My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 33: Gifts from the Jiangnan Gentry
While the rich wine and meat smell, the road with frozen bone.

This was a common phenomenon in ancient times.

The Qing Dynasty was naturally no exception.

It’s just that Yongzheng would notice this scene.

Hongli also looked over because of Yongzheng's gaze.

What he remembered very clearly was that in history, after Yongzheng became emperor, he issued an edict to lift the ban on bannermen farming as soon as he ascended the throne, and forced the proletarian bannermen in the capital to go to Rehe to reclaim wasteland.

Rehe was the place where the Qing Dynasty rulers held meetings with the Mongolian tribes, and it was also a strategic location for controlling the Mongolian tribes.

Letting the bannermen go to Rehe to reclaim wasteland has both economic and political significance.

However, allowing bannermen to farm was a measure that broke the Qing Dynasty's ancestral system and went against the interests of conservatives.

It was rare for a Qing emperor that Yongzheng dared to do this, instead of doubling down on plundering the Han people, to improve the plight of the bannermen.

Therefore, for Hongli, even if he was not Yongzheng's son, he was more supportive of Yongzheng's succession to the throne.

"Father, the newly established City Guard Battalion and Assistance Battalion in the capital still have too few people to support. It would be much better if the City Guard Battalion and Assistance Battalion could be promoted in all major cities across the country."

At this time, Hongli also mentioned to Yongzheng that he wanted to promote city defense camps and auxiliary management camps in major cities across the country.

Yongzheng was very happy that Hongli, like him, cared about the common people, but he still laughed at Hongli's naivety: "It's a question whether the city guard camp and auxiliary camp that you and Hongxi requested to be established in the capital can be maintained, let alone other places."

"What Father said is true. If it weren't for the deep-seated grudges between Second Uncle and his group and Eighth Uncle and his group, it would have been difficult for the capital to successfully implement this."

"But I believe that if Father becomes the ruler of the world in the future, the City Guard Battalion and the Auxiliary Management Battalion in the capital will definitely be able to be maintained, and they can also be expanded to other places."

Hongli tentatively said some taboo words to confirm whether Yongzheng really regarded him as someone he could trust.

After hearing what Hongli said, Yongzheng just smiled. He didn't get angry at all and didn't even frown.

This made Hongli secretly happy, knowing that Yongzheng was really not on guard against him at the moment.

When they arrived at the north gate of Changchun Garden, Hongli said goodbye to Yongzheng.

However, just as Hongli handed over the sign and walked into Changchun Garden, he saw Hongchun walking in another direction, followed by some servants.

These servants were carrying many gift plates covered with brocade handkerchiefs.

Hongli guessed that the gift plates must have contained the treasures bestowed by Kangxi on Hongchun.

When the Fourteenth Prince led troops in the northwest and won battles, Kangxi would often summon Hongchun into the palace and give him some treasures.

Hongli knew this.

But Hongli had no intention of getting close to Hongchun, so he pretended not to see it and went to Qingxi Book House in Houhu from another road.

Kangxi would not return to the palace until tomorrow, so Hongli and Princess Shushen would naturally continue to live in Changchun Garden.

After returning, Hongli also had to pay his respects to Kangxi first.

But unfortunately, according to the eunuchs who stayed in Qingxi Book House, Kangxi was still convening ministers to discuss matters in Chunhui Hall.

So Hongli had no choice but to come to Jifengxuan to meet Princess Shushen.

Princess Shushen's impression of him improved greatly. When she saw him return to the garden, she happily welcomed him into the house.

"Good brother, look at what this is?"

After Hongli followed Princess Shushen into the house, he saw Princess Shushen opening a brocade box.

When Hongli walked closer, he saw a golden rabbit that was carved to look lifelike!

Hongli couldn't help but turn his head to look at Princess Shushen: "What's this, my sister?"

"This is a toy that Wang Ge Lao asked my brother to give to you. My brother left it with me first and asked me to give it to you. There are many people outside and Wang Ge Lao's family is a noble family, so it is naturally not appropriate to hand it directly to you."

Princess Shushen replied with a smile.

Hongli asked, "Since Lord Wang is from a noble family, why did he give me such a valuable toy?"

"Of course it was you who gave my father's party hope of reinstating him."

Princess Shushen said.

After hearing this, Hongli's expression became solemn.

"Royal sister, you should remember what your brother told you." "Besides, you often stay by Khan Mafa's side, so you should understand his thoughts."

Hongli then spoke to Princess Shushen very seriously.

Princess Shushen also nodded solemnly.

"Khanmafa is sometimes nice to Fourteenth Uncle, sometimes close to Fourth Uncle, and even restored Eighth Uncle's title of Beile. It seems he's still unsure who to choose. Or perhaps he's trying to hide his mistake, just to make it harder for others to understand him."

"But my father must really have lost hope, otherwise it wouldn't have taken nine years and he still hasn't recovered."

"But I don't know the true face of Mount Lu because I am inside it. My brother and Lord Wang have put so much effort into this. How can they just give up hope completely?"

Princess Shushen looked at Hongli as she spoke.

Princess Shushen then clutched her heart and said, "Even I often worry. After Khan Mafa's reign, if it is really my fourteenth or eighth uncle who inherits the throne, where will I be? Will I be married off to a place even further away?"

"Don't worry too much. Even if Eighth Uncle and Fourteenth Uncle take power in the future, they won't do anything to you, the Imperial Sister."

Hongli comforted Princess Shushen, but was reluctant to tell her the truth.

Because he couldn't tell the truth.

Not long after, Hongli chatted with Princess Shushen for a while and then returned to Guanlan Pavilion where he lived.

He also took the golden rabbit that Wang Xun had given him back and placed it on the desk.

Since it was still early for bedtime, Hongli sat down at the desk and started reading. Only when Haitang had someone add another pot of charcoal fire did he ask her to open the window wider for ventilation.

……

……

Kangxi returned to Qingxi Study and was about to enter when he saw a light in the direction of Guanlan Pavilion. He stopped and asked the eunuch Yan Jin who stayed at Qingxi Study, "When did Hongli come back?"

"Your Majesty, I have been back for half an hour."

Yan Jin replied.

Kangxi nodded and walked into the house.

"Leave only Yan Jin to serve here!"

Afterwards, Kangxi waved his hand and asked eunuchs such as Liang Jiugong and Wei Zhu to retreat.

This made Yan Jinxi overjoyed. He took the initiative to step forward, took off Kangxi's cloak, and went to the stove to light the charcoal fire.

Kangxi sat on a brocade cushion covered with gray mink fur and placed his hands on the charcoal fire. "During my absence, have the two young ladies caused any trouble?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, no, it's just..."

Yan Jin swallowed the words back into his mouth.

Kangxi looked up at Yan Jin and asked, "Just what?"

Yan Jin lowered his head and said, "It's just that I heard that after the Fourth Prince returned, Princess Shushen gave him a golden rabbit. It was said that it was given by Lord Wang."

"Wang Fan?"

Kangxi narrowed his eyes slightly.

In his later years, Kangxi would get a headache and even feel disgusted whenever he heard the name Wang Fan.

Because Wang Fan's support for the deposed Crown Prince Yinreng could be described as extremely stubborn, it had always been a headache for Kangxi.

Kangxi then asked, "Did Hongli accept it?"

"I've collected it!"

When Kangxi heard what Yan Jin said, he stood up suddenly and walked towards Guanlan Pavilion.

Yan Jin hurried over, picked up Kangxi's cloak, and shouted with a smile on his face, "Your Majesty, put on your cloak first!"

"How can he accept it?"

When Kangxi arrived at Guanlan Pavilion, Hongli was still reading, and the golden rabbit was placed clearly on the desk.

(End of this chapter)