The Red Chamber: Starting from Saving Xue Baochai

Chapter 72: The Three Prefectures of Ning, Zhi, and Qi Fall
Shen Yuan collected his thoughts and said in a clear voice: "I have only heard a little about Prince Beijing. According to rumors, he is a chivalrous man with a humble temperament. Now he has used thunderous means to quell the civil unrest in Korea, so he must be talented."

Seeing that Emperor Yuanzhen was listening silently with no change in expression, Shen Yuan continued, "Your Majesty is a great talent scout of the time. You did not choose me because of my humble origin and entrusted me with important tasks. How much more so is Prince Beijing?"

He guessed that Emperor Yuanzhen wanted to make use of Prince Beijing, but was concerned about his background.

"Shui Rong does have some skills." Emperor Yuan Zhen said, "But he is the leader of the Wuxun group. I believe Huai Zhong has learned a lot about the morals of the Wuxun group recently, right?"

Shen Yuan felt a little nervous when he heard this.

Sure enough, the emperor knew about what Ning Zhi and the three prefectures of Qi had done. Fortunately, Shen Yuan did not choose to turn a blind eye to it.

After a pause, Shen Yuan said, "Your Majesty, I have indeed noticed something. I came here today to report the serious crimes committed by Ningguo Mansion, Zhiguo Mansion, and Qiguo Mansion."

Emperor Yuanzhen interrupted and said, "I already know about this matter. We will talk about it later. Huaizhong, please continue to talk about Shui Rong."

At this point, Shen Yuan felt that there was no need to hide his thoughts any longer, so he said bluntly: "I think that Your Majesty is a king who can revive the country, but the court lacks ministers who can revive the country. If you want to turn the situation around in the Great Zhou, you need to make the best use of people and talents."

"Everyone should be able to use their talents to their full potential. That's a good idea!" Emperor Yuanzhen murmured, his eyes slightly brightening, and said, "Huaizhong, continue."

"Whether he is a military hero or a civil official, as long as he is loyal to Your Majesty and the Great Zhou, Your Majesty can use him. Therefore, I think that if the Prince of Beijing does not harm the country because of his meritorious service, Your Majesty can use him."

Shen Yuan guessed that this was probably the emperor's idea, and he was just speaking in accordance with the emperor's wishes.

After listening to this, Emperor Yuanzhen pondered for a moment, then put on a rare smile, stroked the table and praised: "It is rare for Huaizhong to have such a broad mind."

Shen Yuan is now training a new army, which is in natural conflict with military honors. If he starts from interests, he should step on military honors.

However, he did not do so. Instead, he advised the emperor not to ask about people's background and to make the best use of their talents.

In the eyes of Emperor Yuanzhen, wasn't this a manifestation of loyalty to the monarch and the country?

But in Shen Yuan's opinion, he does not have the capital to become an enemy of the huge military merit now. The most important thing is to gain the trust of the emperor.

After discussing the views on military merits, Emperor Yuanzhen changed the topic and asked seriously, "How should we deal with the Jianlu next? What do you think, Huaizhong?"

Shen Yuan said: "We should continue to maintain contact with the Korean and Mongolian tribes, publicize Jianlu's ambitions, and keep the three parties alert at all times. In this way, Jianlu will not act rashly in the short term, and our Great Zhou needs to seize the time to strengthen its military and prepare for war."

Emperor Yuanzhen nodded in agreement.

After talking about some details about the captives, Shen Yuan finally talked about the purpose of today's audience.

"Your Majesty, then Ning governed the three prefectures of Qi, colluded with and drove the roving bandits to rob merchants in the capital."

Emperor Yuanzhen said in a cold tone: "These three duke's mansions are no longer necessary."

He turned his eyes and ordered the eunuch, "Go and call Zhao Quan."

Ningguo Mansion, Tianxiang Tower.

The eight-immortal table in the room was filled with all kinds of wine and food, and three middle-aged men in gorgeous robes were drinking together.

"Brother Jia, the matter of Lai Fu Teahouse has been delayed for more than a month. I wonder if there has been any progress?"

The person who spoke was Chen Ruiwen from Qi State Mansion, a hereditary third-rank general.

Upon hearing this, Ma Shang, who was standing by the government office, also looked at Jia Zhen with anticipation on his face.

Ma Shang was the grandson of Ma Kui, the Duke of Zhiguo, and the hereditary third-rank general Weiyuan. He, Chen Ruiwen, and Jia Zhen, who was also the hereditary third-rank general Weilie, often sought pleasure together and indulged in extravagance and debauchery.

Jia Zhen was silent for a moment, then said in a serious tone: "Don't worry, Li Fu can't raise the money. In a month or so, when the repayment deadline comes, I will take people to take over the teahouse." In order to induce Li Fu to borrow money at usury, he extended the repayment period by three months. Otherwise, the teahouse would have been theirs long ago.

Chen Ruiwen and Ma Shang looked at each other and saw displeasure in each other's eyes.

Although Dazheng Money House was jointly owned by the three of them, in fact Chen Ruiwen and Ma Shang each contributed 5,000 taels, while Jia Zhen did not contribute a penny.

It was nothing more than Jia Zhen promising to do specific things.

"Brother Jia, you'd better hurry up. If you delay any longer, the teahouse will probably be worth little." Chen Ruiwen's face turned cold.

In the face of interests, the relationship between wine and meat is nothing. It is necessary for him to play the bad guy and put some pressure on them.

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhen's face did not look much better. He felt very humiliated, but this matter was indeed planned by him, so who could he blame?

Moreover, he had not paid a penny, so he had taken advantage of the two men. There was no reason for him to get angry at this moment, so he said, "Brother Chen, please be patient. The duck in your mouth cannot fly away."

"The three of us have been close friends for more than 20 years. Could it be that Brother Chen still doesn't trust Brother Jia?"

Ma Shang played the good guy, filled up Chen Ruiwen and Jia Zhen's glasses, and pulled them to drink again, as if the unpleasantness just now had not happened.

This feast of wine lasted for two hours. Just when the three of them were a little tipsy, a loud noise came from downstairs.

After a while, a group of Jinyiwei suddenly rushed in. They were all wearing Feiyu uniforms, holding embroidered spring swords, and their eyes were stern.

The leader was Zhao Quan, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. If they were to take action against the Duke's Mansion, he would have to go there in person.

Zhao Quan walked quickly into the room and shouted loudly: "The Jinyi Mansion has been ordered to arrest the wanted criminal. Everyone, surrender immediately!"

As the head of the Duke's Mansion and a hereditary third-rank general, Jia Zhen and the other two naturally recognized Zhao Quan.

"Sir Zhao, what are you doing? This is Ningguo Mansion. My Jia family has two dukes. How can we allow you to act so wildly? Get out of the mansion immediately!" Jia Zhen didn't know whether he was extremely angry or too frightened, but he suddenly got the courage and scolded Zhao Quan angrily.

Zhao Quan did not take Jia Zhen seriously and said in a cold voice: "I have already made it clear just now that the Jinyifu was ordered to arrest the wanted criminal. I wonder if General Jia has heard it clearly now."

His tone was full of contempt. Such a dandy and parasite, is he worthy of the title of general? It is precisely because of their existence that His Majesty has such a hard time.

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhen's courage disappeared completely, and his tone became weak. He said, "By order? By whose order? To commit a crime? Who is to commit a crime?"

"By order of His Majesty, arrest Jia Zhen of Ningguo Mansion!"

After Zhao Quan finished speaking, he no longer looked at Jia Zhen, who was looking terrified and dejected, and said solemnly: "All males will be taken to the imperial prison, and the females will be confined in the palace, waiting for your majesty's decision!"

"Yes!" All the Jinyiwei obeyed the order in unison.

Chen Ruiwen and Ma Shang were already horrified when they saw this scene and wanted to leave this dangerous place.

"We will not disturb Lord Zhao from doing his work."

"It just so happens that you are here too. I am planning to go to your residence next."

"."

After today, the Ningguo Mansion of the Jia family, the Zhiguo Mansion of the Ma family, and the Qiguo Mansion of the Chen family, which have been passed down for nearly a hundred years, will be completely overthrown.

(End of this chapter)