The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Chapter 408 Homecoming
Lin Ruhai was probably tired from talking too much, so he ordered the butler Lin Youquan to tell the story.

Lin Youquan first bowed to Jia Lian to salute, and then Fang said: "Master Hou just returned to Beijing, maybe he didn't know that at the end of last year, there was a big change in Yangzhou's salt administration!

Since our master left Yangzhou, the court quickly dispatched a new salt official.

Who knew that the entire Jiangnan Salt Administration back then was about [-]% less than when our master was in office!
This is not a big deal, the court may also know that when a new official takes office, it is difficult to take care of the overall situation, and even some omissions are common.

But who knew that last year's Jiangnan salt tax was calculated to be a full [-]% less!
His Majesty was furious because of this, and decreed that An Zhiyuan, the censor of salt inspection in Yangzhou, be escorted to Beijing for interrogation...

Who knew that An Zhiyuan died of illness on the way to Beijing. "

"Died from illness?"

Jia Lian was a little surprised, there is no such coincidence in the world.

However, it has nothing to do with him, he doesn't understand why Lin Ruhai wants to tell him about it.

"That's right. The news just came back to the capital a few days ago. Because it is related to the salt administration, someone came here to inform our master.

Our master speculates that although there is still no news about the court, it is only because the court is still resting.

But this matter must not be concealed, and it will definitely cause waves at the Great Court Meeting at the beginning of the year.

At that time, I'm afraid that there will be a bloody storm in the entire Yangzhou officialdom. "

Jia Lian nodded when he heard that, Lin Ruhai, as a person who has been in the ups and downs of the officialdom for more than [-] years, naturally has a good political vision.

The salt tax is one of the most important taxes of the imperial court. It is related to the power of the country, and it is the top priority.

Although the ability of each salt tax official is different, and the salt tax policy is also somewhat different, but the reduction of [-]% at once, the court will naturally not agree.

If the Xunyan Yushi can explain clearly, that's okay.However, he died on the way back to Beijing under escort?
I'm afraid that people with a little bit of skepticism will find this matter tricky.

In addition, Jia Lian had some understanding of Emperor Ningkang's temper.

Unless this incident is really a coincidence, Emperor Ningkang is afraid that he will go on a killing spree.

"My uncle's conjecture, my nephew also agrees with it.

If there is an inside story about this matter, I am afraid that the imperial court will not let it go easily.

At that time, Yangzhou officialdom will naturally be shaken up.

I just don't know, what is the purpose of my uncle telling me about this matter? "

Jia Lian focused on military merits and titles, and didn't care much about the civil servants who governed the country.

Although I also think this is a big deal, it has nothing to do with him, not even Lin Ruhai.

After all, Lin Ruhai had left the job a long time ago, and it was impossible to blame Lin Ruhai for the latecomers who failed to handle their errands well.

The point is, isn't he talking about Daiyu with Lin Ruhai, what's the purpose of Lin Ruhai saying this suddenly?

Lin Youquan continued: "Our master said that after this incident breaks out, there is a high probability that the imperial court will send imperial envoys to Jiangnan for inspection..."

When Lin Youquan said this, Lin Ruhai waved his hand slightly to stop, then looked at Jia Lian, and said solemnly: "If this is the case, I hope you can take the initiative to ask this errand to come down."

Jia Lian frowned involuntarily.

He naturally understood Lin Ruhai's meaning.

After all, the imperial court is thousands of miles away from Yangzhou. Once the officials in Yangzhou cannot be trusted, they will naturally send people to supervise and inspect. This is not difficult to understand.

What Jia Lian couldn't understand was, why did Lin Ruhai care so much about this matter, and why did he insist on taking over this matter?

Lin Ruhai didn't seem to see Jia Lian's doubts.

"Although the decision on who to send to investigate this case should be decided by the court officials, but with His Majesty's trust in you and me helping you, as long as you are willing to take the initiative to share His Majesty's worries, His Majesty will not refuse. "

Hearing what Lin Ruhai said, Jia Lian probably understood a little bit.

Jia Lian was exceptionally promoted to Marquis by Emperor Ningkang, and this alone was enough to let those in the government and the opposition know that he was deeply favored by Emperor Ningkang.

Coupled with the fact that Lin Ruhai has been the censor of salt inspection in Yangzhou for so many years, he naturally knows the salt administration in the south of the Yangtze River very well.

And based on his relationship with Lin Ruhai, as long as he personally asks Emperor Ningkang for an order, Emperor Ningkang really has a high probability of agreeing to him.

After all, he was going to investigate the case, not to govern a party. As a marquis, he was qualified enough.

"Little nephew has the guts to ask, I don't know why uncle insists on asking my little nephew to take on this job?"

Jia Lian believed that Lin Ruhai was so sick that he would never make a random decision.

There must be a reason for him to do so.

Lin Ruhai smiled slightly and said: "Your Majesty has granted me the permission to return home when I am old, so I decided to return to Jiangnan after I was born.

If you take this errand, you can just send me back to the south, why, you don't want to? "

Although Lin Ruhai's tone was only gentle, the last rhetorical question was enough to show that Lin Ruhai was serious about talking to him.

He didn't forget what Lin Ruhai said before, this is the last request for him.

So he hurriedly cupped his hands and said: "Of course my nephew is willing to escort my uncle to the south...

However, my nephew thinks that with my uncle's current situation, it's better to stay in the middle of Beijing to recover from his illness.

Even if I am homesick, it will not be too late to go south after I recover. "

Everyone knows that sick people can't bear the fatigue of boats and boats.

Jia Lian didn't understand why Lin Ruhai was in such a hurry to go back to Jiangnan.

Lin Ruhai knew that Jia Lian would say this, "I know in my heart that there is no possibility of recovery from my illness.

If he stayed in Beijing, he might be able to live for a few more days...

But have you ever thought that I only have one child, Yu'er, once I die of illness in Beijing, all the funeral affairs will be on Yu'er alone, how will she cope with it at such a young age?
I know what you want to say, with you here, naturally I can help Yu'er?

But now that you are already holding two roles, it is hard to guarantee that His Majesty will not have other great trusts in you in the future.

If you can't separate yourself at that time, what should you do? "

Jia Lian fell silent.

He understood what Lin Ruhai meant.

Lin Ruhai probably knew that the days were up and he didn't want to die in another country, so he wanted to go back to Suzhou.

But he was also worried that Daiyu would not be able to take care of his funeral by himself, so he wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to let Jia Lian go south with them.

In this way, whether he was going west on the road or died in Suzhou, as long as Jia Lian was in the south of the Yangtze River, Daiyu must also be able to rely on him.

This is the simplest meaning, and considering that Lin Ruhai had just discussed Daiyu's lifelong affairs with him, and suddenly raised this condition, I am afraid that it must have the intention of testing him.

After all, if he was reluctant to part with the comfort of the capital and was unwilling to accompany Daiyu to Suzhou, then his sincerity towards Daiyu would be doubtful.

Sure enough, seeing Jia Lian's silence, Lin Ruhai asked calmly, "If you don't want to, I won't force you.

It's just that Yu'er is suffering, and in the future I will only be able to help my coffin and return home alone. "

Jia Lian gave a wry smile in his heart, cupped his hands and said, "Uncle is serious, my nephew is willing to listen to uncle's arrangement.

If at that time the imperial court really wants to select someone to supervise the case, the young nephew will definitely do his best to ask His Majesty for this job. "

Lin Ruhai immediately nodded and smiled, "Yes, I did see the right person.

You don't have to worry too much, I have experienced the salt administration for a few years anyway, and I know the salt administration in the south of the Yangtze River well.

If I can return to Jiangnan smoothly, I will help you at that time, and I can also help you quickly open the situation. "

What else could Jia Lian say, he could only nod his head.I sighed in my heart, could I be a hard worker?Why do you always get caught?
Last year it was Princess Zhaoyang, now she finally returned to Beijing, and was forced to go to the south of the Yangtze River by Lin Ruhai...

It's just to secretly slander, as long as things with Daiyu can go well, let alone the next trip to the south of the Yangtze River, even a few more trips will be worth it.

Another point.

If Lin Ruhai really died of illness, Jia Lian was really worried about Daiyu returning home alone with the coffin.

In this way, Lin Ruhai is not forcing him.

"Okay, I'm tired today. As for the matter between you and Yu'er, don't worry about it for a while, and it's the same if you slowly care about it later.

By the way, you have to tell the old lady about this matter in advance. After all, she is Yu'er's direct grandmother, and she has loved Yu'er a lot these years. "

Jia Lian nodded in agreement, and then Lin Ruhai told Jia Lian to go back first on the grounds that Jia Lian was first conferred an honorary title and should be busy too.

Jia Lian also stood up, saluted and said goodbye, but finally said: "Uncle, I want to visit Sister Lin again?"

The Lin family is a family of poetry and calligraphy, and Lin Ruhai specially asked him to marry Daiyu with the etiquette of a noble concubine, which shows that Lin Ruhai pays attention to marriage etiquette.

It is not suitable for men and women to meet each other when they come to discuss relatives.Thinking about it, Lin Ruhai didn't really hope that Jia Lian would visit Daiyu too frequently in the future.

Therefore, Jia Lian wanted to take advantage of this day to talk to Daiyu again.

Lin Ruhai was taken aback for a moment, then nodded, and Jia Lian left and went to the backyard.

After Jia Lian left, Lin Ruhai shook his head, as if he had read Jia Lian's mind.

The old butler next to him laughed and said, "Looking at how much Hou Ye cares about the young lady, the master has finally fulfilled his wish."

Lin Ruhai smiled when he heard the words, and seemed to be more satisfied with Jia Lian, but Lin Youquan persuaded him again: "Master really decided to return home after the new year?

The old slave thinks that it is better for the master to recover from his illness in the capital first, just now the Marquis also said..."

Lin Ruhai stopped the old housekeeper's persuasion.

He had considered this matter carefully, so naturally he had nothing to hesitate.

Jiangnan Salt Administration is the most important career in his life.Emperor Ningkang even made an exception and transferred him back to the center, and was honored as Lantai Mansion.

As the seal official of one of the main yamen in the central government, commonly known as "Jiuqing", this resume is enough to make him famous in history.

Civil servants like him care most about leaving a name in history.

This is also the ultimate dream of those high-ranking officials of the second and third ranks, that is, to be able to join the cabinet one day, or at least rank among the nine ministers.

Emperor Ningkang treated him well, so this was his last service for Emperor Ningkang.

With his understanding of Yangzhou's salt administration and the young and promising Jia Lian as his sharp edge, he is sure to handle this matter well for Emperor Ningkang.

This is just one, and another point.

Although he promised to give Daiyu to Jia Lian, he was still a little unwilling.

He also wanted to see if Jia Lian treated Daiyu as sincerely as he said.

Although from Daiyu's feedback, he knew that Jia Lian had taken good care of Daiyu in Jia's house all these years, but he didn't see it with his own eyes.

If Jia Lian can go south with them this time, he will have enough opportunities to finally inspect Jia Lian.

Even if he worries too much, it's not too much.

Asking Jia Lian to accompany Dai Yunan on the next trip can be regarded as giving the two children more opportunities to be alone and cultivate a deeper relationship.

Lin Ruhai didn't think that the status of a noble concubine was enough to stabilize Daiyu's position in the Duke's Mansion.

Only a deeper and more sincere relationship with Jia Lian can truly protect Yu'er.

This can be regarded as his good intentions.

(End of this chapter)