Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Kangxi was displeased, but he showed no sign of it on his face. Instead, he looked at the Eighth Prince, Yinzhi, and asked:

"Eighth Brother, they both recommended you, what did you say?"

The Eighth Prince, Yinzhi, remained calm and composed, bowing respectfully in response:

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, I am of limited talent and learning, and I fear I am unfit for this task! My Ninth and Tenth Brothers have high hopes for me, but I am unworthy to accept them!"

"Father has already planned this battle meticulously. No matter which prince is appointed as the Grand General, it will be a wise appointment by Father, and he will surely live up to the trust placed in him."

"Of course, if Father Emperor commands me, I will gladly die for him. If not, I will gladly remain behind."

Although Yinzhi was eager to become the Grand General, he outwardly maintained a humble demeanor.

However, his words did not convince Kangxi; instead, they made Kangxi's eyes narrow.

My eighth son always speaks so sweetly. In front of me, he's always willing to be second best, but at home, he's always willing to be first!

He is hypocritical, saying one thing and meaning another, and putting on a fake act.

On the surface, you don't fight for anything, but secretly you let others fight for you. Where is the demeanor of a ruler?

"Eighth Prince's words are most appropriate!"

Just as the hall fell silent, Gao Shiqi stepped forward and announced in a clear voice:

"With His Majesty's planning over this battle for several months, no matter which prince is appointed as the Grand General, victory is assured."

"This old minister recommends the Crown Prince to serve as Grand General! The Crown Prince is the heir apparent of the country, and it is perfectly legitimate for him to lead the expedition on behalf of the Emperor."

"If we could send Crown Prince Yinreng to lead the troops, it would surely boost morale and better gain the trust of the Northern Yuan and Hunye kingdoms. Please consider this suggestion, Your Majesty!"

Gao Shiqi had always been a staunch supporter of Crown Prince Yinreng. When he saw that the Ninth Prince and the Tenth Prince had both recommended the Eighth Prince Yinsi, he became anxious and quickly interrupted them.

He did not want this important opportunity to fall into the hands of the Eighth Prince, Yinzhi, which would boost the power of the Eighth Prince's faction and threaten the position of the Crown Prince.

Upon hearing this, Kangxi couldn't help but glance at Crown Prince Yinreng standing to the side out of the corner of his eye.

At this moment, Yinreng on the throne simply lowered his head, remained silent, and seemed lost in thought, as if the events unfolding before him had nothing to do with him.

Looking at his second son, Emperor Kangxi felt a sense of desolation at having no successor.

If it weren't for the memory of the deceased Empress Xiaochengren, and the fact that the Qing Dynasty had just suffered a major defeat and the situation was unstable, he really wanted to immediately issue an edict to depose this incompetent crown prince!

He neglects national affairs and is unable to manage his family matters. He stands here every day as if he has lost his soul. How can such a person shoulder the responsibility of the Qing Dynasty in the future?

Kangxi turned to look at the Crown Prince, his cold gaze sharp as a knife, and asked in a stern voice:

"Yinreng, Gao Shiqi has recommended you to be the Grand General. What do you say?"

Crown Prince Yinreng trembled under Kangxi's icy gaze, lowered his head slightly, and said in a somewhat weak voice:

"Your subject... Your subject will obey Father's orders."

Yinreng was not very interested in being appointed as the Grand General; he preferred to stay in Shengjing and enjoy a carefree life with his stepmother.

If he were to become a Grand General and wield military power, he would not have a good life, regardless of whether he won or lost.

Even if he wins the battle, his father will be even more suspicious of him.

Needless to say, the defeats were a cautionary tale, with the eldest prince serving as a prime example.

Therefore, Yinreng was thinking of promoting his own Crown Prince's fourth or thirteenth son to the position of Grand General.

This way, he wouldn't have to go to the front lines, and he wouldn't let the Eighth Prince's faction seize military power.

Of course, he won't step forward to recommend it now. He'll wait until the controversy has died down before going along with it and doing a favor.

Emperor Kangxi frowned almost imperceptibly.

Every time I ask the Crown Prince for his opinion, he gives me the same useless excuse.

Either the Emperor is wise and insightful and will make his own judgment, or we should simply follow his orders.

You are the crown prince, not a yes-man.

Kangxi looked at Yinreng and asked again in a cold voice:

"I told you last time to visit the First Prince's family more often when you have time. Have you gone yet in the past three months?"

Looking at Kangxi's gloomy face, Yinreng secretly groaned. He hadn't said a word, yet this old man was targeting him again.

With so many things to do every day, he has no time to visit the eldest prince's family.

Even if he had the time, he wouldn't want to go see it.

The eldest prince and he had always been at odds. It was already a favor that he didn't kick him when he was down, so how could he possibly visit his family?

Faced with Kangxi's question, Yinreng braced himself and answered tremblingly:

"Your subject... Your subject has been busy with state affairs lately and hasn't had time to go see it yet."

"It's been over three months, and you still haven't had time?" Emperor Kangxi was furious!

Yinreng knelt down with a thud. He didn't argue anymore; he just had a headache whenever he saw his own father.

That old geezer always picks on me.

When Kangxi saw the Crown Prince looking so lifeless, he wanted to kick him, but he held back his anger out of consideration for the Crown Prince's reputation and ignored him.

Instead, he turned to the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, and asked in a deep, unyielding voice:

"Fourth brother, what do you think of the candidate for Grand General?"

The Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, stepped forward and said in a steady voice:

"Your subject recommends the thirteenth brother."

Kangxi glanced at Yinzhen and his gaze shifted slightly. This son was cold and ruthless, but he had the country and its people in his heart.

She is sometimes too impatient and not kind enough to others, so she needs more experience.

Kangxi said:

"The thirteenth prince is skilled in archery and horsemanship, and quite knowledgeable in military affairs; he's a suitable candidate. Tell me your reasons!"

Emperor Kangxi held his thirteenth son, Yinxiang, in high regard.

Several years ago, Emperor Kangxi summoned his ministers and princes to study calligraphy at his temporary palace.

Not only did he personally write large-character couplets and display them on the spot, but he also invited everyone to admire the couplets written by the fourth prince, Yinzhen, and the thirteenth prince, Yinxiang.

At that time, the officials looked around and were all overjoyed and full of admiration.

Such an astonishing gesture naturally contained an element of flattery, but it was a fact that the two princes were skilled in calligraphy.

That year, Yinxiang was 17 years old. If he hadn't been confident, why would Kangxi have let him perform on the spot with his elder brother?

In Kangxi's view, Yinxiang inherited the traditional skills of the Manchus, and was proficient in horseback riding and archery.

He was skilled in archery and horsemanship during every royal hunt, and his shots were always accurate.

On one occasion, during a hunting trip, a tiger suddenly appeared out of the forest, but he remained calm and thrust forward with a sharp blade.

All who witnessed it admired his extraordinary bravery.

The Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, replied respectfully:

"Your Majesty! If we are talking about those who know military affairs, among all the princes, none are more knowledgeable than the thirteenth and fourteenth princes."

"Both of them practiced martial arts from a young age, were proficient in military strategy, and had experience on the battlefield."

"The reason I recommended my thirteenth brother instead of my fourteenth brother is because my thirteenth brother's maternal grandfather was the Great Khan of the Khalkha Mongols."

"In this campaign in the Northwest, if our Great Qing wants to gain the full support of the Khalkha Mongols, then the thirteenth brother is the only suitable candidate to serve as the Grand General."