Jinling, Zhen family
It was already evening, and the sky was dark. I don’t know when it started to rain lightly again in the courtyard. The summer wind that passed through the rain blew in, bringing a sense of moisture. At the same time, the green curtains and the tassels on the beams were all It keeps shaking gently.
Beside the three-foot-wide and seven-foot-wide long table, Zhen Yingjia, dressed in military uniform, sat upright on the grand master's chair. Hearing what the steward said, his face was shocked and he was speechless for a long time.
Ma Xianjun's son robbed the prison, Yongning Bo took advantage of the night to block him, Henan Dusi Qiaoqi entered Yangzhou, the Cheng family was involved in the case of the Ma family colluding with the Donglu, and the prison robberies were organized, one after another, one by one, it was dazzling and dizzying.
Sitting at the bottom is Zhen Qing, with her temples held high, wearing a pink and peony embroidered dress. She is sitting on a dark red lacquered huanghuali wood chair. Perhaps because there is no mattress underneath, the chair is crisp and round. On the chair, the skirt is tight around the hips, making the curves even more plump and exquisite.
On that gorgeous jade face, which is like a hibiscus stamen, a trace of joy slowly overflows from the charming and gorgeous eyebrows. The phoenix eyes are as soft as water, with colorful ripples. As for the snow-grey skin, there is a faint blush, and the red clothes The embroidered shoes under her skirt were squeezed together tightly for some reason, as if to stop her surging heart. This person actually returned to Yangzhou? Have you done such a big thing?
Zhen Xue also put down the tea cup, her bright eyes were filled with soft waves, and she felt a little uneasy in her heart.
At this time, Zhen Shao looked solemn and said in a low voice: "Go back by boat at night, intercept and kill the people of the Ma family, and run the army with heavy laws. This method and the soldiers and horses in Henan should have been arranged when they went south. It was definitely deliberate and planned for a long time.”
Zhen Yingjia frowned and said in a low voice: "With such decisiveness in killing, it is no wonder that he can command the capital camp at a younger age."
It can only be said that there is no empty person under the great reputation.
Zhen Qing's eyebrows were beaming with excitement, and her voice was somewhat gentle and clear, and she said softly: "Father, you don't know how he took over the capital camp at the beginning. At that time, Prince Teng caused trouble. He sized up the situation and seized the opportunity, and then unstoppable."
Now when I think back on that person's path to success, I am a little surprised. Although there is an element of luck, not everyone can catch it, even if it is a holy family.
Zhen Yingjia said with emotion: "A natural-born general, but that's all. It is unprecedented to have such a young military minister. Since the founding of the Han Dynasty, at the time of the founding of the country, famous generals have emerged in large numbers, but at that time they were only marquises with military honors, and they were not as important in military and political affairs." Everyone has their own achievements...and there are only a few."
If he knows how to fight, that's okay, but such a character is obviously capable of both civil and military skills.
Zhen Shao pondered for a moment and said: "Now that Jiangbei is completely in his hands, it won't be long before he reaches out to Jiangnan."
Zhen Yingjia nodded and suddenly said, "Where is your fourth brother?"
When Zhen Shao heard the mention of Zhen Zhu, he frowned and said, "He said early in the morning that he had something to do at the Ministry of War, but he hasn't come back yet."
At this moment, I heard the outside steward say: "Master, the Fourth Master is back."
While he was talking, Zhen Zhu came in from the outside and walked into the study. He was dressed in a military officer's robe and looked as energetic as a spring breeze.
Zhen Shao frowned and asked softly: "Fourth brother, where have you been? Why are you back now?
Zhen Zhu smiled and said: "I went to the Ministry of War. Governor Shen of Liangjiang has already made an agreement with the Ministry of War to reorganize the Jiangnan camp and re-establish the navy. It has been determined that I will be in charge of the training and reconstruction."
When Zhen Yingjia heard this, her expression changed slightly, and she asked, "Why does Shenzhen Tai want to reorganize the army immediately?"
Zhen Shao similarly narrowed his brows, stared at Zhen Zhu closely, and asked, "What's going on?" Under the glare of the two eyes, Zhen Zhu dodged his eyes for a moment and said softly: "Jiangnan University" The camp has been in peace for a long time and the battle formation has become exhausted, so something should be done, otherwise the imperial court will blame it, which is no joke."
Zhen Yingjia's eyes were focused, but he did not let Zhen Zhu get away easily. He asked: "This is what Uncle Yongning meant. Why did the Governor's Office of Liangjiang get involved, and why did you get involved?"
Zhen Zhu's face paused slightly and he was speechless for a moment.
Zhen Yingjia reacted and shouted: "If there are any unforeseen complications, I'm afraid it will cause another accident."
Zhen Qing frowned, and glanced at Zhen Zhu with her phoenix eyes. Her jade face, which was as crystal clear as snow, was covered with worry, and she said: "Father, I'm afraid that things will be troublesome. I think it will arouse Uncle Yong Ning's anger, or he may think that we are not sincere. He also linked up with the governor's office of Liangjiang to plot against him."
From what she knew about that bastard, that was probably the case.
When Zhen Yingjia heard this, her brows furrowed and she was equally worried.
Zhen Zhu sneered and said: "Brother, without Zhang Butcher, we don't eat mixed-haired pigs, and without that kid, I can organize the Jiangnan camp just like my second brother. Master Shen has already agreed. Once it is approved by the Ministry of War, by I led the troops to reorganize the navy, and when the work was completed, I was recommended to the imperial court as deputy envoy to inspect the school. His Majesty was very pleased to come, and he responded with pleasure. By then, our Zhen family will also contribute to the country. With the relationship between monarch and minister, we will be able to You can sit back and relax.”
Zhen Shao glanced at Zhen Zhu coldly and said, "Just you? You don't overestimate your capabilities!" Zhen Zhu: ....
"Second brother, I am familiar with military literature, but what I did with Jia Heng's son, after careful calculation, is nothing more than that. The only reason he can do it is because the saints in the palace trust him," Zhen Zhu said.
At this moment, when Zhen Yingjia heard the words, her face was gloomy and uncertain, and she was undecided for a moment. Zhen Qingfeng's eyes were slightly cold, and she felt extremely disgusted with her reckless fourth uncle.
At this moment, Grandma's voice came from outside again: "Master, the old lady is here."
It is obvious that this old lady of the Zhen family is well aware of all the goings-on in the clan, or in other words, at the last moment of her life, she wants to take the last stand for the Zhen family.
Zhen Yingjia and the others present were stunned. After a while, they looked at Mrs. Zhen, who was trembling with the support of everyone, and went up to greet her: "Mother, why don't you have a good rest, why are you here again? "
After saying that, he looked at Mr. Gan with a reproachful look, why did he let the old lady drag the sick body over again? Gan said aggrievedly: "Master, the old lady wants to come over."
On the other side, Zhen Shao and Zhen Zhu also stood up and saluted Mrs. Zhen.
Mrs. Zhen entered the house with the support of Mrs. Gan, Mrs. Sun and their young daughters-in-law. Zhen Lin and Zhen Jue's daughters-in-law followed them. As for the younger generation girls, Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi also accompanied them. .
He had clearly just come from Fuxuan Hall.
For a time, the study room was surrounded by hairpin skirts, shining with beauty.
At this time, Mrs. Zhen walked up to Zhen Zhu, looked at Zhen Zhu, and said: "Kneel down." "Mother...
Zhen Zhu looked confused and looked at Mrs. Zhen in disbelief.
How could his mother treat him like this in front of all the junior wives? "Kneel down!" Mrs. Zhen looked at Zhen Zhu and said again.
At this time, Zhen Shao stared at Zhen Zhu with an unkind expression and asked: "Fourth brother, are you deaf?"
Zhen Zhu knelt down with a "pop" sound. The man, who was nearly forty years old, knelt on the ground, his head hung tightly, his face was not angry, and his heart became more and more resentful towards Jia Heng who caused all this.
Zhen Xi looked at her father who was kneeling on the ground, her eyebrows furrowed, and there seemed to be heavy clouds of smoke billowing in her eyes, and she felt a little uncomfortable in her heart.
Dad has been scolded a lot by his grandmother because of what happened to Uncle Yongning.
Mrs. Zhen looked at Zhen Yingjia and asked, "Why did I hear from my servants that Brother Heng went to Yangzhou from Jinling again? Did he arrest the salt merchant yesterday?
Zhen Yingjia briefly explained the situation and said: "Mother, it seems that the Ma family from Yangzhou colluded with the Donglu Ma family and was arrested. The Ma family went to rescue them, but Ziyu rushed over overnight and mobilized the troops from Henan. Entered the Jiangbei Camp in Yangzhou and arrested many people. Later I heard that the Jiangbei Camp was reorganized, many generals were killed, and military power was consolidated. Now all the Jiangbei Camp is in the hands of Ziyu."
After hearing this, Mrs. Zhen was quiet for a moment, and then suddenly asked: "Where is the Jiangnan Camp? Didn't Brother Heng say that he wanted to reorganize the Jiangnan Camp? What's going on now?"
Zhen Yingjia glanced at Zhen Zhu who was kneeling on the ground and said: "Mother, something has happened. This is not the fourth brother. For some reason, the Governor of Liangjiang, Mr. Shen, also wants to organize the Jiangnan camp, and the fourth brother must take the lead. , after he succeeds, I will recommend him as the deputy envoy of Jiedu. I am worried about this matter and whether I should get involved in the dispute between Liangjiang Yamen and Ziyu."
The original idea was to let Jia Heng charge into the battle, and the Zhen family would just cooperate, so they wouldn't be too at odds with the Liangjiang officialdom.
But now Zhen Zhu got involved, and he immediately offended Jia Heng.
Mrs. Zhen looked at Zhen Zhu with her old eyes and said, "Do you think your mother didn't die earlier!?"
As he spoke, he coughed violently and felt a little out of breath.
"Mother, my son doesn't dare." Hearing this, Zhen Zhu's expression changed drastically and he kowtowed. Zhen Yingjia quickly said: "Why did mother say this?"
Mrs. Gan was also advising Mrs. Zhen on the side, saying: "Old lady."
Mrs. Zhen, with the support of Gan and Sun, sat down and said with a cold look on her wrinkled face, "Do you really think you can organize an army?"
Zhen Zhu said nothing.
"Then Shen Jiefu plans to use you to compete with others in the ring." Mrs. Zhen said: "Don't say you are not the material. Even if you can straighten it out, you can't do it!"
indivual,
"Mother." Hearing this, Zhen Zhu suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with surprise.
Mrs. Zhen sneered: "You are so capable, but if the palace doesn't believe you, your ability will become a disaster. The palace has made it clear that they are using their trusted people to get here, but you insist on touching it."
It doesn't matter what kind of army reorganization, the key is to use this to build a line for Yongning Bo, or to regain the trust of the emperor in the palace.
If the Zhen family can take the lead in this matter, they will not be able to gain the respect of the Holy Emperor in the palace. Besides, if the matter involves military power, it will be of no use except to attract more taboos.
However, Zhen Zhu below frowned, clearly not thinking so.
Zhen Qing approached and advised: "Don't worry, old lady. When Uncle Yong Ning comes back to Jinling, my granddaughter can ask about the situation. If it doesn't work, I will go to Yangzhou myself to check the situation."
Speaking of which, I also want to see him now.
Zhen Yingjia also explained: "Mother, there is still a chance that this matter will turn around. The fourth brother was just confused for a moment. Since they want to organize the Jiangnan camp, they cannot do without the cooperation of our Zhen family."
Mrs. Zhen sighed and said: "I'm afraid this matter won't end so easily. This scoundrel must have informed that Mr. Shen Jie and let someone interfere with him. Now that the gap has been established, even if he Even if he is willing to use our family, he still has a grudge, so the friendship is gone."
Zhen Zhu was below, with a somewhat unsatisfied look on his face. When did his Zhen family fall to the point of sighing. If the child really has great achievements, he will naturally be convinced, but what the child has done since becoming an official, if it were him, he could do the same!
Zhen Qing's beautiful eyes flashed under Liu Ye's slender eyebrows, and she said softly: "Grandma, this Jia Ziyu is not the kind of person who waits for someone with a small belly and chicken intestines. He is very capable."
If it doesn't work, she just needs to serve him two more times_...
Mrs. Zhen was silent for a moment and then asked, "Brother Heng is working on a case in Yangzhou. He may not be back for a while."
After saying that, he looked at Zhen Xue, who was sitting quietly at the side, and asked: "Xue'er, is that girl Xinxin still in the Ningguo Mansion?"
Zhen Xue was frowning and saying nothing, and after hearing and listening to each other, Wan Ning's eyes turned back to her thoughts, and she said softly and softly: "It's at Ning Guo's house. I said I'll pick her up in the next two days."
"Don't rush on. I'll ask him again when I get back to you." Mrs. Zhen said softly, then looked at Zhen Zhu who was kneeling on the ground and said, "You can take a boat to Yangzhou overnight. , go and make amends to others.”
After thinking about it, he felt that with his youngest son's temperament, he would not cause any more trouble. He turned to Zhen Shao and said, "Take your fourth brother there."
Zhen Shao looked solemn and nodded.
But Zhen Zhu was aggrieved and wanted to apologize?
Zhen Qingfeng's eyes flashed and she said, "Grandma, let me go too."
Mrs. Zhen said: "Girl Qing is a capable person, so we might as well go there together."
Zhen Qing has a respected status, and as the talker of the Zhen family to assist the King of Chu in seizing the throne, her voice in the Zhen family is no weaker than that of Zhen Yingjia, and is comparable to a weakened version of Yuanchun in the Jia family.
----Liangjiang Governor's Office
In the back hall of the official hall, Shen Fang, the governor of Liangjiang, was sitting on the Taishi chair. After listening to the servant's report, his face was gloomy. Surrounded by Jiangzuo Chief Envoy Xu Shikui, General Judge Lu Chaoyun and others also looked at each other.
Xu Shikui said: "Yong Ningbo has deep intentions in making the platform. Not only have Cheng and Ma families been imprisoned, but they also mobilized soldiers and horses from Henan. This is a trap waiting for the Ma family to jump. "
Yangzhou salt merchants often came to Jinling and had deep acquaintances with people in Jiangnan official circles.
Shen Fang said solemnly: "Now Jiangbei is in his hands. I think he will organize the military camp soon and then intervene in Jiangnan. We don't have much time left. We need to organize the military affairs of the Jiangnan camp as soon as possible."
Bai Sixing thought for a moment and said: "Your Majesty's memorial has been delivered to Shenjing. Now let's see what it means. However, the military affairs of the world are all under the Military Aircraft Department. Uncle Yongning is also the Minister of Military Aircraft. He is already very handy, but I am afraid that the Holy Lord After the edict is issued, Uncle Yongning will still be in charge."
After the chaos in the Central Plains was settled, the status and role of the Military Aircraft Department was finally highlighted and recognized, and almost all military affairs in the world were negotiated between the Military Aircraft Department and the emperor. This is why Shen Fang never forgot the Military Aircraft Assistant Minister.
"What did the Ministry of War say?" Shen Fang asked.
"The Minister of War, Jiang Sucheng, Lord Jiang, has promised to re-allocate a batch of ordnance to help you organize the affairs of the Jiangbei camp, but Lord Meng is quite critical." General Judge Lu Chaoyun said in a low voice.
Jiang Sucheng, the left minister of the Ministry of War, and Meng Guangyuan, the right minister of the Ministry of War. The former had a close relationship with Shen Fang, while the latter was a bit ordinary. In other words, the latter did not want Shen Fang to rectify the personnel of the Jiangnan camp, because whether it was the transfer of generals or military equipment, The replacement of the armor and stomach is a fixed amount of income every year, and the money is naturally divided among the relevant officials of the Ministry of War.
Shen Fang whispered: "Where is Hubu?"
"The Ministry of Household Affairs has also agreed to allocate a batch of grain and wages as military wages. In addition, Mr. Xu said before that a batch of money and grain will be allocated from the Jiangzuo domain treasury to be used as military supplies and wages." Bai Sixing said and glanced at Xu Shikui. If the military affairs are organized, whether it is to redeem generals or to settle generals, these are all inseparable from money. However, the public expenses of the Liangjiang Governor's Office are a fixed amount. For such military affairs, they will not touch their own vassal treasury and can only pay Jinling households. Ministry for approval.
Therefore, this is also the reason why Shen Fang worked hard to return the power of patrolling salt to Liangjiang Yamen. It is better to spend other people's money in his own hands.
Shen Fang nodded and said: "Everything is ready now, all we need is the east wind."
After he reorganized the Jiangnan camp, he would then take action against the pirates along the coast. At that time, in the eyes of the Holy Emperor who was thousands of miles away, he was afraid that he, Shen Jiefu, would be judged as someone who could be a man of literary and military skills and could plan important events.
As a civil servant, he joins the cabinet, leads the army, and is granted the title of Shaobao. Like Mr. Li Ge in the north, he can be said to be the pillar of the sky, one in the south and the other in the north.
Shen Fang suppressed the slightly agitated emotions in his heart, stood up, nodded, and said, "That's it."
With that said, he dismissed his staff and returned to the backyard.
At this moment, in the backyard, just as he was sitting down, he suddenly smelled a strange fragrance, and the sound of jingling rings gradually approached. It was clearly Mrs. Zheng, who came to the flower hall accompanied by two maids.
The elder Zheng is thirty-four or five years old, with a plump figure and the air of a pampered official wife. In addition, there is a pretty-looking woman with sad eyes in mourning clothes beside her. She is Xiao Zheng, the wife of Gao Bin, the former governor of Nanhe. Shi, about thirty years old.
"Sir, why are you so frowning?" Mrs. Zheng asked with concern. Shen Fang raised his eyes to look at Da Zheng and said, "Nothing, I'm a little tired." Then he looked at Gao Bin's wife Zheng aside and said, "Where's Fu'er."
"Reply to brother, Fu'er went to school today." Little Zheng said softly, thought for a while, and asked: "Brother, that person came to Jinling?"
The little Zheng was naturally resentful towards Jia Heng who had killed her husband, but her voice was slightly choked with sadness.
Shen Fang said: "I'm going to Yangzhou now."
The eldest Zheng glanced at her younger sister, the younger Zheng, and said softly: "My sister should just express my condolences."
It has been a few months since Gao Bin committed suicide. There is no other way to wallow in grief. People always have to look forward.
Shen Fang said: "My son is now the emperor's favorite. It didn't happen overnight. There are also those in the Qi Party who have caused harm to the country and the people. Sooner or later there will be a day of reckoning."
Little Zheng looked at Shen Fang and said softly, "I'll leave the matter of Dongxuan to my brother."
Shen Fang nodded and couldn't help but take another look. He didn't know whether it was because he wanted to be pretty and dressed in filial piety, or because his eyebrows and eyes, which were quite similar to those of the great Zheng family, and his relatively thin figure made people's hearts move slightly.
Jiangbei Daying
Before you know it, another day has passed. The recovery of stolen silver, the elimination of the old and the weak, and the recruitment and training of soldiers from the generals of the Jiangbei camp are all going on like tea, while the Henan Dusi Cavalry Army and the Jinyi Ti Cavalry Army in Yangzhou are all going on like fire. The blockade was gradually lifted, and tranquility seemed to be restored.
Bao Zuhui and Huang Cheng are still detained in the Baihu Prison of Jinyi Mansion.
The confessions of some merchants of the Cheng family in Yangzhou also basically proved that the Cheng family and the Ma family had collaborated with the enemy in smuggling to the Eastern captives over the years.
In the early morning of this day, Jia Heng was in the Chinese army barracks. After reading the reorganized soldier rosters of the various camps, he asked: "Where are the soldiers from Henan?"
Liu Jixian replied: "Sir, the infantry dispatched are Runing Guard and Xuanwu Guard. They came one after another by boat. It will take another seven or eight days to reach Yangzhou."
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and then asked: "What's going on over there in Jinling recently?"
Liu Jixian said: "The governor's office of Liangjiang and the Ministry of War have begun to adjust the personnel of the Jiangnan camp and plan to rectify military affairs."
Shen Fang finally arranged the military headquarters and began to reorganize the soldiers and horses in the Jiangnan camp.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said: "Let the Governor of Liangjiang's Yamen deal with it first, and then we can sort it out later, and then follow me to Jinling to ask for pay."
The situation in Yangzhou has gradually stabilized. You can go to Jinling to ask for a batch of military pay and ordnance. He cannot always get the money. The soldiers in Jiangnan and Jiangnan are raised by the Jinling Household Department, and the food, salary and ordnance are originally allocated.
Liu Jixian answered the order and turned around to get busy.
Chen Xiaoyu looked faint and asked: "Is Shen Fang going to pick peaches? If he reorganizes the camp affairs, what will we do next?"
Jia Heng nodded and said softly: "Wait, wait for the imperial edict, wait for Jiangbei's soldiers and horses to be trained, and then we will make further calculations. I don't think I can still pick peaches after he is finished."
However, Shen Fang most likely won't be able to do it. Jiangnan Camp involves all aspects, and even if he does it, it will not be the result the emperor wants. The memorial will definitely be passed on to him.
Because he was carrying an edict for the Jiangnan camp, and he also did not leave the cabinet or military planes, but now is not the time to make it clear.
He also wanted to see what the Zhen family was up to. !
Chen Xiao said softly: "It's good to be steady now. You chopped off the heads of five people in Jiangbei and recovered some military pay. Those in Jiangnan never want you to go there."
Needless to say, even if Jia Heng believed that he was being generous and only recovered 70% of his military pay, some military generals were bankrupt and couldn't get it back. How could they be willing to obey orders with peace of mind?
Jia Heng nodded and asked, "What's going on with the Yangzhou salt merchants?"
"Wang Shouqi has returned from Jinling. He sent someone to inquire about the cases of the Bao family and the Huang family. He may ask to see you." Chen Xiao whispered: "The others seem to be still waiting and watching."
Jia Heng said: "Then wait a little longer."
At this moment, Colonel Jinyi entered the military camp and reported: "Captain, the second master of the Zhen family, Zhen Shao, and the fourth master Zhen Zhu, have arrived outside the camp and asked to see the commander."
