The Red Mansions

Chapter 722 Shui Xin: I sleep among you...

Yamen of Yangzhou Salt Courtyard, back house

A carriage with glazed hairpin tassels, under the guards of the palace and the retinue of the mother, moved slowly, casting a long shadow under the setting sun.

In the carriage compartment, through the bamboo curtains hanging from the windows on both sides, the lights were sparsely falling, and fell on the jade faces, necks and bodies of the two beauties.

Zhen Xue raised her eyes to look at her sister who had a yurongyouyou face, the shadow on her cheek flickered because the lantern was near and far away.

Zhen Qing was caressing the necklace in her hand at the moment, her eyes were downcast, her expression was gloomy, the Koudan, which was painted red with impatiens flower juice, under the reflection of the emerald, the dark red color was slightly magnificent and dreamy.

"Sister, this necklace is very pretty." Zhen Xue took the initiative to break the silence and said softly.

Zhen Qing lightly took off the necklace in her hand, raised her fair and slender neck, and her charming face showed a bit of coldness and beauty. Although she was happy, she said in a bad mood: "He just wants to use this trick." Hold me."

Zhen Xue stared at Zhen Qing, who was beaming with joy between her brows and eyes, and asked softly, "Did sister... fall in love with him?"

When Zhen Qing heard this, Yu Rong paused, and said angrily, "Who would like... that bastard."

Zhen Xue sighed lightly, but she didn't want to ask any more, she couldn't help thinking of herself who was nagging before, and her thoughts were complicated.

As dusk fell, the vast and sublime sky was covered like a black curtain.

The crescent moon was like a hook, and the sycamore trees in the courtyard were blown by the hot summer wind, and the rustling sound rang in Jia Heng's ears.

After taking a bath, Jia Heng changed into a Su brocade robe and walked through the flickering corridor to the study in the front yard.

Liu Jixian quickly got up from the pear blossom wooden chair, looked at the young man, cupped his hands and said, "Commander."

Jia Heng nodded, and couldn't help but cast a glance, with a cold face, Chen Xiao, who was not close to strangers, but the girl was obviously focused on him, and she immediately frowned and glared angrily.

I played tricks on Xiaoxiao earlier, let her be in the scene, and really acted as a live monster.

"Let's talk." Jia Heng sat down behind the desk, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said softly.

Liu Jixian pondered and said: "Commander, Liu Shengzao's son is now being tortured at the Yangzhou Baihu Office, but it seems that Liu Changdao doesn't know much about salt affairs."

"Ask him what he did with the salt affairs, ask him how many wives he has forced, how many things Liu Shengzao behind him has settled for him, and the shitty things about the Liu family, all should be interrogated to find out the situation. "Jia Heng said in a deep voice.

Liu Jixian responded, and asked deeply: "My lord, Liu Changdao has been arrested, do you want to notify Liu Shengzao?"

"Don't be in a hurry to inform me. After the interrogation, if the evidence of the crime is solid, submit it to the Yamen of the Yangzhou prefect to see how they deal with it." Jia Heng said in a deep voice.

Yuan Jichong, the magistrate of Yangzhou, was greedy and harsh on the people when he was a local official in Nanyang.

Jia Heng said: "A man who indulges his son to bully men and women, and a man who is corrupt and perverts the law, is enough for this salt transport envoy and Yangzhou magistrate to be dismissed."

Since he was worried about the rectification of the salt affairs, he did not ask about the salt affairs at all. It was all due to other things.

But just like this, those people who want to come to the south of the Yangtze River should not be able to sit still, and when he arrives in Jinling, there is bound to be a fight.

Chen Ling looked at the young man who was frowning and thinking, and he still felt a little bit ashamed and inexplicable, and it was also because of his keen sense of taste, and that strange feeling seemed to linger in his heart.

"Has the Ma family confessed anything new?" Jia Heng paused, raising his eyes and asking.

"The confessions of the criminals involved in the case of Ma's smuggling and collusion with Donglu through cargo ships have been recorded, and the brothers under his command have already begun to search for relevant evidence to support the evidence. The boatmen of Huang's family and Huang's family are also involved, my lord, are you going to start taking people?" Liu Jixian said in a deep voice.

This is the standard way of weaving prisons, follow the clues, catch a bunch of them, and then keep interrogating them until more and more people are involved.

Jia Heng thought for a moment, then said softly: "There is no rush, you can wait for a while, and the company needs to find an entry point when it is short-lived."

Yangzhou salt merchants are only catching one now. As for the deficit of the transportation department, Qi Kun or Lin Ruhai need to raise it, and then Jinyifuwei will assist in the investigation.

Moreover, there are no soldiers and horses in charge, relying on Yangzhou's local soldiers and horses alone may not be able to hold back the situation at critical moments.

Jia Heng thought for a while, and then asked, "Where is Qu Guang? Where is he now?"

What he was waiting for was the cavalry army from the capital of Henan. Qu Guang, the commander of the capital of Henan, led the five thousand cavalry to the camp in Jiangbei. .

"This morning's Feige sent the letter, the soldiers and horses have already arrived at Huai'an Mansion, and they will arrive the day after tomorrow." Liu Jixian said in a deep voice.

"Let them speed up their march. Five thousand cavalry troops will be stationed in the Jiangbei camp first, and then five thousand infantry will be sent down from Henan by boat." Jia Heng put down the bowl of tea and said in a deep voice.

Liu Jixian nodded in response, and immediately said in a low voice: "My lord, Duoduo has not been found yet."

Jia Heng said: "Look for another three days, if you really can't find it, let's forget it first."

In this era, finding someone has always been a time-consuming and laborious task. If you can't find it, you can only say that Duoduo's life should not die, or that his life is not exhausted.

According to the history of parallel time and space, Duoduo is still the protagonist of the Manchu Qing Dynasty's entry to a certain extent.

"Ask Tushan, where are the pirates of the Jinsha Gang? After the navy has rectified them, we will first punish these pirates." Jia Heng turned and said softly.

"Yes, Commander." Liu Jixian responded, and immediately turned around and went to work.

At this time, Jia Heng also got up, walked up to Chen Xiao who was sitting quietly, looked at the girl who raised her eyes and glanced at her, and said softly: "Xiaoxiao, I haven't eaten yet, have you cooked yet? "

Chen Xiao's culinary skills are superb, even better than the local Huaiyang cuisine.

Chen Xiao turned her face away and ignored Jia Heng, as if she was still concerned about the matter of talent.

Jia Heng said softly, sat gently in front of Chen Xiao, and said softly: "Xiaoxiao, come on, don't be angry, just now I blamed me for being indifferent, it was really not intentional."

Chen Xiao frowned, turned her face away, and said sullenly, "Don't call me."

What about coaxing children?
Jia Heng took the teacup from the side, handed it over, and said softly: "Well, come, have a sip of tea, don't get angry and make trouble."

Chen Xiao snorted coldly, reached out to take the teacup, took a sip, and handed it over.

Jia Heng took the teacup, put it aside, and asked, "What kind of food are you cooking today?"

Chen Xiao glanced at Jia Heng angrily, and said in a low voice, "Crystal trotters, squirrel mandarin fish, Yangzhou old goose..."

Jia Heng said softly: "Then you know a lot of dishes, with such cooking skills, whoever wants to marry you in the future doesn't need to hire a cook."

The girl in front of him should have seen a lot of his moves between the curtains.

"You..." Chen Ling frowned, her cheeks were ashamed and red, and she lost her temper completely at the moment. After all, she was her cousin, so she was not angry, and said in a low voice: "You are going to Jinling tomorrow, those salt merchants Definitely can't sit still."

Jia Heng said: "It was because they were not sure about the way."

"Aren't you afraid that they will unite and cause trouble?" Chen Xiao asked with her eyes fixed.

Jia Heng shook his head and said: "Not now, we haven't reached that step yet, the rope has just been put on, and when they react, it will be tightened all of a sudden."

The merchant's weakness is innate, as long as he doesn't put on a fighting posture, someone will be lucky.

"But now you are Dongma's family and Liu Shengzao's son, I'm afraid they will get suspicious and unite to deal with you." Chen Xiao said worriedly.

Jia Heng said: "So let's see what they will do. Recently, you asked your people to help me watch over it. I think they might do something wrong."

Chen Ling nodded, and said softly, "Then I'll keep an eye on it for you."

Jia Heng turned to look at Chen Xiao, and asked softly: "Let's not talk about this, go to Jinling tomorrow, don't you go to pay homage to King Zhou and Princess Zhou?"

According to King Zhou's last words, King Zhou's coffin was buried in the ancestral tomb of Chen Han Taizu in Jinling, not in Shenjing City. As for Princess Zhou, she was originally from the south, but in Chen Xiao's eyes, I'm afraid that because of this, she felt that her father His death is particularly suspicious.

In fact, the ancestral tombs of the four kings and eight princes of the Taizu dynasty were all in the south, so there is the saying of the twelve beauties in Jinling, because the ancestral home of the twelve beauties is in Jinling, and after Jia Zhen died, it was Jia Rong who carried the coffin to Jinling for burial.

Chen Xiaoyu paused for a moment, her gaze was gloomy, she suddenly calmed down again, and sighed softly, obviously mentioning her own father made the girl's heart heavy.

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, looked at the girl with icy muscles and beautiful face, and said softly: "When we get to Jinling, I will accompany you to have a look."

Chen Xiao was stunned for a moment, then said softly: "Don't go, there are people watching your every move, if it spreads to Shenjing, what's the matter? Besides, Jinling may not have the eyeliner in the palace, from Guada Lixia."

He used to worship, in what name?In the name of the eldest nephew?
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Okay, then how have you worshiped your father these years?"

Chen Xiao was silent for a while, and said softly: "I am carrying the spirit card, and I will offer a stick of incense every year and festival."

Jia Heng said with emotion: "Then you have been wandering outside all these years, and it is not easy for you to be alone."

Chen Xiao let out an "um" and stopped talking.

Jia Heng patted the girl's hand lightly, and said softly: "Okay, I'll go to sister Lin's room."

Since I took Shui Xin and stayed with me for one night, I must spend more time with the little girl, I don't know how long it will take for my body to return to normal, and I also want to give Jinyang a child.

Thinking of this, I suddenly thought of Jinyang, and I don't know what she is doing with Chanyue at home, and Yuanchun and the others.

Recently, with Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue, I don't know what the world is, so go back and write two letters.

On the other side, in the courtyard where Daiyu lived, two maids were using poles to lift down the lanterns hanging from the eaves of the porch, lit candles, and then put them back on again, the dizzy yellow light flooded the whole room like water in an instant .

In the wing room, with the red candles swaying in the summer wind, two figures, one big and one small, were projected on the standing cabinet in the study.

Daiyu was sitting on the teacher's chair, holding Shui Xin, who was pecked with pink jade, in her arms. She was teaching Shui Xin to write by herself, while little Lolita was holding the pen tube in her white hand.

"Auntie, why is my name so difficult to write?" Seeing the crooked "Shui Xin", Shui Xin said in a soft voice.

Daiyu couldn't help laughing and said, "Because the word Xin has so many strokes."

Holding the fragrant, soft and pink Shui Xin, Daiyu also felt some special feelings for a moment. Only when she picked up the child, did she suddenly realize that she has become an adult and has a sweetheart.

At this moment, I suddenly heard an attacking voice from outside: "Master Heng is here."

Not long after, I saw Jia Heng striding from outside, entered the room, looked at the one big and one small who were writing at the desk, and said with a smile: "You two are playing."

Shui Xin is like a smaller Daiyu, with pink carved jade pecks, curved eyebrows and greasy cheeks that can squeeze out water.

"Godfather." Shui Xin called out sweetly, joy was seen on her pink face.

Jia Heng approached, bent his knees and hugged Shui Xin, and said in a warm voice, "Xin Xin, your mother has gone home first, Xin Xin will stay here to sleep with her godfather tonight."

Shui Xinnuo said: "Mother just told me."

Jia Heng hugged Shui Xin, smiled and said, "What are Xin Xin and your Aunt Lin doing?"

"My aunt taught me how to write." Shui Xin smiled lightly.

At this time, Daiyu stared at the young man who had just bathed, and said softly, "Brother Heng, are you done with your work?"

Jia Heng nodded and said: "I'm done with my work, there's nothing else to do for now."

Daiyu's bright starry eyes blinked under her beautiful eyebrows, she walked up to her, stroked the red mark on her neck with her hand, and asked, "Brother Heng got injured on his neck?"

Jia Heng smiled and said: "When I was fighting against the enemy the day before yesterday, I accidentally rubbed against the door frame, nothing happened."

The mark Zhen Qing left on his neck, the rouge has just been washed off, but the mark can only go away for a few days.

Daiyu didn't see any tricks either, so she didn't ask any more questions, and said with a light smile, "Brother Heng, I told you to let Xinxin sleep in the same room with me at night."

Jia Heng said: "Since my younger sister wants to sleep with Xinxin, let Xinxin sleep with you tonight. I will go back after I tell you a story."

Xin Xin raised her pink face, and said in a waxy voice, "Godfather, it's fine if you and aunt sleep together, I'll sleep between you."

Jia Heng and Dai Yu: "..."

Jia Heng stretched out his hand and gently pulled La Daiyu's plain hand, and under Daiyu's shy eyes, gently squeezed the back of the hand, the two of them will sleep in the same bed one day.

Daiyu's cheeks were burning like fire, she just glanced at Jia Heng angrily, and pinched that hand lightly, but... she was not willing to use force.

Afterwards, Jia Heng and Dai Yu, who was blushing, sat down and started eating food around a table. The two sat with Shui Xin in the middle.

Daiyu looked at the young man, picked up the dishes with her chopsticks, and asked casually, "What are Princess Chu and Princess Beijing talking to Big Brother Heng about?"

Jia Heng didn't "hide it", smiled, and said in a low voice: "It's about the rectification of the Jiangnan and Jiangbei camps. The second and fourth sons of the Zhen family are both generals in the Jiangnan camp. I'll ask Princess Chu in advance. There are two Princesses of Beijing."

As he spoke, he picked up a chopstick of goose meat and put it in Daiyu's bowl, and said with a light smile, "Sister, eat this, it's delicious."

Daiyu gave a soft "hmm", her starry eyes drooped, and there was a hint of suspicion in her heart. Did she think she was asking too many questions?

The words are divided into two parts, it is night, the sky and the earth are dark, but the lights along the Slender West Lake are brightly lit, and strings of lanterns shine on the river surface, and sometimes the sound of singing, dancing and orchestral music can be heard far away along the lights and water shadows.

Because a fire broke out in Huanhualou, men, women and children of the Ma family were arrested, so Yangzhou salt merchants gathered here to discuss countermeasures.

At this moment, in the flower hall of the Wang Family Manor, the seven salt merchants from Yangzhou were all sitting in a row, shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere.

"Master Wang, what's the wind direction at Yangzhou Salt Institute?" Bao Zuhui asked with a sigh.

Both Huang Rishan and Huang Cheng also looked at Wang Shouqi. As the oldest of the eight major salt merchants, he had seen Emperor Longzhi make several southern tours, and it can be said that he had experienced countless storms.

Cheng Peili said coldly: "I'm afraid they will catch me all in one go. Everyone here, when the times are bad, who dares to say that they have never smuggled things to the north. Strictly speaking, none of them can escape."

Huang Rishan said with a bitter face, "You can't say that. There are different crimes, so it's impossible to generalize."

Wang Shouqi frowned, and said: "Uncle Yongning took the old horse. The whole thing seems more like a coincidence to this old man."

"Coincidence?" Several people looked at each other and exchanged glances.

Wang Shouqi frowned, looked around at the salt merchants, and asked, "If there hadn't been the assassination the day before yesterday, I would like to ask everyone, what is Uncle Yongning doing now?"

Everyone looked thoughtful.

Wang Shouqi said: "He just received several 10 taels of silver from us that day, and he also said that he planned to go to Jinling to ask for armaments and food. and salt."

"It wasn't until the day of the assassination, because it involved Baylor, a prince of the Jurchen, that this incident became a big deal." When Wang Shouqi said this, he secretly hated Ma Xianjun for being stupid for causing such a disaster.

Even if he didn't communicate with Dong Lu secretly, he shouldn't sit back and watch the assassination, at least he should communicate with them.

"Master Wang, it's too late to say anything now, what is he trying to do with a knife and a gun now?" Jiang Tong said in a deep voice.

They were all beaten, so let’s put it here and reflect on what went wrong?

Wang Shouqi twirled his beard under his chin, and said, "Brother Jiang, please be safe and don't be impatient. What this old man means is that Uncle Yongning may not have that meaning. We'd better figure it out. Now wait and see what happens, and don't act rashly."

Seeing this scene, Xiao Hongsheng secretly sighed.

These people in front of them are usually majestic figures in Yangzhou, but when they were really hit by the iron fist of the imperial court, they realized that they had no power to fight back.

Unless it is a last resort, you can't raise the flag to rebel.

Fortunately, Xiao's family and Donglu are not deeply involved, and there is still a way to turn back.

Just when Xiao Hongsheng was considering the pros and cons, a servant's report suddenly came from outside, "Master Wang, Lord Liu is here."

At this moment, Wang Shouqi and others quickly stood up and welcomed Liu Shengzao into the cabin.

Because of his relatives, Huang Rishan spoke first: "Master Liu is here. Now that the old horse is gone, there are still seven salt merchants in Yangzhou. My wealth and life are all on Master Liu."

Liu Shengzao sat down and said: "Master Huang is serious. We are all grasshoppers on the same rope, but we are all in the same boat. From what I see, Uncle Yongning is already sharpening his sword."

As soon as this remark came out, everyone was shocked. Why did they sharpen their swords?

Liu Shengzao said: "I am in the capital city. I have been in prisons before, and I know that the Jinyi Mansion handles cases by pulling out carrots and bringing out mud. Now that Ma Xianjun has been arrested, how many clues do you think will fall into the hands of Jinyi Mansion? Once someone from the Ma family Let’s wait for the confession to come out, and people will follow the clues to find out about the salt affairs, and there is no investigation at all.”

Cheng Peili said: "What Master Liu said is true, I think he has the same attitude."

As for smuggling, Cheng and Ma have cooperated several times, and even shared boats to transport the goods. If some shopkeepers confess, the Cheng family may also be dragged into the water.

Wang Shouqi sighed: "Master Liu said so, then even if you don't take the old horse, as long as people make up their minds to investigate, how can they stand the investigation?"

Many things, if you really want to investigate, you can't escape.

"What I mean is to take precautions as soon as possible, find a way to drive Yongning Bo back to the capital, even if he is someone who contacts Liangjiang officials, he must be sent back to the capital." Liu Shengzao said quietly.

Bao Zuhui asked: "Uncle Yongning went south to reorganize the Jiangbei camp. Now that he is on military affairs, how can he go back?"

Liu Shengzao said softly: "I also intend to go to Jinling tomorrow. The brother-in-law of Gao Bin, the former governor of the river, the governor of Liangjiang, Mr. Shen Fang, and Mr. Yongning have many disputes about the river affairs, so you can contact them."

Jiang Tong nodded and said, "Isn't he going to Jinling to pay? There must be a fight with the people in Jinling."

Huang Rishan said: "I inquired about the news, and I heard that we are leaving tomorrow."

Cheng Peili's eyes flickered, and he said in a low voice: "Jiangbei camp has been in arrears for a long time, and now it has been rectified. Many generals are uneasy, so it's better to let them make a fuss. He is a military minister, and he can't organize the entire army. Think about it." He also ran back to the capital in despair."

Huang Cheng rolled his eyes and suggested: "The other generals and schools of the Jiangbei Daying Jiedu Envoy have complained a lot recently. If there are some troubles, if someone else works hard, this God of Plague will also be able to do it." Sent away."

It is to bribe some generals and soldiers with money to make noise.

Wang Shouqi said: "Don't be too busy, otherwise, once it is found out that we did it, it will completely tear your face. Why don't I go to test that Yongning Bo tomorrow."

Cheng Peili asked: "Master Wang, how to test this?"

"I'm going to Jinling tomorrow, and I'll wait at the Yamen of Yanyuan early. I'll go out to Yangzhou by boat with Uncle Yongning, and see how he speaks." Wang Shouqi's old eyes flickered a little, and he said in a low voice.

(End of this chapter)