The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

After bidding farewell to Li Zhi, Chen Heng chatted with his mother-in-law Jia Min for a while when he got home, and the imperial edict was delivered to the house through the Xingren Division. The servants in the house are all very proficient in the proper etiquette and desking. After a slightly solemn ceremony, when Chen Heng accepted the imperial edict, he became the fifth-rank magistrate of Songjiang Prefecture.

This speed of promotion is not unpleasant, but thinking about what he experienced in Ping'an Prefecture and what he did in Songjiang Mansion, Chen Heng felt at ease.

Jia Min was the happiest person about Chen Heng's promotion. At such a young age, he is able to achieve this official position. The prospects for the future cannot be described as far-reaching.

It happened that Lin Ruhai had not yet gone to the office, so the mother-in-law simply asked her son-in-law to chat a little more.

It's a national gift from the Supreme Emperor, so I can't celebrate it for you. Jia Min said with great regret.

Chen Heng immediately praised: That's right, mother-in-law. My father-in-law has the responsibility of supervising all officials, and our family should set an example.

Although the mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, the more she looks at him, the more she likes him. But Chen Heng was never as comfortable in front of Jia Min as he was in front of Lin Ruhai. Jia Min doesn't care about junior's restraint. As long as Heng'er treats Yu'er well, that's more important than anything else.

When we go back this time, you two should hurry up and settle the matter. Jia Min counted the days. After the New Year, the state funeral will be over. It has been a year since Yu'er married into the Chen family. It is the right time to have a child at this time.

Chen Heng looked embarrassed when he heard this, and felt a little hopeful in his heart. Who will the children born to me and Daiyu look more like? I just wish my skin color could be more like Yu'er's.

I know, mother-in-law.

Seeing that Chen Heng agreed to the matter, Jia Min nodded with satisfaction. As soon as she was in a good mood, she started to collect the things she wanted to bring back to Chen Heng. One of the Chen and Lin families is in the capital and the other is in Yangzhou, but they rarely move around each other. But walking around during the New Year and festivals is indispensable.

It happened that Heng'er was in the capital this time, so he wanted to take some more things back and have his son-in-law hand them over to the Chen family in person, which would further show the Lin family's courtesy.

Chen Heng, who was free, spent half a day reading in Lin Ruhai's study before waiting for his father-in-law to come back. As soon as the two sons-in-law met, Lin Ruhai smiled and congratulated her son-in-law on his promotion.

The father-in-law and son-in-law complimented each other for a few words. Seeing Lin Ruhai's beard twitching slightly, Chen Heng smiled and asked something, Teacher, do I have to go to the Ministry of Personnel to get documents tomorrow?

In the previous compliment, Chen Hengzheng mentioned Lin Ruhai’s teachings. Calling teacher at this moment made Lin Ruhai feel even more joyful. Without thinking too much, he said directly: Now that Mr. Yan takes leave every day, you don't have to go. With this edict, it will be the same when you go back.

Considering the scope of work of prefecture and county magistrates, there are still many differences. Lin Ruhai pulled Chen Heng to share with him his experience as a prefect in Yangzhou.

These are all practical insights. Chen Heng listened and asked, and the time passed very happily. Lin Ruhai was more interested in chatting today and brought out the recent events in the morning to give her son-in-law some insights.

Chen Heng listened for a long time and then asked suspiciously: So, Your Majesty plans to take over the Zhen family first?

Yes. Lin Ruhai nodded and said softly, In these few days, people from the Criminal Department and Dali Temple will take the first step.

That means the Zhen family will be arrested and brought to justice before the New Year's Eve. Chen Heng asked thoughtfully, What about the crime?

Treason. After Lin Ruhai said these two words, he sighed and shook his head. It seems that the huge aristocratic family is about to decline.

He specifically explained to Chen Heng, The Zhen family originally relied on Prince Yi Zhong to make their fortune. Many of the people under the water this time are also Prince Yi Zhong's disciples and former officials.

Later, Lin Ruhai explained to Chen Heng the strategy he and Wei Yinghong had decided together. To investigate the major conspiracy case, the imperial court planned to seize the place first and then move on the nobles of the capital.

Although it is more complicated to do, it can reduce some turmoil, which is always a good thing for the people. Lin Ruhai set the tone for the matter and said, Don't forget this matter after you return to Songjiang. The county magistrate told me about his personal experience. Because, magistrates are different from magistrates. It is more important to know people well and make good use of them, and coordinate the relationship between local and county officials.

Chen Heng stood up hurriedly, and the two sons-in-law continued to speak. However, Jia Min had already sent someone to invite the confused son-in-law to go out for dinner.

Considering that when I go back today, I will definitely not be able to spend the New Year with my two elders. Although he couldn't drink, Chen Heng still tried his best to make the two elders happy at the table.

…………

…………

A few days later, Chen Heng took Li Jun, Liu Xianglian, Lin Jue, and Xinda back to Songjiang's officialdom. If it weren't for Li Jun, who was a dragster, Chen Heng would actually prefer seagoing ships. Nowadays, starting from Tianjin Wei, it takes a few days to reach Songjiang by sea ship, which is really fast.

It's a pity that Li Jun is rich, and it is rare for him to travel to the palace to study, so his mind has already flown to the ends of the world. Along the way, Li Jun took Liu Xianglian and Lin Jue to look east and west, and it was so lively.

Xinda watched clearly from the sidelines and felt that it was really troublesome for such a big shot to stay in Songjiang for half a year. He asked this question to Chen Heng and learned the reason from the latter.

Do you really think His Highness is following us just to study? Now the imperial court is preparing to stir up the families in Jiangnan. When the storm passes, His Highness will come to calm His Majesty's people and stabilize the situation.

After this matter is finished, he will take a look at the maritime affairs of Songjiang Prefecture a few times. He will probably return to Beijing immediately.

When his brother said this, Xinda immediately thought in his heart: I know these people above are full of tricks. Any little thing about study tour can be made into a fuss over and over again.

Live your life with peace of mind, don't worry about His Highness. Although he is playful, his conduct is good. Chen Heng put down the book and signaled to the worried Xinda to quickly pour himself a cup of tea.

As everyone knows, Li Jun is coming back from watching the scenery from the bow of the boat. As soon as he pushed the door open, he shouted: Mr. Chen, who do you think is playful?

There were Li Zhi and Li Xian standing behind Chen Heng. He was not timid when he spoke and said directly: Of course it is His Highness.

Li Jun didn't care, but said with a cheerful smile: I've been having fun these days. Don't worry, Mr. Chen, I've come to my senses and am about to bring Brother Jue here to ask you for advice.

Yes, yes, that's what His Highness told me on the bow of the ship. Lin Jue was still helping, but he didn't know that he had already told the whole story.

This brother-in-law of his is a wonderful person. Chen Heng chuckled and watched Li Jun and Lin Jue get into a quarrel. The two of them are about the same age, and they are the same age as their second brother Chen Qingyue. When you pass by your house, you can take your second brother with you to Songjiang.

With a decision in his mind, Chen Heng stopped the quarrel between the two and said to Li Jun: What does Your Highness want to hear today?

Let's continue talking about the Sima family's usurpation of Wei yesterday. He had only listened to half of the story, and Li Jun was not willing to change it easily.

Okay. Chen Heng nodded and continued yesterday's explanation, We said yesterday that if Cao Mengde wants to choose his successor, it can only be Cao Pi, not Cao Zhi who hangs out with the aristocratic family all day long.

The reason for this starts with the national policy set by Cao Wei - suppressing embarrassment. The so-called suppression of embarrassment means attacking local powerful people. Although the ancestors of the Cao family have some official positions, compared with the Yuan family and the Sima family, they are really far behind. The difference.

Cao Cao wanted to end the chaos of the Three Kingdoms and re-build a court with prestige and legality. He inevitably had to choose to strip away the powerful local powers that were flourishing in the troubled times...

Although Chen Heng kept talking, Li Jun already understood most of it. Because the general content of it still revolves around the overview of centralization and unification. Lin Jue, who had missed one class, could only take notes while listening, and would study them in depth later.

Chen Heng was not partial to this brother-in-law who was not allowed to ask questions or speak. Just because he was about to take the college examination, what he said was of no use in the imperial examination. On the contrary, the sooner Li Jun, who will ascend the throne as Dabao, understands these principles, the better.

Chen Heng's classes are not as scripted as those of ordinary academics. I prefer to break down the ins and outs behind political events for Li Jun, rather than generalizing them with words such as benevolence, justice, propriety, wisdom, trust, and foolishness and sage.

Li Jun listened unknowingly and was fascinated. He liked Mr. Chen's detailed narration. It was both thought-provoking and in line with historical facts. It was really refreshing.

The class lasted until Xinda changed the oil lamp, and Li Jun got up and said goodbye with the courtesy of a student. But this class was not in vain. Chen Heng would naturally leave Li Jun with a topic to write his reflections on, just like later generations of teachers. At the same time, he also left Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty as the direction of Li Jun's study.

Understanding the mistakes of previous dynasties is the beginning of success.

Using history as a mirror, we can know the rise and fall; using people as a mirror, we can know the gains and losses.

…………

…………

After spending several days on the canal, Chen Heng finally arrived in Yangzhou before the year. The group did not inform the local magistrate before setting off. Chen Heng hurriedly took several people home to visit his parents before nightfall.

Chen Qi and Chen Huaijin did not expect their child to come back suddenly, so the family was naturally overjoyed. Chen's mother, Mrs. Gu, complained that her son had not informed him in advance and that the family was not even prepared.

Chen Heng didn't care about Gu's nagging and just said that he missed his parents. His room was always unoccupied. But Gu asked someone to clean it every day. After changing to a set of bedding, Chen Heng felt even more at ease lying on his own bed.

It's a pity that Chen Heng couldn't stay in Yangzhou for long because of the emperor's orders. I only spent one night with my old parents at home. Early the next morning, he boarded the official ship again and continued to Songjiang.

The Yangzhou magistrate who came after hearing the news had no choice but to leave the gift for Chen Heng and went back to report to the magistrate in disinterest.

…………

…………

The closer the official ship riding the wind and waves got to Songjiang Mansion, the more uneasy Chen Heng felt. He had lost interest in teaching for the past two days, and Li Jun, Lin Jun, and Chen Qingyue did not dare to disturb him easily. The three boys mingled together and had fun secretly, but Chen Heng hid in the house. It was not until Liu Xianglian came over to say that he had arrived in Songjiang that he calmly walked out of the cabin.

A group of people walked down the pier. The prefect Liu Yanzhang, who had informed him in advance, was already waiting here with the officials, music classes, and common people in the prefecture. Li Jun's appearance is really a big deal for a small place like Songjiang.

Although they walked into the state capital together, Chen Heng only stayed for a moment at the banquet arranged by Mr. Liu, before his own carriage arrived. Pretending to be unwell, I resigned first.

It was Yan Xiaoer who drove the carriage, and the official rules of Songjiang Mansion had been revised several times, so that Chen Heng, who was sitting in the carriage, could not feel the slightest bump. He endured it for a long time, but finally couldn't hold it in anymore, raised the car curtain and looked outside.

On this avenue leading to Huating County Government Office, there are still many houses hanging white flags.

Chen Heng only glanced at it, and his eyes retracted as if he was electrocuted.

Why.

…………

…………

Her husband went home today. Daiyu put aside the school affairs early and took Yinglian to wait at the back door of her house. When they saw Chen Heng stepping out of the carriage, the three closest people hugged each other tightly.

At this moment, silence is better than sound. No matter how many caring words you express, they can't be compared to the hugs between each other. Chen Heng, who was still thinking, took the two of them by the hand and said, Let's go home.

Halfway through, Daiyu, who regained her energy, asked Chen Heng why he came back in such a hurry.

Dad also wrote to me before, saying that His Majesty will keep you until the end of the New Year...

Listening to the daily routine, Chen Heng felt both joy and nostalgia in his heart. This real life energy is what he is unwilling to give up or forget in this life.

I miss you. Chen Heng said directly.

Who would have thought that my husband would dare to act so boldly in broad daylight. Amid the suppressed laughter of Zijuan and Qingwen, Daiyu blushed. Chen Heng felt that it was not enough, so he said to the fat Yinglian: I miss you too.

When Yinglian arrived, she smiled coquettishly and responded: I miss your husband too.

It was the dim afterglow that shone on the small home. The rekindled oil lamp shone on the snow on the remaining leaves in the courtyard, and on the white walls of the home the busy figures shone.

Laughter gradually began, and the head of the family returned. The speed at which Zijuan and Qingwen worked became much more energetic. It just so happens that the day after tomorrow is the New Year's Eve, so it's natural to bring out all the festive red things and ornaments.

Liu Xianglian was tall and volunteered to take over the task of hanging the lanterns. Xinda, on the other hand, frowned and hurriedly sorted out the tents at home. He was not at home during this period, so don't let any stupid bastard bring the false accounts to his sister-in-law.

When it was late at night, everyone in the county government began to take a rest. Chen Heng, who had just finished speaking to the two ladies, stood alone under the eaves enjoying the snow, wearing his outer robe.

God was kind, and it didn't start snowing until he returned home. Looking at the sky and the earth that turned white unconsciously, Chen Heng stood alone, and the poems of layman Yi An suddenly flashed in his mind.

Daiyu, who was repairing Chen Heng's new official robe, vaguely heard singing. Yinglian obviously heard the ethereal singing, and she looked out the window at the falling snow.

I still miss Xiang Yu and refuse to cross the Yangtze River. Yinglian silently repeated the lyrics several times, and suddenly said unexpectedly, Sister, is it the voice of your husband?

It's snowing so heavily, why did the Hun family go out to watch the snow alone? Yinglian really wanted to get up and get some clothes for Chen Heng, but Daiyu had already reached out to stop her, shook her head slightly and said, Sister, please don't disturb your husband at this time.

Yinglian couldn't figure it out for a moment, but she still listened to Daiyu's words, sat down again and picked up her official boots to repair them silently.

Why did the Overlord of Chu, who was only one step away from being able to survive in an ignoble way, still refused to cross Jiangdong?

Chen Heng figured it out, and so did Daiyu. Chen Heng knew that Daiyu would know, and Daiyu knew that Chen Heng knew that she would know.

Sometimes, she would rather wait outside. Wait for your man to get back on his feet and become the hero who can turn the tide again.