In the Rongguo Mansion, in the hall where the manager usually works, Jia Heng and Jia Zheng are chatting, while Jia She is accompanying him with a smile on his face. Sister Feng casts a pair of wonderful eyes over and listens quietly to the two men of Jia Mansion. Chatting, catching useful things, hiding them in your heart, either to increase your knowledge or to provide conversation materials.
Not far away, Shan Daliang, Wu Xindeng, Dai Liang, Qian Hua and other stewards would peek at the two accountants of Jinyi Mansion who were busy from time to time.
Seeing the two apprentices holding pens to record something, Wu Xindeng showed a hint of anxiety deep in his eyes. He thought something bad was going on in his heart. He lowered his head slightly and glanced at Dai Liang beside him. However, he saw that Dai Liang also had an ugly expression on his temples and forehead. A thin layer of sweat broke out.
In the strange atmosphere where people were chatting and laughing while being uneasy at the same time, the two accountants of Jinyi Mansion suddenly stopped playing with their abacus.
The old man with a goatee under his chin took the book from the apprentice, walked to Jia Heng, Jia Zheng and others, chuckled, and said: "Master Jia, we have preliminary summarized and reviewed the accounts of the past five years. , a total of one hundred and forty-eight thousand, three hundred and twenty-five taels of silver were stolen, and all wasted."
"You're talking nonsense. How can you have so much money?" Wu Xindeng's face turned red and he said anxiously before Jia Heng could speak.
The old man chuckled, glanced sideways at Wu Xindeng, looked at Jia Heng and Jia Zheng, and said: "Although your government's accounts are well done, if you look closely, you can see that many daily purchases are shoddy and shoddy. I’m not sure. Let’s take the item of rouge and gouache as an example. I falsely reported the amount and replaced the lower quality with the higher quality. In the past five years, there was a loss of 18,734 taels of silver. In addition, the Rong Mansion bought more for the servants during the holidays. Clothes and fabrics used are mostly shoddy, and only 20 to 30% of the 10% of the money is actually used! Looking at this item, the kitchen is also at a huge deficit, regardless of vegetables, fruits and pulp, just talking about rice, grain, coal and other large items Xiang, the annual deficit is as high as half, the figures are shocking, and what is even more frightening is that in terms of the accounting flow, it is almost a rule."
Jia Heng sneered and said: "If the master gets a full share, the servant gets half a share. It's almost a rule, not to mention stealing it from outside, right?"
This is what Tan Chun said in the original Dream of Red Mansions.
At that time, Jia's family was facing an urgent problem of running out of money.
As for the corruption and waste in the Jia family, it can be said that almost everyone knows it, but no one talks about it!
"About the rouge and gouache, Ping'er, tell me what's going on?" Jia Heng suddenly clicked Ping'er's name.
Ping'er was "named", but he was stunned for a moment, pondered for a moment, and said: "Uncle Hui Heng, on weekdays, the girls in the house use rouge and gouache. They buy it from outside every month, and then ask their women to give it to Lian. The second mistress has been given out, because we can’t just go out with money to buy every day, so the comprador general from outside has taken it and made the women give it to us on a monthly basis according to each house. How do their compradors buy it here? Grandma Helian doesn’t know either.”
Jia Heng nodded and said warmly: "I don't blame you and Sister-in-law Feng for this. You don't need to be nervous."
Ping'er's eyes flashed. Hearing these words, he felt a little relieved. He softly responded with a "hmm", then thought of something, and said in a clear voice: "But now the girls in each room have half the rouge and gouache." , all of them were bought with the two taels of silver given to me for emergency purposes. I was actually wondering before, maybe the comprador was out of money, or it couldn’t be used?"
"It must be shoddy and can no longer be used!" Jia Heng sneered, suddenly looked at Baoyu, who was sitting loosely and absent-mindedly, and asked: "Baoyu, what do you think?"
As soon as he said this, all the eyes in the hall turned to Baoyu.
Jia Zheng also cast a pair of slightly cold eyes over.
Baoyu was suddenly called by name. He was caught off guard and trembled with fright. Especially under the gaze of Father Zheng, he did not dare to sit down. He stood up and said bravely: "Brother Heng, I can't tell you this." .”
When he heard about these economic matters, his head was as big as a head, and he was just thinking about it.
Hearing this, Jia Heng frowned and said, "Can't you tell me? Your favorite rouge has been passed off as inferior, and you didn't notice at all?"
Baoyu: "???"
Jia Zheng, Jia She, Sister Feng: "..."
Sister Feng's eyes narrowed, and not only the corners of her bright red lips, but also her delicate body were trembling slightly because of the forced smile.
There were not so many Daiyu behind the wall. I couldn't help but laugh. Under the eyebrows, the bright eyes with stars and moon were curved like crescents. Even though I knew that I shouldn't smile in this situation, I still couldn't help but hide my face. His mouth kept chuckling.
How did Mr. Heng say such funny things in a serious and serious tone?
Tan Chun's Yingmei eyes blinked. Although he didn't smile, there was something strange about it.
Only Mrs. Wang could not laugh. Although tears did not well up in her eyes again, her face was already gloomy. She glanced at Daiyu, who had grown up with Baoyu, from the corner of her eye.
A feeling of disgust welled up in my heart.
A person appeared faintly in front of her eyes. Her sister-in-law Jia Min was still talking and laughing like this before she left the cabinet, and she had a sharp mouth.
Speaking of vitriol, there’s also…
"Jia Heng..."
A cheap maid, Qingwen, said last time that her Baoyu lived off the rouge on girls' mouths. Now the arrogant and arrogant Master Heng said that her Baoyu ate too much rouge, which was a sign of good deeds.
It was clear that he was trying to ruin the reputation of her family in front of all the men!
The old lady also said that she was doing it for Baoyu's good. Is this for Baoyu's good? !
However, Mrs. Wang did not know that through the speech of Leng Zixing, the son-in-law of Zhou Rui's family, even Jia Yucun, who was far away in Jinling, already knew some of Baoyu's deeds, but this person included Baoyu with Ruan Ji, Tang Bohu and other celebrities.
In the front hall, after Jia Heng gave a clear drink, Jia Zheng's face changed slightly. He didn't know if he felt that he had lost face. He looked at Baoyu who was dumbfounded and shouted angrily: "You useless fool, you're mute." , what do you want to ask?"
Baoyu shrank his neck in fright and said anxiously: "Maybe it's these compradors who are causing trouble down there."
"Baoyu is right, he is just playing tricks on ghosts." As soon as he said this, Jia Heng nodded as an "encourage", turned to look at Jia Zheng who looked calm, half relieved, half explained: "Second, Master, although Baoyu is a little stubborn, he is very talented, but he has never paid attention to these economic matters in the past. I asked him, not to shame him, but to let him know that every porridge and meal should be considered. It's not easy, every detail, but it's difficult to keep thinking about it. It's hard to find material resources. For example, Tiantian says that the word "daughter" is the most noble and pure in the world. However, he can't even tell the difference between the rouge and gouache used by the sisters. I'm afraid that something will happen to him. In the future, I will also be deceived by those evil slaves and villains, and I will not be able to protect my relatives and sisters."
As soon as these words came out, Jia Zheng's body trembled slightly, and excitement appeared on his elegant face, and he said: "Zi Yu, I know how you are as a person, how can I not know what is good and what is bad, and feel resentment in my heart? You use the words of a sage to teach by words and deeds." Stupid toddler, it’s too late for me to thank you.”
Jia Zheng's mind was agitated, and he was thinking about what Jia Heng said and did. The more he tasted it, the more he admired and delighted him.
Teaching Baoyu with "Zhu Xi's Family Instructions" is almost a matter of words and deeds. In the eyes of Jia Zheng, a Taoist master, this can be regarded as a model for sages to educate their disciples.
It's just that walls have ears. When it fell on the ear of Mrs. Wang who was separated by the wall, her face became more and more ugly. The hand hidden in her sleeve was holding the prayer beads tightly.
Don't know what's good or bad, and have a feeling of dissatisfaction? Who are you talking about in these words?
And this Uncle Heng, who is showing off his pretense?
Baoyu was deceived by slaves and villains?
Her Baoyu is not a three-year-old child!
In the front hall, Jia Heng said: "Master Zheng, you don't have to be like this. Baoyu's mind is beyond ordinary people. It's just that he was raised in the house in the hands of women since he was a child. If he has been following the master, giving instructions and teachings earnestly, he will not be ignorant now." I don’t know much about the world... Fortunately, it’s not too late for a young man to make up for his undecided temperament. In the future, he should read more and change his surrounding environment, so that he can correct himself."
These words were both complimentary and derogatory, as well as full of expectations, which undoubtedly demonstrated the demeanor of the Jia clan leader.
Especially, if you blindly belittle your son in front of a father and then become distant and distant from him, the father will definitely feel uncomfortable.
But it is a compliment that is perfunctory and deceitful. However, Jia Heng's words were first praised and then suppressed, and then raised again. The more sincere and sincere the words, the more so.
First raise and then suppress. Everyone who has passed the public examination knows that what comes after the turning point is the key, but if you raise it again, it will appear sincere and sincere.
Even though Sister Feng blinked, she felt a sense of recognition in her heart.
"It's just that Baoyu's temper is so easy to change."
As for Daiyu, who was separated by a wall, the smile on her face gradually faded away. Her bright eyes under her eyebrows trembled, and the autumn water reflected her deep thoughts.
"These are really the sincere words of the clan leader. I thought before...but I judge the heart of a gentleman with the heart of a villain."
She thought that Brother Heng was just using Brother Bao as a raft, and she didn't expect this to be the case.
Of course, the main thing is that Jia Heng is completely telling the truth. Only by changing the environment can he be empathetic.
It can be said that if Baoyu, a stubborn stone with a foolish temperament, is thrown into a melting pot like the army, if he is not analized by others, any piece of scrap iron can be made into good steel.
Jia Zheng heard Jia Heng's words and nodded, with a gentle expression on his elegant face and a bit of joy in his heart.
If others said this, he would still have doubts, but Jia Ziyu, who was well-known in the country and recently in Beijing for his cleverness, would never lie.
Mrs. Wang, who was only separated by a wall, was already ashen as cold, and she squeezed the hand with a little force on the beads.
What does it mean to be nourished by the hands of a woman?
Doesn't Uncle Heng just want to attribute the reason why Baoyu is useless to her?
Um?
Something is wrong there. When did her precious jade cease to be useful? !
How old is Baoyu?
She was confused by this Uncle Heng who always talked about the truth.
Mrs. Wang rubbed her eyebrows and felt a deep tiredness coming over her.
Moreover, she had a vague feeling that this Uncle Heng was driving a wedge between her and him.
Jia Heng comforted Jia Zheng with a few gentle words, then looked at the accountant and asked, "Sir, you might as well continue talking."
The accounting clerk smiled, then looked at Wu Xindeng and said, "Mr. Wu, these rouges and gouache in your house, as well as the fruit and vegetable refreshments used in the kitchen, as the head of the bank warehouse, how much do you spend on money? Don’t you know?”
Wu Xindeng's face changed slightly, and he said anxiously: "Miss Ping next to Second Grandma Lian just told me not to pay attention to these little things. I asked the comprador to do it. I am in charge of two branches of the Bank of China. How could I know these..."
"Bang..."
Jia Heng placed the tea cup heavily on the small table beside him, interrupted Wu Xindeng's "passing the blame", and said coldly: "Then let me ask you, who is in charge of purchasing these rouge gouache?"
"Yes...yes..." Wu Xindeng was asked, speechless and speechless.
Danfeng, under Sister Feng's eyebrows, rolled her eyes and said softly: "Brother Heng, Liu and Xu are in charge."
After saying that, he raised his slender hand and pointed at the two people behind Wu Xindeng.
Jia Heng looked cold and shouted, "Come here, take these two! Go to the courtyard and interrogate them strictly to see how they filled their own pockets by passing off inferior goods! In addition, they will check various deficits and order them to If you don't fill them all up, you will all be sent to the Yamen for questioning for the crime of slaves stealing the master's property!"
These words suddenly rang out in the hall, with the awe-inspiring aura of a Yamen official, causing Sister Feng to look sideways and purse her lips.
Jia She also secretly applauded. He looked up at the panicked expressions on the faces of Wu Xindeng and Shan Daliang, and a pleasant sneer flashed in his heart, "Evil people need to be punished by evil people! Let you two slaves take advantage of Uncle Cuiyun to mourn." Two hundred taels of silver for talking!"
At this time, four soldiers rushed in from outside the door. Without any explanation, they pushed the middle-aged civilian man to the ground who was opening his mouth to speak.
"We were wronged, wronged..."
The two middle-aged compradors reacted and shouted Qu Dao loudly.
Jia Heng said calmly: "Yelling nonsense, slap your mouth!"
"Pah..." The soldier promised loudly, grinned ferociously, swung his arms, and landed his two big mouths on the faces of the two compradors. Suddenly, their cheeks were red and swollen, and they were speechless.
Everyone in the hall was awestruck when they saw this scene, and felt a murderous aura spread out silently in the hall.
Wu Xindeng, Shan Daliang and several other leaders in charge trembled, their heads were lowered tightly in fear.
Especially Wu Xindeng, whose face was as pale as earth, and his body was trembling uncontrollably because of fear.
Just because the two chief stewards were behind him, the sound of slaps and painful groans resounded in his ears, and the smell of blood also came one after another, almost making his scalp numb.
Jia Heng watched as the soldiers escorted the two men out of the hall. He turned to look at Baoyu, who had an unbearable expression and lowered his head in silence. He asked with a pale face, "Baoyu, what do you think?"
Baoyu: "???"
This is... endless, right?
Jia Zheng also frowned slightly at this time and remained silent.
Mr. Zheng can't bear to see these thunderous methods.
But after all, he is a man working outside. He has seen the majestic official who lives in eight seats, so he doesn't think it is too cruel.
Seeing Jia Heng asking Baoyu, his heart moved, and there was a vague understanding in his eyes.
This...is this still teaching his son?
Thinking of this, looking up at the young man's eyes filled with admiration.
Such magnanimity and magnanimity are really heart-breaking. He is truly the leader of the clan and is a blessing to his family...
Sister Feng also looked at the man with shining eyes, her heart was filled with an indescribable trembling, and she believed Jia Heng's words deeply.
A man must know some methods of running a family, otherwise, in the future, he will not be fooled by his subordinates?
It seems that this Uncle Heng is really teaching Baoyu, but Baoyu...
Facing all the gazes, Baoyu was obviously much smarter this time. He scratched his head, with a simple and honest smile on his face, and said, "Brother Heng's handling was not inappropriate."
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Tell me about it?"
Baoyu: "..."
After being stunned for a long time, his face showed an expression similar to that of "Daguanyuan Examination Poetry Examination", and he raised his head and looked slightly.
Then he shook his head and said, "But because... slapped their mouths?"
Jia Heng nodded and said: "Just now Wu Xindeng vaguely said that he didn't know, then only these bosses are deceiving the superiors and concealing the truth, enriching their own pockets! Then he must deal with it decisively and thunderously, and there is no need to listen to their clever words and tricks, otherwise, these villains will still Think you are weak and can be bullied! You will never wrong them! When you come to govern the house, you should neither punish the servants out of anger nor allow them to lie and deceive. You should look at the face of the master. , to identify its authenticity.”
Speaking of indiscriminate punishment due to anger, Jia Heng glanced at the attacker next to Baoyu, and his eyes subconsciously lingered on his heart.
He secretly thought that he didn't know whether this "Western flower idea Haba" in Qingwen's mouth would be treated badly by Baoyu in the future.
Facing Jia Heng's gaze, Xi Ren's beautiful face felt slightly uncomfortable, and she lowered her head, feeling a sense of fear in her heart.
Listening to what Jia Heng said, Baoyu felt a headache suddenly, but under the expectant gaze of Father Zheng, he braced himself, cupped his hands, and said as if he had some understanding, "Thank you, Brother Heng, for your teaching."
Jia Heng looked at Jia Zheng aside and said calmly: "Confucian sages say that if you cultivate yourself, manage your family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world, Baoyu learned some methods of managing a family from the envoy. In the future, even if you don't serve as an official, you will just be a wealthy and idle person for the rest of your life." , nor will he be deceived by evil servants and disturb the dignity of superiors and inferiors."
Jia Zheng nodded, twirling his beard with his hand, and said happily: "What Zi Yu said is true."
This is really teaching his son how to be a good person and how to run a family.
Sister Feng's beautiful young woman's face is as beautiful as the peach blossoms in February, and her red and phoenix eyes are sparkling. She also deeply agrees with Jia Heng's words.
A man must know some methods of running a family, otherwise, he will not be fooled by his subordinates?
This Uncle Heng is really not using precious jade as a raft...
Sister Feng pursed her pink lips. For some reason, maybe she lost too much salt, her mouth felt dry. She picked up the tea cup on the side and took a few sips.
Baoyu looked gloomy, lowered his head, and thought, "With Second Sister-in-law Lian and the others, why do I need a housekeeper? I don't know what to do with these things, it's boring."
Daiyu, who was separated by a wall, listened to the young man's clear voice, her crystal jade face looked faint, and she had unknown thoughts in her heart.
