The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 301 Seaship
Qi Zixiu's demotion caused quite a stir in the officialdom of Jiangnan.

Along the Grand Canal, almost every wharf and town where the Jia family might stop was placed on high alert.

The officials and soldiers in the yamen and garrison have been extremely busy these past few days.

Actually, while others may not know about the Japanese hiding within the territory, they do.

In the past, out of respect for certain people behind them, and because those Japanese didn't really do anything wrong, everyone turned a blind eye, accepting some bribes as a gesture of goodwill. But now...

To prevent any unforeseen circumstances and to avoid following in the footsteps of Qi Zixiu, various parties, from top to bottom, have taken many actions.

"master!"

At the Yangzhou Salt Commissioner's Office, Steward Lin Shan beamed with joy as Lin Ruhai left the office, saying, "Judging by the time, my aunt will probably pass through Yangzhou tonight."

"Have you sent anyone?"

"It's been dispatched."

To avoid missing it, he has been sending out orders for two days in a row, and today is the third day.

The old steward was now extremely satisfied with his master's in-laws.

Last year, in particular, when the wife, daughter, and son came to Beijing, it was said that it was this aunt who sensed something was wrong and sent people to meet them one after another.

"Master, tomorrow is the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, my cousin's first birthday, what do you think..."

"Prepare all the items for the baby's first birthday celebration."

My son and daughter are not around, and it's rare for a daughter to come and say that she watched the little girl grow up.

When Lin Ruhai saw what his daughter said in the letter, he laughed so hard his stomach hurt.

How old is his little girl?

She actually said that she watched him grow up.

Lin Ruhai frequently corresponded with people in the capital and had long noticed that after his two children arrived at their in-laws' home, not only did their health improve, but their personalities also became more lively.

Although the Yue family has experienced a lot of troubles in the past six months, they have all been developing in a positive direction.

After experiencing a poisoning attack himself, Lin Ruhai felt even more attached to his wife and children back in Beijing.

He was also afraid that Jia Min would be like him, only reporting good news and not bad, so he specially found someone to keep an eye on her.

"Prepare a gift for each of the ladies, the young lady, and Chang'an."

As he spoke, Lin Ruhai took off the jade pendant that he always wore at his waist, "Later, put this on too."

As he walked back, he instructed, "Make sure everything is prepared perfectly."

"Yes, yes, this old servant has noted it all down."

Lin Shan waved to the people below, signaling them to do so, when a fast horse came running down the street. "Master, Aunt and the others' boat has arrived."

what?
Lin Ruhai was pleasantly surprised, "Quick, to the dock."

At this time, the prefect of Yangzhou also received news that the Jia family's fleet had arrived.

He couldn't help but sigh.

Elsewhere, the Jia family might stay overnight and then leave, but here they have the Lin family!

Seeing that the Lin family had been waiting at the dock for several days, he suspected that they were going to stay in Yangzhou for a few more days.

Hey~
This is really difficult.

Qi Zixiu was demoted and was unwilling to accept it, so his mother made a scene and he was scolded severely.

Prefect Huo Boling of Yangzhou felt that if word of Madam Shen's incompetence reached the capital, he wouldn't even be able to hold his position as a minor county official in Luzhou for long.

"Tell everyone below to keep a close eye on me. If anyone dares to mess things up at this time, I'll suffer a little misfortune, and they'll lose half their lives."

"Don't worry, sir, everyone's on their best."

The advisor comforted him, "Haven't you noticed there are a few more thieves in jail lately?"

Last year, Yangzhou was ravaged by the Li family and the Japanese pirates, resulting in a major reshuffle of the officialdom.

This major reshuffle involved many aspects, and even several yamen runners were exiled.

Who isn't cautious these days?

Who would dare to be careless?

Their master has been in office for the past few months, and things have been peaceful and stable.

In fact, if you ask the advisor, as long as the retired emperor and the emperor are secure, and the princes don't cause trouble, it's easy for local officials to be in charge.

"The Jia family still has hundreds of elite soldiers protecting them. No matter how unwilling those Japanese are, they have no choice but to give up."

The advisor said, "I think that since they can't attack people, the most likely scenario is that they will attack the boats or carriages."

This?
Hoberling thought this made perfect sense, and said, "Have someone keep a close eye on their ships."

In any case, nothing can happen in his territory.

Yangzhou is not far from Jinling.

The next option is either to travel via the Grand Canal and then the Yangtze River, or simply take a car; either way is possible.

Huo Boling's heart pounded slightly. "Someone, prepare the car!"

"Sir, you want to..."

"Let's take a walk!"

Huo Boling was transferred to Yangzhou last year and received several favors from Lin Ruhai. "Not to mention anything else, I should go and offer incense to Jia Jing of Ningguo Prefecture."

Yangzhou was a place that various forces wanted to fight over.

When the incident happened in Yangzhou last year, Huo Boling thought he was doomed when he heard that he was to be transferred here.

Not to mention the Zhen family who dominate Jiangnan, even the various princely mansions in the capital could make him sick for several days if he just stomped his foot.

He lived in constant fear, thinking that one day he would be torn to pieces by them, but he never expected that Jia Jing, after being driven to a dead end, would choose to die in the same way as the former crown prince.

His death ended all the conflicts between the two emperors in court, and the court was immediately at peace. Huo Boling no longer had to worry about being devoured alive by someone.

Huo Boling had absolutely no respect for the retired emperor who, despite having abdicated, still clung to power.

The old man only cares about himself and doesn't think about his children and grandchildren or about the Great Zhao.

He collapsed, but he was so happy that he lit several more incense sticks for the Bodhisattva.

Huo Boling left, Lin Ruhai left, and the gentry of Yangzhou had already sensed something in the tense atmosphere of the past few days, so they followed suit.

After Jia Jing's death, he was posthumously honored and even granted the title of a second-rank official.

In fact, the Jia family kept a low profile throughout their journey, but there were others like Jin Muchuan who were also eager to help. However, nowhere else was it like Yangzhou, where the whole country was alerted and even the top ten salt merchants sent gifts.

Shen Ning had a headache.

Even if the salt merchants were to give gifts in a conventional manner, the Jia family's status was such that they received more than eight thousand taels of silver just for the funeral gifts.

And more people kept coming.

After all, Yangzhou had more than just the top ten salt merchants.

"How is the prefect of Yangzhou?"

"My uncle said he's a very stable official."

After seeing everyone off, it was already too late for Lin Ruhai to go into the inner quarters. He simply sent his maidservant over to pay her respects, exchange a few words, and then leave.

But Jia Zhen knew his mother would definitely question him about the money, so he said, "He was very respectful when he paid homage to his father."

Whether it was genuine respect or just perfunctory behavior, Jia Zhen, as the son, could tell if he looked closely.

"If you feel uncomfortable with those funeral gifts, we can have your uncle return them to us when we leave tomorrow."

return?

Wouldn't that be letting them off easy?

Salt merchants, who are covered in silver, wouldn't care about a few hundred or a thousand taels of silver.

Shen Ning thought for a while, "What else? The headmaster of Jinshan College also came to pay respects to your father today?"

"Yes!"

Jia Zhen thought for a moment, "That headmaster was standing behind the others, and it seems he also gave twenty taels of condolence money."

"Donate all the money received today to Gold Mountain College."

what?
Jia Zhen was slightly stunned.

There were too many people today, and he didn't even get a chance to speak to the headmaster.

“According to the standards of our family school, we give a prize of twenty taels of silver to seven students who are excellent in both character and academics every year. In addition, the academy selects three students from poor families who are determined to make progress each year and gives them a subsidy of fifty taels of silver each.” Shen Ning said, “Zhen’er, don’t forget that the Jia family school has ancestral land here.”

Lin Ruhai will eventually be transferred to Beijing.

"Instead of returning the silver to those salt merchants, it would be better to donate it and do something practical."

"...Yes! Son understands."

Jia Zhen admired his mother immensely.

Shen Ning waved her hand, "Tomorrow is your sister's birthday. With Yangzhou in such a state, we absolutely must not make a fuss."

Originally, during the mourning period, the family would simply eat longevity noodles together on their daughter's birthday.

But judging from Lin Ruhai's words, they still need to do a "first birthday celebration".

He had prepared everything, and if they didn't do the "first birthday celebration"... Shen Ning glanced at her sleeping daughter and felt that it would be a disservice to her if they didn't do it.

"Yes!"

So, early in the morning of the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, Lin Ruhai came over and ate a bowl of longevity noodles with me.

I hugged the little birthday girl and let her pluck several of her whiskers.

Oh dear, he forgot that children are quick with their hands.

In his pain, Lin Ruhai thought of his two children, and felt both heartbroken and gratified.

The long table was covered with all sorts of things.

From toys to jewelry, rouge, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, even the map of his study was taken by Shen Ning for her daughter to choose from.

Shen Ning herself may not be able to travel all over the world, but she feels that her daughter can.

As long as the Great Zhao Dynasty is strong and she has enough military power around her, even though she is a girl, she may not be unable to travel the world.

The little girl giggled as she climbed on the table. First, she picked up a small Tianhuang seal carved into a gourd, then a pen and a very pretty jade comb, and called out to her mother, "Here you go!"

"Give me?"

Shen Ning was overjoyed. The old woman's prayers seemed to be far away. She was completely charmed by her daughter, and for a moment, her heart and eyes were only on her.

……

The capital city, Ningguo Prefecture.

Although the birthday celebrant was not at home, Grandmother Jia, being an old lady blessed with good fortune, longevity, and happiness, still came early in the morning to eat a bowl of longevity noodles with Madam You and others.

"Madam, someone from the palace has arrived."

The maidservant entered with a smile, "Her Majesty the Empress is bestowing blessings upon our young county princess."

So the group hurried to the main hall to kowtow and pay their respects.

Although Shen Ning has not been home these days, the Empress still sends things over here from time to time.

Although most of the items were snacks and food from the imperial kitchen, it was enough to let others know that the Ningguo Mansion was under her protection.

Qin Keqing was summoned to the palace by the Empress twice.

Others may not know her identity, but Grandmother Jia and Lady You do.

Both of them were delighted with this.

"That old man is really something. He promised that a letter would arrive home today."

Ms. You was also very disappointed that she couldn't celebrate her sister-in-law's birthday with her.

After seeing the palace staff off, he had the maids register the jewelry and other items bestowed by the Empress before complaining, "Second sister-in-law, when Second Brother Lian returns to the manor, you must ask him for me."

"must!"

How could Wang Xifeng dare to refuse?
She secretly gave a thumbs-up to Yingchun and the other sisters-in-law who managed the Ningguo Mansion.

She has the West Mansion under control, but in the East Mansion, Madam You knows nothing about it; it's all thanks to her sisters-in-law.

"That's right, he's been quite busy these past few days."

Wang Xifeng smiled broadly, "Believe in this stuff... even if you go through the military channels, there's no guarantee that it will arrive on the exact day they say it will."

"I know, but I didn't say I had to see it today."

Ms. You smiled.

Of the three sisters-in-law, only Wang Xifeng has no children yet.

Although the old lady of the West Mansion and Aunt Xing treated Fengyatou well, given the state of the Wang family, and the fact that Fengyatou had no family to rely on like her, Madam You felt that she should have a child soon.

However, it was not appropriate for her, as the sister-in-law, to say such things.

Jia Lian has been too busy lately.

"Grandma, look at her, she seems afraid that I will blame my second brother Lian."

"Hahaha~"

Grandmother Jia laughed, "It's understandable that you blame her. Today is Yue'er's birthday, and although her brother isn't here, he should still send a gift."

"Old lady~"

Wang Xifeng looked shocked. "Didn't I give her a gold necklace?"

“You are yours, and Lian Er Di belongs to Lian Er Di.”

Madam You smiled and reached out her hand, "Hurry up, go home and make another one."

"No, no, we are husband and wife as one."

Wang Xifeng slapped her hand lightly, "Good sister-in-law, Yue'er is your sister, and I'm your sister too. Plus Lian'er, we're like younger brother and sister. The two of us combined are definitely heavier than Yue'er, right?"

"...It seems to be the key point." Madam You smiled and looked her over. "No, it's much heavier."

The Jia family was scattered in two places, and they were happily celebrating Jia Yue's first birthday, unaware that two ships were heading to the port of Tianjin.

Upon seeing the flags hanging above, the Tianjin garrison immediately imposed martial law.

Meanwhile, two fast horses, one heading into the city and the other towards the capital, set off.

The delegations from both countries were able to see it through the telescope.

When Ichiro Ishii put down the telescope, his brows were deeply furrowed.

"My lord, it seems that Kaneda-kun's operation has been successful."

The attendant on the side said, "Da Zhao seems to be very wary of us."

"..."

Ichiro Ishii did not speak.

The Jia family had considerable connections within the military.

That Lady Shen from Ningguo Mansion is also quite intelligent.

If the entire family escorting the coffin back to their hometown is dead... they will likely suffer some mistreatment on this journey.

However, he made it clear at the time that they couldn't kill them all; at least one child had to be left so that they could rescue him.

Only in this way can we better open the gates of Dazhao.

Especially the Jia family's gate in the military.

Even if the door is only slightly ajar for them, it would be worth it to get their newly made muskets.

"It's also possible that it will fail!"

The attendant next to him took the telescope and observed for a while longer. "We've failed. The Great Zhao will also be wary of us."

Ichiro Ishii glanced at him, slightly displeased.

He still had some confidence in Kaneda Shoji and others.

Even with the best guards, some members of the Jia family would still die in a surprise attack.

"You don't trust Kaneda-kun?"

"Whether I believe it or not has nothing to do with it. The Jia family has been assassinated several times, so it's impossible that they weren't on guard."

"you……"

"okay!"

Ichiro Ishii stopped the two from arguing, saying, "We'll know whether it's true or not when we get to the shore."

He took a deep breath. "There's no point in arguing here."

Ichiro Ishii rubbed his face and straightened his clothes. "Be serious, everyone. We'll be ashore soon."