The Red Mansions

Chapter 1672 How can we, the disciples of the saints, be on par with those menial craftsmen?

Chapter 1672 How can we, the disciples of the saints, be on par with those menial craftsmen?

Palace, Palace

The extremely hot sunlight shines through the hollow carved window lattices, illuminating a small lacquered wooden table, and the vase on the table is emitting a dazzling light.

Jia Heng stretched out his hand and put his arm around Zhen Qing's shoulders, pulling her to the bed. He looked into her face, which was as white as snow and as rosy as the clouds.

"You bastard, you are such a dog. You never get enough to eat." Zhen Qing said shyly with charming eyes under her slender eyebrows.

Jia Heng: "..."

He was born in the year of the dog, so what is Zhen Qing?

While Jia Heng was speaking, he kissed Zhen Qing's plump lips. Then, he moved closer to the beauty's soft breasts and immediately smelled an indescribable sweet fragrance.

Well, Mopan has never let him down in this regard.

Zhen Qing's heart trembled, and she said in a soft voice: "Be gentle~"

While Zhen Qing was speaking, her beautiful eyes flickered from beneath her slender eyebrows, and her fair face suddenly became as red as fire, almost like a bright sunset.

Jia Heng stretched out his hands and gently embraced Zhen Qing's plump and soft body, and immediately kissed the beautiful woman's snow-white face. An old horse knows the way, and a tired bird returns to the forest.

Zhen Qing let out a sweet hum, and couldn't help but hum a few times from her nose.

Jia Heng gently embraced Zhen Qing's slender shoulders, then moved closer to the beauty's plump and slightly moist lips, and then pressed his lips against the beauty's face. He held the plump breasts in both hands, and felt the softness flowing between his palms and fingers.

Zhen Qing hugged Jia Heng's neck, leaned close to his plump lips, kissed them, and whispered, "Hold me..."

Jia Heng: "..."

This millstone, even after all these years, has not changed its wild and unruly nature.

Well, he was in his prime, so it was nothing. He hugged Zhen Qing's plump and soft body, then got off the bed and came to the ground.

Zhen Qing hummed softly with a slightly coquettish voice, and her two slender hands tightly embraced Jia Heng's neck.

Jia Heng felt the closeness of the beauty's skin. At this moment, he came to the small table in front of the window and heard the beauty's breathing in his ears.

It was unknown how long it had been, but Jia Heng hugged Zhen Qing's plump and delicate body tightly, came to the soft couch, looked at that plump and beautiful face, and felt refreshed in his heart.

In order to regain his favor, Mopan really tried his best.

As Zhen Qing spoke, her snow-white face flushed, and she asked in a trembling voice, "Do you really want Jie'er to stay in the palace as a vassal king?"

Jia Heng said, "It's not bad to live a life of wealth and prosperity."

Zhen Qing pinched Jia Heng and said, "You promised me at the beginning."

Jia Heng said, "Let's talk about it in the future. When the fiefdoms are divided, there will definitely be a place for Jie'er to establish a country."

Zhen Qing said angrily, "Don't fool me. If you are sent to such a barren land, it is better to stay in Shenjing."

Jia Heng reached out and gently pinched Zhen Qing's plump face, and whispered, "That won't happen."

Zhen Qing's snow-white face was surprised for a moment, and asked, "What is the current political situation like? What do you think?"

Jia Heng stretched out a slender hand, gently put it on Zhen Qing's shoulder, and said, "Everything is stable, what can I say?"

The political situation today is indeed quite stable, but a storm is brewing.

Jia Heng and Zhen Qing lingered for a long time without saying anything else. Then they left the hall and went to the outer room.

At this moment, Jia Heng came out of the towering palace, looked up, and found that it was already evening. Looking into the distance, he could see the sunset glow filling the sky, which was extremely gorgeous.

At this moment, Jia Heng, wearing a black and red satin dragon robe, stood tall and heroic under the eaves of the corridor with carved beams and painted buildings, gazing at the glowing sunset outside the window, and couldn't help but sighed in his heart.

It was not easy for him to govern a huge country, especially if he wanted to take the right path and usurp his family's sacred artifact. It would be difficult to convince the people without making some achievements.

Thinking this, Jia Heng walked out of the palace quickly, jumped on his horse, pulled the reins of the horse under his crotch, and rode back to Ningguo Mansion on horseback, accompanied by the sound of the horse's neighing.

Ningguo Mansion, in the backyard——

Qin Keqing was chatting with Youshi. The atmosphere in the hall was lively and the air was rich in aroma. Then the sound of jingling bells could be heard one after another, and then the rich aroma filled the hall.

Soon, Baoqin and Xiangyun came in from outside, with rosy glow on both sides of their plump, white faces, and said, "Sister Qin."

Qin Keqing raised her eyebrows slightly, her face flushed, and her tone was full of joy. She said, "Baoqin, Xiangyun, you are here."

Baoqin said in a sweet voice, "Sister Qin, I came to see you."

Jia Fu stretched out her two soft little hands and said, "Sister Xiangyun, give me a hug."

Xiangyun smiled as she came closer, hugged Jia Fu's soft and fragrant body, and whispered, "What are you yelling about? I've told you so many times to call me Auntie Yun."

As he spoke, he moved close to Jiafu's plump, white face and kissed the little girl's soft, white face.

Jia Fu said angrily, "Sister Yun kissed me again. I drooled all over my face just now."

Xiangyun smiled and pinched Jia Fu's cheeks, saying, "Oh, my Fu'er knows how to be shy now."

As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and pinched Jia Fu's snow-white face, saying, "My Fu'er has really grown up."

Jia Fu shyly slapped Xiangyun's hand and said, "Auntie Yun pinched my face again."

Xiangyun smiled and said, "Because Fu'er's face becomes softer when you pinch it."

Jia Mo stretched out her two soft and tender little hands, and said in a childish voice with a hint of cuteness: "Auntie Yun, give me a hug."

While Xiangyun was talking, she quickly walked over, picked up Jia Mo's petite figure, and said, "Mo'er, let me see."

At this moment, Baoqin looked at the interaction between the two with a bright smile on her face, and a wave of inexplicable feelings surged in her heart.

Qin Keqing asked, "Baoqin, is your cousin okay?"

Baoqin said softly, "My cousin is resting and taking care of her baby. She is doing well."

Qin Keqing's beautiful eyes, with her eyebrows trimmed, could not help but show a thoughtful look. She said, "I will go over to see her more in the next two days."

In the hall, everyone was chatting and having a great time.

At this moment, a maid entered the hall and announced, "Princess, the prince is here."

Third Sister You walked quickly to the front and said happily, "My Lord, he is here."

Jia Heng nodded, looked at the gorgeous lady, and said with a smile: "Third sister, why is the room so lively?"

At this moment, Jiafu smiled and called out, "Father."

Jia Mo stretched out a soft little hand, greeted the young man in the python robe, and said, "Daddy."

Jia Heng smiled, walked closer, picked up Jia Fu, and asked, "Fu'er, let Daddy see if you've gained weight again."

Jia Mo said softly: "Daddy~"

With his other hand, Jia Heng held up Jia Mo's soft and delicate body and chuckled, "Mo'er, come here too and let Daddy take a look."

The unhappy look on Jia Mo's pretty and rosy face finally faded a little.

Jia Heng picked up one of his daughters in each hand, found an embroidered cushion to sit on, looked at Qin Keqing, and said, "Keqing, what's going on in the mansion recently?"

Qin Keqing said, "My husband, everything is going well in the mansion, nothing is wrong. My husband, have you finished your work outside?"

Jia Heng nodded and said, "There has been nothing going on in the court recently, so it's rare to have a few days of leisure."

Qin Keqing nodded and said, "Husband, why don't you take a bath and change your clothes first?"

Jia Heng: "..."

Well, I just had a crazy time with Zhen Qing and Liu Fei, and there seems to be a strong smell.

Jia Heng handed the two daughters to Xiangyun, and without saying anything else, he whispered, "Then I'll go over first."

Baoqin said, "I'll go over and serve Brother Heng."

Jia Heng didn't say anything else, and immediately turned and went to the side room in the back house.

After a while, Jia Heng returned from bathing and changing his clothes. He put on a long blue brocade gown with a straight hem, came forward and sat down, and said, "Keqing, what are you doing now?"

Qin Keqing said, "My husband, I have asked the kitchen to prepare the food. Please enjoy some later."

Jia Heng nodded, sat down, took the teacup from the maid, and took a sip.

Qin Keqing said, "I sent someone to the Qin residence. Dad seems to be busier recently."

Jia Heng put down the teacup in his hand and said, "Recently, the renovation of official roads is in full swing all over the country. My father-in-law is an official in the Ministry of Works, so he must be concerned about this matter."

Qin Keqing said, "My husband, my father is old and should not be too concerned with government affairs."

Jia Heng smiled and said comfortingly: "Don't worry, my father-in-law is still strong and healthy, there won't be any big problems."

Qin Keqing just said "hmm" and didn't say anything else.

Jia Heng's expression paused slightly, then he coaxed the two girls, feeling a surge of joy in his heart.

"Dad, why are you so busy all the time?" Jia Fu called out and said softly.

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Because Daddy is busy with government affairs outside."

As she spoke, she pinched Jiafu's rosy and chubby face.

Jia Fu's snow-white face flushed red, her eyes sparkled like water, and she said in a reproachful tone: "Daddy and Aunt Yun both like to pinch my face."

Jia Heng smiled and whispered, "Pinch it, make your face smaller."

He thought to himself that the little girl's face was as tender as a freshly peeled egg, and it seemed that water could be squeezed out of it. Everyone who saw it wanted to touch it.

It is tender and smooth, and everyone loves to touch it.

At this moment, Jia Mo pouted her slightly pink lips and whispered, "Daddy, don't pinch my cheeks."

Jia Heng looked at Jia Mo intently. His daughter inherited Miaoyu's looks. Her face was small and cute, but not as plump as that of his eldest daughter.

Jia Heng teased his two daughters for a while, while the kitchen staff prepared the meal.

As everyone was talking, they sat down and started to have dinner.

After that, Jia Heng did not linger in the house for long, and returned to the inner room of the back house with Qin Keqing.

Qin Keqing sat down, looked at the young man in the python robe, and said, "Husband, come and sit down."

Jia Heng took Qin Keqing's slender hand and asked, "Keqing, is there any movement in your stomach?"

Qin Keqing heard this and rolled her eyes at Jia Heng, saying, "My husband, how can I be so fast?"

Jia Heng put his arm around Qin Keqing's shoulders and said, "It's time to have a boy these days."

At the beginning, he remembered that he had promised the White Lotus Mother that he would make Keqing's child the Crown Prince in the future.

Qin Keqing gently stroked her flat belly, her face looking extremely sad. She sighed and said, "My husband, it's easy to have a child, but whether it's a boy or a girl depends on God's will."

Jia Heng took the beautiful lady's slender hand, his eyes deep, and said, "Yes, wait for a while and see what happens."

Qin Keqing leaned her long black hair against Jia Heng's shoulder, and a feeling of peace welled up on her plump, bright face.

Jia Heng put his arm around Qin Keqing's shoulders and snuggled up to her for a while.

At this moment, a laughter like a string of silver bells came from under the eaves, and a gentle voice said, "It's just getting dark, and you're already hugging each other?"

Jia Heng raised his head, and with warm eyes beneath his sword-like brows, he looked at Third Sister You and whispered, "Third Sister is coming."

Third Sister You had a faint smile on her bright and beautiful face, and she said softly, "Second Sister and Yinglian are here too."

As they were talking, a large number of beautiful women could be seen coming in from outside, and waves of rich fragrance filled the air.

You Erjie and Zhen Yinglian came hand in hand.

One is extremely beautiful, like a blooming peony, and the other is like a lotus, both are extremely bright and beautiful.

Third Sister You said, "Second Sister, come here quickly."

You Erjie's face, as white as snow, was blushing like a rosy cloud. When her eyebrows were lowered, there was a hint of inexplicable girlish shyness in the corners of her eyebrows and eyes.

Jia Heng watched this scene quietly, feeling a little strange in his mind.

In other words, after having been in the palace for so long, he still had to deal with those goblins after coming back. Even a man of iron would find it difficult to handle.

But men can’t say no.

At this moment, Third Sister You came closer, her beautiful eyes sparkling like water, and whispered, "My sister and I will help Master Heng change his clothes."

As they were talking, You Sanjie and You Erjie came over to help Jia Heng undress. They were already very familiar with the process.

Yinglian stood there, with her head lowered and her eyes submissive, like a bullied young wife, and for a moment she was at a loss as to what to do.

Qin Keqing whispered, "Come here, Yinglian, and talk to me."

Jia Heng looked at Yinglian and felt quite amused for a moment.

At this moment, two blushes appeared on Yinglian's snow-white face, and there was an inexplicable shyness between her eyebrows.

Ever since her wedding night with Jia Heng, Yinglian has never been with Jia Heng again. The girl is both ashamed and annoyed.

Jia Heng gently pulled Yinglian's slender hand and felt the girl's delicate body tremble slightly. He felt even more amused and said, "Yinglian, you are shy."

Yinglian had a delicate, straight nose and hummed softly. A blush appeared on both sides of her fair, plump face. She let Jia Heng hold her hand.

Jia Heng said: "Okay."

As he spoke, he put his arm around Yinglian's shoulders, and while the girl was in a panic, he moved closer and kissed her soft and slightly moist lips.

At this moment, You Erjie and You Sanjie had already started serving. Their two beautiful faces were like twin lotus flowers, bright and beautiful, beyond compare.

Jia Heng immediately asked in surprise, "Why is Sister You not here?"

According to past experience, the three sisters of the Yu family should join the battle together.

"Eldest sister has gone to take care of Fu'er." Taking advantage of the opportunity to take a breath, Third Sister You raised her charming face, her beautiful eyes soft and moist, as if they could melt the hearts of others.

And You Erjie was scanning slowly and gently, with infinite charm between her soft eyebrows and eyes.

At this moment, the biting cold wind of the first month of the year blew through the treetops of the sycamore trees, and a rustling sound could be heard, while on the bed with curtains drawn all around in the house, it was warm as spring.

After an unknown amount of time, Jia Heng reached out and embraced Qin Keqing's soft body, feeling her warmth and tenderness, and closed his eyes again to think about the state of affairs.

War cannot be launched in the Western Regions and Tibet in the short term. We must wait at least two or three years. By then, Liaodong has been almost digested, and then we can recover the Western Regions or Tibet in one fell swoop. After that, we can expand into the Indochina Peninsula and then launch a naval expedition to Australia.

……

……

Time flies, and before I knew it, another half a month has passed.

The Han Dynasty entered the second month of the first year of Qiande. Although it was still chilly in spring, some lush greenery had already appeared on both sides of the official road in Shenjing City.

As the Spring Examination got closer, more and more scholars gathered in the capital, and many of them discussed the reform of this year's examination questions.

It is said that this year's imperial examination will be changed to test policy essays, rather than excerpts from the Four Books and Five Classics with annotations by candidates.

In fact, this was not surprising before the Song Dynasty, and it could not be considered heresy. Therefore, although it caused a lot of discussion among the candidates in Beijing, it did not cause an uproar.

However, the new imperial examination system that was announced soon after had already made the candidates in Beijing feel uneasy.

Because, in addition to the Jinshi category, the new category of selecting scholars also includes Mingjing, Mingsuan, and Minggong. What does this mean?

Does King Wei want to put these low-level menial workers on the same level as them?

This is simply unreasonable!

At this moment, in the south of Shenjing City, there was a house with a plaque with three large gilded characters "Zuixianlou". The second-floor private room was filled with guests including scholars from the capital, and there was constant noise.

"Prince Wei wants to cut off the Confucian teachings of the sages." Among them, a young scholar with a rough face and sparse eyebrows said in a deep voice with a cold look in his eyes.

One of the scholars said in a loud voice like a bell: "Yes, how can we, the disciples of the saints, be on the same level as those menial workers? It is simply a disgrace to society!"

"I heard recently that the King of Wei has ordered people to teach in the Imperial College and recruit craftsmen to teach students the ways of craftsmanship and miscellaneous work. This is clearly a move to be close to evil and stay away from sages." A thin-cheeked young scholar said coldly.

"Isn't it the study of investigating things to acquire knowledge?" At this moment, a young man couldn't help but speak up.

A young man with a dark complexion spoke up, "The study of investigating things and seeking knowledge that the sages talked about is exactly the study of understanding the principles of the classics."

He was from Shandong and his name was Xiong Gang.

At this time, a young scholar wearing a blue scholar's scarf put down the wine cup in his hand, took over the conversation, and said: "It can't be said like this. The sages studied the laws of physics and knew the will of heaven. The King of Wei asked Xu Shilang to promote science and teach science in the Imperial Academy. This is actually the study of the study of things to gain knowledge."

This person is Zhuang Wei, who is from Jiangxi. He was the top scorer in Jiangxi in the 12th year of Chongping, and also one of the top three.

In Jiangxi, where there are so many scholars, Zhuang Wei is able to stand out, which shows his talent.

As the Han Dynasty enjoyed peace and prosperity, scholars from all over the world emerged in large numbers like mushrooms after rain. In the future, many famous officials were bound to emerge.

"Brother Zhuang, the study of investigating things and seeking knowledge is quite different from these strange and gimmicky tricks." At this time, a young scholar with a broad face and dignified appearance spoke up.

The man was a scholar from Zhejiang, named Hua Yixiang.

During the banquet, Jinshi scholars such as Chen Ce, Liu Guo, and Han Zongwen all echoed the sentiment.

In the eyes of these scholars, these so-called "sciences" that are very likely to shake the eight-legged essay system of the imperial examination are all heresies.