Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Feng Yuan looked thoughtful, took a sip of wine, picked up a chopstick of beef with sauce and stuffed it into his mouth to chew.

After a while, he said: "What you said coincides with what I said. To be honest, my younger brother and my colleagues don't have any ambitions. They just want to be safe and stable. If you want to choose between the old and the new, it is really difficult for others.

But now, the battles in the court have become more and more fierce, and people dare not get involved easily. If you make a mistake, you will be in an abyss.

Even my brother's family can't be safe, let alone ordinary people like us? "

"Your Excellency is highly intelligent, so you can understand it clearly. There is no need to elaborate on this."

Pang Chao looked at Prince Zhongxin again and said: "Secondly, some people in the clan may not be able to restrain their desire to favor Bo Ming, and want to take advantage of troubled waters.

The group of people headed by Prince Zhongshun is clearly connected with the old party, and their ambition is probably not about gold and silk but other things. Does Prince think so? "

Prince Zhongxin looked solemn and nodded: "Sir, what you said is true."

"Your Majesty, as Zuo Zongzheng, has high morals and high respect. If there is a big change, can he stay out of it?" Pang Chao said.

Prince Zhongxin said hurriedly: "What is the big change that sir is talking about?"

Pang Chao smiled and said: "Your Majesty is the smartest man, why are you teasing me?"

Zhongxin smiled awkwardly: "Although I have some superficial knowledge, I don't dare to show it to my face. I just ask sir for advice."

“The Supreme Emperor has been taking action frequently recently, and the Queen Mother’s actions today were obviously ordered by Ningshou Palace. What was the reason?
I'm afraid some restless people in the old party and clan have aroused the Emperor's desire to regain some control over the world. Pang Chao said calmly.

Prince Zhongxin's heart sank, and he hurriedly said: "Zhongshun is a prince, a great Zongzheng, and has a high rank. What else can he ask for?"

Pang Chao smiled and said: "Your Majesty is asking this question knowingly. If he doesn't plan for himself, how can he not plan for future generations? Anyway, there is nothing you can do against him now, so why not give it a try?"

"What are you fighting for?" Zhongxin said.

"Does Chao have to say it so clearly? Anyway, now that the crown prince's position is up in the air, is it possible for the Supreme Emperor to come out of the palace and appoint a crown prince across generations?" Pang Chao said.

Zhongxin and Feng Yuan were shocked. This possibility was quite high.

"Now the Supreme Emperor Fan is moved, and the clan, the old party and others are adding fuel to the flames. My lord, your situation is a bit more dangerous than Lord Feng.

The worst case scenario for Mr. Feng is to be promoted to an official position, so stay far away and don’t stand under a dangerous wall. Where can you run to? Are you loyal to today? Are you loyal to the Supreme Emperor? Pang Chao said.

Zhongzhong felt a chill in his heart. This was more dangerous than the dispute between the old and new laws. If the Supreme Emperor wanted to leave the country, he would first win over the support of the clan. He would never be able to escape.

If he rejects the Supreme Emperor and succeeds in taking power one day, he will be doomed.

But if he supports the Supreme Emperor, it would be tantamount to treason for Jin Shang. A reduction in rank like that of Ningguo Mansion would be light. He does not have the iron certificate of the alchemy book given by the Great Ancestor, and he might be imprisoned for life.

"Please sir, give me some advice." Zhongxin said with cupped hands.

Pang Chao said: "I don't dare. In Chao's humble opinion, Mr. Feng or the prince should take precautions. Soon, there will be big changes in the capital."

Feng Yuan and Zhongxin said in unison: "Why are you so sure, sir?"

Pang Chao smiled slightly: "The Emperor will live a long life this year?"

"Seventy to eighty percent," Zhongxin said.

"If those people from the old party don't take action while the Emperor is still strong, then when will they wait? They can't afford to wait!"

Feng Yuan and Zhongxin looked at each other and nodded slowly. This was a natural thing.

"How can we avoid this turbulent wave? Please give me some tips, sir." The two said with cupped hands.

"As the saying goes, a good man has three gangs. Now my uncle is this gang of heroes, the New Party is a helper, Mr. Feng can be a helper, the prince can be a helper, the lineage of the Duke can be a helper, and the palace minister can be a helper. What's more, there are emperors and empresses as backers.

The court is dangerous, so it's better to work together than to fight alone, right? Do you both agree? Pang Chao said.

Feng Yuan smiled and said, "Sir, are you asking us to work for Dang Koubo?"

Zhongxin smiled and said: "I am his imperial uncle."

Jia Cong said hurriedly: "That's not the intention at all. It's just a matter of hugging each other to keep warm and taking care of each other. There is no other intention.

As the saying goes, gentlemen are harmonious but different. If the two of you have other ideas, how can Cong dare to compete with each other? "

Pang Chao said with a smile: "This is exactly the reason. This is not a clique for personal gain, but just a matter of working together to protect ourselves. Whether it works or not depends entirely on the will of the public.

What you two should worry about is the overall situation of the court, not just a mere comment. Come, eat vegetables, eat vegetables. Well, the craftsmanship of this store is really good. "

Jia Cong had already eaten enough. He leaned back on the chair to pick his teeth and said with a smile: "Two brothers, Cong dares to say that the old party will be defeated and the Supreme Emperor will be defeated!"

Feng Yuan and the other two were shocked: "Why did you say this?"

Jia Cong said: "You two have been in the court for a long time, don't you know what you have done today?

At that time, Jinshang was neither the eldest nor the direct descendant. Wen Wu had the talents of Brother Feng to assist him, and the younger brother Wu Que had such strong support. Even within the clan, Your Majesty, your father-in-law might not be optimistic about Jinshang back then. "

Zhongxin nodded awkwardly. If his father had been sensible and made a favor earlier, he would not just be a county king, but a prince at least.

“You could reach the top successfully back then, how much more so now when you are rich all over the world, your advisers are like rain, and your powerful generals are like clouds?

Isn't it a bit fanciful that just a few thieves want to rebel?

To be honest with the two elder brothers, the younger brother is very stubborn, so he has identified this road and is preparing to walk into the dark. I want to see what kind of monsters and monsters can pop up! "Jia Cong said.

Zhongxin weighed it over and over again, and still felt that he had a better chance of winning this time, so he gritted his teeth and said: "That's good, I will also follow this path.

Let’s talk about it first, the account from last time has to be settled. In future business, the brothers will have to settle the accounts clearly. Don't expect that you can rely on the king's account by becoming the consort. "

Jia Cong couldn't help but laugh: "Your Majesty is indeed a sweetheart, Cong admires him."

Feng Yuan muttered: "This matter is of great importance, but I cannot decide it alone. Let me go back and discuss it with Jiang Zhongtang and all my colleagues before making a decision."

"That's natural." Jia Cong smiled and said: "Anyway, the road is here. If you and I are like-minded brothers, we might as well walk side by side.

If I have another way, I would be happy to see it come to fruition. This is the principle of friendship between gentlemen. "

Feng Yuandao: "My brother's words are very kind. The friendship between gentlemen between you and me is as light as water. How can it be like the old party, where everyone works together like a dog and fights against differences?
Speaking of which, I need to hurry up on the money. My brother's money has been really tight these past two days. At the end of the year, all the ministries and institutes are coming to ask for money. It's hard. "

Jia Cong said: "Don't worry, although there is a lot of money confiscated in Jiangnan this time, most of it is fields, houses, utensils, and antiques. They need to be sold slowly. The current silver is estimated to be only 20 to 30 million. According to the water transportation schedule, it will come quickly." Just go to Shandong."

Feng Yuan nodded hurriedly: "It's okay, it can relieve some urgent needs."

"There is one more little thing, please help me, brother," Jia Cong said. "What's the matter? I knew you wouldn't suffer." Feng Yuan said with a smile.

"It's not a big deal. Knowing that my brother has many friends, can you ask Qin Tianjian to look closer to the future, so as to avoid long nights and many dreams?" Jia Cong said.

Feng Yuan smiled and said, "What's the problem? I'm good friends with Qintian Supervisor Zheng Tu Junsi, so I can just say hello for you. He also spoke for you last time about the Gongjin case."

Jia Cong smiled and said: "Please pay homage to Master Tu for me and ask him to see a better life. The closer the better, I will thank him for 10,000 silver."

"Brother, please be happy. What's the point of this? According to common sense, a princess's wedding should be held in March or May. Since I'm anxious to get into the bridal chamber and Lao Tu is anxious about others, I think a month or two is about the same." Feng Yuan smiled.

Everyone laughed.

After dinner, Jia Cong and Pang Chao went back home in the same car.

"Sir, I invited them to dinner today. Originally I just wanted to make more friends and find more ways to go. However, I heard from sir that I wanted to get them to join the gang. Will this arouse suspicion? After all, my identity..." Jia Cong whispered.

Pang Chao shook his head and said with a smile: "If we talk about suspicion, is it possible that if you don't form a party, no one will doubt you? Why did the old party uncover the old case of Dongfu more than 20 years ago this time?"

"Sir, you mean..." Jia Cong felt cold.

Pang Chao nodded and said: "The old party is very ruthless. They found out the affair between Dai Hua Gong and the deposed prince. Why? Everyone is dead, so what can we do if we find out about it?"

It's just to plant a nail in His Majesty's heart. Although His Majesty didn't mention it again this time, do you think he has forgotten it? "

Jia Cong was silent. It was probably true that Jia Daihua had some connection with the deposed prince. Otherwise, Qin Keqing's problem would not be explained.

Because he said: "Sir, are you saying that I am now under suspicion?"

Pang Chao said: "This is natural. It's just that today's wise and wise man may not associate the events of more than twenty years ago with you, otherwise he would not recruit you as his consort.

But as the saying goes, accumulation destroys bones. How many times can your holy family withstand the secret arrows? "

"So sir, have you made arrangements in advance?"

"Brother Cong, you have to remember that the new party, Jin Shang, and the empress are showing favor to you now, but they are using you as a sword. If you want to achieve a career, you must be the sword holder." Pang Chao said calmly.

"Cong please remember your teacher's teachings."

Pang Chao said: “Therefore, if we want to gain benefits from party struggles, it is better to form our own party than to join the new party.

Now that you have become the consort and closely related to the Tian family, the emperor and empress' trust in you will also increase. As long as you keep a low profile and use the new party as a cover, you will be fine. "

Jia Cong nodded and said: "Sir, what you mean is that the New Party is unreliable. Does it mean that the New Party and I will part ways in the future?"

"Since ancient times, when the birds are gone, the good bows are hidden; when the cunning rabbits die, the lackeys are cooked. This is the principle of nature.

The situation between North Korea and China is complicated now, and you are safe for the time being. It’s just that people who don’t have long-term worries will have immediate worries. It’s better to be prepared than to be unprepared. Pang Chao said.

"Sir, I have a good opinion." Jia Cong hesitated for a moment and said: "Sir, my uncle Ru Haigong is also a high-ranking member of the New Party and a close minister of the Holy Emperor. If one day I and the New Party are at odds with each other, then... how will we get along with each other? Where?"

Pang Chao smiled lightly: "Brother Cong, have you ever heard of the story of Xiao He and Han Xin?"

"I only know that Han Xin has an allusion about crotch humiliation and making a fortune. Please give me some advice, sir."

Pang Chao said: "Back then, Han Xin defected to Liu Bang, but he was not reused and was only a minor official in charge of food and grass. At that time, Xiao He was already an indispensable minister under Liu Bang. Although the status of the two was very different, they cherished each other and became close friends.

Unexpectedly, when Xiao He was about to recommend him to Liu Bang, Han Xin ran away because he could not be reused. When Xiao He heard about it, he was very anxious and chased him back overnight. This is the story of "Xiao He chasing Han Xin under the moon".

Later, under his strong recommendation, Han Xin was worshiped as a general by Liu Bang, sweeping the world and forcing Xiang Yu to death. Judging from this, Xiao Han's friendship can also be passed down as a good story, right? "

"It is indeed a good story." Jia Cong said.

Pang Chao chuckled: "It's a pity that a good beginning is hard to end well. After the Emperor of the Han Dynasty became emperor, he was always afraid of Han Xin, a master with great military skills and a godlike military skills. He was demoted again and again, which made him especially worried.

Empress Lu regained her murderous intent, knowing that with Han Xin's resourcefulness, there was only one person in the world who could make him surrender and kill him. "

"Xiao He." Jia Cong said in a deep voice.

"Exactly. Xiao He has the kindness to meet Han Xin and the virtue of recommendation. He is also a close friend and the person Han Xin trusts the most.

Xiao He also understood the emperor's concerns. In order to express his true feelings, prove his innocence and protect himself, he advocated getting rid of Han Xin and went to the Han Mansion in person to have him framed and killed in the palace.

Han Xin was 35 years old when he was killed. This is the allusion of "Han Xin did bad things to Xiao He". Does Xiao He really want to kill Han Xin? Pang Chao said.

Jia Cong smiled bitterly: "Sir, are all the stories in history books so cruel?"

Pang Chao said: "Brother Cong, I know that you are a person who values ​​friendship and righteousness. Don't forget that fighting at court is not a child's play. Everyone is his own master and has his own moral principles. The so-called Zhilan is in power and must be eliminated.

If one day you become a stumbling block to the new party, even if your uncle doesn't want to get rid of you, I may have to do it. After all, he is just a knife. How can you decide who the knife wants to kill?
Confucius said that a man of lofty ideals and benevolence does not seek life to harm his benevolence, but he kills himself to achieve benevolence. Your uncle is such a benevolent person, do you expect him to abandon justice for the sake of personal affairs? "

Jia Cong frowned and said, "Why is it that, even if my uncle doesn't think that I saved his life or for my aunt's sake, he still thinks of me as his son-in-law?
Does he want his daughter to be a widow? What's more, he is not such a ruthless person, otherwise how could the late Duke recruit him as his son-in-law? "

Pang Chao shook his head and smiled bitterly: "You, you are considered to have great power now, why are you still saying childish words? Do you want to pin the whole family's life and future on the possibility that Ruhai Gong will miss his old love?
It’s important to be on guard against others, brother Cong. If you completely trust a person, your political opponents will definitely use him to get rid of you. Wasn't Han Xin's death unjust enough? Afterwards, all his people were killed, did you know? "

Jia Cong was horrified, and a cold sweat broke out on his vest. If Lin Ruhai really wanted to plot against him in the future... this would be unimaginable.

He finally understood why Cao Cao was so suspicious and even killed innocent people indiscriminately. It was because his heart was sinister and he did not dare to be careless in the slightest.

However, after all, Jia Cong was a strong general who was killed in a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood, so he would not have the disadvantages of being kind-hearted and soft-hearted. After thinking for a moment, his mind became clear and he made up his mind.

If this day comes, even if Mei'er wants to hate me for the rest of her life, I will not show mercy.

He couldn't get involved with Baochai, Qingwen, Chuchan and the rest of his family just because of Lin Ruhai. He calculated this account very clearly.

"Have you thought it through?" Pang Chao said.

Jia Cong nodded slowly: "It's clear. I would rather teach me to betray others than teach others to betray me! People are in the court and can't help themselves, so this is the only way."

"That's right. If you want to succeed in your career, you must practice forbearance. It means forbearance, tolerance, and cruelty.

If you continue on the current path, you may become a giant in the court and a generation of heroes. How can you have a long-lasting love between children?

Only by being ruthless can you protect the girls at home. But if you are soft to outsiders and expose your flaws, your political opponents will pounce on you and tear you into pieces. Remember this. "

Pang Chao said sincerely. He also knew that what Jia Cong cared about most was the female family members at home, so he used this to persuade him.

Jia Cong smiled and said: "Sir, don't worry, Cong is not my mother-in-law's scholarly husband. If you really need to kill people, no matter how many people you kill or who you kill, it's just mowing grass for me."

"Good! You really look like a hero." Pang Chao applauded, stroking his palms. (End of chapter)