Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 228 Jia Thief, Heaven Takes Him
Work is work and life is life.

Working reluctantly for a better life.

Jia Lian was busy in the study until midnight before he finally stopped.

Ping Er, who had been waiting for a long time, asked curiously, "Is what Second Master wrote important? It's rare to see you so late."

Jia Lian thought for a moment before answering: "Whether it is important or not depends on your Majesty's attitude. My opinion is not important."

It was a bit tongue-confused, Ping'er said she didn't understand and helped Jia Lian go to bed.

The next day, a memorial was placed in front of Emperor Chenghui's desk. It was Jia Lian's "Memorial on Various Matters Concerning the Western Mission".

Emperor Chenghui read it very carefully. Jia Lian's writing was as straightforward as ever, without too many literary words and few allusions.

His writing skills are indeed not like those of a top scholar, but in terms of the structure of the article, it is very neat and can explain things clearly, without making people confused or causing ambiguity.

This character looks very distinctive, and it is definitely not possible to write it with a brush. This is the product of Jia Lian's abuse of power for personal gain when he was in the Ministry of Works. He dipped a hard pen in ink and hired a master silversmith to make it. Writing with a hard pen is much faster. If you use a brush to write such a long memorial, your wrist will be broken.

Emperor Chenghui read it patiently, which took him more than an hour.

Jia Lian first analyzed the domestic situation. In the 100 years since the founding of the country, the cost of governance has increased, while the tax revenue, which is the main source of income, has decreased. It is difficult to change this situation. The internal problem (land annexation) cannot be solved. Instead of struggling in endless internal friction, it is better to look outward, look at the outside world, and look for new opportunities.

The country’s financial difficulties indicate that the last peak has passed and we must find a new development path to reach the next peak.

Tang Xuanzong's use of Li Linfu was essentially a way of using the country's past accumulation for external expansion, which was like living off past capital and spending money before it was enough. This was also the root cause of the rapid decline of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.

Jia Lian also emphasized that the land issue must be resolved, but not now. He did not say how to do it.

After a brief explanation of domestic issues, the main topic about the West will be discussed.

Jia Lian used Britain as an example. After entering the Industrial Revolution, it created the wealth of the past five hundred years in just a few decades. At this rate of accumulation, Britain will soon become the world hegemon. Once it has established its hegemony, it will surely march eastward. By then, even if the Great Zhou closed its doors to the outside world, it would still be unable to stop the British warships from landing at any point on the long coastline.

In order to ensure long-term stability of the Great Zhou, we should take the initiative to expand outward, rather than wait for others to come to our door and respond passively. At that time, if the ruler is wise and the ministers are virtuous, there may be a chance to catch up. If the ruler is weak, or the ministers are in power, the internal strife will continue and there will be disasters.

Jia Lian also gave suggestions on how to do it. He took advantage of the conflict between Britain and France, profited from it, and learned from the advanced aspects of the West, developed the navy, introduced technology, and developed industry. When the time was right, he would go south first, control Nanyang, strangle the sea passage, the Strait of Malacca, and then go east when the opportunity arose to get involved in the New World.

In the final summary, by expanding outward, we can acquire a large amount of wealth, ease internal conflicts, and use the new industrial and commercial class to check and balance the gentry. If this is successful, it can ensure peace for the next three hundred years.

Emperor Chenghui would think it was exaggerated, but Jia Lian could no longer care. If the French mission was missed, what difference would it make from the Qing Dynasty missing the British mission? If Emperor Chenghui missed this opportunity, Jia Lian would have to lie down in the future, and there would be no point in working hard. In the face of industrialization, the history of agricultural countries being beaten would definitely repeat itself.

After reading it, Emperor Chenghui remained silent for a long time. He asked Qiu Shian to bring a brocade box and put Jia Lian's memorial in it.

He also instructed Qiu Shi'an that this memorial must not be leaked to outsiders.

A memorial directly elevated the diplomatic mission incident to the level of the future national development route.

This was Jia Lian's purpose, but it was beyond Emperor Chenghui's expectation. As a traditional monarch who wanted to make a difference, he still wanted to make a difference on land. But Jia Lian mentioned a problem in his memorial, the cost of governance.

Taizu used the method of beating them first and then restraining them. The advantage is that the cost is not high, but the disadvantage is that they will rebel at the first sign of trouble.

From the Western Regions to the Southern Xinjiang, the more remote the place is, the more such problems there are. The same is true for the three borders. After decades of ups and downs, it is now basically stable, but this is relatively recent.

During the reign of the Supreme Emperor, the great Zhou Dynasty basically adopted a conservative attitude and showed signs of fatigue.

After Emperor Chenghui ascended the throne, he wanted to revive the Great Zhou, but he had to face various internal problems. Now Jia Lian has provided a clear path, putting the internal problems aside and looking for new opportunities. Once there is a new growth point, the internal problems will naturally be covered up.

Well, Emperor Chenghui didn’t know there’s a saying: trust the wisdom of future generations.

In fact, many problems cannot be solved when they are first discovered, and it is certain that the problems still exist until the demise of the dynasty.

With the strong support of Emperor Chenghui, Sun Huazhen made such a big fuss in Liangjiang just to collect the unpaid taxes. If the issue of land was to be touched upon, wouldn't the whole country be in an uproar?

As things developed, Emperor Chenghui was actually afraid in his heart, and he just went ahead with it despite himself.

If things develop further, Emperor Chenghui is really afraid that the whole city will rebel overnight.

Emperor Chenghui, who was unwilling to be a king who only maintained the status quo, was really touched by Jia Lian this time.

But he still needed to wait for an opportunity, and this opportunity soon came.

A fast horse came galloping over, delivering the military report in an urgent message from eight hundred miles away.

Wang Ziteng defeated the enemy's main force in southern Xinjiang and beheaded 30,000 of them. The enemy chief was captured and asked for imperial decree on whether he should be executed on the spot or escorted to the capital.

Emperor Chenghui was delighted to see the good news and ordered it to be circulated among his ministers.

In fact, the victory report first reached the Ministry of War and then the Cabinet, and Emperor Chenghui was not the first to see it.

This is the system established by Taizu of this dynasty and has nothing to do with Wang Ziteng.

The purpose of this system is also very simple, to prevent the emergence of warlords.

After several years of suppressing the rebellion in the Western Regions, the first curtain has finally fallen.

All the ministers presented their congratulations to Emperor Chenghui one after another, and the nice words seemed to be free of charge.

There were also a few unsociable officials who, in order to show their uniqueness, submitted a memorial to impeach Wang Ziteng for killing innocent people. This was a rehash of an old matter, so Emperor Chenghui specially summoned Jia Lian and threw this kind of memorial to him, saying, "It's really a headache to read it. Take a look at it first and give your opinion on how to deal with it."

Jia Lian received the order and sat in his old seat. After reading the memorials carefully, he felt that these people were really despicable. Throughout the ages, haven't all the great empires used swords in one hand and the teachings of Confucius and Mencius in the other? These two are not contradictory, but complement each other.

How can you educate people without killing all the stubborn elements?
Looking at Jia Lian afterwards, he picked up a pen and made the following suggestion: Since these people like to be educated, they can be sent to the Western Regions to teach.

Then Emperor Chenghui took out these memorials and Jia Lian's suggestions in the cabinet, indicating that the authors of these memorials should be given priority by the Ministry of Personnel and arranged to serve as officials in the Western Regions to educate the local people.

As expected, Jia Lian's suggestion spread to all government offices, and some people were so angry that they lost their composure and started cursing on the spot.

The news naturally reached Jia Lian's ears. Jia Lian, who was handling official documents at the Wucheng Military Department, just smiled after hearing it. This is very Chenghui Emperor! It's his usual style. I understand. I'm not angry anymore!
The Ministry of Personnel acted very quickly this time. A total of 33 officials were called to the Ministry of Personnel. The new province was established and officials were urgently needed. Since you all like to be educated, the Ministry of Personnel naturally arranged them. They were arranged on the same day. Many people went to the pub to get drunk after leaving the Ministry of Personnel. What kind of work is this? I have been wandering for 8,000 miles.

When Jia Lian was leaving get off work, he was blocked at the door by several drunken officials, who cursed him: "You thief Jia, you shall not die well."

Jia Lian would not resort to violence. If he was really beaten, he would have an excuse not to go to the Western Regions. "It's hot, cool down the adults!" Jia Lian held down the family guard who was about to beat someone up, and ordered to prepare a few buckets of cold water. The five officials who came to the dumen immediately turned around and ran away, but unfortunately this was Jia Lian's territory.

"Want to run? Hold him down!" Jia Lian gave an order and the subordinates of the Five Cities Army rushed forward and held the man down. With their large numbers, no matter how the man struggled, he could not escape.

If they can't run away, then continue to scold. Jia Lian smiled and didn't get angry. When he saw them scolding until their mouths were dry, he sent a few buckets of cold water. Jia Lian pointed and said, "Cool down, gentlemen! You are too angry!"

With a rush of cold water, all those who ran to block the door were soaked like drowned rats.

Jia Lian signaled to release the people, and the unfortunate guys, who had lost face, walked away in despair.

A little further away, many people who were watching turned back silently. I almost forgot that this guy was a noble.

It is normal for nobles to be a little domineering.

The next day, memorials impeaching Jia Lian came in like snowflakes, but Jia Lian, the person involved, didn't care at all. He thought, "Too many lice won't itch, and too many debts won't worry."

The impeachment charge against Jia Lian was: insulting his colleagues and bringing disgrace upon himself.

Jia Lian made a memorial to defend himself, saying: These people came to my house to insult me, and I was being polite by just giving them a few buckets of cold water. Next time I will just give them sewage.

After such self-defense, Emperor Chenghui was furious and dragged Jia Lian over. In front of the cabinet ministers, he pointed at Jia Lian and scolded him for half an hour. The ministers watching on the sidelines watched expressionlessly, and Lord Meng even whispered with Minister Guo.

"I bet Jia Lian will be punished for half a year!"

Lord Guo replied calmly: "Not enough. I will spend another month reflecting on my mistakes."

Emperor Chenghui's final closing statement was as follows: He was arrogant and behaved erratically, so he was punished to serve for one year and to go home and study for three months.

With saliva sprayed all over his face, Jia Lian bowed his head and said, "I obey your order!"

After leaving the palace, Jia Lian walked briskly. In such a hot day, who would have the patience to go to work every day?

After the punishment results came out, the court and the public were silent. Many of the ministers who were packing their bags and preparing to go to the Western Regions were directly defeated, and no less than a hundred ministers were drunk that night.

Many people cried while drinking: "It's impossible to change it, it's impossible to change it! Jia thief, God will take you away, God will take you away."

There are also some relatively sober people who, when they get together with a few good friends to drink, can't help but sigh when they mention this matter.

"This beast is out of control!"

The more reasonable ministers said, "They blame others for their own mistakes. If they stay in the capital, they will be a nuisance. They should go to the Western Regions to harm the local people."

Jia Lian was so happy when he got home. He held iced sour plum soup in one hand and wrote quickly with a hard pen in the other. His royalties had increased again, and he might as well earn some pocket money since he had nothing to do.

Of course, Jia Lian would never admit that he wrote this kind of vernacular just to whitewash himself.

Never underestimate communication channels such as opera and storytelling, as these are what ordinary people today recognize.

As soon as Xue Pan arrived in the capital, he heard a story about Jia Lian and could not help but exclaim: "Cousin Lian is such a hero!"

When Xue Pan visited, he prepared several generous gifts. On the Jia family's side, one gift went to Jia Mu, one to Jia She, one to Jia Zheng, one to Jia Zhen, and even one to Jia Jing from Xuanzhen Temple.

When Jia Lian learned about this, he couldn't help but sigh, what a rich man.

Xue Pan first walked around outside and met all the elders before going to Jia Lian.

After greeting and exchanging a few polite words, Xue Pan revealed a lewd expression and said, "I learned that my cousin likes twin sisters, so I have arranged for someone to look for them. Don't worry, I will definitely send them to the capital next time and settle them down outside so that my cousin won't be embarrassed."

That is to say, there was no maid around, otherwise Jia Lian would have been embarrassed to deduct three bedrooms and a living room.

"Did you hear about this?" Jia Lian asked calmly. Xue Pan smiled and said, "Hey, on the way north along the canal, we went ashore during the stopover and saw that many places were singing "The Change of Yunyang". They all said that this play was written by my cousin to praise a pair of twin sisters. I watched a few performances and it is indeed well written."

Jia Lian would never have thought that the news would be spread in this way. Can't they spread something good?

Why do you have to go down such a low path? Have you all studied journalism?

Xue Pan continued: "I heard the storyteller say that Jia Gong got angry for his beloved, and two red flowers bloomed. It is indeed a good poem!"

Jia Lian's face turned so dark that it was unbearable to look at. Xue Pan then realized that something was wrong and murmured in silence.

Jia Lian looked up and sighed: "I said it was a coincidence, do you believe it?"

Xue Pan shook his head, then nodded.

Jia Lian was speechless. What on earth has happened to this world? Will good people be allowed to live? He was so angry that he was shivering!

The next day, Xue Pan, who was drunk, woke up. After seeing Jia Rong talking to him, he slapped his thigh in annoyance.

"Imature, immature. You should settle the person down before taking your cousin to see him. See how Ni Er does things."

Jia Rong agreed with him: "It is true. This is why wild flowers are not as fragrant as domestic ones!"

Jia Lian, who was standing at the door, heard it clearly. He came in and yelled, "You say bad things about me in my own home. Aren't you afraid of being beaten?"

The two of them didn't care and stood up to greet each other with a smile. However, Jia Lian just said to Jia Rong: "Come with me. I have something to ask you."

When the two of them reached a secluded place, Jia Lian asked directly in a low voice, "What's wrong with your father's illness?"

Jia Rong's face suddenly changed, and then he whispered, "Second Uncle, this is not my fault. If you want to blame someone, blame him for being greedy. Whenever I have something good, he never takes it for himself."

Jia Lian was silent for a while before saying, "The wedding is approaching, you'd better be careful."

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Of course. Nowadays, it is Youshi who is in charge. After Lai Er passed away, the servants in the house have become much more obedient."

Jia Lian did not mention the matter again. He called him out to discuss business with Xue Pan.

(End of this chapter)