Preface
In the pages of history, there are characters who have become legends with their unique experiences and amazing transformations. Old thirteen, he was once bleak, but when the opportunity of Prince Jin Feng came, he was like a sleeping pearl that instantly shone and regained vitality. What kind of turning point was this Jin Feng that allowed Lao Thirteen to return to the stage of history and immediately play the role of vice emperor?
In this dramatic historical moment, what a wonderful change has taken place in the fate of the old thirteen? How did Prince Jin Feng become a new starting point for him to reach the pinnacle of power and strategy? How did a once bleak character rejuvenate in a brief moment and become a key figure in the struggle for imperial power?
1. Abandoned when they were young, they supported each other to get through the difficulties
Yinxiang was not favored when he was born, and his mother Zhang Jia was only born in Baoyi, and her status was very low. As soon as this poor child was born, he was thrown to the concubine Wu Ya to raise, and like his half-brother Yongzheng, they did not get the maternal love they deserved in this indifferent court.
As a prince, he should have been pampered by thousands of people, but these two poor children are like abandoned children. Their mothers are of low status and cannot raise them themselves, and the people who raise them are not genuinely good to them.
At the age of 11, Yongzheng finally returned to his biological mother, Concubine De. Unexpectedly, Concubine De directly threw her younger brother Yinxiang to him and let him share his worries. This change made Yongzheng both disappointed and angry. Not only did he not receive his mother's love, but he also had to take care of his young brother, who was waiting to be fed.
However, surprisingly, Yongzheng did not abandon Yinxiang. As a well-educated prince, he knew that this was his duty as an eldest brother. On the other hand, the younger brother suffered a similar situation to himself, being abandoned by his relatives. Such a sad fate made Yongzheng feel pity.
So, Yongzheng treated Yinxiang as his own and raised him. Despite his young ignorance, he still fulfilled his responsibilities as a brother. As the years passed, so did their bond.
When he was 14 years old, Yinxiang's biological mother died, and his only blood relative left him. For a child who has just entered puberty, this is undoubtedly an unbearable blow. Fortunately, Yinxiang and Yongzheng, a sympathetic brother, are by his side. In the days that followed, Ming Jun Yongzheng and the intelligent and diligent Yin Xiang were like shadows of one, whether they were studying and Xi martial arts or daily communication, they were inseparable.
Second, in order to help Yongzheng win the heir, he was imprisoned
Seeing that the day of Kangxi's death is approaching, the prince is abolished again and again, and the princes are ready to move. Yongzheng, the smartest "beast", has long been ready to go, trying to win people's hearts everywhere and seek the support of the throne.
As soon as he thought of his brother's ambition being frustrated, Yinxiang couldn't bear it. He was determined to help the fourth brother. So he showed up and worked hard everywhere to pull relations and win support for Yongzheng. This bold and reckless act soon angered the old emperor and made the court talk a lot.
Kangxi was furious and immediately put this child under house arrest. In order to find the mastermind behind the scenes, Kangxi also forced Yinxiang to confess. In the face of the emperor's questioning, Yinxiang, who was only in his early 20s, resolutely took all the blame on himself and did not confess Yongzheng. His courage and audacity are impressive.
For this reason, Yinxiang was imprisoned in the Zongren Mansion, in the most prosperous years of his life, but he spent his days in a cage. The spring flowers outside bloomed and failed, and he could only look up at the sky day and night.
Yongzheng, who knew this, blamed himself in his heart. He understood that it was all because his ambition had blinded his brother. It's really distressing for an upright young man to lose all his money like this. However, Yongzheng is still a prince with limited power, and he is temporarily powerless.
3. Yongzheng ascended the throne, and Yinxiang was a very popular minister
In 1722, after a series of trickling operations, Yongzheng finally stepped onto the dragon chair that made him think about it day and night.
When he finally took power, his first thought was to rescue his beloved Yinxiang. So he immediately made him a prince and was in charge of the household department, which was the actual financial power. You can imagine how excited and moved Yinxiang was when he saw the light of day.
In the years to come, Yongzheng was simply a bottomless favor for Yinxiang. Promotion, reuse is just a basic operation, and he also made an exception to posthumously crown Yinxiang's biological mother as the imperial concubine and bury her next to his father Kangxi; even let his children call Yinxiang his mother, and handed over the power of the forbidden army to him. Some people say that this is the "horse love foal dog bear love son", which really shocked the court.
Later, Yinxiang was further named the Minister of Parliament, holding military power, political power, and economic power, which can be described as a very popular minister. There are admonitions to persuade Yongzheng to rein in, but the emperor has taken this as a way to repay Yinxiang, and he is not moved at all.
Whenever a political matter is killed, Yongzheng must be the first to ask Yinxiang's opinion. even wanted to be buried with him to show the friendship between the two of them becoming one and relying on each other for life and death.
Fourth, the old thirteen died, and Yongzheng remembered the pain
In 1730, Yinxiang became ill due to overwork and died at the age of 46. This bad news made Yongzheng grief-stricken. He not only personally presided over Yinxiang's funeral, but also made an exception to give Yinxiang the word "Xian" to show his excellent quality.
What's even more shocking is that Yongzheng insisted on burying Yinxiang on the side of his tomb. For this reason, he even ignored the opposition and advice of hundreds of officials. It wasn't until Yinxiang's son knelt down and begged that this idea was dispelled.
However, even so, Yongzheng followed the system for Yinxiang and talked about the government, which is still eye-catching. This is extremely rare in the history of the Qing Dynasty. Because of this, this touching brotherhood and friendship has also made future generations have to talk about it and look sideways.
People are terrible, is Yongzheng's move out of brotherhood? Or does it have ulterior motives? Let us wait for the day when all kinds of doubts that have been circulating for a hundred years will dissipate.
epilogue
Yongzheng and Yinxiang, the joys, sorrows and sorrows of a lifetime
We have to admit that these two princes with the same heart have indeed established a very rare brotherhood in this indifferent court.
From the time they were abandoned, they supported each other; In the years when they were in the prime of life, they fought side by side. Yongzheng's feelings for the old thirteen have surpassed those of the monarch and his brothers. And Yinxiang's loyalty to Yongzheng is not just out of the friendship of courtiers.
The ups and downs they have gone through together have connected the two hearts tightly. Yongzheng did not hesitate to make an exception for the old thirteen, which is the crystallization of this affection.
Looking at this touching court story, we see more than just political support and love. Beneath the surface, there are two hearts that are sad by this cold world, and they find solace in snuggling up to each other.
Yinxiang's death took away the softest part of Yongzheng's heart. For the rest of the time, this Ming Jun was still in power, but he could never find a place to look back.
This is the true meaning of Yongzheng and Yinxiang, a lifetime of bonding. Perhaps it is precisely because it was not easy to come by that we will be talking about it a hundred years later.