Red Mansion and Crimson Pearl

Chapter 152: Serial Pit

Lu Changqing started to act in a pretentious tone, "Prince Zhongshun immediately said: When the emperor made his southern tour, I went with him and thought the scenery there was very beautiful. I stayed there for a year before returning.

“Although I can’t be considered a foundation, at least I’m more familiar with the local customs and people than others!

"Prince Beijing was anxious! He actually said that he was very familiar with the four families of Jinling, and that when he went to Jiangnan, these four families would definitely be of great help!"

Lin Daiyu's face changed when she heard this.

Outside the window, Miaoyu, who was walking leisurely, stopped when she heard the three words "Zhongshun Wang" and slowly moved to the shadow on the other side, listening with bated breath.

"…Prince Yu made a series of sarcastic remarks. His Majesty spoke up for Prince Beijing, saying that the four princes, eight dukes, and twelve marquises were all comrades-in-arms who had fought in the Grand Army.

"Except for the imperial merchant Xue family, the four families of Jinling were originally related by marriage at that time. It would be a lie to say that we are not familiar with each other and do not help each other.

"Beijing Wang's smug look had not yet faded, but His Majesty said: Ke Rong is young after all, and he does not know the difficulties of flood control.

"If we leave this matter to him, it's fine if he fails to do the job well, we can just send someone else to remedy the situation. But if we lose face for Prince Beijing's Mansion, wouldn't the Emperor Taizong not even be able to celebrate his birthday?

"Prince Yu and Prince Zhongshun immediately followed suit. Prince Beijing was so angry that he even issued a military order and used the Prince Beijing's mansion as collateral! He said that if the job went wrong, he would give it up to the Second Prince to set up his own residence outside the palace!"

Daiyu narrowed her eyes: "Second Prince?"

This group of people actually extended their hands to the prince?

Lu Changqing was stunned by her question, and then he continued, "Of course the emperor will not agree to this, and he only asked him to sign a military order: If this matter is not handled well, he will guard Liangjiang for three years and cannot return to Beijing!"

Guarding the two rivers! ?

Isn't this just hanging a piece of fat meat in front of the fox's mouth! ?

Daiyu lowered her head and counted on her fingers, then laughed softly, "Three years later!"

Three years later, the emperor was seventy-four years old.

The second prince is eighteen, the third prince and the fourth prince are seventeen. They should have all married and started their own households.

The most critical matters in the political situation in the capital are almost over.

At most, we can ask Prince Beijing to come back to guard the imperial tomb for the retired emperor!

Daiyu breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as Prince Beijing was not in the capital, she could do many things without any scruples. This was great.

"The princes all gave thumbs up and praised him. But the emperor said that the most difficult task was assigned to the youngest brother, and the older brothers should help him.

"Prince Kejin said immediately, in that case, my boy will be free and serve as Rong's follower!

"Prince Yu also said that the two terms of the Ministry of Works have just expired and they haven't decided where to go next. It would be better to go to Jiangnan to control the floods first, which is exactly their original duty.

"Prince Duncheng then pulled Prince Zhongshun aside and said that they were older than his brothers, and that they had been rewarded with more land and shops by the Supreme Lord, so they were richer than their brothers. Others provided labor, but they provided money.

"When Prince Beijing heard this, he pushed Prince Yu and said he didn't contribute anything. Prince Yu blurted out: I contributed two people from the Ministry of Works!

"Prince Zhongshun interrupted and said: They are people from the imperial court! Are they your people? Prince Yu, although you are assisting the government, you are still a minister! What do you mean, the throne is already yours?

"Prince Beijing also followed suit, terrified, yelling and looking around, asking where the Palace Censor on duty was and why he hadn't come out to impeach Prince Yu for his outrageous words and deeds and his rebellious heart!

"Your Majesty tried to smooth things over, saying with a smile that it was just a slip of the tongue and should not be taken seriously.

"You are teasing Prince Yu again. You have to spend 20,000 silver coins to buy peace. Otherwise, if these scoundrels really go to the Supreme Lord to complain, I'm afraid the emperor's uncle will also have to kneel on the steps of Ganlu Palace!"

Daiyu laughed when she heard this and asked Lu Changqing, "How much silver did your Majesty extort today?"

Lu Changqing stretched out his hand: "Fifty thousand taels!"

Qingwen Xueyan screamed.

"Prince Yu, 20,000 taels; Prince Zhongshun and Prince Duncheng, 16,000 taels each; Prince Kejin, 8,000 taels."

Daiyu couldn't help but smile: "Zhongshun, Duncheng, and Kejin are all cousins ​​of the Supreme Lord. If Prince Kejin doesn't make an exception, won't he lose face?"

"No way! His Majesty said that Prince Kejin is not good at business, and that he has a large family and a big appetite. He said that the other eight thousand silver coins were paid for him by the Emperor's inner treasury!"

Before Lu Changqing finished speaking, Qingwen burst out laughing.

Everyone looked at her.

Qingwen quickly suppressed her laughter and lowered her head.

Daiyu glared at her and called Xiaohong, "Go and see how much cash is left in the box. Bring it all over."

Lu Changqing was stunned, and waved his hands hurriedly: "No, no! Grandpa Tao said that if I dare to take a penny from the girl again, I will never be allowed to enter the palace again!"

He looked outside the door, then moved closer and whispered to Daiyu, "Your Majesty is rich! The news has spread, and the wealthy merchants near the capital are donating money one after another!

"His Majesty has announced that he wants to see these 'righteous merchants' in person when he celebrates his birthday in August!"

If merchants could have an audience with His Majesty in person, wouldn't they donate like crazy? !

Daiyu covered her mouth with her fan, but could not help laughing. She said softly, "Your Majesty looked at my Lin family's vast wealth and did nothing. It seems that the friendship between my father and Your Majesty is really extraordinary!"

Lu Changqing was stunned with his mouth open.

How dare you say that?!

Daiyu smiled and glanced at the sky outside, then ordered Qingwen, "It's getting late. Eunuch Changqing rarely walks outside the palace. Ask Jiang Yong to send a few people to take him to Tao's mansion. Wait until he enters the house before returning."

Lu Changqing's face suddenly turned bitter.

He was planning to go to the Third Lady to pay his respects and to light up this cold stove! How could he go if someone followed him? !

Daiyu pretended not to see it, smiled and asked him to bring some fruits and snacks, and then sent him away.

Aunt Meng had been eating melon seeds for a long time. After Lu Changqing left, she snorted, "This kid is going to lose his head for leaking forbidden secrets."

Lin Daiyu fanned herself and shook her head with a smile, "It was Supervisor Tao who received the emperor's order and specifically asked him to tell me."

"tell you what?"

"One is to tell me that Prince Beijing is leaving the capital, and he won't do anything to me for two or three years. So I can rest assured.

“Secondly, I mentioned to Supervisor Tao last time that if we can’t do anything to Prince Beijing and the others for a while, we might as well let them fight each other.

"Now that we have the fat piece of meat from Liangjiang as bait, not only will Prince Beijing take the bait, but Prince Yu and Prince Zhongshun will also be obsessed with revenge after failing to gain anything.

“In the next two or three years, there will be countless impeachment memorials delivered to Your Majesty.

"In this way, whether Your Majesty wants to kill someone with a borrowed knife, or want to strike the bull from a distance, or want to carry out the plan of killing three warriors with two peaches, it will be easy to deal with."

Aunt Meng was stunned by what she heard.

Daiyu had already stood up, fanning herself, and walked to the window, lying down comfortably: "The series of pits have been dug. Next, we just have to watch how these people jump in one after another!"

Outside the window, Miaoyu let out a long breath and a sincere smile appeared on her face.