The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 354: Encountering Xue Shazi on the Road

Lin Zhixiao is the steward of the Rongguo Mansion's treasury, and his status is second only to the chief steward Lai Da. This man is not only capable, but also low-key and cautious. He always does things and talks less. Even Wang Xifeng gave the couple a nickname "Deaf and Dumb".

In fact, what is even more rare is that Lin Zhixiao has a bottom line and a conscience, unlike the brothers Lai Da and Lai Er, who embezzle public funds and enrich themselves. For example, there is a description in the original novel that Lai Wang's son wants to marry the maid Caixia, and Lin Zhixiao privately dissuades Jia Lian because Lai Wang's son is a rotten man who is addicted to whoring, gambling, drinking, and smoking, and whoever marries him is like jumping into a fire pit.

In addition, Lin Zhixiao's vision was obviously quite sharp. In the eyes of others, the Jia family was a family of luxury, and in recent years they had a royal concubine. They were extremely prosperous and enjoyed endless wealth and glory. However, as the steward of the treasury, he knew very well that it was just a show. Although it looked glamorous on the surface, it was actually seriously deficit inside. In addition, the male members of the Jia family for several generations were worse than the previous one, and none of them were capable. Therefore, he concluded that the Jia family's good times would not last long.

A few years ago, after being kicked by a donkey, the naughty illegitimate son Jia Huan turned into a different person. He was very talented at a young age and won the top three prizes in the imperial examinations. He was a rising star. Lin Zhixiao was secretly glad that the Jia family was not doomed to fail and that a great man had finally emerged among the younger generation. He might be able to continue the family reputation and even make it more glorious.

Unfortunately, due to Mrs. Wang's narrow-mindedness and short-sightedness, the situation ended up in a mess. Aunt Zhao lost her life, and Jia Huan exiled himself to Jinling to avoid disaster, thus creating an irreparable rift between him and the Jia family.

Over the years, Lin Zhixiao could not help feeling regretful whenever he thought of this. Such a good seedling was ruined by family strife. If his wife had been more generous and had trained and assisted him well, the Jia family might have produced a child prodigy who would have become a Jinshi and would have become a prime minister in the future. In this way, it would not be impossible for the Jia family to continue its glory for another hundred years.

Lin Zhixiao originally thought that after Jia Huan was exiled to Jinling, he would sink into despair and never recover. However, to his surprise, Jia Huan not only did not sink into despair, but also caused such a big fuss that even the emperor issued an edict to praise him. This forced the old lady and the master to take it seriously and take remedial measures to mend the relationship between the two sides. Under pressure, the lady also agreed to move Aunt Zhao back to the Jia family's ancestral tomb.

As the saying goes, if the skin is gone, where will the hair be attached? As a family slave, Lin Zhixiao naturally hoped that the Jia family would prosper, so when Jia Zheng found him, he gladly accepted the task and even took his two sons to Jinling to discuss the relocation of Jia Huan's grave.

Originally, in the authoritarian feudal patriarchal dynasty, as long as the elders decided to relocate the grave, Jia Huan, a junior, had no right to interfere, so there was no need for Jia Huan's consent at all. However, Jia Mu's move was obviously to mend her relationship with Jia Huan. If Jia Huan's consent was not obtained, the end result would only be counterproductive.

Therefore, although Lady Jia and Jia Zheng did not say it explicitly, Lin Zhixiao still found Jia Huan first based on his own speculation, and only started to move the grave after obtaining his consent. And to be on the safe side, he also found Ping'er first to get the connections, trying to use Ping'er's influence to persuade Jia Huan.

This also indirectly reflects that Lin Zhixiao is indeed experienced and cautious in his work.

Let's get back to the point. Lin Zhixiao and his two sons left the Salt Inspectorate and Censorate and just as they came to the street, they saw a group of Jinyiwei coming towards them majestically. The leader was blind in one eye and wore a black eye patch, but he could vaguely recognize that it was Yi Hong, the commander of the Jinyiwei.

Lin Zhixiao was startled and hurriedly took his son to a corner of the street and bowed his head to let him pass. Yi Hong naturally did not recognize a small character like Lin Zhixiao, and went straight into the Salt Inspectorate to discuss matters with Lin Ruhai.

The second son, Lin Gui, said sternly, "I heard that because of the salt smuggling case, the Jinyiwei have uprooted almost the entire Yangzhou officialdom recently, including both civil and military officials. Even several officials from the six ministries in Nanjing have been arrested, and one of them is the vice minister of the Ministry of Justice."

A trace of worry flashed across Lin Zhixiao's eyes, and he whispered, "What's the point of being a minister? This time, I'm afraid even Prince Yi Zhong's mansion can't be saved. I hope it won't affect our mansion. Let's go. It's just a fight between gods. Don't meddle in other people's business."

At that moment, Lin Zhixiao, his son and his two sons packed their luggage, left the city, and took a boat straight to Jinling.

…………

Capital city, Jia Mansion.

Since the third day of August is Madam Jia's birthday, everyone in the house has been making preparations for it in advance.

Previously, because the matter of lending money at high interest was exposed, Wang Xifeng was deprived of her power as housekeeper by Jia Mu. However, after several years of "reform", Jia Mu probably thought that Wang Xifeng had completely turned over a new leaf, so she recently let her manage the affairs of the rear house again. However, the power to distribute monthly wages was not handed over to Wang Xifeng, and it was still the responsibility of Lin Zhixiao's wife.

Although Wang Xifeng was not satisfied with this, she was still quite excited to be the housekeeper again, so she had been full of confidence in recent days, ready to show her skills in organizing Lady Jia's birthday banquet and re-establish her former authority. At the same time, she would also try to please Lady Jia. Who knows, if the old lady was so happy, she might even return the power to distribute monthly wages to her.

However, just as Wang Xifeng was racking her brains and making preparations, and everything was almost ready, an imperial decree came saying that the retired emperor was in poor health and the emperor had to fast for seven days to pray for him. The concubines in the palace had to reduce their food and wear less makeup, and the people were not allowed to get married or have banquets for a month. Naturally, Lady Jia's birthday banquet was cancelled.

As a result, the first torch of Wang Fengjie's comeback was extinguished before it was even lit. She felt extremely aggrieved and could not help complaining to her husband Jia Lian who had just returned home at night: "That person was sick at this time, not earlier or later. I wasted half a month's work. I am so unlucky."

Jia Lian sneered, "You've been busy for half a month for nothing, but if it involves our family, it will be no joke."

Wang Xifeng was startled and asked in a low voice, "Is that person's sudden illness related to Prince Yi Zhong?"

Jia Lian's eyes flashed with a trace of fear and he said, "It's almost certain. The emperor sent Jinyiwei Commander Yi Hong to Yangzhou. It was Sima Zhao's intention - everyone knew it. Now the news has come back. On the night of the seventh day of the seventh month, a shocking incident occurred in Yangzhou City. A group of men in black besieged the Salt Inspectorate and almost took the lives of Yi Hong and Lin Gu Ye. Afterwards, it was found that it was planned and directed by Yangzhou Salt Transport Commissioner Zhang Yidong, Prefect Hong Wenxuan, and Prince Yi Zhong's eunuch Ji Jinxiao. That night, all three died. It is said that Zhang Yidong and Ji Jinxiao committed suicide out of fear of punishment after escaping."

Wang Xifeng was surprised and asked, "Why did they besiege Mr. Lin's government office?"

Jia Lian sneered, "You are usually very smart, but you are confused at this time. Of course, the truth has been revealed, and you took the risk to cover up your crime. I have heard that Prince Yi Zhong's mansion is related to the illegal salt case, and now it is confirmed. By the way, it is said that Prince Yi Zhong's great-grandson Xu Wenhan also died in the Salt Inspector's mansion that night. He personally led the death squad and the palace guards, disguised as a robber and broke into the Salt Inspector's mansion. As a result, he was unlucky and was shot in the head by random guns, and died on the spot." Wang Xifeng was so shocked that her mouth opened wide, and she stammered, "How did you know?"

Jia Lian said in a deep voice, "Yi Hong submitted an urgent letter with a journey of 800 miles. The emperor received it only yesterday, but the news has spread in the circle today. I also heard it from the people in the Nan'an County Prince's Mansion. Just based on the fact that they kept assassins, the Yi Zhong Prince's Mansion is finished this time, not to mention the smuggling of salt. I heard that the emperor went to the West Garden to pay his respects to the retired emperor early this morning, and at noon, the news came out that the retired emperor was unwell. How can there be such a coincidence in this world?"

Wang Xifeng's face turned pale and she said in a trembling voice, "So, Prince Yi Zhong can't be saved this time?"

Jia Lian nodded: "Not only that, I'm afraid there are still many people who will lose their heads. Anyway, the bureaucrats in Yangzhou Prefecture have been almost uprooted, and even several people in Nanjing have been arrested. We will see that soon someone in the court will be in trouble. I hope it won't involve our family."

Wang Xifeng was even more frightened when she heard this, because her uncle Wang Ziteng had always had close contacts with Prince Yi Zhong, and both of them were the left-hand men of the retired emperor. Once Prince Yi Zhong fell, her uncle Wang Ziteng would most likely be implicated.

Oh my God, how could this happen!
Wang Xifeng couldn't help but tremble. Her elder brother Wang Ren, jealous of the money made in the ice cream business a few years ago, tried to snatch it from Jia Huan. However, he was "framed" by Jia Huan's third brother and accidentally injured the seventh prince. The emperor was furious and sent the Jinyiwei to arrest her elder brother. In the end, he dug up the old case and stripped and exiled her father and Master Zhen of the East Palace. Later, it was thanks to Yuanchun that he chose Fengzao Palace and conferred the title of Consort Xian De, so that his sentence was reduced and he returned to Beijing, but until now, his title has not been restored.

Therefore, now Uncle Wang Ziteng is the only support of the Wang family. If Uncle is implicated by Prince Yi Zhong again, then the Wang family will be really finished.

Jia Lian was not very concerned about the life and death of the Wang family, and even felt a little gloating, because Wang Xifeng was too strong in normal times. Relying on the support of her mother's family, she always suppressed him in everywhere, causing him to sleep with a maid in secret. If Wang Xifeng had not been on guard against her like a thief, he would have gotten Ping'er long ago, and would not have let Jia Huan get her later.

"Go to sleep and stop thinking too much. If it's a blessing, it's not a disaster. If it's a disaster, you can't avoid it." When Jia Lian thought of the sweet and lovely maid Ping'er, he couldn't help feeling heartache. He was too lazy to care about Wang Xifeng anymore. He yawned and turned over to sleep.

Wang Xifeng was very nervous and couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned all night. The next day, she went to pay her respects to Lady Jia with two panda eyes. It turned out that Lady Jia had just received news that Prince Yi Zhong's mansion had been taken over by the Embroidered Uniform Guards, and the entire mansion was under residential surveillance. There was also a need to prepare for a joint trial by the three judicial officials.

Grandmother Jia was flustered, but she couldn't help but feel lucky: "Thank goodness that Mr. Lin had foresight and declined the marriage proposal from Prince Yi Zhong's mansion. Otherwise, it would be like pushing Yu Er into the fire pit. I hope it doesn't affect our Jia family. Alas, it seems that the court will not be at peace for the next half of the year."

Grandmother Jia was over seventy years old and had seen many storms, but she was still a little uneasy at this moment. Born into a noble family and having lived for more than seventy years, she had a very keen political sense. Naturally, she could see that the power struggle between the retired emperor and the emperor had reached a fever pitch. Now that Prince Yi Zhong had fallen, the outcome would soon be decided.

Political struggle is terrible, the process is full of swords and swords, and it is extremely thrilling. The result is undoubtedly bloody and cruel. As the saying goes, the winner is the king and the loser is the bandit, the winner takes all, and the loser will inevitably die.

It is obvious that a bloody purge is about to come, and the results will be known before the end of this year or at the latest next spring.

…………

At noon that day, the boat that Jia Huan and Lu Xiangsheng were on finally arrived in Jinling. The two men abandoned the boat and went ashore. They agreed on a date to go to the provincial school to register for the annual examination, and then parted ways.

As mentioned earlier, Jia Huan spent two hundred taels of silver to buy a house in Ping'anli (a place name) on Zhuque Street. Although it was not big, it had two entrances and a total of five or six rooms. So he invited Lu Xiangsheng to live with him, but the latter declined. It was probably because Jia Huan brought his female relatives with him and felt it was inconvenient, so he would rather pay to stay in an inn.

Jia Huan did not force him. After saying goodbye, he took Mandalin and Yuanyuan to Zhuque Street. Jin Bao and Mu Ye were responsible for carrying the luggage and followed behind.

Jinling was the capital of the Jin Dynasty and was located in the prosperous area of ​​Jiangnan. Its prosperity was even greater than that of Beijing. Although Mandalin had been here not long ago, she had been trapped in the Xue family's house most of the time. In addition, Xue Pan was always around, so she was too lazy to step out of the door. Therefore, this was her first time wandering the streets of Jinling.

As for little Xing Yuan, it was her first time in Jinling, so the two beauties, one big and one small, were both attracted by the bustling streets. They looked around with great interest along the way, finding this something novel and that something new.

At this time, the crowd was passing by the Qinhuai River near the Confucius Temple, and suddenly saw a number of exquisite and gorgeous painting studios moored by the water. The boat girls were all dressed up beautifully, revealing their white arms and thighs, and even large areas of snow-white skin on their chests, and they were very seductive and charming to attract passers-by.

Mandalin asked curiously: "Yuanyuan, what are they doing?"

Xiao Yuanyuan obviously didn't quite understand at her age. She blushed and whispered, "Don't look at them. They are indecent women."

Just at this moment, a two-story luxurious houseboat docked, and a group of people came ashore drunk. One of them was none other than Xue Pan.

When Jia Huan saw him, he turned and left. However, Xue Pan, who was drunk, recognized him at a glance and shouted at the top of his voice, "Is that Brother Huan?"

Jia Huan pretended not to hear and continued to ride forward. Xue Pan ran up to him, grabbed the reins, and said with drunken eyes: "Oh, it's really you, Brother Huan. When did you arrive in Jinling? You didn't even send someone to notify me in advance so that I could go out of the city to pick you up."

(End of this chapter)