You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 132 A Letter to the Bannermen of the Inner City

Jiang Hede approached, carrying a wine jug, looking quite drunk.

"Brother Qingyun, let me toast you."

Jiang Qingyun glanced at his ribs and smiled:
"Done."

"Brother, from now on we're on the same side. Don't you dare stab me in the back, or I'll never forgive you."

"Unite against external forces."

"Correct!"

Drunk like a cat, Jiang Hede took the initiative to make friendly gestures under the influence of alcohol.

……

Jiang Qingyun slowly spoke: "I need two men of the seventh rank and five men of the eighth rank. Don't forget that, everyone."

Ning Wan patted his chest and said:

"You took the lead and worked hard for everyone's benefit. How could your old brothers forget you? I, the Chief Censor, hereby declare in front of everyone that after the New Year, the Censorate will send the Zhili Circuit Inspector to various prefectures and counties to beat the dog when it's down and make room for your people."

After he finished speaking, he clinked glasses with Zhu Guozhi, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

"Xiao Zhu, I think the current monitoring efforts are too weak. What do you think?"

Zhu Guozhi nodded solemnly:
"Find an opportunity for the Court of Judicial Review and the Censorate to jointly submit a memorial. It's been eight years since the Shunzhi Emperor's reign, and many matters of the court should be governed by regulations."

……

The banquet lasted from noon until night.

After drinking the hangover soup and becoming slightly more sober, everyone started chatting about various anecdotes about officialdom and gossip about jealousy and rivalry.

Finally found an opportunity~
Jiang Qingyun:
"Gentlemen, I plan to propose reforms to the Ministry of Revenue's administrative procedures at the morning court session when the opportunity arises. Does anyone agree to this?"

"How to change?"

"Procedural justice".

The room fell silent instantly, and everyone stared at Jiang Qingyun, knowing that the Ministry of Revenue was the territory of Prince Duanzhong, Bolo.

"Since everyone here is one of us, I'll be frank: this is actually His Majesty's will."

Sony looked worried.

"Vice-Governor Chiang, have you ever considered what would happen if all the princes and ministers in the Council of State opposed you? How would you handle that?"

"That's why I need your full cooperation."

Ao Bai's words were very blunt.

"Last time, the Plain Blue Banner mutiny resulted in 2000 casualties among the soldiers of the Two Yellow Banners stationed in the Forbidden City. If we really can't reach an agreement, and the two sides are about to come to blows, I'm afraid that the Two Yellow Banners alone won't be able to suppress those banner lords who hold military power."

“Prince Zheng’s Bordered Blue Banner is very important.”

“Prince Zheng has always supported the Emperor, but when it comes to his own interests, it’s hard to say.”

"It doesn't matter, I have a solution."

"any solution?"

"Let's wait and see."

……

The next day.

The Five Cities Garrison has caused quite a stir in the inner city.

Each group consists of four people: one person bangs a gong, one person shouts, one person carries a bucket of paste, and one person is responsible for posting the "Letter to the Manchu People in the Inner City".

"By imperial decree, the Ministry of Revenue is being reformed, and the Eight Banners Salary Office is being established. Everyone—vanguard, commanders, guards, cavalry, infantry, and artisans—will receive a raise. The stipends are steadily increasing!"

Half a day~
Everyone in the inner city knew.

Some people were suspicious and asked the soldiers who posted the notice.

"Is the salary increase only given to the two Yellow Banners?"

"Hey~ How can you talk like that? How could His Majesty show favoritism? They're all Manchus, they're all his flesh and blood. His Majesty's word is law, prices will rise, prices will rise for everyone, everyone will rise."

The whole city was in an uproar, and firecrackers went off in unison.

So much so that even Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang in the Forbidden City heard about it.

"Was it a major victory at the front?"

"This servant doesn't know either. Should this servant go out and inquire?"

……

A short while later, the eunuch returned.

"Your Majesty, the people in Qianqing Palace say they don't know either."

"Then go ask at the Third Internal Medicine Hospital."

"Whoo."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was very dissatisfied, believing that Emperor Shunzhi was deliberately concealing the truth from her.

As a result, the Imperial Academy attendant on duty in the Inner Court was also bewildered, saying that he had not received any military reports from the front lines that day and would absolutely not dare to deceive the Empress Dowager.

"Where is the Emperor?" "He went to the Wenhua Hall."

"Let's go take a look."

"Whoo."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang did not look well. Her son had assumed power, and she would not continue to rule from behind the curtain, but it was absolutely unacceptable for him to completely get rid of her.

She was the spokesperson for the Mongols in the imperial court.

……

When Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang arrived at the Wenhua Hall with a dark expression, Emperor Shunzhi was taken aback.

"Mother, what brings you here?"

"Can't I come?"

"That's not what I meant. I was planning to tell you about it when I paid my respects later. As for this matter..."

suddenly~
A guard came to report.

"Jiang Qingyun, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, has arrived outside the palace and requests an audience with the Emperor."

"Let him in."

Jiang Qingyun hurriedly entered the hall, looked around, and then knelt down.

"Your Majesty has granted an imperial decree to all Eight Banners soldiers in the capital to announce that His Majesty has bestowed grace and reformed the Ministry of Revenue, resulting in an increase of half a tael of silver per month for all Eight Banner soldiers. This has now been widely publicized."

Everyone stared at Shunzhi in shock.

Emperor Shunzhi stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm, but inwardly he was overjoyed. Having such an understanding subordinate truly made him feel delighted.

"Several years after entering the pass, prices in the capital have risen, and life is not easy for the bannermen. It's time for their ironclad wages to go up as well."

"The Emperor's Holy Might."

Everyone showered him with compliments.

"I have decided to convene an emergency meeting of princes and ministers this afternoon. Except for the banner lords and junior banner lords, all the commanders, deputy commanders, assistant commanders, and captains of the Eight Banners in Beijing shall be notified to attend."

"Whoo."

……

Wenhua Hall.

The ministers looked at each other, sensing something unusual.

Ministry of Revenue, Reform, and the Ironclad Citizens?

Which one is the key point?

Fan Wencheng glanced at Jiang Qingyun, and vaguely guessed that this matter was related to him.

……

Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Shunzhi and his mother sat facing each other.

"Fulin, what do you want to do?"

"Mother, please also attend the council of princes and ministers this afternoon."

"Are you trying to target the Council of State ministers?"

"Do not."

"You want to mess with Boro?"

"Do not."

"You want to get your hands on the Ministry of Revenue?"

"Exactly."

"What do you plan to do if the councilors agree?"

"I intend to link the Ministry of Revenue reform with the increase of the ironclad salary. If the reform is successful, the court will increase the salaries of all bannermen; if it is not successful, there will be no increase. This afternoon, at the meeting, if the ministers of the Council of State oppose me, they will offend the entire Eight Banners. If they do not oppose me, then I will take this opportunity to reform the Ministry of Revenue and divide the power of Bolo."

……

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was taken aback and looked her son over and over again.

"Mother, what are you looking at?"

"I am looking at a young emperor who is both a scholar and a warrior."

hahaha~
Shunzhi couldn't help but burst into laughter; the feeling of being acknowledged, admired, and recognized was wonderful.

"Mother, did I act too rashly?"

"No, Fulin. On the contrary, you've progressed too quickly. Court struggles should be like this: defeat the enemy within the rules, use overt strategies as much as possible, and minimize covert ones. Your mother even thinks your move is no less impressive than Emperor Wu of Han's Edict of Grace. It's killing three birds with one stone: you've gained financial power, established authority, and restored the loyalty of the Eight Banners. Hmm, this afternoon, I'll sit on the sidelines and watch the show, see those banner lords and princes fall silent."

"Thank you, Mother."

Since Dorgon's death, the two have never had such a harmonious relationship.

A mother's love and her son's filial piety are evident in this moment.

(End of this chapter)