My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 398 How skilled was Emperor Qianlong? The dukes and marquises were completely subdued!
This was also the first time that Hongli had met Yue Zhongqi.

Previously, when Yue Zhongqi came to the capital, he avoided meeting with generals like Yue Zhongqi who held military power in order to avoid suspicion.

Now in his fifties, Yue Zhongqi still has jet-black hair, and his robust back makes his official robes stand straight.

In Hongli's view, this old general, who had made great contributions to Qianlong in history, including the Great Jinchuan War and the suppression of various rebellions in Tibet, clearly still had room to contribute.

"Get up."

Hongli said something and then went into the East Warm Pavilion.

Yue Zhongqi thanked the emperor and followed him in, still kneeling on the carpet, and kowtowed three times to Hongli, making a loud thud on the ground.

It felt like an earthquake.

Hongli felt quite distressed about his gold bricks: "Enough, didn't I tell you to get up?"

"This servant is clumsy with words, and only knows to kowtow a few more times to express even a fraction of my gratitude to my master for his great kindness."

"If it weren't for you, Master, our entire family would still be grieving!"

Yue Zhongqi choked up, seemingly very sensitive and vulnerable.

of course!

Hongli knew that this was a ruthless man who had ruthlessly killed countless monks during the suppression of the Tibetan rebellion in the Yongzheng era. He could not be so fragile and sensitive as to shed tears just because he thought of his eldest grandson who had saved him.

Clearly, Yue Zhongqi was no ordinary warrior; he was adept at displaying his loyalty and subservience, unlike Nian Gengyao of the past.

However, as a non-Manchu Han general of lower status, Yue Zhongqi was able to become a Grand General amidst suspicion and attacks, not only because of his military abilities, but also because he knew how to be subservient and show loyalty to the emperor.

"Please rise, Your Excellency."

What Hongli (Emperor Qianlong) knew was that the more someone was willing to lower themselves for the sake of their career and the country, the more easily they could be won over by the courtesy and respect shown to them by those in power.

Therefore, Hongli did not look down on Yue Zhongqi because of this, but instead took the initiative to address him as "Prime Minister" and even used the word "please".

what does this mean?
This means that he was treating Yue Zhongqi as a national hero, not as a servant.

Yue Zhongqi stood there stunned for a moment.

The imperial power of the Qing Dynasty had reached its zenith, to the point that even if the monarch and his subjects wanted to become slaves, they could not.

Therefore, being treated as a national treasure by the emperor was a very rare thing.

However, for Yue Zhongqi, who was originally a Han Chinese, these were indeed extremely comforting and touching words!

After thanking her and getting up, Yue Zhongqi's eyes truly reddened.

Hongli smiled and said, "Knowing that you are about to enter the capital, I have specially prepared a calligraphy for you to commend your hard work and contributions over the years!"

Then, Hongli waved to Cao Zhan.

Cao Zhan then presented the calligraphy to Yue Zhongqi with both hands.

Yue Zhongqi accepted it with trembling hands.

"Diligence, prudence, loyalty, and wisdom."

He knew that this was the new Lord's evaluation of him, and also his appreciation!

Yue Zhongqi was suddenly struck as if by lightning.

"What is the state of the people in Sichuan? Are there any conflicts between the Han and the Yi people? Is the harvest plentiful along the way? How are the people's livelihoods?"

Hongli then began, as was customary, to inquire about local conditions.

Yue Zhongqi bowed and replied, "Thanks to Your Majesty's effective implementation of the red and black register system, thieves have greatly decreased, and the people have been able to live in peace."

"As Your Majesty has observed, the Shu region is inhabited by a mix of Han and Yi peoples, but most of the Yi are 'civilized' Yi, and places like Shizhu are particularly willing to be conscripted by the court, so the relationship is relatively harmonious."

"Then, the rain and snow continued along the way, and the sunshine was plentiful, so the autumn grain harvest was plentiful, and the winter wheat was lush and green, which was also enough to yield a bumper harvest. No one was destitute, but they worked tirelessly. However, there were very few people who sold their children."

After listening, Hongli nodded: "Sichuan is adjacent to Yunnan and Guizhou, and the Miao affairs have also affected it. Do you know what the current situation is?"

"The unruly Miao people are known for their arrogance, and many of them have rebelled and fled into Sichuan to plunder. The Sichuan governors and military commanders have also made every effort to suppress the rebellious Miao people who have entered Sichuan." "The civilized Miao people have also fled into Sichuan to beg for food and safety because of the unruly Miao people and the lack of discipline among the officials and soldiers. The Sichuan governors and military commanders have also done a good job in pacifying them and saving countless lives."

Yue Zhongqi replied.

"good!"

After saying this, Hongli asked, "You come from the southwest, do you know how Zhang Guangsi is pacifying the Miao region?"

"I have heard that after Imperial Envoy Zhang arrived in Guizhou, he adopted a strategy of both suppression and appeasement, as well as division and disintegration. As a result, the number of Miao people who have fled to Sichuan has greatly decreased. I think the Miao rebellion in Guizhou will be quelled soon."

"Your master is good at recognizing and employing people, which will surely bring blessings to the Miao people. There is no need to worry too much."

Yue Zhongqi answered truthfully.

Hongli then asked, "What do you think should be done to ensure long-term stability and security in the southwestern border regions, so as to provide a reliable basis for strengthening the control of Tibet in the future?"

"In my humble opinion, the civil service should be implemented by having Han and non-Han people live together, establishing free schools to gradually change customs and habits, and allocating places to non-Han people who study Confucianism so that they have the opportunity to serve the court through literature."

"As for military tactics, we should train soldiers who are good at climbing ladders and traversing mountainous terrain, and then equip them with artillery. We should also set up mountain camps equipped with ladders. The southwest is mountainous and forested, with scattered villages that are mostly clustered in mountain strongholds. They occupy key roads and engage in both farming and banditry. To subdue them, we need soldiers who are good at climbing ladders and attacking the high walls of the strongholds, so that they cannot rely on the strongholds to become bandits!"

"The key to this army is not its quantity, but its quality. It should be able to instill fear in the barbarians, so that they will willingly accept the king's rule and not become bandits."

Yue Zhongqi proposed his own strategies, both literary and military, for this purpose.

Hongli smiled and said, "Excellent!"

Emperor Hongli himself also intended to establish a mountain camp.

Now, the Imperial Guards of the Capital, including the Cavalry Battalion and the Firearms Battalion, also have a navy. The only missing force is the Cloud Ladder Mountain Battalion, which is needed for the southwest campaign.

"Did you notice this map?"

At this moment, Hongli pointed to the map behind him and said to Yue Zhongqi.

Yue Zhongqi cupped his hands and replied, "This servant saw it when I arrived. Your Majesty is well aware of the situation in the world, which is a blessing for the nation!"

"The influence of Western powers such as England and France has already extended into the surrounding areas; we cannot sleep soundly!"

Hongli clapped his hands and sighed.

Then, Hongli looked at Yue Zhongqi and said, "This is why I attach the same importance to the southwest as I did when I was the Emperor Emeritus. If the south is not reformed and replaced with centrally appointed officials as soon as possible, the Qing Dynasty will be unable to cope when these Western barbarians reach out, and Tibet may also be in danger."

"That is why I have summoned you to the capital to serve as a minister."

"After all, when it comes to those who know the Southwest and Tibet, besides Zhang Guangsi, you, Yue Zhongqi, are the best."

At this point, Hongli said, "You shall first serve as Minister of War. Using the Miao soldiers remaining in the capital as a reference, recruit bannermen, train ladder soldiers, establish mountain battalions, and cultivate spies to infiltrate places like Burma and India."

Tianzhu is India.

During this era, people in the Qing Dynasty, influenced by Buddhism, continued to refer to the Indian region in this way.

"Whoo!"

"This humble servant kowtows in gratitude for Your Majesty's grace, and dares not fail in the important task of the nation!"

Yue Zhongqi looked excited; he hadn't expected the new emperor to adopt his suggestion so readily.

Hongli then said, "I will submit the petition the day after tomorrow!"

Yue Zhongqi then withdrew.

After Yue Zhongqi left, he paid his respects to the Grand Councilors, the two Grand Council secretaries, the six ministers, the chief censor, and the vice ministers. Finally, he hosted a banquet for his fellow townsmen and the Nian family, who were at home.

When Hongli summoned him again the next day, he asked, "Who did you visit yesterday, and how much money did you give them?"

Yue Zhongqi was slightly taken aback, then replied, "The Grand Councilors each received four hundred taels; the Grand Council Secretaries each received sixteen taels; the Ministers of the Six Ministries, the Chief Censor, the Vice Ministers, and the Nine Ministers each received fifty taels; and my fellow townsmen and those from good families also received separate gifts, totaling more than fifteen thousand taels."

Hongli took out the slip of paper he had obtained from the sticky rod, glanced at it, and said with a smile, "You didn't lie to me!"

(End of this chapter)