Chapter 87
Upon hearing this, Qianlong put down his pen and looked down at Concubine Ling. She was a little disheveled and her hair was a little scattered, but there were no obvious scars on her body. Qianlong thought to himself that the Queen's words were indeed too intense, and Concubine Ling was too weak. How could she bear such pressure?
Qianlong sighed softly, reached out his hand and gently patted Concubine Ling's back to comfort her. His voice was gentle but dignified: "Okay, stop crying. I know you are wronged, but the Queen is emotionally unstable during her illness, so you should be more considerate. Go and continue to serve the Queen. This is also your duty."
Qianlong was able to become an emperor, naturally he had extraordinary wisdom and strategy. He had long been aware of the gap between the empress and Concubine Ling in the harem. He knew that letting Concubine Ling serve the empress was tantamount to pushing her into a fire pit, but Qianlong did not take it to heart. In his view, the beauties in the harem fighting for him was a manifestation of his charm and a kind of enjoyment for him as an emperor. Most emperors of past dynasties held this mentality and regarded the fights in the harem as a game of vying for favors between women. As long as it was not too excessive, he generally would not easily intervene.
Qianlong looked out the window at the deep night, thinking to himself. He knew that the empress was tormenting Concubine Ling because of jealousy and hatred. He even thought coldly that perhaps the more unfortunate Concubine Ling was, the empress would feel happier, and in this way, the empress's illness might get better faster. After all, the safety of the empress was related to the rise and fall of the royal family. In comparison, the grievances suffered by Concubine Ling were not worth mentioning. When the empress recovered from her illness, she would find a way to compensate Concubine Ling.
Qianlong's mind was as clear as a mirror. He knew which was more important, the country or the beauty. How could he mess up the overall situation for a little grievance of Concubine Ling? Now that the Queen's condition was getting worse, Qianlong hoped more urgently that Li Qingge could recognize his ancestors and inherit the foundation of the Qing Dynasty. He was worried that if something happened to the Queen, Li Qingge would unify the north by force, and then the Aisin-Gioro family would be in danger. Thinking of this, Qianlong couldn't help but frown, and a trace of worry flashed in his eyes.
Therefore, Qianlong took the opportunity of the empress's recuperation to start planning a tour to the south. On the one hand, he could appreciate the customs and customs of Jiangnan, and on the other hand, he could take the opportunity to investigate the situation in the south and look for an opportunity to recognize Li Qingge and pass the throne to him. In Qianlong's view, only if Li Qingge accepted the abdication could the safety of the royal family and the continuation of the foundation of the ancestors be ensured. In this way, he could also avoid the tragic fate of becoming a king of a fallen country, just like Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty.
However, just as Qianlong's southern tour plan was planned, the news spread quickly and reached the ears of the fifth prince Yongqi. Yongqi had a special liking for Xiaoyanzi, but he could not marry her because Xiaoyanzi was Huanzhu Gege's nominal sister. This problem has been bothering him and keeping him awake at night.
Yongqi sat in his study, looking at the bright moonlight outside the window, with endless thoughts in his mind. He knew Xiaoyanzi's true identity very well, and he also knew that she was not a real princess. In order to solve this problem, he decided to let the real and fake princesses return to their positions and restore Xiaoyanzi's true identity. But he didn't dare to tell the truth directly, for fear that Xiaoyanzi would be punished for deceiving the emperor. So Yongqi began to seek the gold medal of immunity from death, hoping to use it to protect Xiaoyanzi's safety.
He sent people to inquire about the whereabouts of the death-free gold medal, and even spent a lot of money to buy clues. Finally, on a dark and windy night, Yongqi got a gold medal that was said to be able to avoid death once. He held the gold medal tightly, as if holding Xiaoyanzi's life.
At the same time, Xiaoyanzi was also worried in Shufangzhai. Although she was a princess, she was always thinking about Yongqi. She knew Yongqi's feelings for her and understood the special status of her. Whenever it was late at night, she would look at the starry sky outside the window and silently pray that she could be with Yongqi.
However, the struggles in the harem made Xiaoyanzi's life not peaceful. She was often harassed by the Queen and punished by Rong Mama. Whenever this happened, she would grit her teeth and endure it silently. Because she knew that only by persisting could she wait for the day when she could reunite with Yongqi.
While Qianlong was preparing for his southern tour and Yongqi was seeking a golden medal to avoid death, a small incident caused a stir in the harem. It turned out that a maid accidentally broke the queen's favorite vase and was severely punished by the queen. The maid was trembling with fear and knelt on the ground begging for mercy. Xiaoyanzi couldn't bear to see this, so she came forward to plead for the maid. Seeing this, the queen was even more furious and punished Xiaoyanzi as well.
This punishment was more severe than any other time. Xiaoyanzi was beaten so badly that she could hardly stand. She held back her tears and returned to Shufangzhai. When Yongqi heard the news, he was heartbroken and rushed to visit her immediately.
He looked at the scars all over Xiaoyanzi's body, and a flash of anger and heartache flashed in his eyes. He held Xiaoyanzi's hand tightly and said softly: "Don't be afraid, I'm here. I will definitely protect you and never let you get hurt again."
Xiaoyanzi couldn't hold back her tears after hearing this. She snuggled in Yongqi's arms, feeling the warmth and peace of mind. She knew that no matter how many difficulties and obstacles there were in the future, as long as Yongqi was by her side, she would have the courage to face everything.
Qianlong's southern tour plan was also being prepared in full swing. He took a group of followers and embarked on a journey to Jiangnan. Along the way, he appreciated the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan and investigated the situation in the south. He knew that this southern tour was not only a trip, but also an important move related to the future of the Qing Dynasty.
During his southern tour, Qianlong often thought of Li Qingge. He looked forward to meeting Li Qingge and passing on the foundation of the Qing Dynasty to him. However, he also knew that this road was not easy. He needed to overcome many difficulties to achieve his wish.
During Qianlong's southern tour, Yongqi also began his actions. He used the death-free gold medal in his hand to cleverly resolve the crisis facing Xiaoyanzi. At the same time, he also began to secretly investigate the whereabouts of Li Qingge, hoping to find him and reveal Xiaoyanzi's true identity.
After some efforts, Yongqi finally found Li Qingge's hiding place. He took Xiaoyanzi there and had a deep talk with Li Qingge. After Li Qingge learned the truth, he was also deeply moved. He promised Yongqi that he would try his best to help Xiaoyanzi restore her true identity and promised to protect her safety.
With the help of Li Qingge, Xiaoyanzi finally regained her true identity and was with Yongqi. They went through many ups and downs together and finally ushered in their happy time. Qianlong's southern tour was also a complete success. He not only enjoyed the scenery of Jiangnan, but also found Li Qingge, the future heir.
The future of the Qing Dynasty seemed to become brighter because of this series of changes. However, the struggle in the harem never stopped. Women were caught in a brutal fight for favor, and Qianlong still enjoyed this fun. He knew that as long as he was in power, this struggle would not stop. But he also believed that as long as the Qing Dynasty had an heir like Li Qingge, no matter how difficult the future was, it would be able to go on.
When they heard that Emperor Qianlong was going to visit the south of the Yangtze River, Xiaoyanzi and her group were very excited. They seemed to be touched by the spring breeze, with unconcealable joy on their faces and expectation in their eyes. Xiaoyanzi was so excited that she turned around in the room, like a bird just released from a cage, eager to spread its wings and fly high.
When the emperor went to Jiangnan, the expenses were extremely high. Every time the officials in Jiangnan welcomed the emperor, gold, silver and jewelry were sent out like water, as if they were spending money or not. When Emperor Kangxi went to the south, he spent too much money, which caused the Cao family to lose everything and finally had their house confiscated. That period of history, like a heavy cloud, often shrouded the hearts of officials in Jiangnan. But now, Jiangnan has been returned to Dayan, and Emperor Qianlong will naturally not make a big fanfare like before, and he does not have the financial resources to toss. He knew very well that this trip to the south was not only to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan, but also to understand the people's sentiments and understand whether Jiangnan under Dayan's governance was really as prosperous as rumored.
Therefore, Qianlong decided to go on a private visit in disguise, which was both low-key and safe, and was a wise move. He secretly calculated that this trip to the south would definitely bring him many unexpected surprises.
Xiaoyanzi and her friends knew that Emperor Qianlong liked to play and show off, so they often went to Jiangnan before. The happier the emperor was, the more likely they were to get the gold medal of immunity from death, which was the amulet they had always dreamed of. So Xiaoyanzi used all her tricks and begged Qianlong to take her with him. She blinked her big watery eyes, a sweet smile appeared on her face, and her voice was so soft that water could be squeezed out: "Your Majesty, please take me with you, I promise not to cause you any trouble." Qianlong doted on Xiaoyanzi so much that when he saw her like this, his heart softened into a puddle of mud, and he naturally agreed.
But Xiaoyanzi pushed the issue too far, not only did she want to go, she also wanted to take Ziwei and Jinsuo with her. Qianlong disagreed at first, frowning, and seemed uninterested in the two joining. But when he thought of Ziwei's talent, which reminded him of Xia Yuhe, his heart softened inexplicably. He sighed, shook his head helplessly, and finally agreed to Xiaoyanzi's request.
When the ladies in the harem heard that Emperor Qianlong was going to Jiangnan, their faces changed with fear, as if they had heard some terrible news. Especially Concubine Ling, she almost fainted. She covered her chest with both hands, her face was as pale as paper, and her eyes were full of fear and anxiety. Why? Because Jiangnan is now the territory of Dayan, and Dayan and Qing are mortal enemies. Isn't this jumping into a fire pit? If the queen of Dayan finds out, Emperor Qianlong is afraid that he will repeat the mistakes of the Tumubao Incident. These ladies were as anxious as ants on a hot pot. They ran to persuade Qianlong not to go, fearing that if something happened to him, they would become widows in the deep palace.
But Emperor Qianlong was determined to go, and would not listen to anyone's advice. His stubbornness made the concubines even more confused, and they thought that the emperor was old and confused and didn't know the danger of Dayan. In fact, Qianlong knew it in his heart. He raised a confident smile and thought to himself: Dayan is my daughter's territory. Even if my identity is exposed, can she kill me, her own father?
Qianlong originally planned to take the empress with him, but the empress didn't like Xiaoyanzi and refused to go. She even pretended to be sick to avoid him. She lay on the bed, her face pale, with a sneer on the corner of her mouth, as if she was full of disdain and ridicule for this trip to the south. Qianlong had no choice but to keep her in the palace to recuperate. Because Concubine Ling had been humiliated by the empress, she had been holding a grudge in her heart. She also wanted to try her luck in Jiangnan to see if she could have another child and consolidate her position. Qianlong smiled and said to her, "The empress is ill. She usually likes you to take care of her. You should stay and show your filial piety." After hearing this, Concubine Ling felt mixed emotions. She could only swallow her bitterness and couldn't say anything. She forced a smile and replied respectfully, "Yes, I obey your command."
In Kunning Palace, the Queen mocked Concubine Ling with cold words, and then asked her to boil medicine. She sat in front of the dressing table, looking at her slightly haggard face in the mirror, and couldn't help feeling an inexplicable irritation in her heart. She asked Aunt Rong: "How long has the emperor been away from the capital? He must have left the city." Aunt Rong saw the Queen's worry, smiled and comforted her, "Don't worry, your Majesty, the emperor is protected by the imperial guards, and there are capable people like the Fifth Prince and the Fu brothers with him. He will be fine. Besides, the South is now under the jurisdiction of the Fifth Princess. There is no one picking up things on the road, and the doors are not locked at night. It is safer than the Heavenly Palace."
The queen felt relieved after hearing this, but the worry on her face did not completely disappear. She sighed and said, "You are right. The fifth princess has governed the south so well. The people live and work in peace and contentment. This year is another bumper harvest. The warehouses are full of grain and it is as prosperous as a fairyland. Her talent and character are far superior to her grandfather, Emperor Kangxi!" After saying this, a complex look flashed in the queen's eyes, with both admiration and envy for the fifth princess, as well as helplessness and sadness for not being able to control her own destiny.
Rong Mama showed a slight smug look on her face, her lips slightly raised, her eyes flashing with admiration and praise for the Fifth Princess. She slowly said: "Indeed, the Fifth Princess is a rare wise ruler in the history. Her wisdom and courage are such that even the Emperor, who is at the peak of the Kangxi and Qianlong eras, may not be her opponent. Her abilities are obvious to all. Whether it is governing the country or being a martial arts expert, she inspires respect from all sides."
The queen was overjoyed and smiled as brightly as a flower. That smile seemed to dispel all the haze and make people feel happy. She stroked the teacup in her hand, her eyes gleaming with anticipation, and said, "Now I am satisfied. I only hope that Great Yan and Great Qing can be united and share a peaceful and prosperous era. In that case, I will have no regrets in my life. If the fifth princess can really realize this ambition, I will die with my eyes closed."
Rong Ma stood behind the queen, gently stroking her shoulders. The action was gentle and delicate, as if it could soothe all the worries in the queen's heart. She whispered softly, "The Fifth Princess has her own ambitions. This day will definitely come. When the laws of Dayan are extended to the north, men and women are equal, and monogamy prevails, you will be the emperor's legal wife, and you don't have to worry about those concubines who are competing for favor."
At this point, Rong Mama frowned slightly, and her frowning expression showed that she had something on her mind. She lowered her voice, revealing a hint of worry in her tone: "Madam, there is something I am worried about."
Upon hearing this, the Queen immediately turned around and asked with concern: "What worries you so much? Tell me now, and we will work together to find a solution."
"It's about the emperor." Aunt Rong replied, her tone revealing a hint of helplessness and worry.
When the Queen heard this, her heart skipped a beat. She asked nervously, "Are you afraid that someone will take advantage of the Emperor's incognito visit to harm him?"
Rong Mama shook her head, her movements firm and decisive: "No. The emperor is protected by the imperial guards, so his safety should not be a problem."
The queen's nervousness eased a little after hearing this, but she immediately became confused again: "Then what are you worried about?"
Rong Mama sighed and replied, "The emperor went to Jiangnan twice before, and each time he lingered in the red-light districts. He never had enough fun and even brought back Han women to the palace. Although I have a deep relationship with you in recent years, as the saying goes, it is difficult to change a person's nature. Jiangnan is a place of prosperity and temptation. I am afraid that the emperor will repeat the same mistake when he goes south this time."
When the queen heard this, she immediately became alert. She bit her lower lip tightly, as if trying to hold back the gasp that was about to come out. She said anxiously: "Oh! I actually forgot about this! The emperor has always loved beauties from the south of the Yangtze River. How can he not indulge in sensual pleasures when he goes south this time? What should I do?"
Rong Madam asked hurriedly, "What is your Majesty going to do?"
The queen was filled with jealousy. She sneered, and her laughter revealed a hint of anger and unwillingness: "Humph, the country is almost in danger, and he is still thinking about love? No way! Quickly bring paper and pen, I want to write a letter and send it to Xiaowu urgently eight hundred miles away. If the emperor dares to mess around with those seductive women, I will never let him off easily!"
Although she was jealous, the queen still told Li Qingge to take good care of Qianlong and not let him get hurt. She knew that no matter how indulgent the emperor was, he was still the emperor of the Qing Dynasty and her lifelong support.
This 800-li urgent letter flew southward like an arrow. Although it arrived a little later than Qianlong, the speed of a single person on horseback could not be compared with that of a large group of people and horses. The messenger shuttled between the north and the south like lightning, conveying the queen's anxiety and worry to Li Qingge in the distance.
Before Qianlong arrived in Jiangnan, Li Qingge had already received the letter from the Queen. She opened the envelope and read the contents of the letter carefully, and a cunning smile gradually appeared on the corner of her mouth. She thought to herself: "Hey, isn't this just walking into a trap? Dealing with the mess in the relationship between men and women is my specialty! This time, let me teach this ignorant emperor a lesson!" Qianlong had heard that Li Qingge was promoting land reform and advocating equality between men and women. He was worried that this would shake the foundation of the Qing Dynasty, so he blocked the border and prohibited exchanges between the north and the south. However, this did not stop Li Qingge's footsteps. She still firmly implemented her reforms, allowing the people of Dayan to live a happier life.
The Qing Dynasty sealed off the south, but Dayan did not prohibit people from the north from coming in. However, the blockade of the north was tight, and if the people wanted to enter the south, they could only resort to the black market and take secret passages. Those passages were hidden in the deep mountains and forests, and only people who were familiar with the terrain could find them.
Qianlong was the emperor, so he was naturally not bound by these prohibitions. He took Xiaoyanzi, Ziwei and others and went all the way south to the border. After arriving at the border, he sent Ji Xiaolan to find the prefect, and after revealing his identity, he got a special pass. When the prefect saw Qianlong's dragon robe and jade seal, he was so scared that he almost fell to his knees. He quickly ordered his men to prepare the best horses and vehicles to send the emperor south.
Qianlong looked at the dusty road ahead with a solemn expression, and it was hard to guess what he was thinking. He might have expectations for the unknown, or he might have missed the south, or he might have been worried about this trip to the south. However, no matter how turbulent his heart was, he firmly embarked on this journey to the south.
Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei were all smiling as they hummed a cheerful tune: "What a sunny day today, and beautiful scenery everywhere." They were full of anticipation and excitement for this trip south, as if they had already seen the flourishing flowers of the south of the Yangtze River.
Ji Xiaolan pointed ahead and said to Qianlong: "Emperor... Master Ai, after crossing this road, it is the territory of Dayan. Do you really want to go? Over there in Dayan..." His words revealed a hint of worry and uneasiness.
Qianlong waved his hand and interrupted him: "I have made up my mind, you don't have to say anything more. This time I go south, not only to see the governance of Dayan, but also to regain those lost memories. Don't worry, I will protect myself." After speaking, he took a deep breath, as if to absorb all the worries into his chest, and then turned them into firm steps and continued to move forward.
When I was a child, I often heard people say that there is paradise in the sky and Suzhou and Hangzhou on earth. This water town in the south is so beautiful that it is hard to describe. Today, when Ziwei really stepped into this dream land, the excitement and shock in her heart were indescribable. Her cheeks were as pink as the first peach blossoms in spring, and her eyes were full of yearning and curiosity for the unknown world, as if every inch of air was full of poetry and romance.
In China, if we talk about the place with the strongest cultural atmosphere, Jiangnan is undoubtedly the first place. Ziwei claims to be a talented woman, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. She has already sketched the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan countless times in her mind. The elegant name of Zhejiang cuisine, "literati cuisine", echoes in her ears. It is a double temptation of culture and taste buds, which makes her full of expectations for this trip.
Grand Secretary Ji Xiaolan was by her side, smiling at Ziwei, his eyes full of kindness and doting. He said softly: "The beauty of Suzhou and Hangzhou is beyond words, but when it comes to places for fun, Yangzhou is second to none. 'With a fortune, ride a crane to Yangzhou', especially in spring, the willow branches gently brush the water, the bridges are picturesque, the flowers are brocade, every place seems to have walked out of a painting, making people intoxicated and forgetting the way home."
Hearing this, Qianlong nodded slightly, with a flash of memory in his eyes. He slowly said, "Minister Ji is right. I...well, I have traveled to Jiangnan in the past, and visited almost all the scenic spots and historical sites in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. But when it comes to prosperity, Yangzhou is indeed the best." His tone revealed a hint of nostalgia for the past, as well as recognition of Yangzhou's unique charm.
Yangzhou, a city that became rich because of the Lianghuai salt business, has long been famous for its luxurious life. The salt merchants' luxurious mansions are magnificent and breathtaking. The Yangzhou thin horses are carefully cultivated to cater to the preferences of these wealthy merchants. They have waists as thin as willows, voices as soft as water, skin as white as jade, and their smiles are enough to captivate everyone. Qianlong has a special liking for this kind of luxury, and the prosperity and style of Yangzhou just suit his taste. Therefore, during this trip to the south of the Yangtze River, he most yearned for Yangzhou, followed by Jinling, the capital of the Great Yan Dynasty, where the essence and wisdom of the world were gathered.
Ziwei was listening to this, feeling a little nervous. She had offended Li Qingge, the queen of Great Yan, for some reason. She had heard that she had reformed the salt industry and abolished various taxes, with the salt industry being the first to be affected. Ziwei was worried that such a reform would affect the prosperity of Yangzhou. After all, what she longed for was the unique luxury and style.
Qianlong seemed to see Ziwei's worry. He frowned slightly and said, "Yangzhou's prosperity does rely to a large extent on salt merchants. Once the salt industry is opened up, the salt merchants may be affected. But Yangzhou is located on the main north-south road and has convenient transportation such as the Grand Canal. Its prosperity should not be easily damaged." His tone was full of confidence in the future of Yangzhou.
Ji Xiaolan also thought for a moment and said, "Now that the South has been returned to Da Yan, the changes will surely be earth-shaking in a few years. But whether it is good or bad, we should go and see it with our own eyes and feel it."
Falcon snorted disdainfully, his eyes revealing his disdain and hostility towards Da Yan. He said coldly: "It must be a mess."
Xiaoyanzi turned her head curiously and asked, "Why do you say that? I've fought with Queen Dayan before. She is very skilled in martial arts and I was no match for her. I was caught by her in an instant. Since she is so powerful, how could she not govern well?" Her tone was full of awe and curiosity towards Queen Dayan.
Yongqi shook his head and sighed. He looked at Xiaoyanzi, with a hint of helplessness and worry in his eyes. He said slowly: "Xiaoyanzi, you don't understand the truth here. To govern a country, it is not enough to rely on force alone. Although the queen is a martial arts expert, if she only knows how to solve problems with force and ignores the construction of people's livelihood, legal system and culture, then such governance is bound to be short-sighted and unsustainable."
When Qianlong heard this, a hint of surprise and admiration flashed in his eyes. He looked at Yongqi and couldn't help but look at this son with new eyes. Since the death of Empress Xiaoxian and the death of his legitimate son, he had given up the idea of establishing a legitimate son. Now it seems that Yongqi is not only an excellent martial artist, but also has his own unique insights into state governance. This makes him full of expectations and hope for Yongqi's future.
As the group continued to move forward, the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan slowly unfolded before their eyes like a painting. Ziwei was immersed in her vision of the future, while Qianlong silently observed each of his sons, thinking about the future of the Qing Dynasty. During this trip to Jiangnan, everyone was feeling the charm of this land in their own way, and they were all looking for directions and answers for their own future.
As the journey deepened, they gradually felt the difference between the Jiangnan area under the governance of the Great Yan Dynasty and the past. The streets were cleaner and wider, with many shops and happy smiles on the faces of the people. Ziwei's worries gradually dissipated, and she began to believe that no matter how the times change, the prosperity and beauty of Yangzhou will last forever.
Qianlong also found the answer in his heart during this journey. He saw the prosperity and stability of Jiangnan under the rule of Queen Da Yan, and also saw the style and potential of his sons. He knew that the future of the Qing Dynasty needed new ideas and new power, and all of this would be achieved through their efforts.
When night fell, they stopped by the Slender West Lake in Yangzhou. The moonlight was like water, sparkling, and the lights and the starry sky on both sides of the lake were reflected on the lake. Ziwei gently leaned on Ji Xiaolan, her eyes flashing with infinite longing for the future. Qianlong stood aside, looking at this beautiful land, his heart full of hope and expectation for the future. He knew that no matter how bumpy the road ahead was, as long as he had a dream in his heart, he would be able to create a better future.
Emperor Qianlong sat in a magnificent carriage, and outside the window, the spring sunshine gently sprinkled on the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, flashing dazzling light. His eyes were deep, revealing a temperament of majesty without anger, but whenever he mentioned the fifth prince Yongqi, who was both civil and military, his eyes always revealed a hint of imperceptible tenderness and expectation.
Yongqi, the prince who was highly expected by Emperor Qianlong, was standing beside the carriage at this moment, with an upright posture, like a pine tree that had experienced wind and frost but remained tough. He was wearing a luxurious brocade robe, with his sleeves fluttering gently in the wind, and a confident smile on his handsome face. He was clear in his heart, knowing his special position in his father's heart. The expectation that he was almost regarded as the future heir made him feel both honored and pressured.
When Qianlong asked about state affairs, Yongqi's spirit instantly radiated, as if an invisible force was supporting him. He stood straight, his voice was loud, like a clear stream in the mountains, flowing through his heart: "The reason why the Queen of Dayan was able to conquer the south is mainly because she is a strong martial artist and a good leader. She is a rare general." His tone was full of recognition of the military talent of the Queen of Dayan, Li Qingge, but also objective analysis.
He continued, "However, conquering the world and governing the world are two different things. Fighting a war requires the bravery and decisiveness of military generals, but governing a country requires the wisdom and strategy of civil officials. As soon as the Queen of Dayan ascended the throne, she ordered that the land of the country be distributed to the people free of charge. Although this move won the hearts of the people, it also invisibly offended those civil officials and gentry." A trace of worry flashed in Yongqi's eyes. He knew the importance of civil officials in governing a country, and also understood the consequences of offending them.
Qianlong frowned slightly when he heard this, but then relaxed his brows and motioned Yongqi to continue. He knew in his heart that offending civil officials was like stirring up a hornet's nest, especially those historians, who could leave indelible marks in the history books with a single stroke of their pen. Back then, his father, Emperor Yongzheng, won the battle for the throne among the nine princes and implemented a series of reform policies, but he also offended many civil officials and vested interests, causing people to talk about him both during his lifetime and after his death.
After Qianlong ascended the throne, in order to ease the relationship with the civil officials, he had to abolish some of his father's policies, which gradually earned him fame. However, he knew very well that the glory of the Kangxi and Qianlong eras was actually largely based on the foundation laid by Yongzheng. But history is always written by the victors. When writing history, the civil officials often portrayed Kangxi and Qianlong as famous, while Yongzheng was ignored and became a supporting role.
Seeing that Qianlong was listening, Yongqi continued, "The Queen of Dayan has a strong personality and likes to fight. She is a warmongering monarch. Fighting a war requires a lot of financial and material resources, and the south has been hit by floods in recent years. The people are having a hard time, and the national finances are also very tight. Although Dayan looks powerful on the surface, it is actually weak inside."
Qianlong nodded repeatedly after hearing this, and he couldn't help but feel worried about Li Qingge, the Queen of Dayan. He felt that Queen Li Qingge was a war maniac who didn't know how to govern a country and only knew how to solve problems with force. He thought that fanatical war was a taboo for the dynasty. Just like Emperor Wu of Han, although he and Qin Shihuang were called "Qin Emperor and Han Wu" and founded the powerful Han Dynasty, because of his excessive military expansion, he almost exhausted the wealth accumulated during the reign of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing. If it weren't for Emperor Zhao and Emperor Xuan who cleaned up the mess later, the Han Dynasty might have collapsed long ago.
Thinking of this, Qianlong couldn't help but sigh, his eyes full of worry. He was worried that the Great Yan Dynasty under Li Qingge's rule would repeat the mistakes of Emperor Wu of Han, with unrest, financial emptiness, and suffering of the people. He couldn't help but sigh: "Although a woman can sit on the throne, if she doesn't know how to govern the country, only knows how to be aggressive, doesn't know how to develop the economy, and doesn't let the people recuperate, then no matter how high her martial arts skills are or how strong her military force is, she will eventually be doomed to decline."
After saying this, Qianlong's mood became heavy. He looked at the scenery passing by outside the window, but his heart was at a loss. He knew that as an emperor, he had the responsibility to teach Li Qingge how to govern the country and not let her continue to do such evil things. Otherwise, the country would be in real danger.
Just as Qianlong was immersed in his thoughts, he suddenly felt that the carriage was no longer bumpy, but as stable as usual. He looked up in surprise and was about to ask what was going on, but he saw the curtain being gently lifted, and a pretty face came into view.
"Father, we've arrived." Yongqi's voice was gentle and respectful. He gently helped Qianlong get out of the car, as if he was supporting an elderly elder.
Qianlong got out of the car and looked around. He saw a peaceful garden with green trees and fragrant flowers. His mood gradually calmed down, but his worries still existed. He knew that it would not be easy to teach Li Qingge how to govern the country, but he was willing to make efforts to try to change the fate of this woman and the future of the Great Yan Dynasty.
Suddenly, Little Swallow poked her head out of the window like a nimble swallow. Her eyes, full of curiosity and vitality, sparkled with excitement. She shouted loudly, "Father Emperor, look, look! This road is so special!" Her voice was clear and pleasant, like a clear spring flowing in the mountains, which instantly broke the tranquility in the carriage.
When these words came out, everyone was stunned. The fifth prince Yongqi, the gentle and elegant prince, couldn't help but curiously move forward to see what was going on. He frowned slightly, and his eyes revealed a bit of surprise and confusion, as if he was also attracted by this sudden wonder.
Emperor Qianlong, the majestic and deep emperor, heard Xiaoyanzi's cry and smiled. He put down the book in his hand, with curiosity and expectation in his eyes. He simply got out of the car to check it out himself, but he was also stunned, as if he was shocked by the scene before him.
In front of me was a wide, straight black road, as flat as if it had been measured with a ruler, and at least four or five times wider than an ordinary road. The road wound forward, with no end in sight, as if it was a mysterious passage leading to an unknown world. The sun shone on the road, reflecting a dazzling light, making the entire road appear to be shining.
On one side of the road stood a huge stone tablet, towering into the sky, with four large characters "Dayan Country" engraved on it. The characters were dazzling red, like burning flames, and the characters were flying and dancing, with extraordinary momentum, as if containing infinite power. The surroundings of the stone tablet were covered with lush vegetation, forming a sharp contrast with the majesty of the stone tablet.
"What is the name of this road? Why is it so wide?" Qianlong asked in amazement. He had never seen such a smooth and wide road. His eyes were full of doubts and amazement, as if he was full of endless curiosity about this road.
"This road is even more magnificent than the palace! It's great! It's amazing! It's amazing!" Xiaoyanzi was impatient and couldn't help but express her excitement and curiosity loudly. She danced with joy, like a child who got a favorite toy. Her innocence and happiness infected the people around her.
Ji Xiaolan, the learned and intelligent minister, was also puzzled at this time. He squinted his eyes and looked at the road carefully, full of confusion. He muttered to himself: "This road looks newly built and has not been used much. It is so long and wide, and the materials used are so special. How much money must it cost!" His tone revealed some worry and confusion, as if he was surprised by the cost of building the road.
Building this road is indeed a big project. Although it is not as luxurious as a palace, it must cost a lot to build a road that stretches for several miles, dozens of miles, or even hundreds of miles. When Qianlong heard this, his brows were so tight that they could pinch a fly to death. He was full of doubts and puzzlement, as if he was surprised by the construction of this road.
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