Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

In the main hall, Pang Chao and Qiu Zhixin were chatting.

"I haven't seen you for many years. I didn't expect that you have been promoted to such a high position in the Shao Bao Mansion. I am so sorry for your disrespect." Qiu Zhixin bowed and said with a smile.

Pang Chao laughed and said, "You are joking, sir. I am tired of teaching in Nanjing. It is rare that the young master values ​​me and says that he needs a guest, so I came out to make a living."

"That's too modest. With your talent as a king's assistant, you will surely be appreciated by a wise leader." Qiu Zhixin said with a smile.

As they were talking, Jia Cong arrived and they both stood up to greet him.

Jia Cong smiled and bowed to greet them, and the maid hurriedly replaced the tea and cakes.

"Old Master, do you have anything to say to me when you come to my humble abode?" Jia Cong took a sip of tea and said, "I was very rude just now. It's not that I am arrogant, but I am really at home reflecting on my sins. I hope the governor will forgive me."

Qiu Zhixin grinned, his pointed face and monkey-like appearance made him look like a giant monkey, and he clasped his hands and said, "Young Master, your words are too harsh, I should apologize.

I came to your house without a gift or a letter, and you are staying at home at your order, so I am a bad guest. I hope you will forgive me."

"No, no, I am honored that the old man is willing to visit my humble place. If it were not for the inconvenience caused by the imperial decree, I would definitely come to pay a visit." Jia Cong smiled and said humbly, inviting him to drink tea.

Qiu Zhixin took a sip of tea, closed his eyes slightly and savored it for a long time, then sighed: "Good tea, good tea, it is not found in bitter and cold places."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Is that so? I can't tell what's special about it. If you like, you can bring some to eat."

"Oh, thank you, Young Guardian, for your generous gift. This year's newly made Hangzhou Mingqian Longjing is priceless on the market, and only in Young Guardian's mansion can you taste the authentic one." Qiu Zhixin bowed and smiled.

Jia Cong knew that this was a tribute from Qiao Yincai, who had sent someone to deliver it 800 miles away in an emergency. He smiled and waved his hand: "A precious sword is given to a martyr, and good tea should naturally be given to a gentleman. I am a rough man, so it doesn't matter what kind of tea I drink."

"Young Master is the most talented scholar in the world, and his poetry is the best in the world. If this is a rough man, we can only drink horse urine."

Qiu Zhixin spread his hands and smiled. Seeing four plates of exquisite snacks on the table, he took out a handkerchief from his bosom, picked up the chicken oil rolls, freshly steamed chestnut flour cakes with osmanthus sugar, Ruyi cakes, and red bean pine glutinous rice cakes one by one into the handkerchief, and folded and wrapped them up carefully.

Jia Cong and Pang Chao looked at each other and wondered what the hell this old man was doing.

Yin smiled and said, "What is this, Governor..."

Qiu Zhixin sighed, "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Shao Bao and Brother Pang. My wife likes desserts, but we're poor and it's hard for us to have a taste. Today, I saw such delicious desserts in your house, so I wanted to bring some back to satisfy my wife's craving. Please forgive me for being rude."

Jia Cong shook his head and laughed, "My Lord, why are you joking? As a governor, not to mention the tributes from the people below, even his annual salary is at least 10,000 or 20,000 silver coins. What snacks can't he afford?"

Qiu Zhixin shook his head and said, "How dare I speak nonsense in front of the Grand Guardian? According to common sense, my salary is more than enough, but the border is cold and poor.

Seeing the soldiers suffering from hunger and cold, how could I bear to let myself suffer from fine clothes and delicious food? I had to provide them with some subsidies, and I returned the little money to the court.

I feel really bad for my wife at home. Although I am the wife of a high-ranking official in the imperial court, I have never had a good day. "

After listening to this, Jia Cong laughed and said nothing. It is a clear sky that people are not greedy in this world, and he even paid out of his own pocket to work for the court? You are playing a sad play in front of me, and you think I am a three-year-old child?
Yin sarcastically said: "The governor is selfless and upright, a rare example since the founding of the country. Cong admires him very much.

Since your wife loves this naughty child, you don't have to wrap it up with a handkerchief. If it gets out, people will think Cong is stingy. Someone, send a few boxes of various snacks to the governor's residence."

"Young Master, your kindness is so noble that I am deeply grateful." Qiu Zhixin seemed to be oblivious to the sarcasm in his words and just bowed and smiled.

Jia Cong was too lazy to chat with him, and said calmly: "The governor of other provinces holds an important position and is not allowed to return to the capital without being summoned. Is the governor arriving in the capital at this time to meet the emperor?"

Qiu Zhixin shook his head and said, "No order."

"Hmm? If I am reported by the censors for leaving my post without permission, it will be a serious crime. Does the governor have some urgent business?" Jia Cong said.

Qiu Zhixin said: "I once heard that Shao Bao had two lines of poetry in the past. I loved them very much. I wrote them down in my room and read them every day as a warning."

"Oh? Cong is so lucky. Which two sentences are they?"

"If it is beneficial to the country, we will do it regardless of life or death. We will not avoid it because of good or bad fortune." Qiu Zhixin looked at Jia Cong steadily.

Jia Cong frowned slightly. He was afraid that the old man's pretentiousness might be a big deal, so he looked at Pang Chao and asked him to speak.

Pang Chao smiled and said, "Your Excellency is a man of integrity and courage that deserves our respect. I wonder what this has to do with national interests?"

"Western Region."

"What happened in the Western Regions?" Pang Chao asked.

"After Prince Nannan was defeated in his western expedition, I heard the news and returned to the capital. I originally wanted to offer the court a strategy to protect the country and stabilize the border. However, I heard halfway that the court intended to abandon the Western Regions. Therefore, I hurried all the way to meet the Grand Guardian first." Qiu Zhixin said.

Pang Chao shook his head and sighed, "Old Sir, you are late. Now the matter has been finalized. Shao Bao was sent back home to reflect on his mistakes because of his frank advice in front of the emperor. I think the result of the peace talks will soon come out."

Qiu Zhixin said: "I have also heard about this matter, but it is not without hope.

"More than ten years ago, I served as an envoy to the Western Regions. I know the local customs and habits very well. The Western Regions are the key to the northwest of the country and must not be abandoned lightly. If the Western Regions are lost, Qinghai and Gansu will be in danger!"

Jia Cong smiled bitterly and said, "Why don't you tell the emperor and the ministers what you said? I am a humble man and my words are not taken seriously. You are asking a blind man for advice."

Qiu Zhixin shook his head and said, "No. In today's world, who else can turn the tide but the Grand Protector? This is why I have reported this to the Grand Protector in person.

"I can guess a little bit about the thoughts of the ministers of the Military Affairs Council. They are just trying to appease the enemy and wait for the future. This is just empty talk and the views of scholars!"

Jia Cong asked curiously, "What do you think, sir?"

Qiu Zhixin said: "First, the tribes in the Western Regions are already scattered and each does its own thing. The prestige of the Celestial Empire has been completely eroded over the past hundred years. If we don't win a great victory in the Western Regions, we will not only lose territory but also lose the respect of the people. How can we have a future?

Second, now that we have just suffered a great defeat, if we endure the humiliation and seek peace, how will the Celestial Empire maintain its dignity? Not only will we be ridiculed by the various tribes in the Western Regions, but the barbarians and other countries may also become disloyal. Isn't this a loss of both the wife and the army?
Third, the reason why the officials in the court lightly abandoned the Western Regions is that there is no benefit. How can they know the beauty of the Western Regions without going there? The benefits..."

"Okay." Jia Cong raised his hand to interrupt him and said, "You don't have to say anything more, Governor. If we talk about the importance of the Western Regions to the country, I can say frankly that in this world, no one can surpass me.

The products, land, and trade routes of the Western Regions are only minor benefits; the major benefits lie in their natural resources and strategic significance.”

Qiu Zhixin was slightly stunned. This was the first time he had heard these two new words. He hurriedly asked, "Excuse me, what are natural resources? What is their strategic significance? I have never heard of this term in the years I have been in the Western Regions."

"As for natural resources, the mountains, rivers, grasslands and fertile fields that ordinary people can see are all considered, but there are also many good things buried underground, waiting for future generations to slowly discover." Jia Cong said. Qiu Zhixin suddenly realized, "Are you talking about copper, iron, coal and other minerals?"

Jia Cong shook his head and said, "It's far more than that. It's useless to talk about it now. In short, it's a huge treasure mountain. The benefits of hearing and seeing it now are just a drop in the bucket. Alas, talking about this, my heart hurts."

Qiu Zhixin nodded and said, "What is the strategic significance?"

"Strategy is the way to a country's rise and fall. If we can occupy the Western Regions, we can move forward to Central Asia... well, that is, the many small countries further west, so that the way of the sage can truly educate the people;

It can be relied upon as a Great Wall to guard the heart of the Central Plains, and it is also the gateway for the country to communicate with the Western Regions and all the countries on land. If we lose it, we can only retreat and defend ourselves!"

Qiu Zhixin nodded repeatedly and sighed, "After listening to your words, I suddenly understand something! Since the young master has such foresight, he should do more to prevent the peace talks."

Jia Cong spread his hands and said, "I have said these words before. War requires money. Now the court cannot afford it. Does the governor have any good ideas?"

Qiu Zhixin hurriedly said, "Why not transport this year's summer taxes from various provinces to Gansu as a subsidy, and then raise the heavenly army?"

Jia Cong chuckled and said, "There are many places in the court where money needs to be spent. Jun Gong and his men all said that the southeastern coastal defense, the stability of the Nine Feudatories, the southwest chieftains, the construction of the navy, etc. are more urgent than the Western Regions. What can Cong do?
By the way, the news came the other day that the chieftains of Hunan and Guangxi gathered 30,000 people to rebel, and the chieftains of Qinghai may have taken advantage of the defeat of the government army in the Western Regions to rebel as well. There are wars everywhere, it's difficult. "

Qiu Zhixin frowned and said, "Although it is a time of trouble, why not take everything into consideration? If we can make a comprehensive plan and complete it in one go, it will be beneficial to the overall situation. If we ignore the Western Region and focus on other things, I am afraid we will lose the big picture for the small."

Jia Cong sighed, "We can only hope that Jun Gong's delaying tactic will work."

Qiu Zhixin sneered and said, "The delaying tactic will definitely work, but we are the ones who are afraid of falling into the trap.

Whether it's the Rakshasas or the barbarians from the Western Regions, they are all greedy and bully the weak. It's better to tighten your belt and suffer for a while than to cause endless trouble."

Jia Cong smiled bitterly and said, "Why don't you write a memorial to the emperor, or go directly to the palace to explain the pros and cons?"

Qiu Zhixin said bitterly, "I'm afraid the young guard doesn't know that His Majesty is not so easy to see. The palace has set up a rule that governors and governors-general from other provinces who return to Beijing to report on their work must pay a 'tea fee' ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 silver coins depending on the wealth of each province. I have nothing and can't even enter the palace, let alone see His Majesty."

Jia Cong sneered, "Is this true? This is the first time I've heard of this. Chief Steward Dai is indeed a man of wealth. I wonder how much the Governor of Shaanxi and Gansu will have to pay?"

"The Prime Minister of Mongolia took pity on the poverty of the people at the border and only required us to pay 20,000 taels," Qiu Zhixin sighed.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "It's okay. Since the old man is doing this for national affairs, Cong has no choice but to do it. Come here, bring me 20,000 taels of silver."

"This... I've long heard that Young Protector is a man of great righteousness, loyalty and integrity. I am grateful for that." Qiu Zhixin quickly stood up and bowed to express his gratitude.

"It's worth nothing. If you can make His Majesty take back his order, Cong will be honored."

After a while, the silver note was brought.

Qiu Zhixin took it without hesitation and put it in his arms, then he bowed and said with a smile: "On behalf of the soldiers at the border, I would like to thank the Shao Bao for the reward."

Huh? Jia Cong was stunned, feeling that he was being tricked, and asked hurriedly: "What does this have to do with the soldiers at the border?"

Qiu Zhixin said with a bitter face: "To be honest, I am ashamed to say that Dai Quan and I have a grudge. How could he let me meet His Majesty comfortably? I am afraid he will have a vicious plan to harm me. This will not only be detrimental to the overall situation, but will also make Your Majesty more determined to give up the Western Regions."

Jia Cong said angrily, "Since you have foresight, why did you accept my money again?"

"We are short of money. This little money is just a drop in the ocean for Shao Bao, but it is life-saving money for the soldiers on the border. Please forgive my rudeness." Qiu Zhixin said with a smile.

Seeing that he didn't feel "rude" at all, Jia Cong probably thought he was "reasonable". He was cheated of 20,000 yuan in front of him, but he couldn't get angry. He almost got his nose crooked with anger.

Yin said with a straight face: "Mr. Qiu is good at taking advantage of others, that's all." After saying that, he stretched out his hand and wanted to serve tea to the guest.

Seeing this, Pang Chao hurriedly said, "Old Master has a far-sighted plan and is known as a 'wise man'. In this situation, do you have any backup plan?"

Qiu Zhixin waved his hand and said, "Brother Pang, you are too kind. As for the next step, I think the fate of the world depends on the young protector..."

Jia Cong snorted and curled his lips, saying, "Stop flattering me. I won't fall for it."

"…Just now I heard the great words of the Grand Protector, and it suddenly became clear to me. I will go back and write a memorial to the court to explain the pros and cons."

Qiu Zhixin did not take it as an offense and continued, "Since I have received such a generous gift from the Grand Protector today, I have no way to thank you. I happen to have a local product brought from the Western Regions with me, and I would like to give it to the Grand Protector."

Jia Cong said with a fake smile: "Old Master, you are honest and incorruptible, yet you still give me a gift? How can I justify this? You should keep it for yourself."

"This thing must be enjoyed by the Young Guard. I can't do anything about it." Qiu Zhixin said with a smile.

Jia Cong asked curiously: "What is it?"

Qiu Zhixin raised her voice and said, "Fatini, come in."

Jia Cong was stunned, looking at the tall woman who walked in slowly. She was wearing a hat crown decorated with beaded tassels and a white feather inserted diagonally, sparkling and glittering.

Her face was covered with a veil, revealing only a pair of bright eyes as shiny as emeralds. Her breasts were towering and seemed to be about to burst through her clothes. She had a wasp waist and long legs, and was toned and agile. She wore lambskin boots with slightly upturned toes, looking wild and heroic.

"This... Governor, are you kidding me? Cong is not a lustful person." Jia Cong pretended to be angry.

His eyes never left the beauty from the Western Regions. He had seen countless beauties, and even without looking at her face, he could tell by intuition that this woman must be stunningly beautiful. If she was not very pretty, Qiu Zhixin would not dare to take her out.

Qiu Zhixin said hurriedly, "You have misunderstood, my servant dared not seduce me with her beauty. But Fatini is from the Kyrgyz ethnic group, and her hometown and people live under the tyranny of the bandit army led by Abulai every day. I specially asked her to report the situation in the Western Regions to the Junior Guard."

Jia Cong glared at him. You don't want to give me a beauty, but you still have the nerve to cheat me of my money? Yin coughed dryly and asked, "Why is Miss Fatini wearing a mask?"

Qiu Zhixin smiled and said, "Because of its unique color, it is a well-known flower in the grassland. When it came to the Central Plains, it was afraid of attracting attention, so it covered its face.

Fatini, take off your veil. Is the young master the kind of person who judges people by their appearance?"

"Of course." Jia Cong said seriously.

Fatini looked at Jia Cong deeply, raised her hand and gently took off her veil, knelt on the ground, and cried: "The black owl is screaming overhead, the evil war is burning on the grassland, the homeland of the Kirgiz people is bleeding, and the gray wolf is howling on the pile of bones.

Mother Earth weeps for her sons. The sun of the Kirgiz people was snatched away by the wicked. Please, noble sir, have mercy on the suffering of the people of the Western Regions and bring justice to us. " (End of this chapter)