As the month drew to a close, a gentle spring rain arrived quietly.
On the glazed tile eaves, droplets gathered and formed a transparent curtain of water outside the corridor. The banana leaves beneath the eaves were washed a vibrant green by the rain, and a fresh scent of grass and earth wafted on the breeze.
While many things in ancient times might not compare to the modern era, the air quality was truly exceptional.
Su Muyao pushed open the window and stretched comfortably.
After returning from paying respects at Cining Palace earlier in the day, raindrops had begun to fall. Since Su Muyao had no habit of working in the rain, she decided to give both herself and Yun Mo the day off. After lunch, she simply went to sleep.
Perhaps it was the comfort of being indoors on a rainy day, listening to the sound of rain as she slept, but she slept deeply, without even dreaming, and only woke up now.
It was already the end of the Shen hour.
Yun Mo walked over from the passageway carrying a rosewood food box. Seeing Su Muyao, she smiled and said, "Miss, I'm going to fetch dinner."
Noticing the wooden clogs on Yun Mo's feet, Su Muyao cautioned, "The path is slippery in the rain. Be careful not to fall."
"I know," Yun Mo replied, revealing two sweet dimples. She opened the green silk oil-paper umbrella in her hand, descended the courtyard steps, and gradually disappeared from Su Muyao's sight.
After Yun Mo left, Su Muyao loosely tied up her hair into a bun and casually picked up a white jade and silver bamboo hairpin from the dressing table to secure it.
This way of styling her hair was somewhat casual, but with only her and Yun Mo in Qianxi Sisuo, she didn't want to bother with an overly intricate hairstyle that would strain her scalp.
Next, Su Muyao took a plate of sunflower seeds and sat cross-legged by the window table. She cracked the seeds while flipping through the "Great Qing Code."
She was reading this to understand the current dynasty's tax system.
A few days ago, Yun Mo had mentioned the need to pay spring taxes. It suddenly occurred to Su Muyao that her Snow Peak Spring Pear would also be subject to taxation, but…
When the Imperial Household Department had initially discussed matters with her, they hadn't mentioned this item. So, taking advantage of her free time now, she decided to research it herself.
The raindrops grew heavier, pattering down noisily.
The rain trapped those at rest, as well as those on the road.
In the Huifeng Pavilion of Yuhuayuan, the former Thirteenth Prince, now Chief Minister and Prince Yi Yixiang, gazed at the rain curtain merging sky and water outside the pavilion. A bitter smile touched his lips as he said to Yongzheng beside him, "Imperial Elder Brother, it is all my fault."
He had braved the rain to enter the palace today to report on the movements of the Eighth Prince Faction in the court.
Since the late emperor's passing last winter and Fourth Brother's ascension to the throne, Fourth Brother's greatest political rival—the Eighth Prince, Yunsi, and his allies—had shown no reaction, as if they had fully accepted the outcome.
But Yongzheng and Yunxiang both knew the situation could not possibly be so simple. That Eighth Prince was cunning, usually keeping a low profile, but at critical moments, he would strike like a scorpion, catching you off guard with a vicious sting.
A sting that would leave you aching to the bone, yet you could do nothing about it.
With Fourth Brother newly enthroned, there was an overwhelming amount of government affairs to handle. The first priority was the late emperor's funeral arrangements. Handling it well was expected; handling it poorly would leave an uncertain legacy in the historical records.
Moreover, Fourth Brother's position meant that every move he made was under close scrutiny. To deal with the Eighth Prince Faction, he needed a suitable pretext.
Now that the Eighth Prince and his faction appeared compliant, Fourth Brother could not punish them but had to reward them instead.
Otherwise, he would be labeled as a new emperor who persecuted his own brothers, a reputation he would never be able to shake off.
Therefore, some time ago, Yongzheng issued an imperial decree appointing four chief ministers: Yunxiang, Yinsi, Longkodo, and Maqi.
Yinsi goes without saying; Maqi had repeatedly recommended Yinsi as crown prince before the late emperor, while Longkodo only switched allegiance to Fourth Brother later, after assessing the situation.
As Yongzheng's most trusted minister and younger brother, Yunxiang naturally understood the weight of responsibility on his shoulders as a chief minister.
His most significant and crucial task was to keep an eye on the restless members of the Eighth Prince Faction in the court who sought to undermine the foundation of the state.
Recently, after the late emperor's burial, the Eighth Prince Faction had become active again, using the Fourteenth Prince as a pretext to attack Yongzheng.
They accused him of being harsh and ungrateful, confining his own full-blooded younger brother at Jingling and preventing him from returning to the capital to attend to the Empress Dowager's illness.
Although Yongzheng had long declared that keeping Yunti at Jingshan was to allow him to observe mourning for the late emperor on his behalf, as the mourning period passed day by day, this excuse was gradually losing its validity.
To quell public criticism, the best approach would be to have the Empress Dowager intervene. If she simply said, "Yunti remaining at Jingshan aligns with my wishes," all problems would be immediately resolved.
However, the relationship between Fourth Brother and the Empress Dowager was truly difficult to assess. Though they were closest kin, they were more estranged than strangers, which genuinely troubled Yunxiang.
When Yunxiang arrived, he had already prepared his thoughts, determined to give it a try. Unfortunately, his timing was off. The guards outside Yangxin Hall informed him that the emperor had just departed for the imperial study.
Thus, he redirected his steps to the imperial study. Upon arrival, he found Yongzheng wielding a brush with vigor before a rosewood desk.
Seeing him, Yongzheng showed no surprise. Casually placing the black lacquer and gold-decorated goat-hair brush on the inkstone, he called Yunxiang over before the latter could speak, urging him to examine the large characters he had just written.
Yunxiang looked and saw two bold, flowing cursive characters written vertically on the snow-white rice paper: "Lian Ming" (Integrity and Clarity).
The calligraphy was exceptional, with strokes exuding a stern and vigorous spirit. Even among emperors throughout history, few could rival Fourth Brother's mastery of the art.
However, the implications behind the words "Lian Ming" were not so straightforward.
Several thoughts raced through Yunxiang's mind in that moment.
First, he recalled the title "Prince Lian" that Fourth Brother had recently bestowed upon Yinsi, which included the character "Lian." Then, he thought of the depleted state treasury during the late emperor's later years due to successive wars. His thoughts even drifted momentarily to the previous dynasty, wondering if "Lian Ming" might be a homophone for "Lian Ming" (sympathy for the Ming).
If there truly were rebellious factions conspiring to restore the previous dynasty, that would indeed be a grave oversight on his part.
Yunxiang, ever inquisitive, did not hesitate to ask. Yongzheng did not beat around the bush, stating plainly, "Set aside the matters of the Eighth Prince Faction for now. I have another weighty responsibility to entrust to you, one you must personally undertake immediately."
Yunxiang assumed a solemn expression and said, "Imperial Elder Brother, please speak."
Yongzheng spoke concisely, "Go to the Hubu to audit the accounts."
As chief ministers overseeing state affairs, the Hubu, being the department in charge of finance and economy, naturally fell under their jurisdiction.
Auditing accounts, of course, aimed to root out corrupt elements within the state to prevent internal decay.
However, matters have their priorities. The threat posed by the Eighth Prince's factional alliances to the court's stability was urgent and paramount.
And to be frank, addressing corruption was not a matter of immediate urgency.
Why is that? The late emperor was a staunch anti-corruption figure who deeply detested corrupt officials and dedicated his life to rectifying the administrative system. By the later years of Kangxi's reign, although corruption and bribery still existed, the situation had improved significantly compared to before.
The current bureaucratic system remains the same; it just requires effort at the top. There's no need for him to go personally.
Yunxiang was a respectful and cautious person, unable to utter words like "why use a butcher's knife to kill a chicken," but his expression revealed a hint of such sentiment.
Yongzheng noticed this and couldn't help but smile, patting Yunxiang on the shoulder as he said, "If you can handle this matter well, I will reward you."
Yunxiang replied gloomily, "Please, Imperial Elder Brother, make it clear."
What exactly was the reward? He wanted to hear it first.
Yongzheng pointed to the desk and said with a laugh, "What do you think of this calligraphy piece of mine?"
Yunxiang: "…"
He didn't think much of it.
Others might treasure the emperor's handwritten inscription and be deeply grateful, but he would not—not for any other reason, but simply because Prince Yi's study was already filled with too many of Yongzheng's calligraphic works.
The large characters they practiced together as children, the letters before Yongzheng ascended the throne, the vermilion endorsements after his accession… Did he really lack this one piece?
Yunxiang was speechless but, constrained by his status, could not openly refute.
Yongzheng laughed heartily, picked up his brush, and added a line of small characters beside the rice paper: "To Prince Yi." Without writing the date, he ordered someone to have it framed, saying, "My word is as good as gold. Once you've accomplished this task, I'll stamp it and send it to your residence."
He stopped teasing Yunxiang intentionally and said, "Accompany me for a walk in Yuhuayuan."
Su Peisheng understood that the emperor had something to discuss privately with the Thirteenth Prince and did not want the attendants to follow.
However, while it would have been fine on a normal day, today was different. Both of them were important figures, and if they were caught in the rain and caught a cold, he could not bear the responsibility.
Summoning his courage, he reminded, "Your Majesty, it's raining outside."
At his reminder, Yongzheng remembered that the weather today was indeed inconvenient. Having practiced martial arts since childhood, he himself was fine, but the Thirteenth Prince had been confined by the late emperor in the Imperial Clan Court for some time, leaving him physically weak and in need of careful care.
Just as Yongzheng was about to change his mind, Yunxiang, not wanting to spoil Fourth Brother's mood because of himself, spoke first: "Your servant brother just came in from outside, and there were only a few scattered raindrops. I suppose it's nothing serious."
After a pause, he added, "I heard the Imperial Household Department recently presented a batch of 'piercing-heart lotuses.' I've never heard before of lotuses blooming in early spring and would like to see them."
Given his sincere intentions, Yongzheng found it hard to refuse.
Yongzheng looked at him deeply and said calmly, "The 'piercing-heart lotus' is also called the spring lotus. Though called a lotus, it is actually a branch of the peony variety, resembling a lotus in appearance, hence the name. Since you wish to see it, let's go take a look."
Without allowing anyone to follow, he and Yunxiang each held an umbrella, talking as they made their way to the Huifeng Pavilion.
When they set out, the rain was indeed light.
Arriving at the pavilion, they gazed at the spring scenery on the lake and admired the peonies beneath the pavilion, finding a unique charm in the scene.
Yunxiang sat opposite Yongzheng at the stone table. Recalling the earlier matter and seeing no one around, he felt less restrained and said, "Fourth Brother, I still don't understand."
"Don't understand what?"
"Why Fourth Brother wants me to investigate the accounts at Hubu."
"What do you think?"
Yunxiang stroked his chin and said, "I remember when Fourth Brother was still at Qian Di, you were ordered to recover the national treasury's debts. But because an official committed suicide, Eighth Brother and his faction jointly impeached you, causing the matter to fail. Fourth Brother was forced to resign from the position of Prince. Not long after, you made a bold declaration, saying that if you ever became emperor, you would eradicate all corrupt officials in the world…"
Yongzheng smiled and said, "Only you still remember my words so clearly."
Yunxiang hesitated slightly and said, "I was just wondering if Fourth Brother is doing this to make up for the past?"
If that were truly the case, he would have to think carefully about how to persuade him.
Yongzheng curled his lips and said, "What is past cannot be undone, but the future is still within reach. Even our own people would think this way, and others likely would too…"
"Own people" referred to Yunxiang, while "others" undoubtedly meant the Eighth Prince Faction, who opposed Yongzheng.
Yunxiang's mind stirred, and he said, "Fourth Brother means…"
Could this mission have other political purposes?
Yongzheng stood up, gazing at the misty drizzle outside the pavilion. His voice was like a lurking beast, carrying a hint of danger, yet as steady and powerful as distant mountains.
"Old Eighth and his faction, I will eliminate them."
Yunxiang understood and immediately gasped in shock.
Going to the Hubu to audit the accounts was about investigating corrupt officials, but once the investigation was complete, those dealt with might not only be corrupt officials.
Yunxiang couldn't help but applaud in admiration, saying, "Fourth Brother, this move of yours is not only brilliant but also precise and ruthless."
Its brilliance lay in three aspects.
First, using the audit as a pretext could lull the Eighth Prince Faction into thinking that Fourth Brother merely wanted to overturn the case and clear his name.
Their next step would undoubtedly be to destroy any clues related to the official's suicide back then, thus diverting their attention.
Second, while they were busy destroying evidence, he could seize the opportunity to gather evidence of corruption and bribery by the Eighth Prince Faction. Once the evidence was collected, even if it couldn't be used to convict Old Eighth and his followers in one blow, it could still be used to remove the spies they had planted in the court.
Even an eagle, once its wings are clipped, can no longer fly.
Third, after Fourth Brother purged the corrupt officials, he could take the opportunity to install his own forces, further strengthening his control over the court.
Moreover, he could use the method of confiscating property to replenish the national treasury, which was currently empty.
Seeing that Yunxiang understood, Yongzheng was pleased and sat back down, asking about the reason for his visit to the palace in the rain that day.
When Yunxiang mentioned the Empress Dowager, Yongzheng's smile faded slightly.
Yunxiang sighed and said, "I understand Fourth Brother's troubles, but Old Fourteenth is, after all, a meritorious general. Keeping him away for too long might not be justifiable. Only the Empress Dowager's intervention could ease the situation somewhat."
Yongzheng said, "Old Fourteenth cannot return."
Old Fourteenth had close ties with the Eighth Prince and others. With the Eighth Prince Faction not yet eradicated, allowing Old Fourteenth to return would only add fuel to the fire.
Yunxiang understood this as well.
But what he didn't know was how strained the relationship between Yongzheng and the Empress Dowager had become.
Yongzheng recalled how, some time ago, the Empress Dowager had threatened to starve herself to death because he refused to allow Old Fourteenth to return. A shadow of anger crossed his brow.
He rarely showed agitation.
Seeing this, Yunxiang's heart sank, and he immediately realized that bringing up this topic was inappropriate. After a moment's thought, he changed the subject, saying, "Speaking of the Hubu, Zhang Tingyu came to play chess with me recently. During our casual conversation, he mentioned that the national treasury had received an unexpected windfall these past few days."
Yongzheng casually asked, "What unexpected wealth?"
Yunxiang teased, "Imperial Elder Brother might as well guess first."
Yongzheng fell silent.
When it came to the sources of the national treasury's wealth, the two major contributors were:
First, state monopolies.
For instance, certain commercial and residential lands, authorized by the court, could be bought, sold, or rented through the Lou Dian Fu, with the proceeds flowing into the national treasury.
Similarly, special products like salt, iron, tea, and alcohol were controlled by the government, prohibiting private trade. However, as these were essential daily necessities for the people, the national treasury received a steady stream of income.
Second, taxes.
There were many types of taxes. State monopolies, in fact, also fell into this category, albeit as an indirect form of taxation.
Direct taxes levied on the people included the poll tax, commercial tax, land tax, and miscellaneous taxes.
The poll tax, also known as the household tax or head tax, was collected twice a year—once in spring and once in autumn—and was paid together with the land tax.
With spring approaching, it was almost time to collect the poll tax.
Considering this, Yongzheng mused, "Thirteenth Brother, are you referring to the poll tax?"
He had not yet altered the late emperor's tax system. In principle, during the Kangxi 51st Year, the late emperor had issued a decree: "Newly Increased Population Will Never Be Taxed."
With this decree in place, the poll tax should only decrease, not increase. How could Zhang Tingyu call it unexpected wealth?
Yongzheng couldn't understand.
Yunxiang couldn't help but laugh, saying, "It's not the poll tax, but the commercial tax. Recently, the Imperial Household Department introduced a rare flower called Snow Peak Spring Pear. From princes and dukes to court officials, everyone heard that this flower was uniquely favored by Imperial Elder Brother and spent vast sums to purchase it. For a time, its popularity soared, and the Imperial Household Department made a tremendous profit. According to regulations, as commercial taxes had to be paid, they unprecedentedly allocated funds to the Hubu."
The more Yongzheng listened, the more something felt off. His brow furrowed deeply.
What was Snow Peak Spring Pear? He had never heard of it. How could it be uniquely favored by him?