The Red Mansions

Chapter 1662 Jia Heng: This is a revolutionary military weapon!

Chapter 1662 Jia Heng: This is a revolutionary military weapon!

Divine Capital City, Princess Jinyang’s Mansion

Jia Heng leaned back in the pear blossom chair, a dazed look on his resolute face as he pondered over the measures of Qiande's new policy.

The first thing is to reform the official system. The current structure of six large ministries is not suitable for the increasing national affairs, so it should be changed into smaller ministries.

In addition, new doctrines were introduced, such as the Mohist school, to counterbalance Confucianism, or to create a scientific religion that advocates the pursuit of knowledge through the study of things.

Princess Jinyang came forward, stretched out a slender hand and waved it in front of Jia Heng's eyes. Her beautiful eyes were filled with curiosity, and she asked, "What were you thinking about just now? Why were you so absent-minded?"

Jia Heng came back to his senses, smiled and said, "I was thinking about government affairs."

Only after he really came to power did he realize that it was not easy to be a "powerful minister", or in other words, it was not easy to be a powerful minister who wanted to accomplish something.

If you want to accomplish something great that will last for generations, there are still so many things to do that you don't know where to start.

Princess Jinyang became curious and asked, "Zhao Zheng, what are you going to do?"

Jia Heng looked thoughtful and said, "First, we should reform the official system so that we can implement national policies."

Princess Jinyang's beautiful and gentle face was filled with an indescribable worry. She said in a clear voice, "You have just taken over the government as a relative of the emperor. I advise you not to mess around. If you have made achievements, it's fine. But if you make mistakes, then the dissatisfied people in the world will only gossip more."

Jia Heng said, "I have considered what you said before, but it's a new dynasty with a new atmosphere. Since I am the assistant, I also need to make great efforts to govern the Han Dynasty."

Princess Jinyang frowned and said, "Just take it step by step, don't rush for success."

Jia Heng put down the blue and white porcelain teacup in his hand, looked at Princess Jinyang, and said, "Don't worry, I won't rush into anything. The plan that needs to be set still needs to be set."

If he wanted to usurp Chen Han's throne, it would be impossible without his prestige.

Princess Jinyang thought for a moment and said, "In fact, it's not a bad idea now. Luo'er is the emperor and you are the regent. If this continues for a long time, it will also be a good story in history."

Jia Heng sighed and said, "Keluo'er will grow up one day."

At that time, the father and son turned against each other, and he did not have a good ending.

Upon hearing this, Princess Jinyang stared at the young man in the python robe and said, "I wonder how people in the future will record this history."

This is clearly an attempt to seize the throne from his own son.

Jia Heng looked deeply and said, "Private actions are temporary, public actions are eternal, and people in later generations will naturally admire them."

Princess Jinyang sighed secretly in her heart, but did not respond.

Jia Heng chatted with Princess Jinyang for a while, and without saying anything else, he stood up and left the hall, heading towards the back house.

In the main hall of the backyard, Princess Xianning was sitting and chatting with Li Chanyue and Song Yan. Yuanchun was also listening not far away, holding the two little ones with Baoqin.

Princess Xianning had a peaceful expression. Under her emerald eyebrows, she looked at the two little guys playing together with a smile in her eyes. She whispered, "Zhe'er, he and Yun'er are really naughty brothers."

Yuanchun's increasingly "motherly" face smiled as she said, "The two little guys are fine now. When they grow up a bit, they will become more noisy."

Princess Xianning's beautiful eyes were soft and moist beneath her slender eyebrows. She said in a gentle voice, "Speaking of which, it's time to hold a hundred-day banquet for the two children."

Yuanchun said, "I think the time is almost up."

Princess Xianning and Yuanchun's child was born in the first year of Jianxing.

Li Chanyue said: "Wait for the gentleman to come back and discuss it with him."

At this moment, a tall and graceful female official in bright clothes walked into the room and whispered, "Your Highness, the Prince of Wei is here."

Princess Xianning heard this and turned her long black hair to look at the beautiful lady. Her eyes were filled with joy under her fine eyebrows and she said, "The master is coming."

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Well, I came to see you and big sister. Zhe'er and Yun'er are playing together."

As he spoke, he came closer, squatted down, and picked up two cute little babies, one in each hand.

The two little guys were still babbling at this moment, and drooling seemed to be flowing from their slightly open mouths.

Jia Heng smiled, joked, and said, "These two little guys are really naughty."

At this moment, the two little guys' plump and lovely faces were rosy and chubby, and their eyes were crystal clear and black like black grapes.

Princess Xianning's beautiful face was full of curiosity. She asked, "Sir, are you done with your work outside?"

Jia Heng nodded and said, "It's almost alright now."

Princess Xianning asked with concern: "Sir, have you seen the Queen Mother just now?"

Jia Heng said, "I've seen it before."

Princess Xianning's snow-white face was filled with a faint smile, and she whispered, "I was just saying that I would take my son to the palace in the next two days."

Jia Heng smiled and said, "You, Chanyue and Yan'er can all go together and reunite as a family."

Well, except for Concubine Duanrong, almost all of them shared the same person.

Princess Xianning nodded her beautiful head with a bun on it. Her charming eyes were as soft as water under her emerald eyebrows. She said in a charming voice, "Sir, you are right."

Jia Heng approached Princess Xianning and said, "Xianning, next year, I will take you and the children on a boat to the south of the Yangtze River to enjoy the scenic spots and historical sites."

Princess Xianning couldn't help laughing and said, "Sir, you said this a few years ago, but when have you ever had the time?"

Jia Heng gently put his arm around Princess Xianning's shoulder, a faint smile on his face, and said, "You should have a lot of free time these two years."

Princess Xianning leaned her long black hair against Jia Heng's shoulder. Two blushes appeared on both sides of her pretty, gentle and charming face, and a sense of peace and contentment welled up in her heart.

"Sir, the children in the room are watching us." Princess Xianning said shyly with her beautiful eyes as clear as water.

Jia Heng smiled and said, "What can these two little kids understand?"

Princess Xianning rolled her eyes at Jia Heng and said, "I'm afraid that if the top beam is not straight, the bottom beam will be crooked, and the two of them will follow your example. They didn't learn your skills, but they learned all the skills of lusting after women."

However, he did not continue to hold Princess Xianning's shoulders. He came close to the two little kids, picked up one of them at once, and said, "These two brothers are really similar in their eyebrows, eyes, and facial features."

Or maybe it's because his genes are strong, as the two brothers look quite similar to him in terms of facial features.

Princess Xianning's snow-white face was covered with two rosy blushes. She said jokingly, "Sir, don't you see whose children these are?"

Jia Heng glanced at Princess Xianning and felt somewhat speechless deep in his heart.

Since Xianning gave birth to a child, she has become more open and flirty.

Song Yan looked at Jia Heng intently, and then, accompanied by a scent like musk and orchid, she turned behind Jia Heng, stretched out her slender hand, and gently pinched Jia Heng's shoulder.

Jia Heng praised her and said, "My Yan'er is still virtuous and considerate."

Song Yan's fair skin flushed slightly, she bit her pink lips with her cherry teeth and said, "Brother Heng, when can you come with me to visit Daddy?"

When Jia Heng heard this, he was surprised and asked, "Yan'er wants to go home to visit her relatives."

Song Yan hummed, a little disappointed, and said, "I haven't been home for several months."

Jia Heng thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll go back with you, Yan'er."

It just so happened that he had something to say to Song Yan's father and fourth uncle, or he needed to reach some kind of tacit understanding in future court affairs.

Princess Xianning gently peeled a grape, put it in her mouth, chewed it gently, and asked, "Is my fourth uncle going to be the prefect of Jingzhao?"

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Your fourth uncle has served two terms in Kaifeng Prefecture and has a great reputation. Now he is being transferred to the capital to hone his skills. He will be of great use."

Song Xuan is now in his thirties, and serves as the prefect of Jingzhao in the capital, the best city in the world. He can be considered a promising young man.

Jia Heng said: "Yan'er, let's go back to the Song residence together tomorrow."

Song Yan hummed softly, and continued to massage Jia Heng's shoulders.

Li Chanyue's pair of eyes, which contained stars and the moon, beneath her slender and curved eyebrows looked at the two of them tenderly, and she swallowed the words "I'll go with you too" that were about to come out of her lips.

Sister Yan'er also needs to spend some time alone with Mr. Xiao Jia.

Princess Xianning looked at him with her beautiful eyes, and asked with concern, "Sir, how are mother and brother doing in the palace?"

Sir, will you be on guard against my mother and younger brother?

Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at Princess Xianning and said, "It's good to have your mother looking after you. After you enter the palace, you can visit them more often."

Now he felt that his mother-in-law, Concubine Duanrong, and his brother-in-law, Chen Ze, might not be completely convinced by him.

It would have been fine if he had not been supported by Li Zan and Xu Lu before, but after being supported, he would inevitably covet the throne.

In addition, Concubine Duanrong knew about his affair with Queen Song, so it was impossible for her not to have an obsession to support the Han Dynasty, but now she was just holding back.

Princess Xianning hummed softly.

She also noticed this subtle atmosphere.

I'm afraid that the master, mother and younger brother are still having a quarrel.

On this side, Jia Heng snuggled with Yuanchun and Princess Xianning for a while, then left Princess Jinyang's mansion and returned to Ningguo Mansion.

……

……

Ningguo Mansion, in the study room——

Chen Xiao stood in the hall, looked up at the young man in python robes who came quickly from outside, and asked, "The Jinyi Mansion has gone south to collect the scandals of the officials in the Southern Province."

At that time, when Jia Heng was ordered by Emperor Chongping to supervise the new policies in Jiangnan, he had a conflict with the southern gentry.

Jia Heng raised his eyebrows, a thoughtful look appeared on his face, and he said: "As for the gentry in the southern provinces, we should win over some, kill some, and intimidate some."

Chen Xiao's fair face showed a thoughtful expression, and he asked, "That's good, but don't rush it."

Jia Heng said, "When Gao Zhongping was causing trouble in Bashu, they in the south did not dare to respond. Can we expect them to have the courage to cause trouble?"

Since ancient times, using local governments to confront the central government is undoubtedly like trying to stop a chariot with a mantis arm, which is beyond one's ability.

Jia Heng gently took Chen Xiao's slender hand and asked, "Xiaoxiao, where is Ruoqing?"

Chen Xiao rolled her eyes at the young man in python robes, jokingly said, "You forgot that she is pregnant with your child and is now resting in the backyard."

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Wait a moment, I'll go take a look."

As he was saying, Ruoqing also had a child, so he would have to go over and take a look later.

While Jia Heng was speaking, he stood up and walked towards the hall in the backyard.

In the side room, Gu Ruoqing was wearing a loose plain dress. Her bright and beautiful face seemed to be covered with a blush of shame. She stretched out a slender hand and gently stroked her belly which had not yet bulged, while she was reading a book in the other hand.

At this moment, a maid entered the room and said with a smile, "Miss, the King of Wei is here."

Gu Ruoqing didn't say anything else and quickly put down the book in her hand. She looked at him intently with her beautiful eyes under her emerald eyebrows, unable to hide the joy on her face.

As he spoke, Jia Heng walked around a wood-grained glass screen and sat down on an embroidered cushion not far from Gu Ruoqing.

"Prince, you are here." Gu Ruoqing called out to Jia Heng and said.

Jia Heng had a warm smile on his face and said, "Ruoqing, are you reading?"

Gu Ruoqing said softly, "It's a bit boring to be alone in the room, so I took out some books to read."

Jia Heng held Gu Ruoqing's delicate hand and said, "You should stay at home and take good care of your pregnancy these days."

Gu Ruoqing hummed, and said, "My Lord, have you forgotten about what's going on outside?"

Jia Heng said: "If you want to be busy, you will never be busy."

As he spoke, he reached out and gently put his arm around Gu Ruoqing's shoulders.

Gu Ruoqing also leaned her head on Jia Heng's shoulder, closed her curved and delicate eyelashes, her heart filled with sweetness and joy.

Jia Heng turned around, sniffed the fragrance from the beautiful woman's lush hair, and said, "Take good care of your pregnancy. I want you to give birth to a beautiful daughter for me."

Gu Ruoqing's elegant face was flushed with red, and she said, "Can't it be a son?"

Jia Heng smiled and said, "If it's a son, that would be even better."

As he spoke, he turned the beautiful woman's slender shoulders, moved closer to her soft and slightly moist lips, and captured the sweet and refreshing breath.

Gu Ruoqing hummed, her fair and delicate face radiant as clouds. She reached out her hand and gently stroked Jia Heng's shoulder, responding violently.

After an unknown amount of time, Jia Heng reached out and gently held Gu Ruoqing's shoulders, saying in a gentle voice, "Take good care of your pregnancy. Leave the affairs of the mansion to the maids. You should take care of your body."

It is often more dangerous right after pregnancy.

Gu Ruoqing responded softly, quietly enjoying the arrangements made by the young man in the python robe.

……

……

Time flies, and the years fly by.

The first year of Jianxing had unknowingly come to an end. In December of the first year of Jianxing, a winter snow fell on the Guanzhong land, locking the earth tightly.

The Ministry of Industry transported large quantities of coal to the East and West markets for sale, and coal briquette technology was also developed. This inexpensive and high-quality coal was used for heating by the people, and the situation where people in Guanzhong went to the Yellow River to cut down trees indiscriminately was reduced a lot.

Shenjing City, Jingzhao Prefecture Yamen——

The newly appointed Jingzhao prefect, Song Xuan, was talking to several Tongpans and said, "In winter, heavy snow caused disasters. All families whose houses collapsed in the three prefectures should report to the government office, and the government will allocate money and grain to repair them, so that the people will not be left out in the open for the winter."

All the judges spoke up and said yes.

Song Xuan said: "In addition, from today onwards, porridge will be distributed at the four gates of Shenjing City to help the poor and helpless people."

At any time, there are always poor people who cannot afford to eat. Especially on such a cold and snowy day, some people who cannot get enough food may starve to death.

Several judges who looked like civil officials below bowed to Song Xuan in response.

After a while, Song Xuan did not delay any longer and walked out of the government office leisurely. Accompanied by his entourage, he got on the carriage and hurried towards Song Jing's house.

At Song Jing's home, Song Jing's wife, Shen, can be seen chatting with Song Yan, who has returned home, while Jia Heng is chatting with Song Jing on the side.

Facing her mother's scrutiny, Song Yan lowered her long black hair and said softly, "Mother, I'm doing fine in the Princess's mansion."

Song Jing's wife said, "When you are at home, you should also listen more to Zi Yu's words."

Song Yan responded softly with a "yes", then secretly glanced at the young man in the python costume.

Song Jing whispered, "Zi Yu, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will cooperate with the Ministry of Industry to sell coal recently."

Jia Heng said, "Recently, people in Beijing have been using coal for heating. The price of coal should be even cheaper in the future. The craftsmen from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Works should go to various parts of the country to mine and dig more coal and transport it to the capital."

Song Jing said: "Zi Yu is right."

As he spoke, he glanced at the coal stove and said, "This thing developed by the craftsmen of the Ministry of Industry is much more convenient for boiling water and cooking."

Jia Heng said: "The uses of coal are not limited to this. If used properly, it can be a revolutionary military weapon!"

Thinking of the steam engines that made a "beeping" sound and emitted hot steam in later generations, if we could have manufactured steam engines, the positive impact on China would be almost immeasurable.

It can be said that if the steam engine had been invented, China's dominant position could have been established in one fell swoop.

He went back and thought about how the steam engine actually worked.

"A groundbreaking military weapon?" Song Jing frowned, tasting the seriousness in Jia Heng's words. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "This thing is hidden deep in the rocks, and it is very difficult to dig it out."

Jia Heng said: "There are a lot of open-air coal mines in Shanxi, which are enough to supply the coal needs of the people in the early stage."

Some open-pit coal mines were mined first, and the coal was of good quality and low price, allowing the people to experience the convenience of using coal for firewood first.

Song Jing nodded and said, "Zi Yu is very thoughtful."

Jia Heng said: "In addition, the Ministry of Internal Affairs should recruit craftsmen to study more uses for coal."

Song Jing looked solemn, stared at the young man in the python robe, and said, "This is exactly what I meant."

After Jia Heng finished speaking, he took the teacup from the small table beside him and took a sip of the fragrant tea.

Song Jing raised his eyes to look at the sun outside, and said, "Zi Yu, it's getting late, let's have lunch first."

Jia Heng responded softly, then followed Song Jing to a round sandalwood plum blossom table and sat down.

……

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