King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 118

Xinggong, Zhu Jinghong's sleeping hall.

At the moment he is taking a bath, and Yinglian is serving beside him.

From avoiding suspicion at the very beginning, to now he simply lets himself go and lets Yinglian live near the bedroom, without having to go to the dining room to cover up.

The Japanese suppression has come to an end, and there are people who are busy with the finishing work. Now Zhu Jinghong is free, practicing martial arts every day.

It's not for the sake of fighting for strength, but for keeping fit and living longer.

At this moment in the pool, Zhu Jinghong was lying with his eyes closed, letting Yinglian wipe him.

He was comfortable, but Yinglian was sweating, but she still had to bear the burden of hard work.

"I said Yinglian, if you are tired, just sit on me, I won't mind..."

Zhu Jinghong spoke suddenly, but Yinglian was startled, and then she replied: "How dare you slave!"

"Why dare you, I'm afraid I'll tire you out!"

As he spoke, Zhu Jinghong directly pulled her into his arms regardless of Yinglian's willingness or not.

With nephrite jade in his bosom, Zhu Jinghong only feels that life is beautiful, the only shortcoming is...there is only Yinglian by his side.

The rules of the royal family are strict, before the opening of the mansion, no maidservant could be served, his behavior now has broken the rules.

It's just that Zhu Jinghong felt that he had made a great contribution this time, and the emperor's father should give him face, so he brought Yinglian with him.

Otherwise, if he hangs out with a bunch of eunuchs every day, Zhu Jinghong will feel that his life is bleak.

After taking a bath at noon, Zhu Jinghong and Yinglian had lunch together after getting dressed.

At this moment, Deng An reminded: "Master Thirteen, Xue Pan has been here for half an hour, do you think you still want to see him?"

This matter was ordered yesterday, and Zhu Jinghong had a great time practicing martial arts in the morning, so he forgot about it.

But at this moment, he was not in a hurry to express his opinion, but asked casually: "How much money did he give you?"

Deng An was terrified by these words, and immediately knelt down and admitted: "Reporting to the Thirteenth Lord, it was Xue Pan who insisted on giving it, and the slave will not accept it...just this 50 taels of silver ticket!"

Of course, Zhu Jinghong guessed about Deng An's collection of money.

Even if he didn't guess, there would be someone behind him who would insinuate and tell Zhu Jinghong about it.

Because the eunuch was also involved, Deng An personally followed the eunuch's position, and there were more than a dozen people watching from below.

Seeing Deng An take out the banknote, Zhu Jinghong glanced at him and said, "Since it was given by others, you just accept it!"

"It's just that this kind of benefit can't be taken alone. Look at the brothers around you, which one is not living a hard life, and it is better to be happy alone than to be happy together!"

The meaning of these words is tantamount to asking Deng An to distribute the money to other eunuchs. Zhu Jinghong is indeed generous to others.

Deng An immediately said: "This servant has such an idea!"

Zhu Jinghong smiled, then said to the left and right: "You haven't thanked Deng An yet!"

"Thank you, Eunuch Deng!"

The sound of thanks from everyone made Deng An feel extremely heartbroken, but Ying Lian, who was on the sidelines, laughed out loud.

"Go get Xue Pan to come in!"

Immediately, some officials turned around to spread the word, and they got the money to make them run a little faster.

After a while, Xue Pan was brought into the palace and knelt in front of Zhu Jinghong under the guidance of officials.

"Get up and answer!" Zhu Jinghong said lightly.

"Thank you Thirteen Lord!"

Although he stood up, Xue Pan still bowed his waist and lowered his head, putting himself in a straight position.

And based on Zhu Jinghong's attitude at the moment, Xue Pan can roughly judge that today should not be a bad thing.

"Did your family buy the artillery from Westerners this time?"

"Back to Lord Thirteen, that's exactly it!"

"Your family's emperor's messenger is dedicated to this?" Zhu Jinghong was a little puzzled.

"The villain's family has some interests with Westerners, and sells tea, porcelain and silk to them!"

After organizing the words, Xue Pan continued: "The purchase of artillery is an urgent delivery under the supervisor of rites, and it is an errand arranged temporarily!"

Zhu Jinghong went on to ask: "Westerners can deliver so many cannons on a temporary errand? Where did the cannons come from? It can't be shipped from their hometown!"

"The artillery was transported from the south of Luzon. It was their own ordnance and was sold by their governor!"

In other words, the governor of the Westerners also engaged in the business of reselling arms. It seems that corruption can be found everywhere.

"Since your family has contacts with foreigners, can you do me a favor?"

"Master Thirteen, please order!" Xue Pan hurriedly replied.

Zhu Jinghong put down his chopsticks and said very solemnly: "Try to find some foreign craftsmen, preferably those who can make guns and cannons. If you find them, I will reward you!"

Hearing the heavy reward, a group of eunuchs around were shocked.

What can you reward someone with?There is no right to ask for money before you ask for power.

"I'll tell you when I get back, and I'll definitely do it for the thirteenth master!"

Zhu Jinghong nodded, and said: "This matter is very important, you have to watch it yourself!"

"This……"

Seeing that Xue Pan had doubts on his face, Zhu Jinghong asked, "Why... is there any difficulty?"

"No...no difficulty!" Xue Pan said insincerely.

In any case, the Xue family has helped him a lot before and after, so it's fine if Zhu Jinghong didn't express it, and he can't make people suffer.

"Speak up if you have any difficulties, don't hide and pinch!"

"Back to Thirteenth Lord, the villain originally planned to leave for Beijing today. One is to check the accounts, and the other is to... the sister-in-law's election as a servant!"

Not only Aunt Xue thought it was difficult to fill the vacancy, but Xue Pan also felt the same way, so he didn't mention it at all.

Zhu Jinghong said indifferently: "It doesn't matter if the audit is a few days late. As for the matter of Lingmei's election, it's just a trivial matter... I just say hello to Shangyi in the palace!"

"You can do things for me with peace of mind, and we'll go to Beijing together if you find someone. With my face, are you afraid that you won't be selected?"

Still the same sentence, the Xue family also saved his life, and lost a lot of money and land for it, and now he just took this opportunity to repay the favor.

"Did you hear?"

"Ah... yes!" Xue Pan was overjoyed.

But then he felt annoyed and called himself an idiot, and he should have talked about filling in the vacancy just now, so Zhu Jinghong helped him easily.

Seeing that Xue Pan didn't speak, Zhu Jinghong was puzzled. Could it be that Xue Pan wasn't enough?
"What? Not enough?"

"Enough is enough, thank you Thirteenth Master, thank you Thirteenth Master!" Xue Pan immediately kowtowed to express his gratitude.

"The matter entrusted to you must be done. You need to pay the amount of money first, and it will be paid back to you in the future!"

I will repay you in the future, this is said lightly, when did Zhu Jinghong not say, how dare Xue Pan go to the door to collect debts.

Anyway, if you don't come, you don't dare to ask for it, why not go out as a whole person.

"It's my honor to be able to serve the Thirteenth Master. The villain is friends with the Westerners. Hiring a few craftsmen won't cost much!"

"You need to hire some good craftsmen, at least better than those from the military bureau. You have to put more effort into it and don't be afraid of spending money!"

The Bingzhan Bureau is one of the 24 yamen of the inner court, and it is responsible for making weapons for the guards of the Shangzhi army.

It is really difficult to find someone better than Bingjue, Xue Pan felt the pressure at the moment.

"Master Thirteen, don't worry, the villain will do his job with all his heart!"

"Okay, you can go back!" Zhu Jinghong waved his hand.

"Yes Yes!"

After Xue Pan saluted again, he withdrew from the palace.

After he left, Yinglian Fang couldn't help but said, "Master Thirteen...you still want to help such a villain?"

Zhu Jinghong said with emotion: "Alas... how can there be so many good people in this world, whether there are evil people or good people, as long as they can get things done, that's good!"

Seeing Yinglian's bewildered face, Zhu Jinghong couldn't help laughing, why did he tell her these things.

(End of this chapter)