The eldest brother of the Lin family in the Red Chamber

As the new year approaches, officials from all over the country come to Beijing to report on their duties, and there are also people like Rong Mingqian who have served for five years and come to Beijing in person.The Ministry of Officials, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Military Affairs, and the Ministry of Households were all busy. Shui Fu remembered that he was going to visit Lin Mo. It had been a long time, so he went to Shui Rong: "I'll go and see Tai Yin, do you want me?" What are you going to bring?"

Shui Rong raised his head and looked at him suspiciously: "Lin Mo's internal injuries are almost healed, and now he can get out of bed and walk a few steps with someone supporting him. What are you going to do to see him?"

Shui Fu laughed dumbfounded: "I still think you haven't seen him for a long time!"

"It's not that troublesome. He's been so idle at home these days that he can't be bothered. He plays with his younger siblings every day. Now even his younger sister thinks he's annoying and won't let him play. His lively cousin, because of I'm engaged to his sister, so I can't go to his house to avoid suspicion. He's planning to have a tea party at home, but who's not busy at the end of the year? Only a few Hanlins are free to cheer him on. I guess your trip Go, the account that we didn't figure out yesterday will be settled." Shui Rong was looking at the account book and felt dizzy. There were five or six people sitting under him, their fingers were flying on the abacus beads, and the crackling didn't stop for a moment. Rubbing his eyes, he said, "If you go, take this book with you. He insists that this book is inconsistent, and I can't figure it out no matter what."

Shui Fu took the account book, turned it over a bit, and said: "He is hiding from his laziness and recovering from his illness. If you want to disturb his leisure, be careful that he doesn't like you."

Shui Rong said: "Do you think he is happy or angry?"

Shui Fu didn't bother to guess, he just looked at Shui Rong's frightened face a little funny, rolled up the account book and knocked him on the head: "I'm going." What can Lin Mo have? He is just happy because he likes it. This state surprised Shui Fu.But it's good, it saves him from worrying about the relationship between his two most powerful allies.

From the concierge to the stewards of the Lin family, they are all dexterous and witty in their speech. What shouldn't be said is just shaking their heads when they ask questions. Shui Fu once again sighed that Lin Mo's discipline is good. He didn't even sit in the hall for a long time, so he was introduced into Lin Mo's house. bedroom.

This is the small courtyard where Lin Mo slept before he got married. It is not far from his study. Bamboos are planted in the front and back of the house. In the cold wind, there is no greenery in spring and summer. They are still swaying against the wind, stepping on the pebble pavement. Walking all the way through Cheng's path, a strong medicinal fragrance wafted into his nostrils. Several maidservants were doing needlework. Seeing him coming, they all put down their work and bowed their heads in salute.

Lin Moguo was really bored, and was grinding ink in the room by himself. A piece of rice paper was spread on the table, and an orchid was drawn on it, but no inscription had been made yet.

"What are you going to ask?" Shui Fu asked.

Lin Mo raised his head, and the teacup held by the maid beside him was also placed on the table steadily, without any surprise.Shui Fu smiled: "This girl is very determined." Lin Mo said: "This girl is very courageous. Linge, His Highness the Third Highness praised you, and thank you." Linge saluted gracefully: "Thank you, Third Highness, Your Highness has tea." After finishing speaking, the tea was served.

Shui Fu took a sip and still asked, "What word do you plan to write?"

"Draw a picture casually, and the painting skills are not good. This painting is useless. What kind of words are you writing?"

"Isn't it Ruo Qi'ao? I'm afraid it will have the same name as your courtyard." Shui Fu said.Lin Mo casually rolled the drawing paper aside, and said with a smile, "It's not bamboo, what is Qi'ao doing?" Shui Fu looked at him with burning eyes: "Who said that only bamboo is worthy of this word? Since the Book of Songs After writing it out, the meaning was drawn out, and I said that all orchids and plum blossoms should be."

Lin Mo pondered for a moment, then smiled wryly: "Third Highness, worry too much. He is a timid person. He has his own discretion about who he is, what he does, and what rewards he gets. My Highness and I have been different from the beginning. of."

Shui Fu was completely relieved now, and said with a smile: "Now you understand your identity, your every move is not only related to the Lin family. I am a restless person, and if I succeed in the future, I will go to the ninth heaven. If I lose , Today's King Yun is tomorrow's me, do you still dare to follow me?" Suddenly he said as if relieved, "Actually, you don't have to worry, everyone knows your ability, it is me If you lose, just because of your status as the number one scholar, the one who wins will only win you over, so you see, the risk is actually not as great as you think."

Lin Mo knew that he was telling the truth, and he also knew that in this situation, the smartest thing he could do was to pretend to be confused.

But is it necessary?Since he joined the household department, since he became the servant of the household department, he has been brought under Shui Fu's sect by everyone.It was like how many people were gossiping about him and Shui Rong, speaking with certainty, as if they had seen them with their own eyes.This is not something he can dodge without avoiding suspicion.

In other words, it's like my temper has come up, you say what about me, okay, I'll show you!

But Lin Mo is not such a willful person.However, he also understands that Shui Fu is a very smart person, and his sincere temptation is probably the last time.If it succeeds, Lin Mo will be his confidant from now on. If it doesn't work out, the business can be done without righteousness, but if he succeeds in the future, it's hard to say how many spoonfuls Lin Mo will get.

Lin Mo laughed after thinking about it.

Shui Fu looked at him sideways.

"Scholars die for their confidantes." Lin Mo said, "As long as His Highness is willing to continue to investigate the account, no matter what your status is, the subordinate officials will be so terrified that they will go through fire and water, and they will do whatever they want."

Shui Fu laughed loudly: "It's a pity that there is no wine, otherwise, I will drink three glasses with Taiyin." Lin Mo shook his hand: "No, the wound on the body has just begun to heal, and this leg needs to be taken care of. If you dare to drink , my younger brother will come and lift my table in a while." There was a little doting in his smile, but it seemed like it was just a joke, which was hard to tell.

"By the way, the little emperor said that he couldn't find out the reason for this account book." Shui Fu thought about the business again.

Lin Mo was really free, so he just flipped through the book and said, "This book, here, is too different from last year's account book. Could it be that a small county town has tens of thousands fewer people this year than last year?"

Shui Fu sighed: "This is famous, who else can see it except you!"

Lin Mo said: "As long as you have the heart, take out the account books of the past ten years and compare them one by one, and you will always find the discrepancy." Shui Fu said: "It's not that everyone has your photographic memory. God said that my eyes are dazzled by looking at the account book. I also have one head and two big heads, and I really can't do without you."

Lin Mo glanced at him, and then said slowly: "Wai Lang Yu Dongli, a member of the household department, is erudite and capable of writing, Liu Xiangru, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, is jealous of evil, and Li Sijia, a scholar of the Wenhua Palace, is meticulous and cautious, and the Imperial Academy offers wine... "

Shui Fu heard him give their names one by one, and said, "They are all Beijing officials of the fourth and fifth ranks."

"Your Highness, it is best to make friends with these people." Lin Mo's words naturally have his considerations. When the prince of the dynasty makes friends with powerful officials, important officials, and local officials, it is definitely not good to hear the emperor's ears. Among the officials of the fifth rank, there are quite a few broad-minded and have the appearance of assistant ministers.

Shui Fu is a smart man, understood what he meant, and said with a smile: "I have to be hidden, like a tiger with wings added." After reviewing the list, he said, "Liu Xiangru... this is a wonderful person. I heard that I have booked with the Rong family." relative?"

"I'm afraid this marriage will not work out." Lin Mo said.

Shui Fu wondered: "Why?"

"A few days ago, Xueshi Liu came to me and said that his aunt persuaded him to marry my cousin Rong, but he himself didn't want to ruin a good girl's life, so he asked me to persuade me. I said it's okay, an upright official It’s hard to decide on housework, and I’d rather destroy ten temples than break a marriage. He asked me to take his pulse, and he believed it when he said to see his pulse.”

"How is Xueshi Liu?"

"Illness to the bone marrow, weak body and internal cold, it's just a matter of strength."

Shui Fu was stunned: "I think Xueshi Liu is only wearing thin clothes in the cold weather, and he still thinks he—" He said again, "How dare Master Rong promise his daughter to him!"

Lin Mo praised: "Xueshi Liu is a man with a firm will and is extremely intelligent. He told Qian Xueguo the master of the book that day, and he was magnificent. After reading it, he couldn't sleep at night. If there is a man in the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty who can be the "amazing beauty" Four words, it only suits him. If I were an uncle, and I could have such a son-in-law, I might put my daughter aside in my heart, wondering if this marriage would wrong this man. He can last five After a hundred years, when people talk about this dynasty, they may forget you and me, but they will never forget his lofty ambitions and splendid writings."

Shui Fu said with a smile: "Xueshi Liu is indeed excellent, but it's Tai Yin who praises him so much, it's nothing more than self-effacing. Aren't you afraid that Little Huang Shu will be angry?"

Lin Mo seemed to have just understood, and said with a smile: "He doesn't have the guts.