The Red Mansions

Chapter 301 Daiyu: Brother Heng...

Ningguo Mansion

In the dusk, the lanterns under the eaves of the corridor have already been lit, and the servants are guarding the door outside the door.

Jia Heng returned from the Military Weapons Supervision. As soon as he arrived at the flower hall, he saw a woman coming from under the eaves of the corridor and said, "Young master, Miss Lin from the West Mansion is waiting for you in the inner hall."

Because yesterday, Jia Heng and Daiyu made an appointment to come over in the evening to discuss about Lin Ruhai together.

Jia Heng nodded and said, "That's it."

In the afternoon, he suddenly remembered that he had promised Daiyu that he almost forgot, not to mention broke out in a cold sweat, but he hurriedly ordered someone to go to Jinyi Mansion to investigate the matter in detail.

Then, something really happened to Lin Ruhai.

Now Jia Heng came to the inner hall along the Chaoshou corridor, and saw Daiyu sitting on the lower chair, talking with Tanchun, while Keqing was joking with Yuanchun.

In the past few days, because Yuan Chun returned from the palace, he often visited Ningguo Mansion, and the mansion was indeed very lively.

Seeing Jia Heng coming in through the curtain, everyone stood up and called out, turning their bright, crystal clear, or joyful eyes over.

"Husband, you are back." Qin Keqing stood up, approached, and said softly.

Jia Heng nodded, handed the big cloak he was wearing to Baozhu, stared at Daiyu, met a pair of starry eyes as bright as water, and said softly: "There is something about my uncle and sister Lin. explain."

Daiyu's expression changed slightly, she said in surprise, "Brother Heng, but is there any news from my father?"

Jia Heng said: "It's a coincidence that Jinyi Mansion collected the information from the south this morning with carrier pigeons."

The smile on Yuan Chun's face froze a little, and his eyes gradually showed some concern.

This is the Jinyi Mansion, and it belongs to the carrier pigeon...

Seeing Jia Heng's serious face, Daiyu couldn't help feeling a hidden worry in her heart.

Jia Heng first said with relief: "Sister, don't worry, uncle is fine, it's just a false alarm."

Yuan Chun was silent for a moment, and asked, "Brother Heng, what are you talking about?"

Tanchun answered, "It's about my uncle's rectification of the salt affairs."

As he spoke, he narrated the story in a few words.

Yuan Chunyu showed concern, and asked: "Brother Heng, isn't that uncle in danger?"

Jia Heng said: "A month ago, people were sent to the south province to protect him secretly. Sure enough, those people jumped the wall in a hurry. Something happened in this month. Some thieves tried to poison uncle through the back kitchen. It is really hateful!"

Yuan Chun's complexion changed suddenly, and he said in a startled voice, "This..."

Hearing this, Daiyu's small face was "brushed" white, her delicate body was trembling constantly, Zijuan beside her quickly reached out to support Daiyu.

Jia Heng said in a warm voice: "Sister, there is no danger to my uncle. These thieves were detected by the Jinyi Mansion after they tried to commit evil, and they were interrogated. It is said that they gave my uncle a slow poison, which affects the heart, and it accumulates over time. , fear of life-threatening."

Presumably, this is the reason why Lin Ruhai's illness is getting worse and he is dying. Otherwise, if he wantonly murdered a patrol official, it would be almost an enemy of the imperial court.

However, Lin Ruhai's death in office was not surprising, because in this era of backward medicine, it is very common for officials to die in office. There is no doubt, and it is impossible for the government to go up and risk the world for an autopsy.

But if there is a strangeness in the sudden death, the imperial court will definitely intervene in the investigation and test it.

Daiyu's face was already as pale as paper, she bit her cherry lips with her white teeth, and said in a concentrated voice: "Not long ago... I still received a letter from my father, everything is obviously safe with my father."

Jia Heng looked at Daiyu, who was concerned and confused, and explained: "Sister, the capital is far away from Yangzhou. Uncle may not have encountered these things when he wrote the letter. This happened in the last two or three days."

Daiyu was dazed for a moment, raised her starry eyes that were about to cry, and said anxiously: "Brother Heng, what should I do with Daddy?"

Jia Heng didn't notice Daiyu's change of address when she was flustered for a while, and said in a deep voice: "Sister, once this kind of poisoning and assassination methods are discovered, those thieves will repeat their tricks again, so sister don't need to worry too much. In addition, tomorrow I will pass the sign into the palace and report this matter to the sage, and the sage will definitely send someone to investigate the case when he hears about it, and everyone will pay attention to it at that time, no one will dare to do this treacherous and shady trick."

The patrolling salt censor who rectified the salt affairs was secretly poisoned and murdered. Where will this put the court's majesty?
With the temperament of the emperor, the wrath of thunder is bound to fall.

At that time, the imperial court would also send imperial envoys to the south to supervise the case. Even if the truth could not be found out for a while, the thieves would not dare to act rashly.

However, the end of the year is approaching, and there are many things to do. If I really want to find out the truth, I am afraid that I will have to wait until the spring of next year.

With lingering fear on his face, Tan Chun said, "Brother Heng, why are you so dangerous?"

Jia Heng said: "Third sister, as I said before, the benefits of salt and iron are very involved. These people did not assassinate them openly, they just poisoned them. They are already afraid of the imperial court's punishment."

Tanchun sighed softly, before getting close to Daiyu, he took Daiyu's hand, and said comfortingly: "Sister Lin, since Brother Heng is prepared for this matter, Uncle will be fine."

Daiyu's eyes were lost, and she said "Yes", but her worry did not diminish.

Yuan Chun thought for a while, and asked: "Brother Heng, uncle, since you have made a plan in advance, will the Holy Majesty entrust you to go south as an imperial envoy?"

As soon as this remark came out, Daiyu frowned and looked at her, her eyes full of autumn water, full of hope.

Jia Heng shook his head, and said: "I couldn't get away a year ago, and besides, this matter has attracted the attention of the cabinet and the Ministry of Household Affairs. For the time being, it is not my turn to go south as a military officer to ask questions."

Unless the cabinet and civil servants can't handle the matter, Emperor Chongping said that he would not be sent a mission.

When Daiyu heard this, the originally bright starry eyes quickly dimmed.

She doesn't know about those court officials, but if brother Heng goes south, his father will be as safe as a rock, but...

Jia Heng said: "Sister Lin, relax. Now that I have taken precautions, at least there will be no accidents on my uncle's side. As for the rectification of the salt affairs, whether it is successful or not is not the work of my uncle alone. This is the concern of all civil and military officials in the court. big event."

Daiyu nodded, and said in a charming voice, "Let Brother Heng worry about it."

Jia Heng was stunned at this moment, he just vaguely remembered that Daiyu called his brother Heng, maybe he heard it wrong?

Qin Keqing comforted: "Sister Lin, this kind of useless method, once prepared, will be useless. Sister, don't worry too much about Uncle Lin."

Dai Yu stared at Qin Keqing and said softly, "Thank you sister-in-law."

After this incident, the atmosphere in the hall became more or less dull. Although Daiyu was persuaded by everyone for the first time, she was still a little worried.

Qin Keqing ordered someone to prepare a meal.

Jia Heng took a sip of tea at this moment, turned to look at Yuan Chun, and asked, "Big sister, are you still used to being at home these two days?"

Yuan Chunzhi nodded and said: "Everything is fine, the sisters are playing around together,

Jia Heng looked at the lightness of the girl Wen Ning's brows and eyes, and felt a little emotional in her heart.

For example, Yuanchun, in terms of age, is actually just a later generation who just went to college. Although the acquired family education made Yuanchun precocious and gentle, but his psychology is not without the cute and naive attitude of some little girls, but he usually hides it very well. Just a big reveal.

The next day, in Daming Palace

In the study room, Emperor Chongping was sitting behind the imperial case, looking at a memorial. His previously cold and serious face showed satisfaction. It was Wang Ziteng's memorial on the rectification of the Beijing camp.

Recently, Ke Dao officials are also discussing this matter.

As an official, he not only pays attention to political affairs, but also pays close attention to military reforms, and impeaches him for almost everything.

Emperor Chongping put down the memorial, turned his head to look at Dai Quan who was bending over to meet him, and ordered: "Dai Quan, Wang Ziteng is brave enough to do things, and I will bestow fifty pieces of Su brocade as encouragement."

Upon hearing this, Dai Quan replied, "Your Majesty, this servant will order people to go."

Emperor Chongping turned to close the memorial, picked up another memorial, and looked at it intently, but after a while, there was a look of surprise on his face.

This is King Qi's memorial, to the effect that, "Father, all the goods in the house that should be sold have been sold out, and there is really no money left."

"Huh!" Emperor Chongping snorted coldly, and threw the memorial in his hand into the imperial case. A majestic and cold voice sounded in the hall, "King Qi wrote the memorial saying that the mansion is short of money, and the daily opening can hardly be maintained. Dai Quan, What does the inner guard say?"

Obviously, in the eyes of Emperor Chongping, King Qi didn't say a word of truth.

Dai Quan lowered his head and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, there seems to be such a thing. I heard that Prince Qi is going to sell his mansion, as well as the concubine's jewelry, to collect all the money."

"This bastard!" Emperor Chongping scolded angrily with a livid complexion.

Looking down at the memorial in his hand again, his eyes darkened, and after a while, he picked up the ink brush and drew a circle below, which was considered to have agreed to King Qi's request.

"Have someone send his memorial to the mansion." Emperor Chongping threw the memorial to the ground and said coldly.

Although it was a memorial, it did not actually go to the General Secretary, otherwise there would be an uproar.

In fact, in the past two months, King Qi has frantically sold and sold his assets, but he still hasn't got all the money. With the secret help of the salt merchant, he only managed to get together 480 million taels.

At this moment, Emperor Chongping felt that there was really nothing to squeeze out, so he agreed to the request.

I can't really let King Qi sell the palace, go to sleep on the street, and let his daughter-in-law sell off the jewelry.

Where is the face of the Tian family?

Here, Dai Quan stooped to pick up the memorial, turned around and ordered an eunuch to deliver the decree.

Emperor Chongping's expression returned to indifference, and he took out another memorial to review.

After a while, a small eunuch came in from outside the palace, and said in a shrill voice, "Your Majesty, General Yun Hui handed over a sign to enter the palace, begging to see His Majesty."

Emperor Chongping was stunned when he heard the words, put down the memorial in his hand, a smile appeared on his face again, and said, "Xuan."

Not long after, the young man in the robe of a military officer of the second rank stepped into the study room, stood still, and saluted the emperor who was sitting behind the imperial case.

"Zi Yu is flat." Emperor Chongping smiled, looked at the young man in front of him, and asked: "Zi Yu just came back from his class teacher, why don't you rest for a while?"

He heard the report yesterday from a secret spy. The day before yesterday, Jia Heng had been sitting in the government office to supervise the affairs, and yesterday he seemed to have gone to the Military Weapons Supervision.

Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, I don't have much to do at home. As far as I am concerned, being busy with official duties is more fulfilling."

Emperor Chongping nodded and said with a smile: "I think I have something to report when I enter the palace this time."

Jia Heng cupped his hands and said: "I have urgent matters, please report to the Holy Majesty."

"A matter of urgency?" Emperor Chongping frowned, the smile on his face slowly disappeared, and he waited quietly for his words.

Jia Heng said: "Yesterday, I learned that Yangzhou came to report that Lin Yushi of Yangzhou Salt Court poisoned and plotted against the bandits. Fortunately, under the protection of the mighty virtue of the Holy One, the bandits attempted to do evil, and they showed their signs."

As he spoke, he bowed and presented the note in his hand to Emperor Chongping.

Emperor Chongping took the note from Dai Quan and watched it intently. After a while, his face gradually became gloomy. He slapped the desk with a "bang" and shouted: "How dare these gangsters and thieves act so boldly? How dare they act so recklessly?" , Murder the imperial court official, lawless, do you still have the imperial court in your eyes!"

Jia Heng quietly watched Emperor Chongping get angry, expressionless.

The emperor is angry, which is completely understandable, but anger is useless.

Emperor Chongping took a deep breath, his cold and hard face seemed to be covered with frost, and he looked at Jia Heng with shining eyes, a little surprised in his heart.

The young man in front of him had made a prediction a month in advance, and reminded him to secretly deploy manpower for protection.

Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment, and then praised: "Ziyu, if you hadn't reminded Yuzhen before, and secretly sent people south to protect each other, these little things would have been accomplished!"

Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty has been over-reputed. The most urgent thing now is how to deal with this matter. I believe that the reform of the salt law has reached a critical period."

Emperor Chongping was silent for a moment, and asked: "Have the investigators of Jinyiwei who went to the south ever found out what Xiaoxiao did?"

As he said that, he suddenly remembered something, turned to look at Dai Quan, and said, "Didn't I ask you to send the inner guards south to protect Lin Yushi, why is there no news yet?"

Dai Quan was questioned for a while, his heart froze, he knelt down, and pleaded guilty: "I have been negligent these few days, and I beg your majesty to come down."

Because there are too many matters to be monitored by the inner guards, many of them are prioritized over the southern province. Compared with the investigation of Jinyi Mansion, it will be delayed.

But Dai Quan didn't dare to defend himself at the moment.

Jia Heng considered his words, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I think that the elected ministers will be sent to the south to strictly investigate the case, so as to prevent further incidents."

Emperor Chongping nodded and said: "Ziyu's words are correct. I will summon the cabinet later and send imperial envoys to the south to supervise the case. Elder Yang Ge also said the day before yesterday that he would send imperial envoys to the south to rectify the salt affairs. Now the two things happen to go hand in hand. "

Jia Heng said: "My sage, my sage."

Emperor Chongping's face was gloomy for a moment, then he asked: "You are in the capital camp now, do you know the strategy of Prince Teng's army?"

Jia Heng said: "I heard about the reorganization of the army yesterday. Wang Jieshuai has made a comprehensive plan and is currently in an orderly manner. However, I feel that if the matter is serious, it should be slow, and if it is light, it should be urgent. If it is not necessary, it is better to fight steadily."

Emperor Chongping seemed excited, and said: "I have read Wang Qing's memorial, and he acted vigorously and comprehensively. I think that in the spring, we should be able to organize a brave army for the imperial court."

When Jia Heng heard this, he didn't say anything more.

What he should remind euphemistically has already been reminded.

Emperor Chongping turned to ask: "The day before yesterday, you went to the Queen's side."

Jia Heng's heart trembled, and he said hastily: "Your Majesty summoned my servants to a banquet, and said that the king of Wei will open a mansion next year to supervise affairs, and he will go to the five cities to watch the government."

Emperor Chongping thought for a while, but his face showed no joy or anger, and said: "However, I like martial arts. I asked him to go to the five cities first to experience the experience. Although you are the same age, you have always been mature in seeking the country, and he If you are impatient, you should give him some pointers."

I can't really ignore the education of my son at all.

"I don't dare." Jia Heng showed flattered expression on his face, cupped his hands and said: "His Royal Highness Wei Wang is a nobleman, with a dignified manner, extraordinary intelligence, and a humble minister, dare not overestimate his abilities."

Emperor Chongping couldn't help laughing, looked at the uneasy young man, and said: "I still know what my child's temperament and capabilities are, Ziyu don't worry about anything, if he has something wrong, you have to speak up and correct it, don't hide it .”

Jia Heng's face paused for a moment, a trace of doubt flashed in his heart, and he said with emotion: "Your Majesty has a broad mind, the sky is high and the earth is thick, I admire you."

The emperor was unpredictable, and asked him to take care of his son, but how to handle the distance and how to adjust his role positioning, these need to be figured out by himself.

Emperor Chongping's face was silent, his eyes were absent for a moment, and his mind was full of thoughts.

Although he is only in his early forties, he still needs to start cultivating his successors. If the king of Wei has the appearance of a king, he can reduce a lot of turmoil if he establishes an heir.

But in the past dynasties, the prince was established early, and it was easy to become the target of public criticism. Those with evil intentions deceived Shengcong and alienated the feelings of the heavenly family. He could not always remain unbelieving.

Then simply don't stand up first, but then look at the character and endowment of the scholars.

However, who can understand his painstaking efforts.

Thinking of this, I couldn't help feeling a little disheartened. I looked at the respectful young man opposite me, and sighed in my heart.

(End of this chapter)