Jinling, Ningguo Mansion
Jia Heng didn't know that Duduo was already thinking about setting off a storm of pirate rebellion in Jiangnan and other places. Even if he knew, he didn't take it seriously.
Accompanied by Yindie, Mrs. You carried her skirt and came to the second floor of Penglai Pavilion to talk about old friendship with Daiyu and Princess Beijing.
Zhen Xue raised her eyes and looked at You, who was dressed in a plain skirt. Under her beautiful eyebrows, her bright eyes were filled with autumn waves, and she said softly: Sister-in-law You, it must have been a long time since we parted. "
Because when Jia Zhen was still in charge of the Ningguo Mansion, You, as the third-grade imperial concubine, often visited the Beijing Prince's Mansion and talked with Beijing Princess Zhen Xue, so the two were not strangers.
Youshi said softly, "It's been a year."
At this time, Jia Heng held the tea cup, took a sip, and looked at Youshi, who was not applying makeup.
Youshi, who was not wearing the silk and satin lady's dress, had changed into a plain-colored dress. The originally beautiful woman had a somewhat washed away, quiet and gentle aura.
Zhen Xue was talking to Ms. You, looked at the beautiful lady with beautiful features, sighed quietly, and said with relief: "Nine times out of ten things in this world are not as expected, Sister-in-law You, don't be too sad and sad."
A woman's dignity and glory all belong to a man, but the husband of the person in front of her also plotted to kill Zi Yu.
Youshi's bright eyes moved slightly and she said softly: "Thank you for your concern, Princess."
Several people were talking. At this time, Qingwen went up to the second floor and whispered: "Sir, Miss Xiao said that a briefing on Jinyi has been delivered."
Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at Daiyu and said softly: "Sister Lin, please talk here first. I'll go take a look."
Daiyu said softly: "Brother Heng, go and get busy."
For some reason, he had a vague illusion that she was the mistress of this house, helping him receive guests.
Jia Heng said warmly, left the attic, raised his eyes to look at Chen Xiao, and asked, "What's going on?"
Chen Xiao handed over a book and said, "Liu Jixian sent someone to deliver it."
Jia Heng took the book without saying much, and opened it to read the records. After a while, he frowned slightly, looked at the rain curtain in the courtyard, and said, "Liu Shengzao's son took the lead."
Before leaving Yangzhou for the first time, the captain of Jinyi Mansion took Liu Changdao, Liu Shengzao's son, into custody. After some interrogation, he not only confessed his son's evil deeds of bullying men and women in Yangzhou City, but also asked about the salt. The details of Yunsi's deficit.
The eight salt merchants and Liu Shengzao had to reconcile their account books every year, and the eight salt merchants shared the profits. The deficit of the Salt Transportation Department had long since become the private property of the Liu family and the eight salt merchants through various withdrawal methods.
Of course, Chonghua Palace also received a large part.
Chen Xiao frowned and asked, "What should we do now?"
Jia Heng's face was gloomy and he said in a cold voice: "Let Jin Yi interrogate people from the Ma family and the Cheng family to reveal the clues about the shortage of salt tax balance in the transportation warehouse over the years. If the Cheng and Ma families confess, I can report it to the court and let the court find out." Be open-minded and receive a lighter sentence! In addition, once the evidence of the crime is confirmed, Jinyi Tiqi will be sent to arrest Liu Shengzao, thereby uncovering the shortage of the Salt Division's transportation treasury."
Up to now, Jiangbei Camp has fallen into his control. If he pays attention to food appearance, he deliberately does not touch the salt merchants, but he has no worries about officials like Liu Shengzao. The objective conditions are actually mature, but before that We need to communicate with Qi Kun.
Chen Xiaogai nodded and said in a clear voice: "In a moment, I will send someone over to inform the Yangzhou Hundred Household Office."
"Go." Jia Heng whispered, watched Chen Xiao leave, and turned back to the attic.
It was not until dusk that Princess Zhen Xue of Beijing left Ningguo Mansion alone. Jia Heng put her on the carriage and returned to Penglai Pavilion.
When they climbed to the second floor, Mrs. You had already left gracefully, but there was only a girl in a green skirt standing in front of the window, looking out at the heavy rain curtain outside the window. The quiet and lonely temperament around her seemed to be integrated with the wind and rain outside the window.
Jia Heng's face moved slightly, and he walked forward slowly. He also stood in front of the window and looked at the rain scene in the courtyard.
Looking through the hanging rain curtain, the misty rain in the south of the Yangtze River overlaps with the bright rockery rocks, and rainwater accumulates in the depressions.
The sycamores, plantains, pine trees, and willows planted in the courtyard have long been green and lush in the evening rain, reflecting the white walls of the black eaves tiles, and the winding corridors with green painted railings, surrounding A beautiful garden with a round sky.
Jia Heng gently pulled Dai Yu, held the girl's petite body in his arms, and asked in a low voice: "What's wrong with my sister?"
Although this was good in Jinling, there were no sisters to chat and laugh with. When she was in Jia's house, Xiangyun was just a pistachio, and with Tanchun accompanying her, Daiyu was quite fulfilled.
Daiyu leaned her head against Jia Heng's arms. The loneliness and melancholy she had just felt were mostly dispelled, and she whispered softly: "Brother Heng, I'm fine."
Fortunately, it suddenly started raining, and she planned to go to Jiming Temple with him to burn incense and pray for blessings.
Jia Heng held Daiyu's slender hand, smelled the fragrance of the cardamom girl's hair, and whispered: "Sister Lin is thinking of Sister Yun and the others in Shenjing, right?"
"Yes." When Daiyu heard this, she turned around with a small face that was as pink as snow. Her bright starry eyes outlined the lines of that clear face. For some reason, a feeling of emotion suddenly surged in her heart. That kind of thought made her The shock of being understood by the person in front of me is really difficult to describe in words.
Jia Heng smiled and said softly: "Although Jiangnan is nice, to my sister, it is like a guest in a foreign land. I originally went out to play today, but I don't want to be delayed by the rain. I will wait for things to go smoothly here." Let Sister Yun, Third Sister, and Big Sister all take over, and we can have fun together normally."
If we all stayed at home, we would be like a sparrow in a golden cage, which would be quite boring.
Speaking of which, he was also thinking about Yuanchun. Even wives like Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue could not give him the same feeling with that rich and soft touch.
When the troops in the Jiangbei camp are ready, Jinyang can come over, which will help take over the salt affairs in Huaiyang on behalf of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Under Daiyu's smoky eyebrows, she turned her shining eyes to look at Jia Heng, and said softly: "Brother Heng, are you going to have to wait for a while?"
"It won't take long." Jia Heng lowered his head and said softly.
As long as the Jinyi Mansion begins to interrogate and investigate the details of the Cheng and Ma family's case of deficit in the Jiangnan Salt Transport Depot, the rest will be a matter of time.
The Cheng and Ma families were almost in danger of being wiped out. There was no need to conceal the misappropriation of the salt tax balance and then close the net.
Daiyu raised her eyes to look at the young man with a thoughtful look on his face. His eyes were temporarily blank. He must be thinking about big things outside.
Jia Heng retracted his thoughts and looked at Daiyu, getting closer to the petite and lovely white face, lowering his head and puckering the girl's soft lips, soothing the girl's melancholy mood.
Outside the window, the raindrops are like broken pearls, the misty rain clings to the courtyard, and the quiet beauty overflows from the lips.
But it was said that Zhen Xue returned to Zhen's house in a carriage. It was already the time when the lanterns were turned on, and the lights were blurred. She returned to the embroidery building where she lived.
But he saw the beautiful Zhen Qing, reading a book by candlelight, which showed the profits and expenses of King Chu's various properties in Jinling and other places.
Jinling was the ancient capital of several dynasties. It was densely populated, bustling and noisy, and the trade was also very prosperous. The shops collected gold every day, and the maintenance of the huge power of the King of Chu was naturally inseparable from gold and silver.
At this time, Zhen Xue came slowly with light steps and called softly: "Sister."
"Come back?" Zhen Qing looked at Zhen Xue and saw her sister's beautiful face with fair skin and rosy skin, eyes like autumn water, and bright complexion, like a peony flower that has been nourished and watered. Her beautiful eyes couldn't help but move, and she joked with a smile. Said: "What took so long?"
When Zhen Xue heard this, her heart trembled and her jade cheeks were slightly red. She originally wanted to say something, but later she talked to Zi Yu for a while, but when she saw Zhen Qing's eyes coming towards her, she didn't know why, but suddenly, as if out of nowhere, she whispered angrily. Said: "Well, he does too, and he keeps messing around endlessly."
After the beauty finished speaking, her jade face was as hot as fire, and her heart was pounding.
Oh my God, what is she talking about? Why would you lie like this in front of your sister?
Zhen Qing's jade face condensed slightly, she sighed quietly, her beautiful eyes dimmed a little, and she said, "After all, he still cherishes his sister more."
I originally thought that a few days ago, she and he had already... I didn't expect that he still treated his sister differently. I guess he didn't let her kneel down, huh, this bastard.
Zhen Xue couldn't explain anymore, so she came to the side and sat in front of the dressing table, taking off the jewelry on her head and face. Looking at the hibiscus and jade face on the bronze mirror, she felt something unspeakable deep in her heart. of shyness.
Zhen Qing came closer and asked, "Did you ask when he came over?"
Zhen Xue looked in the mirror, picking up the jasper earrings on her earlobes with one hand, and said softly: "I asked, and he said that it will only be in the next two days, maybe tomorrow, maybe the day after tomorrow, and someone will be sent to inform him before he comes."
Zhen Qing nodded and said worriedly: "The old lady is very worried. My father and the old lady have talked about the matter with the Ministry of War. This is all caused by the fourth uncle."
As the beauty spoke, her tone gradually became a little resentful.
Zhen Xue sighed softly and said with relief: "Good things come in time."
Zhen Qing smiled and said: "That's what I mean. We sisters can be considered as apologies to him. He should not be angry anymore."
The worst thing is, she just needs to grind him a few more times in the future. If it doesn't work, she will kneel down and serve him again.
Immediately, he said softly: "It's the Mid-Autumn Festival in a few days. Let's talk to him when we come over."
While talking, the two sisters sat down and talked about themselves.
"Sister, what are you doing?" Zhen Xue suddenly trembled, and turned her bright autumn eyes to look at Zhen Qing, who was holding her. Xue Nui's cheeks were as red as peach blossoms, and she stretched out her hand to gently play with Zhen Qing's lips. With bare hands, he was ashamed and angry.
Although the two sisters had been quarreling in the boudoir for an unknown amount of time before they came out of the court, and now they were serving a young man together, they had been married for several years, so Zhen Xue was still a little uncomfortable with being so close to each other all of a sudden.
Zhen Qing's charming and charming face had a smile on her face and she said, "Sister, let me smell that bastard."
Zhen Xue: "???"
My sister is really crazy. Was she poisoned by that bastard?
Immediately he realized that his sister was joking for him. A hint of shame flashed through her beautiful eyes under her beautiful eyebrows, and she said: "Sister...sister, please stop making trouble."
Zhen Qing chuckled and joked: "Sister, are you satisfied this time?"
Zhen Xue's delicate body trembled slightly, her jade face was condensed, and her snow-grey cheeks suddenly blushed like a blush. Under the orange light, she became even more beautiful and charming.
What can she do?
Maybe she is just a bad woman. In Jiangnan, she... can only be sorry to the prince.
"Sister, our situation... is not a long-term solution after all." Zhen Xue's eyes were dark, her teeth bit her lips, and she whispered.
Zhen Qing looked at Zhen Xue playfully, and laughed softly: "What other long-term solution does my sister want to ask for, to stay with him forever?"
"What are you talking about, sister?" Zhen Xue said angrily.
The smile on Zhen Qing's face also faded a little, and she said softly: "We can just talk about tomorrow's matters tomorrow. Besides, there may not be anything we can do in the future."
When she becomes the queen and takes charge of the country's affairs, she and her sister will be able to find a long-term solution.
Zhen Xue no longer mentioned such worrying long-term matters, and said softly: "What can my family say?"
"Let's see again. It won't be the Mid-Autumn Festival in two days. Let him come over." Zhen Qing said softly.
Zhen Xue sighed and said: "Fourth uncle is doing this, ugh..."
At this moment, the nun outside said loudly: "Princess, the third and fourth young ladies are here to find you."
Zhen Xue's soft eyebrows showed a hint of panic, and she said softly: "Sister, talk to the third and fourth sisters first, and I'll go take a bath first."
Although she doesn't smell much now, she does feel slimy.
Zhen Qing smiled and said, "Sister, go ahead."
While talking, two slim girls with bright eyes and white teeth were seen walking up to the second floor, accompanied by several nannies and maids. The two of them bowed to Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue: "I've met my sister."
Under Zhen Lan's beautiful eyebrows, she looked at Zhen Xue with clear eyes and asked kindly: "Second sister, when did you come back?"
Zhen Xue smiled softly and said softly: "I have just arrived. Third sister, have you had dinner?"
"Have eaten." Zhen Lan smiled and saw that there was no one around Zhen Xue, so she couldn't help but ask, "Why don't you see Xin Xin?"
Zhen Xue said softly: "Xinxin will stay there for a few more days. This child is a bit playful. She plays well with her godfather and Aunt Lin."
Zhen Lan said and walked up to Zhen Xue. Maybe it was the fresh air after the rain, maybe it was Zhen Lan's keen sense of smell, her nose twitched slightly, and she felt a sense of surprise in her heart.
What does this smell like? Something weird...
However, after a while, I just thought it was summer and it was easy to sweat, so it was hard to say anything.
Zhen Qing's beautiful face was filled with a smile, and she said, "Sister, go ahead and let me talk to Lan'er and Xi'er for a while."
With that said, he took Zhen Xi's hand and said with a smile: "Xier, it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival in a few days. After the poetry meeting, my sister will give you a good pick."
When Zhen Xi heard this, she was so ashamed that she suddenly blushed and whispered: "Sister, I... I am still young, and I still want to show more respect to my father and mother."
"Even if we decide it first, it won't delay your filial piety." Zhen Qing smiled and looked at her fourth sister with picturesque features.
If he couldn't betrothed to that Baoyu, maybe it would be better to betroth Xi'er to that bastard. In that case, in the eyes of outsiders, he would be completely tied to the Zhen family's boat.
But now, she and her sister were so sneaky, almost letting him take advantage in vain.
It's just that the concubine...according to her Zhen family's family background, it's a bit outrageous. When the fourth uncle heard about it, he would probably be furious.
Zhen Lan looked intently with her narrow, clear eyes, and asked curiously: "Sister, why did the old lady insist on meeting that Uncle Yongning before?"
She was a witness to what was being discussed in the house these two days, because the fourth uncle offended Uncle Yongning, and then the old lady seemed to want to ease the relationship.
Hearing this, Zhen Xi also turned around with her beautiful and graceful face, and looked at Zhen Qing curiously with her bright eyes. In the past two days, almost everyone in the house said the same name - Jia Heng.
In fact, in the past few days, Zhen Qing came back to live, which was quite strange to the two sisters Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi. They often asked Zhen Qing about the strange people and anecdotes in Shenjing.
Zhen Qing said softly: "You saw this Uncle Yongning two days ago. He is only one or two years older than Lan'er, but he is already a minister of the imperial court. He is the earliest..."
For some reason, the noble Princess Chu looked at the bright and beautiful faces of her two younger sisters with curiosity, and she suddenly felt that the scenes at this moment were quite familiar in her heart.
Well, when I was talking about "The Biography of Jia Heng" with Zhen Xue.
…
…
The rabbit rushes to the darkest place, and before you know it, another day has passed.
Jia Heng's words at the Nanjing Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household Affairs spread to the entire Jiangnan officialdom, and there were many discussions.
The Jiangnan Camp was in full swing. The first step was to check the number of troops. However, because the ordnance of the Jiangbei Camp was intercepted by the Liangjiang Governor's Yamen, for a while, every family in Jinling saw Jia Heng's joke.
Only a few people noticed that Jia Heng went to the Ministry of Household Affairs to put pressure on Tan Jie, the minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and fell into deep thought.
Annanhou Mansion
This is a large house with several front and back floors. It covers a vast area and is surrounded by elms and willows. It has carved beams and painted buildings, cornices and brackets, and well-proportioned pavilions and pavilions.
In a pavilion on the second floor, Annan Hou Ye Zhen squinted his eyes slightly and sat on a wicker chair. This Annan Hou, who once had a powerful influence in Annan, was nearly sixty years old, with high eyebrows, and his youth could be vaguely seen from his old face. At that time, Yingwu was playing with two walnuts in his big palm-leaf hand, and behind him were two maids in red and one green skirts, squeezing their shoulders.
The person serving tea on the side of the coffee table is a young man of about thirty years old, wearing the robe of a fourth-grade military attache. He is Ye Kai, the second son of Ye Zhen.
Ye Kai whispered: "Father, have you heard the recent news from Jinling? Shen Jiefu wants to rectify the Jiangnan camp."
Ye Zhen paused slightly as he turned the Wenwan walnut in his hand and said, "Don't pay attention to him. Shen Jiefu is not courageous and is just bluffing. The real people in charge are still in Jiangbei."
"Father, you mean... Jia Heng?" Ye Kai's thick eyebrows moved slightly and he asked in surprise.
Ye Zhen said in a deep voice: "When the Jing camp organized the army and practiced martial arts, it involved Shizhi Fanfan. Prince Teng caused trouble, and the man in the palace used him to organize the army. Who would have thought that a young boy could really get things done? It’s done.”
Ye Kai pondered for a moment and said: "Father, this man is not as young as the weak crown. His achievements, except for suppressing the rebellion in Henan, are hardly commendable. Now that he is in a high position in the military, he is just relying on the emperor." Favor and trust are not worthy of praise."
This is the perception of southern generals like Zhen Zhu and Ye Kai who are far away from Shenjing. They may think that Jia Heng may have some abilities, but... that's it.
It's just good luck. He heard about it and was recognized by the emperor, and was appreciated and promoted by Emperor Chongping. Only then could he receive a big reward for his small achievements. In fact, this cannot be wrong, because at the feet of Heer in the Imperial City, anyone with meritorious deeds will surely be noticed.
Ye Zhenwan's thin and strong eyebrows wrinkled slightly. Immediately, his old eyes opened and he said: "No matter whose favor he relies on, the palace will give him a chance to use it now, as long as he doesn't make any big mistakes and stays upright." Contribution will only be like a broken bamboo, and a lotus will be born step by step. This is... when the time comes, the heaven and the earth will work together."
He was almost like this in Annan back then. Although there were difficulties, he turned danger into safety and became overwhelming. At that time, he thought it was his own ability. Thinking about it in recent years, I am afraid it was also related to the prosperous Longzhi era and the country's strong military strength.
Now that the emperor has the ambition to rejuvenate, he is energetic and promising, and he has used young men like Jia Heng to organize military affairs, hoping to fight against the Donglu. Unless he is defeated again and the emperor is unable to recover from the fall, otherwise, the reorganization of the army and military training will be a great trend.
Moreover, I heard that the prince of Donglu thought that he was a serious problem and personally sent people to assassinate him.
In fact, this is the perspective of the first-generation entrepreneurs who were awarded military titles and would not rush to a conclusion about a person.
Ye Kai frowned and said in a low voice: "Anyway, what he did in Jiangbei is not very popular in Jiangnan. Not to mention his son, even those below will be furious. Fortunately, it is only Shen Jiefu's plan now." Army, if Uncle Yongning takes charge of this matter, I am afraid that it will disturb our old capital of the Han Dynasty, and the ancestral temple of Jinling will not be peaceful."
Ye Zhen sighed and suddenly asked: "Kaier, how many years has it been since your father came to Jinling to take care of you?"
Ye Kai was surprised and replied: "Fourteen years."
Ye Zhen looked at the rain curtain outside the attic and whispered: "It has been fourteen years in the blink of an eye."
When people grow old, they not only become softer in other aspects, but also softer in heart. More than ten years have passed, and those old brothers who were brave and good at fighting in Han and Annan monkeys have all been fascinated by the scent of Jiangnan's powder.
Ye Kai couldn't control his father's thoughts and asked: "Father, the governor's office of Liangjiang is going to conduct an inventory of military personnel. Several uncles asked what to do?"
Among the six Jiangnan guards, the commanders and commanders of the fifth guard are all Ye Zhen's old troops, and some are quite old.
Ye Zhen paused slightly while turning the walnuts, pondered for a moment, and said: "I will go to the Governor's Mansion of Liangjiang tomorrow. These are generals who have contributed to the country. We should not wait too long. As for eliminating the old and the weak, the Jiangnan camp has to replenish its troops every year. , which is what it should be.”
Ye Kai thought for a while and whispered: "The son will talk to his uncles about this later."
Ye Zhen pondered for a moment and warned: "They are not young anymore, and they have enjoyed many blessings in recent years. Some of the older ones should also go back to entertain their grandchildren. Since the imperial court wants to rectify the Southern Army, We cannot go against the trend when it comes to promoting young people.”
After the Henan incident was settled, the world's power has returned to Prince Yong in Shenjing City. He has to understand the current affairs and go against the trend. The key is where will the Ye family go in the future?
Just like Taizong who lived in Luoyang and enjoyed his wealth and wealth, slowly fading out of the Han military?
Without the authority to protect him, I am afraid that this wealth will be fleeting and will not last long, so he needs to find another way out.
The eldest son is mediocre in talent, but he is a good man and can succeed to the title of marquis. The second and third sons are both military commanders, but they have no title.
Seeing that his father was lost in thought again, Ye Kai stood up, bowed, and left the courtyard.
Ye Zhen opened his eyes and looked quietly at the rain curtain in the courtyard. He was lost in thought again and murmured: "Maybe I should meet that Jia Heng."
If he is really a natural-born general, he has the spirit of martial arts of Ning Rong and his father-in-law...
The next day, the sky was bright. After the rain, the air in Jinling City was fresh and pleasant, and the willows were lingering and green.
Jia Heng, Dai Yu, and Shui Xin got into a carriage and went to Zhen's house accompanied by the guards of Jinyi Mansion.
At this moment, the Zhen family had received the news and opened the middle gate in advance to welcome him. The grandmother and maids set up the curtains and lined up to welcome him.
(End of chapter)
