Chapter 65

  Because of the high ranking in the Jin Fenghua Academy, he was designated as a Linsheng, and each year he received a subsidy of silver taels from the Horizontal City Government. Although it was not much, it also represented Jin Fenghua's achievements. In addition, the Linsheng subsidy was distributed according to the ranking of the top 100 students in the first year, with the government also providing copper gongs and red silk to the team delivering the silver, announcing it to the neighbors, making these high-ranking scholars shine again for a second time.

  Jin Fenghua handed over the limited subsidy, and also let Guan Qi Shang send away the small official who sent silver. He politely sent the person away, then turned around, somewhat embarrassed, and said to the few people behind him: "Two uncles, please come this way."

  The eldest master is the eldest son of the first wife, and also the only son of General An Guo. Because General An Guo was posthumously awarded a title, he was only rewarded with silver money, without being granted a mansion or the right to pass it down through generations. Therefore, after the old lady passes away, the first house will no longer be able to hang General An Guo's plaque, and the eldest master can only hang the plaque of the General's Mansion according to his own rank. The eldest master and the third master are both nominal generals, which is an idle position with no real power. Fortunately, the Jin family has a rich foundation in Heng City, so the eldest master, apart from occasionally going to the military camp, goes to the Jin family's coal mine to check on the coal production situation, as well as managing the Jin family's merchant team and escort agency. The third master is in charge of several wine houses in Heng City and a few estates outside the city. These are not private properties of each house, but public assets. Only after the two elderly people at home pass away will these properties be divided into three parts, inherited by the descendants of each house, and later become separate branches.

  The two old men, Da Lao Ye and San Lao Ye, had been observing Jin Fenghua since the announcement of the list. They saw that when he first heard about being on the list, he was happy but not arrogant. Later, in the mansion, only a family banquet was held, and he did not show any resentment or depression. Moreover, after his adoption, he entered and exited with courtesy, unlike ordinary adopted sons who are cautious and humble. He also didn't become arrogant and boastful because he was the only son of the second house. Instead, he had a calm and composed temperament that was unaffected by honor or shame.

  "Although the imperial examination is next year, in fact, it's only a little more than a year from now. You need to study hard during this period, so you won't regret it when you take the exam next year." The Third Master also had his own son participating in the imperial examination, who was already a student, but he didn't take the exam at the academy this year because the teacher thought that his son's temperament was not yet settled and needed to be tempered for another two years.

  The old master patted Jin Fenghua's shoulder and said, "Don't worry too much, you're still young. If you don't pass this year, there's always next year."

  Jin Fenghua nodded in response, but he was very clear in his mind that for the past two years, due to Long Xingwei's private killing of officials for personal gain, the Emperor wanted to break through the old ministers and eunuchs' restraints. This time, the Chen family's downfall had far-reaching implications, so there would be autumn examinations for three consecutive years. This was his opportunity, and also the fastest way to climb up. If he missed it next year, the autumn examination would resume its original frequency of once every three years, and he would have to wait another three years. The time was too long, and he had already grown impatient.

  "By the way, I heard that you have been getting close with a young scholar recently?" The old master walked into the main hall and asked while sitting at the top seat.

  "He's called Yu Chunsheng, I met him at the Imperial Academy. This time in the academy exams he came sixteenth." Jin Fenghua stood before his two uncles and replied.

  The old master smiled and said: "He is indeed a young talent, but I don't know which family's young master he is."

  "He is the young master of the Yu family from Jiangyang." Jiangyang was a city in Hengcheng Prefecture that was closest to the south, as its name suggested, it was a city by the river, with well-developed transportation and rich products. The Yu family was a well-known seafood merchant in the area, also owning their own wine house, considered one of the wealthiest families.

  "It turned out to be the son of a merchant." The old master's interest faded, and he didn't ask again. Instead, he mentioned the second housekeeper, Yan: "He's just an old slave, don't let him control you. My second uncle has several guest houses and fruit shops on his account, as well as some fields and estates. Over the years, I think he's made a lot of money. Privately, I've also heard that my second uncle invested in the northwest copper and iron mine back then, which is not on the surface. Huage, since you're already a part of the Jin family and my second uncle's grandson, this account must be kept in mind. When the time comes, it will fall into the hands of a cunning slave, and my second uncle won't rest easy under the spring."

  The two old men furrowed their brows, then smiled and said: "If you have any difficulties, you can come to your uncles. If not, your third grandfather is still around. As long as you are honest with yourself, everything will be fine."

  Jin Fenghua didn't ask any more questions about that property, and simply replied honestly, making it impossible for others to see through her.

  As it was almost noon, the two old gentlemen also had their own dinner engagements and bid farewell. The elder gentleman left directly from the main gate, while the second gentleman turned towards his family's inner door and headed to the main house.

  "Master, you said that Third Master would be moved by the old master's words today?" The steward who followed Second Master had grown up with him since childhood and naturally understood the twists and turns of this household.

  The Second Master took the two walnut carvings from his hand, gently pinched them and said: "That young Feng Hua, I've always found him hard to fathom, but I know he's a clever person. However, Eldest Brother's behavior is too ugly, on the surface it looks like he's being filial to his uncle, but in reality his true nature has already been exposed, otherwise how would he even know about Second Uncle's private copper and iron mines? I'm afraid what he wants isn't just those superficial things, the copper and iron mines are the real deal."

  "What about us?" The little servant asked in a low voice after taking a wrong step back.

  "Your wife said it well, let's wait and see. If these two can make a go of it, there's no need for us to lose face in front of your father. But if they're not up to the task, don't blame me for taking advantage of the situation. After all, that's still property of the Jin family, isn't it?" The second master strolled ahead with his hands behind his back, while the steward smiled to himself and followed behind.

  Waiting for the two uncles to leave, Jin Fenghua didn't take a sedan chair either, and directly led Guanqi on foot up the mountain. Thinking of the attitude of those two men just now, Jin Fenghua couldn't help but smile and say: "After all, they are martial artists, I'm afraid only Second Master has some brains."

  "Is the thing still with General Yan?" Guan Qi was also a bit curious.

  "Let it be, wait for him to give it to me himself. I'm not short of that little money." Jin Fenghua said disdainfully.

  Watching chess knows the master's will is not here, and in his heart, he secretly ridicules the Jin family for being short-sighted. With the value of their own master's life, what does the Jin family count as?

  "Yu Chunsheng said he's going back home next month?" Jin Fenghua suddenly asked.

  "Yes, Young Master You said so, we'll part ways for a while and meet again after the imperial examination." Guan Qi replied.

  "Going home..." Jin Fenghua gazed at the scenery on the mountain, and hooked up the corner of his mouth: "When he gets home, see where he goes, be careful, don't get discovered."

  "Don't worry, young master," said Guan Qi with a proud smile. "He's just a merchant, but we are..."

  "Be careful and there will be no big mistakes, if you are discovered, you will be the ones to suffer." Jin Fenghua said sternly as he turned his head.

  Watching chess for a moment, he hastily bowed and replied.

  "Watching chess, do you know? There is a noble concubine in the palace with the surname You..." Jin Fenghua said lightly, stopping at that.

  Watching chess, I suddenly felt my hair stand on end, and I thoroughly didn't dare to take it lightly anymore.

  In the Xiangyuan family home, Xianyi had already prepared lunch and saw Jin Fenghua enter from outside. She hurried over to help him change his clothes, saying: "It's getting hotter every day, why didn't you take a sedan chair to come in? Didn't you feel hot walking up here?"

  Jinfenghua's eyes softened, and he reached out to encircle his wife, reluctant to let go for a while, not minding the heat at all. "Today, both uncles from the main house and the second house came looking for me."

  "Anything wrong?" Xian Yi also didn't struggle free and asked while leaning on Jin Fenghua's bosom.

  "It's not just about the money for the second house." Jin Fenghua had some words that wouldn't avoid Xian Yi.

  "Let them scheme then, we don't care anyway." Xian Yi said indifferently. Those money and properties were all someone else's, if they gave it to her she would accept, if not she didn't want it either. She and Jin Fenghua weren't poor enough to go beg for food yet. Others might not know, but she knew Jin Fenghua well, no matter what, she could still live very comfortably.

  Looking at Xian Yi, who was thinking the same as him, Jin Fenghua couldn't help but want to lower his head and search for that fragrance. In his past life, he hated it when others pulled his legs from behind, but now with a wise and considerate wife, he felt more and more that his original choice was correct. However, if his wife really wanted the assets of the second house of the Jin family, he wouldn't mind taking them away from General Manager Yan either. In short, Xian Yi's thoughts were just what he thought, no matter what, they were the people with the most similar way of thinking.

  The two of them were being affectionate for a while, and just as they were about to go have dinner, Bi Xi came in to report that someone had delivered an invitation to Xian Yi.

  Xian Yi was curious, because Jin Feng Hua had been studying at Heng Cheng Academy for a short time, and the teachers in the academy were not like Jiang Fu Zi, who had a high social status and brought his family with him. So Xian Yi did not go to the academy, nor had he ever had any contact with Jin Feng Hua's classmates or their families. Then, who was the person who delivered the letter this time?

  "Meng Hualan? How is it her?" Xian Yi was completely unexpected that the girl from Linqing with eyes on top of her head would actually come to Heng City.

  Jin Fenghua thought for a moment before asking: "Did Meng Hualan marry into the Liu family of Linqing Prefecture?"

  Xian Yi thought for a while before saying: "I think so, supposedly he's a medicinal material merchant."

  "It's no wonder." Jin Fenghua pulled Xian Yi towards the outer house, "Do you still remember the daughter of Niu County Magistrate? The person who died in her room was the younger brother of Liu family's concubine, a royal merchant. Although the Liu family and Meng Hualan's husband's family are relatives, due to the great power of the royal merchant Liu family, they have been suppressing Meng Hualan's husband's family for years. This time, the head of the royal merchant Liu family was infatuated with a woman and actually got entangled with Niu County Magistrate. Although Niu County Magistrate's foundation is not deep, he is also an official. The two sides can only suffer losses together, which would be beneficial to Meng Hualan's husband's family."

  "Are they here in Heng City for business?" Xian Yi sat beside the dinner table, washing her hands with pomelo skin water.

  Jin Fenghua tapped the table with his index finger and said, "Meng Hualan, you can come if you want to see me, or not see me, it's okay. But as for her husband, I do have a meaning to meet him."