Dreams of Qing surround the Jade Pool (with Empress Xiaoxian) Return (Part 1)
"Guo Auntie, the watermelons we planted last year must be ripe by now?" Occasionally watering the Spiritual Pool's water, even if it can't compare to the spiritual food, should still be comparable to the watermelons that were offered as tribute in previous years? Unfortunately, this time the reward for the officials who performed well during the earthquake was not precious jewels or fine silks, but rather a large portion of the fruit from all over the country.
The ministers wanted to say they didn't lack food and drink, but rather the victims of the disaster, but they couldn't bring themselves to say it.
The imperial concubines also wanted to say, the princes and high-ranking officials have a large number of melons in their mansions, where is the lack of fruits and vegetables to eat? It's them who wait all year round to eat tribute fruits, Your Majesty.
Their hesitant gazes were invisible to Yongzheng, and their inner voices went unheard. You think a family with some influence can get someone to bring it over? Don't joke around, the crime of private transactions is huge, who dares to open this topic with the black-faced emperor?! Without the emperor's permission, bringing things to your daughter means the emperor can't afford to raise his own concubines?! Do you know that there are still people starving in the capital... The emperor might confiscate their property in a fit of rage, and this habitual punishment is really daunting.
As a result, in Qian Xi's second home, many fruit trees, melons, sweet melons, strawberries... and vegetables were planted. Yun Zhu became the most prosperous person. Moreover, she also received an edict from Emperor Yongzheng, which allowed her to transport the produce from her estate into the palace for her own consumption after inspection.
It's hard for people to feel envious, jealous and resentful all at once!
Fu Cha. Hu Ling A thought of Fu Jin to get along well, so at first, she also let the slaves plant pomegranates, grapes and some melons in their own wing, so they indirectly benefited from it. Following Fu Jin indeed had food to eat, after the disaster, seeing others being forced to cut back on clothes and food, she thought with relish that she was sharing the sweetness and bitterness with the emperor.
"Done, done! I'm afraid that if we don't pick it now, it'll burst open. I've never seen a watermelon so big!"
"Mother, then send someone to pick all the watermelons, I remember there are also sweet melons?"
"Yes, there is a vine that was planted later than the others, left to fruit for a longer time, and produced nine gourds, each one like a small watermelon..."
"First, bring the things to my room and I'll take a look later." She first asked Su to move the things that Emperor Yongzheng had bestowed upon her to her own room, thinking that after she finished washing and dressing, she would go take a look at what good things they were.
Soon, Aunt Guo came to report that she had received forty-one watermelons and nine cantaloupes, which added up to exactly fifty.
Thinking of Yongzheng's generous reward, Yunzhu immediately ordered twenty watermelons, six sweet melons and half of the yangmei from the imperial villa outside the palace to be sent to the Qianqing Palace.
If the emperor is frugal, even if those below have something, they dare not openly enjoy it. The best treatment under this sky should be the slaves of the Qianqing Palace, but the most demanding rules are also them. Feng Yi and Wang Jinbao, who sent melons and fruits, had long been familiar with these eunuchs and soon someone came in to report.
"Your Majesty, the Fourth Imperial Concubine has sent someone with fruit!" Su Peisheng reported, bowing his head.
"I know, you go and collect it yourself." He said without lifting his head, the memorials on the desk were endless to review.
Su Peisheng hastily went out and came back after finishing his task, which took no more than a quarter of an hour. His efficiency had always been satisfactory to Yongzheng. After a while, he put down the brush pen, picked up the warm tea cup, took a sip, relaxed his facial expression, and asked: "What kind of fruit was sent this time?"
This year, thanks to Yunzhu herself, she has enjoyed a lot of good fortune. Thinking back to the lychees she received in June at Yuanmingyuan, her mood improved even more. Perhaps it's really worth encouraging the concubines to plant some fruit trees in the palace when they have nothing better to do, so that there will be more fresh fruits to eat and they can spend their days thinking less about those crooked ideas.
The Empress's heart is getting bigger and bigger, no longer the calm and gentle person she used to be. If it weren't for Hongli's sake, he would really want to demote her position. Unfortunately, he still needs to use her hand to suppress the Geng family. Hmph, even the most honest person will reveal their true nature once they have the opportunity.
It's indeed a small family background. His eyes narrowed as he thought of the Empress, recalling the documents sent from the Imperial Censorate a few days ago... He should go see her when he has time, after all, they've been married for many years, can't bear to be angry with her for a lifetime.
Last time it was peaches and yangmei, this time Su Peisheng counted them out: "There are twenty watermelons and six sweet melons."
Melons should have been ripe and picked in June, but somehow the Fourth Mistress used some method to make them ripen only in August. Other fruits were the same, their maturation period was more than a month longer than usual... Miraculously, this time the nearly one-month-long earthquake in the capital didn't cause any damage to the two residences of Qian and Xi.
Su Peisheng completely forgot that Yongzheng attached great importance to the grand wedding of Hongli and Yunzhu, and the renovation project of Qianxi Second House was personally supervised by him, with top-notch quality.
"Go cut a watermelon." The watermelon is good, just feeling a bit hot and dry, this tea no matter how much you drink in the summer can't quench the thirst. Such a big earthquake happened in Beijing, he can't run back to live in Yuanmingyuan anymore, not to mention sharing the same fate with the people of Beijing who suffered from the disaster, at least he should show his face, although he also handles government affairs in Yuanmingyuan, but ordinary people don't know that!
"Ah." Su Peisheng smiled and responded, then quickly brought up a plate of sliced seedless watermelon.
"Not bad, not bad, the watermelon is sweet and refreshing." Yongzheng ate more than half of the plate in one breath, then wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and said to Su Peisheng and others who were on duty in the palace, "You all go down and cut one to eat, to dispel the summer heat. Right, also send some to Yi Qinwang, Zhang Tingyu, and Jiang Tingxi."
In order to deal with the urgent military affairs in the northwest, in June of the sixth year of Yongzheng (1728), the emperor established the Military Affairs Office. The princes Yi, Zhang Tingyu and Jiang Tingxi served as ministers to assist in handling state affairs quickly and efficiently, and also kept confidential some new policies related to military affairs and the imperial court.
"Hmm."
"This slave thanks Your Majesty." Several eunuchs showed joyful expressions and knelt down to thank him.
Yunzhu was also in Qianxi's second palace eating fruit, she had always been generous to the attendants around her, most of the fruits grown by Qianxi were sent to the Qianqing Palace to pay respects to the Emperor, Empress and Xi Fei. They would first ask the imperial physician if there were any conflicts with the medicinal soup they drank before sending a few as a gesture. The several princesses and princes living in the palace each got one, the rest were divided among the several maidservants who managed things and Su asked them to share. There weren't many things, but it was a matter of face, look, even Gaoge Kelie Yete Gege didn't get any, only Yonglong A'ge got a watermelon, Fuca Gege relied on her son's influence.
This summer, not only did the "Iceberg Emperor" Yongzheng, who was notorious for his fear of heat, have a hard time, but also the masters and servants in the harem were not doing well. There were no rewards, and they had to donate blood (for disaster relief), even eating fruit was difficult...
Oh, Xi E's mother likes to eat watermelon? Sorry, it's all gone. She never leaves her good stuff waiting for people to ask for it. As for herself? Why not eat? When there's no one around, she and Xue Tuan can go into the space to eat, where the spiritual energy is abundant, the temperature is suitable, and the fruits and nuts are endless.
Yongzheng's face would always have a strange smile and his eyes would be very fond whenever he received such reports. Hmm, this daughter-in-law has always been bullied by others, and at the beginning, she dared to instigate the 12th brother to "teach" herself because of her short temper in protecting her elder sister. How could she have the heart to plot against the Empress and Xi Fei who had treated her with kindness?!
Thinking of her filial piety, he felt a little proud again. His daughter-in-law was also his own daughter now, and he had become someone within her "protective range".
"Your Majesty, good news! Good news!" Su Peisheng rushed in with a memorial in his hands, beaming with joy.
Express report? Yongzheng immediately reacted, "Quickly bring it for me to see!"
As soon as the words fell, several people from the Yongzheng Emperor's side had rushed over from the Longzong Gate, "Your Majesty, the Qing Dynasty has won!"
Disaster goes, good news comes.
Yongzheng couldn't help but burst out laughing, "Haha! The two generals have indeed lived up to my expectations! It's just a pity," his eyes gleaming with a cold light, "that Galdan Tseren escaped. We can't let the tiger return to the mountain." He ordered Zhang Tingyu, "Draft an edict to commend the soldiers of both armies, and have General Ningyuan first garrison Dzungaria, and make sure to dig out Galdan Tseren for me!"
"Your servant obeys." Zhang Tingyu bowed and said. He was very clear about the reason why Yongzheng chose Yue Zhongqi, compared to Fu Erden, Yue Zhongqi not only excelled in military strategy but also had a good grasp of local governance. Thinking back to how he had been attacked by courtiers and suspected by the emperor due to the "Zeng Jing case", Zhang Tingyu let out a sigh of relief for Yue Zhongqi, fortunately, the war was won!
As a Han person, he did not want to see the star fade away like this and lose his life. Unfortunately, as an imperial minister, he could not speak out, at that time, Zeng Jing's words of persuasion made all the Han ministers in the court dare not stretch out their hands, fearing that they would be affected by the fish in the pond. Moreover, appreciation is just appreciation, after all, Yue Zhonggui has been stationed in Shaanxi for many years, fighting wars in the northwest, and is not familiar with these officials in the capital.
However, he thought that even if the emperor won a great victory, he would still recall Yue Zhongqi to the capital and bestow upon him noble titles and rich rewards, taking back military power from his hands. He did not expect that he would instead use him to garrison the northwest.
He didn't know that thanks to Hongli's investigation in Shaanxi before, the report he handed over to Yongzheng proved that Yue Zhongqi was indeed dedicated to the country and the people, and had no dealings with the rebels. The "Zeng Jing incident" was just a one-sided fantasy of the rebels, perhaps they wanted to use this to make the imperial court mistreat loyal officials, chilling the hearts of many Han officials.
Yongzheng got up, personally picked up the plate of watermelon that he had eaten half of and said, "Come on, you guys must not have eaten watermelon after rushing here, eat a few pieces to cool down. Or, would you like some snacks?"
Is the emperor too excited? The Qing dynasty has mobilized so many generals and invested so much in grain and supplies, it's normal to win... Yun Xiang had a black line on his face, wordlessly using a silver chopstick to pick up a piece of watermelon and put it in his mouth. He took a bite, and before he could even savor the fruit, it had already melted into a sweet juice that slid down his throat... He smacked his lips, and without being polite, took the yellow-bottomed dragon-shaped plate from Yongzheng's hand, picked up another piece and put it in his mouth.
"Go and cut another one." Jiang Tingxi looked at him eagerly, and Yongzheng, whose mood had slightly stabilized, shook his head towards Su Peisheng.
"Then issue another edict, proclaiming the victory of the northwest campaign." He pursed his lips, with a self-satisfied expression that seemed to say: "What is happening now is heaven's punishment for my unkind governance?" This is completely slander, the work of treacherous and deceitful people! Heaven is on my side, this thorn in the heart of the Qing dynasty has been stirring up trouble, but it will end at my hands this time!
This time, we must eradicate them completely and never allow Junggar to have a chance to rise again.
As long as the northwest is pacified, other rebellious forces are not worth mentioning. The disaster in the capital has also been planned and arranged. According to Ma Zhi's memorial, all of them have been built into shops and houses of various grades. The investment of labor and money can be recycled, and the expenditure of the national treasury is not much. As long as the Qing dynasty has a good harvest and sufficient grain tax revenue in other places this year, everything will be fine.
Thinking of this, he felt somewhat satisfied.
Emperor, although you had your eyes on my determination to rectify the official system and my familiarity with state affairs before entrusting me with the great Qing empire, have you seen it now? In your lifetime, you were unable to pacify the Dzungars, but I have accomplished it. Although I did not lead the expedition myself, this can also be considered as one of my military achievements.
I wonder what Yun Yu thought in his heart when he heard this news. Mother, you see, I'm not inferior to the 14th at all. What he can't do, I've done, and what I got, he'll never get...
He held back a breath, just wanting to let all the people who opposed him at first see that he was a good emperor and his father's choice was correct! He did not disappoint the mountains and rivers of the Qing Dynasty, and he was worthy of the ancestors of the Aixinjueluo family!!
……
The author has something to say: The following is the main text:
"Guo Auntie, the watermelons we planted last year must be ripe by now?" From time to time, she would pour some water into the Spiritual Pool. Although they might not be as delicious as those from the Spiritual Realm, they should at least be comparable to the ones offered as tribute in previous years. Unfortunately, the reward given to the meritorious officials who performed well during this earthquake was not precious jewels or fine silks, but rather a large portion of the fruits offered as tribute from all over the country.
The ministers wanted to say they didn't lack food or drink, but rather the people who were affected by the disaster, but they couldn't bring themselves to say it.
The imperial concubines also wanted to say, the princes and high-ranking officials have a large number of melons in their mansions, where is the lack of fruits and vegetables to eat? It's them who wait all year round to eat tribute fruits, Your Majesty.
Their hesitant eyes were invisible to Yongzheng, and their inner voices were ignored. You say, can a family with some power entrust someone to bring it? Don't joke around, the crime of private transactions is huge, who dares to open this mouth with the black-faced emperor?! Without the emperor's permission, you want to bring things to your daughter, are you saying that the emperor cannot afford to raise his own concubines?! Do you know that there are still people starving in the capital... The emperor's anger might lead to confiscation of property, and this habitual punishment is really daunting.
As a result, in Qianxi, the two of them planted many fruit trees, melons, sweet melons, strawberries... and Yunzhu became one of the most prosperous people. Moreover, she also received an edict from Emperor Yongzheng, which allowed her to transport any produce from her estate into the palace for her own consumption after inspection.
It's hard for people to feel envious, jealous and resentful all at once!
Fu Cha. Fu Ling Ah thought of getting along with Fuheng, so at first she also let the slaves plant pomegranates, grapes and some melons in their own wing, so they indirectly benefited from it. Following Fuheng indeed had food to eat, after the great disaster, seeing others being forced to cut back on clothes and food while she shared the sweetness with the Emperor, she thought of it with gratitude.
"Done, done! I'm afraid that if we don't pick it now, it'll burst open. I've never seen a watermelon so big!"
"Mother, then send someone to pick all the watermelons, I remember there are also sweet melons?"
"Yes, there is a vine that was planted later than the others, left to fruit for a longer time, and produced nine gourds, each one like a small watermelon..."
"First, bring the things to my house and I'll take a look later." She first asked Su to move the things that Emperor Yongzheng had bestowed upon her to her room, thinking that after she finished washing and dressing, she would go take a look at what good things they were.
Soon, Aunt Guo came to report that she had received forty-one watermelons and nine cantaloupes, which added up to exactly fifty.
Thinking of Yongzheng's generous reward, Yunzhu immediately ordered 20 watermelons, 6 sweet melons and half of the yangmei from the imperial villa outside the palace to be sent to the Qianqing Palace.
If the emperor is frugal, even if his subordinates have something, they dare not enjoy it openly. The best treatment under this sky should be the slaves of the Qianqing Palace, but the rules and regulations are also the most stringent for them. Feng Yi and Wang Jinbao, who sent melons and fruits, had long been familiar with these eunuchs and the leader of the eunuchs, and soon someone came in to report.
"Your Majesty, the Fourth Imperial Concubine has sent someone with fruit!" Su Peisheng reported, bowing his head.
"Alright, you go collect it yourself." He said without lifting his head, the memorials on the desk were endless.
Su Peisheng hurried out and came back after finishing his business, which took no more than a quarter of an hour. His efficiency had always been satisfactory to Yongzheng. After a while, he put down the brush pen, picked up the warm tea cup, took a sip, relaxed his facial expression, and asked: "What kind of fruit was sent this time?"
This year, thanks to Yunzhu herself, she has enjoyed a lot of good fortune. Thinking back to the lychees she received in June at Yuanmingyuan, her mood improved even more. Perhaps it's really worth encouraging the concubines to plant some fruit trees in the palace when they have nothing better to do, so that there will be more fresh fruits to eat and they can spend their days with fewer wicked thoughts.
The Empress's heart is getting bigger and bigger, no longer the gentle and quiet one she used to be. If it weren't for Hong Li's sake, he would really want to demote her position. Unfortunately, he still needs to use her hand to suppress the Geng family. Hmph, even the most honest person will reveal their true nature once they have the opportunity.
It's indeed a small family background. His eyes narrowed as he thought of the Empress, recalling the documents sent from the Imperial Censorate a few days ago... When I have time, I'll go see her, after all, we've been married for many years, can't bear to be angry with her for a lifetime.
Last time it was peaches and yangmei, this time Su Peisheng counted them out: "There are twenty watermelons and six sweet melons."
Melons should have been ripe and picked in June, but somehow the Fourth Mistress used some method to make them ripen only in August. Other fruits were the same, their maturation period was more than a month longer than usual... Miraculously, this time the nearly one-month-long earthquake in the capital didn't cause any damage to the two residences of Qian and Xi.
Su Peisheng completely forgot that Yongzheng attached great importance to the grand wedding of Hongli and Yunzhu, and the renovation project of Qianxi Second House was personally supervised by him, with top-notch quality.
"Go cut a watermelon." The watermelon is good, just feeling a bit irritable and dry in the mouth. This tea, no matter how much I drink it in the summer, can't quench the irritability that's been building up inside me. With such a big earthquake happening in Beijing, he can't just run back to Yuanmingyuan to live, not to mention sharing the joys and sorrows with the people of Beijing who were affected by the disaster, at least he should make an appearance, although he can still handle government affairs in Yuanmingyuan, but ordinary people don't know that!
"Ah." Su Peisheng smiled and responded, then quickly brought up a plate of sliced seedless watermelon.
"Not bad, not bad, the watermelon is sweet and refreshing." Yongzheng ate more than half of the plate in one breath, then wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and said to Su Peisheng and several others on duty in the palace, "You all go down and cut one to eat, to dispel the summer heat. Right, also send some to Yi Qinwang, Zhang Tingyu, and Jiang Tingxi."
Because of the use of troops in the northwest, to deal with urgent military affairs, in June of the sixth year of Yongzheng (1728), the emperor established the Military Affairs Office. The princes Yi, Zhang Tingyu and Jiang Tingxi served as ministers to assist in handling government affairs quickly and efficiently, and some new policies related to military affairs and the imperial court could also be kept confidential.
"Hmm."
"This slave thanks Your Majesty." Several eunuchs showed joyful expressions and knelt down to thank him.
Yunzhu was also in Qianxi's second palace eating fruit, she had always been generous to the attendants around her, most of the fruit grown by Qianxi's second palace was sent to the Qianqing Palace to pay respects to the Emperor, Empress and Xi Fei. They would first ask the imperial physician if the soup they drank clashed with the fruit before sending a few as a gesture. The several princesses and princes living in the palace each got one, the rest were divided among the several maidservants who managed things and Su asked them to share. There weren't many things, but it was a matter of face, look, even Gaoge Kelei Yete Gege didn't get any, only Yongluo A'ge got a watermelon, Fuca Gege relied on her son's influence.
This summer, not only did the "Iceberg Emperor" Yongzheng, who was notorious for his fear of heat, have a hard time, but also the masters and servants in the harem were not doing well. There were no rewards, and they had to donate blood (for disaster relief), even eating fruit was difficult...
Oh, Xi E's mother likes to eat watermelon? Sorry, it's all gone. She never leaves her good stuff waiting for people to ask for it. As for herself? Why not eat? When there's no one around, she and Xue Tuan can go into the space to eat, where the spiritual energy is abundant, the temperature is suitable, and the fruits and nuts are endless.
Yongzheng's face would always have a strange smile and his eyes would be very fond whenever he received such reports. Hmm, this daughter-in-law has always been one who allows others to bully her, in the past she dared to instigate the 12th brother to "teach" him because of protecting her elder sister, how could she possibly try to scheme against the Empress and Xi Fei who have many "little thoughts"?
Thinking of her filial piety, he felt a little proud again. His daughter-in-law was also his own daughter now, and he had become someone within her "protective range".
"Your Majesty, good news! Good news!" Su Peisheng rushed in with a memorial in his hands, beaming with joy.
Express report? Yongzheng immediately reacted, "Quickly bring it for me to see!"
As soon as the words fell, several people from the Yongzhong Gate had already rushed over, "Your Majesty, the Qing Dynasty has won!"
Disaster goes, good news comes.
Yongzheng couldn't help but burst out laughing, "Haha! Good, good! The two generals have indeed lived up to my expectations! It's just a pity," his eyes gleaming with a cold light, "that Galdan Tseren escaped. We can't let the tiger return to the mountain." He ordered Zhang Tingyu, "Draft an edict to commend the soldiers of the two armies, and have General Nian Gengyao first garrison in Dzungaria, and make sure to dig out Galdan Tseren for me!"
"Your servant obeys." Zhang Tingyu bowed and said. He was very clear about the reason why Yongzheng chose Yue Zhongqi, compared to Fu Erden, Yue Zhongqi not only excelled in military strategy but also had a good grasp of local governance. Thinking back to how he had been attacked by courtiers and suspected by the emperor due to the "Zeng Jing case", Zhang Tingyu let out a sigh of relief for Yue Zhongqi, fortunately, the war was won!
As a Han person, he did not want to see the star fade away like this and lose his life. Unfortunately, as an imperial minister, he could not speak out, at that time, Zeng Jing's words of persuasion made all the Han ministers in the court dare not stretch out their hands, fearing that they would be affected by the fish in the pond. Moreover, appreciation is just appreciation, after all, Yue Zhongqi has been stationed in Shaanxi for many years, fighting wars in the northwest, and is not familiar with these officials in the capital.
However, he thought that even if the emperor won a cheap victory, he would still recall Yue Zhongqi to the capital and bestow upon him a noble title and generous rewards, taking back military power from his hands. He did not expect that he would instead use him to garrison the northwest.
He didn't know that thanks to Hongli's investigation in Shaanxi before, the report he handed over to Yongzheng was true: Yue Zhongqi indeed had a heart for the country and the people, and had no dealings with the rebels. The "Zeng Jing incident" was just a one-sided fantasy of the rebels, perhaps they even wanted to use this to make the imperial court mistreat loyal officials, chilling the hearts of many Han officials.
Yongzheng got up, personally picked up the plate of watermelon that he had eaten half of and said, "Come on, you guys must not have eaten watermelon after rushing here, eat a few pieces to quench your thirst. Or, would you like some snacks?"
Is the emperor too excited? The Qing dynasty has mobilized so many generals and invested so much in grain and supplies, it's normal to win... Yun Xiang had a black line on his face, silently picked up a piece of watermelon with a silver chopstick and put it in his mouth. Before he could even taste the fruit, it had already melted into a sweet juice that slid down his throat... He smacked his lips, and without hesitation, took the yellow-bottomed dragon-shaped plate from Yongzheng's hand, picked up another piece and put it in his mouth.
"Go cut another one." Jiang Tingxi looked at him eagerly, and Yongzheng, whose mood had slightly stabilized, shook his head slightly towards Su Peisheng.
"Then issue another edict, proclaiming the victory of the northwest campaign." He pursed his lips, with a self-satisfied look that seemed to say: "What is happening now is heaven's punishment for my unkind governance?" This is completely a slander, it is the work of treacherous and evil people! Heaven is on my side, this thorn in the heart of the Qing dynasty, Dzungar, has been causing unrest, but this time it will be ended by my hand!
This time, we must eradicate them completely and never allow the Zunghars to have a chance to rise again.
As long as the northwest is pacified, other rebellious forces are not worth mentioning. The disaster in this capital city also has a unified plan. According to Ma Zhi's memorial, all of them will be built into shops and houses of several grades. The input of labor and money can be recycled, and the expenditure of the national treasury is not much. As long as the Qing dynasty has a good harvest and sufficient grain tax revenue in other places this year, everything will be fine.
Thinking of this, he felt somewhat satisfied.
Emperor, although you had your eyes on my determination to rectify the official system and my familiarity with state affairs before entrusting me with the great Qing empire, have you seen it now? In your lifetime, you were unable to pacify the Dzungars, but I have accomplished it. Although I did not personally lead the campaign, this can also be considered as one of my military achievements.
I don't know what Yun Yu thought when he heard this news. Mother, you see, I'm not inferior to Old Fourteen at all. What he can't do, I've done, and what I got, he'll never get...
He held back a breath, just wanting to let all the people who opposed him at the beginning see that he was a good emperor and his father's choice was correct! He did not disappoint the mountains and rivers of the Qing Dynasty, and he was worthy of the ancestors of the Aixinjueluo family!!
...or.
