The destiny of all heavens begins in the Red Chamber

"It seems that the old woman has misunderstood!"

The old lady said with a self-deprecating smile, "I never expected that such a remote place would produce such good products!"

"Grandma, there's just a little bit left!"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Through those two states, we can directly trade with many small southwestern countries!"

"Anything involving foreign trade can generate substantial revenue and profits!"

There's no need to go into more details and ideas.

The things that Jia Huan and Jia Cong did actually had little to do with the Rong Mansion anymore.

Most of the Rong family's resources were used in the capital. Consort Yuan, Master Zheng, and Jia Baoyu in the palace all enjoyed too many resources.

As for Jia Lian, he built his career entirely on his own and didn't rely much on the mansion's resources.

Under these circumstances, Jia Huan and Jia Cong already knew what was going on.

Since the Rong family didn't contribute much, there was no need for them to know too much or get too involved.

If you can get away with something, just gloss over it; if you can't get away with it, just give a brief explanation.

Anyway, the old lady and the others didn't care much about the details. What they mainly wanted to know was probably Jia Huan's specific thoughts and future development.

But telling the old lady and the others about these things wouldn't do much good!

Could it be that the old lady and Madam Wang would really open up the mansion's resources for the two brothers to use without worry? That seems highly improbable.

In fact, the support from the Rong family was even more powerful than that from the disloyal Prince Shun.

At least, Prince Zhongshun was thinking about the benefit of everyone, while the bigwigs of the Rong family were thinking about how to take advantage of each other, and continuously take advantage of each other.

Knowing this, Jia Cong dealt with the old lady with ease and naturalness, without any timidity, which earned him the old lady's high regard.

Chapter 373 The Improving Second Master Zheng (Please Subscribe)

Discussing development plans for two southwestern border prefectures with an old lady is like casting pearls before swine.

She didn't care at all, or rather, she didn't want to get involved.

Adhering to the principle of neither supporting nor opposing, neither investing nor hindering, I want to be a pure bystander.

On the contrary, Madam Wang's attitude was quite dismissive, and she even wore her dissatisfaction on her face.

Who is this display meant to be shown to?

Jia Cong felt disdain, but he didn't want to speak ill of him.

Did he really think he didn't know the true feelings of the old lady and Madam Wang?

It was merely a matter of hoping that Consort Yuan would give birth to a prince, and that the future wealth and prosperity of the Rong family would depend on that unborn prince.

In truth, it's the same old tricks used by noble families to maintain their status.

The family's future is tied to a certain prince; their fates are intertwined, one's prosperity or ruin is the other's ruin.

I never thought I could become strong through my own efforts!

If one becomes powerful enough that even the royal family wouldn't dare to offend them easily, wouldn't life be much easier and more carefree?

It can only be said that old ways of thinking are not so easy to break.

Clearly, the old lady and Madam Wang are still stuck in traditional thinking.

Jia Cong wouldn't care too much about this!

In any case, whether the Rong family has resources or not makes no difference.

It’s funny to say!

Although both Jia Huan and he came from the Rong family, the Rong family did not provide much direct help to the two brothers.

On the contrary, the Ning family performed quite well.

At least, the patriarch's lineage has fulfilled all its responsibilities quite well.

The support given was all real and tangible, not just empty words.

The Ning Prefecture also put a great deal of effort into developing the territory in the two southwestern prefectures.

At least, they were carrying out all of Jia Huan's suggestions in a methodical and thorough manner.

It must be said that Qin Keqing, who received an elite royal education, was truly outstanding in terms of vision, insight, and courage, far surpassing many men.

Don't even mention that current elderly women can't compare; they would be just as difficult to compare to elderly women in their youth.

Madam Wang is a complete idiot!

Of course, Jia Huan and Jia Cong didn't expect to get strong support from the Rong Mansion; they just wanted them to stay out of trouble.

There are some things that can't be communicated with the old lady or Madam Wang.

Because everyone's way of thinking and ideas are on completely different wavelengths.

Jia Cong did not stay in Rongqing Hall for long before taking his leave.

"Cong-ge'er, come to the study to talk!"

Master Zheng left with them and invited Jia Cong to the main study as a guest.

Jia Cong couldn't refuse, and he was very curious about what Master Zheng had to say to him.

"The manor can't offer you two brothers much support, so don't hold any resentment in your hearts!"

Unexpectedly, the Second Master Zheng's words were earth-shattering, leaving Jia Cong completely stunned.

Seeing his reaction, Master Zheng Er chuckled softly, and finally said helplessly, "There are some things I can see clearly, so you don't need to lie to me!"

"I doubt you brothers will need the resources in the manor!"

"However, if matters of the court require information from various regions, please do not hesitate to speak up!"

Master Zheng chuckled and said, "There's not much I can do to help, this is all I can do!"

Jia Cong's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly said, "Second Uncle, you're too kind. This is more than enough!"

He was quite surprised, never expecting that Master Zheng would say these things to him.

However, it's quite obvious that Master Zheng Er understands certain things very well.

"Hey, I do know a bit about Huan-ge'er!"

Master Zheng continued with a wry smile: "To be honest, I don't understand how this kid acts!"

"However, the manor's current state is largely due to Huan-ge'er's antics, and Second Uncle is well aware of this. I just don't know how to help!"

Given the right conditions and environment, people can make progress.

The Second Master Zheng was like that; his abilities might not have improved much, but his insight and knowledge had improved in ways that far exceeded everyone's expectations.

Previously, although he was the head of the Rong family, due to his own limitations and the constraints imposed by the old lady, he actually had limited access to the family's resources.

Throughout the entire original novel of Dream of the Red Chamber, it seems that the most remarkable thing he did was to help Jia Yucun regain his position.

But this wasn't just thanks to the Second Master Zheng; it was also the work of Prince Teng!

As for other ways to demonstrate the power and authority of the head of the family, none of them could be found.

In the original novel of Dream of the Red Chamber, Master Zheng was a muddle-headed fool from beginning to end.

There's no other reason; they simply haven't had enough training!

While he was sidelined in the Ministry of Works, he drifted along aimlessly. After being suddenly promoted, he was ignorant of the rules and intricacies of the system and was easily fooled by his subordinates and servants, almost losing his life.

But the situation is completely different for the current Second Master Zheng.

Thanks to Jia Huan's meddling, he left the Ministry of Works, a practical government office, at a very early age.

First, he participated in the national treasury collection campaign, which all court officials avoided like the plague, thus offending many people.

It must be said that although going door-to-door to collect debts is unpleasant and one dares not go too far, it is truly a good training ground. During this period, Master Zheng Er did improve his skills.

His subsequent careers at the Court of Imperial Stud and the Court of State Ceremonial were filled with real power.

Although neither of the two government offices was particularly important, they were still the so-called Nine Ministers' offices.

The intricacies and rules within the court, as well as some matters of the imperial court, broadened the horizons of the Second Master Zheng, naturally enhancing his knowledge as well.

Especially when he was the head of the Court of State Ceremonial, he was able to participate in small court assemblies.

The ups and downs, and the various controversies, at the small court assembly were scenes that the Second Master Zheng had never seen or personally participated in.

As a bystander, he was already terrified, let alone actively getting involved.

Having finally fought his way up to the position of Tongzhengshi, a third-rank official, Lord Zheng Er felt that he had reached the pinnacle.

Being exposed to a large amount of local information every day made Master Zheng feel that his vision and knowledge had been further enhanced.

Unfortunately, his improved vision and knowledge did not necessarily translate into improved abilities.

Another crucial point is that the Second Master Zheng had no available manpower.

The scholars and gentlemen employed by the manor who were ambitious all went to the clan school to teach while also participating in the imperial examinations.

The rest are basically just people who want to coast through life and get by.