My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 250 Hongli's Grand Wedding!

After Fucha Fuqing said that, Hongli just smiled and then asked him, "Has your uncle asked you about the books and manuscripts he brought back from Jiangnan?"

"No one is more wise than Fourth Master!"

"My uncle did indeed pay attention to these books and manuscripts, and even praised Fourth Prince for his unparalleled benevolence and wisdom, which led him to come up with such a good solution, thus promoting the cultural development of our Great Qing Dynasty and pleasing His Majesty."

Fucha Fuqing replied.

Hongli nodded. He knew that Fucha Maqi could not possibly be unaware of the significance of the books and manuscripts he had brought back from Jiangnan.

Unless, of course, the Fucha family did not want to be deeply rooted in culture, and to ensure that their descendants would not only establish the country through military might.

Therefore, Hongli asked Fucha Fuqing, "Does he have any plans to advise the Khan on how to deal with these books and manuscripts?"

"My uncle intends to suggest taking this opportunity to immediately compile a larger encyclopedia, and then make many copies and backups to be placed in the Forbidden City, imperial palaces throughout the country, and the Yuanmingyuan Garden for safekeeping."

"In times of prosperity, classics are compiled. Now that the Great Qing Dynasty is becoming increasingly prosperous under His Majesty's rule, such a grand event should be held."

Fucha Fuqing replied.

"understood."

Emperor Hongli neither agreed nor disagreed.

After he met Ma Qi, Ma Qi also took the initiative to bring up the matter of compiling the classics during the prosperous era to Hongli: "I wonder what Fourth Prince thinks?"

"Khan Ama is diligent and hardworking, and naturally he would be happy to compile a more magnificent encyclopedia. However, the 'Complete Collection of Ancient and Modern Books' has just been completed, and he probably wouldn't understand the need to compile a new encyclopedia now."

The "Complete Collection of Ancient and Modern Books" mentioned by Emperor Qianlong is a large-scale encyclopedia compiled and edited by Chen Menglei during the Kangxi era. It is similar in nature to the "Yongle Encyclopedia" and the "Complete Library of the Four Treasuries". It has just been printed and is undergoing final review.

When Hongli brings this up to Ma Qi, he is also explaining to Ma Qi that he does not support the current re-compilation of large-scale encyclopedias.

What he wanted to do was first unify the viewpoints in disciplines such as classics, history, and astronomy, compile the officially designated textbooks, and then unify the consciousness of the entire ruling class of the Qing Empire before discussing the matter of re-editing and collating a larger-scale encyclopedia.

After all, without a unified consciousness, this multi-ethnic empire could not be integrated into a large nation with common goals, and thus could not develop a new national consciousness and state consciousness.

Historically, this unity of consciousness was achieved only after a century of hardship and foreign invasion.

However, this method of implementation is naturally brutal, and the price paid is enormous.

Therefore, Hongli hoped that his successors would follow in Yongzheng's footsteps as soon as possible and consciously do so, so as not to waste Yongzheng's efforts.

After all, it is inevitable that the Manchu, Mongol, Miao and other ethnic groups will become more and more thoroughly Sinicized, but we must not let them develop wrong ideas in the process of Sinicization.

For example, Manchu bannermen should not, because they study Han studies and Central Plains history, actually believe that the Ming Dynasty fell because Emperor Chongzhen did not use Donglin Party members purely, nor should they believe that gentlemen should be friends without forming factions, nor should they believe that feudalism and tax farming should replace centralized power, restrict technological development, and that maritime prohibition and isolationism are the right way to govern the country.

In fact.

In the present Qing Dynasty, many Manchu nobles and even many members of the imperial family are already Sinicizing in the aforementioned direction.

Some Manchu elites were even more scholar-official than Han scholars, engaging in empty talk about morality, forming cliques for personal gain, valuing empty fame over practical matters, and becoming increasingly conservative.

Historically, the governing principles of the monarchs after Yongzheng show that the Eight Banners aristocratic group of the entire Qing Empire was evolving in this direction.

From Emperor Qianlong closing customs in Zhejiang and Fujian, leaving only the Thirteen Factories and refusing reform, to Emperor Jiaqing merely imitating Qianlong as his method of governance, and then to Emperor Daoguang pursuing only superficial fame and frugality to an extreme degree, yet refusing to implement sweeping reforms.

Ma Qi naturally understood the meaning behind Hongli's words.

Ma Qi nodded in response: "What you say is true, Fourth Master. Then I wonder how you think the court should deal with these books and manuscripts brought back from Jiangnan?"

“First, gather them together, organize people to review and copy them, and then extract the true insights from them. Then, invite the princes and ministers to discuss them together so that the Khan can officially approve some sacred instructions that can be applied throughout the world.”

“Furthermore, based on these hadiths, new books were compiled as the official teaching materials for educating the people.”

"Especially the Manchus!"

"They should not become more confused, pedantic, or selfish by studying Chinese classics; their goal should be to make the world more prosperous and peaceful."

"My father has already told me that he plans to issue an edict to reopen the erudite scholars examination, to recruit wise men from all over the country, to listen to opinions, and to discuss and resolve the relevant controversial classics and histories."

"For example, why did Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty lose the Mandate of Heaven? Was it because he did not employ virtuous men, or because he preferred to increase taxes rather than reform the system? There must be an official explanation, and we cannot allow scholars to write and speak recklessly!"

As Hongli spoke, Ma Qi's expression grew increasingly solemn.

He naturally had no doubt about what Hongli said.

Having served two emperors, he knew very well that Yongzheng was different from Kangxi. Yongzheng truly considered himself the emperor of China and dared to challenge the Qing system. Naturally, he couldn't possibly not be thinking about unification.

"No one is wiser than Your Majesty!" So Ma Qi replied with this, but then suddenly smiled and said, "Fourth Master just mentioned why the Chongzhen Emperor of the Ming Dynasty lost his Mandate of Heaven. This servant begs Your Majesty to enlighten me. I wonder why Your Majesty thinks the Chongzhen Emperor of the Ming Dynasty lost his Mandate of Heaven."

Ma Qi's answer pleased Hongli greatly.

Logically speaking, he was just an unmarried prince and had no right to advise Ma Qi, a minister who had served two dynasties, on the mistakes of the previous dynasty.

But Ma Qi's question meant that he didn't want guidance, but rather instructions from the Fourth Prince. Since his Fucha clan was going to become Hongli's in-laws, Ma Qi should naturally choose to follow Hongli's lead.

He held the same views as Hongli, and in turn influenced his family and his former students and officials.

And Ma Qi will officially change from the Eighth Prince Party to the Fourth Prince Party.

The ancients attributed the downfall of the previous dynasty to the Mandate of Heaven. However, the reasons why the previous dynasty lost the Mandate of Heaven were often discussed by the ancients, and various different viewpoints emerged.

At this moment, Hongli clapped his hands and stood up, saying, "What I know very well is that the fall of the Ming capital and the suicide of Emperor Chongzhen were both due to the entry of Li Zicheng's rebel army into the pass, and most of Li Zicheng's rebel army consisted of starving people who surrendered along the way."

Ma Qi nodded: "I understand what Fourth Master means."

Hongli didn't disturb Ma Qi much before leaving Ma Qi's resting place, and after leaving Ma Qi, he met Fu Heng.

"This servant Fuheng greets Fourth Master!"

Hongli knew that Fuheng had come to see him on behalf of his sister, and also to see if he had any messages for her.

After all, he couldn't see Lady Fucha directly before the marriage.

After returning from Jiangnan, Hongli naturally brought gifts for many people, including Ma Qi, whom he had just met. He also brought gifts for Fuheng and his sister, Lady Fucha.

However, the gift that Hongli gave to Lady Fucha was disguised as a gift for Fuheng.

Upon seeing Fuheng, Hongli helped him up, saying, "No need for formalities. During my time away from the capital, have I visited Fuhui in the palace?"

"Your Highness, I have been there five times as ordered."

Fu Heng replied.

Hongli was somewhat surprised, thinking that since he visited so frequently, it must be that not only Fu Hui liked Fu Heng, but Yongzheng also liked Fu Heng.

Hongli nodded and had a box brought over. He then opened the box himself in front of Fuheng.

The box was full of books.

He has books such as "Illustrated Treatise on Maritime Kingdoms", "Illustrated Treatise on Western Navigation", and "Records of Europe", as well as a set of "Complete Tang Poems".

Many of these books were not actually obtained from the gentry of Jiangnan. Instead, Emperor Hongli used the pretext of copying a large number of books from the gentry of Jiangnan to mix in some of his own privately compiled books.

Moreover, at this moment, Hongli said to Fuheng, "I brought back some books for you. Remember to read them carefully. But you can have your sister teach you how to read this 'Complete Tang Poems'!"

"This servant thanks Fourth Master!"

Fu Heng bowed deeply, but he wasn't very happy inside. After all, no child likes to be given a bunch of books and expected to read them carefully; it's almost like being given homework.

Shortly after.

Emperor Yongzheng did indeed issue an edict to reopen the erudite scholars examination, requiring governors and viceroys from various regions to recommend virtuous scholars to come to the capital for the examination. Those who were selected and appointed to official positions would then participate in the compilation and editing of the imperially designated teaching materials.

The wedding day of Hongli and Fucha Fujin arrived in the blink of an eye.

The day was the 18th day of the seventh month of the fifth year of the Yongzheng reign.

When the setting sun melts into gold.

Hongli, dressed in the formal attire of a prince, left the prince's residence.

At this moment, outside the Prince's Mansion, Nian Xiyao, the Grand Minister of the Imperial Household Department, immediately led his guards and military commanders to kneel down and presented the imperial edict and seal: "Your servant Nian Xiyao has been ordered to lead the Fourth Prince, Prince Bao, to welcome his primary consort!"

"Your subject Hongli kowtows to thank the Khan for his great kindness!"

Hongli first bowed to the north, as was customary, to thank Yongzheng for allowing him to welcome his wife back. Then he stood up and raised his hand to Nian Xiyao, saying, "Rise!"

"Thank you, Prince Xie Bao!"

After Nian Xiyao returned, he led Hongli to the decorated carriage. After Hongli entered the carriage, he raised his hands and ordered the musicians to play music.

Hongli then officially rode in a decorated palanquin to welcome his primary consort, Fucha.

(End of this chapter)