serious man in the red chamber

Chapter 268 Gossip
It was already dark, and the main gate of the Grand View Garden was hung with big bright corner lanterns, and the lanterns in various places in the garden were also lit up, brightly lit.

Coming out of Jia's mother's room, Jia Hu and Lin Daiyu led Lin Ruhai to the gate of the garden. They saw lights and trees shining brightly, jewels competing for splendor, it was too beautiful to behold.

The group went directly to the Red Fragrance and Green Jade. They didn't go up to the towers or pavilions, or waded through the water and the mountains. They only looked at it from a distance, and Lin Ruhai knew the luxury of the Grand View Garden. He sighed slightly in his heart, but he couldn't say much.

Jia Hu saw Lin Ruhai's thoughts and smiled: "Sister Lin's residence is in front, uncle will come with me."

Lin Ruhai nodded and remained silent.

Wang Momo had already led the servant girl to wait in front of the courtyard gate.

As soon as he entered the door, Lin Ruhai looked around for a while, and glanced at the two cranes sleeping under the plantain, and then walked along the veranda to the main room.

Zijuan opened the door curtain early in the morning, and Lin Daiyu walked into the room with Lin Ruhai.

Jia Hu moved the chair he used to sit in to the center and invited Lin Ruhai to sit.

Nanny Wang and Xueyan placed the prepared two kneeling mats in front of Lin Ruhai, and Jia Hu and Lin Daiyu bowed down to him.

Then, Lin Daiyu personally served Lin Ruhai with a bowl of tea on a small tea tray.

Lin Ruhai took a sip from the tea bowl, and subconsciously looked around, only to see that there were exquisitely carved wooden boards on all sides, with various patterns carved on them, all of which were carved by famous hands.One stick and one stick are full of books, incense tripods, brushes and inkstones, vases, bonsai and so on.

Then his eyes fell on the desk at the side, which was full of account books, Lin Ruhai was slightly startled, and then cast a dissatisfied glance at Jia Hu.

Jia Hu smiled awkwardly.

At this moment, there was a faint murmur coming from inside, Lin Ruhai listened carefully, and then understood, glanced at Jia Hu, motioning him to call someone out.

Jia Hu understood, walked to the door and waved.

Lin Zhixiao's family greeted several women who came in carrying two boxes and cages, put them in the house, and then retreated.

Jia Hu went to the cage and lifted the lid.

One box contained pens, ink, paper and inkstones and paper of various colors, and the other box contained several boxes covered with green gauze. Jia Hu opened one of the boxes and saw several exquisite Suzhou folding fans inside. Smiling, he said to Lin Ruhai: "This was sent by the Yamen of the prefect of Suzhou a few years ago, water-milled fracture fan, sandalwood fan and silk palace fan."

Lin Ruhai listened, glanced at Lin Daiyu, then at Jia Hu, and nodded with satisfaction.

Jia Hu cleared his throat, and shouted to the inside: "Come out, uncle brought you a present."

After a while, Yingchun came out leading Tanchun, Xichun, Xing Xiuyan, Baochai, Baoqin, and Xiangyun, who was hiding behind the crowd with his head wrapped in white silk.

"I met my uncle."

"I met Uncle Lin."

"."

Even though he was mentally prepared, Lin Ruhai was still surprised, and kept nodding with a smile: "Don't be too polite, don't be too polite."

Xiangyun was already tall, with white silk wrapped around her head, Lin Ruhai saw her at a glance, was slightly startled, suddenly remembered Lin Daiyu's letters, and asked Xiangyun with a smile: "You are Miss Shi, right? "

Xiang Yun, who was confused in the crowd, had no choice but to come over and salute again, walked up to Lin Ruhai and gave a little blessing: "I have seen Uncle Lin."

Lin Ruhai nodded with a smile.

Jia Hu spoke: "Hey, what's wrong with your end?"

Xiang Yun's face turned red.

"Ignore him."

Lin Daiyu gave Jia Hu a blank look, took Xiangyun's hand and said with a smile, "Father has prepared gifts for everyone, let's take a look."

"Ah."

Xiang Yun responded obediently, and saluted Lin Ruhai respectfully, showing her ladylike side, but after turning around, she gave Jia Hu a hard look.

Just as Jia Hu wanted to laugh, he held back: "There are still some gifts in the carriage of the chamber of commerce. I'll have someone send them to your house when the time comes."

Everyone said in unison: "Uncle Xie Lin."

Zijuan led Qingwen and Xueyan to take out the things from the cages, distributed them one by one, and handed them over to Siqi, Shishu and others one by one.

At this time, Lin Zhixiao's family walked in lightly, and said to Jia Hu: "Second Master, Grandma has sent someone to ask when the banquet will begin."

After hearing this, Jia Hu took out the big gold watch from his bosom, took a look, and saw that the pointer had already pointed to the time between the end of You and the beginning of Xu, and he hurriedly said to Lin Ruhai: "It's getting late, what's the matter? Let's talk slowly while eating."

Lin Ruhai stood up, "All right." Then, he looked at Yingchun and the others.

Jia Hu understood: "They have already eaten." After speaking, he said to Yingchun and the others: "You are here to take good care of the house for Sister Lin."

As soon as these words came out, the girls all gave Jia Hu a supercilious look.

"I asked the kitchen to cook some Suzhou dishes that my uncle loves."

Jia Hu smiled and stepped forward to help Lin Ruhai, and said, "I also specially asked them to make red bean dumplings and squirrel mandarin fish. This mandarin fish was specially transported from the south by the Prince's Mansion of Nan'an County."

Lin Ruhai nodded, then smiled and said to Yingchun and the others: "Sit down slowly."

The girls all answered "yes", and politely sent Lin Ruhai to the newly opened corner gate, watching Jia Hu and others enter Huifang Garden before returning.

The Qianqing Palace is also serving dinner.

Zhao Zixun filled half a bowl of soup into Emperor Jianwu's bowl, and said, "I have transferred 20 shi of rice and 700 shi of fodder to the Liaodong Army in the past six months, and the grain and rice were all allocated in the name of relief for the victims. Zhong also prepared [-] million taels of military expenditure, enough for the Liaodong Army's expenditure for more than half a year.

This year, the Huaihe River and the Huaihe River can collect salt tax again, so that the war in Liaodong does not need to use the tax money paid by the provinces. "

Emperor Jianwu drank the half bowl of soup, and then spoke: "The Marquis of Ningyuan sent an urgent report from Liaodong, confirming that Prince Tartar led the troops into North Korea. One month is almost enough time for him to fight to Shangjing."

Zhao Zixun nodded.

Emperor Jianwu: "Do you think Li Chengyang can take Shengjing smoothly?"

Zhao Zixun quickly stood up: "For this battle, Li Chengyang has been preparing for more than half a year, and with the cooperation of Wu Ya and other Manchu nobles, Shengjing will definitely be captured on time."

Emperor Jianwu waved his hand: "Sit down, sit down. To tell you the truth, I don't believe in Manchu Tartars. I have secretly ordered Li Chengyang to attack Shengjing in mid-to-late February."

Zhao Zixun was secretly startled: "Could this be too hasty?"

Emperor Jianwu's eyes flashed: "Li Chengyang said that there is a [-]% chance of winning Shengjing before the Manchu Tartars react. Even if the Manchus return in time, the Liaodong Army can still fight against the city and wait for reinforcements."

After a pause, "Liu Kun's cavalry stationed outside the pass will enter Beijing in one or two days."

Zhao Zixun hesitated for a moment: "Should I discuss it with Duke Ning and the Ministry of War to see what they think?"

Emperor Jianwu: "E Bi only handed over some spies. As long as there is any movement in the Yongwei Camp, they will immediately become vigilant. So I only told you about this matter, please don't say it."

Zhao Zixun: "Yes."

Emperor Jianwu went on to say: "Tomorrow's imperial meeting, you have to help me persuade the military to agree to sign a treaty with the Wu Ya clan and other Manchu nobles. At that time, the Liaodong Army will take advantage of the retreat of the Guangning Tartar defenders. Launch a surprise attack and kill the city of Shengjing in one go."

Only then did Zhao Zixun know the reason why the emperor asked him to have dinner with him, and he couldn't refuse, so he gritted his teeth and replied, "I will do my best!"

Emperor Jianwu nodded, and said with relief: "In terms of ability, you are not as good as Wang Hetang, let alone the chief assistant, but you are the person I trust the most. Don't worry, I will credit you for winning Shengjing."

Zhao Zixun stood up again: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."

Emperor Jianwu also stood up: "Go, go to the study to discuss it." After speaking, he turned and walked out.

(End of this chapter)