A preview of a family reunion
Yinreng wasn't particularly disappointed with Nian Gengyao being temporarily assigned to Mingzhu's side, nor was he particularly disappointed with the incident itself. He was secretly annoyed: Mingzhu, this old man, still had such a sharp mind! How could he not be senile and confused?
Yes, this is what the prince cares about.
In comparison, Nian Xialing was a high-ranking provincial governor, and Nian Gengyao was a rising political star, both worthy of wooing, but only to be wooed. There were always around 20 to 30 governors-general (the number of governors-general was not fixed, increasing or decreasing from time to time), and Nian Xialing wasn't particularly outstanding; it was his immediate superior, Guo Xiu, who drew the most attention.
The Crown Prince now has several thorns in his side. The eldest prince is one, Mingzhu is another, the eighth prince is only half, and Fulun is definitely one. Mingzhu is still shrewd and not easy to take action, and has taken the initiative to retreat behind the scenes. The current priority is to make Fulun miserable! The Crown Prince's malicious eyes have been fixed on this old man for a long time, so long that Teacher Xiong once again visited the second student to remind him: "Don't show your emotions on your face."
Yinreng brushed away the floating leaves in his tea bowl and sighed, "How can I not be afraid of him when he's so petty? Guo Xiu, the upright censor, was a well-known official, honest and upright. Just because he told the truth and impeached them, he was delayed for ten years. If Khan Ama hadn't remembered, he would have been tortured for the rest of his life. What a villain to be feared!"
Xiong Cilü also felt a bit sad, although the rabbit had now been resurrected, he had to admit that Yinreng's last sentence made sense, but: "In the 28th year of Kangxi, the censor Zhang Xingfa impeached Shandong Governor Qian Jue for corruption. Jue made a defense. Because Xiu had written a letter to recommend Jimo County Magistrate Gao Shangda and others, but the letter was rejected, Jue took advantage of the suspicion and made Xingfa falsely accuse him, and sent him to the court for investigation. The court reported that Xiu had made a request and should be stripped of his official position. These are the facts." Teacher Xiong began to continue to talk about "Don't deceive in secret" to the second student.
Yinreng sneered, "Master, you're teasing me. I'm talking about something else. In the 29th year of the Kangxi reign, Jiangning Governor Hong Zhijie implicated Guo Xiu in Wujiang County's grain tax deficit and sent a letter to Shandong to pursue Guo Xiu as a hostage." He sneered, "Guo Xiu, in the 18th year, was appointed Magistrate of Wujiang County in Jiangnan. He was talented and capable, and skilled in handling difficult cases. He levied taxes and implemented laws, preventing clerks from committing corruption. He served in office for seven years, and his governance was the best in Jiangnan. This was the evaluation of the Ministry of Personnel! In the 25th year of the Kangxi reign, Master Tang recommended him to the capital! Four years have passed since the incident! He's retired, and yet they still humiliate him like this."
After a pause, Yinreng continued, "Hong Zhijie was appointed Governor of Jiangsu in April of the 27th year of the Kangxi reign. And yet, he remembered the grain tax deficit in Wujiang County! And Fulun was Governor of Shandong at the time, and Guo Xiu was from Jimo, Shandong! Fulun has defamed him again."
Xiong Cilü wasn't surprised by the Crown Prince's sensitivity to the matter. If the Crown Prince was simply cheering for Fulun's misfortune, he would be worried. Instead, he was relieved by the Crown Prince's familiarity with Guo Xiu's resume. He still had to advise the Crown Prince: "Control your anger! Control your anger!"
Yinreng took a deep breath and took two sips of tea before calming down. "Guo Xiu has a good reputation, and he's determined to ruin her. I dare say that even if all the grain taxes flowing through Wujiang County were embezzled, it wouldn't be enough to offset Fulun's embezzlement. Not only that, he's also going to humiliate Guo Xiu's biological father. How truly insane!"
Xiong Cilü remained silent, then said to Yinreng, "Your Highness, you must not show any partiality in the fight between the two. Your Majesty has known about this matter from the beginning."
Xiong Cilü had experienced ups and downs in his official career for many years. He was the one who saw through the essence of the problem at a glance during the Oboi period and wrote directly to the emperor: "You must choose a good teacher and a good study partner to accompany the emperor in studying seriously, and not just go through the motions." The subtext was that if he was not taught seriously, he would never be able to be independent and could not rule the country.
This time, Xiong Cilü saw that Fulun was doomed. Guo Xiu's father hadn't just become a student this year, and he'd been punished without even an investigation. It was Guo Xiu's enemy, Fulun, who had reported him. To say Kangxi had nothing to do with it was an insult to the court's intelligence.
Kangxi definitely knew this!
Guo Xiu's impeachment over a decade earlier had definitely struck a chord with Emperor Kangxi, and it had won his heart. However, at the time, the situation was intense, and with all parties vying for power, Emperor Kangxi needed to let the Ming Party vent its anger.
Moreover, Guo Xiu also offended a large number of people, such as Wang Hongxu and Gao Shiqi (this one is more important), making them lose face.
Guo Xiu, a prominent figure, a Han Chinese, a Jinshi in the ninth year of the Kangxi reign, and in his forties (during the twenty-ninth year of the Kangxi reign), was considered young for the position of Left Censor-in-Chief. He could cool down a bit, smooth out his shortcomings, and then re-employ him later without worrying about wasting his talent.
Everyone's grievances needed a place to vent, and Guo Xiu's old case was dug up. What kind of petitions... well, just this one, just a few words on behalf of a county magistrate, and Kangxi simply let Guo Xiu retire (you should retire). Compared to bringing him back as governor ten years later, this retirement is quite interesting.
Now, the two sworn enemies have returned to the same court. Unlike Mingzhu and Suo'etu, who were relatives of the emperor and had made great contributions, they still needed checks and balances. It's basically a case of one of them must die! Guo Xiu was brought back by Kangxi himself, so this time, it's Fulun who has to go!
However, Xiong Cilü would only speak half of his words, even to his own students. Regarding Fulun, he only said one sentence to the second student: "Those who do too much evil will eventually fall."
Leaving the second student to figure it out on his own, Teacher Xiong...went to chat with colleague Zhang.
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Fortunately, the second student didn't take Teacher Xiong's words as just some kind of truism to appease him; he pondered them carefully. Then he remained silent. Sure enough, Fulun's case was reopened. Shujia clearly sensed Yinreng's improved mood: "What's so good about you?"
"Can you see it?" Reflect on it, Teacher Xiong has reminded me that I should keep my face paralyzed, my face paralyzed, my face paralyzed is the best way.
"Not really, it's hard to tell," after looking him up and down, Yinreng twisted his body uncomfortably. Shujia finally concluded, "It's just that I feel like...something good has happened to you." The aura is there.
Yinreng learned his lesson, coughed, and tried to normalize his aura: "You must have misunderstood me. I am angry!"
"Huh?"
"These scoundrels deserve to be killed!" Yinreng's expression turned ferocious. "Do you know about the case of Shaanxi officials embezzling grain silver?"
Shujia shook her head honestly: "I haven't heard of it. You tell me and I'll listen." She only knew that the atmosphere outside was a bit tense recently. According to rumors, someone came to the door to complain, but what exactly was the complaint? There were a lot of names, and the rumors were really hard to make out.
"Back then, we issued over 500,000 grain silvers to Shaanxi Province and asked them to lend them to the people. However, these bastards embezzled and misappropriated the money. Now, after investigation, we found that only 260,000 silvers were actually put into use, and the remaining 300,000 silvers were all swallowed up by them! Bastards!" The crown prince was really angry when he said this. "I don't even have that much cash in my hands!"
Shujia agreed: "Indeed, he deserves to be punished."
"Punishment? Killing wouldn't be too much. Three have been sentenced to death with pending execution, and seven have been demoted." And here comes the key point, "Khan Ama actually pardoned Fulun."
"What does this have to do with Foren?"
"At that time, he was the Governor-General of Sichuan and Shaanxi."
"Has he ever been the Governor-General of Sichuan and Shaanxi?" The Crown Princess, who had no idea about the situation, asked this question. She felt more and more that the Crown Prince had more political knowledge than herself, while she was ignorant in this regard.
"Yes, from the 31st year of Kangxi's reign to the 33rd year of Kangxi's reign." Yinreng answered casually.
"..." It's been six years since Fulun resigned from his post as the Governor-General of Sichuan and Shaanxi! Isn't it too late to think about it now? Moreover, you still haven't explained why you have been so happy these past two days! Shujia at least knows that Fulun is an enemy. There is no reason why Yinreng would be happy if Fulun is fine.
"Then... Han Ama said why didn't you ask him?"
Yinreng tried hard not to look too happy: "Fulun will be exempted from demotion and transferred. He will retire from his original position."
Kangxi once again retired someone, and this time the person who retired was Fulun.
It feels so damn good to have removed a thorn in my eye and a thorn in my flesh.
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The crown prince, in high spirits, looked around and saw that the newly minted scholars had already entered the Hanlin Academy for further study. Yinreng felt a little discouraged, thinking to himself, "Mingzhu, that bastard, is really cunning! Not only did he predict the exact moment, but he also prepared everything for his granddaughter in advance."
Sometimes you have to admire him, this old sly fellow really has some skills!
After sighing, he continued to hug his Khan Ama's thigh and followed him to live in Changchun Garden.
This time, the Crown Prince packed up his wife, the Emperor packed up his mother, and they went to Changchun Garden together. Shujia followed suit and packed up her two sons.
In previous years, she was worried about her son's young age and that she wouldn't be able to take good care of him. That's why she didn't go with him because of Hongdan. Now, with more children and more experience, she's not so cautious and has been raised a little more freely, so she brought them along. Shujia also asked Hongyang, Hongxi, Li Jiashi and Li Jiashi to come along. In fact, the first two were studying with their uncles, and the latter two were just to give face to Hongyang: "Last year we had no place to go, but this year is just right. Let's go together to avoid the noise. Clear the house and lock it up, then go together."
As soon as she finished speaking, there was a burst of cheers. Shujia said, "We have to set some rules first. You still have to study. When you live in the garden, you still have to follow the rules. No running around. There's a lot of water there, and we live next to the dock. No one is allowed to go near it without an escort. Falling into the water is no joke."
Hong Xi suppressed his excitement and nodded repeatedly: "Okay, mother, we have remembered it. When are we leaving?"
"Look how happy you are! We must follow the two palaces. Go pack your things first," he instructed the eunuchs, palace maids, and nannies, "Put the rest aside first. You heard me just now. The young princes are not allowed to go near water alone. They must never be without someone while they stay in the garden." He also assigned Hongdan's wet nurse and babysitter to take turns accompanying him, insisting they not leave. Zhao Guoshi was in charge. As for Erpang, he was still trying to evolve into a reptile.
After everything was packed up, the giants of the Forbidden City left someone to look after the house and went to Changchun Garden.
Sitting in the car, there was nothing to see either. This was a trip with the emperor, and the area was cleared even more. Even entering the main gate of Changchun Garden was confined to the car. Only when we reached the end of the field did we get out and walk on our own.
Yinreng had his own exclusive residence in Changchun Garden, called Wuyi Zhai. Located west of Changchun Garden, it contained five main halls. Originally Yinreng's solitary residence, it now seemed crowded and bustling with the family's presence. However, the environment was pleasant, and the architecture was pleasing to the eye.
Shujia, holding Hongxiu's hand, stood steadily on the ground. Looking up, she saw a clear, bright scene. Tall, verdant trees, some with leaves already turning from light green to dark green. Changchun Garden was built in the 29th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, a decade later, and the trees were flourishing.
The most eye-pleasing thing about Changchun Garden is its blue bricks, black tiles and white walls, which exude a waterside garden scenery! It is truly a feast for the eyes!
Yinreng said, "You guys stay here, I'll go to Qingxi Book House to pay my respects to Khan Ama. After you've settled in, you can go to the Empress Dowager and visit your grandmother." Then he really left his wife and children and ran to the east.
Shujia didn't care about the thought that "Changchun Garden will be gone in three hundred years, so I'll just have a good stroll around it while I can, even without paying for admission." She stopped looking at the scenery and focused on the people. She sighed inwardly.
Many people were here for the first time, and there was no doubt that they couldn't help but be surprised. They had been in that magnificent palace for too long, and seeing it for the first time was a surprise. The children were the most exposed. Their serious father had left, and their mother loved them very much and was happy to indulge them in small things. They turned their little heads and looked around. They had learned the rules well and hadn't run around yet. But they did make some small movements. Hongxi poked Hongyang, Hongyang scolded him, Hongxi stuck out his tongue, then turned his head and made a face at Hongdan. Hongdan puffed out his mouth and stretched his cheeks, making a distorted expression in return.
Li Jia and Li Jia were delighted to be able to get out and get some fresh air, but they were also afraid that if they showed it too obviously they would be looked down upon.
Among the palace maids and eunuchs, some had come with Yinreng before, and they maintained a calm expression, a hint of pride in their eyes, but they tried hard to suppress it. The newcomers had surprise in their eyes, but they didn't want to show it too much, for fear of being criticized.
"We'll be staying here for a while. We'll settle down first when we have a chance to see the scenery. The scenery is beautiful, so just enjoy it, but don't wander around aimlessly! There are still rules. If anyone gets into trouble, I'll punish them according to the national law, but I also have my own family rules."
Everyone shrank their necks and responded in unison.
The assignments began. Needless to say, the maids and eunuchs were assigned to the shared dormitories, which were then handed over to Gao Sanxie, who had accompanied them. The main hall, of course, was occupied by the Crown Prince, Crown Princess, and their two young boys. To the east, a pair of elementary school students shared the space, and to the west, two concubines occupied the rooms. Well, a preview of a family reunion!
The author has something to say: I was ripped off yesterday, but finally posted some pictures, feeling so relieved. Coming home from work today, I found that JJ, that black hole, finally vomited out all the comments he'd swallowed up the past few days. So excited to read them. Um, dt902, the comments for chapter 137 are out. Points have been sent, please check.
I was so happy when I realized that I had a bug when I was thinking about posting pictures while typing yesterday...
Thanks to celistineliang for pointing it out. Hmm, Xiaowu, there are two bugs. One is the color of the Crown Princess's clothes. The previous one said it was golden, but the next time it was written as bright yellow. I have changed it. The other is the way the Seventh Lady addressed the Eighth Lady. I have changed it.
Anything else to say? Um, by the way, I've been trying to find and read everyone's reviews; they're so poignant. But JJ is still pulling it out. Sometimes the backend is down, and sometimes it removes the author's replies, but I'll still find a way to keep reading. Ladies who want points, just mark your review with 'JF', and make sure it's at least 25 words—of course, you have to make sure it doesn't get removed.
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