Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 191 Beijing Prince: Little Elder

……

It is said that after Lin Ruhai conquered Taizhou Island, he began to make intensive preparations to wipe out the Japanese pirates.

It can be seen from the fact that Lin Ruhai found a teacher to teach Daiyu the Four Books and Five Classics that he is not a pedantic person. The battle of Taizhou some time ago made him gradually understand.

Daxia needs to open the sea.

Need to get out!

We can no longer remain complacent.

The future of the world lies at sea.

Unexpectedly, just as he was getting ready, he received an order from the court:
Close the sea!

The plan to go out to sea to wipe out the Japanese pirates was aborted.

Of course, Lin Ruhai was very unwilling to accept this, and he submitted two memorials in succession, explaining the importance of opening up the sea and the many benefits of overseas.

But all of them fell on deaf ears.

Although Jia Jing supported it, the emperor did not, so no one could do anything about it.

Fortunately, good news came soon.

He was appointed as the overseas governor-general and the minister of war, and was ordered to send troops to Southeast Asia to capture the wanted criminals and enhance the prestige of the Great Xia nation.

If it were someone else, they would definitely be dissatisfied.

This is an obvious rise and fall.

The Governor-General of Zhi and Zhejiang was so powerful! What was the overseas governor? Although he was given the title of Minister of War, he was actually not as powerful as the Governor of Yunnan.

But Lin Ruhai obviously didn't think so. He was truly considering the future of Daxia.

He decided: just like taking Taizhou, he would take down the Dutch East India Company.

We have become enemies anyway.

As the saying goes, if you don't kill the snake, you will suffer from it. Of course, we must make every effort to wipe out all Dutch forces in Southeast Asia.

On the second day after receiving the imperial edict, Lin Ruhai actively prepared for war. He led 50,000 officers and soldiers of the Lianghuai coastal defense and 500 large and small warships and marched towards Taizhou in a mighty manner.

Most of these 50,000 navy soldiers are veterans of the last attack on Taizhou, mixed with 30% of the latest recruits.

In fact, the new recruits were not easy to bully. They were some rioters, vagrants, fishermen, etc. "recruited" by Lin Ruhai from the coastal areas. Among them were some powerful people who had secretly worked as "Japanese pirates".

These people are familiar with naval warfare and are not afraid of life and death. Of course, they are more for the chance to get promoted and make money.

The army reached Taizhou in just three days.

Here, Taizhou's largest trading company: Daxia Taizhou Trading Company has taken shape, dealing in grain, cloth, silk, porcelain, tea, etc. It can be said that it has everything from food, clothing, housing and transportation.

This also brought benefits to Lin Ruhai, as he could directly purchase the food needed for the army nearby.

The trading company also provided support services, ensuring the safe delivery of food to designated locations, saving Lin Ruhai the trouble of a large number of logistics personnel.

"Lord Lin, 20,000 shi of grain is ready and can be dispatched at any time. You don't need your troops to escort us. We will deliver it safely to the location you designate." Jia Yun said cautiously.

Lin Ruhai smiled as he sipped his tea: "Did Rong Ge'er ask you to come over?"

Jia Yun wiped the sweat off his forehead and said with an apologetic smile, "Brother Rong is so absorbed in his studies that he has no time to deal with these business matters. Let me come and help you."

"so be it."

Lin Ruhai smiled and nodded.

It seems that his son-in-law is also a man of long-term vision, knowing that Daxia needs to go abroad and look to the sea.

It turns out that the father-in-law and son-in-law have similar views.

"Logistics is now in your hands. Please make sure there is no shortage of supplies."

Jia Yun bowed hurriedly: "Master Lin, don't worry."

Although Jia Yun agreed, Lin Ruhai obviously would not put all the logistical matters on one basket, and he had made sufficient preparations himself.

Jia Yun's side can be considered as preparation at best.

Boxes of artillery shells and shiploads of grain were gathered at the port of Taizhou, and the army set out again, heading straight for the Dutch East India Company.

……

Kyoto.

The cold wind howled and the snow covered the place.

The heavy snow has stopped for two days, and even though the sun is shining brightly at noon, there is still no sign of the snow on the road melting.

Today, Jia Rong left the Imperial College early and did not take a carriage. Instead, he walked back with Xiao Xiao.

Xiaoxiao is holding the auspicious rabbit in her arms.

The little rabbit's belly is round from eating so much recently that it can no longer run and lies quietly in Xiaoxiao's arms.

"Hoohoo!"

"Let's run."

Jia Rong took the lead and trotted ahead.

"Okay, Master."

Xiao Xiao agreed and followed behind easily.

"Squeaky!" a luxuriously decorated carriage stopped in front of Jia Rong.

"But Brother Shunzhi?"

A man got off the carriage. He had a handsome face and was dressed in white. He was very elegant and graceful.

It’s Prince Beijing!
The old Prince Beijing died suddenly a few years ago, and Shui Rong, who was only 20 years old, inherited the title of prince. He is the youngest prince of the opposite sex in Daxia and has an extremely noble status.

Actually, the two names are not much different.

One is Rong and the other is Rong.

Jia Rong bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Haha, you're welcome."

Prince Beijing stepped forward and said with a smile, "I was just about to go to West Street Market and happened to meet Brother Shunzhi. If you don't mind, why not take my carriage to avoid the cold."

Jia Rong sighed with regret.

"I dare not refuse the invitation of the prince, but..." Jia Rong pointed behind him and whispered, "I have to go to the East City with my concubine for some matters. It's not very convenient."

Prince Beijing glanced at Xiao Xiao who was holding a rabbit behind him and smiled knowingly.

"Haha, I'm sorry for being rude." He took something out from his sleeve and said with a smile, "This is a diamond that was sent as tribute by the Xixi Country. It's not a valuable thing, but it looks good. I'm giving it to Brother Shunzhi today, so that we can live up to our fate of meeting each other on a snowy day."

After saying that, he whispered to Jia Rong, "This is the most effective way to coax girls. Just give it a try, brother." Jia Rong thought about it and shook his head.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. But I cannot spoil her. I gave her diamonds this time to coax her, but what will I do next time? Where can I find diamonds for her? So please take this back, Your Highness."

Prince Beijing: “…”

"Yes, what Brother Shunzhi said makes sense."

Prince Beijing put the diamond away again and said with a smile, "In that case, I will not disturb Brother Shunzhi's leisure. I will leave first."

Jia Rong bowed and said, "Go slowly, Your Majesty."

Prince Beijing nodded slightly and got on the carriage.

There was a couch and a table in the carriage, and on the table was an incense burner with sandalwood burning in it, emitting curls of green smoke.

Prince Beijing sat on the couch.

A maid stood beside him, with a pretty face and a sword in her hand. She said softly, "My lord, that woman knows martial arts, and her skills are not low."

Prince Beijing smiled: "Not low? How high?"

The maid said, "It's hard to tell just by looking at it before we fight."

Prince Beijing picked up a peanut and ate it, then said slowly, "The person who almost killed Young Lord Ye and turned him into a fool must be someone extraordinary."

The maid was shocked: "How did the prince know?"

Prince Beijing: "Guessed."

"Jia Rong..."

"It could be my helper, or it could be my mortal enemy!"

The maid's eyes turned cold.

"Should we take this opportunity now..."

Prince Beijing: "Are you sure you can beat that woman? And not reveal your true identity afterwards? Or does Jia Rong have no other means?"

maid:"……"

Prince Beijing: "I will not do anything that I am not sure of."

"hold on."

"The Emperor is ready to step back from the stage. The new Emperor will definitely not tolerate Jia Jing. Then... that will be my chance!"

"And Jia Rong will also be of use to me."

"If you can't be of use to me... humph!"

……

"Master, it's a pity you didn't go up. There are people ambushing in the carriage. This prince probably has bad intentions." Xiao Xiao touched the rabbit's head and said solemnly.

Jia Rong smiled slightly and said, "How do you know there is an ambush in the carriage?"

"I just felt it. It should be a woman. I felt her hostility." Xiao Xiao said seriously.

Jia Rong: "Your feeling is very accurate."

Xiao Xiao: "Did you feel it too?"

Jia Rong: "No, I just believe you."

It is naturally unlikely that Prince Beijing is going to take action against him. After all, there is no actual conflict between the two of them. Besides, they are in broad daylight and are under the feet of the emperor, unless Prince Beijing is crazy.

But it is possible that Prince Beijing was hostile to him, had bad intentions, or was even jealous.

Jia Rong understood very well.

There are only a few powerful people in the Wuxun lineage, and most of them follow Jia Jing.

Prince Beijing inherited the title of king and seemed to be in a high position with great power, but in fact he was just an empty shell with only a few minor nobles loyal to him.

His power is not even as great as that of Junior Prime Minister Jia Rong.

It's natural to be jealous of him.

"Do you want……"

Xiao Xiao made a gesture.

"Strike first?"

"Let him be the second Ye Xiaoge Lao!"

Jia Rong waved his hands quickly.

"No, this is Kyoto."

"Besides, it hasn't come to that yet, so don't do anything rash, or you'll end up making things worse."

Xiao Xiao smiled: "Don't worry, I will do whatever you say, I won't act on my own."

"That's good."

As they reached Ningrong Street, the two stopped talking about Prince Beijing and returned to the mansion chatting and laughing.

Qingwen was much better now. She looked up at Jia Rong and said, "Master, I have been taking medicine very hard these past few days. It's been very hard."

It's like asking for credit.

"You are so good." Jia Rong touched Qingwen's head and said with a smile, "Good child, just be obedient."

Qingwen opened Jia Rong's hand and said angrily, "What are you talking about, Master? What a good boy!"

Am I a child in your eyes?
You did such shameful things to others!

hum!

"Haha."

Jia Rong smiled and said, "I brought you something good."

Qingwen's eyes lit up: "Is it the lucky rabbit? Where is it?"

"it's here."

Xiaoxiao stuffed the little rabbit into Qingwen's arms.

"Hold it!"

Qingwen stroked the rabbit's head and said happily, "What a beautiful rabbit! Could it be that Chang'e's Jade Rabbit escaped?"