Chapter 179 The Buddhist Son of the Great Qing Dynasty

"Well said! All under heaven are subjects of the king!" Kangxi clapped his hands and laughed. "Heaven bless the Crown Prince! Heaven bless the Qing Dynasty!"

Witnessing this scene, who could not submit from the bottom of their heart? On the training ground, the Eight Banners soldiers who had not retreated shouted along with Kangxi: "Heaven bless the Crown Prince, Heaven bless the Great Qing!"

Emperor Kangxi was overjoyed and no longer in a hurry to investigate the person behind the instigation. Without the Dzungar Khanate, they were nothing more than Russia, which had suffered a loss at Nerchinsk.

He didn't care about the short term and immediately ordered a grand banquet to be held at the camp to reward the troops and celebrate today's outstanding exercise.

As night fell, the banquet hall was brightly lit, and laughter echoed through the tents.

Taking advantage of his slight intoxication, Kangxi praised Yinreng to the skies, including seemingly unintentionally revealing that the firearms were a "little surprise" Yinreng had prepared for him, thus garnering everyone's praise and envy.

After several rounds of drinks and having heard enough praise in Manchu, Mongolian, and Chinese, Yinreng got up to go out for some fresh air. Yinzhen and the others, worried, did not spot Jebtsundamba Khutuktu and immediately became anxious, wanting to follow him.

"I just went out for a stroll." Yinreng smiled somewhat helplessly.

It was a banquet, after all; going out together would be too conspicuous. Yinzhen and his brothers exchanged glances. Although they were unhappy, the youngest, the eighth prince, was indeed the most steady and resourceful.

Receiving Yinzhen's hint, Yinsi smiled and gently tugged at Yinreng's sleeve: "Second brother, Yinsi also wants to go out for a walk. Second brother, take me with you."

"Yes, Second Brother, you should take Eighth Brother with you."

After defeating the third prince, the eighth prince, Yinzhi, became his new rival in the past two years. Although Yinzhen was unhappy, he had no choice but to speak up for him at crucial moments.

“Alright,” Yinreng nodded, took Yinsi’s hand, “Then I’ll take Yinsi out for a walk. Fourth Brother, keep an eye on the other brothers.”

"Xiao Si understands."

Yinzhen slightly curled the corners of his lips, looking at Yinsi with a hint of smugness, "Hehe, a nickname, I have one you don't—"

Yinzhi was unhappy, so he could only squeeze Yinreng's hand back slightly, looking at him with bright eyes: "Second brother, let's go."

"good."

Yinreng instructed someone to inform Kangxi, and then led Yinsi out.

Yinzhi quietly turned around and gave Yinzhen a gentle yet smug smile.

hateful!

"Fourth Brother, your face is so dark."

Yinqi, who also wanted to go out, looked reluctantly at his elder brother, the Crown Prince, but when he turned around, he was almost startled by Yinzhen's expression.

Yinzhen glanced at him lightly, and that one glance almost froze Yinqi, who silently shut up and returned to his seat to grieve alone.

Waaaaah, the fourth brother is so scary! How is he ever going to get the second brother back like this...?

Outside the tent, Jebtsundamba appeared like a ghost, his red robe particularly eye-catching in the night. Noticing him, Yinzhi gripped Yinreng's hand tightly, his body bristling with thorns.

Yinreng patted him reassuringly and led him forward, asking, "Why is the Living Buddha here?"

"This humble monk only wishes to speak a few words with His Highness the Crown Prince."

Jebtsundamba glanced at Yinsi, who was following Yinreng with a wary look in his eyes, but did not take his attitude seriously.

"Second brother..."

Yinzhi disliked his gaze and couldn't help but look at Yinreng.

Yinreng held onto him without letting go, and calmly faced Jebtsundamba Khutuktu: "Living Buddha, please speak. Yinzhi is not an outsider."

Yinzhi felt a warmth in his heart, but regardless of Jebtsundamba Khutuktu's attitude, he followed Yinreng closely, never allowing the two to be alone together.

Jebtsundamba didn't mind, and the three of them walked slowly to the campfire not far away.

Jebtsundamba Khutuktu spoke first, his gaze intense: "Your Highness, the birds today displayed extraordinary power, which has broadened my horizons. With such divine power, why would Your Highness be interested in the manufacture of firearms?"

Clearly, he had also taken to heart what Kangxi had boasted about at the banquet.

Yinreng's eyes were clear, and he did not dodge Jebtsundamba's scrutinizing gaze at all, asking directly, "What does the Living Buddha mean by this?"

"Your Highness, the power of firearms is like divine retribution. Does Your Highness know how much bloodshed they will cause?"

Yinreng tilted his head slightly, gazing at the deep night sky, and said slowly, "For our Great Qing, firearms are both a deterrent and a means of self-defense. Our Great Qing has a vast territory, and there are often disturbances on the borders. With firearms, we can protect the country and its people when needed, even if we don't use them. This is not for killing, but for protection."

He then looked at Jebtsundamba Khutuktu and smiled slightly: "Even in Buddhism there are wrathful Vajras. Living Buddhas are well-versed in Buddhist teachings, so I suppose you can understand."

Hearing this, Jebtsundamba Khutuktu felt a mix of emotions. He had thought he could persuade Yinreng with Buddhist principles to shake his attachment to these "harmful things" and to his acceptance and entanglement with "ordinary things," but he did not expect to be subtly persuaded by his ideals of family and country.

Indeed, if he were devoted to Buddhism and had no other thoughts, he would not be allowed to participate in Khalkha politics.

After a long silence, he sighed softly, "Your Highness's insights are truly remarkable. This humble monk has learned a great deal." With that, he clasped his hands together in a gesture of respect, then turned and left.

Yinzhi watched his departing figure, then turned around and tugged at Yinreng's hand: "Second brother, he's not a good person."

"It's just a difference in perspective."

Yinreng smiled and patted his head, saying nothing more, and took him back. Yinsi pursed his lips to hide his displeasure. No matter what stance they held, anyone who tried to take his second brother away from him was not a good person!

The next day, Emperor Kangxi ordered the construction of Huizong Temple, which was designed and built under the supervision of the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu. He also inspected the Khalkha camp and rewarded the poor with silver coins.

During Kangxi's inspection tour, Jebtsundamba Khutuktu seized an opportunity to meet with Yinreng alone, and no one knows what they discussed. However, upon receiving news of their meeting, Kangxi couldn't help but feel uneasy.

So, on the third day, as the emperor prepared to return to the capital, Kangxi summoned Jebtsundamba Khutuktu alone for the last time.

Inside the imperial tent, the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed almost palpable. Emperor Kangxi sat high on the main seat, his posture upright. The bright yellow of his dragon robe, illuminated by the candlelight, added to his imposing presence. His eyes were slightly narrowed, his gaze fixed intently on Jebtsundamba Khutuktu opposite him, his eyes like a deep, unfathomable pool, exuding a chilling aura.

After a long silence, Kangxi broke the silence first, his voice low but each word carrying immense weight: "Living Buddha, I have summoned you alone today to make a few important points clear. I know that you have a very high reputation on the Khalkha grasslands and are well-versed in Buddhism, but you should not be so easily misled by my Crown Prince."

At this point, Kangxi leaned forward slightly, emphasizing his words, "He is the Crown Prince of the Qing Dynasty, bearing the weight of the ancestral legacy and the hopes of countless people. He cannot be easily swayed by you to pursue the so-called purity of Buddhism as a 'Buddhist disciple.'"

Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, dressed in a crimson robe, stood ramrod straight and listened quietly to Kangxi's words without panicking.

He first sighed softly, then calmly raised his eyes to look directly at Kangxi, and slowly spoke: "Your Majesty's words, this humble monk understands. To be honest, upon first hearing the various miraculous tales surrounding His Highness the Crown Prince, and witnessing his brilliance, this humble monk truly hopes that this 'Buddhist disciple' with innate wisdom can return to Buddhism and propagate the Dharma."

He paused, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes, "But after these few conversations with His Highness the Crown Prince, I have come to realize that His Highness's heart is filled with thoughts of the nation and the world, of the mountains and rivers of the Qing Dynasty, of the common people, of His Majesty and the princes... He is a Buddhist disciple of the Qing Dynasty, not a Buddhist disciple of the Buddhist sect..."

Upon hearing this, Kangxi's expression softened slightly, but his tone remained serious: "In that case, from now on, you should put away those thoughts and do your best to ensure the stability of the Khalkha, and do not cause any more trouble."

Jebtsundamba Khutuktu clasped his hands together and respectfully replied, "I will obey Your Majesty's decree."

After the exchange ended, Jebtsundamba Khutuktu bowed slightly, as if to take his leave, but before he could move, he couldn't help but raise his head and look directly into Kangxi's eyes, and slowly said, "Your Highness, you do have a heart of Buddha after all."

With his hands clasped together, his tone was calm yet resolute: "This heart of yours, I have seen through in just a few days. The Crown Prince sometimes takes the world very seriously, to the point that he devotes himself to the country and manages all affairs, big and small, without daring to slack off in the slightest; at other times he takes it very lightly, never regarding his own status and position as a valuable asset, only thinking about the heavy responsibility on his shoulders."

At this point, Jebtsundamba Khutuktu paused slightly, observing Kangxi's expression, and continued, "Your Majesty, the world is ever-changing, and this humble monk dares not presume to know Your Majesty's intentions. However, if one day Your Majesty can no longer tolerate this Crown Prince, the Buddhist sect to which this humble monk belongs will forever keep its doors open, and we are willing to take back this Buddhist disciple with a Buddhist heart, give him a peaceful place, and protect him for the rest of his life."

Kangxi's face instantly darkened, and the displeasure in his eyes turned into a sharp glint: "Living Buddha, watch your words! I have a deep father-son bond with the Crown Prince, and Bao Cheng has been carefully cultivated by me since childhood, carrying my high hopes. How could such a thing happen? Stop talking nonsense and disturbing people's peace. You may leave now!"

Upon seeing this, Buzun Danba silently bowed and left the imperial tent, leaving Kangxi sitting inside with a cold expression and a low-pressure aura emanating from him.

That day will never come! This throne is what he used to keep Baocheng; he can't give up Baocheng for something inanimate!

However, Kangxi couldn't help but worry. What if he became senile? The thought of that possibility made Kangxi feel sad and fearful for Baocheng.

No! Kangxi suddenly stood up, narrowed his eyes and pondered. Maybe he should abdicate sooner rather than later. There shouldn't be any problems if he abdicates while his mind is clear, right?

Bao Cheng is quite grown up now, handles political affairs skillfully, has firearms, and is militarily strong; he seems suitable to ascend the throne. The only thing missing is a wife... tsk, finding one isn't easy; there's no one worthy of Bao Cheng...

Outside the tent, Yinreng, surrounded by his five younger brothers who were playing and making noise, had no idea how reluctant yet determined his father was to find him a wife so that he could become emperor... no, he wanted him to become emperor.

If he had known, Yinreng would probably have immediately become a Buddhist monk and become a monk on the spot. Was it really necessary for him to become emperor?

Kang is so young, he should be at the age where he can make his mark, why is he in such a hurry to step down?

In fact, these were Yinreng's true thoughts over the next few years. From the moment he learned that Kangxi was showing signs of wanting to abdicate, Yinreng tried every means to suppress it. He, as a second-generation emperor and a Buddhist prince in the capital, hadn't had enough of being a prince yet. He wasn't in a hurry to seize power!