My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 338 Emperor Qianlong's masterful micromanagement even impressed Emperor Yongzheng!
Upon seeing this, Hongli shook his head and smiled slightly.

He recalled that historically, during the Yongzheng Emperor's campaigns, the chief Grand Councilor was also Marseille.

Because at that time, Yunxiang was also seriously ill, and it was just his turn to be ranked according to seniority.

Furthermore, he was the most obedient of Yongzheng's ministers who had helped him rise to power, making him even easier to manipulate.

So Emperor Yongzheng didn't replace him.

Now, with Marseille serving as the chief Grand Councilor, it coincides with the period of Emperor Hongli's regency, which naturally benefits Hongli's micromanagement!

Jiang Tingxi was dumbfounded, as he had suddenly become the only Grand Councilor who opposed continuing the campaign.

Ortai was quite disdainful of Marsai's performance. As he left Yuqing Palace, looking at Marsai's retreating figure, he said to Fu'erdan, "He's disgraced us Manchus. All he can do is kowtow!"

"This servant has no skills other than kowtowing, but Fourth Master is truly capable!"

"For example, the red and black register system that Fourth Master thought of could quickly and safely allow the eldest grandson of the Yue family to return to the Yue family."

However, when Marseille met with Yongzheng, he admitted that he was incompetent and told Yongzheng about Hongli's implementation of the Red and Black Books.

When Emperor Yongzheng, who was covered with a fever-reducing cloth, heard Marseille say this, he laughed and said, "Because he knows what the foundation of the Great Qing is."

Hongli would usually tell the thirteenth prince what he needed to say first, rather than rushing to tell Yongzheng first.

After all, Marseille would tell Yongzheng everything about Hongli's regency.

It was naturally better for Yongzheng to know about his regency through Marseille's words than through Hongli's own words.

However, when Hongli came to pay his respects to Yongzheng, he would also take the initiative to tell him about the situation of his regency.

This way, Yongzheng could have a comparison to see if there was anything he and Marseille had not told him.

Hongli would first inform the thirteenth prince about his regency, because Yongzheng would be more concerned about whether he cared about the thirteenth prince's opinions.

In Yongzheng's mind, the thirteenth prince would be the one to assist his son in the future and to realize his political ideals through his son.

Therefore, Emperor Yongzheng placed great importance on Hongli's performance in front of the thirteenth prince.

It wasn't just Hongli's behavior in front of the thirteenth prince.

Yongzheng cared a lot about how Lian Hongzhou and Nian Gengyao behaved in front of the thirteenth prince.

Hongshi was disliked by Emperor Yongzheng because he was closer to the Eighth Prince and more distant from the Thirteenth Prince.

Hongli would naturally not make the same mistake as Hongshi.

"Uncle Thirteen's leg ailment has improved, and he is able to sit up and read articles. Today he even read the 'Beijing News'."

"However, my thirteenth uncle is still unable to move around easily. I wish to ask him for advice on governing the country, but I dare not disturb him too much."

When Hongli came to pay his respects to Yongzheng, he first mentioned the recent situation of the thirteenth prince.

Upon hearing this, the increasingly gaunt-looking Yongzheng smiled and said, "Then don't bother him too much. If there's anything you're unsure about, discuss it with the other Grand Councilors."

"Whoo!"

Hongli responded and said, "Regarding the Dzungar's request for peace, since the three Grand Councilors all disagreed, I naturally couldn't show weakness. So after inquiring, I made up my mind to continue the attack. At the same time, I still demand that the Dzungar hand over the traitor Lobsang Danjin and surrender himself to plead guilty!"

"Which three Grand Councilors objected?"

After hearing this, Yongzheng frowned and asked.

Upon hearing this, Hongli replied, "Zhang Tingyu, Ortai, and Fu'erdan."

"In addition, Marseille also praised his son as wise."

After Hongli answered, Yongzheng nodded and said, "Although Jiang Tingxi did not agree, he is still a key minister. We should not underestimate him because of this. In the Grand Council, we must let people speak!"

"Your subject has remembered."

Hongli replied.

At this moment, Yongzheng smiled and said to Hongli, "Because of your red and black register system, there are almost no anonymous petitions submitted by governors and viceroys in various places, which makes it hard for me to be angry."

"Your Majesty, I came up with this idea because I didn't want you to get too angry."

Hongli replied with a smile.

Emperor Yongzheng always followed practical principles, which is why he was able to give important positions to Han officials like Li Wei, who came from humble backgrounds through donation.

Yongzheng did not find Hongli's method inappropriate. He simply asked Hongli to help him up and sit down at the table. He then asked Hongli, "There are rumors that Galdan Tsering is most afraid of Marsai and Fuerdan, fearing that these two will be the commanders-in-chief. He is not worried about Tsering and Yue Zhongqi being the commanders-in-chief. Is this true?"

"There is such a thing."

As Hongli helped Yongzheng to sit down on a cushioned chair behind the imperial desk, he answered.

Emperor Yongzheng then asked, "What is your opinion on this?"

"There are precedents in history, so it is not credible."

"But it's also clear that Ce Ling is fond of using tricks."

"Your subject has already reminded Celing and Yue Zhongqi to be wary of the enemy using false information and fake spies to mislead them."

Hongli recalled the historical events of Ce Ling using false spies to make Fu Erdan believe that the Dzungars had 2,000 troops stationed at Bokto Ridge, which ultimately led to the great defeat at Hetongbo, and Yue Zhongqi believing the false news that Ce Ling's main force was going to attack Turpan, which caused him to be separated from the Northern Route Army and unable to support each other.

of course!

The root cause here is that Emperor Yongzheng manipulated the situation, urging the two to believe in him.

After hearing what Hongli said, Yongzheng frowned and pondered. Then he nodded as if he had understood something, thinking to himself that his son had thought things through more clearly than he had!

Then, Yongzheng picked up his pen.

Hongli asked, "What does Father want to write?" "Although the Han Chinese officials and scholars no longer submit a large number of anonymous petitions to me, I still want to continue to debate with them."

"It can awaken only a few people."

After arriving at his desk, Yongzheng continued to write and began to explain his reasons.

As the weather warmed up, his illness improved, and he had the energy to continue writing.

Emperor Yongzheng even endorsed the Red and Black Register system under the name of "Huiqing Jushi," believing it to be a good policy aimed at educating the gentry and clarifying the foundation of the Qing Dynasty. He argued that it should not only be piloted in Sichuan but should also be promoted nationwide.

The gentry were naturally furious when they saw this viewpoint.

The key point is that ever since they posted a large number of anonymous whistleblower posts, they have discovered that this "Huiqing Jushi" has been criticizing them and Lü Liuliang at a high frequency.

Now, they no longer post a large number of anonymous whistleblower posts, but this "Huiqing Jushi" is still relentless, using his pen to fight them.

"Why does this writing just keep going on and on?"

Shu land.

After seeing the article by "Huiqing Jushi" refuting the anonymous post, the gentry Zhang Yixun said with annoyance.

In fact, many gentry guessed that this "Huiqing Jushi" must be someone of great importance, and might even be Emperor Yongzheng himself.

So, after saying that, Zhang Yixun couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you afraid of exhausting yourself?"

At this moment, his servant came to report that soldiers had surrounded the Yuan and Wu families.

Zhang Yixun was naturally shocked upon hearing this and hurriedly went out to ask acquaintances. Only then did he learn that the two families were to be investigated and their property confiscated because of the Red and Black Book and the kidnapping of Yue's eldest grandson.

"A sin!"

Zhang Yixun sighed in response.

At the same time, remembering the matter of the red and black registers, he instructed the head steward upon returning home: "Prepare five thousand shi of grain."

What's the point of stockpiling food?

"Of course, we should donate grain to help the army!"

"Although our Zhang family is not involved in the Yue family's affairs, we might still be sued and have some negative publicity. So, we can only do some good deeds to gain some positive publicity for now."

"Whoo!"

Like Zhang Yixun, many gentry in Sichuan not only dared not publish anonymous whistleblower posts, but also had to further restrain their family members and servants from doing immoral things, and even take the initiative to donate grain and money to help the army and the people, and even build bridges and roads. In short, they did all kinds of charity work, all for the sake of getting more red circles.

no way.

The bodhisattvas in the temple will not protect them from harm just because they do good deeds.

But with this red and black register system, the imperial court might actually let them escape punishment because they did more good deeds than other gentry.

Therefore, they had no choice but to compete with each other in doing good deeds.

Of course, they also have a trick: the amount of money spent on a single act of charity is not large, but it is done in multiple installments, making it appear as if a lot of good deeds have been done.

But for the local people, this is already very good, and their lives are visibly getting better and better.

They even felt that the landlords around them had become reasonable and kind.

Some tenant farmers discovered that if they were unable to pay rent temporarily due to unforeseen circumstances at home, the landlords would be understanding and allow them to owe the rent, or even waive it altogether.

As a result, two opposing views emerged in Sichuan regarding the red and black register system.

One view is that this system is terrible.

Because he made everyone feel insecure, informing became rampant, resentment among villagers increased, the simple and honest rural customs disappeared, and it made it easier for corrupt officials to enrich themselves by accumulating wealth from the people.

One view is that this system is excellent.

Because he fostered a culture of benevolence, brought harmony among scholars and common people, and ensured peace for both the rich and the poor, it was more effective than the traditional practice of sending officials to the Shenming Pavilion to expound moral teachings.

These two voices soon reached the capital.

"Censor Miao Shou reported that there are no unworthy gentry, and using red and black lists to distinguish between the good and the bad is an insult to culture, so he requested that it be abolished!"

Marseille then reported to Hongli the memorial submitted by Imperial Censor Miao Shou opposing the red-black system.

Upon hearing this, Hongli's face darkened: "Summon him to the Grand Council."

"Whoo!"

As a result, Imperial Censor Miao Shou came to the Grand Council.

During these days, Hongli spent most of his time in the Grand Council, handling state affairs in a room with several Grand Council ministers.

The main reason was that a major battle was imminent, making military affairs even busier. In addition, he wanted to show Yongzheng and the court his diligence in governing.

After Miao Shou arrived, Hongli asked coldly, "You say that no gentry is not virtuous, then where do the corrupt officials and displaced people come from? Furthermore, if they do not first humiliate themselves, how can the court humiliate them?"

"Scholars are the head of the four classes of people. Fourth Master should treat scholars with kindness and encourage them to bring peace to the people. He should not humiliate them because of their self-humiliation. He should treat them all with the respect due to the virtuous. Even if they are not virtuous, he should still advise them. Instead of sending Manchus to organize the common people to monitor and spy on them, treating them as if they were bandits!"

Miao Shou argued his case forcefully.

"You say that the scholar is the first of the four ranks?"

"Then, is the people the most important, the ruler the least important, and the state the next most important?"

"What about the relationships between ruler and subject, father and son?"

Hongli stood up and continued to say to Miao Shou, "You are not advising the government, you are going against the way of the sages!"

(End of this chapter)