Chapter 643 Jia Heng: He is not alone, he is surrounded by others
Hedao Yamen, among the official halls
Jia Heng looked at the gatekeeper and said, "How about the Hongze Lake embankment?"
The gatekeeper said: "Back to your lord, the water level of the Hongze Lake embankment has dropped significantly, and the embankment is safe and sound."
Jia Heng nodded and said: "Okay, the rain seems to be a little lighter. The Hongze Lake embankment can withstand it. This flood fight can be declared a victory."
From the time Sizhou was flooded to the time when the Hongze Lake embankment was in danger, almost a month had passed in a blink of an eye.
The gatekeeper looked solemn and said in a low voice: "Sir, there was a dangerous operation in Suining the day before yesterday. The Yellow River washed away the embankment. Fortunately, the people were evacuated in time and no major casualties were caused."
The embankment of the Yellow River in Suining could not be held up even after the day and night battles of the Beijing camp's officers and soldiers, and the embankment burst.
Fortunately, several generals in Beijing evacuated the people first. Although there were no casualties, several villages and towns near Suining County were flooded. At this point, the floods on the Yellow River completely stabilized as the rainfall in the upper and middle reaches decreased, but
This was at the expense of Suining, Sizhou and other places being submerged.
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said: "Sizhou, Suining, after this incident, many people were killed, and Gao Bin and others are not free from the blame."
"Sir, there is one more thing. The price of food in Huai'an Prefecture has skyrocketed recently. The price has increased tenfold, and the people are miserable." At this time, Xu Kai answered from the side.
Jia Heng frowned and said, "Where are the governors of Liangjiang and the chief envoy of Jiangzuo? Why didn't they take action to stabilize food prices?"
After saying that, he looked at Liu Jixian aside and asked in a deep voice: "What is the situation in the city of Huai'an Prefecture?"
Liu Jixian reported back: "Captain, all the cities in Huai'an are spreading the word that floods have flooded Huaixu, Huaiyang and other prefectures and counties. Many grain merchants in Huai'an, Yangzhou and other places have taken the opportunity to raise prices."
Jia Heng looked deeply and asked coldly: "Why didn't you report these things before?" "Captain, I only found out the details just after I returned to Huai'an Mansion. I think it happened in these days." Liu Jixian said hurriedly.
Jia Heng looked gloomy and said: "Let the Jinyi Baihu who are responsible for this matter be called. Why don't we report this matter quickly?"
Liu Jixian handed over his hand and went to summon the people himself.
Jia Heng turned to look at Xu Kai and said, "Master Xu, please tell me about the situation in Huai'an Prefecture and Xuzhou these days."
Xu Kai looked solemn and said: "Due to the floods in Sizhou and Suining, many people were affected by the disaster. In addition, the soldiers and horses from the Beijing camp came to fight the floods. They ate in Huaiyang. The Yamen of the Governor of Liangjiang and the Chief Envoy of Jiangzuo coordinated grain and rice."
"It cost a lot of money to transport military rations and provide relief to the people. Since the rice grains allocated from the south of the Yangtze River were insufficient, we could only purchase them in Huai'an Prefecture. For a time, the price of rice grains in the city rose sharply."
Jia Heng thought about it for a moment, looked solemn, and asked, "What about the others?"
"There are rumors in the city that you have released floods in Yingzhou in the middle reaches. The Hongze Lake embankment is in danger of bursting at any time. Huai'an Prefecture is in danger. In addition, the people of Baoying County under the jurisdiction of Huai'an Prefecture have begun to evacuate. For a while, people in Huai'an Prefecture are panicking.
"Wealthy merchants and their families fled by boat to Yangzhou and even further to Jinling. People were even more frightened, and people in the city were hoarding food, causing food prices to rise sharply." Xu Kai sighed and said.
During this period, there was almost chaos.
Jia Heng looked slightly cold and asked: "Where are the Governor of Liangjiang Shen Fang, the Chief Envoy of Jiangzuo Xu Shikui and others? Where are the Governor of Water Transport Du Jitong and others? These people are watching helplessly?"
Xu Kaidao: "Sir, I heard that it is the family members of Nanjing officials who are driving up food prices this time. These people do not dare to control it, and I don't know. Maybe they are adding fuel to the flames."
As a second-ranked Jinshi, Xu Kai learned a lot of secrets about Jinling through some friends who were officials in the south of the Yangtze River. He roughly identified the relatives of the officials who served in Jinling as a way to get information.
Jia Heng looked gloomy and said: "Come here, let Shen Fang, the governor of Liangjiang, Du Jitong, the governor of water transportation, and the chief envoy of Jiangzuo come to Hedao Yamen to discuss matters."
A Jinyi palace guard responded loudly and hurried away.
Not long after, Liu Jixian, who had gone to check on the Jinyi detective, came over first, leading a Jinyi Baihu who was wearing a flying fish suit and an embroidered spring knife.
"Xu Wu, who holds a humble position, has met the governor." The hundred households in brocade clothes cupped their hands and said.
Jia Heng's face darkened and he asked: "Xu Baihu, how is the situation in Huai'an? The price of rice in the city has increased a few days ago, why don't you report it?"
Xu Wu, a member of the Jinyi Hundred Household, had a look of embarrassment on his face and said: "Because there are so many involved, I am here to investigate the origins of the merchants who are hoarding goods and driving up prices. I have compiled a book. Please check it."
As he spoke, he took out a book from his sleeve and handed it over respectfully with both hands. Jia Heng took the book and read it attentively, his eyes gloomy and uncertain.
Pan Xiangdong, the grandson of Pan Ruxi, the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing, Ji Yousong, the brother-in-law of Qian Shuwen, the Minister of Household Affairs, Jiang Tingyu, the younger brother of Jiang Xucheng, the Minister of War Affairs, Hao Xixian, the third grandson of the former cabinet minister and Grand Tutor Hao Jiru, Fang Kuang, the son of Fang Yaochun, the Imperial Academy's sacrificial wine, Nanjing Guard Zhenlin
Looking at the densely packed text on it, Jia Heng frowned and his eyes jumped because he discovered a descendant of one of the twelve families of the Jia family in Jinling.
Jia You, a branch of Jinling, was also involved in the case and got involved with the Zhen family.
Presumably, this is also the reason why Jinyi Baihu delayed in repaying the crime, because it involves the Jinyi Governor Jia Heng himself, which is not good. It has to be said that he has no merit, but also has sins.
Jia Heng's eyes were slightly cold and he said, "These are these national thieves!"
At this moment, he suddenly understood that Emperor Chongping knew that Qi Dang was unworthy, but still wanted to appoint Qi Dang, because there was another one who was even worse.
As for the Jia family's twelfth house in Jinling, he knew how to clean up the house. He had been in Shenjing for so long that he almost forgot that there were a lot of Jia family members in Jinling.
Seeing that Jia Heng's expression didn't seem to be fake, Xu Wu, a member of the Jinyi family, breathed a sigh of relief. He cupped his hands and said, "Captain, in addition to the output of some people's fields, there are two people who owe it on credit from Jinling's treasury and are waiting to be sold. After the price of grain stabilized, grain and rice were purchased to make up for the shortfall, which was equivalent to a capitalless transaction without spending a grain or a meter. In addition, Liangjiang Yamen was also lobbying the Liangjiang Yamen to purchase grain and rice with the money from the vassal treasury to provide relief to the Huaihe River. Huaiyang and other places."
Jia Heng sneered and said: "What a good trick. He borrows rice from the national treasury and sells it at a high price. This is a business without capital."
Xu Wudao from Jinyi Hundred Households said: "Captain, many of the boats they borrowed were from Yangzhou salt merchants. Many of the Yangzhou salt merchants sold them for their own good, and most of them did not charge extra fees."
This Jinling-clad man from Fusi, the northern town of Shenjing, was baffled by the methods of the Jinling gang.
"This even saves the boats, carriages and horses used for transportation." Jia Heng said in a deep voice with a face as cold as water.
The officialdom of Liangjiang is deeply intertwined, and this time it is very involved. Moreover, if you want to cleanse the officialdom of Liangjiang, now is not the right time.
Xu Kai looked at the young man in python suit with a stern look on his brows, his heart trembled, and he said: "Uncle Yong Ning, please be careful and be patient. Even if you want to rectify the administration, don't rush at this moment."
If we use the butcher's knife to pursue these people and catch them all in one fell swoop, the two rivers will be shaken and the whole world will be shaken.
The problem is that it is really possible for Jia Heng to do it. By mobilizing the Beijing army from Henan and using the Jinyi Mansion Guards to clear the way, he can wipe out the beetles in both rivers.
But the cost is also high. It almost completely offends the Liangjiang officialdom. With the power of the Jiangnan gentry, they penetrate the local governments and counties with clan power. If they are passive and uncooperative, the court will not be able to collect taxes, and even the government decrees in Liangjiang will be blocked.
a bad situation.
Without the transportation of money and food from the two rivers, the foundation of the Northern Army and the Southern Food would be shaken. At that time, Emperor Chongping might make Jia Heng feel wronged, and in the end both sides would lose.
In fact, this is also the reason why Shen Fang resorted to the trap of letting things go, and of course he used this to dig holes for Jia Heng.
Jia Heng's eyes were dark and he said coldly: "Shi Shi, things have their priorities, and I know them well."
It's not time to deal with them yet, it's urgent to stabilize food prices.
Adjust grain and troops from Henan, bankrupt these speculators, and then pick two unlucky ones and cook them up to scare the monkeys.
When we really want to deal with them, we have to wait for the Donglu people to achieve a great victory in the war, and use the power of the great victory to implement the New Deal.
When Xu Kai heard this, he breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that the young man in front of him was really desperate.
Worry, these people are of the same age, disciples, and teachers are almost everywhere in the government and the public. Once they cause trouble, the consequences will be disastrous.
The south of the Yangtze River is a land of great wealth, and even the emperor in the capital has to be wary of it. In addition, there are ministers and ministers in the court who respond to each other from afar. They talk about gold and waste their bones. Uncle Yongning, who has a shallow foundation, is tired of dealing with it. In the future,
How to lead troops to fight against Donglu?
Jia Heng's face was calm and calm, he looked at the hundred households in brocade clothes and said, "Continue to investigate this matter and collect relevant evidence."
In fact, hoarding goods and disrupting the market cannot solve the problem simply by killing people. It will cause other chain reactions. Economic problems must still be solved by economic means.
"Sir, the Governor of Liangjiang, Lord Shen, the Chief Envoy of Jiangzuo, Lord Xu, and the Governor of Water Transport, Lord Du, have arrived."
At this time, a Jinyi palace guard entered the official hall, raised his hands and said.
While they were talking, Shen Fang, the governor of Liangjiang, Xu Shikui, the chief envoy of Jiangzuo, and Du Jitong, the governor of Huaiyang and governor of water transportation, three important court officials in Huai'an Fucheng, led one or two retinues to the official hall.
The day before yesterday, the two censors of the Metropolitan Procuratorate had sent three river stewards and some high-level officials to Shenjing according to the order. At this moment, in the city of Huai'an Prefecture, the two parties of Qi and Zhejiang were still protesting.
Du Jitong entered the official hall, his old face was filled with a warm smile, and he complimented: "Uncle Yongning went to Yingzhou to work hard and made great achievements. Well, why don't you see Mr. Zhao Ge?"
Jia Heng said: "Mr. Zhao Ge is still pacifying the people in Yingzhou, and he will rush back to Huai'an in two days."
With that said, he invited several people to sit down, and the guards of Jinyi Mansion served tea.
Shen Fang looked at the young man in python suit across from him and said in a deep voice: "Uncle Yong Ning, I heard that the water level of the Hongze Lake embankment has dropped, and the danger in Huai'an Mansion has been greatly relieved. I am relieved."
Jia Heng said: "Master Shen, the people of Yingzhou have made a lot of sacrifices for Huai'an, Yangzhou and other prefectures and counties. The two rivers should make some compensation."
Shen Fang said: "This is natural. I have seen the previous writings of Zhao Ge Lao and Yong Ning Bo. The Jiangzuo Chief Secretary's Yamen will coordinate the money and food to provide for post-disaster reconstruction and resettlement. Master Xu and Master Du are both here. This matter It will be processed immediately without any delay."
A smile appeared on Xu Shikui's fat face and he said: "Don't worry, Uncle Yongning, the people of Yingzhou in Fengyang are also the elders of Jiangzuo and other places, so they can treat everyone equally."
Jia Heng glanced at Xu Shikui who was smiling and felt a little unhappy. He glanced at his wrist and saw that there was no watch. He pondered for a moment and said: "Several adults, I and Mr. Zhao Ge are going to Yingzhou. Oh my God, the price of rice in Huai'an Prefecture has skyrocketed. Why?"
As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the official hall became weird.
Jia Heng said: "At the beginning, Master Shen and Master Xu promised well in front of Mr. Zhao Ge to coordinate the rear. What does Huai'an Mansion say now?"
Shen Fang looked indifferent and said slowly: "Unknown to Uncle Yongning, when Suining burst its embankment, the Jiangzuo vassal ordered grain and grain to go to Huaibei to support the rescue, so he purchased a lot of rice grain from Huai'an Prefecture and Jinling, which caused Huai'an and Jinling grain depots to do it. Once it was empty, and the water level of Hongze Lake was at a high level in the past few days, people in the city were in panic all day long, and they were snatching grain and rice, which also caused the price of rice to skyrocket."
Du Jitong watched this scene, picked up the bowl of tea, took a sip, and with a faint smile in his old eyes, he sat on the mountain and watched the tiger fight.
"Did Mr. Shen miss one thing? There are merchants from Jinling hoarding goods and driving up the price of food?" Jia Heng said in a cold voice, his face as white as water.
Shen Fang's expression did not change, and he just said in a neither negative nor positive tone: "There is an extreme shortage of rice and food, so some people hoard the goods and make things more valuable. How can we put the cart before the horse?"
Seeing that the conversation between the two frontier officials was getting stiff, Xu Shikui quickly smoothed things over and said: "Yongning Bojiangzuo has fully allocated grain and rice from the four treasuries of Susongchang Town to supply Jinling, Huai'an, Yangzhou and other prefectures. The county can guarantee the supply of rice and grain in just these few days."
Jia Heng nodded and said: "Master Shen, I will give these people three days to lower the price of rice immediately, otherwise you will bear the consequences."
Shen Fang frowned, and there was a cold look in his eyes. Why, he wanted to kill again and use torture as a deterrent?
Liangjiang is not a poor place like Henan. It has been in great chaos and has many wastes waiting to be revitalized. You Jia Ziyu
The governor-general is in charge of the military and administration of a province, and he has a large number of troops at his disposal, so he can take drastic measures without any taboos.
Liangjiang is the center of the country's wealth. If the two rivers are thrown into chaos and the government and the public attack, even if the emperor in the palace has different favors for you, he still has to estimate the impact of the chaos in the two rivers.
Jia Heng turned to Du Jitong and asked, "Master Du is the governor of Huaiyang. Now that the price of food in Huai'an is rising, is there any good way to deal with it?"
Du Jitong put down the tea cup in his hand, thought for a moment, and complained: "Uncle Yongning, the water transportation yamen is for transporting grain, not producing grain. Nowadays, it is difficult for a clever woman to cook without rice. However, if Jiangzuo Domain has rice to supply Huaibei , Huainan, the water transport yamen always has a large number of boats on hand to ensure smooth transportation."
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Master Du, please prepare the boats with the grain guards. Master Xu, how much more rice and grain can the Jiangzuo clan allocate?"
Xu Shikui replied: "Now there are still 100,000 shi in the vassal treasury. However, Su Songchang Town and other government treasuries are stepping up the supply of rice and grain. They can allocate 300,000 shi before and after, but there are still some gaps."
"How long will it take?" Jia Heng asked.
"Uncle Yong Ning, it may take another half a month." Xu Shikui hesitated and said.
"For half a month, let these people spend another half month in Huai'an Prefecture and Xuzhou to take advantage of the national crisis?" Jia Heng said coldly.
Xu Shikui's expression suddenly changed, and it was difficult to respond.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said: "These grains will be sent to Huai'an Prefecture first. Xuzhou and other places will allocate 100,000 stones from the Henan vassal house to meet the urgent needs first. The rain and floods in Henan have eased. After the Jianghuai autumn grain harvest, they will be returned to Henan." .”
If this is not possible, grain must be transported from Taicang to Huaixu and other places along the canal. Before doing so, some people who are reselling grain from the feudal treasury must be arrested.
After sending the others away, Jia Heng left Du Jitong alone and said, "Master Du, the boat should be ready."
Du Jitong said: "Don't worry, Uncle Yongning, the most indispensable thing for the water transportation yamen is boats. There will be as many as you need."
Jia Heng nodded and said: "Master Du, I won't stay in the river for too long. I have to rely on Master Du for matters in Huai'an."
At this moment, to deal with the Liangjiang officialdom, it was also necessary to give the Qi Party a carrot, and after this incident, he suddenly discovered a problem. The Qi Party could not be completely beaten to death, otherwise the political situation would be unbalanced, and no matter how difficult it was to contain the Zhejiang Party, that time would be The end of the Ming Dynasty.
This was his review of the court situation from a higher perspective after his rise in status. When he returned, he made suggestions to Emperor Chongping, looking for opportunities to split the two rivers, appoint separate governors in Anhui and Jiangsu, demolish temples to invite Bodhisattvas, and support the Chu Party. So that there will be no constraints on the war against the captives in the future.
When Du Jitong heard this, his heart skipped a beat, his eyes moved slightly, and he said, "Uncle Yong Ning, I don't know what Uncle Yong Ning means?"
Jia Heng said: "It's not interesting. Mr. Du, please take care of the coordination of boats and manpower."
When Du Jitong heard this, his mind came alive. Looking at that young face, he felt that maybe it was people like the Zhejiang Party who made Uncle Yongning feel pressure to unite with him?
If Yongning Bo came to recommend himself and become the governor of the river, then maybe
When Du Jitong left the Hedao Yamen with his thoughts full of thoughts, Xu Kai came closer, was silent for a moment, and said: "Uncle Yongning, the Qi Party is not a good official in governing the river. The previous incident in Hedong has clearly proved it."
Jia Heng looked at the hazy rain and fog outside and said, "Why don't I know that they are all in the same boat? They only want to fight for power and gain, but they don't care about the country at all."
His current problem is that he is alone and has no one around him.
Regarding river affairs, a gatekeeper who had regained control of the Kaifeng Prefecture could only be promoted to the position of deputy river in the east of Hedong due to his merits after the river control. This was an extremely high promotion.
As the Governor of Nanhe, he might as well choose between the Zhejiang Party or the Qi Party, and the functions of the Governor of Nanhe and the Governor of Liangjiang have always been in conflict, so instead of giving it to the Zhejiang Party and letting them collude,
It would be better to let the Qi party go, so that the Zhejiang party, the governor of Liangjiang, would definitely keep an eye on the river money of the Nanhe Yamen.
Xu Kai paused and sighed: "It's hard to make things happen, but it's easy to make things bad. Uncle Yong Ning wants to show off with the Donglu and seek peace for our great Han Dynasty in Northern Xinjiang. It's not advisable to create extraneous problems, and he can only follow the same fate as Du Jitong."
To entrust the snake."
Jia Heng smiled, glanced at Xu Kai, and said, "It's rare for Mr. Xu to speak so sincerely."
Xu Kai's face paused slightly and he said: "Uncle Yong Ning has great ambitions and endures for the sake of the country. He can endure what ordinary people cannot tolerate. I admire him."
"But I am also happy with grudges and will retaliate if I have any. Although these people can't be moved for the time being, let's collect some interest first!" Jia Heng paused slightly and said, "Liu Jixian, the Pan family and the Ji family are in Huai'an Mansion.
I have arrested all the stewards. I went to Yangzhou to arrest Mr. Pan, who was reselling official food. I have all the witnesses and material evidence. I will be strict with you!"
It's hard for him to move with so many people, but he can survive a hard beating or two.
The son and family of Pan Ruxi, the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing, who resold government grain from the Nanjing treasury, and the brother-in-law of Qian Shuwen, the Minister of Household Affairs, all received the grain on credit from the warehouse of the Household Department in Nanjing. It was simply deplorable.
What is unbearable!
And he wanted to closely consult Pan Ruxi, the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing, and Qian Shuwen, the Minister of Household Affairs, and indulge his descendants in reselling official grain for personal gain.
As for other price hikes, most of them are home-produced grains, which are hoarding goods and speculating, so it is not easy to use knives or guns.
But you can intimidate and negotiate.
"Yes, sir." Liu Jixian responded loudly with a serious look on his face.
"In addition, we will send it to Luoyang by fast horse, allocate grain from the treasury of Kaifeng Prefecture, and transport it along the river to support Xuzhou and other places." Jia Heng ordered again.
Liu Jixian cupped his hands in response, and was about to go out to order people to take care of the matter. Suddenly he saw a guard in Jinyi striding over from outside. He cupped his hands and said, "My lord, Commander Xiahou in the capital has come to pay homage to your lord."
Jia Heng was stunned for a moment, and said in surprise, "Xia Houying?"
Not long after, Xia Houying came from the outside, took off the bamboo hat on her head, and strode into the official hall. Her handsome eyebrows showed determination, her voice was clear and passionate, she raised her hands and said: "I have seen the governor in this humble position."
Jia Heng looked at Xia Houying in the flying fish suit, led her into the inner hall, asked her to sit down, picked up the teapot, made a cup of tea, handed it over, and asked with a smile: "Commander Xiahou is not in Luoyang, why are you here?"
Xia Houying is the military officer next to Jinyang, commanding the palace guards. Except for escorting Princess Xianning before, she has always been by the side of the eldest princess of Jinyang. This time, she is not here to deliver a message, right?
Xia Houying said in a clear voice: "Captain, His Highness Jinyang has transferred 500,000 shi of grain from Luoyang Taicang, sent it down the canal in a grain boat, and is now escorting the grain to Xuzhou."
Jia Heng's face paused slightly and asked, "What's going on?"
Xia Houying explained: "While the Governor was traveling from Kaifeng Prefecture to Huai'an Prefecture to take charge of Qingjiangpu, His Highness Jinyang also sent several waves of guards to Huai'an Prefecture to inquire about information. In anticipation of the flooding of the Huaihe River and the shortage of rice and grain, he dispatched troops to Taicang
We bought 500,000 stones of food to relieve the governor's difficulties."
It turned out that although the eldest princess of Jinyang returned to Luoyang with Princess Xianning and Yuan Chun, she did not stop paying attention to Jia Heng, who was working on water control in Qingjiangpu, Huai'an Prefecture. After arriving in Luoyang, she secretly sent several waves of guards to Xia Houying as soon as she arrived in Luoyang.
Go to Huai'an Prefecture to inquire about the news.
Later, I saw from the Di newspaper that Jia Heng was dispatching troops from the Jiangbei camp, and it was known that the flood control situation in the Huaihe River Basin was serious.
Later, I learned that Jia Heng had gone to Yingzhou to discharge floods a few days ago to relieve the flood situation in Huaihai, Huaiyang and other places. It was estimated that the price of grain might rise, so he immediately allocated 500,000 shi of grain from Taicang.
, went south to Xuzhou for reinforcements.
It happened that the danger in Henan had been resolved, the water level in the canal was stable, and the ships were sailing along the river to Xuzhou. Suining had been washed away by the river water, so it stopped going south and stopped in Xuzhou.
After hearing this, Jia Heng nodded and said happily: "Just now I was talking about allocating food to the Henan vassal to support the victims in Xuzhou. These five hundred thousand dan came in time. At this point, the world of Huaixu, Huaiyang and other places has been settled."
.”
Well, he is not alone, there is also a virtuous wife in the company.
"I will prepare a boat and go to Xuzhou to meet you." Jia Heng thought for a while and said in a deep voice.
He wants to extract some of this batch of grain and transfer it to Huai'an Prefecture.
Xia Houying said: "Captain, Your Highness said that if you need help here, you can come over in person."
Jia Heng said: "The flood situation here is not clear yet, so it's hard for them to come over."