Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Seeing that Jia Baoyu's matter was settled, Jia Jing continued:

"Let's leave the matter of Jia Baoyu here and discuss the next matter!"

"What? Is there something else?"

With a hint of fear on her face, Grandmother Jia blurted out the question.

She's now having a stress reaction to Jia Jing, feeling that if this grandson opens his mouth, it's bound to be bad news.

Jia Jing did not answer Grandmother Jia's question, but instead gestured to Wang Xifeng, who was already eager to try, and said:

"It's just a small matter, simply cleaning out the parasites in the household. The treasury has been running a deficit for years. Let Sister Feng tell you!"

Jia Jing glanced at her, his sharp gaze making Wang Xifeng's heart skip a beat, and she quickly lowered her eyes.

But she had just witnessed Jia Jing's imposing manner in front of Rongqing Hall, and was secretly imagining it in her mind!

When Jia Jing looked at her, she felt her heart pounding and she couldn't breathe.

Then Wang Xifeng cursed herself for being so spineless. She had always been unruly in the mansion, and had never been so flustered before.

Besides, there's nothing wrong between my mother and my third brother, so what's there to be nervous about!

Wang Xifeng quickly prepared herself mentally, then, facing the questioning gaze from Grandmother Jia, she carefully chose her words, first nodding, and then saying:

"Because the household's accounts have been running into deficits in recent years, Lian Er and I have been checking the household's accounts these days."

"Originally, I was thinking of finding out where the major expenses were and cutting back on some of the expenses that could be saved, just so that the old lady wouldn't suffer."

"After all, there's no reason to live beyond one's means. We should also think of ways to increase income and reduce expenditure. We must take good care of this family."

"Who knew that we would be shocked when we investigated? We found that there were many problems with the accounts of the government's purchases and the granaries and treasuries."

"Wu Xindeng, as the head of the treasury, managed a chaotic set of accounts, which included numerous instances of embezzlement and corruption."

"The grain warehouse managed by Shan Daliang was filled with substandard grain, and he tampered with the procurement, storage and distribution processes to enrich himself at the expense of the public."

"Qian Hua was in charge of procurement, which involved falsifying prices, colluding with outsiders, and embezzling profits."

"Only then did I realize that the reason why the household was running a deficit was because a group of unscrupulous stewards were embezzling our master's money."

Fengjie's words were very skillful, and they were the kind of words she and Jia Lian had discussed many times in private.

He stated that he was not there specifically to check the accounts, but rather to improve the family's income and expenditure.

The text specifically mentions the three managers in charge of purchasing, the silver treasury, and the grain depot, without targeting either the Lai family, Jia Mu's confidants, or the Zhou Rui family, Wang Furen's confidants.

He also changed his usual simple language style, using several idioms in one sentence, which can be described as a high level of performance.

After Fengjie finished speaking, Madam Wang's face darkened even more. When did Fengjie get involved with this illegitimate son?

He also has to deal with Wu Xindeng and his lackeys. It seems that the real purpose of disciplining the lackeys is to seize control of the household.

Although Wu Xindeng and his men were not his confidants, they had always been quite respectful to him. If they were taken down and replaced by people from the eldest son's side, the eldest son's side would take control of the household's finances and purchasing power!

That Sister Feng... isn't a good person either!

Grandmother Jia frowned slightly, her heart calming down a little.

She had thought that Jia Jing was here to settle scores with the Lai family, but unexpectedly, Feng Yatou didn't mention the Lai family at all.

As for Wu Xindeng, Shan Daliang, Qian Hua, and the others, although they were also long-time servants in the household.

But they aren't as close to her as the Lai family. If you want to investigate, then investigate. Otherwise, you probably won't be able to fool this grandson!

At the same time, she was alarmed by the fact that the household was already running a deficit. In the past, Sister Feng, Madam Wang and others had only reported good news to her and not bad news, so she did not know that the family's finances were in trouble.

She had once managed a household, so she knew all too well that a family's financial deficit was an extremely serious matter.

What would happen if we had no money?

What will happen to the household's food, clothing, and daily necessities in the future? How will we maintain proper etiquette with our elders?

The prestigious Rongguo Mansion cannot possibly follow the example of those humble families, who disregard their reputation and tighten their belts to live frugally.

Therefore, this is a major issue concerning the core interests of the household, and it would be inappropriate to talk about treating subordinates with kindness at this time!

It's unacceptable that the servants live well while the masters themselves are left eating chaff and drinking thin gruel!

After a moment of silence, Grandmother Jia sighed deeply and said in a low voice:

"Wu Xindeng, Shan Daliang, and Qian Hua really shouldn't have done that. It's because I've been too lenient with them over the years that they've forgotten the rules..."

Although Grandmother Jia did not say it explicitly, she had already agreed to let Jia Jing and Feng Jie deal with the people.

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng was overjoyed, as long as she could get rid of these people.

She was able to reassign her own people to control the Rongguo Mansion's treasury, granary, and procurement power. This time, she had really gotten a great deal by relying on her third brother's influence!

When the time comes, all that's left is for that old fellow Jia She to die, and Lian Er to inherit the title. Then I will be the real matriarch of the Rongguo Mansion, holding real power.

Sister Feng raised her phoenix eyes, her face beaming with a warm smile, her bright eyes sparkling, and said to Grandmother Jia with a comforting smile:

"The old lady is kind-hearted and tolerant towards her subordinates, which is absolutely true. Everyone in the household says that you manage the household well."

"It's all because those unruly servants didn't understand your good intentions. They didn't know who they were when they saw the money and just reached out their hands randomly."

"Now that we've sent them away, things will be peaceful at home again!"

As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Jia Jing, as if to say: Third brother, your sister-in-law did a good job this time!

Jia Jing didn't even bother to look at Wang Xifeng, that stupid woman. Did he really go back to the mansion to rectify the family's conduct just to deal with those lowly servants like Wu Xindeng and Shan Daliang?

With her own backing, Wang Xifeng couldn't even seize such a good opportunity, and was still playing the trick of trying to win some over others.

Not daring to offend Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, they didn't even mention the Lai family, the biggest cancer among the servants of the Jia family!

Those who are afraid to risk their lives when undertaking great tasks, and who forget righteousness for petty gains, are truly not worth discussing things with!

This household can no longer be run by Wang Xifeng!

Jia Jing immediately narrowed his eyes and said in a cold voice:

"It's not just Wu Xindeng and Shan Daliang; there are many servants in the mansion who are corrupt, disloyal, bullying, wicked, arrogant, and spread rumors—it's been going on for a long time!"

"These lawless, disrespectful, and unruly servants have no semblance of servility whatsoever!"

"Back when I lived in the east wing, Wang Shanbao's wife once tried to ruin someone's family and even kill them over a few fans!"

"These people are blinded by greed, ignorant of their own mortality, and use despicable methods to tarnish the reputation of my household everywhere!"

"In recent years, the household has emphasized benevolence and kindness in managing the family, which was well-intentioned, but who knew it would turn these servants into unruly troublemakers! It's simply outrageous!"

Jia Jing's words were full of sternness, clearly indicating that he was going to take drastic measures to discipline the servants in the mansion!

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia was startled, thinking to herself: They've come! They've finally come!