My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 276 Enjoying the treatment of a crown prince, governing all the scholars and officials in the land!
Langke ultimately took the 100,000 tael note.

Because he understood his Tsar and his people better than Hongli did.

Therefore, he was well aware that the more the Qing Dynasty cared about him, the safer he would be.

Therefore, Langke decided to reciprocate by sending Hongli a document containing intelligence information on many powerful families within the Rakshasa Kingdom.

Langke explained that he wanted to contribute to the long-term peaceful coexistence between the two countries, so he hoped that this information would let the Qing Dynasty know who among the Russian nobles was warlike and who was benevolent, thus making it easier to avoid conflict.

Hongli was naturally pleased with this and told Langke that he was very moved and that he would do the same.

Langke also requested that his daughter Maria, who had accompanied him on his mission to the Qing Dynasty, be left behind, and asked Hongli to take care of her for him.

Langke and other Russian envoys did indeed bring their wives and daughters with them on their missions.

Historically, there have been instances where Russian envoys clashed with Longkodo because they brought female relatives to the negotiating table.

Langk brought his daughter with him.

However, Hongli was unsure whether Maria was his illegitimate daughter, so he could only take her with him when he went on business trips.

Hongli didn't ask many questions and simply agreed. He also knew that Langke might have other motives for keeping his daughter.

Shortly thereafter, Hongli informed Yongzheng of the intelligence information provided by Langke and the fact that Langke had left behind a daughter.

Emperor Yongzheng also had a good impression of Langke, after all, Langke had allowed the Qing Dynasty to obtain far more than the Qing Dynasty's bottom line in the border negotiations.

Therefore, Yongzheng supported Hongli in winning over Langke and infiltrating the ruling class of Russia.

"Longkodo, Grand Tutor, is hereby granted the double-eyed peacock feather."

"Tulichen was granted the title of Minister."

"The rest of the envoys were all promoted three levels for their contributions in negotiating the border."

“Celeng was also reinstated as the Prince of Duoluo for his meritorious service in assisting in the negotiation of the border.”

"Prince Hongli, the fourth son of the Emperor and head of the Court of Colonial Affairs, was also rewarded with a string of apricot-yellow cord, coral, and blue Buddha head beads for his meritorious service in assisting in the negotiation of the border."

"Tegut, the Minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs, was also promoted to Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince for this reason; the other officials of the Court of Colonial Affairs were promoted one rank in their appointments."

Emperor Yongzheng also rewarded the participants handsomely because the border agreement was a great success.

However, after receiving his reward, Hongli declined it several times.

Because princes and princes were traditionally only given golden yellow tassels and court beads. Although apricot yellow was lower than the bright yellow used by the emperor, empress dowager and empress, it was higher than golden yellow and belonged to the treatment of the crown prince.

After all, apricot yellow is just a bright yellow with a little bit of red in it.

Therefore, as was customary, Hongli still had to decline the offer to show his humility and respect for etiquette.

After all, Yongzheng was a perfectionist. As the emperor, he could exceed the bounds of propriety in bestowing rewards and step outside the rules. As a prince, although he could not ultimately disobey the emperor's will, he still had to show that he understood that this was the emperor's way of extending favors beyond the bounds of propriety.

Yongzheng naturally refused, arguing that the princes in charge of the Ministry of Personnel should be distinguished from other princes.

Hongli then put on the apricot-yellow court beads, and from then on, his attire became even more distinct from that of other princes.

The border agreement brought a real sense of relief to the Mongol princes.

Although Hongli never hoped that a treaty could restrain the wolfish ambitions of the Russian Empire, many Mongol princes believed it.

It's not that they're stupid.

This is because if they don't believe it, they have to cooperate with the court to strengthen border defenses and cede more autonomy to the court, which means giving up more benefits.

Therefore, they subjectively tended to believe that this treaty could truly bind the Rakshasa Kingdom.

Thus, after the border was settled, the Mongol princes were still very grateful to Hongli, especially after seeing that the Russians had actually withdrawn from their pastures, allowing them to graze their livestock in a wider area. They developed a sincere respect for Hongli.

"Fourth Master is wiser. He not only agreed on the border but also secured greater benefits for us Mongols."

"I, Pensuk, am willing to acknowledge him as my future master!"

Therefore, after returning to the North Sea for the alliance meeting, Pensuk spoke to the alliance leader, Celeng, with great emotion.

Celeng nodded slightly and said, "Fourth Prince has already instructed the Court of Colonial Affairs to allocate funds to me to organize the brave men of each banner to erect boundary markers for the agreed-upon border, as well as to erect a monument for Longkodo and even a friendship monument for Langke. Bogda Khan has ordered the Hanlin Academy to draft an article praising Langke."

Then, Celeng added, "Furthermore, Fourth Master also instructed our Mongolian princes to treat Langke well when he returns north, saying that he is a friend of our Great Qing and that we must protect his safety."

"In short, we must make Langke himself gradually feel that he is working for the benefit of the people of both countries and doing good deeds, and that he should not feel guilty for disappointing the nobles and gentry of his own country."

"Breaking through from within, Fourth Prince's methods of handling vassal state affairs and foreign affairs are truly masterful!"

"I now completely admire Fourth Master, and I sincerely hope to see Langke become the ruler of the Rakshasa Kingdom in the future!"

"Pensuke said with excitement. Celeng also smiled: "Perhaps one day, if Fourth Master can truly ascend the throne after the Bogda Khan's death and make the Qing Dynasty even stronger, he might really be able to influence the Russian court and make nobles like Langke, who are willing to be friends with the Qing Dynasty, their rulers!"

Although many Mongol princes had come to admire Hongli's practical ability in handling vassal affairs and no longer harbored resentment towards him in secret, Bulbala and Gunchen still held a grudge against him.

Because Hongli did not choose to forgive and pardon them, but instead sent them to the execution ground when Kolychev was arrested and brought to Beijing.

Hongli ordered them to die as a warning to the Mongol princes: those who dared to break his rites or oppose him would likely suffer the same fate.

"This servant doesn't want to die, Fourth Master! Please have mercy on me this once! This servant will never dare to offend you again!"

Even before he was taken to be beheaded, Bulbala pleaded for mercy in the Lifanyuan prison out of fear of death.

His father, Gunchen, did not beg for mercy, but instead sternly rebuked Burbala: "What are you begging for! We deserve to die, for our stupidity and cowardice, for failing to understand the wisdom of the Fourth Prince. We can only serve the Fourth Prince again in our next life!"

The two were then beheaded.

After learning of the words the two men had spoken before their execution, Hongli simply smiled faintly.

With the border agreement settled, Hongli's next task at the Court of Colonial Affairs was simply to handle matters such as re-surveying and demarcating the banner territories and determining trade and religious rules.

However, Hongli did not need to be directly involved in these matters; his subordinates could handle them. He only needed to provide support and control.

Moreover, not long after, Emperor Yongzheng decreed that he would no longer be in charge of the Court of Colonial Affairs, but instead be put in charge of the Ministry of Rites.

"The fourth son of the Emperor, Prince Bao, Hongli, is hereby appointed to oversee the affairs of the Ministry of Rites. This is the imperial decree."

"My son, I accept the order and thank you!"

Hongli accepted the decree, and also knew that this was Yongzheng giving him a new test.

His work at the Court of Colonial Affairs demonstrated his ability to handle vassal affairs to the Mongol princes and vassal states; now, appointing him to head the Ministry of Rites is to allow him to directly participate in matters concerning Han Chinese gentry.

Because the Ministry of Rites was involved in matters of ritual administration and imperial examination education, all Han Chinese with official titles were under its jurisdiction.

As was customary, Hongli entered the palace and asked Yongzheng for instructions. Yongzheng also clearly told him: "It is obvious that you are very good at handling the affairs of the vassal states. The Mongol princes both respect and fear you. However, if the imperial family of my Great Qing is to truly share the burdens of the emperor and father, it is not enough to just be good at handling the affairs of the vassal states. It is also very important to handle the etiquette related to Han gentry."

"You were the one who proposed reaching a consensus and compiling official history textbooks. You should follow up on this matter after you take charge of the Ministry of Rites."

"I have appointed Changshou as the Minister of Rites (Manchu), and he will cooperate with you."

Upon hearing this, Hongli repeatedly said that he would obey the imperial decree.

Yongzheng then solemnly instructed him: "Do a good job. If you can manage the affairs of the Ministry of Rites well and win over the Han gentry, I will allow you to concurrently manage multiple ministries and also grant you the title of 'Prince Regent,' so that you can oversee the country on my behalf in the future!"

"Please rest assured, Father, your son will do his utmost!"

Hongli also knew that if he could be appointed as regent, it would mean that his abilities had been recognized by the people, which would undoubtedly lay a better foundation for him on his path to becoming emperor.

Historically, the Eighth Prince had the opportunity to oversee the country during the Kangxi Emperor's reign. As a result, no matter how dissatisfied the Kangxi and Yongzheng Emperors were with the Eighth Prince, they never denied his ability to govern.

Now, he needs to prove to the world that he has the ability to oversee the country!

Next, Hongli went to the Ministry of Rites, met with the officials there, and told them that he would come to the yamen the day after tomorrow.

But Hongli played a trick and came to the Ministry of Rites the next day. When he arrived, he saw that the third prince was also leading several scholars to the Ministry of Rites.

Hongli then greeted his third brother and asked, "What brings you to the Ministry of Rites, Third Uncle?"

“I brought a few friends from the Shilin community to register for the erudite scholars examination.”

The third brother replied with a smile.

Hongli smiled as well. He knew that the third prince was respectful to scholars and enjoyed associating with literati. He also glanced at the scholars who were following the third prince.

But just then, two flamboyantly dressed women walked towards the Ministry of Rites.

Hongli's guards stopped them: "Who are you, and how did you get here?"

"Reporting to the soldier, we are women from Liuxiang Pavilion. A gentleman brought us here, and the guards on duty let us in. The gentleman told us to come to the Ministry of Rites, saying that he was there to serve the officials there."

At this moment, a woman replied.

Hongli and the third prince were both taken aback.

At the same time, the third brother couldn't help but show a look of horror: "Hongli, how could you summon prostitutes to the yamen? This is no joke!"

Hongli frowned for a moment.

"Prince Cheng, you misunderstand. This was summoned by your servant!"

At that moment, an official's voice came through.

(End of this chapter)