The Red Mansions

Chapter 1324 Baochai: This is too calculated (New January, please vote for me!)

Chapter 1324 Baochai: This is too calculated... (It’s a new month, please vote for me!)

Shenjing, Ningguo Mansion

Jia Heng led Chen Xiao toward the back hall of Ningguo Mansion.

At this moment, it was early in the morning, and Qin Keqing was talking to Youshi, Second Sister You, and Third Sister You.

At this moment, grandma entered the hall with a smile and said, "Grandma, uncle is here."

Qin Keqing was holding her daughter Jia Fu. After hearing this, she said softly: "Your father is here."

With a bright smile in her eyes, Jia Fu called sweetly: "Daddy."

Jia Heng came hand in hand with Chen Xiao. He looked up at Qin Keqing and asked, "Keqing, have you and Fu'er eaten in the past two days? How are you?"

Qin Keqing looked at the young man and chuckled: "Husband, Fu'er is talking about eating his father's wedding candy."

Jia Heng's face looked a little weird, and he always found these words inexplicably funny.

Qin Keqing raised her eyebrows, her beautiful eyes were as bright as water, and she said softly: "My husband is bringing Princess Le'an here?"

Chen Xiao was calm and said softly: "Well, I just came over to offer you a cup of tea."

Hearing this, Qin Keqing raised her charming eyes and looked at the plump and graceful girl, but for a moment she didn't know what to say.

That’s all, we’re all a family.

Jia Heng did not interfere with the conversation between the two at this moment. Instead, he took his daughter Jia Fu from her grandma, held her in her arms and teased her.

Jia Fu kissed Jia Heng on the cheek with a "pop", her voice was soft and greasy: "Daddy~"

Jia Heng smiled, pinched his daughter's rosy cheeks, and asked, "Fu'er, have you played with your sister these days?"

This is talking about Miaoyu's daughter Jia Mo, two girls of the same age, just joining in the fun together.

Qin Keqing looked at the two of them with a smile, and her bright peach face couldn't help but burst into laughter, and said: "Husband, Fu'er has been playing with her sister a lot these days. The two of them are together. It’s especially fun to play around.”

Jia Heng nodded and said, "The two sisters should play together more."

Everyone talked and spent the morning in a cheerful atmosphere.

Unconsciously, it was noon, and at this moment Yaruo, also wearing a garnet red dress, came quickly from outside.

It turned out that after Yaruo got up, he learned that Jia Heng was going to see Qin Keqing with Chen Xiao, and after asking about the etiquette of serving tea among the Han people in the Central Plains, he came to the wing in a panic and thought: "Brother Heng."

Jia Heng nodded, chuckled and asked, "Ya Ruo is here too? Come and meet Sister Qin."

"Hey." Yaruo responded charmingly, then looked at Qin Keqing, with a smile on her charming and bright face, and said, "I have met Sister Keqing."

At this moment, Baozhu on the side brought a tea cup.

Yaruo took the tea cup and prepared to serve tea to Qin Keqing.

Under Qin Keqing's beautiful eyebrows, which were like willow leaves, she looked at the silly and sweet girl with watery eyes, and whispered: "Sister Yaruo, there is no need to be polite."

But Yaruo still raised the tea cup, with a look of thoughtfulness on her tense face, and said, "Sister, please drink tea."

However, the beauty took the tea cup at this moment and took a sip of the tea.

The charming faces of Mr. You, Second Sister You, and Third Sister You mostly showed a look of confusion.

Compared to the years of hardship faced by the three You sisters, Yaruo was indeed much luckier because of her special background. She became the first wife as soon as she arrived at the house, and she got what she wanted without going through many twists and turns.

Of course, it is difficult to impress people and make them unforgettable.

Jia Heng nodded and said softly: "Yaruo."

Just like that, everyone was talking and laughing. Jia Fu now stretched out his two chubby little arms, hugged Jia Heng's neck, held the rattle, and kept shaking it.

Qin Keqing looked at the interaction between Jia Heng and her daughter with a smile. On her beautiful face that looked like a hibiscus flower, she smiled slightly and said softly: "Husband, please stay with Fu'er and Mo'er for the next two days." It’s the two sisters.”

Jia Heng said warmly: "That's what I mean. There's nothing going on in Beijing these days. However, I'm going to Tianjin Wei next month, and I don't know when I can come back."

He had only been back for about ten days, and there was indeed nothing major going on in the capital.

During this period of time, in addition to discussing his thoughts with Zhu Jinchai about his separation, he was also mainly engaged in developing firearms for the Ordnance Supervision and supervising the production of cement for the Ministry of Industry and other matters.

Qin Keqing's graceful face, almost as gorgeous as a hibiscus flower, showed concern, and she said softly: "Husband, are you going to fight again?"

As he grew older, especially after the birth of his children, Qin Keqing gradually began to worry about Jia Heng fighting outside.

Jia Heng nodded and said: "The main thing is to prepare the navy to prepare for the war in the future. There may not be a war a year ago."

Once the naval divisions of the Tianjin Guard and the Weihai Guards are prepared, they will definitely conduct a trial attack on the coastal defense troops in Liaodong to test the quality of the Jurchens.

Qin Keqing nodded.

At this moment, the three sisters of the You family also cast their gazes on the young man, with a look of confusion on their pretty faces.

……

……

On the other side, Rongguo Mansion, Lixiang Courtyard, in the wing——

Aunt Xue is also preparing for the marriage of her son Xue Pan. As Jia Heng is about to marry Baochai and Hu Hu, Xue Pan's marriage is gradually put on the agenda.

At this moment, in the side room, on the side near the carved window, Aunt Xue was giving advice to Xue Pan'er and said with a smile: "Pan'er, when you go to the Xia family to propose marriage today, you must be very polite. The Xia family can't underestimate it."

Although it was Brother Heng who was standing behind Pan'er, he couldn't be arrogant and get into an inexplicable conflict with the Xia family.

Xue Pan smiled and responded: "Mom, don't worry, nothing big will happen."

Aunt Xue's plump and white face was slightly flushed with red. She smiled softly and said: "Pan'er, you go and marry your new daughter-in-law this time. Wait for another two years and let me have a big fat baby earlier." grandson."

Mentioning this matter, Xue Pan's two bell-like eyes widened a little, and the sides of his face turned red, and he said, "Mom, why do you want to embrace your grandson but not your grandson?"

Aunt Xue chuckled and said softly: "You are the only one in our family. If you don't give birth to a big fat boy, what will you do in the future?"

Aunt Xue almost beamed with joy at the mention of holding her grandson, and a hint of joy could not help but gradually appear on her face as white as jade.

Xue Pan really couldn't listen to what Aunt Xue was saying and didn't say much.

Aunt Xue urged: "Pan'er, go quickly, don't miss the opportunity."

Hearing this, Xue Pan ran out of the wing as if he had been granted amnesty.

Tong Xi's face was filled with joy, and he smiled and said, "Madam, the girl is here."

After a while, Baochai was seen slowly entering the wing, surrounded by Ying'er.

A smile appeared on Aunt Xue's face and she quickly asked: "My dear, how are the wedding preparations going?"

"Mom, the marriage is ready." Baochai said softly, her face as white as frost and as red as drunkenness, with a hint of gentleness and softness in her voice.

Aunt Xue's fair and shining face was filled with a happy smile, and she asked in a low voice: "Brother Heng means that on the Double Ninth Festival, which is only about twenty days from now, I will prepare it for you." Although we say that the dowry will not exceed that of the princess or the princess’s family, we cannot lose our dignity.”

During Princess Le'an's wedding, Empress Dowager Feng in the palace gave her a lot of dowry. Among them, the dowry alone traveled about ten miles. For a time, she was quite envied by the ladies in the capital.

Baochai's face as white as jade was covered with a touch of bright red clouds, and she said softly: "Mom, we can't be too extravagant and wasteful."

Aunt Xue couldn't help but see a smile on her fair face, and said in a low voice: "Bao girl, you are also the princess's wife. In the eyes of outsiders, you can't be laughed at. Although our family is not a wealthy family, , but when it comes to marrying off your daughter, you must never feel wronged."

Baochai's jade face, as white as snow, was as red as drunkenness. She responded softly, feeling a little sweet in her heart.

Aunt Xue looked at Baochai and warned: "My dear, after you pass through the door, I won't say more about your husband and your son. I hope you can give birth to a big fat boy for Brother Heng soon. Although He seems to like his daughter, but after all, boys are still indispensable."

From Aunt Xue's perspective, Jia Heng was indeed childless and had only a daughter. Even Miaoyu in the Cuicui Temple only gave birth to a daughter, so there was still a lot to say about the position of the prince's son.

Baochai responded softly, her face as white as snow, slightly glowing with two rose-red clouds.

Aunt Xue nodded and said softly: "The old lady said before that Baoyu has reached the age of getting married. What do you think of Baoqin's promise to Baoyu?"

No matter how useless Baoyu is, he is still a descendant of the Jia family, or there are a large number of people from the Jia family behind him.

At this moment, Aunt Xue wished she had more contact with the Jia family. As for Baoqin, she was not her biological daughter. Marrying Baoyu would not be considered an insult to her.

Baochai's face, as white as a pear blossom, gradually showed a look of hesitation, and he said softly: "Mom, Baoqin..."

But I don't know how to say this. Could it be that she and Bao Qin, the two sisters, also married Brother Heng together?

A look of surprise appeared on Aunt Xue's face, and she asked softly: "Good girl, why are you so hesitant?"

Baochai's jade face, as white as snow, looked unnatural. After all, her man would not even let her sister-in-law go. The beauty pursed her slightly pink lips and said softly: "Mom, Baoqin may be attracted to Brother Heng." No, the two of them can't tell..."

Aunt Xue: "..."

Is Brother Heng really a vegetarian?

"What's going on?" Aunt Xue's heart skipped a beat and she asked anxiously. Baochai sighed and said softly: "What else could it be? Baoqin has been in love with Brother Heng for a long time. The two have been in love with each other for a long time and have made a lifelong commitment."

The shock on Aunt Xue's face slowly faded, and immediately she felt a little helpless and said, "This... why is Brother Heng like this?"

Are you really as lustful as life?

Bao Qin's child is indeed beautiful, born like a porcelain doll, with pink and jade carvings, red lips and white teeth, almost as good as her own Bao girl, no wonder Brother Heng...

Maybe, there really is a wealthy family here who likes this kind of sisters serving together?

Baochai endured the strange feeling in her heart and said softly: "Mom, Baoqin lost her mother when she was a child. Now she has found a good home with Brother Heng."

Aunt Xue looked at her daughter with complicated eyes under her beautiful eyebrows and said, "It's hard for you to be so generous."

In fact, I vaguely guessed some reasons.

Baochai was silent for a moment and whispered: "Over there, the princess is taking the princess with her."

When Aunt Xue heard this, the muscles in the corners of her eyes seemed to jump a few times, and she thought to herself, this is indeed the reason, no wonder Bao Yatou is so generous.

There are indeed too many women around Brother Heng. If he doesn't drag Girl Qin over, I'm afraid he really won't be able to compete with those vixens in Dongfu.

Well, of course she was talking about the two sisters of the You family.

All in all, the color is just too glamorous, I think.

Baochai said softly: "Mom, there are still many days to come. We are under the same roof, so we can only get along well."

On this side, Aunt Xue chuckled and said, "Yes, the whole family must live in harmony, and Bao Ya should not wrong herself."

Baochai responded softly and said warmly: "Mom, Brother Heng treats me very well."

Aunt Xue smiled and said, "That's right. Among so many people, you and Miss Lin are the only ones who have been granted marriage and have been granted the title of wife of the same rank."

Previously, she was envious of the two girls from the You family who got there first, but now it seems that good things are always waiting for them at the end.

The difference between this untitled concubine and a first-class duchess's wife is simply worlds of difference. How can they be compared?

Baochai nodded, her pink and plump jade cheeks blushed a little, like two maple leaves of flame, bright and moving, and said with emotion: "It's not easy."

He treated her and Meier differently.

In fact, Baochai often asked herself late at night, that is, she didn't seem to be too outstanding, so why did Jia Heng treat her like this and insist on being awarded the title of Madam?

Of course, this was the view after he was rewarded by Mrs. Gaoming. Looking forward, Jia Heng indeed favored Chai Dai especially.

Now that Baochai thinks about it, it can only be attributed to Jia Heng's true love for her personality.

Aunt Xue's fair face had a smile on her face, and she said softly: "Since Baoqin has also arrived at the house, you should usually walk around more with her."

In fact, it was acquiesced that the two sisters formed a clique and formed a gang to fight against the girls in other houses.

Baochai nodded and said nothing else.

Aunt Xue lowered her voice and said: "But you still have to have children earlier. This eldest son is still different. Besides, you can't be regarded as a concubine..."

Since her daughter is the wife of a duke of the same rank, it is impossible for her to be a concubine.

Baochai's face as white as a pear blossom was already as red as a cloud, and she said in an angry tone: "Mom, stop talking, stop talking."

This is too much of a calculation, even for the position of the prince and prince.

Aunt Xue smiled and said softly: "Okay, I won't say more about you and Brother Heng."

Her daughter also knew this, and she must be concerned about this child.

This is a change in mentality. Once a woman completes the change in role, she will devote more of her body and mind to her children.

……

……

On the other side, Jia Heng teased the child for a while, but did not stay with Ke Qing longer. He left Ya Ruo to talk to Ke Qing, and then left the hall with Chen Xiao and went to the inner study.

At this moment, Jia Heng picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea into the teacup, handed it over, and said, "Xiaoxiao, what's going on with the Jurchens recently?"

The two are both a couple and comrades fighting side by side.

Chen Xiao raised his eyes and glanced at the young man. Somehow he was worried that he had been wronged for serving tea to the Qin family, and said softly: "The Jurchens have indeed made some new moves recently."

Jia Heng put down the tea cup in his hand, was surprised, and asked, "Oh? What do you mean?"

Chen Xiao said: "The Jurchen Hongyi artillery seems to have made a breakthrough recently. Although it is not as powerful as my big man, it is seventy-eight times more powerful. In addition, the Jurchens have set up forts widely along the coast of Liaodong to guard against ships. In addition, the Jurchens have also launched , organized and trained the Han people in Liaodong, replenished the soldiers of the Eight Banners, and intimidated the Khalkha troops to recruit soldiers for their own use."

As the Jurchens wounded many Eight Banners elites in the successive battles, Dorgon and other female Manchu and Qing officials began to panic. Not to mention going south again to enter the Pass, at least if the Han Dynasty launched the Northern Expedition, they must have strategies to protect themselves. .

First of all, there are the elites of the Eight Banners, who are widely distributed and young, and recruited and trained as Ding.

Jia Heng nodded and said: "The Jurchens are now starting to work hard to cure the problem."

Chen Xiao said softly: "In the face of life and death, these are inevitable things."

Jia Heng suddenly asked: "What is the production capacity of Hongyi cannon in terms of weapons supervision?"

Chen Xiao thought for a while and said: "Six can be produced in a month. Others such as flint-fire guns can produce 200 pieces per month. There are more thunderbolts, which can produce 1,300 pieces per month."

The girl's memory was far superior to that of ordinary people. She was staring at the production capacity data of the Ordnance Supervisor before, and now she is almost familiar with it.

Jia Heng nodded and said: "It's quite a lot. Equipped with the equipment on the warship, it is enough to fight a big naval battle that will destroy the country."

Seventy or eighty Hongyi cannons can be produced in a year, which sounds like a small quantity, but it is actually not a lot, because cannons are not easy to produce.

On the other hand, the production capacity of flintlock muskets has yet to be released. The monthly production capacity is 200 guns, which is only two or three thousand guns a year, which is obviously not enough to meet the weapon needs of the 200,000-strong Beijing camp.

Of course, this is actually a good thing to some extent.

Otherwise, the generals and soldiers of the Beijing camp were all equipped with flintlock muskets, and he might not be the one who took the lead in pacifying Liaodong.

While the two were talking, a nun called out from outside: "Sir, the guard from Jinyi Mansion outside said that Mr. Lin from the Ministry of Revenue is here."

It turned out that Lin Ruhai had set up an office in the General Taxation Department of the Customs in Jinling. He received the imperial edict from Emperor Chongping the day before yesterday and returned to Beijing to report on his duties.

Of course, it is also a sign before the big use.

Today's cabinet ministers, in addition to Li Zan, Gao Zhongping, and Qi Kun, there are two more. The current governor of Sichuan, Lu Jiang, has been confirmed to be transferred to the capital due to the New Deal. In addition, there is still one missing. The emperor has been waiting for a long time. Never filled the gap.

Jia Heng said: "Xiaoxiao, you wait here first, I'll go take a look."

Lin Ruhai came back just in time. Daiyu was getting married, and Lin Ruhai happened to witness her daughter's big day.

Chen Xiao nodded, watched the young man leave, picked up the tea cup, and took a sip.

But deep down, I was thinking about another thing.

The man in the palace's body probably couldn't hold it any longer. I don't know if it was before he defeated Liaodong or after he defeated Liaodong.

Jia Heng left the back house and came to the hall, where he saw Lin Ruhai waiting beside the table.

Lin Ruhai, who looked like Fengyi and had the charm of pine and bamboo, sat upright at this moment, put down the tea cup, and said with a smile: "Ziyu."

Jia Heng looked at Lin Ruhai with a smile and asked, "Uncle, when did you arrive in the capital?"

In fact, he should change his name to father-in-law, but he has not yet passed the door, so he is not in a hurry.

Lin Ruhai nodded, looked at the young man with an increasingly serious demeanor, and said softly: "I just arrived this morning. I heard that Ziyu, you are married?"

Jia Heng said: "According to the holy order, I got married to Princess Le'an and the others during the Mid-Autumn Festival yesterday."

Lin Ruhai nodded and said, "On my way to the capital, I heard that Ziyu, Yu'er and the girls of the Xue family were also granted marriages by the palace?"

Jia Heng smiled and said, "My marriage to Sister Lin and Sister Xue should be scheduled for the Double Ninth Festival next month."

It is indeed the Double Ninth Festival.

Lin Ruhai's elegant face was full of contemplation, and she twirled her beard under her chin with her hand, her eyes filled with approval and relief: "Yu'er is not young anymore, it's time to get married."

At first, I also thought about whether the young man in front of me would be irresponsible, but now, I couldn't help but secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Jia Heng asked: "When uncle comes back this time, he probably won't leave."

During this period, he actually paid a little attention to the political situation in Beijing.

Lin Ruhai smiled and said: "I'm not leaving. The Holy Father has given instructions to open an office in the middle of the capital. This time, the Central Cabinet Department wants me to be promoted to the Customs Department as the Left Minister of the Household Department, and I will also be granted the title of Left Assistant. The deputy capital censor, with a post of second rank, will set up an office near the Ministry of Household Affairs."

Jia Heng said: "It is not an exaggeration to be classified as a second-grade customs officer."

"The Customs and Taxation Department has just been established less than two years ago. It is not as good as the old Hucao Office. Although the annual tax rate is close to tens of millions, it is still not as good as the land tax after all." Lin Ruhai said in a calm voice.

Now he has been promoted from the third rank to the second rank, which is just right.

(End of this chapter)