The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 206 Undercurrent
It was almost the fourth day after Jia Huan took a bath under Ping'er's service and dried his hair. However, he was exhausted and couldn't sleep for a long time while lying on the bed. His mind was filled with what happened during the day. Ji Jinxiao, The images of Yangzhou Magistrate Hong Wenxuan, Yangzhou Guard Commander Dai Li, and patrol censor Jiao Fang emerged one by one like from a movie.

As soon as he got rid of the people who besieged Kang Mansion, Ji Jinxiao and the others appeared and used the Yangzhou Guards to "quell the chaos". This was obviously premeditated. In other words, these people dug a hole for themselves in advance and returned it. Fortunately, I was smart and controlled Li Shan and the others who were leading the trouble in time, so they didn't cause a big chaos. Li Shan and the others were all carrying weapons. If they stabbed and killed ten or eight ordinary people and put the blame on themselves, it would really be a big deal. Even if you jump into the Yellow River, you won't be able to escape. Not to mention arresting Kang Lingcheng, you might also be involved.

The crime of provoking a civil uprising is not a light one. When the time comes, local officials such as Dai Li and Hong Wenxuan will add fuel to the fire and put the blame on themselves. In order to calm down the people's anger, the court will most likely use themselves, a young scholar, as a sacrificial sword, or even Lin Ruhai. He will also lose his official position because of this. In this way, Kangling City will naturally be saved.

Thinking of this, Jia Huan couldn't help but feel awe-inspiring. This muddy water is really deep. The top military and political leaders of Yangzhou Prefecture are involved. Now there is Ji Jinxiao, the comprador eunuch of Prince Yi Zhong's Palace, and, well, there is also the patrol secretary. Censor Jiao Fang.

This Jiao Fang appeared together with Ji Jinxiao and others, and they seemed to be in the same group. However, the censor of the inspection was affiliated to the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and the term of inspection in Beijing was only one year. In such a short period of time, it is unlikely to form a stable relationship with the local officials. Because of his interests, it is unlikely that he would be involved in the case. Moreover, judging from his performance during the search of Kang's mansion, it was obvious that he did not care about the life and death of Kang Lingcheng, but was more concerned about the property in the Kang family's warehouse.

Once Kang Lingcheng is convicted, his family property will naturally be confiscated from the national treasury. The property is worth millions of taels, which is almost equivalent to a year's salt tax revenue in the Huaihe and Huaihe regions. The imperial court is currently financially tight and is urgently using money to fill the gap in Liaodong. This was probably the reason why Jiao Fang was so concerned about Kang's family's property. It was out of loyalty or selfishness. Anyway, once the memorial was carried out, Emperor Qian Sheng knew that he had gained millions of taels of silver out of thin air. The income is an absolute joy for Long Yan. Well, maybe Jiao Fang, an old fox, is burning the midnight oil to write a memorial at this moment, so that he can rush to announce the good news to Emperor Qian Sheng before Lin Ruhai!
"Ha-chi!" Jiao Fang, who was writing under the candlelight, sneezed twice in succession, shook her head and said to herself: "This man is old, and his energy is indeed not as good as before, but it is better not to catch the cold. "

After Jiao Fang finished writing the memorial, she sealed it and put it into a yellow brocade bag. Finally, she took out a folding box and put the brocade bag in. After pondering for a moment, she took out another piece of paper and started writing: Mingcheng Brother, I have read that I encountered a major case during my patrol in Yangzhou, which involved a wide range of people. It may involve Prince Yi Zhong. This opportunity cannot be missed, so we should consider and plan immediately...

In addition, Jia Huan is young and mature, and he is smart and sophisticated in his actions. He can still talk even if the mountain collapses before him. He is a man of great talent. Brother Mingcheng can pay more attention to it in the future. If he can be used by me, he will definitely add strength to his arms...

After Jiao Fang finished writing the letter, she asked her old servant to get hot water to soak her feet. Then she turned off the light and went to bed. After a while, she heard a snoring sound. It seemed that hot water to soak her feet could really promote sleep. At this moment, Jia Huan Still tossing and turning, thinking about what happened during the day.

"Kang Lingcheng didn't escape even though he could have run away. In addition to being confident, he probably was reluctant to part with the family fortune. However, he let his son Kang Dayi escape, which shows that he was not at ease in his heart. In addition, what Qian Si said about Kang Lingcheng's The second son, Kang Dayong, actually did not die, but he became something on the island... Could he have become a pirate?
Well, this is entirely possible. Kang Lingcheng and Gu Sanmazi cooperated to launder and sell illegal salt. For such an important business, it makes sense to send his second son to the island to manage and manage it, so this Kang Dayong is a good breakthrough. If If he can be captured, Kang Lingcheng's crime of liaison with pirates will be confirmed. But the sea is vast, where can we catch Kang Dayong? "

"Third Master, can't you sleep?" Ping'er sat up in the dark and asked softly. The brocade quilt slipped off, revealing her beautiful figure wearing only a mandarin duck bellyband.

"Well, I'm thinking about something." Jia Huan said softly.

Ping'er couldn't help but said angrily: "My little ancestor, you have been traveling for several days and have been busy. Aren't you tired? Stop thinking about it and rest quickly. It will be dawn soon."

Jia Huan yawned, feeling sleepy coming over him, his eyes were heavy, so he put his arms around Ping'er's slender waist and buried his head in his soft chest.

Feeling the warm breath in her arms, the pretty maid was a little shy but also felt at ease. She subconsciously patted Jia Huan's back. After a while, the latter fell asleep sweetly. It seems that not only the hot water foot bath can promote sleep.

On April [-], the seventh year of Qian Sheng's reign, Lin Ruhai and his party finally returned to Yangzhou from Yancheng County. They were escorted by [-] infantrymen led by He Zhensheng from a hundred households. Tiehu and Lu Xiangsheng were also at their side at all times, and security was tight along the way.

When Lin Ruhai arrived outside Yangzhou City, the local officials headed by the prefect Hong Wenxuan came out of the city to greet him and asked him about his welfare. However, Lin Ruhai had been in the officialdom for more than 20 years, and his emotions and anger were indifferent. Therefore, even though he knew that among the local officials present, only He was afraid that quite a few of them had ulterior motives and even wished that they were dead, but he still maintained his demeanor, smiling and making excuses with the officials.

"I was shocked to hear that Lin Yushi and Mr. Zhang were attacked by pirates during their trip. I and all my colleagues were very shocked and couldn't sleep at night. Fortunately, the two adults were lucky enough to turn the bad luck into good luck. Otherwise... Well, I didn't expect this person from Kang Lingcheng. To actually have an affair with pirates and even attempt to murder two adults is really outrageous and shocking." Magistrate Hong Wenxuan shook his head and said heartbrokenly.

"Yes, you really know what people say but don't know what they mean. I have been deceived by this thief before and attended several banquets of this person." "The same goes for me. It can be seen that this thief usually disguises himself very well. No wonder every time he encounters a famine, They all enthusiastically donate money and materials, build bridges and roads, just to gain fame and reputation, and to cover up the evil behind them."

"Exactly, everyone was deceived by his tricks in the past, but if you don't know it, unless you don't do anything, no matter how good the disguise is, one day the flaws will be exposed. Such a treacherous and evil person will die. It’s not a pity!”

"It's not an exaggeration for me to think that Lingchi is the best!"

All the officials were talking and criticizing Kang Lingcheng with righteous indignation. They obviously wanted to express their attitude and distance themselves from the relationship with Kang Lingcheng, so the scolding became more and more fierce. Hehe, even "Ling Chi" came out.

Jia Huan and Lu Xiangsheng were better off, after all, they still had the city as scholars, but Tiehu and Shitou were so disgusted that they curled their lips in disgust. These guys were high-sounding and full of righteous indignation, but they usually didn't know how many benefits they had taken from the Kang family. Now they saw it. Something happened in Kang Lingcheng, and everyone was so eager to clear up the relationship. Their faces were really disgusting.

Lin Ruhai cupped his hands slightly and said: "As the saying goes, a traitor is like a traitor. Kang Lingcheng is a traitor who is very good at disguising himself. All my colleagues were deceived by him before, and I have accepted his banquet. This is It was an honest mistake... As long as I didn't accept bribes from him, use his power for personal gain, or do anything illegal, there is no need to worry, I will handle it impartially and act in accordance with the law."

As soon as the first half of the sentence came out, the officials present were slightly relieved, but the second half of Lin Ruhai's sentence immediately made them excited, and they nodded in agreement with a forced smile.

Hong Wenxuan, the magistrate of Yangfu, said with a smile: "Yu Shi Lin and Mr. Zhang had a long journey, so we prepared a small table of wine in the government office to calm the wind and calm the two adults."

Lin Ruhai waved his hand and declined politely: "Thank you for your colleagues' kindness. I am still ill, so I will not drink. After the case is concluded, I will host another banquet for everyone. Today is not a holiday, so I will not delay you." My colleagues’ precious time is gone, so please go back to your office.”

As soon as these words came out, the smiles of the officials present became even stiffer, and Hong Wenxuan looked even more embarrassed. Although Lin Ruhai said this politely, it was actually a slap in the face to himself, and the subtext was that the case had not been closed for one day, and the people present He, Lin Ruhai, would not accept the invitation of any official present.

Obviously, although Lin Ruhai is gentle and well-educated, he is not temperless. Since some of you want me dead, I will not be polite to you. If anyone is found to be related to this case, no one can escape!
For a moment, the atmosphere was awkward and subtle.

At this time, Zhang Yongdong, the salt transport envoy, hugged the officials and said, "I don't know this person, and I have some friendship with Kanglingcheng. In order to avoid suspicion, I will not leave my house from now on, and refuse all visits until the case comes to light. So, I cannot accept the kindness of my colleagues, so I will not attend this reception banquet."

As a result, all the officials present looked at each other in confusion, and their hearts pounded. Zhang Yidong was the salt envoy, equivalent to Lin Ruhai's direct subordinate, and he was also attacked this time. Even he was suspected, and the others even ran away. No more falling.

Hong Wenxuan said with a stern expression: "In this case, the reception banquet will be cancelled, and all colleagues should disperse."

As a result, all the local officials dispersed in an uneasy mood, and Hong Wenxuan himself returned to the government office in despair, feeling both hate and fear in his heart. Lin Ruhai was coming with such menacing force that he didn't even give him any face. He was obviously trying to kill everyone, so what? good?
As the administrative leader of Yangzhou Prefecture, Magistrate Hong obviously took advantage of Kangling City, otherwise he would not be so nervous and scared.

After sending away a group of local officials, Lin Ruhai ordered the soldiers from Yunti Pass Qianhu Station to station themselves in the western suburbs of Yangzhou City. Then he entered the city with Jia Huan and others and went straight to the Yamen of the Inspector of Salt Patrol, while Zhang Yongtong, the salt transport envoy, After returning to the Yanyun Department, Houya lived in seclusion, waiting for the case to be settled.

The entire Yangzhou officialdom was also undercurrent with Lin Ruhai's return!
(End of this chapter)