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

Chapter 227 Brother Jiang can be as capable as Yi Yin and Huo Guang!

In the first month of the tenth year of the Shunzhi reign, three very joyous events will occur in the capital.

First, Emperor Shunzhi took Tong Jia, the daughter of Tong Tulai of the Han Army Banner and the younger sister of Tong Guogang, as his concubine. She was gentle, kind and virtuous.

Second, Wu Yingxiong, the son of the Prince of Pingxi who was a hostage in Beijing, married the daughter of Huang Taiji and the elder sister of Emperor Shunzhi, Princess Heshuo Kechun, who was commonly known as "Princess Jianning".

Third, Jiang Qingyun celebrated his 20th birthday.

There was a lot of good news, but the atmosphere in the capital remained as gloomy as ever. The Infantry Commander's Office temporarily suspended the arrest operation due to metaphysics, but maintained regular armed patrols.

……

The Infantry Commander's Office.

"The Admiral has arrived."

Jiang Qingyun strode in, took off his cloak, and pulled back the red cloth on the wall, revealing a "Patrol Map of the Capital".

"Colleagues, I have some good news to share. His Majesty has said that the position of Commander of the Infantry is excellent, very good, and extremely good."

Everyone immediately applauded.

"But we cannot be arrogant or complacent; we must continue to work hard. I'll give you a number: 5000 people."

The crowd applauded again, their eyes filled with determination and confidence, without any fear or doubt.

The famous Dr. Goebbels once said: "A lie repeated a hundred times becomes the truth."

Jiang Qingyun deeply agreed with this and put it into practice.

……

"Gentlemen, the capital region is the foundation of the empire. By imperial decree, our Infantry Commandery is responsible for the defense and counter-espionage work inside and outside the capital. This is a very arduous task, but it also reflects the Emperor's trust in us."

The crowd applauded again.

Jiang Qingyun quickly gestured for silence.

"I have decided to divide the inner city into 36 security wards and the southern city into 4 security wards, for a total of 40 security wards."

"Of the five battalions of the Garrison Command, one battalion will be dispatched daily to carry out the all-day armed patrol of the inner city, while the other four battalions will rest in their barracks. If a patrolling battalion encounters a rebellion, it may suppress it directly without requesting permission. The other four battalions must obtain a written order from this officer before they can be deployed."

"The plainclothes officers of the Investigation Division are free to move around and monitor the entire capital. Princes' mansions, official residences, and government offices are all within your surveillance range. Those who make meritorious contributions in investigation will be rewarded."

"The Construction Department of the Urban Construction Bureau is responsible for the expansion of the Infantry Commander's Office. You may freely requisition abandoned houses belonging to the remnants of the Plain Blue Banner. The Health Department is responsible for surveying and mapping the locations of all wells in the city."

"The Discipline Department is short-staffed; we need to expand it to 800 people as soon as possible."

"Any department that is short-handed can select its own personnel from the Green Standard Army. Anyone selected will receive an additional grade in pay."

Everyone bowed in unison:
"As ordered."

"The last thing is that the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is my 20th birthday. In principle, it should have been celebrated last year, but I was too busy with state affairs to attend to it. This is a belated celebration. Everyone is welcome to attend, and the gifts you bring should not exceed five taels of silver."

Everyone laughed.

Jiang Qingyun stood up and left the venue.

Two guards carried in a large box and opened it.

"My lords, the military command has ordered that each of you receive one as a memento."

The pure gold commemorative coin bears the inscription: "In the ninth year of the Shunzhi reign, all colleagues of the Infantry Commander's Office were victorious in suppressing the rebellion. Commemorating this occasion."

One for each person.

Nothing wins hearts and minds more effectively than gold.

……

The next evening.

South of the city, at the Chiang Kai-shek residence.

Wu Yingxiong came to visit quietly and was led to the study.

"Brother Jiang~"

"Hey, hey, get up quickly, what are you doing?"

Jiang Qingyun quickly helped Wu Yingxiong, who was about to kneel down, up, with a reproachful look on her face.

"The Nine Gates Admiral is a formidable figure in the capital; I admire him greatly."

"It's just a trivial skill. Your Highness, I wish you and Princess Jianning a harmonious and long-lasting marriage, and many children."

"Hahaha, you must come to my wedding day."

"Is that even a question? But now many people in the capital are jealous of your good fortune. Be prepared to be forced to drink heavily when the time comes." "The three great joys of life are worth dying of drunkenness."

Wu Yingxiong laughed heartily. As a man, who could resist the temptation of marrying the Empress?

Jiang Qingyun also laughed heartily. After laughing, he blurted out, "You mustn't get so drunk that you die, otherwise the Prince of Pingxi will be furious and lead his troops north, jeopardizing the stability of the Qing Dynasty."

The relaxed atmosphere instantly became a little awkward.

A strange light gleamed in Wu Yingxiong's eyes.

“Brother, my father is right. Your talent is no less than that of Yi Yin or Huo Guang.”

Jiang Qingyun quickly closed the calico cat's ears.

"Yi Yin exiled Tai Jia to Tong, and Huo Guang deposed the King of Changyi and installed Emperor Xuan. Both of these powerful ministers could have deposed and installed emperors with a single word. I am terrified by the King of Pingxi's praise of me."

Wu Yingxiong: "Brother Qingyun, your abilities are by no means inferior to those of Igor."

Jiang Qingyun: "When fortune smiles, heaven and earth lend their strength; when fortune turns, even heroes are powerless. Let's speak frankly: there are countless talented and intelligent people in this world, but how many can rise to the rank of general or prime minister?"

……

"If so, with you as prime minister, how could the land have fallen into ruin?"

"This statement is completely wrong. If Chongzhen were emperor, no matter who was the chief minister, he could not save the situation."

"No! You are different from others. You can control Chongzhen and prevent him from giving reckless orders. You will become a unique and powerful minister in the Ming Dynasty."

"Your Highness, your words are becoming increasingly absurd. The way you're talking makes it sound like I'm Sima Yi?"

Wu Yingxiong stopped speaking, and Jiang Qingyun remained silent as well.

The study was extremely quiet, except for the occasional sound of someone drinking tea.

Half an hour~
15 minutes~
Half an hour passed, and Wu Yingxiong finally couldn't hold back any longer. He put down his teacup and let out a long sigh.

My father has a favor to ask of you!

"explain."

Fifteen minutes later, Wu Yingxiong left the Jiang residence, having incurred a kickback of 30 taels of silver, which was deducted from the military pay of the tenth year of the Shunzhi reign.

……

The next day.

The Forbidden City, Xihua Gate.

A horse-drawn carriage drove up.

"I am Li Shuotai, here to enter the palace by imperial decree."

"Yes, according to regulations, please sign here." The guard handed over a Forbidden City entry and exit register.

Cining Palace.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang dismissed her attendants.

"Minister Li, please sit down."

"Thank you, Queen Mother."

"I have summoned you here today because I have an important matter to ask you about."

Lee Sol-tae tensed up instantly.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, observing the situation, calmly said, "I hope you can tell the truth. I guarantee that today's conversation will be heard by me and no third party will know about it."

"Whoo."

Lee Su-tae had a vague, ominous feeling. It certainly wasn't the Red Palace Fragrance Stealing Incident. Even if it was, it didn't matter; he had already sent that girl's entire family to the underworld.

Then there's only one possibility: Jiang Qingyun has been exposed.

……

really.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's tone was calm, but it concealed a threat.

"During the New Year's Eve banquet, I noticed that the princes and ministers who came to the banquet were generally not in high spirits, like wilted eggplants. If it were just one or two people, that would be one thing, but everyone looked like they had lost their parents. You can't possibly tell me that this was just a coincidence, can you?"

"I'd like to know, has something happened in the capital? What major event has occurred?"

(End of this chapter)