The Red Mansions

Chapter 780 Jia Heng: Seeing my mother's smile?

Chapter 780 Jia Heng: Seeing my mother's smile?

Jinling City, Zhenfu Division, in the lobby

Wang Shouqi picked up the book, looked at the writing on it, his expression was changing, and Jiang Tong on the side also moved over, his expression was ugly.

In fact, Kuaiji Prince Consort is very particular. In addition to repaying the relevant silver taels, other credits and misappropriations are recorded on it, and the interest is not low.

Looking at the total amount of 750 million taels plus interest on it, Wang Shouqi still felt cold all over his body and his hands and feet were cold.

Repaying the old debts from the Chongping years had made the Wang family feel heartbroken and hurt.

But adding this now would really hurt the vitality. The Wang family's savings of nearly a hundred years have been emptied by [-]% to [-]% after several ups and downs.

Jia Heng said: "Master Wang, how can we calculate the money owed to the court?"

Wang Shouqi's face was pale, but he still insisted: "Uncle Yongning, where did these old accounts come from?"

Jia Heng said: "Master Wang, do you still need a detailed account? If that's the case, it won't be settled by paying back the money."

Jiang Tong said angrily: "The imperial court wants to take away our family property, just Rucheng, Ma and others, and Tiqi hunts them down. Why bother to resort to these methods?"

Jiang's old debts were also in arrears of 620 million taels. If tax repayments from the Chongping period were added, the net worth would have shrunk by more than half.

Jia Heng sneered, and said in a deep voice: "The imperial court just wants to pay back the debts owed. Your family has tens of millions of dollars. If it is legally operated, why should the imperial court take away your family wealth? During the Longzhi period, you owed the imperial court money on credit in the name of donating money and repaying service. , Invite the favor, and enjoy the exclusive salt monopoly for three to forty years, counting it in detail, how huge is the profit? Now I still have to complain, the official has not checked Guo Shaonian's previous account books of the salt transport department. "

These wealthy businessmen with net worth of over ten million, even if they are still in the red, still have millions of wealth, which is enough to meet the life of the tribe and manage the goods. He asks himself the best of humanity.

For example, during the Qianlong period, Jiang Chun, the general merchant of salt affairs in Yangzhou, sold his property to repay the usury of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, that is, "on the day of his death, the family has no money left." It can be said that his family's wealth was emptied.

However, in Chen Han, where the gentry is in power, he still has to pay attention to eating appearance, because there are too many wealthy families in the south of the Yangtze River, and the imperial court seizes their wealth for no reason, which will make people sad.

However, there are still ordinary million-dollar merchant houses in Yangzhou.

Wang Shouqi tightly closed his old eyes, opened them suddenly, and asked: "Uncle Yongning, if I return the money owed to the imperial court, all the previous affairs will be cancelled."

Jia Heng said: "As long as it is not illegal wealth, the government will not take one or two more of the family wealth that salt merchants have accumulated over the years. Now the Lianghuai Transshipment Department is trying to implement the ticket and salt law. No matter whether new merchants or old merchants, anyone can do it." The salt industry, you and others have strong capital, and you can still sell salt by ticket."

At this moment, Wang Shouqi didn't believe it, and said: "The Wang family is in a hurry, but they can't get it out. Can you give us some time?"

Tens of millions of wealth belong to tens of millions of wealth, but under some urgency, they can't sell it.

Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said: "The imperial court can give one year to return the owed silver. You and other merchants are engaged in goods farming. As long as they operate according to their duties and pay taxes according to the regulations, the imperial court will not take people's private wealth for no reason, and even if they do business, they need money. Bank turnover, the Ministry of Internal Affairs can also lend funds at low interest rates, but it must not be like the current accounts are not clear, and credit is not repaid.”

Without agriculture, there is no stability, and without business, there is no prosperity.

His views on merchants are not that extreme, although this land from Shen Wansan to Yangzhou salt merchants, to Hu Xueyan... all ended up with all their wealth and poverty in the end.

After hearing what Jia Heng said, Wang Shouqi and Jiang Tong looked at each other in blank dismay.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs lends money, so where does it start?

It can be said that after two cuts of meat, Wang Shouqi was disheartened, and already had the intention of leaving the big man and going overseas.

Jia Heng said: "For example, the method of ticket salt, you have strong capital and many shops. If you pay taxes according to the regulations, you can still sell salt as before, but you can't make huge profits anymore. Can Master Wang understand?"

Wang Shouqi cupped his hands, his face was as grave as frost.

Jia Heng said: "That's the end of this matter, people from the Jinyi Mansion and the House of Internal Affairs will come to the mansion to meet up later."

These people almost lost [-]% of their family wealth back and forth, and they probably gritted their teeth against him, but it didn't affect the overall situation.

When all the salt merchants left in a daze, Chen Xiao frowned slightly, her clear eyes flickered, and said, "Cut the grass without removing the roots, and the spring breeze will regenerate it."

"Picking and salt law, the gradual decline of those salt merchants is the general trend." Jia Heng took out a handkerchief and wiped his hands. After leaving the table, he went to the back hall, sat down, and sipped tea.

Chen Xiao also sat down on the side, looking at the boy opposite.

Jia Heng said with a gloomy expression: "It's really not easy to cut the roots and keep four people. It can also be seen that the court has been chasing the salt deficit from beginning to end, and has no intention of stealing by chance. As for Cheng and Ma's conspiracy, the crime is extremely heinous. The Bao family colluded with the Eastern captives, the illegal wealth, and the loss of other recovery transportation companies, so it is all justified."

This is very important, killing all people is just a momentary pleasure, but if it is combined with the previous attack on the Jiangnan officialdom, it will easily cause the centrifugal force of the Jiangnan gentry to intensify.

If these Jiangnan scholars called him and Emperor Chongping as copying family monarchs and ministers, it would undoubtedly shake the prestige of the central government.

Therefore, every time he makes a shot, he has a good reason, and this time is also the last shot, unless the salt merchant commits another crime in his hands.

Chen Xiaoqing said: "I'm worried that these people will hold grudges and resort to assassination methods."

"As long as they dare, they will be completely exterminated. In addition, I will send people to watch them secretly." Jia Heng's face was ice-cold, and said in a deep voice: "However, I don't think they dare, barefoot people are not afraid to wear shoes Yes, how did the entire Ma family be wiped out before? It was me who was assassinated. Compared to worrying about this, I actually think they will be busy with another matter."

Chen Xiaoyu's face was frosty, her eyes sparkled, and she asked, "What's the matter?"

Jia Heng's eyes narrowed at first, and then, he looked at Chen Xiao aggressively, and said word by word: "Seize the heir."

The salt merchants who have suffered such a big loss must be deeply aware of the importance of power as long as they have a normal mind.

On the one hand, let the children of the family get out of the imperial examination, and on the other hand, they secretly funded the children of the royal family to win the heir.

Of course, the former is more secure, but the effect is slow, while the latter is a bit radical, but rare goods are available and the returns are generous.

Even, if you are lucky, you can get revenge on him in the future.

Under Chen Xiao's willow eyebrows, her cold eyes were blank for a moment, and she said in a low voice: "It's not impossible, after they learn from the pain, they definitely don't want to be as powerless as they are today, so it's conceivable to intervene more deeply."

In other words, if the feudal vassals seize the throne, the political situation will be more chaotic, which will also be good for the cousin.

In the previous troubled world, since it was not advisable to pick chestnuts from the fire, there was only one way left.

Chen Ling's eyes were gloomy, and he had a plan in his mind, to drive away tigers, to kill with knives, and to win in the chaos.

In the past few days, reading military books and studying the scriptures of the Three Kingdoms has opened up the girl's mind a lot.

Assassination is, after all, the most inept strategy.

Jia Heng picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said, "I don't know which one they fancy."

There is a high probability that it is King Qi. After all, the eight major salt merchants should have sent money to King Qi once to fill the deficit of the Sanhe Gang. Of course, it could also be King Wei. The government is recruiting troops to expand its power.

Cultivating wings has never been said to be stupid, only the authorities are obsessed.

If the emperor treats the king of Wei like Hongwu regards Zhu Biao, rebellion is fine.

Even he is secretly cultivating wings?

"Don't talk, let's go back." Jia Heng smiled lightly, gently pulled the hand of the girl who was thinking on La Yurong, and frowned: "What are you thinking, my saliva is dripping out."

Chen Ling came back to her senses, subconsciously stretched out her hand to wipe her mouth, and immediately realized that Jia Heng was lying to her, a blush appeared on Qingli's cheeks.

"You just love to drool." Chen Xiao said coldly, shook off Jia Heng's hand, and got up.

Jia Heng: "..."

Can you speak clearly?Is that saliva?No, Xiaoxiao seems to have scolded herself too?

Chen Xiao glanced at the young man coldly, got up and walked towards the eaves of the corridor, holding the Xiuchun knife in his hand, standing and looking into the distance.

She had seen all the scenes that day, the glib tongue was like a tongue, the tongue was turning like a raccoon, the wind was turbulent, it was so different from the usual appearance, it was almost impossible to look directly at it, how could it be said?

But compared to hanging out with the Yaofei of the Zhen family, these are just eccentricities.

It's not easy for Jia Heng to argue, anyway, since Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue, he has no majesty in front of Xiao Xiao.

After this incident, the matter of the Yangzhou salt merchants finally came to an end. Jia Heng asked about the military affairs of the Jiangnan camp and sent people to watch the transfer of tickets and salt laws in the Huaihe River.

At noon, Jia Heng returned to Ningguo Mansion and was about to order Qingwen to prepare lunch.

But just arrived at the mansion, not long after sitting in the hall, he heard the servant report: "Xie Zaiyi, generals Cai Quan and some generals Xiao Jia are visiting outside the door."

After receiving Jia Heng's letter from Feige, Xie Zaiyi, Cai Quan and others first reported their leave to the Marching Army Master in Beijing, then went to the Ministry of War to get the dispatch order for investigation, and then rode fast horses, day and night, towards Jinling. Come.

Hearing this, Jia Heng was slightly delighted, and ordered: "Let them come in, tell the kitchen to prepare a few tables of banquets."

In the Jiangnan camp, although there are quite a few generals in the capital of Henan Province, it is still difficult for them to have no one under their command if they want to transfer almost [-] troops to the Jiangnan and Jiangbei camps.

It's not that no one is available, but that there are no such confidants to use.

Not long after, Xie Zaiyi, Cai Quan, Xie Jing, and Pang Shili, the General Qu Guang who is temporarily in charge of the military affairs of the Jiangnan Camp, came to Yimen, chatting and laughing all the way.

Jia Heng looked at the five generals Xie Cai, Pang Qu, and the young generals of the Jia family such as Jia Fang, Jia Ling, Jia Chang, and Jia Yun, and said with a smile, "Generals, it's been a long journey, and it's been a long journey."

Xie Zaiyi stepped forward quickly, with excitement on his face, he cupped his fists and said, "Jieshuai, long time no see."

This former city gate of hundreds of households is now the governor of Guoyongying, and the governor on the head is not set, but Jia Heng is also in command.

Cai Quan, Pang Shili, Xie Jing and other two generals also approached and bowed their hands to Jia Heng: "The last general has met Jieshuai."

Pang Shili looked at the dignified, tall and straight young man in the python suit, and his heart was a little complicated, because he didn't expect that he would be transferred here. In the past, he was sent by Wang Ziteng, and he was also regarded as a general who had a relationship with the Jia family.

But Xie Jing stood where he was, with a trace of excitement on his young and handsome face, he never thought that Bo Yongning would transfer him to the south...to make meritorious service.

This grandson of Marquis of Dingcheng, who was conferred the title of first-class baron by virtue of his inheritance, has actually fallen into disrepair. He was originally a relative and old friend of Jia's family.

He has already offended all the other four princes and eight princes, except for the Zhongjinghou historian as in-laws, the grandsons of Dingchenghou and Xiangyanghou are barely available.

And Xie Jing was only a guerrilla general before his meritorious service in Henan, and later he was promoted to a general because of his meritorious service.

As for the other young generals of the Jia family, they saluted together and called out in unison: "Uncle Heng."

After Jia Heng's battle in Henan, he was successively awarded first-class uncle, military minister, and prince Taibao for his meritorious service, and cooperated with the old generals of the Ningrong Second Mansion who were in Beijing, and gradually formed a relationship spanning three generations of old, middle and young Beijing camp military forces.

The older generation is the former members of the Jia family, as well as the generals and schools left behind by the Beijing camp, and some generals who approached halfway for various reasons. The latter part is obviously not a confidant. Obedience to Jia Heng's order was more due to the authorization of Emperor Chongping.

As for the younger generation, they are the young generals of the Jia family, they are the family power of the Jia family, and they are the confidantes of the confidants, and they are deeply loved.

Well, it's hard to say when, the emperor's palace guards will be in charge of him.

Jia Heng stepped forward and first stretched out his hands to help Xie Zaiyi, Cai Quan, and Pang Shili one by one, then looked at Jia Fang, Jia Chang, Jia Ling, Jia Yun and others, either patted their shoulders, or beat their chests, and looked at each other. Showing satisfaction, he smiled and said, "It's been hard work this trip, how is your family?"

Several generals stood up one after another, with expressions of closeness or admiration on their faces.

Among the young generals, Jia Chang, who was a little older, had darkened his face since the last battle in Henan, and undoubtedly became much calmer. He said, "Everything is fine in the clan, the old lady and the second master also brought some Letter to the patriarch."

As he spoke, he took out a letter from his pocket.

Jia Heng nodded, took the two letters and said without opening them, "Brothers, please come to the house."

While everyone was talking, people entered the official hall in a dense manner. They were all seven-foot-tall men, and they were members of the army. They walked like tigers and tigers, and they filled the room with a heroic spirit.

At this moment, Chen Xiao, who was behind the screen, opened one side of the curtain, glanced at the bustling hall, her clear eyes flashed, and there was a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.

These should be his trusted subordinates, and they will be of great use in the Xiaoqiang chaos in the future.

Thinking like this, Chen Xiao returned to the back house with light steps without disturbing the few people.

The girl plans to cook by herself today.

Jia Heng ordered people to prepare food and drinks, looked up at Xie Zaiyi, and asked: "How is the Beijing camp recently, is there any slack in daily training?"

In fact, with the current training level of the Beijing camp, facing the Jurchen even without the so-called Hongyi cannons, they will not be "fearful and afraid to go forward" like the Han army in the past. Lee fights.

But he was unwilling to take risks, and had to obtain more chips for winning, because the first battle against the captives was not only his touchstone, but also an opportunity for him to move towards greater achievements and fully preside over the military and political work of the Chen Han Central Committee.

If possible, it is best to be a hearty, unprecedented... brilliant victory.

Otherwise, the so-called——

"Lanning hairpins and daisies in the southeast, enjoying the day and night together, embracing the palace of emperors and daughters, surrounded by the two concubines, overlooking the Lanxi River in Miaoxiu, listening to zithers and poems, overlooking the fragrances of the four springs, and the singing of phoenixes and wans." ..."

Well, it's just right, it's just right, this is actually his description of the bright future of the Rongning Second Mansion, such as "watching the smiling faces of my mother and grandma", it's a mess, it's far from the big picture...

In short, the first battle against Jurchen was much more important to him personally than in Henan.

When he went to Haojing, he was not only looking for Hongyi cannons, but also introduced the latest Western firearms manufacturing technology, and at the same time recruited foreign engineers, and then under his guidance, further improved firearms.

At this time, Xie Zaiyihu's eyes were shining brightly, and he said: "Jie Shuai, the Jiangbei camp previously fought against the captives with naval forces, and captured three hundred Jurchens?"

As a cavalry general who fought against the Jurchens at the border, Xie Zaiyi knew the bravery and ferocity of the Jurchens.

Jia Heng said: "At that time, the Jurchens were at sea, and they suffered a great defeat. In fact, the Jurchens were not much better than my Han soldiers. It's just that they grew up in a bitter and cold place, and they had the heart of death and their blood. Brave and brave, our Han army retreated timidly under the sudden contact."

Xie Zaiyi nodded, and said with emotion: "What Commander-in-Chief Jie said is almost the same as what a certain general saw in the northern frontier army back then. The army was fighting, and our army had just received the enemy. Even if there are one or two brave heroes who are not afraid of fighting to the death, the defeat is like a mountain, and it is difficult to save the overall situation."

Jia Heng nodded, and said loudly: "Don't talk about the former Han Dynasty, when I founded the country, and the Ming Dynasty, when did you not chase the cavalry on the grassland? And Jurchen, originally I was just a slave, Taizong At that time, they were afraid of my majesty, and they captured the descendants of Zhu Ming who wanted to flee to North Korea and sent them to Shenjing. At that time, how obedient were the Eastern Prisoners?"

This is why he introduced the Hongyi cannon and other firearms, just to break the myth of the Jurchens.

Seven steps away, the gun is fast, and within seven steps, the gun is fast and accurate!

The generals nodded their heads when they heard the words.

Cai Quan said with emotion: "For decades, the soldiers in the Beijing camp have been arrogant and lazy, and their salaries have been emptied. When they go to the battlefield, everyone wants to die, and they are vulnerable. An invincible word."

Jia Heng nodded and said: "Then I am a big man, that is, the Han army is not full of pay, and the full pay is invincible."

The generals were stunned for a moment, and then reacted immediately, laughing loudly, the sound of laughter shook the roof tiles.

Pang Shili also laughed, and looked at the young man with a slight loss of consciousness on his majestic and grand face.

Although Yongningbo was young, his body was full of vigor like the rising sun, he was really the minister of the great Han Dynasty.

Jia Heng finished lunch with all the generals, and then at noon, he also assigned tasks to the generals.

Generals Cai Quan and Pang Shili went to Jiangnan Camp to assist Qu Guang in commanding the army and recruiting and training soldiers.

Jia Chang and Jia Fang saw that Jia Heng attached great importance to the navy and wanted to learn water warfare skills, so they both went to Zhenhaiwei in Jiangnan Camp, while Jia Ling and Jia Yun in Jiangbei Camp.

After this arrangement, Jia Heng did not stay in Jinling for long, and wrote letters to Jinyang and Xianning respectively.

Then he told Youshi to take good care of the two little girls Daiyu and Zhenxi in Ningguo Mansion, leaving Jinyi Tiqi as guards, and at the same time let Liu Jixian stay in Jinling, and spread the news of Jiangnan and Jiangbei camps at any time.

Then, without stopping, he and Chen Xiao went to Guangdong.

(End of this chapter)