The Red Mansions

Chapter 1438 Emperor Chongping: I have never heard of a situation where the emperor and his subjects

Chapter 1438 Emperor Chongping: I have never heard of a situation where the emperor and his subjects were suspicious of each other, and the country was safe...

Shenjing City, Hanyuan Hall, Inner Study

Lu Jiang made an impassioned speech, and all the civil and military officials in the hall suddenly had different expressions on their faces.

If such a great achievement of destroying a country is not rewarded, how can we stop the people from criticizing it?

Besides, aren’t you afraid that Jia Ziyu will be dissatisfied?

Emperor Chongping said in a deep voice: "What Lord Lu said is that you want me to not reward you for your merits and not pay you for your hard work?"

If he didn't even receive any reward for such a great achievement, how would the world view him?

Even if they had no intention of rebelling at that time, they were forced to do so.

The so-called emperor should act in an upright and just way, honor and support him with merits, titles, fame and salary, and not allow him to hold real power. This is the fundamental way to weaken and restrict him.

Lu Jiang held an ivory jade tablet in his hand, his face solemn, and he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, Jia Ziyu has great power at a young age, and has already been ranked as a duke just at the age of twenty. He is the highest among all the ministers. Your Majesty should love and protect him, and not confer him the title of a county king at such a young age."

Emperor Chongping was silent and said, "The four founding princes were all granted the title of prince before they were twenty. They were granted the title of prince due to favors from the emperor. Ziyu has made special contributions, but you are reluctant to reward him with the title. How will the world and future generations view me?"

Such a dispute, if it were to spread, would further demonstrate the emperor's arbitrary power and great grace.

If one still feels dissatisfied, then he is a ruthless person, hated by both humans and gods, and will be condemned by the whole world.

Lu Jiang bowed and said, "Your Majesty has promised Jia Ziyu the title of Princess and County Lady. How great is His Majesty's grace? In order to preserve his love, we should be reserved. Moreover, rumors are rife in the capital. I think we should be more cautious."

How could the later rulers of the Han Dynasty control such a young prince who possessed the talent and strategy of an emperor?

There are many cases in history where a son-in-law seized his father-in-law's inheritance.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongping looked deeply under his two strong and sharp eyebrows and asked, "Lv Qing, do you think there are still people in our Han Dynasty who are so ambitious and would like to usurp the throne?"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the ministers in the hall looked stern.

The emperor's blunt statement undoubtedly shocked all the ministers present.

Lu Jiang pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "I have no such intention. It's just that a few days ago, rumors were rife in the capital, and I... was inexplicably worried. Perhaps I was worrying for no reason. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me."

Gao Zhongping below frowned and sighed secretly in his heart.

Emperor Chongping looked deeply and said in a low voice: "I treat Ziyu as my son and nephew, how could Ziyu rebel? Lu Qing, please don't say such heartbreaking words in the future. Even if he dares to commit treason in the future, he will be condemned by both humans and gods."

At the end, Emperor Chongping spoke in a firm and decisive voice.

This is the emperor's mind. In this way, he put invisible moral shackles on Jia Heng.

At this moment, Lu Jiang opened his mouth and tried to argue: "Your humble servant..."

Emperor Chongping stared at Lü Jiang and said righteously, "I have never heard of a monarch and his subjects being suspicious of each other, and the country being safe. Jia Ziyu has fought in many battles in recent years and has worked hard for the country. His loyalty and sincerity are known to all. There is no need for you to be suspicious, Mr. Lu!"

When Lu Jiang heard this, his expression paused and he was speechless for a moment.

Emperor Chongping turned his head to look at Li Zan who was silent beside him and asked, "Lord Li, what do you think?"

Li Zan spoke in a clear and upright voice, cupping his hands and saying, "I think what Your Majesty said is the right path. If there is any arrogance or laziness in one's heart, then the whole world will attack him together!"

Emperor Chongping nodded and said, "Cabinet, discuss in the next few days what title should be given to Jia Ziyu as a prince?"

Li Zan's eyes were sharp as swords under his thin eyebrows, and he said in a clear voice: "I think that according to his title of Duke, he should be promoted to the title of Prince of the County as usual, and that is Prince of Wei."

Emperor Chongping was surprised when he heard this, and then he said, "That's the Prince of Wei? There has not been a one-character prince in this dynasty, but Jia Ziyu has made great contributions to the revival of the country, so he is named a one-character prince, which really shows his nobility."

There is indeed no prince with the same name as one character.

Because the four pillars of the Han Dynasty, the four princes are based in the east, south, west and north, like the East Evil, the West Poison, the South Emperor and the North Beggar. If Jia Heng is promoted to a prince, he will be the Prince of Zhongwei, but this title of "Zhong Shentong" is somewhat strange.

The title of Prince was promoted with the character "Wei" throughout the story, which seemed to show the great favor and honor he received.

As for the task of reviving the country, Emperor Chongping was talking not only about Jia Heng, but also about himself.

Turn the tide before it falls, and support the building before it collapses.

Emperor Chongping said: "In the past few days, the cabinet and the military council have used the military reports and subsequent meritorious records that have been sent to the capital to reward the meritorious officers and officers, and confer titles, money and silk. Don't let the meritorious officials feel cold."

We cannot wait until the officers and soldiers return to the capital before awarding them credit.

Li Zan's thin eyebrows were covered with a look of divine clarity. He cupped his hands and said, "Your humble servant accepts my command."

Gao Zhongping below also bowed and said yes.

Lu Jiang looked unhappy and said nothing.

Lin Ruhai listened to the arguments among several of his colleagues and cabinet ministers. When he saw that the matter had finally been settled, his eyes flashed and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

This heated argument has finally come to an end.

Emperor Chongping was originally in low spirits, but now he said a lot, "I am tired, you gentlemen, please wait for a while, and go back to your work first."

Upon hearing this, the ministers present did not linger any longer, bowed to Emperor Chongping, and left.

Li Zan stared at Emperor Chongping, who was wearing a middle-aged dragon robe. A look of fatigue appeared on his face, and he sighed softly in his heart.

Your Majesty has been too busy with state affairs over the years. If you can wait another ten years on the throne, the Duke of Wei will not have to worry about it.

While Li Zan was talking with Gao Zhongping, Qi Kun, Lu Jiang and Lin Ruhai, he walked towards the outer room.

Emperor Chongping, supported by Dai Quan, sat down in the inner room of the study.

……

……

On the other side, Queen Song did not linger in Kunning Palace for long after seeing off Emperor Chongping, but left the bedroom and headed towards Funing Palace.

Funing Palace

It was late autumn, and a golden osmanthus tree in the southwest corner of the courtyard was lush and swaying in the wind.

Consort Duanrong, Princess Xianning, Princess Qinghe Li Chanyue, and Song Yan, who was not far away, were sitting on embroidered cushions and chatting.

Because the Funing Palace is located in a remote area, for a while, no one could notice the movement outside the palace.

At this moment, the palace maid who was waiting outside the palace shouted loudly: "The Queen has arrived."

As they were talking, Queen Song was seen quickly entering the bedroom, surrounded by several palace maids and eunuchs.

The beautiful eyes under the curved willow-leaf eyebrows of Concubine Duanrong were as bright as water. She stood up gracefully and said, "I greet you, sister."

Queen Song's fair face seemed to be covered with a smile, and she said, "Sister Rongfei, I am talking to Xianning."

Imperial Concubine Duanrong responded softly. Her sparkling eyes seemed to show a look of delight beneath her willow-shaped eyebrows. She smiled softly and said, "Xianning is usually very depressed. I am trying to comfort her."

Although the two are sisters, their every word and action in the palace represents the dignity of the royal family, and Concubine Duanrong is always very respectful.

At this moment, Li Chanyue and Song Yan also stood up and came forward to greet her: "Hello, aunt."

Queen Song nodded, smiled and said, "Xianning, your father just said that Ziyu won a victory in Liaodong, conquered Shengjing, and has pacified the Jurchens."

As soon as these words were spoken, it was as if a warm spring breeze blew into the palace, and a look of surprise appeared on the faces of Concubine Duanrong and Princess Xianning in the palace.

Princess Xianning's slightly round face was filled with surprise, and she said, "Sir, has he won another battle?"

Upon hearing this, Qinghe Princess Li Chanyue and Song Yan, who were playing chess across a square of chessboard, realized that they were holding chess pieces.

At this moment, everyone stopped what they were doing, raised their gentle and lovely faces, and looked at Queen Song with two pairs of crystal clear eyes, blinking.

Queen Song smiled brightly on her beautiful, graceful face, as bright and charming as spring flowers and autumn moon, and said softly, "Yes, this time Liaodong was pacified, and the Jurchens were completely pacified this time."

Princess Xianning's clear and bright eyes seemed to flicker beneath her beautiful eyebrows. A surge of joy surged in her heart, and she gently stroked her bulging belly.

Li Chanyue pulled Song Yan beside her, and a thoughtful look appeared in her eyes, and she said softly: "Sister Yan'er, Brother Heng won the battle."

Song Yan hummed, and raised her dark eyebrows. Her bright eyes seemed to reveal a hint of longing.

Li Chanyue raised her eyebrows and said in a delicate voice, "I don't know if I can come back before the New Year."

She also missed Mr. Xiao Jia a little.

She is Mr. Xiao Jia's legally married wife, but after so long, there is still no sign of pregnancy.

Concubine Duanrong looked at her daughter with a gaze as if condensed with dew under her willow-shaped brows. She said with a clear voice, "Xianning, don't get excited. Don't disturb the fetus."

Princess Xianning hummed softly, then touched her bulging belly with her slender hand. Her beautiful and bright face was full of happiness and sweetness.

Queen Song nodded and said softly, "Zi Yu will not be back before the New Year. I heard from His Majesty that Liaodong has been pacified, but there are still some follow-up matters that need to be dealt with."

Speaking of Emperor Chongping, the beauty couldn't help but think of the scene in which Emperor Chongping vomited blood and fainted. Her heart, which had been filled with inexplicable joy, suddenly became depressed again.

Concubine Duanrong smiled, looked at Princess Xianning, and whispered, "Xianning will give birth after the New Year."

Queen Song's fair face seemed to show a bright smile, and she said softly, "But after this war is over, there should be no major wars in the world, and Ziyu can spend time with Xianning and Chanyue."

Princess Xianning showed some displeasure on her face, and said sadly: "After returning to the capital, I don't know what I will be busy with."

She has a child now, and when she comes back, he probably won't be with her.

Isn't that the case with his aunt? After he had a child, he seldom went there, and spent every day in the Grand View Garden accompanying those young girls.

Queen Song's beautiful eyes were clear and translucent under her emerald eyebrows. She said softly, "After this war, there should be nothing to worry about in the world."

Princess Xianning's originally cold and clear voice softened a little, and she said softly, "Mother, I heard that there is still a war between the northwest and Tibet. Will you lead the troops there again?"

While Jia Heng was leading his troops to Liaodong, the wars in the northwest and Tibet were also in full swing.

Queen Song smiled and said, "No matter how good he is at fighting, he can't fight all the wars in the world alone."

But a thought came to his mind that he couldn't let all the beautiful girls in the world be taken by him alone.

Princess Xianning curved her eyebrows, her crystal clear eyes paused for a moment, and she said softly, "That's right, mother."

Queen Song said, "During this period of time, just focus on taking care of your baby and don't worry about anything else. You must be extremely careful in the next few months."

Concubine Duanrong also said: "Don't worry too much about the things on the front line."

Princess Xianning responded softly, stroking her bulging belly gently.

Queen Song said, "Chanyue, Yan'er, you two should take good care of Xianning."

Li Chanyue's eyes were crystal clear, and when she spoke, her voice was soft and gentle, with the gentleness and tranquility of a Jiangnan woman, she said, "Aunt, we are always here."

Queen Song smiled, looked intently at Li Chanyue, and said jokingly, "Chanyue, wait a few years, and you can become a mother too."

For some reason, the beauty thought of her twin boy and girl again.

Two blushes suddenly appeared on Li Chanyue's jade-like face, and her head drooped.

Song Yan was sitting aside, her palm-sized pale face showing a dazed look.

In the future, it will probably be her turn to have children.

……

……

Ningguo Mansion

Just as the people in Shenjing City were celebrating enthusiastically because of the news of Jia Heng's great victory, the servants of the two mansions in Ningrong Street also received the news and reported it to the government.

In the back house, in the hall——

Qin Keqing was dressed in a scarlet dress embroidered with large hibiscus flowers. Her hair was in an elegant and gorgeous bun, and her graceful and beautiful face, set off by her golden hairpins and step-shaking ornaments, was flawless and as translucent as jade.

Standing not far away were Youshi, You Erjie, and You Sanjie, all wearing gorgeous clothes, with their hair in high buns and jewels, which made their rosy faces look bright and charming.

Qin Keqing's eyebrows were like willow leaves, and her eyes were as gentle as water and crystal clear. She said, "It's autumn now, and the rooms in the backyard should buy new clothes."

Yu said softly, "It has been assigned."

Qin Keqing's eyes, which were as bright as rainbows, showed a thoughtful expression under her long eyebrows. She said softly, "Send someone to Longcui Temple to check if there is anything missing or not."

Yu said softly, "It's the maid Feng who's busying around over there. There's nothing else going on."

Qin Keqing nodded and said, "Sister Feng is a careful person and can handle things well."

While the ladies in the back house were gossiping, a maid suddenly came in from outside. Her wrinkled face was filled with an inexplicable smile of joy. She said, "Madam, people outside are saying that the master won a victory in Liaodong and annihilated the Jurchens."

Qin Keqing was overjoyed when she heard this, and asked in surprise, "Did my husband win the battle?"

"It seems that the Jurchens were pacified this time?" Third Sister You raised her curved eyebrows and said softly, "The war in Liaodong is over, and Master Heng should be coming back soon."

Qin Keqing's face was as bright and radiant as snow, and in her heart, she was filled with endless joy and surprise. She said, "It should be."

A faint smile appeared on Youshi's gentle and lovely face, and she said with emotion: "This is the merit of destroying a country."

Third Sister You also had a charming smile on her face, and said, "When Master comes back this time, he should be able to be made a prince."

If she could be granted the title of a prince, a concubine like her should be able to be granted the title of a lady of honor.

Although Li Ren had never thought about these titles when she followed Jia Heng, she was a woman after all, and when the time really came, she could not help but feel vain.

Qin Keqing's beautiful eyes sparkled softly under her dark eyebrows as she said, "After this war, the world should be more or less at peace."

She didn't really care whether he was given the title of a prince or not. She just thought that after this battle, her husband should be able to come back and she wouldn't have to run around anymore. She could settle down and live a good life.

Jia Fu stretched out her two chubby white hands and said in a soft voice, "Mom, Daddy is coming back?"

Baozhu and Ruizhu behind her hurriedly supported Jiafu, with a look of worry on their faces.

Qin Keqing looked at her daughter, her beautiful eyes full of love, and said softly, "Yes, Fu'er, do you miss your father?"

When Jia Fu came closer, Qin Keqing hugged her in her arms and kissed her daughter's rosy and chubby face. She felt the sweetness and tenderness overflowing, and her heart was melted.

At this moment, Jia Fu's eyebrows and eyes were already delicate and bright, and her voice was clearly soft and sticky: "I do."

Qin Keqing nodded and chuckled, "Fuer, Daddy should be back soon."

His eldest daughter is now a county princess. After he is conferred the title of prince, according to the rules, she will also be a county princess.

The so-called legitimate daughter of a prince is a county princess, the concubine's daughter is a county princess, the legitimate daughter of a prince of a county is a county princess, the concubine's daughter is a village princess, and the rest of the daughters born to wives of imperial edicts are not included.

Qin Keqing thought about the title system that her daughter understood when she was first conferred the title, and her eyes were dazed for a moment.

She thought to herself that it would be great if she had a son, who could become the prince's son in the future.

A smile covered Youshi's gentle and lovely fair face, and she said with emotion: "It would be great if you could come back before the New Year. There are still two months left, and you can still catch up with the New Year."

Qin Keqing said softly, "There will probably be a lot of things to deal with later."

After all, having witnessed Jia Heng's battles along the way, he knew that even if good news came, there would still be some follow-up matters to deal with.

Everyone was talking in low voices, immersed in the joyous atmosphere, and at the same time, the news of Liaodong's great victory spread like wildfire over time, spreading to Xiaoxiang Pavilion and Hengwu Garden in the Grand View Garden.

In Xiaoxiang Pavilion, in the west window warm room under the porch, Daiyu was wearing a lush green long skirt and a jade hairpin tucked between her lush green hair. Her eyebrows were as beautiful as the smoky ones in the spring mountains, and there seemed to be a layer of vague resentment.

Opposite her, Baochai was holding an embroidery needle and embroidering non-stop. Her face, as white as a pear blossom, was full of concentration.

It was clearly a piece of clothing for a child.

Daiyu's bright eyes, which sparkled like stars, blinked gently under her dark eyebrows and said, "It's a little too early for Baojie to do this now."

Baochai's face, as white as a pear blossom, was extremely peaceful. She said softly, "It's better to be prepared in advance. After all, it's better to be prepared. Anyway, when you are at home, you have nothing to do."

Daiyu chuckled and didn't say anything else.

At this moment, a young maid from outside the corridor suddenly entered Xiaoxiang Pavilion and said softly, "Madam, there is news about the master outside."

Chai and Dai, who were playing chess, stopped what they were doing and looked at the maid.

"People say that Master has conquered the Jurchens in Liaodong and won a victory." The maid's voice was filled with inexplicable joy.

Daiyu and Baochai looked at each other with surprise on their faces when they heard this. They asked in astonishment, "Brother Heng won the fight?"

Baochai could not hide her joy in her tone, and said briskly, "From what I hear, we should have won the fight this time."

This should be the achievement of destroying a country, which is no less than the achievement of founding a country.

After he comes back, he should be conferred the title of a prince.

And she and Xi'er should be able to be promoted to concubines of the prince.

Thinking of this, Baochai's heart skipped a beat, and her face, which was as white as a pear blossom, seemed to be flushed with rouge.

(End of this chapter)