SFS Chapter 185 General
Chapter 185 General
A few days later, Yongzheng summoned Cai Ting, the Sichuan governor who was at odds with Nian Gengyao and was dismissed from office and planned to be executed. Half an hour later, Yongzheng issued an imperial decree to appoint Cai Ting as the Left Censor-in-Chief and Commander-in-Chief of the Han Army of the Plain White Banner, and promoted him to the title of Minister of War.
For a time, the court and the public were shocked, and memorials impeaching Nian Gengyao flew onto Yongzheng's desk like snowflakes.
Su Peisheng walked into the Qinzheng Hall with his back bent, offered a cup of tea, and said cautiously, "Your Majesty, General Nian requests an audience."
Yongzheng folded the memorial and threw it aside. He took a few sips from his teacup before saying, "Send it!"
Nian Gengyao limped into the hall, wearing the court robes of an ordinary official. He lifted his robe and knelt on the ground with difficulty: "Your Majesty, I, Nian Gengyao, pay my respects to the Emperor!"
Yongzheng looked at him and asked calmly, "What brings you here, General?"
"Your Majesty, I apologize." Nian Gengyao kowtowed again. "The memorial is my fault. When I was writing it, a servant came to report that Nian Fu..." Nian Gengyao wiped away his tears, his voice choking. "Nian Fu was drunk and fell from his horse. He is unconscious. In my haste, my handwriting may have been a little sloppy. It is truly not disrespectful to Your Majesty. Please understand."
Yongzheng became interested: "How is Nianfu now?"
Nian Gengyao's face was filled with grief, and he fought back tears as he said, "Your Majesty, Nian Fu is in a coma, and the doctor said he might never wake up. When the lady heard the news, she collapsed from anxiety!"
Looking at Nian Gengyao's miserable state, Yongzheng felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart. "Is it so serious?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I have been worried and anxious these past few days. I came to the palace today to apologize to Your Majesty and to ask for your mercy."
"you say!"
"Your Majesty, I have spent half my life in the military and am now old. Since Nian Xi passed away, my spirit has been greatly reduced. Now that Nian Fu has encountered such an incident, I am truly exhausted. My foot disease has also relapsed. I am truly unable to lead the troops to the northwest again. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
After saying that, he tremblingly took out a red cloth bag from his arms and held it above his head.
Su Peisheng took it, opened it, and handed it to Yongzheng.
Yongzheng looked over and saw that it was the golden seal of the General of the Northwest.
This sudden move startled Yongzheng. Nian Gengyao had always valued the power he held, which was his key to making decisions and maneuvering in the court. Yet, who could have imagined that he would so calmly hand over this crucial power?
Nian Gengyao was also filled with frustration. He was naturally well aware of the various events that had occurred in the court in recent days, but he didn't take these trivial matters seriously. After all, for him, the emperor trusted him deeply, and these rumors were just passing clouds. However, his wife at home was relentless, crying bitterly and threatening to starve him to death if he refused to listen to her advice.
Faced with his wife's resolute attitude, Nian Gengyao reflected on his years of fighting and fighting abroad, and realized he owed her too much companionship and care. With a long sigh, he chose to obey his wife's wishes, considering it a chance to make up for his neglect of her over the years.
Seeing this, Emperor Yongzheng's originally tense face finally relaxed a little, and the corners of his mouth slowly lifted up, revealing a faint smile: "My dear, you are not feeling well. Please lie down!"
He continued, "I am deeply distressed by the many misfortunes that have befallen your family. I will later send the imperial physician to the Nian Mansion to treat Nian Fu and Madam Nian. You need not worry. As for the position of Grand General, you will continue to shoulder it. I am relieved to have you in charge of the Northwest."
Nian Gengyao refused to stand up and continued to kneel on the ground: "Your Majesty has been very kind to me. I cannot repay you even if I die a thousand times. I should have devoted myself to your service. But I am now too weak to even mount a horse. If I were to occupy this position and do nothing, and thus delay the important work at the border, I would never be able to atone for it even if I die a thousand times!"
After saying this, he fell to the ground and kowtowed continuously.
Seeing his persistence, Yongzheng couldn't help but feel delighted, but he didn't show it on his face. He narrowed his eyes slightly and said thoughtfully, "Since you are so determined, I naturally cannot ignore your physical condition. However, this position of Northwest General is crucial. It concerns the safety of our Qing Dynasty's borders. We must find a capable person to take it up. Who do you think can take over?"
Hearing this, Nian Gengyao was startled and quickly replied, "Your Majesty is wise and will make his own decisions. I dare not interfere."
"Just say whatever you want, I'm just listening." Yongzheng smiled slightly, his tone seemed casual.
"I am a dull-witted person. If it weren't for the Emperor's repeated guidance and instruction, how could the Northwest be in such a state today? There are so many talented generals in the court right now. Your Majesty has a keen eye for talent and knows how to appoint them to positions. He will surely select even more outstanding talents!"
Yongzheng suddenly changed the subject and deliberately asked, "Then, in your opinion, what about that child Nian Xing?"
Nian Gengyao was startled when he heard this, then replied in awe, "Your Majesty, you are joking. I am young, brave but not wise. I am barely qualified to be a lieutenant."
His wife had practiced these questions with him many times at home, but she never expected that the emperor would actually ask them.
"Speaking of Nian Xing, I have one more thing to say."
Yongzheng waved his hand and said, "You say!"
"Nian Xing has been by my side for so many years, and I've discovered that he's not cut out to lead troops. He just has some martial arts skills. I dare to ask Your Majesty, if you don't mind, to keep him by your side. It would be a blessing for him to be a lowly guard like a horse stirrup puller!"
Every word and action of the imperial guards is under the emperor's eyes and is under his control at all times.
"My dear minister, you are loyal to me and always care about my safety. How can I not agree?"
"Thank you, Your Majesty! I have one more request."
Today, Nian Gengyao's affairs continued one after another, but Yongzheng showed no impatience at all. He smiled and said, "Just tell me!"
"I have a grandson, only eight years old, who behaves mischievously all day and refuses to study. My wife dotes on him and allows him to behave recklessly, which gives me a headache. I heard there are good tutors in the palace. I wonder if he would be lucky enough to be the prince's tutor?"
Nian Gengyao's series of smooth and flowing actions left Yongzheng somewhat bewildered for a moment. He stared intently at his departing figure until the limping figure disappeared outside the Qinzheng Hall. Only then did Yongzheng come to his senses and slowly said, "It seems that Nian Gengyao has understood what I mean."
After he finished speaking, he shook his head slightly, as if he was still thinking about something.
After a brief pause, Yongzheng reached out and gently picked up the Grand General's golden seal, which lay on the imperial desk beside him, examining it carefully. The seal shone with a dazzling light, and the intricately carved lion pattern on it was clearly visible. However, Yongzheng felt no sense of security as he held the seal.
Although Nian Gengyao had shown considerable tact, not only voluntarily surrendering the military power he had held for years but also sending his youngest son and eldest grandson to the palace as a token of loyalty, Yongzheng still couldn't completely dispel his doubts. After all, Nian Gengyao had once been a powerful figure, renowned for his influence, and his connections were extensive, making it difficult to completely eliminate this potential threat.