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

Chapter 46 Smallpox Brings Down the Plain Blue Banner

After getting the smallpox treatment that day~
Prince Xin, the banner chief of Zhenglan Banner, had been suffering from a low-grade fever for two consecutive days and was in poor health. However, this was a meeting of council princes and ministers, which was an honor, and he could not refuse to attend.

At this moment, he forced himself to stay alert:

"Your Majesty, this servant is ignorant of celestial phenomena; this servant only knows to obey the court's arrangements."

Emperor Shunzhi suddenly spoke up: "I am very pleased that Prince Xin took the lead in smallpox vaccination. How was the effect?"

"The effect is very good. I estimate that I will be able to get through it in another three to five days. Thanks to His Majesty, I will never get smallpox again in my life." Doni thought for a moment and then added, "The 7000 men, women and children of the Plain Blue Banner in the capital unconditionally support the court."

"it is good!"

Emperor Shunzhi was very satisfied with his answer.

But unexpectedly~
Nikan blurted out:
"Your Majesty, there are rumors circulating that the court intends to purge the Regent Prince. Is this true or false?"

Instantly, the atmosphere inside the hall turned icy.

Shunzhi's face turned extremely ugly.

Fortunately, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang quickly chimed in: "Nikan, since you also say it's just a rumor circulating in the streets, why bother with it? It's completely unfounded."

"Thank you, Queen Mother."

……

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang surveyed the crowd and slowly said:

"Mars entering Taiwei is an ominous sign. But it's alright, we'll deal with whatever comes our way. Yesterday, I summoned all the Mongol princes and nobles in Beijing and treated them to a royal banquet. They said that the Mongols will always be loyal to the Qing Dynasty."

"The Empress Dowager is wise."

Everyone showered him with compliments.

"Yang Jianzheng".

"Your subject is here." Yang Guangxian, the Director of the Imperial Observatory who was granted special permission to attend the hearing, quickly stood up.

"You have observed unusual celestial phenomena. Very good. You are hereby awarded 10 taels of silver from the imperial treasury. Your title of acting director can be removed. From now on, you shall manage the Imperial Observatory well."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager and Your Majesty. Your subject guarantees the Imperial Observatory's eternal loyalty."

"Go back."

"Yes."

After Yang Guangxian's figure disappeared outside the hall~
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang finally spoke: "There is no need to fear unusual celestial phenomena, but we must not be complacent. The defenses of the capital city must be strengthened, and the various banner garrisons must also increase patrols. Fulin, what do you think?"

"That's what my mother said."

Emperor Shunzhi got up.

"From this day forward, the vanguard battalion and the guard battalion will conduct daily headcount checks. No one may leave the camp at will, and soldiers must remain in their armor at all times."

"No unit of the Valiant Cavalry may be moved without a military order; otherwise, it will be considered treason."

"The firearms battalion has been transferred to the south of the city to prevent riots."

"The Tiger Spear Battalion and the Skilled Fighting Battalion are responsible for guarding the Imperial Palace and must not slacken their duties."

"The three inner courts, the Censorate, and the Ministry of Rites should organize personnel to conduct routine patrols of the city, and report any abnormalities in a timely manner."

"According to the order!"

……

The council of princes and ministers concluded, and the atmosphere in the capital suddenly became tense.

Before the end of the first month of the lunar calendar, tens of thousands of Manchu families in Beijing were forced to end their relaxed lives early and return to their camps.

As an imperial censor and commander of the Five Cities Garrison, Jiang Qingyun naturally couldn't afford to be idle.

At his request, four brand-new brick and stone watchtowers rose from the ground, overlooking the southern part of the city.

He also took control of the church left by Johann Adam Schall von Bell inside Xuanwu Gate, and stationed four soldiers there as a lookout point.

In case of an emergency, the five watchtowers would communicate by flag signals during the day and by lights at night, guiding ground troops to arrive promptly to handle the fire or bandit situation.

Jiang Qingyun privately referred to it as "Five Eyes".

Five eyes observe the capital.

Over time, the military command staff also got used to this way of addressing them.

……

Prince Xin's Mansion.

"Oh no, this is terrible! That bastard Hong Chengchou poisoned everyone that day!"

"what?"

Donny, whose fever had just subsided, jumped up.

"Smallpox! Half the population has smallpox! Their families are all gathered around the governor's office demanding answers." Doni didn't even have time to put on his boots before he dashed out of the house, leaped onto his warhorse, and cracked his whip.

The guards followed closely behind.

"Get out of the way, get out of the way."

The area in front of the Zhenglan Banner Governor's Office was packed with people.

Doni felt a chill run down his spine as he looked at the group of people who had contracted smallpox; these were all high-ranking officers of the Plain Blue Banner.

"Banner Chief, a perfectly healthy person contracted smallpox after being vaccinated. Is this healing or murder?"

Doni disregarded his fear and examined each person's bright red, festering pimple marks. Those with mild symptoms could still weakly curse, while those with severe symptoms had fallen into a coma.

Large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. He began to experience auditory and visual hallucinations, then suddenly convulsed violently and collapsed.

The scene became even more chaotic.

……

The Eight Banner soldiers in the 7th year of the Shunzhi reign still retained most of their ferocity.

Someone raised their arm and shouted:
"Brothers of the Plain Blue Banner, let's go to the Ministry of War and arrest that bastard Hong Chengchou, and ask him face to face what really happened?"

"that's right."

"Walk."

Soon, they gathered seven or eight hundred people, and they headed west in a dark mass.

The Plain Blue Banner's defense zone was located in the southeast corner of the inner city, while the Bordered Blue Banner's defense zone was located in the southwest corner. In the middle were the Six Ministries and their subordinate offices.

After walking for a while, someone suddenly realized that everyone's behavior was "out of line".

A captain climbed onto the roof and shouted:
"Brothers, listen to me. Let's leave our weapons behind. Don't take any weapons with you, or the situation will change."

"We're not rebelling, we're going to reason with people."

The group dropped their swords and set off westward with their bare hands, their momentum overwhelming. Shops closed their doors and pedestrians avoided them.

……

Near Shichahai.

In accordance with the decree of Emperor Shunzhi, officials were to routinely patrol the streets, ostensibly to patrol the streets, but in reality to monitor the military camps.

Jiang Qingyun and Ao Bai rode side by side.

At present, Ao Bai is the Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard. He and Sony, who leads the Firearms Battalion, are trusted by Emperor Shunzhi and are known as the "Two Yellow Banners Manchu Twin Stars".

"Brother Jiang, after you finish your shift, I'll treat you to drinks and women."

"Your Excellency is too kind; I dare not presume to accept such praise."

Ao Bai's voice was muffled and gruff:

“Brother Jiang, the year Emperor Taizong died, I led a group of people to oppose Dorgon’s ascension to the throne. We even drew our swords and made enemies.”

"In the fifth year of the Shunzhi Emperor's reign, I followed Prince Su's army to fight against Zhang Xianzhong. I was always the vanguard in every battle and beheaded countless people. After returning to the capital, not only did I not achieve anything, but Dorgon also threw me into a death row prison. Later, everyone came to plead for me and I was only released after being fined silver. A few months later, Dorgon falsely accused me of treason and arrested me into a death row prison where I was tortured day and night. Later, it was the Emperor who pleaded for my release."

At this point, tears welled up in the eyes of the burly, bear-like Ao Bai.

He wiped away his tears.

"Last year, Dorgon found another charge against me and threw me into prison, where I was tortured day and night, and the jailers humiliated me in every way."

……

Jiang Qingyun nodded in sympathy.

The jailer must have put in some effort to torment a super strong man like Ao Bai to the point of heartbreak and tears; those memories are truly unbearable.

Ao Bai's face flushed red, and he wiped away his tears:
“Brother, just because you dared to suggest to the Emperor to exhume Dorgon’s body and mutilate it, you are my good brother, Ao Bai.”

"Lord Ao, please be patient for now. I expect you will soon have the opportunity to avenge your blood feud."

As we were talking~
A knight galloped up from ahead, and the rider dismounted.

"Report! Over a thousand people from the Zhenglan Banner have gathered and are heading to the Ministry of War to protest against Hong Chengchou."

Ao Bai was stunned: "Why?"

Knight: "They say Hong Chengchou poisoned him."

Jiang Qingyun drew his sword with a swift motion.

"Brother Ao, let's use force to suppress them!"

……

[Please vote for me! Please keep reading! It's been hovering around 3rd or 4th on the all-time new book list for a long time. That golden, orange-yellow robe is so unattainable, it's infuriating!]

(End of this chapter)