Red Mansion Royal Cat

Chapter 582 That Man Is Here Again
Although Yangzhou relied on the salt administration to prosper in the past and the salt merchants are no longer around, Yangzhou is still one of the important cities in the south of the Yangtze River.

Those families that made a fortune based on the salt industry and invested heavily in maritime trade are still singing their unique romantic stories in Yangzhou City.

The clouds in the sky looked particularly charming against the backdrop of the western ocean. Jia Cong, dressed in casual clothes, did not attract much attention from others. He walked into the city and arrived at the Lin family residence in Yangzhou.

"Son-in-law, the eldest girl went out of the city today and will probably be back later..."

Xueyan brought people to welcome Jia Cong into the mansion. The courtyard did not become dilapidated due to the master's departure. Instead, it seemed even quieter because there were fewer people disturbing it.

The house has been taken care of over the past few years, and everything is just as it was before, quiet, elegant and in order.

After the long journey, Jia Cong looked obviously tired.

After a quick wash, he lay down on the couch and fell into a deep sleep.

Yangzhou was still very hot in early autumn. In his dream, he felt the softness against his body and smelled the familiar fragrance.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Daiyu leaning against him, leaning against his chest.

"I didn't expect to wake up in the middle of the night. You didn't even wake me up when you came back..."

Daiyu rubbed against Jia Cong's chest like a lazy cat.

"I saw you were sleeping soundly, you must be tired, so I didn't call you."

As he was speaking, a maid's voice was heard at the door, asking if the meal was ready.

The two of them stayed together for a while before letting someone in. They talked about their experiences over the past few days while having dinner.

Jia Cong put a thin cloak on Daiyu and took a walk in the yard in the moonlight to help digest the food.

Daiyu was either nagging or asking for Jia Cong's opinion. She said, "Everything seems to be normal at the public school in Yangzhou Prefecture, but I always feel that something is wrong. After hearing what you said today, I understand a little bit..."

It turned out that since Daiyu arrived in Yangzhou Prefecture, she asked the government office for the rosters and account records of the public schools in the prefecture and county.

If we only look at the rosters and account books, the public schools in the counties of Yangzhou Prefecture were run very well.

Not only were there direct grants from the imperial court, but there were also a large number of donations from the private sector.

It is said that the south of the Yangtze River is prosperous and has a long tradition of donating money to support education. At first glance, everything seems to be thriving in the public school in Yangzhou Prefecture.

But after Daiyu looked at the public schools in two of the counties, she discovered that most of the students who graduated from the public schools with excellent grades became guests of honor in major wealthy families.

Last year, there were fifty candidates who made it to the Yangzhou Prefecture examination, and nearly half of them were students from public schools. Among this half, as many as 70% were from poor families but received donations from wealthy families to become scholars.

According to the information gathered by their close followers, these people have established an extremely special relationship with the wealthy families.

Compared with the earlier Xilin and Jindang clans, the methods of the emerging wealthy families were slightly softer. They mostly adopted marriage as a means or showed favors to others, gradually infiltrating their power into the officialdom.

In just two years, these people, relying on the name of donating to support education, have won over most of the talents educated in the public school...

"It is clear that the imperial court invests nearly 10 million taels of silver every year to build schools, promote egg and milk projects, and support orphans. However, in these public schools in Yangzhou Prefecture, those merchants who donated hundreds or thousands of taels of silver were engraved on monuments and became philanthropic saints of long-term plans..."

Daiyu was not against businessmen donating money to support education, but she was indignant that the court's efforts for the century-long plan were finally reaped the fruits of its efforts by others.

This was something Daiyu could not tolerate at all. A large number of students in the public school regarded those wealthy and lucrative businessmen as saints, and believed that it was thanks to these people that they were able to attend the public school.

Of course Jia Cong could understand Daiyu's indignation. Ever since the imperial court implemented compulsory education, Daiyu would take time out to tour the north and south regardless of the season.

Three hundred and sixty days in a year, work never stops.

She had to review and audit those thick and complicated accounts and the school construction in every county.

Other girls would discuss hair ornaments, gold hairpins, or silk and satin, but she, a princess of the imperial court, the most beloved daughter of the Jia and Lin families, had forgotten even her favorite poems and talked about court affairs every day...

I worked so hard, but in the prosperous Jiangnan area, all the credit was taken away by others!

Jia Cong used a gentle tone to comfort the obviously angry little girl, gently held her in his arms, and stroked her smooth and soft hair.

"That's understandable, because what the court does is a responsibility and an obligation, and gradually many people will take it for granted. And many of these wealthy merchants donate money to support education for the sake of reputation, otherwise where would the monuments and biographies come from?"

How many people in the world are as selfless as Duke Wenzheng of Wei?
Jia Cong did not care about the fame that businessmen sought, but he would never allow the court to invest tens of millions of taels of silver a year to grow a seedling, only to have others reap the fruits in the end.

"The imperial court invests so much money, manpower, and material resources every year, and yet they spend a little money and think they can gain fame and snatch people away for their own use? Wishful thinking!"

Jia Cong sneered, then laughed dumbly and added: "But speaking of those brainless people, since they are willing to hang out with these newly promoted wealthy businessmen, then they can go into business. The court does not lack those so-called talents."

Jia Cong and the court didn't care about people who could be coaxed away by a little bit of icing.

Think about the talents trained in the public schools in the capital, who are vying to repay the court and go to any remote and impoverished place to become teachers. Such people are what the court really needs.

After Jia Cong's persuasion, Daiyu felt much better.

The two of them discussed the gains and losses in the promotion of compulsory education in the courtyard, and finally returned to the bedroom and lay on the bed, still cuddling together and whispering to each other.

A short separation is better than a new marriage. The early autumn night in the south of the Yangtze River was not very chilly. After more than an hour of cuddling, the two finally hugged each other, sweating profusely, feeling satisfied and yet unsatisfied.

The next morning, Jia Cong became energetic again.

Daiyu got up early as planned, said goodbye to Jia Cong, and took a carriage out of the city.

She is now a third-rank Minister of Rites in the imperial court and a princess of the imperial court. The officials in Yangzhou City have recently focused their attention on Daiyu, and they wish this legendary woman would leave as soon as possible.

If she stayed at home all the time, it would be inconvenient for Jia Cong to do many things.

Jia Cong, feeling refreshed, sat in the center hall. After much deliberation, he decided to send his personal soldiers with a warrant to the Songjiang navy.

He didn't dare to gamble on the loyalty of the Jiangnan camp, and he felt more at ease with the navy directly under the central government.

"Third Master, the brothers we sent out are back..."

As soon as the city gates opened early in the morning, the personal soldiers who had been arranged to conduct secret investigations rushed back.

After Jia Shiyi came in with a few people, he listened to one of them report what he had learned in Yangzhou, Suzhou, Changzhou and other places.

"Third Master's guess is correct. These families that made their fortunes through maritime trade have now replaced the Xilin Party, salt merchants, and those big families that started out as smugglers and have become the new local tyrants..."

According to the information gathered by the personal soldiers, this group of people who got rich first quickly colluded with each other and wanted to monopolize wealth and even power, cut off the path to upward mobility, so that their families could control the local areas like the aristocratic families of previous generations.

Unfortunately, they still underestimated the influence of Confucianism over thousands of years.

Although these families possess endless wealth, the Jiangnan academic community is not a monolithic entity.

Among them, a large number of great scholars and officials were very dissatisfied with the gradually changing atmosphere in the literati circle. Among them, Zhou Yichang, the president of Qinghe Academy, the largest academy in Nanzhili and a great scholar from Suzhou, was the most opposed.

Zhou Yichang is not only a good friend of Jia Cong's teacher Xu Qingteng, he is also the apprentice of Mr. Wei and a fierce man who has fought a tiger with his bare hands.

When Mr. Wei passed away, the imperial court spent a huge amount of money to build the largest academy in Jiangnan in Jinling in his memory. Zhou Yichang took the initiative to volunteer and took the position of the president of Qinghe Academy with the title of Minister of Rites.

In the past two years, he has gathered a large number of scholars and competed with the newly emerging wealthy forces for the right to speak in the Jiangnan officialdom.

"Uncle Zhou really understands people's hearts very well. He even thought of publishing a newspaper..."

Jia Cong flipped through the "Shilin Shiwen" in his hand and was overjoyed.

As expected, some people really don’t understand the affairs of scholars.

Just relying on this newspaper controlled by the imperial court and Confucianism, it is difficult for the nouveau riche who made their fortunes through maritime trade to completely seize the fruits that the imperial court had spent a lot of manpower and financial resources to grow over the years.

"I will write an article and send it to Qinghe Academy along with my letter. I will ask Zhou Shishu to publish it in the latest issue of Shilin Shiwen."

Jia Cong was amused. He raised the newspaper in his hand and said with a smile: "Since they think that the court does not know how to spread fame, then I will speak for those who have worked hard for several years to promote compulsory education!"

……

What is the hottest topic along the Qinhuai River in recent times?
First, Princess Wen'an and Minister of Rites Lin Xianzi were ordered to inspect Jiangnan, and local school officials, academies, schools and thousands of students were "eagerly looking forward to it".

It is said that the academic officials of the academies and schools are almost driving the students crazy. Not only do they want the academies and schools to be spotlessly clean, but they also try their best to show their best.

Second, Jia Cong, Marquis of Yongfeng, has come to Jiangnan again!
Ma Daoyuan, the right councillor of the Nanzhili Provincial Administration, was beheaded, the Liao family, a prominent family in Huai'an Prefecture, was raided, and its head, Liao Wanyi, was executed immediately, and his property was confiscated...

The heads of the two men were hung on a flagpole and carried across the states by Jia's personal soldiers, where they were displayed to the public for a month. Finally, they were hung on the gate tower of Jinling City to dry.

The tough and bloody means almost scared the officials and businessmen of Nanzhili, and the officials of the Maritime Customs were even more frightened like headless flies, running around everywhere to inquire about Jia Cong's whereabouts.

"I heard from my cousin's uncle's cousin's sister-in-law that the man should have entered Jinling City now. Do you see that there are fewer dudes on the streets these days?"

"Brother, you are quite capable. You actually found out the whereabouts of that man! Songjiang is in chaos. The supervising eunuch Hui E is said to have been sunk into the canal. Rumor has it that Lord Jia is going to massacre the Songjiang Maritime Customs..."

"Not only the Maritime Customs, but the Imperial Cat has the three items bestowed by the Emperor, the golden order, the golden sword, and the golden knife. Once the order was passed to Jinling City, the provincial government, the provincial judicial commissioner, and even the officials of all prefectures and counties in Nanzhili went crazy!"

How can I not be crazy?

That's the man!
It has caused changes in the south of the Yangtze River several times and has caused turmoil in the entire southeast region.

Back then, the Zhen family was at its peak. The first time Jia Cong, who was only eight years old, went south, he cut off the hands and feet of the Zhen family, forcing them to hide in Jinling and dare not move.

Back then, the Xilin Party almost controlled the entire Jiangnan officialdom. It was this man who bombarded the Xilin Academy and blasted all the Xilin bosses into pieces.

In the hearts of the people in the south of the Yangtze River, his brother Jia Lian is like a patron saint.

Which family of the common people who suffered from the slaughter and bullying by the Japanese pirates did not set up a longevity tablet for them?

Jia Cong, who is not afraid of corrupt officials?
Even if you are not a corrupt official, if the Imperial Cat Jia Cong wants to investigate you, where can he not find some faults?

There are many stories about talented men and beautiful women along the Qinhuai River. Important news like Jia Cong's move south had long been circulated here, especially the fact that his single order caused a huge stir in the officialdom and business circles of Southern Zhili.

However, these talented people were just watching the show. What happened in officialdom and business had nothing to do with them.

In early autumn, the scenery along the Qinhuai River is just perfect.

It would be fine for everyone to have some fun and gossip, but what happened next was Shilin’s own big event.

"Huh? There's actually an article by that man in today's Shilin Shiwen!"

"Hmm? Who? Marquis Yongfeng? Let me see..."

"Who's the cutest person? That's not elegant enough!"

This was everyone's first reaction when they saw the front-page article of this issue of "Shilin Times". The title, which was dull and straightforward, did not match Jia Cong's reputation as the top six winners.

The whole article is not a piece of writing with flowery words, but adopts a documentary story format to tell the story of the proposal, suggestion, planning and implementation of the compulsory education policy from beginning to end.

After Princess Wen'an and Fairy Lin talked with Jia Cong about Confucius's teaching without distinction and the country's education, the two brainstormed and came up with the concept of compulsory education.

Then he wrote a proposal, which for the first time put the implementation of compulsory education on the emperor's desk.

After that, the emperor showed his favor to the people and took out millions of taels of silver from the palace treasury to try out this policy in the capital...

Jia Cong used small stories of officials from the Ministry of Rites, including Daiyu, and many other meritorious officials to present the court's reaction, the raising of money, and the initial hardships to everyone.

What moved everyone the most was that the minor officials of the Ministry of Rites ran around every corner of the capital city regardless of the cold or heat for this century-long plan, selecting sites for public schools, hiring teachers, urging and persuading people to send their children of school age to school, and so on, and all other matters were handled in an orderly manner.

By the time it is officially implemented nationwide, the amount of money spent each year will be unimaginable.

"The court's annual investment in public schools is as high as 11.28 million taels!"

Someone on the houseboat suddenly exclaimed and looked at the numbers in the newspaper with disbelief.

It’s just a small public school…

Wait, if there is one public school per mile, how many schools would there be in a territory of ten thousand miles?

The imperial court had to provide books for students, pay salaries to professors, and promote the egg and milk project to strengthen the physical fitness of young people...

More than 10 million taels of silver may seem like a lot, but I'm afraid it's just barely enough.

At this time, another person frowned because he discovered a big problem.

It seems that in this prosperous land of the south of the Yangtze River, when people talk about the current cultural prosperity, they only talk about the "benevolent, righteous and virtuous gentleman" engraved on a certain stone tablet, or a certain righteous and wealthy businessman, but they never seem to mention the court's contribution and the hard work of those court officials.

Monthly ticket recommendation ticket

　That’s all for today, continue tomorrow!
　　I've been a bit busy lately, so the update may be a little late, sorry!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)