Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 526 Borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha
"What's the matter?" Jia Cong asked.

"Recently, I went through the past files and found that many young women of unknown origins have been trafficked into various brothels in Beijing in recent years, among which the four famous brothels have the most.

Just because in the past years, due to the power behind the four families, successive admirals in Jinyi did not dare to delve into it and just pretended not to know.

I think that now that my guard is under the leadership of your Excellency, I have wiped away the decadence of the past. It is time for me to not be afraid of power, enforce the law impartially, report to the imperial court, and appease the people. Please show me. "

Jia Cong was secretly happy that Lao Zhou was still reliable, so he said angrily: "Is there something so unscrupulous at the feet of the Emperor?! Let me investigate thoroughly."

"I humbly obey my orders." Zhou Wei bowed.

Jia Cong nodded and said with a smile: "Old Zhou is upright and fulfills his duties. This governor is very pleased. You two can learn more about how to handle errands."

"I feel ashamed of my humble position." Everyone said hurriedly.

Zhou Weize said humbly: "Your Excellency, I have given you the reward. It is nothing more than my fault. I am ashamed of my humble position."

"By the way, that official Qi in Prince Zhongshun's palace...has there been any progress?" Jia Cong asked.

Wang Fei said hurriedly: "My lord, my humble position has secretly controlled a few people who are loyal and obedient to the palace. According to them, Qi Guan often goes to the palace of Beijing and is favored and rewarded from time to time."

"Huh? Is it good to dissolve it in water?" Jia Cong was a little surprised.

Wang Fei smiled obscenely and said: "In my humble position, I bribed two servants of the Beijing Prince's Palace. They said that Qi Guan was more charming than a woman on the couch, so he was very popular with the Prince of Beijing and often called him over." Mansion serves.”

Jia Cong couldn't help but laugh. He didn't expect that the young, elegant and suave King Beijing would be the king of both men and women.

I couldn't help but think a little deeper. Could it be that Shui Rong looked at Jia Baoyu in a different light because he was coveting Baoyu's "beauty"? This is not impossible. In terms of skin, Baoyu is not bad.

After sending a few people away, Jia Cong and Pang Chao went to the study room in the inner hall to discuss matters.

"Sir, we are both high-ranking members of the New Party. Why did your Majesty promote Ding Xian to fill the vacancy this time, but not my father-in-law? Is it that my father-in-law's merits are not great enough?" Jia Cong asked his doubts.

Pang Chao said with a smile: "This move just shows how much attention is paid to Master Lin. What's the pity for a mere second-grade minister?
As the saying goes, if you wait a long time for a good meal, if you don't rush, Mr. Lin will surely come from behind. "

Jia Cong felt relieved and said: "Why did Chun Weisheng ask the old party to take the exam now? Even if there is no one in the new party, it would be better to let Jiang Zhongtang take the exam."

Pang Chao twisted his beard and said with a smile: "If Chao's prediction is correct, I'm afraid this is a deliberate show of weakness by the New Party members, but it coincides with Chao's."

Jia Cong said suspiciously: "Sir, please clarify."

Pang Chao said: "I think this is the fault of the new party. All previous imperial examinations are great opportunities to recruit students and recruit talents. How can the old party let it go?

By then, if the new party gets hold of evidence that some old party officials took advantage of the national talent promotion ceremony to accept bribes and engage in malpractice for personal gain, it will be easy to bring down several old party officials. "

Jia Cong nodded slowly: "I think His Majesty also knew about it, so he acquiesced in this matter."

Pang Chao said: "That should be the case."

Jia Cong said: "Sir, you just said that the New Party coincides with you. Could it be that you also want to use Chunwei to make plans?"

Pang Chao said in a low voice: "That's exactly what I mean. Since the new party is willing to fight this battle, it's even better. Why don't we hide behind the scenes, act with the camera, and stir up this pool of spring water."

"Good advice, sir." Jia Cong praised without realizing it.
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In the blink of an eye, it was the sixth day of February, and Jia Cong received an invitation from Fatty Feng early that morning, inviting him and Zhongxin to go to the Baihua Tower to enjoy a flower appreciation party in the evening.

Ruyi was dressing up in the mirror and muttered: "How long has Fatty Feng been so generous?"

Jia Cong smiled and said: "It must be generosity to others. He holds the power of the household department, and there are many merchants who want to curry favor with him. I think someone invited him. As a favor, he came to invite me and your imperial uncle. "

Ruyi rolled her eyes at him and said, "What are you talking about? Isn't it your great uncle?"

Jia Cong chuckled and said proudly: "I have agreed with your imperial uncle that we should be brothers. In this way, I am two generations older than you. You are not allowed to be the same age as me in the future."

"Bah! Send out your spring and autumn dreams."

Ruyi blushed, feeling ashamed and angry. She rolled her eyes and sneered: "Today I will go to the palace and tell my mother that you are an elder, a generation higher than her and my father. Let me respect you from now on." Hold on to you, hum!"

Qingwen, Qianxue and the maids who were waiting nearby couldn't help covering their mouths and snickering.

Jia Cong was stunned, hurriedly gave in, and said with a smile: "Isn't this just a joke? How could you take it seriously? It's all Zhongxin's fault.

I have long told him that the etiquette of respecting elders and younger ones must not be messed up, and he insists on being my brother. He has a high title and seniority, what can I do to him? "

Ruyi snorted and ignored him, "You bastard, you still want to be my grandfather, you're obscene."

"Where do you redeem people and place them?" Ruyi pondered for a moment and asked.

Although she didn't care if Jia Cong had more women, it would be hard for her to live in the same house as a brothel prostitute because of her status as a princess, and it would make people laugh if word spread about it.

Jia Cong understood that she didn't want to let Ren Shu and others in, so he said, "Let's settle them in the Lai family's house first."

Ruyi nodded and stopped talking.

That night, Jia Cong and his people arrived at Baihua Tower on time. Fatty Feng's servants were already at the door, leading him in.

Tonight, Baihualou's business was particularly good. The four major businessmen in Shenjing gathered here to wait for the price. This gimmick was enough to attract all the wealthy businessmen in Beijing.

Moreover, Jia Cong has already known that tonight's auction is not only the red pills of the four famous houses, but also the first nights of more than a dozen famous courtesans from the four famous houses, to ensure that as many patrons as possible can gain something.

Even if you can't get the big four, you can enjoy a famous and famous courtier, which is a worthwhile trip.

Although the vast majority of people are not eligible to participate in on-site bidding, they can spend the first two days in the yard having fun and asking about the latest news, which is enough to entertain them.

Jia Cong went straight to the fourth courtyard and entered the octagonal pavilion where Lan Wei usually entertained guests. He saw that the first floor was already full of dozens of middle-aged wealthy people sitting with big bellies and rich robes.

There is a stage set up in the middle of the venue, and obviously everyone will be performing on the stage later.

Beside the railing on the second floor, a fat man saw Jia Cong coming in, waved and said with a smile: "Brother Xian, this is here." It was Feng Yuan.

Jia Cong raised his hand to say hello to him and went up to the second floor. When he saw the two fat guys there, he smiled and said, "You two came so early, can't you wait?"

The two of them smiled obscenely and said: "Such a grand event only happens once every few years, so how could we not come earlier. Unlike my brother, we have many beautiful women in our family who are of great splendor and beauty, so naturally we are not surprised."

Jia Cong smiled and exchanged greetings with the two of them. Suddenly, he heard a middle-aged man next to him bow and say: "Common people see you, Lord Marquis."

Jia Cong had already seen him, but he didn't recognize him and didn't say hello. Judging from his clothes and demeanor, he didn't look like an official.

"This is Mr. Qiao Yongqiao of Shanxi Merchant Guild Hall, today's proprietor.

I thought that you and I should share the blessings and the beauty, so I shamelessly asked Old Qiao to help me. Fortunately, Old Qiao was also a good friend, so I didn't take it personally. "Feng Yuan said with a smile.

Qiao Yongcheng raised his hands in fear and said, "Sir Feng's words are serious. If it weren't for Mr. Feng's golden face, how would ordinary people have the honor to look up at the noble faces of the princes and marquises? It is really a blessing in three lifetimes."

Jia Cong smiled slightly. He was truly worthy of being a businessman. His words were smooth and sophisticated, and he praised three people in one sentence.

Zhongxin nodded reservedly, which was very helpful.

Feng Yuandao: "Dear brother, do you know that the largest bank account in several northern provinces - Datong Bank is the property of the Qiao family."

Jia Cong was suddenly enlightened and said with a smile: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I exchanged money with you a few years ago before I became successful. It's fate that we meet today."

Qiao Yong was "surprised" and said, "Oh? The Marquis has actually patronized my account? It's such a blessing to be able to serve the Marquis."

Jia Cong said: "I heard from the stewards below that the Datong, Hengtong, Yutong, and Chengtong banks of your Shanxi merchants are all century-old brands with outstanding reputations, and the noble ones have the deepest heritage."

Qiao Yong bowed and said: "Thank you, Mr. Marquis, for your kindness. Compared with many of our friends, our company is not outstanding. After a hundred years of operation, it is nothing but 'suffering'. Therefore, new and old friends are willing to patronize our company."

"Suffering a loss? What do you mean?" Jia Cong asked.

Qiao Yong said: "My family has a saying, 'I don't know what a gentleman is, but he is willing to suffer losses in everything; I don't know what a villain is, but he is a villain who sees everything as a bargain.'"

Therefore, our ancestors have taught us that even if we are merchants and are not well-educated, it will be fine if we cannot understand the saint's subtle words and righteousness. As long as we are willing to suffer losses in everything, it will be fine. "

Jia Cong smiled and said, "This is a wonderful statement. Do you think it's true, Prince?" You two fat guys are scoundrels who want to take advantage of everything.

The two of them didn't think they were dissatisfied, they looked at each other and smiled shamelessly.

Feng Yuan smiled and said: "What Brother Qiao said is very good. As the saying goes, a gentleman can deceive others, but it is difficult to ignore them.

For example, Yuan is also ordinary. Sometimes he knows that there are certain funds that should not be allocated, and there are some things that should not be helped.

However, if you can't stand your friends' begging and can't bear their friends' embarrassment, you will act regardless of justice when your heart softens. In the end, you will always suffer the consequences. It is difficult to be a gentleman. "

Zhongxin said: "Look, I am Zuo Zongzheng, and I often help the poor people in my clan. When have I ever seen money coming back?"
Just think that they all have the same origin. After suffering so many losses, I think I am almost a gentleman. "

Qiao Yong said hurriedly: "It is because of sincere gentlemen like Wang Ye and Master Feng that the country can keep its seas, rivers and rivers clear, and the people can live and work in peace and contentment.

Isn't it exactly what the sage said, "A gentleman has nothing to do with the world, nothing to be wrong about, and it is only the comparison of righteousness"? "

Feng Yuan and Zhongxin felt like drinking fine wine after hearing this, and smiled happily: "Brother Qiao, you are wrong about the award. It is just for the sake of the country."

Jia Cong glared at the two shameless men angrily, not bothering to watch their performance, and said, "Go in and sit down and talk."

"Prince, Marquis, Lord Feng, please." Qiao Yong hurriedly led the three of them in.

As soon as he turned around, he saw a large group of people coming up, led by the eldest prince Sun Qiu, the sixth prince Sun Feng, and the seventh prince Sun Yan.

Followed by Qi Zheng, Xiong Lin and other noble descendants of Wuhou, there are also two middle-aged men in fine clothes, who look like Qiao Yong, obviously here to pay the bill.

Jia Cong paused slightly and glanced at everyone.

(End of this chapter)