Jinling, Ningguo Mansion
Jia Heng entered the side room usually used for bathing and put his black cloak on a chair nearby. When he raised his eyes, he happened to see an unhappy Qingwen.
Qingwen had fine eyebrows and apricot eyes, she curled her lips slightly and said softly: "Young master just took a bath this morning, it hasn't been a day yet, and after washing again, my skin is already bald."
Jia Heng: "..."
After saying that, he took the girl's slender hand, hugged the girl with slim shoulders and water snake waist, and said, "What are you talking about?"
Qingwen is getting older, and she is no longer the thin little girl who looked like a bean sprout.
The corners of Qingwen's lips curled up in sarcasm, and she snorted: "Young master, did you get up from the bed of some princess or princess? You are all rosy and pink."
Such a rich powder smell does not feel like the fragrance of Lan Xi's two sisters, but more like that of another woman.
Jia Heng said warmly: "Lan'er and Xi'er are carrying them."
Qingwen glanced at the young man, but she didn't expose him. She was just unhappy. She curled her lips and said, "Sir, it's the Chinese New Year, and I'm no longer young this year."
Qingwen was sent by Jia Mu to serve Jia Heng in Liutiaoer Hutong since the 14th year of Chongping. In the blink of an eye, it is now the 17th year of Chongping, and she has indeed reached the age of hairpin.
Jia Heng stretched out his hand and pinched the girl's pink face, and whispered: "Okay, Qingwen, take a bath for me, wait for a while."
Just like that, after Jia Heng finished bathing, he put on a brand new green shirt, looking like a handsome young man from the world.
While talking, Jia Heng went to the hall. At this moment, Sister Feng had prepared a lot of dishes. There were many golden hairpins sitting around. Their eyes lit up when they saw the tall and tall young man in green clothes.
Under Sister Rufeng's willow-shaped eyebrows, Danfeng's eyes were full of obsession, and her embroidered shoes under her skirt were a little closer together.
Well, she seems to have to let him handle it...
Jia Heng's eyes fell on pairs of bright, gloomy, or soft jade faces. He slowly sat down and said softly: "The Lantern Festival will be here in a few days. Sister Yun and Third Sister, let's put out lanterns and play."
Xiangyun sighed: "Brother Heng didn't know where to go to play at that time."
Jia Heng: "..."
Xiangyun really told the truth.
Sister Feng chuckled and said, "Brother Heng, will the princess come over on the Lantern Festival?"
Jia Heng glanced at the radiant and charming Sister Feng, nodded and said, "She is coming too. Xianning should be back from Hangzhou by then."
Xiangyun said charmingly: "I knew that at that time, Brother Heng was accompanying Sister Xianning and Sister Chanyue again."
Jia Heng smiled and said, "When they arrive, let's put out the lanterns together."
Tan Chun clenched the handkerchief in his hand, glanced at Xiangyun, and thought to himself, if Brother Heng doesn't accompany his wife, how can he play with you, a yellow-haired girl?
In fact, as more and more women surround Jia Heng, Tan Chun gradually realizes that the days when he pestered Jia Heng every day in the past few years are gone forever.
Jia Heng and Zhu Jinchai had dinner and talked. When it was getting late and it was time to light the lanterns, they did not go to look for Chai Dai. Instead, they went to the courtyard where Miaoyu lived to visit Yanni, who was pregnant with Liujia.
The courtyard where Miaoyu lives——
The lights in the wing were lit, emitting waves of swaying light in the dark night. A graceful figure stood in the room, looking at the moon, and there was a look of despair between Lian Juan's eyebrows.
Xing Xiuyan said softly: "This is the new prescription for anti-fetal medicine that the doctor just changed. Please take a look."
Upon hearing this, Miaoyu turned around slightly, looked at Xing Xiuyan, and said softly: "Put it there, I'll look at it later."
Xing Xiuyan put down the square and pressed it carefully with a paperweight. As if he could guess Miaoyu's thoughts, he said softly: "He led Miss Zhen San and Miss Zhen Si to Zhen's house today."
Miaoyu's eyes flickered, but she didn't say anything else.
After a while, the conversation between Su Su and Jia Heng was heard outside.
Then, familiar footsteps came from under the eaves of the corridor. Each of those footsteps had sounded in Miaoyu's heart.
Jia Heng stepped into the side room, looked at Yan Ni, who had a swollen belly and plump appearance, and called out: "Master Tai."
Xing Xiuyan saw the young man at the side and said hello: "Brother Heng."
Jia Heng turned to look at the girl who had been "stamped" by him. Not surprisingly, he met a pair of shy and timid eyes with willow eyebrows and starry eyes, and said: "Xiu Yan."
Among so many girls, Xiuyan is the only one who often comes over to chat with Miaoyu to relieve her boredom. In the past few days, she has been spending more time with Xiuyan.
Well, every time I come back, it's like checking in, Fengwan, Qingxue... Now only Baochai is left, and Daiyu is about the same age. Ever since Baochai's marriage was revealed, Daiyu has also started to act strangely.
She needs to be suppressed. In other words, the previous intimacy can no longer suppress Daiyu.
If he and Daiyu become a couple, they should be able to live in peace for a while.
Then there is the matter of status. Soldiers really can't be idle. Once they are idle, troubles begin to arise.
Miaoyu looked at the young man with bright eyes under her curved willow-leaf eyebrows, and whispered: "Uncle Heng didn't stay at Zhen's house for two nights?"
Jia Heng said: "When the two of them go back, what will I do here?"
After saying that, he came to sit down and said, "Why didn't you play chess with Xiu Yan?"
Miaoyu snorted softly, turned away from Qingshuang Jade, and said: "I can't get down here today."
Jia Heng looked at the naughty Yanni with a chuckle and said softly: "Then let's get down now."
At this moment, Xing Xiuyan was about to get up, but Miaoyu looked at the girl and said softly: "Xiuyan, come over and play chess together."
Xing Xiuyan said "Yeah", a hint of shame appeared on her face, she thought for a while and sat down.
Miao and Xiu were playing with the chessboard. Their faces were as beautiful as jade, their expressions were sublime, and their movements were all in the style of the Wei and Jin Dynasties.
Jia Heng picked up the teapot, poured two cups of tea, and said softly: "Miaoyu, Xiuyan, drink tea."
Under Miaoyu Liuye's slender eyebrows, she glanced at the young man with her crystal clear eyes and said softly: "It would be a bit embarrassing to ask Duke Wei to pour us tea."
Jia Heng chuckled and said: "There is no Duke here, only one husband and two wives."
Miaoyu: "..."
Have you really thought about hugging each other?
Having been together with Jia Heng for a long time, Yanni has long known how ridiculous Jia Heng is. Not to mention other things, she can do things like asking her to recite Buddhist scriptures.
Xing Xiuyan's cheeks turned red with embarrassment, and the chess piece in his hand fell on the light yellow chess floor with a "clack", and he quickly lowered his eyebrows.
Seeing Miaoyu taking the tea cup, Xing Xiuyan took the tea cup.
This is the distinction between primary and secondary.
…
…
Shenjing City
As the governors and governors left the court, the news that Gao Zhongping, the governor of Liangjiang, was promoted to a bachelor in the cabinet due to the New Deal, spread like wildfire, and gradually spread to both the government and the public. It immediately aroused discussions in the streets and in the scholarly circles.
Some elderly officials knew Gao Zhongping's name, and coupled with his vigorous and resolute actions during the governorship of Sichuan, they all opened their eyes to the Chongping New Deal that was about to be launched in an all-round way, and were ready to see a good show.
Korean house, study room
When Han Huang returned home, his face was full of solemnity, the tea cup on the small table in his hand was steaming slightly, and his eyes were full of worry.
"Brother, I heard that Gao Zhongping has entered the cabinet." Yan Hong looked at Han Huang with a bad expression and whispered.
Han Huang tapped his finger on the small table and said, "After the New Deal becomes popular in the world, there will be changes in the cabinet."
He has been the chief minister of the cabinet for a year. It can be said that he is depressed and frustrated. He has no involvement in the affairs of the government at all. He is like a clay wood sculpture. He was infamous because of the previous imperial examination fraud case. He supports the policy and is timid.
In fact, all civil servants wanted to leave their names in history. For example, Han Huang also wanted to leave his name in the Han Dynasty, not the chief minister of the cabinet with the weakest sense of existence.
Han Huang said: "Gao Zhongping is an old minister from the time when I came to Qiandi. He was originally a simple person in the emperor's heart. Now he has gained the power of the New Deal and has soared to the sky."
Come to think of it, if he had actively cooperated with Wei Guogong to implement the New Deal, maybe the result would have been different?
But after he becomes an official, how will he face his elders in Jiangnan?
Yan Hong said: "Brother, I think the implementation of the new policy may not be so smooth. This is just a province in Jiangsu, and there have been so many mistakes. If it weren't for the help of Duke Wei, it would not have been so smooth. Anhui's When Bian'er heard about it, he became entangled, and when it is spread out next year, there will definitely be chaos."
Han Huang pondered and said: "It's not that simple. At that time, the court will focus on implementing the New Deal, and Duke Wei will also return to Beijing. With Duke Wei here..."
The following words are not said, but the meaning will be clear.
Yan Hong frowned and felt that with Jia Heng here, it would probably be possible.
Mainly because of Jia Heng's abilities and methods, it can be said that even political opponents must be recognized this year.
Tricky and difficult to deal with.
Han Huang licked Xiao Ji's fingers and paused for a moment. He pondered for a moment and said in a cold voice: "That's all, don't worry about this for now and just act accordingly."
No matter what, he has never done anything wrong, and Gao Zhongping actually spoke for the Duke of Wei at the court meeting. Wouldn't the Holy One have doubts afterwards?
Yan Hong nodded and didn't say much else.
Similar conversations like this between Han and Yan are taking place in the entire capital city of Han Dynasty at this moment. Everyone knows that the new policy will not be implemented smoothly, but the general trend has been established, and officials in Beijing are observing the trends.
And surrounding the New Deal, almost like changing rice into mulberry, all kinds of magical things are bound to happen.
Daming Palace, inner study room——
In the hall, Emperor Chongping was dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe. He sat behind the mahogany table. He looked at Dai Quan who was kneeling on the ground with gloomy eyes and said coldly: "Dead?"
Dai Quan knelt down with a pop and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I heard that someone secretly bribed the jailer in the prison."
Emperor Chongping gave a deep shout and said, "You can buy money out of the inner guard's prisons. Dai Quan, how do you manage this inner guard mansion?"
Dai Quan kept kowtowing "bang bang" and there was blood on his forehead. He said: "Your Majesty, this servant deserves to die. I found out that there seems to be a demon from the White Lotus Sect among them."
Emperor Chongping said coldly: "The White Lotus Sect again? The last time we assassinated King Zhongshun, we haven't caught these monsters yet?"
Dai Quan said cautiously: "It's the White Lotus Sect demon who assassinated Prince Zhongshun."
Emperor Chongping put down the memorial in his hand, his eyes dim and unclear, and said: "The White Lotus Sect and King Zhao are mixed together?"
I remember that the White Lotus Sect had intervened in the battle for the right to inherit the throne during the Longzhi period, but it still lingers today.
Dai Quan said: "Your Majesty, my subordinates are chasing the people of the White Lotus Sect and have discovered that most of the White Lotus demons are active in Shandong."
Emperor Chongping muttered: "There must be no mistake in ordering Shandong to hunt down the White Lotus Demon."
Dai Quan took the order and retreated.
After Dai Quan left, Emperor Chongping's face was as gloomy as the sky outside, and he murmured in a cold voice: "The ghost is really lingering."
…
…
On the other side, in Huayin County, which is far away from Shenjing City, the vast fields are covered with snow and desolate.
Chen Yuan walked through the thick snow and entered a thatched house. After listening to the report of the man in black, his face was as gloomy as iron and he said in a cold voice: "What on earth is going on?"
The young man in black said: "I heard that the Duke of Wei had sent news from the south, and the dog emperor became vigilant and led his people into the Chonghua Palace. Now the whole capital is spreading the news that the young master secretly sent people to assassinate him. Your Majesty."
When Chen Yuan heard this, his eyes were filled with hatred and he said angrily: "It's Jia Heng again!"
Count carefully, how many things this Jia Heng has ruined for him!
What was agreed upon with the princes and clans of the Qing Dynasty is now uncertain, how to reply to the Prince of Manchu Qing.
Unless Jia Heng is eliminated, nothing will happen.
The young man in black reminded: "Sir, the dog emperor has become vigilant. The city of Shenjing is now heavily guarded, so we need to take a long-term approach."
Chen Yuan's face was as gloomy as iron, and he said in a deep voice: "We need to take a long-term approach."
"Young Master, the Han Dynasty is implementing the New Deal, and there should be a lot of trouble. You might as well wait a little longer," said the young man in black.
This young man is not just a dead soldier, he is also a descendant of King Zhao's party. He has a good family background and a clear understanding of the changes in the political situation.
Chen Yuan thought for a moment, looked at the young man, and said in a deep voice: "Let people pay close attention to it and contact Our Lady of the White Lotus. There needs to be some movement next year."
The young man clasped his fists and said yes, and then said: "Master, that Li Yanqing has arrived in Shandong and gathered a group of people to see the master."
"Li Yanqing?" Chen Yuan raised his eyebrows and asked.
Li Yanqing's whereabouts were unknown after the civil unrest in the Central Plains organized by Gao Yue, and then he fled to Qilu. After so long, he gradually gathered a group of people.
The young man said: "During this period, Shandong suffered a disaster. Li Yanqing felt that the time for revolt was approaching, and he planned to start another revolt."
Chen Yuan said: "Now is not the time to start an uprising. Earlier, Jia Heng'er led his troops to fight in the northwest."
"The local people cannot bear to be exploited. This is a recent thing." The young man said in a low voice.
Chen Yuan pondered for a moment and said coldly: "I recently went to Shandong."
Li Yanqing and others were still too anxious. When Jia Heng returned to Beijing, they would definitely send troops to arrest him.
The young man said yes, and then slowly retreated.
Shandong, Qufu
This ancient hometown of Confucius and Mencius is the Confucian Mansion of Yanshenggong. The plaque made of black lacquered paulownia wood has the characters "Yanshenggong Mansion" written on it, and two couplets are written on the wooden plaques on both sides.
First couplet: "Separate with the country, live in peace and prosperity and honor the palace."
Second line: "We live together in the same heaven, and we are the saints of literary and moral virtues."
At this moment, in the backyard, there is a majestic and magnificent hall.
A descendant of the Holy Duke Kong Yan, he is also the head of the Beikong family in this generation, and the 66th generation direct descendant of the Kong family. Kong Maojia is sitting on a chair covered with a fox fur mattress, and is watching the dance in the courtyard with the guests.
At this moment, although there is heavy snow falling outside, in the hall of Kong's house, the dancers are wearing light clothes, with graceful waists and lightly raised arms, showing endless charm.
It has been snowing in Shandong for half a month, and it is gradually threatening to become a continuous snow disaster. Although the government has sent out officers to provide relief, the manpower is often insufficient.
For example, the governor of Shandong, Zhao Qi, had already gone to the capital, but did not report the disaster. In other words, when he went to Shenjing, the snow disaster had not lasted long.
Kong Maojia was in his early sixties, with gray hair and a short beard. He was not only named the Duke of the country, but also the local magistrate of Qufu.
Kong Maojia said loudly: "The auspicious snow heralds a good year. This year is a good year. Please drink from this cup."
Among the guests gathering at the table below for the banquet, there were many officials from Qufu Prefecture and County and officials from the Third Division of Shandong Province. At this moment, they were holding wine cups in their hands.
At this time, Dong Heling, the deputy chief envoy of Shandong Province, said: "Master Kong, now the people in the counties under the jurisdiction of Shandong Province are suffering from cold and hunger. The grain and fodder in the official warehouse have been supplied to the frontier army for more than a year, and there are still many gaps. I know that the official warehouse of Kongjia has provided There are so many of them, I would like to ask if you can borrow some from the vassal office to meet our urgent needs."
Dong Heling, the deputy chief envoy of Shandong Province, was assigned to borrow grain from Kong Maojia. Although Kong Maojia was only a seventh-rank county magistrate, he was a first-rank Yanshenggong, so Dong Heling was called a lower official.
Kong Maojia put down the wine cup in his hand and said sternly: "Master Dong, what you said is wrong. Public is public, private is private. The food in the imperial palace previously supported the army of Beiping Prefecture. My Kong family is just one clan and one surname. What can we talk about?" Are there many warehouses?"
The local low-level officials in Qufu County below all agreed.
Dong Heling said: "So, what I want to ask is whether I can borrow 600,000 dan first to help the local victims."
Kong Maojia smiled and said in a clear voice: "Six hundred thousand stones? Mr. Dong, even if I turn the entire Kong family upside down, I still can't find six hundred thousand stones."
When Dong Heling heard this, he frowned and was silent for a moment.
The Kong family can be said to be the largest landowner in Qufu, and they have purchased a lot of grain fields in Jining Prefecture, Shandong Province, so that they can benefit the world.
Under Kong Maojia's thick eyebrows, his eyes moved slightly and asked: "Master Dong, have you ever sent a memorial to the court to report the disaster?"
Dong Heling said: "In the 16th year of Chongping, the imperial court has consumed an incredible amount of national funds due to military warfare, and has exempted the victims of Shandong disasters from taxes many times. Now that there are troubles in Shandong, this province can no longer burden the imperial court with troubles."
In fact, the Chief Minister of Shandong has a general ledger for grain and grain. If the figures on the account are used, there is rice and grain in the official warehouse. However, due to various borrowings and misappropriations, a huge deficit has been incurred. This is a bad debt. Unable to withstand the court's investigation.
Kong Maojia twirled a strand of beard under his chin with his hand and said, "That's it."
Dong Heling didn't want to say much, but he was worried.
Starvation has already occurred in Qingzhou Prefecture and Dongchang Prefecture, and official documents reporting disasters were delivered to the feudal lords like snowflakes. The feudal lords have borrowed rice and grain from large households in Shandong, but very few responded.
In other words, the Han Dynasty in the Little Ice Age was originally short of food. Although Jia Heng promoted the planting of sweet potatoes, it did not fully solve the problem of food and clothing. The people in the north were struggling to survive.
After all, even China in later generations took a long time to solve the problem of food and clothing.
Kong Maojia pondered and said: "Since the people are worried about being in danger, Kong follows the teachings of the saints and does not dare to see the people crying in the wild without saving them. Mr. Dong, I will ask Mr. Dong to speak in the study later."
Hearing this, Dong Heling's heart turned from worry to joy, and said: "I would like to thank Mr. Kong for his kindness."
Some gentry present and local officials in Shandong also praised him.
After the singing and dancing had ended, Dong Heling followed Kong Maojia back to the backyard, and the two went into the study to talk.
Kong Maojia sat on a grand master's chair, picked up the tea cup in his hand, and said, "Master Dong, want to borrow six hundred thousand dan for food?"
"Four hundred thousand dan is enough." Dong Heling said after consideration.
Kong Maojia said: "It is easy to discuss the matter of borrowing grain, but I heard that the implementation of the New Deal is in full swing in the south. The imperial court plans to promote the New Deal in the northern provinces and clear the land."
Dong Heling was stunned for a moment, then said thoughtfully: "The official has not received the news yet."
The four new policies will definitely be implemented nationwide. In Henan, a comprehensive clearing has been carried out. It is said that many hidden acres have been found and registered, and taxes will be levied next year.
Kong Maojia rubbed his beard under his chin with his hand and said: "Master Dong, many of the fields and houses in the Laowan clan are used as sacrificial fields, so they are not taxed."
As the saying goes, everyone has his own reasons for seeking tax exemption. The vassals are tax-free, the relatives are tax-free, the officials, gentry and Jin are tax-free. Now Kong Yan and the Holy Duke are tax-free.
It can be said that if all are tax-free, the tax base that can be collected will only shrink more and more.
Dong Heling said: "Old sir, this matter is related to the great politics of the imperial court, and it is really difficult to handle it even if you are an official."
But seeing Kong Maojia's expression change, he quickly changed the topic, gritted his teeth in his heart, and said, "Old sir, I'm just trying my best."
Then when it comes to clearing the land, turn a blind eye or close an eye. Since all the provinces are implementing the New Deal, the imperial court should not pay attention here.
Kong Maojia said: "In that case, I will trouble Mr. Dong."
"Old sir, what about 600,000 shi of grain?" Dong Heling nodded and said urgently.
His tone was like that of Chu Yunfei asking for "equipment for my battalion".
Kong Maojia said: "Don't worry, Mr. Dong, I will ask the steward to allocate rice from the granary later."
It is not enough to rely solely on the Chief Secretary's Yamen, there must be someone above the government and the public to help protect it.
(End of chapter)
