The Red Mansions

Chapter 1116: Promoted to the First Class Duke!

Shenjing City, under the gate tower of Xicheng

The autumn wind was bleak, and the flags and flags were flapping. A group of Han ministers wearing cotton-padded clothes and official robes of various colors cast their strange gazes on the prison cars and kept talking about Liu Fang, who was dressed as a woman.

At this moment, Liu Fang was being stared at by many eyes. She was gnashing her teeth and trembling all over, as if she was running naked in the ice and snow.

No, Han Xin was humiliated by his crotch, and Gou Jian was forced to suffer the consequences. He wants revenge!
They are all Jia Heng's children. They are vicious and want to see him make a fool of himself. He will definitely cut Jia Heng's children into thousands of pieces in the future!
At this moment, Emperor Chongping also stared at Liu Fang, who was wearing a skirt and women's clothing. His face was gloomy and he didn't speak for a long time.

This is Liu Fang, who he appointed as the commander-in-chief of the army to conquer the west and entrusted the military affairs to him. To beg for food and wine from the Heshuote people, he did such a thing that insulted the appearance of his ancestors. It is shameful!
How could the founding lineage produce such a disgraceful waste?

Jia Heng looked at Dorji coldly and shouted sternly: "You, a defeated general and a prisoner under the command, have the nerve to speak nonsense here?"

"Come here, shut his mouth!" Jia Heng shouted.

Dorji snorted coldly and opened his mouth to curse, but saw the prison car being opened, and several Jinyi palace guards came forward to stuff him with rags.

At this time, Yue Tuo's face was fierce, a trace of resentment flashed in his eyes, and he said loudly: "The emperor and officials of the Han Dynasty, listen, if Duke Wei had not led the troops to the northwest, who would have won this chaos in the northwest, it would not have been known yet. You know! You Han monarchs and ministers are stupid and incompetent. If it weren’t for Duke Jia Heng of Wei to lead the army, you would sooner or later become prisoners of our Qing Dynasty!"

As soon as these words came out, the faces of the Han ministers present suddenly changed wildly, their eyes moved slightly, and their faces became angry, all filled with righteous indignation.

Everyone present obviously did not think that they were capable and incompetent, and that they were a backdrop to the incompetence of Jia Heng, the Duke of Wei. Moreover, what did this mean?
The kings and ministers of the Han Dynasty are all ignorant and incompetent people, but only one Duke of Wei is a capable minister?
Although the imperial court has recently announced that Jia Heng, the Duke of Wei, is not capable of serving as a minister, it does not mean that the Han courtiers feel that they are useless.

Under Xu Lu's thin and slack eyebrows, his eyes were filled with coldness. He looked closely at Yue Tuo, so he could naturally discern his sinister intentions.

This is to sow discord and put a thorn in the emperor's heart. It is just in conjunction with Cen Weishan's almost "dead remonstrance" before, and I don't know what kind of impact it will have on the emperor's heart.

Preparation, vigilance, or suspicion?
Jia Heng also felt a little solemn in his heart. He looked at Emperor Chongping, cupped his hands and said, "After the Chief Fan was captured, he harbored resentment and barked at me, a great man, in order to confuse people's hearts. Your Majesty, don't worry about it."

This Yue Tuo clearly wanted to alienate the emperor and his ministers, so as to plant the seeds of suspicion between the emperor and his ministers. Just like the Ming Dynasty in parallel time and space, Huang Taiji used a trick to alienate Emperor Chongzhen and Yuan Chonghuan.

Maybe he wants to show his loyalty later?
Try to say, there is no era of Jia Heng, only Jia Heng in the era?
Or is everything he has now given to him by the emperor and the court?He must repay the imperial court and the Han Dynasty?Well, this one has been a bit ominous lately.

It wasn't that he forgot to put a rag on Yue Tuo before, but the emperor was definitely going to ask Yue Tuo, and he couldn't resist such a sinister move. Back then, Duduo faced Emperor Chongping directly and scolded the Han ministers.

Well, it’s not like I was scolded once or twice.

With that said, he ordered the Jinyi palace guard beside him to say in a deep voice: "Don't let him continue to confuse the public with his monstrous words and disturb the Holy Master."

"Yue Tuo, if there is no holy weapon, I will die with my life on the front line of the soldiers and carry food and fodder from the rear. How can you be the prisoner of my subordinates? You are trying to provoke us and other powerful Han monarchs and generals to separate, and the mad dogs are barking at the sun. You have ulterior motives!" Jia Heng After thinking for a while, he scolded again.

Zhao Zhenji's barking dog still left a deep impression on him.

Emperor Chongping looked at Yue Tuo, who had a sinister look and a look of dissatisfaction on his face. He shouted loudly and scolded: "Now you, the Jurchen slave chief, have been defeated by my big man one after another, and now you are a prisoner, and you are still slandering me on this trip." Liu Bang, the former Emperor of the Han Dynasty, was not as good as Zhang Liang in strategizing, not as good as Xiao He in providing peace and security to the people, and not as good as Han Xin in leading troops in battles. He still unified the world and laid the foundation for the Han people in the future. You beasts with the heart of a jackal, you don't know the destiny, and you can't do it. Dare you make heart-breaking remarks here?"

Zi Yu does not have the ability to serve as a minister. Zi Yu does have talents in the world, but he has cultivated and trusted them with his own hands. The king and his ministers are one, how can they allow thieves and bandits to alienate them?

Emperor Chongping said in a deep voice: "Send all the prisoners to the imperial prison and wait for their fate!"

All the guards in Jinyi raised their hands and said yes.

Han Huang's expression paused slightly, and he looked at this scene with a vague understanding in his heart.

The faces of the officials present changed, their thoughts became more complex, and they wished they could take their own lives.

How trustworthy is this?
King Chen Ran of Wei was looking at the monarch and his ministers in the crowd at this moment. Hearing this, he couldn't help but feel a bit of envy in his eyes.

My father really valued Zi Yu.

Chen Xiao, who was wearing Feiyu uniform, watched this scene quietly in the crowd.

Emperor Chongping turned to look at the young man in python suit who seemed slightly shaken by his words, nodded secretly in his heart, and said: "Zi Yu, I held a banquet in Xihe Palace, Zi Yu and all the soldiers followed me Let’s go to the palace together.”

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Jia Heng cupped his hands and thanked him.

At this time, Dai Quan parked a carriage, moved the horse stools with several eunuchs, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty."

Jia Heng also came forward and helped Emperor Chongping get into the carriage.

And all the Han ministers present followed the young man and Emperor Chongping into the Shenjing City, with different expressions on their faces.

Emperor Chongping looked at the young man who was holding the reins in his hands and driving the horse, and said: "Ziyu, you mentioned in your memorial earlier that King Meng will guard Duogansi, and when the time is right, you will choose a day to march into Tibet. land?"

Jia Heng said in a clear voice: "Your Majesty, King Meng has said that he wants to pass through Tibet. After thinking about it, I feel that Tibet is now occupied by the Heshuote people. I, the big man, will inevitably not be able to take care of it. Why don't we let King Meng go first?" Take a step forward.”

Emperor Chongping nodded and said: "Zi Yu's words are reasonable. Prediction will lead to success. Failure to do so will result in failure. In the future, we will have an outpost to recover Tibet."

If Nan'an and others hadn't mistaken the country, maybe the Western Regions and Tibet would have been recovered, right?
Jia Heng said softly: "Your Majesty, I think that because of the continuous military war and the empty national treasury, we will have to rest and recuperate for a period of time in the future to restore the national strength. It will not be too late to implement this matter."

Emperor Chongping nodded and said, "It's winter again, so it's not a good time to march."

"Your Majesty is wise," Jia Heng said.

Weng and son-in-law were talking, driving the carriage and entering the palace garden from Anshun Gate.

At this moment, the people of Shenjing City on both sides of the street were in high spirits. They put their feet on the ground and wanted to look at the Han army that returned victoriously. Looking from a distance, they could catch a glimpse of Duke Wei.

Palace Garden, Xihe Palace
This grand palace, used for grand ceremonies and celebrations, is magnificent and resplendent. Now it is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and people are coming in and out.

Jia Heng stopped the carriage in the white marble square in front of the palace road, reached out to lift the curtain in front of the carriage, and helped Emperor Chongping down.

The emperor and his ministers, or the father-in-law and his son-in-law, helped him to the palace. Dai Quan and several eunuchs quickly served Emperor Chongping to the royal chair covered with soft mattresses.

Emperor Chongping looked at the young man who was sitting upright. He was silent for a moment, and then suddenly said: "Zi Yu, the general of the Jinyi Mansion who was walking alongside you just now seems familiar, and he looks a bit like an old friend of mine."

Jia Heng said in a clear voice: "Holy Master Mingjian, that is... Princess Le'an."

When Emperor Chongping heard this, his expression changed slightly, and he was filled with surprise and doubt, and asked: "Princess Le'an? Isn't she...why is she by your side?"

This was a long-standing name that seemed to have been hidden in the depths of his memory for a long time, but it resurfaced in Emperor Chongping's mind.

In my impression, she is a girl with cold eyes and indifference. She doesn't like red makeup and prefers weapons. She often played with Xianning when she was a child, but later she disappeared for unknown reasons.

He sent Jinyi Mansion guards to search several times, but always found nothing.

Jia Heng said: "Wei Chen also got to know him by chance. Only recently did he learn about his life experience. Princess Le'an followed Wei Chen from the south of the Yangtze River to Datong, and helped Wei Chen a lot."

Emperor Chongping frowned and said in confusion: "Chen Xiao, I remember she has been missing for several years. Where has she been all these years? Why is there no news from her?"

A wry smile appeared on Jia Heng's face and he said: "I don't know much about the little minister. I heard from the princess that she met a stranger and learned some martial arts skills of killing on the battlefield, as well as military tactics. Later, by chance, I came here Come to Weichen."

"She has followed her father since she was a child and has been very interested in these military affairs." Emperor Chongping looked thoughtful, pondered for a moment, and said: "When the celebration is over, I will see her again. The Queen Mother and the Emperor have been in recent years. We all miss her."

As he said that, he was suddenly surprised and asked casually: "How long have you known each other?"

There was a hint of uneasiness on Jia Heng's face, and he whispered: "Your Majesty, Princess Le'an accompanied Wei Chen on the expedition and died. From the south to the north, he also helped Wei Chen a lot in military affairs. Wei Chen and Le An Princess An... we can be considered to be in love with each other."

Emperor Chongping: "???"

Like each other?What's the meaning?
There has never been such a word in the memorials between Jia Heng and Emperor Chongping.

Jia Heng left Xiudun, bowed his hands to Emperor Chongping, and said, "Wei Chen has made a life-long contract with Princess Le'an without knowing it. Wei Chen is guilty of death."

Emperor Chongping frowned and looked dazed. He looked calmly at the young man in python suit who was kneeling down and asked, "Ziyu, what are your plans?"

The imperial daughter of the clan, and Le'an is the daughter of King Zhou, this Jia Ziyu! ?

"Wei Chen doesn't know what to do." Jia Heng hesitated and whispered.

Emperor Chongping looked at the young man, his face darkened, and he pretended to be angry: "You...what do you want me to say to you! I will marry my daughter and niece to you as your wife, how can you still be so greedy and greedy? She is the only daughter of King Zhou, how can you provoke her? Did Xian Ning ever know about this?"

At this moment, the emperor changed his appearance.

Jia Heng bowed his head and said in a low voice: "Xianning knows a little about the death penalty for minor ministers."

Xindao, not only knows, but also builds villas in rows and stacks.

Emperor Chongping looked at the frightened young man, and the weirdness deep in his heart became much lighter, and said: "Get down first. The courtiers will all enter the palace later. I don't know, I thought something big happened."

"Thank you, Father." Jia Heng thanked him, stood up, sat down, looked at the emperor's face, and said, "I would like to ask for a favor from my father."

"What kind of grace?" When Emperor Chongping heard the title of father, he laughed angrily and said, "Why, do you want me to promise you Princess Le'an too?" "Father is more wise than the emperor," Jia Heng said.

Emperor Chongping: "..."

Having both Rong Ning and Rong Ning is still considered as having both, so how about marrying another princess?
Jia Heng's eyes showed a firm look and he said: "My son, I would like to not ask for any rewards during this trip to the northwest. I only ask for the marriage to Princess Le'an, and I ask my father to fulfill my wish."

Emperor Chongping sneered and said, "He's the infatuated kind."

Dai Quan's expression changed on the side, and he retreated from the eunuchs and female officials. The conversation at this moment was more like a conversation between a father-in-law and his son-in-law, rather than between a king and his ministers.

Jia Heng left his seat, bowed to each other again, and said, "I don't dare."

Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment and said: "The imperial court has its own laws. It's not like you won't award a reward if you say you won't. My imperial edict has been issued and it will never be taken back."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment.

Emperor Chongping said coldly: "I have given you both Ningrong and Ningrong for Xianning and Chanyue, but you still want to give them a marriage? If I don't punish you for deceiving the emperor, just burn incense."

Jia Heng's eyes were firm and he said: "Father, Princess Le'an has followed my son through life and death. I have always wanted to give her a status."

Emperor Chongping's eyes flashed and he said: "Even if my edict is accurate, how do you explain it to the Queen Mother, the Emperor, and Concubine Rong? One princess, two princesses? How can I block the world? Yuyouzhi?"

It was sealed all at once. What will he get if he performs special feats in the future?Above the first-class Duke is the County Prince, who indeed needs to be suppressed.

There really are no princesses or princesses here to marry.

Listening to Emperor Chongping's words of "scold", Jia Heng's expression remained unchanged, and he raised his hands and said: "I will tell the truth truthfully. In addition, if things cannot be done for the time being, I actually have a few more orders to be granted..."

Don't say it's unforeseen. Taking advantage of the emperor's good mood today, there is nothing wrong with saying hello to the emperor in advance and making his wife Yinzi.

Now, to a certain extent, it can be regarded as self-defeating.

Yue Tuo's words just now and the reactions of the ministers gave him a chill.

In fact, this kind of tacit understanding is very easy to form now. He needs to make it clear, which in itself is a sign of weakness.

When Emperor Chongping heard this, his eyes moved slightly and he asked doubtfully: "I'm asking for a royal title, and it's a woman?"

Jia Heng seemed to bite the bullet and nodded.

Emperor Chongping raised his eyebrows, with a cold face, and scolded: "Are you really...are you worthy of Xianning's deep love for her?"

Jia Heng said: "His Royal Highness Xianning has always been tolerant to his sons, and she also knows this."

When Emperor Chongping heard this, he felt a headache for a moment, and wanted to teach his father-in-law a lesson, but after thinking about it, it seemed that his daughter had also snatched the position of head wife.

And why did the good merit reward turn into this unseemly appearance?
Perhaps after this young man became his son-in-law, he became more than a simple monarch.

Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, I know that this matter is a bit ridiculous, but I don't care about glory, wealth, merit, salary, etc. However, whether it is the friendship between Xianning and Princess Le'an, it is difficult to let go."

This kind of proactive presentation of weaknesses must be something to be said, but at this moment, blindly being perfect has only aroused suspicion.

Emperor Chongping was silent for a moment and said: "It has happened in the past to ask for a royal title for a concubine's house. There are even cases where a concubine has a son and asks for a royal title for his own mother because of his merits. It's just not up to me to give permission or not. It depends on the emperor, the empress dowager and Concubine Rong. I I don’t care about the beauty of adulthood, but that’s not the case now. Today is about commending the soldiers of Pingxi, so let’s not mention these things for the time being.”

He didn't expect that this young man would be so affectionate and righteous, or rather... lustful.

"Your Majesty," Dai Quan, who was frightened by what he heard, whispered, "all the civil and military officials have arrived outside Xihe Palace."

Emperor Chongping waved his hand, looked at Jia Heng and said: "Let's not discuss this matter for now. I don't know how the officials outside will laugh after hearing this. Duke Wei, who is so powerful in Yi Di, actually thinks about three wives and four concubines all day long. Is this all you can do to make a difference?"

"Get up."

Even though the emperor said that he has only this little potential?But there was no anger in my heart, instead there was a secret joy of discovering a flawless piece of porcelain with flaws.

It was probably because Ying Zheng kept begging for property before he heard that Wang Jian was attacking Chu, and he was dumbfounded.

Because Jia Heng's image in the past was too majestic and upright. Needless to say in military affairs, he was an invincible man. In politics, he was as experienced as an old official and a privy minister. In terms of political character, he had never heard of any corruption or perversion of the law. .

I thought he was a man of perfect character and ability, but now he didn't want to be trapped by love or obsessed with women, so he actually said "childish" words of asking for a title based on merit, which easily made Emperor Chongping regain his sense of imperial superiority.

Preparations come and go, but this is the result?
How can a person who does not have the ability of a minister, but has no one to measure him and achieve great things, be deceived by women's lust?
Xiang Yu, who is worried and helpless, will never be the opponent of Liu Bang, who "shares my share of the pie".

The so-called master of the imperial court can win over people's hearts, either because of high-ranking officials and generous salaries, or because of being famous in history, or using gold and silver as treasures, or using women to seduce concubines... In the past, Emperor Chongping never noticed that this Jia Heng actually admired Ai at such a young age?

Jia Heng could only say nothing for the time being and get up.

Although this matter is risky, it is still worth it for Xiaoxiao.

Xiaoxiao has been with him for so long, going through life and death, and he also wants to give Xiaoxiao a status.

Moreover, the emperor actually did not resent this matter, or in other words, as he expected, he found a point of weakness again in the delicate balance between monarch and ministers.

Female lust...

Yue Tuo had indeed tricked him just now, cooperating with the entire Han Dynasty. How could even Emperor Chongping be inferior to him?
At this time, the officials outside the palace, led by the inner eunuch and the censor Jiuyi, entered the palace and saluted Emperor Chongping who was sitting on the imperial chair.

"I pay homage to Your Majesty, long live my emperor." In the spacious and empty hall, the voice of long live could be heard endlessly.

"Your Majesty, please come back." Emperor Chongping's eyes were a little gentler and he greeted, "Please take a seat."

The civil and military officials stood up and worshiped each other: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Then, under the guidance of the inner prisoner, he came to several tables filled with cups, bowls, chopsticks and plates and sat down. Most of his eyes fell on the middle-aged emperor and the young man in the python suit.

Emperor Chongping looked at the courtiers below, was silent for a moment, then cast his gaze on the general who came from the Beijing camp, and said loudly: "Since the Western Expedition Army rushed to aid Xining, it has won numerous battles in Heshuote and Junggar in World War II. To increase the power of my court, I remember that all the generals and commanders have just returned from the northern frontier to fight against the Jurchens and are here to celebrate their victory. I don’t want to go to the northwest without having time to rest. Now that we have seen each other again, it has been a few months, which makes people feel confused. "

"I have my own responsibilities and I dare not take credit." The generals below stood up one after another and said modestly.

The courtiers below looked at Emperor Chongping with different expressions.

Emperor Chongping didn't waste any time and said, "Dai Quan, pass the decree to all the generals."

Dai Quan responded, and then came to a corner of the hall with several internal eunuchs holding imperial edicts.

Jia Heng and others left Xiudun and knelt down to receive the order.

Dai Quan unfolded the imperial edict and said: "Guo Wei Gong Jia Heng accepted the edict."

"The minister accepts the order."

Dai Quan recited: "I have been entrusted by heaven to carry the emperor, and the edict says: I will honor the way of the ancestors, open up a wide range of doors, and recruit people from all over the world. Those who built the ancients will appoint the virtuous and rank them in order, and appoint officials according to their ability. Those who work hard will be rewarded." The salary is high, and those with great virtue will be honored... Jia Heng, the Duke of Wei, returned to Northern Xinjiang from the first year of Chongping. Before March, when the situation in Qinghai was unstable and Xining was in danger, Jia Heng led the soldiers and carried out the war, working tirelessly. , rushed to the army, fought in Hehuang for the first time, drove out [-] captives and killed [-], held the Nvzhen captive Wang Yuetuan, restored Qingtang's hometown, and expanded the Seven Guards of Guanxi; in World War II, Hami, went deep into the desert, fought against Junggar, and captured Heshuo alive The special tribe captured the chiefs Dorji and others, killed Wenchun, Dalma and other three chiefs, defeated the Junggars, and showed their power in the Western Regions. They fought two battles before and after, expanded the territory thousands of miles, and more than [-] people were eager to unite. It was a great achievement. I have been specially promoted to the rank of first-class Duke and will be rewarded modestly for my merits. As a commoner, I should guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and then establish special honors. I appreciate this."

Jia Heng's face was respectful, his heart was slightly shaken, and he cupped his hands and said: "I thank you, Your Majesty, long live long live long live."

First-class Duke, it is indeed so.

It is impossible for the prince to do so.

However, the emperor did not use Xiaoxiao as a bargaining chip. This was clearly a one-step act of kindness.

But there is almost no need to think about the subsequent achievements, and it is impossible to make any big changes to the title.

Moreover, Xiaoxiao, or Baochai and Daiyu in the future, will offset the merits again and again until he has made unspeakable great achievements and is named the county king.

But at that time, because of women, they lost some of their political appeal.

However, this is the way for monarchs and ministers to regain a sense of security.

In fact, to put it another way, the rewards are even greater than those of the previous dynasties. It can be said that the emperor's kindness has not yet been completed, and the benefits have continued to accumulate.

But guard against arrogance and impatience?

These four words should have been added by ministers in the cabinet, right?

Qin Ye looked at the young man, his cheeks showing a strange blush because of his excitement.

Ziyu, this time he has been promoted to the rank of first-class Duke.

(End of this chapter)