Chapter 73 Chapter 73 Brothers Together
Before Qianlong could open his mouth, Li Wei had already tried to dissuade him. He knew that the Second Prince was a good boy, and the more so, the more he had to stop him from performing the sacrifice on his behalf.
"My Lord, offering sacrifices to the ancestral tomb is no small matter. You are still young and may not be up to the task."
"I will go with my elder brother." Yonglian said. He wanted to say that Khan Ama was about the same age when he performed the sacrifice on behalf of the emperor.
Only then did Qianlong look at Li Wei. "Mr. Li, please go down first. There's someone causing trouble here. I'll send him away first and discuss this with you later."
Li Wei agreed and walked out.
After leaving the Yangxin Palace, Li Wei realized something was wrong. "If you think the Second Prince is causing trouble, shouldn't you just send him away? Why send me away?"
The emperor doesn't want to beat the second prince, right?
Li Wei felt sorry for the Second Prince for a moment. The Second Prince was too bold and deserved a lesson.
Qianlong didn't beat his son. He just glanced at Yonglian coldly and said, "Second Prince is really capable. He even wants to offer sacrifices to the ancestral tomb on my behalf. So, tell me, why should I let you go?"
"Because Khan Ama can't let go of the affairs in the capital," Yonglian said. "It might have been fine in previous years, but this year's temperatures are unprecedented in a century, and the disaster is extremely severe. You are concerned about the victims, and you must be feeling uneasy about traveling."
"Then I'll just cancel the trip. Why should I let a child like you go?"
"You've been thinking about offering sacrifices to your ancestors' tombs since you ascended the throne. I'm afraid you'll feel uneasy if you don't go. Moreover, this matter has already been decided, and the rituals in Shengjing have been arranged. Cancelling it now would be a waste of manpower and resources."
Qianlong nodded and said, "Then I will postpone my trip for a few days and go in the autumn."
Yonglian smiled and said, "This disaster won't end once the high temperatures pass. The autumn harvest is poor, and the court is busy allocating funds for disaster relief. If we don't handle it properly, there will be refugees and victims. If you travel at that time, it will affect the people's autumn planting."
Qianlong: “…”
This was also the point of argument between him and Li Wei. Li Wei said to go in autumn, but he said that going in autumn would also affect the people. If this continued, he would not be able to go out all year round.
Qianlong thought for a moment and said, "But I have already promised your Madam. If I keep postponing it, she might be unhappy."
Yonglian: "..." Here it comes again, whenever there's opposition, they just say it's the Queen Mother's idea. You're such a grown-up, is it really okay to always let your mother take the blame?
Yonglian couldn't help but roll his eyes internally, but he managed a smile on his face. "Officials across the country are busy with disaster relief this year, so their hospitality is inevitably inadequate. If the Empress Dowager suffers any injustice along the way, you'll be even more distressed. Why not wait for a more favorable weather, or until the train is repaired, before you take the Empress Dowager on an eastern tour? This year, let your son explore the route first." He lowered his voice and leaned close to Qianlong's ear, "And I'll help you see how the officials along the way are doing with their disaster relief efforts."
When Qianlong heard this, he looked at Yonglian deeply, then poked him on the forehead and said, "Do you think you are so smart?"
Yonglian: "No... not smart."
Qianlong: "Then you still want to help me monitor officials."
Yonglian said, "Please assign me some smart people. Those officials can fool my son, but they certainly can't fool the people you assign."
Qianlong was annoyed: "...I can just send a trusted official directly."
"Sending officials to pay respects to the ancestral tombs must have made you feel uneasy because you felt it was not important enough."
"Then your twenty-fourth uncle and your fifth uncle are more reliable than you." Qianlong waved his hand angrily, "Go, go, call your brothers here, I will test their homework."
Yonglian pouted and ran to call his elder brother and others.
Qianlong looked at his son running away and snorted in his heart. This kid really didn't know his place. He actually dared to ask to perform the sacrifice on his behalf.
Fortunately, I am in my prime and don’t think too much about it. If I were older, I would definitely be angry after hearing this.
But now, instead of being angry, he felt somewhat relieved. His lazy son finally showed some ambition.
When he offered sacrifices to Jingling Mausoleum on behalf of Khan Ama, he was exactly thirteen years old. This year, Yonglian was also thirteen years old.
If he let Yonglian go in his place at this time, it would have extraordinary significance. It would be equivalent to telling all the ministers again that Yonglian was the designated crown prince, just like he was back then.
Could it be that this guy came here to recommend himself just for this reason?
After examining his sons' lessons, Qianlong asked Yonglian, "Did you just tell Li Wei that you're willing to take your eldest brother with you?"
Yonglian nodded and said, "If you agree, I would also like to take my third brother with me so that the three of us brothers can have a companion on the road."
Qianlong: “…” Okay, I was just overthinking it.
He glared at his son angrily and said, "You wish! You think we're going out to have fun and hang out with friends."
Yonglian: "Who do you plan to let go with me?"
Qianlong humphed, "I'll think about it again."
Yonglian jumped up happily, "So Khan Ama agrees to let me go in your place?"
Qianlong: "The disaster in the capital is severe. I am concerned about the people and cannot bear to leave."
Yonglian: "..." This kind of words should be said to officials.
When Emperor Qianlong announced that his eldest and second sons would go to Shengjing to offer sacrifices on his behalf, most officials were happy, especially those loyal ministers who cared about the people, and they all submitted memorials praising the emperor's wisdom.
Officials hoping to curry favor with Emperor Qianlong by welcoming him were somewhat disappointed. But according to the Emperor, with the railway opening next year, he would still take the Empress Dowager on an eastern tour. They still had a chance to welcome him.
At the same time, an article was published in "Guochao News" about the emperor's concerns this summer.
The article was written by Niu Lun. From the perspective of a daughter, it describes the dilemma of Khan Ama. On the one hand, he wants to worship his ancestors, but on the other hand, he is worried about the people affected by the disaster and their daily torment.
In the end, he put the people first and gave up the eastern tour, letting the two princes take his place.
This article fully demonstrates the emperor's entanglement and hesitation.
Many people couldn't help crying when they read this article. It was truly difficult for the emperor. For the sake of the people, he repeatedly postponed the sacrifice, and finally had to let his sons perform it in his place.
Yonglian asked Niu Lun to write this article, aiming to make Khan Ama feel that it was worthwhile to give up the eastern tour this year.
Qianlong attached great importance to his reputation. When he heard that the people were moved by his love for the people after reading the article, he felt that there were benefits to not going on the Eastern Tour.
The disaster this year was so severe that he repeatedly said he would reflect on himself and even planned to write a self-criticism edict. Now that the people say he is a benevolent ruler, he doesn't have to act so guilty.
When Yonghuang received the imperial edict, he was stunned for a moment. Yonglian felt a little sorry for his elder brother for returning the title without discussing it with him in advance and just dragged him into it.
Yonghuang was not angry at all, but very happy. In his opinion, this was also a credit. His younger brother took him with him when he had such a thing to do, so of course he was happy.
He actively prepared the process for the tour. Sacrifices required sacrificial texts, and Yonghuang was responsible for translating them in the study. He had translated sacrificial texts before, and now these texts needed to be slightly modified.
The Empress Dowager had not really wanted to go to pay homage to the ancestral tomb. There was nothing beautiful to see along the way from Beijing to Shengjing, and she had to sit in a carriage for such a long time every day. I heard that the round trip would take four months according to the plan, and she was exhausted just thinking about it.
I heard that the Emperor wasn't going, but his two grandsons were. The Empress Dowager couldn't help but worry. Yonghuang had at least accompanied the Emperor to Mulan Paddock, and the farthest place Yonglian had ever been was Tailing. If the two brothers went to Shengjing, what if something went wrong along the way?
Yonglian came to persuade the Empress Dowager, "My elder brother and I are no longer children. We have uncles to follow us, so nothing will happen."
Emperor Qianlong specially dispatched Fu Qian and Fu Wen with dozens of guards to protect Yonghuang and Yonglian. He also ordered officials along the way to take care of the two princes. They did not need to provide a grand reception, but they must ensure the safety and health of the two princes.
The Empress Dowager said, "It's been very hot this summer, and I heard there are many refugees in the Zhili area. I'm worried you'll be frightened."
Yonglian said, "There's nothing to be afraid of. If there are refugees, just comfort them."
This is also one of the reasons why officials did not want the emperor to tour the east. If the refugees bumped into the emperor, they would lose their heads.
However, this year's disaster happened to be in North China, so it would not be easy to completely eliminate the refugees. If things go wrong, it could easily lead to civil unrest.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager hurriedly instructed Yonglian, "Don't worry about the affairs of the court. Just focus on offering sacrifices to the ancestral tomb."
Yonglian responded, "It's already great that we were able to complete the sacrifice smoothly. How can we care about other things?" He pouted and said, "Khan Ama also arranged a Hanlin teacher for us to ensure that we don't fall behind in our studies on the road."
The Queen Mother was helpless. "How can I read in such a bumpy and rocking carriage? Your Khan is too strict."
"That's right!" Yonglian said in a low voice, "When we come back and Khan Ama examines our lessons, please say a few good words for us."
The Queen Mother laughed and tapped him on the forehead, "You monkey! I won't help you!"
In addition to appeasing the Empress Dowager, Yonghuang and Yonglian also had to comfort the Empress. The Empress was worried, but she didn't dare show it. When Qianlong heard that Yonglian had volunteered, he couldn't help but say that he was very brave.
Yonglian comforted his mother and told her that they were old enough to help Khan Ama. At that time, Khan Ama was thirteen or fourteen years old and had already helped the emperor with his work.
Because only the two princes performed the sacrifices, many procedures were saved. Originally, music was required to welcome the emperor when he arrived in Rehe and other places, but now it has been cancelled.
The original four-month journey was shortened to two months.
Many Mongolian princes and nobles who had wanted to pay homage to the emperor on the way no longer had to come.
Yonghuang and Yonglian set off on July 20th. According to etiquette, Qianlong could not see them off in person.
But he was really worried, so on the day of departure, he changed into casual clothes and rode a horse to see his two sons off.
Yonghuang and Yonglian were sitting in the carriage, and there were officials outside to see them off. Neither of them noticed Khan Ama and his fifth uncle standing nearby.
Qianlong didn't look away until the carriage had gone far away. Hong Zhou saw his melancholy expression and said, "Don't worry, my royal brother. There are so many people taking care of you on the road, you'll definitely be safe. Besides, Yonghuang isn't a child anymore. He's going to get married next year, so nothing will go wrong."
Qianlong sighed, "I'm not worried about Yonghuang, it's that kid Yonglian who's causing me so much worry."
"There's even less need to worry about Yonglian. With his two uncles around, how could anything happen to him?" Hong Zhou felt that his fourth brother was just too concerned.
"Time flies so fast. Yonglian can go out on business now." Qianlong turned his horse around and walked back.
Hong Zhou thought for a moment, realizing that the Crown Prince had grown up and was likely to be feared by the Emperor. He then smiled and said, "Yong Lian can only handle simple tasks. It would be difficult for him to deal with those experienced officials in the court."
Qianlong agreed with this and said, "That's right." Although this kid has some talent in employing people, he often acts as a hands-off boss. If he hadn't helped to keep an eye on him, someone would have taken advantage of the opportunity long ago.
Yonghuang and Yonglian basically spent half a day riding in a carriage and half a day riding a horse.
The two brothers also went to the railway construction site to take a look. Now that the weather is not so hot, work has resumed one after another.
Yonglian personally looked at what the laborers ate. Although it was just steamed buns and big pot dishes, the portions were large and filling, and the food was relatively clean.
I heard from the people that Fuheng would come to the scene every day to check it out.
"That Mr. Fu is quite a gentleman. I heard he's the Queen's brother. He's not arrogant at all. If he can't get back at noon, he can just squat on the side of the road and eat with us."
"Sometimes he would come over at night and take people to inspect the tracks laid that day. If there were any problems, they would be repaired the next day."
As the laborers were talking, they suddenly realized that the young man standing behind the two young masters was somewhat similar to Lord Fu, and they couldn't help but take a few more glances.
Yonglian hurriedly asked the laborers to continue their work and got on the carriage with Yonghuang.
The two brothers always rode in the same carriage. The Hanlin teacher assigned to them by Emperor Qianlong would read them a passage every day. At night, when they arrived at the post station and the palace, the brothers would read the passage several times, practice calligraphy on two pages, and then wash up.
In addition to the homework assigned by Qianlong, Yonglian would also write down what he saw and heard along the way and present it to Qianlong after returning to Beijing.
Because Kangxi often went on tours, there were many palaces along the way. It was heard that Qianlong was going to take the empress dowager on an eastern tour, so these palaces had been renovated.
After Yonghuang and Yonglian moved into the temporary palace, local officials would come to pay their respects. Usually, they would just exchange a few pleasantries, but on one occasion, when Yonghuang was not there, Fu Wen accompanied Yonglian to meet with local officials.
The man immediately spoke of his ancestors' relationship with the Fucha family. "When I was young, my family was poor, and I had no place to stay in the capital. It was Lord Ma Qi who was kind enough to rent his property to me at a low price, which allowed me to study for the exam in the capital. It's a pity that when Lord Ma Qi passed away, I was unable to return to pay my respects."
As he spoke, he began to sob.
Not to mention Yonglian, even Fu Wen couldn't cry.
Yonglian advised the official, "The old man passed away peacefully and did not suffer much. If his spirit were in heaven, he would be pleased to see you serving as a caring official and benefiting the people."
The official wiped away his tears and talked about the disaster relief in his county. He sounded very concerned about the people and even paid out of his own pocket to provide porridge relief.
Before leaving, the man took out a property deed and said, "I will never forget the kindness that Lord Ma Qi showed me. This is the deed to a small courtyard in the capital. I thought that giving it to the Second Prince would be the same as returning it to Lord Ma Qi..."
Yonglian: ???
"How can it be the same?" Fu Wen hurriedly pushed the deed back for Yonglian. "Besides, your uncle only rented the house to you, not gave it to you as a gift. What are you doing?"
"A drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring. I have no worries about food and clothing now, so it is only right that I repay you a little more." said the county magistrate.
Fu Wen wanted to refuse again, but Yonglian said, "Then I'll accept it on behalf of the old uncle." Then he said to Fu Wen, "Fourth uncle, please help me put it away."
Fu Wen opened his mouth to say something, but when he met Yonglian's gaze, he took the house deed and went to the back.
After Fu Wen left, Yonglian lowered his voice and asked the county magistrate, "I just heard you say that you spent several thousand taels just to send ice water and medicinal herbs to the people this year. Is there enough money in the government office?"
The county magistrate sighed, "To be honest, the previous magistrate of this county had a deficit of four or five thousand taels, and this time, several thousand taels were spent on disaster relief. Now the higher-ups want to investigate, and I don't know what to do! This money was not spent by me, it was all used for the people..."
Yonglian listened to him complain for a while, and only when Fu Wen came back did the county magistrate shut up.
"Don't worry. As you said, if all this money is spent on the people, the court will definitely not let you make up for the deficit."
The county magistrate breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that the second prince meant to speak up for him.
Yonglian yawned, and the county magistrate took his leave at the appropriate time.
After the people left, Fu Wencai asked, "My Lord, what does this person want from you?"
"The deficit can't be filled, so he wants me to say a few words on his behalf. He said that the money was used for disaster relief." Yonglian sneered, "Fourth uncle, please ask around on the street and see if it's true that he's delivering water, food, and medicine to the people."
Fu Wenxin said that there was nothing to investigate. If the money was really used for the people, the county magistrate would not be so guilty and would not beg the second prince to come.
Sure enough, when the people below went out to ask on the streets, they found out that although the county had provided porridge relief, it had no food or medicine, and hundreds of people had died from heatstroke.
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