My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 183 Emperor Yongzheng praises Hongli for his far-sightedness!
Although the garden was quiet and cool, Hongli did not spend much time with Fucha Yuyan after dawn before heading to the Yuanmingyuan.

However, when Hongli arrived at the Hall of Diligent Governance and Appreciation of the Virtuous in the Yuanmingyuan Garden, Yongzheng was not there. Only Fu Hui was sitting behind his desk, writing something seriously. On the desk was the crystal bottle that he had given him in the past.

As Hongli walked over, Fu Hui put away the paper she was writing on and placed it in a bottle. Then she jumped off the chair and walked towards him, saying, "Greetings to Fourth Brother!"

Hongli helped him up and asked with a smile, "Where is Father?"

"The Khan is still meeting with the court officials in the front hall."

After Fu Hui answered, she stood silently to the side.

Hongli knew that although Fu Hui was personally taken care of by Yongzheng, she was not as happy as she was when she was personally taken care of by Consort Nian.

In order to make Fu Hui happier, he came up with a plan.

"follow me."

So, Hongli brought Fu Hui to the East Study.

This is the room where Emperor Yongzheng had trainees learn political affairs.

Unlike the East Warm Pavilion of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the East Study of the Hall of Diligent Governance and Respect for the Worthy in the Yuanmingyuan Garden is more spacious and bright.

The crackle-patterned window lattice, commonly found in gardens in the Jiangnan region, forms a large window that occupies the entire wall.

When Hongli had all the large windows opened, even the most sweltering air before the rain could be dispelled by the cool breeze from the opposite lake.

After all the large windows were pushed open, Hongli folded a paper bird and threw it out.

suddenly!

The origami bird soared into the air, leaped over the vermilion eaves, and flew several feet away.

Fukue was so shocked that her mouth dropped open.

Hongli folded another one for him: "You try it!"

"Ok!"

Fu Hui's face was full of excitement, and after taking the origami bird from Hongli's hand, she threw it outwards with all her might.

The origami bird still streaked across the sky and flew away.

Fukue grinned, and then, after the origami bird landed, she ran outside, picked up the origami bird from outside, and threw it into the air.

"Fourth Brother, this is so much fun!"

Hongli smiled as he watched him running around.

Afterwards, Hongli sat down behind his desk and began reading the memorials that Yongzheng had left for him.

Ma Jiayunjin then brought over a cup of tea.

Hongli took the paper, took a sip, and then picked up a pen to write down his thoughts on the memorial before him.

The number of memorials assigned to him by Yongzheng was still considerable, but fortunately he had become much more proficient than before. By the time Yongzheng arrived, he had already reviewed about a third of the memorials.

"If we continue to treat this lightly, a hundred years from now, the Central Plains may have neither soldiers to defend against enemies nor silver to pay for supplies. Thinking of this, how can we not tremble with fear! Therefore, we must be strict and not take it lightly!"

When Emperor Qianlong reviewed the memorial concerning the investigation of opium imports in Jiangnan, he wrote down a passage that Lin Zexu had once used in his memorial to Emperor Daoguang requesting a ban on opium.

Emperor Yongzheng happened to see this passage at that moment, and his brows furrowed as a result.

Historically, Lin Zexu was able to use these words to make Emperor Daoguang realize the seriousness of not controlling opium, and Emperor Yongzheng would naturally be able to realize it as well.

However, the opium trade during the Yongzheng era was not yet on such a large scale. Therefore, Yongzheng felt that Hongli's vision was indeed far-sighted, and said:
"According to the report from the people sent to Guangzhou, the amount of opium sold to us by foreigners has indeed increased year by year in recent years, but it has not yet spread to the interior."

Speaking of it.

Yongzheng pointed at Hongli and said, "But your concern is correct. This kind of addictive substance cannot be privately sold. I have ordered the Ministry of Justice to draft regulations for punishing those who engage in the sale of opium and the operation of opium dens."

Hongli's eyebrows relaxed slightly, and he was delighted, because after he reminded Yongzheng, Yongzheng issued an edict banning opium three years earlier than in history.

Three years is not a long time in the entire history of the Qing Dynasty, but for a specific family or individual, banning opium three years in advance would undoubtedly have saved many families and individuals from being destroyed by opium.

Fortunately, apart from Yongzheng, the interest groups that were hoping to make a fortune by importing opium were unaware that it was this fourth prince who influenced Yongzheng.

This undoubtedly saved Hongli, who was still a prince, a lot of trouble.

Like other new policies at present.

Besides learning about politics, Hongli also had his own banner affairs to handle as a banner leader.

Currently, he has six Zuo-ling (military commanders), including the three Zuo-ling given to him by Emperor Kangxi and the Zuo-ling given to him by Emperor Yongzheng.

The Zuo Ling (military command) that Yongzheng gave him was originally Sunu's Zuo Ling, which happened to be one of three.

The population and household registration of these six Zuo-ling (military commanders) were human resources that Hongli could directly mobilize.

As he told his thirteenth brother, the foundation of wealth in the world lies in people, not gold and silver, or even land, because without people, land cannot produce much, and may even be lost.

Conversely, if there are enough human resources, land can be seized even without it.

As the saying goes, if you save people but lose land, you can save both people and land; if you save land but lose people, you can lose both people and land.

After returning from inspecting the reclamation project in Rehe, Emperor Hongli had the idea of ​​using the human resources of the banner commanders to promote agricultural development.

The covetous gaze of the Russian Empire and the growing ambition of the Dzungar Khanate made him even more reluctant to slacken in increasing the population to strengthen the border.

In addition, Hongli currently owns or has ownership of many properties, including the former Prince Yong's Mansion and Langrun Garden, which were bestowed by the emperor, as well as his residence in Li Gelao Hutong, Yijiao Temple in western Beijing, and Dongyuan Garden in Suzhou.

These places all need to send more of their own banner commanders to do the work.

After all, these people depend on him, so he naturally feels more at ease using them.

Even the residence in Li Gelao Hutong, Yijiao Temple in western Beijing, and Dongyuan Garden in Suzhou, when given to him, all came with household servants.

However, these household servants were not his own people after all; they might be the donor's spies. He naturally did not trust them and would only replace them with his own bannermen and captains in the future.

Therefore, Hongli ordered the six Zuo Ling (military commanders) to hand over the household registration books of their respective Zuo Ling.

He also required each banner commander to register the employment status of these bannermen in the household register.

When Hongli checked the household registers of his six zuo li (military units), he discovered that the unemployment rate among young and able-bodied men in his six zuo li was very high.

This made him sigh, no wonder the reduction of vests elicited such a strong reaction from the Manchu people in Beijing.

Many lower-class Manchu families, apart from those assigned to reclamation in Rehe, had no one who received a salary for doing odd jobs.

But Hongli was also very curious about how these lower-class bannermen, besides being assigned to reclamation in Rehe, actually made a living.

Therefore, on the third day after moving into Langrun Garden, Hongli summoned the officials of these six Zuo Ling (military commanders).

In addition to the chief officer, each Zuo Ling also has a leader and a cavalry captain.

Among them, the leader was in charge of civil affairs within the vassal corps; the cavalry officer was in charge of military affairs within the vassal corps.

Both of them were junior officers of the Zuo Ling (a military unit).

Hongli inquired about the bannermen, commanders, and cavalry officers, and learned that many lower-ranking bannermen were already working as servants for merchants and commoners.

Of course, there are still many unemployed people.

However, these people could barely keep from starving by relying on their families and pawning their ancestral property, but their family circumstances inevitably deteriorated.

Especially after the reduction of vests, the financial situation of many Manchu families became even more difficult.

"You only report things when I ask you. Why don't you mention the difficulties you're facing?"

Hongli inquired about the lower-level officials of these six Zuo Ling (military commanders).

The six officers all kowtowed and said they dared not trouble their master.

After hearing this, Hongli told them to go back and select ten able-bodied young men who were good at writing and calculating and clever enough to report to him at Langrun Garden in three days. He wanted to arrange for these people to work for him.

To strengthen their base, the bannermen of each banner's command have always had ample opportunities for education. In addition to the Jue Luo School, the official schools of the Eight Banners, and the private schools established by princes and nobles, each banner's command also had its own charity schools.

Emperor Qianlong himself allocated funds to establish schools for the Eight Banners in his six banners, thus providing many bannermen with the opportunity to receive education.

Therefore, it was not a problem for him to find ten capable and clever young men from each of the zuo li (military commanders).

Ortai's eldest son, Orong'an, was kept by Hongli when Hongli sent these Zuo Ling (military officers) back to select unemployed young men who met his requirements.

Because Hongli once asked Ortai to arrange for the education of the orphans and children he had adopted.

These orphans and children were registered as members of Hongli's household, that is, his own bondservants.

However, since Ortai is currently serving as an official in another region, the position of hereditary Zuo Ling (military commander) has fallen to his eldest son, Orongan.

Therefore, if Hongli wants to use these orphans, he naturally needs to obtain information about their current education through E Rong'an.

"How many of these orphans and young children are available?"

After the other officers and their subordinates had left, Hongli inquired about Erong'an.

"Your Majesty, there are about fifteen or sixteen of them who are usable. I have brought their recent test results with me."

E Rong'an had clearly guessed that Hongli would ask about the situation of these orphans and children in the households, so he took out the examination papers of these people from his sleeve.

Hongli took the paper, looked at it carefully, and then smiled and said, "This exam paper shows that you and your son have put your heart into it."

“Your servant and my father would naturally not dare to neglect the matters arranged by your master.”

E Rong'an replied.

"Then select sixteen people and hand them over to Li Yu."

"I'll keep the exam paper."

After speaking, Hongli handed the examination paper to Li Yu.

"Kneel down and leave."

"Yes, Your Majesty! This servant takes his leave!"

Then, Hongli instructed Li Yu: "When the time comes, arrange for them to work as accountants and assistants to the relevant Han merchants, assisting them in purchasing raw materials that urgently need to be stockpiled, such as phosphate rock, saltpeter, alum, and bird guano."

"Whoo!"

Li Yu responded enthusiastically.

The Han merchants that Hongli mentioned were all Han people from the households of Li Yu and other close associates.

Hongli's decision to involve them was naturally intended to ensure that their families could also benefit from his future industrial development plans, thereby solidifying their loyalty.

Next, Hongli looked at the household register of his banner commander.

In addition to requiring each Zuo-ling (military commander) to record the employment status of the banner people in their household registers, he also required each Zuo-ling to record the economic situation of these banner people.

As a result, he discovered that many of the banner households in various banners were living beyond their means and had very high debt ratios.

It was not surprising that Hongli had this idea, because the Manchus had many rules.

As Lao She recalled, the rich were very particular, while the poor were particular in their own way. Many Manchus, in order to save face and because their livelihood was simple, often lived on credit, only paying off their debts when their guaranteed income came in.

Especially the Manchu households who used to have guaranteed land to receive.

Therefore, the reduction of the number of bannermen will undoubtedly cause financial collapse for many bannermen who are living beyond their means and have high debt ratios.

The grievances of these bannermen still persisted.

Even though Lao Ba has been imprisoned.

Among these banner households, many were prominent and influential members of the Eight Banners, and they even sought an audience with the Sixteenth Prince for this purpose.

Because the sixteenth prince is now in charge of the Ministry of War.

They hoped that the Sixteenth Prince could find a way to restore their old identities or other military academy status, such as becoming guards in the guard battalion.

Many of the wealthy Eight Banner families were actually people from Emperor Yongzheng's own household.

Their reasoning was that Emperor Yongzheng didn't really want to offend the powerful Eight Banners families; he simply wanted to take the opportunity to suppress Prince Lian, the Eighth Prince.

Now that Yongzheng has achieved his goal, there is no need for these powerful Eight Banner families to suffer any further losses. It is also the time for the sixteenth prince, the emperor's trusted brother, to win over the hearts of the people and establish a reputation for virtue.

The sixteenth prince hesitated about this, so he invited Hongli over.

"Hongli, give your sixteenth uncle some advice on what to do about this."

"Should your sixteenth uncle go along with these powerful Manchu families and find a reason, such as strengthening the military forces in the capital, to make up for the lost cavalry quotas?"

After telling Hongli about this, the sixteenth prince asked Hongli about it.

Hongli sneered inwardly, secretly marveling at how well these powerful Eight Banner families, unwilling to suffer losses, knew how to find excuses in front of the Sixteenth Prince.

Hongli then looked at the sixteenth prince: "Nephew would like to know what the sixteenth uncle himself is thinking?"

What else can we think?

"Of course I'll do whatever my fourth brother tells me to do! But if my fourth brother asks me to make the decision myself, I need to know how to choose the better option."

The sixteenth brother replied.

At this point, Hongli said, "The reason why our Great Qing established the Eight Banners is to strengthen the military and be able to launch military campaigns against foreign powers, not to allow powerful and wealthy families to live off the government. Even if we restore their paid status, we cannot give them military uniforms again."

"What kind of official positions would they be given?"

The sixteenth brother looked up at him.

"Give them the official positions of supervisors in the agricultural settlements!"

Hongli replied without hesitation.

"Our Great Qing treasury does not support idle people. The fact that they are allowed to receive salaries now is only because the court has no choice but to do so in order to show its benevolence."

"Therefore, we can only take out the arable land that will be added in the future and set up corresponding systems for the reclamation of these arable lands."

"Therefore, even if additional national funds are needed to stabilize the morale of the Eight Banners, they will be drawn from the future income from newly cultivated land!"

"In turn, we tell all the Manchus that they have a responsibility to keep adding new farmland to ensure their stable livelihoods remain intact."

"Even the emperor and the princes should know that the expenses they incur in supporting those idle people in the military farms must be made up for by the income from the newly cultivated land!"

Hongli intends to use this as a pretext in the future to force the entire Eight Banners Group to continue paying blood taxes for his expansion abroad.

"That's right, a proper military camp can't have mediocre people or those who are all name and no substance!"

The sixteenth prince nodded in agreement, and then went to the Yuanmingyuan to request an audience with Emperor Yongzheng.

But as soon as he entered the Yuanmingyuan, he encountered the third brother who had left the Yuanmingyuan and Hongli's cousin, Manduhu.

Because the third and thirteenth brothers didn't get along, the third and sixteenth brothers also didn't get along.

Manduhu was originally a supporter of the Eighth Prince, and now that the Eighth Prince was imprisoned, he felt even more indignant on his behalf and also had no goodwill towards the Sixteenth Prince, who had been opposing the Eighth Prince recently.

Therefore, when the two men greeted the sixteenth prince, their attitude towards him was indifferent.

"Pooh!"

Manduhu even spat directly at the back of the sixteenth prince.

"Nephew greets his third uncle and paternal uncle!"

Hongli happened to arrive at that moment and witnessed the scene. After greeting the two men, he asked the Protector-General, "Uncle, why did you spit at Sixteenth Uncle just now?"

(End of this chapter)