Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 132 Cruel and ruthless
Jiao Da, who was born in Dongfu, was quite reluctant at first to take orders from Jia Lian, who was taking the imperial examination.

As he goes south, Jiao Da, who cannot change anything, can only adapt to Jia Lian, his master.

Now Jiao Da has almost adapted to it. When standing in front of Jia Lian, he can bow his head and salute with peace of mind when speaking.

"There is a big difference between sailing on the canal and sailing on the river. To go to Suzhou, you first go to Zhenjiang and then take the waterway. Something happened while crossing the river. Lin Lu, the housekeeper of the Lin family, slipped and fell into the water. The nephew of the second brother of the Lin family was frightened and fell ill. I couldn’t afford it. The doctor I saw in Zhenjiang took medicine and instead of getting better, my condition worsened. When the boat passed through the water gate in Suzhou, I died.”

After Jiao Da finished speaking expressionlessly, Jia Lian looked sad, but what came out of his mouth was: "A bit rough!"

Jiao Da curled his lips and did not dare to talk back. After all, the person in front of him was not a waste like Jia Zhen. Jiao Da knew very well that if Jia Lian was provoked, he would not be lenient in throwing sacks and stones into the river to embarrass people.

"Young man is just a killer. He doesn't know how to be subtle. Uncle Lin just wants results." He explained reluctantly, showing his stubbornness at the end.

Jia Lian glanced at him lightly: "Uncle, what if it turns out? Forget it, your brain is ruined by drinking."

Jiao Da..., you are the master, and everything you say is right.

After saying goodbye, Jiao Da met Zhang San, the general who led the team, and casually mentioned his conversation with Jia Lian.

In the past, Jia Min had to be supported when walking. When Jia Lian came, he saw Jia Min boxing in the backyard. It was also Tai Chi, but Jia Min was doing another style. How should I put it? A momentum seemed to say: I punched You were either killed or injured.

Jia Lian nodded: "Yeah, I'm a little reluctant to let go! You also know that Rongguo Mansion..."

Jia Lian touched the new clothes and said with emotion: "When I was in Rongguo Mansion, all the embroiderers were arranged by the government to do the new clothes. I always felt like something was missing when I put them on. Now I know that what's missing is the love between close relatives."

Jia Min smiled and touched Jia Lian's head, and said with a friendly smile: "Lian'er still understands me. Why, are you leaving?"

Seeing Jia Lian, Jia Min took the maid's handkerchief with a smile, wiped her hands and said, "Jiao Da is back, and the dowry from his hometown in Suzhou is also back. It's really remarkable that my uncle can be so cruel. rare."

She looked at him casually and said, "What are you thinking about? If you make a small mistake as one of us, you will remind me and you will not make it again. It's a pity that not everyone is as sensible as you."

In the end, the ancient man Jia Lian gained the upper hand, and people still have to keep up with the times. After Jia Lian's inner construction was completed, he recalled Zhang San's changes just now and thought: "The ancestors of the Jia family left behind enough talents, but they could not be used by the descendants of the Jia family. They just let them mold and rot in Rongning Street." No one cares whether these talents have the ambition to make a difference or not! 】

There was no smile on Zhang San's face when he heard this. Instead, cold sweat broke out down his spine. Then he felt secretly happy. He stepped forward and lowered his voice: "What are your orders, Master Lian?"

Jia Lian was very satisfied with his actions. Zhang San looked inconspicuous at all, but he was a very useful subordinate.

In the room, Jia Lian was leaning back on the chair, his eyes wandering. Guixiang on the side knew that Jia Lian was thinking about something, and he walked with the lightest steps. Jia Lian is actually trying to stabilize his emotions. The cruelty of modern Jia Lian and the cruelty of ancient Jia Lian are two different concepts. At this moment, the two concepts are competing for the moral high ground.

Zhang made a promise with his hands crossed and stepped back. When he reached the door, he turned around and strode away.

Jia Lian smiled and agreed, and Lin Ruhai, who was also in a good and happy mood, also appeared at this moment.

Jia Min couldn't hear this, her eyes suddenly turned red, she raised her hand and lightly hit Jia Lian's arm, and said with a smile: "Silly boy, if you don't want to talk about this, come happily and leave happily, okay?" "

The title was changing, and Jia Lian nodded with satisfaction again; "You go back and restrain the generals, and then you will act according to my eyes."

The look in Jia Lian's eyes became even more loving!
Later, Jia Min asked someone to bring over two pairs of clothes and asked Jia Lian to try them on quickly and correct any inappropriate parts that night.

After taking the folk prescription for ten days, Jia Min completely recovered from the sequelae of childbirth. There is still a sickly look on his face, but this is just the remnant of depletion of energy and blood, which will heal over time.

After hearing this, Zhang San was silent for a while and then said: "Master is right, your brain is indeed damaged by drinking. Remember my words, what you listen to and say in front of the master in the future must not be revealed to a third party. Half a word.”

"I have just recovered from a serious illness. Auntie should take it easy." Jia Lian stepped forward to speak. Jia Min couldn't hide her joy and said: "Of course everyone knows the truth, but I can't help but feel itchy in my bones. If I don't move, I will get moldy."

After a while, Zhang San came to Jia Lian, spoke carefully, and finally asked: "Master, do you want it?"

Seeing this, Jia Lian couldn't help but sigh: "What a pity, my aunt is not a man!"

Looking at Jia Lian who was hesitant to speak, Jia Min's good mood was slightly dampened. She shook her head and sighed: "A child without a mother!"

"Lian'er, your family will arrange a river boat. Are you leaving?" Lin Ruhai's complexion looked much better and he was no longer sick. After Jia Min took folk remedies against external evils and quickly improved, Lin Ruhai followed suit. After using it for a few days, the effect is remarkable.

"Well, it's almost time to rest, and it's time to set off." I was going to use the word "hit the road", but I thought it was unlucky. After all, Jia Lian was the one who wanted to send others on the road.

The butler beside Lin Ruhai also changed, holding a sandalwood box in his hand.

"It was supposed to be something arranged by your aunt, but I'm overstepping my bounds. Take a look and buy it if you don't like it."

Jia Lian was not polite at all. He took the box and opened the copper button, lifted the lid and took a look. His eyes stopped moving immediately.

The things in the box are very pure, and they are all valuable items at the moment. There are three grids in total, one grid contains longan-sized pearls, one grid contains mutton-fat white jade, and one grid contains a gold-inlaid jade buckle-faced pocket watch.

Jia Lian prefers pocket watches. After all, it is inconvenient to tell time in this era. He reached out and took out the pocket watch and looked at it carefully. The gold rim was engraved with patterns. If you look closely, it was a peony that represented wealth. When you touch it with your hands, it doesn't feel rough. The piece of jade in the middle is jadeite, crystal clear and extraordinary at first glance. It can be seen that Lin Ruhai put a lot of thought into these gifts.

"Given by the elder, you're welcome." Jia Lian smiled and put away the pocket watch, which could be said to be the pinnacle of craftsmanship of the era.

Lin Ruhai laughed loudly and said: "I didn't give away the discount about returning to Beijing to recuperate!"

Jia Lian nodded: "That's natural!" After his health improved, Lin Ruhai certainly didn't need to ask for an order to return to Beijing to recuperate. After all, this was a fat job.

Lin Ruhai, not short of money!
Jia Min looked on with a smile on her face, and quietly went down to prepare for the farewell banquet, leaving the two of them alone. Oh, there was also Daiyu quietly present, quietly listening. Sit aside and show your tranquility.

"I sent a letter to the head of the Lin family and asked for a few people to come back. It's not enough to rectify Yan Ding. The people you brought are all elites. How about you lend me a few?" Zhang Sanjiao asked these people. They look ordinary, but once they enter the state and reveal their ferocious aura, they are intimidating. Lin Ruhai really likes her. Compared with the Jia family, the Lin family's family background is much worse.

"Look at the choice. You can really give them a future. My nephew would like to thank you." Jia Lian agreed with a smile.

Lin Ruhai secretly breathed a sigh of relief. After all, he knew very well that these middle-aged generals were all elites left by Jia Daishan. He looks like an ordinary person, but as long as he wears armor, he is a ruthless person who kills people without blinking an eye. It may not be conspicuous on the battlefield in the north, but it is more than enough to deal with some private salt dealers in the south.

"What are your plans after returning to the capital from the south?" As the two were walking and chatting, Lin Ruhai was concerned about Jia Lian's career.

"I have entered His Majesty's eyes. I still have my mentor, so what are my personal plans?" Jia Lian also told the truth. He has no right to choose his own career in the future. Is it really so easy to be the number one scholar?
"Oh, it seems I want to keep it simple." Lin Ruhai suddenly understood.

"Well, Your Majesty has great ambitions. Ninety-nine percent of other top candidates in new subjects will enter the Hanlin Academy. I really can't say. Besides, my mentor must also have ideas. Just listen to him when he returns." Jia Lian explained the situation clearly. , Lin Ruhai couldn't help but sigh: "When you are in the officialdom, you can't help yourself. You can only take one step and watch one step."

"Oh, uncle, what advice do you have?" Jia Lian asked sincerely, but Lin Ruhai shook his head: "It's not about advice, just casual talk. All kinds of relations in the land of Liangjiang are complicated. Han Zong, the governor of Liangjiang, is your Majesty's late minister and the governor of Jiangnan. He has a good relationship with the local gentry. The Zhen family has thousands of acres of fertile land, but there is no record of it in the official yellow book. Not only are there many salt merchants in Yangzhou, but there are also many ghosts, ghosts, and snakes. It seems that the highest level is only the fourth grade, and the power that has been mixed in , each one is scarier than the other one. It’s so difficult!”

"Isn't my uncle a third-grade man?" Jia Lian blurted out. "I am not a third-rank official. It all depends on how much power space is given by the superiors. Before leaving, His Majesty gave very clear instructions. Anyone below the third rank can be impeached." Jia Lian didn't quite understand the meaning of this, so he looked puzzled. .

Lin Ruhai further explained: "Below the third rank, impeachment has merit, and above the third rank, impeachment has no merit but fault."

To further explain this sentence, the land of two rivers and the country's financial resources should not be touched lightly by the upper class, which is conducive to stabilizing the overall situation.

"The national finance is too dependent on the two rivers and cannot last long." Jia Lian objectively evaluated this phenomenon.

Lin Ruhai smiled: "This is also what Taizu meant when he established the Wukou City Shipping Department. It's a pity that Western merchants gathered in Guangzhou, while Japanese and Korean merchants preferred Fujian and Zhejiang. The cotton and silk of the two rivers are the best in the world. You can make money right at your doorstep. It’s very difficult to go north, and Westerners are still stubborn.”

Jia Lian smiled without commenting, but what he remembered was a public case in which foreigners complained during the Qianlong period.

The result of that public case led to the opening up of trade. The reason was very simple. It was to facilitate the royal family to make money and control the spread of external information.

I hope that this kind of case will not happen in the Zhou Dynasty, but looking at the situation at hand, it should be a matter of time.

The wheels of history will probably roll over the face of the Zhou Dynasty.

After a night rain in late spring, the water in the canal also turned green, which made Jia Lian truly realize, "When spring comes, the water in the river is as green as blue."

Sailing on the Yangtze River and sailing in the canal are two different things. The wind and waves brought obvious ups and downs. Guixiang suffered first, lying in the cabin and vomiting. Jia Lian was not affected at all and could still stand on the deck and watch the scenery on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

"Once upon a time, it was difficult to overcome the difficulties of the sea!" Jia Lian, who had experience of riding on sea ships, did not have too many emotions, and even read poems in the mood.

Zhang San, who was standing at the back, was very nervous. There were strong waves on the river, and the captain of the ship was also very nervous. If the noble man lost his footing, not to mention falling into the water, it would be a big sin to fall on the deck.

At the top of the mast, a large flag with the word "Jia" was waving fiercely in the wind. In front of it was the Xiaguan Pier. It was within sight. It would take about an hour to get close.

As the flags on the big ship gradually became clearer, the people standing on the shore had different moods.

Headed by the unfortunate Jinling prefect, Leng Zixing and Jin Shi, the stewards of the Jia family's old house, the chief steward of the Jinling Wang family, and the Xue family came with a big-headed little boy who showed his teeth and claws at the sight. Leng Zixing was the most worried. After all, Jin Shi, nicknamed "Jin Laoshi", had persuaded him that when the Jia family's legitimate son went south, he should go to Yangzhou to welcome him. Leng Zixing refused because of his busy schedule.

After the boat was stabilized, Jia Lian did not appear. The first person to disembark was Jiao Da with a fierce look on his face, followed by eight family generals with serious expressions and astonishing aura. In Jia Lian's words, all these people needed was a pair of sunglasses.

The well-dressed Jia Lian appeared, but it was a pity that Guixiang was still lying in the cabin and could not join the scene.

In the eyes of everyone, if you don't look closely, Jia Lian is just a scholar in a green shirt. If you look carefully, you can see the jade belt around his waist, deerskin boots on his feet, and the square scarf that ties his hair. They are all embroidered with gold threads. A gold chain is exposed at the collar, and a handful of sandalwood is in his hand. A wooden folding fan unfolds to reveal a picture of a lady.

There is no deliberate showing off. At first glance, it looks very low-key. However, upon closer inspection, it is filled with the word "wealth and honor".

As for why he wasn't wearing a hat, it was simple: the hat couldn't move in the wind.

After getting off the boat and standing still for a few seconds to adapt, Jia Lian strolled ten steps away towards the Jinling magistrate and others. From a distance, he clasped his hands and saluted, and said loudly: "It is a sin for Jia Lian to return to his hometown to worship his ancestors as a private matter, but to work for his parents as officials. "The prefect of Jinling doesn't want to come, but he has to come. After all, the number one scholar is returning to his hometown. Jinling is the place where the Jia family and the Wang family made their fortune, and the consequences of offending these two families would be too serious.

"The Number One Scholar is so charming and graceful that I am the parents of the people of Jinling. It is an honor to meet him."

He was very polite, very polite, but not too far or too close. At first glance, he was not a civil servant traitor like Jia Yucun.

After exchanging greetings with a stick of incense, he thanked the Jinling magistrate and other local officials, and then sent them off. At this time, only three families were left in place. Jia Lian instantly put away the smile on his face and looked at a few people coldly. The steward who came to greet him spoke like a cold wind: "Who is Leng Zixing?"

Leng Zixing was stunned when he heard this, and thought to himself: Is this so disrespectful?

Xue Datou on the side looked at Jia Lian's show of power and wanted to shout with excitement, but was frightened by Jiao Da's fierce eyes and did not dare to speak, and even took a few steps back. Familiar? It doesn't exist. These generals are so scary. It seems that they will open their bloody mouths and eat them alive. The steward of the Wang family had a sneer on his face and silently took a step back to make way for Leng Zixing.

Jin Shi was the most embarrassed, unable to move forward or retreat, so Jiao Da took a step forward, pushed Jin Shi away, grabbed Leng Zixing's collar and pulled him down, and kicked his knees hard with his toes: "Kneel down!"

Leng Zixing's face was twisted in pain, and he shouted: "I have always tried my best in Jinling, what crime can I commit?"

She was still somewhat sensible and did not shout out, "I am the second lady's person." 】

Jia Lian stepped forward and looked down at Leng Zixing's disgusting face. The words that came out of his mouth were extremely indifferent: "Noisy!" Behind him, Zhang San stepped forward and kicked him so hard that he fell down, but was knocked down by Jiao Dahe. Jia Jia crossed her arms in pain, a mouthful of blood overflowed from the corner of her mouth, and her breathing became rapid. He whined and wanted to speak, but his chin was held and a rag was stuffed in his mouth.

Jia Lian glanced at him with disgust, turned to look at Jinshi and yelled: "Our ancestors trusted each other with the old house in Jinling. The Jia family is not easy to control. Now the son-in-law of a slave is sitting on your head, and you are not easy to control? The Jia family is not easy to control." If your face is thrown to the ground, who does it belong to?"

Jinshi knelt down, raised his hand and gave himself three hard slaps, and then started to defend himself: "The uncle wrote a letter and told me that the younger one can take care of the ancestral home and tombs, and the rest can let go to Zhou Rui, the manager. This is five years." What happened before, I still keep this letter."

Jia Lian was not surprised when he heard that it was Jia She's business. If he could get some money from his father-in-law, how could Jia She care about Jinling?

"If you can't control things, why can't you control his nonsense?" Jia Lian suddenly raised his voice, and Jin Shi was immediately confused, with a confused look on his face, as if he had no idea about this matter.

The Wang family steward next to him suddenly changed his expression.

"Huh, don't let the family scandal be publicized. Let's talk when we get back." Jia Lian didn't talk nonsense anymore. He looked back and looked at Guixiang walking off the boat with the support of the boat boss's aunt. When he stood on the shore, Guixiang timidly looked at the person kneeling on the ground and cautiously Ask in a low voice: "Second Master, what happened to Zhou Rui's son-in-law?"

Jia Lian didn't answer immediately: "Get in the car first, I have other things to do when I go back to my old home."

Guixiang got on the carriage, and Jia Lian was in the mood to greet the Wang family steward and simply hugged his hands: "Thank you for your hard work, come back."

The chief steward of the Wang family had a gloomy face. He looked at Leng Zixing, but did not dare to look directly at Jia Lian. He responded in a muffled voice, took a few steps back, turned around and left. Xue Pan's eyes flashed with the look of a fan watching an idol, and he suddenly rushed out and shouted: "Cousin, I am Xue Pan! Xue Pan, the eldest son of the Xue family."

Jia Lian returned a cold look: "I know, Ziwei is the eldest son of Xue who sacrificed his life to death."

Xue Pan took two steps back as if he had seen a ghost: "How did my cousin know? Could it be that my father was telling me a dream?"

Xue Pan was about ten years old now, and his face was already swollen. Thinking of this guy beating someone to death and then walking away and letting others wipe his ass, Jia Lian was really angry.

Waved to the Xue family's entourage, a middle-aged steward came over. Jia Lian said, "Go back and tell Aunt Xue that something happened at home. Jia Lian will come to apologize again." When the middle-aged steward looked confused, Jia Lian tilted his mouth and raised his eyebrows. The generals stepped forward, clamped Xue Pan's left and right sides, and skillfully blocked Xue Pan's mouth first, and then tied him up.

Xue Pan was so frightened that he lost his mind and his eyes were as big as bells. "Is it possible that my cousin is a personal trafficker?" 】

Jia Lian didn't even look at him, and sauntered onto the carriage. The ruthless character was really indispensable for the hot search for Xue Da's mouth!

(End of this chapter)