Chapter 28: Xunbei Le

  Although he had heard Western missionaries talk about their ocean-going fleets, he never thought that an ocean-going fleet would be so expensive, 30 million taels. If he were to recommend another 13, it's unlikely that the 13 would not turn against him on the spot. Originally, he wanted to drain the water from the cauldron, but unexpectedly, he ended up lifting a rock and hitting his own foot.

  But Kangxi's ruthless public humiliation also made Yinreng realize that the waters of the Jianyuan fleet were very deep, and even as the crown prince, it was best not to try, Kangxi was warning himself.

  Yinxiang did not disappoint, having been a crown prince for over thirty years. He quickly got to the point and calmly replied in a deep voice: "Your son is ignorant of the height of heaven and the thickness of earth, with shallow knowledge, deeply disappointing the imperial grace. I beg Your Majesty to punish me. Although the thirteenth brother excels at military affairs, he is an outsider when it comes to economic matters. This matter requires the person who tied the bell to untie it. Your son dares to recommend the fourteenth brother, Yinxiang."

  Upon hearing this, Lao Ba couldn't help but secretly admire him. The second prince not only had a thick face and a black heart, but also clever thoughts. With a turn of his hand, he not only resolved his own awkward situation but also gave the fourteenth a slap in the face.

  Yin Zhen's words were to the point, and Kangxi was not too severe. He followed Yin Zhen's lead and said: "This time you have recommended the right person. Xi Bei Zi Yin Zeng is loyal to the country and does not spend a single penny of the national treasury. He is willing to sacrifice his family for the country and build a powerful ocean-going fleet, sweep away the pirates at sea, and spread the national prestige abroad. I will confer upon him the title of Beile."

  It was like a scoop of cold water poured into the oil pan, and no one in the hall could care about losing their manners. "Boom" - the discussion started, 30 million taels, did Yongzheng take it out of his own pocket? Does he have that much silver? How much silver did Yongzheng make from the 'Four Constants', to have such great confidence?

  Yin Zhen was just promoted to Beizi, and now he has been promoted to Beile again after only a few months. Yin Xiang felt extremely disappointed, while Yin Xi was both happy and jealous. Yin Yu felt a sense of fear, but fortunately, he had reacted quickly enough. This situation was indeed unpredictable. Yin Zhen's expression remained unchanged, but his heart was filled with shock and turmoil. The handwriting of the 14th brother became bigger and more exaggerated each time.

  Although the scene in the palace was chaotic like a vegetable market, Yin Zhen remained calm and composed, his eyes observing everything with a tranquil mind, just like an old monk in meditation. Despite the fiery glances scanning back and forth, he was secretly pondering why Kangxi didn't mention the matter of the ocean trade fleet, originally he was counting on him to do some advertising, wasn't that too ungrateful?

  Kangxi cleared his throat and waited for the silence to settle before speaking: "The Beile Yinzhen's newly formed ocean-going fleet will be handed over to the imperial court once it has taken shape. The shipyard, foundry, and other industries will all belong to the imperial court. Furthermore, in order to address the current situation where the naval officers and soldiers are not adapted to the ocean-going fleet, I have decided to establish a naval academy in Shanghai to train new-style officers and soldiers for the ocean-going fleet. Yinzhen will be responsible for this. The generals and ministers of the ocean-going fleet will be appointed after the military is established. Do any of you officials have any objections?"

  What a ridiculous objection! This is equivalent to picking up 30 million taels of silver for free. Unless one's brain has been kicked by a donkey, who would raise an objection?

  "I dare not concur, Your Majesty." The Minister of Works, Wang, uttered one sentence that drew everyone's attention, even Kangxi stared at him in surprise.

  All the ministers stared at Wang with a strange expression, not knowing whether he was trying to curry favor or if his brain had really been kicked by a donkey. The father and son duo were obviously playing the trick of Zhou Yu beating Huang Gai, one willing to hit and the other willing to be hit, which not only didn't harm the interests of your Ministry of Works, but also made money for it. Where did you get this opinion from?

  In an instant, the entire hall fell silent, with even a pin drop audible.

  King Yong also felt the great pressure, he was a staunch supporter of **, the fleet made of 30 million taels of silver, how many soldiers were there? Tens of thousands in total, right? Although it was initially formed and handed over to the imperial court, what about before it was fully formed? Wouldn't it all be led by Yin Zhen? What if something unexpected happened during this period, wouldn't this force pose too great a threat to the crown prince? Therefore, he had to force himself to say: "Although the 14th brother is an imperial son, privately funding the construction of the imperial naval fleet is unprecedented in our dynasty, there is no precedent to follow, and it's truly shocking. To avoid controversy, I implore Your Majesty to reconsider."

  Wang Yan immediately spoke out in opposition, and Yin Zong also reacted quickly, but he didn't dare to show his face. He secretly gestured with one hand behind his back, signaling for someone to support him, and first stirred up the water before speaking.

  Although Yongzheng was aware of trouble, in terms of experience with court struggles, he was far from being a match.

  But what kind of person is Kangxi, a generation of heroes, the experience of court struggle is unparalleled. As soon as he heard this dull and tasteless words, he quickly sensed the smell of party struggle. It concerns his great cause beyond and the welfare of the flag people. He doesn't want this matter to be put aside. Before others react, he shouted: "Ancestral system? Yin Zhen assists the emperor and parents to share worries, sweeps away thieves for the country, which ancestral system has been violated?"

  Without waiting for Wang to finish speaking, Kangxi waved his hand and said, "Go back and recite the ancestral rules fluently before coming to see me again."

  King Wang did not even have the opportunity to argue, and although he had a belly full of discontent, he did not dare disobey the imperial edict. He could only knock his head on the ground and reply, "Yes, your humble subject obeys." Then, with no alternative, he stood up and left the palace.

  Yongzheng deeply admired Kangxi, what is called concept stealing? What is called dominance? You are not even allowed to speak, I will suffocate you, being an emperor is great.

  Kangxi dismissed Wang with a swift and fierce attitude, and the group of officials in the hall immediately fell silent like cicadas in winter. Yongzheng also did not dare to make any more small movements. Who would be foolish enough to continue making trouble? Kangxi's attitude towards the Jianyuan naval fleet and his protection of Yongzheng were clear for all to see. Who would still dare to make a fuss, wasn't that just asking for trouble?

  All the officials present fell silent. The Kangxi Emperor stood up and Li Dequan timely shouted: "Retreat from court."

  As soon as he came out of the grand hall, Yin Zhen was surrounded by a large crowd of people, with congratulatory voices ringing out nonstop. It wasn't until then that Yin Zhen remembered that he was now the Beile Master. After exchanging pleasantries all around, he found that the crowd showed no signs of dispersing, and some officials on the side, although chatting in twos and threes, also didn't seem to have any intention of leaving.

  Yuan Zhen understood the situation at a glance, realizing that these people were all cunning and must have seen through the ulterior motives behind Jianyuan's fleet, which was definitely related to money. That's why they stayed here, trying to get some inside information out of him.

  But since Kangxi didn't mention it at the imperial court, Yin Zhen wasn't in a hurry either. Anyway, he currently had enough silver on hand, and besides, he wanted to first encircle some land in Shanghai and sell it at a high price.

  Yin Zhen was thinking of how to get rid of these clever people, when Li Dequan came running in a hurry, "Fourteenth Master, the Emperor has summoned you for an audience."

  Xiweng Ge, Yin Zhen went in and paid his respects. Kangxi waved his hand and said, "Today is considered a farewell ceremony, time is tight, but I'll wait for you."

  Yongzheng knew why Kangxi sighed, but he also felt a sense of urgency. He sincerely said: "Imperial Father, please rest assured that I will not disappoint Your Majesty's expectations and will build the ocean-going fleet at the fastest speed."

  "Well, it's rare for you to have such filial piety." Kangxi nodded, but suddenly asked: "What are your thoughts on governing the people, using personnel, and selecting talents?"