Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 740 Mandarin Fish
The next day, Cao Yong came out from the household department, looked at the name card of the elder brother Jiu in his hand, and bit the bullet to the elder brother Jiu's mansion.

This donation matter is a big piece of fat, who doesn't want to take a bite.In particular, Beijing officials have no chance to grab land. Apart from extorting bribes from foreign officials who come to Beijing to meet, they only hope to make a fortune by accepting donations.

The Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of Officials, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, people with some weight want to make an effort.

If Brother Nine and the Ministry of Internal Affairs want to monopolize this business, they must first greet the Ministry of Households and the Ministry of Officials, and prohibit other ways.

There is no need for Cao Yong to worry about these, as long as the big Buddha of Brother Jiu is brought out, there are not many people in the capital who dare not buy it.

Yi Duli also got a summons and came to see Brother Jiu.

The three of them gathered in the hall, and they met for this donation.

Looking at Brother Jiu's dark eyes, Cao Yong only felt his scalp numb.

Yidu stood here, thinking about it all night, and he still believed what Cao Yong said, and went away from selfishness.That's right, with Brother Jiu's greed, if he grabs food from him, wouldn't that be courting death?
Brother Jiu looked at Cao Yong and said: "Cao Yong, you don't have to get involved in what you say and the water you pour out, and you shouldn't stop the master from ordering others, right?"

Yi Duli is still confused, Cao Yong has heard that he refers to Han Jiangshi.

A few days ago, Cao Yong had a sincere talk with Han Jiangshi.Although his original intention was that he didn't want Han Jiangshi to get involved in these things, and hoped that she could live a peaceful life.However, he knew that the Han Jiang family was very strong, so he still asked her for advice.

I don't know if it's because he has seen more in the past few years in Beijing and knows his own weight. Han Jiang's answer is no, and he doesn't mean to interfere at all.

Maybe it's out of gratitude for Cao's family's kindness, or maybe it's because he sees it clearly and doesn't want to be used by Brother Jiu.

Since Cao Yong knew what she meant, on the side of Brother Jiu, he could only try his best to maintain it.Brother Jiu couldn't deny it, but looked at Cao Yong with a complicated expression, and his attitude was extremely indifferent.

Cao Yong came here for business, wishing to be far away from Brother Jiu, and would not care about his attitude.On the contrary, Yi Duli, who was a little bit blind, complained to Cao Yong after he came out of the Nine Brothers' Mansion.

Cao Yong just laughed it off and didn't take it to heart.

Although I don't know why Brother Nine changed, but taking the initiative to throw out an olive branch also made Cao Yong feel a lot more relieved.These princes and elder brothers can neither be physically eliminated, nor can they fight openly. If they are enemies, it will be a headache.

Within a few days, the Meng Guangzu case spread in the capital.

At the beginning, some people speculated whether Kangxi was going to take the third elder brother for surgery.There are already many people who are ready to add insult to injury and collect evidence of San Age's other affairs.

The third elder brother, who has always had a good reputation among scholars, has lost his reputation this time.

February [-]th is San Age's birthday.

I don't know if it's because of the third elder brother's retinue, or because of the involvement in the Meng Guangzu case, the number of officials who send birthday gifts to the third elder brother's mansion has decreased by a few percent.

For the Cao family, the gift list written by Chu Yu is still the same as in previous years, and there is no change.

Although Shengjia is still touring Jidian, but because the Longevity Festival is approaching, many governors and governors come to Beijing from other places to see him.

Officials in Beijing have always been poor, and there are so many favors and entertainments in Beijing, how can they rely on that salary alone?Now seeing such a senior governor from other places, Beijing officials and flies would like to swarm to them when they see rotten pork.

Regardless of whether it is a high-ranking official or a low-level official, anyone who has some skills will ask for bribes in different ways.

Even if foreign officials are miserable, what can they do?There are people in Beijing who are good at being officials. If they don't hand in a few proper people, they will be released thousands of miles away, far away from the center of power, and they will not feel at ease.

Cao Yong wasn't short of the money, and Cao Yin is now serving as an official. The father and son didn't learn from other Beijing officials, and they came to treat guests with all kinds of eyesight.

Yang Lin, governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, was born in Enmeng, and served in the Caobiao Army in her early years; Jueluo Manbao, although a red belt, was born in the official imperial examination, and once went to Jiangnan to preside over the provincial examination.These two people have some friendship with Cao Yin, they can be regarded as old friends.Therefore, when they went to Beijing this time, they also brought a lot of "earth instruments" to Cao's mansion.

For this reason, Cao Yong also followed his father to the two people's residences to thank them.

Although Cao Yin resigned and Cao Yong was also demoted from the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the Sixth Division, Jue Luo Manbao had been in the cabinet and knew the importance of the Sixth Division, so he did not neglect the Cao family and his son.

He is a Jinshi in his 20s, and he is only in his early [-]s this year. He treats people extremely warmly, making people feel like spring breeze.It seems that Cao Yin is quite congenial to this governor with a red belt.

From current affairs to learning, to the new works of several great Confucianists in the south of the Yangtze River.The guest and the host chatted very happily, if Jue Luo Manbao hadn't gone out for a banquet, it seemed that the two of them could chat with Cao Yin until the evening.

Coming out of Jueluo Mansion, Cao Yin was still filled with emotion.

Jueluo Manbao joined the cabinet in his 30s, was later released as a governor, and became governor in his early [-]s.Even if he has survived two governors, he is still less than fifty, and when he returns to the capital, he will either be a minister or a bachelor.

What he meant was that he hoped that the two families would maintain contacts, which would benefit his son's future career.

Regarding the influential figures from the end of Kangxi to the early years of Yongzheng, Cao Yong only heard of the great general Nian Gengyao, "uncle" Longkodo, and the three model governors headed by Li Wei in his previous life. He knew very little about others. .

Although Jue Luo Manbao is in good shape, but his complexion is not good, maybe it is because of the long journey.

Although Cao Yong didn't think as far as his father did, but seeing him treat his father respectfully and treat himself kindly, he also had a good impression of him.After returning home after thinking about it, I asked my wife to find some good ginseng and gave it to Jueluo Manbao for nourishment.

Yang Lin was born as a military commander, and she is nearly sixty years old.He became an official in his early years and has been serving as a military attache, from deputy general to chief soldier to admiral in Fujian.Kangxi was promoted to governor of Guangdong only in 53 years, and was promoted to governor of Guangdong and Guangxi last winter.

Perhaps because he has been an official in the south, his face was flushed and his voice was very loud.It was the first time I saw Cao Yong, and I praised him several times, praising Cao Yin's ability to teach his children.

Hearing that Cao Yin was currently on duty in the household department, he hesitated for a moment and asked what he was confused about.That is whether the Ministry of Households will continue to pursue the shortfall in the past two years.

The army in the Northwest is short of money, and the fourth elder brother is in charge of the household department. He has always advocated the recovery of the treasury silver. There is no doubt about this.

Seeing Cao Yong's affirmation, Yang Lin's face was a little ashamed, showing a bit of wry smile.

It's just that the friendship between gentlemen is as light as water, and some words are not good for Cao Yin and his son to complain about.After exchanging greetings for a while, Cao Yin and his son left when other visitors arrived.

In Cao Yin's heart, it was another feeling.

Although he has never been a governor, he has also monitored Jiangnan for the emperor. He does not have the name of a governor, but he has the reality of a governor.If there is no warning from his son in the early years, and the Cao family has not planned strategies for more than ten years, the Cao family will be short-lived, which is also a sharp sword.

Although Yang Lin has been an official for half her life, she has a good official reputation and is not a corrupt official.However, the Kuyin in each province's deficit would still fall on the governor's head when they were investigated.

Especially Yang Lin, who was a governor in Guangdong before and was later promoted to governor, has nothing to do with the locality, and I don't know how many places need to wipe their buttocks.

One is Jueluo Manbao, who is proud of the spring breeze, and the other is Yang Lin, who is in a state of distress due to the recovery of treasury silver. Cao Yong has a new understanding of this high-ranking official in the Qing Dynasty.

*
Han house, inner courtyard.

As usual, Han Jiangshi returned from inspecting the shop outside, changed into homely clothes, and began to teach Hui'er how to read.

Hui'er is seven years old this year, and it's time to go to school.Han Jiang was raised by his father as a son since he was a child, so when he raised Hui'er, he didn't want to raise her into a boudoir who didn't know the world.

This is the widow's mansion, there is no man to support the family, and it is inconvenient to ask a teacher.Therefore, Han Jiang taught his daughter to read and write.

Hui'er's qualifications are not high-quality, but she is willing to endure hardships.The unscrupulous people looked at it and knew how to review and write big characters by themselves. In this way, the progress was also very fast.

Although Han Jiang's face is solemn outside, in front of Hui'er, he is rare and kind, and he is not stingy with words of praise.

Seeing her adoptive mother's praise, Xiao Hui'er became more interested in learning how to read and write, but she really wanted to learn.

Seeing her daughter write a few big characters, Xiaoxi and Xiaofu have already put the food on the table.Han Jiangshi looked at Xiaoxi and Xiaofu, but thought of something on his mind.

After dinner, Han Jiang asked someone to take Hui'er down to rest, leaving Xiaoxi and Xiaofu to talk.

She took out a thick bag from the jewelry box, opened it, and inside was a pair of twisted gold bracelets.She pushed the gold bracelet in front of Xiaofu and said, "Tomorrow is your 20th birthday, and this is my birthday present for you."

Xiaofu thanked the girl and happily accepted it.

She saw this style of gold bracelet last year, on Xiaoxi's birthday.The girl treats her like Xiaoxi, and they are always the same, so she knows that the girl's reward on her birthday is almost the same, which is not surprising.

Xiao Xi was by the side, seeing Xiao Fu happy, took out a brocade bag from her purse, put it in front of Xiao Fu, said with a smile: "Although it's not as polite as a girl, I prepared it carefully, younger sister, don't dislike the humble courtesy."

It is a pair of gold earrings, and the pair of pendants are hollowed out "Fu", which is not only auspicious, but also fits Xiaofu's name.

Xiaofu is Han Jiang's personal servant girl. Apart from taking care of daily life, she also reads accounts, so she can read and write.She caressed the bracelet with one hand and the earrings with the other, she couldn't put it down.

On Han Jiang's side, his smile was suppressed, and he said seriously: "I have something to say to you two."

Xiaofu heard the words, put down his things, and listened respectfully with Xiaoxi.

"Xiaofu will be 21 tomorrow, and Xiaoxi will be [-] this year. In the past, I was negligent and almost missed your flowering period. You two have been by my side for many years, and the big guys grew up together. I look forward to your future You can feel comfortable every day. I have thought about it for a long time. I will not ask you to serve me for nothing. I will prepare a dowry for you as if you are marrying a younger sister, and get married in a beautiful way. It’s just that the world is ignorant, and men are ruthless. , what kind of man to choose, you have to make up your own mind, so that you will not regret it in the future." Han Jiangshi said softly.

Hearing this, no matter whether it was Xiaoxi, who was usually quiet, or Xiaofu, who was lively, they all became silent, blushing and speechless.

Marriage in this world is mostly the order of the parents and the words of the matchmaker.Those who are slaves and maidservants mostly let the master's family designate their marriages. How can anyone choose their own husbands?
"I'll start asking people to prepare the dowry. It's up to the two of you whether you choose people from outside or from our family." Han Jiangshi smiled a little when she saw that they rarely showed their little girlishness. When her father was lingering on the sick bed, he mentioned the appearance of marriage to her.

Back then, her father told her about the conditions of several suitable young masters, and let her choose by herself.

Thinking of this, she lowered her eyes.

Could it be that he is really fateful, Kemu Kefu?Otherwise, why did you choose a husband yourself, and when we first met, he was already in the mourning hall?
The three masters and servants were silent, and the room was silent, and then they heard a woman on the porch saying: "Miss, there is a guest in the front yard who claims to be from Jiu Beizi's residence, and came here on Jiu Beizi's order."

Han Jiangshi couldn't help frowning upon hearing this.

What's the matter with this brother Jiu?Could it be that he wants to win her over?She is just a merchant woman, if she hadn't got a relationship with the Cao family, she wouldn't be in the eyes of the prince and elder brother.

It's just that he, a nobleman in the royal family, only treats her as an ungrateful person who comes when he is called, and really underestimates her.

She has been attached to the Cao family for many years, even if she does not manage Daoxiang Village, everyone will regard her as a member of the Cao family.If she really took refuge in Ninth Brother, then in the eyes of outsiders, the Cao family had a relationship with Ninth Brother.

Although Cao Yong is He Shuo's son-in-law, he also has good friendship with the prince's elder brothers, but it is only limited to the younger elder brothers who did not participate in the seizure of the heir.

Even if Han Jiangshi is just a woman, she knows the seriousness, how could she be tempted by the bait thrown by Brother Jiu?
Because of this bait, Cao Yong made a special trip to talk to her.Although he didn't suspect that she had betrayed the Cao family, but only asked about her future plans, it still made Han Jiangshi feel uncomfortable.

After these years of dating, she also knows something about Cao Yong's temperament, and she doesn't want to be in trouble.Even in the past few days, she has a little anxiety in her heart. If she gets into trouble, I don't know if Cao Yong will abandon her.

Although he was dissatisfied in his heart, due to Brother Jiu's status as the prince, Han Jiangshi still changed his clothes and went to the living room to meet the guests.Because it was at home, and they met female guests, it was not easy for Han Jiangshi to wear a veil, so they met without makeup.

The person who came was a nanny in her fifties, who called herself Nanny Lin, dressed well, combed her flag hair, and showed a capable face.After looking at Han Jiangshi, she took a look and saw him respectfully.

She was ordered by Brother Jiu to give gifts.

Han Jiangshi felt amused when he heard this.It's so strange for a dignified prince to give gifts to her, a businessman's wife.

She doesn't get rewarded for nothing, she doesn't want to get involved with Brother Nine at all, and just thinking about how to refuse, Nanny Lin has already asked someone to bring up the gift, which is a few mandarin fishes and nothing else.

As a result, Han Jiangshi was too embarrassed to refuse, so he had to ask someone to seal a thick silver seal, "reward" Nanny Lin, and asked her to convey his thanks.

*
Cao Mansion, Wutong Garden.

When dinner was served, Cao Yong was taken aback when he saw mandarin fish on the table.

"Sixth Uncle sent someone to send it, saying it was a new tribute." Chu Yu replied.

Cao Yong shook his head and said: "I'll tell him tomorrow, tell him not to send it here in the future. After all, I'm not in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so it's eye-catching to send it like this..."

*
Ask for a few monthly tickets, for the next bright spring, (*^__^*)…

(End of this chapter)