Chapter 385: Advancement of Nobility, Grandmother Jia’s Face
As they drank cup after cup of fragrant tea, Yue Ling continued to express his views on governing the country.

Emperor Longyou was more serious. He memorized several large pages of Xuelangxuan. When he heard a term he didn’t understand, he would ask Yue Ling to stop and explain it for a while, just like a child learning to read.

“If governing a country is like building a house, clarifying taxes is just the beginning of laying the foundation. After that, if we want to make the country rich and strong, there are still many steps to go.”

“When I was in Suzhou, I reported to Your Majesty that we should set up the Maritime Customs Office. Do you remember?”

Emperor Longyou took a breath, put down his pen, drank a sip of tea, and nodded, “Of course I remember that since the establishment of the Maritime Customs Office in the three places, there was an extra 2 million taels of customs duties in the balance account of the Ministry of Revenue last year.”

“Of course this is also thanks to you.”

Yue Ling shook his head and said, “I am not taking credit for this, but I want to say that this Maritime Customs Office is the beginning of our dynasty’s opening of maritime trade.”

“Once longer shipping routes are opened, maritime trade will become more common, far surpassing the Song Dynasty. Your Majesty must know that the Southern Song Dynasty was able to survive for more than a hundred years with only half of the country, relying on this maritime trade.”

“Also, although our country is vast and rich in resources, the world is so vast that we have not yet explored it completely. Different geographical locations must have different advantages.”

“A fine horse from Youzhou can be worth ten times as much in Jiaozhi; lychees from Lingnan can be worth a thousand gold in Shuofang. If Your Majesty can sell our silk and porcelain without passing through the hands of foreigners, you will be able to gain greater profits.”

“Even more, bringing overseas specialties back to China may benefit the people. Since Ban Chao and Zhang Qian, we have also absorbed a lot of imported goods for the use of ordinary people.”

After talking about the reform, Yue Ling immediately laid the foundation for the pioneering spirit.

For feudal monarchs, stability is the top priority of the country. The overseas world is mostly unknown, and the unknown represents danger. The idea of ​​being content with a small fortune is deeply rooted, and most emperors are unwilling to take risks.

Among modern grains, corn and potatoes are all imported. If we can find them overseas and promote their cultivation, the effect of increasing production will be faster than developing any technology.

But this might expose the identity of the time traveler, so Yue Ling certainly couldn’t say it openly, and could only gently persuade Emperor Longyou.

“Guan Zi said: If you cannot bring in the wealth of the world and attract the people of the world, then your country cannot be established. This is the most common sense. If your majesty’s power spreads throughout the world, and other nations see the prosperity of China, they will follow suit, learn Chinese culture, wear Chinese clothes, change their customs, respect Chinese culture, and then you can defeat the enemy without fighting.”

Emperor Longyou pondered for a while and replied, “What you said is very true. However, the further the sea is opened, the bigger the merchants will be. Nowadays, the status of merchants has been raised, and they have corrupted the court and given gold and silver. When the sea trade is really developed, I am afraid it will get worse and worse.”

“If the common people see that they can become rich by trading, they will abandon their land and become traders. What can we do then?”

Yue Ling smiled and replied, “Don’t worry, Your Majesty. Opening the sea is extremely risky. Without the government’s endorsement and the fleet’s escort, how can it be so easy to do it?”

“Even if the sea is opened, the government’s merchant ships must be the priority, and the merchants must be the secondary. As for the fields, after the country prospers, the state should annex the land to prepare for disasters and famines, keep the granaries open, and maintain stability.”

Emperor Longyou frowned again, “This… is nothing more than competing with the people for profit?”

Yue Ling replied: “Your Majesty takes money from merchants and uses it for the people, so how can you compete with the people for profit? If all the money goes into the pockets of merchants, how can it be used for the people like Your Majesty does?”

Emperor Longyou nodded slightly, “That makes sense.”

After writing a few more words on the paper, Emperor Longyou sighed and smiled, saying, “In the past eight years, you have traveled around and gained a lot of knowledge. It is a blessing for you to have experience in local governance and a different perspective from other officials.”

Putting the pen back on the pen holder, smoothing his sleeves, Emperor Longyou said, “You have taught me a lot today, and I still need to think about it carefully, so I won’t ask any more questions.”

“You have been exhausted from the journey today, so I intend to host a banquet for you. I also know that you value your family, so I will not keep you any longer.”

“However, in the end, we still have to discuss your merits to give you peace of mind.”

Yue Ling couldn’t figure out Emperor Longyou’s point and raised his head in confusion. He saw Xia Shouzhong take out a document from his sleeve and presented it to Emperor Longyou, as if he had prepared it in advance.

During the process, he turned his head, looked at Yue Ling with a smile, and nodded repeatedly.

Emperor Longyou unfolded the document with both hands, cleared his throat and said, “My dear minister, you went south in the first year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu, governed Cangzhou, cleared the flood, eliminated the powerful families, and wiped out the Japanese pirates; later you entered Suzhou, redressed the injustice of the governor of Suzhou, uncovered the case of Zhao Deyong’s collusion with the Japanese, settled Shuangyu Island, and expanded the border to the southeast.”

“He passed through Yangzhou on his way north and solved the corruption case of Governor Cui. It can be said that wherever he went, he cleaned up the officialdom there.”

“I really want you to go out for inspection, but I don’t want you to go out and run around.”

Yue Ling bowed and said, “Your Majesty, I still have a few doubts about Prefect Cui’s case.”

Emperor Longyou waved his hand and interrupted, “I’ve already said it, let’s not ask about official business first, let’s settle your achievements.”

Yue Ling had no choice but to nod and say, “Yes.”

Emperor Longyou unfolded the document and read it through again, then asked, “Is there anything missing?”

Xia Shouzhong added: “Your Majesty, the maritime incident you just mentioned was overlooked.”

“Yeah.”

Emperor Longyou stood up, then sat back down, added a few strokes on the document, and stood up again with a smile.

He came to Yue Ling, patted his shoulder and said, “Look at you, you have only been out for eight years, but you have accomplished such a great career. In eight years, others can accomplish one thing without making any mistakes. You have made so many achievements, I really don’t know how to reward you.”

Emperor Longyou sighed, walked a few steps with his hands behind his back, and said, “The mansion I gave you in the past seems a little too small now. I know that when you returned from the north, your motorcade had more than ten cars lined up. This small three-story mansion is definitely not enough for you to settle your family in the inner house.”

Hearing this, Yue Ling couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed and raised his sleeve to wipe his forehead.

Emperor Longyou looked back and said with a smile: “How about this, I will give you the Qin Palace that has been sealed up all this time?”

“Prince Qin’s Mansion?”

Yue Ling widened his eyes in surprise.

No matter what, it doesn’t make sense to give the mansion where the emperor lived before he ascended the throne to a minister. Even if it is to be given as a reward, it should be given to the prince.

Moreover, logically speaking, it would be more appropriate to give the Prince Kang’s Mansion to Yue Ling. After all, Yue Ling had emptied the Prince Kang’s Mansion the last time.

“Forgive me for being blunt, but why didn’t Your Majesty grant me the Prince Kang’s Palace? Instead, the Prince Qin’s Palace?”

Emperor Longyou smiled and said, “First, you are more familiar with the Qin Palace, and you will feel more comfortable living there. I have asked the Queen about this matter, and she is willing. Secondly, the princess of the Kang Palace once hanged herself on the beam of the inner curtain. She was afraid of being humiliated in her lifetime and refused to give up the lintel. It has become a haunted house.”

As he spoke, Emperor Longyou looked at Yue Ling’s body again.

The wide official uniform could barely cover up his muscular figure.

“You are full of blood and anger, and even evil spirits will avoid you. But there are too many little girls in your backyard, so it is inevitable that the female will be stronger than the male, which is not good for them. It is better to go to the Qin Palace.”

Yue Ling had no choice but to nod, secretly praising Emperor Longyou for his understanding of human nature and thoughtfulness.

As he was speaking, Emperor Longyou changed the subject and said, “You have so many maids in your inner house, but none of them has given birth to children for you. You are already twenty-four years old. Ordinary people at your age would have children around them.” “You are already a single family, why don’t you have children? Why do you keep so many little maids? Is it just for your pleasure?”

Yue Ling opened his mouth, but really didn’t know how to argue with Emperor Longyou, so he simply gave up the argument and agreed.

“Your Majesty is blaming me.”

Emperor Longyou shook his head and said, “Be careful not to hurt your body if you indulge in alcohol and sex. You are still young and you haven’t realized what’s wrong with you yet. When I come… cough cough, it’s okay. I told you to take care of your health.”

Emperor Longyou swallowed back the words that came out of his mouth naturally, and sighed softly, “When you worry about the country, don’t forget about family affairs.”

Yue Ling nodded in shame, “I know.”

Emperor Longyou nodded slightly, sat back on the throne, shook his robe, and said casually: “Promote him to the first-class duke…”

Yue Linggang was still thinking about how to restore his reputation.

His daily life was certainly not as lewd as Emperor Longyou imagined. Apart from a few girls he had seduced, he had never even been overly close to Lin Daiyu.

It seemed that in the eyes of Emperor Longyou, he was holding parties at home all day long.

He was still organizing his words in his mind, but when he heard what Emperor Longyou said, he was stunned on the spot, “Duke?!”

……

Rongqing Hall,
Led by Yuanyang, Lin Daiyu once again came to this familiar lobby.

Compared to the last time I came here many years ago, everything in Rongqing Hall is still the same as before.

The lamps on the pillars, the carpets on the floor, and the pear wood phoenix-head crutch held by Lady Jia on the central armchair were all the same as they were in the old days.

Today, Lady Jia looks in good spirits.

Time has left some wrinkles on her face, but her eyes are still bright, as if she can see through many illusions.

Lin Daiyu was of clean character and had nothing to be afraid of. She walked up to the hall and greeted Lady Jia with the formalities of a junior.

When she saw Lin Daiyu, Grandmother Jia was excited.

Just because a few years later, Lin Daiyu became more and more beautiful, and looked more like her mother Jia Min.

As the only daughter of Lady Jia, Jia Min was of course doted on by Lady Jia. Lady Jia also wanted to extend this love to Lin Daiyu, but her plan came to an abrupt end because Lin Daiyu had already married into the Anjing Marquis’s Mansion.

Nodding in good faith, Grandmother Jia did not express much, but first looked at Mrs. Wang and narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Zheng’er’s wife, where have you been? Why is there mud on your skirt? There are so many guests here, why don’t you go back to your room and change into something new? Look how undignified this is. It will make people think that we are a wealthy family and can only wear old clothes.”

Mrs. Wang had something to hide, so she didn’t dare to say anything. She nodded repeatedly and said, “Yes, Grandpa, I’ll go back to my room now.”

When Mrs. Wang turned around and left, Baoyu, who looked distraught, appeared behind her.

Standing far away from Lin Daiyu, he greeted Grandmother Jia blankly, “Baoyu, meet the old ancestor.”

“Hey, my little ancestor, what’s going on? Did anyone provoke you?”

Seeing Jia Baoyu’s lost look, Jia’s mother felt distressed unconsciously. She hurriedly called Xiren, helped Baoyu to the front and held him in her arms.

“Hey, come and take a look at me. What’s wrong with you? Should we ask the imperial physician to come and see you? Times are different now. It’s more convenient for the imperial physician to come and see you.”

Baoyu leaned in Grandmother Jia’s arms, covering his chest with his hands, pretending to be cushioned by a piece of jade, and did not dare to tell the truth, “It’s okay, Grandpa, I’m fine, please don’t bother me.”

The other young ladies from the Anjing Marquis’s Mansion also came in, lined up behind Lin Daiyu, and bowed gently like her.

When they looked up again and saw Baoyu acting coquettishly in Grandmother Jia’s arms, they were disgusted again and turned their heads away.

She is obviously a 15-year-old child, but she still seems like she is not weaned. How can she please them?

Even if Jia Baoyu did not say what had happened, Jia’s mother, who had been in charge of the rear house for many years and had seen many ups and downs, could guess something from the interactions among the people.

At first glance, each of these maids is so beautiful that they outshine all the maids in Grandmother Jia’s room, who is extremely obsessed with looks. As an elder who knows Jia Baoyu well, how could Grandmother Jia not know what’s going on?

It would have been fine if Yue Ling bullied her baby, but even these servants looked down on Baoyu, which made Grandmother Jia secretly angry.

“These bastards who look down on others, haven’t they heard that my Jia family will be royal relatives? How dare they look down on Baoyu? I am destined to be a minister. How can I be compared with the royal family? Not to mention that Yue Ling is only a marquis!”

Grandmother Jia’s expression turned a little cold.

After she had comforted Baoyu and Lin Daiyu had sat down beside her, Grandmother Jia slowly said, “Yu’er, is your father okay? According to the time he left Beijing to take up his post, he should be back by now, right?”

Lin Daiyu shook her head and said, “Yu’er doesn’t know what’s going on outside, and daddy never mentioned it to me.”

“Oh?”

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, “Does Yu’er know why I am digging the ground behind my yard?”

Lin Daiyu nodded gently, “Yu’er knows this. My aunt mentioned it just now. The eldest sister in the palace was awarded the title of Consort Xian De. For the purpose of visiting her parents, she joined forces with the Ning and Rong mansions to build a separate courtyard for her parents to visit her parents.”

Grandmother Jia narrowed her eyes, and her smile turned into a half-smile. “I didn’t realize Baoyu’s mother was still impatient. I told you everything. Did she say anything else?”

Lin Daiyu smiled and nodded, “My aunt also said that she wanted Brother Yue to come and help repair the courtyard, because Rongguo Mansion might be in danger of not being able to make ends meet.”

Grandmother Jia immediately raised her eyebrows and said angrily, “How could this happen? The Jia family is spending more than it earns? Why don’t I know? Could it be that so much money was embezzled by someone?”

All the girls were silent. Yuanyang and Amber, who were beside Lady Jia, could see that she was really angry, but it was not easy for them to interrupt and comfort her.

Xue Baochai and Qin Keqing looked at each other. They always felt that Lin Daiyu was trying to stir up trouble and seemed to be venting her anger for them.

When no one knew how to end the situation, Lin Daiyu tried to smooth things over by saying, “Grandma, please calm down. My aunt must have exaggerated her words on purpose and wanted us to help her more.”

“Your house?”

Grandmother Jia immediately put away her anger and returned to her calm state. She twitched her lips and said disdainfully: “The Anjing Marquis’s Mansion is lucky enough to take care of itself…”

(End of this chapter)