Chapter 73 Chapter 73 After the two brothers returned from Qufu…

After the two brothers returned from Qufu, they began to think about sharing their steelmaking method.

Thanks to the two weeks of Confucius worship, Yinzhen and Yinsi had much easier time outside the palace. This time, they didn't plan to come up with the steelmaking method themselves, so after much deliberation, they handed it over to Ma Qi.

Ma Qi was now Yinzhen's partner. If Yinzhen hadn't had any ambitions to seize the throne, it would have been fine. But now, it was clear that Kangxi valued Yinzhen very much, so as Yinzhen's father-in-law, Ma Qi had no choice but to join Yinzhen's team.

Not long after the two returned from Qufu, Ma Qi formally submitted the steelmaking method that Yinzhen and Yinsi had devised to Kangxi.

Ever since Yinzhen and Yinsi presented their cowpox treatment, Kangxi had secretly dispatched an investigation. It was clear that either Yinzhen or Yinsi secretly maintained a group of retainers. While the Crown Prince and the eldest prince tended to scholars and merchants, Yinzhen employed craftsmen.

Since there was nothing to hide, Kangxi easily tracked down the garden in the capital. However, Yinsi had concealed himself, leaving Yinzhen alone.

Kangxi's findings revealed that the Fourth Prince employed dozens of craftsmen in a garden in the capital, constantly buzzing about, their work unknown.

Incidentally, Kangxi also learned that Dai Zi, the firearms expert expelled from the palace two years prior, was also in Yinzhen's garden.

Kangxi feigned ignorance and followed Yinzhen's lead.

Unexpectedly, Yinzhen's actions led to a major incident.

Ma Qi's report was a mixture of truth and lies, alleging that the Fourth Prince had discovered a capable individual, but the Emperor was unable to remain in the palace, so he contacted Ma Qi to help monitor the matter. He immediately reported the results.

Kangxi looked at the steel forged using the new method Ma Qi had brought, which was much harder and stronger than the old method. He imagined countless scenarios of its potential use in weapons and construction.

"Okay," Kangxi said, turning to Liang Jiugong, "Go and fetch the Fourth Prince."

Ma Qi, with his head bowed, was sweating inwardly. The Emperor was undoubtedly well aware of what was going on, but it was uncertain whether today would go as planned.

Yinzhen arrived shortly after, greeting Kangxi and then being summoned by him.

"Yinzhen, Ma Qi said you also invented this steelmaking method?" Kangxi asked calmly, his emotion invisible.

Ma Qi's eyes flickered between Kangxi and the Fourth Prince. Despite his years of service, he still couldn't fathom the Emperor's thoughts, and now he was worried about the Fourth Prince.

"Your Majesty, I dare not lie. Some time ago, while on an inspection tour, I discovered many talented individuals among the people, but they were often dismissed as eccentric and unsavory. I, on the other hand, felt that some artisans truly possessed great wisdom, and their creations benefited the nation and the people. Therefore, I treated them as my retainers. Now that I've achieved some success, I present them to Your Majesty,"

Yinzhen said in a serious tone.

This was similar to what Kangxi had found in his investigation, and Yinzhen hadn't lied.

"Was the cowpox treatment method also developed by one of your retainers?"

Yinzhen replied, "I dare not take credit for it. It was indeed a chance discovery by Doctor Huang during his years of practice. I happened to hear that I had a place in Beijing that provided support for artisans, so I reported it to you."

The cowpox treatment involved Wen Shan, and they were keeping it a secret, not daring to reveal a single word.

Kangxi nodded and didn't question Yinzhen again. Instead, he turned to Ma Qi and asked, "Ma Qi, have you visited Yinzhen's garden?"

"Your Majesty, ever since the Fourth Prince entrusted this matter to me, I haven't hesitated to personally visit several times."

The information Ma Qi had received from Yinzhen was similar to what Yinzhen had just told Kangxi. Yinzhen had also told him that he raised these people not for himself but for the longevity of the Qing Dynasty and its prosperity and strength. Therefore, he would never keep any achievements to himself, nor would he fear the Emperor's suspicions, so he asked Ma Qi to report them truthfully.

Ma Qi was deeply moved by this, thinking that the Fourth Prince was indeed as pure and honest as he appeared.

The craftsmen were very tight-lipped, and no one had mentioned Yinsi's presence there, so Ma Qi simply assumed that Yinzhen was far-sighted and loyal.

"What do you think of it after you went to see it?" Kangxi asked with interest.

Ma Qi considered the situation. The artisans inside either sat blankly for long periods of time or, as if drunk, their faces flushed with mad tinkering with things he couldn't understand. They ignored anyone and spoke little, mostly muttering to themselves.

Occasionally, a few, either doctors or herbalists, would bustle about the herb gardens, briskly working.

"A thousand faces, a thousand faces, a bustling scene." Ma Qi pondered for a moment before spitting out these eight words.

Kangxi laughed, stood up, and said, "If you say so, I'd be remiss if I didn't go and see it. Yinzhen, Ma Qi, please accompany me to that garden."

Kangxi changed into plain clothes and accompanied Yinzhen and Ma Qi by a few guards.

As the carriage passed through the busy city, Kangxi lifted the curtain and peeked out.

"The capital is much busier now than before." Kangxi wasn't an emperor who spent much time in the

palace. Besides his southern tours and the Mulan Autumn Hunt, he also wandered around the capital, so he had some understanding of the people's lives.

"In recent years, many merchants have arrived from the south. Although merchants are the last of

the four classes of scholars, farmers, merchants, and artisans, they have indeed made the capital city much more lively," Ma Qi said. Kangxi took a sip of tea, rubbed the ring on his thumb, and said, "Taxes have indeed increased a lot in the past two years. They are all citizens of the Qing Dynasty. It's just a matter of how to put them in the right positions."

"Yinzhen, do you understand this principle?"

Kangxi changed the subject and turned to Yinzhen.

Yinzhen said, "I still ask for your guidance, Your Majesty." Kangxi

smiled and said, "No hurry, I still have a lot to teach you."

Ma Qi sat beside the father and son, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong.

Could the emperor really intend to depose the crown prince and enthronize the fourth prince?

Although some people in the court and the public were already discussing this matter, Ma Qi had always been skeptical.

As a veteran minister who had served before the emperor for over twenty years, he knew only too well how deeply the emperor loved and devoted the crown prince. It would be difficult to shake his position.

But today, he saw the emperor and the fourth prince getting along privately for the first time, which made him a little shaken.

How come the emperor seems to be so interesting now?

At least this is not something that should be said to an ordinary prince.

After crossing a few streets, he arrived at the villa. After getting off the car, Kangxi looked around outside: "This place is not bad."

It is not far from the downtown area but not crowded. Behind it is a lush bamboo forest. Looking at the many flowers and plants planted in the yard, it is really a unique place.

"This is the dowry of the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager... gave it to her son before she died." Yinzhen's voice was a little hoarse.

Kangxi nodded. He naturally knew this. It was easy to find out who owned the gardens in the capital.

"Your Empress Dowager gave these to you so that you can use them well." Kangxi said: "I think your Empress Dowager would be happy to know if she knew it in the afterlife."

Kangxi lost his parents at a young age, so he valued the filial piety of his sons. He felt relieved to see that Yinzhen did not bear a grudge against Queen Tonggia but was very grateful to her.

"Longkodo, go knock on the door." Kangxi raised his chin.

As Kangxi's first-class guard, Longkodo naturally came with him today.

"Yes."

Longkodo stepped forward and knocked on the door twice, and soon the housekeeper Wang came out.

Housekeeper Wang was also a smart man. Although he had never seen Kangxi, he guessed it was almost right by seeing Yinzhen and Ma Qi being so respectful to this person, so he quickly stepped forward and saluted.

"Fourth Master, Lord Ma Qi, may I know who this distinguished guest is?"

Ma Qi: "Let's go in first."

Although there are few people in this area, it is not convenient to do so in public.

After entering the garden, Ma Qi said, "This is the current emperor! Why don't you quickly call everyone in the garden?"

Steward Wang, though he'd guessed it, still feigned shock and quickly knelt, saying, "Your Majesty, I greet you. I'll be right there, right there!"

Ma Qi, having been here several times and familiar with the area, led Kangxi to the main hall.

"Longkodo, this is actually your Tong family's garden. Have you been there?" Kangxi suddenly asked.

Longkodo, who had been walking beside Kangxi with his head bowed, paused before replying, "Your Majesty, this is the garden my father and mother gave my sister as a dowry. I've never been there." "

That's true. Your Tong family has more than one or two gardens, so you wouldn't have visited them all," Kangxi said casually, yet Longkodo was startled again. He wondered what Kangxi meant.

Was he hinting at the Tonggiya clan's excessive assets? With

the successive downfalls of Soetu and Mingzhu in recent years, the Tong family had indeed become somewhat of a concern.

Yinzhen couldn't speak at this point, after all, Empress Tongjia's dowry was in his hands.

Ma Qi, Tong Guowei, and Mingzhu weren't as shrewd as them, but they were at least seasoned men with years of experience and knew better than to say anything.

Fortunately, Kangxi didn't say anything else, seemingly just chatting casually. Soon, Housekeeper Wang summoned all the garden's artisans.

Yinzhen and Yinsi later screened these men again, sending some to other gardens. Only about twenty remained.

Standing at the front was Dai Zi.

Kangxi, however, had come to discuss steelmaking, so he only glanced at him.

"Who is Wang Chongyu?"

A thin, middle-aged man in his forties, dressed in a long, green robe, stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, it's me,"

Kangxi said, narrowing his eyes. "I heard from Yinzhen that you've come up with a new steelmaking method?"

"I worked on it with Yang Xu," Wang Chongyu replied respectfully.

Yang Xu, a young man in his early twenties, was deeply interested in the art of steelmaking. He had become Wang Chongyu's apprentice while Wang Chongyu was still working in a blacksmith's shop. Later, when Wang Chongyu was recruited by Yinzhen and Yinsi, he took his talented apprentice with him.

Kangxi rested his left arm on the table and said with a smile of deep interest, "I've seen the steel you forge. Tell me how you make it."

Kangxi was somewhat knowledgeable about these so-called "exotic techniques." He had heard missionaries mention some scientific knowledge from the West, but it was merely mathematics and astronomy, something he occasionally listened to for entertainment. Since it had no practical application, Kangxi hadn't taken it seriously.

However, the steelmaking methods developed by Wang Chongyu and Yang Xu were vastly different.

Wang Chongyu spoke eloquently about his familiarity, describing almost every step with vivid detail. Kangxi nodded repeatedly. Having previously inspected the Ironworks Battalion, he had a general understanding of ironwork and steelmaking, so he understood Wang Chongyu's explanation. He also understood the

improvements they had made to produce such superior steel.

"Excellent!" Kangxi applauded. "They are truly capable. Just a few minor changes to the process have produced such superior steel. Not bad, not bad." Kangxi was particularly pleased to learn

that the process these two had developed wasn't just for delicate work in a small workshop, but could also be mass-produced. This represented a significant advancement in both warfare and everyday products like farm tools.

Kangxi immediately appointed Wang Chongyu and Yang Xu to positions in the Ministry of Works. In particular, he appointed Wang Chongyu the Minister of Works, a promotion from a commoner to a second-rank official.

Wang Chongyu, overwhelmed with joy, knelt down and declared his disapproval.

"If I say you deserve it, then you deserve it," Kangxi personally helped him to his feet and said, "Once you go to the Ministry of Works, don't worry about anything else. Just promote this steelmaking method for me."

It was obviously not feasible for Wang Chongyu to handle some of the Ministry's administrative affairs, so his position as Vice Minister of Works was more of a figurehead, primarily responsible for steelmaking.

Even a nominal position was still a second-rank official. Even though the artisans below were devoted to their craft and had little interest in officialdom, they were still somewhat tempted by Wang Chongyu's sudden rise to a second-rank position.

Kangxi was also quite interested in the remaining officials, and asked them to describe their research. When it was Dai Zi's turn, Kangxi said, "Master Dai, I'm an acquaintance. I didn't expect to see him here."

What did he mean by "unexpected?" Yinzhen thought, thinking Kangxi must have known about it long ago.

"Your humble servant is truly ashamed to see Your Majesty." Dai Zi bowed deeply, his head bowing to the ground.

"If I've been punished, I'm no longer a criminal." Kangxi raised his hand and asked, "What have you been up to lately? Are you still tinkering with those firearms?" "

These are the only little skills I've learned in my life. Fortunately, the Fourth Prince didn't give up on me and gave me a chance to redeem myself." Dai Zi presented Kangxi with the repeating musket he'd designed.

Kangxi was intrigued.

"Really? Take me to see it."

Dai Zi's courtyard had a ready-made target practice area, so he took Kangxi there.

Compared to the musket he'd given Yinsi to test, Dai Zi had made further improvements, significantly addressing the excessive recoil Yinsi had complained about. After trying it once, Kangxi only felt a slight numbness in his wrist.

"Excellent! It's a truly powerful weapon!" Kangxi's face lit up with delight. He had long been preparing for a second expedition against Galdan to completely annihilate the traitor, and now this weapon was a powerful addition.

Dai Zi was overjoyed to hear the emperor's approval. He had been buried in the gunpowder all day long, partly because he truly loved it and partly because he wanted someone to appreciate his hard work. If he could contribute to the battlefield and reduce the casualties of the soldiers, he would have completed his mission.

Kangxi played with the musket, not expecting Yinzhen's courtyard to be so full of hidden talents. He had come to learn about the art of steelmaking, but he had unexpectedly gained something unexpected.

"I sent someone to investigate your case a while ago." Kangxi handed the musket to Liang Jiugong, wiped his hands with the wet towel offered by Butler Wang, and said, "These cunning and corrupt officials are so lawless that they dared to commit acts of deceit in the imperial court. I have already sent people to deal with them. You can return to your post in a few days."

Seeing Dai Zi's ability, Kangxi naturally would not let him stay in this garden. Without a second thought, he took him away.

After years of ups and downs, Dai Zi no longer had much interest in serving in the imperial court. His only hope now lay in a corner of the country, where he could continue tinkering with his gunpowder, hoping it would one day prove effective on the battlefield and achieve fame.

He also hoped his daughter would marry quickly and give him a grandson. Without a second thought, Dai Zi declined the offer, citing his advanced age.

Kangxi wasn't angry. After a moment's reflection, he suddenly said, "I heard you're marrying off your daughter soon. I imagine you have a lot to do, don't you?"

Yinzhen and Ma Qi exchanged a glance. Sure enough, there was nothing in the capital that Kangxi didn't know about; it all depended on his willingness to know.

Yinzhen marveled once again at his father's control over the court, and he knew he would have to be extremely cautious with Yinsi and Yinxiang in the future.

Dai Zi had not expected that the emperor would know so much about his family affairs. Although Tian Wenjing was the prefect, he was only a fourth-rank official and not an official from the capital. There were at least dozens of such fourth-rank officials from other places in the world. Except for reporting to the capital, they rarely saw Emperor Kangxi throughout the year. Tian Wenjing naturally did not need to report his remarriage, and his family was now ordinary people, so Dai Zi was a little surprised.

Coming back to his senses, Dai Zi hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, the wedding date has been set for the 18th of next month."

"Yes, Tian Wenjing is a good man." Kangxi nodded and said, "Yinzhen has found a good matchmaker for you."

Tian Wenjing was almost the only official besides Ma Qi who had contact with Yinzhen. Kangxi had watched with cold eyes as Yinzhen and Tian Wenjing's relationship over the years could be described as a gentleman's friendship. Yinzhen did not deliberately promote Tian Wenjing, and Tian Wenjing did not seem particularly close. The only occasional correspondence was words of greeting and encouragement for officialdom.

Kangxi's favorite thing about Yinzhen was that he did not like to make friends with ministers and form cliques, so naturally he did not want to lose him.

Dai Zi was even more terrified after hearing this. How could the emperor know everything? Could it be that the Fourth Prince told the emperor?

Since Yinzhen had been mentioned, he also took up the conversation and said: "I learned from a chat with Master Dai that day that he still has a daughter who is waiting to be married. It happened that Tian Wenjing came to Beijing to report on his work and mentioned that his original wife died early and he wanted to find another wife, so I played a role in making some connections. I thought it would be a happy event."

Kangxi nodded and said: "Since you have no intention of returning to the court, I will not force you, but I should at least reward you something."

"In this case, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will prepare a dowry for your daughter according to the example of Doroggege.

It will be a little thought from me." Kangxi thought for a while and said to Yinzhen: "Noble Concubine Nianhulu has been a little rash in her work recently. Let your mother take care of this matter. If you want to reward Tian Wenjing and Dai Zi, you can consider adding some more."

Kangxi was very generous this time. He gave them official positions, face, gold and silver, whatever they wanted. He was just like a boy who gave away money.

The generosity was so overwhelming that even Yinzhen was a bit incredulous. While these weapons were considered powerful weapons that would benefit the nation and its people, they hadn't been mass-produced, let alone tested on the battlefield. Kangxi's careless gifting seemed out of character.

Even Ma Qi felt the emperor was being a bit hasty today.

But no one dared to say anything.

Dai Zi could only thank God for the favor. Kangxi tested the muskets a few more times before taking one back to the palace. He quickly summoned the Minister of Works and the artisans from the Firearms Battalion to discuss steelmaking and musketry.

Kangxi also summoned the Crown Prince, who listened to Yinzhen's discussions for the entire afternoon.

That evening, Wen Shan was surprised to see Yinzhen still hadn't returned. "What's taking so long?"

Although Yinsi hadn't been to the garden, the news had already arrived from Butler Wang, who had a clear understanding of what had transpired.

"Don't worry, Mother, it's all good news." Yinsi stretched and said, "My fourth brother will probably have dinner in the Hall of Mental Cultivation today. Let's not wait any longer and eat."

Wen Shan, seeing the time, figured Kangxi wouldn't let the child go hungry, so she nodded and had the palace servants serve dinner.

Yinxiang was hard at work on the lessons assigned by the teachers in the Shangshufang, and only came out when he heard it was time for dinner.

As he ate, he complained to Yinsi, "Eighth brother, I envy you and Fourth brother for not having to spend all day in the Shangshufang. Zhang Ying is getting even stricter now, much stricter than before."

Yinxiang suspected that his eighth brother's outstanding performance had raised the bar for the prince's education.

Although he had learned these things in his previous life, being forced to attend classes every day was still a torment for Yinxiang, who was always restless.

Especially now that the workload had increased, the younger ones were complaining bitterly.

Yinsi picked up some food for him and said with a smile, "I think you're just too arrogant. You think you know everything, so you don't listen carefully. Master Zhang caught you and punished you, didn't you?"

Yinxiang pursed his lips and muttered, "Even Zhang Tingyu can't stand it. I don't know what's wrong with him."

Zhang Tingyu was still the princes' tutor, known as the King of Papers. The fact that he was even a bit overwhelmed by him showed just how powerful the Shangshufang was these days.

"I don't think it's necessarily Master Zhang's fault," Wenshan thought for a moment and said, "It seems your Emperor specifically instructed him to teach you more attentively."

"…"

"Mother, did the Emperor tell you?" Yinxiang asked.

Wenshan thought for a moment and nodded. "I think he mentioned this a few days ago. It sounded to me like the Emperor was a little dissatisfied."

If they weren't satisfied, would they all have to fly to the sky and complain to the Emperor to please him?

"Is he taking his anger out on the eldest prince?" Yinsi said slowly.

A few days ago, when he and his fourth brother accompanied the third prince to worship Confucius, the crown prince didn't say anything, but the eldest prince jumped out and was then suppressed by Kangxi.

Perhaps seeing the eldest prince's appearance, Kangxi began to think about how to continue to strengthen the education of the Shangshufang.

Then the younger ones who were still struggling to study were in trouble.