Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 220 Best friend? Enemy honey!
The Huang family, as the last unstable factor in Cangzhou City, has now been eliminated by Yue Ling.

Next, Yue Ling still faced the issue of people's livelihood, how to rebuild after the disaster, and how to make Cangzhou city regain new life.

As the Minister of the Secretariat, the time he was sent to work in other places was limited, at most two or three years.

How to completely change the overall picture of Cangzhou in a short period of time is what Yue Ling has been thinking about all the time.

Even the topics of their casual chats with Lin Daiyu changed from various collections of classics, history, essays and operas to the latest developments in and outside the city, and the policy reforms that Yue Ling would carry out next.

Although Lin Daiyu was young, she was extremely intelligent and well-read in literature and history. She would respond to Yue Ling from time to time and became the best listener.

Yue Ling has always believed that "it's better to cry together than to cry together".

This time, he wiped out the Huang family, and also wiped out all the unjust merchants. Everything would become the nutrients for him to develop Cangzhou.

The reform items in his and Emperor Longyou's memorials will also be tried out bit by bit in Cangzhou, and the convenience of all military and political affairs should be utilized.

"Master, a large amount of gold and silver was seized from the Huang family, totaling more than 400,000 taels. All kinds of goods, shops, and farms were exchanged for cash by Huang Wenhua through various channels, so most of the seized gold and silver is in cash."

"Huang Wenhua seemed to have been planning to flee. There was a Huang family boat at the dock, loaded with a large amount of valuables. We have stopped it and taken it into our warehouse."

"We didn't find any letters or other evidence in the Huang family mansion to prove that he had contact with those noble families. This... Master, how about I take people to search again?"

Yue Ling shook his head and said, "No need. First, seal off the Huang family's garden and no one is allowed to enter or leave. With this sum of silver, I can continue with my next plan."

In the classroom of the government office, Jia Yun breathed a sigh of relief and stood by, waiting with great interest for Yue Ling's next words, holding a piece of paper and writing them down.

"First, I want to renovate the government office, renovate it, and expand a few more offices. The Salt Transport Office, the Grain Transport Office, the Land Tax Office, the Corvée Office, the Tax Planning Office, the Audit Office, and the Economic Reform Office."

Jia Yun memorized every stroke, and then asked in confusion, "I know all about the Salt Transport Department and the Grain Transport Department. But I wonder what the Land Tax Department, the Corvée Department, the Tax Planning Department, the Audit Department, and the Economic Reform Department that you mentioned are used for?"

Yue Ling patiently explained: "The Land Tax Department is responsible for land surveying, land grade assessment, and the calculation and collection of land tax. The Corvée Department is responsible for the overall planning, conscription and dispatch of corvée labor, and also for reforming the new policy and supervising all matters. For example, the people who are currently working for the government office will be managed by the corvée in the future."

"Tax Planning Department, set tax rates, supervise tax collection, settle taxes in silver, and manage tax silver. Audit Department, collecting silver is more conducive to corruption, so another restriction must be added. Any account must be verified by the Audit Department to ensure that there is no tax evasion, corruption or abuse of power. Pu Zheng, Ji Qing's incident must not happen again in Cangzhou."

"The last one is the Economic Reform Department, which I have set up to implement the new law. In this department, I will select some craftsmen to participate in it, and they will be responsible for the improvement and innovation of water conservancy, agriculture, sericulture, industry and commerce, etc., and strive to have professional people do professional things."

“Efficiency can only be achieved when things are put to good use and people are able to perform their duties.”

Jia Yun was writing down Yue Ling's words, his pen dancing wildly, just enough to keep up. He even splashed ink onto his face, which he wiped off with his hand, making it all black, like an actor in an opera.

Yue Ling couldn't help but laugh and said, "The new law is complicated, and we are still exploring. I will gradually write out the clauses and give them to officials at all levels. Don't worry, it won't be understood overnight."

Jia Yun nodded, not quite understanding, "Anyway, what the master said makes sense. Is there anything else you want to tell me?"

Yue Ling nodded, "Secondly, the salt fields by the sea are about to start production. Tell Hou Yao about this and ask him to pack up the luggage and go there to preside over the work. I will send a trusted person to lead 3,000 salt soldiers to go with him. I will ask the Xue family to prepare and transport the rest of the basic living supplies."

Jia Yun wrote it down again, "I will tell Master Hou about this in a moment."

"Third, there is the issue of construction outside the city. Too many disaster victims have now settled in the vicinity of Cangzhou. After ensuring the housing problem, we can build the market outside the city and demarcate the area. Just like in the city, there should be soldiers patrolling and guarding..."

"..."

The death of the Huang family was just Yue Ling's forward-moving wheel crushing the mantis that was blocking the road.

As for who is behind him, Yue Ling has no interest at the moment, or does not have the energy to investigate. All of this still needs to be reported to His Majesty for a decision.

Seek his own government in his position.

Yue Ling was determined to keep the people safe, but he was unable to immediately lead his troops to Liangzhe and go out to sea to wipe out the Japanese pirates in one fell swoop.

Moreover, based on the previous experience of suppressing the Japanese pirates on the southeast coast, when the army headed for the island, the Japanese pirates on the island had already received the news and fled without a trace.

It can be seen that it is not that easy to suppress the Japanese.

However, the Japanese pirates, who were already short of soldiers and generals, lost four hundred elite warriors at once, which was enough for them to live in peace for a while.

Right now, what Yue Ling wants is to leave behind a Cangzhou where the people are prosperous, the country is well governed and the people are harmonious after leaving Cangzhou.

"Master, are you back?"

Xueyan was fetching water in the yard, but when she saw Yue Ling coming, she dropped the bucket and ran to Yue Ling's side. She looked up at Yue Ling and blinked. Sure enough, no matter how much trouble you have in your heart, seeing a cute girl can always heal some of it.

Although Xueyan's appearance is not that outstanding, the baby fat on her face, coupled with her silly personality, makes her very cute.

Yue Ling reached out and rubbed her head, feeling like petting a puppy when he got home. He smiled and asked, "Why are you busy in the yard? I don't see any maids here."

Xueyan sighed and said, "The government office is under martial law, so the young lady asked all the idle people in the courtyard to leave, so there are only five... no, six people in the room."

"Miss Xue hasn't left yet?"

"I'm not leaving. I'm chatting with the girl. Miss Xue is also a person who has read a lot of books. Sister Zijuan and I usually don't understand what she said, but now the girl has told Miss Xue."

Yue Ling smiled and said, "It's good as long as we can get along well."

Yue Ling could judge everything that was happening outside except the quarrel between two little girls. Hearing Xueyan say this, he felt relieved.

……

Beside the table, two beautiful girls sat side by side, appreciating books and articles together, chatting and laughing.

This was the first time that Lin Daiyu had met someone of the same age whose talent matched hers.

Qin Keqing also had a basic understanding of literature and art, but she was not an expert and could only listen at the side.

But Xue Baochai is completely different.

She was well-informed and knowledgeable, and knew everything about history and the present. When Lin Daiyu said the first sentence, she could come up with the second sentence.

This made the little girl who had been hiding away in seclusion feel like she had found a sister with a soul mate, and she was able to fully satisfy her fascination with singing poems.

After closing the book, Xue Baochai smiled and said, "Sister Lin is a master of both poetry and lyrics. I am really not as good as her. Even though I can match some of her lines, I am not as good as her in terms of wit. I am really ashamed of myself."

This is the truth. Lin Daiyu also suffered from it. In the battle of poetry, it was obvious that she was slightly better.

Lin Daiyu smiled, "You're being polite. Sister Xue also has many wonderful sentences, which is really refreshing."

Xue Baochai looked at Lin Daiyu's cheeks, which were fair but pink, and completely different from the rumors that she was born with a defect. So she asked, "Perhaps it's a bit offensive to ask this question. I have heard rumors from relatives that Sister Lin was born with a defect and was weak and afraid of the cold. That's why I sent some bird's nest to Sister Lin to recuperate. But today, when I really saw Sister Lin's face behind the veil, I didn't see any signs of illness at all. I guess I was being nosy."

Lin Daiyu stroked Xue Baochai's hand and consoled her, "That was indeed the case in the old days. I took more medicine than food. When I put the ginseng nourishing pills in my mouth, it only left a mouthful of medicine. Fortunately, I'm with Brother Yue, and I'm almost recovered now."

"Ginseng nourishing pills?"

Lin Daiyu nodded slightly, "What's wrong?"

Xue Baochai pondered and said, "I know a little about pharmacology. The most important ingredients in the Ginseng Yangrong Pill are ginseng and cinnamon. But although these two ingredients can nourish the qi and replenish the spirit, they should not be taken in too much or too hot. Sister Lin is probably too weak to take any tonic. She needs to calm the liver and strengthen the stomach first. Once the liver fire is calmed, it cannot overcome the earth. If the stomach qi is healthy, then food and drink can nourish the body."

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "Strange, Brother Yue said the same thing. Could it be that Daddy found a quack doctor who gave me the wrong medicine, and that's why I didn't get better?"

Xue Baochai shook her head. "Each has his own opinion on whether he is a mediocre doctor or a good doctor. One prescription cannot cure everyone. Sister Lin is lucky to have the protection of the Marquis. She is in good health today."

"Nursing is much more difficult than curing an illness. Even if the Marquis understands medical principles, I'm afraid he has wasted a lot of time and effort."

Lin Daiyu smiled sweetly, these words really touched her heart.

Of course she remembered how good Yue Ling was to her. When she first arrived in the capital, he was afraid that she would have a poor appetite, so he personally prepared medicinal food for a long time. After her health improved, he took her to practice together. He even stayed by her side to comfort her when she was in a bad mood. He was really closer to her than her father.

Lin Daiyu's eyes sparkled, and she turned and said, "Sister Xue has a fever, right? Why not ask Brother Yue if he has any good ideas?"

Xue Baochai smiled awkwardly, "My illness is the same as Lin Daiyu's. I have had it since I was born. I have visited many famous doctors but none of them could cure it. Finally, I came across the Lengxiang Pills, a good prescription. My illness is strange. I don't know when it will flare up. I can only know when I cough. After taking the medicine, it will be relieved immediately."

Lin Daiyu thought, "Brother Yue has great powers, maybe he really has a solution?"

At the right moment, the outer door opened and Xueyan called inside, "General Yue is back. It's time for dinner."

Xue Baochai and Lin Daiyu turned their heads at the same time, but Xue Baochai was even quicker and stood up to go out to greet them.

Lin Daiyu was startled, then came to her senses after a moment, "No, this is not my good sister!!"

(End of this chapter)