I, Kangxi, am here to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming!

After leaving the Cining Palace, Hong Xiguan immediately summoned several banner lords from the Lower Five Banners and offered them reassurance.

The Upper Three Banners (Bordered Yellow, Plain Yellow, and Plain White) have now been brought under the direct control of the Emperor and become the "Emperor's Personal Army," but half of the military power of the Qing Dynasty is still held by the Lower Five Banners.

If Ao Bai and Sukesaha's group were "older generation entrepreneurs," difficult and stubborn, then the next few who came in were the standard "second-generation rich successors."

Half an hour later, Liang Jiugong came running in with quick, short steps.

"Your Majesty, the banner lords and princes of the Lower Five Banners are already waiting outside the palace."

"Announce." Hong Xiguan rubbed his temples, preparing to receive the guests.

The curtain was lifted, and five Manchu nobles dressed in python robes filed in.

Hong Xiguan sat on the dragon throne, squinting as he sized up the group of top nobles of the Qing Dynasty.

Leading the procession was Prince Kang, Jieshu, the banner lord of the Plain Red Banner.

This is an old acquaintance, and also Xuan Ye's cousin. This man looks shrewd, but in reality he is a typical opportunist. He was the one who impeached Ebilun the most harshly just now.

Following behind was the banner lord of the Bordered Red Banner, Prince Ping, Luo Keduo. He was the grandson of Prince Li, Daishan. He was a big, burly man with a simple and honest face. It was estimated that his brain could only hold horse riding and archery.

Next was Fu Shou, the banner lord of the Plain Blue Banner, son of Hauge, and the eldest grandson of Huang Taiji.

Logically speaking, he should have a grudge against the Shunzhi lineage (Hauge was killed by Dorgon back then), but this kid looks timid and submissive, and his sharp edges have long been smoothed out.

Prince Jian, Desai, the banner lord of the Bordered Blue Banner and grandson of Jirhalang, was also a good-for-nothing second-generation rich kid.

The last one is the most outrageous.

The banner lord of the Bordered White Banner was Prince Ezha of Xin County.

This child is only eleven years old!

He still had two snot hanging from his nose, and was wearing an ill-fitting python robe. He almost tripped over the threshold when he entered the hall. He was the grandson of Prince Dodo and the son of Dorgon's adopted son, Doni.

Looking at the room full of misshapen and deformed fruits, Hong Xiguan was overjoyed.

If the founding heroes of the Qing Dynasty were to crawl out of their coffins and see these unworthy descendants, they would probably be so angry they would die again.

But it is precisely because it is useless that it is so useful.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects! Long live the Emperor!"

The five people knelt down in unison, chanting slogans in varying degrees of disorder.

The youngest among them was eleven years old, and the oldest was no more than twenty.

"Get up, everyone. We're all family, don't be shy."

Hong Xiguan put on a kind and amiable face, walked down the steps, and even personally helped the eleven-year-old boy, Eza, up and wiped his snot.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

This gesture moved several princes to tears.

During the era when Ao Bai held absolute power, these princes and nobles lived like grandsons, not daring to utter a sound.

Now that Ao Bai has fallen and the Emperor has taken over the reins of government, not only has he not reduced their power, but he's also being so polite to them. It's like spring has finally arrived!

"I know that Ao Bai has seized power and made the court a mess. You have all suffered these past few years."

Hong Xiguan patted Jieshu on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Now that the treacherous party has been eliminated, the Qing Dynasty still needs to be protected by our own Aisin Gioro family."

"I am young and don't understand many things. In the future, my brothers will have to help me more with these important military and national affairs."

That one "brother" made Jieshu's bones melt.

"Your Majesty is too kind to this humble servant!" Jie Shu exclaimed, his face flushed with excitement. "This humble servant is willing to serve Your Majesty with his life! Anyone who dares to disrespect Your Majesty, this humble servant will be the first to behead him!"

The others also pledged their loyalty, wishing they could commit seppuku on the spot to prove their commitment.

Looking at their excited expressions, Hong Xiguan chuckled inwardly: A bunch of fools.

In the eyes of this "Han Chinese emperor," this group of people were not a shield for the imperial family at all, but the best "hunting dogs."

The Manchus valued the master-servant relationship.

In the past, Ao Bai was too powerful, suppressing these banner lords and princes like grandsons.

Now Hong Xiguan is doing the opposite, giving them face and what he calls "respect".

It's like training a dog.

If you constantly beat and scold a dog, it may be afraid of you, but it will also be thinking of biting you at any time.

But if you occasionally throw them a couple of bones with some meat on them and pet their heads, these dogs will tear any strangers who dare to approach them to pieces in order to protect their owner.

"Brothers, go back and get some rest."

Hong Xiguan smiled and saw the guests off: "From now on, the troops of the Lower Five Banners will still need your supervision. We cannot let outsiders touch our Aisin Gioro family's land."

"Yes, Your Majesty! Rest assured!"

The princes walked out with their chests out and heads held high, especially the eleven-year-old Ezha, who walked with a swagger, feeling as if he were already the pillar of the Qing Dynasty.

Once the others were out of sight, Hong Xiguan's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a playful expression.

"A bunch of idiots!"

He picked up his teacup and gently blew away the foam: "But it's better to be a little stupid. Only stupid people are obedient. In the future, if there's any dirty or tiring work, or if you need to fight with the old Manchu officials, just let these dogs out to bite."

This is what they call: dogs fighting, a mouthful of fur.

It was all about expending the Manchus' energy; this "Han emperor" could just sit back and watch the show.

……

Just after seeing off this group of "kindergarten kids," Minister of Justice Niman rushed in in a great hurry.

This guy was a typical cruel official from Manchuria, with a face full of menacing flesh, and he looked like the kind of pervert who took pleasure in pulling out people's fingernails and pouring chili water down their throats.

"Your Majesty! Great news!"

Niman knelt on the ground as soon as he entered, his fat face trembling with excitement: "Your servant has caught a clue! Those rebels who call themselves the 'Heaven and Earth Society' actually have a branch in the south of the city! Your servant has already mobilized the elite troops of the Infantry Commander's Office, and can wipe out these rebels at any time! Following the clues, we might even be able to find that Chen Jinnan too!"

The Heaven and Earth Society?

Hong Xiguan's heart skipped a beat.

Have they been exposed again?

Logically speaking, as the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, he should have been furious upon hearing this name.

But as a Han Chinese, Hong Xiguan felt a strange sense of familiarity when he heard those three words.

"Taken down?"

Hong Xiguan leaned back on the dragon throne, casually twirling the jade thumb ring on his hand: "Niman, use your brain. Ao Bai has just died, and the people of the capital are in a state of panic. If you were to launch a large-scale city-wide search at this time, causing chaos in the capital, would you think I'm sitting on the throne too securely?"

Hong Xiguan looked at Niman with a face full of disappointment: "You just killed so many people a few days ago, the bloodstains aren't even dry yet, and today you're going to start fighting again in the middle of the city? Are you afraid the people won't know that the Qing Dynasty is waging a reign of terror?"

Niman was stunned by the scolding: "But Your Majesty, that's the Heaven and Earth Society! Overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming..."

"Alright, alright!"

Hong Xiguan waved his hand impatiently, but in his heart he was thinking: "Overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming? They are allies, don't you understand? If you, the butcher, really went, wouldn't you wipe out all the brothers of the Heaven and Earth Society?"

"They're just a bunch of starving commoners venting their frustrations. What kind of organization is this? I think it's just a refugee camp."

Hong Xiguan casually made up a statement, defining the nature of the matter: "Now that the overall situation has been stabilized, people are eager for peace. We should focus on appeasement and not resort to violence at the drop of a hat, lest we tarnish the reputation of my 'benevolent rule'."

"You are not allowed to interfere in this matter. Have all the people from the Infantry Commander's Office withdraw as well."

Hong Xiguan pointed to Cao Yin, who had been silent all along, and said, "Cao Yin, take some guards from the Imperial Household Department to take a look. If they are really vicious criminals, it's not too late to arrest them. If they are just some confused commoners, just give them a few words of reprimand and let them go."

Although Niman was unwilling, feeling that the credit he had almost gained had slipped away, since the emperor had already spoken to him so plainly, he could only kowtow and accept the decree: "Your Majesty is wise! This servant will immediately withdraw the troops!"

Watching Niman's retreating figure, Hong Xiguan breathed a sigh of relief and winked at Cao Yin.

Cao Yin understood immediately and went to find Wan Yunlong to inform the brothers of the Heaven and Earth Society to move immediately!

……