In the wing room
When the trembling sound of Zicuckoo came from outside, the two people who were immersed in the chasing game were startled.
This is dad, no good...
Dai Yufang's heart was in a state of confusion, and she quickly opened her starry eyes, meeting those clear eyes that caught a hint of panic, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of shame and annoyance in her heart.
Jia Heng quickly left Daiyu, but saw that under the bright lights, there was a crystalline thread that suddenly broke.
Jia Heng sat next to Xiudun, took the handkerchief, quickly and calmly wiped the rouge on his mouth, and whispered: "Sister, don't panic, I'll go take a look."
Daiyu looked at the young man, pursed her lips, and responded gently.
The blush on both sides of the girl's cheeks has turned into peach blossoms, and she is bright and beautiful. Her pair of bright starry eyes are hazy in the rain and mist, and her lips are moist and shimmering.
Jia Heng stood up, opened the bead curtain, faced Lin Ruhai who had come in from the outside, and asked first, "Uncle, is there something going on outside?"
"Ziyu, I have something to ask you." Lin Ruhai saw Jia Heng and immediately took a seat in the hall. He did not go to the back room where his daughter was, but there was a flash of doubt in his heart. How did Ziyu sleep with Yu'er? Come out of the wing?
Jia Heng's eyes were calm under his sharp eyebrows, and he said calmly: "I was about to go to the front office to visit. I just told my sister a bedtime story and said we would go to Jinling together in the next two days."
I almost got stuck in there just now. If my father catches me, I won't be able to hold my head up in the future.
"Go to Jinling? What did Yu'er say?" The trace of doubt in Lin Ruhai's heart disappeared. She looked at the boy in the python suit who was sitting upright, but she didn't doubt that he was there.
At this moment, Daiyu came out of the inner compartment, and her clear and sweet voice was faintly soft: "Daddy, did you call me?"
The girl is dressed in a bright dress, with a forehead as smooth as jade, spring mountain black eyebrows, clear eyes as soft as the water of Xiaoxiang, a delicate body, and a melon-like face, except for the slight blush on her cheeks. shape.
Lin Ruhai turned to look at her slim daughter and said warmly: "Yu'er, Ziyu may be busy with cases these two days, so don't pester Ziyu all day long."
Daiyu: "???"
Her heart skipped a beat, and her cheeks turned red again.
Does daddy know this? No, you didn’t let her make the decision, and you still said she was pestering Brother Heng?
"Ziyu, you don't have to tell Yu'er stories every day these days, don't delay important events." Lin Ruhai turned to look at Jia Heng, with a solemn look on his face, and warned.
Jia Heng told Daiyu stories after dinner these two days. Although he was happy that Jia Heng loved his daughter, he did not want Jia Heng to affect his official affairs because of Dai Yu.
The little girl pestered the adults to tell stories.
Jia Heng chuckled lightly and said, "Uncle, it doesn't matter. It's just a pastime after free time. It doesn't take up much time. Sometimes it's not Sister Lin who pesters me to tell stories." At this time, Daiyu finally woke up and realized she had misunderstood. She quickly lowered her head and held the handkerchief in her emerald green hands. Her anxiety subsided a little. She glanced at the boy in the python suit from the corner of her eye and saw that he was calm and calm, as if nothing had happened. A bit embarrassed.
Okay, so kissing her was just for fun?
Seeing Daiyu lowering her head and saying nothing, Lin Ruhai thought she was a little embarrassed for picking on her own daughter, but she didn't doubt him and said, "Just now, Princess Chu and Princess Beijing sent people to inquire about the situation and asked about Ziyu's Condition."
It turned out that Jia Hengguang sent Tiqi and Dasuo across the city, and the city of Yangzhou was full of storms. After Princess Zhen Qing heard about it, she quickly sent people to the brightly lit Yanyuan Yamen to inquire about the situation.
Jia Heng pondered and said: "I previously ordered the cavalry to block the ferry boats. The two princesses have to go to Jinling to visit relatives. I will write a note to them later."
Lin Ruhai nodded and said softly: "In addition, Mr. Qi Ge just came from the post house and said he wanted to see Zi Yu to discuss the salt affairs. He is waiting in the Xuan room right now."
Because Jia Heng was assassinated by the king of the captives, and the Yangzhou salt merchants were imprisoned and tortured, Qi Kun heard about Jia Heng in the inn.
I was a little shocked by the news, so I came to Yangzhou Yanyuan Yamen in person to inquire.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said warmly, "I'll go over and see him right now."
He turned to look at Daiyu, whose starry eyes were shining brightly, with a gentler gaze, and said softly: "Sister Lin, it's getting late, so you should rest early."
"Well, Brother Heng and Daddy should go and do some work." Daiyu suppressed her reluctant eyes and watched Jia Heng and Lin Ruhai leave.
Daiyu breathed a sigh of relief at this moment. She was sitting in a dignified and ladylike posture. At this moment, she was almost slumped on the pearwood chair. The bright face of Yushan, covered with snow, was as beautiful as the rising red clouds. My heart was pounding in my throat, it was too dangerous just now.
Zijuan was also in shock. She came closer and whispered: "Young lady and Uncle Heng just..."
Seeing the shame and annoyance, Daiyu and Liu Meixing said angrily, "Brother Heng can be quite naughty sometimes."
But every time he told her that he couldn't help but kiss her, and then he kissed her again and again in the past two days, there was nothing she could do.
Zijuan didn't know what nonsense Daiyu was talking about. After thinking about it, she asked in a low voice: "Girl, did Mr. Heng say anything about him?"
Daiyu's face was faint and she said softly: "Keep it secret for now, otherwise what will happen to you?"
How about it? "
If her father knew, it would be difficult for her and Brother Heng, a married man, to have an affair with each other.
Brother Keheng didn't say a word about the future, and she didn't know what he thought or what he could do.
In a side room of the official hall, in a pavilion, candlelight was bright, and a few wisps of hot air rose from the tea cup on the small table.
Qi Kun was already sitting in the reception room. The cabinet minister's face was gloomy and solemn, and he was assessing the impact of this case on Yangzhou Salt Affairs.
Because Qi Kun did not communicate with Jia Heng in advance, he did not know Jia Heng's views on the salt affairs. However, as time passed, it was also revealed from Yangzhou salt merchants that Jia Heng disapproved of the Kaizhong method.
Suddenly, he heard the sounds of chaotic footsteps outside, and saw Lin Ruhai walking into the official hall accompanied by a young man in a python suit.
"Uncle Yongning." Qi Kun stood up, looked at Jia Heng, and asked, "I just heard from Brother Ruhai that Uncle Yongning was assassinated by Donglu in Huanhua Tower."
Jia Heng nodded, took a seat, and said: "Mr. Qi Ge, Duduo, the fifteenth brother of the slave chief, led a group of personal guards pretending to be assassins and wanted to assassinate me. I was injured and he is still escaping. , Jinyi Tiqi and the cavalry are searching for this animal."
Worried that Qi Kun didn't know the importance of Duduo, he said: "Duduo is a man who is good at fighting and resourceful. He made great contributions in the battle to found the country of Donglu. Now he thinks he can and goes deep into our territory. This is the opportunity to get rid of this beast." !」
Qi Kun said: "I have also heard about Duduo."
Jia Heng stared at the middle-aged official opposite and asked, "Does Mr. Qi Ge know this person?"
In ancient dynasties, not all officials knew about the affairs of soldiers and captives. "According to what the border generals said, Duduo was very brave when he entered the Guan and invaded the south. He always fought first in every battle. He was famous in Jizhen, Xuanhua and other places. Now it is not surprising that he is brave enough to take risks. "Qi Kun looked at the young man opposite and said, "He assassinated Uncle Yong Ning. Presumably he thought that Uncle Yong Ning would be a personal trouble in the future and wanted to eliminate it in advance." In this way, the young man in front of him is indeed a specialist in dealing with prisoner affairs. .
This kind of affirmation from the enemy is undoubtedly more convincing.
Jia Heng pondered: "There are salt merchants Ma Xianjun and others inside to deliver news to them. These merchants have long been secretly colluding with Donglu smugglers through maritime trade. According to the account of the Mongolian guards around Duduo, among the Yangzhou salt merchants There are merchants delivering news to him."
In fact, it may not be the message delivered by Ma Xianjun, but it doesn't matter. No one cares about it anymore. Anyway, as long as the two are involved in trade smuggling, it is a taboo.
Qi Kun hesitated and asked, "Will this matter affect Yangzhou Salt Affairs?"
Jia Heng said: "Mr. Qi Ge, there is no need to worry. The salt affairs have nothing to do with it. However, the chief of Donglu was assassinated in Yangzhou Mansion and fled. It seems that there is no one in the country. It is because of the neglect of river defense. I plan to ask the Holy Lord Go up to the dredging and organize the two camps south of the Yangtze River and north of the Yangtze River.
, re-examined and sorted out Jiang Fang, and asked Lao Qi Ge to jointly write the title. "
Because the land of Huainan at this time is a salt area, there is a three-level defense system under the Dusiwei command: the Inspection Department and the Fenghou. In addition, there are three defenses at Chugang, Miaowan, and Dongtai at the entrance to the sea.
Qi Kun said: "This needs to be negotiated with the Jinling Ministry of War." After thinking for a while, he asked: "Today's salt merchants are colluding with the Donglu. I think it is not an exception. It can be seen that it is urgent to abolish the system of exclusive merchants to divert the shore."
Since Jia Heng had already taken the lead in salt affairs after Jia Heng requested the order the day before yesterday, Qi Kun thought about it and wanted to ask for his opinion. Jia Heng said: "The disadvantages of monopolizing merchants to divert the land to the shore are very serious, but the method of opening up China may not be without its disadvantages. Let's not talk about occupying nests. Let's just say that the border army pays a huge amount of food every year. The merchants transport rice to the north, which is very costly, and there is no fertile land in the merchant villages. They may not be willing to transport food even if they are plowable, and the border troops are involved in training. It is not possible to combine the two things together to cure the disease and achieve immediate results."
"The frontier army has been reorganized by several military aircraft and has reduced many soldiers who are too busy." Qi Kun said.
Jia Heng said: "The number of regular troops on the books is reduced, but how much combat power can be retained? This year or next spring, if the Eastern invaders invade, if there is a police force, can they resist it? These are all between two choices. If the bandits and bandits jump across the border and invade, their border generals will be short of troops, and the border troops will have to reduce their number of troops, so there will be no chance of repeated attacks."
Finally, it was discovered that after the disarmament, the frontier generals were in ruins, saying that there were no sufficient troops to fight the enemy in the field, so the reduction of the frontier army this time was a failure. He felt that the so-called rectification of Nan'an County Prince and Zhongjing Marquis was probably just a gust of wind.
Fortunately, there is still the deterrence of the Beijing camp, otherwise, no matter how to rectify the border troops, you will not be ignored at all.
Jia Heng said: "Since the external affairs are uncertain, and the salt affairs are like duckweeds with nothing to rely on, how can we make progress?"
Qi Kun was shocked, and after a moment, he asked: "Uncle Yong Ning is the privy councilor of the military, what is his advice?
Jia Heng slowly opened his mouth and said: "The new salt system is out of date and needs to be discussed. Of course, regardless of the new system now, the top priority is to recover the deficit of the Salt Transportation Department and reset the system. We can clean it up in the future. What do you think, Mr. Qi Ge, when we invite guests to the house again?"
Putting aside the dispute for the time being, we first recovered the deficit of the Salt Transportation Department. With the money, we would have the confidence to rebuild an army, go to great lengths to replace the border troops, or bribe the generals in the border towns.
This is Jia Heng’s version of using salt to help others.
Qi Kun chewed on Jia Heng's words of "clean the house before we treat guests", and he felt something vaguely clear in his heart. He sighed and said, "Then let's do this first."
Clean the house, then who is the dirt, it can only be the salt merchant!
Lin Ruhai watched this scene quietly and looked at the boy in the python suit, feeling a little emotional in his heart. He was really terrible.
In the Zhen family manor--
In the garden hall in the backyard, Zhen Qing had just finished taking a bath. She had changed into a long red dress, and her green hair was tied into a majestic bun on her head. However, this woman's face was not round and round, and her sharp eyebrows were not reduced. Every cent.
The increasingly round and crisp millstone sat on the chair. Under the willow eyebrows, a pair of piercing phoenix eyes looked at the grandmother not far away and said, "What did you say over there?"
"Mr. Lin from Yangzhou Yanyuan said that Uncle Yongning was not seriously injured. Instead, he was the king of the captives who was assassinated. He was seriously injured and fled. All the capitals in Yangzhou are raising troops to arrest him." said the female officer who went to inquire about the news. Hearing this, Zhen Xue breathed a sigh of relief in her heart. There was worry in her gentle and gentle eyebrows, and she asked, "Sister, how could this Donglu man assassinate him?"
Zhen Qingfeng's eyes were shining brightly, and she was a little excited in her heart, saying: "It is clear that he is regarded as the enemy in the future, and he can't wait to get rid of him quickly."
In the future, he will make great achievements in the battle against the captives, so he will never get rid of her in this life!
Zhen Xue thought for a while and said softly: "Sister, we have stayed in Yangzhou for two days. It's time to take a boat to Jinling."
"Princess, I heard that Uncle Yongning sent troops to block the ferry in order to capture the king of the Nalu chiefs, and it is strictly prohibited to go out," the female official said.
Zhen Qing put it down and said, "Look for him tomorrow and see what you can say?"
"Still looking for it?" Zhen Xue couldn't help saying, but suddenly realized that she had made a mistake and looked at him unnaturally.
He glanced at his sister.
I thought to myself, how about you two live together and sleep together every day?
Zhen Qing said: "Now the ferry is blocked. Without his warrant, we can't leave Yangzhou."
With that said, all the nuns and female officials retreated.
Zhen Xue raised her eyebrows, looked at Zhen Qing, and asked, "Sister, what I mean is that we should go back to Jinling earlier, discuss with father, and think of something to do about the Weaving Bureau's deficit."
Zhen Qing sighed and said: "Sister, the deficit is not one or two million taels, such a big hole cannot be filled."
If it could be filled, she would have done everything possible to fill it. Some of the holes were left by the Supreme Emperor. Who can fill them? Needless to say, there has been a lot of money that has been intercepted over the years, and some of it has been converted into properties, fields, and gold and silverware. You can’t just sell them all, right?
Then it is not that the palace comes to ransack your home, but your own home is ransacked. Zhen Xue said worriedly: "What should we do? If one day really happens, will we have to watch my father behind bars?"
Compared with Zhen Qing who was still taking chances, Zhen Xue almost followed what Jia Heng said.
"When that day comes, you and I will be splashed by married daughters. We are helpless." Zhen Qing's jade face was slightly covered with frost, and her eyes flashed coldly, saying: "Only after the two of us are safe, can we save our family." .”
Zhen Xue looked at her sister and sighed in her heart.
"Actually, I have another plan." Zhen Qing took Zhen Xue's hand and said with shining eyes.
"What's the plan?" Zhen Xue didn't know why, but her heart suddenly flashed. Her sister's plans were always used on others.
"Now that Jia Ziyu is favored, if we have a serious entanglement with him, he will help think of a solution. Then we will make up for some shortcomings, make some contributions to the court, and intercede with our father. At that time, we can't say Let's forget about it." Zhen Qing said softly.
This was the reason why she wanted to spend more time with that bastard. She had obtained information earlier.
Hearing this, Zhen Xue frowned and said softly: "Sister, the dispute is already... very deep now."
Zhen Qing glanced at Zhen Xue and said, "It's not okay now. He can throw us sisters away at any time. When he gets tired of playing, he will abandon us like worn shoes."
But he couldn't help but think of that day when the boy hugged his sister, and he actually wanted his sister to give him a daughter.
Zhen Xue turned pale and was speechless for a moment. Is there really such a day?
Zhen Qing added: "Neither my sister nor I can see the light of day. I am thinking about Sister Lan and Sister Xi getting married to the Jia family."
Zhen Xue shook her head and said, "Sister, no."
Sister is really crazy. The two of them are not enough, so she is sending two clan girls to Zi Yu?
Zhen Qing said coldly: "It's not for that bastard! It's to choose one to marry that Baoyu from Rongguo Mansion. Originally, I didn't think much of that Baoyu from Rongguo Mansion, but now I don't care much anymore."
"Sister, Ziyu is the leader of the clan. He will not fail to see your intentions. If he doesn't agree, it will be difficult to make it happen." Zhen Xue shook her head gently and whispered: "Sister, actually, I think it is better for you to have your own way. It would be better to seek advice from him, he also has some fondness for his sister..."
She and her sister have some weight in his heart, right?
A flash of embarrassment flashed in Zhen Qing's eyes, and then she said faintly, "Then let me ask."
Does he like himself? She didn't think he would like her because of her temperament. Even if he liked her, he probably liked her body.
Nothing more to say all night.
The next day, the assassination of Jia Heng by Donglu caused a stir, and the Yangzhou salt merchant Ma Xianjun's collusion with Donglu caused an uproar in Yangzhou. There was a lot of discussion in the streets, teahouses and restaurants.
Not that anyone complained about Ma Xianjun, because the incident involved colluding with Donglu and the assassination of the now popular Yong Ningbo, which was undoubtedly legendary.
In the afternoon, the Jinyi Mansion's official office in Yangzhou Baihu Office temporarily served as Jia Heng's residence. The Jinyi Mansion guard outside had three floors inside and three floors outside, and was heavily guarded.
In the official hall, Jia Heng sat behind the desk and looked at the Jinyi Mansion
General and the general of Jiangbei Camp.
"You haven't found anyone all day and night?" Jia Heng's face was indifferent, but his voice was a little cold.
At this time, Liu Jixian bit the bullet and said: "Captain, the thief woman was cunning and attracted the attention of the officers and soldiers by taking a boat all the way. They pursued her to the lower reaches, but she did not see the chieftain Duduo."
Shui Yu said in a deep voice: "Uncle Yong Ning, the armies have blocked the water and land routes and are conducting inquiries and inquiries, but there is still no news."
Jia Heng said softly: "Shang Ming, have the Ma family members confessed?" Shang Ming, who was in charge of the punishment, came out more and more, cupped his hands and replied: "Captain, Ma Xianjun's third son and the shopkeeper of the Delin House have confessed. In recent years, we have been involved in the smuggling business with Donglu. Every spring and autumn, we use sea ships to transport silk, porcelain, and tea to the Jurchen Prince Beile and other nobles in exchange for wild ginseng, deer antlers, mink skins, pearls and other items. These items are popular in Jiangnan. It’s worth a lot of money.”
Wild ginseng was originally a great tonic. Rich businessmen Jujia used it to stew soup to nourish people. There were other specialties. The south was humid and cold, and mink fur was also highly sought after.
With that said, he handed over a thick book.
Jia Heng took the confession from his personal guard Li Shu and asked, "Where is Ma Xianjun? Has he confessed?"
"Ma Xianjun still refused to admit that he had colluded with Donglu, and said that it was all a false accusation, and he continued to cry for injustice." Shang Ming said: "Beizhi was being tortured. When Beizhi came, Lin Yanyuan said that Wang Shouqi and several others The salt merchant wants to see you, sir."
In fact, it was still to test Jia Heng's tone. Several salt merchants knew about Lin Ruhai's in-law relationship with the Jia family, and they all came to visit Lin Ruhai with generous gifts.
Now that Lao Ma is dead, I hope Jia Heng will give you an accurate answer as to whether he will continue to be involved in this case.
Jia Heng said: "I will be there later."
Then, his eyes wandered over Liu Jixian and Shui Yu, and he said in a deep voice: "Jin Yi and the camp army cooperated in a careful search. Since they used boats to divert the attention of the officers and soldiers, they probably haven't gone far and should still be hiding near Yangzhou."
"Yes, sir." Everyone said with fists in their hands. Jia Heng waved his hand and signaled everyone to leave. And he will rush to Yangzhou Yanyuan Yamen later.
"The Jinling Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of War, the Governor's Office of Liangjiang, and the Chief Envoy of Jiangzuo all issued documents asking about the reasons and dates for the strict ban on entry and exit in Yangzhou. Grain cargo ships are now not allowed to enter and exit." After everyone left, Li Shu observed it. Jia Heng's expression turned low as he whispered.
As time passed, or the Yangzhou salt merchants ran around, Jinling officials began to put pressure on Jia Heng.
But no fool, no one raised eyebrows for Ma Xianjun, but asked about the blockade of the Yangzhou Canal ferry.
Jia Heng said: "In my name, I am replying to the various government agencies. Yangzhou is arresting the Donglu chieftain. Three days later, the grain ship will be inspected and will leave immediately. In addition, I will send a separate letter to the Nanjing Ministry of War to inform the Japanese officials tomorrow. Go to Jinling to discuss with the Ministry of War and the Liangjiang Yamen regarding Jiang defense and rectification matters."
He had already written a memorial to the capital last night, and rushed to the capital by horseback for six hundred miles. At the same time, flying pigeons sent letters to inform the emperor about the assassination of Duduo in Yangzhou.
As for blocking the ferry, it is not a long-term solution. If Duduo cannot be found, the blockade can only be gradually reduced.
After Jia Heng finished speaking, he looked at Shang Ming, who had not yet left, and asked, "Is there anything else?"
"Sir, there is one more thing that I can't explain clearly just now." Shang Ming said. "What?"
"Ma Xianjun's son also confessed to another matter. The Ma family was responsible for the assassination of Lord Lin Ruhailin and the expedition south sent by former Jinyi colleague Lu Jingyao to wipe out." Shang Ming whispered.
Jia Heng frowned and looked suspiciously: "It was all done by the Ma family? No one else participated?"
These are two old things.
