Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 453 Street Vitality

During the ancestor worship ceremony, Jia Rong was once again pushed to the foreground, and Jia Lian retreated to the second seat. Jia Dairu, Jia She and his ilk accepted this arrangement with their noses pinched and no one said a word.

It’s okay if you don’t accept it, but you can improve the living standards of your fellow tribesmen and the educational level of the tribe’s schools.

To put it bluntly, Jia Dairu was reluctant to give up even the ten taels of silver salary every month. How could he have had such a good thing before?

After the ancestor worship, meat and money were distributed lavishly. Every family was in high spirits, and everyone said that the Jia family had become prosperous, all thanks to Lian and Rong.

After the ceremony, a banquet was held and the whole family ate to their heart's content. Jia Rong was so excited that no one could stop him and he got drunk.

In the end, it was Jia Lian who sent it back to him.

Jia Yun, who used to stand in the last row during ancestor worship, can now stand in the second row. This is a role model.

Qin Keqing and Baozhu took Jia Rong in, then handed him over to one of Jia Zhen's concubines and left him alone.

Jia Lian wanted to leave, but Qin Keqing boldly pulled his hand and said, "Calculate the date. It's a good time recently. If it doesn't work, I'm afraid it will be my fault."

The idea of ​​calculating the dates was also brought up by Jia Lian, and Qin Keqing took it seriously. She would become restless during those days of every month.

Jia Lian looked around. Seeing him standing there in a dilemma, Qin Keqing smiled and pulled him in, saying, "I specially prepared a fragrant bath today. If you don't believe me, come and smell it carefully later."

Baozhu closed the door skillfully, and Jia Lian had no way to escape.

Experience has proven that it is indeed very fragrant, and it smells good everywhere.

In order to get pregnant, Qin Keqing tried every means possible, but Jia Lian had never heard of it.

During the break, Jia Lian asked curiously, "Are there many new tricks?"

Qin Keqing said, "If you don't come up with some new ideas, I'm afraid you won't even be around anymore."

Jia Lian was very busy in the second half of the year. He also had to take care of the You sisters and the other beautiful girls at home, so naturally he was a little less interested in this place. The main reason was that he didn't see them. If he saw them, he would miss them.

Qin Keqing stood up, took the ginseng tea brought by Baozhu, and served it to Jia Lian.
Thinking of a chapter in the original work that only had a title but no content, Jia Lian deeply suspected that there was a huge difference in the content between A Dream of Red Mansions and The Story of the Stone.

The next day, Jia Lian struggled to get up, yawning constantly, and wanted to go to Mantou Temple to see how Miaoyu was doing.

I heard from Wang Xifeng that the monthly allowance of 100 taels of silver has never been cut off. This is also an ancestor.

Jia Lian did not ride a horse but took a carriage when he left the house in order to cover up his excessive consumption.

Mantou Temple, Shuiyue Temple, neither name seems serious.

The old nun Jingxu was not a good person either. She was very familiar with many of the women in the back house. God knows whether she was a broker or not. Jia Lian had talked to her about it, and it was likely that she had done it.

On the way, Jia Lian thought of Er Pai again. In this type of Ming and Qing novels, many wonderful passages are related to nuns and monks. Ling Mengchu is also an old pervert, and he writes about the way of human desire very well.

In comparison, many erotic novels of the Ming and Qing dynasties were written extremely crudely, and it is obvious at first glance that they were shoddy products designed to make quick money.

My thoughts were drifting a little far away, so I walked out only after the carriage stopped. I got off and looked at the distant scenery. A small half of the Xuanzhen Temple was burned, and it was still at the end of my sight. The snow had not melted yet, and the ground was covered with white.

A little closer, the forest is bleak, and a few birds are on the branches, flying up and landing from time to time, just for a bite of food.

The snow on the courtyard wall in front of me had not been swept away, leaving only a path. There was thick snow piled on both sides, and the color was stained by mud.

The attendant went forward and knocked on the door. After a while, Jingxu came out to greet him. The little nun Zhineng also followed him. She even looked back deliberately with a bit of disappointment in her eyes.

Jia Lian immediately thought of his cheap brother-in-law Qin Zhong, and it must be his doing.

Forget it. Don’t say that there are no good people around Baoyu. Just say that you are not a good person yourself.

The difference is that Baoyu is really not ambitious, but he has the capital to lie down and do nothing. When we go back, we need to strengthen Baoyu a little and stop him from slacking off.

If it still doesn't work, just reduce his expenses and let him live a hard life.

Jingxu was the one who welcomed Jia Lian's visits the most, after all, she could earn some money every time.

"Second Master, are you here to see the noble?" As soon as Jingxu opened his mouth, Jia Lian's expression changed: "Don't talk nonsense, carefully pull out your tongue."

Jingxu then stopped being so casual, raised her hand and slapped herself on the face, saying: "Look at this poor nun's broken mouth! It's the lay Buddhist who is practicing here!"

Jia Lian then let her go and walked in leisurely, asking her, "Is there anything new recently?"

When Jingxu heard this, she immediately became excited and hurried to report on which concubine was this and that, which woman had a young boy, etc. In short, it was filthy and she talked with great interest, and Jia Lian was also very happy to listen. Who doesn't like to listen to gossip? At the critical moment, maybe this is a sharp weapon to stab the political enemy.

As the saying goes, if you can't even clean your own house, how can you clean up the world?
Mr. Jia is not a gentleman. When it comes to using dirty tricks, he does so without hesitation.

Shuiyue Temple was expanded this year, and a new courtyard was added just for Miaoyu. Of course, this was specially arranged by Jia Lian, and he called the construction team.

The last time I saw Miaoyu, I severely suppressed her arrogance. I wonder how it will be this time.

Jia Lian came to the outside of the new courtyard and saw some winter plum blossoms blooming in the corner. He couldn't help but take a few more glances.

"Lord Jia also likes plum blossoms?" Miaoyu came at some point and stood five steps away, keeping a distance when speaking.

Jia Lian looked up at her. The girl in front of him seemed more human than last time.

"Are you used to living here?" Jia Lian asked politely. Miaoyu looked melancholy and said, "What does it matter if you are used to it or not? It has always been like this!"

This literary youth disease should be in the late stage and there is no value in rescuing him.

Jia Lian wanted to leave immediately, but he still spoke to her patiently: "Why don't you treat me to a cup of tea?"

"Some time ago, someone sent me some Luangua slices. There is snow water. Today is not windy. How about going to the pavilion at the back to make tea and enjoy the snow?" Miaoyu actually took the initiative to invite him, which shows how bored she is. Jia Lian did not refuse her kindness. He gestured and said, "In that case, thank you in advance." Seven or eight women in black clothes were busy outside the pavilion at the back, moving various utensils. Miaoyu stood aside and asked them to be careful.

She was really particular about it. After the snow water was boiled, she went through a series of fancy procedures and brewed a pot of tea. After handing a cup to Jia Lian, she watched him drink it and asked with some expectation, "How is it?"

"Just treat me as a cow chewing a peony. In fact, drinking tea is nothing. Watching the process of brewing tea with bare hands is the greatest enjoyment." Jia Lian habitually talked nonsense, not talking about tea, but about people.

Miaoyu looks down on this and that. Although the people around her have been deliberately cultivating this, she is still a young girl after all, and her nature is there. After hearing Jia Lian's praise, it is natural that she cannot remain calm.

"Lord Jia, you should go back and tell your wives and concubines about these words." Miaoyu's seemingly indifferent response just revealed her inner turmoil.

Jia Lian stood up and patted his buttocks: "If you are happy, I will be relieved. I have drunk my tea and it is time for me to leave. But if there is anything, please send someone to the Jia Mansion to pass on the message!"

He left as soon as he said he would, which was very straightforward. Miaoyu was stunned. She was planning to sit and discuss philosophy with the number one scholar, so why did he just leave?

"Jia..." Miaoyu hesitated to speak and did not call Jia Lian. She watched him walk out with big strides.

[He should know something about tea!] Miaoyu thought to herself, Jia Lian knows nothing about the tea ceremony. There are so many things in the world that deserve attention, so why would he spend so much energy on such useless things?

If Jia Lian didn't leave, he would probably say something like, "Your tea is not cheap. One pound of tea is enough for a family in the capital to consume for a year."

Although Mr. Jia is a bit of a bastard, as an official in the court, he still cares about the people's livelihood.

The ground in the south of the city became more and more lively as New Year's Eve approached.

Walking down the street, the air is filled with the aroma of meat, which means that many families are stewing meat. For ordinary people in the south of the city, being able to eat meat a few times a year is a good life.

Who would think so far? What about tea ceremony? Can't I drink tea from a big bowl and quench my thirst just the same?

Emperor Chenghui, who was dressed in plain clothes, smiled a little more after smelling the scent in the air.

"The people in this area live a good life." He said to Qiu Shian beside him. When he was about to continue strolling, he saw Jia Lian from afar. He was not wearing an official uniform and was strolling casually on the street.

If we talk about bustling, the east side of the city is naturally bustling, while the south side is much worse. If it weren’t for the fact that many residents in this area are family members of the officers and soldiers of the Shenji Battalion, which attracted many small vendors and opened many restaurants, this area would not be bustling at all. It will be bustling only when there are people and business to do.

"I have inquired about it. Thanks to the winter vegetable sales this year, many men in this area have a job to do, such as buying vegetables or carrying goods, and they earn some money every day."

After hearing this, Emperor Chenghui sighed and said, "This is the people's livelihood!" As he spoke, he walked towards Jia Lian, who stopped in front of an old man selling candied haws and chatted with him.

"Old man, how is business?" Jia Lian was not asking casually, as this question could reveal a lot of things.

"It's just a small business, not a commercial business. Would you like to try one? This is made from the best hawthorns. I've been doing this for 30 years, and no one has said anything bad about it." The old man's mind was still on business. Jia Lian smiled slightly, and saw that the straw pole he was holding was full of candied haws, which showed that the business today was not very good.

"Okay, I'll buy some." Jia Lian reached into his sleeves, but when he didn't find any copper coins, he kicked the pillar and said, "Pay!"

Zhuzi asked in a muffled voice: "How many do you want?"

Jia Lian looked at the joy in the old man's eyes and said with a smile, "Take them all, take this pole with you as well." Then he asked the old man, "How is your business on weekdays?"

The old man was not in a hurry to answer. He took the money first. Forty candied haws cost twenty coins. He counted them carefully and said with a smile, "Usually, three strings cost one coin. We can sell them all every day. We tried to raise the price at the end of the year. It's not selling well today. Thanks to you, sir."

Jia Lian asked, "Did you make this syrup yourself?"

The old man smiled and said, "Of course, this syrup is made from malt. It's an old craft."

Jia Lian laughed and said, "You are not being honest, old man. You sell forty strings for twenty coins. In a month, you can only sell for six hundred coins, less than one tael of silver. How do you eat? The old and young at home are all waiting with open mouths, right? If you sell three strings for one coin, it will be even worse. It is better not to do this business."

The old man immediately blew his beard and glared: "Sir, don't talk nonsense. I only do this business at the end of the year. Otherwise, I would have nowhere to find hawthorns."

Seeing that he was avoiding his gaze, Jia Lian smiled and said nothing: "Okay, what the old man said is right. I wish you a prosperous business. I am leaving."

As soon as he turned around, he saw Emperor Chenghui. Jia Lian was slightly stunned, then he immediately stepped forward and clasped his hands: "Master Huang, good luck to you!"

Emperor Chenghui returned the greeting and folded his hands: "You're welcome, you're welcome! Let's go for a walk together?"

Jia Lian naturally followed behind. After walking a few steps, Emperor Chenghui asked him, "You talked to the old man and there seemed to be something deep in your mind. Tell me what the old man was saying. How could he not be honest?"

"The old man must have sold all his goods once and then took them back again. He just didn't tell the truth because he didn't want to show off his wealth. I just want to know how much small business people earn. Only the real income of these people at the bottom of society can have the most profound impact on the court."

Emperor Chenghui was a little puzzled by this perspective, but he quickly realized it and nodded: "That makes sense! If he went to the East Market, he would have to pay a penny for entry."

Jia Lian shook his head: "More than that, the government charges one cent, the local thieves charge two cents, business is bad, and the day's work is in vain. Of course, this was in the past, this year there is no local thieves to charge. This penny is a bowl of rice in the mouths of the old and young in the family, and it is the smile on the face of the old man's grandchildren when they are full and surround him to eat candied haws."

Emperor Chenghui was deeply touched by these words and said, "I walked for quite a while today, and what I saw and heard made me very happy. The emperor's feet finally look like a good place. Your crackdown is good, very good! You should do it more often in the future. They have to snatch the common people's food from their teeth. Damn it."

Jia Lian did not follow up on this topic, but changed the subject: "Citizens are different from farmers. Farmers make a living from the land, while citizens need jobs. If the court wants the people to live better, it must find ways to create jobs. Otherwise, if there is no place to make money, no matter how good the public security is, it will be useless."

It naturally makes sense to put Jia Lian, a citizen and a farmer, together.

Emperor Chenghui remained silent after hearing this, but Jia Lian was still hinting to him that the peasants were in a worse situation. There were special reasons why the situation in the south of the city was better.

Jia Lian saw the expression on Emperor Chenghui's face and knew that he was touched. He smiled and continued, "Fortunately, many people in the north of the city have a place to work during the end of the year when they are not busy with farming."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chenghui smiled. He knew Jia Lian was referring to winter vegetables. Picking and transporting them required manpower. Road repairs and environmental sanitation maintenance also required manpower. Before the end of the year, the Wucheng Bingmasi had completed a number of small projects, including road repairs, sewer repairs, and dilapidated building repairs.

Although they may seem insignificant, they are actually of great significance. Many craftsmen’s homes are in the north of the city, and the changes in their lives are the source of vitality for this city.

"Let's go to the north of the city!" Emperor Chenghui was interested, but Qiu Shian quickly stopped him: "Master, it's getting late, we should go back."

Emperor Chenghui said angrily: "You old...dog, you only ruin the fun!"

(End of this chapter)