The Red Mansions

Chapter 742 Zhen Lan: Sister, you see that Yongning Bo is here...

The next day, Yangzhou

The annual Oiran Contest is held in Yangzhou's Slender West Lake, a building built in front of Xichun Terrace. Eight contestants, including Huanhualou, Huancui Pavilion, Caichunlou, Luanming Pavilion, Bihaiyuan, and Zizhuxuan, have passed the preliminary round. The brothel oiran waits behind the curtained reeds on both sides of Xichun Terrace.

In addition to the hosts such as Yangzhou salt merchants, local officials of Yangzhou also watched the event, such as Yuan Jichong, the prefect, Meng Dong Xuedao, and Liu Shengzao, the transshipment envoy of the two Huaihe Rivers.

Xiao Zhiwen, magistrate of Tongzhou under the jurisdiction of Yangzhou Prefecture, Wanchuncheng, magistrate of Jiangdu County, Zhuang Qian, magistrate of Baoying County, and officials from the Zhizhong and Tongju of Yangzhou Prefecture gathered together.

In addition, there is Shui Yu, the former deputy envoy of the Jiangbei Camp, because all the generals in Henan have taken over the training affairs of the Jiangbei Camp. Invite, come here to relax.

According to a source who did not want to be named in the magistrate's Yamen of Yangzhou, in the storm of rectifying the Jiangbei camp and weeding out the old and weak soldiers caused by Yongning Bo, the Minister of Military Aircraft, and the governor of Jinyi, Jia Heng... Shuiyu has passed the customs, and Attended several military reorganization meetings of the Jiangbei Camp. In his concluding remarks, he mentioned that Jia Heng, Minister of Military Aircraft, was firm, powerful, and timely in reorganizing the Jiangbei Camp.

Shui Yu picked up the teacup in his hand, took a sip, his eyes were dim.

At this moment, I still feel very painful, and I handed over 40 taels of silver at once. There is still an industry in Jinling in Yangzhou. together.

The rectification of the Jiangbei camp was guided by the guideline of "thorough investigation of corruption and strict military discipline". The anti-corruption turmoil, from the commander of the guards to the officials of the hundred households, was all examined and interrogated by the newly established military justice department.

Jiangbei Daying in Yangzhou called the recovery of [-]% of the corrupt ink as "criminal money", but Jia Heng was very disgusted with this statement, which reminded people of He Shen.

Wang Shouqi was talking to Xiao Hongsheng who was at the side. This kind-faced old man who always valued peace had an obvious complexion.

In the past few days, with Bao Zuhui and Huang Cheng still in the custody of Baihu in Jinyi Mansion, these salt merchants have long been in fear and panic all day long. They originally intended to cancel the oiran competition, but Wang Shouqi suggested that it should be held as scheduled. By the way, let's test Jia Heng again.

Liu Shengzao was also absent-minded at the moment, and didn't pay much attention to the solo dance of Huancui Pavilion, which was warming up earlier.

Because his son Liu Changdao's whereabouts have been unknown for the past few days, and his mother Liu Shengzao's first spouse Yang Shi initiated the Hedong Lion Roar.

If at first the Liu family thought it was Liu Changdao who went to play again, but after a few days, no servant came to report, it would naturally make this person feel irritable because of the transfer of luck between the two Huaihe Rivers.

Coupled with the fact that the Cheng Ma family fell into the hands of the Jin Yi Mansion, it can be said that the years are unfavorable and everything is not going well.

Liu Shengzao originally wanted to find Gu Ruoqing to relieve his boredom, but he didn't want to be warned by Ye Nuan, the daughter of Marquis Annan.

With the passage of time, Liu Shengzao has faintly sensed that something is wrong, or that the mountain rain is about to come.

At this moment, Yuan Jichong turned his eyes to look at Liu Shengzao, smiled and said, "Master Liu's mood is so bad, but he didn't sleep well yesterday?"

Liu Shengzao looked gloomy, and said: "The dog has not been whereabouts for the past few days, and I don't know where it went."

Yuan Jichong's chubby face squeezed into mung bean eyes flashed a moment of thought, and said, "Master Liu, regarding your son's matter, I have already sent the third class of Yamen servants in Yangzhou Prefecture to look for it. Could it be that he went to Jinling and didn't know about it?"

Liu Shengzao pondered and said: "It's also possible that Changdao is too playful, and when he comes back this time, he must be grounded for half a year."

In the end, the voice was already a bit harsh, how much trouble this incompetent person has caused him these years.

Yuan Jichong smiled, and said: "Young people are always playful, and your son is filial and sensible. Don't blame Mr. Liu too much."

At the beginning, he helped Liu Changdao to settle some matters. Although he let the general judge under him handle it, there were actually future troubles.

The several salt merchants who fell from the horse did not know whether they had given him and others for their convenience. It is not related to him. Do it your own way.

As the salt merchants in Yangzhou were cut in half, corrupt officials in Jiangbei Daying were sacked one after another. Yuan Jichong, who had a keen sense of smell, also vaguely realized that something was wrong.

Liu Shengzao asked Wang Shouqi in the row behind him, and said, "Master Wang, why didn't you see that Uncle Yongning today?"

As soon as this remark came out, several other salt merchants and several Yangzhou government officials all looked at Wang Shouqi in unison.

Wang Shouqi forced himself to smile, and said: "The invitation has already been issued, Yongningbo said he would come and have a look."

It can be said that all the judges of this year's Yangzhou Oiran Competition have their own concerns, and they don't see the high spirits and chatter of previous years.

As for the celebrities who lived in Yangzhou, Yan Xing and Xie He were smiling and drinking as usual while commenting on the participating brothels in Yangzhou.

Yan Xing looked at the dancing girl, smiled and said: "Huancui Pavilion is mostly young girls with willows and slender waists. The dancing can be barely watched, but after all, they are just some vulgar fans."

"Huanhualou invited Gu Ruoqing, a famous prostitute from the south of the Yangtze River, to please Brother Yan." Xie He picked up the wine cup, took a sip of the wine, and smiled lightly.

"Brother Wen Zhai, you mean Gu Ruoqing?" Yan Xing smiled, his eyes flickered, and there was a hint of fascination on the handsome face of nearly 30 years old.

Xie He smiled and said: "This girl's piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, and dancing skills are all outstanding in the south of the Yangtze River. I am fortunate to have seen this girl perform dance at the banquet of Mr. Lin Quan who settled in Hangzhou. I know that Cao Zijian's words are true. Jinghong, as graceful as a swimming dragon, and his elegant conversation is really the aura of Jinan province."

Yan Xing smiled and said: "Brother Xie said so, wait a minute, I really want to meet."

On the other side, the pavilion with double eaves on the southwest side of the stand.

Beside a gazebo surrounded by piles of lake rocks and beautiful trees, Zhen Lan led her sister Zhen Xi, disguised as a man, under the secret protection of several Zhen family guards, stepping on her feet, looking through the crowds of people, towards the not far away view from the balcony.

"Sister, if we follow Eldest Sister and sneak here like this, Third Uncle knows it's time to get angry." Zhen Xi said softly.

Zhen Lan wore the brocade robes and colorful shirts of a young gentleman. This girl with charming eyebrows and sharp eyes, who resembled Zhen Qing, was at the age of Ji, and occasionally showed a charming and innocent look that belonged to this age.

When Zhen Lan heard this, her eyebrows and eyes were curved like crescent moons, and cherry blossoms bloomed lightly. She smiled lightly and said, "What's the point of poetry every year, besides, you are only so old, and there is no rush to wait another two years. Let's take a look at these things." The oiran contest, let’s just go back in the afternoon, with the elder sister around, daddy won’t say anything.”

It turned out that the two sisters came to Yangzhou by boat with Zhen Qing last night, intending to see the diorama of the Yangzhou Oiran Competition.

As for Zhen Qing, she came to Yangzhou to do business, she didn't tell Jia Heng in advance, and planned to surprise Jia Heng.

Perhaps they have been together for a long time, Zhen Qing really looks like she is in a period of passionate love... When she closes her eyes, there are pictures of entanglement with Jia Heng, and Jia Heng kisses hard and devotes herself in her mind.

However, Jia Hengai just said one word: "Oh."

Zhen Xi felt a little ashamed, and immediately, with curiosity in her soft eyebrows, she looked at the crowded crowd in the distance, and said, "There are so many of these people, more than the ones who attended the meeting in the garden last year, and there are people over there." , how to wear..."

The young girl with Shaoyan was a little shy as she said that, she stretched out her slender hand to block her bright eyes, but looked at the stand between her fingers.

It was clearly in the sweltering weather, the three women in Huancui Pavilion wore light gauze skirts, white lotus root arms, and a string of copper bells tied with red strings on their jade feet. Shaking gently, white eyes dazzled.

This girl picking lotus, Wu Wa Yueyan's cool attire, even in the enlightened Huaiyang and Jiangnan places, is somewhat rare, so it aroused applause from all the spectators in the stands.

Not to mention other things, these alone are worth the trip.

At this moment, Zhen Xi heard cursing: "Indecent, indecent".

Zhen Xi couldn't help turning her eyes and looked over curiously. She saw an old man with gray hair and hands behind his back. Just as he was about to say a few words, he saw that the old man's eyes were straight, his feet were on his feet, his neck was stretched out, and his eyes almost moved away. Not the same.

Zhen Xi's pink cheeks immediately flushed, and he thought to himself, this man is really old and not ashamed.

"The oiran competition here in Yangzhou is different from our Jinling ones. Jinling is full of poetry and poetry. Although there are poems sung here, most of them are music and dance. The so-called Yangchun Baixue and Xialiba people are also the same." Compared with Zhenxi's rare and strange, shy Tweaked, Zhen Lan was obviously generous, she smiled and explained.

Jinling's Mid-Autumn Festival Poetry Fair is more like a blind date for high-end celebrities and sons.

Of course, courtesans from brothels in Yangzhou and Jiangnan will also be invited to perform folk art, but it will not spoil the joy of reciting poems and prose for young princes and ladies.

Even literati are the children of the families of officials and gentry in the south of the Yangtze River, and they will become famous through poetry.

As for the Oiran Contest in Yangzhou, it is more like Tiger Fish’s live broadcast annual meeting, or a certain blog’s annual grand ceremony, and then some middle-aged businessmen who look at their breasts, thighs, and listen to music join in. If they are right, they will spend a lot of money and get straight to the point.

And Zhen Lan, who is used to seeing elegant and grand events, came out with Zhen Qing this time to breathe, and opened her eyes when she brought her younger sister Zhen Xi.

The surrounding maidservants who also changed into men's clothes were protecting the two sisters of Lanxi to prevent others from bumping into the two daughters, and the surrounding guards of Chu Palace also secretly protected each other.

Zhen Xi frowned beautifully, and said softly: "That can't be dressed like this."

Zhen Lan smiled and took Zhen Xi's hand, jokingly said: "Your sister will just see it, keep your eyes open."

With the warm-up program of Huancui Pavilion, the Oiran Contest is about to begin.

However, at this moment, they suddenly saw commotion in the northwest direction surrounded by a sea of ​​people. Everyone followed the movement and watched. Even the dancing girl from Huancui Pavilion was ignored for a moment.

In the distance, a large number of cavalry in brocade clothes could be seen walking along a carpet for Yangzhou salt merchants and officials to walk first, guarding both sides with knives.

Guards in flying fish suits guarded a boy in python suits, and walked quickly along the carpet.

Under Zhen Lan's eyebrows, she stared intently at the young man who was walking quickly on the red carpet, pointing to the side and said: "Sister, look that Uncle Yongning is here."

Seeing doubts on Zhen Xi's pink and pretty face, he asked, "It's Brother Heng, why did he come so late?"

Zhen Lan snorted softly, with a hint of amusement in the corner of her mouth, and said, "Sister, those with high status are often the last to arrive, haven't you noticed all these years?"

She found out at home that this Uncle Yongning is good at everything else, but he likes to put on airs, he looks like his face is tender, but he talks like the old lady and uncle at the same age.

Zhen Xi: "???"

Turning her pink face, she looked at Zhen Lan in a daze, her eyes sparkled brightly, as if her sister really knew a lot.

Zhen Lan narrowed her long and clear phoenix eyes, and said coquettishly: "This Yongningbo is really grand. I heard that when he was assassinated in Yangzhou, he brought two or three personal guards with him. This is a painful experience."

Compared to the good girl who didn't talk much in Fuxuantang, this girl's quick-witted mind is not inferior to Zhen Qing.

"Then do you want to say hello later?" Zhen Xi asked.

Because Mrs. Zhen told the Zhen family to treat Jia Heng like their own family and not allow birth, Zhen Xi obviously listened to it.

Zhen Lan smiled and said, "It's not too late to look at it later."

But at this moment, on the bamboo attic built in the distance, Ye Nuan, accompanied by a group of Yingying and Yanyan, looked down at the young man who was surrounded by Jinyi mansion guards.

"Nan Ling, is that Uncle Yongning?" Ye Nuan stood on the second floor of the attic and looked out, frowning and asking the girl in pink skirt who was standing beside her.

It's not that she is interested in it. This beautiful woman probably raised too many boys since she was a child. She is not interested in men, and she is even indifferent to men. After her husband found out, because she is the daughter of Marquis Annan, she shouldn't rest. You can't touch it, you can only wander around the fireworks and willow lanes, and then die in depression.

Nan Ling couldn't take his eyes off, looking at the young man in the python suit, his pretty face showed a dazed expression, he quickly responded to the question.

Ye Nuan softly said: "Wait a while, Nan Ling, you go and hand in the greeting card, saying that the second daughter of An Nanhou's family wants to pay a visit to Uncle Yongning."

Nan Ling hurriedly responded, she felt that she was reunited with Uncle Yong Ning, her heartbeat accelerated a little bit, the girl Huai Chun, there is nothing wrong with it.

And in the pavilion behind the stands, Gu Ruoqing also cast his eyes on the boy in the python suit, his brows were tightly frowned, and his clear eyes moved slightly.

"Junior Sister is going to spy on the emperor's cronies like Uncle Yongning. After all, it's a little risky. That person will find out sooner or later." Gu Ruoqing pursed her cherry lips and sighed inwardly.

Apart from her master, the Holy Mother of White Lotus, she is the only one who knows Chen Xiao's identity.

It's just that apart from repaying the kindness of her upbringing, she doesn't want to get mixed up with the grievances and grievances of her previous generation, so what if she avenges her?The dead cannot be brought back to life.

But Jia Heng came along the red carpet under the stands, stood still, and glanced at the salt merchants and officials in Yangzhou who were sitting on the built-up reed stands.

Everyone in Wang Shouqi got up from their seats one after another, and went to welcome Jia Heng, but they were surprised by Qi Kun standing beside Jia Heng just as they got closer.

Wang Shouqi focused his eyes slightly, and complimented with a smile: "Master Qi and Master Jia are here, the stars of civil and martial arts, they really make Slender West Lake a little bit more beautiful."

Several other salt merchants and Yangzhou government officials also laughed and complimented.

Well, now there are only four of the eight major salt merchants in Yangzhou.

Jia Heng glanced at all the officials present calmly, and said, "Lord Qi, let's begin."

Qi Kun nodded, took out an official document, and said in a deep voice: "Liu Shengzao, according to the inquiries of the Jinyi Mansion, the Yangzhou Salt Transport Depot has been running short year after year. The three of them jointly embezzled it, and I am ordered by the emperor to reorganize the salt affairs, and after discussing with Yongning Bo, I will take you back to the Hundred Households of Jinyi Mansion for questioning and to investigate the matter."

Liu Shengzao's complexion changed slightly when he heard the words, and he said, "The warehouse is short of money, why did this happen?"

And the other salt merchants in Yangzhou were also like a bolt from the blue, with cold hands and feet.

What are you afraid of, what are you doing!
The shortfall of the salt storage depot is almost a huge rock weighing on the hearts of all salt merchants.

The smile on Wang Shouqi's face froze for an instant, and he said in surprise, "Old Qige, Uncle Yongning, this... what's going on?"

Jia Heng said: "Master Wang, this is Cheng, Ma and others who confessed."

"This is blood spitting!" Huang Rishan said first.

Jiang Tong said in a deep voice: "These people must want to drag us into the water and end up with them. Mr. Jia, you have to be careful!"

"Lord Jia, this is accusation. The Yangzhou Salt Transport Depot sends tax money to the imperial court every year. Master Lin from the Salt Court can testify to this." Wang Shouqi also defended anxiously.

Lin Ruhai didn't attend the Oiran Competition because of his poor health. In other words, when Jia Min was around, needless to say, with Daiyu's mother's Minmin temperament, Lin Ruhai would probably take a look at the women next to her if she looked at her more. Take off the vinegar.

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "The balance of credit debts has been at least one million taels over the years, but there is no balance of one tael in the salt storage warehouse. As soon as the court heard the news of the investigation, your salt transportation department caught fire. You Are all the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty three-year-old children?"

Saying that, without waiting for Liu Shengzao to quibble, he said coldly: "Come here, take Master Liu away."

Several guards from the Jinyi Mansion surrounded him and pressed Liu Shengzao's shoulder.

Liu Shengzao's eyes trembled slightly, and he shouted, "The surname is Jia, why do you take me?"

Jia Heng said: "According to the imperial court's will, as I am the current military aircraft, the transshipment department of the Huaihe River and Huaihe River has been in deficit for many years, and the account books were burned not long ago. You, Liu Shengzao, are so lawless, have you ever put the Holy Majesty in your eyes? Your son Liu Changdao, Cheng Peili, Huang Cheng and others all agreed that they confessed that you were the mastermind, so do you still want to argue?"

Liu Shengzao calmed down, sneered, and said, "I'm afraid you don't dare to check, and all the silver in the salt shipment has been sent..."

"Come here, shut his mouth." Jia Heng said solemnly.

Before Liu Shengzao finished speaking, Liu Jixian strode forward, and with a sudden force, Liu Shengzao's jaw was removed, leaving the second half of the words in his mouth.

Jia Heng glanced at the ashes-faced Yangzhou salt merchant, and said in a deep voice: "Anyone who pushes others around and accuses the superior will be severely punished by the Jinyi Mansion!"

Although part of the money was sent to the palace, how can it be spread around for the sake of the royal family's dignity?

After finishing speaking, he looked at the officer of the Salt Transport Department, who was already in disbelief, and said, "Take them away with the staff of the Salt Transport Department!"

Before the staff behind Liu Shengzao could react, they saw Jin Yi Tiqi rushing over, and had already held up several subordinate officials including Tong Zhi and Yun Juan of the Yan Yun Division.

Wang Shouqi, Jiang Tong, and Bao Zuhui all looked ashen, trembling, and dared not say a word.

Yuan Jichong, the magistrate of Yangzhou Prefecture, had a chubby face as black as the bottom of a pot, and the magistrates of Jiangdu County, Tongzhou and others also looked at the boy in python with horror on their faces.

This scene was also seen by spectators from a distance, and there were many discussions.

And Zhen Lan, who was on the side of the pavilion with double eaves in the distance, stared at the boy in the python suit with a pair of long and narrow phoenix eyes, her eyes flickered, lost in thought.

Ye Nuan, who was watching from the balcony in the distance, narrowed his eyes slightly, and couldn't help but feel a surge of surprise in his heart.

As my father said, after the Supreme Emperor is fully honored and raised, the big case of Yangzhou Salt Transport Depot is about to happen?

Seeing that Liu Shengzao and the officials of the Salt Transportation Department were taken down, Qi Kun turned his head to look at Jia Heng, and said, "Uncle Yongning, I will first interrogate Liu Shengzao on the case of the shortage of the salt storage, so excuse me."

Jia Heng said: "Lord Qi go first, I will go later."

Accompanied by a group of generals from the Jinyi Mansion, Qi Kun left Slender West Lake.

Jia Heng looked at the silent salt merchants, smiled at Wang Shouqi and said, "Master Wang, I'm here to judge the Yangzhou Oiran Competition, why doesn't Master Wang welcome you?"

Wang Shouqi woke up like a dream, looking at the smiling Jia Heng, he was like seeing a ghost, with a smile on his face, he said: "Uncle Yongning, welcome, this way please."

No matter what, we can't be chaotic now, so we need to think of a way. People in Jiangnan and Beijing need to think of a way, and what is the intention of Bo Yongning who only arrests Liu Shengzao and not them?

With the arrest of Liu Shengzao, the entire Yangzhou salt depot case was completely kicked off.

(End of this chapter)