Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 72 Precious girl, what a pity!
……

Jia Rong slept until noon. He thought that Lin Ruhai and Zhuge Lan would not get up early or might not have gotten up yet. Unexpectedly, they had already gone out for a walk, finished their business and came back.

The two of them were drinking tea and chatting in the study, looking full of energy.

"With this arrangement, it should be about right!"

"Man proposes, God disposes, and the rest is up to God's will."

"Send a letter to the capital. The old man is preparing it in advance."

Jia Rong yawned and couldn't help but sigh:
As I get older, I sleep less!
"Rong'er, there's something that only you can do!" Lin Ruhai suddenly looked at Jia Rong and said with a smile.

"what's up?"

Jia Rong became alert.

Lin Ruhai smiled and said, "You will be responsible for delivering the tax money to Beijing."

Jia Rong: “…”

This job is not very good, he doesn't want to take it.

Lin Ruhai smiled again and said, "It just so happens that you are going to bring the second branch of the Xue family back to Beijing. You have guards and boats with you, so no one will suspect you."

"What if?"

Jia Rong asked worriedly.

Lin Ruhai is willing to go through fire and water for the court and even die for it, but Jia Rong has not reached that level yet.

Lin Ruhai comforted him, "Don't worry, I will give you some guards, and together with the guards in your house, you will have no problem protecting yourself."

"If we are really found out, of course we should prioritize our own safety. You can leave the tax money behind and I will bear all the blame."

"how?"

This……

Jia Rong thought about it, but still didn’t want to!
After all, the risk is huge and there is no benefit at all.

Besides, he had just arrived in Jiangnan and hadn’t had enough shopping.

He also wanted to exchange academic knowledge with the students of Jiangnan Literary Society.

Jia Rong was just thinking about how to politely refuse Lin Ruhai when he heard Lin Ruhai say, "If the tax silver arrives safely in Beijing, I would like to consider it as a favor owed to you by my family."

"When will we set off?"

Jia Rong asked directly.

Lin Ruhai finally smiled and looked at the almanac.

"Today is the third day of June. Three days from now it will be an auspicious day, everything will be suitable. Let's go on the morning of the sixth day of June!"

"In the next few days, go to Jinling and bring the second branch of the Xue family with you. Remember to rent a few large ships and load them with goods to dock at Yangzhou Pier. I'll also make preparations here. When the time comes, just switch the ships and you can enter Beijing without anyone noticing."

It sounds like it might work!

……

"Crash."

The water was flowing gently, and Jia Rong took the boat back to Jinling.

I feel like I did nothing else this time I came to Jiangnan except running back and forth on the water.

Soon, they arrived at the second branch of the Xue family.

Xue Ke personally came out to greet him and said with a smile, "Where have you been these two days, brother? Many people can't find you."

Jia Rong waved his fan and said with a smile: "I went to Yangzhou for a stroll."

Xue Ke immediately understood something.

Any young man from Kyoto who comes to Jiangnan must go to Yangzhou!
"Brother, you are so elegant!"

"Yangzhou's skinny horses are also unique."

"What?"

Jia Rong stopped and asked in confusion.

Xue Ke immediately realized that he had said the wrong thing, and hurriedly said with a smile: "Brother, I want to buy you a few horses, from Yangzhou."

"no need."

Jia Rong waved his hand and said, "The plan has changed. We have to set off for Beijing immediately. You go to the dock immediately to rent five large ships and load them with cargo."

Xue Ke was stunned for a moment.

"Loading? What cargo?"

Jia Rong thought for a moment and said, "Let's talk about grain. I heard that there was a severe drought in Shandong this year and wheat harvest was completely lost in many places. The grain price has started to soar. Let's buy 200,000 kilograms of grain and bring it over. We can sell it and make a small profit from the difference."

Xue Ke: “…”

How many skinny horses have you bought? All your money has been spent.
"Brother, I have some private money here. If you don't have enough money, feel free to use it!" Xue Ke said generously.

Jia Rong smiled faintly and said, "Thank you, but this is not about money!" Xue Ke immediately understood!
It turns out it’s not the lack of money, it’s the fame!
Officials love to help the people.

"Okay, I'll get ready right now!"

Jia Rong asked: "How long will it take to complete it?"

Xue Ke smiled and said, "It will only take half a day at most."

Jiangnan is a prosperous place, and 200,000 jin of grain is only less than 2,000 dan, which is naturally an easy task for Xue Ke.

"Butler Wang!"

"Second Master, what's the matter?"

Xue Ke said: "Bring enough people immediately, collect 200,000 kilograms of grain, and transport it to Jinling Wharf before dark!"

The housekeeper was stunned for a moment: "Why are you collecting grain? Did the master say so?"

In recent years, the second branch of the Xue family has been doing business overseas and has not been involved in grain trading in the mainland.

Xue Ke waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about what my elder brother said, just go and do your job!"

"Yes……"

The housekeeper agreed, but quietly went into the house to ask Xue Li for permission, saying, "Master, the second master said he wanted to buy some food..."

"Cough cough."

Xue Li coughed and said, "Just do whatever I tell you to do. There's no need to make so much trouble!"

"Yes Yes!"

The housekeeper quickly agreed and went out.

Xue Baoqin brought a pot of tea and said with a smile, "I heard that Brother Rong is here today. Could it be that Brother Rong wants to buy food to return to Beijing?"

Xue Li took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "I don't know about that. Let them be. Since they have followed the Ningguo Mansion, they should follow wholeheartedly. As long as the Ningguo Mansion does not fall, the second branch of the Xue family will naturally rise step by step."

Xue Baoqin suddenly thought of her cousin Baochai and sighed, "I wonder how my sister is doing in the capital."

Xue Li shook his head.

The first wife followed the wrong person after all.

What a pity, precious girl.

Such a smart girl is dragged down by her family. Her future will be difficult.

……

Xue Ke was very efficient. By the evening, everything was ready. Five large ships were lined up at the dock, loaded with 200,000 kilograms of grain.

"Brother Xue, what a generous move!"

"We can earn at least this much if we ship these 200,000 kilograms of grain to Shandong and store them there in winter!"

The Xue family was in such a hurry to collect the grain this time that they had no time to lower the price. As a result, several grain merchants made a small profit and were almost grinning from ear to ear.

Xue Ke shook his head and smiled: "This is not collected by our Xue family."

"Oh? Could it be?"

"The gentleman from Kyoto?"

Everyone opened their eyes wide and looked at Xue Ke with envy.

Being able to be associated with the extremely powerful Duke's Mansion, the second branch of the Xue family is bound to be very successful!
Xue Ke smiled lightly and said nothing.

"To be honest, I don't expect to make money from these. Instead, I will sell them at a low price when the time comes. I just want to do my bit to help the people affected by the disaster."

Everyone said:

"Mr. Jia is kind and benevolent!"

"Brother Xue, can you introduce me to you? Consider this food as a gift from me, I won't charge you a penny."

"I feel the same way. Master Jia is kind and benevolent, so let's learn from him."

Xue Ke smiled and shook his head: "I'm afraid it won't work this time. Brother Rong is in a hurry to return to Beijing and will leave tonight."

"The money and goods have been paid. I'm leaving now!"

By the time Xue Ke returned home, everything at home was almost ready.

Xue Li finally instructed: "Once you're there, just follow your elder brother Rong's arrangements. Don't worry about the things at home. I can still hold on!"

"And Qin'er, come along too."

Xue Baoqin was already in tears.

"Dad, your daughter wants to take care of you at home."

Xue Li smiled and said, "I'm fine. Why do I need someone to take care of me? I can rest assured knowing you're watching over your brother."

……

(End of this chapter)