The Red Mansions

Chapter 239 The Desperate King Qi

Jia Heng glanced over the officials of Jinyi Mansion present, nodded, and said: "Everyone, go to the official hall to talk."

Deliberately refraining from polite greetings, and acting as if you have arrived at your own yamen, is to create a habit of "I am the talker".

Obedience test...

While talking, a group of people clattered around Jia Heng and headed towards the official hall. After working together for more than a month, it was exactly as Jia Heng thought, and gradually formed a tacit understanding of "superior and superior".

Walking to the official hall, Jia Heng sat behind the case, with a solemn face, serious and unsmiling, said: "Ji Tongzhi, count all the gold, silver, and property, and in the afternoon, I will enter the palace to face the saint."

Ji Yingtian smiled, and said: "Your Majesty has already sorted out the experience department, please take a look at it, sir."

As he spoke, he handed it over.

Jia Heng took the booklet, flipped through it, raised his eyes, looked at Ji Yingtian, and said: "Master Ji has worked hard, and several other adults have also worked hard, but the businesses left by the Sanhe Gang, such as gambling houses and brothels, are all closed. Stop and rectify, as for other farms and shops, I have to find suitable people to take over, these are the property of the state and must not be sold at a low price."

Gamblers are not engaged in production, and they are very easy to breed illegal things. He naturally wants to crack down severely, and also crack down on underground gambling houses. This move may go against the trend of gaming in this era, but it is his personal insistence.

In fact, even the grandmas in the Grand View Garden drank too much wine and wanted to play for money, and even the young maids such as Qingwen, it can be seen how barren the spiritual entertainment activities of people in this era are.

It seems impossible to completely eradicate the nature of liking leisure, loathing work, and getting something for nothing, but that kind of private gambling house must be severely cracked down, which is often accompanied by the joys and sorrows of family ruin and the sale of children and daughters.

"Why don't you buy the lottery tickets? Dongcheng Free Trade Zone?" Jia Heng felt a little serious in his heart.

No one can surpass the times. If he closes all the gambling houses and cannot find an alternative way of entertainment, there is no doubt that people in Dongcheng will go to other places to gamble. As for closing all the gambling houses in Shenjing City...

Not to mention him, even the cabinet ministers don't have such great energy.

As for brothels, it is even more unrealistic to completely eradicate them. The imperial court has the Ministry of Etiquette's Jiaofang Secretary, and the female lords generate income. Since Guan Zhong proposed it, it has continued to this day, even in later generations... there are words of prosperity and prostitution.

However, heavy taxes can be imposed on brothels to suppress their living space, and crack down on prostitution, abduction and trafficking of women and children.

"This is a feudal society. The three major transformations that are carried out by one person, divorced from the economic foundation and social consensus, are just nonsense. All I can do is to prevent China from sinking under the iron hooves of foreign races. Next, strive for more living space for this ancient nation, as for other things... I can only say that each generation has a mission for each generation, well, we must believe in the wisdom of future generations."

Jia Heng suppressed some thoughts in his heart.

As for Zhuangzi, Tianpu, bidding, etc., he hadn't thought about it at all, because people can't...too sincere.

For the Yingsheng shop, he has found someone to take over, one is the eldest princess of Jinyang, and the other is... his Jia family.

But for the latter, after all, you have to ask the meaning of the emperor.

According to his idea, it is best to set up a royal firm and operate ships and car dealers with the royal family, but this should not be done with great fanfare, otherwise, the council of civil servants in the court and the people will be rampant.

"It's easy, just ask the emperor to find a white glove. Well, I think Princess Jinyang is pretty good."

Jia Heng's eyes were deep, and his thoughts turned.

It can be said that the identity of Princess Jinyang is extremely special, and this single mother has a good reputation. If she can take care of the business, it will be difficult for everyone to say anything.

Seeing that Jia Heng was silent and thoughtful on his face, Ji Yingtian was surprised, and said in a loud voice: "The officials of all the yamen in Beijing are also paying attention to the copying and inspection of the property of the Sanhe Gang. Xiang Yingsheng, there are also merchants who ask people to inquire about buying, can you meet them?"

Jia Heng glanced at Ji Yingtian indifferently, and said: "Shop, business, I have found a good buyer, the price is absolutely fair, Master Ji just let them go."

Hearing this, Ji Yingtian's lips twitched, but he couldn't say anything more.

He looked at those businesses and shops with jealousy, and wanted to raise money to buy a hen that lays golden eggs.

Forget it, after this incident, he will be the magistrate of the Jinyi Mansion, there are many such opportunities, so let's bear with it for now.

Just when Jia Heng was in Jinyi Mansion discussing how to deal with the Sanhe Gang's legacy of livelihood, farms, shops, and mansions.

Qi Wang's mansion is also discussing the disposal of their own business, farms, and shops to make up for the shortfall.

In the study
The midday sun shines through the carved glass windows and falls into the elegantly furnished study room.

King Qi slumped all over his body on a grand teacher's chair. This plump and big-eared Duke of Qi had a white and fat face, with a haggard complexion and a dull complexion. Under the short eyebrows of broad beans, his eyes were bloodshot, I didn't sleep well for half a month, and my lips got blisters.

"My lord, you have to take care of your health." The concubine Xiang Shi, who was on the side, held a jade bowl and used a spoon to disperse the heat. A look of concern appeared on her gentle and soft crystal clear jade face, and she persuaded her.

King Qi sighed, his eyes lost his mind, and said: "Gu has not closed his eyes for two days and two nights...a total of 500 million taels of silver, Gu searched all the cash from all the shops and sold off a lot of farms, so it's worth it We can make up 300 million taels, but we really can’t make up the rest.”

Not far away, the head of the palace, Shi Dourong, was sitting on a golden nanmu chair, his old face was full of melancholy, and he said: "My lord, I'm afraid this money is not too little."

"How does Gu not know! Father Longyan was furious this time. Last month, Gu went to see Grandpa Huang. In front of Grandpa Huang, Father still reprimanded Gu head and face!" King Qi said angrily, with a chubby face His face twitched, his face was ashen, and he said angrily: "After all, it's all the fault of this little Jia Heng! Gu must kill him! Kill him!"

Roaring, he stretched out his hand and swept away the things on the desk, his eyes were blood red, and he roared angrily: "Ten years of business, it will be ruined in one day!"

Concubine Xiang Shi, with a pretty face, was a little pale. Seeing King Qi so angry, she sighed softly, and ordered the maids and servants to clean up the mess everywhere.

Mingming is no stranger to Qi Wang, who has become a "desktop cleaning master".

Dou Rong got up, bowed and bowed: "My lord, please calm down!"

Xu Shaozhen and Monk Huitong who were sitting not far away also got up and tried to persuade them.

King Qi said: "Quiet your anger, calm your anger, but what should I do now? If there is not enough, I will use it as pants! Pawning gold and silver jewelry, furniture furnishings, this is an insult to the dignity of the royal family, and it will definitely anger the emperor. It is definitely not advisable!"

When several people heard the words, they were all gloomy.

Princess Qi frowned at Xiangshi, her pink lips moved, and said: "My lord, it's not as good as a concubine to go back to her mother's house. Thanks to my lord's blessing these years, the family has also rectified a lot of business. If I sell some..."

King Qi frowned, and interrupted: "How much money can your family pay? Even if you sell the property, it's only a hundred thousand taels, a drop in the bucket!"

The profit and dividends he received from the Sanhe Gang over the years were all invested in cultivating wings and wooing subordinates, so he wouldn't allow them to be sold for personal gain for a while, so he really couldn't afford 500 million taels.

Xu Shaozhen hesitated for a moment, and said: "My lord, Xu has a trick here, I don't know whether to say it or not."

King Qi was feeling bored, so he was not so polite, and said: "Say."

Xu Shaozhen was silent for a while, and said: "My lord, since Lin Ruhai, the doctor of Lantai Temple, came to Yangzhou to inspect salt, he has severely cracked down on private salt. Yangzhou salt merchants are panicked and at a loss. They want to find someone to protect them. Shenjing is staying, will the prince see them?"

"Salt merchants? These people are very rich. Mr. Xu, why did they entrust you to your door?" The anger on King Qi's face gradually dissipated, and he asked with expectant eyes.

Dou Rong also said: "The benefits of salt and iron are known from ancient to modern times."

Seeing King Qi and Dou Rong's reaction, Xu Shaozhen felt a little proud, smiled and said: "My lord, before entering the palace for a few years, the young one traveled all over the world and got along with all kinds of teachings. Patriarch, we have met several times, this Patriarch of the Huang family is the most generous."

Xu Shaozhen used to be a fortune-teller and traveled all over the world. He can speak well, so he has a lot of friends.

King Qi's eyes lit up, and he said: "Mr. Xu, can these salt merchants solve the gap of several million taels?"

Xu Shaozhen smiled and said: "Those families are wealthy, 200 million taels, but a drop in the bucket. It's just the prince, who spends a lot of money on others, so he must ask for something. Will the prince want to see them?"

King Qi was overjoyed when he heard the words, and couldn't wait to ask: "Where are they?"

"It's in the Huizhou Merchants Guild Hall. I didn't dare to bother the prince, so I asked the younger one to deliver the message. If the prince wants to see them, I can tell them that I will come to the house to visit in the evening." Xu Shaozhen chuckled down, said.

King Qi nodded when he heard the words, his face became more and more joyful, he thought for a while, and said with a smile: "Mr. Xu, then tell them to let them come from the west corner gate."

"Don't worry, my lord." Xu Shaozhen agreed when he heard the words, and got up excitedly to inform the salt merchants.

After Xu Shaozhen left, the melancholy in King Qi's heart dissipated a lot, he turned his head to look at Wangfei Xiangshi, and said softly: "My Wangfei, Mr. Dou and Master Huitong went in to discuss important matters."

Seeing that King Qi looked much better, Princess Xiang's worried expression faded slightly, she nodded, smiled gently, and said softly: "My lord, don't forget to have lunch later."

King Qi smiled and said, "I will never forget it."

Princess Xiang smiled, and then led the maid out of the study.

After Xiangshi left, King Qi also led Dou Rong and Master Huitong into the secret room. As soon as he entered the secret room, King Qi asked: "Mr. Dou, what do you mean by this salt merchant?"

Being polite to others, one must ask for something, so he eagerly agreed just now, and it was a free gift... Don't want it for nothing!

Dou Rong thought about it, and said: "My lord, Tianying reported this matter the day before yesterday, and Lin Ruhai, the inspector of the salt censor, seems to have the disadvantages of reforming the salt law. These salt merchants probably can't sit still because they are determined to rectify the salt business. "

King Qi frowned, feeling that Lin Ruhai's name was very familiar, and asked doubtfully, "Who is Lin Ruhai?"

Dou Rong explained: "Lin Ruhai was Tanhua during the Longzhi period. He was originally from a family of Liehou, but it was passed down to the Five Dynasties. He married a daughter of the Rongguo Mansion. Now he has been patrolling salt in Yangzhou for several years. This person wants I am afraid that the disadvantages of the leather salt law..."

"Jia family?!" Qi Wang heard the words, but his eyes widened with anger, the veins on his forehead twitched, and he said bitterly: "It turns out to be from the Jia family! This king's current land is all thanks to Jia Heng's son. This king and the Jia family are incompatible!"

There is also an unspeakable secret hatred in my heart. Before the palace gate, Jia Heng's child threatened him with the emperor's sword.

Disgraceful ministers and thieves, great shame and great humiliation!
Seeing that King Qi was furious, Dou Rong smiled wryly and said: "My lord, the four great families in Jinling, King Xue of Jia and Shi, are united and unshakable. I'm afraid the lord wants to seek revenge from Jia's family, so we need to make a long-term plan."

"What are the four big families? They are just a group of wine bags and rice bags! Besides a prince Teng and this Jia Heng, who else is in power in the court?" Qi Wang said with a sneer, his eyes flickering, and said: "What about the four of them? There are also many enemies, especially in Ningguo Mansion. Gu has heard that Jia Heng's son and Liang Shilang from the Ministry of Household Affairs are in dire straits. I don’t think much of this kind of lucky villain, who can’t urinate in a pot at all, and there’s an opportunity here!”

King Qi had been working in the Ministry of Households before, so he naturally had a lot of informants in the Ministry of Households.

He has a clear understanding of the changes in the court situation in recent days.

Dou Rong frowned, sighed, and said: "My lord, the Ministry of Households can't find fault with him now, so he might ask Jia Yunhui, after all, he just made a fortune. As for the Jia family Old relatives and old friends, as long as this Jia Heng is the patriarch of the Jia clan for a long time, no matter how much they look down on them, they will give him a little bit of respect, my lord, it is better to be quiet now, the palace is watching."

When King Qi heard the words, he knew that what Dou Rong said was reasonable, and he was unavoidably a little irritable. The reason is very simple, this is not a comforting language.

King Qi said coldly: "This kid, I don't believe that he can continue to be rampant, and he will kill himself if he does many injustices!"

Dou Rong endured the strangeness in his heart, and also saw the depression in King Qi's heart. Although he felt that King Qi's resentment towards Jia Heng drowned his reason, he couldn't keep singing the opposite tune, saying: "What the prince said is very true. People don't know how to advance or retreat, offend anyone, and one day, they will be the target of public criticism!"

When King Qi heard this, his face turned pale, and he said: "Yes, it is the target of public criticism! I have long heard that the old prince Zhongshun also has a rift with the Jia family, and has never found a chance to concoct them. When the king is freed from the restraint, he will go to visit his uncle. "

Hearing this, Dou Rong's face changed slightly, and he said: "The prince must never visit the prince of Zhongshun. If you want to find the prince of Zhongshun, you can wait for this batch of money to be collected. The old prince of Zhongshun is in charge of the House of Internal Affairs. When making contact, the prince will wait for the opportunity to visit the old prince." His Majesty's tone."

Mentioning silver, King Qi felt a little heartbroken, and said helplessly, "That's the reason."

(End of this chapter)