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

Chapter 200 Loyal Ministers and Imperial Advisors

Recently, good news has been pouring in from the front lines, and Minister of War Chen Zhilin, who is delivering reports of victory, is running himself ragged.

Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Shunzhi was beaming with joy, his back ramrod straight.

"Jiang Qingyun is truly a lucky general. I never imagined that a civil official who had never been on the battlefield could defeat Li Dingguo's main force and recover the lost territories of three provinces in just a few months."

"The Emperor's Holy Might."

"May Heaven bless the Great Qing."

Everyone felt a pang of jealousy.

Fan Wencheng was filled with fear. How arrogant would Jiang Qingyun become after returning to the capital, having made such a great contribution? He dared not even imagine.

Even Ning Wan, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, was a little worried.

……

"Unfortunately, Ao Bai's condition is extremely serious. I have ordered the construction of a separate residence on Yuquan Mountain for him to recuperate properly, and I hope he will recover soon."

At this point, Shunzhi's eyes dimmed.

Ao Bai has gone mad. The position of Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard is vacant. Who should I consider?

The first choice is Jiang Qingyun.

The second choice is Sony.

The third candidate is Zhuobutai.

suddenly~
Wu Liangfu rushed in and whispered a few words to him.

"what?"

"Master, it's true."

Emperor Shunzhi took a deep breath, stood up and slowly said, "Gentlemen, I have some unfortunate news to tell you: Prince Shuncheng, Lekedehun, has just passed away."

The deaths of Nikan, Mandahai, and Lekedehun are all highly suspicious.

The three kings who ruled have become history.

The capital was abuzz with discussion and conspiracy theories were rampant.

Prince Zheng, Jirhalang, was so frightened that he kept two hunting dogs in his bedroom. He would give some of his food to the dogs first at each meal, and if the dogs were alright, he would eat the rest himself.

As one of the few remaining princes of the older generation, he was truly terrified. He never imagined that Shunzhi would be so ruthless.

He secretly resolved that he would never allow the imperial physician to visit him again, preferring to die of illness rather than be poisoned.

……

Cining Palace.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang stared at Emperor Shunzhi.

"How exactly did Lekedehun die?"

"Mother, even you don't believe me?"

“In less than a year, two princes died in the capital. Lekedehun was only 24 years old, and Mandahai was only 31. Do you dare to say that this is a coincidence?”

"I swear to Heaven that this matter has nothing to do with me."

"Fulin, this kind of thing can happen once or twice, but it absolutely cannot happen a third time. Otherwise, you will incur the wrath of the masses!!"

Emperor Shunzhi was so angry he laughed.

"Wu Liangfu, get in here."

Wu Liangfu, who was outside the hall, hurriedly slipped in with small steps and knelt down with a thud.

"Tell the Empress Dowager, did I send you to poison Mandahai and Lekedehun?"

"Your Majesty, this matter was truly not done by the Thirteen Offices. Even if you gave me eight lives, I wouldn't dare to do it."

The air inside the hall was extremely oppressive.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang turned her back, her voice extremely cold.

"Fulin, Emperor Taizong devoted his life to two things—entering the Central Plains and centralizing power. You have inherited the throne, and only the latter remains. But I want to remind you not to be too hasty in anything, and even less to resort to unscrupulous means. The banner leaders are branches growing on the tree of the Qing Dynasty. If they are forcibly removed, the tree will die."

Shunzhi turned around and glanced at Wu Liangfu.

"go out."

Wu Liangfu scrambled out of the main hall.

Shunzhi's voice was very cold:
"Mother, last year the banner princes joined forces to force the emperor to abdicate, and it almost happened!"

“I admit that at the time I wished I could chop them up and feed them to the dogs. If I really poisoned Mandahai and Lekedehun, I would not have tried to cover it up; I would have admitted it openly.”

“Mother, you’re probably getting old. You’re hesitant and timid in your actions. I do admire what Jiang Qingyun once said: ‘Some things must be done at the beginning of a nation’s establishment. If you don’t do them, you can never do them later.’ “Fulin, you’ve grown up and your wings have hardened. Anyway, it’s your Aisin Gioro clan’s empire. You, you, you’d better watch yourself.”

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's face turned ashen, and she turned and left.

……

Emperor Shunzhi was also holding back his anger.

"Leave the palace."

"Whoo."

The young emperor once again graced the small Red Palace.

On the stage, two red curtains were slowly drawn back, and the magnificent scene before him stunned Emperor Shunzhi. The 16 dancers were all like jade sculptures, their smiles were delicate and graceful.

The embroidered white gauze bodysuit accentuates youthful beauty.

The dancers abandoned the elaborate hairstyles of ancient noblewomen, uniformly tying their hair into single ponytails, and their makeup was no longer heavy, but simple and bright.

Clothing coverage is around 5%.

The light transmittance is around 7%.

The music was exceptionally unrestrained, and the dance exceptionally intense. When the 16 dancers lined up in a row, arms linked, and performed synchronized high kicks forward...

Emperor Shunzhi was even unwilling to blink.

All worries are swept away.

Emperor Shunzhi couldn't help but sigh: "A life of vibrant colors and intoxicating pleasures, a veritable paradise of wine and meat."

Jiang Qingyun believes that the bondservants could no longer satisfy the emperor's growing aesthetic demands; they had completed their mission and had all left the stage.

Amateurs have left, and professionals have arrived.

The Red Palace has been transformed into a "Homecoming Courtyard".

……

After half a day, Shunzhi was almost exhausted. Fortunately, the soup he had made that day was very nourishing, and with each sip he could feel his vital energy slowly flowing into his depleted dantian.

Commander Bai Yunshang knelt on the carpet with his knees together and asked in a low voice:

"Today's program was personally designed by Physician Jiang. What do you think, young master?"

"Nonsense! Jiang Qingyun is the military commander in Hubei!"

"Several letters have been sent by Physician Jiang. I will go and fetch them for you to review, young master."

"is it?"

Emperor Shunzhi put down his chopsticks and began to read the letter. The letter, sent from the front lines, was five pages long, with pictures and text, well-organized, and full of earnest teachings.

Ah ~
Even though Jiang Qingyun was on the front lines, he still remembered this small matter. He was truly a man of both literary and military talent, a rare find in the world, and a loyal minister who was hard to come by.

Emperor Shunzhi seriously considered how he should reward this loyal minister upon his return from the front lines.
Second grade?

It seems too low.

First-class?
It seems he was promoted too quickly. The key point is that he is only 20 years old and has reached the highest position in the court. How will he be rewarded in the future?
Title!

Granting him a noble title would be a more reasonable solution.

The matter of Jiang Qingyun's unauthorized killing of Prince Tunqi had long been forgotten. In Shunzhi's eyes, these Eight Banner nobles who were trying to seize military power were truly despicable.

Upon returning to the Forbidden City, Emperor Shunzhi immediately wrote a letter and sent it to the front lines. This was to demonstrate the close relationship between the emperor and his subjects, and to inform the court of the investiture of Wu Sangui and Shang Kexi.

……

"Your Majesty, the imperial physician has come to report that Master Tianji has awakened."

"Quickly, I will go and see for myself."

Emperor Shunzhi was excited throughout the journey and urged the palanquin to speed up.

Small Buddhist shrine.

Under the eaves, the slender Tianji stood upright, nodding slightly to himself.

"Amitabha."

"Thank God, you're finally better." Shunzhi suppressed his excitement and took a deep breath. "Issue an imperial decree: Monk Tianji is profound in Buddhist knowledge and deeply concerned about the country and its people. He can relieve my worries. Appoint him as the Blessing Envoy of the Forbidden City, with the same rank as the fourth grade. Award him a golden brocade kasaya, a golden Buddha, a complete set of Buddhist ritual items, and precious scriptures. He may accompany me daily so that we can discuss Buddhist teachings at any time."

The monk Tianji bowed his head slightly.

Emperor Shunzhi smiled and clasped his hands together in prayer.

Wu Liangfu thought to himself, "What 'Blessing Envoy'? He's clearly the Imperial Advisor!"

(End of this chapter)