Chapter 140

Jia Jing was also somewhat surprised that Baichai could utter such a fairly insightful remark, although not everything she said was correct, and many of her theories were merely superficial.

But compared to the last time they discussed current affairs in his own courtyard, she had obviously improved a lot.

Moreover, the salt administration was just a casual question he had raised moments ago; he had not expected Baichai to offer any insight, nor had he given her time to prepare.

To be able to recite these points, even if merely rote memorization, one would have to have read quite a lot of current-affairs articles.

Jia Jing gave a slight nod and said with a smile:

"Xue younger sister, you are ambitious and knowledgeable; where did you get all this from?"

Actually, Baichai's line "Riding the strong wind, I am lifted to the azure clouds" already reveals her disposition.

Moreover, in the original work, during the episode where the Imperial Consort Yuan visits her parents, Baichai tells Baoyu, "The one wearing the dragon robe above is really your sister!"

Seeing Jia Jing's approving expression made Baichai feel a little proud inside, indicating that her efforts over this period had not been in vain and had earned Third Brother's recognition.

"These days my elder brother has gathered from outside some old palace gazettes and capital reports, as well as histories and the 'Present Dynasty Anecdotes', 'Collected Memorials of Famous Ministers Throughout the Ages', and other such books."

"I, being idle at home, just casually flipped through them."

Baichai said this, her almond eyes shimmering, her face slightly flushed.

Although her remark this time was astonishing, in today's world women are actually not suited to read such things, and even discussing them seems somewhat abrupt.

If it were not because Jia Jing paid attention to these current affairs, in order to have more topics with him, she would not have deliberately gathered these to read; even if she had read them, she would not have spoken them aloud in front of others…

Of course, she herself also greatly enjoys this feeling of discussing politics at the moment.

Perhaps what is discussed is not important; who one discusses it with is what matters!

Baichai thought to herself.

Daiyu, upon hearing this, pursed her lips, "What elder brother gathering, casually flipping through?"

"You don't mean that; would your elder brother collect such books? He is not someone who likes to read."

"Baichai, this is obviously the case of the drinker whose intention is not the wine; she is aiming for Third Brother…"

However, seeing that Jia Jing seemed to show affirmation of Baichai's performance, Daiyu felt a sudden pang of jealousy in her heart.

Jia Jing, meanwhile, felt some emotion in his heart; Baichai had put in great effort.

He knew all those newspapers and books she mentioned, but precisely because he knew them, he felt it was not easy.

The Da Han Empire palace gazette is the most authoritative and direct official channel for understanding court affairs.

The gazette is uniformly issued by the court, transmitted through the Directorate of Communications, the Six Ministries, and the Treasurer's Office, etc., to local offices.

Its content mainly includes imperial edicts, officials' memorials, and core political information such as appointments, dismissals, promotions, and demotions.

Ordinary officials and the male offspring of officials' households can generally see it.

Someone like Xue Pan, a nominal holder of a post in the Ministry of Revenue and a descendant of imperial merchants, can also obtain it by making a special effort to collect it.

Meanwhile, the capital gazette emerged with the rise of private printing houses in the Da Han Empire over these years, becoming a publicly sold and printed publication.

Its content is basically a reprint of the gazette, with readership expanded to officials, gentry, and the sons of wealthy merchants.

Therefore, even if a household has no officials, the young masters can obtain information by subscribing or purchasing.

As for other popular books, they can be bought at bookshops in Shenjing City.

However, the Da Han Empire officially compiled Collected Memorials of Famous Ministers Throughout the Ages that Baichai mentioned is a massive volume, equivalent to purchasing a modern "large-scale historical compendium."

Such works are voluminous; the entire set comprises 350 volumes, collecting over eight thousand memorials of famous ministers from the Shang and Zhou dynasties up to the pre-Song period, and can be called a compendium of statecraft cases.

Not only are they cumbersome, but they are also expensive.

Jia Jing himself has a set in his own room, but he has not yet completely memorized it.

Unexpectedly, Baichai is also reading this book.

Jia Jing pondered for a moment and said:

"The ills of the salt administration were not formed overnight; they involve many connections, and to undertake sweeping reforms to promote benefits and eliminate abuses requires a great resolve; without it, it is absolutely impossible to accomplish."

"Your insight, Xue younger sister, though not entirely correct, is not far off!"

Baichai, being affirmed by Jia Jing, felt a bit of delight and said:

"I am merely talking strategy on paper; truly wanting to do some beneficial deeds for the country and the people still requires looking to a senior state official like Third Brother."

Jia Jing said in a deep voice:

"Salt taxes concern the state's finances; the emperor and the court officials certainly have their plans; rectifying salt affairs will not be far off!"

Upon hearing this, Baichai blinked, suppressed her slightly quickening heartbeat, and ventured to speak again:

"I suppose it is still because Third Brother defeated the False Qing in Liaodong, and with his successful military training, the court is now preparing to vigorously implement the New Policies!"

Jia Jing gave Baichai a look of approval; it seems he indeed usually does not neglect his studies.

Last time I briefly discussed the New Policies with her, and now she can apply one example to three; her thinking is quite agile.

"If Xue younger sister were to enter the court as an official, she would certainly not lose out as a capable minister and diligent clerk!"

Upon hearing this, Baichai felt even more delighted inside.

However, being stared at by Jia Jing's sharp gaze, she actually felt a bit flustered; instinctively averting her eyes, she whispered:

"How could we young ladies enter the court? Even if we merely wanted to read more books or step out of the inner chambers, it would cause a stir and be blamed for violating propriety and ritual."

"But being able to discuss such matters with Third Brother already brings me great joy, far surpassing other girls! I wonder if Third Brother will think I have overstepped propriety?"

Although Jia Jing's attitude appeared gentle and approving, Baichai still worried that he might secretly dislike her reading "miscellaneous books" and discussing current affairs.

Jia Jing comforted her:

"To be a person, establish oneself with integrity and pure virtue is enough; I have never thought women cannot discuss these matters, for state affairs are closely related to everyone's destiny."

"In the past there have not been lacking women who became generals and ministers; take my Da Han Empire's female general Qin Liangyu, who served the country with merit and was enfeoffed by the Chengzu Emperor as Marquis of Loyalty and Chastity."

"She is a heroine among women, a female hero, admirable."

"The Jia Family is a martial lineage; we do not observe the many ritual propriety rules of the literati."

"I also need to tell Third Sister about this; for the young ladies in the mansion, do not be too strict about their nature."

Those who love to read read; those who love to ride horses ride horses; not the ladies of the inner chambers who never leave the main gate nor cross the second gate.

Baichai, hearing Jia Jing say that, finally relaxed in her heart, pursed her cherry lips, and spoke softly:

"Only someone as young and accomplished as Third Brother could have such a broad mind."

"If we girls were illiterate and unaware of reason, that would be fine; but having read and understood principle, how could we not want…? It's just that this world, after all…"

Baichai, saying this, lifted her gaze to look at Jia Jing sitting opposite; meeting his deep, tranquil eyes like an abyss, she momentarily lost herself.

For some unknown reason, a phrase rose in her heart: "True love is hard to find, a kindred spirit hard to seek."