The Red Mansions

Chapter 1462 Queen Song: This is Kunning Palace, don’t do anything rash.

Chapter 1462 Queen Song: This is Kunning Palace... Don’t do anything stupid.

Ningguo Mansion, in the study room——

Chen Xiao still got up early. The beauty did not wear the Feiyu suit for men today, but changed into a light blue dress with wide sleeves.

The beautiful lady had her lush hair tied into a graceful and elegant bun, revealing her beautiful eyes and eyebrows. She was sitting behind the desk and said, "Get up."

Jia Heng nodded and asked with a smile: "Well, you're up now, what are you looking at?"

"Nothing, The Three Kingdoms: Biography of Sima Yi." Chen Xiao's expression changed slightly, and under her willow-shaped eyebrows, she stared at the young man in the python robe and said softly, "In the past two days, the censors in the capital have been submitting a memorial to propose the establishment of a crown prince."

Jia Heng asked, "Has it started? I think it's almost time."

Chen Xiao nodded and said, "Currently, the majority of memorials support the enthronement of King Wei, and the momentum is greater, but there are also some noises in the capital."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "The King of Wei has no son."

"Yes." Chen Xiaoqing said with his eyes flashing.

Jia Heng said in a gentle voice: "It seems that the King of Wei is quite passive in this matter."

Chen Xiao said: "Just wait and see."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice: "Yes, now it depends on how they play their cards. There is no need for me to intervene."

Because of the title of a prince, he holds the highest position among the ministers and is almost related to the country, so there is really no need for him to take sides. On the contrary, he has a certain degree of neutrality in the matter of the fight for the throne.

Chen Xiao's clear eyes sparkled under her plucked eyebrows as she said, "I wonder if that person in the palace can survive this winter."

Hearing this, Jia Heng suddenly raised his head, looked at Chen Xiao with a fierce look, and asked in confusion: "Why do you say that?"

Chen Xiao's expression showed his worry, and he said, "The imperial physician in the palace said that the situation is not optimistic."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "It's hard to say. The emperor's heart is always as firm as a rock."

Chen Xiao raised his eyebrows and said, "However, the Eastern Palace should be established in the next two months. It will be a natural thing for it to be established as the Eastern Palace in the second year."

"It's possible." Jia Heng said.

Because Liaodong still needed to be governed, there were still more than 100,000 soldiers and horses in the Beijing camp in Liaodong. Once there was a change in the capital, they could rush to the capital to defend the king.

However, this situation will not last long, because after the beginning of next spring, the troops will definitely be gradually withdrawn from Liaodong, and several cabinet ministers should be thinking about how to seize his military power at this time.

Just as Jia Heng was lost in thought, Qingwen came in from outside and said, "Sir, an angel came outside and said that the palace has summoned you."

When Jia Heng heard this, he was shocked and turned to look at Chen Xiao, feeling somewhat surprised.

Chen Xiao shook his head and said, "It may not be about the East Palace's discussion of the heir, but it may be for other reasons."

Jia Heng thought for a moment, then looked at Chen Xiao intently and said, "In this case, it is the matter of Liaodong."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, and said, "Then I'll go take a look."

As he was speaking, he walked out of the study, went to the ceremonial gate of Ningguo Mansion, and looked at the young eunuch who was wearing the uniform of a palace eunuch.

"Eunuch, what does the palace want to summon you for?" Jia Heng asked, cupping his hands.

"Prince Wei, several elders in the cabinet asked you to come over, claiming that they have important matters to discuss." The young eunuch explained with a prosperous smile on his fair face.

Jia Heng extended his hand to invite him, saying, "Eunuch, please lead the way."

Since those people from the cabinet summoned him, it should be about the affairs of Liaodong, and it is possible that the issue of military power in the Beijing camp was also involved.

……

……

Daming Palace, Wuying Hall

This is the duty room of the cabinet. It is winter now. The cold wind in front of the hall blows on the glazed tiles, making a humming sound, and then snow powder flutters and falls sparsely.

Li Zan, Gao Zhongping, Qi Kun, Lu Jiang, Lin Ruhai and other cabinet ministers were now seated on the pearwood chairs in the hall. In addition, there were also Prince Beijing, Shi Jie and other military ministers.

"Sir, Prince Wei is here." Just then, a young eunuch with a fair complexion quickly entered the hall and spoke.

When everyone heard the words, they looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young man in a python robe walking quickly towards them. His resolute face was as calm as dark water without the slightest ripple.

"Prince Wei." Cabinet minister Li Zan paused with his thin brows, stared at the young man in the python robe, stood up and called out.

Jia Heng cupped his hands and asked, "Lord Li, I wonder what you want to call me for?"

Li Zan said, "Liaodong has been pacified. The cavalry commanders of the Beijing Camp in Liaodong are discussing the merits and rewards. Your Majesty means that we should listen more to the opinions of the commander, Prince Wei."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "Rewarding meritorious service with titles, and rewarding and punishing equally, the court has its own laws."

Li Zan said, "However, the military reports are mostly written descriptions, and there may be some exaggerations or hidden things. Today, Prince Beijing is also here, and Prince Wei can verify each other, so that my cabinet can determine the merits and titles."

Jia Heng nodded, then walked closer and sat down.

At this moment, a eunuch hurriedly served fragrant tea, then bowed and slowly retreated.

Jia Heng picked up the teacup, took a sip, and asked, "How do we discuss the merits this time?"

Li Zan said: "According to the military report, Xie Zaiyi, who was a first-class marquis, was promoted to a third-class duke."

As Li Zan spoke, he observed the young man's words and expressions, trying to catch the changes in his facial expressions.

In the court, everyone knew that Xie Zaiyi was Jia Heng's confidant who was promoted by Jia Heng.

Jia Heng did not comment and asked, "What about the others?"

Li Zan said: "Cao Bianjiao was originally a count because he defeated the main force of the Jurchens several times. Now he should be made a second-class marquis."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Cao Bianjiao, the deputy general of Shanhaiguan, always led the troops in every battle and used his cavalry to contain the Jurchen cavalry. It is appropriate that he was promoted to marquis."

Strictly speaking, Cao Bianjiao was not his man, but an old subordinate of Li Zan when he was the commander-in-chief of the Beiping Jinglüe Anfusi Division.

"Hebei Governor Kang Hong is old but still strong. He commands the Hebei border troops from Haizhou and Gaizhou. He has made great contributions in command and dispatch. He can be granted the title of first-class earl." Li Zan said in a voice as firm as iron.

Gao Zhongping took over the conversation and said, "Jia Fang led the troops and killed the king in battle, so he should be awarded the title of first-class earl."

When mentioning Jia Fang, Gao Zhongping's eyes darkened under his thick brows, and a feeling of fear arose in his heart.

This was a young general of the Jia family, but now he has been made an earl. The power of the Jia family is becoming more and more powerful.

Li Zan said: "In addition, the admiral of the Jiangnan Navy, Wei Che, has made many outstanding contributions from the south to the north since the Korean War, and should be awarded the third-class marquisate. The other generals of the Beijing camp and the regiment camp who followed the army in the expedition have made meritorious contributions this time, so they should be awarded the fifth-class nobility."

Jia Heng looked at Beijing Prince Shui Rong and asked, "Lord Shui has also witnessed Wei Che's diligence. I think he can be in charge of the establishment of the navy."

Prince Beijing Shui Rong said loudly: "I think it is feasible."

Li Zan finished talking about the cabinet's discussion of meritorious service and titles in the past few days and asked, "Prince Wei, do you think the discussion of titles is fair?"

Jia Heng said: "The ministers are all ministers of the current dynasty who weigh the country and assist the monarch. They act impartially and fairly, and there is nothing wrong with their discussions on merit and titles."

Gao Zhongping nodded and said, "In addition, there is the matter of abolishing the border towns. Since the rise of the Liaodong bandits, the court has set up border towns on the nine borders to guard against the bandits. Now that the Eastern Bandits have been pacified, the court should abolish the border towns to save expenses."

Jia Heng said, "I had this idea before, but the border towns should still be set up as general towns at the pass. We can only reduce the number of troops. As for the Mongols, we should focus on winning them over and integrating them. In addition, we should speed up the establishment of the Han navy to patrol the sea and protect merchant ships."

Gao Zhongping nodded, his eyes sparkling under his stern and majestic eyebrows, and he said in a clear voice: "Prince Wei, it agrees with what Yuan Fu and I said. Now that the customs duty and silver revenue of our Han Dynasty's maritime trade is gradually increasing, we urgently need our Han Dynasty to build a navy to help escort at sea."

This is the purpose of Jia Heng's establishment of many banknote offices. As the tax and silver revenue from maritime trade increases, the civil service group will brainwash themselves and believe that naval construction is necessary.

Jia Heng's face was calm. He turned to look at Gao Zhongping and said, "What Elder Gao said is very true. Now that maritime trade has become the main source of tax revenue for our Han Dynasty, we should also build a navy to sail abroad and protect the trade routes. If pirates harass the sea routes, it would be great to support the military expenses of the nine frontiers and the navy."

Li Zan said: "There are already a million soldiers in the nine frontiers. We can cut half of them and add them to the navy."

In fact, this can also be regarded as Chen Han's version of the "million-dollar disarmament", but the navy has always been a project that consumes military expenditures crazily.

Jia Heng said: "Border towns moving northward can prevent the Mongols from rising again. At the same time, we can train the former Mongolian herdsmen and divide them into banners to provide our Han with military horses, leather and other items. We must not let them run wild as we did in the past. Otherwise, in a few years, there may be changes. From the Xiongnu in the Han Dynasty, the Five Barbarians in the Wei and Jin Dynasties, to the Turks in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, to the Jurchens, Liao people and Mongols in the Song Dynasty, if the grasslands are not monitored and controlled, there is a danger that the wildfires will not be extinguished and the spring breeze will start again."

Beijing Prince Shui Rong paused for a moment and said softly, "It's just that our Central Plains Dynasty is not good at governing the nomadic people on the grasslands."

Jia Heng nodded, his eyes sparkling, and said: "We should establish the eight banners according to the Jurchen method, and let the lower-class herdsmen control the princes and nobles. In the long run, more people on the grasslands will be willing to naturalize. In addition, let the newborn children of the Mongolian herdsmen learn Chinese characters. Over time, they will be willing to become Han people."

Prince Beijing Shui Rong's eyes sparkled as he said, "When Zi Yu was in Shenyang, Liaodong, he mentioned that he wanted to change the Jurchens' clothing and destroy their writing system."

Jia Heng said: "Just like the Qin Dynasty, when the writing system was unified and the wheel gauge was standardized, only in this way could the world be unified and the world become one. Although the Qin II died, it laid the foundation for the Chinese people to survive for thousands of years. Just like the ancient emperors Yan and Huang, they educated the four barbarians, and only then did we have the nine provinces and four seas, with billions of people learning Chinese characters and speaking the same language."

Li Zan stroked his beard with his hand, and a look of approval appeared in his eyes under his two thin eyebrows that were like ancient pine trees.

Lu Jiang frowned and thought to himself that it was inappropriate for the Prince of Wei to compare the tyrannical Qin Dynasty with the three generations of wise rulers.

At this moment, Beijing King Shui Rong looked at the young man in python robe with reverence, nodded and said: "Zi Yu is right. Our Han Dynasty should use the means of education to educate the four barbarians in order to seek a strategy for long-term peace and stability."

Li Zan said: "During the Three Dynasties, China was only in the Central Plains. Now, it is spread across the nine provinces. The sages of each generation have also overcome difficulties and blazed a trail. However, wars have continued for many years. Now the world wants peace."

Jia Heng said: "In Liaodong, as well as in Korea and Japan, we should do our best to promote our Han culture. In the long run, they will develop a sense of gratitude and will not surrender and then rebel again."

Hearing this, Lu Jiang frowned secretly and could not help asking, "Prince Wei, if you expand outward and engage in war, the people will enjoy peace. What if the people on the border are forcibly made Han citizens and the war breaks out again and again?"

Jia Heng's face was solemn, his eyes flashed fiercely, and he said: "Master Lu, this is the saint educating the barbarians and promoting our saintly culture. What's wrong with that? If they are all grateful, then there will be no more war on our borders. Isn't this a lucky thing for the people of our Han Dynasty?"

This Lu Jiang was just arguing for the sake of arguing, and it was clear that he was hostile to him.

People are actually a mirror. If you have ill will towards someone, you will find that he will notice it soon.

Upon hearing this, Lu Jiang became indignant and opened his mouth to argue.

At this moment, Li Zan interrupted the conversation and said, "As for militarism, after the Liaodong War, we eliminated the enemy threat, and the nine important cities of the Han Dynasty reduced their troops by half, saving millions of taels of silver in military expenditure every year. How can we still be militaristic?"

Lu Jiang frowned, hesitated for a moment, and said: "If we use it to suppress Korea and Japan, and if they have repeated rebellions, our Han Dynasty will still have to send troops to suppress them. But I don't know how the central government will respond at that time?"

Jia Heng said coldly: "Since Lord Lu knows the benefits of maritime trade, doesn't he know that the people of Japan and Korea also need our porcelain, tea, silk and other things? After a long time, they will share the real profits from maritime trade, so how could they still rebel?"

This is how the Chinese trade system was constructed. It could carry out economic colonization and commodity dumping in several backward countries, and then cultivate a group of compradors in Korea and Japan.

Seeing that Lu Jiang wanted to argue, Gao Zhongping stopped him with a solemn expression and said, "Okay, there is no need to argue about this matter anymore."

Jia Heng picked up the teacup on the small table beside him, took a sip, and his face was calm.

When Lin Ruhai saw this scene, his eyes flickered, but because he and Jia Heng were father-in-law and son-in-law, he was reluctant to interrupt.

Qi Kun frowned slightly, with a thoughtful look on his face.

As the Minister of Revenue, he naturally knew a lot about what Jia Heng meant by trade, taxation and silver.

Li Zan nodded and said, "The Dzungars in the northwest and the Khoshuts in Tibet may become border troubles in the future. When do you think it is best to pacify them?"

Jia Heng paused for a moment, and said in a deep voice: "Five years later, the Han Dynasty needs to recuperate. By then, the new law will be in full swing and the country will be in a peaceful and prosperous era. By then, we will select a general to go deep into the two places, plow the fields and clear the holes. In the future, the people will no longer be threatened by border troubles."

In fact, there was something in his mind that was difficult to say, which was that it was the new monarch who should pacify the situation and establish his prestige.

Of course, no matter what, he would not be the one to preside over the pacification of these two routes.

Li Zan nodded.

Jia Heng said, "In recent years, the world has been plagued by wars. The people should rest and recuperate to prevent others in the court from adhering to the idea of ​​militarism."

"You..." Upon hearing this, Lu Jiang's expression changed and he finally snorted coldly.

Li Zan frowned and didn't say anything else.

Jia Heng bowed and said, "My dear ministers, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave and pay my respects to His Majesty."

Li Zan nodded and said, "Prince Wei, the Beijing camp is now stationed in Shenyang, Liaodong. Now the capital city is empty. We should dispatch troops and return to the capital next year."

Jia Heng said: "We have already transferred some troops. Now there are about 100,000 troops in the Beijing camp, which is enough to deal with emergencies. As for the withdrawal, we can probably withdraw the troops in the spring of next year when all the follow-up issues in Liaodong are settled."

Li Zan nodded to show his agreement.

Jia Heng said, "Lord Li, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

"Goodbye, Prince Wei." Li Zan stroked his beard and said in a gentle voice.

While Jia Heng was speaking, he had already left the Wuying Palace.

"Arrogant and domineering!" Cabinet Minister Lu Jiang's face was as gloomy as iron, like water dripping down, and he spoke.

Li Zan frowned and said, "Lord Lu, what the Prince of Wei said is reasonable and well-founded. He knows the importance of priorities. I think there is nothing wrong with it."

It can be said that Jia Heng's ability to maintain national stability was recognized, either explicitly or implicitly, by the Han emperor and his ministers, otherwise they would not have been so wary of him.

Jia Heng left the Wuying Palace and walked along the palace road towards the Kunning Palace with a gloomy face.

This is the civil official.

When he was using military generals, he kept his minions dormant, but when the world was at peace, he would be wary of the military generals in every way.

It’s his mother’s fault!

……

……

Palace Garden, Kunning Palace

Inside the red-tiled and black-tiled bedroom, in the warm room next to the window, Emperor Chongping was laying on a wool carpet, with his eyes wrapped in a white cloth. As winter approached, the weather became cold, and the middle-aged emperor looked thin and frail, with an air of old age all over his body.

Not far away, Queen Song was wearing a light yellow dress, with an elegant bun and a slender and graceful body. At this moment, she looked at Emperor Chongping lying on the bed. Under her eyebrows, her beautiful eyes showed a look of pity and joy.

They had been married for many years, and when Emperor Chongping was bedridden, this beautiful woman actually aroused some of his conscience.

The beauty sighed softly in her heart, then stood up and went out.

After thinking for a while, he decided to go check on his daughter and son, and asked, "Where are the little prince and princess?"

At this moment, a female official came up and said, "Your Majesty, you forgot that the little prince and the little princess went to Funing Palace."

When the beauty heard this, her graceful and beautiful face was stunned for a moment, and she said, "I'll go and take a look."

At this moment, the beauty wanted very much to see her own precious children in order to get rid of the guilt in her heart.

However, at this moment, an eunuch came in from outside and said in a gentle voice: "My lady, the Prince of Wei wants to see His Majesty."

When the beauty heard this, her plump and graceful body trembled violently.

What is this little fox doing here at this time?

After a short while, a tall young man in a python robe stepped over the vermilion threshold from under the eaves and entered the hall.

Queen Song's beautiful eyes were as bright as water under her willow-leaf-shaped eyebrows. She stared at the young man in the python robe and asked, "Zi Yu."

"The young prince greets the Queen." Jia Heng said with a serious expression and a bow.

I've been missing Tianniu a little during this period.

Queen Song asked, "Why is Zi Yu coming here?"

For some reason, the beautiful woman's heart was beating wildly, as if she knew something about the character of the boy in front of her, and that he might do something daring and reckless.

Jia Heng said, "Come and see His Majesty. How is His Majesty doing?"

Queen Song's beautiful eyes were slightly evasive, and she said, "Your Majesty has been much healthier recently."

Jia Heng asked, "Madam, can I go and take a look?"

"I just fell asleep." Queen Song's fair and fair face had already flushed, and her rosy face looked like a delicate and beautiful crabapple flower, bright and charming, as she said.

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his head and looked at the beauty with burning eyes.

He really is a thief.

Faced with the young man's eyes that showed no sign of concealing his lust, the beautiful woman's heart was trembling, and she felt her body beginning to feel slightly hot.

The young man in the python robe looked serious and asked, "How are the little princess and the little prince now?"

"The two are in Funing Palace right now." Queen Song said in a low voice with a slight blush on both sides of her jade-like face.

The beauty couldn't help herself after all, and said, "Zi Yu, I...I have something to tell you."

Jia Heng couldn't help but feel inexplicably happy. Without saying much, he followed the beauty to the side hall.

Because, everyone in the palace just thought that Queen Song had something to talk to the young man in the python robe, so they no longer suspected it.

As the two were talking, they entered the warm room on one side of the hall, one after the other.

The warm room was covered by a carved window on all sides. On the arched wooden window, one could see curtains tied with golden hooks, a lacquered wooden table, and a number of Yuan Dynasty blue and white porcelain vases.

Jia Heng followed the gorgeously dressed beauty into the warm room. At this moment, the beauty sat down on the soft couch beside her with her round and round breasts, which were sunken and soft.

The beautiful lady with fair skin and fair complexion asked, "Zi Yu, why are you here looking for His Majesty?"

Jia Heng said: "Just to visit His Majesty, and also to come and see the Queen."

Queen Song's beautiful and gorgeous face was filled with a hint of shame and annoyance. She said with a tone of reproach, "What's so good about me?"

As Jia Heng spoke, he came closer, lowered his voice, and said, "Your Highness is a beauty with a graceful figure. She is getting more beautiful every day."

Queen Song's elegant features revealed a hint of panic as she said shyly, "This is Kunning Palace. His Majesty said it's right next door... Don't mess around."

Upon hearing this, Jia Heng walked closer and gently took the beautiful woman's slender hand, then embraced her plump and delicate body in his arms.

"Don't play around, someone might see us." There was a hint of panic in the beauty's voice, and two blushes appeared on her pretty face.

Jia Heng said, "I'm paying attention."

At this moment, he is keeping his eyes and ears open in all directions. He is not only a great master who can sense things before the phoenix moves, but also... he has entered the fairyland on earth!

(End of this chapter)