Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 115: The Art of Managing a Household
In the room, Lin Daiyu was flipping through a book, and Qin Keqing was accompanying her, and the two were talking and laughing.

Ruizhu walked in quietly and placed the account documents in her arms on the desk.

"Miss Lin, this is the account that was just sent in."

The two looked at each other. Lin Daiyu collected the account, flipped through it casually, and asked in confusion, "Is there so much?"

Ruizhu nodded. "It should be correct. I saw more than ten large vehicles coming in from outside. They are all busy at the treasury now."

Lin Daiyu thought about it for a while, and then said to the maids in the room, "Come on, follow me out to take a look."

Zijuan went forward and helped Lin Daiyu change into her outer clothes and then put on her skirt, then she supported her and went out together.

The girls left the main courtyard and turned into the corridor, where they ran into maids and servants, all of whom were rushing up to greet Lin Daiyu. Seeing the girls coming out in such a big fuss, they all asked what they were doing.

When they heard that they were going to check outside the second gate, the servants who had no work to do spontaneously gathered behind Lin Daiyu and followed.

After walking around the large screen blocking the hanging flower gate, the group approached the door and could hear a loud commotion outside. From time to time, people could be heard cheering. It was really chaotic.

It was hard to hear clearly from a distance, and she had no idea what they were talking about, so Lin Daiyu sent a little maid out to find out, "Ni Ni, go and ask what's going on outside."

"it is good."

Not long after, Ni Ni came back happily, with a little excitement on her face. She clapped her hands with Lin Daiyu and said, "Miss Lin, there is good news just now. The court wants to appoint the master as the Grand Commander."

Lin Daiyu frowned slightly, "What Grand Commander?"

Ni Ni shook her head and thought for a while, then said, "Dad just said that all the officers and soldiers in the capital must listen to the master. If the barbarians come, the master will lead the soldiers to drive them all away. It's so impressive. Even the high officials in the capital have to listen to the master."

Hearing this, the maids around Lin Daiyu also showed joy on their faces.

"As expected, the master is a man of great ability. Will he be promoted to a higher position in the future? It is more than enough for him to be conferred the title of Marquis."

"That's right. A kind person like you should have endless wealth and glory."

"To be in charge of all the soldiers in the capital, wouldn't that be more impressive than being a general?"

"..."

The maids understood and smiled, but Lin Daiyu's frown deepened.

"No wonder Brother Yue has been sighing these days since he came back, frowning from time to time, and never smiling. How can he still smile after being given such a big job?"

Lin Daiyu pondered in her heart, and then said to Ni Ni: "Tell your father and housekeeper Yun to tell the people outside to drop their work and wait outside the second gate. I have something to say."

When Ni Ni heard that Lin Daiyu's tone was not as kind as before, she realized that she might be in trouble. She was afraid that she might say something more, so she did not dare to delay and hurried to the outer room.

Before long, Jia Yun and Ni Er, along with the guards, doormen and laborers doing heavy work, gathered outside the second gate.

It was also heard that Miss Lin had something to say, and no one dared to neglect her.

Everyone knows that Miss Lin's words are sometimes more effective than the master's in this mansion.

Ni Er and Jia Yun stepped forward to greet her, "Miss Lin, everyone is here."

Lin Daiyu nodded slightly and said to the two of them, "You guys listen here too."

"Yes."

Everyone looked at Lin Daiyu from afar. Although they couldn't see her face clearly, she was very eye-catching in the snow-white dress she wore when she was surrounded by the crowd. Moreover, her demeanor gave off the aura of a mistress of the house, which made everyone involuntarily nervous.

Lin Daiyu cleared her throat and said loudly, "It's a good thing that you got an official post, Master, but don't get too carried away. How can you be so arrogant and shouting in the mansion?"

"Grand Commander, commanding the officers and soldiers of the Beijing camp and defending against the enemy during wartime, sounds mighty and majestic. You have something to brag about outside, and the master has become your topic of conversation after dinner. But you don't think about it, war means death, and the master is in charge of such a big matter, how many lives will be involved?"

"I only saw how powerful the master is, but I don't know how many tasks he has behind him. I am not cursing Brother Yue, but if he gets hurt, what will we eat and use in our house? Can we still live the good life we ​​have today?"

Lin Daiyu looked around the room. The noise from earlier was gone. Everyone lowered their heads and remained silent.

"Everyone go do your own work. The master has been given a job, and there will be more people stepping on the threshold every day. Don't do something uneducated and lose face for the master."

Jia Yun and Ni Er bowed, bending even lower than usual.

"Miss Lin, we got carried away and were really inconsiderate. We are unworthy of the master's care."

Lin Daiyu shook her head and said, "You are the housekeepers of the mansion, and you are also the people selected by Brother Yue. I shouldn't comment on you, but you really need to be disciplined. How can you be so complacent in the mansion? I don't know what kind of trouble you will spit out when you go out."

Jia Yun, Ni Er looked ashamed and bowed his head and said, "Thank you for your advice."

After saying this, Lin Daiyu turned around and went back to the hall.

Jia Yun and Ni Er breathed a sigh of relief and told the servants in the mansion, "Everyone has listened to Miss Lin's words. Pay more attention and keep some things in mind. Let's go, let's go and do what we need to do."

"Yes"

Lin Daiyu led everyone to the room. Seeing Ni Ni rubbing her eyes, Lin Daiyu touched her cheek and comforted her, "I don't mean to blame you. Usually everyone will think this is a good thing. But now is not the time to be proud. When Brother Yue really leads the troops back victoriously, that will be the time to celebrate."

"Nowadays, not only is Brother Yue cautious in his actions, but even we have to be more cautious to avoid any disaster."

The maids and servants around all nodded in agreement.

Ni Ni choked up and said, "Ms. Lin, I understand."

"Okay, stop crying. Xueyan, take her to get some snacks."

"it is good."

……

When Yue Ling returned from the government office and entered the mansion, he saw that the doormen around him were standing straight, just like trained guards.

Patting someone on the back, Yue Ling said with a smile: "Why are you all like this? You are so reserved."

The doorman replied, "Just now, many generals came to give gifts. We dare not neglect them. If we are careless, we may lose face for the master."

Hearing this, Yue Ling thought about it for a moment, and felt that the doorman should not be so self-aware, most likely because of Lin Daiyu's discipline. Feeling relieved, Yue Ling said, "This news spreads very quickly, and you all know it too."

Menzi nodded repeatedly, "I understand. The master will be the Grand Commander of the Capital in the future."

Sighing, Yue Ling said, "It's really not easy to be an official. Giving and receiving gifts is a science. Send out invitations to these people and invite them to come to the mansion. I have something to discuss with you."

"Yes."

Yue Ling walked back to the room, and when he reached the door, he saw the little maid Ni Ni, who was rolling up the curtains, leaning against the pillar, as if she was thinking about something. The once innocent little girl, who spent her days chasing butterflies and watching snails, now had something on her mind. Yue Ling thought it was funny, so he walked closer and asked, "Ni Ni, what are you thinking about?"

Ni Ni was so frightened that she shuddered and almost fell out from behind the pillar. When she saw that the person coming was Yue Ling, she stood up quickly, bowed respectfully, and said, "Master."

"What are you thinking about? Why are you so distracted?"

Ni Ni looked extremely serious as she answered Yue Ling's question: "I was too naive before. I think I need to grow up."

Yue Ling was speechless after hearing this, which sounded very much like the tone of an elementary school student in his previous life, "I'm not a kindergarten kid anymore."

Rubbing Ni Ni's head, Yue Ling comforted her: "There is no benefit in growing up, but it is good to be worry-free now."

With a smile, Yue Ling went into the room.

In the room, Lin Daiyu was seen writing in the hall again. Yue Ling smiled and said, "Sister Lin is busy again. Today's accounts are like a pile of small mountains."

Lin Daiyu rolled her eyes, pretending to be annoyed, and crossed her arms and said, "It's because Brother Yue asked people to buy too many things. Okay, don't bother me. Go wash up."

Yue Ling couldn't help but laugh again and went back to his room.

Lin Daiyu looked up at Yue Ling's back again, shook her head and sighed, then focused her attention on the accounts again.

……

Yue Ling invited all the generals to visit his house, but he didn't expect so many people to come.

When he had tidied himself up in the room and returned to the main hall, he saw that the hall was crowded with people. There had not been many chairs in the hall, and many people were standing in the hall.

After talking with Jia Yun and Ni Er, I learned that after the invitations were sent out at the mansion, many people who had not given gifts before brought their own gifts to make up for the loss and walked into the hall. There was no way to stop them.

After all, you shouldn't hit someone who smiles at you. It's not easy to kick someone out if they come with gifts.

Jia Yun and Ni Er looked ashamed, and Yue Ling comforted them, "It's okay. It's not a bad thing that everyone is here. I'll say it all today so that no one will come to look for me again in the future."

Pushing the door open and entering the room, Yue Ling strode to the center of the lobby and sat down.

He was not familiar with the dignitaries in the capital, but when he noticed that the familiar-looking Wang Ziteng and Shi Nai didn't even get a seat, he knew that none of those sitting in the hall were of low status.

"Liu Fang from the Duke of Liguo's Mansion, here to see the Grand Commander."

"Chen Ruiwen from the Duke of Qi's Mansion, to see the Grand Commander."

"Jiang Zining from the Marquis of Pingyuan Mansion, to see the Grand Commander."

"Nan'an County Prince's Mansion, meet the Grand Commander."

"..."

When everyone saw Yue Ling, they began to greet him politely, and Yue Ling also bowed to return the greeting.

At the right moment, a middle-aged man walked into the hall, with a sword hanging from his waist, and he walked like a dragon or a tiger, looking very majestic. People around him made way for him and bowed to him.

"Zhongshun King Liu Zisheng greets the Grand Commander."

Hearing this, Yue Ling turned around and returned the greeting, "Greetings, Your Majesty. Please take a seat here."

As far as Yue Ling knew, among the royal relatives who had followed the King of Qin in his campaigns, King Zhongshun was the one with the most brilliant military achievements. Therefore, the four kings and eight dukes respected him, often not because of his royal status, but more because they were afraid of his methods.

After taking a look at Yue Ling, King Zhongshun said, "I have only seen the Grand Commander's appearance from afar every day when I went to court. Today is the first time I get to see his demeanor. Your Highness is selecting troops outside the city, ready to lead the vanguard to the battle, while the Grand Commander is selecting his generals in the palace, ready to defend against the enemy thousands of miles away. He is truly concerned about the country and the people."

Not knowing whether this Zhongshun King was beating around the bush or was deliberately reminding him, Yue Ling replied, "Your Highness, you are overthinking. I just wanted to make something clear when I asked you all to come to my house to discuss matters today. You don't need to come to me again in the future and delay the important matters."

Prince Zhongshun threw off his robes, sat down next to Yue Ling with a majestic look, and said, "Then let's listen to what the Grand Commander has to say."

Yue Ling nodded slightly and said to the people in the room: "Everyone, please be quiet and listen to me."

The noise in the hall gradually died down, and Yue Ling said, "The situation at the border is now severe. Since signing the trade agreement with the Northern Barbarians, Dachang has not faced such a major war. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will lead 100,000 troops from the Beijing Camp to the Shanhaiguan front to fight against the Jurchens and the rebels."

"There are less than 100,000 garrison troops left in the capital. Even if the thousand households around the capital are mobilized, there are only 150,000. This is a well-known fact, so I can be frank with you."

"The northern barbarians are heading south. If Datong Town is lost, relying on the Taihang Mountains and Yanshan Mountains, there are only three passes that can be defended: Daoma Pass, Zijing Pass, and Juyong Pass. These three inner passes are now almost deserted, so the war is not optimistic. If you want your family's younger generation to gain military merit through this battle, you can take the gifts and go back. The outcome of this battle is hard to say, and the losses will certainly not be small. No one can guarantee that your precious children will be okay, so make sure of this first."

At the right moment, someone raised a question: "What the Grand Commander meant was that the capital might be at fault?"

Yue Ling looked at the person who asked the question and nodded, "Good question. We join the army today, and what we seek first is to defend the country, and then to be rich and prosperous. I took over as the Grand Commander, and I used my head as a military order. If I die, the capital may be lost. If I live, the capital will be safe, but who knows when I will die?"

"Which prefecture is this lord from?"

"Marquis of Xiangyang's Mansion."

Yue Ling nodded and said, "You can take the gifts back with you. If you want to be in charge of the baggage in the army and get some military merit without even going into the city, I have gathered some old, weak, women and children in the city who can do it. If you are worried about your juniors getting hurt, then give up the military and take the imperial examination, and don't get involved with military generals."

Everyone in the hall laughed, and the visitor from Xiangyang Marquis's Mansion laughed so hard that his face turned red. Soon he bowed and left in disgrace.

Yue Ling retracted his gaze and continued, "Be honest, the door is still open if you want to leave."

Seeing that Yue Ling was not easy to fool, some people began to say goodbye and leave. Jia Yun stood in front of the door and returned all the gifts he had received while looking at the list.

After a while, no one moved, and everyone in the hall had a seat.

After a quick glance, Wang Ziteng was still there, but Shi Nai had already left. Yue Ling couldn't help but twitch his lips, thinking in his heart: "The second master of the Shi family looks like this, but the third master Shi Ding is in Datong Prefecture, so he won't be the same, right?"

　感谢君玉缺、晓yue残、红尘侠客行2、岁月饶人书友06555、为这美好世界献上恶意、战锤之全面战争、二选一、Haru_Haru、九天之上的恶魔、追风饮雪~、书友803255、萧瑟岁、倾涩倾城、本帮菜饭、书友16448、zeuscannon、书友24100的月票，感谢大佬九天之上的恶魔的打赏，感谢支持！
　　
　
(End of this chapter)