Jinling, Wangzhai
The orange candle flame stood on the candlestick, swaying in the wind, and projected several figures on a round table on the beams.
After hearing the servant's report, Wang Shouqi's old face showed solemnity. He was speechless for a moment and said with a worried tone: "Uncle Yongning went to Gusu to visit Consort Guo."
Yangzhou salt merchants had strong financial resources, and when Jia Heng went south to Suzhou, they also sent a large number of informants to follow him secretly, and used flying pigeons to send letters to Jinling.
Jiang Tong, who was sitting next to him, also frowned and said in a low voice: "Brother Wang, Prince Consort Guo has revealed our details, right?"
"Even if it is revealed, what can we do? The original money was repaid to the emperor through the Salt Transportation Department to the Southern Patrol. We are still unjust after saying that we repaid a lot of family property." Huang Rishan said angrily.
Back then, if the emperor hadn't visited the south many times, would they have sent money to the palace?
Of course, these salt merchants would not reflect on the fact that the monopoly power of other salt merchants relied on the trust of Emperor Longzhi.
Wang Shouqi said: "They are all old accounts, many of which involve the palace, so there is no need to worry."
Xiao Hongsheng thought for a while and said: "If Uncle Yongning had wanted to investigate before, he would have used the Cheng and Ma families to implicate us together, and he would not have waited until now to investigate some old accounts."
"Nephew Xiao Xian is right." Wang Shouqi's face paused, his eyes flickered, and he said in a deep voice: "If the imperial court really wants to drive us all away, there is no reason to blame others for the so-called crime, and it will not be like this. It’s troublesome, besides, the imperial court has now enacted the salt ticketing law. Now all the merchants in Huaiyang and other places, big and small, have gone to get salt tickets and sell salt profits. There is no need to worry about the unsaleable Huaiyan salt, which is supposed to be more and more unscrupulous.”
Jiang Tong said solemnly: "Although I say that, I have to be careful. I don't think the imperial court is interested in the wealth? I heard that Lao Ma and Lao Cheng's family confiscated a lot of property. This wealth is very touching." ah."
Wang Shouqi nodded and said: "We have to be on guard. I see, our clan still needs to have people who study and become officials."
If there is no one in the government, no matter how much wealth there is, it can only become meat on the chopping block.
In Gusu City, the moon is crescent, just reaching the tops of the willows, the blurred night shrouds the high-walled alleys, covered bridges and archways, and the lanterns hanging under the eaves of the houses are swaying in the wind, while the "Lin House" hangs In the mansion with a two-character black tung wood plaque, there are sparse lights.
In the southwest courtyard, in a wing room shaded by a bamboo forest, Jia Heng finished his dinner and walked into the room. The interior was elegantly decorated, with famous calligraphy and paintings hanging on the west wall, and standing cabinets on the east wall with various items on them. style books, some of which are rare treasures.
"Brother Heng." Daiyu took her watery eyes away from the book and looked at the young man in a straight green shirt with Xiao Xuan sparsely lifting his arms.
After the girl woke up from her nap, she was thinking about how to take care of her. She just asked Zijuan to quickly prepare hot water and wash her thoroughly. Who knows how to take care of Brother Heng?
Could it be that you are washing your own feet?
Jia Heng turned his eyes and looked at the girl not far away with a warm look. He chuckled and said, "Sister, what book are you reading?"
"Xin Jiaxuan's collection of poems." Daiyu said softly: "Xin Jiaxuan is a talented poet and martial artist. He can write both bold and graceful poems."
With a smile on his face, Jia Heng sat on the bed next to Daiyu and said softly: "I like Xin Jiaxuan's poem the most. The person behind the curtain is the one who tried it, but Haitang is still the same. Do you know it or not? Should you?" It’s green, fat, red and thin.”
When Daiyu heard this, her bright starry eyes curved like crescent moons under her smokey eyebrows, she covered her mouth and smiled softly: "Brother Heng, these are Li Yian's poems."
When he met those warm and watery eyes, he suddenly realized that the young man was teasing him. Their eyes met and they looked intently, with soft waves flowing down. He lowered his eyebrows slightly and said softly: "Brother Heng."
Jia Heng's eyes fell on the beautiful face that showed unparalleled beauty. He stretched out his hand to gently hold Daiyu's round chin. The delicate skin contained a youthful and beautiful breath flowing between his fingers. He said softly: "Everyone is looking for it." He looked over thousands of times and suddenly looked back, but that person was there in the bright lights."
When Daiyu heard this, her heart was slightly ashamed, and her eyebrows drooped even more. The lights came like water, and the childlike girl's beautiful cheeks were blushing like a rosy cloud, and her two curves were like smoke and clouds in a cage. Her bright starry eyes were gradually covered with a layer of hazy mist, and not long after, she saw that warm and soft breath coming closer, and the intimacy that she was no longer familiar with was like a small boat, almost annihilated in it.
It is late autumn in Suzhou, and the temperature at night has dropped a lot. The cold autumn wind is blowing an osmanthus tree in the courtyard. Among the dancing branches and leaves, there are a few golden flowers scattered, exuding a dark fragrance and falling suddenly, as light as Nothing fell on the stone steps where the green and white autumn dew rolled.
The quiet and soft moonlight pours down like a waterfall, flowing like water on the glazed tiles on the ridge of the house, returning back and forth.
Osmanthus flowers fall in the leisurely garden, and the spring sky is clear in the quiet night. What kind of thoughts and feelings does the poet express?
After a while, Jia Heng reached out and gently hugged Daiyu's shoulders, and whispered, "I will take care of my sister."
As he spoke, he whispered a few words in Daiyu's ear to explain her doubts.
Under Daiyu's curved eyebrows, her shining eyes widened, and she said in a trembling voice: "This, this...how can this be done?"
However, before he finished speaking, he immediately looked at Jia Heng, who was bowing his head and bleating. He was already embarrassed, his beautiful eyebrows slowly lowered, and he caressed Jia Heng's shoulders.
The orange light casts circles of light and falls on the tasseled golden hooks of the curtain, reflecting shallow light and shadow, which is detailed and detailed, just like the reflection in the mirror.
It is vaguely visible that the jade head is slightly raised, the fine tassels hanging from a hairpin on the beautiful bun are gently swaying, there are greasy hums in the nose, the willow eyebrows are slightly frowned, and the starry eyes seem to be unopened.
The moonrise frightens the mountains and birds sing in the spring stream. The poet uses the descriptive technique of line drawing to set off the stillness with movement. However, after hundreds of years, it carries the overwhelming meaning of happiness.
For a long time, the jasper tassel pinned to Daiyu's elegant bun was swinging gently, drawing circles in place. However, it stopped, showing off the circles and shining brightly, while the round tassel on the ridge of the house outside the window The crescent moon is also covered by the clouds.
In the golden autumn of October in Suzhou, the night is late and the dew is heavy, and the thin quilt cannot withstand the cold. It is already three o'clock in the night, and the horses are slippery with frost.
Jia Heng looked at Daiyu, whose delicate body was trembling and unable to take care of herself. He leaned close to the girl's ear with her starry eyes closed, and whispered: "The east wind blows thousands of flowers and trees down at night, and the stars fall like rain."
Daiyu really deserves to be the Fairy of Jiangzhu, how could she resist...
Daiyu: "..."
Daiyu, the girl who used to have a pretty face, cheeks as rosy as clouds, and a crystal clear mind, suddenly understood the meaning of Jia Heng's words, her heart became more and more embarrassed, she opened her starry eyes, and said anxiously He said angrily: "Brother Heng, you... you bully everyone and you still make fun of me."
How could he tease her like that? She was just teasing him?
Jia Heng suppressed the sweetness between his lips and teeth, stretched out his arms to hug Daiyu's shoulders, adjusted Daiyu's skirt, looked at the girl's rosy cheeks, bright and moving face, and gently stroked her shoulders , said warmly: "It's not bullying, it's love. To be honest, I have wronged you after all."
Daiyu's heart was still filled with shame, and she leaned her head in Jia Heng's arms. Her heart was filled with shame, joy, and sweetness, as well as a trace of senseless sadness. She pursed her pink lips and said in a trembling voice: "Brother Heng, from now on Don't say that, I have never felt wronged, not before, not now, and never... in the future."
Facing those dazzling starry eyes, Jia Heng was silent for a moment, holding Daiyu's plain hand and hugging it in his arms. His heart suddenly felt heavy, and he whispered: "Yes, I understand my sister's heart."
The two of them were bored and said warmly: "When Third Sister and Sister Yun come over, it will be inconvenient to get close to my sister."
This is to get vaccinated in advance. Otherwise, when the time comes, Daiyu will be left out in the cold. No matter how miserable Daiyu is, or she will hold hands and look at each other with tears in her eyes, and she will be speechless and choke?
In fact, sometimes, he is not satisfied with love, but is trying to influence Daiyu's temperament subtly, if he doesn't want to be like Baoyu and meet a fairy.
"On New Year's Day, I insist on living or dying." Daiyu said angrily, "I insist on dying, and I will die now."
Well, if you think about it carefully, it seems quite interesting?
Daiyu looked at the handsome young man and said softly: "Brother Heng, Sister Yun and Third Sister are here, it will be a lot more lively here."
The girl sighed quietly, if the Xianning princess came, Brother Heng would not be able to just accompany her.
Last time Jiaheng had confessed to Daiyu about his past with Xianning, but he did not mention Baochai.
Of course, Daiyu didn't ask, or she didn't suspect it yet.
Jia Heng said softly: "After the incident in the south is over, we will return to Beijing and the garden will be repaired. At that time, my sister, Sister Yun, Sister San, and Sister Bao will live in the garden, enjoy the scenery, and recite poems and compose poems."
Why do men like to draw cakes? In fact, it is not men, but every corner of society who is drawing pie. High emotional intelligence says that hope is something as precious as diamonds in this era.
Moreover, painting cakes in exchange for false, temporary, advance pleasure and harmonious atmosphere can either motivate employees or deceive their feelings.
Of course, this is not a painting, but... a dream of Red Mansions.
Daiyu snorted softly, her starry eyes were as bright as rainbows, and she couldn't help but said: "Brother Heng, are you hiding your beauty in the golden house?"
I don't know why, but maybe the unprecedented intimacy just now made the girl complete a certain "butterfly change" in her mentality. At least she naturally revealed some of her "nature" in front of Jia Heng.
Jia Heng did not answer, but said softly: "I was looking at the drawings that day, and I was thinking about planting a bamboo forest at the Tianyuan location of the Yu Bureau. When midsummer, the green shade becomes waves and the bamboo shadows sway. I want to live there. It must be a pleasant and comfortable thing to do there. I can find a wicker chair at night and look at the Cowherd and Vega in the sky. I want to call it Xiaoxiang Pavilion. What does my sister think of this name?"
Xiaoxiang Pavilion?
That kind of tailor-made, painstaking effort, or secret correspondence, seemed to hit the soul directly. The three words were imprinted in Daiyu's heart, making the girl tremble and murmured: "Xiaoxiang Pavilion?"
The position of Tianyuan, the Tianyuan of Go, is exactly the center of the chessboard. For example, Beichen resides there and the stars are over it.
So, this is for her?
Brother Heng...
In fact, there is no better answer than this sentence to resolve the hidden beauty in the golden house.
Flying flowers and picking leaves can hurt people. Today, Jia Ziyu enters the fairyland on land again!
Jia Heng chuckled and said: "My sister will live in Xiaoxiang Pavilion from now on. Most of the plants around are Xiaoxiang tear bamboos. My sister will be the Xiaoxiang concubine."
As he spoke, he gently stroked the girl's delicate cheek and said softly: "My sister is just like Xiaoxiang's concubine, unswerving in her determination and pure in nature."
Daiyu's starry eyes moved slightly, and there was a hazy mist. She gently pressed her head against Jia Heng's arms and said shyly, "Brother Heng."
It can be said that Daiyu at this moment has been coaxed into thinking by sweet words.
Jia Heng hugged Daiyu and did nothing else. He sniffed the delicate fragrance of the girl's hair, which was like orchid and musk, for a while.
"Brother Heng, Brother Heng, please bring this piece of clothing." Daiyu stood up and suddenly felt that her body was very soft. She held up one of her arms and said in a sweet voice. She took out the autumn clothes from the bed and trembled. He said in a loud voice: "Brother Heng, see if it suits you."
Jia Heng took the autumn dress in his hand, a beautifully woven and embroidered Su brocade robe. Under the dim light, he looked at the fine stitching on it, raised his eyes to the girl who was looking at him expectantly, and said softly: " My sister’s needlework is becoming more and more skillful and ingenious.”
This was all embroidered by Daiyu stitch by stitch, and the unmarried girl Yunying sewed clothes for him. She really regarded him as a beloved man who could be entrusted with her life.
Daiyu's starry eyes were bright and shining, and her eyes were soft and moist. She said softly: "Brother Heng, be careful not to catch the wind outside. I heard from Sister Zijuan that it's hot and humid over there in Guangdong, so you need to wear more clothes." Woolen cloth."
"Yes." Jia Heng looked at Daiyu, smiled and said, "My sister is really a good wife and mother."
Daiyu was listening to "A Good Wife and a Good Mother" when suddenly, under her beautiful eyebrows, her bright eyes widened, her hazy starry eyes were as smooth as water, and she saw that familiar aura approaching.
No, Brother Heng just...ah, how could that be done?
Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at the girl with rosy cheeks, and joked: "Why does my sister still dislike me?"
Daiyu: "..."
No, how can you say this about her? Why is Brother Heng so... bad? He clearly deliberately wanted to see her make a fool of herself.
"Sister, I'll try on this dress later." Jia Heng chuckled lightly, stopped teasing, held her in his arms, and got tired of Daiyu for a while, then took Qiuchang and left Daiyu's place. The living room.
…
…
The next day, early in the morning, the morning light was slightly dew, the autumn wind was blowing, and the sky was overcast, as if an autumn rain was brewing.
Jia Heng, in the guard of Jinyi Mansion, went to the Jiangnan Governor's Yamen, which was stationed in Suzhou Prefecture. Governor Zhang Yongchuan and the chiefs of the Bu and Press Departments and the Suzhou magistrate went to the coastal beacon watch to inspect.
Chen Han set up a multi-level early warning and defense system at the important river defense area in Taicang Prefecture, including beacons, stations, camps, and guards. In fact, these defense settings were more of a notification to the Jiangnan Daying Navy in Tongzhou to defend the port, so that troops could be sent to assist. .
In recent years, in the vast sea area, except for a few pirates who robbed passing merchants at sea, they did not land to harass the counties along the river.
"Uncle Yongning, because the navy from the Jiangnan camp often patrols the sea, the rotation of soldiers guarding the beacon has been slack over the years." In the afternoon, with light rain falling, Zhang Yongchuan stood on the beacon tower and said.
Jia Heng withdrew his gaze and thought, maybe he could make a telescope. The optical principle is not complicated.
Suppressing his thoughts, he turned to look at Zhang Yongchuan and asked: "In the past few years in the Jiangnan Camp, the seamen have not gone to sea very often. Except for the recent merger of the bandits and the harassment ashore by boat, there are other Alarm?"
Behind Jiangnan Governor Zhang Yongchuan, Tao Zheng, the governor of Taicang Prefecture, put a smile on his face and said: "In recent years, pirates have only caused trouble by plundering at sea."
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and asked: "Are they all locals or outsiders? Has the local government received a report?"
Tao Zheng said quickly: "My lord, the imperial court has strictly enforced sea bans. Some of the ships traveling on the sea are mostly smuggled. Some cargo ship owners, even if they are robbed, do not dare to violate the laws of the imperial court." Report to the official.”
Jia Heng frowned and murmured: "Sea ban."
If there is no maritime ban, setting up customs ports at coastal ports, extracting tariffs from commerce, and then using naval forces to detect smuggling can also open up financial resources for the court.
Zhang Yongchuan looked at the young man and frowned in thought, his eyes flashed, and he felt a surge of emotion in his heart.
This is the Minister of Military and Aircraft, the Privy Councilor of the Prime Minister, and he must be thinking about the national policy.
At such a young age, they are already important ministers of the country. How can it be embarrassing for them, scholars who are determined to be kings of the left and regulate yin and yang?
Jia Heng pondered for a while and said: "In recent years, the imperial court's policy of banning the sea has been relaxed and relaxed. There have been many lawsuits and disputes among the government and the government, and it is difficult to reach a consensus. The local officials are also at a loss. The imperial court still has questions about the pros and cons of opening the sea. Reconsideration."
In fact, I want to visit Shanghai County in Songjiang Prefecture at this time. Shanghai has not yet opened as a port.
Zhang Yongchuan's heart moved slightly when he heard this. Could it be that Uncle Yongning intended to impose a sea ban? But not long ago, he sent troops to arrest smuggling and sent four salt merchants in Yangzhou to prison?
Jia Heng looked calm, turned to look at Zhang Yongchuan, and asked: "Governor Zhang is Futai of a province. He is the pastor and guardian of the emperor and sits in charge of the place. Now he is the guard of Suzhou, Jiading and other prefectures. Mr. Zhang should also vigorously and resolutely supervise the rectification and training."
In fact, he could also intervene in the rectification of the local health office, but he did not have the extra energy to do everything himself.
Zhang Yongchuan cupped his hands and said, "Suzhou Guards, Taicang Guards, and the lower officials will all supervise and rectify things recently. Please don't worry, Uncle Yongning."
Jia Heng nodded, and surrounded by the palace guards, he continued to inspect the Suzhou beacon watch and met with officials of all sizes in Suzhou. He was busy for two days before leaving Suzhou.
Jinling City, Jinyifu Town Fusi
Jia Heng sent Daiyu and Zhen Xi back to Ningguo Mansion, and asked the Jinyi Mansion Guards to send someone to notify Wang Shouqi and others, preparing to inquire about the deficit in the accounts of the Lianghuai Capital Transfer Department.
"The official document delivered by the express horse from Beijing has dismissed the two ministers of the Ministry of War, Jiang Sucheng and Meng Guangyuan, and sent Zhang Zhi, the right deputy censor of the capital, to investigate the deficit of the Ministry of War's arsenal and the Cleaning Department." Chen Xiao said softly. , delivered an official document and the Di newspaper, and said: "The Di newspaper has published part of your memorial."
Jia Heng took the official documents and the newspaper from his residence, flipped through them, and said: "The two ministers of the Ministry of War were sent south. The affairs of the Ministry of War cannot be messed up. Let the Jinyi Mansion inspect the official reputation and deeds. I think they can be used, and I will first go to Xiangzan. .”
At this moment, everyone in the Nanjing Military Department was in danger and panic all day long. He also needed to choose one or two people to work.
"The two of them were investigated by the imperial envoy. The undercurrent in Jinling City will probably calm down for a while." Chen Xiao's clear eyes flashed under his beautiful eyebrows and he said softly.
Jia Heng looked gloomy, picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and said: "We are away for a while, I hope it can still calm down."
At this moment, a captain in Jinyi from outside strode into the official hall holding an embroidered spring knife, clasping his fists and saying: "Commander, Yangzhou Salt General Merchant Wang Shouqi, Jiang Tong, Huang Rishan, and Xiao Hongsheng are here."
Jia Heng looked blank and said, "Please."
After a while, four Yangzhou salt merchants, led by the guards of Jinyi Mansion, entered the official hall with anxiety.
At this moment, Wang Shouqi's old eyes secretly glanced at the Jinyi palace guards coming in and out of the two mission rooms around the Zhenfu Division, and he felt a bad feeling in his heart.
Compared to meeting in a restaurant or a boat, the meeting place is in Zhenfusi. Does this mean anything?
I couldn't help but think of the time when I was at Baihusuo in Yangzhou. The four salt merchants, Cheng, Ma, Huang and Bao, lost two of them due to an assassination. Then it got out of hand. From now on, there were only four of the eight major salt merchants in Yangzhou.
At this moment, Xiao Hongsheng's brows wrinkled slightly on his young and handsome face, and he was also thinking about the reason.
Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at Wang Shouqi, pondered for a moment, and said, "Master Wang, long time no see."
Compared with the simple yamen of Baihusuo in Yangzhou, the Fusi of Jinyifu Town in Nanjing was built according to the regulations of the ministry yamen. The five-bay lobby looks much more imposing and majestic.
There is a heavy arched bar, which is equipped with a label holder, an inkstone, a pen holder and other items. Behind the back chair is a brass relief, engraved with a ferocious tiger, which is full of power and lifelike.
At the bottom are two rows of chairs and a coffee table, only the thirteenth Taibao of Jinyiwei wearing coir raincoats and hemp shoes sits on them.
Jia Heng was currently wearing a python suit with a vermilion base material and a Wuyishan crown on his head. Because it was autumn, he was wearing a black cloak. He was sitting slightly sideways on the back chair behind the Yamen Hall. The dim light fell from the window grille. The sunlight fell on a green emerald in the middle of the black crown, casting a shadow next to the bridge of the nose. His face was half-bright, half-dark, with only cold eyes like lightning.
Chen Xiao held the knife aside and looked at several salt merchants with heroic brows and clear eyes as sharp as lightning.
Jia Heng looked at Wang Shouqi, Jiang Tong, Xiao Hongsheng and other salt merchants, and waved his hands. The surrounding Jinyi palace guards bowed their hands towards Jia Heng and slowly exited the lobby.
Wang Shouqi cupped his hands and saluted and said, "Uncle Yongning, I don't know how to call the old man and others here. What advice do you have?"
Jia Heng's face was expressionless. With his white and jade-like palms, he picked up a book that had been copied by the book hunter. He gently tossed it and threw it to the ground with a "clack". The pages of the book suddenly opened and he said in a deep voice: "General Shang Wang, General Shang Jiang, take a look at this."
This time, it was done in a business-like manner, with a sense of responsibility.
[Please do not transcode reading (similar to Baidu) as the content will be lost]
The majestic bearing of a military official.
Seeing this, Wang Shouqi's old face changed slightly, and his heart thumped. Under the gaze of the guards in Jinyi holding swords around him, cold sweat gradually broke out on his back.
Jiang Tong's face was also pale, his eyes were fixed on the book, and he also had a bad feeling in his heart.
Xiao Hongsheng's face was pale, and he was also filled with inexplicable fear.
[Please do not transcode reading (similar to Baidu) as the content will be lost]
