Chapter 5, The Proper Use of Power

Well, I don't know how that rascal knows all this

The tone is somewhat hesitant, fearing that a good deed may merely be an illusion

Having been born in Jinling, I have heard much about the salt merchants of Yangzhou

The brothers of the Zong family are truly spirited

What is so strange about this

Hello, I just finished a meal and took a stroll around the garden. How could I not feel invigorated?

Lin Ruhai has held the position of the Salt Supervisor in Yangzhou for many years. If he were unable to handle such trivial matters, he would have long been devoured to the point of leaving no bones behind

Seeing the head maid, Madam Xing was in a very good mood at this moment and did not mind anything. She waved her hand and said, "Since Cong'er is hungry, let us go to the big kitchen and bring back dinner"

As long as one is not greedy, it is for the sake of Sister Lin to live more comfortably in our residence, Uncle Lin will not refuse and will also help to make proper arrangements

As a result, Jia She wanted to drink and have fun with his concubine, and he simply had no time to pay attention to Lin Daiyu, his niece. Naturally, the maid who responded did not foolishly state it so bluntly.

Madam, I cannot say for certain!

Jia Cong said with a smile, "Of course, the premise is that Madam can persuade Sister Lin to help; who knows, the second branch might have similar thoughts as well"

Upon mentioning the second house, Madam Xing immediately became spirited and filled with fighting spirit, casting aside all concerns. The allure of the bright silver also captivated her, prompting her to make a decision on the spot

Jia Cong said with a smile, "Sister Lin doesn't seem to be in good spirits. Are you feeling fatigued from the journey?"

It is no joke that in modern society, traveling by plane or high-speed train between Yangzhou and the capital can leave adults feeling fatigued. How much more so for Lin Daiyu, who endured a long journey by boat for over a month?

Madam Xing came to her senses, glanced at Lin Daiyu, and indeed found it to be the case. She hurriedly called out, "Go and ask when the master is free!"

After leaving the main courtyard where Lady Xing resided, he took the initiative to visit the inexpensive father, Jia She, to pay his respects. However, he was driven away before he could even enter the door. He did not take it to heart; as long as he was not caught in a breach of etiquette, it was fine by him. He certainly did not want to be accused of failing in filial piety, as his inexpensive father was the greatest example of what not to do.

This is the third child of your maternal uncle's family, named Jia Cong. He is a restless little monkey, and when you have some free time, feel free to call him over to play

Hmph, I will not allow them to succeed

Since it is known that Lady Xing is greedy and stingy, we should make arrangements accordingly. Engaging in acts of generosity on behalf of others poses no psychological burden at all

How many taels of silver can be exchanged for several portions of salt?

Jia Cong, calm and composed, said leisurely: "Through Sister Lin and Uncle Lin, there should still be relatives of the lady in Jinling. It wouldn't be a problem to find someone trustworthy to help deliver a letter and ask for a few more salt vouchers; it would turn into a pile of white silver!"

Upon turning back, seeing that Jia Cong was still lingering and had not left, his expression suddenly changed. He waved his hand and coldly snorted, "Where is your wet nurse? Where has she gone?"

Madam Xing's expression was rather unpleasant, yet she could only help to smooth things over by sending Lin Daiyu to the second room

Well, how to say it

Disregarding Madam Xing's harsh attitude and tone, Jia Cong paid no mind at all, treating it as mere background noise. He stepped forward with a grin and said, "Just a little tinkering, and it's all shiny silver!"

Madam, you are wise

As for whether doing so is legal or illegal, he did not care at all

Jia Cong, with a playful smile and a guilty conscience, exclaimed, glancing at the slanting sunlight outside, and said to the nearby maid, "What time is it now, why hasn't dinner been served yet?"

Can it really be done this way

I have met Sister Lin

In Wang Shanbao's family, do you think what that rascal said is possible to achieve

In the original owner's simple memory, there are many contents regarding filial piety, and the Rongguo Mansion places considerable emphasis on education in this regard

Jia Zong smiled and greeted Lin Daiyu, making the young girl feel quite embarrassed

After arriving at the courtyard where the First General's residence is located, I got into the carriage and felt somewhat uneasy, as if I had been deceived.

Well, what are you still doing here? Aren't you going back? Are you looking for a beating?

At such a young age, not having fallen ill is already considered a sign of good health

Oh dear, I completely forgot about Daiyu's fatigue from her journey

Casually tossing the bare chicken leg bone onto the table, and taking a small piece of crispy meat to stuff into his mouth, Jia Cong nonchalantly mumbled, "The stewards in the residence have certainly been out and about, using the name of the Rongguo Mansion to make money. What I said is merely imitating that, and relying on the influence of Uncle Lin. What’s the big deal about it?"

Very simple

Covering her mouth with a light laugh, Lin Daiyu's spirit visibly relaxed, her brows and eyes showing a reduction in sorrow. Perhaps it was a natural reaction to seeing her peers, or perhaps it was influenced by Jia Cong's playful and unserious demeanor.

On the way back, I activated the method of breathing to transport vital energy, accelerating digestion and strengthening the body

The esteemed guest, Lin Daiyu, was met with a demeanor of considerable kindness from Madam Xing, who did not make Jia Cong feel embarrassed; however, she did not forget to include a slight remark during the introduction.

After speaking, he affectionately patted Jia Cong's small shoulder, took along Wang Shanbao's family and the head maid, and left, saying: "I am going to Rongqing Hall, Cong'er can use it by himself for now"

It is merely a source of income; if the family of the convict could truly manage to enter the ranks of salt merchants, Jia Cong would have to regard them with a higher level of respect.

Madam, Sister Lin's family is indeed a prominent family from Suzhou, and her father is a salt inspector in Yangzhou. Do you have no thoughts on this matter?

After setting the fire, Jia Cong would not reveal all his thoughts, as he was quite clear about the temperament of Madam Xing

Wang Shanbao's family also had some hesitation, and he said, "However, what Third Master said is not without reason; we must give it a try, after all, it is a source of income!"

Madam Xing felt somewhat moved, yet also hesitant, and nervously asked: "There won't be any problems, will there?"

Wang Shanbao's family responded, and they had to turn back halfway to the courtyard of the General's residence. Just in time, they saw Jia Cong feasting heartily, his mouth glistening with grease. Unable to suppress her curiosity, she hurriedly asked, as she was indeed troubled by doubts in her heart

Once you lose your utility, be prepared to be abandoned after crossing the river

Madam Xing felt a slight sense of comfort, as if recalling something, and directly instructed: "You go back and ask that young man where he learned all this, and clarify it!"

Wang Shanbao's family is speechless; Jia Cong's reasoning is indeed sufficient. She is well aware of how the powerful officials in the residence behave outside, and she has long harbored various feelings of envy and jealousy. Now that there is an opportunity to learn a thing or two, she is quite pleased.

The main residence of Madam Xing

The description of her delicate demeanor at the beginning of "Dream of the Red Chamber" is simply baffling

By the time she snapped back from her beautiful reverie and wanted to inquire about the specific details again, Jia Cong had already eaten his fill and made his escape, leaving behind a table in disarray

In the future, I will still need to rely on Madam Xing for food and drink; how can I not give prior notice?

The words 'white and shining silver' immediately triggered the sensitive nerves of Madam Xing, causing her to react with bright eyes, staring at Jia Cong with a noticeably more amiable tone.