The Red Mansions

Chapter 1660 Chen Xiao: This is starting a new business.

Chapter 1660 Chen Xiao: This is starting a new business.

Shenjing City, Palace Garden, Kunning Palace

While Jia Heng was chatting with Queen Song, they walked quickly towards the warm room in the inner wing. They snuggled up to each other and sat down on a soft couch next to the window.

While Jia Heng was speaking, he moved close to the beauty's face, held those soft and slightly moist lips, and devoured them greedily.

Queen Song's gentle and lovely eyebrows were filled with shyness. Her eyelashes drooped down and her charming eyes were unconsciously filled with mist.

While Jia Heng was speaking, he reached out and embraced Queen Song's plump and delicate body, and fell towards the bed with curtains all around.

Suddenly the fragrance filled the air and the mist spread everywhere.

Queen Song's heart trembled inexplicably, and the sides of her graceful and beautiful face flushed. She stared at the young man in the python robe who was wreaking havoc in front of his clothes, and her mind couldn't help but move slightly.

After a while, Jia Heng looked at Queen Song's rosy, sweaty face and gently lifted a strand of hair by Queen Song's ear, feeling inexplicably happy.

The sweet girl is really becoming more and more charming. The maturity and charm silently flowing from her eyebrows and eyes make people's hearts beat fast, especially when her breasts are surging, making people dizzy.

Queen Song's two slender, white, tender and smooth hands went around Jia Heng's neck, and then her hands spread to Jia Heng's shoulders. Her bright eyes, slightly opened, seemed to reveal a hint of obsession and murmur.

Jia Heng lowered his eyes and looked at Queen Song, saying, "Your Majesty, please take good care of Luo'er recently. I will meet with the ministers in a few days."

Queen Song's lazy and soft voice was filled with whispers and coquettishness as she said, "Don't worry."

Jia Heng didn't say anything else. He embraced Queen Song's plump and soft body and said, "You should take a good rest first. I have to go see Zhen Qing."

Upon hearing this, Queen Song opened her charming eyes and said sarcastically, "You really didn't leave any one behind."

Jia Heng did not say anything at this moment. He gently lifted a quilt embroidered with a hibiscus pattern, took a black and red satin dragon robe from the side and put it on, then put on his boots.

……

……

While Jia Heng was speaking, he left Kunning Palace and walked along the vermilion palace with carved beams and painted rafters towards the palace where Zhen Qing lived.

Zhen Qing, dressed in a plain white dress, stood in front of the window, gazing at the overlapping and flickering rockery in the courtyard, with a layer of lilac-like sorrow between her brows.

At this moment, a female official hurried into the warm room and said, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Wei is here."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Qing turned her delicate head with long black hair, and a hint of surprise suddenly appeared on her graceful and beautiful face.

After a while, a young man in python robe came out from outside and said in a gentle voice, "Madam."

Zhen Qing turned her long black hair and looked at the young man in the python robe. Her beautiful eyes were filled with shame, anger and embarrassment. She asked, "How come you still remember to come here?"

That day, the bastard forced her and that Song to serve together.

Jia Heng said, "I came to the palace to see you. Since you don't like it, I will go back first."

When Zhen Qing heard this, her snow-white face suddenly turned pale, and she shouted tenderly, "Stop right there!"

This bastard, doesn't he know that she has been thinking about him these days?

Jia Heng turned around, smiling brightly, and asked, "What's wrong? Are you reluctant to leave me again?"

Zhen Qing snorted coldly and said, "Why did you come here to look for me? I only have a child whose father doesn't love him, but I don't have any secret agents for you to take away."

A thoughtful look appeared on Jia Heng's face. He turned to look at Chen Jie who was not far away, and met a pair of eyes as bright and clear as black grapes, full of curiosity.

At this moment, Jia Heng also felt a little compassion in his heart.

After all, Chen Jie is his flesh and blood. Now that he has missed out on the throne, will he blame himself for being an illegitimate child when he grows up?

Jia Heng walked closer, stared at Zhen Qing, looked at the beauty who looked a little haggard, and said, "Qing'er, you have suffered a lot these days."

Zhen Qing glared at Jia Heng and said unhappily, "Since you know how hard it is for me, why do you still treat me so harshly?"

Jia Heng gently took Zhen Qing's slender hand, looked at her plump and bright face, and said, "Okay, the child is still here."

Zhen Qing turned to look at Chen Jie who was not far away and said, "Jie'er, go to the side hall first. I want to talk to your godfather for a while."

When Chen Jie heard this, surprise appeared on his face. He said "hmm" softly, stood up, and walked away quickly.

Jia Heng raised his eyebrows, looked at Zhen Qing intently, and whispered, "Jie'er, have you been okay these days?"

"How can it be good? The throne hasn't even gotten warm yet, and it's already fallen into the hands of others." Zhen Qing was simply reckless and denounced.

Jia Heng took Zhen Qing's slender hand, came to the side and sat down on the soft couch, looked at Zhen Qing, and said: "The throne may not be that good, it's hard work, how can it be better to be a rich and idle person?"

Zhen Qing stared at the young man in the python robe and said, "Then why were you so deliberate and painstaking before?"

Jia Heng paused and said, "Because I bear the responsibility of all the people in the world."

Zhen Qing's expression paused slightly, and she said disdainfully: "Big words!"

Jia Heng turned his pretty face and stared at the charming face. He stretched out his hand and gently put it on Zhen Qing's shoulder. He smiled and whispered, "You will know in the future?"

Zhen Qing's face flushed red, she was so embarrassed and annoyed that she said, "What can I know? Uh~"

Before she could finish, she saw the young man in the python robe come closer and cover her lips.

Under Zhen Qing's emerald green eyebrows, her sparkling eyes blinked, and her trembling eyelashes were curved and dense, covering her beautiful and bright face, and two rosy red blushes unconsciously appeared.

After a while, Zhen Qing raised her beautiful head with long black hair, and looked at the young man in the python robe with lustful eyes from under her emerald green eyebrows.

As the saying goes, a man is like a wolf at thirty and a tiger at forty. Zhen Qing missed Jia Heng terribly while in the palace.

While Jia Heng was speaking, he embraced Zhen Qing's plump and graceful body and sat down on the soft couch beside him.

Zhen Qing's snow-white face was filled with shame and she was clearly angry. She said, "You just had a love affair with that old woman and now you come to me. Don't you think it's dirty?"

Jia Heng gently stroked Zhen Qing's slender shoulders, his clear eyes filled with a flourishing smile, and said, "You have both been honest with each other, so don't look down on each other."

Well, when the millstone and the sweet girl were put together, it really made people feel inexplicably excited.

After Jia Heng finished speaking, he stretched out a hand, hugged Zhen Qing's plump body tightly, and helped the beautiful woman to undress.

After a while, the beautiful woman with snow-white skin appeared before his eyes. Zhen Qing immediately put her arms around Jia Heng's neck. Under her two willow-shaped eyebrows, her charming eyes seemed to be filled with endless spring love.

At this moment, Jia Heng hugged Zhen Qing tightly, looked at her plump and fair face, and smelled the fragrance between her lush hair, feeling inexplicably emotional.

Jia Heng lowered his eyes and looked at Zhen Qing who was serving him. A look of comfort appeared on that resolute and calm face from time to time.

After all these years, my grinding skills have really become more and more sophisticated.

After a while, Jia Heng looked at the beautiful face that was as hot as fire, put his arms around the beauty's plump waist, and patted her full and round body.

Soon, the old horse knew the way and the tired bird returned to the forest.

The two sides of Zhen Qing's snow-white face were already red like clouds, and it was clear that she was blushing. Under her two green and beautiful eyebrows, her beautiful eyes were as bright as rainbows and she said in a trembling voice: "Be gentle~"

Jia Heng didn't say anything else. He carried Zhen Qing's soft, fragrant and beautiful body to the window and looked out at the overlapping and flickering rockery outside the hall.

It was winter, and the dazzling sunlight shone on the pearl hairpin on the beautiful woman's head, making it sparkle and sparkle brightly.

Just like that, after a while, a blush could be seen on both sides of Zhen Qing's cold and beautiful face. Under her slender and green eyebrows, her charming and flowing eyes seemed to be moistened by soft waves.

Jia Heng hugged Zhen Qing's soft and delicate body, and his heart skipped a beat when he lowered his eyes.

Jia Heng couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, and his heart was beating a little.

At this moment, Zhen Qing's snow-white face was flushed on both sides, her lips were open, she was breathing softly, and her eyebrows and eyes were filled with endless spring love.

After an unknown amount of time, Jia Heng embraced Zhen Qing's plump and delicate body, with a look of satisfaction on his face.

Zhen Qing was out of breath and said, "Jie'er has lost his throne now, when will he be given the title of prince?"

Jia Heng said, "When the new emperor changes the reign title next year, he will make Jie'er the king. You should be patient."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Qing said "hmm" softly. Her rosy face was flushed with anger, and an indescribable shame and anger surged up. She asked, "Do you still keep your promise?"

Jia Heng was completely confused and asked, "What did I promise?"

Zhen Qing: "..."

You've forgotten all about this? Well, it seems like this bastard really didn't have any clear promises.

Zhen Qing said in a coquettish voice with a hint of embarrassment, "When you take over the throne in the future, you will make Jie'er the Crown Prince again."

Jia Heng's movements naturally froze when he heard this, and he asked in surprise, "When did I promise this?"

He didn't seem to have said this? It seems that Mopan is trying to fish in troubled waters and confuse the public.

Zhen Qing's flawless white face was flushed, her temples were sweaty, and the crystal beads of sweat flowed all the way to her collarbone, making her skin look even more icy and fair.

And beneath the two slender and beautiful willow-shaped eyebrows, the narrow, clear and beautiful eyes are filled with a hint of charm and beauty.

"Then there will be an imperial crown prince in the future, right?" Zhen Qing spoke intermittently, breathlessly.

"We'll talk about it later. Even if we want to establish the Crown Prince, we still have to choose the most virtuous among the scholars." Jia Heng raised his eyebrows, gently held Zhen Qing's plump waist, and used the prompt questioning to stop Zhen Qing from asking questions.

At this moment, the cold wind of early winter outside the palace gently blew the sycamore tree in the courtyard, and the bare branches could be seen rustling in the courtyard.

I don’t know how long it took, Jia Heng turned to look at Zhen Qing who was nestled in his arms, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Jia Heng and Zhen Qing stayed in love for a while, and then he did not linger in the palace for long. Instead, he left the palace and returned to Ningguo Mansion.

In a square study, Chen Xiao sat behind a lacquered wooden desk, and a thoughtful look appeared on his beautiful face. He asked, "Are you back?"

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Yes, I'm back."

Chen Xiao's beautiful face was expressionless. She took a piece of paper and handed it over, saying, "This is a secret report from Jinyifu in Jiangnan. Take a look first."

Jia Heng was slightly surprised. He took a piece of white paper from Chen Xiao and read it. He frowned and said, "The gentry in Jiangnan are so bold! How dare they make up rumors and make irresponsible remarks about the central government."

As Jia Heng wiped out the rebels headed by Li and Xu and monopolized power, it was impossible for him to meet people's expectations.

The open opponents, such as the Gao family, Li Zan, Xu Lu and others, all failed and were either imprisoned or killed. The only ones left were those who dared not oppose openly and instead made trouble in secret.

Chen Xiao said: "You are assisting the government in the central government, and the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River have quite a lot of complaints in the local area. Some of the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River who originally had complaints about the new policy secretly spread rumors, saying that you bullied orphans and widows and plotted to usurp the throne."

Jia Heng said coldly: "When the Chongping New Deal was first promoted, many of the gentry in Jiangnan pretended to obey but secretly resented it. However, when the Gao family was causing chaos in Bashu, they did not make any move at all."

Chen Xiao said: "The gentry in Jiangnan are good at sitting on the fence and watching, and they may not have the courage to join the rebellion and cause trouble."

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "Now that the imperial court has quelled the rebellion in Bashu and its prestige has greatly increased, do they have the guts to make irresponsible comments on the central government?"

Chen Xiao said: "In fact, these are mostly retired officials who are loyal to Chen Han. Now that they see you assisting in the government of Shenjing and eliminating dissidents, they are bound to have complaints."

Jia Heng said: "If I really want to usurp the throne, there are great scholars in Jiangnan who can explain the classics to me."

He never overestimated the integrity of these Jiangnan scholars.

Chen Xiao asked: "How do you plan to deal with them?"

Jia Heng's face was solemn and his voice was extremely clear. He said, "In two days, the imperial edict will be issued to transfer Anhui Governor Li Shouzhong to the post of Governor-General of Liangjiang. Let Li Shouzhong pacify Liangjiang first, and we'll see what happens next. If that doesn't work... then we'll start a big prison."

At the end of his speech, Jia Heng's face was filled with murderous intent.

Chen Xiao frowned, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Li Shouzhong has a strong character, but his methods are too soft and he lacks flexibility. He may not be able to control those old officials living in Jiangnan."

Jia Heng looked at Chen Xiao intently and said, "Then who do you think is qualified for this task?"

Chen Xiao shook his head and said, "You don't have many people under you. Apart from Li Shouzhong, there is no one else available."

Upon hearing this, Jia Heng was silent for a moment.

He does lack some foundation in the civil service system now, and apart from some relatives, there are not many people he can use.

For such a huge empire, if one wants to maximize the reach of power to all government offices, it is undoubtedly not enough to rely solely on the title of regent.

Lin Ruhai had recommended someone before, and he himself re-employed the Song brothers, but he was also troubled by the lack of a large number of civil officials under his command.

Chen Xiao said: "If you don't choose your character, there are many officials in the court who will voluntarily join you."

Jia Heng's eyes were cold and he whispered, "Most of these people are here for profit, and they are not like-minded people."

Chen Xiao brought the teacup, his face thoughtful, and said, "For these people, we can only slowly identify them."

Jia Heng sighed and said, "Yes."

This is the result of his sudden ascension to the throne with shallow background. His influence in the military is okay. Over the years, he can be said to have a solid foundation, but in terms of talent in government affairs, there are only a few big cats and small cats.

And this matter cannot be rushed.

Chen Xiao said: "Why don't you issue a call for talents, or recruit scholars under the name of other Hongwenguan."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "If that's the case, we might as well open a mansion."

"Opening a mansion?" Chen Xiao was stunned at first, then his eyes lit up and he said, "This means starting a new business."

Jia Heng said: "I am the regent king. In order to better assist the government, I have set up a general affairs office, which includes six departments, counselors, and military assistants to connect with the six ministries and hundreds of departments to prepare for the new policies of Qiande next year."

This means setting up a small court and gradually weakening the central government, while the newly created positions can recruit talented people and cultivate party members.

When the time comes, we will just let nature take its course and let someone else take the place of the dead.

Chen Xiao exclaimed: "This is a brilliant plan."

Jia Heng said, "As for recruiting scholars, after next year, the court will compile the Sikuquanshu and Chongping Huidian. At that time, it will be such a grand event that scholars from all over the world will surely respond. This will recruit talented people from all over the world and show that it is legitimate."

Compiling books belongs to the field of civil administration. If he could compile the Siku Quanshu during his regency, his prestige among the literati of the world would be second to none.

Chen Xiao nodded and said admiringly: "Book editing is a prosperous era. I'm afraid that the great scholars in the north and south who are well-versed in classics and history will fight for the position of chief editor of the book."

Jia Heng's act of editing the book was actually to build up his reputation.

Jia Heng paused for a moment, then said in a clear voice, "In addition, for the officers and soldiers who died in the Northern Barbarians and suppressed the rebellion during the fourteen years of Chongping, a monument with inscriptions should be built, and pensions should be provided to the old and young. According to their merits, they can be promoted to local minor officials and enter the official school."

This is how to win over the military.

He is now able to govern the country with the assistance of his foreign relatives and princes, and the army is his greatest confidence.

Chen Xiao nodded and said, "In this way, the generals will surely appreciate the kindness of King Wei."

Jia Heng said: "A new monarch brings a new atmosphere. Next year, the Qiande New Deal, as well as subsequent reforms and measures to benefit the people, will also be issued one after another."

If you want to change the dynasty, you must implement good policies to benefit the military and civilians throughout the world. At that time, everything will be in accordance with the will of heaven and in line with the people's expectations.

There was no question of usurping the throne or not. At that time, the world belonged to the public and the sacred artifacts were passed on to the next generation.

……

……

Time flies, and three days have passed before I knew it.

Shenjing City, Song Residence

At this moment, Song Jing was wearing a silk shirt, with her hair tied in a bun with a wooden hairpin. She was standing at the window in front of the study, gazing at the rugged rocks, with her figure as straight as a pine tree.

At this time, a servant entered the study and said, "Master, the fourth master is here."

Song Jing was startled and turned around and asked, "Where is the person?"

After a while, Song Xuan walked in, bowed to Song Jing and said, "Brother."

Song Jing quickly stepped forward to help him up and asked, "Fourth brother, where did you come from?"

Song Xuan said: "I received a letter from the Ministry of Personnel and went to Beijing to report on my work. I have just arrived in Beijing."

Song Jing's fair and elegant face showed a complicated expression, and he said with emotion: "This past year has really been like falling into a dream. All kinds of trivial matters have been so complicated and confusing."

First, Emperor Chongping passed the throne to King of Chu Chen Qin. King of Wei Chen Ran and King of Liang Chen Wei were placed under house arrest, and then they were taken to Bashu by the Gao family father and son to launch a rebellion.

Just when the Song family thought it was all over, who would have thought that the son of the King of Chu would be deposed by civil officials and Chen Luo, the son of Queen Song, would ascend the throne instead.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that it was only a matter of time before the Song family, once prisoners, became foreign relatives again and regained power.

Song Xuan also sighed: "Brother, the situation in the capital has been so confusing and confusing in the past two years."

Song Jing twirled his beard and said, "Yes."

Song Xuan asked: "What are your plans next, brother?"

Song Jing frowned and said, "Zi Yu is assisting the government. Although no one dares to disobey his orders, there are still some people who secretly hate him. Therefore, Zi Yu's subordinates are in need of people. You and I have no hatred against Zi Yu in the past. Besides... Yan'er is also married to Zi Yu."

Song Xuan said: "Brother, what you said is very true. This time I asked the officials in the Ministry of Personnel. I heard that it was the officials in the Ministry of Personnel who got Zi Yu's permission to transfer me from the local area to the capital."

Song Jing's eyes showed envy, and he said, "It seems that my fourth brother will be of great use."

My fourth brother is a scholar, not like him.

Song Xuan's elegant, fair face showed a righteous expression, and he said: "I don't dare to hope for a great position, I just hope to do something practical for the people of the world and benefit them."

Song Jing nodded and said in a gentle voice: "Since Fourth Brother has such an ambition, he will surely become a famous official in the future and be remembered for generations."

Upon hearing this, Song Xuan quickly changed the subject and asked, "Brother is in the capital now, is it convenient for you to go in and out?"

Song Jing said: "Normally, there are Jinyifu guards secretly monitoring, but they are not strictly prohibited from entering or leaving. They just send people to accompany and protect them."

Song Xuan asked: "Zi Yu is not heartless, has niece Yan Er come back?"

Just as the two were talking, they heard a servant's voice coming from the eaves of the corridor. Then, he entered the room and said, "Master, the angel from the palace is here."

When these words were spoken, Song Jing was shocked. He turned to look at Song Xuan, and all kinds of speculations came to his mind.

Song Xuan was stunned for a moment, then he returned to normal and said, "Brother, let's go greet the angel first."

Song Jing nodded and said, "We must not neglect the angels."

As they were talking, the two brothers left the room and came to the courtyard, looking at the angel surrounded by a large number of eunuchs and guards.

"Song Jing and Song Xuan, please accept the imperial edict." The eunuch had a white face and no beard, was tall, and held a silk imperial edict in his hand.

"We are waiting to receive the order." While Song Jing and Song Xuan were talking, they knelt down to listen to the order.

The eunuch quickly unfolded the silk and chanted: "The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims..."

The gist of the imperial edict was to reinstate the brothers Song Jing and Song Xuan as officials.

Song Jing was temporarily appointed as Langzhong of the Kuaiji Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, while Song Xuan was transferred to Jingzhao Prefecture as the prefect.

Song Jing and Song Xuan stood up, bowed to the eunuch, and took the imperial edict on light yellow silk.

After seeing off the eunuch who had delivered the imperial edict, Song Jing and Song Xuan returned to the flower hall and sat down, both with happy looks on their faces.