Uncle Lai in the Red Chamber

Chapter 145 Pick and choose
Sister Feng, who had enjoyed the dredging, felt cold that night, and Lai Shangrong never went to Rong Mansion again.

However, there was a steady stream of news reaching Lai Shangrong's ears due to Ping'er Antong's song. There was no need to mention trivial matters such as the little nun who had purchased the goods to save relatives, and the fact that Miaoyu had moved into the Grand View Garden.

And his strategy really worked, but he didn't expect Mrs. Wang to be so resolute and decisive, even letting Sister Feng spread the gossip about him and Baochai in the house.

I believe that it won’t be long before the Xue family will be put under pressure.

He didn't expect Mrs. Wang to use this trick, but although this method was simple and crude, it was really effective.

In this era, the most important thing is the reputation of a woman in the boudoir. Even if it is just a rumor, as long as it spreads, Baochai will have no other choice but to marry him.

However, Mrs. Wang, who eats fast and chants Buddha's name, has a kind face and kind eyes, can actually use such methods on her own niece, and Lai Shangrong is also wary.

"Although the Xue family is related to the second wife, they are now just a merchant in the household department. My son, you are now a fifth-rank doctor and have a title. Since the eldest master has that idea, why not ask your grandma to go to the old lady to ask for a favor. Face, maybe I will accept it!"

In this era, major marriage matters require the intervention of parents. Although Lai Shangrong is a modern person, he has to follow the local customs.

Otherwise, even if the Xue family agrees to the marriage, it is impossible to marry him home without his parents coming forward.

Therefore, he can only report the truth to his parents.

The Xue family looked down upon the Lai family's background as a slave, and the Lai Da and Xu family also didn't look down on the declining Xue family.

Of course, if there hadn't been Yingchun hanging there, he might not have had such an idea.

When she thought of the second young lady of Rong Mansion, standing respectfully in front of her, Mrs. Xu felt a sense of relief for no reason.

Mrs. Xing's niece Xing Xiuyan was ignored by the two of them.

Although they don't know that Xing Xiuyan's family is poor, Mrs. Xing is from a small family. Even if she has a little wealth, is it possible that the Lai family is still short of money?
Seeing that her son was silent, Mrs. Xu continued to encourage: "When marrying a wife, the first priority is family status. How can the Xue family compare to the Rong family? Although the second young lady is a concubine, the eldest master has inherited the title. If you like good-looking women, , I’ll just take two more concubines later, I see that the second lady is docile, I won’t object to taking concubines!”

It's natural for parents to think so because they don't know the order of gold hairpins, and it's hard for Lai Shangrong to explain.

He could only say perfunctorily: "The eldest man has such a temper. He might be a monster in the future if he takes the name of his father-in-law! Although the Xue family is not very popular, they are still willing to listen to me! Your son is surrounded by the holy family. , and there is no need to rely on his Jia family’s family background!”

Mrs. Xu was still waiting to persuade her, but Lai Da glared at her and immediately became silent.

"My son is still thoughtful. Don't you still know the virtues of the eldest man in the mansion? A lot of young people are recruiting people into the house, and they are only interested in making money. Our son is in a lucrative position in the state-owned enterprise. If there are any unreasonable demands in the future, what should I do?"

After a pause, he added: "Tell me, since they are interested in the second lady, the third lady may not have no chance!"

"Okay!" Lai Shangrong waved his hand and said, "Uncle Zheng is so temperamental that he will agree? Didn't he say that he has something serious to talk about? Should we still talk about it?"

Talking about business, Lai Da said angrily: "What an honor it is for your wife to marry you, and our family really doesn't want to join in the fun?"

Lai Shangrong still wants to show off to Mrs. Wang, so how can he rush to join in.

"Why would you join in the fun if you freeze to death at night?"

"Why is it so late at night? I heard from the government over there that the arrangements will be made in the morning!"

Lai Shangrong let something slip for a moment and hurriedly said perfunctorily: "Our family is not even a relative. Even if we go, how can we still get together? I'm afraid it will be late at night to arrange an interview for us!"

Lai Dayi thought that this was indeed the case, and then said: "The steward sent by the Tian family to the south has returned. Our two joint ventures have bought a large swamp pine forest. It has been cut as you said. When your rubber production starts, The rosin produced is constantly shipped here.”

Rosin is an indispensable part of the rubber industry and an auxiliary material for soap. The amount of soap is not large, but if the rubber is produced in small batches in the capital, it will obviously not be enough.This involved rubber technology, so after he reported it to the emperor, he secretly worked on the matter with the Tian family.

Lai Shangrong nodded and said, "Is the money from the Ministry of Industry settled?"

Speaking of this, Lai Da couldn't help but said angrily: "I asked you to say hello, but it would be better for you to make some installment payments instead."

Lai Shangrong also felt helpless. Although the treasury now has more income from the state-owned enterprises, after all, the time is still short, and there are disasters this year, so it is still stretched.

The emperor asked him to make suggestions to save money for the court.

He then thought about the installment payment for future generations, and even asked to set an example when he went to the Ministry of Industry to find Xu Wen.

Xu Shangshu also took the opportunity to implement this method, and all the money was settled one year after the completion of the project.

Fortunately, Xu Shangshu was considerate and did not publicize his initiative to mention it, otherwise those suppliers and contractors would have to hate him.

"Our family doesn't wait for money. Moreover, this time we are sharing the emperor's worries. Our family has set an example. Will the emperor keep it in mind?"

The emperor indeed took it to heart.

In the Imperial Study Room, Emperor Zhenglong slapped the table and shouted in a hissing voice, "My money! How dare they be greedy for the money I gave to my father to build the mausoleum!"

After a pause, he calmed down, and then said: "Fortunately, Lai Aiqing's method of paying in installments, otherwise the imperial mausoleum will not be able to get any money!"

King Zhongshun said cautiously: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Now that Mei Hanlin has found out the actual evidence of their corruption, are you still worried that they will run away?"

"Has everything been investigated by the Battalion and Maintenance Department?"

In the imperial study room, an elegant middle-aged man in his thirties leaned over and said, "Go back to the emperor! It's almost done. After the new year, you can find out the last item and you can collect the net. It's just..."

"Just what?"

"It's just that the amount of corruption is well documented, but how they are distributed is unknown. However, if it can be concealed so tightly, I can guarantee that everyone in the camp and maintenance department will be involved!"

"Well! Mei Aiqing doesn't need to worry about this. All she needs to do is report the amount and evidence of their corruption!"

"Yes! Your Majesty!"

"Okay, you go back first!"

After Mei Gong withdrew, King Zhongshun said: "The Emperor has already made a plan!"

"This matter is still due to Aiqing. He said in a secret letter that Qin Ye wholeheartedly protects his son. In this case, I will grant him permission. As long as he is willing to tell the truth in front of my father, I will forgive him, so there is no harm in it!"

Then he sighed: "It's just a pity!"

King Zhongshun was puzzled and said: "This is a great thing, what is the emperor's pity?"

Zhenglong sighed and said: "The situation at Yongding River was critical last time. I saw that Xu Wen wanted to share my worries, and I wanted to take it for my own use. After all, he is the minister of the Ministry of Industry. Regardless of whether he is involved in this matter or not, he must be a dereliction of duty. It’s a pity that it’s sin!”

…………

(End of this chapter)