The Red Mansions

Chapter 792 There is no hero in this era, but it only makes Zhu Zi famous!
Guangzhou Fucheng, post house

Jia Heng and Chen Xiao returned to the post house, walked into the study room, and sat down.

Chen Xiao raised her eyes to look at the young man opposite, and said softly, "It's indeed a good idea for you to build the Customs and Taxation Department, but this Liu Canzheng, can he take on the important task?"

Jia Heng put down the teacup, smiled and said: "He is the same age as Uncle Lin, since Uncle Lin strongly recommends him, there must be a reason."

He knew the girl's worries, worried that he was busy making wedding dresses for others, and whether such bureaucrats would become his wings.

After pondering for a moment, he said: "Increasing the weight of Shibo's lifting department will show a public heart."

"Then the silver withheld from customs duties will be used as a gift to the Guangdong Marine Corps?" Chen Xiao asked, "Don't keep it for rectification."

Jia Heng said softly: "It's not time for the Guangdong Navy to rectify."

When he returned to Guangdong, at least he would have to wait until the first battle with Donglu was over. Now that he was mobilizing the local gentry forces in Jiangnan, he already felt that there was a lot of resistance, and it was not appropriate to make extraneous incidents.

When he arrives in Shenjing, he is still the one who defines the importance of the Guangdong Navy. As long as he says that the Guangdong Navy is located in a remote area, and the mainstream of the national power struggle is still fighting the enemy in the north, then the Guangdong Navy may be logically Usher in disarmament.

Wu Tao, the Guangdong Marine Division, can only rely on him, and this person was originally a subordinate of Duke Xiaorong, so he will be free later, and it will not be too late to rectify the Guangdong Marine Division.

Chen Xiao frowned and said, "It's hard to guarantee that the governor of Guangdong and the feudal secretary will intervene."

Jia Heng said softly: "Don't worry about this, they can't interfere."

Chen Ling picked up the teacup, took a sip of tea, and said nothing more.

At this moment, I suddenly heard a pleasantly surprised voice from behind the bead curtain, saying, "Brother Heng, are you back?"

While talking, a girl with a plump face and white cheeks quickly stepped in from the outside, with a smile on her plump and white face, she said, "When did Brother Heng come over?"

Jia Heng looked at the girl with snowy face and jade skin, condensed cheeks and prickly cheeks, smiled lightly, and said, "Sister Baoqin, I have just arrived."

"Is the Haojing going well?" Baoqin sat down, with concern on her face, and said softly: "I heard that Brother Heng led people to fight the Portuguese."

Jia Heng said: "It's going well, we'll go to the inn to meet your father later, and return to Jinling in a few days."

Xue Baoqin nodded slightly, and asked curiously: "Brother Heng went to Haojing, did you see Nona?"

Jia Heng said softly: "I have seen it, but I am not very familiar with it."

Xue Baoqin said softly: "A few days ago, I originally wanted to go to Haojing, but Brother Heng didn't allow it before, and I don't know how the Hongyi cannon was used to start a war."

Jia Heng looked at the girl, and said with a light smile: "The journey was bumpy, and there were wars. It was a lot of hard work. Sister Xue, don't think that she was playing in the past."

Baoqin is not as playful as Xiangyun, it should be out of curiosity, maybe interested in naval battles.

Xue Baoqin nodded and said, "Daddy also said so."

"Is uncle in good health?" Jia Heng asked with concern.

Baoqin said: "Daddy's getting better. He said he was going to leave soon. I said Brother Heng will go back to Jinling in a few days. If we can go back together, Daddy said it's good to go together, and we can have someone to take care of us on the way."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "We will return to Jinling after staying here for a few more days."

At this time, Xue Baoqin looked at Chen Xiao who was holding a teacup, and said softly: "Sister Xiao, it's almost noon, should I cook? I haven't eaten any food made by Sister Xiao these days, and I feel that nothing tastes good. gone."

A smile flickered between Chen Xiao's eyebrows, and said in a clear voice, "I'll do it for you later."

Jia Heng smiled and said: "You don't let your sister Xiao rest, she is quite tired from this trip, so I will make it for you after dinner."

Baoqin lowered her head slightly, and said with some embarrassment: "I forgot."

While Jia Heng was talking to Bao Qin, the guard of the Jinyi Mansion outside came in and said: "My lord, Master Xue and Mr. Xue Biao are here."

Hearing Jia Heng's return, Xue Jun and his son Xue Biao also came to visit from the inn. While talking, the father and son came to the back hall of the post house.

Jia Heng stood up, faced Xue Yun who was opposite, and said with a smile: "Uncle's complexion looks much better."

Xue Jun also smiled and said: "Two days of recuperating with soup and medicine, my body has improved a lot. Can you take care of Ziyu's affairs at Haojing?"

The conflict in Haojing can't even be called a war, and the armed conflict in a tiny place has no special meaning of national war.

Jia Heng nodded, and said, "Everything is done. I said that the ship will return to Jinling in the past few days. Uncle has traveled to and from the Western Yi countries for these years. Have you ever seen some new weapons made by the Yi people? For example, firearms Those weapons are stronger than my big man."

"Artifact making?" Xue Jun said in a low voice, with a look of reminiscence on his elegant face, and said: "The barbarian people do have some new things, but if they say they surpass me, it's not necessarily so."

Jia Heng said: "It can't be underestimated either. Some things still have merits, such as the strength of this firearm. If it continues to develop like this, it will be more advanced in the future."

Xue Jun smiled and said: "Firearms are important military weapons, how to use them is up to an important court official like Zi Yu to think about."

As he said that, he asked curiously: "Today, in the prefectural city of Guangzhou, there are discussions about Ziyu's plan to open the sea?"

Jia Heng said: "Opening up the sea for business and rebuilding the Shibo Tiju Division can be regarded as restoring the ancestral system. In the Taizong period and the Longzhi period, we opened the sea for business."

Xue Yun twirled his beard under his chin, and agreed: "Nowadays, the Western Yi countries have frequent sea trade, but I, a big man, have not traded much in recent years."

Jia Heng said: "That's what I mean, especially the silk and tea from our country can be sold to Xiyi in exchange for some special products from Xiyi."

At this time, Huaxia has missed the great voyage and has fallen behind by a big step. Now is the time to catch up. For example, when the time is right, Australia can completely grab it.

Xue Yun nodded and said, "Tea, silk and porcelain are very popular in the Western Yi countries."

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, then said: "When the sea ban is lifted, I would like to invite my uncle to help establish and run a company."

Well, he wants to set up an ocean-going trading company, of course not to engage in slave trade, but to help run business and continue economic wealth.

Hearing this, Xue Jun looked puzzled and asked, "Company?"

Jia Heng explained: "The public refers to the wealth of several people, and the manager refers to the meaning of operation. It is actually a chamber of commerce and a firm to engage in ocean-going trade. It's just that the names are different, and the meaning is roughly the same."

Xue Yun has been to many places. If she can help manage a chamber of commerce and engage in ocean trade, it will be easier for her to do anything after she has financial resources.

Xue Yun said in surprise, "Zi Yu wants to do business."

The patriarch of the Jia clan in front of him, Kaihai Tongshang must have such an idea.

Jia Heng said: "Since opening up the sea and conducting business, we must have some contact with the Western Yi. It is inconvenient for our country to send officials there, so we can use the chamber of commerce to go to the ocean to carry out trade, inquire about the internal details of the Yi and Di, and it will be more convenient to communicate. "

It's not good for him to meddle too much in the matter of ocean trade, and it would be best for Xue Yun and other in-laws to help manage it.

The matter between him and Baochai was always to be revealed to Xue's family, and they were truly a family at that time.

Xue Jun readily agreed: "This is also a good idea."

Among the four families of King Xue of Jia Shi, Xue's position was originally attached to Jia's family. Now that Jia Heng has become a very popular court official, Xue Yun has no objections.

Bao Qin said in a low voice: "Brother Heng wants to do business with Daddy?"

Jia Heng looked at Bao Qin and said with a smile: "Yes, sister, do you want to come and help?"

Hearing this, Baoqin was ashamed, her cheeks blushed slightly, her almond eyes under her willow eyebrows looked ashamed, and said: "I don't care much about the family business, just let my brother help you. "

What is it that she helped in the past?
Jia Heng turned to look at Xue Biao, and said to Xue Jun: "Uncle, cousin, will he take the imperial examination or the business in the future?"

Since Xue Jun helped him in the sea trade business, he would also reciprocate and help Xue Biao improve his official career.

Seeing the mention of her own son, Xue Jun looked at Xue Biao and said, "I think both the imperial examination and business are fine, but it's not that easy to get a Jinshi in the second list. After two years, it's good to take over the family's business. "

Jia Heng smiled lightly and said: "That's fine, but it's cheaper to come out to do things with the fame of Juren. I think that with my cousin's gentle heart, it's easy to win the exam. Even a Jinshi is not without a chance."

The Xue family originally started as an imperial merchant, but Xue Jun traveled all over the world and went to many countries. He was open-minded and obviously did not regard merchants as lowly business.

But looking forward to his son becoming a dragon may not have made his son's career in the imperial examination progress.

Sure enough, hearing Jia Heng's words, Xue Yun said softly: "The Jinshi are all Wenqu stars in the sky, they are not so easy to test, I don't expect it."

The ancestors were also Ziwei Sheren, but in the generation of their brothers, they failed to succeed after repeated trials, and simply took over the family's imperial business business.

Several people talked, and in the evening, they gathered together for dinner.

After dinner, Jia Heng sent Xue Jun and Xue Biao and his son out of the post house. He had just returned to the flower hall to take a seat when he heard that General Wu Tao of Guangdong Sea had visited.

After the previous military conflict in Haojing, although the Guangdong Marine Division suffered a lot of casualties, it maintained its reputation in front of Jia Heng, the Minister of Military Aircraft.

Jia Heng walked to the flower hall, and saw Wu Tao, the general of Guangdong, sitting on a black lacquered wooden chair with a backrest in the hall brightly lit with candles, with a smile on his chubby face, he stood up and cupped his hands Said: "I have seen Yongning Bo."

Jia Heng looked at Wu Tao, and said in a gentle tone: "General Wu, there is no need to be polite. This time, the battle with Hao Jing will show our country's prestige. General Wu and all the navy generals have worked hard."

Wu Tao hurriedly and humbly said that he didn't dare, but judging from the unconcealable joy in his brows, it was obvious that Jia Heng's words were very useful.

The two sat down again to talk.

Wu Tao cast his eyes eagerly, and asked with a smile: "I heard that Yongning Bo will return to Jinling soon."

Jia Heng nodded and said: "Since the matter of Hao Jing has come to an end, there is not much point in staying here. There are still many military affairs in the Jiangnan Camp waiting for me to go back and deal with them."

He returned this time not only with guns, but also Portuguese craftsmen and family members. These people first settled in Jinling, and then went north to Shenjing by boat to produce fire guns, and then installed them as soon as possible. machine battalion.

If Jurchen leads troops to invade the border again, then the Beijing camp will definitely move north, and the time left for him...is running out.

Wu Tao said: "The lower official also said that he would invite Uncle Yongning to stay in Guangdong for a few more days and take a good look around. Since Uncle Yongning is involved in military affairs, he has no choice but to regret it."

"I have military affairs, so I don't have time to wander around." Jia Heng nodded, looked at Wu Tao who was hesitant to speak, and asked, "General Wu may as well speak up if he has something to say."

"Everyone in Guangzhou is discussing the opening of the sea. I heard that the cause is that Yongningbo sent a memorial to the central government. I don't know how Yongningbo plans to open the sea?" The young dignitaries misunderstood it, and explained: "We will open up the sea and trade together, and bandits and merchants will rise together, so our Guangdong Navy can respond and take precautions in advance."

The young man in front of him is a member of the imperial court, and he proposed to open the sea, so most of them already have a clear understanding of economic regulations.

Jia Heng picked up the teacup in his hand and said softly: "Waiting for the imperial court's decree these days, if everything goes well, I mean that a group of elite soldiers will be dispatched from the Guangdong Navy to the Customs and Taxation Department. will choose for himself.”

He doesn't have the energy to clean up the Guangdong Navy now, but no matter how busy he is with the Customs and Taxation Department, he still has to promote some people.

Wu Tao's eyes flashed, and he asked, "What does Uncle Yongning mean by customs?"

Customs tax department?What's the situation?Opened a new Yamen?

Jia Heng pondered and said: "The yamen responsible for opening the sea to collect taxes has more power than the Shibo Lifting Department. In the past few days, I will have people conduct a comprehensive inspection of the Guangdong Navy and the generals of the Guangdong Metropolitan Guards, and select honest and upright generals. , assigned to the customs, to assist in anti-smuggling work.”

Hearing this, Wu Tao understood the role of the Customs, which seemed to be more powerful than the Shibo Lifting Department, and said: "Uncle Yongning, is this Customs under the jurisdiction of the Governor's Office or the Chief Secretary?"

From the looks of it, this Bo Yongning didn't intend to simply hand over the Shibo Lifting Division to him and the Guangdong Navy.

Originally, what the General of Guangdong Hai was thinking was that once he obtained the power to suppress smuggling and thieves, with the strength of the Guangdong Navy, wouldn't he be able to handle the promotion of Shibo?The original intention was to take back the dominance of everything from the Chief Secretary.

But now another yamen has been added, and it is estimated that the official rank is not low.

Jia Heng said: "The court may still be discussing this matter, but I don't know what to do. General Wu needn't worry too much. The money that he promised to pay the Yue Hai Navy's tariffs will not be less. It will be of great use, and General Wu’s training and supervision of the Guangdong Navy will not slack off in the future.”

Seeing such ambiguous words, Wu Tao felt a little doubtful, but he still expressed his determination: "Don't worry, Uncle Yongning, the Yuehai Navy only relaxed after a long period of peace in the past. Now that the imperial court has said to move, Then the court will not be disappointed."

Jia Heng nodded, and said: "The ships that were sunk due to the war before should be imported sailboats, should be purchased with money, don't be vague, and the pensions for the generals and soldiers who died in this naval battle, General Wu ordered people to deliver them in the past two days Bring me a book, so I can ask the court to play it."

"Thank you Uncle Yongning." Wu Tao nodded, and after listening, he told his words and left.

After seeing off Wu Tao, Jia Heng returned to the study in the back hall, and saw a bright and bright study, a girl in a green dress and a red dress sitting opposite each other, talking.

Jia Heng asked: "What are you two talking about, so eager?"

Baoqin looked at Jia Heng, with joy on her white jade face, and said, "Brother Heng, I asked Sister Xiao for cooking skills, and Sister Xiao has already agreed to teach me."

Jia Heng laughed and said: "That's a good thing, sister Baoqin learns cooking from your sister Xiao, whoever marries sister Xue will be lucky in the future."

Baoqin: "..."

Is Big Brother Heng talking about her, or is he talking about Sister Xiao?
At this moment, Chen Xiao looked at Jia Heng with bright eyes under willow-leaf slender eyebrows. There seemed to be a few clusters of orange candles dancing. The voice that was originally as cold as melting ice and snow was a little soft, and asked, "Wu Tao is gone?"

Jia Heng sat down and said, "He's already gone. He came here to intervene in Kaihai's affairs. It won't be long before he understands it."

As long as the Customs is established and a group of Guangdong Marines are assigned to inspect maritime affairs, the Customs will soon become an independent paramilitary force. It will not be easy for the original Guangdong Marines to continue armed smuggling.

Moreover, [-]% of the enshrined tax money passed through the customs is also a means for him to gradually control the Guangdong Navy. If Wu Tao colludes with his subordinates to smuggle the school's armed forces, then it is time to rectify the Guangdong Navy.

Chen Xiao said: "That's fine too."

She also understands the importance of this matter at this moment, his cousin is indeed very scheming.

Xue Baoqin listened to the two talking, and Shui Xing's bright eyes under Cuiyu's black eyebrows blinked, and she squeezed the handkerchief, feeling a little puzzled.

Time flies, and before you know it, another six days have passed.

With regard to the opening of the sea, the edict to establish a customs taxation branch was also sent to Guangzhou from the central area by six hundred miles. In the eyes of the public, the details were disclosed. Liu Xiaoyuan was awarded the title of imperial censor, recruited aides, and worked in the office in Guangzhou Fucheng.

The Minister of Military Aircraft, Yongningbo Jia Heng, dispatched elite soldiers and strong generals from the Guangdong Navy, and set up tax police and sea supervisors for dispatch by the tax branch to arrest smugglers and robbers.

Governor's Yamen
Zhou Zao's hand holding the official document trembled slightly, his face was ashen, his eyes flashed coldly, and he said, "What a Yongning Bo! This is a new start in Guangdong!"

Adding a branch of customs and taxation, having the Guangdong feudal officials participate in the administration of politics, and adding the title of capital censor, this is to completely swallow the fat of opening up the sea and trade, and they will not be able to get any money.

Where to put him, the great official of the frontier?
He said that Uncle Yongning hadn't come to look for him in the past few days.

Seeing that Zhou Zao's face was not looking good, Master Liang hurriedly persuaded him: "Don't be angry, this Yongningbo didn't stay for long. I heard that the barbarians and their families brought from Haojing all boarded the boat and loaded a batch of broken pieces. It’s broken, we’re going back to Jinling, when he’s gone, let’s play lanterns with my nephew, as usual.”

Zhou Zao snorted coldly, suppressed the anger in his heart, and asked, "What do you think of the Guangdong Navy?"

"Guangdong Marine Division has just fought a battle with Haojing, and everyone is planning to take advantage of the power of the surname Jia to flatter the superior." Director Liang said softly: "Now [-]% of the tax money is used to pay the Guangdong Marine Division's soldiers. These soldiers are all in awe of that Yongningbo."

Zhou Zao looked gloomy, and said: "This officer is the governor who also handles the food and pay! The Yue Hai Hai division paid the silver taels from the customs, so they don't use the money from the feudal officials?"

Master Liang tactfully persuaded: "Dong Weng, you didn't say that, it is still part of the overall planning of the Guangdong Feudal Commander, and now the naval forces are fighting against the Eastern Captives. It seems to have become the general trend of the country, and Shunchang will perish."

"Children's whimsy! Leading the expedition with boats and boats, but Jurchen is not a fool. As long as they send a partial division to stop them, they will be ruined. Besides, how many times did the land and water troops enter in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and the soldiers sent troops to Goguryeo? How many times did they succeed?"

Master Liang said in a low voice: "Dong Weng, he is now the minister of military affairs, and he decides the strategy of the government. Who can stop this before he is completely defeated?"

Zhou Zao's complexion was iron, and he said quietly: "There are no heroes in this era, and it only makes Zhu Zi famous!"

A young man who is not yet a weak crown lives in the pavilion and decides the country's major affairs, but he is a good minister living in Guangdong Province. It is not clear why he employs people.

Seeing that Zhou Zao's eyes were gloomy and uncertain, Master Liang couldn't persuade him anymore.

(End of this chapter)