Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

Chapter 333 5.15 Lin Daiyu: My daughter moves into Zhou’s house alone?
Volume [-]

5.15 Lin Daiyu: Does my daughter move into the Zhou family home alone?
That night, the Jiang family mansion.

Just as everyone knows that salt merchants are rich, the houses of salt merchants are also famous all over the world. Just like the Jiang family in front of you, it covers an area equivalent to a modern junior high school. It has various luxurious decorations inside. The garden alone is divided into several rooms. One, even the bluestone slabs paving the floor have the same style of pattern, and it really takes a lot of means to find the same pattern.

However, this does not mean that they really have a high status.

For example, no matter how luxurious the salt merchant's manor is, the door is always black. Because of the iron law of "scholars, farmers, industry and commerce", doors of other colors are not eligible. Even the copper nails on the door can only be painted black with the color of the door. , even the number of copper nails is strictly limited. If you use too many, some people will cause trouble.

For example, salt merchants generally do not hang plaques above their doors. If they do, they can only hang auspicious words and the like, because they are not qualified to name their houses, just like the often-called "mansion". The Jiang family mansion has " "Jiang Mansion" doesn't work?Sorry, "Fu" can only be used by at least official families, salt merchants are not qualified.

This is not only true for salt merchants, but also for other large merchants, such as the famous "Qiao Family Courtyard" in later generations. The reason why it is called "courtyard" instead of "mansion" is because Shanxi merchants also did not have much imperial status; the Xue family also With the name of an imperial merchant, once the backing is unstable, the business cannot be saved; in modern history, Hu Xueyan is a clear example.

"Master Zhou, please!" At the gate, Jiang Chun, the head of the Jiangnan family, who was well-known in the south of the Yangtze River, answered the door in person with a smile on his face. He bowed and saluted very politely, "I have heard about Master Zhou's power for a long time, and today I saw that he is indeed well-deserved. Today, I am old and tired. I'll prepare a little wine to serve as a host, but I hope you won't find it objectionable."

"President Jiang's words are serious!" Zhou Yang smiled and returned the greeting, but didn't say anything more. He just followed him through the door. When he arrived at the main hall of the Jiang family courtyard, he saw Dongfang Bing already sitting at the guest of honor seat, except for her. There were also four old men, presumably other salt merchants; he was not polite and wanted to sit down at the deputy guest seat as soon as he entered.

"Salute first!" Dongfang Bing rolled his eyes at him, pointed to a hanging plaque in the middle of the main hall, and said, "President Jiang is so kind, we must not forget the etiquette."

Zhou Yang paused, looked at the plaque on the top of his head that said "A House of Goodness Will Have More Celebrations", and bowed respectfully, but at the end of the plaque, there was a last signature of "Dragon Head Palace Seal", because this is the name of the Supreme Emperor. During the southern tour, he personally wrote it to the Jiang family to commend them for their generous donation of money.

After doing this, he turned to look at Jiang Chun who had been following behind him, with a sarcastic smile on his face, and took his seat without saying another word, which made Jiang Chun's expression visibly stiff - it was like mentioning the emperor in the conversation. Just like standing up and saluting in the direction of the capital, if you don't salute these imperial gifts, it can be classified as "disrespectful".

After everyone was seated, Jiang Chun turned to look at Dongfang Bing, obviously hoping that she would say a few words, but the girl didn't even have the interest to raise her head. When she saw everyone was gathered, she picked up her chopsticks and made a meal that shocked the five salty people. Shang Zhi frowned; since the girl was like this, Zhou Yang felt relaxed and acted like the "ignorant" one, only eating and not talking.

"Thank you, President Jiang, for your hospitality!" In less than half a stick of incense time, Dongfang Qianhu, who had eaten and drank enough, stood up, clasped his fists, and said a very insincere thank you with a cold expression, "The matter in Yangzhou is over. The next thing is not something I can decide; however, I would also like to remind you, never forget your identity."

"Ordinarily, it's not my turn to speak on this matter. After all, your business has nothing to do with me, and it has nothing to do with the people behind me." Glancing at the five salt merchants who were blushing by Dongfang Bingqi, Zhou Yang said while holding back a smile, " However, as the saying goes, 'landscapes are reincarnated', maybe one day, this business will be related? Of course, I don't know if it's you."

The two of them didn't say anything more and went out together to leave - it's really not that they are ignorant, because in the adult world, taking sides is more important than right or wrong: Dongfang Bing came here to represent Princess Yongchang, and Zhou Yang also deliberately gave him After pulling off the tiger skin of "Wu Xun Representative", to these two major forces, the salt merchant is really nothing.

The most fundamental reason why Wu Xun did not intervene in the Jiangnan salt affairs was the tacit understanding with the civil officials and even the royal family. Because of the smuggling business of the four princes and eight princes in Jiubian, the other two companies also did not interfere; the royal family itself regarded it as "imperial merchants" and In the name of the "Ministry of Internal Affairs", it intervenes in a large number of profitable transactions in the market, and these transactions do not pay taxes.

As a feudal dynasty, the Zhou Dynasty’s “division of power” was not always so clear and clear, but no matter how it was divided, it was a matter for the government and the court. Even after eighteen rounds, it would not be the turn of merchants, and of course it would not be the turn of ordinary people. Common people, the cruel hierarchy of superiority and inferiority divides people into three, six or nine levels, and these are basically determined at birth.

"The capital also sent you news?" The two of them ignored the sound of breaking porcelain coming from the living room as soon as they left the house. After getting on their horses, Dongfang Bing asked strangely.

"No." Zhou Yang smiled, glanced back at the gorgeous Jiang family mansion and said, "But if you don't put on a tiger skin, it's hard to say whether they will continue to do evil things. Although they are not afraid of anything, they will always This is troublesome, isn’t it? These families will definitely not be able to move for the time being, but if there is a chance, I believe there are many people in the court who are interested in their family property. "

"Princess also means the same thing." Dongfang Bing's mouth curled up slightly, and he gave him a blank look to say goodbye—the two came to the salt merchant's place for a banquet, of course they wouldn't play "single-handedly going to the meeting", each of them brought twenty personal clothes. The guards are on standby in the front yard of the Jiang family. "The Zhou family has made arrangements. Don't forget to give the Zhou family a share of the salt for the second room of the Xue family in the future."

"As long as they can eat it, I guarantee there is no upper limit." Of course Zhou Yang would not refuse. Is the manufacturer still afraid of too many distributors? "When my side is packed, we will set off together and return to the capital through Jinling." "Ziyang, I'm afraid I won't be able to go with you." Dongfang Bing pulled the reins to slow down, waved his hand to signal the guards behind him to stay away, and then said , "I just received the news this afternoon. The princess wants me to escort Yinzi to Beijing as soon as possible, so as not to have long nights and dreams. It's not that I can't trust you, but the situation in the capital. There are some troubles."

"Can't tell?" Zhou Yang asked with a frown.

"I'm sorry, I can't!" Dongfang Bing smiled helplessly, "In this case, I have to borrow some of the soldiers and horses under your command, otherwise it will be difficult to make people feel at ease with the manpower I can mobilize; as for the transfer order, there is still a big deal. You don’t have to worry about Ye’s arrangements, I think you’ll be able to see them when you arrive in the capital.”

"That's fine." Zhou Yang knew that there was nothing he could do, so he could only nod and agree, "In this case, you take away all the infantry and artillery, leaving only the cavalry for me; I will make some arrangements, and you can transfer the money to the ship. , then enter the sea after passing Jinling, and take the Jinmen side, this road is safer; the purpose of returning to Jinling is to change clothes, I will send a message to the second uncle of the Xue family when the time comes, you can just find him when you arrive in Jinling."

"As for the self-generated fire gun, is the flintlock gun really as good as you say?" Dongfang Bing asked worriedly, "Just like the matchlock gun you are using now, although it is far better than the bird gun of the Shenji Camp, it still has problems. Quite a few.”

"You will understand when you see it." Zhou Yang knew that there was no way to explain it, so he simply let her see it by herself. "As long as you have a little understanding, you will understand that this will change the entire form of war!"

"Seriously?" Dongfang Bing obviously didn't believe it, "Wait until I see you."

"Okay, don't forget to ask the second uncle of the Xue family to assign you some tutors when the time comes." Zhou Yang interrupted her angrily. They were on a date, so there were so many national events, "Now you have to listen to me, I’ll be gone for some days again!”

Dongfang Bing paused slightly and lowered his head slightly, but the speed of riding the horse was obviously much faster.

At the same time, Lin Mansion, back garden.

"Father, is my daughter really going to the capital?" Lin Daiyu said reluctantly, "Although my grandmother's place is the Duke's Mansion, it is not my own home after all. My daughter has never seen them, and she doesn't know the situation in that mansion. If there is anything offend."

"Don't worry, after arriving in the capital, Yu'er only needs to go to Rongguo Mansion to visit on my behalf. She doesn't even need to spend the night." Lin Ruhai said with a smile, "After all, that is your mother's mother's home. My father left the capital to take office. I haven’t been back for some days since then, so if it doesn’t make sense, I might as well go there.”

"My daughter understands!" Lin Daiyu nodded, "But since there is no need to live in that mansion, the old mansion has been away for so many days and has not been taken care of for a long time. I don't know if it is suitable for use. If it needs repairs, what will happen to my daughter?"

"Yes, I don't feel comfortable letting you go back alone." Lin Ruhai smiled faintly, "It just so happens that Ziyang is going back soon. I will tell him then that you can go back to Beijing with him; after visiting your grandmother, , there is no need to go back to the old house, just ask him to arrange a place for you."

"Is this?" Lin Daiyu was stunned, "My daughter is living alone in the Zhou family? Does her father really want to make such an arrangement?"

"Silly girl, can my father harm you?" Lin Ruhai said with a smile, "I have received the news from His Majesty, and will be promoted back to the capital soon. However, there are some tasks that need to be clearly explained to the next person. Anyway, it will only be before the end of September; Regarding the issues you are worried about, I will personally discuss it with Ziyang when the time comes."

"That's the case -" When it comes to this, Lin Daiyu still doesn't understand. Her cheeks suddenly turn red. After a long time, she endured the shame and said, "My daughter heard that Brother Zhou has already arranged a marriage. I'm afraid it's a bit..."

"The daughter of a merchant, it was a verbal agreement, what should I worry about?" Lin Ruhai didn't take it seriously at all, "Yu'er, logically speaking, my father shouldn't tell you these things, but now we are the only ones in the family who depend on each other, but I don’t have much time to worry about; Ziyang is a young and talented person, but he has not yet started to gain momentum. If it is too late, it may not be so simple."

"Daughters are entirely up to their fathers!" Lin Daiyu's cheeks turned red, and she hurriedly gave a Wanfu gift and ran back to her residence, covering her face.

(End of this chapter)