Brother Rong of Red Mansion

Chapter 31 If the sky were dark clouds and lightning

Who is Jia Zheng?

The original book first praised a lot of good things, such as "upright, humble and kind, good character, and quiet. He is polite and virtuous, helps the weak and helps those in need, and has a strong ancestral style."

Finally, he put the finishing touch on Jia Zheng's character shortcomings with an understatement of "The only thing that would be lost is pedantry." A metaphor for the reason why he failed in his struggle.

A simple "Taoist Mr." certainly cannot fully describe Jia Zheng.

Because the author has a "God's perspective" compassion for the characters in Jia's family.

Especially the "man who mends the sky" in Jia's family.

They fought but failed due to various practical reasons.

Mend the sky, mend the sky!
  If the entire sky covering the Jia Mansion is filled with dark clouds and lightning, no matter how we make up for it, how can we achieve peace and happiness?

This is the limitation of the feudal era.

******
  The souls from later generations are familiar with the story of Red Mansions and understand the essential reasons for the defeat of the Jia family. How can one be willing to be a pitiful and pathetic man who patches up the sky?

He may not be able to turn into a red sun that shines brightly and drives away all the dark clouds and darkness.

But he can work hard, hold his head high, and let out his roar of resistance to fate.

Maybe……

If you are lucky, a sharp sword will be condensed in the palm of your hand, tearing apart the dark clouds and lightning, seeing the long-lost sunshine, and getting a moment of warmth.

******
  However, the road of resistance always requires companions. A hero alone is too lonely. Human beings can only exert their greatest strength if they stick together.

However, throughout Jia's mansion, Jia Rong looked around and saw foul-smelling mosquitoes, flies and maggots everywhere. They lay on the rotting flesh, greedily sucking the blood, hoping to completely destroy the smelly carrion.

When an avalanche strikes, no snowflake is innocent. Everyone is an executioner.

Especially the people at the helm of the Jia Mansion held the steering wheel tightly and accelerated hard in the direction of the abyss.

Maybe occasionally there are a few sober people who see the dark fear brought about by the abyss. They let out one or more shrill screams, but they did not wake up the already crazy companions around them. Instead, they were regarded as "heretics", and they were judged from the moral high ground, and they were destroyed from soul to body and became fallen. The first "victim" before the abyss.

Now, Jia Rong meets the first "sober person" in the Jia family, who is also a pitiful and pathetic "man who mends the sky."

Jia Zheng's "sober" eyes made Jia Rong feel a little relieved. At least he's not like those who are already crazy and hopeless. Although he did not have the ability to wake up his companions and turn the car around, he could help Jia Rong hold the steering wheel and become one of the passengers in his car.

As for those crazy people.

Jia Rong didn't expect to wake them up, as long as they were not in the car.

******
  "Second Master, today my great-nephew won the first prize in the garden party of the Dongping County Prince's Palace. My grand-nephew promised to the buddies from each mansion that he would hold a banquet at the Taiping Tower in the evening. If the Second Master is free, please be sure to attend the banquet."

Although the Taiping Tower is a brothel, it was built by Emperor Taizu, the founding emperor of the People's Republic of China. Its original meaning is "to feast the officials and the world's scholars." Those who go to spend money are all dignitaries. Even Jia Zheng, no matter how "taoist" he is, has become accustomed to it and will not be too disgusted by it.

Therefore, Jia Rong dared to invite in public.

"Sir, if word of what happened in Qiongying Garden is spread today, if we don't keep it safe, family friends and relatives will come. There are no elders in the Jia family to support Uncle Xiao Rong, so I'm afraid this scene won't be sung."

Before Jia Zheng could say anything, the eyes of all the guests in the hall lit up and they became anxious.

Jia Rong is booking a table at Taipinglou. As "clients" of Rongguo Mansion, why can't they join in the fun and experience Taipinglou's top-notch service experience?
  Therefore, everyone persuaded Jia Zheng.

In fact, Jia Zheng also wanted to go.

He is a standard "literary official". Before becoming an official, "he was also a person who indulged in poetry and wine".

It's just that he can't bear to lose face, and now there are "kind words and hard advice" from the Qingke guests. Jia Zheng sighed helplessly, stroking his beard and said in a deep voice: "Forget it, I will go to the banquet to support Brother Rong."

As soon as this was said, the guests and hosts rejoiced.

Jia Zheng's eyes were bright, he was stroking his long beard, with a reserved and indifferent smile on his face.

All the Qing guests looked at each other with excitement in their eyes.

Jia Rong admired this scene and shook her head secretly. She disapproved of Jia Zheng's "fake Taoism", but she was also secretly wary of Zhan Guang, Shan Pinren, and Cheng Riching, a group of good friends.

"These guys are more likely to succeed than fail, so you have to be careful."

After the business was finished, Jia Rong didn't stay long, so he took the opportunity to say goodbye and exited Nuan Pavilion.

After Jia Zheng's visit, the main men from Ning and Rong's houses were almost done visiting. Jia Baoyu, Jia Huan and Jia Cong are too young. Although they are older, Jia Rong will not join in the fun. Just ask the maid to hand over Mang Duan and Da Hongzhuang Duan.

"On the contrary, the three aunts Jia Yingchun, Jia Tanchun and Jia Xichun should probably give a gift and not favor one over the other.

“Especially Aunt Xichun.

"She is Jia Jing's daughter, Jia Zhen's sister, and my biological aunt. But she has been raised in Rongguo Mansion since she was a child. Jia Jing and Jia Zhen don't care about it. According to Sister Lin's "The Burial of Flowers": Three hundred and sixty days a year, the wind, the sword, the frost and the sword are at odds with each other. The servants and servants in Jia's house are all arrogant and are accustomed to watching others order the dishes. The young lady who I don't care about will be here. Just think about it and you will know what kind of treatment they received in Rongguo Mansion.

"Fortunately I'm here!

"Now that Xichun is still young, she must feel the care from Ningguo Mansion. She cannot be allowed to develop a withdrawn and indifferent character like in the original work.

"After all, we are related by blood. Jia Jing and Jia Zhen don't recognize this daughter or sister. But I, Jia Lianhua, want to recognize this aunt.

“There are also Tanchun and Yingchun, which are probably the same situation.

“Especially Tanchun!

"This is another 'person who mends the sky' in Jia's family. Although the 'New Deal to Explore Spring' she initiated failed, it was amazing and left a deep impression on readers. Especially me...

"So, we cannot let the aunts feel cold. We must let them feel the love and care from their relatives."

At this moment, Jia Rong's eyes were clear, and the corners of her lips were smiling. As she turned back to Ningguo Mansion, she looked at the back house of Rongguo Mansion in the distance, and couldn't help but feel excited.

He is so filial!

******
  Returning to Ningguo Mansion, the sky gradually darkened.

Jia Rong walked into the prime minister's room in the main courtyard and found Lai Sheng, the manager of Ningguo Mansion, and discussed with him about giving gifts to Jia Jing, Taoist Zhang and Sanchun of Jia Mansion.

"Don't worry, sir. I've already told you everything. It's just a replacement gift, it's not a big deal."

Hearing that Jia Rong wanted to give a replacement gift to Jia Yingchun, Jia Tanchun and Jia Xichun, Lai Sheng agreed with a smile and said it was not a big deal.

After hearing this, Jia Rong secretly sighed at Lai Sheng's power.

I, the eldest son and heir of Ningguo Mansion, do not have such great power. You are a slave, so you can imagine how much gold and silver has flowed through your hands.

You have a right to take death!

But on the surface, Jia Rong smiled gratefully and said, "Grandpa Lai still loves me. With your full support, I can do things much more smoothly."

"Haha, it's just a servant's duty."

Lai Sheng said modestly.

"By the way, Grandpa Lai, I mentioned to you before that I would give a reward to the servants in the house. Did I tell you about this?"

"Explained."

Lai Sheng nodded with a smile and said: "I have notified the accountant and the bank to get up early tomorrow and send out an extra monthly report to the servants in the house. I, the general manager, will get ten taels of silver, the manager of the fourth room will get four taels, and the rest will be given to each other. The house steward gets two taels, the first-class girl gets one tael, the second-class girl gets one ounce of money, and the third-class maid gets half a ounce of money.

"The master's aunts and maids from each room will also receive a reward, and the stewards of each room will receive two taels of silver."

Jia Rong nodded secretly.

The "monthly regulations" system of Ning and Rongfu are "old regulations" passed down from ancestors.

The masters and slaves in the mansion were divided into seven levels. The upper five levels were given silver and copper coins, while the lower two levels, namely second-class girls and third-class girls, were given only copper coins.

For example, plum fragrance and spring peach.

A first-class girl and a second-class girl. Chuntao's monthly salary is one string of copper coins. The monthly value of Meixiang is one tael of silver. There is an exchange rate between silver and copper coins. Sometimes one tael of silver is only worth 800 cash. Doesn't it mean that a first-class girl is not as good as a second-class girl? In fact, when the Ning and Rong governments distributed it, they gave out one tael of silver plus half a pound of money. Far more than Chuntao, equivalent to twice her size.

Another example is Jia Rong. He is the master of Ningguo Mansion and the eldest son. Distributed according to the highest standard, the monthly rate is twenty taels. The actual payment is twenty taels of silver plus ten coins. In fact, it is equivalent to the value of thirty taels.

"Grandpa Lai did everything right."

Jia Rong smiled and praised, and just as he was about to say something flattering, he saw a young boy running quickly, with an eager look on his face, and said briefly:

"Uncle, the manager, the master is out."

In an instant, Jia Rong and Lai Sheng looked solemn, walked out of the prime minister's room quickly, and walked towards the second door.

(End of this chapter)