The tenth day of the first lunar month.

Yangzhou Prefecture, Jufeng Island.

The hustle and bustle of the New Year is far from over, and spring in Yangzhou Prefecture has not yet arrived.

However, this 300-acre Jufeng Island seems to be isolated from the world. I don't know what the year is, but it takes nearly 3,000 people to work hard.

Cargo ships hauling sand, gravel and bluestone slabs were docked at the pier, and various materials were transported down the river and dispersed to various parts of the island.

Qi Jun wore a silver brocade peacock pattern scarlet feather satin cloak, which was tight and coquettish. He said to Jia Qiang, who only wore a light fur cloak: "Good minister, help you tidy up this island. The Qi family is very big this time."

There was blood. In order to meet the construction deadline, the original number of craftsmen, which numbered more than a thousand, expanded to nearly 3,000. The craftsmen in Yangzhou Prefecture hardly had a good year. There were also various blacksmiths, masons, carpenters, locksmiths...

...The locks all over the island are specially made, and they are in key places. You have to collect three keys to open them at the same time before you can open the door. By the way, look over there, and over there, over there..."

Qi Yun pointed in three directions again and said: "Do you know how many broken ships were sunk in these three places under the old man's order?"

Jia Qiang understood that this was to block the waterway for safety, so she smiled and asked: "How much did it sink?"

Qi Yun himself found it funny and said: "There are two hundred old and dilapidated ships in Yangzhou Prefecture, most of which have been sunk around here. There are also broken nets hung up. Ordinary ships can't get in at all. Even people who are very familiar with water.

I don’t dare to venture into this difficult situation lightly. If we raise more training dogs on all sides, we will be safe.”

At this point, Qi Yun sighed again and said: "My grandfather has ignored secular affairs for many years, but this time he made a big move! Even puppies and dog slaves have been found for you..."

Jia Qiang looked at the brand-new workshops on the island, as well as the rows of workers' residences around them, and the bluestone road with three horses running parallel to each other. She laughed softly and said, "Thank you, old man, but brother De'ang, you don't have to look like this.

Your third uncle almost killed me. For the sake of Mr. Qi, I ignored the matter and changed to such a small island. Why, brother De'ang thought that my life was not worth this island?

Still feel that your third uncle’s life is not worth it? By the way, I forgot to ask, how is your third uncle doing lately? I’m afraid this year is not going to be easy, right?”

Qi Jun smiled bitterly, shook his head and said: "Good minister, this matter... my family is unfortunate, please forgive me. My third uncle... alas, he went back to his ancestral home in Anhui to be with my father."

When Jia Qiang heard this, she laughed it off and stopped mentioning it. Finally, she asked: "Can everything be completed today?"

Qi Yun nodded and said: "We have tripled our manpower and have been working day and night for more than a month. Today is the last day and we will be able to complete the work. In addition, the iron and bronze utensils you asked people to make, as well as the jars, urns, and wood

The racks and the like were all sent to the workshop. For these things, Xu Zhongluan did not have a good year, and traveled half of the south of the Yangtze River to prepare them all. The main reason is that during the New Year's Day, shops everywhere are not open. Liangchen

, Grandpa originally wanted to come in person today, but he has not been feeling well in the past two days, so he has not been able to come. He asked me to hand over this Jufeng Island to your hands completely. I also wish you to plant a phoenix tree.

The tree attracts the golden phoenix."

Jia Qiang smiled and thanked her, then asked with concern: "Is the old man still strong and strong?"

Qi Yun smiled and said: "It's okay, I just hope you can be my guest again sometime."

Jia Qiang laughed loudly and said: "This is not sincere. Every family in Yangzhou Prefecture is waiting for the Yanyuan Yamen to be abolished. My husband and I quickly returned to Beijing. Don't worry, we will set off after the Lantern Festival.

Return to Beijing. I think Brother De'ang already knows that the first batch of people has already set off to Beijing."

Qi Yun twitched the corner of his mouth, reluctant to admit it, so he could only nod and said: "My family has already packed bags for me and my third sister."

Jia Qiang smiled, changed the subject, and said: "Okay, that's it for today, I will officially take over the island tomorrow. Don't delay here with me anymore, go back and spend more time with your grandfather. Now let's go

, the Qi family and I have to worry about the old man. I won’t go. Brother Lao Deang told the old man for me that although the friendship between the Qi family and I has small flaws, in general, I

I admire him very much, and I am willing to continue to work together with the Qi family. This world is so vast, it can accommodate tens of millions of Qijia, and it can also accommodate tens of millions of Jia Qiang. You and I.

, Cooperation will benefit both parties, and fighting will lead to both losses. Please rest assured, old man, I deeply believe this truth. As long as there is no more trouble in the Qi family, I will not change it."

When Qi Yun heard this, his face became solemn, he cupped his hands and said, "Good sir, don't worry, I will definitely bring this to you."

…

Yanyuan Yamen.

Zhonglin Hall.

When Jia Qiang came in, Lin Ruhai was talking to Jia Lian.

"We are going back to Beijing in four or five days. It doesn't look like you and Brother Qiang to come together when you come, and go back by yourself when you leave, right?"

Jia Qiang had never seen Lin Ruhai get angry before. Even when faced with a bastard like Jia Lian, her tone was gentle.

Naturally, Jia Lian was no longer afraid and said with a smile: "Uncle, don't I still have some things to finish in Jinling? It only takes a few days. When I finish my work, I will return to Beijing immediately without any further delay."

one day!"

When he saw Jia Qiang coming in, he only glanced sideways and didn't pay much attention.

Jia Lian finally figured it out. Jia Qiang had now climbed up to Lin Ruhai's high branch, but he was not jealous. Instead, he felt that it was better to have an elder to discipline him, which was better than the wild dog that dared to show his teeth to everyone...

…

But as soon as this thought came up, Jia Qiang said coldly: "The matter in Jinling is not over yet? Is it because the prostitutes on the Qinhuai River have not had enough sex, or are you planning to take the concubine from Admiral Liu's family to elope with you? Why do you go everywhere?

So much shit?”

When Jia Lian heard this, his eyes almost popped out of his head. He pointed at Jia Qiang and stammered: "You... you... you..."

Seeing Jia Qiang's increasingly fierce eyes, how could Jia Lian, who was weak by nature, dare to stand up to him, so he had to turn his head and complain to Lin Ruhai: "Uncle, look at him, look at him! I am still his uncle, the world can

Is there a nephew who talks to his uncle like this?"

Lin Ruhai sighed, looked at Jia Lian and said, "Lian'er, your brother Zhen from Dongfu is gone. Go back early."

Jia Lian was startled when he heard this, and couldn't react for a moment, muttering: "Brother Zhen is gone..." Then his eyes suddenly widened, and most of his soul was frightened. He looked at Lin Ruhai in shock and cried out: "What? How?

Possible?! Impossible, absolutely impossible!”

Lin Ruhai shook his head, picked up a piece of letterhead from the table nearby, pushed it in front of Jia Lian, and said: "The letter from Du Zhong was buried years ago and died suddenly of a serious illness. Not only Jia Zhen, but also his son

Jia Rong was also beaten half to death by Jia Zhen and collapsed on the bed. The old lady wrote a letter asking Qiang'er to return as soon as possible. You should also go back with her..."

Jia Lian took the letter and read halfway through it, and already burst into tears.

Jia Qiang saw this and lost her temper.

Is this guy a bad guy?

Nor does it count.

In his previous life, he studied in Red Mansion and was a man of the Jia family who had some human touch. I'm afraid he would be like this bastard.

But he was too careless in his work, dirty and smelly, and would not let go of other people's wives as long as he could get his hands on them.

If you bully the weak and are afraid of being stubborn, you will have no ambition, and it will be difficult to just stick to your career.

Of course, these are Jia Lian's own affairs only and have nothing to do with him.

As long as Jia Lian didn't get in his way, Jia Qiang didn't bother to care about these things.

Seeing Jia Lian crying like this, Jia Qiang and Lin Ruhai shook their heads slightly and said to Jia Lian: "Whether you want to go back together is up to you. The suspension of mourning will last forty-nine days, so it doesn't matter if you come back two days late.

"

Jia Lian wiped away her tears, raised her head and said anxiously: "Why do you have to wait four or five days? You won't be able to leave today...tomorrow?"

Jia Qiang frowned and said, "The matters in my aunt's father-in-law's office have to be settled with the Liangjiang Governor's office."

Jia Lian said angrily: "What about you? What the old lady means in her letter is to ask you to go back quickly and adopt her. If Rong'er is dead, you will be the one in Dongfu, and you have to drag her along?"

Jia's mother did have this intention in the letter. Perhaps she was also afraid that Jia Qiang would fall in love with a wealthy man living in the south of the Yangtze River and would not return to Beijing, so she lured her with a bait.

"adopt?"

Jia Qiang sneered and said, "I have my own parents, so why should I recognize others?"

"you……"

Jia Lian looked at Jia Qiang dumbfounded, somewhat confused as to what he meant.

Lin Ruhai waved his hand and said: "Lian'er, let's go down now and get ready. Shiliu will set off with us."

Jia Lian wanted to say something else, but looking at Lin Ruhai's indifferent eyes, he couldn't say anything for a moment and could only leave sadly.

After Jia Lian left, Lin Ruhai looked at Jia Qiang and said, "Do you really have no intention of inheriting the title?"

Jia Qiang shook her head and said: "Uncle, no matter how I think about it, I think inheriting the title of Ning Guo will do more harm than good. It looks glamorous, but in fact it is just a drag. It is better not to accept this title!"

Lin Ruhai sighed softly and said, "I'm afraid it won't be that easy."

Jia Qiang also understood what Lin Ruhai meant. If the Jia family could make the decision themselves, Jia Mu, Jia She and others would never be able to let him inherit such a large family business as Ningguo Gongfu.

Therefore, there is only one possibility for this intention, which is the intention of the palace...

And why did the palace order him?

There is no doubt that he still took a fancy to his reputation as a "good minister" appointed by the Supreme Emperor, so that he could make a sword and kill Jingchu's old ministers.

But how can this knife be made so well?

As Han Bin's sword, he only had to deal with a few Yangzhou salt merchants. They were richer and richer, and the backers behind them were amazing. But with Han Bin and Lin Ruhai around, he could still barely hold on.

But who is the emperor's sword to deal with?

That is the real ending of death and no life.

Jia Qiang understands these, and so does Lin Ruhai.

Jia Qiang said without any embarrassment: "I would like to ask my aunt and father-in-law for advice on how to overcome this difficulty."

After Lin Ruhai thought for a moment, he slowly said: "I don't have a good idea, but... the nobles above the uncle's house must take the exam for the title."
To be continued...