Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 262 No Disrespect
……

After coming out of the east wing, Jia Rong came to the master's study again.

Jia Jing was discussing things with his staff.

This year they are preparing to carry out commercial tax reforms on silk, tea and other projects in Jiangnan. This seems to be a very difficult reform, but in fact it is not that difficult.

Currently, the largest silk and tea merchants in Jiangnan are the Xue and Zhen families.

Needless to say, the Xue family obeyed Jia Jing's orders no matter how he carried out the reforms.

Although this will affect some of Ningguo Mansion's interests, given the huge impact of overseas trade, a slight increase in commercial taxes will have little impact.

As for the Zhen family...

He is really disobedient.

She thought that she could compete with him by relying on her old relationship with the retired emperor and her marriage relationship with Prince Beijing.

Little did they know that the emperor had become obsessed with alchemy and no longer cared about worldly affairs.

Prince Beijing is just an empty shell of a prince, but he is very active and is known as the "virtuous king" in public, and his mansion is full of "famous people".

The emperor had this idea in mind a long time ago, but he had just taken power and had not taken action because of his reputation.

"Mr. Zhuge, I would like to trouble you to go to Jiangnan in advance to collect evidence of the Zhen family's corruption and abuse of power. This matter must be done in secret and we must not alert the enemy." Jia Jing instructed carefully.

Zhuge Lan bowed and said, "Don't worry, sir. I will act cautiously."

Jia Jing nodded and continued, "It will probably be around April or May. I will ask the Emperor to send an imperial envoy to Jiangnan to preside over the tax reforms on silk, tea and other commodities. By then, there will definitely be secret obstruction from Jiangnan merchants headed by the Zhen family and even some officials with vested interests. You need to produce evidence in due time, and I will convict the Zhen family as quickly as possible, thus making an example of them."

Nangong Lu said worriedly, "I'm afraid someone will interfere. After all, the Zhen family's influence in Jiangnan is deeply rooted, and they may have a lot of cards up their sleeves. You must be on guard."

Jia Jing naturally understood that Nangong Lu was worried. He was simply worried that Ye Xiang would intervene. However, this time the two of them had reached a tacit understanding that Ye Xiang would not intervene, and would most likely give the situation a push.

"I have my own plan, so don't worry."

Jia Jing did not say what he had reached a consensus with Ye Xiang in private. Although they were all his loyal old subordinates, there was one thing he said:
Nothing can be accomplished without secrecy.

On the surface, he and Ye Xiang are rivals... and in fact, they are indeed rivals.

It's just that they occasionally combine for the sake of interests.

Take what you need from each other.

We have to separate them afterwards.

Otherwise Emperor Anping would tremble in fear.

Jia Rong had been listening carefully since he entered the room. Only after everyone had finished talking about their business did they notice him.

"The eldest son is back."

"I've met the eldest son."

Several staff members gave Jia Rong face and met him with courtesy. The main reason was that Jia Rong's current status represented the future of Ningguo Mansion and he deserved their respect.

Jia Rong humbly returned the greetings one by one.

"Mr. Nangong."

"Mr. Zhuge."

"Mr. Ouyang..."

Everyone hurriedly said, "You are too polite, young master."

After some polite exchanges, Jia Jing, seemingly calm but actually anxious, asked: "Rong'er, how did you do on the test? Did you write out the essay from memory?"

Jia Rong had expected this, and he took out the article and said, "Master, please have a look."

Jia Jing hurriedly took it and looked at it carefully, and his staff also gathered around.

half an hour.

Everyone was amazed.

"Young Master's writing is worthy of being the most talented person in Kyoto!"

"Isn't it a sure win for an article like this?"

After reading it, Jia Jing felt that it was impeccable.

It has to be said that Jia Rong's articles are much better than his.

The probability of this happening is very high.

However, the imperial examination is different from the provincial examination.

This examination hall, where many talented people gathered, brought together the best scholars from the two capitals and thirteen provinces across the country, and there were countless excellent essays.

No one dares to say that he will definitely win.

Strength, luck and opportunity are all essential.

Jia Rong has the ability.

The rest depends on God’s will!
……

The waning moon hangs in the sky, and the spring breeze blows gently.

The nights in early spring are quiet and beautiful.

Jia Rong sat under the window, playing with a folding fan in his hand.

After so many years of reading all day, it has become a habit. Suddenly I feel a little uncomfortable when I have free time. It is still too early to go to bed at this time.

Other things...

I haven't seen Miss Lin for a long time and I missed her very much. I heard that she came to Beijing today and stayed in Rongguo Mansion.

But it’s a little late now, so it must be inconvenient for him to go and look for it.

"Qingwen."

Jia Rong shouted.

Qingwen came in through the curtain and asked with a smile, "What's the matter?"

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Go to the West Mansion to find Miss Lin and tell her that my aunt wants to see her about something."

Qingwen: “…”

Jia Rong: "What are you doing here? Go now."

Qingwen: “I know!”

After Qingwen left, Jia Rong went to the gate of Xichun's courtyard and waited there.

In front of them is the garden that Ningguo Mansion spent one and a half years and hundreds of thousands of taels of silver to build. Jia Rong had not been able to visit it properly before because he was concentrating on studying, so he took the opportunity tonight to ask Lin Daiyu to visit the garden together.

"Xiao Xiao."

"What's the matter, sir? Do you want me to get rid of those annoying old women in the garden?" Xiao Xiao said with a smile.

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Smart, we will just walk around in front for a while, and you go and lead them to the back to guard."

"Well... it's dark, so you have to be careful." Xiao Xiao reminded Jia Rong worriedly and went to the garden to arrange people.

Jia Rong didn't care.

It would be better in the dark.

Soon, two lanterns came closer and closer. Who else could it be if not Zijuan and Qingwen?

It turned out that when Lin Daiyu saw Qingwen coming to tell her that her aunt was looking for her, she naturally understood that it was Jia Rong's intention, so she did not point it out and came over with Zijuan and Qingwen.

Sure enough, Rong Ge'er was waiting there.

Lin Daiyu suddenly stopped.

Originally she missed Jia Rong very much, but when she thought that they were now engaged, she suddenly felt shy and could not take a step forward.

"What are you thinking about? Why aren't you moving?"

Lin Daiyu then came to her senses and saw that Jia Rong was approaching and the two maids Zijuan and Qingwen had entered the garden holding lanterns.

"Why are you here?"

Lin Daiyu asked.

Although she knew that it was Jia Rong who asked her to come here, she couldn't admit it.

Jia Rong said seriously, "Come out for a walk. Why are you here?"

Lin Daiyu said, "I'm here to look for my aunt."

"Oh."

Jia Rong smiled and nodded: "I'll take you there."

"Ah."

Lin Daiyu bowed her head and agreed, then followed Jia Rong into the garden. Halfway through the journey, Jia Rong held her hand. Lin Daiyu struggled slightly but failed, so she could only let him do what he wanted.

The crescent moon seemed like a shy little girl hiding in the clouds, leaving only a residual shadow hanging in the sky.

The two walked up to a pavilion. Lin Daiyu looked at Jia Rong and said with a smile, "Aren't you bringing me to see my aunt? Why are you bringing me here?"

Jia Rong said, "Guess."

Lin Daiyu: "I won't guess. Who knows what bad ideas you have in mind!"

Jia Rong laughed and said, "Then why do you dare to follow me? Aren't you afraid of me..."

"how?"

Lin Daiyu looked up at Jia Rong.

How dare you bully me?

Jia Rong put his arms around the girl's slender waist and gradually moved closer to her charming face. Lin Daiyu leaned back slightly, supported her hands on Jia Rong's chest, and her eyes gradually lowered, not daring to look at Jia Rong.

"You, don't be rude here."

"Haha."

Jia Rong finally held back, raised his hand and gently stroked Lin Daiyu's hair, and said with a smile: "I see your hair is messy, I will help you fix it."

"Humph!"

Lin Daiyu broke free from Jia Rong's arms and snorted, "Thank you for your kindness. I'd appreciate it if you don't mess my hair up." As she spoke, she raised her hand to straighten her temples, then gave Jia Rong a coquettish look.

"You only know how to bully people. When I was away, did you bully Sister Baoqin?"

……

(End of this chapter)