The Military Governor in Dream of the Red Chamber

Upon hearing this, Jia Chen immediately understood what had happened.

The rent has gone up.

These houses belong to the Jia family's two mansions. They used to be provided free of charge to the servants, but two years ago, they started charging rent based on the size and condition of the houses.

Jia Chen had his own thoughts on this.

The fact that the Jia family started paying these rents shows that they were struggling to keep up with their expenses.

The Jia family's financial crisis was not caused by a single day, but rather accumulated over many years.

There are already signs of this happening.

The previous benefit of providing free housing for servants has been cancelled.

Collecting rent should bring in several thousand taels of silver each year.

However, it's unclear how much of it actually ends up in the Jia family's treasury; the lower-ups likely embezzled it for their own gain.

"Hude, tell me, how did my family's income suddenly increase to ten taels? It used to be three taels a year, even if it doubled, it would still be six taels."

Jia Chen heard his mother's voice.

Ten taels?

Just kidding, my mother's annual income isn't even enough for ten taels of silver these days.

For the past three or four years, Jia Shenshi had gritted her teeth and accepted it.

After all, she had lived here for most of her life, and she also wanted Jia Chen to have a better living environment.

Other places are cheaper, but the environment is much worse.

"That's not how the rent is calculated for Jia Gan's family. Those are side rooms, and a side room costs two taels a year. But yours are three main rooms, which are much better than side rooms. Isn't it normal for each room to cost more than one tael a year?" Hu De shouted. "Everyone, tell me, isn't that the truth? I'm just doing my job fairly, paying more for better rooms."

The two men following behind him immediately echoed his sentiments.

"Pah! Who doesn't know what you're up to? Hu De, isn't it just that you want Jia Gan's three houses?"

"More than that, he wants that courtyard house."

"Hu De, you are truly despicable, just like your father Hu Dahe. Don't you realize that if it weren't for Jia Gan's family, your family would have starved to death long ago?"

"Ingratitude..."

……

Many neighbors nearby started cursing.

Jia Chen knew this Hu De and remembered him very well.

The Hu family had come to the capital to seek refuge with a relative who worked as a servant in the Jia family. However, that relative had been dead for many years, and for a time they had nowhere to go in the capital and little money on them.

Later, Jia Gan helped them settle down nearby.

Hu Dahe also has a daughter named Hu Taohua, who is about the same age as Jia Chen and is quite pretty. At least in this area, there are few women who can compare to Hu Taohua.

At that time, because Jia Gan helped the Hu family, the Hu family wanted their daughter to become Jia Chen's wife.

It should be noted that Jia Gan held the rank of General Banner Officer at the time, and Jia Shenshi worked in Li Wan's courtyard, so they were quite influential and held a high position there.

Hu Dahe did this in an attempt to curry favor with Jia Gan.

The Jia Gan couple did not refuse; finding a suitable daughter-in-law is not easy.

Walnut Blossom was quite pretty and had a well-behaved nature, so Madam Jia was satisfied.

Although the matter has not been finalized, both sides are roughly of the same mind, so everyone has tacitly agreed.

Thinking that they could hold the wedding when Jia Chen got a little older.

However, things changed after Jia Gan's death in battle.

Two years ago, Lai Da took a liking to Walnut Blossom.

Hu Dahe eagerly offered his daughter to Lai Da, and she became Lai Da's concubine.

This incident angered Jia Shenshi so much that she fell ill for several days.

Everyone knows about Jia Chen and Hu Taohua's relationship. They thought that since the two were about the same age, they could finally get married.

After Jia Gan's death in battle, Hu Dahe has been dragging his feet for the past few years.

For Hu Dahe, regardless of whether Lai Da was older than him, what he valued was Lai Da's status as the steward of the Jia family.

To have one's daughter chosen by Lai Da is a blessing earned through countless lifetimes.

From then on, the Hu family was indeed different.

Hu Dahe and his son Hu De are now working for the Jia family. With Lai Da as their backer, few people dare to offend them.

They've now set their sights on the courtyard house where Jia Chen's family lives. Aside from the fact that the courtyard house is indeed quite nice, their only intention is to bully Jia Shenshi.

After getting close to Lai Da, the Hu family completely looked down on the Jia family.

They were especially annoyed when they heard people say things like how Hu Taohua and Jia Chen had been together back then, and how Jia Gan had helped the Hu family.

Therefore, they also intended to drive Jia Shenshi away to vent their anger.

How could the neighbors not see these things?

Jia Gan was very kind to his neighbors and had a good reputation.

Now that Jia Gan is gone, not everyone is as ungrateful as the Hu family; most people still stand on Jia Shenshi's side.

Of course, over the years, Hu De has relied on Lai Da's power to keep raising rents for everyone, which has made them resentful.

"Shut up, all of you! This happened so many years ago, why are you bringing it up again and again? These rents were set by the manor. If you're so capable, go and argue with the masters!" Hu De shouted.

That shout really had some presence.

How could anyone present possibly go and argue with the masters of the Jia family?

"That's the amount. You have ten days. If you don't pay, then you'd better find somewhere else to stay." Hu De snorted coldly.

After saying that, Hu De stared at Jia Shenshi and said, "Jia Gan's family, don't let me hear about Jia Chen and my sister again. If anyone goes around gossiping and angers Steward Lai, don't blame me for not warning you."

"You bastard, how dare you talk like that?" Suddenly, an angry roar rang out.

A figure pushed through the crowd and appeared behind Hu De and his two companions.

Before Hu De and his companions could react, the two people behind him were pushed aside, and then Hu De was kicked hard in the lower back.

With a scream, he flew several meters and landed face-first in the dirt.

Hu De groaned a few times before getting up. When he saw it was Jia Mao, he shrank back, somewhat fearful.

In fact, Jia Chen's martial arts skills were superior to Jia Mao's, but Hu De was not afraid of Jia Chen; on the contrary, he was afraid of Jia Mao.

Because Jia Mao is a real fighter, and he has a violent temper.

"You dare hit me, Jia Mao?" Hu De thought of his current identity as a member of the Jia family, and with a steward brother-in-law behind him, how could he be afraid of Jia Mao?

"Pah! So what if I hit you? Have you lost your mind? Daring to threaten my aunt? You're asking for trouble."

Jia Shenshi was not that old, but she was of a higher generation, being Jia Mao's grandmother.

As Jia Mao spoke, he took two steps toward Hu De.

"Quick, quick, stop him!" Hud was so frightened that he backed away repeatedly, ignoring the pain in his body.

Even if Lai Da intervenes later, wouldn't I still get beaten up?

"Hmph, I've heard that these three main rooms were given to my second uncle's family by the second master back then, and he didn't mention asking for money," Jia Mao said coldly.

"Now everyone has to pay, you... your family has to pay too, two taels a year... no, three taels..." Hu De was furious. Now that he had power, he could still take revenge on Jia Mao.

"I'll give you a two-ounce handicap, I'll give you a three-ounce handicap~~" Jia Mao rushed forward again and started punching and kicking Hu De.

Hu De was short and thin, and Jia Mao beat him as if he were a child.

Hood was beaten so badly he was screaming, and the two men who came with him didn't dare to step forward.

Jia Mao still had a fearsome reputation here, and they didn't want to get beaten up.

"Jia Mao, I'm going to make you regret this. Wait a minute, I'm going to tell Steward Lai to go to the Beijing Garrison and have him fire you. I'll make sure you can't make a living in the Beijing Garrison." Hu De finally realized what was going on.