Chapter 38: Kangxi: This Flamboyant, Restless, Greedy Foolish Pig

It turned out that last night, several aristocratic mansions in the Eastern City were raided by thieves, who not only stole a large amount of silver but also seriously injured several people.

Among them were the dismissed Duke of Cao, Li Long, and the First Divine Might General of the Rong Guogong household, Jia She; both were gravely wounded and unconscious, and are still receiving treatment.

In addition, several current imperial censors and the Marquis of Mei, among others, were severely wounded and their lives hang in the balance.

In the Eastern City of Shenjing, where the powerful gather, such a heinous case occurred—high officials were attacked, gravely wounded and near death—directly alarming Emperor Jing Sheng Di.

During the morning court, Emperor Jing Sheng Di harshly criticized the newly appointed Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture and the Commander of the Five Cities Military Office,

Had it not been for the Grand Scholar's petition and the fact that the Prefect and the Commander had only just taken office, they would likely have been thrown into the heavenly prison and stripped of their posts.

Nevertheless, Emperor Jing Sheng Di gave them a three‑day deadline to solve the case and capture the bandits, or else he would show no mercy.

Later, Emperor Jing Sheng Di issued an edict placing martial law on the nine gates to prevent the thieves from escaping.

After the court session, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture stormed back to the yamen and raged like thunder,

ordering the investigating magistrate and the captains in charge of criminal cases to solve it within two days, or else they could go home and hold their children!

That is why today the yamen clerks and soldiers of Shenjing are working overtime.

Shenjing seemed on the verge of a storm, and countless filthy, squalid places were being rigorously inspected and cracked down upon by the authorities.

Shengjing.

Yangxin Hall.

The Manchu Emperor Kangxi, now growing ever older, finds his sleep time diminishing.

Tonight he drank deer blood brought by Li Dequan, which further stirred his mind, making it hard to fall asleep.

He wanted to overturn the sign, but was cautioned by an inner court official, thwarting his wish.

Helpless, he could only lie in bed, reflecting on his life's imperial experiences.

He ascended the throne at eight and began personal rule at fourteen.

In his youth he defeated powerful ministers, rectified court policies, and formally began handling state affairs.

When he took the throne, the internal and external situation of the Da Qing Empire was still very severe,

It was his insistence on using the military, striving for diligent governance, and issuing new statutes that gradually strengthened Da Qing.

Externally, he defeated the Mongol Karkha tribe and the Khorchin tribe, established the Manchu‑Mongol alliance policy, and brought most of the steppe under Da Qing's control.

He also repelled invasions by Russia and Joseon, signing mutual non‑aggression treaties.

Domestically, he quelled internal rebellions, unified the Haixi Jurchen and the Wild Jurchen tribes, greatly expanding Da Qing's territory.

In recent years he continuously strengthened central authority and practiced benevolent governance, courting Manchu, Han, and Mongol elites, and developing the economy.

He also paid attention to giving the people rest, making the Da Qing truly become an increasingly powerful nation.

It can be said that in civil and military achievements, he is among the few monarchs in history.

Some court officials and scholars have even called him a "Millennial Emperor."

Thinking of his life and the many achievements, he feels he should be content!

Now, the only thing that occupies his thoughts is the Han Dynasty!

Since his ancestor Nurhaci, every Da Qing emperor has aimed to seize the Central Plains.

Only by ruling the Central Plains can a dynasty truly claim the Mandate of Heaven.

The steppe is indeed a bit barren, lacking the vast resources and abundance of the Central Plains.

And beside the imperial bed, there is no room for others to snore; with Da Qing and the Han warring for years, only one can ultimately survive.

Fortunately, the Han Dynasty's power declines year by year, clearly approaching an irreversible decline, while Da Qing continues to rise.

If he can, in his old age, accomplish the grand plan of seizing the Central Plains,

then his achievements will surpass those of Da Qing's founding and founding‑later emperors, becoming a true Millennial Emperor.

If that truly happens, he would die without regret!

If he cannot achieve it, he can only hope for his successor!

He has had over thirty sons in his life, more than twenty of whom have reached adulthood! His lineage is indeed flourishing!

Which of his sons possesses the necessary talent?

The Crown Prince Yinreng seems unsuitable, his intellect mediocre and unfit for great responsibilities.

The eighth prince Yinsi, although praised by court officials as a virtuous king,

but he only uses leniency to win hearts, cannot even control the women in his own household, and it is unrealistic to expect him to govern Da Qing well.

The fourteenth prince Yinti is quite capable; his strategic vision, battlefield command, and boldness rank among the best of all princes,

unfortunately his political skill is a bit lacking and still needs experience.

The eldest prince Yin Ti has command experience, but is flamboyant and restless, lacking the bearing of a ruler!

It is unknown how his front‑line campaign is faring at this moment!

The Han Dynasty's Nian Gengyao is also hard to deal with!

However, with the assistance of Fei Yanggu and others, Yin Ti should not encounter major problems.

After counting and recounting, Kangxi ultimately favors his fourth prince Yin Pillow,

only he has the boldness and means to govern the country well.

Moreover, his temperament is resilient and steadfast, his resolve unshakable, he works diligently, and can share his father's concerns from the perspective of the state's big picture—a fine successor.

He is merely too lenient! He still needs more experience!

"Being emperor is hard! Being a father is also hard!"

Kangxi sighed inwardly, looked up at the roof ridge inside the hall, his thoughts scattering.

At that moment, a sudden rapid footfall sounded from outside.

Then he heard the sharp voice of his close attendant, the grand eunuch Li Dequan, say:

What is it? Your Imperial Highness is already asleep! If it's not urgent, don't disturb, Your Majesty!

Then Li Dequan's startled voice came again:

What? Frontline six hundred li urgent??

Kangxi startled awake in an instant, rolled over, got up, threw on his clothes, and said:

"Li Dequan? Is it Yin Ti's report? Bring it in quickly!"

Then the hall doors creaked open, and Li Dequan, trembling with fear, stepped cautiously into the hall.

Kangxi instantly had a foreboding feeling:

"What's going on? Where is Yin Ti's report?"

Li Dequan fell to his knees, his hands trembling as he handed over the report,

He had already received news from the messenger! The frontline suffered a crushing defeat!

Kangxi snatched the report from Li Dequan's hand and scanned it at a glance!

After only a moment, Kangxi felt his head buzzing, and the hands holding the report began to tremble...

What is this??

A force of 150,000 was disastrously beaten by the Han Army; Qing generals Fei Yanggu, Ji Du and others were all slain,

Now only 20,000 remain besieged in Jizhou City, pleading for aid??

Although the 150,000 troops were not all Manchu, many were Mongol, this battle was still lost far too badly!

"Bang!" Kangxi slammed the report onto the floor of Yangxin Hall,

He roared like a tiger about to devour, shouting:

"This frivolous, greedy, lustful fool? With a commander like him, you still expect a victory?"