NFBE Chapter 213 Hongye’s Thoughts
Chapter 213 Hongye’s Thoughts
Chapter 213 Hongye's Thoughts
Hongye returned to the Shangshufang to continue his classes, but he didn't stay long before Wei Zhu invited him to the Qianqing Palace. Strangely enough, Kangxi, the youngest son and eldest grandson, the lifeblood of the old man, was suspicious and wary of all his adult sons. Even the Fourteenth Prince, whom he had always doted on, had ceased to care for him after his last trip to Jiangnan. However, he always doted on this eldest grandson who had grown up before his eyes. Not only that, he often invited him to the Qianqing Palace to study with him. Whether it was textbook knowledge, political affairs, or people's livelihood, Liang Jiugong sometimes doubted whether his master was raising his saintly grandson well.
It's no wonder he has such an idea. Moreover, the emperor's attitude towards Hongye is even more extreme than that towards the young Yinreng. Perhaps because of his age and experience, Kangxi seems to have learned more about how to be a monarch when cultivating Hongye.
Of course, Liang Jiugong definitely agreed with this phenomenon. Apart from anything else, the fact that Prince Guang Hongye was the son of Prince Chenyuan was enough for Liang Jiugong to protect him forever.
Hongye arrived quickly. As soon as Kangxi finished dealing with today's memorials, he pushed the door open and walked in. There were no red-sleeved ladies or extra ministers in the Qianqing Palace today. There was only Hongye and Kangxi.
Kangxi waved to Hongye, and together they walked towards the Cining Palace. The original Cining Palace had been dismantled and moved to the Xiaoling Mausoleum. The current one was a replica of the Empress Dowager's residence. Although it was a replica, every blade of grass and every tree still had traces of the old one.
Kangxi did not walk fast, but walked slowly along the eaves of the Cining Palace, touching the windows and pillars above. When he reached the main gate, he waved away Liang Jiugong and went in with Hongye alone.
Kangxi: "This is where I grew up. Every blade of grass and every tree is still the same as it was when our ancestors were here. Look over there, there's a dent in the corner of the table. It was dug out by my carving knife when I was a little kid, playing around.
Look at this paperweight that looks like a quaint object. It was made when I was arguing with my ancestor and was determined to cause trouble for Aobai. After being stopped by my ancestor, I angrily broke the paperweight she gave me. Later, I felt bad about it and carved this one myself. However, due to my poor craftsmanship and lack of strength at that time, I ended up with this quaint object.
Now that I think about it, how could I have found such a lucky engraving master back then? It was because my ancestors understood my temper and let me do what I wanted. This paperweight was eventually taken by my ancestors, and for all these years, it has been placed on the desk in the Cining Palace, and even when more and better ones came along, it was never replaced.
While Kangxi was saying this, he would occasionally touch the marks. He would even pick up the paperweight and look at it inch by inch, as if he was looking through the paperweight into his childhood.
Hongye followed Huang Mafa quietly, listening to him talk about his childhood.
Kangxi was also immersed in memories of the past and did not move for a long time. After a long while, he came to his senses, patted Hongye on the shoulder, and took him to find a place to sit down.
Kangxi: "Hongye, you are the child I have watched grow up, and you are also my favorite grandson. Today I want to ask you, tell me honestly, do you want the throne under me?"
Hongye was slightly startled, then shook his head: "Your Majesty, your grandson has never thought about this problem. This problem is too far away for your grandson."
Kangxi said solemnly, "You can think about it now. You are not young anymore. You have studied the classics for several years. In two years, it will be time for you to enter the court and serve me. It is time to think about many things."
Hongye: "Your Majesty, this grandson..."
Kangxi: "Don't worry, you can think about it seriously. I can wait. I just want to hear what you think."
Seeing Huang Mafa like this, Hongye knew that if he didn't tell the truth today, Huang Mafa would not let him go. He had no choice but to sit there honestly and think about the questions raised by Huang Mafa.
Should I become the emperor? To be honest, as a member of the royal family, especially one with the right of inheritance, who has not thought about this question?
He knew from a young age that his father was the first in line to the throne. Even if his father's position was later abolished, the right of succession still existed. As his father's eldest son and the eldest grandson of the emperor, he was undoubtedly the first in line to the throne.
When he was young, he was proud of this identity for a while. When he was studying in the Shangshufang, he saw those imperial uncles who were proud of their achievements. Although his eyes looked very polite, he looked down on them in his heart, because they were all born out of wedlock, and only his line was born out of law, and legitimate descendants naturally looked down on those born out of wedlock.
But as he grew up, he learned that Huang Mafa was also born out of wedlock, that none of his ancestors were born of legitimate parents, and that few of the true heirs to the throne in history were born of legitimate parents. Suddenly, his sense of superiority disappeared overnight.
No matter what, he is just an emperor's grandson. Even if he is the eldest grandson, so what? Haven't there been many people in history who died because of fighting for power?
Later, the Empress Dowager often called him to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to answer his questions, talk to him about people's livelihood, teach him how to handle political affairs, and teach him how to manage people. However, after accompanying the Empress Dowager for a few years, he found that the throne, or the person who sat on it, was actually very tiring and lonely.
The Empress Dowager had to get up very early every day to attend the morning court, and then review memorials. After finishing reviewing the memorials of the day, he had to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager, visit the Empresses in the harem, and often go to the Shangshufang to check the homework of his uncles and younger brothers. In his spare time, he would read history books, play the piano, play chess, practice calligraphy, and write poems. This does not include some emergencies that needed to be dealt with.
The emperor did this kind of thing year after year and day after day without slacking off. Even if he was sick that day, he would ask Liang Anda to read the memorials out and ask ministers to review them on his behalf.
At that time, he learned from Huang Mafa that the emperor was not only the sky of the Qing Dynasty, not only the power above everyone else, but also a responsibility, a person who was supported by the people and also had the determination to protect the people.
Hongye: "Your Majesty, your grandson wants to be like you, doing practical things for the people, seeking benefits for the Qing Dynasty, being loved by the people, and protecting thousands of families. I want to be like you, to leave my name in history, benefit the people, and influence future generations."
Kangxi did not expect that Hongye's goal of becoming emperor was not to hold great power, to be admired by the people, to protect his family, or to dominate the world, but to be more practical. He wanted to do more practical things in the position of emperor and benefit the Qing Dynasty.
Although he didn't say anything, his eyes were full of admiration and recognition for Hongye. At this moment, he was once again convinced that Hongye would be the most ideal and recognized successor in his heart.
To be honest, Kangxi had never thought of considering Hongye so early at the beginning, but there had been a lot of commotion in the court recently, and the fact that he had another forty years to live was itself illusory and could not be proven.
Moreover, regarding the crown prince issue, he had already been wronging Yinreng. If the throne did not fall to him, then at least Hongye should have succeeded. Think about it, forty years later, Hongye would be at his most mature and stable, so it would be just right for him to take on his burden.
Without thinking any more, Kangxi stood up and waved his hand. The grandfather and grandson walked back to the Qianqing Palace along the same way they came. The midday sun shone on the two of them, one in front and one behind, one tall and one short. It was the continuation of the times and the alternation of responsibilities.