Take the farm down to earth

Chapter 181: The Art of Balance
Even just providing a bowl of gruel for a meal is enough to keep many refugees from starving to death.

In addition, the price of autumn grain in Gyeonggi has dropped a lot, and those old grains are even more difficult to sell, so some big families simply use it to gain fame and give porridge publicly.

Of course, the bigger reason is that the imperial court obtained a large amount of food and dried fish, and the exploitation of the lower class was not as severe as in previous years. Only with a stable society can the lower class have more chances to survive.

Liu Zhongkun knew very well that at least half of the credit should go to Shi Zhongkui.

Now that he has said it in public, it is clear that he is making a name for himself and asking for credit.

And with Liu Yuangong's prestige, the bosses above couldn't do without responding.

If there are no other mistakes, the Ministry of Officials and the Cabinet will definitely give him an excellent grade this year, and he may have a chance to be promoted and leave the crater-like Shuntian Mansion.

Liu Zhongkun grabbed Shi Zhongkui's hand, "Bo Qian is too much a teacher, some small things are not only the duty of a teacher, but also the place of morality."

Shi Zhongkui laughed secretly, since he is a master, how can he say that his disciples praise his master.

Liu Zhongkun was overly happy, and he no longer felt that he was superior to his disciple, so he subconsciously put the relationship between the two on an equal footing.

And this is typical irony and self-promotion, but others can't talk about him.

A word of morality can stop everyone's mouth.

After complimenting Liu Zhongkun a few more words, his promotion was considered the official conclusion of the case.

Then when Liu Zhongkun started the company's official business, just as Shi Zhongkui expected, "Master Shi, although I have accepted this case, I can only report it to the clan's office, and at the same time, I can only shoulder the responsibilities of assistance and supervision.

What the outcome will be is not up to me, the Shuntian government office, to decide. "

"Don't worry, my lord, the requirements of the lower officials are not high, as long as Beijing County Prince Shui Rong returns the string of wagtail incense rosaries and maintains the imperial court's laws and regulations.

In order not to write this in the history books when the Hanlin Academy compiles history, the rest is the business of the clan's family. "

Liu Zhongkun and the officials of the Shuntian Mansion in the court trembled a little when he said these words, as if a basin of cold water had been poured on them.

The phrase "write a stroke in the history books" let alone water-soluble, even the emperor and the emperor dare not underestimate it.

Moreover, the Hanlin Academy is indeed responsible for recording what happened in the ruling and opposition parties, and at the same time is responsible for compiling history.

Today the emperor does not allow writing, and it will be difficult to say when the emperor has changed in ten or twenty or thirty years.

Even the new emperor didn't have that kind of thought at all. He read the boring history books of previous dynasties after reading word by word.

And the new generation of Hanlin who are in charge of revising the history books definitely sit on the side of the seniors.

Besides, there are more top-notch historians. If you don’t let me write it, I will write it anyway. It’s useless when the emperor comes.

But these historians are extremely afraid of the big bosses of the Imperial Academy.

You write yours, tomorrow I will change it for you, even if you hit the wall and commit suicide, you will die in vain.

Because it is very likely that it will not be recorded at all, if it cannot be left in the history books, and leave your own name.

In a few years, if no one cares about you and this matter at all, it will be a waste of time.

After Shi Zhongkui left Shuntian Mansion, he first went to the Hanlin Academy to report, and then went to the Ministry of Rites under the watchful eyes of a group of Hanlin and small officials.

Seeing him walk into the yamen of the Ministry of Rites, there was a lot of discussion outside again.

Suing Prince Shui Rong of Beijing County, who was a family friend of the Jia family, in Shuntian Mansion before, was already a bit incomprehensible, but now he went to the Ministry of Rites, who knows who he is going to drag into trouble again.

As for the Jiajiarong State Mansion, there has long been chaos.

The string of wagtail incense beads that Shui Rong gave back to Jia Baoyu was given to Jia Baoyu in public. Jia Zheng was unwilling to accept it at the time, but if Jia Baoyu refused to accept it in full view, it would be slapping Shui Rong in the face.

Although the four princes and eight princes are not considered to be advancing and retreating together, the practice of helping each other in case of a family has basically become a tacit understanding over the years.

In addition, since the Jia family has been in the family for more than ten years, Jia Zheng is the only person who has truly entered the court as an official.

Not to mention losing face publicly in the presence of many relatives, friends, and family acquaintances.

Moreover, it has been almost 3 years since this matter, and no one has cared about it for a long time, but now that Shi Zhongkui mentioned it, he put Jia's family on the cusp of the storm again.

If Jia Lian hadn't come back to report and Shi Zhongkui had promised to help, the Jia family might have thought that Shi Zhongkui was making trouble.

But Jia's mother, Jia Zheng and Jia She still thought that Shi Zhongkui might be devious, and a group of female relatives didn't have such a long-term vision.

Not so good concentration and wisdom to think so much.

Moreover, Mrs. Wang was already in a state of confusion because it involved Jia Baoyu.

Looking at Baoyu who was being held in Jia Mu's arms and frightened like a quail under Jia Zheng's eyes, he couldn't help crying from the heart, "Old lady, is this uncle trying to save Zhen'er, or do he want to take Baoyu with him?" got hurt together?"

"shut up."

Jia Zheng slapped the table furiously and stood up, staring at Mrs. Wang as if he was about to eat people, and said, "If you keep talking nonsense, from now on, you can go to the Buddhist hall and worship Buddha wholeheartedly."

As soon as these words came out, not only Mrs. Wang's face turned pale, but the bodies of the other female relatives also trembled slightly in fright.

It is said that it is worshiping the Buddha, but it is actually a disguised form of imprisonment, and the ancient Buddha with a green lamp for a lifetime will definitely drive people crazy on that day.

"Okay." Seeing that Jia Baoyu was trembling, Jia's mother hurriedly shouted, "Why panic, no matter how unwise my grandson and uncle are, he will not harm his father-in-law's family at this time, let alone Baoyu, who poses no threat to him." brother-in-law.

Otherwise, how could he still have the face to stand on the court, let alone say that he is a disciple of a sage.

Furthermore, he is the only Duke of Liuyuan throughout the ages, and he has been an official of the fourth rank in less than a year, Zhongshun doctor, what good is it to harm my family?

Who in the whole court is so powerful that he can be promoted faster than himself? "

When everyone thought about it, it seemed that this was indeed the case.

Seeing that everyone was silent, Jia Mu smiled and said, "My uncle is such a smart person, my wife can understand me, why can't he understand.

What's more, we are real relatives, broken bones are still connected! "

After hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Mrs. Wang wept with joy and again and again confessed to Jia's mother.

From ancient times to the present, close relatives are not casually talked about. Even if relatives report to each other, unless it is a crime of treason or treason, it is true that the informer will be punished first, and it has also been accepted by countless gentry.

Baoyu just accepted a string of rosary beads, and accepted it in public. If you really want to judge the crime, the emperor or the censors and officials would have had a fit a few years ago.

Where is the need to wait until now?
"old lady."

Yuanyang didn't even care about etiquette, raised the curtain and hurried to Jiamu's side and said in a low voice, "There are rumors outside that the second son-in-law went to the Ministry of Rites.

Some officials read a book by Master Zhen.

It is said that he is incapable of managing the family, arrogant and extravagant, and allows his servants to run amok outside.After hearing that His Majesty had read the scriptures, he was very dissatisfied.

However, it was said outside that at this time the second uncle was ordered to go to the imperial study. "

When Jia's mother heard the last sentence, she really felt relieved and laughed.

"Okay, Zhen'er should be fine, but she shouldn't be able to escape being grounded and reprimanded."

Jia Amnesty, Jia Zheng and the others understood as soon as they heard it that the crimes of poor family management and extravagance are actually not crimes at all, but offenses.

But this is Ningguo Mansion's own business, and a prodigal family is also a defeated Ningguo Mansion. At most, outsiders can only say that Jia Zhen doesn't look like a patriarch or patriarch, and just make fun of it.

As for the crime of allowing a servant to do anything wrong outside, unless he is beaten to death or forced to death, otherwise the servant will be pushed out to cover the crime.

No matter how powerful it is, it is nothing more than giving up the title and passing the Ningguo Mansion to Jia Rong.Either stay at home or become a monk as a Taoist priest.

Even if this is the case, it will be a good thing for the Rongguo Mansion.

Jia Zhen's third-rank general title is already the last generation. When Jia Rong took over, there was no title to inherit.

In addition, Jia Zhen was fined to retire, and his father Jia Jing also abandoned his family business and descendants halfway to become a monk, which means that both father and son are unworthy descendants, which is not a small crime.

The Ningguo Mansion must give up the position of the head of the Jia family.

And those who are qualified to take over are either Jia Amnesty or Jia Zheng.

Even Jia Lian, who is about to go to Taichang Temple and serve as the seventh-rank doctor of Taichang Temple, has the opportunity to be elected as the new patriarch by the various houses of the Jia family.

Jia Amnesty could think of it, and of course Mother Jia could think of it, even Mrs. Wang, Wang Xifeng and Jia Lian thought of it, so there was a slight look of joy on her face.

Secretly thinking that the second son-in-law and brother-in-law are really capable people, Jia Lian even thought that Shi Zhongkui really had his heart for his uncle.

It was Mrs. Xing who was a little confused and did not dare to say anything.

After Madam Wang calmed down, she was still worried, "Madam, what about Baoyu?"

"What does this have to do with my precious jade?"

Mother Jia smiled and looked at Jia Zhengdao, "Zheng'er, I remember that you enshrined that rosary in the Buddhist hall in Rongxi Hall the year before last, since my uncle said it's not good for our family to keep it.

Then you take Baoyu and his mother, take a bath and change clothes to invite them out, and then take Baoyu,,,. "

As she said that, Mother Jia glanced at Jia Lian, and continued with a thought, "I also sent Lian'er outside the palace gate together, and handed it over to my uncle when he came out.

Afterwards, whether he will hand it over to Xia Shouzhong, Xia's inner minister, or send it to the clan's residence depends entirely on my aunt's will. "

After listening to it, Mrs. Wang seemed to feel refreshed after drinking a bowl of iced tremella soup.

Busily got up and bowed to Jia Mu, "The old lady is still thoughtful, my daughter-in-law is going to ask for the rosary."

After speaking, his eyes were on Jia Baoyu.

In fact, the string of rosary beads has always been in Baoyu's hands, and it is just for outsiders to say that they are enshrined in the Buddhist hall.

Even Buddhist halls rather than ancestral halls are exquisite.

Only imperial edicts and royal bestowals are eligible to be enshrined in the ancestral hall. One is to respect, and the other is to inform the ancestors and show off.

And put the rosary in the Buddhist hall, one is that the rosary is originally a Buddhist thing, and the other is obviously telling outsiders that the monk has always practiced the afterlife, and the Jia family has absolutely no wrong thoughts in this life.

And after sending things out, even though he slapped Shui Rong in the face, how could Shui Rong be as important as Jia Baoyu?
Besides, Shui Rong doesn't have the heart to care about these things at this time, but it's not too late to ask Shi Zhongkui to show his noble hand.

Mother Jia patted Jia Baoyu on the back, and said with a smile, "Going to the Buddhist hall with your mother, you should be more careful in the future, don't just know how to mess around all day long.

In case your brother-in-law is really angry, I don't know how to protect you, grandma. "

Jia Baoyu was taken aback. In the past, he was able to play around freely because of Jia's mother's favor.

Moreover, once Jia Zheng disciplined or beat him, Jia's mother would protect him like a calf, which really encouraged Jia Baoyu's willful character when he was still young.

Now that Jia's mother can't do anything about it, Jia Baoyu, a cowardly fellow, dares to talk too much.

He hurriedly stood up, stood up honestly, and followed Jia Zheng and Mrs. Wang out of Jia's mother's room.

When they left, Mother Jia looked at Jia Lian and said, "Lian'er, when you see my uncle, tell him that if my Jia family can get through this difficulty this time, I will agree to whatever he wants."

When Jia She, Jia Lian, Wang Xifeng and others heard this, their expressions changed.

It seems that they just want to repay Shi Zhongkui sincerely, but there is also a faint feeling that the Jia family will follow his lead in the future.

But thinking about it, Shi Zhongkui has only been an official for less than a year, and he is already in the fourth rank. If he is given a few more years, Wang Ziteng will have to stand aside, and even curry favor with him.

Wang Xifeng couldn't help feeling a little disappointed, but thinking that she was Shi Zhongkui's sister-in-law, and Jia Lian was the real uncle, her mood suddenly improved again.

The bigger Shi Zhongkui's official position is, the more he will be protected by him and his own uncle at the same time. Just thinking about it, Wang Xifeng's waist straightened up.

But then Jia's mother said, "If possible, please uncle as much as possible to hug Zhen'er's title."

Suddenly, Jia She's blood rushed to his forehead, Jia Lian was disappointed, and Wang Xifeng thought to himself that the old lady was too calculating.

The technique of balance is a thief.

If Jia Amnesty takes over as the head of the Jia family, Jia's mother will no longer be able to suppress him.

If Jia Zheng takes over, he won't change anything, after all, the old master is like that, and he doesn't dare to change his personality.

But Mrs. Wang is hard to say.

If Jia Lian takes over, it will definitely break the existing atmosphere of Rongguo Mansion, and the couple will definitely have to move out of the small courtyard where they live now.

But Rongguo Mansion looks big, and the yards where they can live have long been owned.

If there is really no other way, we can only change the Lixiangyuan where Aunt Xue lived, and the courtyard where Jia Lian lives now, so that the specifications will not be weaker than Jia Amnesty's Dongyuan.

But this move will inevitably require a large sum of money.

And the Jia family is not usually short of money at this time.

Although Jia Baoyu should still be able to live in Rongguo Mansion in the future, the probability of his descendants being kicked out is not a possibility, but an inevitability.

Moreover, after a hundred years from Jia Mu and Jia Zheng, with Wang Xifeng's means, the life of Jia Baoyu and his wife and children will not be much easier.

So before Jia's mother died, she didn't want to see any changes in Jia's family.

Saying that she is selfish, there is no problem at all.

That's why Jia Amnesty turned pale with anger, and his hands trembled faintly.

(End of this chapter)