The Red Mansions

Chapter 1669 This is all a sign of the Holy and Bright

Chapter 1669 These are all signs of holy and brilliant glory...

Godly City, Ningguo Mansion

In the front hall, one can see the sound of clinking glasses and toasting each other.

Jia Heng and a group of officers and soldiers from the Beijing camp were feasting happily in the hall, and the incident just now seemed to be just a small episode.

After three rounds of wine, five flavors of dishes.

The officers and soldiers of the Beijing camp, who had been extremely noisy, gradually came out of the hall with the help of their family members and servants.

After all the guests left, Jia Heng asked someone to call Fan Yi and go to the study, where they sat down as host and guest.

The servant brought fragrant tea and then turned and left.

Jia Heng raised his eyebrows, stared at Fan Yi, and asked, "Mr. Fan, what happened just now?"

Fan Yi straightened his face, stood up, and said with a bow: "My Lord, now is a golden opportunity. The people in the Beijing camp admire and respect the King of Wei. It is time to make a call and follow the will of heaven. If you delay for too long, people's hearts will change."

Jia Heng shook his head and said, "What golden opportunity? The new emperor has just ascended the throne and the political situation is stable. Besides, my prestige is not high yet. If I act rashly, I am afraid I will become the target of public criticism."

Upon hearing this, Fan Yi said loudly, "What the King of Wei is worried about is not without reason."

Jia Heng raised his eyebrows, stared at Fan Yi, and said, "That's it for today. Don't act rashly in the future."

Fan Yi bowed and said "yes" without saying anything else.

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, and then said, "Now, not only the court, but also the governors of various provinces and the gentry in Jiangnan, they are still loyal to the Han Dynasty."

Fan Yi said: "Your Majesty is right."

Jia Heng talked to Fan Yi for a while, without saying anything else, and then went to the back house. Just as he reached the eaves of the corridor, he saw Chen Xiao head-on.

Chen Xiao asked curiously, "What were the officers of the Beijing Camp doing in the hall just now?"

Jia Heng's face showed a deep and mysterious expression, and he said, "Persuade him to come in."

Chen Xiao frowned, her bright eyes sparkling like rainbows, and asked, "But was it Fan Yi who planned this?"

Jia Heng stared at Chen Xiao and whispered, "That's about right."

Chen Xiao nodded and whispered, "Don't expect that one day when you wake up, these officers have already crowned you as emperor."

Jia Heng shook his head and said, "The timing is not right now. The whole world will surely rise up in opposition."

Chen Xiao said: "The officers and soldiers of the Beijing Camp were clamoring to advance together, which was a test, to test your intentions, and at the same time, to test the officers and soldiers of the Beijing Camp."

Jia Heng nodded.

This was not only a test of his thoughts, but also a test of the thoughts of the officers and soldiers in the Beijing camp.

Judging from their performance just now, there is basically no problem with the officers and soldiers of the Beijing Camp.

Because at this moment he was already the regent king, and he got four twos and a king.

Jia Heng looked thoughtful and said, "Xiaoxiao, let's go to the back house and talk."

Chen Xiao responded with a "hmm" and without saying anything else, followed Jia Heng to the hall.

At this moment, the opera troupe in Tianxiang Tower was singing non-stop, and Jia's mother was watching the show with a smile, accompanied by Qin Keqing, Youshi, You Erjie and You Sanjie.

In addition to Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang who were sitting on the pear wood chairs, there were also a group of girls including Xiangyun, Baoqin, Tanchun, and Yingchun.

In addition, Xing Xiuyan came to join in the fun with Jia Mo in her arms. She and Jia Fu were eating candy figures, with a big smile on their faces.

As for Miaoyu, she is not here yet.

As they were talking, they sat down one by one. Their snow-white faces were flushed like Fuji apples, as red as fire.

At this moment, a maid walked up quickly and said, "Princess, Prince Wei is here."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, and saw that the young man in the python robe had a tall and heroic figure, with a mixed expression on his face.

Xiangyun's round apple-shaped face was filled with joy, and she said softly, "Brother Heng, you're back."

Jia Heng nodded, met the gazes of several people, nodded, and said: "Well, I'm back."

As he spoke, he sat down on a pearwood chair.

At this moment, a maid brought a cup of fragrant tea and then slowly retreated.

Qin Keqing's emerald eyebrows were as beautiful as black ink, and her crystal clear eyes showed concern. She asked, "Husband, have you figured out what's going on outside?"

Jia Heng nodded and said, "It's nothing."

Everyone sat down and started chatting.

Grandmother Jia asked, "Brother Heng, has the situation in the capital been stabilized?"

Jia Heng said: "Everything is stable. The old lady can see it in the next few days. There is no unrest in the capital."

Grandmother Jia said with emotion: "Brother Heng, a lot of things have happened in the past year, which are dazzling. I am getting more and more confused."

She saw that Brother Heng was becoming more and more powerful.

Jia Heng nodded and said solemnly, "Old Madam, no matter what, the Ning and Rong mansions will be prosperous and prosperous forever."

Grandmother Jia smiled, her eyes flickered, and she said in a gentle voice, "With Heng Ge'er at the helm, I feel relieved."

All the young ladies and wives in this mansion fell on Heng Ge'er. I heard from Yuanyang that Feng Yatou seemed to be pregnant with Heng Ge'er's child these days. If we add in Lan Ge'er's mother from Daoxiang Village...

In this mansion, all the girls with a bit of beauty fell into Heng Ge'er's hands.

Jia Heng picked up the blue and white porcelain teacup, lowered his head and took a sip, and said, "The old lady is watching the show here, I'll go see Sister Xue and Sister Lin."

Grandmother Jia said, "Brother Heng, go ahead."

After Jia Heng finished speaking, he did not linger for long. He stood up and went to the back house.

Grand View Garden, Hengwu Garden

Baochai, on her side, was already pregnant, lying quietly on the bed with a pillow behind her. Her plump and soft body was covered with a brocade quilt embroidered with hibiscus petals, and her plump and lovely face was covered with blushes on both sides.

Ying'er brought a blue and white porcelain jade bowl filled with white fungus and lotus seed soup, which was steaming and emitting a delicious aroma.

"Girl, have some porridge."

Baochai looked at the bowl of porridge quietly with her bright eyes. Suddenly, she felt nauseous and started vomiting. Then she started coughing non-stop.

Ying'er quickly put down the porridge in her hand and said, "Miss, are you okay?"

As she spoke, she picked up a pink handkerchief embroidered with green lotus, moved closer, and handed it to Baochai, wiping her lips that were stained with porridge.

At this moment, under the vermilion beams and eaves, the joyful voice of the nanny suddenly came, saying in a loud voice: "My lord, you are here."

Jia Heng walked around a screen with a splendid picture of mountains and rivers, stood in front of the screen, looked at the beautiful woman lying on the bed, and a sense of peace surged in his heart.

"Prince." Baochai's fair and slender face smiled faintly, and she called softly and spoke in a low voice.

Jia Heng stretched out his hand and pulled the beautiful woman's soft, white arm. His eyes were as bright as water, and he asked with concern: "Sister Xue, is morning sickness so severe?"

Baochai said, "The imperial physician said that this has been the case for the past two months."

Jia Heng took Baochai's slender hand and whispered, "Sister Xue, let me listen to the fetal movement."

"It's only been two months, and there's no fetal movement yet." Baochai's plump and lovely face showed an indescribable shyness, and she said timidly.

Jia Heng took Baochai's slender hand and asked, "Where's Sister Lin? Has she come over these few days?"

Baochai's beautiful eyes were as soft as water under her emerald eyebrows. She said, "Sister Lin is also pregnant and has not come over these few days."

Jia Heng said, "Wait a minute, I'll go see her."

Then, he took Baochai's soft, white little hand and said in a gentle voice, "Sister Xue."

At this moment, a maid outside said, "Master Xue, why are you here?"

At this moment, under the eaves, Xue Pan's pancake-shaped face opened his eyes wide and said, "Let me see my sister and nephew, why can't they come?"

Jia Heng's eyes were deep under his sword-like brows, and he asked Baochai, "Has your brother been coming here frequently these days?"

Baochai's face, which was as white and bright as a pear blossom, showed a hint of shyness, and she whispered, "Brother has been coming here quite frequently these days."

Jia Heng nodded and said gently, "I'll go check it out now."

As he was talking, Jia Heng came out of the warm room and into the hall. He stared at Xue Pan and whispered, "Wenlong."

Xue Pan was walking quickly towards the house. When he looked up, he saw the young man in the python robe. He was inexplicably happy and said, "Brother-in-law, you are here too?"

Well, ever since he heard that Baochai was pregnant, Xue Pan began to change his tone.

Jia Heng nodded and said gently, "Your sister is pregnant and needs to rest. Don't make any noise."

Xue Pan smiled bitterly when he heard this, then sat down in the hall and said, "Why is my brother-in-law so free today?"

Jia Heng also sat down and said, "It's New Year's Day, so I came to take a look."

As he spoke, he looked at Xue Pan and asked, "How is the business at home?"

Xue Pan looked at the young man in the python robe with his thick eyebrows, and said in a gentle voice: "Brother-in-law, business is not good now. The sea trade business is monopolized by the big merchants and powerful families in the south. Our Xue family has to manage the imperial merchant business of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and do business in the sea trade. It is inevitable that we are unable to cope with it."

Jia Heng smiled and said, "The world's money can't all be earned by one family. The situation is almost the same now. It's better to bite off more than you can chew."

Xue Pan couldn't help but show a worried look on his face, and said: "Brother-in-law, you don't know, now that there are many people in the family and the expenses are high, we can't not do this business."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Then do it well and never bully others by taking advantage of your power."

"Brother-in-law, you are joking. How dare I do that?" Xue Pan smiled and said, "Brother-in-law, the Ministry of Industry is now renovating the official roads. The last time I saw my second uncle, he had already taken over part of the official roads of the Ministry of Industry. I am saying that I will also take on this kind of work and make good use of this business?"

Jia Heng said: "It's not impossible, but the renovation of the official road is related to national policy, and we must not use inferior materials to avoid ruining our reputation."

Xue Pan's eyes, as big as copper bells, flashed fiercely, and he patted his chest loudly, saying, "Brother-in-law, don't worry."

Jia Heng said: "Everything still has to follow the bidding process."

Xue Pan nodded, and then said nothing more.

Jia Heng picked up a teacup, looked at Xue Pan, and said, "Wenlong, I still want to say a few words to Sister Xue."

Xue Pan smiled and said gently, "Brother-in-law, you talk to Sister Xue. I'll go over first."

Jia Heng watched Xue Pan leave, then stood up and turned to the warm room.

"Brother is gone?" Baochai called softly with her beautiful eyes slightly moist under her emerald eyebrows.

Jia Heng nodded and said, "I went back. There was nothing wrong. I guess he just wanted to see you. I wanted him not to scare the baby in your belly."

Under Baochai's emerald eyebrows, her charming eyes rolled angrily at the young man in the python robe and said softly, "How can my brother be so fierce?"

Jia Heng reached out and gently put his arm around Baochai's shoulders, whispering, "Well, now that you have a child, you should rest and recuperate."

Baochai uttered a soft "hmm", her cheeks flushed, her bright eyes soft and moist, and she nestled her delicate head in the arms of the young man in the python robe, a blush appearing on her plump and lovely face.

Feeling the sweetness of this moment, an indescribable peace welled up in my heart.

……

……

The years do not live, the seasons flow.

Time flies, and half a month has passed without me noticing.

The specific measures of Qiande's Ten New Policies spread rapidly throughout the entire Shenjing City, causing heated discussions among officials in the court and the public.

However, there were no major problems with Jia Heng's ten new policies, as each one was impeccable.

For example, opening up channels for communication and accepting advice with an open mind are all signs of a wise and splendid sage.

However, there was a lot of discussion in Jiangnan about Jia Heng's new policies. Although the ten new policies did not mention Jiangnan at all, the gentry in Jiangnan smelled something unusual from them.

Jinling City, Shen Mansion——

Shen Fang was wearing a Sichuan brocade home uniform, leaning back in an armchair, holding a court newspaper in his hand, looking down.

The chief clerk Fu Jingben, who was sitting at the bottom, came over quickly, looked at Shen Fang intently, and whispered, "Minister Shen, what is the secret of the new policy implemented by the King of Wei?"

Shen Fang put down the newspaper he was reading and said coldly, "Science and education make the country strong? I wonder which is better, the teachings of Confucius and Mencius?"

When Fu Jingben heard this, a look of surprise appeared in his eyes, and he asked in a deep voice: "What does the minister mean?"

Shen Fang was silent for a moment, and said, "King Wei regards strange skills and tricks as the most important tools for governing the country. Now he is talking about developing the country through science and education, but not about etiquette and morality. This is far from the way of sages."

When Fu Jingben heard this, he looked thoughtful, and suddenly his eyes lit up.

Shen Fang raised his eyebrows, a hint of coldness appeared in his eyes, and said: "Let people spread the word in Jiangnan that King Wei despises orthodox teachings and values ​​craftsmen. The scholars in Jiangnan will naturally criticize him."

Fu Jingben praised and said, "Dong Weng's strategy of killing someone with a borrowed knife is really ingenious."

Bai Sixing said, "If the prince of Wei attacks and suppresses the scholars in Jiangnan, he will surely be hated by the scholars in Jiangnan."

Shen Fang twisted a few strands of beard under his chin and said, "The King of Wei is very cunning. He may have other strategies to deal with it. We should not be careless."

Fu Jingben's eyes were deep, and he said loudly: "Then Mr. Dong, I will send people to spread the news in Jiangnan."

While Shen Fang was talking, he didn't say much. He left the hall and went to the back house.

As soon as I passed through the moon-shaped gate with green bricks and black tiles and entered the hall, I saw a beautiful woman in a plain dress. It was Xiao Zheng.

Little Zheng came closer, her gentle and lovely face flushed, and she said softly, "Brother, I cooked some Tremella and Lotus Seed Soup, come and have some."

Shen Fang's old eyes under his thick dark green eyebrows met Zheng's soft and bright eyes, and he couldn't help feeling a little flustered.

After so many years, no matter how dignified and upright Shen Fang was, he could not resist the temptation of the beauty around him.

Shen Fang nodded, stepped over the high threshold, entered the hall, and sat down on a pear wood chair.

Little Zheng picked up a blue and white porcelain teacup, walked closer, and said in a soft voice, "I have added sugar, brother, you can have a taste."

Shen Fang took a blue and white porcelain teacup, took a sip, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

Little Zheng said, "Brother, I heard that the Prince of Wei has now become the regent."

She thought she could avenge her husband, but she never imagined that Jia Heng was promoted from the Earl of Yongning to the Prince of Wei, and now he has become the regent with great power in the court.

Shen Fang said coldly: "It is said that it is lonely at the top. The King of Wei is now in a high position, but he is greedy. This is a blessing and a curse that comes from one's own actions."

As the news of Shen Fang spread throughout Jinling, the upright people in Jinling Imperial College and the Censorate began to make a fuss.

First, the scholars in Jiangnan began to question what science and education were. After that, the scholars in Jiangnan vied with each other to discuss this issue.

Previously, there were rumors in the court and the country that King Wei wanted to promote the Mohist school of thought, emphasizing the turbid currents and distancing himself from the clear currents.

But on the other hand, some people spoke for King Wei, saying that King Wei only employed craftsmen to carry out practical work and had no intention of shaking the teachings of Confucius and Mencius.

……

……

Shenjing, Liangjiang Governor's Office——

Today is the day when the new Governor-General of Liangjiang, Li Shouzhong, takes office. At this moment, in front of the Governor-General's office, there are minor clerks and a large number of runners and soldiers standing. In addition, there are officials from Liangjiang, and some gentry from Jiangnan who have come after hearing the news.

"I'm coming."

At this time, a tall officer with dark cheeks suddenly spoke loudly, and immediately, there was a commotion among the crowd of officials from Jiangnan who were looking forward to it.

Soon, at the end of the official road, eight people were carrying a blue clay sedan chair, surrounded by guards. Along with the voice of the master, the sedan chair was seen coming down, a hanging curtain was lifted, and an old man with an elegant face and an upright figure stood up.

It was none other than Li Shouzhong.

Li Shouzhong wore an official uniform with a crane patch and a black gauze hat. As his official position rose, his demeanor became more majestic and solemn, despite his plain appearance.

"Your humble servant greets the governor." The officials who were welcoming him at the gate of the yamen bowed and said.

Li Shouzhong glanced at the officials below with his silk-like eyebrows, and with both hands he supported the people who were paying their respects, and said, "Please stand up, everyone."

A group of clerks and assistants saw this scene from afar, and they hurriedly expressed their gratitude and stood up.

Li Shouzhong showed a dignified yet friendly smile on his face, and whispered: "Everyone, this is not a place to talk, let's all go to the Governor's Office to talk."

Surrounded by a group of officials, the new Governor-General of Liangjiang, Li Shouzhong, entered the government hall like a moon surrounded by stars, and sat down at a lacquered wooden table.

Li Shouzhong's bright eyes flashed fiercely under his thick eyebrows. He said, "Everyone, I came to Nanjing to govern Liangjiang. I wonder how the new policies of the court are being promoted in Liangjiang?"

Upon hearing this, the officials present looked at each other, some of them unsure of Li Shouzhong's intentions.

At this time, Jiangsu Governor Zhang Yongchuan looked solemn and said, "Your Excellency, the new policy has been very effective in Jiangxi and Jiangsu. Since the implementation of the new policy, the people of the two provinces have cheered and are all in favor of the new policy."

Li Shouzhong said in a deep voice: "The day before yesterday, the central government sent a letter to the local authorities, saying that the court will send imperial censors to review the effectiveness of the new policy in Liangjiang."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yongchuan didn't say anything else and just bowed in agreement.

He sighed secretly in his heart, the position of Governor-General of the Two Rivers should have been his.