The Red Mansions

Chapter 299 If the profit is damaged, there must be resentment

After taking a bath, Jia Heng was refreshed, and changed into a regular shirt made of Sichuan brocade. In front of the bronze mirror in the wing room, his usual cold gaze was somewhat strange.

Just now, he has finally experienced what it means to often walk by the river without getting his shoes wet.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help turning her head to look at Qingwen who was sitting on the soft couch and wearing a small dress.

At this moment, the girl has already lowered her head, her hands are more lively and smooth as jade, and she is wearing a small gown on her shoulders, but the little hands that are tied on the little gown are trembling, and a bow button has not been fastened for a long time.

Qingwen's cheeks were bright red, her heart was beating non-stop, the girl felt a little dizzy.

Since I was wearing a small coat, I couldn't fasten the buttons several times.

Jia Heng poured a cup of tea, walked closer, sat aside, and said softly: "Drink some tea, I'll help you."

Qingwen raised her eyes that were as moist as water, and said, "Master, cough cough..."

Jia Heng said softly: "Your hands are shaking, let me help you put them on. Usually, you serve me."

Qingwen responded softly, and let Jia Heng help her tie her small clothes into the clothes. She took the teacup in her hand, turned her head to the side, took a sip of the tea, and swallowed it with a gulp.

Jia Heng paused, originally wanted to tie a bow tie, but almost tied a knot, gathered his thoughts, helped Qingwen put on her little coat, and said, "Slow down."

Qingwen put down the teacup, her face calmed down a little, and she turned to look at the boy opposite who was buttoning her jacket and skirt.

I saw that young man's expression was serious and focused, his stern face was reflected by the light, and his chin was reflected in the shadow.

Qingwen's heart thumped, and she felt sweetness and joy welling up.

Anyway, she already belonged to the son...

"Son..."

Jia Heng was surprised, and said, "What's wrong?"

Qingwen held back her shyness, trembling her eyelashes, her pink lips pursed slightly, her meaning was self-evident.

Jia Heng paused, and couldn't help rubbing Qingwen's air bangs, this little girl is used to messing around.

"Okay, you can wear the skirt below." Jia Heng handed the skirt to Qingwen.

Qingwen: "..."

Jia Heng said, "I'll pour you another cup of tea."

Qingwen didn't understand what he meant, and didn't say much, she picked up a skirt and put it on slowly, pouted, and said: "Young master just said that you are waiting for me to dress."

At this moment, Jia Heng took a cup of tea, handed it to Qingwen, and said, "Well, I'll help you wear it."

Qingwen took the teacup, drank it again, turned her eyes and quickly glanced at Jia Heng, and said in a low voice, "My lord, I... I won't have children, right?"

Jia Heng: "..."

Holding Qingwen's shaved shoulders, he said, "What are you thinking about?"

Qingwen nodded.

Jia Heng didn't say anything more, and helped Qingwen put on the emerald red jacket and skirt, and said softly: "Don't go there, let people see it carefully."

Qingwen said "hmm" and didn't say much.

Jia Heng straightened her expression, helped Qingwen up, and said, "Let others clean up."

Jia Heng returned to the inner hall again, it was already time to hold the lamps, the candles in the hall were brightly lit, and laughter rang out.

Yuanchun, Yingchun, Tanchun and others were talking and laughing together.

Seeing Jia Heng coming to change clothes, Qin Keqing smiled and said: "Husband, it's time for dinner, and I was about to call you."

Jia Heng said: "I just read the residence newspaper in the study for a while."

Qin Keqing didn't doubt that she was there, and ordered Baozhu to prepare meals for the back kitchen.

But it caught Daiyu's attention, and said: "Brother Heng, did the Dibao say something about the rectification of the salt affairs in the south of the Yangtze River? Is there any news from Daddy?"

Jia Heng's complexion paused, and he looked at the hazy, slender and beautiful face, which was somewhat similar to Qingwen's eyebrows and eyes, and paused for a moment on the cherry sandalwood mouth, turned his eyes to the side, condensed his eyebrows, and his expression gradually became frosty and cold, He said: "Recently, it's all about rectifying the Beijing camp. However, Jinyiwei, who went to the south to investigate, will regularly send information to Shenjing. I will go to Jinyi Mansion tomorrow to check and check, and I will talk to my sister tomorrow evening."

Seeing that Jia Heng's complexion was suddenly cold, Dai Yu's brows and eyes also showed seriousness, and she said softly, "Brother Heng is bothering you."

Jia Heng nodded, picked up the teacup at the side, and started thinking about Lin Ruhai this time.

Before he left Beijing, the rectification of the salt affairs had already been reported in the mansion newspaper. After so long, some problems should come out, so he happened to take a look.

Not long after, Baozhu brought a few women from outside to bring dishes, and everyone washed their hands, sat down, and finished their dinner.

Jia Heng looked at Yuan Chun, since Yuan Chun had just returned from the palace, he had to pay more attention, and asked, "Is Big Sister getting used to being at home?"

Yuan Chun said softly: "The family is very lively. I saw plum blossoms in Huifang Garden in the afternoon. I heard that brother Heng made a poem about plum blossoms a few days ago?"

Jia Heng said with a smile: "It's just a game when I accompanied my sisters to enjoy plum blossoms."

Yuan Chun smiled, looked at the young man opposite, and said: "I heard from the third sister, but it is a very good poem. I think it is not much better than those famous poets."

Jia Heng said: "Eldest sister is absurd. Elder sister can come and walk around often when she is free. The scenery in Huifang Garden is still worth seeing."

Thinking of Huifang Garden, I can't help but think of Grand View Garden. It was originally used by the concubine Yuan to visit relatives, but Yuanchun never lived there for a day.

Ke Qing also said with a gentle smile: "These two houses are very close to each other. Eldest sister treats her as if she were at home. She often comes here to play games. I like talking to elder sister."

There was also a smile on Yuan Chun's plump and beautiful face, and he said, "Siblings, me too."

Then the few people played around for a while, and when it was getting late at Xushi, they dispersed separately.

Jia Heng and Qin Keqing, leading the maids and mother-in-law, sent Sanchun, Daiyu, and Xiangyun all the way to the corner gate of the West Mansion, watched them leave, and then turned back with Qin Keqing.

Qin Keqing's beautiful eyes were rippling, and she said softly: "Husband, when are we going to daddy's side?"

Jia Heng thought for a while and said, "The day after tomorrow, tomorrow I'm going to the Ministry of War to discuss matters, and I'll go to the Military Weapons Supervision by the way."

His father-in-law, Qin Ye, is a doctor of the Ministry of Industry and Cleaning Department, and probably knows some inside information about the construction of the imperial tomb supervised by King Zhongshun.

Qin Keqing nodded her head, thought for a while, and then said: "Husband, there are many affairs in the house, and I can't keep busy, so what do you think about asking sister-in-law You to help with some matters in the inner house?"

Hearing this, Jia Heng was stunned for a moment, turned to look at his wife, and said softly, "You can make up your own mind, but you are always the hostess of this family, Sister-in-law You can't make up your mind for you. "

Qin Keqing raised her beautiful eyes, looked at Jia Heng, smiled softly and said, "I know."

But she couldn't help but think of the blue sweat scarf tied around her husband's waist yesterday. She vaguely remembered that it was knitted by Mrs. You a month ago.

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Okay, let's go back earlier and rest."

As his wife, she has a delicate heart with delicate thoughts.

Silent all night.

The next day, Jia Heng left the Ningguo Mansion, took his servants with him, and went to the Ministry of War to discuss the military situation with Li Zan.

It was already mid-noon when we arrived at the Ministry of War. Jia Heng stepped into it. Seeing the officials of the Ministry of War hurriedly, he called a familiar face and said, "Qin Lingshi."

Seeing Jia Heng, Qin Lingshi said, "I don't know Yun Hui? The king of the Jingying Jieshuai sent a letter to dispatch the files of the generals of the [-]th Regiment to the Jingying for inspection."

Jia Heng smiled, nodded, and said, "I see."

Secretly, Wang Ziteng of the Beijing Camp seems to have fully launched an operation. This is to start an inventory of middle and senior generals.

The Qin surname Ling Shi said with a smile: "Yun Hui, there is still something to do with a humble job."

"Qin Lingshi, go get busy." Jia Heng smiled, his eyes were deep, and his heart was full of thoughts.

When Ling Shi, surnamed Qin, left, Jia Heng got up and walked towards the Secretary's Office. As soon as he entered the hall, Shi Jie, the left servant of the Ministry of War, stood up after seeing the case.

The military officer had a smile on his face, and greeted him: "Zi Yu is here? Mr. Ge just went to the Mansion of the Governor of the Five Armies, and he will come back later. Zi Yu will sit down and drink some tea."

Jia Heng nodded and cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Master Shi."

While talking, he sat down on a chair beside him, and there was a book office serving tea.

At this time, Shi Jie walked around from behind the case, sat on another chair beside a small table, and asked with a smile: "Recently, the Beijing camp is in full swing, and the Guoyong camp under Ziyu's leadership hasn't started yet?" ?”

Jia Heng said: "The Guoyong Battalion has checked the vacancies before, and all the original registered soldiers have been filled. Now the new army and the former three battalions of the old army are also undergoing training."

Shi Jie twirled his short beard under his chin, smiled and said, "I almost forgot that before you led the army to go out, you had checked the vacancies and rectified the Guoyong camp."

Jia Heng nodded.

Shi Jie said: "Speaking of which, the rectification of the Beijing camp has been very intensive this time, and Wang Jiedu made a drastic move. You should have seen the movement just now. The Hang Langzhong, who was selected by the military to clean up officials, has transferred many Ling Shiwei to the army. Send the files to Beijing Camp for sorting out."

Jia Heng said: "Wang Jieshuai is confident this time, full of courage."

Shi Jie smiled, his eyes flickered, and he said, "I have something, I want to hear Ziyu's thoughts."

Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty Shi, you are too polite, I have little knowledge."

Shi Jie smiled, and said: "Zi Yu is not so knowledgeable, Mr. Ge also praised him before."

"That's the elder's opinion." Jia Heng said modestly.

Shi Jie smiled, and said: "The Ministry of War recently planned to negotiate with the Governor's Office of the Fifth Army to cut down some quotas while the Beijing Camp is reorganizing the army. I can't bear the responsibility, the Ministry of War intends that each battalion will have a fixed quota of 30 at the beginning, and still divide it into Shenji, Shenshu, and five armies, what is Ziyu's intention?"

Jia Heng pondered for a long while, and said: "Master Shi, in the three auxiliary areas of the capital, the regiment guards the capital to frighten Xiaoxiao. There are fewer soldiers and horses. I am afraid that the safety of the capital will be hindered."

Shi Jie's intention was to take advantage of the rectification and compress the twelve regiment battalions to 5000 people per battalion. In this way, the entire Beijing camp's army would be about 18.

This is not impossible, but the problem is that the idea may be good. If the combat power is still not good, then it will eventually go to the old road of military expansion.

Shi Jie said: "Zi Yu, before the army was reorganized, there were not even 20 soldiers and horses, but now we use the method of selecting elite soldiers and controlling the number of troops within 20, it should be fine."

Jia Heng thought for a while and asked, "Is this what Li Ge Lao meant?"

Shi Jie paused, and explained: "This is the official's opinion, and I have stated it to the old man. The old man's intention is to listen to the views of generals like you. 20 people control the three auxiliary areas of Gyeonggi. Is it enough?"

"Enough is enough." Jia Heng thought for a while, and continued: "Soldiers should be fine rather than numerous. There is nothing wrong with practicing the method of elite soldiers, but in the final analysis, it depends on the reorganization of the army. The military strength for defending Shenjing is against the principle of strong stems and weak branches, and I still think that the Jingying camp should have at least 25 actual troops in the current Sanfu land, otherwise, it is not enough to maneuver to support the northern provinces."

Today's Chen Han is suffering from natural disasters, and the refugees have no livelihood. With so many refugees, not to mention the politics of the first army at this time, at least the relative strength of the imperial army must be maintained to maintain the prestige of the central government and prevent changes.

Once the strength of Shenjing City is reduced to about 18, the number of troops that can be dispatched is only 8, because Sansuke and the capital must keep at least [-] troops.

That would not be enough deterrent to the local provinces.

Who can guarantee that these 10 people are all elites who are one against ten?

Hearing this, Shi Jie sighed, and said: "The country's finances are in short supply. In my opinion, after the military reorganization of the Beijing camp is completed, the nine borders and the local capitals will also check the vacancies, weed out the old and the weak, and maintain the military strength at a reasonable level. number."

This was clearly Shi Jie's plan to burn the first fire after the new official took office after taking over the Ministry of War.

Jia Heng looked solemn, and said: "If the Nine Sides and the local capitals are eliminated, then they can't be so radical."

Shi Jie frowned and asked, "What does Ziyu mean by that?"

Jia Heng said: "Master Shi, isn't he worried that the local military chiefs are dissatisfied?"

"This..." Shi Jie's complexion changed slightly, his eyes were startled and uncertain, and he said: "The world has been at peace for a long time, so it shouldn't be like this."

Jia Heng shook his head, and said: "If it loses its profits, there must be resentment, plus these two years...it's really hard to say."

Hearing this, Shi Jie seemed to realize the seriousness, and his face was ugly.

Jia Heng thought for a while, and persuaded: "Master Shi, this matter should not be rushed, it still depends on the result of the rectification of the Beijing camp. If everything goes well, then it goes without saying. If there are many twists and turns, I'm afraid you should think twice."

Shi Jie, as the Minister of the Ministry of War, although he is a third-rank official, represents the views of the civilian group on military affairs, and to a certain extent, can also influence the thinking of the cabinet.

Shi Jie's complexion was complicated, and he said: "What Ziyu said is true, so don't worry about it for now, and wait until the spring of next year to worry about it."

"En." Jia Heng responded, but secretly shook his head in his heart.

This official of the Ministry of War is a standard literati thinking. Whether it is good to streamline the army and simplify the administration is of course great, but it must be formulated according to the strategic environment.

The million-dollar disarmament is also after the national defense situation has changed.

If he is Minister of the Ministry of War, whether it is at the border or the Beijing camp, the original fixed number of troops will not be greatly reduced, but will be cut and supplemented at the same time, trying to achieve the actual number of troops.

In this way, everyone will not complain, there will be ups and downs, one will go out and one will come in, and the new force that is not weaker than the old force will be used to suppress the situation.

After the soldiers are rectified, whether it is to punish corruption or refresh the administration of officials, they can be escorted.

First rectify the corruption of the army and maintain absolute loyalty, then with the gun in hand, you can do anything with ease.

(End of this chapter)