The Red Mansions

Chapter 650 Jia Heng: Willing to drive a chariot and a horse for the sage

Chapter 650 Jia Heng: Willing to drive a chariot and a horse for the sage, wear a strong and sharp...

Daming Palace, Hanyuan Hall, Study Room in Side Hall

It was evening, the sun was setting, and the golden-red rays shone across the entire space in the hall, reflecting the thin figure of the middle-aged emperor on the bookshelves and cabinets.

Emperor Chongping closed the memorial in his hand, looked at Dai Quan, and asked, "Where is Uncle Yongning?"

Dai Quan said: "Your Majesty, the Tang Qi sent by Uncle Yongning the day before yesterday said that the forward of the army had arrived in Weinan and had rested for a long time in Weinan. People go to the Ministry of War to ask."

"You don't need to ask, it's probably coming soon." Emperor Chongping saw joy on his solemn face, and said, "Place the Kunning Palace."

Dai Quan replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

In the Kunning Palace, the hall is open and elegant, with the fragrance of flowers coming from time to time. By the side of the yellow curtains hanging from the vermilion beams and pillars, there are groups of beautiful female officials with exquisite patterns and beautiful faces, standing with their hands down.

The two sisters, Empress Song and Concubine Duanrong, sat side by side on the Xiangba bed, talking arm in arm.

The Song sisters wore red phoenix palace gowns and water-green long skirts with green sleeves. They all had high hair on the temples, with moth buns like clouds, and gold hairpins were pinned up between the temples. Greasy and plump, appearing more plump and gorgeous, while the concubine with a dignified appearance has a cloudy temples, and her temperament is as quiet as orchid.

Surrounded by a group of emeralds and palace maids with emerald buns and bejeweled jewels, the Eighth Prince Chen Ze and Liang Wang Chen Wei sat not far away.

On the embroidered pier at the bottom, a girl in a green dress and a red dress is also sitting arm in arm. They are the cousins ​​of Princess Xianning and Princess Qinghe Li Chanyue.

Empress Song looked at Princess Xianning, smiled lightly and said, "Xianning, what did your sisters do in Luoyang and Kaifeng those days?"

Princess Xianning said in a clear voice: "After reporting to my mother, because Mr. rushes to repair the embankment, there has been heavy rain on the Henan side. I have been very busy before and after, and I haven't gone to any place to play."

Mainly because I was playing around with my husband, and I didn't go to other places much.

Concubine Duanrong glanced at her slim and beautiful daughter, and caught a glimpse of Princess Xianning's mature charm between the brows and eyes of Princess Xianning. Concubine Rong frowned with her curved and slender eyebrows, and doubts arose in her heart.

After Princess Xianning returned to Beijing, Imperial Concubine Duanrong immediately asked a few nuns to observe Princess Xianning's movements and behavior, and felt relieved when she saw that she was still a virgin.

However, as the past few days passed, I found that when my daughter spoke from time to time, the expression on the brows and the corners of the eyes showed a charming charm, and there was something gorgeous and charming like a newly married woman.

Concubine Duanrong was completely puzzled, so secretly looking at the changes in her daughter's speech and behavior has become a subconscious habit of this beauty under suspicion.

"Is it just because Zhi'er has grown up that...?" Concubine Duanrong thought to herself with a look of absent-mindedness on her snow-like hibiscus jade face.

It is not impossible. It is also reasonable for women to change their eighteenth year and become more feminine.

Li Chanyue's brows and eyes were covered with misty rain, and she said softly: "Auntie, it has been raining in Henan. Over there, my cousin and I went to Mrs. Korea’s house as guests, and we didn’t go anywhere else.”

Empress Song nodded her head, smiled and said: "Chanyue, the court has been troubled for the past few months, and this time it finally went smoothly. My aunt is relieved when your sisters come back from Shenjing."

Liang Wang Chen Wei looked at Li Chanyue with a smile, and said, "Sister Chanyue, wait a few days, and I will take you hunting."

Li Chanyue pursed her pink lips, and said softly: "Thank you, Brother Liang, I just came back, and I want to rest for a few more days."

Princess Xianning glanced at Liang Wang and Chen Wei, and said, "Sixth brother, Chanyue has been feeling unwell for the past two days, and my aunt has invited the imperial physician, so she needs to take good care of her."

When Empress Song heard the words, her eyes were as soft as water, she looked at Li Chanyue with concern, and asked, "Oh, why is Chanyue sick?"

"Auntie, it's really nothing serious. Xu just came back and was exhausted, so he was a little restless." Li Chanyue's bright eyes fluctuated, and she said softly.

In fact, these days, for some reason, I always have some messy dreams at night, dreaming that Mr. Jia and his mother are upside down on the bed, and the person who is enjoying themselves under Mr. Jia, for some reason, Suddenly it became her, and Mr. Jia's eloquent tongue...

Um?How can you think about these things at this moment?

"Then Chanyue is good to have a rest. I know you like to read, so you should go to bed later, but don't go to bed too late at night." Empress Song showed maternal care on her beautiful face, and said with a smile: "You girls Home, you still have to pay more attention to your body."

While several people were discussing, the soft and sharp voice of the inner eunuch came from outside the hall: "Your Majesty is here."

The few people who were talking in the hall stopped talking and laughing, stood up one after another, and saluted the middle-aged emperor who stepped in.

Emperor Chongping stepped into the hall, looked at the people in the hall, smiled and said, "Zitong, Concubine Rong, Xianning, Chanyue... all are welcome."

"Isn't Your Majesty reviewing memorials in the Hanyuan Palace? Why do you have time to come to my concubine?" Under the beautiful eyebrows of the Empress Song, her beautiful eyes shone brightly. The snowy beauty with icy skin and jade skin had a charming smile like a peach pistil. , stepped forward and pulled Emperor Chongping's arm, and asked.

"Thinking that Ziyu will be here soon, I can't make up my mind for a while." Emperor Chongping said while taking his seat.

Princess Xianning and Li Chanyue looked at each other, their clear eyes were dewy, and they looked at Emperor Chongping quietly.

"Your Majesty, where is Ziyu?" Queen Song smiled and said softly.

Emperor Chongping said briskly: "The day before yesterday was in Weinan, now it should be..."

While he was talking, he saw an inner eunuch enter the hall, saluted, and said, "Your Majesty, Yongningbo sent scouts to say that the triumphant army is already thirty li away from the city."

As soon as this remark came out, it was as if a spring breeze with the fragrance of flowers blew through the entire Kunning Palace, wrinkling a pool of spring water, and Zhangtai willows lingered with the wind, feeling drunk.

Li Chanyue, with willow eyebrows and starry eyes, had an imperceptible surprise on her pretty face.

Mr. Jia is back?

Emperor Chongping smiled, and quickly looked at Dai Quan and said, "Dai Quan, go and deliver the decree to let Yongningbo set up camp. I will meet you at the Zhangcheng Gate of Shenjing City early tomorrow morning."

"Slave obeys the decree." Dai Quan responded with a smile, bowed respectfully, left Kunning Palace, and passed the decree.

At this moment, to the northeast of Shenjing City, thirty miles away——

It was almost midsummer, and the heat was soaring. The wormwood was deep and green everywhere on the bank of the official road. After the abundant rain in Guanzhong in June, the grass was already luxuriant and the grass was green.

Jia Heng sat on a maroon horse, set up a pergola, looked at the faint silhouette of Chang'an City in the afterglow of the setting sun in the west, turned to Xie Zaiyi, who was temporarily serving as the general of the army, and said: "Let the army set up camp, and we can go tomorrow Set off."

In fact, at this moment, the cavalry can return to the regimental camp outside Shenjing City first, but at this time the army is approaching Shenjing City, and every step needs to be reported to the court.

Xie Zaiyi responded with clasped fists and pulled on his horse to deliver the order.

At this moment, a bodyguard in brocade clothes from a distance whipped his horse and came quickly, reined in the reins and said with fists in his hands: "Captain, the angel from Beijing is here."

Hearing this, Jia Heng was stunned for a moment, looked up and saw Dai Quan, surrounded by dozens of inner guards, approaching, reined in his hand, and said: "Uncle Yongning, the Holy One has spoken."

Hearing this, Jia Heng quickly got off his horse, bowed and said: "Minister, Jia Heng accepts the order."

"The sage ordered that Uncle Yongning lead the Beijing army to camp where they are, and go to Shenjing tomorrow, and the sage will go out of the city gate to meet him at that time." Dai Quan said with a smile.

Hearing this, Jia Heng's heart shook violently, and when he raised his head, panic appeared on his face in due course, and he asked, "Eunuch Dai, how did this happen?"

The emperor went out to meet him in person. One bad thing was to plant mines for himself, especially if there was any taboo that holy orders were not as easy to use as military orders.

Well, you can call the generals in advance now to avoid them, especially the etiquette tomorrow, you must pay special attention.

"Uncle Yongning, this is His Majesty's intention, and our family can only abide by it."

Dai Quan smiled and said, looking at the young man opposite with his slender eyes, he thought to himself, the young man in front of him was just a branch of the Ningguo Mansion, but now the time has passed, and he has become the powerful Yongning Bo, who is the most powerful minister in the world .

And he can be said to have completely witnessed how the young man in white clothes became a public servant.

Hearing this, Jia Heng's face became serious, and he saluted towards the Daming Palace, saying: "The emperor's kindness is so great, and my ministers are terrified."

"Uncle Yongning, we don't need to delay any longer, we have to go back and return to His Majesty." Dai Quan laughed, turned his horse's head, and said.

Jia Heng cupped his hands and said, "Eunuch Dai, walk slowly."

After watching Dai Quan and a large number of inner guards go back, he looked far away and sighed softly in his heart.

Although it is not yet to the point of being roasted on fire, Emperor Chongping is so solemn, there are really signs of something different.

Perhaps this time, he should not only be facing him, but also the generals who are fighting abroad. After all, the Beijing camp has been away from Beijing for too long, and it is so capable of fighting when it quelled the chaos in the Central Plains. It is impossible for the emperor not to do something. Attitude wins over.

For now, he can only act with caution.

The jade rabbit falls in the west, and the golden crow rises in the east.

On the next day, the cavalry of the Jingying army led by Jia Heng came in front of the cavalry and the infantry behind, like forest flags and flags, hunting and hunting, the army came towards the city of Shenjing in a mighty way.

Shenjing City, Zhangcheng Gate

A yellow umbrella canopy on the city wall is supported by the guards with big arms and round waists in Jinyi Mansion, and there are even inner eunuchs fanning against each other around. Line up on both sides of the city wall and guard the surroundings.

Today is the day when the rulers and ministers of the Han Dynasty welcome Jia Heng to lead the Beijing army to triumphantly.

Emperor Chongping was dressed in imperial crown clothes, and his figure was tall and hidden. Compared with the past, this middle-aged emperor had a much rosier complexion, and his eyes were filled with inexplicable excitement. The smoke and dust from the left and right sides are the cabinet scholars Yang Guochang, Han Huang, and important members of the Military Aircraft Department.

The cabinet ministers, the governors of the five prefectures, the ministers of the six ministers, the general secretary, the Dali Temple, the Metropolitan Procuratorate, etc., and Zhan Shikedao were waiting in line below the city wall, and all civil and military officials were eagerly waiting.

"Your Majesty, here we come, here we come." At this time, the young eunuch who was standing not far away and watching, because of his good eyesight, saw the army at a glance, and said.

Emperor Chongping also saw the army of the Beijing camp winding like a dragon, his expression fluttered, he looked around at the ministers in Zhou Fang, and said: "My dears, follow me down to meet the army of the Beijing camp."

As he spoke, he led the civil and military officials down the city gate tower.

Jia Heng led the Jingying cavalry army gradually approaching Chang'an City. From a distance, he saw the Chongping Emperor who was surrounded by civil and military officials, like stars arching the moon. He quickly took the reins of the horse in his hand, turned over and got off Malay.

"All the soldiers dismount and pay homage to the Holy Majesty."

After Jia Heng dismounted, all the generals of the Beijing camp behind him, such as Pang Shili, Xiao Lin, Shao Chao, etc., also dismounted one after another. This clean and uniform scene was quite shocking at this moment.

"My minister, Jia Heng has met the Holy One, long live the Holy One, long live the Holy One."

Following Jia Heng's salutation, the generals behind him also bowed to salute. Suddenly, the sound of Shan shouting long live was deafening and stirred up the sky.

Then, as the salute sounded on both sides of the city wall, a lively and noisy atmosphere enveloped the entire city of Shenjing.

Emperor Chongping watched the generals of the Beijing camp and thousands of cavalry who got off their horses and saluted, and felt a surge of excitement rising from the bottom of his heart.

These are his Beijing camp soldiers, saluting to him.

Not only Emperor Chongping, but also the civil servants who were present saw the scene where the generals saluted the emperor in unison, and most of them changed slightly.

Such a victorious tiger and ben army returned to the court, and the momentum of Wu Xun rose greatly.

King Chu, King Qi, and King Wei are also leading their retainers at this moment, standing in the ranks of officials, looking at the generals of the Beijing camp behind Jia Heng, their eyes are mostly hot.

This is the elite generals and schools of the Han Dynasty, who are powerful in the Central Plains, and the Beijing camp army that fights against floods and prepares for floods. If there is such a large army to support them, the ninth and fifth positions will be within easy reach.

As for the careerist who was watching secretly, seeing this scene, his heart was already covered with a thick haze.

"All generals and men, Uncle Yongning, come forward and talk to me." Emperor Chongping said loudly, the sound was like a bell, spreading far away.

All the generals thanked one after another: "I will thank you, Your Majesty."

Jia Heng's expression was solemn, and he quickly approached, looked at Emperor Chongping in the eyes of all the people, and said: "My lord, I led the Beijing camp to the Central Plains, fortunately I did not disgrace my mission, and brought back all the soldiers and horses of the Beijing camp. "

Emperor Chongping looked at the Beijing camp army that could not be seen in the distance. He saw a forest of swords and guns, and the army was in good order. He nodded and said, "This is my big man's victorious teacher."

Jia Heng was speechless for a moment, quietly listening to the emotion expressed by the middle-aged emperor opposite.

Emperor Chongping looked at the tall, tall young man with sword eyebrows and bright eyes, his gaze was gradually so warm that the father-in-law looked at his son-in-law, and said with a smile: "Ziyu, I'm a little thinner than before I left, but much stronger."

Since the fall of Kaifeng and the great chaos in the Central Plains, the young man in front of him led the army out of Beijing to fight the chaos, and a few months have passed in a flash. Looking at the young man opposite, his appearance has obviously faded, but his expression is becoming more and more heroic.

Jia Heng said: "I feel that your majesty has lost a lot of weight because of working hard on state affairs. Your majesty still wants to take care of the dragon's body."

At this time, Yang Guochang and other civil servants all looked at the pair of monarchs and ministers who were talking with complicated expressions. The kindness and plainness of the words made people almost jealous.

Emperor Chongping smiled and said: "I have prepared a banquet in the palace to clean up the dust for Ziyu and other meritorious generals. Ziyu will follow me into the city."

As he spoke, he was about to pull Jia Heng's arm.

Jia Heng's heart moved slightly, and he quickly cupped his hands and said, "My lord, I dare not."

Emperor Chongping smiled and said: "It's okay, today is the day of triumph, there is no need to be so polite, you will enter the palace with me."

Between their husband and son-in-law, there is no need to talk about the usual rituals of monarchs and ministers.

"Your Majesty, the imperial chariot is ready." At this moment, an inner eunuch said with a smile.

Jia Heng was originally thinking about the words of resignation, but at this moment, his heart moved, before Emperor Chongping could continue to graciously say something to "pit" him, he stared at the carriage pulled by six horses, and said: "My lord, please get on the chariot. , I would like to drive for the Holy Majesty to the palace gate."

Emperor Chongping was startled when he heard the words.

All the ministers who were waiting in the four directions all had strange expressions, and looked at the young man in the python suit, thinking that they were flattering ministers.

Emperor Chongping's heart was shaken, he looked at the young man with complicated eyes, and said, "Zi Yu just returned to Beijing as a teacher, how can he do this?"

Jia Heng said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, I have been promoted by His Majesty's wisdom, so that I can do my best to make contributions and achievements. I am willing to drive a chariot and a horse for my Majesty, and wear strong and sharp."

It can be said that when he came back triumphantly and his military achievements were in full swing, he offered to drive for the emperor, and no military commander's domineering words could stand. If he could always be so modest and prudent, he would have already booked three dynasties' veterans and important ministers.

Hearing the words, Emperor Chongping once again fixed his gaze on the young man, caught a trace of "admiration" in the depths of the young man's eyes, was slightly startled, and then smiled slightly: "Okay, okay, it's rare for Ziyu to have such Heart."

What does it mean to be utterly loyal and to be regarded as a father?That's it.

However, as the folk saying goes, after the son-in-law is half a son-in-law, after the young man in front of him marries Xianning, he still wants to call himself father emperor after all.

Since he is his own son-in-law, what's wrong with ordering him around?

With this in mind, he didn't hesitate, smiled and said, "Then I will take the chariot driven by Cheng Ziyu."

At this time, Emperor Chongping, supported by Xiang Daiquan and other internal eunuchs in Daming Palace, got into a carriage, and under the retinue of Jinyi Fuwei, he drove along Zhuque Street towards the palace gate.

The civil and military officials of the Han Dynasty who lined up to watch the ceremony were all shocked and inexplicably watching this scene.

A coach leading a victorious army drives the emperor's chariot. He is so respectful in the matter, and his loyalty can be shown to the sun and the moon, which makes people speechless.

Modesty and prudence, neither arrogance nor impetuosity, almost has the style of ancient great sages.

Yang Guochang looked at the young man in python suit who had already pulled up the reins and was sitting on the shaft of the chariot, with gray and white brows, his old eyes were somewhat gloomy.

For some reason, four words suddenly appeared in my heart, treacherous like loyalty!

King Qi and King Chu were also dumbfounded, feeling a little strange in their hearts.

This is too...

And as Jia Heng drove the chariot, slowly pulling Emperor Chongping, and there was actually another royal hand beside him, the chariot slowly drove towards the palace.

"Ziyu, it's been hard work going out of Beijing this time." Emperor Chongping looked at the boy in python suit with gentle eyes, pulled up the curtain of the car with one hand, and said with a smile.

Jia Heng said: "Serve the sage, run for the country, and dare not speak bitterly."

Emperor Chongping nodded, and said: "This time the Nanhe River is fighting against the flood, and the river is being rectified very well. I originally wanted to let your teacher come back earlier, but the mess left by Gao Bin has to be cleaned up. But it's not as suitable as you, but luckily Nanhe didn't make any big troubles."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, and said: "In the Jianghuai area, there are still a few places affected by the disaster, but the loss is not large, and it will not affect the overall situation."

Just like that, amidst the cheers of the people on both sides of the street, Jia Heng drove his chariot, under the retinue of the guards of Jinyi Mansion and the inner guards, to the gate of the palace.

(End of this chapter)