The Red Mansions

Chapter 1574 Zhen Qing: If that's the case, then there's nothing to worry about

Chapter 1574 Zhen Qing: If that’s the case, then there’s nothing to worry about…

Shu, second floor of the inn

In the spacious wing, the lights were bright, as bright as fire, casting several shadows on the screen.

Gao Yong and Gao Bo sat on a pearwood chair with the King of Wei and the King of Liang to discuss the details of the rebellion.

First of all, the Governor of Sichuan. The current Governor of Sichuan, Zeng Shuhong, was formerly the Governor of Sichuan and is a brother-in-law of Gao Zhongping.

The Sichuan Commander-in-Chief was Gao Zhongping's son-in-law.

Sichuan has become the Gao family's private territory, and it can be said that they dominate the entire Sichuan.

Gao Yong nodded and said, "Once we get to Sichuan, if we add the local chieftains' troops, we will be able to stir up a huge storm in the southwest. The imperial court will not be able to suppress them in time, and that will be our chance."

King Wei Chen Ran turned and asked, "How is Uncle Gao in the capital?"

Gao Bo nodded and said gently, "Father has already made a proposal. He plans to stay at the center to observe the court's secrets."

Wei Wang Chen Ran looked worried and said, "After the Sichuan uprising, Jia Ziyu will certainly persecute uncle. Uncle should withdraw as soon as possible."

Gao Bo nodded and said, "When the time is right, father will withdraw from Shenjing City and go to Bashu to lead the troops to deal with the imperial court's troops."

Gao Zhongpingyuan was a famous official who was able to command the army on horseback and herd the people on foot. Few people could match him in leading troops.

Chen Yuan said, "I have sent lobbyists to Khoshut and Junggar to lobby, and there should be a response within this period of time."

Gao Bo smiled and said, "In this way, the southwest, northwest, and Bashu will rise in chaos. Although the soldiers of the Beijing camp are brave and good at fighting, their manpower is stretched to the limit. If we can get loyal officials and righteous men from inside and outside the court to fight against the traitor Jia together, great things can be expected!"

Chen Yuan nodded and said, "That's exactly what I mean."

Gao Yong said: "Bashu is not too far from Shenjing City. Once we raise an army, it won't take long to reach Shenjing. Moreover, Bashu is easy to defend but difficult to attack. If Jia Heng wants to attack Shu, as long as my army guards the pass tightly, I will never let a single soldier of the government army enter Shu."

Chen Yuan said: "Jia Heng's military skills are unpredictable, so we must not be careless."

Everyone was chatting and discussing the details of using troops, from military equipment and food to how to appease the officials and gentry in the prefectures and counties of Shu.

The candle on the high table suddenly jumped and lit up, and wax tears trickled down the candle.

……

……

Time flies, passing by like water.

With the handling opinions of the two civil officials, Lu Jiang and Lu Li, the criticism in the capital about Jia Heng sending the Jinyiwei to control the situation, which was originally quite a lot, has now decreased a lot.

However, as the vacancies of cabinet ministers became available, the civil officials in Beijing also turned their attention to the candidates to succeed the cabinet ministers.

There are also more speculations about who will be the successor to the cabinet.

But few people can accurately guess who will enter the cabinet.

The next day, Shenjing City

A horse-drawn carriage with a high shaft was parked in front of the gate of Rongguo Mansion, and the bluestone paved road was so wet after the rain a few days ago that one could almost see people's shadows.

Jia Heng and several servants helped Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi onto the carriage with curtains hanging down, and then they drove quickly towards the imperial city.

At this moment, the palace city is majestic and magnificent, and rain can be seen dripping down the blue bricks and black tiles, hitting the white jade-like stone steps, making a crackling sound, and the rain is heavy.

Palace Garden, Kunning Palace

Zhen Qing was chatting with Princess Beijing Zhen Xue who had just entered the palace. Not far away, Zhen Xue's son Shui Ying was playing with Zhen Qing's sons Chen Jie and Yin Yin.

At this moment, a gilded bronze incense burner can be seen in the hall, from which fragrance can be seen rising, emitting a refreshing aroma.

Zhen Qing took the grapes beside her and put them into her mouth. Her slender fingers were dripping with juice. She opened her pink lips slightly and said, "Third Uncle and his family should have arrived in Beijing in the past few days."

"We have already arrived in the capital." Zhen Xue nodded, and then said softly, "Aren't Lan'er and Xi'er going to the palace today? Let the lady-in-waiting see where they are."

Zhen Qing didn't say anything else, just turned around and gave instructions to the female official.

After a while, a maid entered the hall and whispered, "My Lady, Prince Wei and Princess Wei are here."

When Zhen Qing heard this, her slender eyebrows curved like crescent moons, and her bright eyes flickered as she looked towards the screen.

But between the wooden brocade mica screen, one could see the young man in the python robe and two young girls, one in white and one in blue, with beautiful buns and bright faces, walking quickly into the room.

Zhen Qing's eyebrows were curved, and a hint of joy appeared in her narrow, clear eyes. She whispered, "Zi Yu is here."

Jia Heng took a few quick steps, looked at Zhen Qing intently, bowed, and said, "Your humble servant greets the Queen Mother."

Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi also came forward, bowed and said, "Your Highness, I greet you."

Zhen Qing's snow-white face was filled with a smile. Under her emerald-green eyebrows, her beautiful eyes sized up the young man in the python robe and said, "Stand up, come in, take a seat."

While he was talking, the eunuch came quickly into the hall carrying an embroidered cushion, on which a mattress was visible.

While Jia Heng was talking, he sat down on the embroidered cushion with Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi.

Zhen Qing nodded and said thoughtfully, "Yesterday, the cabinet submitted a memorial saying that there was a vacancy in the cabinet and a new minister was needed. The cabinet decided to select the Minister of Works Zhao Yi to join the cabinet."

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, then said in a clear voice: "Zhao Yi has been in charge of the ministry for many years. He is experienced in planning for the country, and he was originally a central government official. Now that he has entered the cabinet to manage the government again, it is quite appropriate."

Zhen Qing thought for a moment and said gently, "Then let's use Zhao Yi. The previous memorial mentioned that roads should be built throughout the country. Is that what he meant?"

Jia Heng asked, "The official road renovation will last for 20 years and is divided into four phases. The main purpose is to rebuild the official roads across the country. Every year, the national treasury allocates a certain amount of gold and silver to the Ministry of Works. The cement can solidify the road surface. After the official roads are leveled, merchants from various provinces, prefectures and counties can transport goods and travel freely."

The investment and construction of such infrastructure often requires a relatively long period of time.

Zhen Qing thought about it, her beautiful eyes flickered, and she said loudly, "If that's the case, it's feasible. I've been looking at Emperor Taizong's daily records these past two days, and I found that the key to governing is being too hasty. This kind of large-scale construction will waste people's money and labor, and being too hasty will only lead to public resentment."

She will be in charge of government affairs in the future, so she must understand the affairs of the court.

Jia Heng explained: "These have been considered before, and we will not build a large-scale project for this."

Mopan is going to follow the path of Empress Dowager Cixi and rule the country from behind the scenes.

Zhen Lan was listening on the side, and her face, which resembled Zhen Qing's facial features, seemed to show a thoughtful look.

Zhen Qing raised her eyebrows, and her narrow, clear eyes seemed to flicker. She said in a gentle voice, "How should we deal with Lu Jiang and Lu Li? They spread rumors secretly and slandered Emperor Shizong Xian and Emperor Guangzong. Their crimes are unforgivable."

Zhen Qing, who was framed, was extremely angry at this moment.

Jia Heng said, "Originally, he was sentenced to death for his crimes, but considering that the new emperor is kind-hearted, he was dismissed from office, all his writings since birth were confiscated, and he was exiled to Yunnan, never to be employed again."

Zhen Qing nodded, and said in a cold voice, "Then let's do it."

To the beauty, this was just a person who could be killed with a flick of the hand.

Zhen Qing asked again with expectation: "Have Chen Yuan, Chen Ran, Chen Wei and others been found now?"

Jia Heng shook his head and said, "The Jinyifu is still searching. I think the news will be delivered soon."

Zhen Qing raised her eyebrows, her sparkling eyes looked a little colder. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "We must not let them cause any big trouble in the area."

Jia Heng nodded and said gently, "Don't worry, Madam. The Jinyifu has been investigating matters in the northwest and Tibet. It won't be long before military intelligence is delivered to us."

Zhen Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said, "If that's the case, then there's nothing to worry about."

Zhen Xue turned her beautiful head with long black hair, and with a hint of concern in her sparkling eyes, she asked softly, "How is Xianning doing at home these days?"

Jia Heng nodded and said gently, "I'm still in confinement after childbirth. There's nothing else wrong."

Zhen Xue said softly, "When will you bring those kids over so they can recognize us?"

Jia Heng: "..."

If all his children were gathered together, it would be so lively and lively that they might even form a football team.

At this moment, a few cute kids not far away seemed to know that they were being talked about. They stretched out their two white, chubby little hands, and their soft and chubby faces were cute and clever, with lively smiles.

Jia Heng came closer, reached out and held the delicate hand of one of the cute little kids, with an inexplicable look of joy in his eyes beneath his thick eyebrows.

Zhen Qing's emerald eyebrows were curved like crescent moons, and her sparkling eyes flickered slightly. She said, "Let Mammy take a few of them down to rest. You can follow me to take a look over there."

Jia Heng responded lightly and said nothing more.

As he spoke, he stood up and went to the warm room inside with Zhen Qing.

When Zhen Qing approached, she immediately grasped the hand of the young man in the python robe and said softly, "Are Chen Ran, Chen Wei, and Chen Yuan really not a big deal?"

Jia Heng's expression paused slightly, his cold and bright eyes flickered, and he said loudly: "Don't worry, everything is under control."

Zhen Qing nodded, and she felt a little uneasy. She asked in surprise, "What do you mean?"

Jia Heng put his arm around Zhen Qing's shoulders, sniffed the rich fragrance of her hair, and whispered, "We finally get to meet, why are you talking about this?"

As he spoke, he leaned close to the beautiful woman's slightly rosy lips, held those soft lips, and absorbed the sweet, refreshing breath.

Zhen Xue was not far away. Her fair and delicate face was already rosy as clouds, and her beautiful eyes were sparkling with a hint of infatuation.

Zhen Qing was extremely curious. She stared at the young man in the python costume and asked, "What do you want to do?"

Jia Heng reached out and gently embraced Zhen Qing's plump waist, and said softly: "No need to ask now, you will know when the time comes."

It is not a good idea to tell Mopan about this matter, otherwise, Mopan would probably stop it immediately because it would shake the stability of his son's throne.

Not far away, Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi were sitting on both sides of the warm room, listening to the two people chatting non-stop. A hint of shame and annoyance appeared on their pretty faces for no reason.

Jia Heng frowned, looked at Zhen Xue beside him, and called out, "Xue'er, come and serve."

Zhen Lan's jade-white face blushed as she said softly, "Brother Heng, my sister and I are waiting for you."

As they were talking, the two girls came to the side of the screen pavilion in the hall.

Jia Heng lowered his eyes and looked at Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue who were squatting down. There was a sense of relief on his face, but he was thinking about the upcoming court situation in his heart.

Zhen Qing then raised her eyes and looked at the young man in the python robe. There was a hint of charm in her narrow and clear phoenix eyes.

Zhen Qing stood up, took Jia Heng's hand, and went to the soft couch in the side room with Zhen Xue.

At this moment, Jia Heng held the plump and graceful beauty with his two slender hands and whispered, "Qing'er."

After an unknown amount of time, Jia Heng stared at the beautiful and bright-looking Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue, especially the charming Zhen Xue. At this moment, her face was bright and radiant like fire.

Zhen Xue let out a moan, her graceful and bright eyes filled with shyness and sweetness.

Jia Heng hesitated for a moment and said, "It's getting late, and we can't stay too long."

Because now that he has entered the palace, everyone outside knows about it. If he stays in the palace for too long, it will be easy for rumors to spread.

As soon as Zhen Xue opened her mouth, her voice was somewhat charming and soft as she called out, "Zi Yu."

Jia Heng had a gentle expression on his face, and looked at Zhen Xue with warm eyes, and said, "Xue'er, what's wrong?"

Zhen Xue's eyes were as gentle as water, and she said softly, "Zi Yu doesn't want to talk to Ying'er?"

Jia Heng smiled and said, "I'll go see him later."

Then, he stood up without saying anything else.

At this moment, Zhen Qing also used one arm to support her delicate body, which was as soft as a silkworm. Her slender and dignified face was covered with blush, and her eyebrows and eyes were full of charm.

At this moment, Jia Heng was wearing a black and red satin robe woven with golden silk thread. A look of comfort appeared on his resolute and calm face.

After leaving the wing room, he looked at Zhen Lan, who was standing by the curtain of the warm room, helping to keep watch, and said, "Sister Lan, Sister Xier, go inside and help your elder sister and second sister."

Zhen Lan responded softly, without saying anything else, left the room and turned to go inside.

While Jia Heng was speaking, he came to the eaves in front of the palace and looked at the well-arranged palace gardens in the distance. His eyes were a little dazed for a moment.

Although he now has free access, he is still not the owner of this palace.

After a while, Zhen Lan walked out from the warm room in the hall and looked at the young man in python clothes who was standing there looking out, with a look of infatuation in her eyes.

"Your Highness." Zhen Lan walked quickly forward, her eyes warm and her voice soft.

Jia Heng turned around, looked at Zhen Lan, smiled, and said, "Sister Lan, what's wrong?"

"My sister said that lunch is about to be served. Brother Heng, please go over and have some." Zhen Lan's fair and delicate face flushed a little as she spoke in a trembling voice.

Jia Heng nodded, said nothing more, returned to the hall, and sat down at the dining table.

At this moment, Zhen Qing, accompanied by Zhen Xue and Zhen Xi, also came out of the room. After the rain, the beautiful woman's face, with rosy cheeks, picturesque eyebrows and eyes, was plump and lovely. She came forward and looked at the young man in the python robe with a hint of anger in her eyes.

Zhen Xue also came forward and sat down, her rosy face now a little sweaty.

At this moment, the female official came forward, brought dishes, and served the few people their meals.