Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Jia Cong stood up and patted Jia Fang on the shoulder, saying, "Brother Fang has been diligent in his studies. He studied hard in his humble childhood. He was the top runner-up in high school at a young age. He has set an example for the children of the family and will be rewarded with a thousand taels of silver."

Work hard, and I will make sure you become a Jinshi next year and I will ensure your success. "

Jia Fang showed a hint of excitement and kowtowed, "My nephew thanks my third uncle for his kindness."

"No gifts, no gifts. Brother Yun, come with me, I have something to say to you." Jia Cong dropped a word and took the opportunity to slip away.

When Jia Cong returned home, he saw that Sister Feng had finished washing herself and was joking with Qingwen and Qianxue.

"Sister-in-law is going to be a pillar of the Sihai class in Beijing today because of her singing, chanting and beating. Cong admires her." Jia Cong said with a smile.

Sister Feng's face turned red and she cursed: "It's shame on your mother, don't take advantage of me and act like a good boy. If you weren't such a harmful person, how could I be so shameless and shameless?"

Jia Cong hurriedly raised his hands in surrender: "Okay, okay, it's all my fault. Don't be angry and hurt my little baby carefully."

"Bah, it's not me who's angry, it's your words that hurt people's hearts." Sister Feng spat.

Jia Cong smiled and said: "I said this casually, you are really... Hey, what's going on on Sister Ping'er's face?"

Ping'er was shocked at the fact that Sister Feng was pregnant with Jia Cong's child just after going out. Suddenly, when she heard Jia Cong's question, she hurriedly stroked her face, lowered her head and said, "It's okay. I don't mind asking."

Jia Cong frowned, went over to take her hand off, and saw five red finger marks on her face, which were swollen.

"Who hit him?" Jia Cong's face darkened.

Ping'er said hurriedly: "It's okay, it's okay."

Sister Feng's heart suddenly suddenly became angry, and she didn't care about the severity. She had known that Jia Cong was interested in Ping'er, so she hurriedly explained: "I beat him.

Isn't this a trick just now to make the picture realistic? Miss Ping, I have wronged you, and I will apologize to you. "Jia Cong's mouth was blocked with one sentence.

Jia Cong turned around and glared at her, saying, "Since it's acting, it's so interesting, why should I take it seriously?

Get some ice quickly and put it on Sister Ping'er's face. After a quarter of an hour, apply the medicine for promoting blood circulation and dispersing blood stasis. She will be fine after a while. "

Qingwen hurriedly made arrangements.

Sister Feng was a little aggrieved, but she didn't dare to mess with Jia Cong, so she could only hold back her anger and said, "I know I'm wrong, don't I?

Miss Ping, come and sit down. Please say something for me. Be careful, your master wants to eat people. "

Ping'er suddenly blushed and said hurriedly: "What did grandma say? My body and body belong to grandma. If grandma wants to be beaten, I will beat her. If I want to scold, I will scold. What's the value?"

What's more, things happen for a reason and it's not intentional. Third Master, don't take it to heart. "

Sister Feng glanced at Jia Cong proudly.

Jia Cong said angrily: "Now that you are here, you must abide by my rules from now on. You are not allowed to bully Sister Ping'er again, otherwise I will not give you mercy."

Sister Feng glared at him angrily, knowing that Jia Cong was not comparable to Jia Lian, so she did not dare to resist after all. She snorted and said, "I knew you were leaning towards that little hoof."

Ping'er said hurriedly: "Third Master, you are serious. I am grandma's girl. What's more, grandma has treated me like a sister for so many years. She has been as kind as a mountain. How can I talk about bullying?"

Jia Cong waved his hand and said, "I have my own opinion. Sister-in-law Feng is a smart person, so she will understand. Okay, you guys can chat, Brother Yun is still waiting for me outside."

Returning to the Rongxi Hall, he saw Jia Yun standing and waiting respectfully. Jia Cong smiled and said, "What are you standing for? Sit down."

"Uncle is not here, how dare my nephew be so presumptuous." Jia Yun cupped her hands and said.

"No need to be polite, sit down." Jia Cong chuckled and sat down.

"Thank you, uncle, for the seat." Jia Yun gently sat down next to the chair.

"How's business lately?" Jia Cong asked.

Jia Yun sighed and said: "My nephew is ashamed of his trust in his uncle, and now the winery's income has dropped sharply.

Because high-alcohol wines are coming on the market one after another from various places, our wines can only be supported by wine for state banquets and signatures given by emperors and empresses, and sales have been greatly affected.

Except for some wealthy families who use our wine on important occasions, they almost all drink wine from other brands on weekdays. Uncle Chen Guoji has asked several times recently whether the price will be reduced? "

Jia Cong thought for a moment and asked, "How much less is your monthly income now than before?"

"When it was at its peak, the monthly income of branches across the country totaled more than 100 million taels, but now it is less than 20 taels," Jia Lian said.

Jia Cong nodded and said, "I can't blame you. No business is ever prosperous. We have made more than three years of money through this stubbornness, so we should be content.

As for whether to lower the price, I don't know much about the ways of merchants, so I'll ask the shopkeepers to discuss it.

What I mean is that lowering prices may increase sales, but it may lower our quality, which may not be a good thing.

We still need to work hard on building momentum and marketing. I'm busy with official duties here, so please take care of me, Mr. Chen Guo. "

"Yes, nephew understands." Jia Yun said.

Jia Cong asked again: "Do you have anyone useful in your hands now?"

Jia Yun said hurriedly: "My nephew once told his uncle that among the descendants of the branch, Jia Xuan, Jia Wen, Jia Jia, Jia Kui, Jia Wei, Jia Mang and Jia Miao are all good, smart and honest, and now they are also with my nephew." Experienced by my subordinates.”

Jia Cong said: "Well, the business of Shenxian Liquor House doesn't have much potential anymore. You choose a reliable one from the family and entrust it to him. Pick two more clever ones and let them go south as you go. I have other appointments."

Jia Yun said hurriedly: "I will obey my uncle's instructions. My nephew is at his disposal."

Jia Cong said: "I have negotiated some foreign transactions with the owner of the second house of the Xue family in Jinling. You go with my letter... That's it."

At that moment, Jia Cong informed Jia Yun of his rough plans for the future and ordered him to go to the south to find Yangzhou salt merchants and Xue Wen for help, find places to build various civilian factories, and learn to do business at sea.

Jia Yun was very smart. After listening for a long time, she already had some plans and said thoughtfully: "My nephew has some crude opinions. I would like to ask my uncle to correct me."

"explain."

"I heard from my uncle that he wants to take the salt merchant's money first to handle our affairs. If we build factories and workshops, it doesn't seem like there will be immediate returns," Jia Yun said.

Jia Cong smiled and said: "That's what I mean. I have already told them that if you want to do business, you must first invest heavily.

Don't worry about them, just follow my way, make friends with foreigners, and imitate their basic industrial system, do you understand?

As for merchants, you can follow the Xue family and ensure that some profits are given to the salt merchants every year. "

"Basic industrial system..." Jia Yun chewed these words carefully, thoughtfully.

"Brother Yun, I won't hide it from you. To put it simply, we must be able to make anything that foreigners can make, and we can make it better!

The top priority is that I don’t care about anything else, just high-quality steel, guns, battleships, gunpowder, and projectiles. In addition, talents are rare, so I will try my best to recruit scholars, shopkeepers, craftsmen, and translators from Xiyi for my use. understand? "Jia Cong said in a deep voice.

Jia Yun shivered with fright. This was a job that would cost him his life. However, now that he was on the boat, he could only walk in the dark. If he wanted to rebel, his whole family would probably die immediately.

"My nephew...understands. If this is the case, my nephew thinks that it may be easy first and then difficult, and cover up more to avoid exposing his intentions prematurely." Jia Yun said.

"You are very smart, just take care of it yourself. If there are any instructions later, I will inform you via Flying Eagle.

Set off as soon as possible and transport 20 million of the silver from the village first to reassure the salt merchants. If you need help when you get there, just go to Jinyi Guardhouse. "

On this trip south, Jia Cong had already asked the accompanying Jurchen tribesmen to establish a flying eagle communication route station from Jinling to Shenjing.

"My nephew has taken the order and immediately handed over the errands of the Immortal Winery and headed south as soon as possible."

"Go ahead. I will send you another right-hand man before you leave." Jia Cong dismissed him with a wave of his hand.

"My nephew, please leave." Jia Yun bowed and left.

"Bird speed." Jia Cong looked around and saw no one, so he called out.

A girl suddenly ducked in from the back door like a civet cat, and Fu Li said: "Master, please give me your instructions."

Jia Cong smiled slightly. This girl had learned the etiquette of the Celestial Dynasty very well. She hooked her fingers and said, "Come here, I will arrange an errand for you."

Bird quickly stepped forward and listened.

Jia Cong looked at her fair and tender face and couldn't help but kiss her gently on the face.

Niao Su's whole body trembled slightly, her face suddenly turned red, and goosebumps appeared on her neck, but she did not dodge. As a ninja, she had the consciousness to sacrifice herself for her master at any time.

Jia Cong saw this and said with a smile: "Niao Su, I remember you seemed to have said that the master can do anything to you without regrets."

A trace of panic and shyness suddenly appeared in Niao Su's always cold and sharp eyes, and he whispered: "The body and soul of the subordinate belong to the master, and the master can enjoy it as he pleases."

Jia Cong patted her tight buttocks and said: "I just like the obedience of you Japanese women. Hahaha, we will talk about these things later, let's talk about business first, you go..."

After hearing this, Niao Su nodded slightly and said, "Master, please rest assured that I will fulfill my mission."

"Well, I believe you."

Niao Su took the order and retreated.

Suddenly, Wangcai rushed in and reported: "Third Master, an angel from the palace has come, saying that there is a decree from the Queen."

I go! Forced? Jia Cong is a bit big-headed. If the queen insists on recruiting him as her consort, will she resist?

If I resist and disobey the order, the consequences will be dire; if I don't resist, my innocent body... is dark, too dark.

Jia Cong's mind was in a state of confusion, so he had to go out to greet him in a hurry. He didn't care, he just received the order first, and then asked Mr. Pang to think of a solution.

As soon as he arrived at the gate, he saw a eunuch in yellow riding a white horse entering the middle gate. He got off his horse only after seeing Jia Cong.

"Thank you, angel. I wonder what the queen's wishes are." Jia Cong greeted him with his arms raised, and Jia Zheng hurried over to accompany him.

The eunuch glanced at Jia Cong indifferently, and said with a half-smile: "This edict is not for uncle. I wonder where Wang Xue is? Ask her to accept the edict."

Jia Cong was shocked, for Aunt Xue?

Jia Zheng hurriedly ordered his servants to notify Rongqing Hall to arrange the incense table, and asked Aunt Xue to come and welcome the eunuch in.

Accompanied by everyone, the eunuch arrived at Rongqing Hall, where incense tables, cauldrons, fruits, etc. had already been set up.

Jia's mother and other wives and girls stood there with the Xue family and their daughters.

Aunt Xue had never received an order in her life. She didn't know whether it was a blessing or a curse. She was frightened and at a loss. The old lady and Mrs. Wang were waiting aside to comfort her softly.

Baochai turned pale and held her handkerchief tightly. Daiyu gently held her hand and said, "It doesn't matter, brother Cong is here."

Baochai nodded slightly, feeling more relaxed.

"Where is Wang Xue?" the eunuch asked, standing facing south.

"Ms. Xue Wang, a civilian woman, accepted the order." Aunt Xue hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down.

Baochai followed and knelt behind her.

The eunuch drooped his eyelids, glanced at it, and slowly unfolded the white silk scroll in his hand. Everyone hurriedly knelt down behind Aunt Xue, regardless of whether it had anything to do with him or not.

Just listen to the eunuch preaching in a cadence:

The edict of Empress An Chunde, who is kind and respectful and respectful:

Nowadays, poetry and etiquette are respected, talents are sought out, and great kindness is bestowed upon them.

The daughter of Emperor Shang Xue's daughter, named Baochai, has a beautiful silver decoration, jade leaves are shining brightly, her badge is rich, and she is a noble lady.

He was specially promoted to be the escort for Princess Ruyi when she entered school, and she was praised as a talented person, but she was not allowed to get married during this period. By this decree, I will live forever.

"A common woman accepts the order and thanks the Queen for her kindness." Aunt Xue kowtowed.

If she had received this decree a few years ago, she would have definitely been overjoyed, but now she only felt bitter, seeing that she was about to become a countess, and such a thing happened.

Baochai kowtowed, feeling cold in his heart.

The eunuch conveyed the order and left in a hurry without even taking a sip of the tea, obviously under strict orders.

Everyone stood up, looked at each other, and finally looked at Jia Cong. Is this the emperor's decree to grant the marriage you said?

Aunt Xue held the Yizhi in her hands and glanced at Baochai with embarrassment. She secretly regretted in her heart that a few years ago, in order to seek the future of the family, she asked Baochai to choose Dabu as her own name. Unexpectedly, she has now become a chain that hinders her daughter's marriage.

Baochai's expression was silent, but there was an indelible sadness in her eyes. Originally, she was ready to become Jia's wife in a glorious way.

Now, it's all in vain.

A sharp pain hit her heart, making her almost unable to breathe. Her vision went dark and she almost collapsed. Daiyu hurriedly supported her.

Jia Cong said in a deep voice: "Aunt Xue and Sister Bao don't have to worry. I will go to the palace immediately to talk to the Queen."

After saying that, he turned around and left, ignoring the shouts of Jia Mu and others behind him. (End of chapter)