I'm in the Red Mansion

Before the rewards were given, the first issue discussed in the court was the selection of civil servants such as the prefect of Jizhou City.

Previously, Fan Cheng, Jiang Chuan and others chose to abandon the city and flee when the Qing army was approaching.

Now these two people, along with their families, have all been arrested and imprisoned.

Now we have to choose candidates to replace them, and we have to choose carefully.

In the court, the two factions started arguing fiercely again.

At this time, Prime Minister Kou couldn't help but say: "Your Majesty, this time General Jia was able to capture Jizhou City and was able to defend Jizhou City."

"It was all thanks to the dedication of the three armies and the unity of the whole army, but what did the civil servants sent by the court do?"

"After they arrived at Jizhou City, they were eager to collect more taxes. When they heard that the Qing army was coming, they hurriedly abandoned the city and fled."

"These people don't understand military affairs, they only know how to hinder us. General Jia should devote 70% of his energy to wrangling with them."

"Your Majesty is a wise and enlightened ruler with great ambitions. Have you ever thought about recovering the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun during your reign and leaving an intact country for your children and grandchildren?"

"If Your Majesty really has such ambitions, it would be better for you to stop hindering General Jia!"

After Kou Xiang finished speaking, conservatives jumped out to criticize him.

It was really because Prime Minister Kou's words were too harsh, comparing all of them civil servants to sinister villains who only knew how to make money and cause trouble.

Well, in fact, isn't Kou Xiang himself a civil servant? This prime minister is so cruel that he even scolds himself.

After thinking for a moment, Emperor Yonglong could not help but say, "Lord Kou is right. It is I who am stingy."

"In this case, Jia Cong will be appointed as the governor of Jizhou."

Daxia already had a military governor. For example, in the book "Dream of Red Mansions", there was a military governor in Ping'an Prefecture.

In the 66th chapter of A Dream of Red Mansions, Jia She sent Jia Lian to Ping'an Prefecture to work, and the person he was looking for was the governor of Ping'an Prefecture.

The Jiedushi was in charge of the military and political affairs of an area and could be considered a local emperor.

The post of Jiedushi originated in the Tang Dynasty and was mostly set up in border areas bordering ethnic minorities.

Because the Tang Dynasty had a vast territory, there were many conflicts with ethnic minorities on its borders.

If you ask for instructions and report everything first, by the time it's all said and done, I'm afraid the opportunity will be lost.

Therefore, the Tang Dynasty set up the post of Jiedushi in these border areas to effectively resist the invasion of nomadic peoples on the border.

It was only because he later made too many use of the Hu people that he eventually went too far, leading to the An-Shi Rebellion, which caused the Tang Dynasty to fall apart.

The same situation occurred in Daxia, and more than one Jiedushi was appointed.

Therefore, Emperor Yonglong's appointment of Jia Cong as the Jiedushi of Jizhou did not encounter much opposition and was quickly implemented.

The post of Jiedushi can be regarded as a reward for Jia Cong, so there is no need to promote Jia Cong this time.

Next, the rewards for the generals and soldiers will be determined according to their respective merits.

This time, Jia Cong focused on pleading for credit for Liu Xianglian.

And Liu Xianglian's actual contribution is indeed extraordinary.

He led the cavalry to lurk outside, and when the Qing army retreated, he decisively charged out, and cooperated with Jia Cong's army to attack from the flank, eventually leading to the defeat of the Qing army.

Therefore, this time, Liu Xianglian was promoted to a higher position and was granted the title of Enqiwei.

This title, which carries a salary of the seventh rank, is the lowest rank of nobility, but it can still be inherited.

Even a low-level title allowed Liu Xianglian to complete a leap in status.

Not only Liu Xianglian, but also Jia Huan and Mei Shiming were all appointed as Xiuwu School Captains.

Although Xiuwu Xiaowei was only the lowest-ranking ninth-grade officer, he was also included in the rank, allowing the two men to have official status.

And following Jia Cong, how could he not have opportunities to get promoted and make money?

After discussing this matter, Prime Minister Qin stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, General Jia's latest grenade is incredibly powerful."

"If this can be promoted throughout the entire Great Xia army, it will surely help our Great Xia army to reach a higher level and become invincible."

"Therefore, I think we can order General Jia to hand over the method of making grenades and promote it throughout my army. Then, Daxia will be able to recover the remaining fifteen states of the Sixteen States of Yanyun more quickly."

After Prime Minister Qin finished speaking, the other officials echoed him.

In the end, Emperor Yonglong also agreed.

Next, Emperor Yonglong ordered people to draft an edict, had the cabinet use its seal, and sent an imperial envoy to Jizhou to read the imperial edict.

……

In Jizhou city, Xue Baochai and Jia Cong, although they did not have sex under the moonlight, they also had fun every night, and they were in love with each other.

One day, Xue Baochai couldn't help but say, "Third Brother Cong, I've been here for a while, and it's time for me to go back. I just hope you can send a matchmaker to propose marriage as soon as possible. I'm eagerly waiting at home."

Jia Cong hugged Xue Baochai and said, "Let your Xue family's servants go back first, and you can say that you are sick and need to stay to recuperate."

"It will be the New Year in about a month. I will go back before the New Year. You can come with me then."

This was naturally against etiquette, but she had already done more excessive things, so this was not a big deal.

Besides, the two were on their honeymoon, and Xue Baochai was reluctant to leave.

So she shyly agreed.

Next, Xue Baochai called in the leader of the servants, Zhang Dehui.

Zhang Dehui is an old friend of the Xue family and is deeply trusted by the family.

In the book Dream of the Red Chamber, after Xue Pan was severely beaten by Liu Xianglian, he was too ashamed to face anyone, so he went out to do business with his old friend Zhang Dehui.

This time, when Xue Baochai traveled thousands of miles to deliver grain, it was this old friend who led the way.

Xue Baochai gave Zhang Dehui some instructions and then ordered them to go back first. However, Xue Baochai wanted to stay to recuperate and would wait until the end of the year to go back with Master Jia San.

Zhang Dehui took a look at the rosy-cheeked, bright-looking eldest lady and fell into deep thought.

But he was an old friend after all, so he agreed calmly.

Then, he and the Xue family's men set out on the return journey.

……

A few days later, the imperial envoy came to Jizhou City and read out the imperial edict.

After receiving the imperial edict, Jia Cong entertained the holy envoy.

After seeing off the holy envoy, Jia Cong assembled the army and announced the imperial edict in public to reward the soldiers.

All officers and soldiers in the army, from the highest to the lowest level, received rewards, even the lowest-ranking soldiers received rewards.

The officers and soldiers in the army were extremely happy, and many soldiers even cried for joy.

Jia Cong ordered his men to reward the three armies again.

When Jia Huan and Mei Shiming learned that they were both appointed as Xiuwu Captains, they were extremely happy.

Especially Jia Huan, he had long expected that as long as he followed his third brother Cong, he would definitely be promoted and make a fortune.

But I didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

How many days has it been since he arrived in Jizhou City?

Now he is a military officer, although he is just a ninth-rank military officer, not worth mentioning.

But as long as you follow Brother Cong San, why worry about not getting promoted and making money?
I'm afraid that within a few years, I'll be able to be promoted to a fourth or fifth rank official.

By then, his official position will be higher than that of the master.

After I get home, I wonder what expression my master will have when he sees me?
Thinking of this, Jia Huan couldn't help but grin.

As for Mei Shiming, his ambition is even greater than Jia Huan's.

Naturally, no one is like Jia Huan, who would show the look of a villain who has succeeded.

Originally, he was extremely eager to lead troops into battle and fight in the bloody battlefield.

Jia Cong forced him to take charge of the Firearms Battalion, but he was still unwilling to do so.

However, after seeing the power of the grenade, Mei Shiming quickly changed his mind.

Because he realized the importance of advanced weapons to war.

Although grenades are very powerful, if the enemy figures out the strengths and weaknesses of the grenades and takes precautions in advance, it will not be easy for the grenades to be effective.

After all, grenades are limited by their throwing distance, and their range is not even as long as that of a bow and arrow.

This weapon still needs further improvement.

Alternatively, improved explosives could be used in other weapons.

For a moment, Mei Shiming fell into deep thought.

At this time, after Jia Cong and the soldiers finished drinking, they returned to the study and began to think quietly.

This time, the court ordered him to hand over the production method and drawings of grenades, which was not beyond Jia Cong's expectations.

Judging from the amazing performance of grenades after their debut, grenades are undoubtedly a powerful weapon on the battlefield.

It is impossible for the imperial court to allow such a powerful weapon to be controlled by Jia Cong alone.

In fact, grenades have many limitations. Once the enemy is familiar with their performance, they are no longer a powerful weapon.

As mentioned before, firearms had already been invented in this era, but due to the power of gunpowder and the craftsmanship, they had never been widely used.

Historically, it was only after the Ming Dynasty introduced the French cannon that firearms were gradually updated and used on the battlefield.

The firearms of Daxia were not good, and the firearms of Qing were even worse.

This is also true in the original history.

The Qing Dynasty's firearms were actually stolen from the Ming Dynasty.

In this world, even Daxia's firearms were of no use, let alone the Qing Dynasty's whereabouts.

However, we can vigorously develop firearms in the future.

In terms of horse riding and archery, the Great Xia was certainly not as good as the Qing Dynasty.

First of all, the number of war horses in Daxia was limited, and there were not enough good ones.

The innate conditions are insufficient, and even a skilled cook cannot cook without rice.

It is extremely difficult to compete with the Qing Dynasty in horse riding and archery.

In that case, we might as well put more effort into firearms.

Just when Jia Cong was thinking about something, Xue Baochai walked in with a cup of tea, gently placed it on the table and asked, "Third Brother Cong, what are you thinking about? Why are you so absent-minded?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Cong pulled Xue Baochai into his arms.

He smiled and said, "I was just thinking about how to go back to your Xue family to propose marriage and bring you in as soon as possible."

Even though the two had already been honest with each other, Xue Baochai still felt shy seeing them being so intimate in broad daylight.

She was about to speak when a personal soldier came to report outside the door: "General, Captain Mei wants to see you."

Hearing the noise, Xue Baochai got up and hid out through the side door.

Jia Cong asked someone to invite Mei Shiming in.

However, Mei Shiming came this time to discuss the modification of firearms with Jia Cong.

This coincides with Jia Cong's idea.

Jia Cong put forward some of his own theories, which immediately made Mei Shiming feel enlightened.

However, Jia Cong only limited himself to theory.

If you ask him to make muskets and cannons, he won't be able to do it.

After all, there are specialties in the art industry.

However, Mei Shiming wrote down all the theories that Jia Cong had said and left happily.

However, after Mei Shiming left, Jia Cong fell into deep thought again.

If you want to develop firearms rapidly, theory alone is not enough.

But he himself is not good at these.

I don't know how far the technology of the West has developed. If their technology is still developing faster than that of the East as it has in history,

We can introduce some science and technology books from them.

Even a group of craftsmen and even scientific researchers can be introduced.

In the original historical trajectory, due to the Qing Dynasty's policy of isolation, the technological development of the East lagged behind the West by hundreds of years.

If you fall behind, you will be beaten, which will eventually lead to invasions by many countries and become a semi-colonial and semi-feudal country.

The Chinese people suffered humiliation.

Countless revolutionary martyrs sacrificed their lives and shed their blood, which ultimately allowed the Chinese nation to stand at the top of the world again.

Now that I have traveled to this world, how can I do nothing and let such a thing happen again?

However, Jia Cong currently has no idea about the development of the West.

There is no urgent need to deal with this matter.

It won’t be too late to ask Xue Baoqin to find out by the end of the year.

……

A few days later, the Xue family's servants returned to the capital.

Aunt Xue had learned through letters that Xue Baochai and her husband had arrived in Jizhou city safely and would be returning soon, so she and her son were relieved.

Unexpectedly, this time the servants came back, but Xue Baochai did not come back with them.

Aunt Xue was shocked and quickly asked someone to invite Zhang Dehui and let Xue Pan entertain him.

On the back porch, through the window, he asked Zhang Dehui: "Why did you come back, but Bao Yatou didn't? Could it be, could it be..."

Zhang Dehui stood, bowed his head and said respectfully: "Madam, please be at ease. The eldest lady just got sick accidentally and stayed in Jizhou City to recuperate."

"He said he would come back with Brother Cong's motorcade after the New Year."

Aunt Xue asked nervously, "Is Bao's illness serious? Is it a problem?"

Zhang Dehui quickly replied, "Madam, I saw the eldest lady before I came here. She looks fine and is fine. Madam, just rest assured."

Aunt Xue cried, "Don't try to comfort me. Just tell me the truth. If Bao-ya-tou is really fine, why would she stay in Jizhou City and not come back?"

After hearing this, Zhang Dehui didn't know what to say for a moment.

You can't say that the eldest lady and Mr. Cong are so sweet and sweet that she is reluctant to come back, right?
At this time, Xue Pan said to himself: "Mom, you are too old and obscure. You can't even hear such things."

"My sister said that she and Brother Cong will come back together at the end of the year. Didn't you understand?"

"It must be that my sister stayed behind and was reluctant to come back. Being sick was just an excuse. But you, old man, can't even hear this. You always scold me for being stupid."

Aunt Xue thought about it carefully and felt that it was indeed the case.

Why is Baoyatou risking her life this time?
Brother Cong is a man who values ​​friendship and loyalty, how could he not be moved?

These two people, probably, were destined to be together for the time being and secretly decided to spend their lives together.

When young men and women are together, it's like dry wood and a burning passion, how could they not ignite at the slightest touch?
Sometimes they become addicted to it and are reluctant to part with it.

But doing this is too unrestrained and isn't it against the ethics of a woman?

Forget it, forget it. Every family has its share of dirty things going on.
Even the royal family was the same. Even now people still talk about the Dirty Tang and the Stinky Han.

Now Baoyatou will definitely marry into the Jia family, and Aunt Xue will also have a marriage arranged.

While she was laughing, she couldn't help but curse Xue Pan a few words.

He also asked Xue Pan to invite his servants to treat him to a feast and to give them some money in order to thank them properly.

These guys are risking their lives this time, so they must not be neglected.

Xue Pan agreed and immediately went out with Zhang Dehui to host a banquet for these guys and gave each of them a different amount of reward.

After they left, Aunt Xue's face was filled with a smile as beautiful as a flower.

Naturally, she was very satisfied to have such a good husband.

The Xue family is saved.

Now that Baoyatou has her husband, Pan'er's side also needs to be arranged.

Although Pan'er is a filial child, his reputation outside is a bit bad.

It is not easy to find a good marriage for him.

Thinking of this, Aunt Xue couldn't help but feel sad again.

But in the Yihong Garden of the Grand View Garden, Lin Daiyu was proofreading the latest issue of the Daxia Monthly.

After this semester's loading and the loading of additional issues, the book The Legend of the Condor Heroes has reached its final chapter.

Jia Cong slightly changed the ending of the book.

The title of this chapter is: The greatest heroes serve their country and their people.

Originally this sentence came from Mr. Jin Yong's book "The Return of the Condor Heroes".

However, Jia Cong did not plan to write The Return of the Condor Heroes again, but directly copied this sentence.

In the last chapter, Mongolia moved south and invaded the Central Plains.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong, a married couple, assisted in defending the city of Xiangyang.

Martial arts heroes, philanthropists, skilled craftsmen, scholars and people from all walks of life came one after another.

And finally, two hundred thousand troops surrounded the city.

In Xiangyang City, all the soldiers fought bloody battles, but were ultimately defeated.

All heroes died in the battle.

In the end, Guo Jing and Huang Rong died of exhaustion.

Before his death, Guo Jing looked at Huang Rong and said with guilt: "Rong'er, it was me who killed you. I am really sorry for you. If there is a next life, I will never let you get hurt again."

Huang Rong looked at Guo Jing affectionately and said softly, "Brother Jing, I am so happy to be able to live and die with you. In the next life, I will still be your Rong'er, and you will still be my Brother Jing."

The two died in the same place. Guo Jing andatole respected them both and buried them with great honor.

Over the next hundred years, the tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Guo became a place where countless poets and writers paid tribute.

This is the end of the book.

Although Lin Daiyu had already seen the ending, she still watched and cried as she watched.

Before I knew it, my eyes had turned red from crying.

She washed her face and finally managed to stop feeling sad.

The proofread sample issue was given to Xue Baoqin for printing.

I wonder how many people's tears this issue of Daxia Monthly will bring once it is published.

A few days later, after the publication of the Daxia Monthly Report, it indeed caused a burst of crying.

Countless readers find it hard to accept such an ending.

Readers in the capital even went to the manuscript collection office of the Daxia Monthly and forced them to revise the ending of The Legend of the Condor Heroes so as not to kill Guo Jing and his wife.

However, amidst the sadness, many people also reminisced about the past.

How similar it is that General Jia guarding Jizhou City and Guo Jing and his wife guarding Xiangyang City!
The only difference is that Guo Jing and his wife failed to defend Xiangyang City, while General Jia defended Jizhou City.

At this time, more and more people began to pay attention to the title of this chapter.

The great man is the country and the people.

These eight words are like an olive weighing ten thousand pounds.

The more you hold it in your mouth, the more you can savor its flavor.

As a result, in the capital, in the suburbs, and even in places further and further away.

Some people began to pack their bags and set off for Jizhou City.

The great man is the country and the people.

Since Mr. and Mrs. Guo were able to sacrifice themselves for the country, why can't they?

The ancients were indeed more simple and honest.

They have a quality that later generations call pedantry.

Fifteen of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun have not yet been recovered, and General Jia is stationed in Jizhou City, which is in a precarious situation.

Are they just going to watch and do nothing?

Even though the court disappointed them year after year.

However, even drinking ice for ten years cannot cool down your hot blood.

As a result, more and more heroes, righteous people, and people from all walks of life in this world brought their own dry food and rushed to Jizhou City.

And this is exactly what Jia Cong wanted.

Jizhou City is his base.

However, there is currently a severe shortage of talent in Jizhou City.

There is an acute shortage of talent of all kinds.

Originally, those capable and knowledgeable Han people in Jizhou City were basically killed by the Qing army.

In the future, Jia Cong will recover the other fifteen of the Sixteen States of Yanyun, and there will be even more lack of talents.

Talents are hard to come by, and even if he is a military governor, it would be very difficult for him to find talents at the moment.

Therefore, Jia Cong came up with this idea and modified the ending of The Legend of the Condor Heroes.

A chapter titled "The greatest hero serves his country and his people" was added.

Now it seems that the effect is quite good.

Of course, Jia Cong didn't know this at the time.

Because the Daxia Monthly Report was just published one day ago, no one has submitted a report yet.

On this day, Jia Cong was entertaining Liu Xianglian.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Jia Cong couldn't help but ask, "Second Brother, are you married?"

Liu Xianglian laughed and said, "I am a playboy. How can a girl from a good family marry me?"

Hearing this, Jia Cong's heart moved.

He then asked calmly, "I wonder what kind of woman Second Senior Brother wants to marry?"

Liu Xianglian said: "It's enough to find an honest and decent person."

Hearing this, Jia Cong couldn't help but feel happy again.

In fact, he invited Liu Xianglian to dinner in order to bring him together with his second sister Yingchun.

His second sister Yingchun helped him when he was in the most difficult times.

How could Jia Cong ignore her now?
If she is allowed to marry someone randomly, I am afraid she will be bullied to death by her husband's family after she gets married.

Therefore, Jia Cong thought about finding a good husband for her.

After much thought, I still think that my second senior brother Liu Xianglian is good.

If it were in the past, the two families were not a good match and it would have been difficult for the marriage to succeed.

This time, Liu Xianglian was also granted a title, although it was the lowest rank.

But he will definitely be promoted very quickly after this, so he can be considered worthy of the title.

Besides, since I am personally acting as the matchmaker, I think the Rongguo Mansion will not refuse its agreement.

Now Jia Cong wanted to hear what Liu Xianglian was thinking.

When Jia Cong heard that he was looking for an honest and decent woman, he was overjoyed. (End of this chapter)