Yangzhou Prefecture, Yanyuan Yamen.

Zhonglin Hall.

It's dark at night and it's freezing outside, but inside Zhonglin Hall it's as warm as spring.

Lin Ruhai obviously liked this kind of environment. He looked at Jia Qiang and said with a smile: "In the past, at this time, I would always feel cold. The brazier is too noisy and the smoke cage is too stuffy and too greasy. I don't like it. Now you are doing this well.

Moderately warm, not wet or dry.”

The grandsons of the Qi family have left. Naturally, the broken pieces on Jia Qiang's body should be washed clean and thrown away.

He had even visited the two guards who had been injured before. Those two guards were seriously injured, hurting their lungs and internal organs. Although they had been treated, it would be difficult to do anything again in the future.

However, Jia Qiang did not just give him a sum of money and send it away. Instead, he appointed the two of them as his instructors. Later, they would work with Li Fu on Jufeng Island to teach him a group of good players.

In this way, you will have vitality in your future life, instead of just hanging on to a pile of money and waiting to die.

After finishing all this, he came to Zhonglin Hall.

Seeing Lin Ruhai's peaceful demeanor and becoming more and more calm, Jia Qiang felt admired in her heart.

Although he is not as loyal and strong as the old man Han Banshan, who is so loyal and willing to risk everything for his family's life, Lin Ruhai has been tempered by the struggles of his official career for so many years, and has experienced the death of his wife and son.

Even he almost died...

This series of painful encounters did not hit him, but made him become a famous minister.

Lift your weight lightly and take your time.

"As long as my aunt and father-in-law take care of him... I haven't asked yet. When my aunt-in-law returns to Beijing in the next year, will he be given a house by the emperor, or will he live in an old house in the capital? If it is an old house, you can have someone go back and install the heater first."

Jia Qiang asked with a smile.

Lin Ruhai shook his head and said with a smile: "Where can there be an old house in the capital... The Lin family's bloodline is very weak. When it comes to my generation, I am the only one in this branch. I am not good at money, and I have never bought a lot of servants. The house has been empty for a long time.

It will break down, so the house in Beijing has been sold a long time ago. As for returning to Beijing... I can think about it. However, I probably don’t need to buy a house by myself."

With his merits and great trust from the Emperor, it is simply unjustifiable not to grant him a house.

After chatting, Lin Ruhai looked at Jia Qiang and asked: "Qiang'er, what do you need so many people for? The Bai, Shen, Zhou, and Wu families have hundreds of people left. With so many people, not to mention you

If you can’t afford it, how are you going to use it? What are you going to use it for?”

Jia Qiang smiled, lowered her eyes and said: "Sir, my ambition in life is not in officialdom, economic career, nor power and wealth. However, when I am born in the world, I should make a difference and not waste my time. Although I am really impatient.

There are intrigues in the officialdom, but since you have your teacher as your teacher, and your husband is determined to benefit the common people and the country, how can you stand by and watch? In terms of the right path, your disciples should study with peace of mind, take the imperial examination step by step, and then spend three years like the teacher and Ban Shanggong.

For ten years, he worked as a herdsman for the emperor, raising the hopes of the world, and finally gained great power. But firstly, the disciple really did not want to enter this official career. Secondly, the teacher was about to face an extremely cruel struggle. After returning to Beijing, he would be surrounded by tigers and wolves. If the disciple took the right path,

I'm afraid I won't be able to help even a little bit. In terms of time, it's really too late..."

Hearing that he referred to himself as master and disciple, Lin Ruhai raised his eyebrows and said with a sharp smile: "You can't trust me as a teacher. Do you think that a teacher can't protect you, your aunt and aunt?"

Jia Qiang shook her head hurriedly and said: "How dare, disciple? But since I don't want to enter the official career, why not jump out early, find another way, gather strength, and help Mr. Xiang? Apart from other things, if Mr. can have more eyes and ears after returning to Beijing, I guarantee that

Wouldn't it be helpful if the news flowed smoothly?"

Hearing this, Lin Ruhai slowly frowned and said, "Qiang'er, this road will never see the light of day. It's not the right path."

Jia Qiang smiled and said: "In this world, since there is a bright road, there must be a dark and evil path. Whether it is the right path or not depends on how to walk. Sir, you are not one of those rotten Confucians who can only talk.

You know better than me that in many cases, the role of trails at night is actually greater. Not to mention the embroidered guards of the Tian family, even in the army, there are also official positions responsible for reconnaissance and ambushes. Sir, I have no intention of being a hideout

I am a poisonous snake that cannot see the light in the dark, waiting for an opportunity to bite people in the cold and damp place. I just want to raise a few fireflies in the dark to illuminate the way ahead and provide early warning."

This is of course not comprehensive.

What he wants to raise is not just a few fireflies, but a few giant prehistoric crocodiles that can protect him and do things for him.

With the advent of the Age of Discovery, the imperial power was of course still supreme, but only in this land, and only in name.

The layout of Jiangnan has basically been completed. Although it is only a sprout, it will only take three to five years at most for this sprout to take root and grow into a towering giant tree.

The power of capital actually depends to a certain extent on the proportion of greed in human nature.

If all the officials in the world are Han Banshan, who regard gold and silver as dung and merchants as cancer, then capital actually has little power.

Unfortunately, this is not in line with human nature.

In normal human nature, greed is a bottomless pit, which means that the power of capital is almost endless.

Money can make ghosts push the mill, and naturally it can also make officials push the mill, it can also make soldiers and generals push the mill, it can also make the embroidered guards push the mill, and it can also make the imperial guards and the emperor's internal guards push the mill...

If you don’t seek to change the world, if you don’t seek to change the dynasty, if you don’t seek to change the common people and the country for thousands of years...

So as long as you have a certain status, as long as you have money in your hands, and you use money to build a large network of influence, and secretly raise a group of elite forces, you can promptly warn against enemies, and you can open up a retreat at any time and be free overseas, then

Jia Qiang's current layout is basically sufficient.

He doesn't threaten anyone, but if he wants to threaten him, he doesn't need to do anything. Countless people with interests will protect him.

However, in life, if you don't have this kind of luck and good fortune, now that you have reached this point, if you just hide in the dark and live a happy life, it will be somewhat useless.

Furthermore, he worshiped Lin Ruhai as his disciple. The reason why Jiangnan was able to achieve this situation so quickly was all thanks to the power of the Yanyuan Yamen. He had received too many favors from others, and it was impossible for him to watch Lin Ruhai alone in a wolf den after returning to Beijing.

Besiege and remain indifferent.

Therefore, his current strength is far from enough.

Lin Ruhai seemed to be stunned and said: "So, you asked Qi Taizhong for the favor of the Minister of Military and Aircraft. Could it be that Qiang'er thought that Qi Taizhong's favor could be enough to order the appointment of a Minister of Military and Aircraft to serve as the prime minister?"

Jia Qiang smiled and said: "How dare you give orders and assignments? It would be great if you can have the opportunity to influence one or two. At critical times, it is enough to say a word. Qi Taizhong is not stupid. Those people in the military aircraft department now,

There are not many people who can stay for three years. If we don’t use it now, if he stays any longer, he will really be left useless. Why not sell it for a good price..."

After hearing this, Lin Ruhai was silent for a moment, but still looked at Jia Qiang with some depression, and said solemnly: "Qiang'er, it's not me who is stubborn, but this path is definitely not the right way! I'm not saying that this way can't be achieved, but

I’m worried that you will be seduced by this evil way and think that you can do whatever you want with this evil way. In the end, you will only destroy yourself!”

Jia Qiang said softly: "Sir, don't worry. The so-called crooked evil ways should be like that of the Bai family, which relies on private killers to kill all the enemies and make profits. No matter how stupid and ignorant the disciple is, he still knows that the sky net is sparse and not leaking. The iron-blooded method will have its effect.

, but just to prevent what happened to the Bai family and the Qi family today. I can swear to my husband that I will never be foolish enough to use such means to kill the enemies of the struggle. Because I understand that no one will allow such a thing to happen.

, Doing this will only lead to death. Sir, I am not interested in gold and silver, and I am not interested in power. If I still want to do something, I can build a small building in a bamboo forest and live quietly with my family.

Wishes. But I don’t hesitate to face this world with the greatest malice, so I want to obtain the means to protect myself before doing anything.”

Lin Ruhai has met countless people in his life and heard countless whimsical remarks, but he has never seen a young man like Jia Qiang harboring such thoughts.

The point is, other people's wild imagination is all empty talk and nonsense.

But Jia Qiang...he acts first and speaks second.

This made Lin Ruhai feel a bit pressured. He had never thought about persuading Jia Qiang to give up this path and told Jia Qiang that he did not need the help of a young disciple.

However, he and Han Banshan just used it...

Moreover, after returning to Beijing, many things may still involve Jia Qiang, the sign of a good official appointed by the Supreme Emperor.

Furthermore, how could a young man like Jia Qiang take his ambition lightly?

Long after Jia Qiang said goodbye and left, Lin Ruhai was still sitting on the chair. It was not until Aunt Mei came to persuade him to rest that she sighed slowly.

He is a Confucian official, and he should be the most averse to such secretive and deceitful ways.

Instead of taking the high road, why would you choose this path?

only……

After thirteen years in Yangzhou Prefecture, hearing these words again today, Lin Ruhai could only feel shock and regret in her heart.

If he had this intention at the beginning, how could his only son fall into the water and die prematurely for no reason?

How could my beloved wife die in depression...

The lonely yin does not arise, the lonely yang does not grow, communication becomes harmonious, and all things come into being.

Come on, come on...

After returning to Beijing, he just wanted to keep a closer eye on Jia Qiang to prevent her from going astray.

…

Shenjing City, Rongguo Mansion.

In the Rongqing Hall, Jia Mu looked at Wang Xifeng who had returned from Dongfu and asked, "Now that we've made it clear, what's going on in the west?"

Wang Xifeng then told Jia Rong that Qin Keqing had ordered Qin Keqing to give Jia Zhen a gunpowder, but she did not mention the name of "powder gunpowder", but said that she had given some medicine to calm the heart and desire, because it was ordered by Mrs. Wang's doctor.

Then he got angry.

Jia's mother was stunned when she heard this and cursed angrily: "Since I joined the Jia family as a granddaughter-in-law, and now that I have a granddaughter-in-law, this is the first time I have heard of such a bastard thing! Logically speaking, this bastard should deserve it.

Beat him to death! But now is not the time to make a big fuss."

Mrs. Wang also frowned and looked at Sister Feng.

She said little and only asked: "Is it safe?"

Wang Xifeng hurriedly laughed and said: "As soon as the commotion broke out, Sister-in-law You asked people to look at all the girls and wives in the room. They were not allowed to meet with others, so they would not gossip."

When Mrs. Jia and Mrs. Wang heard this, their expression softened slightly, and Mrs. Wang said slowly: "Ms. You, it's not bad."

However, Jia Mu didn't like it very much. She always felt that compared with Xifeng, You had a petty air about her. Her own men made such troubles and didn't dare to say a word, which made people look down upon her.

Of course, she also understood that it was not easy for the You family. She was born in a poor family, her mother's family was not strong, and she was a married woman with no son and a half, so it was naturally difficult for her to speak forcefully.

But even knowing this, Jia Mu didn't like her very much.

When he heard Mrs. Wang's words, he only nodded slightly and asked Sister Feng: "How are Brother Zhen and Rong'er doing? It's been so long, and there hasn't been any movement."

Wang Xifeng shook his head and said: "When I came here, I saw the doctors several times, but I couldn't be sure. I'm still busy at the moment... It should be fine. Brother Zhen has always been strong. If he gets a little cold and looks like a bluff, he probably won't.

Something happened. It was pity that Rong'er was hit so hard. Fortunately, Sister-in-law You and the others said that Rong'er was clever and avoided the head. Besides, Brother Zhen didn't have much strength at the time, so he probably couldn't be beaten. No idea.

After the big man outside the city got the letter, he didn’t even want to go back..."

Sister Feng's joke had not yet faded when suddenly, she heard the cloud board at the second door ringing four times in a row.

Everyone was startled at first, and then a look of shock and horror appeared in their eyes.

The so-called gods, three ghosts and four, the two cloud panels ring four times, this is the sound of mourning!!
Chapter completed!