The First Family of the Red Mansion

Chapter 33 First Meeting with Jia Shi

Liu Hu was unwilling to offend these eunuchs. Although Wu Xun's position had always suppressed the civil officials since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, one should not forget that there was still the imperial power above them.

Without the support of the three emperors of the Great Zhou Dynasty, relying on the strong foundation of Jiangnan and the methods of civil officials, Wu Xun would have long since become their servant.

These eunuchs, to a certain extent, represented the face of the royal family.

Unless there is a particularly serious conflict of interest, neither civil nor military officials will easily provoke them.

So when the eunuch from the Imperial Horse Administration arrived, Liu Hu immediately began to complain.

Look at the kind of people you've sent!

My family just crawled out of the mud, and we haven't even cleaned the dirt off yet, and the people you sent have already embezzled so much of my money.

Listening to Liu Hu's complaints, the eunuch's lips twitched involuntarily: "A mere few hundred taels of silver, as if your family can't survive without it."

Everyone knows that General Liu, this time you've just won tens of thousands of taels of silver from the spoils of war alone, not even counting the cattle and sheep that haven't been brought back yet.

He was unwilling to offend this newcomer for the sake of a short-sighted steward. The reason he came this time was to test the steward's attitude towards eunuchs.

Although the eunuchs of the Great Zhou Dynasty were not allowed to interfere in the court, they controlled most of the royal family's assets.

Faced with such enormous profits, the court officials had been eyeing them covetously, plotting to seize these benefits from them.

Fortunately, the emperors of the Great Zhou Dynasty were wise. They neither trusted the greedy civil officials nor were they wary of the arrogant military commanders, which prevented these benefits from being taken from them.

But this one is different. Judging from Emperor Anping's attitude towards him, Liu Hu will definitely become a pillar of the army during Emperor Anping's reign.

If Liu Hu were to covet the benefits they held, they would need to prepare as soon as possible.

"General Liu is absolutely right. We must not let those fools ruin the relationship between the Minister and the General. We will definitely give the General a satisfactory explanation."

Although he inwardly despised Liu Hu's complaints, the eunuch managed to control his expression well and spoke with a sincere face.

"Since General Liu is dissatisfied with the manager we previously sent, then we will replace him with a reliable one. What does the General think?"

Liu Hu remained silent, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and pondered to himself: Logically speaking, the Imperial Horse Administration shouldn't care so much about such a minor steward.

However, according to this person, it would be best to let them arrange his future housekeeper.

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, Liu Hu knew in his heart that he couldn't escape this calamity.

Although they certainly had more than one undercover agent in the palace, having one spy in the open was a way for Emperor Anping to reassure his ministers and a tacit understanding between the emperor and his subjects.

"Alright!"

Since there's no way to avoid it, we might as well give Emperor Anping's henchmen some face, but we should still try to fight for it.

"But if what happened last time happens again, don't blame me for not giving the Minister of the Interior any face."

"My family has only recently come from the countryside, and we don't have that much money for those people to line their own pockets."

"Also, if another idiot who can't tell right from wrong comes along, I can't guarantee his head will be taken."

When Liu Hu uttered his last words, the murderous intent in his eyes terrified the eunuch from the Imperial Horse Administration.

"Everyone says he's a killer, and seeing him today, I can confirm it's true."

On his way back to the palace, the eunuch felt a sudden sense of fear.

He was almost scared to death trying to test this person's attitude.

"how?"

Dai Quan lay back in his chair, squinting at the eunuchs who had rushed back.

"Godfather, Liu Hu agreed to take our people in, but he requires that our people follow his rules from now on, otherwise he won't give face to anyone."

Perhaps Liu Hu didn't give him any money, or perhaps he resented Liu Hu for scaring him, but upon seeing Dai Quan, he immediately tried to sow discord between Liu Hu and Dai Quan, relying on Dai Quan's favor towards him.

"Um?"

Upon hearing his godson's report, Dai Quan straightened up, narrowed his eyes, and revealed a terrifying glint in them.

"Tell me what he said. If there's a single lie, you'll be in big trouble."

"Godfather..."

He never imagined that his attempt to sow discord between that murderous bastard and his godfather would lead to his death.

But he knew that his godfather's methods were not limited to being the chief eunuch by the emperor's side; he also held the Eastern Depot, an omnipresent and insidious henchman.

What happened to me at the Liu residence just now, even if I don't say anything, will soon be in my godfather's hands.

"Godfather, spare me! I just..."

"Speak! If you dare to hide a single word, we'll show you what it means to wish you were dead."

"yes!"

The eunuch was now covered in sweat and trembling as he recounted what had just happened at the Liu residence.

"snort!"

After hearing the eunuch's account, Dai Quan's expression immediately relaxed considerably.

This idiot isn't completely stupid; at least on the surface, he hasn't completely offended Liu Hu.

It's not easy to find a few godsons who are agreeable. Although he is ruthless, he is unwilling to lose one of his godsons.

"Fortunately, you're not too stupid. If you had really offended General Liu to death, then we would have had no choice but to offer your head to win General Liu's forgiveness."

"Godfather, spare me!"

Upon hearing Dai Quan's words, the eunuch immediately breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that his life was safe.

"You idiot, do you know that we people, who seem to be living a glamorous life, actually hold a lot of wealth in our hands?"

"But if one is not careful, as long as one loses His Majesty's trust, one will immediately fall into an abyss of no return."

"Among the officials, who isn't envious of the benefits we hold? When the time comes, even without the Emperor's intervention, those people will tear me to shreds."

Dai Quan pointed at the kneeling eunuch and angrily rebuked him: "We finally have a nobleman who isn't interested in the benefits we hold, but you want to use me to completely offend him? How much do you want me dead?"

"Do you know that just yesterday, His Highness the Crown Prince was reprimanded by His Majesty because of a few slanderous words from Liu Hu?"

"You think our neck is stiffer than His Highness the Crown Prince's?"

"Godfather, I had absolutely no such intention..."

However, before he could finish speaking, Dai Quan waved his hand impatiently: "Take him away, give him twenty lashes, and then send him to Jiangnan."

"Your son thanks you, godfather!"

Upon hearing that he had not only escaped with his life but had also been assigned a lucrative position, the eunuch immediately kowtowed in gratitude.

"I hope you'll take care of yourself." Dai Quan looked at his godson being dragged away and finally offered a quiet word of advice.

"Your son will remember your teachings, Godfather!"

Hearing the joy in his godson's words, Dai Quan's face showed a hint of disappointment.

This godson is doomed.

As the Grand Chancellor, how could he not know the Emperor's thoughts?

As Lady Fengsheng grew older, the Emperor had considered traveling south to the Jiangnan region several times.

Previously, due to the unrest caused by the Oirat Mongols, the western frontier was unstable. Although the emperor had intended to go, he ultimately could not make the trip.

Now that the Oirat Mongols have been pacified and the Hexi Corridor and the Western Regions have been recovered, the Emperor will surely be tempted to move south again.

If my godson works diligently in Jiangnan, that's fine, but if he can't control his greed, the day the emperor goes south will be the day he dies.

Judging from this godson's previous behavior and words, he was clearly not a well-behaved person.

"That's good, so that if we get into big trouble someday, it won't affect our family."

Since Liu Hu wanted a reliable butler, Dai Quan found him an honest and reliable one, as a way of showing his goodwill.

The Liu family certainly had more than one spy, so it didn't matter if he was eliminated.

The next day, a eunuch came to apologize and a kind and honest steward.

There are always short-sighted people everywhere, so Liu Hu didn't make things difficult for them. After accepting the apology, he let the person stay.

"You know the rules here, right?"

Liu Hu looked at the newly appointed steward of the Imperial Horse Stables and asked indifferently.

"I understand. The Imperial Household Department gave instructions before they came, and I know what to do."

"After the previous manager went back, everyone knew that your rules were strict, otherwise I wouldn't have been chosen to be the manager." The new manager thought to himself, while also feeling a little fortunate.

To put it bluntly, these people were previously assigned by the Eastern Depot to oversee various royal properties.

With his status as a person, no one would trust him to work for them. Being released to serve as a steward for a noble family, even if he couldn't make a fortune, at least his life was guaranteed.

Those eunuchs in charge of the imperial estates, though they may not have much power in the court, are all incredibly cunning and ruthless in the shadows. You never know when they might suddenly die.

"Just know your limits. I hope you can stay true to yourself and not forget your responsibilities."

Seeing that this man didn't seem ambitious, Liu Hu gave him a few words of advice and then had him taken away.

"Kitty, are we going to the Rongguo Mansion today?"

While having breakfast with his mother, Liu looked at her son and asked him a question with a hint of expectation on her face.

"Yes!" Liu Hu nodded. He still had to go to Rongguo Mansion. Not to mention that he had stayed at their mansion for several months, even if Jia Daishan had been his commander during the Western Expedition, he still had to go.

Although he should try to keep his distance from the court officials in order to put Emperor Anping at ease, he was still a commoner at the moment.

According to the plan, this westward expedition will end before the spring plowing season.

By then, even if I want to associate with any family, I will have to consider Emperor Anping's feelings.

Liu Hu, dressed in casual clothes, rode on horseback, followed by a carriage.

The Liu family had only recently come from the countryside, and Liu Shi was not used to being carried in a sedan chair, so Liu Hu arranged a horse-drawn carriage for her.

"Cat, when you meet Lady Rong later, remember to say a few auspicious words."

"Although our family will be quite successful in the future, we must not forget our roots."

"You must remember the care the Jia family showed you back then, and you must not be an ungrateful person."

Even while sitting in the carriage, Liu seemed unable to sit still, lifting the curtain and nagging Liu Hu the whole way.

Liu Hu could only force a smile and nod along the way, getting a little dizzy from all the nodding.

Liu Hu had originally thought he would have to enter through a side gate today, but unexpectedly, he and Liu Shi had only just arrived at Ningrong Street when they were led to the main gate by a servant from the Jia family.

Looking at the wide-open main gate and the indigo plaque that read "Imperial Decree to Build Rongguo Mansion," Liu Hu was overwhelmed with emotion.

When I first arrived at Rongguo Mansion a few months ago, even my movement was restricted.

A few months passed in the blink of an eye, and the same young man returned as a distinguished guest of the Rongguo Mansion.

Thinking back to the original story, it was right here, decades later, that Liu Shi, with Ban'er, knelt down and begged the Jia family for a way to survive, only to be met with ridicule and mockery from the entire household. It was only because Feng Jie gave them twenty taels of silver that Liu Shi's family was spared from starving to death.

"Even to repay that kindness, Sister Feng must never enter the Jia family again, this huge pit," Liu Hu thought to himself.

In the original story, Sister Feng is involved in both lending money and taking on lawsuits, making her seem like someone who would do anything for money.

But upon closer reflection, she wasn't actually born that bad. The reason she did those things was partly because she was kept in the dark by her subordinates, and partly because she was tricked by the Jia family.

Before she took over the household, the Jia family had already been emptied out by the servants and several masters and ladies. Even if she used all of her dowry, it would be impossible to fill this bottomless pit.

Moreover, the Jia family lived a life of extravagance and debauchery in order to maintain their dignity. If Sister Feng hadn't found a way to make money, the Jia family would have collapsed long ago.

"What a pity, Sister Feng hasn't been born yet, so she can only benefit from her son who is still nowhere to be found."

Liu Hu himself has very little say in his own marriage.

Emperor Anping could not possibly let go of the opportunity to win over this minister, who was destined to become a pillar of the court and the army in the future.

It is likely that Emperor Anping was already choosing a marriage partner for himself at this time.

"General Liu, Madam, my mother has been waiting for you for a long time. Please come in."

Jia Daishan was not at home, but his eldest son, Jia She, led a group of servants and came out of the mansion to greet him with smiles.

At this time, Jia She, though only thirteen years old, already possessed some of the demeanor of Jia Daishan. He was polite yet dignified, which explains why he was favored by Emperor Anping, who personally bestowed upon him the title "Enhou" (Marquis of Grace).

I just don't know why, decades later, he became the "Station General" from the original story who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun?

Although many people say that he was implicated in the Crown Prince's rebellion and deliberately concealed his abilities, even if he pretended to be weak to deceive others, he wouldn't actually become a pig, would he?

When Liu Hu and Granny Liu entered the Rongguo Mansion under Jia She's guidance, the guards who had previously trained with Liu Hu and remained at the mansion looked at him with envy.

When this kid first arrived, he was only a little stronger and a little faster at learning things.

How did that half-grown farm boy become a rising star in the army and a distinguished guest of the general's family in the blink of an eye?

Since they were on duty at the time, Liu Hu simply smiled and nodded at them as a greeting.

"How have you been lately, dear Sister Liu?"

As soon as they entered the second courtyard, Liu, who was holding her daughter, was greeted by a noblewoman in her early thirties.

"This must be your son, he's quite handsome!"

Seeing the lady's warm and friendly expression, Liu Hu immediately stepped forward to greet her.

"Liu Hu greets Lady Rongguo!"