Winter passed and spring came; in the blink of an eye, Hongxi was already seven years old.
He now has his own mentor, and Yinreng teaches him horseback riding and archery on a regular basis.
A normal bow and arrow cannot be lifted, but Yinreng ordered the Imperial Household Department to specially make a small cowhide bow for him.
The bow is not large, but it still requires a certain amount of force to draw it.
Hongxi received her early education from her master every morning, and learned archery from Master Wu in the afternoon. Occasionally, when Wenxi got out of school early, the siblings would ride horses together.
As Hongxi grew older, the adorable innocence of his childhood was long gone, replaced by a stoic and composed demeanor.
Sometimes, when Yinreng saw him, he couldn't help but sigh.
Look at that walking posture, and that furrowed brow.
I really don't know who is whose father.
"Hongxi, what are you thinking about again?" Yinreng really didn't want to see Hongxi always walking with his hands behind his back.
Even if a seven-year-old child isn't running while walking, they shouldn't be walking with their hands behind their back.
It looks like they're strolling through the Imperial Garden with the Emperor.
Hongxi was lost in thought when he heard Yinreng's cry and hurriedly ran over, "Father, your son was thinking about something."
I can tell you're thinking about something just by looking at your expression.
"What are you thinking about so intently?"
Hongxi followed Yinreng toward the pond. "I've heard that the Dzungars have been provoking us recently. I think what seems like a small-scale provocation might just be a test before a major battle."
Yinreng raised an eyebrow.
He had just returned from the Qianqing Palace and had talked with Emperor Kangxi about this matter for a long time, and they came to roughly the same conclusion.
"So what are your thoughts?"
With a gentle spring breeze on his face, Hongxi stood with his hands behind his back facing the lake, his mind filled with the pros and cons of the previous Dzungar War. He said leisurely, "The Dzungars have been harassing us all this time simply because they feel that the Qing Dynasty has been waging wars on all sides for so many years, and both its money and troops have been exhausted. That's why they dare to take such a gamble."
Yinreng nodded.
"But the reality is indeed quite similar. The current purge has brought stability, but this stability has hidden dangers. The Eight Banners' descendants have only known how to have fun in recent years, and there are not many who can go to the battlefield. The Ministry of Revenue is also short of funds. If we start a war now, we have a high chance of winning, but the price we will have to pay will also be high."
Yinreng watched Hongxi's retreating figure and asked, "Then what good ideas do you have?"
Hongxi turned around, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Yinreng.
“We can take a two-pronged approach, using both economic and military means. Uncle Jiu and Uncle Shi are quite successful in business, so why not let them expand their business to the Junggar and other grassland tribes?”
Yinreng thought about it. Now Princess Kejing has gradually gained power on the grasslands. She is not only a princess who was married into the country, but also a princess who is actually the regent.
Under her leadership, an economic zone has been initially established in southern and northern Inner Mongolia.
If the ninth and tenth princes could join forces with Kejing, the economic strength of the Qing Dynasty would grow rapidly.
This would also allow them to economically corrupt the Mongol tribes.
"What should we do militarily?" Yinreng asked, his tone carrying a hint of testing.
Hongxi recalled that in his previous life, when the Emperor personally led the army, those so-called brave and skilled Eight Banner soldiers had always been a hindrance.
If it weren't for Prince Yu's skillful command, Prince Zhi's bravery and fighting prowess, and Emperor Kangxi's personal presence to boost morale, that battle would have been quite dangerous.
“My son thinks we should intensify their training. My uncle’s team is definitely fine, but the other garrison teams might not be so good.”
Yinreng had little involvement in military affairs, only knowing that Prince Yu and his elder brother were in charge, so he didn't need to worry about them at all.
Hearing my son say this now, I'm a little alarmed.
It seems he will have to discuss these matters thoroughly with Prince Yu later.
"He Yuzhu, summon Prince Yu to the palace."
After seeing He Yuzhu accept the order to deliver the decree, Yinreng raised his hand to rub Hongxi's little head, only to find that the boy had grown so tall without him noticing, looking just like a spirited young man.
Thinking of this, Yinreng's hand twirled in the air before he put it down.
What was Father doing just now, touching my head?
【Are you kidding me? I'm so old, how could I still get my head patted!】
Hongxi was inwardly furious, but outwardly remained calm and composed.
Yinreng couldn't resist and reached out to pat his head.
Hmph, no matter how unhappy you are, you have to put up with it.
[Ugh, Father's been acting like a child lately, doing all sorts of childish things. He should be using that time to practice riding and archery so he can accompany the Emperor on his personal campaigns.]
The emperor personally led the expedition?
Yinreng was taken aback.
"What do you mean, the emperor personally leading the expedition?" he asked instinctively.
Hongxi was taken aback. He clearly remembered that he had only thought about it in his mind and had not said it out loud.
No, could it be that he said it unintentionally?
Yinreng regretted his words as soon as they came out, but seeing that Hongxi also looked confused, he quickly regained his composure and said, "You just said that the emperor would personally lead the expedition."
Hongxi thought to himself, "Oh no, I just blurted out what I was thinking."
"Yes... Emperor Mafa personally led the expedition against Galdan."
Yinreng found it amusing to see his usually composed son suddenly looking so bewildered, and couldn't help but tease him.
How did you know?
Hongxi blushed with nervousness. "It was a dream."
Yinreng: ...
“A few days ago, your uncle sent two horses back to you and Hongyu respectively. They’re at the horse farm. You can go and play with them when you have time.”
As he turned to leave, he suddenly asked, "Hongxi, are you skilled in horsemanship and archery?"
Because the question was asked so suddenly, Hongxi replied without thinking, "Of course I'm good at it. Among our generation, my son is the best at riding and archery."
Yinreng's lips curled up; it was good that he hadn't lost to the eldest son's eldest child.
Watching Yinreng's departing figure, Hongxi felt that something was wrong, until he and Zhang Quan arrived at Ma Peng's door and suddenly remembered.
What did he just say?
He was skilled in archery and riding, and was the best archer and ridingman among his brothers.
But he's only seven years old!
Oh no, have we been exposed?
"Hongxi, come here quickly, what are you thinking about?"
Hongyu entered the horse farm before Hongxi. He had just mounted the horse his father had given him when he saw Hongxi standing there with a look of utter disbelief.
His younger brother was a clever little devil when he was young, but he became somewhat... dull as he grew up.
He often stares into the distance, lost in thought. Although he is only seven years old, his eyes always reveal a hint of vicissitude.
Is the pressure of being the Crown Prince's only son really that great?
Zhang Quan glanced at Hongyu, who was waving at them, then looked at his master who was still lost in thought. He coughed lightly and called out, "Master, the eldest prince Hongyu is calling for you."
Hongxi then came to his senses and, following the direction Zhang Quan was pointing, saw Hongyu waving at him. He immediately responded with a big smile.
"Come on, bring over the horse that Uncle gave to Master."
Seeing that his master had finally returned to normal, Zhang Quan smiled and went to fetch the horse.
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