Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 198 Why did Your Majesty rebel?

……

Qiao Jiahui looked at the poem written by Jia Lian and laughed at the first line.

"A flower in a vase."

"Haha, the beginning is not good. The first sentence of a poem is like the opening sentence of an eight-part essay. If the first sentence is not good, the whole poem is ruined. There is no need to read on."

Wen Renyuan, who was standing next to him, laughed and said, "Brother Qiao, you are wrong. Poetry and writing are very different. It's like tasting a bottle of fine wine. The later you read, the more you can taste the mellow aroma of the wine."

"Not bad!" Someone else stepped forward and said with a smile, "Only a mediocre first line can pave the way for the following lines. It seems that Brother Qiao doesn't understand poetry very well."

Qiao Jiahui looked angrily at the person who spoke, who was Wei Ruolan, the young master of the Wei family.

"Hello, Brother Lian, Brother Rong."

Wei Ruolan bowed to Jia Lian and Jia Rong and said, "There were too many people here just now, so I didn't come over."

Jia Lian and Jia Rong said:

"Brother Wei, you are too polite."

"Don't worry about the empty formalities."

Qiao Jiahui looked at Wei Ruolan and sneered, "You know poetry? How dare you speak so arrogantly here?"

“Haha.” Wei Ruolan laughed and said, “I don’t understand. Doesn’t Brother Wenren understand either? Didn’t you hear what Brother Wenren said just now?”

Wen Renyuan smiled and said, "Brother Qiao, you still need to learn more about poetry. It is completely different from eight-part essays. I think I should comment on Brother Lian's poem."

Although Wen Renyuan said this modestly, his implication was:
You are not qualified to comment on this poem!
"Humph!"

Qiao Jiahui put the manuscript on the table and said disdainfully: "It's just a poem. It's useless to the country. We scholars should study the teachings of sages and write sage articles. Only then can we serve the country and relieve the emperor's worries."

Wei Ruolan smiled and said, "I see you are not very good at reading the works of sages. Although I haven't read much, I also know that 'knowing what you know and knowing what you don't know is knowledge.' Brother Shunzhi is not good at poetry and speaking frankly, what about you? You pretend to know when you don't, your title of Juren is not a 'blind cat colliding with a dead mouse', right?"

"you you."

Qiao Jiahui pointed at Wei Ruolan, her lips trembling and turning purple. She wanted to refute but was in the wrong. Her face turned red and white, and she threw her sleeves and was about to leave.

At this time, the second prince suddenly came over, laughed and said, "What's the matter? Today we are meeting friends through literature, and we can fight, but we must not hurt the harmony."

Qiao Jiahui looked embarrassed and said, "Your Majesty, I..."

The second prince waved his hand gently: "Those who come here are friends. Apologize to the Jia brothers and this matter will be over."

Qiao Jiahui's face became even uglier, but she was still very obedient and lowered her head obediently: "Sorry, I am rude."

Jia Lian waved his hand calmly: "It's okay, we are just joking, right Rong'er?"

Jia Rong smiled and said, "It was indeed just a joke, Brother Qiao, please don't mind it."

Under the Second Prince's gaze, Qiao Jiahui hurriedly said, "I don't mind, I don't mind."

The Second Prince nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile: "Let me take a look at Brother Lian's poems. Although I am not good at writing, I still have some experience in appreciating poems."

Everyone said, "Your Majesty is too modest."

"A flower in a vase."

The second prince recited a sentence, his eyes lit up.

"Not bad! Well done!"

“This is the way to start a poem.”

The second prince smiled and said to everyone.

Everyone praised and said, "Your Highness, what you said is very good! If Brother Lian can't write poetry, none of us can either."

Jia Lian smiled modestly.

"I am over-flattered."

The second prince continued:

"There's a moon in the sky."

"The flowers fall and the moon returns to the sky."

"The wind blew snow all over the ground."

After reading it, I clapped my hands unconsciously.

"Wonderful!"

“It’s really wonderful!”

“Although it may not be enough to become a famous quatrain that will be passed down through the ages, it is enough to stand out among the heroes here!”

"I think Brother Lian is the first in this poetry competition. Do you have any objections?"

Everyone said: "Well-deserved!"

"Brother Lian is really talented!"

Several people who were familiar with Jia Lian came over to congratulate him, saying, "You usually hide well, and this time you made a splash. It seems that you have caught the Second Prince's eye. You will be able to rise to prominence in the near future."

Jia Lian smiled almost like a fool, and all he knew was, "Thank you, thank you, it was just a fluke."

Amidst the compliments, time passed into the afternoon and the crowd gradually dispersed. Jia Lian and Jia Rong were led by maids to the main hall to have tea.

Jia Rong whispered, "Second Uncle Lian, please remember what I just said."

Jia Lian smiled and whispered, "Don't worry, I know what's going on. I was just pretending just now."

Jia Rong: "That's good."

As the two were talking, the second prince came in from outside, laughing.

"My two brothers, I apologize for the poor hospitality today."

The two of them stood up quickly.

"The prince is joking."

The second prince clapped his hands and said with a smile: "No more words, today's prize is presented to the two brothers first."

As soon as he finished speaking, a line of maids came in with trays and placed six side dishes and two pots of aged Shaoxing wine on the table. Then four graceful girls in gauze skirts walked in slowly and began dancing in the hall.

"Brothers, please."

"Your Majesty, please."

Before long, three rounds of drinks had passed.

The second prince smiled at Jia Lian and said, "My palace is short of a chief official. I wonder if Brother Lian is interested?"

Jia Lian was cheered up!
The chief historian in the prince's palace is countless times more senior than the one who manages things at home!
Jia Lian stood up quickly and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I will go through fire and water for you!"

The voice was firm, without any hesitation.

The second prince was obviously stunned.

He thought Jia Lian would refuse, or suggest going home to ask his elders for instructions.

I didn’t expect it to be so straightforward.

Do you know what it means to be the chief historian in my palace? Do your elders in your family agree?
For a moment, I was a little confused, wondering what Jia Lian was up to.

The heir to a big family wouldn’t be a fool, right?
Did he drink too much? Did he get drunk?

However, the Second Prince had experienced a lot of things after all, so he quickly recovered and said with a smile: "Brother Lian, you are happy!"

"We will be a family from now on."

After saying this, he patted Jia Lian's shoulder affectionately.

Jia Lian was flattered and stood up and bowed repeatedly.

"Your Majesty is kind to me."

The second prince pulled Jia Lian to sit down and said seriously: "Brother, don't be so polite in the future, otherwise you will treat me as an outsider!"

"Yes Yes!"

Jia Lian nodded quickly and agreed.

The Second Prince nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Jia Rong and said with a smile, "Brother Rong, next year will be the year of the Autumn Examination. With your essay, I think it will be easy for you to win first place, right?"

The tone of his words seemed to have become that of an elder.

Friendly and natural.

Jia Rong shook his head and said, "I can't guarantee that I'll win, but I'll be satisfied if I can pass the exam by chance."

"Rong'er is too modest." The second prince went over and took Jia Rong's hand, smiling cordially, "I think you will definitely pass the exam next year, and even passing the imperial examination will be easy. By then... my mansion is in need of young talents like Rong'er. This prince is thirsty for talents. Rong'er, are you willing to come to my mansion and be my right-hand man?"

"This……"

Jia Rong hesitated and said, "I shouldn't refuse the prince's kindness, but firstly, it's hard to say whether I will take the provincial examination next year, and secondly, I need to consult the master, sir."

Is this normal?
The second prince muttered to himself.

"That's all right." The second prince said with a smile, "We'll talk about it after the autumn examination next year. I'm putting this on hold. Even if Rong Ge'er makes a mistake, as long as you're willing to come to my house, I'll treat you as a distinguished guest!"

Jia Rong bowed again: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." "Haha."

Seeing that it was almost done, the Second Prince clapped his hands and said, "Serve my two brothers well."

The four charming dancers who were dancing stopped dancing, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, gentlemen."

Jia Lian was a little drunk at first, and his eyes were wide open at this moment, but fortunately he remembered Jia Rong's words, and forced himself to look away. He stood up and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but it's late, and the elders at home are worried about Rong'er. I have to send him back quickly to report, otherwise he will be beaten with a stick."

"Haha." The second prince laughed and said, "Is it Lord Jia? You love your grandson very much, I understand."

"In that case, I will send someone to send him back. You must stay and have a few more drinks."

Just as Jia Lian was about to speak, Jia Rong stood up and said with a smile, "Second Uncle, stay here with the prince to have a drink. I can go back by myself."

Jia Lian frowned slightly, hesitated for a while and said: "Then you must go back and don't hang around outside, otherwise I will be in trouble if the master gets angry."

Jia Rong blinked: "Don't worry."

"Okay!" The second prince clapped his hands and said with a smile, "Brother Lian, don't worry. I will personally send guards to escort Rong back. What else do you have to worry about?"

Jia Lian cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness has personally sent someone to escort me, so I am naturally relieved."

"Brother Rong, please go back. I have something important to discuss with the prince here."

Let’s not talk about how Jia Lian discussed important matters with the Second Prince here, and let’s say that after Jia Rong left, the Second Prince sent a dozen guards to escort Jia Rong back home in a very high-profile manner.

Jia Rong did not refuse. He sat in the carriage and closed his eyes to rest.

There have been rumors recently that the emperor has become obsessed with cultivating immortals.

Regardless of whether it is true or not, it is true that the emperor gradually gave up his power.

As a wealthy family in Kyoto, the Jia family always has to show their support.

But don’t go too far.

The retired emperor just gave up his power and you guys turned to the new emperor. Don’t you think highly of me?
It cannot be said that there is none at all.

After all, Emperor Anping was recognized as the new emperor, and his title was legitimate. The Jia family had no response, so were they dissatisfied with the new emperor?
Therefore, it was just right for Jia Lian to be the chief historian for the emperor's son.

As for whether he will be involved in the fight for succession among the princes in the future...that is a story for later.

By that time, Jia Rong had already secured the position of Junior Prime Minister.

It might already be very powerful.

Well, in one sentence:
Why did Your Majesty rebel?

……

The second prince's residence.

After getting Jia Lian drunk, the Second Prince tried to get some words out of him, but Jia Lian knew nothing and was too dizzy to say anything, so the Second Prince gave up and casually arranged two dancers to serve Jia Lian and went out.

"Your Majesty, Qiao Jiahui wants to see you."

When the butler saw the prince leaving, he said something cautiously.

The second prince frowned slightly.

Qiao Jiahui is a typical nerd who has become stupid because of reading too much.

However, his article is very good and he is very likely to be on the list of successful candidates in the next examination.

Once he becomes a Jinshi, it will be a great help, and it is worth it for him to strive for it in advance.

"Come to the study, please."

The second prince said calmly.

……

The Hall of Mental Cultivation of Daming Palace.

Emperor Anping has been very busy recently. Countless memorials from all over the country have arrived here one after another. He has to review them until the early morning almost every day before he has a chance to rest.

However, Emperor Anping did not feel tired at all, but enjoyed it instead.

He wants to be a hardworking and wise ruler of all ages!

"Lord Jia's commercial tax reform seems to have come to a halt recently." While reviewing the documents, Emperor Anping suddenly put down the book and said something.

Xia Shouzhong, who was standing next to him, looked at Emperor Anping cautiously and said, "Yes, since the salt tax reform was successful, it has not made any progress. Maybe... the resistance is too great."

"Humph, old fox!"

Emperor Anping sneered, "He obviously doesn't dare to continue, for fear of becoming the target of public criticism."

It seems that we have to give Jia Jing some sweet benefits in the future.

It's not that he had to use Jia Jing, but there were too few people who dared to reform and had the ability.

Li Minzhi can't do it.

He was born in Jiangnan and represented the interests of the literati in Jiangnan.

I am currently using him only to gain their support, and I will continue to reform once his position is consolidated.

It's even more than just commercial taxes.

Land taxes must also be reformed!

Wu Nan is even worse.

Four-word evaluation: lack of ability.

Ye Xiang...an old wily guy, a man who takes the doctrine of the mean to the extreme.

There has been neither merit nor demerit in the past twenty years.

muddle along.

There is no desire for reform at all.

Wen Ting, hum...

He is a person who just holds a position but does nothing!
Sooner or later he will be kicked out of the court.

Liu Yizhi was too utilitarian and only had his eyes fixed on official positions.

Liu Yan, cautious and careful, is only suitable for managing money.

Only Jia Jing has fully proved that he is capable!

Emperor Anping had been a "bystander" in recent years and had already thoroughly understood the temperaments of the six ministries, nine ministers, and senior officials in the cabinet.

Jia Jing, you will need it in the future.

As for why he is afraid to continue now, it is simply because he is afraid of backlash in the end. Reformers often do not have a good ending, and there are many such examples in history.

I need to find a way to let Jia Jing take up the banner of reform again.

Will Jia Jing be backlashed by conservatives in the future...that is almost inevitable.

By that time, it will be just the right time to push it out, calm the situation and quell the anger.

He said: To die for the country and the people is a worthy death.

He said: If the king wants his subject to die, the subject must die.

Jia Jing must understand!
"By the way, how is the second brother's poetry session going?"

Emperor Anping suddenly asked another question.

Xia Shouzhong was used to the emperor's thoughts changing from one thing to another, so he immediately replied, "Your Majesty, the poetry competition went very well. Jia Lian, the son of Rongguo Mansion, won the first prize and is now the chief historian in the Second Prince's mansion."

"Oh."

Emperor Anping nodded.

Being smart, he naturally understood that this was a gesture from the Jia family to him.

It is neither excessive nor too much, yet it shows sincerity.

"That's all."

After saying this, Emperor Anping looked outside, put down the memorial, and said, "It's already New Year's Eve without me noticing. Alas!... I'll go to the Queen's place tonight."

Tomorrow, the sixth year of Anping!
……

Fengzao Palace.

When the Empress heard that the Emperor was coming, she was overjoyed and hurriedly sent someone to invite Yuanchun over.

Although Yuanchun is just a little princess's companion in the palace, almost no one dares to mess with her.

Even some famous eunuchs in the palace, such as Dai Quan and Xia Shouzhong, had to give Yuanchun some face.

So, even though she was the queen, she also needed to be "pleased".

……

(End of this chapter)