he bowed deeply to Yunsi and said, "Eighth Uncle, I am foolish, but fortunately you are willing to teach me and do not abandon me."

"That's it!"

Yun Si didn't say much, just sighed and left.

Hongshi also returned to Qianxi Prince's residence and went to see Hongzhou: "Fifth brother, Fourth brother pleaded for Leshiheng and Sunjiagan, but I'm afraid it will anger Father. We must prevent Fourth brother from being punished because of this!"

Hongzhou looked at Hongshi with a surprised and touched expression: "Then what does Third Brother plan to do?"

“I don’t have any good ideas right now, but if this really happens, my brother and I will have to plead for our fourth brother together.”

Hiroshi said.

Hongzhou nodded solemnly after hearing this: "Third Brother is right."

Then, Hongshi and Hongzhou walked together toward the inner right gate.

Hongshi is now starting to hope that Hongli will be punished by Yongzheng, so that he will have a chance to show his brotherly affection.

However, when Hongshi and Hongzhou arrived at the Inner Right Gate, Hongli had already been brought before Emperor Yongzheng by Su Peisheng.

When Yongzheng saw Hongli, he said indifferently, "So you do know to come and plead for the two of them."

Hongli did not rashly show off his intelligence by saying, "It was clearly you who wanted me to plead for them." Instead, he sincerely said, "Father dealt with them for the sake of the Qing Dynasty, and I pleaded for them for the sake of the Qing Dynasty as well. There is no question of knowing or not knowing; it is simply a matter of acting from the heart and acting in accordance with one's conscience!"

"What a wonderful concept of 'cultivating innate knowledge'!"

Yongzheng praised him highly, then chuckled in surprise: "You dare to use the philosophy of mind even!"

“Since this is in the encyclopedia bestowed by Father, then I can naturally use it.”

Hongli replied.

After hearing this, Yongzheng asked Hongli, "Do you know who I was originally planning to wait for to plead for me?"

"This is why your son admires your father!"

Instead of directly stating the answer to Yongzheng's question, Hongli first expressed his admiration for Yongzheng, so as to give Yongzheng the impression that he respected him greatly.

Only in this way could Hongli demonstrate his intelligence and be accepted by Yongzheng, so as to avoid being too good at guessing Yongzheng's thoughts and not knowing how to restrain his arrogance in front of Yongzheng, which would make Yongzheng wary of him instead.

"Father treats his meritorious officials with sincerity and kindness, and even takes the initiative to leave them a way out. It's just that not everyone can understand Father's good intentions! But your son understands that Father is a truly wise and benevolent ruler!"

Hongli's answer truly surprised Yongzheng, who was both proud and deeply moved: "My son actually understands me so well! He admires me so much!"

This made Yongzheng feel as if his bones had become several ounces lighter, as if he were about to float away.

"Have you been kneeling for too long?"

Emperor Yongzheng even got off his bed himself, helped Hongli up, and asked him a question with concern.

Hongli deliberately frowned to appear weak: "A little!"

Yongzheng hurriedly called out, "Su Peisheng, bring a chair for the Fourth Prince, with a cushion! And bring a brazier!"

"Whoo!"

Then, Yongzheng pointed to a female official serving tea beside him and said, "Give your Fourth Prince a leg massage."

"Whoo!"

"Father, there's no need. Your son wouldn't dare trouble you to serve me."

Hongli quickly refused. He dared not follow Nian Gengyao's example, who became arrogant because of Yongzheng's great care for him.

The "aunt" he mentioned was a palace maid who served Emperor Yongzheng. She was addressed as "aunt" because palace maids were addressed with the honorific "aunt," such as Su Ma La Gu.

The ladies-in-waiting who served in the Hall of Mental Cultivation were no ordinary ladies-in-waiting; they were highly favored and valued by Emperor Yongzheng. Out of respect for Emperor Yongzheng, Hongli was required to address them as "aunt."

"There's nothing wrong with that. You can't expect me to come in person, can you?"

Yongzheng asked a question.

Hongli had no choice but to give up.

Then, Yongzheng said to Hongli, who was enjoying the pleasure of being rubbed by a beautiful woman, "Fine, since you pleaded for them, I will pardon their death sentence and only dismiss them from their posts!"

Hongli then hurriedly knelt down to express his gratitude, feigning great joy.

Yongzheng waved his hand to dismiss the formalities, and then asked him, "But regarding that meritorious official you mentioned, if you were me, how would you intend to deal with his current actions?"

Hongli did not expect that Yongzheng would ask him about how to deal with Nian Gengyao.

This made him a little nervous, because he knew it wouldn't be a good answer.

After all, according to history, Emperor Yongzheng would have to wait until next year to deal with Nian Gengyao, and the method of punishment would gradually change from lenient to severe.

Therefore, what is puzzling is whether Yongzheng originally intended to severely punish Nian Gengyao and deliberately used the method of boiling a frog in lukewarm water to kill him, or whether he did not intend to severely punish Nian Gengyao at first, but only gradually increased the punishment for Nian Gengyao based on Nian Gengyao's reaction and the reaction of the court and the public.
Therefore, answering "strict" might make Yongzheng accuse him of being harsh, while answering "lenient" might make Yongzheng think he is too soft-hearted.

After thinking for a moment, Hongli decided to answer with Yongzheng's original words from history: "The good should be employed, and the bad should be dismissed!"

(End of this chapter)