Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

In Rongqing Hall, Aunt Xue, Baochai, Sister Feng, Li Wan, Youshi and other sisters, Qin Keqing, Jia Lan and others were chatting and joking with Jia Mu in the hall, which was very lively.

Jia Huan was away and went to Zhuangzi to train his soldiers.

Suddenly I heard a report from my servants that Jia Cong and Daiyu were coming, and everyone hurriedly got up to greet them.

"Greetings to the old lady," Jia Cong came in with a smile: "The old lady only invited me after Cong had finished her meal. Sure enough, ginger is still spicy."

Everyone laughed, Xiangyun ran over and pulled Daiyu to sit down.

Jia Mu laughed and scolded: "You monkey, I am too stingy to treat you to a meal. It doesn't matter, it is rarely a lively day today, so you are not allowed to leave. I will let you eat to your heart's content tonight."

"If I had known that the old lady would give me food, I would have eaten less at noon." Jia Cong said with a smile.

Sister Feng smiled and said: "Old lady, you see, I'm not the only one complaining about how rare it is for you to be a host."

Jia Mu took Sister Feng's hand, smiled from ear to ear, and said, "You two scoundrels joined forces to scold me. You deserve a beating."

Jia Cong smiled and greeted Aunt Xue and everyone, walked to Baochai and sat down, saying, "There are so many people here today, is there any happy event?"

Xiangyun smiled and said: "Of course, brother Ai is going to the Toad Palace to win the title tomorrow."

Jia Cong was stunned and looked at Baoyu. Seeing that he looked shy, as if someone had fucked him, he said, "What kind of laurel are you breaking?"

"Of course it's Jinke Chunwei." Xiangyun said with a smile.

Jia Cong laughed and said: "If I remember correctly, Baoyu has not entered school yet, does the examination have anything to do with him?" Those who pass the examination are called entering school.

Baoyu blushed and hesitated to speak.

Li Wan smiled and said: "Now that Baoyu is a graduate of the Imperial College, he doesn't even need to take the provincial examination. He can directly take the joint examination."

Um? What kind of trick is this? Jia Cong looked quickly at Baochai.

Baochai laughed in a low voice and said: "Baoyu was born in the Duke's palace. He can use the palace's envoy quota to study directly in the Imperial College. The outstanding students in the Imperial College can directly attend the Spring Palace.

My eldest sister-in-law’s father is now the Imperial College’s sacrificial wine...don’t you understand this? "

Jia Cong suddenly realized that the feudal era was indeed very dark. Poor scholars had to win the title of Juren to be eligible to participate in the examination.

A scumbag from a wealthy family like Baoyu could get the title of "Excellent Supervisor" and skip the steps of being a scholar or a scholar, and directly participate in the Spring Festival.

Nowadays, Li Wan's father and Li Shouzhong are the ministers of the Imperial College, that is, the principal. Who is the top student? Isn't it just based on his words?

However, qualifying to participate in the Spring Festival and being named on the gold list may seem like a step away, but in fact it is a world of difference.

Based on Baoyu's level of classics and meaning, what if he is allowed to participate? Even if the question is given to him in advance, what good article can he write?

Jia Cong muttered: "In this case, I also wish Baoyu to come out on top." Everyone heard the teasing meaning in his words, and they all covered their mouths and chuckled.

Baoyu also knew that he was a parallel importer, so he blushed and waved his hands: "I don't dare, I don't dare, it's the master's wish to let me try it out and gain some experience."

Jia Cong chuckled and was noncommittal. It seemed that the old lady was so generous today, which must have something to do with it.

Sure enough, Jia's mother smiled and said: "Brother Cong, they say that the master brings him in, and cultivation is up to him. Now my father-in-law has brought Baoyu in. Whether he can leap over the dragon's gate depends on your support."

Jia Cong spread his hands and said with a smile: "Old lady, Baoyu is enough to be my teacher when it comes to literature and art. What can I do to support him?"

Jia Mu smiled and said: "I'm not asking you to teach him how to write an article. Among the vice presidents of Jinke is Meng Shilang of the Ministry of War. I heard that he is a senior member of the New Party.

You are acquainted with the two Prime Ministers of the New Party, and Ruhai is also a backbone of the New Party. You can send a message privately and promote Baoyu. It won't be difficult if you think about it. "

It turned out that this was the idea, and Jia Cong was angry and funny.

Jia Mu was too naive. She asked Meng Huacai to promote people like Baoyu, who were not even as good as a child, to become Jinshi, which was like letting people throw their future into the water.

Who dares to take such a huge risk of being exposed? Unless I become the regent, that's about it.

Meng Huacai would only agree to such a ridiculous thing unless he was insane.

Jia Cong shook his head and said with a smile: "Old lady, this matter is a bit difficult to handle. If Baoyu is promoted as a scholar and father-in-law, considering Cong's reputation, it will not be difficult.

However, the National Higher Education Examination is a major national affair and attracts the attention of everyone. How difficult is it to cheat?

Not to mention that Minister Meng did not dare to risk the disapproval of the world. Even if he had this intention, the deputy chief examiner would not be able to do it. I don’t think I need to talk to my father-in-law about this anymore, it’s useless. "

Jia Mu didn't care so much, she looked a little hesitant and said: "Brother Cong, when you were not prosperous, I was very loving and protective of you.

Now that he is just a single seedling, are you just watching Baoyu come to an end? Let the master have no successor? "

Jia Cong frowned and said, "Old lady, Cong is not a person who knows how to repay kindness.

This matter is no small matter. If someone exposes it, it may be a disaster for the master and Baoyu.

Collusion with examiners and cheating in the examination room are serious crimes. The lighter punishment is dismissal, and the worst punishment is exile. Please think twice, old lady, this is one of them.

Secondly, even if Cong is willing, Shilang Meng is not my son. How could he be willing to ruin his family's future for Baoyu? Old lady, if you were Minister Meng, what would you do? "

Jia Mu's hope was extinguished by his ladle of cold water. Thinking about it carefully, it was the same reason, so she said angrily: "Since you said it can't be done, then forget it. It's just my fault that my precious jade is not blessed."

Jia Cong smiled and said: "Old lady, Baoyu's ambition is not here. Even if he becomes a Jinshi or an official, he will not be happy. Why bother to find punishment?

Isn't it better to take the imperial examination and be like Cong? Wouldn't it be better to be a romantic and talented person? "

Everyone laughed, this was quite reasonable.

Baoyu smiled and nodded, feeling like a confidant to Jia Cong for the first time. Brother Cong also knows me.

Jia's mother was so angry that she spat: "The title on the gold list is not good, how about being a bastard like you? What nonsense."

Now that you have a title and an official position, what will you do to Baoyu in the future? How can he settle down and make a living? "

Jia Cong shook his head and laughed. Jia Mu was only thinking about this issue.

"Old lady, you are too worried. With the furniture you always leave for Baoyu, are you afraid of starving him? With Cong's noble title, are you afraid that someone will bully him?"

Everyone laughed and agreed, comforting Jia Mu.

Jia Mu turned her anger into joy, pointed at Jia Cong and said with a smile: "You have all heard what he said. I won't allow him to break his promise when I am gone."

Everyone smiled and agreed, finally resolving the conflict.

Jia Cong glanced at Jia Lan next to Li Wan and said with a smile: "If the old lady wants our children to make a fortune in business, she may not necessarily rely on Baoyu. There are ready-made ones."

I heard that Lan Xiaozi is very talented and has a talent for reading. Where is he reading now? "

Seeing Jia Cong's roll call, Jia Lan was a little embarrassed and hurriedly came out and cupped his hands and said: "Replying to my third uncle, I have read "The Doctrine of the Mean" but I haven't fully understood it yet. It's still very superficial."

Li Wan smiled reservedly. This was a good son she had worked hard to cultivate, and he was much better than Baoyu, a good-for-nothing. Jia Cong was about to speak when he suddenly heard the girl report that Jia Fang from the seventh room asked to see him.

"Old lady, you see, our family also has a lot of seeds for reading." Jia Cong chuckled and called in.

Jia Fang followed the girl in. Seeing so many elders in Rongqing Hall, she hurriedly kowtowed and said hello.

Jia Mu exclaimed with a calm expression.

Jia Cong said: "Brother Fang, why do you come to see me?"

Jia Fang said respectfully: "My nephew will go to Ying Chunwei in two days. I will ask my third uncle to teach me a lesson before the exam."

Jia Cong smiled and said: "You are a rare talent in our family. I have asked Mr. Pang. Based on your classics and articles, as long as you perform normally, you will definitely be on the list. You don't have to be too nervous. Just take the exam with confidence."

Although I can't take the back door for you, you are a member of my Jia family. If someone wants to depose you casually, it won't be that easy. "

Jia Fang was overjoyed and hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed: "My nephew, thank you Third Uncle for your support and love."

"What's it worth? Get up." Jia Cong raised his hand slightly, like an elder, and turned to Bao Dai and said, "Do you have anything to teach him?"

Bao and Dai gave him a shy look, you are really addicted as an elder.

Baochai pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Fang, have you prepared everything you need for the exam?"

Jia Fang hurriedly bowed and said, "Thank you for your concern, Auntie, everything is ready."

"Well, I will ask someone to bring you some delicious food by then. There will be three scientific examinations. If you don't have enough food and strength, it will be difficult for your talent and beauty to show." Baochai said.

Jia Fang wiped the corners of her eyes and bowed her head to the ground: "Auntie's caring heart will never be forgotten by my nephew."

Daiyu smiled and said, "I don't have much to say. Please be careful when answering the paper. Don't smear the paper. Just remember to avoid any taboos if there are any missing pens."

"Yes, my nephew will follow his aunt's teachings."

Jia Cong thought for a while and said: "You and your uncle will go out together now. The inspection of the examination room and the guarding of the Gongyuan are all handled by the infantry commander's office. I will say hello to Lord Wu, the admiral of the nine gates, and he will take care of you." , I can only do this for you.”

Jia Fang was flattered and bowed and said: "Thank you for your trouble, third uncle. My nephew is very lucky to have the same subject as my second uncle Bao. My nephew is not familiar with the classics. If my second uncle has time, please give me some advice."

The girls couldn't help but turned their heads away, covering their mouths and snickering.

Baoyu's face turned red and he hurriedly waved his hands and said: "What do you mean, give me advice, learn from each other, learn from each other."

Jia Cong laughed, pointed at Jia Lan and said: "He can't even teach you, a little brother, so he still teaches you?
You came just in time. Langeer said that he had read "The Doctrine of the Mean". What do you think? "

Jia Fang glanced at Jia Lan and saw that he was only ten years old, and said hurriedly: "Brother Lan is extremely talented, but his nephew is far inferior. When my nephew was the same age as him, he only read The Analects of Confucius."

"What's the point?" Jia Cong asked.

Baochai smiled and said: "The ancients said that the four books must be read step by step. First read "The Great Learning" to determine its scale, secondly read "The Analects" to establish its foundation, secondly read "Mencius" to observe its progress, and finally Read "The Doctrine of the Mean" to find out the subtleties of the ancients, and then treat the Five Classics and you will be done."

Jia Fang said: "Auntie understands the importance of studying, and she is absolutely right. If Brother Lan works hard, he can enter school in one or two years."

Li Wan was very happy and said with a smile: "Brother Fang, please come and teach him when you have time."

"My aunt is serious. My nephew has only limited knowledge. He and Brother Lan can learn from each other and learn from each other's strengths."

Jia Cong asked: "Does the clan have any seeds for reading?"

Jia Fang said hurriedly: "There are also Jia Jun and Jia Zhi, who are about the same age as Brother Lan. They are talented, smart, and quite motivated."

Jia Cong said: "I don't understand the matter of studying. Should we let them study in ethnic studies in the future?"

Jia Fang thought about it for a moment and said, "Returning to what my third uncle said, the way to study is to be thorough in cutting, like discussing, and like polishing.

Although there are famous teachers in the clan school nowadays, the talents and talents of the students in the school are far different from those of Brother Lan and others. It is difficult to learn from each other and each has his own progress. If he stays in the school for a long time, he may delay Brother Lan. "

"what do you mean?"

"My nephew, Qian Jian, if you can go to a famous academy and concentrate on your studies, with the help of good teachers and friends, you will definitely make rapid progress."

Jia Cong suddenly looked at Qin Keqing and said, "Keqing, last time you said what was the name of the academy where your brother studied?"

When Qin Keqing heard Jia Cong call her by her nickname in public, her face turned red with embarrassment. She quickly lowered her head and said softly: "To my third uncle, it's Mingde Academy."

Jia Cong looked down at Bao Dai and realized that he seemed to have said the wrong thing, so he changed the subject.

He said to Li Wan: "Sister-in-law, in two days I will send someone to send Brother Lang, Brother Jun, and Brother Zhi to Mingde Academy to study. You can take care of them."

Li Wan was taken aback and said hurriedly: "Brother Cong, might it be too hasty? Lan'er is still young now, why not wait for two years..."

Jia Cong waved his hand domineeringly and said, "Isn't it true that everyone in the academy is an adult?

Children from other families can go, and so can children from the Jia family.

Langeer, you have to study as well as exercise your muscles while you are here.

I will send two soldiers to the academy in disguise, and you will practice martial arts with him every day to strengthen your body. How about giving you five taels of silver a month? "

Jia Lan was very excited when he thought that he could go to the academy he had longed for for a long time with his two brothers. He hurriedly said: "My nephew will follow the teachings of my third uncle and I dare not violate it."

Jia Cong smiled and said: "That's right. Whether a good man in our family is studying or practicing martial arts, how can he stay under the wings of his elders forever?

The world is vast and the sky is high. How far you can go depends on your own ability. Do you understand? "

"Yes, nephew understands!" Jia Lan said excitedly.

"Brother Cong, Lan'er has never been out since she was a child. She suddenly left home...I'm afraid..." Li Wan was a little reluctant, but was interrupted by Jia Cong raising his hand.

"What my sister-in-law said is strange. There is a first time for everything. Now you are worried that it will be the first time for him to leave home, and it will be the first time for him to enter the bridal chamber in the future. Does the sister-in-law also want to help?" Jia Cong asked.

The girls all blushed, laughed, and looked at Jialan teasingly.

Jia Lan's face turned red and she shrank behind Li Wan.

Li Wan was also a little embarrassed and spat: "Brother Cong is so silly. Talking about studying, why did it get involved in that?"

Jia Cong spread his hands and said with a smile: "On the night of flowers and candles in the bridal chamber, when I was named on the gold medal list, these are the two most proud things in life. How can I say they have nothing to do with each other?"

Jia Mu smiled and said, "That's all, let Lange'er and the others go and practice."

Although she couldn't get Jia Cong to agree to take care of Baoyu today, getting his promise to take care of Baoyu was better than getting the title of Jinshi, so she also spoke out to support Jia Cong.

Seeing the old lady speaking, Li Wan didn't dare to say anything anymore, and hurriedly pulled Jia Lan to leave and go pack his things. (End of chapter)