Chapter 408 Returning Home

Lin Ruhai might have talked too much and was a little tired, so she ordered the butler Lin Youquan to speak.

Lin Youquan bowed down and saluted Jia Lian first, and then said: "The Marquis has just returned to Beijing. Maybe you don't know that there was a big change in Yangzhou's salt administration at the end of last year!

Since our master left Yangzhou, the imperial court quickly dispatched new salt administration officials.

Who knew that the entire Jiangnan Salt Administration back then was less effective than when our master was in office? About 10%!

This is nothing. The court may also know that when a new official takes office, it is difficult to take into account the overall situation, and even some omissions are common.

But who knows , last year's Jiangnan salt tax was calculated, and it was actually a full 30% less!

His Majesty was furious because of this, and ordered that An Zhiyuan, the Yangzhou Salt Patrol Censor, be escorted to Beijing for interrogation...

Who knew that An Zhiyuan died of illness on the way to Beijing."

"Died of illness?"

Jia Lian was a little surprised. Where in the world could such a thing happen? What a coincidence.

However, it didn’t matter to him. He didn’t understand why Lin Ruhai wanted to tell him about it.

"That's right. The news just came back to the capital a few days ago. Because it is related to the salt policy, someone made a special trip to inform our master.

Our master speculated that although now There is not much news in the court yet, just because the court is still resting.

But this matter cannot be hidden, and it will definitely cause waves at the great court meeting at the beginning of the year.

At that time, I am afraid that a bloody storm will arise in the entire Yangzhou officialdom."

Jia Lian nodded after hearing this. Lin Ruhai, as a person who has been in officialdom for more than 20 years, naturally has a good political vision.

The salt tax was one of the most important taxes of the imperial court. It was related to the national power and was originally a top priority.

Although the abilities of each salt tax officer are different, and the salt tax policies are also somewhat different, if there is a sudden reduction of 30%, the court will naturally not agree.

If the Salt Patrol Censor could explain it clearly, it would be easy to explain. But he died on the way back to Beijing?

I am afraid that people with a little bit of questioning spirit will think there is something fishy about this matter.

In addition, Jia Lian had some understanding of Emperor Ning Kang's temper.

Unless this incident was really a coincidence, Emperor Ning Kang would probably go on a killing spree.

“My nephew agrees with my uncle’s speculation.

If this is the caseThere is an inside story, and I'm afraid the court won't let it go easily.

When the time comes, Yangzhou’s officialdom will naturally be shaken.

I just don’t know what my uncle’s intention was when he told me this. ”

Jia Lian was focused on his military exploits and title, and didn’t care much about the civil service group that governed the country.

Although he felt that this was a big deal, it didn’t have much to do with him. relationship, not even much to do with Lin Ruhai.

After all, Lin Ruhai had resigned long ago, and it was impossible to blame Lin Ruhai for the failure of the latecomer.
< br />The key is, isn't he talking to Lin Ruhai about Daiyu? What is the purpose of Lin Ruhai suddenly saying this?

Lin Youquan continued: "Our master said that this matter is causing trouble. After the opening, the imperial court will most likely send imperial envoys to the south of the Yangtze River to inspect..."

When Lin Youquan said this, Lin Ruhai waved his hand slightly to stop, then looked at Jia Lian and said solemnly: "If That's really the case. I hope you can take the initiative to take this job down by then. ”

Jia Lian’s brows wrinkled involuntarily.

He naturally understood what Lin Ruhai meant.

After all, the imperial court was thousands of miles away from Yangzhou. It is not difficult to understand that once you cannot trust the officials in Yangzhou, they will naturally send people to inspect.

What makes Jia Lian difficult to understand is why Lin Ruhai is so concerned about this matter and why he must do it. Did he take over the job?

Lin Ruhai seemed not to notice Jia Lian’s doubts.

“Although who will be sent to investigate this case in the end, there should be a court. The princes have decided, but with His Majesty’s trust in you and my help, as long as you are willing to take the initiative to share His Majesty’s worries, I believe Your Majesty will not refuse. ”

Listening to what Lin Ruhai said, Jia Lian probably understood a little bit.

Jia Lian was promoted to marquis by Emperor Ningkang. This alone was enough to let the people in the government and the public know that he deeply Favored by Emperor Ningkang.

In addition, Lin Ruhai had been the salt inspector of Yangzhou for so many years, so he naturally knew the salt politics of Jiangnan well.

As for his relationship with Lin Ruhai, as long as he personally asks Emperor Ningkang for an order, there is a high probability that Emperor Ningkang will agree to him.

After all, he is going to investigate the case, not to govern a party. My identity means I am qualified enough.

" My nephew dares to ask, why does my uncle insist on asking my nephew to take on this job? ”

Jia Lian believes that Lin Ruhai will never make a decision casually when she is so ill.

There must be a reason for him to do this.

Lin Ruhai smiled slightly and said: "Your Majesty has given me permission to return to my hometown when I am old and sick, so I decided to set off back to Jiangnan after the New Year.

If you take this Zong's job is just right to send me back to the south, why, you don't want to?"

Although Lin Ruhai only spoke in a gentle tone, the last rhetorical question was enough to show that Lin Ruhai was serious about talking to him.

He has not forgotten what Lin Ruhai said before, this is the last request for him.

So he quickly handed over his hand and said: "Of course my nephew is willing to escort my uncle south...

However, my nephew thinks that given my uncle's current situation, it is better to stay in Beijing and recuperate. .

Even if you are homesick, it is not too late to go south after you recover."

It is well known that patients cannot bear the fatigue of boating.

Jia Lian didn’t understand why Lin Ruhai was so anxious to return to Jiangnan.

Lin Ruhai had known that Jia Lian would say this, "I know in my heart that there is no possibility of recovery from my illness.

If he had stayed in Beijing, he might have been able to live longer. A few days...

But have you ever thought about it, I only have one child, Yu'er. Once I die of illness in Beijing, all the funeral arrangements will be on Yu'er alone. By then she How do you deal with it at such a young age?

I know what you want to say, with you here, I can naturally help Yu'er?

But now you have to do both. As long as you hold the position, there is no guarantee that His Majesty will not have other important trusts for you in the future.

What if you can’t be separated by then?”

Jia Lian fell silent.

He somewhat understood what Lin Ruhai meant.

Lin Ruhai probably knew that his days were numbered and did not want to die in a foreign country, so he wanted to return to Suzhou.

But he was worried that Daiyu would not be able to take care of his funeral alone, so he wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to let Jia Lian go south with them.

In this way, whether he went west on the road or died in Suzhou, as long as Jia Lian was in Jiangnan, Daiyu must have someone to rely on.

This is the simplest meaning. Considering that Lin Ruhai had just discussed Daiyu's life-long affairs with him, and suddenly proposed this condition, I am afraid that it must be a test for him.

After all, if he is unwilling to part with the comfort of the capital and is unwilling to accompany Daiyu to Suzhou, then his sincerity towards Daiyu may be questionable.

Sure enough, Lin Ruhai met Jia LianSilent, he asked calmly: "If you don't want to, I won't force you.

It's just a pain for Yu'er. In the future, I will have to support my coffin alone when I return home."

Jia Lian smiled bitterly in his heart, cupped his hands and said: "My uncle is serious, my nephew is willing to listen to my uncle's arrangements.

If the court really wants to select someone to supervise the case, my nephew will definitely try his best. Try your best to ask your Majesty for this job."

Lin Ruhai immediately nodded and smiled, "Yes, I really did not misjudge the person.

You don't have to worry too much, After all, I have experienced salt administration for several years, and I am quite familiar with the salt administration in Jiangnan.

If I can return to Jiangnan smoothly, I will be able to help you and help you quickly open up the situation. "

What else could Jia Lian say, he could only nod. I sighed a little in my heart. Is it true that I have a hard life? Why do people keep getting caught?

She was Princess Zhaoyang last year, and now she has finally returned to Beijing, and has to be forced to Jiangnan by Lin Ruhai...

It is just a secret slander, as long as she is with Daiyu If things go smoothly, let alone the next trip to Jiangnan, even if it takes a few more trips, it will be worth it.

One more thing.

If Lin Ruhai really died of illness, Jia Lian would not trust Daiyu to return home alone.

In this way, Lin Ruhai did not force him.

"Okay, I'm tired today. As for the matter between you and Yu'er, don't rush it for the moment. It's the same thing to worry about it later.

Yes Well, you have to tell the old lady about this in advance. After all, she is Yu'er's direct grandmother, and she has loved Yu'er very much over the years."

Jia Lian nodded in agreement. , and then Lin Ruhai asked Jia Lian to go back first on the grounds that Jia Lian was knighted for the first time and should be busy.

Jia Lian also stood up, bowed and said goodbye, and finally said: "Uncle, I want to see Sister Lin again?"

The Lin family is a family of poets and calligraphers, and Lin Ruhai is also He was specifically asked to marry Daiyu with the etiquette of a noble concubine, which shows that Lin Ruhai pays attention to marriage etiquette.

Since two families are discussing marriage, it is not appropriate for men and women to meet. Thinking about it, Lin Ruhai didn't really hope that Jia Lian would visit Daiyu too frequently in the future.

Therefore, Jia Lian wanted to talk to Daiyu again today.

Lin Ruhai was stunned for a moment, then nodded, and Jia Lian left and went to the backyard.

After Jia Lian left, Lin Ruhai shook his head, as if he could see through Jia Lian's thoughts.

And the old housekeeper next to him,Then he said with a smile: "Seeing that the Marquis cares so much about the young master, I finally got my wish."

Lin Ruhai smiled when he heard this and seemed to be quite satisfied with Jia Lian, but Lin Youquan heard that He also advised: "Is it true that the master has decided to return to his hometown after the new year?

The old slave thinks that it is better for the master to recover from his illness in the capital first. The Marquis also said it just now..."
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Lin Ruhai stopped the old housekeeper’s persuasion.

He had thought about this matter carefully, so naturally he had nothing to hesitate about.

Jiangnan salt administration was the most important undertaking in his life. Emperor Ningkang even made an exception and transferred him back to the central government and was honored as Lantai Mansion.

As the chief seal officer of an important government office in the central government, he is commonly known as "Jiu Qing". This resume is enough to make him famous in history.

What civil servants like him care most about is leaving a name in history.

This is also the ultimate dream of those second- and third-rank officials, which is to be able to join the cabinet one day, at least to be ranked among the ninth ministers.

Emperor Ning Kang treated him well, so this was his last service for Emperor Ning Kang.

Based on his understanding of Yangzhou’s salt policy and the young and promising Jia Lian as a sharp edge, he was confident that he could handle this matter for Emperor Ning Kang.

This is just one of them, there is another one.

Although he agreed to give Daiyu to Jia Lian, he was still a little unwilling.

He also wanted to see if Jia Lian was as sincere in his treatment of Daiyu as he said.

Although he knew from Daiyu’s feedback that Jia Lian had taken good care of Daiyu in Jia Mansion over the years, he had not seen it with his own eyes.

If Jia Lian can go south with them this time, he will have enough opportunities to finally inspect Jia Lian.

Even if he worries too much, it’s not too troublesome.

Letting Jia Lian accompany Dai Yunan on the next trip can be regarded as giving the two children more opportunities to be alone together and cultivate a deeper relationship.

Lin Ruhai didn’t think that the title of concubine was enough to stabilize Daiyu’s position in the Duke’s palace.

Only a deeper and more sincere relationship with Jia Lian can truly protect Yu'er.

This can be considered a good intention on his part.