I'm in the Red Mansion

As the Chinese New Year approached, Jia Cong received a letter from home.

It turned out that Xue Baochai gave birth to a daughter in November and asked Jia Cong to give her a name.

Due to heavy snow, information transmission was difficult, so Jia Cong led his troops westward.

It took a month for this family letter to reach Jia Cong.

It’s a very good thing that Baomei gave birth to a daughter.

In this way, he had two sons and two daughters.

However, I’m afraid that Sister Bao will be disappointed?

She was a strong-willed person, and now she had two titles.

If Lin Daiyu had only one son, then if she gave birth to a son, he would also be able to inherit a title.

Now she has given birth to a daughter.

But there is still a long time to come, and it will not be too late to be reborn in the future.

Jia Cong quickly named his daughter: Jia Qian.

……

After the Chinese New Year, it snowed again.

It was not until February that the ground began to thaw gradually, the snow melted, and the road became muddy.

And Jia Cong started to attack again.

It's February now, and it will soon be time for farming.

We should try our best not to delay spring ploughing.

Next, Jia Cong’s army set out and headed straight for Weizhou.

In just half a month, they completely captured Weizhou.

Next, Jia Cong did not rush to advance. Instead, he distributed land to the people in Weizhou and helped the people of Weizhou with spring ploughing before continuing to march westward.

At this time, only the last four states remained out of the entire Sixteen States of Yanyun.

They are: Yingzhou, Yunzhou, Shuozhou and Huanzhou.

Next, Jia Cong led his army to attack Yingzhou directly.

At this time, the garrison commander of Yingzhou was in a state of panic.

The Jizhou army came with great momentum, attacking cities and strongholds along the way, and was invincible in every battle.

He only had more than 10,000 defenders in Yingzhou, how could he resist?
Therefore, the garrison commander of Yingzhou hurriedly asked for help from the other three states.

It’s a pity that the garrison commanders of the other three states only cared about their own problems and didn’t care about other people’s problems.

The Yingzhou defender was so angry that he started cursing.

How short-sighted are these three people?
Don’t you know that the lips and teeth are interdependent?

If you don’t help Yingzhou now, after Yingzhou is destroyed, the next step will be your turn.

But he didn't expect that he didn't help Xinzhou and Wuzhou at the beginning.

That's what people say about him.

Another half month later, Yingzhou was captured.

At this point, only three states remained of the Sixteen States of Yanyun.

When Jia Cong led his troops to continue northward, the garrison commanders of the other three states actually abandoned the city and fled with their troops.

It turned out that the three defenders had no intention of dying with the city. They had already prepared to escape.

Therefore, it is not surprising that they did not send troops to help Yingzhou.

Sending troops to help Yingzhou is like throwing a meat bun at a dog, it will never come back and will be completely useless.

These three defending generals led the troops from various states all the way north, passing through Mongolia, and returned in embarrassment.

However, they lost the city.

But at least tens of thousands of troops were saved.

Unlike other defenders, he lost both people and land.

If they return to the Qing Dynasty like this, they will probably not receive severe punishment.

And Jia Cong had no intention of continuing to hunt them down.

If he could recover the Yanyun area, he would have achieved his goal.

Next, Jia Cong fell into busyness again.

It is said that you can conquer the world immediately, but you cannot rule the world immediately.

It is difficult to conquer a country, and it is even more difficult to govern it.

Jia Cong first reported the good news to the court and requested credit for the generals under his command.

Next, officials were sent to various states to distribute land, stabilize order, and develop people's livelihood.

For a while, I was so busy that I had no time to rest.

Back in the capital, the imperial court received the good news from Jia Cong, and everyone was extremely excited.

Many old ministers were even moved to the point of shedding tears.

Losing the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun is a shame for Daxia!

It is also the biggest pain in the hearts of many elderly people!
Now that Marquis Guanjun has stepped forward, he has actually directly recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. This feat will go down in history and is no less than a war to annihilate a country!
After this battle, Daxia’s reputation will surely reach its peak.

Let the Qing Dynasty never dare to look south again, and let the Sanfan never dare to jump across again.

Now, the imperial court has also begun to promote three new types of crops.

I am afraid that within ten to twenty years, Daxia will be able to usher in its heyday again.

But the most important thing now is to reward the meritorious officials.

The achievements of Jia Cong, the Marquis of Guanjun, are so brilliant that they cannot be erased.

Not to mention being crowned a king, at least he would be crowned a duke.

In the end, Emperor Yonglong overruled many objections and directly promoted Jia Cong to Duke of Ningguo, restoring the glory of his ancestors.

This time, he was promoted to his hereditary title of the third-class Earl of Bravery, which restored the glory of his ancestors.

Another title of Marquis of Champion is still retained.

Jia Cong is really very popular nowadays.

His title has almost reached its peak, and any further promotion would only see him being promoted from Marquis to Duke.

If he makes more contributions, he will be crowned king.

Liu Xianglian's title was also directly promoted to third-class viscount this time.

Jia Huan's title was promoted to second-class baron.

Even Ni Er got the title of Cavalry Commander.

Fu Chachu was promoted to Marquis of Ping'an.

The remaining generals were each rewarded.

This time, the court awarded quite a few titles.

However, the highest rank he could be promoted to was Light Cavalry Commandant.

Although these titles can be inherited, they only provide some annual salaries and a certain status.

For the imperial court, it was just a matter of spending some money.

Although this would increase the financial burden on the court, such a great victory was worth it even if it resulted in more fiscal expenditure.

After the award was given, a eunuch went to Ningguo Mansion to announce the good news.

In Ningguo Mansion, the ladies were all very happy when they heard the news.

Mrs. Mei and Lin Daiyu felt sorry for Jia Cong.

I wonder if Cong was injured in these battles? He must have suffered a lot.

They did not hope that Jia Cong would be promoted, but rather hoped that Jia Cong could live in peace and safety.

Xue Baochai, on the other hand, secretly hated herself for not being able to conceive.

How nice it would be to have a son?

But she gave birth to a daughter.

Lin Daiyu was weak and after giving birth to a son, she might not be able to give birth again.

Even if he is reborn, he may not be a son.

Even if it is a son, it may not be possible to raise him.

In short, it is very likely that a vacancy for the title will be left.

If she gave birth to a son, she would be able to inherit the title of Marquis of Champion rightfully.

Xue Baochai has already made up her mind that when her third brother Cong comes back, she will work harder.

It would be better to give birth to a son as soon as possible.

With a son, his position in the Jia family would become more stable, and he would be able to take better care of the Xue family.

However, in the second branch of the Jia family, when Lady Jia, Lady Xing, Lady Wang and others heard that Jia Cong had restored the glory of his ancestors and was re-appointed as the head of Ningguo Mansion, they could not help but show a look of loss on their faces.

Think about the time when the Jia family, which had two dukes, the Duke of Rong and the Duke of Ning, was so dazzling.
It’s just that the descendants were not up to the task. They, the Rongguo Mansion, could not even defend Chengdu. They even lost the title passed down from their ancestors, and the mansion bestowed by the emperor was also taken back.

Their group has fallen into such a state in a short time.

Compare it with the Ningguo Mansion, which was flourishing and booming, and at its peak. They were truly like heaven and earth.

At this time, Lady Jia, Lady Xing, and Lady Wang, the three mother-in-law and daughters-in-law, also began to regret secretly.

I regretted kicking Cong out of the house.

If he were not expelled from the mansion, the glory at this time would belong to their Rongguo Mansion.

Their Rongguo Mansion would never fall to such a state.

Look at Baoyu, who is only seventeen or eighteen years old but already starts to look old, and then compare him with Congge'er who was conferred the title of Duke of Ningguo.

For a moment, Grandmother Jia felt mixed emotions.

We are all the same grandson. How great would it be if we had shown more love to him back then?

But, where can I find medicine for regret in this world?

But Huan Ge'er is a good boy. He seemed so weird when he was young, but after following Cong Ge'er, he has become successful now.

Now he has been conferred the title of baron.

Perhaps the future rise of Rongguo Mansion depends entirely on him.

When she thought of Jia Huan, Grandmother Jia couldn't help but feel excited.

Although in the past, he had never been very fond of Jia Huan.

But after all, I never treated him the same way I treated Cong Ge'er.

Besides, his mother is still with him.

With Huan'er around, the Rongguo Mansion couldn't say they could repeat the glory of their ancestors.

But at least there is some hope.

……

After a busy period, Jia Cong returned to Youzhou.

Even if the entire Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun were recovered now, Jia Cong was still planning to place the Jiedushi Mansion in Youzhou.

Youzhou was originally the capital of the former Ming Dynasty. Well, even in this dynasty, the capital was originally here.

But later on, they were forced to move the capital and even lost the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun.

Youzhou was the ancient capital of eight dynasties, so naturally it has its advantages.

Now in Youzhou, the imperial palace is still intact.

For some unknown reason, the Qing Dynasty did not move its capital here.

This palace was actually occupied by the original Manchu garrison commander.

Now, it naturally falls into Jia Cong's hands.

However, Jia Cong only sent some people to carry out simple maintenance.

He hasn't gotten so hot-headed as to become confused.

This palace will never be touched.

Jia Cong chose another large house as the governor's residence. It is unknown whether the court will move the capital back.

However, the capital city today is also very well built.

Moreover, moving the capital involves a myriad of issues, and it cannot be decided in one or two years.

Moreover, Jia Cong felt that the ministers in the court might still have psychological trauma towards the nomadic peoples.

They may not necessarily want to move the capital back.

Next, Jia Cong would naturally vigorously develop the entire Yanyun.

Now he is the Jiedushi of Yanyun in name and reality.

Moreover, he has already regarded Yanyun as his base, so naturally he wants to develop it well.

The area of ​​Yanyun has the largest coal mine, and this coal mine is now in the hands of Jia Cong.

It was this coal mine that gave him the funds for development.

Of course, Jia Cong would not rely on just a coal mine to survive.

Jia Cong planned to vigorously establish factories and develop commerce in Yanyun, striving to promote an industrial revolution.

Why did the Industrial Revolution happen in the West?
It's not just the Renaissance that's the reason.

Another extremely important reason is that the large-scale colonization of the West has led to an urgent shortage of manpower.

The lack of manpower promoted the development of the Industrial Revolution more quickly.

In Daxia, without external support, the advancement of the industrial revolution would surely be very slow.

Because there are too many idle people in Daxia.

If the efficiency of the initial machinery cannot greatly surpass that of manual labor, it will be difficult to advance.

However, Jia Cong can accomplish all of this in Yanyun.

Because at present, Jia Cong can fully control this place.

First, Jia Cong planned to vigorously promote the application of steam engines in Yanyun.

Practice brings true knowledge.

Only by allowing more people to be exposed to technology, see the benefits of technology, and arouse more people's interest and attention, can we promote faster development of technology among the whole nation.

Next, Jia Cong found Tang Xianzu and his apprentice Tang Ruowang.

Let the two of them lead people to set up a steam engine factory and produce a batch of steam engines.

The next step is naturally to promote the steam engine in the Yanyun area.

……

At this time, the imperial court indeed began to be suspicious of the Yanyun area.

There were quite a few Jiedushi in the Great Xia Dynasty, and it was also a permanent official position.

In the book "Dream of Red Mansions", there are two Jiedushi: the Jiedushi of Chang'an and the Jiedushi of Ping'an Prefecture.

However, he was the first governor of a territory as large as the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun in the entire Daxia.

The size of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun is almost as large as the three southern states combined.

Now even Sanfan is ready to make a move.

If Jia Cong continues to run this place for many years and becomes unable to get rid of the water here, even if he does not rebel, the imperial court will lose control of the Yanyun area.

From now on, I am afraid that the land of Yanyun will be the territory of Daxia in name only, but in reality it will belong to the Jia family.

But suspicion is suspicion. The Marquis of Guanjun has just recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, and the court cannot just cross the river and burn the bridge, then abandon the donkey after it has served its purpose.

However, it is better to take precautions before it happens and make plans early.

Especially Emperor Yonglong, an ambitious and wise ruler, after some thought.

It was finally decided to send a group of officials to Yanyun to take up positions.

After all, the Yanyun area had just been recovered at this time, and there must be a large lack of official positions.

It was also reasonable for the court to send a group of officials there.

The power of the Jiedushi of Daxia had not yet reached the level it reached in the late Tang Dynasty.

In the late Tang Dynasty, the Jiedushi not only had military command power, but also gradually gained the power to appoint officials, levy taxes and manage finances, and even the power to kill people at will.

The Jiedushi of Daxia had the right to recommend officials.

However, in name only, the power to appoint and dismiss officials still lies in the hands of the imperial court.

Of course, things in this regard are very subtle.

For example, most official positions were recommended by the military governors and readily accepted by the court.

The imperial court should also fully consider the opinions and suggestions of the Jiedushi.

This also meant that the Jiedushi had great power to appoint and dismiss officials.

But if you really think about it, the Jiedushi actually had no power to appoint or dismiss officials.

The group of officials sent by Emperor Yonglong included newcomers who had just passed the imperial examination, as well as officials from various factions.

Emperor Yonglong did not only appoint officials from his own direct lineage.

Firstly, Emperor Yonglong did not have so many direct officials to send over.

Secondly, if there were only his own direct officials, it would cause a direct conflict between the imperial power and the Jiedushi.

Now that we have officials from all factions, the pressure can be evenly distributed.

Soon, Jia Cong also learned the news.

Jia Yun came to Jia Cong's study and asked, "Duke, the court has sent more than a dozen officials here at once. It's obvious that they have bad intentions! What should we do?"

Jia Yun's official position has been promoted several times in the past few years, and he is now a judge.

Although the rank of the judge was not high, it was only the seventh rank.

His rank is not even as high as that of a county magistrate, who is of the seventh rank.

However, Jia Yun was not originally a member of the imperial examination system, and his current powers and responsibilities far exceed those of a county magistrate.

Now that Jia Cong is not around, or when some trivial matters at the bottom of the society are handled by Jia Yun.

Jia Yun is a member of the Jia family and is deeply favored by Jia Cong. It can be said that his future depends on Jia Cong and he is the one who is most trusted by Jia Cong.

Even if Jia Cong said he wanted to rebel, I'm afraid Jia Yun would wave the flag and cheer without hesitation.

Therefore, when the imperial court sent officials to Yanyun, Jia Yun was naturally the most nervous and couldn't help but run to ask Jia Cong.

Jia Cong couldn't help but laugh when he heard this, "They can just come as they please. I am the governor of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. Here, only my words count."

"If they are obedient and honest in their duties, then they will be able to do it. If they are disobedient, then let them go back to where they came from."

Jia Cong values ​​military power more. As long as the imperial court does not interfere with military power and just sends some local officials, Jia Cong will not take it to heart.

As long as the visitors are obedient and cooperate with him in vigorously developing science and technology, improving people's livelihood and developing the economy, Jia Cong will naturally not do anything to them.

But if you don't obey, it will not be tolerated.

Either get out or go to heaven.

Jia Yun listened and nodded, saying, "My Lord, I know what to do. I will send someone to keep an eye on them and report their movements to you at any time."

After listening to this, Jia Cong nodded.

More than ten days later, these seventeen officials appointed by the court rushed to Youzhou to first pay a visit to Jia Cong, their immediate superior, or their superior's superior.

Jia Cong met with them collectively in the yamen and gave them some encouragement.

He added: "You have come here under the order of the Emperor. Now that you have arrived in Yanyun, you must not let him down."

"We must be worthy of the emperor's grace and the people's kindness. We must be worthy of the heavens and the earth."

"The people of Daxia in Yanyun have suffered greatly from the destruction of the Qing Dynasty. Now is the time to recuperate so that the people can reproduce and thrive."

"I hope you will perform your duties conscientiously, treat the people well, and bring benefits to the people while serving as officials."

After Jia Cong finished speaking, the seventeen officials all agreed.

Jia Cong observed secretly and remembered a few troublemakers.

Among them, some can be won over, but some are probably die-hard traitors.

At this time, Jia Cong was too lazy to pay any more attention to them and just wait and see what they would do next.

As long as they are obedient, he can keep them temporarily. If they are not obedient, don't blame him for being rude.

After the speech, Jia Cong held a banquet to welcome the seventeen officials.

Next, these seventeen officials were each assigned their tasks.

Jia Cong, on the other hand, sent people to keep a close eye on these seventeen people.

Over the next month, these seventeen people performed impeccably.

At least they are all capable, government affairs run smoothly, and there is no abuse of power for personal gain or embezzlement.

This also shows that Emperor Yonglong had a good vision. No matter what his purpose was, at least these seventeen officials had both ability and integrity.

Of course, it could also be because they had just arrived in Yanyun and had not yet revealed their true nature.

But, just be honest.

And the next month, the court sent three more generals.

After hearing the news, Jia Cong's face suddenly turned gloomy.

It would be fine if the court sent civil servants, as long as they didn't cause trouble, Jia Cong didn't take it to heart.

But it would be too much to send military generals here now.

As the saying goes, political power grows out of the barrel of a gun, and Jia Cong, the governor, had his roots in the army.

The imperial court was probably overthinking if they wanted to seize power in this way.

Half a month later, three generals arrived.

These three generals were actually all generals from the Yuanchu faction.

As the saying goes, this time and that time.

Last year, the Yuanchu faction volunteered to launch an attack on the Qing Dynasty, but was ultimately defeated.

Emperor Yonglong seized the opportunity and severely weakened him.

But now, as he had become more powerful, Emperor Yonglong began to make use of the military generals from the Yuan Dynasty faction again.

Emperor Yonglong's intention was probably to make them fight each other.

Emperor Yonglong could profit from it.

After the arrival of these three generals, Jia Cong still entertained them warmly.

But in the blink of an eye, he threw them into Fucha's army.

Now that Fu Cha Chusheng has been granted the title of Marquis of Ping'an, he has basically reached the point of being completely devoted to Jia Cong and openly regards himself as Jia Cong's servant.

This man is best at conspiracies and intrigues. Jia Cong threw these three people to him. Fu Cha Chusheng must be well aware of his intentions.

Emperor Yonglong sent them here to help them win over the generals in the army, set up their own faction, and continuously weaken Jia Cong's influence in the army.

It would be even better if Jia Cong could be sidelined.

But now, Jia Cong directly threw them into Fucha’s army.

The Fucha Army were all surrendered Qing troops, and 99% of the soldiers among them could not even speak the Daxia language.

When Fucha is promoted, he will definitely arrange them to lead a team that no one can speak the Daxia language.

You can't even speak the language, and you're trying to bribe a ball of yarn?
There is no question of establishing any prestige.

Even training and communication are impossible and can only be done through deputy generals.

Perhaps they will be provoked by soldiers in the army.

If their own martial arts skills were not strong enough, these three people would probably have suffered.

Unless they have strong abilities and are willing to take the initiative to learn Manchu.

This is the only way to bribe soldiers and establish a new faction.

But if they really do that, then they will die.

Jia Cong didn't mind if they died suddenly of illness.

Although there is no falling out between Jia Cong and the court now.

But if there is a real threat to the safety of Yanyun, Jia Cong doesn't mind letting the court know his attitude.

At this moment, some of the 17 officials originally sent over also caused trouble.

This person is Shi Hao, the prefect of Yingzhou. (End of this chapter)