The Red Mansions

Chapter 541 Emperor Chongping: The tree wants to be quiet but the wind does not stop
Wuying Hall, Xinuang Pavilion.

Jia Heng returned to his residence and just put down the map on the table when he heard a familiar cold voice coming from the direction of the screen not far behind him.

"Sir, are you done with your work?" Princess Xianning walked over slowly, with a look of surprise on her beautiful face.

Jia Heng looked back at Princess Xianning, smiled and said, "Your Highness, shall we go to the residence of King Wei?"

Princess Xianning caught the word "we", her bright eyes flickered, and she said softly: "Sir, the carriage is ready, let's go now."

Princess Xianning glanced at Jia Heng, and asked: "I just heard from the palace people that when you came back, Mr. Li had a conflict with Duke Li and the Wang family of Xining County?"

"Your Highness just saw it?" Jia Heng was stunned and asked in surprise.

"I saw that it was almost noon, so I went to the Hanyuan Hall to look for Mr., and saw a dispute between Mr. and some people from the Military Aircraft Office from a distance." When Princess Xianning spoke, she stepped forward slowly, bringing a wave of Rulan The fragrance is like musk deer, and the cool voice is like melting ice and snow flowing over the rocks, clear and sweet: "Can you tell me, sir?"

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, and said: "It's still a deduction made earlier on the situation in Henan."

After thinking about it, I briefly narrated the process with Princess Xianning.

Princess Xianning's crystal-clear face showed serious thinking, and said: "Mr.'s concerns are not unreasonable. In recent years, the military discipline of the officers and soldiers has been loose, and their combat power has been low. According to Mr.'s deduction, the officers and soldiers in Henan Province will use only a few guards to suppress them. There is no advantage, and it is easy to be defeated by bandits, so if the army is defeated, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Jia Heng nodded and said: "Now I have no other evidence of military information. Wait a few days and see the urgent military information sent by Henan."

"But after such a delay, is there still time for the imperial court to dispatch troops?" Princess Xianning asked worriedly.

Jia Heng said: "It's too late, but the fire is raging, and if you want to put it out, you have to pay a higher price."

Princess Xianning's jade face changed slightly, she pursed her cherry lips, and said: "But father and other ministers, I don't believe in your judgment now."

Jia Heng nodded, and said: "It's normal for His Majesty not to believe it. After all, there is no real evidence. I just rely on my one-sided remarks, and the cabinet and military aircraft department disapprove. I think I am worrying unfounded."

Princess Xianning looked at the young man with Zang Xingyunyue's eyes, and said in a clear voice: "It is said in ancient books that when a leaf falls, the age will be late. I think the situation that Mr. Wang deduces from these clues is very likely to happen. It cannot be said that it has already happened, but the military situation is sluggish and it is still on the way.”

Jia Heng said: "That seems to be happening, but it is..."

Princess Xianning frowned, and said, "What do you plan to do, Mister?"

Jia Heng shook his head and said: "You can't do anything, just treat it like nothing happened, because you can't transfer a single soldier without the consent of the Holy One, so you can only let the Jinyi Mansion pay close attention to the trend in Henan, and watch Is there any military news coming?"

Even if it is Feige passing on the letter, the detectives from Henan will always go to investigate, which will take three to five days, and there is also a problem of time delay.

Princess Xianning said: "But since you think your deduction is correct, how can you pretend nothing happened?"

The girl really couldn't understand.

Jia Heng looked at the girl with a cold and glamorous face, and said, "Your Highness said so."

Stage one, say nothing happened, Stage two, something happened, maybe no action should be taken, Stage three, maybe action should be taken, but we can’t do anything, Stage four, if only we could have done something, Unfortunately it was too late.

Princess Xianning said: "Sir."

Jia Heng said: "Okay, let's not talk about this for now, Your Highness, let's go to Wei Wang's mansion now."

Princess Xianning nodded her head as she agreed, and then the two left the West Nuan Pavilion of the Hall of Martial Arts and headed out of the palace.

At this moment, it was noon in mid-spring, and the horse-drawn carriage with hairpin and phoenix pattern was driving through the streets paved with bluestone slabs under the retinue of guards and inner eunuchs.

On both sides of the street, the hawkers who set up their stalls began to shout.

"Candied haws, candied haws~"

"Steamed buns, steaming hot, freshly steamed buns~"

"Wonton stew, wonton stew with thin skin and meat~"

In the row-to-row restaurant with rafters and wooden beams, there are red-painted windows and diners in coarse cloth long clothes and square scarves, holding porcelain bowls, touching each other and drinking wine.

In a cloth and satin shop, a woman in a thorn hairpin dress holds the hand of a boy with long hair. The boy looked at a farmer carrying candied haws, clamoring for candied haws, but was dragged away by the shy woman. He opened his mouth, his chubby face was full of displeasure.

A pair of father and son drove a donkey cart through the bustling stream of people and headed for a restaurant. Black porcelain wine jars were tied on the cart with hemp ropes as thick as fingers, and two short bundles of dry firewood were carried on the cart. The unlined woodcutter also stopped in the alley of the restaurant, discussing the price with the shopkeeper of the silk unlined upper garment, weighed a small half hanging copper coin, and muttered dissatisfiedly.

Jia Heng looked at it with relish. The spring day at the end of February was sunny, but not dazzling. The blue wall stood tall at the entrance of the alley. A beggar with a felt hat brim covered his dark face. He put his stick aside and put his hand behind his back as if scratching .

As the weather warms up, lice increase.

Jia Heng picked up the car window and looked out, dazed in a daze, only to feel that away from the austere palace, the bustling and noisy Chongping for 15 years rushed into his eyes.

The spring sun shines through the bamboo curtain on the clear face of the boy in the boa suit, with a quiet expression, flying slantingly under the sword eyebrows at the temples, his lacquer-like pupils flicker, and he doesn't know what he is thinking.

Perhaps because of the sunlight, the cold expression in the past has softened a bit. Princess Xianning's eyes were in a trance, and a blush appeared on her cheeks. She asked, "What are you looking at, sir, so lost in thought?"

She didn't know what the husband was looking at, but she was peeking at him.

Jia Heng put down the window curtains of the car, turned his head, stared at the girl with a beautiful face, bright eyes and white teeth, smiled and said: "I am looking at the people in Chang'an City. The weather has become much warmer these days, and there are more people in the market. Many, lively."

Princess Xianning's clear eyes reflected a boy who was one or two years younger than herself, and she was also affected by that clean and clear smile, and said: "It's already mid-spring, and the last time Chanyue told me that the Xishan Bieyuan The peach blossoms are in full bloom, so we make an appointment to have a look... Well, Mister is often busy with paperwork in the yamen and palace, don't you want to go for a walk?"

Jia Heng smiled and said: "Maybe go out for a walk these few days, I've been busy and want to go out for a walk too."

Princess Xianning took the orange from the side, peeled the orange, and asked: "Since Mr. is still worried about Henan, why don't you talk to Father?"

"It's just speculation now, and there's nothing to say." Jia Heng stared intently, and said, "Your Highness, don't worry about me. Even if the situation turns rotten, the soldiers of the Beijing camp can enter Henan to clean up the mess."

Princess Xianning pursed her pink lips, and said softly: "Then I won't make trouble for you, sir, let's eat oranges."

As he spoke, he handed a peeled orange to Jia Heng.

She originally wanted to speak to her father, but now that she thought about it this way, it was not appropriate, and it had the opposite effect.

"Your Highness, maybe my speculation is unfounded, and nothing happened in Henan." Jia Heng took the orange and touched the girl's skin with his fingertips. Before he could linger, he broke open the orange petals, squeezed one into his mouth and ate it. The entrance is luscious.

Princess Xianning's gaze fell on the face of the boy chewing oranges, and she said firmly, "I still believe in Mr.'s deduction."

"Then I would like to thank Your Highness for your trust." Jia Heng nodded, took another orange petal and put it into his mouth, then smiled and said, "Your Highness, this orange is very sweet, why don't you try it?"

Princess Xianning smiled and said, "Really? Then I will try it too."

Jia Heng broke open half an orange and handed it over.

Princess Xianning took it, picked up a petal and chewed it in her mouth, her pink lips were glistening with juice, her bright eyes under her willow eyebrows were curved into crescent moons, and she said happily, "Sir, it's quite sweet."

"Really?" Jia Heng said with a smile, and the two of them ate oranges.

After being quiet for a while, Jia Heng suddenly said: "In the past few days, I need to go to the Beijing camp to train soldiers. I'm afraid I can't accompany your Highness to see the peach blossoms in the Xishan Bieyuan."

No matter what, he will stay in the Beijing camp first, and when something happens, he can send troops to Yuchi to help, and he even needs to make some proper arrangements in the past few days.

Based on the fall of Kaifeng Mansion and the critical situation in Luoyang, he needs to mobilize cavalry to help Luoyang as soon as possible. Even if he can't mobilize troops in advance, he can make some other intelligence and supply preparations.

"Don't worry, sir is busy with business. I'll go to see it with you when there is nothing else to do." Princess Xianning put the orange into her mouth again and chewed it slowly. The orange juice spread in her mouth, sweet to the bottom of her heart. , she just felt that she had never eaten such a sweet orange in her life.

Jia Heng nodded and said: "Wait for the news from Henan. If the weather is calm within half a month, then go down with the princess to have a look. By the way, the peach blossoms in Xishan Bieyuan will not wither by then, right?" ?”

Princess Xianning was stunned when she heard the words, and her heart missed half a beat. For some reason, she always felt that these words meant that she couldn't explain clearly. It's in full bloom."

If the husband's deduction is wrong, she will accompany him to see Peach Blossom, which is also very good.

Jia Heng took the handkerchief, wiped his mouth, and said no more.

After walking for a while, the carriage turned around, and the female officer Zhixia said outside: "Your Highness, the front has arrived."

Wei Wang's mansion is located in Kanglefang of Shenjing, covering a vast area, with a majestic gate tower and a deep inner courtyard. At this moment, under the tall archway, there are already lights and festoons, and guards and servants are embracing each other.

There are a lot of guests, and there is an endless stream of carriages and horses.

Wei Wang Chen Ran, as the eldest son of the current empress, can even be said to have a high probability of becoming the heir apparent of a great man in the future. Many officials in Beijing who intend to cling to him have sent their family members over to give gifts.

Hearing that Jia Heng and Princess Xianning were coming, Wei Wang Chen Ran and his uncle Song Jing had already walked out the gate, looked at the two people who wanted to come from the carriage, and said with a smile: "Zi Yu, imperial sister, why are you here now?"

After a while, Liang Wang Chen Wei and Qinghe Princess Li Chanyue also came to welcome them.

"Fifth Sister." Liang Wang Chen Wei called out with a smile, and glanced at Jia Heng who came with him carefully, "Master Jia is here too."

Li Chanyue also sweetly called "Sister Xianning", and then went to hold Princess Xianning's arm.

Jia Heng nodded to King Liang, looked at King Wei, and said with a light smile, "Your Highness, I came in a hurry and didn't bring a congratulatory gift. I hope you can forgive me."

At this moment, I suddenly realized that Princess Xianning left in a hurry and did not prepare a congratulatory gift for King Wei.

"As long as Ziyu can come, it doesn't matter what kind of congratulatory gift or not." Wei Wang Chen Ran had a slight smile on his fair face, and his eager eyes remained undiminished.

Princess Xianning also came to her senses at this moment, and said with a smile: "It's because I didn't remind you just now, Brother Wei, it's not too late to prepare the gift now, isn't it?"

When Wei Wang Chen Ran heard the words, he feigned anger and said, "Fifth sister, my family, what congratulations do you want?"

When Princess Xianning heard the words, her bright eyes narrowed, her heart skipped a beat.

What is my family...

At this time, Song Jing smiled and said, "Ziyu, this is not a place to talk, let's talk first when we enter the room."

This Uncle Song Guo didn't feel any strange about being sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs before. In other words, even if he had thoughts, he couldn't blame Jia Heng.

And just when Jia Heng went to the Wei Palace for a banquet——

In the palace garden, at the gate of the palace, accompanied by Captain Jinyi's last "forty", the leader of the team, Jinyi Shibaihu, waved his hands at the subordinates.

The two Jinyi school captains holding sticks put away their sticks expressionlessly, and the clothes on Jin Xiaoyu's legs under the sticks were already soaked in blood.

But this son of the Prince of Xining County, a disciple of the general family, didn't let out a groan of pain.

But at this moment, in the distance, some officials from the six ministries who were scattered in the yamen gathered around the palace gate, pointing and pointing.

Military aircraft driver, grandson of Li Guogong Liu Biao, the first-class son Liu Fang was sweating profusely, her face was pale, the pain came from her buttocks and legs at the moment, her forehead was covered with sweat, she raised her neck, and looked coldly at the brocade clothes tester household.

Shi Guangzhu, the grandson of Lord Chan, the first general of the town army, hurriedly stepped forward to help Liu Fang, and said with a frown, "Brother Liu, let's go see the doctor now."

Liu Fang waved her hands, saw the green-robed officials not far away who were watching the bustle, and said loudly: "I'm fine, Jia Heng's child is whimsical, and Jianyan was reprimanded by the Holy One, but he took it out on me! I don't accept it, I don't accept it! "

The imprisoned Jinyi Shibaihu looked indifferent, his eyes glanced at some green-robed officials who had gathered from the six yamen to watch the excitement, and said: "Liu Fang and Jin Xiaoyu are blocking and scolding the Minister of Military Aircraft, barking about the palace ban, the Jinyi Governor To make a warning to others, why don't you go back at this moment, think about your mistakes behind closed doors, and reflect on yourself?"

Jin Xiaoyu was beaten with forty boards, and almost passed out from the pain. Mu Sheng on the side hurriedly helped him up, and persuaded him, "Brother Jin, why do you think you are doing this?"

After all, Jin Xiaoyu is the son of the prince of Dongping County, a second-class son of the nobleman. Strictly speaking, the noblemanship is even higher than Jia Heng.

If it hadn't been for Captain Jinyi's scruples about how many people would be honorable, these forty sticks would be able to beat people to death.

But even if some hands were kept, Jin Xiaoyu was bruised from flesh and blood, and the pain was unbearable.

The humiliation in his heart was even more unspeakable. He was the heir of the Prince of Xining County, and he was scolded by Jia Heng, who was a few years younger than him. It was a great humiliation in his life!

Suddenly at this moment, a whip sounded at the end of the street, and two carriages came from a distance, one in front and one behind, and it was Sun Shi, the mother of Liu Fang, the old lady of the Liu family, and Cheng Shi, wife of Jin Xiaoyu, who had received the news.

Mrs. Sun, who is over 60 years old, was originally the cousin of Yan Ye, the king of Nan'an County. The woman who supported Sun was a woman in her early thirties. Cousin, the families of the four kings and eight fathers used to have many marriages, and they called each other old relatives, so it hurts to pull your ears and cheeks.

Seeing Liu Fang's miserable state, Mother Liu cried, "My son, what's wrong with you?"

At this time, Jin Xiaoyu's wife, Cheng Shi, was also supported by the maidservants, and got off the carriage, with a look of panic on her face, she called out: "Husband."

The Cheng family was not from four princes or eight princes, but from a wealthy family in Xining Mansion, when he saw his husband, he ignored the maid's support and rushed over, saying: "Husband, why did the beating happen so badly, who did it? "

It can be said that although Jia Heng's move relieved his anger, he also offended the Liu family and the Jin family, Duke Li and the king of Xining County.

Jin Xiaoyu gritted his teeth and made a weak voice, "Who else could it be? Jia Heng from Ningguo!"

Liu Fang's mother slammed her cane, and the hairpin on her silver hair was shaking, and said: "I am going to the palace to see the empress, I can't bully people like this."

Mu Sheng thought for a while, and persuaded him: "Old Majesty, Uncle Liu had a dispute with Jia Ziyu in the Forbidden Palace, and he took the blame for him. Now the news of Uncle Liu being blamed by the stick may have reached the imperial court. Taijun begged to the queen..."

Some words are difficult to say, but the meaning of the advice is self-evident, even if you ask the empress, it will not be of any use.

Sun Shi, Liu Fang's mother, said forcefully: "I am not only going to see the queen, but also go to the Rongguo Mansion to argue later. Their Jia family has made a lot of progress, and now Ningguo Mansion has a great person! With a little power, I will People succeed!"

Said angrily, while ordering the servants to help Liu Fang to heal the wound, accompanied by maids and mothers, she went towards the palace gate, intending to seek Empress Song to sue Jia Heng.

"This matter is not over!" Jin Xiaoyu's face was ugly, he let out a deep drink, and then got into a carriage with the support of his wife Cheng.

It's just that Liu Fang's mother, Mrs. Sun, just went to the palace gate, but saw several internal eunuchs coming from the direction of the palace gate. The leader was wearing a big red robe and a black mountain crown.

Dai Quan looked at the furious Liu Fang's mother Sun Shi, stopped the way with a smile on his face, and said, "Old Madam, stay here."

Seeing this, Liu Fang's mother Sun's complexion changed slightly, and she asked, "Eunuch Dai, what do you mean?"

Because every year and festival, the palace rewards honorable gifts, Dai Quan also has a decree, and the wife is ordered to enter the palace to see the two palaces, and she has also seen this eunuch Quan, so Sun knows Dai Quan.

Dai Quan said: "Your Majesty said earlier that Liu and Jin were rude to the Minister of Military Aircraft. The governor of Jinyi reprimanded them, but they still didn't know how to restrain themselves. I just had lunch with the Empress, and I will take a nap later, the Holy Majesty has not slept a few times because of the state affairs, the old lady is sure that she really wants to disturb Sheng'an right now?"

Emperor Chongping got the Jinyi Memorial, and knowing that the two of them were going to have trouble, he sent Dai Quan to tidy up Jia Heng's hands.

Liu Fang's mother, Sun's heart sank, and she asked: "The old man wants to ask, did Jia Heng deliberately throw fire on Fang'er because of the official business of the Military Aircraft Department?"

Dai Quan said: "Old Majesty, this is nonsense! Jin and Liu are indeed rude, and the guards in brocade clothes can testify, but thinking about their first offense, His Majesty has sent the imperial doctor of the imperial hospital to the mansion Diagnose and treat the injuries of the two."

Liu Fang's mother, Sun Shi, heard the words, bowed towards the Daming Palace, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your compassion."

Seeing the situation, Liu Fang's wife, Tang Shi, also persuaded in a low voice: "Mother, go back and help Xianggong heal his injuries."

"Follow me to Rongguo Mansion, and talk to Madam Rongguo." After all, Liu Fang's mother, Mrs. Sun, was afraid of the imperial palace, and she didn't dare to be relentless, so she planned to go to Rongguo Mansion to find Jia's mother for an explanation.

When Liu Fang's mother, Sun Shi, left, Dai Quan shook his head secretly, and then returned to Kunning Palace to return to his command.

In Kunning Palace, beside the round table, Emperor Chongping put down his chopsticks, took the handkerchief handed over by Empress Song, wiped his mouth, picked up the fragrant tea, and bowed his head to drink it.

"Your Majesty, Jia Ziyu blamed the Xining County King and Liu Fang of the Duke of Li. Nothing will happen, right?" Empress Song's snowy face was full of worry.

In fact, it is also a test, whether the mind of the supreme being in front of him has weakened a little for Jia Heng's family.

Emperor Chongping looked indifferent, put down the gaiwan, and said: "Young people are competitive, it's nothing. The prince of Xining County may have a grudge against Ziyu, but he still doesn't have to sue the Prince of Xining County."

The emperor brought Dongping and Xining into Beijing with the intention of wooing the two forces, and the two wanted to be hostages because he understood his intentions.

Empress Song's beautiful eyes under her willow-leaf eyebrows welled up, and she said softly: "Your Majesty, they didn't see eye to eye at first, but now they are working together in the same yamen, and it is inevitable that bumps and bumps are inevitable. If you are arguing about the conflict of spirits, it is only I am afraid that it will be a disaster rather than a blessing for the country, of course this is the opinion of some women of the courtiers and concubines."

As Empress Song was speaking, she suddenly realized that it was inappropriate for her to express her opinions on political affairs, so she quickly stacked a layer of BUFF for herself.

Emperor Chongping murmured: "Ziyu has a straight and straight temperament, so he won't suffer any disadvantages."

He also considered this point, but he didn't know how to deal with it yet.

Empress Song said "Yes", without further words, she lifted the teapot and poured a cup for Emperor Chongping, the jade bracelet on Rushuang Hao's wrist condensed dew in the water vapor.

"Zitong." Amidst the sound of tea being poured out of the pot, Emperor Chongping suddenly called out.

"What's the matter, Your Majesty?" Queen Song asked, and handed the teacup to Emperor Chongping. Her clear and crystal phoenix eyes seemed to blink, and there was a bit of curiosity in her eyes, which made this beautiful woman who gave birth to two sons A little more childish beauty.

"Actually, I still have some doubts about what Ziyu said..." Emperor Chongping pondered for a while, and then explained the matter just discussed with Empress Song.

The disappointment in my heart was disappointment, but since Jia Heng had almost never miscalculated in the past, Emperor Chongping felt a little doubtful again in a second thought.

But even the Military Aircraft Department didn't agree with it very much. Could it be that the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty are not as good as Jia Ziyu?

Besides, he himself said that everything is based on the deduction of the situation.

Empress Song pursed her red lips after hearing this, and said, "Your Majesty, my concubine doesn't know about military affairs, but since Ziyu is only talking about deduction, I think it's a good intention to plan ahead. Your Majesty shouldn't be too harsh."

"I'm not harsh." Emperor Chongping frowned, remained silent for a moment, waved his hand and said, "We'll wait for the military report from Henan in a few days."

At this time, the inner eunuch came in and reported, "Your Majesty, Eunuch Dai is back."

Not long after, Dai Quan bowed into the palace and reported to Emperor Chongping: "Your Majesty, the old matriarch of the Liu family wanted to come to see the empress, but was persuaded to go back by the servants. Mrs. Tai asks for an explanation."

The latter words are not only a test, but also a kind of support. This is the benefit of Jia Heng's courteousness. At the beginning, Eunuch Dai didn't help much when he left the palace in Yuanchun, but Jia Heng still gave money.

When Emperor Chongping heard the words, his face was gloomy and uncertain. For some reason, he felt agitated and said, "What do you want to say? Liu Fang was reckless and rude. She cursed at the military aircraft in the palace and was fined for half a year."

In fact, this kind of irritability is just because of a little disappointment, which is a very subtle psychology.

Dai Quan's expression was startled, he cupped his hands and said, "Your maid obeys the order."

Seeing Emperor Chongping's gloomy face, Empress Song took Emperor Chongping's hand with concern, and said softly, "Your Majesty."

Emperor Chongping's complexion was gloomy, his eyes were dim, and he murmured: "There are always people who think they are smart, Zitong. In the past few days, I think there have been many memorials to impeach Jia Ziyu to the Secretary of the General Administration."

"Your Majesty, that's not the case, is it?" Empress Song opened her mouth slightly, a look of surprise appeared in her beautiful eyes, she pinched the handkerchief, her heart was covered with a haze.

Emperor Chongping said lightly: "The tree wants to be quiet but the wind doesn't stop."

Jia Heng is his pawn to check and balance the nobles, and he cannot be shaken.

And he suddenly remembered that someone might not only want to impeach Jia Heng, but also make a big fuss about the conflict between Jia Heng and Jin Liu, so as to shake the position of the Military Aircraft Department.

In fact, this is also an emperor's intuition of the direction of the court, very similar to Jia Heng's intuition of the war situation.

(End of this chapter)