The Red Mansions

Chapter 724 It's so boring to ask and beg like that...

Liangjiang Governor's Yamen
The official office of this ministry is majestic and majestic, with several fronts and backs. Under the outer corridor and eaves, soldiers from the governor's battalion stand with swords in their hands, with fierce faces.

In the backyard, through the lightly shaking lanterns under the eaves of the corridor, three paulownia black lacquered plaques with "Mingde Hall" hanging on the lintel of the hall can be seen. Under the painting in the middle hall of the house, there is a dark green incense burner on the three-foot-high table. Ding, surrounded by a black paperweight, not far away on a huanghuali wooden desk, there are a lot of official documents.

Shen Fang, governor of Liangjiang, sat on the grand master's chair under the window. This feudal official had a solemn demeanor and a thin figure. Under his brows, which were as strong as pine trees, his eyes were gloomy and flickering.

Not far away were Xu Shikui, the chief minister of Jiang Zuo, Bai Sixing, the chief secretary of Shen Bing, who was a staff member of the governor's yamen, and Lu Chaoyun, the general judge.

"My lord, this Yongning Bo has come to Jinling." Xu Shikui said in a deep voice: "He took the military power of Shuiyu in Jiangbei, and was assassinated by a prince from Donglu. People in Taiwan must be careful."

Previously in Yangzhou, Xu Shikui had also seen Jia Heng's methods. He thought it was just a farewell, and then he wanted to see him in three or two years.

"Did he say what he's here for?" Xu Shikui said, "I heard that he's here to ask for military pay and armaments. The Jiangbei camp has been abandoned for a long time. He wants to rearrange his military equipment, and he can't do without these two things."

Shen Fang said in a deep voice: "He just took the salt merchant, and instead of trying the case in Jiangbei, he came to Jiangnan again. It is true that he came from a bad person, and I'm afraid he came for the Jiangnan camp."

As the governor of Liangjiang, he has heard and seen everywhere. Jia Heng walked through the Ma family the day before yesterday, and Shen Bing heard it immediately.

Bai Sixing was a scribe in his thirties, holding a folding fan in his hand, and said in a low voice: "Dong Weng, Yongning Bo started his business as an army, and he is also in charge of the country's military affairs. It is impossible to ignore military affairs during this trip."

While several people were discussing, a doorman reported outside: "Master, Wang Shouqi, the general merchant of Yangzhou Salt Affairs, is asking to see the master."

Shen Fang's eyes flickered, and he said: "Wang Shouqi is here, I'm going to see him."

Not long after, Wang Shouqi was led into the study in the back hall under the guidance of a porter.

"I've met Mr. Shen." Wang Shouqi looked at Shen Bing and bowed his hands.

Shen Fang quickly stepped forward and stretched out his hands to support him, smiled and said, "Mr., there is no need to be polite."

The two can be regarded as old acquaintances for more than ten years, and they even exchanged letters in normal times.

Just as Jia Heng expected before, Yangzhou salt merchants are not meat on the chopping block, slaughtered at will, and do not know the political direction, but they can ask people who know how to do it.

Shen Fang led Wang Shouqi to sit down, greeted the servants to have tea, and said with a smile: "Master Wang, what wind brought you here?"

Wang Shouqi said: "Master Zhitai, have you heard about Uncle Yongning's activities in Jiangbei? Tiqi is everywhere, hunting for the king. Now the people in Yangzhou are in panic, and the people feel at ease."

These words were said very skillfully, the people were panicked, and the people felt at ease, which implicitly showed the attitude of Yangzhou merchants.

Shen Fang pondered for a moment, and said: "I am also paying close attention to this matter. Mr. Wang came from Yangzhou, and I heard that he was also a witness to the assassination of King Lu?"

Wang Shouqi said: "The assassination did happen. At the beginning, we were still in shock. Later, the captives who were arrested in Donglu were also said to be the Jurchen king."

On this point, there is no dispute.

Shen Fang frowned, and said: "This matter is a bit difficult to handle. I have written to the Yangzhou side earlier, and the Yangzhou side said that they are still looking for it. After a while, there should be results."

Donglu, this has already involved the issue of national security. The more the core of power, the more they know that they have said wrong words and expressed wrong attitudes.

Wang Shouqi said: "But the Ma family is now in the hands of the Jinyi Mansion. In case of torture, they will make false accusations, and make people fearful."

"Are the other families involved?" Shen Fang pondered for a moment, then stared at Wang Shouqi aggressively, and asked.

If everything is involved, the Yangzhou salt merchant is a pile of stinky shit, and he has to go around and cut it quickly.

Wang Shouqi said: "I don't know about the other families, but I assure you, my Wang family is definitely not involved in it, or has such interests in it, but it is also a very small number."

The Wang family has been so popular over the years that they did not dare to collude with Donglu. Of course, the clansmen were not without jealousy, but they were all stopped by Master Wang.

Shen Fang was silent for a moment, then said loudly: "Master Wang, Yangzhou's salt affairs are a big plan of the imperial court, and the rectification has already become the general trend, it is nothing more than who will take the lead."

The salt affairs must be rectified, but whoever will take the lead in rectifying it, the Yamen of the governor of Liangjiang can take care of the matter comprehensively, but the Holy Majesty is influenced by traitors and has no such intention.

Wang Shouqi said: "The old man is not resisting the rectification of the salt affairs, but according to the old man Qi Ge's intention, abolishing the system of special merchants leading the shore, what should we do?"

Shen Fang said: "This matter is still waiting for change, and we will deal with it when the wind direction of the court changes."

To put it bluntly, it is procrastination. If the person in charge cannot do it, the upper level will feel the resistance, and the will will wear down and the flag will die down.

Just like Qikun was like this before, it dragged on for a long time, worked for a long time without success, until the Central Plains was in turmoil, and the eyes of the world gathered in Henan, and then the Yellow River and Huaihe River flooded, so the Yangzhou salt merchants couldn't force the chaos, and it dragged on for a few more moonlight scene.

After that, Qi Kun wanted to check the account books of the Salt Transport Department, and Jia Heng went south after a fire.

"Uncle Yongning is now going south, saying that he is going to clean up the Jiangnan and Jiangbei camps, but it doesn't seem like he is here for the salt affairs, and he doesn't take seriously the method of re-opening the Qige old house." Wang Shouqi was silent for a moment, and introduced.

When everyone heard the words, they all nodded their heads.

Shen Fang looked at the people around and asked, "Master Xu, and Master Bai, what do you think?"

Xu Shikui said: "It is true that the imperial court did not replace Qi Dashi's scholars. This uncle Yongning seems to be in charge of rectifying the military equipment in the south of the Yangtze River and the north. I don't think much of it, the dispute between Jia and Yang has a long history, it can be said that the world is well known, but it is nothing."

Shen Fang nodded, and looked at Bai Sixing who was beside him.

Bai Sixing's eyes were gloomy, and he said, "Dong Weng, why do students think that Uncle Yongning is going south this time, intending to rectify the salt affairs with military affairs?"

Shen Fang said: "How to say?"

"Students see him as a man with a firm mind and ruthless methods. From the Henan Rebellion to the Dudu River, he acted resolutely and decisively." Bai Sixing said, his eyes seemed a little amazed, and he seemed to admire Jia Heng's methods very much. .

Lu Chaoyun smiled and said: "Boss Bai, Uncle Yongning is not an unwise person, he really wants to ignore it, besides, in Henan and in Hedao, although he acts aggressively, he is not lacking in lenient, I feel that Uncle Yongning is still aggressive. Even if he wants to intervene in the matter of salt affairs, he has no excuse and can only become the target of public criticism."

As he said that, he looked at Shen Fang and said, "What the Master of Taitai said earlier is right, we have to wait for a change, and the North Korean war will resume this year. At that time, Uncle Yongning will definitely not be able to stay here for long. If you have no merit, you will definitely have to return to the capital, and at that time, Zhitai will be able to take over the power of supervising salt."

Shen Fang looked silent, and said softly: "But I have to guard against it."

Bai Sixing continued: "Zhitai, Yongning Bo took over the military power of the Jiangbei camp, it's a murderous intention, if you don't drive him back to the capital as soon as possible, I'm afraid the consequences will be disastrous."

Shen Fang said: "It's not that easy to chase. Now that he has just arrived in Jiangbei, Fang has thwarted an assassination by the king of captives. If we act rashly, we can only let him take advantage and be passive instead."

As he spoke, he glanced at Wang Shouqi, which was also a warning.

Wang Shouqi knew it well, this meant that some countermeasures should not be overdone.

Seeing this, Bai Sixing sighed softly from the bottom of his heart, the master of Taitai was startled by the word Donglu, and worried about being involved in a bigger whirlpool.

This concern is also reasonable, even if he wants to take back the power of inspecting salt to the Yamen of the governor of Liangjiang, he can't be reprimanded by the palace because of the Donglu incident, then he will never have the chance to join the cabinet and assist the government.

Wang Shouqi felt awe-inspiring when he heard the discussion of several people.

At this moment, coincidentally looking at Shang Shen Fang's eyes, he said hastily: "Master Tai Tai, the old man has saved a lot."

"Master Wang, be safe and don't be impatient." Shen Fang's eyes turned gentle, looked at Wang Shouqi, and said with relief: "The imperial court is not dominated by his family."

Wang Shouqi quickly responded.

Afterwards, Wang Shouqi left the Yamen of the Governor of Liangjiang while being sent off by the scribes. At some point, it was already raining and the sky was gloomy.

Wang Shouqi glanced back at the Governor's Yamen of Liangjiang behind him. With the lantern swaying in the wind, the open gate looked like the Hall of Hell.

"Master, where are we going?" The steward who was driving the car picked up an umbrella and walked up to shield Wang Shouqi from the wind and rain.

Wang Shouqi's face turned gloomy, and he said, "Go back to Jingyuan Villa first."

Tomorrow he will visit Jiangnan Zhen's family, and he is still a little uneasy.

On the other side, when Wang Shouqi was sent out of Liangjiang Governor's Yamen, Shen Fang's face was gloomy, and he stood up, looked at the courtyard where the rain was falling again at some time, and said, "Lu Tongpan, send someone to watch Jia Heng. See where he's been these days."

"Yes, my lord." Lu Chaoyun got up from his seat, bowed his hands to Shen Fang, and took his orders.

……

……

Ningguo Mansion

On the west side of the courtyard, in the wing room, the candles lit on the high table are bright and majestic. In front of the gilded and hollowed-out exquisite dressing table, there is a beautiful woman in a long plain dress with clouded temples sitting.

The woman does not wear makeup, her face is beautiful, and there is an aura that only belongs to a mature woman between her eyebrows and eyes, but because she is wearing filial piety clothes, she is a little more magnificent.

Because Youshi and Jia Zhen are still husband and wife, so Youshi still needs to perform filial piety for three years, but the folks are not so strict, only one year is about the same, and there are even remarriages.

You Shi looked at the soft and beautiful face on the vanity mirror, gently stroked the non-existent wrinkles on the temples, and sighed.

Not far away, another maid Chaodouer took the tea cup, handed it over, and said, "Grandma, let's have a cup of tea."

Youshi responded softly, took the teacup, turned around, pressed her pink lips against the porcelain cup, and took a sip.

The servant girl Yindie carried a corner of her skirt, crossed the threshold, her two braids were swaying in the wind, entered the wing room, and said, "Grandma, grandpa is here."

The jade face on the side of the bronze mirror overflowed with joy, and asked anxiously, "Where is the man?"

"Grandma, you've arrived in the front hall." Yindie said cheerfully.

Youshi was about to walk away, but immediately stood still, sighed again, returned to the dressing table and sat down again.

As a widow, how could she go to meet that man?I'm afraid that he will attract some gossip.

Thinking of this, the young woman held a handkerchief to her heart, and suddenly sat down slowly, a sense of loss floated on her gentle and watery face.

As the original book "Dream of Red Mansions" said through the dialogue between Leng Zixing and Jia Yucun, the east of Jinling Old House Street is Ningguo Mansion, and the west of the street is Rongguo Mansion, occupying one street, full of people and continuous houses.

Jia Heng entered Ningguo Mansion in a mighty way under the leadership of the Jia clan in Jinling Twelve Houses and under the retinue of Jinyi's personal guards.

This mansion is majestic and majestic, it is not under the Shenjing Ningguo Mansion, because servants often sweep it, there is no barren and dilapidated inside, and there is no sign of deep wormwood, which is also the main vein of the Shenjing Bafang in Jinling.

Entering the hall, Jia Heng greeted all the clansmen to sit down, and said: "I often stay in Beijing, so it's the first time I come to Jinling."

Jiazi laughed and said, "Ziyu, when you come to Jinling, you are at home. This is the place where your ancestors stood. The family prepared a small banquet to welcome Ziyu."

This Brother Heng in front of him, he had inquired before, came from a side branch of the common clan, and later named Yongning Bo, he was the patriarch of the Jia clan.

Jia Heng nodded and asked, "Why didn't you see Brother Rong?"

When Jiazi heard this, he was startled, and said: "I have already sent someone to call, and I will come here later."

Jia Rong's position in Jinling's Twelve Houses was quite embarrassing because of Jia Zhen's conviction and disqualification. As Jia Heng's official position became bigger and bigger, because he was worried that Jia Heng would not like it, he did not let him live in Ningguo Mansion , but chose another courtyard to live in. After all, caring about Jia Jing's face, he gave grain fields and shops to support him.

Today it was Jia Heng who came over. Considering the enmity between Jia Heng and Jia Zhen back then, he tacitly did not call Jia Rong.

And Jia Rong is not allowed to marry because her father's filial piety is still there, but she usually secretly accompanied her friends to the Qinhuai River to hang out.

Jia Heng nodded, and said softly: "Go and call Brother Rong, I have something to tell him later."

Compared with the clansmen of Jinling Twelve Houses, who were not familiar with their temperaments, Jia Rong was his acquaintance on the contrary, and he might not necessarily know much about the Jinling clan.

What Jia Yu and his son did in Huai'an Mansion back then may not be an isolated case.

Jia Zi hastily sent the boy away, at this moment everyone in the Jia clan was looking at the slender young man, feeling a little emotional in their hearts.

At such a young age, he is already a privy secretary of the Fuguo, a first-class uncle of a big man.
Jia Heng and the members of the Jia clan finished their meal and went back to the back house to see how Daiyu had settled down. They walked through the brightly lit corridor and just arrived at the backyard. When they looked up and saw Qingwen, they asked, "Is everything packed?"

"It's cleaned up. Young Master's courtyard is on the left, and Miss Lin's is on the right." Qingwen looked at the boy in the python suit, curled her lips, and said softly.

Along the way, Jia Heng and Dai Yu often get tired of being together, and the thoughts of Ai Wu Ji Wu and Wan Wan Lei Qing gradually shake in Qing Wen's heart.

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Well, go take a bath with me."

Rest for one night, and tomorrow I will visit Zhen's house first, and then go to the Nanjing Ministry of War to ask for ordnance.

At this moment, the courtyards of Jia Heng and Daiyu are only separated by a flower wall with green eaves and white walls, and a moon door opening in the middle, which is accessible by a path paved with gravel.

While Jia Heng was taking a bath, Daiyu, accompanied by Zicuckoo, took off her pink clothes, stepped on the bamboo couch with jade feet like lotus roots, and stepped into the bathtub with the back of her feet like a bow. Illuminated by the lights, the shoulders are shaved and smooth, the skin is better than snow, and the neck is fair and radiant.

On the girl's palm-sized snowy jade cheeks, the bright red aura still hasn't faded, and the starry eyes under the smoldering eyebrows are sometimes joyful and sometimes confused, as if the gnawing feeling from the sheep charm is still gnawing at the bone and haunting the heart , It is difficult to hold oneself.

Brother Heng...how could he do that?She hasn't agreed to marry him yet, so she treats her so frivolously?But at that moment, he was dizzy, and it seemed that there was no way to refuse.

Looking back afterwards, apart from the shyness, there was also a touch of shattering the three views.

Such a dignified and dignified person is actually like a child, really... can't help it?
"Girl, what are you thinking about? So preoccupied?" Zijuan approached, with a smile on her rosy cheeks, and said softly.

Daiyu came back to her senses, her cheeks were slightly red, she suppressed her troubled thoughts, and said in a low voice, "It's nothing."

"I'll help the girl take a bath." Zijuan said softly, picking up a towel beside her to help Daiyu scrub her body.

Daiyu didn't care either, she stretched out her hands and gently scrubbed the lamb.

"Girl." Zijuan spoke suddenly, interrupting Daiyu, who was feeling ups and downs and lost her mind.

Daiyu was puzzled, raised her eyes to look at Zijuan who hesitated to speak, felt something in her heart, and asked, "What's the matter?"

Zijuan lowered her voice, and asked as if pointing: "Girl, didn't he say anything to you?"

"What?" Doubts appeared in Daiyu's starry eyes, as if she didn't understand why, what else could she say?
Zijuan frowned, and said softly: "The girl is tired of being with the uncle like this, and she always has to plan for the future. The uncle didn't promise the girl or what will happen in the future?"

First, she was watching the wind on the boat, and couldn't help taking a peek. Both her girl and Uncle Heng... If this continues, the two of them will become a real couple in a daze, and then the girl will no longer have a status.

Under Daiyu's beautiful eyebrows, her soft and watery eyes were lost in thought, she pursed her cherry lips, and said in a low voice: "Brother Heng also has his own difficulties, I will find a chance to ask them in these two days."

It's not easy for her to ask about the future, it won't be too late to talk about it when the time comes, and her father is still in Yangzhou, thinking about it, she won't let her have no name or status in the future.

Besides, he had said that he would not let her down in this life, if he lied to her...she probably wouldn't live.

Thinking of this, Daiyu suddenly felt a pain in her heart, and felt that just thinking about it made her feel cold all over, and the boundless darkness was engulfing her home.

It's not death, but it's worse than death. The man looked at him with a look of disgust.

Zijuan saw Daiyu who suddenly became silent and her face was as pale as paper, and said worriedly: "If the girl is worried, you can make indirect remarks. He must give the girl an explanation, and he can't be so vague."

Although Uncle Heng is a person of sincerity and trust, he still has to say what he should.

Daiyu also came back to her senses at this moment, looked at Zijuan with glittering starry eyes, and said in a low voice: "Sister Zijuan, let him think about the method you said, he probably...has a way."

Nothing ever seemed to bother him.

"But the girl also mentioned it to him, so that he can take care of it." Zijuan said softly, thought for a while, and said: "Otherwise, I will speak for the girl."

"Don't." Daiyu said hastily, and immediately, her starry eyes dimmed a little, and said quietly: "It's so boring to ask and beg like that."

If you are persecuted, you will be disgusted by others, so it is better not to ask, that is fine.

Moreover, she also wants to see when he plans to tell her...

Seeing this, Zijuan didn't want to say much, and said softly: "Then I will wait for the girl to take a bath."

After Daiyu took a bath, she changed her clothes, sat in the side room, and gently combed her hair with a comb.

The girl wears a pair of skirts printed with carmine red bamboo leaves and plum blossom patterns on a white background, and a white cross-neck top and white long skirt.

"Brother Heng, he hasn't finished his business yet?" Daiyu said softly, calling Zijuan beside her with her starry eyes.

Zijuan said softly: "Girl, uncle will come over in a while, it's still early at this time."

The girl is really inseparable from Uncle Heng for the rest of her life, and she will talk about it when she can't see him for a while.

"Go and have a look." Daiyu pursed her pink lips and said softly.

Bored, the girl came to the desk, reached out to pick up a volume of Xin Qiji's poems, sat down, opened the poems to appreciate, and suddenly saw a page, her cheeks were as red as blood and glowing like fire.

Why do I see how charming Qingshan is, but would Qingshan look like me?

How can Brother Heng use it like that?

After all, she was a wise and shrewd girl who had already understood the implication, and felt that a certain way of thinking had been opened and her horizons had been broadened.

　The second is to wait a little longer.

　
(End of this chapter)