Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

As soon as Jia Cong returned home with Ruyi, he heard that Wang Cai was reported.

"Master Marquis, the craftsman has arrived with the drawings for the reconstruction of Caifeng Garden. He is waiting. The second wife is reviewing the drawings inside."

The servants in the house used to call Ruyi the princess, Baochai the second wife, Daiyu the third wife, and the others as aunts.

Jia Cong didn't care about these matters and left them to Baochai to deal with. He asked casually: "Where are the craftsmen from and how are they? Are they hired by the Ministry of Works?"

Because of Jia Zheng's relationship, the Jia family is quite familiar with the craftsmen named in the Ministry of Industry.

"As for me, it was Mr. Yamanoko who presided over the construction of the Provincial Courtyard for our family last year, and he was also under the Ministry of Industry's Construction and Cleaning Department.

He often helped the dignitaries in the capital to build their houses and gardens. He was a master of this art. Together with Zhu Shisou, Quan Linke and Qingshan Weng, he was also known as the Four Great Craftsmen of Beijing. "Wangcai said.

Jia Cong nodded, went to the outer study with Ruyi, and invited Baochai and Daiyu to come.

Not long after, Baochai and his wife came over with drawings, laid them out on the big case, and explained them to Jia Cong.

"Cong'er, Ruyi, you see, this is the original picture of Caifeng Garden, which is slightly larger than the Grand View Garden, and the new picture has been expanded on the original site, and is four and a half miles in size.

According to the needs of the business, many more pavilions and pavilions were added. The layout is exquisite and elegant, and the situation is harmonious. There is no trace of craftsmanship and tackiness. It is worthy of the hand of a master craftsman. "

Baochai pointed at the picture with her slender jade finger, which attracted Jia Cong's eyes. He had no intention of looking at the picture.

Daiyu smiled and said: "Brother Cong, do you think it's Sister Bao's hands that look better, or her pictures?"

Baochai said angrily: "We are talking about serious business, why are you so rude?"

Jia Cong reached out to grab Baochai's hand, but she nimbly dodged it and said with a smile: "Sister Bao's hands are naturally ingenious. No matter how good this picture is, it is man-made. How can it be compared with nature."

All the girls laughed and spat at him.

Jia Cong said: "Call Shan Yezi and let him say that I can't understand this picture."

Ying'er hurriedly went to send a message to someone.

After a while, Wangcai came over with an old man.

"The common people pay homage to the Marquis, Her Royal Highness the Princess and all the ladies." Yamanoko kowtowed respectfully.

"No courtesy. Please come and tell me about this map, old gentleman." Jia Cong pointed to the planning map in front of him.

"Yes." Shan Yezi stood up, stood in front of the case, and said, "Master Marquis, please take a look. This picture is based on the Caifeng Garden and is slightly expanded.

Because the Caifeng Garden was carefully surveyed by the grassroots, this garden is perfect for enjoying nature, but it is a bit cramped if it is used as a place for a large number of people to purchase goods. Therefore, I boldly made four major changes. "

"Oh? What change?"

"First, there is a large open space inside the gate, with many spacious reed sheds for guests to get on and off, and lift and lift sedans. It can be used regardless of rain, snow or shine."

"Good." Jia Cong nodded, parking lot, this is a must.

"Second, expand and add pavilions and pavilions, and remove unnecessary antiques and furnishings to make the layout comfortable and convenient for the placement of goods and the passage of people."

"good."

"Third, use the open space in the garden to set up a colorful shed with flowers and trees to place large objects that are difficult to accommodate indoors or set up a few chairs for taking a nap, or as a place for children to play."

"Okay, that's exactly what I mean." Jia Cong smiled: "The easiest way to keep women is to keep their children."

Ruyi and the other three gave him a blank look, profiteer.

"Fourth, based on the park's own style, build verandas and plank roads to connect various places, so that it can be extended in all directions, the flow of people can be smoothed, and business can be done regardless of rain, snow, or heat."

"Good." Jia Cong nodded: "Sir, you are indeed ingenious and your ideas are very clever. Let's just do it like this. How long will it take?"

"If all the materials are available and the surrounding land is purchased in time, the project can be completed within three months," Yamanoko said.

"It's so simple. I will send someone to say hello to Dou Xiu, the right minister of the Ministry of Works. For any materials that are missing, just buy them from the Ministry of Works first and use them;

As for the land needed for expansion, it will be handed over to you as soon as possible, and you can start construction in the park. "

Dou Xiu is a member of the New Party. Now he and the New Party are in the honeymoon period. These relationships are not needed at this time and will become invalid upon expiration.

"In this way, the grassroots people will be eighty percent sure."

"Well, let's go. Just go to Uncle Guo's house to get the money you need. Don't save money for Uncle Guo. Everything should be beautiful and practical." Jia Cong said with a smile.

"Yes, the grassroots are resigning."

After sending Shan Yezi away, Jia Cong asked Baochai: "Sister Baochai, how much goods have you prepared now?"

Baochai smiled and said: "Now the workshops under the name of Feng and Guojiu are in full production. The craftsmen in each workshop have just figured out the way, but they are worried about spoiling things, so they are experimenting while groping, and they don't have much stock yet." ”

Jia Cong nodded and said: "That's it. Yan'er, before you open the business, pick up some good ones and give them to your mother to show your filial piety."

Ruyi rolled her eyes at him and said, "What are you planning?" Jia Cong smiled and said, "I have calculated the days. Our business should be able to open after the Dragon Boat Festival, and every year during the Dragon Boat Festival, the Queen Mother will entertain hundreds of people in the palace. According to the official decree, wouldn’t it be better to ask the queen to advertise at that time?”

"What do you mean by advertising?" The three women were puzzled.

"Just advertise it widely and act as a shill." Jia Cong said with a smile.

"Bah, you are going to die if you let your mother act as a sitter for you. It would be strange if your mother didn't scold me." Ruyi spat.

Both Bao and Dai pursed their lips and smiled.

Jia Cong said hurriedly: "Our business is not to let my mother deceive people. If my mother feels bad after trying it, we can drop this proposal.

What's more, Chen Guojiu is involved in this matter. I don't think my mother will refuse, hehe. "

Ruyi thought for a moment, rolled her eyes at him, and said, "Then I'll give it a try."

With the Queen's endorsement, I think those wealthy ladies and ladies from famous families will feel confident and bold in spending.
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These days, people from all over the country are gradually gathering in the capital.

Countless fellow disciples, classmates, fellow villagers, and scholars in the capital all call for friends, or gather for banquets to have fun, criticize the evils of the times, and criticize the powerful;
Or visit the sitting master, room master, etc., become familiar with each other, and form a good relationship;

There are also those who are opportunistic and want to take shortcuts. They are defrauded by brokers in Beijing with fake questions. They are also complacent, thinking that they will definitely succeed in this subject.

On this day, Jia Cong was at home discussing the Spring Festival with Pang Chao. Suddenly he heard Lin Ruhai sending someone to invite him to a banquet, and he took Daiyu with him.

At the gate of Lin Mansion, Lin Ruhai's old housekeeper Lin Nan followed the two of them and led them into the inner hall.

Lin Ruhai came out and greeted them with a smile.

Jia Cong said with a smile: "My father-in-law summoned me at once. Isn't it as simple as having a drink?"

Lin Ruhai pointed at him and said with a smile: "You really have a lot of tricks up your sleeve, I can't hide anything from you."

Daiyu rolled her eyes at Jia Cong, took Lin Ruhai's arm and said, "How is dad these days?"

"Okay, since the last time I saw Mr. Ye, I haven't been sick again. Yu'er, how is your eating and drinking spirit when you come in?"

Daiyu smiled and said hello. Like Lin Ruhai, her chronic illnesses were cured after meeting a miracle doctor.

Lin Ruhai clapped her hand happily and said, "Go in and talk."

The three of them entered the inner hall and took their seats. Shuiyue ordered someone to serve tea.

Lin Ruhai smiled and said: "Brother Cong, spring is coming soon. You can order the Jin Yiwei to keep an eye on it and beware of anyone engaging in malpractice for personal gain and disrupting the country's rules for recruiting talents."

Jia Cong's heart moved and he asked, "Father-in-law, does he have any clues?"

Lin Ruhai smiled and said: "There are no clues, but if there is any fraud in the imperial examination, the examination officials will definitely be involved. This is common sense. Maybe we can start from here to point out his illness."

Jia Cong nodded and said, "What my father-in-law said is absolutely true. Cong will send people to keep an eye on it."

Seeing that he wasn't too interested, Lin Ruhai added: "Brother Cong, this is what Huo and Dong also mean. If you can find out the imperial examination worms for the country, it will be a great achievement."

Sure enough, the New Party had already planned it, Jia Cong secretly thought.

Because he said: "Don't worry, father-in-law, Cong will do his best to prevent any treacherous and lawless people from disrupting the national talent promotion ceremony."

Lin Ruhai nodded and smiled: "As long as you understand, if this matter is handled well, it will be of great benefit to you."

Jia Cong probed: "What are the benefits? Can my father-in-law tell me clearly?"

Lin Ruhai said in a low voice: "Almost all the chief examiners and fellow examiners of this subject are from the old party. Take them down and replace them with people from the new party. Based on your relationship with Huo Dong and the other two in the court, won't you be in trouble in the court in the future?" It’s much more stable. If someone joins you again, there will be more people speaking for you.”

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I will take care of this at this time."

But he was a little dissatisfied in his heart. According to Mr. Pang, if the old party was really defeated, the new party might not be polite to him, unless he was willing to be a grandson and be driven by the new party.

After talking for a long time, Jia Cong said with a smile: "Mr. Pang said that the emperor did not place my father-in-law in the vacancy this time because he had other intentions. Cong congratulated my father-in-law in advance on his promotion."

Lin Ruhai waved his hand and said with a smile: "It's too early to say this. Don't presume on the holy will. Besides, it doesn't matter what official you are. If you work for your position, you will contribute to the country."

"My father-in-law is so upright and upright, Cong admires him."

Weng and son-in-law talked for a long time. After dinner, Jia Cong and Daiyu left.

As soon as I got home, before I even got off my horse, I heard the doorman announcing that the old lady was inviting me.

"What's the matter?"

"Back to the Marquis, the messenger from Xifu did not say anything. He only said that the old lady asked the Marquis to come over."

Seeing that Jia Cong was a little impatient, Daiyu opened the curtain slightly and said with a smile: "Brother Cong, let's go to the old lady's place and have a naughty time. I miss Yun'er and the others a little."

"Forget it, go to Xifu." Jia Cong nodded. Daiyu had already spoken, so there was nothing else he could do. (End of chapter)