The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 436 Changes
"This is the Admiral's salary."

Jia Huan respectfully took out a bill for 13,500 yuan.

The governor's mansion was given to Wang Xin, and Zhou Wen temporarily settled in a courtyard where no one bothered him. The tributes from his subordinates were gone, and as for his salary from the imperial court, it had been in arrears for half a year.

The banknotes were exquisitely made, using special oiled paper that was not easily damaged, and were engraved with intricate patterns.

The bottom line contains six small characters indicating that it was issued by Yongxin Tickets.

The largest denomination is one hundred yuan.

The banknotes issued by Yongxin Bank could be exchanged for silver at the counter; ten yuan could be exchanged for one tael of silver.

So 13,500 yuan is equivalent to 1,350 taels of silver.

"The salary of the Datong Military Governor's Office is so high?" Zhou Wen was somewhat incredulous; it was twice as high as the salary of the imperial court.

"The salary remains seven hundred taels, and the additional six hundred and fifty taels come from the subsidies that the military governor's office receives from the profits of the merchants. All officers receive this," Jia Huan explained carefully.

If the imperial salary is paid in full, then the military governor's office only needs to issue subsidies.

If the imperial court's salary was in arrears, the military governor's office would pay it in advance.

"I see." Zhou Wen asked curiously, "So, even if the imperial court makes up for the arrears, this silver still has to be returned?"

Many people would be reluctant to hand over the money they have already received.

This passive situation cannot last long. Eventually, the imperial court's salary will remain, the salary advanced by the military governor's office will not be returned, and the subsidies will still be received. That would be interesting.

Zhou Wen couldn't help but think.

Although an annual salary of a few thousand taels was nothing to him, after all, he could easily rake in tens or hundreds of thousands of taels of silver every year by relying on the tributes from his subordinates.

Although they made a lot of money, their expenses were also high.

Besides showing respect to superiors, one also has to bribe officials in the capital. Gifts during festivals are indispensable, not to mention the expenses for social obligations, which are like a bottomless pit.

However, the Datong Military Governor's Office resolved these outdated customs.

Promotions don't require spending money.

Private gift-giving is prohibited, etc.

But is that enough?

Zhou Wen shook his head. It's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality.

But the kid in front of me is quite interesting.

"You're the brother-in-law of Military Governor Wang?"

Since arriving in Datong, Jia Huan has not only worked hard to complete his own duties, but also taken the initiative to take on other tasks. His diligence alone is commendable, but more importantly, he not only completes tasks quickly, but also does them exceptionally well.

Kindness is often taken advantage of; wherever there are people, there is a social hierarchy.

It's unavoidable everywhere.

But Jia Huan was the one who drew praise from everyone, both above and below.

Upon hearing Zhou Wen's question, Jia Huan straightened his back slightly.

Having lived in the Jia family for so many years, he always thought he was inadequate, which is why no one liked him. He felt he was far inferior to Baoyu, and couldn't even compare to him.

But after starting work outside, Jia Huan gradually discovered that gaining recognition from others was not difficult.

More and more people are accepting themselves.

It turns out that it wasn't that I was bad, but that my status in the Jia family was bad, and I couldn't change my status no matter what I did.

"Yes, Your Excellency, it is indeed I."

Jia Huan remained humble.

He's still just a teenager. As the saying goes, you can tell what a person will be like at three years old. This kid is so young yet he can be so patient. Whether it's true or not, he has a bright future as long as Wang Xin doesn't fall.

There are successors!

Not only was the Datong Army full of talented people, but even among Wang Xin's descendants were those who could lead the army. This was a sign of a thriving power.

My choice seems to be correct.

Zhou Wen's mood improved. "Wang Jiedushi has arrived in Datong?"

"It's already on its way."

Seeing that Zhou Wen had no more questions, Jia Huan took his leave, and Zhou Wen ordered his steward to call his eldest son to see him off.

Upon learning that the person before him was Zhou Wen's eldest son, Jia Huan respectfully bowed and paid his respects.

Zhou Wen's eldest son quickly returned the greeting.

Seeing what was happening before him, a slight smile appeared on Zhou Wen's serious face. This happened shortly after Jia Huan left.

When Zhou Wen’s eldest son returned, he asked curiously, “Didn’t Father say that although the Taiyuan Army had been reorganized, there were still many hidden dangers, and he was always worried about it? Today, he seems like a completely different person.”

"Let them make a fuss."

Zhou Wen remained noncommittal, saying calmly, "The more they make a fuss, the more your father is valued."

"Then why is Father worried?" His son was even more confused. If instability below was good for his father, his father should be happy.

“What do you know?” Zhou Wen was very dissatisfied and said angrily, “Look at Jia Huan, he’s more than ten years younger than you. If you were even half as sensible as him, I wouldn’t have to worry about so much.”

His son lowered his head and remained silent; it was better not to speak at this moment.

Jia Huan had worked hard all day, and it was already evening when he returned to the communal sleeping quarters in the yamen, just in time for dinner.

There was no canteen in the yamen (government office); food was provided by outside food stalls.

A special area was drawn up.

Positions are drawn once a year, and their retention or removal is determined based on the positive review rate after one year.

If there are too many complaints, then food can no longer be provided.

If the positive reviews are over 95%, the original position will be retained, and there will be no need to draw lots for the position the following year, and this will continue year after year.

Therefore, there are only two types of positions that can be selected each year.

One type is a newly opened restaurant, and the other is a restaurant with a positive review rate of less than 95%.

Each food stall is responsible for the environment within its own area.

Although there are many rules, the operating costs are minimal, and the profits are stable and not low. Therefore, each eatery does its best to attract people to eat, not only by providing a clean and hygienic environment, but also by offering both inexpensive and expensive food.

The officials who ate paid for their own meals and purchased what they needed.

As it gradually gained fame, many locals came here to eat, making this food street, densely packed with eateries, very lively during mealtimes.

"Jia Huan has worked harder than anyone else." His colleagues felt sorry for Jia Huan.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Jia Huan's roommate, Dong Shi, put down his chopsticks and muttered, "Lord Zhonglang is deliberately cultivating Jia Huan. If you don't understand, just shut up."

Jia Huan has also made a few friends.

"I'm not afraid of hard work."

"Sigh," Dong Shi sighed, "With such a good background, you still work so hard. It would be an injustice if you didn't make it big."

Jia Huan's expression was complicated.

Is your own background considered good? You couldn't even protect your mother.

However, Jia Huan remained silent; these things could only be kept hidden and could not be easily revealed.

Jia Huan is full of confidence in the future.

Although I have only been in the Jiedushi Prefecture for two years, the changes have been tremendous.

The number of people in the Jiedushi's office and other similar places is also increasing.

Even inspection teams, supervisory teams, and so on.

The Jiedushi Prefecture's control over the local area is becoming increasingly strong. If it continues to develop, no one can stop its snowballing growth.

"Jia Huan."

After dinner, roommate Dong Shi called out to Jia Huan.

"I heard something."

"what's up?"

Seeing her roommate being so fussy and childish, Jia Huan found it somewhat amusing.

"The Xue family's young lady is coming."

Jia Huan was stunned.

I met Sister Baochai when I was a child. Unlike others, Sister Baochai was not particularly enthusiastic towards me, but she never neglected me. I received all the treatment I deserved and was treated like a human being.

"I need to find an opportunity to pick him up." Jia Huan smiled, clearly pleased.

slowly.

The smile on Jia Huan's face gradually froze.

His roommate's serious expression made him wonder, "What did your family say?"

(End of this chapter)