Shenjing City, Daming Palace
Just when the officials in Wuying Palace were in a panic, under the urging of three waves of people, the imperial doctor from the imperial hospital rushed over quickly, and the crowded people quickly made way for a passage.
Dai Quan said: "Physician, come quickly, come here quickly."
Several gray-haired imperial doctors, carrying medicine boxes, almost trotted all the way, getting close to the imperial couch and began to diagnose and treat Emperor Chongping's pulse.
At this moment, all the ministers in the palace had their hearts in their throats. The blood they just vomited was really oozing. If the emperor just...
Not daring to think too much, when the head of the imperial hospital, surnamed Wang, took away the pulse-taking hand from Emperor Chongping's wrist, Han Huang, the chief minister of the cabinet, approached and asked: "Mr. Wang, how are you doing, Your Majesty?"
The court judge said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, he probably didn't get a good rest last night, and today he was so anxious that he fainted. You should take more care of yourself in the future. You really can't think about it too much."
Several other imperial doctors who checked the pulse also said similar words.
Most likely, Emperor Chongping was asked to calm down and take care of his family, and stop worrying about peripheral matters.
But none of them said that when Qi and blood are exhausted, heart fire is strong, and after vomiting blood, a lot of life energy is consumed.
In other words, you cannot say these things in front of a crowd of courtiers.
"Then why hasn't the Holy One woke up yet?" Yao Yu, the Minister of Personnel, asked worriedly.
The King's Court judged: "Your Majesty did not have a good rest last night, and now that he has fallen asleep, it is actually better for his health."
Everyone nodded.
While the ministers breathed a sigh of relief, the inner prison suddenly came to report.
In the harem, Empress Dowager Feng and Concubine Duanrong heard that Emperor Chongping vomited blood and fainted again, so they also called the palace servants and came to Wuying Palace.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty." Empress Dowager Feng, who had gray and silver hair, entered the palace with the support of several maids and nuns, and called to the middle-aged emperor who was lying on the bed, with extremely worried eyes.
I don't know if it was the call from Empress Dowager Feng. Emperor Chongping, who had fallen into a coma, suddenly trembled. His pale golden face moved. He slowly opened his eyes, and saw a picture in the thin light around him. A face came into view.
"Your Majesty, why are you so angry about side issues?" Empress Dowager Feng came closer and said with both blame and distress.
Emperor Chongping looked at Empress Dowager Feng and said in a weak voice, "Empress Mother, you are here too."
Seeing Emperor Chongping, who was emaciated and with bloodshot eyes, Empress Dowager Feng said with pity: "After the defeat in the northwest, the ministers will have to think of something to do. Isn't your son-in-law in Jinling? Doesn't he know how to fight? Let him think about it. The only way to win another battle is to lead the troops, why do you make it so difficult for yourself?"
Because Jia Heng, as a married woman, with unparalleled military exploits as the daughter of a clan and the daughter of an emperor, had long been associated with the military in the eyes of Empress Dowager Feng.
Emperor Chongping looked bitter and didn't know how to deal with it for a while.
Yes, he has Ziyu to help him, so the situation won't be too bad after all.
But the army of one hundred thousand, the army of one hundred thousand was destroyed in one fell swoop, just because he mistakenly used Nan'an, which led to such a tragic defeat.
How could he have the face to see Zi Yu?
Concubine Duanrong's beautiful and cold jade face showed a worried look. Under her curving willow-leaf eyebrows, her clear eyes also showed some worry. She said softly: "Your Majesty, victory or defeat is a common thing for military officers. Your Majesty should take care of your dragon body." yes."
The Tang Guan'er from the Sixth Department and the Minister of Military Aircraft Shi Jie who were present also started to persuade him.
Empress Dowager Feng looked at the thin and haggard Emperor Chongping and said almost reproachfully: "Bring your son-in-law back! What is he doing in Jiangnan? Let him come back and take over this business. Don't worry."
Emperor Chongping closed his cold eyes and moved his lips, but he didn't know what to say.
Let Ziyu come back and take over? But how could he have the face to see Zi Yu again?
Seeing this scene, Imperial Concubine Duanrong also sighed secretly, her beautiful eyes filled with worry under her curved willow-leaf eyebrows.
Shi Jie, the Minister of Military Aircraft, looked solemn, and said with cupped hands: "Your Majesty, Qinghai Mongolia has become stronger after this battle. At least, after Duke Wei comes back, he will assess the situation and decide whether to send out more troops or stop the war. It’s better to make a decision as soon as possible.”
Even the Minister of Military Aircraft, who often planned military affairs, went out to invite Duke Wei to return to the court at this moment. For a while, some Jia Heng could not come out, but the people had no sense of déjà vu.
At this moment, Han Huang and other civil servants looked at each other and were quiet for a moment. Han Huang held an ivory jade wat in his hand and said: "Your Majesty, why don't you let Duke Wei return to Beijing? The Jiangnan New Deal has already begun, and there should be no big changes in the future. hinder."
Before, although I had thought about asking the young man to stop interfering in side affairs, lest his power would increase.
But until now, when it was discovered that the military situation was critical and nothing could be done, the young man was there, like a needle that fixed the sea, and could shoulder the important task of putting out fires and saving lives.
Xu Lu, the censor of Zuodu, said: "Your Majesty, it is better to recall Duke Wei first to discuss how to deal with the northwest war. If Qinghai is defeated, Xining City will face the enemy directly and is in danger."
Emperor Chongping's face was as pale as paper at this moment, and his mind seemed to be extremely entangled. He secretly gritted his teeth and said: "The cabinet has issued a decree to summon Duke Wei back to the capital as soon as possible!"
After saying this, Emperor Chongping felt an indescribable shame welling up in his heart, but for some reason, there was also a lightness of relief. This feeling made the emperor feel even more ashamed.
Han Huang, the chief minister of the cabinet, did not have so much inner drama. He accepted the order and said: "Yes, Your Majesty."
The faces of the officials in the palace varied, but they were assessing the impact of the defeat in their hearts.
Some officials from the Zhejiang Party looked at each other and secretly thought that after the imperial court's defeat, the New Deal in the south might be able to stop for a while.
But it is not impossible that the man who was angry outside came back and started beating the child.
At this time, a group of imperial doctors also finished their consultation and wrote out prescriptions. Under the control of Concubine Duanrong, they ordered the kitchen to cook the decoction.
If you pay attention, you can see that the prescription has begun to include some ginseng and other great tonics.
Empress Dowager Feng ordered Dai Quan and other palace officials to carry Emperor Chongping back to the palace.
When things got to this point, Emperor Chongping could only let Emperor Chongping rest more in the palace and relax for a while.
Empress Dowager Feng ordered Concubine Duanrong to take care of Emperor Chongping in the palace and rest on the bed. After that, she stood in the palace with a frosty face and said, "Come here, tell Concubine Nan'an to enter the palace."
In the Wuying Hall, Han Huang sat behind the bill with a solemn expression, handing over the prepared imperial edict to a cabinet secretary, his eyes filled with worry.
Who would have thought that Nan'an's army marching to the west would be completely annihilated. This was a defeat that had not been suffered for many years, especially after the Jurchens had just been defeated not long ago. This defeat...
Han Huang looked at the secretary of the cabinet who had taken the imperial decree and left the palace gate. At this moment, the blazing midsummer noon sun shone on the bright yellow silk imperial decree, and the blue dragon's eyes seemed to twinkle.
After this defeat, Duke Wei became more and more dominant in the military affairs. Who in the court could check and balance him?
As a cabinet minister who was well versed in the emperor's intentions, Han Huang had long seen the potential intention of Emperor Chongping's insistence on using Nan'an.
…
…
Nan'an County Prince's Mansion
This mansion was built by Emperor Taizong of the Chen and Han Dynasties. It is magnificent and majestic, even better than the Rongguo Mansion.
However, the mansion was also shrouded in gloom and gloom. The news that yesterday's expeditionary army was in danger in the northwest had already spread last night and was known to the Prince of Nan'an County who was always paying attention to the war in the northwest.
Concubine Nan'an was sitting on an Arhat bed covered with bamboo mats. Her well-maintained fair face was full of worry and she kept sighing.
Sitting on the lower embroidered pier are Sun, the concubine of Duke Li, and their daughter-in-law, as well as Guo, the mother of Shi Guangzhu, grandson of Duke Xiu, Hu, mother of Hou Xiaokang, Duke of Xiu, and Zhou, mother of Ma Kui, Duke of Zhiguo. , several women wearing silk and satin, wearing gold and silver, their faces full of anxiety.
Since the officials dispersed from the Hanyuan Palace yesterday, the whole Shenjing City began to spread the news that the army led by the Nan'an County Prince was cut off on the northwest grain road. Early in the morning, several people came to the Nan'an County Prince's Mansion to look for the Nan'an Princess. The narrative makes up the mind.
Princess Luo of Nan'an said softly: "Concubine, there is no need to worry too much. Your Majesty, he is traveling to the northwest with an army of 100,000 troops. The soldiers and horses are strong. Even if there is danger for a moment, he can still survive."
"Yes, Princess, this battle is not like this. It sounds full of dangers, but we can still win in the end." Hou Xiaokang's mother, Mrs. Hu, said.
Liu Fang's mother, Sun, said angrily: "To tell you the truth, that Jia man was deliberately up to something evil. Otherwise, Ye'er would have won the battle long ago with the Hongyi Cannon when he went to the northwest, and it wouldn't have been delayed until now."
Shi Guangzhu's mother, Mrs. Guo, said: "Yes, now that the food route is cut off, the Jia family will bear a lot of responsibility."
Sun's daughter-in-law and Guo's daughter-in-law also echoed.
Just as a group of women echoed this, a panicked voice came from outside the hall: "Old lady, something serious has happened. Something has happened."
Concubine Nan'an stood up and asked, "What happened?"
"The Queen Mother has sent someone here." The nanny replied.
As soon as he finished speaking, an older female official, accompanied by several palace maids, stepped into the hall. As soon as she stood still, she said coldly:
"Princess Nan'an, the Queen Mother has summoned you."
In fact, Princess Nan'an also knew the visitor, but compared to the smiling face in the past, the female official's expression was now indifferent, and her eyes were filled with coldness in the deep wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.
Princess Nan'an asked: "Zhao Zhaoyi, what is going on?"
As he spoke, he winked at the nanny beside him. Just as she was about to approach with the banknote, she saw Zhao Zhaoyi's eyes became sharper and she said, "Prince Nan'an's entire army was wiped out in the northwest. Your Majesty heard about the report of the defeat in the northwest." , vomiting blood and fainting, the concubine should go to the palace with her slave."
Concubine Nan'an: "..."
Ye'er's entire army was wiped out? This...how is this possible? She must have heard wrong!
Liu Fang's mother, Sun, also looked slightly changed and said anxiously: "Liu Fang, where is our Liu Fang?"
Mrs. Hu, Mrs. Guo and several young women looked at the female officer in surprise, with disbelief in their eyes.
"The whole army was wiped out. Since the ruler of the country also led the troops in the expedition, he was naturally among them." Zhao Zhaoyi frowned and said coldly.
When Mrs. Sun heard this, her vision went dark, and her hands and feet were cold. Her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Tang, who was beside her, quickly helped her, but the latter's face was even more ugly.
Shi Guangzhu's mother, Mrs. Guo, was not much better. She was trembling and shivering. Her daughter-in-law, Ms. Tian, stepped forward to help her.
Concubine Nan'an looked downcast at the moment and her eyes were blank.
"Let's go." Zhao Zhaoyi urged.
Just when the Nan'an County Prince's residence was filled with sorrow and gloom, the Rongqing Hall in the Rongguo Mansion located on Ningrong Street was filled with laughter and chatter.
Jia Mu was talking to Grandma Liu. After all, she was too bored. She called Lin Zhixiao's family and asked someone to call Grandma Liu from outside the city to relieve her boredom.
At this moment, Grandma Liu was telling Mother Jia the interesting things about the farmland, and Mother Jia was fascinated.
Grandma Liu said: "That year, we won two acres of melons. There was a rustling sound in the melon field. I thought it was someone coming to steal the melons."
Mrs. Wang also became interested and asked, "Are there any melon thieves down here?"
Aunt Xue said with a smile: "Those who are short of clothes and clothes in the countryside don't steal anything."
At this moment, a nun entered the hall and said, "Old lady, the second master is back."
As the General Secretary of the General Affairs Department, Jia Zheng has been very busy these two days. As Nan'an fell into crisis yesterday, many people from Beijing and Zhongke Road spoke out and submitted memorials to the General Affairs Department.
Yesterday it happened that Jia Zheng was on duty at the Yamen, so he simply stayed at the Yamen and didn't return until near noon.
Jia Mu said: "Please come over quickly."
After a while, Jia Zheng, dressed in a crimson official robe, entered the hall, with a look of sadness on his square and white face. He first bowed to Jia's mother in a formal manner and said, "My son has seen his mother."
"Zheng'er, why are you so frowning?" Mother Jia asked in surprise.
Mrs. Wang and Aunt Xue also looked at Jia Zheng curiously.
Jia Zhengdao: "My mother didn't know something. Prince Nan'an led his troops to the northwest and suffered a huge defeat. The whole army was wiped out. The palace is very angry about this."
When Jia Mu heard this, she was shocked. She sat up straighter on the Luohan bed and asked: "Not long ago, Princess Nan'an came over and said that the northwest has been victorious one after another. It won't be long before the Nan'an family can return to the imperial court. "
Jia Zheng shook his head and said: "Mother, the Tatars not long ago robbed the army's food route and cut off the way back. The army in the Western Expedition fell into a major defeat."
When Aunt Xue heard this, a look of surprise appeared on her fair face.
The Nan'an family, who kept making noises, lost the war in the northwest?
Mrs. Wang clutched the beads tightly, her eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty.
Jia Mu frowned and said: "This army of 100,000 people has been defeated. What should we do? How did the court make the decision? Brother Heng? Now that he has gone to Jiangnan, it is not easy to lead troops to fight, right?"
Jia Zheng said: "Mother, news just came from the palace. Someone has been sent south to summon Ziyu back to the capital."
Aunt Xue: "..."
Doesn't this mean that military affairs are still inseparable from Brother Heng? The Sun family's daughter-in-law said privately that the palace did not intend to use Brother Heng.
Back then, Brother Heng said that he would marry her Jiabao girl as his wife once he had another military exploit. Was this an opportunity?
As for whether Jia Heng will miss, Aunt Xue has no such option in her heart.
In the past few years, not only the officials of the Han Dynasty, but also Aunt Xue in the back hall knew that handing over soldiers and horses to Jia Heng was equal to victory.
Mrs. Wang clenched the prayer beads in her hand tightly, not knowing what to feel in her heart.
Mrs. Wang felt disgusted by Concubine Nan'an's arrogance these days.
Jia Mu was silent for a moment and said with emotion: "Brother Heng just went to Jiangnan, and this kind of thing happened."
In fact, there was some secret joy in my heart, but after all, I have become mature with age, and my face did not show any signs of expression. Instead, I sighed: "Is the palace feeling better now?"
"The imperial doctor has passed away. There should be no serious problems in the palace." Jia Zhengxu said.
Jia Mu sighed and said nothing more.
…
…
Thousands of miles away in Jinling, Jinyi Mansion——
It is the misty rain season in the south of the Yangtze River. The sky is gray and clouds are rolling. From time to time, swifts fly under the eaves of the corridor and stop on the beams, combing their feathers with their sharp beaks.
Jia Heng sat behind the desk in the Fusi Yamen Hall of Jinyifu, Nanjing. The bronze relief behind him became increasingly bright and dark under the shadow of candlelight.
The boy in the python suit held a file with a hemp yellow cover in his hand. He took his eyes away from the dense regular script and turned to look at Liu Jixian, who was wearing a Feiyu suit. He asked, "Have you cleared everything up?"
"Captain, there are still some important criminals who are on the run who are aware of the situation. Jinyi Mansion arrested them and probably figured out some of the situation." Liu Jixian said in a low voice.
During these days, Nanjing Jinyi Prefecture was mainly investigating cases in Changzhou Prefecture, arresting and interrogating the villagers who killed the county magistrate and related relatives, and also arresting the officials involved in the case.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said, "Yan Mao, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, have you confessed anyone else?"
Not long ago, he personally led the people of Jinyi Mansion to invite Yan Mao, the Minister of Industry of Nanjing, and Hao Jiru, the Grand Tutor of the Longzhi Dynasty and the Second Assistant to the Cabinet, to Jinyi Mansion for tea.
Liu Jixian hesitated and said: "Yan Shangshu has not confessed yet, the governor..."
"Then think of a way to get him to confess." Jia Heng said in a low voice with a colder voice.
Liu Jixian handed over his hand and said that he could be tortured.
As he spoke, he took the Di newspaper in his hand and read about the implementation of the New Deal in Jiangsu Province.
After this period of hard work, starting from the Jia family, followed closely by the relatives, the clearing of the land has been vigorously carried out in Jiangsu Province.
Chen Xiao came in from the outside, her beautiful face as clear as a cage of clear frost, and said: "The flying pigeon just sent a message that Huangyuan, Qinghai is occupied by Heshuote Mongolia, the food road is interrupted, and the army is in danger."
After hearing this, Jia Heng put down the file in his hand, looked at Chen Xiao, and sighed.
"I'm afraid defeat is already on the way." Jia Heng was silent for a moment and whispered.
Chen Xiao asked with concern: "What are you going to do next?"
Jia Heng said: "Go north to Kaifeng, and first go to welcome the Queen to Jinling. On the way, I said that I will not receive the emperor's urgent summons."
Just yesterday, according to information from the Jinyi Mansion in Kaifeng Mansion, Emperor Song had arrived in Kaifeng Mansion and went to meet Song Siguo's uncle. The emperor's previous order was for him to take care of him on the way.
Empress Song did not come here in a hurry. She stayed at the palace in Luoyang for two or three days, mainly to visit Empress Dowager Feng's relatives in Luoyang.
After that, Empress Song got on the boat and went to Kaifeng Mansion to meet Uncle Si Guo of Song Dynasty under the escort of Jinyi Mansion Guards and Jingying Xiaoqi.
Chen Xiao said: "Then I will go with you."
Jia Heng nodded and said: "If the palace is worried about what happened in the northwest, the Queen will have to go back again."
When that time comes, Queen Song will probably have to go back to see the emperor first.
In fact, by now, the situation has become quite clear, and Nan'an's defeat is a foregone conclusion.
Jia Heng said, without staying long, he and Chen Xiao left Jinyi Mansion, rode their horses towards Ningguo Mansion, and just stopped their horses in front of the door.
The boy at the door quickly stepped forward and reported, "Master, Mr. Lin is waiting for you in the hall."
Lin Ruhai came here specifically to prepare for the establishment of the General Department of Customs and Taxation. After arriving in Jinling yesterday, he declined Jia Heng's company and went to the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue alone to discuss the location of the official office.
Jia Heng and Chen Xiao walked quickly towards the hall, and saw the middle-aged official wearing a scarlet official robe sitting next to the small table, holding up a tea cup and sipping fragrant tea.
"Uncle." Jia Heng called.
Lin Ruhai stood up, a smile appeared on his face, and called: "Zi Yu."
Jia Heng came forward, exchanged greetings, and sat down.
Lin Ruhai asked: "How do you think we should prepare for the establishment of the General Customs and Taxation Department? Some voices in the capital say it is best to set up an office in the city of Shenjing."
Jia Heng said: "Uncle, I plan to establish a general department in Jinling, pilot a high-paying system to support integrity throughout the customs, and then strictly investigate corruption."
Lin Ruhai asked: "Does Shenjing City need to set up another administrative office?"
Jia Heng said: "This is not necessary. Jinling originally had six departments. Now it is much cheaper to add the General Taxation Department of Customs to work nearby. However, the Independent Commission Against Corruption can be established in Shenjing to supervise the performance of customs duties. At that time, my uncle can take charge This matter."
This is what later generations Ma Ni proposed to relocate some administrative agencies to local areas to alleviate the problem of inequality in educational resources in the capital.
However, while the administrative efficiency is improved and the central administrative agency is not entrenched in Kyoto, it will also cause the central agency to have a strong local color, resulting in estrangement from local officials and a serious tendency of regionalization of policy resources.
Of course, when new problems arise, there are also solutions.
Lin Ruhai thought for a while and said, "This method is feasible."
Jia Heng turned to ask: "Uncle, has the first batch of silver coins from the Beijing Silver Minting Bureau been finished?"
He had promised Zhen Xi and Xichun before that he would take the silver dollar to them and see the patterns on it. This was also his way of giving the two little girls a sense of accomplishment.
Lin Ruhai smiled and said: "I brought the silver dollar to prepare for the Royal Bank's bank. I don't know what the eldest princess's opinion is. I went to visit the house this morning. Her Royal Highness the eldest princess said she was not feeling well and did not see her. arrive."
As he spoke, he took a few silver coins from his purse.
Jia Heng nodded, took the silver dollar, and looked at the value and pattern of the silver dollar in his hand. He took it delicately, and the metallic texture after die-casting was quite admirable.
The official silver coins have exquisite patterns and have an anti-counterfeiting effect.
Jia Heng pondered and said: "Silver dollars are now being used on a trial basis in Jiangnan. When a whip method is rolled out, we can switch to using silver dollars to collect taxes."
Lin Ruhai smiled and said: "In this way, the court will be able to avoid the cost of fire."
Jia Heng asked: "Uncle Lin, I will meet Sister Lin later and have dinner together."
Jia Heng said, and ordered a maid to go to the back house to call Daiyu.
Lin Ruhai stared at the young man with warm eyes and asked: "The imperial court has been deploying troops in the northwest for more than a month. When does Ziyu think the northwest will be able to calm down the troubles in Qinghai?"
Now the entire Han Dynasty is paying attention to the war in the northwest, and Lin Ruhai is no exception.
Jia Heng sighed and said: "Uncle, to be honest, just now, Feige from Jinyi Mansion in the capital sent a message that the Western Expedition army marched into Qinghai, but Huangyuan, a place where grain was stored, was taken advantage of by the enemy. break."
When Lin Ruhai heard this, his expression changed slightly and he asked anxiously: "What's going on?"
Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "A few days ago, the enemy deliberately showed weakness to induce the Western Expedition Army to fight and win consecutively and penetrate deep into Qinghai. When the food route is cut off, they can gather together and annihilate them."
When Lin Ruhai heard this, he took a deep breath and asked, "With a hundred thousand troops marching to the west, Ziyu thinks there is a chance to turn things around?"
Jia Heng sighed: "This is all information from a few days ago. I'm afraid that the situation in the northwest has changed again. The army conquering the west will be completely defeated in ten days. Even if Sun Wu comes back to life, it will be difficult to reverse this defeat."
Lin Ruhai's face was solemn, and his heart was covered with a thick layer of gloom. He asked: "Zi Yu, if the northwest is defeated, how will the court respond?"
Jia Heng didn't answer and asked instead: "Uncle, now that the matter is over, can the imperial court still have another fight?"
Of course, it's not impossible. He personally led the troops to Qinghai to clean up the mess, but the big man who was recuperating might disrupt the rhythm of some political affairs.
According to his plan, the dispatch of troops should wait until the spring of next year. The problem is that by then there may be a new wave of interaction between the Jurchens and the northwest, and the situation may be more difficult and complicated.
(End of chapter)
