Jia Lian of the Red Chamber

When Jia Lian heard the words, he hurriedly dismissed it: "The minister is terrified. There are many ministers who have inquired, but the minister has never revealed a single word, and he has never received a copper coin from them. Please look into it clearly."

Emperor Qianyuan looked at Jia Lian and smiled: "Your father, Jia She, is too arrogant, and you are too careful. I am giving you a chance. Didn't your family pay off your debts and emptied your family? I have allowed you. From now on, everyone I didn't ask you to avoid it, you can talk about my affairs, this is not the end of the year, you should also collect some money to have a good year!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian hurriedly bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy!"

Emperor Qianyuan waved his hand: "That you, now you are on duty, just say that I kicked you out, go, no matter how you fool, as long as the victims outside the nine gates can be properly resettled, and there is no trouble, I will reward you One wish, let's go!"

When Jia Lian heard this, he felt a flicker in his heart, wish, I have many wishes!

Which one should I talk about first?

Jia Lian went back to the bodyguard in a daze, and stayed there for a long while, digesting the emperor's will. The emperor was not pulling out a hair, but he wanted to help solve the problem of food and housing for the victims outside the nine gates.

The [-]-mile radius of the capital belongs to the Shuntian Mansion, and of course the nine gates are also under the management of the Shuntian Mansion, but the tens of thousands of disaster victims outside are waiting to be fed. How much money does this cost? The Shuntian Mansion alone is estimated to sell the tiles on his head, and he can’t afford it. .

And Yin Feng of Shuntian Mansion is kind to him.

This is because the treasury is empty, and the emperor didn't have a lot of money to allocate, so he thought of such a gag plan.

There are disaster victims inside, and there are Tartars, Lao Maozi and Japanese pirates outside. It is really internal and external troubles.The emperor wanted to save the victims and had no money, so he reached out to his courtiers for money.

For the first time, Jia Lian felt that it was not easy to be an emperor.

Jia Lian didn't blindly go out to sell news, but found a private room at the guard's place to think carefully, and then slowly drew circles in his mind.

The immediate boss of Shuntian Mansion is the admiral of the Nine Gates, but the admiral's mansion has no money, his military salary is a radish and a pit.The Ministry of Households has just received some money, but the Ministry of War is eyeing it, and the emperor has no intention of appropriating funds.

Turning back again, the emperor became angry because the victims surrounded the nine gates, and did not allocate funds because there was no balance. The last time the debt was collected, the emperor wanted to confiscate the house, but there was no document here. Someone cried to the emperor. It was sent out, and as a result, those who had no money did not pay back, and many rich people also maliciously owed debts.

This time, when the disaster victims besiege Jiumen, can we send a signal to hint to those officials that the emperor has once again confiscated his home to repay his debts?

Jia Lian decided to go out of the Meridian Gate to sell news in Liubu.

Jia Lian wandered out of Donghua Gate and turned right, but he didn't meet anyone.But today, Jia Lian was on duty ahead of time, and the people blocking him hadn't dispatched yet after counting the time.

This is really, I don't want to meet a bunch of people, I want to meet, but there is no one.

He had no choice but to walk slowly in front of the etiquette department, planning to go to the household department first. The household department has money, and besides, Jia Lian's debts to the household department have not been paid off, so he should talk about the reasoning.

As soon as Jia Lian walked in front of the official department, someone came out, carrying his robe all the way to Jia Lian: "Guard Jia, why did you come out at this time, could it be that something happened today?"

Jia Lian was overjoyed, but with a bitter face: "Don't mention it, brother is out of luck today!"

As soon as the official heard that there was something in the words, it was easy to start the topic, and he hurriedly put on a gesture of concern: "What's the matter, why don't you tell your brother, maybe brother can help you resolve it?"

Jia Lian shook his head: "The key is not to do my business. I just interrupted, and that person will be annoyed." At this point, Jia Lian stopped on purpose and waved his hand: "Forget it, forget it, don't say it, I consider myself unlucky, see you later, I'll buy Brother Luo a drink!"

This official is Wai Lang, a member of the Ministry of Officials, whose surname is Zhou, and whose name is Zhou Yufeng. I have a good friend who has admired you for a long time, but I don’t have time to get close, so I’ll go in and tell you that today I’ll be your host over tea.”

Jia Lian deliberately refused to comply, and repeatedly shirked. Zhou Yufeng invited him again and again, and Jia Lian accepted.

At such a time, Luo Shicheng next door also saw Jia Lian and was busy coming out to socialize.Now this Jia Lian is not an ordinary person, he won the Juren, Jinshi is in sight, and he has won the favor of the emperor, so he has a bright future.

Luo Shicheng admired his brother-in-law Feng Ziying very much, he was too discerning, and gave him the opportunity to meet Jia Lian in advance. When he met Jia Lian this time, Luo Shicheng was very affectionate: "Oh, you are really a rare visitor. Why did you get here? What business is there? Woolen cloth?"

Jia Lian thought for a while, and decided to sell Luo Shicheng a favor, and the right to repay the favor, so he smiled: "I came here on purpose to find Brother Luo. When I was off duty, I happened to meet Mr. Zhou from the official department over there. He insisted on buying wine. I don't know him very well, so I wanted to find a companion. Now Brother Feng has gone to Xishan again, and Brother Wei has to be on duty again and cannot drink. After thinking about it, I thought of Brother Luo. Speaking of which, Brother Luo helped a lot last time , I have never had the opportunity to repay, why not borrow flowers to present to Buddha today, we will not go home until we are drunk."

Luo Shicheng was overjoyed, why is it that the emperor has been eccentric these days, and for several days in a row, he was furious about the fact that the Jingtong warehouse was half empty.Although there was no roll call, it was more powerful than a roll call. For a while, all the officials of the six ministries were in danger.

The most frightening thing is that the matter of Jingtong storage has come to an end, and it has been found out that the grain has been lent to the Ministry of War, and it is currently actively buying grain to fill it. Knowing why the emperor made such an unknown fire, everyone was guessing, wondering if the emperor really wanted to do it this time, and who he was going to do it with.

One day without knowing the clue, one day without peace.

This is why Jia Lian has been so disturbed these days.

Luo Shicheng has also been scolded severely by the Shangguan these few days, threatening that you should not be complacent, if you want to fire me, I will fire you first.Therefore, these days everyone is looking for ways and information.

The servants in the palace knew the news, but unfortunately, they all lived in the palace, and few of them bought houses outside, and the eunuchs who bought houses were generally not very friendly.Some people are not serving the emperor, and it is useless to climb up.

Luo Shicheng has been wondering for the past few days whether he came to Jia Lian because of his kindness to Jia Lian, still hesitating, when Jia Lian came to him, Luo Shicheng really fell asleep and met the pillow, and was overjoyed.

He immediately agreed to accompany Jia Lian to drink, just to say hello to his boss.

Jia Lian understood very well, of course he would not stop him, and Jia Lian was originally an official of the Diaohu Department today.

Luo Shicheng hurriedly looked for his immediate boss Zhang Yuanwailang, the 30-year-old official Jia Lian had met last time.

As soon as Luo Shicheng said that, the man surnamed Zhang immediately smelled it, and told Luo Shicheng: "Wait a moment, I will go in and report."

This Zhang Yuanwai Lang was the assistant that Fu Shilang picked up with his hand. Zhang Yuanwai Lang came in to find Fu Shilang, and said quietly: "This Jia Lian is not an ordinary person now. He was transferred to the emperor as a errand. He is really a personal guard. The emperor's He knows everything he says and does, and we can just ask him a little bit."

Fu Shilang frowned: "The last time he asked us to do something, we didn't let go, did we?"

Zhang Yuanwailang said: "Jia Lian is a sensible person. When he comes to work with us, he should give us something sweet, and we will get something in return. His family is now a model in Kyoto."

Fu Shilang nodded: "That's exactly what he said, now we beg him, it should be sweet, right?"

The one surnamed Zhang nodded: "Why should this be the case? That's why I came in to discuss with you."

The assistant minister thought about it for a while, but he didn't dare to be self-professional. If the household department has oil and water, everyone will share the account. Now that there are difficulties, we have to go to find out the news, and we have to share it with everyone. If there is income, this expenditure must be deducted first.

Therefore, the assistant minister sought out Gu Shangshu, and Gu Shangshu had a hard time these few days. Although more than 500 million yuan was called back, the emperor was not satisfied, because the Ministry of War was staring at the money and took back a sum. A sum, and now it has become a cotton-padded coat.

When the Ministry of War asks for money, it is for national defense, which is related to the dignity of the court.

The emperor wanted to have a birthday, and he wanted to seal the concubine and repair the whole palace without any money, and he was very useless.

This Gu Shangshu didn't know that the emperor had already received the censor's memorial, and knew about the disaster victims outside the Nine Gates.

The emperor doesn't have a comfortable place to sleep with a wife, and reading the book every day is either internal or external, and it's strange if he has a good temper.

The emperor originally boasted that he was a great country with a bright future and no fear of foreign enemies, but the facts gave him a resounding slap in the face. The flood in the south of the Yangtze River caused a large number of victims to go north.Jiangnan officials are still whitewashing the peace there.

The emperor gritted his teeth with hatred, but he couldn't attack them immediately and punish them.

The imperial court is now devoting itself to dealing with foreign enemies, and can only temporarily let these corrupt officials go.Furthermore, the official circles in the south of the Yangtze River are intertwined and belong to various hilltops.

There are also two emperors in the palace.

The will of the little emperor could not be carried out very well, and there was a descendant of the former prince pushing the tide in the court. The emperor was afraid that if he did not handle it properly, it would trigger a civil uprising.

After all, he was the emperor, and he was unhappy, so he could only criticize and scold Huai in the court hall, and vent his anger on his courtiers.

In addition, Gu Shangshu listened to Fu Shilang's report and thought it was true. Last time he took Jia Lian's [-] yuan in one lump sum, this time he asked Jia Lian to pay the price, so he ordered: "Give him five thousand silver notes. , but you must find out what the emperor wants."

Fu Shilang said: "I'm afraid five thousand won't be worth it. People from the official department are also there. Zhou Yufeng is doing something."

Gu Shangshu was silent for a moment: "Then ten thousand!"

When Fu Shilang came out, he gave nine thousand silver to Zhang Yuanwailang: "Take it to Luo Shicheng, and tell him to find out, otherwise, this day will not be able to pass."

When Zhang Yuanwailang came out, he gave Luo Shicheng [-] silver: "Brother, this is the transportation fee that I have worked so hard to get. Whether it will work or not depends on brother's means."

Luo Shicheng took the money, patted his chest and promised: "You just wait, the little one will definitely go all out. With my friendship with him and this gift, I will definitely succeed in no time."

Luo Shicheng knew in his heart the rules of the Ministry of Household Affairs, which was to pluck hairs layer by layer. When he saw the number, he knew that the number approved by Shang Shu should be [-]. According to the general rules, his brothers also had one-tenth of the taps. , eight hundred silver.Then give Jia Lian seven thousand and two hundred silver for a banquet.

However, this time, Luo Shicheng did not move the 8000 taels of silver, because when he came out, Zhou Yufeng from the Ministry of Officials also came out, and Luo Shicheng quietly put away the silver, preparing to give it to Jia Lian later.

In addition to Zhou Yufeng, the Ministry of Officials also brought a doctor named Ma Jun, who was Zhou Yufeng's immediate boss.

Two of them came, and their original idea was to get Jia Lian drunk, and to get some more news, so that a share of the money could be mixed with jelly.Unexpectedly, they came out to meet Luo Shicheng, and the two immediately looked at each other in dismay, but it was not easy to change at this time, so they had to bite the bullet, and at worst would buy news at a clear price.

Jia Lian thought he was going to a teahouse, but Zhou Yufeng found the land in Shichahai, saying he was an acquaintance.

Although Jia Lian has never been to Shichahai, he knows that this place is full of people who are kept half-open, and some are even raised by wealthy families. They are specially used to inquire about news. In fact, it is just that you hit me. I will also inquire about your family. The news has already become a sieve, and it won't be long before the whole world knows about it.

But one thing, it is indeed possible to inquire about all kinds of news here.

Jia Lian's purpose today is to unintentionally spread the meaning of the emperor. I have to say that Shichahai is a good place. If Wufeng Tower is changed, the effect will be lost.Zhou Yufeng was indeed a regular visitor here, he was hugged as soon as he entered the door, making him very affectionate.

Afterwards, Jia Lian and the others were taken into the private room, where the heating was blowing on the face, and the air was filled with elegant incense.

The whole room is like a woman's boudoir, with imperial concubine chairs, a chessboard, a picture of Tang Bohu's beauty on the wall, a peach blossom fan from Wumei Village, various antique jade articles on the shelf, and a bookshelf in the corner, scattered with books, facing the window. There are desks, all the four treasures of the study are available, and there is no gold or silver vulgar objects.

The indoor furniture is all red sandalwood, which looks like the study of that rich lady.

As soon as Jia Lian was seated, a stunning woman in a crimson skirt walked in with a pipa in her arms, with a faint floral fragrance, which was fresh and pleasant.

The woman bowed and said: "The wine and food will be served when there is little food. Before that, the servant will play a song and entertain the nobles."

Jia Lian was dispensable, but Zhou Yufeng cheered loudly.

The woman nodded slightly, sat by the door, bowed her head and adjusted the pipa.

Jia Lian thought that if she came to add to the fun, she had to play the spring snow, or romantic songs, or vulgar tunes to make people laugh, in short, to adjust the mood.

Unexpectedly, the woman stretched out her hand and played slowly. Suddenly, there was a sound of golden drums and warhorses in the room.

Jia Lian, who closed his eyes and meditated, suddenly opened his eyes, but what the woman was playing was Flying Daggers.

The people present were all idiots, and all of a sudden they were in awe of this girl in the mud.

Everyone put away their contempt and listened carefully.

It's a pity that the girl was interrupted by the nurse in charge before the song was finished, but the food and drink were ready, and he came to invite everyone to the next door for a table.

But Jia Lian knew that the steward was blaming the girl for not playing ambush on ten sides.

The woman was not annoyed when her playing was interrupted, she stood up and saluted lightly, and slowly backed out.

The person in charge thought about Jia Lian's apology: "This little lady just came in and doesn't know the rules. The men came to have fun, but she played such a tune. I'm really sorry."

Jia Lian closed his eyes and said nothing, he thought of Xiangyun and Qiaoer in the past.

Seeing that several people were silent, Zhou Yufeng didn't want to spoil the atmosphere, so he smiled: "It's okay, I'm used to listening to soft songs on weekdays, it's very refreshing to change the tune once in a while."

Jia Lian also said: "This kid plays well!"

The remaining two, Ma Jun and Luo Shicheng, naturally agreed.

Only then did the manager smile: "You all understand, so let's just record her this time for now."

For a while, the four of Jia Lian moved outside, the food and wine had been set, and the four of Jia Lian each occupied one side.

Ma Jun started to invite wine, and the four of them drank the same wine together. Then, no matter who they were, they challenged each other. For a while, you came and went, serving dishes and toasting. Gradually, everyone's faces became colored, and everyone accepted Be cautious, the atmosphere warmed up.

At this time, Zhou Yufeng opened up the topic, slowly leading the conversation to the current situation, talking about how difficult it was for the officers in the ministry, and they couldn't sleep at night.In the end Zhou Yufeng pretended to be relaxed and asked, "I don't know what Xiong Jia thinks about the current situation?"

Ma Jun and the others looked at Jia Lian eagerly.

Jia Lian hesitated to speak, but finally shook his head and remained silent.

Zhou Yufeng and Ma Jun looked at each other, this coward was so timid and fearful when he was drunk.

Ma Jun gave him a wink, and Zhou Yufeng stuffed the purse containing the banknotes into Jia Lian's cuff: "Brother Jia, the Ming people don't swear, the brothers are pitiful, there are old and young, and if you can't get along in the ministry." , there is really only one way to go home and pick up the baby, but what about an old snack?"

Ma Jun also picked up his wine glass and shook his head: "In theory, Mr. Jia is a higher rank than me, and he works in front of the imperial court. I should call you Mr. Jia. Now that I am here, I have the audacity to call you Mr. Jia. You don't know, there are internal and external troubles now." , it’s hard for us people to work in the department, how many floors above!”

Zhou Yufeng immediately echoed: "We know that Brother Jia has his own rules, and we have nothing to do. Unless it is absolutely necessary, we will not be brazen enough to ask each other. We ask Brother Jia to do what he can't do, and give us advice no matter what!"

Jia Lian listened to their repeated begging, and was in a dilemma for a long time, and then waited for Luo Shicheng to persuade him a few words, and then reluctantly said: "Oh, logic, I shouldn't talk nonsense, now seeing the brothers begging so much, I feel so sad. I don’t want to bear it anymore, but I’m not sensitive to the current situation. I’m not trying to shirk my lord’s begging for me in the past ten days. I really don’t know what to say. Today, thanks to a few brothers and sisters who value me, I’ll talk about myself Today's matter, whether it is useful or not, depends on the brothers themselves."

Ma Jun and Zhou Yufeng cheered up immediately: "Brother Jia, please speak, we will all listen!"

Jia Lian added embellishments to the emperor's confession: "I didn't see clearly what it was, but when I was packing up the booklet, I saw a booklet, which seemed to say that many victims of disasters came from outside the Nine Gates, and asked the emperor to open a warehouse. Relief, as you all know, the emperor just lost his temper because of the Jingtong Warehouse, and the old man at the border also made trouble. The army rations are not enough, how can there be money? I guess His Majesty fell because of this. Saying, 'It's not enough if you don't copy it'."

Copy the house?

Zhou Yufeng, Ma Jun, Luo Shicheng and the others were all terrified.

Jia Lian pretended not to know how many people were different: "When I heard this, I was taken aback. This is a bad thing. It's not a good thing that the people who ransacked the house and destroyed the house fell on anyone. I went to the Ministry of Households to find out. I had to do it day and night, so I relied on His Majesty's kind words on weekdays, and boldly said something more, and I said: I went to the Ministry of Households that day, and I saw them busy all day and night, who is Gu Shangshu? It's in the yamen."

Luo Shicheng nodded: "That's exactly what I said!"

Ma Jun and Zhou Yufeng also said: "It's the same with our officials, everyone dare not close their eyes for a long time!"

"Who said it wasn't!" Jia Lian sighed: "Who knows that the emperor was annoyed, the teacup fell, the dragon case was uncovered, and almost smashed me, and he screamed to get out, and kicked me out. , I didn’t dare to come out at first, but it was Defu, the imperial servant, who told me that the emperor was in a bad mood, and it would be the best policy to tell me to walk, otherwise I don’t know what the consequences will be.”

Jia Lian said that he had a full drink, and he was full of frustration: "Hey, if you have something to drink, drink more. I don't know if I can have a head to drink tomorrow!"

Zhou Yufeng and Ma Jun looked at each other, feeling that this information was very valuable.

When he was young, Ma Jun got up and said: "I have too much wine, let's go out for a walk!"

Naturally, Jia Lian didn't stop him, he was waiting for several people to send letters back!

When Ma Jun came out, he wrote a note and passed it on.

Here Jia Lian talked about this matter, no matter how seduced Zhou Yufeng was, he refused to say anything more, but kept pretending to be drunk, and complained to Zhou Yufeng: "Brother, you don't know the pain of us people, and you say you are working with the emperor. Glory, but it's also scary, brother, you know, brother, I was almost scared to death today, ouch, it's too scary."

At this time, Jia Lian no longer needed Zhou Yufeng to persuade him to drink.One by one, he asked for wine one after another: "Brother Zhou, finish this drink!"

"Brother Luo, I did it, you can do whatever you want!"

Jia Lian drank like drinking water, Zhou Yufeng was dumbfounded, he knew that this Jia Lian was really drunk.

He didn't dare to directly ask about the emperor's secrets, but the words went round and round to spare Jia Lian, Jia Lian would not be fooled, as soon as Zhou Yufeng asked him, he would vomit bitterness, shout and fear, and complain that it was not easy to be in front of the imperial court.

Jia Lian pretended to be crazy and foolish for a while, which made Zhou Yufeng and Ma Jun lose his patience, so they had to leave.

In the end, Luo Shicheng offered to escort Jia Lian home, and the four parted ways.

For a while, the two got into the carriage of Rongguo Mansion, and Jia Lian realized that there were no outsiders around, so he put away his drunken state immediately. Luo Shicheng had a kindness with him, and he was a brother-in-law, so he couldn't tell lies in front of real people.

Jia Lian opened his eyes as soon as he got in the car, corrected his posture, stood up and clasped his fists, and apologized to Luo Shicheng: "I have to guard against socializing outside, brother forgive me!"

Luo Shicheng also cupped his hands in return, and said with a smile: "I was wondering just now, I heard my brother-in-law said that you are not drunk after a thousand cups, why did you get drunk so easily today?"