Daiyu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 17 Went to Yangzhou to serve as Yan Zhengyi
The [-]th day of the first lunar month, advisable: go to the post and see you open the market to pray for blessings, so Lin Ruhai chose this day to leave for Yangzhou City to take the post.Except for the bulky furniture that was left in the ancestral house, the rest of the gold, silver, antiques and curios were all taken away, especially books, calligraphy and paintings.In the ancestral house, only Lin Yiyi, the younger brother of the loyal servant and housekeeper for generations, and several nursing homes remained.

A group of dozens of chariots and horses set off by land, and they had to wait for Zhangjiagang before changing boats to Yanchang River and going up to Yangzhou City via Gaogang.Lin Ruhai led the horse and Jia Lian followed closely beside him. Those who didn't know thought it was his son.

Even Lin Ruhai sighed in his heart from time to time: "If this Jia Lian hadn't been a nephew and a son, he would have been pretty good. Although he was a little naughty before, he was not taught. See if he grows up by his side?" I am also a little proud of myself.

Next to him were the head nurse Zhao Bing and his companions, followed by Jia Min and Daiyu's carriage, and behind them were twenty or so carriages.Then there were dozens of carts pulling large and small boxes, and the servants who guarded the courtyard and were sent to escort Lin Ruhai to his post were also dozens of people on both sides, walking slowly to take care of him.

It would take three or four days to travel by land alone. When Daiyu knew it, she had already made preparations to collect all the residence newspapers in Lin Ruhai's study, and was ready to pass the time on the road.

In fact, Daiyu really didn't think much about it at that time.For the past two years, Lin Ruhai has been living a happy life. Lin Ruhai is in good health and hardly gets sick. Although Jia Min's body is weak, he has no serious problems, so he doesn't have to worry too much.Especially after the appearance of Aunt Luo and Huang Jiyun, two unexpected characters that were not in the original novel, Daiyu was even more relieved, as if liberated.

What's more, Jia Lian's age is also very different from the original book. Although he has the same official position in Yangzhou as the patrol salt censor, it is more than a year behind the time recorded in the original book. Although the reason is unknown, Daiyu is unwilling to delve into it.At least I will be seven years old soon, and Jia Min is still alive and well. According to the original book, Jia Min is already dead at this time, and I have almost arrived at Rongguo Mansion.So nothing to worry about.

Since there are so many female relatives, it is inevitable to stop and go along the way. Daiyu reads the residence newspaper in the car and looks at the scenery outside the car.Until seeing that His Majesty was injured in hunting last autumn and could not come to court for several days, he ordered the prince to supervise the country.The alarm bell sounded in my heart.

Now that the emperor is old and his sons are growing up, isn't it time to fight for power?In addition to people, what is needed to compete for power and position is not money?Jiangnan is rich and prosperous. Nearly half of the country's taxes come from Jiangnan, and another third of Jiangnan's taxes come from the salt government.

He also remembered that someone from the Rongguo Mansion mentioned the matter that Jia Yuanchun entered the palace to run for election and was assigned to the Fourth Prince's Mansion the year before last.I don't know how many changes I have experienced now, whether it is still the same as in the original book, if it is the same, the four princes will ascend the throne in the future, if it is different, but I don't know who will win the throne.

But no matter who it is, it is not good to participate in it!Thinking of this, Daiyu couldn't help worrying, and inadvertently frowned and said to herself: "Now the Yanzheng is not a good job." Although the voice was soft, Jia Min, who was sitting beside Daiyu and closed his eyes, listened to it. Clearly.

Since Brother Yan passed away more than two years ago, Daiyu woke up from a coma and became more intelligent, and she was somewhat transparent about the world without a teacher.In addition, Lin Ruhai and Huang Jiyun didn't shy away from her when they talked about current affairs.Now I can't help but be surprised to hear Daiyu sighing so much. Could it be that Daiyu thought of something?Or found something?After all, Jia Min didn't show that she had a lot of history. She just closed her eyes and clenched her fists quietly, but she didn't disturb Daiyu's thoughts.

In the evening, the housekeeper and the yamen servants took care of everything, and when everyone was resting at the station, Jia Min couldn't bear it any longer, and told Lin Ruhai what Daiyu said today with a worried expression on his face.Lin Ruhai sighed, but said indifferently: "Yu'er has been very intelligent since she was a child, and she has become more transparent with her remarks. I also know that this salt administration is very difficult. Don't talk about other things, just two points, you will understand One of the difficulties. First: the taxation of the world comes from the south of the Yangtze River, and the tax on tea and salt in the south of the Yangtze River. The second: only salt and iron cannot be privately owned! Do you understand? Moreover, although the previous salt administrator did not die in office, he carried the coffin with him Banzi took office. Sigh~" After finishing speaking, Lin Ruhai also sighed endlessly.

Jia Min thought for a while and said: "Although some things in my natal family have become more and more inappropriate in recent years, the background is still there. Besides, the four major families are connected with each other, and they all made their fortunes from Jinling," without waiting for Jia Min to say. When it was over, Daiyu knocked on the door and said, "Is father there? Is mother resting?" Hearing it was Daiyu's voice, Jia Min didn't care to continue talking, and quickly got up to open the door in person.

Seeing that there was no one around Daiyu coming alone, she said dissatisfiedly: "Where is Jin'er? Why did you let you run around? Now you are not young, even though our house has covered these two floors, we can't wait for you." It's not good to bump into someone." While rambling, he took Daiyu's hand and entered the room.

Seeing that Mumian Qiluo and others were not in the room, Daiyu knew that Jia Min and Lin Ruhai were talking before, but at this moment, she didn't care too much, and while Yingying stepped forward to salute Lin Ruhai, she said: "Daddy is tired all the way, Yu'er shouldn't Come to disturb Daddy's rest."

Lin Ruhai saw her frowning slightly with worry in her eyes, knowing that she had something to say, so she called Daiyu to her side.Daiyu leaned against Lin Ruhai and sat with her small head on Lin Ruhai's arm but said nothing. She didn't want Jia Min to participate in it, not because she was afraid that Jia Min would know that it was just that Jia Min was always in poor health and didn't want her to worry. I don't know how to tell Jia Min to leave.

Jia Min also sat down next to Lin Ruhai. Seeing that Daiyu knew so well that she wanted to talk to Lin Ruhai alone, she said with a smile: "Your father and daughter sit down for a while, I'll go and see the supper. Some." After saying that, he stood up and prepared to leave.Unexpectedly, Lin Ruhai said at this time: "Madam, please sit down. Yu'er can speak up if she has something to say, so that your mother can know it well."

Daiyu heard what Lin Ruhai said, thinking about it is right, when Jia Min arrives in Yangzhou, he will definitely socialize with the wives of various backyards, so she thought about it and said: "Father also knows that the salt administration is not an easy job, I don't know if my father will go here What's your plan?"

When Jia Min saw that Daiyu came here, she really talked about this matter, and said with a serious face: "If my mother writes a letter to your grandmother, your grandmother's house has something to do with Jinling. What does Yu'er think?" Who knows? But Daiyu didn't answer: "What do you think, Daddy?" Lin Ruhai thought for a while and said, "The Zhen family is very powerful in the south of the Yangtze River, and they are also old relatives with your grandmother's family. If they can be taken care of, this trip will be much easier."

Who knows that Daiyu smiled at this time, and then asked Jia Min seriously: "I know that my grandfather's family started with martial arts and fought with the founding emperor. Have military power?"

Lin Ruhai and Jia Min didn't expect Daiyu to ask this question, but Jia Min answered truthfully: "When your grandfather was alive, he had military power in his hands. Your uncles haven't made much progress in these years, but they still have some old troops. In the army." Daiyu then asked: "What about the historians of the Wang family who don't know how to prosper and lose together with their grandfather's family?"

Jia Min still replied truthfully: "The elder brother of your second aunt who is in charge of the Wang family is in charge of military affairs in Beijing and China. Historians have two princes from one family, and both serve in the army." Just after she finished speaking, Daiyu seemed to be angry. Said: "Mother doesn't want my grandfather's house?"

As soon as this remark came out, Jia Min was taken aback. Seeing that Lin Ruhai's eyes seemed to be stunned, Dai Yu continued without waiting for them to ask: "My grandfather's family not only has the old army in the army, but also has old stories of relatives and friends who hold military power. , several of the furniture are united and related. Now I have to meddle in the Jiangnan money and taxes, I wonder what the higher-ups will think?"

At this moment, Lin Ruhai was covered in cold sweat, and Jia Min's face was pale.They all looked at Daiyu with terrified eyes.Daiyu saw that both her parents looked unhappy, so she also lowered her head and dared not say any more.Lin Ruhai breathed a sigh of relief before asking again: "Since Yu'er has such insights, what advice do you have for being a father now?"

Lin Ruhai always knew that this daughter was intelligent and transparent, but she never thought that she would be so intelligent.She couldn't help but stood up and stared at Daiyu with her eyes, not letting go of the slightest expression.Daiyu didn't dodge either, she looked up at Lin Ruhai and said, "In the past two years, there have been natural disasters and man-made disasters everywhere, but the imperial court's relief has always been delayed, which shows that the finances are not well off."

Seeing Lin Ruhai nodding, he asked, "Father is in good health now. If Yu'er has an elder brother who is in the prime of life, what does father think?" He replied: "If this is the case, it is the blessing of the Lin family and the blessing of the father!"

Everyone knows that not having a son is Lin Ruhai's biggest pain.But Daiyu didn't want to ask again: "If my brother wants my father to become an official, what if I replace the parents?" Jia Min didn't realize how the topic changed so quickly, and heard Lin Ruhai say: "He dares!" Daiyu asked step by step, "What if he dares?" Although Jia Min was still in a daze, Lin Ruhai came to his senses and squinted at Daiyu.Daiyu stopped talking and looked directly at Lin Ruhai without giving in.

After a while, Jia Min let out an exclamation, as if realizing what his father and daughter were discussing.This exclamation also eased the tense atmosphere in the room. Lin Ruhai took a deep breath and sat down slowly. He didn't ask any questions knowing that Daiyu would definitely say everything when she said this. Sure enough, Daiyu also breathed a sigh of relief and said: "It is the duty of a minister to share worries with the king. Now the court is in urgent need of money and food. The Holy Father sent his father to take charge of the salt administration because of his trust."

Lin Ruhai didn't answer, just nodded and said: "It's getting late, tomorrow's on my way, Yu'er, let's go back and rest early." Lin Ruhai seemed to have aged a lot in such a short while, Daiyu felt distressed, but no longer After talking more, he stood up and greeted Lin Ruhai and Jia Minfu, and then backed out.

Nothing to say all night.When they set off on the second day, everyone found that Lin Ruhai was in a state of depression, and they thought it was because he didn't have a good rest at the inn.But after what I said to Daiyu last night, the road at this time is not as stop-and-go as yesterday, rushing all the way, and at night, I have arrived at Zhouzhuang.At this speed, we can abandon the car and board the ship at noon tomorrow.

Although Daiyu was also worried and didn't get a good night's sleep, she had already told Lin Ruhai what she had to say last night, so she didn't think much about just leaning against Jia Min and recuperating behind closed doors.Jia Min thought of what Daiyu said about military power and wealth, but now her thoughts were racing.I wanted to talk to Daiyu, but seeing Daiyu's tired face, this is not the place to talk, so I had to endure it all the way.The frown has not been loosened since Daiyu left last night.

As soon as the inn was settled, Jia Min hurriedly found Daiyu, sent everyone out of the house, and asked: "Yu'er is so smart, think about what your grandparents' family can do now for my mother." ?" Jia Min also knew that her natal family's behavior became more and more inappropriate after the death of her father, but she didn't know what to do for a while.Daiyu didn't expect Jia Min to ask herself such a direct question, so she couldn't help being taken aback.

Seeing that Daiyu didn't answer her, Jia Min said anxiously, "This is your maternal ancestral home, your own ancestral home! Yu'er has to think hard about it." Then he talked a lot.Daiyu knew that according to the original book, the Rongguo Mansion must be ransacked and exterminated, but this cannot be said, and there are many discrepancies with the original book now. If it is corrected now, there may be a way to survive.So looking at the anxious Jia Min, he asked, "Maybe Yu'er is outspoken?"

Hearing Daiyu ask Jia Min like this, she knew that Daiyu's words were probably harsh words, so Jia Min heaved a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "Is there anything we mother and daughter need to avoid?" After speaking, she nodded Daiyu. forehead.

Daiyu straightened her thoughts and said softly: "A family like us, in fact, as long as we grasp two points, we can live a rich life. One is etiquette passed down from family to family, neither getting too close to others nor offending anyone. [-]. Loyalty to the Holy Majesty, there is no thicker thigh in this world. Furthermore, as I said yesterday, it is the duty of a minister to be loyal to the Holy Majesty. Even if you have no ability to share the worries with the Holy Majesty, don't add trouble to the Holy Majesty."

Jia Min naturally understood the meaning of these words, and said with some embarrassment: "Your grandmother is the old aunt of the Shi family, and your second aunt is also the aunt of the Wang family, so they are alienated there? Besides, your second aunt is still in charge of the house now. .”

After finishing speaking, Daiyu sneered: "Mother said it was funny, so it's the second aunt's turn to be in charge there? Does the grandparent's family still care about etiquette? But there is still a difference between the elder and the younger? It's not funny, it's just People don't tell, and they don't know how to joke behind their backs."

Hearing Daiyu say that her natal family has no etiquette rules, Jia Min's face was displeased, and she heard Daiyu continue: "Let's not talk about whether my grandfather's family can still be called Rongguo Mansion, even if it can, the head of the family should also He is the eldest uncle of the first-class general. After the grandfather passed away, it is feasible even if the grandmother is still dividing the family. If the grandmother is willing to live with the son, outsiders have nothing to do with it. It is also feasible to live in the same room for a while."

After finishing speaking, without looking at Jia Min's angry face, he continued: "Let's not talk about the eldest uncle now, but Cousin Lian was taught by his father alone. Would it be bad to stand up the lintel in the future? The second uncle's family was not well-known in the first place. The words don't go well, why do you need to say more at this time? The separation will not only dilute the relationship with the Wang family, but also won't break the relationship. After all, the second aunt is there, even if the second aunt is gone, so will cousin Yuanchun, cousin Baoyu and others It's there. This way, it not only preserves the escape route for the grandfather's family, but also does not hurt the vitality. Besides, the eldest uncle and the second uncle are no longer in the army, so what is the purpose of keeping so many old troops? If you dedicate yourself to the Holy One, it will be better than getting into trouble because of these old ministries in the future."

After finishing speaking, Jia Min was unable to speak for a long time as if struck by thunder.In the past, the second elder brother Jia Zheng and his wife were in charge of the house, and Jia Min didn't think there was anything wrong with it. Now after listening to Daiyu's words, he realized that this is not a disorder of the young and old?Really lost the dignity of the family!Especially when he thought of Xijue's elder brother who was said to be living behind the stables, his face turned red with embarrassment.Suddenly, for some reason, it suddenly occurred to Daiyu that just now, not to mention whether her ancestral home could still be called the Rongguo Mansion, wouldn't that mean it couldn't be called the Rongguo Mansion?Daiyu, what is the meaning of this?

Thinking of this, Jia Min looked at Daiyu with displeasure and said, "You said earlier, 'Let's not talk about whether your maternal ancestor's home can still be called Rongguo Mansion? Is it? That’s the mansion built by the royal pen. Now that I’m older, I can’t talk so casually.”

Now that I have said so much today, Daiyu didn't care to say a few more words, so she asked, "Who has inherited the title of the Principality from my grandfather's family now?" Jia Min replied naturally, "Didn't I just say that?" Is your eldest uncle Xijue first-class general?" After speaking, he gave Daiyu a look, as if accusing.

Daiyu was amused and angry in her heart, but she couldn't get angry at Jia Min, so she could only frown and patiently said: "Mother is confused! Since you are attacking a first-class general, then you can only call it a first-class general's mansion. Call it the Duke’s Mansion? This was originally against the system!”

These few words hit Jia Min hard, especially the last few words made Jia Min's back soaked, violating the rules is a serious crime!No one is pursuing it now, if it is pursued in the future...

Jia Min didn't dare to think about it anymore.He kept muttering, "Let me think about it, let me think about it." That's right, Daiyu told me clearly about each and every one of them, but what should I do?Do you want to tell your mother clearly?Can mother listen?In Rongguo Mansion, no, it can no longer be called Rongguo Mansion, this is a serious crime!You have to figure out a way.For a moment, there was cold sweat on his brow.

Although Daiyu hit Jia Min mercilessly with her words, she felt distressed seeing Jia Min's pale face and dazed expression.Unexpectedly, in just two days, I hit my parents who were extremely protective one after another, and I felt all kinds of feelings in my heart for a while.

At this moment, Lin Ruhai happened to come in, and saw Jia Min's pale and dazed face, and Daiyu's expression was at a loss.She couldn't help asking curiously: "What's the matter with you two? No one was left in the room." Speaking of which, Lin Ruhai realized that the mother and daughter had just said something and sent everyone out.Seeing that both of them looked bad, they hurried to Jia Min's side and asked with concern, "What happened?"

Hearing Lin Ruhai's voice, Jia Min seemed to have met a savior, bursting into tears and couldn't help turning his head to Lin Ruhai, crying: "Master! What should I do? What should I do!" Leaning on Lin Ruhai's shoulder, weeping uncontrollably.Seeing that Jia Min was so out of control, Lin Ruhai waved her away for fear of frightening Daiyu.

After crying for a long time, maybe Jia Min vented, and she felt a little more stable. Fang carefully explained the previous conversation with Daiyu to Lin Ruhai one by one.Although Lin Ruhai didn't show it on the back, he was shocked in his heart.Many opinions and cognitions in the past were shattered by Daiyu in two days.For a while, I didn't know what to do.

(End of this chapter)