The Red Mansions

Chapter 1378 Queen Song: That little fox is more than just lustful and greedy (asking for monthly ti

Chapter 1378 Queen Song: That little fox is more than just lustful and greedy... (Please give me a monthly ticket!)

Shenjing, Palace

In the inner study, Li Zan and Gao Zhongping were filled with joy when they heard what Emperor Chongping said.

This is undoubtedly another glorious victory!

Emperor Chongping handed the military report in his hand to Dai Quan who was standing beside him, and said, "Give this military report to Li Qing and Gao Qing to read and study it."

Dai Quan responded softly, took the military report, and handed it to two important officials of the court.

At this time, Dai Quan turned around, a smile appeared on his fair face, and he took a few quick steps and said, "Your Majesty, here is another memorial from the Duke of Weiguo, please take a look at it."

Emperor Chongping showed a look of surprise on his face and asked, "Zi Yu's memorial?"

At this time, Dai Quan bowed and handed over the memorial in his hand.

Emperor Chongping took the memorial, straightened his face, lowered his head and read it attentively. Under his two firm and thin eyebrows, his sharp eyes showed surprise.

It roughly stated the Han Dynasty's strategy on the Korean issue, which was mainly to use Korean troops to contain Liaodong. In addition, it was to keep Korea under tight control in order to contribute to the Han Dynasty's maritime trade strategy.

Another thing is that the Han Dynasty will open a port in Incheon as a port of call for ships carrying maritime trade.

He also proposed a concept, the "Chinese Economic and Trade Circle", which was to include North Korea and Japan in China and enable them to communicate through maritime trade.

The so-called lightening of tariffs, facilitating trade and easing agriculture, several countries achieved economic and trade cooperation and carried out large-scale resource integration. Over time, North Korea will inevitably turn its heart to the Han Dynasty, and then become a Chinese and forever become a vassal of the Han Dynasty.

Emperor Chongping read the memorial, gradually sat up straight, read it over and over again, and his hands holding the memorial trembled slightly.

In the emperor's mind, his vision of a prosperous Han Dynasty became more and more real.

"This is what Zi Yu said, using the profits from maritime trade to support the people of the world."

Emperor Chongping suddenly felt as if he had been enlightened. An indescribable joy swept over his body and mind, making the middle-aged emperor feel extremely refreshed.

Let me ask you, if all taxes in the world came from maritime trade, and the tax on local land was given a very low proportion, the burden on the people would be greatly reduced. Would there still be land annexation and changes of dynasties throughout the dynasties?

But the emperor was aware of a problem: could these merchants who went to sea and the armed forces they raised still be controlled by the court? Would they fight against the court in a foreign land? Or even take over the mountains and become kings?

The subsequent response was for the court to set up colonial companies and dominate maritime trade.

This is the origin of state-led colonial companies. During the gold rush, the government and the country took the lead in catching the last wave of dividends from the great voyages.

At this moment, Li Zan and Gao Zhongping took turns reading the military newspaper, and they were also happy for the victory of the Korean War.

However, when Li Zan and Gao Zhongping looked at the middle-aged emperor, they saw that the originally thin cheeks of Emperor Chongping had turned red, and they were secretly surprised.

Emperor Chongping smiled and said, "Minister Li, Minister Gao, and Ziyu have submitted a memorial. I feel that all the confusions and doubts I had in the past have suddenly become clear."

In fact, although Emperor Chongping had also thought about it, it was never as sudden and clear as it is now.

The so-called long-term peace and stability, and the succession of businesses for generations, are hidden in the four words "benefits from maritime trade".

The threat from Liaodong is only an external threat. External threats are easy to deal with, but internal threats are difficult to eliminate.

It can be said that Emperor Chongping had attained enlightenment at this moment, but he had only attained the first level. The true humanity is to take from the deficient in order to serve the abundant.

It is to exploit the interests of foreign countries and even other races to provide a continuous source of fuel for the growth and reproduction of Chinese civilization.

This is an era of colonial plunder, killing and conquest, where the strong prey on the weak and the fittest survive.

As the Bible says: "For whoever has, to him shall be given double, and he shall have an abundance; but whoever has not, even what he has shall be taken away from him."

It is said that the strong will always be strong, and the weak will always be weak.

Emperor Chongping looked at Dai Quan standing aside and said, "Pass this memorial to the two elders for review."

The emperor was still thinking about the memorial submitted by Jia Heng.

If the world can be at peace forever, then the Chen family can use civil officials to control military generals and foreign relatives, and use eunuchs to monitor civil officials, and they can sit on the throne forever.

Emperor Chongping paused for a moment, his eyes filled with thoughts.

Li Zan and Gao Zhongping were also reading the memorial submitted by Jia Heng. After reading it, they were somewhat shocked.

Emperor Chongping looked at the two of them, nodded, and said in a clear voice: "When Ziyu went to pacify Japan and stationed troops in Edo, he mentioned this matter. Obviously, he had paved the way for this matter."

Gao Zhongping pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, if we spread the news that we have taken the two vassal states under our rule, will it cause criticism from scholars all over the world?"

After all, the Celestial Empire is known as a country of etiquette, so eating in this way would be a bit awkward.

Emperor Chongping was silent for a moment, then said, "I think there is nothing wrong with spreading the teachings to the barbarians and making them civilized."

In fact, he did not have much greed for those barbarian lands, but if it could help the Chen Han country to maintain long-term stability and last forever, then there would be nothing wrong in incorporating them into the Han territory.

Li Zan said: "This matter involves many interests and cannot be resolved in one day. Moreover, the land of Korea has become a country. I am afraid that the events of Yang and Sui will happen again."

The cabinet minister was equally cautious, because rashly expanding territory would often bring down a huge dynasty.

Emperor Chongping was poured a bucket of cold water by Li Zan, but he did not take it as an offense, and said: "Let Ziyu come over to discuss the feasibility of this matter. However, Ziyu recommends Mu Sheng, the son of the Prince of Dongping, as the governor-general in Chaori. What do you two think?"

Gao Zhongping said: "The Mu family has been stationed in Yunnan for generations, and the atmosphere on the southern border is peaceful. Now that the prince of Dongping County can move to Japan, it is a good use of his talents."

Emperor Chongping's eyes flickered, as if he was moved.

The Mu family has been guarding Yunnan for too long. If they want to consolidate military power for their descendants in the future, it may not be a bad idea to take the opportunity to transfer the next Prince of Dongping to the East China Sea.

Moreover, the Mu family also wanted to serve as an official in the central government to raise their reputation to a higher level.

Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment and said, "It's settled. However, Ziyu mentioned that he wants to return to the capital to reorganize the military and lead the expedition to Liaodong. Ministers Li and Gao, is our Han Dynasty now suitable for a distant war?"

Li Zan nodded and said, "Your Majesty, in the past six months, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War have been fully prepared for war, just waiting for the army to go out of the border and conquer Liaodong in one fell swoop."

Gao Zhongping said: "Although the weather in the country has not been good in the past two years, the provinces are generally peaceful. I think we can go to Liaodong."

Emperor Chongping said: "Then prepare for the expedition. The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War should prepare various military equipment first. When Ziyu returns, we will send troops to pacify Liao."

He had been waiting for this day for so long, almost twenty years.

Upon hearing this, Li Zan and Gao Zhongping bowed to Emperor Chongping.

After watching Li Gao and the other ministers leave, Emperor Chongping paused for a moment, a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes, and he said in deep thought: "Go to Kunning Palace."

Dai Quan bowed and replied "yes", then stood up and, along with a group of guards, escorted Emperor Chongping towards Kunning Palace.

Kunning Palace, in the bedroom

A beautiful lady with majestic bun and fair skin sat on a soft couch in the warm room. She was wearing a red dress embroidered with hibiscus flowers, which outlined her plump and graceful curves.

Since this beauty became pregnant, her skin has become more and more tender and smooth, without the slightest wrinkle on her face. She is like a ripe peach that will produce juice with a light pinch.

Not far away, two little kids, with sweet voices, were clapping their hands.

"Your Majesty has arrived." At this moment, the shrill voice of the eunuch at the door sounded and spread into the hall.

Emperor Chongping walked into the hall, looked up at Queen Song who came out to greet him, and said, "Zitong."

Queen Song stood up, her face full of smiles, and said, "Your Majesty, I greet you."

As she lowered her body slightly, the full moon trembled, and the snow-white skin under her slender neck was so eye-catching that it made people's hearts flutter.

However, Emperor Chongping ignored it and said, "Zitong is exempt from the formalities."

As they were talking, they arrived in front of the warm room.

At this moment, seeing the smile on Emperor Chongping's face, Li Ren obviously understood something and chuckled, "Your Majesty, what's the good news that makes you look so happy?"

Emperor Chongping could not hide his smile and said, "It was Ziyu. He delivered the military report from Korea. The Korean capital has been recovered. The Jurchen general Aobai, who had fought with Ziyu in Japan before, also died in Ziyu's hands."

When Queen Song heard this, her beautiful face seemed to show a hint of joy, and she said, "Your Majesty, has the battle on the front line been won?"

Did the little fox really win the battle again?

It was worth her time praying for him at home.

Emperor Chongping sat down, his dark and thin face showing a look of joy, and he said in a brisk tone: "Zi Yu, you will be back soon, and when you come back, you will lead the troops out of the pass and conquer Liaodong."

Queen Song was pleasantly surprised and asked, "Your Majesty, Ziyu is coming back?"

The little fox's child is almost two years old, and he rarely sees him.

Emperor Chongping sighed and said, "I didn't come back for the New Year. Now I can come back and reunite with my family."

Queen Song smiled brightly on her fair and snowy face and said, "It's been more than three months since Xianning came here, and she's showing signs of pregnancy."

Emperor Chongping said: "Yes, I don't know whether it is a boy or a girl."

Queen Song smiled and said, "Xianning usually likes to eat sour food, so I guess it's a boy."

She seemed to like sour food at that time. She originally thought it was a boy, but it turned out to be Qianqian. She also thought it was not a boy, but it turned out to be another one.

Emperor Chongping nodded and said with emotion: "After Ziyu has passed this age, he will have reached the age of twenty, and it is time for him to become a father."

Jia Heng is the same age as the Chongping era was changed, which means that he is now nineteen years old, twenty years old in lunar age, and will not be eighteen forever.

Queen Song smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you forgot that Ziyu was already a father. Qin Shi gave Ziyu a child before."

Emperor Chongping laughed and said, "Those are all girls. Isn't this the first boy?"

Queen Song chuckled and said, "That's right."

But if it's a first-born boy, I'm afraid her child is the eldest son.

But Emperor Chongping suddenly remembered something, and with a complicated expression, he said, "I forgot... about Jinyang."

Emperor Chongping also felt a headache when mentioning his own sister.

Upon hearing this, Queen Song's face became dazed and she bit her slightly pink lips with her cherry teeth, thinking that she seemed to have forgotten about her sister-in-law as well.

That child is indeed one year older than her Luo'er.

As Queen Song spoke, she suppressed the strangeness in her heart and said, "Your Majesty, the two children are now in the palace. They have been making a lot of noise these past two days and are worried about Your Majesty."

Emperor Chongping's eyes showed a loving look, and he smiled and said, "I also said that I miss them a little bit."

As he grew older, the middle-aged emperor's favorite children shifted from the eighth prince to the two cute and soft kids.

Emperor Chongping whispered, "Zitong, I'll go see them both."

As he was talking, he came to the warm room of the bedroom and saw two little ones, who were clapping their hands and playing with each other.

Queen Song followed with a smile on her face. This beautiful woman had a plump and graceful figure, and it seemed that raising a child had not changed her figure, she was like a delicate and beautiful peony.

Emperor Chongping showed a kind smile on his face and picked up his delicate and pretty little daughter Qianqian.

"Father, I'm playing." The cute baby said softly with a pale face.

Emperor Chongping smiled kindly and asked, "Qianqian, do you miss your father?"

On the other side, Chen Luo pouted and said unhappily, "Father, I want a hug too."

Empress Song looked at Emperor Chongping with a smile on her plump face, and said, "They both talk about your majesty all the time."

As he spoke, he pulled Chen Luo over and said, "Father."

Because Emperor Chongping was becoming increasingly weak, holding just one child was a bit tiring.

Emperor Chongping pinched Qianqian's cheeks, teased the two children, then turned to look at Queen Song and asked casually, "Why haven't I seen Concubine Rong these days?"

Queen Song's fair complexion was filled with smiles as she said softly, "It's not that Xianning is pregnant, Concubine Rong is worried about her, and she and several maids have been surrounding Xianning these days."

Emperor Chongping thought for a moment and said, "Send someone to inform Xianning that Ziyu has won a victory in Korea and will return to the capital soon."

Queen Song nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I will send someone to inform you right away."

As he spoke, he gently called out to Xia Shouzhong, the eunuch in charge of the six palaces, who was standing nearby, "What are you still standing there for?"

Xia Shouzhong quickly responded and said, "I'll be right there."

Emperor Chongping turned his eyes to the beauty and said, "Also inform the women of the Ning and Rong mansions that Ziyu is away on a campaign and has not returned since the beginning of the year. His family must be missing him a lot."

Queen Song nodded and said, "I will send a female official to give some gifts."

Then, after giving instructions to the female official, he asked, "Your Majesty, Ziyu has made another contribution this time. Should Your Majesty reward him with something?"

When the little fox comes back, she will reluctantly reward him by letting him serve her once.

Thinking of the soul-stirring past, Empress Song felt her heart pounding violently, and the embroidered shoes under her skirt came closer together.

Emperor Chongping said: "Zitong, he has just taken the first step to conquer Liaodong. It won't be too late to reward him after the Jurchens are conquered in the future."

Upon hearing this, Queen Song seemed to be unable to hold back her laughter and chuckled, "If it were someone else, Your Majesty would have rewarded them long ago."

Emperor Chongping smiled and said, "Once Liaodong is pacified, I will reward them together."

Queen Song chuckled, and in her soft and gentle voice, there was a hint of joy as she said, "I would like to take this opportunity to marry Yan'er to him. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

When Emperor Chongping heard this, a thoughtful look appeared in his calm eyes under his thin pine eyebrows that looked like dead branches.

Queen Song smiled and said, "Yan'er and him were in love before. It seems that Yan'er is not young anymore. If we grant her a marriage this time, no one in the court or the public will say anything."

Emperor Chongping nodded and said, "That's fine, but if I promise him my...niece and nephew, I don't know what to say to the people of the world."

At the end, the expression on Emperor Chongping's face became a little unnatural.

Not only the niece but also the nephew, as well as Jinyang and Xianning, is really inappropriate.

However, when he thought about what the young man had done for the Han Dynasty over the years, some of the unnaturalness deep in Emperor Chongping's heart seemed to dissipate a lot.

The beautiful lady with fair skin and jade-like face said, "There is only one such man among them. Ziyu has been serving us for many years, and it seems that he has nothing else to do except being lustful and greedy for flowers."

That little fox was not only lustful and greedy for flowers, but he also tricked her into bearing children for him.

Emperor Chongping said: "Then let's follow Zitong's wishes."

It would be better if he could be so romantic, lustful and absurd. At least the scholars and readers in the world would think that he had no moral integrity and was frivolous and licentious.

Queen Song responded softly, her beautiful eyes dazed and absent-minded beneath her brows, but a complicated feeling surged in the depths of her heart.

After that little fox got Yan'er, after a few years, when she was old and ugly, would he still be obsessed with her body as before?

However, she gave birth to a pair of children for him, so he should not despise her.

……

……

Funing Palace, in the warm room——

At this moment, Concubine Duanrong was wearing a scarlet dress and sitting on a short couch covered with a soft mattress. She was beautiful with fair skin and graceful appearance.

The beautiful lady has fair skin with a rosy glow, as if covered with a layer of rose-red charm. Due to her long-term dance practice, her figure and temperament are both graceful and bright.

Not far away, there seem to be three beautiful flowers and plants, competing with each other in beauty.

Princess Xianning was wearing a loose pink dress, and her belly was slightly bulging. Li Chanyue and Song Yan were sitting nearby.

At this moment, this beauty who was once known for her tall figure and bright temperament, her snow-white face gradually became plumper because of her pregnancy.

Princess Xianning gently stroked her bulging belly, feeling the slow growth of the baby's life in her belly, her eyes filled with happiness and sweetness.

Concubine Duanrong's face was as beautiful as her own daughter's, and her eyes were as bright as water. She warned: "These few months are very dangerous. You must be extra careful from now on and don't be careless."

"I understand, mother." Princess Xianning's eyebrows were curved like willow leaves, and she spoke softly. Compared with the past, she looked obviously well-behaved.

This is the first child she gave to her husband, how could she be careless?

Concubine Duanrong smiled and joked, "Chanyue should also step up."

Li Chanyue's palm-sized cheeks suddenly blushed like clouds. She lowered her head with long hair like a waterfall, gently stroked her flat belly, and said, "My belly is not doing well."

"You can't say that." Concubine Duanrong said softly, "Your cousin didn't come into being overnight. When you come back, spend more time with him..."

As the beauty spoke, she also felt that it was inappropriate to say these things in front of her own daughter, and two light blushes appeared on both sides of her cheeks.

Song Yan was sitting not far away at this moment, listening quietly to the conversation of several people. Her face, which looked like Queen Song, showed a hint of longing.

Brother Heng has been in North Korea for half a year. I don’t know how he is doing. Do you miss him there?

While everyone was talking, the eunuch's voice suddenly came from outside the palace. He said in a shrill voice, "Madam, Chief Eunuch Xia is here."

Concubine Duanrong was surprised for a moment, and looked intently from under her slender eyebrows as dark as spring mountains, only to see Xia Shouzhong enter the hall, his wrinkled fair face filled with a flourishing smile.

"This old servant greets the queen." Xia Shouzhong bowed respectfully in a soft voice.

Concubine Duanrong asked in surprise, "Eunuch Xia is not serving in Kunning Palace, why did he come to my side?"

Xia Shouzhong smiled and said, "I have received the order from the Empress to report to His Royal Highness Xianning and the Empress that the Duke of Weiguo has won a great victory in Korea and will return to the capital in the near future."

When Princess Xianning heard this, her beautiful and bright face showed joy, and she asked in surprise, "Master is back?"

When Princess Qinghe Li Chanyue and Song Yan heard this, they also showed joy on their faces.

Concubine Duanrong frowned and asked in surprise, "What's going on?"

Jia Heng, the son-in-law, was away on an expedition, and as the saying goes, a son-in-law is half a son, so Concubine Duanrong was not without some concerns.

Xia Shouzhong smiled ingratiatingly on his fair face and said, "Duke Weiguo won a victory in Korea. His Majesty is very pleased and is now in Kunning Palace."

Princess Xianning stood up and said happily, "Mother, I'll go to Kunning Palace to take a look."

"Don't move!" Upon hearing this, Concubine Duanrong was very anxious, but her eyebrows were already raised, and her sharp eyes seemed to be flashing with anger. She said, "You must not be too happy or too sad at this time."

Although Princess Xianning felt that there was nothing wrong with it, she couldn't continue to be stubborn when she saw that Concubine Duanrong was so serious.

She just stuck out her tongue. Now, her every move was really controlled by her mother.

I hope this child can be born safely.

Li Chanyue also gently advised, her eyes full of envy, and said softly: "Cousin, stay at home peacefully for the next few days."

As my cousin was talking, her belly got bigger and bigger, but there was not a single melon in her stomach.

(End of this chapter)