The Military Governor in Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 117 Reward

Dai Quan's words served as a reminder to Emperor Chongli.

Yes, the soldiers in the army were unwilling to use firearms, not only referring to common firearms such as the three-eyed mortar, but also to firearms such as the bird mortar.

In short, from top to bottom, the quality of these firearms was unreliable.

"Jia Chen, I will give you a batch of these craftsmen, and I will also have Datong Town cooperate with you as much as possible to provide you with enough casting materials. You will work hard to forge firearms for me. I want excellent muskets and large cannons to better kill the northern barbarians," Emperor Chongli said.

Since Jia Chen is now capable of producing decent firearms, why not give him a group of men? They should be able to produce some decent muskets as well.

In recent years, the northern barbarians have been too rampant in their southward incursions, disrupting the peace of the border towns. They need to be taught a lesson.

Besides the bravery of the soldiers, the quality of their weapons was also very important.

Jia Chen is skilled in using firearms, and I am willing to help him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will certainly forge firearms that will satisfy Your Majesty," Jia Chen said happily.

"If you want to please me, then go and kill more Northern barbarians," Emperor Chongli said in a deep voice.

"I obey your decree!"

"Is there anything else you need?" Emperor Chongli asked.

A hint of surprise flashed in Dai Quan's eyes. The emperor's patience was truly remarkable today; such a thing would never have happened before.

In the past, the emperor had never shown such a gentle attitude towards those court officials.

Jia Chen really has won the Emperor's favor.

"Your Majesty, that's enough. I dare not be greedy. As long as this batch of firearms craftsmen arrives, I guarantee that the fortified walls will stand as long as the people are here, or the city will perish if the people die!" Jia Chen shouted.

Making one request is already an act of imperial grace; if one is so tactless as to make any further demands, then one is courting death.

Especially since the emperor had already fulfilled his first condition, Jia Chen really didn't dare to ask for anything more.

When Jia Chen finished speaking, he noticed Dai Quan and Hu Youcai's expressions out of the corner of his eye, especially Dai Quan, whose face clearly showed a hint of approval.

This means that I did the right thing.

"Good. If all the soldiers on the border were like you, why would I need to worry about the Northern Yuan barbarians or the Later Jin Tartars invading and plundering?" Emperor Chongli was moved by Jia Chen's words.

In recent years, the border town has been in turmoil. Almost every so often, news would come that a certain place had been plundered, a certain fortress or watchtower had been captured, and a certain number of people had been abducted.

He knew that most of those so-called war achievements and the heads of innocent people were obtained by killing innocent people and claiming credit, but what could he do?

Even punishing counterfeiters, even beheading them, could not eradicate the problem, leaving Emperor Chongli feeling extremely weary.

Jia Chen, however, was an exception; those were all real heads of Northern barbarians that had been cut off.

It gave him a huge sense of relief.

Since the great victory in Datong Town, he found himself much more energetic.

All of this is related to Jia Chen.

Such a talented person should be given important responsibilities.

After expressing his feelings, Emperor Chongli said, "I know you have a house in the capital, but it's too small. I'll give you 3000 taels of silver to expand it."

Jia Chen thought to himself that the emperor now knew him inside and out, clearly having conducted a thorough investigation.

The courtyard house we live in now is indeed a bit small.

If it were just one person living alone, there wouldn't be any problem.

But now that he is a commander of a thousand households, and his mother and wife are both of high rank, he cannot be stingy when it comes to the servants.

This courtyard house was originally converted from a three-sided courtyard house, and since it was originally intended for the people under the Jia family, it didn't occupy a very large area.

However, if this courtyard house wants to be expanded, then the houses of the surrounding neighbors must be demolished in order to expand it.

These houses all belong to the Jia family.

If we buy some land in the surrounding area and then expand, 3000 taels of silver probably won't be enough; we'll have to add quite a bit more ourselves.

However, since the emperor has issued an edict, I must obey it.

We'll try to expand as little as possible when the time comes.

Jia Chen really wanted to say that the 3000 taels would be better given to him directly, and could be used for future military expenditures.

The traditional courtyard houses are still habitable nowadays; there's no problem making do with them.

Of course, this is just wishful thinking; imperial orders cannot be disobeyed.

After Emperor Chongli finished speaking, he dismissed Jia Chen.

Jia Chen knew that there were some important matters he couldn't get involved in, so Emperor Chongli probably had something to entrust to Hu Youcai.

Hu Youcai finally came out after waiting outside for more than half an hour.

The two left the palace, led by a eunuch.

"Jia Chen, don't forget the day after tomorrow." Before parting, Hu Youcai reminded him again.

"Your Excellency, I remember," Jia Chen said with a smile.

Abuna will be released the day after tomorrow.

It's true that they'll be released at the end of February.

However, the person needs to be escorted to Xuanfu Town, where they will be handed over.

The task of escorting Abunai was assigned to Hu Youcai and Jia Chen.

After delivering the person, the two of them returned to Datong Town.

It wasn't entirely on the same route; I took a slightly longer route.

After all, Abunai was a prisoner of Datong Town, so it was reasonable for the people of Datong Town to escort him.

As for the firearms craftsmen, Hu Youcai told Jia Chen that it wouldn't be so quick.

There's definitely not enough time in a few days. Once they return to Datong, the selected candidates will be sent directly to Juqiangbao.

Jia Chen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the selected people may not necessarily be experts in the manufacture of firearms such as bird-shaped muskets, they should at least know a little about them.

For Jia Chen, something is better than nothing.

Moreover, Hu Youcai also said that he would ask someone to help him check and try to find some good craftsmen for Juqiangbao.

Jia Chen believed this.

Hu Youcai, after all, came from the palace, and the Bureau of Armory was managed by eunuchs, so Hu Youcai might know some people there.

Even if things go wrong, there's still Dai Quan. With that connection, the people below will at least give him some face.

After leaving the palace, Jia Chen did not go home, but instead visited Jia Zheng again.

"You went to the palace to meet the Emperor?" Jia Zheng was very surprised after hearing Jia Chen's words.

While I was surprised, I was also pleasantly surprised.

This shows that the emperor truly valued Jia Chen.

This is definitely a good thing for the Jia family.

"With His Majesty's words, I'll put in a good word for you, and I'm sure I can find some master craftsmen who are proficient in making cannons," Jia Zheng said with a smile.

Previously, Jia Chen had asked him for help, wanting to find some firearms craftsmen in the capital, specifically those who could make firearms.

Even he felt somewhat embarrassed.

I haven't figured out how to find them in the past few days, and I'm at a loss for what to do.

Unexpectedly, Jia Chen met the emperor, who then issued an imperial decree.

Once the most important task is completed, you can then use your connections to select some skilled craftsmen, which will make things much simpler.

Otherwise, if he were to remove the person without imperial decree, he would easily be criticized, and some might even use this as an opportunity to attack the Jia family.

Now there's no such concern.

"Thank you very much, Second Master," Jia Chen said.

"Even without me, Hu Youcai has Eunuch Dai behind him. With him involved, the people you're given will surely be of good quality," Jia Zheng said with a smile.

He discovered that Jia Chen was not only valued by the emperor, but also had a good relationship with Dai Quan.

Dai Quan was a favorite of the emperor, someone not just anyone could get close to.

With Jia Chen having such a connection, if anything happens to the Jia family in the future, they might be able to make contact.

Especially since his eldest daughter was still in the palace, Jia Zheng was very concerned about his relationships there.

"Second Master, there's something else I'd like to ask you for a favor," Jia Chen said.

"Speak," Jia Zheng said with a smile.

"I want to expand the house, so I'd like to buy some land in the surrounding area," Jia Chen said.

Jia Zheng did not answer immediately upon hearing this.

He started to wonder if Jia Chen was trying to blackmail him.

They say they're buying, but are they really just trying to take advantage of others?

Does he want me to deliver it to him again?

After all, the house that Jia Chen's family is currently living in was given to them by them, and it was even converted into a courtyard house, with all the expenses paid by the Jia family.

Considering that Jia Chen is now highly regarded by the emperor, it might not be good to refuse him.

But what if it were given away for free?

It's hard to say what will happen to my older brother.

"Second Master, I will buy it at market price," Jia Chen hurriedly added.

"It's not about the money," Jia Zheng said. "With this expansion, those who used to live next door will have to pack up and move, and arranging alternative accommodations for them will take time." He continued, "Why did you suddenly decide to expand your house?"

"That's right," Jia Chen replied. "Today His Majesty also said he would reward me with 3000 taels of silver for the purpose of expanding my residence."

The money hasn't arrived yet. The emperor has issued the decree, but there are still procedures to follow, such as preparing the money.

However, it won't be long; the money should be delivered soon.

"His Majesty's decree?" Jia Zheng stood up in shock, his eyes wide as he stared at Jia Chen.

Jia Chen nodded.

"Why didn't you say so sooner?" Jia Zheng quickly regained his composure.

If it's the emperor's decree, how could they dare to ask Jia Chen for the land purchase money?

"I forgot to mention it earlier, please forgive me, Second Master," Jia Chen said somewhat embarrassedly. "Second Master, about the land purchase?"

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"The land issue is easy to discuss, but I need to speak with the master first. You should go back now," Jia Zheng said with a smile.

Back home, Jia Chen told his mother and wife what had happened. Everyone was excited but also worried.

Entering the palace to meet the emperor is naturally a great thing.

But Jia Chen had to return to Datong soon, and they couldn't help but feel reluctant to part with him.

Especially Qin Keqing, the two were newlyweds, inseparable.

Although Qin Keqing knew that Jia Chen wouldn't stay at home for long this time, she still couldn't bear to part with him again.

In fact, Jia Chen is already the garrison commander of a city, so he can bring his wife along.

However, he thought about how harsh and dangerous the conditions were at the Fortress, and that Qin Keqing was safer at home.

It's not too far from Datong Town to the capital; I'll try to come back more often in the future.

Regarding Jia Chen's mention of the emperor's bestowal and the expansion of the residence, although Jia Shenshi felt that the residence was sufficient and had only recently been renovated, and that further expansion seemed unnecessary, it was the emperor's decree, so it could not be taken lightly.

Therefore, expansion is imperative; otherwise, it would be defying imperial orders.

As they were talking, suddenly there was a lot of gonging and drumming outside, making it quite lively.

"Whose wedding is it?" Jia Chen asked curiously.

"Master, that's unlikely. The timing is wrong," Qin Keqing said. "Besides, I haven't heard of any weddings happening around here."

It's almost evening. Weddings usually start quite early and are unlikely to drag on this late.

However, a servant soon came in excitedly to report that the emperor's reward for Jia Chen had arrived.

Jia Chen hurriedly went out and saw a eunuch and an official with guards escorting three large boxes to the gate.

Upon seeing Jia Chen, the eunuch shouted, "His Majesty has issued an edict!"

"A reward of three thousand taels of silver and ten bolts of brocade will be given to Jia Chen, the garrison commander of the fortified position!"

Jia Chen was somewhat surprised. Wasn't it three thousand taels of silver?

There were even ten extra bolts of brocade, which must have been added by the emperor later.

Jia Chen understood that his two achievements had pleased the emperor greatly.

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