31. Chapter 31
"none"
Kangxi was furious, but since he was his own son, he held back for the moment and said sternly, "What's the matter? I've got to be frank with you. Don't even think about messing around with this!"
Qi You sighed inwardly. He really wasn't doing anything rash. He was taking things step by step, proceeding gradually.
Qi You was not surprised to hear that the Shunyi bannermen were causing trouble.
Where there is oppression, there is resistance.
Qi You was actually very happy and excited. The bondservants finally showed some courage and were not completely numb and indifferent.
With just a few words, Kangxi put all the blame on the bondservants.
Qi You knew very well that it must be Dachun who took advantage of his absence from Shunyi to stir up trouble, and it was the other Eight Banners dignitaries, that is, the slave owners, who were anxious.
Qi You organized his words and said, "Khan Ama, the cause of the chaos in Shunyi will be clear once we investigate. Let's not discuss it for now. Actually, even if Khan Ama doesn't tell me, I still want to discuss with him how to resolve this conflict."
Kangxi said angrily, "Of course you have to mention it. Once Lin Yicheng mentioned your name, it was more effective than the King of Hell. Those bondservants immediately stopped and said that you are the true king of Shunyi!"
The hat was a bit too big for him. Qi You lowered his eyes slightly, smiled shyly, and said, "Because I'm Khan Ama's son, I'm just taking advantage of the power of the tiger."
When Kangxi saw Qi You's expression, he felt a little comforted.
Before leaving Shunyi, that smart, obedient and sensible son finally came back.
Kangxi's tone softened a bit, and he pointed at the chair and said, "Sit down and talk."
After Qi You thanked him, he sat down on the chair and said with a serious face, "Khan Ama, I have been in Shunyi for nearly a year. To be frank, I see things much more clearly than those people in the capital who have Zhuangzi. I think they are really stupid, very stupid!"
Kangxi's expression, which had just improved somewhat, immediately darkened. He angrily shouted, "You little bastard, you're not being modest, you're being extremely modest. I told you to solve the problem, not to cause trouble again!"
"Really, it's so stupid." Qi You not only did not admit his mistake, but also nodded and emphasized it again.
Before Kangxi completely turned against him, he said slowly, "The blame fell on the estate owners, but the benefits went to the head of the estate. The imperial estate is different. Khan Ama is busy with state affairs and has no time to care about the affairs of the imperial estate."
Qi You subtly eliminated Kangxi from the group of fools and said in a deep voice, "Anyone who has made a fortune elsewhere, except those with immense wealth, will completely ignore Zhuangzi. The rest of the people should at least take a look. Zhuangzi's meager annual harvest isn't even enough for their families to eat. What use is there for them to hold on to it? It only adds to their reputation as a cruel oppressor of the bondservants."
Kangxi was stunned, but after a moment's thought, he understood what Qi You meant.
Qi You forced Dachun to pay out of his own pocket for repairing houses for the bondservants, dredging canals, and increasing their food, clothing, and other daily necessities.
Where did Dachun get so much silver? It was all his money as the owner of the manor.
Kangxi thought to himself that it was a close call, he almost got scolded by Qi You.
The meaning revealed in Qi You's words is worth careful consideration.
Bannermen were not allowed to do business, and apart from their salaries, the harvest from the farm was their main source of income.
The grain harvest from the Duke of Zhenguo's farm that Qi You mentioned earlier was indeed not enough to feed the Duke of Zhenguo's entire family.
Kangxi was not in such a good mood because he was wondering where their money came from.
Eat your food one bite at a time; if you take too big a step, you'll break your balls. Qi You just casually mentioned the current state of the court without going into details, focusing only on solving the problems at hand.
"The owners are dissatisfied. Whether they are ancestors or current meritorious officials, they are used to enslaving people. They want to be the masters and enjoy hereditary nobility and wealth, but they can't kill the goose that lays the eggs! If this continues, their children and grandchildren will not even have a single feather to grow."
"A cruel government is more ferocious than a tiger. What they are doing is tantamount to seeking their own death." Qi You looked up at Kangxi with an earnest expression and a hint of urgency.
"Khan Ama, please make some changes. The world is constantly changing. From big earthquakes to small changes in government, everything is changing. There is no eternal balance. It's too difficult!"
Kangxi met Qi You's clear gaze and moved his body slightly to hide the turmoil in his heart.
It’s too difficult!
Since ascending the throne at the age of eight, Kangxi’s deepest feeling every day was that life was too difficult!
Kangxi sighed with regret, and after a moment, he asked in a hoarse voice, "How do you want to change?"
Qi You replied, "Just like landlords rent their land to tenants for cultivation, estate owners also rent their land to bondservants. Bannermen don't have to pay taxes, so the rent is lower. Even so, I guarantee that their annual harvest will be better than it is now."
Kangxi frowned in thought, hummed, and said, "This method is not unacceptable. What else?"
The step of contracting to households was barely achieved.
Qi You secretly breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Farming depends on the weather, so you have to cultivate it carefully. You have to look at the long-term benefits to make a steady profit. The land you rent out should be leased out for at least ten years. With motivation, maybe we can really produce a few skilled farmers and improve grain production. It will be beneficial to both the owner of the manor and the Qing Dynasty."
Kangxi nodded repeatedly as he listened, "A horse cannot grow fat without night grass. That's the truth."
Qi You observed Kangxi's expression and struck while the iron was hot: "Khan Ama, the bondservants should also be given some appropriate hope. For example, allow them to volunteer to serve in the army and fight for the Qing Dynasty. They are the people of the Qing Dynasty. Defending the Qing Dynasty and expanding its territory is their unshirkable responsibility."
Kangxi suddenly raised his eyes to look at Qi You, and said with a smile: "If you have any other ideas, just tell me directly."
"My little thoughts have been seen through by Khan Ama, so I won't hide them anymore." Qi You smiled and flattered Kangxi a little.
"If there's a war, bondservants can sign up to fight. Those with talent can come up with something useful to the court and present it to the emperor. Those with spare money can study and take the imperial examinations, and after passing, become officials. Those who have made contributions can have their entire families released from bondservancy."
The hasty abolition of slavery would not work; the powerful princes of the Eight Banners would completely turn against him. Kangxi's attitude was also very clear, otherwise there would be no Fugitive Slave Law.
Qi You could only try to open up a few ways for the bondservants to escape from their fate. Seeing Kangxi's expressionless face, he broke out in a cold sweat.
Qi You calmed down secretly and said with a smile: "Khan Ama, the Qing Dynasty is eager to seek talents. We can't stop people from making progress and contributing to the Qing Dynasty, right?"
Kangxi glanced at Qi You. His request was really too much.
But if you think about it carefully, it’s not too unusual.
If a bondservant really escaped from the bonds of state by fighting, they would be risking their lives for fame and honor. They would be more than happy to have someone fight in battle and die for them, and would not care about the servants of one or two families.
As for talented people, if the owners dared to say something, Kangxi would be the first to disagree.
Kangxi still had some doubts about studying.
The slave suddenly became an aristocrat, on equal footing with his former master. This was a big change. Even he himself couldn't accept it at first.
On the other hand, there are so many scholars in the world, and the imperial examination is held every three years, but only a few hundred people pass.
Bondservants must first have enough food to eat before they can even think about studying. It is hard to see them making progress in five to ten years.
Letting them study and become officials is not a big deal.
Kangxi did not object. After thinking about it carefully, he was quite proud of it.
Qi You is so smart at such a young age. He can cause a big disaster and handle the aftermath properly. He is truly worthy of being his biological son.
Qi You, his son, smiled and said, "I will sort out the specific details for Khan Ama to review. Khan Ama, I have one more favor to ask of you. You must come forward and call the court officials and the owners of Shunyi Manor to discuss this with them."
How could this man be so complimented! Kangxi's smile faded, and he feigned anger, "You're ordering your father around!"
The reason why he was able to suppress Dachun in Shunyi was because of Qiyou's status as a prince. In dealing with court officials and dignitaries in the capital, Kangxi's imperial majesty was never wasted.
Qi You blinked his dark eyes and said as a matter of course: "I am your son, I am still young. When my son gets into trouble, of course it is my father's turn to solve it. Besides, I can think of all this because Khan Ama taught me well. I learned it all from Khan Ama. It is the most appropriate person for Khan Ama to take action."
Although the flattery was direct, it still pleased Kangxi greatly. In addition, Qi You's gentle address to him as "father" softened his heart completely.
Yes, he almost forgot that Qi You was still a child. Other brothers of the same age as Qi You were still in the study, struggling with their homework.
"Never mind, never mind. I'll take care of these." Kangxi looked at Qi You with a smile and said disdainfully, "Look at how tanned you are. Your legs are not in good condition, and you don't even know to take it easy. You get into trouble outside, and your Wukuma Mama, Mama, your mother, and your brothers are all sweating for you. Before you do anything, you should always think more about them."
Qi You listened to Kangxi read out a long list of people and asked eagerly, "What about Khan Ama? Doesn't Khan Ama care about me?"
Kangxi glared at Qi You and said in feigned anger, "I only care that you caused such a terrible disaster that I had to patch up the hole for you. Are you hungry? Do you want some snacks?"
"Khan Father, you asked Liang Anda to give me tea and food. How could you let me starve?" Qi You smiled at Kangxi, slid down the chair and walked to the imperial desk.
He leaned forward and lay on the table, smiling so much that his eyes curved. "Khan Ama, I do want something. Please give me the farm in Shunyi and the bondservants there. I'll go back and farm for a few years, okay?"
Kangxi stared at Qi You in disbelief, pointing his finger at him: "You are so shameless! You caused trouble and yet you still dared to ask for a reward! You boasted at first that the crops you grew would be used to honor your elders. You really didn't mind the shabbiness and only sent a small bag of rice and flour back, which was enough for two meals."
Qi You laughed uncontrollably and admitted straightforwardly, "That's because you all dote on me. But Khan Ama, please agree to this. I'm still young, and Khan Ama gives me a monthly allowance, so I have enough food and clothing. I won't take any of the farm's harvest, I'll give it all to my brothers."
It's just a farm. When Kangxi heard Qi Youneng's friendly attitude towards his brothers and saw his bright smile, he couldn't help but laugh along and said, "Take it, take it. I'll see what else you can do. You're coming back to the capital this time. Do you have the nerve to go see your Wukuma Ma empty-handed? When you left, you took away carts and carts of things."
Qi You achieved his wish and felt relieved. He was never one to fail to prepare gifts. He smiled and said, "I've prepared some for Ukuma Mama and Khan Ama as well."
Kangxi raised his eyebrows and asked curiously, "Oh, what is it? Take it out and let me see it."
Qi You said with a smile: "The gift for Khan Ama has not been prepared yet. Khan Ama, I have something else to discuss with you."
When Kangxi heard Qi You's discussion again, he couldn't help but sit up straight, his scalp tingling.
The author has something to say:
Tomorrow's clip, the update will be at 11pm on the 3rd. Please don't leave, little angels, remember to come back, love you. Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated nutrient solution during 2022-10-01 15:04:25~2022-10-02 13:56:50~
Thanks to the little angel who irrigated the nutrient solution: 3 bottles of sunset lavender;
Thank you very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!
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