Being a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy was a relatively leisurely job, and even Emperor Kangxi couldn't be sure that Dai Zi was definitely in the Hall of Mental Cultivation at that time.
Seeing that Emperor Kangxi was in a great hurry to get the person, Liang Jiugong dared not be careless in the slightest. He went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation in person. Fortunately, Dai Zi was on duty and he was able to meet the person.
"This must be Lord Dai. His Majesty summons you."
Dai Zi was taken aback. Although he had entered the palace and obtained an official position through his merit in suppressing the Three Feudatories, there was really nothing for him to do as a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy.
He preferred tinkering with things like muskets and cannons, but he never had the chance.
Emperor Kangxi would often summon his tutors, but most of them were Manchus or members of the Han Banner Army. Dai Zi was a pure Han Chinese, and to be honest, his position as tutor was quite leisurely.
So when Liang Jiugong, who was in charge of Kangxi's affairs, rushed over to say that Kangxi wanted to see him, Dai Zi was surprised.
As Liang Jiugong walked to the Qianqing Palace, Dai Zi inquired, "Does Eunuch Liang know why His Majesty summoned him this time?"
He asked directly. Liang Jiugong had considered Kangxi's thoughts and figured it probably wasn't a bad thing. However, he wasn't one to read Kangxi's mind, so he really didn't know what it was.
"Don't worry, Lord Dai, it should be a good thing."
With those words, Dai Zi felt much more at ease.
Life is tough. It's not easy for a Han Chinese to survive in the Forbidden City, where the Manchus are in charge!
"Thank you, Eunuch Liang."
Liang Jiugong said with a smile, "Lord Dai, you're too kind."
In the Qianqing Palace, Dai Zi entered the study. Emperor Kangxi sat at the head of the table and bowed. Kangxi politely asked him to sit down, as the matter to be discussed might take some time.
"How has Minister Dai been doing on duty at the Hall of Mental Cultivation lately?"
This question left Dai Zi speechless.
If you say "not bad," then in fact he found the job of a lecturer quite boring. If you say "not doing a good job," then how could he dare to be dissatisfied with a job assigned to him by Emperor Kangxi?
In the imperial palace, where thunder and rain are both expressions of imperial favor, Dai Zi truly didn't know how to respond.
Even if you don't know how to reply, you have to reply. Leaving the emperor hanging is absolutely unacceptable.
"Your Majesty, it is truly an honor for me to serve in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and I am naturally extremely grateful."
Kangxi didn't take offense at the irrelevant answer.
"I have summoned you here today to entrust you with a matter of great importance. You may rarely be seen in public in the future."
Is this kind of job even available?
Dai Zi felt that he was short-sighted.
He had never heard of any job that required one to remain out in public. He wasn't a military officer; did civil officials need to be so "secret" these days?
Dai Zi did not reveal his confusion, but said, "I wonder what Your Majesty needs me to do? As long as it is within my power, I will do my best."
How could he not understand? When Kangxi summoned him today, it was simply to give him an order, and there was no reason for him to refuse.
Emperor Kangxi was pleased upon hearing this.
Dai Zi had a talent for making firearms, which was noticed by him when the Three Feudatories were suppressed. Later, when he was rewarded for his merits, the reason why he was not allowed to continue to develop firearms was because of his Han Chinese identity.
Now that Kangxi needs new weapons, he wants to make good use of Dai Zi and treat him well, but his freedom is another matter.
Emperor Kangxi had also witnessed the power of cannons and firearms. He reinstated Dai Zi to develop firearms and cannons. If he had been careless, he might have been doomed.
The notion of 56 ethnic groups being one family, as later generations have come to believe, no longer holds true. The majority of the population is still Han Chinese. The reason the Qing army was able to enter the pass was because the Ming Dynasty was corrupt and the people were not suffering. Otherwise, the Manchus could not have conquered the country.
After the Qing army entered the pass, which emperor was not trembling with fear in the early days? On the one hand, they suppressed the Han people, and on the other hand, they had to learn the Han people's etiquette. Although the Manchus are now the majority in the court, the Han people have begun to occupy a certain position in the court.
This was inevitable, but even so, there were still few Han Chinese military officers with real power in the court, which is why Kangxi placed Dai Zi in the position of lecturer.
"I've heard that you have considerable expertise in firearms and cannons?"
Dai Zi's heart skipped a beat. He wasn't stupid; he knew why he was in this situation. What did these words mean?
"Your humble servant has only some limited insights into firearms, and there are many shortcomings."
"My dear minister, you are too modest. I know that you are exceptionally talented in firearms and cannons. Now I need someone to help me develop firearms and cannons, the more powerful the better. Minister Dai, I entrust this important task to you. Can you take on this great responsibility?"
Dai Zi was taken aback when he heard this. Was it true that he was asked to develop firearms and cannons?
Such a good thing!
He genuinely loved developing weapons, and in fact, he had never given up on it in private. However, he only did small-scale research in private, and he didn't dare to make a big fuss about it. It was nothing compared to the exhilaration of developing firearms openly and honestly.
Dai Zi said with delight, "Your Majesty, I will certainly live up to your expectations and do my utmost."
Kangxi smiled: "It's good that you think so, my dear minister. However, I need it urgently and I need you to hurry up. Moreover, I don't want too many people to know about this matter, so I'm afraid you'll have to work hard. You probably won't be able to come home as often in the future. But don't worry, my dear minister, I will send people to take good care of your family."
Dai Zi knew that this was because he was worried about him, but it didn't matter. He didn't have such big thoughts. He understood that overthrowing the Qing and restoring the Ming was easier said than done. He had a family to support, and if he made a mistake, his whole family would be doomed. He dared not do anything that would cost him his head.
Kangxi had such concerns, and this was good. He could do what he liked, and he didn't have to worry about the safety of his family. Dai Zi had no complaints.
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