My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 208 Yongzheng's Surprising Move Brings Great Joy to Hongli!
"Whether Tian Wenjing oppressed the gentry or not is not the point for today. Today, I will only discuss one matter: why is the content of your impeachment consistent with the memorial that Li Fu once submitted? Did you plan this in advance?"

Snapped!
At this point, Yongzheng slammed his fist on the table and roared, "You are forming a faction!"

Xie Jishi's face turned deathly pale.

Hongli wished he could exclaim at this moment, "Father is brilliant!"

He was relieved.

At this point, trying to prove whether Tian Wenjing had exploited the gentry would undoubtedly lead to falling into a self-proof trap set by the other side.

The only appropriate course of action, and the only way to truly be a ruler, is to deny or change the subject, and to fabricate another charge to catch the other party off guard and throw them into disarray.

Emperor Yongzheng responded appropriately, not dwelling on whether Tian Wenjing had exploited the gentry, but directly addressing the issue of factionalism.

What a joke! In the Qing Dynasty, it was nothing to exploit the officials and gentry, okay?
So why bother explaining whether or not the officials were exploited?
The real issue is using factionalism as a pretext!

However, Yongzheng was always insecure and truly considered himself the emperor of China. He liked to explain himself and cared about the opinions of others. Before dealing with his political enemies, he would write long articles, bringing up old grievances from many years ago, just to prove that he had not killed anyone indiscriminately, that he was not wrong, and how helpless he was. He wanted everyone to understand him.

Now, however, Yongzheng has made the right decision.

Hongli naturally couldn't help but wonder why Yongzheng had responded correctly this time, avoiding the trap of self-justification and instead directly addressing the issue of factionalism.
soon……

Hongli understood.

Although Emperor Yongzheng liked to prove himself, he was also sensitive and cared a lot about details.

For example, when Nian Gengyao wrote "morning diligence and evening vigilance" as "evening vigilance and morning diligence," Emperor Yongzheng seized upon this detail and considered it a great disrespect.

Therefore, Yongzheng found noteworthy details in these memorials impeaching Tian Wenjing: the content of the two memorials was consistent, and he keenly sensed that Xie Jishi and Li Fu were in cahoots.

Even though Li Fu's impeachment of Tian Wenjing was submitted a year earlier.

But for Yongzheng, who loved reading memorials and used them as a pastime, remembering what memorial Li Fu had submitted a year ago was no big deal.

Hongli sighed inwardly. Yongzheng was indeed Yongzheng. Although he had his character flaws, his strengths would undoubtedly make up for them. In addition, he was the emperor. As long as he was unwilling to compromise, he would not be easily forced to compromise.

When Yongzheng said that he and Li Fu had formed a faction, Xie Jishi was also taken aback.

Forming a faction?

That hat was put on so heavily, and so suddenly?

Isn't he just putting a label on Tian Wenjing?
If the Emperor wants to continue protecting Tian Wenjing, does he have to argue for Tian Wenjing whether he has been oppressing officials?
How did it turn into me forming a party?

Do I need to prove whether I've formed a political party?
Xie Jishi now has many questions in his mind.

He suddenly realized that he had underestimated the emperor before him.

Li Fu was also completely bewildered.

He did not expect that when Yongzheng received Xie Jishi's memorial, he would also bring up the memorial he had submitted a year earlier impeaching Tian Wenjing.

What a terrifyingly meticulous mind!
Li Fu gasped in shock.

To be honest, he himself has almost forgotten that he impeached Tian Wenjing a year ago.

Therefore, Li Fu now also felt how terrifying Yongzheng was.

Terrifying beyond belief!
"Li Fu, I never wrong my ministers. So, I'm giving you a chance to explain. Why is Xie Jishi's report consistent with yours? Have you been in frequent private contact? Have you formed cliques for personal gain?"

At this point, Yongzheng inquired about Li Fu.

Li Fu is currently lacking in confidence.

Because he couldn't remember what he had said in his memorial impeaching Tian Wenjing a year ago.

After all, what normal person would remember what they said a year ago?

Because he lacked confidence, Li Fu could not deny it and could only prove himself by saying, "Your Majesty is wise. I did have close ties with Xie Jishi and we have denounced Tian Wenjing together on many occasions, but I did not form a clique with Xie Jishi for personal gain!"

After Li Fu said this, many Manchu and Han officials who were on good terms with him were greatly shocked.

The third son, Yunzhi, secretly shook his head at this.

He felt that Li Fu should not have admitted to having a close relationship with Xie Jishi.

Because he knew very well that in Yongzheng's eyes, Li Fu's actions were tantamount to admitting that he had formed a faction.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly that Li Fu was still too honest.

This will make Yongzheng even angrier.

At this point, Yongzheng chuckled coldly and said, "You, Li Fu, are at least honest, but who would believe you if you said you didn't form cliques and engage in corrupt practices! Do you think I'm a child emperor?!"

Emperor Yongzheng's words were undeniably weighty.

Hongli couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Yongzheng was indeed more responsive to force than to gentleness. Li Fu's honest admission only made Yongzheng angrier, and he said that Li Fu was treating him like a child.

"Your Majesty is wise. As Ouyang Xiu of the Northern Song Dynasty once said: 'A petty person has no friends, but a gentleman has them...' "

"I have a friendship with Xie Jishi, the Censor of Zhejiang Circuit, and we have never been friends for personal gain or corruption. Therefore, there is no question of us forming cliques for personal benefit."

Li Fu could only stubbornly defend himself, using Ouyang Xiu's "On Factions" as a shield.

Emperor Yongzheng would naturally not accept Li Fu's viewpoint simply because of this.

After all, although Emperor Yongzheng's horsemanship and archery skills were not as good as those of Emperor Kangxi's sons, his knowledge of Chinese classics was among the best.

Therefore, Li Fu's point of view failed to convince him at all. He simply chuckled coldly.

But Yongzheng did not personally refute Li Fu again. Instead, he looked at Hongli and asked, "Hongli, tell me, is what Li Fu said right or wrong?"

Hongli finally understood why Yongzheng wanted him to participate in the imperial court hearings. It was clearly a test of whether he could remain clear-headed and have a strong enough understanding when faced with these well-read ministers arguing so illogically.

Hongli then stepped forward and replied, "Father, Li Fu's words are incorrect!"

"What's wrong?"

Yongzheng continued to ask.

Hongli replied, "If what Li Fu said is true, that he and Xie Jishi are friends of gentlemen, and therefore not forming cliques for personal gain, but rather friends among gentlemen, then wouldn't that mean that all ministers who do not associate with them are petty people?"

After Hongli said that, Li Fu's expression changed.

Xie Jishi's face also turned deathly pale.

They all looked at Hongli.

The two men couldn't help but sigh inwardly, realizing that they had underestimated Yongzheng's meticulousness and Hongli's intelligence.

Yongzheng's meticulousness transformed the discussion from one about Tian Wenjing's exploitation of officials into one about whether they had formed a faction.

Hongli's intelligence allowed him to find the logical flaw in Ouyang Xiu's statement from the Northern Song Dynasty: why should you be a gentleman just because you say so, and why should someone who doesn't share your political views be considered a villain instead?

It's worth noting that during the Qingli era of the Northern Song Dynasty, Ouyang Xiu's expression of this viewpoint ironically provided his opponents with a point to attack him.

Emperor Yongzheng then showed a satisfied expression.

After all, his son did indeed study diligently and think critically.

Then, Yongzheng asked Hongli, "So tell me, should we deal with them for forming a faction?"

Hongli deliberately hesitated for a moment and did not answer immediately.

Xie Jishi, Li Fu, and the Manchu and Han officials present looked at Hongli again.

They were also very concerned about how the Fourth Prince would choose between obeying the will of the bureaucracy and obeying the will of the Emperor.

Yongzheng nodded to himself, then suddenly glared at him and demanded, "Answer me!"

"It should be dealt with."

Hongli replied.

Yongzheng then pressed on, asking, "How should this be handled?"

"They should be severely punished!"

Hongli replied.

Upon hearing Hongli's words, Li Fu couldn't help but close his eyes.

Even the third prince, Yunzhi, who was present, couldn't help but sigh slightly. He thought that although Hongli was very intelligent and handsome, he was ultimately weak-willed and dared not speak up for the officials and gentry in front of the furious Yongzheng. He only dared to submit a memorial to plead for them. No wonder he didn't dare to stand up when he saw his son shaving the thirteenth prince's head. On the contrary, the tenth prince dared to stand up. He was obviously cautious to the point of being somewhat weak.

But the third prince was not disappointed. On the contrary, he was very happy to see this result and gave Hongli a satisfied look.

Because he would very much like to see the future Qing emperor be a little weaker in temperament and a little more timid and cowardly in the face of trouble, so that princes and ministers like him would not have to live in constant fear as they did during the Yongzheng era.

Other princes and ministers also hoped that the future Qing emperor would be a little less lenient.

Some even secretly thought, "It would be a good thing if such a timid and hesitant fourth prince became emperor in the future. Finally, the Qing Dynasty will have a master with a weaker personality!"

At this moment, Yongzheng cooperated with Hongli and said with a cold smile, "Then let's do as Prince Bao Hongli says, imprison these two people who formed cliques for personal gain, and order the Ministry of Justice to discuss their death sentences!"

The princes and ministers present were all shocked upon hearing this.

Although Xie Jishi and Li Fu were only two Han officials, their execution was something neither of them wanted to see.

Even the Manchu princes.

Because these two individuals did not represent their own opinions, but rather the opinions of the entire bureaucratic group and gentry class.

The staunch allies behind the two are not so simple either.

Otherwise, they wouldn't dare to confront Yongzheng even if they had a hundred lives.

Take Li Fu for example; he was a guest of honor of many Manchu princes and nobles from a very early age.

However, Tian Wenjing's offenses were never as simple as just offending Li Fu and Xie Jishi.

His policy of requiring officials and gentry to pay taxes and perform corvée labor together in Henan truly offended all officials and gentry across the country, including many Eight Banner officials who had formed alliances of interest with Han Chinese officials and gentry.

Therefore, the Minister of Justice, Akdun, gritted his teeth and stood up, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, this servant dares not obey this order! Li Fu is an upright official with a firm character and has no personal factions."

Akdun's answer caused Yongzheng to clench his facial muscles violently.

Hongli was also quite surprised. Akdun was one of Yongzheng's own people, yet he would disobey orders for the sake of Li Fu and Xie Jishi!
Unexpectedly, Cai Ting, the Left Censor-in-Chief, also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, but Li Fu and Xie Jishi are both upright and righteous men. Killing them would be inauspicious! I beg Your Majesty to rescind your order!"

Hongli was even more astonished.

He had met Cai Ting once and knew that Cai Ting was very capable and was a key contributor to Yongzheng's campaign against Nian Gengyao's faction.

But now, Cai Ting has also begun to stand with Han officials like Li Fu and Xie Jishi, while opposing Tian Wenjing, who also belongs to the Han Banner Army.

(End of this chapter)