Chapter 340

Rongguo Prefecture, outside Rongqing Hall.

Just past the hour of the snake, Daiyu took Hearing Zi Juan to Rongqing Hall to pay respects to Jia Mu.

She had been weak since childhood and was born afraid of the cold. Although her body had improved a lot in the past two years, she still didn't like the cold of winter and spring. Summer was the most comfortable for her, and she would often take Hearing Zi Juan out for a walk.

Today, she wore a cyan-inlaid pink-blue floral vest, with a white round-necked thin silk jacket inside, and a plain white long skirt. Her clothing was elegant and graceful, indescribably delicate and moving.

The two had just bypassed the marble screen and hadn't reached the door when they saw Lin Zhixiao's wife turning from the left side room into the hall.

Daiyu knew that since the Lai family was convicted last year, the Lai brothers were involved in several murder cases, and they were executed after autumn, which sounded truly scary.

That Old Maid Lai, who had served the Old Ancestor for half her life, was now raised in a small house outside the mansion. The Old Ancestor resented her son for ruining the Jia family's style and assets, and from then on, she was not allowed to enter the mansion to see her.

Now that Lin Zhixiao had become the chief steward of the Jia mansion, Lin Zhixiao's wife managed the inner courtyard affairs, running between the Old Ancestor and Sister Feng daily, talking about household chores.

Daiyu was, after all, a relative from outside. When encountering such steward affairs, she mostly had to avoid them to avoid suspicion. Besides, she had always disliked these trivial matters in the back courtyard.

Daiyu smiled, "I am here to tip off Third Brother today. How will you thank me?"

Lin Zhixiao's wife knew that Daiyu was from a scholarly family, full of knowledge, intelligent, and a person with a crystal heart. She was usually a worry-free person and rarely ordered others to do things.

Daiyu smiled, "This is Rongqing Hall. She will definitely not let others do it; she will always have to handle it herself."

Moreover, it was related to her Third Brother, so she paid more attention in her heart. She knew that some time ago, the descendants of the Jia family's side branches had had designs on the East Mansion's title property, but they didn't succeed.

I guess someone wants to donate the land under their name to my name to avoid paying the summer and autumn taxes. Since Lin Zhixiao's wife would go to talk to the Old Lady about this, the person donating must be a side branch of the Jia family in the Love Shenjing.

Not long after Daiyu left, Lin Zhixiao's wife came out of the hall. Hearing Zi Juan greeted her and smiled, "Lin Qu Da Niang, our young lady was just asking me to find you."

The eldest daughter of the Lin family was the Old Ancestor's heart. Only by handling her affairs personally could she meet the Old Ancestor's wishes.

Knowing that her young lady's heart was all on Cong Sanye, after hearing Daiyu's words, how could she not know her meaning?

Jia Cong looked at Daiyu in surprise.

Count's mansion, Jia Cong's courtyard.

Hearing Zi Juan heard this and blinked. Actually, she had also heard the fragments in the hall just now. She had served Daiyu for many years and had long been of one heart.

Daiyu asked curiously, "I only heard a few words, and Third Brother actually guessed it. Tell me about it."

Therefore, she couldn't help but care about Daiyu's affairs.

Smiling, she asked what it was. Hearing Zi Juan told her Daiyu's words just now.

Smiling at Daiyu, "Although sister didn't hear it completely, I probably guessed what happened."

Lin Zhixiao's wife knew that Hearing Zi Juan was Daiyu's confidante, and this Miss Lin was the Old Ancestor's heart, so she naturally didn't dare to be half-negligent.

Jia Cong heard the words "field property," "summer tax," etc., his expression moved slightly. He walked back and forth in the study twice, and suddenly understood.

Ever since he listened to Liu Jing'an's analysis at Mount Luocang that day, Jia Cong decided to take the provincial examination next year, so he would take time to review the classics and essays every day.

Now that she mentioned things like Third Brother's field property to the Old Lady, it always feels a bit bad.

Otherwise, Lin Zhixiao's wife would never have come to ask for this humiliation."

Daiyu's pretty face flushed slightly, "Hmph, you talk too much."

Suddenly heard Qingwen outside say, "Miss Lin is here."

But she is not as good-natured as the second young lady. If you dare to mix sand in her eyes, this little girl's sharp tongue will not be polite to you. Besides, there is the Old Ancestor who dotes on her.

Daiyu knew that Lin Zhixiao and his wife were the Old Ancestor's confidants. Although Sister Feng managed the family affairs, she still had to give these two face daily.

But she asked, "If I say it, and Lin Qu Da Niang lets others handle it, what should I do?"

Hearing Zi Juan saw that Lin Zhixiao's wife really came to handle it personally, and couldn't help but admire her young lady for being as wise as a god.

Hearing Zi Juan was a bit enlightened, smiled and whispered in Daiyu's ear, "Young lady, don't worry. I'll wait here. If you have anything to do, just go ahead."

Lin Zhixiao's wife is a shrewd person. Hearing Zi Juan said this at the door of Rongqing Hall. The maids at the door will definitely pass the message to the Old Ancestor.

As for the matter she talked to the Old Lady in the hall just now, it's nothing more than someone asking for a favor, and it doesn't matter if it's a bit later in the evening.

Daiyu walked away a few steps and said, "You wait here. When Lin Qu Da Niang comes out, tell her that the gauze curtains on the windows in my room have faded, and ask her to send someone to change them."

Daiyu said, "I heard Lin Zhixiao's wife talking to the Old Lady about the field property under your name, as well as the summer tax and so on. I didn't hear it clearly, but it doesn't seem like a good thing. Third Brother, be careful."

Just as she turned around, the voice of Lin Zhixiao's wife came from behind the soft curtain, mentioning Cong Sanye Cong, field property, summer tax, and other words.

Jia Cong smiled slightly, "In this bright sun, why did sister come alone without Hearing Zi Juan following? The sun is poisonous in the hot summer. You should go out after the hour of the sheep in the future, otherwise, heatstroke is no joke."

Jia Cong said, "After I was granted the title of Count, I had a quota of 3,200 mu of tax-exempt land. Now that the Emperor has issued new policies, the tax-exempt land for officials and gentry has been reduced to 30%, so there is still a quota of 1,000 mu."

Jia Cong put down the book and saw Daiyu walking in with a fan, smiling. Seeing him, she said, "Third Brother is really only reading the books of sages behind closed doors. You will surely be able to win the laurel in the palace examination next year."

Although Daiyu was full of poetry and books, she was straightforward and intelligent, and didn't like to calculate every penny, but that didn't mean she knew nothing about miscellaneous affairs.

She grew up in the Lin family of Gusu, which had been a noble family for five generations, and was used to seeing the world. Her mother, Jia Min, was also an extremely shrewd woman, and she had received much instruction in her childhood.

Plus, she grew up in a great family like the Jia family since childhood, and had seen many of the tricks and schemes of big families. Although she despised them in her heart, it didn't mean she didn't know.

"Oh, you young lady rarely asks people to do things. It just so happens that there is extra Xiaying gauze in the warehouse. I will bring someone to change it for your young lady right away."

Daiyu said, "Those people must know that Third Brother doesn't want to get involved in these things, so they went around to find the Old Lady. Will Third Brother agree?"

Jia Cong explained, "The Emperor introduced the new policy of reducing tax-exempt land for officials and gentry and taxing based on land, which is to reduce the empty consumption of national salary by officials and gentry, and let those with money and land pay more taxes, and those without land and property pay less taxes."

"This is a good policy that is for the public good, cares for the people, and opens up national revenue."

"Now that the new policy is being implemented, many officials and nobles outside don't have enough tax-exempt land, so they can only clear the donated land and return it to the original family. These people are looking everywhere for new households to donate to."

"The Emperor is vigorously promoting the new policy, but they still want to transfer it to other families, swallow national taxes, and sit back and enjoy the fruits."

"I am also an official of the imperial court, so naturally, I shouldn't do this kind of act of abandoning the new policy."

Daiyu smiled, "When I was young, I heard my father say that since the Yong'an Dynasty, there has been talk of new parties and old parties in the imperial court. Third Brother promotes new policies, so he is a new party?"

Jia Cong replied, "Although the new party is named after reforming corrupt policies, the words they speak are not all new and good, and they are also unfair in some places."

"Although the old party is named after adhering to old rules, what they insist on is not all rigid and rotten theories. There are also laws that have not changed for a hundred generations, which cannot be generalized."

"I am not a new party, nor am I an old party. I only identify with what is correct."

Daiyu is a woman in the boudoir. Although she doesn't understand the political affairs of the imperial court, she is full of talent and intelligent. She naturally understands Jia Cong's words.

Jia Cong's words only distinguish between good and evil, distinguish between right and wrong, do not involve fences, and do not fall into clichés, which is really thought-provoking, making her eyes flash with brilliance.

"Third Brother, you are truly amazing!"

As for where Jia Cong is amazing, Daiyu couldn't say, she just felt that it suited her heart.

Jia Cong saw that she was interesting, and looked at her with a smile. The sunlight outside the window was dazzling, shining on Daiyu's beautiful face, her eyebrows moving, and every detail was visible.

There was a layer of fine sweat on her smooth forehead, which looked a bit pitiful and a bit playful.

Jia Cong smiled, "On such a hot day, you must have come too quickly. There is sweat on your forehead. If the wind blows, you will easily catch a cold. Your body is not strong, and you don't pay attention to yourself."

As he spoke, he took a handkerchief from his sleeve and gently wiped the sweat on Daiyu's forehead. His movements were gentle, just like wiping a precious piece of porcelain.

Daiyu's pretty face was slightly flushed, but she didn't dodge Jia Cong's movements, and even narrowed her eyes slightly, letting him wipe the sweat.

Since ancient times, it has been said that men and women should not sit together after the age of seven. Although they grew up together in the garden, Daiyu hadn't reached the age of marriage, and they could usually talk without taboo, but Jia Cong's movement was a bit too intimate...

Jia Cong is a person of later generations and doesn't care much about these defenses between men and women.

Daiyu is straightforward by nature, with soft feelings and clear intentions. What her heart thinks, she doesn't want to cover up.

A pretty figure flashed outside the door and then quietly retreated.

Yingchun had originally come to find Jia Cong to talk, but she caught up with Zhi Shao and Wu'er going to Liu Sao's place, and Qingwen and Zhen Ying Lian also happened to walk away. She entered the courtyard and no one announced her.

She happened to see Jia Cong and Daiyu's actions. Yingchun felt a bit hot and her heart beat fast. She was afraid of encountering embarrassment if she went in, so she quietly retreated.

Yingchun was not as sharp as Seeing Tan Chun. Seeing Tan Chun had long ago determined the clues from the sachet Jia Cong carried with him.

Yingchun's thoughts in this regard were slightly slower, but girls are not too stupid in these aspects. This year, she also vaguely noticed that Brother Cong was different toward Lin Meimei.

She thought it was because they were cousins, grew up together, and grew up year by year, and finally developed feelings.

However, Yingchun felt that this was not a bad thing, and even quite good.

It's just that this matter is not yet certain. You must not let the Old Lady see the traces, otherwise, it will be another big trouble.

There are quite a few people who know about the Old Lady's thoughts on Baoyu and Lin Meimei.

Rongguo Prefecture, Sister Feng's courtyard.

Xing'er's wife took the account book from outside and entered Sister Feng's courtyard with a nervous face.

She was Wang Xifeng's maid, married into the Jia mansion with Wang Xifeng, and was given to Jia Lian's servant Xing'er. Both husband and wife were Sister Feng's confidants.

Xing'er's wife had always been in charge of collecting accounts outside, and even the secret matter of Wang Xifeng secretly lending money at high interest was handled by Xing'er's wife outside, which shows Wang Xifeng's trust in her.

Xing'er's wife entered the outer hall but didn't enter the inner room. Instead, she went to see Ping'er first, said a few words, and then took out the account book she was holding.

She also pointed out the key points to Ping'er.

Ping'er had been helping Wang Xifeng handle inner courtyard affairs for several years and naturally understood the ways. After reading it, she was also startled and asked, "How could there be such a big deficit? How can this be done year after year?"

Xing'er's wife had a bitter face and said, "Now the imperial court has changed the method. Starting from this year's summer harvest, everything must be done according to this method. There was no such item in previous years, and it must be added from now on."

The account book is the deficit of the manor near the Love Shenjing of the mansion, as well as the number reported by Jin Cai from the old house in Jin Ling, waiting for the grandmother of the mansion to make a decision on whether to hand it over.

It must be decided before August. Jin Ling is still waiting for the mansion's approval."

Ping'er's face was also ugly, "You are in charge of the accounts outside. You know that the mansion's income has a fixed number every year, and it is not very generous. With such a large deficit, I'm afraid the grandmother can't make a decision either."

Ping'er brought Wang'er's wife into the inner room. Wang Xifeng hadn't been feeling well for the past few days, and there was even a plum blossom ointment on her temple.

It was currently the seventh month, which was the time for the mansion to count the harvest of the first half of the year, and it was also the busiest time for Wang Xifeng twice a year.

Every year, the income from the mansion's shops, manors, etc., had to be inventoried in the first half of the year. This was a cumbersome affair.

And the mansion's regular monthly money, procurement, welcoming and sending off, manpower allocation, clothing and jewelry for the wives and young ladies of each room, the clothing, stationery, etc., for the masters, and the expenses of the clan school, were all miscellaneous affairs that could not be left behind.

Although Wang Xifeng's father was also the legitimate son of the Wang family, he was the least capable among the brothers. Compared with his brother Wang Ziteng, it was simply the difference between heaven and earth.

Therefore, before Wang Xifeng married, she was not a very favored young lady in the Wang family, and her sense of existence in the family was not very strong.

But she was a person with schemes since childhood and liked to be close to her shrewd and powerful aunt. Facts proved that she had a good eye.

This aunt of hers later married into the second branch of the Rongguo Jia family and became the mistress in charge. She even acted as a go-between, letting Wang Xifeng marry the eldest legitimate grandson of the Rongguo branch, flying onto the branch and becoming a phoenix.

It might be the awkward status of her parents in the Wang family that made Wang Xifeng suffer the taste of being ignored, thus stimulating her enthusiasm for power.

Since being supported by Lady Wang to manage the family, although she had the help of confidants like Ping'er, she still did everything herself, because the taste of deciding everything was truly intoxicating to her.

This kind of busy work of lighting lamps and boiling oil all year round would be damaged even if a person was strong, so she would have old problems every summer and winter, and each time she barely supported herself.

She didn't dare to complain in front of Jia Mu and Lady Wang, fearing that the power of managing the family would fall aside...

And this July, Wang Xifeng's affairs seemed to be more than in previous years.

Because July is the time for summer tax collection.

The Great Zhou land tax is collected twice a year, divided into summer tax and autumn tax. The summer tax is collected until the beginning of August, and the autumn tax is collected until the beginning of March of the following year.

The original land tax collection had nothing to do with families with hereditary titles like the Jia family. In previous years, Wang Xifeng didn't have to handle this matter at all.

And this year, with the announcement of the two new policies of the imperial court, they were first tried in Yongzhou and several prefectures in the south of the Yangtze River, and the land accumulated by the Rongguo Jia family for generations was all in these places...

When Ping'er gave Wang'er's wife's account book to Wang Xifeng and let Wang'er's wife say the matter again.

Wang Xifeng also changed her face after hearing this: "According to this calculation, the total amount is lost, and more than 10,000 taels of silver are lost in a year. How can we live in the future..."

(End of chapter)