Forty-eight years of Qianlong

Chapter 599

When Kong Shaoan was thinking wildly, Zhao Xin hadn't left Beihai Town yet.

A week ago, he received a telegram from the Thunder God, Deng Fei said that the Governor of Madras had sent an invitation letter, asking him to visit Madras as a guest.Considering that the distance is not very far, I decided to visit and stay for two or three days before leaving.He felt that since he planned to stumbling the British, he had to know something about the enemy, and it would be better to have an intuitive feeling.

Zhao Xin couldn't wait for this. His son Momo was almost four years old. Since Zhao Xin took him out to play for a long time last month, the child suddenly fell in love with him.For example, don’t hold hands with Shen Xuan or A Miao, but only hold hands with Zhao Xin—it’s not enough to hold one side alone; if you don’t let A Miao brush your teeth, you have to let Zhao Xin do it; then you have to let Zhao Xin accompany you to eat, hug Zhao Xin's thighs let the story tell, every time Zhao Xin goes out, he has to follow
Although this child is not like this all the time, but there are always a few times a day, no matter whether it is Shen Xuan or A Miao, he is very resistant, which makes Shen Xuan very depressed.Later, when A Miao talked to Liu Siting about it, Director Liu smiled and said it was normal, and now her precious son is as clingy to Hong Tao as he is to death.At first she was also depressed, but after being enlightened by Hong Tao, she often took time to play with her children, and she gradually got better.

A Miao was relieved when she heard this, and went home to tell Shen Xuan, but Shen Xuan was skeptical.Nothing else, Zhao Xin's son is too important not only to the Zhao family, but also to her, to the Shen family, and even to everyone in Beihai Town.She takes good care of her all day long, Shen Xuan has to take it with her wherever she goes, and pays close attention to her son's every move at all times, holding it in her hand for fear of falling, and holding it in her mouth for fear of melting.

After coaxing his son to have breakfast that day, taking advantage of the time when the little guy went to play with cats and dogs in the yard, Shen Xuan said to Zhao Xin: "It's time to hire a gentleman for Momo."

Zhao Xin shook his head while drinking the porridge: "It's too early! There's no need. Three or four years old is the time when he is innocent and crazy. If you force him to study too early, he will have psychological problems when he grows up."

At this time, he saw Shen Xuan's face was unhappy, and quickly added: "The princes of the Manchu Qing Dynasty only went to the study room when they were six years old. You can believe me about this."

When Shen Xuan heard it, she said with satisfaction: "Then it's settled. When he turns six, I'll find him a husband."

Zhao Xin finished the porridge, took the towel handed by Shen Xuan and wiped his hands, then stared at the other party's eyes that seemed to be watery and smoky, and said in a deep voice, "I know what you are thinking."

Shen Xuan's round cheeks flushed slightly, and she said casually, "What?"

"emperor."

Shen Xuan froze for a moment, Zhao Xin said with a solemn expression: "Ah Quan, do you still remember what I said to you back then?"

"What are you talking about?" Ever since Shen Xuan got married to Zhao Xin, everyone in Beihai Town called her "Wang Concubine" except those who traveled through time, and even the members of the Shen family respectfully called her "Niangniang" when they saw her.After a long time, Shen Xuan gradually forgot what Zhao Xin had said at the beginning, thinking that her son was the future emperor.

"Not a king, but a king!" Zhao Xin held his wife's hand and said softly, "I'll tell you again, don't be fooled by the compliments from those around you. Beihai Town has reached the point where it is today, even if it establishes an emperor, It can only be a decoration. Just like those vases on the shelf, they are not useful."

"But without you, how could we be where we are today? I don't believe it. If you want to be the emperor, who would dare to seize power? Back then, the great grandfather paved the way for Emperor Jianwen."

"Stop talking!" Zhao Xin let go of Shen Xuan's hand, turned around and glanced at Momo who was playing with a few dogs in the yard, then got up and gently closed the door, sat back at the table and said, "Da Liu, I and I People like Lao Chen have worked hard for nearly ten years, not to raise a group of silverfish! Besides, no one else knows if I am the 'King Zhao'. Don't you know? The group of people in Ninggu Pagoda were just a bad idea on the spur of the moment. What, you really think I am the Empress Zhu Ming? I don’t have the heart to be the grandson of the Zhu family, and I don’t want my son to be a filial son to others!”

Shen Xuan has been married to Zhao Xin for so many years, and she has never seen him get angry with her. She has never said anything serious, and her eye circles suddenly turned red. She took out a silk handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped the corners of her eyes, and said unwillingly: "Really Is it so important to be fake? If you don’t tell yourself, no one else will dare to say that you are fake? What’s more, Beihai has reached the current situation, why not establish a new dynasty on its own? Dad once told me that you can’t fight with bare hands like you , brought hundreds of people to the barren land, conquered from east to west, and created such a big situation, even Ming Taizu would not give up!"

Zhao Xin was really angry now. He was about to pat the table, but when his eyes fell on Shen Xuan's big belly, his arms stopped in mid-air.Pregnant women are inherently unstable in temper, and sometimes they are prone to say some extreme words, and even have a bad temper.At this time, Shen Xuan saw Zhao Xin's appearance, her face paled immediately, and tears flowed out.

"Hey!" Zhao Xin sighed, got up and walked to the other party, leaned over and hugged Shen Xuan and said, "Calm down and think about what I say, and don't listen to other people's nonsense. Naturally, I did this after careful consideration. What's good about being alone! "

When Shen Xuan stopped crying, he helped the other party back to lie on the bed, had a conversation, and when Shen Xuan fell asleep, he tiptoed out of the room.

In the garden of the west courtyard, A Miao, who was playing with Momo and a few kittens and puppies, saw Zhao Xin approaching, and walked up to her, with a hint of worry in her eyes.She had faintly heard the quarrel in the room just now, so in order not to let Momo hear it, she specially brought him here.

Zhao Xin smiled and shook his head, first signaled her not to worry, then leaned into his ear and whispered: "A Miao, I have a task for you. When I'm not here, who does your sister Shen meet every day, what do you say? I'm watching."

A Miao's heart was shocked, her eyes were full of surprise, and she looked at Zhao Xin in disbelief.

"Don't get me wrong, your elder sister Shen has lost her parents and family since she was a child. She has soft ears and is easy to be used by others. What I am worried about is that outsiders have bad intentions, understand?"

"I understand!" A Miao suddenly realized, and nodded vigorously.

At this time, Momo found Zhao Xin was here, so she left the cat and dog, ran over and hugged Zhao Xin's thigh, and said in a childish voice, "Dad, where are we going to play today?"

Zhao Xin picked up his son, thought for a while and said, "Son, have you seen how farmers farm the land?"

Seeing Momo shaking his head, he said, "Come on, let's go and have a look today."

Entering September, Beihai Town has come to the season of autumn, yellow grass and dry grass. In the vast wilderness outside the Great Wall, the green mountains and mountains have turned into frost and forests almost overnight, turning the distant mountains into golden red. mottled.The reeds on the river bank have already produced silver reed flowers, and the oily green cattail grass has produced dark red cattail sticks.The autumn wind blows, and the silky cattail velvet is flying everywhere.

The water of the Sila River in autumn is so clear. When the waves calm down, you can see the bottom of the river at a glance from a few feet deep. Those pebbles covered with a layer of green velvet like moss make the river green.In the sky, a few rows of autumn geese croaked and flew south, as if they were saying goodbye, and they seemed to tell people that they would come back when the ice melted next year.

Under the protection of several guards, Zhao Xin first took his son to the Xila River to watch the Hezhe people fishing.Afterwards, the two went to the large farmland in the north to see the farmers plowing the land with horse-drawn plows, and the big green tractor with long coulters turning up large pieces of gray-black soil with wheat stubble. .

"Dad, why are you plowing?"

"This is called autumn plowing. Farmers say that autumn plowing is an inch deep and covered with a crop of dung."

"What is shit?"

"It's Papa."

"It stinks."

"Son, the rice, steamed buns, and vegetables you eat are all poured out with dung. Don't think it smells bad. In the eyes of farmers, they are all treasures."

"Then I will eat cake instead of rice."

"Silly boy, there are still many people in the world who can't get enough to eat! Just know the cake." Zhao Xin rubbed his son's little head, and saw two farmers drinking water in the field not far away. Holding his son's hand, he walked over.

The sudden arrival of Zhao Xin made the two farmers feel at a loss.This is a father and son. They were just resettled to a village twenty miles north of Beihai Town in July this year. Although they have heard of the famous "King Zhao", they have never seen him in person.

"This piece of land is yours?" Zhao Xin approached carelessly, and sat down on the dirt ridge. When his son saw it, he wanted to sit down like him. Zhao Xin pulled him and sat down. on his own leg.The guard behind him saw it, and quickly stepped forward to take off his coat, rolled it into a roll, and wanted to put it under Zhao Xin.Zhao Xin waved his hand, indicating no need.

The expressions of the father and son were full of curiosity, nervousness and fear. Seeing that Zhao Xin was very casual, they boldly said: "Yes, it's mine. We just split up two months ago."

Seeing this, Zhao Xin took out cigarettes from his pocket, took out two and handed them to the other party, and then took out a lighter to help light it.The father and son took a few puffs of cigarettes in fear and fear, and gradually relaxed when they saw that Zhao Xin had no airs.However, a breeze blew by, and the smoke blew in front of Momo. The little guy coughed twice, and Zhao Xin got up and sat upwind.

"My surname is Zhao, what do you two call me?"

"My name is Niu Laoshuan, and this is my son Dashuan."

"How is this place?"

"What a good land!" Niu Laoshuan stretched out his thumb and gestured, his eyes were full of surprise, and his face was full of indescribable satisfaction. "I have lived most of my life, and I have never tended such a fertile land. Fifty acres!"

"How many people are in the family?"

"Five people, my baby and my mother, the eldest is seventeen years old, the daughter is ten years old, and the youngest is eight years old after the new year."

Zhao Xin then asked the Civil Affairs Bureau whether the food supply for this winter was sufficient, and what shortcomings there were in life, etc. He felt that it was almost the same, so he pointed to Niu Laoshuan's dark and calloused hands, and said to him The son said: "Son, take a good look at his hands. Remember, whether it is cake or rice noodles, they are all made with these hands."

After hearing this, Momo stepped forward, stretched out her small hand to touch the cocoon on it, felt a little irritating, turned around and threw herself back into Zhao Xin's arms.Seeing this, Niu Laoshuan and his son were all happy.

"Come on, bow to this uncle, thank you."

As soon as these words came out, Niu Laoshuan and his son were stunned.Momo was very puzzled, she tilted her head and asked, "Why?"

"The food you eat every day is grown by other people's hard work. Do you think you should thank them?"

Hearing Zhao Xin's explanation, Niu Laoshuan and his son quickly stood up and waved their hands, "No way! No way! The young master is an honorable person! I really can't afford it! I am the life of a farmer. I pay food and taxes, and serve Sirs should!"

Zhao Xin got up and patted his buttocks and said: "You don't have to be like this. In my eyes, you who work hard every day are the most honorable people. There are thousands of people like you in Beihai Town. Today is the only way!"

Momo looked back at Zhao Xin, seeing her father smiling and nodding at her, she said to Niu Laoshuan in a childlike voice, "Thank you, Uncle." Then she quickly bowed, turned and rushed into Zhao Xin's arms.

When Zhao Xin took his son and left, Niu Laoshuan, who didn't understand what was going on, was stunned for a moment, and suddenly ran up to follow.He stopped a plainclothes guard who hadn't gotten into the car yet and asked, "Master, who is that lord just now?"

The guard smiled and shook his head, thought for a while, then raised his finger slightly to point to the sky, then turned around and got into the carriage, leaving Niu Laoshuan with a shocked face messed up in the wind.
After Zhao Xin sent his son home, just after noon, he decided to go to the Government Affairs Compound.When he arrived, he didn't go to his office, but came to Yu Deli's small courtyard.

"Yo~~~ Rare customer! Why do you remember me here?"

"I want to talk to you about something, are you free?"

Yu Deli closed the thick document in his hand, and said with a smile: "Boss Zhao has come to the door in person, and he has to find time if he doesn't have time."

Zhao Xin turned his head to look at the people who came and went on business outside the house, and said, "There are a lot of people here, let's go for a walk by the beach and talk while walking."

Yu Deli nodded, got up, grabbed the coat and hat from the hanger, and walked out with Zhao Xin.

The autumn sun shines on the sea, and it is not very cold on the coast just after noon.Ships shuttle back and forth in Whale Harbor in the west, while waves of light blue sea water beat against the embankment and trestle bridge nearby.When Zhao Xin walked to the trestle bridge, the sea breeze was blowing, the waves beat and stirred up white foam, and groups of seagulls flapped their wings and rose and fell on the beach.

"Three to five years." After listening to Zhao Xin's words, Yu Deli mused with his hands behind his back: "I don't understand military matters, but you can do it if you have a plan. To be honest, the pressure on the political side is a bit heavy. If it takes three years , It’s easy to mix good and bad, five years, right? Five years is better. The school of administration has trained many grassroots cadres over the years, but the site is too big, and those few people are like pepper noodles.”

"I'm going to have a plenary meeting at the end of the year."

"All traversers participate?"

"No, only for those who stay for a long time. You, me, and Lao Chen, Liu Sheng, Fang Hua, Cao Peng and others."

"What about the topic?"

"Establish the political system, prepare for the establishment of the country, and determine the various policies and policies after entering the customs. I am looking for you today because I want to get some wind in advance. While I am gone, you and Lao Chen, Wu Siyu and the others have a chat. .”

"Well, it's almost time for Lao Chen to come back. I'll take the lead in this matter."

Zhao Xin continued: "Actually, I have been thinking about this since the end of the Outer Mongolia Campaign. Our strategic encirclement of the Manchus has been initially completed. As long as we win the Tianshan Mountains next year, we will be able to completely close the door for the Manchus to flee westward. At present, the plan for Jiaodong has also been launched, and when Kong Shaoan and Lu Shoushan stand firm and set up the template, the time to enter the customs will come."

"A monarchy or a republic? Now there are many people who want you to become the emperor, and the voices are very loud."

"Don't be funny, Mr. Yu, I haven't forgotten what you said back then." Zhao Xin laughed at himself, and then briefly stated his thoughts as he walked.

After listening to him, Yu Deli nodded and said, "Yes, my mind is still clear. But I suggest that there should be a transition period."

"Transitional period?" Zhao Xin said in surprise: "You mean to continue to let me play tricks?"

Yu Deli said slowly: "I've been here for so long, and I've read a lot. I thought it was a bit sloppy before. Now it seems that it is not so easy for the Chinese in the eighteenth century to accept our set. In the final analysis, education If you can’t keep up, people’s wisdom is not developed, even if you don’t sit in that position, many people will still treat you as an emperor.”

"This is what annoys me the most now! At the beginning, my head was hot and I made a banner, but now it's too late to change it."

Yu Deli patted Zhao Xin on the shoulder, and comforted: "One person counts the disadvantages, and everyone counts the strengths. There are always more solutions than difficulties. During the meeting, everyone discusses together and brainstorms."

Zhao Xin nodded, walked a few steps and said suddenly: "By the way, I have read the imperial examination plan you made with Wang Zhong and Duan Yucai before, and we can start. I have arranged for the Intelligence Bureau to spread the news , It is estimated that in one or two months, Jiangsu and Zhejiang will spread to all states and counties."

Yu Deli said with a smile: "Hehe, if this matter reaches Qianlong's ears, he probably should jump his feet!"

(End of this chapter)