Chapter 30: Removing the Firewood from under the Cauldron

  After being driven back home early in the morning, Old Wang closed his door and refused to see guests. He sat alone in his study, deep in thought. He had once taught Yongzheng and had a very good impression of him, and was convinced that Yongzheng was the most ideal ruler for the next generation of the Qing dynasty, and could be said to be Yongzheng's most steadfast supporter.

  The current situation of the Crown Prince is indeed worrying. Although he was reinstated after being deposed, his power has been greatly weakened under Kangxi's severe crackdown. Meanwhile, many other princes have risen to prominence, and now another one, the 14th prince, has emerged, grabbing money with one hand and seeking military power with the other, and yet still enjoying imperial favor.

  Just as I was feeling anxious and depressed, I heard urgent footsteps outside the door reporting, "The Crown Prince Yongzheng has arrived at the mansion to pay his respects."

  Wang Yan was taken aback and secretly blamed the Crown Prince for not being tactful. He hastily went out to greet him, saying, "Your humble servant Wang Yan did not know that Your Imperial Highness had arrived. I apologize for not coming to meet you at a distance..."

  Yin Zhen immediately went up to the upper house to pay his respects, where would he put on airs, hastily stepped forward and helped Wang Dan up with one hand, "Teacher, please get up quickly."

  After the two sat down in the study, Wang Yan sighed and said, "In such a critical moment, the crown prince should not give others an excuse."

  "Yin Ruo came to see the teacher, who dares to talk too much, even if it's passed on to the emperor, the emperor won't say anything." Yin Ruo said nonchalantly.

  Wang Yan was a seasoned politician and although he blamed him, he also understood that the Crown Prince's visit to the mansion at this time had a role in uniting people's hearts, so he didn't say much more.

  "Teacher, what's your take on this morning's early court session?"

  "This matter the Crown Prince should no longer interfere with." Wang Yan immediately replied: "Since Your Majesty has already made a sacred and firm decision, there is no possibility of changing it, let's do our best to assist the 14th prince."

  When he walked out of the Wang's mansion, he suddenly understood what he meant, and his eyes lit up, secretly praising him. The old ginger is still spicy, and it's the same as dredging the bottom of the pot. This realm is different. What is called doing one's best to help? You want to build a navy, I'll send you people, isn't that enough?

  As for Yin Zhen, after leaving the palace, he naturally went to the Ministry of Works. Although Wang Yan did not welcome him, he should still be at home supporting his ancestors. However, the Vice Minister of Works was Yin Zhen's father-in-law, Wan Yan Luo Cha. Since it was an imperial order and with the help of his father-in-law, Yin Zhen was very straightforward and transferred more than 20 talents in firearms and shipbuilding, and also selected five supervisors.

  When he returned to the big street in front of the Xizhimen Beihaiwa Street, also known as the gate of the Prince's mansion, he still thought he had walked into the wrong place. The whole street was filled with sedan chairs, carriages, fine horses, and added to that were the sedan bearers and attendants, which crowded the entire street.

  Yin Zhen was confused for a moment, the matter of the ocean trade fleet hadn't been spread out yet, and the shares of 'Si Da Heng' were only left with four parts. So many people rushed to my mansion, what's the occasion? Celebrating my promotion to Beile? Isn't that too exaggerated?

  As soon as he entered the gate, Yin Zhen was stunned. A group of young men in uniform, with the oldest around twenty and the youngest only fourteen or fifteen years old. As soon as they saw Yin Zhen enter, they all bowed down together, but their greetings were varied and strange, some calling him "older brother", some "uncle", some "younger uncle" and other miscellaneous titles.

  They are all relatives, the sons of the imperial clan. Which one is this? Do these people want to join the navy? Yin Zhen was a bit confused. This year, the navy is so popular? Just as he was wondering, he saw Yin Xi, Yin Xiang and Yin E coming out from behind.

  "Get up, all of you." Yi Zhen threw out a sentence and left a group of young men aside, walking towards Yi Tan and the other two, "Eighth brother, ninth brother, tenth brother, what brings you here too?"

  With a proud smile, a group of people followed behind him, mostly in their twenties and thirties. "Your humble servants pay respects to the Fourteenth Master, may the Fourteenth Master be safe."

  "What's going on today?" "Let's all calm down." Yongzheng smiled and looked at Yonggui, "Eighth brother, what's being sung in our mansion today? I'm almost confused."

  Yinxiang smiled and said, "I don't know either. I asked several acquaintances, and they all said in unison that it was to enter the Naval Academy, but couldn't say why. I thought you knew what was going on. As for them...". Yinxiang pointed to the group of people behind him, "Twelve in total, each with a special skill. Eighth brother knows you're not short of money, but just built your mansion and don't have many people at hand. You're going to Jiangnan, and there are many trivial matters to attend to. I discussed it with ninth and tenth brothers, and we selected four people from each of our mansions to send over."

  "Thanks a lot, Eighth Brother, Ninth Brother and Tenth Brother. You've really helped me out of a big trouble." Yi Zheng bowed to thank them.

  "We brothers don't need to mention thanks or no thanks." said Yongzheng with a smile.

  "From now on, you twelve are nothing to do with the Eighth Master, Ninth Master and Tenth Master's households. From now on, Fourteenth Master is your master. You must remember your own identity when doing things and handling matters. If anyone dares to be deceitful and make me lose face, I will make you lose your life. Remember that."

  The twelve men chorused, "We dare not." Then they turned around and knelt down to Xun Zhen, knocking their heads three times on the ground, "Your slaves pay respects to Master."

  "This is their contract, I'll give it to you." Yongzhong said as he handed over a stack of contracts.

  "This gift is too great, it would be impolite to decline at fourteen." Yongzheng said calmly as he accepted the contract.

  "These slaves, if they don't behave like this, I'm afraid you'll have a hard time managing them."

  "Let's go to the study." Yinzhen smiled and invited.

  He waved his hand and smiled: "I don't dare, this group of young masters still don't know how to hate me in their hearts now, I won't disturb you."

  Seeing off the three brothers, Yinzhen looked at the group of disheveled young men in front of him and suddenly felt a headache. Are these descendants of the imperial clan all going to join the navy? Draining the water from the cauldron! Playing draining the water from the cauldron again? However, this time the protagonist has changed, it should be Kangxi. Thinking that he had once said that he wanted to keep the navy under the control of the banner people, Kangxi did so, and he really couldn't say anything about it.

  But since we're going to play, let's all play together! Lao Shi Si isn't a soft persimmon that anyone can pinch. Yong Zheng coldly instructed: "Hai Feng, take people to seal off the entrance of the alley, don't allow a single sedan chair bearer or groom to leave the alley."

  As Hai Feng led his men out of the door, Yin Zhen turned around with a smile and asked the young masters in front of him, "Are you all sure you want to join the Navy?"

  Although these people had a faint feeling that something was wrong, they thought of the old man's orders at home and replied stiffly: "Yes."

  "I didn't hear clearly, speak louder." Yizhen suddenly frowned and shouted loudly.

  "Yes!" This time everyone answered loudly, with hundreds of people shouting in unison, startling the servants waiting outside.

  "Good!" Yun Zhen said loudly: "You have ambition, now let me see if you are qualified to be in the navy. I want all of you to run from here to Fucheng Gate and then back again. If anyone hasn't returned within half an hour, don't come see me again."

  As soon as the words fell, the expected scene of wailing and crying did not appear. The large crowd in front of him immediately rushed out in a hurry, only to hear a chaotic shout outside, "Make way, let me through, don't block my way!" Accompanied by a low cry of "Ah yo".

  "What's going on, have you all eaten? Meng Zhen was stunned and didn't react until half a moment later. He then ordered with a scowl, "Da Chun, take two people to Fucheng Gate to check the watch, Ah Lin, bring more people along the way to keep an eye out. If anyone dares to slack off, bring them back to me."

  It's about five kilometers from here to Fucheng Gate, and back and forth is ten kilometers. It would take about an hour, but this group of young masters had a determined look on their faces, which made Yin Zhen feel suffocated. What method did Kangxi use to stimulate them?

  －－－－－－－－－－－－

  These two days have been spent writing drafts, and I haven't posted much.