Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Yu Qianning took a personal girl, and Qiao Yin took two confidants, the captain, and went to the third floor together.

"It doesn't matter what you say, even if you are an official, you have to do it even if you sacrifice your life."

Qiao Yin knew that he had just offended Yu Qianning, and just wanted to spend some money to restore the impression, otherwise if the pillow wind blows in the future, he will die without knowing how.

Yu Qianning said: "You're welcome, sir. I just have a few words to ask you."

"Please inquire, I will tell you everything I know."

"Master just now said that the Zhen family has been raided. Who is going to convey the order?"

Qiao Yin pondered for a moment, now that Jia Cong had appeared publicly in the Zhen family, it was not a secret, so he handed over his hand and said: "It is Duke Dingguo, Lord Admiral."

Yu Qianning said happily: "Jia Cong came to Jinling?"

Qiao Yin nodded.

Yu Qianning thought for a while and said: "Since the Zhen family is being raided, will the Yanyu Fang, Qiubo Fang, Bitao Fang, Rousi Fang, etc. all the painting boats and brothels opened by the Zhen family be sealed?"

Qiao Yin said: "That's natural."

"Then how will everyone be accommodated?"

Qiao Yin said: "According to the rules, those without a death contract are released, and those with a death contract are sold."

Yu Qianning said: "Master Qiao's words are wrong."

Qiao Yin hurriedly said: "Please give me your advice."

Yu Qianning smiled and said, "Am I still not informed about Mr. Qiao? How come you forgot about the great things your great talent did in Beijing?"

Qiao Yin was stunned and said: "The Admiral just put down the rebellion in the capital. He made great contributions and was promoted to Duke Ding..."

Yu Qianning shook his head and said, "My lord, why don't you think ahead."

Qiao Yin rolled his eyes. He always fished for side projects. After thinking for a moment, his eyes suddenly lit up. It turned out that this was the matter. He hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your advice. I almost made a big mistake."

"Mr. Qiao is a smart man. He can tell you a little bit, and his strange ways can be reused by your family."

Yu Qianning was very good at playing both sides, and she simply used the tiger's skin as a banner. Because Qiao Yin did not dare to go to Jia Cong to verify the relationship between the two, she actually acted like a boss's wife.

Qiao Yin did this, and was convinced that the two had a close relationship. He secretly thought that the admiral would not even let go of his sister-in-law, so how could he let a beauty like Yu Qianning go.

Even if you don’t have time to eat now, once you think about it, is there any reason not to eat? If he knew that he also had this intention... that would be terrible.

He said hurriedly: "Everyone is ridiculously praising me, and I am ashamed of myself. I have offended many people just now, and I hope you will forgive me. If the admiral is informed, I will die without a burial place. I beg you to be spared."

After saying that, without caring about dignity, he got up and knelt down on one knee to hold his fist.

Yu Qianning was laughing so hard in her heart, but only a faint smile appeared on her face. She sat in the chair and raised her hand reservedly: "Master Qiao, why do you need to give such a big gift?

As the saying goes, there is no acquaintance without fighting, and you are his capable general. Could it be that the slave family is such a small-minded person? If the Nu family is really so ignorant, wouldn't it mean that he underestimates me? "

"Yes, I would like to thank you all for your kindness. I will definitely repay you generously in the future."

Qiao Yin was frightened by the "him" mentioned in Yu Qianning's mouth. She carefully observed her words and expressions, and saw that she was not angry at all. Only then did she feel relieved and stood up respectfully.

"It's getting late, do you have any errands to do, sir?" Yu Qianning picked up the tea bowl and asked lazily.

"No, it won't be done. Everyone, please have a rest and resign." Qiao Yin stood up in a hurry.

"Sir, walk slowly."

"Everyone, stay."

Qiao Yin took the people off the boat and let out a long sigh. They walked through the gate of hell tonight and almost lost their future and life.

He looked back at the many brightly lit boats on the Qinhuai River, and ordered the people around him: "All the Qin Towers and Chu Pavilions under the name of the Zhen family will remain in their original state. Those who tamper with it will be treated according to family law!"

"Yes."
-
The Zhen family was already in a state of misery. Most of the family members were taken away by the royal guards, leaving only a few to serve.

Zhen Yingjia and other masters, as well as Zhen Ji, Zhen Wei, Zhen Lun, Zhen Wei, Zhen Baoyu and other young masters were gathered in the front yard and detained separately.

Women in the back house are more free and can move around as they please, but they can't go out.

The old lady was carried back to the courtyard. Facing the devastating disaster of their family and their lives, the women were helpless and could only sob in panic.

After a while, the imperial doctor came out after checking his pulse. Everyone hurriedly gathered around him and said, "Mr. Li, is it important?"

Dr. Li sighed slightly, cupped his hands and said: "I am incompetent. The old lady is already very old, and when she suddenly heard the bad news, she became extremely angry. I'm afraid..."

Everyone knew that he was a famous doctor in Jinling, and he often came to the house in the past, but now they were even more disappointed after hearing his conclusion.

The old lady is the wet nurse of the Supreme Emperor, and she is the only link between the Zhen family and the Tian family. If something unexpected happens... the Zhen family will be in dire straits.

"For today's plan, I will just use Laoshan Ginseng Decoction to regain my strength. Maybe I can leave a few words and retire."

"Mr. Li..." The women still wanted to stay, but Doctor Li didn't dare to get involved in the Zhen family's affairs, so he left without looking back.

"Madam, now that the family property has been confiscated, there are Tiqi everywhere in the courtyard, and there are a lot of wild ginseng in the medicine storehouse, how can I get it?" the second grandmother cried.

Everyone was running out of ideas when they suddenly saw Zhen Yuan come in and hurriedly asked: "Third girl, what did Duke Dingguo say?"

Zhen Yuan thought of Jia Cong's words of "taking advantage of others' danger and being shameless and obscene", and felt resentful in her heart. She just shook her head and said, "I didn't say anything. How is the old lady?"

Everyone hurriedly told the preface, Zhen Yuan frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and said: "Since Jia Cong asked the old lady to ask for medical treatment, I think it will be convenient, so I just send someone to get the medicine.

If Tiqi asked, he would say that it was the order from Duke Ding. "

The eldest wife thought about it and realized that this was the case. She quickly asked the girl to get the ginseng, then she went over and took Zhen Yuan's little hand, hugged her in her arms, and said softly: "My son, the life and death of the Zhen family now depends on you." It’s in hand.”

Zhen Yuan's expression dimmed, and she shook her head and said, "Mother, how can I, a weak woman, have such ability?"

The eldest lady was her biological mother, so she didn't know what she was thinking. She pulled her to sit down and said, "Our family can still be in such a situation now. It's all because of the mercy of Duke Dingguo. If it had been anyone else, he would have broken the bones and sucked out the marrow.

And Duke Ding’s move is presumably based on your dignity. If you can persuade Duke Ding to intercede on behalf of our family, wouldn’t we be able to survive the desperate situation? "

Zhen Yuan smiled bitterly. Her mother's words played into that man's hands. Using her body to make a deal with Jia Cong was already her lowest limit. It was absolutely impossible for her to put down her dignity and beg.

Because he said: "Don't worry, mother. As far as the family is concerned, the child will do his best. I will go see the master and brothers."

"You can still see them?" The eldest lady was a little unbelievable.

"Jia Cong said that we are allowed to visit before returning to Beijing," Zhen Yuan said.

Everyone was overjoyed. It seemed that the problem was not too serious. They hurriedly discussed it and left a few people to watch the old lady while the rest went to visit their husband and son.

Captain Tiqi, who was guarding everywhere in the mansion, had already received the order and did not stop him. Zhen Yuan kept the question in mind and went straight to see Zhen Yingjia. The first thing he asked was: "Master, the imperial edict said that our family is greedy and short-term. Is it true?"

Zhen Yingjia was sitting in a chair deep in thought when she suddenly saw her daughter coming in. She was slightly startled and said, "Did Jia Cong allow you to come?"

Zhen Yuan nodded.

Zhen Yingjia's eyes flashed, and she didn't know what she was thinking. She said slowly: "The imperial edict is certainly true. Our family has been prosperous for decades, and it has reached a time when its prosperity must decline."

Zhen Yuan said hurriedly: "Sir, since it is just greed and loss, it is not a serious crime. Let's refund the compensation and make up for it, maybe we can get forgiveness from the Holy One."

Zhen Yingjia smiled bitterly and said: "Silly girl, as the saying goes, once the emperor has his ministers, and the ministers of the previous dynasty, even if you are as clear as water and as bright as a mirror, you will still be unlucky when you should be unlucky.

What's more, the debt incurred over the years cannot be repaid in a hurry. "

Zhen Yuan was so anxious that tears flowed out, and she stamped her feet and said, "Master, what should we do with our family? The eldest lady asked me... asked me to beg Jia Cong for mercy. I have no role to speak in such a national matter." "

Zhen Yingjia shook her head and said, "Don't listen to your wife Hu Yan. She doesn't know the stakes here. How stupid is she to think that she can bribe Jia Cong with her beauty. Third girl, how is the old lady doing?"

Zhen Yuan shook her head with tears in her eyes. Thinking of the old lady's many years of kindness, she was speechless and just sobbed.

Zhen Yingjia sighed and said, "Yuan'er, please don't cry. Please listen to your father's words."

"Father, please speak."

"Now that the decree has been issued, the destruction of the Zhen family is a foregone conclusion. There must be no unrealistic illusions. The best result is to retain a trace of flesh and blood.

If possible, just protect Baoyu, and leave the rest to their fate. "Zhen Yingjia sighed.

"My daughter remembers it," Zhen Yuan sobbed.

"Go." Zhen Yingjia waved her hands weakly.
-
It would take three to five days to conduct an inventory of such a huge property as the Zhen family. Jia Cong didn't know how to face Zhen Yuan, so he simply stopped showing up and left everything to Qiao Yin. After finally coming to Jinling, he was still thinking about his own. "cause".

The next day, Jia Cong changed into casual clothes and went to Xue Mansion to visit.

Xue Wen got the news first and was already waiting at the door. When he saw Jia Cong coming, he greeted him with a smile.

After a few words of greeting and congratulations to Jia Cong on his joining the nobility, Xue Wen accompanied Jia Cong in and said with a smile: "Dong Guo Ding came to Jinling, what's the important thing?"

Jia Cong sighed: "Search the Zhen family."

Xue Wen was startled and did not dare to ask any more questions. He quickly changed the subject and started talking about the Wanguohao business.

"In the past six months, Jinling's shipyard, textile bureau, and commerce bureau have all started to organize it. Those barbarians did not dare to play any tricks in order to open up our trade route, and everything went smoothly.

The Textile Bureau should be able to start production in two months. The Commerce Bureau has also made some money from sea trade in the past six months. All salt merchants have sent shopkeepers to watch, and they have no objections. "Xue Wen said with a smile.

Jia Cong nodded, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your hard work, uncle."

Xue Wen said hurriedly: "Why did the Duke say this? It's all about the hardships of owning the property."

Jia Cong saw that his face was gloomy and his voice was weak. He seemed to be more than ten years older than the last time they met in Shenjing, so he said, "I see that my second uncle looks bad. Is he okay?"

He vaguely remembered that in the original work, Xue Wen and his wife did not live long, and they probably died of illness around the time Xue Baoqin came to Beijing.

Xue Wen waved his hand and said with a smile: "Thank you for your concern, Duke. It's nothing serious. It's just that Brother Tao is not around to help these days. I'm a little tired. I just need to take a rest."

At the beginning of the year, Xue Biao sent Bao Qin to Beijing to get married. However, due to the troubles in Beijing this year and the national calamity, it was delayed.

Jia Cong said: "Second uncle, please be at ease. When I return to Beijing, I will order Brother Sha to come back and serve. As for Baoqin's marriage, I, my brother-in-law, will make the decision for her."

Xue Wen said with a smile: "This is the best thing. I will have more arms when Brother Biao comes back."

Jia Cong was a little worried and said, "Second uncle, has he taken the medicine?"

Xue Wen said: "I am taking medicine."

Jia Cong pondered for a moment and said: "I know that there is a famous doctor Ye Tianshi in the south of the Yangtze River. He once cured Ru Haigong's chronic illness in Yangzhou with his wonderful rejuvenation. When I came back, I ordered someone to look for him and ask him to take a look at you."

Xue Wen smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Guo."

"One family does not speak two languages."

Jia Cong came out of Xue Mansion, accompanied by Xue Wen, and went down the Yangtze River to Fengxian County, Songjiang Prefecture to inspect the shipyard and textile factory under construction. He felt relieved when he saw that everything was in order and the construction site was in full swing.

Just as he walked to a dry dock, Jia Cong was listening to the foreign craftsmen's explanation when he suddenly saw an official running over with several petty officials and officials. He said politely: "I'm going to see Duke Dingguo."

Jia Cong was stunned for a moment, seeing that he looked familiar but couldn't remember it for a moment.

Xue Wen hurriedly introduced: "My lord, this is Mr. Yang Lingyang, the new governor of Songjiang Prefecture. According to Governor Gu, he is an old friend of yours when you were fighting bandits in Jiangnan."

Jia Cong suddenly smiled and said: "So it's you. We fought side by side against thieves in Rugao County, and we meet again today. It's also fate."

The person who came was Yang Ling, the county magistrate who had sworn to defend the city in Rugao County that day. His wife Li Xiupe had some martial arts skills.

After the banditry subsided, rewards were given based on merit. Because Jia Cong casually mentioned it in the battle report, he was highly valued for his military merits and was promoted to Songjiang magistrate by Gu Tao.

Yang Ling was flattered and hurriedly bowed and said: "I was saved by the Duke of Guo that day, and I was lucky to have the favor of the Duke. Otherwise, I would not be today like this. So when I saw the Duke of Guo coming, I couldn't help but come forward to pay my respects. Please forgive me." reckless."

Jia Cong waved his hand and said with a smile: "Since we are old friends, there is no need to talk about being reckless. You became the prefect at a young age. It is not easy to sit in the yamen. What are you doing here?"

Yang Ling said: "The land in the south of the Yangtze River is being annexed very fiercely due to the generous nature of the country, and there are many landless refugees. The workshop here has absorbed and resettled a large number of refugees, which will avoid the worries of the lower officials and contribute a lot of taxes to the court in the future." , so I often come to see you.”

Jia Cong smiled and nodded, saying: "The scholar-bureaucrats in the imperial court tend to emphasize agriculture and suppress business. Brother Yang doesn't seem to have this intention. He is actually a little happy to see business prospering. Why is this?"

Yang Ling cupped his hands and sighed: "The Duke's words are very true. As the saying goes, if you are not a family member, you don't know how expensive firewood and rice are, but if you are an official, it is just the same.

In the past, when I was a county magistrate in Rugao, I had to eat salt and rice. As long as the Lianghuai salt field was there, I was not afraid of running out of money, and I didn't pay much attention to farming and business.

Now that I have been transferred to Songjiang, I realize that the world is very difficult. A large number of poor people have no roof above their heads and no space below them. How can they survive without working?

If you want to do work, you must first have a workshop, and if you want a workshop, you must first establish commerce. Therefore, the official believes that the ways of agriculture and commerce should go hand in hand and not be neglected. "

Jia Cong said: "Brother Yang's wisdom is beyond that of ordinary people."

Yang Ling said: "The Duke's praise is false, but he is just picking up the wisdom of his predecessors. Without these workshops, how could Songjiang cloth be used to clothe and quilt the world."

"That's exactly the reason." Jia Cong smiled slightly.

He naturally knew that Songjiang cotton was famous all over the world and was second to none in the country, but he always wore silk, satin and fur, so he had no chance to try it on.

The two talked for a long time, and Jia Cong invited Yang Ling to board the boat for a meal before saying goodbye and returning to Jinling.

Yang Ling stood on the pier, watching Jia Cong and his entourage sail away, feeling extremely happy. Unexpectedly, he met Jia Cong again when he came out this time. As long as he took good care of his property here, were he afraid that he would not be able to prosper in the future? (End of chapter)