Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 464 Saint’s Family Tradition
At this time, Jia Cong did not know that the "three-person supreme leadership group of the harem" had been formed in Shenjing.

He was riding a horse, following the bandit army out of the Taishan Trail in a leisurely manner.

When they went down to the stronghold at night, the bandit leaders gathered together again to discuss.

"Masters, our hundreds of thousands of troops don't have to go together. We have to act separately to be safe. How to fight Qufu, we have to negotiate a charter." Ye Lizi said.

"That's true. Hundreds of thousands of us swarmed forward in a chaotic manner, and even Qufu couldn't get away. What's more, if we attack the lair of those sour scholars, all the prefectures and counties will definitely send troops to help, so we have to take this into consideration." Zhang said with a black face.

“What I’m talking about is, who will be the main attacker, who will block the rear, and who will provide reinforcements, must be clearly assigned to avoid capsizing in the gutter.

Of course, the heroes from each family who wanted to seize the seal and propose marriage would follow the army to Qufu. "Wang Miao said.

Liu Hongshuo, the leader of Bagua Cult, said: "Our Lady has always been resourceful, but do you have any wise ideas?"

After hearing this, everyone looked at the Holy Mother of White Lotus.

"In my opinion, the current army is too bloated and difficult to move. It is better to divide the troops into two groups and go all the way west to pretend to attack Tai'an to attract the attention of the court and cut off the main road from Tai'an to the south to rescue Qufu.

Go south along the way, take Laiwu, Xintai and other places, collect food and grass, and meet again at the foot of Qufu City. How about dividing up the troops then? "Our Lady of White Lotus pointed on the map.

Jia Cong nodded secretly after hearing this. This woman knew some art of war, and she didn't stupidly drag hundreds of thousands of troops straight to Qufu.

"What the Holy Mother said makes sense." Everyone nodded in agreement.

Ye Lizi said: "Since everyone has no objection, then I will lead a group to harass Tai'an. Which master is willing to go with me?"

"I'll go with you." Zhang Honglian, Baqian Sui and other seven or eight bandit leaders said, raising their hands.

It's an easy road to Tai'an, and if we can capture Tai'an, we can make a profit first. Anyway, we can't miss a bite of the fat in Qufu.

At present, the bandits divided into more than 100,000 people, led by Ye Lizi and others, and headed west to Tai'an.

The remaining main force went south as planned, first taking Laiwu and Xintai counties, and then turning west to take Qufu.

Jia Cong was not worried. He had already ordered Tai'an to garrison heavy troops, so he followed the rebel army southward.

Because Laiwu, Xintai and other places had received military orders early, when they saw the bandit army invading the territory, they immediately evacuated the people and abandoned the city to lure the enemy.

Therefore, the people and horses of Our Lady of White Lotus marched very smoothly, and they managed to capture two county towns without using a single sword or shot.

A few days later, after the bandits captured Xintai, they were only 200 miles away from Qufu.

Wang Miao smiled and said: "These court officials are too stubborn. Seeing how powerful we are, they used to run away when the wind came, but now they run away after hearing the wind. I think it's time for a change of dynasty in the world."

Li Laohu said: "What Master Wang said is true. In the past, we were a little worried about the imperial court. But now it seems that the imperial court is rotten from the bottom up. This country is worthy of our enjoyment."

All the bandits agreed with great satisfaction. I have a great army at my disposal, and I have the courage to do so in the world.

Jia Cong smiled and said: "If you, the masters, win the world, I will ask for nothing, but I hope you will give me some beauties, fine wines, BMWs, and a big house for today's kindness. I will be satisfied."

Everyone laughed and said, "Brother Hu is so polite. It's nothing trivial. One day, brother, you will have to become a high-ranking official. Do you still care about those things?"

"Don't dare. I'm used to being idle. I don't want to be an official. It's better to walk around the world and be free and easy." Jia Cong waved his hand and said with a smile.

The bandit leaders laughed and said: "Brother Hu is indeed a first-class character. When we settle down, I will give you ten beauties for you to enjoy."

"I'll give you a big house."

"I'll give you ten thousand taels of gold."

"I'll give you some good horses!"

Everyone laughed, and blank checks were issued like a flake.

Jia Cong smiled and thanked them one by one, and acted with them.

Only Our Lady of White Lotus was a little confused and said, "Don't you think that our journey has been too smooth?"

Everyone laughed and said: "Our Lady is too cautious. We have hundreds of thousands of troops pressing on the border. How can a few small counties dare to resist?

What's more, those officials are greedy for life and afraid of death. It is common sense to abandon the city and flee, so there is no need to worry about it. "

"That's right, that's exactly what it is. We have fought in dozens of counties, but which one can't be taken easily? There are many who fled without fighting. This is the virtue of court officials."

Yang Siniang also nodded and said: "Sister Bai is right to be careful, but we have strong soldiers and horses, what can the court do to us? If the officers and soldiers come, we will open up and fight with them, and we will see who is better!"

Jia Cong cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Master Yang is so heroic that he cannot be compared to other men. I admire him."

Yang Siniang glared at him angrily and ignored him, for fear of being seen.
-
Qufu, Yanshenggong Mansion.

The five-bay gate faces south. On the left and right sides of the gate, there are a pair of eight-foot-tall male and female stone lions carved in the round.

The red-edged and black-painted gate is inlaid with Suan Ni pavement, and above the center of the gate hangs a plaque with the name "Holy Palace" in gold letters on a blue background, which is the handwriting of Taizu of this dynasty.

On the pillars on both sides of the door, there is a couplet hanging:
It is written in the handwriting of Taizu with the official residence of Guoxianxiu Anfu Zunrong and the family of Lao Wenshu moral saint in the same day.

At this time, the lanterns were on and the door was closed, but there was still the sound of reading loudly coming from behind the door.

"The Master said: Learn and practice from time to time. How wonderful it is to have friends from far away! If you don't know and don't feel embarrassed, you are not a gentleman!"

The voice sounds childish, but there are quite a few of them. They are smart boys selected by the Confucius Mansion locally. They learn to read and read in East and West Buildings every day. It is also considered as a benefit to give back to the village. Of course, it is not free.

At this time, an old steward came in from outside with a panicked look. After entering the corner door, he hurriedly entered the second door.

Inside the second gate is the lobby, where Yan Shenggong read out imperial edicts, met with officials, issued family laws and clan rules, heard major cases, and held festivals and birthday ceremonies.

There are five halls, three deep, with gray tiles hanging from the top of the mountain. Under the eaves, a bucket of two liters is used to cross the hemp leaf bracket.

The inner hall is equipped with six halls including Guangou Hall, Hundred Household Hall, and Classics Hall, which are the offices of the Confucius Mansion that manage military and civilian affairs in Qufu.

Therefore, Yanshenggong's Mansion is both a private residence and a public residence, similar to opening a mansion and building a tooth.

The hall is equipped with ceremonial utensils such as golden melons, upward facing stirrups, curved guns, watch drums, cloud tablets, dragon flags, phoenix flags, tiger flags, umbrellas, fans, etc., as well as official title plates with gold characters on a red background, such as "His Feng Yan Sheng Gong" and " "The doctor of Guanglu Temple", "horse riding in the Forbidden City", "inspecting the academic affairs of Shandong Province", etc., are majestic and noble.

The housekeeper was accustomed to these things and kept walking straight inside.

Pass through the second hall and enter the back hall, also called the third hall.

The second hall is usually used for Yan Shenggong to meet with officials of fourth rank and above, while the third hall is used to meet with bureaucrats with closer relationships or handle the internal affairs of the family head, which is similar to the outer study room and the meeting hall.

At this time, the east and west rooms in the third hall were still brightly lit, with many stewards and scribes coming in and out. The sound of crackling abacus and accounting reports could be heard faintly, making it very busy.

The east is the registration room, which is in charge of the government's land and land deeds. The inner part is the secretary's room, which is in charge of the government's housework and finances. The west is the study, which is in charge of the government's documents and files. The steward entered the inner room of the east room and asked, "Where is the master?"

A steward said: "My father-in-law has just had his meal in the front hall. Now he wants to come and read in Zaohuaixuan. Looking at you like this, what's the urgent matter?"

You know that my father-in-law works from sunrise to sunset and does nothing at night. Don't make yourself uncomfortable. "

The steward didn't have time to chat, so he waved his hand and went away. After passing through the door of the third hall, he reached the inner chamber.

Outside the gate of the inner house, six sergeants were guarding the door, holding three pairs of weapons: a tiger-tail stick, a swallow-wing boring machine, and a gold-headed jade stick given by Emperor Taizong.

If anyone dares to break into the inner house without permission, he will be killed directly.

The housekeeper walked to the door and said, "Please let me know, Master Jun, that Tang Yi wants to see you and I have something urgent to report."

"Wait." A sergeant nodded and went in to ask the doorman to send a message.

The housekeeper was waiting anxiously in front of the door, walking back and forth. Even though it was winter, there was a hint of sweat on his forehead, which seemed to be coated with a layer of oil under the light.

After waiting for a long time, the steward's wife came out and said, "Steward Tang, I will send you in."

"Quick, lead the way." Tang Yi hurriedly entered.

The two walked all the way through the upper front room and the front hall, bypassed the back hall, and entered the five main rooms at the back. There was a large green plaque at the door, which read "Zaohuaixuan".

Including the back garden, this holy palace of "the world's most civilized official and the emperor's master of all dynasties" actually has nine entrances. It has the same layout as the imperial palace. Although it is smaller than the imperial palace, its splendor and splendor are second to none in ancient and modern times.

The steward's wife went in to report, and Tang Yi dared to go in with a bow, walked around a twelve-leaf red sandalwood screen inlaid with tapestry and painted pines and cranes, and walked to a large bookcase with huanghuali branches and peonies carved with Ruyi cloud patterns and stood in front of it.

Qi said: "My lord, there is news that the bandits are divided into two groups, harassing Tai'an all the way, taking Laiwu and Xintai along the way, and are heading...to Qufu along the Si River. I'm afraid they have...disrespectful intentions." ." After speaking, he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Sitting behind the desk is an old man who is nearly seventy years old. He wears a crown, a broad robe and long sleeves, and has an ancient face. He is wearing glasses, holding a volume and reading attentively.

Hearing this, he didn't raise his eyelids and said calmly: "Even a three-year-old child knows that Qufu is the birthplace of a saint. Even if the dynasty changes, it will be as stable as Mount Tai. How dare a few thieves come to invade?
Aren't they afraid that the world will be angry and that they will die without a burial place? "

Tang Yi smiled bitterly and said, "My lord, it's true. It's just that the thieves are powerful. Please tell me how to deal with them."

Yan Shenggong said: "Send someone to tell them to leave immediately, otherwise I will report to the Ming court and grind them into powder."

"Yes, I will take care of it now." Tang Yi felt bitter in his heart. He even dared to rebel against the emperor, but he didn't dare to rebel against the saint? Thinking about the few soldiers in the city, I was secretly worried.

"Come back." Yanshenggong suddenly said: "How are the land rents collected in autumn in various places?"

"Sir, because there have been bandits everywhere this year, many places have been looted, and many of our tenants have become refugees, so we only charge 50%." Tang Yidao.

When Duke Yan Sheng heard this, his expression became serious, and he snorted coldly: "It is natural for us to farm the land and pay rent. What does it have to do with me if the thieves rebel? The rent they owe this year must be paid next year."

"Yes."

"My lord, due to banditry, food prices in Shandong and Hebei have skyrocketed. Government offices in various places have posted posts asking if we can sell some to stabilize food prices," Tang Yidao said.

Yan Shenggong asked: "What's the price of food now?"

"Three taels of rice are worth one stone, wheat is two taels and five cents of silver is one stone, and beans are one tael and eight cents are one stone. Compared with previous years, the price has tripled." Tang Yidao.

Duke Yan Sheng said: "Where have we come from now? By the time of the recession next year, it will still have risen at least seven or eight times.

Tell the supervisors at various places that the daily grain sales volume will be reduced by 90%. You must also tell other large grain companies and rice banks to do the same. "

"Yes. Nowadays, there are many refugees and hungry people who have fled from various places in the city, begging at the door of the house every day.

The weather is cold now. It would be unsightly to die of cold and hunger. Sir, would you like to open a warehouse for relief? "Tang Yidao.

Duke Yan Sheng pondered for a moment and said: "Our family has always followed the teachings of saints and is based on benevolence and righteousness. Why can't we bear the hunger and cold of the people, so we take out some of the rotten millet in the warehouse and open a porridge factory.

Remember, the porridge water should be clear enough to discern people, so as to educate the hungry people about the principle of "a gentleman benefits without expense, works without resentment, and desires without greed." Do you understand? "

"Yes, your kindness and righteousness are spread all over the world." Tang Yi marveled.

"The Master said: The benevolent benevolent, the wise benevolent. I deeply believe that, can you understand?" Yan Shenggong twisted his beard and said with a smile.

"Returning to the Lord, the sage's small words were profound and profound. The servant kept them in mind and pondered them day and night, but he still hasn't figured them out yet," Tang Yidao said.

Duke Yansheng smiled and said: "Knowing is knowing, not knowing is not knowing, that is knowing. Although you are not sensitive, you are sincere. What else is there?"

"One more thing. Many people came to ask about it. They said that there were too many refugees, many died of illness and hunger, and there were also many desperate people who sold themselves or sold their bodies to bury their parents. The government couldn't provide relief. Would they like to buy some for our family?" Tang Yidao.

"What's the price?"

"5 taels for boys, 2 taels for girls, 10 taels for mature men, 10-30 taels for girls, 8 taels for healthy women, and old men and women will get free gifts if they buy young ones."

Yan Shenggong smiled and shook his head: "It's too expensive. Wait until a bucket of rice can replace one person before buying it."

"Yes, I resign." Tang Yi sighed secretly and bowed to exit.

As soon as I arrived at the front hall, I met Kong Xinghe, the third concubine of the fourth master of the mansion, Kong Wenle, and asked the old lady to come out.

"I have met the Third Master." Tang Yi bowed.

"Hey, Butler Tang, why are you here to bother me so late?"

Kong Xinghe is in his twenties, with handsome appearance and sharp eyes. He is a very smart person, but he always likes to fight cocks and horses, play with flowers and willows, study is absolutely impossible, and martial arts is even more nonsense.

Moreover, he was born to be tired, and whenever he was taught by his elders, he would resist with the words "The sage said that food and sex are in nature", "The sage said that everyone has a love for beauty", "The sage said that people in Qi have a wife and a concubine".

I have always regarded Mencius's words as a talisman for visiting prostitutes and keeping prostitutes, and taking in my aunts.

That's all. The key is that in the house of the sage Kong, he kept talking about Mencius, and he completely forgot the words of his ancestors. He was so angry that I beat him countless times, but he still remained the same.

Over the years, my father has grown older, his body has become weaker, and he can no longer fight, so he simply lets him go.

"What's the matter?" Kong Xinghe asked when he saw that Tang Yi looked a little strange.

Seeing that there was no one around, Tang Yi whispered: "I will only tell the third master, but the third master must not tell others."

"Don't worry, I, Kong Laosan, have a reputation that is well-known by everyone. Have I ever broken trust with others? But it doesn't matter, I will take care of the big things for you," Kong Xinghe said.

"The bandits are coming soon. They went to fetch Tai'an, Laiwu and Xintai all the way to Qufu." Tang Yi said in a low voice, "My father-in-law has more instructions. Third Master, I'll excuse you."

"Ah? Oh, oh, okay, Butler Tang, you can go and do your own business." Kong Xinghe waved his hand, rolled his eyes, and left quickly without paying his respects to the master.

(End of this chapter)