The next day, the morning light dewed slightly, and the sky was bright. The heavy snow of the day before had melted by half, and the weather was getting colder. Two or three inches of transparent ice ballast could be seen on the eaves tiles.
At this time, no children could reach the ice glass.
At this time, the wing room where Qin Keqing was located was warm and warm, and the carved glass windows were covered with a layer of white frost.
Jia Heng woke up from bed, put on a black and red python robe, had breakfast with Qin Keqing, and ordered the captain in Jinyi to deliver the memorial written yesterday to the General Affairs Department.
Qin Keqing picked up a spoon and gave Jia Heng a bowl of red dates and millet porridge, and asked, "Husband, are you still going to the Yamen today?"
Jia Heng ate a steamed bun and said: "I'll go to the capital camp later. It's getting colder and colder today. I have to go see the generals. Recently, the Ministry of Industry transported a batch of coal from Henan. I'll see how it can be used to keep the generals warm." "
According to later archaeological discoveries, coal cakes had already appeared in the Han Dynasty, but there was no briquettes yet. Instead, coal was used in other ways.
For example, the palace internal affairs office has a special "incense factory". The "incense craftsman" grinds the clean coal into chips, mixes in various spices such as agarwood, musk, borneol, etc., then mixes it with glutinous rice paste, presses it into an animal-shaped mold and presses it into fragrant cakes. , animal charcoal for the use of the emperor’s concubines.
Qin Keqing chuckled and said, "Sister-in-law Feng invited a troupe to set up in Tianxiang Tower to celebrate her husband's enthronement. My sisters and I will go and listen to it. Will my husband also go and listen when he comes back at noon?"
Jia Heng responded and said, "When I have time, I'll come and take a look. You guys can play with it first."
This was also the daily life of noble ladies in this era. If an artist painted it, it would be said that it would be a national treasure like "Han Xizai's Night Banquet Picture" in future generations.
The delicate lines, mature techniques, heavy craftsmanship and proud rhyme fully express the luxury and splendor of the life of Yongning Hou of the Han Dynasty, and are of high artistic value.
Well, in short, it is this kind of art appreciation language.
"Uncle, Miss Yuanyang came over to invite the uncle. She said that the eldest master and the third master of the Shi family were here." At this moment, Qingwen called.
Jia Heng said: "Let's go."
He took the mouthwash teacup handed to him by Qin Keqing, rinsed his mouth, wiped it with a handkerchief, and got up to go to the West Mansion.
In the Rongqing Hall, Jia Mu was sitting on an Arhat bed with a blanket on her knees. On both sides were Aunt Xue, Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Xing, who were talking to the old man below.
Baoling Hou Shi Nai is nearly fifty years old and energetic. He is dressed in a gray robe and has some gray hair. He is sitting at the bottom and is chatting with Jia Mu.
Baoling Hou Shi Nai was Jia Mu's nephew. He inherited the second-class marquis of Shi Hou and also led troops during the Longzhi period.
Not far away, Shi Nai's third son, Shi Xin, was about 20 years old. He was tall and burly like a historian, with an upright back and he was sitting without squinting.
"Old lady, Uncle Heng is here." Lin Zhixiao's family came from outside to report.
Shi Nai stood up and looked at the person who came. He was confused with points in his eyes and called out: "Zi Yu."
I was filled with emotion. The young man in front of me went from being an ordinary commoner to becoming a first-class Wuhou in just one year. No matter how you say, such a person is an outstanding person.
Previously, the third brother was able to serve as governor of Henan, and it was because of his strength.
Jia Heng's expression paused, and he cupped his hands and said, "I've met Shibo."
Speaking of which, this was the first time he had met Shi Nai on such a formal occasion. When he was first made a third-class baron, Shi Nai's attitude was definitely not as eager as it is now.
Of course, unlike Niu Jizong and others who helped Jia She suppress him at the beginning, they had a wait-and-see attitude that was neither cold nor indifferent, but now they have clearly corrected their attitude.
At this time, Shi Ding's son Shi Xin came forward and called out, his eyes excited, and said: "Zi Yu."
Jia Heng nodded, looked at Shi Xin, and said, "Cousin Shi looks majestic, and he is truly worthy of being a general."
In fact, Jia Heng's tone was somewhat old-fashioned, almost that of an elder. However, because of Jia Heng's status, neither Jia's mother, Shi Nai nor Shi Xin himself felt that there was any violation.
If we say that when he was granted the title of Bo, he was still inferior to the two princes of the Shi family, but now Jia Heng, as the prince, Taibao, Minister of the Ministry of War, and minister of military aircraft, is already the leader of the four major families of Jia Shi Wang Xue handle.
Shi Xin said with a smile on his face: "Zi Yu is over-rated."
The two sides exchanged pleasantries and sat down.
Jia Mu smiled and said, "You guys talk nicely."
This scene of harmonious interactions between relatives is naturally what Jia Mu likes to see. Although the four major families of King Jia Shi and Xue are in the same spirit, there are also some close relatives in Jia Mu's heart.
For example, the Wang family, needless to say, always wants to absorb the blood of the Jia family to strengthen their own power.
The historian, on the other hand, is a double master, forming his own system.
In fact, in the original work, apart from letting Xiangyun do needlework to supplement the family income, the historian did not have any big black spots. Of course, in the cruel world, incompetence itself is the biggest sin.
Shi Nai nodded, looked at Jia Heng, and said, "Zi Yu asked the old lady to send someone over yesterday, saying that there was a vacancy in the Wucheng Army and Horse Department recently?"
Jia Heng explained: "I have a cousin who wants to be transferred to the Beijing camp, and the deputy commander of Zhongcheng is vacated. I thought that the last time Shibo came to the house, he mentioned that cousin Xin wanted to be transferred back to the capital, so I thought It’s quite appropriate.”
Hearing this, Shi Nai nodded and said, "Thank you, Ziyu, for taking the trouble. Brother Xin, I have been talking about this for a long time, but there was no suitable opportunity. Now that I have gone to the Wucheng Army and Horses Division, I have got what I wanted." "
With that said, he looked at Shi Xin aside and warned with a straight face: "When you arrive at the Wucheng Army and Horses Division, you must work hard and don't embarrass Zi Yu!"
Shi Xin stood up and responded repeatedly.
Jia Heng's expression paused and he said, "Actually, there is something else I want to ask Uncle Shi."
At the beginning of the year, Prince Nan'an and Shi Nai went to the northwest to check the border. They didn't know how the army was organized here.
As for whether Shi Nai will tell the truth?
Shi Nai is different from the Prince of Nan'an. King Jia Shi and Xue share weal and woe, not to mention that he helped Shi Ding let go of high officials. If Shi Nai, the Marquis of Baoling, still wants to get ahead in the military department, I still need to borrow his strength.
When Shi Nai heard this, his eyes moved slightly, and a suspicion surged in his heart.
Jia Mu smiled and said: "Ziyu, Baoyu and I have gone to the Yamen of the Ministry of Industry, while we go to the study room of Mengpozhai to talk. Brother Heng, I have something to tell you later."
I heard from the maid yesterday that the garden is so big and there are so many courtyards, so there shouldn't be any problem letting Baoyu go in and study hard.
Well, Jia Mu really didn't give up this idea, because although she borrowed part of the garden from Ningguo Mansion, Rongguo Mansion also contributed a lot of money.
Let Baoyu go in and stay, what happened?
Mengpozhai, study room
Jia Heng and Shi Nai entered the study under the guidance of their mammies. They sat down again. The young man served the tea and exited the study. For a while, Jia Heng, Shi Nai and Shi Xin were left.
Shi Nai looked at Shi Xin and said, "Brother Xin, go and guard outside."
"Yes, uncle." Shi Xin accepted, left the study, and stood at the door.
Shi Nai put down the tea cup, looked at the young man intently, and asked, "Is Ziyu looking for me because of the Military Aircraft Department?"
He didn't think that a young man with whom he had no previous contact would have many personal matters that he needed to ask him about.
Jia Heng nodded and said: "Uncle Shi, there are indeed some military matters that I need to ask Uncle Shi."
"Oh." Shi Nai's heart moved slightly when he heard the words. He sat upright and waited for his words.
Jia Heng looked calm and said: "Shibo has organized the army before and inspected the military appearance. Do you know the strength of the troops in Guyuan, Yansui and other towns? Will they be able to be put to great use after being reorganized?"
Shi Nai was silent for a moment, arranging his words, and said: "Zi Yu, the northwest border town is bitterly cold, and the land is vast and sparsely populated. Over the years, we have experienced few wars, and the soldiers have been sparse for a long time. The leading generals have been guarding the border all year round, and their lives have been miserable. , so most of them were living on empty wages, and they were too anxious to start a big fight. Moreover, the quota of soldiers and horses in the two towns was only about 100,000. When I went to check, 30 to 40% of the empty wages were emptied, and I had already ordered the generals of the two towns. The soldiers will be replenished and reduced by 20%, but we still don’t know what the situation will be.”
Compared with Datong and Taiyuan, the border defense pressure in Guyuan and Yansui military towns is much weaker, so the two towns do not have many soldiers.
Jia Heng asked: "When Shibo went to the border town, did he deal with some generals according to the national laws and regulations?"
Shi Nai said: "We have dealt with a group of generals and colonels. These military aircraft offices have been notified. The top one has a staff general and several guerrilla generals."
Jia Heng's expression was unmoved and he said, "No wonder I heard Mr. Qi Ge from the Ministry of Household Affairs mention that the soldiers in the border towns were still wasting money and food from begging for pay from the Ministry of Household Affairs."
When Shi Nai heard this, his expression suddenly changed, his eyes were bright, and he asked: "Zi Yu, does the Holy One still intend to reorganize things?"
If the two towns are reorganized, it means that they are dissatisfied with his previous rectification.
No wonder Shi Nai wasn't nervous about it, because Jia Heng's holy family member was leaning on his thighs in front of Emperor Chongping, so he must have inside information.
Jia Heng said: "If Guyuan and Yansui don't face the Jurchen soldiers directly, they can let them go."
Shi Nai secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Zi Yu, there are millions of soldiers in the border town. They have been suffering from chronic diseases for many years and cannot be cured in one day. We must not act too hastily."
Jia Heng did not answer the question but asked: "How is the Prince of Nan'an doing?"
Shi Nai said: "Prince Nan'an went to Ningxia to check the border. I don't know the specific situation yet, but in Ningxia, Xining County Prince has been in charge for many years and has managed the army well, and Ningxia Commander-in-Chief Hu Kui is the son-in-law of Xining County Prince."
Jia Heng's eyes flashed and he said, "No wonder."
No wonder the Prince of Nan'an County ended things in a hurry.
Shi Nai hesitated for a moment, looked at the young man, and said, "During the court meeting earlier, Ziyu seemed to have some misunderstandings with Prince Nan'an?"
Before Jia Heng, the four families of Xue, the king of Jia Shi, and the princes of Nan'an and Beijing had been friends for several generations, which could not be broken off easily.
"It can't be said that it's a misunderstanding, it's just a matter of political disagreement." Jia Heng looked at Shi Nai with a calm expression and said, "Shibo, don't take this matter too seriously. To maintain harmony between the two is a recipe for disaster."
In fact, Shi Nai should have a good relationship with Prince Nan'an. After all, they are both around fifty years old and have known each other for decades.
And how many years has it been since he really started to gain momentum? Not everyone is confident about where we will go in the future.
Of course Shi Nai would not turn against the Prince of Nan'an County because of his relationship with the Jia family. This is not in line with human nature.
When Shi Nai heard the words and savored Jia Heng's words, a bright light flashed through his heart, and his heart was shaken.
Yes, maintaining harmony in this way is a recipe for disaster.
This Ziyu is really amazing. It is incredible that he is so sophisticated at such a young age.
Is there really someone who knows this from birth?
Jia Heng looked calm and said: "Uncle Shi, the Military Aircraft Department will do its best to deal with the prisoner incident in the past two years. The remaining conflicts are just minor issues."
Among the four kings and eight princes, except for King Beijing...well, in short, his position is destined to be impossible to stand with these old martial arts.
Shi Nai nodded and said: "Ziyu has been a leader of the younger generation since the founding of the country, and the battle against the captives is no problem."
The two chatted casually for a while, and it was half noon, when Jia Mu came to call, and then they returned to Rongqing Hall.
…
…
Let’s not mention Jia Heng’s handling of various trivial matters in the mansion for the time being, but let’s talk about the Daming Palace and the inner study room——
The warm winter sunlight shines warmly through the glass on the desk. The snow outside melts and the weather becomes colder.
The middle-aged emperor wearing a dragon robe picked up the memorial in his hand and read it. He was silent for a moment, and he was a little undecided.
It was clearly a memorial sent by Jia Heng to resign from being dispatched by the Military and Horse Division of the Five Cities, and recommended the King of Wei to take over.
Emperor Chongping put down his pen and asked, "Dai Quan, what is King Wei doing recently?"
Dai Quan heard the enquiry, his heart trembled, and he said softly: "Back to Your Majesty, King Wei is asking questions at the Military and Horse Department of the Five Cities. Recently, he has been leaving early and returning late."
Emperor Chongping pondered and said: "A few days ago, King Wei went to the eldest princess's house to visit Ziyu?"
The emperor had many eyes and ears. The day before yesterday, King Wei led Wei Princess Yan Yiliu to the eldest princess's mansion in Jinyang to meet Jia Heng and Princess Xianning. Naturally, he did not hide it from Emperor Chongping's gaze.
Dai Quan lowered his hands and responded: "Yes, Your Majesty."
Emperor Chongping's expression paused, his eyes thoughtful.
With the resignation of Yang Guochang, the chief minister of the cabinet, the recent turbulent situation in the DPRK urgently needs to be stabilized quickly, otherwise such people's thoughts will be detrimental to national affairs.
If King Zhongshun has been deposed as a commoner within the sect, several princes should gradually get closer to the government.
Emperor Chongping calmed down, picked up the ink pen in his hand, paused for a moment on the memorial written by Jia Heng, reviewed the four words "composed by Yun Qing", and put the memorial aside.
As Ziyu said in his memorial, the dispatch of troops and horses from the five cities did affect his focus on preparing prisoners, and it was unnecessary.
As for the worries of those scientific officials, they are just alarmist and far from that.
Emperor Chongping got up, walked to the window, looked at the palace in the distance, thought silently for a while, and without looking back, he said in a deep voice: "In order to convey the order to the cabinet, the King of Wei has appointed the five-city army and horse department, and the King of Chu He was awarded the title of Right Minister of the Ministry of War. The Prince of Qi County supervised the construction of the imperial mausoleum and was moved to the position of Minister of Cangchang of the Ministry of Household Affairs."
Emperor Chongping finished speaking in one breath, his eyes somewhat dark.
Although the rules left by the ancestors are a bit cruel, there is actually some truth in them. The chosen successors are all wise and strong masters who are difficult to bully by their ministers.
Dai Quan quickly accepted the offer and ordered the eunuch to convey Emperor Chongping's decree to the cabinet.
At this point, the undercurrent in the court situation caused by the vacancy of the first and second ministers in the cabinet has not yet been smoothed out, and the news about the three sects and vassals each occupying a government office once again spread throughout Shenjing.
Compared with the vacancy of the chief minister of the cabinet, it is even more eye-catching that Jia Heng, a powerful martial artist, resigned from the Five Cities Military and Horse Division, and that the three kings served as the third-rank minister.
The latter means that the examination of the conduct and talents of the scholars has been put on the agenda.
If coupled with the fact that in summer, the emperor vomited blood, fainted, and suffered from an old illness, the matter of establishing a legitimate heir was imminent...
Seizing the heir is a high-risk, high-reward matter at any time, which is a great attraction for many officials who are interested in state affairs.
It was because Yang Guochang took refuge with King Yong that he gradually rose to the position of power from a non-Jinshi scholar in Zhuoliu. Therefore, he was often criticized by Han Huang of the Zhejiang Party for "the emperor employs people in an eclectic way."
And in the city of Shenjing, I suddenly felt that everything was confusing.
Regarding Jia Heng's resignation from the Military and Horse Division of the Five Cities, except for attracting a few attentions from the "follow-up reports" of some Kedao censors who had impeached the matter, it did not stir up much excitement.
Time flies, and two days pass.
Luoyang, Henan, in the post house——
Under the window facing the street, King Chen Qin of Chu pushed the window and looked at the palace in Luoyang City. The cold wind in the winter afternoon blew on his face, but it could not cool the burning heart of the young vassal king.
"Friends and relatives in Luoyang are like asking each other, and a heart of ice is in a jade pot. This time I go south and return to Luoyang, it feels like a world away."
I wanted him to go south and lose his only son because of the assassination.
But God seemed to feel pity for him and gave him another child. Listening to the letters from Jinling, the princess liked to eat sour plums during pregnancy. It seemed that the baby was still a boy?
Behind him, Shi Liao Xian, the governor of the Prince of Chu, looked at the young king and said, "Your Majesty, an official document from Beijing has just been delivered, urging you to go back quickly."
Chen Qin turned his face, his eyes were a little hot, and he whispered: "Liao Changshi, Minister of the Ministry of War, my father finally stopped suppressing me this time."
Feng Ci said: "Since the emperor fell ill in the Xihe Hall in the summer, he may have had the intention of establishing a prince. Now that the country is stable, inspections of the vassals have become a daily routine."
This is an essential quality for a mature emperor. Even if he is unwilling to share his power, he still has to consider the issue of successor. This is a major matter related to long-term peace and stability and uninterrupted unity.
Chen Qin said: "Father, it has not been easy these years. He worked hard for state affairs and finally got Jia Ziyu."
Liao Xian paused for a moment and said, "What the prince said is true. This Jia Ziyu is indeed a talented person for the king, but he is young and it is difficult to say what will happen in the future."
If the vassals cannot control this person, then given the emperor's nature, he will eventually clear the way for the successor.
Feng Ci took over the conversation and said, "That's all in the future. Jia Ziyu has at least ten years of luck."
King Chu Chen Qin nodded, with gloomy eyes, and said: "Think about the present first, and then consider the future. Now there is actually only one opponent for Gu, and that is..."
The latter words were not said, but the two close aides knew it better than anyone else.
Liao Xian comforted him and said: "Your Majesty, the Holy One actually still values you, otherwise he would not have handed over the Ministry of War to your Majesty."
And this was after the Zhen family was eliminated. It was clear that if you want to give something first, you must take it first. Only by severely defeating the Zhen family can the prince forge ahead.
Feng Ci said: "But the prince must not be careless. The King of Wei is in charge of the five-city army and horse department, and he has a friendship with Jia Ziyu."
King Chu said: "Speaking of friendship, Gu and Jia Ziyu also have a good friendship. Gu's two wives and sisters followed Jia Ziyu to Shenjing. Moreover, if Jia Ziyu was one of those people who abandoned his official career for personal reasons, he would not be what he is today. Today’s achievements.”
Liao Xian and Feng Ci looked at each other and said secretly that the prince has become much more mature than before when he passed through Jiangnan.
The King of Chu nodded, feeling very confident that when he returned to the capital, he would surely live up to his father's expectations.
…
…
Liaodong, Shengjing
As the Chinese New Year approaches, a heavy snowfall has just fallen in the city of Shengjing, covering the entire land of Liaodong. In the cold winter season, the wind is like a knife, and the vendors on both sides of the street are also shrinking towards
In a majestic and magnificent palace, pieces of golden glazed tiles reflect bright and brilliant light under the sunlight, making it even more magnificent.
Huang Taiji was accompanied by Dayu'er, eating a meal. This was a deer, cut into venison and placed in a bowl, surrounded by other side dishes.
"Your Majesty, Prince Rui is asking for an audience outside the palace. He has something important to report back to the Emperor." At this time, a father-in-law came from outside and said to Huang Taiji.
When Huang Taiji heard this, he frowned and asked, "Xuan."
After a while, Prince Rui Dorgon came in from the outside, entered the Nuan Pavilion, saluted Huang Taiji, and said with a sad look on his face, "Brother Emperor, my fifteenth brother is gone."
"clang."
When Huang Taiji suddenly heard this, he was shocked. The spoon in his hand fell on the jade bowl. He looked in disbelief and said, "What on earth is going on?"
The bright and beautiful appearance of Concubine Zhuang on the side also changed suddenly, and she looked at Dorgon, dumbfounded.
Dorgon's majestic face was full of sorrow, and there were tears in his eyes. He said: "Brother Emperor, the detective report came from Peiping. The Han Dynasty has refused to negotiate for peace. First he killed his fifteenth brother, and then Offer prisoners in the Ancestral Temple."
When Huang Taiji heard this, his face became gloomy and scary, and he said: "How dare the Han court bully me like this!"
Dorgon said: "Brother Emperor, the Han court has detained the envoy."
At this moment, the eunuch said: "Your Majesty, Prince Li, Prince Su, and Prince Zheng are asking for an audience outside the palace gate."
Obviously, the news that Duduo was beheaded and the peace agreement broke down has spread throughout the Jurchen high-level officials.
"Pass the decree to summon all the princes, Baylor, and the six ministers to go to the Xiande Hall." Huang Taiji said coldly with a gloomy face.
Not only did the negotiations with the Han court break down, but Shuo Tuo was also involved. This matter was undoubtedly a major diplomatic failure for the Jurchen high-level officials.
(End of chapter)
