Chapter 1039 Duke Wei is in Henan (please ask for the moon)
Shenjing City, Ningguo Mansion
Qin Keqing looked at Sister You who had a look of sadness on her face not far away, and advised: "My husband asked you to go, but you won't go. It will be the same after you finish the ceremony when you come back."
Because Jia Heng left in such a hurry, he still did not complete the concubine ceremony with Third Sister You. From the wedding on May 15th to the departure, there was no time in the schedule.
"Yes." Second Sister You said with regret on her soft and beautiful face, "Third Sister has never been to Jiangnan, so I would like to accompany you for a walk. Sister-in-law Feng has gone there this time. Wait."
It’s the same thing when you take the time to finish the ceremony when you get to Jiangnan.”
Third Sister You looked at Qin Keqing and said softly: "I'm not worried about my sister being alone at home without taking care of her. The house is already empty now."
Jia Heng's trip to the south of the Yangtze River can be said to have emptied out the two mansions of Ning and Rong.
Youshi said, "I'll just keep an eye on it from here. You can follow me south."
In fact, she wanted to go there, but she didn't know why she should go south. Was it her late husband's anniversary?
Well, this...
Qin Keqing took Sister You San's bare hand and said with a smile on her face, "Okay, now who doesn't know that you are the title boss of Grandma You San? The title has been determined a long time ago. It doesn't matter if the ceremony is done earlier or later.
"
A dark look appeared on You Sanjie Yanye's face, and she said, "I guess you think it's boring to have someone in your arms."
Qin Keqing: "..."
So? What else do you want?
Third Sister You cast a pair of bright and beautiful eyes on Second Sister You's face, her gaze was like looking at a treasure.
"Third sister, what are you looking at me for?" Second sister You said in a shy tone as she felt a little uncomfortable being looked at.
Sanjie You said jokingly: "Why don't you wait until the uncle comes back this time? Second sister can come with me and let the uncle accept it."
She felt that this must be the case, so the uncle kept putting off the matter of taking concubines. Only her and her second sister could make the uncle interested.
In fact, since she had been obsessed with the uncle several times, she didn't care much about the concubine's wedding. Just as Sister Qin said, who in the house now knows that she is the concubine of Duke Wei?
You's jade face changed slightly, and her eyebrows couldn't help but raise. There was an angry look on her crystal jade face, and she said, "Third sister, what are you talking about?"
It is the wife's job to help organize a concubine, how can it be a big deal that a concubine can handle?
Second Sister You's gentle and quiet jade cheeks were already as red as the clouds. Maybe she was touched by something, so she said in annoyance: "Third Sister!"
"How can I say this is nonsense? The second sister is not young at all. It is supposed to have been a long time ago. We can't just wait and see." Third Sister You took the second sister You's arm and chuckled.
Said next.
The Zhang Hua family's marriage was canceled a long time ago, isn't it just waiting for Uncle Heng?
It's just that the second sister has a quiet and submissive temperament, and she has deep admiration in her heart, but it's hard for her to speak out.
Qin Keqing looked at the second sister You with soft eyes and said softly: "If the second sister doesn't dislike it, it would be good to be the third sister's companion. I agree with this."
The You sisters in front of me are from a humble background, but they have bright colors, so they are most suitable to be her helpers.
Hearing this, Second Sister You felt her body soften and a blush appeared on her face. She stamped her foot and said, "I won't talk to you anymore."
As he said this, he couldn't restrain his shyness and walked away.
After Second Sister You left, Qin Keqing gently stroked her bulging belly and said with emotion: "When my husband comes back, the child should be born."
Youshi looked at the beautiful lady with a sinister expression and said comfortingly: "You can take care of your baby with peace of mind. You don't have to think so much about anything else. He should be back by then."
Qin Keqing said "hmm" and nodded without saying anything else.
Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall
Jia Mu was lying on an Arhat bed covered with soft mattresses, sleeping with her eyes closed. The mandarin duck behind her was helping Jia Mu squeeze her shoulders.
"Why didn't you go to Jiangnan with Brother Heng this time?" Mother Jia said warmly.
Yuanyang smiled and said: "This is not to stay and serve the old lady."
"It's rare for you to be so filial." Mother Jia said with a prosperous smile on her face: "You and Brother Heng have been together for so long, and he didn't tell you when he was going to get married?"
Yuanyang's hand paused slightly, squeezed his shoulders, and said softly: "The uncle said it's okay for me to serve the old lady for two more years."
Jia Mu sighed and said, "I can't wait on you all the time."
This girl won her heart. Now that she thinks about it, she was a little hasty when she gave it to Brother Heng.
"Old lady, even if I marry the uncle, I will still come to serve the old lady." Yuanyang said softly.
Just as Jia Mu was about to speak, Lin Zhixiao's family said: "Old lady, Second Master Bao is here."
While I was talking, I saw a young man wearing a purple gold crown and bright red arrow sleeves, walking into the hall, with a face like a silver basin and eyes like bright stars.
Baoyu bowed and said, "My grandson has met our ancestors."
Jia Mu stood up, looked at Baoyu with kind eyes, and said with a smile: "Baoyu, you are back, let me take a look."
Baoyu sat close and said, "Why is it so quiet today, ancestors? I don't see Sister-in-law Feng and a few sisters?"
Although all the sisters went to the Grand View Garden, sometimes Jia Mu would organize Jin Chai to play in Rongqing Hall, and Baoyu, who had gone to school, could also see a group of Jin Chai.
This is one of the few beautiful colors in Baoyu's gloomy life, but it still has to be taken away by others.
What kind of persecution is this?
Jia Mu smiled and said, "It's not that your elder brother Heng went to Jiangnan. Your sister-in-law Feng, sister Lin, and sister Xue have all gone."
When Baoyu heard this, his face paused and he couldn't help but said: "What about Sister Yun, Second Sister, Sister Qin, and Fourth Sister."
"Baoyu, we all followed your brother Heng." Mother Jia said with a somewhat unnatural look on her face.
Baoyu: "..."
What does this mean? It’s all over? No one left? Last time I went to Jiangnan, the second sister and the fourth sister were still at home. Are they even gone now?
Baoyu's hands and feet were cold at the moment, and his eyes were dazed.
At this moment, a nun entered the hall and said, "My wife and my concubine are here."
Just as they were talking, Mrs. Wang, Aunt Xue and a nanny entered the room, bowed and said, "I've seen the old lady before."
Jia Mu looked at the nanny in a silk and satin dress in surprise and asked, "Who is this?"
"Old lady, this is the grandma of the Xia family. Come and talk to the old lady about Baoyu's marriage." Mrs. Wang smiled and introduced.
"I've seen the old lady." A prosperous smile appeared on the grandma's face, and then she looked at Baoyu as if she were seeing a treasure, and said with her tongue: "This is the brother who was born with jade in his mouth, and today I have met him."
He is a real person, he is truly a talented person with a majestic appearance.”
The smile on Jia Mu's face faded somewhat and she glanced at Mrs. Wang.
Baoyu's mother is really confused.
Earlier, when Xia Shouzhong came to propose marriage, Jia's mother looked down upon her. How could she, a high-ranking prince, marry the daughter of a merchant?
The mama smiled and said: "Old lady, our old lady was as happy as something when she heard about this brother in the house. She originally wanted to bring the girl to visit the old lady in person, but she knew that the high-ranking family in your house has
Afraid of being abrupt."
It can be said that the current Rongning and Ningfus have become the top five high-ranking families in the Han Dynasty after Jia Heng was granted the title of Duke of Wei, the daughter of the emperor and the daughter of the clan.
Jia Mu sat on the soft couch, looked at the nanny, smiled and said: "Our Baoyu is still young, so we are not in a hurry to make a decision on marriage."
After saying that, he turned to look at Aunt Xue who came with Mrs. Wang, and said: "Pan'er is not in the Wucheng Bingma Division and is older than Baoyu. If the girl from the Xia family is suitable, why not give it to Pan'er?"
.”
Aunt Xue: "???"
The smile on the mother's face was a little unnatural, but due to the fact that Jia Mu respected her status as the Duke's wife, she could only listen honestly.
Mrs. Wang's face turned blue and white for a while.
Because this is Mother Jia using Aunt Xue to slap Mrs. Wang in the face.
Jia Mu said warmly: "Sister Pan'er and brother Heng will become a family in the future. They are all relatives. Pan'er's family is also in business. Such a capable daughter-in-law who can run the house comes through the door. It's also a good idea."
It’s a good thing for a prosperous man.”
Mrs. Jia is an old woman, and she has figured out the Xia family's intention of clinging to her during this period. Since it is clinging, there is no need to cling to her precious jade.
Not only does Baoyu want to marry a princess, but the princess must at least be the daughter of Marquis Wu. Yun Yatou is the most suitable. Baoqin is also a good childbearer. If she is right, she can be an equal wife.
Isn’t this better than a merchant’s daughter?
Mrs. Wang calmed herself down, a smile appeared on her fair face, and said: "Old lady, Eunuch Xia in my palace..."
Jia Mu interrupted: "I have an idea in mind about Baoyu's marriage, so don't worry about it anymore."
After saying that, he looked at Baoyu aside and asked with a smile: "Baoyu, what do you think now?"
Baoyu was at a loss and said blankly: "I don't want to get engaged. I want to go to Jiangnan to find Sister Lin."
Jia Mu, Mrs. Wang, Aunt Xue: "..."
On the other hand, the Xia family's nanny's eyes flashed, as if her mind had been opened, and she planned to go back to the Xia family to discuss it.
Just when everyone in the Jia Mansion in Shenjing City had different thoughts, Henan, Kaifeng City, Kaifeng Mansion Yahoutang——
Jia Heng and Song Xuan, the prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture, sat down to drink tea. Not far away sat Princess Xianning dressed in a flying fish costume.
Since the beginning of summer, heavy rains have occurred in many places in Henan, which has greatly affected the harvesting and drying of summer grains. However, the heavy rains have poured into the Yellow River, but the Yellow River embankments are safe.
Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at Song Xuan and said softly: "During this period in the province, has the summer grain collection been going smoothly? How is the implementation of the new policy measures in various prefectures and counties?"
"Everything goes well with the summer grain collection. Although Henan is suffering from a serious drought this year and there are many different levels of harvest failure, the grain warehouses in various places are still well stocked and the people's expenses are still sufficient." Song Xuan said softly: "As for the clearing of land, because it was cleared last year.
It was implemented in Kaifeng Prefecture and Zhangde Prefecture, so there was no resistance, and because of the incident last year, many things were less constrained."
The young man in front of him has only been in a short period of two or three years since the civil turmoil in the Central Plains. He has already been out of control. He has been promoted from an ordinary military commander to a duke, and he has become a couple with his niece Xianning.
Jia Heng nodded and said thoughtfully: "In this way, the implementation of the New Deal in Henan will have fewer twists and turns than in Jiangnan."
At first, the civil unrest in the Central Plains bloodbathed the gentry in the provincial capital. When Jia Heng led his troops to suppress the rebellion, he suppressed the clans represented by Wei and Zheng sects. Later, he liquidated many evil gentry and powerful people who had done evil in the place.
After several iron fist strikes, the obstacles to reform were basically cleared.
True to that sentence, if the broom cannot reach it, the dust cannot be removed.
Song Xuan pondered and said: "Recently, several governments have been clearing out their land. Everything is mostly in an orderly manner, and there is some resistance, but it is not as big as in Jiangnan."
As time passed, the news that Jiangnan mobs killed officials had gradually spread throughout the Han bureaucracy through Di newspapers.
Jia Heng nodded and said: "I heard from Shi Hou's letter that since the trial implementation of the four new policies, all prefectures and counties have made steady progress and the situation is generally improving."
The overall situation of stability and improvement has not changed.
Song Xuan nodded and asked: "Has Shihou ever mentioned the dispute between Fufan and Fufan to Duke Wei?"
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said: "Marquis Shi has not mentioned this to me yet. Where did the dispute between these two companies begin?"
Song Xuan pondered and said: "Not long ago, there was a severe drought in Nanyang Prefecture, and the people in the counties under the jurisdiction of the prefecture were in need of help. Shi Hou proposed to transfer grain from Taicang, Luoyang for relief, and the chief envoy Peng Ye proposed to reserve it and deliver it to the court, that is, to all prefectures and counties.
Allocate some sweet potatoes to Nanyang Prefecture to provide relief to the victims."
Jia Heng frowned and said, "Nanyang Prefecture didn't plant sweet potatoes last year?"
Song Xuan pondered and said: "Although sweet potatoes were good before, Nanyang Prefecture did not promote them. The original prefect of Nanyang Prefecture thought that sweet potatoes would be difficult to survive and was worried about it, so it delayed a lot."
Jia Heng said: "Where are the people from Nanyang Prefecture now?"
The Nanyang Basin is an important grain-producing area. If a large area is converted to sweet potato cultivation, it will be difficult for some officials to accept it.
Song Xuan said: "Marquis Shi has replaced him. Master Peng said that he would send a counselor from the Chief Secretary's Yamen to take charge of relief matters."
Jia Heng's eyes flashed and he said: "Then the Nanyang magistrate belongs to Peng Ye."
Song Xuan nodded and said: "The magistrate of Nanyang was originally a fellow magistrate of Wei Hui Mansion and a fellow villager of Peng Ye. With his recommendation, he went to Nanyang Mansion to take up the post."
Since Peng Ye became the chief envoy, because of his status as a civil servant, he quickly gathered around him a group of civil servants with imperial examination qualifications to compete with the governor Shi Ding.
Due to his status as Marquis of Wu, Shi Ding was a provincial official in the local area, but he was mostly restricted by Peng Ye in local civil affairs. In other words, Chen Han's system design was originally under the control of the governor and the vassal.
Worried that Jia Heng felt that he was not capable enough, Shi Ding did not mention this matter in his letter.
Jia Heng said: "The summer grain harvest in Nanyang was poor due to drought. Why didn't Henan report to Beijing?"
Song Xuan explained: "Last year's sweet potato harvest was bumper, and Beijing issued an edict to commend it. Officials in Henan Province were lucky enough to get it, and they also asked the northern provinces to plant sweet potatoes. Kaifeng Prefecture sent several county magistrates to Hebei to promote planting."
Jia Heng thought about it for a moment, and in a moment, he understood the reason.
Again, I didn't want to report it to the authorities and be blamed, and the Nanyang magistrate was probably Peng Ye's man, so the two of them reached a tacit agreement on this matter, not to report the bad news to the authorities.
In fact, this is also the standard operating procedure for local officials. When encountering an incident, they immediately "cover the lid". If they had won a lottery not long ago, they would have to cover up their face and pretend to be fat.
Jia Heng said: "Is the disaster situation in Nanyang more severe? Are some victims starving to death?"
"The disaster situation should be controllable. The governor's office has already planned to waive Nanyang's annual tax this year, and all prefectures and counties are actively dispatching food supplies to provide relief," Song Xuan said.
Hearing the word "controllable", Jia Heng's eyes narrowed and he said in a deep voice: "In the past few days, I will first take a look at Kaifeng Mansion, and then go to Nanyang Mansion. In the local area, it is better not to deceive the superiors and conceal the truth, otherwise it will be painful.
They are all common people."
Song Xuan nodded and said: "Last time, I vaguely mentioned this to Marquis Shi, but he didn't take it seriously."
Jia Heng said: "This matter is indeed difficult to handle. I will write a secret statement to express my love to the Holy One later."
He truly understands the difficulties faced by the leader of a faction. Sometimes members of the same faction make mistakes. Do you protect him or not?
Everyone makes mistakes. Some mistakes are caused by doing bad things with good intentions. Some mistakes are caused by human nature. If everything is true, even the emperor will become a loner.
For example, what Shi Ding did was a bit stupid. If it was him, he would report it to the superiors and pull Peng Ye down. Of course, the cost would be that he would also be disgraced in the capital.
But now I have chosen to make a tacit agreement with Peng Ye not to report to the capital. Firstly, I feel that I can suppress it, and secondly, I want to report good news but not bad news.
Because bureaucrats are only responsible for the source of power, they may suffer consequences after reporting concerns.
In fact, it is a bad sign, and Shi Ding needs to be reminded.
It is still the most enjoyable to be a lonely minister, but the core essence of humanity is to gather people. If you don't form cliques, you won't get far.
Seeing that the young man was lost in thought, Song Xuan called out softly: "Ziyu, Ziyu?"
Jia Heng regained his composure and said, "I'll go see Shi Hou later."
Princess Xianning's eyebrows were curved, her eyes were filled with a smile, and she said in a clear voice: "Uncle, sir, it's already noon now, it's time for dinner."
Song Xuan smiled and said, "Let's have lunch first."
Song Xuan's wife Yue Shi also came out with a smile. Hua Xin, a young woman in her twenties, dressed brightly and charmingly, greeted: "Xianning, sit here."
Everyone sat down around a table and ate their food.
Yue asked with concern: "Xianning, how is your mother doing in Beijing these days?"
Princess Xianning said softly: "Go back to aunt, everything is fine."
"I heard that Yan'er is back this time?" Yue said with a gentle smile on her face.
Princess Xianning chuckled and said, "They should arrive the day after tomorrow. The boat they take must be slower."
"Yan'er is not young anymore. Has she married anyone? I told her to arrange a marriage for her." Mrs. Yue suddenly smiled and said.
Princess Xianning said softly: "Sister Yan'er is still young, and my third aunt also has some ideas."
As he said that, he glanced at the boy in python suit who was talking to Song Xuan.
But he said, Henan Governor Yamen
The sound of "da da" sounded at the end of the street. Several fast horses stopped in front of the governor's office. A middle-aged official in a bullfighting uniform got out of the saddle and handed the reins to the subordinates. At this time, a
The clerk came forward and said, "Master Futai, Duke Wei has arrived at Kaifeng Mansion and went to the Kaifeng Mansion Office to meet Master Song."
Shi Ding nodded, stepped over the threshold with a pair of black Chaoyun official boots, and said: "I will change my clothes and go to Song Mansion later."
Entering the hall, Shi Ding's wife Zhou quickly greeted her with a smile and said: "Master, you are back."
Shi Ding nodded and said: "Let the servants prepare hot water. Brother Heng is here from the capital. I will go over and have a look after I take a shower and change clothes."
While ordering her servants to prepare hot water and clothes, Mrs. Zhou said, "Brother Heng is so great now that he has been named the Duke of the country."
Shi Ding said: "Yes, in just a few years, I was originally a commoner and became a prince, and even married a princess and a princess."
"What an unenviable blessing." Mrs. Zhou smiled and said, "Brother Xin told me last month that he can be trusted by His Highness the King of Wei in the Five Cities Military and Horse Division."
The fact that the King of Wei was unable to open a breakthrough with Jia Heng did not mean that he could not use the historian's efforts. However, Shi Xin was in command of the Five Cities Military and Horse Division and had been in contact with the King of Wei for a long time, so it was inevitable that he would be compromised by the King of Wei's magnanimity.
And Jia Heng has never communicated internally with the four major families and maintained relations with the King of Wei.
Shi Ding's eyes narrowed and he said, "His Royal Highness, King Wei?"
Zhou said: "The mother-in-law of Princess Xianning that Brother Heng is marrying now is the aunt of King Wei. The two families are much closer."
Shi Ding said: "I know about this. I will make plans after I see Ziyu later."
There is one more thing I need to ask Ziyu. Peng Ye has repeatedly opposed him in Henan. Now that Yang Guochang has long since resigned, can Peng Ye find a way to kick him out of Henan?
Mrs. Zhou said: "I heard a letter from my sister-in-law the other day, saying that my brother has left the Military Aircraft Department to serve as admiral in Shandong, and the family has gone to Shandong."
"I read in the newspaper about this that my brother went to Shandong," Shi Ding said.
Mrs. Zhou smiled and said: "You said Brother Heng, I thought he was cold-hearted. He didn't seem to be in trouble with the Wang family at the beginning. I don't want him to treat the Wang family and us now that he has been favored by the Holy Family.
Everyone is lending a helping hand.”
Shi Ding twirled his beard under his chin and said, "After all, we are relatives whose bones are connected to their tendons."
"Sir, I'll say yes." Mrs. Zhou smiled and said: "Sir, I'm thinking that Girl Yun won't be too young in two years. You said Brother Heng said that Girl Yun should stay in the garden of Ningguo Mansion.
Yes or no?"
Shi Ding frowned, not understanding what he meant for the moment.
Mrs. Zhou said: "I'm wondering if I can marry Girl Yun to Brother Heng when she's older."
Shi Ding said: "Ziyu already has a wife, and she is a third-line wife. How can Yun girl be a concubine?"
If my brother's orphaned daughter becomes a concubine, I'm afraid his spine will be broken, but if... Brother Heng really becomes a county king one day, the concubine is still okay.
At that time, it made sense for the daughter of the Shi family to be a concubine.
But we don’t know yet whether we can be granted the title of county king, let’s wait and see.
"Besides, my aunt's intention seems to be to leave Xiangyun to Baoyu," Shi Ding said.
Zhou said: "Everyone says Baoyu is born with miraculous powers. Did I know that his jade was broken in Beijing?"
Shi Ding frowned and said, "I don't know about that."
Mrs. Zhou smiled and said, "I'm afraid that those things that were taken away when the grass fell and were born with jade in their mouths are just fooling the old lady."
It can be said that as Shi Ding was a peer of Jia Zheng, Zhou was naturally towards Mrs. Wang, and these women loved gossiping behind her back.
Shi Ding's face paused, a look of thought appeared on his face, and Zhou vividly described some of the explanations he had obtained.
"Master, the hot water is ready." A nanny came in and said.
Shi Ding said: "Okay, let's not talk about these unattractive things. I will go to see Ziyu later."
"Then I will help you bathe and change clothes." Zhou said with a smile.
Shi Ding: "..."
He waved his hand, ignored Zhou, and went straight to the side room. Shi Ding finished taking a bath, and without saying much, he led several retinues to the Song Mansion.
At this moment, Jia Heng was chatting with Song Xuan about the current national policies, mainly discussing the four new policies.
Song Xuan asked: "Zi Yu, the New Deal's four measures of stalling people into acres and one whip method can indeed reduce the hands of cunning and cunning officials. These days, I and several staff have calculated that the fire consumption alone can be enough for every year."
The imperial court levied 30% more taxes."
Jia Heng smiled and said: "If the land is cleared, it won't be 30%. It can be doubled. Plus, if the land is divided into acres, the money and food in the treasury will increase immeasurably."
A simple whip method actually has limited effect, but if combined with strategies such as clearing land and dividing land into acres, it is almost equivalent to a nuclear weapon.
At this moment, an outside servant stood outside the hall and said softly: "Master, Shi Hou handed over the greeting card outside the mansion."
