Chapter 23: The Wicked Strategist

  After leaving Xi Chun Garden, Yongzheng and Yongxiang headed east to the Dongcheng District, entering the Yung King's Mansion. Both men were silent as they made their way directly to the rear garden.

  The backyard of the Yong Wang Fu looks ordinary on the surface, the only difference is that it's a bit quieter, and it's extremely rare to see anyone inside or outside the garden. However, Yin Xiang knew that there were at least sixty people living here, and this backyard also had two secret underground tunnels leading to houses five hundred steps away in both east and west directions.

  To the east of the backyard was a fairly large Buddhist temple, where Tibetan lamas lived. To the west was a three-entrance courtyard hidden behind bamboo groves, which even Yin Xiang had never entered. To the south was a small two-entrance courtyard that looked unassuming from the outside but was decorated with great elegance inside. This courtyard was one that Yin Xiang often visited, as it was home to Wu Si Dao, a lame man whom Yin Xiang revered as his master.

  Yu Dao's origin, Yin Xiang is not clear, but Mr. Wu is indeed fierce, looking at people and things differently from ordinary people, but often hitting the nail on the head, Yin Zhen attaches great importance to him, and Yin Xiang also likes to chat with him.

  Yin Zhen and Yin Xiang, the two brothers, came in. Wu Si Dao did not get up, but only cupped his hands and bowed slightly, smiling: "Greetings to Fourth Master and Thirteenth Master."

  "You don't have to be so polite." Yongzheng sat down directly and poured himself a cup of tea.

  Wu Si Dao smiled and said: "Fourth Master's heart is heavy with worries, but Thirteenth Master's eyes are gleaming with joy, I suppose he has just met the Crown Prince."

  Xiangxiang smiled and said: "It is often said that scholars who don't go out can know the affairs of the world, now I can be considered to have broadened my horizons."

  "What's so difficult about that?" Wu Si said with a slight smile, "Today, the 14th Master has taken in 12.5 million taels, which may not be known to the public, but among the nobles, it has already been spread far and wide. Given the Crown Prince's temperament, it would be strange if he didn't summon you immediately. The 13th Master looks pleased, presumably because he hasn't given his shares to the Crown Prince."

  Xiang suddenly jumped up, "You even know this?"

  Yin Zan glanced over with a cold expression and said: "Thirteenth brother, Ming Yu from the Jing Hua Tower, did you bring her back to the manor?"

  "No way." Xiang suddenly understood and smiled: "The shares are in my hands, I didn't give them to Second Brother, I was afraid he would mess things up too much and we'd all get dragged down with him."

  "What does it mean?" Yongzheng and Wu Sidao stared tightly at Yongxiang.

  Xiangxiang's words made the two of them look a bit embarrassed, and he chuckled: "Fourth brother knows that I get along with all sorts of people. The other day, I ran into some acquaintances and we had a drink together to catch up on old times. It turned out that they were all low-ranking officials in the Tongzhou garrison. In the course of our conversation, they hinted that someone was trying to bribe them with silver."

  "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

  Xiang Rong said with a hint of grievance, "Fourth brother, these are all groundless rumors and hearsay. I wouldn't dare to speak carelessly in front of you."

  After a moment of silence, Yongzheng changed the subject, "Mr. Wu, what's your opinion on this huge sum of money that the 14th brother has in his hands?"

  Wu Si Dao furrowed his brow slightly and said in a gentle voice, "In the half year since the Crown Prince's restoration, among the princes, no one has been more prominent than the Fourteenth Prince. In this short period of time, he has accomplished three things: promoting agricultural books, establishing Hope Charity Schools, and acquiring the 'Four Great Constants'. After promoting agricultural books, the Emperor immediately ordered him to divide his household; after establishing Hope Charity Schools, the Emperor rewarded him with a double salary. However, when he acquired the 'Four Great Constants', the Emperor obtained 25 million taels of silver but did not reward him. The Fourteenth Prince is currently only a Beizi, and it's not that there was nothing to reward him with; in fact, this lack of reward is the greatest reward. This shows that the Emperor has acknowledged his feelings, and this emotional debt is the most difficult to repay."

  Wu Sidao paused, turned to Yongzheng and asked, "Fourth brother, I have one thing that I don't understand. The emperor has always strictly forbidden the private spread of Western learning among civilians. Why did the emperor praise the Xixue Yihui founded by the 14th prince?"

  Yin Zhen hesitated for a moment before saying, "I heard from the eunuchs in the palace that the 14th brother's running of the free school seems to be related to the missionaries' surveying and mapping."

  Si Dao's head suddenly lifted, and he said with a hint of realization: "I understand now. The 14th Master's vision is truly unique. Can the map of a country be long-term outsourced to outsiders? The 14th Master wants to cultivate his own mapping talent for the Qing Dynasty. No wonder the Emperor not only didn't blame him but also rewarded him with double pay."

  Although Wu Si Dao didn't mention Yin Zan and Yin Xiang, both of them felt a bit embarrassed after hearing this. Yin Xiang thought to himself, "This dead man, when scolding people, not only doesn't use dirty words, but also doesn't mention names. I should learn from him."

  "Let's talk about that agricultural book first." Wu Si said, taking a sip of tea, his expression already becoming somewhat solemn. "Fourth Master and Thirteenth Master shouldn't blame me for being long-winded, but Fourteenth Master may very well become Fourth Master's most powerful opponent in the future. We must pay sufficient attention to him. The agricultural book was published in the imperial gazette, and I carefully read it. Although there are some shortcomings, its suggestions on agriculture, especially the proposal to establish an agricultural academy, are truly brilliant. If implemented, it would benefit both the country and the people. The Emperor had it published in the imperial gazette, and then ordered Fourteenth Master to take charge of the agricultural academy. I dare to speculate that the Emperor intends for Fourteenth Master to go to Jiangnan to oversee the agricultural academy. And Fourteenth Master's purpose in submitting the agricultural book was none other than to gain control of the agricultural academy or leave Beijing."

  Yi Xiang felt a bit strange and couldn't help but ask: "Leaving the capital, why? Is it that Fourteen wants to leave Eight Brother's party?"

  "No." Wu Si said with a smile, "The 14th Master is not thinking of leaving the 8th Master's party, but he wants to rise himself. He just thinks that his foundation is still shallow at present, so he wants to leave Beijing and get away from this place of right and wrong, accumulate strength, and when he returns to Beijing, it will be the day when the 8th Master steps down."

  Looking at these three things from the 14th master, his vision is far-sighted and unique, his thinking is meticulous, and his methods are even more impressive. What's even more remarkable is that he has done each of these things openly and aboveboard, using only legitimate means to achieve his goals.

  What kind of person is the Emperor? With literary and military talents, he is a great master for all eternity. In everything, he emphasizes openness and integrity. The 14th brother's open strategy coincides with the Emperor's mind, which is where the worry lies. Those who gain people's hearts will gain the world, that is in chaotic times. In peaceful and prosperous times, those who gain the heart of the sage will gain the world! The 8th brother is the best example.

  As for the large sum of money in the hands of the 14th master, the emperor will absolutely not ask about it, but the 14th master will definitely speak out on his own initiative. With his intelligence, he should have planned everything thoroughly. The 14th master's actions do not follow common logic, and it is impossible to guess what he will do. However, one thing is certain: what he wants to do is not in the capital, and it will undoubtedly bring him enough prestige and connections. The emperor will definitely benefit from it, but whether you brothers can also gain from it is hard to say.

  To be honest, with 2 million, Boss Fourteen was able to make such a big move. Now that he has over 10 million, I really look forward to his next step."

  He who has gained the heart of the people will gain the world. Yongzheng was momentarily stunned by these words, which were truly piercing and to the point.

  After selling his shares, Ruo Zhen knew he was like Tang Seng now, everyone wanted to take a bite of him. Among those brothers, there were also some who were eager to get rid of him, so he didn't stay for a moment and slipped out from the back door, hurrying towards the imperial palace.

  At the Gate of Supreme Clarity, Yin Zhen learned that Kangxi was in the Palace of Mental Cultivation and directly rushed to the Palace. However, upon entering the Moon Hua Gate, he unexpectedly ran into Li Dequan. Li Dequan had been taking a stroll during the brief interval while Kangxi was writing a secret memorial. Seeing Yin Zhen approaching, he hastily came forward to pay his respects. Yin Zhen smiled and said: "Eunuch Li, this is indeed a rare opportunity for you to kill two birds with one stone; quickly get up."

  Li Dequan smiled and said: "The 14th Master wants to see the Emperor."

  Yin Zhen thought that he was about to leave Beijing, and Li Dequan had always been by Kangxi's side, so he made a gesture of goodwill towards him.

  Li Dequan had been in the palace for many years and had become a refined person, so he naturally understood the emperor's intentions. He led Yongzheng to a secluded place on one side.

  He waved his hand and chased away the eunuchs attending him.

  When they arrived at a secluded place, Yinzhen took out a silver note and handed it to Li Dequan, smiling: "In a few days, I will leave the capital on the 14th, and I won't be able to serve my mother, the Empress Dowager. Please take care of this for me, Li Gonggong."