The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 153
Jia Huan put down his newspaper and sighed secretly, "Yuan Hongtai is a man of great loyalty and righteousness, which is admirable and admirable, but once Liaodong was lost, the Hou Jin Dynasty became so prosperous that Jin could not suppress it no matter how hard it tried. Moreover, Jin Dynasty suffered consecutive defeats in Liaodong." , the Jin army abandoned their armor and lost a large area of ​​territory. The Tatars in the north will definitely be ready to make a move, and the Siyi vassals, who are fearful of power and unethical, may also make some small moves.

In addition, Jia Huan has been paying attention to the dynamics of the DPRK and China through Di Bao for more than two years. Various signs indicate that the power struggle between Emperor Qian Sheng and Emperor Kang Ping has become increasingly fierce, and there may be a showdown one day. With such internal and external troubles, Guo Zuo of the Jin Dynasty might not be as good as Chen Hanchang.

As the saying goes, everything will be successful if it is forewarned, and it will be ruined if it is not forewarned. In addition to studying hard to prepare for the provincial examination these years, Jia Huan is also studying the art of war and practicing riding and archery, with the purpose of preparing for the possible troubled times.

Jia Huan knocked out the stone, took the newspaper back to his room, sat down and read it carefully. He found that the next two pieces of information were about Lin Ruhai, the Yangzhou salt censor.

One is that Shen Guanyi, the prefect of Yangzhou, impeached Lin Ruhai for recruiting a large number of salt soldiers in violation of regulations to investigate salt smuggling, and the salt soldiers were rampant and used the opportunity to make money in the fish and meat village.

Secondly, during the incident, Hu Zongnan of the Nanjing Criminal Division impeached Lin Ruhai for being arbitrary, cruel and unkind, forcing the salt households to death, and condoning domestic slaves to do evil, and was suspected of corruption.

Jia Huan couldn't help but gasp after reading it. These crimes were not light, especially the illegal recruitment of salt soldiers. He might lose his head. After all, what the emperor cared about most was military power, and what he feared most was the support of ministers. Soldiers respect themselves.

However, based on Jia Huan's own experience with Lin Ruhai, this official was fairly honest and had an easy-going temper. He was not arbitrary or cruel at all.In addition, Lin Ruhai, apart from having a bit of scholarly spirit, is quite pragmatic. His political wisdom and skills are much better than those of Father Zheng, so he should not make such low-level mistakes, right?
However, when he thought of the perverted old man Diao Yide, Jia Huan was a little unsure again. Lin Ruhai was not a stupid person. Could it be that he was busy with official duties and neglected to control his servants?Well, this is also possible. In the past, when Butler Xiao was here, he kept the Lin family in good order. Now that Diao Sheng is the housekeeper, it is not surprising that the family tradition has deteriorated.

At this time, Ping'er walked in and said softly: "Third Master, the food is hot, it's time to eat."

Jia Huan nodded, put down the mansion and went to eat outside, the sun was setting and it was going to be dark, and when the master and servant finished their dinner, it was completely dark.

The candle was burning high, Ping'er fetched hot water, prepared a change of clothes, and was about to retreat outside. However, Jia Huan grabbed Rou Di, who couldn't help but trembled slightly, and said anxiously: "What else does Third Master have?" Order?"

Jia Huan smiled and said: "Sister Ping'er, how about we wash it together?"

Ping'er's cheeks suddenly fluttered, her heart pounded, and she lowered her head in shame. Although she had expected such a day, she was still a little at a loss at this moment.

Jia Huan originally had an adult soul in his body, which he had suppressed for all these years. At this moment, he saw the pretty maid looking like she was ready for you to pick and choose. He couldn't hold it in, so he hugged the pretty maid with his hands. He picked her up by her slender waist and walked towards the bathtub behind the screen.

Ping'er has long regarded herself as a member of Jia Huan's house. In addition, she is getting older and is almost an old girl. It is inevitable to worry about gains and losses. She just wishes she could give her body to the third master as soon as possible. From then on, she will have someone to support her body and mind. However, she had a tender face and was worried that she would be looked down upon, so she never dared to step out of the way. Now it was rare for Jia Huan to take the initiative, so she was absolutely willing. She whispered with shame and joy: "Little ancestor, please slow down. Son, wait a minute, don’t get your clothes wet.”

Jia Huan had no choice but to put the pretty maid down. The latter's face was flushed. She lowered her head and silently untied Jia Huan's clothes, and then took off her belt. Her hands were trembling slightly because of nervousness. Jia Huan felt that his throat was a little raw. It feels like a fire is about to burst out of my body.

The sound of rushing water sounded, the mist rose, and the candlelight flickered, casting the entangled shadows of the two people on the screen.

I don't know how long it took, but the master and servant finally finished bathing. Ping'er's pretty face was as red as drunkenness, and her eyebrows were as silky as if she had drunk several kilograms of wine, making her extremely delicate.Jia Huan wanted to dress himself, but the pretty maid refused. She had to wipe off the water stains on Jia Huan's body herself, and then served him to put on new clothes, comb and tie his hair, as solemnly as if he were performing some kind of ceremony.

Jia Huan sat in front of the dressing table. After the new bath, he looked even more radiant with red lips and white teeth. At this moment, he changed out of the coarse linen clothes he had worn for more than two years, put on a brand new scholar's blouse, and then put on a square scarf. , is even more ridiculously handsome.

At this moment, Ping'er couldn't bear to take his eyes away, and couldn't help kissing Jia Huan on the cheek, and said with a shy smile, "The third master is so pretty."

Looking at the handsome young man in the mirror, Jia Huan couldn't help calling a little boy. There is no doubt that he is really handsome in a mess, and he has undergone a complete change from before. .

Jia Huan reached out and gently hooked Ping'er's soft and plump body into his arms. While sniffing the hair that exuded the fragrance of soap locust, he said sincerely: "Sister Ping'er, we have worked hard for you in the past few years. Although the house you live in now is small, one day, Third Master will let you live in a big house like Rongguo Mansion."

Ping'er sat on Jia Huan's lap, buried her pretty face in the latter's arms, nodded shyly, and suddenly felt that even three more years of hardship would be worth it, and she had no doubt that with the third master It's only a matter of time before the talent and learning, the title of the gold list, and the success of the toad palace. …………

In Yangzhou, in the back house of the patrolling Yan Yushi Yamen, Lin Ruhai lay dying on the hospital bed, his eyes closed, skinny, his face was yellow and blue, and he coughed a few times from time to time.If Jia Huan were here at this moment, he would definitely be shocked, because when he met Lin Ruhai in May last year, he was still rosy, talking and laughing freely, and walking as fast as flying. He never thought that in less than a year, he would become like a tuberculosis ghost. He was really sick. .

At this time, there was a girl sitting in front of the hospital bed who was weeping sadly. She was about thirteen or fourteen years old, with a slim and delicate figure, eyebrows that seemed to be frowned but not frowned, and eyes that seemed to be happy but not happy, but this was At that time, she was already crying and swollen like a walnut, and she was naturally charming and romantic. Who is it if it's not Lin Daiyu?

It turned out that at the end of the first month of this year, Lin Daiyu suddenly received the news that her father was seriously ill, so Jia Mu sent Jia Lian to escort her to Yangzhou to meet her father. Now she has lived there for half a month, and she only stays by her father's side every day to serve her decoction. Seeing that my father's condition not only did not improve, but became worse day by day, I couldn't help but feel heartbroken and cried day and night.

At this time, Lin Ruhai on the bed suddenly moved, slowly opened her eyes, and struggled to sit up.

Lin Daiyu hurriedly wiped away her tears and stepped forward to help Lin Ruhai up. Xue Yan next to her helped stuff a pillow into Lin Ruhai's back and let him sit up.

Lin Ruhai coughed twice, looked around blankly, and asked, "Yu'er, what time is it now?"

Lin Daiyu replied: "It's time to apply (three o'clock in the afternoon)."

Lin Ruhai licked her dry lips. Lin Daiyu quickly poured a bowl of tea, brought it to Lin Ruhai's lips and said, "Dad, drink some water."

Lin Ruhai took two sips and felt his groggy head sober up a little, then asked: "Where is your second brother Lian?"

Lin Daiyu's wet nurse, Grandma Wang, immediately replied: "Second Master Lian went out with Butler Diao this morning. It seems he found a buyer to take over the business or something. He hasn't come back yet."

Lin Ruhai said oh and stopped asking, because he had asked Jia Lian to sell the property. Feeling that his time was running out, he had already begun to make arrangements for his death. He only had a daughter, Lin Daiyu, and no male to inherit the family business. After his death, the orphan girl could only be entrusted to the Jia family to take care of her. The Lin family's assets were left with no one to take care of them. It was better to sell them all at a discount and let Jia Lian take them back to the capital so that her daughter could live better in the future. The mission fee, and the dowry when leaving the cabinet.

Lin Ruhai was not a rotten person. During these years of being an official, he never reached out to people he shouldn't have reached out to, but he also took what was his own. In addition to his salary, the court also had a considerable amount of silver to support integrity. Under the care of the housekeeper, the house earns a good income every year. A conservative estimate is that it is around 20 taels, which is enough for my daughter Lin Daiyu to have food and clothing for her whole life.

Lin Daiyu was smart and sensitive. After hearing the wet nurse's words, she guessed that her father Lin Ruhai was preparing for his death. She suddenly felt sad and her tears couldn't stop flowing down.

Seeing this, Lin Ruhai felt sad and pity, and comforted: "Yu'er, you have been very smart since you were a child, and you have read a lot of books. You must also understand the principle of life and death, and you can't force it. During this period, my father often dreams about Your mother, I think she misses her father very much over there. It’s time for her father to accompany her. The only one who can’t worry about you is Yu’er. After your father is gone, remember to listen to your grandmother and aunts. If so, don’t act willfully.”

Speaking of this, Lin Ruhai couldn't help but burst into tears, and Lin Daiyu was even more heartbroken and almost breathless.

At this time, a maid came in and reported: "Master, Miss, Third Master Huan is here, asking for an audience outside the house."

Lin Ruhai couldn't help but be slightly happy when he heard this: "Brother Huan came at the right time. If you don't really feel sorry for me, please invite him in quickly."

Since the first meeting, Lin Ruhai has developed a love for Jia Huan's talent. After that, Jia Huan came to ask for advice three times, and stayed for a period of time each time. The more they got in touch with him, the more he felt that this person was extraordinary, and his conversation and knowledge were sometimes Lin Ruhai felt a little inferior to himself, so he naturally paid more attention to it.

When Lin Daiyu heard that Jia Huan was coming, she couldn't help but feel subtle ripples in her heart. She couldn't care less about her sadness and quickly wiped away her tears, thinking that she didn't know what Huan's brother had become after not seeing him for nearly three years.

(End of this chapter)