Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 524: The period of combing the cage
When he heard that Jia Cong and his wife were visiting, his uncle Chen Jun hurriedly came out to welcome Jia Cong in person and took Jia Cong into Zhide Hall with a smile.

After exchanging some pleasantries and taking a sip of tea, Chen Jun smiled and said, "Ruyi finally remembered to visit me. I also said that you forgot about your uncle when you had your consort."

Ruyi's face was full of shyness and she said: "Uncle, aren't you busy in front of me? I will come to see you as soon as I have time."

Jia Cong also smiled and said: "I haven't even thanked my uncle for the great gift, but Cong is very flattered."

He had his wedding the day before yesterday. Among the many guests, Chen Guojiu received the most hefty gift, which amounted to two hundred thousand taels of silver.

Chen Jun waved his hand and said with a smile: "We are all one family now, why are we talking like this? Marquis Huan is too polite."

Jia Cong smiled slightly. Chen Jun obviously knew his preference. He liked to be called Huan Hou instead of Prince Consort.

There are at least dozens of Prince Consorts in Shenjing, and they are not worth much, but there is only one Huanhou in the imperial court.

The prince-in-law was fed by the princess, while Marquis Huan relied on his own abilities.

"I'm here to bother you today. I have one more thing to do. I heard that the business of Shenxian Liquor House is not as good as before, so I might as well not mention it. Cong has thought about two more businesses. I wonder if Uncle Guo is interested?" Jia Cong said with a smile.

"Oh? I deeply admire Lord Hou's ability to make Tao Zhu. I would like to hear more about it." Chen Jun said hurriedly.

Jia Cong said: "Cong wants to open a business that specializes in selling all kinds of ingenious things needed by women and children. It only deals with the business of wealthy families..." After that, he explained in detail his idea of ​​setting up a luxury shopping mall.

Chen Jun nodded in admiration and said: "Master Hou is unique and admirable. In this way, this business can not only sell goods, but also become a place for wives and grandmothers to socialize and move around. It is extremely wonderful."

Seeing Chen Jun instantly understand the meaning of "club", Jia Cong smiled and nodded, it was easy to talk to smart people.

"Does the Marquis have a charter?" Chen Jun said with a smile.

He and Jia Cong have had a successful cooperation. Although the Fairy Wine Shop is not as good as before, it still makes huge profits every month. And with Jia Cong's current status, what else does he have to worry about? It doesn’t matter whether you make money or not, the key is to make friends.

"Still the old rules, you and I will join the imperial merchant Xue family. I will be responsible for providing the brains and manpower to run the business, the Xue family will be responsible for supplying goods, and uncle Guo will be responsible for developing the business premises.

After deducting our respective costs, our two families will each share 40% of the profit, and the Xue family will share 20%. How about that? "Jia Cong said.

Chen Jun smiled and nodded: "This method is very good, clean and refreshing, and it is final. I wonder what part of my house the Marquis likes?"

"Caifeng Garden." Jia Cong said, "But it still needs to be renovated appropriately to make it easier to operate."

Chen Jun waved his hand and said: "Okay, as for Caifeng Garden, Lord Hou sent skilled craftsmen to determine how to rebuild it, and I will build it according to the law."

Jia Cong raised his hands and praised: "My uncle is so courageous, decisive and wise, which is heart-breaking."

Chen Jun said with a smile: "Master Hou is overly praised. I don't want to do business, I just have faith in Master Hou's character and intelligence. Since Master Hou is sure of it, what should I be afraid of?"
Just follow along and it's over. Even if the business fails, I will benefit a lot from being able to make a friend like the Marquis. "

Jia Cong smiled and said: "Cong also thinks so. Don't worry, Uncle Guo, let's open one in Shenjing first, it won't cost much. If the results are significant, we can then push it to all provinces and state capitals."

"This pharaoh is mature, so it should be like this. I wonder what the other business is..." Chen Jun said with a smile.

"As for the other business, it's not such a small business, and it doesn't require even a tiny bit of money." Jia Cong said with a smile.

Chen Jun said: "Master Hou, it doesn't matter. Even if our family is not able to do it, it is still good to enjoy the excitement."

"Sea Trade." Jia Cong said.

Chen Jun's eyes lit up. Although the Chen family in Yingchuan was a millennium-old family, their success had only occurred in the past ten years or so. Especially after Jinshang ascended the throne, Empress Chen's mother-in-law made the world more prosperous, and the Chen family grew rapidly.

The rights of sea trade were almost all determined when Taizu was in power. In the past hundred years, only the Jiangnan Zhen family has been added.

Although the Chen family is a descendant, they are not qualified to go to sea for trade.

Chen Jun knows that the Jia family does not have this power, but the Xue family does. Now that Jia Cong is the uncle of the Xue family, it is just a trivial matter to use this channel to do business.

"Please make it clear, Lord Marquis."

Jia Cong immediately repeated the same argument he had with the salt merchants and said, "My uncle knows the benefits of sea trade. Of course, the upfront costs are not small.

Cong has decided to invest 4000 million silver, and has shipped 2000 million so far. The Yangzhou salt merchants have collected 8500 million. Now the shelves have been set up, and the business with the wealthy Xiyi families has been negotiated.

Each family has sent a steward to participate in the operation. I wonder if Uncle Guo is interested? "

Chen Jun pondered for a moment. If it was a small business involving one hundred or hundreds of yuan, he wouldn't even think about it, but a business involving tens of millions of dollars would not allow him to be careless.

Because he said: "This matter is of great importance. I need to ask my brother for instructions. I will give you a reply within a month. How about it?"

"There's no rush. Uncle Guo will think about it slowly. Anyway, ten million taels of silver won't be spent in a while." Jia Cong said with a smile.

He knew very well that the navy was a gold-eating beast, and this little money was definitely not enough, so he could cheat as much as he could.

As for Niu Jizong, Liu Fang, and Wang Ziteng, Jia Cong knew that they didn't have much money, so he didn't bother to go find them.

After having lunch at Uncle Guo's house, Jia Cong took Ruyi back to his house. As soon as he got home, he heard a secret report from Wen Youfang.

"Sir, the spies have just received news that Prince Zhongshun, Prince Zhongzhen, Prince Zhongcheng and other nobles behind the four famous buildings in the capital have agreed to jointly hold a grand flower viewing party on the sixth day of next month at Baihua Tower. At the meeting, we combed the cages for the heads of the four major groups together.

Now that the news has been released, all the children of the plutocratic families in Beijing are salivating. Wen Youfang whispered.

Jia Cong frowned slightly and said, "Why are the four families working together?"

"This is also a common trick of Fengyue Chang. The four of us working together can attract wealthy businessmen to place bets. Even if they don't buy this, they can still buy that, ensuring that everyone can sell at a high price." Wen Youfang said .

"How much money can the first night of the four leaders sell for?" Jia Cong sneered.

"According to previous years' practice, at least more than 100,000,"

As he spoke, Wen Youfang glanced at Jia Cong secretly and whispered: "Master Lan has received a wonderful piece of wisdom from you, and his worth has doubled. He is even higher than the three masters."

Jia Cong asked: "Will the proprietors of all buildings be present at that time?"

"That's not necessarily the case, but they will send capable stewards to keep an eye on the scene to prevent anyone from causing trouble. The Zhongshun Palace has decided to send Officer Qi to suppress the formation." Officer Qi? Jia Cong had not heard this person's name for a long time. After thinking for a moment, he remembered that Baoyu got a severe beating last time, and it seemed that it was because of this person.

At that time, he also sent Wang Fei and Meng Chen, the chiefs of the Northern and Southern Divisions of Feng Qianhu, to investigate him, and concluded that this person seemed to be a secret agent of Dongchang.

He was just placed next to Prince Zhongshun, not only serving him, but also wandering among the princes and grandsons to inquire about information.

"Just keep an eye on it. Send someone to tell everyone Lan that there is no need to panic. I know what's going on," Jia Cong said.

"Yes." Wen Youfang bowed and agreed, then presented a small box and said, "Sir, this is an important matter today. Please review it."

Jia Cong waved his hand and ordered Cheng Lingsu to take it and let her hand it over to Pang Chao.

Now Pang Chao is his brain, and he reviews everything before drafting the terms and conditions, and then reports it to Jia Cong for his decision.

Jia Cong went back to his inner house and took Bao Dai to tell stories. It was not until dinner in the evening that the three of them came out of the room. Jia Cong's face is full of spring breeze, and the two women behind him have smeared faces, with a hint of laziness in the corners of their eyebrows and eyes.

The family was having dinner in the inner hall. When Sister Feng saw the three people coming over, they all pursed their lips and chuckled.

"Cong'er, Bao Yatou, and Qi'er, I'm waiting for you. Sit down quickly. I told you to eat by yourself." Sister Feng said with a smile.

Bao Dai glared at Jia Cong shyly, blaming this scoundrel for his troublesome behavior and coming here sooner or later, which was a joke.

Jia Cong seemed to be unaware and said seriously: "I consulted with Sister Bao and Yan'er this afternoon. I was so focused that I forgot the time. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Sister Feng, you are also studying now. You have to learn more from your younger brother in this aspect. As a scholar, it takes more than a day to freeze three feet. Do you understand? "

The girls laughed.

"Bah." Sister Feng spat at him angrily. Do you think I am a fool? Learn, learn shit, just do it in a different way.

Ruyi asked Baodai to sit down and muttered: "I think you bastard is like 'If you don't accumulate small streams, you can't make a river or sea'?"

Jia Cong cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Yan'er actually thinks more deeply than her husband. If there are no rivers and seas, how can the Dinghai Divine Needle be used?"

All the girls blushed and lowered their heads. Ruyi was even more embarrassed and said angrily: "If you keep talking nonsense, watch your skin carefully."

"It's my fault that you said it first." Jia Cong said with a smile.

"You're not allowed to mess around and pass the food around," Ruyi said.

Immediately, more than a dozen girls filed in, and all kinds of delicacies were served.

Jia Cong said hello, threw away his arms and started moving. Studying today consumes a lot of money, so he has to take a good supplement.

"Reincarnation of a starving ghost." Ruyi rolled her eyes at him angrily, then put a piece of crucian carp tongue stewed with bear paws into his special large bowl.

"Try this fake fish liver." Baochai also smiled and served him dishes.

"Eat it by yourself and leave me alone." Jia Cong said vaguely.

He never pretends to be polite at home and eats whatever he wants. Otherwise, with his appetite, if he imitates Daiyu and the others, he won't be full even if the food is cold.

Chu Chan also gave him a piece of chopsticks with abalone and stewed loosestrife, and said with a smile: "Seeing Cong'er eating so deliciously makes his appetite better."

The girls smiled and nodded, and served him dishes one after another. Jia Cong refused to accept anyone who came, and just ate as much as he wanted.

While they were eating, Jin Chuaner suddenly came in, holding a post in his hand, walked up to Jia Cong, and whispered: "Master Marquis, someone is here to deliver a letter with your name post. I don't dare to delay. Look..."

"Who is it? What letter are you sending so late at night?" Ruyi asked casually.

Jin Chuan'er didn't dare not answer. She looked at Jia Cong and said, "I heard from the concierge that she is a girl."

When the girls heard this, they put down their chopsticks and looked at Jia Cong.

Jia Cong couldn't eat anymore and laughed dryly: "Bring it to me and see. I think it's an old friend."

Ruyi muttered: "Which family friend would order a girl to deliver a letter to the Marquis? I even took your post and asked for your help."

The girls pursed their lips to hold back laughter, it must be Jia Cong's romantic debt outside.

Jia Cong glared at the girls, opened the envelope, unfolded the letter and took a look at it, then closed it again before Ruyi and Baochai looked over.

He smiled and said, "A friend wrote two poems and asked me to give them some advice. They are nothing interesting and just mediocre."

Ruyi sneered and said: "Really? Why don't you take it out and let everyone appreciate it? Although I am not good at writing, Sister Bao, Zhuer and Sister Chan are all talented women. I think they can distinguish good from bad."

Jia Cong smiled dryly and said: "It's true that I don't have any literary talent. It doesn't matter if you don't read it. If you want to hear good poetry, I will compose one right now. I guarantee it will be better than him. Listen..."

"Hmph, you don't dare to take it out because you have something in your heart. Sisters, come with me to stay at the Princess Mansion for a few days tomorrow." Ruyi interrupted him.

"Yes." The female ninjas agreed with a smile.

"Hey, don't say goodbye, here it is. I'm upright and can tell everyone everything I want." Jia Cong handed the letter to Baochai and winked at her.

Baochai ignored him, glanced at the letter, and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Sister Bao, are you so worthless to everyone?" Jia Cong said pitifully.

Baochai shook his head and said with a smile: "No, I would say that this elegant scholar can be regarded as one of the three outstanding poets, calligraphers and painters."

Ruyi wondered: "It's just poetry and books, why are there paintings?"

"Read it." Baochai handed the letter to Ruyi.

When Ruyi saw it, his face suddenly dropped.

(End of this chapter)