The Overlord of the Red Mansion

Chapter 171: Granting a National Surname

The largest funeral in history began, and this time the three dead kings were buried together.

Although we cannot be born on the same day of the same month of the same year, at least we died on the same day of the same month of the same year.

Three kings had died before, and each family held their own ceremony at that time. This time, the emperor paid for it together, which naturally saved a lot of money for each family, and the scene was made as grand as possible.

The ministers of the royal family discussed the funeral of the three kings in the Golden Palace, and the other civil and military officials listened in.

Jia Rong, who seldom came to court, was also here. Moreover, as soon as the others stood up from their kneeling positions, the emperor called them out from their positions as fifth-rank officials, and they stood in front and did not go back.

The Zong Zheng, who managed the royal family list and genealogy and participated in various royal affairs and trials, stood up to answer questions.

"Your Majesty, apart from those who are in mourning, seriously ill, or in important positions, there are still seven princes and dukes who have not arrived yet. Five of them are still on their way, and the Prince of Fu and the Prince of Beiliang have not explained their reasons."

Due to the distance, many princes from other places were unable to arrive in time, and it has only been a month since what happened during the New Year.

Of course, there are also people who refuse to come to the capital again, mainly the princes who were frightened a month ago.

Every time people gather in groups, something bad happens. After one or two times, no one wants to happen a third time.

Three threes make nine.

Besides, the last time the old empress dowager was buried, the emperor ran away himself. The other princes are not blind. They can allow you to be unfilial, but they cannot allow us to stay away.

The emperor looked sullen and said nothing.

The others didn't dare to speak.

Although everyone knew why they were unwilling to come, these two princes would eventually have to bear the consequences for not giving face to the emperor.

Jia Rong said at this time: "Your Majesty, the mourning hall will be closed for forty-five days. There is still half a month left. This spring is cold, and the bodies of the three princes have been properly arranged. It will not delay the two princes from coming to pay their respects."

The emperor had a way out, "Send someone to urge them."

The emperor did not say what would happen if he did not come, but if he really did not attend his brother's funeral, he would definitely be punished.

If you dare not attend the prince’s funeral today, you will dare not attend the emperor’s funeral tomorrow!

This is intolerable!
Seeing that Jia Rong was too prominent, Zongzheng bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the funeral of the three princes is related to the dignity of the royal family. Now, there are princes and princesses from other places who have gone to Xiaoling County to pay their respects."

"The Crown Prince and the ministers have suggested that it is beneath the dignity of the royal family to entrust the preparations for the Prince Xiao's Mansion and the Three Princes to a concubine of a person from another family to assist! It should be Princess Jinling who should mourn for her father."

Wang Ziteng, who was a first-rank minister, was afraid that the fire would burn himself. Wang Xifeng was the daughter of his Wang family. Even if the Wang family didn't want this daughter anymore, she would still be burned if something happened.

Jia Rong said directly: "Master Zongzheng has misunderstood. I am the one who presided over the funeral of the three princes. It's just that I have been busy with things in the capital recently and have not been able to come. I asked my family to go there first to arrange the affairs of the female relatives."

Zong Zheng looked at the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, the Xiaoqin Prince's family still has Princess Jinling, why should we let outsiders mourn for them?"

The emperor had a blank expression on his face, and thought of the filial daughter who had just lost her parents and brother and could not help missing the man so much that she could not walk.

If Jia Rong had not pleaded for that woman, she would have been sentenced to death long ago.

Even if she is the daughter of her own brother, she is just a woman, and a disgraceful one at that.

"Lord Jia, you should personally preside over the meeting. Be diligent and don't give people any more reason to criticize you."

"Yes."

Jia Rong agreed.

Zong Zheng was at a loss for words, as the emperor was clearly saying that he was looking for trouble.

The most important thing is that the court officials and several princes who attended the court did not speak for him. They just stood aside and did not step forward.

Jia Rong was looking for trouble and said, "Master Zongzheng actually has a point."

Zong Zheng’s old face twitched. What do you mean it actually makes sense?

"Please teach me, Duke Ningguo!" The Chief of the Imperial Clan was not afraid of Jia Rong. He was a royal relative and the emperor's elder. Not to mention being the Duke Ningguo, even if he cursed the emperor... he would have to die.

Ordinary people really can't afford to offend this Zongzheng who is in a high position of power and whose status is of great significance.

But in the eyes of the emperor, especially the one who holds real power and is diligent and centralized, he can do whatever he wants to him. Killing him is just a matter of thought. If he dares to think about it, he can kill him.

There are no ancestral rules that can restrain the current emperor.

The only solution was a beating.

Jia Rong had never respected the imperial power, so naturally he did not respect this Zongzheng either.

"If you ask me, the one who is most qualified to preside over the funeral is Prince Zhongshun! With a royal prince here, it is indeed beneath the dignity of the royal family to let an outsider like me preside over it."

Prince Zhongshun had no time to hide, and seeing Jia Rong was looking for trouble, he quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I have been in a trance recently and it is difficult for me to take on this important task. In addition, I and several other princes think that Duke Ningguo is experienced in handling some matters, calm and courageous, and wise, and is the most suitable person to take on this important task."

Several princes also stood up in a row.

"I also think Duke Ningguo is suitable."

"I know nothing about this matter, and it is difficult for me to take on this important task. Everything will be decided by the Emperor and my brothers."

"I second the proposal."

There are only a few princes in total, and now three princes have agreed that Jia Rong should be in charge of this matter. Naturally, the other civil and military officials have tactfully shut up.

Today was obviously a royal family meeting, and outsiders like them didn't even have the qualifications to interrupt, so they all stood there and listened obediently.

The emperor is very disappointed with these princes; none of them has any backbone.

"Let Lord Jia take care of this matter. Let's leave the court now!"

The emperor stood up after he finished speaking.

When everyone was about to bow and leave, the emperor, who had just stood up, suddenly felt dizzy and fell to the ground.

"emperor!"

the eunuch shouted quickly.

The prince and others looked up and saw that the emperor had fainted near the throne, and they hurried to go up to check the situation.

But that is the supreme position, and everyone has strict rules that cannot be crossed, so how could anyone dare to go up there?

The prince was able to go up, but after going up he found that he had no idea what to do, and quickly thought of someone.

"Duke Ningguo!"

Jia Rong didn't want to help in an emergency as that would damage his reputation as a miracle doctor, which he took very seriously.

In order to buy some time, Jia Rong quickly raised his hand to untie the sword at his waist, but he was too nervous to do it.

The prince was very anxious when he saw this, "Come here quickly! Throw the knife aside!"

Seeing that the prince had taken the blame, Jia Rong quickly drew out his knife and threw it aside, delaying for more than ten seconds before going up.

If it really can't be saved, just say it's a matter of courtesy.

Jia Rong was not worried about being blamed or punished, he was only worried about his reputation as a miracle doctor.

After quickly climbing up the stairs, Jia Rong treated the emperor under the watchful eyes of civil and military officials and princes and nobles.

"It's nothing, I just feel dizzy from sitting for so long, come back soon after you calm down, Your Majesty, lie down on your side for a while, the Crown Prince and the princes stay, the rest of you wait outside, I'll go to the Imperial Pharmacy to get some medicine."

The prince said quickly: "Do as Duke Ningguo said!"

When the Emperor has something to do, it is naturally the Crown Prince who makes the decision, and the ministers immediately said, "Yes!"

Jia Rong quickly went out to delay time.

Half an hour later, Jia Rong came back. It was not easy to sweat with such a small amount of exercise, and the weather was cold. Fortunately, he went to the Imperial Pharmacy to wash his face, and his hair was a little wet.

"Your Majesty! I am late!"

Jia Rong ran into the Golden Palace shouting loudly. But as soon as he entered, he found that the emperor had recovered and was lying on his side on the dragon chair to rest.

Jia Rong, who was always abiding by the rules and etiquette, was always the most obedient at such times. He immediately knelt down and shouted, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"

The prince said quickly, "Duke Ningguo, come up quickly."

The emperor was also anxious, and tried to say, "You don't need to perform formalities when you see me in the future! Why did you take so long?"

As soon as Jia Rong left, the emperor woke up and waited for a long time before Jia Rong appeared.

Jia Rong said, "I don't know who took my horse to the Imperial Stables. I looked for it but couldn't find it, so I ran to the Imperial Pharmacy and came back in one breath."

The emperor almost fainted from anger. Such troubles always happened at critical moments.

The emperor was furious and said, "Go and kill the man who is holding the horse!"

The prince hurriedly said, "Father, please calm down. It is more important to let Duke Ningguo treat your father."

The emperor did calm down, but it was mainly for the sake of his own health.

Jia Rong quickly handed the medicine to the eunuch.

The emperor was almost fainted from anger again, "Come up! What's the point of letting them come up?!"

I gave it to you because I knew it was useless. Jia Rong said politely, "Yes."

Jia Rong quickly went up to examine the emperor. "The emperor's pulse has stabilized and he is fine. This time it was mainly because he sat for a long time and lacked blood and qi, so he felt a chill in his head and fainted."

Jia Rong took out the candy he brought with him and said, "This is made from sugar cane from the South China Sea. Your Majesty will feel much better if you put it in your mouth."

The emperor took it and put it directly into his mouth. After feeling the sweetness of the candy, he finally felt a little relieved.

"I did feel a little cold at the time, but now I feel much better after taking the medicine. Will I be cured after taking your medicine?"

The emperor wanted more affirmation.

Jia Rong replied, "Your Majesty is weak and has many things to deal with. His blood and qi are insufficient and he needs something vigorous and energetic. This sugarcane has been exposed to the sun in the south for many days, so it has accumulated yang energy."

The emperor asked, "What is a vigorous and energetic thing?"

Jia Rong said: "Chicken blood or pig blood will do. If you are lacking blood, you need to replenish it."

The emperor thought for a second and then quickly asked, "Is human blood better?"

Seeing that the emperor already had an answer, Jia Rong replied, "There are two kinds. One is the blood of the same clan, and the other is the blood of strong yang energy."

The Crown Prince and several princes were sweating profusely...

The prince is the person with the most difficult filial piety issue to resolve. If he hesitates for a moment, the emperor will suspect him of being unfilial.

In history, there was Emperor Wen of Han who let his son lick his butt. Emperor Jing of Han had no way out at that time, but later generations knew how disgusting such things were just by reading about them in books.

Now that his father is seriously ill, if the prince dares not to donate blood, his position as prince will be in danger.

The emperor asked, "Which is better?"

Jia Rong replied, "Of course he should be strong and healthy, have been trained in the military camp, have been exposed to the wind and sun, eat eight bowls of rice a day, be able to shoot with a bow and horse, and carry a hundred pounds of heavy objects on his shoulders. He should also be a man in his twenties or thirties who is of the same clan as your Majesty."

The prince and others breathed a sigh of relief. Now they didn't have to choose between filial piety and their lives.

The Emperor asked, “How much do you need?”

It is obvious that the emperor can kill people as long as it is useful.

Jia Rong replied, "It is best to take it once every seven days. Only one cup of blood a day is enough. I once commanded the infantry battalion of the Beijing Camp. The royal family members there were very idle. As long as you give them one or two taels of silver, they are all happy to shed a cup of blood."

"Young people have strong blood and energy. If they bleed, they can recover in two or three days by eating some meat and eggs. Your Majesty can also improve the food for the palace guards and select royal family members as guards. This is to test their abilities and loyalty, and then promote them to do things in the future."

"Secondly, standing guard in front of the Forbidden City, absorbing the upright aura of the Imperial Palace, and shedding some blood for the country and the king to earn a future is also the right thing to do."

"Third, the food and treatment in the palace are good. The emperors who have lived long lives throughout history have all shed blood in battle. It is not a bad thing for young people to bleed a little, and they will not die. Only those who dare to bleed will not flee from the battlefield."

The funeral of the three kings was no longer important. After the emperor fell ill, he had already turned his attention to the royal children.

Feudal emperors had their own ideological stamp. They felt that they were emperors, so they would definitely use royal relatives.

Jia Rong said, "There is another one that is better."

The emperor said quickly: "Speak!"

Jia Rong said: "The blood transfusion is not taken orally, but directly drawn from the arm and transfused into the emperor's body."

Jia Rong wanted to promote medical progress, and he didn't care about the emperor's life or death.

The emperor thought for a few seconds and asked, "Whose blood is the best?"

The prince was really afraid, but he had to prove that he was a filial son.

The prince mustered up his courage and said nervously, "I am willing to donate blood for you, father!"

If he dares to continue to act like a coward, that would be unfilial.

It’s okay for ordinary people to be unfilial, it’s no big deal.

It’s different in the imperial family. If the emperor thinks his son is unfilial, he will definitely regard him as a mortal enemy!

Jia Rong said: "Donating blood is not a bad thing. Human blood is not like sweat that can be discharged from the body. The long-lived emperors throughout history all shed blood when they were young. Besides, donating a little blood once a month is good for the body."

"Whether it's the royal family, a duke's family like mine, or a commoner's family, the ones who live long are all women who bleed every month when they were young. There's no need to be afraid of this. I'm a healer and I'll never hurt anyone. Please don't misunderstand me, my lords and princes."

The emperor nodded. "You are right, my dear. Women do live longer than men. So this is the reason. How did you come up with this idea?"

Jia Rong replied, "I have never been a traitor. I have always been willing to pass on my medical skills to those people in the Imperial Hospital. However, they always think that I am an opportunist and are unwilling to give up the medical knowledge passed down by their ancestors."

The emperor sighed and said, "I just remembered that you opened a clinic and I promised to write an inscription for your clinic."

"There's no rush for that." Jia Rong motioned him not to interrupt and continued, "A few years ago, a foreign doctor from the South came on a ship. We exchanged medical skills and found that there is a method of curing diseases in the West called bloodletting. Everyone from the king to the gentry highly praised this method."

"I was inspired by this and came up with this idea, but for now I am still exploring medical techniques."

Jia Rong remembered something else and hurriedly stood up and said, "When I was exchanging medical skills with those Western merchants, they knew that I was the Duke of this country, so they gave me a lot of money and Western gifts. I wanted a set of Western medical tools, so I often communicated with them privately. I did not ask the emperor for permission before this matter. Please forgive me."

The emperor sat up slowly. He had finished the candy without noticing and felt normal again.

"That's fine. What did you give them?"

Jia Rong replied, "I gave them tea, silk and porcelain gifted by the emperor. As for the elixir, I only told them about its efficacy, but did not give them any medicine. I guess it was their king who sent an envoy to talk to the emperor about giving them medicine."

The emperor nodded in satisfaction, "That's good. It doesn't matter how much money and useless things you give, just don't pass on the valuables."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Jia Rong said, "The Crown Prince was ill the day before yesterday. I went to see him and had dinner with him before I left. Now the Crown Prince is not looking well. I want to talk to the two members of the royal family with the Chief of the Imperial Clan. This matter needs the Chief of the Imperial Clan to intervene."

The prince felt relieved when he realized that he was not a blood donor but a beneficiary along with the emperor.

Fortunately, we had a meal together a while ago, otherwise today would be miserable.

The emperor looked at Zong Zheng, and then at the eunuch Wei, who was in charge of writing.

"Draft an imperial decree! For the meritorious service of Ningguo Duke Jia Rong in rescuing the emperor, he shall be granted the surname of the emperor!"

Several princes and clan leaders understood instantly that the emperor really regarded Jia Rong as his own and personally helped him become a citizen.

If Jia Rong didn't have a wife, he would definitely be recruited as a son-in-law, which would make people wonder if he was the emperor's illegitimate son.

Of course Jia Rong is not an illegitimate child. He treats the emperor as his son.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Jia Rong was neither humble nor arrogant, and calmly accepted the fact that he had the same surname as his son.

Anyway, I don’t consider myself a member of the Jia family, so time travelers don’t care that much about surnames.

(End of this chapter)