Daming Palace, West Nuan Pavilion in the side hall
Seemingly seeing Jia Heng's restraint, Emperor Chongping smiled and comforted him, and said, "Zi Yu, don't be restrained. It's not a time when the king and his ministers are playing against each other, just stay at home. Speaking of which, the peach blossom cake you praised so much last time, The Queen has made a lot more and will eat some later."
After hearing this, the Empress of Song Dynasty, who was wearing a light yellow palace dress and a high bun, had a smile on her face, which was as graceful and as beautiful as a peony flower.
Under the jade-like forehead with a pattern of flowers, there are two thin eyebrows with willow leaves. At this moment, the phoenix eyes are curved into crescents. The charm of a mature woman with a little shyness after being praised suddenly appears from the corners of her eyebrows. It flows out and penetrates into the heart little by little.
When it fell into Jia Heng's eyes, his heart moved slightly. Even though he boasted of his extraordinary concentration, he found it difficult to control himself.
How to describe it in words?
Maybe it’s the bonus of clothes and jewelry?
Chen Han's court attire was not as simple as Liu Han's.
At that time, the dyeing and weaving technology was not developed, the clothes had a single color tone, and the jewelry and utensils did not have the brilliance of colorful embroidery.
Today's Chen Han, in terms of palace skirts, his style of painting is more like that of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, highlighting a graceful, elegant, gorgeous and bright look.
It can be said that he is extremely friendly to a woman with a square forehead, a broad forehead and a plump figure.
Of course, compared to the prosperous Tang Dynasty where fatness was regarded as beauty and the aesthetics were single, Chen Han followed the Ming Dynasty and was tolerant of the beautiful, petite, white and thin.
In fact, Empress Song and her younger sister Duanrong Guifei were known as "Fat and Thin" in the Han Palace. In addition, Empress Song was also privately called the Snow Beauty by the palace maids.
"Zi Yu, is that peach blossom cake really so delicious?" A blush appeared on Queen Song's snow-faced skin. Due to the glittering golden steps, she looked even more white and rosy, and her small, cute and exquisite earlobes looked even more red. Above, emerald earrings reflect the autumn afternoon sun and create a dazzling luster.
Jia Heng said softly: "I don't know what to say. It's just that it's hard to imagine that my mother-in-law, who is so dignified in the world, has such amazing cooking skills."
When Empress Song heard this, the smile on her beautiful face became more and more prosperous, and she said: "Zi Yu is so complimentary. I used to make snacks at home... The moon and clouds are carved. It's really too much."
As he said that, he looked at Emperor Chongping: "Your Majesty, I usually make some for you, but when I am busy I forget to use it for food, so I always send it over for Ran'er, Zhi'er and the sisters to eat."
Emperor Chongping smiled and said, "Zi Tong's cooking skills are of course excellent. I also like to eat the peach blossom cake."
Maybe he was a little tired of the peach blossom cake made by the Queen after eating it for more than ten years, and regarded it as normal, without Jia Ziyu's emotion.
While the others were talking, Dai Quan smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, lunch is ready."
Emperor Chongping smiled and said, "Ziyu, let's use some together."
Jia Heng stood up quickly, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Then a few people walked to a long table aside, perhaps to entertain ministers like Jia Heng. Emperor Chongping specially ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare some more dishes, with a combination of meat and vegetables, which seemed to be much richer than usual.
After the emperor and his ministers were seated, they purified their hands in the golden basin.
Empress Song was also sitting next to Emperor Chongping, stretching out a pair of slender white jade hands to wash in the gold basin. The sleeves of her palace skirt were rolled up, revealing a small lotus-rooted arm.
The elegant, gorgeous and mature beauty's charm does not require any pretense at all, just like the February willow, it silently teases people's heartstrings.
When Jia Heng caught a glimpse, five words came to his mind: the flower of wealth in the world.
"Ziyu, this is not a match between king and minister. There is no need to be restrained. Just relax." Emperor Chongping's eyes were warm and he smiled and said: "Looking at you, breakfast is probably useless."
Jia Heng was silent for a moment, and then said with a hint of sobs in his voice: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. It's been a while, but I haven't had breakfast yet."
Emperor Chongping nodded and said warmly: "You have been working too hard on official duties in recent times. Please take a good rest for a while after the incident in Dongcheng."
"I don't dare to talk about my hard work to share the worries of the Holy One," Jia Heng said.
Emperor Chongping played with two chopsticks and chuckled: "Don't work so hard in the future. When I was Prince Yong, I was in charge of the Ministry of Punishment. I remember that I stayed up all night. After thinking about it later, I felt that my body would not last long if I endured such hard work. When the time comes, go back and rest immediately.”
Empress Song frowned and said: "Your Majesty is now busy with state affairs, but he has returned to the same behavior as before, wearing clothes late at night and eating late at night, and working hard at night."
Emperor Chongping sighed and said: "Now the national affairs are very difficult, and there is nothing I can do about it."
Jia Heng was so frightened that he couldn't help but leave the table and bow, cupping his hands and saying, "Thank you for your advice, Your Majesty."
Empress Song was giving the dishes to Emperor Chongping. When she saw this, her eyebrows were crooked and she smiled sweetly: "Your Majesty, you just said you don't need to play right? Why did you come up with the right format again? Your Majesty, too, you just used it after eating. We already have dinner, so why are we talking about state affairs again?"
Emperor Chongping smiled and said, "It's my fault. I'll punish myself with a drink later. Dai Quan will prepare some wine."
There was a hint of anger on Empress Song's beautiful face, and she said softly: "Your Majesty, the imperial physician has said before that your Majesty is busy with state affairs and has to eat and drink at night. If you drink more alcohol, it will be more harmful to the dragon's body. It is better to drink less alcohol." stop."
"I'm happy today, so it's okay to drink less." Emperor Chongping said with a smile.
Emperor Chongping, who had obviously made a fortune, was in a good mood.
Queen Song's phoenix eyes flashed under her willow eyebrows, and she smiled gently and said: "Your Majesty, is there any happy event today?"
Because Empress Song had just arrived, Emperor Chongping had not yet had time to talk about getting tens of millions of silver.
Emperor Chongping picked up his chopsticks and said warmly: "I just didn't have time to tell Zitong that Ziyu just wiped out the Sanhe Gang in Dongcheng and confiscated more than 10 million taels of silver."
It can be said that until this moment, it really felt like a family dinner. In front of Jia Heng, the emperor took off some of his masks and felt more carefree.
When Queen Song heard this, her beautiful face moved slightly, and she couldn't help but let out a soft sound in her mouth, which made her heart tremble.
More than ten million taels of silver, no wonder Your Majesty...
Jia Heng was picking up a meatball, but his chopsticks came loose and fell in the bowl. He quickly put down his chopsticks and thought to himself, this Queen Song's voice was like an oriole's cry, gentle and charming, how could she look like she had given birth to two sons? Gu Yao
At this moment, Emperor Chongping also cast his gaze over and said warmly: "Thanks to Ziyu this time."
Jia Heng hurriedly said: "Even if there are no ministers here, the sage will look down and choose virtuous people, and the troubles in Dongcheng can be wiped out. I don't dare to take credit."
Emperor Chongping smiled and said: "It is good that the young man should not be arrogant or impatient, but he should not be too humble. The young man should be as energetic as the young man."
The Empress of Song also looked at the young man with a pair of shining eyes, and thought to herself that after the new year, Ran'er can be allowed to go to the Military and Horse Department of the Five Cities to observe the government. Not to mention being influenced by her ears and eyes, she can also capture this young man under her command in the long run.
It was clear to her just now that this young man was not only outstanding in talent and good conduct, but more importantly, he was humble and prudent, which is what makes him look good for a long time.
Jia Heng said: "The Holy Master taught you earnestly and earnestly. Heng will keep it in mind and will not dare or forget it for a day."
After that, the monarch and his ministers did not say anything else. After lunch, the Queen of Song Dynasty also said goodbye and left the Daming Palace in an informed manner, leaving the monarch and his ministers to discuss government affairs.
After Empress Song left, Emperor Chongping didn't go around in circles and went straight in. He asked, "Ziyu, tell me how much of the total Qi Wang Lun got?"
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said: "I haven't tortured Han Ziping, the fourth leader of the Sanhe Gang, to find out the details, but from what I can see, in recent years, the Sanhe Gang has made 6.8 million taels of silver a year, a quarter of It must have been at least seven or eight years since it was delivered to Prince Qi's Mansion. I don't know the exact number, but I dare not make any false claims."
When Emperor Chongping heard this, he quickly made calculations in his mind, his complexion gradually became livid, and an evil fire went straight to his forehead, and he said in a cold voice: "The Sanhe Gang who took half of the silver has more than 10 million, and King Qi can't even bribe him." There are eight or nine million taels of silver out of tens of millions. He is the prince of the country and is honored by the country's salary. Ziyu, what do you think he needs so much money for?"
Jia Heng found it difficult to accept these words. He thought for a moment and then raised his hands and said, "I don't know, but I think that although the Holy One is the common lord of the world and rules over all the nine states, he is also the king and father of Qi. If he doubts his father and son, it is better to speak out." Just ask the King of Qi."
These words were very measured, not estranged, and very reasonable.
The father asked his son, "Isn't it just and natural?"
Father and son have no doubts about each other, and they coincide with the Three Cardinal Principles and Five Constant Rules, as well as the relationship between heaven and man.
Dai Quan, who stood with his hands lowered and remained silent, blinked his eyes and felt a little bit tut-tut in his heart.
Damn, this is a scholar. He stepped on King Qi, but he still couldn't let King Qi hug his legs and blackmail him.
It’s true that you can say all the good things and never do the bad things!
Needless to say, with Prince Qi's unsparing temper, he would most likely refuse to admit it at first, and then end up throwing a tantrum. But the more he behaves like this, the more he will hate His Majesty.
When Emperor Chongping heard this, his cold face was slightly moved, and he thought in his mind, "Instead of doubting father and son, it is better to ask directly..."
After a long time, his eyes were dark, and he said slowly: "Zi Yu's words are sincere and the supreme principles of heaven."
Instead of making random guesses, it would be better to ask that scoundrel directly, what are you going to do with so much money?
Seeing this, Jia Heng looked calm and breathed a sigh of relief.
Although the King of Qi is not as virtuous as Prince Liu Zhi, he must avoid becoming Jiang Chong or Su Wen.
Now that King Qi's evil deeds have been exposed, his remaining presence should not be too strong.
The rest... the father should decide what to do with his son. Even if he regrets it in the future, he can't blame others!
"Now let's see how King Qi responds. If you are smart, kneel down and beg for mercy. You will spit out most of the food you eat. But even so, some private things cannot be covered up." Jia Heng thought.
When he had conflicts with the King of Qi before, he had a feeling that a country like the King of Qi needed to be weakened little by little, first the friendship between father and son, and then the kindness between the monarch and his ministers.
His words, a father asking his son, are perfectly justified, but they also hide a hidden secret.
Once the son deceives the father, will the father feel heartbroken?
It can be said that if the King of Qi mishandles the situation, the relationship between father and son will be severed. Then, only the kindness between the king and his ministers will be left, and then...
Emperor Chongping thought for a moment, put aside the matter of how to deal with King Qi for the time being, and asked, "How do you think this money should be used, Ziyu?"
Jia Heng looked confused and said: "Your Majesty... I am stupid, I don't know what your Majesty means?"
Emperor Chongping's eyes were clear and he said in a clear voice: "Zi Yu said before that you can select elite soldiers to organize and train a new army. If you can use this silver to pay for military needs, can you build a new army?"
It can be said that this matter was the most important thing for Emperor Chongping.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment, considered his words, and said: "Your Majesty, if the new army is just soldiers like the Beijing camp, it may not be able to help much in border affairs. When the new army is trained with new drills, it must be accompanied by military equipment." , choose another weapon for the military and state, I feel that there is still room for improvement in the weapons of fire and gun, I originally planned to visit the weapons supervisor after some time."
When Emperor Chongping heard this, his heart moved and he asked: "Can the fire blunderbuss be used in a big way?"
Jia Heng said: "I believe that firecrackers are an important weapon for the military to defeat the enemy. However, firecrackers are slow to load, have a short range, and require complicated training... As long as the above shortcomings are overcome, firearms can shine, as shown before. At that time, the three-stage attack technique created by Yunnan Muying once defeated the enemy. If I, a big man, refine firearms and overcome their disadvantages, we may be able to wipe out the decline of our enemies in the north."
Even in the feudal era, military technology has been developing. Otherwise, stirrups, horseshoes, and big yellow crossbows would not have appeared.
Emperor Chongping pondered for a long time, thinking about Jia Heng's words, and said, "Ziyu, how much do you know about fire guns?"
Jia Heng said: "To be honest with you, Your Majesty, I still have some experience with fire blunderbuss, but I still need to see the craftsmanship of my Han craftsman in person before making any calculations."
Emperor Chongping looked silent and said loudly: "Dai Quan, please pass on my oral instructions to General Yunhui of the third class. Supervisor Jia Heng will ask the Ordnance Supervisor about ordnance construction matters. The Ordnance Supervisory Offices will provide assistance and must not be neglected."
Supervision, rather than supervision, means giving power but not responsibility. In name, the power of guidance is given. The weapons supervisor needs to cooperate with Jia Heng. This can be regarded as Emperor Chongping's convenience for Jia Heng to do things.
Because in Emperor Chongping's view, asking Jia Heng to go to prison for such trivial matters as arms supervision was somewhat overkill.
Jia Heng was stunned when he heard this.
Emperor Chongping smiled and said: "You first go to the Ordnance Supervisor to check the ordnance's craftsmanship. If it can be put to great use, you will be officially appointed to the Ordnance Supervisor."
