Yinreng was so shocked he couldn't speak. He looked at his eldest son, who had grown to his shoulder height, sighed deeply, and patted his head.
Hongzhao looked at him with admiration, his bald forehead rubbing against Yinreng's large hand.
"Father." Hongzhao blushed, feeling quite embarrassed.
His father hadn't touched his head for many years. The only time his father would touch his head was when he did well in his homework as a child and his father praised him.
Fatherly love is profound; he is straightforward in his affection for his mother, but he is not good at expressing it to his children.
Hongzhao considered himself extremely perceptive and attributed Yinreng's sudden action to Yinreng's deep love.
Yinreng, however, didn't have so many tricks up his sleeve. After a moment's pause, he shook his hand on Hongzhao's head rapidly, making Hongzhao's eyes water.
Son, is there water in your brain?
Yinreng's limited fatherly love prevented him from saying hurtful things.
“Your grandfather is right, you are still too kind.” Yinreng looked at his eldest son with worry.
How could he and Xiao Yan, two people with kind faces but black hearts, have such a kind son?
Whether Prince Zhi has money to marry off his daughter is none of their business. With the Imperial Household Department in charge, the marriages of members of the imperial family will not lack dignity.
Hongzhao lowered his head shyly and explained, somewhat embarrassed, "I was just thinking that we're all family. My uncle is skilled in martial arts and is a rare talent. What if we exploit him too much and he's unwilling to work hard for you and me?"
Yinreng's heart, which had been in his throat, settled back down.
He's a son who's all bark and no bite, just like him, which is good.
"Then we must empty his family fortune. Only when he has no money in his pocket will he have the motivation to improve. Think about a few years ago, when I dealt a blow to Prince Zhi, he was almost ready to become a monk. It was I who found ways to encourage him and restore his fighting spirit so that he would serve the Qing Dynasty. Look at the Tianjin Coast Guard Battalion now, how well they are trained. In the hands of others, they might not be able to achieve this effect."
Yinreng earnestly instructed his son, urging him never to be lenient with his subordinates. He explained that human ability is limitless, and the more one exploits them, the stronger they become. To enjoy a life of luxury without paying a price would be unworthy of one's position.
Hongzhao studied humbly, nodding his head like a chick pecking at rice, wishing he could take out a small notebook and write everything down.
Yinreng rarely mentioned these things to his sons. He felt that the tutors in the Imperial Study were very good at teaching students, and that Emperor Kangxi was also a good teacher. With so many people teaching his sons, he didn't need to add another tutor to his father's role.
He talked on and on for most of the hour, until his mouth was dry.
Hongzhao cleverly handed over a teacup: "Father, you've worked hard. Please have some tea."
"In short, spend more time observing how your imperial grandfather speaks with his ministers. Remember to observe, listen, and learn as much as you can; there's a lot to learn about the intricacies of the relationship between the emperor and his ministers," Yinreng said.
Yinreng thought for a moment and then said, "Your uncle from the Tong family also does a very good job as a subject."
The image of Orondai first appeared in Hongzhao's mind.
His expression froze. If he learned his uncle's temper, he'd probably be whipped to death by his father.
"What are you thinking about? It's that old fox Tong Qinian. Don't think about Orondai. Orondai is just lucky, born into a good family. He has a good surname in front of his name, so everyone praises him for whatever he does," Yinreng said irritably.
Hongzhao's lips are shaped like an upturned crescent moon; even when he doesn't smile, they are like a gentle breeze, and just looking at them makes you feel good.
“My son will ask his uncle for advice more often,” Hongzhao said.
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