An island twenty miles long and as narrow as a gourd is located in the vast sea, with rolling white waves and endless blue sea. Dozens of ships with high masts are densely docked on the shore, and the island is covered with trees and thorns.
A tent was set up.
Duduo stood in the open space in front of the building, looking at the seagulls flying occasionally in the sky. The sea breeze, with a bit of saltiness, hit his face.
Seven or eight days passed, and the prince's complexion became noticeably rosier. Especially when he heard the natural sounds of waves and the flapping wings of seagulls, he felt a rare peace of mind.
Reflections on the previous defeat in the war came to mind, and he was reckless and aggressive. If he hadn't been like this, he wouldn't have been humiliated again and again, and Su Hetai wouldn't have died.
Duduo closed his eyes slightly, feeling that his heart was still aching.
Deng Biao pressed the knife, walked closer, and asked: "Master, it's windy here, so you should rest in the tent." "Where are they?" Duduo looked at Deng Biao and asked.
Deng Biao said: "The flying pigeon delivered the report the day before yesterday. Li Daoshun prepared fresh water and supplies. He has set out from Jeolla Province in the past two days and is moving at full speed. If nothing happens, we should be able to arrive in one and a half months."
Duduo Hu's eyes were gleaming, he pondered for a moment, and said: "The army is coming, and the military equipment needs supplies. Before that, we need to find an island to station the supplies. What do the Fang family say?"
The Fang family is a group of smuggling forces active in Dachen Island. They are supported by the clan in Taizhou Prefecture and have friendship with local officials in Zhejiang Province. They have been doing smuggling business in Southeast Asia and the north all year round. They are also members of the Sihai Gang and the Nujiao Gang.
Provide supplies and earn profits.
Deng Biao said: "The people of the Fang family asked about our fleet and heard that it came from the south of the Yangtze River. They were a little suspicious, but they didn't ask much. But renting an island might not be easy."
Duduo pondered and said: "Let the people from the Sihai Gang and the Nujiao Gang talk first. We will not reveal our identities. We will wait for the army to arrive and cook the rice."
"Master, the fleet navy of Dusi in Zhejiang Province will always find us. If we send troops to clear it out in advance, our army will be trapped here." Deng Biao said in a low voice.
Previously, when Jia Heng was rectifying the military affairs of the camps in the south and north of the Yangtze River, he had already sent a letter to the Zhejiang capital to send out boats and navy to search for traces of Duduo and other bandits along the coast. Anyone who hides the thieves and fails to report them will be sent to Shu Yan Shen once it is confirmed.
Jinyi asked.
Duduo thought for a moment and said: "Zhejiang Province's Zhouchuan Navy has been sparse for a long time and will not attack rashly. Besides, its combat power is far inferior to that of Jiangnan Daying Navy in the Battle of Haimen. If they really want to fight, one strike
And collapsed."
Not everyone is a naval officer in the Jiangbei camp, and not everyone has a military commander like Jia Heng sitting in command.
Deng Biao pondered and said: "Master, it would be great if we can capture the land of Dongfan. If we can capture Jilong Mountain and the tigers are in the middle, it will be easy to counterattack the Chen-Han coast."
During the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Han Dynasty, he attacked the pirates and the descendants of the Ming Dynasty clan who were entrenched in the bay. After the annihilation, they did not return the bay to the government, so the Dutch still had some pirates entrenched in the bay.
"Dongfan Island is isolated overseas and has insufficient supplies of fresh water and grain. This matter needs to be considered in the long term." Duduo thought for a while and said in a deep voice.
As long as he waits for another month and a half, he will be wiped out of his old and new grudges.
"Your Majesty, Master Yan has called you over to discuss matters." At this time, a young man ran from a distance, and he was the young novice monk of the Calabash Temple.
Duduo nodded, and accompanied by Deng Biao, walked towards the largest tent...
...
Jinling, Ningguofu
In the courtyard where Daiyu is located, the afternoon sunlight shines softly and quietly on the side room, reflecting several beautiful shadows on the screen.
Zhen Xue is sitting on the embroidered pier with a dignified posture, her face is pale, and Youshi is talking to her side. The two beauties are both wearing plain skirts and no jewelry, they are as elegant as chrysanthemums.
It's just that the charm between Zhen Xue's Wanli eyebrows has not faded, and Xue Nu's cheeks are also rosy and dizzy. Youshi looked at Zhen Xue, who was full of charm between her eyebrows, and said softly: "Princess, when will you return to Beijing?"
Zhen Xue said softly: "I plan to stay here for a while."
As he said that, he looked at You with his bright eyes and asked, "Where is Sister-in-law You?"
Youshi said softly: "My sister wrote to me and said that when Uncle Heng returns to Beijing, I will go back to Beijing with him. I am still thinking about whether to go back."
I both want to go back but also don’t want to go back. What should I do if I go back?
Zhen Xue said: "Sister-in-law You doesn't know anyone here. If she can return to the capital to serve the old lady, it will be easier for the sisters in Beijing to take care of her. Besides, aren't sister-in-law You's two younger sisters and my mother all in Shenjing?"
, it’s time to go back.”
"That's what the princess said." You said softly.
In the inner compartment, Daiyu took Zhen Xi's hand and asked softly: "Sister Xi'er is not feeling well, why is her face so red?"
In fact, between the two of them, Zhen Xi is older, but Daiyu thinks that she is much more mature than the girl in front of her with a simple expression and confused eyes that sometimes show confusion. And from Jia Heng's point of view, she, as a sister-in-law,
Zhen Xi should also be allowed to call her sister.
Zhen Xi quickly said: "Sister Lin, there's nothing wrong with me."
She still couldn't help but recall the breath that made her dizzy before, and she felt a little embarrassed.
At this time, Zijuan and Xiren took the tea cups filled with fragrant tea and handed them to the two sisters Zhen Xi, Li Wen and Li Qi.
Daiyu's starry eyes were thoughtful, and she said softly: "I just heard from the princess that how many days will Sister Xi'er stay in the mansion?"
Zhen Xi was in a state of confusion, twisting her handkerchief in her hands. After hearing this, she nodded and said, "Yes, Sister Lin, I've been bothering you these past few days."
"It's okay to live here." Daiyu said softly, but she felt that it was not easy in her heart.
For a girl who has not yet left the court, unlike Li Wen and Li Qi, because she is Li Wan's cousin, living in Ningguo Mansion in the name of a family friend is actually a bit out of place.
In the study, the lazy afternoon sun shines on the rugged rockery in the courtyard.
Jia Heng and Zhen Qing hugged each other, enjoying a moment of tranquility in the afternoon. The two came to the window and looked at the grass in the courtyard through the raised window. This undoubtedly made Zhen Qingfang feel ashamed and angry, mixed with shame.
Her buttocks were so strange that the beauty couldn't control herself, almost giving the illusion of camping in the wild.
Jia Heng hugged Zhen Qing, whose body was limp into a ball of mud, and whispered, "Qing'er."
Zhen Qing's beautiful eyes seemed to be unopened, with sweat on her temples, and she said in a trembling voice: "Zi Yu, I am... a bad woman."
Zhen Qing was clearly confused and obsessed just now. Under Jia Heng's questioning, Zhen Qing narrated the words in the letter.
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said, "You have done a lot for him. If it weren't for him, the Zhen family might not have declined."
Zhen Qing sighed quietly, and the guilt she felt in her heart seemed to lighten a lot. She lost her sight for a moment and said faintly: "Zi Yu, if I had married you..."
Jia Heng smiled, with an inexplicable meaning in his eyes, and said, "Then you won't be the queen."
Zhen Qing's phoenix eyes under Liu Ye's slender eyebrows were distracted for a moment, and she seemed to have thought of some possibility. She pursed her pink lips as smooth as rose petals and whispered: "Some things are uncertain."
If she marries him, she will definitely help him get to that point. He is now in charge of the Jiangnan and Jiangbei camps, and he is also in charge of the Beijing camp. There is no telling what day that will come.
Jia Heng: "..."
What exactly does Mopan want to do? What made her have such treacherous thoughts?
"How old was I when you first got married?" Jia Heng said softly, took Zhen Qing's bare hand and said, "Okay, that's it, don't make people suspicious."
Jia Heng helped Zhen Qing to the bed, arranged Zhen Qing's clothes, and asked softly: "During this period, I am busy with camp affairs and salt affairs, so I don't have much free time. How long will you be in Jinling?"
Zhen Qing sighed and said: "After the old lady left, everything at home was complicated. I want to sort out the things here before returning to the capital."
Jia Heng nodded and said, "That's fine."
Zhen Qing raised her beautiful eyes and said softly: "Then Sister Xi'er is right here with you."
Jia Heng stood up and poured tea, handed a cup to Zhen Qing, and said, "I'm going to Gusu in two days." I had promised to go to Gusu about Daiyu and Miaoyu.
Take a trip to Su.
"Going to Suzhou?" Zhen Qing asked with bright eyes, "Then when will you come back?"
"Maybe we'll stay for two or three days." Jia Heng took a sip of tea and said, "Then, I'll go to Guangdong for business." "What are you doing there?" Zhen Qing asked in surprise.
"Military secrets, what are you asking for?" Jia Heng spoke softly, walked to the fumigation cage, lowered his head and filled it with ice silk and sandalwood to dispel the obscene smell in the room, but his mind was particularly clear, thinking about Jiangnan in his heart.
Things.
The eight major salt merchants have already gone to four of them, and the only thing left is to inspect the property and register it. As for the other four, there is no rush.
Military affairs are on the right track, and I can finally relax a little. I go to Suzhou to handle a private matter and take a look at Haojing.
Zhen Qing looked at the young man's frown, walked closer, and caught a glimpse of the books on several cases from the corner of her eye. She moved her eyes slightly, looked at the young man, and said: "You have been busy with business during this time. Looking at this
It’s both salt affairs and military affairs.”
I don’t know what is recorded in this book. Well, I want to see it, but I am afraid that this bastard will look down on her.
But Jia Heng stepped forward and picked up a book, took it from Zhen Qing's bare hand, and said softly: "You can read it if you want. You are a woman determined to become the empress of the Han Dynasty."
In fact, it's not a secret. By the way, I poured cold water on Zhen Qing to wake her up.
Zhen Qing listened to the young man's banter, and her charming eyes under her beautiful eyebrows were filled with anger. She reached out to pick up the book, flipped it open, and read the words on it. It recorded how much empty pay the generals had occupied and made up for.
How much money, there is no secret.
"Here is another book. The officers of the Ministry of War confessed to false salary reports. From the military administration to the generals, it is absolutely terrible. Even if you were given control of such an army, what could you do?" Jia Heng picked up the book.
, handed it to Zhen Qing.
Zhen Qing frowned, and there was evil aura on her red jade face, and she said in a cold voice: "These generals are so greedy that they really deserve to be killed!"
"For such a soldier who is greedy for life and afraid of death, even if you become a queen one day, Jingkang's shame will serve as a lesson learned when foreign tribes invade." Jia Heng looked at the beautiful beauty behind Jing Yu and said slowly.
However, he felt that with Zhen Qing's temperament, she would definitely commit suicide, and she would not end up as violently as the queens and princesses of the Zhao family. In fact, Zhen Qing was just a little vicious-hearted, but she was actually very fierce in her bones.
I'm afraid only he can see a little of the madness between the bed curtains.
Zhen Qing's delicate body trembled slightly, her beautiful eyes moistened slightly, and she raised her head to look at the young man.
Jia Heng said: "Actually, you, the Zhen family, are not one of them. You lead Jinling Tirenyuan and supervise the three major weaving bureaus. Compared with the tens of thousands of Yin soldiers in the Jiangnan camp who wasted money and food, you can't make more concessions."
Zhen Qing put down the book and was silent for a moment.
Jia Heng looked at Zhen Qing, who pursed her lips and said nothing, and whispered: "When the sea-suppressing divisions were wiped out in one battle, how many sea-suppressing divisions do you think there are in the world? Even if you are the mother of the world, can you solve this?"
Zhen Qing walked to Jia Heng, hugged Jia Heng from behind, and said foolishly: "Isn't it you? You can just help me solve it in the future."
As long as she joins forces with him, they will be able to revive the Han Dynasty and usher in a prosperous age. Jia Heng turned to look at the beauty, feeling speechless for a moment.
In fact, after being together for a long time, he could now vaguely guess what Zhen Qing was thinking in her heart. This woman's desire for the position of queen was hopeless.
Jia Heng said softly: "Okay, it's getting late, you should go back."
"Yes." Zhen Qing responded calmly, her beautiful eyes looking at the young man lovingly, her eyes full of reluctance: "Then my sister and I will go back, Xinxin and Xi'er will stay with you.
When the weather comes, my sister and I will come over to pick up Xinxin."
Jia Heng's eyes were gentle, he reached out and pinched the beauty's pink cheeks, nodded and said, "Go ahead."
After Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue were sent away, the sky was dim and dusk was falling, and lanterns were hung inside and outside the house.
Jia Heng was served by Qingwen. After taking a bath, he left the wing and stood in the corridor.
At the end, I raised my eyes to look at the sky where it was drizzling again.
Chen Xiao walked over slowly, looked at the young man who was looking at the sky with his hands behind his hands, and asked, "What are you doing standing here?" Jia Heng whispered, "Look at the sky, I don't know when the rain will stop.
"
As he said that, he turned to look at Chen Xiao and said, "I've been watching the wind all day and didn't go to rest. Why are you here now?" Chen Xiao: "..."
"Dinner is ready, let's go and eat." The girl's clear eyes reflected the slightly lonely figure of the boy, her voice was still quiet.
Qingzhi was deliberately teasing himself.
Jia Heng's eyes flashed and he asked, "Did you cook it yourself?"
Chen Xiao has been too busy helping Jia Heng with military affairs these days, so he doesn't cook much.
Catching the light in the young man's eyes, the girl's originally depressed mood became brighter unconsciously, and she said, "My hands were itchy for a while, so I cooked a few dishes."
Jia Heng smiled and said, "Then I'll have to taste it later." After saying that, he and Chen Xiao went to the backyard.
At this moment, Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue left the Zhen family, but left Zhen Xi and Shui Xin behind. Daiyu would let Zheng, Li Wen, and Li Qi gather around a table and wait for a while.
"Brother Heng." Daiyu stood up and called, her starry eyes shining brightly.
Shui Xin stretched out Bai Shengsheng's little hand and said in a soft and clear voice: "Daddy, give me a hug."
His godfather smells like his mother and aunt. Every time he holds his godfather, it feels like he is being held by his aunt and mother.
Jia Heng looked at Shui Xin with a smile and asked, "Xinxin, have you washed your hands?" "Yes, Aunt Xiren washed it for me." Shui Xin said in a Nuo voice.
This sentence made Xi Ren, who was waiting on the side, blush slightly, and his shrewd eyebrows rarely contained a simple smile.
Daiyu looked at the father and daughter who were talking and said, "Brother Heng, I told Shui Xin to stay here for a few more days. It won't be too late for the princess to pick her up in a few days."
The Zhen family had just held a funeral, and there was an atmosphere of sadness everywhere. It would be better for the children to change their environment.
Jia Heng said softly: "It's just right. There's nothing going on recently. I also want to take her to play. Let's go to Gusu in a few days."
When Daiyu heard this, her pretty face showed joy, and she said in surprise: "Brother Heng, are you done with your work here?"
Going to Gusu to pay homage to her mother was something that Brother Heng had promised her before coming to Jiangnan.
"We are very busy. The ancients said that there is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. When we get to Suzhou, my sister will take us to see it." Jia Heng said softly.
While he was talking, Jia Heng's eyes fell on the face of Zhen Xi next to Dai Yu. The little girl's bright and clear eyes were as bright as a stream. She was looking at Jia Heng intently. She immediately blushed and lowered her head.
He didn't dare to look at Jia Heng at all.
...
The next day, there was another light rain in Jinling. The red eaves and blue tiles of the Ningguo Mansion were washed as bright as a mirror, and the light was discernible.
But the sky was still overcast, and Jia Heng came down to the Hubu Yamen with a large number of Jinyifu guards.
Tan Jie, the left minister of the Ministry of Revenue, had been waiting with the officials of the Ministry of Revenue for a long time, and introduced Jia Heng into the official hall with a smile on his face.
At this moment, the official hall was crowded with people, including the cabinet minister Qi Kun, the salt inspector Lin Ruhai, and the remaining four major merchants in Yangzhou.
As for the Lianghuai Capital Transport Department, they also sent a governor of the Experience Department to attend the meeting, because relatively high-ranking officials, such as Zhi Zhi, deputy envoys, and judges were all involved in the case and are still in prison in Jinyi Mansion. The Salt Transport Department has already
Caught in one fell swoop.
In addition, the deputy envoys of the Huai'an, Tongzhou, and Taizhou Third Division also sat down on nanmu chairs. When they saw Jia Heng entering the official hall, they all stood up to greet him and bowed their hands in greeting, but they all looked uneasy.
Jia Heng nodded towards the officials of the Third Division, with an incomprehensible look in his eyes.
With the investigation of the Lianghuai Salt Case, the three deputy envoys of the branch were also involved in the case. After the meeting, it was impossible to say that they would still be arrested and questioned.
Qi Kun looked at the young man opposite and bowed his hands, his eyes slightly complicated. He was a bachelor when he first entered the cabinet and was promoted to the crown prince and tutor. The person in front of him was
The prince's Taibao.
Qi Kun asked: "Uncle Yongning, now that all the salt officials are here, please tell me in detail what uncle Yongning has to say."
As soon as these words came out, all the officials in the government office looked at Jia Heng. The salt affairs matter had been brewing for a long time and it was time for it to be implemented.
Jia Heng sat down and said in deep thought: "The system of monopolizing merchants to lead to the shore has lasted for decades since the founding of the People's Republic of China. The two Huaihe Rivers are still in service today. Expenses are increasing day by day, costs are getting heavier, salt prices are getting higher and private salt is becoming more and more common."
In the Sheng Dynasty, the salt tax has been greatly reduced year after year, which is almost unsustainable. Since the first year of Chongping, the Salt Transportation Department has been in deficit as much as more than 20 million taels. For this reason, if it is not rectified, the salt tax will not be saved, and the salt tax will be reduced.
Officials and unscrupulous merchants are making tens of millions of profits. How can it last long if official funds are given to private individuals?"
To put it bluntly, the monopoly trader diverted salt to the shore, which was equivalent to allowing the salt merchants to make money. Then the people could not afford the high-priced salt, and the proliferation of illegal salt increased. In addition, the salt merchants had official salt on their hands and private salt on the right, and the court became increasingly
The salt tax cannot be collected.
Qi Kun was silent for a moment and said, "What is Uncle Yongning's advice?"
Although Jia Heng's words are fierce, it is also a commonplace topic. There are many abuses in the salt affairs and they urgently need to be rectified, but how to rectify them?
At this time, Lin Ruhai also looked at the young man, his elegant face was calm and calm.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said: "I believe that the Salt Transportation Department should be reorganized. The Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs will set the capital, and jointly send personnel to operate and supervise the tax. As for the local salt business, ordinary merchants, no matter who they are, just need to follow the regulations.
Anyone who pays taxes can collect salt by ticket and sell it to salt-producing areas. However, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Internal Affairs regulate the total amount of salt imported and the price of salt in salt-producing areas. This move is intended to reduce floating fees."
It is to break the monopoly of individual salt merchants on the salt industry, so that salt can be maintained at a price that is almost the same as that of private salt, but at the same time, it is necessary to prevent over-shipping and over-selling from flooding the entire market.
As soon as these words came out, Wang Shouqi's complexion changed drastically. His hands and feet were almost cold. If he could get salt by ticket, wouldn't everyone be able to sell salt? Wouldn't the foundation of Yangzhou's century-old salt industry be cut off from now on?