The Military Governor in Dream of the Red Chamber

The onlookers' expressions changed, and they hurriedly retreated to the side of the street.

They then realized that it was Jia Zheng's sedan chair that had returned.

The man who had shouted glanced at Hu De on the ground, then at Jia Mao beside him, and quickly turned back to the sedan chair: "Master, it's a fight between the men below."

"This is an insult to scholarship!" Jia Zheng, inside the sedan chair, frowned. "Who is it?"

The sedan curtain was lifted, and Jia Zheng, dressed in official robes, stepped out of the sedan.

He had just finished a day at work and was heading home when he encountered this unexpected situation.

Street fights have a bad influence.

"Master, I am here to collect the rent on the orders of Steward Lai. He... he, Jia Mao, not only refused to pay, but also maliciously injured people. Please, Master, do justice for me..." Hu De immediately stepped forward to complain after seeing Jia Zheng.

Jia Zheng frowned.

What a mess! Aren't you ashamed?

The idea of ​​collecting rent from this house was proposed to me by Lai Da two years ago.

It is said that this could increase the government's revenue.

Although Jia Zheng didn't manage the household's income, he was well aware of it.

Year after year, the income has long been insufficient to cover expenses.

Therefore, he agreed to Lai Da's idea.

This kind of thing shouldn't be done in a big way, because in the past, the Jia family had always let their servants live there for free.

If word gets out that they're charging rent now, wouldn't people think that such a large family like the Jia family is mistreating its servants?

"Go and ask what happened?" Jia Zheng said to one of the people beside him.

He wouldn't just listen to Hood alone.

The man asked Jia Mao and the neighbors, and he quickly returned to report.

"Sir, everyone is very upset. They say the rent for a room has almost doubled. Now the worst room costs 1 tael a year, and the best room costs more than 3 taels a year."

"What?" Jia Zheng's breathing became rapid, he was angry.

He remembered that at the time, they said it was just a token gesture, and that no more than one or two ounces per room per year.

Unexpectedly, the amount collected from below more than tripled.

Jia Zheng glared at Hu De, and was about to speak when he heard the servant continue, "Master, the man who hit someone just now is Jia Mao. He just made a contribution in Datong and is now a captain."

"Oh?" Jia Zheng's expression softened, somewhat surprised.

He didn't know Jia Mao, but he heard that he was a member of the Jia clan.

There are some members of the Jia clan in the Beijing garrison now, but most of them are just coasting along, and there are very few even junior officers.

Previously, only Jia Gan was a commander-in-chief; I never expected this young man to be one as well.

"Good, good." Jia Zheng said with a smile.

He didn't have any direct descendants of the Jia family join the army, but he would still support collateral descendants if they were successful in the military.

"And Jia Chen, he was just promoted to centurion," the servant added.

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng looked surprised: "A centurion?"

"Yes, sir."

"Jia Chen? Jia Gan's son?" Jia Zheng asked.

"Yes."

"Have him come over quickly." Jia Zheng's smile widened.

Jia Chen and Jia Mao came over, and Jia Shenshi came along too.

The three men bowed to Jia Zheng.

Jia Zheng was familiar with Jia Gan and his wife, and he also knew that Jia Shenshi worked in Li Wan's courtyard.

This was the first time he had met Jia Chen; he had only heard that Jia Gan had a second son.

"Jia Chen, Jia Mao, you two have done a great job. Tell me in detail," Jia Zheng asked curiously.

Without hesitation, Jia Chen recounted his meritorious service in Datong Town, except for some details that he concealed.

Those around them could feel the danger and horror of what they were hearing.

They looked at Jia Chen and Jia Mao with envy in their eyes.

Madam Jia was quite nervous. Her son hadn't told her any of this earlier; he had only mentioned the positive aspects. She had no idea it was so dangerous.

"Very good, this is how the Jia family should be." Jia Zheng said with great satisfaction, "The court has bestowed rewards, and as members of the Jia family, the clan has also given them commendations."

It's rare to have two outstanding sons, so Jia Zheng is willing to give them praise.

Since Jia Gan's death in battle, all of Jia's sons in the Beijing garrison have been deemed incompetent.

Jia Zheng was well aware of the situation of the Beijing Garrison.

But he was powerless to do such a thing.

It's good that Jia Chen and Jia Mao stay in Datong Town now; they might be able to start anew and achieve something great.

I think about how my ancestors once lived in Datong Town.

"Master?" Hu De was terrified when he saw Jia Zheng looking at him, and his voice trembled.

Jia Zheng snorted coldly and said, "Take him down and find out what really happened."

Hu De shouted that he was innocent, but no one paid attention and he was dragged away.

At this moment, a servant came from the Rongguo Mansion and respectfully said to Jia Zheng, "Master, the eldest master and Master Zhen are waiting for you. Prince Beijin just came by."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng's expression turned somewhat serious.

"Jia Chen and Jia Mao, you two come to the mansion tomorrow morning to receive your reward." After saying this, Jia Zheng returned to his sedan chair.

After watching the sedan chair leave, Madam Jia pulled Jia Chen back into the house. She had many questions for Jia Chen to ask.

Others gathered in small groups, discussing the matter animatedly.

The fact that Jia Chen and Jia Mao had children in Datong is destined to be a topic of conversation for a long time to come.

Jia Zheng hurriedly returned to the mansion and met Jia She and Jia Zhen, who had been waiting for him.

"Brother, Zhen-ge'er, what brings the Prince here?" Jia Zheng asked.

Prince Bei Jing would never come to the palace without a reason, so if he did come, it must be for something important.

He was particularly alarmed when he saw the grim expressions on Jia She and Jia Zhen's faces.

"My lord, you should speak first," Jia Zhen sighed.

Jia She nodded, and after confirming that all the servants had left, he spoke up: "The matter of Prince Yizhong."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng's expression changed instantly.

"Something happened?" Jia Zheng asked in a low voice.

"It's not that serious," Jia She shook his head and lowered his voice. "The old prince's daughter, Qin Keqing, is just of marriageable age. Qin Ye has been courting many families over the years, but the prince has secretly sabotaged them all. The prince believes that this matter cannot be taken too lightly."

"After all, she is a noblewoman, how can she be so easily married off to someone else?" Jia Zheng nodded.

After Prince Yizhong committed a crime, he left behind a daughter outside the marriage.

Later, the daughter was adopted from the orphanage by Qin Ye, a construction worker.

Qin Ye was unaware of the inside story and thought it was perfectly normal for his daughter to choose a husband when she reached marriageable age.

However, several key members of the Jia family knew the inside story.

Prince Bei Jing was naturally aware of this as well.

"That's the trouble," Jia She sighed.

"Brother, what's the trouble?" Jia Zheng asked, puzzled.

"We need to find a suitable candidate," Jia She said. "Your Highness means to find one from our Jia family."

"Ah? No way!" Jia Zheng immediately objected. "Brother, you didn't refuse?"

Jia She looked helpless. If he could refuse, would he be here looking so gloomy?

"Your eldest daughter entered the palace a few years ago. Don't you, as a prince, have any thoughts about that?" Jia She glanced at Jia Zheng and said, "She's afraid we're getting too close to the Emperor."