Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 275 Intimidation

After not seeing him for half a year, Jia Zhen had changed a lot. He was thin, his eye sockets were sunken, and he seemed like he could float away with a gust of wind.

"Brother Zhen, what's wrong? Did your new wife not serve you well?" Jia Lian looked concerned. Jia Zhen, who was totally unprepared, was obviously embarrassed and coughed twice: "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

Jia Rong sneered at the side and said nothing, thinking: [It has to be my second uncle! He rips off the old man's face as soon as he opens his mouth! ] Yu Shi, who just came out, also had a fake smile on her face, [The little enemy's words are just pleasant to hear. ]

Qin Keqing followed behind Youshi, and when she looked at Jia Lian, her mouth was slightly open for three or four seconds before returning to normal.

After entering and sitting down, Jia Lian still looked at Jia Zhen with concern and said, "Brother Zhen is the head of the clan. This body is not entirely your own. So many clansmen are counting on Brother Zhen to take care of them."

Jia Zhen found these words particularly harsh. He smiled but couldn't help thinking in his heart, "Who told him about the family property? He's using it to accuse me of something? He said that they are family members, but most of them are useless and are a burden."

While Jia Zhen was pondering, Jia Lian changed the subject and said to Jia Rong, "Brother Rong, discuss with Xue Pan to see if you can use more of your clansmen. You are not a child anymore, and you have a wife now. You have to stand up and set an example for those clansmen who are not doing well."

After receiving Jia Lian's praise, Jia Rong immediately became energetic, as if he had endless strength in his bones, and his back straightened. It didn't matter that his father looked down on him, as long as his uncle Lian valued him, it was enough.

"Uncle Lian, you are too kind." Jia Rong said modestly. Jia Lian waved his hand and smiled, "I have something to talk to Brother Zhen alone!"

After hearing this, Youshi stood up immediately, and Jia Rong and Qin Keqing also tactfully left. Jia Zhen was stunned. After everyone left, Jia Lian looked around and saw that there was no one left, so he suddenly frowned.

"Brother Zhen knows Qin's background very well. Why do you want to bring disaster to the Jia family? If you think your life is too good, you can commit suicide. I don't mind helping you and sending you off." Faced with Jia Lian's sudden outburst, Jia Zhen's mind was like thunder exploding, and he jumped up like a cat whose tail was stepped on. When he saw Jia Lian's sinister and vicious eyes clearly, he was so scared that his legs weakened and he sat back down.

Jia Zhen wanted to quibble but couldn't find the words for a while. He stammered and waved his hands repeatedly: "Lian'er, I, I, I..."

"What do you mean by 'you'? I'm leading troops in the war outside, and I'm cautious and careful every day, walking on thin ice. I dare not go when someone invites me to a dinner party, for fear of accidentally eating the wrong meal or saying the wrong words. But you guys, you think you are doing it secretly and no one will know?" Jia Lian's voice was not loud, and only Jia Zhen could hear it, but every word pierced his heart.

Without waiting for Jia Zhen to explain, Jia Lian continued to pierce his heart: "Is the emperor too old to be stupid? He is old enough to be taken away by the King of Hell with just a sneeze. Calling you stupid is an insult to stupid people. That's all I have to say today, so take care of yourself!"

As he spoke, Jia Lian left with a wave of his sleeves. Jia Rong, who was squatting at the door, saw him come out and immediately stood up, slightly bending his waist and said, "Second Uncle!"

"I'm going back. I don't want to spoil the fun!" When I walked out of the courtyard, I felt a chill on my neck. I looked up and saw a sparse snow falling. The gloomy sky finally had some movement.

"I'll send my second uncle off!" Jia Rong followed Jia Lian, and they remained silent all the way.

After passing through the small gate on the courtyard wall, Jia Lian turned around and said, "Don't see me off. It's going to snow heavily. In this weather, I don't know how many people will freeze to death tomorrow morning. I've been away for half a year, and I don't know if the Five Cities Army has made any progress."

When he heard that people were freezing to death, Jia Rong blinked twice, watched Jia Lian go away, and slowly turned around.

When he returned home, he heard Jia Zhen's roar. When he reached the central hall, he saw the ground was full of debris, all of which were broken by Jia Zhen. Looking at Jia Zhen, who was panting, with his hands trembling slightly, and standing there in a daze, Jia Rong's smile became weird.

When Wang Xifeng saw Jia Lian, she regained her confidence and stood up even though she was physically uncomfortable. Jia Lian rushed forward and supported her, saying, "Sit still!"

Wang Xifeng looked up at Jia Lian and said, "My aunt told me something today."

Jia Lian sat opposite her and nodded slightly, encouraging her to continue.

"The imperial concubine in the palace is about to get married in the next few days. My aunt wants to send some more silver to the palace. Don't make any mistakes. I was thinking that sending silver to the palace has never stopped. At this critical moment, how much should I send? Where should I send it?"

After Wang Xifeng finished speaking, she looked at Jia Lian quietly, waiting for his answer.

Feeling the trust and admiration in the woman's eyes, Jia Lian was somewhat flattered, but he asked rather reservedly: "Aunt, how much silver do you want, and who will take care of it?"

"What she meant was that Brother Zhen should take care of the 12,000 taels of silver. After all, it was Brother Zhen who was in charge of this matter before." After Wang Xifeng finished relaying the story, the smile on Jia Lian's face instantly disappeared.

"Tell my aunt about what's happening in the palace. I have my own plans. Don't worry." Jia Lian didn't say anything, but he knew very well in his heart that this matter was not that simple.

With Jia Lian's words, Wang Xifeng followed his meaning and said, "Then I know what to say."

Jia Lian nodded, chatted with Wang Xifeng for a while, and after dinner, he looked at the sixteen dishes on the table and said nothing more. Compared with the original novel, Wang Xifeng was much more frugal. This was not a matter of whether there were enough dishes, but a matter of pomp!

In the minds of the ancients, pomp and circumstance equaled status!
When they were about to rest later, Wang Xifeng looked at Ping'er and Guixiang who were eager to try, and snorted, and asked the maid to help her go to rest. Jia Lian stood up slowly and said, "I'm going to the study!"

There is only Xiangling in the study room, and there is no helper. Should I ask Jia Mu for Yuanyang, Xiren, or Qingwen? No, Qingwen seems to have not entered the Jia Mansion yet. Jinchuan and Yuchuan in front of Mrs. Wang are also good.

Well, what am I thinking about?
Jia Lian slapped his forehead. He was so overwhelmed! Why was his mind full of this?
Xiangling, who was lying on the kang, covered with a quilt, was not in a hurry. She asked first, "Master, do you want to take a rest or read a book?"

Jia Lian looked over and saw that Xiangling looked young and charming in the candlelight, so he quickly turned his head away from her sight and gave up the idea.

Fortunately, there was a door push behind me. I looked back and saw Ping'er coming in. After she put up the lantern, she said, "Master, you are really unrefined. The light in the corridor is not good, and you didn't even bring someone with a lantern."

Before Jia Lian could reply, Guixiang's voice came from outside the door: "Some people just like to talk nonsense. Why don't you follow the master and lead the way?"

Jia Lian was a little surprised. Is the contradiction so obvious?
Ping'er showed no sign of getting angry. She smiled and asked, "Sir, do you want to take a rest or wait a while?"

When Guixiang came in, she was holding a copper kettle and said, "Please make way. The water is boiling. The master always lives in the study. We should put a stove for boiling water in the corridor to prevent him from running around all the time."

Ping Erh still did not argue with Gui Xiang, but smiled and said, "There are still not enough people around the master, and Xiang Ling alone is not enough to handle it."

Xiangling, who was named, hid in the quilt and trembled, fearing that she would be accidentally injured by a stray bullet.

Jia Lian said nothing, silently accepting Guixiang's help in washing and dressing, sitting on the chair with a smile on his face, watching Guixiang take off her shoes and warm her feet. It is absolutely impossible to expect these two to be as close as one person. With Ping'er's intelligence, how could she make such a mistake that would make Wang Xifeng suspicious? Let's put it this way, Ping'er can get along well with anyone, except Guixiang.

Given Wang Xifeng's personality, Jia Lian was too strong, so he was able to suppress her. If something went wrong, what do you think would happen?

Guixiang wiped Jia Lian's feet, and Ping'er helped him. It was obvious that there was a tacit understanding between the two.

Alas, every woman should not be underestimated. Guixiang has long understood the way to survive under this roof. "Go back to your room and rest." Jia Lian said, Xiangling got up, put on her shoes, and went to the inner door to the compartment. Jia Lian did not notice this change. After taking a look, he looked back and saw Ping'er whispering, "It's cold now. It's not good to go out and come in all the time. Sister Guixiang asked someone to do it."

Jia Lian glanced at Guixiang. This woman looked at him with a look on her face. "I did a good job, didn't I?" He smiled bitterly and shook his head, then changed his clothes and went to bed.

Facing the lantern, Jia Lian started reading. The two women had no intention of leaving, one was pinching his shoulders and the other was pounding his legs.

Jia Lian had no choice but to put down the book and asked, "Are you all staying?"

After asking this question, the two men were about to leave. Jia Lian grabbed one of them with each hand and said, "This kang is big enough!"

This absurd night only made Xiangling suffer.

By daybreak, the snow was ankle-deep. When the heating pad started burning again, Jia Lian finally got up from the kang.

Jia Lian glanced at Xiangling who was yawning beside him, but he didn't say anything. He reached out and rubbed her head, and Xiangling sobered up a little: "Wake up and serve the master!"

Because of Jia Lian, the study room became a small kingdom, and Xiangling usually stayed there alone. Sometimes when there were too many things to do, Xiangling would ask Fengshi to help. Fengshi said she was a servant, but in fact she had nothing to do in the Jia family, and she took the initiative to find things to do.

It can be seen that Xiangling is enjoying everything at the moment. Jia Lian does not plan to change anything for the time being.

Before I put down my breakfast chopsticks, Lai Wangjia came in hurriedly: "Second Master, someone is coming from the palace."

Jia Lian was stunned for a moment, put down his chopsticks and spread his hands. Guixiang and Ping'er beside him immediately came over with coats and cloaks.

When he walked out of the courtyard, Zhuzi was already waiting there: "Second Master, I have asked someone to prepare the horses."

"Well, who knows what it is. You don't have to go out if you don't live." Jia Lian hurried all the way to Rongxi Hall. When he saw Qiu Shian coming, his heart trembled slightly. It must be something important.

"What brings you here? My vacation is going to be ruined!" Jia Lian's tone was filled with casual apology. People who heard this had different reactions in their hearts.

Qiu Shian didn't care about Jia Lian's complaints at all. He looked at Ping'er holding the cloak and nodded slightly, saying, "The Saint wants to ask the young master something. I haven't left the palace for a while. This is not a job given by the Saint."

The snow outside had stopped. Qiu Shian came in a sedan chair. Jia Lian, wearing a cloak, climbed onto the horse under the gaze of everyone. Although he was not here to announce the imperial decree, the fact that Jia Lian was called into the palace shocked everyone in the Jia family in the morning.

Jia Lian never took the initiative to talk. After all, Qiu Shian was an old silver coin. Xia Shouzhong still had some integrity in doing things for money, but Jia Lian was not sure at all. It's not that I can't see through it. This is the loyal dog who revolves around the emperor. There are too many uncertainties.

The snow on Rongning Street had been shoveled out to create a main road, and the eunuchs carrying the sedan chair appeared to be extremely cautious.

Jia Lian, sitting on horseback, looked at the sedan chair in front of him and kept wondering what was going on that Emperor Chenghui suddenly called him into the palace.

There is no doubt that the matter is definitely not trivial.

He got off his horse outside the palace gate and walked for a while. Unknowingly, the eunuchs behind him had fallen behind by a long distance.

Qiu Shian slowed down his pace, not hurriedly, and whispered: "In this month, the old sun who is in front of the queen has to go to the palace of Concubine Yuan to inspect it every day."

Jia Lian paused, then quickly followed and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Eunuch Qiu!"

Qiu Shian smiled slightly at the irrelevant answer and quickened his pace.

Speaking of which, this behavior of giving benefits first and then collecting money is actually quite touching. However, this is Jia Lian, and he will not be moved by Qiu Shian at all. He thinks of it as a transaction.

Emperor Chenghui was still in the Qianqing Palace, reviewing memorials. Jia Lian came forward to greet him, but Emperor Chenghui just looked up and said, "Stand up, take a seat, I'll be ready soon."

It was said to be very fast, and it was really very fast. In just two minutes, the stool had just been moved in when Emperor Chenghui put down his pen and stood up.

Jia Lian naturally had no chance to sit down, so he took a step forward. Emperor Chenghui waved his hand and said, "Walk around the palace and stretch your muscles!"

Emperor Chenghui was in front, and Jia Lian followed silently, half a step behind.

After about three to five minutes, Emperor Chenghui stopped and said, "The Nine Gates Commander Ningyuan Hou has been dug up by others. I have received no less than fifty memorials. What do you think?"

Jia Lian hesitated for a moment before saying, "The cabinet doesn't have that much power, does it?"

Emperor Chenghui did not respond to this, and seemed to be talking to himself: "The Nine Gates Command is too important, you should take it!"

Jia Lian's heart was shaken violently, and he exclaimed: "Absolutely not!"

Emperor Chenghui looked over with a playful look in his eyes. Jia Lian added, "It is not appropriate to dismiss an important official of the court for a minor fault! Your Majesty has chosen the person. If you dismiss him, where is your majesty's authority? Besides, the Shenjiying is stationed in the capital. If there is any disturbance, I will be able to get the news in time."

Emperor Chenghui continued walking, and Jia Lian hurried to catch up. After walking for about another minute, Emperor Chenghui stopped and said, "You are quite confident."

"It's not that I have confidence, but after the two battles in Yunyang and Jining, I saw the huge advantage of the Shenji Battalion in equipment. If the battle starts in the city, the Shenji Battalion can fight any elite troops one against two without any problem. In the wild, one against five is also possible. Moreover, I plan to calm down and improve the field artillery and rifled guns in the future to further increase the equipment advantage."

Emperor Chenghui got the hint and stopped to ask, "You mean the Shenji Battalion's combat power is unique?"

Jia Lian nodded confidently: "A strong army is nothing more than equipment, training, and adequate pay. The Shenji Battalion is well-equipped and well-trained. After following me to fight two battles, their treatment is also the envy of other troops. Let's put it this way, except for Your Majesty, no one can mobilize the Shenji Battalion."

Emperor Chenghui suddenly asked: "You can't do it either?"

Jia Lian was well prepared and answered straightforwardly: "I can transfer him if I pretend to pass on the imperial decree!"

Emperor Chenghui couldn't help but smile after hearing this. He raised his hand and nodded at Jia Lian. Without saying anything else, he walked back to the table and waved at Jia Lian!
"come over!"

(End of this chapter)