The Red Mansion

Chapter 101 Jiang Nian Enters Rongguo Mansion (Part 2)

The next day, the sky was clear and the summer was hot.

Jiang Nian specially wore the crown and clothes of a third-class guard, took a carriage, and went to Rongguo Mansion in the bright sunshine.

He Yun and Dong Liang were traveling with him. He Yun, also wearing the official uniform of a fifth-rank Dragon Guard, rode on horseback, while Dong Liang was the groom, holding the reins and driving the carriage.

The group arrived at Ningrong Street in the western part of the capital. The sound of horses' hooves clattering on the bluestone slabs and wheels grinding the ground was like a rustling thunder. They first crossed the Ningguo Mansion on the east side of the street. Once bustling and bustling, it had been empty ever since Jia Zhen was deposed from his nobility. It was desolate and deserted, appearing dilapidated even under the summer sun.

Arriving at the Rongguo Mansion on the west side of the street, I saw two large stone lions crouching outside the main gate, looking majestic. The red gate was gilded, and the bronze nails gleamed. Above the main gate hung a plaque with the five characters "敕造荣国府" inscribed in large letters. Several servants were guarding the gate.

Soon, Jia Lian came out from the corner gate and led Jiang Nian into the mansion through the corner gate.

It wasn't that he was intentionally disrespecting Jiang Nian, because the main gate of Rongguo Mansion was not opened unless it was a major event or necessary. Usually, only the east and west corner gates were opened to show solemnity.

This was Jiang Nian's first time stepping into the Rongguo Mansion. After following Jia Lian in through the corner gate, what he saw was carved beams and painted buildings, winding paths, deep courtyards, and a well-arranged layout... showing an atmosphere of wealth and prosperity.

Soon, they arrived at Jia Zheng's outer study, nestled in a corner of the main courtyard. Outside, several tall, lush pine trees shaded a carved wooden door.

The study was elegantly furnished. A bronze incense burner emanated curls of incense, a lingering aroma. On the desk sat the four treasures of the study. Bookshelves lined the walls, overflowing with tomes ranging from classics and histories to poetry and songs, creating a solemn and elegant atmosphere. There was also a chessboard, with black and white pieces scattered across it. In a corner, a tea table held exquisite tea utensils, the faint aroma of tea from the pot lingering in the air.

Jia Zheng sat upright on a curved Arhat bed, dressed in a long, indigo-colored, solid-textured gown with a right-side opening. The collar and cuffs were trimmed with plain silk, except for the sleeves, which were embroidered with a three-fold square pattern in emerald green silk thread. He lined his undershirt with a moon-white, fine-grained gauze. The button loops at his neck fastened like a lock, a fastening he never slackened even in the sweltering heat. Around his waist was a black rhinoceros-horn buckle, from which hung a plain jade peace charm and a gilded, engraved key case. He wore no other ornaments, such as sachets or fan pendants. Beside him lay an old, brown bamboo-frame, oil-paper fan, its surface simply outlined with a few ochre strokes depicting a withered branch and a jackdaw.

Beside Jia Zheng sat two gentlemen, both middle-aged men dressed as Confucian scholars.

Jia Zheng was a man of integrity, not indulging in pleasures of the flesh. He only enjoyed chatting, playing chess, and discussing philosophy with his fellow guests. He particularly enjoyed hearing their flattery, which he found enjoyable.

Jiang Nian stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Jia Zheng, and then presented a gift, deliberately opening it in front of him. It was a Huizhou She inkstone, the stone fine and textured like clouds, paired with a Huzhou purple-hair brush with a flexible tip, a truly exquisite piece of writing material. There were also two bottles of Jiangning premium tea… Jiang Nian had brought several bottles of Jiangning premium tea with him when he arrived in Beijing, and they were almost gone.

The gift given to Jia Zheng was not cheap.

Jiang Nian was going to give gifts to all the masters of Rongguo Mansion. Among them, only the gift for Jia Zheng was a little expensive...

When Jia Zheng saw the gift, he nodded slightly with a look of pleasure on his face.

Seeing Jiang Nian dressed in the fine official uniform of a third-class guard, looking remarkably heroic, Jia Zheng was already somewhat impressed. Seeing the gifts he presented—a Huizhou She inkstone, a Huzhou purple-hair brush, and premium Jiangning tea—he felt even more satisfied with his courtesy.

Jia Zheng then asked Jiang Nian to sit down, and the two exchanged a few pleasantries, both of their words being elegant.

Jiang Nian noticed that the second master of the Rongguo Mansion spoke in a very literary style, so he followed suit and began to speak in a more literary style as well.

Suddenly, Jiang Nian bowed and asked seriously, "May I ask, Second Master, is the Thirteenth Prince in charge of the Ministry of Works now?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng nodded slightly, stroked his beard, and replied, "Indeed."

The Thirteenth Prince not only managed the Examination Office and the Three Treasurys of the Ministry of Revenue, but also the Ministry of Works, and had great power.

Jiang Nian asked again, "Who is the official from the Ministry of Works?"

Jia Zheng replied, "It is Mr. Yu from Qujiang." The current Minister of Works is named Yu Xianfu, with the courtesy name Qujiang.

Jiang Nian asked again, "Could you please tell me in detail about the life story of this Lord Yu?"

When these words were spoken, Jia Zheng, Jia Lian and the other guests present were all puzzled.

Jia Zheng thought to himself, "This boy is only fifteen years old. Although he is a third-class guard, his position has nothing to do with the Ministry of Works. Why is he suddenly asking about this? Is there some deeper meaning behind this?"

Jia Lian also felt something was amiss, and he and Qingke Xianggong exchanged a glance, neither of them understanding the reason.

However, Jia Zheng had always been prudent. Although he had doubts in his heart, he deliberately kept silent on the surface and did not show any anxiety. He slowly explained to Jiang Nian in detail the matter of Yu Xianfu, the Minister of Works.

Jiang Nian nodded slightly, his expression respectful, and then asked, "I heard that the Second Master is the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Works, is this true?"

Jia Zheng stroked his beard and nodded, replying, "Indeed. I do work for the Ministry of Construction and Cleaning Officials."

Like Qin Ye, Jia Zheng served as a deputy minister in the Ministry of Works.

Jiang Nianfu asked, "Excuse me, Second Master, is the construction and repair of the government warehouse under the charge of the Ministry of Works' Construction and Maintenance Department?"

There was a sudden silence in the study.

Jia Zheng, Jia Lian and the other guests present were not only confused, but also surprised, as if they were in a cloud of confusion.

Jia Zheng's eyebrows twitched slightly, Jia Lian frowned, and the two guests looked at each other in confusion.

Why is this young man asking about the construction and repair of the government warehouse? What does he want to do?

Jia Zheng could not help but ask, "The matter of the government granary is of great importance to the national economy and the people's livelihood. I wonder why you ask about it?"

Jiang Nian looked calm, bowed his hands, and replied respectfully, "Although I am young, I often think about state affairs. I heard that the government granary is an important place for storing grain and is related to the livelihood of the people. Therefore, I am curious and would like to ask the Second Master for advice."

Jia Zheng pondered for a moment, then said seriously, "You have such a determination, which is truly rare. In that case, I will explain it to you in detail."

After saying this, Jia Zheng coughed dryly and, stroking his beard with his left hand, continued slowly, "The design, construction, and repair of the government granaries are all handled by the Ministry of Works' Construction and Maintenance Division, while the Ministry of Revenue is responsible for grain storage and withdrawal, granary maintenance, and auditing accounts. This is the system of 'Ministry of Works builds, Ministry of Revenue supervises.' Although the two are under different government offices, they have clear responsibilities and work together in an orderly manner, complementing each other to ensure the stability of the government granaries, which benefits the national economy and people's livelihood."

Jia Zheng had been an official in the Ministry of Works for many years, first as a sixth-rank official and later as a fifth-rank official. How could he not know about such things? This kind of thing was his specialty.

After hearing this, Jiang Nian bowed and said, "Second Master, what you said has enlightened me. The affairs of the government warehouse are indeed complicated and sophisticated, and cannot be handled by one person alone. Only the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue can accomplish this great task."

Jia Zheng nodded, thinking to himself, "Why is this boy so concerned about the government warehouse? His question, though respectful, carries a deeper meaning."

Jia Zheng, once again feigning composure, gazed at Jiang Nian, and said gravely, "You are only fifteen, and yet you have already been granted the Imperial Majesty's great favor and been appointed a Third-Class Guard. This is truly a rare achievement. You must live up to His Majesty's grace, study hard, strive for progress, and serve the country."

(End of this chapter)