Red Mansion: Seizing Jiangdong, starting with pirates

Chapter 18, Obey the Law

Just now, Jia Yucun was still thanking Fang Yong for saving him from the thieves, but he never thought that he had just escaped from the tiger's den and fell into a wolf's den.

"Mr. Fang, this is not a joke, right?"

Jia Yucun asked nervously, holding on to the last glimmer of hope.

Fang Yong was smiling with a kind expression, but it suddenly changed.

He slammed the table, scaring Jia Yucun's heart.

"Who is going to amuse you, Jia Hua? You know that a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring. I hate people who don't repay kindness the most. I saved your life, so you should stay and serve me. Otherwise, hmph, you will have to give me your life back!"

After Fang Yong finished speaking, he stared at Jia Yucun with a fierce look on his face, as if he would cut him into pieces if Jia Yucun said no the next moment!
Fang Yong has a different attitude towards Jia Yucun than others.

But Jia Yucun was born with a round waist and thick back, a broad face and square mouth, with sword-like eyebrows, star-like eyes, a straight nose and powerful cheeks.

In this era, her appearance can be considered good.

His abilities were also remarkable. He passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi without any background. Later, he was reinstated and continued to rise in status. This alone surpassed most people of that era.

However, Jia Yucun is not a loyal person at all.

In the original book, this is an out-and-out profit-seeking villain.

Zhen Shiyin and the Jia family had both been kind to him, but Jia Yucun did not save Zhen Shiyin's daughter Xiangling when she was in trouble; and when the Jia family was ransacked, Jia Yucun even added insult to injury, which shows his true character.

Like a poisonous snake, it does not remember a favor; when its master loses power, it will kill him.

Fang Yong knew very well that it was useless to show kindness to this kind of person. The best option was to force him to obey by force.

That's why he directly threatened Jia Yucun.

After hearing Fang Yong's threatening words, Jia Yucun's eyes flashed with fear.

He saw that the vicious look in Fang Yong's eyes did not seem fake, he was really on a pirate ship!
However, after the panic, Jia Yucun quickly calmed down. His years of experience made him extremely sophisticated, and he was able to think calmly and find a way out in most situations.

In a flash, Jia Yucun's brain started working rapidly.

First of all, Fang Yong wanted to make himself work for him, which meant that he was useful to him, which meant that the other party would not kill him easily.

With this as support, Jia Yucun felt a little relieved.

Very quickly, Jia Yucun came up with a roundabout excuse.

He stood up in a hurry, took two steps back, looked at Fang Yong in fear, and said respectfully:

"Thank you, Master Fang, for your kindness. I would never refuse. But please know that I am just a scholar and I am afraid I cannot handle such a heavy responsibility. I can do small things, but if I have to do big things, I am afraid I am powerless even if I am willing."

After Jia Yucun finished speaking, he lowered his head in pretending to be ashamed.

He knew that now that Fang Yong had chosen him, he would definitely not let him go easily.

But he could settle for the second best and first lower Fang Yong's expectations of him, then pretend to be incompetent and mess up a few small things. When Fang Yong no longer values him, he can find a way to get out.

The only loophole in this matter is that Daiyu knows his specific situation, but considering that the matter was urgent yesterday, Daiyu would most likely not discuss his situation with Fang Yong.

So he still has time. He just needs to find an excuse to meet Daiyu later and secretly entrust this matter to her, and then everything will be safe.

As Jia Yucun thought this, he felt a little proud of his quick wit.

Fang Yong smiled and clapped his hands:

"Okay, okay, Mr. Jia is indeed a pillar of talent. He can tell lies so eloquently."

Jia Yucun was shocked and thought to himself: How did he know? Did Daiyu tell me about her situation yesterday? Or is she trying to trick me?

Jia Yucun was in a state of panic, but on the surface he pretended to be calm and said:

"Why do you say that, sir? How can a gentleman lie when he speaks?" Fang Yong sneered:
"You are a Jinshi, but because of your greed and cruelty, you relied on your talent to insult your superiors, and were dismissed from office by your superiors. Now the emperor has a new policy and wants to reinstate old officials. You came to the capital this time to ask for reinstatement. Am I right?"

After hearing this, Jia Yucun was so frightened that he could no longer remain calm.

Even Daiyu didn't know the specific reason why he was dismissed from office, but Fang Yong could tell it in such detail. How did he know it!

Fang Yong smiled faintly and asked again:

"Sir, are you willing to serve me now?"

Jia Yucun's heart sank completely. He knew that he could not escape this time, so he could only bite the bullet and ask:

"My lord, you want to serve me, what do you want to do?"

"If you want to give me advice, I can still give you some advice, but if you want to do something like burning, killing and looting, I really can't do anything about it."

Fang Yongdao:
"Don't worry, sir. Although I am a bandit, I am not a wicked person and I will not do anything illegal or disorderly."

After hearing this, Jia Yucun felt a little relieved.

"Then I wonder what you want to do, sir?"

Fang Yong smiled and said:
"There are only four ways: one is to buy grain and cultivate land to educate the people; the second is to build weapons and armor for hunting; the third is to smuggle salt to fill the treasury; the fourth is to bribe high officials to survive."

"I don't ask you to help me get all four, I just ask for one of them, and I will be at ease. In the future, I will definitely treat you as my confidant and work together for glory and wealth."

After hearing Fang Yong's four points, Jia Yucun was so frightened that he could no longer maintain his composure and sat down on the ground.

"This, this, this, these are all capital crimes of treason!"

Fang Yong personally helped Jia Yucun up and said:

"Sir, what are you talking about? How can these little things be considered sins?"

How is it a sin for poor people like us to buy some food to survive the winter?

What law has been violated by making some weapons and hunting in the mountains?
As for selling private salt, the eight major salt merchants in Huaiyang all do it, and there is nothing wrong with it.

The final bribery of senior officials was also in line with the current situation and was a last resort. You should understand this, sir.

Jia Yucun...

I don’t understand shit. If I understand, these four points alone are already serious crimes that warrant extermination of the family and genocide. If all of them are added together, wouldn’t that be treason!!!
Unfortunately, the situation was stronger than the person, and even though Jia Yucun was extremely unwilling, he dared not refuse directly, so he could only remind him implicitly:

"Well, sir, I am not refusing what you said, but now that Daxi has been at peace for a long time and the people are living in peace and happiness, I think it is not a wise move to buy grain and cultivate land at this time. There is no need for it."

After hearing this, Fang Yong looked at Jia Yucun and understood what he meant.

Jia Yucun wanted to tell him that the Daxi Dynasty was prosperous and it was not wise to rebel at this time.

But is Daxi really prosperous?
Fang Yong smiled and asked:

"Sir, do you know why there were thieves rioting in Jinhai yesterday?"

Jia Yucun shook his head and said, "I don't know. I think some pirates took advantage of the night to cause trouble."

Fang Yong did not answer, but asked again:
"Sir, do you know how much the land tax is now, and whether the people have enough food?"

Jia Yucun heard this and said:
"Of course I know. The current land tax is two out of ten, which is a bit heavy, but now is the new policy reform, and it is also a bumper year. As long as the people work hard, they should be able to save some grain."

Fang Yong smiled and shook his head.

"Sir, please come with me to take a look at this matter in person after we return!"

"As for now, I have said all that needs to be said. Please tell me clearly, sir, are you willing to serve me?"

(End of this chapter)