Number of People

  Chapter 519 Gap between T-shaped volumes

  Jia Baoyu sat in the reception room somewhat absent-mindedly. He had been sitting there for half an hour, but his uncle hadn't come out yet.

  When I got off the carriage, I saw the large and luxurious carriage of the Zhenguo Bull Mansion. It is estimated that Niu Jizong, who took over as the governor of his uncle Xuanda, came in person, otherwise the uncle would not have finished talking for so long.

  Uncle has not been so easy to meet since he took the position of Governor Xuanda, and he spends most of his time outside Beijing.

  Governor Xuan Da is better, he has to go back to Beijing from time to time, but every time after returning to Beijing, there are cars covered in clouds outside the mansion, small sedan chairs are everywhere, and there is an endless stream of civil and military officials and martial arts descendants waiting to see.

After he was transferred from Governor Xuanda to Governor of Denglai, there were rumors that his uncle had lost some power, but the last time he saw him, Jia Baoyu felt that his uncle was in a good state of mind, even more imposing than when he was Governor Xuanda. More and more people were waiting outside his residence.

  Originally, most of them were military generals, but last time there were obviously more civil officials, such as the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Officials, and even the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

Although Jia Baoyu doesn't understand all the secrets of this official career, he also knows that Da Zhou is respected by civil servants and inferior to military officials. Civil officials are one level older when they see military officials. Under the same circumstances, military officials must listen to civil officials. I hope he will go to study and take the imperial examination.

  There are more civil servants coming to visit, which naturally means that the uncle's official position is getting bigger, or the power in his hands is getting bigger, otherwise, how could the civil servants come to visit uncle.

   Among them were my father's superiors and colleagues in the Ministry of Industry. Although my father tried his best to be indifferent, the look of pride was quite obvious after returning home.

  Mother has gone to the backyard to talk to my aunt, but both cousins ​​are away.

Well, cousin Wang De probably went to Daguanlou to sing again. It has become the busiest place for children from wealthy families in Beijing to play tickets. Even he took Qin Zhong to meet Liu Erge and Jiang Yuhan from time to time. From time to time, I can run into the Prince of Beijing.

I didn't expect Xue Datou to have such a good relationship with Liu Erge and Feng Dage. When he climbed to this high branch, Xue Datou's head trembled all of a sudden, feeling that he had finally done a good job, and he didn't want to If Brother Feng didn't praise him for the sake of the Rongguo Mansion, and the Jia family didn't want to get involved in this business, they would have gotten his turn?

  But Xue's big head made Jia Baoyu more and more flustered.

  Jia Baoyu hated seeing this aunt and cousin the last in his heart.

  In addition to the Xiangling incident, it was also because the other party caused such a big incident in Jinling City, and it was all thanks to uncle's great efforts to smooth it over.

   It is reasonable to say that this guy should be honest and settle down when he arrives in Beijing, but he still makes troubles with five people and six people every day. My uncle and aunt have said it many times, and I don’t bother to say it later.

  However, this guy seems to have done a lot of duty this year. He stayed in the Daguan Building all day long, and got acquainted with Brother Liu and Jiang Yuhan, which made Baoyu a little tired.

  How can Second Brother Liu and Jiang Yuhan look down on such filthy things, and still hand them over? He lost his identity in nowhere.

A few days ago, Xue Datou wanted to provoke Brother Zhong again, but Brother Zhong didn't want to cause trouble, so he didn't tell himself. It was Mingyan who told himself that if his aunt hadn't been in poor health for the past two days, he really wanted to complain to his aunt , Of course, this is just thinking about it.

   Sitting here drinking this Laojunmei one mouthful at a time, the tea fruit also feels tasteless.

   Baoyu took a look and frowned. Why is this uncle's family not paying attention?

The taste of this tea fruit is far inferior to the water chestnut cake and pine goose oil roll at home. Even the butter fried small noodle fruit is too thick, which makes people feel a little greasy. I have to talk to my mother and let her Tell my aunt, don't neglect the guests in the future.

   Seeing his son's distracted look there, Jia Zheng was furious for no reason.

  Bringing him to his brother-in-law's house, even on such a formal occasion, he also looked so absent-minded. Although his brother-in-law hadn't come out yet, the big housekeeper of the palace was by his side.

  If this kind of performance falls into the eyes of others, I'm afraid that I will look down upon myself, the golden son.

Jia Zheng coughed lightly, Baoyu immediately gave a jolt, came back to his senses, quickly picked up the teacup and took a sip pretending to be calm, and then asked with a smile: "I don't know if Uncle Zhou is here today but Shibo Niu is here to visit uncle." ?”

  In fact, Jia Zheng wanted to ask a long time ago, but his identity is different and it is difficult to ask, but Baoyu is different. He is Wang Ziteng's nephew, and he is also a junior, so it is okay to ask.

"Mr. Bao, Mr. Niu came early in the morning and has been talking with the master. Later, some guests came. They have been talking for a long time, and it is estimated that it will end soon. My uncle and Mr. Bao wait a moment wait."

   Those who can be the chief butlers in the palace are naturally Wang Ziteng's confidantes and very stable people. Without the master's order, he will not easily mention the identity of the guests.

  Although the other party is the master's brother-in-law, he still has to abide by the rules. As for the other party guessing the identity of the guest when he saw the Niufu carriage, that's none of his business.

Jia Zheng reckoned that he must be a big man, and it must not be easy for his brother-in-law and Niu Jizong to receive him in person. He stroked his beard and pretended not to care: "Second brother and Niu Gong must have important business, so naturally Official business is the most important thing, and I don't have anything serious, just bring Baoyu to see his uncle."

Butler Zhou said with a smile: "Master Bao really should take Mr. Bao for a walk, master is getting busier now, and after going to Denglai, the house is full of guests as soon as he returns to Beijing, and dozens of posts are collected every day. , I have to line up until the master leaves Beijing, so I can’t arrange it, so Mr. Bao will come and walk more, and I can meet some guests.”

  Although Baoyu didn't like this kind of entertainment, he also knew that he had good intentions, and Jia Zheng nodded repeatedly.

If you can come and go to the palace frequently, you will definitely meet some important people, no matter what kind of people they are, there is no harm in getting acquainted with them, maybe one day they will be able to help you, people are talking about Baoyu, but why not talk about yourself ?

  While several people were talking, they heard a voice coming from the arch of the corridor over there.

"Your Majesty, Lord Niu, please stop. I have written down what the two uncles said, and my nephew will definitely negotiate with the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Households as soon as possible. Let's see what they say. It is Master Zhang of the Ministry of War. The two uncles I'm afraid I have to talk about it. In addition, my nephew heard that Mr. Chai may return to Beijing to report victory in the middle of the year. At that time, he can also ask Mr. Chai to report to the emperor. Mr. Chai has always attached great importance to the defense of the sea and borders, and he has always believed that the logistics support of Liaodong must be guaranteed. To be backed by Denley,…”

   Baoyu heard something familiar, but Jia Zheng immediately recognized who this clear and quiet voice belonged to.

"Well, Ziying, I will trouble you to worry about this matter. The people from the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Industry are not good at doing things, but they are very good at picking problems. Zheng Boxiao and Li Daofu are in charge of the Ministry of Accounting. My own money is still precious, and the one who is in charge of the Ministry of Industry is more careful than anything else. I wish I, the governor, can figure out everything by myself, but the governor’s office in Denglai has not yet been set up, and Laizhou and Dengzhou are always complaining. , it’s hard for a clever woman to cook without rice, if this drags on, when will it end?”

Wang Ziteng is also full of anger. The governor of Denglai is a newly established yamen. It has been several months since the site selection to the start of construction. The Ministry of Industry also agrees with the advance payment. All the labor labor required by the local government will be paid in advance by the local government, and it can be deducted from it at that time.

   It's so easy for the local people to obey your words when you want to make the dry land flood, how can it be so simple?

Although the governor is in charge of military and political power, you are setting up a new governor's office, which is far inferior to Xuanda, Jiliao and other yamen with a long history. In addition, the imperial court is so indifferent, it is conceivable that this will naturally make the local government happy and satisfied. At least you The imperial court should also reduce or exempt taxes for two years, right?

However, the power to reduce or exempt taxes is not up to Prince Teng to decide. Exempting land taxes must be submitted by the Ministry of Households and the cabinet agrees to the emperor's approval. Exemption from labor must also be offset by the Ministry of Households and the Ministry of Industry. Wang Ziteng was in a bad mood when he thought of having to fight with Zheng Jizhi, Li Sancai and the cabinet.

The same is true for Xuanda. The imperial court gave priority to protecting Liaodong. In addition to the rebellion in Ningxia last year, the imperial court had to appease Ningxia and Gansu first, and then forte Shazhou and Hami. The two sides are tilted, and Xuan Da's side is a bit stretched.

  Niu Jizong came here this time to ask Feng Ziying when the matter of raising debts in Kaihai will be finalized.

  Feng Ziying naturally couldn't give him a confirmation letter, but he also told him an approximate time, which depends on the pace of progress.

   "Uncle, don't worry, the emperor invited his nephew to see him yesterday, and he also mentioned the issue of Denglai. The emperor also attaches great importance to it. It is estimated that there will be measures soon. I believe the situation will change soon."

  Feng Ziying didn't mention the matter of Yinzhuang's investment in shares, and Emperor Yonglong didn't express his position, so he must have thought about it.

  The footsteps and voices were getting closer and closer. Jia Zheng and Jia Baoyu had mixed feelings in their hearts, but they both stood up subconsciously and looked towards the door.

  While accompanying Niu Jizong and Feng Ziying, Wang Ziteng seemed to have remembered something, stopped, and said to this side with his hands behind his back: "Cunzhou, Baoyu, come and meet Niu Gong and Ziying."

  Jia Zheng and Jia Baoyu hurriedly stepped out of the reception room, looked up, and happened to be face to face with Wang Ziteng, Niu Jizong, and Feng Ziying, who was walking out side by side.

  (end of this chapter)