serious man in the red chamber

Chapter 398 New Year's Eve
When the emperor died, the whole country mourned, and the entire capital was deserted.

The young seventh prince ascended to the supreme throne in ignorance, and made a joke while accepting the worship of hundreds of officials.

Although he succeeded to the throne in person, there are still many necessary rituals.How could a child who was less than six years old endure it for so long and directly asked, "Why isn't it over yet?"

This sentence was nothing at all. The key was that the eunuch in charge who took care of him replied: "It's almost over."

As soon as these words came out, everyone was stunned!

If he hadn't been the only one who could take good care of the Seventh Prince, he would have been dragged out and beaten to death by the old concubine on the spot.

This incident cast a lingering shadow over many officials, who considered it an ominous omen.

In the blink of an eye, on the 29th of the twelfth lunar month, thanks to the efforts of several cabinet members, the court returned to its former stability, and the capital also regained its former peace and tranquility.

Heavy snow is falling one after another.

It was nearly dusk, during the national mourning period, and it was snowing heavily. There was not a single pedestrian on West Chang'an Street at this time.

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves and wheels pressing against the snow came from deep in the street.

In the snow and fog, a group of cavalry wearing black cloaks escorted a carriage and walked slowly. The group stopped in front of a mansion gate. The gate was closed. Only the two lights above the vermilion gate reflected "Liu Mansion". The lantern is lit there.

A cavalryman dismounted, walked to the door and knocked on the knocker.

After a while, the small door on the right door opened, and two boys came out. Suddenly, both boys opened their eyes wide and were stunned.

The cavalryman put the token back in his hand and said, "Open the door."

The voice turned out to be Lin San.

The two boys looked at each other, then at the luxurious carriage, and quickly opened the door on the side.

Lin San and his soldiers protected Jia Hu's carriage as it drove into the Liu Mansion.

In Liu's study room, in front of a large pot of charcoal fire, Liu Kun was sitting on a recliner with a tiger skin mattress covering his knees. He leaned close to the light next to him, holding a book and reading there.

Suddenly a gust of cold wind blew through the thick door curtain, and Liu Kun's son Liu Hong almost stumbled in, panting and flushed with excitement.

As soon as Liu Hong entered the room, he went straight to Liu Kun and said, "Father, the prince is here!"

Liu Kun raised his head, as if he didn't hear clearly: "What did you say? Which prince is here?"

Liu Hong replied loudly: "Father, the prince of Beining County is here."

"Open the middle door and come in quickly!" Liu Kun ordered immediately without having time to think carefully.

Liu Hong: "The prince is here."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jia Hu walked in with a smile.

Liu Kun stood up in a hurry: "Your Majesty!"

Jia Hu looked at him with a smile and then at the book in his hand: "It's so elegant!"

Liu Kun put the book in his hand on the desk and said, "Your Majesty, please sit down." He moved the chair where he usually sat behind the desk and said to Liu Hong, "Tea!"

Jia Hu sat down by the brazier.

Liu Hong came over holding tea.

Liu Kun personally presented the tea to Jia Hu.

Jia Hu took the tea and took a sip, looking at Liu Hong: "Are you Liu Hong?"

Liu Hong's eyes lit up and he asked urgently: "Does the prince know about me?"

Liu Kunhe immediately scolded: "Is there anyone like you who talks to the prince like this?"

Jia Hu waved his hand: "Okay, there are no outsiders here, why are you doing these false rituals!" Then he said to Liu Hong: "I heard that you are proficient in the Four Books and Five Classics, military books and strategies, swordsmanship and archery, and you are very strong. , carrying a hundred-jin sword and practicing martial arts every day!”

After hearing this, Liu Hong smiled naively: "The prince knows all these messy things. I am just idle and bored to pass the time, and I can't be said to be proficient. I, I don't have that much strength. It's all spread by people who do good things. .”

Jia Hu smiled: "That's true."

Liu Hong slapped his chest: "To tell you the truth, I never lie to others."

Jia Hu looked at Liu Kun with a smile, and then asked Liu Hong, "Do you want to go to the military camp?"

Liu Hong excitedly said: "Think! Why don't you take Wu Gou and collect the fifty states in Guanshan? Please go to Lingyan Pavilion for a while, like a scholar and a marquis of ten thousand households?', I dreamed of going to the military camp! That year, the prince was defeated in the battle of Yinshan The Manchu and Qing coalition forces swept away years of decadence. If my mother had not been unwell, I would have
" At this point, he was stunned, and then glanced at Liu Kun cautiously.

Jia Hu smiled and said: "Don't look at your father. Let me ask you, do you still want to go to the military camp?"

Liu Hong glanced at Liu Kun first, then gritted his teeth: "I want to!"

Jia Hu: "What kind of official do you think you can be?"

Liu Kun was anxious: "Your Majesty, he has no battlefield experience."

Jia Hu raised his hand and said to Liu Hong, "Just say whatever you think."

Liu Hong: "I guess it's okay to be a Qian Commander."

Jia Hu nodded with a smile.

Liu Kun also breathed a sigh of relief. He was really worried that Liu Hong didn't know the heights of the world.

Liu Hong stared at Jia Hu closely: "Your Majesty, are you going to let me go to the Yongwei Camp to lead a group of troops?"

Jia Hu smiled and said: "You really dare to open your mouth. Those who can lead an army in the Yongwei camp are guerrilla generals, and General Qian can only be his deputy." After speaking, he glanced at Liu Kun.

Liu Kun understood and said to Liu Hong: "You go down first."

Liu Hong: "Yes." He replied, bowed to Jia Hu again, and walked out.

Liu Kun: "Let the prince see the joke."

Jia Hu pointed to the chair: "Is your body and bones okay now?"

Liu Kun sat down and said, "Commander Lao, I am thinking that I will take advantage of this period of time to cure many old illnesses, and I can sleep peacefully at night."

Jia Hu understood and said directly: "You can take up a post at the Ministry of War tomorrow!"

Liu Kun: "The right minister of the Ministry of War?"

Jia Hu: "Secretary Zuo."

Liu Kun was shocked: "Who in the cabinet can agree?"

Jia Hu: "If they don't agree, Mei Changwen's son will not be able to return to Beijing, and Ma Ruifang, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, will not be transferred to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. With a ratio of two to one, they have made a profit from this business."

After listening to his words, Liu Kun's heart surged. As soon as the emperor died, the cabinet became a tool for various forces to compete for power.
Jia Hu seemed to have read through Liu Kun's thoughts and continued: "Before the young emperor takes charge, this is the best way to resolve disputes. It can avoid conflicts and maintain the stability of the court."

Liu Kun nodded.

Jia Hu went on to say: "When you arrive at the Ministry of War, you should pay attention to the reports from the general military offices of various places, especially in terms of public security in the areas under your jurisdiction. In the past two days, many big southern families have come to Beijing to complain. The officials sent by the cabinet are too shameful. It’s just a matter of snatching it away.”

After a pause, "According to the confessions of those big households, these civil servants teamed up with local officials, patrol camps, and even the General Military Office to rob and plunder people's property, causing people to become homeless."

Liu Kun called the police: "What does the commander-in-chief mean that the people will be forced to rebel?"

Jia Hu shook his head: "The common people will not rebel unless they have to. Besides, those people don't dare to shut the common people off. They don't have the guts." At this point, he said seriously: "Listen up. . I will use this matter to chop off an arm of the civilian clique, and even purge some of the local government and the army!" Hearing this, Liu Kun was shocked again.

Jia Hu continued: "In extraordinary times, extraordinary means must be used. Only in this way can we deter the evil spirits and snake spirits in the dark and maintain the stability of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

Liu Kun looked at Jia Hu, but his heart turned over again. He knew that things were not that simple.

Jia Hu looked at him: "To tell you the truth, I also want to take advantage of this incident to promote a business across the country."

Buying and selling?

Liu Kun couldn't keep up, and his eyes were blinking wildly.

Jia Hu changed the topic: "If you don't polish it, it won't make it. If you don't go through hardships, it will be difficult to become something useful. Liu Hong is a good young talent. Such a good talent cannot be wasted."

Liu Kun was silent.

Jia Hu: "According to my observations, the riots by the victims in Jiangxi are not that simple. There should be someone behind the scenes, trying to fish in troubled waters. My old father-in-law is mobilizing the army. Once he finds that something is wrong, he will immediately suppress it with all his strength. For the sake of safety, I decided Send a battalion of gun soldiers to the south to cooperate with the governor's office of Liangjiang to put down the rebellion. Let Liu Hong join us and practice."

After hearing what Jia Hu said, Liu Kun could no longer remain silent. After thinking about it, he stood up and said, "Thank you, Marshal!"

Jia Hu smiled and said, "I'm not wrong. This boy will definitely become a marquis immediately. Both father and son will be ennobled for their military merits. It will undoubtedly be a good story."

Liu Kun: "How can that be done?"

Jia Hu smiled: "Believe me." After saying that, he stood up, thought for a moment, and then said: "You should know the rules of the Brave Guard Camp. All the noble disciples who enter the Brave Guard Camp must start from the general position. , this rule cannot be broken. Let him take a post in the Yongwei camp tomorrow."

Liu Kun: "Yes."

Jia Hu looked at the sky outside the window and said, "I'm going back." After saying that, he walked out.

After seeing Jia Hu off, Liu Kun returned to the study and saw Liu Hong already standing by the brazier waiting. He shook his head and said with a bitter smile: "I'll get you involved anyway."

Liu Hong brought him a bowl of tea: "There are eggs under the overturned nest! My father is in trouble. Everyone in the court knows about the relationship between our family and the prince. If we don't follow the prince's footsteps at this time, we will definitely be marginalized." Transformed, or even abandoned in the end. However, once the big tree like the prince falls, our family will definitely be purged by the prince’s political enemies. There is no second possibility!"

Liu Kun sighed: "Tomorrow I will go to the Ministry of War to serve as the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, and you will go to the Yongwei Camp to serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the Firearms Battalion."

Liu Hong's eyes lit up.
Fortunately, the emperor did not die on the Spring Festival, otherwise the new year would not have passed.

At the fifth watch of the next day, Jia Hu, Jia She and Jia Rong protected Jia Mu, Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang into the court to offer sacrifices, and did not leave the palace until late.

There can't be a big feast this year, and in addition to getting up early and returning late in the past few days, Jia Mu and others are exhausted. After offering sacrifices to their ancestors, everyone dispersed and went back to their homes. They will not celebrate the New Year together this year.

After making arrangements for Jia Jing, Jia Hu returned to the study and looked through the official documents just sent by the Ministry of War.

One of the official documents caught Jia Hu's eyes.

According to the military report from the Gansu General Military Mansion, a group of [-] rebel cavalry attacked Xining. Although they were defeated by the defenders, they burned a grain depot and burned [-] shi of grain.

The Gansu Guard's sentry tracked the rebels and lost their trace after entering Qinghai.

This is the third grain depot that has been burned down this month, with a loss of more than [-] kilograms of grain.

Shi Ding and Zhao Yi, who have gone deep into the northwest, have not heard back yet, and they do not know whether it is good or bad or whether they can withdraw smoothly.

After reading the last page, Jia Hu closed the pile of official documents. There was no information he wanted.

Jia Hu stood up and walked out, and snowflakes started to fall in the sky again.

At this moment, Lai Sheng hurried over and said, "Your Majesty, there is a red-haired ghost who claims to be the envoy of France asking to see you."

Jia Hu: "French? Where is he now?"

Lai Sheng: "I'm waiting in the front hall."

Jia Hu thought for a while and walked to the front hall.
In the front hall, Colonel William, wearing Hanfu, was sitting on the guest chair in a dignified manner, silent and motionless.

After a while, footsteps came from the back hall.

William stood up quickly.

Finally, Jia Hu walked out of the back hall.

William knew the rules and hurriedly stepped forward and performed a standard Chinese salute: "See you, Your Majesty!"

Jia Hu nodded: "What's the matter? Tell me." After saying that, he sat down on the main seat.

William was stunned for a moment. This was the first time he met such a straightforward Zhou Dynasty official. The others were chattering in random directions, and the pleasantries took a while before getting to the point, which made him feel a little uncomfortable for a moment.

Lai Sheng walked in holding tea.

Jia Hu took the tea, took a sip, and said calmly: "It is very impolite to visit on New Year's Eve."

William was startled and said hurriedly: "I have very urgent information here." He took out a letter from his arms and was about to hand it over, but stopped again.

Jia Hu glanced at him, said nothing, and sat there slowly sipping tea.

Seeing this, William gritted his teeth, looked up and thought rapidly, then gritted his teeth and said: "I want to use this information to make a deal with the prince. I hope the prince can help us say something and let the Zhou army return Java to us. .”

Jia Hu put the tea bowl on the coffee table and said, "What do you mean by returning it to you? Why can't I understand this? When did Java become your place?"

William said seriously: "The Dutch sold Java to us."

Jia Hu glanced sideways at him: "In that case, then you should compensate the Dutch for the losses of the Zhou Dynasty."

William was stunned for a moment: "What loss?"

Jia Hu: "Since the Ming Dynasty, Java has been a vassal state in the Central Plains. If you destroy Java, you will naturally have to compensate the Zhou Dynasty for its losses."

After hearing this, William's face turned red: "That's the Dutch." At this point, he was stunned and didn't know how to speak.

Jia Hu only looked at him and the letter in his hand without speaking.

After a period of silence, William spoke again: "Can you return the port of Sumatra to us?"

Jia Hu: "No."

William took a deep breath and then said: "Can we first release the Frenchmen captured by your navy?"

Jia Hu: "Prisoners of war are not allowed."

William nodded and handed the letter to Jia Hu.

Jia Hu took the letter and read it, then glanced at William. The red-haired ghost even knew that he had done the translation in advance. As he looked at it, he frowned. The Dutch actually sold a large number of advanced firearms to the Annan people. , and also sent officers to help the Annamites train their troops.

William spoke: "As long as your country signs a contract with us, we will do our best to provide intelligence for the Great Zhou Dynasty."

After reading the letter, Jia Hu said nothing, just stared at the ground.

William didn't dare to say anything anymore and looked at Jia Hu quietly.

After another period of silence, Jia Hu stood up and said to William, "I will consider this matter."

William was overjoyed: "I won't disturb the prince anymore."

Jia Hu nodded.

(End of this chapter)