Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 396: Changes in the East Palace, the end of the Zhen family

Based on the principle of reciprocity, the Great Zhou Empire signed an agreement with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

……

Regarding this point, the Great Zhou was relatively calm. Not many people in the country knew where North America was, so how could they interfere?

However, when it came to the first point, whether they were equal, there was some minor disturbance. Some imperial censors made a fuss and insisted that the status of the Emperor of the Great Zhou was higher than that of the King of England.

The cabinet replied that if the censor continued to adhere to this principle, he should come up with a plan of conquest. There was no need to conquer the English mainland, but only India and other places.

If you don’t have soldiers, just give you a boat and let them conquer with their mouths.

Then the censors shut up. No one is stupid. Just shouting. Do you take it seriously? The Great Zhou didn't even have a decent navy, so how could it go out to sea to conquer colonies?

After the contract was signed, the Chinese representative believed that this was a normal friendly agreement between countries.

Henry, the British representative, highly praised the treaty, saying it was a great victory for the United Kingdom's diplomacy and a powerful response to the diplomatic conspiracy of the Kingdom of France.

He said the latter sentence in private!

[It can only be said that at this stage, the trade deficit between Britain and China has not yet reached the point of causing serious damage. When the day comes when it can no longer bear it, the treaty will be torn up. This is determined by its national character! ]

The above is Jia Lian’s summary of part of the treaty, and he stated that the translation of the relevant books brought back by Zhou Songtao should be accelerated, and only natural science books should be translated, with selective translations of religious and social science books, and popular science books that simply introduce the differences between the East and the West.

Before the British delegation left, another wave of envoys arrived, this time from the Chahar tribe.

After the last robbery failed, the Chahar tribe retreated to the grassland, and the situation inside the tribe became increasingly serious. Casualties were not a big problem, but the most difficult problem was the lack of food.

Because it is closest to the Central Plains, once the Zhou Kingdom declares a war of retaliation, the Chahar tribe will be the first to bear the brunt. For the survival of the tribe, the Chahar prince decided to send people to seek peace.

In comparison, the situation of other tribes was better. For example, the Khorchin tribe could still smuggle grain from Liaodong, and King Lin Dan's tribe could still go to the plateau to rob other tribes. As for the Bahama tribe, after retreating to the grassland, civil strife broke out under the instigation of Li Ni. Li Ni took control of the Bahama tribe and led his tribe to flee to the northern desert to avoid being annexed by other tribes.

As to whether to accept the peace proposal, there were two different voices in the government and the public. One was to strike back resolutely and pay blood debt with blood, while the other was to advocate peace talks with Chahar and concentrate on dealing with Khorchin and Liaodong.

Jia Lian did not get involved in this matter, but used the excuse of accompanying the British delegation. No matter how the Honglu Temple greeted him, Jia Lian decided not to care about it.

Fortunately, Jia Lian had the character of a lone minister, and no one came to him to form cliques or seek his opinions.

There was also a heated debate in private newspapers, and many writers took the opportunity to publish articles and made a lot of money from traffic.

Li Heng privately consulted Jia Lian about which position Minsheng Daily should take.

Jia Lian told him, how can you have a stance on such a matter? The newspaper is a place for everyone to speak, and it must be objective and neutral.

After hearing this, Li Heng said, "How can a shameless person like you say such righteous words? I've learned my lesson!"
June has passed, and the autumn heat in July is fierce.

What was Jia Lian busy with? He came to the Imperial College.

When Jia Lian returned to the Imperial College, he did not see Li Shouzhong. Only then did he know that he was implicated in Li's treason case and was sent to be the prefect of Siming Prefecture in Guangxi, a prefecture adjacent to Annan, a truly remote and poor place.

Jia Lian was very surprised that no one in the Jia family told him about this. Normally, Jia Zheng could have asked Jia Lian for help.

The original plan was to give lectures at the Imperial College through Li Shouzhong's connections, but he failed at the first try. Disappointed, Jia Lian could only contact Ding Lian, the new chief priest of the Imperial College, but he was rejected. When he sent a visiting card to his home, the housekeeper of the Ding family replied, "My master won't see him! Don't come again in the future, he will never see me!" It was really a setback.

If he didn't want to see her, then he wouldn't see her. Jia Lian was not discouraged. After returning home that day, he went straight to find Li Wan.

Li Wan was very surprised by Jia Lian's visit. In order to avoid suspicion, she did not let Jia Lian into the yard and just stood at the gate to talk.

"Is there something wrong with Uncle Lian?" When Li Wan faced Jia Lian, there were two maids following behind her, Suyun and Biyue, and a few old women watching from a distance.

Jia Lian was a little embarrassed by the strict defensive attitude, and at the same time he realized that he had ignored the seriousness of etiquette.

"I went to the Imperial College to look for Uncle Li and found out that he was transferred to Guangxi to serve as an official. Sister-in-law, do you have any news about Uncle Li?" Jia Lian stated the purpose of his visit, because he was worried that Li Shouzhong might have died on the way.

Li Wan's answer proved that Jia Lian's worries were not unnecessary.

"A letter arrived five days ago saying that my father fell ill after arriving at Siming Mansion, and I don't know how he is doing now." Although Li Wan was very curious, she still explained patiently.

Jia Lian asked: "Why didn't you tell me when it happened?"

Li Wan looked towards the middle courtyard with a strange expression and whispered, "My father-in-law said that he tried his best to save my father. At that time, Second Uncle Lian was in Zhangjiakou. Afterwards..."

He stopped talking before he finished speaking, and Jia Lian understood what he meant. By the time he came back, the day lily would have been cold, and there was no point in saying anything more. Jia Lian did not take the initiative to ask.

"Let's just let Uncle Li recuperate in Siming Prefecture instead of this incident. When his term is up in two years, it will not be difficult for him to return to Beijing." Jia Lian quickly made a promise to make up for the embarrassment.

"Thank you, Uncle Lian. I'll take note of this and write a letter and send it over right away." Li Wan quickly thanked him.

Jia Lian waved his hand, "Don't be polite. Once we have explained the situation clearly, I will go back."

Things didn't go smoothly, which gave Jia Lian a headache. His goal was to promote Western learning, mainly focusing on natural sciences. Religion and social sciences were selective, and it depended on how he taught. Originally, the Imperial College was the best breakthrough point, but now he had no connections there, and the new chief priest disliked him, and it could even be said that they would never have any contact.

Jia Lian was too lazy to figure out why the new chief priest disliked him.

As soon as he got home and sat down, Jia Rong rushed over and said, "Second uncle, help!"

Jia Lian stood up in shock, and saw that his face was ruddy, and he didn't look like a dying man.

"What's wrong with you?" Jia Lian asked in confusion. Jia Rong shook his head and said, "It's not me. My father had a stroke. I came here to ask my second uncle to invite the imperial physician."

When Jia Lian heard this, he hurriedly said, "You go back first, I will go and invite him myself."

Jia Rong said, "Second uncle, just go ahead. I have to go somewhere else to report the news."

Jia Lian went out and went straight to the imperial physician. After explaining his purpose, the emperor sent Wang, the imperial physician who was most skilled in treating stroke.

The doctor hurried out and took a car to Ningguo Mansion. Following Jia Lian into the house, Jia Zhen was lying on the bed in Ningguo Mansion, his face was pale, his eyes were closed, his breathing was difficult, and his mouth was open with drooling.

Jia Lian didn't know much about stroke. He only knew that Western medicine divided it into cerebral thrombosis and cerebral hemorrhage.

Qin Keqing was guarding Jia Zhen by the bed. When she saw Jia Lian, she walked up to him and said anxiously, "Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Lian!" Jia Lian did not see Youshi and did not ask her. He quickly asked Doctor Wang to diagnose the patient.

Doctor Wang stepped forward to check and felt Jia Lian's pulse before saying, "It's very dangerous. Even if he can be saved, I'm afraid he will be completely paralyzed and it's hard to say whether he can speak."

Jia Lian knew what he was thinking, and fearing that [Powerful Minister Jia Lian] would vent his anger on him, Jia Lian quickly said, "Do your best. This is your fate, and you can't blame anyone else."

The nature of the disease was given in one sentence, and everyone nearby heard it. Doctor Wang quickly wrote a prescription and asked someone to get the medicine. Then he took out a needle and gave the acupuncture.

After Wang Taiyi gave Jia Zhen acupuncture, Jia Zhen's breathing became smoother. Wang Taiyi continued to feel his pulse and check his condition. When the medicine was brought back, Wang Taiyi personally boiled the medicine and told the maids in Ningguo Mansion what to pay attention to. After the medicine was ready, the maids fed it to him, and Wang Taiyi felt his pulse again before getting up.

"Master Jia, take the medicine for three days. If the person is fine after three days, his life will be saved."

Jia Lian took out a banknote and handed it over. Doctor Wang took it and looked at it. His expression immediately became more polite and he said, "I will not go back for the next three days. I will stay at your house so that I can come to your rescue at any time."

There was no way. Doctor Wang knew that the money was not easy to take. How could he accept the five hundred silver dollars with peace of mind without some hard work?

After thanking him again, Jia Lian asked Qin Keqing to send someone to arrange accommodation for Doctor Wang, and told her: "Whether you can save him depends on these three days!"

Leaving two maids on duty, Jia Lian met Youshi who was coming in when he came out. He approached her and held her hands to talk. Youshi subconsciously looked around and whispered, "The flowers on the windowsill are gone!"

Jia Lian was startled, and memories from long ago emerged. Yes, that flower was taken from Jia Rong by Jia Zhen, and he thought that flower was unusual at the time.

Youshi said loudly again, "My husband is critically ill. Thank you for your hard work, uncle." This was said for others to hear.

Jia Lian also said loudly: "We are one family, so don't talk about different things."

Youshi said goodbye and went inside. Jia Lian was not in a hurry to leave. He sat down in the front hall and stayed to keep watch, lest the servants act recklessly without someone in charge.

After waiting for a while, Youshi came out again and said, "Brother Rong went to Xuanzhen Temple. I forgot to tell you just now."

Jia Lian sighed, "Alas, this is Brother Zhen's fate."

I waited in the East Mansion until dusk, and then I saw Jia Rong coming back with an unhappy look on his face. He greeted them and said, "The one at Xuanzhen Temple refused to delay his practice."

Jia Lian nodded to show that he understood, and said, "Please take care of Brother Zhen. You have to hold on to the East Palace, and you will be the clan leader in the future."

After hearing this, Jia Rong's eyes lit up and he nodded vigorously.

As the two were talking, Jia Zheng and Jia She arrived. When Jia She learned that Jia Jing had not returned, he just twisted his mouth and said nothing.

Jia Zheng sighed and said, "I'll go in and see Zhen Ge'er." Jia She followed him in.

Only after Jia Lian patted Jia Rong on the shoulder did Jia Rong follow him in.

Not long after, Jia Zheng and Jia She came out together. Jia Zheng said to Jia Lian, "I will leave for Guangdong tomorrow. Please take care of the family affairs."

Jia She felt ignored and his face looked unhappy, but he didn't make a fuss.

Jia Lian said, "Second Uncle Zheng has been entrusted with the Emperor's orders and cannot delay. Please rest assured, family."

Jia Zheng said goodbye and left, setting off early the next morning. Later, Jia Lian learned that Jia Zheng did not bring Lady Wang or Jia Baoyu with him when he took office. He only brought Aunt Zhao and eight maids, eight followers, and thirty household servants.

After knowing this, Jia Lian was quite dissatisfied in his heart, but this did not stop him from enjoying himself.

Jia She was about to leave after staying a little longer. Before leaving, he pulled Jia Lian aside and asked, "Brother Jing refuses to come back. What about the Jia family's patriarch?"

Jia Lian knew what he was thinking and stopped him from thinking about it: "It's not like there's no one in the East Palace, so don't think about it, father."

Jia She was anxious: "Where are all the family property?"

Jia Lian sneered, "Can father manage it or can he manage it well?"

Jia She did not get any support, so he said with a dark face: "Don't we have a housekeeper? One is not enough, just promote a few more. The key is that you have to speak up."

Jia Lian decisively refused: "Not only do you not help, you also want to help Rong Ge'er get the position. Father, just give up and don't let the two houses have any grudges."

"Little beast!" Jia She blurted out in exasperation. Jia Lian kept a cold face and said nothing. Seeing his sharp eyes, Jia She turned around and said angrily, "You are so mean..."

Jia She left cursing, and Jia Lian ignored him. This old man was good at eating, drinking and having fun, but not at doing things, so he couldn't be trusted.

Jia Lian stayed until dark, and when he saw that there were no problems in the East Palace, he said goodbye and went back.

You took the initiative to see him off. When they were alone, she held his hand and whispered, "There's a letter from home saying my father is dying. If he can't be saved, my stepmother will bring my two sisters to live with me."

Jia Lian took out a banknote and handed it to Youshi, saying, "You have asked someone to deliver it, which is a great effort. If she wants to come, don't stop her. You should also send someone to pick her up, so as not to make it sound bad if it gets out."

Yu Shi nodded vigorously and whispered, "I have been taking contraceptive soup since Ping An was born."

Jia Lian's heart was moved when he heard this, and he whispered, "Wait three days, then go to the family temple to pray for blessings!"

The good Mantou Temple has now become a place like this. Speaking of Mantou Temple, Jia Lian thought of Zhen Huan again.

The next day, Jia Lian got up, exercised, washed, dressed, and went to work. He first went to the Wucheng Military Division. As soon as he sat down, Jian Renda came in to report: "Sir, the emperor has taken action against the Zhen family!"

Jia Lian listened and asked curiously: "Why are you taking action only now?"

Jian Renda said, "Hey, isn't it a matter of sooner or later? If a fly leaves the Zhen family, Long Jinwei will stop it to see whether it is male or female."

Jia Lian said, "That's enough. Don't worry about it. Just watch and send someone to assist if you need any help."

After Jian Renda said goodbye and left, Jia Lian calmed down in the office for a while before realizing that His Majesty had taken out five million taels from the inner treasury and gave them to Sichuan in order to get money back from the Zhen family.

I didn't touch the Zhen family before because the emperor hadn't been buried. Now I have no money and can't take care of it. In fact, it doesn't matter. I don't know how much money the Zhen family has now. The real valuable thing is the auction property.

No, I have to tell Xue Pan to try my best to acquire the Zhen family's high-quality assets on their behalf.

(End of this chapter)