Daming Palace, inner study room
The sun was very hot in the afternoon, and the sunlight shined through the window lattice on the mahogany bookcase, and there was a bit of heat wherever the light spots fell. The hot summer air was dispersed outside the hall amidst the ticking sound of ice cubes melting.
Under the light yellow curtains hanging from the beams and pillars, several eunuchs stood with their hands down, not daring to show their dignity.
Jia Heng and Empress Song entered the palace together. Emperor Chongping greeted him and ordered: "Dai Quan, watch your seat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Jia Heng thanked Emperor Chongping and sat down on the embroidered pier.
Here, Empress Song also sat down. Under the majestic cloud bun, the smile faded from her beautiful face as white as snow. Under the beautiful eyebrows, her eyes were concerned and she said: "Your Majesty, you just came to hear the drum Ringing, it’s said that there was an imperial examination fraud case in Beijing recently, I don’t know what it is about?”
Emperor Chongping nodded and said: "The real culprit has not been found out yet. The Metropolitan Procuratorate is still investigating the case. I still need to find Ziyu to discuss it."
As Emperor Chongping spoke, he looked calmly at Jia Heng aside and said, "In this case of imperial examination fraud, you will also send some detectives in Jinyi to help Xu Deqing investigate."
Jia Heng nodded in agreement, pondered for a moment, and asked: "Your Majesty, this case should not be difficult to investigate. Your Majesty, could you ask some of the examiners of the examination?"
When mentioning what happened just now, Emperor Chongping couldn't help but feel a little cold, and said in a deep voice: "I have asked you just now, but no one has admitted it, so I can't ask them one by one."
Naturally, an emperor cannot judge cases personally.
Jia Heng reminded: "Your Majesty, I heard that after the scholars learned about the imperial examination scandal, they gathered a crowd to besiege the Yamen of the Ministry of Rites and the Gongyuan. If there is indeed a scandal, the scholars who were originally in the middle may cause trouble again."
"I have ordered you to proceed. If there is indeed a case of fraud, we will open another Enke this year." Emperor Chongping said with a dark look, "If you take the opportunity to cause trouble again and deprive you of your honors, you will not be allowed to end up in the three disciplines."
This emperor was also a vassal king who came out of a fight in his dormitory back then. He grasped the key points in just a few words.
Similar to the card student graduation certificate ban subject examination qualifications.
Empress Song comforted her and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. It won't be long before this case comes to light. It's noon now. Today is the Dragon Boat Festival. There's a luncheon held at Kunning Palace. Your Majesty, go over and use some." "
"I'm not very hungry right now." Emperor Chongping's face softened a bit, he glanced at Jia Heng, and said softly: "Have you prepared all the wedding matters in the past few days?"
Jia Heng said: "Wei Chen is ready."
Marrying a princess is a gift from heaven, and the wedding venue is the princess's mansion. In addition to the betrothal gift, he prepared a chicken. Well, that's not wrong.
"Your Majesty, I and Concubine Rong's sister have sent invitations to various families and relatives in the past two days. Jinling also sent letters to Jinyang, but Jinyang can't catch up." Queen Song's pink lips He opened his mouth slightly, smiled and took over the conversation, as if he was recounting a strange incident, and said softly: "Jinyang has been going to Jiangnan for half a year. There is a shortage of ice and stones for my son’s trip to the palace to spend the summer, so it’s time to put an end to the Zhen family’s errands in Jinyang.”
Of course, Empress Song didn't know that her sister-in-law had gone to Jiangnan to raise a baby, but deep down she wished that the eldest princess of Jinyang was far away in Jiangnan and would not come back, so that the Ministry of Internal Affairs might fall into the hands of the Song family.
"She from Jinyang wrote a letter earlier saying that she is taking care of the maritime trade and making more money for the Ministry of Internal Affairs." Emperor Chongping said: "Since Jinyang took over the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the affairs have been handled in an orderly manner. In the north of the imperial court, troops are deployed, and internal affairs The government urgently sent a batch of money from Jiangnan to Beijing. If Xianning has nothing to do in the government after her marriage, she can go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to help."
When Queen Song heard this, her heart darkened slightly. She smiled coquettishly on her snow-skinned face and said, "Your Majesty, they have just gotten married. They are newlyweds, so how can they be busy with such trivial matters."
What she meant was whether she could let Wei'er go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs while something happened to Mr. Zhao Ge from the Ministry of Justice.
But these words can only come and go in my heart.
Jia Heng looked at the emperor and empress talking, and glanced at the plump and beautiful beauty, feeling a little weird.
I always feel that the relationship between Queen Song and the Emperor is somewhat forced to smile.
Or are middle-aged couples who have lost their passion like this?
At this time, Emperor Chongping turned his eyes to Jia Heng and asked: "Zi Yu, have the charter of Chahar Mongolia been agreed upon? E Zhe sent me a memorial yesterday, saying that he wanted to lead his people to take back the old place of the Khan Court. Zi Yu said Why is the most appropriate time to send troops?"
Not long ago, Chahar Mongolia presented the national jade seal. The Chen and Han Dynasties gave Khan Ezhe a large amount of coins and silk, and a mansion in Ren'anfang, the sacred city, to settle Ezhe and his son.
But Ezhe still wanted to return to his hometown in Monan. After the Jurchens were defeated, the three tribes of Keshiketen, Naiman, and Aohan divided up the pastures that originally belonged to Chahar Mongolia.
Jia Heng said: "Weichen has been preparing to deal with this matter in the past few days. The Chahar Mongolian tribe has about 30,000 to 40,000 cavalrymen. Weichen is thinking of organizing it into six guards and nomadic in Datong, Xuanfu and other places. Waiting for more After a period of time, our Han army will send troops together with them to recapture the Monan Khan Court. At that time, our Han army cavalry can also go to garrison and conduct training, and become a sharp arrow to flank the Jurchens!"
For example, in the 16th year of Chongping, "Operation Sharp Arrow" and Han-Mongolia joint military exercises were launched.
Smoke and dust billowed over the grassland, and cannons roared.
In fact, Jia Heng had only returned to Beijing for a few days. He had been granted a title, worshiped his ancestors, and then had a heart-to-heart talk with all the gold hairpins, but he had not had time to deal with these matters.
"The Jurchens are retreating. It is better to be more prudent. I still leave this matter to you." Emperor Chongping said.
Jia Heng said: "Wei Chen will soon send a general from the Beijing Camp to Xuanda University to take care of this matter."
His current document affairs are of an overall nature, and it is impossible for him to do everything personally for the two places.
Emperor Chongping thought for a while and then asked: "Ziyu thinks Chahar Mongolia can drive for my big man?"
Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, the Mongols grew up in the grasslands and are used to being free from restraints. Therefore, it is not appropriate for our government to establish official control. The main control and influence are on the economy and goods and culture. For example, the Mongolian people's clothing, clothing, housing and transportation are all controlled by me. The influence of the dynasty, if things go on like this, the self and the dynasty will become one. Once separated, it will be difficult to adapt, just like a wild horse that is kept in captivity and put on a halter. Even if it is released, it will be difficult to hide in the mountains and forests."
At this time, the word economy was used, such as economic career, which has different connotations from later generations, so Jia Heng gave another example.
Emperor Chongping looked thoughtful, and immediately said: "I plan to win his heart through marriage. I remember that Ezhe Khan has a daughter named Yaruo? I intend to choose a vassal king from the clan to marry. Yaruo, what do Ziyu think?"
Empress Song, who was quietly listening to the conversation between Weng and her son-in-law, felt her heart move slightly. Under her beautiful eyebrows, her beautiful watery eyes were shining brightly as she looked at Emperor Chongping.
I just heard what Ziyu said that the Mongolian tribes can be organized into six guards. If Ran'er asks to marry the daughter of Ezhe Khan, he will be able to get a helping hand!
Compared with the Nan'an family who may interfere in the government affairs in the future, these Mongolians have no foundation in the court and can easily rely on them as their arms.
Jia Heng thought for a while and said: "Wei Chen thinks that it is okay to make peace with Mongolia, but I don't know what Ezhe Khan has in mind."
If he has never been in contact with Na Ya, well, it doesn’t count as a gift girl, right?
Empress Song suddenly took over the conversation and said: "Your Majesty, this concubine is thinking of getting a concubine for Ran'er to have children. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Emperor Chongping looked at the empress of Song Dynasty who was looking at her eagerly. He was silent for a moment and said: "Ezhe regards his daughter as the apple of his eye. After thinking about it, I think Ezhe may not be happy with it, and I don't want to force others to do anything. I choose one of the daughters from the clan to marry Ezhe." Son, or can it better reflect our sincerity in appeasing you?"
Queen Song: "???"
Emperor Chongping added: "Daughters from foreign tribes often do not know how to be kings. If they enter the clan, they may dishonor the blood of the Tian family."
He seemed to have forgotten that if Ezhe Khan intervened in the fight among the vassals for the throne, there would be the risk of barbarians disrupting the Han Dynasty.
In fact, during the Han and Tang Dynasties, people married princesses instead of marrying foreign princesses, sometimes for this reason.
Empress Song was being "pushed" like this at this moment, her heart went cold, and she tightened her handkerchief. Who was she guarding against?
Or in front of... Ziyu, why is Your Majesty suspicious of her coming here?
Jia Heng stared at this scene, feeling a surge of emotion deep in his heart.
It's not like Huang Mao, who was holding a hoe, was ecstatic when he saw a crack appearing in the corner of the wall.
In fact, he was the emperor, so he would also suppress the Song family.
The Song Jing brothers of the Song family will be perfect reserve relatives in the future. If they are not suppressed, they may endanger the imperial power in the future.
He even married Xianning and was involved with the Song family.
In fact, the emperor did not have many good choices. The two concubines of the Song family were both in the harem. If he established another vassal, it would also cause turmoil.
"Since Prince Wei Kang was deposed, his son has assumed the title of county prince. He seems to have several daughters, the second and third of whom are waiting to be married." Emperor Chongping thought for a while, looked at Empress Song and said.
Empress Song seemed to take advantage of this and sighed quietly, saying: "If Princess Le'an does not disappear, it would be appropriate to marry her...but she seems to be a bit old."
Jia Heng frowned and his eyes narrowed.
Is this talking about Xiaoxiao?
Xiaoxiao's title was actually Princess Le'an. Although he learned about this title when looking through King Zhou's files, he was worried about causing Xiaoxiao's sadness, so he usually didn't call her her.
Emperor Chongping sighed: "Niece Xiao has been missing for several years."
In the heart of the emperor, he couldn't help but think of the cold and cold girl Rong Yi, who had been shooting bows and arrows since she was a child. If she were still alive now, she should also be a female general.
Emperor Chongping put away his memories of the past and said: "Zitong, the daughter of Prince Wei Kang, you choose a gentle and virtuous one to be your goddaughter. I will make her a princess and promise to marry Ezhe's son Agula." .”
Empress Song smiled and said, "I, my concubine, will ask someone to pick them up and take them into the palace to have a look."
Jia Heng took over the conversation and said: "Your Majesty, in recent years, the Heshuote Mongolian Khan has become more powerful, annexing the surrounding Mongolian tribes, and threatening our northwest territory. Our government should find ways to control it."
Emperor Chongping said: "There has been some unrest in the northwest recently. Jin Xuan, the younger brother of the king of Xining County, came to report the day before yesterday that Taiji Yelichi of the Mongolian Huite tribe led troops to plunder the county town north of Xining. The crown prince Jin Xiaoyu is preparing to lead troops to attack. .”
As a prince, the Prince of Xining County has certain independent power of conquest, but it often reports to the central court.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said: "Since the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, the Seven Guards of Guanxi fell to the Turpan Khanate. The northwest barrier no longer existed, and they were no longer able to control their hometown in the Western Regions. After the Zhu family lost control, the two dynasties of Taizu and Taizong devoted themselves to The Seven Guards of Kansai were recovered, and the Five Guards of Handong Guard and Anding Guard were once recovered. They were lost again during the Longzhi period. Only then did the Heshuote Mongols rise. The barbarians harassed the northwest border. When our country frees up its hands, it needs to be solved. Troubles on the northwest frontier.”
Chen Han succeeded Zhu Ming and was busy cleaning up the remnants of the former Ming Dynasty after the Jiajing Dynasty. It was not until the Taizong period that he focused on solving the border troubles in the northwest, but in the end what was gained was lost.
In other words, after the Longzhi Dynasty, the great defeat in Liaodong led to the overall contraction of the Chen-Han territory, and the Oirat Mongolian tribes in the northwest were appeased and restrained.
"Previously, when the Gushi Han of Heshuote Mongolia defeated Quetu Khan, Jin Qing lingered on the bed. At that time, the Jurchens of Liaodong were causing trouble. Before they could intervene, the captives gradually grew bigger." Emperor Chongping sighed and said : "Ziyu, what are your plans?"
Jia Heng said: "The imperial court has just experienced a great war, the generals and soldiers are worried about their worries, and the national treasury has also spent a huge amount of money. It is not appropriate to engage in a big war at the moment. If a quarrel starts in the northwest, the humble ministers think that the troops in Xining can pacify the northwest."
Emperor Chongping nodded and said: "Since the middle of last year, we have fought countless battles. It's time to rest and recuperate."
Jia Heng said: "If we pacify the Western Regions in this way, we will have to wipe out Liaodong before we can gather all the troops of the country and go on an expedition. At that time, the Western Regions will be a scabies disease to the Han Dynasty."
Except for the Song and Ming dynasties, all Central Plains dynasties from the Han to the Tang Dynasty would go on expeditions to the Western Regions when their national power was strong.
However, it seems unclear now whether the Jurchens will contact Mongolia in the northwest and contain the Han to share the pressure on the entire northern line.
Emperor Chongping said in a deep voice: "Liaodong is indeed a thorn in my side, we must eliminate it first!"
After Liaodong was pacified, the Western Region was recovered and the territory of the former Han Dynasty was restored.
Empress Song looked at the two people who were talking with great interest, but she was not in a hurry, her eyes glancing towards the young man with a clear face.
His Majesty wants to establish a great cause, and Ziyu is indeed his right-hand man.
Even if Ran'er ascends the throne and becomes Jian Zuo in the future, he will not be able to do without a good helper like Zi Yu.
Emperor Chongping raised his eyes to look at the sky, thought for a moment, and said, "It's already noon today. I'm going to have lunch. I'm a little hungry too."
Jia Heng cupped his hands and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."
It seems that I can't go home to watch the dragon boat race with Xiangyun and Baoqin today, so I can only go in the afternoon.
The three of them talked and returned to Kunning Palace.
Kunning Palace
At this time, the royal wives of various families who had come to the palace early in the morning to celebrate the Queen's birthday also left the palace, and the four vassal kings also left. There were only some concubines and maids in the harem, as well as Princess Wei, Princess Qi, Concubine Liu, etc. People accompany Concubine Duanrong to talk.
The dancers from the Taiyue Department in the hall have begun to dance gracefully. The musicians on both sides are playing the piano and the harp, and the sound of silk and bamboo orchestral music fills the ears.
Concubine Duanrong ordered Xia Shouzhong to greet the palace maids and the eunuchs to place fruits and refreshments on the small table.
Concubine Duanrong, Princess Xianning, and Princess Qinghe had already taken their seats and were chatting with Princess Nanyang.
In addition, Mammy also led a teenage boy, Chen Ze, the son of Concubine Duanrong, who was sitting next to Concubine Rong, with an innocent smile on his fair face.
Concubine Duanrong asked: "What did Master Lu teach you?"
Chen Ze's voice was crisp and clear, and he said: "Mother, Concubine, in the History Collection, Master Lu was recently teaching his children to read history. He mentioned that during the Li and Tang Dynasties, the feudal town of Heshuo was a disaster and hijacked the central government."
In fact, Lu Li also mentioned that in the Han Dynasty, relatives caused trouble and deposed young kings. However, at Chen Ze's age, he didn't seem to be a fool, so he felt that his mother, concubine, and sister would not be happy if he said it.
Concubine Duanrong thought for a while, with a hint of curiosity in her eyes, she smiled and asked, "What did he say?"
Chen Zeqing said in a clear voice: "Master Lu said that in the late Tang Dynasty, the warriors in the vassal towns were a disaster to the world. The warriors had a vulgar temperament. Once they showed little merit, they would become arrogant and had to be guarded against."
Concubine Duanrong: "..."
Why is this Bachelor Lu telling Ze'er this every day?
Princess Xianning watched from the side, put down the tea cup in her hand, and said softly: "Concubine, when the husband comes, I will explain it to my brother."
Concubine Duanrong nodded and said: "Although I don't read history very much, I still feel that these remarks are biased. Ze'er, when the Holy Lord governs a country, he also pays attention to the use of both civil and military forces. That scholar Lu is a civil servant, so it is inevitable that he will Ze'er, who has the heart to despise military commanders, must not be fooled by his one-sided words."
She only hopes that her son can grow up well and fulfill his duties as a feudal clan. These tactics of guarding against warriors are not something ordinary clans should worry about.
How could that scholar Lu tell Ze'er this? It seems that a new teacher is needed.
Seeing Emperor Chongping coming, Chen Ze quickly approached and called, "Father, brother-in-law."
Emperor Chongping looked at the child, stretched out his hand to stroke the young man's forehead, and said with a smile: "Ze'er, you have grown taller."
Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at the little boy, his expression softened a bit, and he said with a smile: "His Royal Highness, the Eighth Prince, I haven't seen him for a long time. He looks more and more energetic."
This was Xianning's younger brother, and in other words his brother-in-law. Compared to the two kings of Wei and Liang, who were separated by one floor, the little boy undoubtedly attracted his attention more.
At this time, Concubine Duanrong, who was leading Zhou Guiren, Wu Guiren and other concubines, came forward. Her clear eyes under Liu Ye's slender eyebrows looked at Emperor Chongping and Empress Song, and she smiled and said, "Your Majesty and Sister are waiting for you." Woolen cloth."
While talking, everyone took their seats one after another.
Jia Heng and Princess Xianning were sitting at the same table. Not far away were Princess Qinghe Li Chanyue and Song Yan.
Princess Xianning picked up a wine pot, filled the emerald wine cup with wine, and said softly: "Sir, this is realgar wine. Drinking it at this time is the best way to dispel poisonous evil spirits."
Jia Heng glanced at Emperor Chongping and whispered: "Xianning, I don't want to drink too much."
"Sir is drunk, I'll take him back." Princess Xianning's pretty face blushed slightly, and she said a little coquettishly.
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Then you can pour it."
Then he looked at Li Chanyue, who was standing aside, and nodded as he looked into the eyes that held the stars.
It's been so long since I've been back to Beijing, and I haven't spoken to Chan Yue much yet. I'll just stay with Chan Yue later.
…
…
Cabinet, Wenhua Palace
Han Huang entered the hall expressionlessly, waved his hands to the salutes of several cabinet secretaries around him, and sat down behind the case.
Zhao Mo, the cabinet scholar, said with a sad look on his face, "Mr. Han Ge."
His Majesty just left a few words, mostly referring to himself.
Han Huang turned to look at Zhao Mo, shook his head, and signaled with his eyes.
Zhao Mo looked pale and moved his lips. Knowing that the people in the cabinet had too many eyesight to ask more questions, he had no choice but to pick up the brush on the side, take out a piece of rice paper, and write in a few strokes.
After a while, Han Huang took the rice paper handed by the clerk and saw the neat handwriting on the rice paper. There were only two words, how about it?
Nothing was said, but the two of them had worked together for many years and already understood each other's intentions.
The so-called "ruo" means "what is the king's intention".
Without thinking, Han Huang also picked up the brush and wrote the same two words from the side.
Naturally, the words on the rice paper are not "Quickly Escape", but "Two Rivers."
Zhao Mo frowned when he took the rice paper and saw two words. He turned over it in his heart and realized it in a moment.
Gao Zhongping, the governor of Liangjiang, implemented the land clearing and whipping method in Jiangsu. As cabinet ministers, they could not oppose it.
Zhao Mo's expression changed, and he sighed secretly. He didn't pick up the pen to write anything anymore, he just folded the rice paper in his hand and put it into his armhole.
(End of chapter)
