RNP Chapter 1521 King of Chu: Zi Tong doesn't understand the situation, so don't say more
Chapter 1521 King of Chu: Zi Tong doesn't understand the situation, so don't say more
Chapter 1521 King of Chu: Zi Tong doesn't understand the situation, so don't say more...
The first year of Jianxing, the 18th day of the first lunar month -
Time flies, and a few days have passed unknowingly. Jia Jing's death did not bring much change to the peaceful life of the Jia family.
Because of the national mourning, the Lantern Festival in the first year of Jianxing became deserted. Apart from every household eating glutinous rice balls, there were no fireworks on the streets of the capital.
In the study at Ningguo Mansion, Jia Heng was entertaining the visiting Princess Beijing Zhen Xue, while Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi were accompanying her not far away.
The weather is gradually getting warmer, and the willow trees in the courtyard have already sprouted tender green buds. They sway in the chilly spring wind, and their greenness is attractive.
Zhen Xue sat on a lacquered pearwood chair. As she grew older, the beautiful lady became more gentle and graceful. But now, perhaps because Jia Heng was staring at her, her fair face seemed to blush on both sides, and she said with a little shyness, "Zi Yu."
Jia Heng looked at the dignified and bright Zhen Xue and asked, "Why didn't Xue'er come over the day before yesterday?"
"I've been tied up these days because of something at home." Zhen Xue blushed and said softly.
Jia Heng walked over, gently took Zhen Xue's slender hand, held it in his arms, and said, "Xue'er, I haven't talked to you much since I came back."
Zhen Xue responded softly, her white face blushing as she said in a low voice, "I know Zi Yu is usually busy, so don't worry about me."
Jia Heng said in a gentle voice: "The last time we talked together, Xue'er was still sad."
Zhen Xue's eyebrows were curved, her fair face blushed, and her voice was full of cuteness as she said, "How could it be?"
Jia Heng gently pinched the beauty's smooth and soft chin, looked into her gentle and soft eyes, and said, "Are you worried that I'm tired of you?"
After all, Zhen Qing is now twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. At a time when women can get married at the age of fourteen or fifteen, she can be called a middle-aged woman.
"Zi Yu is surrounded by all kinds of beauties now, so it's normal that he doesn't have time to accompany me." Zhen Xue's heart trembled when Jia Heng spoke to her heart's content. She bit her pink lips with her pearly teeth and said softly.
Jia Heng held the slender hand and said, "You are Ying'er's mother, how could I possibly get tired of you?"
Zhen Xue hummed and said, "Ying'er is not young anymore."
Jia Heng gently embraced Zhen Xue's plump body, stared at her fragrant face, moved close to her slightly pink and moist lips, and grabbed the cool and sweet taste between her lips.
Zhen Xue also put her arms around Jia Heng, and a sweet hum was uttered under her delicate, straight nose.
Jia Heng, on his side, hugged Zhen Xue's delicate body and sniffed the fragrance between her hair. He felt the aroma floating in the air, refreshing his heart.
Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi were in the side room, holding a yellow-covered book and reading it intently. However, when Zhen Lan turned around, there was something strange in her eyes, and she pouted at Zhen Xi.
Zhen Xi's eyes and eyebrows were as lively as a stream, and were filled with a sense of shyness.
While Jia Heng was speaking, he suddenly let go of Zhen Xue's plump and delicate body, hugged the beautiful woman and walked into the study.
After an unknown amount of time, Jia Heng embraced Zhen Xue's soft and delicate body, and the two of them were now hugging and talking together.
The room was filled with charming fragrance, and the delicate and gentle spring light outside the window shone brightly on the houses of blue bricks and black tiles.
Zhen Xue pressed her rosy face against Jia Heng's hot chest, listening to the young man's strong heartbeat, and said softly, "Zi Yu, the prince knows about our affairs."
Jia Heng gently stroked the beauty's snow-white and round shoulders and said softly, "Well, now you know it. He didn't care about this."
But you have to take good care of your own son, otherwise it might become like... the story of the priest and the little boy.
Zhen Xue's eyes were full of charm. She stretched out a slender hand, and her slender fingers drew circles on the boy's chest. She said in a trembling voice: "Zi Yu, what you and your sister are doing is not a long-term solution. If someone finds out, it will be a disaster."
Jia Heng's eyes flickered under his sword-like brows, and he said softly, "I won't be sneaking around for too long."
Well, that's not right. Even if the King of Chu passed away, he couldn't sleep on the dragon bed openly.
Zhen Xue's voice was soft and charming. She suddenly asked, "Zi Yu, when Ying'er grows up, do you think she will study literature or martial arts?"
At this time, women like to turn the topic to their children.
Jia Heng nodded and asked, "What do you want him to learn?"
"Master both civil and military skills, just like his father." Zhen Xue said with her eyebrows curved like crescent moons, her bright eyes as bright as rainbows and as gentle as water, and a hint of cuteness in her voice.
Jia Heng said, "That's fine too. When he's older, I'll teach him."
Zhen Xue hummed softly, and a blush of happiness and sweetness covered her pretty face.
……
……
While Jia Heng and Zhen Xue were reuniting after a short separation and expressing their feelings to each other, on the other side, the nine-border abolition plan presided over by the cabinet began to proceed in full swing.
The nine frontiers had a million soldiers and horses, a huge force that wasted countless national treasury dollars every year.
The general of Jizhen commands 120,000 soldiers and horses, and now half of them are going to be disbanded. Some of the troops will be stationed in Shenyang Wei, followed by Xuanfu. The troops in Datong are also tentatively planned to be reduced by one third.
The original generals of Xuanfu and Datong were both promoted by Jia Heng.
According to Lu Jiang's idea, garrisons should be re-established and defense should be redetermined. The defense would be managed by the governor of Hedong, the governor of Hexi, and the governor of Suiyuan, which was considered as a civil servant taking over the military power.
Of course, this practice of "demolishing temples and inviting Buddha" is aimed at Jia Heng's military forces.
This plan undoubtedly convinced the King of Chu, who planned to set up a system of civil officials to govern the military.
However, just as the plan of using civil power to control military power had begun to show some signs, memorials from local border generals complaining about their grievances began to arrive in the capital like snowflakes. For a time, the generals were full of complaints, which frightened the central government.
Until mid-February, the plan to abolish the nine borders had not made any progress, and the cabinet began to become impatient.
Palace Garden, Wuying Hall
In the palace, all the ministers and military officials gathered together to discuss state affairs.
The cabinet chief minister Li Zan had a thoughtful look on his face and asked, "What does Prince Wei think of this matter?"
"Prince Wei sent someone to say that it is up to the cabinet to make the arrangements." A cabinet secretary said with a serious expression.
Gao Zhongping frowned and said, "We can't rush this matter."
If such things go wrong, they can easily cause discord among generals and ministers, leading to disunity and political instability.
Li Zan nodded, turned his head to look at Lu Jiang, and asked, "Master Lu, what do you think?"
Under Lu Jiang's thick eyebrows, his eyes were somewhat evasive, and he said, "Prime Minister, this matter needs to be considered carefully."
Li Zan then brought up another matter and said, "The emperor has already agreed to the establishment of the customs police, and Lord Lin will send someone to take care of it."
Among the five members of the current cabinet, Lin Ruhai has the least power and is more like a bureaucrat.
Letting Lin Ruhai take charge of this matter now seems more like a consolation from the cabinet for the subsequent impact of the previous abolition of the nine frontiers.
Lin Ruhai bowed his hands in agreement.
Li Zan then said, "The Japanese governor, Mu Sheng, submitted a petition requesting the establishment of seaports in Shandong, Liaodong and other places to open up the sea for trade. Elder Lin also took charge of the establishment of the Banknote Customs Office."
Lin Ruhai bowed and said yes.
Lu Jiang took over the conversation and said, "Prince, regarding Japan, the imperial court has sent troops to garrison there all year round, which costs a lot of national treasury every year. Is it necessary to have troops stationed there?"
Qi Kun took over the conversation and said, "Master Lu, the Japanese garrison's military expenses are funded by Japan, and do not take up the imperial court's salary."
Lu Jiang was speechless for a moment, with an unnatural look on his face. He turned around and said, "The army is stationed far away, and many soldiers and generals are homesick. If this continues, something unexpected may happen. I think we should withdraw the army and return to Beijing."
Li Zan said: "Prince Wei had previously submitted a memorial to the emperor, saying that Japan should not be allowed to cause trouble. Controlling the Japanese is of the utmost importance. As for the soldiers stationed abroad, they should be rotated regularly."
When Jia Heng was pacifying Japan, he mentioned the idea of a maritime trade strategy in his memorial to Emperor Chongping, "Memorial on the Peace of the Japanese Islands."
Lu Jiang said: "This is a different time. When Liaodong was not conquered, our Han Dynasty had to march into Liaodong from Korea and station troops in Japan. There were reasons for this. Now that Liaodong has been conquered, if we station troops in foreign vassal states to show off our power, I am afraid that this will cause more resentment with the vassal states."
Li Zan frowned and said, "This matter is unusual, let's deal with it later."
After hearing this, Lu Jiang didn't want to continue arguing, but he couldn't help feeling disappointed.
The chief minister of the cabinet is too fond of military affairs. If things continue like this, the military men will become arrogant and overbearing, which will be a disaster rather than a blessing for the country.
Gao Zhongping smoothed things over, saying, "The rewards for the officers and soldiers in Liaodong should also be discussed by the Ministry of War and the Grand Council, so as to avoid a scramble after the army returns to the capital."
Li Zan nodded and said in a gentle voice: "The Ministry of War is still evaluating the merits and rewards based on the battle reports and military merit books."
Gao Zhongping asked: "Lord Qi, has the Ministry of Revenue been able to raise enough money and food for the soldiers killed in the Liaodong battle?"
Qi Kun said: "The Ministry of Revenue has already allocated a batch of money and grain before the New Year. Once the number of casualties is determined, the money and grain will be in place."
Gao Zhongping said in a gentle voice: "We have been using the military for many years, and a lot of food and fodder has been consumed. The Ministry of Revenue should raise more."
Afterwards, the cabinet ministers discussed the matter of opening a special examination this year.
……
……
Daming Palace, inner study room——
It was afternoon, and the King of Chu was sitting behind a lacquered wooden table, holding a brown-yellow memorial in his hand, reading it intently. He put the memorial down, picked up a cup of blue-and-white porcelain tea, and said, "What time is it?"
Sang Yao, the chief steward of the six palaces, said, "Your Majesty, it's noon, it's time to serve the meal."
The King of Chu responded softly, his eyes warm, and said, "Serve the meal."
Sang Yao, the chief steward of the six palaces, responded and then ordered the eunuchs to bring the dishes from the imperial kitchen.
The King of Chu was enjoying his meal when, not long after, a female official came to report that Queen Zhen Qing wanted to see him.
Soon, Zhen Qing was seen wearing gorgeous clothes, with a bright and charming smile on her graceful and beautiful face, and she called out, "Your Majesty."
The King of Chu chuckled and said, "Zitong, come here."
"Your Majesty, mother and others have gone to the capital." Zhen Qing said softly, with joy on her beautiful and gorgeous face.
A few years later, all the members of the Zhen family went to Beijing, and Zhen Qing had become the queen mother of the country. The Zhen family had made a lot of money from their investment in the King of Chu.
The King of Chu said in a gentle voice: "Bring her to the palace in the next two days so that we can have a good reunion."
Zhen Qing nodded and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The King of Chu asked, "Zitong, how is the situation at Funing Palace recently?"
Zhen Qing's beautiful eyes were as bright as water under her emerald eyebrows. She said softly, "Everything is calm and there is nothing else."
The King of Chu nodded without saying anything else. Then he sat down at the table, picked up his chopsticks and started eating.
Zhen Qing also sat near him and said softly, "Your Majesty, how about leaving the business of Jiangnan Weaving Bureau to Fourth Uncle?"
The King of Chu paused for a moment, nodded, and said, "My fourth uncle is well versed in business and commerce, so it would be great if he could take charge of this business."
While talking, they started to eat.
Zhen Qing smiled brightly and said softly, "Your Majesty, I heard that the previous dynasty recently mentioned the abolition of the Nine Frontiers and the transfer of frontier generals back to the capital."
The King of Chu put down the chopsticks in his hand, raised his eyes to look at Zhen Qing, and said: "Zi Tong is also concerned about the affairs of the previous dynasty?"
Obviously, the King of Chu felt somewhat disgusted with Zhen Qing's "interference in politics".
Or maybe it was the emperor's instinctive will for power that was at work.
Zhen Qing nodded and said, "I think we should not rush into this matter. After all, there is always some suspicion about Zi Yu's intentions. It would not be good if it causes discord between the monarch and his subjects."
It can be said that at this moment Zhen Qing is considering the issue more from Jia Heng's perspective.
The King of Chu looked solemn and said, "This is a major national policy. Zi Yu has always been loyal to the country and has always taken the overall situation into consideration. He fully supports this matter."
Zhen Qing's eyes flickered, and she said softly, "If that's the case, then that's fine."
The King of Chu said in a low voice: "State affairs are discussed by the cabinet and implemented step by step according to the plan. Zi Tong does not understand the situation, so don't say more."
Zhen Qing's face turned pale when she heard this, but she still forced a smile and said, "I am not worried about Your Majesty, but I am afraid that there will be a rift between you."
I couldn't help but feel resentful in my heart.
He had just become emperor when his attitude towards her began to change.
The King of Chu nodded, temporarily suppressed the unhappiness in his heart, and started to eat. The atmosphere between the couple fell into a subtle coldness for a moment.
……
……
Ningguo Mansion, Grand View Garden, Cuicui Temple
In the wing room, the aroma from the incense burner curls up, making people feel calm and at ease, while on a screen one can see hibiscus embroidery, which is extremely charming and lifelike.
Jia Heng was chatting with Miaoyu, while his daughter Jia Mo was eating a candy figure not far away. The little girl was so delicate and plump that it seemed as if water could be squeezed out of her if she was pinched.
Xing Xiuyan was sitting not far away, her calm features like a mountain out of clouds, and seemed to be filled with a faint bright aura.
Miaoyu raised her bright eyebrows, and looked at Jia Heng with sparkling eyes, as if she was annoyed, and said, "How come you have so much free time these days?"
Jia Heng chuckled and said, "You are about to give birth, so I came here to accompany you."
Miaoyu snorted softly and looked at the young man in the python robe.
Jia Heng gently stroked the beauty's bulging belly, moved closer, and listened to the movements of her belly.
Under Miaoyu's green and beautiful eyebrows, her bright eyes gazed at the expression of the young man in the python robe. Her beautiful face was flushed, just like the bright peach blossoms in February, and there was an inexplicable joy in her heart.
Jia Heng's calm, fair face showed a look of delight, and he whispered, "Miaoyu, he should be born soon."
Miaoyu's beautiful eyes were as bright as water under her curved eyebrows. She whispered, "It will be next month."
Jia Heng held Miaoyu's slender hand and looked at her beautiful and bright face, with an inexplicable joy surging in his bright eyes.
Miaoyu's eyes sparkled like water under her dark eyebrows, and her plump and lovely face showed sweetness. She said in a charming voice, "The fetus has been moving a lot these past few days."
Jia Heng held the beautiful lady's delicate hand and said, "You should rest more these two days."
As he spoke, he looked at the little Loli Momo who was sitting on the couch not far away and whispered, "Momo, eat less sweet food to avoid bad teeth."
As he spoke, he walked closer and took the candy man from the little girl's hand.
"Daddy, don't." The little girl said softly, and her rosy face seemed to be covered with a rosy blush.
Jia Heng smiled and said, "Let Dad have a bite, okay?"
The little Loli said softly, "Hmm," in a soft voice.
Jia Heng took the candy man, put it in his mouth, and bit off most of it in one bite.
The little girl's pretty face, as white and smooth as jade, suddenly fell.
When Miaoyu saw this, her beautiful eyebrows raised, and she said angrily, "Momo licked it all and melted it, and you ate it again, and you don't feel disgusted."
Jia Heng smiled and said, "What's disgusting? She's my own daughter, I don't dislike her."
Jia Heng gently stroked Momo's delicate face and whispered, "Daddy will buy you a bigger one next time."
Under Jia Mo's curved thin eyebrows, her eyes were as bright as water, and she seemed to be pouting and unhappy.
Jia Heng smiled and said, "This child."
Xing Xiuyan's eyes sparkled under her willow-like eyebrows that were curved like stars and moons. She stared at the interaction between the father and daughter, with a little envy in her heart.
Jia Heng looked at Xing Xiuyan with a gentle gaze under his sword-like brows, and whispered, "Xiuyan, has your stomach been moving recently?"
When Xing Xiuyan was suddenly asked, a hint of shame and anger appeared in her sparkling eyes under her willow-leaf-like eyebrows, and she said softly, "Not yet."
Jia Heng nodded, smiled, and said, "You have to try your best."
Xing Xiuyan: "..."
How else can we encourage him?
Isn't it just letting this guy bully you twice more?
As Jia Heng spoke, he picked up his daughter and placed her on the soft couch beside him.
While everyone was talking, a maid's voice came from outside, saying, "My Lord, Second Madam Lian is back. She said she wants to see you, my Lord."
While Jia Heng was speaking, he looked at Miaoyu with a warm gaze and whispered, "I'll go over and take a look."
"Go." Miaoyu said softly, her beautiful eyes sparkling like water under her beautiful eyebrows.
While Jia Heng was speaking, he stood up and left Longcui Temple, heading towards the hall in the front yard.
"Second Madam Lian is waiting for Prince Wei in Aojing Pavilion." said the nanny who brought the news.
Jia Heng couldn't help feeling strange and thought to himself, this Feng Jie chose Ao Jing Pavilion as the meeting place.