The matter didn't spread far. Even if someone heard about it, they just thought it was a bunch of hot-blooded young lads fooling around, and naturally they wouldn't make a big deal out of it.
The Emperor clearly took this matter very seriously and was very eager to watch them play polo. Neither the officials of the Qing Dynasty nor the people from Mongolia wanted to spoil Emperor Kangxi's mood!
It's just two kids having a fight. How could it possibly involve the issue of Manchu-Mongolian unity? Does the person who said that really not want to live?
This time, in addition to playing polo, a martial arts competition was also arranged.
There was archery and traditional Mongolian wrestling; it was basically a competition of several things that the Manchus and Mongols were good at.
This clearly shows Emperor Kangxi's attitude: he wanted to see the warriors of both the Manchus and the Mongols, rather than insisting that one side must win.
Moreover, the selection of participants was not limited to the sons and nephews of the princes and dukes, but also included warriors from both sides. Anyone with ability could volunteer. As long as they could win the competition, the emperor would reward them. After this message was conveyed, it immediately attracted a lot of enthusiasm, and people signed up one after another to participate!
One of the warriors brought by Khorchin this time was said to be over two meters tall. When Jingrou heard this, she was shocked. Wasn't that a walking mountain of flesh? Compared to wrestling, such a person would be a truly spectacular sight!
It's not just Jingrou who's like this; many others are also looking forward to it.
The event was held in the paddock. The platform had been set up several days in advance, as a dedicated playing field and stands needed to be prepared for polo.
After planning this event, both Yinzhi and Yinreng lost weight. It was the first time they had ever felt that being in charge of such a task was so tedious. Previously, even when they went out to inspect other places, including to Weihaiwei, eunuchs and guards had arranged everything for them, so they didn't have to worry about these things. They only needed to do their inspection work. Moreover, once they arrived in Weihaiwei, the local officials would take good care of them.
This was the first time they had independently planned something like this, and they were surprised to find that there were so many steps and so many things to prepare. In the past, when they went to watch a polo match, they could just sit there and watch. As the person who planned this event, they were truly exhausted!
Jingrou didn't know many of the people from Manchuria who were participating in the martial arts competition.
However, since both Wenying and Cen's brother participated in the event, Jingrou paid a little attention to it as well.
Especially Cen, the little girl is strictly controlled by her mother. This time, she finally managed to go out under such an excuse, so of course she pestered Jingrou and Wenying to go with her.
This finally made Jingrou, who hadn't planned to go, waver. Looking at her pitiful eyes, she finally came with her. Because Cen hadn't gone to the palace with her, she already felt a little insecure. If she refused again, the girl would be heartbroken for a long time when she got back.
Sigh... Apart from those two, Cen and I haven't made any other close friends in the capital. Even if we have someone to hang out with, we can never really connect.
There were quite a few people who wanted to come and see what was going on this time.
It was, after all, a martial arts competition held in the capital, a rare sight for the Mongols. Such a large gathering of people was probably only seen during the Mulan Autumn Hunt, and not everyone was qualified to attend the Mulan Autumn Hunt.
Those who could go there either had an order from Emperor Kangxi or were influential figures in the court. Minor officials of the fourth or fifth rank had no chance!
But things are different now!
You can watch the warriors from both sides compete right here in the capital! This is their home turf, so how can we not go and cheer on the warriors from Daqing?
Moreover, it was the Mongols who rushed over to curry favor with their emperor, and this strong sense of superiority made even more people willing to come and see!
The day before the official start, Emperor Kangxi led a group of princes to inspect the troops.
A garrison is permanently stationed in the capital.
This garrison was also composed of Manchu bannermen, and was assigned by the Ministry of War, and was directly under the Emperor.
After these princes arrived in the capital one after another, in order to curry favor with Emperor Kangxi, they presented their local specialties as gifts, as well as some secret items that could not be mentioned.
Over the past few days, Emperor Kangxi has also contacted several of the princes, wanting to obtain a batch of cattle, sheep, and even warhorses from them.
Mongolia's pastures are fertile, and even after the previous drought, the quality remains excellent. In particular, their warhorses are of pure blood and have great endurance. Although the Qing Dynasty also has its own breeding stations, there are some genes that cannot be matched in the short term.
Therefore, it is natural to want to get some from them, but in order to avoid strengthening the other side's power, warhorses have always been a very cautious strategic resource.
Even Horqin, which used to have the closest ties with Daqing, would find it difficult to provide such a large quantity of supplies.
However, this time a rather large cooperation was reached, with the various border regions of Mongolia collectively supplying a batch of warhorses to the Qing Dynasty, which can be considered as them bleeding money.
So these past few days, Emperor Kangxi has been all smiles and in a very good mood. How could he not be happy to have these old foxes bleed him dry?
Even if he didn't secure any of his sons-in-law, he would still consider himself to have made a profit with this batch of horses.
This also gave Emperor Kangxi a taste of the benefits. Why were they able to accept it so easily? Wasn't it because he still had a prize to play with?
If it weren't for their secret weapons, how could they have agreed so easily?
This made Emperor Kangxi realize the importance of those few things even more.
Reciprocate kindness with kindness.
Emperor Kangxi also wanted to show them the results of their army's training. Since it was a garrison force, their purpose would not be exposed, and it would satisfy these princes, Emperor Kangxi naturally sent someone to make the arrangements.
Besides the army, several princes also mentioned, openly or secretly, their Qing Dynasty's secret weapons.
Emperor Kangxi gave a vague answer—of course, they had developed more than one type.
If we share one of the less powerful and less competitive aspects with them, it wouldn't be impossible. The Mongols and the Dzungars have a deep-seated blood feud, so strengthening the Mongols would weaken the Dzungars.
However, there must be a limit to how much and how much to give, so that the Mongols can not be allowed to ride roughshod over them.
Moreover, it depends on whether they can offer something of equal value in exchange; a batch of horses is certainly not enough.
These princes were clearly aware of the matter. Although they were secretly cursing Emperor Kangxi as an old fox, they were still eager to talk and see if they could get the secret out of the Qing Dynasty.
This is one of the most important things they came here for.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
