The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

What a naughty little guy.

In addition to Wang Ziteng, the ministers including Lin Ruhai all saw the careful thoughts in Chen Heng's memorial.

The imperial court has a heart-to-heart relationship with you, but you are playing tricks on everyone else, right?

Deliberately take two difficult things and put them in a memorial, forcing us to choose one from them?

If ordinary magistrates are acting like this, it will be okay if they don't. Maybe he would even write a reply and scold him. Could it be that he dared to show off to the ministers?

It can be expected that the person who submitted the memorial was Li Zhi's confidant. Wei Yinghong and Cao Tingshou were the most focused, carefully paying attention to His Majesty's expression.

The only people in the palace who were indifferent to this matter were Lin Ruhai and Wang Ziteng. The latter has recently been deeply involved in Xungui's conspiracy case. Following the fall of the Zhen family last year, the Third Division's investigation of Xungui has progressed to the boundaries of Shuntian Prefecture.

Recently, rumors have spread from time to time in the court that when the new year is over, Li Zhi will take action against the four kings and eight princes.

Wang Ziteng's own situation was already precarious, so he had no time to pay attention to Chen Heng's minor matters.

Compared with these people, Lin Ruhai's mentality was the most relaxed. The news about my son-in-law is just a trivial matter.

Now that two major national affairs were involved, all he could do was keep silent, neither adding trouble nor helping.

Noticing that all the ministers had their own thoughts, Li Zhi had no choice but to take the initiative and said, Let's discuss these two matters. What do you, my beloved ministers, think of these two matters?

How we think about it depends on what you think? Wei Yinghong and Cao Tingshou looked at the Minister of Household Affairs in a tacit understanding. Both matters were related to money matters. In theory, you Lao Wen should come out and express your position.

Wen Shangshu was also interesting. He was looking at Lin Ruhai with a smile on his face. That look seemed to express his belated congratulations with his eyes.

A few people were in a stalemate. When Guo Bangxian, the new Minister of War, saw an opportunity to take advantage of it, he immediately stepped out and said: Your Majesty, I think it is feasible to establish a navy.

Guo Bangxian was originally the left minister of the Ministry of Punishment. He was upright and fair. Before the former Minister Sha Xiang resigned from office, he recommended him to take on this important task.

Although Lao Sha was confused when he became an official in his later years, he could not find any faults in his life. Li Zhi didn't hesitate too much and accepted the veteran's recommendation.

Damn it, why did you forget that the Ministry of War was also there to disrupt the situation? Wei Yinghong screamed in his heart. He suddenly thought that the current Minister of Punishment was from Shanxi. For a moment, it was not clear whether Lao Guo was in a hurry to express his position and had an early disagreement with the Minister of Punishment.

He had no choice but to say: Your Majesty, I also think this matter can be handled.

While talking, Wei Yinghong hurriedly stepped out of the queue. While Lao Guo continued to talk, Wei Yinghong quickly changed the topic elsewhere.

However, for many state affairs, the cabinet has already drafted this year's affairs last year. At the Ministry of Household Affairs, the amount of the national treasury has not yet been calculated. I believe that when doing things, especially big things, you must first understand your own family background.

Lao Wei's face must be given. Li Zhi nodded and turned his attention to Wen Shangshu.

After getting the signal, Lao Wen couldn't continue to pretend to be deaf and dumb. He had no choice but to take a step forward, came to Guo Shangshu's side, and replied: Congratulations, Your Majesty! Six chief officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs and thirty-six house officials reviewed it day and night. Last year, the taxes collected by the treasury totaled 6,780. Ten thousand and two taels.”

After some remarks that were both an expression of merit and a complaint, Li Zhi could only be heard nodding from the throne. This number is much higher than the more than 50 million taels in the early years of Jianping.

Li Zhi expressed his love for your hard work and asked about various details. Lao Wen is a veteran in officialdom, how could he not be prepared for this. He first orally recounted the financial situation of the provinces south of the Yangtze River, and then focused on the rapid progress of Ludi, Shenzhou and other places.

At the end of the conversation, Wen Shangshu, who had gained enough performance points, calmly took out a booklet from his sleeve.

All kinds of detailed entries are included. Please take a look at it, Your Majesty.

You just want to be in the limelight, but you, Lao Wen, are ruined. Wei Yinghong curled his lips, reasoning that this document should be submitted to the cabinet first. After he reviewed it, he handed it to Li Zhi in person and in person.

As expected, Li Zhi was very interested in Wen Shiqian's excerpts, so he asked Xia Shouzhong to go get them and read through them on the spot. A pair of thick black eyebrows kept dancing, obviously the dragon's heart was filled with joy.

Another sentence of I love you for your hard work floated by. To Wen Shiqian, who was unlikely to be promoted, this was the moment he got His Majesty's approval.

As if feeling His Majesty's palm gently falling on his shoulder, the delighted Wen Shangshu returned to his original position.

Look at Lao Wen's appearance. When he returns to the ministry in the afternoon, I don't know how much praise he will get.

Turning around, Li Zhi continued to ask what Wei Yinghong meant. The latter’s previous remarks were not without purpose.

The cabinet is the steward of the imperial court and has drafts for all expenditures this year. Chen Heng's intervention really disrupted many of Wei Yinghong's plans.

After the civilians continued to pour into the coastal provinces. The negative effect is the increase in prices in various places. The departure of young laborers from various places has the greatest impact on farming.

Wei Yinghong did not become the chief minister by flattering him. When he was the prefect of Yangzhou, he was known for his effective governance.

He has already planned a package of plans to support farming. This is Dayong's national foundation and a red line that cannot be compromised easily.

After explaining his concerns and arrangements in a well-founded and well-founded way, Wei Yinghong's words also made Li Zhi think deeply.

It is understandable that people want to make more and easier money, but the court has to consider everything.

The subsequent debate was mainly about the navy. Regarding the issue of pirates, all the ministers expressed their approval for the expansion of the naval division, but they were still unable to make a decision on the scale.

As for the treasure money that Chen Heng said, no one took it to heart.

What are you thinking, we have to repeat the mistakes made during the Hongwu period of the previous Ming Dynasty?

Stop it, stop it. As long as I, Wei Yinghong, am the chief minister of the cabinet, I will never think about treasure money.

The ensuing debate should be done if Lao Guo felt it was necessary. In military affairs, there is no such thing as a one-step and two-step plan. If there were to be a fight with pirates, and the navy would be out of action for a long time, and the troops would be insufficient, who would be blamed for losing?

Wei Yinghong also said that in order to stabilize local people's ability to cultivate land with peace of mind, the court must introduce policies.

Since he could not unilaterally stop shipping, he planned to use the name of the cabinet to urge Shandong and the two lakes to continue to increase their granary reserves and use the court to absorb the surplus grain in the hands of the people.

The two parties were in a stalemate, but Li Zhi felt that what they said was reasonable. The crowd was noisy until the afternoon, and Li Zhi even stayed to have dinner with them.

During the intermission, Li Zhi took Lin Ruhai and Li Xian for a walk alone in the Imperial Garden.

Perhaps Lao Wen's trick worked. Although the two adults Wei and Guo gave him a headache, Li Zhi was in a good mood.

It was private time now, and Li Zhi did not hide his attitude.

He first turned his head, looked at Li Xian on the left, and asked, What does the prince think of this matter?

I think what the two adults said is reasonable. Li Xian did not look at Li Zhi's frown. Of course he knew the answer, and his father would definitely be dissatisfied.

Then he immediately said, But to appease the people to cultivate the land, the court still needs more money.

These words are somewhat insightful, and can be regarded as a disguised support for the expansion of the naval division. After all, without shipping, there is no money. The current court can no longer go back to the miserable days of poverty.

Li Zhi nodded and sighed again in his heart. Since the Supreme Emperor left, the prince has become more and more reserved in front of him.

Hey, it's not as interesting as the father and son talking and laughing before.

Where's Lin Aiqing? That boy of yours didn't talk to you?

Lin Ruhai was used to others mentioning Chen Heng in front of her, so she said cheerfully: He has just become a father now, so I'm afraid he won't have time to pay attention to me, an old man.

See if I believe it or not when I hear your father-in-law fooling around. Li Zhi didn't take it seriously. He just took out a letter and handed it to Lin Ruhai, saying: This letter is written by Chixing. You should read it first before speaking.

Lin Ruhai, who had saluted, hurriedly took out Chi Xing's handwriting and read it carefully in the palm of his hand.

Just as spring is coming back to life, the bright sun above our heads shines a touch of red among the thousands of green bushes. The breeze swaying is even more intoxicating.

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Sacred peace, my lord...

After the familiar letters were arranged, Lin Ruhai noticed Chen Heng. In the letter, he used a bold and cold tone to describe a problem that had troubled the Central Plains dynasty for nearly a thousand years.

Your Majesty thinks why border troubles have occurred in all dynasties. Whether it was to quell the Xiongnu in the Han Dynasty or to destroy the Turks in the Tang Dynasty. It is difficult to eradicate the customs clearance system of the Song Dynasty and the simultaneous implementation of the two methods of the Ming Dynasty?

The difficulties between the two countries are by no means limited to the difference between one country and one country. Nor is it as simple as what the sages of the past said: Those who are not of my race must have different minds.

Under Chen Heng's narration, Lin Ruhai's perspective unconsciously followed the other person's thinking. The Central Plains dynasty brought out tea, salt and other items for trade, while the nomadic dynasty brought out horses, wool and other items.

Put it this way, you may not be able to see the problem. But when Lin Ruhai saw Chen Heng pointing out the status of tea, salt and other items in his country, and bluntly stating the importance of horses, wool and other items to nomads, he immediately understood what Chen Heng meant.

Tea is not a necessity for the people of our dynasty, and there is a surplus of salt. However, horses are the foundation of the Xiongnu, Turks and other countries.

If they don't want to exchange horses, the grassland tribes can only collect private property for border trade purchases.

If things go on like this, the wealth of the grassland people will actually be the wealth of the people of the Central Plains. The wealth of the people in the Central Plains is by no means the wealth of the grassland people.

This is why the grassland tribes are difficult to govern and the two places have been fighting for nearly a thousand years.

However, there is no way to avoid this matter, the only way is to fight!

This is an economic account, looked at backwards. In fact, even if the previous dynasties did nothing, the Central Plains dynasty, which had the most advanced productivity, would only silently plunder the other party's wealth.

It has nothing to do with common concepts of good and evil. This is a relationship between the different values ​​of the goods imported and exported by the two parties.

Over time, the gold and silver in the hands of nomadic people flowed into the Central Plains, only in exchange for tea, silk, salt and other items.

The continued economic plunder has destined that there will only be a short period of peace between the two places. Unless one of the parties falls completely, there is no possibility of reconciliation.

This is also the reason why after defeating the Xiongnu, the Turks will emerge, and after defeating the Turks, there will be the Liao and Jin Dynasties.

This statement, not only is groundbreaking, but also the only statement in the world. When Lin Ruhai faced Chen Heng's well-founded corrections, even if she had doubts in her heart, she still felt that what her son-in-law said was reasonable.

Lin Ruhai couldn't fully understand the ideological imprint left by years of reading sages' books. But this does not affect him from continuing to read...

Your Majesty is wise, the Great Han is to the Xiongnu, the Great Tang is to the Turks. Just like the Great Yong is to the maritime countries.

Our products are in great demand, along with the import of silver from Western countries. The two sides will inevitably break out into a naval war within a hundred years.

This battle is not with His Majesty, but with the Crown Prince and the Emperor’s grandson. It is also inevitable for thousands of people in future generations to be involved in it.

The core of the problem lies in the fact that Western countries do not have the necessary items for Dayong.

Unilaterally exchanging money for goods, if things continue like this, where will the Western countries go to find silver?

Without silver, we can’t do business or buy goods from the Kingdom of Heaven.

Differences in economic status cannot be reversed by forcing people to accept Western things.

As long as the people of Dayong don't buy it, Westerners can't even think about using goods to open the country's door.

Unless they find a necessary thing that the people of Dayong can't live without, otherwise...

Faced with Chen Heng's foresight into the future, even Lin Ruhai's scalp went numb.

This is not what scholars were more accustomed to in the past, arguing with each other about the teachings of the Master.

This is to jump out of everyone's thinking chessboard, stand in an unfamiliar territory that no one has ever reached, and make predictions that transcend the times.

Lin Ruhai has never underestimated his students, and to this day, he feels that he still underestimates his students' intelligence.

After practicing for a long time, you will finally get gold, and you will be a hero through the waves.

My beloved son-in-law has come step by step, and finally it’s time to bear fruit.

Seeing the shock in his minister's heart, Li Zhi stroked his beard happily and asked with a smile: What do you think of Lin Aiqing?

Lin Ruhai smiled bitterly and half sighed: Now we know why Master Pei named him Zhixing.

‘One theory breaks the two emptinesses, and upholds practice in a great country’. Chen Chixing certainly deserves his reputation.

He added: Master Pei has taught him everything he can. It makes me feel a little sour and wish I could listen to Master Pei's teachings one more time.

They all studied under Master Pei, so why was it that what Chen Heng learned alone was so shocking?

Li Zhi also nodded, and he also recognized Lin Ruhai's judgment. Thinking of his deceased mentor, Li Zhi was even more moved and couldn't help but say: If Master Pei were still here, I don't know how happy he would be after seeing his remarks.

Li Xian listened from beginning to end and was really curious about the content of the letter. He said hurriedly: Dad, can I take a look?

Hearing this long-lost title, Li Zhi had no reason to disagree, and secretly rejoiced with a straight face.

When Li Xian finished reading, he couldn't help but clapped his hands and said: I wish I could invite Mr. Chen to Beijing immediately. I am willing to talk with him by candlelight at night and ask for advice every day.

Thinking that there were guards, Xia Shouzhong and others around him, Lin Ruhai hurriedly replaced his absent son-in-law and said humbly: Your Highness is overly complimentary.

Not good at all, not good at all. Li Xian said, citing the example of Li Jun following Chen Heng southward last year.

He added: After Jun'er returned to Beijing, his knowledge and talents are indeed much better than before.

It was rare to hear Li Xian praise Li Jun, and Li Zhi also became interested and asked hurriedly: Is this true?!

Father, please call Jun'er over tonight and you will know. Li Xian hurriedly saluted.

You wouldn't say something your father would like to hear. Li Zhi snorted suddenly and said angrily: I originally wanted to leave him to you, but now it seems that I can't wait any longer.

After symbolically informing him of the result, Li Zhi asked Lin Ruhai: Do you have any arrangements for the New Year's inspection of the officials?

This is a major project carried out by the Inspectorate every six years, and Lin Ruhai naturally responded fluently.

After walking several steps like this, the group headed towards Linjing Hall again. Arriving at the entrance of the palace, the young eunuch waiting outside reported: Prince Teng, Lord, wants to meet the Holy Spirit alone.

Li Zhi had no time to pay attention to him and simply ignored the news and entered the palace.

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There are a lot of people at home recently, and it’s very lively every day. Chen Heng also often works at home. Firstly, he can spend time with his parents, uncles and aunts whom he has not seen for a long time, and secondly, he can be by his wife and children's side.

It's interesting to say that when Sheng'er was just born, Chen Heng didn't feel much about it. He only thought that this stupid boy was causing trouble to his wife.

But after the baptism, one day half a month later, Chen Heng suddenly realized the so-called father-son love.

Gradually, she noticed that her husband asked about Sheng'er's situation whenever he was free. Daiyu, who was about to give birth, couldn't help but laugh at Chen Heng's hindsight.

What's the matter? Chen Hengzheng lowered his head and teased Sheng'er in his arms, It's better to know late than not at all.

My son had just finished feeding and was sleeping soundly. But Chen Heng looked anxious. Your father and I had finally finished our official duties, and eagerly came over to hug you.

How can you sleep at such a young age?

Seeing that Chen Heng was about to wake Sheng'er up, Daiyu, the mother-in-law, had no choice but to reach out and pat her husband on the back.

The sound was very crisp and clear.

I made Sheng'er cry. You can comfort her later. Daiyu said angrily towards Chen Heng, who was grinning.

I'll coax him. Chen Heng's confidence came from nowhere. After waking up his son, he hurriedly carried him to the soft couch.

The father and son sat together in front of the screen window, enjoying the warm spring sunshine while taking books for their son to play with.

It was said to be fun, but in fact it was Chen Heng reading to his son unilaterally. But children of this age have no time to listen to this. Seeing that her unjust father ignored her for a while, she immediately started blowing bubbles and fell asleep.

After completing this post during the confinement period, Daiyu was already able to go to the ground. The doctor said that as long as you don't go out and get exposed to the wind, everything else doesn't matter.

Daiyu watched Chen Heng reciting happily alone, and was too lazy to intervene in her foolish husband's foolish behavior. He took the needlework and started making some underwear for his son.

Mother hands line, wandering clothing. What a tender moment, but two loud voices, Lin Jue and Qing Yue, stood outside the window and kept shouting into the house: Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, has Sheng'er woke up?

What do you two want to do? Chen Heng knew that these two boys didn't hold their shit in well and started questioning them directly.

Brother-in-law, let me take my nephew out to play!

That's right, let's take him out to see the world.

Lin Jue and Qingyue sang and harmonized, which was quite interesting. It happened that the clerks of the government office had something to report. Chen Heng hurriedly called them into the house to be with the children, while he got up and went to the outer hall to handle official business.

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At the child's full-moon ceremony, Sheng'er not only received gifts from his maternal grandfather and grandmother, but also a longevity lock prepared by the craftsman in the palace ordered by Li Zhi.

After thanking the emperor for his kindness, Chen Heng gathered together with his relatives and friends who came over to share the joy of the peaceful years. During the dinner, he heard a good thing about Xue Biao.

This autumn, he will marry the only daughter of the Xia family.

For such a big event, it's natural to have a few drinks. Chen Heng lamented the wonderful fate of the Xue and Xia families, and asked how Xue Biao captured Xia Jingui's heart.

Xue Biao was speechless and said: Look at what you said, it wasn't me who subdued her, it was she who subdued me.

Bao Qin was also there to expose Xue Biao's background and said bluntly: It was the Xia family's aunt who asked a matchmaker to come to the house, and my parents only found out about this.

Then what? Chen Heng couldn't help but start gossiping.

Of course there is nothing wrong with my brother. Bao Qin laughed and said, Sister Xia is so powerful this time. Before the matchmaker proposed marriage, she blocked my brother in the streets of Yangzhou and asked: If you don't agree to marry me today, I will marry you tomorrow. I started crying at the door of my house.”

Chen Heng was shocked when he heard this. He didn't expect Xia Jingui to be so daring to love and hate. He sympathized with Xue Biao and said, I'm afraid Brother Xue will have to work hard in the future...

Nonsense, the husband is the guide to his wife! Even if she is a Hedong lion, I...I can cure her.

Xue Biao argued hard, which made Qian Dayou and Jiang Yuanbai laugh out loud, even saying they didn't believe it.

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Just after February, the imperial court issued an order to rebuild the maritime division in Fujian and Zhejiang.

Chen Heng read the news in the imperial newspaper. Xin Suzhao, who had just been transferred to Zhejiang Navy Commander, was feeling headache about his new job.

Who said that after this battle, he would let me go back to the border?

Hahahahahaha, time flies so fast!