Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Just after Jia Cong sent Pang Chao away, he saw Cheng Lingsu coming over with a stack of yellowed case files.

"what's up?"

"Master, we have investigated the background of the Governor of Shaanxi and Gansu just now."

Jia Cong nodded, turned around and walked into the study, leaned on the Luohan bed, and said with a smile: "Come here, I'm too lazy to read it, you can tell me about it."

Cheng Lingsu leaned gently in his arms and said, "He... is a poor official. He is probably the poorest official in the Heavenly Dynasty."

"Huh? How come?"

"Qiu Zhixin's ancestral home was in the capital. Before he entered the government, his family only had a few dozen acres of thin land. He had a wife and no concubines.

Now he is a high official in a frontier area, but he has not gained a single piece of land, a single house, or a single concubine. Instead, he has a few more children and grandchildren to feed, and he is even poorer. "

Jia Cong frowned slightly and said, "Have you found out? How many children does he have? What are they doing?"

"Mr. Qiu has three sons and two daughters. The two daughters are married. The eldest son is a county magistrate in Guangxi. The second and youngest sons are studying at home and serving their mother.

According to reliable information from the Imperial Guards, his family only has mountains of books, but no mountains of gold or silver. "

"He..." Jia Cong thought for a moment and said, "What about his salary? Doesn't he accept tribute?"

"Except for the two or three thousand yuan he used to send home each year and to support the education of his family members, the rest of his salary was used to subsidize the food and clothing of the soldiers on the frontiers, and the same was true for the tributes he received."

Cheng Lingsu sighed, "Sir, he looks so skinny, there's a reason for that. How can a governor not be skinny if he doesn't eat meat for three to five months? No one would believe it if I told anyone."

Jia Cong was also surprised, and hurriedly sat up and read the file in Cheng Lingsu's hand. He couldn't help but shook his head and sighed: "This is a true disciple of a saint, a child of a famous religion!

He is not only able to manage his family, but also to govern the country. Even his wife is poor and self-reliant, not yearning for prosperity. Over the years, she has sponsored seven or eight successful candidates in the family. She is very powerful. "

Cheng Lingsu covered her mouth and smiled, "There are few officials like this in the world."

Jia Cong suddenly asked, "Are there any talented scholars in our family school?"

Cheng Lingsu shook his head. Jia Fang was not studying in the clan school. Jia Lan, Jia Jun, Jia Zhi and others had already gone to the academy. As for the local talents in the clan school, there were really no such people.

"Damn it, they wasted so much of my money. I'll pass on the message later and have these losers given twenty lashes. They're such unmotivated bastards." Jia Cong said angrily.

"Yes, sir, don't be angry, take care of yourself." Cheng Lingsu hurriedly comforted him, "Even in aristocratic families, we can't expect everyone to become talented."

Jia Cong waved his hands, feeling relieved. When it came to educating their children, the Jia family could not even begin to compare with those aristocratic families who truly passed down knowledge and etiquette from generation to generation.

This has nothing to do with power or wealth, but real family background.

This scholarly atmosphere has been passed down from generation to generation and has penetrated deep into the bones. It cannot be compared with Jia Zheng's "poetry and etiquette passed down from generation to generation" which only remains in words.

"Lao Qiu is an honest official. I feel more at ease cooperating with him. At least I don't have to worry about military funds being embezzled." Jia Cong said with a smile.

Cheng Lingsu said: "Then his family..."

"Don't worry about him for now. A family like this cannot be bought off with small favors. Let's talk about it later. If you are too hasty, it will cause misunderstandings, which is not good." Jia Cong said.

"That's right, sir. How are you going to deal with that beauty from the Western Regions?" Cheng Lingsu said with a smile.

Jia Cong jumped up with a cry, almost forgetting that there was a time bomb in the inner house.

"I'll go in and take a look first. Oh, send a message to Zhou Wei and tell him that Prince Nan'an has defected to the enemy. Ask him to find out the truth and report back as soon as possible. Then spread the news quietly and have Wen Zhen write a secret report."

"Yes."

In the inner hall, Ruyi, Baochai, Daiyu and others listened to Fatini's brief description of the tragic conditions of the tribes in the Western Regions under the iron hoofs of the enemy army. Thinking of the countless women and children who were tragically ravaged, they felt both indignant and inexplicably sad. They helped her curse the beastly acts of Abulai and the White-clothed Army, and shed many tears with her.

Fatini said with red eyes: "Thank you beautiful ladies for speaking fair words for our people. Although I am far away in the Western Regions, I have often heard that Duke Dingguo is a great general who has won every battle. That is why I followed Lord Qiu to ask for his help. I have no unreasonable expectations.

If the Duke does not abandon me, it would be enough for me to be a maid feeding horses and herding sheep."

The girls smiled at each other and nodded secretly. This girl from the Western Regions knew etiquette, but she looked a little weird. I wonder what Cong'er liked about her?
Women in the Central Plains have always considered slenderness, fair complexion, and chastity as beauty, so they naturally find it strange to see girls from the Western Regions with high noses, deep eyes, honey-colored skin, curvy figures, and long and tall legs.

Ruyi glanced at Baochai and Daiyu, shook her head and said with a smile: "Miss Fa, how could Cong bear to let you feed the horses? Isn't this a waste of natural resources?"

Fatini didn't quite understand what she said, but she roughly knew that it was meant as a compliment. Seeing that the girls all had meaningful looks in their eyes, she blushed and lowered her head, not knowing what to say.

"Yan'er is right. Fatini is the pearl of all the ethnic groups in the Western Regions. God will not tolerate me being treated like a servant." Jia Cong walked in with a smile.

Baochai rolled her eyes at him and said, "Is the previous matter settled?"

Jia Cong nodded and said, "The Concubine Nan'an has come to our house to seek death. I naturally cannot let her come with high hopes and leave disappointed. We will just wait and see. As for Fatini..."

As he spoke, Jia Cong glanced at the beauty from the Western Regions and said with a hint of regret: "You can see without me telling you that she belongs to the free Western Regions. Forcibly confining her in a deep mansion will only ruin her."

The girls smiled and wondered when did this bastard change his nature?
Fatini heard that Jia Cong was about to refuse, so she stood up and said, "Sir, I... I volunteered. I am willing to follow you forever and serve you."

Jia Cong laughed and said, "What service do I need from you? The reason why I agreed to fight with all my strength is not because of you. You don't have to feel that you owe me a favor.

After a few days, when the dust settles, you can return to the Western Regions with Lord Qiu and his men. If you remember me in the future, just send me some raisins from Turpan during the holidays."

Fatini bit her plump red lips, not knowing what to say. She just bowed deeply and looked at Jia Cong with inexplicable gratitude.

"Okay, no need to be so polite. You must be tired after traveling thousands of miles. Go down and rest. Stay at my house for a few days. When you have free time, tell them about the scenery of the Western Regions." Jia Cong waved his hand.

"Thank you, sir."

Jin Chuan'er hurried over and took her away.

Daiyu teased, "It's such a bad luck today. We are all at home. We have to let go of someone's love despite the pain. It hurts me to see it."

All the girls laughed softly with their hands covering their mouths. Chu Chan said, "With such an exotic beauty right before your mouth, Cong'er is willing to let her go?"

Qingwen laughed and said, "I told you that I don't like women from the Western Regions, but you just didn't believe me."

Baochai laughed and said, "It's not that we don't believe it, it's just that it doesn't make sense. We've only heard of wolves eating meat, but never heard of wolves eating grass. We can't help but believe it."

Jia Cong was teased by the girls and pretended to be angry and said, "How dare you wrongly accuse a good person. Although I am a playboy, I am not vulgar. If I take advantage of my position to take a decent woman for myself, what kind of person would I be?
Besides, it is already a great honor for me to be able to feed you. If I have one more heroine, won’t I be exhausted to death? "

"Ah! What are you talking about!"

"Tear his mouth off."

"Shameless, a pig with a green onion stuck in its nose." "Shameless, talking nonsense!"

……

Jia Cong laughed heartily, chased and played with the girls for a while, then sat down with Ruyi in his arms, pinching his chin and saying with regret: "What a pity, what a pity. I am an official in the capital now. If I could take a beauty like Fatini into my service in the Western Regions, hehe..."

Daiyu rolled her eyes at him and asked, "Why not now?"

Jia Cong shook his head and said, "No, no, even if she is willing to follow me, she will not be happy far away from her hometown and unfamiliar with the people and places. What's the point of making her depressed for her whole life just for my own selfish desires?"

Daiyu nodded and smiled, "You are honest and have not ruined the girl's life."

Ruyi said with a hint of sourness: "He has not even had time to fill the vacancies of the four great masters, and he is trying to woo the beauties of the Western Regions? He is biting off more than he can chew, and it is disgusting."

When the girls heard this, they all turned away and laughed secretly.

Jia Cong was so embarrassed that he said angrily, "Hmph, it doesn't matter if I can't chew up others, but Yan'er, you don't have to worry. I will chew you up first to avoid being looked down upon by others." After saying that, he picked her up and walked towards the couch.

"You bastard, you're crazy again! What are you doing in broad daylight? Let me go!"

Ruyi's face flushed red, she kicked and hit, but couldn't get away. She called for help, "Sister Bao, Pin'er, come and save me."

The girls blushed and stood still. How could they have the nerve to help with so many people?

Jia Cong turned around and said with a "sly smile": "No one is allowed to help, otherwise I will not let you off easily."

The girls laughed shyly and dispersed.

Several palace maids hurriedly went in with smiles on their faces to serve their two masters in a fierce battle.
-
The next morning, Jia Cong changed into court robes and went to court as if nothing had happened. When he arrived at the Meridian Gate, he saw Qiu Zhixin already waiting in the civil service team, chatting with old friends and colleagues such as Feng Yuan.

When all the officials suddenly saw Jia Cong appear, they were slightly stunned, then they smiled and bowed to greet him. Niu Jizong and others had already come forward to surround Jia Cong and stand in the ranks of nobles, talking in low voices.

Although everyone in the civil service team remained calm and chatted as if nothing had happened, they were all secretly shocked in their hearts. Jia Shaobao was too rebellious. He actually blatantly disobeyed the emperor's order. Did he really think that the emperor's favor would never fade?

Jiang Feng, Guan Pu, Feng Yuan and other people who knew the situation all smiled. With Jia Cong leading the charge, they were happy to follow behind and reap the benefits.

Thinking that if the Western Regions were recovered, such a large territory, and I don’t know how many officials could be stationed there, I felt secretly excited.

Because Jia Cong is bound to have a fierce conflict with the New Party this time, he has to unite the Neutral and Socialist factions in order to compete with them. Naturally, this requires considerable sincerity.

In the procession of nobles, Prince Beijing smiled and bowed to Jia Cong, saying, "Brother, do you have any important matters to report today?" His demeanor was gentle and elegant, making people feel like they were in the spring breeze.

Jia Cong smiled faintly and said, "There is indeed something, otherwise Cong would not dare to disobey the order and go out."

Prince Beijing praised him, "Brother, you are selfless and impartial. You are truly a wise minister. What crime have you committed?"

"Your Majesty is so complimentary."

Soon, bells and drums sounded, and the left and right side doors opened. Civil and military officials filed in, entered the Baohe Hall, and stood in line waiting for the emperor to arrive.

After a moment, the whip was blown again, and the officials of the Honglu Temple sang: "The emperor has arrived."

All the ministers bowed hurriedly and shouted "Long live the emperor".

Emperor Xifeng ascended the throne and looked around. Sure enough, he saw Jia Cong standing in the ranks of nobles. His eyes suddenly grew slightly cold.

It has been many years since I have seen such a bold and presumptuous minister who dared to disobey the emperor's orders again and again and treated the emperor's orders as nothing. I glanced at Dai Quan indifferently.

Dai Quan understood what he meant, and quietly winked at a few censors. He then looked at Jia Cong, sneered and nodded, and said, "If you have something to report, please submit it. If you don't, please leave the court."

The few people heard the music and understood the meaning of the music. They hurriedly came out and said, "I have a report. I report that Jia Cong, the current Shaobao and Duke Dingguo, has defied the will of heaven and disobeyed the order. He left the house without permission before the period of reflection had come. This is the crime of deceiving the emperor!"

"I second the motion to impeach Duke Dingguo for disregarding the grace of heaven, being unrepentant, committing treason, and having no regard for the emperor. I ask the emperor to punish him severely."

"I second the motion to impeach Duke Dingguo for being arrogant because of his achievements, being unruly, deceiving the emperor, and being ignorant of reverence. Please punish him severely."

……

Four or five young censors came forward and served an appetizer for today's morning court.

Jia Cong remained calm, and waited until they finished speaking before he stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, I resolutely disobeyed your order and came to court. There was something I had to report, and I am willing to take the blame later."

Emperor Xifeng glanced at him and asked, "What's the matter?"

Jia Cong pulled out the memorial Pang Chao had written to him overnight and said, "I implicate General Xizheng and Prince of Nan'an Di Yan for three major crimes!

First, with an army of 200,000 men under his command, they were completely annihilated without even a single battle, leading to the destruction of the Western Regions and the loss of troops and humiliation of the country. Is there anything worse than this?

Secondly, the emperor was merciful and did not pursue the matter. He only ordered Lady Di to send one of her daughters to marry the prince. Unexpectedly, the Concubine Nan'an was so shameless and ruthless that she came to my house and forged an imperial edict in front of me. She also plotted a plan to use luggage as a substitute for a dead man, and ordered my third sister to act as a vassal state on my behalf. How could this be tolerated?
Thirdly, the secret agents of the Jinyiwei in the Western Regions reported that after being captured, the King of Nannan was afraid of death and actually defected to the enemy!

What's worse, some even persuaded the Hu people to surrender many generals of the Celestial Empire who would rather die than surrender, saying, "If you are defeated and captured, there is no hope of returning to the capital. Why not follow the example of Li Ling and live a prosperous life in the Western Regions?"

When this was said, the whole court was shocked. Prince Nan'an actually surrendered? Then the Nan'an Palace was finished. They had lost their troops and territory, and betrayed their country and surrendered to the enemy. The red seal and iron certificate were useless.

Jia Cong continued, "These disloyal, unfilial, unkind and unjust people have betrayed the grace of the emperors of all dynasties and have eaten the court's salary in vain. If we don't kill them, it will not be enough to appease the public anger, it will not be enough to rectify the national law, and it will not be enough to warn all officials! I request to exterminate their clan and confiscate their property! Please make a wise decision, Your Majesty."

Dai Quan hurried over to take the memorial from Jia Cong and presented it to Emperor Xifeng for his perusal.

Emperor Xifeng did not comment, but slowly flipped through the memorial impeaching the Prince of Nan'an, and asked, "What do you think, my ministers?"

Niu Jizong, Liu Fang and more than ten other nobles hurried out and said, "I agree with your proposal. Di Yan is stupid and ignorant, and he ruined the army.
Living a cowardly life and betraying the country to surrender to the enemy, even though the ancestors have made some meritorious contributions, it is not enough to make up for the mistakes. If they are not severely punished, the authority of military law will be completely lost!"

Feng Yuan also said with a sad face: "If the Prince of Nan'an really imitates the story of Li Ling, it is understandable, but he doesn't think about his situation and Li Ling's situation.
Is he worthy of colluded with Li Shaoqing? Does he think that all the civil and military officials in the court are fools?
At that time, Ling had less than 5,000 infantrymen, who were deep in the enemy's territory and suppressing an army of tens of thousands. The enemy was too busy to rescue the wounded and had to mobilize all the people who could draw bows to attack and besiege them.

After fighting for thousands of miles, when their arrows were exhausted and the road was at an end, the soldiers drew their bows and fought to the death against the enemy, fighting to the death with their enemies. Even the famous generals in ancient times could not match them.

Although he was defeated, the damage he had done was enough to make the whole world aware of it. He was not dead, so he should have wanted to repay the Han Dynasty with due respect.

What about him? More than 200,000 soldiers, well-trained soldiers, well-fed food, and complete equipment, swords and spears like a forest, sweating like rain, but before they could fight a single battle, they failed to achieve any success and were attacked. Their food and grass were all destroyed and the whole army was annihilated.

That would be fine, victory and defeat are common in the military. However, as a nobleman who has received the emperor's favor for generations, he could not die for his loyalty. Not only did he betray his country and surrender to the enemy, he also worked for the enemy and persuaded our generals to surrender!
If these people who have beastly hearts and no respect for the emperor or father are not severely punished, where is the moral code? Where is the law? "

Feng Yuan's impassioned speech immediately stirred up the atmosphere in the court. Dozens of civil officials came out and said, "We second the motion. Your Majesty, please severely punish the traitors!"

This had been discussed long ago. They would first label the King of Nannan a traitor.

Guan Pu and Jiang Feng also came out and said, "I think what you said is very true. The King of Nan'an betrayed the country and served the thief. His crime is extremely serious and he should be severely punished." (End of this chapter)