The Red Mansions

Chapter 1568 Jia Heng: Needs to be sharpened and polished

Chapter 1568 Jia Heng: Needs to be sharpened and polished...

Ningguo Mansion, Qichi Garden

It was afternoon and the heat was rising. The weather in June changed suddenly. The sky was already a little gloomy, and suddenly there was thunder and lightning, and heavy rain poured down.

Looking around, you can see ripples on the lake in the Grand View Garden, forming circles due to the wind.

In summer, there is a pond of lotus flowers in the lake, standing tall and clean, without any vines or branches.

There was a pair of lotus flowers swaying in the wind in the lake, while the white lotus in the pond was rosy in color and fragrant.

In the square room, on an embroidered couch covered with curtains, Jia Heng was lying on the bed with his chest bare. His forehead was covered with a layer of fine sweat, and each of the sweat beads was as big as soybeans.

Jia Heng gently stroked Zhen Lan's smooth and round shoulders and said softly, "Okay, it's getting late. I have things to do, so I'll get up first."

Zhen Lan hummed softly, and a blush emanated from her pretty, bright face.

Jia Heng lifted a quilt embroidered with hibiscus flowers, found his black official boots and put them on, then put on a black and red satin dragon robe and tied a rhinoceros horn jade belt around his waist.

Then, without saying much, he went to the outside while talking.

At this moment, it was June, and the sky was windy and rainy. The sycamore tree in the southwest corner of the courtyard was swaying in the wind and rain, and the raindrops were flying like catkins.

When he walked under the corridor, he ran into Qingwen.

Qingwen nodded and said, "Sir, the princess just came to see you and said she had something important to tell you."

Jia Heng said: "I'll go there right away."

When I came to the study in the front yard, I saw Chen Xiao and Gu Ruoqing making tea. At this moment, I could see the rain hanging like a beaded curtain. At a glance, the double-eaved and hooked-cornered houses in the distance were in the hazy rain and fog, and their shadows in the distance were almost invisible.

Chen Xiao turned his head and saw the young man in python robes, and said in a gentle voice: "The secret agent in Jinyi just delivered an urgent report, take a look."

As he spoke, he moved a piece of paper beside him, motioning Jia Heng to look at it.

Jia Heng took the paper, a look of surprise appeared on his face, and he said, "Chen Yuan's assassins are still operating secretly in the capital?"

"According to the investigation of the Jinyi Palace detectives who were monitoring the Gao family, these unknown people went to see Gao Zhongping and stayed for about a quarter of an hour. The reason is unknown." Chen Xiao's face was as cold as frost, and a coldness could be seen flashing in his eyes. He said in a low voice.

Jia Heng folded the paper, thought for a moment, and said in a cold voice: "Then let someone keep an eye on him and see what he wants to do."

Gao Zhongping is not a foolish person, or in other words, even if people have doubts about him, they will not act rashly.

In the capital city today, he controls all military power. The military, police, secret services and special agents are all in his hands. These people can't make any waves at all.

But we cannot be careless, otherwise, if Sun Ce relied on his bravery and ended up being stabbed by Xu Gong's followers, that would obviously not be a good thing.

Chen Xiao nodded in agreement, and then, when he looked up, he asked, "Why didn't you send Jinyifu guards to Gao's house to ask?"

"I just imprisoned a cabinet member, and now I am interrogating a deputy minister. How will the officials in the court view me?" As Jia Heng spoke, he put down the paper in his hand, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes. He said, "Don't worry about these things for now. Be patient."

Without solid evidence, Gao Zhongping cannot be touched anymore, otherwise, all the civil officials in the world will be in an uproar.

You can’t eat in an ugly way now.

The civil service group at this time was mostly composed of civil officials who had been baptized by Confucian ethical principles.

Even if they were not explicitly opposed to him, simply adopting a non-violent non-cooperation approach would be enough to make him suffer.

All government affairs in the world were concentrated in the capital, and he was required to go back and forth to handle them.

Chen Xiao's eyebrows were curved, and a thoughtful look suddenly appeared on her cold jade-like face. She said in a gentle voice, "Then let the scouts from Jinyi Mansion keep an eye on it first."

At this moment, Gu Ruoqing was holding a blue and white porcelain teacup in her hand, and her cold and bright face once again... showed a thoughtful look.

At this moment, Jia Heng turned his head and glanced at Gu Ruoqing who was in a daze. He was surprised and asked, "Ruoqing, what are you thinking about now?"

Gu Ruoqing put down a cup of blue and white porcelain tea, and under her beautiful eyebrows, a hint of surprise appeared in her sparkling eyes, and she said, "I didn't think about anything."

Jia Heng felt strange for a moment, but didn't say anything else.

Chen Xiao nodded and said gently, "Someone may be suspicious because of the rumors you spread earlier."

"True and false, real and fake, the smartest people can't hide it, but there are very few smartest people in the world after all." Jia Heng said coldly.

Chen Xiao nodded and agreed, "That's true."

Jia Heng then asked, "What are the recent developments in the Junggar and Khoshut regions?"

Chen Xiao said: "We have sent more scouts to the two places. The latest news has not been gathered yet, but the northwest has already started preparing for war."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "I have a vague feeling that Chen Yuan might use these two places to make a fuss."

Chen Xiaoxiu raised his eyebrows, his eyes flashing coldly, and said in a deep voice: "He doesn't have many chips left."

Jia Heng nodded and said gently, "If Junggar and Khoshut are combined with the Bashu area, it would be a bit difficult if they all get into chaos."

Gu Ruoqing asked: "If chaos really breaks out, how should the capital view it? What should we do if war breaks out in the local areas?"

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, and then said, "The troops in the capital are all under my control, so there will be no chaos in the capital. As for the whole country, it is unlikely that there will be smoke and fire everywhere."

This is also the reason why civil officials can only attack him within the framework of the power struggle.

Because he had just returned with a great victory and was entrusted with a task in times of crisis, becoming an important minister entrusted with the care of the young emperor and supporting two generations of emperors. It was a time when he was highly respected and at the peak of his career.

Chen Xiao's face was solemn, and he said in deep thought: "Chen Yuan has colluded with foreigners many times, disturbed the Han Dynasty, and murdered three generations of emperors. He has no loyalty to his father and no respect for his ruler. His bad reputation has spread far and wide. How could the scholars in the world listen to what he said?"

Jia Heng said coldly: "It won't amount to anything."

It can even completely wipe out the opposition forces in one fell swoop.

Chen Xiao looked at Jia Heng intently and said in a gentle voice: "Local officials should not be careless. If there are local officials who really make foolish responses, we should quickly send troops to suppress them."

Jia Heng looked indifferent, his eyes flashed fiercely, and he said in a gentle voice: "In Jiangnan, there are still Jiangnan and Jiangbei camps, which are enough to intimidate the three southeastern provinces. As for Guangdong, there are also nearly 100,000 naval forces, which are enough to clamp down on Fujian and Guangdong. As for the nine borders in Liaodong, the Beijing camp and even the border troops are enough to shock the world."

It can be said that in these few short years, Jia Heng has woven a big network in every corner of Chen Han.

It is usually inconspicuous, but now when you look at it suddenly, it is somewhat shocking.

Of course, as long as Jia Heng does not clearly raise the banner of "replacing the Han Dynasty", the army can be controlled.

Chen Xiao whispered: "Now I am a civil official in the world, and I have no intention of submitting to you."

"This is the fate of the dynasty that has been nurtured over the past hundred years of our dynasty and our generous treatment of scholars." Jia Heng also had a helpless look on his face, and said, "It will take years and months to wear away."

Gu Ruoqing thought for a long time, and finally said: "Now that the country's luck has not yet ended, it may never get a chance."

"It needs to be cut and ground down. It needs to cut down the luck and grind away the momentum of people's hearts." Jia Heng said.

This kind of thing cannot be rushed, otherwise, if there is a spark somewhere, the whole country will be in chaos and out of control.

But it can't be delayed too long, it needs a suitable opportunity.

When Gu Ruoqing heard this, a thoughtful look appeared on her flawless face.

"Many local civil officials do not hold military power. They mostly listen to the direction of the central government and support whoever is in the central government." Jia Heng's resolute and calm face showed a look of certainty, and he spoke in a gentle voice.

Of course, as long as he does not clearly raise the banner of usurping the throne, the last fig leaf will still be there, and the civil officials in the world will not risk their lives to serve the king.

Generally, he made major mistakes in his administration, which led to civil unrest, and then loyal ministers and righteous men would rise up to suppress the rebellion.

Jia Heng's eyes were distant for a moment, then they came back to normal, looking as clear as a god.

……

……

Shenjing City, Gaozhai

Gao Zhongping, with his hands behind his back, paced back and forth in the hall for a while, then sat down on a pearwood chair, thought for a while, and told the servants, "Go and call the young master over."

After a while, Gao Yong came out from outside with a look of fear and hesitation on his face. He quickly approached Gao Zhongping, bowed and said, "My son greets my father."

Gao Zhongping looked at Gao Yong, which made him feel uncomfortable, and said in a deep voice: "Come with your father to the study."

Gao Yong heard the relaxed and natural tone in Gao Zhongping's voice and didn't seem to be angry. He quickly stood up and followed Gao Zhongping quickly.

Gao Zhongping walked quickly along the corridor and now came to a beautifully and elegantly decorated study.

Gao Zhongping sat down behind a lacquered wooden table, his face livid, his eyes filled with murderous intent, and he shouted in a deep voice, "Kneel down!"

Gao Yong: “???”

No, I agreed not to get angry just now.

Gao Yong had no choice but to kneel down at once, and then lowered his eyes, feeling extremely worried.

Gao Zhongping had a somewhat unfriendly look on his face. Under his thick eyebrows, there seemed to be a fierce light flashing in his eyes. He shouted, "Gao Yong, who asked you to collude with the remnants of King Zhao?"

As an old minister of Emperor Chongping's palace, Gao Zhongping had naturally met Chen Yuan in the past, or in other words, he was not unfamiliar with the existence of Prince Zhao and others.

Gao Yong nodded and said gently, "Father, I don't know what you mean. I have never colluded with the remnants of King Zhao."

"Still quibbling!" Gao Zhongping's face was filled with anger, and he said in a deep voice: "Chen Yuan is a wanted criminal by the court. If you collude with him and are discovered by the secret agents of the Jinyi Palace, your entire family will be wiped out! Don't you know that?"

Gao Yong's eyes were piercing under his thick eyebrows. He said, "There was some connection before, but the child did not connect with him and has not been in touch for a long time."

Gao Zhongping looked at Gao Yong aggressively, his eyes flickered, and he said in a deep voice: "You should keep in touch with Chen Yuan more these days, and go back to Sichuan after a while to meet up with your eldest brother."

Gao Yong: “???”

In a flash, my heart shuddered.

"Father, I'm going to Sichuan to find my brother...what am I going to do?" Gao Yong's mind was filled with all kinds of speculations, and he looked at his father in surprise.

Gao Zhongping nodded and said, "No need to ask more questions. Your brother will tell you what to do in a few days."

If Prince Wei was indeed a traitor who disrupted the government and stole the sacred artifacts, then he would come to Sichuan to support the emperor and call on heroes from all over the world to fight against Prince Wei and repay the late emperor's kindness.

Gao Zhongping served as the governor of the entire Sichuan region for many years. His trusted generals were spread throughout the Bashu region, and his eldest son and several sons-in-law were all generals with large troops under their command.

There was a reason why Chen Yuan chose Sichuan. The last force of the White Lotus Sect was entrenched in Sichuan, and these were Chen Yuan’s last capital.

Upon hearing this, Gao Yong weighed the pros and cons in his mind and bowed.

Gao Zhongping looked at Gao Yong, shook his head secretly, and said, "Go and call your second brother over."

Gao Yong bowed in response, said nothing else, then turned and left.

After a while, Gao Yong came from the outside, and his second brother Gao Bo walked into the study and said respectfully, "My son greets my father."

Gao Yong nodded, a look of satisfaction in his eyes, and said, "Get up."

"Yes, father." Gao Bo's face was solemn. He bowed to Gao Yong and said in a gentle voice.

Gao Zhongping said with a gloomy expression, "You and your third brother can go to Sichuan in the next few days on the pretext of returning home to worship your ancestors, and keep an eye on the movements of Shenjing City at any time."

As the chief minister of the cabinet, it is impossible for him to leave the Shenjing city, but several of his sons need to be transferred out in advance and stay behind.

Gao Bo looked surprised and asked, "Going to Sichuan now?"

Gao Zhongping stood up, looked up at the scenery outside the window, and said, "If my father is killed in Shenjing, you and your elder brother will raise an army. My father will be in Shenjing City and will pass on the news to you."

Gao Bo was shocked beyond words, his pupils shrank drastically, and he asked anxiously, "Father, why is it like this?"

Gao Zhongping's eyes flashed fiercely, his face was gloomy, and he said loudly: "The situation in the court is too turbulent now. If my father stayed in the capital, he might be harmed by bad people. If you go to the countryside, you can have an extra backup plan, and some people may be more afraid of you."

Gao Bo frowned, his eyes flickering, clearly thinking, he hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Father, are you worried about Prince Wei?"

During this period, Gao Bo was able to keenly sense the strange atmosphere in the capital.

It can be said that undercurrents are surging and murderous intentions are lurking on all sides.

Gao Zhongping's face was dignified and solemn, his eyes were gloomy, and he said, "It is unknown what the future holds for the Prince of Wei."

Gao Bo nodded and said in a gentle voice: "Wasn't Prince Wei loyal to the court before? How could it be possible?"

"That was in the past, this is now, and the future will be even more so in the future." Gao Zhongping looked like dark water, his eyes flickering, which was thought-provoking.

After hearing this, Gao Bo remained silent for a while.

Gao Zhongping's eyes flashed fiercely, and he said gently: "Get ready first."

Gao Bo nodded, said nothing more, and then quickly walked out of the hall.

After Gao Bo left, Gao Zhongping stood in front of a wooden carved window in the study. His eyes flickered and he stared at the rain outside. His eyes were dark and inexplicable, like a thoughtful look under his brows with overlapping clouds and mountains.

The entire Shenjing, including the Beijing Camp, the Five Cities Army, the Jinyiwei and even the palace guards guarding the imperial city, are all the people of the King Wei.

The only things that can restrain King Wei are morality and the people's hearts, as well as these loyal ministers and righteous men who are loyal to the Han Dynasty.

It's not time to have a falling out now.

……

……