The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

Li Bian is happy today.

The exchange of cups and cups with the Yangzhou salt merchant gave him the feeling of being flattered in the prime minister's house. Li Bian was only thirty-six years old. At this age, he was able to hold a position in the fifth rank of academic administration. This shows that people in the Prime Minister's line value and appreciate him.

This is a arrogant person, and he also thinks he has some strategic skills. Although he encountered some difficulties in Lin Ruhai's hands in the past few days. But he only felt that the other party was suppressing him with Shangguan's momentum, and he was still very dissatisfied.

Now that he is looking for a few helpers in Yangzhou City, Li Bian's mind is getting tired. When the banquet was over, he followed the traveling master and left Feng Mansion, with the same confident look on his face as he had just gotten off the official ship.

The two of them were sitting on the carriage returning home. Seeing that Mr. Li was in a good mood, the master took advantage of his drunkenness and picked up the good words and complimented him: It has only been a few days since Mr. Li came to Yangzhou, and there are already people looking for help. It's really gratifying and congratulatory. congratulations.

Li Bian, with a red face, leaned against the swaying car, suddenly widened his eyes and said, I just know how to say nice things. Do you really think I drank too much?

As a superior person, the most taboo thing is to let the people below you guess your thoughts. Li Bian didn't know where he learned it from, and he kept dancing in front of his master.

Hehe. The master laughed and lowered his head.

Li Bian raised his hands to rub his face, and took a long breath. The strong smell of alcohol spread in the car. He seemed to be sober and shook his head, saying: They are just idiots who can't get on the stage. They think they have a little money and want to establish a relationship with the imperial officials. If not forced by the situation...

Li Bian hummed again, and the master couldn't help but be curious when he saw him like this.

What do you mean, sir?

It doesn't matter, they have money, and we can just use their money. Li Bian showed a very confident smile, and he didn't know what kind of idea he came up with. He collapsed on the carriage and said with emotion, Look at it this way, It doesn't hurt to be stupid. Ha.

He let out a contemptuous laugh, took another soft pillow and placed it behind him, yawning.

Wake me up when you get home.

Yes, sir.

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After Li Bian left, the Feng family quickly canceled the banquet.

In the spacious hall, the seven or eight salt merchants who had been sitting with him were already sitting on both sides, each holding a teacup and sipping.

They were in good spirits. When they entertained Li Bian earlier, they were there shoulder to shoulder. In addition, he has a good drinking capacity, so he can still discuss matters with Feng Zhu.

When Feng Zhu saw that all the irrelevant personnel had been removed from the venue, he asked the servant who brought the chairs to close the door. Feng Zhu then got up and went to the back hall and invited the other salt merchants out one by one.

Soon, more than 20 people filled the hall. Everyone was in a very relaxed mood. Some were showing off what Li Bian had just said, and some were asking about who the other party said was the prime minister.

You idiot. A certain colleague glanced at the other person with disdain. This kind of new salt merchant has little knowledge. The prime minister is the current chief minister Gu Zaiyong and Mr. Gu Ge. The names of Nan Pei and Bei Gu are , you haven’t heard of it?”

Then... why are you calling me Prime Minister? Why don't you just call me Mr. Ge? The salt merchant, who was looked down upon, saw that the person who was replying was so powerful that he didn't want to contradict him, so he just complained softly.

If he didn't say that, how could he appear to be close to the Prime Minister?

Seeing that this person was a bit unreasonable, Feng Zhu intervened directly and said: Okay, we are all our own people, so speak carefully.

It’s not easy for him to be the first to bear the blame. If you have any complaints from below, you can only complain to him. If you have any problems from above, you can only complain to him.

He was caught between the inside and the outside. He had to explain things to his superiors and have friendship with his subordinates. He also had to prevent conflicts among the people below him, so as not to disturb the people's hearts on his side.

Feng Zhu shook his head, feeling deeply that it was not easy to be the leader. Seeing that there was gradually silence in the venue, he put down his tea cup and asked everyone what they thought of Li Bian.

After hearing the question, the salt merchants below had different opinions, each with their own opinions. But coming together in one place means that this person can give it a try. Apart from anything else, just the sight of Gu Zaiyong standing behind them made their hearts flutter. In recent years, they have also had great headaches with Wei and Lin.

Feng Zhu listened for a long time, but he was still a little dissatisfied, and he did not show any attitude of agreement or rejection.

Huang Wendong is one of the most prominent salt merchants in the field. The Huang family's fortune-making experience did not rely on the Feng family's connections, so they naturally didn't need to look at each other's eyes when speaking.

Brother Feng, do you have other opinions?

Feng Zhu didn't put on airs with him either. He now had a huge fortune and thousands of acres of fertile land. If it weren't for the people below, he would complain every day and ask him for a solution every day. He really didn't want to have sex with Magistrate Lin of the government office. If he couldn't do it, it wouldn't happen.

Isn’t Shen Wansan of the previous dynasty a living example?

These days, people who are too pushy will end up with a few bad consequences.

Feng Zhu coughed and asked everyone: You guys, between us and Master Li, who wants Master Lin to leave more?

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's horizons were opened immediately. People who can survive from the salt industry are hard to say whether they have the ability to read or not, and they are extremely capable of planning ghosts.

Hit! Leader, what you said is like the toilet suddenly opening, it really makes me enlightened. Someone immediately clapped their hands and flattered me.

What a mess. Feng Zhu scolded with a smile, and continued, I think that we all grew up in Yangzhou, so there is no need to get too serious with the government.

Now that Mr. Li has his own thoughts, even if we want to take this line, there is no need to rush now. Wouldn't it be better to just stand by and fan the fans until they decide the winner and then we end the game?

The salt merchants below all have their own plans in mind. Some nodded in agreement, while others remained silent. Among them, Huang Wendong was the most disdainful. He felt that Feng Zhuzhen was used to being the first to do things and was timid in doing things.

As a rising star among Yangzhou salt merchants, the Huang family's ability is superior to that of others, and they rely on their courageous and ruthless fighting style. Huang Wendong naturally inherited this recklessness. He is a person who dares to make big bets at critical moments.

Now that Li Bian is short of people in Yangzhou, his ideas are more decisive than Feng Zhu's. As long as he takes Gu Zaiyong's path, what kind of government officials will he have to worry about in the future?

Just like Sun Dasheng, jumping out of the Five Elements, wouldn't it be extremely joyful?

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When Chen Heng returned home, Mrs. Gu was holding the woman at home and talking about the excitement in the west of the city during the day. He leaned over and acted as a good boy for a while, listening to a few gossips with his mother, and only got up and went back to the house after dinner.

He was entrusted by the Feng family to find a place for their family in Yangzhou City.

The house doesn't need to be big, just a small single-family building. It is convenient for their mother and daughter to close the door and live their own lives.

Considering that the other party does not have much money on him, he must also take into account the safety of the environment. Chen Heng took out the latest issues of the newspaper and rummaged through the table with Xinda.

In Yangzhou, the cheapest housing prices are in the east part of the city. Although this place is crowded with people, no one with high status can bear the noise of this market place.

There is a government office in the north of the city, and there are not many vacant houses. To the south of the city is an area where wealthy families live. The advantage is that there are few people and it is close to Baobao Lake. This place is too expensive, let alone take a closer look. After the large-scale land reclamation in the west of the city, Gongyuan, Pilianfang and other places were added, and the rent was actually more expensive than in the east of the city.

From time to time, the two brothers circled the newspaper's information about renting houses in the east of the city, and occasionally communicated about the future of the Zhen family's mother and daughter.

Second brother, is it too late to send them to the horse racing workshop now? I think what Second Auntie means, their workshops are no longer hiring. Xinda thought about what Gu just said. , I always feel that Feng’s path is a bit difficult.

This is a good arrangement. The chief clerk at the government office who took over this matter has some friendship with us when we were working on disaster relief outside the city. I can ask him for help when the time comes and we should be able to solve it. If it really doesn't work, I have other ways.

Chen Heng shook his head, took the oil lamp from the side, and moved the newspaper in front of him, Come and take a look, how is this house?

Xinda came up. He had been running around more recently than Chen Heng. As soon as I saw the lot label, I thought about the location of the house in my mind, and quickly said, Second brother, this owner has a very bad reputation. I heard that the last tenant just couldn't get along, so he moved out. .”

Is there still such a thing? Chen Heng didn't worry and said patiently, Keep watching, keep watching.

The two of them were busy, and Ms. Gu, who was in a good mood, opened the door and walked in. She was holding two bowls of chicken soup in her hand. She shouted as soon as she entered the room, I told you brothers, you won't see anyone after dinner and hide in the house. What are you doing sneakily in the room?

Mom, we are looking for a house. Seeing that the head of the family was coming, Chen Heng quickly stood up from his seat and stepped forward to take the bowl from Gu's hand.

In the small bowl, the fragrant yellow chicken soup floats. Considering that the children were still young, Mrs. Gu didn't add any nourishing ingredients. It was just that Chen Heng had studied too hard recently, which made Mrs. Gu realize that it was time to make a bowl of chicken soup for her child.

She asked the children, Watch carefully what it does. Are you going to buy a house again?

Chen Heng didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He took a sip and quickly explained, Mom, how can I? It's not like I've found some gold mine, son. He told Gu about Feng's affairs in general, and the latter was very touched by what he heard. , immediately agreed.

I said, why are you trying so hard? Our neighbor next door is worried about finding a tenant. Don't you know?

This...I really don't know.

Chen Heng was also at a loss. When it snowed last year, he was still upstairs watching his neighbor's house clearing snow. Why did he suddenly want to move?

Their child will soon be old enough to study. We simply asked relatives to pool the money and went to the west of the city to buy a new house. Mrs. Gu sat down next to her and stared at the two little ones as they finished the chicken soup. Then he continued while putting away the bowl.

The yard is a bit small. But it is suitable for the mother and daughter you mentioned. The price is not high. They only rent it out and will take it back for their children in the future.

I just want to find some innocent people who love cleanliness and don't ruin their own land. Everything at home is also fully furnished, but any damage must be compensated according to the price.

Chen Heng couldn't help but nod his head. If this was really the case, that would be great. When he bought a house before, he had seen that yard. If it weren't for the small size, he would be very excited.

At that time, my neighbor had plans to sell his house and move to the west of the city, but he didn't expect that he still hasn't sold the house until now.

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After receiving the letter from Gu, Chen Heng did not dare to delay.

Early the next morning, I went out and blocked the door of my neighbor's house. While the other party went out to buy breakfast, the two families agreed on a time to view the house.

Chen Heng rushed to the inn without stopping to invite Mr. Feng. After the three people of the Zhen family arrived, they were all very satisfied with the house. I'm just very worried about the price, and I'm afraid I don't have enough money.

The original owner's surname was Liu. Although he spoke like a Yangzhou native, he could not lose his temper when dealing with orphans and widowed mothers. Two neighbors, Chen Heng and Chen Gaishan, were watching. They only said a few words about being careful, and spent a long time contemplating the price before finally agreeing to sign the document.

Seeing that something was done for his grandson, Chen Gaishan was laughing with joy. His recent days have been really boring.

The mother-in-law and several daughters-in-law all went to Zhifang Street in the west of the city to find a living. Both sons are busy with shops, and the grandson and granddaughter also have their own affairs.

Only this empty-nest old man is left, getting up early every day to cook for his family and sending his grandchildren to attend classes at the Lin Mansion. At the end of the day, apart from eating and sleeping. It's hard to find any fun.

Uncle, I was really busy just now. After collecting the paperwork, Feng still couldn't believe that he could rent the yard at such a low price, and quickly thanked Chen Gaishan.

If it weren't for the 70-year-old Chen Gaishan who was shouting loudly just now, how could the landlord named Liu have agreed so easily.

Chen Gaishan glanced at his precious grandson very proudly, as if to show off, Look at how awesome grandpa is. He then waved his hand towards Mr. Feng and said: From now on, we are all neighbors, so there is no need to be polite. Whatever happens to your family in the future, just take care of it. Just come and knock on our door.

Mrs. Feng took Yinglian and thanked her again and again. Chen Gaishan saw that their family was so polite and said, Have you had lunch? No, come to our house to eat. My eldest son comes home at noon. He is a carpenter. You guys are here. If you want anything, just tell him directly. I will ask him to make it and give it to you as a housewarming gift.

I can't do it, I can't do it. Feng didn't dare agree to this kind offer, but the more she refused, the more hospitable the peasants became.

Chen Gaishan didn't say much, just turned around and went out, I'm going to cook. Your family hasn't worshiped the Stove Lord today, and it can't light the fire. Just bring your two daughters to our house for dinner later.

What two daughters? Grandpa, the older one is their maid.

Chen Heng laughed loudly and was about to leave behind his grandfather. But his sleeves were pulled by Zhen Yinglian. Under Feng's gaze, he retracted his step and tried to persuade her: Auntie, please don't be polite to my grandfather. He has such a temper. If you don't come then, Our whole family is not very good at using chopsticks.

Seeing what Chen Heng said, Mrs. Feng felt very embarrassed and said, Your family has helped us so much. It's really hard to thank you enough.

Hearing this, Chen Heng imitated Chen Gaishan's tone and said, It's all fate. I didn't expect that we could become neighbors. We will just take care of each other in the future.

Seeing what he said like a young adult, Feng was also interested. She nodded with a smile and said, 'That's how it should be, let's take care of each other from now on.' Then she asked Yinglian to send Chen Heng out for her.

The two of them walked into the courtyard in silence. Chen Heng probably felt that things in the world were so wonderful. He stood in the smaller courtyard, pointed to the second-floor window of his house, and said, Do you know where that is?

Yinglian shook her head. She had been thinking about what to say in her mind. After thinking about it, he remained silent all the way. But Chen Heng thought she was cowardly and resigned, so he took the initiative to raise the topic.

That's my room. Chen Heng smiled and moved his fingers, Those two places belong to my second and third brothers. They are both flying monkeys. If I make you angry in the future, you Just teach them a lesson.

Ah... Yinglian's face turned red, she lowered her head and moaned softly, Yeah.

The two of them said nothing more until they parted. Seeing Chen Heng's figure disappearing from her door, Yinglian suddenly realized what she was going to say.

But looking at the other person without stopping, she had no choice but to look away. Standing where she was, Zhen Yinglian turned her head to look at her own home and then at Chen Heng's home. Suddenly I felt that it didn’t matter if I didn’t talk about it today, I could just leave it until tomorrow or next time.

At noon, the energetic Chen Gaishan cooked a table of dishes and invited the Zhen family over for dinner. The two families sat together, and the Chen family woman was also very hospitable. Seeing Feng, Yinglian, and Lvshui speak cautiously.

They each picked up people of similar seniority and chatted while eating. When country people eat, they really don’t have any taboos about eating. In addition, the children at home are still young, so the two families have a very lively meal together.

After dinner, Chen Qing and Chen Xian took Yinglian to their rooms to get acquainted with each other and play around.

Chen Heng didn't stay at home much in the afternoon. He went to Xue's house and started studying.

I didn't get home until evening and had dinner with my family. Chen Heng returned to his house and tidied up a little before opening the window to ventilate the room.

Fortunately, the window opposite was also open. Yinglian, who was wearing a simple light green cross-collar dress, stood in front of the window at some point, and her eyes met Chen Heng's gaze.

Like stars in the dark night, the girl's eyes lit up, and a pure and innocent smile appeared on her face without a veil.

Chen Heng was not surprised. The two families were neighbors, so such a coincidence was inevitable. It's just that I didn't notice it before, but now I look at it, and the two people's rooms are so close.

Across the bright moon in the middle, Chen Heng smiled and nodded at her.

Good evening.

Good evening...good evening.

Yinglian's reaction was similar to the past. Sometimes dull, sometimes too bold.

Chen Heng did not dare to look into the other party's room, but only looked at the bright moon in the sky.

The terrain of Yangzhou is flat, and the bright moon lights up their house all night long.

The two of them fell into silence for a while, and Chen Heng was about to leave and go downstairs to wash up. Zhen Yinglian suddenly said: Chen Heng.

Ah? Chen Heng was stunned. The ancients were so particular about etiquette, but it had been a long time since he had been called like that.

I...can I call you Chen Heng from now on?

Yinglian seemed to have thought about it for a long time. In fact, it stands to reason that since she is older than Chen Heng, it is okay to call her younger brother.

Chen Heng thought about it and just regarded it as a behavior between friends in later generations. He nodded and said, Okay.

Then you can also call me Yinglian.

Hahaha, okay.

The hearty laughter of the young man passed through the night.

Spring is here, and under the moonlight, there are still birds flying across the quiet sky.

Xinda put one hand on the door and was about to push it, feeling a hundred tangles in his heart.

No, second brother, how can I live here in the future if you are like this?

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After Chen Heng left, the open window was closed again by careful Xinda. Zhen Yinglian huddled in the corner by the window, the moonlight shone into the room through the wooden window, and the candlelight on the table had been extinguished.

She seemed to be thinking for a long time, looking at the shadow on the floor, which contained the shape of the wooden window and the curls of hair on her head.

Even in this dark little corner, the moonlight finally shone on her.

Thank you.

She said softly, next time we meet, why not make up for this sentence.

Hahahahahahahaha, Yinglian is so cute