The Red Mansions

Chapter 449 Your Majesty, I Have Your Own Play! (Thanks to Yan Moai's Bai Yinmeng for the reward!)
The night is shrouded, and the lanterns are hung high.

It was almost the hour of Xuzheng, and the sky was still lightly raining. The willow trees in the courtyard had already spit out some new buds, which were emerald green and eye-catching.

In the study outside the Ning Mansion, the candles were brightly lit, and there were many figures.

Jia Heng was dressed in a brocade robe with a round collar at home, sitting behind the desk, looking down at the dossier submitted by the five city soldiers and horses.

It contains the case of Tang Bingwen, the censor of Shanxi Dao in the Metropolitan Procuratorate the day before yesterday, and his family servants blocked Tang Bingwen, the censor of Henan Dao.

Jia Heng put down the file, and looked up at Qu Lang who was sitting upright not far away.

Qu Lang looked respectful, and said in a low voice: "My lord, I just got a report that the Chief Historian of Prince Zhongshun has been investigating the smuggling case of General Shenwei outside the city for the past few days. He has collected many clues, and Prince Zhongshun intends to impeach Shenwei in the court tomorrow. General, the governor should take precautions in advance."

Jia Heng nodded, and ordered: "Later, you will compile a copy of the smuggling file of General Shenwei, and the clues and evidence of Shanxi merchants involved in the case, and have someone deliver it."

Of course, his move was not to defend Jia She in the court, but to show Emperor Chongping that since he took over Jinyi, he has started investigating Jia She's case and has obtained some evidence.

The reason why it was not reported was not to protect the tribe, but to put a long line, catch big fish, and investigate clues about the case of Shanxi merchants smuggling to the Hulu.

Compared with King Zhongshun who is his own enemy, the situation must be higher, and the dominance of the smuggling case must be handed over to the Ministry of Criminal Justice or the Dali Temple for trial, at least not in the hands of King Zhongshun, otherwise he will be allowed to act violently and frame , it is difficult to end.

As for the exposure of the imperial mausoleum corruption case, firstly, the key evidence has not been obtained, and secondly, let King Zhongshun get rid of Jia Amnesty first.

When Qu Lang heard this, although he was a little surprised, he couldn't ask in detail, so he nodded in agreement.

Jia Heng picked up the teacup again, raised his eyes and asked, "Is there any progress with the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs?"

Qu Lang's complexion changed, and he said in a deep voice, "We investigated Pan and Lu's Second Ministers again, and gained some understanding of their family assets, property, and communication with merchants."

As he spoke, he took out the paper from his leather briefcase, stood up, and handed it over.

Jia Heng took over the densely packed paper in small script, and looked at it carefully with the light. After a while, he said in a deep voice: "Register his family assets and properties, and recover the stolen goods to make up for the gaps in the future. This will be useful."

Qu Lang nodded yes.

Jia Heng explained a few more words, and then let Qu Lang go back. Later, Jia Heng locked up the relevant files related to Jia Amnesty's case, and then returned to the inner hall.

But on Jia She's side, in the courtyard with the black painted gate, Jia She is having dinner, while his concubines Jiao Yun and Cui Yun are serving on the left and right.

"People from the Sun family said that the marriage was finalized as soon as possible, why is that girl Yingchun going back and forth again?" Jia She put down his chopsticks and asked Mrs. Xing who was sitting not far away with a bad expression.

It turned out that Sun Shaozu borrowed a lot of money these days, and mortgaged a place in Beijing from the Shanxi Chamber of Commerce to make a living. Fang collected 2 taels of silver, and asked Jia Lian to come over this morning to ask Jia Amnesty, planning to discuss a good day. , Finalize the marriage letter.

Mrs. Xing sighed, and said: "Master, the old lady told me just now that the second girl is still young, so there is no need to worry about the marriage. After all, the matter of the eldest girl has not been settled yet, so it is better to pass her by."

"Learn from a big girl? Now that I'm old, it's been a lot of delay." Jia She sneered and said, "My own daughter, can't be in charge anymore?"

With Jia Zheng completely unemployed at home, only Jia She in the Rongguo Mansion holds the title of title, and he may feel a little complacent, which is human nature.

Mrs. Xing looked embarrassed, and said in a low voice: "But the old lady's meaning is very firm, and I don't want to be entangled anymore."

Jia's mother Xu has noticed some changes in Jia She's mentality, and when it is implemented in Yingchun's marriage, it seems to have become the focus of the "fight" between mother and child.

In fact, even without this section, Mrs. Xing, who was born in a small family, would not dare to pester Jia Mu who has always been strong, as long as Jia Mu shows her forbidden intentions.

Jia She suppressed the anger in his heart, his eyes flashed coldly, and said: "This Sun family, I have chosen a good one for the second girl, you go and call Feng girl, let her persuade the old lady, she is in a hurry, so why don't you come to me?" It's young and handsome, once you miss it, you'll settle down with someone else, and it won't be easy if you want to meet a good one."

This time he must not regress, his own daughter has no dominance, and his father is too useless, let alone how to get back Rongguo Mansion in the future?

Mrs. Xing said in a low voice: "Then I'll go to Feng girl's courtyard and talk to her later."

Jia Amnesty nodded, and said: "Let her help with persuasion first, and at noon tomorrow, someone from the Sun family will come, and I will go to Rongqing Hall to talk about it."

After Sun Shaozu raised the money, he hoped to discuss the marriage agreement with Jia's family this morning, and was ready to come to the door tomorrow.

"Then I'll go to her courtyard and ask." Mrs. Xing replied in a low voice, then turned around and took a few women and maidservants to Sister Feng's courtyard.

But it is said that in Sister Feng's courtyard, although it is near Xu time, the lights in the house are still on. Sister Feng is looking at the ledger while talking with Ping'er and Feng'er.

"Grandma, the servants' houses on both sides of the garden have also been demolished, and now the land is being leveled. Laiwang, who is in charge of the foreman, sent someone to ask grandma what she meant by moving the rocks, so that the other courtyard walls will not be built. On the contrary, the mountains and rocks are not easy to move." Ping'er put down the account book in his hand, raised his delicate and picturesque eyebrows, and asked softly.

Since the downfall of Lai Da, Wu Xindeng, and Shan Daliang in the Rongguo Mansion, the Rongguo Mansion has taken a new look inside and out.

Except that the finances of the inner house are still controlled by Jia Mu's confidant and Lin Zhixiao's family, the management of the outer house is basically entrusted to Sister Feng. There are hundreds of households inside and outside, from monthly distribution to money and material withdrawals. The power vacuum after the downfall of Lai Da.

Sister Feng is now personally in charge of the bank manager, Ping'er and Feng'er each have deacons, and the servants under him are Sister Feng's companion, Laiwang's family and Laixi's family. As for Mrs. Wang's companion, Wu Xing He and Zheng Hua took over the affairs of the head of the grain depot and the comprador of the back house.

Zhou Rui's family and Mrs. Wang's accompanying room are still in charge of the land rent.

The vast property of Rongguo Mansion is basically entrusted to Mrs. Wang and Sister Feng. Jia Amnesty's dealings are not cheap, so don't you feel resentful?

Sister Feng rubbed her brows, put down the account book, and said worryingly: "Tomorrow, let's talk about it in front of the old lady, otherwise it will be difficult for me to deal with the old man."

Ping'er nodded, seeming to be thinking of the old man's bad relationship, and said in a low voice: "That's the only way."

"Shouldn't the monthly payment for this month be distributed?"

Ping'er said: "The name has been drawn up."

Rongguo Mansion has a large population. The servants, servant girls, servants and servants are just monthly, and there is not a small amount of expenditure every month, plus the purchase of clothes in the mansion.

Sister Feng ordered: "The Xiuyan girl in the eldest wife's house is also arranged according to the monthly schedule of several girls. Those who are relatives should not be neglected."

Xing Xiuyan is Mrs. Xing's niece and niece, and she came to seek refuge with relatives. The Rongguo Mansion has to take care of its own face. For example, in the original book, living in the Grand View Garden is also two taels of silver, but let Madam Xing take one tael of silver to supplement the family. Instead, he wants to pawn it clothes life.

Ping'er whispered: "It has been arranged."

At this time, Sister Feng was also a little sleepy, she covered her mouth and yawned.

"Grandma, let's take a rest earlier." Ping'er stepped forward to collect the account book and said with a smile.

Sister Feng let out a "hmm".

While the master and servant were talking, the servant outside came in and announced, "Grandma, the eldest lady is here."

Sister Feng frowned, Danfeng's eyes flashed with doubt, and she quickly got up to greet her.

Not long after, I saw Mrs. Xing leading a few women into the hall, and the brightly lit wing room reflected the shadows indistinctly.

Sister Feng's face was full of smiles, and she asked, "Which gust of wind brought the eldest lady here?"

Mrs. Xing sat down, looked at Sister Feng calmly, and said: "Come here to see you, the Elder Master has entrusted me with a task."

"Oh?" Sister Feng smiled and asked, "I don't know what the Elder Master ordered."

Mrs. Xing gave a brief account of Yingchun's marriage in a few words, and then said: "Then the Sun family is in a hurry, so I plan to make a decision tomorrow and write a marriage letter on the next day, but the old lady insists on saying that the second girl is still young. It's just persuasion, if you miss this good son-in-law, it won't be easy to find a good one."

The smile on Sister Feng's face faded a little, and she said: "Then I will persuade the old ancestor tomorrow, but the old ancestor has the right idea, so he may not listen to my daughter-in-law."

I don't dare to pat my chest to guarantee the ticket.

When Mrs. Xing heard this, she became impatient and said: "You can just persuade the old lady. Tomorrow, the old man will have his own calculations. Well, I won't stay any longer, and you should rest earlier."

Sister Feng nodded yes, and ordered her mother-in-law to see her off.

After Mrs. Xing left, Ping'er frowned, and said: "My lord, what's the trouble?"

Sister Feng hid the coldness in her eyes, snorted softly and said, "What else can I do? I heard that the Sun family is going to take 2 taels of silver as a dowry, the Elder Master must be thinking about it."

Apparently, this Second Mistress Lian had good eyes and ears and heard some rumors.

Not to mention the conversation between the master and the servant, let's talk about the Yingchun courtyard later, the night is cold and rainy, the candles in the wing room are brightly lit, and several young girls surround the chess field.

On a bed in the inner room, Xing Xiuyan was sitting on the bed, holding a book in his hand, and was reading it intently. Judging from the cover, it was the Three Kingdoms novel.

Siqi was talking to Yingchun, smiled and said: "Miss, since the old lady said it today, I think the old lady will not bring up this matter again."

Yingchun nodded, and said softly: "This kind of treatment is also feasible."

As she spoke, she turned her head to look at Xing Xiuyan who was sitting quietly, and said softly, "Cousin, come over to play two games of chess?"

Xing Xiuyan put down the notebook in her hand, smiled, took a seat closer, and said softly: "I only understand a little bit, my sister will give way later."

Yingchun picked up the chess piece, put one on the chessboard, and said softly: "I heard that Master Miaoyu is very skilled in chess. Since my cousin lives next to her, she should have a lot of knowledge in chess, right?"

Since Xichun went to the East Mansion, Yingchun has rarely met an opponent in chess.

"She was originally the daughter of an official family, and she was proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting better than others. If my sister is interested, I can learn from her someday." Xing Xiuyan smiled calmly, clinging to the chess pieces, they landed on the chess field.

Yingchun nodded, and said: "I didn't go to Dongfu very much in the past, and I never learned how to play chess. I can go and ask for it tomorrow."

Under the Xuan window, two young women who are in the shape of Fang Fei are playing chess and talking with the swaying lights. The wind and rain outside the house do not know when, and it gradually flourishes. In the meantime, the sound of rustling came faintly, and the night became more and more quiet.

The next day, the sky was bright, the sky was still a little drowsy, surrounded by grass, Jia Heng got up, put on the python official robe, tied his belt, and went to the Daming Palace to participate in politics.

Daming Palace, Hanyuan Hall

Today is not a great dynasty, and not all the civil and military officials in Beijing attended, only the cabinet, the six ministers, the temple supervisor's hall officials and the servant officials, and the procuratorate in charge of the censor, and the six divisions, the military ministers and five ministers The military governor's office discusses government affairs with Zhi and Qian.

Therefore, the number of officials is much less than usual.

At this time, a group of officials were talking together in twos and threes on the white marble square outside the Hanyuan Hall. Jia Heng saw Han Huang, the second assistant of the cabinet, and Xu Lu, the Zuodu censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and came forward to greet him.

"Ge Lao, Xu Zongxian." Jia Heng bowed his hands and said in a low voice: "The case on Dongda Street the day before yesterday has been reviewed, and the appendices of the dossier have been transferred to the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Ministry of Officials, which can be considered and dealt with by the Ministry. "

Xu Lu's complexion was almost like the eaves tiles on the Hanyuan Hall, black and blue in the coldness, and said in a deep voice: "It is really appalling that the Metropolitan Procuratorate has attacked colleagues like this, and I will report it later. Your Majesty, remove him from his post and hand him over to the Secretary for severe punishment, so as to serve as an example to others!"

Obviously this case made the Metropolitan Procuratorate quite embarrassing.

Han Huang's face was serious, and he said: "Ziyu, it's really insulting to be beaten by the prosecutors. You are in charge of the Wucheng army and horse department. You should pay more attention recently."

Jia Heng said: "Don't worry, elders. Recently, Jinyi Mansion and Wucheng Bingma Division will send more people to protect the chief inspectors."

When the few people were talking, Jia Heng suddenly felt something, and looked up.

On the jade steps, King Zhongshun, who was wearing a prince's python suit and a jade belt around his waist, was walking steadily. Wherever he passed, there were many officials who saluted. Looking at Jia Heng.

As the head of the House of Internal Affairs, King Zhongshun is qualified to participate in the court meeting.

Jia Heng frowned, not paying attention to King Zhongshun's cold eyes.

Then, with the ringing of the whip from the inner prison, under the gaze of the censor, about forty or fifty officials, each divided into civil and military classes, led by the cabinet ministers and military ministers, looked solemn and held Huban, enter the Hanyuan Hall, and meet Emperor Chongping.

In Hanyuan Hall, the copper lamps on the beams and pillars are silently burning, reflecting the floor, as bright as water, and the light can be used as a guide.

"My minister, see the saint."

A group of officials in the hall bowed their hands in salute.

"All the gentlemen are flat."

Emperor Chongping sat on the golden chair with an indifferent expression, and his deep voice sounded.

After a sound of thanksgiving, Dai Quan in the Daming Palace who was standing beside him said sharply: "If there is something to do, we will play it early, and if there is nothing to do, we will retreat to the court."

Down below, the cabinet ministers began to play. Yang Guochang was the first to go out, holding a jade wat, and said in a loud voice: "My lord, the land of Shandong has been hit by another frost disaster, and as many as seventeen counties have been affected. The political envoy, Fu Guozhen, requested that the disaster-stricken prefectures and counties in Shandong should be exempted from the half-year-old tax. This matter is so important that the veterans dare not preside over it, so I implore the Holy Order."

Emperor Chongping was silent for a while, and said, "Yun Zuo."

The cabinet secretary Han Huang frowned. Shandong, Henan and other places suffered from disasters every year, and they hardly paid taxes in recent years.

When Yang Guochang returned to work, Zhao Yi, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, came out of work. Chen Zou said: "Governor of Nanhe Gao Bin, yesterday handed in the memorial, saying that the Huai River embankment has been in disrepair for a long time, and the rope embankment is cracked and dilapidated. An urgent allocation of 100 million taels of silver was used to repair the embankment to deal with the floods in summer and autumn."

Chen Han set up two governors of rivers in Kaifeng and Qingjiangpu, as special officials to manage the Yellow River, Huaihe River and other rivers. The former is called "Governor of Henan and Shandong Rivers and Admiral of Military Affairs", also known as Governor of Hedong; the latter is called "Governor of Jiangnan River and Admiral of Military Affairs" , also known as Governor of Nanhe.

Emperor Chongping frowned, thought for a while, and said: "The safety of the river embankment affects the livelihood of the people in all provinces, so it should not be ignored, Yunzuo."

Yang Guochang, Minister of the Household Department, frowned and asked, "Last summer, the Household Department just allocated 80 taels of silver to repair the embankment. Why do we need money now?"

Zhao Yi explained: "Old Yang Ge didn't know something. Among them, 50 taels were intercepted by the Governor's Yamen in Hedong, and the remaining 30 taels were only repaired for a section, and there was still a share of 100 million taels."

Yang Guochang glanced at Zhao Yi, and said in a cang voice: "My lord, since this year, the river course, the imperial court should choose the capital censor to go out of Beijing to patrol the river, for emergencies."

Emperor Chongping pondered for a while, and said: "Allow Yang Qing to play, the Metropolitan Procuratorate selects candidates, reports to the cabinet, and inspects the rivers in the east and south of the Yangtze River."

Xu Lu, the imperial censor of Zuodu, accepted the order. This is also the routine work of the Metropolitan Procuratorate every year.

Zhao Yi, Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry, looked indifferent and unhappy.

At this time, Zhao Mo, a cabinet minister and minister of the Ministry of punishment, came out to play and said: "My lord, since the seventh year of Chongping, Gao Zhongping, the governor of Sichuan, and Jiang Qi, the governor of Hubei, went to the imperial court, and thieves from prefectures and counties sprang up. For eight years, the officials of the two provinces made Taiwan and Futai had the right to collude with each other, and the ministers requested an imperial edict to take back the power of collusion between the two provinces and Taiwan. "

The execution of the death penalty has always been the judicial power directly under the Ministry of Punishment.

After Zhao Mo took charge of the Ministry of Punishment, he has always wanted to take back the power of death penalty collusion between the two provinces, and restore the central power that was robbed by the big officials in the frontier. As a cabinet minister for the first time, the first thing is to get this power back.

Emperor Chongping thought for a moment and asked, "Last year, how many cases were reported to the Ministry of Punishment and the Department of Cleaning Officials in the two provinces? Is there a decrease compared to last year?"

After all, he was in charge of the Ministry of Criminal Affairs when he was in Qiandi, so he is familiar with criminal matters.

Zhao Mo's face was serious, his voice was like a stone, and he said: "There were three incidents in Sichuan on 210, and nine incidents in Hubei on 170. However, I think that the officials in the criminal department have given too many severe punishments, and the family members of the suspects have appealed to the Dali Temple. Unjust prisons amounted to as much as [-]%. This is not counted as the case of governors and counties close to the people who set up cards to intercept, beat up, and threaten family members. As far as I know, last winter, I heard that Shunqing and Suiding two prefectures Yin, in the villages and towns, sit in the Baojia Company, and guard the relatives of the murdered suspects, so as to stop those who go to Beijing to appeal for grievances."

Jia Heng listened engrossed below, feeling uneasy.

Emperor Chongping's face was indifferent, and he said for a while, "Chongping was seven years ago, when there were frequent civil upheavals in Hubei and Sichuan, and we took an expedient measure. Now we should take back the power of the two provinces to vote against each other. Where is the minister of Dali Temple?"

"The minister is here." At this time, an old man with gray hair and a third-rank civil official uniform came out of the class to play. It was Dali Temple Minister Wang Shu.

"Send capable officials from Dali Temple to the two provinces to try unjust prisons and review criminal cases in detail." Emperor Chongping thought for a while, and said in a deep voice: "Another charter is drawn up, and Dali Temple will send out a statute every summer and July. Officials go to various provinces for regular inspections, to sort out unjust prisons, and to assist in the autumn decision."

Dali Temple Minister Wang Shu cupped his hands and said: "My sage is holy."

Zhao Mo looked at it, his face paused, and he sighed softly.

This is a case where the officials of the feudal borders were punished either directly or at the behest of the judges. The Dali Temple officials were just going through the motions.

Emperor Chongping immediately looked at the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and asked, "Han Qing, is the progress of the Beijing investigation going smoothly?"

Beijing inspection, in Beijing for inspection, in the local area for planning.

The second assistant of the cabinet, Han Huang, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, hurriedly went out to play and said: "The consultation list interview book, the hall official's test language, and the test results are all carried out in an orderly manner without stagnation."

"Don't affect the government affairs of the ministries." Emperor Chongping said, glanced at Xu Lu, and asked: "The day before yesterday, the officials of the Metropolitan Procuratorate unexpectedly acted appallingly. Where is the law?"

Xu Lu hurriedly came out of the class and said: "I have mismanaged my discipline and not strictly controlled my subordinates. I would like to ask the Holy One to punish me."

Emperor Chongping said: "Xu Qing has just assumed the new post, and the affairs have not been sorted out smoothly. What is the crime? The Ministry of Officials and the Metropolitan Procuratorate will conduct a joint review, draw up opinions, and report them up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xu Lu cupped his hands.

But at this time, without waiting for other courtiers to report, Prince Zhongshun held an ivory jade wat, and an old voice sounded in the Hanyuan Hall, saying: "My lord, I have this report!"

(End of this chapter)