Chapter 68 Chapter 68 I have an opinion
Qianlong was away for two months and did not return until mid-September.
The mother and son looked nothing like those tired from the journey, their faces radiant with rosy glow. It was Yonghuang, on the other hand, who was very tired, and after returning to the capital, he lay down for two days.
Khan Ama said that he was too old to ride in a carriage and asked him to ride a horse.
He had never suffered this.
He said to Yonglian, "It's a good thing you didn't go. You must have been tired on the road, and the tent wasn't comfortable."
Yonglian: "Didn't you always aspire to be a general?"
Yonghuang blushed, "That's Mingrui's ambition, not mine."
Yonglian made shy gestures in front of his elder brother.
Yonghuang: “…”
The two brothers were chatting and laughing in the house, while Qianlong was summoning officials in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
After returning to Beijing, he was busy for two consecutive days before he met all the officials he needed to meet, issued several documents for promotion, demotion and transfer, and went to the harem to see the concubines.
Several days later, after Yunlu reminded her, she remembered that Pan Zhencheng was still in the palace.
He hurriedly summoned Pan Zhencheng into the palace. Qianlong had already seen some of the things he brought back and tasted the wine and beer.
The wine was pretty good, no wonder the Emperor liked it. I really couldn't get used to beer, so Qianlong gave it to Yunxi, Hongzhou, and the others.
High heels were even more useless, and they were for men. They had no market in the Qing Dynasty and were simply piled up in the warehouse.
The music box is quite exquisite. Music boxes were also sold in the Qing Dynasty, but they were very expensive.
Qianlong left two music boxes to the Imperial Household Department for the craftsmen there to imitate, and gave the rest as rewards to several children in the palace.
These things were specially given by Pan Zhencheng as a gift to the emperor. In addition, the large quantities of woolen cloth and Western clocks he purchased were sold to various provinces through formal procedures.
In front of Emperor Qianlong, Pan Zhencheng reported the secret mission assigned to him by the emperor, which was to leave several spies in Britain and the Netherlands.
These people all have special skills. Some were hired by local nobles as family doctors because of their medical skills, and some were chefs who cooked a few Chinese dishes for British wealthy businessmen. The businessmen were instantly conquered and said they would invest in them to open a large sake restaurant in London.
There were also several prostitutes who were favored by local wealthy businessmen.
Although this method is a bit unsavory, the British and the people of the Qing Dynasty look different, so it is difficult for them to integrate into their group. Even those in these professions are easily suspected or excluded.
But since they wanted to have exchanges with the West, arranging spies was essential. Just like those missionaries, they sometimes served as spies to gather information about the Qing Dynasty.
Pan Zhencheng also reported to Qianlong the known British colonies.
Britain was constantly expanding, while the once powerful France gradually began to decline after the death of Louis XIV.
How to deal with the relationship with these countries is not Pan Zhencheng's concern; he just focuses on doing business.
Qianlong asked him to return to the Thirteen Hongs and start a new business, opening a trading company to be responsible for trade with foreigners. It would be even better if he could open a trading company in the West.
With Qianlong's words, Pan Zhencheng felt confident and returned to Guangdong happily.
Emperor Qianlong also summoned several officials from the Weaving Bureau and the Guangdong Customs who had accompanied Pan Zhencheng to the West, and ordered them to improve the looms capable of weaving woolen cloth as soon as possible and to weave a few pieces of woolen cloth to see how it goes.
Because weaving woolen cloth requires a large amount of wool, and the Qingfengsi happened to have cattle and sheep, these people tried their hand at the Imperial Household Department.
In less than two months, several pieces of dolon and feather yarn were woven.
After seeing it, Emperor Qianlong and the Empress said that the fabric was similar to the one presented as tribute by missionaries.
Qianlong also asked Yunlu, Hongzhou, Zhang Tingyu and others to see the woolen cloth woven by the Qing Dynasty.
Zhang Tingyu suggested opening a textile factory in the northwest, specializing in woolen cloth. Firstly, the northwest had many cattle and sheep, and secondly, the weather there was cold, and people needed warm fabrics.
Some people also suggested doing business with Dzungar and Russia, as they also needed woolen cloth.
Although the rich there wear mink to keep warm, not everyone can afford it.
"Don't be in a hurry to do business with Russia. I heard that the winter in Korea is also quite cold. We can sell woolen cloth to Korea first." Qianlong said.
As a vassal state of the Qing Dynasty, Korea was the first country to be sold good things by the Qing Dynasty, so they were naturally grateful.
This year marks the Empress Dowager's 50th birthday, and Emperor Qianlong attaches great importance to it. When the Empress Dowager returned to the palace from Changchun Garden, Emperor Qianlong specially arranged for officials of the first and second ranks to kneel and greet her at Xihua Gate.
In addition, a formal ceremony was held to confer titles on the harem, and the palace was filled with joy.
On the day of the Empress Dowager's birthday, Emperor Qianlong personally went to offer sacrifices at the Taimiao.
Since he didn't bring Yonglian with him, he just pretended that Khan Ama's soul didn't exist and he wouldn't be dissatisfied.
The soul of Yongzheng had nothing to complain about, and could only sigh that the Nianhulu family was very lucky.
For several days in a row, Qianlong and the Empress accompanied the Empress Dowager for breakfast and dinner, and Yonghuang, Yonglian, Hongzhou and others would also come to Shoukang Palace after school.
It was cold outside, so the children sat in the warm room and played chess.
The Empress Dowager, the Consort Dowager, and the Emperor and Empress were talking in the outer room. The Empress Dowager, overhearing the children's laughter, said to Qianlong, "In next year's selection, it's time to give the title of Fu Jin to Yonghuang and Yonglian, right?"
Qianlong smiled and said, "Don't worry about Yonglian. Yonghuang's wife can be decided now."
"Yonghuang has a good temper and is a steady and reliable person. He should choose a wife who is smart and capable," the Empress Dowager said. In her opinion, a couple should complement each other. If Yonghuang had a soft-tempered wife, he would be easily bullied by his subordinates.
It is not uncommon for slaves to bully their masters.
The Queen said, "I will take a closer look at the candidates and let the Empress Dowager check if there are any suitable ones."
The Empress Dowager nodded, and could not help but sigh at how quickly time passed. She said to Qianlong, "I still remember vividly the time when the late Emperor chose a wife for you. Now your son is also going to choose a wife. In a few years, you will be the Mafa."
Qianlong: “…”
This kind of thing sounds horrible. Let's not talk about it.
In the inner room, Hongzhou touched Yonghuang's arm and said, "Nephew, they are discussing choosing a wife for you."
Yonghuang: "..." Yonghuang actually heard it, but he had no say in the matter and it was not easy for him to get involved. Anyway, it was the Khan Ama and the Empress who made the decision.
Yonglian immediately pricked up his ears and went to the door to eavesdrop.
The Queen Mother said, "It's time for Yonglian to take care of it. Let's get married first and then a few years later."
"I have actually inquired about it a long time ago, but now the children are too young and unstable, so I dare not make a hasty decision." Qianlong said.
The Empress Dowager thought about it and agreed. It was difficult to judge a girl of eleven or twelve years old, as she was still immature. She also knew that Yonglian was the son of the Empress Dowager, the designated crown prince, and his wife would be the future empress, so she had to be cautious.
Yonglian listened for a long time, wondering why it was all about him. He was about to withdraw his head, but as he retreated, his head bumped into Yonghuang, who was also eavesdropping.
Yonghuang was hit so hard that he saw stars and groaned while covering his nose.
When Emperor Qianlong and the Empress heard the noise, they both looked towards the door of the warm room.
"What are you doing?" Qianlong asked angrily.
Niu Lun raised his voice to answer for his two brothers, "The eldest and second brothers are eavesdropping."
Yonghuang: “…”
Yonglian: “…”
Several concubines outside laughed, and the empress dowager called Yonghuang and Yonglian to come out. Yonghuang hesitated and moved to the door of the warm room, too embarrassed to go out.
Yonglian was very open and confident. He walked around his elder brother and sat next to the empress dowager.
Qianlong knocked him on the head and said, "This brat has no shame at all. He actually came out to listen."
Yonglian said, "This is my important matter, I should listen."
Everyone in the room laughed. Concubine Yu said, "Second Prince looks childish on average, but I didn't expect he's quite opinionated." She then teased Yonglian, "What kind of wife do you want? Tall, short, fat, thin, your mother can find one according to your requirements."
Qianlong thought to himself, "Don't come and make trouble. What could Yonglian know? This is not something he can decide!"
"Everything else is easy, but I don't want anyone who is too closely related." Yonglian said, "For example, the cousins of the Fucha family."
Upon hearing this, Qianlong and the Empress looked at each other. Qianlong was really looking at Fucha's family. Fu Liang, Fu Qing, and Fu Wen all had daughters.
Qianlong couldn't help asking, "Why?" He thought Yonglian had heard some dirty deeds of the Fucha family from Mingrui, and suddenly became alert.
Yonglian said, "It's just that they're too closely related. The Queen Mother said it's not easy for cousins to have children."
Everyone was stunned. Why was Yongzheng mentioned here? The Empress Dowager wanted to ask, "Why is your Majesty telling you this?"
Yonglian had already begun to explain, "The Imperial Law says that Song dynasty laws prohibited cousins from marrying, yet both royals and commoners often married cousins because close relatives knew each other intimately, making it easier for the two families to support each other. For commoners, it was difficult to come into contact with anyone from other families besides their cousins, so this law remained a dead letter. The Imperial Law deleted this useless law. However, the Imperial Law said that he knew of several cases where children born to cousins were more likely to die young, and he didn't know if it was related to the close blood relationship. Rather than taking the risk, it was better to avoid close cousins and find girls from other families."
The first thing everyone thinks of is the child of Kangxi and Empress Xiaoyi Ren.
There were also several cases in the royal family where cousins married each other, and many children died young, but some grew up healthy.
"You're such a young kid, you've thought about a lot." Seeing everyone's serious faces, Concubine Yu smiled to lighten the mood. "You've even thought about having a child."
"That's right, my second nephew is so shameless." Hongluo, who was eavesdropping at the door of the warm room, couldn't help but say.
The Queen Mother said, "You have a really good memory. You actually still remember what your Emperor Mafadu said to you earlier."
Yonglian said, "I remember a lot of what the Queen said." He looked a little sad.
The Queen Mother also sighed and patted Yonglian's little head.
Qianlong suspected that it was Khan Ama who told Yonglian this when Yonglian went to offer sacrifices at the Taimiao last time.
Qianlong didn't believe the argument that cousins were not good at having children. Who doesn't have children who die in infancy? Khan Ama probably didn't want the Fucha family to have two queens in a row.
He even suspected that Yonglian was aware of his imperial concerns, and that this reason was discussed between the two of them.
Yonglian was not very smart in other aspects, but he had always been gifted in employing people. For him, marrying a cousin had both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage was that the cousin would support him, but the disadvantage was that the close relationship forced him to take care of the Fucha family.
It's just like the relationship between Emperor Kangxi and the Tong family back then, but the Tong family is small, with only two uncles. Yonglian will have ten uncles in the future. Add to that dozens of cousins who are also brothers-in-law. Can he handle it all?
He glanced at the queen and said to Yonglian, "There is no suitable girl in the Fucha family."
Yonglian breathed a sigh of relief. He had an aunt who was married to Salashan, a member of the royal family, so it was impossible for her to choose from his family.
He knew that he had no say in the marriage, so as long as it wasn't the Fucha family, any other family would be fine, so he would just let Khan Ama arrange it.
It is impossible for Khan Ama and Empress Dowager to choose a girl with bad character for him. As long as the other party has good character, Yonglian will not treat her badly. It would be nice to live a life of respect and courtesy with her.
The queen was not very disappointed. She had never thought that the Fucha family could produce two queens. There were quite a few people in her own family alone. Add to that the three families of Mi Sihan, Ma Qi, and Ma Wu, and the relationship between the relatives was complicated. The emperor and Yonglian were inevitably worried about employing people.
The Fucha family has prospered over the years and knows that its relationship with the royal family cannot be too close or too far, otherwise there will be backlash.
The Tong family back then was an example. They had two generations of queens and one imperial concubine. Even though Longkodo had the merit of following the emperor, he still couldn't keep their family rich.
The Empress Dowager’s birthday was celebrated for several days in a row. It was not until the end of November that Emperor Qianlong stopped coming to have meals with his old mother every day.
The railway tracks in Nanyuan were laid, and Qianlong took Yonghuang and Yonglian to see it.
The railway track is about one kilometer long, with a locomotive connected to three carriages.
There were two people sitting in the cab at the front of the train, one was the driver and the other was responsible for adding coal to the boiler. As the whistle sounded, the wheels slowly turned and a large cloud of white mist spewed out of the exhaust pipe at the front of the train.
Yonglian took out his pocket watch to check the time, trying to calculate the speed of the train.
Qianlong and Yonghuang were shocked by the loud "bang bang" sound.
Someone from the Imperial Household Department said, "This steam locomotive is fast, but it's a bit dirty. After sitting on it for a while, your nose will be filled with coal dust."
Qianlong asked, "How many carriages can we take?"
"Five or six sections."
"The carriages near the front of the train are for transporting goods, and the carriages near the back are for people to sit in." Qianlong said. He could already imagine the scene of cartloads of grain being transported to the northwest.
With this car, we will no longer have to worry about not being able to raise food and money in time for wars, and we can save a lot of horses for war horses.
Yonglian calculated the speed and found it to be around 18 kilometers per hour. It seemed only two or three kilometers faster than a horse-drawn carriage, but a train could carry far more cargo than a horse-drawn carriage.
When the train stopped, Yonglian said he wanted to get on board and take a look.
The carriage was not high enough, and adults could not straighten their backs when getting on the train. The heads of Yonghuang and Yonglian were almost reaching the ceiling in the carriage.
They ran from the second car to the front of the train, asking questions such as the weight of coal and charcoal needed.
The driver and the fireman answered one by one.
Yonghuang and Yonglian discussed drawing up a table, clearly listing the cost of building a railway, the cost of a train, and the cost of coal and charcoal for each trip. They then compared the profit of each trip by train with that of a horse-drawn carriage.
In order to draw a comparison table of the two modes of transportation, Yonglian also consulted officials from the Ministry of Revenue.
Just as they were arguing in the court about building a railway, Yonghuang and Yonglian presented the form to Qianlong.
The benefits of train transportation are obvious.
The example Yonglian cited was the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway. Zhangjiakou was an important trading hub for Mongolia and the interior of China, and was surrounded by extensive coal resources. Historically, the Qing government's decision to build the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway was significant.
After looking at the table, Qianlong felt relieved that his son had finally grown up and could share his worries.
On the last day of court before the New Year, he made the final decision to build the first railway in the Qing Dynasty from the capital to Zhangjiakou.
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