The Red Mansions

Chapter 796 Baochai: Brother Heng taught her this?

Ningguo Mansion

The two sisters of the Zhen family are both wearing plain blue and blue skirts, and the hairpins on their heads are also decorated with white bead flowers, which are elegant and elegant, like lotus in clear water, with double lotuses on the pedicles.

A small face the size of a palm, white, greasy and moist like peach pistils that just bloomed in February, and the aura-like eyes under the willow-leaf slender eyebrows are very agile.

A face with melon seeds, willow eyebrows and phoenix eyes, a pointed chin, and some bright and crystal glittering in the eyes.

Three women play a play, a group of little girls gather together, besides talking and laughing, it is inevitable that other thoughts will arise.

Xiang Yun said softly: "Third Sister, I heard that this time, when Brother Heng returns, he should be able to fight."

Baochai said softly: "Sister Yun wants to watch a war. There's nothing to watch in a war. People who don't know each other are facing each other with swords and guns, and rivers of blood flow."

The young girl Yurong paused slightly, a wave of worry welling up in her heart.

Zhen Lan said: "I heard that the Jurchen has 5 people this time, and the city is saying that the Jurchen is less than [-] and invincible. There are rumors everywhere."

Tanchun pursed his pink lips, his bright eyes flashed with thought, and said softly: "Jurchen's invasion this time, they say they have 5 soldiers and horses, they are probably bluffing, otherwise there are so many soldiers and horses. , I don’t know how much they consume every day, they are drifting on the sea, there is no stable supply of military supplies, and it is impossible to have [-] people, and even if it is half of them, if things go on like this, the daily expenses will be huge, and they will definitely not be able to compete with the government.”

Generally speaking, the insight to be able to see the importance of military supplies surpassed many people.

Zhen Lan glanced at Tanchun, the girl with handsome eyes and sculpted eyebrows, moved by the heroic spirit on her face, and Fang was surprised.

Zhen Lan said in a soft voice: "Even if it is doubled, there are 5000 people, which should not be underestimated. The Jiangbei camp originally had 1 sailors, and the Jiangnan camp had [-] sailors. In the future, the quota will not be full, and this may add up to more than [-] sailors, and they are still training, if they fight at sea, they are indeed not as powerful as others."

Tanchun looked at Zhen Lan with bright eyes, and said softly: "This sister Lan can't count like this, the number of officers and sailors is not as good as them, but the officers and troops still have infantry from the Jiangnan camp, if relying on the strong terrain, It is not impossible to block the Jurchen fleet in Suzhou Prefecture and Jinling Prefecture, and at the same time hold back the ships at Haimen, and wait for Brother Heng to return before presiding over the battle."

"But I was beaten passively and exhausted." Zhen Lan said softly.

Tanchun said: "It's not necessarily true. As long as we resist for seven or eight days, the Fuzhou navy will come to help. That is, the longer the time is, the better it will be for the officers and soldiers. I'm afraid..."

"What are you afraid of?" Zhen Lan raised her eyebrows and looked at the girl, feeling an indescribable jealousy in her heart.

Why is this girl so proficient in military affairs, she is only 13 years old?

Baochai also put down the teacup in her chubby little hand, her plump, snow-like face was filled with surprise, and her glittering almond eyes stared at Tanchun unwaveringly, with a hint of seriousness.

The third sister is really amazing, what I'm talking about... really seems like that.

Brother Heng taught her this?
Thinking of this, Fang's heart felt a little tasteless, Big Brother Heng always gnawed at the golden lock, and never told her anything about the outside world.

Daiyu blinked her starry eyes, and looked at Tanchun in astonishment, thinking, no wonder Brother Heng treats Third Sister differently.

However, Tanchun frowned his heroic brows, pursed his pink lips, and said softly: "I'm afraid that the generals in the Jiangnan and Jiangbei battalions are eager to lead the troops out, and brother Heng is not there, and if they lose the battle again, then Trouble."

As he spoke, he sighed softly and said, "Brother Heng is not here."

Zhen Lan: "..."

I don't know why, but I feel a little strange in my heart. Don't analyze so much before, the key lies in this sentence, right?

Your brother Heng is not here, you don't trust anyone, right?

Zhen Lan suppressed the sudden strangeness in her heart, frowned and said: "This time, Jinling can block it, but it is not easy to counterattack. It doesn’t necessarily mean defeating Jurchen.”

Tanchun raised his bright eyes to look at Zhen Lan, and said, "There is no need to win. Those Jurchens don't have food, grass or fresh water, so they won't last long. Brother Heng should come back by then."

Seeing the two talking to each other, Daiyu covered her mouth with a handkerchief and smiled coquettishly, "Listen, we have two more military planes in our family now." Minister, and they are all the three girls in the clan, so they are really destined to be together."

When the two girls who were talking in a low voice heard the words, their bright and charming faces flushed slightly.

Everyone laughed.

Only Baochai smiled, a look of surprise flashed in her moist almond eyes, our family?our family?
"Puff." Zhen Xi couldn't help laughing, and under the willow-leaf eyebrows, those bright eyes with aura like streams bent into crescent moons, Li Dio smiled slightly: "Sanjie, you have finally found an opponent this time."

In fact, even the past envelopes between fiancé Fang Kuang and Zhen Lan may not have said these things, because Zhen Lan not only likes to recite poems and compose Fu, but also likes to talk about the court situation and side affairs.

But because a few of them didn't get any fame, they were all in the dark about military matters in the court, and they didn't know what they knew.

Zhen Lan smiled lightly, but she was quite generous, and said softly: "Usually, no one talks to me about this at home. Among the girls I've met, the third sister's knowledge is really extraordinary. I don’t know how much stronger it is.”

After all, she is also a girl who has been baptized by Zhen Baoyu's "male eyebrows" and "fresh daughter".

As the girl said, she stared at Zhenxi and said angrily, "Fourth sister, I usually ask you to read more books, but you don't read them. You may have to talk about these things with the Minister of Military Aircraft from time to time."

As soon as this remark came out, everyone laughed, but the smiles were not often filled with joy.

Tanchun looked at Zhen Xi, who was the same age as him, and sighed faintly, with bitterness in his heart.

Why is the surname Jia?If her surname is also Zhen...

Baochai picked up the teacup and took a sip, then glanced at Zhenxi with her lowered eyes.

This little girl from the Zhen family looks weak and weak, not as scheming as the third girl from the Zhen family.

Zhen Xi laughed softly on Xia Fei's cheeks, and the red glow stretched all the way to her earlobes. She clearly understood the implication of her third sister's voice, and she was still talking to a military minister, wasn't it...Brother Heng.

"I'm reading it. I've read a lot recently." Zhen Xi pouted and said in embarrassment.

She has been reading the book of war left by Brother Heng these days, as well as the script of the Three Kingdoms, she has read it several times, and she understands some of the strategies above.

Xiangyun, the "stupid" one, didn't understand the charades of the few people, and said with a smile: "Sister Lan, don't underestimate the third sister, she has learned the skills of marching and fighting with Brother Heng."

"That's really disrespectful." Zhen Lan looked at Tanchun with a smile on her face and said in a low voice.

The girl smiled, and under her willow-leaf eyebrows, she saw that the long and narrow phoenix eyes were overflowing with shrewdness, cleverness and natural charm. Compared with Zhen Qing, she was undoubtedly much more immature, but with her shrewd flow and exquisite and clear thoughts, I'm afraid In the presence, only Baochai can compete with him.

Seeing embarrassment and anger on Tan Chunqiao's face, she glared at Xiangyun and said, "Sister Yun, as long as you know."

The feeling of loss in my heart became stronger and stronger.

In the future, she might not be as good as... Sister Yun.

Why is her life so miserable?

On Xiangyun's rosy apple face, he smiled innocently, and said, "That's right, Brother Heng only showed you the secrets, and asked you to help write the paperwork."

Zhen Lan was slightly surprised when she heard the words, and couldn't help asking: "This...Brother Heng asked the third sister to help with the military documents?"

Baochai explained: "That's not true. When he was in Beijing, Big Brother Heng liked the capable and sharp temperament of the third younger sister the most. He usually let her look at the documents and didn't shy away from her about anything."

The third sister can be regarded as her sister-in-law.

"It's not a secret, it's just an ordinary matter. Brother Heng is in charge of several yamen now, so I'll beat him up when I go there." Tanchun said with a chuckle.

In fact, compared to the girl's fate trajectory in the original book, she still needs to look up to Mrs. Wang. The care and love of Jia Heng, the clan brother, has undoubtedly made the girl more calm and confident.

As the years get older, the essence of literary talent and the spirit of forgetting the vulgarity become more and more obvious.

Zhen Lan nodded, looked at Tanchun with deep eyes, and said with a smile, "That's really strange."

Such a high-ranking minister of military and aviation did not want to be so open-minded, or to say that he liked the temperament of this heroic clan sister.

Listening to the conversation of several people, Zhen Xi's eyes with hidden aura were a little absent-minded, holding a pink handkerchief and gently twisting it.

Brother Heng is fine with everything, that day with his eldest sister and second sister...

Zhen Lan said: "Sister Tanchun said that it is indeed difficult for Jinling to attack easily now. If another big defeat occurs, Jinling will be even more frightened, and the situation may take a turn for the worse. gone."

Dai Yuyan frowned, her starry eyes moved slightly, her heart was full of thoughts, and she said quietly: "So, I still have to wait for Brother Heng to come back, I don't know where he is now."

Baochai seemed to be pear pistil with a look of absent-mindedness on Baixue's face, her pink lips moved slightly, faintly feeling that something was wrong, no, shouldn't she say this?
Did Yan'er steal her words?
No, she...

In fact, ever since Jia Heng and Daiyu learned Xin Qiji's words together, on Daiyu's side, she has unilaterally declared that Jia Heng is her husband from the psychological level.

Even in later generations, they can talk about marriage like a big girl with yellow flowers.

Originally, Daiyu wasn't someone who could hide her likes and dislikes too much. If Jia Heng hadn't told her in advance, she would have been discovered a long time ago.

But after a long time, it is bound to be hidden from Baochai, who has a sharp eye.

At the same time, in the Zhen Family Manor, the wind and rain were like darkness, and the branches and leaves of the forest were whirling. Under the autumn sun, the withered yellow leaves were knocked down by the rain.

In a two-storey embroidered building with flying eaves and brackets in the backyard, Zhen Qing was wearing a plain dress, sitting behind the desk by the window, flipping through the account books with one hand and fiddling with the abacus with the other.

Through the writing brush hanging on the pen holder, one can see the full moon hanging in the sky under the slender and fair neck, trembling Wei Wei.

While Zhen Qing raised her eyes, she talked to Zhen Xue who was sitting not far away coaxing Shui Xin.

As for the sons of Zhen Qing and the King of Chu, they are being coaxed by Mrs. Gan and a group of nuns now. The old man likes children.

Seeing a smile on Zhen Qing's charming face like Taorui, she said softly: "This month, the Lianghuai ticket and salt method was sold in Jiangxi, and I made a hundred thousand taels of silver in just one month."

Zhen Xue was braiding Shui Xin's hair, and the young woman's gentle and watery face was pampered, and she said softly: "I heard that the Lianghuai Salt Transportation Department has also confiscated salt. It benefits the country and the people.”

Zhen Qing smiled and said, "Sister, I'm afraid that the Customs and Tax Sub-division established by Guangdong Hai may also be a cornucopia."

It's a pity, if that bastard helps her, what can't she do?

Shui Xin said softly: "Mother, let's go to godfather's house and play with Aunt Lin and Aunt Yun."

"You child, you want to play with others all day long." Zhen Xuemei's eyes were soft and rippling, and there was a hint of amusement on her face.

Xinxin is not only close to Ziyu, but now also very close to several sisters in his family.

"The third aunt is gone today." Shui Xin said in a waxy voice with black grape-like eyes that were as agile as water.

Zhen Xue pinched her daughter's pink face, and said in a doting tone: "She is going to see your fourth aunt, what were you doing in the past, and your godfather is not at home."

"I want to be a godfather, mother." Shui Xin pouted, took Zhen Xue's hand, and said, "When will godfather come back? He's been away for so long."

The bright smile on Zhen Xuexue's beautiful face gradually faded away, she caressed the ring on her hand, and sighed faintly from the bottom of her heart.

Why does she miss him...

Zhen Qing cast her gaze and said softly: "Ningguo Mansion is more lively, after sister Xi'er passed by, the house is even more deserted, no wonder the third sister often goes there these two days."

The old lady Zhen passed away, and the Zhen family has actually been declining at a speed visible to the naked eye recently.

Anyone with insight in Liangjiang's officialdom can see that if it weren't for the two concubines, the Zhen family might disappear in an instant.

When he was in the residence today, he had a grudge against the Zhen family, and some senior officials in Jinling official circles still remembered this.

While the two sisters were talking, suddenly the mother from the outside came in and called out, "You two princesses, the master is calling you over."

Princess Chu Zhen Qing heard the words, Yu Rong returned to her gorgeous and coquettish demeanor, and said to Zhen Xue who was at the side: "Sister, let's go together."

Zhen Xue responded with an "Yes", handed Shui Xin over to the nanny to take care of her, and followed Zhen Qing to her father Zhen Yingjia's study.

In the study room, Zhen Yingjia was talking to Zhen Shao and Zhen Xuan, leaning on the pear flower wood chair in the corner, and sitting on the pear-shaped chair like frost beating eggplants.

In just one month, Zhen Zhu lost a lot of weight, and his expression didn't look very good, it was obvious that he was overwhelmed with grief.

The "early" death of Mrs. Zhen had a great impact on the fourth master of the Zhen family.

Zhen Yingjia looked at the disfigured Zhen Zhu, her lips twitched, and she couldn't bear it, she persuaded: "Fourth brother, let him get over the past, don't mourn too much."

Zhen Zhu sighed, with reddish eye circles, and said dejectedly: "Brother, I was the one who harmed the Zhen family."

Zhen Yingjia sighed: "My Zhen family should have suffered this catastrophe. The old lady is in the Spring and Autumn Period. It is said that it is also a joy and funeral. It has nothing to do with the previous incident of the fourth brother. Don't blame yourself for the fourth brother."

Seeing that Zhen Zhu was still talking, Zhen Shao frowned and said in a deep voice, "If you want to comfort your mother's spirit in heaven, now that the Jurchens are attacking in a big way, use the blood of my Zhen family."

"Second brother." Zhen Xuan's complexion changed slightly, and he persuaded in a low voice.

Zhen Shao snorted coldly, her face gloomy.

Upon hearing this, Zhen Zhu opened his mouth, bowed his head in silence, and a flash of determination flashed in his eyes.

"Master, the two concubines are here." The steward entered the study and said, pulling the four Zhen family brothers out of their respective thoughts.

Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue entered the study together, and saluted Zhen Yingjia: "Father."

Then he bowed to Zhen Shao, Zhen Xuan, and Zhen Zhu, calling "Second Uncle, Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle" respectively.

When Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue were seated, Zhen Yingjia said softly: "You have also heard the news in the city. Now that the Jurchens are coming in menacingly, your second uncle and I mean that our family has suffered from the emperor's favor. Love is restored, and you will be loyal to the country, and your fourth uncle is also a general, so this time it is right to take the crime and make meritorious service."

When Zhen Qing heard this, thoughts appeared in her charming and flowing eyes, and she said, "Father, Ziyu is not in Beijing right now."

Well, when the beauty calls Ziyu, it's not that she doesn't bother to pretend, but after Zhen Xi betrothed to Jia Heng, Zhen Qing can be regarded as her brother-in-law.

Coupled with the relationship between the Zhenjia family, there is no need to worry about others being suspicious.

Mainly because of Princess Chu's noble status, she has a son under her knees.

Zhen Qing has always been strong-hearted and aggressive, just like Jia Rui, whose mast and scull have been wiped out in the entire Jia family, who would dare to have Sister Feng's idea, or suspect that Sister Feng is not a woman?
The so-called people are set up well, but who knows that they are a contrast bitch?

Zhen Yingjia asked softly, "Who is in charge of Jiangnan Daying now?"

Zhen Qing thought for a while, then said in a clear voice: "It seems to be the commander of the Henan capital, as well as a group of generals from the Beijing camp."

Zhen Shao's expression showed some thought, and he asked: "If you want to send a war to the court, what does the princess think?"

Zhen Qing frowned, with hesitation on her crystal-clear jade face, she said: "If you want to get back together, it's better not to have someone else to take care of you, but second uncle and fourth uncle can also go to school, but... now it seems that it's too late. Some are out of time."

While talking, I also found it very tricky, but that bastard went to Guangdong and hasn't come back yet.

Zhen Qing added: "But the second uncle and the fourth uncle should go to the top. This is not greedy for power and position. It is a matter of the country. Taking filial piety to the war is something worthy of praise for the country and the family."

Zhen Yingjia took over the conversation, sighed, and said, "I'm afraid the Holy One won't allow it."

In fact, there was another detail during this period that made Zhen's family shudder.

Even after Old Madam Zhen passed away, there was no expression in the palace, but the Supreme Emperor issued an imperial decree to posthumously posthumously title Old Madam Zhen.

As for Emperor Chongping, he remained silent almost the whole time, just like when Zhen Zhu led the town's navy and died in the first battle, the death-like silence.

In other words, in the eyes of the emperor, there is no need for the Zhen family to do such a superficial effort as giving a posthumous title.

This was actually a strong political signal that the Zhen family was about to lose power, let alone having two concubines.

To put it bluntly, the two concubines are not implicated by the Zhen family, it is already a great blessing, and they are grateful.

And those who are interested are also waiting for the last boot to hit the ground. According to private chats and analysis of Zhishi officials living in Jinling City, at the end of the year at most, the Zhen family will be in bad luck, or even earlier.

Zhen Yingjia naturally sensed the cold and murderous atmosphere of the imminent catastrophe, and was trying to save herself for the last time, so as to preserve a little vitality for the family.

And the expedition of the two brothers Zhen Shao and Zhen Zhu is an opportunity to improve the already negative impression of the emperor.

Zhen Qing sighed, and said: "Father, after that... Ziyu comes back, he will not be unaware of such a big battle."

Under Zhen Xue's slender eyebrows, her soft and watery eyes saw worry, and said in a low voice: "Father, don't worry, after Ziyu comes back, he should think of ways to alleviate it, sister Xi'er... didn't you follow Ziyu? "

She and her sister both went in, and now there is Xi'er, Ziyu should...he shouldn't just stand by and watch.

At worst, at worst she would call him again...Brother Heng would be fine.

Zhen Qing said in a low voice: "But father, don't have too much hope, the money is short... Sigh."

In fact, she has no position to say this, some of the money was squandered by the clan on behalf of the emperor, but some of it was sent to the prince.

And if she and her sister had no family, they would be nothing.

Zhen Yingjia nodded, and said softly: "Ziyu, after all, he left Xi'er behind, so he won't miss his old love."

Zhen Zhu listened aside, his complexion changed for a moment, and finally he sighed secretly, with mixed emotions.

My daughter actually followed that person, maybe this is fate?
……

……

Zhejiang Zhoushan waters
At this moment, warships lined up one after another, the autumn wind was bleak, and the flood was surging. Duoduo stood on the bow of the ship, looking at the distant coastline.

Not far from him was a tall, thick-backed middle-aged general with a Chinese character face, thick eyebrows and big eyes. He was none other than Lee Dao-soon, the commander of the Jeolla Province navy in North Korea. This time he brought nearly ten thousand elite sailors.

The top Jurchens were shocked when they heard that Doduo had lost their halberd in the south of the Yangtze River, but they did not recall Doduo immediately, but asked the North Korean navy to fully support them.

Because of the disaster in the southeast, supporting Mongolia is Jurchen's established strategy, and it will not change course because of the previous small defeat.

"Master, our army has densely covered the river estuary, but the Suzhou Mansion and Songjiang Mansion are guarded by Chen Han's soldiers, so it is difficult to land and break through." Deng Biao said.

"Give orders to Lord Yan and Lord Shangguan to send troops to harass Suzhou Prefecture and attract the attention of Chen Han's army." Duoduo said in a deep voice.

This time, as Li Daoshun led the North Korean Navy to come to reinforce, Duoduo initially integrated the water bandits active in the waters of Zhoushan and the coast.

In view of the pirates' "going against the waves" operation in the last Haimen water battle, Duoduo no longer intends to let a group of pirates act as the main force to defeat the enemy, but let them stand aside and cheer.

At this time, Wei Guang, a young novice from the Gourd Temple, smiled and said: "Master, this Yongningbo is not here, and it is the time when people in Jinling City are in panic. After the master's victory in this first battle, Jinling is in his pocket. At that time, Chen Hanbei Isolation is not far from subjugation."

Duoduo nodded, and ordered: "This time is indeed a rare opportunity, Li Daoshun, you rectify the navy and invite the Han army to fight from Haimen."

Li Daoshun cupped his fists and cupped his hands.

Following Duo Duo's order, the navy and pirates under his command were divided into two teams. The navy headed by Li Daoshun approached Haimen, and tentatively fought against the Jiangnan Jiangbei Daying Navy who was patrolling the sea.

And other pirates, such as the Four Seas Gang, Nujiao Gang, Giant Whale Gang, and pirates active in Fujian, threatened Songjiang Mansion, Suzhou Mansion and other rich and rich places.

All of a sudden, military information from all over the world was delivered like snowflakes, and they were delivered to the Jiangnan camp one after another, and placed on the desks of Qu Guang, Cai Quan, Xie Zaiyi and other generals.

(End of this chapter)