The Red Mansions

Chapter 925 Empress Song: Actually, she also wants to go back to Jiangnan...

Kunning Palace

Under the blue sky, the majestic and majestic palace stands quietly, and the glazed tiles are as dense as fish scales. Under the sunlight at noon, the streamer is shining and beautiful.

Jia Heng and Emperor Chongping walked slowly along the eaves of the red beams and pillars, and the two monarchs and ministers chatted about the recent situation in the court.

Walking closer, I saw under the eaves in front of the gate of the tall hall, several graceful beauties in hairpin skirts and jackets, all smiling, went out to greet them.

Empress Song is wearing a vermilion dress and a red cloak, on which a pattern of large peony flowers is embroidered, which complements her snowy and jade-skinned face.

While speaking, he and Concubine Duanrong approached to salute, Shen Shi also brought her daughter Song Yan to salute to Emperor Chongping.

Emperor Chongping motioned for several people to flatten their bodies, glanced at Empress Song with gentle eyes, and asked, "Zitong, why don't you see Xianning and Chanyue?"

The past few days were celebrating the New Year, so the palace was more lively. Princess Xianning and two cousins ​​Chanyue lived in the palace, talking with Empress Song and Concubine Duanrong.

"The two sisters often play together, and the concubine has already sent someone to call for them." Empress Song smiled, and the charming eyes under her curved eyebrows glanced at the boy in python, and asked: " When did Ziyu come back?"

Jia Heng looked at the beautiful woman with fragrant skin and jade skin, and when she saw that charming smile like a spring flower, she didn't dare to look any further, she cupped her hands and said, "Go back to your mother, last night, I came to Shenjing on a fast horse."

Empress Song nodded her head, only to catch the fleeting dodging eyes, her heart moved slightly, her smile remained undiminished, and she said softly: "Zi Yu has worked hard all this way."

Concubine Duanrong also looked at the boy in the python suit, seeing the mother-in-law's "love" for her son-in-law, and said: "This time the errands are done in a hurry, and it is still in time for the Chinese New Year. Ziyu will not be able to reunite with his family during the New Year."

Empress Song smiled lightly and said, "That's right, the errands were not so urgent in the past."

Shen Shi also said: "Zi Yu has been going back and forth this year, and it's like he hasn't rested."

Song Yanxiu's face was full of curiosity, and she looked at the young man unwaveringly. The young man was tall and straight, with a handsome face, and the white collar under his neck was a bit glaringly white.

While everyone was talking, they came to the temple and took their seats.

Empress Song turned to look at Emperor Chongping, and said softly: "Your Majesty, the concubine has passed the lunch."

Emperor Chongping smiled and said, "Zitong, prepare a bottle of imperial wine, I will have a drink with Ziyu later."

Today's Han Dynasty is booming, and he handles the government with ease. Why did he forcefully suppress the Zhejiang Party, which is getting bigger and bigger?

Empress Song looked at Jia Heng, and said with a smile: "Zi Yu, Xianning is in the palace these few days, you two... talk to each other later."

Originally, I wanted to talk about the young couple, but thinking that the two were not yet married, the words came to my lips, so I changed my words again.

Concubine Duan Rong looked at the young man, her pink lips twitched, and she sighed inwardly.

In the past few days, she has seen Xianning's charming eyebrows and graceful figure, and it is likely that He Ziyu... has become a husband and wife.

These young people are like dry wood and fire when they stay together.

"Yes, ma'am." Jia Heng nodded and clapped his hands in response.

In fact, I am also a little embarrassed.

It is the result of his hard work step by step that he can make the Tian family mention it in such a disregard of etiquette.

Song Yan raised her pretty face, and raised her bright eyes under the thin willow-leaf eyebrows again to look at the boy in the python suit. There was a look of thought in the eyebrows and eyes that resembled the facial features of Queen Song.

Her cousin-in-law is really busy, he is not at home during Chinese New Year, he looks busier than his uncle.

At this moment, the charming voices of Princess Xianning and Princess Qinghe came from outside, and said softly: "Sir, you are back."

Wearing a wide-sleeved blue skirt, the slender girl walked forward quickly, and looked up at the young man. The pure and beautiful face was full of joy, and the twinkling eyes vaguely reflected the tall and straight young man. group of silhouettes.

And Li Chanyue, who came along with her, also saw joy on her beautiful face, but the little princess was more reserved after all, she just cut her autumn pupils and looked at Jia Heng, hiding in her heart the joy of Yunhu's displeasure when she saw a gentleman.

Seeing Princess Xianning's attitude and tone being so intimate, Concubine Duan Rong's tone was slightly annoyed, and she said: "Xianning, your aunt and cousin are here, and you don't come to see her. You are so old, there is no courtesy at all."

Princess Xianning smiled and said, "Concubine Mother, my cousin and I went to pay our respects to the Empress Dowager."

Her cousin is not very lively, she looks a bit like a queen mother.

Empress Song smiled coquettishly and said: "Okay, since you and Chanyue are here, let's all come over for dinner."

Jia Heng looked at the slender girl and said softly, "Your Highness."

Although there is the joy of not seeing each other for many days, but after all, the old man is by the side, so of course they are not happy to hug each other.

Princess Xianning looked at the young man who was thinking about it day and night, her pink lips parted slightly, and she asked curiously, "When did you come back, sir?"

Jia Heng said: "Just arrived, come and enter the palace to meet His Majesty."

Then he looked at Li Chanyue and called out, "Little Princess."

A year has passed for Chanyue, one year older, and she has gradually reached the age of Jiji. Her hair is like a waterfall and is fixed by a hairpin. Her gloomy eyebrows and eyes are full of tranquility and softness. At this moment, her bright eyes are staring at her, as if she has forgotten the misty mist of the river. in.

Although Chanyue was shy and didn't call out, her eyes clearly missed him.

Empress Song smiled and said: "Xianning, Chanyue, you two come over and have a meal together."

While everyone was talking, they came to a strip-shaped imperial case, talking and talking about interesting things during the Chinese New Year.

Princess Xianning said softly: "The Princess Mansion has been repaired, sir, come with me to take a look later."

Jia Heng said: "Then I'll go and have a look this afternoon."

Seeing the concerned look, Empress Song asked, "Your Majesty, why did Ziyu come back in such a hurry after he left for Jiangnan not long ago?"

Emperor Chongping looked at Jia Heng, who was sitting upright, with gentle eyes, and said in a gentle voice, "Ziyu, tell me."

Today was originally a family feast.

Jia Heng put down the teacup, met the gazes of Empress Song, Concubine Duan Rong, and Song Yan's mother and daughter, and said, "Return to empress, Jurchen has been making frequent moves recently, and the battle to annex Mongolia is just around the corner. Passive, need to intervene in this matter as soon as possible."

Based on his guess, Jurchen Huang Taiji and other elites of the ruling group should not give the big man more time to prepare.

Empress Song frowned slightly, and her beautiful face showed a serious look, which made the beauty a little more intelligent than the good wife and mother in the past, and said: "Ziyu means that the recent war will start ?”

Concubine Duanrong also put down the teacup in her hand, looked at the young man with bright eyebrows and bright eyes, slightly surprised.

This is going to war again?

So Xianning's marriage...

Anyway, she couldn't help but worry, if this continues, the two of them will become the laughing stock of the world.

"If you just sit back and watch the Jurchen annex Mongolia, the war will not break out, but at least three years, at most five years, the Jurchen will definitely attack from both sides, and I, a big man, will be exhausted at that time." Jia Heng said, turning to look at Emperor Chongping said: "That's why I wanted to prevent Jurchen from annexing Mongolia, so as to curb its expansion."

Emperor Chongping nodded and said: "It is a good thing to rest and recuperate for two or three years, but since Ziyu has made a decision, I believe in Ziyu's judgment."

When Empress Song heard the words, the phoenix eyes under the willow eyebrows looked at the young man with watery eyes, and for a while, her thoughts were complicated and inexplicable.

Such a big state matter is related to the rise and fall of the country, and now almost all of it is on the young man who is not as weak as the crown this year.

If it is not on him, who else can it be on?
Since the young man became an official, the state affairs, which were originally in decline, have gradually improved.

Princess Xianning and Li Chanyue also stared at Jia Heng, their hearts full of worry.

It can be said that the fate of the two has long been tied to Jia Heng. Whether they can marry safely in the future depends more than half on the outcome of the war against the captives.

At this time, Xia Shouzhong reported from outside the hall: "Your Majesty, it's almost noon, do you want to pass on lunch?"

Empress Song ordered: "Go pass the lunch."

Not long after, the inner eunuch and female officer came to the long table next to the window in the southwest with dishes.

Emperor Chongping said: "Eat first, we will talk about it later."

After everyone finished eating, they sat down again to drink tea. Emperor Chongping didn't drink too much, but only had two drinks.

Empress Song mentioned another matter, and said: "Your Majesty, the imperial decree for concubines to visit their relatives has been issued. Let each family build a relative's villa first, and when next year's Shangyuan Festival, they can also have a family relationship. It's on the thank you list."

Emperor Chongping nodded and said: "The empress can also visit relatives. She has been taking care of the six palaces in the palace these years, and she will also go home to reunite with Duke Song."

Jia Heng picked up the teacup, took a sip, and glanced at Empress Song calmly. She was a beautiful woman with snowy skin and beautiful face, and her dimple was like a rose in full bloom. The snowy mountains are abundant.

Taking advantage of the situation, he put down the teacup, and suddenly felt something in his heart. He stared at Xianning who was looking at him with a pair of bright and clear eyes, and there was a touch of curiosity in his eyes.

Well, don't let Xianning see what's going on.

Empress Song said softly: "The concubine's father said that there is no need to bother. He also said that after the spring is warm and the flowers bloom, he will go back to his hometown in Hangzhou and the fallen leaves will return to their roots."

Empress Song was a native of Hangzhou Prefecture, Zhejiang Province. She went to Jinling Prefecture to do business and met the Son of Heaven who was King Yong at that time, and then became the lord of the six palaces in the world today.

Emperor Chongping thought for a while, and said: "That's fine, Mr. Song took a boat to recuperate. The climate in the northwest is much worse, and it is not as livable as Jiangnan."

Empress Song had a soft and beautiful face, her eyes were as radiant as water, and she said softly: "The concubine will thank Your Majesty on behalf of my father."

In fact, she also wants to go back to Jiangnan once, but the timing is not right now, so let's see the specific situation when the time comes.

Emperor Chongping turned to look at Jia Heng and asked, "Zi Yu, follow me later to discuss the northern affairs with Li Qing."

"My minister obeys the order." Jia Heng cupped his hands and said.

The two monarchs and ministers said that they did not stay in the Kunning Palace, and went to the study in the Daming Palace. Emperor Chongping sent Dai Quan to summon Li Zan, and Shi Jie, the minister of the Ministry of War, discussed military plans together.

As for the other Minister of Military Aircraft, Nan'an County King, he is not at the military aircraft at the moment.

Daming Palace, Inner Study Room

In the afternoon, the sun shone on the jade steps that were as clear as water, and the boy in the python suit stood with his hands down.

Li Zan and Shi Jie entered the room, bowed to Emperor Chongping who was behind the case, and said: "I have seen the Holy One, long live the Holy One."

"The two lovers are dead together." Emperor Chongping motioned for the two to die peacefully and let Dai Quan watch.

"Li Qing and Shi Qing should have known about the northern border. Jurchen sent troops to annex Chahar Mongolia in order to invade our Han land. In the future, they will attack us from Beiping and Datong from Shanxi." Emperor Chongping said. , ordered Dai Quan to prepare the map.

Li Zan looked solemn, but he didn't speak immediately, but looked at Jia Heng and asked, "This is a battle involving the rise and fall of Jurchen's national destiny. Can the Marquis of Yongning have any countermeasures?"

Jia Heng said: "What Li Ge said is true, the Jurchens will definitely conquer the Mongols, we can't stand by and watch, we must lead the army out of the fortress when necessary, and unite with Mongolia to fight against the captives."

"The Jurchen Eight Banners are a powerful force, brave and good at fighting, and they are on the grasslands. Does Jiahou have a chance of winning?" Shi Jie, Minister of Military Aircraft, asked.

Jia Heng walked up to Tutu and said: "I will go out with the best cavalry from the Beijing camp to support the Mongolian side. Although I dare not say that I will win the battle, the victory or defeat is still close to five or five."

Li Zan saw the color of thinking on his face, and said: "Jurchen will definitely send troops to contain them. One way is Beiping, the other way is Datong. Beiping invaded Hebei and Shandong to plunder. It has always been like entering a land without people, and our officers and soldiers fought against them. The government and the public are all watching, at that time our army is out of the fortress, the outcome is unpredictable, the court was startled three times overnight, and the wind was rumbling."

As he said that, he looked at Emperor Chongping and said, "At that time, I'm afraid there will be opposition from the court, but the Holy One should make preparations early."

At that time, the Kou Lu invaded and plundered Hebei, Shandong and other places, and there must have been unresolved matters of their own, which resulted in the talk of intervening in the Mongolian War.

Emperor Chongping said: "Li Qing can rest assured that this is a battle involving the fate of the country, and I will not swing from side to side, with the head at both ends."

"I don't dare." Li Zan said hastily cupping his hands.

Shoushu said both ends, which shows the determination of the emperor, or the extraordinary trust in the boy in the python suit.

Jia Hengdao: "On the battlefield, the two armies are fighting each other, but they adapt to local conditions and adapt to the situation. But the first thing in the war is money and food, and the war is together, such as involving two fronts, Jizhen, Beiping, Xuanfu, Datong and other soldiers and soldiers. The total is 30."

It can be said that the imperial meeting at this moment is the decision to deal with the captives in the near future. He has a vague premonition that with Huang Taiji's ambition, this war will either not be fought, or it will involve both the east and the west.

Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment, and said: "Although there were turmoil in the Central Plains and the scourge of captives in the south of the Yangtze River this year, the money and food are still sufficient to support a war. The Ministry of Internal Affairs can conveniently allocate 400 million taels of silver."

Li Zan said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, if the Jurchen invaded from Beiping and Jizhen to the south, the youths from prefectures, prefectures, and counties in Hebei and other prefectures, prefectures, and counties and townships formed a troupe for a year, practicing in their spare time and farming in their busy time. There are more than ten thousand people, the Holy Majesty rest assured that the Jurchen will never go deep into my hinterland."

When Jia Heng heard the words, she couldn't help but look at Li Zan, and secretly said a good minister.

Li Zan has indeed done a lot of practical things in Beiping for a year.

In addition to rectifying the military affairs of Jizhen, Shanhaiguan, and Beiping, the biggest achievement is the village courage regiment training agreed at the beginning. It is no longer like in the past. .

After Emperor Chongping finished speaking, he looked at Jia Heng aggressively, and said with anticipation: "If the battle starts, what kind of results does Ziyu think he will receive? Only then will he be able to achieve all his achievements?"

In the words of later generations, Jia Heng must at least draw a picture and construct a blueprint to achieve any strategic goal.

Moreover, the last time Jia made such a high-pitched voice in Jiangnan, the emperor had unconsciously raised his psychological expectations.

Facing Emperor Chongping's eyes, Jia Heng pondered and said: "Your Majesty, if you want to win all the battles, you will naturally send troops to Chahar Mongolia, just like Taizong's old affairs made Chahar Mongolia internal, and completely formed our dynasty and Jurchen. The second is to form an alliance to prevent the Jurchen from annexing Mongolia."

"Chahar is attached to Mongolia?" Emperor Chongping's eyes flashed, his heart skipped a beat, and he said in a somewhat low voice: "If it is attached, I, a big man, will have the help of a cavalry army."

Jia Heng said: "This matter is as difficult as climbing the sky, but I will try my best to do it."

Is it possible for Inner Mongolia?
In fact, it is possible. If Mongolia does not want to be annexed by Jurchen, seeking the asylum of the great Han is the only option, but whether it can be closely linked depends on the strength of the Han army and the subsequent policies.

Just when Jia Heng was describing the situation in the study in the Daming Palace——

Princess Xianning and Li Chanyue stayed in Kunning Palace to talk with Empress Song and Concubine Duanrong.

Empress Song frowned, looked at the slim girl, and said with a smile: "I thought it would take another two or three years, but that's fine, Zhi'er and Chanyue are not young anymore, so Ziyu won the battle , let Xianning and Chanyue go there."

Shen smiled and said: "Madam, I see that Zi Yu is really a good-looking talent, and he is indeed on par with Xianning."

Song Yan looked at Princess Xianning, a little surprised.

Allow both my cousin and sister Chanyue to go over?Can two people marry one man?
Princess Xianning's face was as clear and beautiful as white lotus, and her cheeks were as blushing as clouds, and she said, "Mother's queen."

How could she hate marriage so much?
Concubine Duanrong's expression showed a hint of worry, and she said: "I just heard what Ziyu said was quite scary. This battle seems to be more dangerous than that in Jiangnan?"

Empress Song said softly: "It sounds more dangerous, but sister, don't worry, when has Ziyu let us down before?"

At the time of Ran'er's big wedding, after the young man supported His Majesty, the loud words were still ringing in his ears...

Well, what is she thinking about this again?
……

……

At dusk, Jia Heng left the inner study and was about to return to Ningguo Mansion when he was suddenly summoned by an inner eunuch.

After a while, Princess Xianning appeared in the field of vision, graceful and graceful, with neither vines nor branches, like an iceberg snow lotus swaying in the wind.

"Mister is going home?"

Jia Heng followed the sound and saw that the sun was setting and the sky was full of sunset. The red glow shrouded the palace with red walls and black tiles in the distance. The girl wearing a big cloak on top is wearing a high bun, her eyebrows are picturesque, her nose is straight, and under her thin willow-leaf eyebrows, a pair of smart and cold eyes are looking at her tenderly.

On the other hand, Li Chanyue, the owner of Qinghe County, looked at the young man with eyes like a pool of clear springs.

Jia Heng took a few steps forward, held the girl's slender hand, and asked, "Xianning."

Princess Xianning said in a clear voice: "Sir, let's go back together. My Princess Mansion has been repaired, so you can go and find your way, don't go to the wrong place."

Jia Heng nodded, then looked at Chanyue at the side, and said, "Chanyue is here too."

Li Chanyue said: "Mr. Jia just saw me?"

Jia Heng said softly: "I saw you just now, let's talk in the carriage."

While speaking, as Princess Xianning got into the carriage, the female official drove the carriage around and turned, rolling over the palace road paved with bluestones.

As soon as she got into the carriage, Princess Xianning snorted and broke into Jia Heng's arms, wrapping her arms around Jia Heng's neck.

Jia Heng also held those luscious lips, feeling the girl's ardor and obsession, and the mint-like fragrance overflowed back and forth between her teeth and cheeks.

After a while, Jia Heng looked at Princess Xianning with reddened cheeks, and said softly: "I didn't come back during the Chinese New Year, you and Chanyue are doing well in Shenjing."

Princess Xianning's eyes were clear and moist, and she said: "The capital is very lively, but I can't help but think of Mr.

Before Jia Heng left Beijing, it was the time when he was mixing oil with Princess Xianning's honey, and they were like glue.

Jia Heng paused, took Princess Xianning's dexterous slender hand, and said, "This is still in the palace."

Really bombard the Daming Palace?
Li Chanyue blushed when she saw the two people who had been entangled with each other since they met, and said softly: "Cousin, this is still in the palace."

Jia Heng said softly: "Xianning, stop making trouble."

But I saw that the girl had already untied her belt, her bare hands were as dexterous as a butterfly, and then she lowered her head, trying to survive.

Jia Heng's complexion paused, and he could only let Xianning mess around, then turned to look at Chanyue, and said softly: "Chanyue, it's been a long time, I seem to have grown taller."

Li Chanyue's cheeks were as bright as fire, and she said in a low voice: "I'm not as tall as my cousin, my cousin said the day before yesterday that my mother is as tall, and I am not at all like my mother."

The girl was obviously a little unhappy, and it was also because Jia Heng usually couldn't let go of Princess Xianning's slender and straight pair.

Jia Heng's heart skipped a beat, and he could only say that Princess Xianning's casual words almost told the truth.

Chanyue is not Chen's daughter.

The genes of the old Chen family are indeed tall. For example, Xianning is more than 1.7 meters, which is a proper height for a goddess in later generations, while the little princess is only about 1.6 meters, which is a bit petite and exquisite.

Under Li Chanyue's beautiful eyebrows, her eyes were very lively, and she asked with concern: "Mr. Xiao Jia, how is Mother's doing?"

Jia Heng took the girl's slender hand, which was tender and slightly warm, and hugged her into her arms, looked down at the shy and beautiful face, and said: "It's good, I just miss you a little, wait until next summer, if there's nothing else to do , let's go to Jiangnan to have fun."

Li Chanyue's petite and exquisite face was slightly flushed, her bright eyes glanced at Princess Xianning, whose hair was hanging from her head, and hearing the strange voice from time to time, her delicate body became weak, and she tremblingly said: "Mr. Jia."

Jia Heng said softly: "Chanyue has also grown up."

The invaluable technical poverty alleviation has finally produced some results, rich, soft and tender, and getting better day by day.

Li Chanyue's face was red, her delicate body trembled slightly, a warm breath approached her suddenly, her vision darkened immediately, her eyelashes trembled, and she let the man be intimate.

As the carriage drove into the street, the noise before the Lantern Festival spread to the carriage, which seemed to make the girl feel a little more shy.

After a while, Jia Heng looked at Li Chanyue, whose lips were moist and her skin was rosy and rosy, and said in a low voice: "After the war is over, I will ask the Holy Majesty to give me a marriage, so we can be together forever. "

"En." Li Chanyue leaned her head into Jia Heng's arms, and held the young man's hand instead, with a sweetness in her heart, and said softly, "Mr. Jia, you have to be careful, the war outside is fierce and dangerous. of."

This is her lover...

"Don't worry." Jia Heng looked at Li Chanyue, gently pinched that smooth and round chin, feeling shyness overflowing from his fingers.

At this time, Princess Xianning suddenly raised her head, her snow-clear jade face was already flushed with blood, she said in a low voice: "Chanyue, come here, we will be home soon."

Previously, she and Chanyue had researched a lot of ways to please her husband, and when they got back, they would just try it out, but it was not enough on paper.

Li Chanyue snorted, her face was bright red, she raised her eyes to look at the young man, met the "encouraging" eyes, said "um", lowered her eyebrows shyly, and moved closer, her hair drooping.

……

……

On the other side, as the governor of Liangjiang, Shen Fang, was deposed as Emperor Chongping, another big rock fell into the calm lake, which caused great waves in the already somewhat weird court moves.

Because so far, the special purpose of granting Han Huang as the head and assistant has not yet come down, and the land in the south of the Yangtze River has repeated it again.

In the evening, the twilight was deep, and because the Shangyuan Festival was approaching, the houses on the streets of Shenjing had hung up lanterns one day in advance, just like businesses warming up for 618, first raising prices and then lowering prices, creating a lively atmosphere early.

Han Huang left the cabinet in a carriage, and returned to the mansion silently, sitting in the study with a gloomy face, thinking about the emperor's intentions.

This time the emperor not only relegated Shen Fang, governor of Liangjiang, to the household department, but the location of the relegation was precisely the Nanjing household department that the Shangshu recommended Liu Yuzhong to go to the day before yesterday.

This coincidence made Han Huang shudder.

Perhaps beating?
At this time, the housekeeper came to report, and Han Huang's brother-in-law Yan Hong came.

Not long after, Yan Hong stepped into the study room, apparently also heard the news, saluted, looked at Han Huang and said, "Brother, what is the meaning of the Holy Majesty? Could it be that Jia Ziyu came back and entered into the slander?"

Han Huang shook his head, and said: "It should have nothing to do with Jia Ziyu, it's just that the meeting happened at the right time. The censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate who was impeached was not from Jia Ziyu."

Yan Hong's gaze narrowed slightly, and he blurted out, "Is it Mr. Zhao Ge?"

"Don't make random guesses." Han Huang frowned, his eyes darkened a bit, and said: "Mr. Zhao Ge has been in the capital during this time, and he doesn't know anything about Jiangnan. It's because something happened in Jiangnan."

It was Shen Fang who ran an errand before, and now happened to be on the gun again, so now he can only go to the household department to lie dormant for a while.

"Brother, why don't I go and invite Mr. Zhao Ge to discuss it." Yan Hong said.

"It doesn't have to be like this." Han Huang shook his head, and said: "Compared to this matter, it is really intriguing for the Holy Majesty to remain silent on the previous superior."

How about beating him or testing him?

Bitter thought appeared on Yan Hong's face, and he said: "Brother, I came here for this matter, what is the intention in this palace?"

Han Huang was silent for a moment, then said: "Wait a minute, wait until the Shangyuan Festival is over, and the cabinet will recommend candidates for border ministers, and then look at the situation in the court."

A small leak will sink a great ship.

(End of this chapter)