There were all sorts of people talking at once in the court, a cacophony of voices, like a bustling marketplace—the court hadn't been this lively in a long time.
People who usually stand calmly to the side without saying a word suddenly jumped out, including several with gray beards... It's unclear where they got the energy to keep jumping around, but several of them were so anxious that their faces turned red.
“Your Majesty! The eldest prince and the crown prince are not even sixteen yet! They were able to handle state affairs back then because Your Majesty said you wanted to give them more experience, but how can you expect them to be given such a training opportunity with a knife pointed at an old minister!” A trembling minister stepped forward, his face full of heartache, and said. His back was already very hunched, and he looked very old.
At this moment, he stepped forward without fear. He had lived for so many years and had lived enough. He was of Manchu ethnicity and did not care about his reputation like those Han officials. What he cared about most was the interests of his descendants, especially his good-for-nothing grandsons!
If he backs down now, and the Emperor really gets that kind of idea, what will happen to his children? Although he usually dotes on them, no one knows better than him that those children have never been good enough to amount to anything!
Emperor Kangxi frowned. This matter could certainly be done, but it should not be done so rashly, and the eldest son and the crown prince had indeed acted somewhat inappropriately.
These people may be quiet and reserved, but if they really unite as one, they can be a real headache for him…
"Your Highness! You have been too presumptuous. This matter is far beyond your authority to handle! The land tax of the people has always been a matter of great importance to the foundation of the Qing Dynasty. Moreover, the Eight Banners soldiers have made great contributions in the past. How can you abandon them after you have served them?" Emperor Kangxi said in a deep voice.
After Emperor Kangxi spoke, a group of people below naturally echoed his words, which put everyone at ease. It seemed that the emperor had no such intentions, and that it was all the Crown Prince's own idea!
Yinreng raised his head, fearless, facing a crowd of faces, some frowning, some furious, and some deep in thought.
He spoke calmly, “Father, back then, the heroes of the Eight Banners shed their blood all over the grasslands, and finally won the victory over the Ming Dynasty, driving out the Dzungars and forcing them to live in a remote corner.”
After the deed was done, the Qing Dynasty imposed severe restrictions on the Eight Banners nobility, including land grants and titles. For nearly a century, they have enjoyed what they were entitled to, and I have never forgotten this kindness. When Father Khan taught me, he emphasized the importance of reverence. But what I revere are the heroes, the heroes of the Qing Dynasty, not the spoiled brats strolling the streets today! It is General Marha who led the Qing Dynasty to conquer the Dzungars, not the weak and feeble men in the army today who can't even lift a bow! I understand the importance of ancestral blessings, but I do not want the future of the Qing Dynasty to be entrusted to such people! When I went out before, I saw what the lives of the common people were like!”
Although his voice was not loud, it was firm and resounding. After hearing his words, some people covered their faces and sighed, some shook their heads, and some stared at him fiercely, regarding him as the enemy who killed their son!
As the crown prince, he had many people both inside and outside the court who wanted to curry favor with him. It could be said that the vast majority of people in the court did not dislike him.
But things might not be like that after this happens!
Even those who harbored ulterior motives treated him very well on the surface, but he had anticipated things would turn out this way; he was destined to become the target of everyone's criticism.
If their interests are violated, it won't be so easy to resolve. As early as when he submitted the memorial, Yinreng had already anticipated that there might be a tough battle to fight, so he was not afraid at all!
This matter needs to be resolved eventually. Even if it's not him, it will be Khan. He believes that Khan has long been disgusted with that group of people!
It's just that Khan Amar may not have done it yet due to various considerations, but he believes that if Khalmana doesn't do it now, he will have to do it someday!
"Your Majesty, you should think this over carefully. The Crown Prince is still young and may not have considered things thoroughly, but you cannot be like him!"
Emperor Kangxi's face darkened, and as his expression grew increasingly grim, the chattering crowd below fell silent. They had all noticed the Emperor's displeasure and quieted down.
"We'll discuss this matter later."
Then Emperor Kangxi took Yinreng to the Qianqing Palace to hear from the servants there that something had been smashed inside. This news spread like wildfire!
Everyone in the imperial court and the imperial harem knew about this matter, because it had caused such a huge uproar, and the protagonist of this matter was the Crown Prince, who was already the focus of everyone's attention.
"What are you doing here?" Emperor Kangxi asked Yinzhi, who had just entered, with a displeased look.
The father and son had just entered the door when a scalper stuck a plaster on their backs!
Neither of the two brothers gives him a moment's peace!
One of them charged ahead and caused him so much trouble, while the other one, blinded by greed, came up at this moment, I don't know what he's up to!
"Father, this matter was conceived by me and the Crown Prince from beginning to end. I was involved in the entire process. If you want to punish someone, punish me as well!" Yinzhi said, sticking out his neck.
He didn't stand on ceremony and took all the blame. He knew clearly that since the two brothers had come up with the idea together, he couldn't let the Crown Prince shoulder the responsibility alone. After all, he was a tough and upright young man, how could he just throw away the burden on his shoulders?
That's quite rare... Despite the apparent discord between this eldest brother and the Crown Prince, their brotherly bond is stronger than anyone else's. After all, they've been through thick and thin together, a bond unlike any other.
"Then tell me, what were your roles in this? You two are really something!" Emperor Kangxi said angrily.
Yinzhi did not back down and recounted the entire incident from beginning to end.
The cause, of course, was that the two brothers saw a family in the capital who had lost their land and were about to sell their children. This initially shocked them greatly. After all, the capital was under the emperor's nose. If people in the capital couldn't make a living, what could be the reason?
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