My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 152: Awarding Iron Hats, Prince Yi Presents Precious Swords!
Hongli noticed that Yongzheng's face had turned ashen.

However, he didn't say anything, only shook his head slightly.

Then he returned to his soft couch and continued reviewing the memorials.

boom!
But in an instant, he heard a loud, sharp crack.

It was the sound of a teacup hitting the ground.

"Humph!"

Then, Hongli heard another angry snort.

He glanced back and saw only the back of Yongzheng as he hurriedly left.

Lao Ba was still kneeling on the ground, and a large patch of the carpet not far away was wet, with many green tea leaves scattered around.

Hongli didn't say much, but continued to review the memorials.

He knew that although Lao Ba seemed gentle, he was determined and once he made up his mind, it was difficult to change it.

Therefore, Hongli had no intention of trying to persuade him, and it would be even more inappropriate for him to go to the public without an imperial decree.

Although his East Warm Pavilion was separated from Yongzheng's main room by only one door, that was not a reason for him to freely go to the emperor's review office.

Hongli continued to review the memorials that Yongzheng had given him.

But before he knew it, Yongzheng appeared before him through a side door in the East Warm Pavilion.

His face was as cold as if it were frozen.

"Go and persuade your eighth uncle, and while you're at it, send him away!"

Hongli looked up in surprise, his face troubled: "Father, I'm not sure I can persuade him!"

“That’s another matter, but you have to do it this way.”

After speaking, Yongzheng left, but as he left, he gave the Eighth Prince a cold look in the main room.

Hongli then got up and came to the main room, standing in front of the Eighth Prince:

"Uncle, the Khan asks you to rise. Your nephew will escort you out of the palace."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

Old Eight stood up, his body trembling slightly.

Hongli then handed him his red official hat.

The eighth prince took the official hat and held it in his arms. He left the Hall of Mental Cultivation, his steps faltering as if a huge boulder weighing a thousand pounds was pressing on his back.

Hongli followed behind him until he saw the Eighth Prince out of the Qianqing Gate. Only then, when officials from the Imperial Household Department and the Nine Ministers' Offices saw him, did he step forward and say to the Eighth Prince:
"Uncle, why are you doing this? A reputation is something that can only be given if the emperor is willing to give it to you. If the emperor is not willing to give it to you, then clinging to it will only be a burden to you."

"Hongli, you really haven't disappointed your Eighth Uncle!"

Lao Ba suddenly stopped, looked at the blue sky, sighed, and then revealed a bright smile.

"The fact that you can say such things shows that you are well-versed in your father's ways of being an emperor."

then.

The eighth prince looked at Hongli, his expression becoming more serious. He then suddenly started walking forward, and as he walked under the blue sky and white clouds, he said to Hongli:
"Since you are so intelligent and insightful, your Uncle Eight will also like to say a few words from the bottom of his heart."

"Your eighth aunt may have many faults, but she's the kind of person who would die for your eighth uncle!"

"Tell me, can your eighth uncle divorce someone like that?"

At this point, Lao Ba asked Hongli a question.

Hongli was stunned.

Old Eight then smiled again, his eyes revealing determination: "To be honest, your Uncle Eight has never wronged anyone in my life, and I certainly cannot wrong those who truly care for your Uncle Eight!"

"Back then, when your eighth uncle's foundation was still shallow and he was not valued by others, even your Khanmafa did not pay much attention to your eighth uncle. It was your eighth aunt who did not mind the humble origins of your eighth uncle's maternal clan and wanted to marry him off. She asked his Khanmafa to go to the late emperor and ask for the marriage by giving up the banner power."

"When your eighth uncle was being targeted and suppressed by your second uncle, it was your eighth aunt who patiently persuaded her family members to protect your eighth uncle from the storm."

“Hongli, your eighth aunt can accept dying with your eighth uncle, but she will never accept your eighth uncle abandoning her.”

Old Eight stopped talking after that.

Hongli simply handed over a handkerchief: "Eighth Uncle, wipe yourself."

Yes, Lao Ba shed tears.

"It's a bit windy today."

The eighth prince smiled and said something, then handed the handkerchief back to Hongli. After leaving Jingyun Gate, he waved to Hongli and said, "Don't see me off. Go back and report."

Hongli stood there, watching the Eighth Prince's lonely figure disappear behind the palace wall, before turning and leaving.

After Hongli turned and left, he went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

But before he even reached the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he encountered Emperor Yongzheng, who was waiting there with a stern face, right outside the Gate of Mental Cultivation.

"Amma!"

Hongli immediately made a thousand cuts.

"Get up."

After speaking, Yongzheng asked, "How was the persuasion?"

Hongli never expected that Yongzheng still harbored illusions about the Eighth Prince.

He couldn't help but wonder if Yongzheng still harbored any feelings for the Eighth Prince, since they had a good relationship in the past.

However, he did not intend to hide it from Yongzheng, so he relayed the Eighth Prince's reply to Yongzheng.

Upon hearing this, Yongzheng's face grew even uglier, like a dark cloud suddenly appearing in a clear sky, so dark it could obscure all light.

"Don't you also think that your eighth uncle is very loyal, righteous, and virtuous?"

Yongzheng asked.

Hongli rolled his eyes.

He knew that Yongzheng was extremely disappointed in the Eighth Prince. At this time, it was not appropriate for him to say anything good about the Eighth Prince, but he also could not say anything that went too far from the objective facts, lest Yongzheng feel that he was not telling the truth in front of him.

In my humble opinion, everyone is the same.

"Whether someone is virtuous or not is often beyond their control."

Hongli then gave the same answer.

Yongzheng's expression brightened as if the clouds had parted, but he was still somewhat serious: "What do you mean?"

"Both Uncle Eight and Uncle Thirteen could actually be considered wise princes, but in the eyes of officials and gentry, one was wise and the other was treacherous, so they wanted to keep the wise and dismiss the treacherous!"

"And since Father holds the highest power and is determined to govern well, it is necessary to determine who is virtuous and who is wicked among them." "Therefore, whether they are virtuous or not is not up to them. Uncle Ba does not want to let Aunt Ba down, so the officials and gentry can continue to use his reputation for virtue to instigate the Eight Banners nobles."

At this point, Hongli bowed to Yongzheng and said, "Father, I humbly request that you grant my thirteenth uncle the hereditary title of 'iron hat' during this discussion!"

It was just the end of the triennial Beijing examination, and Emperor Yongzheng had issued an edict to allow the discussion and commendation of Prince Yi and other princes and ministers. However, Prince Yi, Yunxiang, submitted a memorial requesting to resign from the commendation process.

The so-called "appointment and commendation" refers to the system of awarding favors to officials who perform well.

Hongli, who was learning about politics, also saw Prince Yi Yunxiang's memorial requesting to resign and be promoted in the memorials that Yongzheng gave him.

When Hongli suddenly asked the thirteenth prince for more favors, he was actually making his stance clear.

He only acknowledged that the thirteenth prince was a wise king.

As for the eighth brother...

Because his stance differed from that of Emperor Yongzheng, he could only be defined as "unvirtuous" and a "treacherous" villain, thus being defined as an enemy.

This is politics.

It has nothing to do with personal character.

Emperor Yongzheng nodded: "Summon Zhang Tingyu!"

Hongli let out a sigh of relief.

"I will not do anything to your Eighth Uncle now, but Nian Gengyao cannot be allowed to continue to run rampant."

"Take this imperial edict, which bestows favors upon your thirteenth uncle, and go to see him. On my behalf, convey the edict praising his achievements since he took charge of the Ministry of Revenue."

At this moment, Yongzheng took the initiative to speak and gave instructions to Hongli.

"Whoo!"

Not long after, Zhang Tingyu arrived before the emperor.

"Hengchen, draft the imperial edict!"

"Since my ascension to the throne, Prince Yi has served me with utmost loyalty and devotion to the country. I have relied heavily on him, and the world holds him in the highest esteem..."

Emperor Yongzheng then dictated his decree to bestow favors upon the thirteenth prince.

After listening to Zhang Tingyu's draft of the imperial edict, Hongli waited for him to complete it.

After Zhang Tingyu drafted the imperial edict, he handed it to Hongli and looked at him with awe.

He could guess that Yongzheng's sudden bestowal of the title of "Iron-Cap Prince" upon Prince Yi was related to Hongli; otherwise, Hongli would not be here, nor would he have the honor of proclaiming such a decree.

After all, this kind of job would bring rewards, and more importantly, it would allow one to further strengthen the relationship with the person who received the imperial decree.

Because everyone likes those who bring them good luck, and no one dares to offend those who bring them good luck.

What Zhang Tingyu didn't expect was that Hongli would successfully influence Yongzheng to choose to support Prince Yi, which naturally made him feel even greater awe for Hongli.

After receiving the imperial edict, Hongli came to Prince Yi's residence.

However, on his way to Prince Yi's residence, Hongli heard the guards escorting him come up to report, "Fourth Prince, we have found an anonymous poster!"

"What anonymous post? Let me see it."

Hongli replied.

then.

Hongli then received the anonymous letter, which contained only eight characters: “Feigning sincerity and acting against one’s will, his intentions are evident!”

"This is outrageous! Are they trying to create public opinion to scare Uncle Thirteen to death?!"

Hongli's face was cold, and he muttered something to himself.

He was certain that the post was related to the thirteenth prince because he knew that these eight characters were Nian Gengyao's evaluation of Prince Yi.

Now, these people are posting anonymous accusations simply to create the impression that Emperor Yongzheng intends to replace Prince Yi with Nian Gengyao, and therefore intentionally uses Nian Gengyao to express his dissatisfaction with Prince Yi.

Emperor Hongli was thus forced to admit that the party members had become increasingly rampant in recent years.

"Prince Yi has been loyal, respectful, and diligent in his duties, assisting in the administration of state affairs for the past three years, and has indeed brought much benefit. Therefore, in recognition of his merits, one of his sons is hereby granted the title of Prince of the Second Rank, and this title shall be hereditary and perpetual! If any of his descendants commit a crime, the title shall not be revoked!"

After arriving at Prince Yi's residence, Hongli announced the imperial decree to the family of the thirteenth prince, who were already waiting for the decree.

However, Hongli did not expect that Yongzheng would be so generous. When he granted the thirteenth prince the hereditary title of Prince Yi, he also bestowed upon his sons the title of a prince of the second rank. It was as if he was afraid that the thirteenth prince had too many sons and there would not be enough titles to go around.

If he were the thirteenth son, he would have to say, "Fourth Uncle is so good!"

At this moment, Hongli also clearly noticed the barely suppressed smiles on the lips of his cousins.

Only the thirteenth prince remained relatively calm, showing neither surprise nor joy on his face.

"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude!"

The thirteenth prince accepted the imperial decree and expressed his gratitude.

After the thirteenth prince received the decree, Hongli personally helped him up and said with a smile, "Thirteenth Uncle, the Emperor's grace is boundless, all because of your hard work and contributions to the new policies. I congratulate you here first."

Hongli bowed as he spoke.

The thirteenth prince helped Hongli up, saying, "No need for that."

Then, in front of his sons, the thirteenth prince asked Hongli, "Fourth brother, is this sudden and generous favor related to you, Hongli?"

"I wouldn't say that. I was just saying what Father Khan was thinking."

"Furthermore, at this critical juncture when our servants are colluding with treacherous officials, we need the wise prince to protect our Great Qing dynasty!"

Hongli replied.

The thirteenth prince smiled and let Hongli follow him into the study, saying, "I had already prepared my resignation, hoping to take refuge in this prosperous era and live a carefree life. However, there are already posters slandering me appearing in the streets."

The thirteenth brother paused here.

"Uncle Thirteen!"

Hongli was about to speak, saying that he had also received the letter and was preparing to comfort the thirteenth prince and express his own stance,

But the thirteenth brother interrupted him and continued, "But the fourth brother's sudden bestowal of such great favor must be a last resort. So how can your thirteenth uncle abandon him?"

"But what your thirteenth uncle is worried about is that your fourth brother's great favor will make your cousins ​​lose their sense of propriety."

"Among all your sons and nephews, you, Hongli, are the most steady. So if you ever find out anything wrong with your cousins ​​in the future, remember to tell your thirteenth uncle in advance, so that he may not be careless."

The thirteenth prince then took down a black bronze sword inlaid with jewels, and turning to Hongli while holding the sword, he said:
"Since you have come to deliver this imperial decree today, then your thirteenth uncle will give you this precious sword that has been with you for many years. From now on, you may take this sword and go straight to the outer study of the Prince's mansion to see me!"

Seeing that his thirteenth brother's eyes were slightly red, Hongli accepted the sword and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Uncle Thirteen. Please rest assured, Uncle Thirteen, I will do my best to protect my cousins, even if they have done something wrong."

(End of this chapter)