Daming Palace, inner study room
As night falls and the lanterns are turned on, the entire palace is inexplicably excited about the news of the great victory coming from the front.
At this time, Prince Nan'an led the entire class of military aircraft drivers into the inner study under the guidance of the inner supervisor.
At this moment, in the military aircraft department of the Han Dynasty, Li Zan was the chief minister of the military aircraft department, while Jia Heng ranked second, Nan'an County Prince barely ranked third, and Shi Jie, the left minister of the Ministry of War, followed closely behind.
For example, military aircraft drivers Mu Sheng, Shi Guangzhu, Ma Shang and others walked around the military aircraft office. They were ordinary clerks, but compared with ordinary ministers, they were more distinguished from the military and political secretaries of the country.
At this moment, Nan'an County Prince Yan Ye bowed his hands to Emperor Chongping who was behind the case, and said: "I have seen your majesty. Long live your majesty. Long live your majesty."
The military pilots behind him also bowed and saluted the middle-aged emperor.
Emperor Chongping looked indifferent, looked at Nan'an County Prince and others who were paying tribute, and said softly: "Yan Qing and several beloved Qings are equal."
At this moment, looking at the old martial arts of these four princes and eight princes, I can't help but feel a little awkward in my heart. Especially when I look at Yan Ye's face, I can't help feeling strange in my heart.
At least half of the rumors in Beijing are due to the Prince of Nan'an County.
The Prince of Nan'an County expressed his thanks.
Emperor Chongping observed the change in the expression of Prince Nan'an and said: "The news of Yongning Hou's war in the north has been transmitted. He led his elite cavalry out of the Datong military town and went to the grassland. In one battle, he annihilated nearly ten thousand elite Jurchen Eight Banners. Yan Yan Did you ever know?"
Prince Nan'an's heart skipped a beat, and he cupped his hands and said, "Back to your Majesty, I heard about this when I entered the palace just now. The Marquis of Yongning won a great victory outside the Great Wall, and used 40,000 cavalry from the Beijing Battalion to annihilate the Jurchen Eight Banners Xiaorui. It will greatly increase the power of our country, the Han Dynasty."
When Emperor Chongping heard this, his face was as calm as an abyss, his eyes flashed coldly, and he thought to himself, How can more defeat less?
The Prince of Nan'an County looked serious at this moment and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, you are lucky this time. The Yongning Marquis used four times the enemy's force to defeat the Jurchens and outnumbered them. In addition, the Jurchens underestimated the enemy and won a small victory. However, the elite of the Eight Banners of the Jurchens More than just a blue flag? After this battle, the Jurchens will definitely attack in a large scale. At that time, the Beijing camp is outnumbered and it is difficult to resist. Those who attack more but less will become Jurchens. They must not be arrogant because of victory. "
These words were intended to "downplay" Jia Heng's achievements in this war, such as his good luck and four times the enemy's strength. However, the last words of concern were not wrong from the perspective of the Minister of Military and Aircraft.
Emperor Chongping's face was silent. He looked at the Prince of Nan'an who looked "concerned about the country and the people" and said slowly: "The Marquis of Yongning has prepared to contact Ezhe's elite cavalry. After joining the two troops, he plans to go to Datong to temporarily avoid the Jurchens." As for the edge, it is not appropriate for a big man like me to use short blows to attack long ones and fight the Jurchens on the grassland."
Prince Nan'an: "..."
Now that the children have been dispatched, why should they be allowed into the palace to discuss?
Emperor Chongping this time turned to look at the civil and military forces in the palace and said: "This time I have summoned the ministers from the Peiping side. There has been no movement yet. I still don't know if the Jurchen invaders have invaded from along the Peiping route, and whether the soldiers and horses from Peiping and Jizhen can resist them." Live."
Shi Jie pondered and said: "Your Majesty, I think the Jurchens are planning to enter the Yanzhao area from Xuanfu. There is no enemy attack information from Jizhen yet, and everything is calm."
Han Huang, the chief minister of the cabinet, said: "Your Majesty, Academician Li arrived in Peiping not long ago. There should be no serious problems."
While the monarch and his ministers were discussing, an eunuch entered the palace and said: "Your Majesty, the Supreme Emperor sent an eunuch to inquire about the results of Marquis Yongning's battle outside the Great Wall."
Everyone in the hall was stunned for a moment, and then their expressions changed slightly, and they suddenly understood.
The Battle of Liaodong can be said to be an unbearable memory for the Supreme Emperor, and it can be said to be the only stain on Longzhi's prosperous era.
And Jia Heng's battle in the north was the most glorious victory since Longzhi.
Because in the last battle in Jiangnan, although Jia Heng's capture of the Jurchen Prince Duduo alive made people feel happy and enhanced our country's prestige, in fact, the symbolic meaning of capturing the Jurchen Prince alive was more, and the Jurchen power was not lost much.
As for the North Korean navy, the big man looked down upon it.
But now, under the banner of crippled Jurchens, annihilating nearly ten thousand people, it can be said to be a victory worthy of a book.
When Emperor Chongping heard this, he looked stunned for a moment, and his heart lightened up unconsciously. He muttered: "Dai Quan, please deliver this memorial and send someone to explain the situation of the war. He said that I am meeting with cabinet ministers and military aircraft and will go there later." Chonghua Palace.”
Dai Quan should be handed over.
While Emperor Chongping was discussing the situation of the enemy with a group of cabinet ministers and military aircraft in the Daming Palace, news of Jia Heng's great victory outside the Great Wall spread over time, spreading throughout Shenjing, and also reached the Jia Mansion.
…
…
Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall
As night falls, the lights are brightly lit, and the hall is as bright as day. The entire mansion is enveloped in a festive and lively atmosphere.
Jia Mu is sitting on the Arhat bed covered with a soft mattress. Mrs. Wang and Aunt Xue are sitting on the embroidered pier at the bottom. Aunt Xue is smiling with joy on her fair face and holding a piece of cake in her hand. The handkerchief was folded back and forth.
On the right, Feng Wan and Mr. Cao were sitting on the embroidered pier, their faces also filled with joy.
It turned out that everyone was talking around Jia Mu to relieve their boredom, but who would have thought that when it was just dark, news of Jia Heng's victory in Northern Xinjiang suddenly came from outside. It was immediately spread to the mansion, and the servants outside immediately reported To Jia Mu.
Jia Mu's old, fair cheeks were rosy, and she asked with a cheerful smile: "Girl Feng, how do you say that Brother Heng has won another battle?"
Sister Feng said with a smile: "Old lady, the outside world only said that the battle was won, but it didn't say how the war was fought. Just now I asked people to go outside to inquire."
That man won another battle in the north, and it was no wonder that she had been on tenterhooks these days.
And Li Wan was sitting at the bottom, a beauty in a blue dress, with a happy face on her elegant face lightly covered with powder, and a little joy in her heart.
Because the entire Rongning and Ning mansions were inexplicably happy about this matter, and with the joy on Li Wan's face, no one doubted Feng Wan.
Aunt Xue smiled and said: "Old lady, these details are probably military secrets or something like that. You have to ask someone in the officialdom to know the details."
This time, when Brother Heng comes back, the matter of her precious girl must be settled quickly.
This person who talks unjustly always feels unsettled.
There was an inexplicable look on Jia Mu's face, and she said softly: "A few days ago, the old concubine from the Nan'an family came to visit and said that Brother Heng had killed many generals guarding the border in the north, and the soldiers were very resentful. This battle is still a little dangerous, and I'm still a little worried. I didn't expect good news to come soon."
While Jia Heng was away from the capital, Princess Nan'an was not idle either. Not long ago, after the Taiyuan and Xuanfu generals were beheaded, Princess Nan'an came over because she heard the Prince of Nan'an discussing the matter. The Jia family told Jia's mother that Jia Heng's war in the north was dangerous and unpredictable.
Jia Mu smiled and said, "Then wait until Baoyu and I come back and ask what's going on. He should know what's going on in the court."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Old lady, the master is back." Lin Zhixiao's family came from outside with a look of joy on their faces.
Hearing this, everyone looked at Jia Zheng who came back from outside wearing official robes.
Jia Zheng bowed to Jia Mu and said, "Mother."
Jia's mother asked Jia Zheng to sit aside, and then asked: "There are rumors outside that Brother Heng won a victory in the north. What is going on?"
Everyone looked at Jia Zheng with curiosity on their faces.
Jia Zheng's elegant face also had a smile, and there was a bit of excitement in his voice as he said: "Ziyu defeated the Jurchen Blue Banner and Zhenghuang Banner over there in the grassland. He won the first battle and annihilated nearly ten thousand Jurchens. It's A big win that hasn’t been achieved in decades.”
Hearing this, Mother Jia looked at Sister Feng and Mrs. Wang and said with a smile: "You have a blue flag and a yellow flag. We don't quite understand. Let's just say how much credit does Brother Heng have this time?"
Sister Feng explained: "Old lady, the blue flag is one of the Eight Banners of the Tatars, and the yellow flag seems to be the Han people who surrendered to the Tatars."
When Jia Mu heard this, she was suddenly surprised and asked with a smile: "Girl Feng, how do you know this?"
At this moment, Mrs. Wang, Aunt Xue, and Li Wan and Cao who were sitting next to them all looked at the gorgeous woman curiously.
Cao's eyes flashed, and the suspicion in his eyes became more intense.
Sister Feng's expression did not change, but her heart was already beating wildly. This was not because she heard about the victory in the afternoon, so she found someone to inquire about it, but it was difficult to say this kind of thing. In her haste, she said wisely: "I heard Ping'er tell me Saying that."
Ping'er: "???"
But at this moment, I can only bear the blame.
Fortunately, Jia Mu did not continue to ask, but smiled and said with emotion: "This is really a great achievement."
Jia Zheng also explained: "When I came back, I accompanied a few colleagues and told them that the Jurchens had a total of eight flags in their hands. They said that the Jurchens were already a bit injured in this battle, and Ziyu fought well in this battle. .”
Mother Jia chuckled and said, "In this way, it is really a great victory. I wonder when Brother Heng will be able to return to the imperial court? Everyone in the family is thinking about him."
In fact, I wanted to ask if this merit could lead to a knighthood, but after thinking about it, I still felt that something was not right. It was not over yet, and it seemed that she was only thinking about the title.
Jia Zheng said: "This is the first battle, and there may be several more battles in the future. We don't know the situation there yet."
Jia Mu smiled and said, "With Brother Heng's ability, I think I can win, so we can rest assured in Beijing."
Not to mention other things, just talking about the war, the family didn't have to worry about it.
Aunt Xue smiled and said: "Brother Heng, he has nothing to say about fighting. When the time comes, he won't be granted the title of Duke of the country. He will really shine on the lintel."
When I come back this time, if I ask the palace to marry her precious girl, I think it will become a good story. Isn’t that what the play says?
Well, Bao Yatou was also the Duke's wife at that time. Taking advantage of her merits, she proposed to the palace, and she might even be granted a royal title as his wife.
At the thought of this, Aunt Xue felt very happy.
Her girl was very bright-minded and kept her mouth shut, so she made a lifelong commitment to Brother Heng.
Jia Mu said with emotion: "It is not easy to seal the dukedom in this country. It must have made great contributions to the country. Back then, Ning Rong and Duke Ning Rong were only awarded the third rank for their contribution to the founding of the country. However, this merit is more than enough for a marquis. "
Jia Zheng nodded and said: "What mother said is that since the founding of the country, there has been no duke in the Taizong and Longzhi dynasties, but they can inherit it a few more times due to merit. Brother Heng is still young, so there is no rush. These."
That is to say, when the descendants were originally downgraded and inherited, they could be slower. This was a rule set by Taizu of the Han Dynasty. The purpose was to prevent the noble children from being corrupted and give them a certain sense of crisis.
"Actually, it's hard to say. If he makes great contributions again, it might happen." Jia Mu smiled and said, "It would be great at that time. The Duke of the country who is less than twenty years old still has to make contributions by himself." The one who deserves the credit will be the head of the country."
Mrs. Wang listened to several people talking about the word "Governor", turning the Buddhist beads in her hand back and forth a few times, her eyes were dark, and she didn't know what she was thinking in her heart.
And when Sister Feng listened to Jia Mu's words, Danfeng blinked, her gorgeous jade face was slightly rosy, and ripples appeared in the originally calm lake of her heart.
If he becomes the Duke of the country in the future, and she has a son and a half, she will have someone to rely on for the rest of her life.
Bah, what is she thinking about?
What child?
It's all that bastard's fault. He was like an animal that day. Thinking of the swollen feeling in his lower abdomen, he couldn't sleep well for several days after returning home.
Jia Mu suddenly asked, "Isn't Baoyu's uncle also at the border? What's going on now?"
As soon as these words came out, Mrs. Wang's fair face twitched slightly, and she raised her eyes to look at Jia Zheng. Uncle Heng was in a high position again, but it was his own, and he couldn't do as much as Uncle Baoyu.
At this moment, Aunt Xue also looked carefully.
Jia Zheng pondered and said: "It should be on the Xuanfu side now. Not long ago, something happened there. The original commander-in-chief was punished by Zi Yu for colluding with the Jurchens. Brother Zi Teng should be guarding the pass at the border. It's not happening yet. The news is coming.”
Jia Mu nodded and said, "Baoyu's uncle is also a veteran and can come back victorious."
Nowadays, although the Jia family was in a state of decline and the power in the army was controlled by Baoyu and his uncle, the four families of King Xue and King Jia Shi were originally in the same spirit.
Jia Zhengdao: "Brother Heng sent the general from the capital camp to Xuan Mansion for support. If we just defend the city, there should be nothing wrong with us."
"With Brother Heng here, this should be nothing." Jia Mu said with a smile and glanced at Mrs. Wang.
After the matter was settled, Jia Mu ordered: "Yuanyang, go to Dongfu and talk to Brother Heng's daughter-in-law. She is worried right now."
"Hey." Yuanyang responded, then turned around and went to Ning Guo Mansion to inform Qin Keqing.
…
…
Grand View Garden, Hengwu Garden
The lights were on in the wing, because it was early spring in February, when the weather was suddenly warm and then cold, so the earth dragon was still burning in the room, which was warm and cozy.
Above the orifice of the window, a plump and bright figure is projected on it, with a slender eyebrow, elegant and quiet.
Baochai was tracing the appearance of shoes by the candlelight, planning to make two pairs of shoes for someone and looking for an opportunity to send them to him.
"Girl, there are news about uncle outside." As the light footsteps came, Ying'er opened the curtain and entered the wing room, and said in a surprised tone: "Uncle Heng won the battle in the north. In the old lady's house, the old lady Just talking."
Hearing this, Baochai raised her head, her face as white as a snow-white pear showed a look of surprise, and said, "What on earth did they say outside?"
Did he win? How long has it been?
Ying'er's eyes were full of joy and she said: "It is said that we won the first battle, and nearly ten thousand enemies were wiped out. The whole capital is boiling, and the firecrackers are sounding continuously. It is said that it is a great victory that has not been achieved for many years."
In fact, some of them are related to the great defeat of Liaodong during the Longzhi period. The old relatives in the Beijing camp are now mourning their ancestors because of Jia Heng's victory.
At this moment, Baochai's pale face was flushed with rouge, and she was a little excited in her heart. However, the girl had always been reserved and dignified, and she said softly: "That's really a great victory."
"That's what people say outside. They say that if the Jurchens are less than ten thousand, they are invincible. In so many years, the army has never defeated the Jurchens with more than ten thousand soldiers, so that's the only one." Ying'er said with a smile on her face, softly. He said in a loud voice: "Girl, last time I captured the Jurchen prince and made him a marquis, how much credit is this? I don't know the future..."
Naturally, the people in Shenjing City could not tell the difference between the Eight Banners of the Jurchens and the Eight Banners of the Han Army. From word of mouth, they all became the Eight Banners of the Jurchens.
Baochai's jade face paused slightly, licked her pink lips to moisten her lips, and said softly: "It's hard to say now. I think there will be war later."
She knew that he was unparalleled in these military and national affairs. It had been almost a year or two since he first proposed to marry her because of his meritorious service.
Ying'er smiled and said softly: "When the uncle comes back, he should ask the palace for a marriage."
Baochai was suddenly told the central issue, and his fair and jade-skinned face blushed slightly, and he said softly: "He has been on the rise in recent years. Even if he has made contributions, it is not easy to use these things anymore." Matter."
Everything will have to wait until he comes back.
"Girl, you have to wait again? Can we wait any longer?" Ying'er's beautiful face paused slightly, lowered her voice, and persuaded: "Look at the time when the uncle went to Jiangnan, there was another one beside the uncle, and he said he would give me more. What’s their status?”
People naturally refer to Daiyu.
Baochai frowned, her pink cheeks showing an unnatural look, and whispered: "Ying'er, don't talk nonsense."
Ying'er said: "Girl, that's what I'm saying. If the girl makes up her mind early, those who have other thoughts will naturally fade away early. Even if they come in, they have to pass the girl's test. It’s said that it’s first come, first served.”
When Baochai heard this, his apricot eyes stared blankly, and he was silent for a while.
In fact, she still had some hidden worries in her mind. She heard from him that the palace intended to betroth Princess Xianning to him, and maybe it would be a marriage. Even if she really made some great achievements, she might not follow her first.
This is...
She really didn't want to live such an unfair life.
Ying'er said: "Since I came back from Jiangnan, except for the first time I looked for the girl, I haven't found her since."
Baochai sighed softly and said: "He is usually busy with national affairs. He is already busy enough. He never has time to miss the gentle countryside."
Suddenly I saw the color of willows on the street, and I regretted teaching my husband to find a prince.
She seems to have...a little understanding of this state of mind that she used to think was pretentious and unsatisfactory.
After returning from leading the army in Jiangnan, I met her once in private, and then stayed in the Beijing camp. Is it really like what Yinger said, like the new and hate the old?
Ying'er pouted and whispered: "It seems to me that I like the new and dislike the old. With Miss Lin..."
Baochai's beautiful eyebrows were slightly raised, her moist apricot eyes already contained sullenness, and she scolded: "Ying'er, shut up!"
Ying'er looked slightly sluggish and explained: "Girl, I..."
"Why do you say such words again? It's just to cause trouble for me." Baochai said under her beautiful eyebrows: "If you say such words again in the future, just go to my brother's house and wait on him."
Ying'er's face turned pale and she said anxiously: Girl, I can't speak nonsense anymore. "
Let her serve Uncle Xue, she... would rather die.
If I follow the young lady now, I can be a concubine to Uncle Heng in the future.
Baochai warned: "You always say such things. If you let him hear a few words or let others hear it, if you say it was me who instigated it, you will be sent elsewhere."
Ying'er said: "Girl, I won't say anything anymore."
"He's been so busy since he came back." Baochai, with her white jade face and graceful and peaceful face, said softly: "I promised you the one from the east, but I didn't even have time to take care of it when I accepted her."
Ying'er nodded and responded gently.
While the master and the servant were talking, a soft and charming voice came from the courtyard, which startled the master and the servant: "Is Sister Bao in the house?"
It was clearly Daiyu's voice.
It really corresponds to a certain life scenario. When you are complaining about your boss or colleague behind his back, just after you finish speaking, he appears in front of you at an intersection.
Daiyu was the first to hear the news that Jia Heng was in the north in the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, and she couldn't hide her joy. However, Baochai was the only one in the Grand View Garden who could relate to her.
Baochai looked startled, stood up and went to meet him. He saw Daiyu, wearing a green skirt, already entering the room. Under the bright lights, she saw a beautiful face with willow eyebrows and starry eyes, with rippled eyebrows and bright smile. .
"Sister Bao, you heard the good news from Brother Heng." Under Daiyu's curved eyebrows, a pair of bright starry eyes seemed to contain a narrow smile.
I don’t know why, but I just want to see Sister Bao.
Well, to put it bluntly, Daiyu has someone to call the shots, and she doesn’t hate marrying as much as Baochai.
Baochai's face was as white as snow, with a somewhat reserved smile, and she said softly: "Ying'er was talking about this just now."
After saying that, he came closer, took Daiyu's hand naturally, came to sit on a kang next to the window, and Ying'er brought a cup of fragrant tea to her.
Daiyu looked at the shoes in the bamboo basket and said with a chuckle: "Sister is really virtuous. Every time I come here, I see her sewing."
Unlike her, she always reads and writes in the house.
Baochai said softly: "I have nothing to do. Let's make two pairs of shoes. The first one will go to my sister's house. I will see that my sister is also sewing clothes."
Daiyu said softly: "I thought it would be summer when I come back. This time I came here and won the first battle. Others say that everything is difficult at the beginning, but I think it will be easier later on."
Baochai whispered: "He always makes plans before making a move in battles."
While the two sisters were discussing, the voices of Yingying and Yanyan came from outside, and Tanchun and Xiangyun entered the house.
"I told you that Sister Lin is here with Sister Bao, but you still don't believe it." Xiangyun took Tanchun's hand and entered the hall with a smile.
Along with the sound of jingle bells, Tanchun, Baoqin, Nona, Zhenlan and Zhenxi came in from outside the house, wearing hairpin skirts, hoops and coats, all shining with pearls.
Another year has passed, and all the golden hairpins have grown one year older. They are undoubtedly more youthful and beautiful than their childish counterparts.
Baochai smiled and said: "Everyone is here, come and sit down."
While they were talking, a crowd of orioles sat down, and the fragrance of powder filled the room.
Baochai looked at Tanchun, his glistening eyes lingered on Zhen Lan's face next to Tanchun, and said, "Third sister, you should know what's going on, right?"
Xiangyun said softly: "Third sister just told us that she broke up the things inside and crushed them into pieces."
The smile on Tanchun's beautiful face was sweet and innocent. The girl in her prime years already had some essence of literary talent and a demeanor that had forgotten the vulgar world. Her eyes sparkled and she said: "In the past few days, I have heard news from outside that Heng is After the eldest brother arrived in Taiyuan, he killed Wang Chengyin, the commander-in-chief of Taiyuan, and then went to Datong and deposed the military power of Jiang Zining, the commander-in-chief of Datong. Some people in the capital said that Brother Heng killed the general without authorization and made everyone feel at risk. When the border army was fighting You may not necessarily contribute.”
Zhen Lan snorted and said, "But looking at it now, it's just nonsense."
Tanchun nodded, chuckled and said, "That's what Sister Lan said."
(End of chapter)
