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

Chapter 151 The Radical Chiang Kai-shek and the Conservative Shunzhi
Meridian Gate.

The guards, dressed in yellow jackets, were drowsy from the heat.

Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from the south.

Jiang Qingyun dismounted, appearing kind and approachable.

"Brothers, you've worked hard. Here, have some tea."

A folded silver note was casually handed over, and the guard on duty clutched it in his palm, chuckling smirk.

"Oh, how can this be so embarrassing~"

"We're brothers, there's no distinction between us, take this."

"Brothers, why don't you thank Lord Jiang?"

"Thank you, Lord Jiang."

……

on the square.

Jiang Qingyun and a guard walked side by side, striding briskly.

Today, the sky was cloudless and the sun was scorching. The square was completely exposed, and people were sweating profusely.

The two chatted as they walked.

"It's too hot."

"Yes, we Manchu bannermen aren't afraid of the cold, but we are afraid of the heat. I've heard that in the south, it gets so hot in the summer that even rocks melt. I wonder if that's true."

"fake."

"Hehe, anyway, we'll just wait for the autumn to cool down, then the army will set off to fight the last battle, and those who are appointed to official positions will be appointed to official positions, and those who are granted titles will be granted titles. We'll enjoy the rest of our lives."

"The final battle?"

"Yes, that's what everyone in Beijing is saying now. If you miss this opportunity to gain military merit, you'll never have another chance. Lord Jiang, you probably don't know this, but each banner only has 400 spots for Manchu bannermen to go on the expedition. They're very competitive, and many people are throwing lavish parties and giving gifts just to get a spot."

Jiang Qingyun seemed to be deep in thought.

……

Qianqing Palace.

As soon as you step inside, you can feel a cool breeze; the ice cubes have played a crucial role.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

"No need for formalities, please have a seat and serve tea."

Drinking hot tea in the hot summer actually has a significant cooling effect.

"My dear minister, what stage has the reform of the Ministry of Revenue reached?"

"I selected three counties and one prefecture in Zhili as pilot areas for tax reform, and the results have been remarkable. I would like to request that the pilot program be gradually extended to the entire Zhili region."

"I grant your permission. Go ahead and do it."

"Your Majesty, I have heard that the mighty Eight Banners army is about to launch a southern expedition?"

"Well, do you have any ideas?"

"I am about to overstep my bounds again."

"It's alright, please speak freely."

Jiang Qingyun hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

So, Shunzhi glanced at Wu Liangfu, who immediately understood and led all the eunuchs and palace maids away from the palace.

……

"I suggest that the Ministry of War inform the four princes at the front in advance about this matter."

"Ok?"

"This is an open strategy. It's meant to make them feel the pressure from the imperial court. If they are slow to advance, once reinforcements from the capital arrive, the enormous military achievements will have to be shared with the bannermen."

Emperor Shunzhi smiled.

"That's a bad idea."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Emperor Shunzhi suppressed his smile.

"My dear minister, what do you see as the current unfavorable factors for the court?"

"Is it within the imperial court?"

"Speak freely, regardless of whether you are inside or outside the court; I hereby pardon you today."

"Within the capital there are princes who advocate state affairs, outside there are Han Chinese princes, and in between there are corrupt officials and gentry who are trying to turn our Great Qing into the Great Ming."

Shunzhi's eyes suddenly sharpened, and he sat up straight. "My dear minister, explain in detail."

"The Manchu Prince Regent manages both the Banner Affairs and the Six Ministries, effectively wielding both military and political power. The Han princes are in the same boat. The Emperor cannot control their territories, yet they can outwardly comply with the Emperor's decrees while inwardly defying them. I have always advocated that imperial power is supreme and that we must not fall into the traps of the previous dynasty."

"Wait, what are you talking about, the trap set by the previous dynasty?"

"The Tang Dynasty had powerful families and regional military governors; the Song Dynasty had civil officials and border troubles; the Yuan Dynasty had military leaders and powerful clans; and the Ming Dynasty had factional struggles and eunuchs. Imperial power was always subject to constraints and was always limited. Our Great Qing Dynasty has only been established for a short time. Many things are still easy to do now, but if we wait ten or twenty years, we won't be able to do them even if we want to."

"You want to persuade me to kill them?"

"No, stability comes first. We should avoid bloodshed as much as possible. I have always advocated resolving issues through political means."

"How to deal with it?"

"Divide them, weaken them, suppress them, and ultimately achieve the goal of complete elimination."

Jiang Qingyun stood tall and straight, with clear eyes and a composed expression, looking every bit the loyal minister who appears only once every 500 years.

……

Shunzhi looked at Jiang Qingyun repeatedly with a very complicated expression.

"My dear minister, you are too bold."

"Your Majesty gave me courage, Your Majesty gave me my position. I have no other desires in this life. If I were to describe it in a poem, it would be: to accomplish the affairs of the emperor and the world, and to win fame before and after my death. Ten years, give me ten years. I vow to return to Your Majesty an empire without any constraints. At that time, I wish to choose a beautiful place with clear waters and green mountains to live in seclusion and spend the rest of my life in peace."

What if it doesn't work out?

Jiang Qingyun sat up straight.

"In that case, I would probably be dead by now."

The answer was simple, yet incredibly impactful. So much so that Shunzhi's breathing became unsteady, and he didn't know where to begin.

Tell me, what are you after?

"To accomplish the affairs of the king and the world, and to gain fame before and after death, that is what I seek."

"You don't want official rank? You don't want money?"

Jiang Qingyun is really into acting.

"People will eventually die. Official titles and wealth are but fleeting clouds. What I pursue is eternity. Thousands of years from now, Your Majesty will be a great emperor for all time, and I will be an unparalleled minister."

"I have a dream."

"Let everyone in the world become bondservants, let everyone wear mandarin jackets, let everyone wear queues, let everyone kneel and shout 'Long live the Emperor,' let everyone drink tea. As the saying goes, 'When the world is unified, all will be at peace!'"

Shunzhi waved his hand.
“My dear minister, I know your intentions are good. However, I feel that your description of the empire's future is too grand and too extreme. There's no need for such grand ambitions; let's focus on the present.”

"Your Majesty is right."

With a successful test, Jiang Qingyun escaped unscathed. Through questioning and answering, he gained a deep understanding of Shunzhi's inner thoughts.

……

“My dear minister, the kind of vast empire you described is difficult to sustain. Frankly speaking, it would be short-lived and of little significance. This is because the governors and viceroys of the central government and the border regions cannot be of one mind.”

"Your Majesty, the failure to unite people is not the fault of the common people. In fact, the common people are very obedient. The fault lies with the nobles and officials, who are unwilling to obey the central government."

"I know."

"I suddenly had an extremely bold idea."

"speak."

"Why not take this opportunity to return the tax revenue to the central government? In the past, the central government and local governments split the revenue 50/50, which led to the local governments becoming too powerful to control. I suggest we change the ratio."

"How much should it be changed to?"

"One and nine. One in the local area, nine in the central area."

Shunzhi stared at Jiang Qingyun in disbelief.

"My dear minister, do you know what you're saying?"

"I know."

How should local government expenses be handled?

“If it is not enough, an application can be made, and the court will allocate funds to the local areas as appropriate after approval. I believe that only by completely taking back the financial power of the local areas can the imperial power be truly consolidated.”

What if local residents are dissatisfied?

"kill!"

Shunzhi remained silent.

"I believe that we must eat one bite at a time, walk one step at a time, and handle one matter at a time. There are three urgent matters at present: first, eliminate Zhu Youlang; second, render the Council of Princes and Ministers powerless; and third, reform the Ministry of Revenue."

"Ten years from now, if you wish to retire gracefully, I will grant you a title, a fief, a beautiful woman, and an iron certificate of merit."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

(End of this chapter)