The Red Mansions

Chapter 261 First Class General Yunhui

But time flies, and on the outskirts of Shenjing, where everything is withered, turtledoves and hawks are jumping and looking for food among the branches of poplar trees that have lost their leaves by the roadside, making desolate and distant birdsong from time to time.

In the distance, dozens of riders swayed through the muddy water, stepped on the slightly muddy official road after the snow melted, and drove into the majestic and tall city of Shenjing.

"Law Law"...

With the neighing of a steed, dozens of horses reined in and stopped in front of the stone archway in front of Yongyefang.

The leader immediately sat a middle-aged military general wearing a black cloak, a military officer's robe and a knife on his waist.

The general had a dark complexion, a short beard under his chin, and calm eyes under his brows, looking at the bluestone streets like houses, holding the reins in his hands, and the noon winter sun fell on his burly figure.

"My lord, do you want to go home for lunch first?" the general behind him asked.

Wang Ziteng frowned, and said in a low voice: "What kind of lunch! I have to rush to the palace to meet the saint."

As Wang Ziteng said, he told a soldier behind him, "Go home and tell Madam, just tell me, sir, I will go to the palace to meet the saint first, and I will return later."

When he returned to Beijing on a foreign mission, he immediately went to the palace to meet the saint, so he showed that he was devoted to his official duties.

The soldier responded, clamped the horse's belly, and with the sound of "da da" the horse's crows stepped on the bluestone slab, he went towards the end of Yongyefang.

Wang Ziteng looked indifferent, and also steered his horse towards Miyagi.

And as time passed, the news of Prince Teng's return to Beijing also centered on Yongyefang, and began to spread to Shenjing City, which became known to some interested civil servants and generals.

At noon, in the Rongqing Hall of Rongguo Mansion, a crowd of Yingying and Yanyan gathered in one room, because the earth dragon was burning below, and the doors and windows were sealed with cotton curtains and glass, so the room was as warm as spring without the cold wind.

Jia Mu sat on the Arhat bed crookedly, pinching her shoulders and beating her back with the servant girls Yuanyang, Hu Po and others. Below, on the embroidered pier covered with woolen blankets, Sister Feng, Li Wan, Mrs. Wang, Tanchun, Yingchun, Xichun, Daiyu , Xiangyun all sat down, chatting and laughing with them.

Baoyu was also beside Jiamu, with a happy smile on her face like a full moon, listening to Sister Feng joking and joking beside Jiamu.

Because Jia Heng has been away from Beijing for a long time, Baoyu naturally reverted to his old ways, and in addition to the cold weather these few days, he became more and more reluctant to go to school to study and attend lectures.

As for the Rongqing hall, there will be laughter and laughter, and there will be no shortage of Sister Feng.

While everyone was chatting and laughing, Sister Feng smiled and said, "Old Ancestor, Auntie and the others don't know where they are at the moment."

Jia Mu chuckled and said, "From Jinling, you should be in Gyeonggi by now."

At this moment, a woman from the outside entered the hall and said with a smile: "Old lady, second wife, Lian's second grandma, cousin Wang sent someone, and uncle and master came back from Chabian, and I will enter the palace now." Saint is gone."

Mrs. Wang heard the words, a smile appeared on her fair face, and she was pleasantly surprised: "This is really a big happy event. The previous sister-in-law also said, why is it more than ten days later than the scheduled date? In a few days But it's a baby."

Sister Feng also smiled and said, "It's not too late to come back now, and I'm not busy with preparations."

I was also a little happy in my heart, my uncle finally came back.

The old nun Jingxu from Shuiyue Temple begged her to do something, and gave her 5000 taels of silver, saying that Wucheng Bingmasi had caught a kidnapper in Dongcheng, and begged her to find a way to get it out. She went to Wucheng Bingma Division, and the chief bookkeeper there, Fan Yi, didn't agree with her at all.

It really pissed her off, it's better to have one than one's own, right?
Fortunately, she still tried every means to send Ping'er to his room, so she has nothing to do with it.

Speaking of it, the money from Wu Xindeng, Shan Daliang and others was still taken into the public house, which caused some subtle changes in Sister Feng's mind.

Coupled with Jia Heng's previous verbal beating, it neither reminded the ears, nor penetrated into the muscles.

Sister Feng inevitably had some luck in her heart, although she did not dare to do such immoral things as lending loan sharks, but she did not completely dispel her desire to intervene in lawsuits and manipulate power.

On the contrary, following Jia Heng and Wang Ziteng's great use in the palace and their great momentum, and the day before yesterday when Xue Pan let his slaves beat people to death, the prefect of Jinling excused him, and his courage grew a little bit.

This is all human nature, without major changes, how can the temperament cultivated for more than 20 years be changed in a few words?
There was a smile on Mrs. Wang's fair face, and she said, "Girl Feng, you and brother Lian still have Baoyu. Later, go to Yongyefang to meet his uncle and aunt. Baoyu has not been there for a while. I met his uncle."

Sister Feng smiled lightly and said, "I'll just go. The second master hasn't seen anyone these days. Why don't my wife take Baoyu and me in a carriage to meet my uncle at night?"

"Alright." Mrs. Wang nodded with a smile, and seeing the reactions of the people around her, she thought to herself that it was Baoyu's uncle who came back to help.

The one in the East Mansion is only a third-rank military officer, and her elder brother is a first-rank military officer.

As the saying goes, a senior official crushes people to death, so it's not just a senior official?
Jia Mu quietly watched the two talking, the smile lines on her face faded a bit, she turned her head and asked the mandarin duck beside her, she smiled and said, "Mandarin duck, Brother Heng has been away from Beijing for a while, I think about it. It's time to come back, and I won't miss Baoyu's uncle's family celebration."

Madam Wang: "..."

On the side of the embroidered pier, Tanchun had a strange expression on his face, glanced at the smiling Mother Jia, and thought to himself, the old lady is... really interesting.

Daiyu's bright starry eyes twinkled, she held a handkerchief and covered her mouth with a coquettish smile, but Yan Yan's eyebrows were slightly frowned, thinking, "I don't know Heng...what's going on with brother now."

On this side, Yuanyang smiled and said, "Grandma Heng from Dongfu said that the letter from my uncle yesterday said that there are only a few hands left in Huayin, and it will only take a day or two to go back and forth."

Tan Chun also took up the conversation, and said: "It was reported in the mansion newspaper that brother Heng used the strategy of encircling and appeasement, and many people in Shaohua Mountain who had surrendered themselves to thieves have already surrendered to the court."

Jia Heng's suppression of the bandits did not have much suspense, and even went very smoothly. After suppressing the bandits in Shigu Mountain, he went to Shaohua Mountain to suppress them.

Because it was approaching the cold winter, the thieves who lacked clothing and food could not survive on the mountain.

Jia Heng shouted in the mountains with the captive bandits again, the slogan of "the leader of the crime must be dealt with, the threat will not be questioned, and the meritorious service will be rewarded", which disintegrated the will of the bandits to resist, and many bandits went down the mountain to surrender to the officers and soldiers.

Jia Mu smiled and said, "That's okay, I was thinking about not delaying the Chinese New Year."

Tan Chun smiled, and said: "Brother Heng led an army of more than 1 in the Beijing camp to suppress the bandits. Suppressing those bandits is like picking something out of a pocket. Besides, if you tie up your hands and feet for a while, it will not delay the New Year, even if the general is king. I'm so busy that I can't take care of it, I always have to think about the soldiers below, otherwise people's minds will definitely affect morale."

Sister Feng Danfeng glanced at Tanchun, smiled and said: "Look, it's morale and people's thoughts. Since the third sister wrote some documents with Brother Heng, she has become more and more interested in the affairs of the barracks. It's insightful."

When everyone heard this, they all laughed lightly.

But Tanchun was somewhat embarrassed, and said: "I also watched a lot, so I know a little bit."

Seeing everyone's few words, and then turning the topic to Jia Heng, Mrs. Wang's smile froze for a while, as if she had eaten a fly.

It's that Uncle Heng again!
Why didn't he fight and die outside!
There is also the third girl, who has raised her for more than ten years, and still can't bear to spend a few days with her!

……

……

In the Daming Palace, side halls, and study rooms, the soft sunlight in the winter afternoon falls on the table.

Emperor Chongping held the memorial in his hand and was reviewing it.

"Dai Quan, is Jia Ziyu's memorial coming?" Emperor Chongping suddenly stopped writing, raised his head, and asked Dai Quan who was beside him.

Dai Quan said with a smile: "Your Majesty, Jia Ziyu just handed over the memorial yesterday, saying that the teacher will return to Beijing in the next two days."

Since Jia Heng left Beijing, he has been winning consecutive battles and playing non-stop.

Because this memorial was not submitted by the Secretary of the General Administration, it was submitted by the people of Jinyi Mansion, and it went straight to the imperial front.

how to say?

Almost every two or three days, it has almost become a diary, not only good news, but also some emotions and essays, which are a bit like a report on the dynamics of thoughts.

For example, the views on the poor livelihood of the people in Sanfu and the repeated bans on thieves and bandits, worrying about the country and the people, and true knowledge and insight, are shared between the lines.

If there are no achievements and good news, this kind of frequency of memorials would be a bit annoying, but with the continuous news of success, and the annihilation of the main force of the Shaohua bandits who arrived urgently yesterday, coupled with Jia Heng's support for Political thinking on people's livelihood, public security, and military affairs.

This memorandum appears to be full of sincerity and words, vividly expressing on paper a competent and direct minister with a heart of fists and a lot of resourcefulness.

Even, Emperor Chongping had some, um, expectations similar to "love letters" such as women in later generations.

Not long ago, Jia Heng even pointed out the necessity and relevance of "rectifying the salt affairs, refreshing the administration of officials, and reducing the old army".

Well, it is like the two wheels of a cart and the two wings of a bird, which cannot be neglected.

This conclusion not only corroborated Emperor Chongping's decision-making, but also gave him confidence in his administration.

This is what Emperor Chongping has faintly formed in his heart-the new policy strategy for next year.

Emperor Chongping nodded, and said softly: "I almost forgot in a hurry, he said that one of the teachers could go back to Beijing, and another army soldier was left behind to help the people in Huayin who were hit by the snow and build houses to avoid the wind and snow."

Dai Quan said softly: "Jia Ziyu seems to say that this is mutual aid between the army and the people, thinking that fish and water are in love."

He thought to himself, Jia Ziyu's memorabilia has been written in two or three days, and it is almost becoming a must-read for His Majesty before going to bed.

Emperor Chongping scolded with a smile: "You old eunuch, you also know what the joy of fish and water is?"

The folds on Dai Quan's face also burst into blooming chrysanthemums with a smile.

Emperor Chongping put away his smile, looked into the distance, and murmured: "Jia Ziyu, I should be returning to Beijing in the next two days."

Dai Quan said: "If you march day and night, you should arrive by this time tomorrow."

While the monarch and his ministers were talking, suddenly, the outer and inner eunuchs reported: "Your Majesty, Prince Teng is going out to see you during the Jingying Festival."

Emperor Chongping was stunned when he heard the words, and said, "Wang Qing came back from the northwest? Xuan!"

Prince Tengcha mainly went to Yansui, Guyuan, and Ningxia. The former was originally in Shaanxi Province, while the latter two were farther away.

Not long after, Wang Ziteng walked like a tiger, entered the side hall, knelt down to salute, and said: "My minister, Wang Ziteng has met the Holy One, long live the Holy One."

"Wang Qing is dead." Emperor Chongping smiled calmly and said, "Dai Quan, move an embroidery pier for Wang Qing."

Prince Teng Xie'en got up, listened to Emperor Chongping's tone, and was relieved to see Longyan happy.

The monarch and his ministers exchanged greetings.

Wang Ziteng said: "Your Majesty, I have inspected the defense of the three borders, checked the passes and Fenghou, and now I have compiled a list, and I invite you to read it."

As he spoke, he took out a memorial from the armhole and raised his hands above his head.

Dai Quan just took the memorial, folded his body, and handed it to Emperor Chongping.

Emperor Chongping took the memorandum, opened it, read it intently, his brows gradually furrowed, and said coldly: "The three-sided military system is so corrupted?"

"Your Majesty, after the official investigation and unannounced visits, the three frontier armies will eat up nearly [-]% of the quota. The ministers are shocked and unbelievable." Wang Ziteng said solemnly, but there was a trace of complacency in his eyes. Numbers are a lot of work.

Those frontier generals are as treacherous and cunning as the generals of the Beijing camp.

Emperor Chongping covered the memorabilia, his face was ashen, and said: "Dai Quan, show Wang Qing this son's memoir of Jia Ziyu."

"Yes." Dai Quan took a memorial from the imperial case, turned around and handed it to Wang Ziteng.

Wang Ziteng was startled, took the book, and read the words on it, his face changed, because it was about Guoyongying's feeling of eating empty quota.

Wang Ziteng's complexion changed suddenly, and he felt cold sweat seeping out from his back. He knelt down with a "puff", bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty, I am the military envoy of the Beijing camp. I am responsible for negligence. Please forgive me!"

"It's been less than a year since you served as the military envoy of the Beijing camp, and you can't be blamed for this. Get up!" Emperor Chongping waved his hands, his face livid, looking at Wang Ziteng with cold sweat on his forehead, somewhat disappointed .

Is it impossible to do anything after serving as the military governor of the Beijing camp for less than a year?

He may have thought it was true before.

But just one day after Jia Ziyu raised the capital camp, he checked the vacant salary and pursued the embezzled salary. Just half a month ago, Niu Jizong pawned the property of the Niu family everywhere in order to pay back the shortfall in the salary.

However, Xia Mu and others in the Guoyong camp, who were beheaded for public display, ransacked their family assets to make up for the shortfall, including Tongzhi, Qianshi, generals, and guerrillas.

Besides, there are many constraints, unable to organize the army?
Jia Ziyu had just received the memorial, and he had filled up the number of soldiers in the Guoyong camp. He said he had suppressed several groups of bandits in Shaohua Mountain. In order to cure the root cause, he recruited young and strong refugees to serve as soldiers, so that they would not bend themselves to become bandits and disturb the local area.

This stone counts birds and covers everything.

Not to mention, the Sanhe gang was wiped out before, first to solve the difficulty of using the treasury, and second, to make a living with internal funds.

"Xiangshi Manchu's civil and military affairs are all like Jia Ziyu, why did I end up in such a predicament of being overwhelmed by internal and external troubles!"

Still the same sentence, Jia Heng's appearance, especially his vigorous, decisive, capable and capable style of doing nothing, gave Emperor Chongping a high expectation.

I can't help but compare my ministers with Jia Heng.

This comparison is unbearable.

Emperor Chongping looked worried, and said with a sneer: "The frontier army eats [-]% of the quota, and the Beijing camp is especially fierce. Nearly half of the quota is eaten, and the old and the weak are halved. I read the "History of Ming Dynasty" compiled by the Hongwen Museum the other day. Look at my big Han capital camp, there has been a change in Gengxu, and it is an ominous omen for the Ming Dynasty!"

What Emperor Chongping said pointed to historical records: [In the 29th year of Jiajing, I Da entered the bandits, and Ding Rukui, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, had less than 6 or [-] troops.After driving out of the city gate, all the generals looked at each other and changed color.Ru Kui sits and executes. 】

Prince Teng clasped his hands and said, "I will do my best to rectify the Beijing camp, weed out the old and the weak, and train a brave soldier for the Holy One."

Emperor Chongping said: "There is no time to delay the rectification of the Beijing camp. When Jia Ziyu returns, you can discuss more."

When Wang Ziteng heard this, his heart shuddered and he felt a little aggrieved.

It was Jia Ziyu again.

He has mentioned Jiaheng's name several times in the mouth of the emperor, what kind of virtue and ability is this young man, why is he so favored by the emperor?

Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice: "Dai Quan, passed on my oral decree and drafted the cabinet's decree. , six imperial edicts, issued both at home and abroad."

Because Li Zan, a scholar of the Hall of Martial Arts, is on duty in the cabinet at the moment, and he has been ventilated in advance, so he can directly draft the order.

Originally, Wang Ziteng was a military general. If he was actually appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of War, it might cause an uproar in the six departments. Emperor Chongping might have to use his power to use his power.

but now……

Emperor Chongping clearly changed his mind, and he just added the title of Minister of the Ministry of War to show his hard work and meritorious service, but did not actually give it to him.

This kind of title addition, even some hard-working general soldiers at the border, were added the title of Minister of the Ministry of War, and received an extra salary. On the contrary, it lost the "prelude" intention of Li Zan to let the prince enter the cabinet.

As for the promotion of Jia Heng's title, from the third rank to the second rank, it is supposed to be a symbolic court discussion.

But first of all, he was promoted to the Martial Lord, and he was not among the five nobles.Secondly, it is justifiable that the cabinet has the Hall of Martial Arts, a great scholar in charge of the Ministry of War, who is willing to serve as a proposal.

Therefore, the chances of the cabinet drafting a decree being rejected by the six divisions are zero, because Jingping's three auxiliary thieves have almost the same credit.

"A first-class general is a second-rank general, and it will be a matter of course if you lead the Guoyong battalion commander."

Emperor Chongping's eyes flickered, thinking.

On Wang Ziteng's side, he also handed over his hands to thank him, and the strange feeling in his heart that the old holy family had been removed and fainted became stronger and stronger.

Added the title of Minister of the Ministry of War, he lacks this title?

Who else can tell him that when he leaves Beijing, that branch of Ningguo will be promoted to a military officer of the second rank in one fell swoop?

Damn it, who told him... not to be named Jia?

(End of this chapter)