Uncle Lai in the Red Chamber

Chapter 225 Abandoning the car to save the commander (two-in-one)

Qin Zhong was young, and the Qin family was small, with only a few distant relatives, so Lai Shangrong could not take care of him.

You Lao Niang still had some affection for Qin Ye, so he asked her opinion, and You Lao Niang went to Qin's house to help with the funeral arrangements, while she went to and from the Yamen every day and went to Qin's house for a walk.

Because the Qin family was still in Changxingfang, and it was impossible to leave immediately, and it would take at least an hour to rush to the Yamen, Lai Shangrong simply stopped the morning exercise temporarily, letting Jin Chuan and Yu Chuan's plans fail.

However, even if he didn't stop his morning exercises, Lai Shangrong didn't have that thought for the time being.

Now that the gun barrel has suitable steel, it is time for mass production. However, Qin Zhong is busy with funeral arrangements, and the recruitment of teachers at the state-run school for children of workers has also happened to be completed.

Originally, he planned to send three apprentices for training, but now one was missing, so he could only send Jia Lan and Jia Jun there. Apart from going to Qin's house every day, he devoted the rest of his time to the firearms factory.

When the seven-day mourning period expired, Lai Shangrong invited Xiu Mu and accompanied Qin Zhong to bury Qin Ye, and then he had some leisure time.

In ancient times, there were certain regulations on observing filial piety. The death of a father was two years and four months, and the death of a mother was three years.

During these three years, just don’t post couplets, don’t set off firecrackers, don’t wear red or green, and just refuse bad habits.

There are much fewer folk restrictions, just not getting married and not participating in festive activities.

That's why there is a theory of honorary system. In this era, even filial piety is divided into three, six or nine levels.

Of course, those who are scholars and noble families can't help but go too far. Resigning from office and returning to their hometowns to observe filial piety is nothing more than showing their superior character.

After all, Qin Zhong had the reputation of being a scholar and ignored the unspoken rules. He was undoubtedly estranged from the mainstream society of this era. Even if he became an official in the future, this would be a stain on his life and he would be spurned by the scholars.

Originally, it was impossible for Lai Shangrong, as a master, to ask him to give up keeping filial piety, but Qin Zhong said it himself, which is another matter.

In Lai Shangrong's view, filial piety has different situations. Qin Zhong is also obeying his father's orders. Qin Ye's greatest hope is that he lives well. If he is really plotted for keeping filial piety, then he is really putting the cart before the horse.

Therefore, after Qin Ye's funeral was completed, he reported to the emperor.

Qin Zhong knew that his father had sinned deeply, and he was grateful for the emperor's kindness in allowing father and son to meet. He wanted to atone for his father's sins and join the army to repay the emperor's kindness.

This statement may be nonsense in later generations, but it is also politically correct in this era of heaven and earth, monarchs, relatives and teachers.

After seeing Lai Shangrong's memorial, Emperor Zhenglong smiled and said: "Lai Aiqing really values ​​love and justice. In order to fulfill her promise to Qin Ye, she actually came up with this rhetoric."

Qi Ning, who was standing below, bowed and said: "Master Lai went to Ning Mansion that day, probably because he wanted Qin Ye's daughter to go home for the funeral, but it seems that there was no agreement."

Jin Yiwei was conducting a thorough investigation of Ning Guo Mansion, so Lai Shangrong's visit also fell into the eyes of the Jin Yiwei spies. The reason why Qi Ning was in the imperial study today was to report on the progress of the investigation.

"How's the investigation going at Ningguo Mansion?"

"Wherever they are loan sharking, they use every possible means to exploit and plunder. Whenever a family has a few acres of farmland, or their wife or daughter is pretty, they will exploit them and force them to sell their land, wife or daughter, and even force women to sell their bodies. In the family temple, they engaged in the business of Goulan, and even killed a few people."

Emperor Zhenglong slapped the dragon case and said angrily: "You bastard! Do you really think you have no royal law?"

Qi Ning said: "Now the evidence is conclusive. The cruelty of the exploitation is unheard of and unseen! It's just..."

"Just what? Could there be someone else involved?"

"No, no, no! It was when Wei Chen counted the names involved in the case that he discovered that Uncle Lai was among them."

In ancient times, relatives paid attention to the concealment of relatives, and killing relatives with righteousness was grandiose, but few people dared to do it.

The reason is that ancient times were a society where patriarchal laws and laws went hand in hand.

Since ancient times, imperial power has not been sent to the countryside. In local areas, clan elders and gentry cooperate with the court and govern together.

Among the people, it can even be said that they only know the clan law but not the royal law.

Even if the common people encountered problems, they would not resort to the yamen. Most of them went to the clan elders and squires for judgment.

This was a happy outcome for the clan elders and squires, but the bottom determined the head. The emperor certainly did not want the power in his hands to be transferred to the countryside and villages.

Lai Shangrong's behavior is tantamount to putting himself on the opposite side of the clans in the world.

Therefore, Emperor Zhenglong immediately started to make up his mind.

In view of Lai Shangrong's confidential report.

Could it be that you deliberately left me this evidence of self-destruction?To show that you want to be a lonely minister?
Or maybe Lai Shangrong is self-aware, he was born with the same Jinshi class, and within two years of joining the job, he has already become a doctor in charge. He realizes that it is inconvenient for me to promote him to a higher position in a short period of time, so he adopts a roundabout tactic?
In exchange for his contribution to improving firearms, he would exchange his life for his uncle?
Either way, it would be a good thing for the emperor.

He asked in a routine manner: "Is Lai Aiqing involved in this?"

"According to my investigation, the Jia family came to seek improvement in papermaking technology the year before last, and the two families became estranged."

After a pause, he explained: "Lai Da's family was born in Rongguo Mansion, but his uncle has not lost his citizenship and is still serving as the housekeeper in Ningguo Mansion."

Emperor Zhenglong nodded and said: "Send all the evidence to the Three Law Departments, the Criminal Department, Dali Temple, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate for review and judgment. The Jin Yiwei will supervise the case on my behalf. I want to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys and set an example!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

The Three Law Departments did not dare to neglect the cases handled by the emperor. They organized the evidence handed over by Jin Yiwei, held a joint meeting, and then took all the people involved in the case into the prison of the Ministry of Punishments.

Lai Shangrong didn't know that he accidentally hit the passenger car, putting Lai Sheng behind bars.

When I returned home from the office that day, I saw my parents crying and comforting my grandmother who was crying. Xing Xiuyan and Sister You were all around.

"The uncle is back!"

Second Sister You, who was looking around, saw Lai Shangrong first.

Lai Da immediately turned around, grabbed his son's hand and said, "Shang Rong! You... your second uncle has been taken to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment. Please ask someone to find a solution!"

Lai Shangrong was just about to agree to comfort his father, but when he saw the look from his mother Xu, he quickly changed his mind and asked, "Why does the good Criminal Department arrest people?"

Lai Da glared at his daughter-in-law beside him and choked up: "Even if your uncle is wrong, he is still your uncle after all. Now that you have made a difference, the family can only count on you!"

Although Lai Sheng took advantage of the situation when the Jia family came to force the palace, at this moment, Grandma Lai was in grief, and Lai Da still couldn't help but want to get someone.

He handles family business and frequently interacts with Prince Zhongshun, Tian Guojiu, and officials from various ministries. From the attitudes of the people he interacts with, it is not difficult to see that his son is an extraordinary fifth-rank official.

Xu and Lai Sheng are not related by blood, let alone family affection, and they know very little about their son. Seeing that Jia Zhen was arrested, how dare they let Lai Shangrong wade into this troubled water.

He hurriedly stopped him and said, "You can't harm your son. Shangrong is no more than a fifth-rank official. Uncle Zhen has been arrested, and the government over there is still helpless. What can you do to help such a big thing if you call him a child?" busy?"

"You..." Lai Da pointed at Xu.

"Shut up!"

Aunt Lai pushed aside Mr. and Mrs. Lai in front of her, looked at Lai Shangrong, and said solemnly: "Don't even ask about this matter, just pretend you don't know!"

"Mom? You..." Lai Da looked at Grandma Lai in surprise.

Aunt Lai pointed at Lai Da and said in a deep voice: "You are confused! How many lifetimes has it taken our family to get such a chance to make a comeback like Shang Rong? How can we take risks because of your brother? Which of these noble and wealthy families is not the same as before? The glory and wealth that were killed in the mountain of corpses and the sea of ​​​​blood? Not to mention the historian, it was the life of Xiangyun's father in exchange for one discipline and two positions. Our family finally got what it is today, and you are still called Shang Rong took a risk to get your brother, do you want to piss me off to death?"

"Mom! My son, I don't want to see you sad..." After all, Lai Da just couldn't bear to see his mother sad.

Aunt Lai sighed: "I'm just crying because he's blind. With Shang Rong's reputation, why can't he push away those dirty things in Dongfu? But it's fine if he doesn't push it away. He just keeps his head inward. Drill!”

When Lai Shangrong heard that Jia Zhen had also been arrested, he knew that his informant had brought disaster to Chi Yu.Speaking of regrets, it's actually not much. After all, he is not the real Lai Shangrong. People's hearts are fleshy. He has family affection for his parents and grandma who care about him. But Lai Sheng, who adapts to the wind, is another matter.

"As long as the second uncle himself has not done any evil, no one will dare to wrongly accuse him!"

Although Nanny Lai said that he would not let him intervene, but in the end it was because of him, if Lai Sheng just obeyed orders, he could not really ignore it.

…………

And in the Rong Mansion across the street.

Youshi collapsed under the Rongqing Hall. After Qin Ye passed away, Jia Zhen knew that she had broken up with Lai Shangrong again, so she called her back.

Today, the Criminal Department came to arrest someone, which really frightened her. At this moment, she just kept begging Jia Mu to save her.

After all, it had been through strong winds and waves. Although Jia Mu, who was sitting at the top, looked sad, she was still calm.

"Tell me! What did Brother Zhen and the others do? Why is the family temple even sealed?"

"This……"

"How long has it been and you still want to hide it for him?"

"It's not that my granddaughter-in-law is hiding it, she really doesn't know!"

"Feng girl!"

Jia Mu called out, but found no one answered. She raised her head and glanced at Wang Xifeng, who was standing by the side, and called out again.

"Hey! Old lady!"

Wang Xifeng was surprised to realize that she was distracted and quickly agreed.

She had fifteen buckets of water in her heart at this moment. She originally told Lai Shangrong about Jia Zhen and his son's loan sharking and forcing good girls into prostitution. She just wanted him to find a way to cut off their financial resources and let out a bad breath.

But now that there was such a big noise, she was a little panicked.

It's not that she's worried about Jia Zhen's shortcomings, but that she's afraid of being retaliated against if she doesn't kill the snake. She's even more afraid that Lai Shangrong won't be able to handle the situation, and will be lax and sell himself out.

At the same time, I was a little shocked that Lai Shangrong could make such a big fuss.

Although the Ning Mansion is not as good as the Rong Mansion, and there is an imperial concubine beside him, but after all, he is still from the Jia family, and Jia Zhen is the head of the clan. She can let him go to jail. No matter what the result is, it is worthy of her admiration.

And when he thought that because Jia Rong had evil intentions towards him, Lai Shangrong ignored him, he felt a little secretly happy.

Jia Mu didn't know that she had evil intentions, she just thought that she was also shocked by what happened in Ning Mansion.

He ordered: "Your uncle has good relations with the Metropolitan Procuratorate. Since it is a joint trial of the three divisions, they will always know the reason. Send someone to find out!"

It stands to reason that it would be more appropriate for Mrs. Wang to handle this matter than Wang Xifeng. However, there is a estrangement between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law because of their good relationship. Asking her to handle it will undoubtedly show weakness.

Wang Xifeng was relieved when she heard that she had been given the task of investigating. At least the first-hand information would not be left behind, and even if there was any bad news, she could respond in time.

"Hey!" He agreed quickly, turned around and went out to tell the boy to go to Wang's house to find someone to help him inquire.

Jia Mu then said to You who was kneeling below: "At this time, people's minds are changing, and they are most afraid of chaos among the servants in the house. You can bring some troublesome people from our house, close the door, and strictly control the people below!"

Youshi hurriedly agreed, and Jia Mu waved her hand.

He sighed: "At this time, you must not be soft-hearted and beat anyone who dares to cause trouble to death!"

With that said, he summoned Wu Xindeng and told him to choose someone for You to take back and use.

After sending You away, Jia Mu said to Mrs. Wang, "Don't disturb your Majesty about this matter, and don't ask. Let's wait for the news at home first. When the news comes, we will depend on the situation!"

Now that the three divisions have been tried together, the case will not be small. Interfering in politics in the harem is a taboo, and Jia Mu is well aware of the stakes.

How could Mrs. Wang be willing to interfere with the affairs of the Ning Mansion? Last year, she was worried that Jia Zhen's unruly behavior towards Qin Keqing would affect her family's reputation. She was originally worried that Jia Mu would go to Yuanchun, but she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He leaned slightly and said, "Don't worry, old lady, my wife knows what's going on!"

Mother Jia turned to Mrs. Xing and said, "It's not that Lai Sheng has also been arrested. Tell Lian Er to ask Shang Rong to see if he has any news."

"Hey!" Mrs. Xing agreed.

…………

Grand View Garden, inside Liao Fengxuan.

After hearing the news, Baochai called Daiyu, Yingchun and Tanchun, and the group rushed to Liaofengxuan where Xichun was.

As soon as he entered the door, he grabbed Xichun's hand and said with concern: "Sister-in-law Zhen sent someone here just now, but because of the arrest of Brother Zhen and Brother Rong? Did you tell my sister why?"

With a cold face, Xichun said loudly: "She is very kind. I have been living here all this time, and they don't care about it. Now that something happened, they knew they came to me. I'm a girl, don't tell me. It’s useless, even if it is useful, I can only hide from right and wrong, there is no reason to seek right and wrong!”

All the sisters who heard these cold words looked at each other in shock.

Tanchun comforted him and said, "Sister, you are too worried. Sister-in-law Zhen is probably worried that you will worry, so she sent someone to tell you, our girl's house is not open until the second door is opened, how can we find anything right and wrong!"

Xichun said sternly: "Either way or another, there is justice. The ancients said it well, 'Good and evil, life and death, father and son can't help.' What's more, they are just brothers and sisters? I only know that it is enough to protect me. I just hope that they will not burden me if something happens." .”

Tanchun said: "Why is my sister talking like that? This is a family. If something serious happens, can you still hide yourself?"

"Just stop saying a few words, she is so angry and attacking her heart." Baochai grabbed Tanchun and hurriedly persuaded: "Then what is going on? Why don't you tell me, and we can go over the details for you."

Xichun sneered and said: "She doesn't know anything herself, but she sent someone to come and ask me. How can I know?"

Youshi was also in a hurry to go to the doctor, and sent someone to ask Xichun if she knew the reason, but she violated her taboo if she didn't want to.

She was taken into the Rong Mansion by Jia's mother since she was a child. Jia Jing and Jia Zhen never paid attention to her, so she was withdrawn by nature and had no affection for the Ning Mansion.

Daiyu asked in confusion: "How come Sister-in-law Zhen doesn't know this herself, so she still sends someone to ask her sister?"

She had been watching with cold eyes. In the past, she felt that everyone else had parents and brothers, but she was alone. Now that she saw Xichun's eagerness to distance herself from the relationship, she didn't look like a relative, but she was more bitter and resentful than an enemy.

She has been in the Jia family for many years, so she naturally understands her roots, and therefore has different thoughts about the family affection for the Jia family.

Xichun sneered: "You said it's funny or not, but she didn't even know but she came to ask me, as if I would know. I am an innocent person. If she asked like this, wouldn't it make people suspicious of me? Why should I be called Are they implicated?"

When Yingchun saw this, she was so frightened that she quickly said, "Keep your voice down! Don't you know why? If someone hears it, it will reach Brother Zhen's ears..."

She has always been weak-tempered and kept silent about Xichun's actions, for fear that her remarks would harm Chiyu.

Xichun said disdainfully: "Hmph! It's better to spread the word. I just don't want to have anything to do with them. Even if they are here, I will be the same. If I don't be cruel, it's rare for me to become a traitor. The worst I can do is become a sister-in-law!"

The sisters stopped talking, for fear of offending her and saying something treasonous.

…………

(End of this chapter)