Red Mansion Huacai

Chapter 11: It’s hard to tell a story

Iron Lion Alley, Yan Mansion.

Li Weijian got off his horse and was about to let the door open when he suddenly saw a person coming out of the door. He pushed up his glasses and said, "Why is it too late for resurrection?"

Is it too late?After receiving the letter, he came on horseback. Why was he late?I think Yan Fengzhen is impatient.

Before Li Weijian could say anything, Yan Fengzhen walked down the steps and pulled him inside.

Li Weijian didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and said: "I sent a greeting letter to Da Sikong (Note [-]) for a long time, but I came back a little late. Once I got the letter, I rushed here..."

Yan Fengzhen said: "My father has made an appointment with Qian Tianguan (Note [-]) to have a talk at the house later. If it is later, my resurrection will have to wait until my father takes a rest next time."

The two of them walked through the ceremony gate and watched the green-robed official from last time walking out happily.Seeing Yan Fengzhen from a distance, the green-robed official quickly bowed his hands and said, "Second Young Master."

"Uh-huh." Yan Fengzhen responded casually and ignored him as he passed by.

Li Weijian turned his head and glanced at the man, thoughtfully in his heart.I heard Yan Fengzhen say: "This man is Fu Shi, a promoted official in Shuntian Prefecture, and he is used to sneaking into camps. I bumped into him at the temple fair a few years ago with his girl. We exchanged a few words, but it turned out that this man had some kind of infatuation and kept going to my house. Move around.”

Fu Shi?Isn't this man a disciple of the second master Jia Zheng?Why did you come to Yan's house to sell girls?

If you think about it carefully, Baoyu is only ten years old now, and Fu Qiufang has already been in his prime for more than ten years. The difference in age is twice that, so it is no wonder that Fu Shi has not had any plans for Baoyu for the time being.

Li Weijian said: "Brother Jing Wen is really lucky. I heard that Fu Shi's sister is a beautiful lady..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yan Fengzhen said: "With a brother like Fu Shi, I don't want even an immortal. Stop talking and follow me into the study."

Yan Fengzhen waved his hand to indicate that there was no need for anyone to report, so he took a few steps ahead and entered the study to report: "Father, the resurrection has arrived."

"please come in."

Hearing this, Li Weijian hurriedly entered the study room and saw a man sitting behind the desk. He was in his early forties, his face was extremely majestic, and he had the aura of an official who had been in a high position for a long time.

He bowed and held his hands in greeting: "Student Li Weijian has met Shao Si Kou."

Yan Xiyao, who was behind the desk, looked up and down and said, "The letter from Hai said that Fu Sheng is good at planning and has achieved great achievements in practical studies. His future is boundless."

Li Weijian had just sat down and quickly stood up and said respectfully: "Lin Yansi is so complimentary. Students are always very creative, and the so-called planning is just talk on paper."

Yan Xiyao smiled and said: "It's not easy for you to be able to talk on paper at your age, so don't belittle yourself. I gave Quanzi a difficult problem earlier, and I expected him to be unable to solve it within half a month. Unexpectedly, it was solved by Fusheng. I want to come back to Qiuwei when Fusheng Be among the best.”

Li Weijian said a few words more modestly and asked Yan Xiyao to give more advice.Then I heard Yan Xiyao say again: "Just a reminder... Well, if you have time after resurrection, you can study more mechanical creations."

Li Weijian looked at Yan Xiyao and said with a smile: "Master Sikong, the students also have some strange ideas about mechanical creation, but they just don't know how to make them. I thought I would wait until I met Da Sikong before making any plans..."

Yan Xiyao said: "I was wrong about resurrecting. When it comes to river engineering, water conservancy, and construction, the craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry can still speak. But when it comes to skilled craftsmen who understand mechanical creation, you have to go to the inner palace to find them."

"what?"

At this time, Yan Fengzhen pushed up his glasses and said, "If you want to build any machinery in Fusheng, you can go directly to the inner palace. My steam engine was built after finding a way to the inner palace."

"Is the inner government still accepting work from outside?"

Yan Fengzhen said: "The three courtyards and seven divisions of the inner government, the Guangzhou Division and the Military Preparation Institute were reformed three years ago, and are now responsible for their own profits and losses. In addition to taking over internally-made things, they will naturally also take over external work."

Li Weijian was very happy and said hurriedly: "This is a new student. I don't know the rules of the inner palace. I will have to work for Brother Jing Wen to accompany me to the inner palace."

"You and I hit it off right away. It would be unreasonable to say that."

Yan Xiyao, who was sitting behind the desk, took a look and said, "Do you think you are ready to be resurrected? I wonder what you are planning to build?"

"The student has some ideas in his mind, but they still need to be verified. If successful, it may not be able to solve the capital's draft problem."

Yan Xiyao said sternly: "During the previous Ming Dynasty, the capital had difficulty in drinking water, and it has lasted for 400 years. If the resurrection really solves this problem, I will recommend it in front of the saint." After a pause, Yan Xiyao glanced at the confused Yan Fengzhen. One glance: "Fu Sheng is new to the capital. I'm afraid the route is unfamiliar. In this case, I will let Jing Wen accompany you. If you encounter any difficulties, just give me my name."

Li Weijian stood up quickly and bowed solemnly: "Thank you so much, Master Kou, for your favor. The student will do his best."

On his face, he pretended to be grateful, but in fact he knew it in his heart.Yan Fengzhen was sent to accompany him. If he said it well, he would open doors, but if he said it badly, he would take credit.This is an exchange of interests, and the two hit it off.

After that, we chatted for half an hour, until the servant came to remind us. Yan Xiyao reluctantly said: "It's a pity that I made an appointment with Qian Tianguan today. Next time I come back to life, you and I will definitely have a drink."

Li Weijian didn't dare to say anything, and then he stood up and left.

Yan Fengzhen sent him all the way to the door. On the way, he didn't realize that he would take away the credit from Li Weijian. He just kept asking when Li Weijian was free so that they could go to the inner palace together.

Li Weijian estimated that it would take Wu Haiping three or two days to conduct surveying and research, so he made an appointment to meet again in three days, then got on his horse and returned to Jia's mansion.

When we arrived in front of the Jia Mansion, we probably had not yet passed.He handed the reins to the young man and exchanged a few words with his disciples. As soon as he entered the door, he heard Wu Haiping and several servants of the Jia family talking nonsense.

After saying hello, Wu Haiping hurried over immediately and said with a smile: "Mr... Fourth Master, the matter is done."

"So fast?"

"Hey," Wu Haiping said with a smile, "I found a group of well-drilling craftsmen and invited them to a dinner. I naturally figured out the secrets inside."

Huh?Wu Haiping has some ideas.As expected, the saying goes, snakes have their own ways, rats have their own ways.

Li Weijian was not in a hurry to leave, so he listened to Wu Haiping's talk outside the Yimen.There are a total of more than 200 wells in the capital, most of which are bitter water wells. Most of the sweet water wells that were accidentally drilled in the previous Ming Dynasty were occupied by princes and nobles and included in the mansion.

There are only about 160 sweet water shops on the market that can supply water.The price of water in the capital is very high. A load of sweet water costs eighty yuan at this time, while bitter water is half as much.In the hot summer, water prices have skyrocketed. Prices range from [-] yuan to [-] yuan. (Note [-])

If a small family of seven or eight people only eats sweet water every month, it will cost them two taels of silver.It’s ridiculously expensive!
The more Li Weijian listened, the brighter his eyes became.What's this?This is the pain point!
I heard Wu Haiping say: "Those craftsmen said that the wells in the capital can usually produce water within one or two feet, and the deep ones are only two or three feet deep."

Sure enough, the well only tapped shallow groundwater.There are many people, cars and horses in the capital, and there is no underground water system. The dirty and smelly water is dumped on the ground. It’s no wonder that this shallow groundwater is so delicious!

He was excited in his heart, raised his hand...and raised his foot, and then he patted Wu Haiping's shoulder heavily: "It's done well, let's go and have a rest. I'll wait for you in a while, Master, and I'll make my plan come true. You will be indispensable." benefit!"

Leaving Wu Haiping behind, Li Weijian made a plan in his mind and stepped into the Yimen.After walking about ten steps, he saw Baoyu leading two maids out of the south hall.If you look closely, you will see that Baoyu is walking very strangely, as if his legs and feet have been injured.

Li Weijian smiled distantly and said, "Where are you going, Brother Bao?"

Baoyu caught a glimpse of Li Weijian and said with a strange expression: "It's fourth brother Jian, I... I'm going to the study to read Huizi's book. Fourth brother Jian, please be busy, I'm leaving."

After that, Baoyu hurried away.

Li Weijian turned around and looked around, feeling increasingly strange.His walking posture is weird and he walks very fast. Is this injured or not?Moreover, Baoyu has been living at Jia Mu's house. It is said that it is more convenient to go to Qilaizhai and Jia Mu's inner courtyard. How can he choose to go far away and go around outside Yimen?

Suddenly, my heart was filled with happiness. I thought that this morning You sent a message to invite the female relatives of Rongguo Mansion to come over to admire the plum blossoms. Could it be that the "baoyu first tests the love of clouds and rain" should be here?

Thinking about this, Li Weijian quickened his pace and arrived at the Northeast Shang Xiaoyuan in a short time.

Several maids came out to welcome him. Li Weijian called Hongyu alone and asked, "Is Sister Lin okay?"

Hongyu said: "I went over there early in the afternoon and took a look. I don't cough much, but I just can't eat. She looks miserable."

Li Weijian said: "Before leaving, Lin Yansi told me to take care of Sister Lin. I didn't expect that Sister Lin's body and bones are so weak." After a pause, he added: "I have learned the art of qihuang and health preservation, but I just don't know. It’s inconvenient for me to go over and visit.”

Hongyu smiled and said: "Fourth Master is really capable. If Fourth Master wants to visit, he must go quickly. It is difficult to enter the inner house at night."

Yes, Jia Rong can go straight to Wang Xifeng, and Jia Rui can hide in the hall. I don't think this Jia's house will be so unreasonable during the day.

He then said: "I'm really worried. Without further ado, Hongyu, please come with me."

Hongyu responded and led Li Weijian back out.The two of them passed through the hall, and after greeting the mother-in-law in charge, they turned through the hanging flower gate and entered Jia Mu's courtyard.

Jia's mother had been wandering around Dongfu for a day. She was tired and was taking a nap, so Yuanyang came out to welcome her.When he was asked about the purpose of his visit, Yuanyang smiled and said: "Fourth Master Jian is interested. Miss Lin has not eaten or drank anything in the past two days, but she has been eating the Ginseng Rongyang Pills non-stop.

This is not the way to go. Since Fourth Master knows how to maintain health through Qihuang, it is just right for Miss Lin to take a closer look.The old lady is asleep now, so I would like to ask the fourth master to keep quiet and not to disturb the old lady. "

"Okay, I'll save it."

The mandarin duck led the way, and the group entered the main house. Li Weijian followed the mandarin duck and slowed down.After a moment, Yuanyang went into the blue gauze cabinet and said something, then turned back and asked Li Weijian to come in.

As soon as Li Weijian entered the Bisha cabinet, he smelled a spicy medicinal smell, which he thought was the smell of Ginseng Yangrong Pills.On the bed, Daiyu was neatly dressed and sitting upright, with a pale face and depressed eyebrows. Zicuckoo and Xueyan helped her to get up. Li Weijian hurriedly stepped forward to give her a hand and said: "My sister is sick. Sit down quickly. Let's sit down." Stop talking about these false etiquette."

Daiyu said in shock: "I'm just a little sick, but Fourth Brother Jian bothered me and came here in person."

Li Weijian said: "Lin Yansi recommended me and asked me to take care of my sister before leaving. However, I have been busy these past two days and I didn't expect my sister to fall ill. If I had known this, I should have come to see my sister earlier."

Xue Yan moved Jin Dun to the bed and said, "Fourth Master Jian, sit down quickly."

Li Weijian sat down and said: "Although I didn't learn any magic skills in Maoshan in the past few years, I did learn a few health-preserving techniques of Qishou Qihuang. If my sister can trust me, why don't I give her a diagnosis and treatment so that I can give her a prescription?" .”

Daiyu was slightly surprised: "Fourth brother Jian still knows Qihuang?"

"Understood."

She smiled and said, "Fourth brother Jian knows a lot."

"You don't feel overwhelmed by Yiduo."

Daiyu smiled and stretched out her hand. Zicuckoo quickly put a handkerchief on her arm.

"Then I'll ask Fourth Brother Jian to take a look at it and see if it can still be cured."

"Girl!" Zicuckoo called out.

Daiyu curled her lips and said no more frustrating words.

Li Weijian smiled, felt her pulse with her hands, and counted her heartbeat calmly. After a while, she withdrew her hand and asked some more about Daiyu's symptoms and daily diet.

He didn't just talk nonsense. During the two years on Maoshan, he did learn some Qihuang techniques from his master.Just looking at the pulse showed that Daiyu was deficient in both qi and blood, but it didn't look like she had a heart attack.Coughs in spring and autumn are probably caused by imperfect development of the bronchial tubes.

If Daiyu survives her life well, her trachea will have a chance of recovery when she reaches adulthood.

Li Weijian frowned when he heard about Daiyu's daily diet.

Xue Yan said with concern from the side: "Fourth Master Jian, is there anything wrong with the girl?"

Li Weijian did not reply, but instead asked, "Sister, do you drink tea after meals every day at home?"

Daiyu said: "This has always been the case." She was extremely smart and said: "Is it inappropriate for Fourth Brother Jian to ask like this?"

"It's extremely inappropriate!" Li Weijian asserted: "My sister is weak in both energy and blood. I'm afraid it's because of drinking tea after meals."

Drinking tea immediately after a meal only delays digestion. The most terrible thing is that it hinders the body's ability to absorb the iron in the food.Iron deficiency, doesn’t it mean anemia?
Li Weijian said: "Sister, I won't dare to drink tea immediately after dinner tomorrow. If you want to drink, you have to drink something else. I will write another recipe later, and if I try it for a while, it will probably get better. As for this cough, I will prepare another medicine. If you have a cough, take some, and I think it will alleviate it a little bit."

Zijuan said happily: "Thank you so much, Fourth Master Jian."

Xue Yan also said: "Fourth Master Jian is really capable. If the girl gets better, I will kowtow to you later."

Li Weijian waved his hand and said: "Besides, my sister needs to be more open-minded. She is always depressed, so she naturally thinks more and sleeps less. How can her body be better?"

Daiyu said gratefully: "Thank you so much, Fourth Brother Jian, finally there is someone in this house who misses me."

"Wouldn't it make the old lady sad if my sister said this?"

Daiyu pursed her lips and smiled, and Li Weijian said, "Even if the old lady is generous, I'm afraid Brother Bao will also be sad."

"Him?" Daiyu suddenly lost her face: "He is only thinking about the new sister Bao, how could he be thinking about me."

Li Weijian said: "Sister Bao? Baochai? My sister is thinking wildly again. I just saw Brother Bao leading two maids to Qilaizhai, saying they were going to study. Where are they looking for Baochai? Oh, by the way, let me see. Brother Zhubao walks awkwardly, as if he hurt his legs and feet... Hey, could it be that he got slapped by the second master?"

"Ah?" Daiyu suddenly became worried.

The small talk was handed over. If he spoke any more, he might arouse Daiyu's suspicion. Li Weijian stood up and said, "Sister, let's rest for now. Later, I wrote the recipe, prepared the medicine, and asked Hongyu to deliver it." ."

Daiyu was in a daze for a moment, and then suddenly said: "Oh, Zijuan, send Brother Jian off for me."

Note [-]: Da Sikong, the honorific title of the Minister of Industry.

Note [-]: Tianguan, the honorific title of the Minister of Civil Affairs.

Note [-]: "Gao Zhan's Diary" records: "The dry well in the back garden of Changping (Changping) house has a spring, which saves two taels of water money per month." "Two taels of silver" means two taels of silver. His family eats sweet water and needs two taels of silver every month. Two silver coins is quite astonishing.

Wang Qishu's "Shui Cao Qingxia Lu": Carrying water for eighty yuan will reduce the bitter water by half.

(End of this chapter)