Chapter 69 Chapter 69 Strictly restrained
The data statistics of Yonghuang and Yonglian are so detailed that they can almost be used as a budget reference by the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works.
They consulted the Minister of Revenue Chen Dehua and the Vice Minister of Works Aligun. This was not considered as making friends with foreign officials, but just asking for advice from the current martial arts master and the former literary master.
Naturally, the two did not dare to be perfunctory in answering the questions of the two young princes. Aligun also went to find his good friend Hadaha, who was the Minister of Works at the time, to calculate the manpower and material resources needed to lay the railway, and by the way persuaded Hadaha to support the construction of the railway.
Officials from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue all agreed, and in the end, only the officials from the Ministry of Rites were still worried about details such as whether the train whistle would disturb the ancestral tombs.
When the Ministry of Rites heard that the data chart was drawn by the two young princes, they soon fell silent.
Everyone knows that one of the two princes must be the designated crown prince, which means that both the emperor and the crown prince support the construction of the railway, and there is no point in their struggling.
Moreover, Prince Lu Yunlu also expressed his support for the construction of the railway. Prince Lu Yunlu had been in charge of the Ministry of Rites for many years and still enjoyed considerable prestige among the officials of the Ministry of Rites.
The next step is to plan the route in detail, trying to avoid the people’s fields and ancestral tombs, and not getting too close to rivers and ditches.
It takes one or two months to plan the route, and one or two months to recruit laborers. It will take at least the second half of the year before construction can officially begin.
The Ministry of Works has more than one thing to do this year. Qianlong has begun to build a lucky place for himself.
This project was in some ways more important than laying the railway. By spring, various river projects were also underway, and the Ministry of Works became the busiest of the six ministries.
The palace selection has ended, and the candidate for Yonghuang's first wife has been decided, but she is different from what Yonglian remembers.
He remembered that in history, Yonghuang's wife was Ilari. Although the Ilari family had a title, Ilari's father Dehai was only a captain.
Yonglian had previously worried that the Ilari family would be unable to help his eldest brother, making it difficult for him to handle affairs after entering the court. Unexpectedly, the Khan's father chose a wife for his eldest brother, not a member of the Ilari family, but the youngest daughter of Xitala Laibao, the Minister of Justice.
Lai Bao's career has been very prosperous in the past two years, and he has been favored by the Emperor. It was only two years ago that Emperor Qianlong promoted him to the Manchu Plain White Banner.
Everyone in the court felt that Qianlong's preference for Lai Bao was somewhat personal. Lai Bao was not proficient in the affairs of the Ministry of Justice and had been reported by others.
Qianlong also spoke up for him and no action was taken against him.
Yonglian asked his mother, "Why did you choose a girl from the Xitala family for your eldest brother?"
"Although the girl's family background isn't the most prominent, your Khan-father has given them a high rank. They are naturally grateful and serve her with care, not daring to act arrogantly or presumptuously. Such a Yue family will definitely not hinder your eldest brother." The Queen said, "The girl herself is also of good appearance. Your Royal Madam liked her at first sight."
Yonglian scratched his head, "But..." He wanted to say that in the future, the first wife of the fifteenth-year-old Yongyan would be Lai Bao's niece's granddaughter, so wouldn't that be a generation difference?
"What's your eldest brother's request?" The Queen asked, noticing her son's hesitation. This matter had nothing to do with Yonglian, so he probably had no objection. Perhaps Yonghuang was dissatisfied with the candidate?
Yonglian quickly shook his head, "No, no, I have no objection, brother." None of them had seen these beauties in person, so they could only judge them based on their family backgrounds. Yonghuang was delighted to hear that they were the daughters of ministers, but he didn't mind the idea of bannermen raising their banners, after all, his mother was also a bannerman. He didn't even dare to think about Manchu nobles like the Fucha and Niuhulu families.
"Then why are you hesitating?" The Queen poked Yonglian on the forehead. "It's already been decided. The wedding is set for the year after next."
Yonglian thought about it and realized that Manchu nobles didn't really consider generational differences when marrying each other. In history, Emperor Qianlong even married the grandchildren of Empress Fucha. So he stopped worrying about it.
Yonglian asked again, "Will you get married in the palace, or will you set up a residence outside the palace?"
The Queen said, "Your Khan Ama meant to get married in the palace first. There are still many empty courtyards in the palace."
Yongsheng and Yongqi hadn't been allowed to live in the Prince's Residence for the past few years, as several courtyards there were left empty. Even the Old Summer Palace was even more crowded, not to mention Yonghuang's family, even if all five sons had started families, they could still live there.
Of course, there was another reason why Qianlong did not want Yonghuang to move out of the palace and build a mansion, which was unknown to outsiders - there was no money in the treasury.
The railway was funded by the Ministry of Revenue, but the steam engine and steam car were funded by the imperial treasury. After all, only the Imperial Household Department had the technology to manufacture steam engines.
There were still many places that needed steam engines, and in order to manufacture them more quickly, the Imperial Household Department needed a large amount of steel and tools. This initial investment was all funded by the imperial treasury.
No matter how generous Qianlong was, he couldn't help but feel bad about spending tens of thousands of taels of silver, so several important matters in the palace had to be postponed.
I hope that by the time Niu Lun and Yong Lian get married, I can earn the money back. I can save on other things, but I definitely cannot save on these two things.
This year, during the spring plowing season, more provinces were able to use steam plows and irrigation machines. The steam engines used by several provinces in the south of the Yangtze River were produced by the Jiangnan General Manufacturing Bureau. However, steam engines used in Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Sichuan, and other places still needed to be shipped from Zhili.
Yin Jishan, the governor of Sichuan and Shaanxi, petitioned Emperor Qianlong to open a manufacturing bureau in the northwest.
New textile machines, irrigation machines, and steam plows were even more needed in the north, but the Ministry of Revenue was unwilling to pay. This year was already a severe drought, and disaster relief would be needed in the autumn. How could there be any money left to build factories?
Qianlong had never been so worried about money before. Recently, when he had nothing to do, he summoned officials from the Ministry of Revenue to count the money.
Fortunately, the Guangdong Customs collected a lot of taxes, and the profits of the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau increased year by year, proving that these investments were worthwhile.
The most important thing is that the several provinces that used steam engines last year paid more grain than in the previous two years.
Now the granaries in these provinces are full, so even though there is less rain this year, officials in these provinces are not too worried.
In the end, Qianlong gritted his teeth and asked the Ministry of Revenue to allocate 50,000 taels, and another 50,000 taels were added to the treasury.
One hundred thousand taels of silver was still not enough to set up a factory, so Yin Jishen had to raise the funds himself.
Qianlong was somewhat worried that Yin Jishan would exploit the people, so he asked the governors of the two provinces to keep an eye on him.
But Yin Jishan did not target the common people. The common people had very little money, and even extortion might not be enough to raise enough money to build a factory.
He then used half of the money to hire people to make textile machines. The Hexi Corridor, where wind power could drive looms, was actually very suitable for setting up a textile workshop. The textile workshop mainly recruited female workers, regardless of ethnicity.
The able-bodied laborers were all used to cultivate farmland and plant large quantities of potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Farm tools and seeds were provided by the imperial court. In areas without arable land, sheep farming was encouraged and the government also provided subsidies.
In Yin Jishan's view, this was to prepare raw materials for the subsequent establishment of a manufacturing bureau.
Erdeng'e's father, Yongchang, was transferred to Anxi, Shaanxi as a governor last year. Yongchang had little education and was inevitably unfamiliar with handling local government affairs. Coupled with the huge reforms in Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, Yongchang was overwhelmed.
Yin Jishan complained subtly several times in secret memorials. Qianlong himself liked Yongchang very much and hoped to give him more opportunities. He also instructed other officials in Shaanxi to explain local government affairs to Yongchang more.
Erdeng'e received a letter from his father, which contained many embarrassing things.
He then discussed this with his friends, “Although the Ama people are diligent and loyal, their abilities are limited and I’m afraid they are not qualified for their current positions.”
Although Yongchang learned some Chinese characters in the past two years under the encouragement of his children, he read too little, which made it difficult for him to understand the customs of different places. Shaanxi and Gansu are places where ethnic minorities gather, and their customs are different from those in other places.
The little experience Yongchang had accumulated in Zhili was not enough. Just being responsible for the local Hui Muslim farming gave him a headache.
Neither Yonghuang nor Yonglian could intervene directly in this matter, so Yonglian went to find Aligun and Shuhede and asked them to think of a solution.
These two people have a good relationship with Yongchang. They know that Yongchang is a good person and loyal to the emperor, but he lacks ability.
"Letting Yongchang return to the capital early is saving him. If he really causes trouble, it will be too late to save him, and the emperor will not be able to protect him."
Shuhede and Aligun discussed that Yongchang must be brought back to Beijing as soon as possible.
Aligun was still a little hesitant. After all, Yongchang's official career seemed to be rising step by step, from a guard to an admiral, and the next step would be governor.
"At worst, we can just mention him more in the letter."
"The situation in Sichuan and Shaanxi is changing rapidly, and we may not fully understand it. How can we advise him?" Shu Hede said, "Yong Chang is too honest and inexperienced. We're worried he'll mess things up, and we're also worried he'll be used as a pawn. What Yin Jishan is doing is risky."
Aligun frowned, "What should we do then?"
Shu Hede: "I will find someone to impeach him."
Aligun: “…”
Shuhed was older than Aligun and had better knowledge. In Aligun's heart, he was a reliable elder brother. He was quickly convinced.
Shu Hede reminded him again, "If the emperor asks about this matter, you must not mention the two princes."
Aligun couldn't help asking: "You said that the second prince came to us just to help Yongchang? Or..." Yongchang's son was the eldest prince's study companion, and everyone tacitly assumed that Yongchang was the eldest prince's man. Seeing that the eldest prince was about to serve in the court in the next two years, the second prince reported Yongchang's incompetence to the emperor. Is there really no selfish motive in this?
Shuhede coughed lightly. "That's why I told you not to talk too much." So what if he had selfish motives? It was Erden'e himself who presented the opportunity to the Second Prince.
Over the next two months, ministers from Shaanxi and Gansu successively reported to Emperor Qianlong, pointing out Yongchang's many shortcomings, but these were all issues related to his ability, and they still praised his character. However, when running a local government, one cannot just have good character; without ability and intelligence, one can easily be fooled by the petty officials below.
After much consideration, Qianlong decided to transfer Yongchang back to the capital and let him continue to be in charge of the Imperial Guard.
There were many people in the court who mocked Yongchang. He was very depressed at first, feeling that he had disappointed the emperor. Shuhede, Aligun and others advised him that it would be better to stay in the capital than in Shaanxi, as he had many acquaintances and could look after each other.
Yongchang gradually adjusted to the situation. Although the commander of the Imperial Guard had no future, it was pretty good as he could see the emperor often and was surrounded by family and friends.
Yongchang had never known that Shuhede, Yonglian and others had intervened in this matter.
Yonghuang and Erdeng'e knew about this. Yonghuang even told his tutor not to tell Yongchang about this. Erdeng'e knew the relationship and was worried that if his father misunderstood the second prince, it would be troublesome. He did not dare to say anything.
Because Yonghuang occasionally went to the study to study, Erdeng'e would follow him.
As the two of them spent more time together alone, Erden'e asked Yonghuang indirectly about his future plans.
Yonghuang had no plans and just said he would follow Khan Ama's arrangements.
Erdeng'e said, "Prince is not only proficient in Manchu, Chinese and Mongolian, but also in foreign languages. He can go to the Lifanyuan."
Yonghuang said, "My second brother said the same thing."
Erdeng'e discovered that the eldest prince had no ideas of his own. He either listened to Khan's arrangements or the second prince's suggestions.
Right now, the eldest prince listens to the emperor and the second prince because he has not yet come into contact with other officials. When he meets those people with ill intentions, will he be led by them?
Erdeng'e felt a little worried when he thought about this, so he said to Yonghuang: "I recently heard that as early as the first year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, the Emperor had already decided on the candidate for the crown prince."
Yonghuang was stunned for a moment when he heard this, then his eyes suddenly lit up, "Are you saying that my second brother has already been designated as the crown prince?"
Erdeng nodded, but couldn't help asking, "Why are you so sure it's the Second Prince?"
Yonghuang said, "My second brother is the Empress's legitimate son, and he is also favored by the Khan Ama. He is also smart and sensible. Of course, he should be chosen."
Erdeng'e: "..."
Yonghuang had never thought he could become the crown prince, so he was not disappointed at all. "My second brother didn't study very hard in the past two years, and his riding and archery skills were average. I was worried that Khan Ama would be dissatisfied with him. Fortunately, he designed the steam engine and ran a very successful newspaper. These two achievements will definitely make up for his shortcomings in other areas."
"Eldest prince, you are actually very outstanding. The emperor often praises you and lets you work in the study early. I heard that the wife chosen for you is also from a famous family." Erdeng'e felt a little distressed because he felt that the eldest prince could only see the advantages of the second prince and never thought about himself.
Yonghuang frowned upon hearing this and looked at Erden'e seriously, "Khan Ama is of course very kind to me, but please don't try to persuade me to compete with my second brother. If you dare to say such nonsense, don't be my study partner!"
Erdeng'e: "..."
Yonghuang saw that his friend hadn't spoken for a long time, so he became anxious. "Erdeng'e, how does my second brother treat you? You know it in your heart. If you dare to sow discord between us brothers, don't blame me for turning my back on you!"
Seeing that the usually good-tempered eldest prince was actually angry, Erdeng'e hurriedly explained: "That's not what I meant. I was just afraid that you would be instigated by others."
"Whoever dares to say such things, I will drag him to see Khan Ama!" Yonghuang snorted.
The Empress Dowager treated him as her own son, and his second brother had played with him since childhood. Niu Lun and his two younger brothers were also very respectful to him as the eldest brother.
Because his biological mother died early, Yonghuang valued his remaining relatives very much.
He wasn't willing to trade his family ties for the throne. Besides, he wasn't a child anymore and knew he had no chance of winning. Rather than causing unhappiness, it would be better to live peacefully as a prince. As long as he behaved himself and didn't make any mistakes, he would eventually become a prince.
Even if I didn't become a prince when Khan Ama was in power, my second brother would not treat me badly after he ascended the throne.
Most importantly, being the crown prince wasn't easy. Yonghuang couldn't help but recall Khan Ama's treatment of his younger brother, often summoning him for lectures and often complaining about his poor handwriting. His teachers were also very strict with his younger brother, especially Master Shuhede, who often criticized his younger brother's sloppy writing.
Yonghuang had previously suspected that Master Shu was deliberately targeting his second brother.
Now that I think about it, the crown prince will have to take responsibility for the entire country in the future, so naturally he will have to bear more pressure than others.
My second brother is a bit lazy and undisciplined. He's never won a single match against Mingrui in Buku, let alone horse archery. Since he was injured last year, he's been using a four-strength bow. He doesn't take Khan Ama's disdain seriously.
This kind of temperament needs to be strictly controlled.
Yonghuang felt that as the eldest brother, he had the responsibility to restrain his younger brothers, and this could be considered as a way to share Khan Ama's worries.
If there was something to memorize, the two brothers would still supervise each other. But Yonglian would sometimes get one or two sentences wrong and get away with it. Yonghuang knew that he was concerned about the Imperial Household Department, so he was not so strict.
Ever since he knew that Yonglian was the crown prince, Yonghuang no longer allowed Yonglian to take advantage of the situation or bargain. If he recited a sentence wrong, he would recite it again.
Yonglian has been very depressed recently. He was tortured by Master Shu in the Shangshufang, nagged by Khan Ama after school, and even his eldest brother, who was the most talkative, became very strict.
Whenever he tried to get away with it by acting coquettishly, his elder brother would show a look of deep sorrow and indignation.
They recently studied the Book of Documents, which is notoriously difficult to read, and Yonglian had a hard time reciting it.
Yonghuang asked him to recite it over and over again. Yonglian hugged his elder brother's arm and wailed: "Brother, please tell me what I did wrong. I will apologize to you. Please don't torture me like this."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
