In Kunning Palace——
As Concubine Wu bowed to pray to Empress Song, people such as Wei Wang Chen Ran and Liang Wang Chen Wei all had strange looks on their faces, looking at Jia Heng's expression.
Seeing his calm and calm expression, they all thought to themselves, feeling calm.
Empress Song frowned, her phoenix eyes flashed slightly, she turned to look at Jia Heng and asked, "Ziyu, is this what Concubine Wu said?"
This is deliberately pretending to be confused.
Concubine Wu, who was still observing the expression of Queen Song, suddenly changed her face when she heard the word "Ziyu". She followed the sound and saw that there was a person sitting on the embroidered pier next to the king of Wei and the king of Liang. A young military attaché wearing a brocade robe.
Because I was so eager to plead for mercy, I didn't notice it.
"Could it be... Jia Heng?"
Concubine Wu was shocked and thought to herself, why is Yunhui General Jia Heng here?
In the blink of an eye, he reacted.
Since today is the birth of the King of Wei, it makes sense that Jia Heng, as the person in charge of the Five Cities Army and Horses Department, would celebrate the birthday of the King of Wei who will go to the Five Cities Army and Horses Department next year to observe the government.
Facing everyone's attention, Jia Heng stood up, looked at the beauty in palace clothes, cupped his hands and said: "Madam, General Chen Rui of the auxiliary country violated the public security regulations issued by the Wucheng Army and Horses Division in the East City. The minister happened to meet Princess Xianning at that time. , let the soldiers of the Patrol Division detain General Fuguo for 14 days according to the regulations. If Concubine Wu has any objections, she can first go to the Military and Horse Division of Wucheng and seek reconsideration from Kong Mu of the Public Security Division, instead of This disturbs the Queen’s peace.”
As he spoke, he frowned and looked at Concubine Wu aside with cold eyes.
When Concubine Wu heard this, her expression changed. Maybe the young man's eyes were too sharp, and she didn't dare to look at him for a moment.
Wei Wang Chen Ran and Liang Wang Chen Wei looked at each other with different thoughts.
Empress Song smoothed things over with a smile and said, "Zi Yu, you don't have to be too serious. You might as well sit down and talk about it. Today, Concubine Wu came here with the intention of admitting her mistake. Zi Yu, what kind of regulations are they? Can we be more lenient?" "
Jia Heng said: "Mother, General Chen Rui violated the public security regulations and was detained in prison. If he were to be released easily, where would the court's laws be placed? In the future, if the Military and Horse Division of the Five Cities wants to follow the law, some people will follow Chen Rui's precedent. But when it comes to resisting the law, your Majesty, I really don’t know how to keep one side open."
Queen Song nodded and said, "What Zi Yu said is not unreasonable."
Jia Heng turned to Concubine Wu and said, "Concubine Wu, there is no need to worry. This time, General Fuguo will be detained for only half a month. Half a month will pass by in a blink of an eye. General Fuguo will not be wronged in prison."
Concubine Wu looked pale. She did not look at Jia Heng, but turned to look at Empress Song. Her voice was almost pleading, and she said: "Your Majesty, Rui'er has violated the law, and I have nothing to say, but seeing that the Chinese New Year is approaching, I just keep her locked up like this. At the end of the year, we can't even worship our ancestors. I think the law is nothing more than human kindness. Isn't it possible that the Five Cities Army and Horses Division is not accommodating at all?"
Queen Song's bright eyes moved slightly, and she looked at Jia Heng again, and whispered softly: "Zi Yu, what do you think?"
Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, the laws of the country do not follow personal relationships. If Concubine Wu wants to be accommodating today, and others will be accommodating tomorrow, what prestige can the Wucheng Army and Horses Division have?"
Concubine Wu opened her mouth, but for a moment she was speechless.
Seeing that Jia Heng's attitude was firm and his words must be upheld by the law of the country, Queen Song was happy to see the success, but when she met Concubine Wu's eyes, her crystal jade face showed a look of embarrassment.
Of course, the key point is that Jia Heng was originally venting her anger on Xianning. If she acted arbitrarily as a favor, wouldn't it make others feel bad?
However, it would be unreasonable to really ignore Concubine Wu's request because the matter involves Xianning. Instead, someone should say that she is narrow-minded and will not be merciful when she wants to be merciful.
While Queen Song was thinking about the pros and cons, King Chen Ran of Wei had a thought in his mind. He stood up from the side and said loudly: "Mother, I think that what General Yunhui said is true. How can you ignore the law just because of one person? If this matter spreads, I am afraid that all the public security regulations issued by the Military and Horse Department of the Five Cities will become official documents."
When Concubine Wu heard what King Wei said, her heart suddenly went cold.
Even the King of Wei said so, this matter is difficult.
Empress Song glared at Chen Ran and scolded: "Sit down."
Wei Wang Chen Ran looked stunned for a moment and sat down again.
Empress Song slowly said: "Concubine Wu, what Ran'er and General Yunhui said is not unreasonable. If anyone takes it as a precedent to resist the law, it will be difficult for the Five Cities Military and Horse Division to control the security of Shenjing in the future."
After hearing this, Concubine Wu became more and more anxious. She left her seat and stood up. She paid her respects to Empress Song again and said, "Your Majesty, please have mercy."
This is close to a cry and a plea.
In this era, in the final analysis, people rule, and the law is nothing more than human feelings. Concubine Wu made such a posture, and Empress Song really couldn't be more aggressive.
At this time, Princess Xianning suddenly took over the conversation, stared at Jia Heng with dazzling eyes, and asked: "General Yunhui, are there any other ways to atone for punishment in the public security regulations?"
When Concubine Wu heard this, she immediately felt hope in her heart, and looked at Jia Heng and Princess Xianning expectantly.
Empress Song also said: "Zi Yu, if the law stipulates the method of atonement, it cannot be an exception just because Chen Rui is a descendant of the clan, right?"
Even in the Han Dynasty, there is still a method of asking for reduction and redemption.
Jia Heng knew that Empress Song was already showing off her favor. After thinking about it, he felt that the situation was about the same. The purpose of warning King Zhongshun had been achieved, and he had also sold Empress Song's favor. It was difficult to continue the stalemate.
"Go back to your Majesty and Your Highness, if the general of the auxiliary country wants to come out early, he can deduct the period of detention for the government labor. The so-called labor service means assisting the soldiers and horses of the five cities to dredge ditches, ban fires, and other things. The period of detention will be two days. In exchange for one day's labor, as long as the auxiliary general works for the five-city army and horse division for seven days, he can go home."
This was a method of atonement originally set up for some unemployed vagrants who violated public security regulations. Otherwise, they would all live in the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division and waste rice and food.
When Concubine Wu heard these words, she felt happy and said hurriedly: "Jia Yunhui, can our Rui'er be compensated in this way?"
Jia Heng said: "Of course you can."
Empress Song said softly: "Since there is a law to follow, let's just deal with the matter like this. Rui'er can go home and reunite with Concubine Wu earlier."
Concubine Wu's expression changed at this moment, and she bowed down again and said, "I thank you for your kindness."
Although he cannot be released immediately and return home, at least his sentence can be shortened, so it is not in vain.
The eldest princess of Jinyang glanced at Jia Heng with a half-smile, and joked: "Chanyue, you heard me, you must abide by the law in the capital from now on, otherwise, you will really be imprisoned in the prison of the Wucheng Military and Horse Division. There is nothing the palace can do.”
Li Chanyue said softly: "Mother, I have always behaved myself."
Jia Heng glanced at Princess Jinyang and met her charming eyes.
For some reason, I smelled a faint smell of vinegar.
Empress Song looked at Concubine Wu, and said with emotion and persuasion: "A country and a family cannot be harmonious without rules. After Chen Rui experienced this, he also gained wisdom."
Concubine Wu nodded in agreement.
Empress Song talked to Concubine Wu for a while, but most of them were about educating her children.
Concubine Wu gradually felt as if she was on pins and needles as she listened. Since the purpose of begging for mercy had been achieved, she had no intention of staying any longer. Taking advantage of Empress Song's pause, she said goodbye: "Your Majesty, I still want to go to the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Prison." Go see Rui'er and go back first."
Empress Song smiled softly and said, "Then Concubine Wu, let's go."
While talking, he called the female official to see him off on his behalf.
After Concubine Wu left, the palace fell into silence for a while.
Empress Song looked at the young man who was calm and composed, and said: "Zi Yu, it's not that I want to abolish the national law because of my affair. Concubine Wu begs you again and again. I don't want to be too ruthless."
Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty is kind and generous. What Chen Rui committed is not a big deal."
Wei Wang Chen Ran said: "Mother, in the Shenjing City, civilians who break the law can still be regulated, but the clan members and nobles are facing difficulties in law enforcement. Both the Jingzhao Mansion and the Wucheng Military and Horse Division are afraid of their power. When I go to the Wucheng, I will The Military and Horse Division should work hard to eliminate this shortcoming and enforce the law impartially."
If he can enforce the law impartially and be impartial, he will probably be recognized by his father who worked in the Ministry of Justice in his early years.
Queen Song's gorgeous jade face showed a look of relief and said: "The Queen Mother is very happy that her son can have such an ambition."
After a while, the palace maid came to report, "Madam, my uncle and his family have entered the palace."
Queen Song's face showed joy and she asked: "Let someone come in quickly."
Empress Song had two younger brothers, one was a Dianke Cheng in the Dianke Office of Honglu Temple, and the other was a magistrate in Henan. When the King of Wei gave birth, the third uncle of the Song family came with his family to give birth to his nephew.
Empress Song smiled and ordered again: "Ran'er, Wei'er, Xianning, you go outside to greet your uncle."
One is a sister and brother, the other is a monarch and minister. It is not easy for Empress Song and Concubine Duanrong to go out of the palace to greet their uncle, but it is only proper etiquette for the children of the two sisters to go out to greet their uncle.
"Yes, Queen Mother." King Chen Ran of Wei, King Chen Wei of Liang, and Princess Xianning responded quickly and all went out of the palace to greet her.
Not long after, I saw a tall middle-aged official wearing a sixth-grade official robe and a woman wearing official makeup entering the palace. The woman also held a pretty girl about eleven or twelve years old on her arm. little girl.
Jia Heng put down the tea cup and watched the scene quietly.
He secretly thought that King Wei had a baby today, and his relatives came to congratulate him. It was a complete family banquet.
I thought that after I came to open the palace and give birth to a baby, the guests coming to celebrate would be officials from the DPRK and the Central Committee.
As soon as they entered the palace, the leading middle-aged official led the female family members to pay homage to the Empress of the Song Dynasty, Concubine Rong and the eldest princess of Jinyang, "I have seen the empress, the concubine, and His Highness Jinyang, who is a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old."
Empress Song bowed, stretched out her hand to support her, and said with a gentle smile: "Brother, sister-in-law, Yan'er, please get up quickly."
When the middle-aged official Xie En raised his head, he had to say that the genes of the Song family were very good. A warm smile appeared on his handsome and elegant face, and he said, "My dear, my brother is not late, is he?"
The third brother of Empress Song is Song Jing, who is in his early thirties and is now a sixth-rank official in Honglu Temple.
Empress Song smiled and joked: "Third brother came just in time, the banquet has not yet started."
Concubine Duanrong smiled brightly and asked, "Third brother, are mother and father okay at home?"
The Song family, where Empress Song and Concubine Duanrong came from, can actually be regarded as a family of merchants. The head of the family, Song Sheng, did some work for Emperor Chongping who was still in his residence. He rarely leaves the house and moves around easily.
Although Queen Song's mother was over sixty years old, she was still in good health.
Song Jing smiled and said: "The old lady has a strong body. This time she asked me to come over to celebrate the birth of my nephew, so I brought the musk bracelet that I always bring as a birth gift."
In this era, there is no reason for the elders to come to the house to give birth to the younger generation, but giving some small and personal items shows closeness and love.
Empress Song watched with a smile as Song Jing took a brocade box from Mrs. Shen behind her.
King Wei Chen Ran said with a smile: "The last time I saw my grandma, I saw that this musk bracelet was rare, so I remembered it."
Chen Wei smiled and joked: "Grandma loves third brother the most. She rewards third brother without even asking for it."
Song Jing's wife smiled and said: "This was consecrated by Zen Master Huitong of Da'an Temple. The old lady has been wearing it for more than ten years. Since wearing it, she has had no illness or disaster. It is quite effective."
Several people chatted and laughed, sat down, and exchanged greetings.
As Song Jing spoke, she turned to look at Jia Heng and asked with a smile: "This young master looks very nervous."
Because Song Jing's official rank was not above the fifth rank, he had not even attended regular court meetings during this period, otherwise he would have recognized Jia Heng just now.
Empress Song smiled and introduced: "This is General Yunhui Jia Heng."
Jia Heng stood up first, bowed his hands to Song Jing, and said, "I have met Mr. Song."
Song Jing's eyes lit up and he smiled and said: "It turns out to be the famous General Yunhui. He is indeed a handsome young man, as handsome as jade. He is even more famous when we meet him."
This young man has been the most famous in the Shenjing City in the past six months, and now he has a large number of troops and is here to celebrate his nephew's birthday...
Jia Heng said: "With a little reputation, I don't dare to be praised by Master Song."
"Jia Yunhui is too modest."
Song Jing was worthy of being a guest at Honglu Temple. He treated people very warmly and made people feel like spring breeze. He kept complimenting Jia Heng while talking.
Jia Heng could only resist with all his heart, but in the eyes of outsiders, the two of them talked happily.
When Queen Song saw Jia Heng and her brother Song Jing joking, she exchanged glances with her sister Duanrong Guifei beside her, obviously happy to see this.
Concubine Rong's beautiful eyes twinkled and she smiled peacefully.
Everyone in the palace was chatting and laughing, and Queen Song said with a smile: "It's almost noon, it's time to pass on lunch, Xia Shouzhong, let's go see when His Majesty will come over?"
At this time, a eunuch flashed from behind the beams, pillars and curtains. It was Xia Shouzhong, the eunuch of the Sixth Palace. He responded and turned around.
Empress Song looked at Song Jing and Concubine Rong, and sighed: "If the fourth brother is here too, we brothers and sisters can be reunited."
Song Jing said: "Madam, my fourth brother wrote a letter the day before yesterday saying that he will go to Beijing to report on his work before the end of the year, so that we can always reunite during the Chinese New Year."
King Wei put down the tea cup in his hand, stared at him and asked: "My uncle has been serving as magistrate of Henan County for three years? Why hasn't he been transferred?"
Song Jing glanced at Queen Song and said: "In the first year of the official assessment, there was a middle-to-upper grade. However, in the past two years, the weather was not favorable, and droughts continued in Henan, so I only got two middle-to-lower reviews. Can I be transferred this year? It depends on what the officials want."
It is said that Emperor Chongping paid little attention to the career of Empress Song's two younger brothers in order to prevent his relatives from becoming more powerful. He neither suppressed nor supported them. As a result, the Song family had no high-ranking officials in the court, and they acted quite low-key on weekdays.
Empress Song said quietly: "Henan, Shandong and other places have suffered frequent disasters in the past two years. Your Majesty is also quite worried. My fourth brother is in Henan to share the country's worries and protect the common people. He will serve for two terms and gain more experience. It is not a bad thing. .”
After all, this topic was a bit heavy. Queen Song said a few words and stopped going further.
Jia Heng listened quietly to the conversation between the two siblings, with a thoughtful look on his face.
If the original work is followed, after Concubine Yuan's marriage proposal, Jia Zheng left academic affairs to the outside world, and the historian also took advantage of the opportunity and sent officials from other provinces.
From this point of view, the emperor does not seem to exclude any relatives, but upon closer consideration, this is not the case.
Because Yuanchun had no children, unlike Empress Song, who had two adult princes.
Moreover, it may not be without the intention of paralyzing a martial arts family like the Jia family.
In the palace, the Song siblings were talking, and while Jia Heng was thinking, the eunuch's sharp voice finally came from outside the palace, "Your Majesty has arrived."
At this time, the music and dancing in the palace had already stopped. After hearing the words, everyone stood up and saluted the middle-aged emperor who was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and walked into the palace with the strides of a dragon and a tiger.
Emperor Chongping's expression was much gentler than before, and he said: "Everyone should get back on their feet."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Emperor Chongping glanced at Song Jing, then walked towards Empress Song and sat down on the soft couch beside her.
But as the cold-faced emperor took his seat, the atmosphere in the palace changed from the original lightness to something solemn and serious.
Empress Song took one of Emperor Chongping's arms and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, today is the birth of Ran'er. He will be eighteen years old in a blink of an eye. Next year, he will be in charge of government affairs. Your Majesty, would you like to give Ran'er a few words?" "
When King Chen Ran of Wei heard this, he quickly stepped forward and bowed before him, kowtow and said, "My son, I would like to ask my father for instructions."
Emperor Chongping narrowed his eyes slightly, looked at his eldest son, remained silent for a moment, and said in a deep voice: "Next year, you will go to the Five Cities Military and Horse Department to observe the government. You should see more, listen more, do more, and talk less. General Yunhui will Military and political affairs have their own rules and regulations. Now I am in charge of the military and horse divisions of the five cities to take charge of the public security of Shenjing. If you are asked to do something, you must not neglect it, and do not use your arrogance as a prince. If I know that you have lost the dignity of the Tian family and are arrogant, I, hum!"
Queen Song: "..."
There was even a feeling of depression in his heart, but he still maintained a beautiful smile on his face.
Wei Wang Chen Ran seemed to have been familiar with Emperor Chongping's tough style for a long time. He lowered his head deeply and worshiped: "My son, I will obey the holy precepts of my father."
As for Liang Wang Chen Wei, who came after Xiaoji, he was as quiet as a chicken and did not even dare to express his anger for fear of being caught by Emperor Chongping's eyes and reprimanded.
Seeing the scene of the emperor training his son, Jia Heng thought to himself that although the emperor made some pointers and disciplined the King of Wei in public, he still had the intention of loving and protecting him.
At this moment, the emperor may also intend to give King Wei a chance?
Otherwise, King Wei would not be tolerated entering the Five Cities Military and Horse Division and contacting his "important minister".
In fact, the emperor is the most complex political animal. No matter how vigilant and defensive he is, he cannot completely let his successor go as he pleases.
However, this kind of relationship between father and son is undoubtedly easy to develop a cold and cold temperament.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment, stood up, cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I have little talent, poor intelligence, and no merits. If I can barely praise you for one or two things, I can only say the word "diligence". Your Highness, the King of Wei, is very talented. , can be a helping hand for me."
Emperor Chongping waved his hand and said: "Zi Yu, I give you the Emperor's Sword, so that you can be upright and upright. If the King of Wei does not know how to advance or retreat, and is unreasonable, don't taboo anything, but you can correct him!"
King Wei Chen Ran was kneeling below, his head lowered tightly, and the corners of his mouth twitched. He clearly didn't do anything, so why didn't he know how to advance or retreat?
Jia Heng was stunned for a moment, then said with firm eyes: "I thank you for your trust, Your Majesty."
Emperor Chongping's words are quite profound.
Kuang Zhengzhi is to help teach his son. He is also a candidate for heir, but his expectations for him are self-evident. He must be upright and upright...to improve his political standing.
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