The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

Li Zhi ordered the Ningguo Mansion to be raided, which was like a thunderous explosion in the circle of nobles and nobles in the capital. Naturally, the remaining four princes and eight princes sent people, eager to discuss countermeasures with Wang Ziteng.

But even his sister, Mrs. Wang, couldn't open the door of the Wang family, so naturally these people returned without success.

Chen Heng originally wanted to continue watching the excitement for a few days, and he was also guessing how Wang Ziteng would deal with this crisis. Unfortunately, his father-in-law, Lin Ruhai, patted him on the forehead and urged his son-in-law and his family to quickly return to Songjiang.

If there's anything exciting to watch, don't forget that you have the people of Songjiang tied to your shoulders. Lin Ruhai took the seven inches of his son-in-law in a few words.

Lin Ruhai couldn't bear to part with the warm moment of family reunion, but the capital was in turmoil nowadays, and no one knew who would be unlucky next? Lin Ruhai was also afraid that her son-in-law would be taken advantage of by someone with malicious intentions, and she would be trapped in it and forced to make a choice.

Sometimes, facing danger is the best way to go. Not to stand up and fight against it, but to avoid its edge and preserve oneself.

Chen Heng naturally also understood what a gentleman does not stand behind a dangerous wall, so he did not oppose Lin Ruhai's opinion.

On the day of departure, there was only a light rain in the morning. It was after noon that the sun emerged from the dense cumulonimbus clouds. At the inn outside the city, there are willow trees and wild geese flying from the south are playing in the clear waves not far away.

Lin Ruhai couldn't bear to leave his grandson, and the child never left his hands on the way out of his home. Mother-in-law Jia Min didn't come, not because she couldn't see the farewell, but because she was sick.

Being really sick is definitely not an empty word used to deal with the Jia family.

Jia Zhen and Jia Rong, father and son of Ningguo Mansion, entered the prison of Jinyi Mansion. There are very few people in this place who come out with all their hair and tail.

Even though he knew it was his own family that failed to live up to expectations, Jia Min was still a member of the Jia family. She was unable to change anything, so she had to hide her frustration in her heart. In addition, the temperature has suddenly changed recently, so I won't be able to get over the illness.

Daiyu was very worried about Jia Min's health. When it was time to board the car, she was still telling her father: Dad, you and mother should take care of yourselves.

Lin Ruhai nodded, but kept looking at Sheng'er in his arms. This child is naughty and was pulling his beard just now. While feeling the pain, Lin Ruhai said with a cheerful smile: Don't worry about your mother, dad will take good care of her. But you, I have to act like a mother in the future. Don't be as willful as before...

Listening to her old father's instructions, Lin Daiyu could only nod her head silently except for feeling reluctant to leave. After Lin Ruhai finished what he said, he realized that the two sides were about to part ways.

After a brief silence, he picked up Sheng'er in his arms, put it against his face and pressed it gently, then handed his grandson into his daughter's hands and continued to look at Chen Heng.

It happened that Chen Heng was also looking at Lin Ruhai. The two sons-in-law looked at each other and could see each other's faces clearly. One has gray hair on his temples, and the other is slowly approaching his best years as a man.

I'm going to have to work hard on you from now on.

Lin Ruhai's rare ability to cherish words like gold made Chen Heng understand the complex emotions involved. They had a chat last night, and Lin Ruhai had already developed the idea of ​​becoming an official.

‘If you do this well as an official, you have given an explanation to the people of the world. Manpower is exhausted, so we can’t accept old age. ’ Lin Ruhai lamented that time flies by, but in essence, he still refuses to separate his flesh and blood.

The greater possibility is the influence of the Jia family. Even if it lasts for generations, it cannot escape the principle of prosperity and decline. Instead of continuing to be a coward in the officialdom, it would be better to go home early, spend more time with my wife and children, and watch the growth of my grandson.

In a person's life, is it more important to get ahead or to reunite with your family? Chen Heng's answer is not yet clear, but Lin Ruhai may have gotten the answer he wanted.

Dad, take care of yourself.

Chen Heng doesn't talk much either. He has already said a lot of what he needs to say recently. He is still young and has many things he wants to do. Even if you live a new life, it is difficult to understand the sigh of being over sixty.

Lin Jue knew that it was his turn to be warned, so he eagerly came forward. Lin Ruhai also figured it out about him. I don’t expect this child to bring glory to his ancestors, but it would be nice if he could follow the rules and live a peaceful life.

Listen to your brother-in-law. Lin Ruhai warned. Once he retreats, the only support left from the Lin family is Chen Heng, who will also be Lin Jue's biggest support in the future.

yes.

Lin Jue didn't expect that his father would let him go so easily, and he couldn't help but feel a little secretly happy in his heart. Afraid of being read by his father, Lin Jue hurriedly turned his head and helped his sister and nephew get into the car.

Under the pavilion in the gentle warm breeze, Chen Heng, dressed in green clothes, saluted Lin Ruhai repeatedly before getting into the carriage amidst the urging of the other party.

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This time Chen Heng returned to Songjiang. Considering that he would catch Tanchun and Xiangyun halfway along the way, he decided to take the land route instead. They walked on the road for three days and finally saw these two people near the border of Shandong.

Tanchun and Xiangyun originally wanted to keep going south. If Chen Heng hadn't asked the guards of Jinyi Mansion for help, how would these two girls have waited here in a polite manner.

Seeing that he was caught by his own family, Tanchun thought that Jia Zheng had asked his cousin's family to come and get him. Daiyu knew that these two people would be a little worried, so she calmed their nerves with a few words.

But when they learned that Ning Guo's house had been ransacked, they were still shocked and stood up from their seats. After all, this is the place where they were born and raised. After knowing this situation, both of them shed tears.

Chen Heng did not interfere with the family affairs here. Firstly, there were differences between men and women, and secondly, he believed that his wife was capable enough to handle this matter.

A group of them rested here for the night, and I don’t know how Daiyu persuaded them. Tanchun and Xiangyun really didn't think of going home, so they continued south with them.

The state affairs of Songjiang Prefecture are on the right track. Chen Heng also deliberately considered the adaptability of the officials in each department. Therefore, they walked slowly on this return trip.

Shandong was a famous place in the world as early as the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. There are many places of interest in the territory, and Daiyu rarely has the opportunity to go out for fun after marrying her. Chen Heng was previously obsessed with official duties, but now he couldn't help but accompany his wife on all walks. After half a month, they finally arrived in Yangzhou City.

As usual, they went back to see the elders of the Chen family, enjoyed a moment of family warmth, and showed some filial piety before the couple set out to continue their journey south.

After passing Yangzhou, it’s not far from Songjiang. It is now possible to take a boat here. Although Daiyu is not good at swimming, she loves to go sightseeing by boat.

Her good mood also affected Chen Heng and Chen Sheng. The father and son were often amused by Daiyu's laughter, which added a bit of color to the scenery during the journey.

Such a happy time made the family seem reluctant to let go when they saw Songjiang City so close at hand.

Stay with the one you love for the rest of your life. The simple but real feeling of happiness made Chen Heng suddenly understand Lin Ruhai's actions. He turned his head sharply in the swaying carriage and looked at his wife and children who were playing beside him.

Sheng'er, we will be home soon.

Lin Daiyu was holding her son's little hand and playing with it in her palm. This brat himself smiled heartlessly.

Noticing her husband's gaze, Lin Daiyu blinked and looked at Chen Heng. She said nothing, only a pair of smart eyes filled with confusion.

Chen Heng shook his head noncommittally and just stared at Daiyu's light brown eyes with nostalgia. In those eyes full of joy, what was reflected in the arc was his own figure.

Ha. Chen Heng chuckled quite proudly.

Why are you laughing so hard? Lin Daiyu showed the coquettishness of a young girl.

I won't tell you... Chen Heng deliberately tried to keep things secret.

You said it or not.

I won't tell you.

We passed Jixianmen noisily, and it was a long way from here to the government office. But Chen Heng still insisted on getting off the car and walking, wanting to see Songjiang City after being away for more than a month.

Tanchun and Xiangyun didn't dare to get out of the car, but they raised the curtain to take a look. In the huge Songjiang City, there are many scenes of girls going out and having fun. For a moment, they did not take into account the restraints of etiquette and got out of the car to play.

They walked around the streets and were quickly attracted by the bustle of Songjiang City. This place is already crowded with merchants from all over the world, and there are many strange things. There are so many novel-looking foreign merchants and objects shipped from Southeast Asia that it is dizzying to see.

Both of them are bold and outspoken people. When they see something novel, they will inevitably ask their cousin-in-law about its origin. Chen Heng knew some of them, but he couldn't recognize some of them.

However, they were soon attracted by a group of people rushing back and forth on the street. Most of these people wore yellow or red armbands on their arms and were running around with things in their hands.

Brother-in-law, what do they do?

Tanchun has a sharp eye and Xiangyun has a sweet mouth. When the two curious babies asked, Chen Heng was in trouble.

When he left with Daiyu, there was no such group of people in the city. But how could such fresh changes occur in just one month?

They are a running gang.

Liu Xianglian came out to answer. The news of Chen Heng's entry into the city had already been sent back to spread the news. After Liu Xianglian received the news, she immediately rushed over to continue her guard duty.

He was also a little curious about the two extra sisters-in-law beside the adults. Chen Heng gave a brief introduction and asked about the origin of the running gang.

Liu Xianglian knew clearly and hurriedly explained: It's all done by merchants in the city. We have frequent contacts with Yang, Su and Hangzhou. These helpers travel around the three places, helping deliver small items and making a little fortune along the way.

When Chen Heng heard this, he thought this was just a superficial version of logistics. He couldn't help but secretly admire the wisdom of the working people. Sure enough, there are still many smart people in the world. As long as a gap is opened for them, a group of people will naturally try their best to make the gap wider.

After hearing Liu Xianglian's explanation, she also learned that Huang and Hong represented two different chambers of commerce and were competing for business from each other. Chen Heng smiled and said no more.

On the other hand, Jia Tanchun and Shi Xiangyun didn't know what they were thinking of, so they quietly looked at Liu Xianglian and whispered.

Liu Xianglian has learned martial arts and has very good ears. Instead, he listened half-heartedly to what they said, and immediately said angrily, I'm not a slut from the troupe.

Tanchun didn't expect that Liu Xianglian would overhear her whisper, and she quickly showed a shy expression. But she wanted to be strong, so she still held up her slender neck, resisted Liu Xianglian's glance, and continued to play by herself.

Chen Heng ignored the little awkwardness of these people and continued to walk around the city. He found a very interesting place. All the shops in the city hung notice boards at their doors, eager to recruit people who knew arithmetic and literacy.

Thinking of his conversation with Wei Yinghong in the capital, Chen Heng suddenly felt that the common people would spontaneously find a way out. Sooner or later, whether the prince of the imperial court is willing to admit it or not, it will be the general trend to put arithmetic on the provincial examination and the general examination.

No matter how hard you work, you will gain. Sooner or later, the seeds you plant will take root and sprout, and grow into a giant tree in the sky.

Thinking of this, Chen Heng felt good and took his family directly to a noodle stall to finish everyone's lunch here.

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Around early May, Wang Ziteng, who had been staying in the mansion for a long time, finally couldn't bear the pressure. On the eve of a morning meeting, he washed up and put on his official robes quite seriously, came to the Meridian Gate again, and accompanied the civil and military officials to wait for the summons from the palace.

All the officials in front of the palace that day were very curious about Wang Ziteng's behavior. Most of them were speculating that Wang Ziteng would resign. After all, there was a precedent of Gu Zaiyong. As long as he was willing to bow his head, His Majesty would still have a way to survive for them.

Everyone thought so, but Prince Teng unexpectedly surprised everyone by speaking directly to the emperor and asking for an order to inspect the border.

He is the chief officer of the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion and has this power himself. Just at the moment when the imperial court had just put an end to King Beijing's rebellion, this opinion became very intriguing.

However, the border is where Li Zhi started his career, and his relative, General Zhang, guarded the border for him for more than ten years. Li Zhi did not stop Wang Ziteng's request, and even issued an imperial edict for Wang Ziteng to take him on the road.

When Mrs. Wang of Rongguo Mansion learned that her brother had appeared, she took her sister out and rushed to her parents' house again, regardless of the delay due to illness.

This time, she finally came in.

It's just that her brother didn't care about these two sisters.

After the prince came down from the palace, he mounted his horse and traveled far away.

Mrs. Wang had no choice but to hold on to Wang Ziteng's wife and kept asking her brother if he had anything to tell his sister-in-law before leaving.

Perhaps she was annoyed, so the Wang family's sister-in-law pushed Mrs. Wang and angrily said: You are always worried about your family's affairs. Can you think about your brother? Think about our family's difficulties? If you can follow The third girl from the Jia family has a better relationship, so why don’t we even have a helper to talk to?

Being scolded by her sister-in-law with a pale face really made Mrs. Wang completely give up. With the support of Aunt Xue, Mrs. Wang, who was desperate, had just returned home. After just one night, her condition worsened a lot.

Fortunately, Jia Zheng invited the imperial doctor early, and Yuanchun sent medicine from the palace from time to time, so Mrs. Wang's condition was stabilized.

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At the end of July, the Mid-Autumn Festival is not far away. Wang Ziteng, who was patrolling the border, was already on his way back to Beijing. After months of living in the open air, this man showed a lot of fatigue.

But Wang Ziteng can be regarded as a hero, and he can still show his calmness at this moment.

This time when he went out, he had already thought things through clearly.

Rather than continue to waste time in the court, it is better to retreat bravely and give Yuanchun's children a chance to come out.

The Tian family has been ruthless since ancient times, but even now, His Majesty still trusts the prince.

Ten or twenty years later, when all the people of the same generation have died, how do you know that you don’t have a chance of your own?

Wang Ziteng lived a pampered life and was confident that he would live longer than others. He also believes that no one will be able to stand in front of him.

Temporary success or failure didn't matter. He wanted to carefully watch Dayong's empire and see whose hands it would fall into.

With a group of servants to protect him, Wang Ziteng headed towards the capital while preparing an official document of his resignation.

Keep your head down when you should, and beg for mercy when it's time for Li Zhi.

As long as you are alive, there is hope for a comeback...

Before falling off the horse, this was the last thought that flashed through Wang Ziteng's mind.

Feeling the severe pain in his abdomen, Wang Ziteng rushed towards the deputy general who rushed up and said urgently: Poison, it's poison. Save me...doctor...

My lord, my lord!! The deputy general who reacted quickly helped Wang Ziteng up from the ground and shouted urgently.

After seeing the other person vomiting blood, he leaned against Wang Ziteng's ear and whispered, Sir, someone asked me to bring you a message. You have lived too long.

You... The pain in his abdomen was already unbearable, and Wang Ziteng grabbed the lieutenant's shirt.

He wanted to ask the other party who poisoned him.

Is it your Majesty? Or that guy named Zhang? Or the four bastards and the others? Who could it be?

Seeing that Wang Ziteng finally breathed his last, the deputy general finally turned his head and shouted in horror at the guards who were waking up from a dream: My lord... My lord is dead!!!

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Chen Heng received the news of Prince Teng's death at Xue Biao's wedding banquet. Xue Biao's wedding banquet was held in Yangzhou, and it only took a few days to go back and forth from Songjiang. Due to the friendship between the two, Chen Heng will naturally not miss the important events in Xue Biao's life.

When Zhang Shangxian, the prefect of Yangzhou, relayed the incident to Chen Heng, the latter was also filled with sighs. As soon as Wang Ziteng arrived, the Rong Guofu family became no longer important.

The official explanation is that the prince traveled for months and was tired for many years.

Zhang Shangxian himself didn’t believe this reason. When he was a Jinshi in his early years, he met Wang Ziteng. The opponent's figure is quite majestic and has the demeanor of a military commander.

How could such a person die suddenly due to fatigue?

Zhang Shangxian wanted to inquire about the inside story, not only to see if Chen Heng had any inside information, but also to get closer to Chen Heng.

Liu Yanzhang, the prefect of Songjiang, is ready to submit the official document of becoming an official. The next prefect of Songjiang must be Chen Heng.

Seeing that the scholar who was under his rule at that time, his official position would be equal to his own. It is inevitable to draw closer to each other at this moment.

How could Chen Heng know what was going on, but he could guess who the real culprit was behind the scenes.

It's just that the identity of the poisoner is no longer important at this moment.

What really killed Wang Ziteng was not the poison, but the power and wealth he had been striving for.

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At the end of August, with the death of Wang Ziteng. The officials headed by the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple finally knocked on the door of Rongguo Mansion.

Jia She was the first to be imprisoned. Before he was taken away, he cursed Jia Zheng and Mrs. Wang.

He knew that he was on the verge of death, so how could he not vent all the resentment in his heart?

But he really didn't have to worry. The day after Jia She left, he didn't know what he was told in prison. The police came again and took Jia Zheng and his family away.

The brothers were in close proximity to one another, enough time to continue blaming each other.

With the whole family imprisoned, the servants in the mansion bullied Yingchun and Xichun for being young and immoral, and openly stole antiques from the house.

Xue Baochai had just given birth to a daughter for Baoyu. When he learned the news, he was still confinement in the house. She couldn't say a word, so she fainted amidst Aunt Xue's exclamation.