The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 351 Stealing fragrance and jade
Zhu Wanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, had issued a strict order that no ship could go to sea. Although the Jin Dynasty did not implement the sea ban as strictly as the Ming Dynasty, it also did not allow free trade with overseas countries, and only allowed limited tribute trade. It is precisely because China is vast and rich in resources that it can be completely self-sufficient and live well without foreign trade. Therefore, throughout the dynasties, foreign trade has not been given much attention. On the contrary, due to the long coastline and the boundless sea, a large number of problems have arisen, the cost of management is extremely high, and the benefits are minimal, so the rulers simply cut off the coastal residents and moved them inland, completely banning the sea.

However, as the old saying goes, Yu the Great controlled the floods by draining them instead of blocking them. The one-size-fits-all maritime ban policy not only failed to solve the existing problems, but also cut off the possibility of the empire's maritime power and handed over the sea power to foreigners. Piracy, smuggling and other problems continued to persist and even became more serious.

When the Age of Exploration arrived and science and technology developed at a rapid pace, the Chinese Empire was still closing its doors to the outside world, dreaming of becoming the Celestial Empire. This sowed the seeds for being crushed to the ground by powerful nations hundreds of years later, suffering humiliation and devastation. It is truly a cause for regret!
Although the Jin Dynasty in this Dream of Red Mansions world did not impose a blanket ban on sea trade like the Ming Dynasty, it also did not attach importance to maritime power. Because it was troublesome to manage and the cost of garrisoning was high and the efficiency was low, the indigenous inhabitants of many coastal islands were forcibly relocated inland. As a result, a large number of coastal islands became uninhabited deserted islands and became a paradise for pirates, pirates and smugglers.

Although Jia Huan is a time traveler, he is also aware of this. Although he knows the crux of the problem, with his current status, his words are powerless and it is unlikely for him to change the situation. After all, the ideas of both the emperor and the ministers are deeply rooted. It is probably harder than climbing to the sky to persuade them to abandon the thinking of the Celestial Empire, humble themselves to learn from Westerners, open the country's doors and become strong by sea!
Of course, in Jia Huan's opinion, even if the islands along the coast of Dajin were occupied by pirates, it would still be better than if they were occupied by Westerners. Although pirates were hateful, they were also descendants of Yan and Huang after all, with Chinese blood flowing in their veins, and the same culture and language as their ancestors. Therefore, Jia Huan made a promise to Qin Hongyu without authorization that after the Westerners were driven away and Dulong Island was recovered, she could continue to live on the island with her subordinates, as long as they obeyed the management and paid a symbolic tax.

Let’s talk about Lin Ruhai. Although his health has improved in recent days, he still can’t stand for a long time. So after moving around in the yard for a while, Jia Huan and Lin Daiyu helped him back to his room to rest.

At this moment, the servants just brought the decocted medicine. Lin Daiyu personally served the medicine to her, while Jia Huan accompanied her.

After drinking the medicine, Lin Ruhai rinsed his mouth and said, "Brother Huan, you will leave for Jinling to take the exam on the 15th, so after I meet Qin Hongyu tomorrow, you should concentrate on taking the exam and don't worry about anything else. As for Yi Hong, I will convince him myself."

Jia Huan nodded quickly in agreement.

Lin Ruhai stroked his beard again and smiled, "With Huan'er's current level, he is almost certain to pass the provincial examination, but it may not be easy to get the top spot. After all, Nanzhili is full of talented people, and they are among the best in the country."

Jia Huan said modestly: "It is enough to pass the provincial examination. How dare I hope to win the first prize."

Lin Daiyu laughed and said, "I don't know who said it the other day, that the provincial examination is nothing more than a piece of cake. Now you are pretending to be modest. I guess you are just being frivolous in front of others."

Jia Huan also laughed and said, "I was just teasing Sister Lin a few days ago, how could it be taken seriously?"

Lin Daiyu then used her slender fingers to scratch his face to embarrass him.

Seeing the two getting along so harmoniously, Lin Ruhai couldn't help but smile in relief, stroking his beard and saying, "When dealing with people, one should not be arrogant, but one must have pride. However, scholars like us should have the courage to be the first in the imperial examination. The imperial examination is a battlefield for scholars, and we must dare to look down on the heroes, so as to defeat the enemy!"

Jia Huan said solemnly, "I will follow Master Lin's instructions."

Lin Ruhai smiled and nodded: "I am a little tired, you guys go ahead, I will rest for a while."

So Jia Huan and Lin Daiyu left Lin Ruhai's room. As soon as they walked out of the yard, the latter looked at Jia Huan with a smile.

Jia Huan touched his face and asked in confusion, "Is there something on my face? Why is Sister Lin looking at me like that?"

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "Brother Huan has no flowers on his face, but there are flowers in his room, and they are flowers of a blond and blue-eyed Western beauty. I haven't had time to congratulate Brother Huan yet."

Jia Huan suddenly realized, "Sister Lin, have you met Mandarin?"

"Brother Huan has gone out of the city to keep an appointment with Lady Hong, and Sister Ping'er brought her to my room to pay her respects. She is truly a beautiful lady, but I am not a man, otherwise I would have asked Brother Huan for her." Lin Daiyu looked at Jia Huan with her beautiful eyes, which were obviously teasing.

Jia Huan sweated secretly and said embarrassedly, "When we went out to sea, we captured a red-bearded Westerner. He presented Mandarin to me in order to please my uncle, but he gave her to me instead. If Sister Lin likes her, I will let Mandarin come to your room to serve you."

Lin Daiyu was a little jealous at first, but when she saw Jia Huan's serious explanation and his willingness to give her the foreign maid without hesitation, she couldn't help but feel sweet in her heart and chuckled, "I was just teasing you, but you took it seriously. What's more, my father gave her to you. What's the point of giving her to me now? And logically speaking, you should have a few more people to serve you. Brother Bao has six big maids, Xiren, Qingwen, Sheyue, Qiuwen, Bihen, and Meiren, and a lot of little maids to do rough work. There are also more than a dozen servants who accompany him on a daily basis. In comparison, Brother Huan is really too shabby, and it's not decent for outsiders to see."

Lin Daiyu is a solitary person by nature and is not the kind of person who likes to meddle in other people's business. However, when it comes to Jia Huan, she can't help but speak up. She also thinks of how Jia Huan was suppressed by Wang Xifeng and Mrs. Wang in the Jia Mansion, and she feels even more sorry and sad for Jia Huan.

Jia Huan smiled and said, "Too many people serving me is not good. I prefer to be quiet and at ease. Besides, I earn my reputation by myself, not by showing off with many people serving me. Why do I need so many people?"

Lin Daiyu's eyes sparkled with admiration and joy for Jia Huan's open-mindedness and self-confidence. She smiled and said, "Well, I won't worry about you anymore. It would make me look petty. But what Brother Huan said is not without reason. Brother Huan is famous all over the country now. At least everyone in Yangzhou knows him. This kind of face cannot be shown off even if there are more servants serving him."

Jia Huan couldn't help but laugh and said, "Ah, Sister Lin, I appreciate this compliment, but I'm not allowed to praise you any more. I'm afraid of being proud!"

Lin Daiyu burst out laughing, and suddenly she was like a bright flower reflected on the water or a bright moon emerging from the clouds, indescribably graceful and beautiful, which made someone's heart flutter and his mind wander.

Lin Daiyu was a little shy, glanced at Jia Huan, then turned around and walked away. Her graceful figure was like a willow swaying in the wind.

Lin Daiyu is fourteen years old this year. Her body lines have gradually grown and she is full of youthfulness. Compared with the little loli when she first entered the Jia Mansion, she is more attractive both in figure and temperament.

Lin Daiyu walked a few steps and looked back. Seeing Jia Huan still standing there looking at her, her heart trembled slightly and her cheeks flushed. She said angrily, "Why are you standing there like a stupid goose?"

Jia Huan hurriedly took a few steps to catch up with him, and walked side by side with him in the fragrant path of the courtyard. It was early autumn evening, with a cool breeze and the fragrance of osmanthus flowers. The two men, a handsome man and a pretty woman, walked like a pair of jade lovers, passing by flowers and willows.

When passing by an osmanthus tree, Jia Huan reached out and picked a bunch of light yellow osmanthus flowers, put it down to his nose and smelled it, and immediately he felt the mellow fragrance that penetrated his heart.

"What is Brother Huan doing?" Lin Daiyu asked.

Jia Huan said casually with a smile: "Stealing fragrance and jade." Lin Daiyu spat lightly, not quite annoyed. Jia Huan then realized the ambiguity, as if he was deliberately teasing her. He could not help but cough lightly in embarrassment and covered up by saying: "Sister Lin, this sweet-scented osmanthus is really fragrant. I wonder what kind it is? I'll take it back and look up ancient books and study it carefully." After that, he put the osmanthus into the scent bag on his waist in a serious manner.

Lin Daiyu was both angry and amused. Without further ado, she reached out and snatched the scent bag from Jia Huan's waist, sniffing, "My things are not for you to steal... that kind of scent."

Jia Huan said with a bitter face: "Sister Lin, even if I occasionally said something wrong, you don't have to take the sachet back, it's too cruel, is there any justice?"

Lin Daiyu was immediately amused. She rolled her eyes at someone and took out a brand new lotus leaf scent bag, which was exactly the same as the old one. She said, "This old one has been worn for a few years and is no longer shiny. I made a new one for you."

As Lin Daiyu spoke, she put the amulets and other items in the old sachet, as well as the bunch of osmanthus flowers, into the new sachet, and then silently tied it to Jia Huan's belt again.

Looking at Lin Daiyu's pretty face so close to him, Jia Huan's heartbeat accelerated and he subconsciously held his breath. Her dark eyebrows were as gentle as spring mountains, her eyes were as bright as autumn water, her nose was as beautiful as a painting, without any flaws. Moreover, Lin Daiyu's unique body fragrance was faintly penetrating into his nose, which was really a serious test of a man's determination.

"Okay!" Lin Daiyu finally tied the sachet, raised her eyelids and glanced at Jia Huan quickly, a hint of shyness seemed to flash across her pretty face.

Jia was even more excited, and almost wanted to bend down and kiss that beautiful and charming beauty, but he didn't dare to do it. He smiled and said, "Thank you, Sister Lin, give me the old one as well."

Lin Daiyu put away the old sachet and said with a smile in her eyes, "I can't do that unless Brother Huan brings me the lyrics I owe you."

Jia Huan smiled and said, "That's not difficult. I already have it. Sister Lin, give it to me first. I will write down the lyrics and send them to you in the evening. How about that?"

Lin Daiyu was delighted when she heard this, and returned the old lotus leaf sachet to Jia Huan, warning him: "When I give you something, you can't give it to others even if it's old and discarded. I remember one time, all the accessories on your body were snatched away by that unwanted servant. Fortunately, you didn't have the things I gave you. If that happens again, you can forget about getting my things again."

Jia Huan laughed and said, "When have I ever given Sister Lin's things away? I have been carrying this old sachet, this amulet, and the Duan inkstone you gave me all these years!"

As Jia Huan spoke, he kept the old lotus leaf sachet close to his body. Seeing how much he treasured it, Lin Daiyu was naturally moved and smiled.

When they reached the end of the flower path, the western sky was already filled with sunset glow. Dusk was about to fall and the weary birds returned to the forest. At this moment, they were both a little reluctant to leave. They stood side by side in silence, staring at the sunset glow in the west in a daze.

Just as the two were lost in thought, a burst of laughter suddenly came from behind them. Jia Huan and Lin Daiyu turned around and looked, only to see Xueyan and Yuanyuan walking towards them.

"It turns out that the young lady and the Third Master were watching the sunset here. We had a hard time looking for them." Xueyan said with a smile.

Lin Daiyu's pretty face turned slightly red, and she whispered to Jia Huan, "It's getting dark, Brother Huan, please go back." After that, she went to greet Xueyan.

Xiao Yuanyuan walked up to Jia Huan happily and said, "Brother, it's time for dinner. Sister Ping'er asked me to come and see you."

Jia Huan smiled and said, "Then let's go back too." He watched Lin Daiyu and her servant disappear into the hanging flower gate.

When the two returned to their residence, the meal had indeed been prepared and was very sumptuous, with a pot of aged osmanthus wine.

Jia Huan couldn't help but exclaimed: "What good day is today?"

Ping Er said with a smile: "What a good day, of course it's to welcome Sister Mandarin."

Jia Huan slapped his forehead and laughed, "I forgot about this!"

There weren't so many rules in Jia Huan's house. Usually he and Ping'er ate at the same table. At that moment, the four of them sat together, eating, drinking and chatting.

Mandarin was a little embarrassed when she first arrived, but Ping'er was tactful and experienced in dealing with people, and was good at speaking. She was Wang Xifeng's right-hand man in the Jia family back then, and was quite scheming. Fortunately, Ping'er was kind and fair, unlike Wang Xifeng who was so vicious and would not put her mind on fighting for power and jealousy. In addition, after making love that night, and listening to Jia Huan's affectionate confession, this pretty maid naturally would not be jealous and behaved generously and enthusiastically.

Mandarin, on the other hand, was straightforward and simple, so the two girls quickly became familiar with each other and chatted non-stop, leaving their master Jia Huan aside. He could only act as a translator when there was a language barrier between the two.

Needless to say, Mandalin and Xiao Yuanyuan had a very good relationship. The three girls chatted non-stop. When Ping'er learned that Mandalin had shot and killed the bandit Kang Dayong and saved Jia Huan's life, she was full of admiration and gratitude, with a look of amazement on her face.

Seeing that the two maids got along well with each other and he didn't have to worry at all, Jia Huan was naturally in a good mood. After dinner, he wrote down the lyrics of the song "Hearing You in the Distance" and asked Xiao Yuanyuan to send it to Lin Daiyu. The little girl ran away as soon as she heard it.

On the second day, Jia Huan contacted Qin Hongyu. The latter was surprised and happy to learn that Lin Ruhai actually wanted to see her. She immediately followed Jia Huan into the city and went to the Salt Inspectorate's Yamen. Her courage impressed Feng Ziying.

Next, Jia Huan had no idea about how Lin Ruhai and Qin Hongyu negotiated, and how Lin Ruhai persuaded Jinyiwei commander Yi Hong. He did not participate and just concentrated on reviewing for the exam.

On July 15, the seventh year of the Qiansheng reign, Jia Huan and Lu Xiangsheng left Yangzhou early in the morning, sailed south along the Grand Canal, and headed straight for Jinling...

(End of this chapter)