My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 303 Yongzheng overcame all opposition and improved the Sinicization system of the Eight Banners!
After speaking, Yongzheng went to the Hall of Diligent Governance and Appreciation of the Virtuous to prepare for a discussion of state affairs.

Marseille, who was the Councillor and concurrently served as Grand Secretary, also came along.

Meanwhile, Hongli, along with the thirteenth prince Yunxiang and the minister Ma Qi, was already waiting here to see Yongzheng.

When Yongzheng arrived, he first asked these ministers who were in charge of government affairs: "Did you see the many Manchus who came to the garden to plead for Yin Tai and Fu De when you came?"

"Saw."

Yunxiang replied first.

Yongzheng nodded: "I have already issued an edict. Since these two have already so corrupted the people's hearts, there is no need for a joint trial. They should be executed immediately! What do you think?"

As soon as Yongzheng finished speaking, Yunlu and Yunli both looked at Yunxiang.

Hongli pursed his lips slightly, waiting for his thirteenth uncle to speak first.

But to everyone's surprise, Marseille spoke first: "Your Majesty is wise! The more people plead for these two men's lives, the more it proves how deserving they are of death!"

Longkodo, also a minister of the Council of Princes, secretly rolled his eyes at Marseille.

Just as he was about to agree, Marseille beat him to it.

During this period, Longkodo focused on overseeing the renovation of dilapidated houses in the Eight Banners and the construction of new residences in the outer city, and rarely participated in court affairs.

However, this also made him feel that although he made a lot of money, he was far from the core of power and was gradually being ignored by Yongzheng. So he wanted to seize more opportunities to show his face in front of Yongzheng.

He didn't really care whether Yongzheng valued him or not. What he cared about was that if he didn't show his face in court more often, Hongli, the future ruler of the Qing Dynasty, might gradually forget about him, Longkodo.

Therefore, Roncó was very unhappy with Marseille's early lead.

But before Marsai could speak, Yunxiang said, “Fourth brother, in my humble opinion, this is enough to show the status of Yin Tai and Fu De among the Confucian scholars of our Great Qing Banner. Especially Yin Tai, as an elderly and respected scholar who is over seventy years old, can be said to be a rare Confucian master among our Banner people, and he also has a high status among Han scholars and officials throughout the world.”

"Thirteenth brother, are you going to continue opposing me too?"

At this moment, Yongzheng asked in a deep voice.

Yunxiang said, "Your Majesty, I have received far greater favor from you than any other prince. Therefore, I should not say anything against my conscience to you. I beg you to understand!"

Seeing that even the thirteenth prince had spoken up for Yin Tai, Ma Qi gritted his teeth and stepped forward, saying, "This servant Ma Qi also agrees with what Prince Yi said. Yin Tai and Fu De are both rare and virtuous scholars among our bannermen. It is already difficult for our bannermen to find talented people who study classics and Confucianism. Now, to execute them for disturbing state affairs that do not involve important matters is indeed not enough to show the mercy of the emperor. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth!"

At this moment, Hongli also glanced at Ma Qi and couldn't help but be secretly surprised.

He didn't know whether Ma Qi knew that the thirteenth prince was playing along with Yongzheng, or whether he simply echoed the thirteenth prince's words after seeing him speak up for Yin Tai, deciding to break his silence and speak up for the entire bureaucratic class to stop Yongzheng from continuing to treat the officials of the country so harshly and ruthlessly.

Bang!
"Old hag, don't think that just because your Fucha family is related to my children by marriage, I won't dare to do anything to you!"

Emperor Yongzheng slammed his hand on the table and stood up, raising his hand to reprimand Ma Qi.

Ma Qi knelt down directly: "This servant has never thought that he could act recklessly just because he is now the master's son and daughter-in-law. This servant only has a sincere heart and asks the master to preserve the tradition of learning in our Great Qing Eight Banners."

"If Master truly wishes to punish this servant, this servant is willing to accept the punishment. If Yin Tai dares to exchange his seventy-year-old life for Fu De's life, this servant is also willing to exchange his own seventy-year-old life for the lives of both of them!"

"This servant only wants to ask Master whether the Eight Banners descendants should still learn the Confucian way of the sages, and whether they should still be encouraged to study Han learning?"

Ma Qi's question made Hongli understand something. He realized that Ma Qi might indeed find it unacceptable that Yongzheng would not be lenient towards Manchu Confucian officials like Yin Tai and Fu De, and felt that Yongzheng's actions would hinder the Sinicization of the Manchus.

At this moment, Yongzheng noticed that Hongli was observing Ma Qi, so he asked Hongli, "Hongli, do you think what Ma Qi said is correct?"

"Father, I feel something is wrong."

Hongli's words greatly surprised Yongzheng, the thirteenth prince, Ma Qi, and other princes and ministers.

"Why do you feel something is wrong? Are you afraid of opposing me?"

"But you are now the Prince Regent, not just my fourth son. Don't let me down!"

"Yongzheng said in a deep voice."

Hongli hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "It's not that I dare not oppose Father, but I feel that it is not that the Manchus should not be encouraged to learn Confucian etiquette and study Han learning. Instead, they should learn in a superior, orderly and independent manner, and let those with higher awareness lead those with lower awareness to learn, so that they can reach a consensus on the concept of governing the country and ensuring peace."

"We should not take the false teachings of Han scholars and officials that distort the sages and regard them as gospel, nor should we discard the true essence of Han learning as worthless."

"Therefore, it is necessary for insightful people in the court to compile an outline or list so that although the Manchus are Sinicized, they will not become less loyal and brave than before!"

Hongli's words conveyed the same meaning: the ruling class needed to reach a consensus that the Sinicization education of the Manchus required strict rectification, unified awareness, and strengthened control over the study of humanities subjects.

After hearing this, Yongzheng looked at the princes and ministers present.

The expressions on the faces of these councilors and ministers varied.

But then Hongli said again: "But I think that even if Yin Tai and Fu De have learned wrong and done things that violate the laws and regulations of the country, they are still Manchus, so they should be forgiven if possible. Especially Yin Tai, although he is stubborn and ignores my advice, he is still one of the few learned scholars in our Eight Banners. Saving his life will indeed be more conducive to promoting Confucianism and making the court's earnest teachings clear!"

"You have no idea how serious this is! If one could break the law simply because of great learning or high reputation, what would be the point of the imperial court and the laws of the land?"

"Since you just said that one should not become less loyal the more one studies Chinese learning, those who have gone astray should not be allowed to remain, lest they cause endless trouble!"

At this time, Emperor Yongzheng educated Hongli in a very stern tone.

"Your subject humbly accepts Your Majesty's instructions!"

Hongli then pretended to be sensible and returned to his seat.

Emperor Yongzheng was quite satisfied, because Hongli's words had struck a chord with him.

He certainly couldn't prevent the Manchu Eight Banners from assimilating into Han culture and accepting Confucian education just because he feared the power of the Shi clan.

In any case, Confucian education was more conducive to strengthening imperial power and was suitable as the official ideology of the Qing Dynasty at present. If Sinicization were completely rejected, it would threaten the foundation of its rule.

At the same time, Hongli's performance truly met all his expectations for the crown prince. Therefore, Yongzheng made up his mind and, overruling all objections, declared: "Therefore, this matter need not be discussed further. Yin Tai and Fu De must be beheaded together, and those who plead for their execution will be considered partisans!"

"Whoo!"

The councilors responded.

But soon they discovered that even more Manchu bannermen were kneeling outside the Yuanmingyuan, spreading out in large numbers.

Hongli and the other princes and ministers did not say much and all returned to their residences.

But at noon, Hongxi, who had temporarily returned to the capital, suddenly came to see Hongli.

Hongli then asked, "What is it, cousin?"

“It was my thirteenth uncle who came to see me. Outside the Yuanmingyuan, there were even more Manchus pleading for Yin Tai and the others! There were no fewer than a thousand people, and even Yin Jishan went, expressing his willingness to take the blame on behalf of his father!”

"Hongli, you should go with us, after all, you are very likely to ascend the throne in the future!"

"Your Majesty wants to rule the country with an iron fist, disregarding the feelings of the Manchus, but you have to!"

Hongxi said to Hongli with great anxiety.

Hongli feigned surprise: "There are so many!"

Then, Hongli bowed to Hongxi and said, "Thank you for informing me, cousin. I'll go right away!"

"I'll go with you!"

Hongxi then added a comment.

Hongli feigned surprise and asked, "Cousin, aren't you afraid of angering Father?"

"Compared to angering the Khan, I care more about the Qing Dynasty and whether I can be of one mind with you, my brother!"

Hongxi said very solemnly.

Upon hearing this, Hongli thought to himself that if the historical Emperor Qianlong were at this age, he would probably be deeply moved by Hongxi's thoughtful words.

But he was different; having learned about history, he felt that Hongxi's tea ceremony was comparable to his own.

However, Hongli still showed a touched expression and smiled, "With my cousin here, I believe Father is willing to make an exception for Yin Tai and the others!"

So, Hongli and Hongxi came to the outside of the Yuanmingyuan.

At this time, many Manchu nobles were indeed kneeling outside the Yuanmingyuan.

When these Manchus saw Hongli and Hongxi arrive, they were naturally overjoyed, and their faces showed excitement. Some even shed tears on the spot.

"Fourth Master is here!"

"With Fourth Master here, we feel more confident, and Master will likely be more willing to show leniency!"

"Yes, there is still hope for our Great Qing!"

Hongli looked at these petitioners who were all moved and seemed extremely loyal, and simply smiled and nodded. He then stepped forward through the gap they had made and knelt down with Hongxi.

Hongli looked at the vermilion main gate of the Yuanmingyuan with gold nails, and then at the soldiers of the Upper Three Banners lined up around him. He then glanced at the petitioners kneeling beside and behind him, and his heart began to pound. He wondered if Yongzheng could hold on by himself with so many bannermen petitioning.
What made Hongli even more uneasy was that, as he, the future crown prince, still disregarded Yongzheng's warnings and came to request the appointment, many court officials also felt more at ease and boldly came to request the appointment, thus revealing their true stance.

Before long, the councilors and ministers arrived.

It seemed as if only Emperor Yongzheng was fighting against all the Manchu nobles and officials.

This time, even his closest comrades-in-arms—Thirteen, Sixteen, and Seventeen—and even his son stood against him.

On the same day, Yin Tai and Fu De learned of this matter through Eight Banner officials in the Infantry Commander's Office who sympathized with them.

"Fourth Prince, Prince Yi, Prince Zhuang, Prince Guo, Prince Li, and all the Grand Secretaries and Ministers have come to plead for the two gentlemen!"

"Master, you absolutely must not do anything drastic this time!"

After saying this, the Eight Banners official left the Infantry Commander's Office because he also wanted to request permission.

After seeing the man off, Yin Tai and Fu De exchanged a smile, their smiles revealing their smugness and composure.

Therefore, Fu Dexian spoke up: "This scene should have happened long ago. Even if the emperor of our Great Qing cannot govern the country with all the scholars in the world, he should at least govern with the gentlemen among the Manchu bannermen in order to conform to the way of the sage!"

"Yes, Fourth Master has finally chosen to stand on our side and is willing to fight for the greater rule of the Manchus!"

"With so many princes, ministers, and Manchu scholars speaking up for us, our master surely won't have to forgive us!"

"Although we have survived this calamity, we will surely see a more Confucian and rite-abiding world in the future!"

Yin Tai echoed this sentiment, seemingly certain that he would not die, and began to dream about the future.

At this moment, Fu De asked, "By the way, what do you plan to do about the Xu family?"

"This is a capricious and disorderly act by our master! What can we, as servants, do? We can only prevent our master from acting capriciously again."

Yin Tai smiled.

“I have already instructed my wife to let him pass away while he is ill, so that the master will not continue to act willfully and disregard etiquette!”

Then, Yin Tai whispered again.

Fu De nodded: "This is a brilliant move. It will keep Xu sick without anyone noticing, saving a lot of trouble, and it will also allow your son to retire early, sparing him from the burden of the new policies!"

(End of this chapter)