While Jia Heng was inspecting the Ordnance Supervision and preparing various matters for going south, the Prince of Nan'an County was also mobilizing troops from the capital with great fanfare, and the entire capital was busy for the war in the northwest.
Before the war, a gloomy atmosphere enveloped the entire Shenjing City.
However, the New Deal in Jiangnan was already raging. Gao Zhongping had taken the lead in testing the one-whip method in Jiangsu prefectures and counties. Many officials were sent to local prefectures and counties to start clearing land and registering the land.
But the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River have long been complaining and undercurrents are surging.
Finally, the undercurrent that had been raging for many days suddenly broke out and led to a murder. Zhao Lelin, the magistrate of Wujin County in Changzhou Prefecture, Jiangsu Province, and his entourage clashed with the people when they were clearing their land in Gaomiao Township. They were besieged and then arrested. Get up, fill the hole and bury them alive.
As soon as this incident came out, Jiangnan official circles were in an uproar!
Gao Zhongping rushed the memorial six hundred miles and delivered it to Beijing.
For a time, the Han Dynasty was turbulent and thunderous. Compared with the northwest frontier, cabinet minister Zhao Mo was expelled from the cabinet, and the cabinet discussion to fill the vacancy caused an uproar.
A dignified seventh-rank magistrate and county officials were buried alive by the mob. How big a deal is this? At certain times, the national policy of collecting imperial grains can even be shaken.
The discussion about the Yiyi whip method and related new policies quickly overshadowed the northwest border troubles!
Scabies, a disease that plagues the northwest frontier, can be eliminated with a snap of the fingers after the troops from Beijing are dispatched.
However, the New Deal suffered such a setback, which suddenly brought the question of whether the Four New Deals were bad policies to the forefront!
Daming Palace, Hanyuan Hall, inner study room
It was stormy and dark outside, and a heavy rain broke out in Guanzhong, which had been sunny for many days. Thunder and lightning flashed, and the windows blown by the strong wind made a clanging sound.
The study room in the Nuan Pavilion is shrouded in a cold atmosphere, and you can feel the bone-chilling chill even in the dog days of summer.
Emperor Chongping threw the memorandum in his hand on the ground, his face was full of green energy, and he said angrily: "Rebellion, rebellion!"
Dai Quan looked at the furious Emperor from the side and quickly lowered his head, not daring to express his anger.
Emperor Chongping got angry for a while, calmed down the irritability in his heart a little, looked at the rain curtain on the eaves tiles outside the window, and said, "Where is Duke Wei?"
Dai Quan said cautiously: "Your Majesty, someone has been sent to summon you."
Your Majesty is now relying more and more on Duke Wei.
Emperor Chongping said: "Go and summon us again."
This time, we will thoroughly clean up the silverfish and powerful men in Jiangnan and wipe them out!
They think they can resist the New Deal in this way, but they can't cover up the big man's fate!
At this moment, within the walls of the Daming Palace, rain poured down from the sky. Several eunuchs held umbrellas and surrounded a young man in a python suit, heading towards the Daming Palace.
"My lord, hurry up, the Holy Lord summons you urgently." The inner prisoner's voice sounded somewhat soft in the dense wind and rain.
Jia Heng looked calm and felt a little surprised.
I was preparing the boat today, but I didn't expect such a big thing to happen.
The border troubles in the northwest have not yet been settled, and the New Deal in Jiangnan has another twists and turns. The gentry in Jiangnan are really brave, and they dare to cause such a big trouble.
Changzhou Prefecture has been a place for weightlifting since the Ming Dynasty, and many scholars came out of it.
Today's Wujin County has many gentry forces. It is difficult to check the number of acres of land in the county, and Changzhou Prefecture is just a microcosm of Jiangnan Province.
Jia Heng suppressed his thoughts, raised his eyes to look at the Daming Palace in the distance, and stepped into it.
At this moment, the eunuch from outside hurriedly entered the palace and said, "Your Majesty, Duke Wei has entered the palace."
Jia Heng, dressed in a python suit, came out of the rain and quickly entered the palace. He saluted the middle-aged emperor behind the writing desk and said, "I have seen my father. Long live my father. Long live my father."
In such informal situations, it is better to call yourself son-in-law to appear closer.
Emperor Chongping said: "Zi Yu is dead, have you ever heard about what happened in Jiangsu?"
"Father, I have learned from the road that this matter is really shocking." Jia Heng said.
Emperor Chongping said: "Dai Quan is watching."
"Thank you, Father." Jia Heng did not sit down, but said in a deep voice: "Since the Four Articles of the New Deal came out, the land in the south of the Yangtze River began to be cleared. The gentry did not want to pay more taxes and had long been dissatisfied with the court. Now, taking advantage of the northwest border police, they When Fang Gan committed this rebellious move, Wei Chen believed that there was collusion and tacit approval of the gentry and officials behind the matter, and only in this way could he dare to make such a big fuss."
In other words, these gentry were just trying to show off to the court.
Unless Gao Zhongping sacrifices his butcher knife, it will lead to greater resistance.
Emperor Chongping pondered and said: "What Ziyu said is true. There must be collusion between internal and external forces. How dare they, a seventh-rank official in the imperial court and a second-ranked Jinshi, be buried alive by the mob? It's so heartbreaking and outrageous!"
Jia Heng said: "Father, please calm down. They have chosen a scapegoat, and the court will be noisy again recently."
Needless to say, after this incident, the imperial court's national policy surrounding the new law gradually cast a shadow.
Probably, what on earth did the imperial court do to cause such chaos?
Or he was eager to criticize Gao Zhongping for his policies. Otherwise, there was a war in the south of the Yangtze River and troops were deployed in the northwest of the court. Where would the money and food of the court come from?
Emperor Chongping looked solemn and asked, "What good plan does Ziyu have?"
Jia Heng said: "My son should go to Jiangnan in person and take advantage of the investigation to preside over the new affairs with Governor Gao."
"We need to build a prison immediately!" Emperor Chongping said in a low voice with a gloomy look.
Jia Heng was startled. When he raised his eyes, he met that suppressed cold and ferocious gaze.
How much does the emperor hate this?
In other words, I originally thought that I had just won the battle against the captives, and it was the time when I was full of energy and boldness, but then I encountered such a slap in the face. How could I swallow this sigh of relief?
From this we can also see some of the emperor's temperament, he was impatient and irritable in governance.
Emperor Chongping said in a deep voice: "Zi Yu, I now entrust you with full power to investigate the case in Jiangsu and implement the new policy. Anyone who obstructs the new policy and is perfunctory will be severely punished!"
The young man in front of him is not only outstanding in military affairs, but also in political affairs. He can be said to be a divine sword with unparalleled offensive power.
Jia Heng's face was slightly condensed, and he cupped his hands and said, "Father, don't worry, I will do my best."
Emperor Chongping said: "Ziyu, I want to restore a bright and prosperous world to Jiangnan!"
Jia Heng raised his hands and said yes.
Emperor Chongping said: "Zi Yu, the affairs in the south of the Yangtze River are more important than the border troubles in the northwest. They are related to the great cause of the rejuvenation of our dynasty. When Ziyu goes south this time, he must give top priority to the affairs in the south of the Yangtze River. The General Taxation Department of the Customs and the Navy It will have to be put later.”
This method of whipping and fire consumption were returned to the public and divided into acres and acres. According to his estimation, he could continue to serve the Han Dynasty for another two hundred years.
Jia Heng said: "Father, don't worry. My son has woken up badly. It's just that although the customs is not as good as a whip, the preparation for the establishment of the General Department of Customs and Taxation and the preparation of the naval division are equally related to whether our big Han can wipe out the Donglu. As for the naval division, my son Prepare on your own, but the General Directorate of Customs and Taxation is aware of the responsibilities of the Ministry of Revenue, and I think the Ministry of Revenue should send a specialist to take charge of this matter."
It is unlikely that the customs matter will be handed over to the Ministry of Internal Affairs again, because the Ministry of Revenue is very poor and has long been watching the customs income eagerly.
If it is handed over to the Ministry of Internal Affairs again, I am afraid that the civil service group will also jump on it.
Emperor Chongping said: "Who does Ziyu think is the most suitable person to prepare for the establishment of customs and other matters?"
"My sons and ministers do not shy away from relatives when promoting talents. Lin Ruhai, the Minister of Household Affairs, was known for his hard work and ability in handling salt affairs. For example, he was in charge of the General Department of Customs and Taxation."
Emperor Chongping nodded and said: "I also like Lin Ruhai. The customs collects a lot of customs money every year. It should be collected into the national treasury to supplement the national finances."
At this moment, Chongping felt that it was not appropriate to hand over such tax money to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Jia Heng said: "I am here to wipe out all the pirates who hinder sea trade and recover Jilong Mountain."
"Jilong Mountain?" Emperor Chongping's eyes flashed and he whispered: "It's Dongfan, north of Penghu."
Jia Heng said: "Father, the emperor has a clear lesson."
Emperor Chongping muttered: "The imperial navy has been weakened in recent years, which has given them the opportunity to become bandits. Ziyu is gone. If there are enough troops, we will regain this place."
Jia Heng handed over his hands.
Emperor Chongping thought for a moment and then warned: "Later, the cabinet and the Military Aircraft Department will draft an edict and add Ziyu as the imperial envoy to oversee the naval affairs of the five provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong, and to supervise the new policy."
After Emperor Chongping had given him many instructions, Jia Heng resigned and left.
After leaving the inner study room, Jia Heng stood under the eaves of the corridor and couldn't help but look up at the raindrops above the sky. At this moment, the sky was covered with clouds, and large groups of dark clouds were rapidly moving towards the northwest. The shadows of the palace were locked in the heavy rain and fog. middle.
Jia Heng's face was slightly condensed. At this moment, Li Shu, the bodyguard in Jinyi on the side, handed over his umbrella and said, "Captain."
"Go back." Jia Heng nodded and walked towards the palace gate without saying anything.
There was a "click", a thunderbolt exploded in the sky, and suddenly a heavy rain poured down, just like the Milky Way overturning, as if the heavy rain that had not fallen since the beginning of summer was going to fall all at once.
Jia Heng, surrounded by a group of royal guards, walked along the palace road and out of Anshun Gate, when suddenly there was a noise in the distance.
Someone seems to be saying: "We want to see the Holy One. The four new policies are really evil and need to be abolished immediately."
Jia Heng looked indifferent, frowned and asked, "Who are these people making trouble?"
Looking from a distance, a rough estimate showed that there were about one or two hundred people, confronting the soldiers of the Wucheng Military and Horse Division and the guards of the Jinyi Mansion across the rain curtain.
Because it was raining heavily and my vision was blurry, I couldn't see the faces of some of the scholars clearly.
Perhaps it was this that gave them the courage to gather on the long street of the palace gate.
Li Shudao: "Back to the Governor, I am a Jiangsu-born supervisor of the Imperial College and a scholar from Jiangsu. Recently, the imperial court has opened Enke again because of the Jiangnan scandal. Many scholars are staying in the Beijing Posthouse to hear about the major case in Changzhou. Groups gathered on the long street in front of Anshun Gate."
Jia Heng frowned and said, "What do the guards of the Jinyi Palace do? They immediately drive them away with their cavalry and roar and make noise in the long street outside the palace. What's the point?"
At this time, the emperor was in a rage and would inevitably use thunderous means on these scholars.
Li Shu quickly said: "Yes."
Just as the two were talking, the scholar who was confronting the Wucheng Army and Horses Division a few hundred meters outside the Anshun Gate saw the boy in the python suit and said loudly: "That man is wearing a python suit and is a high official."
"I recognize him, that's Duke Wei."
"Is it the one who married the princess and the princess in the middle of the month not long ago?"
"It was the four measures of the New Deal that he proposed. In just a short time, it forced the people of Jiangnan to live in dire straits and led to civil unrest."
"Not only him, but also Gao Zhongping from Jiangnan."
A group of scholars were discussing in a noisy manner. The voices in the pouring rain were intermittent and somewhat unclear.
As time passed, under Jia Heng's order, the Tiqi from the Jinyi Mansion were dispatched in large numbers and began to disperse the isolated soldiers wearing straw hats and raincoats. The Wucheng Army and Horse Department also began to send soldiers one after another to surround them. Drive away the scholars.
The King of Wei rode a group of tall horses, covered with raincoats, to greet Jia Heng who had left the Anshun Palace gate.
When King Wei heard the news, he immediately tried to drive away the scholars.
"Ziyu." King Wei quickly approached the carriage and looked at the young man in python suit, his eyes showing eagerness and closeness.
Jia Heng nodded and said: "Your Highness, King Wei, these scholars must be driven away immediately. We can no longer allow them to cause trouble. If there are those who gather together and refuse to leave, arrest them immediately. Don't make things worse."
King Wei said: "Ziyu, I have just tried to persuade the people from the Ministry of Rites several times, but they have gathered more and more, and they have not even taken shelter from the wind and rain."
At this moment, it was still raining heavily in the sky, but it seemed that it could not quell the scholars' desire to ask for help. In other words, the heavy rain gave these scholars cover.
Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "The people from the Ministry of Rites have arrived just in time. Anyone who refuses to listen to dissuasion will have their honors removed and will not be allowed to participate in the imperial examination."
When King Wei heard this, his pupils shrank sharply and he said in shock: "Should I report this matter to the Holy Emperor in the palace?"
If he comes forward rashly, what if he offends these scholars and holds a grudge from then on, slandering him among the scholars?
Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, the Holy One is furious at the moment. If we report this to the Holy One, the punishment for the scholars and supervisors will only be more severe, and the sanctity will be damaged after this incident."
He has already pointed out the way to King Wei. If this matter is done well, he will probably gain extra points in front of the emperor.
I think after Queen Song knew about it, she wouldn't be resentful because he went to the Prince of Chu's mansion for a banquet the night before yesterday.
Well, he shouldn't care what Queen Song thinks.
As for why he didn't deal with it, it was because his status as the governor of the Jinyi Mansion was really not suitable, and he was one of the four advisors of the New Deal. Not only was he suspected of blocking channels of speech and suppressing dissidents, but he was also suspected of intensifying conflicts with the civil service group.
King Wei was shocked when he heard the words "sacrifice to morality". He gritted his teeth and said, "Then let's do it now."
With that said, he went to look for Zhou Tingji, the Minister of Rites, and Huang Fuming, the Minister of Rites, and the three of them went to coerce and lure the scholar.
Jia Heng frowned, and without saying anything else, he got on the carriage. The carriage's high shaft quickly turned, pushing away the heavy rain and fog, and gradually pushed away the distant pushing and swearing.
…
…
Xinglong Street, Xianning Princess Mansion
Outside the hall, raindrops were like curtains, and the vision was blurry. The rockeries, trees, and flower beds in the courtyard were all shrouded in the dense wind and rain, while candles were already lit in the palace lanterns in the inner hall.
Princess Xianning stood under the eaves of the corridor, looking at the rain outside the window in trance. Then, she raised her eyes and looked at the young man walking from the corridor. She greeted him and said with concern: "Sir, you just entered the palace. What did your father say?"
Jia Heng put down the rainwater in his hand, took the towel from the female officer Zhixia, wiped the rainwater on his face, and said: "Let me go to Jiangnan today. Now that everything is sorted, I will go south in the next two days."
In fact, I haven't made an agreement with Sister Feng yet. I want to take Sister Feng and Li Wan south together this time.
Sister Feng went to inspect the maritime trade business in Jinling, while Li Wan went to visit relatives.
Princess Xianning followed Jia Heng into the hall. She had a faint smile on her beautiful face and said softly: "Sir, I just told sister Yan'er that she also wants to go to Jiangnan."
In fact, she was the one who instigated it.
Jia Heng said: "Just go."
At this moment, Li Chanyue led Song Yan's bare hands into the hall.
The girl is as graceful and graceful as a red lotus in a pond, bright and gentle, with no vines or branches. Although she is still young, she already shows a certain beauty like jade.
It is indeed the youth version of Queen Song.
"Cousin Xianning, cousin-in-law." Song Yan said softly, her eyebrows moving like water.
"Sister Yan'er." Jia Heng looked at Song Yan, whose facial features vaguely resembled Queen Song's.
Song Yan met the hidden sharp gaze of the god, quickly averted her eyes, lowered her eyes, as if the red lotus could not bear the cool breeze, and her shyness gradually spread like ripples in the pond.
Princess Xianning took Song Yan's bare hand and said with a smile: "Sister Yan'er can just call Brother Heng. It's not necessary for her to be cousin-in-law and cousin-in-law. It's too out of touch."
"Yes." Song Yan said softly, "Brother Heng."
"I just told you, Brother Heng, that we would go to Jiangnan together." Princess Xianning said.
Jia Heng chuckled and said: "Reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles, it would be great if Yan'er can go to Jiangnan this time. Yan'er has never stayed in Jiangnan before?"
Song Yan said softly: "Brother Heng, I have followed my father in Beijing since I was a child. I can't remember anything until I was too young."
Why is Brother Heng calling her Yan'er while talking?
Princess Xianning sighed and said, "Actually, my mother and uncle have not been home for many years."
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Actually, the Queen can also go home to visit relatives."
He thought secretly, has Queen Song not been home for a long time? What is he thinking about?
At this moment, I felt that the back of my hand was being held up, and even the palm of my hand was scratched, and the beauty's clear voice came to my ears, saying: "Sir, cousin Yan'er is the most like my mother. People say that my niece is like my aunt. Look, The eyebrows, eyes and mouth are really similar, and they are all so white."
Jia Heng's eyes flashed and he said in surprise: "Does it look like it?"
Xianning is beating him.
Li Chanyue turned to look at Song Yan, looked at her for a moment, and said softly: "Cousin Yan'er looks a bit like my aunt."
Why did cousin Xianning play the role of aunt those few times? Could it be that Mr. Xiao Jia...
Song Yan felt a little uncomfortable when the couple looked at each other with different eyes. She squeezed the handkerchief gently and said softly: "Cousin, when do we set off?"
Jia Heng chuckled and said, "In just these three or two days, once it rains, the Wei River and Yellow River will surge, so it will be much more convenient for you to take a boat."
"Sir, don't you want to take the boat?" Princess Xianning asked.
Jia Heng said: "I will first ride a fast horse to Henan with your sister Xiaoxiao to inspect the implementation of the New Deal. In addition, I also need to take a look at the rivers this year to prevent another flood."
Princess Xianning had a look of determination on her face and said, "Then my husband and I will let Sister Chanyue and Cousin Yan'er stay on the boat."
Jia Heng said: "It is too hard for you, who has been working hard all the way, eating and sleeping in the open air."
"Isn't it harder than this when I accompanied my husband to fight in Henan?" Princess Xianning said softly. Under her willow eyebrows, her clear eyes showed a hint of deep meaning. She leaned close to the young man's ear and whispered: "Sir, please put on Sister Xiaoxiao's socks." Is she prettier than me? Or is Sister Xiaoxiao better at riding than me?"
Jia Heng: "..."
What does this have to do with socks?
After saying that, he took Princess Xianning's hand and said, "I don't feel sorry for you."
Princess Xianning looked at the young man and said, "Sir, if you care about me, you should go and take me wherever you want, so that I don't have to worry."
Jia Heng was silent for a moment, looking into the girl's cold, bright eyes, and the tear stains under the corners of her eyes seemed to be silently telling the resentment of being alone and not in pairs.
Xianning really loved him, but in fact, he was worried because he was talking about sending the queen away.
Jia Heng held Princess Xianning's slender hair tightly with both hands, stared into the bright eyes of the clear spring, and said softly: "Then I won't let Xianning be worried anymore."
When their eyes met, Princess Xianning could read the tenderness in the young man's eyes. With a thought, she put her head in Jia Heng's arms and said, "Mr."
The husband finally knows her good intentions, so is Cousin Yan'er... Well, let's quench the thirst of the husband.
Li Chanyue, who was holding Song Yan's hand, watched this scene quietly, pursed her glossy pink lips, and felt envious in her heart.
At this moment, he saw the young man approaching, took his hand and said, "Chanyue, come here."
Li Chanyue threw away Song Yan's hand and said, "Mr. Xiao Jia..."
Song Yan: "???"
I'm the only one left now?
It wasn't in broad daylight, so why were the three of them holding hands while they were talking?
Jia Heng said: "Xianning, sit down and talk to you about Jiangnan."
Jia Heng briefly narrated the situation and said: "The gentry in Changzhou Prefecture are having trouble clearing their land in the south of the Yangtze River. It is not just the gentry in Changzhou Prefecture. With the promotion of the land purification, the gentry in other districts may compete. Follow suit."
In fact, Gao Zhongping could still exploit the weaknesses of these gentry, such as restricting scholars with permanent residence in Changzhou Prefecture from applying for one subject.
But the problem is that the Nanjing Ministry of Rites does not cooperate and believes that it has no basis in law.
(End of chapter)
