The Concubine Wushuang of Red Mansion

Chapter 135 The Jia family loses money
Xifeng stopped her before she could go out, "Ping'er, don't leave yet, I have something else to do!"

"Grandma what's the matter?"

When it comes to business matters, Ping'er will not show off her face. Besides, she is also a maid who knows how to advance and retreat, and knows when enough is enough.

"Today the old lady said that the Mid-Autumn Festival is going to be a big event, and she wants to invite Grandma Zhen and Grandma Cong San of Dongfu together. Please help me make a trip and invite them."

Jia Lian said from the side, "Ping'er is going to invite me. I'm afraid I won't have the dignity to do so, right?"

Xifeng rolled her eyes at him, "Oh, you told me something about losing face? Why, Sister-in-law Zhen is a face-bearing person, so I deserve to be a face-less person. I am a face-less person. Don't you want to lose face and go and invite her?"

Ping'er chuckled and said, "Grandma said these tongue twisters. Speak slowly. Did the second master hear it clearly?"

Jia Lian was so annoyed by this lovely wife and beautiful concubine that he couldn't even eat a bite. He was very angry. He didn't dare to scold Xifeng, but he scolded Ping'er, "Little hoof, you are so rude in front of me." Woke up?"

Xifeng was afraid that the trouble would become real, so she protected her maid and pushed Ping'er, "Go quickly. If you can't invite her, I'll invite you again. Let's learn from Liu Bei and pay three visits to the thatched cottage."

Ping'er thought to himself, if these things happen again, wouldn't it be good for everyone to live their own lives?

She wanted to persuade Xifeng, but every time she tried to persuade Xifeng, Xifeng wouldn't listen. She talked too much, and in the end she couldn't get a good answer, so she just gave up.

Jia Lian also stood up, "I'll go to the master to find out about the 5 taels of silver."

Xifeng knew how important this matter of money was to Jia Lian, and she couldn't even stay for a little longer. If there was such an opportunity on weekdays, Jia Lian would definitely pull her to do something, but now he was very cruel. He walked out the door resolutely.

In the front yard, Jia Zheng was chatting with the Qing guests again.

After a few of the purgers he originally raised were arrested three years ago, the remaining few were still raised. After all, those who have been eliminated and can be retained are naturally good.

At this time, a scholar from the previous dynasty was arguing vigorously. Jia Lian came. Seeing that Jia Lian had something to do, the Qing guests hurriedly got up and left. At least they could take a rest.

Jia Zheng was not happy. Naturally, Jia Lian came here for general affairs. It was really inappropriate for him to be disturbed by such mundane matters.

But asking Jia Zheng to take care of the general affairs by himself, wouldn't it cost his life?
"What's the matter?" Jia Zheng asked impatiently.

Jia Lian didn't dare to look at him. After saluting, he said, "Master, since our family paid out the 50 taels of silver three years ago, it's not just the cash that has been lost. Some properties have also been affected to some extent. ."

Not only did Jia Lian say it, but Jia Zheng could also feel this influence. His life in the Ministry of Works was becoming more and more difficult. In addition to not being very good at dealing with people, he was too square and was not lovable. He also suffered from it. The impact of this sum of money.

Whether you are studying or working as an official, it is like sailing against the current. If you don't advance, you will retreat.

Although Rongguo Mansion has long been empty-handed, only they themselves know about it, and they have been trying their best to maintain a bright appearance on the surface, so that people outside do not know the situation inside and dare not underestimate them.

But Ning Rong and Ning Rong were at odds with each other. As soon as this money came out, it was obvious that the emperor did not like Rong Guo Mansion. In addition, Rong Guo Mansion had no rising stars, so it was easy for him to be underestimated.

It is natural that the people and property in the family will be affected.

Jia Zheng frowned and said nothing, and Jia Lian did not expect the master to come up with any solution. He said, "Everyone in the family is at a loss. The Zhen family has received 5 taels of silver from us. My nephew thought, why not give it to us first?" Take out this sum of money and get over the current difficulties first?"

As soon as Jia Zheng heard that there was a solution, his brows widened, and he waved at Jia Lian as if he were waving a piece of smelly dog ​​shit, "You can just decide on these things yourself."

The reason why this money is kept in the Zhen family is for emergency use one day. Even if the Jia family is plundered, the money that you know and I know that no one else knows and has not been accounted for will be used for emergencies.

They just brought flowers like this, and neither uncle nor nephew thought about where they would go to get a sum of money to make up for it in the future. They were both people who had passed today and no matter where they were tomorrow.

Jia Lian was happy. 5 taels of silver could last him two years. No matter what happened to him in the future, he should get over the current life first.

He asked for instructions on two more insignificant matters, lest the master think that he came just to get the 5 taels of silver. Jia Zheng sounded like it was not a big deal, but he listened patiently and said something superficial. With his own opinions, he perfunctory the process and rushed to let him go.

Jia Lian just got up to say goodbye and walked out the door. He felt refreshed for a while. He pulled on his wrinkled robe and was about to leave. A young boy rushed in and knelt down with a thud. He was so frightened that he couldn't even speak. .

"What's going on?" Jia Lian had a bad premonition and didn't lower his tone. This made Jia Zheng inside very unhappy, so he opened the curtain and came out.

The boy was out of breath. Jia Zheng frowned and asked, "What happened?"

"Returning to the master, I just heard about what the second master said. I heard that the Zhen family, the Zhen family was ransacked!"

There was a dead silence in the yard for a long time, and even the wind walked around the road, not daring to whistle by here.

Jia Lian only thought that it was evil. He had not thought of the 5 taels of silver earlier, and he had not thought of the 5 taels of silver much later. But he remembered it at this time and said that he wanted to get back to use it. The Zhen family was ransacked.

What about teasing him?
"Can you say that again!"

"The Zhen family was raided, that's what everyone is saying on the street now!"

This young man also had a son at home, and he still knew clearly how many old relatives he had.

Jia Zheng felt bad for a while, his vision went dark, and he rushed forward. Jia Lian was younger and could bear it, but he had quick eyesight and hands and quickly caught him and asked people to rush him to the house.

The Jia family was in a panic. The news reached the backyard within a few breaths. In the Rongqing Hall, Jia’s mother woke up from a nap. When she heard this bolt from the blue, she felt that half of the sky had collapsed again. , she struggled to get up, leaned on crutches, and ran forward, "Which nonsense person said that the Zhen family was raided?"

The old concubine was still alive in the palace, and the second daughter of the Zhen family had just become the concubine of the Beijing County Prince's Palace. She didn't hear any news at all, so how could she be copied just yet?

Don't blame Jia Mu for not believing it.

It all happened so suddenly.

When Xifeng heard the news, she quickly came out, supported the old lady and ran forward.

In Jia Zheng's study, the doctor has not come yet, but Mrs. Wang has arrived one step ahead and is shedding tears. Jia Lian is guarding the bedside. Jia Zheng's forehead is covered with a snow-white hot handkerchief. Only Jia Zheng's face is bigger than this handkerchief. The child is even whiter.

"Which maggot-like prisoner who is not afraid of death said that the Zhen family was raided? Huh? Let him come to see me, let him say it in front of me, see if I don't beat him to death!" Jia Mu's cane was on There was a chopping sound on the ground, and he came in after a few steps. Mrs. Wang stood up hurriedly.

Jia Lian did not dare to speak and retreated.

Jia Zheng was out of breath and said in a voice like a gnat, "Mother, don't panic yet, let's go out and inquire."

Soon, Wu Xindeng, the newly appointed manager of the Jia family, rolled in like a weight. He didn't have time to wipe the sweat on his forehead, "Go back to the old lady, madam..." "Oh, you can just say it. Hurry up and say it." !" Xifeng scolded.

Although Wu Xindeng has been the housekeeper for three years, he is not as good as Lai Da. He does not dare to be arrogant in front of his master in speaking and doing things. Now he is actually frightened by Xifeng and dare not speak out.

The old lady looked unhappy and said, "Tell me, are you mute?"

"Reply...yes, yes, the Zhen family has been ransacked!"

"Ah?" Mother Jia finally came to the truth that she didn't want to accept. She burst into tears and wailed for a while, "How can this be good!"

The entire Zhen family was ransacked!
At this time, Jia Mu had not thought about the 5 taels of silver. Although Jia Lian thought about it, she did not dare to mention it. Xifeng did not dare to forget it. At this time, she had to remind her, "Our family still has 5 taels of silver." I’m sending it to Zhen’s house, these 5 taels of silver..."

Jia Lian still knew the importance, "If you are raising 5 taels of silver at this time, could it be that you miss our family and the Zhen family..."

He originally wanted to say "we were all ransacked together", but this was really unlucky. He didn't even dare to think about it, so he just asked, "Is there anything else? Is it just the house being ransacked or is there something else?"

Wu Xindeng still had a low profile and didn't know what Jia Lian meant. He only said what he had heard, "I heard that a total of more than 330 million taels of silver were copied. The eldest son of the Zhen family is gone. He said he committed suicide out of fear of crime. The rest, the younger ones, I didn’t find out.”

More than 330 million taels of silver!Xifeng's eyes widened, how rich the Zhen family was!

"What crime did the Zhen family commit?" Jia Lian asked Jia Zheng. The implication was that the Jia family would be implicated.
"It's said to be treason..." Wu Xindeng said, "I heard it was copied by our third master?"

"What did you say?" Mother Jia looked like she was crazy. She almost jumped three feet high and asked, "Who do you think ransacked the Zhen family?"

Wu Xindeng was sweating more and more cheerfully. He kowtowed as if he was the one who was being copied, "I heard from outside that it was our third master who led the army to copy!"

"Ah?" Mrs. Wang who heard clearly couldn't believe it, "How could Cong'er do such a thing? Is he crazy?"

Xifengxin said, I really can’t get back the 5 taels of silver!
The old concubine in the palace will not let go of their Jia family.

Mother Jia sat down again, her whole body went limp, and she said with tears in her eyes, "How could our Jia family have such a rebellious son? He only harmed his own family, but actually harmed all his relatives. A hundred years from now, , How can I have the face to see the Duke of the country!"

After saying that, he burst into tears.

In the palace, the Emperor and King Zhongshun saw that after the small hundred households used the fire cannons, they realized that the fire cannons would definitely replace bows and arrows in the future. The accuracy was controllable and the shooting speed may not be as fast as those of sharpshooters, but they were more suitable for military use. Equipment in.

The emperor felt that he needed to wait for Jia Cong to elaborate later.

The Franconian gun was placed on the Kang table. The emperor was leaning on the Kang, discussing with King Zhongshun the feasibility of the divine army camp proposed by Jia Cong.

If the Divine Barracks is really to be built, the first thing that must be solved is the problem of money. This is why the emperor saw the great future of the Franco machine gun, but was not too excited. Not to mention it is too warehouse, he has hidden The mice in Curry are all moving, so what should we use to build the divine barracks?
However, the emperor is the emperor after all, so he asked Song Hongxuan to come to the Ministry of Civil Affairs and ask him to draft an edict, "Pass on my edict. Jia Cong has made many military exploits and is known as a great talent. In addition to running the current errands well, he will also order him to Lead the God Barracks."

Li Goutong, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, had been the Grand Sikong for so many years, but he had never heard of such an institution as the Shenbing camp in the Dashun Dynasty. He was confused for a long time, raised his head, and looked at the emperor blankly, "Your Majesty, this old minister is stupid. , what is this divine barracks?"

"The Shenbing camp is a yamen I am about to build. You don't know that Jia Cong knows about this. You are responsible for conveying my will to him, and he knows the rest."

The emperor was in a good mood. Although his total holdings now were less than 330 million taels of silver, since he had Jia Cong, his family fortune was getting richer day by day.

I think back then, he couldn't even pay the salary of hundreds of officials, and he was about to be in trouble. At the critical moment, Jia Cong helped him, and he got more than [-] taels of silver in one go. He still remembers that time to this day. The relief of taking that breath.

Jia Cong not only contributed a large amount of money himself, but later the Rongguo Mansion paid out more than 40 taels of silver. This money did not reach his pocket, but it did make the Emperor quiet for a few days.

Now, as soon as the more than 300 million taels of silver came out, the emperor seemed to see the emperor and the four kings and seven princes furious. He was about to jump with joy. The more people wanted him to kill Jia Cong, the more he wanted to keep this ruthless man. !

What a sharp knife!
"Your Majesty, I heard that Jia Cong raided the Zhen family?" Li Jutong was not stupid. The emperor sent an errand to Jia Cong in such a hurry without going through the court meeting or the cabinet. Once he gave the emperor's decree to If he accepts it, he will become the target of public criticism at tomorrow's court meeting.

The emperor chuckled and said, "Li Jutong, I haven't received any news from the south, but you have a lot of eyes and ears. Tell me, who told you that the Zhen family was raided?"

Li Jutong broke out in a cold sweat, thinking that he was careless. How did he know that the emperor didn't know about this?It seems to be groundless!
But how did the news get out?

"I don't know, I just heard about it."

King Zhongshun got a taste of it at this time, and frowned and said, "Li Jutong, what you heard from hearsay, how can you come before the emperor? If you misled the emperor, how can you shoulder this responsibility?"

Li Jutong was at a disadvantage and had to follow the order to do things. He was not afraid that someone would impeach him tomorrow. After all, he asked the emperor if he should take the risk. If anyone dares to say why he didn't remonstrate, he would You can also say, can't he die to remonstrate?

Li Jutong went to do business, and King Zhongshun was puzzled, "Brother, from the preparation of the construction of this divine barracks to the development of weapons as Jia Cong said, it must have cost a lot of money, right? Where will this money come from in the future?"

"I plan to keep Jia Cong in the south of the Yangtze River. As for the money matter, since Jia Cong has accepted the errand of the divine army camp, he will be responsible for it. What is the situation of the treasury now? Although Jia Cong is young, I can't help but look at him. It’s not that you don’t understand the truth.”

King Zhongshun said that he wanted the horse to run but also wanted the horse to cut the grass by itself. After all, it was the word poverty. He never thought in his wildest dreams that poverty could force a person of ninety-five years of age to become poor. rogue.

Thinking of this, King Zhongshun felt even more sorry for his royal brother.

Jia Cong's serious report on the Eight Classics has not yet reached the capital. Rumors have already spread in the capital, gradually fermenting, just waiting for a breakthrough to break out.

That night, the emperor slept peacefully. In his dream, he saw the Liaodong Army beating Nurhachi's Jurchen Army to pieces with guns and cannons, and the white silver in the treasury glowed brightly and blindingly. He also learned the lesson. The old lady of the Zhen family wrote water labels on all the vegetables in the world, and ate them every day. After a month of eating, she didn't get anything the same.

In the Daming Palace, the Supreme Emperor was looking at a poem written by Gu Mingchen.

The characters on the ivy paper are square and clear, the writing force is majestic and broad, the font is grand but not rigid, and the writing style is strong but not clumsy.

I don't know how much honor this handwriting has brought to Gu Mingchen. No matter what his official status is or what his character is, his handwriting will never be said negatively.

The Supreme Emperor also liked his calligraphy very much in the past. Even if sometimes the Qingci he wrote were not novel in conception and the wording was not refined enough, the Supreme Emperor would still choose his calligraphy because this handwriting could give him extra points.

But today, the Supreme Emperor shook his head, "Mingchen, your Qingci today is not bad. Even this handwriting would be even more perfect if you use Jia Cong's Yuanze style!"

Gu Mingchen cursed in his heart, knelt on the ground and kowtowed and reflected on himself before saying, "Your Majesty, I don't dare. I heard that Jia Cong was so bold that he ransacked the Zhen family in Jiangnan!"

At this moment, no one realized where did Jia Cong get the order to confiscate his house?
The common people's homes must be confiscated, and there must be documents to prove it. Where did Jia Cong get the confidence, and who gave him the will to confiscate the house of the native emperor Zhen in Jiangnan.

(End of this chapter)