The Honest Man of the Red Chamber

Jia Zheng wanted to run the academy, so naturally he wouldn't hide it from the old lady and his two elder brothers. Jia Jing just let it go and nodded in praise, asking him to produce some rare manuscripts from his family to increase the collection of books in the academy. As soon as he agreed, he immediately called his Qing Kemen, and he also used his pen together.

Jia Zhen was overjoyed and jumped three feet high. She only yelled that this is also Jia Men's meritorious deeds, and he must help her uncle. Although he dare not say he is proficient in gardening in the past two years, he has known many people In particular, there is a Shan Ziye, who is very good at building mountains and mounding soil, erecting buildings and erecting pavilions, carrying bamboos and planting flowers, and all the scenic spots are precious. The Ningguo Mansion Garden, which is currently under construction, is supervised by him. It looks like five or six points, and when the flowers and trees grow out, it must be a good scene.

"Hmph, you, don't think about it. Your uncle sent you to Shanxi as a last resort, so that you can taste the sweetness, right? I want to go again, no! No!" Jia Jing shook his head. , "You should also copy some books with me, and it is only reasonable to print some and send them over."

Jia Zhen was more than just a taste of the sweetness. When he thought about those days in Shanxi, he felt that his previous days were all for nothing. Any private prostitutes or peeping were all small ways, and they were not elegant!Thinking of the top ten famous prostitutes in Shanxi, but he was selected by Jia Zhen, tsk tsk tsk, if he didn't want to hide his achievements and fame, he would like everyone in the world to know that the examiner is him!

After finally having the opportunity to go to Shanxi again, his heart has already flown to his second uncle!

"Father, you know my characters. It's not as good as Peifeng. Her small script is pretty good. May I ask her to copy the scriptures for you? She can also copy the scriptures, and she does it every day."

Peifeng was originally a little nun, and she didn't understand other words, but she copied Buddhist scriptures tens of thousands if not thousands of times. Although she followed Jia Zhen wholeheartedly, she never forgot these things.After You Shi became pregnant, she handed over all the sacrifices at home to her, and there was never any mistake.

Jia Jing gave him a white look, "What's the use of your little concubine copying, it's only serious if you spend your time copying, and a trip to Shanxi will make your mind even more crooked, don't think I don't know, your uncle only I want you to help him choose a candidate, so that the Jia family will not leak the news, but you still take money from the woman in the brothel in private! Hmph, how did the daughter-in-law and the emerald butterfly hairpin on your woman's head come from? Thought I didn't know!"

There is a daughter-in-law who is a housekeeper, and the family's annual expenses are set. If you spend 500 taels, you have to ask him for instructions. Where did Jia Zhen get the money to add those expensive jewelry to her women for no reason? She didn't get it from Shanxi.He knew that Jia Zhengneng didn't know about it, it was just that his family made some money and acquiesced.

It turned out that her father knew it well, Jia Zhen hurriedly stepped forward and explained, "They want to give it to me, and I am too embarrassed not to accept it! I have done everything that my uncle told me very safely, and I dare not do it." Wrong.” In fact, it’s secondary to accepting the money sincerely, but at that time, those people gave him money, as if he couldn’t get on stage if he didn’t accept the one he chose, and he didn’t. There is a way.

Recalling that feeling now, Jia Zhen still feels numb all over her body, even the emperor, it is rare to have a chance to give herself a silver ticket in the soft and charming Yan language flattery of the emerald pearl green ring, hehehe.

Jia Jing glared at him, "I'm going to be ashamed to death if I can't do anything, and I can't even handle such an errand, what else do you want to do?"

"Father, you are very scheming, and besides, the son's body, hair and skin are all the same as the father. How can you not know what I think!" If you don't allow it, it is actually not very regrettable. It would take October at the earliest to choose a famous prostitute, but every time his father refuted him, his chances of going to Shanxi increased by [-] to [-]%.

Jia Jing chuckled, "It's good that you know, although you can't go, but that Shanziye, I'd recommend it to your uncle, he will make up the shortfall of more than 300 million taels in Shanxi within three years, sure... Gu Gu, even if those Shanxi natives are rich, what kind of appearance can they create? The frame should not be too ugly. I heard from him that he first asked me to give some rare copies of books, and then asked Jia to pardon I purchased and printed a batch in Beijing, and secondly, I asked my brother-in-law Lin Hai, who is a Tanhualang, knows many famous scholars with profound knowledge, and has a rich collection of books. He can also invite Mr. by the way. You can tell Shan Ziye clearly that this college does not need it. It’s too delicate and gorgeous, but the most important thing is to be safe and secure, pay attention to fire and lightning protection, after all, it’s on the mountain! But it also needs to be grand and gorgeous... Sigh, you’d better call him over, I’ll discuss it with him first.”

The Jia family's family education has gradually become famous, but after all, it is just a family education. When Shanxi College becomes [-]%, who doesn't know Jia's family, it will be a credit to the ancestors!

"Yes."

Jia Zhen went to tell people not to mention it.

Brother Cong had a fever recently, so Mrs. Li took him to live with her and took care of him nearby. She read Mrs. Wang's letter. Apart from asking her to add more embroidery pieces, she also asked her to ask him to help him. The master can report to Jia Zheng more about the return of the bank in Beijing, so that he can analyze it more conveniently.These are serious matters. It is difficult for their second wife to live in Shanxi. How can they do it without their help?

"Where did master go?"

Mrs. Li hugged Brother Cong and coaxed her. When Dr. Zhang saw that his aunt Jia Min had brought Dr. Ma back, he came to tell her that there were no need for two doctors in one mansion, and she agreed to invite him to Shanxi. As soon as Cong'er recovers from his illness, let him go to Shanxi, and bring some books and whispers.

After all, he was sick and uncomfortable, brother Cong's face was flushed red, he was sobbing, he was holding Mrs. Li coquettishly with his little hand, when he was born, it happened that brother Lian went to school to develop talents, and had a second wife, Jia Huan In the front (because he had some turmoil during pregnancy, everyone couldn't help but sweat for him, for fear that he might not be well-rounded or grow up, so be extra careful).Jia She and Mrs. Li had just moved to Rongxi Hall, and Jia Zheng and his wife went to Shanxi. There were so many things in the house that Mrs. Li had to deal with. Jia She never cared much about the children, so it was rare to ask a few questions. Mother Jia, the ancestor who loves children the most, has Brother Rong, Sister Ying, and Shi Xiangyun by her side, so she can't show him. It's a rare opportunity for his mother to love him like this. He is really uncomfortable and clings even more hold on.

After a while, someone came back and said, "My lord has just gone to the household department, and he is enjoying tea and fans at the Zhenwei Pavilion with some heads of the household department."

"Hiss... Let the people from the Zhenwei restaurant tell him secretly, tell him not to drink too much, and go home early, I have something to discuss with him." Hmph, why are those people in the household department always flattering him? Figure that he can take them to the Zhenwei restaurant for drinks and food. Except for him, Wang Ziteng and an old prince, everyone has to pay a deposit to make an appointment in advance. Those small officials from the household department, how can they have that ability? .Alas, as a first-class general, he knows how to put these people in his eyes!

However, Jia Amnesty is a bit more measured than before. The meals and drinks for entertainment are kept within 2000 taels per month. Even if he sees some good fans and antiques, he also thinks about how to make imitations of them in his second brother's kiln. Secretly playing with it by himself and then bringing it to the Zhenwei Pavilion, once he sees someone who can't tell the difference, he can secretly have fun for half a month.Forget it, he is just such a small hobby, and he is also the elder of Rongguo Mansion, so he must be decent, and she doesn't want to be called a tigress for being harsh.

Jia He walked into the room with a Zhuge fan, saw his wife sitting on the kang with his young son in his arms, and touched his little face with his hand, "Hey, why is it hot?"

Mrs. Li gave him a sharp look, "The child has a fever, and you still say it."

"Did the doctor look at it? Have you taken any medicine?" Seeing his wife handing over the child for him to hold, Jia Amnesty embraced Brother Cong with open arms.

"Of course I saw it. The medicine prescribed by Dr. Zhang is like a mountain falling, and the disease goes like a thread. He is a child, and he can't give heavy medicine. As long as the fever doesn't get too bad, the child can burn it once or twice. It's healthier." Mrs. Li tucked in a small quilt for the child.

Jia Cong opened his eyes and saw that it was his father, and said softly, "Greetings to my father."

"Ann, father is fine, my dear brother Cong, you need to get well soon." Jia She coaxed a few words, brother Cong took the medicine again, blinked his long eyelashes like a small fan, and after a while Then he fell asleep and was carried down by the nurse.

Seeing his wife changing his clothes herself, Jia She asked, "What's the matter?"

After living in Rongxi Hall, he felt that his waist could be straightened even more.Mother wants to give my brother money, give it!He is a brother!He should take care of his younger brother. The entire Rongguo Mansion belongs to him. He is not a stingy person.The emperor's task for the younger brother is too important, the youngest son and the eldest grandson are not around, the mother is worried day and night, fearing that she will be unwell because of this incident, so she invites her sister and husband's family to live in Lixiangyuan to make her happy!

The money owed by the Jia family has already been paid in the household department, and there are only a few melons and two dates left. As long as [-]% of the elders are paid off, he will immediately follow suit.

His younger brother wrote to him asking him to get some books. To him, what was it? Jia She didn't say anything else, how could he borrow books and copy them as a scholar?

He often takes care of it at the Zhenwei Restaurant, and the business is still booming. Could it be that something else happened at home?

Mrs. Li changed him into his normal clothes, "What's the matter? You are clear about everything, but it's a pity that you didn't talk to Erfang. They are far away in Shanxi, and they don't know anything about Beijing. The emperor suddenly asked them to make up the shortfall within a certain period of time, and he was hesitating, why didn't you write a letter to tell the second brother?"

Jia She let out a laugh, "I don't know about this either! You also know that I am in the Ministry of War, but due to the occasion, everyone is there to eat and wait to die. The people in the Ministry of Households don't know either, it seems that recently There are more people who pay back the money, and they are more diligent than before. I watched at the Zhenwei Pavilion, and there are many people pawning things with big carriages... Hey, you think we should also open a pawn shop , other places are more frugal, and collecting antiques and curios is a big advantage right now!"

"Whoever runs the pawn shop will be the one who will be the one who will be the one who handles the pawnshop. If the wrong things are collected and the prices are wrong, then we will lose money... Tsk, why did you change the subject, then you have to write and tell them about the situation." , if you don’t tell me, how would they know!”

Mrs. Li's mind also turned to opening a pawn shop. Although Rongguo's family has a great business and they are all the elders, she is not envious of seeing the business of the younger brother and sister's Zhenwei Restaurant booming and making money every day!But she wasn't good at business, she took care of Mrs. Gu's sons, served the old lady, and broke up lawsuits with the wives and wives of Jia's family from time to time.There are so many things in business and she doesn't know where to start. If the master didn't say this suddenly, she wouldn't have thought of going here.

Jia Amnesty twirled his beard, writing a letter for such a trivial matter?But he was urged by his wife and pulled to the table, "Write quickly, I have promised my younger siblings, don't worry about the small things, even if some people pay back Ku Yin, who always don't have a penny, and who else If you think the food in the Zhenwei restaurant is not good, or if someone comes to make trouble one day, don’t care if you are suppressed, just write it up.” After all, I tried my best, and it’s impossible to ask about the emperor’s affairs. Things can still be done.

Mrs. Li saw that he had written at least a dozen pages in an eloquent manner. There were three or four lists of money owed by the household repayment department alone. She thought it should be useful, so she was very satisfied and sealed it with a honey wax baking seal. It will be handed over to Wang Jiashang The team never loses.

Feng Zhenlan helped Wang Ziteng take off his cloak, took the old padded robe brought by the maid and changed it for him. Seeing his serious face, she asked the maids to retreat, stood behind him, and gently massaged him Touching his temples, "What's wrong?"

"The emperor wants to use Jia Zheng as a touchstone and sharpen his knife. This is putting him on the fire! How can he fill up the deficit of more than 300 million taels in three years? Hmph, what an emperor's mind, he made it clear that he must first get rid of his horse and then deal with the old man." The meritorious officials of the family have given us kindness...Although he understands that we courtiers are just pawns in his hands, his heart is too strong and courageous!"

It's just too easy to fold!I don’t know how I worked so hard when I was in Qianzhi, but after I took office, I was so strict with myself, except that when the Emperor Daxing was in mourning, the ancestors ruled that he would not go to court, otherwise he would be diligent in political affairs every day, and the daily memorials would be approved on the same day Never delay.This is the case for himself, and even more so for his subordinates... Making up for the deficit is only the first step. His Majesty is not used to corrupt officials, and he is afraid that the next step is to clean up the administration of officials.

But this kind of thing can only be figured out slowly with water grinding. If you put a red-hot soldering iron in cold water all at once, I'm afraid it will cause a big smoke wave!

"More than 300 million taels...it's not the whole of Shanxi, what are you afraid of!" Feng Zhenlan herself handles several 10 taels of silver a year. Although most of them have to be spent, after all, Shanxi is a state. In the province, there is coal and Shanxi merchant bank, why can't we dig out money?

Wang Ziteng smiled, "You don't understand, Jia Zhengwan can't let the lower officials increase the apportionment to the people like the previous Shanxi officials, and the tax will be increased, otherwise the head will be hard to protect; but it can't be completely changed, turn your face and deny it." People, Jia Zheng's background is here. Even if he wants to be a lonely official, it is absolutely impossible."

It's embarrassing for the master to say that!

Feng Zhenlan asked, "Then what can the master say?"

"Of course we have to follow His Majesty's wishes. Alas, let him fulfill his wish." The prince took up his pen and wrote, "If the emperor wants to show favor, how can they, as ministers, not allow the old man to show favor?"If Jia Zheng runs the Shanxi Academy well, then it will be able to offset his merits, and maybe he will be sent somewhere else.

She still didn't understand, but she didn't want to inquire about these things, she just knew, "My sister's Bowei Restaurant is amazing, it can make more money than Zhenwei Restaurant, I don't think it doesn't matter where Jia Zheng goes to be an official, As long as there is a term of three to five years, all the restaurants opened by my sister can always be brought back." She giggled, "It's also thanks to her, last year, two caravan leaders made poor decisions, and some of the piles that were taken down , let her use it up, otherwise this year's dividends, I'm afraid it will be a little bit handy."

Wang Ziteng pressed his wife's hand, "You don't need to use my sister to test me, which boss is hard to beat and wants to be stabbed, you can just punish him severely, and dare to fight against the mistress while holding my royal family's job. It's gone!" He, Wang Ziteng, is still standing, trying to hurt his Wang family, to violate his Wang family's order, just to make things difficult for his Wang Ziteng!

Then what else is he doing as the governor of the capital?It's better to go back to my hometown in Jinling to farm!

"Yes~" As long as he said that, Feng Zhenlan had too many people to choose from, and if she didn't obey, she would naturally be kicked out of her circle.

"My sister must have suffered in Shanxi. Shanxi's military family is important. Those people all feel that their ancestors are beautiful and have some old-fashioned money. You need to worry about it. There are new-style cloth patterns and jewelry in the capital. Send more to them. There is also Yuanchun. She is also a big girl, so she should not dress up properly? To avoid losing the dignity of our Jinling royal family, someone dug some emerald stone from Yunnan last time, did the girl say that she likes it, that the emerald green is very cute? Yes, you take it and let the craftsman grind it out, you keep three sets, and send the rest to her..."

It's pitiful to help my sister-in-law tidy up after being so busy. When Wang Ziteng thought of his sister and brother-in-law, he still felt that they had really suffered for him.

"Don't give it to my sister-in-law and Xifeng..." They still live in the palace, after all, there is still a master who has already made an engagement with Jia Lian in front of the emperor, so I am embarrassed to let them go back to Jinling, and then they will really marry again Man, it's really embarrassing to ask.

Wang Ziteng didn't have any objection to his sister-in-law and niece, "Just give them a set, what's it worth?" It's just a set of jewelry, "Don't give it to the emerald stone, let's get another set of Wufeng Chaoyang, they I don't like stones, the golden ones look more conspicuous."

"Yes, master." Feng Zhenlan really admires his carefulness, how can he know everything when asked, how does this person's brain grow, her brother is so smart, no, he is half as smart as her Don't worry.

"See, this is the book that the new chief secretary specially asked the emperor to bring back from the capital!"

Many scholars and students who "accidentally revealed" through Bowei Building came to watch from the Taiyuan City Tower in Jinxiu Tangcheng.

"So many! So many books!"

There is no one who does not love books. Looking at the high bulges of books that are piled up tightly with quilts, it is really itchy, especially when the gatekeepers are "upright" and want to inspect the goods. At that time, the guard carefully untied the rope, opened the second layer of oilcloth first, and then spread out the layer of hemp and straw. It was when there were high-level books such as Qin bamboo slips and Song books. I wished I could jump down, and walked inside with the car by myself.

"These are going to be put in Shanxi Academy!"

"A lot of books! I really, really want to have a look!"

"When will Shanxi Academy be admitted? Are there any requirements?"

"I heard that the location is in Baishan, and I want to imitate Yueli Academy, which has a history of more than a hundred years."

"That will cost a lot of money. Is it necessary to levy additional taxes?"

"I've never heard of it. It seems that the Chief Secretary personally approached the top ten Shanxi merchants in Shanxi and begged them to do their part for all the students in Shanxi."

"His Excellency the Chief Secretary is really a parent official! He is honest, wise, understanding and compassionate!"

"Isn't that right? Last time there was a rumor that your lord was going to talk about the sex tax. In fact, the ten famous prostitutes voluntarily paid the tax."

"They are famous. I used to see them occasionally, but now they are putting on airs. I don't know how much their worth has increased. I heard that a well-known Jiangsu businessman paid a lot of money to ask Liniang to go home as a concubine. 10 taels of silver."

"10 taels! The Chief Secretary is so kind, why did you accept 5000 taels for each of them?"

"This year, it is said that it is not just selected by the government, but voted by everyone to be fair. The chief secretary is also in a dilemma, and he has to make up for the shortfall within three years, so this year it really has to be raised to 1 taels."

"1 taels is not much. How can we vote at that time? Do we have a vote? We can't go to a brothel..." It would be a lie to say that we haven't been there.

"Are you lying to a ghost? Have you ever been there? It is said that there will be public votes on the water stage of Bowei Building, and there will be silk flowers as evidence... It has not been decided yet, but my father is one of the county magistrates in Taiyuan , I just know a little bit." Although he spoke modestly, his face was full of complacency.

"Then it will be lively!" It's disgusting, he has been compared to him again, and we must join in the excitement when the time comes.

Everyone watched the truckloads of books being transported into the city, and the discussion became more lively. Who is not from Shanxi?The more powerful my hometown is, the more they will save face if they say it.

"How? I'll just say, they'll beg you in turn."

Wang Guizhi really wanted to pierce her waist and laugh wildly. She asked Boweilou to secretly release news to some scholars, just to build momentum. Hurry up and start building, don't you want to let the chief secretary's painstaking efforts go to waste!Businessmen are profiteering, so shameless!Jia Zheng is a foreigner, and these Shanxi merchants are from Shanxi. Don't the locals spray their faces with spittle?

Hahaha~

Jia Zheng shook his head and smiled lightly. Seeing that Madam is so happy, he will not pour cold water on her like before, lest she will not give him a good face again, "Yes, yes, Madam, you are right."

"That's right, ma'am, I've counted everything!" Wang Guizhi boasted shamelessly.

"...Then why did the lady go to check the source of the canal and wait for Xing? Could it be that these two brats are going to be of great use to you?" Jia Zheng was so excited that he picked up the tea bowl. Yes, but rather confusing.But based on his guess, I'm afraid there is another reason.

Wang Guizhi's smile froze on her face, "You, how did you know?" She frowned, could it be that they leaked the news?

"You, no matter how smart your girls are, they haven't done these things, even if they don't say anything, just ask a few more questions, it's still showing signs." Jia Zheng stroked her face with compassion, She is more obvious than herself, "Let's leave things like this to my husband in the future."

Wang Guizhi couldn't help lowering his head and said, "If I say so, you will definitely not agree."

"If you don't say it, how can I agree?"

The author has something to say: Dear little angels are really awesome, okay!Here are both updates~