frightfiction Chapter 230 Prince Regent
Chapter 230 Prince Regent
Chapter 230 Prince Regent
The time that followed passed very quickly, and without anyone noticing, good news came one after another. First, the Japanese fleet was successfully destroyed, then there was a successful landing, then the silver mine was discovered, and finally the emperor was captured alive.
The good news spread back to Kyoto, allowing everyone to witness the current naval strength of the Qing Dynasty with their own eyes. It also made countries like Korea and Russia, which were originally ready to make some moves, restrain their thoughts.
They had all inquired about it. Not only was the Qing Dynasty's navy powerful, but even the new weapons on it were not to be underestimated. They were able to directly destroy Japan in such a short period of time. The role of those weapons was huge.
During this period, those foreign countries also sent peace envoys to the Qing Dynasty. With the support of the move to destroy Japan, the foreigners also restrained their complacent attitude. What they provoked was not a lying insect, but a dragon that was about to take off.
Shiploads of silver were shipped back to the Qing dynasty, supporting its research and military. This also brought more vitality to the Qing dynasty, leading to a huge leap in grain production and a significant increase in the birth rate. Everything in the Qing dynasty was thriving.
But just before the army decided to return to Beijing after the Eastern Expedition to Japan, good news came from the palace, and the emperor immediately became ill. Although the news was quickly suppressed, it still let many people know the inside story.
It turned out that because of the victory in the war, the compensation paid by foreign countries to ransom people, the signing of a 100-year peaceful coexistence treaty, etc., Kangxi also went crazy. He ignored Liang Jiugong's dissuasion and once again arbitrarily increased the number of times he took the pill. This time, he took another pill shortly after taking one last month. Not only that, he also favored several concubines that night and fought in the Qianqing Palace all night.
By the time Liang Jiugong noticed something was wrong, the emperor had already had a stroke. Liang's imperial physician arrived quickly, and the rescue was successful. However, Kangxi's health had suffered greatly from that night. Not only that, his hands began to tremble unconsciously, and sometimes his face would even twitch unconsciously.
After the incident, those concubines would certainly be hanged, but they could not restore the emperor's health. The magic pill could only prolong his life, but an imperial physician was still needed to cure the stroke.
Liang, the imperial physician, suggested rest and recuperation, as the body was damaged and it would be best to stop having sex. Kangxi was silent for a long time after hearing this, and asked Liang Jiugong to pass on the imperial decree, ordering him to recuperate in Changchun Garden and Prince Chenyuan to supervise the country.
Finally getting the power he had been longing for, Yinreng had no intention of giving up this time. He presented the remaining maps directly. After the development of the Qing Dynasty in this period, it was absolutely enough to fight to support the war. So the next step was to show off his muscles to the surrounding countries. However, being vigilant and fearful was not enough. What Yinreng wanted was to make the people around him afraid and in awe, and it would be best to restore the glory of the Tang Dynasty.
He acted very quickly, and of course Kangxi didn't say much when he found out. After all, this kind of thing might be a little fast for his plan, but it was also understandable. It was normal for young people to be a little impulsive. Moreover, every time Yinreng made a decision, he would come to consult Kangxi before making a decision. He was very considerate of face. Everything he did was out of respect for Kangxi, without any violation. This made Kangxi, who originally thought that his power would be taken away if he retreated behind the scenes, feel better, and therefore gave Yinreng more power.
He understood his current physical condition. It was impossible to recover to his previous state. It was even possible that his condition would worsen due to some minor factors. A monarch with an ailing body would never be accepted by any dynasty. Those in power might even unite and demand his early abdication.
If the news had been completely blocked when he first got into trouble, it would have been fine. No one would have known and it would have been as if nothing had happened. But the incident was too big that time. Even though Liang Jiugong later blocked the news, those who should have known still knew it, which put Kangxi in a passive position.
He had no choice but to issue the imperial edict for Yinreng to be the regent, but for now, this was indeed the best way. During this period of time, he thought a lot, and it could be regarded as a test for Yinreng. He wanted to push Yinreng to stand in front of the stage, and he would command behind the scenes.
Recently, the father and son have been cooperating quite well. Many of the things Yinreng has done are in line with his wishes, which has made him more determined in his attitude.
As for abdicating and living out his days, handing the throne over to Yinreng right now, that was impossible! Absolutely impossible! He still had forty more years left on the throne, not four years, not four months. Forty years, he would have a powerful emperor become the retired emperor, and the rest of his life would have been spent at the mercy of others. This kind of life was definitely not what he wanted.
Of course Yinreng knew what Kangxi was thinking, but he also knew even better that his royal father's body could not hold on for much longer. The poison in those pills had already penetrated into his bones, eroding his body day and night, just waiting for an opportunity, an opportunity for a sudden outbreak.
As for the candidate behind Zhengda Guangming, to be honest, he doesn't care much. No matter whether the emperor decides on him or someone else, as long as he always serves as the emperor's spokesperson, and is not the crown prince but better than the crown prince, the so-called imperial edict is not important.
Things have been quite strange in the court recently. Ever since the emperor went to Changchun Garden to recuperate, the commotion that the ministers had been expecting has not caused any waves. Not only that, the princes have begun to curry favor with Prince Chenyuan one by one, hoping to lead the army and expand the territory.
The ministers didn't know that these princes knew it very well in their minds. Those who stayed behind all understood it clearly. Even though it seemed that the emperor had abolished the second brother's position as crown prince, they didn't realize that this was actually another means of protection.
The eldest and seventh brothers who had previously shown signs of disloyalty were quickly dissuaded by the Emperor after the Crown Prince was deposed. Then came the eighth brother, who was the worst off one so far. He did not participate in either the Eastern Expedition to Japan or the current planned invasion of Goryeo. Not only that, the old man seemed to be serious and had confined him to the mansion, ignoring everything.
As for the ambitious Little Twelve and Little Fourteen, to be honest, it’s not that they, as brothers, look down on those petty fights. With their second brother in front of them, even if they are outstanding, the old man will not give them a chance.
Finally, let’s talk about the second brother. Although the emperor abolished his position as the crown prince, he still gave him the only prince position among the princes and never mentioned depriving him of his inheritance rights. Now that he is sick, the first choice for regent is still the second brother. All these things show that the emperor’s heir is still the second brother and has never changed. This also made them give up.
Because of this, they are not thinking about that position now, but only thinking about whether they can take advantage of this opportunity to make more merits. Apart from anything else, when the second brother really succeeds to the throne, he can also be promoted in title because of his merits and leave more good things for his descendants, right?