Under the retinues of the inner guards and Jinyifu guards, six maroon-colored horses with shiny manes pulled the chariot into the palace garden from Anshun Gate, and headed towards the Daming Palace along the clean and spacious royal road.
However, at this time, Emperor Chongping called out: "Ziyu, stop here. I will come down for a walk and wait for the civil and military ministers behind me."
Hearing this, Jia Heng gently pulled on the reins, and immediately got off the carriage shaft, stretched out an arm and said, "Your Majesty, I will help you get down."
At this time, Emperor Chongping also raised the curtain, and with the help of Jia Heng, he got off the carriage and said with a smile: "Ziyu, we monarchs and ministers will go for a while."
Jia Heng quickly agreed, supported Emperor Chongping who was slightly out of breath, and asked, "Why didn't your Majesty take good care of his body after last time? He still looks a little weak, and he still needs a good rest."
Emperor Chongping walked along the corridor and said with emotion: "There are so many things going on in the imperial court. How dare I have the intention to neglect government?"
Jia Heng nodded and sighed: "Your Majesty has the great responsibility of Jiuzhou and shoulders the burden of all the people in the world. I am worried about my heart. I know it. However, state affairs are not accomplished in a day. Your Majesty, you should not worry too much."
Emperor Chongping smiled softly, stood up at a white marble railing, held on to the railing, looked at the palace in the distance, and said, "How can I not know? But the country's affairs are difficult, and time waits for us not."
At this time, Dai Quan, who was not far behind him, had led seven or eight internal eunuchs to follow him. Seeing Emperor Chongping's tired look, he called out, "Your Majesty, are you ready to eat meat?"
Emperor Chongping waved his hand and said, "I have nothing to do. I will follow Zi Yu for a walk. You don't have to be so close."
After saying this, he looked at Jia Heng, his usually cold and welcoming eyes were a little gentler, and said: "Ziyu, you have solved a lot of difficulties for me this time in Henan and Jianghuai."
"Your Majesty has given you too much praise. It is my duty as a minister to share your worries." Jia Heng said quickly.
Emperor Chongping nodded, suddenly looked at Jia Heng leisurely, and asked solemnly: "Ziyu, I want to ask you something, can you answer it truthfully?"
Jia Heng couldn't help being frightened. He put on a facelift and calmed down his expression. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, please inquire."
Emperor Chongping was silent for a moment, thinking about his words, and asked: "Ziyu, what on earth is going on between you and Xianning?"
Jia Heng: "...
His expression became strange and he asked, "Your Majesty...why do you suddenly ask about this?"
Doesn’t the emperor know? He still asked questions knowingly, and even today's situation was caused by the emperor overtly or covertly... Well, of course it can't be said that way.
"Today I am not asking you as the emperor, but as the father of Xianning. You and Xianning were fighting the chaos in Henan." Emperor Chongping interrupted Jia Heng's address and asked.
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said frankly: "I and Your Highness Xianning had a mutual affection for each other in the Central Plains, but it was based on love and not on etiquette. I love Your Highness Xianning. Your Highness Xianning is gentle and courteous, and has the bearing of an imperial daughter of the clan."
At the end of the sentence, his voice was a little thin. In front of his father, he said that he liked other people's daughters and gave them watery cabbage?
Seeing the young man lowering his head with a guilty conscience, Emperor Chongping's eyes flashed with an imperceptible smile under his thin brows. He seemed to be satisfied with the words of the young man in the python suit opposite him. He nodded and said: "How can you be so honest? In vain, Xianning is not afraid of swordsmanship, so I will march with you to Henan."
"Your Majesty..."
Emperor Chongping waved his hand and said, "I usually dote on Xian Ning, but I know that Xian Ning is a good boy. It's hard for me to say anything about the matters between you. You have to treat her well in the future."
When Jia Heng heard this, he pretended to be surprised and said, "The Holy One agrees?"
Emperor Chongping smiled lightly and said: "Although I agree, Xianning is my daughter after all, and she cannot be your concubine. Whether I can let Xianning grant you a marriage depends on your ability and whether you can block it." After he lived there, he was spoken by the civil and military officials of the dynasty, and the people of the world pointed at him."
Jia Heng: "
Emperor Chongping stared at the young man and asked, "Why, are you a little scared?"
Jia Heng shook his head and said with sonorous words: "How can I be afraid of you? How can I treat you like this?"
When the Holy One pacifies the Eastern captives and creates peace for all eternity, all criticisms from the world will be wiped out. "
"Okay, young man, you are ambitious!" Emperor Chongping expressed his admiration, and then said, "Xianning is quite old. Don't let her wait too long."
Jia Heng cupped his hands and said, "Wei Chen understands." "
After Emperor Chongping said this, he didn't say much. He walked along the stone steps towards the Daming Palace, looked at the side hall of the Daming Palace, paused slightly, pointed to the direction of the study in the side hall, and said: "I remember last year, it was in the inner study. , because of the story of the Three Kingdoms, Jinyang introduced you to me. I don’t think that the young man who was so eloquent and talented at the beginning is now my uncle Yongning, leaning on me as my arm, and will become my son-in-law in the future. Maybe it’s just something that has its own destiny.”
Jia Heng's face paused slightly, and he said in a low voice: "If it hadn't been for His Majesty's simplicity, Wei Chen would still be depressed and frustrated in Liutiao Hutong. The reason why Wei Chen is today is because His Majesty cultivated, taught and cared for him. His Majesty's kindness to Wei Chen Recreate together.”
Emperor Chongping glanced at the young man and said softly: "I'm not saying this, I'm just thinking about what you said in the past. The Donglu incident can be planned. Now that the whole army has been completed by force, it is really like the "Pinglu Policy" As you said, does it take fifteen years to completely wipe out the Donglu? "
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said loudly: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I said that I would be a prisoner for fifteen years because I expected the enemy to be lenient. Don't be eager to win quickly. Otherwise, you will be restless and impetuous, which will lead to defeat. If the time is right, I will be a prisoner." I won’t waste time, and I won’t wait fifteen years to fight against the enemy and seek victory, let alone fifteen years, but the Holy One must not be too eager and rush the war.”
Emperor Chongping listened to Jia Heng's words, nodded and said: "Zi Yu, whether you and I, the emperor and our ministers, can create eternal peace for the Han Dynasty, depends on the battle of Donglu! You must plan your strategy carefully and strive to win the battle as soon as possible. Come, I read the history of the Song Dynasty, Shenzong's reform, and Wang Shao was appointed to regain Hehuang. How high-spirited it was? When it came to the expedition against Xixia, it was all in vain in one battle. From then on, it failed to recover and ended in depression. Every time I think about this, I only feel that my heart is full of enthusiasm. As heavy as a thousand
Jun, the soldier, is an important matter of the country, the place of life and death, and must be observed. "
Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, don't worry. I will use all my talents to plan a victory for Your Majesty."
Emperor Chongping looked at the young man intently, patted Jia Heng's shoulder lightly, and said, "If there is a war with the Donglu, I will not hold you back or urge you to join the army, but I want to tell you. ...."
At this point, the middle-aged emperor's expression changed, he seemed to pause, and said with emotion: "The honor and disgrace of you, my king, my ministers, and my son-in-law, and the safety of the Han Dynasty depend on the victory or defeat of the war against the captives. Zi Yu , I encourage you to do so."
Jia Heng's heart was slightly shaken. He looked at Emperor Chongping and bowed his hands and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Even if I am broken into pieces and my body is wrapped in horse leather, I will work hard to reverse the decline of Northern Xinjiang and lay the foundation for peace for Your Majesty."
He found that since he led the Beijing army to quickly quell the chaos in the Central Plains, there was an unspeakable expectation hidden in the heart of the emperor in front of him, or in other words, the hope for his achievements in northern Xinjiang.
A great victory in the war against the captives was the emperor's deepest desire, to put an end to the situation of defeat and passive beatings in northern Xinjiang since he came to the throne.
Emperor Chongping was obviously a person who was very good at controlling his emotions. After a while, his expression became normal, he turned to look at the ministers who had appeared at the palace gate, and said: "No more, it's time for all the ministers to follow. Xihe Palace will prepare dinner and singing and dancing in a while, please come with me."
Jia Heng nodded, said nothing more, and followed Emperor Chongping towards Xihe Palace step by step. Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall
Because Jia Zheng had gone to the city gate tower with officials from the Ministry of Works early in the morning to meet Jia Heng, there were only some female relatives and Baoyu in the mansion.
After listening to Grandma's report carefully, Jia Mu said with a smile, "Brother Heng is back."
Sister Feng smiled coquettishly and said, "The palace took me one step ahead of me and took her into the palace."
Jia Mu nodded and said with a smile: "This is not about taking the lead. Leading the general back to the capital, it is about handing over the errands to the emperor in the palace first."
Sister Feng smiled and said: "I think so, our ancestors have experienced many things and know more."
Aunt Xue laughed and said jokingly: "Old lady, the two houses have been dedicated to martial arts for several lifetimes. The old lady is not interested in this place."
Everything is clear and ruthless. "
When everyone heard this, they all laughed. The hairpin skirts and coats, the flowers and branches trembled wildly, and they were so beautiful.
Sitting next to her is Baochai, whose face is as greasy as pear pistils, slightly flushed due to the excitement in her heart, and the girl's flesh and bones are shiny, and her heart is already filled with anticipation.
Jia Heng is coming back soon. We haven’t seen him for several months.
The girl's gold lock has long been rusty, and the lock cylinder needs some oil.
Yuanchun's plump face looked confused and asked: "Ancestor, the palace will probably hold a banquet in honor of Hengdi and the meritorious generals from the Beijing camp. Will Hengdi come back at night?"
As soon as these words came out, Baochai raised her bright eyes and turned to look at her cousin, her moist apricot eyes filled with gleaming waves.
"Not necessarily, maybe the show ended earlier." Jia Mu smiled and said.
Tan Chunying's bright eyebrows moved slightly, his voice was clear and melodious, and he said with a smile: "I wonder if Sister-in-law Heng from Dongfu has received the news?"
Sister Feng said with a smile: "Ping'er, hurry up and talk, don't make people wait too anxiously." Ping'er responded quickly with a smile, and then went.
Mrs. Wang had an expressionless face and cold eyes. She frowned when she saw the cheerful people. She held a string of Buddhist beads in her hand and gently moved them. She felt that she was really incompatible with the warm atmosphere in Rongqing Hall.
Palace Garden, Xihe Palace
The civil and military ministers of the Han Dynasty and the meritorious generals of the Beijing camp followed the internal eunuchs into the Xihe Palace. Jia Heng had already sat down first, and Emperor Chongping also sat down on the golden chair and looked at the civil and military officials below. Ministers.
"I have seen your Majesty. Long live your Majesty." All the ministers entered the palace and paid homage to Emperor Chongping one after another.
"Everyone, please bow down without courtesy and sit down." Emperor Chongping's attitude was obviously much gentler today, which made the ministers below, who were used to the emperor's unpretentious speech, feel much more relaxed.
Under the guidance of the eunuchs one by one, all the ministers in the palace took their seats one after another, sitting upright and looking at Emperor Chongping. Many of them also looked at the young man in python suit who was a few years younger than him.
Emperor Chongping's voice resounded in the entire palace, like the jingling of gold and stone, saying: "This time Yongning Bo suppressed the rebellion in the Central Plains and pacified Henan. He was ordered to go to Huai'an Prefecture non-stop to fight against the flood and prepare for the flood. It can be said that he is diligent in the king's affairs, and his hard work should be rewarded." That’s the reward.”
Jia Heng stood up from below, faced the attention of the Han civil and military officials, raised his hands towards Emperor Chongping, and said loudly: "I am running for the country's official affairs, and I dare not take credit. As for fighting floods and preparing for floods, I have received the emperor's order. It's your duty to run good errands, and I don't dare to take it as merit. Kuang Sheng has rewarded mediocre ministers a lot, so I really don't dare to be greedy and obsessed with fame and position."
Everyone present looked at the young man who was tall and tall and had a calm demeanor. Hearing his impassioned speech, everyone had different thoughts.
Emperor Chongping looked gentle and said: "The ancients said that meritorious service should be rewarded, and no amount of gold should be spared. If you don't have merit, you should not give anything away... After Jia Qing put an end to the chaos in Henan, he rectified the official system, brought order to the people, built embankments and built weirs. , so that the people of the Central Plains were not affected by floods during the rainy and flood seasons, and they indeed played a special role in internal affairs. When the Nanhe River was in danger, he was ordered to lead the army to Huai'an and stayed on the river embankment for more than a month. He shared the joys and sorrows with the soldiers, faced the peak of the flood, and the dangerous The two armies are unable to compete for victory. This is not your responsibility, but your contribution! Since your military service has contributed to the country, how can I not reward you with a title?"
Jia Heng is a martial artist. With his current achievements, it is the limit to join him as Minister of War. With his age, seniority and prestige, he cannot be added as a third orphan, so he can only be promoted to the rank of Lord Wu, increase his salary, and be an heir.
Speaking of this, Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment and then ordered: "The cabinet has drafted a decree to make Jia Heng a first-class uncle in Jin Yongning in order to reward him for his contribution in leading troops to fight against floods and protect canals in the Central Plains and Jianghuai River."
After Jia Heng was promoted to a noble title, the titles of some generals in the Beijing camp could also be promoted to win over the morale of the military.
Moreover, as the person in charge of military training, he doesn’t even have a first-class uncle, which is really unreasonable.
Jia Heng's face was slightly solemn, and he couldn't refuse when he saw this. His voice was a little grateful and he said, "I thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. Your grace is so great that I am indescribable."
At his position, there would be no substantial improvement unless he was promoted to marquis, but the marquis did not say anything.
It is simply impossible to rely on military exploits in foreign wars. Even a third-class prince still needs military exploits in foreign wars.
If you are promoted to first-class uncle, your salary will be improved, and the number of heirs will be different. Of course, it may be better to talk about it.
In fact, the third rank of the Dukes and Bos of the Han Dynasty is often the strictest. This is the yardstick used to determine the regulations of naming devices. However, the subsequent transfer of specific ranks is used to reward those who are not enough to be granted the title of marquis or duke. , but it happened to have meritorious military service.
It's just that the second-class uncle can almost reward him for his merits. The emperor is granting favors in one step. In the future, if he has small merits other than foreign wars, he has a tacit understanding that he will not need to count the merits.
Yang Guochang was sitting below. Hearing Emperor Chongping's words, he frowned and opened his mouth. He wanted to give some advice, but it was hard to disturb the emperor's mood on such a day of triumphant return.
Moreover, arguing over which one is more suitable, the second-class uncle or the first-class uncle, is also a big loss of auxiliary etiquette. Even Niu Jizong, the first-class uncle, is a first-class uncle, so just let the child be a first-class uncle.
At this moment, except for Yang Guochang who frowned, there was no reaction from the officials in the palace.
Obviously the emperor did not ennoble him because Jia Heng suppressed the civil strife, which was the political bottom line for some civil servants.
The great Han Dynasty was granted military honors, including four kings, eight princes and twelve marquises at the founding of the country. This was the contribution of Dingding. During the Taizong period, some marquises were also granted. Most of the marquises were those who had made contributions in fighting against barbarians in the northwest and southwest.
Emperor Chongping looked calmly at the generals below and said: "For those generals who have made meritorious service in the capital camp, they will receive awards from the Ministry of War in the near future. If they have made great contributions to the country and served the country with sincerity, I will not hesitate to reward them with meritorious titles."
The Han Dynasty not only had superior Dukes and Dukes, but also various titles such as General, Captain of Light Vehicles, and Captain of Cloud Cavalry. He also needed to cultivate a group of Chongping martial arts.
"We thank you, Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty." When the generals from the Beijing camp who came to the banquet heard this, they all looked happy and their military spirits were overjoyed.
Seeing this scene, some civil servants frowned and felt gloomy. Secretly saying that martial arts is powerful, this is not a blessing for the country.
After Emperor Chongping commended Jia Heng, he glanced at the civil and military ministers in the palace and said, "Everyone has finished eating. Dai Quan will ask the Taiyue Department to present music and dance."
Upon hearing this, Dai Quan said yes and turned around.
