Red Mansion Taoist

Chapter 162 Holy Grace
The meeting with Liu Gong's family did not deepen the relationship between them, nor did they become enemies. Jia Qiang chose the dragging technique.

Everything will be discussed after he completes his imperial mission and returns to Beijing.

In the next few days, he received guests one after another in his mansion.

Civil servants also came to visit. They were related to the Lin family. Jia Qiang, the son-in-law of the Lin family, had received information about the Lin family's relationship from Lin Ruhai as early as when he was in Yangzhou.

He was so busy until New Year's Eve, when he had free time.

This year's New Year's Eve dinner was the most lively when Jia Qiang came to this world. In the hall of Jiahou Mansion, there was a large table full of dishes.

Since Jia Qiang herself was only fifteen, she was no more than sixteen after the Chinese New Year, and most of her family members were women, so there were no rules, such as women not being allowed to attend the banquet.

If the female family members really don't attend the table, Jia Qiang will be the only one at the table.

Jia Qiang asked Jia Min to sit in the main seat. He and Lin Daiyu sat on one side and sat next to Jia Min.

Miaoyu, Yinglian, Xingxiuyan, Yunfei, Zhujun, Jia Xichun, and Youshi are all sitting there.

"Ask the kitchen to make this dish again!" Jia Qiang ordered the maid behind her.

And on New Year's Eve, the gift of dishes is an even greater manifestation of the Holy Grace.

"The reward will be double the usual reward!" Butler Lao Shuntou replied with a smile. He would never make a mistake in this kind of thing.

"Master!" Just after taking two bites of food, I heard the voice of Lao Shuntou butler again.

"It's not delicious!" Lin Daiyu couldn't help but said after taking a bite of the dish given by Yu and putting it in her mouth.

"Then try the delicious food in the palace!" Jia Qiang said with a smile.

He knew Jia Min's good intentions. If he hadn't known that Emperor Jingwen had great trust in him and that the Supreme Emperor was inexplicably very close to him, he would have thought that this was a flattery between Emperor Jingwen and the Supreme Emperor.

"Brother Qiang, you must be careful when you are a saint." Although Jia Min was happy for Jia Qiang in her heart, she still reminded her.

He looked at Lin Daiyu again and felt that the fate was so wonderful that he and Lin Daiyu were married.

It's just that the dishes rewarded by the palace have a royal aura, which is not comparable to the dishes at home.

"Thank you, sir!" Lao Shuntou, the housekeeper, said happily.

Instead, Jia Min took Lin Daiyu to Rongguo Mansion to pay New Year's greetings to Jia's mother.

When he came to this world, he didn't have any plans. Everything about his engagement with Lin Daiyu happened naturally.

Jia Qiang enjoyed the atmosphere in the hall. This was the atmosphere of home. He finally had his own home in this world.

"The Supreme Emperor has rewarded me with eight dishes!" Butler Laoshuntou spoke in a high-pitched voice this time, which showed the excitement in his heart.

The emperor rewards dishes as a means of demonstrating divine grace.

Even the young boys who came had joyful smiles on their faces. This reward was quite a lot for them.

The waiter brought the eight dishes to the table and left.

Today's Jiahou Mansion is top-notch in everything. Lin Daiyu has been used to eating all kinds of delicacies recently, and the taste is very tricky.

In addition to the chefs in Ningguo Mansion, there are also two famous chefs brought back by Jiangnan.

To be honest, the dishes in the palace are not necessarily more delicious than those in the palace. You must know that the MSG added to the dishes in the palace is obtained from him.

As soon as the old steward left, everyone looked at the six dishes.

"What's the matter?" Jia Qiang wondered what would happen now.

The entire Jiahou Mansion was decorated with lanterns and streamers, everyone was wearing new clothes, and everyone was smiling.

The waiter placed six plates of food on the table and didn't dare to look at them, bowed his head and left.

He didn't have any relatives in the capital, and the only one he had some connections with was Rongguo Mansion, but they were strangers to him for some reasons.

But when Jia Min came back, her face was covered with frost.

"The Holy Spirit has rewarded you with six dishes!" Butler Lao Shuntou said, waving his hand for the boy behind him to come forward.

"Master's wife, I will pay attention!" Jia Qiang nodded.

Jia Qiang took a look at the dishes. Although the dishes were delivered to the palace, they were also kept warm.

In other places in the mansion, in addition to the servants on duty today, there are also tables of banquets.

Jia Min wanted to say no, but thinking that today was New Year's Eve and Jia Qiang would not be able to stay in the house for a few days, she didn't say anything.

"Are you rewarded with money?" Jia Qiang asked casually.

"Everyone in the government will be rewarded with two months of regular money!" Jia Qiang knew that at this time, the whole government should celebrate together, and he said with a smile.

"Go down!" Jia Qiang waved her hand and said.

The dishes are not cold, but some dishes cannot retain their original taste after being cooked for a long time.

Burning fire is cooking oil, and it is not a good thing to have too much divine grace.

A few days after the New Year, except for a trip to the palace, Jia Qiang did not leave the house and accompanied Lin Daiyu every day.

"Master!" Lao ShunTou, the housekeeper, walked in quickly, his face full of excitement.

Yi Ya, the twelve dancers, also prepared banquets suitable for them in the Dengxian Pavilion.

Jia Qiang ate with the other girls. At first, the girls were a little reserved. Jia Qiang's status made the girls, especially Xichun, Youshi, and Xing Xiuyan, fearful. After a few drinks, they all relaxed a little. .

Jia Qiang learned from Lin Daiyu that when Jia Baoyu saw Lin Daiyu, he said a lot of crazy nonsense, making the situation very embarrassing.

The most important thing is that Jia Mu still spoils Jia Baoyu unprincipledly.

This made Jia Min extremely disappointed, and her feelings for her natal family in Rongguo Mansion became even weaker.

Early in the morning on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Jia Qiang went to the West Camp by herself, not wanting to disturb others.

Unexpectedly, I met Lin Daiyu at Yimen.

"Brother Qiang, wear this sachet!" Lin Daiyu took out a sachet and handed it to Jia Qiang, saying softly.

Jia Qiang took the sachet and found that the corners of the needles were a little messy, but the lotus flowers on it were still neatly embroidered, but there were faint traces of blood near some of the needle corners.

"Stretch out your hand and show me!" Jia Qiang stretched out her hand and said.

Lin Daiyu obediently stretched out her slender hand, but her fingers had a few scars.

Jia Qiang activated the 'Healing Technique [Advanced]', and the healing energy fell on Lin Daiyu's hand. This small wound, which was not even an injury, healed and disappeared in just one breath.

"I just learned embroidery from my mother. I will definitely do better when you come back!" Lin Daiyu said shyly.

She was young and had spent a lot of time studying, so she didn't spend much time on embroidery.

After learning that Jia Qiang would leave Beijing in the next year, she took the time to embroider this sachet. In order to embroider this sachet, she repeatedly dismantled it several times before coming up with this relatively successful work.

Daqian's daughter's family must learn to embroider before they reach adulthood. Most of the embroidery used on daily life and wedding items is embroidered by the daughter's family themselves.

"I like the sachet very much. Don't make it difficult for yourself. If you like reading, read more and do less embroidery to avoid hurting your eyes!" Jia Qiang comforted with a smile.

Lin Daiyu felt the deep care and concern, and there was a crystal light in her eyes.

"I'm leaving. I'm going to take care of my house at home!" Jia Qiang finally said.

The time for the army's departure has been set. This time he wants to take away the two guards of the West Camp. It is already late.

Jia Qiang rode a white horse, followed by Jia Jingang, who was riding a high-quality Sharma horse, and arrived at the West Camp.

At this moment, the West Camp was ready to go. He didn't need to bring much food and grass for this trip. The position of nine-province commander allowed him to collect military food anywhere in Daqian.

This army of 10,000 men only brought a week's worth of food and grass.

At this moment, there are ten thousand sergeants, each with one war horse. Originally, the two guards of the West Camp only had 6,000 war horses, and the remaining war horses are still in the process of being purchased.

However, after he got the post of controlling the nine provinces, the Supreme Emperor asked the remaining seven guards in the Beijing camp to allocate some of their horses, and Jia Qiang's two guards all became cavalry.

The remaining seven guards will not lose anything. The war horses will be replenished in the following year. The four thousand war horses are divided among the seven guards, and the pressure on each guard is not great.

"Let's go!" Jia Qiang gave the order loudly without saying anything else.

A large flag with the word 'Jia' embroidered on it is held by a personal guard. Under the flag is where Jia Qiang is.

Jia Qiang is surrounded by 240 warrior-level personal guards. Their whole bodies are covered in armor, and the horses they ride are also upgraded to one level.

The number of war horses is too small, this is the best that Jia Qiang can do.

The entire army marched in an orderly manner without any noise.

"Let the Tanma go for thirty miles!" Jia Qiang gave the order in a deep voice.

Originally, we were still within the boundaries of the capital, so there was no need to worry about any accidents.

But what he wanted was to train an army. This army seemed to be well-disciplined, but the five thousand recruits had no combat experience.

Not to mention combat experience, he had no experience in marching for such a long time.

The more than two hundred general-level personal guards were used as trump cards. He did not want to be exposed easily. He still had to rely on these ordinary sergeants most of the time.

He planned to march according to wartime standards along the way.

Six light cavalrymen emerged from the crowd and flew forward.

Jia Qiang looked back towards the capital. He would not be able to return until at least March after leaving this time. This was the reason why he needed to take part in the examination.

After the examination is over, he will be traveling for years.

He doesn't need to worry much at home. He has a carrier pigeon with him and can keep in touch with his family.

Twenty-four general-level personal guards were left by him in the mansion. No matter how much trouble there was in the capital, they were enough to protect Jiahou's mansion.

Jia Qiang left the capital, and Jia Hou's Mansion was managed by Jia Min. Feicui and Lao Shun Tou assisted Jia Min.

Jia Min was born in Rongguo Mansion, and she received the knowledge of managing a large family since she was a child.

In the past, when Lin Daiyu was still young, and Lin Ruhai's Lin family didn't have much property, she didn't start teaching Lin Daiyu this knowledge.

Now that she is in charge of the Jiahou Mansion, she has also taught Lin Daiyu how to run a family. Anyway, Lin Daiyu will be in charge of this family in the future.

Only after taking over the affairs of Jiahou Mansion did Jia Min realize how huge Jia Qiang's family business was.

One month after the new year, water transportation, docks, restaurants, and shops in the south of the Yangtze River sent 120,000 taels of silver. This was still a small amount. What really surprised Jia Min was He Kun, the newly promoted eight salt merchants. one.

Jia Min didn't know how much money He Kun sent to him years ago, but this month he sent another 300,000 taels of silver.

Jia Min knew that Rongguo Mansion was still relatively wealthy today, with an annual income of less than 100,000 taels of silver.

Comparing the two, we realize how terrible Jia Qiang's ability to make money is.

In addition, Jade also has a smaller income, which is income from the capital industry, which is almost tens of thousands of taels of silver a month.

The income from the capital's industries is used for government expenses.

Before Jia Qiang left, she ordered that the government's expenses should not be reduced.

The housekeeper's wife in Rongguo Mansion is Mrs. Wang. She doesn't know how much income Jiahou Mansion has.

It is impossible for Jia Min to inform Mrs. Wang about the income of Jiahou Mansion. Although Rongguo Mansion is Jia Min's natal family, Jiahou Mansion is the future home of her daughter.

Mrs. Wang hated Jia Qiang in her heart, and since Jiahou's Mansion was right next to Rongguo Mansion, and they were strangers to each other, she had the idea of ​​suppressing Jiahou's Mansion.

After hearing that everyone in the Jiahou Mansion was given two months' monthly allowance, Mrs. Wang was not to be outdone and gave everyone in the mansion three more months' monthly allowance.

This is still a one-time expense and will have little impact on Rongguo Mansion.

What really caused the Rongguo Mansion to increase a lot of expenses was that the food and clothing expenses of the Rongguo Mansion were compared with the Jiahou Mansion.

Jiahou's mansion earns tens of thousands of taels of silver every month, and Feicui worries every day about how to fulfill Jia Qiang's instructions and use the money for the girls in the mansion.

Miaoyu, Yinglian, Xing Xiuyan, Jia Xichun and other girls living in the mansion each ate delicacies cooked by famous chefs from the south of the Yangtze River, used the best rouge and gouache in the capital, and wore the best silk from the south of the Yangtze River.

Just the various fruits that are continuously delivered to Jiahou Mansion are a huge expense.

Mrs. Wang compared the food and clothing expenses of the Jiahou Mansion. It was just a matter of words to her, and she asked her subordinates to take care of it one by one.

The subordinates dare not make any mistakes. It is difficult to exceed the food and clothing expenses of Jiahou Mansion, or at least be on the same level as the food and clothing expenses of Jiahou Mansion.

But if the same thing costs one hundred taels of silver in Jiahou Mansion, then it will cost one hundred and eighty taels or even more than two hundred taels of silver in Rongguo Mansion.

Everything purchased in Rongguo Mansion must be handled by several people, and every time it is handled, a layer will be removed from the top.

The first one to pick was Mrs. Wang, the head of the family, then Jia She, and then the stewards of both parties.

So after one month, the expenses of Rongguo Mansion have almost doubled than before, but the head of the family, Mrs. Wang, doesn't care because she has more income, and Jia She doesn't care either, because she also has more income.

As for who lost, it was everyone in Rongguo Mansion who lost.

Under this strange concept, the food and clothing expenses of Rongguo Mansion have been raised to a higher standard, which also makes every master happy.

The only one who has a headache is probably Wang Xifeng, who is doing the work. Mrs. Wang left the matter to her, but the financial power is still in her hands.

Wang Xifeng also discovered that the Rongguo Mansion was somewhat unable to make ends meet, but Mrs. Wang didn't care, so what could she do as a little daughter-in-law.

In other words, Rong Guofu's family has a great business, so this kind of inability to make ends meet will not have much impact in the short term.

But unknowingly, this behavior exacerbated the decline of Rongguofu.

(End of this chapter)