Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 116 No change is a good thing

The sealing of the Jin Dynasty in the Yuan Dynasty was originally a happy event. As usual, a banquet was held to celebrate, but something went wrong.

First, Jia Zhu fell ill and asked the doctor to see him. He said he had caught a cold and would have to lie down for a few days. While working on the front and back legs, Mrs. Wang also fell ill. She said it was because of chest tightness. The doctor had just treated Jia Zhu, and the ink on the prescription he prescribed was still wet, so he was invited to see Mrs. Wang again. Another prescription, a doctor's order to rest for a few days.

Jia Zheng, the head of the second house, was doing well. When he came back from get off work, he learned that his wife and eldest son were sick. He simply didn't take a look and asked the people around him to greet them. He had a party with a few diners! Have a drink and recite poems. Stay overnight at Aunt Zhang’s place!

Jia Mu knew everything, but she could only pretend to be deaf and dumb. In fact, she also wanted to know what the emperor's oral instructions were.

Anyone with a little bit of brains knows that Yuanchun Jinfeng is related to Jia Lian.

So here's the problem. Jia Lian studied at home all day long, and he didn't do anything big.

Is there a possibility that Yuanchun specifically asked for the reward for Jia Lian in the palace?

The conclusion is that it is impossible, because of the existence of Jia Zhu, Yuanchun, who is favored, has no reason to ignore Jia Zhu. Asking for favors and rewards should fall on Jia Zhu, such as during the provincial examination.

This is all the possibilities Jia Mu can think of. The information is not comprehensive, so she is puzzled.

As one of the people involved in the suppression of Jia's family in the previous generation, Jia's mother experienced Jia Zheng being given an official position. Because of her limited knowledge, there are many things that she cannot understand.

Jia Lian's success in passing the provincial examination is not the same as Jia Jing's success in becoming a Jinshi. When Jia Jingzhong became a Jinshi, Jia Daishan was still alive. When he was still dying, the Supreme Emperor gave Jia Zheng a hard fight and directly asked Jia Zheng to become an official.

After winter, the household department went to observe the government. In addition to the salary of their own titles, the household department also received a salary.

Jia Lian still smiled and said nothing, and his inner monologue was as follows: "What about your case of catching piracy?" The amount of money extorted should be over ten thousand taels, right? 】

Jia Lian was a little flattered by this situation. Has this kid learned to win people's hearts?

After some polite greetings, Jia Lian refused to step forward, so Li Heng took a step ahead and talked as he walked.

The emperor's unwillingness to be lonely led to the pull between the two generations of emperors, which caused the value of the Xungui Group to increase, and objectively increased the value of Jia Lian, the direct descendant of the Jia family. It's not that I don't want to suppress it, but that no one wants to take risks.

Facing Jia Lian's attitude, Li Heng could only sigh silently in his heart. He originally wanted to hear Jia Lian's statement, but now it seems impossible. We can only call the accountant out and calculate an account in front of Jia Lian and Jia Rong.

Jia Lian smiled and did not answer the question at all. [Hehehe, can you blame me? 】

When Li Heng saw Jia Lian smiling and saying nothing, he had to change the subject: "Thanks to the good business of the bookstore, Brother Rong is a good financial manager. In the past two months, the sales volume in Beijing and surrounding areas has exceeded 20,000 copies, and Tongzhou wholesale sales are at 20% off. Twenty thousand copies were sold. In just two months, the gross profit exceeded ten thousand, which was unexpected."

Not a word was mentioned about the suspension of the serialization, but everything was made clear. [Jia Lian, after you stopped updating, you can’t sell the newspaper. You could still make some profits, but now you can only protect your capital. 】

A few years ago, people in the Jia family began to get busy, cleaning, preparing New Year's goods, etc. In this era, ordinary people are very happy during the New Year, especially children who like to celebrate the New Year the most.

Otherwise, it's just a matter of an imperial edict. Just give Jia Lian an official position. Do you dare not to kneel down and thank me?

It can only be said that the Jia family has caught up with a good time. The problem is that the Jia family did not seize this opportunity, and the whole group continued to stretch their hips. Only Jia Lian stood out, seized this window period, and grew rapidly.

"In the past two months, the newspaper's sales have dropped sharply. At its peak, it could sell for 5,000 cents, but now it is only 3,000 cents. At the end of the year, the accountant calculated the year's income, and the newspaper could barely break even, making neither profit nor loss."

To put it more clearly, as long as Jia Lian wins the Jinshi, even if something happens to Wang Ziteng in the future, the Jia family will be able to survive in peace.

While waiting for Emperor Chenghui to completely secure his throne and start cleaning things up one by one, the Jia family was doomed to be confiscated.

Having said that, Jia Lian came to the newspaper office and saw Li Heng standing at the side door as soon as he got off the carriage.

........................

Jia Rong came here specially. It was the end of the year and the settlement was about to be settled. Li Heng wanted to see Jia Lian and settle the accounts.

Jia Lian years ago was extremely leisurely. The Jia family only asked him to study with peace of mind.

Finally, Jia Lian and Jia Rong had no objection to the bookstore's net profit of 10,000 taels in the first two months.

According to the pre-agreed agreement, Li Heng took away five thousand taels, Jia Lian took three thousand, and Jia Rong took two thousand.

Not to mention the jade tablet that other princes coveted, which Li Heng didn't mention.

Li Heng's income during this period was quite good. The newspaper was booming and he received a monthly fund from the palace.

In Jia Lian's view, Li Heng has indeed made considerable progress. First of all, he is not as unabashedly strong as in the past and has learned to compromise! The dividends in the first two months were probably tampered with, but not much.

The key is that when Jia Lian took the money and was about to leave, Li Heng stopped Jia Lian, who had barely spoken, and said, "I have prepared some New Year's goods. Here is the goods list."

After taking Li Heng's bill of goods, Jia Lian looked at it and was obviously surprised.

How should I put it? From the cargo list, the specific value is unclear, but for such a cargo list, it would be impossible to get it without 500 taels.

Jia Lian's rather surprised expression made Li Heng secretly happy. After all, it was not a loss at all.

"So, I accept it with pleasure." Jia Lian didn't even say a word of thanks, because it was deserved, and he also wanted to see Li Heng's next performance.

Li Heng behaved very well this time and responded with a smile: "No matter how polite you are, you deserve this. There is also a gift, you will know when you get back."

Jia Lian...?

Li Heng, who consciously made a comeback, sent his uncle and nephew away with a smile. On the way back, Jia Rong also complained with a sneer: "I handle everything in the bookstore. It's true that he is a noble man. The accounting department is all his people." . Last month we said we would settle the accounts together at the end of the year. Our relationship is waiting for us here." Jia Lian put away the smile on his face, looked at Jia Rong calmly and asked: "Why, do you think we have earned two thousand taels in these two months? Are you sorry for your efforts?" Jia Rong was sweating profusely after saying one sentence, and quickly waved his hand to explain: "I am complaining for my second uncle!"

"I don't think there is any injustice. Remember, we are a cooperative relationship, and the money we can make is the result of our success together. You don't even think about how many things you have saved me because of your relationship. I won't talk about other things. Well, your father sends money to the palace every month, how have the attitudes of Qiu Shian and Xia Shouzhong changed?"

Jia Rong was stunned after hearing this and said, "I don't know about this."

Jia Lian showed a disgusted expression: "You don't even know this, so what else can you do? Pointing at you to inquire about information, I just expected to be lonely. You, it's still early. Thank you for not showing any flaws on your face just now, Otherwise I will be embarrassed."

Jia Rong's face turned red and she wanted to get under the car.

Returning to Ningguo Mansion, Jia Rong immediately went to find Jia Zhen. When they met, she realized that she, who used to tremble when she saw her father, could actually speak confidently. Is this change in mentality something money can buy?

When Jia Zhen saw Jia Rong coming in, she took her hand out of the maid's collar and thought to herself: [The servant at the door turned around, broke his legs and threw them out. 】

The expressionless Jia Zhen said calmly: "Why are you back at this time? Aren't you going to meet the noble man with Brother Lian?"

Jia Rong saluted and responded: "I've already met. It's about the settlement at the end of the year. Second Uncle Lian asked me to ask, is the matter of sending money to the palace any different from the past?"

Jia Zhen didn't expect him to ask this, so she paused subconsciously and took a moment to think before replying: "Nothing has changed. Qiu Shi'an and Xia Shouzhong live 500 taels per quarter. The same goes for Dai Quan. Why do you think of asking? This? Isn’t this what we agreed upon at the beginning? The East and West mansions will share Yuanchun’s expenses in the palace."

"I don't know why I'm asking, so I'll give you the exact answer." Jia Rong was about to leave, but Jia Zhen quickly stopped him: "Wait a minute, go ask Brother Lian if he's free, I'll treat him to a drink .”

Jia Rong listened and shook his head and said: "I'm afraid I don't have time. On the way back, I heard from Uncle Lian that he was going to give a New Year's gift to the teacher. His classmate and friend also agreed to get together. It's New Year's Eve after we're done. "

Jia Zhen pondered for a while. Although she was very anxious to know why Jia Lian asked, she still held back and said, "Go ahead and ask why Brother Lian asked this."

Jia Rong hurried back. It was almost lunch time and she was still on the way to run errands.

Seeing Jia Lian having lunch, Jia Rong remembered that it was time for dinner, and she couldn't help but want to scold her. When Li Heng made money, he didn't just treat him to a nice meal. Just now, his father didn't leave any food, he just asked people to run errands.

"Brother Rong, you're back so soon. Sit down quickly, Guixiang, and add a pair of bowls and chopsticks." Jia Lian said casually.

Jia Rong burst into tears after hearing this. Second Uncle Lian still cares about me, and I will follow Uncle Lian's lead in the future.

Seeing that Jia Rong's expression was joyful and a little sentimental, Jia Lian didn't care and continued with a smile: "Don't be restrained by me, we are almost a few years apart in age. The huge Rongguo Mansion and Ningguo Mansion are both motherless children. There is no one else who can say a few words from the heart."

[They are all motherless children] This sentence hit Jia Rong's weak point, and her heart felt sour again. She turned around and wiped away her tears, then turned back and sniffed: "Second uncle is right, so big The two houses are here with you, and I feel like family."

Hearing these emotional words, Jia Lian also put away his smile and said seriously: "From now on, I can only say it from here. You must control your mouth in front of others. Brother Zhen kept his word in Ningguo Mansion. If he doesn't torment you, don't cause trouble. After the exam next year, if you can get into high school by chance, even if Brother Zhen is really crazy, I can protect you without any harm."

Jia Rong nodded: "I remember!"

The two stopped talking. After having a quiet and warm lunch, Jia Rong put down his chopsticks, took the maid's hot towel and wiped it, and then said: "I told you that the three eunuchs in the palace, Each quarter is a filial piety of five hundred taels, and the money is shared between the two governments. There is no change. I was also asked to ask my second uncle why he paid attention to this matter. I think it was because my second uncle didn't care about this matter before."

Jia Lian nodded after hearing this: "That's 6,000 taels a year, and the share between the two families is also 3,000 taels. Taking Rongguo Mansion as an example, Guanwai's annual income of 5,000 taels has not changed much over the years. In this way, over the years, They are all resting on their laurels.”

Jia Rong's expression was slightly startled after hearing this. She had never been in contact with him before, so naturally she didn't know about such a situation.

Thinking about it, Jia Rong said: "The Ningguo Mansion still has a big expense! My grandfather's expenses at Xuanzhen Temple are unknown. The exact number is hundreds of taels of silver every month, and even more during the holidays."

Jia Lian nodded: "It's the same in the palace. During the holidays, the birthdays of the three eunuchs must be treated with filial piety."

There are also things that Jia Lian didn't say. Classmate Xia told Jia Lian in private that Dai Quan had three concubines outside. When taking a concubine, each family has to give some gifts. In order to make money, the old eunuch used many tricks, and even announced that the quota for the Longjin Lieutenant was 500 taels each. What is the use of this quota? It's just an identity. People don't have to work, and old eunuchs have to earn wages.

Jia Rong was not surprised when he heard this. After all, he had heard it before. Before Yuanchun entered the palace, the two mansions also had contact with Ouchi, but the expenses were not as exaggerated as they are now. There is a nice saying for filial piety in every quarter [Yi Jing].

It refers to the money to make new clothes for the eunuchs when the season changes. It used to be two hundred taels per quarter. After Yuanchun entered the palace, it rose to 500 taels. During the New Year and festivals, one hundred taels could be done before. Now there are no five hundred taels that cannot be dealt with, and the eunuchs' appetite is getting bigger and bigger. Jia Zhen complained privately, but as an executor, Jia Zhen could only hold her nose and admit it.

"Go back and tell you, I think it's a good thing that the eunuchs in the palace didn't come up with any new tricks to ask for money." Jia Lian said this after thinking about it. In fact, he didn't say anything. There was another paragraph after it [If he really changed his tricks to ask for money , then we must be more vigilant, which means that the attitude of the palace has changed. 】

The funny thing is that the Jia family is not sensitive to this, and they are always immersed in the glory of a double family and cannot extricate themselves.

Jia Rong went back to report the message, but Jia Zhen didn't understand what she meant. She didn't reply for a long time, but just said to herself: "It's inexplicable!"

Jia Lian did not rest in the afternoon, but went out again.

The Imperial College was already on holiday. Classmate Xia had a long night of wandering last night and sobered up in the afternoon. When he came out of the hook fence and arrived at the door of his house, he saw a carriage waiting at the door. I can't help but wonder, who is here to play with me? Aren't all the friends we usually get along with happy together last night?

I got out of the car and took a closer look. Oops, after giving me the address for so long, I finally got this guy I was looking forward to.

"Brother Jia, what kind of wind is this that brings you here?" Classmate Xia was overjoyed. How can I explain this? Xia Shouzhong told him many times that he must have a good relationship with Jia Lian. Didn't he try hard before but failed to see results?

Jia Lian smiled and cupped his fists in return: "Brother Xia, excuse me, Jia is an uninvited guest today!"

Classmate Xia shook his head repeatedly: "Wherever I am, I can't invite you to a distinguished guest. Oh, I'm so rude. Please come in! The servants are ignorant, how can I let the distinguished guest wait at the door!"

(End of this chapter)