Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 149 Unparalleled Achievements
  Inside the palace, there is the Yangxin Hall.

At this time, the hall was full of laughter and laughter. For those who didn’t know, they might have thought they were in some teahouse or wine house.

Emperor Xifeng was always solemn and solemn when meeting his ministers, keeping his emotions and anger hidden in order to maintain his aloof imperial demeanor. Today I couldn't help it, so I laughed heartily with a few cabinet scholars, and it was an unprecedented time to "have fun with the people."

Huo Peng, the Grand Scholar of Tiren Pavilion, said with a smile: "Brother Ruhai did not make a sound in Yangzhou City and created such a huge battle without saying hello beforehand. It is really a blockbuster without even making a sound."

Dong Yi, a scholar of Dongge University, laughed and said: "Brother Ruhai cuts through the mess quickly and decides on such a big matter on his own. Obviously he doesn't want to argue endlessly in court and miss the opportunity, so he puts his own honor and disgrace at risk. He is really a national scholar!" "

These two people are both ministers of the current Qiandi, and they have always been on good terms with Lin Ruhai, so they naturally want to speak for themselves.

Emperor Xifeng smiled slightly, twitched his beard and nodded, paying more attention to Lin Ruhai.

Several other bachelors laughed with them, but felt a little bitter in their hearts. They were veterans promoted by the Supreme Emperor, and they were not trusted by the Emperor. Now that Lin Ruhai had suddenly accomplished such a world-famous feat, it became even more embarrassing. It was not a compliment, after all, everyone was in a different camp; It's not derogatory, after all, this is real money.

Song Rui, a scholar of Wuying Palace, said: "Your Majesty, although Mr. Lin used clever tricks to obtain a large sum of money and solved the urgent needs of the court, there is quite a discussion among the court and the public, saying that he has tampered with the salt law of the Supreme Emperor and is unfaithful and unfilial; and that he is not loyal and filial. The imperial salt class is like private property, and it is really bold and reckless to distribute millions of taels of silver to various yamen without authorization or keep it for private use."

Su Haochu, the scholar of Wenhua Palace, nodded and said: "For such important government affairs, Mr. Lin acted arbitrarily without reporting to His Majesty and the Military Aircraft Department. Although the results are good, if in the future the provincial frontier officials and the important officials of the imperial court follow suit, , then where is the central authority’s authority? Wouldn’t the world be in chaos?”

These two people are the banners of the old party, and they must suppress Lin Ruhai no matter what. Otherwise, if the new party's power rises, the old party will have no place to stand.

Emperor Xifeng said with a smile: "Everyone has their own truths in what you Aiqing said. There are still shortcomings in heaven and earth, so nothing in the world can be perfect. Now that Lin Aiqing has received such a large amount of salt, the land of the two Huaihe Rivers is also stable as before, and it is really the treasure of the country. Fortunately. Master Aiqing, Jiang Aiqing, what do you think?"

Seeing that the emperor has set the tone, if they are still ignorant, they will not be able to sit in the position of bachelor in the cabinet.

Jiang Feng, a scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion, said with a smile: "I think that Mr. Lin has made extraordinary achievements this time and should be rewarded for his good deeds. Even if he has minor faults, his faults cannot be concealed."

Although Shi Zhize, the Grand Bachelor of Baohe Palace and the First Assistant Minister, is already in his seventies, his body is very strong, his eyes seem to be closed and not closed, and his brilliance flashes from time to time, showing that his intellectual thinking level has not been affected by old age. decline.

I only heard him speak slowly: "Your Majesty, I think that Lin Yanyuan's astonishing feats and the massive financial resources he brought in are really a great contribution to the imperial court, and no reward can be exaggerated. However, this trend cannot last forever, and this example cannot be tolerated. Open it, otherwise it will eventually cause a catastrophic disaster, and I’m afraid no amount of money will be able to fill it up by then."

People from the old party hurriedly echoed

"Mr. Chunyu, what you said is wrong. I heard you say every day that the government was difficult. Money was needed to build rivers, to provide relief to the victims, to provide food and salaries for the nine sides, to pay the salaries of the officials in the capital, to pacify the chieftains and fight chaos. Money was needed everywhere. Money, but the Ministry of Household Affairs can't come up with any money.

Now Mr. Lin has brought you gold, mountains and silver in one go in Yangzhou, which is a sin. Jiang Zhongtang, you are in charge of the household department, and you can tell whether Mr. Lin has merit or demerit. "

Huo Peng was in his forties, when he was in the prime of life and full of energy. In addition, he had always had a hot temper and was a favorite minister of the emperor. How could he take the waning chief minister seriously. We all have different ways and do not work together.

Jiang Feng is an old man who always talks about the golden mean. He smiled and said: "In my humble opinion, if all the officials in the world are as capable as Mr. Lin, how can the imperial court suffer from a shortage of money? I'm afraid it will also affect everyone's lives." We can also expect wages to rise again.”

Everyone laughed when they heard this.

Emperor Xifeng also smiled and shook his head, saying: "Well, this matter is a good thing after all. It is planned that when the 12000 million taels of salt are shipped from Yangzhou, all the matters that have been accumulated by various ministries over the years will be handled due to lack of silver. Anything that has not been done will be reported to the Military Aircraft Department. Dear ladies, please draft a charter and I will go ahead after reading it.

As for Lin Aiqing, if you can't hide your faults, and if you have great achievements, you won't reward them. Isn't it because I don't know the rewards and punishments? He was given the title of Guanglu doctor and a goldfish bag.

Another edict was drafted, instructing all provincial frontiers and important ministers that all important matters must be reported and implemented before they are approved. Anyone who makes an expert opinion and makes a mistake will be severely punished. If you encounter urgent matters and fail to report the request, I will not sin if you act expediently and prudently out of a public spirit. "

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty," everyone hurriedly bowed and saluted. Lin Ruhai secretly thought that he had gained something this time. The current Salt Patrol Censor was only a seventh-rank official, and although Doctor Guanglu was a sinecure, he had the honor of being a first-rank official.

His Majesty is obviously hinting that after returning to Beijing, he will never be lower than a first-rank official. To put it bluntly, he will start in the ministry, and it is even possible to directly enter the cabinet.

"Go." Emperor Xifeng waved his hand and returned to Changchun Palace to discuss the matter with the queen. This was his habit before he ascended the throne. Whenever there is a major matter, he must listen to the queen's opinion. "Did your Majesty find a treasure today?" Queen Chen said with a smile.

Emperor Xifeng smiled and said, "The queen knows me well."

Immediately, he recounted the major events Lin Ruhai had done in Yangzhou, and then said: "Lin Aiqing's secret book made it clear that this matter is actually because Jia Cong, a young man with a bright mind, came up with this wonderful method and worked in many ways to achieve it. Regarding this matter, I still don’t know how to reward this boy, does the Queen have any ideas?”

Empress Chen smiled and said: "I see what your Majesty wants, but I must focus on cultivating this 'Zilong'."

Emperor Xifeng smiled and said: "Zi Long, it's just a joke for a moment. Jia Cong is a talented guy with a flexible mind and a good family background. If he loyal to me in a down-to-earth manner, he will definitely achieve more than Zhao Yun in the future."

Empress Chen nodded and said: "That's right. Now that he is still young, it is not easy to reward him directly, lest he do more than he can do. It is not a good thing for people like Gan Luo to get rich too early."

"What the Queen said makes sense." Emperor Xifeng nodded.

"In my humble opinion, the eldest daughter of the Rongguo Mansion, Jia Yuanchun, is now a noble in the palace. Why not be kind to her? It will not only show His Majesty's favor but also not draw attention to others. Wouldn't it be inconvenient?" Queen Chen said.

Emperor Xifeng pondered for a moment and nodded.

"Moreover, Mr. Jia has always been virtuous and knowledgeable about etiquette, gentle in nature, and good at poetry. It would be better to make an exception and be selected as the minister of Fengzao Palace, and to be given the title of virtuous concubine." Empress Chen said.

"Good. That's it. Let's go to Jia Mansion to convey the order." Emperor Xifeng said with a smile.

"I obey the decree and thank Your Majesty for your kindness on behalf of Concubine Yuan's sister." Empress Chen bowed her head Yingying.

After Emperor Xifeng left, Empress Chen thought about it carefully and said, "Xiao Anzi, please send me your wishes."

An Wenyao, the chief eunuch of Changchun Palace, hurriedly responded.

Not a moment later, Princess Ruyi arrived. Now she is not even old enough to have hairpins, and she lives in the palace. She comes as soon as the news comes, and she will leave the palace to live in the princess' mansion after the New Year.

According to the regulations of the country, Princess Ji will be given a mansion alone.

"Greetings to the Queen Mother, what are your instructions to the Queen Mother?" Princess Ruyi smiled and saluted.

Empress Chen took her hand, sat on the Kang, and said with a smile: "Ruyi, do you know that this kid Jia Cong has made great contributions in Yangzhou again? His Majesty doesn't want to reward him, so he is kind to his eldest sister and speaks easily." I want to send Xiao Anzi to deliver the message.

The queen mother wants to send you to go with me to visit the old lady Rongguo on my behalf and thank her for raising a good child for the court. Are you willing to go? "

Princess Ruyi jumped three feet high and said: "I wish to go, my child. I wish to go."

Empress Chen smiled and said: "Let's make an agreement first. Now that Jia Cong has returned to Beijing, you are not allowed to mess around and you are not allowed to treat Mrs. Rongguo lightly."

"Don't worry, Queen, Ruyi will definitely fulfill her mission." Princess Ruyi's big dark eyes rolled around and she said softly.

As if she was afraid that the queen would change her mind, she pouted and urged: "Manager An, hurry up, the sun is going down."

An Wenyao looked at the sun, which was not yet past noon, and saluted with a wry smile: "Your Highness, please wait a moment, and we will leave now."

(End of this chapter)