The Red Mansions

Chapter 628 The big man will no longer have to worry about hunger and prudence, this is a great achievement......

Dahan, Shenjing

The sky was gray, with dark clouds gathering and raindrops falling from time to time, and the Hanyuan Hall of Daming Palace had been lit with palace lanterns, making the dimly lit hall bright and brilliant.

The cabinet, the six ministries, and officials from the temples, temples, and roads gathered here to discuss government affairs. As time went by, the northern provinces of the Han Dynasty were shrouded in rainy days, and governors from all over the country reported that the continuous summer rain would affect the farming season.

Emperor Chongping asked: "Masters, the memorabilia from Huaiyang has been handed over. In the land of Jianghuai, it has been raining heavily for more than ten days in a row. It has been raining in Henan and Shanxi for almost a month. Is Yongningbo's recent report coming?" Hand over the memorial?"

Han Huang, the second assistant of the cabinet and the Minister of the Ministry of officials, held an ivory jade wat, cupped his hands and said: "My lord, as far as I know, Yongningbo stationed the governor at the river embankment and personally supervised the repair. The river embankment has been completed. He Ding, the office of the River Department, Xun and other yamen, and the soldiers of the Jingying Army stationed along the river to guard against danger."

Jia Heng stationed the Governor Xingyuan on the embankment for half a month. This matter was reported to Shenjing through newspapers and other channels. The civil and military officials in Shenjing City were quite complicated for a while.

And anyone with a discerning eye can see that if Jia Heng hadn't rectified the river affairs in advance and built dikes and weirs, Henan, which was initially scheduled for chaos, would turn into a country of Ze, which would make things worse.

Emperor Chongping glanced at the faces of the officials below, and said in a deep voice: "The army and people in Henan are united as one, united as one, ready to respond at any time. How about the embankment from Xuzhou to Huai'an, and the river embankment from Huai'an to the mouth of the sea?"

If he and Ziyu hadn't been prepared for the river flood at the beginning, Henan would be almost a vast ocean now, but none of them agreed.

Can you blame him for something?
Yang Guochang's face turned serious, and he left the shift and said: "Report to the Holy Majesty, Huaiyang has not reported any danger so far, and the cabinet is still paying close attention to the movement of Huaiyang."

Emperor Chongping said: "As soon as there is a dangerous job, the two rivers, the water transport, and the local government will all be sent to the capital in six hundred miles. I want to know the situation of the flood as soon as possible."

Yang Guochang's heart sank slightly, and he clapped his hands in response.

Han Huang cupped his hands and said, "My lord, the governor of Liangjiang delivered a memorial to the former Yamen the day before yesterday, saying that Jiangzuo chief envoy has prepared corresponding disaster relief materials in case of any eventuality."

"Governor of Liangjiang, Shen Bing, prepared for the rainy day and was prepared for any danger. I passed on my word of mouth and rewarded him." Emperor Chongping said calmly.

He remembered that Shen Fang was reminded by Ziyu's letter before he attached great importance to it, and published it in the Jinling Mansion Newspaper to mobilize Jiangnan and Jiangzuo feudal officials and counties.

As for Jinling's mansion newspaper, the emperor naturally asked people to collect it from secret channels, so as to follow the trend of Shilin public opinion in the south of the Yangtze River.

……

……

Kaifeng Mansion, governor's office

Dark clouds rolled over the sky, and rainstorms were brewing at any time. However, in the torrential rain for several days, the roofs and eaves of the houses in the back house of the Governor's Yamen were green and green, while the sycamore trees in the courtyard had fallen leaves. The ground was covered with rainwater.

The day before yesterday, under the guards of the Jinyi Mansion and the generals of the Beijing Camp, Jia Heng led the officials of the Henan Fan and Regulatory Divisions back to Kaifeng City.

In a study room in the southeast corner, a young boy in a python suit with a relaxed expression and a tall figure is sitting on the chair of the Taishi, concentrating on reading at his desk, and is reviewing the official documents delivered by the Yanhe Office of the Yellow River and flood officials.

In the past few days, the water level of the Yellow River has risen sharply and the waves are rough. Although it has not completely caused a flood, it is conceivable that the first flood will occur at the end of the month at most.

In other words, the Kaifeng embankment has to withstand the test of floods.

At this moment, from Kaifeng to Xiaoxian, the Hedao Yamen Hall, Xun and other rivers, as well as the local government are all watching the changes in the water level, and report to Jia Heng at any time.

Jia Heng frowned, and put down the official document in his hand.

At this moment, Jinyi's personal guard Liu Jixian called out loudly from outside the study: "My lord, Princess Xianning and Commander Xiahou are here."

Jia Heng's expression froze for a moment, almost doubting that he was in Luoyang, but he suddenly realized that Xianning had come to Kaifeng.

"Let them go to the flower hall in the backyard first, and I'll go there right away." Jia Heng said loudly, gathered the official documents on the table, and got up from his seat.

At this moment, Princess Xianning and Xia Houying were both wearing the flying fish clothes of Jinyi Mansion Guards. They left the front office and came straight to the flower hall in the backyard. Because they had lived in the governor's office for a while before, they were familiar with the road and came to the inner hall of the backyard. flower hall.

Princess Xianning sat down, this slim and beautiful emperor daughter, Yingxiu's brows and eyes were full of worry.

At this moment, a series of familiar footsteps came from behind the bead curtain one after another. Princess Xianning raised her head to look, and saw a young man in a python suit who was as handsome as jade, walking towards her.

Princess Xianning's bright eyes were dazed, and she almost murmured: "Sir."

Jia Heng looked at Xianning with warm eyes, smiled and said: "Xianning, long time no see."

At this moment, Xia Houying glanced at Jia Heng, without saying a word, she left silently, and came to the eaves of the corridor, standing there looking at the sky in a trance.

Jia Heng hugged Princess Xianning's waist, bent down, and approached her, holding the two peach blossom lips to comfort the emperor's lovesickness. After a while, she hugged Princess Xianning, whose cheeks were stained with blush, and she was slightly breathless. , softly said: "I stayed well in Luoyang, why did you come here?"

Princess Xianning raised her bright eyes, the eyes were like mist and rain, softly shining, she said in a low voice: "It was said in the official newspaper that Mr. is going back to Kaifeng Mansion, so I came to take a look after thinking about it, and then, my aunt and the others also came over. .”

Jia Heng nodded, and said in a warm voice: "In the past few days, I will be stationed on the embankment for a period of time. After the river flood is over and the autumn planting is over, I should be able to return to Beijing to report on my work. Since I am here, follow me to have a look in the afternoon. Transplanting of sweet potatoes."

The farmers who came from Fujian finally came to Kaifeng Fucheng yesterday under the escort of Jinyi Fuwei. Today, they are ready to start breeding fields, preparing for the large-scale promotion of sweet potato planting in Henan.

Princess Xianning's eyes flickered, and she said softly, "Sir, have the embankments been repaired?"

"The embankments in Henan have been repaired, and I don't know if we can stop the flood." Jia Heng sighed softly, said with emotion, took Princess Xianning's plain hand, entered the inner room and sat down on a soft couch .

Princess Xianning thought for a while and asked, "What do you plan to do next, sir?"

"First let people stare at the river embankment, and the other thing is the cultivation and planting of sweet potatoes. This is a big deal." Jia Heng said.

He is the governor of the military administration of the Central Plains, and after the flood is over, he will be able to return to Beijing to report on his duties after the matter of sweet potato is settled.

If there is no accident in Jianghuai.

Seeing Princess Xianning frowning her eyebrows and her beautiful face showing thoughtfulness, Jia Heng smiled lightly, pulled the delicate catkin over and said, "Okay, let's not talk about that, let's go to the Eldest Princess' mansion." .”

"Sir, my aunt is still preparing lunch. It's not yet noon, why don't we go later?" Princess Xianning's bright eyes flickered under her curved and beautiful eyebrows, and she said in a whisper. Li Ruxue's jade cheeks were as red as blood, and her voice gradually weakened, as if she was extremely shy.

After all, the two of them are used to playing together, and Jia Heng understands the little girl's thoughts, embraces her delicate body in her arms, and whispers in his ear, "Why, you miss... me again?"

Princess Xianning didn't speak, she buried her head deeply in Jia Heng's arms, she couldn't hold back her shame.

Jia Heng whispered: "Okay, then let's go back to the backyard."

Xianning eats marrow and knows the taste. It has not been seen for a while, and it is estimated that it has been flooded. We can only dredge it first, and then talk about other things.

Princess Xianning said "Yes", and with Jia Heng half supporting and half hugging her, she walked all the way into the back house.

The two returned to the back house, put down the curtains on the bed, and Jia Heng served Xianning for a while.

The flood caused a disaster and it was out of control.

After a long time, Jia Heng wiped his face with a handkerchief, handed him a cup of tea, gently embraced Princess Xianning's shaved shoulders, and said in a low voice, "Zhi'er, after the Henan incident, we should return to Beijing."

Princess Xianning's beauty is as bright as blood at this moment, she drank a sip of tea, and her soft and delicate voice trembled: "Sir, it would not be cheap to find him again at that time, I guess the concubine mother will stop me Follow me out of the palace."

This period of time was really the happiest time in her life, and she even didn't want to go back to Beijing.

Jia Heng looked at the beautiful young girl, stretched out his hand to gently stroke the tear mole under Xianning's eyes, and said in a low voice, "Even if you go back to Beijing, it's okay to find me."

It's not easy to find him, just go directly to Jia's mansion.

Princess Xianning pressed her glowing face against Jia Heng's heart, and said foolishly: "Sir, I will buy a house when I return to Beijing."

"Actually, in Beijing..."

"There are so many people at my aunt's side, it's so inconvenient..." Princess Xianning said in a low voice, suddenly a little shy.

When I went to my aunt, maybe she had to wait for my aunt to finish "watching" before she could watch it.

Jia Heng was silent for a while, and said softly: "Well, these are trivial matters."

At this moment, when the two of them were loving each other, in the southwest of Kaifeng City, in a mansion with several fronts and backs, covering a vast area.

In the flower hall in the backyard, groups of maids and maids carrying trays came in and out, carrying all kinds of dishes and putting them on the table. Yuan Chun, who was dressed in a pale yellow dress, was also busy.

"How long have you been in Xianning?" On the other side, the beautiful woman sitting on the soft couch turned her head and asked Lianxue.

"Your Highness, it's been an hour." Lian Xue was lowering her head to prepare tea, and said softly.

The eldest princess of Jinyang's jade face was as thin as frost, she snorted softly, put down the teacup in her hand with a "da", and said in a low voice, "It's been so long, don't you know come back for dinner?"

Needless to say, the two of them were stealing food behind her back again, and they were probably full.

While talking, a female officer entered the flower hall and said, "Your Highness, Uncle Yongning is here."

As soon as this remark came out, Yuan Chun, who was instructing the maid to set up lunch, paused slightly with the hands that placed the dishes, and a layer of joy appeared on his plump and fair face.

Princess Jinyang said softly: "Lianxue, you greet me on behalf of the Palace."

"Yes, Your Highness." Lian Xue replied.

After a while, Jia Heng and Princess Xianning followed Lianxue into the flower hall.

The eldest princess of Jinyang took a trace of the beautiful spring charm of the girl's eyebrows and eyes, and secretly said that it was true.

"Brother Heng." Yuan Chun called out softly, and came slowly, looking at the boy full of longing, after all, he was worried about Princess Xianning and other female officials and maids, so he didn't throw himself into his arms.

Jia Heng met with Princess Jinyang and asked, "Big sister, where are Tanchun and Xiangyun?"

Yuan Chun said with a smile: "They are following the Princess and telling stories in the backyard."

Jia Heng nodded and sat down.

Princess Jinyang said worriedly: "Ziyu, it has been raining for several months, the embankment should be fine, right?"

When Yuan Chun heard this, the smile on his face faded, and he looked at Jia Heng.

"The section of Kaifeng is still a bit dangerous, mainly because I don't know how big the flood is this time. In fact, it's safer for you to stay in Luoyang." Jia Heng took the teacup handed by Xiren, took a sip, and pointed at the With eyes as soft as water, he said softly.

Princess Jinyang nodded and said: "I heard that the sweet potatoes have arrived in Kaifeng Mansion, so I came to have a look. The emperor also said to send some to Shenjing to see the harvest."

Jia Heng said: "Sweet potatoes are the best to satisfy hunger. They are sweet and delicious, and they are also the most filling. After the river embankment is over, I will lead the soldiers back to Beijing to report on my duties. I will ask myself to preside over the promotion of sweet potatoes in several provinces in the north."

Princess Jinyang said softly: "That's not necessary, the emperor attaches great importance to this matter. In the last letter, the emperor also asked me to take a good look at it. If it is really dozens of stones per mu, the big man will no longer be cautious." Worrying, this is a great achievement!"

Although it is not a military achievement, anyone with a discerning eye knows that this is a great achievement for the continuation of Guozuo, especially on top of military achievements.

As a Jinjue, even a marriage in the future is a tenable reason.

Jia Heng said indifferently: "Coarse grains can be used as a supplement to the staple food. If only the drought is good, there are also locust plagues. In recent years, there have been many reports of locust plagues in various places."

Like the former Ming Dynasty, it was not that there was no sweet potato, but that it was not promoted. No one can save Daming.

Fortunately, the emperor almost paid attention to his words to the extent of obeying them, and there was no obstacle in promoting the cultivation of sweet potatoes.

But it does not mean that there will be no famine if there are sweet potatoes. When the drought is severe, locust plagues are often accompanied by migrating locusts. Except for a few crops that are not affected, most crops are eaten without a blade of grass.

As for the targeted measures against the locust plague, it was later curbed through the establishment of comprehensive prevention and control measures through major water conservancy repairs, biological control, and chemical pesticides.

Princess Xianning was sitting not far away at the moment, holding up the teacup, quietly listening to the conversation between the two, and looked at the eloquent young man with admiration.

"Brother Heng is here." At this moment, a joyful voice came from behind the bead curtain, it was Xiangyun.

Afterwards, Xiangyun, Tanchun, and Li Chanyue, Princess of Qinghe, came out from the outside together. They were all young girls in their youth, just like all kinds of flowers, colorful and vying for splendor.

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Sister Yun, Third Sister, are you here too?"

As he spoke, he called a few people to sit down.

Li Chanyue frowned, and there was a hint of doubt on her beautiful face, why didn't Mr. Jia just call her?
Saying that, she came to sit next to Princess Jinyang, and softly called out: "Mother."

Then he looked at the boy in the python suit with a pair of eyes as calm as water.

Xiang Yun asked: "Brother Heng, has the embankment been repaired?"

Jia Heng smiled and said: "It's been repaired, but it's not easy to fix it. It's still raining. I have to go to a few places recently."

Accompanied by Yingying and Yanyan after lunch, Jia Heng and Princess Xianning went to see the sweet potato planting situation.

"Huh la la..." At this moment, it suddenly began to rain again between the windows.

Princess Jinyang stared at the rainy sky outside, and sighed: "As we talk, it's raining outside again."

Jia Heng said softly: "The Hedao Yamen said that there may be a flood at the end of this month."

Princess Jinyang frowned, and said, "Ziyu, can the embankment of Kaifeng City still hold up?"

"Kaifeng's embankments are all repaired and strengthened, so there should be no serious problems, but it's hard to say how big the flood is this time. If anything happens, I still need to sit on the embankment. You have to take care of them at home. Don't worry about it." Let them run around." Jia Heng urged.

As she said that, she looked at the faces that were either plump, bright, or delicate, and said softly, "You all stay at home well, don't go out and run around this month, I try to come back every day."

Xiangyun, who was eating oranges, pulled Tanchun's arm, and said with a smile, "Brother Heng, don't worry, I will take care of Third Sister."

Tanchun: "..."

Seeing the two sisters joking around, everyone laughed lightly.

After explaining the number of people, Jia Heng said: "Wait a while, go and see the sweet potato seedlings."

"It's raining so hard now, brother Heng is still going out?" Yuan Chun approached and said softly.

Over the age of double ten, a girl with a beautiful complexion, with a gentle and moving charm between her eyebrows and eyes, almost makes people's heart throb.

Jia Heng staggered his eyes on the jade tiger necklace, smiled lightly, and said warmly: "It's okay, go and have a look, so you know what you want."

He also wanted to know if it was the sweet potato from his previous life, don't make a mistake.

But when I come back, I need to comfort Yuanchun and Jinyang who are waiting to be fed. I haven't seen him for half a month, and Yuanchun may not know what he thinks.

If Xianning has only tasted meat, then both Yuanchun and Jinyang have eaten meat.

Li Chanyue curled her eyebrows and looked at the young man fixedly. She clenched the handkerchief repeatedly in her palm and stayed with it. Finally, she plucked up the courage and said, "Mother, why don't I follow my cousin to see it?" Shall we see it?"

As soon as this remark came out, Princess Jinyang looked at Li Chanyue and smiled lightly, but the heart of the little princess jumped, her jade cheeks were slightly hot, and she felt as if her thoughts had been read through.

"Ziyu, Chanyue also followed you to learn a lot." Princess Jinyang said with a smile in her beautiful eyes.

Xiangyun opened his mouth, obviously wanting to go and play, but Tanchun beside him pulled his sleeves, and swallowed the words that came to his mouth, but looked at Tanchun suspiciously.

Jia Heng glanced at Princess Qinghe, and pondered: "That's fine, but the little princess needs to change into clothes. It's raining heavily at this time, so be careful not to catch a cold."

"En." Qinghe Princess Li Chanyue was overjoyed when she heard the words, and responded softly.

Well, Mr. Jia said that she didn't catch a cold, is he concerned about her?

Jia Heng turned to look at Tanchun and Xiangyun at the camera, smiled and said: "Sister Yun, sister Yun, this time I'm not going out to play, I'll be back later."

Just now I saw the small movements of the two of them, Xiangyun is more playful, but he is busy with business when he goes out this time.

Afterwards, Jia Heng rode a horse and asked Princess Xianning and Li Chanyue to ride in a carriage together to a wasteland covering an area of ​​five or six acres south of the Kaifeng prefecture. Such a shed, in addition to guarding the inner room of the Jinyi Mansion, is also guarded by soldiers from the Beijing camp.

Sweet potato seedlings are being cultivated in it, and after seven or eight days, a large number of sweet potato seedlings can be cultivated.

Hearing that Jia Heng came over, the original guards came out of a house one by one, and one of them was a short and fat Jinyi Qianhu, who bowed his hands to Jia Heng and said, "Jinyi Qianhu Xia Hai, a low-ranking Fuzhou Jinyi Mansion, , I have met Lord Dudu."

Jia Heng asked: "Xia Qianhu, where are the farmers who planted sweet potatoes now?"

"Go back to your lord, it's in the room, please go inside." Xia Hai quickly said with a smile.

Jia Heng, Princess Xianning, and Li Chanyue entered the house surrounded by Xia Houying, Liu Jixian and other guards from Jinyi Mansion.

At this time, several Jinyi mansion guards summoned three farmers from another house.

The three are from Fuzhou Prefecture, surnamed He, and belong to the same family. Because Fujian has many mountains and few fields, and it is difficult to grow other grains in the mountains, they planted sweet potatoes. According to them, sweet potatoes were not the first ones they discovered, but moved from Changle County planted.

Later, sweet potatoes were recommended to the local government, but they were not taken seriously. In the nearby villages, sweet potatoes were grown, and they were often sold to Fuzhou as roasted sweet potatoes. Therefore, after searching for Fuzhou, Jinyi Mansion found three people at once.

(End of this chapter)