My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 310 Speaking tough to Yongzheng, criticizing the emperor, and protecting the princess!
Hongli knew that Yongzheng was more responsive to force than to gentle persuasion, so after Yongzheng said this, he said, "Father, your son has actually wanted to bring up the issue of the Imperial Household Department for a long time. In your humble opinion, the Imperial Household Department's surplus is decreasing, mainly because of you, Master!"

Yongzheng was slightly taken aback.

"You mean you're blaming me for spending too much?"

Yongzheng asked in a cold voice, staring directly at Hongli.

Then, Yongzheng touched his nose and explained, "Aside from keeping a lot of dogs and buying a lot of Hanfu, I haven't done anything that cost too much money!"

Hongli chuckled inwardly.

Because Yongzheng actually explained it, instead of saying, "Can't I enjoy myself and have some fun? Why do I have to leave all my wealth to you?"
Hongli could no longer blame Yongzheng.

After all, even when it comes to applying dragon scales, one must know when to stop and not overdo it.

Therefore, Hongli then said, "It's not that you spend a lot of money, but that you put too much energy into reforming the outer court, while the Imperial Household Department rarely makes any changes."

Yongzheng chuckled: "So you want to blame me for not being diligent enough in my duties?"

"Where are you talking?"

"Your subject feels that Father may not be able to rectify the Imperial Household Department at the same time as rectifying the outer court."

"But now that I am in charge of the Imperial Household Department, I can do it for Father. If the rectification is not done well, Father can blame me and say that I am still young and too eager. This way, we can avoid instability in the inner palace."

Hongli then bowed and said, "Therefore, I beg Father to grant my request!"

Yongzheng remained silent for a while, then got up and walked to Hongli's side, patting him on the shoulder: "Your willingness to take responsibility for your father has deeply moved your father, which shows your filial piety!"

"But Ama isn't a coward who only lets his son take the lead!"

Yongzheng suddenly said something else very seriously.

After hearing this, Hongli looked at Yongzheng and was also moved.

He knew that Yongzheng was thinking about his own experience as a prince. As for who Yongzheng was implying was a coward, he naturally didn't dare to ask.

In any case, it's hard to say how much genuine father-son affection there is between the emperor and his son.

Hongli didn't know whether his actions truly moved Yongzheng or made Yongzheng feel that he was worthy of succeeding him to the throne in the future.

"How about this."

"I have been putting constant pressure on the three chief stewards of the Imperial Household Department, forcing them to come to you, the prince in charge of the Imperial Household Department, and ask you to oversee the reform of the Imperial Household Department."

"In that case, if things don't turn out well, you won't have to bear the blame alone. Instead, these three stewards will share the main responsibility. They've dragged you into this mess. As a servant, you should be aware of that!"

Yongzheng began to speak.

Hongli quickly clasped his hands in a respectful bow, saying, "Father, you are brilliant!"

He knew that even if the changes weren't good, it would only mean that he was handling too many things at once and had neglected his subordinates, rather than that he was too eager for quick results.

of course!

It would be better if Hongli could improve himself. This way, aside from other members of the imperial family, he himself would have a better life, and Yongzheng would not have to worry about him being unable to control the ever-growing expenses of the Imperial Household Department in the future.

After all, many of the expenses of the entire royal family are coordinated and managed by the Imperial Household Department.

The Imperial Household Department was responsible for matters such as the income from the Prince's estates, the arrangement and treatment of palace maids and eunuchs, and the repair and renovation of the Prince's residence.

The officials in the Prince's Palace had very little financial autonomy and were mainly responsible for external liaison and security.

Therefore, Yongzheng then summoned Changming, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department.

There were three chief stewards of the Imperial Household Department, who usually took turns serving by the emperor's side.

Chang Ming was the head steward of the Imperial Household Department on duty that day.

After Changming was summoned by Emperor Yongzheng, Yongzheng gave him a severe scolding, blaming him for failing to control the ever-increasing palace expenses.

After meeting Emperor Yongzheng, Hongli went to the Empress to pay his respects.

Coincidentally, Princess Duanrou, the adopted daughter of Emperor Yongzheng, was also there, talking with the Empress.

Emperor Yongzheng originally had three adopted daughters: Shushen, the sixth daughter of the former crown prince; Yunxiang's second daughter; Hehui; and Duanrou, the eldest daughter of Yunlu.

However, Shushen was already married.

Therefore, only Duanrou and Hehui are currently in the palace.

Emperor Yongzheng not only adopted his young niece, but also adopted many young nephews to be raised in the palace.

Even Fuheng is now studying in the palace with Fuhui, and is being treated like a prince. The reason is naturally that Yongzheng wants to add some children to the harem, which will also help him have more offspring, and at the same time, give them concentrated training.

His actions were undoubtedly effective, as two of the concubines in the harem were already pregnant.

"Greetings to Fourth Brother."

When Duanrou met Hongli, she bowed to him.

Hongli smiled and nodded, helping her to her feet, and asked, "Hehui, didn't you come here with your mother?"

"Hehui has caught a cold and shouldn't come."

The Empress then replied with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Hongli said, "Then I will have my wife go and see her when she goes to the palace to pay her respects."

The queen nodded.

Then, Hongli chatted with the Empress for a while before taking his leave because he had to go see Niohuru.

However, Hongli did not leave the Empress immediately. Instead, he called Chen Shishun aside and told him about the possible reorganization of the Imperial Household Department.

As the chief eunuch of the inner court, Chen Shishun naturally dared not be careless and hurriedly asked, "What does Fourth Master want this servant to do?"

"I know you usually care about the servants under you. Whether this rectification can be successful depends on the palace servants and eunuchs who make up the majority of the inner court. Remember to persuade the Empress to set up secret boxes in each palace and encourage each palace to anonymously expose existing problems, and then submit them to the Imperial Household Department under the pretext of the Empress's questioning!"

"Only in this way can I know what my subordinates are thinking."

"Whichever palace exposes something well, I will have the Imperial Household Department rate the palace's servants as top-notch."

Hongli ordered.

"Whoo!"

Chen Shishun agreed.

After reprimanding Changming for his incompetence, which resulted in a decrease in the Imperial Household Department's treasury funds instead of an increase, Emperor Yongzheng reprimanded two other Imperial Household Department chief stewards, Nian Xiyao and Shang Zhishun, on the second and third days, respectively.

The three chief stewards of the Imperial Household Department were forced to gather together to discuss solutions.

"The master is very dissatisfied with our performance in managing the Imperial Household Department. He has made it clear that he wants us to reorganize the department, reduce its expenses, and increase its surplus. I'm afraid if we fail to do so, we'll lose our heads!"

Chang Mingxian began to speak with a worried expression.

Nian Xiyao said, "That's true, but reforming the Imperial Household Department is a matter that will offend people. Whether it's reducing redundant staff or cutting expenses, it will affect the young ladies of the inner palace, the princes and dukes of the outer court, and our own family!"

"That's right. We are just ordinary people with little influence, and we can't afford to offend anyone."

Although Shang Zhishun was a descendant of Shang Kexi, he dared not do anything that would offend people within the Imperial Household Department.

Nian Xiyao then suggested, "Why don't we ask the Fourth Prince, who is in charge of the Imperial Household Department, if he has any ideas for reform?"

"We mustn't go to Fourth Master!"

Chang Ming immediately rejected the idea, saying, "What if we go to Fourth Master and he really decides to crack down on things?"

As he spoke, Chang Ming said, "First, cut expenses and reduce the expenses of the young masters who can be wronged, temporarily control the surplus, and then try to transfer them as soon as possible."

Both Nian Xiyao and Shang Zhishun nodded in agreement.

Therefore, the three chief stewards of the Imperial Household Department did not approach Hongli first, but instead asked Eshan, a secretary of the Imperial Household Department, to devise a plan to reduce expenditures.

When Eshan, a secretary in the Imperial Household Department, realized that cutting expenses would affect his income, he decided to deduct more from the princesses' monthly expenses in order to keep his income unchanged.

In the Qing Dynasty, princesses were never as well-regarded as princes.

Those around the princess would often advise her not to cause trouble, lest she offend the Imperial Household Department and be assigned some terrible servants after marriage, leaving her helpless if she suffered any grievances.

Therefore, Eshan muttered to himself, "Prince Zhuang is usually rough and kind. If we offend him, we can just kowtow a few more times. Why not reduce Princess Duanrou's expenses by another 20%?"

Soon after, Princess Duanrou discovered that her supplies had been greatly reduced, which caused her people to complain. This also made Princess Duanrou feel very embarrassed and aggrieved, and she had to stop her people from complaining.

However, shortly after Eshan did this, Hongli received a secret report that Princess Duanrou's expenses had been greatly reduced.

"Mobilizing the masses is indeed the best approach!"

After smiling at this, Hongli went to the Department of Punishments. After sitting down imposingly in the main hall, he coldly ordered, "Bring that bastard Eshan here!"

(End of this chapter)