The Red Mansions Across the Four Seas

Chapter 480 The secret meeting between the prince and the imperial concubine
When Emperor Yuanheng returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Bachelor of Lu University was already waiting here.

"Scholar Lu, didn't you all go back, why are you here again?"

"Those families have come back again, requesting to withdraw the domain."

"Didn't you tell them last time, within two years, don't discuss this matter."

"It's probably because Wang Ziteng was sent to suppress the bandits this time and saw through their plot, so they tried again. In addition..."

"What else? Don't hesitate, say."

"Several companies jointly filed a petition, saying that the suppression of the bandits cost a lot of money, and asked for 50 taels of military pay."

"It's too much, it's just too deceiving, a bunch of bastards!"

Emperor Yuanheng jumped up, swayed, and suddenly fell to the ground. A mouthful of blood spewed out of his mouth, and he quickly covered his mouth with a handkerchief.

Lu University scholar hurried over to help Yuan Heng up.

"Your Majesty calm down, take care of the dragon body, I'll call the imperial physician."

"No, don't make it public."

Yuan Heng barely sat still, took a few breaths, and his breathing gradually calmed down.

"How is the movement in Hunan and Guangxi?"

"The troops of King Dongping and King Nan'an have already withdrawn to Yunnan and Guizhou. Currently, Prince Teng is in Guangxi, and today's news came."

"What did Wang Ziteng say?"

"Just like the secret report we got, he also thinks that San Francisco is trying to plot something wrong, and reminded us to be on our guard. It seems that he has also seen the flaw."

"Hey, even after a trip to Chang'an, Wang Ziteng saw the flaws. How could Wang Ziteng not see it? At the beginning, Han Tiankui wanted to buy [-] muskets, so it can be seen that they have planned for a long time. For decades, they have been ready to move, and now they finally can't stand Angry. Raising a tiger is a trouble, and the tail is too big to lose."

"Continuing like this is not a solution. One needs money and food today, and one needs official positions tomorrow. Now the important positions in the southwestern provinces are all controlled by them. Water can't be poured in, and wind can't blow in."

"Now it seems that they will rebel sooner or later. They have been favored by the emperor for generations. Why are they so greedy and want to seize my world?"

"The emperor ruled the world with benevolence and filial piety, and the hearts of all peoples are admired by all people. Disorderly ministers, thieves, and wolf ambitions are nothing to worry about. If there are really unruly intentions, the court will be full of civil and military affairs, and the people of the world will definitely rise up and punish everyone."

"Hmph, how many civil and military people are available in the Manchu Dynasty? Most of them are people who follow the trend. Even if the dynasty changes, they will still be their own officials. At that time, they will be the first to change their families. How many will be loyal? Those who keep the festival? Those people should have been eliminated long ago."

"It's all because of His Majesty's kindness. It's those people who don't think of His Majesty's kindness, and are guilty of His Majesty."

"How is Luo Qihua doing recently?"

"Still the same, always speaking for San Francisco."

"Hmph, he probably has benefited a lot from them these years, right? The decree will be handed down tomorrow, and Luo Qihua will take up his post. His salary will be halved, no favors will be given, and no shady compensation will be allowed."

"This……."

"Hmph, they think I'm easy to bully, and if I don't show some color, I will make more progress. How is the deficit investigation of the Hubu Wanxin Hall?"

"It has been verified."

"Wanxintang dismissal investigation."

"Then Li Yuan?"

"Punish the salary for one year to see the effect."

"Wang Ziteng asks for instructions."

"Prince Teng moved to Jiujiang to monitor San Francisco nearby."

"How to deal with the matter of the San Francisco military pay?"

Yuan Heng stood up and walked around slowly.

"Halve payment."

"This year the Yellow River broke its embankment, and there is no money for relief for the victims."

"Let the local magistrate handle it as appropriate."

"If there are too many refugees, there may be chaos."

"Decree everywhere, take strict precautions."

"Will there be dissatisfaction in San Francisco?"

"Dissatisfaction is certain. However, there is no need to worry too much. They are not ready now, otherwise, once Prince Teng arrives this time, they will not retreat. If they are confident, it will be the opposite this time. I hope they can be delayed." Two years, let us take it easy."

After Lu Dashi left, the eunuch Gao Dewang came in and waited for Yuan Heng to sleep.

Ever since the dragon's body was in trouble, Yuan Heng seldom went to the various concubines.

Seeing that Yuan Heng had already fallen asleep, Gao Dewang secretly kicked the blood-stained handkerchief into his arms.

He had been eavesdropping on the outside when Yuan Heng was talking to Master Lu just now, and he also saw Yuan Heng vomiting blood and falling to the ground.

This veil is very valuable to Gao Dewang.

After Lu University came out of the palace, he went directly to Yang Kui's house.

In the early morning of the third day, Yang Kui, the censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, made a play, demanding the impeachment of the Minister of the Household, Wan Xintang, because he was in short supply. Li Yuan, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, and Luo Qihua, a bachelor of the Military Aircraft Department.

The Grand Scholars of the Military Aircraft Department discussed with the court on the spot, the emperor allowed to play, Wan Xintang was dismissed for investigation, Li Yuan was dereliction of duty, and was fined for one year.Take the crime and make meritorious deeds to see the aftermath.

When Luo Qihua becomes an official, his salary will be halved, and he will be exempted from grace and compensation.

The Ministry of Officials issued a report, because Xie Kun, the former commander of the Jinyi Army, was convicted and exiled, the post of commander of the Jinyi Army was vacant, and Zhou Tong, the first-class bodyguard in front of the imperial court, was proposed to fill the vacancy.The emperor ordered Zhou Tong to take over as the commander of the Jinyi Army.

King Dongping, King Nan'an, and King Xining jointly signed the petition. The suppression of bandits in Hunan and Guangxi this time cost a lot of money, and they asked the court to add 50 taels of military pay.

In order to avoid suspicion, the three asked the court to withdraw the titles of the three kings and serve as officials for the elderly.

The emperor thought that he had guarded the frontier for generations and made great achievements, so he was not allowed to withdraw his title.As for the payment and silver, the payment will be halved.

These few incidents were all major events, which naturally aroused a lot of discussion afterwards.However, within a few days, it gradually subsided.

Three days later, Gao Dewang, the eunuch of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, left the palace to make purchases. After coming to a shop, he changed into a suit of clothes, went to the East Palace, and handed over the bloody handkerchief to the prince.

The prince kicked the handkerchief into his arms and entered the inner room.

There were two guests in the inner room, they turned out to be Luo Qihua, who was forcibly dismissed by the emperor, and his nephew Luo Hanlin.

For the past two years, the uncle and nephew have been regular visitors to the East Palace.

The prince took out the handkerchief and placed it in front of Luo Qihua.

"So, the emperor's condition is really serious?"

Luo Qihua picked up the veil and looked at it carefully, with an imperceptible smile on his face.

"Father is generous and merciful, compassionate to the world, and will definitely turn danger into good fortune."

"Yes, what His Highness said is very true."

"Scholar Luo will go back to his hometown to rest for a while, and when the time is right, he will return to the temple. A loyal minister of the country like Bachelor Luo, the court is thirsty for talent, and he needs it at any time."

"The veteran bears in mind the Prince's kindness, and is willing to serve His Highness anytime, without hesitation."

"That's right, there is not much money in that little salary, and you must not be short of that money. As for Yinbu, Luo Hanlin is now a student of the Imperial Academy, and your son is the magistrate of Jiujiang, so you don't need it." Concealment. Both of them have a bright future in the future, and you don't have to worry about it."

"It all depends on His Highness's kindness. Since this is the case, the old minister can rest assured. In the future, if His Highness thinks that the old minister can still make a little effort, the old minister will come as soon as he is called."

Not long after Luo's nephew and uncle bid farewell, the prince left the palace, and within about two cups of tea, he came to the "Tianxiake" inn on the east side of Dashilan.

The "Tianxia Ke" inn is a relatively high-end inn in the Dashilan area. Because it is close to the Qianmen and the Forbidden City, the guests who come to stay here are either rich or expensive.

Ordinary businessmen cannot afford to live here, and they are reluctant to spend their hard-earned money on accommodation.

The prince has two perennial private rooms here, Dizi No. 2 and Dizi No. 3.

The best room here is Tianzihao.The place name can only be regarded as a second-class room.However, it will be less conspicuous in this way, and most people don't pay special attention to a room with a local name.

Although it is a ground-sized room, the furnishings inside are much more luxurious than those of a Tianzi-sized room.

Of course, the boss would not put these things in a local shop. This was arranged by Song Kuan, the prince of Dongping.

When we arrived at the gate of Dizi No. 2, one attendant checked around and nodded when he came back. The other attendant unlocked the door and went in, checked around, and then came out, nodded to the prince, and the prince entered the house.

The boss personally delivered a pot of boiling water and handed it to the attendants outside, who handed the kettle to the attendants inside.The attendants in the house took it over, made tea, then went out and waited at the door.

Every time I come here, it is like this, and it has become a fixed procedure.

The prince took out his pocket watch and looked at it. It was 25:[-], and if there were five minutes left, his guests should have arrived.

Although it was only 5 minutes, the prince was still a little anxious.

He put the pocket watch on the case, stared at the pocket watch, and watched the hands beating little by little.Listening to the slight clicking sound of the pocket watch, it seems to follow the sound of my own heartbeat, corresponding to each other.

After what seemed like a long time, the pointer finally pointed to 10:30.

Just then, the door opened.

A man dressed in men's clothes, but slightly shorter and thinner, came in.

As the door was closed, a faint fragrance rushed into the prince's nose.

The visitor took off his hat, revealing a face that turned all sentient beings upside down.It seems that he is about thirty years old.

Although she was still wearing men's clothes, just this kind of face exuded all kinds of amorous feelings, which could be called peerless elegance.

This face was familiar to all the eunuchs and maids in the palace.

This person is the most beloved Concubine Zhou today.

"Mother and concubine came just in time, please sit down quickly."

The prince hurriedly stood up, helped Concubine Zhou to sit down, and handed him a cup of tea.

"Why did you choose such a place? There are so many people."

Concubine Zhou's tone revealed a little annoyance.

"The more busy the city is, the less it will attract people's eyes and ears. It is only appropriate to be quiet in such a noisy city."

"Always you have a reason, it's good, it's closer to the palace, and it's easier to come and go."

"My concubine is so anxious to find me, what is the reason?"

"Qiu Shi'an is missing."

"Missing? How could this be? I entered the palace half a month ago and saw him?"

Qiu Shi'an is the eunuch in the palace.Together with Dai Quan, Xia Bingzhong and Zhou Eunuch, they are called the Four Great Eunuchs.Belonging to one of the four most powerful eunuchs in the palace.

"When did you disappear?"

"I saw him four days ago. That was the third day after Chang'an came back. Since that day, no one has seen him again."

"Chang'an did it? Isn't it so?"

"Do you think Chang'an is still the little girl who only asked you for money? After she came back from Wendu, she changed. However, it's not necessarily that Chang'an did it. Qiu Shi'an is always cautious when doing things. There should be no flaws."

"There is still no news about Xia Bingzhong?"

"It should still be in the northwest."

"How do you know he's there?"

"I peeked at the emperor's secret book, Xia Bingzhong's handwriting, I can read it."

"Xia Bingzhong has been away for more than half a year, and the emperor sent him to the northwest. What exactly is he going to do?"

(End of this chapter)