The Red Mansions

Chapter 1043 Returning to Yangzhou

Yangzhou

A ship was sailing on the river, and the light and shadow on both sides of the river quickly passed by.

Jia Heng stared at the map for a while, then suddenly heard a "squeak", and saw a petite and exquisite figure flash across the screen and enter the cabin, staring at the young man with shining eyes, and said softly: " What is your husband busy with?"

"Look at the map." Jia Heng looked up at the plate in the girl's hand and said with a smile, "What is Chan Yue holding in her hand?"

"Grapes, I brought them for you." Li Chanyue said with a sweet face and a sweet voice, and then handed over a plate of washed crystal grapes.

Jia Heng smiled and said: "Chanyue, bring it over and let me have a taste."

In the past few days, Chanyue was very clingy to him, and would come over to pester him when she didn't see him for a while, and they often slept together in the same bed at night, but after all, they avoided the influence, so they didn't make too much trouble.

Li Chanyue responded softly, put down the bunch of crystal grapes in her hand, her eyebrows were as curved as crescent moons, and said, "Husband, let me peel them for you."

Jia Heng gave a soft "hmm", looked at the girl gently, and asked, "Where's your cousin?"

Li Chanyue said softly: "Sister Xianning and Sister Lin are playing mahjong, they just play together when they have nothing to do on the boat."

Jia Heng looked weird, and asked: "Your cousin also likes to play this now?"

The home of the main wife is to play mahjong.

Li Chanyue approached, handed over a peeled crystal grape, and said softly: "Mr. Jia, my cousin is playing with them."

Jia Heng was about to take the grapes with his hands, but saw the girl snorting, her bright eyes under the beauty saw expectation, so she opened her mouth slightly.

The slender fingers passed over.

Jia Heng ate the grapes, stretched out his hand to pinch Li Chanyue's face, and said softly, "Why are you so filial?"

Li Chanyue: "???"

Filial piety?

Immediately understood, he said angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

She was also distracted the day before yesterday, so she responded to his weird address. She was really ashamed.

Jia Heng looked at the shy girl with brows and eyes, gently rubbed the girl's bangs covering her bright forehead, and said softly: "Didn't Chanyue like it that day?"

He didn't even think that Chanyue was so quiet on the outside, but she had the abused gene hidden in her... Or if she knew it earlier, she would have gone straight to the point. Before, she was really worried that Chanyue's young heart would be hurt.

After all, Chanyue lost her father since she was a child, and even her mother is a fake, so he still feels a little guilty.

Li Chanyue was peeling the grapes again, and said in a worried tone: "The third younger sister and younger sister Lan just said that this time there may be a lot of resistance to Qingzhang Tianmu in the south of the Yangtze River. Does Mr. Jia think it's easy?"

Jia Heng said warmly: "It doesn't matter whether it's easy to handle or not."

Li Chanyue pursed her pink lips, and said: "Our family actually has quite a few farm houses, so should these be cleared?"

"Treat everyone equally, and pay a little more tax when the time comes." Jia Heng took the girl's plain hand, hugged it in his arms, and said softly: "When we arrive in Jinling, we will first clear the land of the four major families in Jinling, and then take the lead. , and the rest will be easy to handle.”

A nobleman like him has to clear the acres of land and pay taxes according to the amount of acres of land, so it is not easy to evade other matters.

This time it is to play the leading role of the bureaucracy.

Li Chanyue stared at the young man, and said softly: "Mr. Jia has never rested since he became an official. The things he encounters are all big things that others can't handle."

Jia Heng said: "Since the Wicker Alley came out, one thing after another has indeed happened, which makes people dizzy."

In fact, he is also under some pressure, so the garden is a haven for rest and relaxation.

"Chanyue, we're almost in Jinling, we'll see her." Jia Heng said softly, taking the grapes that the girl Xian Xiansu had peeled.

Yangzhou is much closer to Jinling, so you can go back by boat in one day.

He wanted to see Jinyang earlier, Mopan and Xue'er.

By now all three of them should have received the news that he had arrived in Yangzhou.

Li Chanyue said softly: "Mr. Jia, when you come back this time, you should return to Beijing after she gives birth."

Jia Heng said: "There are still two or three months before I can add you..."

Li Chanyue blushed into a glow, slapped Jia Heng's hand, and said anxiously: "Don't say it, don't say it."

"Then you add one to her." Jia Heng joked with a chuckle.

Li Chanyue shyly said: "Husband, you still say it."

Jia Heng smiled, picked up the grapes on the side and peeled one gently, and said softly: "I'll feed Chan Yue a grape too."

Li Chanyue's pink lips parted slightly, and she bit the grape lightly, the juice overflowed from her moist lips, and said: "It's too dangerous for my husband to be busy with these things, if only I can be happy with my cousin Xianning for the rest of my life." .”

Jia Heng said softly: "I think about it too, but sometimes I just can't help myself."

As he said that, he held Li Chanyue's face and said softly: "If there is a day when nothing happens in the world, Chanyue and I will have a good time exploring this picturesque country."

I don’t know when the world will be peaceful.

After a while, Chen Xiao went back and forth, looked at the young man, and said in a clear voice: "All the generals of the Jiangbei camp have gone back, but the prefect of Yangzhou, the transshipment envoy of the two Huaihe capitals, the inspector of salt and the censor asked to see you." .”

Jia Heng, as an imperial envoy sent by Emperor Chongping, although his purpose is to refine the navy and reorganize the military and government, he still has a dispatch to supervise the New Deal.

Jia Heng thought for a while and said in a low voice, "I'll go and have a look later."

Compared with the interview with the generals of the Jiangbei battalion, it was a bit ostentatious and disturbing, but it was better to meet the officials of Yangzhou Prefecture and the salt affairs system after going south.

Previously in Huai'an Mansion, he got off the boat and met with Guan Shoufang, the deputy governor of Nanhe, and mainly asked about the flood preparation situation of the canal and the Yellow River embankment during the flood season.

Inadvertently, his disciples and old officials also spread all over the military, river affairs, salt affairs and other systems.

Chen Ling turned her eyes to look at the unfinished plate of crystal grapes, looked at the young girl with Shaoyan, and said, "Chanyue, I was just saying I was thirsty, peel one for me."

"Xiaoxiao, don't bully Chanyue all the time." Jia Heng said.

Chen Xiao glanced at Li Chanyue, then looked at Jia Heng, and said coldly: "Then in the future, don't let Chanyue lie on me."

She was at the bottom every time. Even with her martial arts skills, she could not bear the weight of more than 200 kilograms, and there was no comfort at all.

"Sister Xiaoxiao, you can eat." Li Chanyue suddenly held out a hand, her bright eyes twinkled, and said softly.

These three people, she doesn't want to be a meat pad.

Jia Heng smiled and said: "Xiaoxiao, tidy up and follow me to meet the officials of Yangzhou Prefecture."

Chen Xiao responded, and immediately followed Jia Heng to the outside.

At this moment, on the banks of the Yangzhou ferry, Du Bojun, the magistrate of Yangzhou, Daishang, the inspector of salt, Wang Yuanshan, the transshipment envoy of the two Huaihe Rivers, and the officials and staff of the Yangzhou government, a large number of people were waiting on the ferry. Looking at the tall ships with high masts and full sails.

After a while, a young imperial guard wearing Feiyu uniform came over, cupped his hands and said, "Two adults, my governor will be down soon."

Du Bojun, the magistrate of Yangzhou, quickly cheered up. The 35-year-old middle-aged official, with a handsome appearance and a fit figure, looked at the young man surrounded by several royal guards.

Because it was morning, and the Jianghuai River had abundant rain, the weather seemed to be overcast, and the young man in the python suit had a deep and solemn demeanor all over his body.

"I've met the Duke of Wei." Du Bojun, Daishang, the censor of salt inspection, and Wang Yuanshan, the transshipment envoy of the two Huaihe Rivers, walked a few steps quickly, and bowed their hands to the boy in salute.

Jia Heng returned the salute and said with a smile: "Master Du, Master Dai is so polite."

When everyone saw the humble expression on the young man in the python suit, they suddenly felt good in their hearts.

Only the salt merchant Wang Shouqi saw a strange expression on his face, this Duke of Wei also spoke so nicely to them Yangzhou salt merchant back then.

Who knew that he was actually a smiling tiger who said all good things and did all kinds of bad things.

Jia Heng is also looking at a few people at the moment, and his thoughts can't help but swirl.

I vaguely remember the last time I came to Yangzhou, Yuan Jichong, the former magistrate of Yangzhou, welcomed him to the mansion for a drink and dinner, but in the end he took the opportunity to participate in the impeachment.

Du Bojun invited with a smile: "Duke Wei, my servant and Lord Dai are preparing a light banquet at the Fulin Restaurant in the city. I hope Duke Wei will come to visit you."

Daishang, the censor who inspected the salt, also said: "Duke Wei, please go to the restaurant to have a glass of water and wine, so that we can all admire and respect you."

Jia Heng nodded, stretched out his hand to invite and said, "Master Du, please."

Just as Jia Heng and officials from the Yangzhou government and the salt affairs system went to Yangzhou city for dinner, the gentry who were waiting for him were under the trees on the west side.

On a carriage hanging the flag of "Jinling Ye Family", delicate hands as white as jade let go of the bamboo curtain, and a trace of suspicion flashed in the eyes under the willow eyebrows.

And that pair of handsome eyebrows glanced at the girl on the opposite side who was also watching through the curtain, and said: "Okay, everyone is gone, don't look."

Nan Ling reluctantly withdrew her gaze, and said in a trembling voice, "Sister Gu."

"Sister Nanling, who has just become a duke of the state and is married to the daughter of the emperor and the clan, there are some things that you don't need to think about, it's simply impossible." Gu Ruoqing said.

I really didn't expect that the arrogant young man would get credit again, and even marry the emperor's daughter and the daughter of the clan.

The joy on Nanling's young white jade face gradually faded, her complexion was pale, her head gradually lowered, and she gave a soft "hmm".

She certainly understands what Sister Gu means. She cannot reach such a powerful and powerful person even if she tries too high. Even if she is lucky, she will be abandoned soon.

Gu Ruoqing pulled Nan Ling's plain hand, and said with relief: "Okay, it's okay, don't worry about it, let's go back."

She is going to see her junior sister later, as the master has a letter for her recently.

Jia Heng, Du Bojun and others went to Fulin Restaurant in a grand manner, entered the box and sat down.

Some gentry in Yangzhou Prefecture, um, that is, business people, headed by four salt merchants from the original eight major salt merchants in Yangzhou.

Wang Shouqi, Huang Rishan, Jiang Tong, and Xiao Hongsheng stepped forward to talk.

Jia Heng stood up, supported Wang Shouqi's arm, and said, "Mr. Wang, there is no need to be polite. We are all old acquaintances."

"Don't dare to worry about being the Duke of the country." Wang Shouqi raised his eyes to look at the young man, the complex look in his old eyes could not be concealed.

The other four major salt merchants are not much better, because how long has it been?The young man in front of him has already become the Duke of the country, held captives and returned, and his power shook the world.

Originally, he hoped that this young man would suffer a big defeat in the north and fall from power. He didn't want his power to become more powerful than before.

The great war in the north had completely established Jia Heng's historical status.

Not only Wang Shouqi, but also Jiang Tong, Xiao Hongsheng and others were also restless and in awe.

Back then, the young man who was turned into clouds and rain by this method left a shadow behind.

Jia Heng said: "The few of you are now actively involved in maritime trade, this is the progress of ZTE's great cause that has joined my big man."

With the popularization of the ticket salt law in the world, the imperial court established a salt company, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs unified the patrol salt censor and the transfer department of the Huaihe River and Huaihe. Other business.

After the rise of maritime trade, the four major salt merchants actively participated in shipping, but in recent months new problems have emerged again, that is, pirates and barbarians entrenched in Wanwan Island, threatening the safety of navigation in the Fujian and Zhejiang waters.

But after a wave of unrest, there was another wave. It is true that the imperial court sent Duke Wei to the south of the Yangtze River to clear up the pirates, but he came with four new policies. will not be passed on to them.

Officials and merchants both have the habit of hoarding land for farming. Compared with merchants and other national capital buds, they still have a certain degree of advancement. Officials and gentry are outright rentiers.

Du Bojun smiled, and said flatteringly: "Nowadays, sea trade is booming in the world, and millions of people in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong depend on it for a living. Speaking of which, Duke Wei proposed the strategy of opening up the sea. How about a cup of Guogong."

Facing the gazes of the crowd, Jia Heng said: "I am also doing things for the imperial court, and I know that I am a courtier. Please be polite."

A group of merchants toasted the young man in the python suit.

Jia Heng picked up the wine cup and drank it down.

"Duke Wei is bold." Du Bojun praised.

Everyone complimented again.

Jia Heng's face was indifferent, and he said softly: "You are all heroes of Yangzhou. Now the sea trade is flourishing, I don't know how much more convenient it is than working in the fields. It is time to open up the sea trade."

As soon as this remark came out, the atmosphere at the scene became much more subtle.

Because in order to cooperate with Jia Heng's errands on this trip to the south, the gentry present felt that there was a faint admonition.

At this time, Dai Shang, the censor of the Salt Patrol, echoed: "What Duke Wei Guo said is true. If you just dig food from the ground, how many people can you have? Nowadays, the sea is in full swing. A shipload of goods goes to sea, and the profit is huge. Everyone here is interested in it." He is a person who is proficient in the production of goods."

Of course, the people here are not fools. Although it is good to open the sea, the risk is not small. It is not easy to collect rent.

Jia Heng said in a low voice: "I know some of the concerns here are. The pirates are cutting their way at sea, and this officer is going south this time to solve all the difficulties that hinder the opening of sea business."

Du Bojun smiled, and said with a lively atmosphere: "Wei Guogong is a famous general who shocked the pirates. Since he said that he wanted to deal with the pirates, it would not take long to clean up the demon atmosphere and clarify Yu Yu. If you go to sea to do business in the future, you don't have to worry about breaking the law." Ben."

Everyone echoed their words one after another, and the hall quickly became noisy and lively.

Jia Heng didn't continue talking, but smiled and looked at a group of Jiangbei gentry. These people are actually small bosses, and the real big bosses are the official officials of Jinling.

But this smile fell into the eyes of Wang Shouqi and others, but they felt their hearts tremble slightly, and they were secretly vigilant.

This smile is too familiar, they were careless back then.

……

……

Jinling, Yamen of Governor-General of Liangjiang

There was a thunderstorm last night. Under the strong wind, the leaves in the courtyard fell to the ground. Apart from the water droplets rolling back and forth on the leaves, there were also some ants and insects crawling around.

In the back office, in the study room, Gao Zhongping, the governor of Liangjiang, sat on a black lacquered chair with a calm expression, talking to a group of staff.

Since receiving the letter from Jia Heng, Gao Zhongping has selectively listened to Jia Heng's opinion, and gave up clearing the land in some places with greater resistance. Instead, he first surveyed the local land conditions and planned to make key breakthroughs in the future.

This move undoubtedly gave confidence to the Jiangnan gentry, but as Jia Heng gradually approached Jinling, a new atmosphere of panic spread from Jiangbei to Jiangnan.

Compared with Gao Zhongping's great reputation in Bashu, the officials and gentry in the south of the Yangtze River don't know much, and the name of Duke Wei is about to spread throughout the south of the Yangtze River.

First of all, there were a group of salt merchants who hated and feared Jia Heng. Compared with the annihilation of the Jin merchants in Shanxi, there was not even a wave of waves, and the fate of the rich salt merchants in Jiangnan was better.

At least the Wang family and the Xiao family were preserved.

Gao Zhongping looked at several people and said: "The Duke of Wei has arrived in Yangzhou, and I am going to take a boat to Yangzhou to discuss with him about reform plans."

"Dong Weng, this... this is too much." General Judge Wu Xiancheng advised.

In terms of seniority, Gao Zhongping belongs to the minister of Qiandi. In terms of merit, Gao Zhongping also has military merits, and he has a first-class viscount.

It is too much to treat a young man who is not yet a weak crown with such courtesy.

Gao Zhongping looked aggressively, and said in a deep voice: "For the sake of the imperial court, I need to meet the Duke of Wei in advance. Now is the time to help each other, and we can no longer talk about superiority. If Duke Wei is willing to use his strength, use the Jinyi Mansion to detect Jiangnan Conceal the number of acres of land, and the camp in the south of the Yangtze River will be clear for the new law, and the New Deal will be accomplished."

It can be said that after changing from one whip law to four new policies, he is doomed not to be able to enjoy the grand reputation of the new law all over the world.

Of course, in this matter, citing Wei Guogong as an ally actually eased the difficulty of implementing the New Deal.

Even if you want to compete again, you have to wait for success.

……

……

At the moment, there is a vast landscape manor near the Zijin Mountain in Nanjing. It is misty and rainy. In the courtyard of locked pavilions and pavilions, the pavilions with cornices and corners in the backyard are surrounded by rain curtains, and the small furnace of the purple sand pot is bubbling with heat.

As the former capital of the Chen and Han Dynasties, Jinling has bred many aristocratic families in the past hundred years, and the Du family is one of them. Compared with the high-profile Zhen family in the south of the Yangtze River, the Du family is much less conspicuous.

The ancestor of the Du family was once a famous prime minister in the Taizu Dynasty. Later, Taizong's first queen, Empress Xiaohui, was born in the palace. Later, the children of the family became several governors and cabinet ministers, and there were also many local officials.

For example, Du Bojun, the former magistrate of Yangzhou, was a child of the Du family.

The Du family can be said to be extremely noble. Now I am in charge of the affairs of Taizu Mausoleum in Nanjing, which is basically Qinggui's errand.

At this moment, the old man of the Du family, Du Wannian, who is nearly seventy years old and has gray hair, is playing with two shiny walnuts on a quilt in his hand. The gray beard under his chin is fluttering in the evening breeze, and his droopy eyelids are open. Cang Sheng said: "Duke Wei has arrived in Yangzhou?"

Sitting not far away were Dong Chongxue, Secretary of the Ministry of Officials in Nanjing, Yan Mao, Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Kuang Chun, Yushi of Nanjing Youdu, Hao Xixian, the son of Hao Jiru, the second cabinet minister of the Longzhi Dynasty, and Yuan Tu, the son of the Minister of Rites in Nanjing. Yuan Hong, as well as Bao Shiqin, an official who served as governor of the south of the Yangtze River, and other related officials.

These people all purchased a large number of acres in Jiangning, Suzhou and other places. This time the New Deal clears up the acres of land and bears the brunt.

Yuan Hong replied: "I am already in Yangzhou Mansion now."

Du Wan's cloudy eyes under the white eyebrows showed light, and he sighed: "Such a young prince has never had one since the founding of the country, but he just thinks about the way of reform. How many people in history who advocate reform have a good end?"

"Grandpa Du, this Duke of Wei is not an easy-going lamp. When he comes here, he might use a knife or a gun." Dong Chongxue, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, said in a low voice.

Du Wancang said: "As far as this old man knows, although this Duke of Wei uses knives and guns, he still has a sense of propriety. As long as I don't get caught too much, his new policy cannot be carried out."

Yan Mao, Shangshu of the Nanjing Ministry of Industry, said: "Mr. Du, although this Duke of the State of Wei looks good, as long as he finds a clue, he is more ruthless than anyone else. Back then, the eight major salt merchants found an excuse for him and used thunder to wipe him out. The four companies have completely changed the Jiangnan Salt Law and dug out the roots of salt merchants."