The Red Mansions

Grand View Garden, Hengwu Garden

In the wing room, a lacquered wood high table was brightly lit, and the orange-yellow lights seemed to be slowly beating on the window screen like sea water, once in a while, and a few frogs croaked from time to time outside, setting off the quite summer night. For silence.

Among the light yellow curtains, tied up with golden hooks, the beautiful and fragrant atmosphere inside the room gently spreads out, making people intoxicated.

Jia Heng gently hugged Baochai's shoulders and said, "Sister Xue."

As she gets older, Baochai becomes plump and soft, as warm and moist as water.

Baochai leaned her head against the boy's arms, her face as plump as snow as red as clouds, and said softly: "Brother Heng."

Jia Heng said in a clear voice: "Okay, don't feel sorry for yourself in the future. You and I are one husband and wife, and others will not laugh at you."

Baochai said softly, "Hmm", and her heart couldn't help but surge with sweetness and joy.

Jia Heng gently put his arms around the beauty's shoulders and asked, "Sister Xue, go to bed early."

Then, there was no more conversation all night.

……

……

Just like that, the sun rises and the moon sets, and suddenly, time flies, and three days pass before you know it.

The major treason cases of Chen Rong and his son, King Zhongshun, and Chen Cheng, King of Qi, gradually came to an end. The imperial censors of Kedao who originally forced Emperor Chongping to abdicate were dismissed and exiled one after another.

The third letter from Han Huang, the chief minister of the cabinet, was finally no longer retained. Emperor Chongping reviewed it and approved Han Huang's request, allowing him to retire and return to his hometown.

At this point, Han Huang, the chief minister of the cabinet, was completely replaced.

For a time, Shenjing was shaken again, and the ministers were talking about it.

This is another major change in the political situation.

The Han court cabinet was adjusted again, and so far there were only three cabinet ministers, Li Zan, Qi Kun, and Gao Zhongping, so it was imperative to expand the cabinet.

Previously, Emperor Chongping's promise to implement the New Deal and add more people to the cabinet was still in his ears.

Now that the New Deal has been implemented in the land of Dahan for half a year, it is time for it to bear fruit.

As for the selection of the chief minister of the cabinet, although Emperor Chongping has not yet issued a special decree to select new cabinet ministers to join the cabinet, everyone in the court has already guessed it.

The newly appointed chief minister of the cabinet is probably Li Zan, Minister of War.

And sure enough, not long after, Emperor Chongping issued a special edict to promote Li Zan, the second assistant to the cabinet, as the chief assistant of the cabinet. However, Qi Kun was not naturally assigned to the position of second assistant.

All the ministers at the top and bottom could probably guess that it was Gao Zhongping who took the position of Second Assistant to the Cabinet and was waiting to go to the southeastern provinces to supervise the new policy.

On this day, on the Ba Bridge in Beijing, there were willow trees. The warm breeze was blowing the dancing willow branches, and the green shade became waves.

The Ten-mile Pavilion has double eaves and hooked corners, and the ridge is winding like a dragon. It rained heavily the day before yesterday. After cleaning, the eaves and tiles are bright, clean, slender and spotless, but the red paint on the four vermilion beams has peeled off a little, showing A bit mottled and bizarre.

On a stone table below the pavilion, there are wine bottles, wine cups and other items.

At this moment, most of the officials headed by Fang Huan, the Minister of Rites, were in plain clothes and seeing each other off by the roadside.

Han Huang had been an official in Beijing for many years, especially as a Tianguan of the Ministry of Civil Affairs for five or six years. He had promoted his disciples and former officials, so when he came out this time, many people came to greet him.

Some officials from Hanlin Kedao and Liubu Siguan came to see him off.

Han Huang raised the wine cup, drank a glass of water and wine, glanced at the courtiers in all directions, and said softly: "I am going to the south of the Yangtze River. You don't have to send me far. I hope you can stay in Beijing to assist the wise kings and heroes, and bring peace to Yao and Shun."

All the officials clasped their fists and said yes.

Han Huang took one last look at the capital, as if he was waiting for something.

In other words, waiting for Emperor Chongping to send an internal eunuch to see him off. This was the treatment Yang Guochang had received when he left office, but now it has not been received.

Han Huang's brows relaxed a little, his eyes were deep, and he couldn't help but sigh.

Zhao Mo looked at Han Huang not far away, feeling a little sad in his heart.

How can the emperor be so mean and ungrateful? No matter what, Mr. Han Ge has served the emperor loyally for many years, and he has stayed in China three times before. How can he humiliate Mr. Han Ge like this?

In fact, when King Chen Cheng of Qi forced Emperor Chongping to abdicate, Han Huang, as the head of the cabinet, did not reprimand King Qi immediately.

Although he was not rebellious, these actions of "being wise and self-protecting" first made the emperor feel chilled and even disgusted, and he ignored them three times and regarded them with indifference.

At this moment, the low-pitched voice of a small official came from under the eaves of the corridor, saying loudly: "Lao Li Ge is here."

At this time, the crowd became a little commotion for a while.

Who doesn't know? Han Huang's resignation and retirement this time was a concession to Li Zan, and he was preparing to let Li Zan, a cabinet minister, take over as the first assistant.

Everyone followed the sound and saw Li Zan, accompanied by several servants, approaching quickly. Not far away was Xu Lu, the censor of Zuodu.

Han Huang raised his head, looked at Li Zan calmly on his elegant face under his thick eyebrows, and said, "Mr. Li Ge, Mr. Xu, why are you seeing us off?"

As befitting his official position, it is clear that the chief minister of the cabinet still has some resentment in his heart.

Li Zan seemed to turn a deaf ear to this, his face paused, and he whispered: "Brother Han, let me offer a glass of water to Brother Han."

Han Huang nodded and said warmly: "Thank you, Brother Li, for sending me all the way."

For some reason, the second minister of the cabinet suddenly remembered the scene where he sent off Qi Party leader Yang Guochang many days ago. Is this a kind of reincarnation now?

Thinking of this, Han Huang seemed to feel a little calmer.

In this compartment, Han Hui, the son of Han Huang, handed over a cup full of wine. The wine was full, clear and bright, and seemed to reflect the blue sky and white clouds in the sky.

Li Zan took the wine cup, raised it towards Han Huang, his eyes were shining like stars, and said loudly: "I only hope that Brother Han will go to the south of the Yangtze River to take care of himself, to cherish the mountains and rivers, and to have a smooth journey."

After finishing speaking, he raised the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Han Huang looked at Li Zan with a complex expression and said, "Thank you, Brother Li."

After saying that, he also raised the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Everyone looked at this scene and couldn't help but think of the previous scene when the former chief assistant Yang Guochang left.

While the two were talking, they heard a junior official in the crowd say happily: "The Duke of Wei is here."

After a while, I saw a young man wearing a green shirt, riding on a horse, accompanied by three or five guards, coming at a leisurely pace, approaching, and reining in the horse.

"Sorry..."

Jia Heng threw the reins to the attendants aside, looked at Han Huang, walked away quickly, and said, "Mr. Han Ge."

At this moment, Han Hui, who was not far away, looked at the boy in the python suit, with a complicated look on his face.

At the beginning, the scenes of the encounter in Hanmozhai seemed like yesterday, but in just three or four years, the person in front of him was already the Prime Minister, and he was completely different.

Han Huang looked at the young man under his brows, cupped his hands and said, "Duke Wei."

Looking at this young man now, he looks like an eagle and a wolf. I am afraid that he is not someone who has been living under others for a long time.

Jia Heng nodded and said: "When Mr. Han Ge was serving as the first assistant, the country's military fortunes were prosperous. He defeated the Donglu in the north, retreated to Heshuote and Junggar in the west, conquered the Guangdong Sea in the south, and opened up the sea territory. All of this was inseparable from Han Ge. It is only because I sit in the center and coordinate and support the front line that we are prospering now. I am here to see Han Ge off."

No matter what, compared to Yang Guochang's secret bad deeds, he was obstructive.

Although the Zhejiang Party under Han Huang also carried out many impeachment actions, on the whole it still cooperated with the war in Chongping in the 15th and 16th years, but there were some discords in the promotion of the New Deal.

Even so, it did not lead to major resistance to reform. Because of the imperial examination fraud case, Han Huang remained silent until the rebellion of Qi King Chen Cheng and Zhongshun King Chen Rong and his son were removed from the cabinet.

When Han Huang heard Jia Heng's words, his expression changed slightly.

This is Jia Heng's own merit and positive recognition of Han Huang's contribution to government affairs in recent years.

Although Jia Heng is a bit "lecherous and ridiculous", his fame is unparalleled, especially now that he has half as many military medals as you.

Han Huang's words were naturally quite useful.

Under Jia Heng's sword-browed eyebrows, his eyes moved slightly and he said: "Hange is old enough to be able to live a long life and care about the mountains and rivers. He is also envious of others. Since the 14th year of Chongping, the country has been troubled, and now it is seeing ZTE. Xiang, Mr. Han Ge is now considered accomplished and retired."

Han Huang said loudly: "Now that the Mingjun of the Han Dynasty is in the court, the loyal ministers and righteous men are working hard internally, and the eagles and warriors are flying outside. Even when I am in my hometown in Zhejiang, I will pray for the Han Dynasty. I only hope that I, the Han Dynasty, will have peace in the world and peace in the country and the people."

The two exchanged a few polite words.

Han Hui said softly: "Father, it's getting late, it's time to set off."

Han Huang nodded and was about to turn around and board the carriage.

Suddenly, at this moment, smoke and dust were seen billowing from the direction of Shenjing City. Dai Quan and other internal guards were riding on top of them, coming in force on their fast horses. Jia Heng followed the sound and looked at the horses above the vast smoke, secretly thinking that the emperor's messenger had finally arrived.

If the emperor did not send someone to see him off, Han Huang would indeed be a bit polite.

Compared with Yang Guochang's three poems and three elegies, Han Huang's memorials were mostly left unpublished, which is almost "humiliating".

If you don't give it away, in the eyes of outsiders, you are indeed treating the veteran minister poorly. In addition, if you give Chen Cheng, the king of Qi, death, it will undoubtedly look unkind.

Dai Quan got off his horse and raised his eyes to look at the young man in python suit. Without saying anything else, he turned to look at Han Huang and said loudly: "Mr. Han Ge, the Holy Father has decreed that Mr. Han Ge will reward you with a hundred pieces of silk and five pieces of gold." Twelve, move forward with strength."

This amount of money cannot be counted as much, but behind it lies the importance of Emperor Chongping.

When Han Huang heard this, his body trembled. Immediately, with a solemn expression, he saluted in the direction of the palace. His voice was choked and he said, "Old man, thank you for your kindness."

This choking is not a lie, but a true expression of true feelings at this moment.

In other words, the emperors are all masters of PUA. After lowering their expectations to the extreme, they finally gave Han Huang a ride, which restored the affection and dignity of the emperor and his ministers, and gave rise to a feeling of gratitude and joy.

Dai Quan said: "Mr. Han Ge, your majesty said, the world is a long road, so Mr. Ge will take care of you along the way."

Han Huang's eyes were in a trance, and he bowed again in the direction of the palace.

Then, Han Huang took another look at the majestic Shenjing City behind him. With the help of Han Hui, he boarded the carriage and waved goodbye to the courtiers who were seeing each other off.

Jia Heng watched Han Huang leave and couldn't help but look at Li Zan aside. At this moment, the new chief minister of the cabinet was looking at the mountains in the distance with his eyes under his firm eyebrows, and he didn't know what he was thinking.

Seemingly aware of this, Li Zan turned back to look at Jia Heng, with something else in his eyes, and said, "Duke Wei."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Mr. Li Ge."

The two called each other, then looked at each other and smiled, but they both had real feelings that they would cooperate to pacify Liaodong and revive the Han Dynasty.

As for what happens next, no one knows.

After that, everyone dispersed, and Jia Heng also mounted his horse and returned to Shenjing with Li Zan.

Li Zan pondered for a moment and asked: "Duke Wei, how are the soldiers and horses in the capital camp in Shandong doing lately?"

Jia Heng said loudly: "Military orders have been issued previously, and the Beijing army is on its way to withdraw."

Li Zan said: "The Shandong local health center has been infiltrated by the White Lotus Sect and needs to be rebuilt urgently."

Jia Heng said: "I was talking about going to Shandong."

Li Zan nodded and asked: "Now that the Jurchens have withdrawn their troops, will there be any other movements?"

Jia Heng pondered: "The Jurchens cannot get any benefits at our Han border. Firstly, they will contact Heshuote and Junggar, and secondly, they will find another way to expand at sea. Otherwise, the land in Liaodong will be barren and the Jurchens will want to thrive." , to strengthen national power, we can only plunder outwards to nourish national power."

"What does Duke Wei Guo mean?" Li Zan said warmly, with a thoughtful look in his eyes under his vigorous brows.

Jia Heng's face paused slightly, and he said softly: "North Korea is already in the hands of the Jurchens, who are mostly exploiting and taxing North Korea. The Jurchens want to expand their territory. When they come to the north, the five Mongolian tribes of Khalkha use force to force them to surrender. In addition, On the sea, it can only be the Japanese country."

"Japanese country?" Li Zan asked with confusion on his face.

Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said: "The Japanese country is not far from North Korea. If the Liaodong Jurchens cross the sea by boat and attack across the sea, with the elite power of the Jurchen Eight Banners, they can probably sweep across the Japanese islands."

This is of course not the result he deduced, but combined with some secret intelligence.

The Jurchens must have been driven into panic, as many subversive actions in the Han Dynasty ended in failure.

Li Zan's eyes moved slightly under his sharp eyebrows, and he said: "If the Jurchens conquer the Japanese country from the sea, how will our government control it?"

Jia Heng's face paused slightly, and he said loudly: "The mantis stalks the cicada, and the oriole is behind, so we should make a difference in naval battles. The ships on the ship can be the decisive force. If the Jurchens conquer the Japanese country, our country or Korea will be defeated." Cut off their escape route, or take advantage of the opportunity to join the war."

Li Zan nodded, with a thoughtful look on his face, and said softly: "In this case, it's just Japan."

Jia Heng pondered and said: "Land is wealth. As long as it is managed properly, it will be able to produce something. As for the establishment of government offices, they are established according to the time and place. The pirates can still rely on a piece of water and soil to support themselves, how about our Han Dynasty court?"

In fact, the concerns of the civil servant group about government affairs are not unreasonable. The overlapping government structure may become a huge burden on the national treasury.

As Ma Ni said, if a place with a small population still follows the same team and blindly standardizes it, it will indeed become a huge financial burden.

Establishing bureaucracies according to the time and local conditions is a truth that even the Qing Dynasty can understand.

Li Zan pondered for a moment and said: "As in the past, sea trade was possible in Taiwan. How does Duke Wei think the Japanese country can open up financial resources for the court?"

If after the land is recovered, it is just a place to lose money, then of course it will not work.

Jia Heng said: "Taiwan has now become a huge trade seaport, and the land of Japan can also become a place for seaport trade turnover. There are many mineral deposits and a large population in the mountains, which can be a resource reserve for our Han Dynasty."

This is a gathering of famous ministers and good generals, and what is discussed is all major events for the development of the country and society.

It’s really about thinking in one place and working hard in one place, so that together we can sail the big ship of the Han Dynasty steadily and far.

While the two were talking, they had already entered Shenjing City.

Li Zan nodded, pondered for a moment, and said loudly: "Duke Wei, please follow me into the palace to meet the Holy Spirit."

Jia Heng responded briefly, and then entered the palace garden with Li Zan.

At this moment, Daming Palace, inner study room

Golden morning sunlight shines through the carved windows and onto the pen holder, reflecting a line of sunlight shadows on the inkstone beside it.

Emperor Chongping sat behind a lacquered wood desk and on a pearwood chair, currently reviewing memorials.

At this moment, the inner prisoner approached and said loudly: "Your Majesty, Duke Wei and Mr. Li Ge are here."

Emperor Chongping was stunned for a moment and said loudly: "Xuan."

Not long after, Jia Heng and Li Zan came hand in hand, entered the palace, and saluted the middle-aged emperor behind the lacquered wooden case.

"I have seen Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty."

"You two love me." Emperor Chongping raised his eyes and looked at Yi Wen and Yi Wu in front of him.

These are the two partners he chose. They are both war ministers who are proficient in literature and military strategy. Moreover, Li Zan has already proven his integrity in the previous rebellion cases of King Chen Cheng of Qi and King Chen Rong of Zhongshun. .

He will never betray the Chen family, and Gao Zhongping from the south is even a minister in Qiandi. There are two capable ministers in Beijing who are enough to check and balance Jia Ziyu, whose prestige and talent are growing day by day.

Li Zan's eyes paused slightly and said: "Your Majesty, I have just discussed with Duke Wei about sending troops before. Duke Wei believes that the Jurchens will lead troops to conquer the Japanese country."

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongping couldn't help but cast his old eyes towards the young man in python suit under his thin and pine eyebrows, and asked, "What do you think of Ziyu?"

Jia Heng cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the Jurchens returned from patrolling in front of the pass. They knew that they could not get any advantage at all under the powerful guns of our strong city. The Jurchens were suffering from internal and external troubles at home and wanted to find another way out. They had no choice but to do it themselves. The Japanese islands are looking for opportunities, and I, the big man, should mobilize the navy in Denglai and Jiangnan to wait for the opportunity. If it is possible to take over North Korea and other places in one fell swoop, and surround Liaodong."

When Emperor Chongping heard this, he looked thoughtful, nodded and said, "What Zi Yu said is right."

Jia Heng cupped his hands and said: "That's why I requested that after checking the border on the nine sides, I would go to Denglai, Shandong again, to dispatch the navy to deal with the Jurchen's movements at sea and cross the sea to attack North Korea."

There is no need to stay in the capital during this period.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongping looked at the boy in the python suit with clear eyes and a slightly complicated look, and said warmly: "Ziyu just came back, why are you traveling so far?"

What a good minister is this? What a great son-in-law?

The Wei and Chu vassals were deployed in the capital camp, and Jinyi Mansion also sent out spies, but there was still no resentment.

Of course, the middle-aged emperor didn't know that Jia Heng was not without resentment, but that his resentment exploded in Tian Niu'er's mouth.

At this point, the resentment is gone.

Jia Heng looked serious, raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty, as stated in "Pinglu Policy", if the weather changes, we will send a general to lead a naval division to sail across the border to the Korean Peninsula. Now is the time to wait and see for the fighter planes. "

Under the thin and slack eyebrows of Emperor Chongping, his eyes moved slightly. He clearly heard Jia Heng mention "Pinglu Ce", and gradually remembered the joy and touch of the emperor and his ministers when they first met. Now looking at the young man, he suddenly found that although the young man After many years, my heart remains unchanged.

Jia Heng's eyes were calm, he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I will set off on a certain day."

Emperor Chongping nodded and said, "There is no rush for this moment. Ziyu is reunited with Jia Xiaoduo at home."

Jia Xiao was still in the capital at the moment, so there was no talk of disloyalty. Besides, he and Zi Yu were son-in-law after all, so there was no need to be wary of each other.

At this moment, the emperor's mind was in turmoil, or he felt a sense of guilt.

After all, Jia Heng left the capital, and it can be said that he has put on a posture of letting you adjust the layout of the capital camp and Jinyi Mansion.

Although the emperor's heart was as stone, he also felt that he had wronged Jia Heng.

Of course, the main reason is that Jia Heng has been on the road in the past few years, helping Emperor Chongping make the Han Dynasty prosperous.