Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 487: Only by taking it can you feel at ease
Beijing,

Outside Cui Dehai's mansion,
Yan Cong and the others took the three small packages with some confusion. Not knowing what was inside, they asked what they were.

Who knows that Zhang Jinyu smiled and said nothing, and even Shen Zhongxin looked over curiously, what did this mean.

Just when a few people were confused, Qi Liang behind him couldn't help but carefully opened it and looked inside. He saw two pieces of white silver placed inside. Each one weighed 100 taels. This was for himself. After paying a bribe, the Marquis could give him money, but it was confiscated. What does that mean?

Suddenly,

My heart was beating "dong dong", I was quite uneasy, and there was also a trace of greed. With these, I could solve many things, because all the money saved at home was used to buy a dilapidated small courtyard, and the savings had long been gone. Yes, this.

At this time, Lu An next to him was blushing even more, wanting to take it but not daring to take it.

Yan Cong saw the reaction of the two people and knew what was in their hands. He knew what it was. He opened it and saw that there was so much silver. Then he closed the brocade cloth and asked nervously,

"Master Hou, what is the meaning of this?"

"Hey, don't get excited. Master Yan, please listen to me. This is a traditional rule. Hard work is calculated according to your grade. You see, it's so cold today, so how can your efforts be in vain?"

Zhang Jinyu didn't feel anything. His men had been working for a long time. They got up so early in the cold weather, and some people might have missed breakfast. He wanted to give some money to make up for it. This rule was set by Marquis Luo Yun himself, so Now everyone in the Imperial City Division knew that following the Marquis on errands would bring meat to eat, so they tacitly hid the matter. In order to be able to serve as errands under Marquis Luo Yun, there was also internal competition.

But how could Yan Cong and the other three people know about this? Yan Cong seemed to be insulted and reprimanded angrily,

"Master Marquis, what you are doing is not an abuse of power."

Yan Cong wanted to say bribery, but with so many people watching and being a dignified Marquis of Guan Nei, there was no way he could bribe him, so he changed his mind.

Zhang Jinyu waved her hand, but did not agree. What is abuse of power? It is obvious that,

"What Mr. Yan said is a bit exaggerated. I am not that capable. This is the old calendar, and it is not easy for me to break the rules. Besides, there are not so many people below. I only posted one month more monthly reports. That's all, when you and the other three enter the house, even if you follow the rules, I can't break them, so there are some. I don't like these. As for abusing my power, let alone, I haven't done anything harmful to nature. matter, so feel free to hold it.”

Looking at the frank look on Marquis Luo Yun's face in front of him, Yan Cong knew that it might be true, but he felt quite uncomfortable like this. How could he go from speaking out and upholding the court's laws to taking money? He wanted to say it again, but was told The two friends behind him held their sleeves and Qi Liang said,
"Brother Yan, let's talk about it later. Let's leave it as it is. There are indeed rules. Since Lord Marquis can be strict about it, we can't say anything."

"That's right. Speaking of it, these rules are still followed from the previous dynasty. We should also take our official positions according to the old calendar. Otherwise, if you can explain this matter to us in detail and return these common things, we would have been let go a long time ago. So, Marquis Luo Yun is still trustworthy, which is also a good thing."

Lu An even tried to persuade him. It was so satisfying to have the money in his hands.

Yan Cong thought about it and realized that what the two of them said was reasonable. Marquis Luo Yun didn't have to do anything more. Since he still called him and others, it was because the Marquis abided by the rules. However, as a public official, he must have a clear breeze on his sleeves. He is afraid of power and has the courage to face difficulties, but the money in his hands is heavy, and his heart is still a little shaken. When the two people behind him saw him, they immediately pulled Yan Cong on each side.

"Master Marquis, this matter is settled. If necessary, please let me know. Mr. Shen, I will take my leave."

After saying that, Yan Cong didn't give Yan Cong a chance to react, so he took the person and left, even to the bottom of the steps. Shen Zhongxin was a little dumbfounded that he could still be like this.

After Ji Yunhui saw the person leaving, he took out a wooden box and handed it to the Marquis.

"Master Marquis, this is what is in the secret compartment under the bed in the main room. I brought it to you because of my humble duty. It has not been touched at all."

Looking at the wooden box in his hand, Zhang Jinyu's heart moved. What a good thing. Shen Zhongxin who was next to him also looked over.

Zhang Jinyu held the wooden box in one hand and slowly pushed open a corner with the other. When she saw that it was full of banknotes, she knew it and ordered,
"Let me tell my brothers, today it is still the same as usual. Regardless of the people from the Imperial Army or the Imperial City Department, plus our people, there are three thousand people. I make the decision. The soldiers below will receive 30 taels of silver each as hard work, and the others will be paid by hundreds of households and The total amount is 300 taels, the deputy is 500 taels for a thousand households, and the deputy is 1000 taels for a thousand households, you can understand."

"Yes, the humble post takes orders."

"Well, go down and make arrangements."

Zhang Jinyu quickly dismissed Ji Yunhui, and Shen Zhongxin was horrified. This was a blatant distribution of money. I'm afraid it wasn't.
"Master Hou, isn't it a good idea to do this?"

"Hey, Mr. Shen, what you said is wrong. It is natural for soldiers to have food. Brothers work hard for us, and it is also a rule to take money. Besides, some things have to be done by them. So, just accept this."

Zhang Jinyu took out ten silver notes from the wooden box, put a roll in his hand, and handed it over. Shen Zhongxin took it without knowing why. He took it in his hand and saw that it turned out to be 10 taels of silver notes. He became speechless.
"Master Hou, how can this be allowed? It's too much."

Shen Zhongxin knew that Mr. Hou's statement was correct, so he stopped asking about the small amount of money. However, looking at the banknote in his hand, he felt horrified that he could get it like this during a house raid. I'm afraid it was like this before, but he didn't dare to think about it again.

Zhang Jinyu looked at Shen Shilang's uneasy look and comforted him,

"Master Shen, you can rest assured. What I am taking is the same. Besides, if you don't take it, I won't take it. How dare they, brothers, take it, how dare they sacrifice their lives for you and me, so they have to take it, that's all. Point, you know, I know, heaven knows and earth knows, they don’t know.”

It seemed to be clear that the people below would keep it secret, and it would be up to us to discuss it. Shen Zhongxin swallowed secretly, feeling restless, but did not hand it back again. Each government has its own difficulties. Although he is a clear stream, but at home, The shortage of money is severe, that's all. I'm afraid I'll be in the same boat as Marquis Luo Yun in the future. "What the Marquis said makes sense. Things in this world cannot have the best of both worlds. There are always disadvantages."

"Lord Shen has seen clearly that there are some things that you can feel at ease with, and some that you can't. You just need to feel comfortable with them. Some things are for the sake of the world, so just do them. Some things are harmful to nature, so you can't do them.

I have never been like this before, but Lord Shen, do you know why I treat my subordinates so favorably? "

Zhang Jinyu also lamented that she didn't want to be like this at first, but when she and Zhao Si went to Jiangnan, some money was free and they had to take it for the sake of the people below.

But Shen Zhongxin didn't understand this and asked,
"Master Marquis, do you have any advice?"

"We can't talk about it in person. Let me tell you that they are sergeants. They only have two taels of silver per month. Most of these coins are used to support the family. Does Mr. Shen agree?"

"I've heard a little bit about it, but it's really rare."

Zhang Jinyu was riding on a horse and talking about the pay of the soldiers below. How could Shen Zhongxin not know in the Ministry of Household Affairs that the soldiers of the imperial court received the least and suffered the most, and they often defaulted on their pay.

"Well, that's good. As far as I know, for those wealthy families, even the eldest maids of noble families, each of them earns two taels of silver at the end of the month, and there are even five taels of silver per month. Just compare it and you will know Come on, especially for soldiers in the capital, the cost of living is very high. It’s unreasonable for you to say that you work with me and don’t get some hard-earned money.”

Shen Zhongxin had a complicated look on his face. What the Marquis said was by no means a lie. It was indeed true. However, there were so many soldiers in Dawu. If the military pay was increased, the Ministry of Revenue would have no choice but to respond,

"Your Majesty understands. The Marquis also has good intentions. The soldiers in the capital are indeed working hard, but Marquis, you also know that there is nothing we can do. The Treasury of the Ministry of Revenue is well-stocked. There is no way to increase expenses. The imperial court cannot afford it."

"Haha, Mr. Shen, you are wrong. It's not that the court cannot afford it, it's those corrupt officials who can't afford it. If those people were gone, not to mention five taels, but even ten taels, haha."

"This, hey"

Rongguo Mansion,
She Yue, in a hurry, dragged the second master Bao back to the courtyard with the help of several girls. Jia Baoyu's face was full of dissatisfaction, and some complained that She Yue had made his own decisions, and even the attacker who always followed her His attitude has also changed. Could it be that Sister Lin can't see her anymore?

Suffocating, I lay on the kang in the house and ignored anyone. Who knew that after a while of warmth, I fell asleep.

Xiren, on the other hand, trotted all the way, holding the flowers wrapped in brocade cloth, and headed to the small courtyard to the west.

When I arrived at the courtyard, I saw soldiers guarding the courtyard gate from a distance. I guess they were the soldiers of the Hou Mansion. They were so majestic and powerful.

Without asking any questions, he went directly into the courtyard.

Zijuan happened to be boiling medicine in the yard and smelled the medicine. Xiren came over and asked,
"Zicuckoo, but Miss Lin is sick, why did she just take the medicine?"

Zicuckoo was sitting there, fanning the flames with a small fan, listening to the questions. She looked up and saw the attacker, put down her fan, and came over.
"It's nothing. My young lady is weak. This is for recuperation and replenishment. Sister, why are you here in such a hurry?"

Xiren originally wanted to go into the room and have a conversation with Lin Daiyu, but he was worried that Jia Baoyu would go back and make a fuss, so he had to reply,
"It's not a big deal. My concubine came and brought some Jiangnan style flowers. I wanted to send them to Miss Lin. Unexpectedly, I met Mr. Bao on the way and took them. I was worried that Mr. Bao would be reckless. If it’s broken, I’ll send it to Miss Lin first.”

"Yeah, what kind of flowers do you want to give me today?"

Rhododendron is also curious. It is strange to see flowers in spring.

Xiren handed the brocade cloth forward, then stretched out his hand to open it, revealing two tightly packed flower arrangements. They were so beautiful. Zijuan's face was happy, it was so beautiful.

"Then thank you, sister Xiren, and thank you, my concubine. How about you go in and talk to the lady."

"That's no need. You can just send it over. I have to go back and see how Mr. Bao is doing."

Without waiting for Zijuan to say anything else, she turned around and left, as if she had done something wrong, without replying.

Looking at the flowers in her hands, Rhododendron was confused. Seeing that the medicine was almost done, she collected the flowers, took the medicine from the pot, poured it out, and entered the main room with the medicine bowl.

inside the hall,

Lin Daiyu was still bored, sitting in the study eating cakes and looking at the miscellaneous books bought from the capital. She was quite idle. When she saw Zicuckoo coming in, she asked,

"Who were you talking to outside just now?"

(End of this chapter)