The Red Mansions

Chapter 740 Jia Heng: That's a Good Idea
Jinling, Zhen's family

After exchanging pleasantries with Zhen Yingjia, Jia Heng and Zhen Yingjia came to sit down in the front hall of Zhen's house. As for Daiyu, accompanied by maids such as Zijuan, Yuanyang, Xiren, Xueyan, Qingwen, etc., she went to the backyard to meet Mrs. Zhen Jun.

And the company of these servant girls did not break the dignity of the family of the five generations of princes and the noble family of Qing Dynasty.

In the flower hall, Zhen Yingjia looked at the young man in brocade robe, and said apologetically, "Ziyu, I have heard about the matter of the Ministry of War. I heard that the armaments and armors are not complete enough. First, we must pay for the Jiangnan battalion. Instead, it will be delayed." It's about Jiangbei Daying."

Zhen Qing sat quietly at the side, her long and narrow phoenix eyes stared at the young man, her expression moved slightly, her heart moved slightly.

Jia Heng was expressionless, and said: "Jiangnan Daying is the first to get the moon near the water towers, and it just happens to take advantage of the situation. Jiangbei Daying is slow first, and it is not in a hurry."

The day before yesterday, he sent a letter to the Hundred Households Office of Jinyi Mansion in Henan to send a batch of ordnance and armor to Yangzhou urgently, and most of the ships are already on their way at this moment.

Zhen Yingjia looked at the young man who couldn't see the expression of joy or anger, and he was a little uncertain, and said in a deep voice: "Yesterday, I heard that An Nanhou went to Liangjiang Governor's Yamen, and the soldiers and horses of Jiangnan Camp are being rectified. With the strength of the armory workshop of the Ministry of War, it is indeed difficult to supply armored equipment in a short period of time, why don't I go to find Shen Jiefu and see if I can get a batch of ordnance from Jiangnan."

Annan Hou Yezhen went to Liangjiang Governor's Yamen yesterday to find Shen Fang to put pressure on, mainly to ensure the follow-up personnel arrangements of the old ministry.

As a condition, Marquis Annan gave up the personnel rights of the two guards to be controlled by the governor of Liangjiang, Shen Fang.

Jia Heng said: "That's not necessary, I have already transferred from other places, so as not to prevent Liangjiang Governor's Yamen from saying that I hindered the plan of the Jiangnan camp's army consolidation."

Zhen Yingjia pondered for a moment, then said: "Since Ziyu went south to reorganize the army, but he received the order of the Holy Majesty? If he has the order of the palace, even Shen Jiefu must back down by three points."

This question is actually suspected of being overstepped. Is there a decree related to the military secretaries? It's your question?

But Zhen Yingjia's act of intimacy to a certain extent can be regarded as helping out ideas.

Zhen Qing put down the teacup, and peeked at the calm young man.

Jia Heng said noncommittally: "I will wait a little longer."

As for whether to wait for Shenjing's will or to wait for him to come up with the prepared will, it is difficult to tell Zhen Yingjia.

Zhen Yingjia nodded, and didn't want to ask too many questions, so she asked instead: "By the way, Ziyu, have you caught the Prince Donglu who sneaked into Yangzhou to make troubles a while ago?"

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, his eyes darkened, and he said coldly: "Let him escape."

In fact, if it weren't for the fact that the soldiers and horses of the Jiangbei camp were too messy, and nearly ten thousand people pulled a net to search and arrest, how could it be possible for a handicapped Donglu eunuch to escape from Yangzhou?

Zhen Yingjia pondered and said: "Zi Yu doesn't have to worry about it. I heard that the king was not seriously injured, maybe the injury was too serious, and he might die on the way."

Speaking of this, I was also a little surprised. The king of the prisoner personally led the assassination, which was quite shocking to the world, but he was repelled by the young man in front of him leading his own guards, and even seriously injured the king of the prisoner.

Jia Heng said: "I hope so."

Zhen Qing looked at the two "Weng and son-in-law" who were talking with a bright smile, her face was rosy and rosy, bright and moving, she said softly: "Father, Brother Heng, go see the old lady. "

Zhen Yingjia said: "Ziyu, let's go, go see the old lady, the old lady has been unable to eat or sleep for two days because of the matter of the fourth brother."

Jia Heng nodded, and followed Zhen Yingjia and Zhen Qing through the corridors and walls to Fuxuan Hall. Along the way, Zhen Yingjia also casually introduced some garden layouts to Jia Heng.

Jia Heng listened with a smile on the side, just taking advantage of Zhen Yingjia's inattention, she occasionally looked at Zhen Qing, and then saw that beautiful woman's eyes drawing and frowning.

Jia Heng was also a little speechless, since this Zhen Qing knelt down to serve him that day, she has become more and more charming and charming to all living beings.

In other words, this is Zhen Qing's "fixed favor" method.

At this moment, Fuxuantang
Except for Mrs. Zhen, Zhen Yingjia's wife Gan, Zhen Xue and other wives and grandmothers were all seated around. Zhen Xi and Zhen Lan were also on the side, but they looked curiously at the man who was sitting on the embroidered pier, with himself. A young girl of her age.

Daiyu's cardamom is over the age, and it gradually blooms, showing a peerless appearance, especially the two curved eyebrows that look like a cage but not a cage, which is more in line with the beautiful aesthetics of Jiangnan Water Town.

And Zhen Shao's daughter-in-law, Li Shi, introduced several young girls and wives of the Zhen family to Daiyu while Daiyu was smiling.

When introducing Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi.

The red silk on Zhen Lan's beautiful hair looked like a red hibiscus, and Guazi smiled softly on her face, and said softly, "I'm a few years older than Sister Lin, so please call me Sister Lin."

"Sister Lan." Daiyu looked at Zhen Lan and called softly.

When they arrived at Zhenxi, the two talked about their age again.

"Sister Lin is just one day older than me." Zhen Xi's eyes were like autumn waves, and she looked at the girl with a gentle temperament. Perhaps it was Daiyu's quiet temperament that made Zhen Xi a little closer, like the voice of an oriole coming out of the valley, because of surprise She speaks with a bit of coquettishness and tenderness.

A group of bejeweled women looked at the three young, beautiful and beautiful girls with smiles.

But when Zhen Baoyu was introduced, he saw that Zhen Baoyu had already stared straight ahead, and his face like a full moon showed a dazed expression.

"This is Baoyu." Mrs. Zhen said with a chuckle.

Zhen Baoyu stared straight at Daiyu, and suddenly said, "Third sister, I seem to have seen this sister before?"

Daiyu: "???"

No, why are these words so familiar?

The starry eyes under the smoldering eyebrows streamed slightly, and there was a flash of suspicion, reflecting the face similar to that of the second brother Bao, and Daiyu felt a sense of absurdity in the deepest part of her heart.

Perhaps this is a frivolous remark of a disciple?
This...you have to ask Brother Heng when you go back.

Watching the conversation between the two, Mrs. Zhen smiled and said, "I'm a troublesome child with a childish temper. Don't be as knowledgeable as him."

Because Zhen Yingjia and Gan's two sisters, Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue, hadn't had a boy for a long time, and they got Zhen Baoyu in their early thirties. Naturally, Zhen Yingjia and his wife cherished her very much, and at the same time, the old lady Zhen also loved this little grandson.

Daiyu turned her snowy and fair pretty face, a sense of amusement suddenly appeared in her heart, she narrowly glanced at Zhen Baoyu with bright starry eyes, and said coquettishly: "Speaking of which, I don't know if this brother of the Zhen family has jade on him. No?"

As soon as these words came out, the faces of the mandarin ducks and Xi Ren who were standing beside them all had weird expressions on their faces, especially Xi Ren, who had a particularly weird look on their faces.

What does Miss Lin mean by these words?
Mrs. Zhen didn't take it seriously, and said with a smile: "Yu'er, did you mean the jade in your mouth when the precious jade in your family fell into the grass? It is something that only the lucky ones have. It must be a rare thing. How can everyone have it?" ?”

Listening to the two talking at this moment, Daiyu felt even weirder in her heart. In other words, when she went to the capital at the beginning of the year, because Baoyu smashed the psychic Baoyu angrily, Daiyu left a shadow throughout her childhood in Daiyu's young mind. Reminiscent of floating clouds covering the sun, blowing away with the wind, without joy or sorrow.

Back then, it was just a child's joke.

And this was just a small episode in the conversation during the dinner, Li Shi introduced several other young grandmas to Daiyu, and Daiyu had met them one by one, so she had the right to greet them.

Old Madam Zhen looked at the girl with slanted eyebrows and eyes with concern, and said softly, "Yu'er, when your mother was here, you came to Jinling to see me. I don't want you to grow up to be a big girl after so many years."

A little sadness appeared on Daiyu's face.

Mrs. Zhen smiled lightly, and said: "Okay, let's not talk about this, this time I come to Jinling, I will go around here more, and let your sister Qing lead you around. There are many places of interest in Jinling. , when you take a good walk around."

Daiyu nodded, and said softly: "It's not good to bother Wangfei all the time."

She saw that Princess Chu was always discussing the military affairs in the south of the Yangtze River with Brother Heng when she came to the Ningguo Mansion, so she didn't want to disturb her indiscriminately.

Mrs. Zhen smiled and said: "What trouble is it? I just treat it as my own family here. When your mother came here as a child, I was treated as my own daughter."

Daiyu could only respond in a low voice.

While everyone was talking, suddenly, a nun came in from outside and said: "Old lady, the elder and the elder Heng are here."

While speaking, accompanied by the sound of chaotic footsteps, Jia Heng, Zhen Yingjia, and Zhen Qing entered Fuxuan Hall together.

With the support of the servant girl, Mrs. Zhen propped herself up, her eyes fell on the young man first, a kind smile appeared on her old face, and she asked, "Brother Heng, are you here?"

Jia Heng bowed to Mrs. Zhen, then looked at Daiyu and nodded, but met a pair of bold looking gazes, those willow-leaf eyebrows, narrow and long clear eyes, like rose lips, almost Jia Heng almost thought it was Zhen Qing.

Well, not a millstone.

Immediately sat down.

Compared with the last time when the female relatives were still hiding behind the screen, this time it was obviously a good thing for the whole family, and they didn't avoid it much. Of course, it was also due to Jia Heng's current identity, plus the fact that he had already married, it gave people the feeling It is the elders.

Mrs. Zhen personally introduced all the female relatives and Zhen Baoyu in the mansion to Jia Heng to show her closeness.

Jia Heng nodded to the female relatives, abiding by etiquette and not looking too much.

"This is Lan Lan." Mrs. Zhen said with a chuckle.

"Brother Heng." Zhen Lan called out with a chuckle, and she was generous, but her pair of lingering eyes, which were newly charming, were sizing up the young man opposite.

Looking at her age, she is not more than one or two years older than her.

Then there is Zhenxi, a girl with bright eyes and kind eyes combing airy bangs, her eyes are soft and full.

Zhen Xi felt a little shy when he met those clear and quiet eyes, lowered his eyelashes slightly, and called softly, "Brother Heng."

Jia Heng nodded and didn't say much.

Old Madam Zhen spoke up first, apologized and said: "Brother Heng, what happened earlier, because Baoyu's fourth uncle was too reckless, caused you a lot of trouble, I will make up for it."

Facing the gazes of the crowd, Jia Heng looked at Old Master Zhen and said, "Old Madam, what happened earlier did cause some twists and turns, but it's meaningless to talk about it now."

Mrs. Zhen's complexion changed slightly when she heard the words, she sighed, and said: "Speaking of which, it's all because of Baoyu's fourth uncle who made such claims. I've scolded him already. Brother Heng, although he is quite old, But there may not be children who are sensible, so don't be as knowledgeable as him."

Jia Heng was silent for a while, but didn't answer any more.

This kind of stabbing in the back is a bit of a "twenty-five boy" if it doesn't sound good. If you say it is more refined, the double-faced behavior can be described as extremely despicable political conduct. He came to Zhen's house today to grind... Well, Zhen Jia Here are some stories about the two families.

Seeing this, Mrs. Zhen knew that the young man had already harbored bad feelings towards his four sons, and it would take a day to get rid of it, so she hurriedly said: "Brother Heng, the Jiangnan camp is being rectified, I don't know what the rules are ?”

Jia Heng said: "Now the Liangjiang governor's yamen has taken over the whole army. I am busy with Jiangbei affairs now, and I still can't get away. I will ask about the situation of the Jiangnan camp in a while."

Mrs. Zhen heard the words, so she couldn't continue to say more, it would only provoke disgust. After thinking about it, she changed the topic with a smile and said, "Ziyu, in a few days, it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival. Do you have any plans?"

Jia Heng said: "It's the first time for the clansmen who are accompanying Jinling in the mansion to come to Jinling, so we need to pay homage to Duke Ning and Rong with the clansmen here, and get together again."

Because the coffins of Duke Ning and Rong were buried in the ancestral land of Jinling, and there was even a field for offering sacrifices. He was busy with Yangzhou affairs before, but he didn't mention it.

Mrs. Zhen heard the words, and said with emotion: "It is time to pay homage to the two princes Ning and Rong, because when I was young, I grew up listening to the stories of the two princes helping and protecting the Han court, and now the two princes Ning and Rong are really successors." There are people."

He thought to himself, if this family mentions ancestor worship, it would be difficult for her Zhen family to invite her.

At this time, Zhen Qing thought for a while and said softly: "Brother Heng, let's see if you are free tonight. Third Uncle organizes a poetry meeting, and Brother Heng can join in the fun. Although military affairs are important, you can't just be busy with official duties, right? "

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, then said softly: "See if there is anything else to do that day, if you are not busy, I will come and have a look."

Zhen Qing glanced at the young man, at this moment Jia Heng answered her, she gained more and more face in front of a female family member in the mansion, a sweetness surged deep in her heart.

Mrs. Zhen's eyes were clear, seeing this, she quickly smiled and said, "It just so happens that Miss Lin and Xinxin are also going there, so it's fun."

Gan said with a smile: "That's the reason. Worshiping ancestors is a canon, so it's better to do it in advance. It's okay to come and have a look."

Old Madam Zhen also smiled and said, "That's fine too."

While chatting with Mrs. Zhen, before I knew it, it was almost noon.

Zhen Baoyu's third uncle, Zhen Xuan, also came back and saw Jia Heng with a warm smile on his face, and said, "Zi Yu, I've read your Three Kingdoms book many times, how did you write it down?" Such a brilliant plan."

Jia Heng looked at Zhen Xuan, and didn't know whether he really liked the Three Kingdoms story book, or took the opportunity to compliment himself, so he could only say: "The fourth master is too famous, and the game is not worthy of the Fang family."

"If I think about it, it's probably easy to come by. As expected, I'm the youngest martial artist in the Han Dynasty. Wentao and martial arts are more than ordinary people." Zhen Xuan smiled and invited: "I'll have a drink or two later, there are many places. , I was quite confused when I read it.”

Old Madam Zhen also smiled lightly and said, "You guys have a good time together."

Jia Heng nodded, then followed Zhen Yingjia to the front hall, had lunch with Zhen Yingjia and Zhen Xuan, sat at Zhen's house for a while, and left Shui Xin at Zhen's house.

After that, he didn't stay any longer and returned to Ningguo Mansion in Jinling.

As for Zhen's house, the tired bird returns to the forest at dusk, and the floating cloud sits on the mountain. Although it is exciting, but since he has only been here a few times, everyone is watching his every move, which is really too risky. To be honest, Jia Heng is still worried that Zhen Sunny... the fairy dances.

……

……

After Jia Heng's visit to Zhen's house, the situation in Jinling gradually stabilized again, and the Liangjiang governor's yamen started a "vigorous" army reorganization, and time passed by, and before you knew it, it was the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Jia Heng called Jia You from the Ningguo Mansion, and led the Jia family members to the ancestral mausoleum of the second Duke Ning Rong to worship in person. After returning to the back house, he met Chen Xiao.

"Xiaoxiao, what's the matter?" Jia Heng asked in surprise.

Chen Xiao handed over the note paper in his hand, and said, "There has been a new progress in the interrogation of the shortfall of the warehouse in Yangzhou."

After speaking, it will be narrated.

Jia Heng's face darkened, and he asked, "The Cheng family recruited."

Chen Xiaodao: "The Jinyi Mansion seized an outhouse of Cheng Peili's son. In order to preserve his flesh and blood, Cheng Peili's son uncovered the case of the shortage of the salt warehouse. Now Liu Jixian is sending people to investigate."

Jia Heng's face was as calm as an abyss, and he said: "Today, I went over overnight to discuss with Qi Kun, sort out the confession, and arrest Liu Shengzao tomorrow, and uncover the case of the warehouse deficit."

Chen Xiao nodded, and immediately, in her clear eyes, there was a hint of strangeness in her eyes: "Wang Shouqi also sent an invitation to the Oiran Competition, please participate and judge."

When the Mid-Autumn Festival comes, not only Jinling, but also Yangzhou has various poetry fairs, and the Oiran Competition is a game created by Yangzhou salt merchants. Although there are no elegant poems, it is more of the top brand of dozens of brothels in Yangzhou The talent show is measured according to the flower basket, and some gentry and celebrities are invited to watch and taste.

And Jia Heng, as the Minister of Military Aircraft and the highest local military officer in Yangzhou, was naturally invited, and Liu Shengzao was also invited.

In fact, because this year, two of the eight major salt merchants were wiped out, and the other two are still in the [-] households of Jinyi Mansion. The Yangzhou salt merchant intends to invite Jia Heng to test the tone.

Many days have passed, should we close the case here, or what, you always give me a correct sentence?
Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice: "Then go and have a look tomorrow, this should be Wang Shouqi's last temptation, as time drags on, these people have begun to become suspicious."

That being the case, Jinling Zhen's family's poetry meeting, if you can't make it in time, you won't go, what copying poems, shocking everyone, pretending to be aggressive in front of big shots, he doesn't have much interest in himself, because...he is a big shot!
Chen Xiao thought for a while, then said softly: "Liu Shengzao might attend tomorrow, why not win this prize in the Oiran Competition? It can also be used as an example to scare the monkeys and make the Yangzhou salt merchants divide faster."

Jia Heng turned to look at the girl with clear eyebrows and eyes, with admiration in her eyes, she said with a smile: "Xiaoxiao, this is a good idea."

Yangzhou, Huanhualou
It was in the evening, when the lanterns were first lit, and the lanterns swayed with the wind.

On the second floor, the sound of the piano flutters with the wind and rain, and the cool wind blows into the room, making the air in the wing room where the fragrance of makeup and powder escape is a little bit fresh.

Gu Ruoqing sat in front of the window, playing the piano.

The old bustard Liniang smiled and said: "My aunt, please treat it as a favor for me, Mr. Liu sent a lot of money just to see you."

Gu Ruoqing frowned slightly, and said softly, "Mom, then Master Liu, I really don't want to see him anymore."

In the past few days, she has been harassed by Liu Shengzao a lot.

"Then you don't need to go back to Jinling. Why do you want to participate in this oiran competition? Our Huanhualou will launch you and Nanling this year. If you are leaving, what should I do?" the old bustard Liniang said in a low voice.

"Mom, Nanling's dance music can be ranked first in Yangzhou, let her" Gu Ruoqing said, looking at Nanling not far away.

Nan Ling quickly shook her head to the rattle, and said, "Sister Gu, I can't do it, I haven't experienced these things, if the building messes up, it will be bad."

Liniang persuaded: "My Miss Gu, my aunt, just bear with it for two more days and participate in this show. Didn't you already participate in the previous ones? Besides, Nanling said that her identity is also with her. On me is the person that Yongningbo predestined, if she doesn't say anything, how dare I let her show up again."

Although Jia Heng didn't accept Nanling, Liniang got it wrong because he told Huanhualou not to be embarrassed, or she couldn't control Jia Heng's thoughts.

Of course, Liniang had already been redeemed by the salt merchant, so Liniang couldn't say much, so she could only let Nan Ling accompany Gu Ruoqing to hang around in the building, usually playing the piano and playing music, and not receiving guests.

Gu Ruoqing frowned and called out, "Mom..."

Seeing that Gu Ruoqing was still hesitating, Liniang persuaded her: "Miss Gu also promised Madam back then, and Madam thought that I treated Madam poorly when she returned to Jinling like this. There is no place for my old face, right?"

When mentioning Madam, who is also the boss of Huanhualou, Gu Ruoqing was obviously hesitant, sighed softly, and said, "If that's the case, let's go back to Jinling after the Mid-Autumn Festival."

She originally wanted to find her junior sister and ask her master about her situation over the years, but now it seems that is not possible.

When Liniang heard this, she immediately smiled, and said, "Miss Ruoqing, don't worry, I will never let Mr. Liu harass the girl again, and there will be Madam backing her up."

And when the old bustard Liniang was persuading Gu Ruoqing, the nanny said, "Madam is here."

(End of this chapter)