Shujia's Dilemma
Shujia's Dilemma
Shujia noticed that the term "Yarjiang'a" was appearing more and more frequently in Yinreng's mouth, and she wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing. Previously, Kangxi was the most frequently mentioned character in Yinreng's mouth, using a tone that was both intimate and respectful. The second-highest-ranked character was the eldest son, the enemy. Soetu and Mingzhu were tied for third.
Later, with the birth of the fat boy, his son's frequency of mention surpassed that of Suo and Ming. Now, there was another one, Yaerjiang'e. The more people Yinreng befriended, the more helpful it would be for him, especially since Yaerjiang'e was no fool and was a future Iron-hat Prince. This was evident from the envy and jealousy that the concubines cast upon Ning Hui after she was said to have married.
However, wouldn't Yinreng's actions give the impression of forming a clique? Although Soetu had already started forming a clique twenty years earlier and now kidnapped Yinreng to use as a mascot, Kangxi saw Soetu as the bad guy and his beloved son as the good guy. If Yinreng took the initiative to befriend the future Iron Hat Prince, what would Kangxi think of this?
Shujia was utterly frustrated, unable to find a suitable opportunity to speak to Yinreng. She realized then that the most painful thing in the world isn't the undiminished instinct to foresee danger without knowing where it comes from, but knowing the danger and how to deal with it, yet being unable to act. In this world, "not being able to speak" is even more frustrating than simply not knowing.
The worst thing is that it was she who indirectly facilitated the improvement of the relationship between Yinreng and Yarjiang'a.
Shujia found herself caught in a vicious circle: Yinreng was offending everyone and losing popularity, and she was anxious, trying to find ways to persuade him to change his behavior. But once he became friendly with others, she would worry about whether this would cause taboos.
If it weren't for her image, Shujia really wanted to squat on the ground and hold her head in her hands - why is everything I'm facing so difficult to deal with?! I asked you to improve your relationship with him, not to become his sworn brother! She couldn't say this out loud, and she felt like her hair was turning gray with worry.
She had misunderstood Yinreng. A close relationship between two people can never be achieved through the efforts of one person alone. For example, between her and Yinreng, if Yinreng did not have the most basic respect for his "wife" and was willing to interact with her, then no matter how hard she tried, she would have been scratching her head against a wall. Another example is the relationship between Yinreng and Yinsi. Yinreng himself was not very sincere, and ended up offending others by going to congratulate them.
In addition to Yinreng's softening attitude towards Yaerjiang'a, Yaerjiang'a's view of Yinreng has also changed significantly. As the lyrics say, "Those who are not understood are the most pathetic." Conversely, once misunderstandings are resolved, relationships will naturally improve.
Besides, Yaerjiang'a was also a lonely person who needed someone to talk to. Yaerjiang'a, the younger brother, was now an idler without a job or title. Since returning from the war, he couldn't stay at home, so he continued to study in the Palace of Heavenly Purity and, by the way, kept in touch with the emperor and the crown prince.
Yinreng didn't need to study much these days, though he still had some homework to do. Kangxi was a strange father who was still unwilling to give up on testing his son's academic performance, so Yinreng still had to do his homework every day. However, he spent most of his working time attending government affairs and learning from Kangxi.
As he grew older, Kangxi increasingly handed over government affairs to Yinreng. During his first southern tour, the crown prince was nominally acting as regent, but in reality he still needed the assistance of the Grand Secretary on many matters. When he set out on the expedition this year, the crown prince was allowed to make the final decision.
Now, father and son were discussing military and state affairs. First, the follow-up to the celebration. Yinreng picked up a memorial, glanced at it, and briefly explained, "This is a memorial inscribed on a stone tablet at the Imperial College regarding the pacification of the Shuo Desert." Kangxi said, "Since it's inscribed on a stone tablet, there can be no mistakes." Otherwise, such live evidence would be a slap in the face. Yinreng said, "The Ministry of Rites drafted it, and the Grand Secretaries discussed it." Kangxi nodded and said, "Put it aside for now. I need to examine it carefully."
The next memorial was about the Governor-General of Huguang. "The former Governor-General of Huguang, Wu Yan, was recently summoned to serve as Left Censor-in-Chief. The position of Governor-General of Huguang is now vacant. The Ministry of Rites requests your approval." Yinreng was overcome with emotion as he spoke these words. He wondered who would be the Governor-General of Huguang, governing two provinces? At least it couldn't be someone from Mingzhu's group.
Kangxi glanced at the memorial and said, "Appoint Li Huizu, the Governor of Henan, as the Governor-General of Huguang."
Yinreng breathed a sigh of relief. He knew this Li Huizu. He was a descendant of Li Chengliang of the Ming dynasty, now serving in the banners. He had served as Minister of Rites and Minister of Justice, and later as Right Vice-Chief Censor of the Imperial Censorate. As Governor of Henan, he eliminated factions and maintained a clean government. This year, when the army marched out, Li Huizu personally led a convoy of military pay from Henan to the capital, without disturbing the people. It could be said that this man was a centrist, not at all inclined towards Yinzhi.
That's enough. As long as they are centrists, they are definitely potential supporters of the system of primogeniture rather than opponents under the guise of justice.
Kangxi then asked a few more odds and ends: "Have the horses previously allocated by the Ministry of War been collected?" "Are floods and droughts frequent in various places? Are grain reserves sufficient?"
Yinreng calmed down and suddenly realized that the battle had to continue. The thought suddenly made him realize that even with such a great victory, the only flaw was that Galdan was still alive! I think Khan Ama thought the same thing. Since he had already started fighting, he had to either not do it or go all the way, not to mention such a serious threat.
Consider this: recent court events, aside from the appointment of provincial examination examiners, have all revolved around military matters. Thinking further, I originally thought the salary increase for the Chahar Guards was a reward for their diligence, and the promotion of the Mongols to higher rank was a reward for their merit. Now, it seems that every move, including the punishment of those who failed in their duties, is preparation for the next major war!
The so-called celebration and the inscription on the stone didn't mark the end of the matter, but rather another beginning. Perhaps Khan Ama deliberately created an atmosphere to heighten everyone's emotions and prepare them psychologically for the complete destruction of Galdan. Now, the concern for armaments was clearly a material preparation. Otherwise, after a great victory, while previously distributed war horses and other military supplies would have been reclaimed, the order wouldn't have been so strict—this was preparation for another round of distribution.
After figuring it out, Yinreng felt relieved. It had been over a month since he returned, but he still hadn't issued an imperial decree ordering the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel to conduct performance evaluations. Well, it seemed he needed to hint to those close to him to stop jumping around and get down to work.
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Yinreng finished his apprenticeship with Kangxi and was leaving for Yuqing Palace when the other princes were finishing their lessons. With the exception of the eldest prince, who no longer had to attend daily lessons, the younger princes all stopped to greet him. Yaerjiang Azheng was among them. Yinreng, now feeling relaxed, said, "Don't be so formal. Go and rest. I came here just now, too. I'm tired and hungry. Let's go eat something to fill our stomachs."
Then he glanced at Yaerjiang'a, and when Yaerjiang'a blinked slowly to show that he had seen it, he said to Yaerjiang'a, "The Crown Princess is still talking about your wife, saying that she doesn't know how she is doing."
Yaerjiang'a stayed and said, "Thank you for your concern, Princess. My husband is also thinking about thanking you, but it's not convenient..."
The princes had already walked a long way, but they could still hear the tail end of Yinreng's words floating in the air: "...She too, she said it was because the weather was hot and ginseng was not good for pregnant women..."
Yin'er whispered to Yinsi, "Look at the Crown Prince! It's all because the Crown Princess smoothed things over for him. He's lucky to remember Khan Ama, and everyone else is just dirt!"
Yinsi frowned: "Speak softly." He felt quite melancholy in his heart. It would be nice to have a wife to help him, but he only had a concubine who was useless. He didn't know when he would be able to marry.
Hmm, I should see Marhun more often. Damn it, being in the palace is so inconvenient, and Marhun is an outsider, so it's not easy to meet him. When can I get a message out? Or can I ask Concubine Hui to pass it on to Prince An's wife?
"Ah? Is what you said true?" Yarjiang'a was a little surprised. He got less information than Yinreng, and unlike Yinreng who was always with Kangxi and could observe closely, so he asked this question.
"I can't say for sure, but it's not too far off. Otherwise, why don't you think that those who fought and won meritorious service this time were not rewarded? Even if there are one or two people who we haven't figured out how to deal with right now, it's impossible that none of them have any news at all, right?" After saying that, he patted Yarjiang'a on the shoulder and said, "You do your best. I estimate there will be another battle next year. We'll see what happens then."
Yarjiang'a was not stupid either. After a little thought, he figured it out: "Thank you, Prince, for your advice." This time his gratitude was a little more real. At the same time, he also felt that this prince was a little... stupid.
"Okay, just be aware of what's going on so you don't get caught off guard. Well, I have some cream puffs today, would you like to try some?"
"It is better to obey than to be respectful."
After saying that, the two smiled at each other.
What was going on? Not long ago, Yinreng had mentioned Yaerjiang'e like he wanted to slap him, and now they were back for a snack? Well, it was snack time between meals, but that wasn't the reason, was it?
It was time for the fat boy to take a nap. Shujia looked at him sleeping soundly and felt a little confused herself - what was going on in this world?
The two brothers, enjoying their snacks, were completely relaxed. Since they had guessed the next move, it was like knowing the spoiler, so they could eat their meal in peace. Yarjiang'a wasn't shy either. He lifted his skirt and sat down smoothly, his gestures carrying a touch of casualness. He waited patiently for Yinreng to take a bite of the snack before he started eating. He chewed and swallowed, then drank a sip of tea to wash away the residue in his mouth, and commented, "This has a strong flavor, and it's quite fragrant."
Yinreng said, "Use more incense. Next up is horseback riding and archery. What if the Khan Ama wants to inspect? In the current situation, this is more important than studying."
Yarjiang'a sniffed the snack with a milky aroma and nodded: "Your Highness is right." He continued to bite the snack.
Yinreng wanted to show the fat boy to Yarjiang'a, but when he heard that the fat boy had fallen asleep, he regretfully gave up: "Khan Ama will probably leave for the northern tour after the Hundred Days Banquet at Sisuo. You may be able to accompany him. Even if you are not originally allowed to go, you should find a way to go with him. When you come back, this kid will not be so sleepy anymore. Come and see him then."
Yarjiang'a was full and didn't burp, but his face was rosy.
"Did you see clearly?"
"I saw it clearly. The eldest prince from Prince Jian's mansion followed the Crown Prince back to Yuqing Palace, and he came out again during the meal."
"Asshole!" Yinzhi pounded his fist on the table. Didn't Yarjiang'a dare to roll his eyes at the crown prince's back? That damned second brother! Didn't he dare roll his eyes to Yarjiang'a's face when he had a grudge against him? Is this world messed up?
The author has something to say: Well, update, I have to go to Chengde on the weekend, I can't touch the computer and can't access the Internet. I am now a glorious live coding party, so you all understand.
Go and see the Summer Resort in person, and then take a look at the temples and so on... I hope there won't be any obvious flaws when I write this.
Finally, I wish you all a happy weekend.
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