The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 130 Anger

At the post station, Jiang Yu, the Ningxia general who had just finished court, sighed repeatedly.

What can you do if you have no money?

We have no choice but to tough it out.

He wasn't afraid to fight the Tatars head-on, but he was worried about his own side.

Ningxia was also severely affected by the disaster. Even if the army had food, the elderly and children at home were suffering from cold and hunger. How many soldiers could eat their own food with peace of mind? Wouldn't they have to save a few bites to go home?

Twenty years ago, the two hundred miles in front of Ningxia were all under the control of the Great Zhao. How long has it been?

Jiang Yu couldn't help but sigh again, "Pack up, we'll be back the day after tomorrow."

There's no point in lingering in the capital.

The retired emperor refused to see him, and the emperor had no authority to make decisions.

In recent years, the retired emperor has become increasingly capricious, leaving everything he feels is difficult to handle unattended.

It seems that if you ignore it and don't look into it, the matter will resolve itself.

But is this really the case?
The retired emperor is getting old!

"Lanzhi, I need to go to the Jia family later to pay my respects to Jia Lian, the soon-to-be-appointed Director of the Arsenal. He's your cousin, after all..."

Because of Jia Lian, Old Man Jiang actually hoped to get closer to the Jia family.

A major battle is imminent, and the army's supplies must be delivered quickly and efficiently.

"I'll go with you."

With her hair tied up and dressed like a man, Lan Zhi said, "However, I don't want to reveal my identity for now."

She had already inquired about some things concerning the Jia family.

But what happens to the Jia family has nothing to do with her...

If her mother had been born into the Ningguo Mansion, things might have been better, but unfortunately, her mother was born into the Rongguo Mansion.

The old lady of Rongguo Mansion is still alive.

She is a Duchess of the highest rank, and she didn't think much of her mother back then, so why would she treat her differently now?
"……become!"

Without further ado, Jiang Yu asked the accompanying steward, "Are the gifts ready?"

When these officials from outside the capital come to the capital, they have to pay respects at every temple, big or small; otherwise... they might not even know how they died.

In the past, Jiang Yu was not afraid.

Although the crown prince acts somewhat hastily, he is a capable man.

But now that two emperors are in power, and the princes each hold their own positions in the court, they can't work together effectively, and there's even a possibility that someone might be hindering them from behind...

Jiang Yu went to court today, feeling utterly disheartened.

Most of the familiar faces are gone, and those who are still there... many of them are opportunists.

He was really scared.

Ningxia cannot afford to lose.

"Come back to me, sir, you are ready."

The steward hurriedly said, "The car is ready, you..."

"I'll wash my face and leave now!"

Just as he was about to leave, someone from the palace arrived.

Meanwhile, due to the war in Ningxia, Jia Lian was also urgently summoned to a joint meeting of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, where he listened to the adults' unhurried verbal sparring.

Tomorrow is the day he will officially take office, so although he is wearing official robes, he only brought a pair of ears with him.

But if the other side might not send troops, he'll just take it with a grain of salt.

As the Director of the Arsenal, regardless of whether a war breaks out in Ningxia, he should provide all the necessary assistance on his side.

This is his first battle since taking office. If anything goes wrong with the military equipment, then it's all over.

When Jia Lian was young, he heard his grandfather say that they could have driven the Qing people further away, but unfortunately, the logistics were not good, the supply of weapons was delayed, and the soldiers were freezing, so they were unable to expand their gains.

That was my grandfather's lifelong regret.

Now he serves as the Director of the Arsenal...

"Your Excellencies, His Majesty requests your presence!"

When Eunuch Liu came in, he saw Jia Lian and smiled at him, "So Lord Jia is here too. Perfect timing, His Majesty also wants to inquire about the military preparations, why don't you come along too!"

"Yes!"

Jia Lian obediently followed the adults.

He tried to recall what his grandfather had once said: if the war was intense but the army had sufficient supplies, they could also conscript a large number of laborers from the civilian population.

Just then, Ningxia was hit by a disaster.

Give them a bite to eat, and they might be able to get everything they need for logistical preparation.

Jia Lian, who did not come from an ordinary background, knew from his childhood stories that Ningxia, as a military stronghold, could mobilize both the military and civilians as soldiers. The fact that the emperor had even summoned him meant that preparations for war were underway.

As for military equipment, he provided ample supplies and even increased the quantity.

should be.

Compared to the seemingly caring and amiable retired emperor who looked after the Jia family, Jia Lian preferred the more gentle emperor.

Everyone is struggling to survive, and he knows how difficult it is.

As for the retired emperor's handling of the war, he was alright when he was young, but in his old age... let's not even mention it.

When he followed the adults into the imperial study, he was surprised to find ten large boxes filled with silver ingots.

oops~
Jiang Yu was both shocked and delighted.

Didn't you say you had no money?
"Your Majesty~"

Minister Tang of the Ministry of War was also very surprised, "This silver..."

"Two hundred and twenty thousand taels of silver."

The emperor couldn't immediately confiscate Lu Kun's property, but the silver notes Jia Zhen sent were perfectly legitimate: "If the Tartars don't come, fine; but if they do..."

"I will make sure they never return."

Jiang Yu's voice was much louder than it had been in the morning.

"it is good!"

The emperor looked approving. "I've been waiting for you to say that, my dear minister." Those bastards, for the past twenty years, whenever there's a disaster, or they're in a bad mood, or they're in a good mood, or when the cattle and horses are strong, they'll come and take a bite.

But as his father grew older, he only wanted things to be stable.

Year after year, not only could the Crown Prince not bear it, but even he...

Now that his father no longer cares about Ningxia, he can finally unleash his full potential.

"The Arsenal," the emperor said, ignoring the old men, turning to Jia Lian, "your side..."

"Whatever Lord Jiang needs, just write down the list."

Jia Lian stated his position: "Whatever my Armory has, I will allocate it in full."

"My dear minister, take up your post now!"

The emperor made the final decision, "Minister Jiang, from now on, you will be in charge of the three prefectures of Qingyang, Pingliang, and Fengxiang. If they don't come, fine, but if they do..." A strong killing intent flashed in his eyes, "Twenty years ago, the Hetao region still belonged to my Great Zhao. I look forward to you making great achievements."

what?
The old man from the Ministry of War frowned.

However, after glancing at the Emperor's expression, he ultimately remained silent.

Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Revenue raised his eyebrows slightly, but remained silent.

"I accept the decree!"

Jiang Yu responded loudly.

……

In the backyard of the God of Wealth Silver Shop, Lu Kun paced back and forth with a sinister expression.

Two hundred and twenty thousand taels of silver!

How dare Jia Zhen do that?

So much silver, he just gave it away like that?

Damn it, does he have a grudge against money?

He wasn't bribing anyone.

He's making amends!
Son of a bitch!
If you don't dare accept it, what do you need so much for?
There's something wrong with his/her brain.

Lu Kun was so angry he felt like vomiting blood.

Hearing the group of people exchanging silver carry the silver into the inner courtyard of the palace, his scalp tingled with shock.

Jia Zhen...

bang~
With a dull thud, he slammed his fist on the stone table, wincing in pain.

"Master~"

The newly promoted second steward was obsequious, saying, "This matter can't be kept secret for long. Prince Jin... has probably already received the news."

The key issue is that it's not like they're trying to give the emperor money!

If the intention is to send silver to the emperor, why bother with someone else?

"Ho~"

Lu Kun's eyes flashed sharply. "Isn't he none of our business? Why would I need to report to him who I give money to?"

The Prince of Jin could have easily done more with a simple gesture than he could have run himself ragged, but the other man remained silent and backed down.

When he received the money, he only regretted that it wasn't enough.

When something happens, he doesn't care about a thing.

What kind of backer is that?
"But Jia Zhen..."

Lu Kun was truly gritting his teeth!

Xie Zhenghu's escape was so opaque in itself, and now he dares to pull this trick on him...

"Damn it, a barking dog doesn't bite!"

He thought that since the money was still with him, the Jia family would feel embarrassed, so he took the 220,000 taels home.

Unexpectedly, he didn't mention the silver, but instead had the emperor's men bring it up.

"This is the final word; we must cling to the Emperor's coattails."

The retired emperor is still alive.

The Jia family is so eager to curry favor with the Emperor; do they really think the Emperor Emeritus is old and incapable?
After thinking it over, Lu Kun finally said, "Go, prepare the carriage. I want to go to the Prince of Jin's residence in person."

If Jia Zhen dares to trick him, then he will absolutely not let him off the hook.

Lu Kun was furious.

The steward, Liu Youfu, had been doing business with him for so many years and was ready to settle down in the capital. The Liu family had already prepared everything for their three-courtyard house on Baima Street. But alas, because of Jia Zhen's threat to bankrupt them, and because of Xing'er's insistence, he made sure the Liu family left without taking anything with them.

hiss~
Because of this, he ended up losing 50,000 taels of silver to the Liu family.

That bastard~
Lu Kun was so angry he was practically fuming.

When the land deed and house deed were being processed, did that servant named Xing'er already know their master's plans?
That's why the Liu family wrote another document stating that everything in the house was a gift.
Otherwise, he would definitely go there and empty the place now.

Oh my god, his money!
Lu Kun was itching to kill someone, while Jia Zhen, who had just returned to the mansion, saw what Xing'er had brought back and his eyes gradually lit up.

"Good, good, well done!"

Xing'er brought back all of Liu Youfu's account books.

The Liu family's treasury holds thirteen thousand taels of silver alone.

Ahhh, at least this time it wasn't too bad.

"Hahaha!"

Jia Zhen laughed loudly, "Come on, I'll go and ask for credit for you."

He took the Liu family's things safely and securely.

The Emperor himself said it was his.

"Mother!"

Seeing her son enter with a big smile from afar, Shen Ning's heart, which had been pounding with anxiety, immediately settled down.

"Look what this is?"

Shen Ning: "..."

She took the storeroom ledger and saw 13,000 taels of silver recorded on the first page. She couldn't help but glance at her eldest son.

"Hehe, these are Liu family's things. My son has already spoken to the Emperor, and the Emperor said that I should keep these for myself."

"What about the 220,000 taels?"

"His Majesty has already taken it."

It's regrettable, but we have no choice but to accept it.

Fortunately, he didn't get to eat the big fish, but he ate his fill of the small fish.

Moreover, Xie Zhenghu's bounty was high, and everyone in his household guards made a fortune.

"uncle!"

Xing'er suddenly realized something, and her voice became sharper, "You gave the silver to the Emperor?"

"What are you calling for?"

He barely managed to stop himself from feeling the pain. Jia Zhen tried to think about what he had gotten his hands on, saying, "So much silver, it's too hot for me to hold. What's wrong with handing it over?"

"Nothing much." Xing'er's expression was strange. "This servant just suddenly remembered that after the contract was signed, Master Lu was going to have a word with me." He even stuffed the silver into his hand. "But then his servant came over with a urgent report that a eunuch had gone to collect the silver. When he left, the look he gave me was full of hatred. Do you think the Emperor has already had the silver taken away?"

This?
"...Go check it out!"

Shen Ning thought for a moment, "If it's true... Zhen'er, stay home and tell Jiao Da to strengthen the guards in the mansion."

"Yes!"

Jia Zhen was quite impressed.

Is the Emperor really that short of money?
They couldn't even wait half a day.

He didn't even have time to immediately reward Xing'er; he hurriedly sent someone to investigate.

Soon, Shen Ning received a message from her eldest son that the 220,000 taels of silver had indeed been exchanged.

At the God of Wealth Casino, there were still quite a few individual gamblers exchanging their winnings.

Sure enough, it was affected.

Shen Ning let out a long sigh of relief.

Just as she was about to look through the account books that originally belonged to the Liu family but now belonged to her family, her eldest son ran over again, "Mother, Lu Kun went to the Prince of Jin's residence."

"Just go!"

As Shen Ning flipped through the ledger, she asked, "Are you scared?"

Jia Zhen: "..."

It's impossible to say I'm not afraid at all.

However, the Prince of Jin can't do anything to him now.

The retired emperor even confined him to his quarters for three months.

As long as he stays at home and doesn't wander around, even if the Prince of Jin wanted to assassinate him... he wouldn't have a chance.

"Not afraid!"

Jia Zhen also flipped through the account book. "I just came to tell you that Xing'er and Jiao Da took a few guards and went over there to bring back some important things. Also... Xing'er did a good job. What do you think I should reward him with?"

"Xing'er's original surname is Zheng, isn't it?"

Shen Ning thought for a moment and asked him.

"Yes!"

"He seems like the makings of a housekeeper."

Shen Ning said, "Bring it up!"

"Eh~"

Jia Zhen responded loudly.

On this point, he and his mother agreed.

"Aren't there still several empty courtyards over there near the servants' quarters?"

Shen Ning pushed the ledger to her eldest son and said, "Let him choose a good one."

"Yes, those courtyards were all left behind by the stewards who followed Lai Sheng."

Lai Sheng has fallen, and Jia Zhen has also found those stewards to be corrupt and sent them to the estate. "They're all good houses; I'll reward him with one when I get back." At this point, Jia Zhen hesitated for a moment and said, "He's getting older, Mother, why don't you find him someone else?"

Shen Ning: "..."

She glanced at her son and asked, "Who has he taken a fancy to?"

She must have said that to Jia Zhen, otherwise she wouldn't have allowed her to point out the eldest son.

“Hehe,” Jia Zhen laughed, “He’s taken a fancy to Qingcheng, who’s in charge of needlework here.”

Green orange?

Thinking of the girl who was usually quiet, always had a needle in her hand, and took good care of her clothes, Shen Ning felt a little reluctant to part with her.

"Wait a minute, let me call Qingcheng over and ask her."

Her maids, however, are all to be released.

This is what they deserve.

In the Dream of the Red Chamber, after the original owner of the house died, given the temperaments of Jia Jing and Jia Zhen, it's likely that none of the maids in the entire courtyard would fare well.

"It was agreed that they would be released and become free when they turned twenty."

The man Qingzhu's family told her was Dong Lin, a guard in the front courtyard, and she thought the young man was quite nice.

If I go to the army later, I can at least become a junior officer.

"My son knows."

Jia Zhen smiled and said, "But Xing'er and Qingcheng are from the same village. Both of them lost their parents at a young age. According to Xing'er, they have always looked out for each other."

"What you said doesn't count."

Shen Ning said to Qingzhu, "Go and call Qingcheng over."

"Yes!"

Green Bamboo's ears were already perked up high.

Upon hearing this, he hurriedly went to call for help.

"By the way, have you found the little girl I asked you to keep an eye on?"

When the Lai family fell, Qingwen, who had entered the mansion because of the Lai family, disappeared without a trace.

Shen Ning could only ask her eldest son to keep an eye out for children like that.

“Found them.” Jia Zhen smiled. “However, we found two. Both are good-looking and have some talent in needlework. They are currently being trained by Tang the matchmaker.”

"Call him over another day, let me take a look."

"Of course I'll let you see!"

Jia Zhenle said, "Anything in this mansion that you find pleasing to the eye is yours."

"...Do I need you to tell me?"

Shen Ning rolled her eyes at her son, "Although we're not afraid of Prince Jin, it's not good to keep passively accepting his fate. You should think carefully about where his weaknesses lie."

"The Emperor Emeritus is here."

As long as the Emperor Emeritus is alive, Prince Jin will not have any problems.

The retired emperor is no longer alive; he and the emperor were brothers.

Only if the emperor wants to get rid of him.

Jia Zhen felt that his mother was making things difficult for him. "It's no use thinking about it now. The Emperor is watching."

The Emperor wants to bring down Prince Jin even more than they do, but he hasn't done so yet.

"I want you to think about his weaknesses, not to attack him."

Do you think they can get rid of the Prince of Jin?
Shen Ning had never thought of that.

Jia Jing serves as a cautionary tale.

He was only close to the Crown Prince, and that's why he ended up like that.

"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."

Shen Ning said, "We can't fight, but we should take precautions. If someone attacks you one day and you catch them red-handed, you might not be able to turn the tables, but at least you won't be bullied too badly."

"That's it..."

Jia Zhen understood. "My son will definitely think about it carefully when he gets back."

He still needs to have Jiao Da investigate.

What he can't handle, Jiao Da can.

Jia Zhen said confidently, "Mother, don't worry, the Emperor said today that he asked me to give you his regards."

what is this?
This is respect.

"His Majesty also said that he would talk to me again when he has time."

Their family's backer is the emperor.