Tanhualang

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, it's time to transport grain to the north again.At this time, the approval document of the Ministry of Household Affairs on "replacing salt with grain" was officially released.

"Salt introduction for food" can be said to be all written by Shen Jing. Although Zhao Heng helped to deal with it, but from the time it was proposed to the implementation until now, it is almost all handled by Shen Jing, so he is particularly concerned about it.

On August [-], the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs will put up notices on the streets saying "salt exchange for food".After Shen Jing heard the news, from that day on, she got up early every day and went to the nearby streets where notices were posted to see if anyone was watching.

Unexpectedly, as soon as the notice came out, it caused a sensation in Nanjing on the same day; after two or three days, even the surrounding counties also heard the news, and rushed to Nanjing to inquire about the news.As of August 25th, according to the reports from Nanjing Household Department Minister and Zhao Heng, many merchants have already inquired with the Household Department whether the news is true through various means.

Merchants have responded positively, which shows that the system has been successful.

When Sun Shu, Minister of the Household Department, came, Zhao Heng called Shen Jing to the study and listened together.After Sun Shu left, Zhao Heng praised Shen Jing and said, "It can be said that you did all this before and after. Now it is a big success, and your contribution is the first."

Shen Jing hurriedly saluted and thanked: "I'm just talking on paper. This matter can be implemented because the Ministry of Finance has let go. The twists and turns are all due to His Highness' mediation. I have always been worried that I will cause trouble to His Highness... ..."

While flipping through the documents on the table, Zhao Heng seemed to be chatting, "Do you know why the Ministry of Households refused to let go?"

Shen Jing glanced at Zhao Heng, and said cautiously: "I heard Master Ding and Xiao You said something. Because the Ministry of Households wants to give up the profits to the Ministry of War, I am a little unwilling."

Zhao Heng asked again: "Why not reconciled?"

Shen Jing glanced at him, and said with some hesitation: "Shangshu of the Household Department is a student of Mingde Gong Ouyang Jian..."

"Yes." Zhao Heng said calmly, "Luo Ju, Minister of the Household Department, is a student of Ouyang Jian, a member of the Empress, and a supporter of the Second Prince. Guan Bowen, Minister of the Ministry of War, is on good terms with Gu. Ouyang Jian has always wanted to To put people in the Ministry of War, but it has not been successful. This time, in order to let the Ministry of Finance let go of the salt exchange for food, the candidate for the right servant of the Ministry of Accounting was promised to be a disciple of Duke Mingde. The Ministry of Accounting has benefited, so it is willing to let the Ministry of Send out some salt."

"..."

Zhao Heng paused, and then said: "Gu told you this, not to share your credit, but to let you know. Many things in the court, there is no right or wrong, only you come and go. Want to One step forward may take ten steps back. Many things are done in this way.”

"Yes, I remember."

"One more thing." Zhao Heng stood up, walked to Shen Jing's side, and said earnestly, "In the future, the Chinese documents and other matters in the palace will be related to Ming Degong, the queen, and the second prince. Be careful not to make any mistakes. .If they catch a slight mistake, it may be a big trouble."

"Yes." Shen Jing paused, and then asked boldly and tentatively, "Duke Mingde is at odds with His Highness, is it because His Highness... is closer to the First Prince?"

"Gu likes the eldest prince more. But Ming Degong's confrontation with Gu is not because of this. It's because," Zhao Heng sat back behind the desk, casually flipped through a volume of documents, and said, "Brother Huang once touched Li Gu's thought of being the crown prince. When I told Gu, the Queen's people heard it."

Shen Jing was taken aback.

"Once" I had such a thought, which means, now I don't have such a thought?

No wonder Zhao Heng strictly ordered people in the mansion not to make friends with court officials, and rarely interacted with civil officials.He has been at the border for many years, and his influence in the military has been deeply rooted. If he has prestige among civil servants, wouldn't it be more fearful?

Zhao Heng glanced at him: "I'm telling you this to let you know how to behave in the future. Just hear it, don't talk nonsense."

Shen Jing nodded and said, "Yes."

The smooth implementation of salt exchange for food has solved the urgent need in the north and built a northern barrier for the emperor's personal conquest.

In early September, Shen Jing and others followed Zhao Heng to Shandong.

The time for Yu Jia to visit in person was set in mid-September, and probably only Zhao Heng knew the exact day of his arrival in Shandong.

And Zhao Heng's trip to Shandong means clearing the obstacles for the emperor in advance, breaking through the prefectures and counties behind the Hanwang forces in Shandong, and establishing a sure-win situation for countering the rebellion.

Nanjing is also a military center. A lot has been lost in the battle of Changzhou, and the force cannot be reduced any more. Therefore, it can only dispatch troops from a few nearby guard camps.

At the beginning of September, Zhao Heng gathered 5 horses and countless supplies from Anhui and Zhejiang respectively. Zhao Heng personally led them to Shandong.

On September [-], under the escort of Sun Ping, Zhao Heng went deep into Shandong with food, grass and supplies, and personally inspected Fang Tingxiang's Yanzhou camp.It is only two hundred miles away from the foot of Tai'an where the King of Han's forces are located, so it is not an exaggeration to say that it is the front line.After hearing Fang Tingxiang's military report, Zhao Heng commanded reinforcements, and then on the night of September [-], he personally led troops to raid the King of Han's Taishan Camp and captured Tai'an County.

On the evening of the ninth day of September, after deploying defenses in Tai'an, Zhao Heng rushed overnight to Guidee, Henan Province, where the eunuch Cao Feng's camp was supervised.

Leaving Tai'an in the evening, arrived in Guide at noon the next day.After more than ten days of marching day and night, Zhao Heng, Xiaoyou and others were alright, after all, they had been in the army for many years; Shen Jing was already close to the limit, his health was not that good, so he arrived in Guide at noon, After simply tidying up, he fell asleep in the tent and slept for a whole afternoon.

As dusk approached, Xiao You came to the camp, and it took him a lot of effort to wake him up: "Get up!"

Shen Jing got up in a daze and sat for a while before waking up: "Why are you calling me?"

Xiaoyou put the clothes on him: "Cao Feng invites us to drink. Put on your clothes quickly."

Shen Jing looked up vigilantly: "Didn't your Highness strictly order that drinking is not allowed in the army?"

"This is not Fang Tingxiang's Qianfeng camp. It's okay. Besides, Cao Feng asked His Highness, and His Highness agreed. What are you afraid of?" Xiaoyou turned around and smiled, "I'm exhausted from running back and forth for more than ten days. Have some drinks in the evening to relieve fatigue."

Hearing that Zhao Heng had agreed, Shen Jing stood up and dressed neatly.

At dusk, I rushed to Cao Feng's camp where the banquet was held, and after seeing each one, I sat down, only to find that Wei Zheng was there, Xiao You was there, Cao Feng was there, and several generals of the Ningxia Army were there, but Zhao was not alone. Heng's seat, hurriedly turned his head and asked Xiaoyou in a low voice: "Why isn't His Highness coming?"

Xiao You explained: "Your Highness can't say it. He is now the commander of the camp, so it's not easy to take the lead in drinking."

It happened that Cao Feng was sitting next to Xiaoyou, and when he heard Shen Jing's question, he turned around with a smile and replied, "Your Highness is afraid that we won't be able to enjoy the drink. Seriously, our Highness, that face is so handsome, it's a pity that you always It's so cold and rigid that people don't dare to act presumptuously."

"Aren't you presumptuous enough? Who doesn't know you? Just like Sun Ping, you have wine worms in your stomach. You also said that you are doing it for His Highness, so you obviously want to have sex with His Highness?" Xiao You immediately revealed it with a smile. Cao Feng's old man said, "Your Highness has already given you enough face. He specially asked us people to accompany you, so don't push your nose."

After talking to Cao Feng, he turned his head and warned Shen Jing: "Be careful of this person, he looks serious, but he is full of bad water. He has a lot of tricks. But he has a lot of alcohol. When we were in Ningxia, except for Your Highness, all of us were tortured. He was drunk."

Shen Jing glanced at Cao Feng and hurriedly said: "Master Cao please be merciful, I don't know much about drinking."

"Just don't worry," Cao Feng said with a smile to him, holding a glass of wine, "Looking at how delicate you are, how can I have the nerve to drink you?"

Only then did Shen Jing feel relieved.

... Less than half an hour later, Shen Jing was lying on the table, Xi, group, team, Duo, and home drunk.up.

The little one next to him was already flushed from drinking, and while dodging left and right to avoid Cao Feng's jug of wine, he complained: "It's the first time you get someone drunk, you are too narrow-minded! How dare you? "

Cao Feng pretended to be wronged while holding the jug, "I didn't know he could drink so little? Only seven or eight bowls—"

"Do you think you and Sun Ping are like gourds with no bottom?" Xiaoyou glared at Cao Feng, then turned to push Shen Jing again, "Shen Jing! Shen Jing! Get up!"

After pushing for a long time, Shen Jing sat up with dazed eyes, supported the table with one hand, rested his chin with the other, and looked around in confusion: "...Why, the sky is dawning so soon?"

"..."

Cao Feng covered his mouth and laughed, and said to Xiao You: "This Xiao Shen is so funny when he's drunk!"

Xiao You also couldn't help laughing and said: "I don't usually get drunk so easily, maybe I'm tired these days. Wake up and calm down, I'll help you go back to sleep in the camp!"

Cao Feng grabbed him, smiled narrowly and pushed Shen Jing back to his seat: "I can't sleep well when I'm drunk, sober him up first."

Xiao You said with a smile: "Cao Feng, don't mess around!"

Before he finished speaking, Cao Feng poured him another bowl full of wine: "You still owe me three bowls just now. Why don't you drink it first?" A word made Xiao Youdu speechless, and he served it again. Handing the tea bowl to Shen Jing's mouth, he said softly, "Xiao Shen, are you thirsty? Come and drink."

Shen Jing raised her head when she heard the words, then slowly lowered her head while holding his hand, and took two sips of hot tea.Seeing this, Cao Feng put down the tea bowl, and couldn't help but laugh: "It seems that I'm really drunk. Mr. Shen, is this year Guigeng?"

Shen Jing glanced at him, then spoke slowly, trying to speak clearly: "25."

"Have you ever married?"

"...yet, not yet."

"You still have a family at such an age, do you have someone you like?"

As soon as these words came out, even Xiao You stopped his wine glass, and couldn't help but prick up his ears to listen to Shen Jing's answer.

Shen Jing listened to the question, her beautiful eyes were confused, she slowly turned her dark eyes, looked at Cao Feng, then at Xiaoyou, and finally let out a long sigh: "The person you like... used to be regarded as Yes. But now... there is no more. It is already dead."

"..."

When Cao Feng heard such an unexpected answer, he looked at each other in surprise.Xiao You coughed in embarrassment, and pushed Cao Feng away: "I told you to ask nonsense!"

Cao Feng dodged in embarrassment: "I didn't expect it to be like this... I was thinking that if there is a suitable one, I will protect him as a matchmaker..."

Xiao You has got up to help Shen Jing: "Okay, okay, open your eyes, stand up, I will help you go back to sleep."

Shen Jing let Xiaoyou help him up, supported the table and moved out obediently, walking on thin ice.Before leaving the table, the curtain of the tent was lifted, and Zhao Heng walked in wearing armor.

A group of half-drunk people hurriedly put down their wine bowls and knelt down to salute. Zhao Heng waved his hand and said goodbye, and looked at the drunk Shen Jing.Seeing him drooping his head and being supported by Xiaoyou, he frowned and said to Cao Feng: "Gu just wanted to come and tell me, I'm already drunk. You're quick to strike."

"Your Highness, hehe." Cao Feng laughed dryly, and defended in a low voice, "I didn't expect...Xiao Shen is so overwhelmed by alcohol."

Zhao Heng snorted softly: "In the four seas, there are not many who can beat you."

"...Your Highness, forgive me."

As soon as the words fell, Shen Jing probably heard the word "Your Highness", looked up for a long time, and looked at Zhao Heng: "...Your Highness?"

Zhao Heng glanced at him, and said helplessly, "Shen Jing, what a prospect you are."

Shen Jing didn't know if she understood, so she lifted her foot, gently pushed Xiao You away, and walked towards Zhao Heng while holding the table: "Your Highness, Your Highness, I, I have a few important words... I want to talk to you." explain."

Xiao You was so scared that he hurriedly stepped forward to hold him back, and persuaded him in a low voice: "Quiet, quiet! You drank too much, if you have anything to say, talk to His Highness another day—"

"No, it can't be another day." Shen Jing was extremely firm, brushed Xiao You's hand away, and tried to walk in front of Zhao Heng, "Please Your Highness...listen to me. These words have been in my heart for a long time...don't say anything Not fast."

There was silence in the camp.

Zhao Heng stood at the door with his hands behind his back, looked up at Cao Feng and the others: "Go out first."

A group of people filed out, only Xiao You paused: "Your Highness, Shen Jing is too drunk—"

Zhao Heng slightly raised his chin behind him: "Is Gu still as knowledgeable as a drunk person? Go."

Only then did Xiao You feel relieved and left.

When everyone went out and the guards at the gate put down the curtain, Zhao Heng looked back at Shen Jing: "What do you want to say? Tell me."

Shen Jing was exceptionally calm and courteous, and slowly dragged the chair by the table: "Your Highness, please sit—"

Seeing his clumsy movements, Zhao Heng reluctantly stepped forward and dragged the chair over himself, and sat down upright: "Sit down alone."

"En." Shen Jing nodded, took two steps back, cupped his hands respectfully, and bowed to Zhao Heng, "Your Highness."

Zhao Heng couldn't help chuckling: "What are you doing to salute, don't you have something to say to Gu, and you still don't want to vomit?"

The quiet and dull eyes were startled: "Oh... Let me think about it."

"... This Cao Feng is really capable." Zhao Heng sighed helplessly, stood up and was about to turn around, "Okay, let's talk to Tonggu some other day when you think it over."

Seeing this, Shen Jing took a step forward to stop him: "Your Highness—"

He staggered a step, Zhao Heng hurriedly reached out to catch it, but he fell into his arms.

Shen Jing grabbed Zhao Heng's skirt and raised his head, the faint smell of alcohol escaped from him and lingered in Zhao Heng's nose; the lights in the tent were brilliant, shining on Shen Jing's bewildered eyes that seemed to be drunk like water.

After a long time, Zhao Heng came back to his senses, pushed Shen Jing away from his arms, helped him onto the chair, turned around and strode out of the tent: "Xiaoyou!"