Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 152 Early Spring
On the eighth day of the first lunar month in the 50th year of Kangxi, Cao Yongxiu gave up his marriage leave and started his career as an errand at the Yamen and Cao Mansion again.

Cao Yong had just arrived at the gate of the household department when he met two colleagues in the department, Fu Xiangong and Peng Zhu, who were in charge.It's all good friends with Cao Yong on weekdays. They came to say hello and congratulated Cao Yong on their new happiness.

Cao Yong smiled back and thanked them, and told them that he hadn't come to the ministry this month, and asked how the errands were and if there were any new errands.

Fu Xiangong said: "But I asked my lord to ask. Fujian is not peaceful these days. There was a disaster in November last year, and the people had no food. Therefore, the gangs of pirates on the sea went north, and they were blocked by the officers and soldiers in Zhejiang. , was defeated and fled around. This group of murderous bandits were insane, and those who returned to Fujian went ashore again to kill and rob food. The people have suffered. Now the Secretary is checking the reported loss accounts. I am afraid that the higher authorities will adjust the food again Min, appease the people. It seems that we will be busy for a while at the beginning of the new year!"

Cao Yong sighed: "I also heard about the Fujian pirates going north when I was in Jiangning in the middle of last year. They were said to have been suppressed in July and August, and they reappeared at the end of the year!"

Peng Zhu also said: "That's not true! It's really a serious disaster. I don't know how long it will be wiped out! The catastrophe in Fujian this year has been followed by another catastrophe. Alas, we are also busy hitting the back of our heads with our feet!"

While speaking, several people had already entered the Fujian Division, and greeted each of their colleagues one by one.A small official said to Cao Yong: "Master Langzhong has just explained. If Master Cao comes, please come over and discuss things with him."

Cao Yong nodded in agreement, and Peng Zhu smiled and said, "Look at it, my lord, it must be the pirate's business!"

Cao Yong smiled without answering, and went to find Li Qichang.The two met and exchanged a few words of pleasantries, Li Qichang opened his mouth to bring up a serious matter, and he really asked Cao Yong to lead a few subordinates to check the loss accounts reported by Fujian local newspapers.Cao Yong naturally agreed.

Fu Xiangong was in charge of this stall. He heard that Cao Yong was very happy to be a supervisor. Cao Yong also knew that he was capable and satisfied, so he called him and wrote a few notes, and then began to audit.

After being busy with Fu Xiangong for two days, Cao Yong heard some other news from him, which was related to Jiangnan Division.Originally, Kari impeached Jiangnan local officials for misappropriation of public funds. The Jiangnan Division has been investigating the deficit. At the end of last year, Chen Pengnian, the prefect of Suzhou, was dragged down. The investigation should have followed this line. In addition to other items, it is necessary to check the accounts of the pay of the sea garrison.

Cao Yong was thinking about the point made by King Chunjun more than ten days ago.When he went back that day, he discussed with Mr. Zhuang Xi, and both of them felt that what King Chun said should be about Gali and Zhang Boxing attacking each other, and they were afraid that it was probably still about the deficit in Jiangnan.At this moment, I heard that the Jiangnan Division started to check the military pay, Cao Yong was a bit unexpected, could it be that Ga Lican could not defeat the governor Zhang Boxing, and wanted to use the admiral's side for surgery?

Cao Yong listened and listened, only thinking secretly, with no expression on his face, the next one who was recording and writing a note, heard what Fu Xiangong said, and couldn't help muttering: "If this is the salary of Jiangnan guarding the sea, Being embezzled and invaded, the soldiers have suffered, and I am afraid that no one will fight the enemy bravely. Then the pirates have already harmed Zhejiang, so why would they come back to harm Fujian?"

Fu Xiangong was a man who dared to speak up, and because the few written notes in front of him were his confidantes, he also knew that Cao Yong was not a tell-tale, so he laughed once after hearing the written words, and then said in a low voice: "That's no reason for the bandits to kill the officers and soldiers! In my opinion, there are still some accidents involved. You say, if they are willing to kill the enemy, if they don't kill them all, they can still let the pirates return to Fujian." ?”

Several people present nodded.Another one said: "It's not the words of the lower officials. We didn't check the salary of the Fujian garrison. We don't know. If we check it carefully, I'm afraid it's hard to say. It's like what your lord said, if you are willing to kill the enemy Yes, there are no pirates in Fujian anymore, right?"

Cao Yong remembered that in Yangzhou, he heard the two policemen talk about the various abuses of the Green Army, and he also knew that nine out of ten soldiers in the local area were not up to their orders.If there is no more military pay, maybe they will do more harm to the people than bandits, let alone ask them to suppress bandits.

Several people saw Cao Yong, a foreigner with helplessness on his face, and shook his head lightly, they knew that he also knew the disadvantages, so they didn't care about it at the moment, and chatted for a while in a low voice.

*
Cao Mansion, Sunflower Courtyard.

Although Cao Yong didn't live in the room here, the furnishings, bedding and bedding here have not been moved at all.Chu Yu looked at everything in front of her, thinking that these were all used by her forehead, and looked at them carefully, full of curiosity.When she saw that the quilt on the bed was made of fine cloth, she couldn't help being surprised, she turned her head and asked Zijing: "Sister Zijing, how do you use this?"

Chai'er happened to bring tea over, and Zijing smiled and said, "The princess has a sip of tea first, and it's not too late to see it later!"

Chuyu was in a dilemma at first, not knowing how to address Zijing, but later seeing that both Cao Yi and Cao Song called her "Sister Zijing", they also called her like that.

Although Ye Momo and Xiyun felt that it was too much to praise Zijing, they couldn't persuade them.Cao Yong didn't regard Amethyst as a servant in his heart, so he naturally didn't feel that such an address was inappropriate.Even when he was a child, didn't he obediently call her sister for several years.

Zijing didn't agree at first, she tried to persuade her several times, but in the end she had to let her go.Zijing used to manage the internal affairs of the inner house, which was only expedient, but now she has a decent mistress, and she has to hand over the keys to the account book early on.

Chu Yu is not very old, because she grew up with Fujin Fujin, she is not unfamiliar with housekeeping, and since she got married, Fujin has also started to teach her how to run a house, and now she understands a lot. few.It's just that she has been here for the past few days, seeing that the whole house is orderly and has its own rules and regulations, she doesn't want to intervene rashly.In fact, it was Zijing who said it again and again, she just took the key, but still entrusted Zijing with everything.

Seeing this, Grandma Ye couldn't help worrying secretly, thinking that Ge Ge was a little too real, how could she convince the crowd if she didn't show her prestige when entering the door right now?Although she has a noble status, she is already the daughter-in-law of the Cao family after all. If she shows a good temper from the beginning, she will have a concubine in the future...

However, when Chu Yu picked up the tea, she could smell the strong jujube aroma, so she couldn't help picking up the bowl lid to check, but it turned out to be a cup of thick jujube tea.

"It's cold today, and I heard that the Princess is unwell, but this can be mended!" Zijing said with a smile.

Chu Yu remembered that Er Niang had just made red date tea for herself when she was in the palace, her eye circles could not help but turn red, and she was embarrassed to be seen by others, so she lowered her head and drank the tea.It was warm and sweet, but my body was much more comfortable than before.

Zijing saw that she was not feeling well, and she was not recuperating in the yard over there. It was a little strange to come here like this, but she couldn't directly ask why, so she talked about the topic she asked just now: "Although the master's temper is very good, But I have been a bit weird since I was a child, and what I eat and use is not the same as everyone else!"

As expected, Chu Yu was very curious, quickly raised her head and asked, "What's so weird about the forehead? Sister Zijing watched the forehead grow up?"

Zijing smiled and said: "It is, but it is not. When the slaves came to the old lady's Xuanrui hall to serve, the uncle was already five years old, but he was not as naughty as ordinary children. He was carved in pink and jade, and he was very cute! It's just that After that year..." At this point, Fang realized that he had made a slip of the tongue and stopped immediately.

Because Chu Yu is going to marry into the Cao family, she also knows a little about the Cao family's ancestors. She knows that the ancestor's grandmother was Huang Mafa's nanny.Although this great-grandmother has passed away, she still has a bit of respect in her heart because of her son-in-law and Huang Mafa.

Chu Yu was thinking about the appearance of her father-in-law when she was young, but she didn't know what she looked like and what was so weird about it, so seeing Amethyst pause, she hurriedly asked, "What happened in that year?"

This is a secret, Zijing was thinking about how to divert her, but Chuyu looked at her as if she had scruples, so she raised her head and said to Xiyun and Xixia who were tidying up the charcoal basin: "It's so cold, you go back , take my fox-armpit cloak!" Seeing that Amethyst's body is plain, he ordered: "Bring the two little woolen cloaks I found two days ago, they are crimson and royal blue. Those two."

Xiyun and Xixia glanced at the ermine cloak that Gege was wearing, and then they went down.

There was no one else in the room, Chu Yu said: "I am very curious about the matter of the son-in-law! I and the son-in-law are already husband and wife, and he takes care of me a lot, but I don't know what I can do for him. Look at him like this The furnishings and bedding on the side are completely different from those on the other side, but they are designed to accommodate me, without showing any discomfort. I am very disturbed..." As he spoke, his voice also showed a bit of anxiety.

Seeing that she looked worried, Zijing couldn't help persuading her: "The Princess is not feeling well, she should have adjusted her breathing well, but thinking about it like this is hurting her health, so I ask you to come back and think about it!"

A smile surfaced on Chu Yu's face, and said: "I only tell Sister Zijing these things, in front of my son-in-law, I am very happy and don't think about anything." It's not that she has a thick skin and casually tells people These ones are really overjoyed. Although Zijing is not an elder, she is like a sister, making people trust and rely on her.
Seeing that she mentioned Cao Yong, Zijing's eyes were bright, and she could see that she liked it sincerely. The thing about being abducted in the summer of last year.

Chu Yu listened carefully and kept it in her heart.

After a while, Xiyun and Xixia came over with a cloak and two small woolen coats.Chu Yu picked it up with her own hands, and put it on the table in front of Zijing: "Sister Zijing is not very old, how can she be so plain all day long? These clothes are my dowry, and I haven't worn them. If my sister is polite, she won't treat me as her own family!"

Zijing didn't want to accept it at first, but after hearing what she said, she had no choice but to accept it, thanked her solemnly, and then persuaded Chuyu to go back to her new house.The house here is unoccupied for half a month. Although two pots of charcoal are lit, there is still no warmth.

Chu Yu nodded with a smile, but her expression was a little bit reluctant.Seeing Zijing, she felt worried, so she asked Zhu'er for something, so she happened to drop by on her way back.

Chu Yu went back to the new courtyard with her.Zijing didn't go into the upper room, and went directly to the residence of Zhu'er and Cui'er in the back corridor.

Because Zhu'er and Cui'er are serving Cao Yong, Chu Yu arranged them all in this courtyard.However, Chai'er pleaded with Cao Yong, and stayed in the Sunflower Courtyard to follow Amethyst, and Huan'er relied on Chai'er everywhere, so she didn't come here, so now only her pearl, Cui'er, is placed in the back porch. row house.

"Is Zhu'er here?" Zijing stood under the window and called.

"Sister Zijing!" It was Zhu'er and Cui'er who opened the door and welcomed Zijing in.

While pouring tea, Zhu'er asked, "Why is my sister free to come here? Just call us if we need something!"

Zijing asked: "Just now the princess went to the sunflower courtyard, but I saw that something was wrong. See you after dinner last night, it's still fine, what's wrong?"

After hearing Zijing's words, Zhu'er and Cui'er looked at each other with strange expressions, but they didn't respond.

Zijing nodded: "It seems that there is a reason, why, but you can't tell me?"

Zhu'er was still silent, Cui'er hurriedly said: "Even if my sister doesn't ask, we are going to tell her, and please ask my sister to persuade Mother Ye well!"

"Nurse Ye?" Zijing was puzzled: "She is the nurse of the princess, and she seems to understand the rules. She loves the princess herself, so can she still be angry with the princess?"

Tweety muttered in a low voice: "I'm afraid the pain is too much, I'm too worried!"

Seeing her resentful face, Zijing said sternly: "She is the nurse of the princess, and she came here as a dowry. Even the uncle, you should be polite. It's not our turn to ask us to make arrangements. Which family's rule is this? ?”

Cui'er hurriedly admitted her mistake: "Sister Zijing, it's my fault, I won't dare to do it again! It's just that she's been through a bit today, because the Princess saw red, she ordered someone to burn the kang outside the room! "

Zijing frowned slightly, the outer room of the upper room was connected to the bedroom, with only Bai Baoge in between, if there were maids from the room who went to night, they would be placed in the outer room.Because Cao Yong was impatient with this, there was no one to wait on the room at night these days.

"The princess agrees?" Amethyst asked.

Cui'er bit her lip, and said: "The Princess is young and has a docile personality, even if she is unwilling, how can she speak up!"

"But you chose the one called Xiyu?" Zijing asked, the one with the most outstanding appearance among the eight people who came as a dowry: "You two have also been with them for a while, do you know the origin of Xiyu, the county prince's mansion How could such a person be arranged over there?"

Tweety said: "I asked Xicai, but among the eight, only Yun, Yan, Cai, and Xia have served since childhood, while Yu, Xue, Shuang, and Lu are the empresses of Fujin. Picked out."

This is an internal matter, even Zijing can't say much about it.She wasn't worried about the princess at first, but when she thought about her uncle's character, she realized that she was worrying too much.

*
After Cao Yong was busy with his errands, it was already Shen Zheng (four o'clock in the afternoon) when he returned to the mansion, because he wanted to ask Mr. Zhuang Xi to talk about what he heard today, so he didn't go back to the inner courtyard first.Mr. Zhuang had been waiting for him in the study for a long time, but it was Cao Yin who came to write home.

After Cao Yong disassembled it, he handed the foreign affairs to Mr. Zhuang. After he finished reading it, he said: "I heard that the Jiangnan Division is checking the soldiers' pay for the garrison in the sea. I also want to attack the admiral. But it turned out that they were still targeting Zhang Boxing!"

Cao Yinxin said that Gali had reported Zhang Boxing's black case in December, and he said that it was the pirates from Fujian who had arrived in Zhejiang, and the Zhejiang defenders failed in their inspections and failed to wipe out the bandits.Gali claimed that he wanted to go out to sea, but Zhang Boxing "not only had no intention of going out to sea, but also repeatedly asked 'why go to sea'", that is to say, Zhang Boxing was avoiding intentionally and refused to inspect sincerely.

The most outrageous thing is that Gari claimed that the admiral Shi Yide not only did not lead the troops, but brought several children playing and singing, and stationed with Zhang Boxing on Xiaohe in Shanghai County for more than a month.Every word and every sentence pointed out that the imperial court's military pay was not used to reward the soldiers who suppressed the bandits, but was used to pay the admirals and governors for the gouache money for selling singing children.

Cao Yong said: "I'm afraid this is the reason why the superiors ordered the Jiangnan inspector to guard the sea and pay the salary. This is obviously Zhang Boxing's idea. It seems that Ga Li will not stop until Zhang Boxing is brought down."

Mr. Zhuang sighed, and said, "Why doesn't Zhang Boxing want to bring down Gali? It's just that he doesn't have any excuses, and he doesn't act like Gali! Now Gali is punishing every sentence, but he is fighting for life and death!" If the military pay finds out some accidents, Ga Li can make a big fuss, and Zhang Boxing must be dismissed; , he is beyond redemption."

Cao Yong frowned: "Ga Li doesn't look like a person who can bet his life, could he do anything..."

Mr. Zhuang said: "Zhang Penghe from the household department is also uncertain about his position now. If he favors Gali, there is nothing to say! But in my opinion, Gali is probably the holy heart of gambling. Since it is called Cha, at least believe it Sixty percent of him!"

Cao Yong was silent, pondered for a while, and then asked: "A few days ago, Junjun Jun's suggestion... According to Mr., can I be disturbed?"

Mr. Zhuang thought for a while, then shook his head and said, "Unless someone wants to make Kari lose, he will arrange you there. The one above won't do it right now. Kari is brother-in-law of the ninth elder brother, so naturally he would not come to the eighth elder brother's place." Yes. Look at the behavior of the fourth elder brother. Even if he wants to protect Zhang Boxing, he will not ask you to investigate it.

Cao Yong breathed a sigh of relief: "I hope so!" The Cao family had finally withdrawn from the Jiangnan political situation, and he didn't want to get involved again.

(End of this chapter)