Chapter 739 Zhen Xue: All good things come in hard times
Jinling, Ningguofu
Jia Heng didn't know that Duduo was already thinking about setting off a storm of pirate rebellion in Jiangnan and other places. Even if he knew, he didn't take it seriously.
Accompanied by Yindie, Ms. You carried her skirt and came to the second floor of Penglai Pavilion to talk about old friendship with Daiyu and Princess Beijing.
Zhen Xue raised her eyes and looked at Mrs. You, who was dressed in a plain skirt. Under her beautiful eyebrows, her bright eyes were filled with autumn waves, and she said softly: Sister-in-law You, it’s been a long time since we parted ways.”
Because when Jia Zhen was still in charge of the Ningguo Mansion, You, as the third-grade imperial concubine, often visited the Beijing Prince's Mansion and talked with Beijing Princess Zhen Xue, so the two were not strangers.
Youshi said softly, "It's been a year."
At this time, Jia Heng held the tea cup, took a sip, and looked at Youshi who was not applying makeup.
Youshi, who was not wearing the silk and satin lady's dress, had changed into a plain-colored dress. The originally beautiful woman now had a quiet and gentle aura that had been somewhat washed away.
Zhen Xue was talking to Mrs. You, looked at the beautiful lady with beautiful features, sighed quietly, and said comfortingly: "Nine times out of ten things in this world are not what you want, Sister-in-law You, don't be too sad and sad."
A woman's dignity and glory all belong to men, but the husband of the person in front of her also plotted to kill Ziyu.
Youshi's bright eyes moved slightly and she said softly: "Thank you for your concern, Princess."
Several people were talking, and at this time, Qingwen went up to the second floor and whispered: "Sir, Miss Xiao said that a briefing on Jinyi has been delivered."
Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at Daiyu and said softly: "Sister Lin, please talk here first. I'll go take a look."
Daiyu said softly: "Brother Heng, go and get busy."
For some reason, he had a vague illusion that she was the mistress of this house, helping him receive guests.
Jia Heng said warmly, left the attic, raised his eyes to look at Chen Xiao, and asked, "What's going on?"
Chen Xiao handed over a book and said, "Liu Jixian sent someone to deliver it."
Jia Heng took the book without saying much, and opened it to read the records. After a while, he frowned slightly, looked at the rain curtain in the courtyard, and said: "Liu Shengzao's son took the lead."
Before leaving Yangzhou for the first time, the captain of Jinyi Mansion took Liu Changdao, Liu Shengzao's son, into custody. After some interrogation, he not only confessed his son's evil deeds of bullying men and women in Yangzhou City, but also asked about the salt.
The details of Yunsi's deficit.
The eight salt merchants and Liu Shengzao had to reconcile their account books every year, and the eight salt merchants shared the profits. The deficit of the Salt Transportation Department had long since become the private property of the Liu family and the eight salt merchants through various withdrawal methods.
Of course, Chonghua Palace also received a large part.
Chen Xiao frowned and asked, "What should we do now?"
Jia Heng's face was gloomy and he said in a cold voice: "Let Jin Yi interrogate people from the Ma family and the Cheng family to provide clues about the shortage of salt tax balances in the transportation warehouse over the years. If the Cheng and Ma families confess, I can report it to the court and let the court find out."
Let's be honest and give him a lighter sentence! In addition, once the evidence of the crime is confirmed, Jinyi Tiqi will be sent to capture Liu Shengzao, thereby uncovering the shortage of the Salt Division's transportation treasury."
Up to now, Jiangbei Camp has fallen into his control. If he pays attention to food appearance, he deliberately does not touch the salt merchants, but he has no worries about officials like Liu Shengzao. The objective conditions are actually mature, but before that
I need to communicate with Qi Kun.
Chen Xiaogai nodded and said in a clear voice: "In a moment, I will send someone over to inform the Yangzhou Hundred Household Office."
"Go." Jia Heng whispered, watched Chen Xiao leave, and turned back to the attic.
It was not until dusk that Princess Zhen Xue of Beijing left Ningguo Mansion alone. Jia Heng put her on a carriage and returned to Penglai Pavilion.
When they climbed to the second floor, Mrs. You had already left gracefully, but there was only a girl in a green skirt standing in front of the window, looking out at the heavy rain curtain outside the window. The quiet and lonely temperament around her seemed to be integrated with the wind and rain outside the window.
Jia Heng's face moved slightly, and he walked closer slowly. He also stood in front of the window and looked at the rainy scene in the courtyard.
Looking through the hanging rain curtain, the misty rain from the south of the Yangtze River overlaps with the bright rockery rocks, and rainwater accumulates in the depressions.
The sycamores, plantains, pine trees, and willows planted in the courtyard have long been green and lush in the evening rain, setting off the white walls with black eaves and tiles, and the winding corridors with green painted railings, surrounding
A beautiful garden with a round sky.
Jia Heng gently pulled Dai Yu, held the girl's petite body in his arms, and asked in a low voice: "What's wrong with my sister?"
Although this was good in Jinling, there were no sisters to chat and laugh with. When she was in Jia's house, Xiangyun was a pistachio, and with Tanchun accompanying her, Daiyu was quite fulfilled.
Daiyu leaned her head against Jia Heng's arms. The loneliness and melancholy she had felt just now were mostly dispelled, and she whispered softly: "Brother Heng, I have nothing."
Fortunately, it suddenly started to rain, and she planned to go to Jiming Temple with him to burn incense and pray for blessings.
Jia Heng held Daiyu's slender hand, smelled the fragrance of the cardamom girl's hair, and whispered: "Sister Lin is thinking of Sister Yun and the others in Shenjing, right?"
"Yes." When Daiyu heard this, she turned around with a small face that was as pink as snow. Her bright starry eyes outlined the lines of that clear face. For some reason, a feeling of emotion suddenly surged in her heart. That kind of thought made her
The shock of being understood by the people in front of me is really hard to describe in words.
Jia Heng smiled and said softly: "Although Jiangnan is nice, to my sister, it is like a guest in a foreign land. I originally went out to play today, but I don't want to be delayed by the rain. I will wait for things to go smoothly here."
Let Sister Yun, Third Sister, and Big Sister all take over, and we can have fun together normally."
If we all stayed at home, we would be like a sparrow in a golden cage, which would be quite uninteresting.
Speaking of which, he was also thinking about Yuanchun. Even wives like Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue could not give him the same feeling with that rich and soft touch.
When the Jiangbei camp is first reorganized, Jinyang can come over, which will help take over the salt affairs in Huaiyang on behalf of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Under Daiyu's smoky eyebrows, she turned her shining eyes to look at Jia Heng, and said softly: "Brother Heng, are you going to have to wait for a while?"
"It won't take too long." Jia Heng lowered his head and said softly.
As long as the Jinyi Mansion starts interrogating and investigating the details of the Cheng and Ma family's deficit in the Jiangnan Salt Transport Depot, the rest will be a matter of time.
The Cheng and Ma families were almost in danger of being wiped out. There was no need to conceal the misappropriation of the salt tax balance and then close the net.
Daiyu raised her eyes to look at the young man with a thoughtful look on his face. His eyes were temporarily blank. He must have been thinking about big things outside.
Jia Heng retracted his thoughts and looked at Daiyu, getting close to the petite and lovely white face, lowering his head and puckering the girl's soft lips, soothing the girl's melancholy mood.
Outside the window, the raindrops are like broken pearls, the misty rain clings to the courtyard, and the silence and beauty overflow from the lips.
But it was said that Zhen Xue returned to Zhen's house in a carriage. It was already the time when the lanterns were turned on, and the lights were blurred. She returned to the embroidered building where she lived.
But he saw the beautiful Zhen Qing, reading a book by candlelight, which showed the profits and expenses of King Chu's various properties in Jinling and other places.
Jinling was the ancient capital of several dynasties. It was densely populated, bustling and noisy, and the trade was also very prosperous. The shops collected gold every day. To maintain the huge power of the King of Chu, gold and silver were naturally indispensable.
At this time, Zhen Xue came slowly with light steps and called softly: "Sister."
"You're back?" Zhen Qing looked at Zhen Xue, and saw her sister's beautiful face with fair skin and rosy skin, eyes like autumn water, and bright complexion, like a peony flower that has been nourished and watered, her beautiful eyes couldn't help but move, and she joked with a smile
Said: "Why does it take so long?"
When Zhen Xue heard this, her heart trembled and her jade cheeks were slightly red. She originally wanted to say something, but later she talked to Ziyu for a while, but when she saw Zhen Qing's eyes coming towards her, she didn't know why, but suddenly, as if out of nowhere, she said angrily in a low voice.
: "Well, so does he. He keeps messing around endlessly."
After the beauty finished speaking, her jade face was as hot as fire, and she felt her heart pounding non-stop.
Oh my god, what is she talking about? Why is she telling such lies in front of her sister?
Zhen Qing's jade face condensed slightly, she sighed quietly, her beautiful eyes dimmed a little, and she said: "After all, he still cherishes his sister more."
I originally thought that a few days ago, she and he had already... I didn't expect that he still treated his sister differently. I guess he didn't let her kneel down, huh, this bastard.
Zhen Xue couldn't explain any more. She came to the side and sat in front of the dressing table. She took off her jewelry and looked at the hibiscus and jade face on the bronze mirror, which was more beautiful than flowers. She felt a little unspeakable deep in her heart.
of shyness.
Zhen Qing came closer and asked, "Did you ask when he came over?"
Zhen Xue looked in the mirror, picked up the jasper earrings on her earlobes with one hand, and said softly: "I asked, and he said that it will only be in the next two days, maybe tomorrow, maybe the day after tomorrow, and someone will be sent to inform him before he comes."
Zhen Qing nodded and said worriedly: "The old lady is very worried. My father told the old lady about the matters at the Ministry of War. This is all caused by my fourth uncle."
As the beauty spoke, her tone gradually became a bit resentful.
Zhen Xue sighed softly and said with relief: "Good things come in time."
Zhen Qing smiled and said, "That's what I mean. We sisters can be considered as apologies to him. He should not be angry anymore."
The worst thing is, she just needs to grind him a few more times in the future. If it doesn't work, she will kneel down and serve him again.
Immediately, he said softly: "It's the Mid-Autumn Festival in a few days. Let's talk to him when we come over."
While they were talking, the two sisters sat down and talked about themselves.
"Sister, what are you doing?" Zhen Xue suddenly trembled, and turned her bright autumn eyes to look at Zhen Qing, who was holding her. Xue Nui's cheeks were as red as a peach core, and she stretched out her hand to gently play with Zhen Qing's lips.
With bare hands, I feel ashamed and angry.
Although the two sisters had been quarreling in the boudoir for an unknown amount of time before they came out of the court, and now they were serving a young man together, they had been married for several years, so Zhen Xue was still not used to being so close to each other all of a sudden.
Zhen Qing was charming and Yanye had a smile on her face and said, "Sister, I can smell that bastard."
Zhen Xue: "???"
My sister is really crazy. Was she poisoned by that bastard?
She immediately realized that this was her sister making a joke on herself. A hint of shame flashed through her beautiful eyes under her beautiful eyebrows, and she said: "Sister...sister, please stop making trouble."
Zhen Qing chuckled and joked: "Sister, are you satisfied this time?"
Zhen Xue's delicate body trembled slightly, her jade face was condensed, and her snow-grey cheeks suddenly blushed like a blush. Under the orange light, she became even more beautiful and charming.
What can she do?
Maybe she is just a bad woman. In Jiangnan, she... can only be sorry to the prince.
"Sister, our situation... is not a long-term solution after all." Zhen Xue looked at her with a faint look, biting her lips and whispered.
Zhen Qing looked at Zhen Xue playfully, and laughed softly: "What other long-term solution does my sister want to ask for, to stay with him forever?"
"What are you talking about, sister?" Zhen Xue said angrily.
The smile on Zhen Qing's face also faded a bit, and she said softly: "We can just talk about tomorrow's matters tomorrow. Besides, there may not be anything we can do about it in the future."
When she becomes the queen and takes charge of the country's affairs, she and her sister will be able to find a long-term solution.
Zhen Xue no longer mentioned such worrying long-term matters, and said softly: "What can my family say?"
"Let's see again. It won't be the Mid-Autumn Festival in two days. Let him come over." Zhen Qing said softly.
Zhen Xue sighed and said: "My fourth uncle did this, ugh..."
At this moment, the nun outside said loudly: "Princess, the third and fourth young ladies are here to find you."
Zhen Xue's eyebrows showed a hint of panic, and she said softly: "Sister, talk to the third and fourth sisters first, and I'll go take a bath first."
Although she doesn't smell bad now, she is indeed sticky.
Zhen Qing smiled and said, "Sister, go ahead."
While talking, two slim girls with bright eyes and white teeth were seen walking up to the second floor, accompanied by several nannies and maids. The two of them bowed to Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue: "I've met my sister."
Under Zhen Lan's beautiful eyebrows, she looked at Zhen Xue with clear eyes and asked kindly: "Second sister, when did you come back?"
Zhen Xue smiled softly and said softly: "I have just arrived. Third sister, have you had dinner?"
"I've eaten." Zhen Lan smiled. Seeing that there was no one around Zhen Xue, she couldn't help but ask, "Why don't you see Xin Xin?"
Zhen Xue said softly: "Xinxin will stay there for a few more days. This child is a bit playful. She plays well with her godfather and Aunt Lin."
Zhen Lan said, and walked up to Zhen Xue. Perhaps it was the fresh air after the rain, or perhaps Zhen Lan's keen sense of smell, her nose twitched slightly, and she felt a sense of surprise in her heart.
What's this smell? It's a little weird...
However, after a while, I just thought it was summer and I was prone to sweating, so it was hard to say anything.
Zhen Qing's beautiful face was full of smiles, and she said: "Sister, you go, I'll talk to Lan'er and Xi'er for a while."
With that said, he took Zhen Xi's hand and said with a smile: "Xier, it's the Mid-Autumn Festival in a few days. After the poetry meeting, my sister will give you a good pick."
When Zhen Xi heard this, she was so ashamed that she immediately blushed and whispered: "Sister, I...I am still young, and I still want to show more respect to my father and mother."
"Even if you decide it first, it won't delay your filial piety." Zhen Qing smiled and looked at her fourth sister with picturesque features.
If he couldn't betrothed to that Baoyu, maybe it would be better to betroth Xi'er to that bastard. In that case, in the eyes of outsiders, he would be completely tied to the Zhen family's boat.
But now, she and her sister were so sneaky, almost letting him take advantage in vain.
It's just that this concubine...according to her Zhen family's family background, it's a bit outrageous. When the fourth uncle heard about it, he would probably be furious.
Zhen Lan looked intently with her narrow, clear eyes, and asked curiously: "Sister, why did the old lady insist on meeting that Uncle Yongning before?"
She was also a witness to what was being discussed in the house these two days, because the fourth uncle offended Uncle Yongning, and then the old lady seemed to want to ease the relationship.
Hearing this, Zhen Xi also turned her pretty face with graceful charm, and looked at Zhen Qing curiously with her bright eyes. For the past two days, almost everyone in the house said a name in unison - Jia Heng.
In fact, in the past few days, Zhen Qing came back to live, which was quite strange to the two sisters Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi. They often asked Zhen Qing to ask about the strange people and anecdotes in Shenjing.
Zhen Qing said softly: "You saw this Uncle Yongning two days ago. He is only one or two years older than Lan'er, but he is already a minister of the imperial court. He is the earliest..."
For some reason, the noble Princess Chu looked at her two younger sisters with curiosity on their faces.
Well, when I was talking about "The Biography of Jia Heng" with Zhen Xue.
…
…
The rabbit is running wild and another day has passed before you know it.
What Jia Heng said at the Nanjing Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household Affairs spread to the entire Jiangnan officialdom, and there was a lot of discussion.
The Jiangnan Camp was in full swing. The first step was to check the number of troops. However, because the ordnance of the Jiangbei Camp was intercepted by the Liangjiang Governor's Yamen, for a while, every family in Jinling saw Jia Heng's joke.
Only a few people noticed that Jia Heng went to the Ministry of Household Affairs to put pressure on Tan Jie, the minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and fell into deep thought.
Annanhou Mansion
This is a large house with several floors in front and back, covering a vast area, surrounded by elms and willows, with carved beams and painted buildings, cornices and brackets, and pavilions and pavilions in a well-proportioned manner.
In a pavilion on the second floor, Annan Hou Ye Zhen squinted his eyes slightly and sat on a wicker chair. This Annan Hou, who once powerfully shocked Annan, was nearly sixty years old, with high eyebrows. From his old face, his youth could be vaguely seen.
At that time, Yingwu was playing with two walnuts in his big palm-leaf hand, and behind him were two maids in red and one green skirts, squeezing their shoulders.
The person serving tea on the side of the coffee table is a young man about thirty years old, wearing the robe of a fourth-grade military attache. He is Ye Kai, the second son of Ye Zhen.
Ye Kai whispered: "Father, have you heard the recent news coming from Jinling? Shen Jiefu wants to rectify the Jiangnan camp."
Ye Zhen paused slightly as he turned the Wenwan walnut in his hand and said, "Don't pay attention to him. Shen Jiefu is not courageous and is just bluffing. The real people in charge are still in Jiangbei."
"Father, you mean... Jia Heng?" Ye Kai's thick eyebrows moved slightly and he asked in surprise.
Ye Zhen said in a deep voice: "When the army in the capital was organized and martial arts was involved, Prince Teng caused trouble, and the man in the palace used him to organize the army. Who would have thought that a young boy could actually get things done?
It’s done.”
Ye Kai pondered for a moment and said: "Father, this man is not as young as the weak crown. His achievements, except for suppressing the rebellion in Henan, are hardly praiseworthy. Now he is in a high position in the military, and he is a minister of Wen. He is just relying on the emperor."
Favor and trust are not worthy of praise."
This is the perception of southern generals like Zhen Zhu and Ye Kai who are far away from Shenjing. They may think that Jia Heng may have some abilities, but...that's it.
It's just good luck. He was heard by the emperor, appreciated and promoted by Emperor Chongping, and received big rewards for his small efforts. In fact, this cannot be wrong, because at the feet of the imperial city, anyone with meritorious deeds will definitely be noticed by the superiors.
Ye Zhenwan's thin and strong eyebrows wrinkled slightly. Immediately, his old eyes opened and he said: "No matter whose favor he relies on, the palace will give him a chance to do something, as long as he doesn't make any big mistakes and remains standing."
Merit will only be like breaking bamboo, and lotus will grow step by step. This is... when everything comes, heaven and earth will work together."
He was almost like this in Annan back then. Although there were difficulties, he turned danger into safety and gained overwhelming momentum. At that time, he thought it was his own ability. Thinking about it in recent years, I am afraid it has something to do with the prosperity of Longzhi and the strong military power of the country.
Now that the emperor has the ambition to rejuvenate, he is energetic and promising, and he has used young men like Jia Heng to organize military affairs, hoping to fight against the Donglu. Unless there is another big defeat and the emperor is unable to recover from the fall, otherwise, the military training of the army will be a great trend.
Moreover, I heard that the prince of Donglu thought that he was a serious problem and personally sent people to assassinate him.
In fact, this is the perspective of the first-generation entrepreneurs who were awarded military titles and would not rush to a conclusion about a person.
Ye Kai frowned and said in a low voice: "No matter what, what he did in Jiangbei is not very popular in Jiangnan. Not to mention his son, even those below will be furious. Fortunately, it is only Shen Jie now."
I am reorganizing the army. If this Yongning uncle takes charge of this matter, I am afraid that it will disturb our old capital of the Han Dynasty and the ancestral temple of Jinling will not be peaceful."
Ye Zhen sighed and suddenly asked: "Kaier, how many years has it been since your father came to Jinling to take care of you?"
Ye Kai was surprised and replied: "Fourteen years."
Ye Zhen looked at the rain curtain outside the attic and whispered: "It's been fourteen years in the blink of an eye."
When people grow old, they not only become softer in other aspects, but also softer in heart. More than ten years have passed, and those old brothers who were brave and good at fighting and fighting with the Annan monkeys have all been fascinated by the scent of Jiangnan's powder.
Ye Kai couldn't control his father's thoughts and asked: "Father, the governor's office of Liangjiang is going to conduct an inventory of military personnel. Several uncles asked what to do?"
Of the six Jiangnan guards, the commanders and commanders of five of them were all Ye Zhen's old troops, and some were quite old.
Ye Zhen paused slightly while turning the walnuts, pondered for a moment, and said: "I will go to the Governor's Mansion of Liangjiang tomorrow. These are generals who have contributed to the country. We should not wait too long. As for eliminating the old and the weak, the Jiangnan camp has to replenish its troops every year.
, which is what it should be.”
Ye Kai thought for a while and said in a low voice: "The son will talk to his uncles about this later."
Ye Zhen pondered for a moment and then warned: "They are not young anymore, and they have enjoyed many blessings in recent years. Some of the older ones should go back to have grandchildren. The imperial court wants to rectify the Southern Army.
We cannot go against the trend when it comes to promoting young people."
After the chaos in Henan was settled, the world's power has returned to that of Prince Yong in Shenjing City. He has to understand the current affairs and go against the trend. The key is where will the Ye family go in the future?
Is it just like Taizong who lived in Luoyang, enjoying his wealth and wealth, and slowly building up the Han army?
Without the authority to protect me, I am afraid that this wealth will be fleeting and will not last long, and I will need to find another way out.
The eldest son has mediocre talents, but is a good man and can succeed to the title of marquis. The second and third sons are all military commanders, but have no title.
Seeing that his father was lost in thought again, Ye Kai stood up, bowed, and left the courtyard.
Ye Zhen opened his eyes and looked quietly at the rain curtain in the courtyard. He was lost in thought again and murmured: "Maybe I should meet Jia Heng."
If he is really a natural-born general, he has the spirit of martial arts of Ning Rong and Duke...
The next day, the sky was bright. After the rain, the air in Jinling City was fresh and pleasant, and the willows were lingering and green.
Jia Heng, Dai Yu, and Shui Xin got into a carriage and headed to Zhen's house accompanied by the guards of Jinyi Mansion.
At this moment, the Zhen family had received the news and opened the middle gate in advance to welcome him. The grandmother and the maids set up the curtains and lined up to welcome him.