Chapter Thirty-Five: Invested as a Gushan Beizi, Becoming a Lesser Banner Lord

The next day, after Hongli returned to the Forbidden City with Kangxi, the Emperor abruptly issued a decree relieving both him and Hongxi of their relief duties, leaving the Shuntian Prefecture to continue managing the famine relief efforts alone.

Shortly thereafter, when Hongxi and Hongli submitted their tablets to seek an audience for the purpose of formally handing over their duties, Kangxi had Liang Jiugong read a new imperial edict.

"Imperial Edict!"

Hongxi and Hongli hurriedly knelt.

"We originally did not wish to confer titles upon our grandsons, fearing that sudden prominence at a young age would lead to arrogance and self-indulgence. However, grandsons Hongxi and Hongli have saved tens of thousands of lives during this famine, bringing great peace to the capital; their contributions truly cannot be overlooked. Moreover, as we approach the sixtieth year of our reign, it is only fitting to extend our benevolence widely to our descendants."

"Therefore, we hereby confer upon Hongxi and Hongli the title of Gushan Beizi. Grandson Hongxi shall be assigned to the Bordered Red Banner, and grandson Hongli shall be assigned to the Bordered Blue Banner. Each shall be granted one Manchu Zuo Ling, one Mongol Zuo Ling, and one Han-Army Zuo Ling. Thus it is decreed!"

After Liang Jiugong finished reading, Hongli could hardly believe his ears. This decree was entirely unexpected. Only the night before, Kangxi had been suspicious of his closeness to the former Crown Prince’s faction, yet today, he had suddenly elevated both him and Hongxi to the rank of Beizi. While some grandsons, such as the sons of Yuntao, had previously enjoyed the status of a Beizi, Hongli had never imagined he would attain such a rank simply due to this relief mission.

However, he soon realized the reasoning. In his view, his performance the previous night must have satisfied Kangxi, demonstrating that he and his father's household were not aligned with the Crown Prince's faction, and thus the Emperor was continuing to muddy the waters.

Seeing that Hongxi’s lips were parted in joy, Hongli felt a similar sense of elation. But for him, the most gratifying part was not the title of Beizi, as he knew his destination would not end there. What thrilled him most was the acquisition of his own Zuo Ling. This meant he was to become a minor leader within the Bordered Blue Banner. Kangxi was seizing the opportunity provided by their excellent performance in the famine relief to once again dilute the power of the leaders of the Five Banners. It seemed the Emperor had not yet grown tired of such political maneuvering.

No one dared to object. Because Hongli and Hongxi had gained not only prestige among the Han people through this relief effort, but also popularity among the banners. The common bannermen were more than happy to be under a master with ability and a promising future rather than one who only knew how to indulge in pleasure.

"Imperial Grandfather," Hongli said with practiced humility, not wishing to appear overly ambitious, "I am young, and the merit earned in this relief effort is entirely due to the guidance of my elder brother. I have little talent or learning, and I dare not accept such a prominent title, nor the assignment of Zuo Ling, for I fear I cannot command the respect of others. I beg Imperial Grandfather to rescind the order."

Seeing this, Hongxi looked at Hongli with satisfaction, then suppressed his own immense joy: "Imperial Grandfather, I, too, have only performed a minor service. Many of my uncles have yet to receive such titles, so it would be inappropriate for me to accept such a high honor. I also pray that you will withdraw the command."

"How can an imperial edict be rescinded?" Kangxi said, his expression composed. "Furthermore, many of the princes, Beile, and Beizi, including some of your own uncles, know only to indulge in banquets, neglect their studies, and fail to practice riding and archery. Even when they do work, they are hasty and perfunctory, falling far short of you both. I do not pursue them only because it is my nature not to favor harsh punishments—that is already their good fortune. How can they be dissatisfied with me rewarding my meritorious descendants?"

"I confer these titles upon you today precisely to motivate them. As long as they are devoted to the state and achieve merit, I will prioritize their status regardless of their age! Therefore, do not refuse!"

"Understood! We thank you for your grace and accept the decree!" Hongli and Hongxi acknowledged the order and expressed their gratitude.

As they left, each holding their respective edicts, they exchanged a smile. Both were brimming with joy. From this moment on, Hongli was a man of title and, truly, a master of his own Zuo Ling. This meant he had legally established his own following and had become a minor shareholder in the Great Qing. Henceforth, the bannermen under his Zuo Ling, regardless of their official positions at court, were his servants and had to obey his commands.

He recalled that Nian Gengyao became the servant of Yinzhen (Yongzheng) precisely because, when Yinzhen was conferred the title of Beile and entered the Bordered White Banner, the Zuo Ling to which the Nian family belonged fell under his authority. Similarly, during the Daoguang era, a Chief Grand Councilor was once forced to transfer to the Upper Three Banners because his banner leader demanded his service, preventing him from attending to state affairs.

Hongli did not yet know if the three Zuo Ling assigned to him would contain any untapped talent. In recent days, taking advantage of the relief efforts, he had purchased several orphans, intending to cultivate them as future assets. Now, with his own Zuo Ling, he felt his investment was even more justified; as long as these orphans proved themselves, he could incorporate them into his own Zuo Ling as new bannermen, ensuring their absolute loyalty.

"I have conferred the title of Beizi upon you and assigned you banners in the hope that you will learn to manage banner affairs," Kangxi added after they had thanked him. "Start by learning to manage two or three Zuo Ling so that you understand the current state of the Eight Banners. The Eight Banners are the foundation of our Great Qing, and one cannot rule without learning how to manage them."

The two nodded. Kangxi then waved them away, telling them to go and see their parents.

As they left the Qianqing Palace, Hongxi, still full of excitement, clapped Hongli on the shoulder. "Hongli, you and I, as brothers, must continue to work together. Only then can we continue to please Imperial Grandfather and further advance our ranks!"

Hongli smiled and nodded, then took his leave.

Upon returning to the Prince Yong Residence, Hongli went to see Yongzheng. "Imperial Grandfather has conferred the title of Beizi upon me, assigned me to the Bordered Blue Banner, and granted me three Zuo Ling."

Yongzheng looked up in astonishment. Then, a joy even more intense than Hongli’s own spread across his face, and he could not suppress a wide grin. "Hongli, your Imperial Grandfather’s actions have deep meaning!"

Although Hongli knew the answer, he chose not to play the wise man, instead asking feigned ignorance, "What deep meaning?"

Yongzheng did not answer, merely patting Hongli on the shoulder. He then began to pace the room with a grave expression. "I wonder which Zuo Ling the Imperial Study will assign to you. If the assigned Zuo Ling lacks manpower and land, and consists only of useless servants, it will be a burden! But if there are talented individuals among them, they will be of great help to you in the future."

"I must personally keep an eye on this matter to ensure you have capable servants to use!" Yongzheng then ordered, "Su Peisheng, send invitations to the three Commanders, Ablan, Luoderjin, and Tangse, and tell them that I wish to host them for a banquet."