Li's house, in the flower hall
It was different from when he was in Jinling, because after returning to Beijing, he had an unexpectedly close relationship with Li Wan, and it was inevitable that he would be somewhat close to the Li family.
"Jia Hou."
Just when Jia Heng couldn't help but think about the gentleness and tenderness of the Hua Xin young woman again, a hearty voice came from outside the hall. Jia Heng followed the sound and saw an old man wearing a blue uniform, standing next to a Accompanied by the young man, he entered the room with an elegant demeanor and a handsome appearance, with three gray beards growing under his chin.
Jia Heng stood up, cupped his hands and said, "Uncle, long time no see."
Li Shouzhong looked at the tall and tall young man with a smile and said, "Zi Yu, I haven't seen you for a while. Zi Yu is now a first-class Wuhou."
The last time I saw him, the young man in front of me was still a first-class earl, and now he is a first-class marquis. The speed at which such military achievements are promoted is truly astonishing.
Jia Heng said: "It's all the emperor's grace."
Li Shouzhong looked at the young man with some emotion in his eyes. It was rare for him to be in a high position at such a young age without being arrogant or impetuous.
No wonder he can hold the position of prime minister, privy councilor, and plan state affairs. This kind of magnanimity is very rare among the younger generation.
After the two parties exchanged pleasantries, under the guidance of Li Shouzhong, Jia Heng followed Li Shouzhong to the spacious and elegant study room to talk. Li Xu served tea and then stood with his hands down.
Jia Heng glanced at Li Xu, then turned to Li Shouzhong and said softly: "Shibo, now Jiangnan is divided into two provinces to provide peace and security to the people. Shibo should have seen all the edicts and official documents."
Li Shouzhong nodded and said: "It is a good thing for Anqing, Huizhou, Chizhou, Taiping, and Ningguo to be independently established as a province and set up as three jurisdictions."
Jia Heng did not beat around the bush and said softly: "Now that the new province has been established, the imperial court has selected a governor to serve as Fang Bo to raise Yuan Yuan on behalf of the emperor. Li Shibo is an outstanding virtuous person and is well known in the government and the public. I wonder if Shibo is interested in coming to Anhui to take up the post." Important position?"
Li Shouzhong pondered for a moment and said: "This... the selection of officials in the imperial court is subject to consultation by the cabinet and ministers. Does Ziyu have the right to recommend officials from Anhui Province?"
Jia Heng said: "The Holy One has entrusted me with the power to depose Zhi, select talents, and judge the vassal officials based on their actual performance. I think about the ancients saying that you should not avoid relatives when you recommend talents. However, Shibo has a lot of free time at home, so the virtuous people should be upright. His name is unknown to everyone in the south of the Yangtze River. In order to prevent any sages from being left in the wild, I would like to recommend him as governor to guard the place on behalf of Tianmu. Does Shibo have any interest?"
Li Shouzhong's previous official position was the fourth rank of the Imperial Academy, and although he was the second rank of governor, it seemed that he had jumped through multiple levels and was suspected of being over-promoted, but in fact it was not the case.
Because the promotion of Qingliu has always been unusual, especially the position of offering wine in the Imperial College, which is very noble.
For example, if you are in the fourth rank of the Imperial Academy, you can be promoted to the position of censor of the left and right deputy capitals. It is quite appropriate to use the censor of the capital to oversee a province.
As soon as he said this, Li Shouzhong was silent for a moment, as if he was seriously thinking about the pros and cons of governorship of a province.
On the side, Li Xu couldn't hide the joy on his face, and his heart was agitated.
Li Shouzhong had been idle at home for several years, and it was very difficult for Li Xu to win the imperial examination in a place like Jiangnan, where many intellectuals gathered.
Li Shouzhong sighed and said: "I do have the ambition to serve as an official and benefit the local area. However, in the land of the two rivers, there are countless capable ministers and officials like crucian carp crossing the river. With my talents, there is a huge difference."
Jia Heng said: "Shibo must not belittle oneself. Shibo has been filial to his mother for three years. His reputation as a filial brother has spread throughout the south of the Yangtze River. What's more, Shibo previously served as the imperial eunuch to offer wine sacrifices. His garden was full of peaches and plums, and he was quite popular in the south of the Yangtze River. Furthermore, It’s more than appropriate.”
Compared with when Shi Ding was the governor of Henan, he would also use excuses such as "Henan was in the early stages of the rebellion and urgently needed a military officer to guard him to deal with the changes."
In the land south of the Yangtze River, the reputation of the famous Jinling eunuch Li Shouzhong plays a decisive role, so the resistance will not be great, and the position is considered suitable. However, if no one recommends him, he will probably not be considered by Han and Zhao in the cabinet.
When you reach the level of governor, besides Jian ZaiZi, you have to look for political resources, and someone above you has to help.
Li Shouzhong said with emotion: "It is of great importance to protect a province."
Jia Heng looked at the emotional Li Shouzhong, knowing that his heart was already moved.
No one can resist the temptation of becoming a governor of a province or a high-ranking official in a border area. This is where he becomes one of the high-ranking officials of the Han Dynasty.
This is not a question of whether one is high-minded or not, but a question of whether political ideals can be realized.
Jia Heng complimented him and said: "With Shibo's virtuous and upright talents, he can nurture millions of people in Anhui and make them live and work in peace and contentment. It is a blessing for the country and the country."
Li Shouzhong said solemnly: "I'm just doing my duty for the country."
Jia Heng said: "Uncle Shibo, in order to avoid any controversy in the future recommendation, I will examine the two of them again to make up for each other."
Compared with Li Shouzhong's reputation and qualifications, there is no suitable candidate in Liangjiang.
"This is natural. The country's famous weapon should be judged by the wise and foolish. How can it be given to each other privately?" Li Shouzhong nodded.
Jia Heng's expression paused and he said, "Uncle, let's leave it at that. I will check the resumes of Jiangnan officials when I get back."
In addition, he did not have a letter from Li Wan in his hand. He had never seen Li Wan again since that night.
Well, after returning home, the dandy sister-in-law may hold a banquet for him again.
Will he go or not?
At this moment, he couldn't help but think of the cries of joy and relief, as well as the gentleness and gentleness of being at the mercy of others, which seemed to have magic power and surged up in his heart again.
My sister-in-law has been having a hard time these past few years, otherwise she wouldn’t have taken advantage of her drunkenness... To a certain extent, it can be regarded as corroborating the original story of touching the key on Ping’er’s waist while drinking, and the scene outside Daoxiang Village. Red apricots emitting fire and steaming clouds.
Jia Heng quickly dismissed some trivial thoughts in his mind.
Li Shouzhong nodded and said: "Then Ziyu goes to work, so I won't keep Ziyu around."
The matter was settled in this way, and then Li Shouzhong and Li Xu sent Jia Heng to Yimen before returning to the hall.
Without saying another word, Jia Heng said goodbye to Li Shouzhong and returned to Ningguo Mansion with the retinue of Jinyi Mansion.
As he watched Jia Heng leave, surrounded by the imperial guards wearing flying fish uniforms and embroidered spring knives, Li Xu felt both envy and emotion in his eyes, and whispered: "Father, he is gone."
Li Shouzhong also withdrew his complex eyes, glared at his son, and shouted: "As a father, don't you know that he is gone? Why don't you go back and study hard, take the imperial examination, and get into the 20s, but you didn't even pass the examination? I'm You’ve lost all face.”
It's not too much to say that compared to Zi Yu, who became an important minister in the court before he was a weakling, he would at least be a Jinshi at the age of twenty.
Li Xu quickly lowered his head, suppressed the smile that gradually rose at the corner of his mouth, quickly bowed his hands and turned around.
He knew that his father was very happy today. He was governor of a province and was appointed as a frontier official. He could realize his political ambitions better than in the Imperial College. There was no telling whether he would join the cabinet in the future.
Entering the cabinet and assisting the king was the ultimate ideal of the literati of this era.
In this way, the sun rises and the moon sets, time flies by, and two days pass before you know it.
During these two days, Jia Heng mainly looked through the resumes of officials in Jiangnan official circles, and then worked with officials from the Nanjing Civil Service Examination Department and the Literature and Selection Department, as well as detectives from the Jinyi Mansion, to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of officials suitable for transfer. .
In two or three days, I had a preliminary understanding of the Nanjing Six Ministries and Jiangnan officials.
Officials suitable for transfer in the Six Ministries of Nanjing include some Langzhong and Yuanwailang, and individual officials at the level of Vice Minister have the idea of governor, but they can't figure out the way, or they know that the appointment of governor must be in the heart of the emperor, or to get it. Jia Heng's strong recommendation can make things happen, so he gave up this idea early.
Just like that, it was time to have dinner as agreed with Zhang Yongchuan, the governor of Jiangnan.
Jia Heng changed into a green shirt and brocade robe, and was about to leave the Ningguo Mansion. Suddenly, a boy wearing a short jacket outside said: "Master Hou, Xu Shikui, the chief envoy of Jiangzuo, is outside asking to see Mr. Hou."
When Jia Heng heard this, he was startled for a moment and said: "Let him wait in the front hall, I will go there right away."
This Xu Shikui, if he remembered correctly, was a member of Shen Fang, the governor of Liangjiang.
Are you losing your temper? If Shen Fang didn't find him, how could he bring a gun to shoot him?
Jia Heng received Jiangzuo Chief Envoy Xu Shikui in the hall.
"I have met the Marquis." When Xu Shikui saw Jia Heng, he quickly walked a few steps and bowed respectfully.
Jia Heng stretched out his hand to help each other and said, "Master Xu, why are you here in such a hurry?"
Xu Shikui said: "Master Marquis, I am here to tell you about the money and expenditure of Jiangzuo Chief Secretary in recent years so that I can inquire about it."
Jia Heng looked calm and said: "Mr. Xu, there is no need to go to such trouble. I remember that when I asked Mr. Shen at the Liangjiang Governor's Yamen a few days ago, Mr. Shen mentioned that the corresponding Dingkou household registration book had been transferred. Organize people to compile books.”
"Master Marquis, you may not know the details from the records of the Secretary," Xu Shikui said.
He doesn't even think about whether he can successfully take over as governor. Just talking about whether he can keep his current position as a feudal lord, he is worried in his heart.
For example, Mr. Tai, who was dismissed from his post and retained as a guilty person, did not dare to say much about the Jiangnan sub-province.
Jia Heng looked at Xu Shikui with a smile on his face, thought for a while, and said, "Since Mr. Xu is so elegant, you might as well talk about the taxes, money and food that the Chief Envoy of Jiangzuo has received over the years."
It is true that the chief envoy of Jiangzuo could not be promoted to Anhui smoothly, otherwise the significance of Anhui's separation from Jiangnan Province would be diluted, but it does not mean that Xu Shikui cannot be transferred elsewhere.
And all this is in his test.
Xu Shikui then rambled on, not to mention that the slightly chubby-cheeked Ambassador Xu Bu did not know whether it was because of his strong business ability or because he had done a lot of homework and knew everything in detail.
Jia Heng listened to Xu Shikui's introduction, nodded, and said, "Is Mr. Xu a third-grade person, or a second-grade one?"
In the Han Dynasty, the chief envoy was of the second rank, almost at the same level as the governor. However, over the past century since the founding of the country, the governor had become the central imperial envoy and held the royal flag. His authority had gradually increased and he had the power to impeach and investigate. The chief envoy was actually of lower rank. Cover half grid.
Xu Shikui said: "The lower official is from the second rank. The two rivers are not as good as the other places. There are left and right chief envoys, the left chief envoy is from the second rank, and the right chief envoy is from the third rank and is under the rule of the governor of Jiangnan."
This is his advantage. Whether he is the governor or the chief envoy of Anhui, the position should be his.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said: "Then Mr. Xu should be transferred to Mokan more often."
When Xu Shikui heard this, his heart moved slightly. Could this be a hint that he could be recommended as governor?
But what does he need to pay?
Jia Heng did not continue talking, but took a look at the sky outside and said, "Master Xu, it's getting late. If you have nothing to do, go back first. I have something to do later."
When Xu Shikui heard this, the smile on his face froze for a moment. For a moment, he really couldn't figure out the thoughts of the young man Wu Hou opposite him, but when he saw the young man serving tea to see off the guests, he had no choice but to leave.
Jia Heng put down the tea cup, looked calm, shook his head secretly, and then ordered the servants to prepare the carriage and horses, and headed to the Chunfeng Restaurant agreed with Zhang Yongchuan, the governor of Jiangnan.
But Xu Shikui was sitting in a sedan chair carried by four people, but he stopped at the corner of the street. After a while, he heard the servant hurried over and said in a low voice: "My lord, Marquis Yongning has gone to Chunfeng Restaurant."
When Xu Shikui heard this, a mysterious look surged in his eyes. Without thinking, he ordered the servant: "Send someone to the Chunfeng Restaurant to keep an eye on who Yongning Marquis has met."
The servant looked troubled and said: "Sir, Marquis Yongning is the Commander-in-Chief of Jinyi. If he notices this, the little one..."
When Xu Shikui heard this, his expression changed, he waved his hand and said, "No need to go."
Even if he knew who the Marquis Yongning was seeing, he wouldn't be able to change anything. On the contrary, it would be self-defeating.
Chunfeng Restaurant, second floor
Zhang Yongchuan, the governor of Jiangnan, led Jia Heng to the box, smiled and said, "Jia Hou, please take a seat."
Jia Heng sat down, looked at Zhang Yongchuan opposite, and asked, "Zhang Futai is here alone?"
He originally thought that Zhang Yongchuan would come with Gan Yuanqin, but he didn't expect that Zhang Yongchuan would come alone. He clearly had other plans.
The two of them sat down, and the attendant brought by Zhang Yongchuan poured wine for them, then left the box and stood outside to wait for each other.
Zhang Yongchuan looked at the young man across from him and said with a smile: "Jia Hou, the chef of this restaurant used to be the royal chef in the palace in his early years, and the dishes he makes are the best in the entire Jinling City. Lord Marquis, you can try this dish."
Jia Heng put down the wine cup, looked at Zhang Yongchuan across from him with a deep gaze, and said, "If Zhang Futai has something to say, why don't you speak directly?"
These old bureaucrats will not speak directly and will often go round and round to prevent others from taking advantage of them.
Zhang Yongchuan smiled and said: "Jia Hou, please be patient."
Jia Heng raised the wine cup and took a sip without commenting.
Zhang Yongchuan observed the young man's expression, considered his words, and said: "When the Jiangnan camp was being reorganized, the lower official heard that Master Tai had worked with the fourth master of the Zhen family to rebuild the navy, and Jiahou had already had his thoughts. .”
Jia Heng raised his eyes from the cup where he was drinking wine, looked deeply at Zhang Yongchuan, and said softly: "This is indeed an old thing, but after the victory of Haimen, Shen Zhipai was punished by the imperial court and dismissed from his post. Keep it, this matter has been closed."
Sure enough, wherever there are people, there are rivers and lakes. In this chapter, Yongchuan clearly pointed the finger at his immediate boss Shen Fang.
In fact, it is not surprising that the next stop for many Jiangnan governors is either to become minister in the ministry, or to be promoted to governor of Liangjiang, and then to enter the cabinet. Han Huang was like this, and Shen Fang would have reached the stage of entering the cabinet long ago if Emperor Chongping had not deliberately suppressed him. .
Of course, after this dismissal and retention, the matter of joining the cabinet has been postponed. In fact, it is not without mistakes that he was admitted to the cabinet. There are people who serve as chief ministers, so it is hard to say more.
Jia Heng's eyes were fierce, almost staring at Zhang Yongchuan, and he said in a deep voice: "What does Zhang Futai mean? Is he trying to sow discord between me and Shen Jiefu?"
Zhang Yongchuan said quickly: "I don't dare, I just feel that the dispute over private matters will harm the national affairs, and I can't stand it."
In the atmosphere of gradually depressing silence, Jia Heng smiled to himself and said, "Actually, I am also puzzled. Shen Jiefu and I don't have much interaction, but I don't know where this personal feud started?"
In fact, he knew it well, and this only prompted Zhang Yongchuan to show more sincerity and not just to make a fuss here.
In fact, if he wanted to bring down Shen Fang, he could not take action directly, otherwise Han and Zhao in the cabinet would definitely end up, and it was normal for the factions within the Jiangnan officialdom to update and iterate.
"What the Marquis doesn't know is that when the Marquis was stationed in Huai'an to rectify the river affairs, the former river governor Gao Bin was Master Shen's brother-in-law. He committed suicide in fear of crime due to corruption and dereliction of duty. Maybe he had a grudge against the Marquis because of this incident. Master?" Zhang Yongchuan whispered.
Jia Heng said: "At that time, there was a natural disaster, the floods burst the embankments, and the people suffered a lot. Even if I didn't have this prince, the court would send important officials to investigate. What does Gao Bin have to do with me because he committed suicide out of fear of crime?"
Zhang Yongchuan's eyes were focused for a moment and he smiled: "But some people don't think so."
Jia Heng said: "That's all, these discords. I am dedicated to serving the public good and don't care about criticism from villains. Right and wrong are pure and turbid. The emperor's holy eyes are like torches, which illuminate thousands of miles. There should be no place for evil spirits and monsters to hide!"
"The Marquis doesn't know something. When the Marquis was coldly waiting for the opportunity to fight in Jinling City, there were many secret connections between the governor's offices of the two rivers." Zhang Yongchuan looked at the young man who made a loud noise, his mind moved slightly, he secretly gritted his teeth, and then Throw out a chip.
Today's event is a bet.
Jia Heng turned to look at Zhang Yongchuan, with a somewhat scrutinizing look in his eyes, making the latter look a little uncomfortable, and said, "Zhang Futai is well-informed."
In fact, at this moment, there is already a hint of a villain plotting to destroy people. If it were in a TV series, he would have a proper villain script.
Just when Zhang Yongchuan was worried, Jia Heng said: "The main reason why I am going south this time is to prepare for the Jiangnan branch. This is the imperial court's plan for running the country. Governor Zhang can take care of himself."
He will not interfere in any trouble. This is a fight within the Zhejiang Party faction, and he will give a push at the appropriate time.
Zhang Yongchuan smiled and said, "I understand."
After saying that, he raised his wine cup and said to each other: "I would like to give you a glass of wine, Lord Marquis."
So far, that’s it, no more details.
Jia Heng raised his wine cup and had a drink with Zhang Yongchuan. He looked at the man with some understanding in his heart.
The land of Jiangnan is more complicated than he imagined. In fact, it can be seen from some of the differences between Han Huang and Zhao Mo on major matters. No one is a follower of others. It is just that the overall direction of interests is convergent. And act in unison.
As for Zhang Yongchuan, he clearly wanted to jump in after seeing Shen Fang's dismissal and retention.
Jia Heng took a sip of wine and talked to Zhang Yongchuan again. This time they did not discuss the court situation, but casually mentioned the Forty-Eight Scenes of Jinling.
In this way, after a banquet, at night, Jia Heng returned to Ningguo Mansion.
Ningguo Mansion
In the back house, a cluster of candles lit up the candlesticks in the inner hall. When he heard the movement in the front yard, Yuan Chun took Shui Xin's hand, walked closer and said worriedly: "Brother Heng, are you back? You went out to drink. Already?"
Jia Heng looked at the plump and soft beauty under the orange light, and chuckled: "I've had a few drinks, sister, have you had dinner?"
If Xinxin hadn't been watching from the side, he would have wanted to hug Yuan Chun. Her softness was like a ball of cotton, which was unmatched by ordinary people.
Yuan Chun's beautiful eyes were as bright as water. When she saw the boy, her cheeks were slightly red, her eyes were clear, and her feet were not stumbling. She said softly: "I haven't eaten yet. I'm waiting for Brother Heng."
Shui Xin picked up her white little hand and fanned it under her nose, then said softly, "Daddy, why are you drinking again?"
Although he said this, he still ran over, took Jia Heng's hand, and asked for a hug.
Jia Heng knelt down, hugged the cute little Loli, kissed her plump and pink face, and said with a chuckle: "Xinxin, I'll take a bath later."
"Dad, I want to take a bath too, let's take a bath together." Shui Xin put his arms around Jia Heng's neck and said in a soft voice.
Jia Heng: "..."
"Xinxin is a big girl now. She is really shameless. She even wants to wash it with daddy." Jia Heng rubbed Xinxin's pink and white face and said with a chuckle.
He doesn't have any special hobbies, and the little girl just gets intimate with him.
Jia Heng and Xinxin were arguing for a while, then turned to look at Yuan Chun and said, "Sister, you have nothing to do this afternoon?"
Yuanchun called the maid to prepare hot water, handed over a cup of tea, and said softly: "Now, His Highness has sent someone over to ask you when you have time to come over?"
Although the eldest princess of Jinyang was pregnant, she was calling Jia Heng for something else, mainly because of the attachment during pregnancy.
Jia Heng thought for a while and said, "Then I'll go to the house to have a look tomorrow."
"Brother Heng, tomorrow is the Little New Year." Yuanchun reminded.
Jia Heng smiled and said: "Xiao Nian? If you don't tell me, I almost forgot. Let's go to the eldest princess's house tomorrow. We are quite busy these days. We will try our best to confirm some officials of the Yasi before the year."
As for the battle between Shen Fang and Zhang Yongchuan, he watched from the other side.
Shui Xin said: "Dad, when will mother and aunt come over? Let's celebrate the New Year together."
Jia Heng chuckled and said, "I'll send someone to invite you early tomorrow morning. When it gets dark, daddy will go to your aunt Jinyang's place."
He would stay with Jinyang in the evening, and Mopan and Xueer in the morning and afternoon.
Shui Xin pouted, hugged Jia Heng and said, "Dad, can't we, a family of three, live a happy new year?"
Even though Yuanchun had long been accustomed to Xinxin's shocking words, hearing those words inevitably made her heart feel strange.
This girl, even though she is not very old, is talking like an adult every day.
At this moment, the maid reported: "The hot water is ready."
Jia Heng turned to look at Yuan Chun, smiled, and said softly: "Sister, please give Xinxin to Baoqin. I have something to say to you."
Yuanchun met those scorching eyes, his plump cheeks blushed like a blush, and looked as bright and moving as a peach blossom under the orange light, and he softly said "Hmm".
Hengdi just likes to play around these two days, and she is not afraid of catching cold. Fortunately, she has a strong firepower, and there is a charcoal stove in the room to keep warm.
(End of chapter)
