Yanyuan Yamen
Jia Heng and Daiyu sat down. Daiyu sat next to Lin Ruhai, occasionally picking up dishes and putting them in her father's bowl. She was obviously in a good mood, but she didn't peek at Jia Heng much.
Obviously he took Jia Heng's previous instructions to heart. The three of them chatted over dishes and tea.
Lin Ruhai raised her eyes to look at the young man opposite, and laughed and said, "Ziyu had previously sent someone to invite Mr. Qi Ge, and Mr. Qi Ge had agreed to meet him. We will meet him later.
Qi Kun is currently living in a post house. Because Jia Heng wants to avoid the eyes and ears of salt merchants, it is difficult for him to visit him.
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Then I'll wait for him in the Xuan room later.
Coincidentally, at this moment, the old servant from outside came to report that Qi Kun, the cabinet scholar, came.
Daiyu collected her bright eyes with clear water, stood up Yingying, her heart still immersed in the joy and sweetness just now, and said softly: "Dad, you and Brother Heng are visiting, I will go back to the room first."
Lin Ruhai nodded. Although he didn't know where the joy in his daughter's eyebrows came from, she still said with a kind smile, "Yu'er, go."
Jia Heng nodded towards Daiyu and winked at the girl... I'll look for you later.
Daiyu understood Jia Heng's meaning, but felt a sense of shame in her heart. Her father was still watching from the side... She didn't dare to stay any longer, and accompanied by Zijuan and Xiren, she returned to the wing.
Jia Heng looked at Daiyu's leaving back, picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and concealed his eyes.
The light was hidden, staring at the ripples on the tea cup, and I couldn't help but think about it.
It is conceivable that Daiyu will be a little more troublesome than before. Before the kiss, he could still feel hot and cold.
After that, he and Daiyu gradually entered a period of passionate love, and they were bound to be baptized by Lin Daodong.
As for Daiyu's character, he thinks it won't change. If it changes, it won't be Daiyu anymore, but there will still be some changes after getting used to it.
But unlike Baochai, Daiyu has some love-mindedness, and if she is too affectionate, she will be attracted to her.
Just as he was thinking about this, a servant outside reported that Qi Kun, the cabinet scholar, had led his retinue to the door, and Lin Ruhai hurriedly went to greet him.
As for Jia Heng, he went to the Xuan room first and waited with a cup of fragrant tea.
After a while, Qi Kun and Lin Ruhai entered the pavilion while exchanging greetings, and looked at the young man sitting on the chair, his face as calm as an abyss, quietly drinking tea.
Jia Heng put down the tea cup, looked at Qi Kun, bowed his hands and said: "Old Qi Ge, we are separated from each other in Beijing, and our style is even more impressive."
Even worse than before.
Qi Kun looked at the young man opposite him and returned the gesture, saying, "Uncle Yong Ning is becoming more and more heroic."
Lin Ruhai smiled and said: "Ziyu has only been in Yangzhou for a few days. Previously, he was thinking about the military secretaries and was reorganizing the army in the Jiangbei camp."
A few people exchanged pleasantries, sat down, and started talking.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment, and instead of testing Shui Yu in advance, he said directly: "Mr. Qi Ge, I have an edict.
As he spoke, he took out a memorial from his sleeve.
When Qi Kun heard this, his heart was shaken. He quickly left his seat and stood up, saying politely: "Your Majesty, Qi Kun, respectfully greets you."
Because it was a secret message, and it was for me, Lin Ruhai was stunned for a moment. Instead of kneeling down to salute, he cupped his hands in the direction of Shenjing, and then watched Jia Heng and Qi Kun conspiring with each other, feeling slightly surprised.
Shouldn't we discuss it carefully? Why did you ask for an oracle?
"Holy Holy Gong," Jia Heng said loudly, reciting the words above: "The salt affairs in Yangzhou have been postponed for a long time, which is harmful rather than beneficial to state affairs. Now the Minister of Military Aircraft, Yongning Bo Jia Heng, went south to Yangzhou to supervise the salt inspection. Regarding the malpractice cases and the innovation and creation matters, I hope that Qi Qing will consult with Yongning Boduo and prepare for the trial implementation of the innovative salt method. The Yin Feng imperial treasury appreciates this."
Upon hearing this, Qi Kun's expression changed, and he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, Qi Kun, I sincerely obey the Holy Instructions."
Jia Heng said: "Master Qi, this is a secret edict. On the surface, Master Qi is still responsible for the reform of the Salt Law. Jia is mainly responsible for eliminating the accumulated abuses."
I didn’t want to test it, so I just took the lead, and I had a plan that also needed Qi Kun’s help.
Qi Kun took the memorial at this time, read the text on it, and asked in a pleased tone: "Your Majesty is determined to abolish the law of salt." He had already had this intention, and those salt merchants and relatives embezzled salt. It is profitable and has to be done without rectification.
Jia Heng said: "The profits from the salt tax fell into the hands of female businessmen. Earlier, Mr. Qi Ge sent people to check the tax balance of the Huaihe Transportation Department over the years. There was a fire in the Salt Transportation Department, and the account books and documents were reduced to ashes. , Holy Master Long Yan was furious, thinking that one of the women must be cheating, and at the same time, he was deeply disgusted with their evil deeds."
Qi Kun's face paused slightly, and he looked at the young man with a solemn face opposite him, and asked, "I don't know what Uncle Yong Ning's advice is?"
He was not doing his job well and was replaced by the emperor in Beijing.
"This matter cannot be separated from Mr. Qi's preparation. No matter what method is used in the world, the system of diverting the shore is about to rotten wood and has been deposed." After Jia Heng took the lead in the matter, he instead asked Qi Kun. Much gentler attitude.
Originally, Qi Kun was wanted to attract the salt merchant's attention from the front, but due to the salt merchant's compromise, some changes occurred.
Qi Kun said: "The system of specializing in diverting merchants to the shore is unsustainable. It is better to follow the previous method of Ming and Kaizhong, integrating border affairs and salt affairs into one, working on both sides, and supporting government affairs.
Lin Ruhai saw this scene and remained silent.
"The Kaizhong Dharma has been implemented recently. If we don't recruit people to establish trading camps in the border areas, how can merchants gather in response when they see that there is no profit? Besides, there has been a severe drought in the north in recent years, and refugees are everywhere. How can we colonize the fields?" Jia Heng asked road.
Qi Kun said: "But there are always ways to do this, and it is really urgent now."
Jia Heng smiled and said: "Mr. Qi Ge, let's not worry about this for now. No matter what method is used, all these marrow-sucking beetles in the country must be wiped out."
There is one thing about the state-owned salt industry that is criticized by current scholars. It is a state monopoly and competes with the people for profits.
Since there must be differences with Qi Kun, then don't bring it up for the time being and slowly make him accept it.
When Qi Kun heard this, he did not ask further questions. Instead, he pondered for a moment and then asked another question: "Uncle Yongning also wants to investigate the deficit of the Transportation Department?"
Jia Heng looked at Qi Kun calmly and asked, "Isn't Mr. Qi Ge like this before?"
Qi Kun looked solemn and said: "Yunsi has suffered losses year after year, and the number is huge. However, these salt merchants operate in salt provinces, prefectures, prefectures and counties. They are involved in many provinces, prefectures and counties, and it is difficult to return. Now they are obstructing the reform of the salt law." Shenjing. Uncle Yongning was sent here to investigate and rectify the misconduct of women. Presumably, it was also to deal with the fire in the archives of the Salt Transportation Department. He really could not investigate this case, and the Imperial Court Jinyi had to intervene.
It just so happened that the weather was changing, bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new. Only after the Yangzhou salt merchants who were clinging to the old system were cleaned up could the new salt policy be implemented.
In fact, if Jia Heng came here at the beginning of the year, Qi Kun would even be disgusted. However, after a battle of wits and courage with a group of salt merchants, he has changed his mind and now just wants to open up the situation earlier to complete the situation. The salt method was reformed and returned to Shenjing.
Jia Heng said: "The Holy One knows that this matter is difficult, so he sent me here to supervise the matter."
These things still need to be told to Qi Kun. Only in this way can he cooperate and coordinate actions.
Upon hearing this, Qi Kun frowned and asked, "What are Uncle Yongning's plans?"
The young man in front of him has always been known for his resourcefulness, and he has investigated many difficult cases in the capital.
Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "Master Qi will argue with those salt merchants first. After a while, when Jinyi has made progress, Master Qi can threaten the salt merchants about the fire in the transportation department, ask for help from Jinyi, and test their intentions. trend."
Regarding the possible collusion between the salt merchants and the Jurchens, there is no concrete evidence yet. When there is evidence, it will be a different level of issue, but these cannot be disclosed to Qi Kun yet.
Qi Kun thought for a while, nodded, and said, "That's it." Jia Heng turned to ask, "How far has Mr. Qi Ge's interrogation reached in the previous case of reselling official grain from the Ministry of Revenue?"
Qi Kun's face turned gloomy and said: "After interrogation of this case, Pan Ruxi did not know anything about it. His grandson Pan Xiangdong conspired with Qian Shuwen, the Minister of Household Affairs, Kuang Shisheng, the Minister of Cangchang, and a group of household officials. The files here,
The interrogation speech was prepared in detail and was about to be sent to Shenjing. "
"The Holy One has made it clear that this case will be thoroughly investigated to the end. It will not be done in vain." Jia Heng nodded and said, "Now, the long-standing shortcomings in the salt affairs have been eliminated and the new is ushered in.
Most of the people in the imperial court are paying attention to Yangzhou. In addition, Mr. Qi also wants to sing a double act with me. "
"Oh?" Qi Kun asked in surprise.
Jia Heng spoke slowly, while Qi Kun sometimes frowned and sometimes relaxed, saying, "In this case, they are arguing about us, or they are thinking of sitting on a mountain and watching the fight between tigers."
The discord between Qi Dang and Jia Heng was known to the world. "That's exactly what I mean." Jia Heng said.
The two discussed the details, and then Qi Kun said goodbye. Jia Heng watched Hai send Qi Kun out of the salt courtyard, put down the tea cup, and looked at Lin Ruhai and Qi Kun outside.
The rain and fog were in a trance.
"Sir." With a steady voice, Liu Jixian, the governor of the North Town of Jinyi Mansion, strode into the pavilion from the outside and said to the young man who was standing with his hands behind his back, cupping his fists.
Jia Heng turned around, looked at Liu Jixian, and asked, "What's the progress?"
When he learned from Chen Xiao that the Jurchens had sneaked into Yangzhou, he asked Liu Jixian to send people to investigate the news about the Jurchen enemies and the Jinsha Gang.
Liu Jixian whispered: "The Jurchens are hiding without a trace. They stick to the strategy of not alerting the snakes, so they can only inquire in secret. They haven't found a place to stay yet, but they have got some information about the Jinsha Gang. Jia Heng looked at Liu Jixian , wait for his words.
"The Chongmingsha gang of smuggling Jinsha gang,
There are three to four thousand people, many of whom are boatmen and sailors. They are drifting on the sea and have no fixed bandit nest. They have been doing smuggling business in recent years. The government has not done enough to suppress smuggling, so they simply turned a blind eye or closed one eye. Now the situation has become much stronger. . Liu Jixian said.
Smuggling is rampant along the coast. These pirates, who own ships and wander around, think that with strong economic strength, they can support thugs and boatmen, and the number of three to four thousand people can even accomplish many great things.
In fact, this is also the reason why Duduo wants the Jinsha Gang to be more powerful in Huaiyang and other places. He wants to mess up Chen and Han from the south, and the chaos in the southeast will make the Han court's tax sources unstable, making things worse.
Jia Heng frowned, with a cold look in his eyes, and said, "So many people? What have the Coastal Navy, Guards, and Inspection Inspectors been doing all these years? How could they allow them to gather and robber like they are today?"
Liu Jixian said: "Captain, the coastal defense has been in disrepair for a long time.
In the past two days, many official and military warships were even inferior to those of smugglers and smugglers.
Hurry, if the governor wants to wipe out the pirates, he can only rely on the coastal guards and navy alone. There is a limit to what he can do. There are warships in Jiangning Mansion, and there are also ships in the Jiangnan Palace. "In that case, I have to go to Jinling." Jia Heng said solemnly. road. "Where is the artillery weapon? Is there any news?" Jia Heng asked. Liu Jixian said: "According to what Hao Jing said, then
The red-haired ghost
■, Jiasanhongqi was initially unwilling to provide artillery barrel technology, but when he learned that the master was in charge, he also said that he could bring in craftsmen to help me build the cannon, but he needed an interview with the master. "
Jia Heng's original order to Zhao Yi and Xu Tingye, the ordnance supervisor, was to purchase artillery, learn the technology, and preferably introduce a production line. The former was easy to say, purchasing a small number of artillery was not a big problem, but the latter was actually very difficult and required recruitment. Master craftsman.
All this attracted the attention of a Portuguese aristocratic official in Haojing who was also the local governor. Later, he heard that it was Uncle Yongning of the Han Dynasty, a nobleman who controlled military aircraft, and wanted to talk to Jia Heng.
The purpose was nothing more than maritime trade and establishing Portugal's leasehold status in Haojing.
During the Jiajing period of the former Ming Dynasty, the Portuguese bribed local officials in Guangdong. After Chen Han established the country, they were busy with the southern and northern wars and fighting against the remaining Ming forces. They did not care about Haojing. These Portuguese gradually gathered in Haojing and stole the Han territory.
Later, Portugal defeated the Netherlands in a naval battle, and now the problem has become increasingly complicated.
Jia Heng frowned, and for a moment felt that there were many things involved. His face paused slightly, and he whispered: "After I finish the business here, I will go there in person."
There are really a lot of things to do, because of the Yangzhou salt affairs, but there are still a lot of things to deal with. In comparison, rectifying the salt affairs is much simpler. While the two were talking, Lin Ruhai also came in from outside.
Come, enter the pavilion, see the two people talking, and ask: "Ziyu, are you talking?"
Jia Heng smiled and asked, "We've finished talking, uncle, are you sending us away?"
Lin Ruhai nodded, sat down and said, "We are seeing you off. Mr. Qi Ge plans to go to the salt field tomorrow, and I will go with him." Jia Heng thought for a while and told him, "Then uncle, I will pay for some extra guards." Give my uncle a hundred brocade robes and cavalry to secretly protect my uncle.
Lin Ruhai smiled and said softly: "That's not necessary, there are salt guards escorting you in the salt courtyard, so there is no danger on the road.
Jia Heng said softly: "Uncle, don't refuse. We have to guard against those people."
Seeing this, Lin Ruhai couldn't refuse, so she could only silently accept the kindness.
After that, Jia Heng said a few words to Lin Ruhai, and then left the Xuan room without saying much and came to Daiyu's room.
At this moment, it is not yet late at night, it is still midnight, and the rainy night is miserable. The lanterns under the eaves are swaying in the summer wind, casting a circle of glowing light shadows.
Daiyu was sitting in the inner compartment, playing Go with Yuanyang.
The girl was currently wearing an aqua blue satin round-neck robe embroidered with bamboo leaves and plum blossoms and a white embroidered horse-faced skirt. The two of them were sitting opposite each other across a chessboard, holding a black hand in one hand and a white hand in the other, reflected in the bright lights.
Yuanyang is wearing a long dress of a lotus color, her hair is braided, she holds a chess piece in her hand, her duck egg face is as white as snow, and her few freckles are as beautiful as ever, and she also looks a bit playful.
"Uncle is here?" Zicuckoo called out quickly, with a smile on her face.
The two people who were playing chess put down their chess pieces and raised their eyes to look at the young man in a straight green shirt. There was a hint of shame and anger in his eyes.
At this moment, the group of hairpins looked around, and Jia Heng looked at no one. Instead, his eyes fell on the Go playing field and asked: "Are you two playing Go?"
Yuanyang looked at the young man with a smile on her face and asked, "Miss Lin just had a meal and played two games of chess. Master came over and told Miss Lin a story?"
In the past few days, Jia Heng would come back and tell Dai Yu this story, and the Yuanyang maids would sometimes listen in and listen to the young man telling his touching and pathos stories.
"No, I just came here to take a look." Jia Heng nodded, sat down, and took the tea cup from Zicuckoo.
Under Daiyu's smoky eyebrows, her starry eyes were shining, and she looked at the young man intently. She felt a little shy for a moment, and asked softly: "Brother Heng, have you finished meeting the guests?"
"Well, I've met, and we've finalized some things, and there's not much else.
What? Jia Heng stared at the girl with delicate and picturesque features, and said softly: "Go to the Jiangbei camp tomorrow and deal with some of the problems. We will go to Jinling the day after tomorrow."
Yangzhou is also very close to Jinling and can be reached in a short time. Originally, he wanted to get tired of Daiyu for a while, but he didn't realize it just now, but after thinking about it afterwards... he really couldn't stop. But Yuanyang was there, and no matter how shameless he was, it was hard for him to be intimate with Daiyu in front of Yuanyang.
Under Daiyu's smoky eyebrows, her starry eyes shone brightly, as if she were reflecting a human figure. She covered her mouth and chuckled, "Okay, that side of Jinling is also the ancestral home."
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Don't worry, sister, I have already made arrangements and let the news out in advance.
I will mention this matter when I go to Jiangbei Camp tomorrow, and I think the people in the dark will also take action.
At this time, Yuanyang Yingying stood up, looked at the young man with a smile, and said softly: "Master, talk to Miss Lin. I will prepare hot water for Miss Lin."
Jia Heng nodded, looked at Yuanyang with a bright smile, met the soft and loving eyes, and said softly: "Go."
Since coming to Yangzhou, it has been a while since I got tired of spending time with Yuanyang. After the mandarin ducks left, Zijuan also winked with Xueyan, and Xiren also left the wing for a while. In fact, it was Zijuan who was letting the wind blow outside. For a while, Jia Heng and Daiyu were the only two people left in the wing. Jia Heng sat down next to Daiyu, took Daiyu's bare hand, whispered in the girl's ear: "Sister, have you missed me?" In fact, it was quite inconvenient to be in Yangzhou Yanyuan Yamen, although Lin Ruhai would not enter her daughter's boudoir for nothing, but if
If you really saw him, he would probably be beaten out of the Yanyuan Yamen with a stick.
I regard you as a relative and friend, how can you do this? ! Her slender little hand fell into the young man's palm, Daiyu's delicate body trembled slightly, and she quickly lowered her head. Her flawless white jade cheeks were dyed crimson, as beautiful as the rosy clouds, and she pursed her shiny pink lips, which was completely inappropriate. .
Jia Heng stared at the jade earrings on the girl's petite earlobes and asked, "Sister, these earrings are very beautiful. Where did you buy them?"
Under Daiyu's eyebrows, her starry eyes are charming and her face is blushing.
Cheng Xia took a peek at the young man, held the handkerchief in one hand, and whispered, "Zicuckoo bought it."
Why are you asking her this so easily?
But deep down in my heart, I have a somewhat different experience than before, and I can’t say anything. Thinking of the young man in the past who always talked like everyone in the world, and suddenly asked you what jewelry you were wearing, I felt ridiculous, but there was always a strange feeling in my heart. Indescribable sweetness and joy.
Actually, this is called contrast...
Not only men like contrast, but women too.
Jia Heng held Daiyu's plain hand, which was slender, smooth and delicate, and asked softly: "When my sister was at home, did she choose all the jewelry she wore?"
"Well, not entirely. When I'm at home, I mostly wear whatever I buy. I don't usually choose jewelry." Daiyu seemed to be used to this state, and her voice gradually calmed down, but she still felt a little shy. .
Jia Heng took it out from his arms and gently unfolded the red cloth.
"This?" Daiyu looked at the young man in surprise and picked up a hairpin, not knowing why.
Jia Heng looked at the beautiful and picturesque face and said softly: "I want to give something to my sister, but I don't know what to give to my sister. Just this. My sister can see it every morning when she is dressing up."
I originally wanted to give a ring as a gift, but I remember that I gave it to Baochai. Baochai always wore it. Not a bracelet, I gave it to Yuanyang. When the two of them were playing chess, this scene might happen.
Daiyu said in surprise: "Hey, Sister Yuanyang's bracelet is so beautiful. It seems to be the same style as mine?"
So, these are all potential mines.
Bracelets, rings, hairpins, earrings, sachets, and more, these are the only things that can be given away.
Daiyu looked at the hairpin, her eyes filled with water, her heart filled with sweetness, and she whispered: "Brother Heng has given you something before, so why give me something again?
"Last time it was a birth ceremony, this time it's different." Jia Heng whispered, and suddenly whispered in Daiyu's ear: "It's a love gift." Daiyu heard this, her delicate body trembled slightly, her eyes Twitching slightly, I just thought of four words in my heart, the thing that defines love?
"Let me put it on my sister." Jia Heng said softly and picked up the hairpin.
"Yes." Daiyu said softly, lowering her head slightly, her eyes couldn't help but follow her. She saw that the white collar of the round-neck brocade robe complemented the neck, and the smooth chin looked orange and soft under the light.
Jia Heng picked up the hairpin and pinned it into Daiyu's bun. He then looked closely at the girl with airy bangs under Mingjie's forehead. Under those smoky eyebrows that looked like willows, her starry eyes were bright. Like a distant galaxy.
Her skin was as good as snow, with almost no blemishes visible, and her pink lips were glossy and shiny. The only possible problem was that the lines were a bit sharp and maybe not plump enough. Maybe she was shy, so she turned her face away slightly.
Jia Heng said, "I'll show my sister a mirror."
Daiyu responded with a "hmm" and looked at the young man with watery eyes. She took a mirror from the dressing table and handed it over. Daiyu lowered her eyes and saw in the mirror, between the girl's cloudy bun, the thin-winged butterflies with hanging hairpins were rippling gently, seeming to stir up the already turbulent inner lake every time.
"Brother Heng, eh~" Daiyu's beautiful face was filled with anger and joy. She raised her watery clear eyes and wanted to say something, but she saw the shadow approaching and her lips were pursed again.
Daiyu closed her starry eyes slightly, and the mirror in her hand was thoughtfully taken by the young man so as not to fall on the ground.
After coming here for a while, Daiyu was slightly breathless and her face was flushed. She was no longer able to cling to the young man's shoulder and said in a trembling voice: "Brother Heng, why are you...?"
As soon as she disagreed... she felt completely overwhelmed, but she didn't know why. She clearly felt that it was inappropriate to be so intimate all the time, and she couldn't refuse her every time.
Jia Heng's warm eyes looked at Daiyu, whose starry eyes were evasive, and whispered: "I can't help myself. My sister will forgive me, right?"
How should I put it, Daiyu's jerky and coy attitude during the skin-to-skin kiss was a little special, a specialness that he had never felt before, and it was difficult to describe it in words.
Daiyu: "...·."
He glanced at the young man angrily, lowered his head, and pursed his glossy cherry lips. After a while, he calmed down and casually picked up the topic: "Brother Heng, what do you want to say about the salt affairs?" of?"
Jia Heng said softly: "We have some plans and have discussed them with Mr. Qi Ge. I think there will be results soon."
In the past few days, he traveled between Yangzhou Yanyuan Yamen and Jiangbei Camp, and he didn't go anywhere else. He thought that he could calm down the Yangzhou salt merchants.
Daiyu said "Yes", thought for a while, and asked in a low voice: "I just asked about Sister Yuanyang. She said that her family members are all looking at houses in Jinling?"
Along the way, she also saw some things and had some guesses in her mind.
