Jinling, Ningguo Mansion
Zhen Lan left the hall and went to the backyard holding hands with the two sisters Zhen Xi.
Zhen Xi's soft, watery eyes flashed and she asked: "Sister, how do you know that Brother Heng is using tricks in the northwest to deliberately lure people to fight?"
Zhen Lan took Zhen Xi's hand and chuckled: "I have found a lot of maps of the northwest during this period. Do you think I am looking for nothing? As for deduction, sister, I am good at this."
At the end of the day, looking at her sister's clear and innocent eyebrows, it was good to have her by her side, at least she could talk to her heart.
Zhen Xi looked at Zhen Lan with admiration and said with a chuckle: "Sister can be the female military advisor for Brother Heng in the future and provide advice."
"You should also imitate others in teasing your own sister." Zhen Lan said with a chuckle.
The two sisters entered the house chatting and laughing, came to the hall, picked up tea cups, and talked while sipping fragrant tea.
Zhen Xi put down the tea cup and asked in a soft voice: "Sister, when will Brother Heng return to Jiangnan?"
"What's wrong, my sister wants to be the elder brother Heng?" Zhen Lan said with a smile.
She actually thought that Brother Heng was really unparalleled in the world. He went to Xining to put out the fire and won a great victory not long after.
Brother Heng should have belonged to her from the beginning. Although there have been many twists and turns, they are finally together.
When Zhen Xi heard this, a blush like rouge appeared on her beautiful jade cheeks, she lowered her head slightly, said softly, "Hmm", and said softly: "Brother Heng has been in the northwest for so long, but there has been no news, and no letters have been sent to the family. of."
Zhen Lan said: "I'm busy fighting at the moment. I don't have time to spend time with my children. When he comes back, my sister will take good care of him..."
As he spoke, he leaned into Zhen Xi's ear and whispered a few words.
Zhen Xi's cheeks were filled with embarrassment and she said, "Sister, I know how to bully me. You are the one who always bullies me... the most."
Zhen Lan's cheeks also felt a little hot. She picked up a tea cup, as if to press down on the familiar heat that moistened her taste buds.
Dai pursed her pink lips, her eyes were lost in thought, and she murmured: "Brother Heng has made such a great contribution this time. If this momentum continues, it is possible for him to be crowned the county king."
This is her Zhen Lan's lover, and only he is worthy of her.
Zhen Xi's spiritual eyes flashed, and she said softly: "County king? It's not easy to be named one. There have only been four county kings since the founding of the country."
Zhen Xi is shy, but not stupid. On the contrary, she is shrewd and intelligent.
"Brother Heng is already a third-class Duke. He will be promoted to a higher rank this time when he comes back from the northwest. When the war breaks out in Liaodong, he will definitely be promoted to a higher rank. By then, he will definitely be named a county king." Zhen Lan looked pleased, her clear eyes twinkling, and her tone was full of yearning.
In fact, Chen Han has only granted four princes since the founding of the country. The princes are not that simple. They are not determined by winning a few battles, but are about grand narrative achievements such as Dingding, Zhongxing, and trying to reverse the current situation. .
Unless Liaodong is annihilated in the follow-up, Jia Heng's title promotion will not be as fast as it was at the beginning.
According to Jia Heng's previous thoughts, the purpose of granting Baochai and Daiyu the title of wife or even marriage was to avoid this embarrassing situation of having no title.
To a certain extent, it’s self-defeating.
When Liaodong is finally annihilated and a county king is granted the title, it will be a long-lasting story.
Zhen Lan's eyes were full of water, and she said: "When I become the king of the county, I will have four concubines. My sister will try my best to help me at that time. We sisters must occupy at least one. If it goes well, our Zhen family can have two more. Where is the princess?"
"Ah?" Zhen Xi was listening to her sister describing her lover's future title. When she heard this, her brows were filled with surprise, her face turned red with shame, and she said softly: "Sister, the position of concubine is not meant to be. Duo, Brother Heng likes Sister Xue and Sister Lin the most, so even if he does, he should stay close to them."
Mentioning the two of them, Xue and Lin, the girl's sparkling eyes darkened a bit, and her heart felt a bit envious and sour.
"I've done the math. Apart from Xue and Lin, we are the only two suitable people in the mansion. We must have a place." Zhen Lan said charmingly.
Chai and Dai each have their own place. The three You family members are not worth mentioning because their backgrounds are too poor, and the other backgrounds are even less worth mentioning. Now it is just her and her younger sister, but she will definitely be one of them when the time comes.
In fact, there is nothing wrong with Zhen Lan's idea.
The Jia family's daughter did not participate in the qualifying competition, and Feng Wan was even more invisible.
Qingwen and Yuanyang were born as maids, and most of them were concubines. The others might be Miaoyu, Xing Xiuyan and Xiangyun.
There is a young lady from an official position, a daughter of a prince, and another one who is from a small family, but has a relaxed look, has the air of a forest, and has the nobility of a high-ranking family in the Wei and Jin Dynasties.
And when that time comes, it is absolutely impossible to have two side concubines of the Zhen family. Could it be that the eldest concubine and the younger concubine are still there?
Of course, there is no guarantee that Song Yan and Chen Xiao won't stab out from behind.
Zhen Lan didn't know the existence of these people.
Zhen Xi's face turned red, she pursed her pink lips, and said softly: "That's fine, I'll see what Brother Heng wants when the time comes."
She probably guessed her sister's intention and tried her best to show her presence.
But what should she do? She also wants to... also want to be a concubine.
It's not just for the honorable status. Since she can become the concubine of the county prince, she must be the girl Heng cherishes and loves the most besides his third wife.
Well, I can’t tell my sister this.
Just when the Lanxi sisters of the Zhen family were dreaming about Jia Heng's military exploits and dreaming of becoming a noble king in the future——
Jinling, Zhenzhai
In the evening, two tall and graceful female officials entered the wing, took off the lanterns, and lit the candles on the red candles, which also illuminated the beautifully decorated wing clearly.
The rosewood dressing table reflected the bed, and I saw a beauty in a bright red dress, leaning on the pillow. Her beautiful and charming face, because she was pregnant, had fragrant skin and beautiful skin. In addition to the clouds, there is also a bit of richness and charm.
Zhen Qing was lying on her side on the bed, holding a book in one hand and stroking her swollen belly with the other. Under her two thin and long eyebrows, her beautiful eyes were staring at the book.
Zhen Xue held a needle and thread in her hand and was sewing small clothes for children. Her daughter Shui Xin looked at her curiously.
Zhen Qing said: "My sister asked the nuns to sew the clothes these children wear. She did everything herself. It will not be good if she is exhausted again."
As time goes by, both of them are getting heavier and heavier. They will give birth to a child in two or three months. Recently, they have become more and more lethargic.
"I can rest assured that my clothes will be more snug if I sew them by myself." Zhen Xue's gentle and gentle eyebrows were filled with a happy smile. She chuckled and said softly: "Besides, when Xinxin was little, I was the one who sewed it for her. Made.”
"Mom, are you sewing this for my younger brothers and sisters?" Shui Xin asked in a sweet voice when she heard the mention of herself.
Zhen Xue was no longer shy this time and smiled: "Yes."
"Then after my mother has younger brothers and sisters, will she let them recognize her as her godfather?" Shui Xin asked suddenly.
A slight blush appeared on Zhen Xue's white cheeks and she said, "I can't tell for sure now."
What is this kid thinking about?
Shui Xin pursed her pink lips slightly, and said with a serious look on her face: "Then mother, don't let the younger brothers and sisters recognize their godfather, okay?"
If the godfather recognizes another child, he will no longer love her in the future.
Zhen Xue said softly: "Okay, then I won't admit it."
That's his biological father, so there's no need to recognize him.
Zhen Qing asked: "What did the Jiangnan Residence newspaper say recently?"
Zhen Xue put down the needle and thread in her hand, picked up the tea cup, blew the tea foam gently, and said with worried eyes: "The report from the residence has not been sent yet. Isn't it just these judgments in the past few days, saying that Zi Yudun is not advancing? , nothing can be done.”
Zhen Qing said: "I don't know much about the war, but according to his temperament, he shouldn't have made no progress in the past half month. Maybe he has other plans?"
That bastard was so resourceful that she couldn't believe that he would lose everything in a small northwest.
Zhen Xue said softly: "Sister said it is true. Ziyu has never caused anyone to worry about fighting."
"It's about this time. Today's newspaper should have arrived, so I'll send someone to remind you." Zhen Qing said.
The personal female officer took the order and left. After about a quarter of an hour, she left and returned, saying: "Princess, this is today's Jinling Residence newspaper."
"Let me take a look." Zhen Xue heard this and said quickly.
As the female officer said this, she first came to Zhen Xue and handed her residence report to her.
Zhen Xue read it first, and after a while, her beautiful eyes filled with surprise, her plump and rosy face flushed, and she said happily: "Sister, Ziyu's side has won the battle."
Zhen Qing's beautiful and charming face suddenly showed a look of worry, and said: "Sister, bring it here and let me take a look."
As he spoke, he slowly got up.
Zhen Xue said quickly: "Sister, you are heavy, don't worry."
With that said, he handed over the Di newspaper in his hand.
The female officer on the side also came over to help Zhen Qing.
Zhen Qing took the newspaper and flipped through it, her slender hands couldn't help but clenched it a little tighter, and raised her thin eyebrows with joy. She murmured: "In one battle, we defeated the 50,000 elite troops of Heshuote Mongolia and captured the Jurchen Prince. He is truly invincible and invincible."
She knew that bastard would definitely win this northwest war and let the officials in Jiangnan see.
Zhen Xue chuckled and said: "After Ziyu's battle, the situation in the northwest should be settled. The Jurchen Prince was also captured."
During this period of time, the beauty frequently read Jiangnan Shilin's comments analyzing the situation in the northwest, and she also learned something about the situation.
"That's almost it. We won the first battle and it will be easy to fight later." Zhen Qing said with a motherly look on her face and eyes full of smiles: "The Prince of Nan'an County and others were defeated. He went to the northwest and won the northwest war not long after. With such crispness and efficiency, the entire Han Dynasty should know that the military cannot do without him."
There was one more thing that the beauty didn't say.
From now on, his father would probably entrust all the military affairs to him, and he would be in sole control of the capital camp. He would control the brocade clothes inside and lead the capital camp outside. In the court, no one from Nan'an and others could compete with him. After this battle, his power became stronger again. Three points.
Zhen Xueying's beautiful eyes were as moist as water, and she said softly: "Sister, once the war in the northwest is decided, Ziyu should go south."
"That's most likely it. My father has always wanted him to go south to preside over the new government. Didn't he win the most unpredictable relatives before? Once the war in the northwest is over, he should go south." Zhen Qing said softly.
At that time, she and her sister were about to give birth to the baby in their belly. God willing, the baby in her belly would definitely be a boy.
…
…
Jinling, Governor's Office of Liangjiang
Gao Zhongping also held a newspaper in his hand and read it. The solemn look on Shen Yi's face disappeared and he said: "We lost all our elites in the battle with Mongolia in Northwest China. The Jurchen Prince Yue Tuo was captured. This Jia Ziyu used his troops and did not move. When it moves, it thunders."
In the past few days, he had also been paying attention to the records in the Di newspaper. Duke Wei was unlucky when he launched his army. He attacked the mouth of the east canyon, spending thousands of soldiers every day, and making no progress.
But I vaguely knew that it was probably Duke Wei who was plotting something.
"Dong Weng, with this, the situation in the northwest has been stabilized." Kuang Shouzheng, the chief secretary of the Governor's Mansion, said happily with bright eyes.
Gao Zhongping shook his head and said: "It's too early to say this now! Gushi Khan captured Qinghai with the help of Junggar Khan. Now that Heshuote is defeated by the heavenly troops of the imperial court, he will definitely look for reinforcements from the Junggar tribe in the Tianshan Mountains. , these Mongolians also understand."
As a former governor of Sichuan, he knew very well the growth of Qinghai Mongolia and Gushi Khan's heel.
Just by relying on the progress of the situation in the Di newspaper, we have already noticed the hidden risks in the future.
Kuang Shouzheng asked: "Dong Weng, how will the court respond?"
"We have no choice but to take advantage of the situation and fight. Otherwise, after withdrawing our troops, the Heshuote Mongols will come back, and Qinghai Hehuang will still no longer belong to the imperial court. Thirty-two years later, we will be in serious trouble again." Gao Zhongping sighed. In one breath, he said: "Once the war in Qinghai and other places starts, it cannot be stopped."
"Dong Weng, are you not sure about the use of troops to defend the country?" Wu Xiancheng, the general judge, asked.
Gao Zhongping said: "The ability of the public troops to defend the country is obvious to all. There is no need to doubt this. But the war is fought for money and food. This year there is a drought in Hunan, and Jiangnan is also pushing back money and food. No one knows how long the money and food can last in the national treasury." .”
Kuang Shouzheng said: "Then what are Dong Weng's plans next?"
"Now that the northwest has been victorious, the new law in the south of the Yangtze River will no longer be able to stagnate." Gao Zhongping, with bright eyes, said in a deep voice: "I will inform the court about the collection of summer grain this year and the implementation of the new law. Don't do everything. Waiting for Duke Wei."
Nowadays, the hardest nut to crack is that Xunqi has been mostly solved by Wei Guogong before, and he will deal with the officials and gentry who are doubting.
"What Dong Weng said is true. It was Dong Weng who proposed the whipping method in the first place. It is time to implement the clearing of land and other matters." Kuang Shouzheng said.
Wu Xiancheng nodded and said: "Now we are taking advantage of the power of victory to implement the new law again. The implementation of the new law in Henan is already in full swing."
Gao Zhongping nodded, his face thoughtful.
About two miles away from the Governor's Office in Liangjiang, there is a mansion with a majestic archway. It is evening, and the lanterns on the eaves are swaying gently in the wind.
Shen Fang, the former governor of Liangjiang and currently the minister of household affairs and the minister of Lingcangchang, was talking to several Jiangnan officials in the hall.
The visitors were Guo Chao, a censor of the Nanjing Metropolitan Procuratorate, and Lu Boqi, the director of the Nanjing Imperial College.
Shen Fang asked: "Unknown why you two visited Shen?"
Guo Chao looked solemn and said with cupped hands: "Sir Shen, Duke Wei led the troops to the northwest. For more than a month, there was no progress. The imperial court has used troops two or three times this year. The national funds have been exhausted and the national treasury is gradually emptying. Huguang and other places have also There was a severe drought and the rice supply was no longer available, so I thought we would end up in the south of the Yangtze River."
Shen Fang said: "What does Guo Yushi mean?"
Guo Chao said: "Master Shen is in charge of the warehouse. Can you complain to the court this year? Less summer grain and autumn grain will be transferred to the court. The official salaries in Jiangnan have not been paid for half a year. How about focusing on Jiangnan first?"
Lu Boqi, the director of the Imperial Academy on the side, said: "Master Shen, the imperial court has been engaged in continuous wars this year. One after another, huge amounts of money and food are wasted. And we heard that Master Shen will deliver more rice to the imperial court." Food, how can this be done? This war is a bottomless pit."
Shen Fang pondered for a moment and said: "It's not all necessary for the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs to deliver the goods. As far as I know, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is also purchasing rice and preparing to supply the army. You two don't have to worry."
Knowing that Jia Heng was deploying troops in the northwest, the eldest princess of Jinyang asked Yuan Chun and Fu Qiufang to raise grain and prepare to transport it to Shenjing by ship.
"Purchasing rice grains with money is different from directly recruiting the Jiangnan treasuries from the Ministry of Household Affairs to ship grain. We are afraid that the Ministry of Household Affairs in Beijing will think that the warehouses in Jiangnan are abundant and set a new example." Guo Chao said worriedly.
Shen Fang was silent for a moment and said: "Previously, Mr. Qi Ge from Shenjing has issued an official document. The imperial court is in urgent need of rice and grain to support the frontline war this year. The Jiangnan side will supply it first. When the imperial court is rich in the coming year, it will provide corresponding relief."
Lu Boqi said: "That's what I said, but who knows if it is the prevarication of Shenjing Hubei. This rice grain man has no other excuse, or the delay is going to be as long as it is. I don't know how long it will be delayed."
Shen Fang said: "I still know the situation in Jiangnan. If we work together, we can still transfer it to the court."
After all, he was an official who grew up in Jiangnan, and he had a deep understanding of Jiangnan's taxation and warehouse conditions.
"Lord Shen, you might as well do this first and wait for now. Now that Duke Wei's troops are being frustrated in the northwest, not only is the material debate in the southern province aroused, but some people with lofty ideals in the capital should also report to the emperor and plan for the sake of the country and stop the war." Rupert said.
Shen Fang frowned and asked, "Master Lu, you mean that officials in Shenjing City will be impeached and remonstrated to prevent the dispatch of troops?"
Guo Chao said loudly: "There have been three military campaigns in a year, and now it is unfavorable to advance the army. The treasury is already empty. Even if I am in the temple, I still have to petition my emperor to recall Duke Wei and fight with Heshuote Mongolia." Turn conflicts into jade and silk."
"Another defeat will really shake the country and make the world uneasy." Lu Boqi said impassionedly.
Shen Fang was silent for a moment.
Originally, he wanted to cooperate with the court on matters of money and food, and be neither arrogant nor arrogant, but had the courage to do things, but now it seems that there are still some constraints.
As for the military affairs in the northwest, he also noticed some of the heated discussions in Shenjing City these days.
Could it be that Jia Heng really suffered a defeat in the northwest?
Thinking of this, Shen Fang was about to say yes when suddenly the voice of an old servant came from outside, saying: "Master, today's newspaper has been delivered."
Officials serving or serving in Nanjing have the habit of reading the Di Di newspaper, because it is related to the trends in the court.
Shen Fang said: "Send it in."
While the old servant was talking, he entered the study room with a copy of the newspaper, handed it over, and said with a smile: "Sir, I went to get the report from the newspaper. The clerk in the yamen said that there was a great victory in the northwest, and the imperial court won the battle in the northwest. ”
When Shen Fang heard this, he looked shocked and said, "What did you say? Bring it to me and see."
With that said, he took the newspaper from the old servant and started reading it quickly.
Guo Chao and Imperial College Secretary Ye Lu Boqi looked at each other and caught the look of shock in each other's eyes.
Shen Fang put down his newspaper, looked at the two of them, and said in a complex tone: "Duke Wei achieved a great victory in the northwest, and Prince Yue Tuo of Jurchen captured him alive."
As time went by, similar scenes spread among the officials and scholars in Jinling City.
Duke Wei led his troops to rush to the northwest for reinforcements. After more than half a month of fierce fighting in the northwest, they defeated the Heshuote Mongols, annihilated 50,000 enemies, and captured alive Yue Tuo, who was fanning the flames in the northwest.
This letter spread throughout the south of the Yangtze River, and the south of the Yangtze River was boiling inexplicably.
Because not long ago, Jiangnan Shilin and Di Bao were not very optimistic about the imperial officers and soldiers because of the anxious war situation in the northwest. However, the situation has changed so quickly that it is staggering.
Shen Fang handed the residence newspaper to the old servant, indicating that it would be given to Guo and Lu for reading, and said in a deep voice: "Duke Wei has won again this time. The imperial court has pressed for grain this time, and Nanjing has to grit its teeth to supply it, otherwise The court will definitely blame you."
This is to take advantage of the power of victory. Once the grand momentum is suppressed, Jiangnan will dare to have any objections.
(End of chapter)
