My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 83: Yongzheng is too partial to Hongli! (Fifth update)
Because of "Dream of the Red Chamber", Hongli had some understanding of the historical Cao family.

He remembered that the Cao family was disciplined in the fifth year of Yongzheng's reign. The head of the Cao family, Cao Fu (Cao Xueqin's father), was imprisoned, and the Cao family was raided the following year.

Therefore, Hongli felt that a five-year grace period would be more appropriate.

Hongli also understood that since Yongzheng asked them, according to the imperial skills taught to him by Kangxi, it was not really for consultation, but he intended to identify his and Hongshi's insights in handling such practical policies.

Hongshi spoke first: "My dear Khan, since we are forcing them to make up for the deficit, we should not be too lenient. Even if we consider the favor of the late emperor and my uncle, giving them three years of grace to raise funds to make up for the deficit will be enough."

Hongshi said this because he thought that Yongzheng had already said that he had argued with the Thirteenth Prince for a long time about this, so he felt that Yongzheng did not want to be so lenient. He also thought that Hongli had been punished for pleading for the Tenth Prince, so he did not want to speak for the Cao family.

Yongzheng nodded without saying anything, only looking at Hongli: "What do you think?"

"Since Uncle Thirteen has spoken, I believe we can grant him a five-year grace period."

"Besides, since Khan Ama has asked us, it means we can ask Khan Ama for mercy on behalf of the Cao family, curry favor with Uncle Thirteen, and comfort Khan Mafa's spirit in heaven."

Hongli smiled as he spoke.

Yongzheng looked at Hongli, his brows relaxed, and he said with a smile: "Since you said so, how can I not give the Cao family five years?"

Hongshi couldn't help but widen his eyes and look at Hongli.

Hongli pursed his lips and didn't smile.

"Su Peisheng!"

Yongzheng called out at this time.

Not long after, Su Peisheng came over.

Yongzheng ordered, "Take this to the Cabinet and have them issue an imperial edict to Jiangning, telling the Cao family that I have given them five years to make up for the shortfall. But don't think that because they have Prince Yi's protection, they will be perfunctory and take their duties lightly. If they still haven't made up for the shortfall after five years, they will not only be sorry for the late emperor, but also for Prince Yi's love and care!"

"Whoo!"

Hongli and Hongshi retreated next.

After leaving the Yangxin Palace, Hongshi was very quiet.

Hongli took the initiative to say goodbye to him, but he just nodded slightly with a dull expression.

Hongli couldn't help but shook his head and smiled.

Hongshi was really puzzled at this time. He asked himself whether he had tried very hard to please Yongzheng and change his image, but he failed every time.

He was scolded for offering tea to Yongzheng, and answered according to Yongzheng's wishes that he should not be too lenient to the Cao family. As a result, Yongzheng adopted Hongli's suggestion and intentionally showed his concern for his brother's studies on New Year's Eve. However, Yongzheng took Hongli's question to accuse him of humiliating his brother.

Hongshi felt a little tired, and even felt that his Khan father was clearly biased towards Hongli.

Coincidentally.

When Hongshi came back, the ninth prince Yinzhen invited him to a secret meeting in a restaurant.

Because now, the long mourning period that lasted for days and months has passed, and the whole country has stopped mourning. People can drink and eat meat in private, but they are not allowed to call prostitutes or stay with them. Therefore, Lao Jiu was able to invite Hongshi to the restaurant.

When Hongshi arrived at the restaurant where Laojiu had invited him, he saw Laoba also there, so he greeted both of them.

Afterwards, Hongshi took the initiative to mention what happened today to the two of them.

Then, Hongshi said indignantly, "Eighth Uncle, Ninth Uncle, tell me, is it such a big mistake for my nephew not to listen to Khan Ama before the throne was confirmed? Moreover, is this only my nephew's fault?"

"Hongshi!"

"You can't say that!"

The eighth prince Yinsi hurriedly stopped Hongshi.

Hongshi seemed to be almost unable to suppress his inner dissatisfaction with Yongzheng, and said: "My nephew is going to say it! If he had hinted to me at the beginning, shown the slightest intention to take over the throne, I would not have done that!"

"Hongshi!"

The eighth uncle Yinsi raised his tone again and looked at Hongshi seriously: "Don't you even listen to your eighth uncle's words?!" Only then did Hongshi shut up.

But Lao Jiu looked at Lao Ba and said, "Eighth brother, just let Hong Shi speak!"

Then, Lao Jiu picked up the wine glass, took a sip, and said angrily: "Hongshi is right. It takes two to tango. No son would dislike his father and disobey his father for no reason!"

"His fourth brother is so picky with his own son, no wonder he's so mean to us brothers!"

Lao Jiu then poured himself another glass of wine and drank it all in one gulp.

The Eighth Old glanced at the Ninth Old and sighed slightly: "Isn't it just that the deficit recovery is a bit harsh? To you, the Ninth Old, it's nothing. Are you short of money?"

"I just can't stand his arrogance! Sun Zhaji was forced to death, Bajina, the Minister of Rites in Shengjing, was ordered to retire, and Wu Erzhan was dismissed from his positions as Commander-in-Chief of the Plain White Banner and Minister of the Imperial Guard."

"Even Lao Shi, his own brother, was forced to sell off his property by him."

"This isn't about making up for the shortfall; he's clearly seeking revenge and relentlessly pursuing those who are loyal to Old Fourteen!"

At this point, Lao Jiu said, "Now they want me to hand over all the smuggled slaves. It's obvious that they want to take Haili away from me!"

The Eighth Brother looked at the Ninth Brother and said, "I am the fish on the chopping board. If you hand it over calmly, you may still have a chance of survival. But if you refuse to hand it over, you will have no chance of survival at all. The Tenth Brother is only making things difficult for the Fourth Brother. If you refuse, you are forcing the Fourth Brother to kill his opponent!"

Lao Jiu chuckled and said, "My dear brother, don't speak for him all the time just because he has given you the status of a prince and prime minister."

Speaking of it.

Lao Jiu looked at Hongshi and said, "Hongshi, I'm not afraid that your Uncle Jiu will tell Fourth Brother about these things. I'm even happy for you to tell your Uncle Jiu! Because I recognize you now, Uncle Jiu. I won't give in to Haili. If he has the guts, he can take my life first and then take it away!"

Hongshi was also quite surprised.

He hadn't expected that his uncle would be so emotional after talking with his Khan Ama last night, even more emotional than he was. He couldn't help but advise, "Uncle Ninth, why bother with this? Khan Ama won't do it to you no matter what he does. After all, you are brothers!"

"Besides, what Eighth Uncle said is right. There is no need for you to offend my Khan Ama and cause unpleasantness just for some material things."

"Even if my Khan Ama had that kind of heart, he wouldn't resort to such ruthless tactics when you've already taken the initiative to make concessions. My Khan Ama certainly doesn't like my nephew, but I think my Eighth Uncle is right. My Khan Ama is not a foolish ruler, and I really want to be known as a man who harms his brothers!"

Hongshi said this very rationally.

The eighth brother nodded approvingly. "Hongshi is right, ninth brother. You have always been generous and charitable. You wouldn't really let my Qing imperial family suffer from fratricide over this!"

"My brother, it's not that I'm unwilling to make concessions. I also understand what Hongshi said."

"Even if Fourth Brother wants my Haili just for his own enjoyment, I accept it and will definitely give it up. I will also be happy and free, and be a leisurely prince!"

"But do you know what he wants this profit for? He wants to purchase large quantities of silver and copper from overseas, set up a silver shop, and offer low interest to the Han people, making life easier for the Han people and taking away the profits of the Han bureaucrats and gentry!"

"Myna, can I give in to this situation?"

"How did the Qing Dynasty gain this empire?"

"You know, and Hongshi knows, too. It was because the Han gentry and bureaucrats wanted to keep dominating the Han people that we were forced to enter the country to prevent Li Zicheng from becoming another harsh Zhu Yuanzhang when he was abusing the officials and gentry. Otherwise, why would Wu Sangui surrender?"

"Why did the South send envoys to join forces with the Qing Dynasty to suppress bandits?"

"In order to ensure the stability of the Qing dynasty, even the Han official Sun Zhixie took the initiative to advise Dorgon, strongly demanding that he shave his head and change his clothes!"

"Now Fourth Brother wants to offend the Han gentry and treat the Han people as human beings."

"Besides that, do you know what he plans to do with this profit? He also plans to subsidize the Bannermen to reclaim wasteland and make them self-reliant! This is to prevent the Bannermen from continuing to occupy the Han people's farmland by enclosing land!"

"My brother, he treats the Han people as human beings even more than the Han emperor does!"

"I even doubt whether he is still a member of the Qing Dynasty or a descendant of the Aisin-Gioro family!"

The sixth update is still being written and will be updated later in the afternoon.



(End of this chapter)