Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 144 Steamed Buns at Shuiyuean
Hearing the word "mentor", Jia Lian felt that his teeth were sore, and Mr. Zhang Ge was a little too jealous.

"Teacher, there are too many things to do. You are a senior minister and an important minister of the imperial court. This is something I don't want to talk about."

These words were pleasant to hear, and the soreness in Zhang Tingen's heart was quickly neutralized. Well, this student can still ask for it.

When Jia Lian is facing an assignment, it is indeed not advisable to come to see him too eagerly. Let him go first!
"In the past, the rule was that the number one scholar went directly to the Imperial Academy, and he stayed in the capital for three years before deciding whether to stay in Beijing or be sent abroad. The rule set by Taizu was that cabinet ministers must start from prefectures and counties. If they are sent abroad for three years, they will be the prefect of a state at worst. The advantage is that The disadvantage of being promoted quickly is that you become a prefect right away, and the Imperial Academy does not have much experience in governing local areas to learn from."

Zhang Ting'en talked eloquently, and Jia Lian nodded frequently. He thought this was good. It was so comfortable to be an official in Beijing for three years.

"The Hanlin Academy is good, suitable for lying down..., ah no, settling, it is suitable for settling." Jia Lian said, wiping the non-existent cold sweat on his forehead, his mouth almost dropped, and he said "Lie down and smash".

"Hmph!" Zhang Ting'en responded with a sneer and said, "Stop dreaming. His Majesty has already arranged your affairs."

Hearing this, Jia Lian immediately smiled bitterly, oh, he has forgotten the emperor.

"There are many people in the Hanlin Academy who are good at writing, and you are not missing. The six departments will observe politics for half a year, Ningbo or Tianjin, choose one yourself."

Zhang Ting'en was indeed Emperor Chenghui's most trusted minister. Emperor Chenghui had discussed Jia Lian's arrangement with him.

"Teacher, can't we stay closer to home? The student still wants to enter the Hanlin Academy." Jia Lian stepped forward to speak with a smile. Zhang Ting'en ignored him and walked into the study. He sat down relaxedly on the Imperial Master's chair and looked over with sideways eyes.

After hearing this, Jia Lian immediately became angry and said, "Old thief, how vicious is he?"

Seeing that he was not very interested, Zhang Ting'en said nothing. After the meal, while holding the tea cup, he made a few remarks: "Just be content. According to Li Qing's suggestion, the Hanlin Academy is overstaffed. Not only does it not admit people, but it also There are going to be layoffs. Three people from the first class of Xinke are going to be sent to other places. I specifically mentioned your name and thought it would be most suitable for you to go to Tongzhou."

Jia Lian, however, smiled and said without any concern: "The magistrate of Daxing is very nice. It's close to home. That's it."

"That's not a bad thing. If he causes trouble on a student's territory, I don't need people from the yamen to bully him. If I go into battle myself, it will just end up being a fight." Jia Lian couldn't help but feel proud as he said this, and the more he thought about it, the happier he became.

Oh, you are from a powerful family, so you have to face superiors at all levels. When you go to the local level, if you, a powerful person, do not bully the prefect, then you are a kinder person.

Zhang Ting'en couldn't stand listening anymore and scolded him with glares: "Is this all you have? Furthermore, how dare you disobey His Majesty's wishes?"

Mrs. Zhang Wu came in, followed by two maids serving tea. When Mrs. Zhang Wu was serving tea, one of the two maids stood behind Zhang Tingen skillfully and pinched his shoulders, while the other held up his legs and tapped them gently with both hands.

Come on, I thought about good things for a long time, but it was all in vain. The feeling of not being able to control your destiny is too bad!
At dinner, Jia Lian was tasteless when faced with a table of dishes prepared by Zhang Wu. The emperor must be determined to get himself an official position at a coastal port, and he may have to arrange a bunch of hard targets.

Zhang Tingen was stunned when he heard this. Is he so happy? You know, after leaving the Yamen of Daxing County, less than 500 meters to the east is the Yamen of Shuntian Prefecture. Above Shuntian Prefecture, there are the Sixth Department of the Capital, Jiuqing, various princes and dignitaries, and the inner court. Everywhere is not easy to mess with. immortal. Don't you feel aggrieved? In any given place, Jia Lian would be at least a Tongzhi or Tongpandi, and he would only have to deal with one boss, the prefect. It's not like staying in the capital, where you're afraid of killing the powerful if you fart while walking.

Jia Lian clicked his tongue twice and spread his hands: "There's nothing to say, just leave it to fate!"

Jia Lian showed no shame at all and quickly gave his wife a thumbs up: "My wife understands me. When it comes to work, what I want is more money, less things to do and close to home. I think the Daxing County Magistrate is quite good, so he took it. It’s better to have less things to do and stay close to home.”

Zhang Wu understood Jia Lian very well and took over the words with a smile: "We will get married in August. Counting the days, we can only stay in the capital for three to five months. I'm afraid I won't be able to part with my beloved wife by then." "

In modern times, this area belonged to northern Jiangsu. Before industrialization, this area had to wait until Zhang Jian, the last number one scholar in the Qing Dynasty, appeared and took the lead in growing cotton and using machine spinning to barely improve the local economic environment. Otherwise, if you grow food in that area of ​​Nantong, you really won’t have enough to eat, unless you have sea rice seeds.

This old pervert showed an expression of enjoyment. Jia Lian's teeth were itching with jealousy. He really knows how to enjoy it. What use do I have this conscience for?

Zhang Ting'en sneered and said: "What good thing are you thinking of? Nantong Prefecture, next to the Lianghuai Salt Fields, is pointing you to carry the thunder."

Mrs. Zhang Wu was very satisfied with her cooperation: "How come there are less troubles? There are always ghosts, ghosts and snake gods who can cause trouble under Shuntian Mansion?"

"Closer to home? Well, Daxing County Magistrate is also a sixth-grade, attached to Guo Jingshi." Zhang Ting'en said in a teasing tone, what did he say? [Full of evil, attached to Guo Jingshi. 】

That's it. It's really nice to be a county magistrate in the capital. With his background, there are very few powerful people who can bully him. It should be said that it would be good if he does not bully other powerful people.

Nantongzhou, Beitongzhou, North and South Tongzhou. (Second line of a certain pair)
By the way, does the place name Nantong look familiar?

Jia Lian listened with an expression of incomprehension: "Tongzhou is not bad, it's not far from home."

Even within thirty years after liberation, Northern Jiangsu was still one of the synonyms of poor places. Agriculture is underdeveloped, there is not much industry, and there are no local specialties. If we produce some salt, we should have the state purchase and sell it. How can we not be poor?
Nantong in this world still has salt channels, and the Lianghuai Salt Fields are not under local control. Even if you are the prefect, you can only use it for a while.

Jia Lian's identity determined that once he went to Nantong to become an official, he was destined to have friction with Yan Dao. The Lianghuai Salt Farm is like the fat on your lips, how could you not take a bite? If you are a responsible person and don't want to get involved, you will be impoverished and unable to achieve political achievements at the local level, and it will be much more difficult to get promoted.

"Stop yelling. He just mentioned it when he met with his Majesty alone, saying that Lin Ruhai is in Yangzhou. If you go to Nantong Prefecture, we can cooperate with each other to crack down on smuggling and rectify the salt affairs." Zhang Ting'en explained. It's really not intentional.

"Alas, my official career is destined to be difficult and difficult." Jia Lian looked up and sighed, and Zhang Ting'en kicked him in anger.

"Go away, give me some peace of mind when you get back."

Jia Lian stood up and said goodbye. Today was not in vain. There was a lot of information. Please go back and sort it out.

Back home, Jia Lian was lying in a daze, wondering what the emperor wanted to do, when Guixiang quietly came in and said, "Brother Rong, come here." Jia Lian did not move on the recliner, opened his eyes and looked at the door, the curtain was lifted, and Jia Rong Face came in excitedly.

"Uncle Lian, I have good news."

Jia Lian just hummed calmly. The good news about Jia Zhen was bad news for him.

"The Crown Prince of Dongping County really set up a table at Qingchun Tower to entertain Mr. Pardon and me. All the famous ladies in the capital were invited to accompany the wine. He said that he wanted to make a good apology to the two of you. No, I I went with him and sneaked back to report the news when I had time. I was thinking, I am afraid that things are not that simple, and if I turn back to the caravan and go to Liaodong again, I may not be able to get a good deal. "

When Jia Lian heard what he said, he looked surprised, sat up and asked, "How do you say that?"

Jia Rong, who was convinced, immediately analyzed with excitement: "Which of the four princes does not value face more than the sky? This invitation to apologize was originally for the second uncle Lian. If the second uncle doesn't go, at most the old debt will be written off. , Uncle She and I cannot afford to restart the Liaodong caravan, unless the prince of the Wang family is prepared, or the second master comes in person..."

Jia Lian thinks that the strange knowledge has increased a lot. The behavioral logic of these dignitaries in the capital is to put interests first.

An idea struck him, and Jia Lian couldn't help but take the risk: "Hey, maybe if I go to Liaodong personally, things will go smoothly?"

Jia Rong's eyes widened immediately after hearing this. She quickly glanced at Jia Lian and found that he had his eyes closed, as if he was joking casually. The question is, why do these words sound so heart-warming? Jia Rong knows his father very well, and he is really willing to go to Liaodong for five thousand taels of silver a year. When you leave Shanhaiguan, do the horse thieves know who you are?

Jia Rong's eyes were spinning wildly, and Jia Rong couldn't help but feel secretly resentful. Without reliable power in his hands, he could only miss the opportunity before his eyes. It felt so uncomfortable!

In fact, Jia Lian just said it casually and did not expect Jia Zhen to really go to Liaodong. Without five thousand taels of silver a year, the accumulation of Ningguo Mansion is enough for Jia Zhen to live comfortably for a lifetime, and there is no end to it. Unless Yuanchun Province builds the garden himself!

"Speaking of which, if I can take a trip to Liaodong, maybe I can really do it." Jia Rong mentioned cautiously. Jia Lian nodded, stood up and looked at him doubtfully: "What do you mean?"

Jia Rong smiled and said: "Aren't there still noble people?"

Damn it, do you still want to drag Li Heng into the water? Looking at it this way, it is really operational.

Seeing Jia Lian's contemplative look, Jia Rong further whispered: "My nephew thinks that this is feasible, and I can live in peace for a while. If the climate is not suitable, I can live in peace for a while."

Jia Rong has no strength, so this is the end of her bad intentions. When I asked Jia Zhen to go to Liaodong, there were no tigers in the mountains.

What Jia Lian was thinking about was to arrange for a reliable person to follow him. What if he really encountered a horse thief along the way and took advantage of the chaos? No, no, those generals may not be willing to do this. Even Jiao Da is angry and won't fight.

"Forget it, don't cause trouble for the noble man. It's okay if things work out. If not, you might lose status with the noble man."

Jia Lian suppressed his thoughts forcibly. After all, the things he wanted to do were shady and he didn't have the right person in hand.

Jia Lian's denial did not extinguish the wildfire in Jia Rong's heart. In any case, it was too tempting to not have to face me every day. No, I have to think of some way to make this happen.

Jia Lian changed the subject: "Have you decided on your marriage?"

Jia Rong shook her head in dissatisfaction: "How can a daughter of a small official be the first wife?"

Seeing how dissatisfied he was, Jia Lian thought to himself, if you want to meet Qin Keqing, you may have to use a basin to drink water.

"Can you decide this matter?" Thinking of Qin Keqing's hidden identity, Jia Lian naturally struck a blow at Jia Rong.

With Qin Bangye's status, how could Qin Keqing marry Jia Rong? Even Jia's mother expressed satisfaction and praised her many times.

"Of course I can't make the decision, but I'm just unwilling to do so. I heard that the girl was born very well, so it's better for my second uncle to strike first. I guess Qin Bangye wouldn't dare to resist." Jia Rong still hoped in his heart to marry a woman of the right family. When you can't resist, you can only give Jia Lian crooked ideas.

Pfft, Jia Lian was drinking tea to rinse his mouth. He sprayed a mouthful of tea on the ground and looked at Jia Rong speechlessly. You are still the active version of NTR!

Do you want to learn from Xue Pan? Jia Lian was unexpectedly a little tempted, but his face didn't show it. Think carefully and think again.

The next morning, when Li Heng saw Jia Lian in the backyard of the newspaper office, he couldn't help but be speechless. He didn't care about dividing the money, and took Jia Lian for a walk in the backyard to talk. Such time would become less and less in the future.

Since Jia Lian won the first prize, Li Heng clearly felt that the possibility of their own cooperation had become infinitely smaller.

"Alas, you and I are not destined to be together after all." Li Heng couldn't help but say it. On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, the queen clearly pointed out, "Jia Lian is a minister that your father wants to make great use of." 】Right now, you still want to compete with your father for talents?

"Your Highness, I think this is good, good for you and me." Jia Lian really wasn't lying, he told the truth.

"Oh, I don't blame you for this." Li Heng's mood improved a little. If he had not used his brain less when Jia Lian didn't show up, why would he be like this? If a deep friendship can be formed from the beginning, even the emperor can use it to hide secret aid.

"Well, we can still be friends." Jia Lian was still so true.

"I would also like to thank Zhuangyuan Gong for his manuscript. The serialization ended at the end of the year, and the newcomers cannot keep up. The competition with other newspapers in the future will undoubtedly increase a lot of difficulty. Alas, speaking of which, a few newcomers are not bad, but they can't always express their personal opinions. The shackles are all about personal grudges, and the pattern is too small. "

Jia Lian smiled and did not answer the question. It is not that serialization of novels cannot be done in the future, but it will not be so convenient if he waits for him to be released and then writes the manuscript.

Li Heng, who didn't get a response, wasn't disappointed either. Things are different now.

Another day, Shuiyue Temple in the north of the city, also known as Mantou Temple.

Jia Lian on horseback looked at Shuiyue Temple getting closer and closer in the distance, and naturally thought of Qin Zhong and Zhi Zhi.

Under the pretext of taking the time to go out for fun and relax before the formal conferment, Jia Lian took a step slowly and arrived at the gate of Shuiyue Temple. When he turned over and dismounted, a little nun came out of the door.

Man, it’s so easy to talk about!
"Where did the scholar come from? There are no outsiders in this temple." The little nun didn't recognize Jia Lian. Seeing that he was dressed like a romantic scholar, she naturally didn't dare to let him in. Naturally, Jia Lian would not embarrass Zhi Zhi. He threw the riding whip behind Zhang San and said: "Go, let Jingxu come out to see me."

The little nun turned around and went in, closed the side door smoothly, and locked the door bolt uneasily.

Jingxu was talking to Youshi. When she learned that a scholar was coming outside, she had to go out to greet him. She couldn't help complaining to Youshi: "Shuiyue'an is a place of pure cultivation. Foreign men come to disturb the Jia family. You need to worry about the Jia family's face. "

Youshi smiled: "Master, let's go take a look!" Jingxu felt that Youshi seemed a little guilty when he spoke, but didn't think much about it. After all, it is Jia Zhen's house filling, so it cannot be compared with the main wife. Jingxu, the old nun, is not a good person. That is to say, I am a little older now, and I was not a law-abiding person in my early years.

The middle-aged nun Jingxu came out and immediately smiled when she saw Jia Lian. Her posture adjusted when she walked. When she was about to speak, Jia Lian threw a silver coin over her. Jingxu caught it hurriedly, and then Jia Lian said, "I am Jia Lian. If you are tired from traveling, come here to rest. You can prepare a quiet yard and prepare some tea and meals. "

"Oh, my old eyesight is so dim that I can't recognize the noble person in front of him. He should be beaten, he should be beaten. Please, please!" Jingxu quickly opened the door, forgetting for a moment that there was Youshi who came first, and it was too late when she remembered. Okay, Jia Lian has already stepped into the palace.

Seeing this, Jingxu quickly followed. After Jia Lian burned a stick of incense, Jingxu said: "The eldest lady of Dongfu is also in the backyard. Second Master Lian, this..."

This nun doesn't look like a monk. After Jia Lian silently made up his mind, he glanced back and said, "I'm a member of the family, no problem!"

Jingxu rolled her eyes, lowered her head and led the way obediently.

At the door of the backyard, Yindie was accompanying Jia Lian, who could only talk. Seeing Jingxu leading Jia Lian, Yindie quickly stopped to greet him.

Jia Lian waved his hand and said: "No need to be polite!" There was no intention of stopping at his feet, and it was difficult to calm down the fluctuations in his heart.

When he entered the inner hall, he didn't see Youshi. Jia Lian felt his heart tremble again when he saw the curtain on the door of the inner room shaking.

He sat down on the chair in the inner hall, looked at the coffee table in front of him that he had not had time to clear, and couldn't help but smile.

Jingxu came over and took a look at the back room and said, "I'm going to prepare tea and meals right now!"

Jia Lian waved his hand, but the nun went to the inner room. When she saw Youshi, she said, "Madam!"

Youshi looked at her deeply and said, "Here are ten taels of silver. Please add some sesame oil money."

When Jingxu saw the silver on the table, he moved his sleeves over unceremoniously, but the silver was gone.

After retiring, Jingxu took Zhi'er away and couldn't help but secretly mutter, if I were ten years younger, why would I be so lonely in Qingdeng? It’s hard to become a monk! Good! Good!
Jia Lian entered the back room and saw Youshi sitting uneasily on her side. He stepped forward and sat down next to each other. He hugged his shoulders very rudely and whispered in Youshi's ear: "Jingxu over there..."

Youshi raised her head and responded with fiery eyes: "Do you really think she is a law-abiding monk? In the early years, Jia Zhen came to Shuiyue Temple several times."

【Wocao! 】

Jia Lian remembered a certain Ming Dynasty storybook he had read before, with keywords such as Cuifu Temple, Wen Sheng Sheng, and Field War.

"It's a hidden danger after all!" Jia Lian couldn't help but mutter, Youshi had turned from passive to active.

After a while, there was a strange sound from inside the curtain, and a whisper, "Don't mess up your hair."

There is a peach grove outside Shuiyue Temple. The peach blossoms have faded, and small fluffy peaches are growing on the branches.

The peach trees are swaying in the breeze, and the sound of the wind is faint, like weeping and complaining.

The steamed buns at Shuiyuean are delicious!

(End of this chapter)