Just after the New Year of the 37th year, Kangxi issued an imperial edict in the first month of the year to personally lead three expeditions against Galdan. As usual, the Crown Prince would serve as regent, and other adult princes would accompany the army, including Yinzuo. Yinzuo had learned from Kangxi early on that he was on the list of people accompanying the army, so he was calm at the moment. As soon as Kangxi issued the imperial edict, he became busy.
"Dexi, cook the hot pot base a little longer. Once it solidifies, divide it into small pieces, wrap them in oil paper, and put them in a separate box. This way, it will be easier to find them later."
"Dexi, go to the Imperial Household Department's Clothing Bureau and ask them to make a few pairs of cold-resistant and warm boots according to my size. But try to make them as light as possible."
"Dexi, go get me some paper and pen, and then go get Chunxiang and Xiahe. They're good at sewing, and I need their help making something."
Dexi's business ability is really good. Even though he was ordered around by his master, he did everything without any mistakes. He sent people to the kitchen and the Ministry of Internal Affairs according to Yinzuo's instructions, and he went to the study personally to get pen, ink, paper and inkstone for Yinzuo.
"Master, do you have any other instructions? If not, I will go and ask Sisters Chunxiang and Xiahe to come."
Yinzuo waved his hand to let Dexi do as he pleased, and walked to the table, spread out the paper, took the pen and ink and began to draw the warm clothes according to his memory. The place where Kangxi was going this time was Ningxia, leaving in February and returning in April, which happened to be when it was cold.
Even though Yinzuo usually denies it, he knows it clearly in his heart. He knows very well that his pampered little body is not strong enough. Regardless of whether he can achieve anything on this trip, he must at least ensure that he does not really hold his father back.
The only difficulty in making down warm clothes for Chunxiang Xiahe, who was skilled in needlework, was perhaps how to fill the clothes with the prepared goose down. But this obviously did not pose a problem for her. Even when Yinzuo himself had not found any good solution, she had already made the down jacket and sent it to him.
"Master, the clothes have been made according to your requirements. Please try the size first to see if it fits. If you feel there is something wrong, we will take it back and modify it for you."
Yinzuo took the clothes from Chunxiang, looked at them carefully inside and out, and then nodded with satisfaction. After he took the clothes indoors to try them on, he was even more satisfied. The clothes were made according to Yinzuo's size, so there was naturally no problem with the size. As for the workmanship and material, there was nothing to say. Even the problem of burrs that Yinzuo mentioned casually before was carefully solved for him. The method was simple, which was to put another layer of lining on the outside of the finished clothes. Although this method looked simple and crude, it was very effective.
"The clothes are well made. Dexi, you should go to the Palace of Heavenly Purity and ask Eunuch Liang for Khan Ama's size. Big brother and his family should also send someone over. Chunxiang and Xiahe, you should work harder these days and get the clothes that Khan Ama and Big brother need."
As the saying goes, first practice makes perfect. With the practice of making Yinzuo's clothes, although the quantity was a little larger, after sufficient materials were prepared, Chunxiang Xiahe made clothes for Kangxi and Yinzhi according to the sizes given by Yinzuo in just a few days.
It was such a coincidence that people came from the Qianqing Palace not long after the clothes were delivered. When Yinzuo learned that Kangxi had summoned the princes to the Qianqing Palace for a meeting, he thought it would save trouble and just took the clothes and the people to the Qianqing Palace together.
The topic of discussion was naturally the upcoming expedition. As a novice on the battlefield, Yinzuo only played the role of a mascot throughout the meeting. He only needed to sit in his seat and listen to his Khan Ama and brothers. After a meeting that lasted more than an hour, he almost fell asleep. After Kangxi announced the adjournment of the meeting, he was the first to get up and walk out of the study.
"Khan Ama, you'd better not call your son to discuss matters like this in the future. He doesn't know how to lead troops in battle. Even if you call your son, I will just sit here and do nothing. I've been sitting here for more than an hour and I'm exhausted."
Kangxi was now accustomed to Yinzuo's lazy remarks, and he was not angry when he heard him say that. He just signaled Yinzhi, who was closest to him, to hold him back, and he walked quickly to his side and knocked on his forehead with his cookie fingers.
"Look at you being so lazy. Don't you understand that you can't learn? Are your brothers born with these abilities? From now on, just follow me and learn well. You will eventually master it."
Yinzuo was pulled by Yinzhi's arm and hit on the forehead by Kangxi. When he thought about the comfortable life that would soon leave him, he suddenly felt that life was hopeless. Seeing Kangxi passing him and about to walk out, he hurriedly struggled to break free from Yinzhi's grip and chased after him.
"No, Khan, let's discuss this. Didn't we agree to work as a clerk beside you? Why are you trying to lead troops in battle now?"
Looking at Yinzuo who was chasing Kangxi out, Yinzhi, Yinzhi and others looked at each other and saw a little envy and gnashing of teeth in each other's eyes. It is said that those who cannot get what they want are always in turmoil, and those who are favored are always fearless. Being able to study with Kangxi was a piece of cake for Yinzuo, but for them it was a rare opportunity.
"Let's go, Khan Ama is still waiting outside. A few days ago, Xiaoliu sent someone to ask for our measurements. Just now, I saw Dexi next to him holding a bunch of things. I think they are for us. Let's go out and take a look."
When Yinzhen and his companions lagged behind a few steps and were led by the young eunuch to the flower hall where Kangxi was, Yinzuo had obviously been suppressed by his father. At this moment, he was lying listlessly on the couch beside Kangxi, playing with the lid of the teacup out of boredom. When he saw them coming, he didn't react much. He greeted them lazily and went back to his bed.
"Sixth brother, just now I saw your Dexi and his men waiting outside with a lot of things. Why don't you ask him to bring them in?"
Yinzuo was so depressed just now that he had forgotten about this matter long ago. But when Yinzhen reminded him, he remembered it.
"Hey, look at my memory. Khan, quickly send someone outside to find Dexi and bring the things in. Aren't we leaving for Mobei soon? I asked someone to make a few sets of light and warm clothes. You can try them on first. If there is anything that doesn't fit, take it back and modify it yourself."
The words "light" and "warm" sounded somewhat contradictory to Kangxi and the others. After all, in their understanding, if you want to keep warm, you can't be light. They immediately became curious about the clothes that Yinzuo mentioned.
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