Jinling, Ningguo Mansion
In the hall of the back house, the doors and windows are closed, and the mica screens of golden nanmu are divided into several warm rooms. The tables, chairs and benches are spotless, and the layout is spacious and bright. There is a copper basin lit with charcoal fire, and the fire is blazing. It also dispels the chill of the twelfth lunar month.
The room was warm and cozy, and a fragrant fragrance filled the air.
This is the home of a wealthy prince and noble family, with fine clothes and fine food, even if it's nine winters, it's still the same as spring.
A group of girls in hairdresses and coats sat in the hall, playing chess, reading, and painting, all enjoying themselves.
Xiangyun raised her pink face, as if pinching her greasy face, and asked: "Sister Baoqin, do you still remember the couplet poems we did at Luxue'an in the Grand View Garden last winter?"
"Remember, what happened?" Baoqin asked with curiosity on his face.
"I want to eat barbecue." Shi Xiangyun said softly.
Bao Qin laughed dumbly and said, "Sister Yun wants to eat roast venison again?"
She remembers that at first she thought the roasted venison was dark and a bit pickled, but later she couldn't resist Sister Yun's constant persuasion and tasted a piece of it, and found that it was quite delicious.
Xiangyun felt disappointed and said quietly: "It's a pity that Brother Heng was not there that time."
When Bao Qin heard the mention of Jia Heng, his eyes were slightly startled, and his mind was a little dazed. It seemed that the scene of the young man being intimate with him came to mind. Maybe he thought deeply about it, and there was a familiar burning feeling in the center of his heart. Suddenly, his face was white and greasy. A slight blush appears on the child's face, the skin is dizzy, and the skin is plump and charming.
Listening to the conversation between the two, Baochai smiled softly, put down the shoes in his hands, and the moist apricot eyes under Cuiyu's beautiful eyebrows shimmered, and said softly: "Sister Yun, are you homesick?"
Xiangyun couldn't help but pout, with a look of dismay on his apple-round face as red as clouds, and said: "We have been away from home for a year. We said we came to play, but we haven't seen Brother Heng either."
Even if I see her, I don't play with her very much. Whenever I have time, I go hunting for Sister Bao and Sister Lin.
Under Daiyu's smoky brows, her shining starry eyes were bright and clear. She chuckled and said, "Your brother Heng is still fighting at sea."
As the girl spoke, her starry eyes were in a trance, and she felt a little missing in her heart. It had been a month or two in the blink of an eye, and there was still no news from him.
"When he's not fighting, he doesn't play with us. He only spends time with Sister Lin and Sister Bao." Xiangyun's little face was gloomy, and his voice was sweet and sweet, but it was more childish.
Hearing this, Daiyu's cheeks suddenly turned red, and her starry eyes looked at Xiangyun angrily.
On Baochai's jade face, which is as pink as snow, her expression is somewhat unnatural.
Almost every time I come back, I have to get obsessed with her.
Tan Chun smiled and said, "Sister Yun, brother Heng is very busy."
As she gets older, the girl's eyebrows become more charming and bright, and a faint color gradually appears in her eyes.
The sisters are all grown up, and Brother Heng usually stays with Sister Bao and Sister Lin. Brother Heng and Sister Bao will live together for the rest of their lives in the future.
Daiyu changed the subject softly and asked: "Third sister, you and Sister Lan haven't discussed the outcome of the war these days?"
Tanchun said: "I have had a brief discussion with Sister Lan these days."
As he said that, he looked at Zhen Lan who was playing chess with Yingchun.
Zhen Lan had just listened to the conversation of several people. After hearing the words, she put down her chess pieces and gave up her seat to Zhen Xi, who was watching the battle. Her slightly mean and cold face showed a smile and said: "Miss Lin, you don't need to I'm worried, Brother Heng will definitely win. This time, the Denglai Navy, the Yuehai Navy, and the Jiangnan Navy have gathered to suppress the bandits. The number of troops is as high as hundreds of thousands. However, there are only a few published in the newspapers recently. I don't know if it is now. What's going on?"
Baochai's beautiful eyebrows were curved, and she turned to look at Zhen Lan, her eyes as full as water, and asked softly: "Then what are sister Zhen's speculations about this?"
This third girl from the Zhen family has extraordinary talents in these things. Maybe he actually likes girls with this kind of temperament?
Ying'er, who was standing behind Baochai, held a handkerchief and curled her lips, with a clear look of displeasure in her eyes.
This Miss Zhen San, there are so many girls in the house, are you the one who is knowledgeable?
Zhen Lan sat down nearby and said softly: "Brother Heng probably still wants to regain Da Yuan Island. The newspaper said that the Dutch Red Barbarians have occupied the Da Yuan Island. In addition, there are many pirates entrenched and plundering the sea trade." Merchant ships, Sister Bao must have noticed that the sea trade business has not been easy in recent months."
Under Baochai Cuiyu's beautiful eyebrows, surprise filled her moist apricot eyes, and she nodded.
Zhen Lan said softly: "When Da Yuan Island is captured, the pirates will no longer have their nests. If they want to make trouble and rob merchant ships, they will be unable to do so. At that time, there will be no obstacles to maritime trade, and the imperial treasury will be able to It’s gradually becoming more prosperous.”
Under the increasingly surprised gazes of everyone, Tanchun pursed his pink lips and explained: "Customs tariffs have now become the source of tax revenue for the imperial court. When all the pirates are wiped out and maritime trade flourishes, the imperial court will be able to collect more tariffs in the future."
Zhen Lan turned her eyes to look at Daiyu, who was sitting quietly and delicately, and said softly: "Isn't Miss Lin's father now an important official in charge of the customs?"
Since she is the daughter of an official, she is supposed to be well-versed in economic matters and become a good wife for men. Unfortunately, she is usually sad and sarcastic...well, she will never be her match in the future.
Daiyu nodded her head, with an incomprehensible look in her starry eyes, and said softly: "Daddy is in charge of the customs now."
This Miss Zhen San knows a lot, but unfortunately, he probably doesn't like such scheming people.
Normally, he still likes her...more than Sister Bao.
Under Zhen Lan's beautiful eyebrows, her bright eyes looked at the waves, and she said with a smile: "Once the pirates are gone, sea trade will not be shackles next year, and the customs will collect more taxes and money. With Uncle Lin's ability, I'm afraid it will be done well in the future. , and he can even join the cabinet due to his merit."
This is what the eldest sister mentioned not long ago. Now that the cabinet assistant minister is vacant, the court officials have discussed the candidates several times, but the palace is not satisfied. Lin Ruhai will probably be promoted to the cabinet.
Daiyu's crystal clear face paused slightly and said softly: "I don't know about that."
Just as a few people were talking, they heard the bead curtain rustling, and Sister Feng entered the hall and said with a smile: "What are you talking about? It's so lively?"
Not far behind him, Li Wan was wearing a blue dress. He had a plump figure, an elegant face, a light smile, and gentle eyebrows.
"I didn't say anything. I was talking about Brother Heng going to fight at sea and when he will come back." Baochai took over the conversation with a smile.
A smile appeared on Sister Feng's pretty face and she said, "Yes, it's time to come back. It's been almost a month or two, and the New Year is almost here."
It's been a month or two, but why is there no movement in her stomach?
Li Wan and the maid put down the food boxes at this moment, and said softly: "I just asked the kitchen to cook some red dates and glutinous rice porridge. You guys can drink some to keep warm in the cold weather."
Xiangyun greeted each other with a smile and said, "I was saying I was hungry. Sister-in-law, let me have a taste."
All the gold hairpins chatted and laughed, then turned to eating rice porridge.
"The princess is here." While the ladies were eating rice porridge and laughing non-stop, a nun came from outside and said.
Everyone in the hall looked stunned, and then looked at the grandma in surprise.
After a while, Princess Xianning, Li Chanyue and Song Yan walked into the hall and said with a smile: "The sisters are all here."
Xiangyun got up, smiled and greeted each other, saying, "Sister Xianning, sister Chanyue, you are here."
Princess Xianning took Xiang Yun's hand, looked at the little chubby girl, chuckled, and said, "Well, come and see Sister Yun. Sister Yun has grown taller."
Xiangyun smiled sweetly and said, "Really?"
At this moment, a group of golden hairpins also stepped forward to salute Princess Xianning.
Princess Xianning smiled and said, "I am here mainly to tell you good news."
"this……"
When all the golden hairpins in the hall heard this, they looked at each other in confusion.
Under Zhen Lan's curved eyebrows, her clear eyes flickered, her heart moved slightly, and she had some faint guesses.
Princess Xianning's clear and clear eyes glanced at the charming faces with different charms. A smile lingered on her beautiful face, and she said with a chuckle: "The news just came from Jinyi Mansion. Sir, he defeated the Dutch Red Barbarians and regained the country." Yuandao, the Yi bandits and the Donglu were all severely defeated by the Master and fled in all directions."
As soon as these words came out, it was like a spring breeze blowing into the hall, and the faces of everyone present showed joy.
"Brother Heng won again?" Xiang Yun said happily.
And...it can be said that Xiangyun grew up listening to Jia Heng's singing.
Tan Chun Yurong also looked excited and said, "Sister Xianning, brother Heng should be back years ago."
Compared to Chai Dai and Dai Xianning, who were somewhat unable to shout out, Tanchun, the sister-in-law, was more proficient in shouting.
But shouldn’t you call me sister-in-law?
Zhen Xi frowned, blinked her smart eyes, and thought in her heart.
Princess Xianning smiled and said: "Not only did we wipe out the pirates this time, but we also recovered the big island. This is another achievement of opening up territory. If we go by the normal rules, even if we can't be made a marquis, we will at least be made a count." "
Although the pirates have not been completely eliminated and Hauge and the North Korean navy are still absconding, just recovering a large island can lead to the creation of an earl as a gift.
The beauty said, her cold eyes passing over all the warblers present, and a strange feeling came into her mind.
Sir, I don’t know who I want to give a royal title to?
Chai Dai, Lan Xi?
Baochai's jade face was slightly in a trance, and she lightly pursed her pink lips. Her moist apricot eyes seemed to have ripples of light appearing in circles, and then disappeared in a flash.
Daiyu blinked her eyes, twisted the handkerchief in her hand, and couldn't help but glance at the girl with smooth muscles and bones, and a face like a pear blossom.
He thought to himself, I'm afraid this reward belongs to Sister Bao.
And Ying'er was even more delighted.
The uncle has just been made a first-class Duke, and he probably won't be able to get a title in his eagerness. So this time it should be her girl's turn to be made a lady.
Xiangyun asked: "Sister Xianning, did brother Heng say when he would be back?"
"There are still a lot of things to deal with on the island. We still need to pursue the remnants of the pirates and Haug's elite Eight Banners and North Korean navy. It will probably take a lot of work when they come back." Princess Xianning smiled and said softly .
At this moment, a smile appeared on Sister Feng's gorgeous face and she said, "Then we will wait for the news about Brother Heng's class teacher."
That enemy would be gone for a month or two, and even if she came back, she would be hungry and full.
Li Wan was standing not far away, with a hint of expectation in his beautiful eyes under his beautiful eyebrows.
He won again this time, so he should be back.
…
…
On the other side, Princess Jinyang’s Mansion
The princess of Jinyang was holding her infant baby in her arms. When she heard Yuan Chun speak, she said softly: "If you win, you win. I don't know if I can come back at the end of the year."
Yuan Chun said: "Your Highness, when do you plan to set off?"
The eldest princess of Jinyang said softly: "Just wait a little longer. It's freezing cold. Little Bao'er's journey is not going to be bumpy. It's better to be still than to move."
After all, he had raised the little princess all by himself. He knew the dangers of a baby under one year old and did not dare to take any risks.
Yuanchun's plump and white jade face showed a worried look, and he hesitated: "Where is the Queen Mother?"
Empress Dowager Feng has not seen the eldest princess of Jinyang for more than a year, and she misses her daughter a little.
"It's okay, I will write another letter in the past two days, saying that the war in the south will not stop and we can't leave in a moment." The eldest princess of Jinyang said softly with a look of sadness on her face.
As he said that, he looked at his infant son, kissed the pink and jade-carved face, and said with a smile: "I'll take you to see grandma in the spring next year, okay?"
Yuanchun: "..."
If the Queen Mother knew that she had such an extra grandson, she would definitely ask who the child's biological father was.
At this moment, as time passed like water, Jiangnan officialdom also received the news that Jia Heng, the Duke of Wei, had won a great victory in the naval battle, annihilated the pirates in one fell swoop, and recovered the Dutch Red Barbarians.
Zhen Qing of Zhen Zhai had to receive the news later, because during this period the King of Chu had been helping the navy to raise food and ordnance against the pirates, and went to Fuzhou Prefecture, while Shui Rong also went on the expedition with the navy.
Therefore, Zhen Qing once again took Zhen Xue to live together in the mansion. As for Zhen Xue's son, she still let Princess Beijing take care of her.
Concubine Beijing had given birth to children before and was quite experienced in taking care of children.
In the backyard, in the wing room
Zhen Qing sat on the bed covered with soft mattresses, her hair pulled into a dignified eyebrow bun. She turned to look at Zhen Xue who was doing needlework. Her plump and beautiful face was filled with a faint look, and she was complaining. Said: "The navy has been gone for so long and there is still no news."
Zhen Xue put down the needle and thread in her hand and said softly: "Sister, relax, Ziyu is like a god with his soldiers, there should be nothing serious."
Zhen Qing said softly: "I'm not worried. It's been so long and there's been no progress at all."
He leaned close to the beauty's ear and said, "Sister, you said we gave birth to a boy. It doesn't seem like he cares too much."
When Zhen Xue heard this, her jade face, which was as crystal clear as snow, thought for a moment and whispered: "It's not very convenient. How else do you want him to take notice of me?"
There are many eyes and ears in Jiangnan, and it is not suitable to be obsessed with each other every day.
Zhen Qing sighed quietly: "I'm afraid he is really cruel and cruel."
Now, she was worried that she wouldn't be able to control him in the future. Thinking of that man's cruelty in the past, Zhen Qing felt a little angry in her heart.
At this moment, a female official from outside quickly entered the hall, with a happy face, and called softly: "Princess."
When Zhen Qing heard the words, she raised her head. The majestic and clear phoenix eyes under the willow eyebrows looked at the female officer in surprise and said, "What's going on?"
The female officer handed over a letter and said: "The prince sent a messenger to deliver a letter home, saying that the navy won a great victory on the island and wiped out the pirates."
Jia Heng's home letter reporting that he was safe would not be delivered first, but after the King of Chu heard the news of the navy's victory in Fuzhou Prefecture, he sent an urgent messenger six hundred miles away to send the navy to attack the pirates and win a great victory. Victory, the news of regaining Taiwan was delivered to Zhen Qing in Jinling.
Of course, it was also used to spread the word throughout Jinling that the king of Chu supplied military supplies to the large army, which was also not much worse than the king of Wei.
When Zhen Qing heard this, she was filled with joy when she saw her plump and shiny face, and her voice was quite eager as she said, "Bring it here, let me take a look."
That bastard wins another battle.
After taking the letter from the female officer, the beauty couldn't wait to read it, her cold face showed joy, and said: "Sister, the pirates have been wiped out, and he has also recovered a big island."
Zhen Xue's gentle brows and eyes were also filled with joy, and she chuckled: "Then this war is almost over."
At this moment, Shui Xin outside seemed to have heard the conversation between Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue, and said in a soft voice: "Auntie, mother, is your godfather coming back?"
Zhen Xue looked at her beautiful daughter and smiled: "Your godfather has won the battle and will be back in a while."
"Okay, I want to be my godfather too." Shui Xin said with a chuckle, but suddenly became unhappy and said in a waxy voice, "My brother is at my mother-in-law's place and I can't see my godfather."
Zhen Xue reached out and rubbed her daughter's bangs, with a smile on her face and said softly: "I'll see you soon."
With her as a mother, how could the father and son not meet each other?
…
…
Shenjing City, Palace Garden
Since entering the twelfth lunar month, the land in Guanzhong has spent several days in the howling cold wind, and finally there has been a heavy snowfall. The red walls and black tiles of the palaces and gardens are covered with snowflakes, and they are wrapped in silver, which is particularly enchanting.
This is undoubtedly an auspicious snow.
By the window outside the inner study room, Emperor Chongping stood like a pine tree with strong branches in the wind. He was wearing a black goose feather cloak and stood in front of the attic. His face was filled with joy and he said with emotion: "Auspicious snow sign." It’s a good year.”
Dai Quan smiled and said: "Your Majesty, it snowed heavily in Guanzhong and Hebei. Next year should be a good harvest.'
Emperor Chongping nodded and said: "Let Jingzhao Mansion check the snow accumulation at all times to prevent it from collapsing the beams and affecting the people's livelihood."
"This servant will tell someone to inform Jingzhao Mansion." Dai Quan said softly: "Your Majesty, it's cold, please go back to the palace first."
Emperor Chongping asked: "Several cabinet ministers and several people from the military aircraft department have arrived in the capital."
Dai Quan said: "We have arrived at Hanyuan Hall."
Because today was the day when Li Zan, Shaobao and Minister of the Ministry of War, came to Beijing from Beiping Mansion to report on his duties, Emperor Chongping convened the cabinet ministers, military ministers and six ministers to gather in Hanyuan Hall to discuss border affairs and the beginning of the new year.
This imperial meeting was mainly based on Li Zan's work report to discuss the next strategy against the Jurchens and the new policy measures for next spring.
Jiangnan has obviously not been idle during this period. The New Deal is in full swing. The work of clearing land and acres has been completed throughout Jiangsu. The next stage is to register the land in order to promote the implementation of land allocation.
At this moment, in Hanyuan Hall
The chief minister of the cabinet Han Huang, the second minister Li Zan, the cabinet minister Qi Kun, the minister of military aircraft Shi Jie and the military aircraft drivers Hang Min and Shi Shu, as well as the King of Wei who had just taken up his new duties in the military aircraft department, the cabinet military aircraft of the Han Dynasty were also Six ministries and nine ministers gathered together, all waiting.
"Your Majesty has arrived." At this moment, the high-pitched voice of the inner prisoner came into the hall.
After hearing this, all the ministers in the palace looked solemn and cheered up. There was silence in the palace.
Emperor Chongping sat on the dragon chair behind the imperial court with his retinue in the inner prison. After several times of vomiting blood and fainting, the middle-aged emperor's cheeks became thinner, but his eyes were sharp under his thin brows, which made people intimidated. .
"I have seen Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty." All the ministers in the palace saluted Emperor Chongping and said.
Emperor Chongping glanced at the ministers below, and said in a gentle voice: "Everyone is safe."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." All the courtiers present thanked him, stood up one after another, and stood respectfully.
Emperor Chongping turned his attention to the tall, thin and energetic Li Zan, and asked directly: "Li Qing has returned from Beiping Mansion. How is the situation between us and the enemy on the border?"
Li Zan held an ivory jade wat in his hand, took a step forward, and said loudly: "Reporting to the Holy Emperor, the Jurchens have been defeated since the middle of the year. After the slave chiefs were enthroned, they have fomented conspiracy in the northwest. They were defeated again not long ago, and they no longer dare to start barbarism again." The cavalry went south to plunder and harass our border. At present, the sergeants of Ji Zhen, Peking and Xuanfu have all been re-recruited and trained. The number of soldiers and weapons are complete, and the combat effectiveness has been greatly improved compared with the beginning of the year."
Emperor Chongping nodded and said: "Li Qing has been guarding the border for more than a year, sorting out the border affairs, and his hard work has made great achievements."
Li Zan said: "This is my responsibility, and I dare not be praised by the Holy Emperor. When I returned to Beijing, I heard that the Military Aircraft Department had proposed a plan to build a naval force to invade Liaodong. I don't know the reason for this, so I asked the Holy Emperor for instructions."
Emperor Chongping said: "We are at a stalemate at the border, so we can only open up a sea battlefield to stop the enemy from marching south. Now the Jurchens have taken the lead. They came from the southeast of Liaoning and raised troops to invade Shandong. They were driven away by the Denglai Navy the day before yesterday. Now they are again Going south to the Fujian and Guangdong seas, he colludes with the red barbarians on Jilong Mountain and intends to disrupt the Han Dynasty. Duke Wei has already led the navy to clean up the barbarians and destroy their robber dens. Sea pirates escort maritime trade and can defeat the Eastern invaders from afar and weaken the enemy's national power."
Li Zan cupped his hands and said, "Now that the troops in Beiping Prefecture and Jizhen have just been reorganized, it is not appropriate to send troops to Liaodong. If we can use the navy to attack Liaodong first, it may not be a countermeasure."
Emperor Chongping nodded, and a clear voice rang out in the palace, and said: "I have asked the Military Aircraft Department to draw up an agreement and send it to Jia Ziyu six hundred miles away for discussion. When the southern sea area is determined, in one or two years, we can send troops north to Liaodong. "
At this time, Yao Yu, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, frowned and went out to announce: "Your Majesty, the navy has been marching south for more than a month, and there is still no news of victory. More than 100,000 navy troops are drifting at sea. The war has been prolonged and wasted. The national funds are huge, and I believe that in destroying the pirates and building a naval division, we should not rush for success, but should take a long-term approach."
Emperor Chongping said: "Isn't Yao Qing worried about using troops to defend the country?"
Jia Heng's use of troops is foolproof. This is an irrefutable truth that has been verified from both positive and negative aspects.
Yao Yu said: "Your Majesty, the New Year is approaching, the soldiers are on an expedition abroad, and they are homesick. If the pirates cannot be wiped out in a short time, the army will be on an overseas expedition for a long time, which will also be detrimental to the country."
Zhao Mo heard this from below and nodded secretly.
He is now disliked by the emperor, and even if he has words of loyalty to the emperor, it is difficult for the emperor to listen to him.
"It's not just the pirates, but also the Jurchen navy. They sailed their boats and hit the door of my big man's house. Do you want to let them go and allow them to plunder on the shore?" Emperor Chongping said in a cold voice.
King Wei Chen Ran was listening to the conversation of several people, with a look of thought on his handsome face.
In the past few days, as there has been no news about the southern naval battle, civil servants in the capital began to have objections again.
The main reason is that Chongping has been using troops for the entire sixteen years. Not only is he leading hundreds of thousands of naval troops to go on an expedition, he is also planning to build a naval division. The power of martial arts is rising again and again.
If the preparations for the establishment of Ruhai Division are still under the control of Duke Wei, how can this not make people worry?
But because these heart-wrenching words had been said countless times before, and were rejected by Emperor Chongping, no one dared to point them out.
