A stew of the Red Chamber

Chapter 35 Pressure

The next day.

Rongqing Hall.

Wang Qing stepped around the screen and bowed deeply, saying, "I've been busy with official duties lately and haven't had a chance to pay my respects to the old lady!"

Then he greeted Lady Wang and Li Wan, who had come to pay their respects morning and evening.

Grandmother Jia smiled kindly and said, "Good child, it's good that you have such good intentions. I've heard about all the arrangements outside."

I heard about it, but I didn't see you reciprocate by arranging two maids to warm your bed!

Wang Qing inwardly grumbled, but said aloud, "This junior acted rashly and offended people without even realizing it..."

Wang Qing's visit to Rongqing Hall was not to pay his respects to Grandmother Jia, but to probe Wang Xifeng's background.

Wang Qing had his own reasons for not going to Wang Xifeng, the person in question, but instead going to Grandmother Jia.

Although he released Ni Er, given Wang Xifeng's shrewdness, she could easily alert him if she wasn't careful.

The one who tied the knot must untie it. On the day she visited Grandmother Jia, she rolled up her hair before Wang Xifeng could get close, and Wang Qing saw it.

Even if Wang Xifeng received instructions from Grandmother Jia, she might not know the inside story. Only by going to Grandmother Jia could she get to the heart of the matter and obtain accurate feedback.

Furthermore, this can also serve as a reminder to Grandmother Jia not to let the East Mansion benefit so easily, and to take advantage of the situation.

He briefly recounted the events of the hunt for the thief, the raid on the gambling den, and Jia Zhen's role as peacemaker, omitting only the details of his own return of the silver.

Finally, he said, "Thanks to Brother Zhen for mediating, otherwise, I'm afraid your family would have suffered as a result..."

How can value be demonstrated if no one is competing for it?

He wasn't worried about implicating the Rongguo Mansion and incurring blame; he was clearly reminding them not to let Jia Zhen take advantage of the situation.

As expected, Grandmother Jia's expression changed slightly, but she said with righteous indignation, "Catching thieves is a great responsibility. Since those families are engaged in such immoral business, we can offend them."

She paused for a moment, then said after a brief pause, "I don't know much about things outside, so it's pointless for me to talk to you. Just follow the rules."

As he spoke, he picked up his teacup, seemingly indicating that he was seeing the guest off.

Wang Qing wondered to himself, could it be that because of that wisdom mark, Grandmother Jia thought he had also received a secret order and was trying to distance himself from her?

He made as if to take his leave, but then suddenly remembered something and said, "Oh, right, there's something I need to ask the old lady about. The daughter of the Liu family in my courtyard has been ill for a long time, and we've already emptied our savings. I feel sorry for her and know she's very hardworking, so I've agreed to pay for her medical treatment and allow her to stay in the house to take care of me once she's recovered. I beg the old lady to grant me this favor..."

This trivial matter wouldn't normally warrant troubling Grandmother Jia, but now it's a good opportunity to test whether she has truly forgotten about it because of Madam Xing's meddling.

Demanding a maid while staying at someone else's home is considered rude behavior, and such an act should not be repeated.

With this seemingly legitimate reason, not only could the opportunity be saved, but Liu Wu'er could also be brought into the open, so that Wang Xifeng would not use Liu Wu'er against her in the future.

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia's expression indeed became somewhat awkward.

Before she could speak, Madam Wang interjected, "Madam, although saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda, since she has been ill for so long, if it is tuberculosis, it might not be good once the illness has passed. It would be better to find a doctor to take a look first."

Grandmother Jia seemed unwilling to bother with such a trivial matter, and nodded, saying, "In that case, I'll leave this to you."

After saying that, he looked at Wang Qing and said, "You go ahead and get busy. We'll talk about it after Madam sends someone to check it out."

Wang Qing had no choice but to take his leave.

Stepping out of Rongqing Hall, one sees snowflakes fluttering outside; the first snow of winter has arrived as scheduled.

Wang Qing had no time to speculate on Grandmother Jia's thoughts. He sighed inwardly, thinking that he had arrived just in time, and then boarded his carriage and headed straight for the yamen.

After gathering his men together, Wang Qing began assigning tasks.

"We've been raising an army for a thousand days, but we're going to use it for one. I'll be here in the yamen today, and tomorrow we must make sure the snow is cleared before the dignitaries go to court. Those who are working, don't get cold. Have the kitchen bring out all the large pots we prepared in advance and cook some meat porridge nearby to warm them up."

After the dignitaries have gone to court, you will lead your teams to the houses I mentioned first, and then go to the surrounding merchants to collect the cleaning and sweeping fees. Remember! Tell them that as long as they pay the fees, if any rogues come knocking on their doors to extort money or eat for free, the West City Military Command will take full responsibility.

We're in dire need of manpower right now. Someone will come over soon to talk to the leaders of those gambling dens. Once the talks are over, we'll recruit those hooligans into our ranks.

If you encounter someone who is uncooperative, don't argue, just write it down...

Having had a pleasant conversation with the forces behind the gambling den, Wang Qing simply took these hooligans under his wing.

On the one hand, letting these people out would easily cause trouble, so keeping them around makes them easier to keep under control; on the other hand, not all thugs have powerful connections, so having hooligans investigate other hooligans is a way to make the best use of them.

He paused, cleared his throat, and continued, "Enforcement must be forceful, but it must also be compassionate! Tell your subordinates to pile all the cleared snow in front of those businesses that refuse to cooperate!"

Even in later generations, when it snows, it's not uncommon for wheels to slip, let alone ancient carriages and sedan chairs.

This move, if used in ancient times, would be considered a game-changer.

The high-ranking officials of the Western City, who were initially worried that the slippery roads would delay their arrival at court, were surprised to find that not only had the snow on the roads been cleared clean, but there were also people running around taking care of the ice on the roads.

Not only did it save time, it also made me look good.

What were they studying so hard for over ten years? Wasn't it just to climb to a high position and enjoy the superior feeling of being above others?

In addition, his anti-theft policies have begun to show results, and thieves have not visited the West City for a long time.

The officials living in the western part of the city did not speak ill of Wang Qing for charging money from the merchants; on the contrary, they praised him highly.

This also reduces the resistance to collecting fees.

After all, which high-ranking official in Xicheng doesn't have some kind of business? But not every one of them runs a gambling den. The few who take the lead can only create a herd effect.

Of course, these high-ranking officials were already used to the flattery from their subordinates, so they were unwilling to bleed money.

It is even less likely that they would be selfless and actively cooperate.

The key point is that Wang Qing's series of actions directly raised the social status of Xicheng District.

This not only pleased them, but also indirectly raised land prices and rents in Xicheng District.

In addition, his other identity has also been spread to some extent.

Several factors combined to create his invincible situation.

However, there are troublemakers everywhere, and Wang Qing's methods are relatively gentle, so it's inevitable that there are some stubborn people who won't listen.

a few days later.

Looking embarrassed, Jia Yun handed the list of troublemakers to Wang Qing, pointed to the top few lines, and said hesitantly, "Uncle Qing, what do you think... how about we privately dismiss these families, just to make it look like a formality?"

He finished making his new clothes the day before yesterday and just came to the yamen to work.

Wang Qing was surprised, but then he suddenly caught sight of the three characters "Heng Shudian".

He pursed his lips, feigning ignorance, and asked, "Are they all businesses related to the Rong family?"

Jia Zhen had already received the news and had given advance notice. On the contrary, the shops of the Rongguo Mansion and the Xue family, relying on this relationship, were fearless.

Jia Yun quickly replied, "Yes, yes, yes! Some of these rented shops in the mansion are owned by the Xue family. And this Jinxiang Courtyard is a frequent haunt of the Master, Master Zhen, and Master Xue..."

"A thousand-mile dike can be breached by an ant hole. If we can't bring these families under control, how can we maintain public order? Let's continue to apply pressure according to the previously established plan, and I'll give the government a heads-up later."

He still held Wang Xifeng's interest and principal in his hands, which was perfect for him to exchange.

With the Rongguo Mansion having set an example, the Xue family naturally lost their support, and Wang Qing didn't take it too seriously.

Instead, he pointed at Jinxiang Courtyard and said, "They just go there for entertainment, they really think they're something special! Go tell the subordinates that tonight, I'll personally lead a team to take care of this place!"

……

The Rongguo Mansion has a three-room annex behind the Rongxi Hall.

Ping'er lifted the bright red floral curtain and slipped inside.

Wang Xifeng hurriedly asked, "What's going on? Why is Madam treating a mere maid?"

"I asked, and it turns out that Liu Wu'er's health has never been good. The family has long been out of money for medical treatment. Master Qing is kind-hearted. When he paid his respects to the old lady a while ago, he mentioned that he wanted to pay for the girl's medical treatment. If she recovered, he could keep her to serve him. Madam is worried that she might have tuberculosis, so she asked Zhou Rui's wife to find a doctor she knows to take a look..."

Ping'er truthfully reported the information she had gathered.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng frowned and said, "Is it really that simple?"

"Otherwise what?"

Madam Wang was always a hands-off manager, leaving most of the work to her.

But she practices vegetarianism and chants Buddhist prayers; she's probably happy to just put on a show of doing good deeds like healing and saving lives.

Wang Xifeng was puzzled and could only keep it to herself for the time being.

……