My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 378 Emperor Qianlong never engaged in internal strife; he only had absolute confidence!
When Zhang Tingyu presented the memorial from the Ministry of Rites containing the three reign titles, Hongli understood the meaning behind them.

Shaoxi means both continuing the prosperous era and carrying forward the style of Kangxi's governance, undoubtedly representing a desire for him to emulate Kangxi's rule.

The name Jiazhi likely carries connotations of both governing the country with benevolence in order to ensure continued peace and prosperity, and also the wish for an era like Jiayou and Hongzhi, which were highly regarded by scholars.

Hongli knew that the Ministry of Rites would not dare to so openly express such political intentions, and that their willingness to do so clearly indicated that they had received Yongzheng's approval and were testing him.

Therefore, Hongli chose "Qianlong" without the slightest hesitation.

Historically, Emperor Qianlong chose this reign title because he was young and ambitious, eager to achieve great things, establish immortal achievements, and elevate the prosperous era to a higher level.

Hongli now naturally also cherishes such lofty goals and intends to bring his reign to its zenith, and to make it a truly prosperous era!

He believed that Emperor Yongzheng also shared this vision and hoped that he would choose this reign title.

After Hongli chose this reign title, Zhang Tingyu and Ortai accepted it without saying a word.

They naturally couldn't say much about such matters.

After all, there was no need to discourage the new emperor's ambitions, let alone offend the father and son.

However, Hongli's choice also made them clear about the future ambitions of this new emperor.

Because they were already very interested in Hongli's future governing philosophy.

Other princes and ministers in the court were also paying close attention to the new reign title.

Therefore, when Minister of Rites Sertu and Wei Tingzhen received Emperor Qianlong's imperial edict in the Nine Ministers' Chamber, the other important officials in the Nine Ministers' Chamber also gathered around.

At this moment, Minister of War Gao Qi took the initiative to ask, "What reign title has been chosen?"

Minister of Justice Xiande chimed in, asking, "Indeed, everyone in the world is eagerly awaiting what era name the new dynasty will use!"

"The successor has been chosen as Qianlong."

After reading the imperial edict, Sertu responded to everyone's questions.

These high-ranking officials all remained silent for a while after hearing this.

"The successor has always had great ambitions, so it is only natural that he chose Qianlong as his reign title."

"But what exactly constitutes the Qianlong era of prosperity is worth discussing."

Gao Qi then mentioned it briefly.

The other nine ministers did not respond, but silently returned to their respective offices and went about their official duties.

Soon, both the court and the public learned that the new dynasty's reign title was "Qianlong".

"Hongli has quite the ambition."

In an elegant restaurant, Hongzheng stood before Hongchun and sighed with emotion.

Hongchun, who had been stripped of his title, was in a bad mood. After Hongzheng said that, he could only smile bitterly: "After all, the court's annual revenue has now exceeded 80 million. It would be easy for him to make the Qing Dynasty reach its peak!"

When Hongchun mentioned the current scale of the Qing Dynasty's annual revenue, Hongzheng couldn't help but sigh and said, "In the end, it was Hongli who received this great fortune. It's truly enviable."

"And all the benefits went to the fourth branch of the family. Our fathers really fought for nothing all those years."

Hongzheng continued speaking, and as he spoke, he thought of his father, who was still imprisoned, and couldn't help but take a swig of wine.

Hongchun suddenly gritted his teeth and said, "Isn't it because the former crown prince's faction is too despicable!"

As Hongchun spoke, he also poured himself a glass of wine.

Because he remembered that Hongxi had complained about him and caused him to be stripped of his title.

For him, being suddenly stripped of his title was not just a simple matter of losing his peerage; more importantly, it would make Hongli realize that he harbored ulterior motives, thus making him even more disgusted with him.

of course!

What frustrated Hongchun even more was that if the former crown prince's faction hadn't sided with the fourth prince's family first, the throne of the Qing Dynasty might have fallen into his father's hands back then, and he would be the emperor who received the reign title "Qianlong" today.

"Qianlong?"

"Hongli only had the opportunity to act because the throne happened to fall to one of the fourth branch of the family. What right does he have to use the Qianlong reign title?!" "He is only fit to use Shaoxi or Jiazhi as his reign title!"

Hong Sheng was also very concerned about the new era name.

So he met with Sertu that very evening.

Since Seltu was originally a disciple of the third brother Yunzhi, and the fifth brother and the third brother had always been close, Hongsheng had long since formed a faction with Seltu.

Now, after meeting with Seltu, Hongsheng was informed by Seltu that Hongli had chosen "Qianlong" as the new reign title.

Hong Sheng raised his eyelids and made a few sarcastic remarks.

Sertu just gave a sheepish smile.

He knew that Hongsheng and other members of the imperial family were, to varying degrees, dissatisfied that the Qing throne had now fallen into the hands of the fourth branch of the family.

Furthermore, after Emperor Yongzheng ascended the throne, he always tried to win over members of the imperial family and nobles, but he also dealt with them very severely.

As the saying goes, "a small favor is appreciated, but a large favor is resented." Yongzheng's way of governing meant that many members of the imperial family and nobles were not satisfied with the fourth branch of the family.

Hongsheng was a prime example. He was stripped of his title as heir apparent by Emperor Yongzheng for forming factions while managing banner affairs, and his father was ordered to give him a severe dressing-down.

However, Hongsheng personally preferred that the Qing throne be passed down through the second branch of the family.

Only then would he be completely convinced.

It can be said that he was too deeply influenced by the Confucian culture of establishing the eldest son as heir, or it can be said that he was willing to support Hongxi for a time because the sunk cost he paid for Hongxi was too high and he also had resentment towards Yongzheng.

After making this complaint, Hongsheng turned to Sertu and said, "Your Ministry of Rites must prevent this reign title from being used in the new dynasty!"

"what?"

Sertu's mouth dropped open.

He never expected that Hongsheng would ask him to do something he was completely incapable of doing.

Hongsheng continued, "You must persuade him! You are the Minister of Rites, not like the three-edict prime minister during the reign of Emperor Shenzong of Song."

"This servant, how could this servant possibly stop it..."

Sertu stammered for a moment, a bitter look on his face.

Hongsheng glared at him: "There are still rumors that you betrayed Third Uncle, which led to his sudden death!"

Sertu trembled and could only bow, saying, "This servant has done his best."

Sertu then went home with a heavy heart.

He knew that there was absolutely no way he could complete the task that Hongsheng had given him.

He didn't even understand why Hong Sheng would let him do that.

But when Sertu thought of Hongsheng threatening him with the death of the third son, Yunzhi, he racked his brains and came up with a plan.

That is, not to stop it in the name of obstruction, but to provide feedback on the reign title that the government and the public would prefer to see.

So, Sertu handed Hongli a plaque requesting an audience.

Hongli then met him in the Hall of Diligent Governance and Appreciation of the Worthy: "What is it?"

"The new dynasty's reign title was chosen by the Crown Prince as Qianlong, and this servant also thinks this reign title is very good. However, many princes and ministers think that the other two are better, so this servant dared not remain silent and specially informed the Crown Prince."

Sertu explained his purpose with a fawning smile.

Hongli glanced at him and instantly understood the meaning behind Sertu's words.

But Hongli was not a weak-willed person, nor would he engage in internal strife and doubt himself, so he directly shouted:

"Nonsense! Everyone says it's good, even Zhang Zhongtang and E Zhongtang said this reign title is excellent. If you don't believe me, you can go and ask them before you come!"

(End of this chapter)