The Red Mansions

Chapter 584 Concubine Duanrong: This... really makes Chanyue hit the mark?
Palace, Shenwumen
The high-ranking officials who had left the court headed for home in a carriage, while the other officials of lower rank, because it was noon and it was close to meal time, invited friends, gathered together in twos and threes, and went to the restaurant to eat and drink.

And as the officials went down to court, the news that the Jingying army had won great victories in Henan and other places and successively recovered Kaifeng and Runing mansions spread to the entire city of Shenjing.

The sun was shining brightly today, and the city of Shenjing was already bustling with people, and the shops lined up on both sides of the street were discussing the rebellion in the Central Plains.

In a restaurant with a "Drunken Immortal" plaque hanging on it, in the private rooms on the second floor, several young gentlemen dressed in silk and satin were pushing glasses and changing glasses, talking and laughing.

After entering March in Guanzhong, the weather has completely warmed up, the wind is sunny, and the spring breeze is blowing on the face. Many young princes in Shenjing City often meet with friends and go out to the city for outings, picking willows, and enjoying places of interest.

Feng Ziying, Liu Xianglian, Wei Ruolan, Chen Yejun and other young masters sat around a table, and the atmosphere was lively and noisy.

Liu Xianglian asked: "Brother Ziying, the Jingying army has gone to Henan for quite a while, I wonder if there is any news?"

Ever since I saw Jia Heng leading a brocade-clothed Tiqi and returned from inspecting the House of Internal Affairs, the lord of Ningguo had left a deep impression on this Erlang of the Liu family. They are all concerned about the situation in Henan, and Liu Xianglian is no exception.

Wei Ruolan said: "I haven't listened to the news anymore. Two days ago, the military newspaper said that Sishui Pass would win one battle first, and three thousand thieves would be wiped out. I think the army has arrived in Kaifeng City by now, right?"

Liu Xianglian stared at Wei Ruolan with burning eyes, and asked, "Brother Wei, Uncle is serving as the commander of the Yongying Battalion, do you know the details of the war?"

"Father is not included in this trip to Henan." Wei Ruolan said softly, "However, father mentioned it when he came back, saying that since Jia Jieshuai took control of the Beijing camp, the Beijing camp has taken on a new look. All kinds of malpractices, such as drills, have greatly improved the military strength. From my point of view, the thieves and bandits are mobs after all, and their armor and cavalry are not well organized. It is also a matter of time before the Beijing camp wins."

Wei Ruolan's father, Wei Qi, commanded the Xiaoyong camp and stayed in Shenjing, so he was not among the generals who went to Henan this time.

"The siege battle is extraordinary and can't be said to last for a long time." Feng Ziying said worriedly.

"A [-]-strong Beijing battalion went to the Central Plains to quell chaos. It is rare since the founding of the country. In my opinion, if it is delayed for three to five months, it will be the incompetence of the general." Chen Yejun picked up a wine cup, and there was something in his voice He was cold, but there was an imperceptible envy on his handsome face.

He is a son of the clan, and he has never thought of supporting the festival and going to the Quartet on behalf of the emperor.

At that time, Erjin dragged purple and lived high in the temple. Unfortunately, because of his clan status as the son of the Prince of Renhe County, it was impossible for him to lead the army.

Wei Ruolan said: "The city of Kaifeng is high and deep, and has complete defense facilities. I'm afraid it won't be easy to capture. Not to mention other things, the bandits will force the people to go to the city with knives and guns to help defend."

Feng Ziying said: "The thieves won't win the hearts of the people. If the people are forcibly confiscated, it will only lead to a mass resistance. If the imperial court is defending and the thieves come to attack, even if there are more than ten thousand soldiers, if they understand it with reason and inspire the righteous, the thieves will be hundreds of thousands. Can't go down."

"It will take three to five months to fight like this. I'm afraid that the bandits will not guard Kaifeng's prefecture and flee to other prefectures and counties, disturbing the local prefectures and counties. At that time, it will be difficult for the Beijing camp." Chen Yejun said quietly.

Feng Ziying said: "Brother, he has planned ahead, he has made a plan long ago, and he probably won't get to that point."

In fact, in front of outsiders, Feng Ziying always refers to Jia Heng as his elder brother... probably, my elder brother is so so.

"It's hard to say." Chen Yejun frowned as if he couldn't understand how Feng Ziying admired Jia Heng so much, and said with a sip of his wine.

Wei Ruolan saw that the tone of the two people was a little offended, she quickly smoothed things over, and said with a smile: "The people in the court have conspired for these, I'll just drink."

As he spoke, he raised the wine cup and saluted several people.

Chen Yejun also raised the wine cup and said: "Meat eaters are contemptible, and they can't plan for a long time. The affairs of the temple are handled by the lords."

Everyone just pretended not to hear Chen Yejun's "frivolous words".

Just when the few people were discussing, they heard bursts of cheers and discussions from outside the box, which almost made Feng Ziying, Wei Ruolan and others stop talking and laughing, feeling surprised.

"What's the noise outside?" Wei Ruolan frowned, with a hint of displeasure on her handsome face, she called the servant, and ordered, "Go ask the shopkeeper, why don't you let people have a good meal."

The young servant hurried out of the box and asked the shopkeeper. After a while, he came back with a beaming face and said, "Young masters, I heard that the imperial court has won a great victory."

"What big victory?" Feng Ziying asked suspiciously.

The boy said: "It was the Beijing army that took back Kaifeng and Runing cities. The bandit leaders and owls were either killed or captured. The chaos in Henan has been completely put down. This is what the censors who came back from the previous court said."

As soon as this remark came out, Feng Ziying was stunned for a moment, and then ecstatically, her voice was a little trembling because of the agitation of her heart: "This is really a great joy, my brother led the army to Henan this time, and the autumn wind swept away the fallen leaves. It really boosts the morale of my big man."

Chen Yejun's face was blue and red, he felt a burning pain, and the knuckles pinched by the wine cup in his hand turned white.

Although a group of friends didn't study him carefully before speaking frivolously, the arrogant Chen Yejun couldn't pretend that he didn't exist.

Liu Xianglian's eyes turned strange, and she said in admiration: "It's really amazing, this speed of advancing troops is rarely seen in ancient times."

Said, under the sword eyebrows, looked at Feng Ziying with burning eyes, and asked: "Brother Ziying, can you help me introduce this Jia Ziyu after the army's triumphant return?"

Wei Ruolan asked in surprise: "Brother Liu, haven't you never made friends with these important court officials?"

"This Uncle Heng is different. I read his book The Three Kingdoms, and thought that he could be a hero in the world." Liu Xianglian said with emotion.

His ancestors were also a family of officials, but their family was in decline. What he saw on the long street that day, he suddenly had a thought: "A man should be like this!"

If he wants to re-glorify the lintel and show off his ambitions, this Uncle Heng is the Bole he is looking for.

However, a few years ago, the military discipline of the Beijing camp was abolished, and the generals and schools were disorganized. Even if he had martial arts skills, he would not join the army. Now it is different, and he uses what he has learned in his life to revive his family.

Feng Ziying smiled, and responded straightforwardly: "Erlang, don't worry, I will introduce you when my brother comes back."

Everyone was discussing enthusiastically, but Chen Yejun was absent-minded and forced a smile.

At this moment, it's not just Feng Ziying here. As the news spreads in the streets and alleys of Shenjing City, more than one million soldiers, civilians and officials in Shenjing City are discussing the battle of recovery from the Central Plains.

Just as Emperor Chongping thought, the imperial court used the momentum of thunder to counteract the chaos in Henan, which powerfully inspired people, deterred Xiao Xiao, and re-established the prestige of the central government.

However, the joys and sorrows of human beings are not the same. When the entire capital of Shenjing was happily discussing the imperial rebellion in the Central Plains——

Lu Li, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, walked out of the palace with a dejected expression on his face. Because of his preoccupation, he walked a little slower, especially when he heard the pointing of the officials behind him and the strange eyes of the left and right officials, he felt even more irritable.

At this moment, a voice from behind called out Lu Li, who was in a daze, "Brother Defu."

Lu Li paused, turned around involuntarily, stared at him, but saw Xu Kai, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, cupped his hands and said, "Brother Xu."

Xu Kai was in his early thirties, with a slender figure and a handsome appearance, he came close and asked, "Brother Defu, why don't you go back by carriage?"

Lu Li looked gloomy. In front of the few friends in the Imperial Academy, he smiled wryly and said, "I want to walk alone."

After the previous incident, his career prospects in the future will be bleak, and he is already disheartened.

Since the Taizong Dynasty, it also followed the example of the Ming Dynasty. The Hanlin Academy was used as a place to store the British, and Lu Li, as a scholar of the Hanlin, was mostly trained as a storage. Zaifu is an important minister, but after the previous incident, Lu Li knows that he has hated the emperor, and his reputation among scholars will also be affected.

Xu Kai's face became silent for a while, and he also knew that Lu Li was in a bad mood at the moment, so he stretched out his hand and said, "Brother Defu, please get in the carriage and tell me."

On the side of the road not far away, a carriage stopped abruptly, and two servants in rough clothes and short jackets were waiting with their hands down.

Manager Lu sighed, and followed Xu into the carriage.

As the wheels of the carriage rolled over the streets paved with bluestone slabs, there was a rumbling sound, and the noise of the street also came from the bamboo curtain to the carriage, without the strange gazes from around, Lu Li's depressed mood was relieved. Solved a lot.

Xu Kaidao: "Brother Defu, you don't have to worry about the previous incident. Your Majesty is the Lord of Zhongxing. He has a magnificent bearing and will not sin because of the previous incident. Now he has appointed good generals to recover Henan, and he will be able to be active in the Nine Frontier Wars in the future."

With the rapid pacification of the Henan Rebellion, the inner evaluation of Emperor Chongping by the officials of the government and the public has also quietly improved, and he is inspiring and promising, with the ambition of rejuvenating the great man.

Lu Li pondered and said: "Nowadays, the son believes in martial arts and favors him very much. I'm afraid it will be a disaster rather than a blessing for the community."

"The sage shines brightly for thousands of miles, and his chest is all over the world. Brother Defu, why worry about it? Besides, since the present dynasty, Wu Xun has appointed four county kings with different surnames. They are hereditary. The title has been handed down for three generations. Now there is no trouble." Xu Kai. persuaded.

Qing knew that this good friend in front of him was envious of Jia Ziyu, who was not as weak as the crown, but was in charge of state affairs.

However, it is not surprising that Wu Xun was awarded meritorious service because of the war. After a war, he suddenly ascended to a high position and became famous for a while.

The only thing that worries him is the establishment of the Military Aircraft Department and the title of Minister of the Ministry of War. This is what destroys the political system. Fortunately, His Majesty has also recruited civil servants and privy secretaries.

Lu Li shook his head, and said: "Although that's the case, but such a young man as Jia Ziyu has achieved his ambition... Well, if I continue to talk about it, it seems that Lu is narrow-minded and can't tolerate others."

As he spoke, he paused for a moment, with a gloomy expression on his face, and said: "Now my career prospects are unclear, and I'm afraid half my life will be wasted, and I won't be able to get ahead. There are other people who worry about these state affairs."

Before, it was a bit embarrassing.

Xu Kai frowned, and said solemnly: "Brother Defu's words, I don't agree with them. We scholars, how can we lose our concern for the country and the people because of the ups and downs of the official career."

As he spoke, he softened his tone and said: "Brother Defu cares too much about these false names. In Brother Yu's opinion, everyone will forget about it in a few days. Besides, Mr. Zhao Ge of the cabinet also questioned the news before. If it’s true or false, if it’s farther away, on the day of Wei Wang’s Concubine Conferment Ceremony…”

It's not suitable to say the following words, but the meaning has been conveyed. Even the emperor of the dynasty has missed it, so today is nothing.

Lu Li sighed, and after getting some persuasion from his friend, he felt a lot better in his heart, and then he was a little surprised. He looked at the friend opposite him with deep eyes, suppressed the inexplicable emotion in his heart, and asked: "But now I was ridiculed in court."

Xu Kai thought for a while and said: "Brother Defu can find a place to be sent out. If he can make some real achievements, there will be no rumors at that time."

Hearing this, Lu Li's complexion changed, and he was slightly startled.

Now that the Hanlin Academy relies on him and Xu Kai's excellent diction, and often writes congratulatory forms for important ceremonies, now that he is gone, isn't it that the people in front of him stand out from the crowd and outshine others?

Xu Kai pondered and said: "I also plan to seek a foreign appointment. In the Central Plains, when the bandits are in chaos, the people respond. From this, it can be seen that there are many malpractices in the local states and counties. As the saying goes, one term of office will benefit one party. The Ministry of Officials needs officials to increase the actual amount, so I would like to recommend myself to the Ministry of Officials, and let the next seven-rank magistrate of Runing Prefecture be released to govern the county and benefit the people."

Xu Kaiguan is a bachelor in the Imperial Academy, even if he seeks a foreign appointment, he is at least a magistrate, and as long as he has political achievements, he will be promoted quickly because of the impressive resume of the Imperial Academy.

Lu Li was stunned for a moment, and then his cheeks were slightly hot. He knew that he was treating a gentleman's belly with the heart of a villain. He suddenly felt a sense of guilt and shame after self-examination, and asked in a calm voice: "Brother Xu has been admitted since he was admitted to the imperial examination. Since then, I have never served in a local office, and the affairs of the prefecture and county are so complicated that it is not comparable to the noble and prominent Hanlin Academy."

Xu Kai looked serious, and said: "As long as you govern with benevolence, love the people like your own sons, have strict laws, and cultivate morality, it will not be difficult to achieve great rule in a county."

Lu ideally thought about it, and persuaded: "Brother Xu, it's better to be more cautious because there are different centers in different places."

He still wants to stay in Beijing to look for opportunities, but it really doesn't work, even in the worst case, Chongping will not be stretched once, and... the next time.

Speaking of Wei Wang Da Ceremony, the Holy Majesty vomited blood and fainted, and the matter of the country will be put on the agenda in two or three years.

These secret thoughts flashed through Lu Li's mind and were buried in his heart.

……

……

Daming Palace, side hall
Since Emperor Chongping went to the Hanyuan Hall to go to court, he summoned civil and military officials, Empress Song, Concubine Duan Rong, Princess Jinyang, and Princess Qinghe chatted casually.

Empress Song and Concubine Duanrong were quite uncomfortable because of Princess Jinyang's "theory of size".

Congested.

"It's already noon, and it's time for Your Majesty to disperse." Under the beautiful eyebrows of Empress Song, her beautiful eyes looked into the distance, and she ordered Xia Shouzhong who was standing not far away: "Send someone to the front hall to have a look."

Because Emperor Chongping saw his courtiers at noon today to show that "the dragon is healthy and I am safe", it was not a court discussion of government affairs. According to the empress of Song's estimation, he should return to the harem after discussing a few things with the courtiers. Keep Princess Jinyang and Princess Qinghe to have lunch together.

The inner eunuch hadn't left the side hall much, when outside the corridor eaves of the hall, the inner eunuch's shrill and soft voice suddenly came: "Your Majesty is here."

"What a coincidence." Empress Song said with a pleasant smile.

Not long after, Emperor Chongping, surrounded by a group of eunuchs led by Dai Quan, entered the side hall.

The emperor's face could not hide his joy, and his steps were brisk.

Empress Song, Concubine Duanrong, Princess Jinyang, Princess Qinghe all left their seats and got up, and looked at Emperor Chongping, who was coming from outside the palace, and greeted them with a salute: "The concubine (sister) has seen Your Majesty."

"Pingshen." Emperor Chongping said briskly.

Empress Song greeted him with a smile. Sensing the joy on Emperor Chongping's face, she asked curiously, "Your Majesty, what kind of happy event is this? Why are you so happy?"

I was also surprised in my heart, could it be that the previous court reported some happy event?

Concubine Duanrong also looked at Emperor Chongping who was in a happy mood with surprise, the bright and clear eyes under Chunshan's black eyebrows were shining and shining, with a little bit of doubt.

Princess Jinyang also looked at her royal brother with anticipation in her eyes, and some guesses in her heart.

Sure enough, Emperor Chongping looked happy, and said briskly: "Zitong, just now Ziyu Feige sent a letter."

Hearing the letter from Fei Ge, Empress Song Yurong was taken aback for a moment, and said in surprise, "Isn't that...is this new?"

He thought to himself, no wonder His Majesty was so happy, it turned out that it was because of this, Ziyu's flying pigeon passed on the letter...

Thinking of this, I can't help but feel a little bit of a taste, it's the minister, if it is a woman who makes His Majesty miss her so much, she doesn't know... what to do.

Before a few people questioned him, Emperor Chongping's eyes were brightened, and he said in a brisk tone: "It is the Runing Mansion, which has returned to the hands of the government and the army. Clean, without muddling."

As soon as these words came out, Empress Song's bright, long and narrow phoenix eyes widened, her mouth slightly opened, and she couldn't help but let out a soft "ah".

Li Ren's voice was soft, with a melodious tone, like a yellow warbler coming out of the valley.

That snow-white, jade-skinned, sensual face was overflowing with surprise, the peach cheeks were dizzy, and it was as beautiful as the clouds, and said: "Your Majesty, this is really a double happiness."

It was said that Kaifeng Fucheng was recovered, and now even the bandits' lairs have been destroyed by the government army, and Runing has recovered, this is really a wave of success.

Concubine Duanrong's Qingli jade face also showed joy, her cold and beautiful eyebrows smiled slightly, and said: "It's true, Jieyin just rushed together."

Princess Jinyang's beautiful eyes narrowed, and joy was also seen on the graceful and beautiful hibiscus jade face.

With his ability, she was not surprised to lead the troops to quell the rebellion, but it was a bit unexpected for him to be so quick.

Emperor Chongping sat down on the embroidered pier, his face still undiminished, and said: "When I got the letter from Feige in the middle of the afternoon, I was thinking about it. Ziyu said earlier that he first sent Qingqi to attack the bandits. The nest, to cut off the enemy's rear, so as not to scatter and flee... But after so many days, there was no news from Runing Mansion, but Kaifeng Mansion City, the first news of the victory, I was worried that there would be something wrong, I didn't want to It should be today, this time, both places will be restored, and the bandit leader Kou Xiao will be wiped out."

In the end, the emperor couldn't hide his excitement, the excitement and lightness in his tone, even the eunuchs in the side hall could feel it, and they were all happy about it.

At this moment, the dark clouds in the sky really dispersed.

The beautiful eyes under the willow-thin eyebrows of the eldest princess of Jinyang sparkled, and a look of joy appeared on her graceful and beautiful face, and she said softly: "Brother Emperor, the situation in Henan is probably settled after Ru Ning is restored."

Emperor Chongping turned to look at Princess Jinyang, nodded and said, "Yes, I thought it would be delayed for a year or a half, and then... Fortunately, Ziyu led the Cavalry Army and quickly put an end to the disaster. , It can also be seen that the Beijing camp has become a strong army, and it will have a certain share in the battle against the Donglu in the future."

Even if the thieves are far from being able to compare with the Donglu who are raging in the north, but the officers and soldiers can quickly defeat them, which shows that the combat power has greatly improved, not to mention the leadership of a general like Ziyu. In a word, the future Can be expected.

Empress Song said softly: "Since His Majesty took the throne, he has devoted himself to the affairs of the state, and now it is time to bear fruit."

Emperor Chongping waved his hand and said, "It's just to calm the internal troubles, there are still many things to do in the future."

It is gratifying to put down the rebellion, but the internal and external troubles of the big man have not been reduced in the slightest.

Concubine Duanrong pursed her pink lips, suddenly remembered something, turned her eyes to look at Li Chanyue, and said in surprise: "Didn't Chanyue talk about it before, maybe the Runing Mansion has already been taken, this... really made Chanyue hit the mark ?”

As soon as these words came out, a pair of bright eyes fell on Li Chanyue's body first, with a bright smile hidden in her brows and eyes, the beautiful eyes were soft and shining, it was Empress Song.

It's just that there are still a pair of narrow, long and clear eyes, and the ripples of deep thought circled in the eyes, and he sighed softly in his heart.

This child, Chanyue, looked at Wenwen Jingjing, but her mind was clearer than anyone else's.

Princess Jinyang stared intently, thinking so.

Li Chanyue was in a daze for the news of the recovery of the Runing Mansion, when she heard what Concubine Duanrong said, her heart skipped a beat, and she was stared at by several eyes again, her brows and eyes drooped slightly, and there was a trace of panic, her pretty face was gone It was as sweet as blood, stretching down to the earlobe, and said coquettishly: "Auntie, we just thought that Mr. Jia should have some schemes. It was a wild guess. Who would have thought that Mr. Jia... is so powerful."

Mr. Jia is so powerful, literary and martial arts, almost unmatched among his peers, no wonder my cousin doesn't care about others' words.

Thinking of this, the joy in Li Chanyue's heart dissipated a little, and instead she felt somewhat lost.

If the cousin agrees to Mr. Jia, she will get married in the future, and she will be a guest at Nanyang sister's place in the first month. Nanyang sister and the son-in-law are married, so their temperament is not speculative, and it seems that they are not very happy.

I don't know what kind of person she entrusts in the future, maybe he can't compare with Mr. Jia...

Well, what was she thinking about.

Empress Song looked at Li Chanyue who was a bit embarrassed, Qiu Shui's beautiful eyes shone brightly, and she loved her more and more, she smiled lightly and said: "Then how can Chanyue say it accurately? It can be seen that she really has a small mouth like a magpie. .”

Such a little girl is really a lovely child.

Everyone laughed lightly when they heard Empress Song's words, and looked at Li Chanyue kindly.

Being watched by all the eyes, Li Chanyue's cheeks were slightly red, and the silk handkerchief embroidered with lotus flowers she was holding could not help but clenched a little bit, feeling a heart full of shame and joy.

Emperor Chongping also took a look at Li Chanyue, and his expression softened a bit.

The child Chanyue's mouth seemed to be opened today, and everything she said was accurate.

Empress Song smiled, turned to look at Emperor Chongping, and said softly: "Your Majesty, after the recovery of the Runing Mansion, are Ziyu and Xianning coming back soon?"

As soon as this remark came out, everyone stopped talking and laughing, and all looked at Emperor Chongping in unison.

The smile on Emperor Chongping's face faded slightly, and he muttered: "After the arrest, there will be follow-up matters concerning the safety of the people. It will take a month to completely sort out the hand and tail. I have added the title of Minister of the Ministry of War to Ziyu, so that it is convenient for him. Governor of Henan Military and Political Affairs, do a good job in dealing with the aftermath."

He had given Ziyu the title of governor before, and he also planned to see how good he was in internal affairs.

In the past few days, I have nothing to do, but I also thought about it. When Jinyang introduced him, when the monarch and his ministers first met in the study in the Daming Palace, Ziyu seemed to be very respected for the reform and innovation, but the follower was slightly superior and attracted attention, so that he let him Subconsciously ignored the ability to govern, or the talent of Wang Zuo.

Of course, it is not uncommon to see young famous generals in Qing history, such as champions, but Zaizhi who is not as young as the weak champions is rare.

Because the government affairs are different, leading the army to fight, let's see how he does it in Henan.

At this moment, the thieves and bandits have been wiped out, and the food to appease the people has already been settled from Zheng and Wei. The next step is to see how he appeases Henan.

(End of this chapter)