Chapter 153: Born of a Lowly Maid, Yet Dares to Covet the Throne

When Kangxi finished speaking, the people in the hall showed varied expressions, each harboring their own calculations.

Prince Yin Tang of the Ninth directly began whispering with the nearby Prince Yin E of the Tenth.

Rumors of this matter had already spread, and several of Kangxi's princes had privately discussed it many times, each with their own schemes.

They all believed that the court's appointment of a Grand General and participation in the northwestern campaign would be an extremely important opportunity for the princes.

Not to mention the entire court's great emphasis on this war, even the Grand General position itself is far from simple.

The holder of this position can command military power, boost personal influence, and even affect the future allocation of high offices in the court.

Kangxi glanced at the expressions below and had already decided in his mind who would be appointed Grand General.

He only wanted to use this matter to test the princes' reactions, to see which among them truly cares for the court.

As Kangxi grew older, only two matters occupied his thoughts.

One is to seize the Central Plains and fulfill the founding emperor's unfinished great deeds; the other is to choose a successor he deems suitable.

Thus, in Kangxi's mind, this selection of the Grand General concerns both the northwestern war situation and the test of the heir to the throne.

Seeing Prince Yin Tang of the Ninth whispering with Prince Yin E of the Tenth, Kangxi, expressionless, asked him:

"Yin Tang, do you have something to say?"

Kangxi had previously favored Yin Tang, thanks to the illustrious reputation of his mother, Consort Yi Guo Luoluo.

Moreover, Yin Tang was diligent from childhood, exceptionally intelligent, loved innovation, and had personally designed a war chariot.

He also was the first to attempt transcribing Manchu script using Latin letters, pioneering for the Manchu people.

However, since the death of the Eldest Prince, Kangxi's attitude toward Prince Yin Tang of the Ninth has sharply declined.

The reason is Yin Tang's close ties with the Eighth Prince Yin Si; after the Eldest Prince's death, the Eighth Prince faction became very active in the court.

Many Manchu ministers praised the Eighth Prince as virtuous, and especially Prince Yin Tang of the Ninth and Prince Yin E of the Tenth concocted schemes like "Eight Kings", "Eight Great Kings", and "King above the White", which greatly displeased Kangxi.

Although after the Eldest Prince's death Kangxi feared the Crown Prince faction would be unchecked and intended to support the Eight Kings faction to balance it.

But before he died, these sons seemed eager to seize the throne, adding "King above the White", showing no respect for subjects and extreme arrogance!

Yin Tang, being somewhat scheming, saw Kangxi's unfriendly gaze and cautiously said:

"Your Majesty! Yin Ti now heads the Ministry of War; I think we should first hear his opinion."

Previously, the Eighth Prince faction had already held a private internal meeting.

They discussed the matter and ultimately decided to jointly nominate the Eighth Prince Yin Si as the primary candidate for Grand General.

If the emperor disagreed, they would settle for the next choice, nominating the Fourteenth Prince Yin Ti.

Yin Tang let Kangxi ask Yin Ti's opinion first.

Because Yin Ti now heads the Ministry of War, he is a military man and the most suitable candidate for Grand General.

The Eighth Prince Yin Si must obtain Yin Ti's support to vie for the position.

During the internal meeting, Yin Ti had already agreed to recommend the Eighth Prince Yin Si.

However, Yin Tang and other confidants of the Eighth Prince faction still feared Yin Ti might backtrack or even nominate himself.

Yin Tang's demand now was to corner Yin Ti, leaving him no other options.

If Yin Ti kept his word, he should now recommend the Eighth Prince Yin Si.

If Yin Ti failed to recommend Yin Si, the Eighth Prince faction would rise together, unhorse Yin Ti first, then contend with the Crown Prince faction.

Of course, the crucial point is that Yin Tang asked this, leaving Yin Ti no other choice; even if he had other intentions, he could only recommend Yin Si now.

Yin Ti, standing aside, showed a slight change of expression upon seeing Yin Tang let him recommend first.

Although outwardly a member of the Eighth Prince faction, he privately harbored ambitions to rise.

Furthermore, he believed he himself was the most suitable candidate for Grand General, but was forced by circumstances in the meeting to support the Eighth Prince.

Yin Tang letting him speak first made him realize the intention: it was to cut off his retreat!

Yin Ti found himself in a dilemma and remained silent for a moment.

But Kangxi seemed to see through Yin Tang's thoughts and did not grant his wish, instead continuing to press Yin Tang:

"Indeed! Yin Ti heads the Ministry of War, but I now wish to hear your opinion."

Prince Yin Tang of the Ninth, seeing he could not evade, forced himself to speak:

"Ah! I think this northwestern campaign mainly requires a scheming prince to unite the Northern Yuan and the chaotic forces, letting them wear each other out with the Han Dynasty."

"Moreover, a prince leading troops is merely a figurehead; the crucial part is strategic planning and the soldiers' lives."

"Your Majesty just mentioned the word 'virtuous'; I believe it is most fitting. The Eighth Prince Yin Si is wise and benevolent, known throughout court and realm."

"If the Eighth Prince assumes the Grand General role, he can unite the three sides and accomplish the great feat of subduing the Han Dynasty."

"Therefore, I recommend the Eighth Prince Yin Si; please accept, Your Majesty."

As soon as Yin Tang finished, Prince Yin E of the Tenth hurriedly followed with his report:

"Brother Nine's words are sound! A commander need not charge into battle; the famous strategists in history had little martial skill yet still won wars, didn't they?"

"I also recommend the Eighth Prince as Grand General! Please accept, Your Majesty!"

When Prince Yin E spoke, everyone present couldn't help but change expression.

Originally, Prince Yin Tang's recommendation had no problem and even sounded quite reasonable.

It emphasized the commander's strategic planning, deliberately sidestepping the Eighth Prince Yin Si's lack of military knowledge.

However, Prince Yin E impatiently followed up in support of the Eighth Prince, and his words caused the emperor and those present to doubt.

With Yin E's remarks, Kangxi and those present realized the Eighth Prince faction's internal discussion resulted in pushing the Eighth Prince to seize this command.

Kangxi, seeing the two eloquently recommend the inexperienced Eighth Prince, felt cold inside.

This northwestern war concerns the fate of the Great Qing, yet the two princes did not consider victory from the nation's perspective.

Instead they formed cliques, selfishly vying for power, lacking a sense of the bigger picture, unfit for great responsibilities.

Kangxi had never considered letting Yin Si assume the Grand General role.

Firstly, this war is of great importance; it is certainly necessary to appoint someone who understands military affairs as chief commander.

Secondly, if Lao Ba were to gain control of the military, and given his own prestige at court, he would become even more powerful and uncontrollable.

This would be extremely detrimental to his ability to balance the court situation and choose the next successor.

As for choosing Lao Ba as heir to the throne, Kangxi never even considered it—not only because Lao Ba failed to win his favor, but also because of Lao Ba's background.

Born of a lowly servant maid, and yet you dare to covet the throne??