serious man in the red chamber

Chapter 68 Sense of Crisis

The Metropolitan Procuratorate is on duty.

Xu Maochun, the Minister of Rites, Qian Shangshu of the Ministry of Officials, and Zhao Xi, the censor of Youqian Capital of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, walked in together.

Zhao Xi was extremely excited: "Mr. Pei, the Jia family formed a clique for private interests, and the evidence is as solid as a mountain. This time, we will not only let Li Mao, a flatterer, but also Jia Hu, a butcher!"

Pei Yan frowned, and only glanced at him without saying a word.

Qian Shangshu of the Ministry of Officials took the opportunity to say: "Qian can't agree with Zhao Yushi's words. The most important thing in the Great Zhou Dynasty now is foreign wars. The Tartars have begun to expand their army and are preparing for the next big war. At this time It is inappropriate and should not provoke civil and military disputes."

Zhao Xi: "I still don't understand this truth? But we have already stirred up disputes by impeaching Li Mao."

Xu Maochun: "Zhao Yushi is right. And we must remove Li Mao, a self-willed hypocrite, otherwise there will be endless troubles!"

Qian Shangshu shook his head: "The fact that Li Mao took refuge in Jia's family is known throughout the court, and His Majesty is even more clear about it. It is a private matter for him to visit Jia's family, and besides, he has already made an appointment with the Ministry of Officials. His participation will not fail him." .”

Zhao Xi smiled lightly: "I am the imperial censor, and it is my duty to submit to impeach ministers. As for how to deal with Li Mao, it is the emperor's attitude."

Qian Shangshu didn't want to get entangled with him, so he turned his eyes to Pei Yan: "Old Pei."

Pei Yan said: "You are right. We must keep the overall situation in mind. However, this unhealthy trend must be suppressed, otherwise the gentry will no longer be a gentry. If this unhealthy trend continues to spread, the country and society will be in danger .”

Xu Maochun nodded in agreement.

Qian Shangshu and Zhao Xi looked at Pei Yan, waiting for him to say the following.

Pei Yan: "I heard some rumors, it seems that His Majesty is optimistic about Enke Scholars and intends to let them study in the ministry. They are scholars, so they are naturally their own people."

Zhao Xi's eyes lit up: "Okay! Bring them over."

Pei Yan sighed, "Since he vomited blood that day, my body has become more and more weak." He turned his attention to Zhao Xi: "You are a noble character, loyal and diligent, and I decided to recommend you as the left deputy capital censor to help me deal with it." The daily government affairs of the Metropolitan Procuratorate!"

Zhao Xi was slightly taken aback, unable to believe it: "Old Pei?"

Pei Yan smiled: "Not interested?"

Zhao Xi hurriedly knelt down: "Thank you, Mr. Pei, the student has made a grass knot, and this kindness will be repaid."

Qian Shangshu secretly smiled, Pei Yan pushed Zhao Xi out to fight the Jia family, he hid behind his back to control everything, the left deputy capital censor happened to overwhelm Li Mao's right deputy capital censor, this level of power But it's not 01:30.

On the way from Wenyuan Pavilion to Qianqing Palace.

Zhao Zixun walked hurriedly while asking, "What's going on?"

Dai Quan followed closely, and replied: "A spy from the Ministry of War has received news from Shengjing that the Manchu Qing has obtained a batch of firearms from the Raksha Kingdom, and they have already equipped the Han army camp."

Zhao Zixun was taken aback, and strode up to the study.

In the study room, Emperor Jianwu sat on the dragon chair without saying a word.

Song Chengliang, Zhang Shangwen, and Niu Jizong stood on both sides without saying a word.

Half an hour ago, a secret letter came from the secret agent of the Ministry of War buried in Shengjing, saying two things. First, the Manchu and Qing courts formally separated the Han barracks into an army, which was directly commanded by King Yongqi of the Tazi County.The second thing is that the Manchu Qing obtained a batch of firearms from the Raksha Kingdom, the number is unknown.

At this time, Emperor Jianwu stood up, walked to the bookcase on the side of the hall, untied the bunch of keys around his waist, and opened the door in the middle of the cabinet. His eyes searched for the box with the paper on it, and finally fell on On the smallest box, Jia Hu's name was impressively written on the paper.

It contains the notes written by the important officials of the court to the emperor, and they are very important notes that can affect the policies of the court and the fate of the court.

Emperor Jianwu opened the box, took out Jia Hu's book about self-generated firecrackers, and walked back to the imperial case.

After thinking about it, he said to Song Chengliang, "Let's take a look too."

"Yes."

Song Chengliang strode over and took the booklet. Zhang Shangwen and Niu Jizong both leaned their heads together.

This is a book about Xiyi firearms that Jia Hu wrote in response to the order of the Supreme Emperor. It also records the details of the training of the Yongwei Camp Firearms Battalion. In addition, it also generally talks about the situation of the Xiyi countries. Income from Xiyi population.

The three of them were stunned. They had known about the strong ships and guns of the Xiyi people for a long time. They did not expect the equipment of these small western countries to develop so rapidly, from firearms to artillery, to warships and naval guns. Cold sweat broke out.

Several people have heard about the Xiyi people's invasion of other countries. Fortunately, the Guangdong Navy has its own maritime military equipment, and there is not much difference.

Niu Jizong took out a memorial from his sleeve, "Your Majesty, this is the brochure agreed by the Ministry of War on the purchase of Xiyi muskets."

The eunuch on duty took the memorial and presented it to Emperor Jianwu.

While unfolding the memorial, Emperor Jianwu said, "The Military Weapons Bureau has started to speed up the production of self-generated firecrackers, as well as small artillery. By the way, I plan to expand the Military Weapons Bureau."

After quickly reading the memorial, I thought about it and asked, "Can the price of 15 taels be lowered?"

Niu Jizong: "Your Majesty Qizuo, General Yuehai said that every time the price is reduced by one tael, we have to buy another five thousand Xiyi muskets and corresponding ammunition. It's not worth it."

Emperor Jianwu was silent, 100 Xiyi smoothbore guns, plus [-] million worth of ammunition, were delivered in three installments, the first delivery could only be [-] shots, and the rest would have to wait until next year.

Thinking of the attack on King Zhongshun again, Emperor Jianwu gritted his teeth, "We will deliver [-] rods for the first time, and the rest will be delivered before the end of the year."

Paused, "Even if the price is a little higher."

Niu Jizong: "Yes."

At this moment, Dai Quan walked in: "Your Majesty, Zhao Shangshu is here."

Emperor Jianwu: "Come in."

"Yes." Dai Quan backed out.

Emperor Jianwu ordered someone to hand over the Ministry of War's booklet to Song Chengliang and Zhang Shangwen.

Dai Quan led the Household Minister Zhao Zixun in.

Zhao Zixun: "I see Your Majesty."

Emperor Jianwu waved his hand, "You should take a look too."

"Yes." Zhao Zixun moved his head closer.

After the three of them finished watching, Emperor Jianwu said, "There is no pressure." This was obviously for Zhao Zixun.

Zhao Zixun: "I immediately allocated 170 million to the Ministry of War."

Emperor Jianwu: "Dial 200 million."

Zhao Zixun was stunned for a moment, and had no choice but to answer: "Yes." With blood dripping from his heart, more than half of the money that the nobles sold their houses as ancestral property was gone in the blink of an eye, and it seemed that they had to urge the civil servants.

Emperor Jianwu said to Dai Quan: "Call Jia Hu into the palace to discuss matters."

"Yes." Dai Quan walked out quickly.

Rongqing hall, flower hall.

Wang Xifeng clapped his hands.

Ping'er called the two women to come in with a jug of wine, put it in the room, and then retreated.

Wang Xifeng said to Jia's mother: "Old lady, this is a jar of old Shaoxing wine that Erye Lian got from outside and has been cellared for 30 years. Let's drink it today."

Then she turned her head to Mrs. Xing: "Second Master Lian asked me to have a few drinks with my uncle and wife for him."

Mrs. Xing smiled: "In terms of filial piety, you are better than Lian'er. Don't drink too much."

"Yes." Wang Xifeng nodded, and hurriedly ordered someone to pour the wine into the jug, and then poured it for Jia Mu, Mrs. Xing, Mrs. Wang, Mrs. Xing and Aunt Xue.

Mrs. Xing had forgotten all about the previous incident, she stood up, raised her wine glass and said to Jia Mu: "According to the rules, the old lady should have a glass of wine first."

Jia's mother was very face-saving, picked up the wine glass and drank it.

Mrs. Xing said with a smile: "Please!" She said and did it.

Everyone did it too, Mrs. Xing was happy, she hurriedly ordered Wang Xifeng to pour the wine, and said to Xing Xiuyan: "Pour the wine for your brothers, sisters and sisters quickly."

Then he turned his head to Jia Hu: "You should have two more glasses."

Jia Hu smiled.

Xing Xiuyan took the jug from Ping'er, started pouring from Jia Hu, and poured them one by one according to their positions.

Naturally, Jia Hu drank Xichun's wine, and looked at Daiyu: "What about you?"

Seeing that everyone had done it, Daiyu did it too, but she underestimated the strength of the 30-year-old wine, and stuck out her tongue in a hot way: "It's too spicy!"

Zicuckoo hurriedly brought her tea, and took several sips before suppressing it.

Jia Hu laughed: "Let me drink it for you."

Daiyu gave a "hmm" and didn't speak.

"puff"

Xiangyun laughed out loud suddenly, Daiyu gave her a slightly annoyed look, and turned her face away.

Xiangyun didn't care, looked around with beautiful eyes, then quietly pushed Tanchun and said with a smile: "Let's let the second brother drink for us, how about it?"

Tanchun hesitated for a while, but the wine was really spicy, and she couldn't drink it down, so she nodded.

The two hurriedly got up and laughed, "Second brother, this wine is too spicy." As they spoke, they looked at Jia Hu pitifully.

Jia Hu couldn't help laughing, and Baoyu also stood up at this time: "The wine is good wine, but it's too spicy."

Yingchun and Baochai nodded one after another, and even Xing Xiuyan nodded in agreement.

When Jia Mu saw it, she hurriedly asked, "What's the matter?"

Xiangyun laughed and said, "Second brother wants to drink for us." Everyone who said that laughed.

Mother Jia liked this kind of atmosphere the most, and knew that this wine was really not suitable for their sisters, so she smiled and said, "Don't be stingy, go to sleep when you're drunk." Saying this, she drank another glass.

Aunt Xue said with a smile: "Today, the old lady wants us to get drunk at ease." She also ate a glass.

With Jia's mother's words, Xiangyun and Tanchun pulled Xing Xiuyan to surround them, and Jiahu also half-pushed and half-swapped, and ate the wine they poured one by one, and then Yingchun, Baoyu and Baochai also came.

Jia Mu laughed again and said, "You take turns to respect him."

Seeing that Hu Po and others also came to pay their respects, Dai Yu hurriedly said: "Slow down, slow down, and wait for the second brother to eat something."

Xichun was also in a hurry: "My dear sisters, let's drink again tomorrow."

Wang Xifeng laughed loudly and said: "Fourth girl knows how to feel sorry for others, second brother is so lucky!" But her eyes were on Daiyu.

Jiamu smiled and ordered Youshi: "Rip her mouth off!"

For a while, the flower hall was filled with laughter and laughter.

At this moment, everyone Lai hurried in: "Old lady, Director Dai from the palace is here."

Before the words were finished, Dai Quan walked in, greeted Jia Mu first, and then said to Jia Hu: "Your Majesty called Uncle into the palace to discuss matters, why did you drink so much wine!"

Jia's mother stood up quickly: "Neixiang sit down and drink a bowl of tea, wait a moment."

Dai Quan gritted his teeth: "I can't wait! It's a matter for the Ministry of War." Not allowing Jia Hu to think about it, he let his hand out: "Uncle, please."

Jia Hu had no choice but to get up and follow him out the door, then stopped suddenly, and said to Hu Po and the others: "Drink again tomorrow." He strode out.

Mother Jia frowned.
(End of this chapter)