The Red Mansions

Chapter 1571 Jia Heng: The emperor governs nine states, and his ministers have five

Chapter 1571 Jia Heng: The emperor rules the nine states, and has five ministers to assist him...

It is June now and the weather changes suddenly.

As night falls and the summer rain pours down, looking from afar, you can see the green and beautiful Cangshan Mountains winding and undulating, their shadows looming in the rain and fog.

The group galloped towards the county town where lights were faintly on in the distance, and arrived at an inn with thatched huts.

Ruan Yongde, the King of Wei and the King of Liang entered the second floor of the inn, went into a private room, and sat down one after another.

King Wei Chen Ran looked at Ruan Yongde and said, "What's going on in Sichuan?"

Ruan Yongde paused for a moment, looked at the King of Wei with sparkling eyes, and said, "Many of my disciples are in Bashu. As long as we give them a little call, they will respond and the war will start everywhere."

King Wei Chen Ran frowned, his eyes filled with worry, and said, "The imperial army is brave and good at fighting, and should not be underestimated."

Jia Ziyu's ability in commanding troops was so unpredictable that he really didn't have much confidence in him.

King Liang spoke without thinking and could not help but say: "The White Lotus Sect members are just a bunch of rabble, how can they defeat the brave and combative government troops?"

King Chen Ran of Wei tugged at King Liang's sleeve under the table, signaling him not to say more. Then, he looked at Ruan Yongde and said, "In Bashu, how is the fighting power of the government army?"

Ruan Yongde took over the conversation and said, "The government troops are all our own people. When the war breaks out, the government troops will just turn a blind eye and it won't be a big deal."

King Wei Chen Ran nodded and asked, "Hasn't the Gao family come yet?"

After he arrived in Bashu, he united his troops and followed the example of Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, by raising an army in Bashu and establishing his hegemony.

Ruan Yongde said: "The second and third sons of the Gao family took another road, so they should not be here at this time."

Prince Liang frowned, his eyes deep, and said: "Didn't you say before that Junggar and Khoshut could also send troops and respond from afar?"

Ruan Yongde nodded and said, "We have already sent people to contact the Junggar and Khoshut. Once something happens here, the troops from the entire southwest and northwest will respond. Even if the imperial court has hundreds of thousands of elite troops, it will not be able to withstand the fires in the two borders. It will be difficult to cope with it."

The King of Wei looked deeply, and a surge of heroic sentiment surged in his heart.

King Liang said coldly: "We must make a big noise this time! Otherwise, if that Jia Heng is a military genius and he puts down the rebellion, we will be in trouble."

Ruan Yongde looked a little indifferent, and said: "Don't worry, Your Highness Prince Liang. Prince Wei is unpopular now. When the time comes, the heroes and righteous men in the local counties will surely respond, and the people of integrity in the capital will certainly be armed and ready to fight."

Prince Liang raised his sword-like eyebrows, his cold eyes flickered, and he whispered: "The entire Shenjing City is controlled by Prince Wei."

At this moment, a burly young guard quickly entered the yamen, pondered for a moment, and said loudly: "General, the young master is here."

Ruan Yongde's face became solemn, and he said in a low voice: "Your Highnesses, please wait a moment. I will go to greet them."

The King of Wei remained expressionless, with a gloomy look in his eyes beneath his resolute and calm brows.

This is the first time I met Chen Yuan.

This remnant of the former King of Zhao had planned countless conspiracies and stirred up countless storms. Even the death of his father was indirectly related to Chen Yuan.

As he was speaking, the door creaked slightly, and then a young man with a frown on his face walked into the hall.

Chen Yuan's fair and clear face seemed to be filled with a smile, and he said, "My two cousins, long time no see."

At this moment, there was heavy rain outside the window, lightning and thunder, and the room was bright white.

The King of Wei and the King of Liang stood up, looked up at Chen Yuan, the "enemy who killed his father", bowed, and said, "Cousin."

Chen Yuan whispered, "You and I are both wanderers in this world. The thief Jia is controlling the government in the capital and wants to usurp the Han Dynasty's sacred artifacts. You and I should work together to fight against the profiteers."

King Chen Ran of Wei said, "My cousin is right. Our Han dynasty has been established for a hundred years. Several generations of emperors have worked hard and diligently. How can we allow ministers of other surnames to steal the world?"

Jia Ziyu, regardless of whether he had an affair with his mother, but he controlled the government

In fact, no one cared at all whether Zhen Qing's twins and Queen Song's twins were Jia Heng's. Rebellion just needed an excuse!

This excuse was precisely the result of Jia Heng's long-standing lustful personality.

……

……

Ningguo Mansion, Grand View Garden

Jia Heng talked with Miaoyu in the Rongcui Temple for a while, but did not linger for long and went to the backyard.

In the evening, when dusk fell and the sky became dark, you could see lanterns hanging on the eaves of the corridor, casting circles of red under the light and shadow.

At this moment, Qin Keqing was teasing her daughter Jia Fu in the house. Not far away was Miaoyu's daughter, Jia Mo, who was in the arms of You Sanjie, allowing You Sanjie to hold her.

At this moment, Jia Mo was stuffing a candy man into his mouth and eating it with great pleasure.

The maid came over quickly, with a smile in her voice, and said, "Princess, the prince is here."

Qin Keqing raised her beautiful eyebrows, her eyes flickered, and she said softly, "Why are you here?"

Jia Heng smiled warmly, with some inexplicable meaning in his eyes, and said, "Come and see you and your daughter."

"Daddy." Jia Fu's voice was soft and cute, and her palm-sized face was clearly filled with excitement.

Jia Mo's eyes were like black grapes, bright and crystal clear, her voice was soft and charming, she whispered: "Daddy, kiss~"

Jia Fu's snow-white face was brightly smiling. She looked at the young man in the python robe with sparkling eyes. She stretched out her two small hands, waved at Jia Heng, and said softly, "Daddy, hug me."

While Jia Heng was talking, he didn't say much. He hugged his daughter, turned his head, looked at Jia Mo beside him with a warm smile, stretched out his hand and quickly picked her up, joked, and said: "Mo'er, eat less sugar figurines, be careful not to damage your teeth."

At this moment, Third Sister You laughed and said, "I talked to her, but she didn't listen. Well, let your father discipline you."

As he said this, he came closer and pinched the little guy's cheeks, which were so tight that water could come out of them, with a look of doting in his eyes.

Jia Heng sat down and teased his two daughters, his eyes full of affection.

Qin Keqing's eyes were as gentle as water, and she asked, "Husband, there shouldn't be anything going on these two days, right?"

Jia Heng's eyes were warm, and he smiled and said, "I've only been free for a while recently, nothing else."

Qin Keqing raised her eyebrows, looked at Jia Heng with her beautiful eyes, and whispered, "Tomorrow is my father's seventieth birthday. If my husband is free tomorrow, why don't we go to his house together?"

"I don't have anything to do tomorrow, so I can go and take a look." Jia Heng nodded and responded.

Jia Heng paused for a moment and said in a low voice, "Minister Zhao should come to your house to celebrate your birthday tomorrow. I have something else to do, so I'll go see him on the way."

Now that Lü Jiang has married, the Minister of Works Zhao Yi is suitable to join the cabinet, but this matter requires careful planning and cannot be taken lightly.

Qin Keqing's face was calm and bright. She responded softly and said in a gentle voice, "Minister Zhao should be here that day."

Jia Heng picked up his two daughters and said, "Let's go over and take a look together tomorrow."

Qin Keqing nodded and said gently, "My husband, it's getting late. Sister You said these days that she has something to tell you."

Jia Heng nodded and looked at Youshi standing beside him, his heart inexplicably moved.

I'm afraid it's because Youshi misses him.

While Jia Heng was speaking, he handed Fu'er and Mo'er to You Erjie and You Sanjie who were standing beside him, then stood up and followed Youshi to the inner room.

……

……

The next day, early in the morning, in front of the Ningguo Mansion, two large snow-white lions were washed clean and so white that they could reflect a person's shadow.

Jia Heng and Qin Keqing got on a horse-drawn carriage with a high shaft and headed towards Qin's residence, accompanied by the maids and maids of the Jia family.

In the Qin residence, an old servant was standing in front of the door lintel, with a beaming smile on his deeply wrinkled face, welcoming and seeing off the visiting guests.

Qin Ye had been an official in the Ministry of Works for many years. He was a kind and generous person, and had a good relationship with his colleagues. Therefore, many people came to greet him and see him off.

At this moment, the guard standing at the door shouted, "The King of Wei's carriage is here."

As he was speaking, the servants standing at the door came quickly and gathered around to greet the carriage.

As the carriage stopped by the roadside, Jia Heng helped Qin Keqing get off the carriage, and then several maids got off the carriage holding a pair of twins, a boy and a girl.

Soon, a group of people entered the mansion.

Qin Ye was chatting with the visiting Minister of Works Zhao Yi, and Qin Zhong was accompanying him.

At this moment, Qin Ye heard the servant's report and stood up, saying, "Master Zhao, please sit here. I will be back soon."

Zhao Yi nodded, also stood up and said, "I'll go with you."

While Qin Ye was speaking, he quickly came to the eaves of the corridor, stepped forward to greet the general, called out, and said in a loud voice: "King Wei."

At this moment, Zhao Yi stared at the young man in the python costume, and his heart was slightly moved.

Jia Heng walked a few steps, bowed to Qin Ye, and said, "My son-in-law greets my father-in-law."

Qin Keqing also came closer and bowed to Qin Ye.

Zhao Yi looked at the young man in the python robe with a complicated look under his thick eyebrows that looked like sharp blades. He bowed and said, "Your humble servant greets the King of Wei."

Jia Heng quickly extended his hand to support him, his expression paused, and he said in a deep voice: "Minister Zhao is really embarrassing me."

After exchanging pleasantries, the few of them walked towards the hall and sat down.

At this moment, the servant brought a cup of fragrant tea and then slowly retreated.

Qin Ye nodded and asked, "Zi Yu, has the case that the Imperial College gathered at Anshun Gate been concluded?"

Jia Heng's eyes flickered, and he said in a gentle voice: "It's over. Now the capital has calmed down."

Qin Ye twisted a few strands of beard under his chin, his face was as calm as the mysterious water, and his voice was full of emotion, he said: "Some time ago, there were turbulent storms in the capital, but now it has finally calmed down a little."

Jia Heng nodded and whispered, "There was some chaos some time ago."

Qin Ye said: "A cabinet minister and a Hanlin Academy scholar have been imprisoned. There has been quite a lot of trouble recently."

At this moment, although Zhao Yi was holding a blue and white porcelain teacup in his hand and sipping the steaming hot tea, he was secretly paying attention.

"Anyone who violates the laws and disciplines of the country will be shown no mercy, no matter who it is." Jia Heng said in a stern tone.

Qin Ye nodded and said, "That's true."

Jia Heng said in a clear voice: "The emperor governs the nine states, and he has five ministers to assist him. Now there are four of the five ministers in the cabinet, and one is still missing. In the next few days, the court will recommend and select people with both moral integrity and talent to enter the cabinet to assist in government affairs and assist in military affairs."

Qin Ye nodded, twisted the three strands of gray beard under his chin, and said loudly: "Now that the young master is in power, he needs to select assistant ministers to help him manage the yin and yang to prevent the state affairs from being neglected."

Jia Heng's face was calm, like a mysterious water, and he said in a clear voice: "There is not much progress on this matter, but we can no longer select ministers like Lu Jiang to join the cabinet. We need to select an elder of high age and virtue to join the cabinet and take charge of the affairs."

As he spoke, Jia Heng glanced vaguely at Zhao Yi, who was standing aside with a calm look.

Zhao Yi picked up a blue and white porcelain teacup and said, "What the King of Wei said makes sense. The political situation needs to be stable now, and it shouldn't be too turbulent."

Jia Heng nodded and said in a deep voice, "But there are always some people who don't know the big picture and will stir up a storm even when there is no wind."

At this moment, Qin Ye's old face was covered with a prosperous smile, and he said loudly: "It's getting late, please take your seat first."

While everyone was talking, they went to a side hall and sat down together.

On the other side, Qin Keqing was holding Jia Fu and chatting with Qin Zhong's wife Zhao, teasing the little girl.

Qin Ye paused for a moment, and said in a clear voice: "Now the new policy is in full swing in the court, and everything is settled, so there is nothing to worry about."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Although the country is well governed now, the local people are in trouble. I wonder if the craftsman has made the cement that my father-in-law mentioned before?"

If he wanted to obtain the throne of abdication in a reasonable and legal manner, he had to win one victory after another in domestic affairs and military affairs, seize great prestige, and gain the support of the people.

Qin Ye nodded and whispered, "The Ministry of Works has organized craftsmen to take charge of this matter, and there has been some progress. In order to speed up the completion of Emperor Shizong Xian's mausoleum, cement has been used, and the effect is remarkable."

When Jia Heng heard this, his eyes sparkled with surprise and he asked, "Why didn't you tell me before?"

Cement can be said to be a magic tool for road construction. If we can get this material and reinforce official roads, then transportation in the world will be convenient and trade will be prosperous.

"The capital has been experiencing a lot of political upheavals recently, and I forgot that Zi Yu was in charge of this matter." Qin Ye said from the side.

Zhao Yi was listening to the conversation between the two people at the side, and secretly memorized the material of cement in his mind.

The fact that King Wei attached so much importance to this item seems to be extraordinary.

Jia Heng nodded, his eyes flickered, and he said in a gentle voice: "Father-in-law can preside over the reconstruction of the official roads throughout the country."

Qin Ye frowned and said, "Zi Yu wants to expand and repair the official road? Such a large-scale construction project will impose heavy corvée labor. I am afraid that the people will complain."

Zhao Yi nodded and agreed, saying, "The court is in turmoil right now, so it's better to move than to be quiet."

Jia Heng paused for a moment, and said in a low voice: "The Jurchens from Liaodong are still in the captive camp. We cannot let them consume our rice and grain. We should recruit a group of them to build the road. Besides, this matter is not urgent, so we can take our time."

Qin Ye said: "That's not bad."

Jia Heng raised his eyebrows, his eyes were deep, and he said in a low voice: "Father-in-law, Mr. Zhao, please have your meal first."

Zhao Yi nodded, and without saying anything else, started to move his chopsticks.

Behind another embroidered mica screen, Qin Keqing and Qin Zhong’s wife, Zhao, can be seen talking together.

Zhao was holding the delicate and graceful Fu'er in her arms. She couldn't help but feel fond of her and whispered, "Fu'er is really getting heavier."

Qin Keqing's bright eyes were warm and gentle under her curved eyebrows. She smiled and said jokingly, "You've been married for a year. If you like children, you can have one."

When Zhao heard this, she felt so ashamed and angry that her snow-white face suddenly turned red as fire and she lowered her beautiful head.

……

……

palace

Just as Jia Heng took his wife and children to his father-in-law's house to celebrate his birthday, Queen Song was already extremely worried.

"How could Ran'er leave the palace?" Queen Song's snow-white face showed a trace of worry as she murmured.

The female official looked gentle and said, "Madam, the Jinyifu said that the guards were lax, which gave the bad guys an opportunity to take advantage of it."

Queen Song said softly, "Go and find Prince Wei."

Upon hearing this, the female official did not say anything else, but just bowed and responded quietly.

The Queen Song's snow-white face changed, her emerald eyebrows frowned, and a hint of thought appeared in her sparkling eyes.

At this moment, a graceful and beautiful female official entered the hall and said softly, "Your Majesty, Concubine Rong is here."

When Queen Song heard this, she was surprised and looked up at the beauty behind a brocade mica screen.

After a short while, a beautiful lady with an elegant bun and gorgeous face appeared around a brocade mica screen. She had lush hair, fair cheeks and a plump and graceful waist.

"Sister." Concubine Duanrong slowly approached, looked at Queen Song with gentle eyes, and said softly: "I heard that Ran'er and Wei'er have escaped from Shenjing City."

Queen Song's face, as clear as snow, was filled with worry. She said in a trembling voice, "Sister, I was just saying I was worried about this."

Concubine Duanrong's eyebrows were curved, her eyes were deep, and she said softly, "How do you say it?"

Queen Song nodded and said, "Wait and ask that little... Prince Wei."

Concubine Duanrong thought for a moment and said, "We can only ask Ziyu about this matter."

"I have sent someone to summon them." Queen Song said softly, a look of disappointment appeared on her flawless face. Her tone was full of anger as she said, "Why did these two children run away from the capital city for no reason?"

Concubine Duanrong frowned her beautiful eyebrows, her eyes sparkling like water, and said softly: "How can the two of them be willing to accept this? I'm afraid that they will be taken advantage of by bad people and cause trouble outside. If Ziyu is not able to deal with them, they will really be dead by then."

Queen Song's cold and frosty face turned pale as paper, and she murmured, "I'm worried about this, too."

Concubine Duanrong said: "We don't know where they are now."

Queen Song said, "We have to find it back quickly, otherwise, it will be a problem if it continues like this."

Concubine Duanrong nodded and said nothing more.