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

Chapter 281 Hangzhou Refuses to Obey the Imperial Edict!

The next day.

When the imperial envoy's fleet docked in Jiaxing, bad news arrived.

"Reporting an urgent message from General Ke Kui of Hangzhou."

Jiang Qingyun was furious the moment he opened it.

In the letter, Ke Kui listed numerous charges against himself, such as killing Manchu bannermen, usurping the emperor's power, and controlling the government. He also stated that the Manchu people of Hangzhou would never submit to Chiang Kai-shek and demanded his immediate return, threatening military action otherwise.
"Who is Ke Kui? Ask around, does anyone in the military know him?"

Half an hour later~
A Manchurian officer rushed over and knelt on one knee.

"Do you know Ke Kui?"

"Reporting to the Grand Secretary, he is a member of the imperial family."

"Could you tell me about this person's resume?"

"Ke Kui loved reading from a young age, was loyal and chivalrous, liked to talk about important matters of the court, liked to take the world as his responsibility, and liked to complain."

"Understood, let's go down."

"Whoo."

……

Jiang Qingyun got up and paced seven steps.

"Order the fleet to halt its advance, the soldiers to disembark and set up camp, and to send more scouts toward Hangzhou."

"As ordered."

He encountered a major problem, but Jiang Qingyun wasn't surprised. The local garrison Eight Banners were different from the Eight Banners in the capital; he hadn't dealt with these people before.

Needs some cleaning~
Back in the cabin, Liu Rushi greeted him.

"Prime Minister, are you hungry?"

"Kind of."

"I have prepared meat-filled rice dumplings."

On a pristine white plate, a whole Jiaxing rice dumpling steams with heat.

Liu Rushi rolled up her sleeves, used ivory chopsticks to separate the steaming hot rice dumpling, picked up a small piece and fed it to Jiang Qingyun.

First feed them zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), then feed them small pieces of fruit and melon seeds.

Throughout the entire process, Jiang Qingyun, who was handling official business, only needed to speak.

After eating, Liu Rushi wiped his mouth with a damp towel and then moved behind him to massage his head and shoulders, showing meticulous care.

"Pen and ink are at your service."

"Yes."

Over time, Jiang Qingyun discovered that Liu Rushi was more adept at serving the scholar than at attending to his bedchamber. The Eight Beauties of Qinhuai were first and foremost scholars, and only secondly women.

Things are rare and valuable!

Beautiful courtesans are not rare, but beautiful and literate courtesans are very valuable.

……

Brother Ke Kui sees his words as he sees his face:
Although we have never met, we are both subjects of the Qing Dynasty. You may have been misled by rumors circulating in the streets and have a deep misunderstanding of me, which has led you to defend the city and resist.

At present, although the Qing Dynasty holds seven-tenths of the nine major powers, it is beset by crises.

Externally, there were remnants of the Ming Dynasty, and internally, there were unruly Han troops. Since ancient times, a strong army can conquer the world, but unfortunately, the Eight Banners troops were stretched thin, with only seven pots and three lids.

Although the emperor had the intention to pacify the four seas and nine provinces and unify the world, he was constrained by reality.

I implore you, brother, not to do anything that would cause pain to your loved ones and joy to your enemies.

The Eight Banners must not fight amongst themselves!

Otherwise, you will surely be punished by heaven!

Cut it!
The document was signed, stamped, sealed with lacquer, and sent to Hangzhou Prefecture.

Having completed the task in one go, Jiang Qingyun smiled and asked, "How was it?"

Liu Rushi: "Your calligraphy is unique, with a righteous heart and upright brush, and your strokes are like thunder and lightning, soaring like dragons and changing like leopards, outstanding and unparalleled. For a moment, I cannot think of any other master who is similar."

"Hahaha~"

Jiang Qingyun pulled her into his arms.

"Remember, never, ever look at anything I have written."

Yes. And today?

"When I don't avoid you, you are welcome to look and comment. A beautiful woman adding fragrance to one's life is something a gentleman cherishes."

……

On the third day after the fleet anchored in Jiaxing, someone finally arrived from Hangzhou. A fully armored Manchu military officer clasped his hands in greeting upon seeing Jiang Qingyun: "This humble general greets Your Excellency, the General of Hangzhou has entrusted me to deliver a letter to you."

The guard took the letter and handed it to Jiang Qingyun.

Chiang Kai-shek, please take heed:
An ancient sage wrote in a poem: "The Duke of Zhou feared rumors, and Wang Mang was humble before his usurpation."

I am willing to believe in the loyalty of the Grand Secretary, but duty dictates that I dare not lay down my arms. If the Grand Secretary is willing to abandon his trip and turn back north, it will be a blessing for Hangzhou and for the Qing Dynasty.

Seeing this, Jiang Qingyun was secretly delighted.

For a Manchu, reading so many books will only harm you!

As a Manchu, thinking too much will only harm you!
"What is the honorific title for this general?"

"Reporting to the Grand Secretary, I am a Manchu of the Plain White Banner, currently serving as the Assistant Commander of the Eight Banners Garrison in Hangzhou, E'shuo."

"What is your original surname?" "Dong'e."

Jiang Qingyun's heart skipped a beat. Could this person be Consort Dong'e's father?
"In which year did you go south?"

"Reporting to the Grand Secretary, in the third year of the Shunzhi reign, I followed the army south and was stationed in Suzhou and Huzhou. Now I serve under the Hangzhou General."

How many people are in your family?

"7 mouths".

"The heat in the south must be hard to get used to, right?"

"The Prime Minister is absolutely right. Fortunately, we've finally made it through."

"Alright, let's have a simple meal together, and then please take this letter back for me."

"Thank you, Chief Minister."

……

The food served was all vegetarian.

When the monk Tianji came out of the cabin, Eshuo suddenly realized, "So that's how it is, he was taking care of the master."

He quickly stood up and put his hands together in prayer position.

"May you be well, Master."

"Amitabha."

Jiang Qingyun: "This is a high-ranking monk from the capital. The emperor once praised him for his profound Buddhist knowledge and noble character."

"Please have a seat, Master."

Seeing that E Shuo's attitude was very respectful, Jiang Qingyun smiled and said, "What, you believe in Buddhism too?"

"I dare not hide it from the Grand Secretary, my mother is a devout Buddhist and often goes to Lingyin Temple to offer incense. I occasionally join in the fun."

"Coincidentally, my mother is also a devout Buddhist."

"is it?"

E Shuo looked shocked.

During this meal, Jiang Qingyun deliberately made friends with the monk Tianji, who occasionally uttered insightful remarks. E Shuo felt the warmth of spring, and the hostility he had shown upon arrival vanished completely.

……

Brother Ke Kui sees his words as he sees his face:
To show my sincerity and to defuse any hostility, I will immediately turn back upon receiving this letter.

In any case, the Eight Banners will not kill members of the Eight Banners!

Brother, you have rendered great service in guarding Hangzhou. We must be wary of an invasion by Zheng Sen from the southeast. Zheng Sen's army is weak on land, but formidable at sea, making him a formidable enemy that cannot be ignored.

Although Zhapu is a small city, it served as a protective barrier for Hangzhou.

We must diligently repair the forts and strengthen coastal defenses. We must never allow Zheng Sen to seize Hangzhou, otherwise, Jiangnan will be lost and the capital will be in turmoil.

My only wish:

Seven lives dedicated to serving the country, eight directions under one sky.

To conquer the vast ocean and spread national prestige to all corners of the world.

Let's encourage each other, Brother Ke Kui~
When his trusted confidant E Shuo returned to Mancheng in Hangzhou with the letter, General Ke Kui of Hangzhou was also moved.

Seven lives dedicated to serving the country, eight directions under one sky.

To conquer the vast ocean and spread national prestige to all corners of the world.

Ke Kui kept repeating these two sentences, feeling his blood boiling. He was excited every time he read them. What passionate man in the world could resist such propaganda?

"He really went back?"

"Yes, I saw their fleet turn back with my own eyes, and I even sent people to follow them all the way."

Ke Kui sighed.

……

Three days later.

Suzhou, the Imperial Envoy's Residence.

Jiang Qingyun suddenly summoned three hundred people under the age of 17 from the Bordered White Banner.

"Gentlemen, I have some bad news for you. Some people in the capital are accusing us of going south to establish a separate central government and to oppose the capital. Such slander is absurd. The scourge of factional strife is so severe."

After a frantic discussion lasting about fifteen minutes, everyone was in the right mood.

"I have even worse news here: General Ke Kui of Hangzhou is colluding with the Donglin gentry in an attempt to establish his own independent regime."

The crowd erupted in uproar once again.

Judging from the crowd's emotions, Jiang Qingyun slowly drew his Emperor's Sword.

"The Donglin Party is truly despicable, and Ke Kui is an even greater sinner against our Great Qing. Gentlemen, are you willing to join me in a surprise attack on the Manchu city of Hangzhou, kill Ke Kui, and protect the Great Qing?"

Everyone was filled with excitement.

"Kill Ke Kui, protect the Qing Dynasty."

Jiang Qingyun pulled out a bag and poured out the strips of cloth inside. On the white cloth strips were written in vermilion characters: "Seven lives to serve the country, eight directions in one."

"Gentlemen, tonight I will lead you in a surprise attack on Hangzhou. I entrust this to you!"

"Seven lives for the country, eight directions under one sky!"

Everyone was excited and knelt down on one knee in unison.

(End of this chapter)