Shenjing, Ningguo Mansion
The night was already dark and the lanterns were starting to turn on. Jia Heng and Yaruo came to the side room of the xuantang, held Yaruo's hand and talked for a while.
Yaruo said softly: "Brother Heng, when will dad come back?"
Jia Heng said: "I am still building the city in Duogansi. I may come back at the end of this year. By then we will get married."
Ezhe is now driving the Mongols from Qinghai to build a city in Duogansi, preparing to build this city into a military fortress that will long-term confrontation with Gushi Khan of Heshuote.
Yaruo said softly: "Brother Heng, I want to wait until my father and brother come back before we can consummate the marriage."
Jia Heng gently stroked the girl's face and said, "Then follow Yaruo's wishes."
The two had dinner together, and then Jia Heng and Ya Ruo parted ways and went to Qin Keqing's residence to visit Keqing's wife.
At this moment, the lights in the back house were shining brightly.
In the hall of the back house, Qin Keqing was talking to Mrs. You, Second Sister You, and Third Sister You. Not far away, Xiangling was embroidering silk fabrics.
After an afternoon's rest, the complexion on the beauty's face was obviously much better. Perhaps it was because she had just eaten a bowl of red dates and glutinous rice porridge. Her plump and graceful face was full of blood and as gorgeous as a peach or plum.
Third Sister You was sitting next to the cradle, teasing the baby being fed by the nanny. A bright smile appeared on her gorgeous face and she said, "Sister Qin, look at how sweet her food is."
The baby was sucking milk in large gulps. The pink face was full of joy and satisfaction, and the black grape eyes were spinning like a pool of spring water.
The nanny smiled and said: "Grandma Yousan, if the young lady eats well, she will grow up quickly."
At this moment, the maid Baozhu entered the hall happily and said: "Grandma, the uncle is here."
While he was talking, he saw a tall and tall young man entering the hall.
A faint smile appeared on Qin Keqing's baby-fat face, and she said happily: "Husband, you are here."
Jia Heng smiled and said, "But Qing, please rest. I'll come over to see you this afternoon. When I saw you taking a rest, I looked at my daughter."
As he said that, he looked at the little girl, who was huddled in the nanny's arms.
Qin Keqing said softly: "Husband, you must be finished with all the things outside."
In fact, the beauty is still a little regretful in her heart. She gave birth to a daughter, but alas, she can only have a son in the next child.
Jia Heng entered the room, looked at Qin Keqing, sat down, took the beauty's hand, and said warmly: "There is nothing to do during this time, everything is done."
The surrounding Youshi greeted the red-cheeked Second Sister You and Youshi, and headed to the outer room, while the nanny also held the child and headed to the suite, leaving space for the two of them to talk.
Qin Keqing looked at Jia Heng with soft eyes, and her soft voice was full of pity: "Husband, the battles along the way have been reduced."
Jia Heng gently hugged the beauty's shoulders and said warmly: "Going to the northwest, and running for several days in a row, heading to the desert. Living in the open air along the way, it is inevitable that I will lose some weight."
Qin Keqing nodded, leaned her head into Jia Heng's arms, and said sadly: "Husband, I gave birth to a girl."
At the end of the story, the beauty looked a little sad.
Jia Heng chuckled and said, "Look, what's wrong with girls? I just like girls. We're still young, and it's not like we won't be able to have children in the future."
When Qin Keqing heard this, a look of shame and joy appeared on her beautiful face, but her soft voice contained a firmness and she said, "Husband, I will definitely give you a boy."
Seeing the cute and soft-looking girl, Jia Heng kissed the beauty's cheek and chuckled: "Girl, I quite like her."
Qin Keqing said "hmm", stretched out her hand to grab Jia Heng's hand, and said shyly: "Husband, I just gave birth to a child. It's inconvenient to serve you. You can go to the third sister's place later. It will also save the child from making noise at night." .”
A beauty who has just given birth to a child must be with her child.
Jia Heng had no choice but to take back his soft and overflowing hand and said, "Well, let's take advantage of the time in the past few days to ask Third Sister to come over. We can't drag it out forever."
Qin Keqing said softly: "My husband and my second sister are not too young anymore, so we can't hold them back forever."
Second Sister You was begging eagerly at the house, and her thoughts were actually known to the entire Ningrong House.
Jia Heng said: "Let's take a look at that."
Jia Heng and Qin Keqing were affectionate for a while, then went to the back room to see their daughter, teased the little one for a while, then left the back room and came to the courtyard where Sanjie You was.
In the side room, Sister You is sitting in front of the dressing table at the moment. She stretches out a delicate hand and takes out the hairpin jewelry in her bun in front of the bronze mirror. There is a smile on her bright and charming face like petals. Diffuse, the glint in the eyes moves slightly.
Second Sister You said softly: "Third Sister, how long do you think the uncle will stay at home when he comes back this time?"
Third Sister You said in a charming voice: "Sister Qin is in confinement, so she should stay longer."
Second Sister You said: "Uncle, in the past few years, there have been troubles here or there. Uncle Heng has been fighting in the north and south, and we haven't spent much time together at home."
Third Sister You said: "A good man has his ambitions in all directions, and there will always be clear seas and rivers. When the world is at peace, we usually spend a lot of time together."
As he said that, he looked at Sister You with a half-smile, and said, "It's been almost three years since my sister and I came into the house. If you think about it carefully, I probably haven't spoken a few words to my sister in total."
Second Sister You's cheeks were slightly red, she turned her head and said angrily: "Sister."
If her heart hadn't been for that person, she would have been married long ago.
"Grandma, Uncle Heng is here." While the two sisters were joking, a maid in bright clothes entered the hall and said happily.
Second Sister You's jade cheeks were slightly red, her quiet and gentle brows and eyes were full of tenderness, and she whispered: "Third Sister, Uncle Heng is here, I'm leaving first."
"Hey, why are you leaving in such a hurry? I just happened to be introducing you to the uncle." Third Sister You came forward, grabbed Second Sister You's arm, and said with a soft smile.
The second sister You was so ashamed that she said coquettishly: "Third sister, stop making trouble."
Third Sister You said softly: "I just said that I usually don't have a chance to talk. When people come, you leave again."
At this moment, Jia Heng had entered the main hall and walked quickly towards the beautiful girl.
Third Sister You happily went up to meet me and said, "Uncle, why didn't you say anything to me when you came here? My makeup, hair and face have all been removed."
Jia Heng smiled and said, "Come here to see you. Wouldn't it be better if you go? The clear water brings out the hibiscus, and the natural carvings are done. Well, the second sister is here too."
"Uncle Heng, I'm here to talk to Third Sister. Let's go now." Second Sister You, with her gorgeous cheeks as red as a haze, stood up to leave, but Third Sister You grabbed her arm again and said, "Second Sister told me that the uncle is in the northwest." I’m quite curious about the war, and I’ve always wanted to ask the uncle.”
Jia Heng sat down, stared at Second Sister You, whose eyebrows were full of shame, and said, "What do Second Sister want to ask me?"
Second Sister You calmed down and asked: "Uncle Heng recovered the Seven Guards of Guanxi. I heard that he went deep into the desert to Hami City and captured the city?"
"Second sister, just call me Brother Heng." Jia Heng picked up the teapot beside him and poured himself a cup of tea. As the steam rose, the fresh tea leaves floated up piece by piece, and he felt a sense of peace and determination. The fragrance floats on the nose, making people feel relaxed and happy.
Jia Heng said: "When I led 10,000 people across the vast desert and came to the city of Hami, the Junggar troops in the city were defenseless and were defeated by the army."
With that, he briefly talked about heading to the desert.
Second Sister You's eyes were shining brightly, her pink lips parted slightly, and she said, "Uncle, what will the army eat and drink during this long march?"
Jia Heng chuckled and said: "I brought some dry food, some water, and some highland barley wine. Fortunately, when I arrived at Hami City, the defenders in the city were not on guard, and our Han army captured it in one go."
Third Sister You's eyes showed longing and she said, "This sounds quite thrilling."
After all, she has written the story of "The Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties", so the girl can understand the difficulty of traveling long distances when marching to fight.
Second Sister You's beautiful eyes were as bright as water, and she said softly: "Uncle, there was no war before this year."
Jia Heng said softly: "It should be gone, but there are still some political affairs in the south, and we may have to go south."
Second Sister You said: "Brother Heng is busy with everything, running around all over the world."
Jia Heng said: "It is inevitable to be an official in the outside world."
After chatting with Second Sister You, Second Sister You glanced at the sky and said, "Uncle, you and Third Sister are chatting while I go over first."
Jia Heng nodded and watched Second Sister You leave with a thoughtful look on his face.
Third Sister You came forward, took Jia Heng's arm, and said with a smile: "Uncle, why don't you talk to the second sister for a while, the second sister likes the uncle."
Jia Heng said softly: "Let's talk about it when we have free time. I will finally come back to reunite with you."
After saying that, he hugged Third Sister You into his arms and said softly: "Sister Third, have you missed me at home recently?"
Third Sister You's eyes were filled with water and she whispered: "I think about it day and night..."
Jia Heng: "..."
I really can't stand it.
While he was stunned, he saw that the beauty had brought her jade cheek closer to her, and then turned back to the guests.
Jia Heng put his arms around Third Sister You's shoulders and walked quickly towards the bed in the back room. The two of them hugged each other on the fragrant bed.
It was night, and the bleak autumn wind blew up the straight and elegant bamboos in the courtyard, making rustling sounds from time to time.
But Second Sister You walked shyly to the corridor. She paused for a moment, turned around and tiptoed back, and stood under the window lattice. Just as she was about to turn around and leave, she suddenly heard grunts and voices coming from the back room.
The girl hesitated for a moment, then stretched out a finger as white as a jade bamboo shoot, dipped it in saliva, broke the window paper, and looked inside. When she saw that scene, she felt like she was struck by thunder, and two blushes appeared on her beautiful cheeks.
Third sister, this is too much nonsense, how could you...
After a while, I heard Third Sister You say vaguely: "Master, hurry up and take in the second sister. The second sister is not young anymore. When the time comes, the second sister and I will serve you together. How about it?"
But there was a trace of laziness in the young man's voice, and he said softly: "Then the second sister must agree."
Second Sister You's heart skipped a beat and she held the handkerchief to her mouth, her crystal clear face showing shame and annoyance.
Third Sister You's voice gradually became intermittent, and seemed to have some twists and turns, and she whispered: "Do you like it, sir, that I and the second sister can serve you together?"
Second Sister You felt a little rushed when she listened to the voices inside. For some reason, she felt a surge of anticipation in her heart.
But a long time passed, but no response was heard from the young man.
Sanjie You's voice was filled with a hint of shame and anger, and she said, "The uncle really has the intention of blooming his lotus."
"Stop talking nonsense, it's nothing."
The second sister You was holding the handkerchief tightly with her bare hands outside. Her heart skipped a beat, and she became curious. How did the third sister know that he was interested?
…
…
Prince Qi's Mansion
The night is already dark, and the autumn wind blows through the hall. Occasionally, it blows into the room through the windows, giving it an indescribable coolness.
After hearing Chen Hong's words, King Qi Chen Cheng's expression changed. He stared at Chen Rui aside, his eyes hesitating a little.
Chen Hong said: "Second brother is not an outsider."
Chen Cheng nodded and led everyone to the secret room. Fang said: "Brother, this matter is not easy. Now that the Beijing camp has been controlled by that kid, there is no hope."
In fact, Chen Cheng had already met Chen Yuan, the son of King Zhao, before and knew about his military plan.
"Your Highness, because of this, when he takes full control of the capital, we will have no chance at all." Chen Hong said.
If they don't take action, Jia Heng will really win the Liaodong War and the limelight will be the same for a while. They all have no choice but to wait for the kid to go out to make plans.
Chen Cheng thought for a while and said: "The time is not ripe now, so we need to think about it in the long term."
Chen Hong nodded and said: "Your Highness, let's not be in a hurry. This matter needs to be dealt with slowly."
This is a serial scheme and will involve all parties involved.
At this point, it is no longer possible to overturn the situation simply by relying on conventional means.
Jia Yucun listened to the conversation of several people, and his heart stirred up a storm. Why did he smell the smell of rebellion, but now he was on the pirate ship, and it was difficult to escape.
…
…
Shenjing City, Ancestral Temple
On the second day after Jia Heng's triumphant return, under the auspices of the officials of the Ministry of Rites, the day came for the prisoners to be presented to the Ancestral Temple.
The officials and people of the entire Shenjing City looked up eagerly, with excitement on their faces, looking at the Heshuote Mongolian and Junggar Mongolian soldiers who were tied up by the soldiers in the Beijing camp.
Emperor Chongping went to the temple with all his civil and military officials.
At this moment, flags were flying around the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and there were guards wearing armor and holding soldiers with their heads held high, and their solemn and majestic expressions could not conceal their excitement.
Emperor Chongping, surrounded by civil and military officials, entered the Ancestral Temple in excitement.
If it weren't for Zi Yu, the war in the northwest would not have subsided so quickly. If Zi Yu had been used earlier, he would not have lost an army of 100,000 men.
Taimiao, palace
As Yao Yu, the Minister of Rites, recited the words of prayer, the civil and military officials of the Han Dynasty, led by Emperor Chongping, saluted the memorial tablets of Taizu and Emperor Taizong of the Chen and Han Dynasties listed in the Mingtang.
Jia Heng was in the Taimiao Palace where sandalwood was floating faintly. He was infected by the surrounding environment and couldn't help but feel solemn.
This is not the first time he has come to the Ancestral Temple, and it probably won't be the last.
At this time, Emperor Chongping felt a little agitated. He suddenly took Jia Heng's hand and said loudly: "Zi Yu, all the ancestors of the Han Dynasty are here now. When we regain Liaodong in the future, I will be with you in the Ancestral Temple. Mr. Weng Let’s work together for a prosperous age.”
When Jia Heng heard this, his heart was slightly shaken and he said: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. No matter how hard I try, I will do my best to drive away the barbarians from Liaodong and revive the Han Dynasty for Your Majesty."
This was to make a solemn promise to Chen Han in front of his ancestors. It was also to appease the ministers, and it was also to give him moral shackles.
Sure enough, the faces of the civil and military ministers changed, and their minds were complicated.
In the Imperial Ancestral Temple, in front of the memorial tablets of the ancestors of the Chen and Han Dynasties, he held the hand of Duke Wei and said that we would live together in a prosperous age, and whether the next step would be to rule the world together.
Emperor Chongping smiled and said: "Zi Yu's great ambition is also my lifelong wish!"
Then, he turned around and glanced at the ministers with incomprehensible meaning.
Before Liaodong was peaceful, any rejection of Jia Ziyu's words would be slanderous words that would damage the country and the country of the Han Dynasty!
Along with Jia Heng and all the civil and military officials, they accompanied Emperor Chongping back to Hanyuan Hall, and the civil and military officials of the Han Dynasty paid homage to the Emperor of Heaven again.
Emperor Chongping calmed down his face, looked at the civil and military ministers below, and said in a deep voice: "The cabinet has drafted a decree to behead all the prisoners including King Dorji, Yue Tuo and others. Liu Fangci, grandson of Liu Biao, the Liguo Duke, After his death, Duke Li was expelled from the Duke of Nan'an, and the Duke of Nan'an reduced his title to a first-class marquis, and the Yan family selected the worthy heir. Prince Yan Ye of Nan'an ordered him to think about his mistakes behind closed doors and not to go out; Change the ancestral line and inherit the heir; the grandsons of the Duke, Xiaokang, Shi Guangzhu and others, were all guilty of defeating the army. They remembered that they had committed crimes in front of the army and made meritorious service. They used their merits to offset their mistakes and no longer committed crimes; Jin Xiaoyu and Chen Ruiwen died in royal affairs, and the cabinet wrote The Shinto inscription proposes to confer a posthumous title to the king of Xining County. At the invitation of Fuyuan General Jin Xuan, Jin Xiaoyu’s son will inherit the county king.”
The Prince of Nan'an was originally a hereditary prince, but now he has been reduced to a first-class marquis. This is obviously the result of losing his title, and then he will gradually decline like the twelve marquises.
As for Liu Fang's seizure of the title, just like the Niu family in Zhenguo, the Liu family of the Li Guogong line ended here. From then on, the Han Dynasty never had the Li Guogong lineage.
Although the ruler of the country was greedy for life and afraid of death, he still gave him a glimmer of hope to let his heirs and grandsons take the throne again. This is also the case among the four princes and eight princes.
In fact, it is impossible to completely wipe out the title just because Wu Xun suffered a defeat.
"I obey the order." Han Huang, the chief minister of the cabinet, heard this and bowed his hands.
When the civil and military ministers below heard this, their expressions moved slightly, then returned to normal.
Probably, the last boot fell to the ground.
At this point, the four kings and eight princes of the Han Dynasty became three kings and six princes. Well, no, if you add Jia Heng, the Duke of Wei who was granted the title of Wei by imperial decree, this would become three kings and seven princes.
Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment and said: "The cabinet has drafted a decree to confer Yaruo, the daughter of the Mongolian prince of Chahar, as the wife of the Yu Kingdom. She will be married to the Duke of Wei, Jia Heng, and the marriage will be completed on a selected date."
As soon as these words came out, the expressions of the ministers in the palace changed slightly, and they froze in place.
Yao Yu, the Minister of Civil Affairs, immediately held the wat tablet in his hand and said loudly: "Your Majesty, Duke Wei already has a wife who is married to both Ningrong and Ningrong. How can he be granted the title of wife again? Is it inconsistent with etiquette? I ask your Majesty to think again. .”
As Yao Yu came out to oppose, other civil and military ministers in the palace also came out to oppose.
Xu Lu frowned and thought to himself, doesn't His Majesty know that King Mongolia has an elite Chahar Mongolian army?
"King Meng is a native of the grassland and has nothing to do with the etiquette of the Central Plains. Moreover, Duke Wei's promotion to the first rank means a small title. Now that Duke Wei has come to Shu to ask for his wife, I will not hesitate to be a man of beauty." Emperor Chongping said loudly. .
I just felt quite uncomfortable in my heart.
When the officials in the palace heard this, their expressions changed slightly and they began to think about the matter.
Duke Wei of the State of Wei wants to marry you? What is the purpose?
Han Huang frowned secretly, and his heart was filled with a haze.
The daughter of the Mongolian King supports the Chahar Mongolian tribe. Even if there is a marriage to appease, it should be a marriage with a vassal king such as Liang vassal. How can we let Duke Wei marry the daughter of such a powerful vassal? To help nourish his tiger and wolf mentality?
Although Han Huang felt it was inappropriate, given the current trend, he did not go out to oppose it.
Zhao Mo's face was solemn, he was extremely vigilant, and there was deep worry in his eyes.
How is the Holy Spirit so confused?
Once the Duke of Wei has a different intention, wouldn't he use the Mongolian cavalry to recruit the capital, use it to control the Han people and disrupt the government?
However, after Cen Weishan was dealt with by Emperor Chongping, there was a chilling effect in the court. At this moment, the expressions of some ministers changed and they made many heart-breaking remarks.
However, some ministers began to consider the benefits of this matter, that is, after Duke Wei had military merits, he no longer had to reward him with titles and salaries, but instead had the title of wife and son.
In that case, at most the Han Dynasty would have a romantic prince, rather than a prince who was outstanding in both civility and military virtue.
Jia Heng was below, his face was silent and he couldn't say much.
In fact, Yaruo, who had been invited before, had not worried about this, but it didn't take long for these courtiers to know that he was really just here for people.
Seeing that the ministers in the palace did not say anything, Emperor Chongping said: "The war in the northwest has been greatly won. However, there are still many follow-up matters to be dealt with in the Jiangnan New Deal. The effects of this year's Henan New Deal should be obvious to all, and all the fire and waste have been eliminated." , the national revenue has increased significantly, and the four new policies are truly policies that benefit the country and the people."
When the ministers below heard this, their hearts trembled.
After the war ended, the Four Articles of the New Deal began again, but no one spoke out against it at this moment, because the Four Articles of the New Deal indeed showed their power.
After the ministers had dispersed, Jia Heng was left alone by Emperor Chongping to question him.
Emperor Chongping looked at the young man in python suit standing bowed below and asked: "Ziyu, if the Jiangnan New Deal becomes popular, how long will it take at most to be implemented nationwide?"
Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, according to Weichen's estimate, the effect should be visible next year."
According to the historical process, from the completion of the clearing of land to the results, millions of taels of additional taxes can be collected in the second year.
Because, after clearing the land, the number of taxable acres is quite intuitive.
Emperor Chongping said: "Ziyu, I'm thinking about whether it can be implemented nationwide. Since the pilot project in Henan has achieved results, it's time to implement it nationwide."
Jia Heng thought for a moment and said: "Your Majesty, if it is implemented nationwide, local officials will not fully understand the national policy, which will easily lead to some chaos."
Emperor Chongping said: "If it is just to measure the acres of land, it should not be a problem, and autumn and winter are also suitable for measuring land."
He felt that his body was running out of time.
Jia Heng thought for a while and said loudly: "If this is not the case, we will first clear the land in Jiangsu and Anhui before the year, and then promote it nationwide in the spring of next year."
Emperor Chongping said: "That's fine. I thought that if we implement it earlier, all officials will see the results earlier. Instead, the wait-and-see and hesitation will gradually disappear, and everyone will work together to welcome the new policy."
Jia Heng said: "Father, it is not unreasonable to consider this."
When Emperor Chongping saw that the matter had been finalized, he added: "The King of Beijing sent a message the day before yesterday, saying that the three brothers Liu Xiang, Yang Lu, Yang Ce, Yang Kuo and Li Jin and other giant sea lords colluded with the red barbarian ghosts to occupy Jilong Mountain. The island is in chaos, and they use red barbarian cannons to fight against the official army. Are these red barbarian cannons produced in Haojing?"
Jia Heng said: "The Holy Spirit has made it clear that I thought it was not the red barbarians from Haojing who sent it, but another group of red barbarians. I thought that if you want to make the customs a long-term tax source for my great Han Dynasty, you should send water." It would be better for the division to capture Jilong Mountain."
Emperor Chongping nodded and said: "Zi Yu, I am worried that the Jurchen will go south from the sea, collude with them, or lead the red barbarian artillery to Liaodong. Then things will be difficult to handle."
Jia Heng said: "Recently, Jinyi Mansion has also received news from Liaodong that the Jurchen chieftain Dorgon has sent people south with a lot of money to purchase the Hongyi cannon."
Emperor Chongping said: "The Red Yi cannon must not fall into the hands of the Jurchens. Otherwise, the Jurchens will bombard the city with the Red Yi cannon, and all the cities in Peiping will be blown away."
After thinking for a while, he said: "After you have been in Beijing for a while, you can go south to Jinling. You will still be on your previous errands, assisting in the administration of the new policy, and presiding over the elimination of pirates."
Jia Heng looked solemn and raised his hands in response.
(End of chapter)
