The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Chapter 615 Shelving
"The fields are clear?"

The Supreme Emperor finally sat up a bit more, it seemed that he heard this word for the first time.

Seeing this, Xiao Jing quickly explained the meaning of clearing up the land from the Supreme Emperor, emphasizing that the imperial court even the clan kings and relatives of the emperor should clear up the farmland one by one, and the words were quite provocative.

Sure enough, as his words fell, the kings of the clan could not sit still at the front of the right side of the hall.

"Old Xiao Ge is right!" An old prince suddenly stood up, walked towards the middle of the hall, and cried: "Old brother, you want to make decisions for us, life is really hard...

Our clan in the Great Wei Dynasty was already suffering more than before. All the income of the family depended on the meager output from Zhuangzi.

You know your younger brother, who was stupid and not favored since he was a child. Although he is the son of the emperor, he has always been a county king. The salary is only 5000 taels a year. What is that enough?
My family has a large population, and life is already miserable. I usually ask the housekeeper to buy pork. I don’t dare to buy too much pork. I’m afraid I have to do some business. There is no money in the house to support... That’s all, it’s in the hands of my younger brother. Anyway, I'm still hungry.

But Brother Huang, my younger brother is almost seventy, and he is about to be buried in the ground.When I die, there will only be Duke Zhen left in our family, and the salary will be pitifully low. If there is no more income from Zhuangzi, how will the ten or so sons of Chendi who are not up to date live? ..."

A tearful statement made people angry and funny.What a joke, the prince of Wei's family can't even afford pork, it's really an anecdote!
However, some people felt that the clan of the Great Wei Dynasty was indeed no better than that of the previous dynasty. All clan clans were detained in the capital.Under such circumstances, those idle clans were indeed living in a bit of a tight spot.

But no matter what the old prince said is true or not, the position he represents is in the interests of many people.

Therefore, as soon as the old prince's words fell, seven or eight people stood up immediately on the seats in the clan.Without exception, these people are either princes or county kings.

They all gathered in the center of the hall and knelt down, echoing the opinions of Xiao Jing and the old prince, asking the Supreme Emperor to make decisions for them, and revoke the policy of clearing the land.

Emperor Ningkang looked at these clan kings who were kneeling on the ground, and at the same time he was angry, but he couldn't help but feel a chill.

If he remembers correctly, many of these princes have expressed their willingness to support the New Deal before...

Now their backlash, are they taking advantage of the situation, or are they premeditated?The previous statement was just to delay and paralyze him?

If premeditated, where did their courage come from? "It's a good birthday, and you messed it up."

The Supreme Emperor finally spoke, and he expressed his dissatisfaction in the first sentence.

Just when Xiao Jing and the kings pleaded guilty, the Supreme Emperor's voice changed: "But since we've said all this, let's make it clear."

As he said that, he glanced at the grand hall, "What about you guys, do you think this strategy of clearing up the fields is good or not, and should it be implemented?"

Following the Supreme Emperor's question, the princes and ministers in the palace looked at each other in blank dismay.

Originally thought that the policy of clearing up the imperial court's land was imperative, even if many people whose interests were harmed, they were just thinking about how to avoid harm and reduce losses as much as possible.

Unexpectedly, there is still room for turning around this matter?

Although everyone knew that expressing his position at this time would definitely dissatisfy Emperor Ningkang.However, there is only one chance. Most people are very smart and decisive when facing their own interests.

"I feel that what Xiao Ge said is right, in order to keep the foundation of our Great Wei stable, I would like to revoke the policy of clearing the land!"

"My minister agrees."

"My minister agrees."

"..."

One, then one, and then one piece after another, soon more than half of the people in the hall stood up and knelt down, expressing their truest thoughts.

The rest of the people in the seats are either the leaders and supporters of the plan to clear the land, or the family has no property at all, so the clearing of the land has little to do with them.

In short, seeing so many people knelt down and begged the Supreme Emperor to revoke the policy of clearing up the fields, they were very nervous.

Everyone understands that at this time, the Supreme Emperor can basically decide whether this national policy, which has been discussed by the government and the opposition for several months, can be implemented!

How would the Supreme Emperor choose?
Jia Lian, who was sitting in the middle on the right, shook his head. In fact, since the Supreme Emperor didn't scold Xiao Jing and others immediately, but acquiesced in their discussion of national policy at his birthday banquet, we can see the meaning of the Supreme Emperor.

As for the meaning of asking the majority of ministers and workers later?This is somewhat suspected of interviewing everyone on the train whether they have bought tickets.

Who doesn't know that this state policy, from the establishment of the project to the final decision, was almost all enforced by Emperor Ningkang and a small group of "reformers".Most ministers, especially ministers with a lot of land at home, disapprove of it in their hearts, but they dare not disobey it due to the general situation.

Now that Xiao Jing and others set up a stage to sing, the general situation has reversed, what do you mean by asking them at this time?
Anyway, with Xiao Jing and others supporting him, even if Emperor Ningkang wanted to settle the score after Qiuhou, Xiao Jing and others would support him, so they naturally dared to express their true inner thoughts.

Sure enough, the Supreme Emperor looked at His Highness's dark head, and quickly understood the public opinion. He said indifferently: "Since all the lovers feel that the policy of clearing up the land is inappropriate, let's put this matter on hold for now. ..."

"Father!"

Even though he had a premonition, Emperor Ningkang still couldn't help but tremble when he heard that the Supreme Emperor had vetoed the state affairs he had painstakingly formulated.

If it was an ordinary matter, even if it was just to please the Supreme Emperor, he would not argue with the Supreme Emperor.

But to him, to Da Wei, the matter of clearing up the fields means too much and is too important. He really doesn't understand why the Supreme Emperor listens to the words of Xiao Jing and others, and why he interferes with him!
Being interrupted by Emperor Ningkang, the Supreme Emperor looked a little displeased, he looked at Emperor Ningkang, and said indifferently: "I told you long ago, as a king, the first priority is the stability of the country, and the second is clear rewards and punishments.

There is nothing wrong with you wanting to clear up the land and acres in the world.But do you know that this matter is not as simple as sending people to the border to exterminate a few Tatar tribes, or killing a few corrupt officials.

Since ancient times, the land has been the foundation of the people and the foundation of the country. Even every decision I make on this issue is cautious, fearing that a single negligence will make the country turbulent, the society uneasy, and live up to the great trust of the late emperor. , the foundation of the ancestors.

But what about you?Act recklessly, eager for quick success.Do you know what the consequences will be if your so-called land clearing policy is promulgated? "

Emperor Ningkang hadn't been reprimanded by the Supreme Emperor face to face for many years, and this time he was still in front of the palace full of princes and ministers, and his mood was very complicated.However, he didn't want to think about it, he wanted to keep the state affairs he had spent so much time formulating!

"My son knows! There are only some people on the left and right. Because of their own interests, they will try their best to hinder the new deal. But father, if you want to reform the new deal, how can it be smooth sailing? As long as the minister can confirm that the new deal is beneficial to the court and the country, The son thinks that he should implement it firmly, how can he be timid because someone hinders him?

I also ask my father to take back my order, I believe that my son will be able to handle this matter well, and will never shake the foundation of my Great Wei! "

"Huh, can you handle this well? Let's not talk about how many people will support you after your New Deal comes out of Beijing, just talk about these people, what should you do? Kill them all to show your commitment to carry out the New Deal." determination?"

The Supreme Emperor waved his hand casually, signaling to the hundreds of princes kneeling below.With that casual attitude, it seemed that the life and death of the princes in the palace was just a trivial matter in his eyes.

Emperor Ningkang subconsciously looked at the people below who couldn't help shrinking their necks when they heard the words.The meaning of Taishanghuang is easy to understand, let alone let the people of the world support you, even if you can't get the support of the princes, nobles, and ministers of civil and military affairs under your nose in Beijing, how can you handle this matter well?Seeing that Emperor Ningkang was at a loss for words, the Supreme Emperor waved his hand and said: "Okay, there is no need to discuss this matter again. Hmph, everyone usually talks about loyalty and filial piety, but I think it is just duplicity. If they were really loyal and filial, they would not be here today." Use these bad things to bother me!"

Seeing that the Supreme Emperor was angry, Xiao Jing at the bottom quickly kowtowed and said: "I am guilty of death, please the Supreme Emperor to punish me."

Looking at the displeased Taishang with one arm resting on the armrest, it seemed that if these people in front of him dared to say a word that displeased him, he would walk away.Emperor Ningkang stood there for a few seconds, then bowed and retreated without saying a word.

Seeing that the matter had settled, the old eunuch in charge of the Chonghua Palace stood up, waved his whisk and said, "All ministers retreat, and a birthday banquet is held!"

Accompanied by the sharp sound of his voice, the thick and festive sound of gongs, drums, bells and chimes immediately sounded around the hall.

This kind of atmosphere forced by the music broke the tense atmosphere in the hall at once.

Many ministers ignored it and returned to their seats with a relaxed face.

Many people are feeling in their hearts, it is better to be too emperor, he is worthy of being an old saint loved by all officials, how can such an obviously inhumane national policy like Tiandi Qingmu do anything!Well put on hold, well put on hold.

"Oh, I'm so pissed off, these people are really shameless..."

Next to Jia Lian, while the ministers were returning to their seats, there was a little noise, the fourth prince immediately expressed his displeasure by cursing.

"Jia Lian, you don't know that the King of Cheshire is that old man! How dare he say that his family's life is miserable haha, haha, I have personally been to his mansion, and their county mansion is more well-dressed than my prince's mansion." To be extravagant, which one of his big and small wives, daughter-in-law and granddaughter-in-law doesn't wear gold and silver?
How dare you say that their family doesn't even dare to buy more pork. Pooh, it's a shame that I obediently called him the Nineteenth Emperor's Uncle, it really disgusted me.I bet, there must be a lot of farmland in his family, definitely far more than [-] mu, otherwise he would never desperately oppose the father's farmland...the strategy of measuring the farmland. "

The fourth prince's voice was not too low, but it wasn't too loud either, it could only reach the ears of seven or eight people around him.In fact, he didn't know whether this policy of clearing acres of land was good or bad, because he was newly established in the palace, and under his name were only a few Zhuangzi rewarded by his father, with a total of about seven or eight thousand acres. Can't affect him.

He just knew that his father had spent a lot of energy in order to get this new deal.This time, because of the opposition of these people, he was forcibly put on hold by the emperor's grandfather. He could tell that his father was very unhappy.

Facing the strong complaints from the fourth prince, what can Jia Lian say?
Don't say that he didn't participate in this matter at all, even if he participated, in the face of such a big situation, what can he do, what can he say?

Even Emperor Ningkang was suppressed, and Minister of the Ministry of Finance, who was in charge of the country's financial power and fully supported Emperor Ningkang's new policies, only refuted a few words with Xiao Jing at the very beginning.After the Supreme Emperor spoke, he could only shut up obediently and let the situation develop without daring to say a word.

This is a battle between the Supreme Emperor and Emperor Ningkang. Obviously, Emperor Ningkang is completely at a disadvantage.

He couldn't help, although he also felt that if Emperor Ningkang could implement the state policy of clearing the land, even if it wasn't perfect, it would be a good thing for the country and the people.

Seeing that Jia Lian didn't reply to his words, the Four Emperors pouted, but didn't say any more.

"Birthday gift~~!"

Accompanied by the old eunuch's singing, the eunuchs outside the hall immediately brought in a batch of birthday presents in the order they were arranged.

"The governor of Sichuan presented a pair of thousand-year-old white jade ganoderma."

"The governor of Guangdong and Guangxi presented a pair of pure gold foreign guns."

"The governor of Liangjiang presents a pair of dragon and phoenix jadeite jade vases."

"The governor of Shandong presented a picture of "Rowing a Boat"."

The Supreme Emperor's birthday, except that officials of the fifth rank and above in Beijing can enter the palace to celebrate his birthday.Officials above the local magistrate, if they are willing, can also prepare birthday gifts in advance and send them to the capital.

Of course, according to the usual practice, local high-ranking officials at the governor and governor level must give birthday gifts.

However, there are too many people giving gifts, and there are 2000 people entering the palace today (there are many nobles in the clan).Moreover, many birthday gifts are not interesting, so those who can be carried into the Chonghua Palace and presented to the Supreme Emperor face to face are all carefully selected by the eunuchs, at least they cannot be cheap.

The part of presenting the birthday ceremony can also be said to be the grand birthday of the Supreme Emperor, which is the most interesting and the one that people are most interested in.

After all, for most people, they can't find or offer expensive and special birthday gifts, and looking at what others have prepared is also a time to watch the excitement and learn more.

After several rounds of birthday presents, not to mention the eye-opening of the courtiers, even the Supreme Emperor, who was obviously unhappy before, gradually changed his expression, and with the introduction of the gift presenter, he was also in the mood to ask.When you meet someone who is serious and satisfactory, you will also give a few compliments.

Many people who were worried that the Emperor's birthday party would be spent in depression secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"The Prince's Palace in Beijing presents an ivory screen."

"The Duke of Rongguo presents a pair of jade unicorns."

"Two pure gold fishing rods are presented by the government of the town."

"A pair of 500-year-old ginseng presented by Linzi Bofu."

Next to Jia Lian, the fourth prince who had been silent for a while suddenly heard the words "Rongguo Mansion", and immediately turned his head and patted Jia Lian's sleeve, "Ha, your family has also been chosen!"

Jia Lian smiled slightly as he looked down at Jia Zheng, who was standing upright behind Beijing Palace Chief Shi, who was about to introduce the birthday ceremony.

This time, Jia Zheng attached great importance to preparing the birthday gift for the Supreme Emperor.Jia Zheng said that this pair of jade unicorns had been placed in the Rongxi Hall when he was young, and they could be said to be some of the most valuable antiques in the Rongguo Mansion, so they were taken out this time.

Jia Lian knew that Jia Zheng knew that he was going to be promoted, so he wanted to please the royal family so that the emperor could arrange a better job for him.

But Jia Lian wanted to say that Jia Zheng's thoughts were probably in the opposite direction.Judging from the current situation, I am afraid that the more clever the birthday gift presented today, the more it will please the Supreme Emperor, and the less it will please Emperor Ningkang, the greater the probability of being put on small shoes in the future.

Thinking of this, Jia Lian felt a little lucky, and gave Jia Zheng the opportunity to show his face today.

"Kirin?"

Sure enough, when the pair of jade unicorns polished brightly by Jia Zheng appeared in front of the Supreme Emperor, the Supreme Emperor seemed to be a little interested.

Jia Zheng was overjoyed, and was about to explain the past and present of the pair of treasures to the Supreme Emperor, but he heard the Supreme Emperor say: "It's nothing more than a dead thing, but I heard that your Jia family has a unicorn, and you can be gentle and martial." , I really want to see this living unicorn."

What the Supreme Emperor said caused the whole hall to look sideways.

Who the Qilin'er of Jia's family was talking about was understood by most of the people present.It is unbelievable that the Supreme Emperor, who is so high up that he can't even meet the cabinet ministers, not only knows that the Jia family has a Qilinzi, but also wants to see him by name at this time?

What a great honor this is.

For a moment, many people glanced enviously at Jia Lian who was in a daze.

"Why, didn't he come?"

Seeing that Jia Zheng was a little unresponsive, the Supreme Emperor frowned and asked.Although Jia Zheng's official position is not high, after all, he has been an official in the central government for many years and has the qualifications to go to court, and the Supreme Emperor also recognizes him.

"No, no, report back to the Supreme Emperor, he is here..."

Jia Zheng was a little bit at a loss, and when he realized it, he answered and waved to Jia Lian who was watching the play.

Jia Lian had no choice but to get up and leave the table quickly, came to Jia Zheng's side, and presented a big gift to the Supreme Emperor.

(End of this chapter)