Volume 3: The Richest Man in the World Chapter 12: Red and White Together
Yu Lian'er sat down and said with a smile: "Sister, you are really careful in doing things. Xiao Qian is so worried about this."
"You still don't understand." Tan Sanniang said, "Nowadays, the charity cemetery is not worried about lack of money. If I can save face, I can get several thousand taels of silver. But my face will become less and less useful day by day, and the source of money for the charity cemetery will become tighter and tighter day by day. If we don't set up rules now and block the loopholes for spending money, the charity cemetery will have a hard time when the season is quiet."
Yu Lian'er said: "Sister, since you know that your reputation is getting worse day by day, why don't you take advantage of the opportunity to save more money for your retirement?"
Tan Sanniang sighed softly, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "There are some things I didn't want to say, and I felt that you might not listen to me even if I said them, but we are sisters, so I'll tell you anyway. It's up to you how much you listen to it."
Yu Lian'er still had some respect for Tan Sanniang at this time, and hurriedly said, "Sister, you are willing to teach me. I am blessed."
Tan Sanniang then said, "Money is a spiritual thing. Money that is hard to come by is hard to go, and money that is easily earned is easy to go. The sisters from Shenxianzhou, out of kindness, raised money for the orphans and widows in the charity cemetery. Every penny is legitimate money. Whether we use it to buy charcoal or to buy medicine or to hire a doctor, we will feel at ease if we spend it in a legitimate way. The sisters from Shenxianzhou will see how we spend money and will continue to support us in the future, so that we can make a steady income.
"But if I lose face, let alone go to Hao Guan, even if I go to Foshan Chen and Liu Sanye, won't I get thousands of taels of silver? But this money is available today and gone tomorrow. Moreover, since money comes easily, it is hard to cherish it. Even if it is tens of thousands of taels of silver, it will only take two or three months to spend it. And when the philanthropists see that we have a large source of money and spend money lavishly, they may not be willing to give money to support us. In this way, we will get a basin of water that is easily dispersed, but lose the long-term charity."
Yu Lian'er heard this and thought to herself, "Sister is confused and doesn't know how to count. How many taels of silver did I bring today for the charcoal? Even if this kind of trickle of money happens every year or lasts for a hundred years, it is not as good as one word from Hao Guan."
However, it was too much effort for her to say these words, and she didn't want to argue with Tan Sanniang, so she just said, "Sister, you are right."
The reason why Dan Sanniang could be re-elected as the most beautiful woman in Shenxianzhou was not only because Wu Chengjian supported her. Her ability to read people's expressions was something that ordinary people could not do. She could tell at a glance that Yu Lian'er was not speaking from her heart, but she did not say anything more.
At this time, the little girl had already cleaned up the charcoal fire, and Bihe also brought up some hot tea.
Tan Sanniang said, "The tea here is not as good as that in Shenxianzhou, please don't despise it, sister."
Yu Lian'er smiled, and the maid beside her said for her: "What kind of person are you describing our daughter with these words, Sanniang? Our daughter has also suffered a lot, and she is not the kind of person who despises the poor and loves the rich."
Bihe heard this and felt secretly annoyed. She thought, if it was a few months ago when she was still on the Huachahao, would she have allowed a wild girl like you who came out of nowhere to have the temerity to interrupt in front of the girl?
At the beginning, Tan Sanniang was in Huachahao, controlling Shenxianzhou remotely. The four most beautiful women dared not sit in front of her without a sign, and the maids and servants around them dared not even breathe. Unexpectedly, after just a few months, things have changed. Yu Lian'er was the best, and she just remained polite. Even the maids around her dared to be so presumptuous.
Tan Sanniang just smiled lightly, and would not argue with a little girl. She just asked, "Have you informed Wu Qi and Master Zhou about the recent rumors in Shenxianzhou?"
When she left Hua Cha Hao, although she tried her best to calm herself down, she was not a Bodhisattva after all, so it was impossible for her to not be angry inside. But after calming down, she still asked someone to invite Yu Lian'er to the charity cemetery and asked her to take over the collection of rumors about the Immortal Continent, thus handing the burden to her.
Yu Lian'er said: "Sister, don't worry, it's always there."
Tan Sanniang nodded and said, "The situation of Haoguan is getting bigger and bigger. He may not need Shenxianzhou as much as before. But it's always good to keep this information channel. He is a man of integrity. If you work hard for him, he won't treat you unfairly."
Yu Lian'er just nodded and drank another half cup of tea. Tan Sanniang saw that she was hesitant to speak, so she said, "You are not here just to bring charcoal and silver this time, right? If you have anything to say, you might as well tell me directly."
Yu Lian'er then pointed to the north and said, "Over there, the baby has been born."
Tan Sanniang and Bihe were both stunned for a moment, then they understood what was going on. Bihe asked, "Did the Third Young Lady give birth?"
Yu Lian'er nodded: "Boy, safe."
Bihe held her breath for a moment, not knowing whether to be happy for Wu Chengjian or annoyed for Tan Sanniang.
Tan Sanniang was speechless for a moment. After a moment's silence, she slowly stood up, turned around, and bowed down to the shrine in the corner of the room. She clasped her hands together and chanted a Buddhist prayer.
Yu Lian'er added: "However, Wu family, this time, red and white, we did it together."
Inside the room, not only Bihe was surprised, but Tan Sanniang also turned around suddenly.
Yu Lian'er said, "Brother Haoguan, that young master, has also gone."
Tan Sanniang was stunned when she heard this, then she let out a long sigh and chanted the Buddha's name again in the direction of Xiguan.
There is another person who is as gloomy and bleak as this winter.
Zhu Gui's transfer decree was finally officially transmitted to Guangzhou, and the new Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, Ji Qing, also arrived in Guangzhou soon.
Zhu Gui was transferred from the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi to the Governor-General of Anhui. His rank remained unchanged, and he was still a high-ranking official in the region. However, anyone could tell from the transfer order that Zhu Gui was being demoted in secret. The reason he had ended up like this was that as the emperor's teacher, he wanted to save some face for the emperor.
Zhu Gui had excellent self-cultivation. Although he encountered injustice, he quickly accepted it and did not vent his anger on others.
But Cai Qinghua felt even more guilty. He followed Zhu Gui all the way, hoping to make a career in Guangdong, but he didn't expect to end up like this. The reason for Zhu Gui's demotion seemed to have nothing to do with the Thirteen Hongs, but Cai Qinghua knew in his heart that how could it have nothing to do with it? That was the "unspoken fault, undiscussed crime"! However , he put the most effort into the Thirteen Hongs. But in the end, the disaster came from here!
On the night the imperial edict arrived, Cai Qinghua asked Zhu Gui for forgiveness and resignation, but Zhu Gui said, "The Thirteen Hongs incident was not your fault, it was because the time was not right. If you feel guilty and want to resign, then there is no need. But if you feel that I am going to lose power and want to leave, then go ahead."
Upon hearing this, Cai Qinghua immediately kowtowed and said, "I have been appreciated by Master Ya and entrusted with your confidant. How dare I abandon you just because of your temporary setback? If Master Ya still trusts me, I am willing to serve you regardless of danger or danger."
That night, the host and the guest drank a glass of wine, and Cai Qinghua perked up and took care of the aftermath for Zhu Gui.
Zhu Gui resigned from Guangdong and Guangxi and became the governor of Anhui. He could not stay in Guangzhou for long, so he left after handing over the seal of defense. Cai Qinghua had to deal with some follow-up matters, so he stayed for two more days. These two days were extremely sad for him: Ji Qing did not agree with many of Zhu Gui's policies, so after taking over the power of Guangdong and Guangxi, he did not pay attention to the things that Zhu Gui originally valued. Some of the measures were even abolished before Zhu Gui left. This time Zhu Gui was demoted. The apparent reason was because of his ineffective suppression of the barbarians. So as soon as Zhu Gui left, Ji Qing demoted the admiral of the Guangdong Navy, who was originally highly valued by Zhu Gui, and abolished many of Zhu Gui's half-finished things before, such as buying ships, building ships, training soldiers, and setting up camps. He was born as the deputy governor of the Bordered White Banner Mongolia, and did not believe in strong ships and powerful guns, but believed more in the Manchu and Mongolian bows and horses, so he asked to strengthen the bow and horse training in Guangdong and Guangxi.
Cai Qinghua was very angry about these measures, but the new governor wanted to change his ways, not to mention him, even Zhu Gui was powerless to interfere. After a few pieces of news came out of the Governor's Office, the whole Guangzhou Prefecture knew that the situation in Guangdong Bay was about to change. Those who originally relied on Zhu Gui were trembling with fear, fearing that they would offend the new governor.
Cai Qinghua was helpless. He had originally hoped to hand over the money and case files more carefully so that some of Zhu Gui's policies could continue. But now it seemed unnecessary. He quickly handed over the money, grain, and case files, and then rushed to Anhui to meet Zhu Gui.
Although he gradually seized power during his time in Guangdong , he did not take the opportunity to make money. Now that he had lost all his power, he left with nothing. The servants of the Governor's Office did not even look at him. When he wanted to leave Guangzhou, he could not even use the post horse system, so he had to hire a carriage to leave the city north.
Just think about how he was in power a few months ago, running rampant in Guangzhou, and was very impressive, but now he was deserted, with only a servant boy sitting in a carriage. Even Lu Guanhuan didn't dare to see him off openly - he needed to please the new governor - and only sent someone to secretly deliver a lot of silver and valuables. Cai Qinghua was angry and actually refused them all.
After getting on the carriage and leaving the city, we were about to take the official road when we suddenly saw white flags fluttering in the distance. All the boats on the Beijiang River were flying white flags. Coupled with the bleak cold wind, the water and land, the sky and the earth were all filled with a mournful and solemn atmosphere.
