Jia Heng put away his thoughts and turned to look at Princess Xianning, only to see the girl's bright eyes looking at him unwaveringly.
Jia Heng's sudden glance back and their eyes met, undoubtedly startled Princess Xianning. Her eyes were like a frightened deer, and she immediately dodged away, and then her eyes fell on the sachet on Jia Heng's waist.
Clusters of bright red blush appeared on the ice-skinned and jade-bone face, extending all the way to the earring holes of the earlobes.
I was so ashamed that I just looked at my husband, who was stunned for a moment... He was discovered.
"Your Highness, didn't you say you wanted to go to the Korean dowager's house earlier?" Jia Heng asked, breaking the silence.
There was a look of surprise on the girl's beautiful face, and her voice trembled imperceptibly as she asked, "Well, sir... aren't we the Wei and Zheng dynasties?"
Now that the Wei and Zheng dynasties have been successfully intimidated, it seems that there is no need to go to the Korean dowager's house anymore.
Jia Heng turned his head and glanced at the beams and columns under the eaves, the brick wall with green eaves and wisteria, and towards a pear tree in the southwest corner of the backyard. It was early March, the spring was bright, the grass was long and warblers were flying, and the branches were
I have already seen a few tiny stamens as white as feathers. Under the sunset, they seem to be covered with a layer of vermilion gauze. People can't help but want to pick them up, smell the fragrance, and dispel these thoughts, saying:
"Your Highness is the eldest daughter of the royal family. When you come to Luoyang this time, it would be disrespectful not to visit the Queen Mother's sister-in-law."
The Queen Mother's younger brother died young and was given posthumously to the Duke of Korea after Emperor Chongping succeeded to the throne, while his wife was granted the title of Dowager Lady of Korea. Speaking of which, Princess Xianning still calls her maternal uncle.
Princess Xianning listened to Jia Heng's words, her eyebrows curved, and she said happily: "Sir, what he said is that he should go see the madam. I just thought that he is busy with military affairs and may not be able to deal with military affairs at night."
"We are not busy at this moment. I will go there with His Highness later. I sent someone to send a greeting invitation earlier and informed you in advance." Jia Heng said with a chuckle.
Princess Xianning was startled for a moment, and then she realized what she was doing. Her face was filled with joy, and she curiously asked, "When did you send me the greeting invitation, sir?"
"In the afternoon, when Mengfu Yin sent the books and counted the grain, he sent Jinyi to take Her Royal Highness the Princess to visit the Korean Dowager in the evening." Jia Heng explained, smiling to himself and said: "I can't say that the Korean prince
Dinner has been prepared and waiting for us to come over."
Princess Xianning responded with a "hmm", and suddenly ripples appeared in the girl's heart. With her? Us?
Jia Heng turned to look at Princess Xianning and said with a smile: "I'm just worried that the Korean lady won't come because she thinks I'm a kind person. It just so happened that Your Highness went to give me a nice word."
"Sir, you are joking." Princess Xianning said softly, suppressing the thoughts in her heart, and said: "Sir, in order to recover the arrears of grain taxes from the Zheng and Wei vassals for military supplies, the Korean Dowager understands the truth and even mentioned this matter in a letter to the Queen Mother.
I must be full of praise for you sir, and no matter how the Wei and Zheng dynasties defend themselves, my father will not believe them."
At this moment, Liu Jixian, a member of the Qianhu Family in Jinyi, cupped his hands and clasped his fists at the Moon Gate in the distance and said: "Sir, the Korean government has sent a steward. Please come over with Your Highness the Princess."
"I'm here to call you." Jia Heng chuckled and said, "But it's mostly because of His Highness. By the way, I'm going to be a guest at Mrs. Korea's house. Why don't Your Highness change your clothes?"
Princess Xianning blinked her bright eyes and said, "Sir, please wait for me. I'll be fine in a moment."
She also wanted to change her clothes.
"Go ahead, I'll be waiting for His Highness in the Flower Hall, and we'll go through the back door of the government office later." Jia Heng nodded and then ordered Liu Jixian to prepare the carriage.
After a while, Princess Xianning changed into a bamboo-green and light-white dress. Accompanied by Xia Houying, she came down to the flower hall and asked, "Sir, I've been waiting for a long time."
Jia Heng looked at the tall and beautiful girl and said with a smile: "Your Highness, the carriage is at the back door. Let's go."
Princess Xianning followed Jia Heng along the corridor towards the back door. Suddenly she remembered something, frowned and asked: "Sir, are we going to go there empty-handed like this?"
"I prepared some gifts earlier."
"Well, sir, you are very considerate." Princess Xianning was stunned for a moment and said softly.
I can’t really explain how I feel, but I always feel like I’m with my husband. Although he’s a year or two younger than me, he’s well prepared for everything, whether it’s military matters or other things, and he doesn’t have the impetuousness of his age at all.
No wonder my aunt...
Well, what do you think of your aunt at this time?
Auntie, she and her husband have nothing.
Princess Xianning solemnly told herself in her heart, trying to get rid of the lingering smell in the attic last winter.
While the two were talking, they arrived at the back hall of the Yamen. There was already a beautifully decorated carriage waiting aside, followed by several cars carrying prepared gifts.
"Sir, let's get in the car together so we can take a break on the way." Princess Xianning looked at the young man aside and said softly.
Jia Heng met the glimmer of hope in the girl's crystal eyes, seemed to think about it for a moment, nodded and said, "That's fine."
As the carriage turned and rolled over two ruts about three fingers wide on the bluestone road, accompanied by Xia Houying, Liu Jixian and other retinues of a large number of royal guards, Jia Heng and Princess Xianning headed to the Korean palace.
In the carriage compartment, Jia Heng and Princess Xianning sat opposite each other, their faces like mysterious mirrors, calm and waveless, and a scent like orchid and musk floated between their noses.
"Sir, if the chaos in Henan is calmed down, how will we deal with it in the future?" Princess Xianning raised her eyes and looked at the upright young man in python suit opposite.
Jia Heng said: "Suppress and suppress the common people's rebellion. After regaining Kaifeng, I will report to the court. I will conduct a general inspection of the household income and food in Henan prefectures and counties, and then review the exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes over the years, identify the grievances at the local level, and rectify them."
Officials must govern, build water conservancy projects, and cultivate land on a large scale. Otherwise, the people will lose their support, thieves and bandits will be like leeches, and chaos will arise one after another."
Princess Xianning had thoughts in her eyes and said: "Sir, the water that capsized the boat just now is the tears of the common people."
Jia Heng nodded and said: "Henan is in chaos, Shenjing is shaken, and even military victories cannot reverse the complete defeat in domestic affairs. Otherwise, the bandits will only be suppressed in greater numbers."
Princess Xianning's eyes lit up, she listened to the young man's words across from her and said with a straight face, "Sir, I have learned a lesson."
Jia Heng looked at Princess Xianning with gentle eyes.
"Sir, since you are determined to rectify Henan, you can ask your father to pacify Henan afterwards. But, sir... you still need to train troops and prepare for bandits. I'm afraid your father will not allow it." Princess Xianning frowned and said in a low voice.
Jia Heng smiled and said: "It's just an outline of the longitude and latitude, supervising personnel, and there is no need to do everything personally."
Hearing this, Princess Xianning looked at the young man blankly and said with emotion: "With your talent and knowledge, even if you are a minister in the cabinet, you can still accomplish something."
"But is there any cabinet minister in the world who is not as good as the weak crown?" Jia Heng said softly.
Now that we have decided to base our business in Henan, we need to work hard to manage it.
Of course, his so-called foundation refers to the foundation of governing the country. He is not a local warlord who wants to rebel, so there is no such thing as a "golden horn, silver edge, grass belly". Instead, he uses the Henan border as the support for his central power.
It means controlling the state affairs, and the east and west are in harmony with each other.
Looking at the land of the Central Plains again, it borders Xiaohan to the west, Heluo to the east, Yanzhao to the north, and Jingchu to the south. The Central Plains can have strong troops to control the main thoroughfares between the north and the south, and whip the world. The cause of kingship can be expected...
Well, the more I talk about it, the more it sounds like the national thieves Dong Zhuo, Er Zhurong, and Zhu Wen were looting Luoyang and burning Chang'an.
It should be what Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty said: "The residence of Emperor Weihan spans thousands of miles across the river and Luo River. Due to his great efforts, the residence can be seen in the Central Plains."
If the time is right, it will naturally be necessary to take over the three Jin areas to support the center, otherwise it will become Zhu Wen.
If Guanlong is the brain, the Three Jins and the Central Plains are just two arms, one on the left and the other on the right, both of which are indispensable. At that time, through the war against the captives, we can manage Hebei and Shandong and destroy Liaodong, and then the southern half of the Yangtze River can only
She trembled under his "powerful power". Whether to support or usurp her at that time was just a matter of time on his mind.
"Sir." Princess Xianning was thinking about what Jia Heng said. Suddenly her bright eyes froze, and she saw the young man opposite was lost in thought, so she couldn't help but call out.
Jia Heng suppressed the thoughts in his mind, and the thoughts in his eyes gradually disappeared. He looked at the girl opposite with her beautiful face, bright eyes and white teeth, and said: "Your Highness, what's wrong?"
Princess Xianning's bright eyes flashed, her cheeks were slightly red, and she asked in a low voice: "What were you thinking just now, sir, to be so lost in thought?"
Just now she had been staring at the front of her clothes. At first she thought... then she realized that her husband was distracted for a moment and seemed to be thinking about something.
Jia Heng also realized the focus of his gaze just now, and said out of nowhere: "Actually, I was just thinking about what kind of spices are on His Highness's clothes, and why is the carriage so fragrant?"
Princess Xianning: "..."
What kind of spice? Just as I was thinking about it, a ball of joy surged in my heart. I turned my head, and my snow-skinned face was as red as blood, delicate and bright.
Sir, this is teasing her...
Jia Heng raised his eyes and looked at the shy girl on Xiafei's cheeks. He felt a little happy to be with a young and beautiful girl. Even if he didn't talk much, just the fragrant fragrance and beautiful face were enough to make people feel relaxed and happy.
After all the worries were gone, when he lowered his eyes, he saw the delicate hands twisting the handkerchief, and a thought inevitably came to his mind. If he reached out to take Xian Ning's hand, she... wouldn't refuse, right?
However, the family issues have not yet been effectively resolved, and Jinyang’s attitude is uncertain. A bad move may... induce systemic risks.
Princess Xianning lowered her head gently, her cheeks felt slightly warm, and she gently wrung her handkerchief. She felt a pair of eyes looking at her, and her heart was beating non-stop. She could even feel her own heartbeat.
Jia Heng frowned, suppressed the flutter in his heart, withdrew his gaze, opened the curtains and looked outside. At this time, as the carriage drove by, the houses beside the street had turned on lights at some point, all red and orange.
Circles of light fall on the stone steps. The houses with blue bricks and black tiles and brackets and rafters are walking backwards. The ridge beast made of curved tiles on the roof is like a winding and undulating dragon, shadowy and hidden in the low ground.
In the dark night.
Feeling that the eyes lingering on her body left, Princess Xianning pursed her lips. For some reason, she felt a sense of sadness in her heart. She suppressed the complicated emotions and said softly: "Sir, if we open the city and recover it, where do you think the thieves will go?"
What about escaping?"
It's better to ask some serious questions, otherwise, she won't know what to do.
Jia Heng turned around and said: "It's possible. If we escape to Shandong, I don't know if Shandong can block it with heavy troops. As for the other routes, we won't be able to escape."
After saying that, he looked at Princess Xianning and chuckled: "Okay, let's not talk about this anymore."
Princess Xianning: "???"
What does it mean if she doesn't say this anymore? But what she wants to hear, her husband seems to be unwilling to say... and he always seems distant.
Jia Heng thought for a moment and then asked: "When we arrive at the South Korean Duke's residence, why don't His Highness stay there for a few days? Your Highness will go over there when the war there becomes more stable."
"Sir...don't you want me to follow you?" Princess Xianning suddenly heard this, her heart tightened, her beautiful eyebrows furrowed, and she stared at the young man opposite.
Jia Heng said: "I am thinking that the two armies are fighting in the front, and there may be fighting. Your Highness is a rich man. It will not be too late for Your Highness to go over when the situation in the front is stable."
This journey was full of dust, and Princess Xianning was also tired from running around. The royal eldest daughter could not really follow him to fight in the front military formation. If Duanrong Guifei had "meritorious achievements and no faults" that day, he had definitely considered it. Xianning's
He came here for the first time because he wanted to observe more military affairs. Of course, he was also vaguely worried. If he stayed with this fair-skinned, beautiful lady with a slender waist and long legs for a long time, he might...not be able to control it.
"Sir, I'm fine." Princess Xianning said quickly, then softened her tone and said: "Besides, my fourth uncle and his family are all over there in Kaifeng Mansion, and I don't know what's going on. If there is any news, I will also be there."
You must write to your mother and concubines to inform them."
Jia Heng said: "I think there should be news from Qu Lang in the past two days."
Princess Xianning looked at the young man opposite her with sparkling eyes and said in a clear voice: "Sir, then I will follow you tomorrow."
Jia Heng looked at the girl opposite, seeing the bright light in her eyes, nodded and said: "That's okay."
Princess Xianning secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said nothing else.
Korean government
The sun sets in the west, and the vast twilight surrounds the earth. The lanterns on the pillars of the gatehouse have been hung up, and the gold characters on the plaque of "Korean Duke" disappear into the shadows. At this moment, the middle door is wide open, and the Korean Dowager sent away her eldest son Feng Lian and brought him with him.
His wife, Xu, and his son, Feng Xian, welcomed the military minister Jia Heng and Princess Xianning.
In addition to merit-based titles, the Han Dynasty actually had a system of benevolent titles. Different merit titles were either hereditary or inherited due to high merit, or were inherited by a certain number in an "agreed" manner. The benevolent titles were often granted to the emperor's relatives.
Nobility is generally not hereditary.
"Coming, coming." At this moment, the servant in front of the door called, which also caused everyone in front of the door to become restless.
Feng Lian looked into the distance and saw a large number of Jinyi guardsmen and several carriages driving from the end of the street and approaching.
"Excuse me." As Liu Jixian and Xia Houying waved their hands, the Jinyi captain paused.
"Is that Master Jia's carriage ahead?" Feng Xian, Feng Lian's son, walked up first and asked loudly.
Xia Houying and Liu Jixian had already dismounted their horses and ordered Captain Jinyi to spread vigilance in all directions.
Xia Houying stepped forward to meet everyone who was welcomed by the Korean government, raised her hands and asked: "But the Feng family's young master in person?"
Feng Xian nodded and said with a smile: "Wansheng is Feng Xian, and the person opposite is Mr. Jia? Wansheng and my father have been waiting for you for a long time."
Because it was clearly stated in Jia Heng's greeting card that Princess Xianning was among those accompanying her, so she would naturally be expected by the Feng family, but the Feng family did not know Jia Heng.
While talking, the curtain of the carriage with the lantern hanging on it was raised. First a boy in python suit got out, and then held up the curtain with one hand. Then a girl in a green skirt and palace clothes held the arm of the boy in python suit with one hand and put on a pair of embroidered shoes.
Stepping on the ground, a slim and slender girl appeared, with shoulders that seemed to have been shaved off, a waist as plain as expected, a beautiful and beautiful face, and makeup that was combed into clouds and moonlight, making half of the street look a bit brighter.
"Your Highness, the Korean government has arrived." Jia Heng said softly.
"Yes." Princess Xianning responded in a low voice, then looked towards the gatehouse and saw everyone from the Feng family welcoming them.
Jia Heng cupped his hands and said, "Jia Heng, I wonder if Mr. Feng is here?"
At this time, Feng Lian greeted the general with a smile and said: "Master Jia, niece Xianning, you are here. The old lady has been waiting for a while."
Princess Xianning had met this cousin and called out: "How is Uncle Feng always doing?"
"Okay, okay." Feng Lian responded with a smile.
At this time, Feng Lian's wife, Mrs. Xu, smiled and stepped forward and said: "Xianning, I just told the old lady that it was time to come over at this time, but now that I have come, the old lady specially ordered the kitchen to cook your favorite dishes."
Princess Xianning said softly: "It is Xianning's fault to let uncle and aunt wait here for a long time."
"You listened to your brother's nonsense and didn't even wait for a while." Mrs. Xu smiled and took Princess Xianning's hand, and then enthusiastically invited her to the inner room.
Everyone exchanged pleasantries and greetings, and several people entered the door of the South Korean government residence.
Jia Heng was beside Princess Xianning, talking to Feng Lian, and entered the mansion together.
Behind him, Liu Jixian ordered Captain Jinyi to carry the gifts inside. The servants of the Feng family came over to help and pass the gifts inside.
Feng Lian looked at the serious-faced young man next to him, smiled and said: "Zi Yu is really majestic and handsome. He is the queen of the generals. He went to Beijing during the Chinese New Year, thinking of meeting him, but he was entangled in trivial matters and was delayed.
We are here, we have always been friendly together, and now we are meeting in Luoyang. Let’s have a good drink later.”
In the mansion, after he heard about Ning Guo, he immediately captured the two kings of Wei and Zheng as soon as he came to Henan, and sent troops and horses to surround the Wei and Zheng vassal residence to search for money and food. This matter has been spread among the nobles in Luoyang, and now
At first glance, it turns out that he is serious and serious, and does not look like a young man.
Jia Heng's face remained calm, but his voice was a little gentle, and he said: "Uncle Shi, you are so polite. If I hadn't been following the emperor's orders to supervise the army to suppress the bandits, I'm afraid it would be difficult to set foot in the palace city of Luoyang."
When Feng Lian heard this, the smile on his face faded in time, and there was a bit of worry in his eyes. He said with emotion: "Yes, Ziyu didn't know that after the fall of Kaifeng Mansion, Luoyang was shaken. Thanks to the imperial court's timely dispatch of the Beijing army, Luoyang was restored."
Safe as a rock."
Jia Heng took advantage of the situation and said: "Now the imperial army is rushing to help, and there will be soldiers and horses heading to Luoyang in the future. Uncle Shi, just relax."
Princess Xianning was being held by her aunt Xu as she walked inside, chatting and laughing. Listening to the conversation of the two people behind her, she couldn't help but feel a little sweetness in her heart. This scene seemed like she was... coming to visit relatives.
Everyone passed through the Yimen, the second gate, and the inner gate, and walked along a green stone corridor with lush flowers and grass, heading towards the backyard. They saw the main room with a plaque inscribed "Fuxing Hall", and candles were lit inside and outside.
The doors were all wide open, and the Korean lady, surrounded by her mammies and maids, stood under the bright lights and greeted her with a smile. She was surrounded by maids in pink buns, skirts, hairpins, and coats, with pearls and emeralds shining, and beautiful eyes.
The Korean lady had gray hair and was full of energy. She had a kind smile on her face. When she saw Princess Xianning wearing a green dress, her eyes lit up and she called out: "Zhi'er."
Princess Xianning walked a few steps quickly, called out "Uncle, grandma", bowed her knees and saluted.
Mrs. Korea quickly reached out to help her, took Princess Xianning's arm, and said with a smile: "I have been looking forward to you day and night as a guest. This can be regarded as your arrival. It has been a long and tiring journey on horseback. Are you tired?"
While they were talking, several sisters and the sisters-in-law of the Feng family gathered around and talked to Princess Xianning with a smile.
Empress Dowager Feng's younger brother, the deceased Feng Taigong, had two sons, the eldest son Feng Lian, and the second son Feng Zheng. Feng Zheng was not in Luoyang, but took his eldest son to Fujian to serve as the chief envoy, leaving behind his second son Feng Zheng.
Kang also had two daughters who had not left the court and lived with the Korean dowager at home, plus Feng Lian's three daughters who had not left the court.
For a moment, the hall was full of warblers and birds, singing and laughing.
Mrs. Han exchanged a few words with Princess Xianning, looked at Jia Heng who was not far away, and asked with a smile: "Zhi'er, is this Jia Ziyu?"
At this time, the Feng family's daughters-in-law were fine and didn't shy away from it. They all looked away with a smile. For example, the five little girls, pulled by their nannies, hid behind the screen and peeked at the clothes.
The young man wearing a black and red satin python suit with white lining and a wingless crown with a mountain shape on his head was talking in a low voice.
Feng Lian smiled and introduced: "Mother, this is Jia Ziyu, the queen of Ningguo."
"Junior, I have met the Korean dowager." Jia Heng said with cupped hands.
"I'll recognize you when I go to Beijing." Mrs. Korea looked at the young man across from her and said with a smile, "Mrs. Rongguo, I saw you last time. Are you still strong and healthy?"
When Jia's mother went to the palace to seek mercy from Empress Dowager Feng over the matter of Jia She, the Korean concubine sat beside Empress Dowager Feng and watched. Later, out of curiosity, she inquired about Jia Heng's situation.
Jia Heng said: "The old lady at home is in good health. Thank you very much for your concern."
Feng Lian then explained: "Mother, this time Ziyu is leading the army to destroy the bandits in Kaifeng."
Mrs. Korea nodded, the smile on her face faded, and she sighed: "Hey, there's a chaos over there in Kaifeng Mansion, and people in Luoyang have been in panic these past two days. You came here just in time."
Jia Heng said: "Now that the Henan incident is happening, the imperial court is paying attention and will not let Luoyang suffer any loss. Please rest assured, Madam Tai."
Mrs. Korea's wife smiled and said: "You men can make up your mind about external matters, but I think Zhi'er's father will send you to Henan, and you will be able to calm down the chaos."
Feng Lian's son, Feng Xian, was about twenty years old. He had a handsome face and was already married. He smiled and said: "My ancestors don't know something. Zi Yu is our young handsome man and a great general. He is now leading the deputy envoy of the Beijing camp."
Sent, in charge of more than two hundred thousand troops and horses."
The Korean lady pretended to be annoyed and said: "You are a talkative little monkey, how could I not know that? I heard that there was a military parade at Anshun Gate, and I also knew about it."
Feng Lian's daughter-in-law, Mrs. Xu, smiled and answered: "Mother, you can't just talk. It's getting late now. Why don't you let the kitchen prepare the food?"
The Korean lady nodded, smiled and said, "Go ahead."
"Xian'er, I, you gentlemen, sit down and talk, and Zhi'er and I will talk." The Korean lady greeted Princess Xianning.