serious man in the red chamber

Chapter 120
As the new year draws closer, the capital becomes more and more lively.

It's the end of the year, and local officials are going to give gifts to Beijing officials again.

There are still small snowflakes floating in the sky.

The snow field in front of Ningguo Mansion was full of people, all of whom were presenting New Year's greetings to Jia Hu.

The servants braved the snow and waited in line there, and those in charge sat on the poles on both sides of Ningrong Street, drinking hot tea here while waiting for the concierge of Ningguo Mansion to summon them in order.

With the light of Ningguo Mansion, the money earned by the vendors on Ningrong Street in the past few days has almost caught up with that in the past one or two months. There is still half a month left, and this year will be a prosperous year.

Ningguo Mansion

Chamber

In front of the four account desks, four accountants were quickly dialing beads with their left hands and calculating the accounts sent from Jiangnan with their right hands.

Lin Zhixiao's family stood in the middle and waited to send the calculated account pages into the inner room for Youshi and Lin Daiyu to review.

At this time, Lai Sheng's family came in with stacks of gift lists, the women carried the boxes and cages, and the housekeepers and daughters-in-law followed closely behind with trays containing jewelry boxes.

Lin Zhixiao's family: "There are so many people here today?"

Lai Sheng's family said with a smile: "The mouse supports the wooden shovel, and the big head is behind."

Lin Zhixiao's family smiled: "Grandma and the girls are here, come in while you're free."

The mother-in-law opened the curtain, and Lai Sheng's family bowed in.

There are only a few mothers-in-law and daughter-in-law in the room, and the daughter-in-law who is in charge points to the back hall.

Lai Sheng's family walked quickly to the door, heard laughter in the back hall, and said: "Grandma, Uncle Xiao Rong ordered someone to bring a gift list and some gifts."

"Come in." Youshi's voice came.

The maid drew up the curtain, and Lai Sheng's family took a look. It turned out that Li Wan, Wang Xifeng, Yingchun, Tanchun, Xichun, Xiangyun, and Xing Xiuyan were all here. Well, Baochai, who had been ill for a long time, was also here.

I saw Youshi and Lin Daiyu sitting opposite each other on the kang, looking through the account books, while Li Wan, Wang Xifeng and others gathered around drinking tea, eating fruits and talking and laughing.

Seeing her coming in, Wang Xifeng smiled and said: "What a good thing, maybe let us see it."

Lai Sheng's family listened and said with a smile: "Grandma is joking." He stepped forward and said to You Shi and Lin Daiyu: "Uncle Xiao Rong said that the gifts sent by the officials of the Ministry of War will be registered separately and sent to the second master later. Uncle Xiao Rong asked grandma how to treat these people."

Youshi put down the account book in his hand, thought for a while: "Reward them with a top-notch seal."

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law put the gifts in the house, and then retreated.

Lai Sheng's family: "Yes." He put the gift list in his hand on the kang table.

At this time, Lin Daiyu spread out the account books in her hands, and then pointed at the middle lines of accounts with her hand and said: "These sums of money drawn by the soldiers will be written off from the account immediately."

After a pause, "Tell the outside world that all accounts withdrawn by the soldiers in the mansion will be canceled."

Lai Sheng's family quickly took the account book: "Yes." He glanced at Youshi first, then turned and walked out.

Lin Daiyu picked up another account book and looked through it.

Li Wan looked at Youshi, and then at Lin Daiyu, feeling complicated, usually soft and weak, but he was vigorous and resolute in managing the family, as if he was a different person.

Wang Xifeng looked envious, you look at others, and then look at yourself, the difference is heaven and earth!

Baochai glanced at Lin Daiyu, then chatted with Xing Xiuyan who was sitting by the kang.

"."

Tanchun saw it, smiled and said: "Come on, let's see what good things are sent outside." Then he said to Youshi: "If there is a suitable gift, we will take it. Sister-in-law can't be stingy."

Youshi waved his hand, she can still do this.

In the outer study on the other side, Jia Hu brought Liu Fang a bowl of tea and sat down on the chair beside him.

Liu Fang slowly looked away from the window, looking at Jia Hu: "How is your illness?"

Jia Hu: "Xu Yuanzheng's medicine is good!"

Only then did Liu Fang show a little smile, and when she picked up the tea bowl, she said: "Wang Ziteng will enter the capital tomorrow at the latest. It seems that the task of commanding the yamen of this step army will most likely fall into his hands."

Jia Hu looked at Liu Fang: "Can he hold back?"

Liu Fang smiled in amazement, no wonder Jia Hu didn't see Baoling Hou Shi Nai, Wang Ziteng couldn't restrain the arrogant soldiers under King Zhongshun, especially the elite infantry battalion.

Where there is right and wrong, there will be strife, and where there is strife, there will be grievances, and disputes will continue, and grievances will never end.

Such an army is useless.

"Be careful that Wang Ziteng and King Zhongshun are in the same boat." Liu Fang warned.

Jia Hu picked up the tea bowl and took a sip: "If he really dares to fall to King Zhongshun, he will be killed quietly now."

Liu Fang stopped looking at him, and turned to look out the window: "What are you going to do about this matter?"

Jia Hu put down the tea bowl and said, "The people in the Weapons Bureau don't do anything with money, and dare to hit people. After two days I can go out, and I will let them know how expensive this slap is."

Liu Fang was silent.

Although the Battle of Yinshan exposed the weakness of self-generated firearms, it also made everyone see the power of firearms.

But what everyone didn't expect was that the emperor allocated all the Xiyi muskets purchased by the Ministry of War to the Beijing camp with a wave of his hand.

You know, the Ministry of War bought [-] muskets from the Xiyi people, except for the first batch of [-] guns that were allocated to the Yongwei Battalion.The Jingying became the army with the most firearms in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Now the Military Weapons Bureau refuses to supply enough ammunition to the Yongwei Battalion under the pretext that the Beijing Battalion consumes too much, and even the damaged self-generating guns are not replaced.

Since the day before yesterday, the Yongwei Battalion has resumed normal drills.In order to get more ammunition from the Military Weapons Bureau, a member of the Firearms Battalion personally took people to the Military Weapons Bureau early in the morning and presented a generous gift to the chief eunuch in charge.

The other party accepted the gift politely, but still refused the general's request on the pretext that the Beijing camp was too expensive.

The general was also a straight-hearted person, on the spot he scolded the eunuch in charge for taking the money and not doing anything, and asked his subordinates to take the gift back.

The sergeant really took it, and the chief eunuch in charge became furious and slapped the sergeant.

If it weren't for the presence of people from the imperial army, there would definitely be deaths.

Liu Fang raised her head slowly, and said after a long time, "Don't cause trouble. After all, the emperor is behind your back."

Jia Hu's eyes flashed: "Don't worry about this matter!"

Liu Fang sighed, and continued: "The eunuch is the emperor's servant, and without the emperor's signal, he dare not withhold the ammunition of the Yongwei battalion. Forty percent of the ammunition is just enough for the Yongwei battalion's daily drills."

He paused at this point, "When the Beijing Firearms Battalion becomes an army, the Military Weapons Bureau will also strictly control their ammunition."

Jia Hu sneered: "Do you really think you can handle us like this?!"

Liu Fang was startled: "Don't mess around!"

Jia Hu: "Don't worry, I'm still waiting to be the Duke."

Liu Fang looked at Jia Hu: "How do you plan to appease the Yongwei Camp?"

"appease?"

Jia Hu stood up abruptly, "I didn't want to report to me, but instead bribed an old eunuch, and was beaten in the face. Anyone who participated in this matter, regardless of their status, was beaten with thirty army sticks! Liu Kun presided over the military affairs of the barracks." , cannot evade responsibility, and will also be beaten with thirty military sticks!"

After a pause, "I'm going to go to the memorial to impeach Eunuch Zhao, the supervisor of the internal officials."

"Okay, let's not talk about this matter. I came today to ask you, His Majesty let you enter the military department for training, which division do you want to take as an envoy?"

"I want to choose Arsenal, is it possible!"

"No."

"What about the office secretary?"

"This is also in the hands of today's confidantes."

Jia Hu laughed: "I can only go to the Ministry of War to drink tea and sit around every day!"

Liu Fang smiled and waved her hands: "I discussed with Niu Jizong, you don't have to go to the Ministry of War for training, and you can directly get the title of Minister of the Ministry of War. Your status has improved, and you won't share your energy."

Jia Hu thought for a while, and was about to speak.

"Marshal, news came from the camp that Director Dai of Qianqing Palace was ordered to take the eunuch in charge of the Armament Bureau to the barracks, and beat thirty court sticks in front of General Liu and others.

Not only did the decree praise General Li and others, but also said that the Military Weapons Bureau had been ordered to increase production to ensure the normal drills of the firearms battalion.The monthly ammunition has also increased from [-]% to [-]%. "Lin San's voice came from outside the door.

Jia Hu was taken aback for a moment: "Understood."

Liu Fang sighed, the emperor was asking to buy people's hearts.

After being silent for a while, Jia Hu went to the desk and sat down, spread out the blank chapter, picked up a pen and began to write.

"What are you doing?" Liu Fang looked closely at Jia Hu.

Jia Hu didn't answer.

Liu Fang stood up, walked to the desk, her eyes widened.

Chamber, back hall.

Youshi, Li Wan, Wang Xifeng, and Lin Daiyu sat around the small kang table to discuss the date list for inviting guests to eat New Year's wine in the first month. Let the other party mistakenly think that the Jia family is hypocritical.

This year, Mother Jia specially reminded that the two governments should discuss it together so that the crime should not be repeated again.

Looking through the mountains of presents, Tanchun said, "I thought of the Poetry Club when there was heavy snow in winter. I didn't want to catch up with so many things. Finally, the army triumphed. Who knew that my second brother was ill again. Sweeping Shixing up and down.

Now the second elder brother's illness has recovered a lot, and the accounts here have been settled, depending on the weather, it will definitely snow heavily tonight, let's start a poetry club in Tianxiang Tower tomorrow. "

Xiang Yun clapped his hands and laughed, "That's great, I've already thought of the Poetry Club."

Yingchun hesitated for a moment, and said: "It's freezing outside, Tianxiang Tower is not suitable."

Xichun continued: "Second sister is right. There is no Kang in Tianxiang Building, and it is next to the lake. People are freezing to death."

Here Youshi and the others drew up the date list, Lin Daiyu stood up and said: "It's in the big flower hall in the backyard of Ning'an Hall. I will send people to the kang in a cage later. Tomorrow, we will all embrace the stove and write poems."

After thinking for a while, he said again: "Yesterday, the Liaodong Army sent some wild game, and today some fresh fruits are sent from the south. I'll have someone prepare them. Let's barbecue by ourselves tomorrow, while drinking and composing poems. comfortable."

Xiangyun clapped his hands and jumped up, and shouted happily: "Well said! Well said! 'It's a real celebrity who is romantic'. Let's do it ourselves, eat and play, it's romantic and unrestrained."

Tanchun: "Okay, that's what Elder Sister Yilin wants. The second elder brother stays in the house all day and is very bored, so it's just time to relax."

Li Wan laughed and said, "I'll send someone to bring the members here at night." Pointing to Yingchun, Tanchun, Xiangyun and Xing Xiuyan, "We each have one tael of silver."

Just as Wang Xifeng was about to speak, Lin Daiyu waved her hand and said with a smile, "No need, I will invite you as hosts. Everyone has dinner tomorrow, just come over after finishing your business."

Saying that, she turned her gaze to Baochai, "Sister Bao, don't forget."

Baochai smiled: "Sister, don't worry."

At this time, Lin Zhixiao's family came in and said to Lin Daiyu, "Second master is out, please tell the girl, don't wait for him to eat dinner."

Lin Daiyu was taken aback for a moment, and asked outside, "What time is it?"

The daughter-in-law in charge replied, "Girl, the time is almost over."

Seeing that Lin Daiyu was in a daze, You Shi hurriedly greeted with a smile, "Come on, let's look at the presents. Today I'm in charge, you can choose whatever you want."

Qianqing Palace, go to the study.

Although there are many snowflakes outside, the upper study room is as warm as spring.

The door opened with a click, and Dai Quan came in. He saw that Emperor Jianwu was sitting in front of the imperial case reviewing the memorial. Brew on.

Emperor Jianwu: "How is it?"

Dai Quan: "All the generals and officers of the Yongwei camp are grateful for His Majesty's grace."

"I don't know how to scold me in my heart." Emperor Jianwu was still looking down at the memorial.

Dai Quan fell to his knees.

"Get up."

Emperor Jianwu closed the approved memorial, picked up the tea bowl and drank a few sips before putting it down, and asked, "When will Wang Ziteng enter Beijing?"

Dai Quan thought for a while and replied, "Tomorrow at the latest."

Emperor Jianwu was silent for a while, and said, "Let's draw up an edict."

Dai Quan: "Yes."

"Your Majesty, First Class Marquis Jia Hu of Ningguo Mansion is now requesting an audience." The voice of the eunuch on duty came from the outer hall.

Emperor Jianwu suddenly had an inexplicable panic in his heart, and soon he calmed down again, "Come in."

After a while, Jia Hu walked in and bowed to salute: "I see Your Majesty!"

Emperor Jianwu immediately said: "That's all. Dai Quan, give me a seat."

"Yes."

Dai Quan hurriedly brought over a mahogany stool and placed it beside the case. Jia Hu saluted again, and then sat down next to the edge of the stool.

Emperor Jianwu looked at Jia Hu: "Is there something wrong with the cold weather?"

Jia Hu stood up and took out a memorial from his sleeve: "I want to impeach a person."

Emperor Jianwu was stunned!Both eyes stared at Jia Hu with ecstasy.

Jia Hu held the memorial high above his head: "I impeach the Minister of Arms of the Ministry of War!"

Emperor Jianwu looked at Jia Hu and the memorial in his hand, but did not speak.

There was silence.

Dai Quan stood there with his head bowed nervously.

Emperor Jianwu: "Submit it."

Dai Quan: "Yes." He hurried to Jia Hu, took the memorial, and presented it to Emperor Jianwu.

Emperor Jianwu took the memorial and looked at it, his face became serious all of a sudden.

In the memorial, Jia Hu impeached the arsenal secretary for dereliction of duty, dereliction of duty and other duty crimes, especially the last paragraph, saying that the arsenal secretary did not abide by the law, resulting in insufficient ammunition in the warehouse, which led to conflicts in the military bureau. Stepping forward to stop it almost caused a catastrophe.

In the "Law of the Great Zhou", the conviction and sentencing of crimes of dereliction of duty are very heavy. According to Jia Hu's memorial, the arsenal doctor will be beheaded.

But the problem is that although the Weapons Bureau is under the jurisdiction of the Arsenal Division, the Arsenal Secretary has no jurisdiction.As for the ammunition, it was never sent to the warehouse of the arsenal at all.

This is the tacit consent of the inner court and the outer court, and it cannot be brought to light because it does not conform to the law.

There was silence.

Dai Quan lowered his head slightly and stood on the side of the imperial case quietly looking at Emperor Jianwu who was staring at the memorial.He noticed that an imperceptible sternness flashed in the emperor's eyes.

After reading the memorial, Emperor Jianwu closed it gently, slowly raised his head, and looked at Jia Hu.

Jia Hu stood there silently.

Emperor Jianwu said: "Why did you present this memorial?"

Jia Hu: "Returning to the emperor, it is the duty of a courtier to submit memorials."

Emperor Jianwu asked again: "Aren't you afraid that others will say that you have ulterior motives when you present this memorial at this time?!"

Jia Hu: "The minister's memorial is for the sake of the country and the country, and has no selfish intentions."

Dai Quan looked at the emperor, and Emperor Jianwu was a little sullen.

Jia Hu went on to say: "Arsenal Division's management is chaotic, and I have heard about it for a long time. The Arsenal Secretary is too smooth to offend others, and allows his subordinates to be greedy for money, turning a blind eye. The Arsenal Division is in charge of hiding weapons. Military affairs have always been dangerous. One wrong step. All games are lost.

In this battle against the Mongols and the Manchus, the emperor knew better than his ministers how much weapons and supplies the army had consumed. "

Emperor Jianwu was silent.

Jia Hu: "There are so many officials in the arsenal department. He is the only one who is not corrupt. The minister admires him. But he is an official of the Great Zhou Dynasty. He is in his position, seeking his position, doing his best, and taking his responsibility. As a soldier Kusi Langzhong, it is his responsibility to ensure the quantity and quality of weapons.

Now Arsenal is a mess, all bad debts.This war consumed too many weapons and supplies, and the Armory Division was like this. Once a war broke out, the court did not have enough weapons and supplies, what should we do? ! "

Emperor Jianwu was really questioned. What he took over from the Supreme Emperor was not a prosperous dynasty, but a mess full of holes.

Just like this, the Supreme Emperor still intervenes in the government affairs from time to time. In order to secure the throne, he can only turn a blind eye to many things.

Arsenal Secretary is considered a confidant.

Emperor Jianwu looked at Jia Hu and asked, "Do you want to go to the Arsenal Department for training?"

Jia Hu: "Returning to the emperor, the minister's memorial is for the sake of the country and the country, and has no selfish intentions."

Emperor Jianwu was silent again.

Jia Hu: "Before I came, the old man discussed it with the minister, and the minister will hold the title of Minister of the Ministry of War and concentrate on training troops for His Majesty."

Emperor Jianwu slowly turned his head and looked at Dai Quan: "Give this memorial to the Chief Assistant, and distribute it to the six ministers of the cabinet and nine ministers to read it! How to judge the crime, the cabinet will make up its mind."

Dai Quan: "Yes."

Dai Quan understands, Jia Hu also understands, Emperor Jianwu's meaning is very clear, the arsenal doctor is guilty, but it can't be a capital crime, and the crime can't even be too serious, so let the cabinet and the six Jiuqingtang officials judge the crime of a fifth-rank doctor. This is a precedent for the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Jia Hu: "Your Majesty, I think that the ammunition produced by the Military Weapons Bureau cannot be stored in one place. Firstly, the Military Weapons Bureau is too far away from the Yongwei camp, which is not conducive to the transportation of ammunition.

Secondly, with so many ammunition stored together, once the warehouse leaks water, not to mention the Armament Bureau, even the Imperial City will be hit by the explosion, and the West City will bear the brunt of the explosion.Your Majesty, please think twice! "

Emperor Jianwu thought for a while, and said to Dai Quan: "In the future, half of the ammunition produced by the Military Weapons Bureau will be stored in the Chongwenmen camp." Then he turned his attention to Jia Hu: "From now on, [-]% of the ammunition for the Yongwei Camp will be collected. "

Suddenly, the chiming bell in the hall rang!
Emperor Jianwu looked over, and the long needle of the chiming bell pointed to Shen Shimo.

Emperor Jianwu: "Since you're here, let's have a meal before going back. You go to the imperial concubine's place first, and I'll go there after I finish approving the memorial."

Jia Hu bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." He turned and walked out.

Dai Quan said, "Your Majesty?"

Emperor Jianwu threw the memorial and said, "Go."

"Yes!" Dai Quan answered tremblingly, bent down to pick up the memorial, and bowed out.

With a "hum", Emperor Jianwu picked up another memorial and continued to review it.

The snow had stopped and the sky was still gray.

It was getting darker and darker, and a group of more than thirty riders appeared on the Deshengmen Bridge outside the city.

Sitting on the big white horse in the middle was the haggard Prince Teng.

Prince Teng reined in the reins.

All the soldiers and the officials of the Criminal Division stopped.

Wang Ziteng stared blankly at the majestic Deshengmen tower, and sat motionless on his horse.

The leader of the Criminal Division: "General Wang?"

Wang Ziteng came back to his senses: "Yes."

The leader of the Tixing Division Fanzi: "It's getting late, and I have to go to the palace to face the saint."

Wang Ziteng nodded, swung his whip fiercely, and the horse under his crotch rushed forward like an arrow.

(End of this chapter)