Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 315 Aunt Xue's Thoughts

Jia Lian still admired Emperor Chenghui's political skills, but that was all. The foundation of all this was strength.

The emperor has the power to overturn the table, so his political skills can work.

Strength is the foundation of everything, and this principle applies everywhere.

This is like the relationship between a rabbit and a lighthouse. The aircraft carrier has been launched, dumplings have been cooked in pots one after another, the logs for destroying the aircraft carrier and the stealth planes are all there, the rabbit can no longer hide, so it gives up.

In the contest between the cabinet and the emperor, the cabinet is always at a disadvantage, unless the emperor is fooled. At that time, it is not a contest but manipulation.

Emperor Chenghui had a good sense of proportion and always stayed within the rules. While letting the cabinet take the blame, he also gave it enough respect.

Let's put it this way: the emperor controls through the cabinet, and the cabinet obtains power through the emperor's authorization, complementing each other. However, this is the tradition of literati. Since the time of Confucius and Mencius, there has been a habit of being a teacher to the king. They emphasize self-discipline and restoration of propriety, benevolence, righteousness, and morality, and that the people are more important than the king.

But anyway, Confucianism developed to the point where all its skills were in the mouth. This may be one of the reasons why the emperor was willing to use Confucianism.

After the cabinet officials began to follow the emperor's lead, the speed of policy implementation suddenly increased. Jia Lian, who had been watching closely, once again realized that the ancients should not be underestimated. The so-called budget system, after a draft is drawn up, the specific work is all led by the cabinet, and the ministries cooperate to complete it. The speed of implementation is very fast, ensuring that at the beginning of next year, all ministries and provinces will submit budgets to the cabinet for approval.

Did you see that, because there is no such organization as the Congress, the budget system brings greater benefits and power to the cabinet. As for the performance appraisal law, it is being revised in an orderly manner, and Jia Lian does not care about the situation. What he really cares about is promoting and encouraging industry and commerce to strengthen foreign trade. Now it seems that the emperor has not taken it to the cabinet for discussion, which makes Jia Lian a little regretful.

Jia Lian didn't say whether this matter was good or bad. After all, who knows how far the things released would grow. After all, this is China, and merchants have always had a low social status. But no matter how terrible this thing is, it is much better than the current Great Zhou, which continues unchanged.

From a macro perspective, the world has been changing, and so has this country. There is no such thing as remaining unchanged in the face of ever-changing circumstances.

From the perspective of the emperor, there is actually a principle of keeping constant in the face of change, that is, at all times, the lower-class people should be treated well. However, the emperor is too far away from the lower-class people, and he may not know how to treat them well. Even if he knows how to do it, he may not be able to implement it.

What does it mean? In layman's terms, if you are a peasant at the bottom of society, the emperor issued an edict exempting you from paying taxes for one year. Is that a good thing? Yes, it is a good thing. But you don't know. Because the officials concealed the matter, colluded with the local gentry, and continued to collect taxes. The money did not need to be paid to the national treasury, but was privately divided by the officials on the same line as the gentry, county magistrates, prefects, and even the governor.

This is what Jia Lian meant by advocating to rectify the Supervisory Office first! If this department is not working, how can we supervise the officials? Once the holders of power lose supervision, the consequences will be terrible.

The renewed enthusiasm for the cabinet supplement has overshadowed the previous enthusiasm for the performance evaluation law. In response, the cabinet seems to be very quiet. After all, it doesn't matter if this matter is a little hot, but it is not as dangerous as the performance evaluation law.

Even several people in the cabinet judged that the emperor should give up the plan to add cabinet members, and at most make a waiting list, and fill in the vacancies in the cabinet one by one. After all, Lin Ruhai, who had the highest voice, was still young, and Lin Ruhai did not show enthusiasm for cabinet additions. In contrast, Shangshu Wang, who had little chance, was the most enthusiastic one.

Immediately afterwards, Lin Ruhai, in the name of the Chief Censor, carried out a not-so-small overhaul of the supervisory system headed by the Inspectorate, which resulted in the departure of more than a dozen censors and the addition of a group of young officials.

As a result, the cabinet supplement plan has become even more popular. After all, there is no wall that is impenetrable, and there are many people waiting to watch the show.

The weather was getting hotter and hotter, and Jia Lian was not very enthusiastic about going to work. He also couldn't understand why the emperor in the Forbidden City could sit still and not go to the Mountain Resort.

For Jia Lian, summer is a mixture of sadness and joy.

After the gate to the courtyard was bolted, Wang Xifeng, wearing only a bellyband, circled around Jia Lian who was sitting on the recliner, leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Master, are you feeling well?"

With his eyes closed, enjoying the cool air escaping from the ice jar, Jia Lian reacted just by hearing the sound. But he was still stubborn: "It's hot, I don't want to move!"

Wang Xifeng bit her lip and glanced at them. Ping'er tactfully asked a few maids to follow her out and not to get in the way in the room.

The passive Jia Lian opened his eyes and looked at Wang Xifeng, who was addicted to being a good person, covering her face with her hands, which was a real-life version of the story of trying to cover one's ears and steal a bell.

Unfortunately, not long after, Jia Lian, who didn't want to sweat, returned to the active position, sweated a lot, and completed a big deal.

While she was wiping her sweat with a large towel in one hand, the curtain was lifted and Ping'er came in. She quickly glanced at the burden and came in with a copper basin. She soaked the towel in warm water, wrung it dry and used it to wipe the paralyzed Wang Xifeng on the recliner. Ping'er was already very experienced in this job.

There is often no natural breeze in the capital city in summer. After wiping the body, it is not like Jia Lian who went out to feed mosquitoes. Choose to lie on the bamboo bed with an ice basin underneath, comfortable!

Soon Wang Xifeng came over, not caring about the heat at all, and insisted on sleeping together. The child was being taken care of by a wet nurse, so she felt relieved.

Ping'er didn't know when she went out. The parents-in-law chatted with each other, mainly Wang Xifeng complaining. Sometimes she was complaining about Lady Jia, sometimes about Lady Wang, sometimes about Lady Xing. In short, it was obvious that Wang Xifeng was really arrogant now. Well, she was arrogant. She was working hard outside, wasn't it just for this family?

Jia Lian gets up at dawn in the morning and never slacks off on exercising. I have traveled through time and space, and I have to live a few more years. Can I waste a few more years with a good body?
Although neither of them has the same surname, they share the same ideas in some aspects.

After sweating a lot, I came back to take a warm shower. When I came back, Wang Xifeng had already gotten up and dressed elegantly. Although she looked arrogant and complained a lot at night, she still had to go to serve Lady Jia early.

This is the power of feudal ethics! Living in this era, you have to follow the rules. Of course, there are people who break the rules, but Wang Xifeng is definitely not one of them.

It is hard to say that it is a good thing for anyone to break away from the rules of this era.

Jia Lian held Wang Xifeng down at the table and said, "Have breakfast first, and then go. If they ask, tell them what I meant."

Wang Xifeng's eyes suddenly became misty and her eyes were full of tears. Jia Lian raised his hand and patted the fleshy part of her body with a snap: "If you don't want to be unable to go out later, don't look at me like that." Wang Xifeng twisted her waist and smiled secretly with satisfaction. After giving birth to a daughter, Wang Xifeng's sense of crisis increased, and her style became a little more unrestrained.

Jia Lian stayed in the Wucheng Military Department all day. Don't ask why. It's because the government is rich and has good benefits. If you don't believe me, take a look at the two ice basins in the office. Mr. Jia is sitting on a recliner. He is not wearing his official uniform. He is wearing only a sling bag. He has a book in front of him. He reads a page and drinks a sip of iced sour plum soup.

Jian Renda, who was sitting opposite, was reporting on his work: "According to your instructions, all the brothers below will take shifts. The morning and evening shifts will not exceed four hours a day, and the afternoon shift will be two hours. The brothers all say that it is a blessing to work with Lord Jia. Speaking of which, the Nine Gate Commanders are having a hard time, why don't you go and take a look?"

Jia Lian looked up at Jian Renda, his expression revealing nothing: "Don't worry about that. I'm just a figurehead and I can get a salary for free. By the way, is there any trouble with the tribute from below?"

The so-called "below" naturally refers to the gray organization within the jurisdiction. You have to pay ice in the summer and carbon in the winter. You can refuse to pay, but you will bear the consequences at your own risk.

Jia Lian knew that these were outdated practices, but what did they have to do with me? The Wucheng Bingmasi was a subordinate unit of the Inspectorate, so they received less funding and could not even have enough to eat without generating income.

"Alas, nowadays the playboys in the capital no longer mess around outside, and those who abide by the law have a hard time." Jian Renda was worried about the future funding.

In fact, Wucheng Bingmasi has many ways to make money. It is not a powerful department. It’s just that its direct leader is strong enough. Jian Renda is just greedy.

Jia Lian ignored his complaints. He just thought he was a bit idle, so he found something for him to do: "Send someone to call Ni Er!"

Ni Er has been in the east of the city recently, and the territory he has conquered here needs to be further consolidated. Relying on Jia Lian's influence, this guy has developed quite well, and no one dares to provoke him.

Upon learning that Jia Lian had summoned him, Ni Er rode a horse in the scorching sun. Jia Lian asked someone to bring him water and a towel so that he could wash himself and cool down before talking.

Ni Er was naturally very grateful. He quickly washed himself and came in dressed neatly: "Second Master, what do you want me to do?"

"What has that fake nun been doing recently? Also, have any arrangements been made for the family members in the south of the city in such hot weather?" These two questions were very thoughtful. Ni Er did not dare to think too much and answered directly.

"The fake nun lives in a mansion in East City. She doesn't go out or contact anyone on weekdays. Only an old maid and an old servant go out every day. Now there are brothers watching her every day. Don't worry, nothing will go wrong. I don't know how to arrange things in the south of the city. Please give me your instructions." Ni Er did not act on his own and just acted as a tool.

"It's hot, so let's do this for the fake nuns first, and we'll talk about it when it cools down. In the south of the city, we cook something different every day to cool down the heat, and let the families of the Shenji Battalion take it back to drink for free. Yes, put more sugar in it!"

Sweetness can increase happiness. Jia Lian can't openly win over the brothers of Shenjiying now, so he still has to do it secretly. You know, that is the closest armed force to Jia Lian! Work should be done in advance!
"I understand. I'll arrange it right away." Ni Er bowed and was about to leave. Jia Lian raised his hand and called out, "Do you have the money for the expenses?"

Ni Er replied respectfully: "The money collected from the east side of the city is one thousand taels a month. I pay half of it to the two concubines every month, and there is still five hundred taels left, which is enough for me."

Jia Lian thought he should not get involved in welfare matters, after all, Ni Er knew better how much should be given. But he still added: "During festivals, distribute some rice, flour and oil. Let everyone know that following Jia, you can have a good life." This kind of gray industry can only be handled by Ni Er.

Ni Er said goodbye and left, and Jia Lian returned to his paralyzed state. The weather was too hot and he couldn't muster the energy to do anything.

Just after a moment of silence, someone else came in. As the door opened, a wave of hot air rushed in. Jia Lian opened his eyes and took a look. It was Jia Rong, followed by Xue Pan.

It's been a while since I've seen these two together.

"Oh, Master Xue has come to the capital. I haven't seen him for a while." Jia Lian said in a sarcastic tone. Xue Pan, sweating profusely, came forward, bent his waist and smiled. "Brother Lian, what are you saying? I am a poor man running back and forth between Jinling and the capital. You don't like to make fun of me."

Jia Lian sat up, his tone much better: "You traveled such a long way in such hot weather, can't you come back in autumn when it's cooler?"

Xue Pan took off his outer clothes, sat down, and then held up the iced sour plum soup that was served by the pillar. After finishing a bowl in one breath, he wiped his mouth and said, "Two things. Affected by the Li Ni case, there were waves of things in the court. The Xue family was weak, and I didn't dare to move. As a result, the profit dividend of the Jinling branch was not distributed last year. Now everything is basically fine, and my mother has been urging me to go north."

Jia Lian listened to the first half, and when he saw him stop, he couldn't help asking, "What else?"

Xue Pan lowered his voice; "Although the imperial merchant issue has been secured, mother feels that it is not secure enough. Thinking that Baochai is not young anymore, she wants to bring her to Beijing to live for a while, so that she can be a candidate later."

Jia Lian noticed that Xue Pan had changed a lot and was worried about his sister's future. Although the Xue family is a royal merchant, merchants are merchants. They can marry into the Wang family because they need the financial resources of the Xue family. If they don't have a high social status, sometimes they can't get things done even if they give money. It's understandable that Aunt Xue wanted Baochai to enter the palace.

After all, these days, it is very dangerous for a businessman to be too rich and without a strong backer.

Seeing Xue Pan hesitated to speak, Jia Rong immediately said, "Zhu Zi, take me to wash."

Zhuzi quickly agreed and took Jia Rong to another room to familiarize himself with it.

Seeing Jia Rong, who was becoming more and more calm and had the demeanor of a great general, leave, Jia Lian felt quite emotional.

Xue Pan lowered his head again and said in an even lower voice, "I guess my mother had other ideas in bringing my sister to the capital. I'm afraid she wanted to marry Baoyu. She mentioned it before, but I stopped her. She's not giving up."

Well, in terms of interests, Xue Pan is closer to Jia Lian. Influenced by Jia Lian, he also looks down on Baoyu. Isn't this what Aunt Xue is thinking?

Jia Lian, who understood what he said, looked at Xue Pan speechlessly and said, "Don't stop us. Wait until my aunt comes to the capital and sees it with her own eyes. If you talk too much, she will be unhappy. There is no shortage of good families in the capital. You can take your time to find a marriage for your sister. You will always find someone better than what your aunt thinks."

(End of this chapter)