The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 345 Seeking good luck and avoiding bad luck
Lin Daiyu lowered her head when she heard this, her face burning. As the saying goes, the deeper the love, the more severe the criticism. This is not only limited to the relationship between elders and juniors, but also applies to the opposite sex. But now Lin Daiyu is not like in the original novel. She has her heart filled with brother Huan instead of brother Bao.

However, although Lin Daiyu was independent and dared to love and hate, she was still restrained by the dignity that a woman should have and the feudal etiquette. Even though her heart was completely devoted to Jia Huan, she dared not express her feelings in public. But just now, in her great sorrow and joy, she could not help but bite Jia Huan. Now that she was in the public eye, she was so ashamed that she wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

"Sister Lin is injured?" At this time, Jia Huan caught a glimpse of blood on the corners of Lin Daiyu's mouth and on her clothes. His heart tightened and he asked hurriedly.

Seeing Jia Huan's anxious expression and his concern for her, Lin Daiyu couldn't help but feel a mixture of shame and joy, and said shyly, "I'm fine, but you, are you burned anywhere?"

Xueyan couldn't help but said, "The girl said it was okay, but she just vomited blood. Third Master, don't risk your life to do this again. You almost scared our girl to death."

Jia Huan looked at Lin Daiyu apologetically, and the latter's face was flushed. She didn't dare to look at the former, and said to Xueyan angrily: "You are such a talkative person!"

Jia Huan's heart was filled with warmth, and he couldn't help but hold one of Lin Daiyu's soft hands. The latter hurriedly pulled her hand back, and even her neck was covered with a layer of pink blush.

Just when the atmosphere was somewhat ambiguous, Lu Xiangsheng on the other side suddenly shouted, "Ziming, come quickly, Master Lin is not in good condition."

Jia Huan and Lin Daiyu were both startled and rushed forward, only to see Lin Ruhai lying flat on the ground, his face as purple as gold, his breathing very weak, he really looked like a dead tree with a dying lamp.

Seeing this, Lin Daiyu was overwhelmed with grief and burst into tears. Jia Huan hurriedly said, "The air here is turbid. Hurry up and carry Master Lin back to the study."

Butler Xiao hurriedly got a stretcher and asked the servants to carry Lin Ruhai back to the study. He pinched his Ren Zhong acupoint, wiped his whole body, and fed him a few spoonfuls of ginseng soup. After a lot of rescue efforts, Lin Ruhai's breathing finally slowly calmed down and a hint of color returned to his face, but he was still unconscious and his condition was worrying.

At this time, a soldier reported outside the study: "Third Master, Zhang Guizhang, the adjutant general of the Jinling Navy, is here to see you."

"I understand. Let him wait for a moment!" Jia Huan agreed, turned and walked to Lin Daiyu, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

Lin Daiyu was sitting nearby at this moment, her pair of bright eyes had become swollen like walnuts from crying, and she was still wiping her tears silently, like a pear blossom in the rain, which was truly pitiful to look at.

Lin Daiyu knew that there were many things waiting for Jia Huan to deal with. She raised her pretty face with red eyes and whispered, "Brother Huan, go and do your work. Daddy will be taken care of by Xueyan and I."

Jia Huan nodded and sighed secretly. Lin Ruhai's internal organs were severely damaged by the Aconitum poison. He was already like a dying lamp and a dead tree. Now he was tortured by this again. It was still unknown whether he could survive. Life and death were truly determined by fate, and wealth and honor were determined by God. Alas, it seemed that there were some things that he could not change even if he was a time traveler, such as Lin Ruhai's short life!

After comforting Lin Daiyu with a few words, Jia Huan left the study and hurried to the lobby in front, where he saw Zhang Guizhang, the naval lieutenant commander, waiting there in full armor.

"My humble servant greets Master Huan San!" When Zhang Guizhang saw Jia Huan coming, he hurried forward to salute.

Jia Huan bowed and said, "General Zhang, there is no need to be polite. Fortunately, General Zhang arrived in time this time. Otherwise, the consequences would be disastrous. I will report this to the governor and record a merit for General Zhang in the merit book."

Zhang Guizhang said hurriedly, "Master Huan San, you are too kind. I am just following orders and I dare not take credit for it. By the way, how is the governor's condition?"

Although Zhang Guizhang was not outstanding, he was steady and low-key, and did not seek credit. Jia Huan had a good impression of him, so he said frankly: "The governor is still in a coma, and the situation is not optimistic. By the way, I would like to ask Lieutenant General Zhang to immediately send people to seal off the gates of Yangzhou City. No one is allowed to enter or leave without the governor's order."

"I have obeyed your command!" Zhang Guizhang accepted the order in a stern manner. He already had a general idea of ​​what had happened, so the entire Yangzhou officialdom might be facing a major purge next.

As for Zhang Yidong and Ji Jinxiao, seeing that the situation was not good, they immediately fled from the Salt Inspectorate's Yamen through the back garden and fled back to the new city in a panic. They wanted to escape from the city, but the city gate had been blocked by Zhang Guizhang's navy. They had no way to escape and could only return to the Salt Transport Office and stay indoors.

Tiehu led his cavalry brothers to chase and kill, surrounded the Salt Transport Office, and blocked all exits. At the same time, the Jinling Navy also entered the city, searching every street and alley to capture the fish that had escaped.

About an hour later, the sky in the east began to turn pale, the sun rose, and the sky finally brightened. Some people got up and went out to work as usual, but found that the streets were full of soldiers in armor. They were so scared that they quickly hid back in their houses.

At this time, Jia Huan and Yi Hong appeared in front of the Salt Transport Administration Office, escorted by their personal soldiers and the Embroidered Uniform Guards respectively.

Yi Hong originally had a hundred Jinyiwei around him, but after the fierce battles last night, there are only more than thirty people left after they regrouped. A full 70% of them are missing, and the loss is indeed heavy.

Therefore, Yi Hong's face was extremely gloomy at this moment, and there was a fierce light flashing in his only eye. Jia Huan still looked calm and composed, but his eyes were bloodshot and he was obviously tired. After all, he had been traveling on horseback for two days and then fighting fiercely for a whole night. Even an iron man could not bear it.

Tiehu saluted before leaving: "General Tiehu, I greet Lord Yi and Third Master!"

Jia Huan nodded, and Yi Hong asked in a deep voice: "Iron Hundred Household, have Zhang Yidong and that old eunuch Ji Jinxiao made any move since they escaped in?"

"No." Tiehu answered simply.

Just as Yi Hong was about to order the door to be knocked down, the gate of the Salt Transport Office opened automatically. A middle-aged man who looked like a butler walked out cautiously, bowed to Yi Hong and Jia Huan, and said, "My master has prepared a light feast. Please invite Lord Yi and Third Master Huan to come in for a gathering. I hope you will honor me with your presence."

Yi Hong was slightly stunned, a thoughtful look appeared in his one eye, and then he sneered: "Zhang Yidong is about to die and still wants to give me a Hongmen Feast?"

The housekeeper said quickly, "No, no, my master just wants to talk to you two face to face. He doesn't dare to harm you." Jia Huan's heart moved, and he yawned and said, "I'm really too sleepy. I'll go back and take a nap. Lord Yi, please do as you please." After saying that, he turned around and left without any hesitation.

Yi Hong's one eye flickered, but he did not try to keep him. He just watched Jia Huan's back disappear from his sight. Then he waved his hand slightly, and the Jinyiwei under his command immediately rushed in to clear the area. About an incense stick of time later, his confidant Lu Youwei ran out and whispered something in Yi Hong's ear.

Yi Hong was slightly shocked, and said coldly to the housekeeper: "Lead the way."

The butler then turned around and walked cautiously into the house, while Yi Hong, under the protection of the Embroidered Uniform Guards, followed the butler into the gate of the Salt Transport Administration.

At this time, the huge Salt Transport Administration Office was deserted. Yi Hong followed the steward and went straight to the main hall of the office. The Embroidered Uniform Guards were already on guard there.

"Master Yi, please come in!" The butler stood in front of the hall and stretched out his hand as a gesture of invitation.

Yi Hong had already asked the Jinyiwei to come in and investigate the situation. Now that he was sure there was no danger, he walked in very calmly.

There was indeed a table of wine in the hall. The salt transport envoy Zhang Yidong was drinking alone. A corpse was lying on the ground, bleeding from all seven orifices. His death was horrible. It was the old eunuch Ji Jinxiao.

"Lord Yi is here, please sit down!" Zhang Yidong did not stand up, but continued to drink by himself. His face was flushed and it was obvious that he was a little drunk.

Yi Hong glanced at Ji Jinxiao's body, didn't seem surprised, and sat down at the table calmly.

Zhang Yidong picked up the wine pot and poured a glass for Yi Hong. He exclaimed, "Did Jia Huan and Jia Ziming come with Master Yi?"

A strange look flashed across Yi Hong's face as he said, "Mr. Jia said he was too sleepy and went back to catch up on his sleep."

Zhang Yidong smiled and said, "This kid is very cunning, he doesn't look like a teenager at all."

"Who says it's not?" Yi Hong echoed with deep emotion.

Zhang Yidong glanced at Yi Hong and asked, "Master Yi doesn't drink?"

Yi Hong sneered and said, "Of course I drank it, but I dare not drink your wine, Zhang Chengliang." After saying that, he glanced at Ji Jinxiao, who was bleeding from all seven orifices.

Zhang Yidong raised his cup and drank it all, jokingly saying, "It turns out that King Yi is also afraid of death."

"Who is not afraid of death?" Yi Hong asked back: "Aren't you, Zhang Chengliang, afraid?"

Zhang Yidong nodded and said, "I am afraid, so I went to discuss with Lord Yi whether he could let me go."

Yi Hong sneered, "Why?"

Zhang Yidong said: "Just based on the account book you have with you."

Yi Hong's expression changed slightly and asked, "How did you know that the account book was with me?"

Zhang Yidong smiled slightly: "The account book on Kang Dayong has fallen into Jia Huan's hands. Since Jia Huan sneaked back to Yangzhou, he must have handed the account book to Lord Yi. And according to my guess, this guy also denied having seen the account book. Haha, Jia Ziming is a smart man. Even he knows how to avoid danger and seek good fortune. There is no reason why Lord Yi doesn't understand."

Yi Hong's expression changed and he remained silent.

Zhang Yidong poured another glass of wine for Yi Hong and said with a smile, "Ji Jinxiao, Xu Wenhan and Hong Wenxuan are all dead. Lord Yi already has enough reasons to report to the higher-ups. There's no need to risk offending that master, right?"

Yi Hong's expression changed even more, and he seemed to be struggling inside. Finally, he picked up the glass of wine and drank it all.

Zhang Yidong couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief upon seeing this, and he also picked up the wine glass and drank. However, at this moment, Yi Hong's eyes suddenly became fierce, and he quickly drew out his Embroidered Spring Knife and slashed his neck.

The wine glass in Zhang Yidong's hand fell and broke into pieces on the spot. He covered his neck with both hands and stared at Yi Hong with unbearable eyes.

Yi Hong stared at Zhang Yidong coldly and sneered, "Even Jia Huan knows to seek good fortune and avoid harm, so I certainly know that too. However, killing you is the safest option. I'm sure that gentleman thinks the same way, after all, you know too much."

Zhang Yidong's eyes showed fear, then relief, and a hint of self-mockery. His throat made a gurgling sound, and blood gushed out from between his fingers. Finally, he fell to the ground with his chair and died.

Yi Hong wiped the blood off the Xiuchun Knife expressionlessly, then sheathed the knife and said loudly: "Zhang Yidong, the salt transport envoy, and Ji Jinxiao, the eunuch stationed in Jiangnan for purchasing goods for Prince Yi Zhong's mansion, both committed suicide out of fear of punishment. All the relevant people should be arrested and detained for trial."

(End of this chapter)