Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

"Why does he want to see me?" Jia Cong glanced at Zhongxin.

Zhongxin said, "Of course I have something to ask of you."

Jia Cong sneered, "Why is your Highness acting as a lobbyist for him? Aren't you afraid of violating a taboo?"

Zhong Xin sighed, "I'm not a lobbyist. It's just that his father was close to me back then. There's not much I can do. I'll just help him a little bit."

Jia Cong thought highly of him after hearing this. This fat guy was not completely profit-seeking, so he said, "Your Majesty, we are close friends. If you have anything to say, just speak directly. What does he want?"

Zhongxin whispered, "The other day, the fifth brother was stripped of his title and imprisoned for life. Shuo Ge'er was really scared, fearing that the Empress Dowager was worried about him and would target him next."

Jia Cong nodded, this was not an unfounded worry.

Now, apart from the princes of several deceased emperors, Sun Shuo is the most qualified to inherit the throne. If the little emperor dies young, in terms of bloodline, no one can compare with Sun Shuo, the eldest grandson of the retired emperor.

"Brother, the patterns of tigers and leopards, and the agility of monkeys, are the reason why we shoot!" Zhong Xin said, "The Empress Dowager wants to eliminate all hidden dangers, so how can Shuo Ge'er be spared?"

Jia Cong groaned and said, "This is a family affair of the royal family and has nothing to do with me."

Zhong Xin said anxiously: "Zilong, please at least give me some face and meet him, and let me give an explanation."

Jia Cong thought for a moment and said, "Well, for your brother's sake, I will meet him and ask him to wait for my news."

Zhong Xin said happily: "Okay, as long as you want to see him, the time and place are up to you."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Your elder brother has spoken, how dare Cong disobey?"

“You’re welcome,” Zhongxin bowed and said with a smile, “Please stay, please stay.” After saying that, he got into the car and left.

Jia Cong watched him leave in his carriage. He also wanted to see if Sun Shuo knew Qin Keqing's life experience. Oops, that's not right!

The last time he was imprisoned in Taiwan, An Wenyao came to tell him that Dai Quan had found out Qin Keqing's background and told Emperor Xifeng, and apparently the Empress Dowager also knew about it.

If she suspected that she was colluding with Sun Shuo, it would be troublesome.

The key point is that he has not been able to prove his innocence in this matter. Could he kill Qin Keqing to show his true feelings? Jia Cong asked himself that he was not so cruel as to have such a heart of beast in human form. Well, let the Empress Dowager be suspicious if she wants.

In the next few days, several pregnant women in the mansion gave birth one after another, and Jia Cong was very busy. Fortunately, both mother and child were safe.

Baochai and Fengjie got their wish and had a son, and Ping'er got a maid. The two families celebrated happily, and the servants in the families were all rewarded. Only then did they feel at ease.

Granny Liu was worried about the farm work at home, so she said goodbye to the old lady, and then visited Baochai, Feng Jie and the other two before she set off for home.

Jia Cong hurriedly took the girls to see her out, and the gifts from everyone filled two large carts.

Granny Liu thanked her profusely and said with emotion: "Thank you, Third Master Meng Cong, and all the ladies, grandmothers, and girls for taking care of me. Every time they come, they bring me big and small gifts. I feel so..."

The women all smiled in relief.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Grandma, you are too kind. This year, with you here, Baochai, Fengjie and the other three gave birth to their children safely without any hardship. It is obviously all thanks to your blessing. The next time someone in your family gives birth, I will ask you to come and watch over it."

"Okay! As long as I can walk, I will come and share in the joy." Granny Liu smiled from ear to ear.

Jia Cong patted her hands and said with a smile, "Okay, it's settled. You should take care of yourself and do less farm work. If you can't do it, just hire someone to do it. Qingwen..."

Qingwen hurriedly handed over a small box.

Jia Cong said: "This is a small gift from me, please accept it."

Granny Liu declined hastily, saying, "I absolutely cannot do that. The old lady, the ladies, and the grandmothers have given me so many gifts. It's already too much. I dare not accept any more gifts from the Third Master. Otherwise, how can I be so embarrassed to come to your house again in the future?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Grandma, since you accepted theirs, why didn't you accept mine? Do you look down on me? You must accept it and keep it for Ban'er to marry." He stuffed the box into her hand without saying anything.

"This... How can this be good?"

Ruyi advised: "You should accept it. It is also Cong'er's intention. If you don't accept it, it will be impolite."

All the women advised in unison.

"I...thank you so much, Princess, and thank you, Third Master." Granny Liu was so grateful that she was about to kneel down and kowtow.

Yuanyang hurriedly supported her and said with a smile: "Grandma, our grandfather doesn't like this."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "That's right. It's getting late, send a team to take grandma back safely."

"Yes!" Du Dapeng agreed quickly.

"Thank you, Third Master, and thank you to all the ladies and girls." With tears in her eyes, Granny Liu said goodbye to everyone one by one before getting into the car and leaving.

Watching Granny Liu leave, Ruyi was a little curious and asked with a smile, "Why are you so nice to Granny?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Grandma is a loyal and righteous person. I respect her very much."

Ruyi nodded and said, "What did the emperor's uncle say when he came over the other day?"

Jia Cong said, "Nothing, we just talked about some political affairs. He is now the Grand Master of the Imperial Clan, in charge of the Internal Affairs Department, and in charge of business affairs together with Feng Yuan. He came to learn from me."

Ruyi smiled and said, “These two fat guys are bound to be profiteers.”

All the girls smiled.

Jia Cong laughed and said, "Earning money from foreigners and being a profiteer is also for the country and the people."

After they chatted and laughed for a while, Jia Cong left to see Baochai, and the rest of the people dispersed to see Feng Jieer and Ping'er.

When he entered Baochai's room, he saw her with a handkerchief wrapped around her head, reclining on the bed to rest. Ying'er was sitting beside the bed, holding the baby in her arms, chatting with her. When she saw Jia Cong come in, she hurriedly said, "Master is here, Xiangling, quickly bring some tea."

Jia Cong walked over and sat down, saying, "How is Sister Bao?"

"Okay. How are Fengjie and Ping'er?" Baochai asked.

"All is well. Mr. Ye said that the three of you are in good health and won't have any chronic illness. With careful recuperation for a month or so, you should be back to normal." Jia Cong said.

"Thanks to Mr. Ye's skillful treatment." Baochai said with a smile.

Jia Cong said proudly: "That's right, don't you see how much your man has spent to keep him? It's all for today?" Then he told him how to keep Ye Tianshi.

Baochai covered her mouth and laughed, "You are really good at guessing people's minds."

Jia Cong chuckled and said, "If I don't know how to understand people's hearts, how can I win the favor of Sister Bao?" As he said this, he reached out his hand.

"Ah...you, so annoying! Ying'er is still here." Baochai hurriedly pressed his big hand that was "guessing people's hearts".

Ying'er beside her giggled shyly, but did not avoid it. After all, it was not the first time they met.

Jia Cong said, "Good sister, Ying'er is not a stranger, let me see her."

Baochai blushed and tapped his forehead, "Haven't you seen enough?"

"I'll never see enough in my lifetime." Jia Cong said with a smile, gently pulling open her clothes, revealing her plump, snow-white breasts.

"Wow, it seems to have grown a bit."

Baochai spat, "It's natural to be like this after giving birth to a child."

"Let me have a taste." Jia Cong drooled and fell down.

"You...are you ashamed? You are so old and still drinking...milk." Baochai pushed him away hurriedly.

"Why are you embarrassed? If you don't eat now, there will be nothing to eat in a few days."

Jia Cong had long known that noble ladies like Baochai and Feng Jieer could not breastfeed themselves like ordinary women. They all used wet nurses and took milk-suppressing medicine after giving birth to stop their milk supply.

Firstly, breastfeeding is indecent and not in keeping with their status; secondly, their breast shape and figure will be affected after breastfeeding, and they are afraid of losing favor.

"You filthy bastard, why don't you go eat your sister Feng's?" Baochai spat with a red face. Jia Cong said vaguely: "I'll go later and not leave any one behind."

Baochai sneered and said, "Is it delicious?"

"good to eat."

"Ouch, be gentler." Baochai held Jia Cong's head with a doting look on her face.

"Sister...you..." Suddenly someone came in, saw this scene, stopped, turned away, and his face flushed with shame.

"It's Qin'er, why don't you get up!" Baochai was embarrassed and anxious. She pushed Jia Cong up and hurriedly pulled up her clothes.

Jia Cong wiped the corner of his mouth and said, "Yes, it's Qin'er. What's the matter? I'm giving your sister a massage."

Baoqin turned around slowly, afraid of seeing something, and only dared to stare at her toes. She stammered, "I... I'll come to see my sister and the baby later." Then she wanted to slip away.

Baochai glared at Jia Cong and said, "It's all your fault for being disrespectful and scaring Qin'er."

Jia Cong laughed, pulled Baoqin over to sit down, kissed her on the cheek again, and said, "Why are you shy? You will be my wife sooner or later, and your sister will have to teach you some skills by then."

Baoqin's face flushed, and she said coquettishly, "Sister...Brother Cong bullied me."

Baochai rolled her eyes at Jia Cong and said with a smile, "Okay, I'll scold him for you later. What's the matter with you coming here?"

Baoqin said, "Brother sent someone to deliver a letter saying that we have arrived at Tongzhou Wharf. Please come and see Brother Cong."

Jia Cong said happily, "You're here? Great! Let's go now!" After saying that, he took Baoqin and left.

Baochai asked hurriedly, "What's the hurry?"

Baoqin laughed and said, "It is said that my brother had someone build a strange ship according to his idea, and it runs very fast."

Baochai didn't understand why, so she smiled and said, "You still have the mind of a child."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Sister, you don't know that this is a national affair." After that, he took Baoqin and left.

After getting on the carriage, Jia Cong said, "Qin'er, you've been to the coast of the West Sea. Do you know how fast a ship sails?"

Baoqin thought for a moment and said, "I heard from the boatman that the voyage of a ship depends not only on wind power but also on water power. If the wind and water are favorable, it can travel fifty or sixty miles in an hour.

If the sea conditions are bad and the feng shui is not favorable, we can only travel more than 20 miles in an hour."

Jia Cong nodded and said, "With such a slow speed, it will take a long time to get from the Celestial Empire to the coast of the West Sea. So I asked your brother to use the skills of the barbarians to build a fast ship that is faster than all the ships now."

Baoqin smiled and said, "Is it convenient for business?"

Jia Cong said: "Have you never heard of the saying 'speed is the essence of war'? With fast ships like this, the Celestial Empire's navy can roam the oceans and be invincible."

Baoqin suddenly realized, "So Brother Cong wants to fight the barbarians. Their warships are very fierce."

"So we must catch up even more. Even if we can't beat them now, we will definitely beat them in the future." Jia Cong said with a smile.

"Yes. Brother Cong is a rare general. He will definitely be able to defeat the barbarians and enhance the prestige of our country." Baoqin's eyes were full of little stars, and she admired him.

Jia Cong laughed, hugged Baoqin in his arms and kissed her hard, saying, "Good Qin'er, you are so good."

Baoqin was so dizzy from his kiss that her pretty face turned red as blood. She fell softly into his arms and said softly, "Brother Cong, you are not only a great general, but also a great bad guy."

Jia Cong lifted her snowy chin, kissed her lips gently, and said with a smile: "It's just that Qin'er is too beautiful, as if she walked out of a painting. If I let you go, it will be a regret for my whole life."

Baoqin was so embarrassed and happy that she said shyly, "I am not as pretty as Sister Bao and Sister Lin. You are trying to tease me again."

Jia Cong looked left and right, not knowing what he was looking for.

"What are you looking for?"

"Look for a mirror."

"What?"

"Let you see for yourself how beautiful you are." Jia Cong said.

"You're so annoying. You just like to lie to little girls." Baoqin sneered and hit Jia Cong.

Jia Cong held her hand and said with a smile: "Qin'er, I think..."

"What do you want to do?" Baoqin whispered.

"Like last time."

"What?" Baoqin's heart trembled.

"That's it." Jia Cong smiled, unbuttoned her clothes, and reached his hand in.

"Ah... No, you're so bad." Baoqin hurriedly pressed his big hand, and felt as if her whole body had turned into dough. She had no strength at all.

The two of them were affectionate and affectionate all the way and before they knew it they had arrived at Tongzhou Wharf.

Jia Cong jumped off the carriage and looked up to see a strange large ship moored on the shore, with countless people watching and pointing curiously.

The ship was about ten feet long, with three masts front and back, similar to ordinary Cantonese ships, but there was a huge paddle wheel on each side of the hull, half of which was submerged in water like a waterwheel, obviously there was another source of power.

Jia Cong was watching with delight when Xue Ke came up with a few people and greeted him, saying, "Brother-in-law!"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Okay! Let's get on the boat first. Qin'er is here too."

Xue Ke hurriedly said, "Let's talk about business first, brother-in-law, please." Then he led him to the boat.

Jia Cong immediately saw the huge machine on the deck and asked happily, "Is this a steam engine?"

"Brother-in-law has good eyesight, that's right." Xue Ke said with a smile.

"Who came up with this idea?" Jia Cong asked hurriedly.

Xue Ke pointed at a group of golden-haired barbarians behind him and said, "It was Mr. Qiao who came up with the idea of ​​installing a steam engine on the boat, driving two paddle wheels to paddle, and with the power of the sails, the boat can sail at an extremely high speed."

Jia Cong looked at the man and said with a smile, "Where is Mr. Qiao's immortal land? How did you end up in the Celestial Empire?" The translator beside him hurriedly passed on his message.

“Your Highness, my name is Geoffrey Dabon. I am a Frank. I have loved ships since I was a child. I have always wanted to use steam engines to drive ships to reduce dependence on nature.

A similar ship was built in Frank several years ago. However, due to equipment failure, the boiler exploded after just half an hour of sailing. Years of hard work were destroyed and a lot of debts were incurred.

I heard from a friend that there is a generous nobleman in the East who is wealthy and attaches great importance to the shipping industry, so he came here on a merchant ship." Qiao Fry stroked his chest.

"Very good." Jia Cong patted his shoulder and said with a smile: "Sir, you have such great talent, why worry about not having a place to use your talents?
Here you don't have to worry about money or failure. You just need to concentrate on researching faster and better ships. Steam engines are the right direction to drive ships. Just stick to this direction and do it."

Qiao Fry did not expect Jia Cong to appreciate him so much, and hurriedly said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will do my best."

Although Jia Cong did not understand the specific technology, he understood the principle as soon as he saw the structure of the boat, so he asked, "What is the speed of this boat?"

Qiao Fry said: "After testing, the combined speed under various sea conditions is about 70 miles per hour."

Xue Ke smiled and said, "We set out from the Songjiang Prefecture Shipyard to Tongzhou, traveling day and night, and we will arrive in four days and four nights."

Jia Cong was surprised and delighted, and asked, "So fast?"

Xue Ke said, "That's true. With these two paddle wheels, it really runs like the wind."

Jia Cong thought for a moment and said, "Although this ship has made great progress, it still has considerable potential to be tapped. It is fast, but not perfect."

He came from the future and had seen countless giant ships, so he had no regard for primitive steamships. (End of this chapter)