Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 537
In Qianqing Palace, East Nuan Pavilion.

Cao Yong was ordered to see him, and he had already knelt for a quarter of an hour, but he hadn't heard Kangxi call.He lowered his head, feeling full of surprise in his heart, and went through his recent words and deeds in his mind.

Cao Yong didn't feel more at ease until he confirmed again and again that there were no small braids for people to catch.In his heart, he thought of a sentence: "It is better to be silent than ten thousand words."

Zhang Tingyu, a famous official during the Kangxi and Qianlong years, has not yet emerged. He has been an official for more than ten years, but he is only a fourth-rank Imperial Academy servant and lecturer.

Although his grade is not high, he can often accompany him in Nanshufang.Those who can stay in the Imperial Academy are all talented scholars with professional background, needless to say knowledge.

Compared with others, Zhang Tingyu was born in a prime minister's mansion, and his behavior was respectful, so he was favored by Kangxi.

When Cao Yong was a bodyguard a few years ago, he paid special attention to this name.However, because of Zhang Tingyu and Dingyou, Cao Yong did not see him.

When he recovered, Cao Yong had already gone to the household department as an errand.

In the past two years, Cao Yong has met Zhang Tingyu a few times. Although he has a bit of elegance, he does not look different from ordinary people.

Although Zhang Tingyu was not warm to Cao Yong, he was not indifferent either.Occasionally, when they meet, they can say a few words, but they are always inseparable from the word "tea".He has a hobby, that is, he is addicted to tea.

The so-called Hanlin is nothing more than the emperor's secretary, who drafts documents or lectures on classics and history.
Being with the emperor for a long time, it is easy to get the emperor's attention, so it is easier to be promoted in Hanlin than outside.However, due to his limited status, the emperor was always wary of the Han people.It is not easy to survive.

Thinking of Zhang Tingyu, Cao Yong couldn't help being a little envious.

Do half a lifetime of clerical work, bury your head in the papers, and you will be able to get out of the court to pay homage to the prime minister.I have been tossing around in Beijing and other places for several years. Although I have not achieved much, I have done my best.

Working hard, working hard, and dealing with conflicts from all sides.If the emperor catches up with convulsions, it is not uncommon to be inexplicably passed on and kneel for a quarter of an hour.

"Accompanying you is like accompanying a tiger", it is true.

Cao Yong smiled wryly in his heart, this is someone who gave himself eye drops in front of Kangxi, but Yushi impeached?

Before, he had already heard that there was a censor who wanted to impeach him on the charge of "laziness and stupidity, failing to live up to the grace of God", and he was talking about the death of a horse in the ranch of Taipu Temple.

It's just seeking fame, someone behind him wants to try whether Cao Yong, who was demoted, has lost his Sacred Heart.

Cao Yong felt innocent and didn't take it to heart.

Although he has encountered some twists and turns in these years, because Kangxi treats him differently, his official career can be regarded as smooth progress.

Unknowingly, Cao Yong's fear of Kangxi decreased a lot, and he felt that he would protect himself.

Thinking of this, Cao Yong couldn't help being vigilant, and his back was already covered in cold sweat.

After two years of peaceful life, I actually became arrogant in my heart, which really shouldn't be done.After all, he has been an emperor for most of his life, and he is too good at winning people's hearts.

Even Cao Yong, who has lived two lifetimes, lost his vigilance like a frog boiled in warm water under Kangxi's warm concern again and again.

"Do you know what's wrong?" Kangxi's deep and majestic voice broke the silence in the room.

Although Kangxi's tone didn't sound good, Cao Yong was relieved.

It is a "wrong" not a "crime". If it is a "mistake", it is just a reprimand; if it is a "crime", it must be held accountable.

However, Cao Yong was also clueless and didn't know what Kangxi was talking about.

Isn't it the matter of the ranch that the censor impeached?The conscience of heaven and earth, that is a natural disaster, how can it be controlled by oneself?
Cao Yong shouted "injustice" in his heart, but on the face he could only respectfully weigh his words.

There is no way, since the "golden mouth and jade teeth" on the kang said that he was "wrong", then he can only agree.

After thinking about it for a while, Cao Yong said: "If you go back to Lord Long Live, I know you are wrong. If you think about the rain and snow early, you can make preparations on the pasture early, and you can save some animals from freezing to death."

Cao Yong was originally thinking about whether to add a few sentences asking for punishment, but he stopped talking when he thought of the reward and punishment system on the ranch.The undertaking over there will be whipped.

There are tens of thousands of livestock in the ranch on the two wings of Taipu Temple, and [-]% of them were lost from last winter to this spring.Even if it is meant to be, it will cost dozens of whips.

He didn't have the tendency to be abused, so he stopped talking, intending to hear what Kangxi meant before he said it.

Kangxi didn't speak immediately, but got up from the kang, wandered on the ground for a while, finally stood in front of Cao Yong, and said: "Eloquence is clear, and the speech is quite sharp. It seems that the wine is sober. Get up, I I have something to ask you."

Cao Yong just drank on top, looking more drunk.Knowing that Kangxi summoned him, his drunkenness disappeared.

He was slandering in his heart, and he responded, with a shy expression on his face, and secretly glanced at Kangxi.

Kangxi looked tired like never before, his brows were tightly frowned, and he didn't smile at all.

When Cao Yong saw it, his heart went down. What bad news is this?

The solar and lunar eclipses, mountain torrents and dam destruction have all rushed to a pile, which has already attracted gossip; if more other things are added, I don’t know how people’s hearts will fluctuate.

"I heard that there are quite a few people who have gone to Outer Mongolia to collect felts and sheepskins recently, do you know why?" Kangxi asked in a deep voice.

Asked about this, Cao Yong leaned over and replied: "If you go back to the Long Live Lord, this minister knows a thing or two."

"Know one or two? Wasn't it your idea?" Kangxi walked to the side of the kang and sat down, frowning: "I have already asked Yaerjiang, although you did not participate in this, but you can't get rid of it. Okay, Stop bowing your head and sticking around, tell me about the situation in Mongolia. Is there really three feet of snow? Move him a seat."

The last sentence is to order Wei Zhuer to stand at the door.

"Hey!" Wei Zhu'er bowed in response, moved a round stool, and placed it two steps behind Cao Yong.

Among them, there is a heart of preservation for Cao Yong. Although Cao Yong said he was sober, he still smelled of alcohol.If the distance is too close, it will be a crime of disrespect if Kangxi is smoked.

Whether it is the eunuchs, maids of honor, or guards who are serving in front of the imperial court, there are taboos on food and drink, so as not to smell bad on their bodies.

When Cao Yong turned around and saw Wei Zhuer's kindness, he was secretly grateful.

Kangxi felt that it was a little far away, and ordered: "Move to the front!" He said, pointing to a place two steps away on the left hand side.

According to the rules, Cao Yong thanked Grace again before turning sideways to do a half-pull.

Since it was Kangxi who wanted to ask, Cao Yong recounted what he had seen and heard about Mongolia two months ago from beginning to end.

Merchants blocked in Zhangjiakou, snow on horses' legs, lost in the wind and snow, Mongolian herdsmen who lost their livelihoods, animals that froze and starved to death in the pasture...

Speaking of the last, Cao Yong's mood can not help but heavy up.

Speaking to Cui Fei that the purchase of felt and sheepskin is very profitable, and it is the only way Cao Yong can think of to help those herdsmen by passing this news to the ears of the powerful in the capital.

Now, although it can be regarded as achieving the goal, there are many merchants in the capital who collect leather goods and felts outside the mouth, but they go there to make money, and those simple herdsmen are no match for them.

After these sales, even if those herdsmen can survive this year, their lives will not be easy.

When survival is at stake, nothing else can be taken care of for the time being.All we can do is to pray that the snow will be less this winter, so that the herdsmen can breathe a sigh of relief.

Kangxi's expression became more and more serious, and he couldn't detect his emotions. After a long while, Fang asked, "You've never been a big deal, but this time you wasted your time in front of Yaerjiang's servants, but don't worry about your benefactor's family? "

The imperial court received the Mongolian princes' booklets, and only sent them food, but for the herdsmen, they asked people to "teach them to fish".

On the surface, it is all the grace of the court, but in fact it is just a nice word.

Except for the dignitaries and servants who settled down, the Mongols are mostly nomadic and live scattered on the grasslands. How can they be "taught"?
Cao Yong is not a fool, and he will not be so reckless that he will be charged with any crime for his "inhumanity".

When he mentioned it to Cui Fei, Cao Yong had already thought of a shield: "If you go back to the Lord Long Live, the minister has selfishness, and he dare not forget the public because of personal interests. Drive them for profit, and protect the Mongolian people, for the sake of the Qing Dynasty. The stability of the border. In peacetime, the Mongols can hinder the ambitions of Oros; if there are dissidents who are good at making gunpowder, the Mongols can also strengthen our Qing army."

This is not Cao Yong's black heart, and against his conscience, he proposed to let the Mongols be cannon fodder, but it is just a practical explanation.Because as early as 20 years ago, when Galdan rebelled, Kangxi did this.

Driving the Mongols as pawns is also one of the ways in which the imperial court implemented the "reduction of Ding" policy.

"The snow is heavy and there is no food. I am afraid that Mongolia will be in chaos." Kangxi said slowly: "The Mongols are the most greedy and are used to looting. Other tribes are okay, but the Eruts are the most capricious. They are located in remote places. There are also Oros people who are contributing to the flames, and I don’t know what kind of moths will cause trouble. A few days ago, the excerpt from Khalkha mentioned that the Erut people were restless again last winter.”

This is only the 54th year of Kangxi, and there should be a few years before the [-]th elder brother went west in history. Will the war be brought forward?
According to later generations, Manchus and Mongols are all part of the Chinese nation.

The Eight Banners of Manchuria sent troops to pacify the Mongolian rebellion in Huijiang, which was regarded as a civil war. Cao Yong, as a Han, should have taken a neutral position.

Now, knowing that Russians were involved, he changed his mind.Whether it is Xinjiang, or Tibet, which Tsengwang Allah Butan is peeping at, they are all indispensable territories for China.

If Xinjiang is lost, the Russians can directly kill the Shaanxi-Gansu generation and force them into the capital; if Tibet is unstable, the British colony will be next to it.

Collecting felts and sheepskins from Mongolia to supply the Eight Banners military supplies is a profitable business for the elites in the capital.In fact, Cao Yong came up with this method, wanting to kill two birds with one stone.It not only helped the Mongols, but also strengthened their armaments.

What if we fight now?
Not to mention anything else, even the horses at the Eight Banners Ranch may not have all the horses that can be used for the expedition.There is also the problem of logistical supply, there is no money in the treasury.

In the past few years, the collection of Kuyin was collected, although the collection was higher, but the first two years were the 50th year of Kangxi's accession to the throne, and then Jiazi Wanshou, with the light of grace, the taxes of many provinces were reduced or exempted.

This is a small input, but the expenditure is indispensable, and the treasury is naturally empty again.

During the Galdan rebellion, most of the logistical supply was provided by Khalkha Mongolia, except for the food sent from Guanli, such as horses, sheep, felt, sheepskin and so on.

Coupled with the fact that the Mongols were the pawns of the imperial army, those so-called "counter-rebellion" were actually the Mongols' cannibalism.

Today, it is impossible to count on Khalkha.

The snow disaster last winter and this spring caused a lot of losses to the imperial court, not to mention Khalkha Mongolia.The geographical location there is closer to the north, and the snow is heavier, so the disaster will only be more serious.

Not to mention supplying the imperial army, even they themselves have to count on the court's favor.It would take three to five years to recover.

This is really a problem. There is going to be a war, but there is no money.Cao Yong couldn't help frowning and thinking hard, but he couldn't think of a solution.

"It's hard for a clever woman to cook without rice." This march and war, the logistics supply cannot be guaranteed, so what's the point?
Something is wrong, Cao Yong aware of the strange.

This military and state affairs should be the emperor's concern. Even if Kangxi wanted to discuss with others, he would look for the kings Baylor, the Manchu and Han scholars, and the six ministers and nine ministers. How could he find him, a fifth-rank doctor?
Are you saying this just to confirm the snow conditions outside the Great Wall?With doubts, Cao Yong couldn't help but raised his head, just in front of Kangxi.

"Do you know why I told you to kneel?" Kangxi snorted coldly and asked.

Cao Yong really couldn't think of it, the ignorance on his face was not fake at all, and he replied in a low voice: "Young minister is dull!"

When Kangxi saw him like this, he couldn't help frowning, and said: "You are not a fool, but you just don't want to use your brain. A man, who wants to be famous and make achievements, but you are afraid of standing out, so you don't want to take half a step. You are so lazy. Are you sorry?" At the end, she was already somewhat angry, and she looked at Cao Yong coldly.

Cao Yong only felt his scalp numb, and immediately got up from the stool and fell to his knees.

In the wrath of the emperor, millions of dead bodies were laid down and blood flowed for thousands of miles.

At this moment, although Kangxi will not "bleed for thousands of miles", it is not uncommon for Cao Yong to be taken care of in a rage.

The moody one is the emperor.The one who is prone to anger is also the emperor.Kangxi was worried about the situation in Moxi Mongolia, and was anxious because there was no money in the treasury. Under the anger, Cao Yong would fade away even if he did not die.

Although he was also afraid, Cao Yong felt humiliated because he was so greedy for life and afraid of death. For a while, he was speechless.

"The past was only when you were young, and I don't blame you. You have all the 'filial piety', and you should also consider being loyal to the court. Last year, the treasury expropriated more than 980 yuan of silver, and the internal treasury The collection of silver is 370 forty-one thousand taels. With your own strength, even if you exhaust your brains, it is impossible to collect the wealth of the whole country. I will not make it difficult for you. After three years of hard work, I will pay the capital, and you will earn me 1000 million taels Yinzi, this is my will for you!" Kangxi looked at Cao Yong and said solemnly.

1000 million in three years, more than 330 million per year, and the emperor is still behind it, which is not too difficult.

Cao Yong hesitated for a moment, and said in a low voice: "Long Live Lord, the minister is in the Ministry of War, this..."

Kangxi waved his hand and said, "What's wrong with the Ministry of War? It's still delaying your thinking? The ranch booklet you drafted is very good. I sent people to copy more than a dozen copies, and sent them to various places to read. They all looked at it. It’s a good suggestion, but I don’t know how effective it will be. If you keep an eye on it, the Eight Banners Ranch can recover earlier.” At the end, his expression finally eased.

This is one person and two errands, but Cao Yong was faintly excited.Maybe it's because he has no goals recently and just feels that he can't find a general direction.

Although he has already made up his mind to try his best to prevent the invasion of opium to China, Cao Yong is a little bit powerless right now.

Today, the East India Company has not yet dumped opium into China on a large scale. The amount of opium imported from Guangdong Customs is small every year, and most of it is used for medicinal purposes, and very little flows to the people.

Down in China, there are also people who grow opium poppies and extract opium.Although the imperial court did not expressly prohibit it, the planting area is limited and the output is not on a large scale.

After thinking about it for a while, Cao Yong said: "Since it is an imperial decree, I will take the order and do my best. It's just that it involves money. If the minister comes forward, he will be young and weak, and the lack of security will cause others' greed. Don't care about it, it's not good to give birth to right and wrong. I beg Long Live Lord to be sympathetic, and appoint another safe person to be in front of the stage, let's let the minister stay behind the scenes!"

In addition to being afraid of becoming a target and unwilling to stand out, Cao Yong also did not want to directly get involved with the royal accounts.It's better to keep some distance, which can be regarded as avoiding suspicion.

Otherwise, if I worked for Kangxi for a few years and was dealt with by the fourth elder brother, wouldn't it be very wronged.

When Kangxi heard this, he couldn't help but put a smile on his face, and said: "Knowing fear is a good thing. It's better than not knowing the heights of the sky and the earth. I know you don't like to be ostentatious, so I will rely on you..."

When Cao Yong came out from Qianqing Palace, the sky was already full of stars.

The gate of the palace has fallen, and Cao Yong was able to come out of the palace because the guards of the Qianqing Palace brought out the imperial decree Kangxi's hand letter.

Not far away, carrying a lantern and waiting in front of people, besides Zheng Hu and the Ren family brothers who came with Cao Yong, there was also Wei Hei.

Seeing Cao Yong coming out, Wei Hei handed the lantern in his hand to others and told them to lead the horses.

"Why bother you to wait, how late is this?" Cao Yong said, and glanced at the guards behind him, the number of them was more than doubled before entering the palace: "Brother Wei, are you worried about me? As for this, it is the inner city after all.”

Wei Hei shook his head, saying: "You must not have the intention to harm others, and you must have the intention to guard against others. It is always appropriate to be thorough. The status of the son is precious, so don't be careless."

"That's right, sir, it's easy to dodge an open gun, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow. I haven't cleared up the mess before, so I can't act like nothing happened." Zheng Hu followed up.

Although there are no sensational words, it is difficult to hide the concern in them.Cao Yong smiled at the two of them and nodded in response, feeling very warm in his heart.

While speaking, the horses had already been brought over, and the people got on their horses, surrounded Cao Yong and went back to Cao Mansion.

It was midnight, but the light in the study was still on.

When Cao Yong saw it, he didn't go directly to the second gate, but to the study.

Walking into the corridor, I heard a voice from inside: "Yong'er is back?"

The voice was very soft, but Cao Yong also recognized that it was Cao Yin.It's just that the movement is too small, but what's uncomfortable?He couldn't help but feel a little anxious, he walked a few steps quickly with a "hmm" and entered the study.

Cao Yin happened to come head-on, and the father and son almost bumped into each other.

Just as Cao Yong was about to speak, he saw Cao Yin made a gesture of silence, and then he stretched out his hand and pointed to the north kang.

The one on the kang who was hunched over and snoring softly was not Mr. Zhuang, who was it?

Because of the opportunity in his early years, he once forgot about drinking.Although these years have been temperate, but also three meals a day, can not do without every meal.

No matter how many times Cao Yong persuaded him, Mr. Zhuang also tried to stop him twice, but he couldn't bear it.At his age, Cao Yong couldn't force him, so he had to ask him to drink wine that hurt his health.

Although he complained twice about the lack of alcohol, he also knew it was for his own good, and gradually replaced the shochu.

Although I know how to take care of it, after all, I am getting old, and Mr. Zhuang's body and bones have not been as good as before in the past two years.

The father and son walked outside, and Cao Yin said: "I don't trust you after all, and I have persuaded you several times, but I still refuse to go back. Why did the Lord Long Live call you into the palace? Could it be that Yu Shi, besides the pasture, gave you Added other charges?"

Cao Yong only felt that his eyes were astringent, and said: "The son has grown up, but his father and Zhuang Sheng are still tired. It's all the son's fault." As he spoke, he told the details of meeting Kangxi just now.

Cao Yin focused his attention, and when he heard the decree of ten million taels in three years, he couldn't help feeling a little worried, and said, "Yong'er, do you have a bottom line in your heart? How did you reply to the Lord Long Live? Take care of your mistakes."

"'Do your best', my son didn't dare to say too much, so I answered like this." Cao Yong replied.

Cao Yin nodded, and said: "Well, you can relax yourself by leaving some leeway. Lord Long Live has long thought of transferring you to the Ministry of Household Affairs. It's good to hide behind the scenes like this, so as to save ostentation."

It was late at night, and Cao Yin's face was also pale.

After saying these words, he said to Cao Yong: "There is no bedding here, and it is tiring to fall asleep. You wake up your husband and ask him to go back and have a rest. I will go back to the room first!"

Cao Yong responded, sent Cao Yin out of the house, and turned back into the house after seeing his back was far away.

There was the sound of clappers in the distance, and the "dangdang" sound, it was already the fourth watch.

Perhaps Mr. Zhuang felt flustered, frowned, and moved his body.

"Sir, go back and rest!" Cao Yong leaned down and called softly.

"Hmm!" Mr. Zhuang fell into a sleepy sleep. He didn't open his eyes when he heard the movement.

Cao Yong listened carefully before he could get a general idea, and couldn't help smiling.

"The emperor is the emperor, don't forget this, be careful..."

Cao Yong couldn't laugh at the next sentence, so he heard Mr. Zhuang whisper: "Niuniu, don't be naughty in the future, father is gone, listen to your brother..."

In the twilight years, with concern, I will never give up.

Looking at Mr. Zhuang like this, Cao Yong was ashamed in his heart thinking about his father's back when he left.My "peace of mind" was obtained by relying on the "work of mind" of the two old men, but I took it with peace of mind, how selfish...

Feeling that he is still young, Cao Yong endured it, and planned to survive this year of winning the heir.However, he never thought that these two parents whom he had always relied on were already in their twilight years.

They worked hard to protect him; he should also repay him and show his filial piety.

Cao Yong squatted down, carried Mr. Zhuang on his shoulders, and sent him back to the banyan courtyard.

Mr. Zhuang noticed something, opened his eyes, didn't realize it, and smiled after a long while: "I didn't expect, it feels good to be carried by someone, Fu Ruo, next time I go back to Xianglu Peak, I will drag you!"

"Sir, if you want to go, I'll follow." Hearing his words were full of smiles, Cao Yong was also much happier: "It's time to go out more when it's not hot and cold, just to see the little monk. It's good too."

Zhiran's lawsuit has been settled, and the previous "manslaughter" celebrity has also gone, and it has become "blackmailed suicide" over there.

Although he didn't have to bear the guilt, Zhiran still felt a little hard to let go, so he went to Xishan to find a temple, and wanted to recite the "Curse of Rebirth" for the old woman who died in vain for hundreds of days...

*
From 7 o'clock last night to now, the emperor's mind is too difficult to guess, and he wrote it several times before he felt that it was okay.Tears run, ask for a guaranteed monthly pass.

(End of this chapter)