The Red Mansions

Chapter 719 The matter of salt is like duckweed with nothing to rely on, so how can we talk about it?
In the wing
As Zijuan's trembling voice came from outside, the two who were immersed in the chasing game were startled.

This is Daddy, not good...

Dai Yufang's heart was flustered, and she quickly opened her star eyes, just in time to meet those clear eyes, catching a trace of panic, she couldn't help feeling a sense of embarrassment in her heart.

Jia Heng hurriedly left Daiyu, but seeing the bright lights, under the reflection, there was a hidden silk thread cut off abruptly.

Jia Heng sat down towards Xiudun beside him, took a handkerchief, quickly and calmly wiped the rouge on his mouth, and said in a low voice: "Sister, don't panic, I'll go and have a look."

Daiyu looked at the boy, pursed her lips, and responded lightly.

Both sides of the girl's cheeks were flushed and turned into peach pistils, beautiful and bright, her pair of bright starry eyes were misty and moist, and her lips were even more moist and shimmering.

Jia Heng stood up, opened the beaded curtain, faced Lin Ruhai who had come in from the outside, and asked first, "Uncle, is there something going on outside?"

"Ziyu, I'm looking for you for something." Seeing Jia Heng, Lin Ruhai immediately sat down in the living room, but didn't go to the inner room where her daughter was, but a doubt flashed in her heart, how did Ziyu wake up from Yu'er's sleep? Came out of the wing?

Under Jia Heng's sword-like eyebrows, his eyes were calm, and he said calmly: "I'm going to the Qianya to have a look. I told my sister a bedtime story just now, and said that we will go to Jinling together in the next two days."

I was almost stuck inside just now, if my father catches me, I won't be able to hold my head up in the future.

"Going to Jinling? What did Yu'er say?" The doubt in Lin Ruhai's heart also disappeared, and she looked at the boy in the python suit who was sitting upright, but she didn't doubt him.

At this moment, Daiyu came out from the inner room, and her clear and pleasant voice was faintly greasy: "Daddy, are you calling me?"

The girl is dressed in a bright dress, under the forehead that is as clean as jade, the eyebrows of spring mountains, the clear eyes like the water of Xiaoxiang are soft and rippling, the body is full, and the face of the melon seeds is the same except for the slight blush on the cheeks. shape.

Lin Ruhai turned to look at his slim daughter, and said softly: "Yu'er, Ziyu may be busy with the case these two days, so don't pester Ziyu all day."

Daiyu: "???"

Fang's heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushed red again.

Well, daddy knows this?No, don't tell her if you don't make decisions for her, but also say that she is pestering Brother Heng?
"Ziyu, you don't have to tell Yu'er a story every day these few days, don't delay the big event." Lin Ruhai turned to look at Jia Heng, with a solemn expression, and warned.

Jia Heng told Daiyu the story after dinner these two days. Although she was happy that Jia Heng loved her daughter, she didn't want Jia Heng to affect her official business because of Daiyu.

Little girls pester grown-ups to tell stories.

Jia Heng smiled softly, and said: "Uncle, it's okay, it's just a pastime after leisure, it doesn't take up much time, and sometimes it's not sister Lin who pesters me to tell stories."

At this time, Daiyufang woke up, she misunderstood, she quickly lowered her head, her light white jade hand was holding a handkerchief, she felt uneasy for a while, she glanced at the boy in python clothes from the corner of her eye, and saw that he was calm and calm, as if nothing had happened , I was a little ashamed in my heart.

Okay, so kissing her is just for fun?

Seeing that Daiyu bowed her head and said nothing, Lin Ruhai thought it was a bit ashamed to pick on her own daughter, but she didn't doubt him, and said, "Just now, Princess Chu and Princess Beijing sent people to inquire about the situation, and asked about Ziyu's situation. Condition."

It turned out that Jia Hengguang sent Tiqi Dasuo to the whole city, and the city of Yangzhou was full of wind and rain. After Princess Chu Zhenqing heard about it, she quickly sent people to the brightly lit Yanyuan Yamen to inquire about the situation.

Jia Heng pondered and said: "The cavalry army was ordered to block the boats at the ferry, and the two concubines will go to Jinling to visit their relatives. Write a note to them later."

Lin Ruhai nodded, and said softly: "Besides, Mr. Qi Ge just came from the post house and said he wanted to see Ziyu, and then discuss the salt affairs. He is waiting in the Xuan room right now."

Because Jia Heng was assassinated by the king of the chieftain, and the salt merchants in Yangzhou were sent to prison for interrogation, Qi Kun was a little shocked when he heard the news of Jia Heng at the post station, so he came to Yangzhou Salt Court Yamen to inquire in person.

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, then said softly: "I'll go see him right now."

Turning to look at Daiyu, whose starry eyes were shining brightly, with gentle eyes, she said softly: "Sister Lin, it's getting late, let's take a rest earlier."

"Well, brother Heng and daddy go get busy." Daiyu restrained her reluctant eyes and watched Jia Heng and Lin Ruhai leave.

At this moment, Daiyu breathed a sigh of relief. The original posture of sitting like a lady, at this moment, was almost slumped on a pear wood chair. A heart kept beating "bang bang" in his throat, it was too dangerous just now.

Zijuan was also still in shock, approached, and said in a low voice: "Miss and Uncle Heng just now..."

Seeing the embarrassment and annoyance in her eyes, Daiyu Liu Meixing said lightly, "Brother Heng...is quite mischievous sometimes."

But every time she said that she couldn't help herself, and then kissed her again and again in the past two days, she couldn't do anything about it.

Zijuan didn't know what nonsense Daiyu was talking about, thought about it, and asked in a low voice: "Miss, did Master Heng say anything about Master?"

Daiyu looked faint, and said softly: "Let's keep it a secret for now, otherwise what will happen?"

If father knew, it would be embarrassing for her to be in love with a married man like Brother Heng.

But Brother Heng didn't mention anything about the future, and she didn't know what he was thinking or what he could do.

On the other side of the official hall, in a pavilion, candles were brightly lit, and wisps of hot air rose from the teacup on the small table.

Qi Kun was already sitting in the reception room. The cabinet minister's face was gloomy and dignified, and he was evaluating the impact of the case on Yangzhou Salt Affairs from the bottom of his heart.

Because Qi Kun didn't communicate with Jia Heng in advance, he didn't know Jia Heng's views on salt affairs, but as time passed, he could also hear from Yangzhou salt merchants that Jia Heng disapproved of China and France.

Suddenly, he heard the sound of chaotic footsteps outside, and saw Lin Ruhai walking into the official hall accompanied by a young man in a python suit.

"Uncle Yongning." Qi Kun stood up, looked at Jia Heng, and asked, "I just heard from Brother Ruhai that Uncle Yongning was assassinated by Donglu in Huanhualou."

Jia Heng nodded, and while taking his seat, he said: "Old Qi Ge, Duoduo, the fifteenth brother of the slave chief, led a group of guards pretending to be assassins, trying to assassinate me, but was wounded by me, and is still running away. , Jinyi Tiqi and the cavalry are hunting for this beast."

Worried that Qi Kun didn't know the importance of Duoduo, he said: "Duoduo is a man who is good at fighting and resourceful. He has made great contributions in the battle of establishing a country in the East. Now he thinks he can and goes deep into our territory. This is the opportunity to get rid of this beast. !"

Qi Kun said: "I have also heard about Duoduo."

Jia Heng stared at the middle-aged official opposite, and asked, "Elder Qi Ge knows him?"

In ancient dynasties, not all officials knew about soldiers and captives.

"According to what the frontier general said, Duoduo was fierce and brave during the previous invasions of the Guan and the South. It's gone." Qi Kun looked at the young man opposite, and said: "He assassinated Yongning Bo, presumably because he thought that Yongning Bo was a trouble in the future and wanted to get rid of him in advance."

In this way, the young man in front of him is indeed a professional talent for dealing with captive affairs.

This kind of affirmation from the enemy is undoubtedly more convincing.

Jia Heng pondered and said: "There are salt merchants Ma Xianjun and others delivering news to them. These merchants and Donglu smugglers who used sea trade to smuggle have long secretly communicated. There are merchants who deliver news to them."

In fact, it may not be the message delivered by Ma Xianjun, but this is not important, no one cares anymore, anyway, as long as the two have business smuggling, it is a violation of the taboo.

Qi Kun hesitated for a while and asked, "Will this matter affect Yangzhou Salt Affairs?"

Jia Heng said: "Elder Qi Ge, don't worry, the matter of salt affairs has nothing to do with it, but the king of the chieftain of the Eastern Captives assassinated and fled in Yangzhou, as if there was no one in the land. Shangshu, rectify the Jiangnan and Jiangbei camps, re-examine and sort out Jiangfang, and invite the elders of Qige to jointly write the title."

At this moment, Huainan is a salt area, so under the system of the Dusi Weisuo, a patrol inspection department and a three-level defense system were set up. In addition, there are three defenses at Jugang, Miaowan, and Dongtai at the mouth of the sea.

Qi Kun said: "This needs to be negotiated with the Jinling Military Department."

After thinking for a while, he asked again: "Nowadays, the salt merchants' collusion with the eastern captives is not an example. It can be seen that the abolition of the system of leading merchants to the shore is imminent."

Because the leading right of the salt affairs has been dominated by Jia Heng after Jia Heng asked for his will the day before yesterday, Qi Kun thought about it and wanted to ask for his opinion.

Jia Heng said: "The system of introducing merchants to the shore has serious disadvantages, but opening up China and France may not be without disadvantages. Let alone the matter of occupying nests, it is said that the frontier army has a huge amount of food and salaries every year. The cost of merchants transporting rice to the north is high, and there is no commercial village. Good land can be cultivated, but they may not be willing to go to transport food, and the frontier army is involved in training, it is not possible to combine the two things together, and the disease will be cured immediately, and the effect will be immediate."

"The frontier army has now been rectified by several military planes, reducing a lot of overstaffed generals." Qi Kun said.

Jia Heng said: "The number of military troops on the books is reduced, but how much combat power can be retained? This year or next spring, if the Eastern captives invade, once there are police, can they resist? These are all in between. If thieves and bandits enter from all over the country, the frontier generals will be short of troops, and the frontier army will control the number of troops, so it is impossible to say that there will be repetitions."

After finally discovering the disarmament, the frontier generals were rotten, saying that there were no rich troops to fight the enemy, so the reduction of the frontier army this time was a failure. He felt that the so-called rectification by Nan'an County King and Zhongjinghou was probably just a gust of wind.

Fortunately, there is still the deterrence of the Beijing camp, otherwise, they will not be a bird at all to rectify the frontier army.

Jia Heng said: "Since the frontier is uncertain, the salt matter is like duckweed with nothing to rely on, so what can we do now?"

Qi Kun's heart was shaken, and after a while, he asked: "Uncle Yongning is a military privy, what's your opinion?

Jia Heng opened his mouth slowly and said: "The new system of the Salt Law is out of date and still needs to be discussed. Of course, regardless of the new system, the top priority is to recover the deficit of the Salt Transport Department and re-establish the code system. It can be said to be cleaned up in the future... What do you think of the old man Qi Ge?"

Putting aside the controversy for the time being, first recover the deficit of the Salt Transportation Department. With the money, at that time, whether it is rebuilding an army, exchanging blood for the frontier army, or buying the generals of the border town, they will have the confidence.

This is his Jia Heng version of using salt to help side affairs.

Qi Kun chewed on Jia Heng's words of "clean the house before treating guests", and he had a faint understanding in his heart, and sighed: "Then let's do it first."

Clean up the house, then who is the dirt, can only be the salt merchant!
Lin Ruhai watched this scene quietly, and looked at the boy in the python suit, feeling a little emotional in his heart.

In Zhen's Manor——

In the flower hall in the backyard, Zhen Qing had just finished her bath, she had changed into a long red dress, and her green hair was coiled into a majestic cloud bun on the top of her head, but this girl's face was not that round and smooth, and her eyes were sharp. a cent.

The rounder and crisper millstone sat on the chair, under the willow eyebrows, a pair of piercing phoenix eyes looked at the nanny not far away, and said, "What did you say over there?"

"Master Lin from the Yangzhou Salt Institute said that Uncle Yongning is fine. Instead, he was the king of the captive chief who was assassinated. He was seriously injured and fled. All the capitals of Yangzhou are arresting him." The female officer who went to inquire about the news said.

Hearing this, Zhen Xue breathed a sigh of relief, Wen Ningrushui's brows were filled with worry, and she asked, "Sister, how could this Donglu man assassinate him?"

Zhen Qing's phoenix eyes were shining brightly, and she felt a little excited in her heart, she said: "It's clear that he is regarded as an enemy in the future, and I can't wait to get rid of him as soon as possible."

In the future, he will make great achievements in the war against the captives, so he will never want to get rid of her in his life!
Zhen Xue thought for a while, then said softly: "Sister, we have stayed in Yangzhou for two days, and it's time to take a boat to Jinling."

"Princess, I heard that in order to capture the king of the chieftain, Yongning Bo sent troops to seal off the ferry, and it is strictly forbidden to go out." The female official said.

Zhen Qing put it down and said, "I'll find him tomorrow, what can I say?"

"Still looking for it?" Zhen Xue couldn't help talking, but suddenly realized that she had made a slip of the tongue, and glanced at her sister unnaturally.

I thought, why don't you two live together every day and sleep together.

Zhen Qing said: "Now the ferry is blocked, without his warrant, we can't leave Yangzhou."

With that said, a group of nuns and female officials were screened away.

Zhen Xuexiu raised her eyebrows, looked at Zhen Qing, and asked: "Sister, what I mean is, let's go back to Jinling earlier, discuss with father, and think about the weaving bureau's deficit."

Zhen Qing sighed, and said, "Sister, the shortfall is not just one or two million taels. It's such a big hole that it can't be filled."

If it could be filled in, she would have already tried to fill it in. Some of the holes were left by the Emperor, who can fill them in?Needless to say, there are quite a lot of money that has been withheld in the past few years, and some of them have been converted into properties, fields, and gold and silver wares. They can't all be sold, right?

Then it is not that the palace came to raid the house, but ransacked his own house.

Zhen Xue said worriedly: "Then what should we do? If it really happens one day, do we want to watch my father go to jail?"

Compared with Zhen Qing who was lucky, what Zhen Xue said to Jia Heng was almost like a standard.

"When that day really comes, you and I will also be the water splashed by the married daughter, and we will be powerless." Zhen Qingyu's face was covered with frost, her eyes flickered coldly, and said: "Only after the two of us are saved, can we save the family members." .”

Zhen Xue looked at her sister and sighed inwardly.

"Actually, I have another plan." Zhen Qing took Zhen Xue's hand and said with bright eyes.

"What trick?" Zhen Xue didn't know why, but her heart suddenly jumped. Her sister's tricks were always used on other people's heads.

"Now that Jia Ziyu is in favor, if we have deep entanglements with him, then he will help to find a solution, and then we will make up for some shortcomings, make some contributions to the court, and intercede with the emperor, then we can't say Let it go." Zhen Qing said softly.

This is the reason why she wants to stay with that bastard more, because she got the information earlier,

Zhen Xue frowned when she heard this, and said softly: "Sister, the entanglement is... very deep now."

Zhen Qing glanced at Zhen Xue, and said: "Not yet, he can throw away our sisters at any time, and when he gets tired of playing, he will throw it away like a pair of shoes."

But he couldn't help but think of that young man hugging his younger sister that day, hmph, he actually wanted his younger sister to give him a daughter.

Zhen Xue's face turned pale, and she was speechless for a while, is there really such a day?

Zhen Qing said again: "My sister and I can't see the light. I think of Sister Lan and Sister Xi, who are married to Jia's family."

Zhen Xue shook her head and said, "Sister, no."

My sister is really crazy, the two of them are not enough, and I sent two sisters to Ziyu?
Zhen Qing said coldly: "It's not for that bastard! It's about choosing someone to marry Baoyu from Rongguo Mansion. I didn't think much of that Baoyu from Rongguo Mansion before, but now I don't care too much."

"Sister, Ziyu is the patriarch, so I won't fail to see your intentions. If he doesn't agree, it will be difficult." Zhen Xue shook her head lightly, and said in a low voice: "Sister, actually, I think it's better for you to go your own way. It would be better to ask him for advice, he also has a little liking for his sister... "

She and her sister have some weight in his heart, right?

Embarrassment flashed across Zhen Qing's eyes, and immediately she said quietly: "Then let me ask."

Does he love himself?She didn't think he would like her temperament, even if he liked her, he might also like her body.

No more words for one night.

The next day, Jia Heng was assassinated by Donglu, and there was an uproar in Yangzhou, and Yangzhou salt merchant Ma Xianjun colluded with Donglu, which caused an uproar in Yangzhou.

Not many people complained about Ma Xianjun's grievances, because the matter was involved in the case of colluding with the Eastern captives, and the assassination of Yongning Bo, who is now very popular, is undoubtedly legendary.

In the afternoon, the official office of Jinyi Mansion's Hundred Households Office in Yangzhou temporarily acted as Jia Heng's camp. The outer third floor of Jinyi Mansion's guard and the outer third floor were heavily guarded.

In the official hall, Jia Heng sat behind the table and looked at the generals of Jinyi Mansion and Jiangbei Daying.

"Have you not found anyone all day and all night?" Jia Heng's face was indifferent, but his voice was a little cold.

At this time, Liu Jixian bit his head and said: "Commander, the thief is cunning. He took the boat all the way to attract the attention of the officers and soldiers. He chased him downstream, but he didn't see the chieftain Duoduo."

Shui Yu said in a deep voice: "Uncle Yongning, all the armies have now blocked the main water and land routes, and they are making inquiries, but there is still no news."

Jia Heng said softly: "Shang Ming, has the Ma family confessed?"

Shangming, who was in charge of hundreds of households, came out more and more, cupped his hands and replied: "Captain, Ma Xianjun's third son and the shopkeeper of the Delin have recruited. He has been doing smuggling business with Donglu in recent years. He transports silk, silk, Porcelain and tea were used by nobles such as Jurchen Prince Baylor in exchange for wild ginseng, velvet antler, mink fur, pearls, etc. These things are very valuable in Jiangnan."

Wild ginseng is originally a great tonic. The rich merchant Ju Jia used it to make soup, which is the most nourishing for people. However, there are other special products. The south is humid and cold, and mink fur is also quite popular.

With that said, a thick booklet was delivered.

Jia Heng took the statement from his personal guard Li Shu, without reading it, and asked, "Where's Ma Xianjun? Does he have a confession?"

"Ma Xianjun still does not admit that he had colluded with Donglu, and he said it was all about slander, and he kept calling for grievances." Shang Ming said: "The humble official is being tortured and tortured. When the humble official came, the Linyan Court said that Wang Shouqi had several other A salt merchant wants to ask to see an adult."

In fact, it was still to test Jia Heng's tone. Several salt merchants knew about the relationship between Lin Ruhai and Jia's family, and they all prepared generous gifts to visit Lin Ruhai.

The old horse has been disabled, whether he will continue to be implicated in this case, I hope Jia Heng can give an accurate answer.

Jia Heng said: "I will go there later."

Then, looking over Liu Jixian and Shuiyu, he said in a deep voice: "Jinyi and the battalion cooperated in the careful inspection. Since they used boats to divert the attention of the officers and soldiers, they probably didn't go far. They should still be hiding near Yangzhou."

"Yes, my lord." Everyone clasped their fists together and said.

Jia Heng waved his hand, motioning for everyone to leave.

And he will rush to Yangzhou Yanyuan Yamen later.

"Jinling Household Department, Military Department, Liangjiang Governor's Yamen, and Jiangzuo Chief Envoy all issued written documents, asking about the reason and date of Yangzhou's strict prohibition of entry and exit. Now grain and cargo ships are not allowed to enter and exit." After everyone left, Li Shu observed for a while With Jia Heng's expression on his face, he said in a low voice.

With the passage of time, or the rush of Yangzhou salt merchants, officials in Jinling have begun to put pressure on Jia Heng.

But there was no fool, and no one looked up for Ma Xianjun, but asked about the blockade of the ferry in the Yangzhou Canal.

Jia Hengdao: "In the name of this official, I will send a letter to the Yasi, and the Yangzhou side will arrest the king of the eastern captives. Three days later, the grain ship will go there after inspection. In addition, a separate letter will be sent to the Ministry of War in Nanjing. Go to Jinling, and discuss with the Ministry of War, the Liangjiang Yamen, and Jiangfang's rectification matters."

Last night, he had already written a memorial to Beijing, and he sent it to Shenjing on a fast horse six hundred miles away. At the same time, he flew a pigeon to send a letter to inform the emperor about the assassination of Duoduo in Yangzhou.

As for the blockade of the ferry, it was not a long-term solution. If it is true that Duoduo cannot be found, the blockade can only be gradually reduced.

After Jia Heng finished speaking, he looked at Shang Ming, who had not yet left, and asked, "Is there anything else?"

"My lord, there is one more thing that I can't explain just now." Shang Ming said.

"what?"

"Ma Xianjun's son also confessed to another thing. It was the Ma family who sent people to assassinate Lord Lin Ruhailin, and exterminate former Jinyi's fellow acquaintance Lu Jingyao's southward spies." Shang Ming said in a low voice.

Jia Heng frowned, and looked suspiciously: "It was all done by the Ma family? No one else was involved?"

These are two old things.

(End of this chapter)