novelonline Chapter 1666: The First Year of Qiande
Chapter 1666: The First Year of Qiande
Chapter 1666: The First Year of Qiande
Godly City, Ningguo Mansion
In the side room, in the square charcoal braziers, the fire was blazing, and clouds of hot air were emanating everywhere. On the bed, two people were snuggling together and chatting.
Sister Feng nestled her delicate head in Jia Heng's arms and said with a mixture of joy and anger, "How can I compare to her? She has already given birth to a child."
Jia Heng reached into the collar of her clothes and felt a fullness between his fingers. He chuckled and said, "Sister Feng can do it too."
Fengjie snorted softly through her delicate and straight nose, and a hint of shame and anger seemed to well up on her beautiful oval face.
What is this person talking about?
You can call her anything.
The two were talking together, and Ping'er was listening quietly not far away, and a feeling of shame welled up on her fair face.
Jia Heng and Sister Feng snuggled together for a while, but he noticed that Sister Feng's delicate hands were a little dishonest, and he felt a little strange. He quickly opened Sister Feng's delicate hands and said, "Sister Feng, are you still pregnant now?"
Sister Feng whispered in Jia Heng's ear, her voice filled with unspeakable emotion, "I just miss you."
Jia Heng stretched out his hand and felt the beauty's entanglement. He felt helpless and said, "Then you...you serve first, and let Ping'er serve you later."
Even though she's pregnant, she still doesn't stop.
Sister Feng's eyes were filled with shame and annoyance, and she said angrily, "You want me to pave the way for that little hoof, right?"
Jia Heng joked, "You two have a deep bond as master and servant. Doesn't she usually serve you?"
Fengjie's face, as white as snow, was flushed, and she snorted, without saying anything else. She put her two slender hands in front of the young man in the python robe, rustled his clothes, gently lifted the hair that fell to the side of her cheek, and then lowered her head with long black hair like a waterfall.
Jia Heng said, "Ping'er, come here."
"Hey, here I come~" Ping'er responded shyly, then entered the house, walked closer, and helped Fengjie.
Jia Heng raised his soft and beautiful eyes, and under his sword-like eyebrows slanted into his temples, a hint of thought appeared in his bright eyes as he pondered the specific content of Qiande's new policies.
I don’t know how long it took before the clouds cleared and the rain stopped.
Jia Heng stretched out his hands to embrace Ping'er's delicate body, staring at her bright and beautiful face, feeling an inexplicable joy in his heart.
Jia Heng hugged Fengjie's plump and graceful body and leaned against her for a while. Then he looked up at Ping'er and said, "Ping'er, please take care of your grandmother when you are at home."
Ping'er's fiery face flushed red as she said in a charming voice, "Master, don't worry."
Jia Heng reached out and embraced Ping'er's plump body, feeling the warmth of her fragrant skin, and asked jokingly, "Ping'er, if you have another child, what will you say?"
Sister Feng was so ashamed and angry that she interrupted and said, "Let Mammy come over and serve us master and servant."
Ping'er nestled her plump and delicate body tightly in Jia Heng's arms, and her face, which looked like a dough, was covered with bright red clouds that looked as red as fire.
She will also have the prince's child in the future.
Jia Heng reached out and gently scratched Ping'er's nose, saying, "What are you thinking about, Ping'er? Why are you so absent-minded?"
Ping Er almost blurted out: "I'm thinking about having a baby."
As soon as I said this, I couldn't help feeling embarrassed.
What was she talking about just now, something about having a baby, it was really embarrassing.
Jia Heng said: "Maybe it will happen this time."
Sister Feng's soft, tender voice contained a hint of shame and annoyance as she said, "Everyone knows that your master Heng has many women in his backyard. He might get tired of playing with them one day."
Jia Heng said, "What do you mean by tired of playing? That sounds really nice."
Sister Feng snorted, as if she was both angry and resentful, and said, "You have more and more women in your backyard now."
"Snapped……"
Fengjie wanted to say something else at this moment, but she suddenly felt that her plump and round buttocks were attacked. It was clearly the young man in the python robe who hit her plump and round buttocks.
Fengjie's narrow, clear eyes seemed to be filled with charming waves, and she seemed a little aggrieved: "You only know how to bully people."
Jia Heng reached his hand into Fengjie's front, felt the fullness and softness between his palm and fingers, and said, "She's going to be your mother, and you're still jealous."
Feng Ji's face flushed red, she snorted softly, and pressed her fiery face against Jia Heng's chest.
Jia Heng said in a gentle voice: "After the baby is born, take good care of it, and you will have good things in the future."
Perhaps after becoming pregnant, Fengjie felt that her position was secure and her relationship with him was more like that of a married couple.
Ping'er's beautiful eyes, with a faint gleam under her dark and green eyebrows, looked intently at Sister Feng and whispered, "Second Madam, what are you talking about?"
Sister Feng hummed, and hugged Jia Heng's waist tightly with both hands. Her snow-white face was dazed for a moment.
That’s right, the women in his backyard are either princesses or princesses, so it’s not her turn to be jealous.
……
……
Time flies, and before we know it, it is the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, which is the Little New Year in the lunar calendar.
Shenjing City, Ningguo Mansion, in the study
The floor heating was on and the room was as warm as spring. Chen Xiao was sitting behind the desk, reading a book.
Just then, footsteps were heard coming from the eaves.
Soon, following the direction of the voice, one saw Jia Heng striding from the outer room into the study.
Chen Xiao stood up and handed over a piece of paper in his hand, saying in a clear voice: "Take a look at this. According to the pigeon message, the scouts in Jiangnan reported that Hao Jiru criticized you a lot at the recent 80th birthday banquet, and instigated the Jiangnan gentry present to criticize you verbally and in writing."
Jia Heng took the letter from Chen Xiao and paused slightly. The letter recorded in detail the scene of Hao Jiru's conversation with the guests at the banquet.
Jia Heng put away the piece of paper in his hand, his face gloomy as iron, and said in a cold voice: "This old man who doesn't know how to live or die."
Chen Xiao looked at the young man in the python costume with eyes as bright as water under her beautiful eyebrows, and whispered, "How do you plan to deal with it?"
Jia Heng's face was filled with murderous intent. He said, "First, let the Jinyifu guards of the Southern Province collect evidence of the Hao family's crimes. The rest of us will wait and see. Since Hao Jiru dares to act so recklessly, he must have someone behind him."
Chen Xiao was silent for a moment, with a hint of coldness in his eyes, and said: "I think so, but the southern gentry has been resentful of you for a long time."
Jia Heng's cold eyes flickered under his sword-like eyebrows, and he said loudly, "We need to find an opportunity to break the ironclad situation in the Jiangnan officialdom."
Chen Xiao said in a cold voice: "However, Xie Yue and Tan Jie did not seem to be in collusion with Hao Jiru. After celebrating the birthday, they left the Hao family."
Jia Heng's expression eased a little, and he said, "Xie Yue is an old fox. As for Tan Jie, he was recommended by me as the Minister of Finance of Nanjing."
Chen Xiao thought for a moment and asked, "Then let's see if we can break up the monolithic Jiangnan officialdom."
Jia Heng picked up a blue and white porcelain teacup, lowered his head and sipped the fragrant tea, and whispered: "The officialdom in Jiangnan has never been monolithic. It just so happens that there are many vacancies in the court, so there will be no shortage of people willing to serve."
He is now the regent and holds great power in the court. Not to mention anything else, just the official hat alone is enough to make the officials of the Southern Province excited.
Chen Xiao thought about it and said worriedly: "The Jiangnan and Jiangbei camps also need to send trusted people to take charge."
Jia Heng nodded and said in a gentle voice: "We need to send someone to take charge of the Jiangnan camp."
At this moment, a maid entered the room and said, "My Lord, someone from the Jinyi Mansion is outside the mansion asking to see you."
Jia Heng was touched when he heard this. He looked at Chen Xiao beside him and said, "Xiaoxiao, come with me to take a look."
Chen Xiao responded softly, and then said nothing more.
While Jia Heng was speaking, he was the first to leave the room.
At this moment, in the front yard, there is a spacious flower hall with elegantly arranged tables and chairs.
Jinyifu Governor Qu Lang was wearing an exquisitely patterned bullfighting suit, with a dignified and solemn demeanor, sitting on a lacquered pearwood chair. Not far away was a middle-aged scholar with an elegant face and wearing a blue gown.
The person was none other than Xu Guangqi.
At this moment, a servant in a gray robe walked into the house and announced, "The prince is here."
Qu Lang stood up and waited respectfully.
Xu Guangqi looked in the direction of the voice and sizing up the world-famous Prince Wei in front of him. His eyes flickered and he thought to himself, he really has a tall and strong figure, and walks like a dragon and a tiger.
In fact, Xu Guangqi, who was in Songjiang Prefecture at that time, was quite surprised by the sudden visit of the Jinyi Guards, thinking that they had encountered some disaster.
When the Jinyifu guards conveyed Xu Guangqi's intention to recruit Prince Wei, the regent of the current dynasty, Xu Guangqi had many doubts in his heart, but he was more curious about Prince Wei, who assisted Emperor Chongping in pacifying Liaodong and made great military achievements.
"I am honored to meet you, the governor." Qu Lang said with a solemn expression and a bow.
Jia Heng nodded, looked at Xu Guangqi, who was calm and composed, and said in a gentle voice, "No need to be polite."
"Student greets King Wei." Xu Guangqi also walked quickly forward, bowed to Jia Heng and said.
Jia Heng hurriedly stepped forward to support him and said with a smile, "I have long heard of Mr. Xu's great name."
Xu Guangqi was shocked when he heard this, and said quickly: "The King of Wei is a hero of the time, and his power is feared throughout China. I am a student who has heard of him."
Jia Heng smiled and said, "Mr. Xu, thank you for your compliment. Please take a seat here."
As they were talking, the two of them sat down as host and guest.
Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at Xu Guangqi and asked, "Mr. Xu, are you familiar with Western geometry?"
Xu Guangqi was even more surprised when he heard this. He stared at the young man in the python robe with burning eyes and asked, "Does the King of Wei also know geometry?"
Jia Heng smiled and said, "Hook three strands, four strings, and five. I know a little about these."
Xu Guangqi praised: "Prince Wei is truly knowledgeable."
Chen Xiao watched the two people talking from the side, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Does he know these miscellaneous knowledge?
Jia Heng said: "Geometry is a necessary subject for water conservancy projects, which can be said to be of great benefit to the national economy and people's livelihood. However, our dynasty does not attach much importance to the imperial examinations, and even the art of abacus is considered dispensable. Therefore, most of the officials selected and appointed are those who talk big but do nothing, and know almost nothing about practical affairs. At the local level, they are deceived by cunning petty officials."
When Xu Guangqi heard this, he was undoubtedly shocked.
King Wei's words really touched his heart.
If officials only understand the teachings of sages Confucius and Mencius and know nothing else, how can they govern the people under their jurisdiction well?
Xu Guangqi said, "Prince Wei, this is just the imperial examination, it concerns the foundation of the country, we can't do it lightly, right?"
Jia Heng smiled and said, "This is not something that can be changed overnight. What I mean is that the court can open other subjects besides the Jinshi examination to select talents for the court, such as Mingjing, Mingsuan, Mingfa, and Minggong. When the time is right, the eight-legged essay can be reformed to select scholars. The current eight-legged essay can also be gradually changed to a policy essay."
In fact, there has been no Mingjing since the early Ming Dynasty. There was only the Jinshi examination, and then the eight-legged essay was used to select scholars. The scholars trained there were completely unfamiliar with practical matters.
Xu Guangqi nodded and agreed, "What the King of Wei said is very true. The imperial examination system is what scholars all over the world aspire to. We must not change it rashly, lest it cause an uproar."
The Prince of Wei before him was not a reckless person, and he was still cautious in governing the country. If he abolished the eight-legged essay as soon as he came to power, it would easily arouse hatred among scholars all over the world.
Jia Heng said, "However, the current trend among scholars is to despise the learning of all kinds of craftsmen. If we want to change this trend, we need to set up schools to teach arts and cultivate talents for the country. Mr. Xu is a great talent of the time. Do you intend to be a teacher and impart knowledge to others?"
Running a school is a plan to expand influence. The Donglin Party in the Ming Dynasty originated from the Donglin Academy.
Xu Guangqi twisted his beard with his hand and said, "Establishing a school to impart knowledge is also what I wish for. I have disciples in my hometown, and two of them will follow me to Beijing. They are waiting for me at the post station now."
Jia Heng said, "Mr. Xu, the king intends to recruit you as the counselor of the Royal Palace's Engineering Department. In addition, you will also be the president of the Academy of Sciences. In addition, the Imperial College is still short of a director, so Mr. Xu will take up this position temporarily."
Xu Guangqi himself was actually a Jinshi, but he resigned and retired in the 12th year of Chongping, and never served in officialdom since then. However, this scientific pioneer once served as the Minister of Rites, Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion, and Second Assistant of the Cabinet in the Ming Dynasty in a parallel universe.
"Science?" Xu Guangqi did not care about the official position given by Jia Heng, but savored the word "science" that Jia Heng said, feeling that it was meaningful.
Jia Heng nodded and said, "I call the new learning science. Science is the way to study things to gain knowledge, to explore the principles of things, and to train scientific talents for the court. Whether it is the art of making firearms or water conservancy projects, a large number of successors who are proficient in practical work are needed to supplement the officials."
As he spoke, Jia Heng looked at Xu Guangqi intently and said, "The Exploitation of the Works of Nature and Mr. Xu's Complete Book of Agricultural Administration can be used as teaching materials."
He actually also asked the Jinyi Guards to look for Song Yingxing.
Xu Guangqi said with emotion: "The Prince of Wei's words are profound and insightful, which really enlightens the students."
Afterwards, Jia Heng and Xu Guangqi chatted for a while. When they talked about the world being a sphere and longitude and latitude, Xu Guangqi's heart skipped a beat, his eyes lit up, and he felt like he had found a close friend.
Because Xu Guangqi's idea was incompatible with the philosophy of the round earth and square earth in that era, it was almost considered heresy.
As a result, the two of them had a very pleasant conversation until it was dark. Only then did Jia Heng send Xu Guangqi, who was still reluctant to leave, to the inn to rest.
Chen Xiao frowned and looked at Jia Heng with complicated eyes, saying, "This man does have many wonderful ideas, but... you can still accept them all."
Just now, she saw that this person even said some things that made Xu Guangqi ask questions again and again to explore the principles behind them.
Perhaps this is what it's like to be a saint emperor, a scholar, and it's only natural.
Jia Heng waved his hand and said with emotion: "Xu Guangqi is a rare talent. If he is used properly, he can lay the foundation for eternal peace."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao stared at Jia Heng and said angrily, "You have said this more than once."
Isn't this person's regard for Xu Guangqi a bit too much?
Jia Heng smiled and said, "I was just happy to see the prey."
As the saying goes, a true friend is hard to find. God knows how difficult it is for him to meet an ancient person in this world with whom he can discuss the science of past lives.
……
……
Time flies, and before we know it, the first year of Jianxing of the Han Dynasty has passed, and the Han Dynasty has entered the first year of Qiande.
During these few days, Xu Guangqi frequently visited Jia Heng to discuss the way of "science", and the Ministry of Personnel also sent Xu Guangqi a certificate granting him the title of Director of the Imperial College.
The first day of the first lunar month in the first year of Qiande
When the new emperor ascended the throne, the imperial edict celebrating the New Year had already been transmitted to all nine provinces of the world through the Han Dynasty's post system.
The streets were filled with flying firecracker confetti and the air was filled with the pungent smell of sulfur. Most of the shops on both sides of the street were closed.
On the spacious and densely packed streets, the soldiers and helpers of the Wucheng Bingmasi were holding shovels, bending over and shoveling the thick snow one shovel at a time.
In the Daming Palace, on the white marble square outside the Hanyuan Hall, under the watchful eye of the Imperial Censor, all the civil and military officials of the Han Dynasty stood according to their rank and marched in neat formation towards the Hanyuan Hall ahead.
"Your Majesty, we greet you. Long live your Majesty." The court officials, led by the Chief Minister Qi Kun and the Second Minister Lin Ruhai, bowed and saluted Queen Song and the new emperor who were sitting on the golden throne in front of the bright yellow screen.
Chen Luo followed what Queen Song had taught him earlier in the morning and said in a childish and clear voice, "Gentlemen, please stand up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The civil and military officials below stood up one after another, holding ivory jade tablets, and lined up on the left and right. The atmosphere in the hall was solemn and dignified.
Jia Heng said, "My lords, this is the first year of Qiande, a new dynasty with a new atmosphere. I'm here to discuss various personnel matters in the court."
Since Li Zan and Xu Lu were beheaded, many vacancies suddenly appeared in the court.
The cabinet is missing one minister, the Censor of the Censorate, in addition there are two Deputy Censors-in-Chief and the Associate Censor-in-Chief.
Not long ago, Wang Shu, the Minister of Dali Temple, submitted a letter of resignation to the court on the grounds of old age.
This Dali Temple Minister was undoubtedly stimulated by the fact that he supervised the execution of the Prime Minister, or he was already quite old. He had been in charge of the Dali Temple for eight years since the 14th year of Chongping.
The Ministry of Justice is also short of a court official, and Deng Zhen, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, can take over, while the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice will be transferred to the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.
Qi Kun held the ivory jade sceptre in his hand and said, "Prince Regent, the cabinet is busy with important affairs and there is a vacancy for a minister. We need to fill it urgently."
Jia Heng asked, "Can the cabinet officials handle the affairs of the cabinet?"
In fact, the cabinet ministers do not necessarily have to be complete. There is nothing wrong with having four cabinet ministers, and the other one can be used as a bargaining chip to win over governors and governors-general across the country.
Upon hearing this, Qi Kun's face froze, and he was somewhat unsure of the mentality of the prince above him.
Zhao Yi was silent for a moment, then he cupped his hands and said, "Although there are many affairs in the cabinet, there is still enough manpower within the cabinet, so there is no need for cabinet members to join the cabinet."
Jia Heng's face became serious, and he continued, "The Minister of War has been appointed by the Grand Councilor Shi Jie, and the Prince of Beijing Shui Rong has been appointed as the Minister of War. In addition, the Duke of Liao was promoted to the First-Class Duke of Ying, and was granted the title of Minister of War. The army will return on a certain day."
Previously, Xie Zaiyi was a third-class Duke of Liao, but this time, since he had quelled the rebellion in Sichuan, he was obviously going to be promoted, and was directly promoted to the first-class Duke. The title of Duke of Liao, which was previously given by the King of Chu to deliberately disgust Jia Heng, was also changed to Duke of Ying.
Qi Kun bowed in response.
Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "The Ministry of War will report to the Zongli Yamen in the next two days on all matters concerning the awards and honors given to the officers and soldiers who went to Sichuan to quell the rebellion."
Qi Kun was stunned for a moment, then asked in surprise, "Prince Wei, I wonder what this Zongli Affairs Office is?"
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Lord Qi, as the regent, I will set up an office in the palace and establish a general affairs office. It will have six departments, counselors, and military officers. On the one hand, it will coordinate the affairs of the six ministries and hundreds of departments, and on the other hand, it will consult and assist in the affairs of the country."
Well, in fact, it was a small court, or an advisory body, which to some extent sidelined the cabinet and the six ministries, or in other words, the cabinet and the six ministries actually became executive bodies.
The best thing is that he can use some young and capable bureaucrats with little experience in the shogunate in a flexible manner, and replace them as central bureaucrats after he ascends the throne.
When Qi Kun heard this, he was shocked.
As an old bureaucrat who had been in the officialdom for many years, Qi Kun naturally understood Jia Heng's intention.
Zhao Yi, holding an ivory jade tablet, walked out of the court and said, "The establishment of an office by the regent king will also be beneficial to handling state affairs."
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Then do as you say. I will select some capable officials from the six ministries and hundreds of departments to supplement the shogunate and assist in managing affairs."
When the court officials below heard this, they had different thoughts.