The Red Mansions

Chapter 854 Emperor Chongping: ... I have been tired of it for a long time!

Daming Palace, Inner Study Room

After noon, after the feasting officials in Xihe Palace dispersed, Emperor Chongping left Jia Heng alone to ask questions.

At this moment, the news of Jia Heng being conferred the title of first-class Marquis of Yongning also followed the courtiers leaving the palace in twos and threes, and spread to the streets and alleys of the entire Shenjing City.

In the inner study room, after the mahogany imperial case, the middle-aged emperor sat on a pear-blossom chair, admiringly and gently looked at the boy in python suit who was still respectfully standing with hands folded, and said, "Zi Yu, sit down."

"Thank you, my lord." Jia Heng said softly, and sat down on an embroidered pier brought by Dai Quan.

Emperor Chongping asked about Cai just now, and said, "I just said that I want to see Duoduo, but Ziyu seems to have other plans?"

Apparently, for this emperor, it was a bit strange that he was interrupted when he was casting a spell before the road of pretending to be coercive in front of his Majesty.

Of course, knowing Jia Heng must have deep meaning.

Jia Heng said with a serious expression: "Your Majesty, Na Duoduo is very rebellious and rampant. If he utters rebellious and inhumane words at the court meeting, I'm afraid it will damage my morale. Inquiring about his crimes and sending them down with thunder, and the Jurchen captives also offering their captives in the Taimiao Temple, may inspire the morale of our great Han people, and this move may be a final decision on the war between peace and war."

Since he is the chief director, he must control the plot, and he needs to stop Emperor Chongping from adding scenes to himself without authorization, otherwise his narrative rhythm will be disrupted.

Emperor Chongping heard the words, his heart moved slightly, he nodded and said: "That's fine, I originally wanted to let the Ming Dynasty enact punishment to show the world, but now there are a lot of discussions in the court, so it is necessary to plan carefully. yes."

It can be said that Emperor Chongping at this moment is almost obedient to Jia Heng.

No matter how colorful the text of the battle report is, it is even more visually shocking to see the Jurchen Prince boarding the prison cart with his own eyes. This is the same for Emperor Chongping.

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, got up from his seat, bowed his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the assassination of the King of Chu earlier was due to my negligence and my negligence. Please punish me. My minister resigns from the post of Jinyi Commander. I also ask the Holy Spirit for permission."

This is of course retreating to advance, and the first-class meritorious service also needs to restrain its edge.

Emperor Chongping said: "I didn't expect that these remnants are still making waves. What does this matter have to do with you? When the King of Chu was assassinated, you were still investigating the Zhen family. The remnants of Zhao Wang and others were originally snake-hearted, and now they are even more insane. Conspire to assassinate the vassal!"

The young man in front of him has done too many things. Since arriving in the south of the Yangtze River, he has been rectifying the salt affairs while fighting wars.

What's more, the old incident involved the secrets of the previous court, so he shouldn't be allowed to intervene too much.

As for the Jinyi Mansion, it has been used to spy on the captives outside, and the five internal affairs, the young man in front of him has never asked.

Thinking of this, the middle-aged emperor paused, and said in a deep voice: "Now that you know these people, the rest will be easy. You don't need to pay attention to this matter, Ziyu. I will let Dai Quan and Jinyi Mansion go. Check it out, and you will select some people from the Jinyi Mansion to protect the clan, and if you find any traces, hand them over to Dai Quan."

Then, looking at Dai Quan, he said in a deep voice, "Let your internal guards move, and Shang Yong from the Southern Province will continue to investigate the case in the south of the Yangtze River. We must dig out Zhao Wang's party."

Shang Yong was the commander of Jinyi in the Chongping Dynasty. Later, he was relegated to Jinling because of the Sanhe Gang. In fact, he was a sharp knife under Emperor Chongping.

When Dai Quan heard the words, his body was shocked, he cupped his hands and said: "Your servant obeys."

Hearing this, Jia Heng's expression froze, but thoughts welled up in his heart.

His original restructuring of the Jinyi Mansion opened up the sense of boundary with the emperor and ensured his own safety. In addition, the matter of King Zhao already belongs to the category of dirty work, which may involve the past of the emperor. In my heart, I don't want him to continue to intervene.

Because in order to affect the glorious image of the emperor in his heart, of course the emperor thinks so.

It's as if a wife doesn't want her husband to know about all the bullshit that went on before marriage.

Jia Heng's eyes flickered, suppressing some weird thoughts in his heart, and secretly said, Xiaoxiao needs to be reminded.

Xiaoxiao has been living in the rivers and lakes for these years, and the emperor or the clan think that she was robbed by gangsters, and her whereabouts are unknown.

Of course, it's hard to say that the emperor didn't faintly notice whether some of his eldest nieces suspected what happened back then, and ran away angrily.

However, he must not know that his niece has joined the White Lotus Sect and has become the White Lotus Demon Girl.

Moreover, the king of Zhou was indeed not abolishing the prince and Zhao Wang's party. According to the official public opinion information, he even made a contribution to the emperor at a critical moment.

Not an opponent of the Son of Heaven, but more of a tragic figure.

Jia Heng sighed inwardly.

After he ate Xiaoxiao's big Sydney, Xiaoxiao became hers.

At this time, Emperor Chongping also dismissed the remaining party of Zhao Wang, saying: "Ziyu, you transported the Hongyi cannon to the capital earlier, and used this to win the sea battle against the captives?"

Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, in future battles between the two armies, firecrackers and artillery will be the mainstream, and they will also be military weapons to defeat the enemy."

Emperor Chongping thought for a while, and reminded: "But military weapons still need to be driven by people. In the former Song Dynasty, there were thunders and rockets. Many things just looked lively and might not be used."

Jia Hengdao: "What the Holy Majesty said is very true. In the past, the Holy Majesty said that no matter how powerful the armament is, the victory or defeat of the army must be determined by someone. Just like Hao Jing used the red barbarian cannon to steal our Han land before, but it was finally conquered by the great Han. This principle is just that if a craftsman wants to be good at his work, he must first sharpen his weapons, and since we have good weapons, I can't use them as a big man."

Seeing that Jia Heng still remembered the original "teaching", Emperor Chongping smiled and said, "It's good if you can think about it this time."

As the Minister of Military Affairs, Ziyu is obviously confident about the war against the captives, so there is no need for him to make further suggestions.

Emperor Chongping thought for a while, and then mentioned another matter: "The Lianghuai salt tax has collected more than 400 million taels in half a year. The method of ticketing salt is a good method to eliminate disadvantages and rejuvenate benefits. Qi Kun also went to the Hedong Salt Field in Shanxi the day before to try out the new method, and the results are remarkable. , the new system of salt law proposed by Ziyu is beneficial to the country and the people."

The young man in front of him is not only good at military strategy, but also as talented as he said in the past, Ziyu Wang Zuozhi.

It seems that in this inner study room, Jin Yang brought the young gentleman who was just a commoner to the prelude, but now it seems like yesterday.

In fact, it is no wonder that the emperor is full of emotions, because the current situation is a dream, and it can be said that he has played the best hand since he took the throne.

The Jurchen Prince was captured, the North Korean generals surrendered, the Jingying and Jiangnan camps were capable of fighting, and the national treasury gradually gained more income due to the implementation of the Lianghuai Salt Law. General war.

In addition, the appearance of sweet potatoes can be said to have saved the great man, saved the ZTE cause of the Chongping Dynasty, and alleviated the hardship of famine from the root.

However, although this kind of credit is a sharp weapon in the eyes of insightful people and Emperor Chongping, it cannot be used as a basis for conferring a marquis or even a duke.

This is also related to the contempt for agricultural technology in this world. If it is not Jia Heng who selects and breeds fine seeds, it is an ordinary person who contributes such high-yielding crops, and Longyan Dayue, awarding a fifth- and sixth-rank official is already an ancestor's incense.

Therefore, the imperial decree at the time of the feudal lord was not mentioned at all, nor was the battle of Haojing, because the latter was more like a security battle to guard the land.

Only local officials in Guangdong can lead troops to expel the barbarians entrenched in Haojing.

There are so many things, but these things have become Jia Heng's holy relatives, and the credits that are not recorded on paper will be remembered in my heart.

Jia Heng said: "Although the good law is good, it is still being implemented. If you are not a wise and wise minister, you will not be able to reap the full merit of the good law. In fact, when the minister was in the southern province, he only helped to inspect smuggling. Although the new salt law It was presided over by humble ministers, but the implementation depends on Lin Yushi and Qi Ge's efforts."

He felt that he still couldn't take all the credit for it.

Emperor Chongping looked at the young man, his eyes stretched out a little more appreciatively.

Young people are neither arrogant nor impetuous, modest and prudent, this is the long-term way. Yang Guochang's so-called worries before are nothing short of alarmist.

"Qi Kun is a capable official, and Lin Ruhai is also a cadre. I plan to call Lin Ruhai to Beijing to report on his duties a few years ago." Emperor Chongping said, pondering for a moment, looking at the young man with burning eyes, and said: "Ziyu, the household department is still short A hall official presides over the affairs of the Ministry, and I intend to appoint Lin Ruhai as the Household Department Hall, what do you think?"

Both Shangshu and Shilang are the ministers, which is obviously referring to the servants of the household department.

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said hesitantly: "Your Majesty, Lin Yushi and I are in-laws, so I don't want to speak nonsense."

He was talking about Jia Min and Lin Ruhai, not him and Daiyu.

"You don't avoid relatives when you are a virtuous person, so Ziyu can speak freely." Emperor Chongping said.

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, and said: "Lin Yushi stayed in Yangzhou for six or seven years at the beginning, and he was conscientious in the matter of salt affairs. Over the years, salt taxation and silver have never been neglected. This time, the implementation of the new law is the same as that of Mr. Qi Ge. run."

He can tell what he knows without embellishing it.

Emperor Chongping pondered and said: "When Lin Ruhai was the censor, he was known for his uprightness and courage to advise. I personally ordered the censor of Yanyan. I originally thought that he could do something in Huaiyang. Now Huaiyang has a new system. , it can be regarded as retiring after success, and will be transferred to the household department next year."

According to Lin Ruhai's previous position as the censor of the Zuoqian capital of the fourth rank, it is not unexpected to be promoted to the third rank by rectifying the salt affairs, although he belongs to the majority of the household department.

Jia Heng cupped his hands and didn't say much.

Emperor Chongping sized up the young man opposite, and suddenly asked: "Is the fourth girl of the Zhen family by your side?"

Jia Heng's face remained unchanged, and he said calmly: "Just as the Holy Majesty said, Mrs. Zhen took Wei Chen's hand and entrusted her to him at the end of his life. I had no intention of doing so. Later, after the accident happened in the Zhen family, Zhen Xi came to Wei Chen's side. .”

Emperor Chongping listened to the young man's words, pondered for a moment, and said: "The Zhen family has been greedy and extravagant all these years. I have been tired of it for a long time in the Zhen family, but God has the virtue of loving life and punishing the four brothers of the Zhen family, and I have no intention of angering their family members."

Jia Hengdao: "The majesty is magnificent. Zhen Yingjia and others have given a solid confession of the corruption in recent years. I have sent the dossier to Beijing before, but now the treasury of the inspection has been sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Although it has not filled the gap , the Zhen family really has no money left."

The Son of Heaven has nothing to do with magnanimity, and even some grievances must be repaid. A "I've been tired of it for a long time" basically said:
I have tolerated them for a long time!
Emperor Chongping pondered and said: "Dai Quan, let the cabinet draw up a decree, Zhen Yingjia went to Yunnan, Zhen Shao and Zhen Zhu were exiled to Guizhou, and Zhen Xuan spent three years as an official. "

Dai Quan handed over his hand, and then sent an eunuch to order the cabinet to draft an order.

Until now, the Zhen family's disposal has been completely settled.

And to some extent, this was also an admonition to Jia Heng, not because of Zhen Xi, because there were two concubines, Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue, so it would not be too embarrassing.

It is still the Jia family. If Jia Heng did not appear, the extravagant and wealthy Rongning and Ningfu would not be able to escape this ending in the end.

After Emperor Chongping finished speaking, he looked kindly at the young man opposite, and said in a warm voice, "Follow me to the harem, Xianning probably has met her mother right now."

Although Ziyu is a young man and a young man with great ambitions, but he has not indulged in female sex, and he has never heard of lingering in the Qinhuai wind and moon when he went to Jinling. I think the four girls of the Zhen family are indeed the old lady Zhen's self-protection clinging Policy.

He is the Ninth Five-Year Lord, but he is also a father. Zhi'er should not suffer any grievances after passing through the family. As for the daughter of the Qin family, according to Concubine Rong, she does not have the temperament of a Hedong lion. contention.

Well, since she recognized Jia Heng as her son-in-law, Concubine Rong naturally learned about the temperament of the first wife in Ningguo Mansion through some channels.

Jia Heng also followed Emperor Chongping towards the harem, heaving a sigh of relief.

After having an emperor's father-in-law, he even went out of his way to ask Zhen's daughter.

Kunning Palace, in the palace——

Empress Song, Concubine Duanrong, Princess Xianning, Princess Qinghe, mother and daughter Shen and Song Yan are drinking tea and talking after lunch.

Yan Yiliu was also accompanying her mother-in-law, but although there was a smile on her face, she was a little absent-minded.

At the bottom of my heart, I was thinking about the war in the southern province. Through the speech of Princess Xianning and the supplement of Princess Qinghe, Jia Heng told the story of rectifying the salt affairs in the south, leading the snake out of the cave, and calming down the captives with thunder. It is fascinating and fascinating.

This princess who was born in a martial arts family and practiced martial arts since she was a child is also somewhat fascinated by it.

While speaking, the mother in the outer room said: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty and the Marquis of Yongning are here."

When Empress Song heard the words, she saw joy on her face, she looked at Concubine Duan Rong, and said softly: "Sister, Your Majesty and Zi Yu are here."

And at this moment, Jia Heng followed Emperor Chongping into the Kunning Palace, into the warm spring-like palace, and in his eyes, a gorgeously dressed beauty came forward, it was Empress Song.

Today's Empress Song is wearing a light yellow dress, with gold hairpins and pearl flowers pinned between her temples like a cloud, on her graceful and plump face, she is smiling sweetly, like a beautiful peony, with the corners of her eyebrows and eyes The charming and charming rhyme flowed silently, the lips were pink and moist, and between the opening and closing of laughter, the white teeth were crystal clear.

Because it is winter, the clothes are not as cool as in summer, but the white and greasy skin is still very eye-catching.

In fact, when it comes to Snow Beauty, Empress Song is the real Snow Beauty.

Jia Heng's eyes just glanced, and he didn't dare to look any further. Instead, he approached and bowed to Empress Song. He felt a fragrant fragrance coming from his nostrils, making him feel drunk, and said: "I have seen the empress, Concubine Rong."

Concubine Duanrong looked at the young man at this moment, under the slender and delicate willow eyebrows, her beautiful eyes were flowing, with a bit of softness and kindness.

After all the incidents in the south of the Yangtze River, Jia Heng was granted the title of Marquis. This beautiful woman who once questioned Jia Heng in the Hall of Martial Arts has fully recognized Jia Heng as her son-in-law.

"Zi Yu, you don't need to be too polite." Empress Song said with a light smile.

On the other side, the Shen family, Song Yan's mother and daughter, and Yan Yiliu from Kunning Palace all came forward to pay respects to Emperor Chongping. Princess Xianning also held Princess Qinghe's hand, calling for Emperor Chongping.

At this time, Princess Xianning looked at the young man with shining eyes, and said softly: "Sir, have you finished talking about business with Emperor Father?"

The young girl knew that Jia Heng was going to play alone with Emperor Chongping, so when it came to business, she was not in a hurry to see Jia Heng. She and Jia Heng had been together so many times along the way.

Jia Heng looked at Princess Xianning, nodded and said, "Yes."

Then he looked at Li Chanyue who was at the side, his gaze was somewhat gentle.

Shen Shi also looked at the young man, Wen Ning saw joy in his eyes.

Song Yan, who was holding her little hand beside her, was full of curiosity on that delicate and beautiful face, the little girl with bright eyes and white teeth, and a fair complexion looked at the young man, her eyebrows, eyes and facial features resembling Queen Song were full of thought.

Is this my cousin's husband?Compared with last time, he seems to be a little taller and taller. He is three years older than him, and now he is in the first class.

In fact, the girl had met Jia Heng before, but her impression was not too deep.

Yan Yiliu's eyes were slightly bright and moist, and he glanced sideways at the boy in the python suit, this time it was more of a sizing and examining gaze.

The young man who had just been appointed as the first-class Marquis had a youthful and handsome face without any arrogance, and his eyes were bright and sharp under the slanting eyebrows, but it made people unable to see happiness or anger.

This is an important court official wrestling with his father in the court, and the prince has also wooed him many times before.

Yan Yiliu reminded himself not to be confused by this young face.

But at this moment, Jia Heng noticed Yan Yiliu's gaze, and glanced at Princess Wei Yan Yiliu, but saw the flashing eyes from the side of the lightning, and immediately it was the cyan crystal earrings under the earlobe, which looked like emerald jade. The hair at the temples is slightly curled.

Jia Heng's heart twitched, Princess Wei of Nan'an County's royal family seemed to be a little bit curious about him?
Without thinking too much, he sat down on the embroidered pier brought by the inner eunuch, and sat upright without looking sideways.

Empress Song looked at the young man with a smile in her beautiful eyes, and said softly, "Zi Yu has worked hard this time going south."

"Your Majesty, it's not hard to work for the country." Jia Heng met that soft gaze, and suppressed the memory of grapes in the summer a few months ago.

At this moment, it really feels like a family with Tian's family. Empress Song always looks at the younger generation.

Perhaps after he became a first-class marquis, the marriage with Xianning was no longer a proposal or an idea, but began to fall into place.

Concubine Duan Rong's gaze was somewhat gentle, she looked at the young man, and said: "Just now Xianning told Ben Gong and the Queen that you have been traveling a lot in the south of the Yangtze River this time, so you should also take a good rest when you return to Beijing."

Jia Heng said: "Thank you for your concern, I am young and strong, and I don't feel tired. After I return to Beijing, I take a rest, but my body is easy to get sick."

This is the mother-in-law who loves her son-in-law.

Emperor Chongping nodded, and said: "What Ziyu said is true. The northern captives are still eyeing the tiger. Ziyu is the pillar of the country. The war against the captives still requires Ziyu to take precautions."

This time, Jia Heng was called back to the north to prepare for the captives, otherwise the southern land would be much warmer than the northwestern land in winter.

Empress Song looked at Emperor Chongping with beautiful eyes, and said in a slightly reproachful tone: "Your Majesty, Ziyu just came back, and it seems that it's the Chinese New Year, so don't let people rest."

"It's time to rest." Emperor Chongping said softly with gentle eyes.

Concubine Duan Rong said with emotion: "It's almost the Chinese New Year, and there are quite a lot of things going on this year."

King Wei got married, Henan was in turmoil, the emperor fainted, and the war in the southern kingdom, as this glamorous beauty said, indeed a lot happened.

Emperor Chongping said: "There was a snowfall in Guanzhong this year, and the people of Qin Tianjian said that next year it should not be so dry, and the harvest in the northern land will be better."

Shen smiled and said: "This is God's gratitude, and the weather is good."

Empress Song smiled and said, "Ziyu didn't promote the planting of sweet potatoes before. I heard that Henan has a good harvest this year. Next year's food shortage problem should be gone."

Referring to sweet potatoes, Emperor Chongping said: "I intend to plant sweet potatoes widely in Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong and other places, Ziyu, can this thing be planted in spring?

Jia Heng said: "My lord, it can be planted after the grain rains in March and April. However, after a few years of planting, it needs to be rotated to restore soil fertility. Besides, sweet potatoes can satisfy hunger, but other grains, wheat and rice can't be neglected."

Really steamed sweet potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, fried sweet potatoes?Of course, it’s good to be able to have a full meal, but if you feel sick, let’s feel sick.

Emperor Chongping nodded and said, "What Ziyu said is true."

Princess Wei Yan Yiliu who was at the side listened to the conversation of several people, feeling deeply moved, no wonder the prince spoke enviously when he mentioned Jia Ziyu's family member.

Jia Heng was talking with the empress and the empress, but the time passed quickly, and it was almost time to apply for the card.

Empress Song glanced at the vast sky outside the palace, and said with a sweet smile: "It's getting late now, and there are people waiting at Ziyu's mansion, so I won't keep you for dinner."

I have to say that Empress Song is still considerate, knowing that there are family members waiting for Jia Heng's late husband.

Jia Heng left Xiudun, bowed and saluted, and said: "Your Majesty, empress, that humble minister will take his leave first."

Emperor Chongping said: "Go ahead, I will call you to ask questions again tomorrow."

Regarding the offering of prisoners in the Taimiao and the court meeting, it still needs to be discussed and discussed.

At this time, Princess Xianning took the little princess's hand, got up gracefully, with a slight smile on her Qingjue beautiful face, and said: "Mother, my son will send you off to see off your husband."

Just now the girl watched the three empresses and concubines talking to Jia Heng, and she was also quite happy.

Empress Song smiled and said, "Go, don't take too long."

Princess Xianning responded, and then escorted Jia Heng out of Kunning Palace with Li Chanyue.

(End of this chapter)