Chapter 164 Planning
[Having inherited this great undertaking and ruled over all lands, my greatest concern is the safety and well-being of all people. Now, smallpox is ravaging the land, causing countless people to suffer and their families to grieve. I am deeply troubled by this, unable to eat or sleep properly.]
Fortunately, the wise men of the Imperial Medical Academy devoted themselves wholeheartedly to studying medical principles and relentlessly researching, finally discovering a cure for smallpox—the cowpox vaccination technique. This technique was a blessing for the people and a boon for the nation. From then on, the rampant spread of smallpox was contained, sparing the people from excruciating pain and the calamity of family extinction. It was truly a meritorious deed for the present and a benefit for future generations.
My Crown Prince, Yinreng, filled with compassion and concerned for the people, bravely took the lead, disregarding his own safety, and resolutely became the first to undergo smallpox vaccination. At that time, everyone was fearful, but the Crown Prince was fearless and accepted the challenge with equanimity. Such courage and responsibility set an example for the world. After the vaccination, he recovered unharmed, further proving the reliability and effectiveness of this method. The Crown Prince's actions fully demonstrated the virtues of a benevolent ruler and his compassionate heart, bringing great benefit to the country and its people.
I am deeply gratified. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon all the physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy a thousand taels of gold, a hundred bolts of silk, and promote them two ranks, in recognition of their dedication to the study of medicine and the salvation of the people. Crown Prince Yinreng, whose virtue is renowned, is hereby granted a pair of jade ruyi scepters, ten rare treasures, and five fine horses, to commend his fearless courage and compassion for the world. I hope you will continue your efforts to ensure the well-being and longevity of the people of my Great Qing. So be it!
Shortly after Bao Cheng recovered, Emperor Kangxi issued an edict to publicly disclose the smallpox vaccination technique and to commend Bao Cheng for his contribution.
Although the court officials believed this was the Emperor intentionally giving the Crown Prince an unfair advantage, Kangxi saw it as simply stating the truth: without Bao Cheng, how could the smallpox vaccination technique have been discovered?
Since Bao Cheng has suffered on behalf of the people, everyone must remember his contributions!
As for increasing the stakes, that's something that needs to be done. Ever since he discovered that the mythical beasts were unreliable, Kangxi, after much deliberation, decided to use all the human forces to bolster Bao Cheng's power.
Therefore, shortly after announcing the smallpox vaccination, Emperor Kangxi issued several imperial edicts and decrees.
First, Nalan Mingzhu was promoted to Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, thus binding the powerful minister to the Crown Prince's carriage.
Secondly, he appointed Zhang Ying, Li Guangdi, Tang Bin and others as teachers in Yuqing Palace to give lessons to the Crown Prince alone, thus binding Han officials and civil officials to the Crown Prince;
Third, he appointed Changtai, son of Gabula, Orondai, son of Tong Guogang, and Nalan Xingde, son of Mingzhu, as officials of Yuqing Palace, thus binding the maternal relatives with the crown prince.
As for the imperial clan, without Kangxi's order, none of the imperial clan members studying in the Imperial Study, represented by Changquan, disobeyed the Crown Prince.
It's fair to say that this display of power left all the officials questioning their existence. Could the Emperor really be so shocked by the Crown Prince's illness?
Most of the court officials have been pushed into the Crown Prince's camp by the Emperor. Is the Emperor afraid that the Crown Prince might try to rebel one day but fail?
Nalan Mingzhu was in a very awkward position. He had originally planned to side with the First Prince, Yinzhi. After all, he and Suo'etu were sworn enemies, and Suo'etu was the Crown Prince's uncle. If the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he certainly wouldn't fare well.
However, now the Emperor is clearly trying to tie him to the Crown Prince, and not only him, but even his eldest son has been sent to serve as an official under the Crown Prince. He obviously can't get off the carriage now.
"Mingzhu, congratulations! You will be the Grand Tutor in the future. You must do your best for the Crown Prince."
Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Suo'etu, who had stopped Mingzhu, deliberately emphasized the words "Crown Prince," his eyes revealing an undisguised arrogance.
Seeing his smug face, Mingzhu felt a pain in his eyes. He couldn't understand what Suo'etu was so proud of. He replied with a fake smile, "I am grateful for His Majesty's grace and will do my best to fulfill my duty of teaching and assisting."
Soetu laughed heartily and patted Mingzhu's shoulder forcefully: "The Crown Prince has been clever and decisive since childhood. You must do your utmost to live up to His Majesty's expectations. If there is the slightest mistake, there will be many eyes watching you both inside and outside the court."
His words were veiled in barbs, implying that Mingzhu should not try to use the Crown Prince to manipulate power.
Mingzhu was speechless. He hadn't seen the Crown Prince pay much attention to Suo'etu. How could this guy be so "overstepping his bounds"?
Mingzhu's smile remained unchanged, but a cold glint flashed in her eyes: "Of course, the Crown Prince bears the hopes of the nation, and I should do my utmost. Instead of worrying about me, Prime Minister Suo should take care of his own affairs. I've heard that things have been quite complicated at your residence lately?"
The Emperor chose the Crown Prince's maternal uncle to enter Yuqing Palace, but not your son, and you still have time to warn him!
The two men stared at each other, their gazes seemingly sparking. Suo'etu snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and left, determined to elevate his status in the Crown Prince's eyes.
Watching his departing figure, Mingzhu narrowed his eyes slightly. Now that he was bound to the Crown Prince, the question of who was the most important minister before the Crown Prince was no longer up to Suo'etu! He, Mingzhu, was destined to be a powerful minister wherever he went!
Tong Guowei, who was silently observing, gripped the ring in his hand tightly and said nothing. The emperor really cared about the crown prince and really didn't want the Tong family to produce another emperor!
The Tong family should seriously discuss what to do next.
...
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it was the twenty-third year of Kangxi's reign. Three years was enough time for all sorts of people, who were originally full of ulterior motives, to be truly impressed by the upright and honest Crown Prince, to think what the Crown Prince thought, and to worry about what the Crown Prince worried about.
Of course, it was also enough for a group of young princes to grow up and start vying for the emperor's favor with their older brothers.
In a side hall of Cining Palace, Xiao Wu, utterly despondent, was held in the arms of Yinqi, who was also Xiao Wu.
Five-year-old Yinqi was almost of school age, but having been raised by the Empress Dowager since childhood, he could only speak Mongolian and some Manchu, and could not understand any Chinese.
Therefore, in order to prevent his language skills from hindering his studies after entering school, Yinreng took on the responsibility of teaching him. As a result, Yinqi, who originally disliked studying, was overjoyed, and his happiest time each day was spent with his elder brother, the Crown Prince.
"Brother Crown Prince—"
Of course, the most unpleasant time was when his other brothers would come and join in the fun, ostensibly to teach him, but actually to steal the attention of their elder brother, the Crown Prince!
Damn it! Yinqi pouted unhappily as he stroked Xiao Wu's feathers. These guys came way too early today!
Yinzhi and Yinzhen walked in with smiles on their faces. Yinzhi excitedly walked to Yinreng's side and took out a scroll he had specially prepared: "Brother Crown Prince, this is what I prepared. It contains simple and interesting poems, specially selected for Yinqi."
Yin Zhi's speech has improved a lot now. As long as he doesn't speak in long sentences, you can't hear any stuttering.
Not to be outdone, Yinzhen took out an exquisite folding fan from his sleeve and handed it to Yinreng: "Crown Prince, I have written a few inspirational words on this fan. They are all in simple and easy-to-understand Chinese. Let Yinqi play with it and learn the words as he plays with it. It's much more interesting than those dry books of Third Brother."
Yinzhi glared at Yinzhen without leaving a trace, and Yinzhen smiled smugly, pushing past him to present the treasure to Yinreng.
Yinreng smiled as he watched the two of them bickering, his gaze sweeping over them: "You two are so concerned about Yinqi's studies, that's rare. But don't just argue, you should really show your abilities."
Upon hearing this, Yinzhi and Yinzhen became even more spirited, eager to show off their skills in front of the Crown Prince. They described their teaching methods as increasingly novel and ingenious, hoping to keep Yinreng's attention for a long time.
Yinqi, standing next to him, curled his lip. Damn it, all she knows is to use him as an excuse. At least look at him!
Just then, the calls of the young princes came from outside the door, with cries of "Crown Prince Brother" ringing out. Soon, the three little princes, Sixth Prince Yinzuo, Seventh Prince Yinyou, and Eighth Prince Yinsi, came running happily.
Compared to their elder brother who made excuses, Yinzhuo and Yinyou were much more straightforward. As soon as they saw Yinreng, they would climb all over him and take over Yinqi's seat on the soft couch. This made Yinqi so angry that he didn't care that he was two years older and started pushing and shoving the two little guys.
He urged in his still somewhat broken Mandarin: "You...get out of here..."
"Yinzuo won't leave!"
"Yinyou isn't leaving either!"
The two girls clung to Yinreng's sleeves, trying to snuggle into his arms. Yinzhi and Yinzhen, unable to bear it any longer, each grabbed one of them and stopped the two from struggling wildly.
At this moment, Yinzhi, who had been silent all along, stepped forward quietly, gently tugged at Yinreng's sleeve, his eyes reddening but he remained silent.
Yinreng patted his head and asked softly, "Yinsi, what's wrong?"
Yinzhi then raised his head, tears welling in his eyes, his voice trembling with sobs, "Crown Prince, they...they were all running too fast, I couldn't keep up, and I even got bumped." He then showed Yinreng his slightly reddened arm, "I also wanted to be the first to see you, brother..."
Yinreng felt a pang of heartache and quickly pulled Yinsi into his arms, gently coaxing him, "Don't cry, don't cry, Yinsi has been wronged."
Having finally subdued the unruly Yinzhuo, Yinzhen turned around to find Yinsi furious at his home being raided by Yinzhen. He then saw Yinsi nestled in Yinreng's arms, giving him a smug glance, tears still on his face, but saying softly, "Crown Prince, Yinsi will be careful and won't worry you again—"
"Yin Si is so good."
With just a few words, she had completely captured Yinreng's attention, causing the other princes to grit their teeth in secret, but they were helpless.
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