Chapter 60: Dismounting in Awe

  His icy gaze swept over the young faces one by one, how many of them were trying to change their fate by relying on military merit, and how many were reluctantly participating in the navy under duress? The newly established Qing Navy was destined to go through a trial of blood and fire before it could grow up step by step. It couldn't let a group of weak, timid, cowardly, and incompetent young masters affect its combat effectiveness.

  "Listen up, all of you! You're the ones who volunteered to join the navy, not because I invited you. The navy is different from the waterborne troops - we'll be crossing oceans and fighting battles at sea. Let me tell you this: naval warfare is about massive ships and cannons blasting each other, killing a thousand enemies but suffering eight hundred casualties of our own. That's no exaggeration! If we lose, there won't even be a chance to escape, and if you die in battle, don't expect any special treatment - your body will just be thrown into the sea to feed the fish. There are no dead bodies allowed on warships. So, if anyone is timid, afraid of death, or regretful, now's the time to back out while you still can. Once we leave this city today, I'll consider all of you as good as dead!"

  When they heard what Yongzheng had to say, some people's faces immediately turned pale. They had never seen a giant warship and cannons before, but the power of the cannons was something they had heard countless people brag about. The thought of being bombarded by cannons made their scalps tingle, and there wasn't even an opportunity to escape - how could it not be terrifying?

  It's freezing to the bone, but no one dares to quit. What a joke! With so many young masters and servants from various clans present here, if you quit, where would you put your face? Even if you stay in the capital, it's still a miserable existence. Besides, if you quit voluntarily, do you think the old man back home will let you off? You'll either be beaten to death or expelled from the clan, so it's better to stick with the navy for now.

  After a long wait, seeing no one exiting, Yin Zhen changed his tone, "Everyone is a noble son of the imperial family, what's wrong with staying in this capital city's world of flowers? Although titles are good, you also need to have a life to enjoy them. If you lose your life, not even leaving behind a corpse, then even if you're granted the title of Prince Regent, what's the use? Everyone should think carefully again, I'll give you all another chance, is there anyone who regrets?"

  Upon hearing these words, the expressions on the faces of the clan's younger generation were varied, with some showing helplessness, others nostalgia, determination, pain, numbness, yet not a single person stood up.

  Still seeing no one withdrawing, Yin Zhen couldn't help but feel increasingly strange. What benefits had Kangxi promised these imperial clansmen? Some of the young men clearly didn't want to go, yet not a single one was willing to withdraw. Could it be that they were recklessly issuing blank checks? Anyway, since things had already come to this point, he couldn't be bothered to ponder further. With a cold smile, he said, "Good, you're indeed my fine Manchu sons! Just don't blame me, Yin Zhen, for not warning you and giving you the opportunity later on! Now, everyone will divide into two teams and elect two team leaders among yourselves. Hurry up!"

  The team was divided into two groups, led by Wu Ge and Yan De. Yan De was the seventh son of King Dan, his mother was Ce Fu Jin, if he were to be enfeoffed, it would be as a second-class general, similar to An Wei's reward. Seeing that the teams were divided, Yin Zhen didn't bother with idle chatter. "Target: Tongzhou Lühe Water Horse Post Station, 40 li of training exercises, those who arrive first get to eat meat, those who arrive late get to eat salted vegetables. No one is allowed to fall behind, if someone falls behind, the whole team will be punished. If you don't make it by noon, your training tasks will be doubled. Let's set off."

  After this group of second-generation ancestors left, Yongzheng turned to the servants standing by and staring blankly at him, saying, "Leave two horses and some spare clothes for your master, then you can all go back. If anyone dares to follow, I won't bother with you, but I'll give your master twenty military clubs."

  Although Yu Rong was recuperating at home, he got up early in the morning to practice boxing in the garden twice, and then strolled around the garden thinking about problems, which had become a habit over the years.

  Due to his mother's humble status, he had cultivated a modest and courteous personality since childhood, treating people with kindness. As an adult, he was even more respectful of others, kind to his brothers, and diligent in his studies, being intelligent and capable. This allowed him to unknowingly accumulate a vast network of connections, earning the praise of kings, nobles, and high-ranking officials, as well as the affection of his brothers, Old Nine, Old Ten, and Fourteen, who all relied on him.

  Before the Crown Prince was deposed, he also had ambitions beyond his station, but he only dared to bury this idea deep in his heart, hoping to form his own power in the court to protect himself. In the 47th year of Kangxi, the Crown Prince was deposed, which gave him hope, and his ambition expanded with the help of Lao Jiu. He initially formed a solid interest group, and when he was publicly recommended as the Crown Prince, all officials in the court responded, and three brothers worked together to make him see his own strength. Although he ultimately failed, it further fueled his ambition.

  What delighted him was that after the public promotion of the crown prince, a large number of officials flocked to his side. The 'Eighth Master Party' had become the largest party in the court, which made him secretly pleased. The hearts of the officials are the hearts of the people, and those who win the hearts of the people will win the world.

  But what surprised him the most was Lao Shi Si, who with one sentence "touched the imperial power" not only revealed the reason for his own failure but also boosted his confidence. This year, he has been showing off his skills even more, and his popularity has surpassed all the adult princes, not only gaining the favor of the emperor but also greatly boosting the morale of the Eighth Prince's party. At the same time, it also brought him a huge amount of funds. As for the position of crown prince, he is now full of confidence.

  Thinking of Old Fourteen's 'selling dung' yesterday, he was not only deeply moved, but also wondered how Old Fourteen's brain could be so useful? Such an obvious thing, yet none of the civil and military officials in the imperial court, nor any of the elder brothers who had sharpened their brains to gain the emperor's favor, thought of it? This is not just a matter of people's livelihoods, but also concerns the face of the capital and the imperial family. If this matter is handled well, who knows how the emperor will look at himself? This matter must be grasped tightly.

  The male attendant of Tongzhou's Luhe Water Horse Post, Aytu, received an order from a fifth-rank bodyguard early in the morning to prepare fodder for 600 horses, 1,000 large flatbread buns, four large cauldrons of beef soup, four jars of pickled vegetables and porridge. Additionally, set up a table of wine and dishes.

  Tongzhou Luhai Water Horse Post is located at the throat of water and land, it is a must-pass place for southwest and Jiangnan to enter Beijing. Ma Er'tu, as the post house attendant, welcomes guests every day, not to mention one or two product officials, even princes and nobles he has seen many, although his rank is not high, but his vision and knowledge are much higher than ordinary officials, that waist card of the guard, he took a look and knew it was the third-class guard of the Beile Mansion. Why do you need so many big buns and salted vegetables? Is it to let his guards gnaw on buns? The post house supplies don't cost him money, isn't this too stingy? Even if it's just an ordinary prince or a public master leaving Beijing, their entourage and guards would also be served with good food. He didn't dare ask more questions, he just asked people to prepare early.