The Red Mansions

Chapter 732 Born to grow, but that's all!
Jinling, Zhen's family

It was already evening, the sky was dark, and at some point, it started to rain again in the courtyard, and the summer wind that passed through the rain was blowing in, and at the same time, the blue curtains and the wreaths and tassels on the beams were all wet. Shaking gently.

By the side of the three-foot-wide and seven-foot-wide long tables, Zhen Yingjia sat on the grand master's chair in a uniform, and when he heard the steward's report, his face was shaken, and he was speechless for a long time.

Ma Xianjun's son robbed the prison, Yongningbo blocked him at night, Henan capital Si Xiaoqi was stationed in Yangzhou, the Cheng family was involved in the case of Ma's collusion with the Dongren, and responded to the prison robbery.

Zhen Qing, who was sitting next to her, had high temples and a red peony embroidered dress. She was sitting on a dark red lacquered huanghuali wood chair. Perhaps it was because there was no mattress underneath, she was crisp and round. On the chair, the skirt is tightened around the hipbones, making the curves more voluptuous and exquisite.

On that gorgeous jade face like a hibiscus stamen, there is a hint of joy in the seductive and charming eyebrows and eyes. The phoenix eyes are soft and moist like water, and they are colorful. The embroidered shoes under the skirt were tightly closed for some reason, as if to stop the surging heart.

This person actually returned to Yangzhou?Did you do such a big thing?
Zhen Xue also put down the teacup, her soft and bright eyes sparkled, and there was a little unrest in her heart.

At this time, Zhen Shao's face was serious, and he said in a low voice: "Going back by boat at night, intercepting and killing the members of the Ma family, and then using heavy codes to rule the army, this method... and the soldiers and horses in Henan should have been arranged when they went south. This is definitely deliberate and planned for a long time.”

Zhen Yingjia frowned, and said in a low voice: "Such a decisive attack, it's no wonder that he can lead the Beijing camp at the age of a weak crown."

It can only be said that there are no worthless people under the fame.

Zhen Qing's brows were almost beaming, her voice was slightly mellow and clear, and she said softly: "Father, you don't know how he took over the Beijing camp at the beginning. At that time, Prince Teng caused trouble. He judged the situation and seized the opportunity. Then unstoppable."

Looking back on that person's fortune now, I am a little surprised. Although there is an element of luck, not everyone can catch even the holy family.

Zhen Yingjia said with emotion: "He was born to be a general, but that's all. Thinking about it, such a young military minister is unprecedented. Since the founding of the country, there have been many famous generals. Everyone has builders... and few."

If he knows how to fight, that's fine, but such a character is obviously capable of both civil and military skills.

Zhen Shao pondered for a moment, then said, "Jiangbei is completely in his hands now, and it won't be long before he reaches out to Jiangnan."

Zhen Yingjia nodded, and suddenly said, "Where's your fourth brother?"

When Zhen Shao heard about Zhen Zhu, he frowned and said, "He said early in the morning that he had something to do at the Ministry of War, and he hasn't come back yet."

At this moment, the steward said: "Master, the fourth master is back."

While speaking, Zhen Zhu came in from the outside, and stepped into the study. He was dressed in a military officer's robe, and he looked radiant, like a spring breeze.

Zhen Shao frowned, and asked softly: "Fourth brother, where did you go? Why did you come back at this time?"

Zhen Zhu smiled and said, "I went to the Ministry of War. The governor of Liangjiang, Mr. Shen, has already made an agreement with the Ministry of War. He is going to reorganize the Jiangnan camp and re-establish the navy. It has been confirmed that I will be in charge of the training and reconstruction."

Zhen Yingjia's complexion changed slightly when he heard the words, and he asked, "Why does Shen Zhitai want to reorganize the army immediately?"

Zhen Shao also frowned, stared at Zhen Zhu closely, and asked, "What's going on?"

Under the gaze of the two gazes, Zhen Zhu dodged his gaze, and said softly: "The camp in the south of the Yangtze River has been at peace for a long time, and the battle formation is exhausted, so we should do something, otherwise the court will blame it, and it's not a joke For play."

Zhen Yingjia's eyes were deep, but she didn't let Zhen Zhu get away with it easily, and asked: "This is Yongning Bo's intention. Why did the Yamen of the Governor of Liangjiang intervene, and why did you participate in it?"

Zhen Zhu paused for a moment, speechless for a moment.

But Zhen Yingjia came to her senses and shouted: "If there is a side issue, I'm afraid it will lead to another accident."

Zhen Qingxiu frowned, and glanced at Zhen Zhu with her phoenix eyes. Her snow-like beauty was filled with worry, and she said, "Father, I'm afraid that things will be troublesome. I think it will arouse the anger of Uncle Yongning, or think that we are not sincere. He also hooked up with Liangjiang Governor's Yamen and plotted against him."

Based on what she knew about that bastard, probably so.

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yingjia frowned, also worried.

Zhen Zhu sneered, and said: "Brother, leave Zhang Tuhu and don't eat mixed pigs. Without that kid, I can tidy up the Jiangnan camp just like my second brother. Master Shen has already agreed. Wait for the approval from the Ministry of War. I will lead the troops to rectify the navy, and when the matter is completed, I will recommend to the imperial court my vice-envoy to inspect the school, and the Holy Majesty will be delighted to come, and he will happily agree, when the time comes, our Zhen family will also contribute to the community, and with the affection of the monarch and his ministers, we will be happy You can sit back and relax.”

Zhen Shao glanced at Zhen Zhu coldly, and said, "Just you? Overestimate yourself!"

Zhen Zhu: "..."

"Second brother, I'm also familiar with military books. It's just Jia Heng's children's way. After careful calculation, it's nothing more than that. He can do it because the emperor in the palace trusts him." Zhen Zhu said.

At this moment, upon hearing the words, Zhen Yingjia's face was gloomy and undecided, and he could not make up his mind for a while.

Zhen Qing's phoenix eyes were slightly cold, and she hated her reckless fourth uncle in her heart.

And at this moment, Mammy's voice came from outside again: "Master, the old lady is here."

Obviously, the old lady of the Zhen family knew all the troubles in the clan, or at the last juncture of her life, she wanted to stand on the last post for the Zhen family.

Zhen Yingjia and the others present were taken aback for a moment, and after a short while, they looked at the old Mrs. Zhen who was coming tremblingly supported by everyone, and greeted him, "Mother, why are you here again if you don't take a good rest? "

As he said that, he looked at Gan with reproachful eyes. Why did the old lady drag her sick body over?

Gan said aggrieved: "Master, the old lady wants to come over."

On the other side, Zhen Shao and Zhen Zhu also stood up one after another and saluted Old Madam Zhen.

Mrs. Zhen, supported by Mrs. Gan, Mrs. Sun and the young daughter-in-law, entered the house, and Zhen Lin and Zhen Jue's daughter-in-law accompanied her from left to right. As for the younger girls, Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi also accompanied her. .

Obviously just came from Fuxuantang.

For a time, the study was surrounded by hairpins and skirts, shining with pearls and jade.

The old lady Zhen walked up to Zhen Zhu at this time, looked at Zhen Zhu, and said, "Kneel down."

"Mother……"

Zhen Zhu looked dazed, and looked at Mrs. Zhen in disbelief.

How could his mother treat him like this in front of all the younger daughters-in-law?
"Kneel down!" Mrs. Zhen said again, looking closely at Zhen Zhu.

At this time, Zhen Shao stared at Zhen Zhu with an unkind expression, and asked, "Fourth brother, are you deaf?"

Zhen Zhu knelt down with a "plop", and the nearly forty-year-old man knelt on the ground, with his head bowed tightly, his face not angry, and his heart became more and more resentful towards Jia Heng who caused all this.

Zhen Xi looked at her father who was kneeling on the ground, her eyebrows frowned, and there seemed to be heavy clouds of smoke billowing in her eyes, feeling a little uncomfortable in her heart.

Dad has already been reprimanded by grandmother a lot because of that Uncle Yongning.

Old Madam Zhen looked at Zhen Yingjia and asked, "Why did I hear from my servant that brother Heng went to Yangzhou from Jinling again? Did you catch the salt merchant yesterday?"

Zhen Yingjia briefly described the situation, and said: "Mother, it seems that in Yangzhou, the Ma family who colluded with Donglu was arrested, and the Ma family went to rescue them, but Zi Yu rushed there overnight and dispatched troops from Henan. Entering the Jiangbei camp in Yangzhou, many people were arrested, and later I heard that the Jiangbei camp was rectified, many generals were killed, and the military power was collected, and now all of the Jiangbei camp is in Ziyu's hands."

After hearing the words, Mrs. Zhen was quiet for a moment, then suddenly asked: "Where is the Jiangnan Camp? Didn't Brother Heng say that the Jiangnan Camp is going to be reorganized? What's going on now?"

Zhen Yingjia glanced at Zhen Zhu, who was kneeling on the ground, and said, "Mother, something has changed in this matter. This is not the fourth brother. For some reason, Master Shen, the governor of Liangjiang, also wants to rectify the Jiangnan camp, and the fourth brother should take the lead. , After the success, I recommend him as Deputy Jiedu, I am worrying about this matter, whether I should also get involved in the dispute between Liangjiang Yamen and Ziyu."

Originally, he wanted to let Jia Heng go to the front line, and the Zhen family was just cooperating, so they wouldn't get too upset with the people in Liangjiang's official circles.

But now that Zhen Zhu got involved, he immediately offended Jia Heng.

The old lady Zhen looked at Zhen Zhu with old eyes, and said, "Do you think it's because your mother didn't die sooner!?"

As he spoke, he coughed violently, and he was a little out of breath.

"Mother, my son doesn't dare." Upon hearing this, Zhen Zhu's complexion changed drastically, and he kowtowed his head "bang bang".

Zhen Yingjia hurriedly said, "Why did mother say that?"

Mrs. Gan also persuaded Mrs. Zhen, saying: "Old lady."

With the support of Mrs. Gan and Mrs. Sun, Mrs. Zhen sat down, with a cold look on her wrinkled face, she said, "Do you really think you can organize an army?"

Zhen Zhu said nothing.

"Then Shen Jiefu intends to take you out to fight with others." The old lady Zhen said, "Don't say that you are not this kind of material, even if you can clean it up, you can't do it!"

"Mother." Hearing this, Zhen Zhu suddenly raised his head, his gaze uncertain.

Old Madam Zhen sneered and said: "You are so capable, if the palace doesn't believe in you, your ability will become a disaster. The palace has made it clear that it is using confidantes to come down, and you just want to touch it."

It doesn't matter what the whole army is, the key is to use this to put Yongning Bo on the line, or to regain the trust of the emperor in the palace is the most important thing.

If his Zhen family can lead the matter, he will not be able to gain the respect of the majesty in the palace. Besides, the matter involves military power, other than being more taboo, it is useless.

However, Zhen Zhu below frowned, clearly not thinking so.

Zhen Qing approached and persuaded: "Old lady, don't worry, wait for Uncle Yongning to come back to Jinling, and then granddaughter will ask about the situation. If it's really not possible, I'll go to Yangzhou in person to find out."

Speaking of which, right now, I also have some thoughts...to meet him.

Zhen Yingjia also explained: "Mother, there is still a chance to turn this matter around. The fourth brother is just confused for a while. Since they want to clean up the Jiangnan camp, they cannot do without the cooperation of our Zhen family."

Mrs. Zhen sighed, and said: "I'm afraid this matter won't end so easily. This evil son must have informed that Shen Jiefu to let someone get in the way. Now that there is a barrier, even if he If you are willing to use our family, you also have a grudge, and this relationship will be gone."

Zhen Zhu was below, with a look of anger on his face, when did his Zhen family fall to the ground.

If Xiao'er really has great achievements in his body, he will naturally be convinced, but what Xiao'er has done since he became an official, if it were him, he could also do it!

Under Zhen Qing's slender eyebrows, her beautiful eyes twinkled, and she said softly: "Grandmother, this Jia Ziyu is not the kind of person who waits for a small belly, he has a lot of power."

If it doesn't work, she just needs to serve him twice more...

The old lady Zhen was silent for a moment, and asked: "Brother Heng is handling a case in Yangzhou, and he may not come back in a while."

As she spoke, she looked at Zhen Xue who was sitting quietly beside her, and asked, "Xue'er, is that girl Xinxin still in Ningguo Mansion?"

Zhen Xue was frowning silently, hearing and asking each other, Wanning's brows turned and she said softly: "It's at the Ningguo Mansion, I said I'll pick her up in two days."

"Don't be too busy to continue. When you turn around and let him bring it, I will ask again." The old lady Zhen said softly, then looked at Zhen Zhu who was kneeling on the ground, and said, "You take a boat to Yangzhou overnight , to apologize to others.”

After thinking about it, he felt that with the temperament of his youngest son, don't cause other troubles, so he turned his head to look at Zhen Shao and said, "You take your fourth brother there."

Zhen Shao nodded solemnly.

But Zhen Zhu felt aggrieved, apologizing?

Zhen Qing's phoenix eyes flashed, and she said, "Grandma, let me go too."

The old lady Zhen said: "Young girl Qing is capable, so it's good to go there together."

Zhen Qing's status is respected, and as the Zhen family's assistant to the king of Chu to seize the throne, Zhen Qing's voice in the Zhen family is not weaker than that of Zhen Yingjia, and it is comparable to the weakened version of Yuan Chun in Jia's family.

……

……

Liangjiang Governor's Yamen
In the back hall of the official hall, Shen Fang, the governor of Liangjiang, was sitting on the grand master's chair. After listening to the servant's report, his face was gloomy. Surrounded by Xu Shikui, the governor of Jiangzuo, Lu Chaoyun and others also looked at each other in blank dismay.

Xu Shikui said: "Building the platform, this Uncle Yongning is very scheming, not to mention that both Cheng and Ma have been imprisoned, and he even dispatched Henan soldiers and horses, this is a trap set up, waiting for the Ma family to jump. "

Yangzhou salt merchants often came to Jinling and had a deep acquaintance with people in Jiangnan official circles.

Shen Fang said in a deep voice: "Jiangbei is in his hands now, and he will reorganize the barracks soon, and then intervene in Jiangnan. There is not much time left for us, and we need to rectify the military affairs of the Jiangnan camp as soon as possible."

Bai Sixing thought for a moment, and said: "Your Excellency's memorial has been delivered to Shenjing, now let's see what the meaning of Jingli is, but all the military affairs of the world belong to the Military Aircraft Department, and this Yongning Bo is also the Minister of Military Aircraft, so he is handy. After the decree comes down, it will still be presided over by Uncle Yongning."

With the pacification of the Central Plains Rebellion, the status and role of the Military Aircraft Department has finally been highlighted and recognized, and military affairs in the world are almost entirely discussed by the Military Aircraft Department and the emperor, which is why Shen Fang never forgets the Military Aircraft Assistant Minister.

"What did the Ministry of War say?" Shen Bing asked.

"The servant of the Ministry of War, Jiang Sucheng, Mr. Jiang, has promised to re-allocate a batch of ordnance to help him organize the Jiangbei camp, but Mr. Meng has some criticisms." Lu Chaoyun, the general judge, said in a low voice.

Jiang Sucheng, the left servant of the Ministry of War, and Meng Guangyuan, the right servant of the Ministry of War, the former has a close relationship with Shen Bing, while the latter is a bit ordinary, or the latter originally did not want Shen Bing to rectify the personnel affairs of Jiangnan Daying, because whether it is the transfer of the school or the ordnance, The replacement of armor is a fixed amount of income every year, and the money is naturally divided among the relevant officials of the Ministry of War.

Shen Fang whispered, "Where's the household department?"

"The Ministry of Household Affairs also agreed to allocate a batch of food and salaries for the military. In addition, Mr. Xu said earlier that he would allocate a batch of money and food from the Jiangzuo Fan treasury for military supplies." Bai Sixing said, and glanced at Xu Shikui.

If you want to rectify military affairs, no matter whether it is buying generals or setting up generals, these cannot be separated from money, and the government expenses of Liangjiang Governor's Yamen are a fixed amount. Department for approval.

Therefore, this is also the reason why Shen Fang worked so hard to transfer the power of inspecting salt to the Liangjiang Yamen. It is better to spend other people's money in his own hands.

Shen Fang nodded, and said: "Everything is ready now, only the east wind is owed."

After he has rectified the camp in the south of the Yangtze River, he will take action against the pirates along the coast. At that time, in the eyes of the sage who is thousands of miles away, I am afraid that Shen Jiefu will also fall into the test of being capable of writing and martial arts, which can be regarded as a major event.

Entering the cabinet as a civil servant, leading the military aircraft, and entrusting him with the title of Shaobao, just like the elder Li Ge in the north, he can be called a pillar of the sky, one south and one north.

Shen Fang suppressed the slightly turbulent emotions in his heart, stood up, nodded, and said, "That's it."

With that said, he dismissed his staff and returned to the backyard.

At this moment in the backyard, just as he sat down, he suddenly smelled a strange fragrance, and the sound of jingling rings was approaching. It was clearly his wife, Da Zheng, who came to the flower hall accompanied by two maidservants.

Da Zheng is 34 to [-] years old, with a plump body and a pampered official lady. In addition, there is a woman in filial piety with a pretty face and mournful eyes. She is Xiao Zheng, the wife of the former Nanhe Governor Gao Bin. About thirty years old.

"Master, why are you frowning?" Da Zheng asked with concern.

Shen Fang looked up at Da Zheng, and said, "It's nothing, I'm a little tired."

As he spoke, he looked at Gao Bin's wife, Zheng Shi, who was at the side, and said, "Where is Fu'er."

"Brother, Fu'er went to school today." Xiao Zheng said softly, thought for a while, and asked, "Brother, did that person come to Jinling?"

For Jia Heng who killed her husband, this little Zheng was naturally resentful, but her voice was choked with sadness.

Shen Fang said, "I'm going to Yangzhou now."

Da Zheng glanced at his younger sister, Xiao Zheng, and said softly: "My sister should be mourning."

It's been a few months since Gao Bin committed suicide. It's not a solution to always be indulging in grief. People always have to look forward.

Shen Fang said: "My son is now the emperor's favored minister. It didn't happen overnight. There are also those people in the Qi Party who have harmed the country and the people. Sooner or later there will be a day of reckoning."

Xiao Zheng looked at Shen Fang, and said gently and softly: "I'll leave the matter of Dongxuan to my elder brother."

Shen Fang nodded, and couldn't help but take another look. He didn't know if he wanted to be pretty and filial, or that his eyebrows and eyes were quite similar to Da Zheng's, and his relatively thin body made people's heart flutter slightly.

Jiangbei Daying
Unknowingly, another day passed, and the recovery of stolen money, weeding out the old and the weak, and recruiting and training soldiers of the generals of the Jiangbei Daying Army were in full swing, and the blockade of the Henan Dusi Cavalry Army and Jinyi Tiqi Yangzhou was gradually Withdrew, it seemed that tranquility had been restored.

Bao Zuhui and Huang Cheng are still being detained in the Hundred Households Center of Jinyi Mansion.

The confessions made by some merchants of the Cheng family in Yangzhou also basically proved that the Cheng family and the Ma family had been collaborating with the enemy by smuggling to the east over the years.

In the early morning of this day, Jia Heng was in the barracks of the Chinese army, after reading through the reorganized military rosters of the battalions, he asked, "Where did the soldiers from Henan go?"

Liu Jixian replied: "My lord, the pawns dispatched are Runing Guard and Xuan Wu Guard, who will come successively by boat, and it will take another seven or eight days to reach Yangzhou."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then asked again: "What's going on in Jinling recently?"

Liu Jixian said: "Governor of Liangjiang's yamen and the Ministry of War have already started to adjust the personnel of the Jiangnan camp, planning to rectify the military affairs."

Shen Fang finally set up the Ministry of War and began to rectify the soldiers and horses of the Jiangnan camp.

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, then said: "Let the Liangjiang Governor's yamen toss around first, and then clean up later, and follow me to Jinling to pay."

The situation in Yangzhou has gradually stabilized. You can go to Jinling to ask for a batch of military pay and ordnance. He can't always make money. The soldiers in the south of the Yangtze River are all raised by the Jinling Household Department.

Liu Jixian obeyed, turned around and went to work.

Chen Xiaoyu asked quietly, "Shen Fang wants to pick peaches? If he organizes the camp, what should we do next?"

Jia Heng nodded, and said softly: "Wait, wait for the imperial edict, wait for Jiangbei's soldiers and horses to train, and then worry about it. Maybe he is ready, and I can still pick peaches."

However, Shen Fang probably won't be able to do it, Jiangnan Daying involves all aspects, and even if he can do it, it is not the result the emperor wants, and the approved memorial must be passed on to him.

Because he carried a letter to the Jiangnan camp on his body, and he also did not leave the cabinet or military aircraft, but now is not the time to make it clear.

He also wanted to see what the Zhen family was up to? !

Chen Xiao said softly: "It's good to take a steady step right now. You beheaded five people in Jiangbei and recovered some military pay. Those people in Jiangnan absolutely don't want you to go there."

Needless to say, even though Jia Heng has already admitted that he is lenient and only asks for [-]% of the army's salary for corruption, some generals can't get it out even if they lose their fortunes. How can they be willing to obey orders?

Jia Heng nodded and asked, "What happened to the salt merchants in Yangzhou?"

"Wang Shouqi came back from Jinling and sent someone to inquire about the case of the Bao family and the Huang family. He might ask to see you." Chen Xiao said in a low voice, "The others seem to be on the sidelines."

Jia Heng said: "Then wait."

At this moment, Captain Jin Yi entered the barracks and reported: "Captain, the second master of the Zhen family, Zhen Shao, and the fourth master, Zhen Zhu, have arrived outside the camp, please see the governor."

(End of this chapter)