Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 487 My reputation is not good

"Xia is already old, and I don't know how many more years he can work for the emperor." The subordinate who gave the notice left first. Xia Shouzhong, who was not in a hurry to leave, suddenly said this and looked at Jia Lian meaningfully.

"Don't worry, Xia Shouzhong. As long as I am here, it will not be difficult to protect Brother Xia. If anything unexpected happens, I will seek justice for him and ensure that the incense is not cut off, so as to preserve our friendship." Jia Lian said it very straightforwardly. Xia Shouzhong was satisfied and nodded repeatedly, "In this way, I feel at ease."

Xia Shouzhong has always been a rather vulgar person. The exchange just now shows that he has read books, and the books he read after entering the palace. As an old man in the palace, he can only have read books when he was in the palace, which shows how the current emperor treats his subordinates. After all, the Great Zhou is not the Ming Dynasty, and there is no rule of eunuchs' approval. General affairs are handled directly by the cabinet, and major military affairs are decided at the cabinet meeting.

This operation effectively prevented eunuchs from interfering in politics. As for Long Jinwei, he only had the power to investigate cases. Why did Xia Shouzhong drag Jia Lian along? Wasn't it a question of legal authority?

Jia Lian had thought about winning over a group of ministers to form a profit group, but this was too tasteless and would not work.

As a man, if you have the opportunity to do something big, you will definitely do it first.

The people sent by Jia Lian to check the accounts had some initial results in one day. They found more than 5 million taels of silver in the accounts alone. And that was just the accounts for the past two years. If they checked further back, they really didn't know what they would find.

"I have failed the Saint's trust!" The eunuch in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Maritime Customs first confessed his guilt when he saw Xia Shouzhong, then said with a sad smile: "I will repay the Saint's grace in the next life. This life is worth it!"

Xia Shouzhong saw that the situation was not good and shouted, "Doctor, call the doctor quickly." Unfortunately, it was too late. The supervisor's mouth and nose first started bleeding, and then all his orifices bled, and he died on the spot.

Jia Lian came over upon hearing the noise and looked at the supervisor lying on the ground in silence. After a while, the doctor came in, felt the pulse and shook his head. Xia Shouzhong waved his hand expressionlessly, indicating that the supervisor should be carried away.

When no one was in the room, Jia Lian said, "Let's apologize together!"

Xia Shouzhong smiled and said, "That's not necessary. It's just right for him to die now!"

Jia Lian thought of many things in an instant, then smiled bitterly and shook his head: "You are right, it is a good time to die. However, ..."

Xia Shouzhong interrupted him: "Don't say more. There are some people that neither you nor I can deal with. Let's talk somewhere else."

The two of them went to a quiet room together. When no one was around, Xia Shouzhong whispered, "The clan member involved was the instigator. You and I will report the truth in the report. The saint's face must be taken care of!"

Jia Lian smiled with a fake smile: "Just let it go like this?"

Xia Shouzhong shook his head decisively: "That can't be possible. If he is not the mastermind, then he is an accomplice. You have to spit out all the money you have eaten. Your way of doing things in the future will also be cut off. This matter involves the Grand Prince and the nephews of the three saints."

"Your Highness?" Jia Lian was very surprised, because this prince had never had any sense of existence.

Xia Shouzhong nodded and slapped his hand: "We didn't expect this either. The General Office recruits this many people every year."

"Five hundred thousand?" Jia Lian exclaimed. Xia Shouzhong rolled his eyes. "What are you thinking? Fifty thousand. That's not a small amount. If converted into silver dollars, it's almost seventy thousand. Your Highness is the son of a concubine. He has been compiling books at ease. The "Taizu Shilu" was compiled after your Highness took charge. After the Saint ascended the throne, he started compiling the "Taizong Shilu."

Jia Lian listened carefully. If the book was published after he was in charge of the compilation, then wasn't that just taking advantage of what was already done? Others had already done the work, and you were the chief editor, right?
"There are several other princes, all of whom are descendants of the saint's brothers. The saint has always been very kind to these nephews and has taken special care of them. After Li Ni fled to the desert, he was treated even better to show the saint's virtue."

Xia Shouzhong's words were very subtle, and Jia Lian certainly understood them very clearly. Wasn't he just afraid that people would write in books later that Emperor Chenghui treated his relatives harshly and was mean and ungrateful?

You know what, there's really no way to get involved in this matter.

Xia Shouzhong's main goal in handling the case this time was to resolve it quickly.

The eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department was the main culprit and took on most of the charges. The funny thing is that only 300,000 taels of silver were seized from his house, and including the house and various items, the maximum amount was 500,000 taels.

Therefore, the biggest crime among the other charges was being an accessory. Although the charges were not serious, they involved a wide range of people. A total of more than 380 people from the Guangzhou Maritime Customs, including officials and clerks, were arrested, and 300 of them were arrested.

Among these three hundred people, most of the minor officials were released after paying 500 taels of silver. However, some who were more deeply involved in the case had to pay more. There were more than a dozen people, and the least they had to pay was 10,000 taels of silver, and the most they had to pay was 50,000 taels of silver.

All the officials of the Maritime Customs were arrested at once, without exception. If they paid a fine, they could avoid imprisonment, but dismissal was certain. Depending on the severity of the crime, they would be sentenced to permanent non-employment.

Many of these officials just follow the crowd. If you don't take the money, you are an outlier. Since you are an outlier, you will naturally be squeezed out or marginalized.

Xia Shouzhong worked for ten days and hastily closed the case, leaving Jia Lian with five million taels of silver that should have gone into the imperial treasury. After the case was completed, he led the fifty or so criminals northward.

At this time, Fang Songcai, who had "fallen ill" in Changsha, finally arrived. When Jia Lian met him, this guy had a rosy face, how could he look sick at all?
"Brother Fang, aren't you sick? I think you look pretty energetic." Jia Lian mocked him unceremoniously.

Fang Song didn't mind and smiled and asked back: "Brother Jia, you should be kind. If I'm not sick, this case won't be closed in a short time. It will take at least half a year. Will you be happy if that happens?"

Jia Lian understood and asked curiously, "The case is closed, why are you here?"

"The Maritime Customs Office must be rebuilt, and this is my job. Before I left, His Majesty personally instructed me to do so. I will discuss the personnel with you and then report to His Majesty. Also, we must not delay trade. I will be busy from now on. By the way, how many days has your trading hall been closed?"

Speaking of this, Jia Lian's face was filled with bitterness. Now that all the people have been arrested, shouldn't the trading hall be closed for rectification?

"Now that we have finished this matter, Brother Fang will make progress, right?" Jia Lian felt that this was almost certain.

Fang Song nodded gently: "As the deputy minister, it is not appropriate for General Censor Lin to also serve as the Minister of Personnel. The Chief Minister has suggested to Your Majesty in person that Elder Lin serve as the Minister of Personnel, which is in line with his status."

Jia Lian couldn't help but sigh after hearing this. Lin Ruhai's progress was really fast. Was he being trained to be the next Prime Minister?
"Also, His Majesty is dissatisfied with Elder Guo and Elder Ning, especially Elder Ning, who made many mistakes after entering the cabinet. Hehe, Li Rushui's term as Governor of Shaanxi and Gansu is about to end."

"That being said, these two won't lose out no matter what. With the resume of a cabinet minister, at the very least, they can get a vacancy as a governor."

The two of them were talking in the study room. Fang Song said with emotion, "For a small Maritime Customs, they can't even tell where millions of taels of silver go in a year. They are so bold." Jia Lian was stunned when he heard this: "What are you talking about? Is there a follow-up?"

Fang Song nodded: "Why should I come here? To rectify the Chamber of Commerce and Guilds in Guangdong, I may need Brother Jia's cooperation. I don't have many people who can do this job."

Jia Lian listened and nodded: "Is it your Majesty's intention or the cabinet's intention?"

"Both the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister mean the same thing. The local merchants are too rich and it's time to pay them back. Especially the big families. Lord Xia didn't punish them, not because he didn't want to, but because he left them there on purpose."

After staying at Jia Lian's place for dinner, Fang Song moved into the Maritime Customs Office and started a new round of rectification.

Jia Lian once again sent out 500 men to obey his orders. Fang Song revealed his ruthless side and arrested business representatives of more than a dozen local big families in one breath.

To put it bluntly, these people can't stand being checked. If you don't do something evil, you can't get a ticket from the previous Maritime Customs. As long as you bribe them, you will have something to hide.

Jia Lian didn't care how he operated and focused on the construction of the navy.

With enough silver, the work of recruiting navy soldiers can be put on the agenda. When it comes to recruiting navy soldiers and who is the most suitable person, Jia Lian naturally thinks of the Tanka people.

It is unknown when the rule that the Tanka people could not work or even buy property on land came into effect. Jia Lian could not completely change it, but he could give the Tanka young people a chance.

While Fang Song was busy cleaning up the local merchants, Jia Lian led his men to the riverside where the Tanka people gathered. Looking at the boats, so densely packed together, people with trypophobia really couldn't stand it. Jia Lian didn't have this problem. He stood on the shore and watched the white foam between the boats, rising and breaking. The women on the boats were barefoot, looking at him warily and fearfully, and the girls of marriageable age hid in the cabin.

Even the younger sister who was in the flesh trade hid herself when she saw Jia Lian and his ferocious followers.

"Raise the flags and post the notice!" Jia Lian, who was standing under the awning, issued the order in a low voice.

Then a large flag was raised with the inscription: Guangdong Governor Jia. The notice next to it stated the recruitment of naval soldiers.

The scholars in the provincial school had the hardest time. Each of them had to walk to the shore and read the contents of the notice to the people on the boat.

The governor raised the flag to recruit soldiers for the Nanyang Navy. Soldiers and food were no longer a big deal. Those who served for three years could become Guangzhou citizens and no longer be bound by the Tanka nationality. Sons could receive education and take the imperial examinations. Individuals who performed well in the army could become officers.

One is that they can renounce their citizenship, and the other is that they can become an official. Just these two options are enough to tempt even the Tanka people who do not believe in the government.

Of course, this was not the last straw. The real last straw came from a word from the students of the prefectural school.

"Everyone has been asking me why the Tanka people are treated much better now than before. I have always said that it is the decree of the governor and his kindness to the Tanka people. Now everyone listen carefully. See that big banner? It says Guangdong Governor Jia. It is this Governor Jia, the governor of Jia, who has introduced a benevolent policy that benefits the Tanka people. Now it is time for the Tanka people to repay their gratitude."

After he finished speaking, a sturdy man on the boat jumped ashore and said, "The Tanka people are very clear about their grievances. Governor Jia's benevolent policies benefit all Tanka people. I will serve as a soldier."

You know what, this guy is really not a shill. But after he jumped ashore, he was stopped by a scholar on the shore: "Wait, how old are you? You look fifty, are you going to cheat the military pay?"

The man blushed and said, "You scholar, how can you talk nonsense? I'm only 28, why can't I join the army?"

The originally heavy atmosphere was diluted a lot because of this incident, and the people who were eavesdropping nearby burst into laughter.

Some bold people even joked: "Cai Sangou, if you go to the army, your wife will run away with someone."

"Bullshit! I joined the army to earn a title for my wife."

When the woman on the boat heard this, a smile immediately broke out on her face. Not to mention whether she could earn an imperial edict or not, just having the intention would make her happy for a long time.

Jia Lian couldn't hear clearly as he was far away, but the scholar still came back to report and ask Jia Lian's opinion.

"I neglected to mention the age of conscription. Let me add that those who are over 18 and under 25 will be given priority. Those who have parents, brothers and sisters will be given priority. Unmarried people will be given priority. By the way, the key point is that food and accommodation are guaranteed, and the monthly salary is 10 yuan. After serving for five years, you can retire and go home, and you will also receive a retirement allowance. Sign up now and you will receive a 20 yuan resettlement allowance immediately."

Jia Lian was still wrong. He thought that giving enough money was the most important thing.

In fact, this is not the case. What really impresses the Tanka people is the improvement of their social status.

"Sir, this good man wants to ask you something, what do you think?" Another scholar came over to ask for instructions, Jia Lian nodded: "If you have anything to ask, just come forward, I am not that expensive."

But this hero, although his face was dark, had a good-looking appearance and a calm temperament. At first glance, he was obviously the leader among the young people.

"Cai Shiba, hello, sir." The man stepped forward and made a gesture to bow. Jia Lian raised his hand in time and said, "You don't have to be polite in front of me. From now on, if you are my soldier, you don't have to kneel when you see an official, no matter how senior he is. If an official asks you why you didn't kneel when you see an official, tell him to come to me and say it was me who asked you to do it. If he embarrasses you, bear it first and come back to tell me, and I will deal with him myself."

Cai Shiba was moved after hearing Jia Lian's words: "Are you serious?"

Jia Lian smiled and stood up, answering with certainty: "From north to south, Jia's reputation is not very good, but his reputation as a man of his word is well-known."

Cai Shiba was not very tall, only about 1.65 meters at most, and his lower body was very stable. But his face changed slightly, he shook a little, and asked curiously: "I dare to ask, why is your reputation not good?" Jia Lian laughed immediately: "Good question, why do you think your reputation is not good?"

Cai Shiba thought for a moment and said, "Not allowing the collection of city entry fees, not allowing the collection of sea voyage fees, just these two points, many gentry privately accused you of meddling in other people's business."

"That's right. Jia has been in office for so many years that his reputation has been ruined because of this. No matter where I go, the local gentry have to bow down to me. If they dare to jump, I will punish them and beat them to death."

(End of this chapter)