Chapter 2: Leniency and Severity Used in Combination

  The next morning, Yin Zhen struggled to get out of bed. At breakfast time, Hai Ruo, Ji Ning, a side Fu Jin and a Shu Fu Jin all came with their children to pay their respects. Yin Zhen was so overwhelmed that he hastily sent them away. What kind of world is this? At just 21 years old, he already has four wives and eight children, the oldest being six years old and the youngest two years old. In his previous life, at 21 years old, he was still a child himself.

  After breakfast, Yongzheng walked in the yard with Haiyou's support, thinking about his worries. It's also good that Ba Ye Dang is gone. Among his own imperial brothers, except for Fifth Brother Yongji and Seventh Brother Yongyu, they are all ambitious people who do not want to be inferior to others.

  Yinreng, the Crown Prince, and these two leading figures can be called a generation of outstanding talents. Yinreng, with the lowest status among all the princes, was able to quietly gather three princes and many ministers under his wing, right under Kangxi's nose. He had a huge influence in court, even Kangxi himself feared him deeply and had to repeatedly attack him. His means, mind, strategy, and charm were all top-notch.

  The second brother of the Crown Prince, Yinreng, under the personal guidance of Kangxi, this ancient emperor, has been in the position of Crown Prince for over 30 years. How could he be a mediocre person? How could he be as weak and incompetent as described in history books? Arrogance, extravagance, and lust are inevitable, but his mind, skills, and strategic thinking are extremely outstanding.

  These two big men were both favored by Kangxi, and their main opponent was still the fourth brother, Yin Zhen, who was originally the Yongzheng Emperor. This is a more formidable master than the second and eighth elders, with a suspicious nature, ruthless and cruel, meticulous thinking, extremely good at disguise, with great vision, not only having the ability to identify people, but also being skilled in governing subordinates, deeply understanding the way of advancement and retreat. His sticky situation was definitely not something that could be built up in one or two years, and he must have had ambitions early on.

  What still gave Yongzheng a headache was Kangxi, the emperor of the millennium was not his own title, in terms of palace struggle experience, he acknowledged second, there was no one who dared to acknowledge first, no one could fathom his thoughts, wanting to get his recognition and smoothly ascend to the throne was not easy.

  But no matter how difficult it is, my wife cannot become a flower fertilizer, and I, a dead iron, cannot die miserably. I also cannot continue to endure the suffering of ten years in prison. No matter how much hardship I experience, I must ascend to greatness. Whoever it is, no matter what kind of plot or scheme they use, I will fight against them with all my might, even if it means fighting against a god or a Buddha.

  Where to start building your own power slowly? The team, must have their own team, single-handedly fighting for nothing, to establish their own team, first move out of the palace, living in the palace is not free to see people, let alone build a team.

  The prince leaving the palace is also called a separate house. According to the rules, when the prince turns 16 and has been granted a title, he must move out of the palace after separating from his family. The previous brothers all did so, although there were exceptions, but few were like Yinzhen, who was granted a title and married, yet still lived in the palace. So far, he is the only one.

  Yin Zhen did not know why Kangxi treated himself so specially, mostly because of fondness, but even if it was fondness, Yin Zhen didn't care now. After all, the one who ascended to the throne in history was not him. Having fondness alone is not enough; there must also be strength. Therefore, he had to move out and divide the mansion.

  However, this division is a bit difficult for him to bring up himself, otherwise he would have offended Kangxi and might be accused of being unfilial. If he were to receive such criticism, he could basically just muddle along until the end of his days.

  How can Emperor Kangxi be persuaded to propose dividing the household for himself? According to the rules, as long as the imperial sons are busy with government affairs, they have the opportunity to divide the household. But under the current circumstances, Emperor Kangxi is already on guard against all the imperial sons, so how would he assign tasks to himself?

  Thinking of this, Yong Zheng also lost the mood for a stroll, turned his head to Hai Ruo and smiled: "Alright, you've been tired enough these past few days, go back and rest first." After finishing speaking, he shouted at the entrance again; "Bao Fuquan, escort me to the study."

  The leader of the Western Four, eunuch Bao Fuquan, had been waiting outside the door. Hearing the summons, he rushed in and carefully supported Yongzheng on his way to the study.

  After sitting down in the study, Yong Zheng slowly said: "Bao Fuquan, how long have you been with me?"

  This question startled Bao Fuquan, his heart suddenly rose, and he quickly knelt down, accompanying Xiao Xin to reply: "Sixteen years have passed, Master."

  "En. Since the fifth year of your grandfather's reign, you entered the imperial academy to study, and you followed along, also considered an old person." Yongzheng nodded and continued: "You entered the palace at twelve years old, this year is almost thirty, your family is in Shanxi province, Changde prefecture, Anyang county, both parents are still alive, with four older brothers and sisters."

  Bao Fuquan heard these words with great pressure, and his heart became even more uneasy. He just lowered his head and didn't dare to respond, but in his mind, he was thinking about what he had done wrong recently.

  Yuan Zhen hesitated for a moment, his voice already cold as ice, "If Master is imprisoned for eight to ten years, what will become of you?"

  Bao Fuquan had been serving Yongzheng since he entered the palace, and according to the usual practice in the palace, he would have to follow Yongzheng for his entire life. So this sentence was like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky to him, leaving him stunned for a moment before he burst into tears: "Your Majesty, you are heaven to me, your humble servant. If you ascend to heaven, I will naturally follow and serve Your Majesty."

  "Good, don't be muddled." Yun Zheng nodded, "Remember, the honor and shame of your entire family are all within my consideration, you must think thrice before acting in all matters."

  "I understand now."

  "Father has already sealed the title of Beizi, and dividing the house is only a matter of time. From now on, everything must be done in accordance with rules and regulations. These servants, attendants, and maids around you, over the years, you should have a clear understanding of who to keep and who to dismiss, but it can't be publicly announced, do you understand?"

  "I understand, Master can rest assured, I've been paying attention every day and know what to do."

  "Good!" Yun Zhen's face sank as he instructed, "From now on, no one is allowed to enter the study in this courtyard without permission. I'll have someone guard the door. If anything that happens within the manor leaks out even a little bit, I'll flay you alive."

  "Alright, I'll definitely take care of it."

  "Well, get up, your monthly allowance, from this month on, will be increased to six taels."

  "Thanks to the master's kindness." Bao Fuquan was overjoyed and knocked his head loudly, the highest monthly salary for a eunuch in the palace was only eight taels of silver, he used to have only three taels, it had doubled all at once, so he was naturally overjoyed.

  It's a blessing, then it should be a heavy blessing like a mountain. If not, it's better not to give it. This is Yinzhen's consistent idea, so he continued: "Work hard and make a difference. After the division of the mansion, I will reserve a place for your brother in the Imperial Guard, and plan a career for him, so that he can bring glory to our ancestors in the future."

  The sudden favor of the master left Bao Fu stunned, and after a long while he came to his senses as if in a dream, choking with sobs: "Master's grace is as high as heaven and earth, even if I were to be torn apart and crushed into powder, it would still be difficult to repay one ten-thousandth of it..."

  Yuan Zhen nodded in satisfaction, "Alright, doing your best is the greatest reward. You may go now."

  After Bao Fuquan left, Yong Zheng subconsciously touched his smooth head, still a bit unaccustomed, especially the braid that was not much thicker than a mouse's tail. The maid had braided it for over ten minutes in the morning, just as troublesome as the girls'. Caressing and playing with the shiny little braid, Yong Zheng's mouth curled up into a sly smile. I've become Master Bei now, don't mention it, but this Master Bei's life isn't bad at all.

  In the morning, Yongzheng was practicing calligraphy in his study when Bao Fuquan reported from outside the door, "Reporting to Your Lordship, Eighth Master, Ninth Master and Tenth Master have come to pay their respects."

  The sworn brothers have arrived, and Yong Zheng dare not be slow. He hastily instructed: "What's the point of reporting? Hurry up and invite the three gentlemen to the study." As he spoke, he quickly gathered up the notes on his desk, then stepped out of the study. Just as he left the courtyard, he saw the three men turning onto the corridor.

  All three of them were dressed in casual clothes. The one in front was elegant and refined, with a smile on his face, giving people a feeling of being in the spring breeze. He was none other than Prince Eight, Yunxiang. The slightly chubby person to the left had a round face with a pair of triangular eyes, giving off a soft and delicate impression. This was Prince Nine, Yunbi, the purse holder of the Eighth Prince's party. The last one had clear eyebrows and bright eyes, but his figure was a bit thin. He was none other than Prince Ten, Yunxi. Although he looked weak, he was actually very bold and was the only prince who dared to be arrogant in front of Emperor Kangxi. Among all the princes, except for the Crown Prince, his status was the most noble, which was also one of the reasons why Emperor Kangxi made him a duke.