Daming Palace, Hanyuan Hall
The choice of governor of Nanhe River was suppressed and all ministers looked at each other with different thoughts.
However, it is normal, because the river affairs official is of great importance and cannot be decided in a court meeting. It still needs to be recommended by subsequent officials.
After everything was agreed upon, Emperor Chongping turned to military affairs again and said: "The Beijing camp suppressed the chaos in the Central Plains with thunderous force, which shows that the army has achieved outstanding results through military training. Now that the border troops have been eliminated from the old and weak, Ningxia, Border towns such as Guyuan and Yulin have made up 80% of their quota compared with before. Xuanfu and Ji Town are also on the list of rectifications. Only the two towns of Taiyuan and Datong, according to Generals Wang Chengyin and Jiang Kening, have been reduced to military towns since they led the army. All the soldiers in the military academy are in full strength, and Beijing County is investigating."
Emperor Chongping did not elaborate on the lack of progress made by King Beijing. Instead, he focused on the three towns of Beiping and said: "After the Economic Strategy and Appeasement Department was eliminated, recruited, and the economic system was agreed upon, Ji Town had 80,000 troops, Xuanfu 60,000, and 40,000 in Peiping. Due to the large number of troops in Bianbian Town, the troops’ salaries and weapons, as well as the military equipment and weapons, need to be released in a timely manner by the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of War, so as not to delay the military aircraft.”
The chief minister of the cabinet, Yang Guochang, and the minister of war, Shi Jieban, said yes.
Emperor Chongping slowly said: "The way to strengthen an army is firstly training, and secondly money and food. Training depends on general strategy, and money and food. Since this year, there has been drought and then flood in the north. There is not much summer grain harvest, and the court's expenditures are huge." , the national treasury is in huge deficit, Mr. Yang Ge, in charge of the household department, do you have anything to say to the ministers?"
When Yang Guochang heard this, he said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Household Affairs has paid out salary arrears to the sergeants and officials of Jiubian, which is more than seven or eight million. When it comes to purchasing grain and rice to feed the Beiping Economic Strategy and Appeasement Department, it is even more wasteful. Three to four million, the national treasury cannot make ends meet, and the veteran believes that the top priority is to increase revenue and reduce expenditure, and to eliminate redundant personnel. The household department has been initially determined, and the local post office personnel are too busy. Therefore, the post post personnel should be eliminated to save expenses."
Jia Heng listened below, his face changed slightly and his eyes condensed.
Save money and eliminate postmen?
Emperor Chongping looked calm and asked: "In addition to cutting redundant personnel to reduce expenditure, is there any way to increase revenue?"
Yang Guochang collected his thoughts and said, "Your Majesty, in addition to the grain taxes in the provinces, there are also commercial taxes on tea, salt, carriages and horses, and city customs and shipping. Nowadays, the people endure excessive taxes and numerous miscellaneous taxes, which often lead to civil unrest. It is not appropriate to impose any more taxes." Regarding the grain tax, I think we should add a few cents to the commercial tax to expand tax sources."
Because of Jia Heng's previous criticism, the chief minister of the cabinet swallowed back the words that were on his lips at this moment: "The benefits of mountains and rivers belong to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, while the Ministry of Household Affairs has very few financial resources."
Yang Guochang's words of raising taxes undoubtedly caused an uproar in the palace.
Han Huang's face was gloomy and his eyes were dark and uncertain.
There are many businessmen in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Once the business tax is increased, the old people in Jiangsu and Zhejiang will suffer. What other means does the Qi Party have besides exploiting the southern scholars? Guizhou donkey has no skills!
Jia Heng listened to the duel between Emperor Chongping and Yang Guochang, his eyes flickering, thinking about the key points.
As the saying goes, if people are squandering excessively, they will plunder the people, and if a civil uprising is imminent, they will plunder the merchants. After the chaos in the Central Plains, the Central Committee of the Han Dynasty realized that the people could not squeeze out oil and water, and it would easily lead to a civil uprising, so they had to change their minds. On the businessman's head.
There is nothing surprising about this idea. He also had the same idea when investigating Yangzhou salt merchants.
In fact, the difficulty in solving this problem is not only to make the cake bigger, but also to scrape the bones and cure the poison, turn the blade inward, severely punish corruption, and recover shortfalls. In the land of Han Dynasty, these people cannot cross the ocean.
Emperor Chongping looked indifferent, and amidst the concerns of some officials from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, he said: "The matter of commercial taxation needs special consideration. The Salt Law has serious disadvantages. It is necessary to eliminate the disadvantages and expand financial resources. Qi Kun, who wrote in Jinling, asked him to speed up Rectify the salt affairs."
With the current situation of the national treasury, it cannot support a large war. When Yang Guochang heard this, his face became solemn and he cupped his hands and said yes.
It was nearly noon after a meeting was decided, and the officials dispersed. Emperor Chongping left Jia Heng alone and went to the study room in the Daming Palace. The emperor and his ministers sat down again, and the eunuch served fragrant tea.
Emperor Chongping looked solemn and said: "Ziyu, you have heard that the court officials have just discussed the matter. The Ministry of Household Affairs has a serious deficit. If the Ministry of Internal Affairs does not come to the rescue and provide silver and grain, it will not even be able to pay the military pay of the border troops. This is definitely not the case." A long-term solution.”
Jia Heng nodded and said: "Your Majesty, internal affairs
Whether the government operates mining profits or confiscates official property, it can only relieve temporary difficulties, or find other sources of income. "
Either exploit it internally, or colonize or trade externally, there is no other way.
"I thought the same thing." Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment, looked inquiringly and said, "I remember, Ziyu, when you first arrived in the palace, you were here and explained to me the key to reform. Now that the Han Dynasty has accumulated many shortcomings, reform is the only way. Too strong."
Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, reform is the foundation for eternal peace. Don't do it too hastily. Moreover, just do it without talking about it, do more without talking about it, and roll it out one by one. If we can successfully rectify the salt affairs now, why don't we do it in a hurry? Reform? As for the clearing of land, we can concentrate our efforts on one province and one area."
Reform requires an external peaceful environment. As for reform to strengthen the country, at the moment it is more about fiscal and tax reform than reform, and he doesn't like the word reform very much.
There are new problems in the world every day. If there are problems, we should deal with them and see the results. We insist on bundling a package plan. In the end, there is a lot of noise and few implementations. Not to mention other things, there is no talent reserve. How to ensure that the implementation of the policy will not be distorted. ?
Don’t overdo it, don’t talk in generalities, don’t attack across the board, don’t seek perfection, but prioritize and concentrate on cutting the sausages one by one.
From the current achievements in reorganizing the army, the establishment of military aircraft, and the rectification of river affairs, which one is not changing? Which item is not touching the cheese of vested interests? But because every time the king and his ministers were united and focused on fighting, looking back, the situation changed drastically.
In fact, this is how politicians who achieved great achievements in history operated in this way. For example, Cao Cao promoted people from poor families based on their talents, Zhang Juzheng used a whip, and Yongzheng spread his family among his own. Isn't this a change? Nothing is changing, but everything is changing.
On the contrary, those who are invincible in talking, clearly do one thing, but insist on shouting three points, most of them end up in Anshi's reform, the outcome of the New Deal of 1898. They talk about reform and promulgate hundreds of laws at once. It is like child's play. They really think that what they say follows the law and overthrow it. Start over, start customization?
Emperor Chongping nodded and said: "As Zi Yu said, to make a difference in foreign wars, you must work step by step and fight steadily. Zi Yuying also saw the memorial of Li Ge Lao. As far as you are concerned, Jizhen and Xuanfu , Is the number of troops deployed by Beiping still enough?"
Jia Heng said: "I think this force is enough to defend the city. As far as I know, the number of soldiers who defeated the country was only more than 100,000. But in the past, it was like being in an uninhabited land in the border town. Although our border soldiers There are many people, but they dare not go out of the city to fight in the field. The reason is that the soldiers have low combat effectiveness."
"According to the memorial, these are soldiers and horses recently recruited from Hebei and Shandong. The frontier troops have been sparse for a long time and will have no fighting spirit. I don't know if their combat power can be improved." Emperor Chongping said softly with worry in his eyes.
Jia Heng said: "Now we are on the defensive first, and when the time is right, we can adjust the troops in the border town. Otherwise, in the long run, military expenditures will be huge and we will not be able to make ends meet."
"What Zi Yu said is true. If we can pacify the Donglu, I, a big man, will not have to maintain such a large military equipment and waste money and food." Emperor Chongping said with deep sympathy, looking at the young man opposite him expectantly, and said: "Zi Yu, I still have to look at you."
It is a huge financial burden for Chen Han. Without this financial burden, Chen Han can go into battle with ease. Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, I have been actively preparing for war recently and strive to pacify the Donglu as soon as possible."
Perhaps because of what Jia Heng said, he felt a little like "time waits for no one". Emperor Chongping thought about it and said, "You are going to make preparations recently. You will go south to Yangzhou to rectify the salt affairs and recover the deficit. This time you will use troops." We have already prepared enough money, and this matter will not be discussed by the court, so as not to cause trouble in the city again."
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said, "I will go south to Huaiyang after I clean up some of the dirty tricks in the capital." Just as the monarch and his ministers were discussing the right course, the voice of the eunuch came from outside the palace, "The Queen has arrived."
Not long after, I saw Empress Song entering the palace, accompanied by a group of female officials. The beauty was plump and graceful, and her beautiful and well-maintained face showed no traces of time, and her beautiful neck was beautiful. Below is a low-cut light yellow palace dress. The large area of snow-white skin is covered with a layer of fine micro-sweat because it is summer. The makeup is smooth and crystal-clear. A crystal sweat drop fell into the deep valley and soaked the clothes.
"Zitong, are you here?" Emperor Chongping looked at Empress Song and called softly.
road.
Jia Heng quickly suppressed his unfocused gaze, saluted the graceful and gorgeous Empress of Song, and said with cupped hands, "I have seen the empress, and she is a thousand years old."
Empress Song looked at Jia Heng. Under Chunshan's black eyebrows, her beautiful eyes were charming. She smiled softly, with dimples appearing on her fair-skinned face, and said, "Ziyu is excused from the ceremony. What did Ziyu say to your majesty?"
Jia Heng said: "The Holy Father just mentioned something about the minister's court."
Emperor Chongping looked at Empress Song and said, "Zitong, call up Xianning and Concubine Rong. Let's have lunch together later. It's not easy for Ziyu to stay after he returns to the capital."
Since he is his own son-in-law, he should have a family dinner. Empress Song chuckled and said, "I originally meant this too."
With that said, he ordered Xia Shouzhong on the side to call Princess Xianning and Concubine Rong.
Empress Song sat down, with a trace of thought in her beautiful eyes under her beautiful eyebrows, and said softly: "What have Ziyu been busy with in the past few days since he returned to Beijing?"
Jia Heng looked at the peach-like beauty across from him and replied honestly: "Back to my wife, I haven't been busy with anything. I have sacrificed my ancestors for the promotion, reunited with my family, and then went to the Yamen. Asking questions."
In desperation, he helped Emperor Chongping and accidentally touched the sensitive part of the beauty in front of him. With the respect of the queen and her mother, let alone the back of her hand, had never been touched by anyone other than the emperor. ?
But he couldn't always forget this matter.
Empress Song nodded her head and said with a chuckle: "Ziyu left earlier for several months. When he comes back, he should reunite with his family."
As she spoke, Queen Song looked at the young man opposite her with soft and flowing eyes under her beautiful eyebrows, and asked with a sweet smile: "I heard from the palace maid yesterday that you went to see Xianning?"
Hearing the mention of Princess Xianning, Jia Heng looked a little unnatural and explained, "Well, I talked to His Highness Xianning for a while. I haven't seen her for a while since Kaifeng. Your Highness is even more charming than before."
Speaking of this, I can't help but think of the slender legs covered with fishnet stockings from before...
Empress Song smiled and said, "Xianning is in Henan this time, so you have to worry a lot."
Jia Heng said: "I don't dare to say this like a queen. Your Highness also helped me a lot."
Just as a few people were talking, the voice of the inner prison suddenly came from outside the palace. Princess Xianning and Imperial Concubine Duanrong came, and there was also one person, the gentle-faced princess of Qinghe Princess Li Chanyue.
Princess Xianning was wearing a green dress with wide sleeves. She was tall and beautiful. She walked into the palace and saluted Emperor Chongping and the Empress of Song Dynasty. Her voice was as clear and sweet as a flying spring and flowing jade, and she said: "I have seen my father. After my mother’s death.”
Imperial Concubine Duanrong and the young princess came forward and saluted Emperor Chongping and Empress Song. Empress Song smiled, stretched out her hand and said, "Xianning, come and sit here."
Princess Xianning nodded, called out, and then sat down on the embroidered pier beside Queen Song. Her clear and crystal eyes fell on the face of the young man in the python suit.
Concubine Duanrong glanced at Jia Heng, her beautiful eyes twinkling under her curved eyebrows, her thoughts inexplicable.
Yesterday, I heard from the palace maid that Jia Ziyu went to Xianning's palace. After asking about it later, it turned out that it was His Majesty who asked Jia Ziyu to go. Your Majesty, it's true. The two of them are not yet married, but they are so close to each other. Are you not afraid of doing something inappropriate? Queen Song smiled and asked, "Sister, why don't you see Ze'er?"
Concubine Duanrong's clear eyes were as full as water, and she said softly: "Wei'er and Ze'er listened to lectures by bachelors from Hongwen Hall and Hanlin Academy. Your Majesty, I am thinking that Ze'er is not young anymore. Should I hire a separate teacher for him?" "
Chen Han has always attached great importance to the education of princes. For example, in the Tang Dynasty, he established the Hongwen Museum as a teaching school for the emperor's relatives and the children of meritorious officials. The former Xianning princess and the young princess studied in it.
And when the prince is a little older, for example, when he reaches eight years old, he will specially ask Hanlin to teach him.
Emperor Chongping nodded and said: "Since Concubine Rong has this intention, she asked the Hanlin Academy and the Imperial College to send over the list. You and I will discuss it and select virtuous and upright people to teach Zeer's knowledge."
Ze'er is talented, kind and wise, so he needs to pay attention to education. Concubine Duanrong chuckled.
"I would like to thank you, Your Majesty."
Seeing this scene, Empress Song smiled slightly, glanced at Emperor Chongping, and said, "Sister, the weather is warm today. Ze'er will be born in a few days. How do you want to celebrate Ze'er's birthday?"
Concubine Duanrong said softly: "He is a child, so it would be too grand, and it would ruin his luck. He can just simply celebrate in the palace."
Emperor Chongping said: "Concubine Rong is right in saying that we should not be arrogant, but should be frugal."
After a while, the palace people presented a variety of dishes, fruits and vegetables, cups, bowls, chopsticks and plates, arranging a mahogany table with a dazzling array of items. Empress Song and Concubine Duanrong sat down with Emperor Chongping on the left and right.
Jia Heng, Princess Xianning, and Princess Qinghe sat down one after another. Well, not one on the left and one on the right.
Emperor Chongping put down his chopsticks and looked at the young man with a clear face who was sitting upright. His eyes were a little gentler and he said, "Ziyu, you seem to have lost a lot of weight during this time than before you left the capital. Eat more later."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern." Jia Heng quickly put down his chopsticks, looked at Emperor Chongping and said, "The same goes for Your Majesty, please take care of your dragon body and don't work too hard."
Princess Xianning said in a clear voice: "Father, when I was in Kaifeng, in order to rush to repair the river embankment, I ate and lived on the river embankment. In order to meet the construction deadline, I even went to the embankment to carry earth and rocks myself. When it came time to fight the flood, I forgot to eat and sleep. "
Emperor Chongping said with emotion: "I also know about this. The dike along the Yellow River in Henan is dilapidated but not under the Nanhe River. Thanks to Ziyu's early repairs, there was no big trouble."
This is why those civil servants did not know his intention to reward the first-class uncle for his merits.
Listening to the discussion between Emperor Chongping and his daughter, Concubine Duanrong couldn't help but raise her clear, crystal-like eyes, and the cold look in the eyes of the young man in the python suit also dissipated a lot.
From a real point of view, apart from having a family, this son-in-law is indeed worthy of Xianning in terms of talent and character. Empress Song smiled and said, "Ziyu is still young now. He just needs to have a good rest when he comes back this time."
After having a meal with Emperor Chongping and Concubine Duanrong, Jia Heng said goodbye and left the palace without staying any longer. "Mr. Xiao Jia."
Walking quickly along the palace road with high vermilion eaves, Jia Heng heard a voice calling from behind him. Looking back, he saw that it was Li Chanyue, the princess of Qinghe County, accompanied by four female officials.
Li Chanyue's eyebrows were a little timid, and a blush appeared on her fair and snowy cheeks. She said in a thin voice, "Mr. Xiao Jia, I...I am also leaving the palace."
This man was so frivolous towards her yesterday that she couldn't sleep well last night, and he didn't even look at her while eating just now.
Jia Heng smiled and said, "It happens to be on our way, let's go together."
The little princess is quite interesting. She was taken advantage of yesterday, and now she comes to her door. The feelings of a girl are always poetry, that's probably the case.
Li Chanyue's face was beautiful, she pursed her lips, and said "Hmm" softly, and followed Jia Heng on the palace road with high red walls. It was the midsummer day, and the heat was scorching. The two of them walked quickly, walking Near the palace gate, I finally saw a shade of tree.
Jia Heng stood still, looked at the little princess who had red cheeks and beads of sweat on her temples and forehead, and said softly: "Chanyue, it's such a hot day, why don't you hold an umbrella to protect yourself from the sun?"
After saying that, he picked up a handkerchief, handed it over, and said warmly: "Wipe the sweat on your face, don't get a heatstroke."
The little princess thanked her, took the handkerchief, and gently wiped the sweat on her cheeks. Facing the young man's gentle gaze, a sweetness surged in her heart. She pinched the handkerchief and whispered softly: "Mr. Jia, the handkerchief is dirty. I’ll clean it up and give it to you later.”
Jia Heng said softly: "Just keep it."
Generally speaking, the handkerchiefs he sent out were rarely taken back.
"Chanyue, is your mother still at home?" Jia Heng raised his eyes, looked at the carriage coming from the stables at the palace gate, and asked.
"Ah?" The little princess was stunned for a moment. She didn't know why, but she felt a little depressed in her heart. She said softly, "It's been hot these days. My mother has been reading at home to cool off. Yesterday she said she would go to Xishan to escape the heat."
Jia Heng said softly: "Well, I'll go see your mother later."
"Oh." When Li Chanyue heard this, she frowned and clutched the handkerchief given by Jia Heng. She had complicated thoughts. How could this young Mr. Jia... speak like an elder?
After a while, the female official drove the carriage from the eldest princess's palace over. Li Chanyue lifted the curtain and got into the carriage. However, she was stunned as soon as she entered the carriage, and saw the young man following closely behind, also holding up the curtain and entering the carriage.
"What's wrong, Mr. Jia?" Li Chanyue stared at the young man and said in surprise.
Jia Heng said matter-of-factly: "The sun is shining brightly outside and it's a little hot. Chanyue, you don't mind if I come in, right?" Li Chanyue: "...."
You've already come in, now ask her if she minds?
As the carriage turned, the breeze from both sides blew in along the bamboo curtains and hit the face, which was quite cool.
Li Chanyue was lowering her eyelids and stirring the handkerchief with both hands. Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat. It was clear that the young man in python suit sitting opposite was coming over. The girl couldn't help but feel uneasy. She moved slightly to the edge, her pink lips twitched, and she had nothing to say. He said: "My cousin said that Mr. Jia is going to Yangzhou?"
Jia Heng turned to look at the pretty girl and said, "I'm going on a trip. When I come back, I'll bring some local Yangzhou specialties to Chan Yue. What do you want, Chan Yue?"
With that said, Zhuangji naturally took Li Chanyue's delicate hand. In his case, the guide was a saved game, and you could continue the operation according to the last progress bar.
Li Chanyue's delicate body trembled slightly, as if she was electrocuted. She wanted to pull her hand away, but saw that the young man's grip was a little tight, so she had to put it down temporarily. Her cheeks were red with shame, and her voice was trembling a little, and she said, "Mr. Jia, don't go to that trouble. I don’t want anything.”
"When we get to Yangzhou, I'll buy you two things." Jia Heng said softly.
Seeing this, Li Chanyue couldn't refuse this kind offer anymore.
Jia Heng leaned close to the girl's ear and whispered: "After Chanyue went back yesterday, did you miss me?"
Li Chanyue felt the tingling sensation coming from her ears. Her cheeks turned red and her delicate body trembled slightly. She quickly turned her pretty face to the side, and even her earlobes seemed to be red with embarrassment. She said in a trembling voice: "Mr. Xiao Jia, Don't...don't mess around."
She didn't want to, he always bullied her when he got the chance.
However, at this moment, she saw a shadow approaching, and her lips softened. Immediately, a dizzy feeling like falling from the clouds hit the girl's body and mind.
After a while, I felt that the young man reached into his clothes again.
Li Chanyue held Jia Heng down and said with a mixture of embarrassment and anger: "Mr. Xiao Jia..."
Jia Heng gently retracted his hand, looked at the shy-looking girl, and said softly: "I just saw that you were so hot that you were sweating, so I helped you wipe it." It was indeed sweaty.
Li Chanyue: "???" Aren't you sweating?
Looking at the stunned girl, Jia Heng stretched out his hand and gently put his arm around the girl's shoulders, and said warmly: "Chanyue, I've been a little busy these days. When you have some free time, let's go play outside the city. I remember you like hunting. , seems to be able to pull a five-six-dou bow."
"Mr. Xiao Jia, how do you know?" When Li Chanyue heard this, her face paused slightly and her eyes were slightly surprised.
Jia Heng said softly: "Have you forgotten? We didn't know each other at that time outside the city. You said firing two stone bows is nothing."
Li Chanyue was brought into memory by Jia Heng's words. After a while, a complex feeling arose deep in her heart, and she faintly said: "It's been so long... Mr. Jia still remembers."
Mr. Xiao Jia still remembers what she said when he first met her. Jia Heng said: "Actually, I remember a lot of what Chan Yue said."
Hearing this, Li Chanyue raised her eyes to look at the young man, her gloomy brows already looking a little lost in thought.
"I didn't speak much to Chan Yue before, just a few words, but I don't know why, but when I think about it, it feels like it was yesterday." Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said softly.
Li Chanyue's heart was shaken, listening to the young man's calm words, in fact, she was too.
I tossed and turned all night long and didn't sleep. My mind was filled with the scenes of talking to Mr. Jia in the past. I don't know why, but my memory was so clear.
It turns out that Mr. Xiao Jia is like this too?
Jia Heng gently held Li Chanyue's bare hand and said softly: "Chanyue, wait a minute."
When we're free, let's go hunting together. "
Li Chanyue softly said "hmm", pursed her lips, and said softly: "Let's wait until the weather gets cooler. It's been very hot these days." Jia Heng took the girl's jade hand and said warmly: "Then I Wipe Chanyue's sweat again."
"Huh? Hmm~" Li Chanyue was stunned for a moment, so she had to close her eyes and let the young man do what he did.
Jia Heng was getting intimate, and before he knew it, the carriage finally stopped in front of the eldest princess's house in Jinyang. Jia Heng and the shy Li Chanyue got out of the carriage.
