The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 238 Escorting the Coffin Back to the Hometown
The Rakshasa have attacked?
As the officials in the court began their discussions, Jia Zhen also received a message from the army.

Such a major event is not something he, a nobleman holding a nominal position outside the military, needs to worry too much about.

But...

Jia Zhen eagerly went to find his mother.

He had a feeling that his mother would care a lot about this.

Sure enough, after reading the urgent report from the courier, Shen Ning took out the simple map drawn by Jia Jing.

Heihe is, of course, an inherent part of Chinese territory.

Whether they were Qing or Manchu people, they were still part of the Chinese nation.

"Zhen'er, what do you think the Emperor will choose?"

Shen Ning looked at her children and grandchildren, and first asked Jia Zhen.

"Of course, we'll wait until the Qing and the Russians are both severely weakened before launching a swift and decisive attack!"

This is the safest way.

Jia Zhen felt that his answer was at least 90 points, if not 100.

“…Rong-ge’er,” Shen Ning said noncommittally, then asked her grandson, “What do you think?”

Jia Rong: "..."

He looked at his grandmother and then at his father, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "When we think like this, the Russians may have thought the same thing, and even the Qing people who asked our Great Zhao for help may have thought the same thing."

This is no joke.

"The Qing dynasty's Eight Banners army was indeed very capable, but the Russian muskets far surpassed those of the previous dynasty. When the crisis of national and ethnic extinction was imminent, perhaps in order to survive, they would defect to the Russians. At that time, they would once again become the vanguard in attacking our Great Zhao."

This?
Jia Zhen swallowed hard and glanced at his mother.

Shen Ning slowly nodded.

If Rong-ge'er could see this, it's impossible for the officials in the court not to.

She wasn't very good at history and didn't remember when the Treaty of Nerchinsk was signed, but before that, the Russians had indeed invaded the border many times.

The world of Dream of the Red Chamber is not official history.

Everything changed when Emperor Taizu of Zhao rose to power.

Emperor Shunzhi, Fulin, did indeed ascend the throne as recorded in official history, but because he was still young, he lost power and was sent back to his hometown. He died of a cold before he grew up.

The Qing imperial family was in a fierce struggle for the throne, and in the end, no one was willing to yield to the others. They had no choice but to go back to the old system and implement the policy of the Eight Princes Council.

This is advantageous to Dazhao.

Perhaps we can find two of the princes and win them over to the Great Zhao.

"I don't want the Qing army's Eight Banners soldiers to become the vanguard of the Russians. I think our Great Zhao should make a show of going to their aid."

Even now, Uncle Lian from the West Mansion has not returned, which clearly shows that the Emperor and the officials have already made their decision.

Jia Rong said, "After all, the land they own now belongs not only to us in the previous dynasty, but also to us during the Han dynasty."

As a son of a noble family, he, like his ancestors, coveted that land.

How can we allow it to be stolen by the Russians?
"It would be even better if we could win over one or two of the princes and force them to submit to our Great Zhao Kingdom under pressure from the Russian Kingdom."

Compared to surrendering to the Russians, Jia Rong felt that they might be more inclined to surrender to the Great Zhao.

After all, we all have black hair and yellow skin.

The Qing imperial family also actively learned about Central Plains culture.

"Well, that's a good point!"

Shen Ning was extremely pleased with Rong Ge'er. "Zhen'er, go back and find out what the Emperor said."

"……Yes!"

I've been outdone by my son again.

hum~
Jia Zhen groaned a few times in his stomach, glanced at the brat again, and then bowed and went out to inquire.

The specifics are unknown, but in the end, it was a small meeting held in the Imperial Study by several ministers and the Emperor.

However, Jia Lian became busy, which clearly showed that Da Zhao was making preparations.

In this situation, Shen Ning didn't think he could get involved.

But when the Russians attacked, they showed everyone their advanced firearms...

Even if we lose temporarily, it's okay. Only by opening our eyes to the changes in the world can we avoid falling behind and being beaten.

The Lantern Festival ended amidst chaos and confusion.

On the morning of the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, Shen Ning picked up Jia Yue, who couldn't speak yet, and kissed her repeatedly, making the little girl giggle. Then, accompanied by Jia's mother and others, she casually ate a bite of food while holding her.

At this moment, Qin Keqing had also arrived.

Jia Lian and Lan Zhi, who should have gone to the Iron Threshold Temple to see them off, stayed at the Ministry of War and did not return overnight.

But no one could wait for him anymore.

Jia Min looked at the sealed camphor wood boxes, and hesitated several times before speaking.

In the East Mansion, my great-uncle and uncle acquired many rare books during their wars. I hope my sister-in-law won't take them all to Brother Jing.

"mother!"

Little Daiyu tugged at her mother and whispered, "Auntie isn't that stupid. We copied all of these. Didn't I tell you last year that I copied a copy of 'Gezhicao' and a copy of 'Huanyouquan'? Auntie had someone check them and put them in right in front of me."

That's it!
Jia Min was relieved.

She patted her daughter's head and said, "Sweetie, copy these two books out and put them in our house later."

"These two books are with our husband now."

Daiyu nodded, "I'll ask her to let me copy it and take it home tomorrow."

My aunt didn't forbid any of them from copying books.

As long as you're willing to copy, she can provide you with excellent writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for free.

The two books that Daiyu copied were made of the finest paper and ink. The teacher said that as long as they were not burned or soaked in water, they could be preserved for a very long time.

The mother and daughter chatted as they boarded the carriage.

If things go wrong after this separation, we might not see each other for a whole year.

Shen Ning held her youngest daughter tightly, reluctant to let go.

Jia Yue was oblivious to the pain of parting. Her eldest nephew was also in the carriage, longingly wanting to hug her.

"Ahh~~"

She especially liked Rong-ge'er and reached out to him several times.

"You little heartless one."

Shen Ning felt a pang of jealousy, and after tapping her little nose, she could only hand her over to Rong-ge'er, saying, "Can't you look at your mother more often? Why do you have to go find your nephew?"

"Aww~"

The little girl liked it when her mother tapped her nose, and upon hearing this, she smiled at her mother again.

"Give, give."

Shen Ning kissed her again before handing her over to Rong-ge'er, who was following the carriage, saying, "Don't act like I'm bullying you."

"Of course Grandma wouldn't bully us."

Rong-ge'er hugged his little aunt, his face beaming with joy. "Grandson, weren't you worried that if I left for too long, little aunt wouldn't recognize me?"

He turned his aunt's face towards him and said, "Auntie, look at me. I'm your eldest nephew. You'd better remember me."

"Ahh~~"

Jia Yue stood on his lap, kicking her legs happily.

The Xue family of three was also among the convoy.

Baochai gently lifted the carriage curtain a little and found that the convoy ahead had already left Ningrong Street, while theirs had just started moving.

Almost every family in the Jia clan living on the back street sent someone over.

Looking at...

Baochai sighed softly to herself.

"Pan'er, have you spoken to Rong-ge'er at school?"

Aunt Xue had never met Rong-ge before.

But just as she was waiting to get into the carriage, she saw Rong-ge'er dismount and get into the carriage.

What a tall, handsome, and well-behaved child!

Aunt Xue was very impressed.

"nature!"

Xue Pan nodded, "He called me cousin." Unfortunately, it was because of this "cousin" that he was embarrassed to be beaten by his teacher.

"I heard from the teacher that he always ranked in the top three in every exam in Class A."

The competition within the Jia family's academic circles is fierce.

“Last year, both Min Jianbai and I earned money from the school and brought it home.”

Aunt Xue: "..."

Even more envious.

If only her son and daughter could switch brains.

"Brother, I almost forgot if you hadn't mentioned it." Baochai blinked and said, "Doesn't the students who are at the bottom of the class have to give the school more money?"

"...No way!"

Xue Pan's world has collapsed.

Judging from Rong-ge'er and Bao-yu, his seniority in the school was extremely high.

If I'm last... wouldn't I be laughed at to death?
"...I'll ask when I get home!"

Aunt Xue wasn't sure either.

In fact, as long as her son studies hard, even if he doesn't do very well, she is willing to send money there every year.

“No,” Xue Pan said, a glimmer of hope appearing in his mind, “I did give it to you last year…”

“You enrolled late last year.”

Baochai said, "It's only for a few days, and the teacher is too embarrassed to accept the tuition fee."

This?
Xue Pan panicked.

"Alright, dear sister, tell me about the Book of Rites!"

This is what they will be learning soon.

Xue Pan regretted it a thousand times in his heart. He shouldn't have been angry with his mother, acted impulsively, and gone to the Jia family school to suffer.

Now it's even worse; I can't even back out, I'm sick...

Huh?
Madam Shen has already left; if he's faking illness...

"You wait!"

Before his sister could speak, Xue Pan said, "Mom, Madam Shen has left, and Brother Zhen has also left. Will the clan school be temporarily managed by the West Mansion?"

If it's handed over to the West Mansion, Jia She won't be involved; it'll most likely be his cousin-in-law Jia Lian and his wife who will take care of it!
"You think too much."

Baochai had already been wary of her brother. "Having been away for so long, how could Madam Shen not care about the clan school? I heard that she had already declared that everything in the East Mansion and the clan school should be done according to the rules. They took the family doctor with them, but they also invited another one."

Xue Pan: "..."

"Three years is their rule, as for anything else... don't even think about it."

Baochai said softly, "Let me talk to you about the Book of Rites now!"

"……you say!"

The Book of Rites says: "Be respectful in all things, as if deep in thought, and speak with composure."

Baochai knew that haste makes waste, so she said, "Let's start with this sentence, which means that we must treat others with respect and rigor..."

She was teaching her brother in the car, and Aunt Xue looked at her two children with eyes full of love.

The carriage traveled north for a while, and finally arrived at the Iron Threshold Temple.

The Taoist priests who had been invited had already begun performing rituals at Jia Zhen's request.

When the coffin was moved onto the specially made carriage, the cries were already deafening.

Whether or not they were truly saddened by Jia Jing's death, everyone would have to waile a few times.

Shen Ning held her daughter and, for the last time, had her bid farewell to the so-called 'father' in the coffin.

"Sister-in-law~"

Jia Wen and Jia Min stepped forward.

The auspicious time was calculated carefully and couldn't be wrong; they had come to pick up their little niece, Jia Yue.

"I entrust Yue'er, Madam You, and Ke Qing to you."

Shen Ning glanced at Madam You and Ke Qing standing together and said, "What if we can't get back when Madam You gives birth..."

"Don't worry, sister-in-law, my sister and I will keep an eye on things."

Jia Min's eyes were slightly red. "Don't worry about things at home. If we can't handle it, there's still Mother. But you, Zhen'er, and Rong'er, please take care on your journey."

Fortunately, Prince Jin and his men had already fallen, otherwise she would have been worried about their safety on the road.

"Hmm~"

Seeing you off thousands of miles away, there will be a farewell in the end.

Shen Ning reluctantly handed her daughter over to Jia Wen before steeling herself to get into her carriage.

Jia Zhen mounted his horse, bowed deeply to everyone, and then raised his hand and shouted, "Let's go!"

Returning to the hometown to escort the coffin is a good opportunity to see how the ancestral fields and estates in the old village are progressing.

According to his mother, that was the foundation of the Jia family.

Bound by the laws of the Great Zhao Dynasty and the rules of the Jia family, Jia Zhen was very concerned about the ancestral fields and estates that were related to his descendants.

The convoy gradually disappeared into the distance.

No one knew that not long after they left, Shuntian Prefecture surrounded Ningrong Back Street and searched house by house for Mr. Liu, who might be hiding there.

At this time, only Grandmother Jia remained in the Jia family.

According to Lin Zhixiao's family, when Shuntian Prefecture had substantial evidence proving that a notorious thief had hidden in Ningrong Back Street, their expressions were very unpleasant.

being targeted!

Now that Madam Shen and Jia Zhen are gone, only their West Mansion remains...

Grandmother Jia always felt that she couldn't handle the situation alone.

"Fine, let them do whatever they want!"

Grandmother Jia sighed, "We'll just keep the doors and windows closed."

Shen and Jia Zhen had just left when Dong Xiaoquan did just that, clearly showing he wasn't afraid of the Rongguo Mansion.

The old lady knew that although her grandson Jia Lian worked in the armory, that incorruptible Dong would absolutely not give him any special treatment.

Ultimately, it's because her son can't handle it!

"Old lady~"

Lin Zhixiao's wife hesitated, "But those houses are either the clan elders or the servants from our two households. If we really don't care, what if..."

"There's no 'what if'."

Grandmother Jia glanced at her and said, "Have Lin Zhixiao accompany them the whole time. If they are notorious bandits, give them the money. If not... if they dare to be tortured into confessing to someone else, take She'er's letter. Lord Dong will know what to do."

"Yes!"

Lin Zhixiao's wife hurriedly went out.

Grandmother Jia, reclining on the couch, asked, "Send someone else to ask if Zheng'er also went to see his elder brother off?"

They are brothers!
Jing'er is gone and will never come back. As his younger brother, he should go and see him, both out of love and reason.

Actually, if it weren't for the fact that she caught a chill yesterday and was feeling a bit weak, Grandmother Jia would have gone with her.

"Yes!"

Yuanyang waved to the little maid.

The little maidservant hurriedly ran out.

At this moment, Jia Lian and Lan Zhi, who had just finished court, were finally able to head back. The two originally intended to go directly to the Iron Threshold Temple, but after calculating the time, they realized that the auspicious hour had long passed and they could not catch up with it, so they could only go home together.

Just as they arrived at Ningrong Street, a servant rushed over, shouting, "Second Master, Miss, something terrible has happened! People from Shuntian Prefecture are arresting people all over the back streets!"

"what happened?"

Jia Lian was shocked.

Dong Xiaoquan of Shuntian Prefecture was not the kind of person who acted recklessly!
"They say a big thief is hiding in our back street."

As a servant of the Jia family, Wang'er felt that the Shuntian Prefecture's actions were disrespectful to the Jia family.

Even if there were some major thief, they should have informed both prefectures first.

"A master thief?"

Jia Lian and Lan Zhi exchanged a glance, their brows furrowing. "Cousin Lan, how about we go take a look together?"

"Right on my mind."

As the two turned their horses around and headed towards the back street, they were unaware that Mr. Liu, hunched over and pushing a cart for emptying chamber pots, reeking of stench, was just making his way from one alleyway into another.