Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 690 Jia Zheng Returns Home Drunk
In the study,
As his father Li Chonghou's voice sounded, it seemed a little sudden.
In addition, today, starting from noon, my father's various actions were somewhat confusing. It seemed that he was not as cautious as before, but instead seemed to be dormant. Now that the situation has become like this, how long will he remain dormant?

After all, the cabinet is now divided into three factions. Not to mention the North and South parties, the only neutral one is the Minister of War. The rest of them always have secret dealings.
There are not many of my father’s old friends and students left in important positions in the court.

The eldest son Li Chaosheng thought a lot.

He stood there and calmed himself down, muttering to himself the words of Han Changli, who was Han Yu from the Tang Dynasty, whose courtesy name was Tuizhi. He called himself "Changli from the County", and was known as "Han Changli" in the world.

He is said to be a great poet, but unfortunately, not many of his poems have been passed down from that time. I wonder whether the poems written by Han Changli are better than those written by Luo Yunhou. After all, the few poems that Luo Yunhou could write are famous all over the world.

Think about Han Yu, who became a Jinshi, served as a Jiedushi twice, and was promoted to a Censor, and had ups and downs in the court three times. In his later years, he was promoted to the Minister of Personnel and was known as "Han Libu". After his death, he was awarded the title of Minister of Rites and the posthumous title "Wen", so he was called "Han Wengong".

This "Han Changli" was later conferred the title of Earl of Changli and was enshrined in the Confucius Temple, which is why his name has been passed down. What did your father mean by this?

Then he asked;
"Father, which passage do you want your son to read?"

Li Chonghou stood up and walked slowly back to the recliner on the west side of the hall. He sat down steadily and pointed at the child in his son's arms.

"Just read the six sentences I have recited this year. Read them louder because I am old and my hearing is a little deaf."

Li Chaosheng was confused at this time, and he didn't understand what his father meant. However, Han Changli's words were very familiar to him. He had memorized them at the time, but as time went by, he had forgotten what they said at the beginning. He quickly reached out and opened the book to find the sentence according to what his father said, and read it out loud.
"Since this year, my grey parts have turned white, my shaking parts have fallen off, my hair and blood have become weaker, my will has become weaker, how soon will I not follow you to die? If I die with consciousness, how soon will we part? If I die without consciousness, I will grieve for a short time, but if I do not grieve, it will be endless."

Yes, that's the sentence.
I just finished reading this passage. The original meaning of this passage is to say that I am old and I am no longer able to function.

Why do you say that?

I looked up at my father. Although his hair was gray and his skin was sagging, his spirit and temperament did not look like an old man at all. Of course, he was getting old, and he had been less busy in recent years, so it was good for him to take care of his health, which was not necessarily a bad thing.

Obviously,

This glance was also seen by Prime Minister Li who was observing with narrowed eyes. I think he should have understood something.

Asked again,
"Do you know why Dad asked you to read this passage? Think about it and tell me!"

Li Chaosheng suddenly had an idea in his mind. He thought about what his father had warned him about that day. Could it be that his father knew everything he had done? Who leaked the secret, Jing Cunliang or Wang Mengshan?

He gently closed the book in his hand and carefully placed it on a corner of the table. He bent over and walked to the west side of the recliner. He moved a stool and sat down. He no longer had the excitement he had just had in the East Garden when he opened the bride's veil.

After a pause,
The tentative reply;
"You are just blaming your son. Dad is old and your son has grown up, but your son does not want to cause trouble for you at your age. After all, Dad entered the cabinet when he was the emperor.

"For at least twenty years, we have killed, imprisoned, and dismissed so many people. Dad wants to spend his old age in peace, but you see, after the new emperor ascends the throne, even if you give up power, those people will not let you go. If your son is not in front, who can support you openly or secretly?"

The eldest son's face flushed. Although his father had given up power, the Li Party did not disband, but just lay dormant. On the surface, the three senior brothers were doing their duties conscientiously, but the others had already conspired and agreed to govern the local areas. He did not want to hide these things deliberately, and actively cooperated, arranging many people.

Li Chonghou looked over with cloudy eyes and smiled. His gray eyebrows were long and thin. He looked at his son in front of him. He really looked like himself back then, but he was still too young. All these things he said and did were just to hide from others. But if you cover it up, wouldn't others be more curious?

"With just a few of you brothers, you are just taking the blame for me. Although you work in the Ministry of Political Affairs and know a lot, you cannot go to the cabinet, read memorials, or approve documents or pass orders to the world. If I really die one day, I don't even know if you can keep your position. You can just sit at home and someone can report you if they issue an order."

After hearing his father's words, the eldest son knew that his father was right. Who knew what he had done? His face was filled with shock, disbelief, and a complex expression, and he couldn't help but murmured;
"Dad, do you know everything?"

"Well, hehe!"

Laughter rang out, and Li Chonghou reached out and patted the bedding on the recliner. He had just replaced the new ones, but none of the so-called new ones were comfortable. They were not as good as the old ones he had used. He knew what they looked like and whether they fit him just by touching them. But these new ones had no bottom line.

Lean forward and put your ear close to the ear canal;

"I know everything you know, and I also know everything you don't know, humph!"

He snorted again, supported the nanmu on the recliner with both hands, sat back a little, and continued;

"Chao Sheng, your father is still the Prime Minister. He has been the Prime Minister for more than 20 years in the Da Wu Dynasty, which has lasted for two generations. In these 20 years, I have governed so many people and done so many things. Who dares to hide things from me?
Although I gave up my power after the new emperor ascended the throne, His Majesty did not ask me about the major issues in the court. In private, did Dad go to the Yangxin Palace to listen to music? How could I not know about the affairs of the court? A tiger can take a nap after eating a man. How could your father dare to take this nap? "

When he suddenly opened his eyes, his expression was like that of a man-eating tiger. There was no trace of the twilight years of an old man at all. Instead, he looked like a beast that had been dormant for a long time.

Li Chaosheng was so frightened that he trembled, his face turned pale, and he shouted;
"Dad, do you know what they want to do?"

Li Chaosheng looked excited and asked back. After all, someone had already noticed him.

Unfortunately, the Prime Minister remained unmoved and asked on his own;
"You haven't answered my question just now. Do you know why Dad asked you to read that passage? Then I will tell you that these words were actually said by Cabinet Minister Lu Wenshan to the eunuch Yang Chi who holds the seal of the Ministry of Construction half an hour ago."

"What? That old thief Lu Wenshan said that. What he meant was that Daddy is getting old, and he wants to work with the eunuch Yang Chi, who holds the seal of the Sishejian, to overthrow Daddy."

Li Chaosheng blurted out, and suddenly realized that the southern and northern factions in the court seemed to be evenly matched, but in fact, Lu Wenshan's southern party had always suppressed the northern party's Gu Yichen. As long as his father fell, the position of the cabinet's prime minister would most likely belong to Lu Wenshan, the old fox. Thinking of this, how could the eldest son not be anxious?
Looking at his father again, he was calm and composed, sitting there with a cold snort.
"Humph, Lu Wenshan, he only got his current position because he took advantage of the convenience of the current emperor's tutoring. Now, he doesn't dare to do it, and he doesn't have the ability. Yang Chi just wants to move to a position in the Imperial Household Department. In the cabinet, whether it is Lu Wenshan or Gu Yichen, they don't have the courage. Even if they are allowed to sit, they can't sit still. Do you know why?"

The eldest son was a little confused at this time. He hadn't sorted out the things inside. His forehead was sweating and he didn't know where to put his hands. His mind was in a mess. He replied casually,
"It's the court and the emperor, but I can't leave my father."

Before he could finish his words, he felt his shoulders sink, and saw his father pat his shoulder heavily and said in a deep voice;
"There is only one person who can protect the Dawu Dynasty from wind and rain, and that is your father, me, Li Chonghou. The Dawu Dynasty cannot live without your father, it cannot live without your father!"

Rongqing Hall,
At noon,
Grandmother Jia gathered everyone together, and they accompanied the maid from the Meng family for dinner and conversation. On the surface, everyone was satisfied, and both parties agreed to meet again next time. It seemed that the first step in arranging a blind date for Jia Baoyu had been successful. After all, he could still accept the result. As for whether it would be successful or not, that was up to the negotiators.

on the table,
Shi Xiangyun, who had just arrived, was still a little uneasy. Apart from the maids Sanchun, whom she was familiar with, and the eldest sister-in-law Li Wan, who looked somewhat familiar, she didn't know the rest very well. Even the second sister-in-law Wang Xifeng, she had not met many times and was not that familiar with them. So, there was not much conversation. She just sat there and ate in a proper manner. This meal was also the best one Shi Xiangyun had had in all these years. She didn't know the names of many of the dishes and was quite surprised. Only the maid Cuilu didn't eat a single bite and was still a little worried.

period,

From time to time, he looked at Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai who were sitting together. The two of them had been sitting leaning against each other in the living room, and now they were still eating next to each other. It was said that the two of them entered the Marquis' Mansion together. It seemed that it was not a rumor. Then why did they both live in Rongguo Mansion instead of the Marquis' Mansion? He was curious, but he also knew that some things could only be asked in private.

After they had their meal,
With Meng Yueyun's deliberate catering, both the host and the guests had a great time during the meal. Afterwards, at the reminder of Granny Meng, Meng Yueyun said goodbye. Grandmother Jia also felt a little tired and did not try to keep her, and asked someone to send Meng Yueyun back.

"Girl, come here just like you are at home, don't feel restrained."

Jia's mother was still reluctant to leave. Meng Yueyun knew the old lady's good intentions and echoed:
"Look at what you said, Yueyun understands it in her heart. When she goes back, she will discuss it with her parents and will definitely give a reply. But I don't know what Master Bao means?"

Meng Yueyun smiled and did not talk about her own attitude. Instead, she asked Jia's mother what Jia Baoyu thought.
When Grandmother Jia heard this, she was delighted and looked at Jia Baoyu, asking anxiously:
"Baoyu, do you think it's okay for Miss Meng to come to your house today?" The question was a bit obscure, just asking Baoyu if he liked her. Mrs. Wang, the second wife, was sitting there, looking at Baoyu without saying anything, and couldn't help kicking him with her foot.
At this time, Jia Baoyu was still staring at Lin Daiyu in a daze. When he heard the question, he didn't understand what the old lady meant. He thought she was commenting on the girl from the Meng family. She was good-looking, especially her tall figure, which Baoyu liked.

Just a casual remark,
"Sister Meng is naturally good, gentle and generous, rare. If she is accompanied by poetry and books, it will be even better."

Baoyu tilted his head and commented. His original intention was to ask the girl from the Meng family to be indifferent to fame and fortune, not be contaminated by those things, and just be a pure and innocent woman, but others misunderstood.

For a time,

In the hall, everyone's faces lit up with joy, as if the marriage was a success.
Meng Yueyun blushed when she heard this, and she stood up and said goodbye without even sitting down.
As soon as people leave,
Only Lady Jia, Wang Xifeng, Li Wan, Madam You, and the maid Sanchun were left. Of course, Madam Xing and Madam Wang also stayed there to watch. The Second Lady was still holding Baoyu in her arms, and they were all talking.

suddenly,

The old woman outside the door called out,
"The second master has returned home."

Everyone in the room turned their heads hurriedly to look at the door curtain.

Jia Zheng came in drunk and ruddy, swaying. Seeing that everyone was there, he greeted Lady Jia.
"The son pays his respects to his mother."

"Where did you go for a drink? Why are you so drunk?"

Seeing the drunk Jia Zheng, Grandmother Jia was also stunned. He was drunk. Normally, the second son never behaved like this. She asked with concern.

Jia Zheng was also unable to stand steadily, so he found an empty seat on the east side, staggered over, leaned against the armrest of the chair, and sat down directly. When the Second Madam saw this, she was obviously dazed, but after she came to her senses, she quickly asked Caiyun to pour a cup of tea for the Second Master to calm him down.

"Hurry up, hold on,"

Grandmother Jia felt sorry for the situation and asked several maids who were serving at the door curtain to go over and help support the child.

After hearing this, several maids hurried over, helped the second master up, and gave him water.
Jia Zheng felt better.
"Mother, I'm fine. I was just happy today and went to the Prime Minister's residence to attend the wedding banquet. I happened to meet Marquis Luo Yun and Marquis Xiangyang and others. We sat at the same table and had a great time."

Let alone other things, usually when Jia Zheng was outside, whether he was a guest or visiting a friend, Jia Zheng was very concerned about his reputation. He behaved like a gentleman wherever he went, and was very polite. He was well-known in the capital, and everyone said that Jia Cunzhou was polite.

But today, in the Prime Minister's house, it was the first time that he lost his composure, ate and drank so much without any manners. There were four people at one table, and they had no image at all. Marquis Luo Yun was true to his nature, Marquis Xiangyang no longer had the image of a gentleman, and Minister Shen was not as gentle as before. On the contrary, he was a little concerned about his face at the beginning, but after two cups of wine, he didn't care so much. After eating and drinking, he actually felt a little happy in his heart. Perhaps, he felt relaxed when he was with Marquis Luo Yun.

"Hmm? How come I didn't know about the wedding banquet held at the Prime Minister's residence? I remember that the Prime Minister only has one son, who has been married for a long time, and it was the gift prepared by me, so why is there another wedding?"

Grandmother Jia stared at the second son, thinking that Jia Zheng was talking nonsense when he was drunk. The Prime Minister's son had already married a long time ago, and the gifts sent by the Duke's Mansion were bought by her. If he got married again now, it would not be his sons or nephews who would host the wedding.

"It's a coincidence. When my son was on duty at the Ministry of Works, he received the invitation and even took a leave. He wanted to go over to congratulate them, but when he arrived outside the Prime Minister's residence, he heard a lot of people talking about it. They said that the Prime Minister only invited civil officials and didn't invite any nobles. So my son thought about it and used his identity as a deputy minister of the Ministry of Works to present the gift. But he didn't expect to meet Luo Yunhou and others in the inner hall."

As Jia Zheng spoke, he became a little confused. He didn't know what the Prime Minister's intention was this time. Why did he only notify the civil officials in the capital? There were also many old friends among the military heroes, so why didn't he invite them as well?

Jia's mother sat on the kang and felt something was wrong. If the nobles were not invited, why were Marquis Luo Yun and Marquis Xiangyang sitting there? Could it be that they had only left behind the Ning and Rong mansions?
"Second brother, let me ask you, since you know that the Prime Minister did not send an invitation to the military hero, then how did you drink with Marquis Luo Yun and Marquis Xiangyang in the inner hall? It doesn't make sense."

Jia's mother's question was also heard by everyone in the room.
Feng Ji, Li Wan, Daiyu, Xiangyun, Tanchun and others who were originally chatting stopped talking and laughed, raised their heads, and looked at the second master Jia Zheng with puzzled and curious eyes.

People like Fengjie, Li Wan, and Madam You all had their eyes sparkling, and they sensed a hint of high-end conversation. Even they could hear something strange here.

Not to mention that the second wife had something in her heart and was hugging Baoyu and chatting, but she also kept silent and looked up.

Naturally, Mrs. Xing's eyes lit up in an instant. As she said before, it might sound a bit mean, but with Marquis Luo Yun's current status in the martial arts world, no one in the room could ignore his existence.

Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai, who were sitting at the lower table, also had bright eyebrows and white teeth, and they stared silently at what was happening in the room.

Jia Zheng weighed his words, thought about the cause and effect, and actually asked a question. He remembered what the Marquis had said at the time, and after thinking for a while, he said:

"It's really a coincidence. According to Marquis Luo Yun, he and Marquis Xiangyang were walking by the Qing Lake when they happened to see someone getting married. There was a lot of noise and gongs and drums, so they just went over to take a look. They found out that it was a wedding for the Prime Minister. Since they were there, they couldn't pretend they didn't see it, so they presented their gifts and walked in."

Jia Zheng picked up the tea bowl again and took a big sip. He then felt much better and sobered up. At this time, he also had many questions, but he did not see them clearly.

"In the main seat inside, the Minister of Honglu Temple Sun Boyan, the Minister of Guanglu Temple Yang Shaoshi, the Minister of Taichang Temple Luan Gongfu, and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice Chang Zuo, as well as many censors are all there, and the eldest son Li Chaosheng is also there."

Fortunately, I took a look inside and the people at the main seat took note of it.

But Grandmother Jia felt something strange and frowned.

Said:

"Second brother, this matter is not simple. Fortunately, you were careful when you presented the gift and used the title of Deputy Director of the Ministry of Works. There are many people involved in the civil service. The people you mentioned were all the backbone of the Li Party."

He put on a look of reminiscence, and after a while, he sighed. At that time, the cabinet and the court were supported by Prime Minister Li alone.

"At that time, the northern army suffered a defeat, and when your father was still alive, the Duke often stayed out all night at the Five Military Commandery, busy with official business. This was because the retired emperor personally led the army and was defeated in the decisive battle at the border. The capital city was in an uproar, and rumors were flying everywhere, saying all kinds of things.

Some said that the 200,000-man army was defeated in the north, some said that the entire area outside the Great Wall was lost, and some said that the whole country was called upon to come to the capital to defend the king... In short, the army was in a state of panic in the capital. When the Duke occasionally came back, his face was full of clouds, and he would shut himself in his study and sigh. "

When Jia Zheng heard this, his pupils condensed slightly. He still had a vague impression of these things. His father was restless during those days.

The retired emperor, who had suffered a defeat outside the Great Wall, had not yet returned to the capital, but rumors were already rife in the capital, and the public was in an uproar. The crown prince who was the regent at the time, naturally attracted the attention of all parties with his every move.

I remembered,

At that time, some civil officials were ready to make a move. As rumors spread in the capital that the retired emperor had met with an unexpected accident, it was unknown who instigated them, but civil and military officials submitted petitions to allow the prince to ascend the throne.

For a time,

The government and the public were shaken, and the whole country was in turmoil.
(End of this chapter)