Yinzhen was filled with mixed emotions; he never expected that his wife would suddenly pass away.
He did think of Nian's scheme, which made him even more annoyed. He neither exposed her nor went to see Nian again.
In the 54th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign (1715), the Fourth Prince's mansion fell into a period of relative quiet.
The silence of the mansion was broken by the cry of Hongyi's son.
Yinzhen was very happy and was still considering what name to choose when Kangxi snatched it away!
Even Yinzhen's expressionless face couldn't hide his resentment!
Yongheng, with "heng" meaning extraordinary talent, outstanding ability, and pure and immaculate character.
Emperor Kangxi intended to select consorts for Yinzhen and his son during the imperial concubine selection next year.
She was the primary wife of both the second and third wives of the emperor.
While Shirley was still asleep, she heard Yinzhen mutter, "If you don't get up soon, someone else will come into the mansion and bully you!"
Sherry reacted quickly and bit Yinzhen.
Then I discovered that the things hanging on my pillow, hands, and neck were all jade.
The really old kind!
Sherry really liked it; among all his gifts, she found one with a special charm.
There are nine pieces now, I wonder where Yinzhen found them.
In the 55th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign (1716), it was another year for the imperial concubine selection!
Emperor Kangxi bestowed upon Hongyun a princess from the Guarjia clan, and his secondary consort was a princess from the Suochuoluo clan.
She also bestowed upon Hongyi a concubine, a princess of the Ma Jia clan.
He also arranged a marriage for Ning Kuoliqike, with the person chosen by Yinzhen.
She also bestowed two more princesses upon Yinzhen, one named Lanying and the other Yunhui.
Shirley looked at Yinzhen's two newly acquired beauties with a half-smile.
Yinzhen found it both funny and absurd.
"You stay put, and I'll stay by your side! If you continue to be this weak, then I'll go and check on someone else."
"You dare?!" Sherry's eyes widened in anger.
Yinzhen held her hand and smiled mischievously.
Emperor Kangxi asked him why he did not accept a second wife, and Yinzhen said that he wanted to observe three years of mourning for Lady Ulanara.
Whether Kangxi believed it or not is unknown, but upon seeing the handsome and refined Hongyi, he finally calmed down.
He did want his grandson to have a legitimate claim to the family, but the Li family's background was too low!
Kangxi had no energy to deal with those matters anymore, and spent his days personally teaching Hongyi the art of imperial power.
In the 56th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign (1717), Baoyin gave birth to a son and a daughter, completing the Chinese character for "good" (好).
Historically, the little girl was predicted to die in childbirth this year.
However, Galo, who married Xingde, was lucky. She experienced a difficult childbirth, but both mother and child were safe, only her health was damaged.
It's passable.
Hongyun also became a father, and Guarjia also gave birth to a son.
Because the people trained by Sydney kept a close eye on them, each of them was relatively clean in their dealings.
Sherry suddenly understood why people want to have sons.
This is the joy of family life!
The celebration of their daughter's marriage has nothing to do with them.
Thinking of this, Sherry slapped herself hard across the face!
She has been assimilated by humans!
How terrifying! She's a powerful demon, and each place, each world, has its own set of rules!
Her goal is for the giant serpent to transform into a dragon!
No one can stop her from ascending to immortality!
Sherry started tapping the wooden fish drum, simply to calm her mind and clear her thoughts.
Five years passed in this way.
In the 61st year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign (1722), the emperor's health deteriorated and his death was imminent.
At this time, because Emperor Kangxi was lenient and benevolent, before his death, the national treasury was empty due to years of war, and the national silver reserves were less than one million.
Corruption plagued the bureaucracy, with local officials deceiving their superiors and subordinates, and the bondsers of imperial relatives holding positions in government offices at all levels, resulting in a chaotic officialdom.
Emperor Kangxi understood that to continue the Kangxi era of prosperity, there needed to be an upright and incorruptible emperor who could reform the corrupt system.
Speaking of temperament, Kangxi did not like Yinzhen, but there is no doubt that among the princes, only Yinzhen possessed such qualities.
Moreover, Hongyi is a rare talent.
Emperor Kangxi passed the throne to Yinzhen to inherit the throne and appointed Hongyi as the crown prince!
Yinzhen did not expect Kangxi to do this. It was not that he was dissatisfied with Hongyi; he would not be power-hungry like his father.
He just felt that the position of crown prince was too demanding!
Of course, the brothers were born of the same mother and grew up together, sharing a deep bond. Each had their own aspirations, so they wouldn't turn against each other.
Because of his sons, Yinzhen was much more tolerant of his brothers.
Consort De reconciled with Yinzhen, and besides, Kangxi took Hongyi with him wherever he went. There was nothing she could do even if she didn't admit it, since Kangxi had already chosen the fourth prince.
She didn't cause any more trouble!
Hongyun fought alongside his uncle and was well-liked by the fourteenth prince.
Hongyun was quiet by nature, but persistent and determined, and had great military talent.
The fourteenth prince boasted to Yinzhen more than once, "Hongyun looks just like me, with unparalleled martial arts skills, unlike you, tsk tsk tsk~"
The thing that Yinzhen should never mention is his martial arts skills.
She always wanted to beat up the fourteenth prince, but she was afraid that Consort De would worry.
Shirley felt a little sorry, as she had prepared to send Consort De off before Emperor Kangxi passed away.
As a result, since the other person didn't cause any trouble, she didn't follow suit and make a fuss either.
In the first year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign (1723), the Li family was incorporated into the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner.
Yinzhen posthumously honored Ulanara as Empress Xiaojing.
He crowned Shirley as Empress.
Lady Nian was conferred the title of Consort Kang, and Lady Song was conferred the title of Consort Mao.
The title of Changzai was conferred upon Niohuru, and the title of Guiren was conferred upon Geng.
The officials of the mansion were granted titles and honors to the elderly ladies-in-waiting Zhang, Chang, Wang, Ma, Yun, and Ying...
The Kangxi and Qianlong reigns lasted for over 130 years, making it the longest golden age in Chinese history.
The first 60 years of Kangxi's reign were glorious and the second 60 years of Qianlong's reign were marked by both civil and military achievements. Yongzheng is an emperor who is often overlooked.
However, it must be said that Emperor Yongzheng's 13-year reign played a pivotal role in connecting the prosperous eras of the preceding and following dynasties.
He reformed the corrupt system by implementing the "equalization of land tax and poll tax," the "return of tax revenue to the public treasury," and the "equalization of official duties and taxation for officials and gentry." These three reforms enriched the national treasury and spurred officials on. He reformed the banner system by abolishing the system of government support for the Eight Banners' descendants, allowing them to support themselves. He reformed the bureaucracy by implementing the "anti-corruption allowance," purifying the officialdom, and appointing capable, virtuous, and honest officials.
During the reign of Emperor Yongzheng, the government was efficient and the national treasury was full.
By the time of Emperor Yongzheng's death, the national treasury held 54 million taels of silver, laying a solid foundation for Emperor Qianlong to usher in a new 60-year golden age.
At this moment, Yinzhen decisively began sweeping reforms.
Hongshi developed a mechanical contraption, resembling a crude version of a robot.
That's amazing enough.
He also improved the crossbow for use on the battlefield, and Hongyun gave him advice.
Although Hongshi was not on the battlefield, his legend lived on the battlefield.
Hongyun later moved his base to train his navy, using the Ryukyu Islands as his stronghold.
Japan later wanted to come to Qing to learn from them, but Yinzhen refused, in order to prevent Japanese pirates!
At this moment, Hongyun, encouraged by Xue Li, directly destroyed that small island.
Yinzhen had no objection; he had always felt that the Japanese pirates were cunning and treacherous!
Letters from foreigners and some Western inventions were also discovered in Kangxi's private treasury.
Yinzhen handed it over directly to Hongshi.
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