My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 145 Nian Xiyao's Generous Gift
After Hongli said that, even the female official from Yangxin Hall who was massaging Hongli's legs couldn't help but pause for a moment.

Because those words are cold-hearted!

What does it mean to use the good and discard the bad?
It simply means to employ the virtuous when they are capable and dismiss the unworthy when they are not!

They disregard emotions and only care about whether the product or service can bring value.

This is a personnel management principle that can only be found in political beings.

But Emperor Yongzheng was very pleased with what he heard.

After all, these were his own words in history, and they also reflected his expectations for Hongli.

At this moment, Yongzheng, satisfied, took out a pre-prepared edict and handed it to Hongli: "Take this to the Ministry of Justice prison and bring out Leshiheng and Sun Jiagan."

"Whoo!"

Hongli accepted the edict with a smile.

Even though he already knew that Yongzheng was not a foolish ruler and would not really kill Leshheng and Sun Jiagan.

But at this moment, after receiving the imperial edict that only dealt leniently with Leshchen and Sun Jiagan, he was still very excited. He felt a sense of accomplishment, as if he had done a great deed, and a joy of getting a great deal.

The fact that Leshchen and Sun Jiagan dared to offend the emperor by upholding their principle of not condoning the disrespectful behavior of powerful officials undoubtedly demonstrates that they were courageous and insightful individuals.

Such people are often loyal and righteous, and it is difficult to win their hearts with money or official positions. Therefore, they can only be won over with kindness and righteousness.

Winning over such a person is naturally much more meaningful than bribing some petty people with money and official positions.

After all, when it comes to doing something, especially something important, you need this kind of person to do it.

A scholar dies for a confidant.

Such people are often willing to go through fire and water for those who have won them over with kindness and righteousness.

It can be said that Hongli's successful intervention on behalf of the two men has earned him two powerful allies who will serve him in the future.

Although the two men have been dismissed, if there is an opportunity in the future, he can plead for their reinstatement or find a way to do so. They will then be willing to work for him, and it will further let the world know that he not only protects loyal ministers but also thinks about promoting them.

Moreover, helping someone in need is often the hardest favor to repay.

If Leshheng and Sun Jiagan do something to betray him in the future, even if Hongli forgives them, most people in the world with simple values ​​will not forgive them and will only scold them for being ungrateful.

Therefore, the sense of accomplishment that Hongli feels now is incomparable to that he felt when he helped Ortai and Sui Hede get promoted.

Of course, all of this was because Yongzheng was willing to give him the opportunity to show his favor, which is why he was able to do this favor.

After receiving the imperial edict, Hongli left the Hall of Mental Cultivation and went to the Ministry of Justice prison.

However, as soon as he left the Hall of Mental Cultivation, many princes and ministers noticed him, and many people gathered around him.

"Hongli, does this mean Fourth Brother has forgiven Leshheng and Sun Jiagan?"

After Hongli left the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Yunxiang came over first and asked about Hongli.

Hongli smiled and nodded: "The Khan has bestowed his grace and is willing to forgive the two men's rebellious and capital offenses. They will only be dismissed from their posts. Leshihengfa will serve as the Right Guard of Shanxi to fulfill his filial duties, and Sun Jiagan will be ordered to return to his hometown to live in seclusion. Furthermore, I will send my nephew to deliver the imperial edict and release the two men."

Upon hearing this, Yunxiang and the princes and ministers who had gathered around him breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but smile with joy. They all looked at Hongli with gratitude and admiration.

"Fourth Master, please accept this servant's bow!"

At this moment, Fa Hai, the Jiangnan Provincial Education Commissioner who had come to Beijing to report on his duties, knelt directly in front of Hongli and kowtowed.

Because he was born to a maid, Fahai was never recognized as one of the Tong family brothers by his elder brothers, Orondai and Kuadai. He gained Kangxi's trust and won the favor of Yunti by studying hard and passing the imperial examinations.

However, precisely because he relied on his own abilities to do things, he inevitably became arrogant and only admired people who valued loyalty and righteousness. Therefore, he was very impressed by Hongli's actions in saving Leshiheng and Sun Jiagan.

Therefore, Fahai would openly kowtow to Hongli in front of everyone without any hesitation.

Hongli helped Fahai up, saying, "There's no need for that."

At the same time, Grand Secretary Xiao Yongzao also changed his previous indignant attitude of being resentful that the fourteenth prince had not obtained the throne, and took the initiative to kowtow to Hongli: "Fourth Prince, please accept this servant's bow! This servant underestimated the Fourth Prince in the past, and was extremely foolish!"

"Your Excellency, no need for formalities!"

Hongli also helped Xiao Yongzao up.

However, shortly afterward, Manchu and Han officials, including Chakdan, the commander of the Plain Yellow Banner Guard, also came to pay their respects to Hongli and sincerely express their admiration.

This kept Hongli very busy.

And his virtue and kindness undoubtedly reached their peak at this moment!
Upon seeing this, Prince Lian, Yunsi, sighed slightly and murmured to himself, "If only Hongli hadn't supported Fourth Brother's reforms either?"

Hongshi, though he had a smile on his face, looked more like he was crying.

He truly did not want to see Hongli successfully rescue Leshheng and Sun Jiagan.

Moreover, he had always enjoyed being the center of attention, and now seeing Hongli being praised and admired by so many Manchu and Han officials, he was filled with envy and thought to himself how much better he would have done this.

This made Hongshi feel a surge of hatred.

He didn't hate Hongli for doing it, but rather for not doing it himself. Especially when the Eighth Prince said, "He has no right to do this," it made his hatred boil over: "Why don't I have the right?"

"Fourth brother!"

Because Hongshi was having an internal struggle, Hongzhou spoke first and bowed when Hongli approached.

Hongli nodded to Hongzhou and greeted Hongshi, "Third Brother!"

Hongshi then came to his senses, smiled, and patted Hongli on the shoulder:

"Fourth brother, it's good that you're alright."

"Yes, Fourth Brother, Third Brother and I have been worried about you."

Hongzhou then joined in. Hongli bowed slightly, a hint of apology in his voice: "I've made my third and fifth brothers worry."

"Not at all, Fourth Brother, it's good that you're alright. It's even more gratifying that you were able to save two upright officials."

Hongshi forced a smile and said a few friendly words, not showing any anger despite his overwhelming jealousy, especially in front of the royal family, princes, and ministers.

Hongli replied with a smile, "This is all because Father is a benevolent and charitable ruler, and thus possesses such magnanimity and forgiveness. I dare not take credit for it!"

Others might express their dissatisfaction with Yongzheng because he was willing to kill Leshiheng and Sun Jiagan to protect Nian Gengyao, but Hongli could not.

He had to constantly demonstrate that these were all discoveries made by Yongzheng out of his own benevolence.

Never become complacent or arrogant.

Especially when many members of the royal family, princes, and ministers are present.

This is the advice that Hongli gave to himself!

However, Hongli had to admit that Hongshi was indeed clever in some ways but lacked true wisdom. At this time, it would have been enough to show concern for his fourth brother. Why did he have to praise him for saving two upright officials? If the sensitive Yongzheng knew this, he would blame Hongshi for being dissatisfied with his father, the Khan.

When Hongli reminded him, Hongshi didn't realize it and simply said, "Fourth brother is just being modest!"

Hongli smiled at this and said nothing more.

Prince Lian, Yunsi, couldn't help but nod repeatedly to Hongli, and upon hearing Hongshi's reply, he let out a heavy sigh.

Hongli soon arrived at the Ministry of Justice prison and announced the imperial decree to Leshheng and Sun Jiagan, who had already become prisoners.

"You are all extremely arrogant and disrespectful. I originally intended to execute you, but Fourth Prince Hongli knelt down and remonstrated with you, risking physical and mental harm, saying that he was doing it for the sake of the country's righteousness. After much consideration, I have no choice but to grant his request. Considering that although you are arrogant and haughty, you are indeed selfless at heart, I will pardon your crimes and only dismiss you from your posts..."

After Hongli finished reading the imperial edict, the two men, with tears in their eyes, kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, we thank you for your great kindness!"

Next, Hongli personally helped the two up, saying, "Please get up quickly, both of you!"

After they stood up, both of them looked at Hongli with great emotion.

Afterwards, both Leshheng and Sun Jiagan bowed to Hongli and said, "Thank you, Fourth Prince/Fourth Master, for saving us!"

Hongli smiled and said, "You two are pillars of the nation. Saving you is my duty, so there is no need for thanks! Besides, this is also because Your Majesty has a kind heart. I hope you will remember this grace and wait for the day when you can serve the country again."

"Your Majesty, we will remember this!"

After being released from prison, Leshchen and Sun Jiagan met with their respective relatives and friends.

Because many members of the imperial family and the Qingliu faction came to the Ministry of Justice prison to welcome them upon their release.

The sky was as dark as lead, and the first snow was falling.

"Fourth Prince!"

"Fourth Master!"

The members of the imperial family and the Qingli officials who came here first paid their respects to Hongli, and then paid their respects to Leshiheng and Sun Jiagan, who were dressed in plain clothes.

Hongli smiled and nodded, then left the Ministry of Justice and returned to the palace.

"Respectfully seeing off the Fourth Prince!"

"Respectfully seeing off Fourth Master!"

After escorting Hongli back to the palace, everyone embraced Leshheng and Sun Jiagan.

Leshchen then exclaimed before the assembled royal family, "I never imagined that the Fourth Prince would plead for me, the son of a disgraced prince. His kindness is as heavy as Mount Tai!"

"Now it seems that among all the nobles, the one who deserves the most respect is Fourth Master!"

When Sun Jiagan met his old friend from the same year, he bluntly stated that among the imperial nobles whom Hongli should respect the most, it seemed that even Leshchen, who disobeyed his orders, was not the one he respected the most.

Hongli sneezed, looked at the drizzling snowflakes, reached out and caught a few, placing them in his palm.

He has already returned to the palace.

However, he encountered Nian Gengyao on his way back to the palace.

The two looked at each other.

Hongli smiled first, but when he saw the surprise and indignation hidden between Nian Gengyao's brows...

Nian Gengyao was surprised that Hongli was still smiling calmly at him, so he obediently came over and performed a grand salute, saying, "Greetings to Fourth Master!"

"General, no need for formalities!"

Hongli extended his hand.

After expressing his gratitude, Nian Gengyao stood up and bowed, saying, "This servant still needs to pay respects to Prince Yi, so I won't bother you any longer, Fourth Master."

"Please proceed, General."

Hongli replied.

"Your servant has been rude!"

Nian Gengyao walked away quickly after saying this, seemingly not wanting to stay with Hongli any longer.

Hongli felt relieved, thinking that it must have been quite remarkable that General Nian, who had killed people on the battlefield and was used to lording it over others in the army, could tolerate this much.

"Fourth Master!"

As soon as Hongli returned, Li Yu pointed to a cloisonné enamel vase with gold decoration placed in the main hall and said, "Guangdong Governor Nian Xiyao sent someone to deliver a cloisonné enamel vase with the auspicious symbol of good fortune and prosperity, waiting for the Fourth Prince to return and deal with it."

(End of this chapter)