Lin Ruhai probably talked too much and was a little tired, so she asked the housekeeper Lin Youquan to speak on her behalf.
Lin Youquan first bowed and saluted Jia Lian, and then said: "Master Hou has just returned to Beijing. Perhaps he doesn't know yet that at the end of last year, there was a big change in Yangzhou's salt administration!
Since our master left Yangzhou, the imperial court quickly dispatched new salt officials.
Who would have known that the entire Jiangnan Salt Administration back then was about 10% less than when our master was in office!
This is nothing, the imperial court may also know that when a new official takes office, it is difficult to take into account the overall situation, and even some omissions are common.
But who knew that last year’s Jiangnan salt tax was actually reduced by a full 30%!
His Majesty was furious and ordered that Yangzhou Salt Inspector An Zhiyuan be escorted to Beijing for interrogation...
Who would have known that An Zhiyuan died of illness on the way to Beijing."
"Died of illness?"
Jia Lian was a little surprised, how could such a coincidence happen in the world.
However, what does this have to do with him? He doesn't understand why Lin Ruhai wants to tell him about this.
"That's right. The news just came back to the capital a few days ago. Because it is related to the salt policy, someone made a special trip to inform our master.
Our master speculates that although there is no news about the imperial court now, it is only because the imperial court is still resting.
But this matter will definitely not be hidden, and it will definitely cause waves at the great meeting at the beginning of the year.
By then, I'm afraid that a bloody storm will arise in the entire Yangzhou officialdom."
Jia Lian nodded after hearing this. Lin Ruhai, as a person who has been in officialdom for more than 20 years, naturally has good political vision.
The salt tax was one of the most important taxes of the imperial court. It was related to the national power and was originally a top priority.
Although the abilities of each salt tax officer are different, and the salt tax policies are also somewhat different, if there is a sudden reduction of 30%, the court will naturally not agree.
If the Salt Patrol Censor could explain it clearly, then it would be okay. But why did he die on the way back to Beijing?
I'm afraid that anyone with a slightly skeptical spirit may think there's something fishy about this matter.
In addition, Jia Lian had some understanding of Emperor Ning Kang's temper.
Unless this incident was really a coincidence, Emperor Ning Kang would probably go on a killing spree.
"My nephew also agrees with my uncle's speculation.
If there is an inside story about this matter, I'm afraid the court won't let it go easily.
At that time, Yangzhou's officialdom will naturally be shaken.
I just don’t know what my uncle’s intention is in telling me this matter?”
Jia Lian was focused on his military exploits and title, and did not care much about the civil service group that governed the country.
Although he felt that this was a big deal, it had little to do with him, or even Lin Ruhai.
After all, Lin Ruhai had resigned a long time ago, and it was impossible to blame Lin Ruhai for the failure of the newcomer.
The key is, isn't he talking to Lin Ruhai about Daiyu? What's the purpose of Lin Ruhai suddenly saying this?
Lin Youquan continued: "Our master said that after this matter breaks out, the imperial court will most likely send imperial envoys to Jiangnan to inspect..."
When Lin Youquan said this, Lin Ruhai waved his hand slightly to stop, then looked at Jia Lian and said solemnly: "If this is really the case, I hope you can take the initiative to take this job down by then."
Jia Lian's brows wrinkled involuntarily.
He naturally understood what Lin Ruhai meant.
After all, the imperial court is thousands of miles away from Yangzhou. If the officials in Yangzhou cannot be trusted, they will naturally send people to inspect. This is not difficult to understand.
What makes it difficult for Jia Lian to understand is why Lin Ruhai cares so much about this matter and insists on him taking over the job?
Lin Ruhai seemed not to notice Jia Lian's doubts.
"Although who will be sent to investigate this case should be decided by the court, but with His Majesty's trust in you and my help, as long as you are willing to take the initiative to share His Majesty's worries, I believe Your Majesty will not refuse. ."
After hearing what Lin Ruhai said, Jia Lian probably understood.
Jia Lian was promoted to marquis by Emperor Ningkang, and this alone was enough to let people in the government and the public know that he was deeply favored by Emperor Ningkang.
In addition, Lin Ruhai had been the Yangzhou salt inspector for so many years, so he naturally knew the salt politics of Jiangnan well.
And based on his relationship with Lin Ruhai, as long as he personally asks Emperor Ningkang for an order, there is a high probability that Emperor Ningkang will agree to him.
After all, he was going to investigate, not to govern a party. As a marquis, he was qualified enough.
"My nephew, I dare to ask, why does my uncle insist on asking my nephew to take on this job?"
Jia Lian believed that Lin Ruhai would never make a decision casually even if he was so ill.
There must be a reason for him to do this.
Lin Ruhai smiled slightly and said: "Your Majesty has given me permission to return to my hometown when I am old and sick, so I decided to set off back to Jiangnan after the new year.
If you accept this mission, you can send me back to the south, why, you don't want to?"
Although Lin Ruhai's tone was gentle, the last rhetorical question was enough to show that Lin Ruhai was serious about talking to him.
He has not forgotten what Lin Ruhai said before, that this is the last request for him.
So he quickly handed over his hands and said: "Of course my nephew is willing to escort my uncle south...
However, my nephew thought that given his uncle's current situation, it would be better for him to stay in Beijing and recuperate.
Even if I feel homesick, it won’t be too late to go south after I recover.”
Everyone knows that patients cannot bear the fatigue of boating.
Jia Lian didn't understand why Lin Ruhai was so anxious to return to Jiangnan.
Lin Ruhai had known that Jia Lian would say this, "I know in my heart that there is no possibility of recovery from my illness.
If he had stayed in Beijing, he might have been able to live a few more days...
But have you ever thought about it, I only have one child, Yu'er. Once I die of illness in Beijing, all the funeral arrangements will have to fall on Yu'er alone. How will she cope with it at such a young age?
I know what you want to say. With you here, you can naturally help Yu'er?
But you are already holding two positions now, and there is no guarantee that His Majesty will not have other important trusts for you in the future.
What if you can't separate yourself then?"
Jia Lian fell silent.
He somewhat understood what Lin Ruhai meant.
Lin Ruhai probably knew that his days were numbered and did not want to die in a foreign country, so he wanted to return to Suzhou.
But he was worried that Daiyu would not be able to take care of his funeral alone, so he wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to let Jia Lian go south with them.
In this way, whether he went west on the road or died in Suzhou, as long as Jia Lian was in Jiangnan, Daiyu must have someone to rely on.
This is the simplest meaning. Considering that Lin Ruhai had just discussed Daiyu's life-long affairs with him, and suddenly proposed this condition, I am afraid that it must be a test for him.
After all, if he is unwilling to part with the comfort of the capital and is unwilling to accompany Daiyu to Suzhou, then his sincerity towards Daiyu may be questionable.
Sure enough, seeing Jia Lian's silence, Lin Ruhai asked calmly: "If you don't want to, I won't force you.
It's just a pain for Yu'er. In the future, I will have to support my coffin alone when I return home."
Jia Lian smiled bitterly in his heart, cupped his hands and said, "My uncle's words are serious. My nephew is willing to listen to my uncle's arrangements.
If the imperial court really wants to select someone to supervise this case, my nephew will definitely do his best to ask your majesty for this job."
Lin Ruhai immediately nodded and smiled, "Yes, I did not misjudge the person.
You don’t have to worry too much. I have experienced salt administration for several years, and I understand the salt administration in Jiangnan fairly well.
"The Sword Comes"
If I can successfully return to Jiangnan, I will be able to help you quickly open up the situation."
What else could Jia Lian say? He could only nod his head. He sighed a little in his heart. Was he a hard worker? Why did he always get caught?
She was Princess Zhaoyang last year, but now she has finally returned to Beijing and is forced to go to Jiangnan by Lin Ruhai...
I just secretly slandered, as long as things with Daiyu can go smoothly, not to mention the next trip to Jiangnan, even if it takes a few more trips, it will be worth it.
Another point.
If Lin Ruhai really died of illness, Jia Lian would not trust Daiyu to return home alone.
In this way, Lin Ruhai did not force him.
"Okay, I'm tired today too. As for the matter between you and Yu'er, don't rush it for the moment. It's the same thing to worry about it later.
By the way, you have to tell the old lady about this in advance. After all, she is Yu'er's direct grandmother, and she has loved Yu'er very much over the years."
Jia Lian nodded in agreement, and then Lin Ruhai asked him to go back first on the grounds that Jia Lian had just been knighted for the first time and should be busy.
Jia Lian also stood up, bowed and said goodbye, and finally said: "Uncle, I want to see Sister Lin again?"
The Lin family is a family of poets and writers, and Lin Ruhai specifically asked him to marry Daiyu with the etiquette of a concubine, which shows that Lin Ruhai pays attention to marriage etiquette.
Since the two families are discussing marriage, it is not suitable for men and women to meet. Thinking about it, Lin Ruhai does not hope that Jia Lian will visit Daiyu too frequently in the future.
Therefore, Jia Lian wanted to take advantage of today to talk to Daiyu again.
Lin Ruhai was stunned for a moment, then nodded, and Jia Lian left and went to the backyard.
After Jia Lian left, Lin Ruhai shook her head, as if she could see through Jia Lian's thoughts.
The old housekeeper next to him said with a smile: "Seeing that the Marquis cares so much about the young master, I finally got my wish."
Lin Ruhai smiled when he heard this and seemed to be quite satisfied with Jia Lian, but Lin Youquan persuaded him again: "Master, have you really decided to return home after the beginning of the new year?
The old slave thinks that it is better for the master to recover from his illness in the capital first, as the Marquis also said just now..."
Lin Ruhai stopped the old housekeeper's persuasion.
He had thought about this matter carefully and naturally had nothing to hesitate about.
Jiangnan Salt Administration was the most important undertaking in his life. Emperor Ning Kang even made an exception and transferred him back to the central government and was appointed to the Lantai Mansion.
As the chief seal officer of one of the central yamen, he is commonly known as "Jiu Qing". This resume is enough to make him famous in history.
What civil servants like him care most about is leaving a name in history.
This is also the ultimate dream of those second- and third-rank officials, which is to be able to join the cabinet one day, or at least be ranked among the ninth ministers.
Emperor Ningkang treated him well, so this was his last service for Emperor Ningkang.
With his understanding of Yangzhou's salt policy and the young and promising Jia Lian as his sharp edge, he was confident that he could handle this matter well for Emperor Ning Kang.
This is just one of them, there is another one.
Although he agreed to give Daiyu to Jia Lian, he was still a little unwilling.
He also wanted to see whether Jia Lian's treatment of Daiyu was as sincere as he said.
Although he knew from Daiyu's feedback that Jia Lian had taken good care of Daiyu in the Jia Mansion over the years, he had not seen it with his own eyes.
If Jia Lian could go south with them this time, he would have enough opportunities to conduct a final inspection of Jia Lian.
Even if he worries too much, it's not too much.
Asking Jia Lian to accompany Dai Yunan on the next trip can be regarded as giving the two children more opportunities to be alone together and cultivate a deeper relationship.
Lin Ruhai didn't think that the title of concubine was enough to stabilize Daiyu's position in the Duke's palace.
Only a deeper and more sincere relationship with Jia Lian can truly protect Yu'er.