The Red Chamber: The Rise of the Lin Mansion

Although Jia Baoyu was young, he still had to follow Jia Lian to receive the sons and nephews sent by the Four Kings and Eight Dukes to celebrate their birthdays.

However, his thoughts have already flown back to the inner house, because his aunt Jia Min is going to bring Sister Lin over to celebrate his ancestor's birthday today, and he hasn't seen Sister Lin for many days, so how can he still think about dealing with these annoying men? Turbidity.

After dealing with several important guests, Baoyu asked Lian's second brother to entertain the guests on the pretext of feeling unwell, while he ran back to Bisha Kitchen to see Sister Lin.

...

When I entered the door, I saw that the room was full of people, not only sister Lin, but also Shi Xiangyun.The two girls are sitting and talking with sisters Li Wan and Sanchun.

Seeing Baoyu coming in from the door, Daiyu and Shi Xiangyun hurriedly stood up and saluted him.

Baoyu returned the gift and said with a smile: "Sister Lin, Sister Yun, when did you come?"

Shi Xiangyun: "Sister Lin arrived first, and I just arrived not long ago."

Li Wan rushed to Baoyu and asked, "Brother Bao, didn't the old lady ask you to accompany the guests? Why did you come back?"

Baoyu: "I can't get in the way over there, so I won't be comfortable talking with you when I come back."

Tanchun smiled and said, "Second brother, you don't want to talk with them, do you?"

"Third sister still understands my thoughts best."

Xichun jokingly said: "Second brother, you are not afraid that the master will pick you after he finds out, aren't you?"

Baoyu: "Master is busy today, he can't take care of me."

After a pause, he smiled at Daiyu again: "Sister, I heard that my uncle has arrested many corrupt officials in Yangzhou. It's really amazing."

Daiyu said arrogantly: "My brother sent someone to report to my mother, saying that my father led people to seize tens of millions of taels of dirty silver. Those corrupt officials are really abominable, and they have stolen so much silver."

Shi Xiangyun: "I also heard from my aunt about this, and it caused a sensation."

Baoyu asked Li Wan: "Sister-in-law, uncle has made such a great contribution, the emperor will transfer uncle to the capital to be an official, right?"

Li Wan smiled wryly and said: "I can't guess that. Although Uncle Lin has made great contributions, he has offended many officials. Whether he can be promoted or not is still a matter of discussion."

Tanchun was surprised and said, "Is it wrong to investigate and deal with corrupt officials?"

Li Wan: "This matter is very complicated. You are still young, so you don't understand it."

Tanchun wanted to ask again, but saw Yuanyang walking in and smiling at Li Wan: "Sister-in-law, Princess Nan'an is here. The old lady asked me to lead the girls out to meet the guests."

Li Wan heard the words and said joyfully: "Did Concubine Nan'an come to celebrate the old lady's birthday?"

"Yes."

Yuanyang turned to Baoyu and said with a smile: "Second Master Bao, I will take them over to meet the guests and then come back."

Baoyu was a little unhappy. He just saw Sister Lin, and he was disturbed without even saying a word.

However, he also knew in his heart that Concubine Nan'an, like his ancestors, was a big shot who could not be offended.

...

Yuanyang led a few little sisters to the main hall of the upper room where Jia Mu received distinguished guests. When she entered the door, she saw a lady wearing a phoenix crown, about 50 years old, sitting with Jia Mu, talking and laughing. Next to the two, only Jia Min stood by and accompanied them, and the family members Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Xing did not show up.

Seeing the girls coming in with the mandarin ducks, Mother Jia waved at them and said with a smile, "You little sisters all come to pay respects to the old concubine."

Several girls stepped forward and greeted Concubine Nan'an sitting at the head respectively.

When Mother Jia introduced Daiyu, Concubine Nan'an stood up, pulled out a gold hairpin from her head, stuck it on Daiyu's head and smiled, "Miss Min is really blessed to have such a lovely daughter. envious."

Jia Min hurriedly said: "The old concubine is too famous, you don't know, this girl is naughty."

Concubine Nan'an smiled and said, "It's better to be naughty. I think I was naughty when I was young, but when I grew up, I became more stable."

Jia Mu laughed and said, "Yu girl can't compare with you, don't let her down."

After finishing speaking, she introduced the remaining girls to Concubine Nan'an.

Concubine Nan'an praised a few words as usual, but did not express anything else.

After the introduction, Mother Jia asked Yuanyang to take the little sisters out.

After the girls left, Concubine Nan'an smiled at Jia Min: "Your husband is really capable of making troubles. What he did in Yangzhou was a blockbuster."

Jia Min smiled wryly and said, "My husband's character is actually not suitable for being an official. I really hope that the emperor can remove his official position and let him go back to his hometown in Suzhou to reflect."

Concubine Nan'an turned to Jia Mu and said, "Old sister, did you hear that girl Min is fighting for her husband?"

Jia Min said aggrievedly: "The old concubine must not misunderstand, I am speaking the truth."

Concubine Nan'an: "Even if you really mean it, the emperor is reluctant to let your husband become an official."

Mother Jia: "Min'er is right. My son-in-law has a straight temper and is not suitable for being an official. Let's take this incident as an example. Since so many courtiers impeached him, it can be seen that he has a lot of things to do. Deficiencies. Min'er, you should remind him more in the future."

Jia Min hurriedly said, "Daughter understands."

At this moment, Wang Xifeng came in and reported to Mother Jia: "Old Ancestor, Princess Beijing is here."

Concubine Nan'an smiled and said, "Since the third girl is here, let's go and meet her together."

Jia Mu hurriedly stood up and said, "Toffee, let's go sit in the flower hall."

Concubine Nan'an: "Okay."

Jia Min quickly stepped forward and helped Concubine Nan'an to walk out of the hall.

Chapter 133: Compromise

Daming Palace, inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

At noon, Emperor Zhide was convening three cabinet ministers to discuss matters, mainly to discuss the final conclusion of the major case of smuggling salt in Yangzhou.

Lin Ruhai searched the Bai family in Yangzhou. The merits and demerits of the courtiers are very controversial, and there is still no clear statement.

After the initial joy, Emperor Zhide also gradually felt how strong the rebound of the basket poked by Lin Ruhai was.

Not to mention that the Supreme Emperor avoided seeing him, even the Empress was called to admonish him by the Empress Dowager, saying that the Son of Heaven's heirs are weak, and that she bears a great responsibility as an empress, and she cannot continue the royal bloodline for the sake of solid favor. Regardless, you should reflect on it.

The queen was sad for a long time after she came back, and Emperor Zhide naturally understood that this was the Supreme Emperor's extreme dissatisfaction with him for allowing Lin Ruhai to search the Bai family, and it was also a stern warning to him.

...

In the main hall, Emperor Zhide sat behind the case, looked at the three cabinet ministers and asked: "Several days have passed since the Yangzhou salt tax fraud case, the cabinet should have a conclusion, right?"

Zhou Muzhai, the chief minister of the cabinet, raised his hands to the Emperor Zhide and said: "Your Majesty, the ministers in the DPRK and the Central Government have no objections to the case itself. Now there is a huge debate about the merits and demerits of Mr. Lin in this case, and a unified opinion has not been formed so far. .”

Emperor Zhide: "What's the opinion of the cabinet? The three love ministers don't have any arguments, do they?"

Zhou Muzhai: "The old minister suggests that His Majesty transfer Master Lin back to the capital to serve in the Imperial Academy, and then select officials to take over as the Imperial Envoy of Lianghuai Salt Inspection."

Emperor Zhide's face darkened when he heard the words, Zhou Muzhai's suggestion was to treat Lin Ruhai coldly, and arrange him to sit on the bench in the Imperial Academy.

The Second Assistant to the Cabinet, Yang Hongchong, raised his hand and said to the emperor: "Your Majesty, I think Elder Zhou's suggestion is inappropriate. Lin Ruhai has made great contributions in investigating and dealing with illegal salt. The court should put him in a more important position. I recommend that Lin Ruhai be promoted to provide education in Guangxi."

Emperor Zhide cursed inwardly when he heard the words, that Yang Hong's suggestion was clearly a promotion in secret, and it was not as good as Zhou Muzhai's suggestion just now.

He looked at Song Yue and asked, "Song Qing, what's your opinion?"

Song Yue: "Your Majesty, I agree with Elder Zhou Ge's opinion. However, after all, Mr. Lin has made great contributions in investigating and handling the big case of salt smuggling. I suggest that Your Majesty confer on him as a Bachelor of Wenhua Palace."

When Emperor Zhide heard the words, he secretly praised Song Yue's suggestion and Lu Xingzhi's opinion. The Bachelor of Wenhuadian seems to be a useless title, but it can pave the way for him to reuse Lin Ruhai in the future. "

Thinking of this, he calmly asked Zhou Muzhai: "Zhou Qing, do you think this proposal is feasible?"

Zhou Muzhai thought for a while and said: "This proposal is feasible, and the old minister seconded it."

Emperor Zhide asked Ci Fu Yanghong again: "Yangqing, do you think this proposal is feasible?"

Yang Hong said without hesitation: "I also think this proposal is feasible."

After a pause, he said again: "Your Majesty, it is not appropriate to be absent for a long time. The minister proposes that Yu Minshi, the inspector censor, take over as the salt inspector of Lianghuai."

Emperor Zhide frowned when he heard this. This Yu Minshi was the imperial concubine's natal nephew and Zhou Muzhai's son and daughter's in-laws. Yang Hong's proposal to let him take over as the Lianghuai inspector salt censor probably meant the emperor's intention.

He was about to object, but he heard Zhou Muzhai agreeing from the side: "The old minister seconded the proposal."

Song Yue hesitated for a moment, but also agreed: "The minister also seconded the proposal."

When Emperor Zhide heard that all three of them agreed with this proposal, he immediately understood in his heart that this was a condition put forward by the Supreme Emperor. If he wanted to calm down the matter, he had to accept this candidate.

After a little thought, Emperor Zhide nodded and said, "Then, according to what Yang Qing said, appoint Yu Minshi as the envoy of Lianghuai Salt Patrol."

"The minister respects the decree."

...

Coming out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Song Yue clapped his hands at Zhou Muzhai and said with a smile, "Congratulations to Elder Zhou Ge."

Zhou Muzhai glanced at Song Yue with dissatisfaction. He naturally understood that Yang Hong proposed this candidate to please him and the Supreme Emperor, but he knew that this proposal would offend the Emperor without thinking about it, but he was an old minister left over from the period of the Supreme Emperor. It's almost impossible to please.

Although Song Yue was bored, he was still very happy.

A few days ago, Lin Yun sent someone from Yangzhou to the capital to deliver a letter and gave him 5000 taels of silver. Naturally, the purpose was to let him speak for Lin Ruhai in front of the emperor.

Regarding Emperor Zhide's desire to protect Lin Ruhai, Song Yue thought he was very clear about it, and he was happy to give away this favor. Don't think that this Wenhua Palace University scholar is a false title, but when he really meets the opportunity to join the cabinet in the future, this title is worth it. The effect is too great.

After leaving the Daming Palace, Song Yue was still thinking in his heart, should he write a letter to Min Xuezheng from Yingtian Mansion, asking him to take care of the kid.

...

After the three cabinet ministers left, Emperor Zhide grabbed the white jade paperweight on the imperial case and slammed it on the floor.

With a crisp sound, the white jade paperweight shattered into several small pieces, and the little servants in the hall were too frightened to breathe out, fearing that if they were not careful, they would anger the emperor and cause death.

Dai Quan waved his hand to let the servants go out, and then stepped forward to persuade: "Your Majesty calm down, don't be angry."

Emperor Zhide said with a gloomy face: "Dai Quan, you said that the Supreme Emperor has abdicated for several years, why are those courtiers willing to be driven by him?"

Dai Quan: "This matter is easy to understand. Only when Your Majesty and the Supreme Emperor are evenly matched can the courtiers profit from it."

Emperor Zhide: "A group of chaotic officials and thieves, I wish I could dismiss them all and investigate them."

Dai Quan said with a smile: "The future will be long, why should your majesty care about the length of time. The most important thing now is to send someone to Yangzhou to inform Mr. Lin, and let him escort the confiscated property to Beijing as soon as possible. With this money, your majesty can Free up your hands and feet to do things.”

Emperor Zhide sighed and said: "Lin Qing is really wronged. He has made such great achievements, but he still has to leave him idle. I am really ashamed of him."

Dai Quan: "Master Lin is an upright character, so he will definitely not care about these personal gains and losses. If your majesty feels that he owes Lord Lin, why not make it up to his nephew."

Emperor Zhide's eyes lit up when he heard the words, he thought for a while, and said: "I remember Lin Qing said in the secret book that his nephew also participated in the raid on the private salt dealers?"

Dai Quan nodded and said: "That's true. According to the news from the inner guard, it was the boy who led five hundred soldiers to attack the Green Willow Villa by tricks, wiped out the group of private salt dealers, and seized 30 shi of private salt. That’s why the case was settled.”

Emperor Zhide nodded slightly and said: "Preach the decree for me. Lin Yun led the team to crack the illegal salt case and has made great achievements. He plans to be promoted to the rank of fourth-rank dragon guard."