Corrupt official in the Red Chamber

Chapter 236 Bowling Marquis

After lunch, Jia Rui originally wanted to take a nap during this time.

As a result, before he could fall asleep, Brother Ying hurried in.

"Uncle, uncle, we have a guest."

Jia Rui opened his eyes in annoyance and looked at Brother Ying who was very close at hand.

This little girl is becoming more and more unruly. Now in this house, Brother Ying is not afraid of anyone except Xue Baochai.

Even for himself, the head of the family, Brother Ying always says what he wants without any scruples.

It's also because Jia Rui dotes on her too much, but it has become a habit, and she can't change it now even if she wants to.

"Who is it?"

"I heard from people outside that he was a bowling lord."

Jia Rui was stunned when he heard that Baoling Hou was a member of the four major families, but he and Jia Rui had never had any contact.

Not to mention having little contact with Jia Rui, he also had little contact with his biological aunt Jia Mu.

Even outsiders can sense that among the four major families, the Shi family has begun to slowly alienate the other three families.

What's going on today?Doesn't this bowler avoid suspicion now?He actually came to his own house in person?

When talking about Baolinghou, we have to say how powerful the founder of the title is.

The first generation of historians, Shi Gong, was granted the title Baolinghou. His actual position was Shangshu Ling, who was even more powerful.The prime minister did a good job and sealed Baolinghou.If it were not for the belief in martial arts and suppression of literature at the beginning of the founding of the country, Shi Gong would have been just like Zhang Liang and Xiao He, not just a marquis.Moreover, the historians have not demoted the title for several generations, and Shi Nai is still a Marquis of Baoling. This shows how great the contribution of this Shi Gong was.

Although Baoling Hou Shi Nai has no actual job now and his family is having a harder time, the character "Fu" written by the emperor on the first day of the new year will be sent to Baoling Hou Mansion every year.

Rongguo Mansion has not enjoyed this kind of treatment for a long time, and it was only when Jia Daishan was alive.

As for Jia Rui, don't even think about it. The emperor wants Jia Rui to die, so how can he bless you?
From this point, it can be seen that the Baolinghou Mansion is still in the eyes of the emperor. As for the actual relationship between the two, this is not something outsiders can tell.

Why did such a person who had a status in the emperor's heart come to his house now?Isn't he afraid that the emperor will be unhappy?
Although he was confused, but the identity of the other party was there, Jia Rui arranged his clothes and met the current Bowling Marquis in the study outside.

As soon as Jia Rui entered the door, he saw a middle-aged man standing there. He had the face of a handsome uncle, which made Jia Rui a little jealous.

"Could it be the Bowling Marquis?"

The middle-aged man turned his head and clasped his fists when he saw Jia Rui coming in.

"No talent, he is none other than Bowling Marquis Shi Nai."

Jia Rui then showed joy on his face, and stepped forward to grab the hand of Bowling Marquis Shi Nai, "I have wanted to visit my uncle for a long time, but I have been busy with government affairs and have not been able to spare the time. I am really lucky to see my uncle today."

After saying that, he pulled Baolinghou to the seat next to him, and Jia Rui sat down on the chair opposite him.

Then the boy below brought fragrant tea.

Jia Rui took a sip of tea and then asked, "Is there anything wrong with uncle coming to my house this time?"

Baoling Hou Shi Nai took a sip of tea in embarrassment, then opened his mouth and was too embarrassed to speak out.

"Uncle, there is no need to be so polite. Our four major families are in the same spirit. If you have anything to say, just say it."

After listening to Jia Rui's words, Baoling Hou Shi Nai lowered his head and said with a red face: "My nephew also knows that my family is living in difficulty and I have no errands. It is not easy to make money, so I ask my nephew to find a way." Let me serve as an official in another place, and at least it will give me some income."

Jia Rui smiled after hearing this. The Baolinghou also heard the news from the court.

For a person who was originally from the four families and whose identity was still the Marquis, Jia Rui originally wanted to buy him face and wanted to agree, but suddenly Jia Rui stopped.

Baoling Hou Shi Nai has always been aloof from the four major families, and often does not participate in the affairs of the four major families.

Now he is not afraid of violating taboos and comes to him to plead for mercy. Is this really his own idea?Could someone be instigating him behind his back?
And the one who can instruct this Baolinghou is probably the one from Yangxin Palace.

After thinking of this, Jia Rui did not immediately agree, but played with the tea cup for a while.

"Then what position does uncle have his eye on?"

Baoling Hou smiled shyly, then lowered his head and said: "I think the Governor of Water Transport is good. He has a lot of leisure and can make some money."

Jia Rui frowned, then suddenly raised his head and stared at Bowling Hou Shi Nai.

The governor of water transportation is not an idle position, and his power is not small, even more powerful than the governor of a province.

The Governor of Water Transport established the "General Water Department Office", and the office was located in Huai'an, Jiangsu.The governor-general of water transport has personal jurisdiction over the armed forces and naval battalions. He can control military officers and assistants up to the second rank. He also controls the water supply affairs of eight provinces: Lu, Henan, Su, Hui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Hubei, and Hunan. He is honored as " Cao Tai" or "Cao Shuai".The governor of water transportation was not subject to the control of the ministry, but was responsible to the emperor and could make special arrangements.

You must know that the local governors of this dynasty do not control the army, and the Governor of Water Transport is the only local official who controls both government affairs and the army.

What's even more terrible is that he controls the north and south waterways. As long as the Governor of Water Transport says a word, the capital can run out of food.

Now, Jia Rui understands why Bowling Marquis Shi Nai came to find him?For such an important official, the Emperor did not give his personal nod. Even if the cabinet drafted the candidates, the Emperor would not be able to get through.

The emperor was sure of his face in front of the Supreme Emperor, so he asked Baoling Hou Shi Nai to come and follow his own path, which in disguise allowed the emperor to control an army.

You must know that this army is above the water and can travel hundreds of miles overnight. As long as there is something wrong in the capital, the Governor of Water Transport can lead his troops directly to Tongzhou.

Jia Rui lowered his head, touched the tea cup in his hand, and didn't speak at all.

Baoling Hou Shi Nai saw that Jia Rui didn't want to help, and he felt a little anxious. Then he quickly took out a jade pendant from his arms and handed it to Jia Rui.

"This is a gadget I got some time ago. My nephew will take it to have a look. If it's good, I'll keep it for the children to play with."

Jia Rui looked up at the jade pendant.

Isn't this something from your antique shop?
Jia Rui looked up at Bowling Hou Shi Nai, then took it and played with it carefully.

This thing is one of the few exquisite pieces in Jia Rui's antique shop.

Ever since Jia Rui sent it to the antique shop, an official had bought it because it was too expensive, costing 20 taels of silver.

Jia Rui stroked the jade pendant in his hand, his mind always struggling fiercely.

You must know that 20 taels of silver is a huge wealth. It would be a lie to say that Jia Rui is not tempted.

But such an important position as Governor of Water Transport may even have a huge impact on Jia Rui's future plans. How could Jia Rui sell it so easily?
In the end, Jia Rui's reason defeated greed. He sighed and pushed the jade pendant back to Bowling Marquis Shi Nai's hand.

"If it's not my nephew, I won't help. This matter is really important. If I can get in the way, my uncle should hire someone else."

Baoling Hou Shi Nai also sighed, then took the jade pendant back, took off a jade ring from his finger, and handed it to Jia Rui.

"My family is really poor and has nothing. My nephew is playing with this thing. You can just look at it and send it to me as an official."

Jia Rui took the jade ring and touched it, and realized that it was better to get the one from the antique shop.But the price of this thing is only thirty to forty thousand taels.

According to the price of this thing, the size is enough for him.

Jia Rui thought for a while, and since he wanted to be an official, he might as well arrange for him to stay far away, so as not to have to contact the emperor again, and then when he wanted to do it, some relatives would come to intercede.

"Since my uncle is so kind, I will be disrespectful."

Jia Rui took the ring finger and put it aside. Then he knocked on the table and thought for a moment, then said: "There is a vacancy for the Sichuan Salt Transport Envoy. How about my uncle go to Sichuan and become an official!"

The Salt Transport Envoy is also a lucrative position. As long as you take the post, you can earn at least 10,000+ taels of silver in three or four years.

Under normal circumstances, Jia Rui would not let go of such a lucrative job without receiving five to sixty thousand taels.

But after all, Baoling Hou Shi Nai was considered a member of the four major families. Although he and his Jia family had begun to distance themselves, the old relationship was still there, so Jia Rui just accepted tens of thousands of taels of silver.

Baoling Hou Shi Nai also had a happy face. Although this visit did not achieve the best results, at least he had an official position and his family's life could be improved.

He quickly stood up and cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, my dear nephew. From now on, I will also accept the ice and carbon tribute every year."

Regarding the unspoken rules of Bing Jing and Tan Jing, Jia Rui was not prepared to confront others, so he smiled and nodded, which was regarded as agreement.

The two chatted for a while, and then Bowling Hou Shi Nai said goodbye and left.

In the study room, only Jia Rui was playing with the ring, not knowing what he was thinking.

After a long time, Jia Rui let out a long breath, then clapped his hands, and immediately an ordinary-looking boy walked in from outside.

"Sir, what are your orders?"

This boy's name for Jia Rui is completely different from the other people in Jia Rui's house.

Others call Jia Rui "Uncle", but this person calls Jia Rui "Sir".

"Did you hear what you just said?"

"Yes, everyone has heard it and recorded it."

"This matter is not trivial. Send someone to Eunuch Dai immediately."

"Little one understands."

Then the boy looked up at Jia Rui and saw that he had no other instructions, so he left.

Without even a stick of incense, a homing pigeon flew out of Jia Rui's house and headed straight for the palace.

That night, Dai Quan took a small notebook and handed it to the Emperor who was about to go to bed.

The Supreme Emperor just looked at it, then his eyes were a little confused, and finally he became uncommittal.

(End of this chapter)