The Red Mansions

Chapter 1685 Jia Heng: A love-brained person...

Shenjing City, Wuying Palace

Jia Heng, the chief minister Qi Kun, the second chief minister Lin Ruhai, the minister of war Shi Jie, the minister of military affairs Shui Rong and others gathered in the palace to discuss the sudden chaos in the south.

Qi Kun thought about it, and as if to test it, he whispered: "Prince Wei, I'm afraid that the autumn grain collection this year will not be delivered from Jiangnan."

Jia Heng's expression was calm, just like Xuanshui. He said, "It's only summer now, and it's still early for the autumn grain collection. There's no rush. The chaos in the south won't last too long, and we can calmly put it down."

Qi Kun nodded, and beneath his thick eyebrows, a thoughtful look appeared in his old eyes.

Is this the plan set by the King of Wei? Just like the previous dethronement of the young emperor.

Qi Kun is also a political veteran with an outstanding mind. He now fully understands the reason.

Jia Heng turned to look at Lin Ruhai standing beside him and asked, "Mr. Lin, how is the progress of the Liaodong immigration to the border these days?"

Lin Ruhai nodded and said, "Shandong has organized the first batch of 100,000 immigrants to Liaodong to settle down near Liaoyang. The second batch has recently assembled and is ready to set off."

Jia Heng's bright eyes flickered under his sword-like eyebrows, showing a thoughtful look in his eyes. He said, "The immigrants from Liaodong and the people who originally belonged to our Han people should all recognize their ancestors and return to their roots. As for the Manchus and the Eight Banners, they should be encouraged to change their surnames to Han and integrate into our Han people."

Lin Ruhai nodded and said yes softly, "I will ask the relevant officials of the Ministry of Revenue to write to the officials in Liaodong and other places to supervise the handling of this matter."

Jia Heng said: "The integration of all ethnic groups is even more important for the long-term stability of our Han Dynasty. Otherwise, after a few years, the morale of the ethnic groups will collapse, and it is hard to guarantee that there will not be a rebellion after surrender."

Lin Ruhai's elegant, fair face showed a thoughtful expression, and he said, "Zi Yu is right."

Zhao Yi said, "Prince Wei, the river office in Henan reported that the river needed to be repaired. The governor of Nanhe, Guan Shoufang, also reported that Nanhe..."

Jia Heng said, "Back then, the Yellow River flooded and almost caused a disaster. I led the Henan troops to repair the dikes and dams. Now several years have passed. At that time, I had a promise with the Southern River Governor Guan Shoufang that the dikes and dams would still need to be rebuilt after several years."

At the beginning, the emergency situation itself meant that it was a temporary project. Moreover, even if there was no such festival, the court would allocate money to the river management office every year to repair the river.

In the blink of an eye, several years have passed since he started river management and embankment building in Henan.

Zhao Yi's bright eyes flickered under his sword-like brows, and he cupped his hands and asked, "What instructions does the King of Wei have?"

Qi Kun watched this very respectful scene from the side and couldn't help but sigh secretly.

Now all the civil and military officials in the court are Prince Wei's trusted followers, the Wuying Palace is only a one-man show for Prince Wei, and the Cabinet and Military Affairs Council are Prince Wei's puppets. Although Prince Wei does not have the title of emperor, he has the power of an emperor in reality.

Jia Heng said: "When building the river bank this time, firstly, we can use stone and mud as materials to build a solid river bank. Secondly, we must crack down on corruption. The Censorate will select inspectors to keep the sword hanging in the air, so that the river management officials dare not, cannot, and do not want to be corrupt. Every ounce and every penny of the money for river management must be spent effectively."

As he spoke, Jia Heng turned his head to look at the cabinet clerk beside him and said, "Go and invite the chief censor of the Metropolitan Censorate over here."

The cabinet clerk responded with a sound and then turned and left.

Jia Heng turned to look at Qi Kun, who looked thoughtful, and asked, "Lord Qi, is the Ministry of Revenue's money and grain reserves sufficient?"

Qi Kun said: "If we want to repair the river dikes, we need to allocate about one million taels. The Ministry of Revenue can support it. However, although we have been able to increase our income in recent years, the national treasury has been expended greatly in the past two years, whether it is the rebellion in Sichuan or the resettlement of immigrants from Liaodong. Although we have previously reduced the frontier troops and saved some military expenses, we still need a lot of gold and silver to build a navy. One minus one plus one is not a discrepancy, so we should be more careful in the future."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "What Lord Qi said is very true. Once the rebellion in Jiangnan is quelled, the court will be able to gain some income."

The confiscation of so much property from the royal family, princes and retired gentry was almost like destroying the treasury and taking countless gold, silver and treasures after a war of annihilation.

It is conceivable that this is a huge fortune accumulated by the great families in the south of the Yangtze River over decades. Whether it is used to bribe officers in the Beijing camp or to recruit civil servants, the money can be put to good use.

When Qi Kun heard this, his eyes flickered and he was startled.

Jia Heng looked indifferent and said, "So, don't worry about the money and grain. The ill-gotten gains of the traitors in Jiangnan are stored in the warehouses. They are like guarding dogs. The court will take them away."

Qi Kun nodded, his face indifferent, without revealing any expression, but his heart was covered with a thick haze.

Jia Heng then stared at Beijing Prince Shui Rong and whispered, "Lord Shui, North Korea and Japan have been keeping a close eye on us recently."

In his future plans for the empire, both Korea and Japan would be converted to Chinese.

Shui Rong nodded and asked with concern: "Zi Yu, do you think there will be unrest in North Korea and Japan?"

Jia Heng said: "It is better to be prepared. Although our dynasty has troops stationed in both places, the situation in the two countries has been stable in the past few years, and there is no longer any danger of foreign invasion. The vassal lords of the two countries may not be willing to continue to see our army stationed in their countries."

Beijing Prince Shui Rong nodded and said loudly: "Zi Yu is right. We must be on guard against them."

After Jia Heng finished explaining the military preparations, he turned to look at Lin Ruhai and said, "Mr. Lin, how are the new Jinshi being placed now?"

In March of the first year of Qiande, after three questions in the Fengming Tower of the Imperial College, the Han court immediately held an imperial examination.

Because there were other subjects besides the Jinshi subject, about 5,000 candidates took part in this special examination, which was much more than the 3,000 candidates in previous years.

A total of 300 Jinshi were admitted. If the special examination in the first year of Jianxing is included, the court admitted a total of 600 Jinshi in these two years.

Fortunately, the imperial court has conquered Liaodong and quelled the rebellion in Shu in recent years, and many official positions have been vacated at the local level, which is more than enough to accommodate these Jinshi.

Lin Ruhai said: "In addition to being selected as Shujishi, the three hundred Jinshi are also observing politics in the six ministries. They will be assigned to local positions next year."

Jia Heng asked, "What about those who are good at classics, mathematics, engineering, and logic?"

Lin Ruhai showed a strange look on his face and said, "Some of them don't want to be officials and plan to take the imperial examination again."

Jia Heng said: "It's just that it can't be reversed for the time being, it's not a big deal. As time goes by, the court will pay attention to officials from other disciplines, and even be able to select nine ministers and cabinet ministers. In time, people all over the world will trust and use them."

This is like the difference between 985 and 211, and the Double First-Class, which will take some time for people to accept.

As long as he also learns engineering and governs the country, he will be able to convert the scholars of the world.

Lin Ruhai nodded and said nothing more.

Jia Heng turned to look at the Minister of Rites Liu Zheng and whispered, "Master Liu, in the future, the Imperial College, the county schools, and the prefectural schools must also offer scientific subjects and establish a long-term training mechanism."

Liu Zheng nodded, his face solemn, and replied yes.

Afterwards, Jia Heng talked with Lin Ruhai, Qi Kun and others for a while, and said, "You should sort out the government affairs first, and we can discuss other things later."

Lin Ruhai and Qi Kun responded with a "yes", and then watched Jia Heng leave.

While Jia Heng was speaking, he left Wuying Hall and walked quickly towards the back of the palace.

Palace Garden, Kunning Palace
Queen Song was wearing a scarlet dress and her long black hair was combed into a beautiful bun. She was sitting on a soft couch covered with a mattress near the west warm pavilion. In her pair of slender hands, as white as snow, she was holding a needle and thread, embroidering something. Judging from the style, it should be a man's robe without a doubt.

Although there was an agency like the Shangyi Bureau in the palace that supervised the production of clothes, Queen Song still wanted to sew them herself to express her love for Jia Heng.

At this moment, a young eunuch with a pale face and no beard came quickly, entered the warm room, and said softly: "Your Majesty, the King of Wei is asking for an audience outside the palace."

Upon hearing this, Queen Song stopped sewing, looked at the young eunuch with twinkling eyes, and whispered, "Announce."

After a while, the young man in the python robe entered the warm room from the outer room, bowed to Queen Song, and said in a loud voice: "Your humble servant greets your Majesty. May your Majesty live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years."

Queen Song quickly extended her hand to support him, her beautiful eyes moving and charming, and she said in a soft and gentle voice, "Prince Wei, please stand up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Jia Heng thanked her in a low voice.

Queen Song's flawless face was covered with a faint smile, and her beautiful eyes flickered under her willow-shaped eyebrows. She said, "You are not busy with things outside today, so how come you have time to come to my place?"

Jia Heng said, "The cabinet is still worried about the situation in the southern province, so they asked me to come into the palace to discuss important matters."

Queen Song had beautiful eyebrows as green as willow leaves, and her soft and slightly beautiful eyes were shining with a charming look. She said, "Then tell me what you think."

Jia Heng said: "The rebellion in Jiangnan is growing stronger and stronger. Many officials, gentry and scholars have joined the rebellion and want to fight against the court."

When Queen Song heard this, her delicate and pretty eyebrows frowned, and she looked at the young man in the python robe and said softly, "I don't care what your final plan is, you'd better finish this matter as soon as possible, otherwise the longer you delay, the greater the uncertainty in the court and the country."

Jia Heng agreed, "Yes, wait another half a month, and the Jiangbei camp and Wei Che should take action to suppress the rebellion."

He also felt that the net was almost closed.

Queen Song nodded, her beautiful eyes full of light, and said, "It's good that you know what to do. Even if you really want to lure the snake out of its hole, you can't just look at snakes everywhere."

Jia Heng nodded, walked closer, gently held the beauty's slender hand, felt the softness of her skin, looked at her beautiful face, and whispered, "You don't have to worry. The situation in Jiangnan was originally planned by me. Whether it is Ye Zhen, the Marquis of Annan, or Cai Quan of the Jiangbei camp, I can calmly suppress them."

Queen Song said softly, "Yesterday, my fourth brother came to the palace to chat and asked about Concubine Rong and Ze'er. I didn't know how to reply for a moment."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then asked, "Recently, Concubine Rong and Ze'er... have they been behaving well recently?"

Queen Song sighed and whispered, "They are still content, but they may not be convinced."

How could one not be filled with greed, anger, ignorance and obsession when one missed the throne?
Jia Heng had no expression on his face and said indifferently: "For now, don't pay attention to them. When peace returns to Jiangnan, they will naturally be disheartened."

He also wanted to see what Concubine Duanrong's expression was like at that time.

Queen Song said faintly: "After all, we are a family."

Concubine Duanrong and Queen Song have been sisters for many years, and there has never been any estrangement between them, even in the past.

But after Chen Ze was deposed and enthroned, a deep rift developed between the two sisters.

Jia Heng said: "Family affairs, state affairs, world affairs, the emperor has no family affairs."

Queen Song hummed softly, then nestled her head into Jia Heng's chest.

At this moment, the sunlight outside the window shines through the carved window lace, quietly illuminating the two of them, as if it had covered them with a layer of holy veil.

Queen Song's face was as bright and rosy as the clouds.

Queen Song said, "Not long ago, Wei'er sent someone to the palace to deliver the news that he had another child. If it's a boy, he wants to adopt the child to his brother to continue the family line. He wants to come to the palace to discuss it with me. Another reason is that he misses me and wants to visit the palace."

As Queen Song became the Empress Dowager and her son Chen Luo ascended the throne and became emperor, Prince of Liang Chen Wei also became interested and planned to free himself from his current confinement.

Since being placed under house arrest, Chen Wei has been addicted to wine and sex. The concubines and wives in the harem gradually became pregnant. This time, she was adopted by King Wei Chen Ran, on the one hand to preserve the brotherhood, and on the other hand to take the opportunity to play the family card to Queen Song in order to seek freedom.

Jia Heng's eyes flickered, and the plumpness and softness in his hands paused. He asked in surprise: "Chen Wei? What is he going to do?"

Queen Song rolled her eyes at Jia Heng and said angrily, "Just now, you didn't listen at all?"

He was so distracted that he didn't even listen to what she said.

Jia Heng said: "There is no problem with the adoption, but Chen Wei... I think it's best for you not to see him now."

"Why?" Queen Song asked softly with her beautiful eyes flowing with charm under her emerald eyebrows.

Jia Heng said, "Luo'er is still young, and Chen Wei has only just escaped from the Sichuan Rebellion. His character is still uncertain. It is better to keep him in prison for another three to five years."

Queen Song bit her pink lips with her pearly teeth and said, "Three to five years, so long?"

"I know you love your son." Jia Heng held the beautiful lady's slender hand and said, "But you can't see him for three to five years. Otherwise, if he does something stupid again, no one can save his life at that time."

If Tianniuer softens her heart, she might let Chen Wei cause trouble again.

When Queen Song heard this, a struggle appeared in her beautiful eyes. She said "hmm" softly and nestled her head in Jia Heng's arms.

She knew what the little fox meant, and she still had to consider Luo'er after all.

While talking, Jia Heng and Queen Song hugged each other for a long time, quietly enjoying the midsummer time.

Until the sun set, a hint of orange appeared in the western sky.

Only then did Jia Heng leave the palace under the reluctant gaze of Queen Song. He thought for a while on the palace road and decided to go see Princess Jinyang.

Princess Jinyang's Mansion, Back House

In the study, a handsome young boy was sitting behind a desk, studying a blue-covered book. He was none other than Jia Heng's eldest son, Jia Jie.

"The sky and the earth are dark yellow, the universe is vast and boundless..." Jia Jie's voice is tender and crisp, with a childishness that makes people feel pity.

Not far away, Lian Xue said softly, "Your Highness, this is an official document delivered by the Ministry of Public Affairs and the Military Affairs Office. In the southern provinces, the King of Wu, the King of Lu and others, with the assistance of Hao Jiru and Ye Zhen, the Marquis of Annan, have raised the banner of rebellion and set off a huge momentum in the south."

Princess Jinyang's beautiful eyes were as bright as water under her brows. She whispered, "King Wu? How dare he rebel in the Southern Province?"

Princess Jinyang naturally knew the King of Wu. The age difference between them was not big, so they were considered to be of the same age.

Princess Jinyang asked, "What did Ziyu say?"

A worried look appeared on Lianxue's jade face, and she said softly, "My Lady, there is no news from the prince yet."

Princess Jinyang said softly, "Send someone to invite him over."

She also wanted to know if there was any hidden story behind this.

If there is really trouble in Jiangnan, given the heavy financial burden in Jiangnan, it will easily have a huge impact on the north, and maritime trade taxes will also be reduced.

Even if Jiangnan did not launch a northern expedition, the northern part of the Han Dynasty might have fallen into chaos if it had only been separated from the Han Dynasty for a few years.

Even newly conquered areas such as Liaodong will become unstable.

It was a coincidence that just when Lianxue sent someone to invite Jia Heng, a maid from the outer room came into the room and said, "Your Highness, the Prince of Wei is here."

Princess Jinyang was startled when she heard this, and looked quickly. She saw the young man in the python robe step over the threshold. The setting sun shone on his face, leaving shadows on both sides of his nose, making him look even colder and calmer.

Jia Heng whispered, "Jinyang."

Princess Jinyang's beautiful eyebrows flashed a pair of autumn eyes, and she whispered, "I just told Lianxue to let you come over."

Jia Heng smiled and looked at the beauty, and said, "Jinyang, why did you call me here?"

Princess Jinyang asked, "Such a big thing happened in Jiangnan. What do you think?"

Jia Heng walked closer and sat down next to Princess Jinyang, whispering, "In just a few days, there will be results in Jiangnan, so be patient."

As he spoke, he gently took Princess Jinyang's slender hand, gazed into her beautiful eyes, and said, "Don't worry."

Princess Jinyang hummed and said, "Take good care of the things outside and try not to make any trouble. It won't be too late to have peace for a few years."

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Okay, I know."

Jinyang supported him in taking over the Chen Han dynasty. To put it bluntly, he was a complete love-brained person.

Or rather, this love-brain is only for him.

……

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