Red Mansion Taoist

Chapter 132 He Kun
"Brother Xi, we meet again!" Jia Qiang walked into the pavilion and saw Xi Jinge who was talking to someone, and walked forward with a smile.

The scenery of this pavilion is excellent. Wenfeng Pagoda can be seen not far away, and the pond next to it is full of lotus flowers, hence the name Lotus Pond.

Wenfeng Pagoda is a pen in Yangzhou, and the lotus pond is an inkstone. This is the favorite gathering place for literati.

Today, Jia Qiang was invited by Xi Jinge. Because he was selected as a candidate for the imperial examination, his original friends did not interact with him very much.

We can't blame Jia Qiang and those old friends, but after he won the election, his status in the eyes of others was very different. Those old friends would also feel restrained when they saw him, and they would stop communicating with each other.

Of course, there are also the influence of some rumors from his time in Jinling, especially the fact that the guard eunuch Hui Le, the governor of Jinling, and the Zhen family of Jiangnan came to the dock to see him off in person. These news greatly improved his status in Yangzhou.

When friends get along, if the status difference is too big, they will no longer be able to communicate on an equal footing, especially in this hierarchical world.

"Brother Jia, come and sit down!" Xi Jinge stood up with a smile to greet him and gave up the first place.

"Brother Xi, you're welcome. If you are the master, just sit down!" Jia Qiang smiled and sat down and said.

Xi Jinge didn't insist. This was just a small private gathering, and no serious etiquette was required.

"He Kun's father died of illness, and his business was targeted by many forces. Now he wants to find someone to rely on.

"Thirty percent is a lot. Since you want to take refuge in me, you must know my requirements, which is not to betray!" Jia Qiang said with a smile.

Jia Qiang took over the documents, which were the documents for the transfer of 30% of the He family's property, as well as the previously agreed upon deed.

Otherwise, we can say that the Salt Patrol Censor is a fat man. If he misses a little bit at random, ordinary merchants can make a fortune.

Once the deed is written, it cannot be broken until Jia Qiang loses power. This means that almost all the He family's property is bet on Jia Qiang.

But since He's father died of illness, others saw that He Kun was the only one left in the He family, and they wanted to invade the He family's business.

"He Kun, how do you want me to help you? What can you give me?" Jia Qiang looked at He Kun and asked lightly.

He Kun's He family has only one son. After his father died of illness, he had to take over the He family's salt business.

"Who is this?" Jia Qiang asked curiously.

He knows that Lin Ruhai will not be in office for long, so it is not a big deal to give some salt to the He family this year. This is an operation within Lin Ruhai's authority.

Jia Qiang looked at the young man aside. He looked to be in his twenties, with fair skin, slightly fat, and a friendly smile on his face.

The He family can get a small portion of the salt allocated every year, but relying on this small portion is enough for the He family to make a considerable profit.

It's not that you can't bring friends, but the friends you bring must at least be scholars. It doesn't matter if you bring a salt merchant.

"I am willing to write a deed. If you commit betrayal, you can take away all the He family's property!" He Kun said without any hesitation.

Jia Qiang is Lin Ruhai's disciple and son-in-law. This identity can ensure that the Yanyun Envoy Yamen will side with He Kun.

The reason why He Kun did this was because he was desperate.

As Xi Jinge narrated, Jia Qiang got to know He Kun better and better.

In addition, according to the news from Jinling, Jia Qiang's identity in the capital is also extremely complicated.

This share of salt is the source of covetation.

"Master Jia, I am willing to give up 30% of the He family, just to get your protection!" He Kun did not elaborate on the request, but simply said.

For the next time, He Kun acted as a boy, serving Jia Qiang and Xi Jinge.

"Brother Jia is invited here this time not only because of the friendship of the same age, but also because of the affairs of He Kun's family!" Xi Jinge did not beat around the bush, he said directly.

"Thank you so much, Brother Jia!" Xi Jinge thought that Jia Qiang agreed to do this for his own sake, so he clasped his fists and thanked him.

Xi Jinge closed his mouth and said nothing. He was just an introduction. He couldn't say anything more, which would arouse Jia Qiang's resentment.

"He Kun, after you think about it, write the deed. As for those who cause trouble for you, I will ask the Yanyun Envoy Yamen to send someone there!" Jia Qiang said lightly.

Jia Qiang was also thinking in her mind that this was not a way out. Although she could not win over the big salt merchants for Emperor Jingwen and controlled the medium-sized salt merchants He's family, it could bring some stable income to Emperor Jingwen.

I was saved by He Kun when I was young, so I thought of Brother Jia for him. "Xi Jinge explained.

Even with Xi Jinge's help, it is impossible for the Xi family to offend so many forces for the sake of the He family. Xi Jinge is not the head of the Xi family and cannot make a final decision.

On the other hand, He Kun inquired about Jia Qiang's situation, especially what happened in Jinling. This was what prompted him to make up his mind.

And if he wants to find a more suitable partner than Jia Qiang, he has to go to the capital to find someone. Regardless of whether the small He family can be noticed by others, even if they are chosen, they will most likely be eaten dry and wiped out. .

The He family is a medium-sized salt merchant with its own salt transport ship and mature routes and channels.

He didn't intend to explain his thoughts to He Kun, it was just an idea.

"It's just some small things!" Jia Qiang didn't know how to explain, so she replied with a smile.

"This is He Kun. His family runs the salt industry!" Xi Jinge introduced.

After searching all over Yangzhou, He Kun couldn't find a better person to seek refuge with.

"What's going on at He Kun's house?" Jia Qiang asked patiently.

Jia Qiang was puzzled, Xi Jinge was not a confused person, how could he bring outsiders to participate in a private gathering.

He couldn't help but look at He Kun again. This He Kun was not simple. He had prepared everything in advance. If this ability was used well, maybe the He family's business would be more prosperous.

"Mr. Jia, please check it!" He Kun was prepared. He took out two documents and handed them over.

In addition, Jia Qiang won the election at a young age and became an Asian player. She is extremely influential now and has an unlimited future.

"Very good, I can tell you about this year's salt quota!" Jia Qiang put away the two documents and said with a smile.

It was not until late that Xi Jinge and Jia Qiang parted ways. He Kun did not leave Jia Qiang, but followed him.

"He Kun, do you know some secrets about the eight major salt merchants?" Jia Qiang suddenly asked when no one else was present.

"Master Jia wants to deal with the eight major salt merchants? Does he have a target?" He Kun was startled at first, and then asked.

"There is no target. The eight major salt merchants have settled the old cases and become completely honest. I can't even try to hurt them, so I asked you!" Jia Qiang explained.

He Kun was shocked. The eight major salt merchants suddenly paid a huge price to solve some of their old cases. It turned out that Jia Qiang was responsible.

"In fact, the eight major salt merchants, or even all salt merchants, have secrets, just like private salt. Each salt merchant will use Yan Yin as a guise to transport private salt. As long as the amount is not too different from Yan Yin, some joints can be opened. You can now sell private salt.

However, even if such a thing is caught, someone from the salt merchant will come forward to take the blame, which will not touch the root of the salt merchant at all! "He Kun seemed to have forgotten that he was also a salt merchant and explained to Jia Qiang.

"You help me keep an eye on it. If I can find any evidence of crime from any big salt dealer, I will give you the corresponding share of the salt quota at my discretion!" Jia Qiang promised lightly.

"Listen to the master's instructions!" He Kun bowed and agreed. Jia Qiang waved her hand, and He Kun stooped and left.

He Kun got on his carriage. He poured a cup of tea and drank it while thinking.

He has been doing business with his father since he was a child, which makes his mind extremely active.

When he heard that Jia Qiang was inquiring about the eight major salt merchants, he felt something was wrong.

The eight major salt merchants in Jia Qiang's tone were as insignificant as ordinary people.

But in fact, in Yangzhou, even in the entire Jiangnan, and in Daqian territory, the eight major salt merchants have great influence.

Jia Qiang's condescending tone made He Kun think of a possibility.

The legend of the imperial envoy has been circulating in Yangzhou City, but no one has seen it.

Considering that Jia Qiang is from the capital, and the rumors in Jinling, it all proves that Jia Qiang is most likely the imperial envoy in the rumors.

The reason why no one took this into consideration was Jia Qiang's age. However, Jia Qiang passed the exam at the age of fifteen, so other things that happened to her would be excused.

The more he thought about it, the bigger He Kun's eyes became, and the joy on his face could not be concealed.

Maybe the He family really has a big hand, and the opportunity to make the He family brilliant is right in front of them.

Jia Qiang returned to Lin Mansion, and he faintly heard the sound of the piano.

Following the direction of the sound of the piano, he came to the garden, and he saw Yun Fei in the pavilion.

Yunfei was playing the guqin. He remembered that Yunfei had brought the guqin herself, and a stick of sandalwood was burning next to it.

Jia Qiang did not disturb Yun Fei playing the piano. He stood quietly outside the pavilion, listening to the melodious music of the piano in his ears, and the 'Taixu Jing' in his body started to operate inadvertently.

This was the first time he practiced the 'Taixu Sutra' outdoors without protection. Amidst the sound of the piano, his magic power was extremely active.

After a piece of music ended, Yunfei wiped the guqin carefully with a silk scarf. When she looked up, she saw Jia Qiang.

She was about to speak, but found that something was wrong with Jia Qiang's state.

She knew that Jia Qiang had practiced the art of general cultivation. She had heard that she felt something in her heart and had an epiphany.

She guessed that it was the sound of her piano that caused Jia Qiang's state. She no longer hesitated and played the song again.

In the garden, the sound of the piano continued.

Jia Qiang instinctively knew that this time she was practicing the 'Taixu Sutra' outside, and her magic power was extremely active, so this practice ended in only one hour.

When he woke up from practice, he heard the sound of the piano still in his ears.

He looked into the pavilion and saw Yun Feixiang dripping with sweat, and the strings of the guqin were stained with blood.

"Yunfei, stop and rest!" Jia Qiang's heart softened. He understood why Yunfei was so insistent and said softly.

The sound of the piano stopped suddenly, and Yun Fei looked at Jia Qiang in surprise, her deep concern evident in her words.

Jia Qiang came to the stop and took Yun Fei's hands.

Her ten fingers were worn out from playing the piano for a long time. Jia Qiang couldn't help but be moved when she thought that such hands were still playing the piano.

"Don't move, I'll treat you!" Jia Qiang said softly.

He activated the 'Healing Technique [Advanced]' and gently stroked Yun Fei's hands with his hands.

Yunfei only felt a cooling sensation on her fingers, and then the pain disappeared completely.

She looked at her fingers. The wounds on her fingers had completely disappeared, and the original wounds were as smooth as new skin.

"Don't tell others!" Jia Qiang said with a smile and a silent gesture.

"I won't tell others, this is our secret!" Yunfei said with a heavy nod.

No matter how miraculous Jia Qiang's healing ability is, Yunfei will only be shocked in her heart. She is worried that leaking this secret will bring danger to Jia Qiang.

Besides, sharing secrets with Jia Qiang made Yunfei feel closer to Jia Qiang.

"Thank you today. Your piano music has helped me a lot!" Jia Qiang said with a smile.

The practice of the 'Taixu Sutra' has been improved since the last time when the enlightenment of thoughts increased the speed of practice. This time I heard that Yun Fei's piano music has improved again. His gratitude is sincere.

"Do you still want me to play the piano in the future?" Yunfei asked again with a charming smile on her face when she heard that the music was helpful to Jia Qiang.

"It's not necessary for now. Although your hand is healed, you still need to have a good rest. I will come to you when needed! Zhimo is waiting over there in a hurry. Go quickly." Jia Qiang replied with a smile. .

Jia Qiang's perception was very sensitive, and after she woke up, she spotted Zhimo probing her head in the distance.

After he finished speaking, he quickly left the garden and looked at the time. He had been delayed a lot today and was almost late to have dinner with Lin Ruhai's family.

After Jia Qiang left, the personal maid Zhimo came to the pavilion.

"Miss, what did Master Jia say to you that made you smile so much?" Zhimo couldn't help but ask when she came in and saw Yun Fei who was a little crazy.

"Zhimo, what are you talking about? Hurry up and put away the piano!" Yun Fei blushed and scolded softly.

Zhimo stuck out her tongue and put away the guqin briskly. When she saw the blood stains on the guqin, she quickly looked at Yun Fei's hands and found that those hands were as smooth as before.

"Wait a minute, clean it up first!" Yun Fei saw the blood on the guqin at this time and said quickly.

She took out the handkerchief lovingly and wiped the guqin bit by bit. Unconsciously, Jia Qiang's face appeared in front of her eyes again, and she fell into a state of infatuation again.

"Miss, if you rub it again, it will be damaged!" Zhimo's reminder made Yunfei wake up.

Seeing Zhimo's joking expression, Yunfei couldn't help but reached out and patted her twice.

Jia Qiang had dinner with Lin Ruhai's family, and was called into the study by Lin Ruhai.

"Brother Qiang, no matter whether you take part in the examination next year, you must be prepared and don't fall behind in your studies!" Lin Ruhai warned.

As a teacher, he knew that Jia Qiang would have the opportunity to take the examination at the age of sixteen. If she could become a high school scholar, it would leave a huge mark in the history of Daqian.

Although this opportunity was not high in his opinion, he did not want Jia Qiang to give up easily such an opportunity that could be recorded in history.

Jia Qiang has indeed slacked off recently. He couldn't control her when he was in Jinling, but now that he is by his side in Yangzhou, he must supervise Jia Qiang's studies.

(End of this chapter)