Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 133 Things in Jinling
The carriage moved very slowly, and Jin Shi was able to follow the carriage, trying hard to explain something.

Jia Lian lifted the curtains of the car and said, "Go sit on the shaft and talk."

Jin Shi was overjoyed when he heard this, and several people walked forward. The curtains in the car were half lifted, and Jia Lian leaned against the wall of the car and asked, "Tell me about the ancestral house."

Jin Shi looked back and saw that Leng Zixing was tied up and thrown into a car like a sack. He thought that the carriage and horses that came to greet Jia Lian were arranged by him and Leng Zixing together, and he suddenly became more cautious. .

"Reply to the Second Master Lian..." Jin Shi said while carefully watching Jia Lian's reaction. He found that the master had his eyes closed and was concentrating, with no reaction on his face. He became a little more courageous: "The master's house only has one room. Stay in Jinling, and the rest will go north to the capital one after another. This room is for the concubine of Xuanzang's generation, who lives outside the city on weekdays, making a living by farming and guarding the ancestral graves."

Jia Lian still closed his eyes, and Jin Shi continued: "The head of this house is called Jia Guang, and the family members are also responsible. The owner's property in Jinling includes a house and several shops. He is mainly responsible for purchasing and regularly sends them to the capital every year. Reserved. After Zhou Rui came here, Xiao Xiao handed over the affairs and just guarded the house. Leng Zixing built a house outside and raised an outer room, and lived there every day. But whenever he shipped goods to Beijing When the time comes, I will come and let you know."

Jia Lian opened his eyes, raised his hand and knocked on the wall of the carriage. The carriage stopped, and Jiao Da from behind immediately stepped forward: "Master!"

Jiao Da, who had completed the change of names, became more and more proficient and natural. There was nothing he could do, Jia Lian gave him too much.

"Take a few people with you and find someone to lead the way to raid Leng Zixing's house. All the ledgers must be brought back and reviewed by the accounting office."

After Jiao Da agreed, Jin Shi quickly got out of the car and arranged for someone to lead the way for Jiao Da.

"Huh?" Jia Lian's expression didn't change much. It wasn't that he didn't care about the title, but that Jin Shi really didn't care.

There was a group of people waiting at the door of the ancestral house. Jin Shi saw it from a distance and immediately explained to Jia Lian: "My aunt Lin sent a speedboat to deliver the message. Jia Guang came early in the morning. I have been waiting all day."

Jia Lian looked at the sun and saw that it was almost dusk. Calculating the time, it’s true. Didn’t you wait for a whole day?

"The little girl is walking in front of the old lady..." Jin Shi suddenly stopped talking as if someone had stuck his neck. Just because Jia Lian opened his eyes and glanced at her, he immediately sat upright, trembling and afraid to move.

Jia Guang, who was an old farmer in temperament, didn't dare to say anything. Jia Lian thanked all the clan members and asked Jia Guang to go first.

Jin Shi led Jia Lian to the middle courtyard, where there was a quiet study room where he could talk.

"I have seen mandarin ducks. They are quite well-behaved. Although the old lady has good discipline, she also has the words and deeds of a parent."

The accounting rooms Jia Lian was talking about were the two accounting rooms borrowed from Lin Ruhai, and they had to be sent back after the work was done. Of course, Jia Lian can also do the accounting work, so there is no need to tire himself.

Jin Shi immediately breathed a sigh of relief, that's good, that's good: "Thank you, Lord Lian, for your praise!"

From this, Jia Lian thought about Jia She's request for a mandarin duck, and couldn't help but want to kill him.

If you look closely, you will see that this clan uncle is wearing a new suit. It looks a lot like when I was a child, my parents kept a good set of clothes in the box all year round, and only took them out to wear during the holidays. (PS: The author was born in the 1970s, so he has similar memories.)
Jia Lian, who got out of the car, had no intention of being arrogant. He stepped forward with a smile and saluted: "Uncle, I have done a good job in guarding the ancestral graves. How dare I keep you waiting for so long? It's Lian's fault."

"The people here in Jinling are not living as they wish." Jia Lian asked seemingly casually, but Jin Shi replied nervously: "I have a kind heart. Compared with ordinary people, the people of the Jinling people have no shortage of food and clothing. They can live for ten days and a half." You can still have a meal of meat, so your life is considered good. When Dai Shangong took charge of the family, Jinling's industry was much larger than it is now, but it's a pity that the clan members were unworthy and lost most of it."

At this time, I looked at the people brought by Jia Lian, who were shouting and pulling away dozens of meters away. The three carriages brought earlier were not enough, so we temporarily rented a car at the dock to carry people, and the others led the horses along with them. What a neglect, Jin Shi couldn't help but be secretly afraid. He could only mutter secretly, hoping that Jia Lian would let him go for the sake of the old lady.

What Jia Lian saw reminded people of the word "embarrassment". In front of a group of people, Jia Lian did not take the initiative to challenge it.

"It's been a tiring day. Everyone, please stop hanging around. Go back and rest. We'll talk about anything tomorrow."

Jia Lian didn't intend to figure out the specific incident. He just wanted to know that the people in Jinling were not doing well because of themselves. In fact, we can't blame them entirely. The Jia family has two fathers, and Jinling is far away from the capital. It is impossible for the person in charge not to be confused.

Although this sentence is covert, it actually explains the problem. During Jia Daishan's meeting, the people of the Jinling branch were ruined. With the strength of the Jia family at that time, few people would dare to harm the Jia family. In other words, the clan members messed around and were punished by the Supreme Emperor.

Jia Guang didn't dare to go first no matter what, so Jia Lian couldn't help but secretly speculate that the branch in the capital was suppressing the branch guarding the ancestral home a bit harshly. Could it be that they have committed serious crimes before?
There were not many maids in the ancestral house, and the ones standing in the courtyard after entering were women, who must have been hired from various families to work on a temporary basis. Jia Lian couldn't help but secretly guess in his heart, how many maids were there in Leng Zixing's house?
Even though the house had been carefully cleaned beforehand, the mottled spots on the courtyard wall still made Jia Lian, standing in the yard, feel that the ancestral house was in disrepair. It was a three-story house, and its scale was far inferior to that of Rongguo Mansion. Looking up, there are some newly replaced glazed tiles on the roof, which are particularly conspicuous due to the difference in brightness under the sunset.

After returning to the car, Jin Shi continued to wait for questioning, but Jia Lian had no intention of asking again. Jin Shi was still uneasy and had nothing to say, "Lian... Master." Thinking of Jiao Da's title, Jin Shi changed his words temporarily.

After sending a group of people away first, Jia Lian said to Jin Shi, "Find a quiet place to talk."

Yuanyang can be inseparable from the old lady even for a moment. It is an exaggeration to say that, but in fact it also explains the problem.

In other words, Jia Daishan rectified the branches in Jinling, so the Jinling branch now does not live in the ancestral home, but lives outside the city to farm and take care of the ancestral graves. As the steward, Jinshi has the responsibility to maintain the ancestral home. Judging from the current situation, the ancestral home can only be barely maintained properly. The reason for all this is naturally lack of money.

Jin Shi didn't speak much, but he explained everything clearly, saying everything he could and not missing a word that couldn't be said.

The manager of Jinling's ancestral home is mainly concerned with protecting oneself wisely. If you want to manage the business, take care of it; if you don't, then hand it over.

"Go and see what's going on over there with Jiao Da, and call Xue Pan here by the way." Jia Lian didn't say anything more, and Jin Shi stepped back. After a while, Xue Da's head quietly pushed the door half open, and secretly looked at Jia Lian in the study. , seeing him standing in front of the bookshelf with his back to the door, he suddenly felt a little more courageous, as long as he wasn't a human trafficker. I'm confused, how much does it cost to sell it to me?
Xue Pan's brain circuit was very strange. After entering the door, he stood quietly. When Jia Lian turned around, he quickly stepped forward and bowed: "I have seen my cousin. Do you dare to ask me if I am short of money? As a younger brother, this is embarrassing. Write a letter, press your fingerprints, and ask your family to send you ten thousand taels."

Jia Lian..., Ma De, this aura of wealthy people that hits your face is really hard not to be tempted.

No wonder, Mrs. Wang wants to have Xue Baochai's idea, Ziwei Sheren's family background is too strong.

Jia Lian silently stepped forward and gave him a hard slap on the forehead with his middle finger. Xue Pan covered his forehead with a look of horror: "Cousin..."

"Shut up and answer whatever I ask you. If you say one more word, I will call ten women to come in... and beat you." Jia Lian issued the most terrifying threat in Xue Pan's opinion. Ten women would beat you. The scene was unimaginably miserable.

Jia Lian was secretly lucky. Oops, he almost said it too quickly. It would be bad if he said the word "wheel".

"Hey! Excuse me, cousin!" Xue Pan quickly stood up straight and obeyed. Jia Lian thought about it carefully and realized that this guy is still a social cow.

"How long will it take for your Royal Merchant's license to expire?" Jia Lian's question was actually very particular.

"Cousin, I don't know. I have to ask my mother about this. The shopkeepers at home also know." As soon as Xue Pan opened his mouth, Jia Lian knew the quality of this guy. I don't know about such an important thing.

"Stand still, wait." Jia Lian said in a vicious tone. Before, she thought he was too nosy and affected his normal operation, but now he disliked him even more. Jia Lian turned around and found the pen and ink. Guixiang who was standing at the door came in and gave Xue Pan a fierce look. Then he came over to take the ink stick and grind the ink. Jia Lian asked her to prepare the ink while he stood in front of the desk and meditated on how to write.

After finishing the preparation, Jia Lian dipped his pen in the ink, put it down and then put it down, dried the ink, found an envelope and stuffed it in, handed it to Xue Pan and said: "This is a letter to my aunt, you are not allowed to peek. I'm warning you, from now on, you must do whatever your aunt asks you to do, otherwise I will send someone to tie you up, lock you in a small room, and find ten old women to beat you and prick you with needles every day."

Xue Pan was so frightened that he trembled all over and nodded repeatedly: "I know, I know."

Jia Lian waved his hand: "Go away, your entourage is waiting for you, go home quickly, don't run around in the future, lest I find out..."

Xue Pan rolled away and crawled away. Jia Lian watched him go away and couldn't help but picture a scene in his mind. Ten nuns stabbed Xue Pan with needles. Guixiang waited for Xue Pan to leave, and immediately laughed and held her stomach: "Second Master is trying to induce narrowing, and ten old women are pricking people with needles, hahaha."

Seeing her smiling happily, Jia Lian couldn't help but hit her: "What, you haven't been stabbed?"

Guixiang's expression froze slightly as she listened, and she stopped smiling: "My servant has never been pricked, but I have seen people pricked by grandma with a needle."

When Jia Lian heard this, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Sure enough, women understand women, and poor grandmothers understand Grandma Rong.

Artistic creation still requires a life to impress people. When it comes to acupuncture, the poor woman has a life.

The weak have no sympathy for the weaker, but instead bully the weaker for fun.

This..., how to describe it? Jia Lian was speechless for a moment.

Reaching out and hugging Guixiang, Jia Lian smiled and said: "Don't think about this. We will not bully others in the future, and we will not allow others to bully us."

Guixiang nodded and said with a nasal voice: "Well, the second master is the most kind-hearted and never punishes his servants for trivial matters."

It is said that Xue Pan left the Jia family's ancestral home and quickly got on his horse and ran home. Fortunately, there were not many people on the street at this moment, otherwise there was a high chance of an accident. After entering the mansion, Xue Pan went straight to the backyard. On the way, he met his sister Baochai and asked him: "Why did my brother leave in such a hurry? Have you met cousin Lian in the Jia family's main house?"

Xue Pan paused and said, "Yes, I have, but I don't know where to start. There is a letter here. Let's go and show it to mother."

Although Xue Baochai was young, he was quite precocious and much more sensible than Xue Pan. He took the letter and went in together.

When Aunt Xue saw her son and daughter, she immediately put down her work, stood up and said with a smile: "Pan'er is back, is everything going well?"

Xue Pan danced and looked horrified: "I saw cousin Lian, it's scary. Oh, he also has a letter."

Xue Baochai was on the sidelines and didn't even bother to roll his eyes. He was already numb to his brother. He took the letter and unfolded it: "I'll read the letter."

[Aunt Xue’s family is here, and my nephew Jia Lian is polite…. 】There is nothing wrong with this beginning! What's so scary about this?
Aunt Xue listened carefully to Baochai's reading of the letter, but the content made her very confused. This Jia Lian was quite nice, and she was concerned about Xue Pan's education. Jia Lian's core idea in the letter was that Xue Pan was the future face of the Xue family, but he didn't even understand the imperial merchant qualification period, which was deeply worrying. The Xue family and the Jia family are a good family. For the future of the Xue family, Aunt Xue should strengthen the control and education of Xue Pan and stop going crazy outside all day long. Later, if Xue Pan disobeyed discipline, he was threatened to be locked up in a small dark room and asked to find ten old women to prick him with needles. Just say that this is what Jia Lian meant and I guarantee it will work.

Aunt Xue was shocked when she heard ten old women pricking her with needles, and Xue Baochai was also confused. Is this cousin Lian so out of tune? My elder brother is the only male member of the Xue family, and he is reluctant to say harsh words. Every time he makes a mistake, his mother will give him painstaking advice.

Xue Pan's reaction was to tremble. Is this cousin Lian a devil? He actually mentioned this in the letter.

Fortunately, after the letter, Jia Lian also said that after the matters at the ancestral home were settled, he would pay a visit on a certain day. In the interest of both families, he finally expressed politely, [My nephew Jia Lian paused. He cannot meet in person. It is rude. Looking at Haihan everywhere. 】

Aunt Xue waited for Baochai to finish reading the letter, and couldn't help but sigh: "Your cousin Lian is really thinking about the Xue family. Your great-grandfather traveled for Taizu, and the Xue family got the status of a Ziwei family. In fact, He is still a businessman. Your father wanted to change his ways, but because of the trust of the Supreme Emperor, he worked for the royal family. Even I don't know many things during this period. Now that your father is gone, the qualifications of this royal merchant are about to expire. Get the letter and give it to your elder brother. Still haven’t heard back.”

Xue Pan shook his head immediately after hearing this: "Don't say this, I don't understand and I don't want to know."

Xue Baochai glanced at him, turned back to his mother and said, "Cousin Lian must have been useful to my brother, so he stepped in to discipline him."

Aunt Xue was also a clear-headed person, and she immediately thought of Jia Lian's identity. If he used it to go to the Xue family, and combined with the concern in his letter about the qualifications of the imperial merchant, he should be someone who could do something about it.

Thinking of this, Aunt Xue hurriedly said: "Write a letter to Cousin Lian, explain clearly the matter of Huangshang, and ask him if there is anything he can do."

After Xue Baochai listened to the instructions, she immediately prepared pen and ink. Despite her young age, she was very orderly when writing letters.

At the ancestral home of the Jia family, Jiao Da came back with his people. When he saw Jin Shi, he asked where Jia Lian was. Jin Shi led the way in to see Jia Lian.

"Master, I have brought everything back and handed it over to the accounting office. There is an outer room, two general rooms, eight and a half maids, a dozen rough ladies, and three or five domestic servants. Please give me your instructions. Next, what should we do with these people?"

Jia Lian stood up unhurriedly and said, "Let's lock him up first and don't rush to deal with it. Tomorrow you will take someone to escort the accounting room and visit various shops. Jinshi will follow to take over. Is there any problem?"

Jinshi expressed gratitude that there was no problem, and if there was a problem, he wouldn't dare to talk nonsense.

When Jiao Da responded, Jin Shi did not leave in a hurry. Instead, he took a step forward and asked in a low voice: "It's easy to talk to the old lady. It's about the second wife. If the Wang family is involved, I will not look good on my face."

Not much words, but very precise and with a great sense of proportion.

"It's not the Wang family's turn to dictate to the Jia family when it comes to rectifying the family business." Jia Lian's powerful words made Jin Shi shut up.

Although I don’t know the details of what happened in the capital, Jia Lian, as a top scholar, returned to his hometown to pay homage to his ancestors, and the local magistrate pinched his nose and even went to the dock to welcome him. The treatment was really glorious. Of course, there were worries. Neither the governor of Liangjiang nor the governor of Jiangnan sent anyone to greet him. Things in the officialdom were too complicated, and Jin Shi really couldn't see clearly.

Jia Lian saw clearly that the governor of Liangjiang and the governor of Jiangnan were both from the imperial examination. The governor of Jiangnan refused to stay in Jinling and hid in Suzhou. There was no need to take the initiative to go to Jinling to suffer. The governor of Jiangbei was even more decisive. He decided to put his headquarters in Xuzhou and try to visit Jinling once a year. It was impossible for the Governor of Liangjiang to go to greet him, and the unlucky Governor of Jinling, who was attached to Governor Guo, had no choice but to go.

When the canal passed through Xuzhou on the way here, the governor of Jiangbei and the chief secretary both sent their master to see him. This is the face of the number one scholar. Don't talk nonsense about being born in a noble family. The number one scholar is the number one scholar. It means studying, and you must live up to it in terms of face.

Why can Lin Ruhai, who was born in Tanhua, cause such an uproar? You have the foundation of being a noble person of the third rank. When you meet a superior and pay homage to you, do you accept the courtesy or not? Not to mention the conflict between civil and military interests.

Looking at today's imperial court, from the cabinet to the six ministries and nine ministers, which position has a noble background?
not a single one!

But what did that say? Political power comes from the barrel of a gun, and the greatest advantage of the nobles is that they have military power in their hands.

Wang Ziteng, who had the rank of General in the Western Expedition, was called Wang Taiwei. Taiwei was the chief officer in charge of the world's military affairs.

This is also the reason why Jia Lian urged Wang Ziteng to give up the military power in the Beijing camp. It's not just that you have mastered the Beijing camp, but now you have mastered the most elite northwest frontier army in the imperial court. How about that?

If Jia Lian were Wang Ziteng, the first thing he would do after returning to Beijing would be to excuse his illness, hand over all military power, and stay at home behind closed doors to thank guests.

Before setting off, Jia Lian had a comprehensive plan in mind. Everything seemed to be going well at the moment, especially in Yangzhou. With Lin Ruhai as a strong ally, on the ground in Jinling, Jia Lian went back to visit the governor of Liangjiang first, hinting that there would be no When doing things, after being thorough and polite, you can execute the plan unhurriedly.

No matter which side the Jia family is on, it cannot be used as a basis for attacks by political enemies in the future.

As for the Zhen family, Jia Lian's idea is very simple. If you treat me as not coming, I will treat the Zhen family as if it doesn't exist.

(End of this chapter)