It is said that when Jia Lian returned to Jiafu from the Internal Affairs Office, he saw Ping'er hurriedly coming to find him, and Ping'er said: "Second master, second master, Jiao Da is gone." ”

Jia Lian stayed for a long time, he only spent money to invite a doctor, even if he couldn't cure Jiao Da's illness, he could get better. I didn't expect that after a few days of hard work, the people were gone.

He also promised Jiao Erzhuang to visit his father.

Jia Lian said: "Let's go, come with me to have a look." ”

Ningguo Mansion and Rongguo Mansion are just a wall apart.

Ning Guogong is the elder brother, so Ning Guofu is located on the east side, and the people of Rongguo Mansion often call it Dongfu.

Jia Lian took Ping'er through the Grand View Garden, out of the northeast corner gate of Rongguo Mansion, walked thirty or fifty steps, and arrived at the northwest corner gate of Ning Guofu, from which the two entered.

When the little servant in Ning Guofu saw Jia Lian, he greeted him warmly: "Second Master Lian, you haven't been here for a few days?" ”

Without waiting for Jia Lian to speak, Ping'er asked, "Where is Jiao Da now?" ”

When the little girl heard this, she showed a disgusted expression and said, "Miss Ping asked him what to do?" The person is gone, don't invite his bad luck. ”

Ping'er scolded: "What do you want you to do with more tongues? When did people not exist? ”

The little guy was taken aback by Ping'er, and hurriedly said: "Back to Ping's girl, it's gone this morning, and Erzhuang has been guarding it." ”

Ping'er said again: "Take our second master quickly." ”

The servant answered, and led them to the servant's quarters.

Jiao Dayin said bastard words and was sent to the cowshed to eat and live with the animals.

The day before yesterday, Jiao Erzhuang got silver from Jia Lian and went to invite a doctor for a consultation, but the doctor bluntly said that Jiao Da's time was running out and he couldn't do anything.

Er Zhuang was full of grief and anger, and he had to move his father back to the house no matter whether he lived or died, Lai Er didn't want to make too much trouble, so he had to agree.

So he died in the house where the servants lived.

Before entering the house, Jia Lian said to Ping'er: "Ping'er, you just wait outside, don't scare you." ”

Ping'er sorted out Jia Lian's clothes and said, "The second master can call me if he has something." ”

Jia Lian nodded slightly and stepped into the house.

The furnishings in the house are very simple, a bed, a table, a stool, almost all the furniture.

On the table, there is still half a steamed bun and half a plate of pickle leaves.

Jiao Da was lying on the bed made of several templates, covered with a white cloth, his face covered with yellow paper, and only some dry gray hair could be seen.

Jia Lian hadn't seen Jiao Da, maybe his predecessor had seen it, but he didn't have those memories anymore.

Jiao Erzhuang was wearing filial piety clothes, kneeling beside the bed with his head drooping, a brazier was placed in front of him, sporadic sparks were jumping, and they were about to be extinguished.

The flame of the burning yellow paper reflected Erzhuang's miserable white complexion, as yellow as wax paper.

Jia Lian sighed in his heart, no matter what Jiao Da said, he is also an old man in Dongfu, but now that he is gone, no one has come to help with the cooking.

It's really a hot and cold world!

Jia Lian comforted softly: "Erzhuang, mourn!" ”

Er Zhuang raised his head, he couldn't believe that the first person to come to mourn was Jia Lian, a sentence of "festival mourning" made Er Zhuang's inner grievances and resentment gush out, turning into tears that he couldn't hold back.

"Second Master !!"

Erzhuang let out a long howl, and then he felt that his eyes were dark and he fainted.

"Someone!"

Jia Lian shouted outside the house, and the little maid who brought them earlier ran into the house and asked, "What does the second master command?" ”

Jia Lian supported Er Zhuang and scolded fiercely: "Are you blind? Didn't you see him faint? Go get a bowl of sugar water. ”

The little guy said "yes" again and again, and went out.

Jia Lian grabbed Erzhuang's person, and patted his face vigorously, and after a while, Jiao Erzhuang slowly opened his eyes and said, "Second master......"

Jia Lian stopped: "Erzhuang, don't talk yet." ”

At this time, Ping'er went to call a few more servants to come over, took over for Jia Lian, and helped Jiao Erzhuang to the chair and sat down.

After feeding him a sip of sugar water, Jiao Erzhuang's face gradually turned a little bloody, he struggled to sit up, and said to Jia Lian: "Second master, there is bad luck here, please go out." ”

Jia Lian motioned for him not to talk more, turned to the little guy behind him and said, "Where is your second housekeeper?" ”

The little guy replied, "The little one doesn't know." ”

Jia Lian scolded angrily: "Don't you go looking for it yet?!" ”

The little servant took the order and left, and after a while, Lai Er, the head of Ning Guofu, came over with small steps.

Lai Er squinted his eyes and glanced inside the house, but he stood at the door and didn't enter the door, and said, "I don't know what Second Master Lian commands?" ”

Jia Lian sneered: "Why, Lai Er's manager doesn't bother to take a look?" ”

Lai Er lowered his hand and replied: "Where did Second Master Lian say, it's just that there is bad luck in the house, Second Master, please move out and speak, and leave the matter here to Lai Er." ”

Although Lai Er didn't dare to offend Jia Lian, this was Ning Guofu, and it stands to reason that it was not Jia Lian's turn to speak, he was the manager here.

Jia Lian smiled slightly and said: "I want to talk to Brother Zhen when I go back, no matter what Jiao Da says, he is also an old man in the house, he was credited to the old lady back then, but now that there are no people, there is no one to ask about things, isn't it chilling?" ”

When Lai Er saw Jia Lian say this, he said: "Second master, it turned out that Lai Er was not well arranged, you just have to tell it, why do you need to tell my master." ”

Although Lai Er's attack on Jiao Da Dao Cowshed was acquiesced by Jia Zhen, if a lawsuit really starts, it will definitely be Lai Er himself who will top the bag.

Lai Er understands this truth, although he doesn't know why Jia Lian is determined to stand up for Jiao Da today, but as a minion, it is better for him to be more restrained at this time.

Jia Lian saw that Lai Er had changed his tone, knowing that what he had just said had taken effect, he softened his tone and said: "This is the best, you only ordered to go down, find a good coffin for Jiao Da, find a place with good feng shui to place it, and set up a monument to name it, which is also indispensable." If you don't have any money, just ask me. ”

Lai Erfu smiled and said: "There is a dead person in Dongfu, how dare you ask the second master for money." What the second master ordered, Lai Er will definitely do. ”

Jia Lian was relieved to leave Dongfu.

…………

It is said that Jiao Erzhuang, with the help of Jia Lian, buried his father Jiao Da, and guarded the first seven, because he saw through the cold-blooded ruthlessness of Ning Guofu, he was extremely cold, so he quit his errand with Lai Er, packed up his bedding and returned to the countryside to farm.

Before leaving, because he was grateful for Jia Lian's kindness, he specially came to Rongguo Mansion to say goodbye to Jia Lian.

Jia Lian was not surprised at all when he heard that Jiao Erzhuang was leaving Ning Guofu, no matter how bloody he was, in the face of such a cold-blooded master, it was impossible for him to continue to be wronged.

Jiao Erzhuang took out a silver ticket of one hundred taels and some sparse silver taels, and carefully placed them in front of Jia Lian.

Jia Lian glanced at the silver ticket and silver two on the table, and said strangely: "Er Zhuang, what do you mean?" ”

Jiao Erzhuang replied: "Second master, this is the silver left over from the last time you treated my father, a total of one hundred and twenty-five taels, you accept it first." The remaining one hundred and seventy-five taels, let me return it to you slowly. ”

Jia Lian nodded slightly, he really didn't misunderstand Jiao Erzhuang, so he asked, "Erzhuang, what are your plans after leaving Dongfu?" ”

Jiao Erzhuang thought about this question, but he didn't think about it seriously, because there was only one thing he could think of: "Go back to your hometown and rent two acres of land and farm." ”

But obviously, Da Zhuang also knew that this was not a good choice.

As a young man, he has not yet married, and he is not without ambitions, all because he has been forced to have no way.

Jia Lian thought for a while and said, "Erzhuang, from now on, how about you follow me?" ”

When Er Zhuang heard this, he looked at Jia Lian, his eyes were bright, but they soon dimmed again, and said: "Thanks to the second master's appreciation, Er Zhuang really can't afford it." ”

Jia Lian didn't expect Jiao Erzhuang to reject him, so he asked, "What, worried that I will be like Dongfu?" ”

Er Zhuang immediately denied it: "No, no, the second master misunderstood the minion." I'm just worried that if I come here, I'll have to deal with Governor Lai......"

Before Er Zhuang finished speaking, Jia Lian already understood his concerns.

The two Lai brothers were in charge of the two mansions of Ning Rong, and the two of them breathed out of one nostril.

If Jiao Erzhuang enters the Rongguo Mansion, he will inevitably be retaliated against by Lai Da.

Jia Lian thought for a moment and said, "You are thoughtful, but you don't need to worry, I didn't plan to let you stay in the mansion originally, and Lai Nature can't control you." ”

When Jiao Erzhuang heard this, his eyes flashed again, and he asked, "Second master, the slave is stupid and doesn't understand what you mean." ”

Jia Lian said with a smile: "I must have heard others say that I opened a Jia Ji silk shop." ”

Jiao Erzhuang nodded and said, "The matter of the second master opening a silk shop has spread all over the streets and alleys, and Erzhuang naturally heard about it. ”

Jia Lian said: "I don't have a big shopkeeper in this silk shop now, I don't know if you are interested?" ”

Jiao Erzhuang couldn't believe his ears, and began to stammer: "Second master...... You...... You mean I'm going to be your treasurer? ”

Jia Lian said in a self-deprecating tone: "What, I won't be too wronged by you, right?" ”

Jiao Erzhuang can be regarded as a courageous person, seeing that Jia Lian has planned so thoughtfully for himself, and the person who can be the big shopkeeper is a height that many people can't reach in a lifetime, so there is no reason to continue to shirk.

Jiao Erzhuang clasped his hands into fists, knelt on one knee, and said respectfully: "Erzhuang, thank you for the kindness of the second master, from now on, Erzhuang is the only one who is the first to look forward." ”

Jia Lian was very satisfied, and his hard work was finally not in vain, because he said: "You go to the silk shop to familiarize yourself with the situation in the past few days, and if you don't know, just come and ask me." I'm going to do a big job, and there's a lot of stuff waiting for you to do. ”

Jiao Erzhuang was already a little impatient, and said excitedly: "Second master, just take a look." ”

Regarding Jia Lian's appointment of Jiao Erzhuang as the big shopkeeper, Sister Feng raised objections many times, and her reason was very simple: Erzhuang is still young, and he still doesn't understand many things on the counter, so he needs to learn more.

But what Jia Lian values most in employing people is loyalty, which is extremely valuable in the world of Red Mansions, before Jiao Erzhuang, he only had one Ping'er, which is obviously not enough.

Jia Lian explained some important things to Jiao Erzhuang, and Erzhuang withdrew.

Jia Lian got up from the chair, stretched a big lazy waist, and was busy for a long time, but he really had some back pain.

Jia Lian couldn't help sighing, the most uncomfortable thing in the world of Red Mansions was that the entertainment facilities were too backward, which seriously affected the quality of life.

If he travels through the world before he travels, he can comfortably steam in the sauna and relax by pressing a motorcycle.

But here, you can only use a shallow wooden basin for bathing, sit on the edge of the basin, and wipe your body with a towel.

Jia Lian had a whim: there are no conditions, you can create your own conditions, why not build a sauna?

Thinking of this, Jia Lian suddenly became playful, called Ping'er, and ordered: "Ping'er, I'm a little tired of the second master, and I want to take a sauna." ”

Ping'er's eyes widened like copper bells, and she asked, "What does a sauna do?" I've never heard of it. ”

Jia Lian smiled: "If you have heard it, you will see a ghost." It's almost the same as taking a bath, but it's just to make yourself sweat and relieve fatigue. ”

Ping'er was still at a loss, puzzled: "Second master, I know about taking a bath, but how to make myself sweat and take a bath, I still don't understand." ”

Jia Lian found that the more he explained, the more confused he became, so he simply didn't explain, and said, "You go and find me two good masons and carpenters." ”

Ping'er was even more curious and asked, "Second Master, aren't you going to take a sauna?" Why did you let me go to the masons and carpenters? ”

Jia Lian leaned to the root of Ping'er's ear, blew and said, "You'll know in a while, and you will steam with me when the time comes." ”

Although Ping'er didn't know how the sauna was steamed, she guessed that it was a shameful thing from the tone of Jia Lian's speech, and immediately said "I don't want it" with a red face, and ran away.

Ping'er is the most reliable, and with just a cup of tea, she found a mason and a carpenter.

Prior to this, Jia Lian had ordered someone to clean up the idle wing room in the east, but the room was a bit big, and Jia Lian was going to divide it into two, transforming the outside into a bathroom and the inside into a sauna, killing two birds with one stone.

After learning about Jia Lian's intentions, the masons soon began to work.

In addition to dividing the room in two, the masons also needed to build a kang with a chimney to heat the sauna stones, which could exhaust the exhaust gases from the burning of the wood and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Compared to a mason, a carpenter's job is a little more complicated.

The floor is covered with thick wooden planks that have been brushed with tung oil three times, which is both moisture-proof and non-slip.

The walls, including the roof, are all separated by thick wooden planks coated with tung oil. Nowadays, all the walls are made of mud, and if they are not treated with moisture, once the moisture spreads, it will seriously affect the solidity of the walls.

In order to steam the sauna as soon as possible, Jia Lian asked Ping'er to invite two additional carpenter masters, the number of people is strong, and we will steam in the sauna tomorrow!

Jia Lian asked the carpenter master to customize a super luxurious wooden bathtub for two, as for the outer room, it is connected to the kang table, which is easy to maintain the water temperature, and there is no need to heat the water while taking a bath.

Jia Fu said that it was not small, it was not big, and something happened in the courtyard, and it quickly spread.

When Jia Lian and Ping'er were directing everyone to be busy, many maids and maids had already heard the news and came to watch.

"Second Master Lian, what are you doing in the house?"

"Build a sauna."

"Sauna? What is the sauna used for? ”

"The sauna is for saunas, and when it's built, you can come and experience it for yourself."

"Really? The slave thanked the second master first. ”

Jia Lian always has plenty of patience for the curiosity of the maids, and is willing to have more in-depth exchanges with them, but at this time, Wang Xifeng happened to come back.

Find out what happens next, and listen to the next breakdown.