The Red Mansions

Chapter 1470 Fan Yi: Lord Jia is the wise ruler of the world (end of the month, please give me a mon

Chapter 1470 Fan Yi: Lord Jia is the wise ruler of the world... (End of the month, please give me your monthly votes!)

Let’s not talk about Qiu Liang’s plan to conduct a comprehensive investigation into Jia Heng’s “private life”, but let’s talk about Ningrong Street, Liutiao Hutong, the original Jia family’s old house——

Fan Yi sat on an armchair in the hall. He had a fair complexion and was holding a book in his hands, flipping through it. His thin face looked weathered.

Coincidentally, in the Three Kingdoms chapter that Chen Xiao was watching, the part where Cao Pi forced Emperor Xian of Han to abdicate officially marked the beginning of his plan to replace the Han Dynasty.

Fan Yi hid the book in his hand and looked into the distance. His eyes were sharp, almost like lightning, and he murmured in his heart:

"Mr. Jia is an outstanding ruler of the world. The Han Dynasty belongs to all people. It is ruled by those with virtue."

If it weren't for Jia Gong, the Han Dynasty would have long ago collapsed in the chaos of internal and external troubles, the country would have been handed over to the Eastern Barbarians, and the people of the Central Plains would have sunk under their iron hoofs.

It can be said that the Han Dynasty was brought about by Jia Gong's single-handed efforts. He quelled the unrest among the people, eliminated the pirates, settled the northwest, and pacified Liaodong... He implemented new policies at home and led the army abroad, with both civil and military skills, and the demeanor of an emperor.

In contrast, Emperor Chongping was lenient on the outside but cautious on the inside. Although he had worked diligently day and night since he ascended the throne, he had no idea how to govern the country and was exhausted from running around.

At this moment, the sound of door ringing was heard outside the hall.

"I'm coming." The old servant in Fan Yi's house stood up quickly and opened the door with a "creaky" sound.

After a while, Jia Heng entered the courtyard.

The old servant recognized Jia Heng and was startled. He quickly stepped aside and bowed, saying, "This old servant greets the Prince of Wei."

Jia Heng nodded and asked, "Is Mr. Fan at home?"

"The master is in the room." The old servant said, and extended his hand to invite him, "Prince Wei, please come in."

While Jia Heng was talking, he didn't say much. He strode proudly into the courtyard.

At this moment, Fan Yi, limping along a gravel path, came closer, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Prince Wei."

Jia Heng looked at Fan Yi intently, supported Fan Yi's arm, and said in greeting, "Mr. Fan, are you not going to the Beijing camp today?"

"There is gradually no place for me in the Beijing camp, and my colleagues look at me strangely, so I just stay at home reading." Fan Yi said in a low voice with his eyes as calm as black water under his two broken eyebrows.

After hearing this, Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then he looked at Fan Yi, extended his hand and said, "Mr. Fan, let's talk inside."

The two of them went to Fan Yi's east wing in silence. It was winter now. The pomegranate tree in the courtyard was already bare, with a thin layer of snow covering its branches. The branches and leaves of the pomegranate tree were lush and swaying in the cold wind.

When Jia Heng entered, he was stunned.

I saw the square bookcase against the east wall, which was filled with books.

Jia Heng's sword-like brows were in a trance for a few moments. It was five years ago when he lived in this house with Keqing and her husband.

In a blink of an eye, several years have passed.

Time is like a song, the past is like smoke, and he has grown from a young boy to a young man, and now has become a prince of a country.

It was also a five-year journey of overcoming difficulties and challenges...

Fan Yi raised his eyes and looked at the young man in a tattered blue shirt, feeling somewhat sentimental in his heart.

"Looking back now, the aphorisms and couplets that the prince wrote on his desk show that he had lofty ambitions back then." Fan Yi nodded and said aloud.

Jia Heng's cold and bright eyes, under his sword-like brows, could not help but look at the couplets hanging on both sides. His calm face showed a thoughtful expression as he said, "Back then, I used this as my motto to motivate myself. It has been five years in a flash."

Fan Yi nodded, his eyes sparkling, and whispered, "Prince Wei, please sit over here."

He roughly guessed the purpose of the young man's visit.

Jia Heng sat down and said, "Mr. Fan, there has been a lot of noise in the capital recently because of the issue of establishing a legitimate heir. What do you think, Mr. Fan?"

Fan Yi was silent for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid the emperor will choose the King of Chu."

Jia Heng asked: "Oh, what do you mean?"

Fan Yi said: "The emperor's mind is not to indulge in love affairs, which is absolutely incomparable to others."

Jia Heng paused for a moment, and said in a clear voice: "If this is the case, I am afraid that the government will be more turbulent in the future."

Fan Yi nodded and said, "The emperor has a strong and ruthless character. Even if there is a little turmoil, he will overcome all difficulties for the sake of the Han Dynasty."

Jia Heng said: "Mr. Fan is right. The emperor has a strong and decisive character."

Fan Yi looked at Jia Heng with a sharp gaze and whispered, "When the new emperor takes the throne, what will the prince do?"

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "It's just a few years of lying dormant. There will always be a place where you can be useful."

"Given the prince's strong character, how can he take it lightly?" Fan Yi said, feeling extremely worried.

Jia Heng said: "I have accomplished a lot early, but I just want to spend my remaining years in the mountains and rivers."

Fan Yi was silent for a moment, and then whispered, "If Your Majesty had thought this way, he would not have come to look for me."

Jia Heng looked at Fan Yi with a sharp gaze and asked, "With Mr. Fan's talent and wisdom, what do you think we should do?"

Fan Yi's face turned serious, and he said, "If you take a step forward, you will be respected throughout the country. If you take a step back, your life and death will be out of your control. Your Majesty is a genius, don't you know that?"

At this moment, Jia Heng had fallen into a long silence.

Jia Heng shook his head and said, "The time has not come yet. If we act rashly, we will probably become the target of public criticism."

Fan Yi said: "Now the two cabinet ministers are gradually sorting out the personnel of the Beijing camp and taking over the military power. After a long time, I will be the fish on the chopping board."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "The two cabinet ministers are both outstanding in character and have great means. I'm afraid that within a year or two, the personnel of the Beijing camp will change."

In the current political situation, he does not have the objective conditions to overturn the table, but the two cabinet ministers can exert influence in the Beijing camp by means of gentle persuasion.

Although his followers were all in the Beijing camp, these were naturally noticed by the two cabinet ministers. In other words, others were on guard.

There is only so much he can do now, so it would be better for him to stay with his wife and children and paralyze Emperor Chongping and the two cabinet ministers.

Fan Yi said: "This winter is particularly cold."

Jia Heng sighed and said, "Yes, it's freezing cold."

As long as Emperor Chongping died, everything would be easy. At that time, as the son-in-law of the previous emperor, as long as he did not openly usurp the throne, he could completely support the country in the name of supporting the society, control state affairs, and gradually establish himself in place of the Han Dynasty.

But now, how can we start a rebellion?

Any rebellion is disobedience to the emperor and father, will not be supported by the people, will be despised by the world, and will be punished by everyone.

It’s not that he cares about the king’s way of justice, but, without many followers, he can’t just rush into the palace and control the situation by himself, right?

Fan Yi paused with his eyes slightly raised, and whispered: "The emperor's mind is changeable, so the prince should be prepared early."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "In a few days, Mr. Fan will give birth to a baby. Call Cai Quan over to have dinner together."

The other superfluous people are not necessary at all.

When something really big happens, only a few people from insignificant positions can be used.

He could not even reveal his ambition to be an emperor, but only vaguely expressed his desire to take charge of state affairs.

Fan Yi nodded and said, "Your Highness, once this winter is over, in the spring of next year, the Liaodong army will return, and Marquis Xie, who is in Liaodong, will return from Liaodong. Your Highness' situation will be even more unfavorable at that time. At that time, with the ability of the two cabinet ministers, they will have to make adjustments to the personnel and military power of the Beijing camp. Your Highness' hands and feet will be tied in the future. Even if you want to accomplish something, you will be powerless."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Yes, so the best time is this winter."

In other words, the ideal situation would be for the emperor to try his best not to survive this winter.

But will God fulfill his wish?

After discussing with Fan Yi, Jia Heng left the Jia family's old house. Instead of going to Ningguo Mansion, he went to Princess Jinyang's Mansion to see Yuanchun.

Princess Jinyang's Mansion, Back House——

In winter, snowflakes cover the rugged rocks in the courtyard, and the scenery of the lake and mountains is all white.

Yuanchun sat on a soft couch covered with a thin mattress. Her round, flawless face was plump and translucent, and her fair skin seemed to be radiant with rosy red.

At this moment, with a somewhat soft and white little hand, she was holding a book in her hand and looking intently at the young man in the python costume.

On a square embroidered cushion at the bottom, Yuanchun's maid was holding a zither and said, "Miss, this is red date and glutinous rice porridge. Please have some."

Yuanchun hummed softly, put down the book in her hand, turned around and looked like a beautiful peony, took the bowl of porridge from Baoqin's hand, picked up the spoon, scooped it up gently, put it to her lips, blew lightly, and then used it slowly.

After eating a bowl of rice, Yuanchun took a handkerchief and wiped her mouth, saying, "Baoqin, when will the baby be born?"

Baoqin smiled widely and said, "Don't worry, young lady. There are still two months left."

Yuanchun gently stroked her bulging belly, and her chubby face, which was a little rosy, showed a hint of happiness and sweetness.

When a woman starts to be a mother, happiness begins because she learns to love others more than herself.

Baoqin's beautiful face was filled with a smile as she said, "Young lady, the imperial physician said your pulse is steady and strong, so it might be a boy."

Yuanchun gently stroked her bulging belly, her eyes filled with joy, and said, "I hope so."

Baoqin said as she cleared the bowls, chopsticks and spoons, "Some time ago, the palace went to Ningguo Mansion and conferred titles on three concubines and a number of imperial consorts. You are a candidate for imperial consorts as well."

While the two were talking, a maid walked into the hall with a look of joy on her face and said, "Miss, Master Heng is here."

A hint of joy suddenly appeared on Yuanchun's fair and plump face, and her eyes were sparkling under her dark eyebrows.

After a while, Jia Heng walked around a mica brocade screen and entered the side room. Facing Yuanchun's warm eyes, he said, "Big sister."

"Brother Heng." Yuanchun looked at him affectionately and called him softly. Her beautiful and bright face flushed as she spoke softly.

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Big sister, long time no see."

As he spoke, he came to Yuanchun's bed and sat down, pulled Yuanchun's slender hand, held it in his hand, and said softly: "Thank you for your hard work."

Yuanchun's belly was growing bigger day by day, and her plump and bright face was filled with a calm and faint maternal aura.

Yuanchun stared at the young man in the python costume, with a happy and sweet smile on her face, and said, "Brother Heng, I'm not tired."

Jia Heng nodded and said with a smile, "Big sister won't go back for the New Year this year."

Yuanchun pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and said, "Brother Heng, mother has become suspicious."

Jia Heng gently put his arm around the beautiful lady's shoulders and asked, "What is she suspicious of?"

"They said I have been staying at the Princess's mansion and have not returned home." Yuanchun's beautiful eyes were as bright as water under her trimmed eyebrows. She paused slightly and spoke in a low voice.

Jia Heng said, "That's right. After the baby is born, you still need to recuperate. It won't be too late to go home later."

Yuanchun asked, "Brother Heng, have you also applied to the clan affairs office for imperial edicts for Xiangyun and Baoqin?"

"Xiangyun hasn't had it yet." Jia Heng reached into the beautiful woman's clothes and felt the plumpness between his fingers. He said, "I'll discuss it with Lord Shi after he returns to the capital. Besides, Xiangyun is still young, so there's no rush."

Yuanchun leaned her head against Jia Heng's shoulder and said, "That's fine, but all the girls in the mansion...are destined for Brother Heng."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "It doesn't matter who she marries, it's better for the sisters to grow up together and be together forever, so they can take care of each other and live happily together."

As the saying goes, young couples make companions in old age.

Yuanchun nodded and said, "That's fine."

As she spoke, she gently pushed Jia Heng's hand away, and said in a tone of inexplicable anger, "Brother Heng, stop making trouble. Your clothes are all sticky inside."

Jia Heng leaned close to Yuanchun's ear and whispered, "Then I'll think of a way."

As she spoke, she moved closer to her clothes and buried her head in the fragrant balls of makeup.

At this moment, Baoqin's rosy face blushed as she spoke, and she turned away quietly, leaving the space for the two of them.

After a while, Jia Heng hugged Yuanchun, who was a little limp, and said, "Big sister, which family has Baoyu been arranged to marry?"

Yuanchun said, "Mother originally wanted Xiangyun, but...Brother Heng reported Xiangyun to the clan office, so we have to find someone else."

At the end, there was a hint of anger in his eyes.

Really, the whole family has to live here.

Jia Heng smiled and said, "There are countless young ladies from the boudoirs of high-ranking officials in the capital. It will be easy to arrange a marriage for him when the time comes."

Yuanchun nestled her head in Jia Heng's arms and said "hmm" softly.

……

……

Time flies and years pass like a song. Before we know it, we have entered the late winter. In the northwest of the Han Dynasty, the weather is getting colder and snowing heavily.

As winter approached, the atmosphere in the capital became increasingly grim, and the dispute over the succession in the Han court became increasingly noisy.

However, a new trend of discussion gradually arose in the capital regarding the concern that the King of Wei had no children.

That is, Prince of Liang Chen Wei, who is also the Queen's eldest son. If Prince of Wei is unable to inherit, can Prince of Liang be made the Crown Prince? This will also demonstrate the royal family's filial piety.

It can be said that the theory of succession from elder brother to younger brother has always been popular in orthodox Confucian theory. Now that it has been brought up again, it still has many followers.

The upright officials of the literati debated the issue fiercely and the debate was heated.

Many opponents said that this kind of succession where the younger brother succeeds the elder brother could easily disrupt the line of succession and become a hidden danger for future rulers.

Prince Wei's Mansion, in the study room——

It was winter time, and the fire was burning brightly. A copper kettle was placed on the small stove for brewing mash, and steam was bubbling out of the kettle.

Wei Wang Chen Ran sat on a grand master's chair, his young and handsome face was as gloomy as iron. He looked at Song Jing beside him and asked in a low voice: "Uncle, what's the recent trend of discussing the establishment of my brother, the Prince of Liang?"

Apparently, Wei Wang Chen Ran had also heard the voice of "the younger brother shall succeed the elder brother" that had suddenly arisen in the capital recently.

Song Jing nodded, his eyes flashing fiercely, and said: "This theory is so weird, I have no idea at all."

A surge of anger surged in the heart of Wei Wang Chen Ran, but he suppressed his annoyance and said, "Where is my brother Liang Wang now?"

Song Jing said: "He has been in the Ministry of Justice recently. He usually comes home, so I don't see him very often."

Liang Wang Chen Wei had also been married a long time ago, and his wife was the daughter of Kuaiji Prince Consort Guo Shaonian.

Song Jing was silent for a moment, then he gave a word of advice, saying, "Your Highness, in fact, the idea of ​​the brother succeeding the brother is not a bad way to solve the prince's current predicament."

From Song Jing's point of view, this move obviously does not cause any loss to his own interests.

Wei Wang Chen Ran showed a worried look on his face and said, "Father will not agree. Father is considering future generations, so it may not be feasible."

Song Jing nodded and said, "We have to give it a try. Your Highness, please get through this first. It won't be too late to talk about future matters later."

The subtext of this sentence is that whether the brother will succeed the elder brother in the future is up to the King of Wei to decide.

King Wei Chen Ran frowned and said with a helpless look, "This is the only way to deal with it for now."

Song Jing nodded and said, "However, Your Highness, the emperor may ask Jia Ziyu for his opinion."

King Wei Chen Ran said: "I think Zi Yu doesn't want to get involved."

Song Jing said: "Jia Ziyu has already reached the highest position among the ministers, and he will not wade into this muddy water. However, the emperor is used to trusting Jia Ziyu, and he will probably listen to Jia Ziyu's opinion."

Wei Wang Chen Ran was silent for a moment, then said in a gentle voice: "These few days, I invite Jia Ziyu to come to my house as a guest."

Song Jing stared at Wei Wang Chen Ran and whispered, "Your Highness, this is a very good idea. No matter what, at least in the eyes of outsiders, Jia Ziyu is close to Your Highness."

King Wei Chen Ran sighed and said, "I'm afraid Jia Ziyu will refuse visitors with his door closed."

His brother-in-law is a very shrewd person and it is not easy to plot against him.

In the study room of Prince Liang's Mansion——

It was late at night and a red candle could be seen burning brightly on a square lacquered wooden high table. The candlelight illuminated the porcelain vase on the high table, and the light and shadows flowed, reflecting people's eyes.

At this moment, Liang Wang Chen Wei was sitting on a pearwood armchair, his face solemn and calm, like a mysterious water.

At this moment, sitting on the pearwood chair below was an old man with a clear face and a few wisps of goatee fluttering in the wind. Under his gray beard, a gleam of wisdom flashed in his eyes from time to time.

This man's name was Xi Dongguang. He was a sorcerer whom the King of Liang met when he went to the south of the Yangtze River to marry the daughter of Guo Shaonian, the son-in-law of Kuaiji. He claimed to be a descendant of the Ma Yi fortune teller.

At the beginning, when Xi Dongguang saw King Liang for the first time, he said that King Liang had the qualities to rule the world.

King Liang was extremely shocked at the time, and was angry at first but then happy. He immediately led Xi Dongguang to his private room to meet him. After some conversation, he brought Xi Dongguang into the shogunate.

Liang Wang Chen Wei's eyes sparkled under his thick eyebrows, and his tone could not hide his joy. He said, "It is just as you said. If the news is released like this, the water in the capital will be muddied."

Originally, Prince Liang had no chance, but now, through the binding of the title of "Crown Prince", he has entered the field of vision for the succession, and even to some extent resolved the embarrassment of Prince Wei Chen Ran who had no heir, the so-called fishing in troubled waters.

Xi Dongguang looked at Prince Liang with his thick eyebrows, twisting his beard with his hand, and said, "If you don't muddy the waters like this, how can the prince get a chance?"

Liang Wang Chen Wei nodded and said, "Mr. Xi is right. I am doing this for my brother. He has never had a child. If the emperor gives the King of Chu, a bastard, a chance to have a child, it would be bad."

This prince, who once had a bad temper and was perverse, gradually matured after these years of experience in the south of the Yangtze River.

Liang Wang Chen Wei's eyes were piercing under his sword-like eyebrows, and he said, "Sir, what you said is very true."

Xi Dongguang reminded, "It's just that the prince's foundation is shallow now, and he needs to fully support His Royal Highness Prince Wei in his bid for the throne."

After thinking for a while, he gave some advice and said, "Your Highness Prince Liang, go to Prince Wei's mansion tomorrow and visit His Highness Prince Wei. Otherwise, it will easily arouse suspicion."

King Liang nodded and said, "I have to go see my brother. Brothers like us are united and can break iron with strength."

After thinking for a while, he looked at Xi Dongguang and asked, "Mr. Xi, do you think that Brother Wang will have a grudge against you because of recent events?"

Although to some extent, the King of Liang solved the urgent problem of the King of Wei's childlessness, it was still suspected of being a conspiracy.

Xi Dongguang looked at King Liang quietly and said in a gentle voice: "Your Highness the King of Wei and Your Highness are brothers from the same mother. Even if there is some estrangement, it will soon be eliminated. The King of Wei is not a narrow-minded person."

King Liang said, "Brother King Wei has always treated me well, so I don't think he would take it to heart."

After King Liang finished talking with Xi Dongguang, he stood up and returned to the backyard.

At this time, the wife of King Liang was the youngest daughter of the Prince Consort of Kuaiji, named Guo Hui.

She was about sixteen or seventeen years old, with a graceful figure and a slightly rosy face with a flushed complexion on both sides.

At this moment, she was picking up a pair of earrings and comparing them with the earlobes. Through the bronze mirror that was as bright as water, she could see a beautiful and bright face.

At this moment, the maid entered the room and said, "Princess, the prince is here."

Guo Hui stood up and turned to look at Liang Wang Chen Wei who was coming from a distance. The beauty stood up and flew to Liang Wang Chen Wei like a butterfly, saying, "Your Highness."

King Liang looked at the beautiful girl, and he felt a little fond of her. He immediately grasped her delicate hand and said, "Princess."

The couple was affectionate for a while.

Guo Hui's face flushed slightly, she nodded and said, "Your Highness, my father sent another letter today."

King Liang's sinister and handsome face showed surprise, and he asked, "Where is the letter from my father-in-law?"

As Guo Hui spoke, she took down a letter, handed it over, and said, "Your Highness, take a look at this."

King Liang opened the letter and read it. His brows furrowed further and further. When he raised his head, his eyes became uncertain.

Guo Hui's charming eyes flickered under her willow-shaped eyebrows, and she asked, "My Lord, what did my father say?"

Prince Liang nodded and said, "My father-in-law warned me that all matters in the capital are decided by my father, and he told me to be filial and respectful."

The reason why Prince Liang had the idea of ​​seizing the throne was actually because of Guo Shaonian's instigation.

In other words, if Guo Shaonian, the prince consort of Kuaiji, wanted to return to officialdom and display his ambitions and talents, he could only rely on the help of his son-in-law, the King of Liang.

(End of this chapter)