[Red Mansions] Lord Hou's daily routine

Lin Jian sat down on Shui Rong's left.

The rain stopped outside, the dark clouds dispersed, and the sky was much brighter than before.The panes of the east room were open, and the skylight leaked in through the panes, casting a soft halo on Shui Rong's body in the sky blue uniform.

Shui Rong is the same age as Lin Jian, if you look at it in detail, Lin Jian is several months older than Shui Rong.

Although both of them are loyal and have the same background, but because they belong to different factions, they both know each other's existence, but in fact there is no intersection or communication.

□□The four county kings appointed by the emperor, this generation of Nan'an County King and Xining County King are mediocre in intelligence, and their official ranks in the court are not as good as water. Even though they have military positions, they are just empty positions. At most, there is a Gyeonggi Garrison General The title, but the status is definitely not as good as water-soluble.

The king of Dongping County has many children these years, and the Mu family is very prosperous. However, the king of Dongping County, Mu Shi, who is over fifty years old, has no sons, but has a lot of sons. Fighting overtly and secretly, the king of Dongping County couldn't bear to be disturbed. He also had an errand in the Ministry of War, but he was also exhausted every day because of the private affairs of the mansion, so he was dragged down and couldn't get a promotion for several years.

Shui Rong is the youngest of the four county kings. Compared with the other three county kings, he is a junior, but he has the highest official position, he is humble, and the mansion is the cleanest. There is nothing to hinder him. He has repeatedly made practical achievements, and he has become a Luan Yiwei envoy in just two years since he became an official. It has to be said that his ability is obvious to all.

In this way, Shui Rong had faintly become the leader of the four kings.But he was born very well, he is a handsome man with a beautiful face and eyes like a star, and he is also a handsome man who is well-known in the city.

"The last time this king saw Lin Yushi, it was at the banquet hosted by the palace under the Holy New Year's Day three years ago. There were so many people at that time, and this king could not speak to Lin Yushi, but he only saw Lin Yushi from a distance. Take a look. At that time, Lin Yushi hadn't joined the army yet, who would have thought that it would be three years later when we met Lin Yushi again."

Lin Jian looked at Shui Rong generously, and Shui Rong also looked back at him calmly with a smile.

"This king has always heard that the third young master of the Lin family lives a willful and willful life and does everything as he pleases. In the past few years, he has been in and out of the palace, and he has often heard old news about Lin Yushi. This king always wants to make friends with Lin Yushi , but never found a chance, and Lin Yushi went to southern Anhui for three years, but I don't want this thought to be delayed until now."

In the early years, Shui Rong's father, that is, when King Xianjun was still there, fell ill in his 30s. King Xianjun only had one son, Shu Rong, and there were no concubine sons in the mansion. Shui Rong was sincere and filial to his father. Served at the sick bed of the king of Xianjun.

Later, the former county king went away, and Shui Rong inherited the title of the county king. As a result, Shui Rong's mother, who became the princess of the county, fell ill again, and Shui Rong served his mother for two years. those promotions.

Shui Rong, like Jia Baoyu, has a problem of liking to be close to beauties, especially beauties with both appearance and connotation, Shui Rong loves them the most.Of course, from Shui Rong's point of view, this is not a fault, it is elegance.

Lin Jian was Xiao Yu's companion when he was a child, and he tossed around lawlessly in the palace. His reputation as bastards and rogues had long been spread all over the city, but even so, it could not conceal the fact that Lin Jian was born with a good skin.

Shui Rong has seen many gentle and well-behaved beauties on weekdays. After meeting Lin Jian, he was fascinated by his chic and romantic appearance. He secretly paid attention to him for several years, but unfortunately he never got close to Lin Jian.

He has faintly become the leader of the four kings at a young age, which is naturally inseparable from his character and ability. He is different from Jia Baoyu.Jia Baoyu was young, and was used to being pampered by the mansion. When he saw someone he liked, he would cling to him without hesitation, but Shui Rong didn't do that.

He came out early to run errands, supported the entire county palace early, and obtained his current status through his own efforts early, so he was naturally the most calm.

Even though he wanted to make friends with Lin Jian, he didn't deliberately approach him.

Even now that he met Lin Jian and sat down to talk together, Shui Rong still looked calm.

"Some time ago, this king heard Baoyu mention that not long after Lin Yushi returned to the capital, he was sent by the old general Lin to Rongguo Mansion to visit Lin Gong's bereaved daughter. Afterwards, you will go to Yangzhou, and you will also show great love for Lin Gong's bereaved daughter. , and even dropped her errand to send her to Gusu personally. Lin Yushi handled the Yangzhou salt class deficit case very well. In my king's opinion, Lin Yushi's deeds that dissatisfied the courtiers are quite affectionate and righteous. It is understandable. The Holy Majesty did not criticize Lin Yushi harshly, so it can be seen that the Holy Majesty admires Lin Yushi very much."

Lin Jian's expression didn't change too much when he heard Shui Rong's words. When he heard this, he said: "I heard that the prince of the county once spoke for me in front of the saint. In the past, I was not allowed to meet with the prince of the county. , we meet today, naturally I want to say thank you."

At the beginning, he used himself as a bait to lure all the ministers to accuse him, so that Emperor Chengsheng punished him, and the military salary was quietly transported to southern Anhui by taking this opportunity.As soon as this incident happened, there were not many people who spoke to him in the ruling and opposition parties, and one of them was King Shui Rong of Beijing County.

Shui Rong smiled slightly: "Someone in the court asked me why I was speaking for you. This king once replied that Lin Yushi had a heart for the country, and the arrears of the southern Anhui army's salary was a big problem, and this king was just standing up for justice. Lin Yushi doesn't need to thank you either."

"Baoyu also mentioned that on the day you went to Rongguo Mansion, he excitedly invited you to have a drink together. You agreed and went to the appointment on time. But when Baoyu took out Miss Lin's poems for everyone to appreciate, you were a little unhappy Yes, you left after saying a few words. You haven’t been there since then. The king sees that you treat Miss Lin very well, and after knowing that you have investigated this matter in private, you understand everything.”

"Lin Yushi, you are so angry in Rongguo Mansion today, you ruined the plaque bestowed by the Tai/Grandpa, and you beat Baoyu, all because of Lin Gong's bereaved daughter, isn't it?"

Lin Jian narrowed his eyes slightly, looked straight into Shui Rong's eyes and said frankly, "Yes."

Shui Rong sighed softly when he heard the words, and smiled again after a while and said, "So that's the case. That's really a pity."

Lin Jian asked him what he regretted.

Shui Rong smiled and said slowly: "Baoyu and Miss Lin have been in love since childhood. In Baoyu's heart, Miss Lin is very important. Baoyu has the purest heart of a child. He copied Miss Lin's poems for us to taste in private. I don't want to bury Miss Lin's talent. Miss Lin is very talented, but how many people who have read her poems and appreciated her poetry, how many people don't admire her?"

"This king only hates the difference between inside and outside, men and women are divided, and there is no chance to see each other."

As Shui Rong said, he took out a small embroidered portrait and a delicate booklet made of ivy paper from the wide sleeve.Shui Rong put these two things on the case, raised his hand, and asked Lin Jian to take a closer look.

Lin Jian glanced over, and immediately saw that the embroidered portrait was similar to Lin Daiyu's appearance. His heart sank, and he went to look at the booklet again. As he expected, the booklet was meticulously copied by Lin Daiyu. poetry.Without Shui Rong saying much, Lin Jian could guess that these poems must have been transcribed by Jia Baoyu for Shui Rong and others to appreciate.

After a rough flip, there are as many as there are.

Shui Rong curled his lips into a smile: "This king knows that Lin Yushi cares about Miss Lin, and this king also has compassion, and he will not wantonly ruin the reputation of others. Don't worry, Lin Yushi, this embroidery is like this king's personal property. It was made by the king himself, and this poem was also copied by the king himself. None of Miss Lin's poems have been passed on to the outside world."

At this point, Shui Rong's intentions are obviously self-evident.

Lin Jian looked at the embroidered portrait of Lin Daiyu in front of him, and then at the poem book, he was so angry that he wished he could call someone in, tie Shui Rong to a stool and beat him hard.

But he could beat Jia Baoyu, but he couldn't beat Shui Rong.

Lin Jian tightened his palms, and the string of wagtail incense hanging in his palms was squeezed into his flesh with great force, even squeezing bloodstains on the skin of his palms, as if Lin Jian had never seen it.

He gritted his molars, and said in a cold voice: "Miss Lin's marriage is not up to anyone to decide. No one can threaten her or bully her with marriage regardless of her wishes. She has nothing to do with Jia Baoyu from now on. There will be no such marriage in the Jia family."

What Lin Jian said was nonsense, but Shui Rong understood, he said with a slight smile, "This king said that today Lin Yushi is acting for Miss Lin."

"Baoyu was reckless, and his heart fell on people, but he didn't know that someone had already stepped in first. He couldn't ask for it. Now he was beaten, which was his lesson. If he couldn't fight in the future, he could only let it go. Lin Yushi said A beating won't count as wronging him."

Hearing that Shui Rong didn't complain for Jia Baoyu, didn't even accuse him of beating Jia Baoyu, and didn't say a word for Jia's family, Lin Jian was not surprised, he just looked at Shui Rong quietly, his eyes Light is like a deep well, even if there are waves, it is still water and deep flow without any trace.

Shui Rong continued to laugh and said, "It's also because I know Lin Yushi's intentions, this king said it's a pity."

"One of my concubines passed away not long ago. She is the most lovable by my lord's side. Such a lovable woman with a family background is rare. To tell you the truth, Lin Yushi, my lord is very concerned about Miss Lin. It's a pity that if it was a concubine, it would have wronged her. The king has long had a concubine, and he doesn't want to divorce his wife. Gu Nian Baoyu never made it clear."

"There are many beautiful flowers in this world. Seeing that the flowers are beautiful, you don't want to pick them off and keep them for yourself. Seeing that Yushi Lin has the heart to protect flowers, I am willing to give in one step to achieve the beauty of a person. This embroidered portrait and poetry book are Giving it to Lin Yushi is regarded as my sincerity. If there is any good news in the future, I will congratulate you with generous gifts."

Everyone has a love of beauty, and men are addicted to hunting/pornography, so they don't care what their prey think.They consider it an honor to their prey to have their favor.This is true whether it is Shui Rong or Jia Baoyu, or people who admire Lin Daiyu because of her poetry.

They only care about playing with Lin Daiyu and have no respect for them. These words of Shui Rong made Lin Jian feel sad for Lin Daiyu, and even more angry because of it.

Everyone said that the King of Beijing County was the most humble and polite, a gentle gentleman, Mr. Pianpian, the most beautiful man in the capital, but would a truly humble and polite gentleman speak like this?

Lin Jian put away the embroidered portrait and poetry book, and showed the wagtail incense string in his palm to Shui Rong: "Did the king of the county deliberately gift the incense string to Jia Baoyu, so that he could send it to Miss Lin?"

Shui Rong was extraordinarily frank today. Seeing Lin Jian asking him, he nodded frankly: "That's right. This is my king's token, and it's a token that everyone in the capital recognizes."

Shui Rong only said these two sentences, and he didn't say anything more.

But Lin Jian could hear his sinister intentions.Everything is exactly as he told Lin Daiyu at the beginning, Shui Rong is to use this thing to trap Lin Daiyu, if nothing happens, it's fine, if something happens, Lin Daiyu's reputation will not be guaranteed, and she really can only enter the county palace as a concubine .

Jia Baoyu is a fool, he can even pass on Lin Daiyu's poems, and he doesn't appreciate Shui Rong's intentions at all. He probably still thought that sending this incense string to Lin Daiyu was Shui Rong's way of looking at Lin Daiyu differently.

If his father didn't accept Lin Ruhai's kindness and didn't let him go to Rongguo Mansion to visit Lin Daiyu, then nothing happened later, and he wouldn't cut off this incense string, even if Lin Daiyu didn't want this incense string, as long as the incense string was still in Jia Baoyu's hands , they have countless opportunities to secretly put this incense stick in Lin Daiyu's room.

"Does the king know that your majesty already knew about the fact that you gave the wagtail incense string to Jia Baoyu?"

Shui Rong smiled and said, "This king knows."

"Before coming to Rongguo Mansion, this king had already entered the palace to meet the Holy One. This king confessed his guilt, and gave the wagtail incense sticks to Baoyu without considering other things. The Holy One is lenient, but he did not criticize this king. This king didn't think carefully, and gave the wagtail incense string to others without authorization, ordering the staff to charge thirty. After I have spoken to Lin Yushi, I will go to the palace to receive the punishment."

After hearing this, Lin Jian thought in his heart, Shui Rong is really quick.

In this way, Emperor Chengsheng made a decision, Shui Rong was punished with a rod, and Jia Baoyu was beaten up by him, and the matter of the wagtail incense string really came to an end.As soon as Shui Rong put this matter on the bright side, no one would be able to make use of this matter again.

Lin Jian had many thoughts in his mind, but he took down the wagtail incense stick and put it on the table beside Shui Rong with a calm face: "If that's the case, then this incense stick will return to its original owner."

Shui Rong obviously had more to say, he put the wagtail incense string into his sleeve with a smile, and his face was still smiling like a spring breeze: "In the early years of the previous dynasty, there was a cabinet, and the power of the cabinet's chief ministers and university scholars was higher than that of the emperor. It's still big. The emperor's charter is often rejected by the cabinet. However, the emperor can only follow the decision of the cabinet but has no right to reject it. During the Yonghui period, Emperor Yonghui set up six ministries and replaced the cabinet with six ministries. The power of the cabinet was distributed to However, after the cabinet completely disappeared, the six ministers were defeated by Emperor Yonghui, and a few years later, Emperor Yonghui was in power, and the cabinet system of the previous dynasty disappeared completely."

"Lin Yushi, although you are a military commander, I heard that the Lin family has a lot of books. Lin Yushi has a lot of aura in reading since he was a child, and he is even better than many scholars. Later, you entered the palace and became the prince's companion. , come to think of this story, you are not unfamiliar with it, right?"

Shui Rong smiled and said, "Actually, in my king's opinion, what Lin Yushi is doing now is no different from what the six ministers of Emperor Yonghui are doing. It's just that Lin Yushi has never thought about it. After finishing what should be done, will I end up with the same ending as those six books?"

"Running around in vain, offending countless people for this, might cost my life and property, even if the matter is finally resolved, what good will it do for Lin Yushi?"

Lin Jian also laughed: "The king of the county also said that the cabinet was abolished in the end, and the six ministers were all under the command of Emperor Yonghui. Emperor Yonghui was in power, and the atmosphere in the court was changed. Isn't this the best ending? As a courtier, It is the greatest benefit to see that Sheng Tianzi is in power, and the government and the opposition are going up and down Haiyan Heqing."

Shui Rong smiled quietly: "This king is just a metaphor. After all, Lin Yushi is not the six ministers, and the sage is not Yonghui Emperor. As for the cabinet of the previous dynasty, it cannot be compared with the four kings and eight princes."

"Lin Yushi is a smart man, and he doesn't speak dark words in front of this wise man. Today, the emperor is vigorous and decisive, and his decision to kill is all in one mind. Lin Yushi was born in the army, and his father was a former general. Lin Yushi didn't see anything. At present, the emperor is dissatisfied with the actions of some of the four kings and eight princes, and he wants to eliminate them. Lin Yushi is willing to stand up and work for the emperor, but have you ever thought that once the emperor kills the people he wants to cut off? If you cut it off, there will be no power in the court to restrain the Holy Majesty, so your Lingnan Army and Wannan Army will be very conspicuous?"

"Great Zhou puts more emphasis on martial arts than culture, and the power of military generals has always been higher than that of civil officials. The Holy One has long been dissatisfied with this, and he wanted to promote the power of civil officials. Even the Tai/Grandfather of the year also set up the post of prime minister above the six ministries. Control the power of the generals. If the four kings and eight princes are really eliminated by the Holy One, then the military generals in the court will be the most eye-catching in the Lingnan and Anhui armies."

"My father is not doing well now, and he is willing to rest at home in a plain manner, and he doesn't even live in the general's mansion bestowed by the Holy Majesty. No liquidation. But you, Lin Yushi, are different."

"Your father lives in seclusion. Now you are the only one in your Lin family who is still leading troops to fight. Your father's old tribes are all over Lingnan. Those affections cannot be lost. As long as your father is alive, the old tribes will automatically gather by your side based on their past affections. It is your invisible force. Now Lingnan sea area is calm, this is your father’s credit and foundation. But Anhui south sea area is not peaceful, otherwise, you would not have become a vanguard battalion in just three years A courageous general will not be honored to meet the Holy One in person because of his military achievements. Lin Yushi, for you, southern Anhui is a plan for promotion. In time, if you can calm down the southern Anhui sea area, then you will be the second great general. After all, the southern Anhui sea area is not peaceful, and it is not impossible for the Holy Majesty to use you."

"But if you really become a great general, do you think His Majesty can accommodate you and the Lin family?"

"The position of the prime minister is only used to restrain the general. If the general is abolished from then on, then the prime minister will no longer be necessary. At that time, the six ministries will be directly under the emperor's orders without going through the prime minister. All military affairs will be under the Ministry of War. Important armament operations The Holy Majesty personally appointed the master, so where is the position of your Lin family?"

"As the saying goes, the praying mantis catches the cicada, but you don't know that the oriole is behind. Lin Yushi, you have to think carefully. Since ancient times, has it been rare for the royal family to kill donkeys? It is a lesson for your Lin family."

Shui Rong finished what he had to say, he didn't intend to ask Lin Jian to give him an answer, he just wanted to tell Lin Jian these words.

Therefore, after Shui Rong finished speaking, he sat quietly for a while, then got up and said, "That's all I said, I hope Lin Yushi will cherish himself."

"It's getting late, and this king has to enter the palace to receive the punishment, so I'll be one step ahead."

After Shui Rong finished speaking, he took another look at Lin Jian and left.

Lin Jian sat in the room, looking at the bloodstains on his palms squeezed out by the wagtail incense sticks, and groaned silently.After a while, Lin Jian also got up. When he was walking out, he heard Jia She and Shui Rong talking outside. After he went out, Shui Rong and Jia She had already gone away.

Lin Jian stood under the porch, staring at Shui Rong's back in a daze.

Martial arts practitioners have stronger ears than ordinary people. The guards of the Lin family were waiting outside the porch just now, and Xiao Chen was standing at the door waiting, and he heard the conversation between Shui Rong and Lin Jian inside.

Seeing Lin Jian lost in thought at this time, Xiao Chen couldn't help but whispered: "Master, the King of Beijing came here and said those things to the Young Master again. Listen, the King seems to be seeking peace."

Lin Jian didn't reply, but just when Xiao Chen thought Lin Jian wouldn't open his mouth, Lin Jian said in a low voice, "He's here to ask for peace. But it's not for the Jia family, it's for the four kings and eight lords."

"He also deliberately wanted to challenge my loyalty to the Holy One."

Lin Jian sneered and said, "But he didn't think about it. Even if there were strict kings in ancient times, which emperor would be willing to bear the infamy of killing donkeys and birds? If it wasn't for the heroes who deliberately committed suicide, committing crimes against others, taking money and perverting the law, it would be dignified." Why does the Son of Heaven have to go to great lengths to eradicate them?"

"Officials are blinded by power. When the power is so powerful, they don't know how to retreat bravely to protect themselves, and they don't become obedient and obedient pure ministers who serve the people wholeheartedly. But if selfishness arises, it will naturally not end well."

"He wants me to cherish myself, but I don't know that the authorities are obsessed with them."

Lin Jian pouted at Xiao Chen, and told him, "Okay, don't talk about this. Go find a brazier. I'm useful."

Xiao Chen Yiyan found a brazier, Lin Jian lit the fire, squatted down and took out the embroidered portrait and poetry book in his sleeves and threw them into the brazier, watching the flames burn the embroidered portrait and poetry book to ashes bit by bit, Lin Jian Jian let the autumn wind blow away the ashes before getting up and straightening his clothes.

"Let's go. Go to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion."

He should have gone there a long time ago, if it wasn't for Shui Rong's delay, he would already be in the Xiaoxiang Pavilion by now.

On the way, Lin Jian told everyone: "You must not spread a single word about Miss Lin that the King of Beijing said about Miss Lin, let alone let Miss Lin know. You heard those words, but you just didn't know what to do. I rotted them all in my stomach." Here, don’t even tell the master and wife, you know?”

Xiao Chen and everyone agreed.Xiao Chen was still a little worried: "The young master also said that the king of Beijing County came to seek peace, but if the king of the county played tricks behind his back, he said he didn't count Miss Lin, but he still hid Miss Lin's embroidered portrait and Poetry book, what should I do? After all, this embroidered portrait can be made again, if the king of Beijing County keeps Miss Lin's poems in his heart, he can make another book of poems after returning."

Lin Jian said: "Your Majesty knows all about the wagtail incense sticks. Shui Rong confessed his guilt and was punished with a cane. He intends to calm things down. Since he has given away the things, if he hides them in private, as long as he is caught Discovery is the crime of deceiving the emperor. The Holy One intends to protect Miss Lin, and Shui Rong is a smart person, since he has used this method to protect himself, he will not be so stupid as to make mistakes again."