I'm in the Red Mansion

The next morning, after dinner.

Jia Cong and Lin Daiyu went to the Lin family together.

Jia Cong returned and went to Lin’s house to send an invitation yesterday.

Therefore, Lin Ruhai took a leave today and waited for Jia Cong at home.

Soon, the couple arrived at the Lin Mansion.

The door to the Lin residence opened wide, welcoming the two of them into the yard.

Then the two of them went and met Lin Ruhai.

Lin Ruhai helped Jia Cong up and laughed, "Brother Cong, you gave up writing and joined the army, defeated the Qing army, and recovered Jizhou, one of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. You can be considered a Confucian general."

"In the future, the important task of recovering the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun and restoring the land of Daxia will fall on your shoulders."

Influenced by Confucianism, the ancient Chinese scholars often had a strong desire to unify the country.

Like Lu You of the Southern Song Dynasty, he was still obsessed with the unification of the Nine Provinces before his death.

I know everything is empty when I die, but I don’t see Kyushu in my sorrow.

Wang Shibei set the Central Plains Day, and the family sacrifice never forgot to tell Nai Weng.

Lin Ruhai also had a similar story.

After hearing this, Jia Cong nodded and said, "Don't worry, father-in-law. We will definitely recover the other fifteen states within ten years."

At present, Jizhou still has too few troops, and its weapons and equipment have not been updated.

He still needs to accumulate strength for one or two years, and then it will be time to recover his homeland.

After hearing this, Lin Ruhai couldn't help but nod repeatedly.

Next, Jia Cong looked at Lin Ruhai’s two sons and one daughter.

The three little guys look pink and very cute.

Jia Cong gave each of them a gift.

Next, Jia Cong had dinner at Lin’s house.

The couple then said goodbye and went back.

After returning, Lin Daiyu asked someone to invite a matchmaker and prepared to go to Xue's house to propose marriage the next day.

That night, Jia Cong went to Xue Baoqin's room to rest.

After all, Xue Baoqin was a noble concubine, and her status in the rear house was second only to Lin Daiyu.

The two of them were very affectionate.

After the rain stopped, Jia Cong couldn't help but ask, "Qin'er, is your branch still closely connected with overseas?"

"How much do you know about what's happening overseas?"

After hearing this, Xue Baoqin couldn't help but say, "Husband, my brother has always had business dealings with overseas."

"However, we only scratch the surface of some things happening overseas and don't know much."

"My husband, do you want to find out about what's happening overseas? I'll just ask my brother to keep an eye out and find out."

After hearing this, Jia Cong also nodded.

After all, the second branch of the Xue family is only engaged in overseas trade.

Their concern about overseas is mostly just hearsay.

As for Xue Baoqin, she probably knew even less.

Although she had traveled to many places and even met the princess of Zhenzhen Kingdom, she had also asked the princess to write a poem for her.

But if you don’t intentionally ask, you won’t know too much about overseas affairs.

Thinking of this, Jia Cong couldn't help but say, "Well, if I'm free these few days, I'll go see your brother."

Xue Baoqin smiled and said, "Brother Cong, I'll let my brother come. It's not a good idea for you to go to the Xue family now."

That’s right. I will send a matchmaker to the Xue family to propose marriage tomorrow.

When we go to Xue's house, everyone will feel awkward.

After all, Xue Baoqin married first as a concubine, and a year later, she came to propose to the eldest daughter of the eldest wife.

If we go now, it will make everyone embarrassed.

After thinking about it, I had no choice but to do so.

The next day, Xue Baoqin brought a letter.

At noon, Xue Ke rushed over.

After chatting for a while, Jia Cong asked him about the situation overseas.

Xue Ke couldn't help but say: "My Lord, there are many small countries overseas, and four of them are very powerful."

"They are Eagle Country, Lion Country, Leopard Country and Elephant Country. These four countries all have huge fleets and have few rivals on the sea."

(In order to avoid historical nihilism, overseas countries are replaced by animals, which can also be understood as a parallel world)
"However, even these four countries are not that big. The largest one is only a small part of Daxia."

Sure enough, at this time, the people in the Central Plains all had a complex about being a great power.

Jia Cong also asked about issues such as overseas technological development.

Then I learned from Xue Ke that steam engines already existed overseas at that time.

The emergence of the steam engine meant that the Industrial Revolution was about to begin.

Jia Cong hurriedly asked Xue Ke, but he had not heard any news about the application of steam engines in cars and ships.

This proves that the Industrial Revolution in the West has probably not started yet, or has just begun.

In this case, as long as Daxia catches up, it will soon catch up with them, or even surpass them.

Thinking of this, Jia Cong couldn't help but ask:
"Brother, can you buy steam engines from overseas, as well as their technology books, or even hire some of their people who understand technology?"

After hearing this, Xue Ke thought for a while and said, "For those overseas countries, as long as they have money, there is nothing they can't buy."

"It's not difficult to buy a steam engine. It's not a problem to buy their books either."

“However, it may not be easy to hire their staff.”

"Oh, I remember two people. They were two missionaries."

"I want to preach in Daxia, but I am not welcomed by Daxia."

"They have been to many places in Daxia, but have never been recognized by local officials."

"If the Marquis wants to hire some help, maybe he can look for them."

missionary?
Yes, in the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty, there were indeed some missionaries from the West who came here to preach.

And there are several very famous missionaries.

And these missionaries who traveled thousands of miles across the ocean usually had something.

In addition to doctrine, they also know a lot of scientific knowledge.

If they are truly capable, what's wrong with allowing them to preach?

Technological development must proceed.

However, if you want to promote it on your own, it is really difficult.

Moreover, although Jia Cong also graduated from university, he was an art student after all.

You may still remember some physics and chemistry knowledge you learned in junior high and high school.

But it is already very difficult to compile it into a complete book.

By now, in Western mathematics, calculus is probably about to be invented.

If you want to vigorously develop science and technology, the fastest way is naturally to adopt it.

Thinking of this, Jia Cong couldn't help but ask: "Brother, do you know the names of these two missionaries? Where are they now?"

Xue Ke shook his head and said, "Their names are quite strange. For a moment, I can't remember them clearly."

"They seem to be in the south now. If the Marquis wants to see them, I will have someone invite them here in the next few days."

Jia Cong couldn't help but say, "In that case, I'm sorry to trouble you, brother."

At noon, Jia Cong invited Xue Ke to have lunch here.

In the afternoon, Jia Cong held a banquet in the Grand View Garden and entertained several sisters.

It just so happened that Shi Xiangyun was also a guest here, so naturally she was invited as well.

After the banquet was over, the sisters arrived soon.

After seeing Jia Huan, Shi Xiangyun couldn't help but clasped her fists and said, "I am here to see you, General."

Jia Cong followed suit, clasping his fists and laughing, "General Yun, there is no need to be so polite. Please take a seat quickly."

After hearing these words, all the girls laughed.

Shi Xiangyun couldn't help but say, "Brother Cong is so good at planning and winning battles thousands of miles away. It's really admirable."

"I really wish I were a man so I could follow Brother Cong and fight the enemy in battle."

Shi Xiangyun was not joking when she said this, but this was what she really thought in her heart.

All the sisters knew her personality. She was aloof and liked to dress like a man.

Even after hearing Shi Xiangyun's words, they couldn't help but feel longing.

At first, I also imagined the heroic spirit of galloping on the battlefield.

At this time, Lin Daiyu couldn't help but smile and said, "Since Sister Yun has such a heart, how difficult is it? You just need to dress up as a man and let your third brother Cong take you there."

Hearing this, Shi Xiangyun couldn't help but asked happily: "Third Brother Cong, is it true? Can you really take me to the battlefield?"

Jia Cong said helplessly: "General Yun, didn't you hear that your sister Lin was joking with you? You took it seriously?"

"If you can ride a fast horse, lift a long spear, and draw a strong bow, I will take you to the battlefield, so what?"

"Since ancient times, there have been female generals who have fought on the battlefield, but they were all very strong and their martial arts were better than those of men."

"Take General Qin Huaiyu for example. She is over eight feet tall and no ordinary man can match her."

"Sister Yun, do you think you can go to the battlefield with your delicate appearance?"

Qin Huaiyu was a rare famous general in history, and Emperor Chongzhen even wrote four poems for her personally.

One of them is:

With a broom, they swept away the Huns, and the cheers shook the earth.

Just look at the Lin Pavilion in that year, the first painting on the wall was about beauties.

The last two sentences are very interesting. In the future, when drawing portraits of meritorious officials in the Qilin Pavilion, the heroine Qin Liangyu should be painted in the front first.

Qin Huaiyu's height was more than eight feet (the ancient term for feet), which is about 1.86 meters in later generations.

This height is considered tall even among men in later generations.

Not to mention ancient women.

After hearing this, Shi Xiangyun and her sisters were also amazed and impressed.

Shi Xiangyun had to give up her dream of becoming a general, and she felt depressed for a while.

Next, the sisters asked about Jia Cong's experience on the battlefield.

Jia Cong said something casually, which immediately caused the sisters to be amazed.

After three rounds of wine, five flavors of food.

Tanchun suddenly said, "Third brother, the eldest master is now bedridden, and the second sister's marriage has been delayed."

"No one is worried about her now, what will happen in the future?"

After hearing this, Yingchun said shyly, "Third sister, what are you talking about?"

Tanchun said solemnly, "Second sister, marriage between a man and a woman is the most important human relationship."

"Besides, look at this mansion, besides Third Brother Cong, who else is really good to us?"

"If I don't take advantage of Third Brother Cong's presence and ask for help, I don't know what kind of in-law they will find for my second sister in the future."

"This concerns my second sister's lifelong happiness. How can we take it lightly?"

Hearing this, Jia Cong could not help but look at Tanchun with new eyes. Tanchun was talented and capable.

Of course, there are shortcomings.

But at least at this moment, she was sincerely thinking about Yingchun.

Thinking of this, Jia Cong couldn't help but say, "Don't worry, Third Sister. As an elder brother, how can I not take Second Sister's affairs to heart?"

"I have already arranged it. I have found a good marriage for my second sister. I am afraid that someone will come to propose marriage in the next few days."

Hearing this, Yingchun was so embarrassed that she wanted to get up and leave.

But she was forcibly held back by Tanchun.

"Second sister, why should we be shy in front of each other? This is about your lifelong event, why not stay and listen?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "The person I'm looking for for my second sister is none other than my second senior brother Liu Xianglian."

"He is from the Liu family of Duke Liguo. Although it is a branch of the family, the family has fallen into decline."

"But he was conferred a title a few days ago for his military merits. It is natural that he will be promoted to a higher position at the border in the future."

"And he lost both his parents and was left alone. After he got married, he didn't have his parents to criticize him, nor did he have his sister-in-law to make things difficult for him."

"Liu Xianglian is my senior brother, so he will definitely not treat my second sister badly."

"Do you think this is a good marriage?"

After hearing this, all the girls couldn't help but congratulate Yingchun.

It can be said that apart from the fact that Liu Xianglian's family was a little poor, this was really a marriage that couldn't have been better.

Yingchun is a cowardly person. In the Liu family, she has neither parents-in-law to support her nor a sister-in-law to support her.

You won't be bullied if you marry him.

Yingchun lowered her head in shame and remained silent.

Tanchun couldn't help but say, "I was afraid that my second sister would be wronged in the future, so I didn't hesitate to be the bad guy."

"I didn't expect that Third Brother had quietly prepared a good marriage for Second Sister. It's obvious that you two are siblings, and I have become an outsider."

Hearing this, Jia Cong couldn't help but laugh and said, "Third sister is not an outsider. You only know that I have already found a good marriage for second sister. How can I leave you out?"

When Tanchun spoke of Yingchun just now, she was very generous.

Now that the topic came up for her, she couldn't sit still anymore and was about to get up and leave.

Unexpectedly, he was held tightly by Shi Xiangyun and Lin Daiyu on the left and right.

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "Third sister, where is the boldness you showed when you advised Second Sister just now? Why are you so timid when it comes to yourself?"

Shi Xiangyun laughed even louder and said, "That's right, since you said that just now, you can't leave now. This is called inviting someone into a trap!"

Everyone laughed at these words.

Shi Xiangyun asked hurriedly, "Brother, tell me quickly, which in-law did you find for Third Sister?"

"Tell us quickly, if you are not as good as the second sister, we will not be willing."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "You forgot that I have another senior brother, but he is not in the capital now."

"When he comes back, I will mention it to him. If it's not suitable, I will help my third sister find a good marriage."

"At least I won't let my third sister down."

After Jia Cong finished speaking, the sisters began to congratulate Tanchun again.

As a result, Tanchun also lowered her head and became shy.

Then, Shi Xiangyun clapped her hands and laughed, "Oh, brother, there is also our fourth sister!"

Jia Cong laughed and said, "Fourth sister is still young, so there is no need to rush."

Xichun was so angry that she ran over to fight with Shi Xiangyun.

The two of them quarreled for a while before being pulled apart.

At this time, Xue Baoqin said, "By the way, Third Brother Cong, Daxia Monthly wants you to write another chivalrous novel."

Jia Cong couldn't help but ask: "Why do you want me to write another chivalrous novel? Don't you have received any submissions for chivalrous novels?"

Xue Baoqin couldn't help but smile bitterly and said, "Of course there is, and it was serialized right after The Legend of the Condor Heroes was finished."

"It's just that everyone's taste has been shaped by The Legend of the Condor Heroes, and the serialized chivalrous novel is already the best one that has been selected."

"But readers still don't buy it, so the sales of the latest issue of Daxia Monthly have dropped a lot."

"If there are no more good chivalrous novels published, I'm afraid sales will drop further."

"Therefore, I can only ask you, Third Brother Cong, to write another one."

Hearing this, even Jia Cong couldn't help but smile bitterly.

The Daxia Monthly Newsletter naturally has more than just a section on chapter novels.

However, chapter novels have the largest readership and the most audience.

After all, even illiterate people can listen to people reciting.

Ordinary people certainly have no interest in poetry or current affairs.

When The Legend of the Condor Heroes was first serialized, it set off a craze throughout Daxia.

The readers' appetites have been whetted by this chivalrous novel.

As long as the narrow novels published next do not reach this standard, readers will naturally not buy into them.

At this moment, Jia Cong probably also understood Jin Yong's feelings about publishing martial arts novels in Ming Pao.

It can be said that Ming Pao relied on serializing martial arts novels to survive in its early days.

The Daxia Monthly Report is very important to Jia Cong.

Thinking of this, Jia Cong couldn't help but say, "Okay, I'll write another one in the next few days."

Anyway, Master Jin Yong wrote as many as fifteen martial arts novels, including some short stories.

There are also three books written with the Qing Dynasty as the background, which cannot be used.

But the rest can almost all be used.

If we continue to serialize the books one by one, it will be enough for more than ten years.

Logically speaking, after The Legend of the Condor Heroes, the next series to come is The Return of the Condor Heroes, which is a serial trilogy of The Legend of the Condor Heroes.

However, because Jia Cong wanted to bring out the idea that the greatest heroes serve their country and their people, he ended up killing the hero Guo Jing.

However, The Return of the Condor Heroes could no longer be written.

In that case, I might as well just write a book about Smiling Proud Wanderer.

The sisters chatted and laughed together for a while, and then soon dispersed.

That night, Jia Cong went to Hongxiu's room again.

Hongxiu, Qingwen and Xiangling also became Jia Cong's concubines.

However, they were one level lower than Xue Baoqin, as they were all family-born children - Xiangling was not, but she was also a death-bond, so the difference was not much.

Their status is not much higher than that of maids.

However, Jia Cong treated them very well and never looked down on them.

Unexpectedly, when Jia Cong arrived at Hongxiu's place, he discovered that Qingwen and Xiangling were also here.

Seeing this scene, Jia Cong roughly understood the reason.

Needless to say, it must have been Qingwen's idea.

But this is quite interesting.

Jia Cong deliberately asked, "Why are you two here?"

Qingwen chuckled and said, "We all miss Third Master. Doesn't Third Master miss us?"

Xiangling said hurriedly: "I didn't, Qingwen pulled me here."

Qingwen sneered, "You slut, you're still calling the Third Master's name in your dreams. When you woke up this morning, your bellyband was wet. Do you dare to say you don't miss the Third Master?"

Xiangling blushed immediately and gave up.

She whispered, "I didn't say I didn't miss the Third Master, it's just that you dragged me here."

Qingwen joked, "You are stronger than me. If you didn't want me to pull you over, would I be able to pull you over?"

Xiangling is the most honest person, but the more honest a person is, the more frightening the power that erupts after getting angry is.

Xiangling was annoyed by Qingwen's bullying and could not help but pounce on Qingwen, actually pushing her directly onto the bed.

Then Xiangling rode directly on Qingwen's waist and tickled her.

Xiangling scratched him and said angrily, "I'll let you talk nonsense again. I'll see if you dare to do it again in the future."

Qingwen could never resist the urge to do anything. She laughed till she couldn't breathe and begged for mercy again and again.

Xiangling calmed down and let Qingwen go.

However, after Qingwen stood up, she came out angrily to take revenge.

The two women fought for a while, and Hongxiu came to mediate, but she was implicated in the fight as well.

Jia Cong found it interesting. This was what a young girl should be like.

The three girls made a mess for a while, and finally stopped after they were exhausted, panting and sweating.

I couldn't help but burst into laughter again.

At this time, Jia Cong suddenly remembered something.

He stood up and asked with a stern face, "I taught you to read and write, but I was away from home for the past few months, so I don't know how you are doing."

"I need to check today to see if you have been slacking off!"

Hearing this, Qingwen and Hongxiu were shocked.

Xiangling, on the other hand, was calm and confident.

After a thorough inspection, Jia Cong discovered that Qingwen had almost forgotten the few characters she had learned.

Hongxiu is slightly stronger than her, but not much stronger.

As for Xiangling, it is naturally a good place.

After the inspection, Jia Cong said with a stern face: "It can be seen that you two are lazy and never work hard."

"If I don't teach you a lesson, you won't know how powerful I am. You two, come here and receive your punishment."

Qingwen and Hongxiu, biting their lips and looking unwilling, came over and lay on Jia Cong's legs to receive the family punishment.

Xiangling, on the other hand, carried a small stool, picked up some melon seeds, and ran over quickly.

Sitting on a small stool, cracking melon seeds, I watched the scene with great interest.

Soon, Jia Cong finished enforcing the family rules.

Qingwen and Hongxiu stood up, rubbing their buttocks and looking seductively at each other.

Turning around, he saw Xiangling watching the fun and he couldn't help but get angry.

At this moment, Jia Cong shouted, "Xiangling, come here and receive the family discipline."

"what?"

Xiangling was a little dumbfounded and couldn't help asking, "Third Master, I clearly wrote everything correctly just now, why is this happening?"

Jia Cong said sternly, "You two are good sisters. They don't want to study, but you didn't urge them. Shouldn't you be punished by the family rules? Stop talking nonsense and come over quickly."

"Oh!"

Xiangling pouted, walked over aggrieved, and also received the family punishment.

Now it was Hongxiu and Qingwen's turn to watch the fun while cracking melon seeds.

After a while of playing around, they didn't realize it was already getting late.

Wash up quickly and go to bed together.

But it is said that the fish and dragons danced all night, and it was really a lively scene with dragons and phoenixes playing around. (End of this chapter)