Shenjing, Palace Garden, Imperial Garden
Emperor Chongping spoke with some emotion, and Empress Song and Concubine Duanrong looked happy.
For example, the Empress of the Song Dynasty, her starry eyes were originally as gentle as water, but they have curved into crescent moons. When she was not a householder, she did not know how expensive firewood and rice were. As the Lord of the Sixth Palace, she knew more than anyone else that the expenses in the palace were huge. As for the outer court, look at the emperor's temples. How many of your gray hair are due to worrying about money?
Emperor Chongping saw the joy in the eyebrows of Empress Song and Concubine Duanrong, and felt increasingly happy.
Although the officials in the Hanyuan Palace were happy, they were old foxes fought by the officialdom after all, and it was impossible to show their joy. Well, after all, they had confiscated the merchants' wealth and had a bad reputation.
However, since Yong Ningbo did this in the name of the Imperial Governor, if there is any infamy in the future, it will not fall on them!
Queen Song's mouth was slightly open, and the neat white cherry teeth could be seen vaguely, as if there was a sparkling light. The beauty's eyebrows were full of joy and gentleness, and she said, "I congratulate Your Majesty!"
Concubine Duanrong nodded her head and said softly: "Your Majesty no longer has to worry about the treasury being depleted." Prince Liang's face was ugly, and he was inexplicably shocked.
Forty to fifty million taels? Is this much more money than the Sanhe Gang's last inspection in Beijing?
Emperor Chongping's agitated mood gradually calmed down, and he said in a deep voice: "It is said that most of the wealth accumulated by these salt merchants came from stealing national funds. Their family assets are tens of millions, and their wealth is as rich as the country. They are all the country’s taxes and the blood and sweat of the common people!
As he spoke, Emperor Chongping's eyes fell into memories and he said solemnly: "During the Longzhi period, I and my brother Zhou Wang went south to Yangzhou incognito on business. At that time, the Oiran Competition was held on Slender West Lake. The Yangzhou salt merchants were very rich and spent money like dirt. At that time, I I was still very puzzled by Zhou Wangdi as to how they could be so extravagant. Later, I met several times with Guo Shaonian, the salt transport envoy at that time, and gradually understood the disadvantages of tax farming by salt merchants. They flattered those above and abused those below, so they accumulated such illegal wealth. Wealth worth tens of millions."
A hundred years after the founding of the country, the salt merchants had at least fifty years of family wealth savings. A century-old salt merchant family like the Wang family had even more considerable wealth, but if there was no reason, the court would not rashly plunder private wealth.
Empress Song asked with concern: "Your Majesty, if this salt merchant copies it, will there be any obstruction to the Lianghuai Salt Service?"
Emperor Chongping said: "Ziyu's memorial has some words, which clarify the long-standing disadvantages, eliminate the long-standing malaise, and replace the merchant system with the Salt Law. At that time, everyone was a salt merchant, and it would not affect the common people's consumption of salt."
Empress Song smiled and said, "I don't understand what your majesty said, but I think Zi Yuyan said this method is feasible, so I should give it a try."
Speaking of this, the beauty seemed to remember the conversation she had just had with her son. She glanced at Liang Wang Chen Wei with a smile, as if asking, what else can she say now?
Chen Wei's eyes were gloomy and uncertain, and he didn't know what he was thinking.
Emperor Chongping said: "Ziyu is in the south. Whether it is military affairs or salt affairs, he has his own rules and regulations, and everything is handled in an orderly manner."
Thinking of this, Emperor Chongping suddenly remembered something and muttered: "Dai Quan." "My servant is here." Dai Quan responded quickly.
Emperor Chongping said: "Let the Military Aircraft Department draw up an edict. Jiang Sucheng and Meng Guangyuan, the assistant ministers of the Ministry of War in Nanjing, were involved in the case of false receipt of ordnance from the Arsenal Cleaning Department. This matter is of great importance. I appointed Zhang Zhi, the right deputy of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, as the imperial envoy, to go south to investigate the case in detail. , and based on the military affairs density, excerpts of the ordnance and soldiers of the Jiangnan camp were published in the Di Bao."
In fact, Jia Heng's impeachment memorial against the two ministers of the Ministry of War and the impeachment memorial from Nanjing arrived in Shenjing first. However, Jia Heng's memorial was delivered to the Military Aircraft Office three days ago, while the impeachment memorial from Nanjing went to the General Affairs Department. The news spread throughout Shenjing.
At that time, the whole capital was talking about Jia Heng commanding the Jiangnan and Jiangbei camps and having too many troops. Emperor Chongping did not send an edict to the two Ministers of War, because it would be easy to prove his words by dealing with two Ministers of War at once.
A leading general impeached two members of the Ministry of War, only to be overthrown immediately. This undoubtedly added fuel to the public outcry in Nanjing.
Therefore, Emperor Chongping stayed in China and used cold treatment to air out the public opinion in Beijing. But now he had the opportunity, and Jia Heng made progress in the salt affairs.
In other words, Jia Heng wrote a memorial to the military affairs of the Jiangnan camp.
Entered the heart of the emperor. Empress Song and Concubine Duanrong looked at the middle-aged emperor who was dealing with government affairs again, and watched quietly without interrupting to inquire.
Emperor Chongping said: "Jinyang and Xianning went south this time to help sort out the salt affairs."
Empress Song smiled and said, "Jinyang said that by the time we got to Yangzhou, things were almost peaceful and smooth. Looking at the situation, it really is like that."
She secretly thought that Jinyang still knew her son-in-law. By the time they arrived in Yangzhou, many things should have been taken care of.
As Queen Song spoke, she turned to ask, "Your Majesty, Wei'er is quite old now. Is this concubine thinking about setting a marriage for him?"
Prince Chen Han is actually eighteen years old, so he actually has to go out to observe the government. But in fact, this age is the latest. It can be earlier. According to the age of sixteen, he can open a government office and always be in the palace. It's not very convenient, even Chen Wei is now sent to the Imperial College by Emperor Chongping to study with a group of distinguished disciples, and he will come back during the usual holidays.
"Zitong, what do you advocate?" Emperor Chongping glanced at Chen Wei and asked.
Empress Song said: "I am also a little undecided. Yan'er is suitable, but she is still a bit young. It will be better next year. It is better to settle down first."
I originally thought about letting Chan Yue marry her and get married, but now I can't even bring it up. Song Jing's daughter Song Xuan was 12 years old last year and will be 13 this year.
Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment and said, "Song Yan, that girl, seems a bit young, and her relationship is a bit closer. What did Song Jing say?"
It is understandable that the Queen wanted to marry the Song family to the Prince of Liang, but such a close relationship may not be a good thing.
Empress Song smiled and said, "My concubine's brother has no idea. After all, Yan'er knows everything and has been smart since she was a child."
Speaking of which, Yan'er's appearance and character are similar to those of her youth, but her temperament is still a bit weak, but she already has a somewhat tough temperament.
Emperor Chongping said: "That girl Song Yan is a bit young. If she arranges a marriage for Prince Liang, she can cleanse his temper with the daughter of a civil servant."
If nothing else happens, King Wei will most likely be in the East Palace in the future. Song Jing has been in and out of King Wei's house recently, and it would not be a good thing for the Song family to let his daughter marry King Liang.
"The daughter of a civil servant?" Empress Song said softly, writing down the matter, then looked at Chen Wei, smiled, and said, "Where is Wei'er? If you have your eye on a family, you might as well tell your mother. "
At this time, Liang Wang Chen Wei hurriedly said: "Mother and Queen, the children and ministers are all decided by the father and the mother, but the children think that the selection should be slow and there is no need to be too hasty."
In the past few days, he had been shopping with a few people of the same age from the Imperial College. He felt that there were so many beauties in the world. Why did he get married so early and be subject to such restrictions?
"You are not young anymore. If you get married, you can stop playing around earlier and be more mature and steady." Empress Song stood on her head and scolded.
Emperor Chongping looked at Chen Wei and said in a deep voice: "Read the book first and then talk about it. Cultivate your moral character, restrain yourself and return to etiquette. Make friends with foxes, eagles and lackeys all day long. How can you look like a noble man?"
When Liang Wang Chen Wei heard this, the smile on his face disappeared and he quickly lowered his head.
Empress Song said: "Your Majesty, my concubine and my sister have been helping Wei'er choose for the past two days?"
In fact, it is better to choose a martial arts. Nowadays, martial arts are mostly used in the world, and I can help Ran'er in the future. But His Majesty's intention is to let Wei'er match the daughter of a civil servant.
Let’s first see if the bachelors in the Hanlin Academy have any girls of the right age at home.
Emperor Chongping nodded and said, "You and Concubine Rong will take care of it first, decide on the candidate, and then show it to me."
Compared with the marriage of Wei Wang Chen Ran, Emperor Chongping would pay special attention to it, but for Liang Wang Chen Wei, the emperor obviously didn't care much.
Emperor Chongping sat in the imperial garden for a while, and walked quickly towards the study in the Daming Palace without staying any longer.
At this moment, Prince Wei’s Mansion
In the afternoon, the warm gaze of late autumn shone in the tea room. Wei Wang Chen Ran and Song Jing sat around a chair, discussing the news brought by the courtiers from the palace to the court meeting, and were silent for a long time.
"Four to fifty million taels..." Chen Ran frowned slightly
Wrinkled, feeling shocked beyond words, he whispered.
Song Jing saw surprise in his eyes and said: "Yangzhou Salt Industry is the richest place in the world. The wealth they have accumulated over the past decades is in the tens of millions. This time the properties of the four major salt merchants were raided. The treasury of our Han Dynasty has once again When you have money, you will be much more comfortable."
"Then Aunt Jinyang went to Yangzhou with Xianning to take over this property?" A bright light suddenly flashed in Chen Ran's heart, and he whispered with a faint look.
Song Jing sighed: "Obviously, going south to Yangzhou will not only take over the goods, but also the Lianghuai Salt Transportation Department will be under the control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Household Affairs."
"In the past, the mining industry was under the control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and now it is the salt industry." Chen Ran said softly and sighed: "It would have been better if my uncle had gone to the Ministry of Internal Affairs."
When Song Jing heard this, he was silent for a moment.
How could he not be thinking about this? The Ministry of Internal Affairs was only one step away, but was blocked by the eldest princess.
At this time, Deng Wei, who was standing beside him, suddenly said, "Your Highness, if you want to intervene in the Ministry of Internal Affairs again, is there no other way?"
As soon as he said this, Wei Wang Chen Ran's eyes flickered, he stared at Deng Wei and asked, "What does Mr. Deng mean by this?"
Deng Wei pondered for a moment and said: "As long as the eldest princess of Jinyang leaves the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the empress in the palace takes action, the matter may not turn around."
Chen Ran frowned and said, "Mr. Deng doesn't know. Since Aunt Jinyang took charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, she has helped my father with a lot of errands. Moreover, Aunt Jinyang is not as dedicated as Prince Zhongshun. These things are left to my father." The emperor’s eyes are filled with more and more trust.”
"So, Your Highness needs to keep an eye on the eldest princess's mansion and look for her mistakes." Deng Wei whispered, and said softly: "Actually, if the little princess can marry His Highness Prince Liang, it will be very good for her. His Highness is also a great help, such as the story of the former Han Dynasty princess and Gillian."
Chen Ran looked silent, shook his head and said, "It's impossible now. The queen mother also wanted to bring Chan Yue and her sixth brother together before, but Aunt Jinyang refused, and she chose Jia Ziyu. Although she doesn't know how to solve this matter now, Naturally, I can’t even mention it.”
If he had married Chan Yue instead of the daughter of the Yan family... But at that time, he did not know that his aunt would be in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs today.
This was the first time that Deng Wei heard that Princess Qinghe was also related to Jia Heng, and he couldn't help but be shocked. The rumors about a Xianning princess in the capital are enough to make people think that the emperor favors Uncle Yongning more than ordinary people, and now there is another princess?
This Yong Ningbo is really blessed.
Deng Wei pondered for a moment and said, "Your Highness, what is your Highness Xianning saying?"
Chen Ran thought for a while and said: "Fifth sister and Gu have been close since childhood. Compared to the two kings of Wei and Qi, Wu Mei still prefers Gu. Chanyue also grew up with Gu. When Jia Ziyu marries Xianning, , Lianli is also Gu’s brother-in-law.”
This is also his greatest confidence. With Jia Ziyu's temperament and talent, which of the two kings of Qi and Chu can tolerate him?
That is, he is enough to control Jia Ziyu.
As Jia Heng left Beijing for a long time, the vassal king took charge of the military affairs of the five cities for a long time, and gradually regained some of his kingly demeanor.
Just like a licking dog who is no longer in front of the goddess, after some psychological construction, he regained some confidence. King Wei pondered for a moment and said, "I need to take a look at this matter."
Song Jing nodded and said: "Now that Uncle Yongning is in charge of the salt affairs, he is more and more relied upon by the palace. He especially controls Jiangnan, Jiangbei and Jingying. In the future, he will not be able to bypass him for the position of the East Palace."
Although the memorial of Hao Jiru of Jinling is a bit alarmist, Jia Heng's authority in military affairs has indeed attracted the attention of those who are interested.
King Wei's gaze flashed over and he said: "Prince Taibao, my father's appointment is like a guide from Si Nan. Compared with the other two vassals, Gu is already one step ahead."
With that said, King Wei looked at Song Jing and asked, "Uncle, how is the construction of Gongling Mausoleum going?"
Song Jing said: "In order to speed up the progress, the Ministry of Household Affairs previously allocated a large sum of money. It should be repaired before the end of this year."
King Wei's eyes flashed and he said: "Once the repairs are completed, Brother Chu Wang and Brother Qi Wang will return to the court."
Song Jing nodded,
Said: "No matter what, after the two vassals build the mausoleum, they will be praised by the Holy One, and the King of Qi will more likely regain the dignity of the prince. Now there are no people in the Ministry of Husbandry and the Ministry of War to handle the affairs of the ministry. It is very likely that the two vassals will be in the second department of Hubing. Help manage ministry affairs."
According to the system in which the princes of the Chen and Han dynasties watched over the government, the two kings were generally allowed to handle some of the ministry affairs or be assigned official duties, otherwise their abilities would not be exercised. But after all, after the painful lessons of the Longzhi dynasty, Emperor Chongping had planned to do some new things. changes.
"Uncle, where is Gu?" King Wei frowned and said softly.
"His Royal Highness has only a short time to leave the palace. He can take over the Military and Horse Department of the Five Cities first. When next spring, he can plan to go to the Ministry of Rites to observe the government." Song Jing said.
King Wei sighed and said, "Not to mention the Ministry of Rites, the Five Cities Military and Horse Division also has an unfair name."
Although he had actually taken charge of the Wucheng Military and Horse Department, he still felt a little uncomfortable with Jia Ziyu on his head.
...
...
Just as the officials in Shenjing were discussing Jia Heng's new salt law trial in Jiangnan Province,
In the evening, in the picturesque Suzhou City, under the small bridge with gurgling water, several awning boats shuttled in the small river in Suzhou City.
The setting sun shines on the river, the breeze blows, and the waves sparkle, reflecting the white walls with green eaves on both sides, the willows on the embankment, and the sound of the boating water, the bamboo poles held up, shattering the water in the river. The glowing sunset.
In the cabin, the purple clay pot in the fermentation furnace is steaming hot, and the fragrance is dissipating.
Jia Heng held Shui Xin in his arms, peeling an orange in his hand. He picked up the orange segment, brought it to Shui Xin's lips, and fed it to the little Lolita.
Yuanyang chuckled and said, "Uncle, if you eat too many oranges you will get angry, so you can't eat too much."
Jia Heng nodded, gently scraped the bridge of Shui Xin's nose, looked at the pretty girl, and chuckled, "Did you hear what Aunt Yuanyang said?"
Shui Xin leaned her head against Jia Heng's arms and said in a sweet voice, "Then my godfather will eat it too."
Jia Heng took the orange and put it into his mouth, chewed it gently, the sweet and sour juice overflowed in his mouth, and said with a smile, "What wish did Xinxin just make in Xuan Tomb Panxiang Temple?"
Previously, I took Daiyu and Zhen Xi to the place where Miaoyu lived. Being there, I had a little understanding of Miaoyu's state of mind.
When I was ready to go back, I wrote a letter home to Miaoyu.
Hearing this, Shui Xin frowned and said, "Don't ask godfather, it won't work if you say it."
She just made a wish that her godfather, mother and her family of three could be together forever, and that her godfather would take her to many fun places.
Jia Heng gently pinched the little Loli's rosy cheeks, smiled and said, "Then I won't ask about my godfather. Xinxin is a grown up girl now and has her own worries."
Looking at the cute and smart little girl, my eyes were lost for a moment. Maybe Jinyang and Keqing should be given a child.
However, he couldn't say when the abnormality in his body would be restored now, but he felt that his strength seemed to be gradually stabilizing.
Don't let Mopan and Xueer get pregnant first...
In fact, I am really worried. He has this intention in hiding now. Before thinking about how to deal with the aftermath, he still needs to be careful not to kill anyone.
Daiyu and Zhen Xi were sitting opposite each other across a chessboard. The two young and delicate girls, one wearing a bamboo green skirt and the other wearing a plain white skirt, were concentrating on playing chess.
The two were originally of the same age. Zhen Xi had a weak and quiet temperament, but she was quite close to Dai Yu, and they soon became friends.
After the game was over, Daiyu's gloomy brows and eyes showed a look of tiredness, and she said softly: "Sister Xi'er, come here first, I'm a little tired."
Zhen Xi said softly, "Well, playing Go is too labor-intensive. I think it's not as fun as Brother Heng's chess."
As he spoke, he glanced at the young man holding Xinxin from the corner of his eye.
Daiyu chuckled lightly and said, "You need to learn chess quickly. You can play Go for a long time. After all, chess is an art that cultivates the body and mind. If you are too persistent, you will lose the fun."
"Sister Lin, this
That makes sense. "Zhen Xi raised her bright eyes as bright as a stream and smiled slightly. At this time, Zijuan and Xiren presented fragrant tea to Daiyu and Zhenxi.
Daiyu's starry cheeks turned towards Jia Heng, and asked curiously: "Brother Heng, are you going to be busy with business tomorrow?"
In the past two days, in addition to accompanying Daiyu to pay homage to Jia Min, Jia Heng also accompanied Daiyu to several places of interest in Suzhou, such as Hanshan Temple just now.
Jia Heng nodded and said, "My sister and Xi'er have been to a lot of places these past two days, and it's just a day off. I plan to go to the Prince Consort's Mansion in Kuaiji tomorrow. After we finish our work, we can spend a few days in Suzhou." , go back to Jinling."
Tomorrow, I will go to the place where Miaoyu's parents are and help worship them. Later, Miaoyu will go south to see if the tombs of her parents can be moved to the ancestral land of the Chang family.
Zhen Xi put down the chess piece at this time, stared at the young man, and pursed her pink lips. Brother Heng has been accompanying Sister Lin these past few days, treating her...
It seemed that the scene in Jinling Ningguo Mansion that day was just a dream. In the past few days, she had had a bunch of messy dreams.
Thinking of this, Zhen Xi's white cheeks warmed slightly, and the bright eyes under her beautiful eyebrows quickly closed their eyes in panic, not daring to think about it any more.
Daiyu stared at the young man opposite her with her bright starry eyes, and said softly: "Brother Heng, it's getting cold these days, so put on more clothes."
Jia Heng nodded, turned his warm eyes to Daiyu and Zhen Xi, and said softly: "Sister and Xi'er, too."
"Outside, Jiangnan Governor Zhang Yongchuan is waiting at the ferry." At this moment, Chen Xiao entered the cabin, looked at Jia Heng, and whispered.
Zhang Yongchuan, the governor of the south of the Yangtze River, went to the Governor's Office of Liangjiang in Nanjing to discuss the autumn grain supply in the south of the Yangtze River. He just came back today. Hearing that Jia Heng was going to discuss the flood defense in the south of the Yangtze River, he waited at his house first as a sign of respect for Jia Heng. As a military minister, he is respected by his superior martial arts.
Jia Heng said in a clear voice: "When the boat docks, I will go and see you."
