Chapter 203 He Wants to Resist Japan
Uya Zhaohui's campaign in the Dzungar Khanate was a resounding success. In fact, his youthful arrogance surpassed even the historical accounts, making him a fearsome figure. Even Amur, who had been entrusted by the Crown Prince to fight alongside him, gained considerable merit.
Of course, Amur himself was also very brave, otherwise he wouldn't have had such an opportunity.
Upon returning to the capital, the first thing to do was naturally to reward those who had contributed.
"Zhao Hui, you fought a brilliant battle. You did not disappoint the Crown Prince's hard work in recommending you. I will reward you handsomely!" Yinzhen smiled and pointed at the two people below, not forgetting to mention the Crown Prince's kindness in promoting him.
Zhao Hui naturally knew that his current position was entirely due to the Crown Prince. Otherwise, having just entered the Grand Council, with neither qualifications nor connections, how could he have obtained such a mission to infiltrate the Dzungar Khanate? Without the Crown Prince, how could a novice like himself have been able to discuss matters with the Fourteenth Prince and General Yue in this campaign?
He immediately lifted his robe and knelt down with a thud, kowtowing several times firmly in the direction where the Emperor and the Crown Prince were sitting.
"If it weren't for the Crown Prince and His Majesty's promotion, I wouldn't have had this opportunity. I will never forget this great kindness and dare not ask for any more reward from His Majesty!"
Seeing his expression, Yinzhen chuckled softly, "You should keep the reward that is rightfully yours. The Crown Prince and I are well aware of your contributions."
As he spoke, Su Peisheng stepped forward, holding the imperial edict in his hands.
“Wuya Zhaohui accepts the imperial decree.”
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: General Uya Zhaohui has achieved a great victory over the enemy army and killed the Dzungar Khan, repeatedly making outstanding contributions. I hereby commend him and hereby appoint him as Minister of the Military Equipment Department. He shall take office immediately. This is my decree."
The position of Minister of the Military Equipment Bureau, a third-rank official, is essentially a promotion. Moreover, he is still very young, and with the Emperor and the Crown Prince's favor, he has no worries about future advancement.
"Your Majesty, I accept the decree and thank you for your great favor!"
After admiring him, the next person to be admired was Amur.
The more Yinzhen looked at the child, the more satisfied he became. With the blood of Aisin Gioro flowing in his veins, he was bound to be more noble and closer to him than other people. Moreover, he was from the Mongolian Plateau, so Hongjin's marriage to him could be considered a political alliance.
Who says marrying into the capital doesn't count as a political marriage? A political marriage is considered a contribution to the country, and the treatment is different.
The intention behind sending him on the expedition was to toughen him up. Now, seeing how determined he is, I have even higher hopes for him.
"You're not bad, kid. You've gotten quite a bit stronger these days."
When Yinzhen spoke to him, his tone was different again, carrying a more benevolent and amiable quality compared to when he spoke to Wuya Zhaohui. Although it was only a slight change, Hongzhao keenly noticed it.
Hongzhao's expression remained unchanged, but he secretly clenched his teeth even tighter.
What should I do? I really feel like hitting someone, especially that wheat-colored face in front of me with a smile, and Amur who looks like he's sitting on a small mountain. I've known him for so many years, how come I never realized that this person could be so hateful!
Yinzhen praised him highly, then turned to look at Hongzhao. Hongzhao was only feeling uneasy about his brother suddenly becoming his brother-in-law, but he was still very reliable when it came to important matters. He turned around and took out the imperial edict that his father had prepared long ago, which was being held by Xiao Dezi.
He stood up and walked upright to the center, unfolded the imperial edict with both hands, and said with a smile but not without seriousness, "Amur, receive the edict."
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: In ancient times, the virtuous were appointed to official positions according to their merits and abilities, and those who performed great deeds were rewarded with generous stipends, while those who were virtuous were granted noble titles. Amur, the youngest son of the King of the Northern Desert, has been raised in the palace since childhood under the tutelage of the Empress and under the guidance of the Emperor. His literary and military talents are outstanding among others. Today, he returns victorious and is hereby granted an official seal and conferred the title of Prince of the Northern Desert, inheriting the title of King of the Northern Desert. This is the imperial decree."
Amur paused for two seconds, then hesitated before looking up. Only when he received a urging look from Hongzhao did he realize what was happening and hurriedly expressed his gratitude: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
He... inherited the title?
When his parents decided to send him to the palace, it was partly because he was the only one of the five brothers whose age was roughly the same as the Crown Prince's, and partly because he had closer ties with the palace, which would bring them more benefits and care.
Another aspect is that his four older brothers are already fighting tooth and nail over the matter of inheriting the title. Since he is too young to get involved, his mother simply decided to go all out to avoid trouble and get rid of as many problems as possible.
I thought he would be the first one to be kicked out, but I never expected that he would overtake me by taking a shortcut in the end.
Seeing that he was still in a daze after bowing down, Yinzhen laughed even harder—"You're already frightened like this? What will you do if you receive even greater favors in the future?"
With such an obvious hint, none of the people present were fools.
Even if Amur couldn't understand it, he could guess it just by looking at Hongzhao grinding his teeth at him.
However, the emperor had not yet made it clear, and at this point, any further statements from him would be a mistake.
"Your Majesty and Crown Prince, please rest assured, your subject...your subject will certainly not fail in your mission!"
Amur's wheat-colored face was taut with tension. It was as if he had not received the most noble princess of the Qing Dynasty, but a military order, and the most difficult one at that, which was why he was so on high alert.
Not only did Yinzhen chuckle at his behavior, but even Hongzhao, who was nearby, couldn't help but give him a hard knock.
It must be said that the timing of Wuya Zhaohui's appointment was perfect; he had just become a third-rank military officer and was about to go on another expedition.
Hongzhao vaguely remembered a line from a song in the present world: "Young soldiers yearn to make a name for themselves."
When his second improved muskets and cannons made a small-scale appearance in the Forbidden City, he seemed to see the raging fire in Wuya Zhaohui's eyes about to burn the training ground to ashes, and his eagerness to try it out could no longer be concealed.
By this time, nearly a year had passed since the Battle of the Dzungars. Thanks to the confiscated silver, the Qing army was now well-equipped and in good health. With their second-improved muskets and cannons ready for mass production, they were truly an unstoppable iron cavalry.
However, if it were just about modifying firearms and cannons, it would definitely take him less than a year; there's another major component involved.
—Ships.
Who doesn't have a heart that yearns to resist the Japanese? Now that we have the opportunity, we should put our anger to good use. This cannon was designed according to Hongzhao's wishes to stabilize the ship while it is sailing and to operate independently while marching. People before us have never even dreamed of such a thing, let alone seen it.
Put Russia aside for now; he needs to fight the Japanese!
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