The Red Chamber: The Rise of the Lin Mansion

...

When he first arrived in Jinling, Lin Yun locked himself in the mansion and began to write classics and righteous articles seriously.

Before and after the Spring Festival, he was running around all the time, and he was not in the mood to study.Now I want to make up for it temporarily and make up for it.

Feng Ziying has no interest in studying. He goes out early and comes back late every day to play around.

I don’t know where Feng Ziying found out that Jia Yucun, the prefect of Jinling, had just taken office and was holding a new oiran competition on the Qinhuai River.

He strongly asked Lin Yun to accompany him to watch the Oiran Competition, Lin Yun was tortured by him, so he had to agree to accompany him to the Qinhuai River.

Chapter 137: The Oiran Competition

The Qinhuai River Oiran Competition is a grand event held by Jiangnan literati. Yingtian Mansion is known as the Small Cabinet. Most of the officials here are losers who have been defeated in the officialdom struggle in the capital.

Unable to express their ambitions in the officialdom, they could only devote their energy to such elegant affairs as holding cultural gatherings and organizing oiran competitions.

After Jia Yucun took office as the prefect of Jinling, in order to build a good relationship with local officials, he put down his dignity and actively prepared for this oiran competition.

...

The Oiran Competition is usually held for fifteen days.The judges are all selected from the famous gentry and senior officials in Jiangnan.Officials and wealthy businessmen around Jinling will participate and provide financial sponsorship.

In previous years, the Oiran Competition was held in March in Yangchun. This year, the new magistrate made an exception and moved the time forward to mid-February.

There are only two rounds, the preliminary round and the final round.The preliminary competition is very simple, the top sixteen contestants are determined by the number of flowers thrown by the audience.

In the final, the judges composed of celebrities, officials, and wealthy businessmen scored and voted to select the final oiran.

...

The Qinhuai River flows from Dongshuiguan to Xishuiguan, known as the Ten Li Qinhuai River.And Mochou Lake is just outside Xishui Pass.Known as "the No.1 lake in the south of the Yangtze River".

In early spring, the lake was slightly cold, and passers-by were still wearing cotton-padded clothes and jackets.

Lin Yun and the others followed the crowd and walked forward slowly. The willow trees by the lake had just sprouted new buds and were swaying gently in the breeze. This proved the saying that the spring breeze in February is like scissors.

A large stage with five colorful flags fluttering is set up on the open space by the lake, which is a venue for contestants to perform their talents.

There are also many colorful booths and auditoriums set up along the way. Beyond, there is a wider activity area, which is crowded with vendors and people, and it is very lively.

Feng Ziying suggested to Lin Yun: "Brother Lin, why don't we rent a boat, so we can watch it if we want, and we can rest if we don't want to."

Lin Yun was right when he thought about it, renting a boat would give him much freedom, and it would be no problem for several people to rest directly on the boat at night.

He immediately nodded in agreement and asked Xiao Mo and Du Sha to rent a boat.

There are many rich people in the south of the Yangtze River, which caused the price of chartering a boat to skyrocket. Lin Yun finally chartered a cruise ship at a price of 50 taels of silver per day.

Several people boarded the boat and looked from a distance, and suddenly felt condescending.

Feng Ziying stood in front of the window of the boathouse on the top floor, and said happily: "It's better to have money, and watch performances on the boat. You can watch whatever you want, and you can sleep if you don't want to."

Xiao Mo: "It's just too expensive, 50 taels of silver a day."

Lin Yun smiled and said: "Don't worry, this money will be earned back soon."

Feng Ziying hurriedly asked: "How to make money back?"

"It's very simple. On the day of the finals, we'll sell tickets on the boat. Whoever wants to watch the show will pay ten taels of silver. That's not too much."

Feng Ziying: "Is this okay?"

"Why not? By the time the final day comes, not only will the boat be gone, but even the good seats on land will have been taken away."

"It seems to be really possible."

...

While talking, a luxurious cruise ship sailed from the side.Just as the two boats passed by, Lin Yun saw Jia Yucun sitting opposite a refined-looking man in his [-]s from the open window, drinking tea and chatting.

Xiao Mo poked Lin Yun and said, "Third Master, isn't that Mr. Jia? Would you like to go over and say hello to him?"

Lin Yun shook his head and said, "Didn't you see there are guests on his boat?"

Feng Ziying asked from the side: "Brother Lin, is he Jia Yucun, the prefect of Jinling?"

"good."

...

On the opposite cruise ship, Jia Yucun was chatting with Xiao Jingan, Minister of Rites of Jinling.

This oiran contest was organized by Xiao Jingan. He has been an official in Jinling for many years and has a wide network of contacts. He is naturally handy in organizing such a romantic and elegant event.

However, what the two of them were talking about at this moment was not the Oiran Contest, but a report from the capital that Lin Ruhai was dismissed from the post of the Lianghuai Patrol and Imperial Envoy, and was replaced by Minshi.

Xiao Jing'an was the second assistant to the cabinet during the period of the Supreme Emperor. Because the deposed prince was implicated, he was dispatched by the then emperor to Jinling to retire.

This person also had a strong temper and admired Lin Ruhai's vigorous and resolute style.

He took a sip of tea and said, "It's unbelievable that the princes in the court can't tolerate talents like Ru Hai. It's really sad."

Jia Yucun laughed and said, "What's so strange about this, how many rats have been fattened up by the private salt in Lianghuai River. It's no wonder the rats are not in a hurry when Ruhai cut it down like this."

Xiao Jingan said happily: "It is not an exaggeration to say that they are mice."

Jia Yucun changed the topic and said: "Today is the beginning of the Oiran Competition, let's talk about Fengyue. Brother Xiao, in your opinion, which courtesan can win the first prize in this Oiran Competition?"

Xiao Jingan said with a wry smile: "It's really hard to say. Every year in the Oiran Contest, there are people behind the scenes manipulating it. Who goes up and who goes down depends on the support of their backers."

Jia Yucun: "Who won the Oiran title in last year's competition?"

Xiao Jing'an: "It's the Piao Miao girl from Meixianglou in Yangzhou. She won the oiran title for two consecutive terms because of the support of the Bai family."

Jia Yucun laughed and said, "In this case, she might lose the election this year."

"It's hard to say, she is already famous now. Unless someone is doing something secretly, she will probably win three consecutive championships."

Jia Yucun was taken aback when he heard the words, from Xiao Jingan's words, he heard that the other party seemed to support that Piao Miao girl.

After thinking for a while, he tentatively asked: "Brother Xiao, what do you think of the newly-emerged girl Yimei?"

Xiao Jing said happily: "It must be Cao Shaoqian who asked you to support Miss Yimei?"

Jia Yucun nodded and said: "Cao Jijiu was mentioned in front of me once. I don't know much about it, so I came to ask Brother Xiao a few questions."

Xiao Jing'an: "Although Miss Piaomiao has lost the support of the Bai family, Mama Yin of Meixianglou has some means. She should be able to find a replacement soon."

Jia Yucun: "So, I'm about to break my faith in Cao Jijiu."

Xiao Jing'an thought for a while, and said: "If you can persuade Zhen Yingjia to support Miss Yimei, this matter may be possible."

Jia Yucun: "Could it be that Jiangning Weaving Master Zhen?"

"it's him."

When Jia Yucun was meditating, his servant came over and whispered a few words in his ear.

Xiao Jingan hurriedly asked: "Is there something wrong with my virtuous brother?"

Jia Yucun smiled and said: "It's just that the boy saw an old friend and reminded me."

"Oh, but who is it?"

"Brother Xiao must have heard the name before. He is Lin Ruhai's nephew Lin Yun."

Xiao Jingan hurriedly asked: "Could it be Lin Xiucai who wrote Ping Nance?"

"it's him."

"Since it's him, Brother Xian, why don't you invite him to come over to see him? I also want to get to know this young hero."

Jia Yucun smiled and nodded, then called the boy and asked him to invite Lin Yun to meet him.

Chapter 138: Peers Are Enemies

Lin Yun walked into the elegant cabin of the cruise ship, saluted Jia Yucun, who was sitting behind the desk, and said, "Lin Yun, please give your regards, sir."

"Don't be too polite."

Jia Yucun raised his hand to help, and immediately introduced to Lin Yun: "Brother Yun, this is Xiao Jing'an, Shangshu of the Jinling Ministry of Rites."

Lin Yun hurriedly saluted Xiao Jingan and said, "Junior pays homage to Mr. Xiao Ge."

Xiao Jingan: "Nephew Lin Xian, is Uncle Ling okay?"

"Thank you, Mr. Ge, for your concern. My uncle is in good health. Before this junior came here, my uncle had received the emperor's edict and returned to the capital to serve in the Hanlin Academy. He must be on his way back to the capital at this time."

Xiao Jing'an smiled and said: "It's good to go back to Beijing to rest for a while, Mr. Lin is still young, and he won't worry about not having the opportunity to make contributions in the future."

"The elder Ge said so."

Jia Yucun: "Brother Yun, when did you come to Jinling?"

"I have been in Jinling for three days. I originally wanted to visit my husband earlier, but I wasted my studies during the Spring Festival. I was worried that my husband would be blamed, so I wanted to write a few articles with my heart and ask him for advice."

Jia Yucun jokingly said: "You said you were writing articles at home, why did you come here?"

Lin Yun smiled sheepishly and said, "It's a coincidence that I was forced to come here by a friend to play today, but I don't want to meet Mr.

Xiao Jingan said slowly for Lin Yun: "Study is of course important, but it is also important to go out to play properly and meet some scholars."

"The younger generation thinks so too."

Jia Yucun: "Did your uncle introduce you to study in the Imperial College?"

Lin Yun nodded and said, "Uncle has written a letter of recommendation to Cao Jijiu of the Imperial Academy, and this junior plans to visit him someday."

"Before you go, write a few articles with your heart, and ask Cao Jijiu for advice. With your level, it shouldn't be difficult to study in the Imperial College."

"The juniors have written it down."

Lin Yun said politely, and was about to say goodbye to the two of them, when he saw Jia Yucun's followers walk in and report to him: "My lord, Mama Yang from Yunyan Pavilion is leading Miss Liu to ask for an audience outside."

Jia Yucun frowned and said, "Go and tell her that the official is meeting guests and I don't have time to see them."

"Yes."

Lin Yun hurriedly offered his hand to Jia Yucun and said, "Sir and Mr. Ge have something to discuss. I'll take my leave first."

Jia Yucun nodded slightly and said, "Come to my house another day and talk to you in detail."

"Yes."