I'm in the Red Mansion

In just one month, Jia Baoyu lost a lot of weight and became tanned.

He also truly experienced the sufferings of the world, and became much more haggard.

However, jobs like copying books, writing letters or painting do not always have work available every day.

The money earned is barely enough to support the whole family.

This made Jia Baoyu even more tired and haggard.

One day, after returning to the Jia family, Jia Baoyu found his mother and said, "Grandma, our family is not large."

"We live in this yard, and there are many vacant rooms."

"My grandson is thinking that it would be better to sell this house and buy a smaller house in South City."

"This way, we can save some money, which can be used for emergency when something happens."

After hearing this, Grandmother Jia couldn't help but have red eyes, and tried hard not to let the tears fall.

"That's it. It's all because of my incompetence. I've wronged you, Baoyu."

After hearing this, Jia Baoyu knelt down on the ground with tears in his eyes and said, "Grandfather, what are you talking about? I am incompetent and cannot honor you. This is all my fault."

As they spoke, both the grandfather and the grandson couldn't help but shed tears.

(As for Jia Baoyu, Yanyu is not going to let Jia Cong help him, nor will she deliberately make Jia Baoyu miserable and miserable. The path is full of weeds and he is old and ugly. The whole family eats porridge and often buys wine on credit. This is a reference to the author Cao Xueqin's embarrassing situation in the West Hills in his later years. Speaking of which, Cao Xueqin can be regarded as the prototype of Jia Baoyu)
……

One day, Johann Adam Schall von Bell excitedly rushed into Jia Cong's study and shouted, "Sir, it's done, it's done!"

By now, Johann Adam Schall von Bell had become a regular visitor to the general’s mansion and did not need to report his comings and goings.

Seeing Johann Adam Schall ...

Tang Ruowang could not help but say: "My Lord, the bullets and the rifles you mentioned have all been manufactured!"

"And I've had people experiment with it, and it's proven to be much more powerful."

Hearing this, Jia Cong also became excited.

The flintlock rifles they purchased last year are already the most advanced firearms in the West.

The rifles currently developed by Daxia are definitely far superior to the Western flintlock rifles.

With more advanced weapons, Jia Cong felt more confident.

Thinking of this, Jia Cong couldn't help but say, "Let's go, I'll go try the gun myself."

Tang Ruowang couldn't help but stretch out his hand and said, "My Lord, please!"

Soon, Jia Cong arrived at the backyard of the Firearms Camp, where a special place was set up for testing guns.

Jia Cong first took a look at the experimental product made by Johann Adam Schall von Bell.

Well, it looks quite rough and crude on the outside.

Tang Ruowang picked up the rifle and began to explain it to Jia Cong in a long and eloquent manner.

Jia Cong only remembered two points.

The first point is that the rifle has a range of 300 meters and an effective range of 200 meters.

This distance is almost three or four times the effective range of a bow and arrow.

The second point is that the magazine of this rifle can hold a total of fifteen bullets.

In other words, as long as the magazine is full, this rifle can fire fifteen rounds in a row.

In this case, as long as there is a rifle team of a thousand people and sufficient bullets, the intensity of the attack will be terrifying.

Since you can shoot continuously, changing the magazine will take some time.

The magazines can be filled in advance.

Next, Jia Cong lay on the ground and began to experiment himself.

Tang Ruowang was very nervous, fearing that something unexpected might happen to Jia Cong, and he nervously reminded Jia Cong of the things to pay attention to.

I even wanted to teach him step by step.

In fact, Jia Cong is no stranger to shooting.

In his previous life, he had touched a gun and shot at targets during military training in college, although only twice and with only ten bullets.

boom!
Just as Tang Ruowang was still chattering on and on about teaching Jia Cong the essentials of shooting, Jia Cong decisively fired.

This scared Johann Adam Schall Johann Adam Schall so much that he almost fell to the ground.

boom!
boom!boom!
Soon, all fifteen bullets were used up.

[Shooting (Minor): 15/500]

Huh?
Unexpectedly, after many days, the proficiency panel included another skill.

And it's also a shooting skill.

Moreover, this shooting skill directly skipped the entry level and reached the level of minor success.

In fact, during military training, Jia Cong's shooting was only so-so.

After all, the military training only lasts for one month, and the time for handling guns and shooting training is only one week in total. How good can the shooting skills be?

However, when shooting just now, the target was extremely clear in Jia Cong's eyes and his hands were extremely steady.

Jia Cong guessed that this might have something to do with his perfect archery skills.

Jia Cong felt that with his experience in shooting, his speed should be extremely fast.

When you have nothing to do, you should give it a try.

Anyway, it’s always good to have many skills.

Jia Cong wanted to see how accurate his shooting would be once he gained full experience.

After Jia Cong finished shooting, Tang Ruowang couldn't help but comfort him: "My Lord, it's almost impossible to hit the target when you shoot for the first time."

"You don't have to worry about that, Lord. What do you think of this gun? Is there anything that needs to be improved?"

As soon as Tang Ruowang finished speaking, he heard a soldier a hundred steps away shouting, "The general is a sharpshooter, and he never misses a shot! The general is really a sharpshooter!"

Hearing this, Jia Cong smiled slightly and shouted, "Bring the target over here."

"Yes, General!"

Soon, the soldiers carried the target over.

Jia Cong and Johann Adam Schall Johann Adam Schall Johann Adam Schall Johann Adam Schall 11 looked and found that all ten bullets had hit the target.

However, in terms of the number of rings, the results are quite poor.

Except for one shot in the tenth ring, the others are in the outer ring.

Next to him, Johann Adam Schall Johann Adam Schall von Bell was obviously stunned.

He couldn't help but say, "Oh my god! The Marquis is really amazing. He can hit the target every time he shoots for the first time. The general is really a natural sharpshooter!"

This time, Johann Adam Schall von Bell really wasn't complimenting him.

Because even in the West, it is difficult to find a sharpshooter who can hit the target every time.

Jia Cong was able to hit the target every time he started, which made Tang Ruowang very surprised.

In fact, it’s not that there is no sharpshooter in the entire West.

But the accuracy of today's Western guns is extremely poor, and it is really not easy to hit the target every time.

Take later generations for example. When watching anti-Japanese war movies, you would often see Communist Party members holding two box guns and shooting them sideways.

Why shoot sideways?

This is because the box gun - also known as a Mauser pistol, after firing the first shot, the second shot will jump upwards, and the bullet will fly into the sky.

Because of its poor accuracy, it was quickly eliminated abroad, and a large part of it flowed into China.

In China, the correct way to use it was quickly found.

That is to hold the Mauser pistol sideways and shoot. This way you can jump left and right, and you don't have to worry about missing the aim when there are many people around.

Therefore, the accuracy of the gun is really poor in the early stages.

The sample made by Johann Adam Schall von Bell had greatly improved accuracy because the barrel was lengthened and rifling was engraved inside.

He overlooked this point, which is why he was so shocked.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "This gun is good, it's easy to shoot."

"Next, we will stop producing flintlock rifles and focus on producing rifles."

"Well, let's produce 10,000 guns first."

"By the way, bullets must be produced in large quantities, don't stop."

Ten thousand guns are enough for the initial stage.

The main thing is that no matter how much we produce, it will be useless if there is not enough bullets.

In this era, the efficiency of bullet production must not be very high.

After the soldiers of the rifle team are assigned rifles, they must undergo training, right?

Even if each person uses ten bullets for live-ammunition training, 100,000 bullets will be needed.

If each soldier in a war is equipped with 100 rounds of bullets, that would be 1 million rounds of bullets.

But one hundred bullets may not be enough to kill an enemy.

In later wars, it took an average of tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of bullets to kill an enemy.

Jia Cong felt that with the current production capacity, it would be difficult to supply a team of 10,000 people.

Before we knew it, it was already August.

Soon the day of the college entrance examination arrived.

The academy examination is held twice every three years, and it happens that there is one this year.

As the governor, Jia Cong was responsible for presiding over the college examination.

Jia Cong had already asked for leave from Emperor Yonglong in advance, and planned to return to Beijing after presiding over the college examination.

Because Lin Daiyu was about to give birth, Jia Cong was worried and naturally had to go back.

Emperor Yonglong was shocked when he saw Jia Cong asking for leave again.

Because this guy has been back twice this year.

In all his years as emperor, Emperor Yonglong had never seen a frontier general like Jia Cong.

Other generals would go back once a year at most, or not for several years.

How can there be someone like Jia Cong?

I only went back once during the Chinese New Year, and last time I went back again pretending to report on my work. Now my wife is about to give birth, so I asked for leave again.

Emperor Yonglong was even reluctant to approve the leave and even wanted to reprimand him.

But in the end, Emperor Yonglong still approved his vacation.

After all, it would be difficult for a general like Jia Cong, who is so family-oriented, to have any rebellious thoughts.

On this point, Emperor Yonglong was quite satisfied.

After entering August, Jia Cong became impatient and eager to return home.

However, Jia Cong still patiently presided over the examination.

The number of candidates taking the college entrance examination is becoming increasingly scarce.

But the answer sheets were still hard to describe. Several deputy examiners could only pick out the best from the worst and reluctantly tick a few relatively good answer sheets to help them pass the examination and become scholars.

With these people's level, they have basically no chance of passing the provincial examination.

However, there was one candidate's test paper that stood out and amazed all the examiners.

Finally, after the rankings were announced, the name was opened and it turned out to be Fu Liming, the first place in the provincial examination. At this time, Jia Cong was moved to love talent.

Shortly after the exam, the students who passed came to pay a visit to the teacher.

Jia Cong did not see any of the other candidates, which was really embarrassing.

Only Fu Liming came to pay his respects, and Jia Cong had someone bring him in.

Jia Cong saw that Fu Liming was still wearing the same clothes he had worn when he visited him after the last provincial examination.

Because the patches on this piece of clothing are in exactly the same position, it is obviously the same piece.

Although the clothes were old, they were washed clean.

And Fu Liming, when facing him, did not show any embarrassment on his face.

Seeing this, Jia Cong couldn't help but nod secretly.

It's just that he is well-educated, but it's rare for him to be so calm.

Jia Cong remembered that last time he brought an inkstone, and this time, he brought a pen.

The gifts given on both occasions were ordinary items, but they still cost several taels of silver.

Jia Cong encouraged him a few words, and then said: "I see that your article has a good thread, but the writing style is still immature."

"As long as you are willing to work hard, you can pass the provincial examination three or five times."

"If you have any questions about the article, just come and ask me."

Jia Cong admired Fu Liming very much and felt a desire to admire his talent.

With his guidance, I believe I will be able to pass the provincial examination within a few attempts.

But Jia Cong couldn't guarantee that he would pass. There were too many uncertainties in the exam, so it was not good to be too confident.

Unexpectedly, after thinking for a while, Fu Liming said, "Teacher, you value me so much. I am very grateful to you."

"However, the student has already obtained the title of scholar, and he is satisfied and does not want to continue to take the provincial examination."

Fu Liming's answer was far beyond Jia Cong's expectations.

In this age where everything is inferior except for studying, Fu Liming, a farmer's son, is unwilling to take the provincial examination again after passing the examination to become a scholar?

Jia Cong couldn't help but ask, "I wonder why?"

Fu Liming said: "Teacher, my family is poor. I lost my father when I was young, and I only have a widowed mother at home."

"My education was entirely dependent on my widowed mother, who worked hard to support me. She ruined her health early on."

"As a son, how can you be disloyal and unfilial? Isn't that the behavior of an animal?"

"I have already obtained the title of scholar, so I want to find a way to make a living and support my mother. I don't want to take the provincial examination again."

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

He had a similar experience to this student. Well, actually he had a father, but it was no different from not having one.

However, his family background is much better than that of this young man. He went through countless hardships when he was studying, let alone this young man?

Thinking of this, Jia Cong couldn't help but say: "Your filial piety is commendable, and it's rare."

"How about this, from now on, I will bear all your study expenses until you pass the provincial examination."

"I'll give you five taels of silver every month. Is that enough for your studies?"

In Jia Cong's opinion, five taels of silver a month was enough.

Five taels of silver was really just a drop in the bucket for him.

But for this young man, it is an opportunity to change his destiny.

Fu Liming was also moved by Jia Cong's protective feelings.

He could not help but kneel on the ground and said: "Master, I am grateful for your kindness."

"But if a student wants to pass the provincial examination, it may take eight or ten years, and my mother may not be able to support him until then."

"I still want to find a way to make a living, get married and have children, so that my mother can hold her grandson before she dies. That way, she can rest in peace in her grave."

"I feel so ashamed to repay the teacher's kindness and guidance, and I am extremely terrified."

Fu Liming was indeed very frightened. He knelt on the ground, lowered his head and dared not look at Jia Cong.

Jia Cong did not have the obsession that the literati of this era had.

I would not feel heartbroken or disappointed with students just because they were unwilling to continue studying for the imperial examinations.

Jia Cong thought that this student was filial and independent-minded, which was quite good.

Jia Cong couldn't help but say: "Everyone has his own aspirations. There's no need to force it. Stand up and talk."

Fu Liming stood up in shame and said, "I am ashamed. My teacher is very busy, so I will not disturb you any more. I am leaving now."

Jia Cong said, "Please wait a moment."

After saying this, Jia Cong went out and called his personal soldier, asking him to pack fifty taels of silver and give it to Fu Liming.

Fu Liming did not dare to accept it, but declined it, saying, "Master, this is a generous gift, and I am ashamed to accept it."

Jia Cong frowned and said, "Don't you know that one should not refuse a gift from an elder?"

"Take this money, go back and honor your mother, find a wife, find a job, and live a peaceful life."

Fu Liming took the silver and before he knew it, he was already in tears.

He knelt heavily on the ground and said, "Student thanks the master for his generosity. Student..."

Having said this, he sobbed and was unable to speak.

Seeing this, Jia Cong said again: "If you really want to find a way to make a living, you might as well come to my governor's mansion and do something with me."

At present, Jia Cong is not short of manpower.

However, after we recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, there will definitely be an urgent need for manpower.

Jia Cong had a good impression of this young man, especially because he was filial to his mother and had a clean family background.

If you really have talent, you might as well cultivate it slowly so that you can stand on your own in the future.

After hearing what Jia Cong said, Fu Liming was overjoyed and agreed immediately.

Jia Cong ordered that when Fu Liming came to the mansion, he could first work as a clerk to see how he did his job.

Finally, the college entrance examination was over, and the business here was settled. Jia Cong was already impatient to set off back.

I will soon be a father too.

In both of his lives, he had no experience of being a father.

At this moment, he was both excited and nervous.

He hurriedly ordered Xiangling and Qingwen to pack their luggage.

The two girls were also very happy. They naturally liked serving the master.

But the master is very busy and is not at home all day.

And this Jiedushi Mansion is not like Ningguo Mansion, which is next to the Grand View Garden, so it is not enough to visit it every day.

There is no such scenery to see in this mansion, and I can't go out to the city every day.

Therefore, when they heard that they were going back, the two girls were naturally very happy.

While packing her luggage, Xiangling couldn't help but cover her mouth and ran out of the house.

I couldn't help but retch a few times outside the door, but nothing came out.

Qingwen ran out after him and asked with a smile, "You slut, are you pregnant?"

Xiangling couldn't help but get angry when she heard this: "You are so good, Qingwen, I just didn't pay attention to my diet and got an upset stomach, don't talk nonsense."

Qingwen insisted, "What am I talking about? We clearly had the same meal at noon, so why did I not get a stomachache while you did?"

Jia Cong heard the two maids quarreling in the room and couldn't help laughing: "What is there to quarrel about? There is a ready-made miracle doctor. He can tell the truth by taking the pulse."

Xiangling laughed and said, "Third Master, don't listen to Qingwen's nonsense. There is nothing wrong with this."

Qingwen pushed Xiangling to Jia Cong and said, "Don't listen to her, Third Master. Just feel her pulse and you'll know the truth."

Qingwen forced Xiangling to sit down in front of Jia Cong. Xiangling became shy and was forced to stretch out her arms.

Jia Cong took the patient's pulse carefully and could not help but exclaim in surprise, "It is indeed a pregnancy pulse!"

Xiangling still didn't believe it and couldn't help but said, "Third Master, stop coaxing me."

Jia Cong said solemnly: "How could I deceive you with such a thing? If you are really pregnant, you must be extremely careful in the first three months."

"Don't go back with me this time. Stay here and take care of your baby."

"I'll leave a recipe for them and ask them to make it for you."

When Xiangling heard that she was really pregnant, she was stunned at first, but then she couldn't help but put on a maternal smile on her face.

It's only when you are happy that you realize that things are different.

Qingwen couldn't help but say sourly, "I told you that you were pregnant, but you didn't believe it."

"Every time you warm the bed for the Third Master, you are like a young girl and can't let go. I really don't know how you got pregnant?"

Jia Cong couldn't help laughing when he heard this and said, "Qingwen, you're still talking about her. Didn't you start out full of fighting spirit, but then you threw away your weapons and armor and started to complain?"

"Xiang Ling, on the other hand, looks weak, but she always perseveres to the end."

Qingwen blushed at what Jia Cong said, and couldn't help but spit, "Third Master, why are you saying such shameful things in broad daylight?"

Xiangling couldn't help but laugh: "You feel shy now? You don't know how excited you are at night! Why don't you let the Third Master check your pulse? Maybe you are pregnant too?"

Qingwen said disdainfully: "I didn't vomit, so how can I be pregnant?"

As he spoke, a look of anticipation appeared on his face.

Jia Cong laughed and took Qingwen's pulse.

After a while, Jia Cong shook his head and said, "Qingwen is really not pregnant."

Qingwen laughed and said, "I told you no, but you didn't believe me and insisted on taking my pulse."

As she said this, she could not hide the disappointment on her face.

After packing his luggage, Jia Cong gave Xiangling some instructions, took Qingwen and a team of personal soldiers, and returned to the capital impatiently.

A few days later, they returned to the capital exhausted.

As soon as he arrived at the door, Jia Cong saw Xue Baochai and Xue Baoqin supporting Lin Daiyu and greeting him at the door.

Lin Daiyu's belly was bulging, and she looked fuller.

Jia Cong jumped out of the carriage, stepped forward to support Lin Daiyu and said, "Sister Lin, what are you doing out here? Can you stand outside in the fresh air with your body like this?"

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "I heard the servants report that you had arrived in Beijing, so I thought it was almost time for you to arrive, so I left."

"Besides, you asked me to walk around more. Why am I so delicate?"

"Oh, by the way, why did only Qingwen come back? Why didn't Xiangling come back? Could she be sick?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "She is not sick. On the day before coming here, the girl suddenly vomited. I felt her pulse and found that she was pregnant."

"So I didn't let her come back. I let her stay in Jizhou City and rest in peace."

Lin Daiyu couldn't help but laugh when she heard this and said, "This is a good thing that comes in pairs. But in my opinion, it would be better to bring her back after three months."

"Not only is the winter in Jizhou City cold, but it's also hard to get such good care there."

"It's better to be at home, with my wife and I looking after you, so nothing will go wrong."

Jia Cong nodded and said, "Just follow Sister Lin's arrangements."

Jia Cong helped Lin Daiyu back to the house and said a few words to her. Then Lin Daiyu chased him away to pay her respects to Mrs. Mei. (End of this chapter)