Chapter 0004: Those who grasp with both hands are perhaps hoping to achieve success in the game of chicken
If Lin Ruhai is truly very cautious and careful, and no accidents were to occur, then the only person who is both suspicious and capable of taking action would be Fang Yu
A crisp voice rang out in the garden, and without needing to turn around, one could tell that the sharp-tongued Lin Daiyu had arrived
Wang Xiao's expression was subtly peculiar. "Of course it is feasible, but the salt merchants all have powerful backers. If we disturb their interests, the backlash will surely be severe. My uncle's sudden serious illness must be related to this."
Jia Lian, a character in "Dream of the Red Chamber," is most widely known for his lecherous nature
With a grayish complexion, bloodshot eyes, and emaciated limbs, Lin Ruhai leaned against the sickbed
Please call He Meng over here
The rank of the salt administration office is not actually high, but its influence is significant. It can be said to hold the authority over the entire salt routes of Jiangnan.
Hahahaha ~ ~ ~
Fang Yu is a concubine of the Fang family, a salt merchant. When Lin Ruhai came to Yangzhou, she was sent to serve as a maid. She is primarily responsible for managing the daily necessities of the household.
Wang Xiao stepped aside to brew tea. "Of course, such matters must be conducted discreetly; it is entirely normal not to detect them. Since my uncle acts with caution, it is inevitable that someone around him has been bribed or coerced. However, there are likely not many who possess both the capability and the intent to target my uncle. If the conditions align, that person must certainly be the culprit. This type of chronic poison is most feared for its long-term use; cutting off the source and then tracing the culprit to find the antidote is not an impossible task."
"Sister Lin, please do not be angry," Wang Xiao said with a smile as he looked at her. "I go out to drink and socialize in order to gather intelligence. This is not about catching chicks; this is about honing my skills."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, "So that means it is poisoning."
His previous thoughts were entirely focused on healing his own body, and it is also possible that the poisoning affected his mind, leading him not to consider these aspects at all
Entering Lin Ruhai's bedroom, the strong smell of medicine in the air is quite pungent
He Meng was called in, and Wang Xiao exited the room to stretch in the garden
In this era, Lin Ruhai may choose not to take a legitimate wife, but he will not be lacking in concubines by his side
He Meng was the imperial guard assigned to Lin Ruhai when he traveled to Hainan. In addition to protecting Lin Ruhai, he also undertook some private tasks.
Wang Xiao stood up with a smile and gestured, "Your brother is a peerless master; there is no need to grab with hands when playing games. When the day comes that my little sister is in danger, let us see how your brother will heroically save the beauty"
Hearing these words, Wang Xiao's face turned dark. This reputation is undoubtedly ruined beyond repair
Therefore, Wang Xiao regretfully declined this invitation
The previous generation produced four great talents, but this generation has fallen into disarray and is unrecognizable.
This place is also regarded as the richest and most lucrative location in the world
The greatest difficulty in this task lies in the fact that Lin Ruhai is truly suffering from an incurable disease. In that case, Wang Xiao has no choice but to face failure in the mission. He is not a doctor.
Return to the Salt Censorate!
Wang Xiao came here to complete a mission, not to indulge in a life of luxury and pleasure. He greatly appreciates the world of "Dream of the Red Chamber," but he does not wish to visit just once and never have the opportunity to return.
If it were poisoning, after all, it was not an immediate death from poison, but rather a prolonged struggle lasting more than a year before ultimately succumbing. This implies that there was still hope for salvation
Lin Ruhai snorted and said, "Do you think this matter is feasible?"
It was only today that I arrived here. After visiting Lin Ruhai, Wang Xiao ran out to drink, which greatly displeased the already heartbroken Lin Daiyu
Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai's expression immediately changed.
It can be said that Lin Ruhai has done exceptionally well, but the current emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty is quite impatient. He is eager to restore the salt tax revenue to the peak level of over 10 million taels as soon as possible, which is why the matter of reorganizing the salt administration has arisen
Lin Ruhai sat up straight, moved by emotion, and said, "Then what do you think, why are they like this?"
Lin Daiyu's mother, Jia Min, passed away many years ago, and since then, Lin Ruhai never remarried. In this era, he can be considered a devoted man
What he needs to do now is to go to Lin Ruhai's side to investigate and clarify what issue this salt inspector is facing
Harmed by others, yet unaware of how it was done. Many renowned doctors have been consulted, but they all say they cannot find the cause of the illness
Before Lin Ruhai took office, the position of the salt inspector had seen three changes in five years, all of whom were executed.
Of course, as long as one is a man, there is no such thing as being overly lustful; this cannot be considered a flaw.
Wang Xiao bid farewell to the young salt merchants and exited the tavern. His attendant Zhao Qing hurried over to inquire, "Second Master, which painting boat shall we go to?"
However, Lin Mei-mei's intelligence is also exceptional, and in an instant, she broke into laughter
Oh ~ ~ ~ Is Second Brother catching chicks?
After Lin Ruhai took office, he executed a considerable number of salt merchants, and the revenue from salt administration has been increasing year by year. Last year, the income from salt administration had already exceeded 5 million taels.
The few lively characters of the Jia family need not be mentioned; the two lords of the Shi family are even more comical. The Xue family began to decline after the death of Xue Baochai's father. However, the Wang family produced a Prince Teng who barely managed to hold the scene, yet it is evident that Lin Ruhai looked down on him entirely
In the room on the third floor by the window of the restaurant, Jiang Biehe, who had previously smiled like a blooming flower in front of Wang Xiao, now wore a stern expression. As he watched Wang Xiao's carriage gradually recede, he quietly instructed the attendant beside him, "Go back and report to the master, this Jia Lian is somewhat inscrutable."
It is not that it cannot be done, but rather that it must not be done
The crux of this matter lies in the cancellation of the secondary agency qualifications of the salt merchants, transferring all control to the imperial court
As for the next generation, the heroes like Jia Baoyu, who is surrounded by indulgence, and the notorious Xue Bawang, are all nothing but worthless scions. In contrast, many of the younger women have truly shone.
Recently, it was said that Fang Yu's mother was gravely ill, and she returned home to stay for a while. After coming back, she seemed somewhat distracted. The meals and medicinal soups in the back house were all managed by her
Upon hearing Wang Xiao's words, I was suddenly enlightened
Wang Xiao's words drew a gaze of admiration from Lin Ruhai towards him
This task is quite simple as well. Sitting down on the stone bench in the garden, Wang Xiao gestured with his hands, practicing the Eagle Claw technique. "If we cut off the subsequent intake of the chronic poison, we should be able to save Lin Ruhai. If that doesn't work, tracing the source of the poison to find the antidote should also be quite convenient"
However, the matter is still merely at the stage of rumors. Previously, Lin Ruhai, who was in good health, suddenly fell gravely ill. To say that there is no connection in this, at least Wang Xiao does not believe it.
The serious illness of that uncle is ... ...
Are you satisfied with the food at the banquet?" Lin Ruhai asked with his eyes narrowed.
It is said that this is an unparalleled martial art
Wang Xiao, oblivious to Lin Ruhai's changes, spoke his own opinions: "Although the Jia family is of high status, they are far from the capital. Moreover, over the years, their influence has gradually waned. As for me, I am an unaccomplished scion, and it is truly perplexing that the salt merchants are so warmly welcoming me"
The Fang family may have been coerced, but they are certainly involved. If one wishes to ascertain the truth, it is quite simple; one only needs to send someone to investigate the mother of Aunt Fang.
The carriage proceeded along the way and arrived in front of a large mansion
The previous Duke of Rongguo, Jia Daishan, was the father-in-law of Lin Ruhai and a remarkable figure known for his literary and martial prowess. He was also a pillar of the previous generation's Four Great Families
Lin Daiyu covered her mouth and smiled, "That girl is just waiting to see."
The words of the esteemed one surely express an eagerness to meet that young lady of the bright moon on the boat. However, Wang Xiao cannot do so.
What else can Wang Xiao say? He certainly cannot claim to be a visitor from another world. The original Jia Lian is still that useless Jia Lian.
At this moment, I originally intended to make a habitual sarcastic remark, but unexpectedly, Wang Xiao, who was previously regarded as having a beautiful exterior but a flawed interior, directly revealed his thoughts, something that even Young Master Bao had never accomplished.
Regarding the reputation of this nephew, he has been well-known for quite some time. He arrived here only at noon and went out to drink in the evening. The Jia family truly has no successors.
Lin Ruhai opened his eyes in surprise and looked at Wang Xiao. He had originally thought that Wang Xiao would say something like the drinks are good, the dishes are delicious, or the singer is beautiful. He did not expect to hear a serious response, which was truly beyond his imagination
With a firm resolution in his heart, Lin Ruhai closed his eyes and leaned against the headboard, allowing Wang Xiao to go out and call for help
Entering the courtyard, I made my way to the bedroom door of Lin Ruhai in the rear residence.
For the salt merchants, restructuring the salt industry is tantamount to taking their lives, and the person chosen to carry out this task is undoubtedly Lin Ruhai
I have indeed heard of it
"Reply to Uncle Gu. " Wang Xiao cupped his hands in salute, "The salt merchants of Yangzhou are excessively enthusiastic"
Previously, the annual tax revenue from the salt administration was merely over one hundred thousand taels of silver, which greatly angered the current emperor. Subsequently, he dispatched his trusted minister Lin Ruhai to this place to reform the salt affairs
Wang Xiao's tone was unkind, leaving Zhao Qing feeling deeply wronged. He thought to himself, wasn't it the second master who had been constantly talking about going to Shouxihu? How did he change his mind so suddenly
Lin Ruhai glared with gritted teeth, "I thought she was a worried mother, but I never expected it, truly unexpected!"
Once the mission to save Lin Ruhai fails, there will no longer be any opportunity to enter the Dream of the Red Chamber. Even having a world anchor will not suffice
The wealth of the salt merchants derives from their large-scale trade in private salt. The popularity of private salt results in the inability to sell government salt
Lin Daiyu was taken aback; her thoughts were unexpectedly discerned by Wang Xiao with just a single sentence
Wang Xiao tidied up the clothes and then walked in after the announcement
Wang Xiao slightly leaned forward and said, "They are worried, worried that my arrival will have an adverse impact on them. They have subtly inquired about this several times at the banquet. This has left my nephew very puzzled; what are they afraid of?"
Lin Ruhai is undoubtedly a trusted confidant of the current emperor. If he were not a trusted confidant, he would not be able to hold this lucrative position for so many years
I have always been concerned that after the passing of the late Duke Rongguo, the four great families would be left without successors, but now I can finally rest easy
Coughing a few times, Lin Ruhai looked puzzled and said, "I have been cautious during my years in Yangzhou. This time, however, there were no signs at all."
Which is it for you to go drink, that is the matter of Feng Lazi. Are you trying to catch a chicken with your two hands?
In front of the courtyard stands a tall gatehouse, with the four large characters 'Yangzhou Salt Administration' inscribed on the plaque
The consumption of salt worldwide is determined by the population, and the total amount is fixed. If everyone buys illicit salt, then the government salt will not generate profit and will not collect taxes
Lin Ruhai opened his eyes and laughed heartily, "You previously said that you are not capable, but I do not agree. Among the younger generation of the Four Great Families, you are undoubtedly the best."
Lin Ruhai leaned against the headboard and closed his eyes. "You have been in the capital for a long time, have you heard about the salt administration matters?"