The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Chapter 127

When Cui Yaosheng heard that the eunuchs from the palace were coming, he subconsciously thought that it was the noble Zhou in the palace who tried to persuade the emperor to support their Zhou family.

Now, what about you kid?
So Cui Yaosheng smiled happily at the surrounding officials: "Let's go, let's all go out and have a look, and see what good luck our new Commander-in-Chief has brought us..."

All the officials had different thoughts in their hearts, and followed them out of the lobby.

But they were all stunned soon.

On the front Dayong Road leading directly to the street outside, there were countless eunuchs from the school, lined up in two rows, slowly approaching them with trays of various colors.

In the front, a big eunuch in a red and black robe with colorful patterns, holding a wishful dust whisk, walked over with a smile on his face.

Although they didn't recognize this great eunuch, they could guess just by looking at his clothes and dignified appearance that this must be the most senior eunuchs in the palace.

Speaking of it, eunuchs are not ashamed to be with civil and military officials, but that is only for those civil officials who claim to be clean.

Because eunuchs are the emperor's envoys and have great authority, civil and military officials usually only dare to despise them secretly. When they really see the eunuch in person, they are more polite than each other.Because they all know that those eunuchs are usually very stingy, if offended, they might trip you up behind your back one day...

Therefore, the officials of the Bingma Division, who had never been qualified to come into contact with eunuchs of such a status, were a little cautious when they saw the eunuch Qiu Shi'an, the commander-in-chief and inner court inspector, approaching, thinking about how to say hello to such a big man.

Seeing that the other party had come forward with a smile, he cupped his hands and smiled at them, "Hehehe, Mr. Jia, we meet again..."

They were startled suddenly, and when they turned their heads, they realized that the other party was greeting their boss.

Everyone didn't dare to hesitate, and hastily moved out of their positions.

Jia Lian also greeted her with a smile: "So it's Mr. Qiu, I don't know what kind of wind is blowing you here all the time?"

"What else can I do? Naturally, it's for the emperor..."

As Qiu Shi'an spoke, he took a look at the lobby of the Bingma Division, and said with a smile, "This is a good place, hehehe, I've heard that Mr. Jia has been appointed to this place, and I haven't had time to congratulate him in the future, please Master Jia, don't be offended."

In fact, Qiu Shi'an and Jia Lian were not familiar at all, they just met each other.

These great eunuchs knew the emperor's mind best, and knew that Jia Lian was in the emperor's heart at this time, so they were all like Dai Quan, wanting to make a good impression in advance, so they showed such closeness.

Jia Lian naturally understood this truth, so he exchanged pleasantries with him very cooperatively.

Sure enough, Qiu Shi'an turned his head and explained the purpose of his visit: "Congratulations to Lord Jia, congratulations to Lord Jia, this old slave is here today to present a reward to Lord Jia for the Emperor's will...

Master Jia, please accept the order. "

Jia Lian and the others knelt down in front of the hall.

Qiu Shi'an did not take out the imperial decree, but sang loudly:
"The emperor said:
Special gifts were given to Jia Lian, the commander of the Xicheng Army and Horse Division, 100 taels of gold, 1000 taels of silver, five royal horses, twelve palace brocades, and a green Ruyi handle with bamboo knots, in recognition of his bravery in fighting the enemy on the battlefield and his repeated meritorious service.

This is it. "

After Qiu Shi'an finished speaking, he asked Jia Lian to get up, then handed over a simple list, and said with a smile to Jia Lian: "The emperor has shown great favor to Mr. Jia. The emperor said, let Mr. Jia continue to work hard and give Xicheng to the old man for him. Manage it well, and it will be reused by Mr. Jia in the future.

By the way, this is the list of rewards given to you by the emperor, Mrs. Jia, do you want to check it? "

"Elder-in-law was joking, invite the inner hall to have tea..."

"Hehe, good."

Jia Lian then walked into the hall with Qiu Shi'an, and there was only the door, a group of military officials, looking at the well-behaved young eunuchs below, looking at each other in blank dismay.

Those excellent imperial gifts all decorated with yellow silk, each one is shining, so dazzling.

Fan Jin and the others were all silent, and they all looked at Cui Yaosheng, who was still complacent before, but now his face was ashen.

Shaking their heads, they didn't have time to mourn for Cui Yaosheng. They all had to think about how to get a place beside Jia Lian as quickly as possible, so that they might be able to enjoy the glory of his old man in the future...

……

Qiu Shi'an only sat for a while, and vaguely revealed the emperor's intentions to him, then took his leave and left.

Jia Lian sent it out in person, and when he came back, he asked Zhao Er and others to arrange to send all the rewards from the emperor home, and then returned to the hall, looked at the officials surrounding him, and said with a smile: "Today is During the Lantern Festival, there must be a lot of people coming out to play, and you all have a heavy responsibility. Follow our arrangement yesterday, let’s go down and make arrangements, and report any problems in time.”

All the officials spoke in unison, those who got the arrangement naturally quickly went down to arrange work, and those who did not get the arrangement stood where they were, waiting for orders.

Jia Lian looked at Cui Yaosheng, who came up with a sluggish expression, and said apologetically, "I didn't know that Master Cui would come to the Yamen today, so when I arranged things yesterday afternoon, I didn't consider Master Cui...

How about this, since there are enough people in the yamen anyway, how about Master Cui take a rest today, go home to spend time with the family and take good care of your daughter, this is the only thing I can do for Master Cui. "

Hearing this, Cui Yaosheng looked up into the hall, and found that apart from Jia Lian, no one looked him in the eye.

Even those subordinates whom he had personally promoted turned a blind eye to his gaze.

Feeling a sudden sadness in my heart, I cupped my hands at Jia Lian, and left the hall without saying a word.

As expected by all the officials in the Army and Horse Division, three days later, a document from the Ministry of War was sent directly to Cui's residence.

Accused Cui Yaosheng of dereliction of duty and arrogance of power, greedy and accepting bribes, and then dismissed...

Since then, all soldiers and horses have respected Jia Lian alone.

……

Let's say that day, Jia Lian understood what the emperor meant after he saw that the last reward given to him by the emperor was a wishful bamboo handle.

Speaking of which, as an emperor, one needs to know people well, and at the same time, as a courtier, one also needs to figure out the emperor's intentions in order to handle the emperor's errands well.

When Jia Lian had just been appointed by the emperor as the commander of the Xicheng army and horses, he guessed that the emperor probably just let him earn his qualifications in this place, so that he could manage the rich and powerful Xicheng for his old man...

That's why Jia Lian was on the street yesterday, after Zhou Sheng was punished in public, he was arrested and brought back to the yamen, and no one would persuade him to let him go.

It was also to test the emperor's mind.

If the emperor wanted him to be stern and upright, then he would be stern and upright.

If not, I will learn from my predecessors in the future and be more wise.

Obviously, the emperor gave him bamboo wishful thinking, telling him clearly that he must be restrained...

It was easy for Jia Lian to understand this point, but on second thought, even if the emperor praised his actions, there was no need to do more for such a trivial matter. Silence is an attitude.

But the emperor sent the eunuch to contact him the next day by praising him for his meritorious service on the battlefield.Obviously, what the emperor meant was that his cheap brother-in-law could be beaten or imprisoned, but he still had to give Empress Zhou a little face, and give the palace a little face. Don't really follow the law and imprison someone A year and a half.

This point was confirmed from the conversation with Qiu Shi'an.

So of course Jia Lian knew what to do.

……

But the Zhou family waited for the news for a day, but did not get a reply from the palace, but heard the next day that the emperor sent someone to reward Jia Lian.

As long as you are not a fool, you can see what the emperor means.

For a while, Mrs. Zhou and the old lady were crying at home, thinking that their grandson (son) was hopeless...

Zhou Hongchang was also helpless, he finally let go of his luck and his pride as the young minister of Honglu Temple, put on casual clothes, brought only two or three family servants, and went to the Bingma Division in person.

Along the way, I saw ordinary people all over the city, wearing new clothes, coming out to play, preparing to visit the Lantern Festival, all of them had smiles on their faces, and it was even more unpleasant in their hearts.

When he came to the Bingma Division and asked to see the commander, he was not embarrassed, and soon saw Jia Lian in the inner room.

"Hahaha, I don't know if Mr. Zhou is here, the younger generation welcomes you from afar, welcomes you from afar..."

Jia Lian walked in from the back hall, saw Zhou Hongchang sitting there, and immediately stepped forward to greet him with a happy face.

Zhou Hongchang also hurriedly got up to return the salute, and then looked at Jia Lian, who was carrying some air in his handsome face, even though he hated him to death, Zhou Hongchang's eyes lit up, he was such a handsome young man!
After some simple meeting etiquette, Jia Lian took the seat of the proprietor and asked Zhou Hongchang why he came here pretending not to understand.

Zhou Hongchang did not expose Jia Lian, "I am here because I have a heartless request...

The disobedient Zikuang was disrespectful and disrespectful, violating the laws of the country, but fortunately Mr. Jia warned him in time, so that it would not lead to a catastrophe.The old man is here, thank you in advance. "

"Don't dare, Mr. Zhou is too polite..." Jia Lian looked at Zhou Hongchang with a smile, a little appreciative in his heart.

He is a man who can bend and stretch.

"It's just that my mother heard that her grandson committed a crime, and in a panic, her old illness relapsed. It was useless to seek medical advice. The only thing she was thinking about was her grandson.

This old man has no choice but to have the audacity to beg Mr. Jia to let the child go home temporarily. If he can use this to save the life of his mother, this old man will not only be grateful, but also remember Mr. Jia's virtue of regeneration for the rest of his life..."

Zhou Hongchang spoke sadly, and got up to salute Jia Lian.

Jia Lian hurriedly stepped forward to support her, and said sincerely, "Master Zhou's filial piety is touching. It's just...

Alas, to be honest, what your son committed was not a big crime at all, but so many ordinary people witnessed it with their own eyes, and I have no choice but to act in accordance with the laws of the country.

However, the official also knows that the son was just impulsive, and for the sake of Mrs. Zhou, the crime should be based on the circumstances of the son, and he should be imprisoned for a year... This official made the decision privately, and after two months of preparation, he confessed his mistake With a good attitude, let your son go home.

This is already the maximum authority of this officer.

It's just that now that the old lady is seriously ill, the younger generation can't wait to let the son go home to visit his grandmother, but in this way, if he feels ashamed of the common people, His Majesty will probably blame him later... It's hard for me too. "

When Zhou Hongchang heard this, he knew that he couldn't win the emotional card, so he immediately winked at the entourage, and the entourage brought up a heavy wooden case.

Zhou Hongchang took it and put it on the table, and sighed: "The old man also knows Mr. Jia's embarrassment... But the old man has heard that there are rules in the army and horse department. If it is just a prisoner who disturbs the law and order, he sincerely repents and is willing to pay the full fine. The criminal law of imprisonment can be exempted.

I don't know if 800 taels of silver is enough to pay the fine according to Gouzi's crime?

Please rest assured, my lord, after I go back, the old man promises to teach me to discipline the dog, and I will not let him do it again, which will embarrass my lord..."

"There is indeed such a rule, but..."

Jia Lian pondered for a while, then seemed to grit his teeth, and said: "Forget it, being an official in the same dynasty, the younger generation would not dare to disrespect Mr. Zhou, even if His Majesty found out and blamed him, the younger generation would admit it.

Somebody, please invite Mr. Tuesday out..."

Zhou Hongchang gave a pee in his heart, but still said sincerely on his face: "Your Excellency, you are magnanimous. I thank you in advance on behalf of the dog and my mother."

"Where is it, Mr. Zhou is too polite..."

After watching Zhou Hongchang lead away Zhou Sheng who was still limping, Jia Lian entered the room and lifted the cover of the wooden case.

Sure enough, there were neatly placed silver ingots full of them. From Jia Lian's eyes, he could see at a glance that they were indeed worth 800 taels.

This week's family, spend a lot of money.

You know, when he donated a fellow official, it was only 1000 taels of silver.

Let Sister Aqin pack half of it first, and then send the rest to Bingmasi's account room for payment.

There is indeed a lot of oil and water in Bingmasi. This kind of "extortion" is only a small head, and the big head is the "management fee" of the countless vendors on the street.

Therefore, the military and horse division will distribute "welfare" every quarter, and all employees have it from top to bottom. He, the commander of the military and horse division, is naturally the big head.

He just took office, so it's better not to monopolize this first order, and let everyone get a good job.

As long as the water flows, the future will be long...

(End of this chapter)