The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

In Songjiang in August, there was a minor event that required Chen Heng to take time out of his busy schedule to attend.

The students at the Maritime Hall in the city finally welcomed the first group of sailors to leave.

This school was founded not long ago, and a group of grassroots team members didn't quite understand how long it would take to train qualified seamen.

Chen Heng was determined to keep these babies for another one or two years and train them more.

The key is that the folks in Shanxi can’t wait! I really can't wait any longer.

If we wait any longer, the business will be snatched up by fellow villagers from Fujian and Zhejiang.

There have been many fishermen in Zhejiang and Fujian since ancient times. These people have lived by the sea since childhood, and with a little education they can become qualified seafarers.

There are also convincing elders in the family who come forward as guarantees. The strong clan blood relationship pulls the young people out of their homes and embarks on the journey of the vast sea with the maritime merchants of Fujian.

Compared with them, Shanxi fellows are inherently at a disadvantage, and the situation is too passive.

Shanxi merchants headed by Zhang Shangde have proposed more than once that they want to recruit a group of crew members in advance to speed up the expansion of Shanxi merchants in Nanyang.

There are pros and cons to releasing students to go overseas early. Considering that Shanxi merchants were willing to bear the school's expenses for the next five years, Chen Heng immediately agreed to this matter on behalf of the state government.

It can introduce private businessmen to join in the development of the school. As long as this starts well, more and more merchants will follow the wave.

The so-called 'graduation ceremony' does not have much room for the founder, Chen Heng, to show off. The teachers and masters in this school can naturally handle all matters well.

Chen Heng only appeared once in the middle and said a few words briefly. The rest of the time, he was chatting with Zhang Shangde's grandson Zhang Bofan.

The latter is now the owner of Shanxi Merchant Bank in the city, and he is a busy person every day. I came all the way to see Chen Heng today. Naturally, I felt bitter in my heart and wanted to tell the adults.

Originally, Shanxi merchants were not prepared to invest heavily in schools, but the fellows from Fujian brought merchants from Zhejiang to make trouble. They knew that Shanxi merchants were in urgent need of seamen, but their two families were not short of them! !

As soon as this group of seamen came out, it was not decided that only you Shanxi merchants would be allowed to come over and hire messengers. Then if we raise the wages, no one can say anything wrong, right?

Mr. Chen, as a local magistrate, you must not favor Shanxi merchants in your conduct.

There was a turmoil among fellow Fujianese, which was the fundamental reason why Shanxi merchants were willing to make great efforts to host the school here.

Chen Heng also laughed secretly when he heard the Zhang Dong family's bitterness.

He was happy to see this kind of competition, and even looked forward to the merchants from Zhejiang and Fujian coming out to compete early.

If the latter two could set up a school in Songjiang or in their hometown. That will truly make things better and become a general trend.

There were nearly fifty students in the first batch of students who walked out. These people were originally orphaned children in the mansion.

The age difference between them is very big, but it does not prevent them from thinking about their future.

Chen Heng's eyes passed over everyone and landed on the group of newcomers at the end who had just entered school.

The origins of these students are complicated. Most of them were born from poor families in Songjiang, Suzhou, Yuhang and other places.

I heard that there is a school for training seamen in Songjiang, which provides food, accommodation, and teaching and literacy. Only then did the children at home come over to learn a craft to reduce the burden on the family.

Chen Heng had seen the list a long time ago and knew that there was another one who came from the North.

This student is a bit older and was originally a helper on a merchant ship in the North. I have been to Songjiang several times and I heard that the school recruits people regardless of their age. I just made my own decision and wanted to join in and learn some skills.

To this day, shipping is still the most convenient means of transportation for mankind. Not only coastal people can venture to Southeast Asia.

The interaction between north and south is no longer limited to land-based carriages and horses. As long as the passengers are brave enough, they are willing to spend some money. Taking a boat from Qingniwa, you can reach Songjiang Prefecture in less than ten days.

Although the risks at sea are great, the rewards that come with it are also very generous. Although it is said that a good man never leaves his hometown, there is also a saying that wealth touches people's hearts.

How many people in this world are really not interested in money?

After going to Nanyang during the Song Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty, Chen Heng hoped that more students would come out of this school. Completely push the footprints of Dayong people to all corners of the country.

After finishing the trivial matters at Hai Xuetang, Chen Heng took Zhang Bofan and several representatives from Zhejiang and Fujian into the government office.

They also ran into trouble recently.

Sir, there is no need to delay the preparations for the naval division. Zhang Bofan began to discuss the matter with Chen Heng halfway.

Representatives of chambers of commerce from Fujian rarely stand on the same side as Shanxi merchants. He immediately spoke up and said, “This summer, two of our merchant ships were plundered by pirates.

They even threatened that in the future, ships passing by Dayong must draw five out of a hundred. Sir, these people are taking our money, they are slapping you in the face and the court's face!

Chen Heng wanted to laugh in his heart, but his face was still sad and said: I know you are in a hurry, but this matter really cannot be rushed. Even if I can say something, I am alone in writing to Your Majesty, and it is difficult to attract attention.

Who of us doesn’t know the importance of the navy, but what about money? Where does the money come from! !

It is said that a hero has three gangs. Even if he is willing to initiate this matter, someone has to be there to encourage him and attract the attention of the chief minister of the imperial court.

Seeing that Chen Hengsong had spoken, the Zhejiang representative was invited to take a seat by Chen Zhizhou, and he couldn't wait to say: Mr. Chen will not be allowed to take risks alone! Before I came, the head of our bank also communicated with Mr. Zhao, the left minister of the household department. . As long as Mr. Chen is willing to stand up, they will definitely write a letter to follow.

It's the same with us. The Fujian people also expressed their stance.

These two places have been major imperial examination provinces since the Song Dynasty. There are countless officials in all dynasties.

If the township parties in Zhejiang and Fujian can help, great things can be accomplished.

Chen Heng was not busy talking, but looked at Zhang Bofan aside.

Zhang Shangde and Jin Ren, who are standing behind each other, are also political resources that must be won over.

Either go into the water together, or watch from the shore.

Zhang Shaodong’s family, you can choose for yourself!

Seeing Mr. Chen looking at him, Zhang Bofan had long been angry with the elders of the clan. He immediately said: What Uncle Wang and Uncle Xia mean is also what our Shanxi merchants think.

Wherever there are benefits first, there are rules later. Nowadays, everyone is making money from shipping, so naturally they hope that the sea route will be smooth.

On weekdays, we usually go back to having fun and making trouble, but we can write to the court to establish a navy, which is a collective event involving the entire maritime industry.

The interests involved in it can affect the whole body. The reason why everyone found Chen Heng was because they wanted to borrow Chen Heng's influence in Li Zhi's heart.

Mr. Chen's foresight and sophistication in affairs have been recognized by officials many times.

Chen Heng is also the leader of Dayong Shipping. If he comes forward to promote this matter, his persuasiveness is naturally much more convincing than others.

Both parties knew each other's plans, and Chen Heng didn't care about the other party's little thoughts.

In the political situation of the court, there is no one who cannot be used. If there is such a person, then the other person should think about whether he is not capable enough and is in a humble position.

I already know your intentions. Chen Heng naturally would not shirk the good news of mutual benefit, and took the initiative to say, I will submit an official document to His Majesty at the beginning of next month.

The time set aside is also convenient for each family to go back and make overall arrangements.

Either don't do it, or do it and get it done. Besides, it’s not that Dayong doesn’t have a navy, it’s just the current scale.

Not to mention fighting against pirates, even going to sea is difficult. Once the general direction of military expansion and establishment is finalized, huge expenditures will follow.

It was in these years that the finances of the coastal provinces were developing rapidly, and Chen Heng felt that the time had come. However, in order to be absolutely sure, Chen Heng had to vaccinate everyone first.

I am afraid that the first batch of military expenditures to be prepared will require generous contributions from all of you. Everything is difficult at the beginning, but getting through this hurdle. Naturally, the court will not give up halfway on the road ahead.

Chen Heng made it clear that he wanted Li Zhi to make a decision. It is best for each family to pay up front and cover part of the expenses.

Let His Majesty see that big things can be accomplished with a small amount of money. Wait until the naval personnel are in place and form a new interest group.

These people will spontaneously safeguard the power in their hands, ask for military pay and engage in verbal disputes with the court.

Human nature is like this. There is no need to worry about whether it is good or bad, everything is always moving forward in a spiral.

Zhang Bofan and several other representatives looked at each other and knew that this matter could not be avoided.

There is no choice, whether to give the money to the pirates or to the court. Which side is safer and more secure? Everyone has a clear idea in their minds.

But once money is involved, there must be an exchange of interests.

I am from Fujian and Zhejiang. I have eaten crabs several times and I know more about the sinister ways inside.

They spoke out one after another: This matter is beneficial to the country and the people, so we are naturally duty-bound. As for money, we can still use some of it if we try to squeeze it out.

It's just that you can give us some of the naval quotas. Sir, we have no intention of interfering too much in government affairs. We just want to have our own family here if something happens in the future. We meet pirates and talk Be tougher too.”

This is the shortcoming of feudal officialdom, rather than trusting the selflessness of local officials. Everyone is still more willing to believe that their hometown party can help them in times of crisis.

The methods here cannot be said to be good just because they are beneficial to you, and you cannot criticize them as dross when others use them.

Chen Heng knew that this was a necessary exchange, and he did not learn the mentality of self-protection. He just said vaguely: I will explain this matter to Your Majesty, and the decision will be left to His Majesty's Sacred Heart.

What this means is that Chen Heng himself does not object, and whether he can pass it depends on his superiors.

Everyone here is discerning and understands what Chen Heng means. It would be rude to continue asking.

Moreover, with Chen Heng's statement, these three people all felt that this matter had great potential.

Mr. Chen still doesn't know his reputation in court. They all have their own provincial party members who have joined the government as officials, but they are very aware of Chen Heng's weight and ability.

A few people chatted with the governor for a few more words before returning happily with the good news.

As soon as they left, Xinda walked into the hall with his hind legs. Xinda arrived in a hurry, but brought good news that Chen Heng had been waiting for a long time.

Sir, regarding the pension of civilian husbands, the government has already calculated it clearly.

great! Chen Heng was so happy that he slapped the table and stood up to take what Xinda was holding.

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When he went out in the afternoon, Chen Heng, sitting in the carriage, was still studying the documents sent by Xinda.

This matter is really a mess.

At that time, the corvee laborers who followed Chen Heng to guard the village did not have military status. Dayong has its own laws and regulations corresponding to the death of these people. The various pensions and benefits must be inferior to the share of military households who died in battle.

Chen Heng has written many times to ask for more pension standards for the people. After all, the court spent money, but others lost their lives.

Just because someone else is not a member of the military does not mean they should not be counted as military household pensions. It is the credit of these people who have persevered that everyone can eat in peace now.

Perhaps it was Chen Heng's argument that made Li Zhi annoyed.

At the end of July, the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of War jointly issued an official letter urging all state governments to handle the issue of pensions for the civilian husbands killed in Qingfeng Village on their own.

The imperial court also had its own difficulties, as everything had to be calculated according to the share of military households. The relatives of the soldiers who died in the battle started to quarrel and favored one over the other. Is this debt attributed to you, Chen Chixing? Or is it the head of the imperial court?

Both parties have their own positions, and Chen Heng is already very satisfied with the result.

As early as in Wumon Mountain, he asked the county bookkeepers at that time to compile the list. During this period of time, the civil servants in the government were instructed to deal with this matter wholeheartedly.

Finally, before the end of August, we can come up with an answer that satisfies all three parties.

Nowadays, Songjiang Mansion is very wealthy. This incident is indeed a tribute to the local villagers' service to the country.

Chen Heng took advantage of this incident to come forward, hoping to give an explanation to the people of Songjiang who trusted him.

As for the imperial court, it saved a lot of money. Although the money comes from the national treasury, the state government can claim it on its own, which makes it easier to explain to the military households.

He visited several households in succession and distributed the pension money and food he brought in front of the village's Li Zheng and the village elders.

Chen Heng's appearance naturally received praise from some people.

The slander and good reputation of the world are just some embellishments on the road of life. Chen Heng does not pay much attention to this small matter.

His last place today was at the home of a disabled civilian husband in Xiuzhu Township. This person is the third eldest son in the family. He lost his right arm and two fingers on his left hand while guarding Qingfeng Village.

When Chen Heng handed a bag of rice and money into the hands of his aunt, he said with deep apology: Don't worry, aunt, your Sanlang's livelihood will be taken care of by the government in the future. Once a month, you will You can go to the government office to pick up the rice and take it home.

Their Sanlang was only in his early twenties, and his promising future was hanging in the balance in the Black Mongoose Mountain. Thinking that Sanlang would have to live with a disabled body in the future, Chen Heng could only do his best to help.

Unexpectedly, this aunt had a very good attitude, and she still thanked him aloud: It is his blessing that you can remember my boy.

In the future, when his sister recruits a son-in-law, he won't need to work in the fields. He can just take care of himself.

The farmers' mentality of fighting against the suffering really made Chen Heng feel a little ashamed of himself. I saw that the eldest son of their family was old and his father died young.

Chen Heng asked Li Zheng, who was accompanying him, to come forward on their behalf and apply to the government for cattle farming assistance. Xinda on the side wrote down the matter and signaled that he would start taking care of it when he returned to the government office.

After visiting this family, Chen Heng's itinerary for today is almost the same. If I go out today, Chen Heng will not be busy with this matter tomorrow or the next day.

With his own example, the junior officials who will take over later should also know that they attach great importance to this matter and dare not deal with it carelessly.

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After returning home, Daiyu and Yinglian were already waiting for Chen Heng. From this period of time, Daiyu's body became more and more pregnant, and her joy gradually became more serious.

Chen Heng was worried about Yu'er's situation and often took unhandled official business home.

At dinner, Daiyu had just eaten a few mouthfuls of food and started to feel nauseous again. Zicuckoo, who always had a basin ready, could tell at a glance that something was wrong. He hurriedly led his wife behind the screen to deal with this small matter.

Hearing that his sister was vomiting from behind. Lin Jue couldn't help but be shocked and said: It's so hard to have a child.

Seeing the horrified look on the young man's face, Mrs. Gu couldn't help but laugh and said, First-born babies are all like this, and they are always torturous.

Daiyu's taste has been changing a lot recently, but fortunately she has Gu's support at home, so she can take good care of her.

I'll make some easy-to-eat porridge tonight. If Yu'er gets hungry in the middle of the night, remember to bring it.

After hearing Gu's instructions to him, Chen Heng hurriedly responded: I understand, mother.

Having an elder in the family is not all a convenience. Mrs. Gu was very worried about Daiyu being pregnant and often went to the academy to teach, fearing that it would affect her child.

Chen Heng is not very worried. Yu'er can't live without Zicuckoo. With her here, he would know immediately what happened to Daiyu.

In the middle of the night, Chen Heng was sitting in Daiyu's room processing official documents.

The thinking of the ancients was more rigid. Mrs. Gu was worried that Chen Heng would become a father for the first time and would not be able to control her own whims, so she forced Chen Heng not to sleep in Daiyu's house every night.

Regarding her mother's worries, Mrs. Gu was unwilling to let go even if Chen Heng promised again and again that she wouldn't mess around.

How many confused young couples like to commit crimes at this time? I believe in your promise, I might as well ask Bodhisattva to bless my daughter-in-law for a smooth delivery.

Mrs. Gu was too embarrassed to take care of Daiyu, but she was very strict with Chen Heng. Chen Heng couldn't fight, so he had to move his office from the study to Daiyu's so that he could spend more time with his wife.

Daiyu is reading the letter home from Lin Ruhai. It has been half a month since the letter arrived. But Daiyu had nothing to do, so she just liked to take it out and read it over and over again.

Chen Heng looked at her look and knew that Daiyu missed her parents. He couldn't help but raise his head from the table, let the light shine into his dark eyes, squinted his eyes and said with a smile: Why don't I ask His Majesty for an order to transfer our family back to the capital before the New Year is over?

How could Daiyu be such a demented person? She pursed her lips and glared at her husband, complaining: I only know how to talk to make people happy. You can't move the imperial court at your word. Don't worry about me...

Besides, if I really wait until the New Year is over, I will still have to stay in the house and be unable to move for more than a month.

Yes, the mother still has to undergo confinement after giving birth. Chen Heng said to himself that he was confused and hurriedly smiled and said: Then let's wait a little longer and then return to the capital. We can spend time with our father-in-law and mother-in-law and share the happiness of family.

Daiyu nodded obediently, it was very hot these days. She wore an open-shoulder gauze skirt in the bedroom, made from Qiupu Street in Yangzhou. The shape is very bold and has the atmosphere of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.

Maybe she wasn't full after dinner, so Daiyu suddenly asked for something to eat. Chen Heng was about to get up and go to the kitchen to serve porridge, but Daiyu said she wanted to eat sour beans again.

Where can I find it in the middle of the night? Don’t tell me, there really is one in Songjiang Mansion today! !

Ever since Chen Heng made the decision to lift the curfew, every shop in the city has been buzzing with gongs and drums, praising the magistrate.

Songjiang City in the summer night is far more lively than during the day. Under the brightly lit city, people coming out of various workshops often linger in the streets.

Different lifestyles from the past are bringing about completely different trends. Change happens and spreads every seemingly ordinary night.

Let the family members go to the street food shop to order a order of pickled beans without leaving anyone waiting. Give the store a place name, and the owner will send someone to deliver the food box.

I heard that in Bianliang during the Northern Song Dynasty, there were helpers who specialized in running errands and delivering food. Seeing this kind of service appearing in Songjiang City, Chen Heng had to admire the wisdom of working people in life.

After having a midnight snack with Daiyu, Zijuan came out to drive them away. Scholars at this time, if their wife is pregnant and still in love, will be gossiped about.

If the trend is like this, don't be a maverick Ni Heng.

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On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, the people of Songjiang City were still celebrating the arrival of the seventh year of Jianping. The home of the magistrate of this prefecture was suddenly brightly lit.

Chen Heng, who was working in the study, heard the voice coming from Daiyu's room and ran towards the back house without even putting on his shoes.

By the time he arrived here, Gu and the midwife had already taken over the overall situation. Zijuan, Xueyan and others, who were slightly panicked, had never experienced this kind of battle. Hearing the pain of his young lady, he was already in a state of despair.

At the critical moment, it was Qingwen sent by Yinglian who was more decisive. Just roll up your sleeves and start running in and out to do your work.

Chen Heng was originally thinking that Yu'er had not started giving birth, so he was thinking of stepping in to comfort his wife.

His mother, Mrs. Gu, took a look at this confused child! ! There is no reason why when a woman gives birth to a child, you go in and show off your hero.

Gungun, don't be an eyesore in front of me, just go outside and wait.

No, mother, I have seen many husbands accompany me during childbirth in my previous life! When Chen Heng saw Gu's anger, he didn't dare to speak to argue.

He had no choice but to stand outside the door in embarrassment, anxiously accompanying Lin Jue and Chen Qingyue who came after hearing the news.

Brother-in-law, is my sister really going to give birth?

Lin Jue was still in shock. He couldn't believe that a baby would come out of his sister's belly.

No, how did such a big man get out?

You ask me? I can’t tell clearly either. Chen Heng also had a headache! !

Chen Qingyue is already practicing his expressions beside him, so don't talk about anything else.

When this child is born, he must leave the image of a calm second uncle.

Hahahahaha, guess whether it's a boy or a girl?