The Second Master of the Red Chamber

"Girl in Tsing Yi is not only proficient in rhythm, she is excellent at both piano and flute, but also has a talent that is unmatched in the world. Many music and lyrics written by the girl in Tsing Yi have not only attracted the admiration of countless romantic and talented scholars in the south of the Yangtze River, even the famous courtesans in the south of the Yangtze River, They are all scrambling to pass on the song and cite it as a classic, which shows that the talent of the girl in Tsing Yi is beyond peerless, and vulgar people like me can't speculate on it."

Perhaps Xu Baoan felt that Zhou Boru was inconvenient to sell himself and boast as his boss, so he made an introduction very earnestly, but he didn't see Zhou Boru winking at him at all.

On the contrary, Gu Qingyi himself, after tactfully saying a word of congratulations, looked at Jia Lian with beautiful eyes: "My family is so insignificant, I don't deserve such praise from the masters, especially in front of the imperial envoy, it is really suspected of being a gangster.

Even though the slave family has never been to the capital, they have heard of the name of the imperial envoy.The slave family has always believed that the imperial envoys are well-deserved talents. Compared with the adults, the humble knowledge of the slave family is really not worth mentioning.

For example, the poem "Long Lovesickness" written by my lord, which was passed from central Beijing to Jiangnan last year, is really admirable in terms of talent.Therefore, someone has composed a new tune long ago, and it has been widely circulated. Even Tsing Yi loves this tune very much.

He also ventured to add some minor tunes, but Tsing Yi knew he was stupid and was afraid of tarnishing his master's masterpiece, so he never sang it with others.

So even though Tsing Yi has never met the lord, he has been fascinated by the lord for a long time, seeing the real face of the lord today, is really lucky for Tsing Yi. "

The beauty spoke like spewing orchids, and the nearly transparent veil was slightly lifted by the blowing, so that Jia Lian could see the beauty's peerless appearance more clearly as long as he turned his head slightly.

In addition, the beauty herself was relatively close to him, and the fragrance conveyed by that elegant body was enough to fascinate Liu Xiahui, which also made Jia Lian more certain that the title of the most beautiful woman in the south of the Yangtze River was indeed not for nothing.

Finally, Jia Lian had already seen many beauties, and at this time he forced himself not to turn his head to look at each other, so he remained calm, shook his head and said with a smile: "I'm a rough person, but I occasionally got a poem that barely catches the eye. , is nothing."

When Xu Baoan heard this, he realized that he almost caused trouble.He only knew that Jia Lian was a military officer, so he subconsciously thought that Jia Lian was also a vulgar person. In his words just now, he vaguely classified Jia Lian as a layman.

If Jia Lian had a narrower mind, I'm afraid he would have been unhappy, right?So he didn't dare to say any more, and hurriedly retreated back.

Seeing that Xu Baoan made a mistake, the others took the opportunity to flatter Jia Lian.

One even deliberately looked at Jia Lian and Gu Qingyi, and said with a smile: "A peerless beauty like the girl in Qingyi can only be matched with a hero in the world like an adult. What is this called, a beauty matches a hero, a beauty matches a genius..."

"That's right, I just don't know if President Zhou is willing to part with the girl in Tsing Yi and give it to the adults."

When the topic came to this point, Zhou Boru naturally wanted to make a statement.

"Don't dare to lie to everyone, the reason why the brothel under my Zhou family's name was renamed "Qianjin Yixiaolou" is all because of the good name of the girl in Tsing Yi.

In the past few years since Tsing Yi became famous, Qianjin Yixiaolou, who knows how much fame and money she has gained by relying on the name of the girl in Tsing Yi.

Therefore, although my Zhou family is the owner of Miss Tsing Yi, but after all, Miss Tsing Yi is my benefactor of the Zhou family.

The old man has already passed on the word to the people below that girls in Tsing Yi must be treated with courtesy, but anyone who dares to be disrespectful will be severely punished by the family rules.

Therefore, although the girl in Tsing Yi is still the oiran of Qian Jin Yi Xiao Lou, my Zhou family has given her the freedom she deserves.Today, in front of the Imperial Envoy, my Zhou family promised that as long as the girl in Tsing Yi is willing to follow your lord, my Zhou family will not stop her in the slightest. Moreover, I don’t want any money to redeem her body, and I have the right to repay her kindness. "

Zhou Boru seemed to grit his teeth and made a solemn promise.

Bai Yi and others next to him admired him on the surface, but they had long despised him in their hearts.Old fox, the acting really looks like it.

If you say that you order the people below to treat him with courtesy and protect him strictly, they will all believe it.But it would be ridiculous to say that the Zhou family had given him freedom long ago, and still regarded him as the benefactor of the Zhou family.

But they all could understand Zhou Boru's approach.This gift-giving also needs to pay attention to the method and method, especially for beauties!
With Jia Lian's status, will there be a lack of women around him?
Maybe there will be a lack, but what is lacking is definitely not ordinary beauties, but the kind of beauty that is not only peerless, but also unique, irreplaceable by other beauties, preferably the kind that can be attracted by men as a confidante .

This unique attraction can be sex, talent, or Lan Xinhui's quality, or even a unique experience with a man.

In short, we must make this woman feel unique in the man's mind, a fairy sent from heaven, and the salvation in the depths of his soul.Seeing her was like meeting love.

This is the core of beauty trap.

Therefore, for such a unique and peerless beauty, it is much more precious to abandon everything and voluntarily follow a man who is destined to be met by chance tonight than to give it away as a commodity.

This is why they didn't have much opinion on Zhou Boru's use of the oiran ladies they invited as a foil to set off Gu Qingyi tonight.

Because, compared to Gu Qingyi, who is well-known in the south of the Yangtze River, the oirans they invited to come here always seem a little ordinary.

Jia Lian didn't speculate too much on this, because since Gu Qingyi appeared, he probably guessed the result.After all, if you don't want to give such a "good thing", the best choice is naturally not to show it to people who are much more noble than yourself, otherwise it will cause people to miss and cause trouble for no reason?

So when he heard Zhou Boru's words, he turned his head to look at the girl in Tsing Yi with great interest.

From the very beginning, he noticed that this beauty had a chill in her body. Even if she said some words before, it seemed that she was living on the basis of social entertainment, rather than sincere.

Sure enough, Gu Qingyi didn't show any surprise at Zhou Boru's words, he just bowed himself to Zhou Boru, then turned to Jia Lian, nodded lightly: "If the body of Qingyi can be favored by adults, if you are willing to take it in, Qingyi will take care of you. It is willing to serve by the adult's side for the rest of his life."

Concise and concise, without much emotion, it sounds like a faint resignation, but it is inevitable to feel that there is a little less surprise.

Facing everyone's expectant eyes, Jia Lian did not respond positively, but looked at Gu Qingyi with a smile: "The girl in Qingyi just said that she had added a new tune to my lovesickness order, which made me a little curious. The time tonight is just right. I don't know if I'm lucky enough to hear the girl in Tsing Yi play this song?"

Seeing Jia Lian being so polite to Gu Qingyi, the salt merchants were a little stunned. Did they agree to accept it, or did they not agree to accept it?
Zhou Boru also frowned. Although Jia Lian was a difficult person, he absolutely did not believe that Jia Lian could refuse his kindness!

After thinking about it for a while, I probably understood Jia Lian's meaning in my heart, and secretly sighed in my heart, it seems that if I want to pass the test this time, I can't do it without paying a big price.

As for Gu Qingyi, who had been speaking softly and calmly, for the first time a hint of surprise appeared on his calm face. He glanced at Jia Lian's handsome appearance, nodded, bowed his body and retreated.

……

When the clear and melodious singing, accompanied by the faint sound of the piano, came out from the hall, it also interrupted the three or five oiran ladies who were whispering in the corridor outside.

As the head cards of various flower houses, they would not be able to get together in a leisurely manner.

Only in the annual Oiran Contest, when the oiran ladies from various state capitals are touring and performing, can they meet occasionally.

This time, I never expected that in this way, the oirans who I rarely met, but who have compared each other countless times, would gather here.

Moreover, the purpose of all of them here is only to please one person.

This is rare in their oiran careers.

I can't help being bitter and happy in my heart.

To my delight, I met the rumored Lord Zhenyuan. He was indeed so handsome and mighty.

The bitter thing is that they were present as a foil this time.You know, in the past, in my flower house, or even in the state capital where I was, I always asked others to serve as a foil for them!

There is a gap in their hearts, but when they think that Gu Qingyi is the one being set off, the gap in many people's hearts becomes smaller.

After all, the reputation of the other party is really beyond the reach of all Jiangnan Huakui, and there is no way to be jealous.

"Sister Pan'er, I heard that you once performed in the palace of the Marquis, and you are the only one of us Jiangnan Huakui ladies who has seen many faces of the Marquis. Can you tell us what the rumored Marquis of Zhenyuan is? Such a person?
When I saw him just now, I thought he was so young and handsome, but I couldn't see anything else. "

After packing up her makeup, Shen Pan'er, who just came out to get some air, was surrounded by a group of people.

But she was used to it, so she naturally responded to these competitors who appeared to be sisters, but were actually competing with each other everywhere.

"Also, I also heard that you have served Lord Zhenyuan, is it true?" A flower girl asked seriously with innocent eyes.

Shen Pan'er looked back at her, and shook her head, "This must be a misrepresentation, what a hero is the Marquis of Zhenyuan, how could he look up to my sister, my sister doesn't have such a good life."

A look of secret joy appeared on the face of the flower girl.

"No way, how did I hear that you have already left Jiaofang? If you hadn't decided to follow Lord Zhenyuan, how could you have left Jiaofang?"

Someone questioned it, and immediately caused a chain reaction.

"Then sister Pan'er, will you still participate in this year's Oiran Competition?"

"Probably not. After all, I have already participated twice. I really can't compete with Gu Qingyi. What's the point of participating again."

The others became suspicious again.

The oiran contest is the stage where countless oirans compete in the entire south of the Yangtze River.Being able to shine in the Oiran Contest has a lot of benefits for each of them.

Not to mention, once one ranks among the top four oirans, the minimum appearance fee is 100 taels.

This brings not only money, but also extraordinary status and more opportunities to contact noble people.

For their oirans, what is more worth pursuing than getting a good home?

Shen Pan'er participated in the previous two sessions, but this time she suddenly stopped participating.Before the union, it was reported that Shen Pan'er had left Jiaofang and disappeared for more than half a month. They could all think that Shen Pan'er must have lied.

During that time, he must have served Jia Lian.

I just don't know why, she wants to deny it now?Is it because she is not charming enough to attract Jia Lian, so I am embarrassed to admit it, or Jia Lian has a false name, but in fact she is also a person with a small heart, and after playing with Sister Pan'er, she just abandons her?
Thinking about it this way, some people who felt attached to Jia Lian after seeing Jia Lian immediately retreated.

After all, he was born in the wind and dust, and he was gifted by God with such an appearance. It would be foolish not to cherish this first opportunity to choose.

Of course, two or three of them are excluded, and they are still young people on the surface, but they are not perfect people.

The oiran is also divided into those who have left the cabinet and those who have left the cabinet. Usually, the status of the high-ranking officials is much higher than that of those who have left the cabinet.

In order to curry favor with Jia Lian, the salt merchants naturally invited Qingwan'er, but even if they followed Qingguan'er's reputation, there was a chance of thunderstorms.After all, even if Qing Guan'er secretly gave it to his favorite lover, or was forcibly defiled by some powerful figure, and he didn't report it to the building, others would naturally not know.

Therefore, these two or three people did not dare to mess with nobles of Jia Lian's level.Because it's okay to fool others, if Jia Lian or those salt merchants know that they have been cheated, they will end badly.

Shen Pan'er saw the expressions of these "sisters", and naturally understood their thoughts in her heart, and she was willing to cause such misunderstandings for them.

Every oiran who came tonight is a great threat.If the salt merchants hadn't invited her to mediate because they saw that she had "served" Jia Lian, she would not have had the chance to see Jia Lian again today.

Looking in the direction of the main hall, except for Gu Qingyi's singing and the sound of the piano, he couldn't see anything else.

At the stairs and in the corridors, officers and soldiers were on guard everywhere.Walking to the fence and looking downstairs, there is also a post at three steps and a post at five steps.

She had just looked out from the window of the wing room, and the entire Wangjiang Tower was also guarded and controlled by Jia Lian's officers and soldiers.

Is this the style and power of imperial envoys?

She also wanted the protection of this power.It's a pity that his work is about to be finished. After finishing his work, he should return to the capital.

So, this is her last chance.

……

In the hall, after Gu Qingyi's performance, Jia Lian and the salt merchants began to talk about the topic.

This time, the salt merchants were much more honest, and they did not ramble about looking for reasons, but frankly admitted that what they did to the court was not thoughtful enough, that they had made mistakes, and they were willing to accept the court's punishment.

It's just insincere words, begging Jia Lian's forgiveness and understanding.

"I can understand you, but you don't understand me.

When I first entered Yangzhou, I gave advice to everyone, but not only did you not appreciate it, but you sent people to assassinate me again and again. What you did really made me feel chilled. "

Hearing Jia Lian's questioning, the salt merchants shouted that they were wronged, saying that Zhao and Wang had made their own decisions, and all their actions had nothing to do with them.

After talking for a long time, Zhou Boru still said tentatively: "It's all because villains are ignorant, and they didn't understand the good intentions of adults until today.

If the adults are willing to forgive, the villains are willing to follow the requirements of the adults and make up for the mistakes they committed..."

Looking at Jia Lian's pensive expression, it seemed reasonable, and Zhou Boru hurriedly said, "Although the evil deeds committed by the Zhao family and the Wang family have nothing to do with villains, after all, the adults were frightened because of the salt administration. The said 300 million taels of silver is used to compensate the national treasury, and 100 million taels are given to the adults to manage the court, the adults, the villains, etc., and they are willing to present a generous gift to the adults alone to shock the adults.

I also ask the adults to give the villain this opportunity for the sake of the villain's sincere repentance. "

As Zhou Boru said, he got up first and knelt down to beg.

Seeing this, the others did the same.

Jia Lian looked at these people on the ground coldly. Today's honesty can be regarded as not crying without seeing the coffin, so it is not worthy of sympathy.

If it weren't for these salt merchants who were involved in the salt consumption of nearly half of the common people in the Great Wei Dynasty, it would be inconvenient to involve more and cause greater turmoil.

"Get up."

"Thank you sir..."

"I don't want to embarrass you too much, after all, everyone is working for the court.

Forget it, just follow what Chairman Zhou said.Anyway, I also searched Zhao, Wang and other houses, and now you are willing to sincerely repent. After I return to Beijing, I can also give an explanation to the court and His Majesty.

However, I have one more sentence that I want to remind everyone. "

All the salt merchants hurriedly bent down to wait for the admonition.

"You sell salt for the imperial court, and you are in charge of the people's livelihood in the world. You have worked hard, so it is understandable for the imperial court to be more profitable than other commercial firms.

But there is a degree to everything.The Great Wei ruled the people with the laws of the country. If you can't abide by the laws, even if I forgive you this time, it will still be difficult for you to guarantee the continuity of your family in the future.

So, I would like to give you a suggestion, either quit the salt industry as soon as possible, or be honest, keep yourself safe, and don't pretend to be smart.

For example, this time you and others have suffered a heavy loss. Do you think that after the official leaves, you will get it back from the people even more? "

All the salt merchants dared not say anything.

"It doesn't matter if you really don't dare or if you don't dare.

In short, I have already reminded everyone.

In fact, because the price of salt on the market is getting higher and higher, but the salt tax entering the national treasury is decreasing year by year, which has long caused dissatisfaction from the court and His Majesty.

Some people even suggested to abolish the existing law of specific families operating the salt trade, and instead allow merchants from all over the world to sell salt..."

"How can this work? Wouldn't it be a mess to let other merchants intervene in the salt business? How can we ensure that the salt and iron are monopolized by the imperial court?"

"Yeah yeah……"

Just listening to this kind of words to deprive them of their special status, the salt merchants exploded.After all, they were able to be so rich, nothing more than a family designated by the imperial court to sell official salt.

If merchants from all over the world are allowed to compete with them, wouldn't their advantages be lost all of a sudden?
This is much more intolerable than Jia Lian's taking away their 400 million taels.

"Quiet."

"My official said that this is the suggestion of some court ministers, and the court has not yet adopted it.

But you are all smart people, you should know that when the court really loses trust in you one day, do you think the problems you mentioned just now will still be problems?This is all I have to say, everyone, go down and make a good total. "

Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, Zhou Boru hurriedly said: "Thank you for reminding me, my lord, I will take good care of my lord's teaching."

Jia Lian didn't say any more.The reason why he said the latter was that he didn't want these salt merchants to make up for it by raising the price of salt maliciously because they lost millions. In that way, it would seem that he and Emperor Ningkang tried to get rid of it in a different way. The fat of the people seems to be anointed.

Then Zhou Boru and others said that the amount of silver to be handed over was huge, and they would need some time to prepare, but Jia Lian generously gave them a seven-day deadline.Because, it will take a lot of time for him to finish the matter of going south. For example, it will take a lot of time to count and ship the huge amount of wealth accumulated in the Yanzheng Yamen. .

"Then the Zhao family, the Wang family, etc. violated the laws of the country, and they were ransacked by the adults for questioning. It's a great joy. It's just that the large land they left behind cannot be taken over by others. Otherwise, the common people will not be able to buy salt for a long time, and there will be chaos. "

Zhou Boru suddenly mentioned it vaguely.

Jia Lian laughed and asked back: "As far as I know, although you and others have a fixed salt selling area, the imperial court has enacted laws long ago in order to prevent a state capital from having only one salt store, which is easy to drive up the salt price. In the state capital, at least three salt companies must exist at the same time.

What you really want to ask is about Yan Yin of Wang, Zhao, and Feng, right? "

"The matter of Yanyin is not under the control of this official, and this official does not want to take care of it. When the new Yanyan censor of the imperial court comes down, he will replace the imperial court to make arrangements.

However, I do have a piece of sweet pastry in my hands. I wonder if you are interested in eating it? "

When Zhou Boru heard the words, he guessed that it was the Wang's bank left by the Wang family.

Opening a bank is not an easy task. They all know that the Wang's bank is in the hands of Jia Lian, and it is not easy to change it. In the end, they will probably find a family with a strong family to take over.

Therefore, several people who were confident and wanted to fight for each other looked at each other, secretly thinking about how to get this piece of sweet pastry.

After all, if the Wang's Bank can be obtained at a reasonable price, the loss in Jia Lian's hands should be made up for!